Tales of Vailmarsch: The Oona Legere

This book is dedicated to my husband: my knight in shining armor on a white elephant.

And to my grandchildren:

Raven

Stephanie

Kimberly

Patrick

&

Eowyn

I love you all biggest bunches.

Acknowledgements

To Steve Hill, thank you so very, very much for taking my girls and making them real.

Your artistry is, as always, amazing.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Three of a Kind

The Sun in Aries

Leesan din Sharone

And So It Begins

High Materin

Meetings

Alterations

The Vernal Equinox

Mountain Trek

The Cloister

Legends Revealed

The Moon in Sagittarius

The Oona Legere

Mars Rising

Unicorn Play

Something Lost

Something Found

In the Clutches of Evil

The Golden Orb

Saturn in the Tenth House

Darkness Abounds

Gathering Intelligence

Malvir the Second

The Eve of Battle

Mars Midheaven

Out of Harm’s Way

Cat and Mouse

The Age of Aries

Epilogue

About Pat Minnella

Connect with Pat

Three of a Kind

Raven

Raven lay upon her back, staring unseeing through the broken roof of the old tree house to the canopy of leaves above. Her birthday was just a couple of weeks away and she contemplated what the future would hold. It was a windy spring day yet unusually warm for this time of year, especially here in New England. However Raven was oblivious to the weather, her thoughts jumping from present to past to future. She took a deep, cleansing breath and tried to clear her mind. She was awaiting important news. News she did not want to receive but which she knew would come today.

When the news came, Raven’s heart lurched in her chest as she sat up quickly. She nodded her head firmly and spoke quietly to herself. It is done. So many months of waiting, praying that the inevitable would not happen. But her mother was dead. Raven knew this as surely as she knew her own name. Even though she was not there to see her mother draw her last breath, Raven knew it was finally over. The pain of this knowledge did not engulf her. Instead her thoughts once again flew to the future.

Her mother had been diagnosed with brain cancer just before Christmas. An eternity ago it seemed. Through the intervening months of chemotherapy, long nights coping with her mother’s illness and the last week of constant hospital vigilance; Raven had taken her turn as caretaker. But now she and her sisters were alone. What were they going to do? How would they survive? Raven was more concerned about how to keep the family together than the devastation exacted upon her from her mother’s death.

She knew her Aunt Lucille was planning for the girls to live with her. Aunt Lu’s husband, Wayne, owned a neighborhood hardware store in Chicago. They had been married twenty three years and never had children. Raven couldn’t imagine a more miserable life; living in a city with people that knew absolutely nothing about raising teenage girls. Her mind raced around like a rat in a maze. There must be somewhere else for us, she thought. Try as she might, she could not come up with an alternate solution. She and her sisters would only be seventeen on their birthday and Raven knew they would not be allowed to live on their own. Even though they had managed to take care of the house, the bills and their mother the past few months; her aunt would go to court to gain custody of them if she had to.

Raven was a triplet, a rare event, occurring once in every ten thousand births. But she and her sisters were identical triplets, something that happened only once in every one hundred and sixty thousand births. She was the eldest, born at eight twenty-four in the evening of the vernal equinox. Her sister Rachel was born twelve minutes after her at the exact moment of the equinox; eight thirty-six. Raena, the baby, came into the world exactly twelve minutes after Rachel. They took after their mother, Lydia, in looks; thick, wavy black hair and green eyes. But unlike their mother, the girls were tall and willowy. At five feet, seven inches, people were constantly telling them they should be models. The triplets also wore their hair long whereas Lydia kept hers cut short, Easier to deal with when working the ER, she would say.

Being identical triplets, the girls shared a special bond. Being born on the equinox seemed to have strengthened that bond and added to it. Thus it was that Raven knew exactly when her mother passed; she felt it from her sisters. They had gone to the hospital that morning with Aunt Lu. Raven had hid in the tree house, ignoring their calls. Of course her sisters knew where she was but feigned ignorance when their aunt asked them where Raven was. The matronly woman had finally given up and irritably loaded the other two girls into the car and driven away.

Sensing that today was to be the end of her mother’s ordeal; Raven had been determined to stay home. She wanted to remember her mother the way she had been, before the ravages of disease had destroyed her. Raven feared if the last image she had of her mother was that of her death, the picture of her as a vital beautiful woman would be lost forever.

Raven’s thoughts turned to how her mother had been before the illness struck; a petite, curvaceous woman with large green eyes and thick, black hair that framed her heart-shaped face. She was soft-spoken but endowed with strength of character stronger than forged steel. This strong will evidenced itself when Raven’s father deserted them right after the triplets’ third birthday. He left for work one morning and never returned. Years later Raven found a letter from him in her mother’s drawer. He had written asking for a divorce. She found the divorce decree in the same drawer. Lydia had granted him his freedom, asking for nothing in return.

