The Beginning to a Time without One. 

My name is Juliana O’ Leary, Protector of the King. Descendent of an ancient race of fortunetellers, sorcerers, and Seers.

I am but a servant to the Most High King—Jehovah, nothing more, and nothing less. I have a gift few possess and none ever will understand. The Gift of glimpsing into the unknown, for you see I am a Seer. A seer of things that have come before me, things that are with me, and things that journey after me.

This is my story; the story where the known meets the unknown, where the forgotten is remembered, where the strong become warriors, and where the most feared become the most ridiculed.

It all started when King Kendell, was murdered by renegade soldiers, driven by their hate, and the one Unknown.

They not only murdered the King, but His fair Queen, Margaret, and their most loyal manservant--my father--Gilroy O’Leary. I was there when he was murdered.

Before he died my Father told me words that burned their way into my memory, and to this day, I treasure them dearly.

‘The future is a challenge, my Dear, but a challenge you must make. You know what it is, and you are the only who can stop it. Hold to yourself—it’s the only gift that in the end will save you.’

At the time, I had no idea of what he was talking about, and some of it, to this day, remains a mystery.

After the good King’s death, his son—James took over the throne. Feeling indebted to my Father, James and his Queen, Alice, adopted my little sister, who, at the time, was a baby. I think they in a way were scared of me, for they sent me to work in the fields. I also have an older brother, Timothy, who disappeared after my fourteenth birthday vowing never to return, though that promise could not be kept. (My Mother died during my little sister’s birth).

And so, for eleven years the kingdom lived in peace, with no thought of what laid ahead or behind them. But then on the sixteenth year of my life, all the fears and hate returned—this time stronger than ever.

So, this is where my story starts, a story with many endings but one ultimate destiny. A story of love and hate, peace and war. But mainly of good and evil.

 Chapter One:

The Past Becomes Present.

I forget how much I love this forest. The beauty of its reds, greens, and many other colors dancing in time to a song known only by them. The smells that astound me surround the symphony of colors as I journey on the same path I have been walking on for the past ten years.

For you see an orphan does not get much out of life. But then my sister is an orphan and she lives in the palace being waited upon by more servants than I have toes. And then my brother, Timothy, ventures to far away lands to fill the hole my Father’s death left in his heart.

The hole in my heart though cannot be filled quite as easily. For I was much closer to my Father than my brother or sister was, and now even after ten years I still feel his presence, guiding me protecting me from all the bad of the world.

‘Juliana, watch where you’re going!’ The blonde boy exclaimed as I stepped on his feet.

‘Oh sorry, Nic I was thinking and walking at the same time.’ I apologized.

Nic grinned, ‘A very dangerous combination.’

‘For me, yes I agree.’ I smiled back. Nicholas Felon was probably my most bestest friend. After my Father died Nic’s family took me and my brother in, until Timothy ran away and I decided to live on me own.

Nic bent to pick up his sickle. ‘So are you ready for your birthday tomorrow? Sixteen, golly how time flies.’

I followed him to the first field, greeting the watchman on the way. There were two fields in the Kingdom of James I. The small field and the large field. Nic and I each worked on the small field whilst the adult men worked on the larger one. *

‘Yes, I know Nic, I don’t think I am quite ready to be sixteen, I wish I could go back to being four,’ I sighed ‘things were so much easier then.’ My Father died right after I turned five, and my Mother only months before during the birth of my sister.

Nic nodded his sandy hair caught by the wind, ‘Nothing is easy, my Dear Juliana, but then everything is hard.’ He put his arm around my shoulder, ‘Come we have a lot of work to do harvest time is coming very quickly. Why the harvest moon is in just two weeks.’

I nodded in agreement. ‘The harvest moon.’ Muttered my voice, ‘Twill be the night of mourning in this land.’

Nic looked down at me lifting his brows in surprise, I just shrugged, for my head was hurting terribly.

 (* I am working on putting together a map; contact me if you would like to see it. elfofthecross@yahoo.com)

I fell asleep that night with a pounding in my head worse than any other pain I have ever experienced. It echoed throughout my brain into the rest of my body. My hands and feet shook as I shuffled to blow out the candle. I laid down feeling Hubert lay his head on me feet, somehow that made me burn with pain. I closed my eyes to the sense of utter dread.

I felt my body being taken to the castle. There, standing before me was King James dressed in the splendor and royalty only a King could have. There was also a figure cloaked in a flowing purple robe that sparkled in the candlelight.

The Creature looked at the King as though he was searching his soul. But to my very surprise King James showed no fear of it.

‘What do you want of me?’ he asked as though he had done it many times, ‘I have asked for your Master’s guidance and he has given me very little.’

‘Little for you, plenty for your Him.’ The Creature hissed beneath the robe, ‘I have come bearing a message for you and two others. Listen well for I shan’t repeat it.’ James nodded silently.

‘The One whom your Father sought has come. He will rid this land of the good, he will kill your heirs while they are in the womb, and he will take away all you will love. All you can do is watch, for, in your own power and all human power can you do nothing.’ The Creature paused long enough to catch its breath. ‘But the Great I Am, shall grant mercy to you, but you shan’t accept it. It will be your downfall, your death, for your pride will prevail, but nevertheless, it will come and help you through your rejection.’

‘What is it?’ James asked abruptly

‘I shan’t tell you. For it is not the time just yet, but I will tell you this much. It has no name, no past, no future, it’s dreams are a reality, and its voice is prophecy.’ The Creature took off its robe, and I gasped in its beauty.

It was clothed in a pure white garment. A silver crown rode on its gloriously decorated head, the crown held more colors than my eyes could take in. But the most spectacular thing was the sword in its hand. It was brilliantly shined, and was of a pure silver color.

‘And it shall come in bearing the Sword of the Lord.’ He yelled as he lifted the sword in the air. ‘Beware of the Messenger of the Lord for your choice will determine whether it saves or destroys you.’ The Creature bowed lowly, and all that raised up was a gold gas floating gently in to the air.

At that moment I woke up in a sweat. ‘What a strange dream.’ I said aloud as I stared into the darkness. But a gasp escaped my chest as I looked at my feet, for at the end of my bed was a sword—the sword the Creature held, the Sword of the Lord.

I sat staring at it not knowing what to do. I did not think it too wise of a thing to touch it. For James looked altogether afraid of it. It looked even more beautiful here than it did in the dream. Its sheaf was a gold color encircled with delicate leaves and flowers that I had never in me life seen before. The blade had changed colors; it was now a deep midnight blue with a touch of red around the edges.

I heard a bark and looked down to see Hubert behind me barking his head off at the shiny metal laying at my feet, how he got up there without my knowing is beyond me. For a second I thought maybe I was still asleep so I pinched myself, the pain in my forearm though, told me quite loudly that I was very much awake and this nightmare is very much a reality.

I got off the bed; maybe a quick rinse of my face would cure these mirages I was seeing. I heard Hubert’s long toenails click on the floor as we made our way to the kitchen, where the basin full of water sat.

I bent down and let its coolness envelope my feverish face. As I raised up to grab a towel I noticed the reflection in the mirror.

There was something wrong with my eyes; they weren’t the normal green they had always been. They were solid red with specks of blue around the iris. I gasped as the towel fell to the floor. My eyes—they were the same color as the sword.

