6. To the Ancient Oak

The rain had not let up. It beat upon her window all night long but owlspook did not hear it. She lay fast asleep in the land of dreams.

The morning came and the rain was still coming down in bucketfulls. Te'hay came into the room to awaken owlspook. No sunlight streamed through her window and the air was cold and damp. She asked the old owl if the rain ever let up and he replied not for a long time. owlspook wondered why the whole land didn't fill up with water but didn't voice her thought.

Breakfast was set upon the oaken table for her. The old owl and the ravens were not in sight. So owlspook sat down and ate her fill. No fire was started in the fireplace and the room had a chill that was hard to shake. What a dreary place this is, owlspook thought as she finished her meal. Getting up she walked to the window and peered into the gloom. She had a hard time understanding everything that happened to her in the last two days. There she was minding her own business and enjoying the company of her guests .. and oh it was so fun to tell the old stories and then wham! why did Tara have to give her the velvet amulet bag ... and what does that have to do with my grandfather being still alive impossible as that seems ... I guess I'll just have to wait and see. She stood there with her thoughts staring out into the grey.

There was one knock on the door and as owlspook turned she saw the old owl open it and in came Huginn and Muninn shaking their feathers to rid themselves of the rain. The spoke no greeting but walked right past her into the kitchen with Te'Hay .. owlspook followed.

'It is as I expected.', said Huginn, 'The lowlands are flooding and driving all to higher ground. Most did not make it.' Te'Hay nodded and then saw owlspook standing in the doorway. They all turned to face her. Muninn spoke, 'You remember?' and with owlspook's nod he continued, 'There is no time to lose. We must leave now. Are you ready? You have the box and bag with you?' owlspook nodded again in reply.

The two ravens and owlspook gathered their pouches and with no further ado they left the relative warmth of the house and flew off into the wet cold morning with Muninn leading the way and Huginn at her tail. The rain and the wind tore them to and fro but Muninn knew the way and with difficulty they followed.

Above them they could only see grey and below the land was lost in water. The flew what seemed to be hours but took very little time. Soon they saw a dim light up ahead and owlspook knew it was the ancient oak. The approached carefully and lit upon one of the upper branches .. a breach of etiquette but the wind and rain gave them no other choice. Climbing down to the door was difficult to say the least but when they finally reached it, it was already open for them.

The two ravens went in first with owlspook hesitating at the door. 'Come in granddaughter! The rain precedes you! Hurry!' .. owlspook's heart jumped but she moved inside and closed the door behind her. Again no lights within except a candle by the door. 'Take the candle and come closer.' the voice commanded and she took the candle and followed the voice.