The Golden Twin's

It was the year of 1540. Our coven is being hunted down and burned at the stakes. By a witch hunter named Hopkins. We ran from Ireland to Scotland and from Scotland to England. Now we are on our way to the new world. We are hopeful for the new world. While we were in Ireland Louise, Connie and, I (LuCretia)we were hunted so badly that we fled to Scotland. While we were in Scotland we met three women like ourselves named Alexandra, Judith and, Mary. Our coven was growing. We thought we were safe. We were so wrong. Hopkins was gunning for our coven. When we received word, that Hopkins was in Scotland. We immediately prepared and planned to leave Scotland and make our way to England. About six weeks ago we met the newest members of our coven Matilda and Lilith. Currently, we are on a ship headed to the new world. Hoping we can be safe from the witch hunter Mathew Hopkins. Soon we will arrive at port of the new world. As we arrived at Port Langley we handed our papers to the gentleman on the dock. He looked them over for a minute and then stamped our papers and allowed us ashore. We were not going to just settled on down here near port. We knew we had to find a place to call home as far away from this port as possible. we traveled for weeks, which felt like months to be honest. we made camp for the night. It was too dark to see to travel. Louise made a fire, I searched for the wood for the fire. Connie was a hunter if it were not for her talent's we would have starved to death. Not only did she hunt for animals. She always found us other things to eat such as fruits and vegetables. The land here has so much to offer us for so many reasons. As I cooked the wild boar Connie provided for us, the ladies were talking and giggling about how our lives will be, basically they were dreaming. None of us were oracles. That we knew of anyway. We are still young; we have not come into our gifts fully yet. What is even worse is, we do not have anyone to help guide us on our journey either. We each have our family books. To help teach us and guide us on our way through the paths of our destinies. We are bound to make many mistakes. All our mothers died during our births. Strange that we feel a deep profound connection between all eight of us. We are not just connected by magic or the tragedies of our mothers. But because our hearts and souls found each other so we could be one family. I can feel in my heart there is something bigger on the horizon that will come to pass in many years.             next morning as we are packing our things to continue our journey to find our new home. I was startled by a man's voice. He Said, "Hello Ladies, do you need help finding your way?". I turned around prepared to curse him. Because I have heard stories of men r****g woman. When I looked at him standing there with his dark black wavy hair, these beautiful amber eyes, so tall and, masculine. my heart melted instantly. I introduced myself to him "Hello, my name is LuCretia." He said, " Hello My Lady, my name is James Whetstone." The girls giggled behind me. I had not noticed there was three other men behind him. I snapped back to reality as did James I said, " I Apologize where are my manners these are my friends Louise, Mary, Judith, Matilda, Alexandra, Connie and, Lilith." James said, "It's very nice to meet you ladies, and these gentlemen are my friends Thomas Brown, John Rhodenizer and, Michael Rhodes." Me and the girls all said, "It's very nice to meet you gentleman." As we bowed our heads to them. We could tell they was not poor like us and they were not nobles either. But by law we respect higher station then ourselves. Matilda took an instant fancy to Thomas as I did with James. James said to me "Where are you headed maybe we can accompany you" I told him "We do not know where we are headed, we are looking for a place to call home. We have lost our families and, we have nothing. So, we came here to the new world from England to try and find a place we can call home." James responded "Come with us! You can stay on my family’s lands." I looked at the girls and they all smiled which I knew meant yes. I looked back at James he smiled at me and I shook my head yes and said, "alright then show us the way." We grabbed our packs and began the journey to James's Families Lands.             After three days of traveling we finally arrived at James's Families Lands. It was called James River Ridge. We met James's Parent's Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Thelma Whetstone. James River Ridge named after Mr. Whetstone's late Twin Brother James who had died long before they ever had their son from tuberculosis. James introduced us to his parents. They were exceedingly kind to us. They gave us a small piece of land to work on to grow crops to sell and make money. The land had a small house on it we all fit comfortably in there. We took a day to get settled and unpack. As night fall came, we prepared to do a cleansing ritual. The garden had everything we needed to cleanse the home. we started by burning some sage and rosemary bundles we made and started chanting "Cleanse this home from any evil that dwells, protect this home from here forth with our spell, So, mote it be. Cleanse this home from any evil that dwells, protect this home from here forth with our spell, So, mote it be. Cleanse this home from any evil that dwells, protect this home from here forth with our spell, So, mote it be. Blessed Be." A few short moments later there was a knock on the door. I went and answered the door. I laughed and said "James, hi what can I do for you?" he chuckled and said, "I just came to check on you and see how you girls are settling in?" I opened the door all the way and replied, " we are settling in quite nicely thank you very much." James then asked me "would mind going for a walk with me?" I replied, " I would love too?"             