Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 31 Letters Home, Popcorn and Merlin

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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It is what it says, they write home, have popcorn the first time (this is really true) and a new guest!

Letters Home, Popcorn and Merlin

I remember Seth and Toby helping me up the stairs. I remember getting my bed clothes and being laid down and covered up. The stove near us was lit and then the world just faded away. I don't know what sort of rest Seth got when he took that horrible tasting opium. Mine was pretty good. I was about to stretch, but like Beau, I got muscle cramps in my calves, too. When I woke up, I felt I needed to stretch my leg out. A good stretch always helped, right? Not after strenuous exercising. It was as if the calf muscle snapped back, or worse lost the seal the ligaments had and snapped off. The first time that happened, I screamed from the pain so loud the guards came rushing in. The palace physician was almost called, but I told Christian and Ella who nodded, Christian nodded and smiled knowing what Jason's training was like and that I had just started my training. He told Ella to go back to bed and told the guards what it was and they nodded and tried to hide their mirth. I liked them! Usually. Christian began rubbing and messaging my calf while he explained what happened and what I should do and what I should not do. I swore to myself I'd get those guards later.

No, I didn't get the guards. They were forgiven. I thought that was big of me at eleven years old.

Short story long, I know. I never had one in my back before and I wasn't taking any chances. I moved carefully.

After moving slightly in my comfortable spot, I felt and heard a familiar movement beside me. Seth was moving easily in case I was still asleep. It was dark in our room. But that was normal. It was always dark because there were no windows. There was only the soft red light of the hot coals from the stove. Any other light came from lamps around the room. They were the typical lamps of the era. There were the shiny metal reflectors that increased the illumination really well. I had no clue of the time of day or night.

"You're awake," Seth stated his observation. It wasn't a question. He was little more than a dark shadowy figure against a darker background. All except his eyes, they reflected what little light was there. "How are you feeling?"

I wasn't sick, I was injured. How did I feel? I moved more because Seth was awake and wanted an answer, "I don't know yet." I said and then did a mental assessment. Whenever I had a Charlie Horse in the past, I always felt where the pain had been even after the pain stopped. Oh, you know what I mean if you ever had one and almost every Human has had one in their lives. I felt nothing! It had been on my left side and I had turned a lot to the right. That muscle had been used and over extended often when fighting Val and Beau. I twisted to the right lightly and felt nothing. "I don't feel anything. I feel pretty good." The usual me surfaced, "Where's Beau?" I started to get up, but Seth pulled me back down and moved on top of me.

"Whoa, there. Ease it down, Babe." Seth chuckled, "Ceto's medicine may be still making you feel better and I'm glad, but I don't think you're ready to take on anybody yet. Besides, Beau's asleep in bed like everybody else," Seth said lightly in a happy tone. "It's the middle of the night."

"The middle of the night!?" I asked, alarmed. "I was told a few hours! How long was I out?"

Seth shrugged, "Six hours maybe. It's been an exhausted trip up here. You're tired." Seth chuckled lightly, "Hell, we all are. Are you hungry? You missed dinner." He waved across the room. "Someone brought us a tray. I only ate some, there's enough for you if you want."

"If it's the middle of the night," I said, "Why are YOU awake?" I challenged Seth.

Even in the dim light saw Seth's smirk, "You need to ask?" He smiled, "Part of my soul was hurt. And do I ask you how long you stayed awake when I broke my foot? Even after I took that awful tasting stuff Ryan gave me." He was opening his mouth and smacking it and sticking his tongue at the memory of the flavor. Then he smiled at me again, "The only difference is our roles are reversed."

"Aw," I said pleasantly, "You love me."

"You know I do," Seth said, "And I know you love me."

I smiled, "You know I do."

We could sleep later. I kissed him intensely which he returned with equal intensity and what we both had. Passion. A decade of love and loving and it hasn't lost a thing. We knew what we wanted and how to get it. And you know what? My back didn't hurt at all the whole time.

We were finishing dressing when our door opened and a young woman came in. She froze when she saw us.

Nothing wasn't covered, but she looked away and in accented English she said, "Forgive, please. I think you with others," She started to leave but stopped. "Why put on skins in dark?" She asked.

"There are no windows," I said to her.

She smiled, "He not...show you?" She went and picked up a long thin metal pole with a small, shaped tip and a curved handle on the other end. She stuck in a hole in the ceiling at the front of the room I hadn't noticed. Because the rooms were interior rooms of this giant ball, the room was slightly resembling a pie slice with the pointy end cut off. She began turning the handle and began turning it. The smaller back of the room's ceiling began to rise. As she did, sunshine began shining in the room. It was reflected sunshine, but sunshine. There were shiny metal plates up there that caught the rays of the sun and reflected it down in the room. The metal plates were positioned strategically to do that from an unknown source.

"A day of sun," she said.

Yes, the sun did shine on rare days in winter, I was told. This must be one of them. I know I was staring at the ceiling and the reflected sunlight in amazement.

"It work day no sun," she said and opened the door again.

I was feeling...less progressive as I did before. I still remembered my manners, "Thank you!"

