She was born of a humble family in a nation that has been around much longer than most. For thousands of years her family ancestry has been the visionaries for the future. In the Quan family, every 100 years there is a visionary born into the family. For those who are not born with the gift a rigid study of Chien Tung - the reading of sticks, Kau Cin - Chinese characters, Origami - folding paper, Feng Shui - Master techniques, I Ching - The book of changes and Zhouyi, and Ba Zi - Chinese Metaphysics is taught and learned by everyone who is born into the Quan family. For her, these things were a second nature, and learning the techniques was very simple. At the time of birth the Shìlì is born with a distinctive birth mark that is situated on the left deltoid. 08192011
The Grandmother was not born a Shìlì, but she was the only living relative who had what they call the gut, she just knew things and couldn’t ever explain how or why. Her name is Quan Qiao Tao . The family surrounded the baby bassinet and just wanted to catch a glimpse of the newborn girl whom they named Quan Ling-Lien . Her Father Quan Peng was a Professor at the local College. Her Mother Quan Zhu was a Professor there too, and took time off to have her. The other family members trying to get in to take a better look were her Uncle and Aunt, Quan Bohai & Quan Jiao, with her new born cousin in arms Quan Bao. Plus her own older brother and sister Quan Huan, and Quan Feng. They all lived on the Quan Family compound that has been I the family for two thousand years.08192011
Bohai was the stableman, and the farmer, as well as the cook in the family. Jiao is the local seamstress. She has a small shop downtown. “I’m so sorry that I can not stay. She is truly beautiful, just like her mother. I don’t have back up help down at the shop so I must be going.” “Good bye, see you when you get home” They said. She handed baby Jiao to Bohai and then he slid her into her back baby carrier ,they kissed and then she left. “I have to feed the live stock but I will return when I am finished, Please excuse me.” Quan Ling-Lien ’s parents and sibling just huddled together watching her. They were very pleased. 08192011
Two men sent from a wealthy family secretly entered the Quan family compound with the intent of kidnapping Ling-Lien and raising her as one of their own to manipulate her ability to foresee the future to benefit them and bring them more wealth. Grandma Quan Qiao Tao had a sinking gut feeling so she pulled her Son aside and told him what she felt was happening. They ran out to the stabled and got the Uncle and the three of them armed themselves and waited for the intruders to show themselves. A fight ensued as soon as they were in sight. Grandmother took on one as her two sons took on the other. They fought furiously and in a few swift moves they managed to get the two men on their floors and under the tip of their blades. Quan Qiao Tao spoke first “What family do you represent?” She was driving the blade into his neck. “Your choice to live or die right now, by my hand! Who is paying you?” 08192011
“Wan” He said in a scared and scratchy voice. She looked at her boys who were both pinning down the other intruder. Then she said “I am now only going to give you two choices, the first choice is you live to serve me and the Quan with all your heart and soul, unconditionally with out remorse or revenge or the second is we slay you from your lives at this very moment.” The three Quan’s were digging the daggers deeper into the men. Just enough to break the skin and allow the blood to flow down and then to the floor. Both men agreed to the first terms and so Grandma let them up and then she tended to their wounds. “Ma you going to be alright alone with them?” Both her boys asked. “Yes, go ahead.” They left her and went back to what they were doing. “Now tell me your names.” The guy she tackled said “Liu Xing“, the other “Meng Taim.” “So, I say today you have died. You no longer exists by those names. Like the phoenix you have burned and risen from the ashes. So I will give you new names. You are now called Quan Sheng”. She was pointing at Lui Xing. “And you shall be named Quan Gao. I have cleaned you up so now go to the stables and begin your days work.” She pointed to the door and they stood up then walked to the door and out to the stables. 08192011
Quan Qiao Tao sat back in her chair and remembered how she lost her husband to a fight that he had over her with one of the Wan brothers. They were her least favorite family in all of China. Back at the stables then men found Quan Bohai and he asked them “What is your names?” The taller one said “Quan Sheng” and the thicker one said “Quan Gao“. “Oh I see, you think that you are Quan then? We are a noble people, who work hard and are reworded greatly for our efforts, and productivity. You will do well to keep that in mind. Please start here by cleaning out the stables.” He handed them shovels and then wheeled in the wheel barrow, set it down and then left the two of them to work.” 08192011
Gao spoke “You know we don’t have to stay here. What is here that is forcing us to stay?” Then Sheng said “Suppose you are right and we go back to Wan and tell him that we failed our mission. What do you think he will do when he finds out?” “Oh, you’re right I think he would have our heads.” “Yes, and I value my life and do not want it ended so abruptly.” They continued cleaning out the stables. Both Quan Huan, and Quan Feng entered the stables with a folding table and chairs. They set them up and then placed the basket on the table, humbly bowed then left. The men stopped working and then sat down to eat. Inside the basket was hot steamed rice, a home made soup and fresh tea. 08192011
The guys were eating and the food that they ate was some how magically changing their attitudes. They went from being cautious, slightly bitter, and defeated to feeling loving, caring, and happy. “What is in this food?” “I don’t know but I feel fantastic!” Quan Peng walked in “How is your lunch?” “Did you make this?” Quan Sheng asked. “Yes I am the chef here on the Quan estate.” “You must be some kind of magician. I feel bewitched” said Quan Gao. “All the recipes I used here have been in our family and passed down from generation to generation. The amount of love that goes into it while it is prepared is all from me.” The two men looked at one another and thought to themselves, why would anyone ever want bring harm to these people? 08192011
“If you don’t mind now I would like to show you two to your quarters” Quan Peng said. The two finished up and then they got up from the table and left with Quan Peng. Quan Huan, and Quan Feng walked by and smiled as they passed. They were going to the stables to clear up the lunch and put things away. Walking through the very large courtyard that was made of stones and bricks, they went up to a covered patio and then up to a pair of doors. Peng slid them open and then let the men enter before he slid them closed behind him. They went down a narrow hallway and came to a dead end. On both sides were more sliding doors. He slid one open and then he waved his arm inside. “Gao, this is where you will be staying.” Both Gao and Sheng walked in and looked around. There as a wooden dresser and a bed. Nothing else inside the room. Peng walked out and then up to the other door and slid that one open and then he entered and said “Sheng this one is for you.” Sheng and Gao left his room and entered the other. They were identical only in reverse.08192011
“Now if you follow me I will show you to the bathing quarters.” He turned around and went back up the hallway until they came to another sliding door. He slid it open and then went inside. They two men walked inside and they were blown away by the size of this bathroom. “This is bigger than both our quarters combined” Gao said. It was fully tiled from top to bottom. With four sinks, four mirrors, two showers, two baths, and four toilets. “The heated water is brought in from the Mountains natural hot springs and it is gravity that helps get it here to us. It is very important that you mix in your cold water with your natural springs because we have no way of controlling that temperature and I really wouldn‘t want to see either of you being severely burned.” 08192011
Peng left them and returned to the main part of the house. The men got undressed and then showered or bathed, washing themselves all clean from the stable work. Quan Bohai walked in and set down some clean towels as well as some new tailored made clothes that his wife sent over from her shop. “My wife hand made these clothes for you. Please wear these in the leisure of the evening and the work clothes I will go put away in your rooms.” “Thank you Quan Bohai” they both said. Bohai left written instructions on the men’s dressers of chores that they need to do the following day. They toweled off and got dressed in the clothes that were made for them, and then they went exploring around the house. They came into a library were Quan Zhu had been sitting and reading with Quan Ling-Lien in the nearby bassinet. “Oh please excuse us.” “Hello, you are welcome to enter here anytime. This is community area, where people can enjoy the peace and quiet to read when they like.” The men walked in and then asked if they may see Quan Ling-Lien. "Yes, please do.” “She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen” Gao said. There was a hand painted tapestry at the end of the bassinet. They asked Quan Zhu what it said and then she realize that they couldn't read. “It says The Princess of Knowing. Her Grandmother made it for her. Would you men like to learn how to read?” “Oh yes please.” They both sat down and she began to teach them to read. 08192011
By the end of the lessons Quan Zhu said “I must go feed Quan Ling-Lien now. I would like to meet in the evening each night one hour before dinner so we could go over your reading exercises.” “Thank you Miss.” They went to their rooms and saw the notes. Just then Quan Bohai came in and he read the notes to them so that they understood what their assignments were for the following day. He said “Please come join us for dinner. My little brother is preparing a fabulous meal.” They both bowed to Quan Bohai, as he left. At dinner everyone was seated at the very large table that was completely filled with food. They sat down on extremely fluffy and full pillows after everyone removed their shoes. 08192011
The evening was shared with the family. Everyone got involved in all the conversations. They were very enlightening. The family as a whole ate together, and then cleaned up together. The evenings were spent either all together or each person going off to do their own thing. This was one of those evenings where once things were cleaned up and put away the family split up and went off in their own directions. Grandma met with the two new family members in the courtyard and handed them each one of her home grown hand rolled cigars, and an ancient Chinese lighter. They were blown away that Grandma could fight like a man and smoke like one too. 08192011
“I would like you two to give me your solemn oath right here and right now that you will never ever turn against our family again.” “They both agreed and then really convinced her that they had never seen such loving and gracious hosts before. “We are honored to be considered as a part of this family” Gao said. Then Sheng continued “ The Wans are not good people, nothing like you. They only care about one thing and that is money. They don’t care how they get it, just as long as it continued pouring in by the barrels full.” 08192011
“One thing you probably don’t know about us is that we have gold, diamonds, precious jewels as well as all the money we could ever want in ten thousand life times. The way we did this is we stayed together, we never moved, and we built our lives here for two thousands of years. You’d be surprised what a family can accumulate in that amount of time” she said while laughing. “We are happy to share it with you and the secrets of our ancestry providing you are willing to do your share.” 08192011
“I have a feeling that Wan is not going to give up so easily. He probably thinks that we were killed and most likely he will send in more hired assassins.” Gao said. “That’s okay because we’ll be ready for them if they do. Do you ever wonder how it is that our family has lasted this long before with out being taken over or killed off? There are many things you have yet to learn about Quan's. You will see soon enough. I am going to bed now, so enjoy the rest of your evening.” Grandma left the men alone to smoke in the courtyard. 08202011
The guys were standing there in the courtyard and all of the sudden the fog rolled in from the other side of the Mountain. The lanterns that were lighting the way began to flicker and eventually they went out. There was a faint sound that came in along the air that was lightly grazing their faces. It made a sound at first and then a low female voice came in with it. She said “I’m am watching you.” “What did you say? Sheng asked Gao. “That wasn’t me.” “No it is me.” She spoke again. Only this time she appeared in the fog. So clear that the men actually felt like they could reach out and touch her. She was a beautifully young woman, who couldn’t be any more than 25 years old. She hovered closer to them right up in their faces then she said “I am the ghost of this estate. I see everything, I hear everything, and I know everything. I have got my eyes on you.” She flew into them then right through them and then she vanished into thin air. 08202011
They hadn’t ever seen a real ghost before. They ran away screaming and hid inside their rooms. Come morning they got up and showered and dressed then got right to work. Neither one of them mentioned what they saw to themselves or anyone else. Quan Bohai came out to help them finish their chores, and then he gave them the rest of the day off. Quan Bohai walked over to the temple and began to pray. The other men went inside to see the temple because they hadn’t seen it before. “This is beautiful” said Gao. “Shhhh, remove your shoes, and come kneel with me.” They did and then suddenly the temple filled up with a foggy cloud again just as it had the night before. All the family ancestors were standing before the three men. “Great ancestors, what is in store for us this day? Do we have peace or war?” The old, short bearded man spoke first “Prepare for a battle before the sun sets.” “Thank you oh wise one.” They all faded away. 08212011