James led me to a beautiful and quiet river. there are all these extremely tall trees perfectly place all along the river. There is these giant white sparkling bolder sticking up out of the river and sporadically along the shoreline of the river. I could hear crickets chirping and the river running down stream. I could the wind gently blowing against my skin it was simply magical. we walked alongside the river in silence every so often I would catch James looking at me from the corner of my eye and I would smile. never has anyone let alone an extremely handsome man look at me as if I am the most beautiful creature in the world. James gently grabbed my arm to stop me. I looked up at him and smiled. James looked down at me and said "I have never met a woman so beautiful as you. can we walk like this every night maybe some nights we can talk as well?" I looked at James and with a smile I replied " yes, I would like that very much." James escorted me home, kissed me on the hand n bowed to me. Then he said, "good night my lady LuCretia, sweet dreams." I curtsied to him and said, " good night James, pleasant dreams."             The next morning the girls and I began working on the farm by day and by night we would study our books and practice our magic. we have kept our magic concealed our entire lives. We are not taking a chance now. Not even the men courting us. James Whetstone is courting me, John Rhodenizer is courting Louise, Franklin Applestein is courting Mary, Charles Sidor is courting Judith, Thomas Brown is courting Matilda, Henry Holbrook is courting Alexandra, Michael Rhodes is courting Connie and, William Skelley is courting Lilith. we made an oath to each other nothing or no one would ever make us tell anyone about our birth rights.               We have been here at James River Ridge for one year today. The girls and I are going to celebrate later. we are all engaged to be married within the next year. But, let me tell you what has happened in this past year. Our powers have grown so much in this past year. We have mastered our gifts and found out that I am an oracle. I have foreseen a future where all eight of us will combine our families through marriages. When our families reach our last two families blood lines there will be a child born more powerful than anyone has ever known or seen. Anyway, back on topic. this past year we have helped the land grow more prosperous then the years before. the only magic we do is what will help others. Our lands are prosperous as well but not as prosperous as the rest of James River Ridge.             James’s father past 9 months ago from sweating sickness. I tried to heal him, but I am not a healer I am an oracle. James's mother has recently become ill with an infection on her abdomen. No one knows what the cause of the infection is or how to treat it I give her an herbal tea to ease her pain. Without a cause no one can treat the infection.             James has taken over James R iver Ridge for now until his twin brother George is ready to take over James River Ridge. Their father’s death has hit George harder than James he was closer to their father then James. James was closer to his mother. not quite sure as to why but it made James a gentler man then most.             Our one-year anniversary at James River Ridge is today. Connie and Michael are both hunters and they went out hunting for wild boar for tonight’s bonfire roast. It is just going to be us girls and our suiters celebrating tonight. As the rest of us finish setting everything up. James and Thomas are starting the fire and Charles and William are making a spit roast to cook the wild boar on. Connie and Michael return with the biggest wild boar I think Connie has ever caught. The men get the boar ready to roast and we get the rest of the food ready. we are making corn, potatoes, fresh green salad and, Matilda is baking a cake. John got some ale for our little party.             All the food is finally finished we begin to eat, shooting stars start fluttering across the beautiful night sky. I have never seen anything like it before. it was uniquely beautiful and magical. We all remained quiet as we ate our meal and enjoyed watching the stars fly across the sky. It was as if the gods and goddesses were giving us their blessings. I never felt happier than I do right now in this very moment. I have my sisters that I love with my soul, the man whom I love more than I ever thought possible and a place we all call home. The stars slowed down and stopped shooting across the night sky, so we all began to talk again. laughing and singing we had a grand ole time. The fire began to burn out, so we knew it was time to call it a night. We said our good nights and our I love you. then we headed in saying we will clean up in the morning. we cleaned ourselves up and went straight to bed.             early the next morning we have woken at first light so we could clean the mess left outside from the party we ate our breakfast and we go outside and begin to clean up. Not long after we begin cleaning, I can hear George yelling for me. so, I turn around to see what the matter was when he reaches me his stops running and while he was panting and trying to catch his breath he says "m-my mother n-needs you immediately." so George and I begin running towards James’s house. to find James holding his mother lifeless body in his arms. Mrs. Thelma had died from lack of oxygen. no one knows why this happened, but it did. I knew there was nothing I could say or do to ease James and George of their pain. I looked at Mrs. Thelma as if she were my mother as well. I walked over to James and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders to comfort him. he cried for his mother as did George. that was when I discovered what true love was between a mother and her son it is the strongest bond I have ever witnessed.             