Janney loved the ride to the falls. She loved how you climbed higher and higher into the eastern Tennessee mountains. She loved that her ears would pop more than once along the way. Sometimes, when the weather was just right, you would drive through some of the lower-hanging clouds. But the most marvelous part of the drive for Janney was that after climbing up the winding mountain road, it opened up into a large flat plateau. There were rich farmlands on top of the mountain that, if you didn’t already know better, you would think you were in a valley and not up in the mountains.

 Before they realized it, the long stretch of Tennessee Route 284 turned into the entrance to the park. The park looked busier than normal to Janney, but she soon realized why when they pulled into the check-in office for the cabin. The 4th of July was this week, and there were signs up everywhere about the upcoming fireworks. She had forgotten all about what the date was. She knew her birthday was only a few days before, but with all that had been going on, she had lost sight of it. Janney always loved the 4th of July. When she was younger, Mom told her the fireworks were for her birthday, and she thought that everyone was celebrating her birthday.

They finally arrived at the cabin and discovered that Mom rented one of the fishing cabins located so close to the lake that you didn’t even have to leave the front porch to cast your line in the water. Even though it was a warm summer day, the mountain air was still crisp and clean. The surrounding woodlands scrubbed the air clean. All you had to do was take a deep breath, and you forgot all about the busy city life, only a little more than an hour away. One of the things both Janney and George liked about the park was that even though it was busy for the holiday, it was so big with the forests, waterways, and mountainous terrain that you could hardly hear the other visitors. The privacy and natural beauty of the park made it so that you could always feel like you were one of the first explorers who discovered the area.

Janney waited for Mom to enter the cabin as she began to unpack the car before opening her bag to let Pix out. He quickly flew out of her bag and disappeared into the nearby bushes. She knew that she would not get a chance to speak with Pix for a while, so she dutifully helped Mom as they spent the rest of the afternoon getting settled. Their Mom had brought enough groceries for the week, and once she finished putting them away and getting the kitchen situated, she finally told Janney and George they could go exploring until dinner.

“You have to stay together and on the main walkways.” Mom told them. “I am not comfortable with you running off on some of the trails by yourselves yet. Oh, and I almost forgot.”  Mom reached into a tote bag and pulled out a small wrapped present. “Here, Janney, I am sorry it did not arrive before your birthday.”

Janney opened the present and squealed with a high-pitched sound of glee. “My very own phone!” Janney exclaimed.

Mom smiled. “I thought it was time now that you are older. I already programmed my number in it. And,” she continued, “I can control your usage from my phone. I connected your account to mine so I can always see where you are on the GPS.”

“Okay.” Janney said excitedly.

“When can I get one for me?” George asked.

“When the time is right, George.”  Mom said.

“It’s my birthday, George. Not yours.” Janney scolded George.

 “Janney!”  You apologize right now, or I will take that phone back.” Mom insisted.

Janney began to pout but then stopped as she could tell from her mother’s tone that she would only get in more trouble if she did. “I’m sorry, George.” Janney said softly.

George stood up straight and proud, which only infuriated Janney more. “That’s alright.” He said accepting her apology.

“And George…” Mom turned and looked seriously at George. This is Janney’s birthday present.”

“She already got a bike, though.” George whined.

“So she did. What of it? Is she only allowed to get one present? I wasn’t aware there was a limit on birthday gifts now. I guess I will have to keep that in mind when it is your birthday.”  Mom said.

“No, she can have two. I am sorry.” George said sullenly.

Mom let out a big sigh and was a bit surprised by their behavior. They had been getting along so much better the past few weeks, and she was begging to think they were finally growing out of the sibling rivalry stage. “I am glad we have that settled. Now, you two stay together. Dinner will be ready in an hour, and remember to call me if you need anything.”

Janney smiled big in response to being able to call using her phone. “I will. Thanks, Mom.”

They both ran up to the main road, and as soon as the cabins were out of sight, they began to look around for Pix. They did not have to wait long before he appeared off to the side in front of them.

“Keep walking.” Pix said just loud enough for them to hear him. “There is a path just ahead to your left. Follow it until I say otherwise.”  Pix continued along, blending in with the ferns and trees along the forest floor. For the most part, his movement was so fluid that anyone passing by who may have seen him would think he was just a squire or rabbit.

They followed Pix’s instructions and were very cautious not to bring any attention to themselves as there were a few others on the road. Sure enough, just as Pix said, they found an old path on the left. It was not an official one from the park as they all had signs telling you where each path led to. It looked like at one time had been a well-used path but over the years the forest had taken it back over.