I turned to look at Hubert. ‘What in the world is happening to me?!?’ I exclaimed as I ran out the door. The cool night air greeted me with the sound of an owl’s hoot. I wrapped my arms around my chest, the bad part about having a birthday in October was the cold, I hated being cold especially now when it is chilling me to the bone.

Closing my eyes I breathed in the night air. The smell of the field’s filled my chest with the sweetest scents ever. And for a single second I actually forgot my problems. But then when I opened my eyes it all came back full force.

Standing there I reviewed all the events of the night trying to figure out what was going on, but all I could think of was the night when my Father died.

He was gasping on the floor the girl could tell he was dying. She screamed as she heard the horses’ bleat echo outside the palace gates.

‘Shhh…’ the man breathed as the blood poured out around the arrow in his chest. The girl ran to her Father, ‘Daddy,’ she whispered as she felt his hand wrap around her. ‘Daddy what is happening, Daddy I don’t understand! Why are the King and Queen dead?! Daddy! Please don’t die.’ The girl sobbed into the bloodstained chest.

The man gently patted her head. ‘Juliana Dear. Listen love we haven’t much time.’ The man groaned as he felt a burst of pain explode through his body. ‘The future is a challenge, my Dear, but a challenge you must make. You know what it is, and you’re the only who can stop it. Hold to yourself—it’s the only gift that in the end will save you.’ He ended with a smile as he passed in to the valley of the unknown.

‘DADDY!!’ The girl screamed as she fainted.

My breath caught in my throat. My Father’s last words… I thought I forgot them. He…he…knew. He knew. But what he knew I don’t know, but he did know something. I pressed my hand against my forehead. Normally I would say I need to sleep on this, but sleep is the last thing I need now.

I felt Hubert licking my heel. Then he started walking toward Nic’s house.

‘Nic.’ Yes that was what I needed. He’ll know what to do.

I gently tapped on his window. ‘Nic. Nic! Wake up.’ I hissed trying to contain my voice and excitement.

The lump on the bed didn’t move a flinch. I forgot how heavy of a sleeper Nic was. I turned looked around for a rock. ‘Ahh…there’s one.’ I whispered picking up a nice sized rock. ‘Alright Nic—GET UP!’ I said as I broke the window with the rock and climbed in.

That woke him up.

‘Juliana! What in heaven’s name are you doing here?’ Nic whispered his hair tossed wildly.

Now that I had him up, the words I wanted to tell him had escaped me. ‘Well…’ Nic demanded rising out of the bed to light a candle. Nic also lived by himself. His parents moved off four years ago due to a very bitter fight.

‘Nic I…uh…’ I started trying to compose my voice that was sounding a bit higher than normal.

‘Juliana, what happened to your eyes? They’re red.’ Nic stammered astonishment growing with each word.

‘Nic I think we’re in trouble.’ I answered then related to him all the events of the night.

‘I have never seen a sword like this. It’s so beautiful and threatening at the same time.’ Nic declared as I showed him the sword. After telling him about the dream and the sword, Nic demanded I show him it.

‘Juliana,’ he said raising his eyes from the sword for the first time since he laid eyes on it, ‘from what the Angel said this sword is to be used to destroy evil.’ I nodded. ‘But the only problem is…’Nic grimaced.

‘Who’s the evil?’ I finished for him. Nic shuddered, ‘I think we should hide it. If it lands in the wrong hands then we’re all in trouble.’

I nodded my agreement. ‘And I know the perfect place. ‘My Mothers’ trunk.’

‘Right.’ Her trunk was in my bedroom under the bed. Nic pulled it out, gently laid the sword wrapped in an old quilt at the bottom, then he put the books she kept on top of it. ‘It should be safe there.’ He looked at me straight in the eyes, ‘Now Juliana are you sure you, James and I are the only ones who know about this—there isn’t anyone else.’

‘No. Wait.’ Some voice whispered to my head, …you, and two others. Listen well for I shan’t repeat it. ‘Nic someone else knows. Somebody knows its here.’ I started panicking. ‘Someone else fell into that dream.’

‘Or something.’ Nic said bitterly, ‘My Dear Juliana, I have a feeling all hell is about to break loose.’

‘No.’ I corrected him. ‘It already has.’ I felt my skin crawling. ‘Happy birthday Juliana.’ Nic said half heartedly.’

The tears I had kept up all night came flowing out.

Chapter Two.

The Coming Togethers.

Waking up the next morning felt strange. All last night I stayed in Nic’s arms until tears wouldn’t come out any more. I thanked God with a shaky breath that today was the Sabbath for I didn’t think I’d be of much use at the fields. Hubert was reclining at the edge of the bed his head hanging off. Even though I felt as though there was a mist in my head I had to laugh at Hubert’s sleeping position.

‘Wake up you silly dog!’ I laughed as I picked him off the bed, but underneath him wasn’t the normal blanket he usually sat on—it was the purple robe the angel had on the night before. I dared not touch it, for its beauty was blinding. The violet color was even more bolder than the royal robes. Never in my life had I seen such a robe. I wondered how it got there, of course in all the excitement over the sword last night I could have missed it, I raised my hand to touch my hair.

Absently stroking my red mane of hair I went over last night’s events trying to figure out what was going on.

It has no name, no past, no future, its dreams are a reality, and its voice is prophecy. What was the Creature saying?

‘I don’t understand what your talking about. Please explain your words to me?!’ I cried out in frustration, I have a past and future and I have a name. Things were moving too fast too hard.

A knock at the door brought me out of my stupor.

I opened the door standing back in surprise. Lounging in the doorframe looking very annoyed was a redheaded man with a gigantic bird. Timothy O’Leary had come back to Tylslnd.

‘Timothy!’ I gasped surprise written all over my face. Timothy here that I didn’t think would ever happen again. But here he was.

‘Juliana!’ He exclaimed hugging my still form. ‘I have missed you so much.’

‘That you can’t even write me?’ I couldn’t forget how much pain he had caused Nic’s family before he left.

‘Oh that’s in the past…’ Timothy waved off my words like he was swatting a fly.

‘The past has an odd, but rhythmic way of becoming the present. Timothy O’Leary.’ I countered, stepping back so he could come in.

‘Juliana are you alright?’ Timothy asked, once again steering me off the subject. I smiled, of course I wasn’t alright, but how could he possibly understand me.

‘Yes. Of course I am.’ I gave him a hug deciding to play his game. ‘I am glad your home my Dear brother.’

He glanced around the cabin its simple furnishing greeting him with the simpleness of what my now complex life used to be.

‘You’ve done well for yourself Juliana. I see you’ve kept most of the family heirlooms.’ He sat down in the chair Father had made Mother after Meagan was born. The bird riding upon his shoulder ruffled its feathers.

It was the biggest bird I had ever seen. Many colors wove together to accent the rainbow the sunlight greeted.

‘You like the bird?’ Timothy asked seeing my eyes rest on his shoulder. He didn’t give me time to answer before announcing that it belonged to me.

‘Timothy. I…’ My voice echoed the surprise I felt. But Timothy being Timothy didn’t listen to a word I said, he just placed the bird on my shoulder, it felt strange, and yet nice, I felt as if this bird was a part of me being returned.

‘Her name is Ossian. I found her in a little village. She was so pretty I knew you’d like her.’ He beamed.

That moment Hubert walked lazily into the room. On most good days Hubert hated strangers, but after all the events of last night he despised strangers. And his barking told Ossian just what mood he was in.

That bird puffed out his feathers and made the most unholy screech I’d ever in my life heard. Timothy immediately tried to calm the two down.

