The Guard Changed at Dawn
Chapter 17
"You mean we can't use the medicine bags?" Dean asked with a yawn. It was firmly south of midnight. Being chased by owls last night with only a couple hours sleep this morning just wasn't enough shut eye any longer. Age was a relentless shrew.
Elan Begaye had gone home a few minutes before, and Mary was back in the ancient records room, returning the books they'd used for the translation of the old Yakama text to the shelves.
"There's no way to recreate their power," Joshua said. "We don't have access to the bodies of the warriors who died fighting the witches."
"And using remains of warriors fallen in battle is dark magic," Joseph said with a shudder.
"What about the power of the medicine bags without the blood and hair?" Sam asked. "The ingredients are powerful in their own right."
"We may be able to recreate something," Joshua said, "but it's going to take time. We'd need to analyze which ingredients are the focus ingredients and which are supportive."
"We know the warriors' blood was a main ingredient," Joseph said. "We just don't know how it interacted with other ingredients or which other ingredients were focal points to the blood."
"Onida should be able to help with that," Caleb said.
Sam frowned. "How?"
"She's the energy conduit. She's been connecting with those medicine bags every day for over forty years. If there's anyone who can identify the working components in the bags, it's her."
"Okay," Dean said, getting to his feet. Looking to Joshua and Joseph, he said, "You ready for a road trip?"
"Where?" Joseph asked.
Dean smiled. "To Onida's. I'm sure she's up."
"That's going to be a lot of people descending on her home," Sam commented.
"Everyone isn't going," Dean said. "Just us."
Caleb frowned. "What?"
"JT, James, Max and Ryker are staying here at the Hall. I don't want everyone on the road at the same time."
"They aren't going to like that," Caleb stated. Everyone was a bit on edge, as Ryker and Max's earlier head-to-head showed. While the pair had reconciled their differences, telling the four they were staying here wasn't going to win any points.
"Do you think that's wise?" Joshua asked.
"We'll be back in the morning."
Sam shook his head. "We shouldn't split up."
"We've been splitting up since this thing began," Dean reasoned.
"I'll stay here," Sam said. "That way it doesn't look like they're the B team."
"Seriously?" Dean exclaimed, suddenly angry. "You think this is about who's on first? This is about protecting our team as best as we can, about not taking unnecessary risks by parading all of us together on the road to Onida's. It's not about one team being more important than the other!"
"I know that," Sam stressed. "But we've got a very seasoned team in here, and a young one out there. What would you have done if Dad, Bobby, Mac and Jim were on a hunt and left us behind in a motel?"
Dean's irritation abruptly faded. Sighing, he admitted, "I would have gone after them."
"And who raised these kids?"
"I did." Dean said. "For the most part," he added with a small smile. He hadn't raised Ryker; and technically, he hadn't raised Max, though he could take a lot of credit for the young man's training.
"Now do you see? You can't just tell them to stay here and expect them to do it."
"Yeah, okay. Are you sure about staying here?"
"I'm fine with it. Joshua and Joseph are the ones needed to tackle the potion ingredients, and Caleb can be there for Onida, help her figure things out. I'll stay here, get some sleep and see you guys in the morning."
Dean nodded. "Yeah, okay." Looking to Joseph and Joshua, he said, "You two ready to pull an all-nighter?"
"Haven't had one of those since graduating from the University of Washington," Joseph said humorously.
"I'll stay awake as long as possible," said Joshua. Looking to Joseph, he said, "Let's gather everything we'll need."
"Potion ingredients as well?" Joseph asked.
"I don't think you'll need those just yet," Sam said. "Right now it's about figuring out a way to use the original ingredients to prevent the witches from regenerating so we can kill them once and for all."
"You can make what you need when we get back here in the morning," Caleb added.
Joseph nodded.
Quickly Joshua and Joseph began putting papers into folders. After a minute, Joshua stood and said, "All right, we're ready."
"Then let's go tell the kids and get going."
.
To say the "kids" weren't happy was an understatement.
"We're not staying here while you're out there on the road," Max stated, his arms crossed over his chest in defiance.
"Agreed," Ryker confirmed, standing at his tallest and straightest.
"I don't like this," James added.
"This isn't open for debate," Dean stated firmly. "We're only going to Onida's to get her help in figuring out the medicine bag. We'll be back in the morning. Sam's staying here too."
"All we're doing is minimizing how many of us are on the road at one time," Caleb said. "This doesn't mean we're going into battle without the entire team."
JT hadn't said anything since Dean announced he and Caleb were going with Joshua and Joseph to Onida's. Instead, he'd just watched his father until he said simply, "Okay."
"What?" Max exclaimed, turning to his friend.
"We're staying here, for now." Staring his dad straight in the eye, he continued, "If we don't hear from you every two hours, we're going to Onida's."
Caleb tried to cover his smile as he turned away. For all his dry sense of humor and Boy Scout ways, JT was the spittin' image of his Guardian father.
Years of practice came in handy as Dean kept a smile off his face, but his eyes had softened, and JT knew he'd won this argument, at least partially.
"All right, we'll call every two hours."
"It's almost one-thirty," Caleb said. "Onida is going to be busy."
"It will still take us some time to finish getting the potion ingredients in their correct measurements," Joshua said. "We won't monopolize her time. We'll get her input when needed. When we near the finish, we'll need her to double check what she told us and how we put it together."
"Okay, then let's get going," Dean said, heading for the door.
Once all four were in one of the two remaining SUVs, Caleb insisted Dean drive so he would be free to shoot witches out of the sky. Joseph and Joshua were in the back, with blankets over their heads and shoulders in case any flying witches took out the back windows.
"I'm not sure this is entirely necessary," Joseph remarked quietly to Joshua.
"I think this is extreme," Joshua grumbled as he sat with his head covered in an old blanket.
Caleb forced the smile off his face before he turned around. "Twice when the witches attacked, it was while we were driving. They took out the windows. I don't want either of you to be cut with flying glass." Casting Dean a sly glance, he fumbled out his cell, whipped it around and took a picture. "Besides, that picture is going to be worth a lot!"
Dean laughed out loud while Joshua voiced his indignation from the back seat.
"You only had us wear blankets so you could take that ridiculous picture," Joshua fumed, sliding the blanket from around his head.
