Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2016 13:45:36 +0000 (UTC)
From: Snowblind94 <snowblind94@yahoo.ca>
Subject: Jared II chapter 22

Disclaimer: All characters depicted are above 18 years of age. The
following contains scenes of explicit scenes involving male sex and in a
variety of consensual activities. But, if you're looking for non-stop sex
then this isn't the story for you.  If any of this content is offensive to
you or illegal to access in your geography, please do not proceed any
further.  The characters are entirely fictitious and are not based on
anyone who has or is still living.

This story may not be copied or posted to any other websites without
explicit written permission from the author.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at
snowblind94@yahoo.ca Don't forget, donate to Nifty to keep the free service
functioning.

***************************

Jared the Paramedic - Volume II
Chapter 22 - Retreat's End


Jared was awoken from his meditation by a gentle kiss. "Hmmmm.  What a way
to wake up," said Jared as he opened his eyes to see Liam.

"If I had known you had got up through the night, I would have come with
you," said Liam.

"We will talk of it tonight at home, too many ears here."

"Well, when I woke up this morning I had Patrick latched onto me."  Liam
leaned in close and whispered, "And he was as hard as a rock, and unless I
miss my guess he is quite gifted."

Jared laughed and whispered back, "He would die if he knew, Liam."

"I don't know who he was doing in his dream, but my leg is going to be
bruised."

Jared was laughing, but put his hands over his crotch.  "I will deal with
you at home tonight, lover.  Watch it, Patrick is coming."

Patrick walked right up, a man with a mission.  "I'm sorry I was snuggling
with you, Liam.  I didn't know..."

"No worries, little man," replied Liam quickly.  "All of us here have
fallen asleep snuggled up to each other."

The young man looked at Liam for a moment, and Jared noticed a spark in his
eyes this time.  Liam had noticed it, too.  Patrick was looking confused.

Liam leaned forward and whispered to Patrick, "Are you worried about your
hard on poking me this morning?"

Patrick immediately went red but shook his head, "Yes."

Jared placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.  "Patrick, they happen all
the time.  To be honest, we have kept our clothes on this weekend so as not
to influence or scare you.  They happen so we don't worry about them.
Besides that Patrick... he was jealous as all hell."  Jared pointed at Liam
and then used his fingers to indicate small.

"You bitch," squealed Liam with a smile. "That's not what you said the
other night when you thought it was too big."

Jared smirked, "Was that you the other night?"

Patrick started to laugh as Liam squealed again.  "You are such a bitch,"
Liam said before he stomped off imitating a little girl's movements.  He
looked over his shoulder once and stuck his tongue out at Jared as well.

"You guys are nuts," said Patrick.

"We are serious, though; don't think about it any further, not-so-little
man."

"Thanks, I feel better now," replied Patrick with a big smile and a
blush. "You said you were keeping your clothes on this weekend for me so I
wasn't uncomfortable?"

Jared smiled, "Yes, we wear the loin cloths a lot in public or when modesty
is required.  Patrick, we also do a lot of things just naked, wearing what
the creator gave us.  Until this weekend, you were not an adult and we
didn't want to scare you or be seen as trying to corrupt you.  In the
future, it will always be your choice to join us or not knowing we accept
and support your decision either way."

"Conner, Mark and Adam do this, too?"

"Yes Patrick, they have joined us for volleyball, swimming and just hanging
around the cabin naked."

Patrick thought for a moment, and his hands moved to cover his groin area.
"You mean all you guys run around naked, and have no problem with it?
Tyler and Troy, too?"

"Yes, little brother, everyone.  We even have hard-ons at times, but you
don't even notice once you get used to being naked.  Patrick, you may do
what makes you comfortable with no fear or ridicule or pressure to do
something you do not feel comfortable with."

"I know, Jared.  You guys have all looked out for me and never once been
disrespectful of me, my thoughts or my wants.  I really do feel safe with
you guys."

Tyler come up behind him and gave Patrick a friendly pinch to his ass.  The
young man squealed and his hands moved quickly to protect his ass.  The
front of his loin cloth was definitely filled with a semi-hard cock.  Jared
chuckled thinking Liam may indeed have some bruises on his leg from the dry
humping he'd been given.

