Ch. 14 An Unexpected Visit

Ch. 14 An Unexpected Visit
Emmeline and Aleister bid Homer & Jethro adieu and entered the house. Jack, they rightly surmised. had taken the General home with Leon...there to enjoy the festivities.
Al saw to the fire in the parlor whilst Em commandeered the woodstove.
'This pie looks so...glorious...' Al told her as he set it upon the stovetop to warm, and Em had to giggle.
'Well, it is good. Alice's recipe...where is Alice?' she enquired gazing about.
'Outside. She is getting to be a wild cat, I fear! She loves the out of doors! Although, ah! Here she is!' Al saw his calico Alice come trotting through the garden calling his name...Aleister opened the back door and scooped her up into his arms; she promptly took her place draped about his shoulders, 'She loves to ride up there!Ever since she arrived.' He glanced at his Alice all a-purr. 'And, all about the place! If I go out in the woods...'He sniffed over the pie as Alice stood and butted Aleister's head,purring all the while.'Oh, yes, just let 'er heat abit, eh?Ummm, smells divine!'
Em couldn't help but smile. 'She is a dear. I'm so glad you, we, took her in. She belongs here.'
Al and Alice were in agreement on that.
'She likes to go on moonlight walks! And lead. I follow the white spots in her coat...'
'Through the woods?' asked Em.
'Oh, yes! Not too far, but, it's a well-worn path, Em...' Al
turned the pie about on the stove-top as it warmed...
'Hel-lo!'
                       .........
"Mr. Yeats!' Em exclaimed.'You do know when to make an appearance. How IS that I wonder?'
Yeats held an unreadable masklike visage akin to Iggy Pop
ala Star Trek.
'Just In time for pie...'Al set about sectioning said victual with samurai-like precision.
'Not bad...' Yeats proclaimed, dishing up Em's sweet lil ole pie, ah well, it'd be too bad if Jack didn't get any...she was enjoying herself here with Yeats and Al and Alice...Oh she did hope that the Kahlos would let her know of any news!... She couldn't wait to see the pups.How time fugets indeed.
And her nephew's birthday soon! Oh, she did not like this modern world (whirled) that spun so fast--she could hardly keep up.
It had been perhaps a year since they were together last.
But, the rains had come. The air smelled fresh and everything needed a soak. Em still brought her seeds with her, and hoped to plant in her part of the garden...or she would miss that, very much, if she was too mobile to keep a garden. Well, she would see. Marta kept a garden but it was Tina and Leon's as well.
She could speak with Yeats and the others, to see if they could see to her plants in her absence. She sighed. Yes, I see why Marta wanted to make certain I could adjust to being a gypsy...ah. Again, that gypsy...keeps following me...like a song, that travels on and on,and won't leave me alone. Em could almost hear the music...
'Pie, Em?' Al smiled and offered, along with a dollop of cream.
'It's goat yogurt, try it! Got some from our neighbors. Good if you're lactose intolerant.'
They certainly didn't argue. Busy with piehole stuffing.
                             . ....
Later, gathered about the parlor fire with coffee, Em and Al knew they had to break the news to Yeats about Jack. He'd be enquiring as to his whereabouts soon.
Al sighed as he stroked Alice upon his lap. 'Quite a day at the races...'he shook his head slowly. 'No, Em, I don't really ken much of what Jack does sometimes. He's a law unto himself.'
Yeats eyes gleamed under his dark brows as he took note of this conversation, but as yet said nothing. Emmeline was curious.
'So...he often takes surprising turns, then?'
'One might put it that way.' Al agreed. 'What you have to understand Em...and you probably do not realize...back in our time, Jack is a well-known personage, although an extremely private one. In his early years, an enfant terrible, yes, but he seemed to settle down  after college, and was engaged by a private R&D consortium...research and development,' he went on, in answer to her raised eyebrows.'He developed time travel to the extent that we now use it, from Dr. Stein's and your father's research. And...he is considered to be somewhat of a scientific genius.'
Emmeline had no idea. Well, she knew about his research of course, but not that Jack was a famous...'genius' did Al say?
'I...certainly had not realized. And where did you come in, then Aleister?'
'I am but a humble engineer.'Al answered. ' I work with my hands, and developed the ideas that Jack came up with. I put the boots on his notions so that they may walk in the world, you might say...'
