Realms of Eden: Book 5: Hyak Anali

"What?" asked Penny loudly. She smiled at her husband as he continued to chuckle over Belenus' parting words.

"Fairy dust," he repeated more loudly. "It is what the Seeurs gave to us all and what eventually led them to being hunted and almost wiped out over the past millennia."

Chapter 4 – The life within

"No way!" cried Bonnie.

"Yes my dear, tis true!" exclaimed Robert. "The Seeurs had a special substance that they could extract from the black minerals in the mountains that they had built their city within. It was used for medicine, power sources and generally just about everything you could think of it."

"It was like fine black salt that they sprinkled into and onto things," interjected Sam. "I watched it get used to heal a sore on one of the burros we used to get to them. I also saw Lyn place it in the water of the spa baths. It used to make the water feel silky and would soothe all of your worries away when you relaxed in them."

"It truly was a miraculous dust," smiled Sydney softly. "We never found out what it really was but after visiting them on and off for years we found that our own bodies seemed stronger and healthier when we left them.

"Unfortunately as much as we tried to conceal the evidence of this miraculous element the Seeurs inevitably gave the secret away in their attempts to assimilate with the human population. Many of them were hunted for the little bags of the stuff they carried with them wherever they went. Despite the fact that many allowed others to have it freely they were tortured and many times killed because they would not reveal their home city or how they manufactured the stuff," he finished sadly.

"Is that what changed you, Sam, Maru and Robert," Xavier asked softly.

"Partially," said Robert. His tone was also one of sadness as he recalled the times he found the little bodies hidden away in caves and shallow graves as he roved the countryside searching out enemies of the little people. "But it was more of a way of life, something inside you called out to them and they responded with a joyfulness that reached deep into you. It was their touch and freedom of spirit that seemed to make you feel as if you were part of them."

"Not just part of them," added Maru, "but a part of something immense that could not be bound by any logical thinking. There was no limit to what you thought you could do with them by your side."

"It is little wonder then that so many fairy tales have acts of courage and overcoming so many things within them," whispered Xavier. Hers eyes were lit with a glowing spirit that all present could witness. The woman seemed to be absorbed in all she saw around her and all she heard.

"You feel it when you let yourself be free of the curse of Elam's poison," said Sydney softly. "It is not lying with me, Sam, Maru or Robert that does this. We are only the carriers of their message. It is you who have found the way to tap into it as well. Within its life the essence of the Seeurs strengthen and lift the spirit."

"Why is it then Sydney that only you four carry this message?" asked Bonnie. She held Xavier closely to her as the woman shed quiet tears for the loss of the little people that were giving her just a little bit more to go on with.

"Because we lived and breathed their spirit. Living among them for so long we could not help but become like them. Their playfulness, excitement at seeing the world, the love they shared so easily, it all rubbed off on us. Penetrated deep into the beings we were," Sam said quietly. "Xavier did not stay with them long enough, but something within her answers the spirit we still contain. Keeps away the darkness for a little bit longer."

A sudden darkness dropped across the deck of the Majestic causing all eyes to flick upwards to discover the cause of the shadow. An ugliness pervaded the clouds as a deep darkness grew in the air. Sydney and his warriors instantly assumed their fighting personas. The warrior's large shield growing even larger as he raised his arm to make it cover the entire area.

"The Seeurs were pawns!" growled a voice from the darkness. "Pawns to sacrifice to hide the movement of the one true power in this cosmos!"

"And who would that be, Elam?" screamed Jennifer. "Not you that is for sure!"

A dark spear flew towards the deck of the mighty boat and Sydney braced for its impact against his shied. Light of a tremendous brightness flared out from all around the Majestic splintering the spear into millions of shards that curled and blew away like smoke as the light struck it. The light continued upwards and met the darkness in an explosion of sound and screams. A thousand voices and faces suddenly appeared as the cloud was rent asunder, the faces were contorted in agony as their screams fell upon the crew of the boat.

"Yield!" they cried as one. "Yield to the power of the darkness!"

"Never!" screamed Xavier. She stood on the deck of the boat and raised her twin silver swords that she crossed in the air above her head. From them came the sound of laughter. Tinkling, musical sounds of happiness that grew in volume and mirth as she lifted her swords to point directly at the hideous faces above them.

