My old-time grammar is never on point, so excuse that and I am sorry. I own nothing and here is another chapter for you. Also, looking for a beta.
Time travel is nothing like it is in science fiction. There are no swirling lights or tunnels, just pain like you're being squeezed through something too small for your body. It feels like every bone is being pulverized, every living tissue feels shredded. My head was spinning like a top, her eyes flash when mine close, "Fuck this,"
A very disgruntled baritone voice echoed behind me, "Just kom from ze keiling naked as ze day born," I was not dim and understood the man just fine as he tossed another set of clothes into my face messing my already wild hair up more.
I just dressed keeping my tone level when all I wanted was to leave, "look I just sailed hundreds of years into my past to vher my forefazers are. I kam to stop a great evil befor he vipes ur great family of ze map. I hav to travel to Barselona to find a girl vho traveled viz m togezer ve fail or take ze man ut. Nov vhat year and tim of the day is it? I was dressed as he just stood there smiling, this was my mother's family, and her bright eyes stare back at me with the same kind nature but stern face.
A low whistle, "noon tim of 1493. kom in and eat my khild," I was hungry and the day was half done. But my mind could wrap around this, the scene in front of me was staggering this was home deep down I was home. Innsbruck has a lot to offer. First of all, its position high in the Alps gave the best views but I am shoved into the warm main house seeing a true vision, my mother's ancestor, and I could see my mother in this woman who was beaming near a large cauldron. They with heads together spoke low as I was seated next to a young boy with my eyes but short hair he was playing with a wooden figure.
Her voice was fruity and pleasant, warm and safe, " We knev a traveler vuld kome, ve never knev vhen but ze story has ben pased dovn. Her he is in ur tim and ve khose to help," legend come to fruition in my family, even I heard the tale of the time lord Rage who traveled with Killjoy to defeat the first evil.
She shoved food on me, a large bowl of stew, bread and cheese. "Yu go get kin, he neds food, and variors. Must sav her, beloved Keltis," listening and knowing now mother left some of the tale out, a beloved Celtic woman? The stew was so filling as the boy next to me just watched me with big eyes, his figure nudging my hand.
I ask him, "Yes?" dipping the warm bread into the stew before noshing it, the drink was strong and like nothing I ever had before and that was a travesty. He smiled, "Is yu, papa mad it said yu family protektor ,"
I answered ruffling his brown hair, "Yes,"
The woman touched my face, "Be safe my khild, yu ar destined for greatnes, she neds yu her jurney is filed in pain unlike yurs. Yu ned her as mush as she neds yu, slep tonight and go in morning. Rumor komes even to us here, a Keltis voman viz povers has risen saving a vesel she vas on from a dark mist man. Traveled far boz hav but she has ben her a monz longer zan ze," impossible, she and I traveled at the same time how has she been here longer, and Kai was tracking her, she was smart but something she did gave her away to him. Maybe smoking, bitching about coffee, her lighter but she was far to smart to just have those traits when it hit me, my bracelet she wore it and if he caught sight of it, he says her name and she answered.
I talked until little Wicklow was sleeping by the fire, it was dying out as we men and their woman spoke. I reached out fire moving like water from my hand pouring into their hearth, it blazed once again as Willo beamed. "Strong family," it was broken old English, many have come here and they learn just as well.
I was to bring Bexley back to heal before we moved on to find the families. I did sleep but it was fitful as normal, she was in danger and I was failing her. How was I missing a month, she was either in Barcelona hiding or dead? That means she arrived on October tenth and me on November tenth, she might think she hasn't been here long. I scribbled this down in the notebook Vic gave me, he said record my journey for when I come back. I was up and ready for the new day as Willo was already cooking a very large hardy meal, I was bundled up with five others with me, our horses are loaded down and breed for this weather.
"Berne by nightfall," that was a good way away, but if Wirich said it than I know it holds as we leave. It was in good faith they send the best our family has with me, none speak on the journey, grunts, and pointing. The wind howled, piling up snow in drifts, blinding the day with ice-white dust. We rode on over and against the cold, protecting my eyes with my arms. They didn't seem phased by the snow, and I knew if it got too bad they knew when and where we should stop.
