You Can Find Anything..... Chapter 2/?

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PETER'S APARTMENT: AN HOUR OR SO LATER

Tangled in his sweat dampened sheets, Peter thrashed and flailed, caught in a dark vision that was part memory and part nightmare.

% I'm frightened, father.

That is part of the purpose of this journey. You will face your fears and overcome them.

I can't survive three days without food or water. I can't....

You can if you have paid attention to the lessons I and the others have offered you. All you require for sustenance of body, mind and spirit exists here in this forest. Go now.

Father....

No. You would continue with your training, would you not?

You know I want to.

Then you must endure this before you can move forward. Deprivation and isolation are sometimes essential, Peter, in order to clearly hear your own inner voice... as well as that of the universe. I love you, my son. Go.%

"Nooo.... please.... father, no.... don't make me go.... I'll get lost... I'll never find you again...."

Abruptly, Peter awoke from the dream, tears running freely down his face, stunned that he could ever have forgotten those terrifying and amazing three days he'd spent in the woods a few miles north of the temple. After a few minutes spent trying to slow his frantic breathing and sponging his forehead and cheeks dry with tissues, he slid out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen. He retrieved a beer from the fridge, took it back to the living room and dropped onto the couch, certain he wasn't going to sleep any more that night, but uncertain what to do about it.

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"Yes. I have heard of this." Caine told Naomi Sandburg. "There is not a word for it in my language. They are great warriors..... exceedingly rare among all beings."

"Oh, that's a perfect description of Jim." Naomi chuckled. "There isn't another one like him in the world. I'd bet my last nickel on it."

"These warriors..... they are not what you wanted to ask me about."

"Perceptive. We call the warriors Sentinels, but I'm actually more interested in the ones they call Guides. Guides support Sentinels and help them learn to understand and use their abilities. The person who sent me to you.... he told me some researchers believe the Guide trait is genetic."

"This is quite possible. You mentioned your son."

"Blair. Yes. He's a Guide, so.... I need to know what that means for me. I've been a traveler all my life. I say traveler, but I suppose what I really mean is escape artist. I never stayed in one place longer than it took to realize that what I was searching for wasn't there. I think.... some part of me knew all along exactly what it was I needed and how to find it.... but I was afraid to look at that part too closely..... afraid of how it might change my life. Now...."

"Now it is time to examine the unexamined?"

"Precisely. Can you help me?"

"I can. Do you have somewhere to stay for tonight?"

"I did, but with the train being delayed, the hostel has probably given my bed away by now. I'll find something...."

"There is a room at the back of the dojo. There is only a mat on the floor, but it is private and clean...."

"I've slept on much worse, trust me. You're sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all. We have much to discuss you and I. It will be... convenient."

"Very. Is there a specific time I should be up? I don't want to be in the way when things start up around here in the morning."

"My first class is at ten o'clock. My son may be here somewhat earlier however. He often.... drops in before work."

"I'm usually awake around five. Is that alright? My body won't let me sleep much later than that anymore but I'm sure I can find something quiet to do...."

"Unnecessary. I am normally awake at that time also. You are welcome to join me for tea in the garden."

"That would be lovely. Thank you."

"You are... welcome. This way."

Smiling, feeling genuine peace beginning to settle over her for possibly the first time in her life, Naomi grabbed her minimal baggage from it's spot outside the office door and followed Caine into the back of the dojo.

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5:45 THE NEXT MORNING

"Pop?"

"I am here, Peter." Caine responded quietly, emerging from the private area at the rear of the building with Naomi and her travel pack in tow.

"We need to talk.... who's this?"

"Naomi Sandburg. This is my son Peter."

"The one you mentioned?"

"Yes. He is my only child.... presumably."

Peter grimaced faintly.

"Ignore that. It's his idea of a joke. Peter Caine. Nice to meet you."

"You too. Well, thank you for the tea." She said, turning back to Kwai-Chang. "I just need to call *my* son and let him know I wasn't abducted by aliens or murdered on the train. We'll meet back in your office in, say, half an hour?"

Caine bowed slightly. Naomi returned it and moved off to a quiet corner, pulling out her cell phone.

"Okay, Pop. Who is this woman?"