She smiled and nodded, "You...welcome."

"Damn, I hope this wasn't designed by Wahkooha," Seth said. He was amazed, too.

"Yeah," I agreed, "I have GOT to know who designed and built this."

Seth chuckled and looked at me, "Feeling like a poor cousin, are we?"

I waggled a nod and shake of my head, "Well, the uneducated cousin, yes." I smirked at him, "And when have I EVER used the imperial form of the word we?"

Seth grinned, "I'm hungry. I hope Ceto has those lightly sweetened fried bread things. They are good with butter and fruit perseveres," He shrugged, "She told us to ask. If she doesn't, I will. Let's go." He said and headed to the door.

"Oh, no," I said following him, "I love you to death, but you can't avoid my question! I don't say we like that, neither does Sam or Christian! Give me an example when I have."

We were fine. It was our usual banter. It made us happy!

We walked in and saw everybody was there. And some others and gathered in circles around several low tables. What surprised me were several at one table, these men were Natives, but were paler than other Natives. One looked up at me and I saw his slanted eyes. There were several at that table that had the same complexion and eyes. I need to qualify that. These men were in their late teens to late twenties. That one that turned to me looked like he was fathered by a man from Japan. Others looked like their grandfathers were Japanese. Japanese ship captains dreaded coming here in fear of losing crewmen. They looked like they'd done it a while for several generations. They WERE members of a tribe. That is unless they changed what was done and let women serve on a ship. The sailors were men. Whether these Natives still practiced the temporary marriages. I doubt many Japanese wanted anything longer term than that. In Japan women walked behind their husbands and other gender rules. I didn't see why. There were women that could do it, but in Japan?

I saw Dakotah and before I forgot, "There's Dakotah. He knows pretty much everything about the tribes." I pulled Seth behind me.

"Relax, Max," Seth said as we got closer, "Someone else had to step down from his pedestal, too."

My reply was an elbow in his gut. You know I could and would not ever hurt him. "Okay, out with it. This building is amazing! Please tell me Wahkooha didn't design and build this."

Dakotah looked at me with a crooked smile, "Well, you are mostly right."

I wasn't ready for that answer. I was almost sitting when he said that. I froze and looked at him. "Okay, explain my being a little bit wrong." I said and sat.

Dakotah smiled at me. I clearly amused him.

"This is cutting edge design," I said, waving my hands at the room we dined in. "My jaw nearly fell off when someone made our ceiling rise for some sunshine!"

"The design is by Byue," Dakotah said. "He is of the Quinault Tribe. That's a large tribe on our west coast." He motioned toward the very table I saw the men that were of a mixed race were. "He, like you, is two spirited."

Seth leaned in toward Chitto who sat on his other side, "That means he's like Erik and me, right?" He whispered a little loud.

Chitto gave a slight nod, "Yes, but he is wedded to a..." he stopped, "Natives do not categorize genders, but the people from Europa gave it a name. Berdache. His spouse was born male, but dresses and acts as the female. That's not you or Erik."

Seth nodded, "I was just making sure. We have some Berdache in Royal Valley. That's for women, too?"

Chitto nodded with a chuckle. Even Dakotah shook with a little laugh. "Byue is a gifted artist. There are those that claim his ability comes from the Spirits in the Spirit World." He shrugged a little and waved off handedly, "After the tribes started coming together, Wahkooha saw what Byue could do and Wahkooha insisted on Byue to come up the design to have a place for people to come that was unlike anywhere on this world."

"I think it certainly is," I said.

Dakotah nodded, "I agree. Wahkooha never used a tool, but he assembled this place and some other buildings in See-ahisih..."

"But it just came together," I looked at Demetrius and Dara. I then looked at Lukus who sat by Martha. They were married!

"Yes, but he had to use someone else to tell him how to put it together!" Lukus pointed out.

"Could he have blended three visions into one?" Demetrius added.

"Yes, but he hadn't several centuries of experience," Seth said casually. Ceto was passing by and Seth looked at her, "Pardon me, but did you make any of those slightly sweet fried bread things? They are delicious!"

Ceto pointed at our table, "Right next to your plate."

Seth turned around and there was the steaming hot plate with the fruit preserves and butter beside it. He clapped his hands in anticipation and used tongs to put a couple on his plate. He reached for one with his hand, which he instantly dropped and shook his hand away from the fried bread, "Ow, they are still hot." He told me. "Better let them cool."

Seth and I were used to the there and then not there thing, and the opposite. Toby who sat by Val again didn't react either. The others at our table who weren't used to it, did. Dakotah's eyes widened. He knew the plate hadn't been there before, but he recovered quickly.

"So, you've dealt with Spirit construction before?" Dakotah asked.

"Yes," I smiled, "Our home in Royal Valley was built by those three." Demetrius, Dara, and Lukus waved at Dakotah.

"The story Cinderella and Prince Charming?" Dakotah asked. "Her Fairy Godmother?" Dara waved again. "The story of the Love Enchanted?"

"Love Enchanted?" Seth asked, "What's that about?"

