The Gift
Edward's Storyline, Chapter 10.2
copyright comidacomida 2019
I lingered at the driver's side door without getting in, gazing over the top to Medved. "Are you sure you're not joining us?"
The Bear remained there, arms still folded across his chest. Having already said he refused to travel in a car, the shake of his head didn't surprise me much, but it still hurt nevertheless. "Niet, Synochik, but when you arrive you can call on me and I will be there."
Tre didn't seem to have a problem antagonizing Medved. Leaning out through the window, the Wolf stated "Some Guardian... what if Morgana tries something while we're on the road?"
Medved didn't rise to the bait. "Then you'll protect him... and if you fail, once she is done with you I will finish you off myself."
The Wolf laughed, taking the statement well, and he offered a thumbs up before withdrawing into the car once again. The Bear, in the meantime, walked around the car until he was standing next to me. He took hold of one of my hands in one paw and rested the other one on my shoulder. "Be safe, Synochik... and if there IS trouble, I will come."
I fought back a tear, realizing that, more than any other of my Spirits, Medved was the closest thing I had to family. Replacing the grimace with a smile, I nodded. "I know. Thank you, Medved."
He leaned forward and gave me a warm hug, bringing with it a feeling of belonging. It ended all too soon, but I knew it hand to; stepping back from him, I got into the car and closed the door. Even as I moved to start the ignition with one hand I leaned out the window and gave a quick farewell wave. I could have sworn I saw an approving smile on the Bear's muzzle.
Ch'upikaq had taken over The Ancient One's body as I was distracted and his broad, scaled head slid between the front seats so he could speak with his head right next to mine. "He cares deeply for you, and you for him. It is warming to see that you can have such a connection with Spirits, Seeker."
Tre reached over and put his paw on the Serpent's nose, pushing it into the back seat. "Of course he can, Snake... this is Eddie you're talking about... it shouldn't come as a surprise, you know."
I glanced at the Wolf and he looked back at me, smiling toothily before winking. I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks blush just a little due to being surrounded by praise. Under my direction the car pulled out and onto the city street; from there we were off to the interstate and then the journey began in earnest.
It was a two-part journey with the first stretch heading north on the interstate until we got to Portland. After that it was a matter of taking Highway 84 east, and that second portion was almost three times as long. The trip up to Portland went well enough, but we hit mid-day rush hour, which made it difficult to get through the city and added on time to the trip. It was about 1:30 by the time we were far enough out of the metro area to get some clear road, and then I was able to pick up the pace to make up for lost time.
Tre and The Ancient One were quiet up to and though Portland, neither saying anything and spending most of their time looking out the windows at the passing terrain. The Columbia River separated Washington and Oregon, and Highway 84 traveled parallel to it for most of the way. It was strange to think that I'd been traveling west along the same road only a little more than a month earlier and, back then, I didn't have any Spirits with which to talk.
It actually made me a little less interested in driving along in silence. It wasn't until we were past The Dalles that anyone said anything, and I was the one to speak up first. "Wow... it looks like the Columbia is really low today."
Tre was on the opposite side of the car from the river but I saw him glance across the way past me. His voice took a far off tone to it and, as he spoke, I heard a hint of his Scottish accent return to him. "One of the few times it would be safe to cross... the Kelpies have always hated low waters."
I glanced his way out of the corner of my eye, noticing the nostalgic look that painted his face in an almost mournful way; without thinking I reached over my right hand to take hold of his paw. "Tell me about the Kelpies, Tre..."
The miles passed quickly as the dark-furred Wolf related a tale about supernatural water horses that haunted Scotland's lochs and rivers. They resembled dark gray ponies with dripping manes, sometimes crowned with water plants. Although they were usually harmlessly playful, they could sometimes be mischievous or, on rare occasions when the weather was stormy and the water was deep, they could be downright dangerous-- convincing people to ride on their backs before entangling them in water weeds and taking them deep down to the depths to drown.