In all that noise I felt myself being taken away to another reality.

I was in the threshing barn where we store our wheat and grain after the harvest months. But it wasn’t occupied by wheat or grain on this day, pain, and sickness took their place. People were groping in the darkness of the shadow that had taken over the land. Lumps appeared on their arms and legs. Babies were screaming for nourishment as they laid slowly dying in their dead Mother’s arms.

Time seemed to go in a circle for every time I turned around another horror met me. Men carrying decaying bodies. Women screaming at their heels. Yet there was one standing in the middle, he did not flinch as the sick crawled around them.

He turned around, I gasped recognition shining in my eyes. It was the Creature the one I had seen in the palace. ‘Juliana,’ it breathed. He swept the room with his hand. ‘This is his shadow. It draws it powers from the hate you humans carry in their hearts. You must destroy the hate, this city lives in Juliana, you must move faster than he is. You have the wisdom, you have the knowledge, you have your heart. Follow it.’

My head started spinning. Things were moving too fast.

I fell back into the present. I fell back into the past of the future.

‘Juliana,’ a shape before me whispered. My world stopped spinning as Timothy helped me off the floor. Ossian was perched atop the chair Timothy was in earlier.

Watching her I noticed her eyes were red, the same mine were. ‘What the hell is going on?’ I screamed as I flung a book at that bird.

Timothy looked at me strangely. ‘Juliana, are you alright?’

I rose off the floor trying to contain the fear and doubt that was hiding in my heart and replace it with gracefulness.

‘Of course I am alright.’ I said shakily, ‘I just tripped over something.’ Hubert was licking my toes, the bird kept staring at me the book I threw at her laying opened on the chair.

They knew.

‘Juliana?’ Nic asked as he opened the door, the smile on his face left as he saw my brother. ‘What are you doing here?’ He sneered shoving Timothy into the corner.

‘Nic. Stop it!’ I screamed as Timothy reached for his sword.

‘I came to see how my dear sister was getting along. I didn’t know that wasn’t allowed. She is after all my sister…not yours.’ Timothy smiled. Nic didn’t.

‘And you are an ass.’ Nic sneered.

‘Nic…’ I growled. ‘please don’t start.’

‘Juliana why don’t you go put on some tea,’ Timothy asked cheerfully. ‘We’ll settle things out here ‘fore you get back.’

I nodded my reluctant agreement. ‘Don’t kill him.’ I whispered to Nic as I left to the kitchen.

After putting on the water I sat down at the small table noticing Ossian watching me strangely. I didn’t want to be alone right now. The dreams I had witnessed were streaming back into my head.

Death…pain…darkness…shadows…Angels…prophecies… Is this my future? Was that the future? What is the future?

After Father’s death, I thought the future was obvious. Meagan would stay with the King, Timothy would do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, however he wanted… and me? I would stay on in the fields, working as an old maid ‘til my death.

I hoped I would have an exciting death. One where everyone talks about it thousands of years after I’m gone. They would hold me as a Saint. I smiled, Saint Juliana now that had a nice sound to it.

I sat there lost in my thoughts, not noticing the raised voices in the next room. The growling of Hubert meeting the screech of Ossian. Nor the whistling of the teapot.

‘Juliana.’ Nic said waving his hand in front of my face, ‘here’s your tea.’ He handed me a steaming cup, the warm liquid heated up my cold, dark insides.

‘Where’s Timothy?’ I asked glancing about.

‘Oh, he went to see Farmer Monks…something about me and my ways which really seem to upset him.’ He laughed. I forced a smile.

‘I wonder what he’s doing back, he swore and I know he meant it.’

‘Well, He was never very good at keeping his promises.’ Nic reminded me. I looked at him strangely. Timothy O’Leary was incapable of telling the truth, stopping after one pint of Ale, and being halfway decent. But he ALWAYS kept all of his promises, even if it took ten years before he fulfilled them he always lived up to his word.

‘No he was never good at telling the truth.’ I countered. Nic just grimaced.

I really didn’t blame the hate he had for Timothy, he did deserve it. After Timothy came back from the palace, he went to stay with me at the Felons. The only problem was he couldn’t stay. Never was there a morning we woke up not sure if Timothy would be at the breakfast table with us, or out with the Arabs going after some sort of treasure. Then, after two three months, he’d come back a present for me in tote, acting as though nothing was wrong or out of the ordinary. This went on for eight long years until the elder Felon got tired of it, and confronted Timothy~~that was a horrible mistake.

For he forgot~~ anything Timothy touched became a weapon, he could wield the sword faster and harder than any other in the kingdom of Tylslnd. He could throw a knife farther and straighter than any knight the King held in his service. His bow bent back further than any man anyone had ever met.

He was, as the townsfolk said, Gilroy O’Leary’s son.

On that day though he was not anything like my Father. Timothy cursed Master Felon and all his family, protecting his honor Felon drew his sword. Being quick~tempered and foolish my brother did the same.

While his wife and son watched, Nicholas Felon III had his right arm removed by Timothy O’Leary. Hearing my cry echo through the kitchen, Timothy vowed he would leave~ never to return.

‘Something’s wrong…’ I murmured sipping more of the hot brew. ‘Timothy was disgraced that day, Nic. Only a sister could read the pain his eyes showed.’ I touched his arm, feeling the words of the angel seep into my head… ‘things are moving fast now child, the Evil is approaching your city, and his shadow is at your gates.’

‘Let us not dwell on the past now, there are for fouler things happening in the present.’ I started telling him everything I had seen.

‘I don’t like this Juliana, not one bit.’ Nic gritted through his closed teeth.

‘And you think I do? You think I enjoy fainting in and out of this time and falling into another one? You and Timothy both looked as though I was some possessed child.’ I immediately regretted what I said. Tis not fair to take out my fear on Nic.

‘I’m sorry Nic.’ I whispered quietly. I stood and walked into the other room staring absently out of the window.

A hand wrapped around my waste. ‘I still love you, my dear fox. Forever shall I love and protect you for as long as this earth goes on.’ He kissed the back of my neck ‘No matter what I am with you, on your side.

‘Yes,’ I thought. ‘But whose side am I on?’

‘I love you Nic.’ I kissed him with the fire that colored my hair.

Timothy returned later that day, acting as if nothing happened. Any ordinary person~ not used to his antics~ would have seen his behavior as strange. But having grown with him over eleven years you do get used to it, or at least tolerate it, I suppose.

‘Supper was delicious, Julie.’ Timothy stretched his arms behind his head, leaned back in his chair, took out his pipe, and started filling the place with the tobacco odor I had come to hate.

He let out a cloud of smoking before saying. ‘Julie how about coming with me, I was thinking of going to China… see some of the east. I could always use a sister to make the journey more pleasurable.’

I laughed so hard that Ossian nearly fell off my shoulder. Timothy’s eyes showed he was serious.

‘Go with you to China?!? Timothy I, unlike you, have a life here. And I know you can’t understand why, but I am perfectly content with it. No. I don’t wish to go with you on one of your adventures.’

‘Fine then.’ Came the angry reply. I didn’t notice, I was still mad over his and Nic’s argument earlier.

‘Why are you back?’ I asked after some time. Timothy took another puff. He answered slowly. ‘Well I suppose because I missed you so much.’

I gave the ‘Think again.’ Look.

‘Timothy you can lie to anyone but me…I know you, and I know how to read between everything you say. Now the truth.’ I demanded.

