Chapter 58: Fifty-eight.

"Come on, Maeve." Colt complained, almost petulantly. "You are totally holding out on me, and it isn't fair!"

"You aren't ready yet, Colt." Maeve responded dismissively, not even looking up from tending her plants. "Soon, though." She added, absentmindedly.

Colt sighed loudly, and crossed her arms, as they stood in Maeve's poly tunnel. "Its been over ten weeks since the accident, Maeve. I'm ready. I have done the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as requested. I have made countless lists of evidence versus feelings, as a direct consequence, and it worked. I know my worth. I'm ready. I have also increased my stamina, with your demanding cold water swims, as you requested, no actually as you demanded. I am ready." she sighed, "I have done everything you asked. So, this is me, now standing in front of you, advocating for myself. I am telling you I am ready and it's time." Colt argued, with her.

Maeve sighed, turning her head to study Colt thoroughly. There was a definite change in her, in the way she carried herself. Her confidence was not as forced anymore, now it seemed natural, exuding from her pleasantly. She was sure of herself, and the very fact she was bringing this up, and not just blindly trusting Maeve's judgement was a other sign that she may well be ready, Maeve decided..

Maeve gently put down her secateurs, from the herbs she was gathering in her poly tunnel and stood. The rich aromas were everywhere, an it had become one of Colt's favourite places, much like her own she had noticed. The truth was, Maeve was hesitant for two reasons, firstly she had become genuinely fond of Colt's company, and would miss her when she was gone. But secondly, she was scared to lose her, ever since the incident at the Causeway, she genuinely feared losing someone she had promised to help.

"Alright," she nodded. "But, first a walk, come with me please, I want to show you something."

Colt nodded, and followed Maeve out of the tunnel and even the garden into the field behind. It was a pleasant day, with a genuine warmth in the Spring air, despite the breeze. The world seemed to be very slowly coming alive again, after it's long winter rest. The small birds had began to sing in ernest as they paired up for the breeding season ahead, and the neighbouring fields had the tell tale signs of new life, in the form of the bleatings of lambs as they chased their mothers down for milk or comfort. Yes, today felt like a day of hope, bright and full of the promise of new beginnings.

Maeve led Colt to the other side of the large field and into what appeared to be a simple copse of trees. But, as they walked on Colt soon realised just how ancient these trees were, with their thick and gnarled trunks and their huge towering frames. They looked as though they belonged in an ancient wood, that would lead to a fairy tale style castle.

She had seen Maeve come here every day, but as she was never invited she didn't want to intrude. It was clearly a place Maeve treated with reverence and if it weren't for that fact, Colt would now feel as though she had missed out. As it was, she silently followed Maeve through the wooded area, taking in all she could, while the trees became denser as they walked on a path only Maeve could see.

The place smelled damp, but unlike the Amazon it was a cool fresh scent not a hot sticky one, and there were large dark grey boulders dotted around on the uneven ground, overgrown in wet moss and lichen. The light was now filtering through the empty tree canopy, most of the leaves hadn't fully unravelled but were still in there bud form due to the time of year, this letting in more light than would be available at any other time of year, and as if it knew this, the woodland floor was teaming with life. From ferns to large clover patches, then beautiful smatterings of spring bluebells and purple flowering vetches. It was truly remarkable to just take in, the undisturbed beauty and purity of it all.

However, the scents Colt could detect were a complete contradiction. Somehow the place smelled both fresh and ancient like some type of ill fitting paradox. With the new life brought by spring that was echoing throughout the wood, there was a variety of fresh crisp scents, all of which were matching up to the waking world around them. But, still there was something more, deeper invading her nostrils. She could smell it from the earth itself, and even the wood in the trees, that all was not new. This place was ancient and wise, like it had it's own secret history that ran deep.

As they progressed Colt was finding that her senses were alive here, even more so than in the Amazon. Her skin felt like there was a current of electricity moving over her, without actually making contact or harming her. It pulled the hair on her body to attention, standing erect atop her goose bump covered skin. She could feel her heart rate had picked up, although they were only walking. She felt utterly baffled by the experience, afterall she had spent most of her life in wooded areas, surrounded by nature, but never had she had such a visceral reaction to it.

It wasn't an unpleasant experience, to be fair. Just an extremely odd one, where she couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly was going on.

Diligently, Colt followed Maeve deeper into the wood, till her nose began to be tickled with another very distinctive odour.

"Maeve," She began, "Is that smoke?"

Maeve turned to face Colt, momentarily making her stumble back. Her eyes that were so blue, were now a deep swirling pool, that resembled liquid silver. Constantly swirling on themselves, the entirety of the eye glowing with a radiance Colt could never have imagined.