Bohai stood up quickly and said “You two, get your shoes and follow me!” They all rushed to the temple doors and slipped on their shoes and then he led them down a path that went away from the compound to the far wall. This was built right up against the side of the mountain. There is two lamps on the wall and in the center of them is a unique pewter Maori Warrior. Face, that was as tall as the wall and wide as a cave. Bohai said “One of our ancestors received this as a gift while he was visiting New Zealand, to perfect his pottery techniques.” From around his neck he pulled out a key and slipped it into one of the eyes. The gigantic face split in two sliding open to what was a giant cave. They all walked in then the pewter doors closed behind them. They continued down the lit caved until they came to a secret hide out. 08212011
The room had cement floors that were designed with fine detailed shapes and symbols. Along the walls were these large cement pedestals. On each pedestal stood a different statue. All warriors, and all very unique. There were thirteen of them. The first one that Bohai walked up to was named Mingyu meaning bright Jade. “Mingyu controls rocks, and gems. The next one was Nianzu who can call the power forth of all the ancestors.” They continued walking to the next one. “ Lonwei is a agile warrior and he speaks to dragons. Lei controls the powers of thunder and lightening. Jian means a river, he can command all water. Hui’s brightness is blinding, he rules over the Sun. Bingwen, masters all combat arts. Dong means Winter, so he as dominion of snow, frost, and freezing. He teams up well with Jian.” They continue around the room. “Feng is a master of all pointed weapons, mostly of archery. Gen meaning roots, commands all living plants and trees. Peng rules over winged creatures. Niu the Ox, rules four legged animals. And last is Xiang who can fly and soar.” 08212011
“These warriors have sworn to protect the Quan family as a reward for all the positive and good we bring into universe. All you have to do is combine this golden statue with that silver pedestal” He picked up the golden statue, and then pointed to the silver pedestal. He walked over and set the golden statue into the perfectly matching groove of the pedestal, and then you call them by name to awaken them. You can call on all thirteen or only one. The choice and decision must be yours and yours alone.” The statue and pedestal shined brightly and then two of them both together were pure gold. Quan Bohai said “It is I Quan Bohai and I call out to you Feng, Xiang, Lei, and Lonwei to defend our home and protect our Shìlì!” Just then those statues turned into human form and jumped down off the pedestals. The marched over in a single line and then formed a single line facing Quan Bohai. “We are here to serve!” Lonwei said. “I have called you because the ancestors advise us that we will be under attack before night falls on this day. So please man your posts. Feng should you need more help I give you permission to call on any other warriors as you see fit, thanks again.” Quan Bohai said and then they all left the hide out. 08212011
The Warriors didn’t speak they simply ran out and then got into their tactical positions. One was set in the North, South, East and West ends of the compound. The family gathered for dinner as if nothing was happening. Quan Ling-Lien was kept closely to her parents. Two more hit men showed up at the compound that night. One had an incredible ability to walk on air. He jumped up and then cleared the wall in a single flip, then he landed on his feet. The other one used his rope, to scale the compound wall and enter that way. Feng shot in a few arrows at the wall scaling Ninja and missed before engaging in hand to hand combat. Lei struck his lightening and hit the other one as soon as his feet hit the Quan family soil. He fell to the ground and then rolled to his feet. The battle didn’t last long. Xiang swooped in and then knocked one out in a single blow to his head. While the other one was gobbled up by one of Lonwei’s dragons. 08212011
The knocked out Ninja came to and that’s when they freed him and sent him back to the Wan family with a message. “If they send anyone else they will desecrate the whole Wan family in less than four days time. He fled for his life and that’s exactly what he did he went to the Wan's and gave them the message. That was the last time that the Wan's ever tried to kidnap Quan Ling-Lien. The Warriors were put back into the cave until they were needed again. 08212011
Quan Ling-Lien was becoming a beautiful young woman. She was humble, and loving. There was a young man in the village who worked in the butchers for his father, that was right next door to her auntie’s shop. Each day she would walk into town and then say hi to her aunt, while she was at work. His name was Hu Bingwen. She liked to call him Hu. He called her Tao. “Auntie I am going into the gardens to see the flowers and also talk to the Koi in the pond.” “No you’re not, I know you. You are going to meet with Hu Bingwen. Have fun.” They embraced and she left. 08212011
Tao was sitting on the parks stone bench watching the Koi swim after the flower peddles that she was picking and then dropping into the pond. Before Hu could surprise her she said “I already saw you coming Hu.” “I knew that I just wanted to test you.” They hugged then kissed under the blossoming tree. After the embrace they both sat down on the bench. “So what are your plans for dinner this evening?” “I usually have dinner with the family you know that.” “Yes, but tonight I was sort of hoping that you and I could share a romantic dinner say, up on the roof top of the shop under the stars and moon.” “Okay what time do you want me there?” He looked at her and smiled “You know the answer to that question before you ask it.”08212011
They sat and watched the fish swim around in the pond on the park bench and embraced. Just then this little boy rode up to them on his tricycle. “Hey you’re a little ways from home. What are you doing here?” Hu asked. “Mommy needs your help at home.” “Okay go help her and I will see you tonight.” They hugged and kissed and she knelt down and reached into her sweater pocket and then she pulled out a piece of candy for the little boy. “Here you go sport.” They left together and she walked back home. 08212011
She had a vision of an attempt to rob her so she ducked into the nearby bushes and hid until the guy in her vision appeared. He was looking puzzled cause he couldn’t figure out where she went. She waited for him to pass her and then she jumped out and grabbed him from behind throwing him to the ground like he was a cloth doll. She got on top of him and said “What do you want?” “You already know that answer to that.” “Well, leave me alone before you lose your life.” She let him up and he ran away. 08212011
I got to the family compound and opened the gates then went inside and closed them behind me. I wanted to see what my cousin Quan Bao was doing so I went to her room and knocked on her door. “Come in.” I went inside and she was sitting at her desk fixing her hair and putting on her make-up. “Hi Cousin, are you planning on going out on a date this evening? Yes, and I am not having any luck with my make-up. Could you please help me?” “Yes of course.” I picked up her brush and then began to do her hair. Once I finished that I started on her make-up. “I can sense that you and Wú Jin are going to have a very romantic time. Just don’t get too involved too soon okay?” “Okay I wont. Are you going out tonight?” “Hu Bingwen asked me out on a rooftop date.” “Oh I think those are the most romantic of them all.” “I know it’s going to be special.” 08212011
Mother came in and she helped me get ready after I helped Quan Bao get ready. “You girls are so beautiful. The boys who get to spend an evening with you are very lucky young men.” “Cousin tomorrow is your 18’th birthday. Are you excited?” “It’s nothing special but another birthday.” “it may be just another day to you but it’s a very special day for me. You are becoming a woman and the family had some special gifts to offer you as well as a brilliant celebration in the courtyard with family and friends. I hope you plan on being here.” “Mother where else would I be?” 08222011
We were ready to go so we both rode into town on our horse drawn carriage. I dropped off Quan Bao first and said “Have fun, I will return to pick you up right here just a little before eleven.” “Thanks Cousin, have a nice time too. Love you!” “I love you too, bye.” The carriage took me into town where Hu Bingwen was standing out in front of his father’s butcher shop. He looked so anxious. “Hey” He said as he helped me out of the carriage. “You look amazingly beautiful.” “Why thank you kind sir.” He walked me up the stairs to the rooftop. There was a table with Chinese traditional hanging lanterns surrounding it. “Wow, you've really out done yourself this time Hu Bingwen.” He sat me then he sat himself. 08222011
The table was filled with really nice foods and tea, as well as some wine. He poured me a glass then himself one. "Cheers to my beautiful girlfriend. May she always have happiness knocking at her door and love in her heart." We toasted together and then began to eat. "Oh my goodness, this is delicious. Did you make this? I did with a little help from my Mom. Thanks." During dinner we didn’t really talk much because we both were too busy eating. After dinner the lighting somehow dimmed. Hu reached into his pocket then stood up and walked over to one side of me and he knelt on one knee. "I know this is an American style custom but I love it all the same. That doesn’t change the fact that is it so romantic. My dear Quan Ling-Lien, will you marry me?" I was feeling so flush in the face, I said "Wait a minute, have you asked my Father first?" "I have and he said yes, that we both have the Quan family blessings." I began to cry with complete and absolute happiness and I said "YES." 08222011
His little brother came up the stairs with the most remarkable dessert that I had ever seen. It was on fire and he set it on the table and said "Enjoy." Then he took away all the used dishes glasses, and silverware before setting down new silverware and napkins. "Thanks little brother." He smiled at him and winked at me before he left for downstairs. I wasn’t sure how to eat it so I waited to see how Hu was going to eat his. He blew out the flame and then he waited for me to do the same. One bite and I felt like I was floating in the heavens above. "What is this?" Mom calls it Orange Julius Flambé." "Please let her know that I think it is the most delectable dessert that I have ever eaten in my whole life." Once dessert was finished she sat at the table just flipping her beautiful new engagement ring around on her finger. Then a vision came to her and she saw what her life was going to be like with Hu. He walked over to her and kneeled down then he kissed her on the cheek. She came out of the vision, and turned to him and they kissed. 08222011
We stood at the edge of the rooftop overlooking the whole city and the mountains and just embraced one another. "I hate to have to go but I think I must. My cousin is going to be waiting for me at the ride side if I don’t meet her on time. Thanks you very much for a fabulous evening." We kissed again and I pulled away from him and he pulled me back in as we both were face to face and he said "I truly love you." I said "I love you too." He walked me to the carriage and helped me in. "Good Night my love." "Good night and see you tomorrow, sleep good." The carriage started to roll away and I could see by the look in Hu’s eyes that he didn’t want me to leave him. 08222011
We rolled up to my cousin who was standing on the roadside crying. I opened the door and hugged her. While I was hugging her I got a vision of everything that happened to her this evening. "Oh sweet heart, it’s simply a miss understanding. Please don’t hold anything against him. I helped her into the cart and we rolled home. Once at home I put Quan Bao to bed and kissed her on her forehead. "Tomorrow will be a better day I promise." She knew I meant what I said because I never make anyone a promise that I already know I can’t keep. 08222010
My whole family was waiting for me to come out of her room and share with them how my evening went. Grandma couldn’t sit still long enough before she ran over and pulled my ring finger up to her face. "He did good Mamma." She said and turned to Mother. "It’s breathtaking" Mom said. Father came over to me and then he said "I gain a son, and that’s always a good thing." I nodded and then said "I’m feeling really tired I think I should be off to bed now." Grandma wouldn’t let go of my hand. Instead she pulled me off to the temple where we removed our shoes and she forced me to kneel in the center of some sort of candle lit ritual looking altar. "Grandma can’t this wait until tomorrow?" "NO! In less than 28 minutes you will be 18, and it will be your birthday. I want to share this with you NOW!" "Okay, Ok, what is it? I tried to see the future and nothing came of it. "You’ve blocked me somehow." "I wanted this to be a surprise so yes I cast a little spell to black your ability to see the future temporarily. 08222011
She sat down beside me and the candles became magically brighter. I looked around and thought to myself My Grandmother has secrets that she’s not sharing. "Okay so what’s up?" She picked up a gift wrapped package and handed it to me. "Happy Birthday Shìlì." I took the package in my hand and it felt like a book. I opened it and it was a book. The front cover said " Shìlì - Book Of Witches." I said "What is this?" I opened it up and it looked like it was a book just filled with all the names of Witches. "It’s a book of Witches, past, present, and future. You are Shìlì, which means that you can call upon any name in that book and they are obligated to do as you ask, providing it’s not evil, wicked, or it has any form of Black Magic in it." "How did you come into this?" "You’re great great Grandfather, My Grandfather was the Shìlì before you. He knew you were coming and asked me to make sure you got it on your 18th birthday." 08222011
I realized that it was a little past midnight and it was now my 18th birthday. “Okay Grandma I’m going to go to bed now. I love the gift thank you.” I kissed and hugged her and then I took the book and went to my bedroom. I sat down on my bed and opened the book to the first page and I began reading it.
