The Maiden Medallions: Beastkeeper Read online

  Now that the opportunity was here, James didn’t know what to ask. Just start at the beginning, he told himself. “Okay. Tell me about the old man that brought me here. He’s been hanging around these past few days, appearing and then disappearing just like that,” he said with a snap of his fingers. “What’s his deal?”

  “His name is Galen, and believe me, he’s the furthest thing from an old man. I sent him to find you.”

  James’s eyes widened at the shaman’s words. “You sent him?”

  “In essence, yes. I provided the task but he was free to choose how to accomplish the goal set before him.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “He has his part to play just as we all do, including you.”

  “What does that mean? Wait, don’t tell me. I’m not sure I wanna know.” James chuckled nervously. He felt Micah’s stare in the darkness.

  “James, most of us are able to follow our own path, to spend our time in pursuit of dreams while we work and play within the universal design. But sometimes fate chooses us, perhaps even needs us to fulfill a more critical role in the unfolding story called life–to live beyond the everyday existence of everyone else. On those rare occasions when this does happen, we must accept it or suffer the consequences of our inaction.”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “That’s why I’m here...to help you along.”

  James wanted to speed this up. At the rate things were moving, he could be here all night. Reaching into the front pocket of his hooded sweater, he pulled out the medallion. “Tell me about this. Why is it so important? Why did the old man, I mean Galen...” He recalled what Micah said only moments ago. “Wait a sec. It was you, wasn’t it? You wanted me to find the medallion. Galen was just the messenger.”

  “That is all true. May I hold it?” Micah asked, extending his hand out.

  Passing it to Micah, the shaman set it on the floor. Placing his hands above the medallion as if warming them by a fire, he looked at the young man. “Do you believe in destiny?”

  “Umm, I don’t know.”

  “I understand. It’s not a concept most people readily accept. But I’m here to tell you that some do have one and have little choice but to follow it. I have a destiny, and so do you.”

  James didn’t like what he was hearing. He started thinking Micah was full of nonsense. But if the shaman’s goal was to fill his head with confusion and lies, what exactly was the point? James had already experienced things he couldn’t easily explain. Could what Micah said about destiny be beyond the realm of possibility? If anything, it could explain why his life suddenly veered off its regular path. “Okay, let’s say I believe what you’re saying and move on. You still haven’t told me anything about the medallion.”

  “It’s a device created by your ancestors long ago.”

  “You mean my grandmother,” James said, staring at the medallion on the ground.

  “No, I do not. I am speaking about your ancient ancestry–people that lived centuries ago.

  James looked at Micah. The blackness behind the shaman looked infinitely deep. “I see. What’s it for?”

  “If one believes the old stories, to contain a segment of power left behind by an ancient goddess.”

  “For real? That sounds awesome!” James visualized Cooper cowering before him, the medallion’s light sending convulsions throughout the bookie’s body.

  “I suppose so,” Micah said. “But then, keep in mind that means it’s not something to be taken lightly.”

  Micah remained silent for a while. James thought he might have offended him somehow.

  “Let me tell you a story,” Micah said, breaking the silence. “It may help put things in perspective and answer questions you haven’t thought to ask. Once upon a time–”

  James snickered. “Oh, c’mon! I ain’t interested in hearing fairy tales.”

  Clearing his throat, Micah began again. “A long time ago, the ancient people came to this land from a place of cold and snow. From the northern shores of ice, down through the mountain ranges and great plains, to the jungles of the south and beyond to the southern tip, the ancients spread from shore to shore and settled throughout the Western lands. Spirit Maiden watched over them all and provided what was needed for everyone to thrive and prosper. For the longest time, everything was good in the new world.”

  Restraining himself from interrupting, James left his questions unanswered for the moment.

