Lenora’s sleep was troubled. Her dreams were continually filled with war and death. She had long ago learned that her dreams often predicted the future. The only problem with prophetic dreams is that she never knew when the events would occur.
Lenora woke suddenly after a disturbing dream about someone trying to kill her daughter on Earth. The sun was just beginning to light the sky. Lenora decided to give up on sleep and begin getting ready for the trip to the school where her daughter would grow up.
Lenora showered and walked back into the sitting room to find someone had delivered food. It was some of the strangest looking food Lenora had ever seen. Round bread looking biscuits with holes in the middle. There were also containers of coloured substances. Lenora rubbed her finger across the top of one of the coloured substances. She smelled it then tasted it. The substance was sweet yet tangy. Lenora smiled at the flavour.
Lenora picked up half of one of the round breads and spread some of the coloured substances on the bread and took a bite. She was pleasantly surprised at the mixture of flavours. There were juices too, Lenora poured a glass and took a drink to find her taste buds jump with flavour. She sat at the table to enjoy her find.
“Momma what are you eating?” Serena asked from the doorway of her room startling Lenora.
“I’m not sure what it’s called,” Lenora responded motioning for Serena to sit at the table. “But it’s good, come have some.”
Serena bounced across the floor and hopped up onto a chair by the table. Lenora took the other half of the round bread and took some brown speckled substance and spread it on the bread. She handed it to her daughter.
“Mmm, this is good,” Serena mumbled.
“What’s good?” Marc asked.
“This food,” Lenora smiled. “Come have some.”
Marc sauntered over to the table and plopped down. Lenora passed him a piece of bread covered in the spread. She poured a glass of juice for each child and went to dress. She dressed quickly and made herself presentable. She came back into the sitting room and ushered Serena off to get dressed. She also sent Marc off to get dressed. A knock on the door brought Lenora back into the sitting room with Serena and a brush in tow.
Lenora opened the door to find Talia standing on the other side. She motioned Talia in while scolding Serena to stop squirming while her hair was combed. Talia smiled and took a chair around the table. Talia noticed that the breads and spreads had been used and the all of the juices were gone. She chuckled.
“So how did you enjoy the bagels and cream cheese?” Talia asked.
“Is that what they are called? Very flavourful, the children really seemed to enjoy them too,” Lenora answered.
“There are lots of foods that you will get to try while you are here,” Talia laughed.
“Serena please,” Lenora scolded. “If you sit still this will be over sooner.”
Serena huffed and sat still. Lenora finished combing and plaiting Serena’s hair. Marc came out of his room and walked into the bathroom toothbrush in hand. Lenora smiled.
“Serena go brush your teeth please,” Lenora requested.
Serena bounced off to find her toothbrush and went to brush her teeth. Lenora leaned back in her chair and looked across at Talia.
“Are we ready?” Talia asked.
“Ready for what?” Marc responded.
“We are going on a road trip,” Talia laughed, “I guess no one has said anything yet.”
“No,” Lenora chucked. “We were too busy with the bagel’s.”
Everyone laughed bringing Serena out of the bathroom looking puzzled. Lenora laughed a little harder then stopped and stood. She went into her room and checked her pack. She took out a smaller handbag, then went into Serena’s room to pack up her things. Marc sensing that he should straighten up his things disappeared into his room. Lenora came out leading Serena who still looked very puzzled. Marc soon joined them.
“Are you ready now?” Talia smiled.
“Yes, I think so,” Lenora answered checking to make sure that she had both bags. “Where exactly are we going?”
“To see the country side. You should see as much of this place as you can,” Talia explained. “Come on the day is wasting.”
Talia led the way from the suite down the hall to the Great Hall. Outside there was a long black car waiting. Lenora stopped and looked at the strange transportation. It did not hover like the transportation vehicles on Eaon, it seemed to role on wheels. A tall dark haired man approached and reached out to take the bags Lenora held. At first she was hesitant, then relinquished them to the man who proceeded to take them to the car and put them in the trunk.