Dakotah looked unsure at that question, "Those two stories are connected. You haven't heard it?"

"Not the one you have," I said.

"Okay," Dakotah shrugged. "It's Prince Charming's brother who goes off to find someone for himself like Prince Charming did. Prince Valere travels a long way and meets a man cursed and scarred by a wicked wizard. The wizard gave the man scars to make sure no one would want him. Prince Valere finds the man is a noble and honest man and was never affected the scars. They became friends but the Prince finds out the man is the lost son of the king and the wizard had done this so another man could become king. Prince Valere frees the man and returns him to his father, the king. The king offered the Prince anything in his kingdom as a reward. The Prince and the man with the scars fell in love. The Prince asked the king for permission to marry the man with the scars. It was within the king's power to grant that. The two marry and love's first kiss after it was announced, the scars vanish."

Seth put perseveres on his bread, "At least they didn't keep that other name. What sort of name is Cinderfella for a story?" He bit into the bread. He waved the bread at Ceto, "Thank you, Ceto. These are delicious!"

Seth was a happy man. He'd come so far from the first few years.

"Arthur was no wizard, but he was wicked and evil. He did give the scars," I said to Dakotah. "The lack of names, it's pretty accurate."

"Which of us is Prince Valere?" Seth asked after he swallowed what he had in his mouth.

Dakotah shrugged, "It could be either of you. No kingdom is mentioned in either story."

"Who cares," Demetrius said, a bit anxious. "Is there a Fairy Godparent mentioned in it?"

Dakotah looked at Demetrius and shook his head, "No Fairy Godmother or father."

"What!?" Demetrius balked indignantly.

"There was the wicked wizard," Dakotah said unbothered. "That wasn't any of you, was it?"

"Not wicked, at least," Seth consented a little and grinned.

"Who do you think brought these two together!?" Demetrius asked.

I saw the corner of Dakotah's mouth curl up just slightly, "Oh, there was the good sorcerer mentioned. He helped them."

"That's you, Demetrius." I told him. "It was a joke."

Demetrius frowned, "Jokes are supposed to be funny."

"And it was!" Seth said to Demetrius as the others at the table laughed.

"Valery?" Toby asked.

"No," I smiled and spelled it out in sign language. "V a l e r e." Then I explained with my voice, "It's Latin."

"Oh!" Toby nodded, "For valiant! Just like in the accounts with King Arthur."

"It might all be fiction," I said to him carefully.

He shrugged, "So? It's exciting!"

"Yes, it is," I agreed.

Dakotah leaned into me, "He went deaf recently?"

"He got Scarlet Fever at five or six months," I said. "He's been deaf ever since." I saw his eyes widen again, "There's no danger if you keep doing that. I'm sorry we keep giving you the reason to."

"One of you had scars? What kind of scars?" Dakotah asked.

"From a fire when he was five years old," I whispered. I mean I really whispered to just Dakotah. Even Toby couldn't see my lips. "It was over the right side of his head and face. Also on his back, arm, and hand. He almost died."

Dakotah schooled his eyes and eyebrows this time. "You can't see it."

"He's come a long way in ten years," I said. "I don't want to remind him."

Dakotah frowned, "I heard it said you cured him. Have you tried to cure Toby?"

"Why?" I asked. "He doesn't know anything is wrong with him because there isn't. He's never mentioned a word about not being able to hear. Toby is a brilliant boy. He is smarter than many adults."

"I realize that" Dakotah nodded. "We have children who are deaf. Those that are born that way never learn to speak. Some who lose hearing later can speak a while, but lose the ability to be understood by most everyone. I've not known a child that young who begins to talk afterwards. Did it take long?"

I smiled, "Ask Toby. His brother and he worked on it about a year to surprise us just before our anniversary this past fall."

"You didn't know it?" Dakotah asked.

"Nope," I said. "No clue."

"You have the power of the Spirits as well," Dakotah said.

"I used it," I shrugged. "But I didn't know I could. Curing Seth's scars...I didn't know who did it."

"I gather you are more..." Dakotah thought for a moment, "accustomed to things and people appearing and disappearing more than I am."

I grinned, "I was told Natives were more accustomed to magic or the power of the Spirits than Pale-faces like us are."

Dakotah chuckled, "Our exposure to the powers of the Spirits normally center around Vision Quests or speaking to our Animal Spirit Guides." He cocked his head, "Have you managed to use the power again?"

I hesitated and thought of how to answer him. "I'm not really sure how to do it...I know great emotions are involved." Then I began honestly, "I did when I needed to, but I never want to become dependent on it. I almost became dependent once." I shook my head, "We had a problem to work on. I had gotten too used to talking to Demetrius...that became my first of action. We stopped fending for ourselves. It's a trap." I forced a chuckle out, "If I learned anything coming up here, we need to deal with our own problems." I looked at Dakotah, "Did Wahkooha ever do anything without his magic?"

"At first," Dakotah nodded, "Yes. He began using it more and more as the years progressed."

I pointed at Dakotah, "And THAT, I promise not to do. I am not a god, nor will I ever believe I am one." I shook my head, "Where did he get that? His father wasn't like that."

