The Enchantments: Book 4 - The Key of Mulastef

Epilogue: Soft Winds

There was a warmth in the air brought on by the approaching breeze that filled the porch with a wisp of the summer long past. The old woman sat back in the chair swing and closed her eyes enjoying the soft smell of lavender and the tinge of decaying leaves.

'Enjoy the solitude and peace while you still can,' she told herself.

The days were shorter now as summer became a distant memory and the time of reckoning was just around the corner, she could feel the tension in the air, and she knew all that she had worked for and planned for these many years would come at her fast and furious. Was she ready? She had no idea. All the signs were there, and they had been showing themselves to her these past few years. What she waited for was the last sign, the sign that would convince her it was happening all over again, the sign that would lead her to the end of this great adventure. Was she scared?

If history had anything to say about where it was leading it never gave her the evidence, but the signs that revealed themselves were like clockwork. It was how they had planned it; it was how they wanted it. The universe had plans for everyone yet she knew not for her. The finality the others looked for would not be the desirable outcome for so many not by a long shot.

She opened her eyes feeling the breeze change from warm, to cold and foreboding. With the blanket around her waist, she pulled it up over her shoulders and looked up at the back window of her house to where her grandchildren were sleeping silently, hopefully dreaming of the simple things in life and not of death and destruction shown on the evening news.

She sighed heavily thinking about how destruction and wars in this world were probably taking place because of the negative imagery the others had propelled into this world. It made her sick every day seeing the violence this world now sheltered. But could it get must worse? Of course, it could, and the others planned for this contingency, but contingencies had a knack of failing. Their instruction to her made her very uncomfortable; there could be ramifications, ramifications that could bring this world to its knees. She didn't want to think it was all up to her and her alone the idea was too daunting.

Enough of that! She scolded herself.

She stood from the swing allowing it to fluctuate gently back and forth squeaking ever so slightly through each revolution. If she continued the pressure upon herself, she would not be in the right frame of mind to finish what needed doing.

Taking in one last breath of the sweet fresh air she smiled ever so slightly then made the trek from the swing to the back door. She opened it hesitating one last time to look back at the constantly deepening sky. It was beautiful she told herself and smiled as a falling star flew through the night burning smaller and smaller until it was only a distant memory in the hearts of those that would wish upon it that night.

All was quiet.

THEEND