Chapter 8

Brindle woke to find Marcus standing at the foot of her bed, for half a moment she’d thought she’d felt Angel wings flutter over her face and her shoulders.  She smiled at this thought and pushed it away knowing that even if it were true, Marcus was not about to admit to it and would never touch her in that way while she was completely aware.

“Hey,” she said to him and smiled up at her Guardian in response to the smile on his face.  “What time is it?” 

Marcus sat on the bed beside her and took her hand.  “It is morning little one, about 7.00am, you might want to rise and prepare yourself for the day.” 

She nodded and stretched her arms wide taking his hand with her as it was still in hers.  They laughed and let go of each others hold, then she climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

When she reached the doorway she turned to Marcus and said, “Thankyou!”  Then she continued on to the bathroom and a nice hot shower.  Marcus looked after her wondering exactly what she had thanked him for and decided it was best not to ask, after all he’d had more than enough to contend with during the evening.

Brindle showered and dressed came out to the living room to see what their plans for the day would be.  She looked towards her Guardian and lifted an eyebrow as if to say ‘now what’ and he motioned for her to sit. 

“Firstly little one, we need to speak with your Uncle and let him know of Kendrick, he may try to get to you through him so he will need to be aware of the danger.”

Brindle didn’t like the sound of that; she didn’t want her Uncle Adrian or anyone else for that matter in danger because of her.  “Should I call him?” She asked and at that moment there was a knock on the door making her jump! 

“Bloody hell,” she said and took a breath to slow down her pounding heart while Marcus shook his head at her colourful language.  She sent out her senses to see if she could discover who was at the door, then she looked at Marcus and said, “Uncle Adrian“, at the same time both rushing to the front door.

Marcus grabbed her arm before she reached the door, pushing her behind him for protection just in case it wasn’t her Uncle.  Brindle opened her mouth to protest, but realised there was no use and complied letting him take control.  He opened the door to find the priest in a lather of sweat and gasping for breath.  His expression turned to shock and he grabbed the priest’s shoulders and pulled him inside slamming the door behind him.

Father Adrian looked from Brindle to Marcus and said, “What’s wrong?”  He waited, not sure he really wanted to know, then pulled his niece to him wrapping his arms around her needing to hold her, needing to know she was alright. 

“Eww!” Brindle cried, “Uncle Adrian your all sweaty and yuck!”  Brindle pulled away from the priest and Marcus grabbed him on the shoulders again asking him if he was alright.

Father Adrian looked at Marcus’s and realisation hit, “I’m okay Marcus, I’m fine really.”  Marcus looked him over clearly not convinced. “Marcus”, he said, “I jogged here from the church, that’s why I’m all sweaty.”

“And yuck!”  Brindle added.

Marcus let go of the priest and stood aside so he and Brindle could precede him into the living room.  Before they could sit down Father Adrian turned on both his niece and Marcus and demanded to know what was going on. 

Brindle looked at her Uncle then her Guardian saying, “Um okay you wanna handle this or you want me to do it?”

“Someone had better handle it!” the priest said fear and frustration rising in his voice. 

Marcus began by telling him to be seated, which he did.  “Yesterday Father, we had a visitor, a very unwelcome visitor.  We were about to contact you to discuss this matter with you.”  Marcus went on to tell the priest exactly what had occurred the previous day in regards to Kendrick and their suspicions as to who or what he might be.

Without thinking Brindle raced to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and handed to her Uncle, knowing that he’d need the fluids and also knowing that while drinking it he’d have to pause and consider what Marcus has just said.

Father Adrian looked at them both a little apprehensively then and said that he’d gotten a call from Kendrick late yesterday saying that he wanted to organise a meeting with him and Brindle to discuss an insurance policy held in Brindles’ name.  He went on to say that he told Kendrick he should contact their family lawyer but he was insistent on meeting with them both as soon as possible.

They were quiet for a few minutes letting the information sink in, trying to figure out what Kendrick really wanted and how best to proceed from here.  Suddenly the colour drained from the priests face, “Demon!” he said, a statement not a question and Marcus responded saying that Kendrick was indeed a demon, a lower level demon true, but a Demon none the less.