"You know that?"

I nodded and smiled, "I know because Wahkooha knew that. Wahkooha knew his father wouldn't approve!"

Dakotah smiled, "No, he wouldn't. He was a good man."

"There were similarities between the Druids and Native cultures," I said.

Dakotah gave a shrugging nod, "On many things, but not all."

"If you two don't quit gabbing," Max said casually, "Don't blame me if you're not finished when the others get here." He smiled and brought a spoonful of whatever in his mouth and began chewing happily. "This is good."

I leaned in on the table and said, "I do NOT gab." I growled. It would be a busy morning. A representative from every tribe was coming to make sure all the tribes were represented in tribal politics. The four largest tribes were the Yakama, Colville, Quintault, and the Spokane. In that order. The Quinault had a lot of their tribe members with the Japanese features. There were two other tribes that also had that, too. The Shoalwater and the Makah. Those four were on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It made sense that those Japanese ships made landfall there centuries ago and did so from that time on. I pointed at Max. "I gab as often as I use the imperial form of the word we, which is never."

Every tribe would have an equal voice on matters. Was it fair to give a tribe of twenty the same voice as one in the hundreds? I don't know, but it was the rules. No one questioned it. The total amounts of tribes were thirty something. Also, the Tribunal was gathering to answer the question about what to do with Wahkooha. Those grandmas weren't pushovers. At the same time, they rarely executed anyone from their own tribe. At the same time, severe crime was rare. Nothing was owned, marriages were not necessarily long term or between just two people. Theft and jealousy didn't happen. Even someone mentally ill isn't viewed badly. Someone with a mental illness has part of that mind in the Spirit World and was a part of that world. Wahkooha was NOT mentally ill. (I would have to argue with that.) Thinking you are a god and begin to act like it? He had too much power. There had been no guidance by an adult with the power to show him. That is no excuse, but it is an explanation.

An hour or so later, people began gathering in the area we dined in. Most were male. There were three women and one young man who was about to begin adolescence. It would be next to impossible not to be able to leave him home alone. They were all introduced and their tribe was identified.

"And this is Kohona of the Samish Tribe," Dakotah touched the "boy" on the shoulder. He raised his hand to a woman and said, "This is his Aunt Ayita."

"In case you're wondering," Chitto said quietly to my ear. "Women can be in leadership roles as the two other women will be the one you hear are, but the Chief for the Samish is Kohona. Ayita is here to support Kohona. By language if nothing else, but his voice will be used."

"How old is he?" I asked.

"Eleven," Chitto answered and then added, "I think."

"A job by birth?" I asked.

Chitto nodded, "He is their late chief's son."

I held my hand up, "Say no more. I understand." Who here could possibly understand more that Seth and I did? To be honest, who could more than I did? I knew it all of my life.

I will also admit this. There has never been a quieter meeting about politics. It didn't last but a few hours. Kohona was very mature. I recognized the look.

The grandmothers arrived. There were twelve ranging from her sixty years of age and down to one fifty years of age. What they were here for was very serious. There were other Natives that were genuinely happy. All of these grandmothers were very somber. It was part of the job, I guess. They sat in a semicircle on the pillows on the floor. We gathered behind them. Dakotah and Chitto had not arrived.

It wasn't too long before Chitto did arrive, but walked passed the Tribunal to us. He leaned forward over us and said, "This will be a little different than what you might expect." He whispered. "There is no trial. No evidence to sift through or witness testimony to listen to."

Why would there be? Everyone in town knew who Wahkooha claimed to be. Those same people knew what he'd done. This was to pass on judgement. No arbitrator for or witnesses against Wahkooha. Judgement wasn't being forced on him. He earned it.

Chitto chuckled, "The many tribes speak many languages. The only language they all share is sign language."

That was when Wahkooha was brought in by two young men. Wahkooha was being led to the center of the semicircle. Unlike someone brought in to be sentenced, Wahkooha was clean. In Creid, Blethos, and A'Dore who weren't allowed to wash before any preceding. Without his power, Wahkooha was a defeated man. The erect shoulders and head normally held high were gone, Wakhooha's shoulders slumped and his head hung low. That power was such a part of him and I saw that seemed to be all he was. I almost felt sorry for him. I said ALMOST. About as much as I felt for Deena. Almost.

A grandmother, the oldest of those twelve began signing. Chitto was just sitting there. I jabbed him lightly causing him to look up.

"Sorry," Chitto hissed, shrugged, and grinned. "I forgot. You don't understand this Sign Language." He pointed at the signing grandmother, "She said, we are supposed to come up with what to do with you."

Another grandmother began signing, "We hold life as a gift and do not take life easily."

"There is a concern that we can not put an end to your life," another grandmother said.

How they divided up what was said seemed to be rehearsed. They didn't interrupt.

"Banishment from the tribes was discussed," yet another grandmother said.

"However misplaced," a grandmother said, "someone could show you compassion and let you in."

"It was suggested we send you out," a grandmother waved at his body, "wearing what you have on now and given no supplies."

"Minus one or perhaps both hands."

