Prologue ~ The Eagle

In the woods behind the house where Shakara lived, there was an eagle. It was an old eagle which sat in the lower branches an evergreen all day, every day. Shakara had never seen the eagle fly. Walter told her that once, a long time ago, the eagle had flown everywhere. It was a mighty hunter.
Once Walter saw it carrying a rabbit in each talon at the same time, he said. “People use to come from all over to watch him soar the sky. Now there were very few hunting eagles left in this area, because of all the people that moved in.”
Shakara looked at the old eagle on its branch, and tried to imagine how it had been when it was younger, and when people came from all over just to see it fly. It was difficult to imagine how the eagle did nothing but sit on that branch in the middle of no where behind her house. Walking out to see it Shakara noticed how it looked tired.
The eagle’s long beak was yellow with age and its long brown feathers were starting to fall off. There were now only five or six dark feathers in the eagle’s tail. Shakara reached into her pouch and pulled out some beef jerk and moving slowly towards it she held it out to the eagle.
The eagle jumped down and ate slowly. Other than that, it never seemed to move. Yet it seemed at times that the eagle looked at Shakara, and she could see that the eagle’s eyes were still bright and clear and awake full of alive.
Shakara was fascinated by the look in the eagle’s eyes, and she liked the way the eagle had nothing to do with anyone else. She liked the eagle’s independence and its mystery.
All at once Walter walked up and said, “It can not fly anymore so what’s the point of a hunting eagle that can not hunt? We should let it die.”
A look of shock came to Shakara’s face. “I can not believe you said that Walter. I know how much you love animals.” Shakara gasped.
“Well, just like people animals get old and need to quit hanging on to a life they can no longer live.” Walter stated.
“What are you saying? Never mind Walter first answer me this, are you talking about the eagle or you?”
“Both I guess.”
Walter, you know if you need to talk that you can come to me.”
“I know. I guess I am just a bit more tired today then usual. I will be fine and in a better mood tomorrow; the good Lord willing.”
“Well, then you head home and get some rest. I too am calling it a day. Good night Walter.”
Turning and heading off Walter called back over his shoulder. “Good night, Shakara.”
Shakara went to bed that night and thought about how she could do to help the eagle. The next morning she got up, dressed then picked up some jerky and headed out to the eagle. As she stepped up to the tree the eagle squawked.
“Hi there fellow.” Shakara said, moving in close. Reaching in her pouch she pulled out some beef jerky, then looking up, said. “You can have this if you come down here and let me look at your wings a moment.”
The eagle attempted to fluff its wings then jumped down for the jerky. Squawking it stood still and ate as Shakara bent down and examined its wings. “Poor thing, how would you like to fly again?”
The eagle glanced up, squawked then went back to eating.
Shakara picked up the eagle and took it back to her house. Once there she went in and straight to the kitchen where her herbs were at. As she pets the eagle she searched her herb jars. I am out. Maybe Master Lee Chin would have some Cheung- gu- Wan. With that thought she called Master Lee Chin.
Hearing the phone rig Lee Chin hurried to it. “Hello Lee Chin speaking.”
“Hi, Master.”
“Shakara, how are you?”
“Well, Master, I am fine but I need some Cheung-gu-wan.”
“What do you need the formula that dates all the way back to the Han Dynasty for? I take it you do realize what it is its renown for.”
“I have an eagle with a fractured wing and yes I know that it is renowned for its bone strengthening ability, because it corrects the flow of chi through fractured bones, while increasing bone strength, and density that is why I need it.”
“You are right my child, I will bring you by some on my way to town today.”
“All right, if it is not an inconvenience. I would appreciate it. Do you know about what time you will be here?”
“I have an appointment at one. Therefore, I will be stopping by in about an hour.”
“Thank you, Master. I will have the tea ready.”
“Thank you, my child. See you soon.”
Hanging up the phone Shakara looked at the eagle, smiled and said, “The medicine is on its way. Since you are done eating; how about joining me in front of the TV while we wait.”
Shakara extended her arm and the eagle climbed up on her wrist then they headed to the living room. “Well, I must fix up this area.” Shakara said plumping up a pillow then sitting it on the wooden end table. “That way you will feel at home while you are here getting better.”