Serena curiously approached the car and tried to look into the windows, which were darkened. Marc followed cautiously. The man moved from putting the bags in the trunk to open the door at the rear of the car. Serena poked her head into the car, squeaked and jumped inside. Lenora and Talia followed Serena’s lead and entered the car. Marc was the last to join the group after walking around the car and checking underneath. With everyone safely inside the driver started the car and the journey was underway.
“So exactly where are we going?” Lenora asked.
“We are going to the country,” Talia began. “It will take about two hours before we get to the exact location I wish you to see. I want you to be certain that you are comfortable here.”
“Are there lots of things that are different here?” Serena asked.
“You will find, my dear, that many things are the same,” Talia explained. “Yet there are some things that are very different.”
Serena giggled in anticipation and turned to the window to see what she could through the tinted glass. She watched as trees and houses whizzed by. Animals grazed in meadows. After seeing the same things Serena began to get sleepy and soon turned her head back into the car and drifted off to sleep.
She woke as the car slowed alongside a large body of water. Serena pressed her face against the glass. The water was clear blue-green and calm. The sun glinted off and spread out over the sand that stretched out before the water. Marc, who had been very calm, suddenly got squirmy. The car came to a stop and the driver opened the door. Marc leaped from his seat and bounded across the grass to the water, Serena hot on his heels.
Serena skidded to a stop as she reached the edge of the white sand. She looked at it puzzled. Talia laughed. Lenora smiled, though more at the reaction Serena had to something new than the enthusiasm of the children. Serena had never seen sand that colour before. Every other colour but white. Lenora reached her daughter and took her hand.
“It’s okay darling,” Lenora soothed. “It’s the same as what we have only a different colour than you have seen before. not dangerous either.”
“Are you sure momma?” Serena asked skeptically.
“Yes. I used to play in this same sand when I was a child,” Lenora grinned taking the first step into the sand.
Talia watched the exchange with interest. this child would have a lot of new things to experience. Talia walked towards the sandy beach and her two new charges. They would spend a few hours here before going further down the road to Serena’s new home.
The hours rolled by quickly as Serena played in the sand and water. All too soon it was time to get back into the car. Serena did not want to leave, but did not fuss when Lenora sternly explained that there was more fun to come. Marc acting very mature reluctantly left the beach and led the way back to the car.
Again Talia smiled at the group, neither child would have a problem adjusting to the way of life on Earth. Lenora on the other hand might have some difficulty letting go. Once inside the car Talia instructed the driver to move ahead to their final destination. As they settled into the drive she pulled out a picnic basket. Opening it she found sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and other goodies. She would have to remember to thank The Master for his thoughtfulness.
“Is anyone hungry?” Talia asked.
“Me,” Serena grinned.
“Me too,” Marc piped up. “What is there?”
“Some sandwiches. Looks like peanut butter, turkey and chicken,” Talia described what was in the basket. “Some vegetables, fruit and other snacks.”
“Peanut butter?” Lenora questioned.
“It’s a nut that we grow here,” Talia explained. “We grind them up and spread the resulting liquid type substance on bread or whatever you wish. You remember it don’t you?”
“No I don’t think that I do,” Lenora frowned.
“These sandwiches are made with peanut butter and honey,” Talia shrugged.
“I’ll have one of those,” Marc requested. “They sound good.”
“Me too, please,” Serena chimed.
“The chicken sounds good to me,” Lenora decided smiling at her daughter’s willingness to try something new.
Talia spread the rest of the food out on the makeshift table in the middle of the car. She handed each child a small square box of juice and watched as they puzzled over the contraption. Serena was the first to discover the straw and the hole that was provided and squealed with glee over the find. For Lenora, Talia poured some steaming liquid into a cup.
“I’m not sure if you remember this,” Talia stated as she handed Lenora the cup.
“If this is coffee do you remember how I take it?” Lenora chuckled.
“Ah, yes,” Talia grinned. “Three sugars and a splash of cream.”
Lenora nodded, her mouth full of sandwich. Talia giggled and poured some cream into the already sweetened coffee. She then handed the cup to Lenora who graciously took it. Talia poured her own cup of coffee and sat back to eat her own sandwich.
