Calcium Cauldron

Excerpt from

 

Calcium Cauldron

 

 

“The battle against the devil, which is the principle task of St. Michael the archangel, is still being fought today because the devil is still alive and active in the world.”

 

--Pope John Paul II

 

Prologue

 

“Michael, I have a special quest for you,” God said.

“Yes, Father.” Michael the Archangel bowed. His white wings with gold tips folded behind his back. Golden curly hair framed his handsome, cherub face.

“It is a very important, but a very long quest. You will be born again on earth. You will live the life of a mortal, but you will still have your powers.”

“And my wings?” Michael looked up to God.

“Your wings will appear when you want them to. But you cannot reveal who you really are, except to your one true love.”

“And what is my mission on this new path you have chosen for me?”

“You will battle evil in the Isle of Skye,” God said.

 

 

Chapter One

 

January 1, 1600

Isle of Skye, Scotland

 

Prudence Manchester danced in the enchanted forest. Her long black hair fell to her waist. Her favorite pastime, dancing, coined her nickname—Dance. Her six-year-old body twirled under the nearly full moon. The morning hour marked the dawn of a new century—the 17th.

Many locals on the Isle of Skye were terrified to enter the enchanted forest. They referred to it as the forbidden forest. But Dance wasn’t afraid. She was a witch after all, a Manchester witch, from a powerful coven of good witches and wizards. Since the age of five, she’d come into her powers. But that wasn’t surprising to her family since she was born with magical eyes—one blue and one green.

The enchanted forest was nestled between five properties owned by five different families. Most people didn’t know that they were all connected to one another by different paths through the forest which formed a pentagram. A bird’s eye view of the forest revealed a pentagram within the circular forest, or so the legend told.

Pentagrams were often found in the Manchester family’s Book of Spells. Many spells called for drawing pentagrams within the magic circle before chanting magical words to cast a spell. It was no coincidence that Manchester Manor bordered the enchanted forest at the northern point of the pentagram.

Dance wasn’t supposed to play in the woods alone. But with dozens of cousins, aunts, and uncles around, she could usually sneak away for an hour or two each day. She’d never encountered another soul in the enchanted forest before, just birds and small animals. And she’d never dared to enter the forest at night because it was just too scary for her overactive imagination.

The trees were enormous, some scaling over three hundred feet. Their foliage provided the darkening canopy of the forest. Today she ventured west towards the sea. Her family had been to the sea on the west coast of the Isle of Skye, but never through the forest. Their horse drawn carriage would take to the shore via the outskirts of the forest.

Walking the path of the north to northwest portion of the pentagram, she searched for the perfect tree to climb. The tall ones offered very few branches on the bottom. She needed a smaller tree that she could climb up, then carefully cross over to a tall tree.

Finally, she found one. Cursing her overbearing mother for making her wear a dress every day, she hiked up her skirt and climbed up onto the first branch. Her arms and legs rapidly ascended the shorter tree. When she reached the top, she did not look down. Instead, she focused on scaling across the long branch to the taller tree whose branches now comingled with those of the smaller one.

After successfully transferring to the taller tree, her fearless body climbed rapidly to the top. Luckily, the tree she’d picked was one of the tallest in the forest, at least the tallest that she’d seen so far. The view from the top of the canopy was breathtaking. She felt like a bird at the top of the forest.

Oh, if only I could fly, she fantasized. Staring west, she found the ocean at the horizon. Just before the ocean on a high cliff stood Castle Garrison. Nearly four hundred years old, the rectangular tower stood five stories tall.

A rustling sound nearby startled her. It sounded like a large bird flapping its wings. But it wasn’t a bird that landed on her tree. It was a boy, a boy with wings.

 

 

Chapter Two

 

Dance stared at the boy with wings perched on a branch about ten feet from her in the enormous tree of the enchanted forest.

“Hello.” She waved her one free arm while the other hugged a tree branch.

The winged boy’s expression grew surprised. How often does one see a human three hundred feet high in a tree?