After a few minutes, Shakara set the eagle down on the pillow, and said, “I must go and make tea. You wait here.” As she passed the TV, she turned it on, almost as an after thought. Smiling as the TV came on, Shakara headed toward the kitchen. Moments later she had the water on and several different types of tea spread out for Lee Chin to choose from. I know he like at lease some of these. Sure hope he is in the mood for at least one of them. I really do not know how he knows the right tea for any one time like he does. Oh well, maybe he can teach me that some day after he is done with Rikk. Shakara thought setting two tea cups on the table.
A short time later there was a knock on the door. Shakara made her way to the door; taking a deep breath she pulled the door open. “Welcome, Master. Please come in. I have tea ready. Please choose one as I pour the water.”
“Glad to see you, my child.” Lee Chin said making his way to the table. “Ah, Jasmine, that will be just fine,”
Please have a seat; I knew you would come in time to have tea, before having to leaving.”
Lee Chin smiled, stroked his goatee then sat down and opening one pack of Jasmine slipped the tea bag into the hot water. “Tell me my child, where is the poor eagle that needs the Cheung-gu-wan?
Shakara sat down, took a sip of tea, then glancing at Lee Chin said, “I put him in the living room on a pillow to await your arrival. I have not even set his wing because I was not sure it would be smart to do that without the herbs I needed.”
Lee Chin’s little finger pointed out straight as he took a sip of tea, then he said, “Again you were right in what you have done. Please go and bring him in. He will need to be restrained as we set the wing and apply the herbs.”
Swallowing hard Shakara looked at Lee Chin then asked, “Are you sure you have time to help do this?
“Ah, my child, I always have time to help an animal in distress. They did not ask to be sick any more then we ask to be sick. And just like we need herbs to get better so do they. Please go get our friend.”
Smiling Shakara finished her tea, got up and headed towards the living room.
Moments later she returned with an eagle on her arm.
Within a few minutes the eagle’s wing was set, wrapped, and soaked in herbs. “Now make sure he stays calm. Change the bandage once a week and make sure to soak it as I did today, pet and talk to him frequently. That will encourage him to heal. I will be back in about six week. He should be healed by then.”
Walking Lee Chin to the door Shakara said, “I really appreciate your stopping in with the herbs; however I could have done this myself.”
Lee Chin stopped in his tracks, stroked his goatee then said, “My child, I know you could have dealt with the eagle yourself, yet we do not get many chances to work together these days and I do hope you did not mind my helping you.”
Shakara swallowed hard, lowered her eyes then said, I am sorry Master, I had not thought about that and I should have for I did enjoy working close with you today. I do hope we get another chance soon.”
“Shakara what is really wrong with you? Your aura looks strangely different? What is out of sorts with you? We have always been able to talk and reason together.”
Inhaling deeply, Shakara let it out slowly, and then replied, “Nothing, I am just worried about the eagle. Really, I am doing well.”
“I see my child, however if you need to talk, remember I am always ready to listen.
“Thank you Master, I will see you soon.”

* * *

Weeks later as Shakara removed the bandages the eagle actually flapped his wings for the first time. She was pleased yet worried also. She did not know if the eagle could still hunt or not. She went to Walter and asked him what to do.
That evening, the eagle stepped onto the leather strap on Walter’s wrist then Shakara, Walter and the eagle walked away from their house, out to the edge of the woods where they lived. The eagle didn’t move while they walked. Eventually, they came to the open land at the end of the woods. Walter stretched out his arm straight. The eagle sat on his hand at the end of his arm. Then, very quickly, he took his arm away.
Shakara thought that the eagle would fall to the ground, but it didn’t. Instead, in less than a second, it opened its huge wings and flew upward, up into the sky, so quickly that Shakara could hardly see it. It flew so high that it was difficult to see. It went so high it almost vanished in the bright late afternoon sky. Shakara could just see it, a tiny black dot against the sky. She watched the dot move until she was sure it was the eagle, her eagle. The eagle seemed to stop in the middle of the sky. Shakara wondered how it was possible. The eagle held its huge wings open and floated in the sky like a duck on water, moving slowly from one side to another. Sometimes, it moved its wings gently up and down, and then was still again. Then, in a second, the eagle turned, moved its head down and fell like a stone out of the sky.
