Age of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 1) (31 page)

They had been walking for a while up this long and winding road to their new home. Leaving the Hillside was tough, and his mom had filled in every door, as well as building up the walls to make it harder for someone else to sue until they found a purpose for it. But Kyle’s thoughts were on other things. Jessica had gone with many of the other women to chit chat about weddings with Erica on the walk. He didn’t know what it was, but women in general became so overwhelmed at the thought of a wedding. These were strong, vibrant, powerful women. But, they loved some romance so much. It was kind of funny.

Cliff and Jenny were in an excitable state not far ahead of him, probably talking about some theory or item or such. His extended family, this group, was ever more fascinating to him. He loved them all so much, and his deep love for Britt was something he would not have been able to explain to others until recently. Britt had to be with his force, or he would be at his side right now. Everyone knew about them now, and to his great shock, no one seemed to judge them. Well, maybe Kim Pile, but she was adjusting. Even Pastor Rich didn’t have a problem with them.

He heard someone trotting up behind him and turned to see his uncle sidle up next to him.

“So, gay huh?” he said.

“Yeah, sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“Kyle, other than your dad, you are my favorite man in the whole world. You can tell me anything, or nothing, and it doesn’t change anything for me.”

Kyle was grateful for his uncle’s acceptance, but another issue weighed heavy on his mind. “Uncle Ted, do you think my dad would be okay with me being gay?”

“You know, Kyle, we never talked about it. But I knew your dad well. You knew him well too. Your dad didn’t judge people, not qualitatively. He didn’t consider one person better than another, and didn’t have any patience for those who did. Your dad would be pleased you found love, but he would not have particularly cared for whom that love was.”

Kyle nodded, that was true. His dad was the man most full of grace for others of any man he had met.

“Any idea what they are on about?” Ted asked about Jenny and Cliff who were really excitable at the moment. Kyle just shook his head no.

Ted gave a head nod for Kyle to follow him and they jogged up in the line to where the two were talking. Kyle could see that they were both very happy about something, but not sure what.

“Hey, you two!” Ted started, “You are causing quite a ruckus. What is going on?”

“Ted, this is so cool!” Cliff replied, “I was just showing Jenny something I figured out while you guys were gone.”

“It is amazing, Ted. Oh, hey Kyle.” Kyle smiled at Jenny in response.

“Well, I have nothing but walking time. So, explain it to me.” Ted was a very giving person, but also naturally inquisitive, like Cal had been.

“So, we couldn’t figure out why Jenny or I couldn’t read the history of the items in a clearer way, right?” Cliff asked.

“I remember you saying that.”

“Well it is because, without being imprinted, the items only keep broad emotions, you know, big emotional moments. So when we have read wedding rings, we see the engagement, the wedding, sometimes the divorce, but not the rest of the wearing of the ring. It is the big emotional moments that imprint on the items.”

Ted seemed intrigued, “You said ‘without being imprinted’.”

Cliff continued, “Right. But we can imprint them.”

Ted shook his head, “Okay. I am missing something.”

Jenny looked at him with huge smile, “We can record things, Ted. We can keep a history, or put information into some gems for the future.”

Kyle watched the concept wash over Ted, as clarity hit him. He broke into a gleeful laugh. “If only I knew what day it was; I could mark this as one of the more important days since the Event.”

Cliff just looked at him with some confusion, “It is December third.”

Ted and Kyle were both startled by the answer, Kyle queried, “How could you possibly know that. I thought we all lost track of the days.”

Cliff just shrugged, “It has been one hundred and twenty-seven days since the Event. The Event happened on July twenty-ninth. So, it is December third.”

Ted grinned, “Has anyone ever told you what a remarkable young man you are, Cliff Ko?”

“Sometimes.” Cliff answered.

“Well, not enough they haven’t,” Kyle offered.

The walked on. It would not be long before they came to the bluffs and their new life. Now, they knew they could record their teachings, what they learned and who they were for posterity. This very well may be a turning point in the future of their community.

Tents were set out across the high bluff, arranged on the blocks that the pre-built streets made up. The terrakinetics had only built the gate itself, and under the direction of both Kayla and Rich, the church. Kayla had taken a special interest in forming rocks near the hot springs, and everyone wanted their turn, so the council had to put restrictions on the use of those. Everyone was allowed one hour a week and they had to assign three people just to manage that.

Emma and her people had erected wind-breaking rows of trees, and shrubs. Over time, they would add dividing shrubs between individual housing areas. Their biggest concern was food, of course, and once spring came, the plant empaths would need to work only on that for a while. There were questions, as some of the residents really wanted the empaths to grow cannabis for various reasons. The council would have to take that up at some point soon.

