Sharla - Family Secrets

Visitors

Back at the North Gate.

Liah's eyes suddenly looked white and distant as she glanced at the horizon. "Liah are you okay? Did you get another vision?" Marlo asked just as Tico pointed to the North gate entrance. "We need to put more guards, there. It might be a weak spot for the demons to attack us," Tico said. Liah gathered her composure after coming out of her trance, then walked closer to Marlo and Tico. "Someone is coming," she began and looked around to ensure no one could hear her. "Come on let's go over there," she said pointing to a secluded area on the wall. "What is it?" Marlo asked when he was sure no one was listening or watching them. 

"Sharla sent a message that a woman and two children are on their way. However, they disappeared before them, so she is not sure if they are friends or foes. Be vigilant," Liah whispered. "Let's go, before they mix with the crowd.," Tico suggested."Yeah, we can cut them off and interrogate them," Marlo said."They may be cunning deviants, we must capture them before they turn out to be our enemy," Liah confirmed as the group headed towards the secret passage. 

The path was clear, with no guards present as not many knew of the secret passage or doorway. The trio made their way silently towards their destination. Tico placed a barrier spell he had learnt around their perimeter. That should keep them in one place. The door to the secret passage started to open and a beautiful woman with two children appeared. She looked scared at seeing the three warriors standing before her. "Who are you?" Liah asked as she stood a little distance from the new arrivals."I am MacMoris and these are my children Marla and Kanjie, " she replied timidly. "Where are you from?" Liah asked still holding her sword in hand. "We are from Relooc Diam, it is a four-day journey East of here. We were attacked by hordes of demons and escaped with barely any belongings just the clothes on our backs. Only a few moments ago we were attacked by another set of demons and was saved by a young woman and a man." she explained shivering as the children cling to her waist. She gently placed her arms around the children. Then asked, "Can we get something to eat? We didn't get a chance to eat as they attacked early in the morning."The three of them looked at each other, not sure what to make of them. They looked normal, they didn't give off an evil vibe and for whatever reason, Liah couldn't see what would happen if they stayed. She had to keep them in a secure location in case they turned out to be wolves in sheep clothing. 

"Sure, we have food, and we can keep you safe while we fight the demons that are coming." Liah said looking from one visitor face to the other."Follow me," she added. Then walked before them while Marlo and Tico walked behind them. Tico still had his barrier up around the newcomers. 

"Let's take them to Father Whites office, he should know what else we can do with them," Marlo suggested. Liah then led them to Father Whites office. A few minutes later they arrived on the first floor.

Knock! Knock!

"Who is there?" he asked from his oval desk."It's Liah, Marlo and Tico. We brought visitors from one of the East villages, she greeted."Come," he replied and stood when he saw the woman and her two children. He froze in his tracks as their eyes locked on each other."Beatrice... I never thought I would see you again." he breathed."Hold up, I thought you said your name was MacMoris?" Liah said. "Yes, Beatrice McMoris White," the priest replied."White? Is she your wife?" Tico asked as all their faces had shocked expressions. "No, she is my sister-in-law. How is my brother these days?' Father White asked. "I know it has been a while, but perhaps we can get cleaned up first and eat some food. We are very hungry and tired.," she replied."Of course," he answered and turned to "Tico, set up the Orica room for them and have food brought up."

"Yes, Father White," Tico replied. "Come with me and I will show you to your new room," he smiled. "It's on ground 11, so I hope you love to exercise. We will be walking for a bit," Tico joked. "Tico!!!" Father White, Marlo and Liah shouted at the same time."It's okay we can take a shortcut. Gessh guys! they will be fine." Tico replied. Marlo and Liah were about to leave with Tico when the priest cleared his throat and said, "Don't go, Marlo and Liah, I want to have a word with you. Please close the door."They nodded at Tico and closed the door. They stood silently before the priest waiting for him to speak."Sit children," he said as he motioned his hand towards the two chairs before his desk. "How did she get in here?" he asked as his brow furrowed. "She came through the secret passage," Liah replied."How does she know about it?" he badgered. Both Marlo and Liah looked at each other not sure what to say. If they told him Sharla then he would know they went beyond the North gate. But what if they left out the name and just said someone gave her directions. "I am still waiting in case you hadn't noticed," he said resting his hand under his chin with his elbow on his armchair. "She was in danger, and someone rescued her and directed her through the passage, sir," Marlo stated. "She is a witch. Be very careful of her, don't do anything she says, unless you run it by me first. I want her gone as soon as the hordes are destroyed."