"It well," Arin smiled missing a few teeth, but he was a beefy man with hair longer than any man I've seen, it braided down his back. The path doesn't care about the terrain, that's for me to deal with. The path is the path. So whatever comes I keep going. When I get knocked down I have to get up, 'cause there's no other way. I know what's out there though, I know 'cause everything about her draws me in, closer to heaven. After every mountain peak, there's another, yet climbing is everything. With each stretch I reach higher; with each stride, I'm stronger, I keep gaining a little more to carry me through the times of hardship. I feel the winter wind as coldness to teach me to stay warm inside. I feel sharp rocks as a whisper to walk lightly. Those times the clouds shower me with their icy love, and I wished they stop this was shit absolute shit. Of course, my damn mother hailed from mountain men, the brute she was.
It was hard to tell but it was getting grayer as a small village is seen below us, I would think all this is stunning but my brain was hardwired to get the mission done so we could return home. The mountain rose on the horizon, sheer rock striking down from the snowy peak. Only the base was softened by the virescence of a pine blanket. My heart dropped as they together entered a massive cave it was sheltered at the very least. I was warned about what I would face, with my back pressed into my horse who was noshing on vegetables. Gunner had three dead rabbits, at least he killed them in their sleep an easy death as they are being rotated on the fire I lit, I've been camping and this was no different. In my leather bag was a box of Snickers, a treat for her never knowing how long this would be. I remove four and break them in half, childlike wonder lit their face as they ate it. Excited voices as I explained to them what it was, the rabbit was good, not gamey at all.
My eyelids drooped and there was a slight lolling to my head, drunk with fatigue after a session of no sleep, stress, snow, and horseback riding, no doubt. I wake to see the fire lit and the rest all with peaceful faces, you're making decisions while tired, you're basically 'drunk driving' your life. So sleep, rest and decide nothing until you feel okay. That's the best advice I can give myself right now. I was not good to her this tired, but every bone in me wanted to ride until we reached Barcelona.
One wrong snap and my eyes are open. In the blackness, I move slowly enough to make no sound, fast enough to reach the black shape moving steadily closer. After so many years of being hunted every action is automatic, reflexive, efficient. My muscled arm wrapped around a very weak neck, "Fuck," I felt my arm slack for seconds before it tightened back up.
"WAKE," bellowing as my kin did just that, flicking my head the fire rose illuminating the entire cave, Jackie with his blue hair hidden by a black fur hood smiled at me. "Finally, Peace," dropping him back to the floor.
"Why are you here, Jackie," my kin are fascinated by his hair he looked so uncomfortable and scared seeing them. "Pairs have to travel back; I landed in China and got my ass here. Kai went to Ireland first to check on Bexley's history, I was to find one of the families and kill them. I found yours and they're fine, he doesn't know where the rest are. I warned him we should have done more research, but he was on to me or thought you lot would find out, and you did. But why did Bex come, if she has an attack and Vic can't calm her. Peace her powers are not controlled as you think," I listened and so did my kin and their anger grew.
"I know, we traveled at the same time but she has been here a month longer, he found her but she escaped him. You heard the rumor about the Gaelic woman,"
Daro cut in, "We go, beloved nee help now," she was not my beloved, I tried to wave my hands as Jackie smiled. "Beloved. I never thought Bexley would admit she fancied you. I always guessed she did always making sure she clashed with you. But I could be wrong she might really hate you," the cave was packed, and Jackie had a horse so we travel once again.
Only stopping at an Inn late at night, eat and drink, the keeper's daughter would 'accidentally' brush up against me, or linger her hand longer than it was usual. "No," I say taking to the cot just resting since sleep was so far away.
Yesterday the world was made anew, a new white-page with a nascent sun. I walked out with confidence in the snow, listening to the sound of my footsteps as they painted a pattern in my wake. Today the sun is just as bright yet bringing more warmth than before. There is a crunch to the snow as the melt begins, the top a layer like icing - beneath is the slippery ice and the compacted snow. And so, whilst I enjoy the brightness and the crisp air, I am careful how I walk to the stables. Perhaps later the ground and gravel of the road will show through and the ice will be free-running water just the same as after a rain-shower. Until then I breathe deep, place each foot with care saddling up my horse.