Em smiled at the simile.'I see. I wonder then...if the old saying is true. That genius and madness walk a fine line together.'
Yeats roused himself at that point. 'I am getting the idea that there is something I have been missing in this conversation.'
Emmeline and Aleister looked at one another. Alice leapt from Al's ample lap and he stood and went to the cigar-box on the mantle, extracting a cigarillo. Striking a lucifer, he puffed on it awhile, then gazed into the fire. 'Jack...is at the Guevara's. He rode the General in the race, which Leon won riding El Capitan, and is now presumably there with them all, having ridden back with them to celebrate .'
Yeats said nothing. However a sort of dark, seething energy seemed to arise from about his person. Alice took a look his way and ran from the room.
'I see.' Was Yeats's only comment.
                             . . . . .
Emmeline wisely had decided to take sanctuary at Alice's for a time. She had been staying there ever since the Day At The Races. She had exited Crowley House before Jack's return and not only had she no idea how things were there now, she didn't spare much thought about it, as Frida had had her pups at Kahlo's next door now, 2 white and 2 black Scotties, and Emmeline was busy as acting auntie, as well with events at the Guevara's which had taken a decidedly strange turn...
The day after the races, Leon had found odd markings someone had painted upon their barn. Symbols of some sort, which no one recognized. Having painted over them, they returned again. No one knew the when, who. why or how of these odd occurrances. No sign of the perpetrator(s) could be discovered. But Marta was
understandably upset.
'Marco said he found the same symbols upon his tack room.' Marta had told Emmeline, who stopped by on her bike ride. 'No damage, just these...'
'Warnings.'Leon said, gruffly. 'That's what it means of course!
Someone does not like the race results, that is obvious! But that could mean any number of people!' He paced about the room.
'I'll be waiting up tonight on watch, as will Marco! Don't worry, momi, we will be with friends and we have weapons ourselves!'
'That is what worries me!' Marta touched his arm, but he took her hand, and looked at her then. 'I don't want you here, momi.
I want for you and Tina to be someplace safe, and I do not think that you should stay here tonight.'
Marta began to object, but Emmeline offered,'Marta, you and Tina can stay at Crowley Place with us, then! There is plenty of room, and our friends would be only too happy to help you!'
After much arguing, Marta gave in at last. They decided that Em would return with a cart to fetch them this evening when Tina returned from work.
To the victors go the spoils, so it is said. But someone definately wanted to spoil this victory.
                               . . . .
Em returned then back to Crowley Place for the first time since race day...and realized that tonight was the Equinox. She'd been so busy she had nearly forgotten...well, it was hardly a time for any celebratory rites tonight. She would pass on the druid's festivities. She knew that she, Marta and Tina would all be too anxious to think of anything but recent upsets and wondering where it would lead...
All seemed quiet within the house.Em leaned her bike against the porch railing and approached the entrance. She had her key, but she still knocked upon the door. After abit, Yeats answered. 'You needn't knock, my dear. This is your house, too, you know,' And he ushered her within.
No sign of Jack or Aleister. 'Mr. Yeats, there has been some...difficulty at the Guevara's,'she began. Yeats showed her into the parlor and they took seats beside the fire, as she told her tale. He agreed immediately that Marta and Tina should stay at Crowley place, and even broached the idea that Leon and Marco, as well as the horses, should perhaps come as well. 'We can ask,'said Em, 'But I think the men wish to catch whoever is doing this. They will have both Marco's and the Guevara's well-guarded. Many of their friends have volunteered to keep watch with them.'
Having made plans to fetch Marta and Tina that evening, Emmeline prepared rooms for them while Yeats set about dinner preparations. She hadn't seen either Jack or Al, and did not enquire. Let sleeping dogs lie...wherever they were, she thought. She'd enough to think about as it was.
                              . . . . .
Equinox night was certainly not as Emmeline had envisioned it.
But, with Tina and Marta now safely at Crowley place, they made the best of things as they now were. Jack and Al had reappeared, (out and about 'Traveling', Em surmised) around dinner-time and had been apprised of recent events. All seemed rather status quo, although there was a new more subdued air about Jack, she did notice.
A fine dinner and some wine had helped to lessen their guest's anxiety levels somewhat, and all were gathered in the parlor with coffee, to await the evening's unfoldment.
