Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2) (10 page)

EARLY AUTUMN

“Before the catalyst, there is always seeming inaction. Each molecule plays its part in the beginning of action.”

-
        
Dr. Nils Hoeffer, Council on Biological Ethics

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

              Riding their bikes back to the Bluffs as fast as they could was taxing for the others, but Nat’s abilities gave her extra stamina as well. Uncle Ted had not allowed her to ride ahead, feeling that he should meet with the Council himself and develop a plan. Her concerns were even more specific. How was she supposed to tell Kin about his brother? Turning her bike up the long, steep hill to the Bluffs, she racked her brain to try and find a way.

              Antwon was dragging behind, not having the physical abilities that both Natalee and Ted had. Nat turned and looked at her uncle and he just nodded. He knew that she wanted to get back. She could not stand putting off this bad news. She put all effort into a bicycle sprint up the hill. In no time, she came to the gates and the greeting of the guards. She saw Max, Kin, her Mom and her Aunt Kayla walking their way, and knew that Max’s dogs had seen them. She ran up to Kin and threw her arms around him. Without saying anything, she began to slowly cry.

              “Honey,” Kin started, “What’s wrong?”

              “Where are the others?” Her mom said, as Ted and Antwon came through the gates behind her.              

Nat sobbed into Kin’s shoulder. “I am so sorry, Kin.”

Kin pulled away from her a little. “Wait, Natalee, where is Cliff?”

She broke down. “He ran off. There was nothing we could do.  We went after him and … and… there was nothing we could do.”

Kin disengaged from her and walked right up to Ted. “Where is my brother?”

“Oh, Kin.” Ted said compassionately. “Cliff ran off into some field. Some creature was in the field.  He is gone. Cliff is gone.”

“No!” Kin yelled and then his tears were flowing too. “He was just a boy. Why didn’t you take care of him?”

“Kin, we tried.” Natalee began, but Kin pushed by her and went back to the home that he and Cliff had shared. Nat just stared after him.

Her mom put her arm around Nat’s shoulders. “Give him time. This is hard.”

“I know Mom.” Nat brushed her mom off her shoulders and walked toward the Council chambers. As was usual, they would debrief the remaining team in chambers. This was not something Ted would initially want to talk about in front of everyone. As she walked, she saw people with bandages and healers out in force. She began to notice the damage to buildings, it looked like they had been in a battle. But why would her Mom and Aunt say nothing when they arrived?

As she arrived, she saw Erica walk in with an infant in her arms. She had given birth! Nat ran over and gave Erica a hug. As much sadness as Nat was feeling, Erica seemed to be carrying a burden as well.

“Erica, she is so beautiful!” Nat kissed the baby on the head. “What is her name?”

“Rose.” Erica replied, smiling.

“Where is the proud Papa?” Nat asked, looking around.

“He hasn’t met her yet. We will talk about that in a minute.” The rest of the council and a few others were piling in to the chambers, so Nat went and took a seat along the wall. The last person to come in before they closed the doors was Kin, who sat across the room and wouldn’t even look at her.

Ted began the meeting. “Nat, Antwon and I are pretty tired, to be honest. But, this can’t wait.”

Nat’s brother, Kyle, nodded his head in greeting from his place on the Council and Nat smiled back at him, sheepishly. Ted went through the entirety of their story in a pretty succinct fashion, finishing with Cliff’s death and the capture of their party’s members. He stated the Faith’s demand, without really sharing how unrealistic it was to think they would capture and turn over the Hermit to the Faith.

Completing the tale of their trip, he concluded with, “We will need to figure out what to do. We will do this as a team. But, I have to be clear, there is no way we are not going to battle against this group. They have determined that we are of ‘the Devil’. Trust me when I say that there will be no peace right now with these people. That being said, I would guess you all have some things to tell us also?”

Kayla had been in charge while he was gone, so she stood and addressed the assemblage. “Yes, we have a couple of issues here at home. We are having what can only be described as a collective menstrual period. We don’t know what is causing it, but it is happening on a lunar cycle. During the three days it persists, every man woman and child loses impulse control. We get violent. We get overtly sexual. We have no control over our emotions. It is pervasive. It has caused fights, affairs, rapes, property destruction, a little bit of everything.”

“Great,” Ted said in exhaustion. “Not only will we have to send an army out to fight the Faith, but we will have to worry about everyone here tearing each other apart once a month? And that doesn’t even include keeping an eye out for Fine and his men.” A low mumble rolled through the room, and Ted looked up. “What?”

“That is another thing,” Kayla stated cautiously, “Eric Fine is at the Hillside, waiting for you. He has Adam and the other healers there.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

              Emma could not see through the burlap sack that had been placed over her head, but she could smell her own sweat rising up. Combined with whatever had been held in the bag before, onions she guessed, it was a fairly repugnant odor. They had walked, and stumbled, for a very long time over multiple days, and had no idea where they were. They were hit any time they tried to talk to one another. It was one of the most frightening experiences of her life.