"Perhaps one hand and one foot," a grandmother suggested. "That would be a death sentence. The sun is out today, but will not be tomorrow."

"You were given the power of the spirits," A grandmother sighed, "And in the beginning, you helped us. Then you gave into greed. A true member of the people does not do that."

"We give you a choice," a grandmother said. "Do we execute? Or do we banish you to the cold without a hand and foot?"

Wahkooha gave a weepy shrug, "Kill me."

"So be it," the first grandmother said. "That will happen immediately." She waved her hand at Dakotah, "Take him outside."

I didn't know where we were necessarily, but not on the street. And how did we end up with front row seats? Natives did not usually have swords. That was true until recently. But they didn't behead him. A man I hadn't seen pulled on the string of a bow as he pulled the string back, placed an arrow and took careful aim. Wahkooha didn't look up. The archer released the arrow that flew directly into Wakhooha's chest. Hitting his heart. Wahkooha fell lifelessly. Just to be sure, the same archer walked over and deeply cut Wahkooha from below one ear to the other on his neck. Wahkooha was now dead.

As with Deena, Darius, and Arthur, death did not really have a sense of closure. Loss was the only feeling I had about this. All Wahkooha had was his power? Was that all he was? He thought so.

"It's cold," Seth said, taking my hand and walked back in.

Seth and I had forbad Toby from seeing the execution. Death is a part of life and he would learn about it eventually, but not today. Val had said he would stay with Toby and keep him interested. Thomas had gone with us and he was apparently not letting it go.

I nodded in Thomas' direction and said to Seth, "I think he needs a little help."

Seth nodded and let go of my hand. I went over to Thomas who was thinking and pacing in a small circle.

"I'm glad you're having trouble dealing with this," I said, making Thomas spin around startled. "Death should never be easy."

Thomas nodded, "How many deaths have you seen? Does it ever get easier?"

"Not really," I said. "I've seen quite a few deaths on the battlefield. Those sort of blend. This is the third I've seen up close." I shrugged a nod. "I was there when my father died. I was there when Seth's father died, but this was the second execution." I touched his arm. "My hope is that all manner death be sensitive to you."

"He was evil!" Thomas attempted to get that fact into his head as he pounded on his own forehead. "The enemy."

I chuckled, pulling his arm and hand down, "And still, you're struggling with it. He didn't shed a tear for anybody he's responsible for killing and wouldn't have given another thought if we died." I grinned at him, "And if you repeat this, I will, of course, deny it."

Thomas' eyebrows rose in curiosity, "About what?" His voice held suspicion.

"Out of all my nieces and nephews," I grinned and whispered to him. "You're my favorite. You were first. You always will be!"

Thomas' eyes grew and his eyebrows almost receding under his loose forehead hair. Then he suddenly burst into laughter and hugged me.

"I told you," I reminded him. "I didn't say that."

"I heard you." Thomas assured me and then changed the subject, "I wrote that letter to Mom and Dad," Thomas said as he still chuckled.

I nodded, "I'll send it today." I cocked my head as I looked at him. There was a lot of his father in his face, so therefore my own. There was still a lot of that little boy in him. "You're a good man, Thomas. One day you'll be a wise and very great king." I was busy the past few days! I hadn't finished my own letters!

The fact that he was so bothered by the death I was scared this would really be the end of any childhood left in Thomas.

I returned to Seth who smiled as he munched on a large bowl of this white stuff. They were small and looked fluffy. Seth was putting a few in his mouth at a time. There was a pleasant odor coming from the bowl. He, Chitto, Toby, and Val were all eating from the bowl.

"What's this?" I asked as I sat down.

"Popped corn!" Chitto answered as he crunched happily. "Popcorn!!"

"May I have some?" I asked, pointing at the bowl.

"They could run out!" Toby managed in a garble as he was also stuffing his mouth, "It's delicious!"

Seth waved at a fireplace where a woman was pouring the white contents into a large bowl. "They're making more."

It was crunchy, but also had a buttery and salty taste. Toby was right. It was delicious!

I looked around quickly and Seth held stein for me. He smiled and got up and got another stein from a table and poured something from a pitcher. "Thank you!" I said to Seth.

Seth looked at Thomas as he came back. He was sitting and asked. "Is he alright?"

I shrugged a nod, "When he can wrap his mind around it. It was his first execution. It takes time."

Seth frowned, "You took it well."

My eyes widened and I moved back a little, looking at him, "I did?"

"You seemed fine," Seth said. "Weren't you?"

"We were busy," I shrugged. "Darius and Arthur killed themselves being clumsy. Deena was executed and your father collapsed and died. I didn't have time to think. The idea of death making Thomas uncomfortable is good." I looked as Thomas stopped pacing and appeared to calm down. "He needs to let it sink in. He will. He's smart."

"He wanted to come with us," Seth shrugged.

"Have you finished a letter to Sam and Terry?" I asked.

"Not yet," Seth said.

"I haven't either," I took his hand. "I'll write one for Christian and Ella and we," I motioned between us, "will write one for Yannick and Delta."