"No, I didn't," Caleb stated. "Put it back. Did you see the window of the last SUV? The picture was just a perk, not the reason."
Joshua mumbled something about being able to turn Caleb into a toad.
"Hey, I was your glorified babysitter for years, stood in line at American Girl more times than I can count, sat in tiny chairs at more tea parties than I would admit to even under oath. And had my hair turned pink by a color changing spell wrecked by your precocious daughter. I think I'm owed a picture of you with a stupid blanket on your head."
Joshua smirked at the memory of Caleb's pink hair, but had to admit the Knight had put up with a lot over the years from both Mary and Josie. "All right, fine. You're due one shot. Just don't let it get out. I have a reputation to uphold."
"It's for me and my blackmail schemes only," Caleb stated. Looking over at Dean, he said, "Mush."
Dean glared at his friend. "What, I'm a dog now?"
"See, not so funny when you're on the receiving end," Joshua taunted.
Dean put the car into gear and headed down the road.
Caleb kept his eyes on the scenery, watching the road both front and rear.
Dean felt the tension of driving to Onida's in the middle of the night. Night before last he'd been attacked in front of the Records Hall, last night he and Max had been attacked by owls, and this morning JT and Caleb's car was run off the road by witches. He knew Caleb was on edge, watching every move outside; he was hard pressed not to let his gaze dart between the road and the scenery as well.
"We're almost there," Joshua said.
Dean glanced back in the rearview mirror and nodded. He slowed down, looking for the turn to go to Onida's.
"There," Caleb said softly, pointing ahead.
Dean squinted, and could just make out the opening between the bushes. "Okay, I see it." Slowing, he turned gingerly onto the dirt road and drove down the driveway to Onida's. It was only when he'd parked in the front yard that he let the tension melt from his shoulders.
"We got here without being attacked by witches or owls," Joshua stated.
"Thanks for the review," Caleb muttered, pushing open the car door and scanning the yard and the woods. Feeling a presence in the darkness, he stared onto the wooded area near the meadow. "Oh, no, witch. He's not coming to talk to you," he muttered.
Dean walked up behind Caleb and said, "I know she's there."
"You can feel her?" Caleb asked.
Dean nodded. "Not in here," he said, pointing to his head, "but in here," he poked his chest.
Caleb stared until Joshua and Joseph stepped away from the car, and he needed to make way for them to go up the stairs.
Dean watched his friend, and suddenly felt distance between them for the first time since he'd taken the blame for Sam shooting Caleb all those years ago. He couldn't help feeling like he'd disappointed or worse, surprised, Caleb somehow. Looking out to the witch standing in the trees, he gave her a nod and followed Caleb up the stairs.
When they reached the top, Caleb didn't bother to knock; just pushed open the door and walked inside. He knew Onida sensed his energy the moment they'd driven up, and she would be too busy working the canvas to open the door herself.
He showed Joseph and Joshua into the kitchen so they could use the table, then stepped out onto the deck. Coming up behind Onida, he touched her back lightly. "How goes the canvas?"
"Not too bad tonight," Onida said. "Those pouches seem to be doing a good job blocking Dean and JT's energy. Without that, I think they need to recover from the last couple nights' activities."
Caleb let down his blocks and allowed himself to hear the witches. "Wow, they don't sound like they're recovering."
"Anger is an emotion, but not exactly the same as the energy they need to escape. Otherwise they would have gotten free years ago."
"There's one outside right now."
Onida nodded. "I know. I felt her energy."
"Dean feels her too."
Onida glanced over her shoulder. "How?"
"In here," he pointed to his heart.
Onida smiled. "I guess that makes sense."
Caleb frowned. "How so? I don't get it."
"You said it yourself. Merlin searched the longest for the man who was hardest to find; one with a sacrificial heart. Don't you see why the witches would be interested in him, in JT? They need a sacrifice to up their power. What more could they want than two people whose hearts are dedicated to sacrifice? And why wouldn't that same sacrificing heart not feel the witches' desire?"
Caleb stared at her for what seemed like minutes before he smiled. "Thanks. I didn't get it when Dean said he could feel them in his heart."
"Well, not his literal heart, you know," Onida said, her hands moving back and forth across the canvas. "His metaphysical heart."
Caleb froze. Metaphysical heart. Dean's power was in his heart. Damn it! Why hadn't he thought of that before!
Turning, he ran back inside and found Dean standing on the front porch, staring out into the night. "You're the key," Caleb stated.
Dean glanced over at Caleb. "I'm what?" He slid his phone back into his pocket, having just given JT a call to let him know they'd gotten here safely.
"We don't need the warriors' blood or hair. We just need your blood and hair."
Dean frowned as he ran a hand over his head. "I'm not giving up any hair." He'd noticed his hair had thinned slightly as he'd gotten older, but his vanity prevented him from admitting that to Caleb. The he rolled his eyes as Caleb laughed.
"You're still pretty," Caleb stated, and batted his eyes playfully.
"Yeah, yeah. So why do you need my blood and hair?"
Caleb wisely swallowed his laughter before his best friend retaliated. They both had their vanities. "The key ingredient in the medicine bags was pieces of the warriors who sacrificed themselves to protect the tribe. That's what made the medicine bags so strong. But we don't have access to blood and hair from the original warriors who perished. What we do have access to, is someone else who would sacrifice themselves to fight evil; you."
Dean frowned. "Would that work? And how much would you need," he added suspiciously.
Caleb rolled his eyes. "Let's go put it to Joseph and Joshua, see what they say."
Sam lay on the couch and tried to get back to sleep, but his brain wouldn't let him. Very consciously he was aware of Max, Ryker, JT and James trying to do the same, and failing. Finally he pushed himself upright.
"You thinking of going over to Onida's?" James asked, sitting up quickly on the couch Dean had recently vacated.
"We're ready," Max said, leaning forward in his lounge chair.
"No," Sam smiled. "I just couldn't sleep."
"Oh," James muttered, flopping back down.
Sam looked at the four men he'd known since they were boys. "Why don't we work on another piece of his puzzle?"
JT rolled onto his side and asked, "Which piece?"
"The canvas." Sam looked from one man to the other. "We've been focused on the medicine bags, but the other part of this trap is the canvas. Caleb and I were questioning Onida about it before the owls attacked you and Dean," he said to Max. "I haven't had a chance to go through all the information yet. How about we get that done then get some sleep?"