Lydia had worked hard to provide for her family. She pulled extra shifts at the hospital where she was a nurse in the emergency department. She raised her girls with a strong sense of right and wrong, a deep abiding love for nature and wonderment for the mysteries of life. Everything she did with them was an adventure. They took trips to museums and historical sites. She took them to the library and helped them to choose books that would enrich their lives. Summer nights were spent sitting together on the porch swing listening to Lydia’s soft voice relate the myths of the constellations. Dark winter evenings they gathered around the fireplace as Lydia read to them. She chose stories that would fuel the girls’ imaginations; the classical fairytales, mythology and various works of poetry.

The tree house in which Raven now sat was built by Lydia. It was hard for the small woman to wrestle the planks up into the large oak but when it was completed, it too was a lesson to her daughters. See, you can do anything as long as you believe in yourself and ignore the nay Sayers, she told them. Just follow your heart. It will always tell you what is true.

Your heart will tell you what is true became her mother’s mantra. Raven remembered hearing it every time she or her sisters sought Lydia’s counsel. Raven came to believe that the spiritual intertwining she shared with her sisters was really what her mother had meant. Whenever she had a dilemma as to what course of action to take, she could hear her sisters advising her. Listening to them had, on more occasions than not, helped her make the best decision.

Her thoughts were suddenly dispelled by a wave of grief and her loss welled up inside her. At the same moment her sisters’ pain flowed through her. The sorrow overwhelmed her and tears streamed down her cheeks. She sat frozen by her emotions, leaning against the wall, sobbing quietly. After several minutes she inhaled raggedly and fought to get herself under control. Taking slow, deep breaths, she calmed herself and reached out to her sisters. She felt them quiet and their own sadness abate somewhat. She smiled softly to herself.

The wind had died down and Raven now felt over-warm in her thick sweater and jeans but she was reluctant to leave her sanctuary in the tree. She lay back upon the floor; her knees bent up, and gazed once more through the hole in the roof. Her mind still quietly churned, trying to find a way to keep her family together but not in Chicago. Each new plan she devised though was eventually discarded for one reason or another. After a while the ideas she came up with were so ridiculous, she almost laughed out loud. She was unsure as to how long she had lain there but eventually she heard the sound of her aunt’s car coming down the gravel road. Raven stood and looked out the single window of the tree house. Small puffs of white dust drifted up from the road as her aunt slowly navigated the narrow path. Raven let her gaze drift across the scene below. She loved this quiet, secluded place. Through the trees she could see their small, two-story house with its wide front porch. The surrounding land was densely wooded and the house was impossible to see from the main road. Less than ten miles to the north lay the Green Mountains and to the south Raven could see the glimmer of the small lake where she and her sisters had learned to swim.

Taking a deep breath and straightening her shoulders, Raven climbed down from the tree house. She walked slowly across the back yard and reached the garden gate just as her aunt pulled into the drive. Raven stopped and closed her eyes for a brief moment then opened the gate and headed toward the house and the confrontation she knew awaited her.

Rachel

Rachel had sat by her mother’s hospital bed and held the fragile woman’s hand, rubbing her thumb across it and whispering, It’s okay momma, it’s okay. She wasn’t too sure what exactly was okay but she knew in her heart that it was the right thing to say. At the moment of Lydia’s death, Rachel noted that her mother was smiling slightly and that the lines of pain in her forehead were gone. Rachel had felt a similar melting away of her own physical pain that she held for her mother. That was Rachel’s unique gift; or curse, depending upon the situation. She was attuned to other people’s emotions. She could tell how they were feeling simply by shaking their hand or laying her hand upon their arm. She had read once where certain people claimed they could see other peoples’ auras; colored lights that surrounded the people that told of their mood or physical well being. Rachel’s talent had nothing to do with colors. All she had to do was touch the person and she felt the same emotions that person was experiencing.

When the reality of her mother’s death set in, Rachel hugged her sister Raena tightly, absorbing much of the younger triplet’s pain. Her sister Raven’s pain was also felt and Rachel thought she might die herself from the combined anguish. But she held on to Raena until she felt Raven’s comforting across the distance. Only then did she release her other sister, knowing that as long as the three of them were together, life would be all right. She took one last look at her mother’s frail form then turned and walked out of the hospital room. Rachel was never one to dwell upon the past and now her mother’s death was relegated to that realm. It was time to move on as far as she was concerned.

She walked down to the visitors’ lounge to wait for her sister and aunt. She chose a seat in the corner and sat down. The cheerless room with its hospital green walls and utilitarian plastic furniture gave any occupant a perfect atmosphere for introspection and Rachel’s thoughts turned to the future. Moving to Chicago with her aunt was simply out of the question. She could not leave Vermont. It was her home; it was a part of her as much as her heart or soul. The woods surrounding her house were magical, she just knew they were and, for her to live anywhere else was unthinkable. When she was little, Rachel had imagined that fairies, elves and all sorts of mythical creatures lived within the woods. When she was seven, she was convinced that she had seen a unicorn darting nimbly through the trees. Her sisters laughed at her and called her crazy but she knew what she had seen and no one could dissuade her. Her mother simply smiled softly at her when she related the sighting. Mother was never one to make light of our dreams or imaginings, Rachel thought to herself. At the thought, the grief she had been holding back rushed over her. Although Raven was the most like their mother in temperament, Rachel was closer to her than the other girls. Perhaps Rachel’s carefree nature was what Lydia wished she had for herself. She turned to look out the window toward the Green Mountains. Just the sight of them filled her with a sense of love and beauty. She could feel Raven thinking almost the exact same thoughts. No, she thought, We can not leave here. And I doubt there are any unicorns in Chicago. Raven will think of something.

