The dark shadows seemed to dance as the clouds passed the moon over head, the breeze blew her hair around. Breathing in the smell of the surrounding forest Cassandra Dioguardi couldn't help but feel at ease. The drive had been tense, the walk to her designated area more so, but considering what was to happen at the hour of her birth maybe Gaia would understand.
Sighing Cassandra walked to the edge of what Patience had called 'her cliff', attempting to look over the edge.
"My little wolf cub please," a deep gravelly voice called out from the shadows, "do not put your self in unnecessary danger and come away from the ledge."
Obeying with a fond smile on her lips she turned around , "there you are Adair, I was wondering where you had gotten too."
"Hm," the hulking form of a black wolf emerged, golden bronze eyes scanning the area briefly before determining it was safe to approach his human familiar.
"And where is Lyanna?" Cassandra gently scratched behind his ear, looking around for the slightest glimpse of fur as white as snow.
"Checking on the others, and making sure their familiars are firmly by their side," he stated leaning away, having enough of the coddling he refused to admit he loved so much.
"And everything is fine," a feminine voice rang out as it's owner stepped into view, "are you ready my pup?"
Cassandra nodded attempting a carefree smile for the white wolf, "of course."
"It is almost time," Adair commented, making eye contact with his mate, both were concerned for their little human.
"I will be fine," Cassandra commented as she took her place facing the cliffs edge, starring up at the dark star filled sky.
It wasn't like Tyler to be so secretive during the drive up the Danvers Family house, nor was it like Reid remain silent for longer than 5 minutes. Caleb couldn't decide which was more concerning, he felt an all too familiar tug of rising anxiety as they walked up to the door.
Gorman Twoberry stood in the doorway, without a word he stepped away letting in the four boys. Signaling them to follow he led them to the den underneath his charges room.
"What brings you here?"The old man asked, rarely did he get any visitors other than Caleb.
Clearing his throat nervously Tyler stepped forward, a stack of loose papers in his hands, "I found these."
Swiftly skimming over the material Gorman's eyes widened slowly as the realization of what he was holding dawned on him, "where did you get this?"
Uncomfortable and feeling slightly guilty Tyler avoided looking anywhere else but the floor, "there were in a box in out attic, with my fathers things."
With a grunt Gorman sand into the armchair by the fireplace, "sit."
Openly curious now Caleb sat down, squeezed between Pogue and Reid.
"Glenn was a wild boy, more so than our young Master Garwin," the old man started, "it was no surprise to anyone in the families when he decided to disregard your grandfathers words and travel through Europe. Not long into his travels Master Simms stumbled upon something he should not have."
The anxiety returned full force, turning Caleb's stomach into knots.
"Manuscripts in Italy spoke of a group of magic users, witches connected to Gaia. More than interested your father decided to search for them, finding nothing after 1665 he gave up."
Gorman sighed folding the pages, handing them to Tyler, "it wasn't until after he returned was he made aware that he had sparked interest. A rival coven who's intentions were anything but pure."
"Who are they? Where are they now?" Caleb asked, fearing for a moment that Tyler's father had unwittingly revealed their secrets or worse handed down an enemy they knew nothing about.
"The Cronak Coven. Druid blood runs strong in their veins. As for where they are, I do not know. Perhaps they are still searching for the Coven of the Sun," Gorman rubbed his temples, feeling somewhat guilty for imparting such information on the boys.
"Coven of the Sun? What is that? Some hippie shit or something?" Reid grumbled, the news putting him in a bad mood.
"A predominantly female coven whose power goes farther back then your own," the old mans knees creaked as he shifted in his seat.
"You said Gaia," Caleb whisper, the unfamiliar word rolling off his tongue, "this Coven of the Sun is the coven connected to Gaia."
Gorman grunted in agreement, he wasn't at all surprised Caleb had put two and two together.
"I've heard that word," Reid mumbled, deep in thought, "in Green mythology Gaia means mother earth, right?"
Not feeling the need to say anything more Gorman gave a curt nod.
"So this Cronak Coven knows about us," Pogue stated keeping his eyes trained on Caleb as if anticipating the brooding session his best friend would fall into any moment.
"Yes," Tyler answered, if the papers were anything to go by.
With baby boys confirmation Caleb's eyes darkened and his neutral expression morphed into a thoughtful frown, letting out a soft sigh Pogue stood up, "enough of this, is that all we came here to talk about?"
Reid scoffed, "dude, what more do you want?"
"If that's all why don't we go to Nikki's, we'll talk about this tomorrow," Pogue was sure that Reid would be the first to jump at the chance to have fun and forget about the heavy stuff, for a night at least.
"Yeah lets do that," the blond boy stood up, excited at the prospect, "come on baby boy."
Somewhat subdued Tyler followed muttering a soft 'thank you' to Gorman as he made for the door.
