The Warriors of Lights and Shadows
Chapter 12
Things are escalating at Covenant and everyone in any way connected to The Institute is working overtime to be ready for the confrontation. New people are arriving here daily, most are welcomed. I am still working on the tablets but I’m getting nowhere with the photographs. Anwar has arranged a small trip so I can take a closer look at the real thing. Andy had to go up to the University for a few days anyway and Amber wanted to go with Anwar so they could look at rings so we’ve decided we might as well make it a foursome. After checking into the Antioch Hilton and freshening up we had a quick lunch then Amber and I went shopping while the men took care of their business. We wondered in and out of stores looking for the perfect dresses, Amber was adamant about not wanting a traditional wedding gown. We wondered from bridal shop to specialty shop and then decided on a whim to stop at a Goddess shop down some side street in the old part of town to pick up some candles and herbs. In the window hung a deep red and cream gown trimmed in a burnished gold design; it was perfect. While she tried it on I picked up a few accessories. She’d found her wedding dress. Over dinner Anwar brought up the situation at Covenant. “I stopped to see a friend from the Anthropological Society after I finished meeting with the board to let them know I was collaborating with The Araidean Institute for Alternative Studies on all future expeditions. He is connected to Covenant through an ex-wife he’s remained friendly with; anyway when I told him what I was doing now he said they’d been hearing rumors that there were some very talented people involved with that organization and the officials at Covenant were concerned about them; he also said that his wife had told him things were getting really strange at Covenant and everyone needed to get out while they still could.” “Well that sheds some light on what Marie said just before we left. She’d received a message from her friend at Covenant saying she had something we needed to see and would be bringing it personally later that day – if she could manage to get through one of the outgoing gates before they were closed; she was worried a lot of people would be trapped if the information she had did not get through.” “She also made me promise we’d be back by Sunday for the party but I think we should finish up what we have to do and get on home, if that’s okay with the rest of you.” Amber took Anwar’s hand and said, “I know we planned to look at rings while we’re here but I’ve been meaning to ask you how you’d feel about exchanging rings we already have – I mean I have Gran’s Goddess insignia rings she and Granddad exchanged when they said their vows and Nana offered us your Mother’s rings, couldn’t we use them instead? Mom and I found the perfect dress today and she picked up everything else we need while I was trying it on so I’m finished. Mom came along mostly for the ride in the first place and to help me so that just leaves you and Dad.” “I took care of everything today – I was going to surprise your Mom with a show and a night out as an early anniversary gift but I agree we need to get back. That leaves the trip to the dungeons you two were planning,” He said turning to Anwar. “Then we can leave now if that’s what you want.” Anwar answered nodding his head towards a young couple walking toward us. Anwar introduced Michael and Patience to us and Michael handed me the package he was carrying. We invited them to join us and ordered another round of drinks for everyone. “I understand you wanted to take a better look at something Anwar brought home with him and I thought this might help, but I suggest you wait until you get back to The Araidean to open it. Patience says it has an obvious aura about it that can be followed by anyone who knows how to do that sort of thing and you must be careful not to expose it.” “Which brings us to the second part of our reason for bringing this gift personally; we would like to join your group at the institute, perhaps even traveling with you when you leave. Everything we’d need is in the Escape and either way we have to get away from here- like now.” Patience added. “We’d be honored to have you accompany us, and I’m sure the other Guardians will be amendable to having you join us. I think we should leave as soon as possible; would you like to join us upstairs while we pack?” Andy said picking up the check. Andy came in the room and handed me a florist box. “The front desk gave me our messages when I stopped to tell them we were checking out. They also gave me this, it was left about twenty minutes ago they said.” Inside the box was a blood tipped black rose, often called a Witch Rose tied with 13 ribbons of different colors. The rose meant someone has or is going to die: the ribbons sent a message that all the Houses of The Covenant are involved. We