"Yeah, all right," JT said, crawling off the couch.
"I'll get some coffee," Ryker said.
"How about we drink some juice or something," Sam suggested. "We want to be able to sleep eventually."
Ryker stood. "I'll go check in at the kitchen. I helped Mary get coffee earlier, so I know where it is."
"I'll go with you," James said, following Ryker from the room.
Max climbed from his lounge chair. "Guess I'll get the legal pads ready."
JT walked over to the windows and looked outside.
"You see any witches?" Sam asked.
JT shook his head. "No, not here. They're still in their caves."
Sam's eyes shot to JT's face. "You can feel the witches are in their caves," he stated.
JT smiled. "I know, weird, huh? It must have something to do with their energy being connected to mine."
"When you were at Onida's, did she say anything about working the canvas that made sense to you, that maybe you could see happening as a Guardian?"
JT turned to Sam and said, "I'm not the Guardian, so I don't know. There can only be one Guardian at a time, and that's dad."
Sam sighed. "I know that. I just meant that as you both have Guardian power, you both see the canvas in a different way, and you both can sense the witches. I wondered if there was something in what Onida said about working with the canvas that struck a chord."
JT watched Sam's face a moment before saying, "She called me baby Guardian."
Sam frowned. "What?"
"The witch," JT clarified. "She said I was a baby Guardian. In the woods during the fight, a witch leaned over dad and said Guardian. That's not what she called me. Baby Guardian means not full grown, not an adult yet. I think that says everything."
Sam frowned. "JT, she didn't mean you weren't a good fighter or not a true Guardian."
JT smiled. "Wow, way to go off the deep end, Uncle Sam. I know that. She was saying there was a lot more I needed to learn to be the Guardian." Leaning back against the window sill, he crossed his arms loosely. "I've hunted for a lot of years and I'm good at it. I realize I'm not in the same league as you, dad and Uncle Caleb, but since hunting full time for the last few years, you think to yourself; I'm pretty good at this job. I'll be ready to step into my old man's shoes when he decides to retire. Then a witch calls you a baby Guardian," he chuckled softly, "and you realize just how far you have to go."
Sam laughed. Turning, he leaned back next to JT. "You know me and your dad hunted since we were kids; well, at least your dad did. I didn't start quite as young as he had to." Sam watched idly as Max put the pads and pens on the banquet table. "When I returned to hunting after Jessica died, I was getting back into the flow, relearning moves I'd known when I was young. Soon, I realized how good I was becoming. Dean, who had always taken the leadership role during hunts, would say to do something, and I'd suggest something else. He'd stop, think about it, and often he'd agree and do things my way. I thought that meant he was conceding that my idea was better." He chuckled softly. "It took me a long time to realize that he wasn't saying my idea was necessarily better, just that he was willing to do things differently if I thought it was better. Needless to say, I let his concessions go to my head. During a particularly difficult time of my life…" Sam broke off and swallowed hard. He hadn't ever told this to anyone before.
JT leaned forward slightly. "Uncle Sam? You don't have to tell me if it's too difficult."
The offer was so Dean that it gave Sam the strength to continue. "During a difficult time in my life, I accused your father of being a drag to my hunting brilliance. I told him he was afraid to go after the big bad because he wasn't up to the fight. I essentially told him I was much better at the job than he was, and that he should just get out of my way and let me do it."
Sam didn't have the courage to look at JT, whom he was sure was staring at him with his mouth hanging open.
"Uncle Sam," JT said, and Sam could hear the compassion in his voice. "Dad would never have believed that for a moment. He loves you."
Sam's eyes filled with tears at the truth of the statement. Turning to look at his nephew, the nephew whose heart was as big as his father's, he confessed, "But I meant it. I meant it until I realized just how strong and selfless and courageous your dad was."
JT smiled. He understood. His dad's innate selflessness was difficult for others to grasp. But his dad was a rock of heroic sacrifice, and it was only when you understood and appreciated it, that you really understood Dean Winchester.
"But that doesn't mean he's perfect," Sam added humorously.
JT laughed.
Across the room Ryker walked in and over to the table carrying a tray with a plate of something and loaded with several bottles.
"Anyway, the point of this confession," Sam said ruefully, "is that we all think we're good, we all think were ready for the fight, for the job. But in truth, we're not. No one is ever truly ready to step into a position of leadership or responsibility. Even now your dad would say he had much to learn. And that's the road; learning. So, baby Guardian," he said with a smirk, "while it's true that you are young in years, you'll never be fully ready to become the Guardian, or to be the Guardian..."
"Or to resign from being the Guardian," JT finished with a smile. "It's all a journey."
"As your dad always said, we do the job wherever it takes us. You dad would never understand, but he was the Guardian long before he officially stepped into the shoes. A title never mattered to him, only protecting people. He would be doing the exact same thing whether he was Guardian or not."
"Are you guys planning on getting to work, or should we all go back to bed?" Max called across the room.
"We're coming," Sam said, pushing off the wall. Looking to JT, he asked, "You ready?"
"Yup. Let's figure out the canvas," JT said, walking with Sam to the table.
When Sam got to the table, he picked up a bottle of coke and said, "Cookies? It's after midnight."
"We're going to be up a long time," Ryker stated. "Sugar and some caffeine are vital to cognitive clarity."
Max picked up a chocolate chip cookie and stuffed it in his mouth. "We ready?"
JT laughed while Sam rolled his eyes. "Yes."
"So, what did you learn from talking to Onida?" James asked.
"Okay," Sam said. He was reaching for a pen when Ryker stopped him.
"You focus on remembering," Ryker stated. "We'll take the notes."
Sam nodded. "The canvas is linked to the medicine bags through their mineral, herbal and human composition. When the potion was created, it was put into the medicine bags as well as baked into the very fiber of the canvas, creating a link."
"So the canvas is like a key," James said.
"A key or a portal?" Ryker asked.
"Maybe it's both," Max suggested.
"Maybe," Sam said. "While it doesn't appear the witches can come through the canvas, it does have portal-like elements to it."
"The witches can push on it, they can claw at it," JT said. "That's physical. When they clawed it last night, it looked like the canvas was bleeding. To me that shows it can be wounded."