Avignon is a small town now, we stock up on food before we depart on our journey once again, Jackie was having a harder time. "No fast food, no coffee, no smokes, no bath or shitter," he wasn't lying even I wanted a damn pizza and said as much. "When we finally go home, I am eating a large meat lovers from Rocio's," the longing on his face mentions the best pizzeria in Maxville. I figured Bexley has gone insane without her coffee.
The ride was harsh, the hills rough when I asked Jackie. "You think Bexley has started murdering people in fits if coffee withdrawals," on his face was a fond smile. "Around a ninety percent chance, more firm from not smoking,"
"Vic packed her a carton before we left, she is smart and has made those few packs last her,"
Groaning, "We need to find her before she smokes them all, I need just one," his head hung low as I glanced back. "Daro," pointing at the clan coming our way, loud war cries broke out once they saw who was riding on our trail. Men screamed in pain clutching their grievous wounds, I fought for my kin until more poured behind. "ENOUGH," Jackie let loose a loud high-pitched sonic blast creating an avalanche. I moved to cover us, the fire burning hotter and hotter melting the snow caps before they reached us but now many lay dead as my kin let lose roars of victory.
Fire is the most beautiful weapon of them all. It shines with all its glory; maybe that's why I'm so attracted to it? The warmth along with the welcoming feel it gives but as you slowly approach it snarls and bites. I am the human embodiment of fire. I turned my gaze for a minute and everything was wrong, I should be in 1999 eating pizza and working out not trekking through the snowy wilderness.
I asked Daro, he held up three fingers we would arrive in three days and the weather turned better and better.
My ass hurt, we only encountered that single problem with a rival clan, but now four days later we rode hard into Barcelona. "She is here, but were," I never said where to meet. Jackie vanished off his horse his clothes screamed in their bright red; he was at a fruit stand talking to the young woman who was blushing. He handed her something before moving on talking and giving to whomever he spoke to.
I just moved around with my kin looking for her, after hours or maybe only thirty minutes nothing. I hated the fact time had no baring and no easy way to pull my cell out and check, I see a sundial but was rusty on the know-how. "A family saw a woman riding like the wind on a black horse, she was being chased. She went towards Tibidabo, or they call it "the magic mountain,", The adrenaline floods my system like it's on an intravenous drip - right into my blood at full pelt. I think my heart will explode and my eyes are wide, letting in every ounce of the fading light.
I was breathing heavily. Not from the heat or fatigue, not from lack of physical capability. From fear. Genuine fear. I rode hard, harder than any other day heading to the location with Jackie next to me and my kin fanning out behind me. This was a movie worthy, "Get to Bex," was all I cared about as the climb even with our beast's of horses.
The path doesn't care about the terrain, that's for me to deal with. The path is the path. So whatever comes I keep going. When I get knocked down I have to get up, 'cause there's no other way. I see her, her hair wild as she created a storm she was cornered on the cliffside, five come at her and that was their mistake. She stood atop the rocky surface and raised her arms. Clouds swirled around her in an icy greeting and snow coated the mountain top. Her eyes began to glow brighter as a wind-whipped the hair across her face. When she looked down at the dizzying drop, nothing met her gaze but flat clouds, hiding the treasure of their landscape below. Then her eyes turned back up seeing us riding to her and like that the raging storm she caused stopped as if cut by a knife, all turned and my eyes locked with Kai the dark mist surrounded him.
I bellowed, "Kill them all but leave him for me," jumping from my horse as Jackie leaves us heading for Bexley and the black horse protecting her. I hear it and can't believe him, "BEX YOU GOT A SMOKE?"
Kai held his hand up, "Peace, you should have stayed in the future, we don't have time for this. We have lines to clean," his hand raising. "Have fun searching, if I run into you I will end you. Stay and fight me, are you not man enough,"
"I will have her," the black mist envelopes them as my flame circled it but they are gone and Bexley just looked at me with wide eyes. "You never showed,"
"Bex, he only arrived six days ago, Bex you've been here for about thirty-seven days," Jackie thankfully tired but tears fall, her face was hurt pretty bad. I want to say it was seeing her cry that had me so torn, but it was not only that. I failed her, she trusted me and I didn't show, she was dirty her clothes torn, looked pale, hungry and so very tired. "I came, I came the moment I arrived,' my tone hurt as I just picked her up she didn't fight me, but clung to me like I was her lifeline. Her body shaking as she sobbed I whispered, "I am so sorry, I asked you to trust me and I gave you the one reason not to. But we have to go now, we are traveling to my kin where you can heal while we plan the next phase of this mission together," a loud nay as the black stallion kicked at my horse who was trying to get too friendly with her.
