“Yes, I think I can help,” Pearl said as she pulled a heavy silver chain from around her neck. A highly polished and exquisitely carved wooden egret dangled from the end of the chain.
Lilly gasped, “One of daddy’s carvings!”
Pearl nodded, “Yes, it is. Do you have any of his carvings?”
Lilly’s mouth dropped open, “Yes! She said as she dashed into the bedroom, opened the drawer beneath her altar and returned holding a carved wooden alligator the size of her thumb and a long leather cord. The alligator had a small ring in its nose and she quickly threaded it onto the cord. “This will do until I get a chain to put it on,” she said as Roland tied the cord around her neck.
“Excellent, I knew you would have at least one of his carvings. Hopefully, these two talismans will be enough to get us through the telescoping portal and onto the front porch of my mama’s house.”
Roland looked at the intricate carving around Pearl’s neck, “How are the carvings going to help?”
Folding her hand over the small wooden bird, Pearl held it to her heart, “All of my brother’s carvings were imbued with magick. Each member of our family has a carved talisman which connects them to the village in the Dark Bayou.”
“Lilly, o you still wear your talisman?” Pearl asked,
Lilly gasped, “No, no I haven’t worn it since I married Alex. He told me I looked like bayou trash when he saw it. I tried wearing it under my shirt, but he knew it was there and made such a fuss about it, I put it away.”
Scooting up to the edge of her seat on the couch, Lilly leaned forward and spoke seriously to her Aunt, “There is a small group who have agreed to go to the Faery village with me: a powerful Atlantean Priestess, Kumira, Roland, you and I. Everyone wants to come, but I think a small group may have a better chance of getting close and being welcomed. Kumira has some idea about where the pyramid might be. She is hoping the faeries will have more information and one of them will come with us as a guide.”
“I want in on this trip,” Pearl said. “I would love to see my family and learn what is known of the lost pyramid.”
The next moment Pearl was overcome with a huge yawn. “Excuse me, I didn’t realize that was going to happen,” she said blushing slightly.
Lilly stood and grabbed a set of sheets and towels from the bathroom closet, “Come on Auntie, I’m going to walk you over to your apartment and make sure you have everything you need. It has been a long day and I know you are tired.”
Chapter 48
Journey to the Dark Bayou
The next morning Pearl sat in Jolene’s kitchen sipping her second cup of coffee. I know all of you want to meet Lilly’s Faery kin, but I think Lilly’s idea of a small group is a good one. Only essential persons need to come on this trip. Jolene looked around the table. James and Sabine had disappointed faces, knowing their presence would not be essential.
“The plan Lilly has discussed with me, has our journey scheduled for the morning of the new moon,” Pearl continued, “I don’t think leaving in the morning is a good idea. The bayou fairies are night owls. They feel most comfortable under indigo skies and moonlit waters. Their magic is strongest in the swampy landscape of hanging moss and night blooming flowers. Their own inner light and glowing lanterns illuminate the darkness. Daylight finds them sleeping or having breakfast at 3PM. There are a few who must rise early and get the children to school, they rotate this chore. We would not be a welcome sight early in the day.”
James sat silently listing as Pearl described the life of the bayou fairies, “How is it you and Lilly’s dad left the village?”
A good question, Aunt Pearl replied. “Those who choose to live in the secret world of the swamp know the world of man encroaches on their lives and will continue to do so. They want their children to be aware of the world outside and prepared to deal with the people and technology they will encounter. Some of the children are sent to the local school to learn the ways of men. A few of them mate with land-dwellers, birth their babies in the village and raise them in the Faery culture. Others, marry land- dwellers which is what Avery and I did. It doesn’t happen often, but it is necessary some of the children integrate into the outside world. Choosing to bring our magick to the world of men was a difficult decision. It became apparent if those with Faery blood did not enhance the world of men and share healing energy, the people of the Earth would devolve. The animals and plants of the Earth would perish at a rate more rapid than they are at this time. Faery blood is strong. Our family in the Dark Bayou are descendants of humans and fairies who mated centuries ago. It takes eons of mating with humans before the Fay power is diminished. We don’t want to become isolated from outside influence or risk our village becoming too inbred.”
Everyone was digesting the information when the gate buzzer sounded and Kumira’s voice came through. James buzzed the gate opened. Within seconds, Kumeria joined them at the table. Lilly looked around at her friends and broke the thoughtful silence. “Aunt Pearl and I need to speak with Kumira and make plans.”
~
Roland joined the three powerful women at the round oak table in Jolene’s kitchen. They sat together in silence, gathering their thoughts and opening to any messages or guidance the spirit world might convey. Kumira began to speak
