Momentary silence. Then it all began again.

"b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. Old b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

The floor beneath his feet wavered. "Be still," he admonished, wagging his finger at the floor's rudeness. He stood, knees shaking and head spinning. The door in the corner, leading to the head swung open easily. He froze.

"b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Been playing, I see." He stepped into the marble ensconced, modern bathroom and relieved himself. With a sigh of release, he closed his eyes, and smiled the smile of wicked playfulness. One thought.

The air went out of the infernal instrument below in the dooryard. Peaceful silence fell within the glen of Raven's Gate.

A quick shower, several gulps of black coffee left on the dresser by grandfather, and then he headed down the stairs to fulfill a promise.

Crisp cold air brushed his face when he opened the door and stepped out into the sunshine.

Black Bryan stood ready within the duel circle. A remnant of by gone days, it imprinted the earth with a circular stone foundation, marked with the crossing of an X through its center. The blood of many had stained the ground within the sanctified s.p.a.ce. Justice and truth ruled the outcome from conflict carried out within the stones.

"You're late," Black Bryan stated. Dressed in leather breeks and white poet shirt, he looked the part of an ancient gentleman warrior-clean, but never the less an effective warrior.

"Fitting," Meekal said raking his grandfather with an appraising glance. "Weapons?"

"Fists," Bryan said with a grin.

He snorted. "Fine." He squinted at his grandfather. "Knives," he said, suspicion overcoming his thoughts. Two blades escaped Bryan's clothing and shimmered across the circle. "Thought so," Meekal said, grabbing them from the air. "Never try to fool a trickster, Bry."

"Ah, young one. Ye have much to learn."

Meekal swung, making contact with his firm jaw. The hit wasn't satisfying enough. He lunged. They rolled, swearing, fists flying.

"Corbie!"

"Not a crow! b.a.s.t.a.r.d! d.a.m.n fidget!" Meekal ducked a fist. "b.l.o.o.d.y bagpipes!"

"Grown in the low lands. No proper respect 'n appreciation!"

He rolled to his feet, and then hop-scotched over Bryan's swinging leg. "On your feet!"

They circled, breathing heavily, eyeballing their opponent, waiting for an opening.

"What do you expect to accomplish?" Bryan asked.

"Said I was gonna kick your a.r.s.e. First, for not enlightening me about the bond, and then for that infernal racket you call music."

"Some things can't be put into words, son." Bryan jumped forward, fist making contact with Meekal's gut. "Love's one."

"What, no upper cut to the chin?" Meekal taunted, wiping his jaw with the back of his hand. "Don't go easy, Grandfather. Old age catching up?"

"Age be d.a.m.ned." He swung.

Meekal blocked the attempt with his forearm and introduced his other fist to Bryan's gut, followed through with the uppercut right on schedule.

A vice grip encircled his knee. It pulled.

He landed on his a.r.s.e with an expelled breath of air, staring up at Black Bryan's lopsided grin.

"How's your a.r.s.e, son?" His brows rose in inquiry, waiting.

Meekal glared up at his ancestor, but then the anger dissipated, melting into the ground around him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Already answered that. The bond can't be put into words. Even by a poet. Besides, I could only hope you'd be so lucky."

He plopped backward, staring up at the cerulean blue sky above. "How am I going to defeat Syther with this distraction? I can't even think straight without her."

"Who says you have to?"

"Huh?"

Black Bryan laughed, held his hand out to a.s.sist Meekal up and winked. "Ye do what any sane man would do in yer shoes. Go after her. Get up off yer a.r.s.e and go get ready. Ye'll be needing another shower," he said, jesting.

Meekal clasped the proffered hand and rose, heart beating with a new steadiness and determination.

[14] The Gorge Shayla sat huddled on airline seat, number 27A contemplating personal misery. She hated flying. The idea that she had flown so far away from home irked her on this return trip. She sighed and squirmed in an effort to get comfortable.

This was the last part of her journey, New York to Cleveland. If she did not start moving her feet, she would have problems walking. The pilot had just started the plane's circle and descent to Cleveland Hopkins Airport. Exasperation escaped in the form of a slow breath. Almost home.

"Long trip, deary?"

Ugh! What is it with people calling someone they don't know terms of endearment? She let her thought trail away into oblivion as she plastered a sweet smile on her face. "From Bristol."

The silver haired woman sitting next to her gave Shayla a friendly wink. "Ooh. Beautiful place, Bristol. Did you go to London while you were over there? Did you see Big Ben? Windsor Palace?"