The way that this book works is you say this chant:
I call upon you ______name here_____, to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
I thumbed through the book until a single name caught my eye. It was Rori O’Shae. I closed my eyes and said “I call upon you Rori O’Shae, to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time. Suddenly this beautiful young woman appeared standing right beside me.
“Hi, is everything okay?” “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I hope I wasn’t interrupting you while you were doing something very important!” “Oh, no I was just doing some reading. It’s okay. Are you a Witch?” “No, I’m the Shìlì, er I mean my name is Quan Ling-Lien .” “It’s so nice to meet you The Shìlì - Quan Ling-Lien .” That made me laugh as I was shaking her hand. “So you are a Witch?” “Yes, from Emrys decent. You probably know him as Merlin?” “Oh wow, that’s really cool.” I began to explain to her about my family and the Shìlì. I told her about my birthday and the book. She sat down beside me on the bed then asked “Is there something that you needed me to do for you while I’m here?” “I don’t think so. I’m sorry I guess at first I didn’t believe that this book really worked.” “It’s okay, you can call on me anytime. I will come stand by your side.” She winked and then snapped her fingers and in that moment she vanished. 08222011
I took a pencil and I circled Rori’s name in the book. Then I wrote beside it Merlin descent, very nice, and beautiful. I wasn’t sure if I should be defacing it because no one in the history of the Shìlì ever had. Then I said to myself It’s my book not so I can do with it what ever I want. I fell asleep that night and had extremely weird dreams about some of the other Witches who’s names I saw in the book. By the morning I got up and went to the wash room. Quan Bao was in the bath tub right beside the one that I was getting ready for myself. “Happy Birthday cousin!” She said. “Oh thanks, how are you?” “I’m good thanks". I got into the tub and laid back to relax. 08220100
We were dressed and sitting at our make-up tables together. “Are you going to see Wú Jin before the party?” “Yes, I have to meet him at the top of the meadows by the little Magnolia tree.” “Okay just remember that if you talk it all out then the misunderstanding will present itself.” She finished first and then left me alone. Grandmother came in and she looked like she had a run in with a Tiger. “Grandma” I said laughing, “What happened to you?” “Oh there was a Tanuki in my room and I wrestled him to the floor and then I threw him out. I told him if he comes in again I would take his fur for my shawl.” We both laughed as she got undressed and into her bath. I went over and washed her back for her then I shampooed her hair. “You are staying here after you two get married aren’t you?” “We haven’t really talked about it, but I think chances are we will stay here. He could still help out his father with the family butcher, and meat market.” 08222011
“That’s good, because with you a Shìlì and the Guardians here, it could get a little bit complicated if you live somewhere else.” “That’s a very good point. I will need to let Hu know about all our family secrets.” “Yes, of course.” Mother came in and ran the bath beside Grandma. “Hi Mommy.” “Happy Birthday baby.” She kissed me then Grandma and then she got undressed and into her bath. I finished Grandma’s hair so I went to help my Mom. “Have you been thinking about what you want for your birthday?” “I’m not sure. I will let you know just as soon as I do, okay?” 08220011
Both Mother and Grandmother left and that’s when I was getting ready to go too. Then my older sister Quan Feng came in to take a bath so I waited and shampooed her hair and made it up for her. “Happy Birthday Sissy.” “Thank you.” “I got you a present but I can’t give it to you until the party.” “Oh thank you. You are so thoughtful and sweet.” I handed her a towel and then I asked “Do you need help with your hair?” “Only if you want to.” “You know how much I love to help you with your hair.” I sat down behind her at the make-up table and began to comb her hair. “Do you ever wish you had a younger sister?” “No not really. I have Boa even though she’s a little older than me I still feel like I’m her big sister sometimes.” 08222011
The family was busy decorating the estate and courtyard for my party. I snuck out to have a little rendezvous with Hu. We met out at the little creek where we liked to visit every now and then. There’s an old fallen down stump that sets right beside the creek and it makes a perfect spot for us to sit on. Sometimes if we’re lucky there’s a small family of bunnies that will come visit us and that’s when I take out the tiny little carrots that I picked from our vegetable garden and feed them to um. 08232011
I walked up behind Hu who was already sitting there and I snuck up behind him and quietly covered his eyes with my hands then I said in the best deep man’s voice that I could come up with “Guess Who?” “Is it Uncle Ben?” “Nope” “Is it Aunt Jemima?” “Ha, guess again.” “Okay I think it’s the pop and fresh dough boy!” He grabbed my wrists then whirled me around so he was now in front of me as I was leaning my back against the stump. “Okay you got me but I knew you were going to do that.” 08232011
He moved around the trunk and swung me around too so that we both were sitting on it and facing the creek. Just then my cousin Quan Bao went running by us crying with her face in her hands. I looked at Hu and said “I have to follow her. She could get hurt.” Then Wú Jin ran after me. Hu Bingwen ran up to him and grabbed his arm and then took him back to the trunk to sit down. I caught up with Quan Bao and said “Stop!” She stopped after she realized it was me behind her and then she buried her face into my shoulder. I hugged her and said “Ssshhh, everything will be okay. Let’s go home and then we can talk about what just happened. 08232011
I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket so I pulled it out and it was a text from Hu: Meet later tonight our secret place. I text him back: OK. We got home and I started a nice warm bath for Quan Bao. She got in and I washed her hair while she explained to me everything that was happening between her and Wú Jin. “Okay, you guys might just need some time apart. It sounds to me like the both of you aren’t listening or hearing what the other is saying and that is the main reason for all these problems.” Bao thought about it for just a moment and then she said “That makes perfect sense.” 08232011
“I would like to spend more time with you but I promised that I would meet with Hu Bingwen tonight for a little bit. After that let’s hang out okay?” “Yes I would like that.” She stood up and I toweled her off and then I wrapped her in it and kissed her forehead. “I’m going to meet with him now so that I can get back early and then we will hang out.” I quickly left the house and text Hu Bingwen: Can you meet me now? Hu Bingwen text back: Yes, of course. I got to the water tower and climbed the latter to the top. There was a wooden deck built around it that we would sit up on together and watch the sun set sometimes and then look at all the lights of the city. By the time I got up there and sat down he was already climbing up the ladder. 08232011
Hu sat right beside me and then he put his arm around me and we kissed. It was a long and romantic kiss that smacked as we pulled away. “I wish the two of them could get along the same way that we do.” “I do to and I just can’t understand why there is so much difficulties with the communication between them.” I asked her to be my brides maiden.” “Oh, and I asked him to stand up for me as my best man.” “So they should be getting along before and during the wedding at least.” “I wonder if there is something we could do to help them.” “I think I might know a way, but I have to ask first if it is okay. Once I get the word from Grandmother, then I will fill you in on what it is.” We just sat there and kissed as we both watched the sun go down. “Okay I promised my cousin I would hang out with her tonight so I am sorry but I must be going.” “Oh that’s quit all right because I wanted to hang out with Wú Jin.” We climbed down from the tower, and then hugged and kissed and went our separate ways. 08232011
By the time I got back home everything seemed so quiet. I walked around the estate and couldn’t find a single soul. In the courtyard I just sat down and closed my eyes and the concentrated on where everyone was. They all were in the temple. Things had changed drastically since the last time Quan Bao and I had talked because Wú Jin was officially asking for her hand in marriage before the heavens and earth. I quietly removed my shoes and sat down. Then I text Hu Bingwen: How long can you be here? Hu Bingwen text : Give me three minutes. I thought to myself. The only way he could get here that fast is if he all ready knew what was going on here. This made me a little irritated. First that nobody told me and then because I didn’t see this in any of my visions. 08242011
Hu Bingwen came in removed his shoes and then sat right beside me. He began touching my neck and moving my hair around. “Quan Bohai & Quan Jiao, with your consent and permission I would love to take your beautiful and wonderful daughter Quan Bao‘s hand in marriage.” The two nodded in approval, and then Quan Bao began to cry. I could tell that it was a cry of happiness filled with love. “Will you be moving in here with the family?” Grandmother asked and everyone started to laugh. “Yes, if the Quan’s would have me.” “We accept you with open arms” my parents assured him. 08242011
I had brought my book down and so it was sitting in front of me. I picked it up then opened it and I searched the names of the Witches in it who were priests. I found one so I stood up and began to speak “I am doing this in order to seal the deal. So everybody brace yourselves.”
I call upon you Paxathipatai Sayavong the High Priest, to be here right by my side.