"Why? Is she not family?" Liah asked. "She is family. But she is of the dark witch bloodline and may be in league with the demons she claims to be running from. She is very cunning and beautiful and alluring as you can see. My brother never stood a chance against her charms. Try as I might to break him from her spells, he was too far gone. As for those children of hers, they should be older than they look. Perhaps they are hiding their true form to gain sympathy and cause more chaos and destruction." The expounded as he got up and walked to the open window overlooking the garden, he painstakingly nurtured.   "Is that why you told Tico to put them in the Orica Room?" Liah asked. "Yes! It will block any charms or spells she may have placed on themselves," he replied."I couldn't get a read from her when we met and I still can't get a read on them," she said."When was the last time you saw them, Father White?" Marlo asked. "I saw them two hundred years ago. So, I am sure those children should be fully grown adults by now. So, unless she created clones of her children or maybe those are..." suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. 

Knock! Knock!

"Yes, who is it?" he asked trying to keep calm."Sir! There is some great force that is fighting the hordes sir and they are retreating," Brother Venjamin reported on entering the office. He paused to look at Liah and Marlo. "Children," he greeted and walk towards Father White desk. "Is there something wrong?" Father Venjamin asked. "No, well Beatrice is here, and she brought her children with her," he replied."But didn't we ban her from coming here?" he retorted."We did but she found a workaround. She entered through the secret passage," he answered."That is only known to a few. We must wipe her memory before she spreads it to others," Father Venjamin warned. "You can wipe people's memories?" Liah asked appalled. "It is not something we do lightly. We consider the risk and danger. Right now, her knowledge about the secret passage is a threat to us all," Father Venjamin replied. "Why can't we just block it and use a counter barrier spell to prevent anything or anyone from entering?" Liah proposed.He deeply sighed, "I will take what you have said into consideration. Be on your guard when you are with her. She is a master manipulator." Father White added. 

***

Atéri Chambers

"Quickly place her on the bed."What happened to her?" Atéri asked as Nico placed Sharla on her father's bed. "She collapsed after sending a secret message to Liah. Five minutes later she transformed into a large wolf beast with ten horns. I was so surprised I started to panic, but when she started attacking the demons instead of me, I figured she was still in control of her body. She was wiled and aggressive, she tore them limb from limb. At one point I tried to fight alongside her, but she was quite fierce. She fought the legions of demons that was about to attack our school," he explained in awe."She transformed?" Both  Atéri  and Zamila gasped."Yes. Once the hordes were destroyed, she stood for a few moments before she fell on the ground. I tried to keep up with her, but my eyes couldn't keep up with her fast movement," he added.

"What does this mean?" Zamila asked moving a strand of hair from her daughter's face. "She looks so peaceful.""I don't know. I believe she has come into her full powers and will now need the training to control them." Atéri said tenderly as he held one of her hands in his. 

"I don't want her soul to be damned," she moaned."She will not be damned. She used her powers for good," he replied. "You don't understand. She..." Zamila cried.  Atéri moved to hug his wife and kissed the top of her head. "She will be okay. You will soon see her get up. Sharla is a strong warrior." "And soon to be Captain," Nico added.

"The exam was today?"  Atéri asked."Yes... Did she tell you about it?" Nico asked. 

"OfCourse, she was having doubts that she could be the leader that persons look up to and be able to make strong decisions to keep the world safe," he responded."I am glad she had you to talk to," Zamilia replied."Yeah, we both took the exam today and then the explosion happened. But I strongly feel that the Captaincy will be hers. After all, she has trained all her life for it."

