~Henry Ford
"Pass the prickly pear jelly, please," Kayin asked. We woke to the smell of breakfast and were currently smearing on as much jam and jelly as our pancakes would hold. There was syrup, but I could get syrup anywhere. Homemade jam, now that’s something special. Can a person become addicted to homemade jam?
"That looks more like artwork than food," Gavin laughed, sitting next to me. His stack of pancakes foolishly, covered in syrup.
I looked down at my plate. Anali made large, round pancakes, and I covered mine in four different jams: blueberry, mulberry, prickly pear, and rhubarb. Not only that but each section covered exactly one-fourth of the pancake surface. "I guess."
"How did you sleep? You look better this morning," Gavin asked.
"I slept well," I answered eyes focused on my plate, and not looking up, and possibly blushing.
"Do I need to worry?" Gavin asked with a serious edge to his voice.
"No."
"Sapphire shared our side of the tent last night," Kayin told him. "It was very cold, and the cougar last night was a bit scary."
"Oh, okay." Gavin took a huge bite of food. Well, I guess that’s it.
Elijah walked over to Grandfather George and Paul as soon as they came into camp. They talked, and Elijah seemed worried, but Grandfather George nodded and smiled in an annoying, all-knowing way.
"All is as it should be," Grandfather George said patting his grandson on the shoulder and coming over to the fire.
"I wonder what that was about?" My stomach fluttered a bit.
"I don't know," Gavin said. "I think Elijah has the gift of dreams, so maybe he dreamed something."
"Maybe." I would keep an eye on them.
"Let's go for a hike," Grandfather George said, after we cleaned up from breakfast.
It seemed rather sudden, and a bit random, but we all got ready. Soon we were hiking along a small and winding path. I watched where I walked so I wouldn't trip on the roots and rocks sticking up out of the dirt.
"It's good to know a piece of land. Memorize each step, how it feels under your foot, the plants and trees, any animal evidence you see," Paul explained, slowing down his steps. "Don't think about the past or the future; be here now and be one with the land."
I slowed my breathing, and placed each footstep with care and focus. I didn't understand the importance, only that it was vital to know this stretch of land. We walked about an hour before the forest path opened into a large meadow. Delicate new grass fluttered only an inch or two above the ground, mixing with a few other plants I didn't recognize.
The meadow hummed with power welcoming me. I looked to the Guardians to find out what to do. They were walking around enjoying the space.
I walked around the edge, looking at the small ferns and patches of velvety moss. I tried to stay along the edge. I felt wary of disrupting such a sacred place, but I was drawn to the meadow. Nervously, I walked to the very center. The trees formed a perfect circle around me. Bending down I placed my hand on the ground. Something lay buried under the earth. I wanted to dig for it, but it was too deep.
"Could you find this place again? This exact spot?" Paul asked, his black hair glinting red in the sunlight.
"Yes." I could feel the hum of whatever lay buried under the earth. It called to me, and I could find this place again without any trouble. "Why? What's buried here?"
"Good, remember that you know where to go," Paul said with a smile, then he got up and walked away.
"That's what I need, random riddles and half answers," I muttered as I sat down, the power in my body heating up in response to this place.