the doctor came in to pronounce Mrs. Thelma dead and document the time of death. George completely lost it starting yelling at everyone he became very rude and hurtful. blaming me and the girls for both of his parent’s death. James became very livid with George for such allegations telling George "how could they have given papa the sweating sickness it come from nothing and mama had an infection neither of these things can be caused by anyone let alone LuCretia and her friends. George became furious yelling at James telling him he wants him and me and all my girls off his land immediately. and thanks to James’s father Mr. joseph his will leave all the lands to George. James looked at George and said, " George is this what you really want is for us to leave?" George yelled and replied "YES!" James said calmly to George "we will leave after our mother's funeral."             Mrs. Thelma's funeral is today. the girl's and I are getting ready for the funeral. as we were getting our finishing touches on there was a knock at the door. I walked over and answered the door. it was James standing there he said, "I am here to escort you and the girls to the funeral." for a moment I thought he was going to say we was asked not to attend the funeral by George. I replied, "just one more moment I need to grab my hat." James said, "take your time." the girls and I grabbed our hats and began to leave with James and the other men headed to the funeral.             we stood around James’s mothers grave listening to Father Jacob speak. "it was a beautiful sermon Father Jacob." I said. Father Jacob replied, "thank you LuCretia!" after the service was over, we all went to James’s house for the wake. everyone gathered there. to give James and George their condolences. I stood by James’s side the whole time. I wanted to be there for him. later that night after everyone left it was just me and James standing on his front porch, he was about to walk me home when George stopped us. George said "James, I want those girls gone in the morning, but you can stay brother. this is your home as it is mine" James replied " if the girls are leaving as am I and the rest of my guys. we love the girls we won’t leave them." George said, "so you will turn your back on your family for what, a little harlette?" I went to say something because he offended my honor. but James stopped me and looked George dead in his eyes and said, "if you ever offend my fiancée again with such disrespectful words it will be the last thing you ever do brother." George got so angry and before he could say something, he would regret George stormed off back into the house. James looked at me and smiled. he said "you will never have to defend yourself with me. I will always protect your honor. come on let us get you home for a good night’s rest we have a long travel ahead of us in the morning." I smile at him and gave him a huge hug and then I gave him a gentle kiss. I said to him "James Whetstone I love you and I cannot wait to marry you." he replied "I cannot wait to call you my wife." so he walked me home we kissed goodnight. and I went into the house.             when I got into the house the girls were all sitting there crying. they did not want to leave their home. Lilith said, "is there anything we can do to change George’s mind?" I said "no, not without raising suspension. so, we will leave in the morning. we are going to find a land that is just our land no one else’s that is our goal. does everyone agree?" all the girls agreed. I said, "this way the land will be our own and no one will be able to tell us to leave." we all settled down and went to bed while listening to Matilda singing, we all fell fast to sleep.             the next morning, we wake and begin to pack our things and we realized we have too much to carry. so, we decided to shrink our load. suddenly there was a knock at the door. Matilda answered the door its Michael letting us know that there is a cart for us to load our things on. apparently each one of us has a cart to pack our things on so we do not leave nothing behind and each one of our carts is for us and our fiancé’s things. it takes us about an hour to pack the carts the men are gathering the horses for the journey and we are gathering food and water for our journey. we are finally ready to go around mid-morning. we get in our carts and begin our journey to our new homeland.             we have been traveling for three days now. I am starting to wonder if we will ever find land of our own. we stopped to make camp for the night. it is so dark outside we cannot even see anything right in front of us. come first light we wake and look around we have found land. unclaimed land it is large enough to have people stay on. it is even bigger than James river ridge. the girls and I woke before the guys, so we found our new home and the girls fallowed me, so they decided that they wanted to name or land whetstone valley. I was honored to have it named that after all it was my soon to be surname. the men woke and looked around and noticed what we have already noticed "home" we said looking at the men. they all agreed. good soil for farming plenty of trees for wood the men had plenty of money to buy everything we needed to start our own land. James and the other men went into town to lay claim to the land and have it named whetstone valley.             