50

Looking for Trouble

After Lottica, Nick took his turn at the telescope, expressing his amazement in a series of rapid looks from Lottica to Bopei to Heidein. "Wow! So, this Mount Breima is where all the legends supposedly took place?"

"Yes,” Heidein replied. “This is where Feodeim Breima was given the Kareima by Hawk. It is a good story. Maybe too good."

"Too good?" Nick asked.

"Some believe too deeply in the powers of these stones," Heiden responded.

Nick thought of the paintings at Breima Manor, the fountain and stained glass window in Kreistia. Even Hawk's kite. Iconography of these magical emblems seemed to pervade Lebreima. "You mean you don't believe the legends?"

His half smile a warning to listen closely not only to what he said, but to what he meant, Heidein explained, "Myths and legends are always true on some level. We must know the tale’s context or there is no true meaning. Meaning is understanding. If I tell you of a fantastic gemstone that holds the power of life, you understand all those concepts: gemstone, power, life. These things exist and so they are true. Combined they make a story. The listener of the story determines what he or she will take away as belief.

"Now, the Tireima is the basis for the great legend of le Breima. These three stones exist in folklore and, at least two of them, in reality. What one believes of their power is what one believes. If it is good, it is good. If it is evil, it is evil. The stones themselves are things. It is we who create their power."

Nick, because he revered science, because he was young, because he thought he understood absolutes, decided Heidein’s relativism had to be challenged. "So, hypothetically, if the Kareima were to bring someone back to life it would not be the stone itself that did it, but the person—"

"Like your father," Heidein coolly interjected.

Stolen novel; please report.

Nick's dropping jaw took the place of a reply.

"Or those observing such a miraculous event," Heidein asserted. "Yes, Nick, the Kareima is a vehicle. It has physical properties. In legend, it has incomprehensible capacity, though it must be compelled. That is key. Belief drives the Kareima and the other stones of the Tireima.

Many in our world feel if they were given a power, a certain talent or wealth that this would be enough. That it would give them everything they need. But that is not the case. It is drive and determination, will and spirit, which make what seems impossible happen.

“In our old legends, this is why Raven failed and Feodeim and Hawk succeeded. It is why Beilla believes that by acquiring the three lifestones he can rule Lebreima, and possibly the world. He is wrong. Beilla does not have the right motive force. He will not succeed, but he can still do much harm."

"You know of Beilla?" Lottica asked, somehow knowing what was coming.

“Yes,” Heidein acknowledged. “We are well acquainted. Beilla is my brother."

Nick’s hackles rose in fierce response, "Your brother tried to kill my dad and mom!"

There was a tense silence before Heidein calmly replied, "I believe they were killed, as was widely reported in the Lebreima media."

Nick bit his lip and looked to his grandfather. "Shouldn't he know the truth?"

Grandfather Breima shrugged, "He is le Heidein. He is Hawk. He knows."

"Yes, I know, but it is not such a mystery,” Heiden confessed. “I am not the Hawk, as my brother is not the Raven, though he fancies himself to be. I learned of your parents' deaths, as did most of Lebreima, from news media. However, I learned of their miraculous presence back here in Lebreima in a much more unique way.” He patted his telescope. “I have seen them."

"What?" Lottica and Nick asked at the same time.

"See for yourself," Heidein replied. He took a moment to reposition the telescope. "You can see Breima Manor as if it were next door."

"See. Hawk knows." Grandfather Breima smiled confidently. “While we in America, I ask Heidein to keep eye on home, on Krestia, on Beilla for us. He good friend. He guard Breimas.

"Sorry, Mr. Heiden,” Nick apologized for his earlier remarks. “May I see Breima Manor?"

“Of course.” Heiden motioned Nick to take a look.

Nick squinted through the eyepiece and made a few adjustments on the eyepiece knob. "Wow. This is amazingly clear. It’s like I could touch the house.” He paused. “Hold on. I see movement."

He carefully tilted the telescope, looked again, and suddenly backed away from the eyepiece. In doing so, he lost his balance and almost stumbled off the platform. With surprising swiftness, Heidein caught his arm, allowing Nick to get his feet under him, so he didn’t fall

"What happened?" Heidein asked.

Nick, stunned, didn’t answer.

Lottica stepped up to the telescope and looked through the eyepiece. She gasped, spluttering the reason for Nick’s shock, "It's Mom…and Dad! And the guys with capes! Beilla…and Abzeig…have them at gunpoint!"