The Ancient Book of Power

Chapter Seventeen: An Unfriendly Town by the Coast

Once Kinnikashee swam to shore and dragged poor Dalbreath out of the sea, he slung him over his shoulder and went inland a ways till he came to a road. He took a guess as to which way to go, and figured right is always right, so they went right. Luckily there was a small town that way only a few miles down the road, but before he got to the town two sisters came out and motioned for him to come inside their quaint little house with the rose garden in front, and two cherry trees in front that had bloomed several months earlier. "Hey mister. You can't go into town. Strangers are not welcome there, and strange birdman strangers even less so. You wouldn't be safe there. Is your friend all right? He looks pale."

"He needs help, we both do. We've been through quite an ordeal," said Kinnikashee. He hurried inside before anyone from town saw them.

"Just lay him on the couch, sir. Sir birdman. Then you sit over here. Ileen will see to your friend, and I'll bring you some nice tea and a sandwich. I imagine you're hungry. I imagine you both are, but I think your friend needs Ileen's healing ways first, before he can eat anything."

Kinnikashee was so grateful. "My name is Kinnikashee, and this young one is Dalbreath. And we are both in dire straits and very much in your debt."

The young women, who were only slightly tan skinned, were both so kind. They both had long black hair, green eyes, and seemed to Kinnikashee to be sisters. "Forgive my manners," said the talkative one. "I'm Lulaa, and that's my sister Ileen. People used to be much kinder before he came."

"Who he, which he?" Asked Kinnikashee.

Ileen turned and spoke finally. "He came here three years ago and bought up most of the town, now he practically runs almost everything ."

"It's true," said Lulaa. "And now because of him fewer and fewer townspeople come to buy our herbs and teas. He's a plague to us all."

"Your friend is very weak," said Ileen. "He will have to rest here for at least three days. If anyone comes to buy our goods you will have to hide. We can't protect you, but we will do what we can to help you. It's best if you hide in Lulaa's bedroom for now."

"I'm sorry, friend," said Lulaa. "Come, I'll bring you some nice food shortly."

"I guess I am a freak," said Kinnikashee sadly.

Lulaa took hold of his arm for a moment. "No sir, their hearts are so cold now, and all love is dying in them."

"We actually wish we could leave this place before they come and try to turn us into one of them," said Ileen.

Just then Dalbreath stirred and his eyes fluttered open. "Where am I?" he asked.

"Shush," said Ileen softly. "Rest, your friend is nearby. Rest now, but first take a drink of this tea." He took a small drink, and then his eyes fluttered shut, and he went back to sleep.

Kinnikashee looked at the sisters. He had an idea of how to help these sisters, but he would wait until Dalbreath was better to bring it up.

It took three days for Dalbreath to begin to get his strength back. Lulaa and Kinnikashee became good friends, but Ileen was so busy tending to Dalbreath that she didn't have time to interact with them much. Kinnikashee even helped Lulaa make pouches of tea to be sold, and potpourri jars, and soaps. The sisters began to let down their guard, and even stopped complaining when he came out into the living room to see for himself how Dalbreath was recovering. It was on one of those occasions that a customer peeked in through the oval glass window in the front door and saw Kinnikashee in the living room.

The guy was so taken aback that he fell over on the porch and yelled out: "What kind of freak is that, Lulaa? What kind of potions are you witches brewing in there? I'm getting the sheriff." Then he ran off down the road.

Both Lulaa and Ileen were totally freaked out. "He'll becoming back with a mob," said Lulaa.

"We have about ten minutes, and then they'll probably burn the house down, and with us in it," said Ileen.

"Dalbreath, I know you're still weak," said Kinnikashee,, shaking him a little, "but if you don't use your magic to get us out of here, we're all fried." He looked at the sister. "Excuse the expression."

Dalbreath got up from the couch. "Each of you lay your hands on my shoulders."

"What?" Asked Ileen, very surprised Dalbreath had the strength to stand.

"Just do it woman," said Kinnikashee.

They all did, and then Dalbreath made a gesture with his right hand at the same time he whispered two words, and then there was a whoosh of light and wind and they were gone.