The Druid
By: Dark Shadow
(© 2006 - 2007 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...


Chapter 12
Lost Innocence

The ground seemed to shift under my feet and I fell to my knees. An ache filled my chest as deeply as if the uncles had plunged a blade into my heart yet again. They were gone. How could they leave us? I should have known this was going to happen, but I didn't, and that frustrated me even more. With the knowledge that Galen and Doris had given us, how could we not know of this ritual? What in hell was going on?

"Galen!" I screamed his name into the darkness, as hot wet tears streamed down my cheeks and cooled in the night air.

Bry rushed to my side, knelt, and threw his arms around me as I sobbed. "It's okay, I'm here. You're not alone."

I welcomed his embrace, but it only made me feel my anguish that much more. "They knew this was going to happen. They hid it from us!"

"Probably, because they knew we wouldn't have allowed it. They knew what had to be done." Bry pulled me closer and nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck.

Even though it made perfect sense, the last thing I wanted was reason or logic. I knew that he was as devastated as I was, if not more. The searing darts and arrows of pain I sensed beyond the loss of my fathers belonged to Bry. Now we only had each other and were alone in the world.

I jumped to my feet and screamed. "Give them back! You can't have them!"

The smell of ozone filled the air as I called down a bolt of lightning upon the dagger. There was no spell or incantation needed, I called the elements by will alone. A blue-white flash of light blinded me and the explosion of sound was deafening. The air around me was electric and every inch of my flesh was blanketed by heavy static.

"Get down!" Galen's voice called, but I could barely hear him over the ringing in my ears.

I felt Bry's embrace fade like the delicate tickle of a feather's touch and the world slowed. The only two things moving at regular speed were us. The lightning I pulled down upon the dagger, Brethren, was absorbed completely. It stopped spinning and plunged into the rock-face of our altar to the hilt. Then, the dagger's handle pulsed with a red light and a blaze of white-blue erupted outward in our direction.

I danced around Bry's attempt to throw me to safety with a spin of my arms and body, and threw him to the ground in front of me. The lightning struck my chest and I was thrown back by the impact. Even these events seemed to linger as I glanced downward and watched the lightning bolt rage through my heart. An eternity passed before I felt my body hit the ground and roll like some ride at an amusement park.

"Men are so stubborn!" Doris cradled my head in her arms as she knelt beside me.

"You're breaking the rules again lady." I spoke, barely above a whisper, and each breath pained me. She wasn't allowed to have physical contact with this world any longer, and I wondered how she had managed such a thing.

My physical body was trying to recover from the devastation, and yet I knew I was dead. The last sparks of my life faded as my energy rose upward. Flashes of the world filled my eyes as hiccups of time cascaded through my consciousness. A bright light enveloped and comforted me, while speaking soft whispers to my soul. It was a peaceful place, yet I could sense urgency in the words.

I felt an open-handed slap burn across the skin of my left cheek and my eyes fluttered opened. My vision was blurred, and I struggled to focus on my surroundings.

There was no way to know how long I had lingered in that place, but it only seemed like seconds. To be honest, I preferred oblivion to the nightmare I woke up to, and longed for the serenity of the place I had just been.

I struggled to remember the message I was given, but the voices had faded and were a jumble in my mind. Two words remained at the forefront of my shattered memory however… 'Death' and 'Forever'.

A cold wet nudge prompted me to lift my elbow. Shadow settled herself against my side and laid her head on my chest. She stared at me with eyes that seemed to know more than any creature should and, in them, I found a simple intelligence that I envied. What perfect creatures dogs are. They offer only love and protection.

"We must go now. We've overstepped our bounds and there is always a price to pay. Many will come. Use the place that 'Brethren' has provided you." Galen's words drifted past our ears, in the chilled autumn winds, as he pointed to the stone altar.

Galen and Doris faded into nothingness, and the first hints of dawn were peaking over the horizon. Bry rushed to my side and held me so tight that it made me wonder if he thought I might somehow escape.

A pulse of sorrow flooded my chest and it burned with such intensity that I squirmed in Bry's arms. I felt him convulse against me and heard the muted staccato of his strangled sobs. Wave after wave of relief and despair washed over me like a heavy blanket and I looked up at his tear streaked face.

"Why did you do it?" Bry begged, each word edged with sorrow. "How could you leave me here, all alone?"

I was still weak, but felt my strength returning. I didn't know what to say. Guilt and shame filled my mind and heart, and there was only one thing I could say. "I'm sorry… It just hurts so much."

"I know it does, but we have each other. Do you really think so little of me that you didn't want to live?" There was more than hurt in Bry's green eyes, and I had to look away.

"I'm here ain't I?" I felt cornered by the conversation, and I hoped that this might be enough to end the discussion.