***************************

They fixed a quick breakfast, cleaned up the site and hit the water in the
canoes.

The weather was warm and the sun hot already.  Jared and Liam were making
sure everyone was drinking enough water.  There was also a fair amount of
splashing going on as well.  Three and half hours later, they were pulling
up to the new dock at the estate.

Grandfather met them at the water's edge.  "There is a good chance of
serious thunderstorms this afternoon.  I was hoping my children would make
it here before they hit."

"I thought the humidity was high this morning," said Adam.

Troy and Tyler stepped forward with a young man between them.
"Grandfather, we would like to introduce our friend, Patrick.  He is just
finishing school, and lives next door to us in the apartments," said Troy.

"He spends a lot of time with us when his mother is working," added Tyler.

"Patrick, this is Jared's Grandfather.  He is the oldest man on the
planet," started Tyler.  He didn't even see the smack to his head from
grandfather, but he felt it.  "I stand corrected, he is the Most Sacred
Medicine Man of the people and the man everyone here loves dearly as their
own grandfather."

"Nice recovery," said Grandfather with smile.  He reached out and took both
of Patrick's hands into his and held them.  "It is my pleasure to meet you,
Patrick.  I have been told many stories of you by the boys and I have been
looking forward to meeting you."

Patrick was a little overwhelmed and not sure what to say.  Adam came up
behind him and whispered, "You can call him grandfather, we all do,
Patrick."

Patrick whispered back, "Thanks Adam.  Grandfather, I have heard lots about
you, too, and I have looked forward to meeting you.  These guys hold a
special love for you, sir."

Grandfather smiled, and pulled the young man into for a hug.  "I think I
like this one Troy, he's a keeper," laughed the old man.

Patrick was surprised by the strength of the old man, and hugged him back.
When they separated, grandfather placed the palm of his hand over Patrick's
heart on his chest.  Mathew locked eyes with Patrick, and looked up.

"You are a special young man, Patrick.  We need to talk in the near
future," said Mathew.

"I would like that," replied Patrick.

Conner and Mark ran up and grabbed grandfather in a hug.  "Grandfather,"
said Conner enthusiastically.

"I'm always happy to see you two," replied the old man as he hugged them
back.  "Did you enjoy the trip?"

"It was pretty cool," said Mark.

"Yeah, I got to paddle and cook on a fire, too," blurted Conner.

"You guys get the equipment into the new boathouse and put away.  I also
have a big lunch of pizza for everyone in there, too," said Mathew.

"Pizza!" said Conner as he ran to grab some equipment.  Mark and Adam were
right behind him.

The men were moving the equipment into the boathouse and Mathew showed them
the lay out and where to store the equipment and hang the canoes, paddles
and life preservers.  One side of the main floor of the boat house was set
up as locker room, washroom, gang shower and had a table set up covered in
food.  It didn't take long before everyone was eating.

Mathew was seated drinking tea.  "Jesse, contact Molly when you can
please."

"Let me guess, she was checking on me every two hours because I've never
done canoeing before."

"Not quite that bad," laughed Mathew.  "But, I'm not sure who she drove
nuts more - Jack or myself.  I'm sure Jack would appreciate you calling
her."

Jesse gave a belly laugh to that information.

Zane leaned over and kissed him, "I love it when you laugh from your soul
like that."  Jesse kissed him back.

"How did you like the trip, Jesse?" asked grandfather.

"I would like to go on a longer one sometime, maybe a smaller group and
more miles," said Jesse.

"Darren, how did you and Josh like this trip?" asked Mathew.

"Pretty cool, grandfather, it was nice to spend time as a family together
without outside interference," replied Darren.

Grandfather looked at Adam.  "So tell me son, you have a new friend."

The salamander was on his shoulders.  "Yes grandfather, I would like you to
meet Ollie,"

"Osikiyâs," started grandfather.  "You are the guide of a special young
man and I know you are more than able to protect him."