"If they can affect the canvas when they aren't physically there," Ryker said, "That means there are at least some portal-like elements to it."
"So the canvas may be metaphysical in its most base definition," James mused. "It relates to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses."
"Onida can't see the canvas morphing, so let's surmise that none of the canvas watchers over the generations have been able to see that," Sam said. "If they had, it would have been part of Onida's training. Since we know it's happening now, thanks to Dean and JT, it must mean the watchers can heal the canvas if the witches are damaging it."
No one spoke for a minute as they mulled the questions that had been raised.
Finally, Max said, "Whether we completely understand the canvas or not, we know that a watcher has kept the witches inside those containment walls for generations."
"They have," Sam said, with a smile at the young Knight.
James nodded, and pushed the conversation forward. "So, what else did Onida say?"
"Through the canvas she can see the borders of the containment wall. When a border starts to thin, she focuses energy through the canvas and builds it back up She uses different types of energy and entwines them so the wall is strong; white light for purity, green light to build, red light for strength, and blue light for fortitude. She doesn't always infuse a new section of the wall with her own energy if it weakens. Sometimes she uses yellow energy to manipulate and stimulate energy that's already there so it's stronger. She also uses crafting to rebuild breaches. Like when Dean was being attacked at the Yakama Records Halls."
Max frowned. "How does that work?"
"And how does she choose whether to rebuild or manipulate energy to fix the walls?" asked James.
Sam smiled and shrugged. "To both questions, I have no idea. It took Onida twenty years of training before she became the guardian. How she does it is beyond me."
"I saw her in action when she saved dad," JT said. "She used a mix of herbs and her blood to make a paste, then put her hand on the canvas and energy flowed out of her body and into the picture." JT put his hand, palm out, in front of him to demonstrate Onida placing her hand on the canvas.
Max was watching JT. "You saw the energy leave her body?"
JT's cheeks colored slightly, but he nodded.
"That must have been an amazing light show," James stated, unconsciously echoing JT's words to Dean.
JT smiled. "It was pretty wild."
"So when a witch escapes, how does recapturing her work, exactly?" Ryker asked.
"Like JT saw," Sam said, "once Onida makes her potion and places her hand on the canvas, the mix apparently acts like a giant suction and pulls the escapees back into the trap."
"Do we know whether there've been escapes before Onida took over?" Max asked.
"According to Onida, there was one escape in nineteen-fifty-two. Five children and three Yakama tribal members died before the witches could be contained again."
"So the canvas does act like a portal, pulling the escaped witch back into the trap," Ryker stated. "Can Onida engage or attack the witches through the canvas?"
"I don't know." Sam scribbled the question down. "I do know that the forest is a prison, and the caves are like a prison barracks, and only a few of the prisoners can walk the yard at a time."
"If only two witches are allowed out of the caves at a time, how come six attacked us in the forest?" James asked.
"Onida and I believe they were using power siphoned from Dean and JT to get one additional witch per coven out of the cave to attack us. We don't think they realized where the energy boost came from until they met up with you in the forest."
"They realized it when the witch sniffed dad," James said.
Sam nodded.
"Why not bind them all to the cave, why just three?"
"I believe that goes back to how the original medicine bags were created," Sam stated. "These witches are powerful supernatural creatures. The native Yakama couldn't kill them with weapons. What they had at their disposal was generations of education in minerals and herbs. So they used those to trap the creatures in the forest, and as many to the smaller confines of the caves as they could."
"And the blood? The hair from the warriors? Using those in a potion is dark magic," Ryker said.
"Agreed," Sam said. "But think of the desperation they were feeling. There were supernatural creatures killing the Yakama children, killing the children in all the surrounding areas. They'd sent in dozens of warriors to kill them, and they'd all died. They needed to do something drastic or their people might be wiped out. So they created the medicine bags, making them as strong as they were able to contain the threat." While the boys had never confronted anything they couldn't kill, Sam knew what it was like to go against a foe stronger than he was and impossible to kill. It was terrifying.
"But why the caves and the forest?" Max asked. "If I was going to create a prison, I would have made it a lot smaller, more easily contained."
"Those are questions we don't have the answer to," Sam said. "My speculation is that the witches roamed the forest. So after the bags were made, they needed to be placed in a manner that would escape their attention and capture them all. I would also speculate that the caves were chosen for a very specific reason."
"Because caves and mountains are centuries of concentrated mineral accumulation," James stated.
Sam nodded. "The creators of the medicine bags knew exactly what mineral deposits were in those caves and knew how to use them."
"Did Onida know what the minerals in the caves and forest area are?" Max asked.
"She knows the ones she can use to do her job," Sam said, "but I doubt she knows all of the ones used in creating the medicine bags. At least, if she knew, she didn't say."
"Then Parrain and Joseph will find out the minerals as they decipher the recipe for the bags," Ryker said confidently.
Max rose. "I'm going to get my laptop, see what else we can find out about the minerals in those caves."
"I'm going with you," Ryker said, rising. "I don't think any of us should go outside alone."
Max nodded and they left the room.
JT watched the pair leave the room then looked back at Sam. "We're going to try and turn these same minerals and herbs into a weapon."
Sam nodded.
"Ryker brought up a good question earlier," JT said. "If the canvas has portal qualities, why hasn't the watcher ever used it to kill a witch?"
"They can't," James said.
"How can you be so sure?" JT asked, looking at his brother. "Being able to snag a witch out of thin air and shove them back into the trap is pretty powerful."
"Because one of them would have done it before now."
"The canvas may have limits as to how much energy can go through it without it being destroyed," Sam said. "I can't imagine it wouldn't have occurred to someone over the last century, to attempt an annihilation through the canvas. It's very possible one tried, then had to work pretty fast to repair the canvas."
"Maybe in nineteen-fifty-two?" James said softly.
Before Sam could respond, Max and Ryker walked back into the meeting and banquet room carrying Max's computer.
"So, minerals," Sam said, with a smile and JT and James.
"Yeah," Max interjected. He bent over his computer and started typing. "Okay," he said. "Black Tourmaline, Jet, Malachite, Selenite and Tektite are indigenous to the Yakima Valley. Um, Black Tourmaline protects against black magic and repels negative energy. And Tektite … oh, wow, listen to this; Tektite is a stone created through meteoric impact, so its energy is otherworldly. It's reputed that Tektite can stimulate astral projection."