Adam’s hospital was just tents now, but it was near the hot springs, which he would sometimes add to someone’s prescription just for kicks. Today was his day, though. They didn’t have nice clothes, but they did their best with what they had. Emma had made sure to grow beautiful flowers for the ceremony, and the first function inside the church was to be the wedding of Adam Cross and Erica Butterfield.

Adam was pleased that Erica would have a voice on the Council, because he wanted no part of it, but understood the need for the healers’ input. He knew that most of his time would be spent in the next few months treating people with exposure related illness, and perhaps a resurgence of the flu. His group of healers was coming along well, which really took a lot of the pressure off of Adam.

The men lined up for Adam were Kyle Ward, Ted Craven, Anthony Johnson and Jordan Kane. These were the men he had served with in the sand and he was thrilled to be with them again. The only one missing was the one who would have been his best man, Calvin Ward. Here, on his most important day, he missed his old friend more than he could say. Standing in for Jenny, and now waiting across from his groom’s men, were Natalee Ward, Jenny Martinez, Emma Pare and Maxine Craven (with two of her dogs).

The feast they would take part of later would not only be the wedding feast of the Cross’, it would be the first annual Thanksgiving feast. Adam was honored to start off their concept of a new life together with the ceremony that kicked off his new married life. Rich walked to the front with his guitar and began playing the wedding march on it, it was gorgeous. The opening of the chapel was suddenly filled with Kate Ward, and the most beautiful version of Erica he had ever seen. Somehow, in secret, they had dug up a wedding dress and she stood there, shining in white as she walked down the aisle to meet him. He thought the smile might break the corners of his mouth, he smiled so widely.

When she reached him, he took her hand from Kate and Kate went to sit down in the front row. The ceremony was beautiful, but Adam could not have told you what happened. He only had eyes for Erica, the new Mrs. Cross. But, as the ceremony finished and he walked his new bride back down the aisle, he had only one thought.
The goodness of life continues,
was all he thought. It showed itself to be true.

THE END OF BOOK ONE

GLOSSARY OF NAMES

Adam Cross
– 33, former US Army Medic, now restaurant manager at Pep’s

Alan Stone
– 64, commanding officer at Fort Carson; Lieutenant General

Alton Tooney
– 57, registered sex offender and neighborhood handyman, Black Forest

Amy Paolo
– 26, wife of Mike

Andy Summers
– 28, clerk at Fort Carson, Private First Class

Anthony Johnson
– 27, scrounge, heavy weapons, Corporal

Beth Merritt
– 68, mother of Kayla Craven and Kate Ward

Brick Martin
– 52, pastor of the Spring Life Church, megachurch pastor, televangelist

Britton Casco
– 22, Cadet Commander at Air Force Academy

Calvin Ward
– 48, Dojo owner, former soldier

Cliff Ko
– 12, role-playing gamer

Clinton More
– 67, Commandant at Air Force Academy; Major General

Corporal Danvers
– 36, Black Forest Police Department

Cooper Paolo
- infant

Donna Harris
– 24, Private First Class, stationed at NORAD

Ellen Harris
– 28, server at Pep’s

Emma Pare
– 42, botanist; stationed at NORAD

Eric Fine
– 54, infantry officer, dojo owner; Major

Erica Butterfield
– 26, server at Pep’s

Hermit
– middle aged, unknown origin and identity, considered an urban legend

Jeff Prince
- 35, store manager at the sporting goods store

Jenny Martinez
– 27, yoga instructor, businesswoman, local celebrity

Jessica Peters
– 19, student, retail employee at sporting goods store

Jim Colson
– 49, government worker for city government

Jordan Kane
– 22, technical support at NORAD; specialist

Jose Rio
– 21, infantry soldier, stationed at NORAD; Private

Karen Pile
– 47, Realtor, Black Forest resident, overtly religious

Kate Ward
– 43, Cal’s wife

Kayla Craven
– 45, Ted’s wife

Kin Ko
– 21, student at Denver University

Kyle Ward
– 20, student at Pikes peak Community College; works at Sporting goods store

Maxine Craven
– 10, Ted and Kayla’s daughter

Mike Paolo
– 28, Amy’s husband

Miles Damiano
– 33, former army scrounge; part time dojo manager at FMAA

Natalee Ward
– 17, prom queen

Peri
– 21, Jenny’s assistant

Rich Carson
– 59, pastor of small church in Black Forest; neighbor of Ted and Kayla

Ronnie Jones
– 25, drug dealer

Ted Craven
– 48, infantry NCO; stationed at Fort Carson; Sergeant First Class

Zane Meyer
– 50, infantry NCO; stationed at Ft. Carson; Staff Sergeant