"Thank you most Sacred Medicine Man of the People, he is indeed a good man
and special person," replied the salamander.  Just them his big eyes
narrowed and his head moved while he tracked a person walking behind
grandfather.

Grandfather laughed without even looking, "How is my other grandson Liam
after his trip?"

Liam gave him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.  "I'm just fine grandfather.
I see you have met my future belt."

The salamander didn't give any warning as it spit a gooey ball of green
mucous.  It got Liam squarely in the middle of the forehead.  Mathew began
to laugh as Liam voiced his disgust.  The other guys were split evenly
between saying "gross" or laughing their heads off.  Liam ran to the end of
the building with the washroom.  The last they heard was Liam mumbling
"little bastard" as he went around the corner.

Adam was not trying to laugh as he said "Olly, that's not a nice thing to
do to Liam - even if it was an incredible shot and he deserved it."

Osikiyâs just smiled back at Adam as his tongue darted in and out of his
mouth.

"Jared, will your soulmate learn at some time?" asked Grandfather.

"Even odds right now, Grandfather, and I'm personally leaning to the side
that says 'I don't think so'," replied Jared before he took another bite of
the pizza.

Grandfather stood there with the strangest look on his face, and the most
terrifying reflection of mischievousness in his eyes.

"Grandfather, a penny for your thoughts," stated Jared.

"Just for a moment," he started as he raised his hand up with his index
finger extended and he waved his hand around, "and it was just for a
moment, Jared.  I thought of your soulmate coming out of the washroom to
find every one of us with our own Osikiyâs laying across our shoulders,
and ready to meet him."

The entire group started to laugh at the thought of Liam covered from head
to toe in green snot balls.

"Jared, I severely underestimated your grandfather's wit and now truly
understand where yours comes from as well," said Jesse.

"He may be ancient, but never drop your guard around him, Jesse," said Zane
quietly.  Then with a smile he added, "And make sure you hide and are
nowhere around him on April Fool's Day."

"Grandfather, how is the construction of the houses going?" asked Darren.

"They are progressing very well and still on schedule to be available at
the end of the month. Once the final inspection is done, you can take
possession after that if you want.  You could be living here in less than a
month if you so choose, Darren.  There are units basically able to be used
now if we need you here for protection."

Liam came out of the washroom and headed for the food.  Jared went up
behind and wrapped his arms around the man, and gently kissed his neck.

"I love you soulmate," whispered Jared into his ear.

Liam put the food down and twisted in Jared's arms so they were face to
face.  "I love you too, soulmate" before they gently kissed.

Tyler was sitting on a chair with Troy on his lap, leaning against his
boyfriend.  Even Conner and Mark were holding hands and sitting next to
each other.

Grandfather raised his hands and the room went silent, "Creator, we thank
you for their safety on this trip and bringing all my grandchildren back to
me.  We thank you for the friendship, the love and the food we share.  May
we all continue to walk the path we were intended."

With that, they attacked the food with enthusiasm.  After they cleaned up
the refuse and took the garbage out to the construction bin outside.  They
piled into the large van Grandfather had driven and he started driving
towards the cabin where all the vehicles were still parked.  The trip was
quiet except for Adam and Grandfather chatting in the front of the van.
Everyone else was sleeping or as Darren would say 'resting their eyes.'

Grandfather was chatting with Adam, but in reality it was more of him
asking questions and Adam explaining his answers.  The old man was
skillfully probing the depths of Adams conscious knowledge of medicines and
even at times causing the unconscious ones to boil up.  The three hours of
travel went quickly as the two men chatted.

At the cabin, Grandfather parked the van and started to say good bye to
everyone before he went home.  He stood in front of Patrick, Conner and
Mark and for each of the young men he placed his hand on his heart, said
something they didn't understand and then put the palm of his hand on each
of their foreheads.  He had marked Patrick's forehead last, and the old man
moved his hands to the young man's shoulders and grasped them.

"Patrick, you will get to know me better in the future.  Until then,
believe me when I say that if you need me, Jared or Liam... call our names
in your mind and we will come," the old man said. "Troy and Tyler will come
as well, Patrick.  You are well protected."