"The Seeurs have lured you to your doom, Elam! Taste but a sample of their power!" yelled the silver haired woman as she flung her arms outwards causing the swords to uncross and it seemed to release the happy laughter in a deafening cacophony of sound that clashed with the screaming voices. Moments later the darkness was gone and the sun continued to shine brightly upon the deck of the boat below.

Sydney found himself blinking rapidly to bring his eyes back to focus. The first thing he could make out was the glowing body of Xavier as she apparently floated in mid air a few metres above him.

"I feel them Enyalius," she said softly. "They hold me up and laugh with me. No sorrow my love, never sadness for me."

Sydney could do nothing but nod his head. The emotions in his chest threatened to bubble forth as a torrent of tears for the woman that he knew would be gone from him soon as had the woman who locked herself away in the ethereal world of Cellarium.

Bonnie, Alison and Jo lay prone on the deck their bodies seemingly crushed beneath tonnes of weight. Bonnie's face was an agonised mask of pain as she struggled to breathe. Xavier reached out to her with her silver sword and touched her lightly on the middle of her forehead. The dark blue stone of her circlet flashed and bathed the deck with its blinding light. Beside her Alison gasped as she gulped much needed air into her lungs.

"I cannot reach Jo!" screamed Xavier. The pale faced nurse seemed to collapse further as the invisible crushing forces pushed her down harder.

"Fight it Jo!" screamed Sydney. "Do not let his fears destroy your spirit!"

"I love you Jo," whispered Bonnie as she reached her hand to the woman beside her. Jo struggled to move her hand to reach her lover but millimetre by millimetre the fingers moved and found the warm fingers stretching for her. The pink stone of Jo's circlet flashed in response and she found herself free of the darkness that threatened to crush her with its hate.

"How come only we three were affected?" cried Bonnie in great gasping breaths as she cuddled the sobbing Jo to her.

"Because he targeted his attack at a love that he found was a threat to him. You three have become inseparable since the games of football. Elam would have hoped to drive another wedge into our army by destroying you," said Thelma. Her face was a mask of rage as she continued to aggressively stomp around the deck with her sword and spear in her hands. The light green glow around her was intense as her mind strove to find her enemy and attack him.

"But how did he get through our defences?" asked Jo still struggling to comprehend how she had been made so incapacitated.

"Because he did not attack you, he attacked Marion!" Kelsey sobbed as she held the very quiet womanly form of Alison in her arms. Alison was still not fully roused and her head lolled against Kelsey's breast as the worried mother held the beautiful blonde haired girl closer. "He chose the one that was not protected by the circlet that taps into the powers of the warrior. Her shock at being so viciously assaulted brought Alison to her defence but she was not strong enough! Both of you came to Alison's and her defence. He would not have succeeded in his attack because you both would have overcome him once Alison was free. Xavier helped you to remember your shields."

"What of Marion?" cried Jo in alarm.

"Freya and Freyr would not allow him to succeed," said Belinda quietly. "Even now I hear Freya's approach."

Around him Sydney saw that all of the rest of his group were armed and in many faces he saw the deep hatred that all shared for the power that had revealed itself above them.

"My word I hate that scum sucking bastard!" cried Sam. His whole body glowed silver as he twirled his staves restlessly in his hands.

Sydney grinned at the man then signalled that all should relax a little. "Majestic!" he called. Many around him looked at the man as if he was demented.

There were more than a few surprised faces when a soft voice answered, "Yes my lord."

"Thank you," said Sydney quietly.

"I am here to protect my lord," was the tinkling reply. "Elam does not know how powerful the defences are at my disposal. He shall not try that again!"

A banshee scream of anger was heard seconds before Freya appeared on the deck of the Majestic her pale skin was bright in fury and the claws on her hands were bared as she carried the huge war hammer in her hands. "Where is the coward who attacked my daughter in her bed?" she screamed. Her eyes flashed in deadly coldness as she swirled in anger in a circle on the deck.

"Gone love," said Sydney softly.