Walter pointed to the place not far from them where the eagle landed. They walked over to it and found the eagle next to the dead body of a small rabbit. The eagle had cut the rabbit open with its old yet sharp beak. It was already eating.
The next morning, Shakara persuaded Walter to come with her. She took the eagle on her arm as she had seen Walter do. Together, they walked to the open space at the edge of the woods. Shakara held the eagle out on her hand, and then quickly moved her arm away.
The eagle fell to the ground. It opened it wings, then stood still. It didn’t move again.
Shakara quickly gathered the eagle up and headed home, with Walter beside her.
Shakara hushed in the house, put the eagle on its pillow then called Lee Chin.
“Master, it is me. I took the eagle out this morning and instead of flying as it did yesterday it hit the ground.”
“Do not worry my child; the eagle will not hunt this late in the morning. The sun is too bright. Try again in the late afternoon, when the light is less strong, and it is cooler. At that time of day,” said Lee Chin, “The eagle will be able to see a mouse from 50 meters up.”
Later that day Shakara took the eagle and went to the open space at the end of the woods. The sun was beginning to set over the hills in the distance and the air was already a little cooler. Shakara stood with the eagle at the end of her hand and quickly took it away. Instantly the eagle flew up into the sky like a rocket. It went so high that it almost vanished. Shakara was tickled to see the eagle soar so high so quickly.
That evening the eagle did not come back and Shakara began to feel the old memories trying to come back. They had stayed away the whole time she had cared for the eagle yet now they were back. Going into the house Shakara tried to make some of the tea that Lee Chin always gave her. Kicking off her shoes she laid down on the couch; as her eyes closed her thoughts ran wild. All at once in her mind, she could hear Lee Chin telling of how his family got involved. ‘Inhaling deeply through his nose, Lee Chin studied each of them for a moment longer. Feeling he had their full attention, he began the story. "Four centuries ago, in fifteen hundred and eighty-eight, towards the end of October, a fierce battle took place; a battle that was fought between lovers of the light and love against lovers of the dark and lust." Swiftly glancing at them, he saw they were intent on hearing his story, yet he could feel Shakara's nervousness as he resumed where he left off. "One of my ancestors years ago, wrote a scroll about how he had found a young girl and raised her. He called her Taresa. That is how my family was brought into all of this. When Taresa was very young, an infant to be exact, my forefather found her in the woods, under a great oak tree. The tree had told him that she was left in his care. It said that she was doing fine, for the animals and the oak, himself were caring for her. It is written that my ancestor had to talk for days, trying to convince the great oak tree that she would be better off with him. He had to convince the great oak that he also would love and care for her as if she were his own child. After almost a week and a half, the great oak agreed to let him take the babe with him. He, of course, was overwhelmed with joy for he had always wanted a daughter. He took her home to his wife and together, they raised, taught, loved, and cared for her as if she were theirs. They never worried nor cared who had given her away or why. Her true heritage was unimportant to them. They were fully content in the fact that they had a daughter of their very own now. That was all that mattered to them. She grew up very happy, strong in mind and body. One day though, this young woman's birthright caught up with her. Her love for animals and nature led her to study the White Arts. That is the study of herbs and crystals. It was then that she found out that she was the daughter of a High Priestess. A Priest in the Black Arts had threatened her mother. To protect her daughter from evil and to avoid her turning to evil, her mother placed her in the care of the Great Oak. The Oak had of course, vowed to keep the child safe. Taresa was very flexible, muscular, and shapely for a woman, but she was shy and reserved, much as Shakara is." At that moment all eyes glanced toward Shakara. An uncomfortable feeling ran up her back as she stared at each in turn. The look on her face caused them all to look away swiftly. Their eyes turned back to Lee Chin. Seeing this, he continued his tale. "She had thick, long black hair with dark, golden brown eyes and stood five feet, seven inches tall. She was most beautiful to gaze upon. She moved with the sleek grace of a hunting cat, yet she was as fast as a roadrunner. She had a great love for animals and of the land. She did not care for the arrogance of mankind, and cared even less for the petty jealousies within women. Yet, if they ever needed healing, she was there to help. Taresa preferred the company of her animal friends. Cuddles, was a marvelous black panther, which she was never seen without, for she had raised it after its mother had died. There, too was a beautiful, milk-white Pegasus that she had met in the woods upon one of her visits to the Great Oak that she called Princess. The three shared many happy hours together."
