Page 14 of An Unlikely Knight

“We think there is another part to the curse and have to find out what it is. Padriag may not remember it, or perhaps it is hidden.” Gwen’s words were tinged with frustration.

“That could be why it has been too hard to rescue Padriag,” John said. “Without knowing what binds him, it is almost impossible to come up with a spell.”

What they said made sense. Erin felt useless, the least qualified to help in the matter. She let out a long sigh. “I’ve been having strange dreams since ... I returned from the alter-world.”

As she told them about the mists and the creepy plants that caught her, everyone listened intently. John scribbled notes furiously, peppering her with questions about each single detail. Things she’d not thought about became clearer.

“There were moons in the sky, but I don’t remember how many. The mists moved up and down. The vines were a strange color, not green, but more a deep purple.” Erin was shocked at how many details she remembered.

Was it possible that the hints to breaking the spell had been with her all along? The dreams, although scary, always ended exactly before anything could hurt her.

“Next time you dream, be sure to write down any details you notice right away,” Gwen told her. “I know it’s hard to want to relive a nightmare, but it could be the only way to help him. You are dreaming for a reason.”

“We need to get started,” Sabrina stated, giving her husband, Gavin, a pointed look. As the trio of men stood, each gave Erin looks of expectation. It was terrible that they hung their hopes on her. She wasn’t ready for such a great responsibility. Every one of her senses screamed for her to explain it was all a colossal mistake and run from the room, get in her car and drive until she was out of Scotland.

Sabrina pushed back from the table walked to the doorway and closed the door. Gwen lit candles around the room that Erin had not noticed until then. Tammie turned off the lights while John cleared the table of the books he’d brought. Obviously the four had worked together before as each tended to a task without speaking.

Finally, they all sat at the table, and Erin looked from one to the other waiting for whatever came next.

John squeezed her right hand. “We will seek help from the spirit world. Your job is to be the vessel. What I need you to do is to close your eyes and keep them closed the entire time.” Erin did as he instructed. “Let out a breath and inhale. Let it out, inhale.”

At the soft sound of his urgings, Erin felt fear and stress melt away.

“Now I want you to picture a huge box, large enough for you to fit in. Do you see it?”

Erin nodded, picturing a large white box with a side entrance.

“Get inside and make yourself comfortable,” John continued. “Now I need you to hear this and believe it.” He hesitated, giving her time to settle and take a few more breaths.

“Nothing can enter this box to harm you. If anything enters, it is to help, give comfort and reassurance. Only good things can come into the box. Understand?”

Again Erin nodded.

“Empty your mind,” Gwen said in a soft tone. “Concentrate on the warmth inside the box, let our words flow around you. You do not have to understand or hear them. Your work is to receive whatever comes to you from other sources.”

Erin sensed warmth and was comfortable inside the imaginary box. Strangely the box gave her a safe place to be, and she didn’t mind being there.

The four others began reciting.

“Everlasting Beings of power,

Spirits of Light

Come forth to this place

Give us the Sight.”

The chants lulled Erin into a sleepy state, soon the words of their continuous chanting blurred into something akin to a melody.

Lights flickered and Erin considered they were the product of her eyes being closed. It was normal to see specks of light. But these were different, they were like fairies flying in circular patterns. First a couple, then joined by another pair. Whatever they were, they were fast as she couldn’t make out their shapes.

A brighter light appeared in the center of her sight, it was a blueish hue, seeming to move closer. Erin tensed, but when John squeezed her hand, she remembered that only good things could enter the safety of the box.

The light floated, beautiful blue lights swirling around and through it. Whatever it was glowed brighter and then dimmer until forming a humanlike form.

She couldn’t make out the being’s features, but whatever it was wore long, white, flowing robes with golden edging.

Words appeared in her mind, swirling in space, as if floating. She could both see and hear them.

Until moon’s pale light and dawn’s last breath,

I send thee to the brink of death.

Chains of darkness, will not unbind⁠—

Never to be released, your soul, or your mind.

“Open your eyes,” John’s voice shook her back to reality, and she happily obeyed. Despite the dimness of the room, she had to blink several times before able to see clearly.

“I know what the curse is,” she said in a hoarse whisper. “It’s pretty bad.”