The Tree House

The night was quiet, the breeze gentle, the air cool but not overly. Autumn was in the air most definitely even if there were days as warm as summer ones. Some of the trees were starting to change, the hint of  gold amongst green. Days were getting shorter as Gabriel sat upon a ledge that jutted out over the water's edge. One just down a short distance from where most went swimming from the sandy shore. He was attired a little warmer, heavier cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled up. One of a sage brown, black pants and boots lancing up to just below his knees. Hair was still damp, curling down against his neck. He sat somewhat lotus style with the bend of his knees up that he could rest his forearms over them while watching the last rays of the sun, one dipped down behind the mountains, streaking the sky in those golds and reds. He stared at one section of the lake, one large tree in particular that was to the right of where he sat nestled in a cove where the lake curved around down that side. Up behind him, at the foot of the path traveled to the lake, was a buckboard loaded with wood. Oak no less that he had bought from Jon after being given permission to see a vision made real. He was working it out in his mind before beginning.

Raphael ended up staying at the cabin a week or so longer than expected. Something called to him that he needed back, not just the oddity of the storm not long ago but something else.

Flashbacks that were being picked up on as the form of wings spanning near twenty-four feet would appear on that sunset streaked horizon coming out from behind the mountains into view. He was circling high, gliding most of the way as he focused in on the culprit of the flashbacks, visuals he was seeing as well. Ones that had him grinning as he closed in on Gabriel. With a rush of air, strong wings moving forward to pull him into a landing as feet met ground and the wings gone. "I see what you see and it will become real."

He had caught sight of Raphael and was up to stand on the ledge. The grin mirrored by the time his soul brother landed and he to jump down, greeting him as brother, shoulders clasped a moment before stepping back. "I had wondered at first if you had brought me the sight so clear but then realized it was my own as I remembered things." Pointing out the buckboard loaded with lumber as well equipment that would be needed. The workhorse seemed content eating away at clover from the grassy spot he was halted upon earlier. From there back to Raphael. "I have not had a chance to talk to Aiden but in figuring this out, his aid would be most appreciated."

Shadows were growing deeper against the rocks as the sun went down. One seemed to stir and shift and there was a feel of a door opening. Aiden stepped out in almost a stumble and looked around as he brushed clinging wisps of shadows from his shoulders. He grinned when he realized he had succeeded, even turning to touch the rock. Almost boyishly, he turned to Gabriel and Raphael and let out a whoop. "I did it!" Amazed, yes and it would take time for him to use shadows in that way with any ease but one step was taken.

He met the clasp of shoulders in kind before stepping away with a turn to view what he talked on. His grin only growing more. "I see you chose the wood wisely, like times before." A brow lifting followed by a laugh, "speak of the devil and there he is," moving to greet Aiden with a clasp to his shoulder and released. "Now what is it that you did? Unless there is a woman involved.." teasing him as well with a chuckle.

He too was over to grasp Aiden's opposite shoulder. "That doesn't sound right if it is about a woman." He too could add to the teasing as he waited for him to answer Raphael on just what it was he did.

He looked at them both, mouth opened and pointed to the rocks as if he couldn't believe they hadn't seen him.. "I came from the field behind the spar hall to here, using shadows." The grin returned. "I have to visualize where I want to go and ... well, here I am." He didn't add that it had taken more than a few tries. "Why were you speaking of the devil?"

From the direction of her cabin, Neesie trailed down from the foothills of the mountain and through the trees towards the lake. Her steps as always were quiet, an instinct as natural to her as breath. She didn't mind the walk, but rather preferred the more secluded nature of the place they had chosen for her.

"Because you are needed to help us out. You have progressed with your gift as well as Gabriel has. Although there is still more that needs to be seen to, to practice but that can wait." He was not ready to tell them of things to come that he saw in his visions while up at the cabin. Why he had been there longer than planned. Some things took precedence. A glance was given up the distance to the buckboard and perhaps someone one else tripped on his ethereal peripheral. "The storm, tell me of it from your side of it." He had picked up on it that night but it was cloudy. Perhaps for the driving rains that accompany it.

