Ch 6: Revealing

Revisions and reposted: Jan 7/13



Chapter 6: Revealing

         Leaning her elbows on the rough wooden picnic table, Caleigh gazed at the garish colours of the dragon’s blood tree, a complete contrast to the grey stone walls of Kiera’s house and the matching walls that surrounded them. I can’t believe I have an aunt, and mom kept it a secret. But why? Caleigh turned her gaze away from the tree and glanced to her friends, but didn’t expect them to have any answers.

         Blaine looked relaxed as he leaned backward against the picnic table with his feet stretched out, tapping the wall. In comparison, Brody fidgeted with a collection of acorns in a willow basket while Alexis drummed her fingers on the table. Two marble gargoyles knelt high on stone pillars at the end of the driveway looked just as disinterested in her problems as her friends.

          “Those flowers smell wonderful.” Caleigh interrupted the silence and the possible thoughts of her friends.

         Alexis giggled and pointed to the flower garden snuggled in the far corner. “Is that a purple and pink mushroom, the size of a cat?”

         “Yep, I had so much fun adding rocks and flowers to the gardens with Kiera last summer. Check out that rock, it looks like a dog’s head.” Caleigh giggled.

         “I forgot you’ve been here before,” Alexis said. “Now she’s your aunt. I mean…”

         “I know what you mean. It’s weird, but it’s like I always knew. We just clicked.” Caleigh said and then looked at the approaching women.

         Jena placed a platter of sandwiches on the table. Caleigh noticed that her mother kept her eyes on the food, not looking up as she spoke. “Dinner.”

         Kiera set the tray of iced lemonade and glasses in the center of the picnic table. She smiled. “I was thinking of making raspberry juice, but Jena insisted that Caleigh and Alexis both preferred lemonade.” Kiera poured herself a glass. “Help yourself…we’re all family.”

         Jena sat silently at the edge of the bench.

         Caleigh sensed her mother’s apprehension. She smiled and took a bite of a turkey and lettuce sandwich. “Mom, why did you keep your family a secret? You told me your parents had died when you were young. Why did you lie to me? Does Dad know about your sister?” Caleigh’s voice quivered. She dropped her sandwich on a napkin.

         Jena reached across the table, touched her daughter’s hand, and took a deep breath. “Caleigh, your father doesn’t know about my sister. I lied to you both, but only to protect you, especially you.”

         Caleigh covered her eyes and slowly shook her head. She thought she knew her parents, but so many lies and secrets. “Protect us? But from what?” Her fingers curled around one of the wooden planks. “I need to know why you lied. Why tell me now?” Her voice stronger.

         “My destiny. Your destiny. The future.”

         “But Mom, I don’t understand.” She rested her hand on her cheek. “What destiny? What’s so important about me?” Her body stiffened.

         Kiera spoke softly. “It’s within. Fate has been written for you all. We’ve been waiting for so long. I suspected Ndan de Ceithre would be Jena’s daughter and her best friends.”

         Jena poured glasses of lemonade and placed one in front of everyone. “Yes, I wanted to protect you.”

         “Ndan de Ceithre?” Caleigh slowly repeated the words, echoing her aunt’s Scottish accent. “What is that?”

         “It’s an Irish phrase—Destiny of Four. Simple translation, but nothing that simple. Three hundred years after the birth of the original four, and prior to the return of Scathanna, Ndan de Ceithre will be born and raised within the shadows but not in darkness. The Gathering will begin. Dreams will be spun to show they are ready to begin their training.” Kiera looked at each of the four.

         Puzzled looks crossed all of their faces. Kiera sensed they were overwhelmed with words and bits of prophecy they did not understand. She had grown up with the prophecy and her family’s support. The four would require time to absorb it all. “It took my grandmother a very long time to explain to us. Trust me, the prophecies and the understanding will come.”