"Maybe the witches are using the Tektite to try and get through the canvas," JT suggested, his eyes going from Sam to James and back again.
"I wish I knew," Sam said. "What I keep coming back to, is that Onida can't see that happening, so we can surmise that no other watcher would see it either."
"But isn't that the perfect escape route, then?" Ryker asked. "Escape through the least expected area."
"It's possible," Sam admitted. "But that would mean the canvas itself was a portal. I'm not seeing enough evidence to support that as yet."
Ryker nodded.
"So," Max said, eyes going back to his computer screen. "We have … Jet. Jet helps with protection, purification and absorbing negative energy."
"How did the Yakama figure all this out?" James interrupted. "I mean, did they use Jet around someone who was mad, and then the person wasn't?"
JT and Max laughed while Sam smiled and said, "Remember, much of this information was passed down from generation to generation. Maybe they conducted experiments like that, or merely noticed that when a certain mineral was around, it calmed people down. All we do know is that the Yakama people believed in that power, and that the medicine man of the day believed in it so much he created medicine bags that are very effective at containing some pretty strong witches."
"Okay," Max continued, his eyes on his computer screen, "Malachite possesses copper, which is a powerful electrical conductivity. It strengthens positive energy and stimulates solar energy. And last, Selenite, which is an activator for stored energy and helps people connect to the spirit world," he finished, looking up at Sam. "Some pretty powerful stuff."
"All those minerals plus the herbs and the dead men's blood would make an incredibly powerful cage," James said cautiously.
"And the witches have been fighting for a way out ever since," Ryker said.
"Do they cast spells to try to get out?" JT asked.
"Do they create potions to try and escape?" James chimed in.
"According to Onida, they have fought for decades to escape by creating spells and potions," Sam agreed. "Sometimes the spells break the wall, and she has to work very hard to put it back before the witches get out."
No one spoke for a while as they drank juice and ate cookies, mulling the discussion and minerals found in the woods.
"So, to sum up," Sam said finally, "the medicine bags were created with minerals that connect to the cave structure, powerful herbs and warriors' blood. Watchers like Onida funnel energy through the canvas to keep the walls intact. Of the two covens, the medicine bags are strong enough to confine three members to the caves at all times, while two can roam the forests attacking the barrier and trying to weaken it enough to escape. The canvas is a portal through which connects Onida to the medicine bags, allowing her to work." Sam looked at the four young men sitting around the table.
"Who said the canvas was a key?" JT asked.
"Onida did night before last," Sam said.
James frowned. "What did she mean by a key?"
"We weren't able to get into that because of the witch attacking your dad," Sam said. "So how about we tackle it? What does a key do?"
"A key locks and unlocks," Max said.
Sam nodded. "Does the key unlock the trap? If the canvas is destroyed, are the witches free even if the medicine bags are still in place?"
James was writing down the questions. Finally, he looked up. "We need to ask Onida."
"She may not know," Ryker said. "She was trained to monitor the canvas and to fix the barriers. Even her teacher may not have known exactly how the canvas works."
"When Onida was young and the witches attacked," Max said carefully, "They didn't escape out into the surrounding neighborhood like in nineteen-fifty-two. They didn't even try to take down the medicine bags. They attacked Onida, not the canvas."
Sam's eyes widened. "Because Onida is the canvas. She's the energy keeping it in place, she's the connection to all the medicine bags, she's the one who makes it all work. If the canvas is destroyed, I'll bet you Onida could still fix the walls by connecting with the bags. The canvas is merely a blueprint for her work, not the work itself. The witches attacked Onida because, without a watcher, the canvas is useless. The witches would escape."
"We need to tell dad and Uncle Caleb," JT stated.
Dean stirred and rolled over onto his side. At first he thought he was in the banquet and meeting room at the Yakama Building. But a quick look around told him he was at Onida's house. Yawning, he relaxed. He could hear voices in the kitchen, and knew Joshua and Joseph were still going at it with the medicine bag ingredients. Caleb would be out on the balcony watching Onida tame the canvas. Why had he even come? He was bored to death … or to sleep, as was the case.
Caleb had asked Joshua and Joseph about using his blood and hair for the potion, but Joshua had said they needed to work out the ingredients before they would know if substituting Dean's Guardian blood would work as well as the dead warriors. As Caleb had said earlier, there was power in dead men's blood, and Dean didn't plan on being dead any time soon.
His eyes roved the living room until he saw a clock. Three-thirty in the morning. Did anyone ever stop to get some sleep? Flipping onto his back, thoughts chased one another through his mind; the witches thought he was a tasty treat, okay. How could he use that to kill them? And how could he use it without endangering JT? If his ability with the water was alchemic and the witches wanted it, could he turn himself over to them as a hostage, be taken back to their cave and destroy it? All right, that was melodramatic and drastic. No way would Damian allow that to happen. Neither would Sam, for that matter.
The witch's reaction to the water was what stuck in his mind. She was off him in a flash, pawing at her cheek as though in pain. If she and her coven could use his power, then why would it be painful? Or was it his turning the water to silver that was painful. Could he use his ability with the water to change the balance of energy in Onida's trap? And if the balance of energy changed, would they be able to be killed?
No one knew whether the witches had the ability to regenerate before they arrived, though James, Sam … someone speculated that it was very possible the barrier was keeping them alive. If the witches could siphon his and JT's energy and use it, then just his energy wouldn't kill them. It all came back to the silver. So, how could he use that as a viable weapon to kill them?
"What are you thinking about?"
Dean's eyes swung over to Caleb, who was standing behind one of the many chairs littering the living room. "Energy, silver, a shower and a date with Juliet."
"Hopefully in that order," Caleb smiled, moving around the chair and dropping into it. "She'll require a shower before she goes out with you."
Dean grunted as he shoved himself upright, pushing the sofa blanket away. "S'not like I've had much time to shower, what with the birds and the witches." He looked at the glass doors, though with it being dark outside, he couldn't see onto the balcony. "How goes the canvas?"
Caleb shrugged. "Looks like its quiet out there tonight. Onida is suspicious and wanted to know if you could take a look."
Dean nodded and climbed off the couch. Wavering slightly when he stepped on his injured ankle, he straightened and limped toward the glass doors.