"I don't understand?" replied Patrick.

"I have marked you three as protected by the Bear, and if you run into
problems and need us you just have to think our names like you were yelling
at the top of your lungs, and we will be there to protect you.  Conner and
Mark already have an idea of the truth of this statement, now you do as
well."

"We can explain the honour he has given you more on the way home, Patrick,"
said Tyler.

Grandfather waved and said, "Peace be with you, grandchildren," he got into
his old Jeep Bertha.  As Jared approached to complain about him still using
the old vehicle, Mathew rolled the window up, turned the radio up to full
volume and then kept yelling that he couldn't hear anything as he drove
away.

No one could keep a straight face when Jared turned around with a
frustrated look on his face.  Liam was laughing the hardest and when Jared
locked eyes on him, all Liam could say was, "Oh shit!" and start running
for the lake.  Jared just missed catching Liam as he went running off the
end of the dock, splashing in the water.  The rest joined them.  They found
the containers of soap root and began to wash off the grime from the past
few days. The group dried off, changed back into their clothes and began to
head home.

********************

Conner, Mark and Adam got home and were met at the door by Frank.  The
three young men all had stories to tell him and he was getting confused.
Finally Frank took all three of the young men into his arms and hugged them
tightly and kissed the top of each one of their heads.

"Now that I have your attention, I want to hear all your stories - but not
at once. Adam, would you and Mark go and get everyone a single bottle of
beer and you guys can sit here and take turns telling me your stories.  Is
that ok?" asked Frank.

Adam and Mark both gave him a hug before running to get a beer.  When they
returned and passed out the beer, Conner had already started to tell
stories.  Frank was amazed at the stories and laughed along with the guys.
When the beer was finished, they still continued to talk but they took
turns in the shower.  When they came back in just their boxer shorts, Frank
was amazed at how dark their tans were.  Conner pulled the back of his
boxers down to show him how white his skin was, and Frank gave him a good
slap on the exposed flesh.  After dancing around for a moment, Conner dove
on top of Frank and began to wrestle with him.  He was soon be helped by
his two brothers, and all three lost the battle to Frank's experience and
skills.  Soon enough, the three of them had headed off to bed leaving Frank
alone in the living room watching TV.  They hadn't closed their bedroom
door so Frank stood there and looked in on the three young men together in
the bed.  Mark was spooned behind Conner tightly, and Adam was lying on his
back next to them.  He thought how Conner and Mark were developing more
than a friendship, and they both had a different but special relationship
with Adam.

Frank was thinking how he has never been happier in his life, and being a
father to these three boys was the big reason.  He leaned over and kissed
each on their head, and even pulled the covers up a bit to tuck them in.
Frank came to the realization these were young men now, and maybe he
shouldn't be doing this at their age.

He was about to leave the bedroom when he heard three young men say
'goodnight dad' or 'love you dad' in very sleepy voices.  He stopped and
said, "I love you guys, too," before crawling into his own bed for the
night.

Frank was asleep shortly after his head hit the pillow, and he never saw
the stealthy movement through the darkness of the apartment and into the
boy's bedroom.  The shadow climbed up the side of the dresser and sat on
the top, looking over at the three young men all spooning each other.  The
salamander's tongue was tasting the air for any threats as he settled down
for a night near his human.  His eyes locked on Adam, and the spirit guide
thought to himself, "This is a very special young man so full of life and
love to give."  He sat for a moment more before thinking, "Ollie?  I think
I like that name.  Ollie.  I do like it."  He slowly lowered his head to
rest while his human slept.  "Ollie, yes I like that almost as much as I
like the name Adam."

*********** Jesse and Zane got back to their apartment, dropped their
backpacks and then frantically tore each other's clothing off on the way to
the shower.  They both had very white groins and butt cheeks where their
breech cloth had covered them over the weekend.  The colour distinction
made both of them even more beautiful.  They were naked and grinding into
each other when Jesse stopped and held Zane's head so they were nose to
nose, and looking frantically into each others eyes.

Jesse smiled, "I have never been as happy as I am now, with you.  I love
you."