  “Time passed. Spirit Maiden grew troubled for she knew her time was coming to an end; a new power was rising to engulf the world. Soon, her people would be displaced by foreign tribes arriving from faraway nations to claim everything for themselves. And they would take it by any means available. It pained her to know the land and all that lay within would soon be overrun by outsiders, but she also understood the way of all things. Change comes regardless, and one would be foolish to stand in its way...not without paying an insufferable cost.”

  Micah paused, taking a sip from a nearby cup. Setting it back down, he continued on with his tale.

  “Spirit Maiden decided it would be best if she retreated and begin the period of long sleep. She had grown weary of the world and wanted no part in the coming wars and strife, disease and death leading inevitably to the annihilation of her people. But still, she was saddened at the prospect of losing the cultures and beliefs of the different tribes she deeply cherished. Summoning the shamans, mystics and chieftains from the numerous tribes across the lands, she informed them of the struggles that lay ahead for all, of the scourge that would arrive on their shores and alter the balance in the name of progress.

  And they laughed. Why should we fear the arrival of the foreigner? We are mighty warriors and hunters, skilled riders and traders. We will trade with them what he have and strive for peaceful co-existence or we will meet them on the plains of battle and slaughter them to the last man. But we will not fear them, for this is our land and we will fight to keep it. With that said, the tribal leaders left, turning their backs on Spirit Maiden. But some remained, though their number was small.”

  Picking up his pipe, Micah puffed on it to get the smoke flowing again. Coughing harshly, he exhaled the smoke towards the top of the teepee. “Now I remember why I cut back on the stuff.”

  Tipping the pipe over, he emptied the spent ash onto the ground before continuing his story. “So few had remained, Spirit Maiden was crestfallen. With a heavy heart, she told those that stayed behind of her desire to depart this world and enter the state of long sleep. She had been awake for so very long, and now, with so many of her people turning their backs on her, the yearning to leave became even stronger. But first, she wanted to give back to those remaining behind. She instructed them to gather others from their tribes and bring them to her. A group came together, a blending of different tribes with diverse customs and beliefs. She gave to them a new land, a place where all could live free and keep their way of life intact; a land of beauty and purity that would remain free from outside influence and interfering ways. And so, Spirit Maiden sent her gathering to live in the land they would come to call Nilvanya.”

  The shrill cry of a falcon penetrated the teepee. James flinched involuntarily, but Micah pushed himself up off the ground, then reached for some items behind him. James couldn’t see what they were in the dark.

  “Come, there’s someone you should meet,” Micah said before leaving the teepee.

  Scooping up the medallion, James dropped it into his pocket and followed Micah outside.

  By the light of the campfire, he finally saw what Micah looked like. Tall, lean and muscled, his skin was bronze, his hair long and dark like that of the old man Galen. A red strap with small white feathers encircled his arm just above his left elbow and a beige drawstring pouch hung from a belt around his waist. Dressed in dark leggings, he donned a vest of brown furs and leather, then reached for a long pole leaning against the teepee. Polished smooth and perfectly straight, there were runes carved along its length and black fe
athers attached to one end.

  Galen stood near the entrance. Danny had been sitting nearby on a log, but with Micah’s sudden emergence, he fell off and now sat staring up at the imposing figure appearing before him.

  “The sh-sh-shaman, I presume?” he asked with a hopeful smile.

  Micah ignored the young man on the ground. He glanced around the clearing as if expecting someone.

  “What’s happening?” James asked.

  “We have a visitor,” Micah said, approaching the edge of the clearing.

  A falcon screeched from high above as Danny picked himself up off the ground. “You okay?”

  James nodded. “Yeah, I’m good.”

  They watched Micah waiting by the tree line. Without a sound, a man appeared and entered the clearing. After a quick embrace, Micah and the stranger started speaking in hushed tones.

  “Who’s that?” Danny asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Hey! Look at your jacket!”

  Green light leaked through his pocket. Taking out the glowing medallion, James saw and image overlaid onto the silver core. It was an image of a dog. He thought it looked a lot like Castle.

