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E
vening came and Wabi sensed Caitlin's hesitance to retire for the evening, and he certainly knew why.
"Caitlin, go to bed, child. If the dream comes again, I'll be here. It's only a dream, dear girl."
"I know, Wabi. But it's real at the moment."
Finally she went to Mam's sewing room. Mam's spirit still rested there and that was comforting to her. Wabi walked to his own sleeping quarters. He felt sure Caitlin's dream visitor would make an appearance again tonight. So be it. He waited for a short while, then decided he would sit by Caitlin's bedside and try to gain some understanding of what she was experiencing. His rest would just have to wait.
Hours later, the tall old clock in the hallway began to chime, the sound deep and reverberating. The clarity of its tone was soothing, and Wabi listened as it began its beckoning call.
Bong, bong, bong. Three o'clock.
Then, just a few seconds later, Caitlin's screams rattled the rafters throughout the lodge.
"No! Not again. I'm still here. Don't leave me!"
Wabi sat in the chair next to Caitlin's bed. Seeing she was still asleep, he took her hands, feeling a low-key, rapidly pulsing vibration when his hand touched hers. He was surprised. Vibrations like these were usually an indication that communication with another entity, or spirit, was transpiring.
This is more than a nightmare, then. But who is she communicating with at this moment? It's not me, so who else would it be?
Wabi then did something he never thought he would. Touching his fingers to her temples, he took a moment to peer inside Caitlin's mind, a liberty he had never taken before even though he always could have done so.
He almost wished he hadn't. Aside from the fact he felt he was stepping beyond his boundaries, he felt an immediate stirring of his own. This entity was indeed powerful and Wabi knew he must allow Caitlin and this visitor to continue their encounter, wherever it might lead Caitlin. He could not interfere with this, of that he was certain. There was more at work here than just a disturbing nightmare. Someone was calling to her, certainly, but it was not clear to him who it was. She must make the decision to answer this call, or not — it was not a task he could do for her.
What I can do is stay close to her and help her discover the nature of this calling.
He removed his fingers from her temples then whispered in her ear. The words were unintelligible to anyone except her and they allowed her to drift to a place where she could rest and sleep, finally.
The next morning Wabi eventually surfaced and left his room, making his way to the kitchen simply by following his nose. Apparently Millie had made herself at home here, and her baked goods were just what he needed.
"Millie, my girl. I believe you've mastered the art of cooking. I believe that talent's been fermenting inside you. You just needed a chance to let it express itself."
Millie smiled at the old wizard. He brought such a spirit of happiness with him and Millie liked having him around. Having never had the pleasure of any uncles herself, she adopted him as her uncle, too.
"Wabi, I think you might be right. Nothing makes me any happier than getting my hands into flour and seeing what I can create. It wasn't anything I was ever allowed to do in the past, so now that I can I find it surprisingly enjoyable."
"So you are content here, then?"
"More than content, Wabi, I'm happy and more. Of course, we have had moments with all these men and only two women. But we're figuring it out."
"And Caitlin? Is she as enamored with this place as you? She's certainly having issues at the moment, but from past experience with her that's not surprising." He smiled.
"Aye. She's found a place, too, I believe. But you're right, she is a bit more complicated than other folk. I keep thinking it's just that she's never been around so many people and now we’re both surrounded all day. I, myself, seek refuge and find myself wandering about the moor just to hear nothing but nature's sounds. Of course, that's nothing new for me — a holdover from childhood, I suppose. Then I was seeking the company of the animals, whereas now I seek the solace that I find there."
"You'll get no argument from me, my dear. I, too, find solace in nature."
"We're almost ready for the ceremonies, Wabi. You haven't forgotten that have you?"
"Oh, no, I haven't forgotten you two refined ladies are about to wed two Highland ruffians. Hope you both know what you're getting into." He laughed and went out, carrying his cup of tea and one of Millie's warm apple tarts with him.
The sheep farm was a flurry of activity in any direction you looked. Alex and Jack had not returned yet, but Da, Jamie and the farmhands were in constant motion keeping the sheep tended and in the proper pastures. Wabi found himself in awe of these men who had created a home and life in these Highlands. He could see the appeal this place might have for Caitlin, but he had unsettled feelings about her this morning. As soon as she came out, he would talk with her and try to help her get her mind settled once again.