         Brody stood up, stumbled into the wall, and walked behind Caleigh, hands lightly on her shoulders. “I’ll die for my friends. I’ll protect them all. I promise. Kiera, you mentioned something about the return of Scathanna. What or who is that?” He dropped beside Caleigh and smiled.

         “One step at a time, Brody.” Kiera said. “But I will tell you this…Scathanna is a shadow creature and it’s very dangerous—evil.” She touched Caleigh’s hand. “You know me. I’ve loved you for years. I will tell you everything. You’re all involved, I’m certain.”

         “Promise?” Caleigh took another bite of the sandwich.

         “Yes, you will know it all, soon.” Kiera said. “Yesterday, Gram sent a message. It’s time for the next generation to stand with their blood and be strong. The dreams brought you to my coffee shop.”

         Blaine jumped off the bench and knocked the table, spilling the lemonade. He grabbed napkins and soaked up the liquid. “What do you mean?” He paced toward the dragon’s blood tree and back. He leaned against the end of the table. “The dreams brought us to the café?”

         Kiera nodded.

         “What about the fireworks?” Blaine sat on Caleigh’s other side. 

         “Yes, I sent the dreams to you last night. I’ll explain more in a moment. First, Jena needs to share a story to help explain how destiny can be altered. However, I don’t see how yours could possibly change. After the stories, I promise all of you will be able to choose your path.” Kiera turned and faced her sister.

         “Caleigh’s birth turned my path in a different direction, a direction I was not expecting. One autumn morning, I noticed a burnt candle while I watched the sunrise across Birch River. Presuming it was Kiera’s, I pocketed the remains with the intention of reminding my sister that the senseless act of forgetting her belongings could be a grave danger to us all.” Jena glanced at Caleigh and then faced Kiera.

         Kiera repeated the words she had said so many years ago and just as crisply. “I would never leave behind candles. Besides, I prefer the west river.”

         Jena continued. “That evening, I returned to the raspberry thicket because I needed to speak with the person who had left the candle and demand an explanation of such disrespect to nature. I approached the thickets and saw a young man with jet black hair. He raised his head and the butterflies in my stomach awoke for the first time. The feeling was overpowering. For many months, we met in secrecy and our relationship was intense. We fell in love. I kept the family secret close to my heart and far from my lips.” Jena looked at Caleigh. “I have never told your father of our family secret. He doesn’t know about Ndan de Ceithre. I’ve kept so many secrets and now I ask you, not to tell him what we are about to tell you. No one else can know.”

         Caleigh nodded her head.

         “That spring, I told Gram and Kiera about my feelings toward Jon, your father. I couldn’t keep our relationship a secret any longer. Surprisingly, she already knew. Apparently she saw him coming into my life. It had been shown in the candle flames. Gram had sprinkled dried red heather into the white hot coals and a shape of a heart appeared. My destiny transformed that night. Gram told me, ‘True love is a gift and can never be returned. One day your child will change the worlds.’ After the birth of Caleigh, I was only more certain that the family secret must be kept hidden. It is now time to tell the truth.” Jena touched her daughter’s hand. A tear trickled down Jena’s face.

         Kiera noticed Blaine’s eyes flutter in Caleigh’s direction, and then she whispered, “It’s time. The Gathering has begun.”

         A coyote barked. Kiera wondered if the coyote was searching for his son or scouting her home. She shuddered with the thought of either.

         Kiera turned to Brody, as he placed his hands on the table and pushed himself to his feet. She recognized the protective look in his eyes. Protect her from the coyote? Perhaps something else lurked in the woods.

          A wolf howled, and a fox yipped. The calling of the canines came from the forest surrounding the enclosure. “The coyote can’t cross the threshold of my drive. It’s afraid of my gargoyles.” Kiera touched his forearm. “Let it be."

         Kiera saw his muscles tighten when he sat back on the bench. Brody placed his hands on the table reaching for Caleigh.

         Jena shifted on the bench. “Caleigh, the Corrigan family secret, that I’ve been hiding,” Jena cleared her throat and paused. “I was ten when I was told the truth and now I’m ready to share you with the coven.” She took another deep breath.