'The equinox, tonight,' Marta was saying. 'If these symbols have meaning, whoever put them there may believe that tonight is of some consequence.'
Tina took her mother's hands and held them. 'I have never seen so many men so well-hidden!' She assured her, looking at the company in the parlor. 'At first glance, you would think no one was home! But all about, in the trees, bushes, attic, basement, and hayloft, are all armed guards waiting!' She shook her head.
'Leon has made sure, no one will get by them.'
'I'm so worried someone will start something, though--!'Marta's eyes  held an almost palpable fear.
Tina patted her arm. 'They have some ingenious traps set! No one need fire a shot, don't worry momi!'
Yeats regarded all from on high. 'No one is going to want to discharge firearms so close to town. I have a feeling whoever is doing these things,-- probably some disgruntled society folk!--
will not want any publicity or notoriety to come from it at all.'
'That's true,'Aleister concurred, heading to the brandy decanters. 'If I may, offer just a tad of brandy?' No one accepted but himself.'No one would else would have cause to take offense at the race's outcome, and these people would wish to keep their good names unblemished.'

Jack sat in a slump, not having said much at all throughout the evening thus far. He seemed to have withdrawn in upon himself and Em thought about Aleister's disclosure...that he was some sort of famous genius in his own time. Why, then, was he here, she wondered? Was he on some special, secret misson? Or was he here in exile? Enforced or voluntary? Could he be in hiding, himself? Is that why he had these etheric guards, these 'magical defenses' all about his uncle's estate? It was all abit much.
Em attempted to lighten the evening's somber mood. 'The druids would all be gathered now about the bonfire...giving thanks to mother earth and asking her blessing for the new growing season.'
She smiled at the others. 'And, Frida has four new puppies, now...two black, two white!' The company's mood brightened at this news.
'Is that so?' Aleister smiled wide. 'Ach, I bet they're cute wee things...so what is the plan now for MacGregor?'
'The Kahlos enjoy having him there. But, should he become restless, I shall bring him here. He'll be so intrigued by new smells and sights to investigate, I think he'll be fine.'
They paused awhile and sipped their drinks. Marta stirred then.
'Well, I am thinking that perhaps, instead of just sitting here, waiting, we can take what measures we can to help set things in our favor. As it is the equinox--we too may ask Pachamama for her blessings and for her protection, no?'
All agreed and began to move the tea table aside and to clear a space before the fire. Emmeline returned from the kitchen with cornmeal, which she spread about the floor in a circle.
They stood gathered within it's boundaries and held hands, and  Yeats, as ex officio, began:
'Father Sky! Mother Earth! Guardians of the east, of the south, of the west and of the north, harken to our call! We, your children gather here to ask your blessing and your protection. As we stand within the sacred wheel, let those we love be also protected within the circle of your influence. May our horses be protected within the circle;fleet of foot, flowing of mane, gentle in character, and ever aware.
Together, with our horses, let us travel in peace. Let our camp be safe from harm.Let solid ground hold our feet. All our ancestors! Hear our calling! Mother Earth! Father Sky! Guide us as we follow our many paths through life, show us The Way in our dreams, may we live always together in harmony with nature and give us strength in our time of need. Let our breaths join with the breath of our sisters and brothers and together we shall stand strong. We stand upon your Sacred Ground together and so shall we be as One, together. Ancestors! Be with us now, hear your children's calls  that we all may walk the Good Red Road together in safety.  Mother Earth, Father Sky! The Sun is our Father, the Moon is Our Mother and our Ancestors are in the Stars! Our prayers are powerful, and will be answered. So mote it be.'
'So mote it be.' All echoed about the circle.
As the friends looked up then and gazed about them, Emmeline seemed to see the fire taking on an odd blue hue about the flames. 'Look!' she pointed, then.
'That's odd...'Aleister remarked, seeing the blue fire as well.
'Could it be an electrical discharge, perhaps?'
Jack spoke up at last. 'No clouds, thunder or lightning about  at all today...'
Yeats stepped forward toward the fire. 'Emmeline.' He looked her way. 'The artefact!' He nodded to her.
Believing the need to be exigent,Em complied and ran upstairs to where she had secreted the artefact in a special hidden loose
floorboard in her room. Even Jack didn't know of it, something she was confident, and glad, of. Retrieving the object, she was surprised when, entering the parlor, she saw all still standing within the circle, and gazing at a decidedly blue fire.
