When they get to the attic the door is like ice. It"s as if whatever is inside is slowly freezing the house. Astila begins to chant a banishing prayer. The locket around Aisling"s neck begins to feel hot. She touches it and for the first time it opens. As soon as it opens a warm light emits from it. The house seemed to be shifting like scenes from years past then it stopped they were back in the present. They look at each other in shock. Astila pulls Aisling into his arms. He feels her cheeks they are wet. "Darling why are you crying?" He looks at her eyes they are stormy grey. He knows she is upset and scared. They go back down to their room. She pulls Maureen"s journal out. She wants to know why the locket opened. It"s closed again and will not open. She needs to figure out what is going on. The journal is bound in an animal skin. It"s markings very distinctive a mixture of brown white and black spots. There are tigers eye stones on the cover in she shape of b.u.t.terflies. Wondering what the significance of the binding and stones are. She opens the book and reads.
At first it just looks like an old language one she has never seen. She turns to Astila.
"I can"t read it . It"s in a different language. So now what am I to do?" She fingers the locket and gets a sad look on her face.
"If only I could talk to her again maybe she could just tell me what I need to know. Why is this happening now?" The locket started to warm up. And this time when it opened Maureen was standing in front of them.
"Do not fret my la.s.s. What is happening now is meant to be. You see I put spells on this house. Ones that only you would be able to break. What is happening in the attic is the banished one is trying to make his way back. You must never allow that to happen . Take my locket you will notice that the eye on the locket matches the ones on the lynx book. Place it where the missing one in the center of the b.u.t.terfly is . Then you will be able to read the book. Also the man who came to dinner tonight. You must never allow him to enter the house until after you are married. Once that happens you will understand. Also in the kitchen cellar there is a bag you must have on your person on the day you marry. It"s very important you must get the bag from the cellar vault." With that she disappears. Astila"s expression is one of surprise and disbelief. He has seen spirits all of his life . He has never seen one come from a piece of jewelry before. Aisling places the locket where Maureen had told her. The book began to glow. When she opened the book this time the words were in English. She smiled at Astila she could read the book . The very first page was a riddle
In the light of the full moon
The lynx will prowl and roam
It"s eyes shinning in the night
Sending shivers of endless fright
When"s the sun is aglow
The lynx secrets you will know.
She turns the page and it"s blank all of the pages are blank. She rereads the riddle. Then she laughs.
"I have to read it in the day time. It"s hidden at night. So I guess that means at least for now we need to sleep because I have a lot of reading to do tomorrow. Thank goodness it is Sat.u.r.day. " they snuggle down together and fall to sleep. Maureen watches them and prays that the child will be able to succeed. Not knowing what is to come she hopes the G.o.ddess has given her enough natural power to succeed. To keep the banished one locked up. Her spirit goes through the house calling on the G.o.ddess to protect this home and those who reside inside. She weaves an intricate lock of protection to keep that demon from entering again. When she comes to the sitting room she moves through the wall into a hidden room on that has not been opened yet. It"s the room of the old hag. Inside is all that Aisling will need to banish the evil in the attic for good. She begins to chant and and weave a special piece of jewelry for Astila to wear. One that will help him help her . When she finishes she waves her hand at the wall it opens to a different time and s.p.a.ce she goes through to wait for proper time.
The next morning Aisling and Astila wake up anxious to get the day started. He goes down to start coffee while Aisling gets a shower. He smells sweet gra.s.s burning when he enters the kitchen. There sits an old lady . She is very ragged looking her clothes are from colonial times. She is walking around the room brining the gra.s.s and chanting. At first he is sure he is seeing a spirit then she turns to him. Smiling at him.
"Astila dear your job as protector is just beginning. The child will need you to be very diligent. I am Moll I am the first owner of this land. It has been home to many with the gift. You are a warrior and a shaman. She has chosen well. When I came to this land a great evil lived here. I was charged with banishing it. Only those who have the gift or blood can live here. All others are driven insane or die early. She is the one that will completely banish the evil for good. For she is the one born of death and light. On her birth she was born of death. When they called upon the spirits she was then born of light. She can pa.s.s through all time and s.p.a.ce so she will be able to see from beginning to the end. In three days she will enter a room. She will need to stay there completely undisturbed for three days. You will need to be ready. So go to the creek and take your journey at noon. This way you will be prepared for what will come. " with that she lays the sweet gra.s.s down and when he looks again there on the plate is burning sweet gra.s.s . No one else. Astila"s first thought was to check on Aisling . The journey she spoke of was a spirit walk. He would need to get a few of Onacona"s things and go to the sweat lodge that was built earlier when Inola was here. He finishes making breakfast and goes to get Aisling to tell her what he needs to do.