I am the Shìlì of this current day in time. Just then he appeared. Everyone stopped to see what was going on. “Hi my name is Quan Ling-Lien the Shìlì. Here is Hu Bingwen my fiancé. Then Grandmother Quan Qiao Tao, My Father Quan Peng, My Mother Quan Zhu, My Uncle Quan Bohai, My Aunt Quan Jiao, My cousin Quan Bao, Her fiancé Wú Jin, and my older Brother Quan Huan, and my older Sister Quan Feng. I have called upon you to perform a service to us. I would like you to marry my cousin Quan Bao, her fiancé Wú Jin tonight. I will however need to request that you magically transport any relatives of Wú Jin who he wants to attend before we begin. Paxathipatai Sayavong snapped his fingers and Wú Jin’s Mother, Father and Brother all appeared. “Shall we begin?” 08242011
Wú Jin introduced his family to Paxathipatai Sayavong then he said “Please call me Paza.” He looked at me as he said that to let me know I could call on him by that name. He used his magic to decorate the whole temple in beautiful hand made tapestries as well as potted fresh flowers, along with beautiful candles, colors of blue, and red, then orange and greens. There was a harp that appeared and it began to magically play by itself. Once everyone was seated around the altar he began the ceremony. It was in our traditional Chinese language. He finished and then they exchanged rings and kissed and hugged. Everyone was crying. Even me. 08242011
After the wedding service we all went into the house where Paza had magically prepared a fiest fit for kings. We enjoyed food and drinks. Grandma was feeling a little frisky so she was trying to talk Wú Jin’s family into move right in. They were flattered but they respectfully declined. I began to tell Paza about our plans for the wedding and so I asked him “Would you mind doing this again for us when it is time?” “Of course I would. It’s my pleasure.” Paza cut his evening short but before doing so he took Wú Jin & Wú Bao, by their hands and said to us “I will have them back in two weeks.” Then the three of them vanished. 08242011
Hu Bingwen asked me “Where do you think he is taking them?” I said “To one of the most romantic and magical places in earth. It’s called Kelebekler Vadis. The Valley Of The Butterflies. It’s a reserved place in the vicinity of Fethiye, Turkey. If you can imaging a place where billions of delicate and fragile creatures are flying around you, all butterflies.” “That sounds amazing, really amazing.” We hugged and kissed then excused ourselves from the table to go sit in the courtyard together. 08242011
“So where is the most romantic place in the World that you would like to go for our honeymoon?” Hu asked “I want to go to Paris and take a sunset cruise down the seine. Spent two weeks traveling Europe” I replied. “There are so many beautiful destinations right here in China though.” “I realize that and we have our whole lives ahead of us to tour them. I want our honeymoon to be something that would be considered a once in a life time event.” “It sounds perfect to me.” 08242011
Hu stood up and then turned on a traditional Chinese song that played by his phone. He set the phone down on the cement planter’s edge and then extended his hand out to me. I knew what he was doing. He wanted to dance our choreographer dance that we made up together when we were in the talent show. The song started and I began to envision in my head each carefully planned step and movement of my hands, wrists, arms, knees, and feet. He was mirroring me from the opposite direction. We would step towards one another and then like the motions of a swan carefully brush our arm wrists then hands together before taking the step back and continuing the dance. We had no idea that the family had walked out to watch us. We continued our dance to completion and then the family clapped. Grandma whistled with her two fingers in her mouth and that’s when Hu and I began to laugh and then hug. 08252011
Father walked over and put his arm around Hu and then they walked off together. I could here him offering the guest room to him so he could stay the night and we all could wake up as a family, in the morning. He glanced back at me and then smiled. I winked then nodded with my approval. My Mom and my Aunt took my hands and we walked back inside. Wú Jin’s Mother, Father and Brother lost track of the time and it was getting late so my family convinced them to stay over as well. We shared stories, around the fireplace, in our pajamas. Uncle mad us snacks and finger foods, while we just told stories well into the morning. I was getting tired so I said my good nights and went to my room. I got into bed and that’s when Hu snuck in to tuck me in and kiss me good night. “I love you so very much.” “I love you too. Let’s meet for breakfast?” I asked and he laughed. “Where else would I be?” He left my room and then decided to stay in Quan Huan’s extra bed in his room. They were good friends too, and had been all our lives. 08252011
Quan Huan was laying in bed and said to Hu Bingwen “I can’t wait for you to be my brother in law.” “Why? We are already like brothers?” “I know but then it will become official.” “Yeah we can make lots of plans for the future together as a family.” “I want to open a saloon in town. Both me and Wú Jin. Do you want in too?” “Yes I would love to, just let me know what you will need from me.” “We have all the money, and we picked out the old building in town. All we need to do is remodel the place.” “Ok, count me in I am there. Good Night big brother.” “Sleep good little brother.” 08252011
The morning fog slowly burned away and the roosters began to crow. One by one the family stated to wake up. Grandmother and Uncle Quan Bohai were already preparing breakfast for everyone. I got up and decided that I wanted cinnamon rolls so I made the dough then the glaze and popped them in the oven. The smell traveled through the entire estate and before we knew it they were finished. Even Quan Sheng and Quan Gao were drawn to the smell of the fresh pastries and came in to see what was going on. I had made enough for everyone. We all sat down and shared breakfast and hot coffee and tea. 08252011
After breakfast was finished and cleaned up everyone went out into the courtyard and we did Tàijíquán our version of Tai Chi Chuan together. Grandmother led us as usual. We finished and then the men went to the male washrooms and the women to theirs. Mom and Grandmother took showers while I took a bath. I got dressed and then went back out to the courtyard. Hu Bingwen met me out there and said “I really should go get some work in with my Father. I will check back in with you after that okay?” “Yes of course.” We hugged and kissed and he said “I had a really nice time, thanks.” Then he went out the compound gates. 08262011
Since I hadn’t made any plans for my day I decided to experiment with the book. I opened it up and then I read through the names. I came across an interesting name so I said:
I call upon you Douglas Peter Bertrand , to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
He magically appeared. “Hi Douglas.” “Hi Shìlì?” “Yes, I am the Shìlì. I’m sorry my name is Quan Ling-Lien. Are you any relation to Rori O’Shae?” “Yes she is my Great Grand Daughter.”
“Oh I know her, she’s very sweet.” “What could I do for you today?” “I have been doing a littler reading up on your son Doug. He has the ability to transfer powers. Is this something that you have the ability to do as well?” “I don’t like to share that secret with anyone but yes.” he grabbed my arm and then the two of us lit up in a brilliantly eye blinding light. When he let go I never felt the same again inside. “What happened?” “I just transferred powers to you. It’s official, you are the very first Shìlì to become a witch.” He snapped his fingers and left me. 08272011
Apparently I was still glowing because when Grandmother came out to the courtyard she said “Quan Ling-Lien! What have you done?” “What?” “You’re glowing like a glow worm.” I took my fingers and snapped them and my clothes changed into traditional Chinese Geisha. Suddenly an old Wizard looking Chinese man appeared and then said “You have magic powers Shìlì ?” “Yes who are you?” “I’m the person who designed this book and created the Shìlì. If you have powers than you won’t be needing this!” He snatched the book right out of my hands and vanished. Grandmother just looked at me with a disgusted look on her face. “What did I do? Nobody told me I couldn’t have magic.” “You are the Shìlì, you should have seen that coming. Also, with out the book our ties that bind us to the Shìlì are broken.” 08272011
We both sat down on the bench in the courtyard. “Wow I really messed things up haven’t I?” Grandmother put her arm around me and said “Maybe not.” She left me and went into the temple. I decided to see what she was up to so I went into the temple too. She lit the candles and said a chant and that old man reappeared. “Quan Qiao Tao why have you called for me?” Master Wei Wei, Our bloodline is the Shìlì. Regardless to weather we have the powers or not. I feel that you should return the book and the Shìlì birthrights to my Grand daughter. After all this something that has been in our bloodlines for over 2 millenniums.” “I suppose you are right. I’m sorry I think I made a hasty decision.” He reached his arms out with the book in hand and then passed it back to me. “You are the Shìlì and that means you are burdened with great responsibilities. Don’t screw up!” He said to me in a stern manner then vanished. 08272011
I took the book and sat down beside Grandmother. “Thanks for doing that.” “I want you to honor your ancestors, and always, always do the right thing.” She hugged me and then kissed me and went back into the house. I decided to read the book cover to cover so that I was clear on what the Shìlì’s responsibilities were and if there were any rules that I should have known about. After finishing the book, half a day had passed and I was getting hungry. I went inside to eat. After dinner Hu Bingwen showed up and I explained what had happened. 08272011
“Wow, I just wonder how you didn’t see any of that beforehand?” I’m not sure but Grandmother thinks it’s some sort of blockage. It may have something to do with our wedding plans.” “I’m happy to take all the time you need for the wedding. There’s no real need to be in a hurry.” We kissed and embraced then I said “I think I just want it all behind me so that you and I can start to build our life together.” 08282011
The two seeks passed and Paxathipatai Sayavong returned with Wú Jin & Wú Bao. They both looked like two very different people. So grown up, and filled with love and life. I got up and hugged Wú Bao. “I missed you. How was it?” Hu got up and hugged Wú Jin and they walked off into the garden to talk. “It was amazing, and so beautiful.” “I’m so happy for you, Wú Bao. Do you guys need help moving in Wú Jin?” “Nope, it’s all done magically with a little help from Paxathipatai Sayavong.” “I will see you again on your wedding day, take care, and good bye.” “Good bye Paza.” We embraced and he pulled away and then he said “How? Ah I see you found a loop hope that got you around the red tape. Good for you!” He snapped his fingers and vanished. “What’s he talking about Quan Ling-Lien ?” I magically made a bouquet of flowers appear and then I handed them to Wú Bao. “I didn’t ask for it, it just happened. I called on a powerful Witch related to Doug Parker and Rori then he gave the craft.” 08282011
“Is that allowed?” “I’m not allowed to ask them to and I didn’t. I asked if he had the power to do it and rather then tell me he showed me. That’s the loophole that Paza mentioned. I’m the first Shìlì’ to be a Witch too.” “Wow that’s very cool. A new breed of Shìlì’.” “Yeah I just hope I can always do the right thing.” “Oh you will I have all the faith in the World in you.” “Awe thanks cousin, I did miss you.” We walked off into the house and then she greeted her parents and the family. Grandmother called over Wú Jin’s family and we all had a nice dinner together. 08282011