         “Caleigh, you come from a very powerful line of witches.” Jena looked at Kiera with sadness hiding in her eyes.

         Kiera noticed that her sister’s skin was pasty white and glistened with perspiration. Jena’s body was weakening because she hadn’t been taking the elixir for many years. She’s too weak. She’ll surely faint. Jena raised the family and I kept watch. It’s my place to tell Caleigh and the others.

         “Witches of Solas.” Kiera looked at Jena and then her gaze rested upon her niece. “Caleigh, we are witches. Solas means Light. Since birth, you have been a part of this coven. Your mom meant well, she only wanted to keep you safe. She believed the shadows of not knowing would protect you. She forgot the only safety is within the coven. Jon is not of coven blood and he’d never understand, but he’s your father and loves you. He could not protect you.”

         “What? Like Witches? Witches of The Light? What do you mean?  My father is not a witch. So I’m not a true witch. Are there witches of the dark too? We are good witches, right?” Tears streamed down her face, quickly like the questions.

         Kiera cleared her throat. “You are a true witch, Caleigh. Everything in nature has light and dark. Good and evil, black and white and every shade in between. It’s how the witch practices her power and most importantly, her thoughts, actions and her life. Your mother sacrificed her powers for you and for your father. He is not aware and he shall never know the truth of our ancestors. Do you all understand?”

         “I understand.” Alexis, Brody and Blaine said together.

         “What?” Caleigh felt her life begin to slowly spiral. “Powers?”

         “Do you understand, Caleigh?” Kiera asked.

         “Yes, I understand.” Caleigh nodded and touched her cheek with her left index finger, slowly moved it in a circular formation.

         Kiera observed Caleigh, partially listening to Jena’s words.

         “We have gifts, special gifts. For example, powers over the elements,” Jena replied. “My powers were communicating with plants and animals. I released my gift of communicating with animals for you and your dad. Luckily, the gift of plants and flowers remained within, thus the success of the greenhouse. Your father was pleased when I was able to help out, for he isn’t the best with floral.” She paused for a few seconds. She watched Caleigh trace a circle on her cheek and then suddenly she reversed the direction. Kiera noticed the similarity of a lost friend’s mannerism.

         “Your grandmother influenced both wind and earth,” Jena said.

         “You can’t forget our least favourite power--freezing time. You hated that one.” Kiera grinned. “She would freeze us when we wanted something or to go somewhere and then afterwards we would simply forget.”

         Alexis interrupted. “Are we all hearing this? Witches? This sounds like a fairy tale.”

         “I believe all of this. I suspected Kiera was a witch for some time. That’s right, I believe them. Fairy tales often are rooted in some truth. Just look around.” Blaine paused. “How does sage bloom in June? Alexis, you know it never blooms until midsummer, like in August. And that ivy.”  Blaine pointed toward the house. “It’s always green and I promise you, I’ve seen it grow inches within a few hours when I’ve been helping Kiera with the upkeep of her yard.”

         Jena grinned.  “That would be my little trick, one that Gram taught me.”

         Caleigh pointed toward the raspberries in the far corner. “I wondered why those raspberries were ripe and the ones by our place were not.”

         “That’s right. Yesterday, the raspberry thicket at Blaine’s had no berries.” Brody messed his hair and then took a bite of the sandwich. “These are great.”

         “You’re always hungry.” Blaine laughed.

         Kiera smiled. “Growing boys and the raspberries are a gift from Gram. Those raspberries bear fruit very early and are harvested many times throughout the summer.”

         Caleigh looked around the garden. “What other secrets are hidden within these walls of grey?”

         “Time for family stories will be later,” Jena said.

         “I suppose.”

         “There are stories and legends of old that I will share later. I promise. Gather at the fire, please.”

         The others followed Kiera and sat upon the benches that circled the fire pit.