"Jesse, I have never been as happy as I am now, either.  I love you more,
infinity."

"I will never forget us spending this time together, and making love on the
edge of the hill under the spruce trees."

"Jess, I'll never forget that as well. Something else I am thankful for is
reconnecting with my friends, and now becoming part of the family and
actively into the tribe.  Reconnecting with my heritage, my destiny, and
now my soulmate."

"You're right Zane. I thought my world was gone.  My family, my husband, my
world was destroyed and I ran away.  I ran right into your arms when I had
learned enough of how things worked in the real world.  I now see it as
part of a journey to prepare me for you and for our journey together."

"This is what Grandfather Mathew wanted us to do, to build our relationship
as brothers, a family and in some cases for soulmates to learn more about
each other."

Jesse had a tear leak from his eye.  "The more time we're together and I
learn about you, Zane, the more I love you.  I'm alive and happy today
because of you."

Zane smiled and kissed him gently.  "I was an emotional island and I had
voted everyone else off to protect myself.  I finally let someone onto the
island and I haven't looked back since.  I am alive and happy because of
you Jesse.  By the way, INFINITY."

Jesse lightly slapped Zane's ass.  "Bastard, you said it first."

The two men kissed, and when they finally separated Jesse said, "Make love
to me, Zane."

"Lets just go to the bedroom.  I love your smell and the taste of your body
just like this," said Zane as he licked the side of Jesse's face.

Jesse picked him up in his arms easily, and carried him to the bed before
falling onto it.  They would both be tired in the morning.

***********

Josh and Darren were sound asleep.  The two of them had gone for a run,
cleaned up and had a light supper before crawling into bed.

Little Josh was spooned by Darren, secure and safe in his boyfriends arms.
Both were linked in a dream they were sharing of having assumed wolf form,
and just playing.  The two wolves were playing in the long grass, snapping
at butterflies and each other's tail. They chased each other, wrestled and
jumped rock to rock in the dream.  After some time, the wolves grew tired
and they fell asleep together on a rock in the sun.  In the distance, a
human form came out from bushes.  Cameron looked at his brother and Josh
sleeping as wolves with a smile.

"I told you, little brother, I am never far from you."

*******************

Tyler and Troy were sitting together in the bathtub filled with warm water
and bubbles.  Troy was leaning back against his boyfriend, both in post
climax bliss.

"Patrick really enjoyed the weekend and the gifts," said Tyler.

"It was great, wasn't it," replied Troy. He was quiet for a moment.  "When
he talked about us as his fathers......."

"I know, it hit me the same way.  I mean in a good way.  I love the brat
like a little brother, but it wasn't bad to think of him calling me dad,
either."

"Does that mean you would think about adopting kids in the future?"

"Tyler, it would be worth discussion and further consideration as long as
they weren't like Liam."

Tyler laughed, "I think we would make good dads."  Tyler leaned forward and
kissed his boyfriend's head.  "I know you would, Troy, and I would try to
be, too."

"Girls or boys?"

"Oh god, that's easy, Tyler... boys.  With a daughter, you have to worry
about every cock.  With a son, you only have to worry about one."

"Dad, I like the sound of that Troy.  The more I hear it, the more I like
it."

"Can you imagine if we all had kids and took them on canoe trips or to the
lake as a group?"

"We'd need a highway bus to move everyone."

"Let's dry off and go to bed.  Shifts start early in the morning."

***********

Jared and Liam were sitting on each side of the smudging table.  They were
naked, kneeling and their hands palm to palm over the table.  Both had
their eyes closed.  There was no need for words as they were connected
telepathically.

"The brothers all did well this weekend," said Jared in Liam's mind.

"They are pulling together and working as one easily, aren't they?"

"Adam concerns me, but I believe Osikiyasis has him under his control and
protection quite well.  He will contact us if he needs help."

"Jared, what was following us?"

"I don't know Liam.  When I meditated, I flew around and I could only see
darkness without form.  When it realized I was airborne and had spotted it
- it disappeared."

"Is Grandfather aware?"

"He is Liam.  I have never seen or known him to be at a loss for words or
explanation before.  He will need time to meditate."

