The Enchantments: Book 3 - The Key of Sorcen

Chapter 45: Seeing the Light

The day started with a rumble of thunder and followed with a constant deluge of rain that threatened to last the entire day. The graveyard to everyone's chagrin was a dreary place with sad memories that seem to ooze from every monument for the dead. And as the others gathered around the large gravesite the rain exactly matched their moods.

"... And to the earth we lay to rest our brother and friend Shawn McNaughton, may the lord..."

Fin stood a few feet from the casket staring at nothing and thinking about Simeneon and how he wished she were here. Was she all right? Did she know what was going on now?

'Simeneon where are you?' He asked him self as he watched the rest of the congregation place roses upon the smooth wood grained casket.

"...Amen!" Everyone said in unison and the group including Professor Tweedle, a distressed Marlanda, and Dr. Miller who had brought many of the friends Marlanda and Simeneon had made at school to pay their respects.

The dejected people started to depart the grave area one by one leaving the doctor, Marlanda and Fin standing alone.

"How you doing my dear?" Dr. Miller asked as he placed his hand on Marlanda's quivering shoulder.

She looked back at him from behind soiled eyes and tried to smile.

"I'm doing fine thanks." She said weakly.

"Shall we go my dear, there will be others waiting at the house for us." He said.

Marlanda nodded gently then walked one last time to the casket where she lovingly ran her hand over the smooth exterior. The rose she was carrying was placed amongst the other roses and she gently stepped away.

"You will be missed." She whispered then allowed the doctor to guide her gently away.

Fin stayed behind holding his umbrella trying to think of the words to say to Shawn for the last time.

"I know we didn't know each other very well Shawn, but I know how much you cared for others. She's really hurt right now my friend and I really hate to see that. If I could have done something I would have, but it came upon so suddenly and you didn't stand a chance." Fin dropped his head and sighed. "Geez man, if there was something I could do to change all that had happened I would, but I can't-"

"-That's not exactly true my friend." A voice said from behind the large oak.

Fin turned around in shock to stare at the big oak tree that hung gently over the gravesite.

"Who... who are you?" Fin stuttered.

"You know who I am, don't you?" The tall man asked as he cautiously came from behind the large tree.

Fin stared at the man and tried desperately to recognize his features. His long blond hair hung loosely off his shoulders and his face sunken somewhat was still full of life and radiance.

"I'm sorry I don't recognize you." Fin said.

"That's alright for I recognize you my friend." The man said as he walked gently to the casket that sat dripping with rain.

"Remember a time, long ago when the seas were sparkling and the days were filled with the smell of sea air. Remember a ship that was unceremoniously boarded by a group of merciless pirates, and from which a sacred relic was stolen. The man in charge of that relic was on his way to hide it from the prying eyes of those that would harm his master, but after that debacle, his leagues of creatures took him back to the realm and he was imprisoned in a body that was not his but that of a receptacle to the master. He was not who he expected to be after that time and his life was then forfeited to hunt down and bring souls for the master to nourish on. But after a lifetime of inflicting pain and sorrow, I was given a reprise by a bunch of kids that thought not of their own well-being but of the lives of two innocents that they had never met before. Finally in the end they lost one of their own and they think that no one but their own, mourns for them. I'm here to tell you that they would be wrong."