"I hate him Enyalius!" she spat. "He shall never get the chance to attack her or ours again!" With a cry she was gone and Kelsey found her arms empty of the beautiful blonde. Beside her Jennifer gave a startled cry as the space that Bonnie had occupied was also empty.

Jo collapsed against the deck in fits of laughter. "So shall a mother shelter her cubs," was all that they could get from her before she passed into unconsciousness.

"Bloody women!" cursed Sydney under his breath.

"Please Freya be reasonable," Sydney pleaded for the dozenth time since he had tracked down his former partner and mother of his children.

"NO Enyalius! Never again! If it were not for the fact that I was with her listening to your tale about Villes des Coeurs I would not have been able to shield her in time. Goodness only knows where Freyr is! The man is never around when she needs him!"

"Mother this is impossible. I am Sydney's wife and I need to be beside him for this battle. You can hide Ali and Marion but do not try to dictate to me what I can and cannot do!" screeched Bonnie as she stared defiantly at her spirit mother.

"I was your child once long ago and I know that in my soul that you are only trying to do what is the best that you can think of. But now, right now, I am not leaving Sydney," she continued more softly. Bonnie knew that Freya could not, right at this moment, see anything but the daughters she had let go into the world of danger that was a part of her mate's world. Dangers that were now becoming extremely real as Sydney and the others taunted Elam with failure at his every turn.

Dangers that would increase as the warrior became harder, stronger and more able to battle in the world. Battles that Bonnie was determined that she would be part of.

"I am sorry Freya," said Alison softly. "But you are not my mother in this life either. I know what we were and I know this will hurt. Where Bonnie goes so do I. If that means that you give up your love for me then that is something I can get over at some time. Now I need to be with her and Jo. I have to learn to protect myself and so does Marion."

"I already know how to protect myself sister," said Marion. "I have learnt at the side of one of the best teachers in the cosmos. A lesson I should have learnt a lot sooner if my father," she paused to give Sydney a scathing look. "had spent more time looking for me than running away from me like a frightened mouse from the cat!" With that the woman disappeared.

"What the fuck did I do?" wailed Sydney exasperatedly.

"You do run from her Sydney," answered Alison with a small smile. "You run and hide because she looks like Marlena the most of all of us. That is why Mummy protects her so much and keeps her so close. But it seems Freya that she has flown the coup, even her blood link to me has been broken and I know that she has not seen her moon since the last time we tasted each other's blood!"

Alison turned to the disbelieving Sydney. "Take me home warrior, I need to seek some comfort from my natural mother's arms."

Slowly Sydney faded with Alison holding his hand lightly. Bonnie shook her head at him when he turned to take her hand as well. "No Sydney, Freya and I have more to talk about. I will see you back on board Majestic."

"What do you think you and I need to discuss Bonnie?" asked Freya softly. She was on the verge of tears as her children had deserted her.

"Mother it is time that you stopped this pitiful charade of withholding yourself from him!"

"I have no place with him, Bonnie," was her tearful reply. "What we had thousands of years ago was another lifetime, another era. I cannot abandon all that I am to fight beside him and become another of his harem."

"No one asked you to do that Freya," said Bonnie gently. She cuddled the small goddess into her arms and held her comfortingly.

"I remember when you used to do this to me," Bonnie whispered into the woman's ears. "Hold me until the tears over some boy or insult went away. Held me tight when the warrior was killed in battle and Elam took the field and murdered and raped."

"He does not know about you!" exclaimed Freya in fright.

"No mother, and he shall never know what Elam's horde did to me! I am stronger for that, I have tasted the pain of betrayal by another of the men that have come under his sway. I shall never let it happen to me again. But it cannot be done by hiding with you! I have to go and fight this battle the way I want to, beside my husband. He shall allow me to cleanse myself in the blood of the enemy and allow me to carry my head high!"

Freya nodded and wrapped her arms around her middle daughter. In all respects Bonnie was still hers even though she was turning away from her protection and into the uncertainty of life with her father. "Then perhaps it is time that I came back to him as well," she sniffled.

"As Diana?" Bonnie queried.

"Yes, I think the time has come for me to find Bartholomew again now that he has come from the trap that Elam set them. It is obvious that the fates had already made that decision for me. Why else would his cousin and uncle find him when the mountains and sea had reclaimed the place where he, Mina and Christopher were trapped?"