"We will?" Seth asked and then nodded, "I guess we will." He looked at the women popping the corn. "May we have a bowl for our room?"

The girl smiled at him, "Yes." She held up a finger. "A minute, please." She poured a yellow liquid on it and then dusted something on it. "You like cheese?"

"Cheese on popcorn!?" Seth asked.

"While hot," She nodded. "You want?"

"Sure!" Seth nodded, "What kind of cheese?"

"You say it...cheddar?" She asked. She held up a bowl of small cuts of yellow. She sprinkled and then shook the bowl vigorously and did it again.

"You came up with this?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No." She was having to think. "Iroquois east...here." She pointed away and held the bowl up to us. "My English bad."

"Nonsense!" I shook my head, "We understand you! You're doing very well!"

She smiled, "Thank you."

I turned, but stopped putting some popcorn in my mouth. I loved the burst of cheese flavor, "This is delicious!!" The cheese was a sharp cheddar.

Seth took some and nodded, "This has to be a sin. It's too good." He stopped and looked at her again. "Oh, is there paper, ink, and a quill in our room?"

She shook her head, "I get for you."

"No!" I stopped her quickly. "Just tell us."

She looked confused, "But, I..." searching for the correct words in her head, "...and you..."

Seth threw an arm over my shoulder, nodding even if she hadn't said about her or me, "Isn't he, though? He's very independent." He shrugged, "He hates it when people do for him what he can do for himself! Most of the time he makes up the bed. At home in Royal Valley or even in Blethos and A'Dore!"

"Which if left for you to do would still be unmade!" I shot back poking him lightly on the chest. "Make up the bed and the rooms half clean!" I held my arms out, then each leg. "Do you see anything broken? I've done just fine for twenty-five years! Without any assistance." I leaned closer to her, "I was too short to make it up until then." I patted Seth's arm. "Get us drinks, Seth. The Sea Salt will make us thirsty."

We made it back to our room about the same time. I held some paper, a sealed inkwell, and a couple of quills. Seth came in with the bowl of popcorn, and two of those steins. He held the bowl up with his arms on either side of the bowl and tried to not spill the steins' contents. I relieved Seth of the two steins and he put the bowl down on the bed.

"You could have made two trips," I reminded him.

"Whew!" Seth stood up straight again and arched his back behind him to relieve a kink that formed during the ordeal. "Why? Nothing spilled! Not wine or popcorn!" The wine was preferred when water was used. There was just enough alcohol to kill any parasite. He reached in the bowl and shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth. "If for no other reason, we should defend these people for this alone!"

The truth is, that this wonderful snack had been known by some tribes as far back as ten-thousand years! Preparing the popping corn had evolved as did everything in society. They used to just toss the corn into the fire and grabbed it, if you were lucky, when it flew out with that "pop." I think in ten-thousand years, Humans learned how to do it better. They kept the desired effects and got rid of the older ones such as burnt kernels and the stubborn ones that just would NOT pop! Certain corn did better than others. Keeping the pot in motion helped as it was being made. We added flavors! Why I even...no, if I say more and that rabbit will grow and...never mind.

At the small table, we both wrote to let everyone know the one crisis was over. We faced another crisis and had committed to stay until these Puritans were dealt with. I had asked Thomas, Toby, or any others NOT to tell what exactly happened. How do you do that in a letter?

"The weather is cold and damp. We were able to stop Wahkooha. How are you doing?"

I did tell both Ella and Christian that Thomas was healthy and just fine. We even put in something just for Dennis and told him we loved him.

I got the letter from Thomas and folded it unread. It wasn't to me or Seth. I touched one stack of letters, "A'Dore, please." I touched another, "Blethos," I touched the remaining letters, "And Creid." I smiled as each stack just disappeared in the order I said loudly. "Thank you!"

"You're always shouting," Demetrius' voice could be heard faintly. "You don't have to shout. I hear just fine."

I grinned and whispered, "Sorry."

"Thatsallright," Demetrius' voice said in a long single word that had faded even more. "You can't help it."

The days that passed fell into a routine. We got up, ate, we would spar, and met with the Children of Lilith.

Martha rolled out a very detailed map. I had never seen one with as much detail.

Martha shook her head, "This group of men are determined, but not very smart." She moved her finger across the map. "They had to go south and around the Salish Tribe here and take the natural pass through the Lolo Mountains. And below the Siksika Tribe and the Kinksu Mountains."

I had to bite my cheek as Seth just hung his head and shook it because of the name thing again. I put my hand on his back and rubbed him little. He let out a weary sigh. It was supposed to be a gesture of sympathy on my part, but his eyes darted to me and said otherwise.

"They need to be careful with the Salish," Martha smirked. "Speak to them in a condescending manner, they won't take it too kindly to that."

"Can we hope they do?" Max muttered as he asked.

Martha chuckled and shook her head, "I just don't see that."

I had to laugh, but tried to conceal my smile.

Max showed us the new armor. It was in typical Creid style which was in predatory animal shaped helmets. It lacked the effect of the black leather covered metal. The image could be seen, but...

"What?" Max asked me.