they came home with lumber and some food and seeds among other items we needed to start farming. William goes to a neighboring farm to purchase some animals later. James holds up the paperwork stating that we own the land. it is a dream come true we are finally home. now it is time to start planning out the lands and marking the borders. the girls and I was standing there watching the men mark the borders when we realized our land has magical property. we could feel the magical energy all around us we were drawn here for a reason this is where our sister hood would prosper.             Three years have passed since we found Whetstone Valley. People from all around the world have come to settle here. Our village is growing. Our land is prosperous and giving. The river has grown promising, there is fish swimming in the river. kids go to the river to swim on hot days. Homes have been built and more yet to come. James built a place in the middle of our land for the girls and I to spend our days doing what we love most. Lilith and I make clothes for everyone in the village. Connie makes weapons for hunters. Matilda loves to bake so she makes bread, cakes and, pies. Mary helps her. Louise, Judith and, Alexandra make medicines from herbs. Our village people respond to their herbs graciously. Louise and Judith are healers, but they cannot show their real talents to anyone. So, they have come up with a potion that helps them heal our people the potion does not always work some illnesses it cannot over come from. They do not over do it because if they did the outsiders would wonder why no one in our village ever dies. She heals every child no questions ask. But she heals them slowly, so no one ever suspects. Alexandra is our herbalist she is trying to currently create a flower to where it is peddles will cure all illnesses. She keeps the soil here prosperous. Lilith makes all the clothes. I just make the fabric for the clothes. There is a field dedicated to making cotton alone. Then we have our vegetable and fruit garden. Our tree grove has come along fruitfully. We have apple, peach, pear, orange, banana, lemon and, lime trees. We also have cherry, blue berry, black berry and, raspberry bushes in our grove. Along with grape vines so many colors. Everyone in our village pitches in to help take care of our land. It is so incredible how everyone works together to make our home amazing.             Everyone is getting things ready for our second annual Whetstone Valley Fair.  Last year the fair went off without a hitch. A complete success people from neighboring lands came and enjoyed everything we had. The kids played games and ate sweet treats that Matilda makes with Mary’s help. Everyone loves her baking and her jams. Her husband is getting a huge belly from all her cooking. As I stand her watching everyone working together, talking and, laughing. I realized we are finally home and happier than we have been in our whole lives. The fair is in two days’ time. We are on schedule with the fair. Everything is coming together magically. I speak out to the village to compliment them on all their great work in preparing for the fair. I said “I am so proud to call you all our neighbors and our families. We will make this fair grander than the one from last year. The food looks and smells amazing. The decorations are so vibrant and colorful. Everything just looks grand. I am so pleased with all of you. Thank you all for making our land more than just a land or a village. But a place we all call home. Everyone please continue the great work you all have been doing. Once again, Thank you all so very much.” Everyone started clapping. It made me feel so complete that I had inspired them even more than I already have. Inspiration is something that all leaders need. Yes, James and I were made the leaders of the village by my sisters and their husbands.             It is the night before the fair. The girls and I place torches around the fair grounds. These torches are not ordinary torches. They have a special blend of protection herbs in the oil. If they burn no evil can cross into our lands. As we finished up the last bit of stuff for the fair in the morning. I turned and said to the girls “We are all happy right?” All the girls said simultaneously “Yes, of course we are! Why wouldn’t we be? We have everything we could ever need or want.” Connie walked over to me and said “Why are you asking, LuCretia? Are you unhappy?” I replied “No, I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. I just wanted to make sure you girls are as happy as I am.” Connie said, “Yes we are as happy as you are LuCretia, Maybe even happier.” I looked at my girls and smiled with such joy and help my arms wide open for all of us to group hug. They all joined in the hug. We all headed back to our homes to call it a night. So, we can be fully rested for the fair in the morning.             It is finally fair day, everyone is getting dressed, singing and, happy. To enjoy this day of fun for everyone. James and I will be the host of today’s event. As I am getting dressed James comes into the room and asked me “Do you need help lacing up the back of your dress, my love?” I replied, “Yes please, Hun.” As he laced up my gown, he kisses the side of my neck and I giggled and said, “Not right now James, we have to host the fair darling.” He smiled at me and replied, “My Love, I simply just wished to kiss your neck at this moment, because I love you.” I turned and faced James and said “I love you, too James. Now let go greet our guest, shall we?” James replied, “Of course My Love.” He hands me his arm and we walked down the stairs and out the front door. We headed to the gate at the road to opened it for our guest. There is so many people standing there I was in shock. it was a far bigger turn out then last year. There were people lined up to miles down the road. The point of our fair is to turn a financial profit to buy things we cannot grow on the land. Not only for a profit but also so we can enjoy our neighboring lands company and have fun.             