The car lumbered along the way to their destination slowly rocking its occupants, especially the young ones, into a soft slumber. Lenora gazed out the window, eyes half closed, and watched the trees and buildings whiz by. She knew the destination by name, but not by sight.
Serena slept soundly at her mother’s side. Marc across from Serena also slept. Lenora smiled then looked over at Talia. Lenora chuckled softly. Talia looked to also be asleep. Lenora turned her attention back to the window.
“I’m not sleeping if you want to talk,” Talia laughed as she spoke mentally to Lenora.
“Very funny Tali,” Lenora responded. “The name of the place we are going to, the real name, what is it?”
“I’m sorry Lena, I can’t tell you that,” Talia sighed. “We are almost there.”
“Will Marc also be staying there?” Lenora asked.
“No,” Talia responded. “It would not be wise to house them together. They will see each other often and Marc will be able to protect her from where he shall be.”
“Should we drop Marc off first?” Lenora asked again.
“No, you will need to spend some time with Serena to help her settle in,” Talia explained. “Marc should also know the way the school is laid out too. We will show you where Marc will be staying tomorrow.”
“Okay” Lenora sighed. “You know your world better than I.”
“Yes I do.” Talia chuckled out loud. “We are here.”
The car had turned numerous corners before slowing before an average looking three story home. The ground floor boasted floor to ceiling windows with french doors leading to a veranda that disappeared around each side of the house. Above this, two levels of smaller windows and some balconies.
Lenora smiled at the house. It was similar to the one she had grown up in, but not quite the same. She shook Serena gently to wake her and then stepped out of the car. She scanned the surroundings and was pleased to see a familiar sight. The stables had not changed in fifteen years.
“Serena come look,” Lenora called.
Serena stepped groggily from the car and blinked her eyes against the sun. She looked at her mother to see what she was supposed to be looking at. Lenora crouched down and guided Serena in front of her. She pointed to the stables.
“This place was my home too,” Lenora whispered. “You’ll love it here.”
“You grew up here?” Serena asked.
“Yes darling, I did.” Lenora responded standing and taking Serena’s hand. “Talia, is Lady Dianne still the Master of the residence?”
“No. Lenora I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when we met Ataya. Lady Dianne passed on shortly after you left. About ten years ago.” Talia answered.
At this point the brass door at the front of the house opened and a middle aged woman stepped onto the veranda. Talia smiled and ushered Marc from the car. Marc yawned and rubbed his eyes.
“Welcome, Mystic and Seeress, please come in,” The woman welcomed. She held herself and spoke very regally.
Talia led the way up the front steps. Marc followed. Lenora swept Serena into her arms and proceeded up the stairs. Once inside the front door Lenora saw other familiar sights. The inside walls had been painted and some of the furniture changed, but some of the art work and other accessories were the same as she remembered.
To the right of the foyer a large winding stairway led to the next level. To the left a panel of sliding doors opened to reveal a grand library. In front a hall opened into the great room. Lenora gazed in awe at the same building she had grown up in.
“This way please,” The woman directed, leading them deeper into the house.
The group went down three stairs into the great room which was being prepared for some grand event. She led them to the left side of the great room and down a small hall. She stopped in front of a solid looking wooden door and knocked.
No response came from the other side, but within a few moments the heavy door swung inward and out raced a young child. She stopped only briefly enough to quickly curtsy to the woman before running off down the hall.
“Please wait here,” the woman instructed and stepped inside closing the door behind her.
Nothing could be heard of whatever conversation happened on the other side of the heavy door. Serena squirmed in her mother’s arms and was finally released with a stern warning to behave. Marc stood perfectly still as the group waited.
“Tessa let them in!” a voice from the other side of the door raised as the door opened and the women stepped out looking red faced and embarrassed. “Thank you Tessa you may go about your other business.”
“Thank you Milady,” Tessa stammered as she bowed and quickly left the room stepping aside as the group entered.
Lenora stopped just inside the door and surveyed the room. There was a large desk across from the door. Behind the desk french doors led to a small private garden. To the left of the desk were built in bookshelves filled with leather bound books. Many of which looked centuries old. To the right of the desk was a sitting area. A large leather couch faced a fireplace with two leather wing-back chairs placed at ninety-degree angles to the couch around a coffee table. On the table was a bowl of fruit.