Timothy shrugged his shoulders as he rose out of the chair. ‘Julie, must I always give a reason for what I do. I came back for my and my own reasons.’ He snapped. ‘Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go see someone.’ He stomped out the door.

‘Well!’ I puffed to Hubert and Fawn rising from the chair to wash the stack of dishes. I started humming one of the tunes I heard a drunkard singing outside the tavern one of the few times I went to town. If Father Monks could’ve heard some of the colorful words this song held, I would probably be kicked out of the church.

But that didn’t matter to me. If Priest could get drunk, then faithful church members can hum bar songs. I laughed at my own foolishness, scrubbing the pots.

‘So Ossian, how much do you know about me?’ The bird clucked a couple of times. The bird knows many things, things that you are to know. It is MY messenger. I have sent it to guide and lead through the darkness of the hate you are about to face. Though there is another who will come to help you. Darkness is coming upon you Juliana, but so is light and glory.

I can't explain why but the voice in my head whispering words of comfort and hope, gave me a peace and fullness my heart had never felt before.

Chapter Three:

A New Dawn to an Old Day.

Three Days Later.

‘Did he have to come along?’ Nicholas asked as we made our way to the center of town.

‘Would you like to tell him he can’t?’ My heather eyes smiled at him. Going to sleep that night when Timothy returned I noticed my eyes had changed colors, as had Ossian’s. Nic figured it was because of the vision.

Timothy followed behind us, noisily biting an apple. I knew he was doing it on purpose. Today was the Festival of the Grand Harvest in the Kingdom of Tylslnd. With the harvest but nine days away, farmers and merchants closed their stands for the festivities.

I really didn’t want to come, but Nic insisted we go, for his family, though far from here, still had a very noble place in the hearts and minds of the villagers.

It was, after all, his Great~Grandfather who conquered the Army of Niylk in one night, outnumbered 500 to 1. An important event in the history of our Kingdom.

Nicolas Felon looked especially handsome in his silken dress suite. (One of the few things his parents allowed him to keep.) Timothy wore his usual brown hunting suite, complete with his sword and arrows.

I wore the silken gown my Mother had. Of all her things it was the only one that would fit me. For I was about six inches taller and far heavier than she. But she had this dress made for a ball when she was pregnant with me. So all I had to do was let out the hem, and it fit perfect. It was a light purple adorned with pearls and lace.

I tried my best to pile my thick hair upon my head, but in the end, I wore it loose (which I thought looked just as fine.) And apparently so did Nic.

Ossian rode on my left shoulder, as she had done for the past four days, even while I was working on the fields. Which did it get tiring rather quickly.

The music and singing could be heard before we reached the city’s western gates. I felt Ossian’s claws tightened around my shoulder. Keep your guard up today my Juliana; trouble is already starting to break out in your fair town. I nodded quickly. I don’t know how it happened but over the past few days I had become used to this Voice, though I hadn’t had any visions~which was a very good thing~ the Voice(which I figured was the Holy Spirit *.) kept giving me a feeling of peace and caution.

(* Juliana’s Father had owned another Bible which was not of the Catholic translation. It was written in Greek, which he spent most of his life translating into English so his children could read it. Not long after this William Tyndale translated the Greek Bible into English, defying the Pope and the Catholic Church so the commoners and poor could read it. Here’s the link… http://www.llano.net/baptist/tyndale.htm)

‘Well, here we are.’ Nic said as we entered the gates. Streamers and banners were everywhere. We, after all, only celebrated this Holiday once every ten years. And since the King’s death was so close to the last one it was cancelled.

Men, women, boys, and girls were dancing, laughing, smiling, and drinking large tankards of Ale as we quickly passed.

‘Aye.’ One woman was saying as we drew near. ‘My son works in the kitchen and he heard from the chef that the King and Queen were to come here today.’

‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ The older woman said arms crossed on her chest.

‘So shall I.’ Nic whispered into my ear. I nodded. King James was a good king, though not much of one at telling the truth.

‘Why Madam O’Leary!’ Father Monks exclaimed behind me, ‘What a joy it is to see you here. I didn’t see your beautiful face in church Sunday I thought you were down with some illness…’

‘Why no Allen.’ I said gently. Thought I attended a Catholic church, I didn’t agree with all that was said. Especially calling a man I barely knew ‘Father.’ But it was the only church in the Kingdom, and I did have to show some respect to the men of God. But the amount of respect I give them was completely based on the amount of respect they gave to Jesus Christ. And since that was very little indeed, my respect was smaller. Hence the reason why I called Father Monks by his first name.

‘Juliana,’ The Priest said waving a finger playfully in front of my face, ‘you aren’t to call the ones over you by their names.’ He smiled and looked at me as if I was some little child playing in the streets that he had saved from a runaway cart.

‘I’ll bear that in mind, Allen.’ I said taking Nic’s arm and allowing him to lead me away from Monks’ red face.

When we got far enough away Nic and Timothy burst out laughing. ‘Well, we wont have to worry about him talking to us anymore.’ Nic laughed.

‘Oh he’ll be back at my door in a couple of days demanding I confess that sin to him if I ever wanted any type of place in Heaven.’ I smiled. Timothy laughed harder. I forgot how much his laugh reminded me of Father’s. So bright and beautiful, whether you know what the joke was or not you couldn’t help but join in.

‘Here Juliana.’ Timothy said handing me a hotroll. I smiled.

‘You haven’t forgotten.’ Whenever Father took us anywhere he would buy us a hot roll~our own special treat. Though we were not to ever tell Mother. Wasteful, she called it. But a good waste, he would say after savoring the first bite.

We quietly ate our rolls watching the children weave between the longlegs of the graceful mean and their adoring wives.

I have to admit that Tylslnd was a very beautiful town. Much bigger than any of her neighbors, she held a royal airiness about her that none could match. Even the poor walked with a grace equal to that of a Lord, for though you have a low place in the town of Tylslnd you have a very high position in far poorer towns surrounding us.

‘Well,’ Timothy said after a bit. ‘Though you two are fine company I just saw Willem Mjok enter that Tavern there, I think I shall join him for a drink. I’ll meet you back here at sundown Dear sister. Nic.’ He nodded his departure.

I turned to Nic. “Why I didn’t realize we were such dull company.’ He grinned.

‘Neither did I.’ Ossian made a loud screech on my shoulder then rose to meet the beautiful clouds in the sky.

‘Oh to be free,’ I whispered ‘`tis a joy I’ll never have. To leave pain when it gets too much, leave the tears of today for the smiles of yesterday. Oh if only I could have that freedom.’ I watched the sun’s rays reflect their glory on her wings. My heart sighed.

Nic watched me silently. ‘What is it Julie?’

‘They keep coming back Nic. Every night I relive a new part of them. Sometimes I don’t see anything I just hear voices. I don’t know if they’re me talking, or God, or Satan. Sometimes I know it’s the Holy Spirit without any doubt, but then sometimes I think is it me telling me these things so I can find some sort of comfort? Is it me whispering the warnings into my heart? I wish I knew for certain.’ I sighed again, this time audibly. I wasn’t very good at this. ‘Why did He choose me Nic? Of all the people on this earth, why me?’

‘Because Julie, everyone else he chose said no.’

‘Well, I never exactly said yes Nic.’ I said trying to convince myself that God could make a mistake.