  Caught off guard by a series of overpowering smells, James coughed and held his nose. Looking across the clearing towards Micah and the stranger, he was surprised he could hear the conversation taking place.

  “If only we knew how many are out there,” Micah said. “Then we could predict when she will awaken.”

  “But we don’t and neither does the Spirit Guardian,” the stranger replied. “We now know of three medallions, and after some convincing, he provided the general vicinity of a fourth.”

  “Which is where?” Micah asked.

  “Somewhere in the Amazon Jungle.”

  “That’s no help at all.”

  “Perhaps not for you, but I’m sure I’ll be able to find it. It may take a while but I’ll have plenty of help.” The stranger glanced up at the stars and a falcon’s cry floated down through the night. “Micah, take a look. Our young friend’s medallion is active.”

  Micah turned and stared at James. “Come and meet him,” he said.

  The stranger shook his head. “No. I’m leaving now. There’s too much to do. We know whomever recovered the third medallion is incredibly resourceful. We can’t take the chance they may find the one hidden in the Amazon before we do.”

  “Of course–you’re right. But stay in touch, I may have need of you.”

  The stranger nodded, then retreated out of sight.

  The falcon swooped out of the sky. Screeching loudly, it glided through the clearing before entering the woods where the stranger once stood.

  Unsure of what to make of the conversation he somehow overheard, James watched Micah approach from across the clearing.

  “May I see it?” Holding out his hand, Micah waited for James to hand the medallion over. “Did you use it?”

  “I’m not sure. I think so,” he said, staring at the weakening glow in Micah’s hand.

  Micah ran his fingers along the surface. “It’s been activated, but it may not have been a conscious process. In fact, I’m sure of it.” He handed it back to James. “The medallion has imprinted itself onto you. I noticed it earlier in the teepee. You have taken the first step to learning your true way. Even if you don’t fully understand, you will find your path. I’ll make sure that you do.”

  Micah looked at Danny standing quietly next to James. “We have not been introduced. My name is Micah.”

  “Danny. Nice to meet you, sir.”

  “You are a true friend, Danny. Even after all you have seen, you remain by your friend’s side.”

  “Yeah, that’s me, a true friend to the end,” he replied with barely a trace of sarcasm.

  Micah nodded at the young men. “It’s late.” Grasping his staff with both hands, he slammed the blunt end against the ground. “It’s time for you both to return home.”

  Far off in the depths of the night, two pale green dots appeared.

  “But I have more questions,” James said.

  Racing through the darkness, the Mist horses burst into the clearing and stopped next to Micah.

  “There will be time for talk later. I have elsewhere I need to be.”

  With Galen’s help, James climbed up onto one of the horses. Danny attempted to mount the other on his own. After several unsuccessful attempts, he accepted Galen’s assistance.

  Plumes of mist rising from its ghostly head, Micah patted the horse James sat upon. “These spirits will take you home,” he said to James. “We will meet again soon to continue what we started here tonight.”

  James looked over at Danny, then back at Micah. “No, not home. Take us to the field where we left the car.”

  “Yeah, we’ll drive home from there,” Danny said.

  “As you wish.”

  Micah looked at Galen who then walked to the front of the spectral creatures and whispered to each. Their instructions received, the horses trotted off through the trees, both boys holding firmly onto reins created by their ghostly steeds.

  “Continue to watch over him while I am gone,” Micah said.

  “You sense trouble?”

  “We don’t know who discovered the third medallion or what they know of its power. They may have knowledge of the awakening, and if so, then yes, there could be trouble. We almost lost him yesterday. If you hadn’t been there...” Micah stared into the night sky. “I made a promise to Jea to watch over her family. I intend to keep that promise.”

  Galen nodded. Sprinting across the clearing, his body began to convulse and then shrink in size. Moments later, a large, glistening black crow took to the air and disappeared into the night.

  9

  Jeremiah stood alone in the bleakest of surroundings. Everything around him was hard and cold. Returning here fifteen minutes ago to check the progress of the research being conducted, so far he’d been greeted by nothing but silence.