“Uh, hello.” He waved back. His golden hair hung in curls around his round, cherub face.

Moving closer from her branch to his, she noticed his magical eyes—one blue and one green.

“My name is Dance. What’s yours?” she asked.

“Uh, Michael. How did you get up here?” he asked with a shocked expression.

“How else? I climbed.” Dance sat on Michael’s branch, just two feet away from the winged boy. Studying his wings, she marveled at their beauty—pure white with golden tips.

He must’ve noticed that she’d stared at his wings so blatantly. But what did he expect? It’s not every day one sees a flying boy. “You can see them?” He nodded back to his wings, now folded against his bare back.

“Of course I can, silly. Why wouldn’t I be able to see your wings? They’re so beautiful.” She reached out to touch them.

Shuddering, he nervously stepped back on the branch.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. May I please touch your beautiful wings?” she begged.

Nodding, he perched on the branch and unfurled his wings. They spread the length of his body with a wingspan twice his height. He flapped them once, and the air blew through the white feathers making a flapping sound. Bringing the end of one wing to her face, he gently caressed her cheek with his feathered appendage.

Closing her eyes, she sighed, “Wow, they’re the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

“Do you trust me?” He held out his hand to hers.

She knew better than to talk to strangers. But in her mind, another child was an exception to yet another of her overbearing mother’s rules. Nodding, she reached for his hand and said, “Yes.”

Taking her hand in his, he pulled her close. Hugging her, his warm embrace tickled her. She giggled because she’d never been close to a boy before, except perhaps wrestling with her boy cousins on the Manchester farm.

“Here, put your arms around my neck,” he instructed.

Michael hugged her close, then circled his legs around hers, hooking them at the ankles. He flapped his wings, stepped off the branch, and lifted them into the air. They hovered over the tree tops of the enchanted forest.

Clinging to him, she kept her eyes closed. The wind from his flapping wings chilled her, and goosebumps prickled her arms.

“It’s okay. Don’t be scared, I’ve got you. I promise,” Michael whispered.

Peering behind his shoulder, she opened one eye. The view from the treetops took her breath away. The bird’s eye view revealed what the legend said—the forest was round, and its winding paths formed a pentagram. The ocean on the horizon greeted her with its dark waters. They flew towards Castle Garrison.

Approaching the castle, he flew them higher, presumably to avoid detection from the castle’s occupants. Once high above the tower, he swept over the cliffs and dropped. He flapped his wings and slowed his descent. The water grew closer, and a wave crashed on the rocks below, spraying them with salt water.

“It’s beautiful.” She beamed, not only referring to the water, but the handsome face of this angel.

He set them down on a ledge on the side of the cliff. A bird’s nest occupied half of the ledge.

“Is this, uh, where you live?” Studying the nest, she wondered if he got cold up here in the winter.

“Uh, no. I just like to come here sometimes.” He gestured for her to sit on the ledge.

Sitting, she dangled her feet off the edge, not scared of the height because she had her new friend with wings to catch her.

He grabbed her hand, and held it. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you can see my wings.” Turning to her, he smiled.

Squeezing his hand, her chest filled with excitement. No one had ever held her hand before, let alone the cutest boy in the world. “Why are you surprised that I can see your wings? I mean, they’re so obvious.”

Blushing, he said, “My eternal Father told me that only my ‘true love’ could see my wings.”

 

Chapter Three

 

“Oh?” Dance stared into Michael’s beautiful eyes which matched her own.

“You must think I’m crazy.” He dropped his chin with a sad expression.

“Oh no, this is the happiest day of my life. You’ve filled my heart with such joy today. It must be true love. What else explains the way I feel about you?” Tears of happiness dropped on her cheeks, and she squeezed his hand tight.

“Oh, Dance. What a relief that you feel the same way about me that I do about you.” Happiness shone on his handsome face.

Dance studied him, perplexed. “What are you, exactly? A young man with wings? A bird? I’ve never seen a mythical creature before, but I know in my heart that they exist.”

