Chapter Nine

Lois watched as her granddaughter tentatively approached the small kitchen. Kota glanced quickly around the room before taking a seat at the small work table. The elderly woman placed a bowl of fresh garden vegetables on the table.

“Child, help me get breakfast ready before that glutton of a grandson of mine gets back.” Lois placed a kitchen knife alongside the bowl. “Just chop those vegetables for me.”

Kota watched as the older woman bustled about, pinching dried spices from bundles hanging from the rafters. Lois tossed the spices in a large iron pan. The old woman glanced over her shoulder at the young woman. Kota quickly grabbed a small ovoid tuber. Snatching the knife from the table, she clumsily started chopping vegetables.

“Grandmother, this is an awful lot for three people,” Dakota said as she reached for a large root vegetable.

“Dirk went to fetch Marina and her husband for breakfast.” Lois cracked an egg into the large pan. Grabbing another from a nearby basket, she deftly cracked another. “When you’re done just put them in the pan.”

“Grandmother,” Kota asked after a short silence, “what was Mama like as a child?”

“Your mother was such a caring child.” Lois laughed softly, “She was always bringing home some wounded animal. Sierra always asked me to heal them, to make them all better.”

“Really!” Kota looked up excitedly. “Mama used to take me on outings to the woods near our manor. She tried to teach me all about the plants and animals.” She shivered, “But nothing like we saw in the Mystic Forest.”

“No, nothing compares to that damnable place. It didn’t use to be that way though.” Lois sighed as she poured fresh milk into a number of earthenware mugs.

“Grandmother,” Dakota asked as she scooped the chopped vegetables into the bowl, “what was it like when Mama lived here?”

“The forest wasn’t as dangerous.” Lois moved over as the young woman poured the bowl’s contents into the pan. “The children could play at the edge without fear of the demon spawn. Peaceful mystic creatures used to entertain them when parents were busy.” The old woman turned to stir the contents of the pan.

“What caused it to change?” Kota took to mugs to the table.

“Things changed when Sierra was about your age. That was when the hunt began.” Lois looked out the window gazing upon the distant mountains. “Your mother decided then to secrete things in a cave upslope.”

“Grandmother Lois!” Dirk’s voice sounded from the front door.

“The older woman smiled. “We’re in the kitchen dears.”

Dirk entered the kitchen with a man about his age and a heavily pregnant woman. “Good morn, Grandmother Lois, Dakota.” Dirk moved aside for the other man to seat the woman. “Marina, Garret, I’d like you to meet Dakota, Aunt Sierra’s daughter.”

“It is a pleasure to met you, Dakota,” Marina’s voice sounded excited. “Dirk told us a little about you but not that you looked like me.”

Garret sat and grabbed a mug of milk. “The resemblance is definitely there.” He nodded respectfully to Lois and Dakota. “So what’s for breakfast, Granny?”

“No patience.” Lois said with an exaggerated shake of her head. “Dirk, bring the pan to the table.” She moved to join them at the head of the table.

Dirk grabbed the pan and a stack of bowls and brought them over to the elderly woman. Lois dished up the food and soon everyone was silently eating. Once the food was consumed, Marina, Lois and Dakota set to work cleaning up. Dirk and Garret were shooed to the common room.

“Dakota,” Marina began, “what happened on your journey here? My brother wouldn’t say anything, but he was obviously injured.”

Kota looked down at the bowl in her hands. “We were attacked in the Mystic Forest. A demon spawn slashed Dirk. Something strange happened,” Kota spoke softly to the two women.

“What happened, child?” Lois removed the bowl from Dakota’s limp hands.

Marina guided the younger woman back to a chair and gently pushed her down onto a chair. She then eased her bulk onto another chair. Lois grabbed Kota’s hands as she sat next to her.

“Fire,” Dakota whispered. “Why is it always fire?”

“Fire? What fire, child?” Lois asked.

“It came out of nowhere. I was trying to control the horses, while Dirk dealt with that monster.” Kota spoke softly as though in a trance. “When he was hurt the fire just erupted.”