Shayla wiggled one more time to stretch her long legs. "No, I didn't go to London. I was in the UK for other reasons." She knew she was being abrupt. Turning away, she studied the landscape below, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of Jacob's Field.

There it was in all its fall glory. The diamond shaped field lacked its usual cut green lines, gra.s.s dull in preparation of Ohio's winter blasts. The toothbrush lights marked the stadium's perimeter with pride. Shayla bit her lip, hearing the screams of the crowds, an echo in her mind. The first game she truly remembered was in 1997.

While she had been a kid, jubilant over the Tribe's successful season, Meekal had been in the midst of turmoil and hiding from an evil wizard. She brushed fingers across her cheek. The moisture there was due to the sentimental view below. There had been many long happy hours spent in those ball field stands.

A soft laugh escaped the woman beside her. "Ah, so you are a fan. I couldn't help but notice the glare you gave that young man wearing the Yankee's cap."

She arched her brow and turned to the woman. "How can someone live in northeast Ohio and not be an Indian's fan? Do you live here?" Curiosity eclipsed annoyance at being disturbed while the plane continued its descent.

The lady smiled. "My grandchildren live here. They're fans."

"Where are you from?"

"New York." She gave Shayla a smirk. "Been a Yankee fan since the early sixties. Can you imagine how it feels to be so surprised to find your granddaughter's favorite team is the Cleveland Indians? She's about your age. Rooted for them in ninety-seven. Thought I was going to have to hide her in the closet."

Shayla could not repress a giggle.

"That's better. You have such a pretty smile, you shouldn't be so sad. Is there a problem? Is that why you've come home?"

"No. Just coming back from vacation."

"Ah, then there's something else that causes you sadness."

Tears blurred her vision.

With an understanding nod, the woman said, "Love is very powerful. You should follow your heart."

"Sometimes that's harder than you'd think." She turned back to the window, gnawing on her lip.

Minutes later, the plane touched down with a jolt at the coming together of machine and tarmac.

Shayla braced herself. The fast journey along the runway lasted only moments, and then they pulled up to the gate. As soon as the wheels stopped rolling, there was a flurry of activity. Pa.s.sengers began to stand, gather their belongings out of the overhead compartments and wait in the isle for the doors to open. Shayla reached up and pulled her black bag down. Its red bandanna marked it as being hers in the sea of similar carryon bags. She grunted and pulled a bag down belonging to the silver haired lady.

"Thank you, deary."

"You're welcome, ma'am."

A ma.s.s muddle of people, heads wall to wall, crowded the concourse with bustling activity and mixed conversations. Many leaving Cleveland, others arriving to be greeted by friends and family, children mingling among the grownups.

Bags on wheels, bags on shoulders and the airport cart zooming through the confusion gave the terminal a distinct feel of a world set apart from all else. Shayla looked around at the crowd congested on the lower level. Pa.s.sengers were the only ones permitted to the gates due to security measures. Over many heads, Shayla caught a glimpse of her friend Barb wearing a red bandana in her hair-placed there on purpose so she would stand out in the ma.s.ses.

Barb waved excitedly.

A sense of relief and warmth spread through her. Before she knew it, Shayla engulfed her best friend in a tight homecoming hug.

Laughing, Barb pulled away. "Ooh. Shay, you look so great. How can you spend so much time on a plane and still look fresh?"

"Ugh." She grunted and tried to shake off travel exhaustion. "I feel horrible. I hate flying. Next time I decide to take a trip like that, remind me."

"Oh my G.o.d!" Barb stared at her hand. She reached forward and grabbed it. "When did you get this awesome tattoo? Isn't it the same symbol as on the Well?"

Shayla pulled her hand free from scrutiny. She glanced away, looking anywhere but her friend's face. "I got it in Glas...o...b..ry. Later, I'll tell you later. Can we go to baggage claim? I'd like to get home and soak in a hot tub."

"Sure." Barb paused, giddy with happiness, to study her closely. "What's wrong?"

She shrugged, still avoiding Barb's eyes. Life long friends, Shayla did not enjoy the discomfort of keeping secrets. "Like I said, later," she murmured.

Shayla inhaled deeply, pulling in the fall scents of the Gorge Park. She wanted to remember forever the way this place of such awesome beauty felt and smelled. Standing in Mary Campbell's cave, brought back so many memories. It washed over her with the same power expressed by the falls below. Prior to her trip, she had felt the energies of the park and its glacier carved stones. Now, after the events in Glas...o...b..ry, she experienced their vibrations more deeply.

"DO NOT FEAR, PRETTY ONE. YE WILL BE HAPPY IF YE LET YERSELF BE." CIARANLEXISS said from her boot.