left it lying on the bed and went out the door. About three hours out from the city we stopped for breakfast and Andy called Creedance to explain what was going on while the rest of us waited; Michael had a cigarette just in case someone was curious. “Take your time with breakfast and have an extra cup of coffee before you leave. Are the cars where you can keep an eye on them?” “Yes and the alarms are set, we’ll meet you at The Shore Grill and I’ll have everyone keep a sharp eye out for anything unusual on the way.” “And we will drive past you and double back as a precaution so we should arrive at the grill about the same time. You buying lunch?” “You got it. We’ll meet you there. Be careful.” Less than an hour away from the mansion we pulled into the parking lot of The Shore Grill and parked directly in front of a large picture window. We stood out front and talked for a few minutes as we casually looked around before going inside. Inside Amber told the hostess we needed a large table for perhaps ten to twelve people preferably in the window. Andy and I hung around the gift shoppe for a few minutes. When the others pulled up we joined them at the table. We reached the gates of the institute where Creedance bypassed the key pad to allow all the cars inside without setting off alarms, once inside the warriors who waited between the two gates swept the cars and everything in them for bugs – they also checked each of us –just in case. The men headed for the tunnels to meet with the other Warriors and Amber and I called the Guardians together. I told them about the message that had been delivered to the hotel and then Patience spoke up. “I am a writer by choice and a Wytche by birthright and bloodline. My Mother, her Mother and their Mothers as far back as the beginnings of time were Witches. My Ancestor Grandmother was a Seer; one of seventy Otlindiwesoa assigned to guard and protect The Supreme Royal Families of Homeland, The All Mother’s Planet when it was destroyed by the Dark Lord during the First Wave of Chaos.” “When Covenant was formed we pledged our allegiances to them and our lives to the Flame haired decedents of Araidea. For eons upon eons we grew in strength and knowledge until witch became Wytche; then the dark began to creep in.” “Legend has it that a member of my family was instrumental in saving the Royal Line of Araidea from extinction and as a reward the Goddess promised their line would live forever. Now I’m the last of my line thanks to the unexplained death of my Mother who put her life in danger to protect me by sending me to my Father’s reservation on business; she was one of The Elders.” “My Grandfather is a Medicine Man and can Spirit talk, Mother sent him a message to warn me that under no circumstances was I to return to Covenant. I was supposed to contact someone at The Araidean Institute and say I was a descendant of Mantra.” Nana and Amber looked at each other and then at me. “Isn’t that?” “Yes.” I answered, “Now unless there’s an objection Amber will show her to a guest apartment until a residence can be made ready for them.” “Now if that’s settled some of us are expected in the Warrior’s Hall – we all know who we are.” The men were arguing when we walked into the room. “We need to send Warriors through the gateways to make sure they stay open until everyone who wishes can get out.” “No, we should maintain a few public gateways to somewhere that is low priority to the Covenant and then arrange transports from there but we must focus our attentions on Covenant House itself; the Elders are very powerful. Anyone who they were worried about has already been taken care of one way or the other; they’ve been replaced, detained, or have already gotten out. Otherwise they would not be trying so hard to get the Wytches to return.” Marie stopped suddenly and looked around. “Then let’s give them what they want.” She said. “At least three of the Houses have received a ‘Summons’ from them. Blaize, you got yours in town which means someone saw you and took advantage of the situation. Tempie and I were sent one at Haven House. It was there waiting when Tempie went through to meet The Record Keeper; she threw it away. The third message I know of was delivered to some Wytche from the House of Time and Space who runs a Vacation Planning business on the Tolkin Asteroid Ring. I understand he basically sent The Elders back a message to take their best shot.” “I say we send some Warriors to talk to him and find others who feel the same way to fight from the inside while the rest of us kick ass on the outside. The Dark Lord is helpless without His Puppets.” A Warrior from Skye City added. “The only problem with that is the ones who go in will more than likely not be coming out.” Sighed Creedance. “Put a call out to our strongest and most trusted friends asking for volunteers, preferably those with no family. We leave in ten days for Covenant.”