  Watching wisps of his breath disperse in the air, he struggled keeping his twinge of impatience at bay. He detested the cold but kept reminding himself it was a small price to pay in order to further his goals. Tugging at the zipper of his fur-lined parka, he gazed around at the desolate landscape.

  Valleys of stone and steep cliffs were the only visible features on this barren rock. Most life forms were ill-equipped to survive prolonged exposure on the surface, but Jeremiah still had time before he would have to return home.

  Standing on a ledge partway up the side of a cliff, his back towards a cave entrance leading deep into the stone, Jeremiah braced his arms against a barrier of rock and looked out over a shallow crater. The dark blue portal that transported him here waited below on a circular platform of polished black rock. Two spiral stairwells leading underground were at opposite ends of the chasm. Jeremiah ventured beneath the surface on one of his previous visits and had lost his way. Since then, he never went below again by himself.

  He gazed into the heavens at the numerous asteroids blocking his view of space. A pair silently collided sending a cascade of rock and debris in every direction. Gigantic fragments drifted his way but vanished as they entered the outer perimeter and came into contact with the Displacement Shielding surrounding the small asteroid he was visiting. This shield prevented anything from coming into contact with the asteroid by teleporting all objects a safe distance away from it.

  He’d been here dozens of times since acquiring the crystal skull decades ago. The various technologies safeguarding the asteroid ship no longer filled him with awe. If anything, he couldn’t understand why there wasn’t some sort of tech keeping the surface warmer than it was.

  But there was tech in place that allowed him to visit this frigid environment. Called the Cryo-Retention Field, it enveloped the ship and absorbed most of the cold of space. This permitted the surface to be tolerant to humans, but only for minutes at a time. Since coming here, Jeremiah never stayed past a half-hour; he wouldn’t survive long beyond th
at.

  Jeremiah picked up his cane resting against the barrier. He’d been waiting for awhile, and now his patience was gone. “Hurry up. I have things to do.”

  The day he discovered the mystery hidden within the crystal skull, his life took a sudden turn for the better. On one particularly frustrating evening spent prodding the skull into revealing its secrets, he had turned to meditation to help alleviate his pessimism. As he emptied his mind of conscious thought and approached a state of serenity, a voice entered his head and supplied the instructions needed to gain access to the reason the skull was created.

  After that, everything he ever wanted was instantly attainable. But, as with anything to good to be true, it came with a price. Jeremiah considered it an acceptable cost of doing business. No one knew of the pact he harbored deep within his soul, of the sacrifice he made in order to complete the deal.

  The unforgiving rock he shivered upon was called The Wayward. It may have been an asteroid, but it was far more than a massive chunk of stone drifting through lifeless space. It was the home of his partner, a being that bestowed upon him everything he ever wanted out of life. Jeremiah used to question how it knew of the existence of undiscovered treasure troves hidden throughout the world, but that was no longer the case. Having pilfered them all and accumulated so much during his years spent as an archaeologist, it hardly mattered anymore.

  Jeremiah’s knees began to stiffen. Facing the cave, he stared into the impenetrable gloom. His current visit was all about information gathering; his research indicated the medallion Evelynn delivered had abilities lying dormant within. But there was still plenty he didn’t know, such as how many were out there and where he might find them. Jeremiah had given the medallion to his science team for analysis. He expected by the time he returned, they would have some information or in a best case scenario, discovered how it works.

  Nothing moved within the cave. The coldness seeping deeper into his bones, he decided to wait for a few minutes more before returning to the warmth of his estate. “I’m ready to go! The cold is getting unbearable!” he said into the emptiness. Silence was the only response. “That’s it, then. I’ll be back later.” Scanning the darkness one more time, Jeremiah turned on his heels and walked towards a narrow path leading down into the crater. Cane in hand, he started following the route to the portal when a familiar presence reached into his mind.