Rachel had always left the planning and scheming up to Raven. Of course she always had something to say about the plans but for the most part she relied upon Raven to make the decisions. Rachel seemingly couldn’t be bothered with the trivia of day-to-day life. She was too busy dreaming of what if. Her vivid imagination allowed her to envision all sorts of what ifs. Like what if she met a Prince Charming? Would she be able to have her sisters live in the castle too? Or what if a long lost relative died and left them a fortune? Would they still have to finish high school and go to college? Her musings covered a variety of subjects. Like the time she asked her mother what if the Canadians conquered the United States in a war, would they have to learn French? Rachel smiled to herself, remembering how seriously her mother had taken the question. Lydia had stopped what she was doing, looked very thoughtful for a few moments then replied, I don’t think so honey, most Canadians speak English also.

Hearing her name called softly, Rachel looked toward the door of the lounge. Aunt Lu stood there, looking sad. It is time to go, child. Rachel stood and walked over to the doorway. Her aunt put her arm around her and they walked to the elevator with Raena trailing behind. No words were spoken as they made their way to the car and out of the parking lot. Their home was ten miles out of town, giving Rachel time to think on the way. Try as she might, she couldn’t fathom a life in Chicago. The girls had lived in the Vermont woods all their lives. A big city seemed as alien as Mars. The traffic and the noise alone would drive me crazy, Rachel thought. On top of that, putting up with Aunt Lu and her mother-hen attitude would be unbearable. Come on Rave, think of a way out of this, she silently implored her sister.

As the car made the turn onto the gravel road that lead to their house, Rachel glanced to the back seat to see how her sister, Raena, was faring. She noted the look of misery and pain on Raena’s face that mirrored her own but then her thoughts turned to her aunt and Raven’s reunion and she braced herself. Confrontation was not one of her strong points. Whether it involved her or not, she tried to avoid it whenever she could. She hoped she could sneak quietly upstairs and not have to witness what she assumed would be an unpleasant meeting. She was glad that she had not hidden away like Raven though. Seeing her mother’s death was unpleasant but she liked to think that by being there, she made it somewhat easier for her mother to let go.

Aunt Lu drove cautiously, ever watchful for ruts and holes in the roadway. As the house came into view, Rachel felt the loss of her mother once more. The house looks lonely, she observed to herself. And indeed the house did look dark and forlorn. She realized that she had never come home to an empty house. Her mother had always been there. Even when the girls became high school students, Lydia would be standing on the front porch to greet them when they got off the school bus, anxious to hear what had happened during the day. For Rachel, those were some of the best times of her life; coming home and telling her mother of all the wonderful things she had learned about in school. Lydia would listen intently and ask questions or make observations about the day’s events. Raven always went directly to her room to study and Raena would head out the back door to check on the various animals she would have penned in the backyard. It was Rachel’s time with her mother and the two of them enjoyed that time immensely.

When the car passed the house to turn into the driveway beyond, Rachel caught sight of Raven crossing the back yard. She could tell by the resolute set of Raven’s shoulders that her sister was ready to do battle with Aunt Lu. She could only hope that Raven had come up with a plan that would work.

Aunt Lu put the car in park and shut off the engine. Rachel took her time removing her seat belt and putting her sunglasses into her purse. She wanted Aunt Lu to be the first one into the house so she could slip in unnoticed. She knew that eventually she would have to add her voice to Rachel’s to try and convince their aunt that they should stay in Vermont, but she just wasn’t up to it at the moment. Best to let Rave fire the first volley, Rachel thought as she slowly emerged from the car.

Raena

Raena sat in a chair in the corner of her mother’s hospital room. She looked around the room, at the clock on the wall, out the window to the brick wall beyond, anywhere but at her mother’s bed. She felt claustrophobic in the small room. Her sister Rachel and her Aunt Lu sat on either side of the bed that was occupied by her dying mother. She would have rather been anyplace else on Earth than this room with its shadow of death and antiseptic smell. She loved her mother but she wished she had hidden away like Raven. When her beloved cat, Mothball, died a year ago, it had devastated her and she didn’t think she could handle the death of her mother. But Rachel had grabbed her arm and ushered her out the door before Raena could protest. She realized that Rachel didn’t want to face the ordeal with just Aunt Lu’s support but she still resented Rachel’s highhanded way. To let Rachel know how she felt, Raena sullenly climbed into the backseat of the car and sat stony faced all the way to the hospital.