We opened the gates, and everyone joined us in the festivities. It was a success we made an amazing profit more than we thought we would. James split the profits between every family in our village. We cleaned up everything from the fair. To get ready for our annual village dinner. The dinner was to celebrate a successful year and fair. The fair is on the anniversary of us arriving to our land and the dinner is to celebrate the success from the previous year and the beginning of a new year together as neighbors and family. James and I got married not long after we arrived at Whetstone Valley. We spent our first year of marriage creating our new village by building our home. As well as the other homes. Plus, some other building we needed like a school for kids, a place to keep food, a barn for the animals, a church, a med healing house for the sick, a horse stable, a chicken coop and, some animal pens. But not only was we building our village but our family. I got pregnant with our first children a few months after we were married. We had twin girls named Elizabeth and Brianna. They are so beautiful. They are growing way to fast they are two years old now. The girls have James wrapped tightly around their wee finger. He absolutely adores them. James is an amazing father. I know he wishes for a son to carry on his family’s name. I am currently with child. Our third child. James says he will be happy if it is another girl. But I know he really wants a boy. Our child is due any day now Louise says. She is the village doctor/mid wife/herbalist but what she prefers to be called is a healer. Alexandra and Judith work alongside Louise. Thank goodness because if it were not for their talents, I would have had to traveled far to give birth to my children. Its more common to give birth in your own home in your own bed. But some villages like our neighboring villages do not have doctors or healers. Most of the time we have visitors from our neighbor villages to visit Louise, Alexandra and, Judith for their talents.             James and I are the leaders of the village. It is not as easy as James and I make it seem. It is terribly hard work making sure everything is running smoothly. Checking each farm and making sure they are productive and dealing with all the people’s issues. We do our best though. Nothing is more rewarding then a good day of hard work to keep our home running as smoothly as possible.             The coven has been doing its nightly meetings once a week. We meet in our workhouse that the men built for us. It was an amazing gift. We meet there after dinner every Thursday night to practice and discuss how and when to train our daughters. Oh yes, the rest of the girls well women now each one of the ladies are no mothers I will tell you about that later.             As I sit here in our weekly meeting discussing whether to use our magic to train our daughters in magic. My waters broke. How exciting Louise is certain it is a boy, but I do not want to tell James because then I would have to explain how she would know. The contractions are getting more intense. Matilda and Mary are quickly cleaning up everything because Louise said I will not make it to the house to deliver the baby. Lilith waited until she was sure everything was cleaned up and put away before she ran to get James. It is not ideal for James to be by my side as I deliver our child, but he always insisted to hold my hand through the whole thing and stay by my side even after for the first two days. Louise is telling me to push. I am not ready to push James is not here yet and suddenly, I hear James’s voice telling me “it’s alright my love I am here.” As he grabs my hand. He looks at me and we smile at each other. Louise says “Push, LuCretia one good big push and your new babe will be here.” So, I take a deep breath and I push as if my baby’s life depended on it. Louise tells me “You did it LuCretia, you have a beautiful baby boy. All ten fingers and all ten toes. He is as handsome as ever.” I looked at James and I smiled a huge smile when I see his face light up with pure happiness. The next morning, I woke to James kissing my forehead and telling me “My love it is time to wake and feed Joseph.” I looked at our little boy and said “Joseph?” “After your father?” James replied, “You don’t like it?” I answered him with a smile “I love it, it’s absolutely perfect for him. To have such a strong name Joseph James Whetstone after two of the strongest men I have ever had the pleasure to have in my life.” James and I are so happy. Our family is complete with us our two daughters and our son. Louise and John have been married only a year now. Louise wanted to ensure herself that John was the one, I guess. They had a little boy three months ago he is such the sweetest little thing. His name is John Jr., but we call him J.J. Louise is our village doctor. She prefers to be called our village healer. John is our woodsman or what he calls a carpenter. He grows our trees and cuts down the huge ones for wood for our buildings and homes. Connie and Michael have a daughter named Harriet. Connie and Michael both create our weapons and they are both our villages leaders for the hunting parties. Matilda and Thomas have three children all