"Yes… but is it by design, or by chance?" Bry rested his chin on my shoulder and loosened his grip on me.

"All I can tell you is this. I'm not perfect, and I love you. I would have thought you knew that by now," I said, as I snuggled against him and ran my fingers through Shadow's curly grey fur.

"Trust me, I've seen your hair in the morning. I know you're not perfect." Bry ruffled my hair and chuckled in my ear.

I giggled back, but it was forced. I still couldn't fight the despair in my heart for the loss of the uncles. Beyond that, there was the message that I couldn't remember. A feeling of dread was creeping up within me, and I couldn't grasp the reason for it. It was like the shiver you get suddenly, that just sort of happens, but doesn't have a cause.

"We need to find Asher, tonight, and speak with him. We're running out of time, and we've got a lot to do before people start showing up. First though, I think I need a nap. I'm so tired," I whispered, and sighed thinking about the unfathomable amount of work yet to be done.

I sat up and pulled myself from the comfort of Bry's arms. Shadow took my movement as a hint that it was time for her to get up and head back to the house, and she lifted her head from my thigh. The sun had finally crept over the horizon, and now painted the morning sky with orange and pink hues, and I tried to wring the sleep from my eyes with my hands.

Bry stood up behind me and offered his outstretched hand. Being the stubborn person I am, I ignored his offer and struggled to my feet. It was less than graceful, but I made it. The world seemed to tilt and I fell against Bry. I guess I should know by now that being killed doesn't exactly leave you in the best condition.

"Hey, take it easy! You okay?" Bry gripped my shoulders and stared back at me with worry-filled eyes.

"I'll be fine." I felt my strength returning and smiled back at him. "Just a little dizzy is all. Let's head back to the house."

Pulling away from Bry, I turned, and we headed toward the path that led home. He stayed close enough to catch me should I waver, but I knew I would be fine now. As usual, Shadow loped ahead of us as though she knew our destination. Each time she paused to look around, or smell some clump of dirt, it made me nervous, but I didn't stop. We couldn't live in fear, and the wards should now keep us safe, even from prying eyes.

Shadow lingered in the taller grasses beside the house and fertilized them once again as we walked. She had finished her business and reached the door before we finally arrived and pulled it open.

"Bed," I mumbled, as I trudged through the kitchen and toward the stairs leading up to our room.

"What? No breakfast?!" Bry stood in the middle of the kitchen, and I could feel his gaze pressing against the back of my neck.

"You go ahead; I've got to sleep," I answered as I paused in front of the stairs and looked over at my shoulder at him.

"I'll make us both something, and be up in a few minutes." Bry's grin seemed to animate his whole face and I couldn't help but smile back at him.

"Give mine to Shadow. I'll get something to eat when I wake up. I'm so tired I can hear our bed calling me," I answered, and watched Bry's grin morph into a look of poorly disguised concern.

"You sure you're alright?" He started to walk toward me, but stopped when I raised my hand.

"I'm fine. Just tired is all. You get something to eat. Just climb in close when you come to bed. I want to feel you beside me." I smiled, hoping to dispel his doubts, turned, and began the slow arduous climb up the staircase.

"I'll be up in just a little bit," he called after me.

It made me chuckle that he raised his voice. I wasn't deaf, just recently dead. I had barely taken three steps, and was beginning to wonder if I'd make it all the way to the top. I hung my head, and studied my feet, as I steadied myself with the hand rail that was on the wall. A fleeting temptation to blink to the top crossed my mind but, considering how my day had started, I figured it would be best not to tempt fate any more than I had already.

When I finally scaled the last step, I stopped and took a deep breath. My room, and the bed within, was only a few more steps away. But seeing the uncles' bedroom door renewed the feelings of sorrow in my heart. There was so much to do, and I couldn't imagine a world without them in it… and yet… they were gone.

I let out a deep sigh and walked passed their room, making an extra effort to move as quickly as possible. Once in our bedroom, I stripped off my pants and shirt, threw back the covers, and fell into bed with a thud. I don't remember pulling up the covers but, when I roused from my sleep some time later, I was sandwiched between Shadow and Bry and nestled comfortably beneath the blankets.

The sun was shining through the window and I moved only enough to pull the covers over my head to hide from the light. As sleep overtook me, the dreams began again. First, there were visions of our home and the yearning to come to this place. Then, as consciousness threatened to take hold, I dreamt of voices. Again, there was the message I was given after the lightning strike, but it was muffled and I couldn't make out the words. Shattered images flashed through my mind. 'must not…death… forever.' The last of the words seemed to have been screamed in my ears, and I awoke with a start. It seemed so loud that I wondered, if I had been awake a moment sooner, I might have heard the scream echo off the walls.

