Fan Fiction ❯ The Raven Chronicles ❯ Act III ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2 -

"That ridiculous! It is absolutely impossible for a pig to suddenly sprout wings and fly away, it's just scientifically impossible"

I watched bemusedly as my female partner in crime, Jamie, laid down the scientific law to Jase. It was scary really; it was like watching a stallion flirt with a computer. I really didn't get how Jamie, the science genius, could possibly see anything in the wisecracking, sports-loving Jase. I cringed inwardly, maybe my standards for guys was too high, because honestly I hadn't met one yet that impressed me, at least one my age. Maybe they grow out of it, hmmmm.

"Rave! Don't you agree?!"

I jerked myself out of analyzing, "Who? What?"

"Don't you agree that it is perfectly possible for pigs to fly one day?"

"Ehhh….." I blinked

"Of course not! Tell him Raven, that pigs will never fly!"

I scooted away slowly, "I absolutely refuse to be part of you guys' strange scientific debates."

"Rave! You're so mean!" Jase whined giving me the puppy dog look

I stuck my tongue out at him not caring if I looked childish, "I'll leave you two love birds to your "bonding" and make my way to the nearest exit"

Jamie smirked, "Flying away again little bird?"

"Yes, this `little' bird is going to go to the park and read thank you very much!"

Jamie frowned slightly, "Going to read another one of those Celtic mythological books"

"James! They're interesting, even if they don't meet your scientific standards. You just need to be wee bit broad-minded."

"See! That what I keep telling her" Jase interrupted

Jamie only frowned more, "I'm as opening minded as I need to be, and those books are silly. It impossible for people to do such things, and there's no such thing as magic!"

I laughed, "You know, one of these days something like that is going to happen to you, and then we'll see what's impossible." I winked and walked away, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

I really don't know what possessed me to say that, really I don't! It just came out as if my tongue suddenly has a mind of its own. Of course I failed to remember those oh so intelligent words that, "There's a reason for everything"

The park was surprisingly quiet; glancing at my watch I realized that it was already 5:00pm. Had I really been hanging out that long? I had about an hour to read before I had to start home, so I settled myself under my favorite weeping willow tree overlooking the lake, and pulled out my book. Opening up to my marked page I began to read, smoothing my hand over the page to keep it from ruffling in the breeze. I must have really been absorbed in the story because the next thing I knew it was getting dark. I pushed the button on my watch the light it up, 6:30!

"Crap I'm late!" I quickly stuffed the book back into my bag and stood up to brush off.

I didn't notice at first that it had gotten colder, or that strangely enough the once clear sky had turned cloudy. I guess I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that the tension that had suddenly filled the air completely slipped my notice. Unfortunately………

Naturally a crack of lighting hitting a tree only about 30 yards away did manage to catch my attention. I jumped back in surprise suddenly aware of the world around, but something in my gut was telling me that I had felt it all too late. But…felt what? It was just an ordinary storm coming in right? Right?

I peered around cautiously, mentally telling myself that I was just paranoid after reading all those unusual stories. My brain was simply overreacting?

Ravenna, the wind whispered…

Ok maybe not

"Wait? Did the wind just talk?" Ok I'm officially loosing my mind! I just need to go home and lay down, and then I'll fell better.

Or so I thought. Come to think of it that was last thought I had before this huge black ball of fire came hurling at my head. The last thing I saw was a beautiful bright light, and somehow I knew that it would all be all right. After that, darkness…

Raven opened her eyes slowly squinting against the glare of a light coming somewhere from her right.

"Cead Mile Failte" A female voice spoke quietly yet cheerfully from somewhere nearby

"Dia duit" she replied without thinking before pausing, was someone speaking Gaelic to her? She tilted her head back a bit and gazed up into the face of a middle aged, redheaded woman with bright green eyes. Suddenly worried, I shot up without thinking. I cringed as my head swam, taking a few deep breaths I was able to sit without the world turning upside down.

"You really should rest some more. You've been through quite an ordeal"

On the other side of the light, which I discovered was a fire, sat a man probably in his late 20's early 30's watching her with worried eyes.

Fighting down the urge to panic I managed to keep my head and try to figure out where I was. "Where am I? How did I get here? Who are you? What's going on?" Ok so maybe I handled it not quite the way I had wanted to….

The man chuckled, "Calm down little one, you are safe for now. Though you had a nasty run in with a Chimera.

Raven gaped, "A Chimera? As in mythological fire-breathing creature with the body of a goat, head of a lion, and tail of a serpent?"

The man looked slightly surprised, "You know your Gaelic history, and I noticed that you also speak Gaelic?"

She blushed, "Well, yeah. I'm not perfect with it or anything, but I do all right. My……….father had been teaching me, but after he died I managed to convince my mom to finish teaching me what she knew."

The man nodded, "Now in answer to your question you are about 20miles from where you were born in a secluded glen virtually inaccessible to the outside world."

"Eh, I'm in Ireland?"

"Indeed"

What was I supposed to think, I mean these people were obviously Irish, but how in the world did they know where she was born? Ah a dream! It had to be a dream! She shook her head.

"Tis no dream I'm afraid" the man spoke again, stuffing his pipe full of tobacco

"But…"

"You've been having dreams about a woman, who in ever aspect of her appearance looks to be your opposite?"

Raven nodded dumbly

"That lass is why you are here." He lit his pipe and placed it in his mouth, "Now listen carefully while I tell you a story, because you've got a task ahead of you young lady that's going to take everything you have in you to accomplish."

Raven settled back against the wall, deciding that it was best to be quite. Besides that feeling in her gut that came with her dreams was even stronger now. Was it possible that everything was about to be explained?