As she sat in the quiet room, her thoughts drifted to better times. She remembered the first stray dog she had found. It was late fall and bitterly cold with thick frost on the ground in the mornings. She had gone out on the back porch early one Saturday to look for something and she heard whimpering coming from under the bushes. She had gone over to investigate and there rolled into a ball was a beagle puppy shivering from the cold. He was a scrawny little thing, his ribs protruding so that you could count each and every one. Raena’s heart went out to him. She reached down and gently lifted him up. He was so weak he didn’t even raise his head. She quickly took him into the house and laid him on the couch. By the time her mother had come downstairs; Raena had made a bed out of a cardboard box, heated some milk, fed it to him and named him Ichabod. Lydia wasn’t too thrilled about having a dog but Raena had convinced her that she would take full responsibility for him. Such a promise from a nine-year-old child would rarely mean anything, but coming from Raena, it was as good as being written in stone.

Raena had a special affinity for animals. They seemed to sense her love for them and often astonished people by the way they took to her. Many times dog owners would caution Raena about their animals then were taken aback by the way the small child could hug or pet the dog without a growl or other sign of protest. Other animals often reacted the same way. Raena could get squirrels and birds to eat out of her hand. Horses would nuzzle her until she stroked their noses or patted their necks. She dreamed of being a veterinarian and read every book about animals that she could get her hands on.

Raena looked up as a nurse came into the room to check on her mother. The nurse smiled at her then went over to take Lydia’s blood pressure. Raena, her aunt and her sister watched the nurse closely. When the nurse was done, she looked at Aunt Lu and shook her head sadly. Raena knew the time was near and the blood seemed to freeze in her veins. She gripped the arms of her chair tightly, willing herself not to panic and bolt from the room. At that moment, she felt her sister Raven reach out to her from home and she relaxed somewhat. Raven will make it all right, Raena consoled herself.

Raven had always made things right for Raena. The mental telepathy or whatever it was that the triplets shared seemed especially strong between Raven and Raena. Not only could they tell what each other was thinking but at times they could even see what each other was seeing. Mental images often flew between the two of them like pictures in a slide show. At times it was like watching a video but inside their heads. Raena could close her eyes and see whatever Raven was seeing. Their friends told them it was too spooky and that they were weird so they didn’t discuss it in public. But they had a lot of fun playing tricks on unsuspecting victims. Once Raven went to a friend’s house after school to borrow a shirt. Raena had called on the phone while her sister was there. She asked the friend to please wear her pink blouse to school the next day, You know, the one hanging in your closet next to the green sweater. The friend was utterly freaked out as Raena proceeded to describe the contents of the closet in detail.

Raena almost laughed out loud at these thoughts then realized where she was and looked up quickly to see if anyone had noticed her inappropriate behavior. Her aunt was leaning over the bed and kissing Lydia’s cheek. Raena glanced to her sister and saw that she was sobbing quietly. Momma is gone, Rachel choked out between sobs. Raena jumped up and ran over to Rachel. The sisters fell into each other’s arms and hugged tightly. Raena still could not bring herself to look at her mother so she buried her head in Rachel’s shoulder. Aunt Lu rounded the bed and put her arms around the two girls, comforting them as best she could. But it was the presence of Raven far away that calmed the sobbing sisters. Rachel pulled away and left the room, leaving Raena engulfed in her aunt’s cloying embrace. Raena wanted to disengage herself from her aunt and go to Rachel but she quietly laid her head against the woman’s ample bosom and allowed herself to be held.

Aunt Lu released Raena only long enough to gather up her purse then slipped her arm around the girl’s shoulders and guided her out of the room. They made their way to the nurses’ station where Aunt Lu informed the nurses’ of her sister’s death and made arrangements for the body to be picked up. Raena looked around for Rachel then realized she was in the visitors’ lounge. Raena informed her aunt of Rachel’s whereabouts and the two women headed down the hall. They collected Rachel and Raena followed her aunt and sister to the parking lot. As she climbed into the back seat she glanced up to the window of her mother’s hospital room. I love you, momma, she whispered. She leaned back in the seat, closed her eyes and fought the pain that was gripping her heart.

Raena was glad her aunt and sister were silent on the ride home. She didn’t want hollow words assaulting her ears. She wanted to think about her mother and what the future might now hold. Like her sisters, Raena did not want to live in Chicago. The animals of the woods were her friends and she could not abandon them. Right now she had a fox cub and a snow goose recovering in pens in her back yard. She still had Ichabod, the beagle and a new cat, Sierra, to care for. Confining Ichabod to a yard and occasionally taking him for walks was not the life she wanted for her pet. What if he got loose and was hit by a car? she worried to herself. No, Chicago was a terrible place to raise animals and, to her thinking, probably not much better for humans.

The drive home was much too short for Raena. When the car pulled into the driveway and Aunt Lu shut off the engine, Raena was still thinking about how miserable her life would be in Chicago. Realizing they were home, she quickly exited the vehicle, ran up the porch steps and flew through the house calling Ichabod’s name as she went. She found him in the kitchen and scooped him up in her arms, hugging him close and burying her face in his side. Raena sank down onto one of the kitchen chairs, keeping Ichabod clutched to her chest seeking solace from her dear pet. The dog seemed to sense that something was wrong so did not struggle to free himself from his owner’s tight hold. He softly nipped her ear then began licking the side of her face. Raena relaxed under his tender ministrations and slowly stroked his soft fur. It’s going to be okay, Ichy, she crooned to him softly. I won’t leave you and we are not going to Chicago. I will run away with you before that happens.