My hair was wet, and a cold sweat covered my body. I felt as though I was stuck to the sheets, and the close proximity of Bry and Shadow became a stifling pressure from which I was suddenly desperate to escape. I blinked to the floor beside the bed and felt the itchy fibers of the carpet against my skin. For the moment, it was an improvement, but I sat up as fast as I was able, and then stood. Every sensation and feeling irritated me, and I wanted to crawl out of my own skin. It was that feeling you get if you step into a warm pile of squishy dog crap while running barefoot in the back yard. There's simply no escape.

I didn't risk opening the bedroom door, for fear that it would wake one or both of them, so I blinked into the hallway. I crept toward the bathroom and cringed with every creak and moan of the wooden floor. Finally, the bathroom. I sighed as I entered and closed the door behind me. I turned the knobs slowly and started the flow of warmer water up the pipes to greet me. At least I now had a wall between me and those I loved. I needed a shower, and I needed to get the hell away from the world, even if only for a few fleeting moments of wet solitude.

After stepping into the shower, I pulled the curtain and held my breath as I entered the cascade of water. There never seems to be a comfortable temperature. It's too hot or too cold, and the sudden blast against my skin always takes my breath away. For once, the water was nearly perfect, and I reveled in the sensation of small rivers traveling down my body. I leaned forward and braced myself against the wall with my outstretched hands, and let my head hang as the torrent of water tried to burrow through my skull. Tension, I didn't know I possessed, seemed to unravel in my chest and I cried.

'They're really gone.' The realization hit me as if it was breaking news, and I knew it was irrefutable and horrible truth. Mark and Kent were now a part of 'Brethren' and we were alone in the world. Bry's parents had abandoned him, and mine were taken. Galen and Doris were in 'time out' for breaking the rules, and there was little chance we would benefit from their intervention any time soon. I leaned against the wall of the shower, and wept until the water cooled and drove me to turn the knobs to staunch the flow.

I climbed out of the shower and looked at the foggy, mirrored medicine cabinet that hung on the wall across from me. Stepping closer, I ran my hand across the heavy mist that collected there, and stared at my streaked reflection. The skin on the center of my chest was white where the bolt of lightning had struck. and was surrounded by angry red flesh. I watched as I slowly traced the damage with my fingertips, and felt the strange sensation of skin that no longer mine. I was healing from the inside out, and the flesh on the surface was dead. The pressure of my touch, and the tactile sensation in my fingertips were the only indication that anything was in contact with my body, other than what my eyes told me was true. There was going to be a scar, I was sure, but it would also be a souvenir of that day and I welcomed it.

It didn't seem like much time had passed while I showered, but I could hear movement downstairs, and knew that Bry was awake. When I opened the door, I found a pair of pants, a shirt, socks and underwear waiting for me. How he knew that I didn't already have a change of clothes, I don't know, but the simple kindness made me smile. I only hoped that the spray of water hid my sobs during my little breakdown.

The cool air bursting through the open doorway made me shiver and reminded me to rub down with the fresh dry towel that was stowed away beneath the bathroom sink. Hanging it over the shower rod, I snatched up the clothes and struggled to pull them over my semi-damp skin. Even with the rush of air coming from the hallway, the humidity in the bathroom kept me from drying completely, and made every effort to dress a battle.

My recovery from death was quick, but I wondered if the emotional damage would ever heal. They say it takes time, and I know it's true… but sometimes… I wonder just who the hell 'they' are and if 'they' ever faced the torments I have in these past few weeks.

I stumbled down the steps to the kitchen and found a plate of food waiting for me. Bry was tending to the last of the cleanup, and brought me a cup of coffee as I sat myself at the kitchen table. The darkness behind the curtains made me wonder if I had slept through to the next morning, or if it really was just early evening. I glanced at the clock above the stove and saw that it read 6:15. Had it been digital it might have helped, but as it stood, it could have been morning or evening. Not knowing was disorienting.

The room became silent as Bry turned and looked at me. I heard the cicada buzzing in the distance and knew then that it was evening. In a way, I was grateful that I hadn't missed out on an entire day. But then, again, I wasn't looking forward to what we still had to do. We needed to confront, and talk with, Asher.

Lucif and Asher are from a race known as Slegna. They are creatures, of nearly immeasurable power and ability, who were placed here as punishment for things they did in the far distant past. Some would call them fallen angels, but, from the memories we possess from Galen and Doris, I knew that they were anything but angels. All druids are part Slegna. That fact was given to us, but the actual 'how and why' remains a mystery. If we were going to win this battle, we would need them both on our side. As I picked at my almost bacon with my fork, my mind wandered and contemplated what could be so powerful that it could imprison a Slegna.

"Is it done yet? I'm hungry!" A young black haired boy peaked around the corner of the doorway leading to the living room.