“What now?”  The priest asked, “What do we do to cast him back into the pit from which he crawled?” 

Marcus opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by his Charge, “We!  There is no ‘we’ Uncle Adrian.  There is Marcus and me… that’s all!  Understand!” 

Fear for her Uncle boiled to the surface.  “I will not let you get any more involved in this than is necessary.  I will not bring harm to you or the church because of what I have to do.”

Brindle stopped for breath and to let her Uncle consider what she’d said for a moment then… “Is that clear Uncle Adrian?” 

Brindles’ question was not in fact a question; it was a statement, a statement letting her Uncle know that he was not to get in the middle of all this, that she would not, could not have him getting hurt because of her.

Marcus could see the fear in Brindles’ face, in her eyes and as he turned to the priest he saw the same expression, the same emotions.  They were cut from the same mould, the same DNA.  They loved each other and would do whatever it took to keep the other safe. 

In that moment Marcus saw a determination in his Charge that he had hoped would be there and he knew that no matter the task, if she believed in what she was doing, she would follow it through no matter the cost to herself.

Marcus put a hand on both Brindle’s and Father Adrian’s shoulder and within seconds both felt a sense of calm and warmth engulf them.  The fear on their faces disappeared and their breathing and heart rate slowed to normal. 

Father Adrian nodded at Marcus in thanks and hugged Brindle tightly because he needed to have her close to him.  He loved her and wanted to protect her and for all the good he may have done as part of the church, he was terrified that he might not be able to help the one person in the world that he cared about more than anything else.

Brindle accepted his hug, sensing that he needed the closeness, needed the stability of having her in his arms where she’d be safe.  But she couldn’t stay in his arms, she knew that and she also knew that on some level he knew it too.  He just wasn’t quite ready to realise it yet… not wanting to let her go.  Because to let Brindle go, would mean to let her walk into danger, to let her face evil and that went against the grain of what he was both as a man and a priest.

Brindle sensed this, it was as if she had read his thoughts and although that would be a great gift, she didn’t want to consider it or even focus on the possibility.  She had other things she needed to deal with.

Brindle slowly pulled out of her Uncle’s arms, she reached up and kissed him on the forehead then moved back from him.  His arms were still out wanting her to move back into them so he could keep her safe, but she didn’t move and he lowered them. 

“Bree?” He said.

She slowly shook her head from side to side waiting for words to come to her, then realised if she waited for the right words, they’d probably never come.  She needed to go on faith, on the fact that she loved her Uncle, that she trusted in her Guardian and that she needed to believe in herself in regards to; as she put it ‘all the crap that had been happening’.

“I know what you’re thinking Uncle Adrian and I appreciate you wanting to help… I know you want to make sure I’m safe.”  She paused for a moment.  “But I’m not a little girl anymore.  I’m all grown up with a mind of my own and…” she grinned and rolled her eyes for both men to see, “A ‘destiny’ to boot!”  Brindle laughed humourlessly and shook her head.   “I know you want to help Uncle Adrian, but right now the best way to do that is to sit back and let us do what we have to be do.”

She watched her Uncle hoping he’d take on board what she’d said, then looked to her Guardian.  “Marcus, Uncle Adrian will be able to help at some stage right?”  Hoping he’d realise that she needed her Uncle to see that he would at some stage be able to help them.

Marcus nodded picking up on Brindles train of thought.  “Yes little one, he will be useful at times.”  He turned to the priest and said, “Father, you have access to records and other information that may well be useful at times.  This is how you will be able to help your niece, what you give in the way of support or information will help keep her safe… keep her alive.”

Father Adrian sighed almost in relief.  He needed to know he could do his part to help Brindle and Marcus; he needed to know that he could do something to keep her safe from harm… from evil. 

“Okay.”  He said, “I do have access to information through Father James and there are other areas in regards to information I have access to that may be useful.  I’ll back off, but you need to keep me informed Bree I need to know that you are alright… I couldn’t bear to lose you too.”

“Fair enough,” she responded, “but Uncle Adrian I can’t promise I’ll be able to call you every day.  I’ll do my best to let you know I’m alive and still breathing as often as I can okay?”

The priest nodded and they smiled at each other neither feeling any warmth or pleasure in it, both accepting this was how things had to be.