The Sun in Aries

Raven met her aunt as the older woman was coming through the front door. Seeing the haggard look on Lu’s face, Raven’s resolve flagged for a moment. I’m sorry, Aunt Lu. I just couldn’t be there. Her aunt looked deep into Raven’s eyes, So much like her mother, Lu thought to herself. I know dear. I understand. Lydia was the same way when our mother died. Lu opened her arms and Raven gratefully went into them. She was glad her aunt understood how she felt. The two hugged each other for a few moments then her aunt said to her, I’m going upstairs to lie down. We’ll talk later. Raven nodded her head then watched as her aunt made her way slowly up the stairs.

The following three days were a blur to the triplets. In the days preceding Lydia’s funeral, people had come by the house bringing gifts of food and flowers. They sat around the living room and kitchen talking in hushed voices; often telling little anecdotes they remembered about things Lydia had said or done. The services were held at the ancient little Catholic Church on the edge of town and she was buried in the picturesque cemetery at the rear of the church beneath a cool, sunny spring sky. It seemed as if the whole town showed up to pay tribute. Two entire pews at the church were filled with the nurses from the hospital where Lydia had worked. By the time the last mourner left their home late on the day of the funeral, the sisters were numb. They helped Aunt Lu tidy up the house and put the food away then went up to their room.

The girls shared a large bedroom on the second floor. Their mother’s room and a bathroom were across the hall. Raven sat down at her desk while Rachel and Raena flopped on their beds.

I didn’t know funerals could be so exhausting, Rachel sighed. She stretched then snuggled into a ball on her side.

Raven was staring off into space then sat up straight and looked at her sisters.

This may be the last week we will ever spend here, she observed. So I suggest while we continue to think about how to prevent this, we should go to the grotto tomorrow.

The other two girls nodded in agreement. The grotto was their special place. It was hidden deep in the woods and it was often where they went when they wanted to escape from the world. It was about an hour’s walk and lay in the foothills of the Green Mountains. It was a large cave hewn out of the granite landside thousands of years ago and when the girls were younger they had pretended that is was their castle. They often spent hours there on Saturdays fighting dragons and meeting princes. They had discovered it one time when Lydia had taken them on a nature hike. She had checked it out thoroughly, determined that it was safe and no wild animals were living there and had agreed to allow the girls to go there providing they did so all together. They had not been there for ages but Raven knew it was a good place for them to plan their strategy for getting Aunt Lu to allow them to stay in Vermont.

The sisters woke early the next morning, dressed in warm clothes and quietly crept down the stairs. They loaded backpacks with food and drink and left a note for their aunt. She had taken a sleeping pill the night before so the girls knew she would not awaken for a few more hours. They slipped out the back door; Raena whistled to Ichabod and off they went into the chilly early morning mist. By the time they reached the entrance to the grotto, the morning mist had burned away and it promised to be a glorious spring day. Rachel walked into the cave and flipped on her flashlight. The light played over the cold gray stonewalls as she examined the interior.

It hasn’t changed one bit, she exclaimed as her sisters came into the cave. And indeed everything was as they remembered it. To their left was the niche in the wall where they had placed a couple of old oil lanterns. Raena went over to them, raised their chimneys and lit them. She turned up the wicks until the flames gave off a cheery glow. She set one of them down on the floor of the cave and carried the other over to a card table the girls had brought up years ago. At the back of the cave, two tunnels led deeper into the hill. One tunnel ran for about five feet then terminated. An old footlocker was kept there filled with sleeping bags. The second tunnel was much deeper but it too was a dead end. The girls placed their backpacks on the card table then went back outside to look for wood to make a fire. Ichabod scampered about, getting underfoot and woofing every so often at the birds or rustlings in the bushes.

Once they had collected the wood they returned to the cave and placed it in a neat pile to the side. As Raven began building a large fire in the middle of the cave floor, the other two went to the footlocker and pulled out the sleeping bags. They spread the sleeping bags out next to the fire. Raena went over to her backpack and pulled out bottles of water while Rachel finished spreading out the sleeping bags. Raena handed each of her sisters a bottle then they all sat down. Raven pulled her sleeping bag up around her shoulders. Although the cave was dry it was chilly within its depths and the fire had not begun to warm the rock walls.

I have been thinking long and hard about our situation, Raven began once they were all settled. But I just don’t know how we can keep from going to Chicago. We will only be seventeen on the 21st and you know Aunt Lu isn’t going to let us live on our own.

Why don’t we just run away? Rachel blurted out. It isn’t fair that she can make us go somewhere we don’t want to. As she said this, she flopped over onto her stomach and propped her chin on her hands.

Believe me I have thought about that, Raven responded. But we can’t do that. She would worry herself sick and anyway we would be found in no time. Awfully hard to miss three girls that look exactly alike.