'Come, within the circle, Emmeline!' Yeats urged. She did step inside the cornmeal's sacred boundary and walked slowly before the cerulean flames, holding the artefact before her.
As she did so, the flames then seemed to seek the ovoid object she held, and appeared to lean slightly it's way. Yeats came and stood beside her at the ready. The object she could feel, had begun a delicate vibration and to her ears, at least, she could detect a faint hum. Jack had stepped behind her then, she
felt his heated presence. Marta and Tina stood watching the scene with undisguised astonishment. Aleister frowned at the
extemporaneous turn the ceremony had taken.
Soon, all could hear the humming which came from the object held within Emmeline's hands...as their gaze went from the fire to the object and back, Em thought she could begin to view the outlines of some sortof physical forms within the fire. 'I...see...someone! In the flames!'
As they stared into the fire, they too could perceive forms, somewhat vague, but something was moving independently of the flames. 'I see two...two people!' Emmeline was astonished.
'Who is it? Who do you see, Em?' Jack demanded.
'I see...'Em frowned as she narrowed her gaze...'I see...my father!' She gasped as a blue flame-tinged form rose above the fire in the form of a man, then died back down. Everyone had seen it happen. No one knew what it meant, or what was happening, in truth, nor what it may portend. In a shaky voice, Emmeline continued, 'I see...someone else.' Her voice was choked as she tried to make out the visage which flickered in and out amongst the azure flames.'I see...you, Jack!' She announced and stepped back, then,  and Jack gently held her arms, as she backed into him, and he leaned forward, in effort to see what she saw...but what he beheld was not himself at all.
'...Daryl.' He pronounced.
                            . . . .
No sooner did Jack speak the name of his uncle, than the apparition took solid form... and stepped from the flames into the room. All retreated back...'Do not step outside the circle!'Yeats demanded they stop,as he spread his arms out as if to shepherd his errant flock. And,indeed, they noticed that Daryl remained where he was, outside the circle's boundary.
He looked entirely solid, no phantom this. Em noted her artefact had gone silent and still.
Everyone simply stared, astonished. Except for Jack, who looked like he would attack the man. 'You.'Was all he had to say to his long-lost uncle.
'How are you, son?' Daryl asked in a low, melodious voice.
Jack's face was dark with anger and his fists were balled tightly at his sides. Yeats put a hand on his shoulder, in warning.But Jack was not to be deterred. 'How dare you say that to me! After all you have done! You! You are the reason father and mother are dead! Why aren't you dead as well?
Go back to whatever hell you came from!' Jack spat these hateful words at the tall man who looked much as Jack surely would, one day.
'Ah. How little you know, that is exactly what I shall do.' The still handsome man kept cool eyes upon Jack;in fact, he seemed not to have aged since Jack had last laid sight upon him.
'Hate me a little, do you?' The man said, nodding. 'I am sad to say that yes, my brother and your mother are dead. I am sorry, Jack. I did all I could to save them both. You have no idea how much I regret their loss. Especially Sarah.'His voice held genuine pain.
'YOU did all you could? It was your fault, entirely your fault!'Jack sputtered,running a hand through his wild hair. 'I should...'
'Jack!' Yeats's grip tightened on his shoulder. 'No.'
Jack's breath came ragged and hard.But he stood where he was.
The tall dark stranger who was Jack's Uncle Daryl took a long glance about the parlor, alighting upon Emmeline whereupon he gave pause. He then gazed at the object she held before her. Van Horn made certain to make eye-lock with her then and simply stated: 'So. The Nexus is come at last. I owe my
visitation to you, my dear!' And Uncle Daryl made a sweeping bow before Emmeline.'All Is Not As It Seems!' He said to her, as he straightened and then turned to face them all.
 'Let It Be then, as you wish,' he said, lowering his gaze, 'I shall return now. But know this, Jack,' He held Jack then in his eye-grip,'--your father is not dead. And, as much as is allowed, he loves you very much.'
With that enigmatic declaration, the tall dark stranger bent beneath the fireplace and stepping within, blue flames engulfed him and in the next second, all trace of him disappered and the same old familiar fire returned, in all its' reds, oranges and golds and white...with very little blue.,,
                            . . . . .