boys. Matilda just informed us that she is currently with child. Guess she wants a daughter. Her boy’s names are Thomas Jr., Edward and, Frederick. Matilda is a baker and a cook. She also is our potions expert. She makes all the potions we need except the ones Louise uses for healing purposes. Lilith and William have three children. All girls Annabelle, Carolynn and, Diana. Lilith is not just our seamstress. She is also the village children’s teacher. She teaches all the kids in our village how to read and write. Every evening she teaches our daughters magic. William is a writer. He writes stories for the children to read in class as well as poetry. He has a gift he has even been an inspiration to Lilith on writing new spells for the coven. Judith and Charles have two boys Timothy and Jeremiah. Judith helps Louise at the healing house. Charles works on the farms and keeps our land prosperous. He is a farmer. Mary and Franklin have two girls Meredith and Eliza. Mary is not only a baker. But she is an artist as well. I am in awe of her talents. She makes simple items into a beautiful work of art like boulders into little statues or beautiful carvings from wood. Franklin is a wood wilder which is where Mary was inspired from, she also sketches. Mary also makes our wands. Not one of them is like the other she cannot make the girls wands until she knows them, she said. They are going to be amazing just like ours the eldest girl gets their mothers wand. Its tradition. So, the wand is handed down generation after generation. Alexandra and henry have two daughters Lavender and Daisy. Alexandra is a healer with Louise. She is amazingly great at it, but empaths tend to be more amazing with being a healer because they can feel everything the patient is feeling. No one can lie to her if they are in pain. And with her healing knowledge she pretty much can cure anything. Henry tends to the animals here. The horses, pigs, cows, chickens, a rooster, sheep, goats and, a bull. One of our farms had to be re-purposed for the animals alone. Just so they would have enough room in their pens because henry is a little too good at his job. Our families have grown, and our lives are perfectly how we wanted them to be full of happiness, love and, joy. What more can a girl ask for in this life. I believe all our children will grow up together and be the best of friends and family like our friendship has grown over the years.             Today will mark the completion of our families merging of the coven. It is my son’s wedding day he is marrying Meredith Applestein. Meredith is Mary’s eldest child. Louise and john’s only child J.J. Rhodenizer married Harriet Rhodes. Harriet is the only child of Connie and Michael Rhodes. Judith and Charles first born son Timothy Sidor married Alexandra and Henrys first born daughter Lavender Holbrook. Matilda and Thomas’s first-born son Thomas Brown Jr. married Lilith and Williams eldest daughter Annabelle Skelley.             All our children found love within the coven families merging our families without arranged marriages it was wonderful. Our families were and are destined to merge. In the hopes of the future I have seen where the year our family merge is completed a child will be born with more magic than the world has ever known combined into one birth.             Joseph is extremely nervous about today. He loves Meredith with all his heart. He knows it and so does everyone else. His is worried Meredith will change her mind. We call joseph Joe-Joe. I said “Joe-Joe everything will be fine love. She will come down the aisle I promise you. Son she loves you as much as you love her. Today will mark the beginning of a whole new life for you my son.” Joe-Joe replied “you are right Mother; everything will work out as it is supposed to. Love you Mother.” He kisses my cheek and gives me hug and smiles at me. He leaves the room and headed to the kitchen to check on his sisters. I walked over to the window to see everyone outside finishing up the last finishing touches of decorations for the ceremony and the reception. I got excited and walked outside to compliment everyone on their hard work. As I reached for the door handle James called my name and said “LuCretia where are you off to My Love?” I replied “To thank everyone for all the amazing work they have done for our son and Meredith’s wedding. Why what is wrong Darling?” James answered “Nothing, My love. I was simply curious as to where my beautiful wife was headed.” I smiled and replied, “Just outside, I love you James.” I gave him a kiss and went outside to thank everyone. I said “Everyone, can I have your attention please. I would like to thank each one of you for all your beautiful hard work each person has put into joe-Joe and Meredith’s wedding day. Everything looks perfect. Thank You!” Everyone clapped and continued their work to finish up the ceremony starts in 30 minutes.             The ceremony went as planned. My son is now a married man. The first merge has been completed. I hope to live long enough to see the next merge, but we cannot force the merge. The love between two must be true love or the merges will not be successful. The reception is going wonderfully. Everyone laughing and having a wonderful time.             It has been a few months since Joe-Joe got married. They are here visiting for dinner. We all just finished up. Now we are outside around a fire laughing and talking. Joe-Joe and Meredith stand up to announce. They are expecting their first bundle of joy. We all start congratulating them I walked over to give my son and daughter-in-law a hug and congratulate them. Every woman who is with child Louise casts a protection spell over them so that they carry the child to full term without any complications and it has worked for many years. I also hope many more to come.             