              For a few days, they had been tied to some wood apparatus on some hard dirt in the middle of a hot area. That much she knew.  The sun beat down and drained them of energy, but that was not the biggest concern.  Every once in a while, Emma would try to reach out with her mind and interact with the plants around them, but to no avail. Her powers were still there, she could feel them, but they were dulled. Gagged except when they ate, and always having their eyes covered, she did not know if the other two with her even noticed the dulling of their abilities. Both men’s abilities were tied to their voices.

Anthony had a gift of persuasion. When used, he could sway people. It was never what Emma expected of that kind of gift. It was resistible, in that it was just persuasive, not commanding. Emma was one of the few people he had told about his ability, as they had been friends since they had left Eric Fine’s compound together. He couldn’t make someone do something they didn’t want to do. He could convince them if they were on the fence, or get them to do what they really wanted to do against the pressure they might otherwise feel. Emma always considered it a fascinating gift.

Rich, on the other hand, could change the mood with his singing. It worked when he played instruments also, but that wasn’t an issue either. As a scientist, Emma had never had much use for religious people, but Rich was different.  He was the kind of religious person one hoped to meet, but rarely did.  He was not one to judge. He was accepting of others, even when they greatly disagreed with him. And, he was the most compassionate person. That was why it was so surprising when they were taken.

After the men knocked Ted unconscious, a feat already beyond comprehension, they had bound and gagged Emma, Rich, and Anthony, and led them off to God knows where. The only solace that Emma could find was in the fact that Natalee, Antwon, and Cliff had been away from them and had not been captured. She only hoped Ted was alright.

Footsteps crunched nearby. “Take the hoods off.” Came the unmistakable deep voice of Minister Sal.

Blinding white light made her quint at the hazy forms before her as the hood was unceremoniously ripped from her head. The breeze was wonderful, though. She closed her eyes to try to let them adjust and breathed deeply of air not compressed with her own body odor and the lingering scent of musty onions.

“Tell me,” came the sound of Sal’s bass voice.

The voice that followed overwhelmed Emma with sadness. “This is Dr. Emma Pare, she is a biologist from the military.” It was Kim Pile’s voice and Emma squinted enough to see Kim standing next to Sal and a whole group of people wearing robes that looked like monk’s robes.

“Kim?” Emma gasped out.

“Be quiet!” Sal said and one of the young men by her side grabbed her by the hair, jerking her head back. “What demon resides in her?”

As Emma tried to understand what the hell that meant, she heard a stammering Kim reply, “She makes things grow, plants and such.”

“Have you ever seen her harm anyone with this?” The venom dripping from Sal’s voice was unmistakable.

“No, she grows gardens and flowers. She isn’t dangerous.” Kim replied.

“You will convince her to repent, then?” Sal asked.

“Of course, Minister.” Kim said and Emma saw her bow.

“This one?” Sal asked, clearly moving on. The man had let go of her hair, so she was able to look to her right and see a beat up Rich next to her.

“This is Pastor Rich Carson. He is able to soothe people with music.” Kim said and Emma could actually hear the fondness in her voice.

“A Pastor who works with the enemy…” Sal mumbled.

Rich responded, “We are not your enemy.”

Sal backhanded Rich across the face. “Keep quiet, demon. I did not say your group was our enemy. You are the worst kind of heretic. A supposed man of God, willing to work on behalf of the Adversary himself. Using the power of the demons inside you to conquer the world. Do you think your master will win the war?”

“You are delusional.” It was all Rich said, but the anger that small phrase held was not lost on anyone. Emma had never seen Rich angry.

“Gag him again. If he speaks, bash his head in.” Sal stated, as though he was ordering someone to clean the kitchen. “His sentence is death.”

Emma looked up and saw the shock and horror on Kim’s face, but for some reason, the woman said nothing. Emma did not feel the same restraint. “Are you afraid of someone challenging you? Do you fear the truth from this man, this good man?”

“Gag her, too.” Sal said and moved down to Anthony, who was on the other side of Rich.

Sal turned to Kim and she complied, saying, “This is Anthony Johnson. I don’t think he has any powers.”

Sal seemed confused by this. He looked at the man standing next to Anthony, who was missing his right hand. The man just shrugged and shook his head no. Sal continued, “If he is not possessed, he might be saved. I can show mercy, as our Lord has shown mercy. Convince him to take the pledge.”

Kim didn’t say anything, but she bowed her head once more.

Sal turned to the crowd watching. “The Lord has given these people into our hands. Two of them may be saved, only He knows for sure. But a man who sells his soul, is indwelt by demons, and who was once of the fold? He is a traitor to God’s cause. He will receive the just penalty for his choices, as an example to the rest. We will go to the edge of the devil’s own stronghold and burn him for his crimes.” Turning back toward the three of them, Sal said. “I will give the other two fifteen days to comply, or they shall burn with him. Take them to the cells.”