I sighed, "I remember my encounter with you guys that first time." I chuckled, "I remember them all. They all lined up facing me. That shining oiled black. Bears and wolves in leather armor were scary."

Max grinned and nodded, "That's what it was made to be."

"Nonetheless!" I almost shouted, "Causing these men a little fear should be okay." I picked up a helmet shaped as a bear's angry snarl. "Whoever did this is an artist. It's so...lifelike!"

Max chuckled, "You need to tell her that." And then he grinned, "We do have two that hadn't been redone yet." He dug in the supplies and pulled a helmet up. It was black and shaped like a wolf's head. He kept digging and brought another helmet out. This was a great roaring cat. That predator was pretty much everywhere. Cougars, or Mountain Lions on this continent. Fortunately, they were not as heavily populated in A'Dore or Blethos. I only heard about some around some outlying areas. "This is a black panther. Really, the only thing that's different in the armor is the helmet."

I nodded hearing that, "The armor is exchangeable."

"For everyone but Reese," Max grinned. "He has a much thinner waist," the space between his hands was only a few feet, "And his shoulders are..." He tried to spread his hands as far as they could go. "With the chainmail on, the armor is fitted over it." He picked up a piece of armor then would fit around a man and fastened into place. "Again, vulnerable areas are covered with steel. The neck, head, arms, shoulders, thighs...a lot is covered. You won't feel tied up or restricted."

Reese had to have all of his clothes made for him exclusively with the smaller waist and wide shoulders. Small wrists and large biceps. Thinner ankles and waist allowing room for tree-trunk sized thighs! The idea of these extra coverings was appealing now with the weather as cold as it was. Then again, leather was no protection from dampness. Protection from the Witch-hunting Puritans was more important.

I hoped I was the only one to greet these before they cleared that final pass. One man verses a dozen against one hundred...there was no real difference. With the armor on I could avoid arrows, spears, and other projectile weapons. The thought of potentially endangering anyone made me uncomfortable. However, if I could choose, I would pick Seth, but only in the armor. Max would also insist on backing us up. We needed to be sure escape was available.

I wasn't a teenager anymore. It could have been my imagination, but I worked harder to get my fighting form BACK than I did to get in that form in the first place! No more muscle cramps, though. I made sure of that by eating correctly. Oh, and hot water soaks! That was a major important event that happened daily. Seth was coming in a minute. At the moment, I was alone in the big bathroom with the tubs.

"You're not using the correct part of your anatomy," Demetrius said.

The days I was startled by his sudden appearances were long gone. "Hello, Demetrius." I greeted him wearily with my eyes still closed. "Right now, my muscles are sore," I said, loving the hot water that was forcing those sore muscles to loosen. "I say it is the right part of my anatomy."

"No," Demetrius verbally waved the idea off. "Not that." Then he did what Lukus had done and sat on nothing! Nothing was there, but he was sitting comfortably. Demetrius grinned in triumph. "Hey! I didn't land on my ass!!"

I glanced over and saw him sitting in that invisible chair, "Congratulations."

Demetrius was happy, "I should have said, not these muscles, but this muscle." He tapped his chest over his heart.

"That's the pump for the blood in the body," I said. "Modern medicine tells it's in the brain."

"Oh, who am I to argue with modern medicine?" Demetrius sarcastically shot back. "So, when Seth does something romantic for you, where do you feel it?" He shrugged, "When the Egyptians mummify a body, they also preserve all the organs in jars for the Afterlife, except the brain. The center of thought is here," he patted his chest again. "They didn't think the brain did anything important and threw it away." He grinned at whatever crossed his mind, "When you say, I love you with all of my..." he grinned, "brain or..."

Yes, I was hurting and sore, but he did what he always does. He made me laugh, "Yes, but..."

"When you get the sensation of patriotic pride," Demetrius continued, "or when Toby and or Dennis does something that makes you proud..."

I shook my head, "That's a physical reaction to thoughts."

Demetrius nodded, "Yes." He held a finger to drive home a point, "I have one more. When you confronted Wahkooha..."

"I was angry," I nodded.

"You only got angry when the safety of Toby was threatened," Demetrius pointed out. "Which normally would happen. Toby is your son."

The door to the bathroom where the tubs were opened. Seth didn't react badly, but he had only seen that suspension once. It was a little unnerving. Even when seeing what seemed was what you KNEW couldn't happen. You had to keep looking to confirm what you WERE seeing it correctly.

"Hi, Demetrius," Seth greeted quietly as he stared.

"Hi, Seth!" Demetrius said back then looked at me again. "I asked you about your training with the sword. You were a good student. I asked you whether your teacher, Jason, taught you to control your emotions." He pointed at me, "You did and still do."

"My pulse was elevated!" I objected loudly.

"From adrenaline!" Demetrius said logically, nodding. "You need that to keep fighting!" He began to point at me again, "Maybe keeping Toby and Tom from the fight ISN'T a good idea."

That did cause me to react emotionally. Seth most certainly did!

"What!?" Seth bellowed coming at Demetrius quickly. "Are you out of your MIND!?"