"Indeed you have progressed." The hair on the back of his neck prickled as he too glanced up towards where the buckboard was but his focus was not on that which was loaded with lumber. Neesie. Smile touched but he'd wait until she arrived to greet her. "I was hoping that you would show so I can ask your assistance. The easiest way to get this lumber to that area," which he pointed out the very large oak across to the right where the lake curved, "using your shadow nets. Can you make them so we can use them?" Or was he limited to only use by his hand?

"Help with what?" He had been spending much of his time alone of later, driven to learn that which Jewel had been teaching. "They remain until I command them to dissipate now. Just as they did in my vision." He looked at Gabriel. "Can you get it close enough to the tree?" There was another question he needed to ask. "This will be your permanent home?"

Neesie heard their voices as she came into view of the lake and so directed her steps in their direction, lifting her hand slightly in greeting as she approached. There was a little smile for Gabriel and Aiden before she tilted a  cautious gaze to Raphael whom she vaguely recognized, but knew very little.

"No. I will remain at the castle with the other knights as expected but I have been granted permission to build a .." which he started laughing for all the teasing, "nest." It was more than a nest which they would see once done. One that he knew Raphael saw as well. "It will be a place to spend time as we can when needed." Glancing towards the tree again as he measured with his eyes, even if he had done so before. "Aye. Close enough to be accessible and where the tree coverage will also keep the lumber from the worst of the weather as we use it. Turning with a grin. "You can help us build it if you like. I can get you across." Smile then turned on Neesie. "Evening Neesie, I have something for you." Which he left them for the time it took for him to get up to the buckboard then back down with this large box. Not too heavy. "These are for you as my home warming gift to you." He could have waited but being he had it, decided now was as good a time as any. He set the box down on the grass, nothing fancy as it was tied closed with twine, not ribbon. Inside she would first find a wool blanket covering up some other items. One was a pair of finely made leather boots, lined for the winter. Brushed doeskin so they were soft, not hard but thicker soles. They were cut in a way they would fit for the wrapping of the leather straps fitted to her foot and leg each. There was also leather pants, made for a female in what he figured would fit when he bought them. A thick dove gray woolen sweater that was also brushed so not prickly like wool tended to be and the biggest part of the present was a lined leather cloak. One with a hood that would keep her warm in the winter.

There was a subtle shift in her gaze to suggest the gift had caught her by surprise, though perhaps it shouldn't have. Angel had received several gifts upon moving into her new home. But then she had also held a gathering there of a more social nature than Neesie was typically given to. She hesitated at first, but took from Gabriel's stance that he expected her to open it then, so she crouched down and tugged the twine free to open the box. Each item was removed with particular care and though her expression was controlled her gaze was intent and her fingers brushed each item softly. Her touch lingered particularly on the doeskin boots, for her own boots were worn thin with too much use, and Gabriel had known well enough to get her a pair still soft enough to step quietly. Too her fingers trailed over the cloak. The outfit in complete was unmistakably something she had needed, but would not, perhaps, have thought of herself ... and the subdued colors, particularly the dove gray of the sweater, were perfect. Finally she tucked them all carefully back into the box and said, softly, her head still bent, "Thank you."

"Evening Neesie," smile was friendly her way before making an aside to Aiden as Gabriel saw to this box for the lass. "That's the tree I favored when I first tacked Gabriel here to watch from. It will be more than what once was. It will be useful to us." Not explaining at the moment how it could become a nexus to an ancient past in what was to come. He would wait for Gabriel to tell him of the storm, there was no hurry presently.

"Of course I'll help." No question about it. He smiled as the girl approached. "Evening, Neesie." He watched as Gabriel presented her with a gift. He gave a slight shake of his head. There was obviously a bit he was behind on of late.

He was near holding his breath. He wasn't sure how she would respond to such a gift. Had he overstepped? Would she like them? Find them useful as was his intent. He knew her simple replies, that he expected, relief was evident she accepted the gift in the way it was given. Yes. He knew she needed such and would not think of it herself until her feet froze through too worn boots and chilled to the bone for not having the lined leather cloak with a wool sweater to wear beneath. He was concerned for her health, for certain a harsh winter would be very harsh upon her otherwise. "You are welcome." Smile tipped off to the side before the dark eyed focus was on Aiden with his words. "Let's give it a try then?" The sooner they got the lumber over there, the first steps could be taken in building the tree abode.

Continued...