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He
decided to open up for it was starting to bother him but waiting in the
comfortable companionship they shared for a few moments. "Have
you noticed me dragging lately or have I been covering it up well?"
Which he had been doing his best, drawing from energy he found within at
times but taxing him later. Still, falling asleep, deeply, would have
images to plague him. Flashes of bits and pieces some so profound he'd
not be able to describe them for the speed they flashed by leaving only
impressions.
"You
cover it up well for the most part, except when we're relaxing. Then you
get a distant and weary look." He looked away from the lake and
toward his friend. "Makes me wondering what you're thinking, what
you're seeing." He shrugged his shoulders slightly, "but when
you snap out of it, you seem fine. Just more the feel something
isn't right."
"I
figure that you would notice at least that." Half tipped smile that
even looked a touch weary. "I'm not sure what it is, I see another
I feel I should know and then the image is gone. Sometimes I find myself
on the side of a mountain looking down over a great valley where trees
reach a height I've never seen. Even the fauna around me is all
oversized. At first I felt like I was in some land of the giants or I
shrunk." He shook trying to dispel the image that had been one of
those only leaving more an impression. Taking up one of the small stones
he had a pile of, to whip out into the lake towards a rock whose tip
jutted above the water. It bounced off. Obviously he had this little
challenge going on while he sat here.
"Is
there any other impression you have of this place? A feeling of being
home, or lost?" He picked up one of the stones but choose to skip
it across the water first. "And this one you feel you should know,
what do you feel when you see him?" That might be a clue in itself.
"I've
seen some huge creatures, long necks on some. Others like birds but
leathery skin and long pointed heads." Brows were dipping in
concentration with the next. "I don't know, I mean I didn't feel
lost but didn't necessarily feel like I was home either. I felt like I
was in some place not of this earth or of a time so long ago such
creatures were forgotten." Wherein he had tried to forget the
images, now he was trying to recall all those flashes. "There were
other humans, Elves at least as I got a glimpse of one of those. There
was some kind of war going on, one I felt had been going on a long time.
The one time I saw the flash of teeth in my face that had me bolting up
so fast I fell out of bed. Needless to say I couldn't sleep the rest of
that night."
"Hmmm."
He rubbed at his bearded chin, expression thoughtful. "You may be
able to find something in the library. I've heard that there's another
library, but one that can be reached only by magic. Then again, if you
can do that, likely you can find someone who might be able to ... "
He stopped and looked at Gabriel. "We both need to talk to someone
here."
"I
don't know if the library bae 'aving souch information as t'at,"
his brogue taking on something far more ancient the more he had recalled
the few images. That's when a word was repeated he had heard from that
distance of time, "beāthairel," looking a bit surprised as he
heard the word that escaped his tongue. "I think I need to take a
swim." He was getting that chill up his spine, feeling clueless at
what he faced. He needed to take hold of some reality. Swimming
usually gave him that kind of invigorating release.
"You're
talking in a brogue." Where had he heard that before? "Beāthairel?"
He looked confused but nodded.
"Sounds
Scots or Irish, if you ask me." He had been practicing the fine art
of stealth, coming up on the two presumably without announcing his
presence before he wanted to be acknowledged. "And Aiden's right,
you're talking in a brogue more and more. It's almost impossible to
understand you sometimes."
With
saying the word he recalled it fuller, something that had been lingering
at the skirts of his consciousness. "Remember, beāthairel,"
barely out as he jolted up and around but in the next instance relaxed
seeing it was Cole. "You're getting good at that, stealth."
Between
Cole sneaking up on them and Gabriel starting, Aiden jumped too, then
chuckled and nodded. "Very good at it."
"Now
if I could just stop shocking myself and everything I touch, I'd be much
happier. It's incredibly difficult to hide that spark." Glancing at
his hand as if to scold it, Cole shook it and looked at the two.
"What does that word mean, anyway?"
"I
don't know, only just recalled it." Distractedly as he dipped a
look at Cole's hand then up. "I know in colder weather you seemed
to gather a lot of static but when did this start?" Then the
questions sparked from his normal curiosity. "Just the one hand?
You may need to wear a special glove to keep from shocking yourself and
others."
"Do
you shock others?" He hadn't recalled Cole doing so.
"No,
it's both. And in the last week or two." He shrugged, careful not
to touch either as he dropped into a cross-legged position beside them.
Glancing at Aiden, Cole had to think about it, frowning. "Not
unless I'm worked up." "Kind
of like these swords we have, if another tries to touch it without
permission they will get a good jolt." Which reminded him as dark
eyes lifted to where his sword was embedded way up in a tall oak.
He
followed Gabriel's gaze, frowning slightly. "Why is your sword up
there?"
Aiden
posed the question he'd been about to ask, sparing Cole the need to
speak as he stared up at the tree. "Way up there."
"Because
it is hard to swim while wearing the sword and I couldn't leave it lying
around." For obvious reasons and were told not to. "Euchdach!"