Raena sat quietly listening to her sisters’ talk. Ichabod was curled up in her lap and she petted him as her own thoughts wrestled with their dilemma.

Sometimes I hate being a triplet, Rachel pouted. Her sisters looked at her in disbelief. I mean everyone remembers you for that and not for yourself.

Raven nodded her head, I know what you mean but there isn’t much we can do about that.

The sisters sat quietly for a few moments, each lost in thought, misery reflected on their identical faces. Rachel rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling of the cave.

I love this place, she said quietly. Not just the grotto but everything around here; the mountains, the woods, our house…everything here is perfect

Raven and Raena nodded their heads in agreement.

Remember the first time mom brought us up here? Raena asked. We were what? About eight or so? I thought a lion lived here and was afraid to come inside the cave.

I thought there might be a treasure hidden away in here. I was so disappointed that I didn’t find any pirate’s chests or anything Raven mused.

I just knew we would find trolls or fairies living here. Rachel added. Her sisters smiled at her. Leave it to Rachel to imagine some sort of mythical creatures occupying the grotto. They fell silent once more, memories of the past hanging almost tangibly in the air.

Finally Raven broke the silence. Well, she began; a tinge of hesitancy in her voice. I did come up with one thing but I doubt it will work.

Rachel sat up and looked at her sister expectantly, What? Tell us! she demanded.

Raven looked at each of them closely before she spoke. She didn’t want to get their hopes up but it was the best plan she had devised. I thought of asking Mrs. Jackson if she would be willing to be appointed our guardian. If she would do that, we might be able to stay here.

Mrs. Jackson was a retired schoolteacher that lived about five miles down the road from them. She and Lydia were very close and Mrs. Jackson had babysat the girls when they were young and their mother had to work. The sisters loved Mrs. Jackson and thought of her as a pseudo grandmother.

Rachel jumped up, ran over to her sister and threw her arms around her, almost knocking Raven over with her enthusiasm.

That’s a great idea, Rave! Mrs. Jackson is perfect. She lives close and she knows us.

Slow down, Rach, she has to agree to it first. She’s pretty old and taking on three teenagers might be more than she wants to handle, even though it would only be for a year.

Rachel’s unexpected movements sent Ichabod flying off Raena’s lap. The little dog ran around the cave yipping and baying, trying to figure out where the threat was.

Settle down, Ichy. There’s nothing wrong, Rachel is just going spazz on us, Raena assured him.

Ichabod finally calmed down then proceeded to investigate every nook and cranny of the cave for the third or fourth time. The sisters continued to talk about the possibility of having Mrs. Jackson as their guardian. One minute they were sure she would say yes and they were ecstatic then the next minute one of them would speculate what if she said no and they were plummeted into despair.

Well until we know for sure what her answer is, this is going nowhere. Raven observed. Raena, you’re her favorite so I think you should approach her about it and the sooner the better.

Raena nodded, "Okay, I will go see her tonight.

Now that a plan of action was in place, the sisters felt a little less down hearted. Raven went over to the card table and pulled out the sandwiches they had brought. Suddenly she was very hungry. Rachel joined her, digging through her own backpack to bring out apples and potato chips to add to their lunch. Raena looked about the cave for Ichabod then went outside to call for him. She returned a few minutes later, a look of mild concern on her face.

Have either of you seen Ichy? she inquired.

The last time I saw him he was headed down the long tunnel. Maybe he fell asleep down there. Raven offered.

Raena grabbed a flashlight and went into the tunnel to search for the beagle. Rachel unwrapped her sandwich, walked back over to her sleeping bag and plopped down. Raven stood by the table, munching on an apple, still rolling their plan around in her head. After several minutes Raena returned, her face flushed with excitement.

Did you find him? Raven inquired.

No, but you guys have to come with me. There’s something weird about the tunnel. It’s longer than I remember and there’s light coming from the other end. I didn’t want to go down it by myself. Something very strange is going on here. Raena shivered with excitement.

Raven stared at Raena then glanced over to Rachel.

We’ve just started to eat. Have a sandwich then we’ll go investigate.

But what if Ichy is out there? He might be in trouble. Raena implored. Plus I can’t believe you’re not curious about the change in the tunnel. Who knows where it might lead.

It probably leads to some farmer’s pasture, scoffed Raven, Now here, eat your lunch. Raven handed Raena a bologna sandwich and a pack of chips.

Wait a minute Rave. I think Raena is right; we need to go find Ichy. We don’t know who or what caused the tunnel to open on the other end. It may be dangerous to leave him out there. Rachel looked expectantly at Raven and the oldest triplet could see that Raena’s excitement had infected her other sister. She shook her head and sighed in resignation.

Well alright but we should put out the fire and lanterns before we leave. Raena, gather up the food and Rachel, put the sleeping bags back in the trunk.

The sisters rushed to tidy up the cave then stood to wait for Raven to finish dousing the fire. Rachel flicked on her flashlight and encouraged Raven to hurry up. When Raven was certain the last ember was out, she shouldered her backpack and indicated she was ready to go.