"We should have Onida look at your ankle," Caleb said.
Dean shrugged. "I'll put some more antibiotic cream on it later. I don't want to take advantage of her energy when it should be used on the trap."
Caleb rolled his eyes and followed his friend onto the balcony … then ran straight into Dean's back when the later stopped abruptly.
Dean's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. "You sure they're not in there wrecking murderous revenge?" he asked.
"No, why?" Onida asked, her eyes glued to Dean's face.
"Because the canvas is completely blank except for the word Guardian."
Onida swung back to stare at the picture. She only saw the meadow and forest beyond just like always. Putting a hand on the canvas, she double checked every single barrier and wall in the entrapment. They were strong; fortress strong. Turning to Caleb, she said, "Can you check too?"
Caleb closed his eyes and lowered his blocks. Wincing slightly, he lifted a hand to rub at his temple and closed the link. "They're in full on murder mode." Looking over his shoulder at Dean, he said, "They're planning something."
"So who are they talking about?" Onida demanded. "You or me?"
"Maybe both?" Dean suggested, limping over to the double glider and lowering himself onto the cushioned surface. His body was tired; beyond tired. Aside from catnaps and a few hours here and there, he hadn't had a decent night's sleep in over two days.
"Go to bed," Caleb said, walking over.
Dean smiled. Leave it to Damian to ease drop on his thoughts.
"I've heard your thoughts since you were five," Caleb stated, tugging on Dean's arm. "You need some sleep, badly. You're thoughts are chaotic and skipping all over the place."
"Go sleep in the guest room," Onida said. "Joshua and Joseph need to sleep as well. Joshua can take my bed, and I'll put Joseph on the pull out. You," she pointed to Caleb, "will have to sleep on the roll away."
Caleb smiled but shook his head. "No, I'll take everyone back to the motel. Joseph can bunk in with Josh, and I'll share Dean's room, since Sam's at the Records Hall. Then everyone will have a bed."
Onida frowned. "You sure you want to test driving on the road so soon after the darkest part of the night has passed?"
"We got over here fine. And Dean's wearing the pouch, so he's protected against energy poaching. Yeah, there's a risk, but I think we all need a bed, badly." His eyes swung to Dean, whose eyes were half mast.
Onida sighed. "Yeah, okay, though I'd prefer it if you stayed here. Call me as soon as you reach the motel, all right? Otherwise I'm not going to be getting much sleep."
"Will do," Caleb said with a smile. Turning, he roused Dean and opened the sliding glass doors. Leaving Dean in the living room, he veered off to the right and into the kitchen.
Dean blinked slowly, then pulled his cell from his pocket. Hitting JT's number, he smiled when his son picked up the phone a second later.
"Hey Dad. You guys all right?"
"We're good; tired. We're taking Joshua and Joseph back to the motel to get some sleep."
"Why don't you sleep at Onida's? I don't like you driving outside at night. Creepy things happen."
"Yeah, I know. But Onida's place isn't that big, and there are four of us besides her. We need more space. Didn't think of that when we drove over here."
There was silence for a moment or two before JT sighed. "Yeah, okay. Call when you get to the motel, all right?"
"All right. Why aren't you asleep?"
"We think the canvas is a portal or a key to the trap, so we're looking into it. We'll bed down soon."
"Good. I'll talk to you later, kiddo."
"Night, Dad."
Dean smiled as he slipped the phone back into his pocket. In his young adult days, Ben, JT and James were a joy he would never have foreseen for himself. Man, he really loved having kids, and he loved hearing the word dad. Dropping onto the couch again, he listened to Caleb talking with Joshua and Joseph.
"You sure that's safe?" Joshua asked.
"Is the pouch Dean's wearing strong enough to protect him even at night?" Caleb asked.
"More than strong enough," Joseph interjected as he rose slowly. Stretching a little, he said, "I myself would welcome a place to lie down."
"Then let's hit the road, gentlemen." Caleb went to retrieve Dean, and inside of five minutes they were driving down the darkened road back to the hotel.
Early morning mist hung white and heavy over the road, and Caleb wished there was better lighting on the reservation.
"Turn up here," Joseph said.
"What?" Caleb squinted into the smoky darkness.
"It's a short cut."
Caleb frowned as he slowed. "There's another road between Onida's and the hotel? They're not all that far apart from one another."
"It's a short cut," Joseph said again. "It will shave five minutes off our drive."
Caleb rubbed at the ache behind his eyes. He glanced over at Dean, who was frowning at the narrow road on the left.
Caleb caught Dean's eye. They both weren't happy with diverging from the main road in the fog this late at night.
"Let's go the regular route," Dean said. "I don't like this fog. We could get lost in it really fast."
"You won't get lost," Joseph stated insistently, moving forward so he was leaning against the back of Caleb's seat. "I grew up around here. I know it so well, I could get through it blindfolded."
"Which is what this would feel like," Dean said with a smile. "Sorry, Joseph. I prefer we traveled on the main road tonight."
Caleb rubbed at the ache in his temple and put his foot to the gas pedal. "Something's happening…"
Joseph grabbed Caleb's arm insistently. "The side route is shorter. Turn back, please."
"Hey," Caleb said, trying to pull his arm away from Joseph's painful grip.
Joshua put a hand on Joseph's shoulder and urged him to sit back. "We're only twenty minutes from the motel, Joseph. Going this way won't take much longer than the short cut, and in this fog, I too would prefer we stay on this road."
Joseph knocked Joshua's hand away. "Well I wouldn't! Turn now or…"
Dean twisted in his seat and punched the medicine man square on the jaw, knocking him back and out.
"Dean!" Joshua exclaimed, leaning over to examine the now-unconscious man.
Caleb glanced at his friend, his eyes wide.
Dean merely shrugged and sat back in his seat. "He was acting hinky. Probably witches. Birds last night, Stepford tonight. I wasn't in the mood."
Caleb gave a soft laugh. "Witch interference. I guess that's why my head is hurting."
"Well, I think your actions were extreme," Joshua stated with asperity. "It's not like he could climb over the seat and drive the car himself."
"But he could turn us all into frogs," Dean argued, his eyes on the road. "I'd rather not have to explain that to Juliet, Carolyn or Onida."