‘But you never said no. You just accepted it.’ He turned to me quietly. ‘Somehow you’ve changed Juliana, I know its only been a week, but your different. I don’t know how but you are. No I think God chose the right person.’

‘Nic, what if I mess things up? What if this plague comes and I don’t know how to stop it? These questions keep running through my head it’s like an echo.’

Nic put a finger to my lips. ‘Julie rarely ever does God change His mind. Now He chose you, and sooner or later you will have to accept it. The sooner the better. YOU have the strength and the courage to do this.’ He kissed my cheek. ‘Whatever happens I will be here, I promised you that and I never lie. But more importantly God will be here for you. And when mine and your strength is gone, He’ll give us His for it can never run out. Take ‘if’ out of your life Julie there’s only the here and now. You have a Gift. Take it. Embrace it. Use it.’

‘Dark times are coming to this land Nic.’ I whispered. ‘The Unknown who killed my Father is returning. I know not whether any of us can survive. I hear his voice, all the hate he has for anything good calls to my fears every night.’ I wrapped my arms around eachother.

Not in a million years had I wanted to talk about what had been going on over the past few nights. Night after night I would wake up screaming, it was as if I had lived a thousand lifetimes, lifetimes of pain and joy, weeping and laughing. And right before I’d wake up screaming I would see the Angel. ‘God loves you. Now you must take the test. Look into yourself there you will find the Will to destroy the shadow. It haunts you Juliana, its voice troubles you. But God is with you He is taking care of you. He loves you Juliana.’ Every night he would say that.

‘Nic, I love you and thank God every day for giving you to me.’

‘As do I malady, as do I.’ We sat there in silence watching time spin around us. Minutes seemed like hours, hours like minutes. Twas the calm before the storm.

‘Nicholas Felon! What a pleasure it is to see you here, I declare you’re been so busy in the fields I haven’t seen you since your parents left~how are you my lad?’ A voice boomed over the voices of the people.

‘Why Farmer Goelp.’ Nic rose from his perch beside me to greet the man with a warm embrace. He was a fairly large man. His feet were shod with the normal leatherwear the farmers wore to keep the mud from clopping up on them as they work in the field. A large black apron covered the dingy shirt his frame wore. Breeches loosely held themselves by the pain of suspenders he had rigged with two leather thongs. It was a merry site to behold.

‘Aye lad, I see yeh have grown since we last met, why your as tall as I be.’ He scratched his chin. ‘Maybe taller.’ Nic laughed gleefully with him.

‘Perhaps you’ve just grown shorter, old man?’

‘Perhaps.’ His mouthed twitched as his eyes turned themselves upon me. ‘Who’s this lad?’

‘Ah that’s Juliana O’Leary.’

His eyes flew open. ‘Your Gilroy’s daughter?’

‘Yes.’ I said standing from my position. I hated sitting down when talking to a person, it mad me feel as less than an equal. If I talked to someone they had to be level with my eyes. I would not look down to them nor would I look up to them. Equal, they would have to be for me to address them as a human.

‘Your Father was a great man, the best I did know.’ He looked into my eyes. We held each other’s gaze after a few seconds he broke it.

‘Nicholas, Helsad is around here she would certainly like to see you. That is if you don’t mind Madam.’ He looked at me pointedly.

‘No. Go ahead Nic, I’ll be fine here.’ I watched them as they left. This is good for Nic. Ever since his parents had left he had stayed in hiding coming to the village only when needs be. That’s why it surprised me so much when he insisted upon our coming here. Maybe He wasn’t the One Who wanted you here.

I smiled. In some ways these dreams and visions, well, I could describe them as a Gift, if I really had thought about it. But at sixteen anything out of the ordinary seemed as more of a curse than a blessing, especially after hearing of all the ‘witch trials’ held for men and woman~and sometimes even children~just to cure this land of the demons they brought to it with their birth. What I didn’t realize then was that God had given me the gift and He was still in charge of the universe and He knew exactly what my future would hold even if I didn’t, though I regret it has taken me these so many years to figure that out.

‘Hello Juliana.’ A voice behind me whispered. I turned expecting to see Timothy but who I saw was the true henchman of Satan~Rolf Grenrds, First Officer to the King, the only man I had ever slapped.

Rolf was one of the most respected men in all of Tylslnd. But that was only when the sun was watching the world. For at night he was the most hated man. Raping, drinking, killing were all part of his usual nightly affairs and there was not a thing anything could do about it. ‘Rolf.’ I said in the curtest of voices I could squeeze out of my tight throat. A year ago Rolf had come on to the fields to check up on our progress. Seeing me he instantly fell in what he called love, though I never quite understood it for it was my understanding he had a gourd of women at the palace where he lived.

‘It’s Sir Rolf, Juliana Malady.’ He rolled taking my hand and kissing it. I made a promise to wash it the moment I escaped his grasp.

‘Pardon me Monsieur, Sir Rolf.’ I rose from my sitting place and walked to the fountain praying he hadn’t followed me. My prayers weren’t answered.

‘Julie, a knight was addressing you, you must show respect to those in authority over you. Especially those betrothed to.’ Rolf kissed my hand gently. I had to admit that Rolf was a very handsome man. His hair and eyes were both shadowy black, and his skin was a beautiful bronze color.

So says the hunter to his prey. Why Rolf keeps chasing me was beyond my realm of understanding. I summed it up as best I could by saying that he was the hunter and I was his Fox. His ultimate goal, and until he got the Fox he would continue chasing it no matter what.

The only problem was this Fox had more brains than the hunter did.

‘Ah Sir Rolf, who decided we were betrothed? For I surely didn’t.’ I didn’t turn from the fountain to face him.

‘If you know what’s best for your future you will accept my proposal.’ He sneered in my ear.

In other words, I thought, you do it, or I shall make your life hell, well, things can get much worse.

‘No. I’m already with Nicholas.’ I whispered. The smell of whiskey consumed the fresh air.

‘Madam O’Leary.’ He spun me around as I tried to control the shaking of my hands. ‘Are thou showing one in authority over you ignorance.’

‘Of course not Rolf~’

‘Sir Rolf.’ He sneered.

Sir Rolf.’ I bit back. ‘I am not your betrothed, neither do I care whether you are higher than me on the chain of thick~skulled men who can swing a sword around.’ I smiled brilliantly. ‘Is there anything else?’

‘You are mocking me?’ His pride sounded hurt. No woman in their right mind who dare talk to a knight in that tone, but who said I was ever in a right state of mind?’

‘The truth hurts my fair knight.’

That stirred his temper. Violently he wrapped his fingers around my arm dragging me to sit on the ring of stones around the fountain. ‘Your pretty boy isn’t here to protect you, better warn that tongue of yours.’ He released my arm and scooted closer to my side.

‘Your dress is lovely Julie.’ He stroked my back with his hand.

‘Thank you Sir.’ I spat out to the dagger he was pulling out. Hundreds upon hundreds of people were swarming their way around us, not a one of them did I recognize.

‘You’re a very beautiful woman. You’ll make a good wife for me.’ He kissed my cheek. I could feel the burn of hunger on his lips. I also felt the O’Leary temper shoot up into my chest.

‘Don’t say a word Juliana, nor lift a hand to strike him. This is not your fight.’ Then who’s fight is it? I argued.

‘If you will go with me~which you are~I shall forgive your many sins and accept you as my wife.’ Again he grabbed my hand and yanked me from the fountain’s seat.

‘Get your nasty hands off my sister!! NOW!!’ Timothy’s shout pierced the air.