I was so startled I jumped from my chair, throwing it to the floor behind me, and bound the powers of the elements around me in a pulsating aura of light. A young woman appeared in the doorway, crouched, and shielded the boy with her body.

"Ty! Stop!" Bry yelled, and appeared between us.

"They're here because of the call. It's okay." Bry's voice wavered as he tried to quickly explain the intrusion.

"I will not allow you to harm my family." A third but yet strangely familiar face emerged.

They were obviously brother and sister to the youngest. It was almost as if nature had made clones of these people. They shared the same black eyes, hair, curve of chin, and olive complexion. It was as though each of them was a duplicate of the other with only sex and age as some form of differentiation between them. The oldest of them, and the one I suspected of being the protective brother, began the dance of runes and prepared to attack. They were Gypsies, witches of a different sort but still, people that were on our side.

"I apologize for my reaction. I didn't know we had company," I said, as I nodded to the oldest while keeping eye contact.

He continued to dance and prepare his magic, but seemed to relax if only just a fraction.

"You're welcome here but, please understand, if you harbor any ill will toward us, the wards we have in place will kill you where you stand." I smiled, and listened, as thunder echoed in the distance.

The oldest boy laughed, as he finished his magic, and stood poised to cast. "My name is Daniel. I believe that Druids are only a legend. How can I possibly trust you?"

"I'll meet you in the field beyond the street. Daniel." I chuckled, and blinked away.

A few seconds passed before they shifted into existence before me. They materialized in waves, like swirling water, and slowly became solid. As soon as Daniel's form coalesced a surge of power burst out from him and struck me in the chest, sending me flying through the air. It wasn't so much a destructive blast, as it was a mammoth push of energy that launched me away from them.

"Please stop this, Daniel!" the younger female version of him begged, as she clutched her younger brother to her side.

It was a strange sensation. I searched their minds, and knew her name was Aurora and that the youngest was named Kevin, but any other attempts to delve into their thoughts left me reeling in an endless circle of random images. The wind raced across my skin as I flew through the air, and I felt it catch against my arms as wings sprouted. I soared gracefully to the ground and drew the feathers back into my body and waited.

"You're going to have to do better than that…. Witch," I said and chuckled, knowing it was the ultimate insult to their kind.

Aurora gasped, and stared wide eyed, as Daniel created a circle of runes with his dance, much like a martial artist might while preparing for battle. It was a strange combination of the Dance of Battle, which I knew, combined with something undeniably foreign.

Daniel let loose a burst of destructive energy that ripped at the earth like an invisible plow, speeding in my direction. He wasn't holding back any longer, and I knew he had every intention of killing me.

I remained still and batted it away with a simple gesture of my hand, as if it were no more than a nuisance. I hoped that this would make my point clear, but it only seemed to fuel his rage as he began another dance of destruction.

"Calm yourself Gypsy!" I yelled, as, in a frenzy, I ripped roots from the earth that gripped him where he stood.

The wooden talons pulled him to the ground and wrapped completely around his body. He was immobile and struggled against them like a butterfly trying to escape its cocoon. I walked toward him and gazed down at his encased body.

"Do you give?" I smiled, in spite of myself, and waited for an answer. I had a lot of pent up frustration at the moment, and I was really hoping he wouldn't tempt me further.

"Never!" Daniel spat at me in disgust, and I could sense his bruised ego.

"Pity… it gets pretty cold out here at night, but if this is where you choose to sleep, then who am I to argue? Goodnight Daniel." I waved, turned, and paused.

I felt, as well as heard, the gurgle in the youngest boy's stomach. He was hungry, and worried about his brother. He was on the verge of tears, but fought them valiantly for one so young. There was already too much turmoil in the day, and we hadn't even set out to meet Asher yet. To top everything off, I now had house guests. Great!

"Daniel… I'm going to release you. Supper is waiting, and it's getting cold. I let out a pent up breath, and waved away the roots that bound him.

Bry was there, though I couldn't say for sure when he arrived. I heard him jogging up beside me as I walked toward the house. He wrapped his arm around my waist, and I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"They're fags!" Daniel hissed to his sister.

I don't remember turning around to face them, but I will never forget what happened next. Lightning raced across the sky and blazed downward toward them. Daniel threw himself at Aurora and knocked her out of the way as the white light struck the youngest.

I felt it in my heart, and it shattered my soul. The young boy, Kevin, was dead, and there was nothing I could do to bring him back. I knew instantly that it was beyond my ability and a horror gripped me like never before. It felt as though someone had emptied my insides out onto the ground and only a vacant space remained. I had killed in the past, but it was always necessity. It was a matter of survival, and it's difficult to regret living. This time I had killed an innocent. There was no control. The pain and sorrow had lashed out from my heart and struck him dead. The smell of death and ozone filled the air, and the cool crush of earth met my body as I fell to the ground unconscious.