"Why else indeed, Diana," giggled Bonnie as the pale haired woman stepped away from her and transformed into the dark blonde haired and green-eyed huntress that shared a home in long perished Phobos with Lucinda.

"Now all we need find is a way for me to come back to them without everyone getting antsy," grinned the transformed woman.

"That my dear Diana will be very easy," giggled Bonnie. Hurriedly she whispered her thoughts to the dark haired woman. Freya's eyes glinted wickedly as Bonnie spoke.

Bonnie quietly spoke to Alison's father, Steve, as Sydney paced the floors of the spacious living room. She had asked Sydney to bring her to see Crystal and Steve Michaels in hopes that she could help them stop worrying about the beautiful woman that was their daughter and also knew about her multi lives. The pair had spent as much time in Freya's realms as they had spent in their own home.

There was a small knock on the door and Steve Michaels excused himself from Bonnie and went to answer it. "My Goodness, Diana!" he exclaimed as he opened it to reveal the dark blonde and green-eyed woman waiting on his verandah.

"Hello Steve," she answered quietly and allowed the enthusiastic man to give her a small kiss and hug before he pulled her into the house.

"I can't stay, Steve," the woman protested as Steve began calling out for his wife.

Crystal appeared and hollered for joy at the unexpected visitor. The woman was overwhelmed with the solid hug and kiss that the beautiful woman gave her. Bonnie grinned delightedly at the pair as Sydney shook his head in bewilderment at the goings on.

"Who is she?" he asked Bonnie out of the side of his mouth.

"Diana," said Bonnie quietly. Alison had come from her room and stood perplexed as she watched her parents make a fuss over the new arrival.

"Ali!" cried her father when he spotted her. "Come and meet Diana. We haven't seen her for at least ten years!" he gasped as he strove to recall the last time he had seen her.

"You were pregnant then, with young Samuel," he cried as he remembered the details.

Diana broke down into tears as the man made his pronouncement. "What's wrong?" cried Crystal as she guided the woman to a seat and beckoned her husband to put on the kettle.

"Sammy is dead," the woman whimpered. "Leukaemia."

"Oh no! Diana why didn't you tell us!" cried Steve.

"There was a lot of other things going on Steve," the woman sniffled. "Nigel had left me and Sammy was so sick. I couldn't burden you with all of that."

Bonnie felt herself beginning to tear up. Freya was playing directly to her audience and he still didn't have a clue. Risking a sideways glance at Sydney she saw his tall muscular frame tense as he tried to come up with something to say to the woman that he now sat across the table from.

"How long ago did Sammy die?" asked Alison softly.

"About eight years ago now," answered Diana with a soft sigh. "Sometimes it seems like only yesterday the memories are so fresh. If I could find somewhere to hide for a little while I think I would be able to get over it. But Nigel keeps hassling me to finalise the divorce so that he can take the house and the business. I just can't do it just yet."

"He wants what!" screeched Crystal. "That was your business, you started it!"

"I know but when I fell pregnant he banished me from the place and began to make it into something different from the defensive and tactical training centre we started with the military. He tried to run it into the ground. When I came back after Sammy was gone I spent months turning it around again.

"The military threatened to terminate our contract because we weren't teaching the officers about the latest computer tech, battle planning and weapons usage. It was all I could do to find my feet again. Now it seems that all of my knowledge and training is going to go out the window and the business is going to go with it."

"Why is that, Diana?" asked Sydney slowly. Bonnie held herself down, she could see her husband's brain working overtime as he considered how he might use someone of Diana's skills.

"The military contract came up for renewal a couple of weeks ago and it seems that Nigel has undercut me and made huge promises that he cannot possibly keep. The rent of the land and training facilities is enormous and who wants to buy laser weapons, remote controlled practice missiles and simulation software? Only the military and they will only pay a pittance for it!"

"Would it seem to forward of me to offer a solution?" asked Sydney turning on a bright smile.

"What sort of solution, Mr Douglas?" she replied.

"Please call me Sydney. I may just require someone of your talents and your equipment. Would you care to discuss the matter over drinks and dinner?"