They sat quietly for a moment then Marcus asked Father Adrian if the call from Kendrick was the reason for his visit.

“I haven’t heard from either of you and wanted to make sure… well I needed to know Bree was okay.”  The priest said. 

“I jog most mornings and I sometimes jog over here to see Bree, so it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for me to be here now.  Besides, I wanted to tell you about the call I got for that Kendrick fellow.” 

“Yes,” said Marcus, “It is better to be as normal as possible and of course your coming to visit your niece would be natural.” 

“So,” said Father Adrian, “What do we do about Kendrick?  He’s expecting me to call him later today.” 

All were quiet for a moment then Brindle perked up.  “Marcus, Kendrick is a Demon right?” 

“Yes little one, we have already established this.” 

She rolled her eyes and said, “Marcus I’m thinking out loud okay so let me get my thoughts sorted.”  He nodded and let her continue.

“As a Demon, he would have certain powers. I’m guessing as a lesser Demon his powers won’t be too extreme, and also as a Demon he may have difficulty in being in certain places.” 

She thought quietly to herself for a moment and said, “Uncle Adrian, can you organise for us to meet with Kendrick at St Dominic’s?  Perhaps in your office where we could umm… maybe… we could make it a little more sensitive to his kind.”

A grin crept onto her Uncles face and Marcus’s aura seemed to glow.  “Is that how he shows he’s excited about something,” Brindle wondered then pushed the thought aside looking to her Uncle to take the lead in what needed to be done to secure their safety.

“My office would be the perfect place, I can work my own magic there… white magic,” he said and winked at his niece.  Brindle laughed and said as innocently as she could, “Father Adrian you keep talking like that and your gonna go to…” and she thought better of finishing the sentence.

“Okay,” Marcus began, “Father you organise the meeting for this afternoon if possible and in the mean time set up safe guards in your office, I’m sure you know what to do in that respect.” 

Father Adrian shook his head, “Unfortunately I have a full load this afternoon, but I can organise the meeting for tomorrow around 10.00pm if that’s okay.”

Both Brindle and Marcus agreed to that we would meet with Kendrick the following day.  Father Adrian also stated that he’d call if there was a problem but if all went to plan he’d see them in his office about 9:30am or so next day.  Then he said he should get back and begin his day as normally as possible and rose to leave.  Brindle followed him to the front door and hugged him goodbye.

She returned to the living room and rested her gaze on her Guardian.  “Marcus,” she began, “I’m feeling tired, kind of empty like I’m in need of something.  I’m guessing I need to re-connect with nature, with the earth to strengthen myself, am I right?”

Marcus looked at his Charge with admiration, “As I have said before little one, you are very perceptive.  Come, you need to do as you say and gain strength, but not here, not so close to your home.” 

She looked at him expectantly wondering where on earth he was expecting they should go when he said, “Think of a place you have been in the past, a place rich in nature, a place that gave you peace.”

Brindle closed her eyes and thought about her past and the places she’d been, trying to remember where she had felt most at peace.  She smiled when it came to her and before she could say anything Marcus had hold of her and they were no longer in her living room… they were no longer in her little cottage in Sydney.

Brindle opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by nature.  Instinctively she knew exactly where she was and peace seemed to engulf her entire body.  “Minnamurra Rainforest!” she said with delight.  She had visited this place years ago and found a sense of peace within the surroundings of tree and fern. 

It somehow felt to her that all the goodness of nature had been lumped together and placed in this one spot.  The fact that man had been able to utilize the forest in such a way that would do little if any harm to it made it all the more engaging.  The first time she travelled the walkways built throughout the forest she’d felt how special this place was and she’d promised herself she’d make a return visit.

Brindle turned around slowly getting her bearings and seeing an old Red-Cedar knew exactly where they were.  They were in the heart of the forest facing the oldest living tree there.  Brindle remembered the awe she had felt the first time she saw this tree, knowing that they had all but been logged out long ago and that if it were possible to hear them, this magnificent tree would have many, tales to tell.

She looked at the surrounding forest and breathed in deeply, taking in the goodness that she sensed around her.  Brindles arms lifted of their own accord her fingers reaching out at her sides as if drawing energy to her, pulling it into her very being, nourishing her body and returning her strength.