The time came for our wedding day. Both Hu Bingwen and I decided to have it out at our favorite spot right beside the creek. It was a sunny day and Father had a team of people come in and set up tents for the reception, and chairs and decorations for the wedding. There was a beautiful flower covered archway that we were going to stand under right in front of the creek. All the family and friends were attending. Grandmother was seating everyone with my older brother and sister. Wú Jin & Wú Bao were expecting parents, Wú Bao was along my about six months. Grandmother helped them to their seats and she sat up in front with her belly up and both her legs spread out and apart. When I walked up the aisle with Father and saw her like that I laughed to myself and thought hey that’s how you got like that cousin. I looked right at her up there and she giggled as if she heard me thinking that and she agreed. 08282011
Paxathipatai Sayavong began the ceremony. “Do you Hu Bingwen take Quan Ling-Lien to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, through richer and through poorer, through sickness and through health until death do you part?” Hu Bingwen looked deep into my eyes and with a smile he held both my hands inside his and I could feel his heart beating in harmonious synchronicity with mine. “I do.” “Do you Quan Ling-Lien take Hu Bingwen to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, through richer and through poorer, through sickness and through health until death do you part?” “Yes, I do” I said. “Then with the power vested in me by the Holy Sacred Creator of Life. I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride.“ We kissed a long and very romantic, loved filled kiss then Paza continued “Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to introduce to you Mr. And Mrs. Hu Bingwen.” We took a bow while everyone clapped and he said “Let the festivities begin.” He clapped his hands and then there was a live band and a dance floor out on the grass beside the tents. Along with them appeared a full wet bar and a flowing champagne fountain. 08282011
The family and friends were all having such a great time. Hu Bingwen couldn’t get me away fast enough deep into the garden where we could be alone. “Well Hu Ling-Lien, how do you like your new name?” He asked as we both sat on a stone bench. “I love it, my dear husband.” We kissed and just sat there happy as can be. “So, I have a surprise for you. With a little careful planning and some help from Paxathipatai Sayavong and Grandmother, we are leaving here in only a few hours. Your bags and things are already packed and waiting for us where we’re going.” I was so excited. I wanted to block out any visions so that I could truly enjoy the thrill of the surprise. “Don’t worry Paxathipatai Sayavong blocked it so you can not see where or what it is.” 08282011
We kissed and hugged in the garden up until Hu’s little brother found us. “Hey you guys Grandmother asked me to tell you that they need you back at the wedding party.” We finished kissing and then rushed back to the party following close behind. I heard the announcer say that the first dance was starting. The band played our song and Father took my hand and danced with me first then he handed me over to Hu. Grandmother swapped Hu’s hand with his little brother. Mother and Father were dancing with us too then everyone came out to dance. 08282011
I didn’t feel like entertaining. All I wanted to do was to run away with my new husband and explore in romance and love. The end of the night came and the family and friends all were ready to see us off. I had expected Paza to take us magically away but he didn’t. He hugged us and kissed us and stepped back to watch. We finished with our goodbyes and thank yous and then my husband threw down something to the ground. This thick gray cloud of smoke circled around us and just swirled from our feet to our heads. As it cleared there we were. Standing at the most beautiful Mountain and countryside that I had ever seen. There was a beautiful waterfall that fell down into a lagoon down below. We walked up the stone pathway to a very small cottage just off the side of the Mountain. Hu pushed open the door and then he picked me up and carried me over the threshold to the inside. He carefully set me to my feet after a long kiss and I just looked around in amazement. “What is this place?” “This is a place that both Paxathipatai Sayavong and I magically created for the honeymoon.” “But how?” I was so confused. “Well, while you were busy with planning the wedding Paxathipatai Sayavong was training me to become a magical Wiccan. I studied with him for the past six months. I got the go ahead from my Father. So when you thought I was helping him in the meat market I was really in training. He took me to a small island off the Mediterranean Sea, and then brought me home so nobody would know. He also blocked you from seeing this future and that’s why you have been blocked all along is because of him. 08282011
“Oh Hu this place is like a slice of heaven. I love it!” Off to the far corner of the cottage was a two persons hot tub that was already on and ready. To the left there was a fireplace that was self burning and it glistened with twinkling flames, off the wooden pieces that sat on the iron rack. In the dining area there was a beautiful table that was already set for two. We couldn’t get out of our clothes fast enough and into that hot tub. Once inside of it, Hu waved his hands and a bottle of champagne and two flutes floated over. I magically popped the cork, and just smiled at him while he continued to pour into the glasses. He handed me mine then he took his and the bottle floated back over to the table and set itself down. He scooted closely beside me and put one arm around me then he said “To us.” We clinked and sipped. I was so impressed with everything. “I planned two weeks worth of things to do, but if you and I decide at anytime not to do something and just stay in like this then hey, it’s a-okay with me.” “It’s a-okay with me too.” I melted in his arms and was so thoroughly happy. I couldn’t ever remember a time in my life were it was equal or better than how I was feeling right at this very moment.
08282011
The cottage was filled with all sorts of magical things. If you thought about something that you craved for instance I was thinking about Grandmothers delicious pork buns. POOF they just appeared, and I would nibble on them. Hu was thinking about fresh oysters, with dipping sauce. I knew what was on him mind. I was recalling something that both Mother and Grandmother told me about in two different times. “Now if you want to have a very good time the night of your honeymoon, well then this is what you need to do.” Suddenly the tea mixed with all the ingredients appeared and so I handed it to Hu. “Here drink this. I promise you will like it. He drank it down quickly and then handed the cup back to me. It vanished in my hand and then the most peculiar look came across his face. He wanted to get out of the hot tub right away. I sat back and watched him moving so quickly to get a towel and cover up. He ran over to the bed and then jumped in. I got out dried off with my towel and then wrapped it around me and walked over to the bed. I smiled, dropped that towel to the floor and then climbed into bed beside him.We made love all night long. 08282011
After that night we both managed to sleep just about 16 hours our first night. “Hey what was that stuff you gave me? “Oh it’s an old family traditional tea called Honeymoon tea.” “I approve ten thousand percent!” We hugged and kissed in bed, then we both got up and went back into the hot tub. After that we were thinking about foods. Hu said “You ready to go to dinner?” “I think so, where will we go?” “Here take my hand.” I held his hand and before I knew it we were in Paris, France. “Oh I am so excited! Thank you!” We hugged then kissed right under the Eiffel tower. 08282011
We walked from there to a really nice place to eat. It was a little walk along the waters edge, then we came to this small building with a single door with only a small window. “Mr. And Mrs. Hu Bingwen” Hu said to the man who was standing outside the door. He opened it and then we walked inside. Once inside it was again a small place. There was a little bar alongside the wall and a waiter walked up then said “Right this way s'il vous plaît.” We walked up stairs to a small balcony with one bistro table and two chairs. He seated us and then I looked down. There was a small theater stage with its curtain drawn shut. The waiter came back and served us water and wine, then a platter of cheese, fresh fruits and fresh baked breads. 08282011
The lighting came on down below and then the curtains opened. There were four players on stage and it looked like it was a old apartment setting. The four were sitting at the dining room table, and eating what appeared to be dinner.
“So Mom, is it okay if I go out to the movies tonight?” The young teenaged boy asked. The young girl at the table interjected “If he’s going out then I want to go out too.” The Father said “You still have your homework to do young lady. You’re not going anywhere.” “Oh Mom that’s not fair.” The Mother finished serving herself and said, “Yes Son you can go out but I want you to stay away from Rue Newton, and take the alternate route.” “Okay Mom I will.” He really wasn’t paying attention and he just quickly ate his dinner and then he asked to be excused from the table. He got his things and left the kitchen. The curtains closed and then they reopened for scene two.
Same setting only off to the side, he says his goodbyes and then leaves the apartment. The curtains close and then the scene is on the streets of Paris. He’s walking by himself when four boys come up to him and start to bully him. He says, “Hey leave me alone.” They push him and call him names. He tries to defend himself but he fails. The boys beat him to the ground and search him for money and take his jacket and shoes. The lights go up and focus on the street sign Rue Newton, then the curtains close.
Scene three the family is in a hospital room beside a bed where the young boy is laying in, he is in a coma. “Oh why has this happened?” The Mother says crying while holding her sons hand.
The Father says “I am going to find them and get back at them.” The sister agrees, and then the Mother says, “If we are going to do it we have to act quickly.” They all agree to go search for these four young men who beat their son into unconsciousness. The curtains close and the next scene take place where the crime was committed. 08292011
The curtains reopen and the scene is at Rue Newton. The spot light sits on the sign and sends a haunting chill down the Mother’s spin as she reads it and then recalls the night before at the dinner table when she specifically told her Son to avoid it.
“Okay everyone look for some clues.” The daughter said while holding a giant magnifying glass. “Rachel stop goofing around this is no joking matter.” Her Mother barked at her. “Honey she’s only trying to help.” “I know I’m sorry. I’m just so angry.” She begins to cry while the Father takes her in his arms to comfort her. “Look I found something!” Rachel exclaimed. “What is it?” Her Mother rushed over to see.” “I think it’s an ipod.” The Father gets so excited and runs over to grab it out of Rachel’s hands. He takes it and thumbs through it to see who it is registered to. “There’s a name.” he explains. “We could locate him and find the others.” “I’m going to beat the living tar out of these boys. Just wait until I get my hands on them and their parents. I am going to really let them all have it.” Mother said with a vengeance. “No Mom, we’re going to do the right thing and turn this into the police as evidence.” The curtains close as they prepare for the next scenes.