“I’m an angel. But I’ve been placed on this earth as a mortal man for one lifetime. God placed me here to battle evil. There are very bad creatures in the forest,” he explained.

“Where do you live? Here in this nest? Or high in the trees?”

“I live in the castle.” He nodded towards the stone tower above them on the cliff.

“You do? I thought the Earl of Garrison lived there with his family.” Her confusion appeared in her tone.

A cold breeze blew against the cliff. Hugging her arms around her chest, she shivered.

“Yes, the Earl is my father in this mortal life. But God is my one true Father for all eternity.” He stood, lifted her off her feet, and wrapped his wings around her to warm her cold skin.

“How can they not see your wings?” She glided her hand across his feathers, and the softness thrilled her.

“They just can’t. Only you.” He dropped his gaze with a shy expression.

“I need to go home soon, or they’ll miss me. I’m not supposed to go into the forest alone,” she confessed.

“Your parents are right. You shouldn’t go into the forest alone. Especially on the ground. There are trolls and ogres that will eat you, just like that.” With a scolding expression, he snapped his fingers.

“Oh, I’ve never seen anyone in the forest before. Not until today, when I met you.”

“Promise me you won’t go into the forest alone. There is evil in the forest. That’s why I go there, to search for it and destroy it.”

“Okay, I promise. But can we go together?” she begged, holding her hands in prayer.

“Yes, we can meet every day that you can get away. I should probably fly you home now.” He wrapped his arms around her.

“Actually, I have another, magical, way to travel. I can chant a magic spell and instantly travel wherever I wish.” She snapped her fingers.

“That’s amazing. We must meet again. Tomorrow? I can fly to your window. Can you show me where you live?” he asked.

“Yes, fly me home. I can travel instantaneously anytime. How often do I get to fly with an angel? But can you hold me from behind so I can see the beautiful world below?” she asked, torn between staring at him or the beautiful scenery.

“Absolutely.” Turning her around, he pulled her close and embraced her from behind. He entwined his legs with hers, and hooked their ankles together. Flapping his wings, he raised them off the ground and hovered over the cliff.

They flew out over the ocean. Descending to the water, he flew parallel above the dark sea. Reaching out, she touched the water, and let it run through her fingers. They shot up just above the cliff, then flew around the castle overlooking the sea. He stopped at a window at the top of the tower.

Pointing, he said, “That’s my room in the castle. You can visit me anytime.”

Nodding, she pointed north. “My home is that way, due north of the forest.”

“You’re a Manchester? You’re a witch?” he asked, his tone piqued with curiosity.

“Yes, but we’re good witches. My parents battle demons.”

“No wonder we’re meant to be together, to battle evil.” He flew them over the forest and turned north.

When the forest edge appeared on the north side, so did the Manchester Manor. The tall stone building dominated the rolling hills. Five stories tall, the white granite, now grey with age, greeted them.

She pointed to the window of her room. He hovered just outside of her window, then set her down on its small balcony. Turning to face him, she lifted her chin and gazed into his beautiful eyes.

He wrapped his wings around her, enveloping them in a cocoon of love. “Until tomorrow.” His expression grew nervous. He opened his wings and released her. Quickly, he pecked his lips to hers with a chaste kiss.  Then he flapped his wings and flew up into the clouds.

 

Chapter Four

 

“Oh, there you are, Prudence. I didn’t hear you come upstairs.” Ophelia, Dance’s Ma, said.

Walking into her room from the balcony, she tried to hide her mischievous behavior. She wasn’t allowed in the forest, which made her love going there even more. But if she hadn’t gone today, she wouldn’t have met her true love, Michael the angel.

“I’ve been here all along, just reading the new book Da bought me from Edinburgh.” She sat on the ledge, opened her book, and told her lie.

“Oh? Is that so? Then who were your talking to on the balcony?” Ma carried a tray with tea and sweet bread.

“Oh, just some boy I met today. His name is Michael. He’s an angel with wings,” she told Ma the truth.