“Please sit,” the woman sitting behind the desk gestured towards the sitting area. “You must be tired from your long journey. I am sorry Tess kept you waiting.”
“She is a very proper lady,” Talia smiled as she ushered the children towards the couch. “But lacks confidence.”
“I agree, I don’t know what we are going to do with her,” the woman sighed.
She finished making an entry into her computer then stood and walked around the desk to join Talia and the children in the sitting area. For the power that she possessed the woman was extremely petite. She commanded the room and all attention dispite her small size. Looking closer Lenora could see the resemblance between this woman and Lady Dianne. Lenora seated herself on the couch between Serena and Marc. Talia took the wing-backed chair to the left of the fireplace. The woman sat in the one on the right.
“I am sorry I have not properly introduced myself.” she blushed as she sat in the chair. “I am Lady Amelia, Headmistress of this home.”
“Miss Amelia,” Talia beamed. “May I introduce Mystic Lenora Viche and her daughter Serena. This is Marc her protector, all from Eaon.”
“A pleasure,” Amelia bowed her head.
“More so mine,” Lenora replied.
“Miss Amelia, why is that lady so afraid of you?” Serena asked suddenly.
“Which lady child?” Amelia replied slightly surprised by the question.
“Tessa,” Serena frowned.
“Is she frightened of me?” Amelia countered.
“She seemed to be,” Serena shrugged. “Should I be afraid of you?”
“Heavens no child,” Amelia laughed.
“Good, cuz I like you,” Serena grinned and shuffled back into the couch.
“That’s good my girl, that’s good,” Amelia smiled. “So you have returned Nora?”
“How?” Lenora began. “Little Lia. I should have guessed. I am sorry to hear about your mother. She was a great woman.”
“Thank you. She left me this legacy and I am grateful to her for it,” Amelia nodded. “How are things with you?”
“Well I am here where I hopped I would never have to bring my child, no offence to you,” Lenora explained. “There is a major war pending on my world. One attempt on Serena’s life has already been made. I expect a few more before she can begin to fight for herself. I do not understand why my people cannot just get along.”
“Sometimes we are not meant to know or understand,” Amelia soothed.
“Yes, well, this war will be an extreme battle, many people shall loose their lives,” Lenora continued. ” Misunderstandings between family members just because one person can see the future or start a fire without a match and another one can not. Everyone of my people is gifted even if the gifts do not manifest themselves physically, but they do not see that.
They destroy ancient temples meant to protect them, and take up arms against the priests who teach them to love and accept each other. There is also fighting within the royal house itself. I just don’t know what to do.” Lenora poured out all of the troubles on Eaon, including the story of the near death experience Serena had before they left.
Amelia listened. Talia cried silently as she listened to how her home was being torn apart. When Lenora had finished her tale, Serena reached out to hug her mother. She looked so very calm and unperturbed by the story Lenora had relayed. A calm accepting that this was the way things would always be.
“It will be okay,” Serena whispered. “I have a secret I would like to share. I have not told you. Cam knows. I’ve seen in dreams that it will been okay. Everything will be okay.”
“You have a very powerful child, Nora,” Amelia nodded grimly. “I am honoured that you are entrusting her into our care.”
“I know that she will gain much from this place, as I did,” Lenora acknowledged. “At this time it is the best place for her.”
A knock interrupted any further conversation. Talia stood wiping the tears from her face and walked to the door. She opened it slowly to reveal a small child. She bowed her head as she darted through the partially open door. Amelia stood stopping the girl in her tracks. The girl starred at the group and slowly turned pale as a ghost.
“Is there something urgent you need to tell me?” Amelia asked sternly.
“It can wait,” the girl responded. Turning to Lenora she blurted “Don’t go back yet.”
“What?” Lenora questioned.
“Thank you Keshna,” Amelia dismissed. “I will find you after I am done here.”
Keshna quickly retreated from the room seeming relieved that she did not have to explain herself. Talia closed the door behind the retreating girl. she then re-seated herself as Amelia settled back into her chair.
“What did the child mean?” Lenora asked.