“What do you think of the play so far?” “It’s very dramatic. I am enjoying it thank you.” The server came over and brought them their dinners and refilled their glasses with wine, and water. Then he left. The curtains opened and the next scene took place at the local police station. 08292011
“Okay we ran a background check on the registered owner of this ipod and one of the officers realized who these group of boys could be. Since there’s no way to identify them with a witness at this time I’m very sorry to say there’s not much we can do right now.” “Oh my God you have got to be joking!“ The Mother looks at her husband in disgust, she continues “Honey please tell me this isn’t happening.” “Mister officer, I employ you to see our perspective about this situation. What if this was one of your children who was beating with in an inch of his life?” The police officer didn’t say one word. He simply acted like his note with the information fell off the counter while he wasn’t paying attention then he said “I will let you know if anything changes. Please keep me posted when your son is recovered to testify. “I am so frustrated, honey what will we do now?” “I have an idea, ssshhh.” The family left the police station and then they curtains closed for the following scene. 08292011
We finished our dinner and sat quietly at the table while the server cleared everything for us and then the curtains reopened and the family was in the same block where their son was assaulted. Mother was hiding behind the garbage can, the daughter was hiding behind the Father who was hiding behind a parked car. “SSssshhhh, don’t anybody say a word. I think that’s them coming up the street.” By the time group of boys got up to the car, the Mother couldn’t control herself and she grabbed one of the boys by his ear. A few of them ran off as the Father went after them. The sister had a baseball bat in her hands and she cornered the last one trying to run for it. “You guys jumped my brother last night and now he’s in the hospital dying.” The young man denied such accusations, and then the mother showed him the ipod. “Is this yours?” “Yes, I dropped it. Please could I have it back?” The squeezed the other boys ear hard and tight as he wiggled around in discomfort. “NO, not until you admit what you did to my Son last night.” The Father came back with the other missing two boys and the family cornered them all against the wall in the alley. “I have half a notion to break each and every one of your knee caps.” Rachel said. “Look Rachel” one boy said. “You know these boys?” The Mother asked as she tried desperately to control her temper. “Yes Mom, I know all of them.” He continued “We didn‘t know he was your brother. We’re sorry. What can we do to make it up to you and him?” 08292011
The Mother and Father were whispering amongst themselves while Rachel continued to talk to the boys. “I want you to formally apologize to my parents. Then I want you to go apologize to my brother in the hospital. I own all of you, and if you step out of line I will spread the truth to everyone all over school and you guys reputations will be ruined.” The boys agreed and apologized to the Parents. The curtains closed and then the next scene was back at Rachel’s brother’s bedside. “Hey, Man we know you can’t hear us or maybe you can. We came by to say how sorry that we were and we want to help you get better.” 08292011
Curtains closed and the following scenes were at the family apartment. The Mother had each boy doing chores for her at the house, one was cleaning the kitchen, the other washing and folding their laundry, another cleaning the bedrooms, and the last one was polishing the silver. Roger was feeling much better and so on their break he asked them why they beat him up. One boy spoke up and said “We thought you were gay and we didn’t like that.” Another guy said, “We’re sorry it was a mistake.” Before the dessert had arrived the boys were at the apartment every day doing chores for the family. One of them took an interest in Rachel while another one began to have feelings for Roger. The final scene. Everyone is sharing dinner at the table with the family and they are all talking about how their days went as if they were one big happy family…..curtains close. Restaurant applauds. Curtains reopen the cast and crew take a bow. Dessert arrives and then the stage crew cleans up while the couple finish their dessert. 08292011
“What did you think of the play?” Hu asked. “Oh it was okay. I prefer comedy to drama.” “Yeah, maybe next time. I really didn’t know what the play was about. I just thought it was a nice way to spend dinner.” “Oh it was really nice, thank you. It gets me thinking about when we have kids. What if one of our children is gay?” “I don’t care if they are gar or straight as long as they are healthy, and happy.” We got up from the table and thanked the waiter as he was cleaning up then we left the restaurant. 08292011
We walked down the street and turned onto another street. I realized that the name of the street was the same as the one in the play. “Honey you see that street sign?” “Oh shit, yeah….what the hell?” The light was shining on the street sign “Rue Newton”. I grabbed my husbands hand and snapped my fingers and we were both back at the little mountain cottage. 08292011
“Honey that street being next to the theater restaurant really creeped me out. Did it to you too?” “Yes it did seem just a little too ironic.” We both sat down on the bed beside one another. “I’m so tired I think I’m just going to get into bed.” “Yes I am too.” he said then we kissed and got ready for bed. I fell asleep so quickly in my husbands arms that night and I slept the whole night through. 08302011
In the morning I could hear the beautiful birds chirping and singing outside the window. I got up and showered then after I got dressed I just sat out at the front of the cottage looking down at the waterfall, and the wonderful landscaping. Hu came out in his pajamas then he squatted down behind me and held me in his arms. He kissed me on my neck after he pushed my hair out of the way. I asked “What do you have planned for today?” “Today we are just going to take it easy and do what ever is our hearts content.” 08312011
“I think I would like to go out on a boat ride somewhere.” Hu stood up and ran inside then after about fifteen minutes he was showered, dressed and ready to go. He took me by the hand and snapped his fingers and we were out at a boat dock in Norway. “Wow would you just look at the views?” There were panoramic views of mountains and greenery everywhere we looked. “This is stunning.” We climbed into a little boat and then Hu started the engine and he helped me aboard, then we rode off into the lake. 09012011
While we were sitting there in the boat he began to tell me all about his plans that he had for us and our new shared future together. It all sounded so nice and too good to be true. I went over to his side of the boat and we held each other together in our arms. Somehow there was a large wake that came over to the boat and it caused the boat to tip. I got up in a rush to catch my balance and then before I knew it I had fallen into the water. Hu tried to catch me and he fell in after me. In no time at all we both were magically transformed into living, breathing fish. I was shocked to see him and then to see me. We could still speak and so I asked him what in the hell had happened. He didn’t have an answer. We just decided to swim around the lake and see what was under water. 09022011
“This is sort of fun and fantastic all at the same time.” I said to Hu. “Yes who knew things could be so beautiful down here?” We continued checking the underwater life out and exploring up until a bigger fish realized we could be a delicious lunch for him. He went after Hu first. I was in a panic, and couldn’t think fast enough to try and get us out of this. Hu swam right beside me and said “Hurry, follow me.” So we swam as fast as our fins could take us up until we saw the bottom of our boat. Hu said “Now, follow me I’m going to leap back inside the boat.” So he went first I followed and as soon as our fins touched the inside of the boat we changed back into our human selves. The bigger fish leaped out of the water after me and he landed into the boat. Hu grabbed him and tossed him into the bucket. “Ironic isn’t it?” “What’s that?” “At first we were his lunch and now he is ours.” 09032011
We just laughed together as Hu drove the boat back into the dock. I was feeling very fishy and smelly, so I couldn’t wait to get back to the cabin and take a nice long hot bath. Hu prepared the fish we caught for lunch with steamed rice and fresh garden picked vegetables. I just soaked in a nice hot tub for as long as I could before Hu made me get out to eat. I just put on a robe and some slippers and then joined him at the little table in the center of the dining room. 09042011
Hu was a real romantic gentlemen. He lit candles and decorated the table with fresh picked wild flowers. We shared our lunch together, and then he said “What would you like to do next?” I was thinking a little bit then I said “You take your shower and change then we can out to a place that I had in mind this time.” So he finished eating, then left me to get ready. I decided to magically clean up since I was into my new powers. It wasn’t as easy as I had imagined. 09052011
The floor was still a little wet so I just quickly used a towel with my feet and wiped it dry before Hu could catch me. He came out in a really nice touristy outfit, and the I said “Okay close your eyes, no peaking” Then I tossed the damp towel with my foot into the nearby bucket and slipped on my sandals and then we magically disappeared. 09062011
I was always curious about The Valley Of The Butterflies. It’s a reserved place in the vicinity of Fethiye, Turkey. It’s called Kelebekler Vadis. Both Wú Jin & Wú Bao spoke so much about it after their honeymoon. I had to see it for myself. I said “Don’t open your eyes.” I kept mine closed too. The butterflies were landing all over us. “What is that? It feels like tiny little silky legs. I can also feel a slight breeze.” “Okay open your eyes.” We both did and I looked at him and he looked at me and we both were covered in butterflies. 09062011
I almost was afraid to take a single breath for fear they would get scared and fly away. They didn’t. They stayed on us as we walked closer together. The moment he reached for my hand they flew off them and we were able to grip our hands together. Then some how magically we turned into one of them only a little bit larger and we flew around with them all over the beautiful landscape. 09062011
With one swift movement we all were in synchronicity and harmonized our flights in mid air together. I tried to keep up with Hu but he was a little ahead of the group. Suddenly a net came and swept him and a few others up into it and then a woman took them and closed them up into some clear plastic box. She quickly got onto her mule and rode off. I couldn’t keep up to her. I was losing them. I stopped chasing them and thought for a moment. Then I magically transformed back into myself and went straight back to the cabin for my book. I got the book in hand but I was in such a panic that I couldn’t think about who I was calling. I said:
I call upon you , Anya Slovic to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
She magically appeared and said “Hi, oh honey don’t cry. How can I help you?” I started to say “I am the Shìlì” but she interrupted me. “No need for introductions right now. What can I do to help you?” I was crying so hard I found it too difficult to tell her in words so I grabbed her arm and showed her what happened. With out hesitations he magically transported us to the place where that woman was and were Hu was being held. The woman walked into the room and said “Who are you and what are you doing here.” “Again with the introductions.” Anya, moved quickly and freed all the trapped butterflies, and bugs, insects and other rare species from their cages. “I’m here to tell you if you don’t find another hobby, you will regret the day you trapped your first things.” She waved another arm and Hu was transformed back into himself and he fell to the floor. I ran over crying and hugged him. “Are you okay?” “Yeah just a little scratch.” He snapped his fingers and the woman turned into a butterfly and flew away with the rest of them. 09062011
Anya winked then magically disappeared. “I never got to introduce myself to her.” “Maybe you will need her again sometime.” We transported ourselves back to the cottage and I was really leery about going anywhere else for now. “We can stay in and watch some movies and just cuddle if you like.” Hu said hugging me. I was just sobbing and scared at the possibility that I might have lost him forever. We kissed and undressed, made love, and then took a bath together. After the bath we got into our casual silk Asian wear and then sat down on the futon to watch a movie together. 09062011
I fell asleep in Hu’s arms. He managed to wiggle away with out me waking up then he went back to the spot where he changed that woman into a butterfly. He found her, and then changed her back into her human form. “I hope you learned a very valuable lesson today.” She apologized and then left. He returned and I woke up. “Oh the movie’s over? I think we should go to bed.” We went straight to bed and then I had strange dreams all night long. 09062011
Hu woke up first, and I heard him making noise in the kitchen so I put on my towel and walked in to see what he was doing. He was preparing breakfast for us. “Good morning.” He said with a kiss. “Hi, good morning.” “You were sleeping a little restless last night. I thought if you slept in it would help.” “Why what time is it?” “It’s 10:30 AM. “ 09062011
After breakfast, we discussed what we wanted to go do for the day. I said “This has been wonderful, however I am feeling a little home sick. Could we just return home today?” “Oh of course we can, anything you want to do is fine with me.” We cleaned up then got our bags together and returned to the Quan Compound. Grandmother was the first one to see us return and she was very happy to have Hu planning on his move. “Is there anything I can do to help you?” “Nope Grandma, I got it covered.” He snapped his fingers and all his things were in our room. 09062011