Demetrius grinned up at Seth and pointed at him, but looked at me, "See!? That's what I'm talking about!!" He shook his head at Seth. "I will keep Toby from any violence or fighting." Demetrius chuckled, "I said that on purpose, knowing Erik would emotionally react to what I said."

"And giving me a heart attack!?" Seth shouted.

"I swear!" Demetrius crossed his chest over his heart, "See what I just did? I didn't cross my brain. I made an oath on..."

"You're saying it's the heart," I said in doubt.

"I'm saying," Demetrius said in a serious voice and waved all over his own body, "it's all connected! It's you!!" He smiled. "All of us," he did the circular motion, "the Children of Lilith, control the magic by emotion." He pointed AGAIN at me. "I'm going to help you unlearn what you've been trained to do." He grinned. "Starting tomorrow."

"I am training with the armor!" I stated.

"And you will again," Demetrius nodded, "but not tomorrow."

Seth's left eye squinted a little, "You said the Children of Eve use the magic differently. How do you know?"

Demetrius' eyes widened in shock, "Evidence!" He waved at Seth, "You were cured. Remember?" He shook his head, "We can't do that. Even with Candor, Arthur's thief? I scared him, but I never hurt him."

Seth nodded, "Yeah, I remember."

"But you did!" Demetrius said to me. "You burned Wahkooha and those others."

I chuckled, "I guess after the first murder, harming someone is easy." I saw Seth's eyes grow. "Cain and Abel?" I hinted.

"Oh, yes," Seth nodded and grinned, ashamed. "It slipped my mind a second."

"Maybe you need some elementary Sunday School," I suggested.

"My POINT is," Demetrius said in a loud voice to get us back on his subject and continued softer, "Fighting is important, but you need to grasp that you have access to the magic all the time."

Seth did look at me, "You could do with some rest." He then huffed a little proudly, "Even God took the day off after six days of creation."

I laughed, "THAT you remember?"

"Yep," Seth nodded.

"One more thing before I go," Demetrius held a hand over the bathwater. I felt the water heat up as I sat in it. "Maybe tomorrow, I can show you how to do that." He looked at Seth. "It's just out of the pipe for you, so you're on your own."

It was in the morning when Seth and I woke up and cleaned up for breakfast.

Demetrius sat with us. All of the Children of Lilith we knew were there, but we spoke quietly.

"Why me again?" I asked Demetrius quietly. "You said it was because I have been exposed to a lot of magic." I shrugged, "So was Ella. Can she do it?"

Demetrius gave a slow grudging nod. "She could..." he said long and slowly. "But she doesn't KNOW she can."

"What!?" Seth looked at me, then looked at Demetrius again, "Are you saying he knew he could?"

Demetrius looked uncomfortable and slowly answered, "He was open to the possibility to ask Ella about it in the first place!" He waved at Seth, "You could, if you believed it, but you don't! That's why you can't." He raised his hands helplessly, "Even a small child playing pretend KNOWS it's pretend. They don't really believe it!" He pointed at me. "HE does!"

"That's why Druid Children can do it?" Seth asked. "And Native children?"

"Even they are limited by what they know," Demetrius said simply. "So are the children of the Fae!"

Suddenly, a strong gust of fast-moving air blew in the room. It wasn't a cold wind, but it threatened to turn things over around the room. Even the Children of Lilith looked a little unsettled because they didn't know what was happening.

There were a few flashes of what looked like lightning and bursts of billowing...smoke? I was clued in as there wasn't a smell. Smoke or even steam had an element of heat that would have a smell. It had as much reality as Demetrius' performance in Seth's and my room ten years ago with Candor.

Maybe Demetrius was right. He was usually. My heart rate hardly changed. In fact, I even relaxed. All of Lilith's Children were relaxing.

The non-smoky smoke cleared and a lovely woman in her late forties stood there. She was...regal! A billowing silvery-white gown flowed to the floor. She had perfect skin, if you know what I mean. She was very fair skinned. Her hair was...blonde? Or just plain white, thick, and flowed past her shoulders and held back from her face by white flowers on either side. She bowed her head and said, "Beannachtaí."

I stood up and clapped, surprising many startled people at our table, "Bravo!" I said in a loud voice, "That was the most exciting entrance I've ever seen!" I looked at Demetrius, "You hitting your shin the first night, that was good, but this was so...theatric!" I waved at the new woman. "Are there any Children of Lilith that are...ugly or maybe homely?"

The woman frowned and swore in a language I never heard of. She swore softly. She looked up at me. "You must be the Child of Eve that can access the magic. Prince Erik?" She came toward me and extended her hand to me.

"I am," I confirmed, "It doesn't seem that many here know who you are."

She chuckled, "It's Eabha." She replied and said (ee-va). "Not many not from the area known as Great Britain know the name. You've mentioned my father's name a few times, so I took a few moments to look in on you."

"You're father?" Seth asked. "Why would we know him?"

"Well," Eabha smiled. "He died a couple of centuries ago." She chuckled, "He used many names, Merdinus or Merlinus, but I think you'll all remember one in particular." She smiled. "That name was Merlin."