Our daughters have joined the coven at the ages of thirteen. They came into their powers fully at the age of sixteen. All our daughters were sworn to secrecy. Not even to tell their brothers, friends or, their spouses. They each have gifts just like us some of our daughters have gifts we do not possess. Meredith can control time. Lavender has the gift of life. She can take or give life. She has never taken a life and we hope she never does. It is her powers to chooses to do with as she wishes. Brianna is an oracle like me. She has premonitions same as me. Elizabeth who will take over as coven leader because she is in fact my first born. And the leader always passes the torch to her first-born daughter. However, Elizabeth has not shown any signs of a special gift she can cast but every girl is gifted with a special gift given to them at birth from the god’s and goddesses. From my comprehension the only reason a child would not be blessed with a gift is because they have pure evil in their hearts. Elizabeth has literally the kindest heart I have ever seen. I just do not understand why she has no gift. I am hoping she is a late bloomer.             Tonight, is the passing of coven leader. Elizabeth will have to take the oath of the coven. Then she will be named coven leader if she is accepted as coven leader by the god’s and goddesses. I am hoping she is blessed. The coven prepares the ceremony as I prepare Elizabeth. She has the oath memorized. Now she just needs to be dressed in the white gown. The ceremony has begun the coven has started the chant of calling to the god’s and goddesses. At the end of the chant Elizabeth and I entered the room we kneeled at the altar and I said “I LuCretia Delilah Whetstone, pass The Whetstone Valley Coven Leadership to my eldest daughter Elizabeth Ann Whetstone-Maines.” Then Elizabeth began speaking the oath “I Elizabeth Ann Whetstone-Maines pledge my life and loyalty to The Whetstone Valley Coven as well as the god’s and goddesses. I will keep the secrecy of our coven hidden from everyone except our own daughters’ bloodline. I ask of the god’s and goddesses to accept me as the new coven leader.” If the flame of the coven’s candle turns purple, she will be accepted as the new leader by the god’s and goddesses. If the flame turns red, she is rejected. There is a final color which is black. If the flame turns black Elizabeth will have to leave the coven permanently and her memories will have to be wiped of all coven information. We waited about a minute and the flame color changed to purple she was accepted. Thank the gods and goddesses.             The ceremony was successful. But I still do not understand why she was not gifted she would not have been accepted if she had even a hint of evil in her heart. I was baffled. I let it go for now. I do not want to upset the gods and goddesses. A few nights after the ceremony my sisters and I were sitting around a fire talking and staring at the stars absorbing the night sky. That is when we started talking a few of our daughters were having issues conceiving a child. Elizabeth visited them just for a normal visit and as she would hug them and say goodbye a month later each one would be pregnant. That was when I realized Elizabeth was gifted after all with the gift of fertility. How could I have not thought of it before who better to give the gift of fertility to then Elizabeth. Her heart is so kind. I knew we had a cow that could get pregnant anymore. She is old, we got her when we first arrived here. So, I tested Elizabeth’s gift I brought her to the barn and told her the story of how the cow will have to be sold for beef since she can no longer produce calves. This upset Elizabeth as I knew it would. She hugged the cow and said I wish u could have more calves. A month and a half later Henry inform me we cannot sell the cow for beef because she is pregnant. As old as the cow is, she should not have even been able to conceive a calf. I was right Elizabeth’s gift is fertility. She can help give any woman the gift of a child. Of course, the women need their partners. Elizabeth just helps make woman more fertile. I take Elizabeth to the coven house and I sit her down and I explain to her what her gift is, and she responds to me “I know mother why you think I visited all the girls having trouble to conceive.” I replied, “You knew what your gift was and never told me?” she answered “I found out what my gift was in a dream I had the night of my leadership ceremony. I am sorry I did not tell you. I did not want you to think I was an oracle because of my dream that was not what happened it was Brianna and I’s twin telepathy.” I replied, “Of course, I understand Elizabeth. You are the coven’s leader now you cannot keep any secrets from them.” Elizabeth replied, “I won’t ever keep a secret from them again.” Elizabeth is the leader and she has come into her gift. I could not be prouder of my children, our village and, the coven. Our home is growing more and more with each day that passes.             Our village is doing very well but the neighboring lands not so much. James and I have discussed buying the neighboring lands to expand Whetstone Valley and keep the people on the lands from losing their homes. We agreed immediately. We also know that men have pride they will not be so willing to sell they are land because of their dignity and pride.             