“You will notice as we tour the grounds that all children here have particular gifts,” Amelia explained. “Keshna has visions, she has not yet mastered explaining them or properly communicating danger. She is my warning against visitors both friendly and not so.”
“I see,” Lenora whispered sending a glance towards Talia hoping for more of an explanation.
“You said we would be touring the grounds,” Talia deflected cunningly bringing the attention of the children back to the conversation.
“Yes, why don’t we do that now,” Amelia sensed that the change of scenery would ease some of the tension now in the room. “We are safe here.”
Amelia stood and led the group out of the door and down the hall. From somewhere in the house a clock chimed the hour. Talia stopped just outside the door and silently counted the chimes. Everyone waited for her to take the lead, but she did not move.
“Maybe we should show you where you will be staying,” Talia suggested. “There is not a lot of time before dinner will be ready, and today’s dinner is more like a major gala welcoming all of the students back to school.”
“Good idea Talia,” Amelia smiled. “We will have to do the tour tomorrow. I shall see you at dinner.”
Amelia walked back to her desk dismissing the group. Talia led Lenora, Serena and Marc down the hall after closing the door to Amelia’s office. she had been given the key for the suites the day before when Ataya had visited. They were to be given the best suites on the third floor of the west wing.
To get there they had to go back through the great room. The decorations were complete and tables were being arranged for the evening festivities. The space near the stairs was open for mingling before being seated for dinner. Talia led the group under the stairs to a mirrored, silver, door.
Lenora stopped to the side and watched Talia push a button which made the door open. They both turned ready to usher the children into the small room that stood behind the door to see them staring at a picture on another wall. Serena stretched up on her tip toes to see better.
“Momma, is that you?” Serena asked.
Lenora walked over to the picture the children were looking at for a closer look. The picture was old, too old for it to be Lenora’s class. She looked closely for some clues as to who the person who looked like her could be. She gasped as she recognized others in the photograph. They were the same people who hung in portraits along the family wall of her home.
“No darling. This picture is of your grandmother and others of her time,” Lenora smiled and turned her daughter towards the waiting small room.
“Grandma went here too?” Serena gasped in awe.
“It looks like most of your relatives when to this school at one point in time.” Talia smiled. “It is a very old school. Lady Amelia’s family have run it for many generations.”
Once everyone was inside the small room Talia pushed the button labeled three. The doors closed and the room began to move upwards. Lenora grabbed onto the railing and looked at Talia for an explanation. Talia laughed and watched the children look around in amazement.
“I do not like this contraption,” Lenora grumbled as the small room came to a stop.
“Sorry. I should have warned you about the elevator,” Talia smiled. “Relatively new technology, the old ones were hand driven and a lot slower. It makes moving the residents things a lot easier. Not all of them have the types of bags you do.”
Lenora nodded as the doors opened and the group moved into a long hallway. She looked over her shoulder to see not mirrored doors, but elaborately carved wooden ones close the small room. Looking down the hall she noticed that this part of the house was newer than other parts. The colors on the walls were brighter and the carpets were less worn.
Talia reached the end of the hall and turned towards a door on the left. She inserted a key into the lock and the door swung open into a very large room. Talia stepped aside to let Lenora and the children into the room. Lenora glanced quickly around the room gathering her bearings.
To the left of the door was a hall that led to the sleeping areas and the washroom. To the right was a large open seating area with both a fireplace and french doors leading to an extremely large balcony. The furniture in teh room consisted of warm brown leather with deep greens and burgundy accents. Highlighting pieces of taupe and beige stood in strategic places to keep the room from looking too dark.
“I’ll leave you to refresh yourselves. You will find your clothes and other things unpacked for you.” Talia smiled. “I will send someone for you when dinner is ready. That way you won’t get lost. This place has grown since you were last here. Oh, dinner dress is formal.”
“Thank you Talia,” Lenora smiled. “We will see you later.”
Talia nodded and closed the door as she left the room. Lenora looked down the hall to where the children had gone. Serena poked her head out from around a door and gave her mother a mischievous grin, ducking back inside. Lenora chuckled and went to see what her daughter had found.
The Adams-Schlag Family 