The family had a big welcome home party for us and invited Hu’s parents and brother, as well as other close friends to the family. Mother was looking a little troubled so I cornered her alone and asked what was the matter. My blocked intuitions suddenly became unblocked and I saw everything that was troubling her. “OH no, how long has this been going on?” “Please don’t get involved. This is a problem between your Father and I only.” Father had been carrying on an affair with a single widowed woman in town, who owned a local bakery. 09062011
Anger was all I could feel right now. A part of me wanted to hunt that woman down and confront her while the other part wanted to confront my Father. “I will bite my tongue and do my best to allow you to handle this. If things get to be too much for you, then I will be forced to step in. I love you Mother.” We both hugged in the corner alone, and it was a genuine moment between me and Mother. 09062011
After that, I always knew when my Father planned to see this woman. I did everything I could to distract him or prevent him from seeing her. This worked for a very long time up until I was distracted with other things and they managed to slip through my radar. This is when she had confessed to Father that she was pregnant for the first time and she was carrying his child. Once that vision came through I was so sickened to my stomach that I couldn’t move. 09062011
Hu could tell that something was really wrong and I didn’t want to tell him. I told him anyway and so he left in a hurry and met up with my Father. “Dad, why are you doing this to Mom?” “I never meant to hurt anyone, it just happened. I wish I could turn back time and make it so it never happened but now there’s another life involved.” “She’s a bit old to be having a baby, and you’re not a spring chicken anymore either.” “I know, I will just wait to see how things turn out.” 09062011
The lady went into the local hospital early to have the baby. Father went in with Hu, Uncle Quan Bohai, Quan Huan, Quan Sheng , & Quan Gao all for moral support. The doctor came out with a new born boy in his hands and handed him to Father then he said “I’m so sorry the Mother didn’t make it. We did all we could to save her. She simply wasn’t strong enough to survive.” Father cried that day. Hu said he wasn’t sure if they were tears of sadness or of joy. 09062011
He came home with the baby in his arms and Mother took him in her arms as if he was her own. He named him Quan Lee. I could see a definite family resemblance. Over time Quan Lee grew up to be a very troubled little boy. I spent most of my free time trying to keep him out of trouble. I called him trouble instead of Quan Lee because he was always in trouble no matter what. 09062011
He just turned 7 and I found myself pregnant. I had a baby girl who was so peaceful and good natured, that the two of them were as different as night and day. I named her Hu Ai. She was a fast learner and began walking at about a year and five months. She was talking shortly after that. Quan Lee always looked after her and they grew up hanging out most of the time. 09062011
Both Hu Bingwen and I trained them in the art of magic while Grandmother and Father taught them the skillful ways of the Quan. Quan Lee and Hu Ai were a superior force by the time they were young adults. They did not have an interest in love or romance. They lived for the next adventure. Our house was full. Our lives were full and everything seemed to be very happy. 09062011
Over time our businesses flourished. We purchased surrounding properties and expanded the Quan family compound. It was the largest per square foot palace in all of China. We had become self sufficient and self sustaining, with the use of wind and solar powered generators. The Quan compound had all the meat, poultry, wheat’s, grain’s, rice, vegetables, and fruits that they could ever need all with in the walls of the estate. If we couldn’t store the excess then we sold it to friends or helped the less fortunate. 09062011
In the next five years though the stock market crashed and many local shops went out of business. Aunt Quan Jiao closed her Taylor shop and worked from out of the estate. Hu’s father’s store closed and he moved his business back to their farm. Thing got worse for them and they sold the farm and then finally took Grandmother’s offer to move in, and so did Wú Jin’s Mother, Father and Brother. Everyone helped each other out on the property. 09062011
Things became so bad for other less fortunate people that thief’s, beggars and criminals were always trying to enter over our borders and take from us. Grandmother summoned the Guardian Warriors each and every night to watch over the estate while the family slept. Aunt Quan Jiao and Grandmother and Mother would all go out and supply the families who were hit the hardest with recycled clothing, extra foods, and supplies. 09062011
One of the people that they had run into was this very thin young man. He looked like skin and bones. He was barely walking on his own two feet and it was difficult for him to speak. Grandmother and Mother grabbed him and took him home with them immediately. They had Uncle Quan Bohai make him up something special that he could keep down and it would help him to feel better. As soon as I saw him I was devastated by how bad he looked. I hurried to get my book and then I used it and summoned a wiccan healer:
I call upon you Master Wizard Emrys, the most powerful Wizard of all time to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
When he appeared he greeted me with a hug and then he touched the thin man on his arm then he asked him what his name was? “My name is Zhang Huichong” As he replied he magically repaired into the healthy and strong man who he had once been. I realized by the way the two men were looking deeply into each other’s eyes that they were not strangers. “Emrys do you Zhang Huichong?” “Yes I have been taking an interest in him though my crystal ball and then I lost sight of him for the past few months. Our paths have magically crossed before. How are you feeling now Son?” “I feel so much better thank you.” Emrys kissed his forehead, then stood up and touched my hand. He said “You now have the power to heal as I do.” Then he vanished in a large cloud of smoke. 09062011
I was so curious to hear about Zhang Huichong’s story. The family sat down together and just became captivated by his tale. “I was captured by a family who has a fortress on the South side of China. They run a factory, and many other illegal businesses and they buy and trade slaves to keep the production costs down. I was captured by them. They used some old black magic witch to remove my natural powers, and then they tortured me until I gave in to their demands of becoming one of their slaves. I managed to escape with the help of two fully clothed Ninja’s who broke all the slaves out in the middle of the night. I traveled here with the hopes to find work and a place to live.” I was noticing that my little half brother and daughter were looking at one another and smiling. Just then I realized that they were the ones who dressed up like Ninjas and rescued the slaves. I took my hand and grabbed Zhang Huichong’s arm and the whole entire vision of who he was and what had happened rushed into my head like the rushing waters of a broken damn. 09062011
“You have a home here with us.” Mother said to him. Grandmother took him by the hand and showed him to his living quarters, as well as getting him fresh clean clothes. “You two want to tell me what you were doing over there?” “No, it’s better you don’t know everything.” They both said. My energy level was drained so I decided to go to bed early. I went to bed and then Hu followed shortly after. 09062011
I was the last to wake up the next morning. The whole clan was out in the courtyard doing the Tàijíquán. I joined in and then after the sessions were over everyone sat down for a good hearty meal. I was planning on investigating the family in Southern China who was using slavery as a primary source to run their business. I got out my book and this time I called a group to help me:
I call upon you Master Wizard Emrys, the most powerful Wizard of all time, Rori O’Shae, Ben Preston, Doug Parker, Matthew & Timothy Collins, Luis Parker, Anya Slovic, David Preston, Donna Preston, Toni Preston, Troy Preston, Stephan Gustafson to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
All thirteen Witches and Wizards appeared, and then I briefed them on the situation as well as introduced them to the whole clan. “Thank you for coming. I would like to get in and out as quickly as possible with little or not confrontation. Once we figure out the layout then we will all return here and devise a plan of attack.” I looked specifically at Myrddin Emrys when I said that. 09072011
“What I’m not going to do anything radical.” He said with a smile and then he winked at Rori. We all split up and surrounded the Wan Family Company compound then each group of two entered the premises magically mapping out everything they saw. I was teamed up with Stephan. We both went in using our powers of invisibility. We got inside and went the deepest to really see what the operations looked like. There were underground tunnels, caves, and holding cells with slaves inside and guards posted every now and then. 09072011
Emrys did what he wanted, and used his magic to exchange all the slaves with the Wan family farm animals and then he cast a spell on everyone who gazed upon them to see them as human slaves. Doug and Ben went after the Patriarch and Matriarch of the family and they placed a curse on them so that they could no longer give orders to any of the other family members. Anya and Luis destroyed all their crops and prevented the land to become fertile. David and Donna together wiped out the complete factory and their production lines. Toni and Troy convinced the innocent Wan family members to flee the compound before it was too late. Matthew and Timothy removed all the valuables and stashed cash and then donated it to the poor in the run down city. We returned to the Quan palace and then I thanked everyone for their help and they all returned to where they were before I called on them for help. 09072011
The very next thing we did is we magically redesigned the Wan palace as a homeless shelter and then hired the staff and doctors to come in and run the safe haven. There was enough land there to have the people who lived there work it and grow rice and other foods in the gardens to make money and profit from it. As for the Wan family, the guilty ones were put in prison and the innocent ones traveled across China seeking refuge. 09082011
“I don’t think we will be having any more trouble with the Wan family.” Grandmother said while we were all sitting at the table for dinner. “I don’t know they seem to always find a way to get into trouble so, we shall see.” I replied. “I’m just glad that the area where they lived can clean itself up and become a good thriving place to live for so many unfortunate people.” Mother said. 09092011
After dinner Wú Jin, Wú Bao, Hu Bingwen and I all sat out on the stone bench beside the running creek under the cherry blossom trees and took in the majesty of the sounds, smells and beauty of our garden. We were both arm in arm and no one cared to speak. I kissed Hu and then I could here them kissing too. 09102011
Suddenly I smelled an aroma that traveled from the house of Grandmothers special tea that she would make in the evenings every now and then. The smells were longan aril, red dates, wolfberry or ginseng, hawthorn fruit , tangerine peel, chrysanthemum, Sichuan lovage , cassia seed, lotus plumule, albizia flower, rose bud and jasmine. Wú Bao and I looked at one another with smiles and then we quickly took our men by their hands and guided them up the stairs and into the house. 09112011
Once inside Grandmother had set up a small table out in the center of the open room, and pillows around that on the floor and we all removed our shoes and then walked over to sit down. “Hi children, this is my World famous tea. I want you to enjoy it just as much as I do.” “Thank you Grandma. Both Wú Bao and I said at the same time. Then men smiled at her and nodded their heads as she carefully leaned over them to pour their tea. Then she poured ours and kissed us all on our foreheads and left us alone. 09122011
I could remember as a child if I had a really bad or emotional day that Grandmother would prepare this tea for me and then the night I slept it was so tranquil and relaxing. Hu sipped his a couple times before he commented “This tea is amazing.” Then Wú Jin said “I have never tasted anything so delightful before. The aroma is so unique.” Wú Bao said “It’s a combination of things that make the tea so very magical.” 09132011
Just as we all finished our tea Grandmother came back into the room and she began to clean up and put things away, with out saying a word. “I’m ready for bed.” Hu said looking at me. “I am too.” We all decided to help Grandma finish up and then we said our good nights and went to bed. 09142010
The strangest thing happened to us when we all were asleep. We began to interact with each other in our dreams. The four of us were dream hopping together, in each others dreams. “This is interesting.” Wú Jin said. “Yeah tell me about it.” Hu replied. Together we were trying to escape tornado's that were so huge and coming right for us. Hurry run this way!” Wú Bao said while pulling my arm away from Hu and leaving Wú Jin behind. 09152011
What happened next wasn’t anything that anyone could have ever seen coming in the dream realm. Wú Jin, Wú Bao and Hu Bingwen, all were grabbed from behind. I tried to use my magic but it wouldn’t work then I said:
I call upon you Master Wizard Emrys, the most powerful Wizard of all time to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
Still nothing happened. This was when I really began to panic. Someone had grabbed me from behind too and the we were all taken to jail cells and thrown into our own separated with nothing to sit on and very little light. 09162011
