The Gathering (49 page)

“What are we doing here?”

“Sixteen years ago my sister was murdered.
 
I didn’t cry.
 
I never really said good-bye.”

Sean reached up to the saddle and untied the bag.
 
He reached into it and took out some matches and several flowers, a bottle of oil and two candles.
 
He handed the flowers to Vivian and she took them.
 
Then he took the candles and placed them on the altar and lit them.
 
He held the oil in one hand and took back half the flowers with his other.
 

“This is our opportunity to say good-bye, Viv.
 
A flower for each thing we never got to say.”

Vivian looked at the flowers and then at Sean and smiled.
 
Sean thought to himself that if she smiled like that more often, she’d be easier to work with.
 
He motioned for her to start.

She took the first flower and laid it on the altar.

“I’m sorry it took so long to start talking again and I’m sorry we missed out on so much time.”

Then she looked at Sean.
 
He took the first flower from his bunch and laid it down on the stone.

“I miss the way you used to call me, just to tell me a joke you thought I'd like.
 
You always made me laugh.”

“I miss the way you eat Oreos.”

“I miss your mashed potatoes at Christmas.”

“You were always on my side, I know that now, Helen.
 
I just wish I could have told you that.”

They continued until Sean was down to his last flower.
 
He laid it with the other flowers.

“You knew me better than anyone, Gracey.
 
I hate that you’re not here.
 
I hate that I can’t talk to you.
 
I hate that they took you from me.
 
I hate that they stole your dreams.
 
I miss you, Grace.”

Tears fell from both Vivian and Sean as he took the bottle of oil and poured it carefully over the flowers on the altar.
 
Then he handed a match to Vivian and nodded in the direction of the flowers.

“Let’s send them our message.”

Vivian nodded and smiled through her tears as they each lit opposite ends of the oil trail.
 
The flames started slowly and then quickly covered the foliage and the candles, burning and melting their words into the air.

Vivian stepped back and as she did her fingers brushed against Sean's and they looked at one another.
 
Sean slowly took Vivian’s hand and they stood in silence, watching their wishes burn away.

When the fire died down, they got back on the horse and rode back to the village, the gates opening before them.
 
Sean rode to the castle entrance and they dismounted.
 
After he placed Vivian on the ground he smiled at her.
 
Without a word Vivian hugged him and he returned the sentiment.

She pulled back and brushed off imaginary dust and stuck out her hand.
 
Sean smiled and shook it.
 
She nodded and started up the stairs, but stopped and turned.

“Captain?”

Sean raised his eyebrows.

“Thank you.”

He smiled and nodded and she again turned and walked up the stairs.
 
Myron walked up behind Sean and cleared his throat.
 
Sean turned and looked up at Myron.

“Hey…”

“I’ve been looking for you.
 
When we called Calvary in Old Arrowhead, they said some of their folks have seen lights coming from San Bernardino.
 
They don’t remember them being there before.”

Sean rubbed his face and looked down.
 

“Have you told Alia and the others?”

Myron shook his head.

“Nope, wanted to talk to you first.”

Sean nodded and took a deep breath.

“All right, let me put him up and then we’ll call Calvary back and get more information, ok?”

Myron nodded and was about to turn.

“You ok?”
 
Myron asked.

Sean smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, just took care of some long overdue business.
 
I’ll be right there.”

Myron walked back towards the communication room and Sean patted his horse and then pulled himself back up.
 
He turned and looked at the castle and then at the turret.
 
Alia was looking down on him and he smiled as she waved.
 
He waved back and then walked his horse in the direction of the stables.

Alia had watched everything from her room.

62

"Ok, now slow down.
 
You saw what?"

Alia leaned back in her chair as the Merganser boys recounted what happened.
 
Sara and Scott watched Alia as she tried to take it all in.
 
She turned to Janeen, who had the same dumbfounded look on her face.
 

Coeli and Sam were standing just outside the room listening, when Coeli stumbled and kicked a chair.
 
Alia then looked across the room and stood up.

