An Agenda for Guardian House
Chapter 8
We pulled up at the gates of our new home and Andy punched in the key code; the gate opened and we drove up the driveway to the gatehouse where the guard passed us through; a few minutes later I got my first close-up look at the newly renovated Antebellum Mansion owned by The Araidean Institute for Alternative Studies and the secret Headquarters of Guardian House. “Wow Dad, things must really be getting seriously bad at Covenant for you to take all these precautions. How did you manage to find this place anyway?” “Actually, this place had been on the market for a while before we made an offer but it was really run down; it’s also rumored to be haunted. The bank that owned it was trying to get permits to tear it down and sub divide the land but it’s on the national historic registrar so I pulled some strings and called in some favors and got the property cheap considering everything. The Guardians stepped up and with the help of some trusted and talented friends and ‘OLD MAJICK’ the renovations are coming together nicely and here we are” he said handing me the keys. My hands were shaking so bad that I dropped the keys; the door opened as Amber bent down to pick them up. “It’s about time you got here. We’ve been waiting for hours” said the mahogany skinned beauty in Native American dress hugging me hard. “Anju. What are you doing here? The last time I saw you was over a year ago at your wedding before you and that Shaman husband of yours –Wind something – took off to study some secret, ancient Hopi Holy place.” “His True name is Wind Speaks and he’ll be up soon. Right now he’s underground with the crews who are working in the old slave tunnels. Let me show you to your apartments” she said turning to three men who had just walked up and asking them to bring our things in from the car. She left us in front of a door on the second landing and continued on down the hall to the stairwell to show Amber to her rooms directly above ours. Andy opened the door and stood aside for me. “My Lady,” he said bowing like a warrior of old to his queen. “Oh Andy! It’s gorgeous. But how…..” I stuttered looking around. He let me wonder from room to room for a few minutes gazing at all my special things from the old house then took my hand and led me to the bookcase in the living room where my books were arranged. “There’s something I want to show you” he said reaching up and tipping some books on their spines. The bookshelf slid back revealing a chamber that felt ancient and totally Majickal just as a golden owl flew in the open door of our apartment followed by a young girl with rainbow colored hair that sparked like St Elmo’s fire. The owl landed on my shoulder and Andy started laughing. “I’m sorry; Pookie got away. Momma Tempie said I could play with him until Aunt Blaize got here. Hi Uncle Andy what’s funny” “Vickie, I’d like you to meet your Aunt Blaize, I guess Pookie sensed his Mistress was here and couldn’t wait to meet her. Come on, Sweetie; let’s go find your Mothers.” “You coming or staying here?’ he asked taking her hand. Marie and Tempie were in the dining room with some of the others who had arrived earlier, some faces or at least their names were familiar, and others I knew of only from ancient writings and fairie tales. After introductions were made all around a woman named Chim-Chim who had the skin and features of a doe spoke. “You’re right you did lock the door to your suite” she said reading my thoughts. “I wouldn’t be too concerned though. The bird is attuned to you and nothing – not doors, walls, time or space can prevent it from finding you, but perhaps the Wind Wytche or one of the Feathered Clan should teach it to knock before opening doors from now on. It apologizes for having disturbed you.” After the impromptu reception Wind Speaks and the others involved in the tunnel expansions and restoration gave us a guided tour. The first room we came to was the arsenal, this room was the first to be completed and contained weapons from the homelands of every Guardian, Wytche, and Warrior represented at Guardian House. The weapons Master and another Shadow Warrior explained the empty spaces were reserved for others who had not arrived yet. We saw the root cellars, a dark room, and climate controlled rooms where rare manuscripts and delicate files were stored then we visited the hydro-phonic gardens. There was also a weapons training area, a barracks for the unmarried Warriors, an Alchemy chamber, and several subterranean apartments in various stages of construction. Wind Speaks turned a key in one of the doors. “Anju would have my scalp if I finished this tour without showing you our home,” he said opening the door. The apartment they lived in was cut directly into the earth and decorated in natural pieces accented by Hopi rugs and pottery, it was perfect for them. It also had a nursery for six month old Earth Song and a Nanny’s room as well as a private prayer and ritual area and a hidden doorway that Wind Speaks explained crossed time and space and led directly to the catacombs of the Annastazicrons or any other ancient burial ground of their choice. “And this doorway crisscrosses the dimensions and allows entrance to the sacred location of The Alter of The Guardians but like the portal in your suite our passageway is not ready yet and to go through before the light is green could mean being lost forever or even death.” When we get back up to the ground floor Vickie is waiting. “Momma Marie says I’m to show you where our apartment is before you go upstairs, can I play with Pookie some more, I promise not to let him get away again. Here’s where we live. My Moms went through the doorway to check on Haven House and catch up on some work; they said they’ll be back by dinnertime in case you want to join us in the dining room.” We walked down five steps into a sunken living room. The entire back wall of Tempie’s and Marie’s apartment backed up to the lake with about half the room extending under the surface of the water, the double paned glass had water running through it. The layout of the apartment was the same as Anjou’s and ours and the décor perfectly suited the three Wytches. Andy went to his office to work on business when we got back to our apartment while I began unpacking. As the Director and CEO of The Araidean Institute for Alternative Studies there is a lot to be done. When Amber knocked later to see if we were going down to dinner we declined and checked the stocked kitchen to see what was there.