They headed down the passageway. In their excitement, Raena and Rachel quickly left Raven behind. Since the other two had the light, Raven fished around in her pack and brought out her own flashlight. The tunnel floor was strewn with rocks and debris; she didn’t want to risk stumbling in the dark.

Hey slow down you two. This isn’t a race.

The girls halted and waited for Raven to catch up. They were now about twenty feet into the tunnel and Raven was feeling a bit uneasy. Her memory of the tunnel was that it was only ten or fifteen feet deep. She played her light over the walls. They didn’t seem any different than the interior of the cave or the first section of the tunnel. When she reached her sisters, she shared her observations with them.

It hasn’t been that long since we were here. She exclaimed, Yet the walls don’t look like they have been freshly excavated. I mean, wouldn’t we see scrapes or something?

Rachel examined the wall nearest her.

You’re right, Rave, these walls look just the same as the cave or other tunnel. And I know we’re farther into the hill than before.

She turned to Raena, Where did you see the light?

It’s up ahead a ways yet…around the curve. Raena abruptly stopped talking, realization washing over her.

The tunnel never had a curve in it, did it? She whispered.

Her sisters shook their heads in unison and all three looked at one another solemnly. Tiny fingers of fear tickled the hair on Rachel’s neck and she shivered. Raven noted the slight shudder then mentally shook herself and straightened her shoulders.

OK, this is silly. So what if the tunnel now curves? Whoever did this evidently had a reason. Come on, let’s go find Ichabod.

The trio set out once more, Raven now leading the way. They came to the curve in the tunnel and resolutely rounded it. A few feet beyond the curve they caught the faint glow of light in the distance. The light steadily grew as they continued toward it. After several more minutes of walking the girls noted there seemed to be a cave at this end of the tunnel also. When they finally emerged into the cave, Raven estimated they were about fifty or seventy-five feet from the grotto.

The cave at this end was much smaller than the sisters’ childhood sanctuary. The walls were the same rough granite but the opening to the outside was larger, causing the cave to actually be more of a niche. The girls extinguished their flashlights and walked over to the opening.

Looking out of the cavern to the countryside beyond, Rachel felt a tingle like static electricity dance across her entire body. It looked so different than the other side of the hill. She could sense her sisters thinking the same thing as the three stood gazing at the scene before them.

The cave exited on the side of a large hill with sparsely wooded grasslands rolling like gentle waves to the valley floor below. A hard packed dirt road cut across one end of the valley diagonally with a small stream parallel to it. It wasn’t the landscape that was so unusual; it was the atmosphere of the place. Everything seemed so bright and clear one minute then it all seemed to blur and the objects turned murky and indistinct. It was as if waves of clouds or fog passed across the land every few seconds. This is so strange yet so beautiful in a way, Rachel whispered in awe. I’ve never seen anything like it. She took a step forward but was halted by Raven’s hand on her arm.

I don’t feel good about this Rachel. My skin feels tingly and…weird.

I told you guys something strange was going on. Raena too spoke in a whisper, her gaze never leaving the constantly shifting scene before her. And my skin feels creepy too.

I don’t think we should go any further. This place gives me the willies.

No sooner were the words out of Raven’s mouth when Raena spotted Ichabod across the valley. Unheeding of her sister’s warning, Raena, relieved at finding her beloved Ichy, squealed with delight and charged down the hill.

Raven grabbed for her arm but was too late. Rachel’s, Raena…wait, went unheard as Raena scampered down the hill, her attention focused solely on the dog. Rachel turned to Raven questioningly.

I guess all we can do is go after her, Raven shrugged, But I don’t like it one bit.

The two of them started down the hill, moving slower than Raena had, making their way carefully. Raven alternately looked down to check her footing then back up to mark Raena’s progress. Rachel, enthralled with the countryside, was not as cautious as her sister. She slipped a couple of times but was able to steady herself and continue on. They reached the base of the hill then had to walk up a slight rise to the edge of the road. A rough wooden bridge that crossed the stream lay near and they headed toward it.

The dead eyes opened and he stared through the dark at the ceiling. They are here, he whispered to the silence, I must prepare.

Raven heard hoof beats just as she reached the bridge. She looked up and down the road but could not see anything. All she could think was that they must not be seen. Hide she screamed in her mind. She and Rachel slid down the creek embankment and darted beneath the bridge, pushing themselves back up the embankment as close to the bridge floor as they could. Raena had just reached Ichabod when she heard her sister’s command within her head. She scooped him up quickly, held him tightly with one arm and clamped her other hand around his muzzle to prevent him from barking. Spying a large bush to her left, she dove beneath it, clutching the little dog to her. She looked toward the road, wondering what had panicked Raven so. A few moments later her question was answered. Between the branches of the bush she could see a company of horsemen cantering toward the bridge. Even at this distance she could tell the men were large of stature and were attired most unusually. They seemed to be wearing padded leather armor with flowing gray capes billowing out from their shoulders. The lead rider carried a large white banner that fluttered in the wind. There appeared to be an emblem of some sort on the banner, but Raena was unable to make out what it was. All she could tell was that it was bright emerald green.