Ah…I see this is Timothy’s fight.

‘Very Good.’ But why?

Every eye passing by turned to see the red~head perched on the fountain his arrows pointed straight at the back of the First Knight’s head.

But one emerged from the throng. ‘Let her go Roth.’ Nic said calmly daring him to do anything different. Though Timothy was good with weapons, he could never beat Nic pulling a dagger, and I knew and Roth knew that Nic carried two with him everywhere.

‘Now.’ Timothy hissed his quiver growing more taut.

‘The Girl?’ Nic repeated grabbing my hand. (Too hard, I thought.)

Rolf sneered but released my other one. ‘Now that both your arms are free, my dear chap, shall we talk about how you are to treat my sister?’ It sounded as more an order than a question from Timothy who began unsheeving his sword.

‘Your Timothy O’Leary?’ Rolf asked flabbergasted.

‘None before, none after.’

‘Then you should know that I am Sir Rolf Genrds First Knight to James I, King of Tylslnd.

‘Being a Sir don’t make you a knight.’

‘And being O’Leary don’t make you like your Father.’

‘Rolf must be more drunk than I thought.’ Nic whispered in my ear. I nodded shakily. Nobody with a clear head would insult Timothy O’leary~especially with that look in his eyes.

Timothy swung his sword and brought the flat of it down of Rolf’s head. It made a loud clang as it made contact. I knew it didn’t hurt him~but he still look murderous. A peasant was one up on him.

Rolf swung wildly, Timothy gracefully sidestepped the bone jarring blow. Again another wild swing, this time Timothy rose his sword to meet Rolf’s. A spark flew from the heated metal. The two exchanged blows, each one attracting more people to the huddle encircling us.

That is until a solemn voice shouted ENOUGH!

There he was King James and his pale wife. Both beautifully gowned in the majestic robes.

‘What is going on here?’ James demanded atop the rickshaw. Rolf rose his eyes off Timothy a dazed look dawning on his face. Timothy’s sword had given him a long scratch down his cheek. ‘This…uh…this peasant was speaking blasphemy against you Sire.’ Rolf alleged.

‘That’s a lie.’ Nic roared to the King. ‘He was…’

‘You shall speak when I address you.’ His eyes turned to meet mine. Something odd passed between us. It was as though times stopped for those brief seconds. His eyes change from black to red.

It was as though he was reading into my soul. I knew something was wrong.

But he regained his composure. ‘I want you three to leave the festivities for today. Rolf you go and sober yourself up. Everyone else go enjoy yourselves.’

Slowly Nic, Timothy, and I made our way through the gates of the city.

‘Well,’ Nic said as we left, ‘I was bored anyway.’ I smiled.

‘I wish I could say that.’ I glanced at Timothy. ‘Thank you, for helping me back there.’ Except Timothy never noticed me, it seemed as if he were lost in his own world.

‘I like him better silent. I am surprised he left Rolf so easily, I figured he’d do us all a favor and chop that stupid head of his off.’ Nic sighed teasingly. ‘Pity.’ He grinned as we made our way home.

Had I not been so occupied with the King I would have noticed the looks that passed between him and the Queen.

Chapter 4

In light of everything that happened yesterday it was a blessing to return to the fields~to feel the wind as it brushes through the corn stalks, to run my fingers through the soft dirt. Ah, this was the life.

Though I hated it with a passion. A bell echoed through the air, twas dinnertime, the day was half over!

I scurried to the barn where not only did we store our tools and the harvest, we in addition ate our dinner here, and on occasion we even bunked here. For it was a magnificent barn built over a hundred years ago it was the size of a castle back then, and still today it shadows most of the larger mansions.

‘Greetings Kerlo.’ I pleasantly said to the cook dishing out our meal. Though it didn’t matter what I said she always replied a dull, ‘Afternoon.’ Got old after a while, I assure you.

I quickly moved through the like and glanced about the room for Nic. I was surprised to see him sitting with a girl.

Afelo O’Kiol.

Now I tried to live a life without hating or despising others, but it was nearly impossible for me to not to ring her neck.

She was a beautiful girl. Her creamy skin, light brown hair, and perfect waist made her hard to resist. And I hated her.

Very mature, Juliana, being jealous is not a very becoming thing for you to be. Would you attempt to use some of the wisdom I have given you?

‘Of course.’ I murmured. ‘Afternoon, Afelo, mind if I join you?’ I noticed to dye she had put on her lips. Temper Juliana, no need for it here.

There were some drawbacks to having the God of all Creation always talking to you. I squeezed in the bench by Nic. ‘Fox, Afelo was just telling me what happened yesterday after we left the Festival.’

I suppose, I should explain why Nic called me Fox. When I was young my Mother would tie my hair back so it would seem as if I had a long bushy tail coming out of my head. My Father proclaimed I look like a fox. So he started calling me a fox. And the name has just stuck.

‘Is that so?’ I said with fake cheerfulness. In all truth I didn’t care much what happened, I was too spooked about King James, I didn’t take much thought to anything else.

Apparently Timothy didn’t either, for this morning he left yet another note explaining that he needed to be by himself for a while so he went hunting. Which was fine with me for I have not eaten meet in such a long time, I forgot how it tasted.

I was secretly hoping he would get a bear.

‘The King made a big speech…’ Afelo was saying. ‘It was quite touching, he talked about his Father, and yours too Juliana,’

That made me all the more thankful I was not there. I hated when people talked about my Father, they never expressed his memory the way I felt it should be.

But I returned her flirtiest smile. ‘He said that we have moved on, but there’s still more trudging and work that must be done before the Kingdom is back to the way it was when his Father was alive.’ I agreed.

‘Then he and the Queen set off fireworks, they were spectacular, though some scared me. Made me wish I had someone there to protect me.’ She moved closer to Nic and touched his shoulder. ‘Someone with the muscles you have.’ Nic gave her a smile. I rolled my eyes.

‘Well, Nic got those muscles from working in the fields~there’s about two hundred other men in here that are just as strong as him, go give them one of those smiles your so good at.’ I snapped angrily. How dare he return her smile?!

‘Juliana! Calm down.’ Nic whispered harshly. Afelo just smiled.

‘Your face is red Julie, its not that appealing, I swear you O’Leary’s!’ Afelo said to Nic. ‘I heard her brother had a rough temper but I didn’t know she did. I would think after living with such a fine woman as your Mother, she’d learn not to show her anger in front of others.’ She wrinkled her nose.

Don’t slap her…don’t slap her…don’t slap her. It wasn’t working.

‘Well,’ Nic smiled, ‘Julie is not to good at listening to others.’ I gave him the nastiest look I could manage. He could care less about that little…whatever she was…he just liked getting me mad.

And now that was working.

I let out a two shrill whistles. Two seconds later Hubert came bounding in (I always took him with me to the fields, he helped me with the digging.) Now I knew that him and Nic did not in any way get along. Both declared each other as archenemies when they first set theirs eyes on one another. I lifted him off the ground. His nose was caked with dirt and the grub he ate for dinner.

‘Oh what a horrid dog, Juliana! Get it out of here, its spoiling my food.’ She delicately swatted at him as he sniffed at her mouth. Nic sat in the middle leaning as far back as he could so as not to touch him.

‘Juliana,’ He whispered ‘would you him out of here.’ Hubert turned and saw Nic, he immediately saw Nic, low groans begin spilling out of his throat. Vainly he began to jump out of my arms.