Then I remembered something. Stephan was able to magically enter dreams and do magic in them. I channeled my telepathy to him and called him to appear in my Jail cell. He appeared and asked me if I was alright. “No, I’m really scared and we need to get out of there. Why isn’t my powers working in the dreams?” “Because they have blocked you.” “Who is they?” “They are called the dream catchers. What they do is they capture magical beings in their sleep and then they drain them of their powers. You’re all comatose in reality right now. My best guess is that your family is trying desperately to figure out how to get you back.” 09182011
He then reached into his pocket and handed me a necklace with a stone on it. The stone was orange and it looked like crystal. “When you wear this they can not block your powers or detect you. As soon as I put mine on Stephan went to all the others and gave them one too. I said:
I call upon you Master Wizard Emrys, the most powerful Wizard of all time to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
Just then Emrys appeared. “Hey Shìlì how may I be of service?” “Please help us out of here.” I said as I panicked. He snapped his fingers and a bottle appeared. He handed it to me then he magically disappeared. I took the bottle and read the inscription on the side of it. “Rub Me.” I rubbed it and then a Genie popped out and said “Yes Master, your wish is my command.” I said, “Get us out of here!” 09192011
With a single snap of his fingers we all were out of the dream and awake. “Oh my goodness we were so terrified.” Grandmother said. Every one appeared to be okay. I noticed that in my hand I was holding a bottle, the same one that I had in my hand in the dream. “Where did I get this?” “I found it in our basement of treasures and thought it might be able to help.” Mother said. “Yes it actually did.” I rubbed it and then the same Genie from the dream appeared. “Yes Master how may I be of service?” “I would like you to eliminate those dream catchers once and for all.” “Your wish is my command.” He snapped his fingers and it was so. Then he magically returned to the bottle. 0920101
All I kept thinking about is how this happened and why? It couldn’t have been Grandmother’s tea because we had that same tea most of our lives. That’s when I realized that all I had to do was call upon the Genie again and then ask him to go investigate it and then get back to me. I rubbed the bottle and out popped the Genie again. “Yes master?” I would like you to find out how this happened to us and then report back to me. 09212011
He left me and then all I wanted to do was lie down on my bed and fall asleep but I kept thinking about what happened so I just stayed awake most of the night. By morning the Genie had returned and he said “The answer lies within you.” He vanished back into the bottle. This frustrated me because it made no sense. After that both Hu and I slept the whole day away and we woke up just in time for dinner. 09222011
At dinner the whole family was there plus the other house guests and workers. Both Hu and I sat down and then Grandmother served us all what she had cooked. Before she could sit down to eat her dinner, something was going on with her and she began to turn pale then she fainted. Mother and Father ran over to her and kneeled over her. It all happened so fast but to me it seemed to be happening in slow motion. Grandmother had passed away, right there in the presents of all her loved ones and family. 09232011
I was embracing Hu and just crying in his arms. We all were powerless to her passing. They had the funeral services the next day and Grandmother was put to rest right beside the Quan relatives and ancestors who had been here before her. Mother and Father were crying non stop through out the entire service. I tried to stop so I could appear strong and supportive to them but deep down I was broken and feeling such deep sorrow. 09242011
By the end of the service the family and loved ones all met us back at the house. We served tea and some hot foods, and just talked about Grandmother and how she had touched each and everyone of us in an extremely unique and loving way. I was at a loss for words and feelings so I left everyone and went to sit out in the garden. That’s when my brother and sister came to me and we all sat on the stone bench just staring at the beautiful gardens that my Grandmother had touched and created. 09252011
The wind had suddenly begun to pick up. The leaves on the ground appeared as if to be dancing to the background music coming from inside the estate. They swirled up off the ground and into a funnel cloud up above our heads. The three of us were mesmerized by this and never said one word. We just watched. Then all of the sudden Grandmother came to us in a ghostly form. My sister screamed and ran back into the house. My brother just sat there with a solid look of disbelief across his face. “Grandmother! I am so sad you are leaving us.” I began to cry and I couldn’t stop crying. “My dear child I have never left any of you. I’m right here. I may not have the same human form as you but I’m no different than I was when I did have one.” My sister came out with my family and cousins. “Look she’s there. Grandmother.” I left my Mother and Father alone to talk with her and went back inside to tell my husband what I had seen. 09262011
“Hey Grandmother revisited us in the Garden.” “I know I saw her about an hour ago. She told me that you were pregnant and that she wanted you to name the baby after her.” I was so shocked to hear that. I didn’t know what to say. We simply hugged and kissed and then sat back with our heads on each other’s shoulders and then I closed my eyes and imagined what my baby was going to look like. 09272011
After eight long months of binge eating and heat flashes, and mood swings I thought that Hu was going to leave me and move back in with his family. The ninth month the baby came and I named her Hu Qiao Tao after my grandmother. She looked exactly like her and my father. We set up a small area in our room for her and then I spent the next few days resting while Mother and my Sister tended to her. 09282011
I’m not sure what happened but I became extremely weak where it seemed impossible to get myself out of bed. Hu had helped me out a few times so I could try to take small steps as I walked through the garden. The baby was so calm and relaxed. Nothing seemed to bother her. When we walked a few hundred feet pushing the baby in her carriage, I suddenly collapsed and fell to my knees. 09292011
Hu called for help and Father came to help me and the baby back into the house. They both picked me up and set me into the bed. Mother came to put hot rags over my forehead, as I was shivering and shaking. I felt my throat tighten up and my breath become short. Just then I said:
I call upon you , Doug Parker to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
Doug appeared and he quickly set his hands upon my forehead and then he whispered “Sssssh, now don’t move and don‘t talk.” I just nodded and looked and listened. 09302011
I could feel the healing powers flowing through out my body and my veins. Doug finished then took the guys out of the room leaving me alone with my baby. They all returned and then Father said “Although Doug healed you this time, he can not insure that he will be able to do it again. You have contracted a rare and unusual disease and there is no known cure magical or otherwise.” Doug said “I’m sorry. I will ask Emrys if he knows anything that might help”. Then he vanished. 10012011
I was feeling sick still and so I got up from bed then I ran to the bathroom to throw up. Hu came in and he rubbed my back. “Honey you really should get back into bed and get some rest.” I did just that and fell fast asleep. By the time I had waken it was three days later. I just cried most of the morning, asking myself and everyone else what was happening to me? No one seemed to have the answers. 10022011
I said:
I call upon you , Anya Slovic to be here right by my side. I am the Shìlì of this current day in time.
Anya appeared and then she said “I can try to help you but there are no guarantees. She held me in her arms as I wept. As she did I could feel myself getting better. Her power seemed so much stronger than anyone else who I had felt in the past. “Like I said, there’s no guarantees, but I hope that helps.” Then she too vanished. 10032011
Over the next few months I was feeling really good. It was as if nothing was ever wrong. The family was tending to the baby while I regained my strength. She was growing over time by leaps and bounds. So very smart. 10042011
This was a time where I felt like I needed to spend all of my time with her, so I did. Her Father and I would take her out for walks each and every day. The expressions on her face as she took all the sights and sounds in seemed astounding to her. 10052011
In just a few short months she began speaking only her words were in her own language and nobody could ever understand what she was saying. 10062011
It just so happened that this one particular day where we had walked so many times before she pointed up at the sky and she said “Bird.” It was amazing to the both of us to hear her first real word come out of her mouth. She had such a cute little voice. 10072011
I picked her up and held her in my arms and hugged her. She looked around and continued pointing all the things out around us and then calling them out by names. 10082011
Hu and I were so amazed and excited all at the same time. Before I could set her back into the stroller my knees buckled and I fell to the ground. I dropped the baby and she hit the ground as well. Then she let out a horrific cry. The sort of cry that sets any parent on edge. 10092011
Hu rushed to get her in the stroller as well as trying to help me up to my feet. I was in so mush pain and I knew something was very wrong with me. I hadn’t ever broke any bones in the past but judging by the pain I had a pretty good feeling that this time I had broke something. 10102011
Both my parents appeared instantly as Hu called out to them and they left us taking the baby so that Hu could rush me to the Hospital. Once in the room the doctor came in and then ordered a few X-Rays. The technician came in took them and then they sent me back to the original room. The doctor came in and he sat down beside me and he said “You have stage three cancer and it appears to be terminal. 10112011
Hu gasped then fell to the seat behind him. I just was in shock and couldn’t wrap my mind around what any of this means. The doctor left us as we just held each other in our arms and wept. 10122011
We fell asleep in the bed together at the hospital and I woke up after moving a little because the pain was terrible. I thought to myself about calling for help with the Shìlì powers but then I remembered what Anya had said. 10132011
That afternoon the family came to the hospital with the baby to see me. That’s then we broke the news to everyone else. Both Mom and Dad lost it. They left in tears and never returned that day. 10142011
My sister and brother had stayed with me all day and all night. We talked about things of the past and Grandmother. My neck was in pain, and my shoulders, legs and hips. I was so confused and becoming disorientated very quickly. The nurses and doctors asked everyone to leave while I went through chemo therapy. That made me so sick. 10152011
Hu was the only one allowed to stay the night with me. My brother and sister took the baby with them back to the estate. My parents weren’t in any shape to take care of her anymore. They showed up first thing in the morning and then refused to leave from then on. 10162011
The doctors and nurses all tried to convince them that they would be better off resting at home but neither one of them would have it. Mother always kept me hydrated with herbal teas. Father would read to me or sing to me to try to make the hospital stay seem more comfortable. 10172011
By the third night my body shut down and I was begging to fade away. Hu held my hand and I held the baby’s hand and then I slowly passed away. Grandmother and Grandfather both met me at the other side. I could see everyone mourning over my departure. The Shìlì powers left my body and shot strait into my baby. 10182011
The family hadn’t grieved enough over the loss of Grandmother and now they had to mourn for the loss of their dearest Quan Ling-Lien Bingwen. Her daughter was learning everything very quickly and excelling in school and at home. Her martial arts techniques were not like anything that anyone had ever seen in the past before. By age 10 she was a winner over every competition she entered. That was against both boys and girls. 10192011
Quan Ling-Lien Bingwen’s husband Hu took things the hardest inside but on the outside he never ever let on how he was really feeling. He provided everything and anything that his daughter needed to be happy and healthy. By age 16 Hu Qiao Tao had become the new Shìlì with full powers over the book as well as the control over the Maori Warriors. 10201011
She used to see and speak with her Mother and her Great Grandmother in the garden when she went for walks alone. They both would appear to her and talk to her about anything and everything that she wanted to know. Her Grandmother spied on her once and never wanted her to know that she knew. 10212011
Hu Qiao Tao completed school by the age of 18. She was educated with the equivalency of a College Graduate by now. Her martial arts skills had become immeasurable by any known standards of anyone in the history of the Arts. Her combined powers of all the Witches, Wizards, and Charmed made her one of the most powerful people on earth. The only problem was her heart longed for true love. That was something she hadn’t had because she was so busy trying to complete her daily tasks. 12142011
She decided to leave the compound and venture out seeking a new life for her self. Her fist stop, America. That’s when she ran into a fine young man named Ronald Fleming. Ronald was a strawberry blond haired man who was tall and lean. He had dark green eyes, with some freckles on his face. They met in a local coffee in town called Sausalito, California. 12142011
* I apologize for not writing any more on this story. It has temporarily hit a dead end so I will have to put it on hold until I am inclined to share more of it with my readers in the future. Thanks for being loyal fans and keep a look out for my next new adventures and stories. Roberto De La Vega.