Marcus stood to the side and watched her, marvelling at the way in which Brindle had accepted, acknowledged and was now utilising her ability to connect with nature to gain strength.  He stepped back into the shadow of a large fern not wanting to hinder her in any way.  He soon realised it wouldn’t have mattered where he was, she was so connected to the natural life forces around them that she was unable at that moment to even sense that he was there.

Brindle turned towards the Red-Cedar again and stopped.  “You feel like an old friend,” she said to the tree, “I know that you are the most empowered of all in this forest and though I do not need your help at present I ask that if the need arises that I may draw strength from you to enable me to rid this world of evil once more?”

Marcus smiled as he watched Brindle speak to such an old being as this and as he stood silently he became aware of a light breeze that brushed against Brindle. A breeze that seemed to originate from directly from within the Red-Cedar.  His lower jaw dropped slightly in awe of her ability not only to connect with the tree, but to acquire such a response.

He was in her mind monitoring her, making sure she was alright so could hear her thoughts and was astounded to hear another presence.

 “Young one, you have come with respect and kindness to my home, I am the Oldest of the Old, the last of the cedar forest in this region. I sense greatness within you Young One, a greatness that I have not sensed the like of since I was a sapling.”  

“As you say I have power, great power,” and Marcus felt more than heard soft comforting masculine laughter, laughter that had a feel of bark and wood and earth and stone to it.  “You have a long and difficult road before you Young One; I know of your destiny and will aid you as you need.” 

The voice paused for a moment as if in thought then continued, “Know also that all that surrounds me, all that belong to this land will freely give you aid, this is how it once was between Nature and ‘Keeper’… so shall it be again.”

Brindles’ face lit up, she fairly glowed with the knowledge that a being such as the Red-Cedar saw fit to speak with her.  She bowed or was that curtsied more gracefully than any dancer laying both palms on the wooden walkway in front of her resting her head on her bent knee. 

She remained in the position for a moment, a minute possibly more before responding.  “I am humbled by your response Old One, I thank you for the gift of life that I have received from your land.  I also thank you in regards to any aid I may soon need, as I may not be able to render thanks if it is so needed.”

“Well said Young One, go with peace from this place; word of your awakening is being passed to our kind.  The Mother has shown favour with you and that will go well for you when you seek aid no matter where you are.  Know this Young One…” 

And the breeze momentarily moved over Marcus.  “You will never be alone, you will never be far from aid and you will never be far from friendship or love.”

Marcus stepped out of the shadows and bowed to the Red-Cedar knowing that the tree, the Old One would acknowledge what he had done.  The breeze engulfed him immediately taking in his scent, obtaining something of who and what he was, he would now know Marcus. 

The Old One stilled it’s presence on Marcus and Marcus felt within that he had been given approval to be there, to be with Brindle and that he too would be welcomed back and even given aid in what ever way was possible.  Marcus smiled and as he thanked the Red-Cedar he felt the breeze again as it moved back to Brindle.

He was amazed at Brindles’ calm confidence in regards to the interaction with this Ancient being, then he shook his head as he realised that he too was an Ancient being and Brindle had been just as confident with him.  A few minutes later contact was broken between Brindle and the Red-Cedar, Marcus remained where he was waiting for her reaction to what had just taken place.

She turned to him and smiled, “Marcus this place is so much more than I remembered it to be.  I was right too; the energy here is so peaceful, so full of life and caring.” 

Marcus moved toward her and put an arm around her waist as he could see that she was a little unsteady on her feet now. “Come little one, you need to sit down before you fall down.  You may have taken in too much energy.”

She nodded and let him lead her to a wooden bench opposite the Red-Cedar, a smile still on her face.  “Marcus,” she said, “did you hear him… the Old One?” 

She looked into her Guardians eyes and saw the purity of the blue there and saw much more, but at that moment she was too awed at her experience to take note of it.  “Yes little one I heard the Old One speak to you, you have been truly blessed just as you were by the Mother.  Come now I will take you home.” 

Marcus held Brindle and half bowed in goodbye and thanks to the Old One and the rest of the forest then disappeared.