His words had jolted me upright in my chair as I thought, Oh God! Why did I have to name that panther I cared for Cuddles? Princess! Princess! Oh no, I must call to Princess to let her know I am all right. Yes, but not until he gets done with his story. Keep calm and just listen for now. Shocked back to reality by my swift movement, everyone glanced at me, but Lee Chin appeared to be looking straight through me. Clearing his throat, Lee Chin asked, "Is there something wrong, Shakara?" With all eyes on me, I remember feeling very awkward and replied, "Ah, no! I just thought I would change position. I did not mean to interrupt your story. Please, continue." As he stared at me, I was sure Lee Chin realized that he had hit on a subject that had made me very uneasy. Lee Chin nodded slightly to me, while everyone else got comfortable. Moments later they were all listening intently as he continued to tell his story. "Then, there was Isabella, a most beautiful Goddess in the Black Arts. This young woman was very demanding and arrogant. She loved herself and expected everyone to love her also. She had long, reddish-blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a fetish for demons. At that time, there was a young man, named Jarrid Iscariot, who had just become a High Priest in a Black Arts Temple. Isabella set her eyes on him right off, deciding he was to be hers only. She threatened anyone that even looked at him with lust in their eyes. Trying everything she could think of for months, she desperately attempted to get him to notice her. Yet, no matter what she said, or how she looked, he paid her no attention. Disappointment and fury grew within her, until one day, she caught Jarrid walking with Taresa. Asking about it, she found out that he had eyes for Taresa only. Anger and rage smoldered in her heart, until finally, Isabella went behind Jarrid's back and convinced the other Priests at the temple that it had been revealed to her that Taresa should be sacrificed unto Satan, in their temple. She promised them that Satan would be pleased and would have Jarrid move them all up in rank for doing his bidding. However, there was a young Priest in the temple, named Leon. Leon pretended to go along with all that Isabella was saying only he got all the information about when, where and how the sacrifice was going to take place then, being a friend of Jarrid's, ran to tell him of the plan. Jarrid and Leon made plans to stop the sacrifice. Busting in, they rescued Taresa. This made the anger and rage in Isabella turn into hatred for Taresa. She vowed to herself that she would get even. The smoldering in Isabella's heart burst into open flame as she realized that she did not have the power to make Jarrid Iscariot want her.” The moment Lee Chin said Iscariot Shawn, Erin and Adrain’s eyes swiftly looked in Judas’ direction and it was his turn to feel uneasy as he moved in his seat. Lee Chin looked at Judas and asked, “Are you all right?” Judas swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat and then said, “Why yes, I was just resituating myself. Sorry to have interrupted your story. Please go on.” Lee Chin nodded slightly then said, “Being one of Satan's chosen, Isabella turned to him for help. She made a pact with Satan in order to receive greater power. She planned to eliminate Taresa, leaving Jarrid no choice but to want her. Slicing her wrist over a metal bowl as an offering, she promised Satan Taresa's life, in exchange for the powers. He granted her forty-eight hours in which to carry out her promise, knowing that if she could, he would rule this world. However, if she failed, she would have to surrender herself to him, either way he thought himself the winner. Isabella called on all forms of demons to fight on her side and then sent a summons to Taresa to fight or lose to Satan. Taresa called upon the animals and trees she loved so dearly to fight on her side. After thinking it over, she talked to Jarrid. “I cannot allow evil to rule,” she told him. Jarrid kissed her for the first time, right then. As she looked up at him, unsure of what to say, Jarrid said, “Good luck in the battle, for I do not want to be Isabella's! I want only you.” Hearing that, Taresa realized that the battle was not only between good and evil, but also over who would win Jarrid Iscariot. Taresa had never even had thoughts about fighting over a man before, nor had she wished to. Now she stood there, thinking of Jarrid and the kiss of luck he had given her. She quickly decided it would not be right for Jarrid to suffer, or mankind. She accepted the challenge, unaware of Isabella's promise to Satan. Gathering all her animal friends together, she waved her hands over them; giving them a special powers then mounted Princess, and waving to the animals to follow she rode into the woods to do battle against Isabella and the demons, with the animals following close behind. The