Caleb tried to hide his grin at Dean's including Onida along with Carolyn and Juliet.
"Is this fog getting thicker or what?" Dean asked, leaning forward in his seat.
"Yeah, it is," Caleb muttered, slowing down considerably. It was becoming difficult to see the road.
"Maybe we should have stayed at Onida's," Joshua murmured, staring out the passenger side window.
"Shoulda, woulda, coulda," Dean muttered. "We're in it now. Just don't stop."
Caleb was driving slowly, following the road by looking at the center white line out his window. "Keep an eye out front, Deuce. I need to watch the center line so we don't crash."
"If this mist is magical, it could thicken enough so we won't be able to drive at all," Joshua said. "I suggest driving faster."
Caleb glanced in the rear view mirror and nodded. "Okay, then I'll need help. Deuce, keep an eye ahead of us; Josh, watch the right side of the road, make sure I don't get too close. I'll watch the left. Keep your hats on, men. This is going to be a bumpy ride."
They drove in tense silence for several minutes when Dean abruptly said, "Do you think the witches have this huge caldron in their cave, and they're all standing around it singing, boil, boil, toil and trouble? And then huge amounts of smoke are pouring out of the caldron and threatening to cover the whole world?"
Caleb glanced at Dean before turning his eyes back to the road. "You're delirious."
"I've hardly slept in two days," Dean snapped. "Of course I'm delirious."
A couple more minutes of silence went by before Dean shouted, "Whoa!" and jerked himself back in his seat.
"What?" Joshua demanded.
"There's something out there in the mist."
"Are you still referencing movies?" Joshua asked tiredly. "Because that's getting old."
A ghostly figure whooshed past the car, and Dean exclaimed, "There's ghosts in the mist."
"Phantasms," Joshua said in surprise, his eyes on the figures suddenly floating around outside their car. "They're harmless. Ignore them."
Just then Dean yelped as his door clicked and started to open. Quickly he grabbed the handle and pulled the door shut, hitting the lock at the top. "Harmless, huh? Well, that phantasm was trying to get inside the car!"
Joshua pulled back as a ghostly figure knocked on his window. "Caleb, I suggest you go even faster."
"Not easy, but hang on."
"How far are we from the hotel?" Joshua asked, his eyes on the increasing number of ghostly figures keeping pace with the vehicle, knocking on the windows, pointing to the doors and asking to come inside.
"Hard to tell when I'm not driving normally," Caleb said, pushing his foot down further on the gas pedal. "It's getting harder to gain some speed."
A groan sounded from the back seat.
With all the crazy going on, Joshua had forgotten the medicine man was in the car with them. Leaning over, he said, "Joseph?"
"What happened," Joseph groaned.
"You hit your head getting into the car," Dean lied brazenly.
Caleb glanced over and stated softly, "You seriously need some sleep."
"Been tryin' to do that, but the witches aren't cooperating," Dean grumbled.
"And you're cranky when you're tired," Caleb griped.
"You already know that."
"I just thought it was worth mentioning again," Caleb said with a grin.
"I hit my head?" Joseph groaned. "Must have been slippery in Onida's yard."
"Dew," Joshua said blandly. "It was nearly four in the morning."
"Yes," Joseph said, then his eyes widened as a phantasm flew at his window. Jerking back, his said, "What the…" then, "Ow," as his head throbbed with the sudden movement.
Caleb had the gas pedal nearly to the floor as he pushed through the fog trying to reach the hotel. His eyes darted between the side of the road and the front of the vehicle. His head was aching with the concentration of keeping the car on the road, the constant psychic interference from the witches and getting through the mist. Suddenly, he hit the brake and the car screeched to a halt. Directly in front of the SUV was a man.
"Do you think he's real?" Dean asked, eyeing the man.
"Looks real. He looks like a trucker." Caleb took in the guy's appearance: jeans, flannel shirt, baseball cap. Opening the door, he stepped out. "Need some help, buddy?"
The man looked in their direction, utter confusion on his face. "I left my truck right here … somewhere. I can't find it."
"I'm Caleb Reeves." Caleb held his hand out to the other man.
The man walked over and shook Caleb's hand. "George Wilson," he said, calming down a bit with the mundane action of handshakes and introductions.
"Where were you when the fog rolled in?" Caleb asked.
"Edge of Town Diner."
Caleb grinned and looked to the others inside the car. "We're back at the motel, wherever it is." Turning back to George, he said, "Come on, get in. I think you're going to have to wait this fog out until morning."
"Wait it out where?" George asked. "I can't see anything. I couldn't even find my way back to the diner."
"There's a motel right around here somewhere. Come on," Caleb said, pointing toward the passenger door.
Joseph slid to the middle of the backseat to allow room for their new passenger.
When Caleb was inside with the door closed, he shut his eyes and focused on sleeping people. Turning the key, he drove slowly forward, following the psychic sounds of soft breathing and dreaming sleepers. When he hit something hard, he opened his eyes. "Okay, everyone. Stay inside." Pushing open the car door, he kept his right hand on the hood while moving forward until he hit the poorly constructed sidewalk of the hotel. His car had hit the parking curb in front. Grinning, he felt his way back to the car's cabin. "We're here. Everyone stay inside until I figure out where along the hotel we are and where our rooms are."
"Wait," Joshua said, "If your hand leaves the car, I don't know whether you'll be able to find us again." Reaching into the back of the SUV, he fumbled a bit before pulling a length of rope from his duffel. "I'm coming with you."
Opening the passenger door, he kept one hand on the car frame as he walked around the back of the SUV to the driver's side. Tying the rope around his waist, he handed the other end to Caleb.
Caleb nodded, and tied his end around his body. Giving Joshua a nod, he turned and walked to the front of the car, then disappeared through the fog.
Joshua felt the rope moving around, but was uneasy about not seeing his step-brother. "Caleb?"
"Yeah," came the disembodied voice. "The number on this door is seven." Caleb followed the rope back to where Joshua was standing. "I can't drive the car closer to our doors. I think everyone needs to get out right here. We'll rope everyone together and walk down to our rooms. George can sleep in Max and Ryker's room. There's no way we'll be able to find the motel office in this."
"Agreed," Joshua said. Turning, he made his way along the car to the driver's door and relayed what Caleb had said.
"Okay," Dean said, turning to his right to get out of the car.