"Yes, Colt." Maeve confirmed, unfazed. "Come, we are almost there." She instructed with a warm smile, her face aglow with what, Colt wasnt entirely sure.

"Where are we going?" Colt asked, making Maeve smile.

"To the fire, Colt." Maeve answered. "I have a story to tell you, and a blessing to bestow. But, don't worry I am not planning on asking you to burn yourself in any kind of way." She teased, making Colt laugh.

"And, you're eyes?" Colt enquired, "You are practically glowing, you know?"

Maeve chuckled, "Am I? Just a little bit of magic, Swertheart."

After a few more minutes, it felt as though the air was literally dancing over Colt's skin, it was mesmerising. The natural noises of nature had quieted and an obvious feeling of sanctity filled the air. They entered a strange open roofed stone cavern, and the large boulder like walls were funneling them through to the other side, where the steady smell of smoke and burning was increasing. Then suddenly, the walls parted opening to a large circular formation, it reminded Colt of a forgotten and overgrown Stonehenge, where the stones were tightly packed rather than spaced out.

Though, obviously not that forgotten, because there, in the centre there was a huge but shallow copper coloured bowl, about eight feet wide, and inside was a steadily burning fire.

Except, there only seemed to be one flame licking towards the sky. Despite the bowl being filled with wood and coal, it burned at a steady rate and only produced one actual flame, albeit a very large flame. Colt was standing utterly mesmerized, when she heard Maeve clear her throat and call out to her.

"Come and sit, before you toast your retinas, Girl." She laughed, merrily.

Colt, shaking her head walked over to where Maeve was sat on what genuinely looked like a bean bag chair, and it was so startlingly out of place, Colt couldn't help but release the laughter that was bubbling up inside of her. This place was a joyful and happy one, and that steady joyful feeling had her smiling from ear to ear in a very childish grin.

"A baby blue and pink, polka dot bean bag chair. Really, Maeve?" she giggled.

Maeve smiled at her, shrugging lighly, "If you were sat here communicating with the spirits as much as I am, you would understand. Now, would you like the yellow one?" She asked pointing to another beside her.

It clearly wasn't as well used, but, looked to be in immaculate condition all the same, despite being in such a strange environment.

Colt held her hands up in surrender, stifling another giggle. "No judgement here, but it is still unexpected, and yes, please." She answered as she pulled the yellow one over, with a smile and sank into it.

It was surprisingly comfortable, and the fire pit was giving off such a steady solid heat, that if it weren't for her tingling skin she may have fallen fast asleep very quickly.

"Maeve, what is it I am feeling?" She asked, her curiosity taking over. "It's like there is something constantly brushing over my skin but I can't place it, it never stops, but seems intangible to touch?"

Maeve's face lit up. "So, you can feel it, I wasn't sure. Not all can you see." She murmured, before adding, "That my girl, is magic. It is in one of it's purest forms here. It dances in the air around us, kissing our skin in an endless display." She explained waving her hands in a similar pattern to that which Colt could feel the magic brushing across her exposed skin.

"Now, I promised you a story. It's more of a legend, but I promise there are no cowardly giants present in this one." Maeve laughed as she commanded Colt's unwavering attention. Maeve began.

"There is an old legend. It is about a prosperous Kingdom, where the people worshipped the sun. In the centre of their kingdom was a mighty pyre, and it was believed that as long as the pyre burned in this vast bronze pit, that the kingdom and it's people would survive. It became a beacon quite literally, and their faith was born from the belief that a piece of the sun god himself dwelled on earth among her people. Dwelled with them.

They built a mighty temple around their god, and his flame was kept bright and vibrant, as an endless show of their reverence and gratitude to all the fortunes he bestowed on them. This pyre was their hope for a better tomorrow in hard times, and their humble reminder to be thankful for what they had in their prosperity.

Now, for many centuries the kingdom thrived in peace, but one day, the Kingdom came under siege, and invaders who were jealous of their hope, and their faith came to crush them. They killed so many of the men, raped the women, and even slaughtered some children, while taking plenty others as slaves. They were merciless. Then, as an act of final desecration, they doused the flame of their god with water, before leaving with their stolen treasures.

However, they missed one very crucial and wizened old man, he was a retired priest, and he went directly to the temple, where he found the beloved prince of the kingdom in tears. The prince believed all hope was lost. His family had been killed and there was almost nothing left. He believed that the remnants of their people would fade and die, to be all but forgotten through the annals of time.

But the old man simply shook his head, at the prince and asked, "Have you truly forgotten our core belief?"