She lay motionless as the riders thundered across the bridge. She counted eight riders in all and noticed that each of them carried weapons of an earlier time. She identified swords, lances and cross bows arming the men. Her curiosity was aroused and she speculated on where these men might be from and where they were going. She could no longer hear the horses but she remained beneath the bush for a while longer. She then crept cautiously from her hiding place and looked up the road. The riders were no longer in view so she sent a mental message to her sisters, You can come out now. They’re gone.

Rachel and Raven made their way out from under the bridge and back up to the road. Constantly looking behind them, they quickly joined Raena on the other side of the valley.

Who or what was that? Rachel asked Raena as soon as she was within earshot.

I’m not too sure but I wouldn’t want to meet them in a dark alley Raena replied. She described the riders to her sisters in as much detail as possible. I don’t know if they were headed to some kind of movie set or what but the costumes they had on looked authentic.

Raven glanced around warily, I don’t think they were actors. This place is just too strange for my liking. Come on, let’s get out of here. The other girls nodded in agreement. Rachel pulled Ichabod’s leash from her backpack and clipped it securely to his collar.

You’re staying with me little buddy boy, she admonished him.

The three girls turned back the way they had come. When they reached the road’s edge, they dashed across it then jogged quickly over the grass towards the cave on the hillside. Ichabod tugged at his leash wanting to go off on his own to explore but Raena held it tightly. The hill seemed much steeper than it did when they had descended. They were all panting slightly once they reached the top and the mouth of the shallow cave.

What the… Rachel exclaimed. Her sisters looked at her then followed her gaze to the back of the cave. The tunnel was gone; the back wall of the cave was smooth and unbroken by even the smallest fissure. Rachel ran to the wall and ran her hands frantically over its smooth surface then stood back to visually inspect it again. But this can’t be. We came through here. I know we did. The tunnel has to be here somewhere. Raena looked at Raven, her eyes wide with concern.

Are we going crazy, Rav?

I don’t know, Rae. I just don’t know.

The three sisters continued to stare at the wall, completely at a loss. They couldn’t reconcile what their eyes were seeing with what they knew had happened only a short time before. Rachel slumped down to the floor of the cave and let her back rest against the wall that hadn’t been there just minutes before. She raised frightened eyes to her sisters and spoke in a barely audible rasp, What are we going to do now? Raven could tell that Rachel was losing control and that she needed to think of something fast but she too was feeling scared and unsure of herself. Raena squatted down and began petting Ichabod, seeking reassurance from his warm little body.

Raven turned to look out over the valley once more then back at the cave wall.

Well, the way I see it we have two choices, she said as she turned back to face the valley, We can go North or we can go South.

Her sisters stared at her in disbelief.

Do you mean follow the road? Raena asked incredulously.

What else can we do? We can’t get back home through the tunnel and we can’t stay here. We need to find a farm or town so we can figure out where we are and how to get home.

I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, Rachel mumbled. Too bad I can’t just click my heels together. She slowly stood up and stared out to the road. Those men were headed north. I suggest we go south so we don’t run into them again.

My thoughts exactly, Raven agreed. Plus going south would be heading towards home. Her voice held a tinge of uncertainty. She had a sinking feeling that no matter what direction they chose, they would not be headed home any time soon. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to formulate a plan. As the eldest, she always took charge in a crisis and she figured this definitely fit that category.

Ok, this is what we are going to do, she said as she opened her eyes and looked at each of her sisters in turn. We will head south along the road. We will keep to the trees as much as possible and stay on our toes. If we hear anything or anyone, take cover wherever you can. Oh, and one last thing; use thoughts to communicate with as much as possible.

Her sisters nodded. None of them felt safe in this strange place, being as cautious and quiet as possible sounded like a very good idea.

Let’s take stock of our provisions before we go. Raven unshouldered her backpack as she spoke and began removing its contents. The other two girls followed suit, piling things neatly on the floor of the cave. Raena squatted down, sorted through the provisions and made an inventory.

We have six bologna sandwiches, three bottles of water, two apples and two bananas, a baggie full of dog food, four packs of chips, three flashlights, one sweatshirt, one sweater, a first aid kit and a box of cookies. She looked up at Raven and Rachel, Not much here.

No but it will last us a while if we go easy. Raven noted. Let’s split one of the sandwiches and the two apples now then pack away the rest.

Raena pulled out her trusty Swiss army knife and began cutting up the fruit and sandwich. She handed each of the others a third of the food, wiped her knife off on the leg of her jeans then started putting stuff back into the packs. Rachel sat down cross-legged and munched quietly on her lunch. Her stomach rolled at the thought of food but she swallowed it down. Once the last remnant of food was gone they shared a bottle of water. With the stream close by they didn’t think water would be a problem but none of them wanted to take that chance so they decided to ration it as well.

Are you sure we should start out now? Rachel asked. "Maybe we should stay here for the night and start fresh in the