"Come out this way," Joshua said, motioning for Dean come across the front seat and exit the vehicle on the driver's side.
"What? Why?"
"I don't want you going out that side."
Dean frowned. "But you did."
"A Phantasm didn't try to open my car door."
Giving a reluctant nod, Dean crawled across the front seat of the SUV and stepped out into the parking lot.
"Caleb's up there," Joshua pointed into the grayness. "Don't let your hand leave the car, and don't let go of this rope."
Dean nodded, the rope held loosely in his hand. Joshua went behind Dean and Dean heard him talking to Joseph and George. He stepped forward and their voices dimmed until he heard nothing. It was disconcerting, walking in thick, white nothingness, held to someone else only by a thin length of rope.
He'd gotten only a couple of feet when something cold and clammy grabbed his legs and pulled them right out from underneath him. He was thrown sideways, banging his tender shoulder and head on the side of the truck. "Hey!" he shouted. His grip tightened on the rope as he was pulled out into the gray fogginess of the parking lot. Kicking his feet, he tried to knock away whatever had his ankle in its very cold grip. "Let go!" he yelled, a reflexive action, because he didn't think phantasms really cared what he was shouting. Suddenly a hand closed over his and Caleb's face came into view.
"I got you," Caleb stated, grim determination on his face. He pulled Dean hard, trying to get him from whatever force had pulled him away from the vehicle. "Pull!" Caleb called over his shoulder. More strength was added to his, and suddenly Dean was free and being jerked toward the SUV. "Come on," Caleb said, grabbing Dean and pulling him toward the building.
Joshua, Joseph and George were standing there, the rope in their hands.
"What the hell?" George stuttered, his eyes wide.
"Come on," Caleb said, leading them down two doors. He slid his card key into the lock and pushed open the door. Stepping inside, he grabbed his duffle and went back to the door. "Josh? Joseph? Inside."
The two went inside and closed the door.
Caleb went to the next room and jimmied the lock. Pushing open the door, he went inside and cleared the room of Ryker and Max's duffels, and made sure there were no weapons around. Coming back, he said, "George, you're here."
"Whose room is this?" George asked, looking inside at the few dishes and cups lying around.
"My nephews. They're staying somewhere else tonight." Giving the freaked man a smile, he said, "They won't mind, trust me, and I don't want you out in this mess."
George stared at Caleb, his eyes wide. "What happened out there? What took your friend?"
"I don't know, maybe a wolf or something."
"I didn't hear any growling."
"Me either." Giving the man a comforting pat on his shoulder, he said, "I'll be two doors down. If you need something, call number twelve. Just don't leave this room until daylight, all right?"
George nodded and closed the door.
Caleb and Dean felt their way down to number twelve and Dean thrust his key card into the door and pushed it open. Once they were inside, Dean finally relaxed and dropped onto his bed.
"Your head is bleeding," Caleb said. He rummaged in his duffel and pulled out a first aid kit. Quickly he cleaned Dean's forehead and examined the cut. "Doesn't look too serious. I don't think you'll need stitches."
"It just aches," Dean said, one hand rubbing his sore shoulder.
"Get a shower," Caleb said, falling onto the other bed.
Dean shook his head as he toed off his shoes. "I don't think I could stay awake."
"You'll sleep better if you do."
Dean didn't have the energy to push his own agenda. Sighing, he struggled to stand again and slowly made his way to the bathroom. Caleb was right; he would feel better if he showered. But he also knew his friend wanted a moment to talk with Onida. All's fair in love and energy beings.
When the bathroom door shut, Caleb pulled out his cell and noticed there were several missed calls. He didn't know why he hadn't heard them, but maybe the fog had prevented it somehow. He hit Onida's number. The phone didn't even finish one ring before she picked up.
"What the hell happened?" Onida barked.
Caleb smiled.
"I've been calling you for the last hour!"
"An hour?" Caleb repeated, astonished. Looking at the clock, his jaw dropped when he saw it was after five in the morning.
Onida's next question was calmer. "What took you so long to get to the motel?"
"Fog, really thick, brutal fog. And phantasms in the mist trying to get inside the car." There was silence on the other end of the cell. "Onida?"
"There's no fog outside."
"There was around our car and the motel," Caleb replied. He told her what happened since they left her house.
"Wow," Onida said softly. "I've never heard of such a thing."
"I guess the witches are pulling out all the stops. Dean suspects they have caldrons in their caves."
"You're all right?" Onida asked, ignoring the humor.
"I'm fine. Just waiting for Dean to get out of the shower, then I'll take a quick one and we'll get some sleep."
"All right. I'll call you this afternoon." Onida smiled. "Good night."
"Night," Caleb said, and shut his phone.
"You all right for me to come out now?" Dean grumbled, stepping from the bathroom, his hair wet and a towel around his waist.
Caleb gave his friend an unrepentant smile. "Yup. Hope you left me some hot water," he quipped, shutting the bathroom door in Dean's face.
"Why does everyone think I'm the hot water hog," Dean muttered. After he pulled on a pair of old sweats, Dean stared at his phone for a few minutes before calling Sam.
"Hey," Sam answered.
"You sound disturbingly wide awake," Dean stated.
Sam smiled. "We couldn't sleep last night, so we've been working on compiling all the notes on the canvas and researching portals and portal keys. JT, Max and Ryker are asleep, but James is wide awake."
Dean blinked. He wanted to know what Sam was talking about, but was too tired to ask. However, he was glad at least JT, Max and Ryker were getting some shut eye. "Okay, we'll talk about that later. You guys stay there and get some sleep. Are there enough couches and blankets to go around?"
"Yeah. Ryker pulled a couch from the lobby inside the meeting room. But why don't we just come back to the motel?"
"No, don't do that. We just drove through the fog from hell complete with floating ghosts that have a mean grip."
Sam frowned in confusion. "What?"
Dean shook his head. "I'll explain later. We're getting some sleep. Don't expect to see us for awhile."
"Okay. Call when you wake up."
Dean smiled. "You got it." Closing the phone, he dropped it on the nightstand and crawled under the covers. He didn't even remember falling asleep.
TBC
Author's Note:
Thank you for the comments Shazza19, bingos-gal, Liz, Lobita and the guests who've taken a moment to review. It's appreciated!