Which was the sword's name as told him by the sword. As it was called
out it came out, hilt over tip like one flung it through the air. All
Gabriel had to do was lift his hand to catch it perfectly there, one it
was fitted to. "I'm finding out things about my sword,"
sheathing it as he spoke, "all those sleepless nights." That
sheepish kind of smile as he debated to mention one of the oddities,
"it gave off this hum like some kind of long forgotten song that
took the edge off things."
"It
is interesting what they can do." He chuckled as he looked at
Gabriel. "Apparently what you needed at the time?"
An
amused glance went to the sword, though Cole said nothing, continuing to
listen.
"Aye,
it bae w'y I din 'ave bags under mae eyes," shaking it off like one
ran a bolt up his spine as he was back to studying Cole speculatively.
"This started about two weeks ago, has there been anything
else?"
"Nothing
that I can think of. I haven't sprouted wings or anything." Cole
shrugged with a chuckle.
"Nor
any shadows that take on the form of a wolf?" Dark eyes shifting
with the layer of dark blue from him to Aiden.
"Precisely.
I leave those blessings to you both." He nodded at Aiden.
He
grinned at Gabriel then looked at Cole. "It's more figuring out
what I'm supposed to do with them or why they follow me." "Get
a red riding hood?" He waited for the glare or the adequate male
response.
"Red
riding hood?" Unfortunately, that was lost on Aiden!
"It's
a children's story. Have you never heard it?" He grinned at him.
"No,
never." He growled at Cole, though it was meant in fun. "I
have a feeling I won't like it."
"Probably
not." Still grinning, he draped his arms over his knees and looked
out over the water.
It
wasn't lost on him as he started laughing, perhaps a bit overly but then
there was worked up tension in him. "Aye, a little lass with a red
cape and hood to distract them and you."
"Grrrrr."
He nudged Cole as if he were trying to push him into the water, but he
was laughing. "No red hood."
Slumping
over obligingly, Cole smirked at him. "Maybe you would prefer to be
the Big Bad Wolf?"
"What's
he do, leer at little girls?" No, he wouldn't like that either.
"Oooouuuuwwwwaaaaaalllllll,"
howling for emphasis before he was laughing again.
"Depends
on the version of the tale. He lures them off their paths to collect
flowers for their grandmothers... then while they're distracted, goes,
finds the grandmother and consumes her for dinner."
"Hey
there little red riding hood, don't you think little big girls should
... go walking in these spooky ole woods alone..." singing it as
some of the words echoed across the lake.
"Which
had him laughing and trying out the howl himself. Not a bad imitation,
but not quite as good as Gabe's, yet. "One
of these days a lass is going to walk right pass you and you're going
stand there looking dumbfounded and trying very hard not to howl, if you
can even resist." Oh he was grinning good as he verbally painted
the
picture well. How he was seeing it at the moment, kind of like one of
his flashes. He
just snorted then laughed. "Now I'm certain this is a mixed
blessing." He was hoping he'd not grow ears and a snout too.
"It
doesn't always work that way, though." Drawing his legs up, Cole
slanted a look at the two. "Either way, I'll look forward to both
of you eating those words."
"I
think you're the most likely of us three, Cole. Which you will deny but
then it shows how even more remote we are. Granted, I've met a few
ladies I like but I haven't howled yet." All in fun bantering,
choosing one of the stones from the pile, he eyed a stump of a tree even
further down along the shoreline, winding up as he pulled his arm back,
body turning to the side before that quick action bringing his arm and
body around with the added flick of his wrist to send it flying in that
direction. It nicked the edge, shooting up at an angle into the lake
further out.
"Not
everyone gets the privilege of falling in love at first sight, Gabriel.
Don't be so quick to dismiss those ladies you've met. They may yet prove
to be the kind of love worth building." Cole wasn't going to say
never; he wasn't that big of a fool. "I'd rather not be
thunderstruck like that, if I have a choice. I wouldn't trust it."
"Too
fast and over as quickly?" Not in all cases but some.
"More
often than not, aye, or so has been my experience. If I find love... I
don't want it to be a flash and a bang, but an ember that steadily grows
to a flame that endures." Cole was being entirely honest; he'd been
giving the matter some thought since establishing himself in King
Peter's service.
"That's
the best way for it to be. Grow into something that lasts and
lasts."
"Aye,
I suppose that could happen too, if it were to happen at all. Much as I
tease you both, I've not really thought about it as something to need.
So if it happens it will probably take me by shock either way. Think
you'll ever want one of the empowered swords?" Basically asked out
of curiosity and the fact Cole seemed to be changing in many ways, more
solid and it was good to see.
"No."
The answer came easily and quickly, though he smiled slightly to soften
the word. "They have their advantages, as I can see, but I would
imagine there's disadvantages to. Forgive me for my stubborn nature, but
I'd prefer to live or die by my own skills."
"It's
a matter of choice, Cole. No one would force you to do what you didn't
feel right doing."
