Author's Note: Because of the age of the document that Mary finds, technically it should be written in Old English (the Anglo-Saxon language). I hope you will all forgive me for choosing expedience over accuracy in this instance. psyche b.
14. Awakenings
Mary unfolded the pages and realized that the large, irregular sheets had been folded several times. The packet wasn't nearly as thick as she had thought in the beginning. The writer had a large, flowing hand that was accented with flourishes. It was difficult to read at first, but once she got the rhythm of it, she found she was quickly absorbed in the words of her ancestor.
"As I sit here, considering what to write in this missive, I find that I am at a loss for words. The world as I know it is disintegrating around me. Each day, another small part of it is gone, and there is nothing my close associates and I can do to stop it. We've tried all we know to change the course of things, but if we are honest with ourselves, we know that it has all been in vain.
I know nothing about you, Descendant, other than the fact that you are female, that you have been somehow separated from the rest of the family and you have received no formal training. For all of that, I am sorry. The fact that you are reading this letter at all means that you have made great strides on your own. That is no small accomplishment, and I commend you for it. It means that you are indeed as strong as we all believe you will be. You will need every ounce of that strength before the world is put right again. I can only hope that you will not doubt yourself. Doubt -- even for a moment -- will have the most dire consequences.
The book that you are holding was written by Garrick, current leader of the K'lok'ji clan of gargoyles. They have stood shoulder to shoulder with our family since long before either Garrick or I were born. It is my dearest wish that they continue to do so long after I am dust. It will take your intervention to make that possible.
Unless I am very wrong, you will not be able to read what is written in the book. I cannot read it and I have had the benefit of years with Garrick and the others as my tutors. The gargoyle language is beautiful, but very complex. It is so closely entwined with the spoken component of the language, we simply cannot produce most of the sounds so understanding the written form well is simply beyond us. Garrick shared the substance of it with me.
First, I must begin by telling you that Garrick sees the future almost as clearly as he sees the present. He downplays this ability to his own kind, because there are factions that would treat such a gift as weakness. Their community is segmented enough with all that is happening. It would be unfair to the others in his clan to add the burden of further internal strife. He is wise enough to know that the message must be conveyed, so he has written in secret for months. While he was writing, I had the box that would hold the book constructed. It was a feat of pure genius on the part of craftsman. I have no doubt that the book and this letter will reach you intact, despite the intervening centuries.
I know that I must tell you what's in the book. That is the whole point of writing this letter -- the whole point of preserving it so carefully. The words are difficult for me to write. I don't know anything about your time, I can only assume that the idea of propriety has changed. It has changed from my father's time, so I'm certain that as centuries pass things that are undreamed of liberties will be considered commonplace. I hope you will pardon the skittishness of an old man.
Even though gargoyles and humans have lived side by side, they have never gotten any closer. It has always been against the most deeply held beliefs of both cultures that there be no intermingling of the bloodlines. There have been a few who were curious of course, we are both curious creatures. The result in those situations has always been dire, for both parties involved.
That prohibition must end with you.
I realize the thought of coupling with a non-human creature must be disgusting to you. As I sit here, the thought of sacrificing a member of my family, even one that has not been born yet raises the ire of the patriarch in me. Garrick assures me that there is no other way, and he has never misrepresented anything to me in the past. I must trust him in this matter as well.
I cannot assure you that you will survive the birth of the child. I cannot assure you that creating that child will be a simple matter. All Garrick is able to tell me is that this pairing must happen between an untrained female of my line and a male of his line.
I can only hope, Descendant, that you will not run screaming from this place. It is a terrible burden to place on young shoulders, especially young female shoulders, but it is my dearest wish that you call upon the strength of your forebearers to bring back the proper order of things once again. If you cannot, then all is lost."
The letter went on to talk about magic and the role it would play, as well as the Beeson ability to collect and direct the will of others. Those were the things she knew. She reread the first part of the letter again and then sat up. She groaned a little at the sharp twinge in her back. The sound of pain made Aiden look up at her.
"Mary?" There was concern in his face. She noticed he had gotten about halfway through the book.
"I was hunched over for too long, that's all." The words in the letter stirred an untoward nervousness in her. Aiden was the same as he always was. He got up and helped her to her feet. "Did you know?" She had to ask the question, or it would have chewed away at her sanity.
"About Garrick's prediction?" Aiden looked surprised that she would ask.
"Yes."
"No, child." He stroked her cheek then sat in his chair. Mary didn't resist when he guided her to straddle his lap. "In fact, from his writings I think he expected that you would find the book before you woke me. The book is clear that the mating is necessary, but he writes that I am to touch you no more than I must to create a child, so that I do not mistake that intimacy for love or affection."
"The letter assumes that I would find the idea of being with you disgusting." She smiled a bit and rested against his broad chest. His knuckles gently worked the knotted spot in her back.
"I think our ancestors were the product of their times." Mary whimpered softly when he found a tender spot. One arm held her still, the other worked at the spot until she relaxed against him. "I do not think that either of them envisioned a true mating between us because the concept was so unimaginable to them."
"Maybe. I think I'm glad I didn't find the book until after though." She sighed and shivered with pleasure when he raked his talons down her back lightly.
"Why?" His deadly talons continued to move lightly.
"Because I think it would have made it harder to get to know you. I would have been more focused on what I was supposed to do, rather than just enjoying my time with you and letting things develop." Mary closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the relaxation and his scent.
"Would you have told me?" She could feel the rumble of his voice almost as much as she heard it.
"I don't know. What would I have said? 'Gargoyle huh? Nice to meet you, we're supposed to have a baby.'?" Aiden's laughter shook Mary's body, the spasms of her own laughter were lost in it.
"Somehow I cannot imagine you saying those words to me, or to anyone else." He kissed her softly.
"Well, maybe you're right about that." She smiled and curled closer. "Still, this find might make the rest of my pregnancy a little less challenging."
"How so?"
"Had you ever heard of a prophecy involving a mating before?" She asked.
"No."
"Robbie has. He mentioned it that first time he and Andy came over here. Apparently, no one had been able to find the document so it became kind of a legend."
"I see, you wish to tell them tomorrow evening?" He asked. Mary shrugged.
"I certainly can't hide it forever, or even for much longer." She sighed. "Nothing fits right anymore. I think I can get away with just saying I've gained weight for a little while, but at some point it's going to become obvious. That'll probably be sooner rather than later, according to Nigel."