But first he needed to take a short walk and test a theory that had been niggling at his brain following his visit with Caitlin last evening. Walking across the moor slowly, watching the working dogs as they herded the sheep and brought them into the fold, Wabi liked the feeling that permeated this place. There was a feeling of permanence, a wholesomeness, almost an innocence, as if time had stopped and nothing would ever change here. Of course, Wabi understood that was not the case. Life is nothing if not constant change. But he did admit he often wished it weren't so. If he knew but one thing, he was confident his Caitlin would flourish here in this wild, wonderful, Highland home. But as Ian had alluded to, he sensed there were secrets here that were not known to all, and it was only a matter of time before Caitlin would become aware of them. Would she be able to meet the challenges he knew were coming her way?
~ * ~
"MILLIE? ARE YE HERE?"
The back door flew open and young Ian came dashing through. He had been so excited about his new prosthesis that he hadn't stopped running since he found out he could. Not stopping to wipe his feet, he continued yelling throughout the lodge.
"Caitlin? Millie? Where is everybody?"
He had been excited when he saw Wabi coming down the path yesterday. The old wizard brought a sense of expectation that Ian found exciting, and their short discussion last evening had his mind flitting about even more than usual. Wabi had stimulated his mind during his last trip and Ian was hoping to stay close to him this time also.
Finding no one in the house he went out the front door and started to make his way across the top of the moor toward Mam's gravesite where he seemed to spend a lot of time lately. He didn't understand that need either, but then maybe he didn't need to understand it.
It was deep December, just a few days before Christmas, and a blanket of snow still lay on the ground as far as the eye could see. Ian spent a few minutes collecting red berries from the holly trees, and evergreen boughs as well. He never went to Mam's grave without taking a bouquet he knew she would enjoy. Usually, he just sat and talked to her. It wasn't a one-sided conversation either. He felt she heard every word and he sensed her presence.
Coming to the top of the moor and looking ahead, he saw someone standing at Mam's gravesite. Who was that? No one ever came here except him. Closer inspection revealed the visitor to be the person he most wanted to talk to, Uncle Wabi.
"Wabi, what are ye doing here? I've been looking for ye."
"Ian, my lad. Just the person I was hoping to see as well. What brings you up here?"
"Oh, nothing in particular. I just come up here to talk to me mam. Somehow she seems to be closer up here." He laid the evergreen boughs on the grave and arranged the colorful berries around the edges.
Wabi watched as the young man gingerly worked with the berries and the greenery, carefully arranging each piece on his mother's resting place — such tenderness in his every movement. He felt the young lad's pain.
"As long as she remains in your heart, Ian, she's never gone."
Wabi put an arm around the boy and allowed a measure of warmth to flow between the two. Today he wasn't shocked by the depth of the throbbing vibrations coming from Ian, as he had been yesterday.
"She's almost closer now than when she was here, Wabi. Is that possible?"
"It's not only possible, but probable in your case. It's obvious to me you worship your da and your brothers as well, and they are worthy of your adoration, no doubt. But Ian, you have a special place in this universe. Trust me when I tell you that you bring a quality to this world that cannot be duplicated. It belongs only to you, was designed with you in mind. And this quality that is unique to you will come to your awareness slowly, but with deliberation and purpose from the Creator. Your only requirement is that you listen, and learn to hear the message. It is within your reach now already. You must accept and acknowledge the reality of it. As I told you last evening, Caitlin, too, has been called to a special service to the Creator, as have I. This doesn't mean we are more precious to him than any others, but he has chosen us to assist in his plan for this world, this universe. If we are to feel anything, it is to be humbled that he has chosen us to be his ambassadors."
"I don't know how to think about all this, Uncle Wabi. Why did the Creator choose me? I'm just a lad and no one listens to me. But there are some things I don't understand and yer right, some of them are scary. Just yesterday I thought I felt something in the air. I can't explain it, but I know it was dark . . . something dreadful. And it was all about our place. It scared me, Uncle Wabi."
"Ah, yes, the dark power you mentioned last evening. Perhaps we should meet in the library where we can be undisturbed and discuss this power you sensed. Dark power is strong, lad. But I've met it before, so we'll recognize each other. There's no way it can defeat you, Caitlin, and myself. Don't fret about it. It'll show itself if it is intent on staying about. Now, young man, the first thing we will do in your beginning session is take a look at your book by da Vinci. I believe we may find worthwhile reading there."
The two walked side by side toward the lodge. Wabi, and perhaps Ian also, knew this was the first of many walks they would take together.