“I see. It’s nice that you have an imaginary friend.” Ma stood by the fireplace and stoked red embers with a fire poker. Ma’s long black hair, ivory complexion, and magical eyes resembled her own.

“But...” Pausing, Dance decided not to correct Ma. After all, she’d told the truth. It wasn’t her fault that her truth wasn’t believed.

“But what?”

“Oh, nothing.” She sat in the chair by the fire, took off her shoes, and warmed her cold feet. Flying at a high altitude with Michael, especially in the cold January air, chilled her to the bone.

“Oh, Prudence, you’re shivering. And look at the twigs on your dress. Were you outside climbing trees again, and without a cape? You’ll catch your death,” Ma scolded.

“I’m sorry, Ma.” Dance dropped her head and rubbed her arms in front of the fire.

“The hot tea will warm your belly.” Nearing the door, Ma turned and lectured, “You better not be going into the enchanted forest. I can’t emphasize enough how dangerous the forest is, especially its center.”

“I know, Michael warned me about the dangers in the forest, too.”

“I like this Michael already, too bad he’s not real. Oh, Da has a surprise for you—a gift for the new century.”

“What is it? A kitty?” Dance sat on the edge of her seat, excitedly.

“Why can’t you just be surprised?” Ma asked.

“Did someone say, surprise?” Ephraim, Dance’s Da, walked into the room.

Why is Da wearing a cape inside the house?

“Da,” Jumping out of her seat, she hugged her doting father. His long, straight blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail. His magical eyes bore into hers with a loving smile.

“Oh, uh, be careful, my dear. You’ll squish the surprise.”

Meow.

“Oh, Da, is it a kitty?” Holding her hands together in prayer, she jumped excitedly.

He removed a striped, furry bundle from his cape. Handing the kitten to her, he said, “I know it’s not a black kitten like you wanted. But this one was so sweet and cuddly, I couldn’t resist.”

Dance held the tiny, soft ball of fur in her hands. She turned the kitten on her back and cradled her like a baby. “Da, she’s beautiful.”

The cat was a brown and black striped Tabby. But its paws, neck, and belly were pure white. The green-eyed kitten purred.

“I love her. Her markings are so unique. All of the other cats around here are pure black. They’re beautiful, but they all look alike and are hard to tell apart.”

“I knew you’d love her, my dear. What will you call her? A special kitty needs a special name.” he asked.

“Hmmm, I think I’ll name her Mittens, because she looks like she’s wearing white mittens on her tiny paws.” Dance rocked the kitty back and forth like a baby. Then she petted her pure white belly. Mitten’s soft, thick fur slid through her tiny fingers.

“Mittens is a great name.” Da put his arm around Dance’s shoulder and pulled her close.

“Thank you, Da, Ma.” She hugged them both.

“You’re welcome. I need to check on dinner.” Ma petted Mittens, then left the room.

“What did you do today?” Da pulled her onto his lap.

“I met an angel. He took me flying,” Dance said.

“Oh, and where did he fly you?”

“Over the enchanted forest. Da, it really does form a pentagram from above,” she said with an amazed tone.

“Another legend is true. Where else did he fly you?”

“Over the sea, up on the ledge of a cliff, and over Castle Garrison. He lives there. His father is the Earl.” She stroked the kitty’s white neck. Mittens closed her eyes and fell asleep in her lap.

“An angel that lives in the castle. Fascinating, tell me more.” He bounced her on his lap and tickled her.

“Da, I’m serious.”

“Of course, you are. What did you talk about?” he asked.

“He told me God sent him to earth for a human lifetime to battle evil in the forest.”

“I’d like to meet this angel.”

“He’s really cute, too. He’s about my age, maybe a year of two older. He has curly golden hair, a round face like a cherub, and you know what the best part is?”

“No, tell me. What’s the best part?”

“My angel has magical eyes, just like ours.”

Da’s expression froze. Rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger, he arched his blond eyebrows. “Mmmmm, this sounds familiar.”