The Ancient One waited long enough for Tre to finish before speaking up; it was Red. "I know the Spirit who created that legend. She was once a powerful force for good among the Humans but, as with many things in this world, that changed. She gave over to the Ruby Light and turned feral... I believe she met her end more than two centuries ago."
Tre snorted. "Yes... I know. She was put down by another Spirit in England when she invaded the Thames."
I heard the hint of surprise in Red's tone. "Oh? I did not know the situation surrounding her demise."
The Wolf's expression remained sour even as he gave my hand a squeeze with his paw. "Aye... a Guardian Spirit... a Gryphon."
Red pressed the questioning. "And you heard this from a reputable source?"
Tre's eyes lowered, the words mumbled from his muzzle. "I was Asleep... but I was there. I... felt her end."
After that statement nobody said a thing and the silence that followed filled the car with an unbearable sense of stillness. Less than a half mile later I chose to take a turn off for a rest stop-- it was convenient since I needed time to recollect my thoughts but, to be honest, I also had to pee... badly.
Pulling into a parking spot, I was relieved to see that I was the only traveler at the stop, which meant I could be a little more free with my attention. "I'm gonna stretch my legs and go take a piss... what about you two?"
The Ancient One floated up through the roof of the car and landed down atop it. Ch'upikaq had taken over the body again, announcing simply "We have no legs that must be stretched, but it is nice to spread our wings again."
Green's voice countered the prior statement, coming right out of the feathered Serpent's maw. "I have wings and legs... let me take over and I will put both to good use."
Rather than exiting the passenger side, Tre walked through the car and stepped up to join me standing on the curb. He offered me a smile, his eyes glinting a faint Golden hue. "It looks like there's some vending machines... maybe grab yourself a snack on the way back from the toilet? With everything you gotta do when we get in, who knows when you'll next get a chance to eat?"
I know it was only my imagination, but I could have sworn the car sunk a little lower as Green took over The Ancient One, then hopped off of it and onto the asphalt. "Do not go alone. I will join you on your errand... we must be ready for the Spirit of War."
Rolling my eyes, I provided clarification. "The bathroom is right over there. I'm pretty sure I don't need help taking a piss. Just keep a look out and I'm sure I'll be fine."
With that sorted, I--
Now, as to the answer, I couldn't help but notice the choices were 1) 2) C) 4) and 5).
They also seemed to predict that something is going to happen to Edward either here or when he is alone or otherwise unprotected.
Given that Medved is as close to family as any of his Spirits, I think 4) would be a good idea for Edward to call out to him to see if he could be there, so Edward would have all of his remaining Spirits together and this "perfect place for an ambush" with nobody else around.
However, that C) is throwing a weird vibe at me, as The Ancient One is likely the most powerful Spirit combo Edward has to protect him if he only has one to accompany him.
I'll eliminate 1) and 2) as they put Edward alone in one and two separate places.
5) Seems a bit over cautious, and is still on my "possible" list, but I believe Edward would do better to simply have an entourage, even when attending to private business.
I'm going to go non-committal on this and have Edward attempt to contact Medved with 4) as that still leaves the possibility open for any Spirit or Spirits to accompany him on his "errands" and Medved always seems to be the voice of caution, so his opinion would be most welcome. In fact, the bear may even believe that more than one Spirit should accompany Edward given that nobody else is around and for some strange reason, the background music began to pickup like something was about to happen. ;)
2) -- went to use the bathroom, then, taking to heart Treboada's suggestion, I stopped on the way back to get myself something from the vending machine.
C) -- chose to take The Ancient One's advice at face value (kinda). "Alright.... come on. You can bodyguard me in case any scary spiders decide to jump out."
4) -- took a few steps before stopping. "Medved? Can you hear me?"
5) -- paused, thinking better of separating, and looked in my car for a spare water bottle. Nobody was around so why leave my Spirits behind to take a piss?
For no other reason than it feels right, I choose 5.