"I.... do not know. Not just yet. I know only what I wish for her to be."

Peter actually turned his face away this time.

"Yeesh... Don't do that. I haven't had breakfast yet and deciphering Kwai-Chang speak this early in the morning kills my appetite."

In response, Caine gave his son a love-tap that almost knocked him back a step.

"You would have a better appetite all day if you ate the proper foods for your body instead of.... pizza and chocolate bars."

"Yeah, yeah. We've been through this before, we'll go through it again, I'm sure. I don't have time for a nutrition lecture. I only stopped by to make sure you'll be in town for a while. I... I need to talk."

"I see this. You are pale. What has disturbed your sleep?"

"Last night..... I had a dream about when I was eleven an' you took me out to the words up North an' left me there...."

"I remember. It was a difficult time for you in many ways. You wish to... discuss this?"

"Tomorrow. I'm takin' a couple days off once this stake out tonight is over. I need to.... hell, I don't know exactly what I need, but I'll have some time to find out I guess."

"I will be here. I cannot convince you...."

"No, you can't. Bye, Pop."

Peter touched his father's arm gently and left the dojo. Several minutes later, having reassured her youngest child of her health and welfare, Naomi rejoined Caine.

"There. I think he believes I'm really alright. Caine?"

"Yes. I am sorry. " he responded, forcing himself out of his thoughts. "I am worried about Peter. Children can be.... difficult to understand."

"That is possibly the grandest understatement ever uttered. Shall we retire to your office?"

"Yes. I will eat breakfast there."

"Oh. Thank you for reminding me." she said, jogging back to where she'd dropped her pack and returning with a small bowl, a wooden spoon and a plastic storage bag half filled with a mixture of grain and dried fruit. "If I could possibly borrow some water..."

"Of course." he answered, leading the way back to the office. "There is a.... device here in the office. It dispenses either cold or hot water."

"Oh, marvelous." Naomi commented as she carefully allowed steaming liquid to dribble into her bowl. "These coolers are wonderful things aren't they? I've spent months in places where one can barely find water at all, never mind clean, relatively pure water. I take full advantage of civilization when it's available."

Grinning lightly, she reclaimed a seat in front of the desk, stirring her porridge slowly.

"If I may ask...." Caine inquired, indicating her bowl with his eyes.

"I make it myself. It's nothing very fancy; just ground barley, wheat, and rice, mixed with dried apples, cranberries and banana. I take it everywhere I travel. I also make my own pemmican."

"You are wise to do so. In certain areas of the world food can be a most.... unpredictable factor."

"You've traveled, then?"

"For many years I walked in the footsteps of my father. After a time I came to my own.... time of decision. My heart lead me here, I was reunited with my son.... all has turned out for the best."

"Hmm. Yes. Up until he left for college, my son was with me almost every moment.... and we barely knew each other. We had our own reunion not long ago. He's become a tremendous young man. I'm extremely proud of him."

"As I am of Peter."

"But?"

Caine smiled ruefully.

"We were apart for many years. A tragedy separated us..... he lost the lessons of his youth as he grew. He is no longer willing to listen. He does not trust my words.... my intuition."

"He doesn't trust you."

"You too are.... perceptive."

"He loves you deeply. That much was obvious this morning."

"It is a start. Only a start." Caine mused. He paused, studying Naomi carefully then continued. "I think it is a very good thing that you have come here, Naomi Sandburg."

"No such thing as coincidence. I've always believed something outside us directs our lives. Most people don't even acknowledge that it exists, never mind taking a minute out to listen. It would point us in the right direction every time if we'd only pay attention..... I'm so sorry. I ramble when I get excited. Anyway, I have to believe that whatever.... whoever it is, it put me here at this moment. I think you're right. It is a very good thing."

"We have a few hours left. Please tell me about your son and also about.... Jim?"

"Of course. Jim Ellison is Blair's Sentinel.....well, Jim is actually Sentinel for the whole city of Cascade, Washington.... Oh, God, I'm doing it again. I beg of you, don't let me ramble or else you'll be completely confused by the time I'm done and you'll miss your first class as well. Okay. Let me start at the beginning."

"That would be appreciated."

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