"Come in here…now!"

Sam and Coeli sheepishly walked into the throne room as Alia glared at them.

"I don't appreciate eavesdropping from anyone, understand?"

They both nodded their head.

"Sorry, we were worried,” Coeli said.

"Really."

Alia sat back down and urged the boys to continue.
 
When they had finished their story for a second time, Alia slumped back in her chair and sighed.

"Beverly was right."

Janeen looked at Albion.

"You saw who seduced your father, right?"

Albion nodded and looked down at the floor.
 
Alia sat up and watched the boy.
 
Every time she saw him her heart went out to him.
 
She got out of her chair and walked over to him.
 
She gently lifted his chin so that she could look into his eyes.
 
They were so blue.
 
They were his mother's eyes.

"Who, Albion?
 
Who was it?"

Before he could answer, Beverly, Elena and Evelyn Tran walked into the room.
 
Beverly was smiling and laid a hand on Albion's shoulder.

"I would venture to guess that he saw Rona Mason use a glamour on his poor, unsuspecting father."

Albion nodded and looked back at the floor. Then he shook his head.

"He should have known better."

He looked up at Alia.

"I know he's a good man, but he and so many of the others use the name of Christ to condemn what they don't understand.
 
I'm sorry."

Elian looked at his brother and in that moment he understood.
 
He understood what it meant to truly be a Christian.
 
It wasn't about the bible or knowing your texts.
 
It was about living your life as Christ did.
 
About treating others with understanding and kindness and judging them not by their beliefs, but by their actions.
 
A tear fell down Elian's cheek.

"I'm sorry also.
 
I've been a fool."

He looked up at Alia and then over at Sara and Scott.
 
Albion looked at his older brother and began to smile.
 
Elian shook his head.

"I have been no different than my father.
 
Attempting to save someone who didn't need it, or want it.
 
I'm sorry, Sara.
 
I really am."

Sara smiled.

"It's ok, Elian."

Coeli wiped away a tear.
 
Elian heard her and touched her hand.
 
She looked at him.

"I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you, Elian.
 
It was wrong."

Elian smiled and shook his head.

"Actually, if you hadn't disliked me so, I may not have been able to determine that the woman who claimed to be your sister was indeed an imposter.
 
Besides, I deserved it."

Alia had been watching everything and listening, but her stomach was in knots.
 
Janeen could tell and grabbed Alia's hand.
 
Alia grabbed back, her anger rising to the surface.

Beverly stood in front of the children and laid a hand on Alia's other shoulder.

"I understand that you're angry, Sweetheart, but first we must talk."

"Rona…I should have known…how could I be so stupid?"

Elena stepped over to the children.

"Sam, children, come…come with me."

They all followed her out of the room as Janeen and Beverly tried to calm Alia.
 
Sara and Coeli looked back at their mother while they walked.
 
Once in the hallway, Vivian Shorely walked up to the group.
 
Elena smiled at her and touched her face.

"Oh, Ms. Vivian, I was so sorry to learn of your sister."

Vivian looked at the children and then Elena.

"Did Capta…?"

"No, a messenger told me this morning.
 
But now, I think your queen needs you."

Elena motioned for Vivian to go in the room and Vivian smiled and entered.
 
Elena turned back towards the kids.

"What's going on, Gram?"

Elena patted Sam's face and smiled.

"It would appear that the traitor is Rona Mason.
 
We set up markers for the evil events that have taken place and they all led back to her and Darla Hanson."

Elian looked at Elena.

"Was that who I was with at the stables?
 
Darla?"

Elena nodded, then she looked at Sam.

"My Sweetheart…have you been having dreams?"

Sam smiled and looked at her and shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Do you remember them?"

Sam took a deep breath and looked around and put his hands in his pockets.
 

"Yeah…um, I've had a few where there has been an army all dressed in black.
 
A figure like a black ghost, but no face.
 
Lots of birds, falcons and ravens.
 
The falcons are bad.
 
They work for the ghost.
 
Then there's blood and death.
 
I guess that's it."