fight was long and hard, as the animals had no special powers against the demons, just their teeth and claws, then all at once, Jarrid arrived at the head of an army of wolves, who had always been friends with him. Jarrid had made a gem-encrusted, silver sword endowed with special powers and wanted to give it to Taresa. His love for Taresa was so great that he and the wolves began mowing through the demons, and they shrink back in front of his fury. Soon, Jarrid found Taresa fighting a Mordi. He stabbed it in the back; upon killing it he handed the sword to Taresa, and said, “This will help you win. Take it, with my love.” Taresa took it happily. The end of the story, as you should know, is that, with the sword, Jarrid's help, and the help from the wolves, Taresa and her animals won the battle. Since Isabella had put up such a great battle, Satan made an appearance. When he arrived, he promised Isabella that he would bestow all of her powers unto one of her descendants after four centuries, in an attempt to change the decision. “You'll pay for this, Taresa!” Isabella vowed laughing wickedly, as Satan drew her down into the ground, and as the Goddess descended, her laughter turned into screams of terror. Then as the top of her head disappeared, so did the demons. Right then Shakara’s thoughts jumped forward to her battle bringing to life all the bloody horror The bloody battle continued on, with bodies continuing to fall everywhere. Blood-curdling screams from the dying rang out. Tolling like a bell, the ringing sound of metal striking metal could be heard, as humans armed with weapons meet the armed enemies. The clashing sound was the metronome that kept the beat of the battle's pulse. With each beat, death grew nearer for the combatants. Teeth clamped down hard and sank deep into skin, ripping it open. Blood spurted from the wound. Teeth and lips pulled back from the horrible taste, tearing the life out of still another demon. Hooves slammed down straight and powerful as they crushed, mangled and stomped until the enemy was dead. As the dead bodies fell over and beside each other, the nauseating stench of death filled the air. The black ooze from the demons’ ripped flesh gurgled out slowly, burning the grass as it seeped onto the ground. Pinecones were thrown at demons like bullets from a gun, while other trees slashed out their limbs as if they were whips, cutting through the tough flesh of the demons. From every wound, the black ooze trickled to join the ooze and blood in the meadow. Over and over, the tree-kin lashed out violently as the demons chopped and hacked at their trunks. Some of the bushes joined in, using their razor-sharp thorns to cut and gouge the demons. Fighting as fiercely as any of her followers, Shakara sank her blade into a Molock’s chest. As it slumped to the ground, she glanced about quickly and saw the battle raging on in all its horror. Never had she seen such hatred. She was unable to understand this type of violence, blood and mayhem right then a sick feeling flooded over her, yet her mind was strong. She knew that if she quit for even a minute, far more would suffer. All that her ancestors had fought and died to keep would vanish forever in an instant if she showed any weakness. Suddenly, hearing something behind her, she turned just in time to duck as a transformed member of the Judas’ temple swung a sword at her back. Shakara swiftly parried and continued to fight. Eagles circled in groups of four or more, diving and attacking demons. They would soar down, ripping flesh, plucking out eyes and pecking until their victim was lying dead. Killing the enemies near her, Princess hobbled towards Shakara. Shakara could see the gash in Princess’ side, and raced to her mother’s side. Reaching her, Shakara pulled herbs out of her sachet. Princess stumbled, and Warlord stood guard over her as Shakara ran faster. As soon as she reached Princess, Shakara packed the wound with the herbs. Using her sword as a power rod, she sealed the wound closed.
All at once Shakara screamed, “No, No! This can not be happening!” Suddenly sitting up, drenched in sweat she glanced about and thought. Oh my God I am home. It was just another one of those dreams.
It has been quit some time since Shakara was able to get a good nights sleep; without thinking about that battle. She began to dread the night for all it meant was more tossing, turning, and waking up drenched in sweat. She had gone as far as to try man made pills to give her a peaceful night sleep and nothing seemed to work, not even her old favorite Melatonin. None of Kera’s aids or store bought aids helped, she how was willing to seek aid from Master Lee Chin and see if he could help her out with those needles he had.
A few days later, tired and spent to the point of exhaustion Shakara thought. They have to stop I can not take them any more. I am going over to the Master’s in the morning