Emma looked around for Kim, but before she could make eye contact, the burlap was pulled back down over her head and she was roughly pulled to her feet and led away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

              Ted’s apprehension was quickly giving way to the simmering anger that dwelt just beneath it. He had travelled directly to the Hillside, as soon as he heard that Eric was there. The walk did his mood no favors. The Lord’s Hammer taking his powers away had been startling. All his body wanted now was to exhibit those powers against any foe. Eric was providing an opportunity.

              But, he had other worries, and did not have time for Fine right now. Leaving Nat and Antwon behind to rest, he had brought a group of twenty warriors and three of his daughter’s dogs. The dogs could watch, and Max could relate what was happening to the others at the Bluffs. Of all the times for this confrontation, Eric Fine could not have chosen a poorer one.

              As he approached the gate, Ted sent one group of five warriors to the left and one to the right, taking the remaining ten with him to the center of the little village that had sprung up at the base of the Hillside. With a staff in one hand, and looking a little bit more like a modern wizard than he intended, Ted strode into the center of town, to find a bearded and relaxed Eric Fine lounging on a chair in the sun. The complete lack of danger actually concerned him.

              “Craven!” Eric called out like they were old friends. “I have been waiting more than a week. I was beginning to fear you wouldn’t come.” The tall, tanned man stood and walked toward the group.

              Ted took notice that Eric’s men did not move, or even seem to care that he was there. “What game is this, Fine?”

              “No game, Ted.” Eric smiled at him, and Ted was taken aback. “I just knew you wouldn’t let me ride up to the Bluffs to talk with you. We need to talk.”

              “I don’t have time for this. There are real concerns…” Ted began.

              “The Faith?” Eric looked at him with a knowing look, surprising the hell out of him. Just beyond Eric, Ted saw Adam walking their way. He did not seem upset, or in any way inconvenienced. He walked right past Eric and pulled Ted into a large hug.

              “I am glad to see you back.” Adam said. “Has Erica?”

              “Rose is beautiful, Adam.” Ted replied and saw the tears well up in Adam’s eyes. Turning to Eric he said, “Are you going to hassle me if I send my friend to see his newborn?”

              “Of course not.” Eric answered. “Congrats, Adam.”

              Without looking at him, but in a way that showed very little animosity and no fear, Adam replied, “Thanks, Eric.”

              Adam left, and Ted sent three of his men with him. Turning to look at his former Commander, he asked, “Okay, what do you know about the Faith?”

              Eric proceeded to give him the intelligence he had like they were equals, commanding different teams in the same force. Initially shocking to Ted, he soon relaxed into the banter through which veteran soldiers engage. He shared his own intel, on meeting them and the dulling of his powers.

              “This is a dilemma that calls for us to put aside our other grievances. Do you agree?” Eric asked.

              He didn’t trust Eric Fine, but the man was right that they were going to need all hands to defeat this new threat. Perhaps they could form a lasting bond, but that would have to wait until later. “Yes. But, what are you willing to do, Eric?”

              Eric thought for a moment, then stated the facts, “My men have been directed that we are not to accost your people without provocation. I have already opened the Highway up to the mountains. And, in case you didn’t notice…I am here at your mercy. What more would you have me do?”

              “You opened the Highway?” This had been a disagreement between the two groups right from the beginning. Eric wanted to control access, and Ted thought access should be free.

              “Yes, the road is cleared. We have pulled back to the edge of the road so we can watch it, not block it. But, I think I know why you want access. The Grand Master.”

              Ted considered it for a moment. He had not seen the Grand Master since he and Cal trained with him as kids in Los Angeles. The man had moved to Colorado many years before and become a Master Blacksmith to help deal with his own PTSD from his time in Southeast Asia. Ted knew he was here and had wanted to get in touch with him after settling in, but the Event had stopped any settling he could do. The Grand Master of his martial arts system would be a great source of help, but a master blacksmith might be even more valuable, if it came to all-out war.

              Eric waited for his response, but the man had always been impatient. “If you want to visit him, I will go with you. I always wanted to meet him.”

              Eric was from a different style altogether, but every martial artist had heard of Master Pike. He had been a legend before the times of Chuck Norris, or even Bruce Lee. The man would be close to eighty now, but Ted was certain he would be happy to see him. Master Pike had been like a father to him as a child. “Okay, but we have to hurry. The Faith has my people, and I can’t just let that go.”

              “Then let’s move. My horses are rested. We can take two and bring two for reserves, just in case.” Eric said.

              Ted looked him hard in the eyes. “Just the two of us?”

              “Has it been so long since you saw someone willing to make peace with you?” Eric asked and walked toward his men.

              Ted turned to one of the dogs and spoke to his daughter, “Tell everyone where I am headed. This may be the difference between success and failure. Have one or two of the dogs follow us.”

              Ted walked to his group of warriors and told them his plans, then walked back to Eric, who handed him the reins of one of the horses. Ted took it, and climbed into the saddle. Riding off down the road and out the gates, Ted caught sight of two dogs running through the high grass off the road.

              Eric called out to him, “Bringing the dogs huh? No trust?”

              “It is what it is, Eric.” Ted replied and they rode hard for the pass up to the mountains.