         Kiera stretched out her arms, palms facing toward the pine kindling and twigs in the firepit. She closed her eyes and began to chant a single word, “Tine.” She repeated the chant four times. Sparks snapped at the tinder of twigs and then flames licked at the kindling. Focused on the pile of split firewood, she whispered, “Dumhan” Two pieces of maple wood floated toward the fire.

         Caleigh and Alexis stared, their mouths open wide.

         “What does tine mean?” Blaine asked.

         “Fire. I focus on the pit and say the element-tine.”

         “And fire explodes.” Blaine said.

         “Dumhan is the Irish word for earth.” Kiera said before anyone could ask another question.

         “What’s with the Irish words?” Caleigh asked. “Mom’s not from Ireland.”

         Jena answered, “Caleigh, the coven began many centuries ago -1600. Our Goddess spoke Irish. Elements are known as Tine, Dumhan, Aer, and Uisce.” Jena pointed toward the four compass directions. “Fire, Earth, Air and Water.  One for each direction-- south, north, east and west.”

         “Oh my…I just realized that Four Rivers flow in those directions. But how can that be possible?”

         “Yes. Berwick’s four rivers and its water are very sacred to the coven and that is one reason we moved here from North Berwick, Scotland. It’s actually only two rivers that intersect at the sacred spring at the center.”

         “You lived in Scotland? This is beginning to be a very interesting afternoon. Does Dad know this?”

         “Your father knows I grew up in Scotland.”

         “Good. I didn’t want to keep another secret. You have a sister and we are witches and I can’t tell dad.”

         “Yes, remember to keep him safe,” Jena said.

         “I suppose, since you and my grandparents had special gifts, and Aunt Kiera just made fire appear…without a match and only an Irish word.  Dad wouldn’t believe me anyways.”

         “Don’t forget she commanded that wood to move.” Alexis pointed to the wood scattered closed to the firepit.

         “More than words. Inner power and concentration and perhaps a few years of practice.”

         Caleigh giggled. “Do I have gifts?”

         “In time, sweetheart.” Jena answered.

          “You try it.” Blaine said.

         “What? I can’t do that!”

         “You may be able to in time. Your powers will begin to grow once you are aware,” Jena assured Caleigh.

         “My powers? I’m a witch.” Caleigh looked at Kiera and then her mother.

         “Yes, I’m very serious. Your grandmother, Starr, her gift was control over two elements. Your Aunt Kiera controls all four elements. Time will soon reveal your power.”

         Blaine and Brody gasped and then spoke in unison.  “All four?”

         Caleigh looked at her mother and then nervously turned to her best friend.

         Alexis shrugged her shoulders.

         “Try it,” Brody encouraged.

         Caleigh shivered slightly. She stood beside Kiera, her arms out, imitating her aunt and slowly began to chant, “Dumhan. Dumhan. Dumhan. Dumhan.” Nothing happened.

         “I suggest concentrating on the wood, and then chanting Dumhan. That’s what I do, Caleigh,” encouraged Kiera.

         Caleigh turned and reached toward the pile of wood. She closed her eyes and then whispered. “Dumhan.” She whispered the single word a bit louder; her voice gradually became both louder and stronger. Nothing. Her arms dropped to her side. “I’m not a witch. It’s dad’s blood and the betrayal.”

         “No it’s not the mixed blood.  Your father was chosen by our Goddess.” Kiera thought for a moment. The evening breeze whispered.  “Of course, it’s simple. You are the next generation. Try speaking English, not Irish.” Her gaze remained on the young witch. Breeze tickled her arms.

         Caleigh turned to the wood, hands reaching the wood. She closed her eyes and whispered. “Earth. Earth. Earth. Earth.”

         Alexis screamed.

         Caleigh lost her focus and upon opening her eyes, she saw the piece of pine kindling lying on the ground a foot from the remaining firewood. “Oh my, I am a Witch!”

         Kiera smiled. “With practice, you’ll be able to command that wood into the fire. Your magic will be strong enough to knock down an entire tree and move boulders.”