CALL HIM OFF JULIE!’ Nic roared leaning farther back on the bench.

‘Sorry, what were you saying? I don’t hear too well when you puny mortals speak.’

‘Fox,’ Nic started but it was too late he had toppled over the bench. I laughed as his long legs began swinging wildly.

‘Nic! Nic, are you alright?’ Afelo bent down to help him up. Hubert and I sat there watching Nic (Hubert was still trying to escape out of my arms.)

When Nic was up and the laughter died down in the barn, the bell sounded; time to get back to work.

As I walked out to the fields I felt a hand tap me on the shoulder. It was Nic covered in dirt and straw. ‘Since you did this you get the honor of picking all this straw out of my hair. Though I guess I deserved it, didn’t I?’

‘Yes, you did.’ I grabbed a long stalk that had managed to get underneath his shirt. ‘But I shouldn’t have gotten so irritated, I suppose.’

He grinned. ‘But there was something.’ He checked the cornstalk to see how ripe its fruit was. ‘Afelo mentioned something about the King’s daughter.’ I turned sharply to him. ‘What about her?’

‘She said that Princess Meagan is to be married.’

‘To whom?’ Meagan is my little sister. After my Father’s death James stepped in to raise her. He had taken Timothy in as well but Timothy be who he is, was not suited to be a prince. I was thrown out into the streets with the rats.

‘Sir Rolf of the morons.’ Nic wrapped his arm around the handle of the rake not daring to meet my gaze.

I sighed heavily. ‘I hate irony.’

Well, Dear Juliana you serve a God Who created irony. Someday you might find that irony is your greatest ally.

‘Ah, someday, but not today.’ I leaned to help Nic, my thoughts taking wing.

The past week has been nothing but hell. Timothy returned with enough animals to feed a family for ten years. I was so graciously passed the job of skinning, cleaning, salting, cooking, fry the fat and jar it, then the wonderful task of making soap. I stole Timothy’s bow and arrow and hid it under my bed, vowing to strangle myself if I ever let him go hunting again.

Afterward I had to put up with Rolf and his pathetic being for half an hour, as he made his weekly rounds. Luckily Nic was nearby and Timothy was around somewhere (we decided not to tell him about Rolf’s and Meagan’s courtship.) but it did not stop my hands from shaking.

But the worst was the dream. The angel visited me again, this time we were in the fields where men, women, and children were collapsing all around us. Twas a very disturbing sight.

The shadow is nearly here. My child, I am sending help to assist you, for you cannot help them. You have a greater purpose that must be done. You are the only one it fears. You must stand strong, by being weak.

It was too much, I did not understand. What could be more important than healing the sick? I prayed and asked repeatedly but I received no answer.

It was extremely depressing.

But today was a new day, though a day I was dreading today is the day of harvest moon. It started as a normal day; Ossian was noisily crunching on some animal she had caught, while Hubert was licking my toes to get me to request that Ossian share with him.

‘Juliana would please get this bird out of here with that…whatever she’s eating?’ Timothy called from the front room.

‘It’s a rat.’ I returned getting up to wash my face.

‘Then will you please get it out of here! It’s your stupid bird.’ He pointedly out. Twas rude sounding to my ears.

‘You brought her here, and I got to fix some breakfast.’ I smiled as I pulled on my stockings and dress. ‘That is’ I peeked out of my bedroom, ‘unless you want to fix breakfast and our dinner.’

Timothy grumbled as he gingerly picked the rat skeleton up by the half eaten tail. Ossian angrily screeched and Hubert jumped on his hind~legs(for in truth he wanted to partake of Ossian’s feast, but the mighty bird had nipped him in the ear yesterday so Hubert~who was actually a chicken himself~decided it was best to stay from Ossian.) Timothy knocked them off as he buried the skeleton and stacked stones atop the grave, I laughed merrily as I cracked the eggs Farmer Maul had sent us in exchange for the meet I happily gave to them.

The shadow is here Juliana, this day will not rise, be on your guard. My stomach lurched as the vision came flooding into my head, I angrily shoved it back.

Timothy barreled into the kitchen and collapsed into the nearest chair. ‘Animals,’ he sneered, should have shot that bird when I first laid eyes on it.’

I hid a smile while wondering what would have happened if he had shot Ossian. ‘Yes, they’re almost as heavy a burden as you are my Dearest brother.’

‘I’m your only brother.’ Timothy said as he dug into his eggs.

‘Yes, and my favorite, now I have to go.’ I gathered my shawl for it was nearly November and the temperature was dropping. ‘Are you cutting wood?’

He grunted a yes around the eggs in his mouth.

‘Good.’ I pecked him on the cheek. ‘And Timothy,’

‘What?’

‘I love you, no matter what happens.’ I hastily left the house for I felt the redness of embarrassment creep into my cheeks.

‘Hello? Juliana. Are you there?’ I was sitting on the ground attempting to fill the bushel basket full of corn, yet I kept going back to something the Angel had said to me a few days ago.

‘Sorry Nic, is something wrong?’ He standing above me tossing the corn down so I could put it in the basket.

‘No not a thing, I just thought you would like to know that it looks like an ocean of corn around you.’

‘Oh sorry.’ I hastily began tossing the ears into the basket. Nic grabbed my hands and stared at my face~hard.

‘We’re in trouble aren’t we?’ He asked me though he never took his eyes off mine.

I sat in silence not sure how to answer him. I breathed heavily. ‘Yes.’ I whispered. ‘The Shadow is here, many people are about to die.’

He nodded. That was it just a nod. It was as if he were accepting a present. ‘There’s nothing we can do to stop it?’

I shook my head as tears stung my eyes. ‘Will we die?’

I felt extremely helpless as I softly answered an I do not know.

I lay awake that night watching atop the city gates. When I was younger my Father would bring me here and we climb up the steps together to watch the tiny people joyfully living their lives in peace and love.

Tonight was not such a night.

A scream ran through the night as a woman flew out of her house the limp body of her son in her arms. Candles were being lit, but they couldn’t pierce through the shadow as it poured over the city.

Agony and pain, tears and more screaming stabbed the darkness. Though no~one could see through the blinding hate, I sat there watching as if it were daylight. Children fled into the streets large black lumps infested upon their legs. Their parents were dead.

The chaos spread as people ran. The Priest and his attendants joined the crowd and began pouring holy water on evil’s fire. Cursing Satan and his demons, they vainly attempted to cure this shadow that has taken over this land.

And all the while I sat there, watching.

Chapter Five.

‘Finally, where have you been all night Fox?’ I turned to see Nic and Timothy panting heavily climb up the stairs, relief written on both their faces.

I looked at them strangely, and then twisted back to the village. It was quieter now than it was. Though the ache inside the village and me had intensified to the point of breaking.

‘The fields are barren today. The Watchman, he said last night…’ Nic faded as I turned to him.

‘I know. The Unknown has come bringing his disease with him. The Demon has arrived to conquer our village. I sent Ossian to retrieve the help God has prepared for us, but for now, we must move all to the barns.’ God had quite a few things to tell me last night.

‘Julie, the King and Queen left last night.’ Timothy growled. Again I nodded.

‘I saw them.’ I answered simply, relieved that they did not ask how. Timothy and Nic looked at me strangely.

‘Well,’ Timothy sighed after a while. ‘We better get started.’

I went back to the cottage to retrieve the cloak the angel gave me. I really didn’t want to wear it, but arguing with the God of Creation is not very easy~you cant win.