I snapped, "STOP THAT, SHE SAID NO," my kin laughed and Jackie just was savoring the lit smoke in his hand like it was his life on the line. "Come you will ride with me, you sleep," taking the coat Willo had placed in my bag around Bexley who's eyes turned up to me. Smiling down at her, cause I'm hopeful, yes I am, hopeful for today having her back. "You're hungry?" she nods but says nothing, her arms are tight and right now she could hang on me until she was better. With a little issue due to her hanging on so tight, I managed to grab a single candy bar from my bag as my horse was still trying to mate.
"Here, Vic sent them," now she was bawling. Her hysterical crying, the screaming sobs only interrupted by the person's need to draw breath. It was a primal sound; one we're programmed not to ignore. I for a second thought she was in love with him but Jackie just touched her neck, "Bexley, you're doing this to save him and his family. Then you will see him again. Peace, you and nearly no one knows. Bexley was very sick when we were kids, Vic gave her a second chance she has his Kidney and bone marrow. They are inseparable," now his face that day we left, his desire to go with her, they're connected in a way none are.
"About time, you're her protector now, I must return to my family and warn them. You will come with me and I will return you once safe," the sly female voice washed over us, all turned seeing a girl of maybe sixteen, her eyes coal-black, her hair the same at once Bexley un-clamored from me racing to what was once her horse.
The girl continued, "My family has long been friends with the McQueens, I happen to be visiting and heard your story. Seen all you have faced, the pain these months, I stayed with you to ensure you found him,"
"Your family is a target for Kai, you are an ancestor of my best friend, Magenta Mallorie," the girl smiled. "I would care for a friend as brave and selfless as you, Bexley. My family is new to power but we're powerful, I will return to your side but know my family is safe as is the McQueens," she twirled her body morphing into a beast of a bird before snatching Jackie and taking off into the sun.
"Take his horse, "Daro yelled taking the reins it was fast, faster than ours combined. "Come on Bexley," she had the bar sticking from her mouth, this was the girl who wanted to yeet a nine-year-old. But soon we ride hard we will only rest when we must, ride for as long as our horses allow and she was now curled into me her eyes closed.
"Ride hard,"
Translations.
Warren and Wirich
Just kom from ze keiling naked as ze day born / Just come from the ceiling naked as the day born
I just dressed keeping my tone level when all I wanted was to leave, "look I just sailed hundreds of years into my past to vher my forefazers are. I kam to stop a great evil befor he vipes ur great family of ze map. I hav to travel to Barselona to find a girl vho traveled viz m togezer ve fail or take ze man ut. Nov vhat year and tim of day is it? /look I just sailed hundreds of years into my past to where my forefathers are. I came to stop a great evil before he wipes our great family off the map. I have to travel to Barcelona to find a girl who traveled with me together we fail or take the man out. Now what year and time of day is it?,"
noon tim of 1493. kom in and eat my khild /noon time of 1493. come in and eat my child
We knev a traveler vuld kome, ve never knev vhen but ze story has ben pased dovn. Her he is in ur tim and ve khose to help /We knew a traveler would come, we never knew when but the story has been passed down. Here he is in our time and we chose to help
Yu go get kin, he neds food and variors. Must sav her, beloved Keltis /You go get kin, he needs food and warriors. Must save her, beloved Celtic
Is yu, papa mad it said yu family protektor /Is you, papa made it said you family protector
"Be safe my khild, yu ar destined for greatnes, she neds yu her jurney is filed in pain unlike yurs. Yu ned her as mush as she neds yu, slep tonight and go in morning. Rumor komes even to us here, a Keltis voman viz povers has risen saving a vesel she vas on from a dark mist man. Traveled far boz hav but she has ben her a monz longer zan ze /Be safe my child, you are destined for greatness, she needs you her journey is filled in pain unlike yours. You need her as much as she needs you, sleep tonight and go in morning. Rumor comes even to us here, a Celtic woman with powers has risen saving a vessel she was on from a dark mist man. Traveled far both have but she has been here a month longer than thee