We invited our neighboring landowners over for dinner and discussion. Three out of four came to the dinner. James starts of by saying “Welcome gentlemen I hope you enjoy the meal tonight.” After dinner James and I took the gentlemen to our front porch where we sat, they drank a bit of rum and I did my needle point. James said I would like to say I understand you all are having difficulty affording your land and I am willing to offer buy each of your lands from you and adding the land to Whetstone Valley. I am also offering you all to keep your homes and your people to keep their homes as well. The floor is opened for discussion.” Mr. Roland is our neighbor to the north says, “James that is a very kind offer, but this is a discussion I would have to have with my people as well as my wife.” James replied there is no deadline on this offer whenever you are ready the offer will still stand.” Mr. Whitts our neighbor of the west and Mr. Gough our neighbor to the south agreed with Mr. Roland. They would like to discuss the offer with the people and their families. After their drinks, the gentlemen left for their journeys home. The next morning James was gone by the time I woke. He left me a note that said, “I went to go see Mr. Simmons our neighbor to the east.” I smiled that man never sees to surprise me.             James arrived at Mr. Simmons estate he knocked on the door and Mrs. Simmons answered the door she was dressed in black and James could tell she had been weeping. James asked if he could speak with Mr. Simmons? Mrs. Simmons began to cry and replied “I am sorry but, Mr. Simmons has died. James replied, “I am so sorry I offer you my condolences Mrs. Simmons.” She replied Thank you! Is there something I can help you with?” James said, “I came to talk business with your late husband if this is a bad time, I will return at a more convenient time Widow Simmons?” Widow Simmons responded to James “No, we can discuss the business now. You came a long way. I do not wish to ask you to make a second journey when we can discuss the business now.” James nodded and said, “Well thank you ma’am.” They walked into the living room and sat down. James explained his offer that he made to the other gentlemen and offered Widow Simmons the same offer. She said I graciously accept your offer. James Stayed at Widow Simmons home for a week to get everything signed and documented. While back home the other gentlemen Mr. Roland, Mr. Gough and, Mr. Whitts had returned to let James know they are accepting his offer. I gave the three gentlemen rooms to stay in until James came home to settle the arrangements. The next morning, I was awakened by my loving husbands kiss I smiled because I missed him so much. I told James about the gentlemen in the other rooms. He said “Wonderful.” James got everything documented and paid the gentlemen it took several weeks to get all the documentations finished. Our land has expanded tremendously. James has so many plans for Whetstone Valley now the we have expanded our land.             Today will mark the completion of the second merge. Mary and I’s grandson Joseph Jr. married Louise and Connie’s granddaughter Emily a year ago. Today Lilith and Matilda’s grandson Timothy will be marrying Judith and Alexandra’s granddaughter Isabella. After today’s ceremony is completed there is only one final merge until the birth of the most powerful and gifted child will be born. The prophecy will soon be completed.             The ceremony was a success. Timothy and Isabella are married. The second merge has been completed. The girls and I know we will not live to see the completion of the merge five of the girls have died. Judith, Connie, Mary, Lilith and, Alexandra have all died. James past a couple years ago. Joe-Joe has taken leadership of the town with his wife Meredith. They had twin boys that they named Joseph and James. Twins are a given in every generation twin are always the first born in the Whetstone family line. James’s father was a twin so was James then we had Elizabeth and Brianna. The Joe-Joe had his twin boys Joseph and James. Emily is currently with child she is due any day now. I am super excited to find out if she is having girls or boys. I hope boys to carry on the family name.             A few days later Emily went into labor. She gave birth to a boy and a girl. I have never witnessed this before. All twins in the family have been the same gender. Junior is what my grandson Joseph is called he and his wife Emily named the twins Jacob Joseph Whetstone and Margaret LuCretia Whetstone.             It has been eight years since the birth of my eldest great-grand children were born. I am the last living of me and the girls none of their husbands are alive either just me. I am extremely sick. I am told I will not make it through the night. I have lived to meet my great-grandchildren and see our village grow. People from all over the world has come and settled here at whetstone valley and made it their new homes. I know our village is in good hands with Joe-Joe and Meredith. Junior is just as smart and brave as Joe-Joe. Jacob is still young, but I can see he will also make a great leader one day. I am pleased to say Whetstone Valley is the home we wished to create for our families and friends. And our families grew and connected closer than we have ever imagined. Our coven is the largest coven we have ever heard of. If the oils burn at the gates witch hunters will never cross into our land. Elizabeth is teaching them all so well. I am proud of our daughters and our granddaughters. Our sons and grandsons lead this town. But the daughters and granddaughters are whom protects our town. With my dying breaths, “I chant these words to the goddess of the moon Carry my spirit from the earth safely home with your grace Where I may rest my soul In your protecting embrace So, mote it be.” Blessed Be