As I slipped it on, surprised at the warmth spread across my body, for the first time in weeks I felt like things might turn out all right.

But that feeling only lasted a second.

I scurried off to the barn to hitch up Kilke, my horse. (Actually it was my Father’s horse, then it was Timothy’s horse, but he obtained a new one and passed me this one since I was not a very good equestrian, and need one that was old and steady.)

In less than five minutes I was approaching the gates of the Kingdom. Timothy was there to greet me.

‘Fox, Nic and I arranged to have the families move their sick to the barn. The ones,’ His eyes dropped down ‘Julie their not many left that are…’His voice broke off.

‘They’ll do,’ I tried to sound stronger than I was, on the inside I was falling apart.

‘What are we to do with the dead?’ Timothy whispered as the wind’s bitter tone swept upon us.

Burn them.

‘We’ll have to burn them.’ My hair whipped about my features.

Hours…days…weeks…they all spun themselves into a pattern of endless pain and misery. A constant fire roared outside the barn doors as the sick took care of the sicker. None of us knew what to do. But faith must be kept. I felt myself sucked into a place I did not want to enter.

The birds singing never ceased, though the spinning of this world has. Their voices spin together making a pattern, a pattern made of joy and happiness, peace and love, death and hate. Their songs spun the pattern of the world.

But today the air was empty of their joyous music.

This cannot be happening, I kept repeating to myself, but no matter how I tried it only grew stronger. It was here, the Plague, the Unknown’s shadow. And if this was his shadow I shudder to think what his full form is like.

So many deaths, so much at stake and there is nothing I can do, but watch, and to me there is no curse worse than that.

And then she appeared.

‘Who in the heavens are you?’ I asked as I knelt in front of a dead body, covering it with a threadbare blanket. Never in my life had I met someone with such poor choices of colors. She had on a blue top, just barley covering her shoulders, and a bright red skirt~not quite reaching her ankles. In her hair are several gold feathers, each fluttering with every utterance she spoke.

‘The name’s Leigha, Leigha McCloud, I am the Healer, you sent for me, remember.’

Thank you Jesus, another annoying, difficult human to deal with.

My eyes met the grin on her face, I wish with every breath within me I could slap it off. ‘Well, yes I have called for a Healer, but I am not sure if…’ My voice trailed off as I gazed at the Death wagon Timothy had built stop to pick up the body. I noticed she was watching it too, not a caring look, but more of a knowing look.

‘All I have to say is,’ I mused as I turned to get on the wagon, ‘is you have your worked cut out for you. You can set up your things at the barns, I shall send my brother to help you.’

I knew this girl was young and probably had never seen death before in her life, whether she could handle what she had to do was beyond my Vision.

‘It’s funny,’ I said to Ossian as I scrubbed the floor of the barn. It was cleared of all the men, women, and children who were plagued throughout our village, Leigha had taken one look at them then rudely tutted the care that had come upon them.

It took both Nic and Timothy to keep me from ringing her neck.

Afterwards Leigha had insisted upon cleaner conditions for the sick, she said it would help keep the demons from spreading to more victims. Then she unlocked her trunk, handed each of us a mask and insisted we wear them.

‘To protect you.’ She said patiently. I refused to wear one. I knew I wasn’t going to get this.

So here I was on me knees scrubbing the floor whilst she was hanging quilts as dividers, ‘for privacy’ she called it. What she did not realize was that most of the modesty anyone had left when the disease came.

‘Actually not funny, very few things are funny these days, more ironic.’ I grimaced at the giant spot of…something…my knee had landed in.

‘Ironic? I don’t see things as ironic, more as fateful.’ Leigha commented hanging up a heavy blanket, though she could not reach the crossbeam. She was as short as I was tall.

‘Fateful? You call what we are doing fateful?! How is scrubbing a floor fate?’ I argued.

‘Well, fate has a hand in everything. Fate brought me and this plague upon your mighty village.’ Leigha went to get a crate to stand upon.

‘Fate has nothing to do in this life we lead, People who don’t believe in God tend to say that there’s a force that brings us all together…this plague is not fate.’ I breathed through my mouth,

‘Then what is it, might I ask?’ She was shoving the crate under the crossbeam, the feathers in her hair appeared to be tiny wings, the scene was quite humorous.

‘I canst say, not now at least. For you’ll never understand.’

‘So your smarter than I…’ Leigha looked at me from her crate hands on her hips. At that moment the quilt slipped from the crossbeam, swallowing her. While she was trying to dig herself out from the folds of the mighty quilt, the crate rolled and she fell back. It took all I had to keep my mouth straight. She angrily got off the floor, wrestled the quilt away from her, and then proceeded to kick it, stomp it, followed by spitting on it, to teach, what I suppose, a lesson.

‘No not smarter.’ I finally said through a grin that had not showed itself for a while. ‘Wiser.’

Leigha McCloud stuck her fat tongue at me and returned to her work. I glanced at Ossian who was smiling too.

‘Now listen carefully.’ Leigha said to the room full of all kinds of people. Father Monks, Lady Hurdsi, Farmer Jiluoi, Farmer Goelp~Nic’s friend~and many others including Timothy and I.

‘Your Kingdom has many strengths, but one of the things it is short on is knowledge about herbs. Now I need certain plants together before I can heal your family and friends. Does anyone in this room know what Yephsong, Klojnut, Hurdyt, Greste, or Tighnt are?’ She looked about the room anxiously.

‘I do Ma’am.’ Timothy said. ‘And I know where to find them, though you wont find half of ‘em around here. I’ll have to go three villages over to get most of ‘em.’ All the same Leigha looked relieved.

‘Very well, what herbs are here?’

‘Well,’ Timothy started slowly. ‘For sure Yephsong and maybe Tighnt~ I’m not totally sure about that one~ but I am sure about Yephsong.’

She sighed deeply. ‘We use what we can get. Do you know where the others are?’

Again Timothy answered with a thoughtful look spread across his features. ‘Maybe I…’He paused, ‘the next village over might have some.’ He ended with finality.

‘Very well then. Now for the rest of you.’ She stared at me with special emphasis ‘if you want your folks healed I need your full obedience. Even those who think they know better.’ Again a glance in my direction.

‘Please, do not enter this barn without a mask or a cloth around your face. We shall work in circles so that when some are working others are sleeping. This is a very disgusting and very sickening job. If at any time you feel sick, see any type of boils on your body, or begin to receive a head pain. You are to stop and come directly to this barn.’ She stopped her list of commands as I raised my hand in a somewhat mocking way.

‘Prayer is the most important thing any of you can do. God is still here and He will help, but not unless you ask Him.’ I stared around the room daring anyone to argue.

‘The last thing I ask you to do,’ Leigha finished giving me one of her dagger looks, ‘is do NOT panic under any circumstances. Now are we all in agreement?’ The room nodded their heads.

‘Good, then let us get started.’ She beamed.

I believe that with Leigha’s presence to guide them, the town’s spirits were, in some way lifted. Though mine were not.

Dread was building up within me as I watched the haggard and thin faces stare up at me off the straw pallets that we had constructed. Threadbare blankets were all that were covering their fevered bodies. Women whose family had been inflicted with this awful plague were busily quilting blankets to warm them. I wish I knew how to quilt, or even how to love them. Leigha was laughing with everyone, as was Nic, and, well, I was simply the Angel of Death.

I felt so helpless, not to mention lost.