Shayla sighed, looking around. They were alone. She couldn't help it. Talking to an artifact still came over as more than a little insane. "I guess happiness seems elusive. How does someone leave their home with the possibility of never coming back?"

"YE WILL NEVER TRULY LEAVE. YE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK."

"Humph." Shayla began walking along the leaf blown trail, stepping around roots and large stones. "Humans have a saying. 'You can never go back.' It's already different, CIARAN." She decided the shortened name felt comfortable rolling off her tongue. "What am I going to tell mom? What about my friends? I could care less about my job. I can get a job anywhere."

The trail steepened. Large boulders, small bushes and trees made the park one of the most interesting in the area. The oaks on either side of the foot trail, stood tall and strong, reflecting the timeless beauty of the landscape. The sound of water journeying down the steep slope in small streams to the Cuyahoga River added their whispers.

A chipmunk chattered at her fiercely for trespa.s.sing on his trail.

"Shh. I'm just pa.s.sing through."

Another hiker looked at her as though she were a loon.

She shrugged and continued on her way. Think that's crazy? Try hearing and talking to a knife. By now she realized that CIARAN's voice actually came from the sgian dhu, and was not inside her mind. Therefore, he had no way of knowing her thoughts. That proved to be something of a relief.

Crossing a small footbridge, she moved toward the high point of the trail. The carved sandstone all around hummed. She stopped briefly, placed her palm on the stone and allowed its vibrations to sweep over her. Up here, the path cut through two ma.s.sive edifices in a narrow crevice.

Fallen leaves padded the sound of footsteps with both the silence of old nearly decomposed leaves and the rustling of fall's newest contributions. The essence of nature surrounded her. The scent of the seasons pervaded her sinuses. A blue jay called raucously.

The memory of Meekal's voice wafted over her. "Haven't you ever heard a stone scream or purr?"

Strange, the humming stones consoled her. She swallowed in an effort to push the sensations of separateness away. That's what she felt from the moment Meekal said goodbye at the airport in Bristol. Deep-seated separateness. Her heartstrings pulled with powerful insistence.

Shayla pa.s.sed through the narrow crevice and turned to the right. She pulled herself up to the stone top, moving across the leaf covered rock until she stood on the center, like the summit of a kingdom, separate and apart from all else.

Scanning the park, she could see through the trees, down the rough side of the hill to glimpses of sparkling water moving north. The rumble of distant traffic mingled with the sounds of chattering chipmunks, laughing hikers, rushing water and purring stones. She used Meekal's term in her mind and inhaled deeply.

"You need to come down from there, miss."

d.a.m.n. Shayla looked down at the park ranger. Dressed in his uniform, he epitomized authority. "Yes sir." She began her descent down the glacier carved stones to ground level.

"The rocks are no place for you to be climbing." He paused, narrowing his eyes once she arrived on the path. "You've been here before."

The urge to kick something stirred. d.a.m.n nimbus. She could not sneak through life with it. Men always noticed and remembered her hair.

Dappled shade through the overhead branches left lines across the ranger's face, but Shayla knew he obviously expected an answer.

Shayla resisted the urge to spin on her heel and vanish. "I've been away for awhile. Just saying h.e.l.lo." And goodbye. She would not reveal that to the ranger.

"I guess that's understandable, but you don't want it to be your last visit." The stern look he gave her served as a blatant reminder of hikers who had fallen in the past.

She remained silent and immobile. You don't know the half of it, buddy.

The ranger motioned for her to move toward the path leading down to the water.

With reluctance, she left, feeling his eyes on her back. When the steep downward path turned around a copse of closely growing trees, Shayla stepped off the trail once more. She glanced around, and then raised her eyes to scan the landscape above. No sign of the ranger. "Berk's probably sitting right where I was standing. Ugh!"

A quick lift of her leg and she was over the barrier and on the old trail, closer to the river's edge. Now that she was on the lower path, she wanted to walk next to the water. With luck, someone else would distract the eagle-eyed ranger.

The surrounding landscape of Mother Nature's embrace began initiating her with a sense of calm. The sound of rushing water caressed her into a thoughtful mood. Allowing unhappiness and fear to rule her had gone on long enough. Shayla stepped up onto the wood deck facing the falls. She missed the days before its intrusive presence when she could sit on the large stones for hours basking in the summer sun. She sighed. The crashing waterfall filled her with deep longing.

She spun her head, scanning the deck and hillside. No one around. Good. Facing the water once more, Shayla whispered, "I call upon Cerridwen, Warrior of Water, White Lady and Moon G.o.ddess, I seek your great council this day."