“He told me something, something important. Can you keep a secret?” she asked.

“Anything for my baby girl.” He hugged her.

“I’m the only one who can see his wings.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’m his true love.” Dropping her head, she blushed.

His expression froze again, like he seriously contemplated the words she just spoke.

“Da, what is it? What did I say? Don’t you believe me?” she asked.

“I need to check the Book of Legends, and consult with the elders. But tell me, is this angel named Michael?”

 

Chapter Five

 

Dance woke up the next morning. The sun shone through her window and warmed her. Mittens, who’d slept on her pillow, stood, arched her back, then circled around before curling back down in her same spot.

Tired, Dance stretched her arms and yawned. A breakfast tray lay on the small table next to the fire. The note on the tray caught her attention more than the bread, cheese, and fruit. After sliding out of bed, she tore off a chunk of bread, popped it in her mouth, and hummed because it was still warm. The note read:

 

My baby girl,

Ma and I are visiting the elders today. Be a good girl and take care of Mittens. We’ll be home for supper.

Da

 

“It’s just you and me today, Mittens. What shall we do?” She tore off several pieces of warm bread and placed them on the pillow next to the kitten.

Mittens sniffed, opened her eyes, licked the bread, then ate it. Her purrs grew louder with each bite.

Dance finished the fruit, cheese, and milk, then put on her play dress. With her parents gone for the day, she could play in the forest, maybe even see Michael. Was her angel real? Or did her overactive imagination conjure him?

Tap. Tap.

Startled by the tap on the window, Dance knew instantly that she didn’t conjure Michael. Smiling, she walked to the window and opened it. Michael stood on the balcony with his wings folded behind his back. Shirtless, he wore black leather pants and black shiny boots.

“Good morning, my true love. Can I come in? I hope you don’t mind my dropping by, but I can’t stop thinking about you.” He stared into her magical eyes.

Nodding, she stepped aside and let him into her chamber. Remembering her manners, she gestured for him to take a seat by the warm fire and asked, “Would you like the rest of my breakfast? I’m full.”

Shaking his head, he explained, “No, thanks. I already ate a huge breakfast. Besides, I normally eat three times what humans eat. Flying makes me hungry in this mortal life. But in my normal, immortal form, I don’t eat all. The Holy Spirit sustains me.” He rubbed his belly and sat on one of the two chairs in front of the fire.

Dance sat in the other chair and said, “My parents are gone all day. Can we fly again?”

Mittens jumped on Michael’s lap, sniffed his black leather pants, and curled up on his lap.

“Oh, well hello, kitty. You are beautiful. What’s your name?” he asked.

“Her name is Mittens. I just got her last night. She really likes you.” A slight pang of jealousy zipped through her.

“Cats are great to keep around because they sense evil.” He stroked the kitten’s head and was rewarded with a purring snuggle.

“What about flying?” she asked, impatiently. With her parents gone, she wanted to begin her day of freedom with Michael.

“Oh, yes, of course. I have a surprise for you. They just appeared in the forest. I haven’t seen them in a long time. We should hurry before they disappear.” Standing, he reached for her hand.

Taking his hand, she followed him to the window. “Oh, I better get my cape. It gets cold flying.” She retrieved her black hooded cape from the armoire, wrapped it over her shoulders, and fastened its clasp at her neck.

“Ready?”

Nodding, she stood in front of him on the balcony.

Securing her in his warm embrace, he unfurled his wings and flew them off the balcony. They flew around the perimeter of the enchanted forest until Castle Garrison loomed ahead on the cliffs.

He slowed at the edge of the forest, hovered near a tree, then slowly descended onto one of its branches. Holding his index finger to his lips, he gestured for her silence, then pointed at the forest floor below.

Silent, she dropped her gaze to the forest floor. Three horses ate apples from a tree. Two horses were pure white, and one was black. She inhaled deeply when she realized what they really were. The three horses each boasted a long spiral bone protruding from the tops of their heads.

Gasping, she said, “Unicorns.”