"We're sure it's Patrick the shadow is after?"

"I'm fairly certain, but we can't drop our guard just in case it's a
diversion. Kâkwa will be with him to protect him and summon us if
necessary."

"Jared, I'm sensing, or it's the old knowledge coming up, that they need to
complete the spirit quest."

"I'm certain of it as well, Liam.  Patrick may not be ready for it but the
rest need it.  Especially the three young ones."

"I would just the two of us to spend some time together as well, Jared.  I
love my brothers, but I love to be with my boyfriend and not sharing him
all the time."

"I understand what you're saying, Liam, and each couple needs quality time
on their own."

"I sounded harsh, Jared, and I didn't mean that.  The time spent with the
family strengthens us individually and as a group, but I would like us to
be together.  I'm not saying this right....."

"Liam, I agree.  I understand and agree, I would like to spend time with
you.  We don't do enough like we are now, meditating and just communicating
our thoughts freely with each other.  We have so much to learn about
ourselves in our roles, and each other as soulmates."

"I know we've become so busy, Jared.  The office project, work, I'm filling
in next week at the college, getting ready to move into the compound
Grandfather built... I don't want to drift away or apart from each
other..."

Jared's eyes flashed and both were back in the physical world.  He looked
at his boyfriend and saw something he had never seen before in his watery
eyes, fear. Jared stood, moved around the low table and effortlessly picked
Liam up in his arms, holding him tightly.  Liam held him tightly in return.

"Liam, I have you in my arms to hold you, to protect you, and so we may
have nothing between our skin contact.  I physically am connected to you.
I am spiritually and emotionally connected with you.  We are one, and
always will be one.  When we are separate, I am still part of you as you
are me.  We have shared our life essences inside of each other, we are
bonded together.  I will always love you my soulmate."

Liam had tears flowing, but he had his head under Jared's chin.  "I sounded
greedy, Jared, wanting more of your time."

"No, Liam, you didn't sound greedy.  We need to always speak of things like
this before it damages the bond and love we have."

"I also have to learn that since I am the boyfriend of a very important
medicine man, I need to share him with others."

"Liam, we are equal in our roles and our relationship.  You are becoming
more and more powerful and we both need to learn to share each other with
those who need but never forget about ourselves."

Liam looked up and kissed Jared.  "I love you."

"I love you too, soulmate."

"You never cease to amaze me how much strength you have to pick me up so
easily."

"Its getting harder though, Liam."

"Because you're getting older?" he asked with a smirk.

"Too much cheesecake...."

"You bitch," as he squirmed and the two of them fell onto the couch
laughing.

***********

Patrick was home alone, his mother at work.  He was naked in front of the
mirror looking at his body.

"What am I?" he thought to himself.  He was imagining Tyler and Troy naked,
and getting hard.  Patrick got mad at himself for his thoughts, "Those two
are like your big brothers or your fathers and you want to jerk off
thinking about them naked?"

Patrick crumpled to the floor, crying.  "What am I?  What am I? What am I?"

He brought his hands up to his face to cover it while he cried.  "I'm a
fucking wimp and I ball like a baby every time I get upset."

A couple of minutes later, Patrick had regained some control.  He was
sitting on the floor, his legs bent out and his manhood hanging down.
"Adam... I wish I could look at you without falling apart and getting hard
all the time. I act so stupid in front of you constantly, like a fucking
child.  You could never like a guy like me."  A moment later he thought,
'Does that make me gay? I can't be gay.'

His cell phone rang and he saw it was his mother.  He put a towel on
quickly before he talked to her, his crisis now forgotten as he told her
about the weekend and how much fun it was.  He even told her about the cake
and gift he had around his neck.  He was so busy talking to his mother that
he didn't even see the porcupine in the apartment under the dining room
table.  The porcupine with the glowing eyes was watching his human,
protecting him from all threats including himself. It only took a phone
call from his mother to break the cycle of Patrick getting emotional and
out of control.  That was easy for Kâkwa to accomplish; all he had to do
was reach out to his mother and put the thought to call home into her head.