Angrily the prince yelled "It is out! The flame is gone! We have failed. There is nothing left!"

"Ah yes, that may be, but if you only look, you will see that the pyre still burns. Just look." and he pointed to the leftover embers, within the base of the pit. "Our faith is not based upon the flame, but upon the pyre as a whole for a reason. Come, we will revive him he is only sleeping afterall."

The prince looked on astounded. Noticing for the first time the tinder and wood the man had brought with him.

"But how did you know there would still be an ember?" he asked the old man, in shock.

"I didn't. But I had hope." He smiled showing the prince the flint he also brought. "Besides, the sun never truly dies," he said with a wink. "And sometimes we need belief more than anything else, to give us back our fight for life. Despair is the most lethal of emotions young Prince. Remember this and you will reign well, My King." he added with a sincere bow.

With that they relit the flame and rebuilt the kingdom. The fire continued to burn long after the old priest and the new King's demise, and for many more generations afterward. At one point, the rulers of the kingdom sent the flame outward by, lighting torches and carrying them to far off places, in an effort to bring light into the dark, and bring peace to the memories of the kingdom's lost sons and daughters, that their souls and anyof their descendants would never be too far from the flame of their homeland."

Maeve stilled, turning to look at the fire burning beside her and Colt quietly.

Colt had listened intently, absorbing every word, and true to her nature, forming more questions in her head than she could verbalize at once

Watching Maeve, who had become more than her mentor, but her friend as well she asked, "This is one of those flames isn't it? Oh, is the Olympic torch another one?" She asked excitedly.

Cocking her head, Maeve appraised Colt thoughtfully before responding. "No, Colt. This is the original fire. The magic in the air feeds off of it, it is why it is so strong." She smiled watching Colt's reaction. "Also, the Olympic flame has a loose connection, but it is more metaphorical than literal. A man named Prometheus, stole a torch and took it to his home land. The Ancient Greeks developed their own myths around it, and it is in those myths which the Olympic torch is based on. Almost all of the twenty torches taken outward have since been extinguished now. But, some are kept guarded and protected in secret locations around the world."

Colt frowned slightly, understanding the magnitude of Maeve's words, then she stood, stepping closer to the large bowl. It truly was a remarkable beast, because there was no doubt in her mind that flame was alive. It felt as though it were watching her as much as she were watching it. She breathed deeply, watching the single flame as it danced back and forth before her reaching up, like it was trying to make it's way back home into the sky once again.

"If they were found, their sanctity would be in danger." She concluded, suddenly.

"Exactly. " Maeve nodded.

"So, why tell me?" She asked, pondering the importance of Maeve's words. There was always an underlying meaning, and she stared at the flame trying to figure it out, despite expecting Maeve's voice at any second. At one point she could have sworn there was a pair of eyes staring back at her, solid and unblinking like her own. Ancient and wise, unlike her own, she smirked internally, before delving back into her thoughts.

Maeve sat peacefully, enjoying letting the warmth settle in to her bones, while she waited on Colt figuring it out, and eventually Colt did speak.

"Hope" she said, "the point of the story is to have hope, and determination. To keep striving forward, even when you feel all is lost, you have to fight for tomorrow, you have to take things in to your own hands and, you have to push on. The point of the story is to tell me to never give up. Even if I have to start again from scratch. If I have faith in myself, I can thrive."

Taking a deep breath, Maeve smiled "Not give up on what?" she asked, pushing for more specifics.

"On myself." Colt answered without hesitation.

"Then my girl, I was wrong and you are ready after all. Tomorrow we will perform the unbinding ritual, and your shift will be triggered." Maeve nodded. "Unless you have anymore questions first?"

"Well, there is one." Colt stated with a cheeky smile.

"You wouldn't be you if there wasn't." Maeve smirked. "Out with it then."

Smiling Colt asked, excitement lacing her voice. "What's an unbinding ritual? Is it where you wake my animals up?"

Maeve, paused understanding this next answer would not be taken easily. Finding the right words, she took a deep breath, and spoke steadily making sure she wouldn't be ambiguous in the slightest. "In the unbinding ritual, I will, with the help of the gods untether you from your mate. You will no longer be soul bound to one another. You see, sacrificing the bond is the only way to wake your animal counterparts. The trauma on your soul will negate the safety mechanism, and you will shift, free from both Elijah and your physical confinement to one form."

Author's Note: Announcement time.... Determined, will be followed up by her sequel. Devoted. I will post on Facebook @bethanyriverwrites the cover.

Sorry for the delay. We have finally finished lambing, the last two were empty. Then I have had some potential Anaemic issues. But finger crossed normal service will resume now, and thank you so.much for your patience.