"Nothing
to forgive, it was left as a preference and what one felt comfortable
with. Aye, they're unique, only disadvantage is you need be very careful
never to use it wrongly, it shatters."
"Exactly.
Since I can't be certain to keep that promise, it's better that I don't
make it." He shrugged, comfortable with the decision. "It
works for you both, and I'm glad for you. It's just not a responsibility
I want to bear."
He took
a seat again as brows furrowed a moment, "aye, it is a
responsibility," one which he hoped, and certainly would do his
best to live up to. He hadn't really thought about it that way until
mentioned.
"A
very large responsibility. If it would shatter, I think I would leave
Heathfield in shame."
"Aye,
so I best think things through but not lose sight of my instincts as
they have always been truer between right and wrong."
Cole
nodded in understanding. "I doubt you ever would, either of
you."
"We're
only human, in spite of what's happening to us."
"Thank
you, the confidence in one I trust is uplifting." Realizing it
would be just as bad to get lost in doubts that one never made those
split second decisions needed.
"No
question of being human. Even with what you two are going through."
"It
helps to have good friends around us though. And being human means, I
need sleep." He chuckled as he stood, stretching.
"We
all do, seeing as dawn doesn't delay for us." Cole got up and
tentatively reached out to touch Aiden's arm, checking for sparks.
"How
much of a jolt do you give off?" This directed to Cole of course as
he stood. It was getting late but the talk with them had calmed him
greatly that maybe he might even get some sleep this night. Was the hair
on Aiden's arm rising up and reaching out to Cole? "Hey!"
He jerked his arm away, rubbing after a crack of electricity. Laughing,
he eyed Cole.
"Sorry."
He smiled sheepishly. "Must've rubbed on the rock."
"If
you can learn to control that, it would be an effective weapon." He
looked thoughtful.
"Aye,
or you'll not be able to get near a lass without shocking her."
There was that to consider too.
"Would
give him a fighting chance if the Crones every cornered him." He
was laughing as he jumped down off the rock.
"Don't
curse me like that." Shuddering, he followed them down. "I
intend to see if I can learn to control it. My skin's been feeling a
little tingly lately. Are there storms due?"
"This
time of year it's always possible." He motioned seaward.
"Never know what might blow in."
"Aye,
an earlier flight had me out over the ocean, there's one coming in that
should hit the lands in a few more hours. Not as big as a hurricane but
there will be a good downpour, probably lightning." He clapped a
hand on Cole's shoulder wondering if it was his whole body or just
through his hands.
Gabriel
might feel a small tingle, but nothing hair-raising. "Hmm, that
might be it."
Tingles
were good, least the edges of the tattoo didn't rise up from his skin
and his hair stand out on end. He gave a squeeze, Cole was going to be
all right though he had a challenge set in front of him. "I hear
one of Andrew's men has storms follow him." Releasing the hold as
he was over to grab up his shirt to quickly don than carry it back.
Sandals slipped into as he remembered something, "know anyone that
lost a book of magic spells?" He had put it in the paper.
"No
I don't. I was going to ask you if you found out who the owner was, but
it slipped my mind."
"Spell
book? As in witches and the like?" Cole was intrigued. "Aye,
I wonder if any of these spells work. I can look up a love spell I can
cast on you Cole and the first thing you see you'll become smitten
with." Slanting him a look as a grin was slowly emerging. That was
probably worse than the first woman he saw. Who knows what he saw first
thing in the morning after waking up.
"That
sounds like a dangerous spell." He chuckled as he started for the
path that led to the road.
"Love
spells don't work, birdbrain. Even I know that." Cole smirked back
at Gabriel, trailing behind Aiden.
"I
suppose it depends on who casts it but I doubt if they would work in
these lands." He could hope the images left him alone this night
that he could sleep. He was in much need of it and calm enough to get
tired. He took one of those quick glances over his shoulder to see if
Aiden had anything following him.
Tonight
the shadows were quiet. Not even a hint of one.
Same
for him on the images thus far, maybe it was the storm rolling in.
"I think I might gave the Water Beastie another try, maybe we can
convince the ladies to join us this time, dare them." With most of
their personalities they rose to any dares.
"And
what ladies do you have in mind, Gabriel? Cal will kill us if anything
happens to Cara, and Peter on Michaela." And he liked his head
right where it was, thanks.
"We'll
get Cal, Lancely and Peter all to come out and try it." Leaving it
up to the ladies if they would dare their men. "Do you think if Cal
tries it, Cara wont too?"
"You're
asking me to predict a woman. Do you truly think I am that stupid?"
He was
laughing at the banter between the two and not saying anything. Best not
to try to second guess a woman!
Which
had him laughing too, "certainly can't predict them but it can
sometimes be fun trying. Think of the last thing they would do and go
with that."
"I'll
think on it tomorrow, when I'm actually awake." He grinned at his
two friends. "I'm even going to skip a nightcap tonight."
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