"Caleb man, lets go," Pogue nudged his best friend to get him up and moving.
"Thank you Gorman," Caleb stood, calling out a goodnight as he trailed after Tyler forcing his thoughts to the back of his mind.
Cassandra was sure more than fifteen minutes had passed and still nothing was happening. Having lost interest in the sky she had taken to looking out at the land spread before her trying to spot where her friends were at.
Beside her Adair had taken to pacing restlessly, his unwavering gaze on the sky where dark clouds had started to gather.
"What do you suppose my specialty will be?" Cassandra asked, her voice barely above a whisper but loud in the quiet that had encompassed her cliff.
"Perhaps more than one element," Lyanna answered, her hackles raised as she took note of how fast the dark clouds were gathering now.
"I'm glad Caitlin has air," Cassandra commented, her bare feet digging into the earth, "I know she can use all of them but air suits her well."
"Air is useless," Adair growled, his hackles raised. He continued to growl his eyes glowing feral, Adair could feel danger in the air and the rage in his blood. Adair would protect what was his.
"Oh hush Adair," Cassandra turned away from the view to face her surly wolf, "it's a perfectly good element to have."
Behind her the clouds started to churn, "Cassandra," Lyanna whispered, her body lowering to the ground in fear and submission.
Gorman watched from the window as the car drove away, "it's all for the better."
The old man stated as he contemplated calling one Samantha Caroline Dioguardi with the upsetting news. Hearing a thud above him Gorman put the thought aside as he returned to his duties.
/
"Man, it looks like we're in for some rain," Reid rolled down the passenger window to stick his head out and get a better look at the sky.
"If I get in an accident your head's going to be the only casualty," Tyler resisted the urge to close the passenger window just to see what Reid would do if his head were to get stuck.
"Maybe we shouldn't go out tonight," a dark and still brooding Caleb stated from his spot behind Tyler, an unusual feeling pushed at his consciousness.
"No man, we have to go out," Pogue shook his head, making the age old argument about vacation equaling fun, "school starts in what? Two weeks? I don't know about you man but there is no way I'm ready to give up the parties just yet."
"Senior year is going to be filled with parties," Caleb grumbled, his frown slowly melting away.
"Yeeahhh," Reid snorted obnoxiously, "but those are 'school parties' there's a difference."
"Of course there is," Tyler rolled his eyes as he sped up with the intent to get to Nikki's before it started to rain.
/
A loud clap of thunder had Cassandra spinning around to face the cliffs edge, eyes on the sky.
With the latest Dioguardi's acknowledgement a flash of lightening lit up the dark.
In her study Verona Lily looked out the window, her eyes on the relatively clam grey clouds, hearing the grandfather clock in the hall strike twelve she took a hearty swig of Jack Daniels.
Taking their place beside her Lyanna and Adair fought their instincts to snarl, attack, protect.
A whimper escaped her lips as Cassandra tried to calm her racing heart, "oh Goddess."
"You acknowledge me," the wind carried the soft spoken words to her ears.
"I acknowledge terra di madre," bowing her head respectfully Cassandra placed both hands over her heart.
"Where does your line begin child ?'
"With Orazia and Ignazio, long ago in our beloved Italia," the answer had been ingrained long ago just as it had been for her mother and her grandmother.
"Where does it end?"
"With me, Eowyn-Mira Dioguardi," she stood absolutely still afraid if she moved Gaia would forsake her.
"You go by another name," it wasn't a question and for that reason Cassandra remained silent, "such a namesake ties you to a doomed prophetess of Greece, why do you carry such a bond willingly?"
"Because my father wished it so," from the moment she could understand Cassandra had known her mother and father had never married. And when her mother admitted that Cassandra was not a name she would have chosen it was painfully obvious how much her father had meant to Verona Lily. Enough to keep a name associated with tragedy if only because he chose it.
"Your father was an insolent man my daughter, it broke my heart to see you mother suffer so."
Adair contained himself enough not to scoff, he had seen Anthony Rollins. Having found his little pup not long after she was born and had witnessed the mans abandonment.
"I experienced what was needed of me," the issue of her father was not one she liked to discuss so openly, "I thank thee for sending Adair to me. Despite the status he holds as my familiar, he is like the father I never had nor knew."
Her rising was not what she expected .
"It would seem I have remained too long," a cool breeze swept in, "prepare yourself Dioguardi this will be vastly different than the rising of Cardona."
And with that the strong presence around them vanished, leaving nothing but the cold harsh wind.
So I didn't really PLAN doing ahead. I mean I remember what direction I wanted this story to go in but now that i've rewritten chapter 1 and combined chapter 2 and 3 I feel...i don't know...unsure i suppose..BUT never fear! i should update by uh...next friday..i think. :)
alright well review please..