“What happened, Dakota?” Marina placed a comforting hand on her still shoulder.

“It was engulfed in a column of fire.” The young woman looked up at Lois and Marina. “I think I did it.” Fear swam in the depths of Kota’s eyes.

“Why do you think that, child?” Lois held Kota’s eyes with calm determination.

“I-I was so scared. It pressed on me so hard. I thought it was nothing but fear.” She swallowed. “When Dirk was injured I just lost it. I screamed and the pressure that I thought was fear disappeared. Then the demon spawn suddenly caught fire.”

Lois looked thoughtfully at the young woman. “Child, there’s nothing to fear.”

Dakota’s eyes swam with tears as she gazed at the older woman. “What?” she choked out.

“I think that fire was natural magic.” Lois’ eyes took on a glazed look. “I’ve heard of it before, but never seen it myself.”

“Natural magic, Grandmother Lois?” Marina asked. “You never mentioned that when you taught us spells.”

“I couldn’t teach you something I could never do, Marina.” Lois placed a hand on Marina’s arm. “Natural magic comes from the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire.” Lois looked over at Dakota.

“You think I’m one of these element magic users?” Dakota gave the old woman a skeptical look.

“It’s possible, but we would have to test you.” The old woman stood and gestured for the younger women to follow. “Come, we’ll need the boys to help.”

“Grandmother Lois, how can Garret help? He doesn’t have any trained magical ability.” Marina looked questioningly at the older woman as they exited the kitchen.

“It’s ritual magic, Marina. Anybody can serve a role.” Lois grabbed a cloth sling hanging near the door. “Dakota,” she said, “I’ll need you and Dirk to gather some things for me to do this ritual.”

The old woman tossed the sling at Dirk as they entered the front room. The sling slapped against his chest and he reflexively caught it. He hissed as pain shot through his wounds at the sudden movement. “Fill that with dead twigs, boy.”

“Any particular type, Grandmother?” Dirk placed the sling on his good shoulder.

“No, just make sure they’re dry.” Lois grabbed a basket sitting by the door. “Dakota, I want you to gather some dry leaves.” She handed the basket to the younger woman.

“Grandmother Lois,” asked Marina, “do you need me for anything?”

“No, Marina. Just make sure you and Garret are here before dusk.” Lois turned and opened the door. “The ritual has to start at sundown.”

Marina hooked her arm through Dakota’s. “I’ll help you gather those leaves, Dakota. After all, I have nothing better to do today.”

Dakota watched from the center of the circle Grandmother Lois had painstakingly drawn on the ground of her home. Dirk, Marina, Garret and Lois each sat at one of the four cardinal points. Dakota sat facing Lois positioned on the north point.

The young woman glanced apprehensively at Dirk seated on the west point. The elderly woman had explained to those gathered what was needed to reveal Dakota’s possible power but that didn’t ease her nerves.

Dakota watched as her grandmother started chanting, calling on the Creator to reveal the young woman’s power. The air surrounding them seemed charged with unseen energy, waiting to be unleashed. Suddenly, wind started whipping about them, creating a maelstrom centered on Dakota. The small fire before Lois flared brightly reaching up toward the ceiling above.

Lois’ voice suddenly changed from beseeching the Creator to an otherworldly chant.

Maiden of Fire
Elf of Wind
Earth Unknowing
Shall join together
Battle the Darkness
To bring peace to the Keep
Of a race long enslaved
Maiden of Fire
Elf of Wind
Earth Unknowing

Suddenly, the fire shot over to Dakota. Reflexively, she put her hands in front of her. The flames coalesced into a dancing ball of flickering fire before her. She slowly lowered her hands and watched as the flaming ball followed her movements. Dakota stared fascinated at the flaring fire before her.

The wind died down as Lois gasped out, “The maiden of fire.” Dakota gave the old woman a started glance. The fire suddenly shot toward Lois before abruptly disappearing. Lois collapsed as the last of day’s light faded from the tiny village in the mountains.