"And what about you? Did you not train all your life for it too?"  Atéri asked."Yes sir, but I will follow your daughter anywhere, so I will gladly give up my captaincy to be her second in command," Nico said looking at her soft beautiful sleeping face."I see... you're in love with her," Atéri said softly."Yes sir! I am. I just wish she one day will be able to love me back," he replied. Zamora patted his hand and smiled. From the little that she learned these past few weeks about her daughter, she was strong-willed, determined, caring and quite the warrior. She didn't see the settle down aspect of her daughter any time soon. "Perhaps one day she will. If you truly love her, you will be to her what she needs you to be until that time comes. I just hope it is within your lifetime," she said. "I hope so too," Nico replied. "Why don't you check with your friends and see what is happening at the school. They may need your help; we would be happy to watch over our daughter until you return." Zamila suggested."I am not going anywhere. I know they don't need my help because the danger is gone. I just want to be there when she wakes up." he replied.

***

Chaldia School for the Gifted - Orica Room

"Sorry we kept you waiting," Father White said as he entered the room."For five hours? Why have you kept us, prisoners?" Beatrice fumed."This is just for your protection and also for ours. You see Beatrice, I am not sure if your allegiance has changed, and if it hasn't then you know why you are in this room."

"I have changed, I swear," she said."If you have changed, there is no need to swear," he smiled."I stopped following the dark arts ages ago," she began."Are these clones or your children's offspring?" he asked."They are what is left of my children. They are your grandnephew and grandniece. My children died last year in a tragic fire along with your brother," she said sadly.

Father White swayed momentarily then sat in the chair close to him." Demario is dead?" he gasped holding his chest."Yes. It was a tragic fire; we were attacked by a coven of dark witches who didn't accept the fact that I renounce Satan and tried to turn over a new leaf. They decided to take what I love, and I fought to hold unto these babies," she cried."And where is their mother?""She died at childbirth when she gave birth to the twins here," she said as she hugged them both with tears in her eyes. He wasn't sure what to make of her story. How could he know for sure that she was telling the truth? For years she manipulated people and situations to get her desired outcome. Was this really true?

"I am sorry for your loss. Demario was a great man," he replied. "Yes, he was. And I am sorry for the earlier years when I tried to manipulate people and situations to get what I want. But I can assure you, I am no longer that self-absorbed woman anymore. Raising these two since their mother's death has brought me nothing but joy. I just want to see them happy again. And if you don't want me here, then we will leave and find a new home. I just thought that since we were family that you would be more willing to look beyond my faults and give me a chance to show you, I am a new woman. I may not fully accept this Christ that you pray to. But I am willing to learn and to start life new. Please don't send us away. I don't know what I would do if anything bad happens to them. I don't want to resort to becoming my old self, as I fear there will be no redemption if I embrace my dark side." she explained. 

Father White sighed deeply and closed his eyes briefly. "You can stay within the gates. The children can attend classes for their age group. How old are they?" he asked."They are both six and a half years old," she replied."Great, I will get things organized. Are you all still hungry?"The twins answered in unison, "Yes!"Father White smiled. "Allow me to properly introduce myself to you. I am Uncle Frank. But outside these walls, you can call be Father White. Do you understand?""Yes, Uncle Frank," they replied. 

***

Atéri   Chambers

"What happened?" Sharla said holding her head. "Don't you remember what happened to you?" Nico asked. "Wait let me get your parents."He briskly went out the door and walked down the corridor and knocked on the last door at the end.

Knock! Knock!

"Come, Nico,"  Atéri answered. Nico opened the door and saw  Atéri seem to be consoling Zamila."Sorry to interrupt, but Sharla woke up!" he exclaimed.

Zamila quickly removed herself from her husband's embrace and rushed past Nico.  Atéri smiled and followed behind in short. Nico then closed the door and ran behind them. "Sharla, baby. Welcome back to the land of the living!" Zamilia said hugging her daughter. "Mom, what happened?" she asked."You seriously don't remember what happened." Atéri asked. Sharla sat up in the bed and pulled the covers up to her waist, shaking her head. " I don't. I just feel very hungry and tired," she replied. "I will get you food,"  Atéri said and went to ring a bell sitting on his nightstand. Two minutes later a priest entered his room and paused when he saw the scene in the bishop's room.  "Yes, Bishop Demetri?" he said. "Can you call Father Azzi and have the chef send up four plates of food?" he ordered. "Yes, Bishop Demetri," he replied and left the room.

"Why do they still call you Bishop Demetri?" Nico asked."Because the world is not ready to know that the real Bishop is dead. So, for all intents and purposes, I will remain him until I see fit to give up this farce," he replied.