His human had so much potential, and would be so important in the
future. He just needed some help now to keep him moving down the right
path.  He needed protection.  Kâkwa watched the young man and scanned
his thoughts.  "So mature in many ways, and immature in others.  I will
protect him until the One tells me otherwise," said the porcupine with the
glowing eyes under the dining room table.  The eyes dimmed, and he sniffed
the air.  "It was near, but has left."  When Patrick walked to the window
to look out, the porcupine quietly went down the hall to the young man's
room.  He moved under the bed, turned around and settled down where he
could watch and listen.

***********

Grandfather was sitting by a fire inside his cabin, with a cup of actual
earl grey tea.  There was a bear, eagle, wolves, salamander, cougars,
coyote, fox, bobcat and Ollie the Salamander sitting around the living
room.  Grandfather, and the spirit guides, were all in deep thought and
staring at the fire as it burnt.  There was no need for speech as they were
all linked in thoughts.

Finally Grandfather spoke.  "There is a couple of significant dangers my
grandchildren will be facing in the future.  One they will work together to
solve it at least locally."

Ollie spoke up, "Grandfather, we need to monitor and watch over Adam.  He
is at the peak of his journey and we need to get him over the top, then he
will be safe."

"I understand," the old man replied. "That is the second challenge. The
third is to protect Patrick until his memories come near the surface."

The sacred bobcat spoke, "There is a very dark shadow following him.  I
believe he is aware of the potential power this young man has and wants
it. Kâkwa is with him now and he has sensed it near since Patrick's
return.  He is on guard in the apartment, Grandfather."

Grandfather looked at the beautiful animal.  "You are probably right and
thank you for being with him before you have formally met."

"We serve the Creator," replied the bobcat.

"There something else, darker than I have ever seen in my life blocking one
part of the future.  It is so dark, it seems to draw all life into it for
consumption."

The animals all acknowledged they had felt it as well but were at a loss to
explain it.

"I am afraid for my grandchildren in this pending fight."  The old man had
a tear escape one eye as he continued, "Although there are many
possibilities and paths to follow in their futures there is one path where
the supreme sacrifice is made.  I can train and prepare them as all of you
will strengthen them, but they have the freedom of choice to walk whichever
paths they choose."

Ollie stared at the old man, "We've been through this before.  It may not
happen at all, Grandfather."

The ancient man smiled at his friends.  "You are right, of course.  We will
do what we can and to the best of our abilities as my grandchildren will as
well.  There is only one who knows, and we just put our lives into his
hands and we know what ever happens will happen.  The way it was, the way
it is, and the way it always be."

********************

Editor's Note from Rivendell: I wanted to wish a Merry Christmas, Happy
Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and just Happy Holidays to anyone and everyone.
Thank you very much for reading the story this year. This is the final
chapter this year. Of course, being that it's almost 2017, this will not be
a long break. But I also thought this was the perfect place to leave the
guys for the holidays. So, we will return shortly after New Years. May you
all have a safe and happy holiday season!

Writer's note:

This is a difficult time for many people who have little or no family,
those who lost their job and/or those who are temporarily lost on their
journey in life. Uncertainty in the US since the election and the pending
economic cutbacks or downturns has many people on edge or stressed.  This
downturn may be the time for people to learn there is a big difference
between "want" and "need" to survive and the opportunity to get reality
back into their lives.  Everybody has something to share with someone who
has less even if it is a few kind words or a hug.  I'm not a politically
correct as my Editor Scott because I am praying for everyone that you find
or keep love, get or have good health, find or continue with peace and
happiness in your lives.  I pray and beg all of this for you and your loved
ones into the future.

If you need help at this or any time of the year, there are both many and a
variety of agencies waiting to support you.  If you need to reach out to
someone for motivation, send me an email.  I've honestly been there, done
that and own the shirt.

Thank you for all the support everyone has sent me regarding this story,
especially my friend Scott.  The Radio Rancher and The Story Lover have
been giving us advice as well and it is truly appreciated.  I love the
emails from everyone as well.

God Bless, and the Creator willing, I will see you in the new year.

Snowblind