George had no trouble navigating the path. It seemed strange to him that at one time, he would not have even noticed the path was there, let alone feel so comfortable on it. So much had changed over the last few months for the Cannon children. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they were impatiently waiting for school to be over for the year, longing for summer break. The most important things to them were their freedom and time to play. Now they were concerned with training to be a guardian and defender of the Light. They both were training and understanding their new power. Power from a prime dragon.

They had been walking for about 10 minutes when the path came to a dead end. George looked more closely at where he thought the path should lead, and he discovered that it split into two ways they could go. Neither way looked as if anyone had passed by on the trail for years.

“Now what do we do?” asked Janney as they came to a stop.

“You tell me?” came the small pixie voice from in front of them. “This place is sacred. It runs through your veins, calling out to you. You tell me which way we should go.”

Both children closed their eyes and just breathed in the mountain air. George reached for the stillness inside of him while Janney sought to become more aware of herself and this place. For George, the power came from a place of ancient instinct, like a natural, almost ancestral memory. He just knew what way to go when he was searching for something. On rare occasions, the patch would be illuminated almost like looking at a photographic negative. Janney, on the other hand, opened herself up to the true reality and was able to see what most could not. Unlike George, she did not have a knowledge of right or wrong, but she was able to see the truth and decide for herself.

George was the first to speak up.  He looked to the path to the right. “I feel a need to go this way.” he said. “But, also a strong feeling of running far away from it.” 

Pix’s eyes widened in response. “And what about you, girl?” Pix asked cautiously.

Janney opened her eyes and let out a visible gasp. Her knees felt weak, and she grabbed onto her brother for support. George opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong, but his voice stuck in his throat from the look Pix shot him. Janney stood holding on to George, breathing rapidly. Her eyes were wide as she looked all around. “Pix…” Janney struggled to say.

“Close your eyes.” The pixie said calmly. “Clear your mind. Concentrate on my voice and think about your mother. Think about home.” Pix continued.

Janney did as she was told and waited. Her breathing slowed, and she opened her eyes. She jerked back from George when she realized he was holding her up. “What was that?” she asked breathlessly.

“Remnants. Memories of what once was.” Pix told her. “Tell me what did you see?” he asked Janney.

She thought a moment before speaking. “It was horrible. Just horrible. The forest was alive with dragons, pixies, unicorns, and creatures I don’t even know how to explain.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” said George.

“No, you don’t understand. They were running for their lives. They were being chased by this thing. It looked like a large ferret. Like the size of a lion or bigger.”

“The Ich.” Pix said with disdain.

“It is horrible. I could feel its hatred. It had a hunger.”  Janney said.

“Down this path is where Virago made the final stand against the Ich.” George said, indicating the path to the right.

“Yes.” Pix affirmed. “The need you felt to run away from here is tied to that battle. Virago trapped a piece of the Ich at the bottom of the falls.”

“It is still there?” Janney said, alarmed.

“As far as I am aware, yes, a part of it is.” Pix answered.

“They were running towards the falls, though. Not away from it.” Janney said, confused.

“Yes, they did.” Pix said with a sad tone. “Tell me, little one, how did the vision look to you?  Was it a faded image?”

“No.” Janney said firmly. “It was real, more real than you are now. I could smell them. I could smell fright.”

“Really?” Pix said with surprise. “It was not like in the garden?”

“As if I was there. The was a heavy smell like after you put water on a campfire. A damp, burnt smell, but I couldn’t see any smoke.” she told Pix.

“Dragon’s fire, from Virago.” Pix told them. “As a midnight, his flame burns with a blackish violet color but with no smoke. It is tremendously hotter than any known fire.”

Janney thought back to when she was in the church, and she saw the violet flames around George. It made more sense now that she would see the color of a midnight dragon around him.

“Pix, why do I feel the need to go that direction?” George asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe because that is where it all ended and where it all began too.” Pix said.

“Huh? What does that mean?” George asked, confused by Pix’s answer.

“That is where the Eye of the Light was created. There is great death and sadness tied to the falls, true. A great evil still lies within the pit, yes. But the Light is also strongly present there too. That which was done for great harm was transformed into life. Virago left a part of himself there too, you know.” Pix told them.

“How so?” Janney asked.

“He watched as everyone he loved, his family, friends, and those he was entrusted to protect, sacrifice their lives to protect him as he made the Eye of Light. That kind of sacrifice takes a toll on someone. A part of him died here with them.” Pix said as he looked off down the path. “I don’t think he has come back here since that day.”

“Have you?” George asked Pix.

Pix floated up to stand on a tree branch that was at eye level with the children. “Yes, I have returned. I do so every so often to pay my respects so they are not forgotten and to check and make sure nothing has been disturbed.”

“Disturbed?” George asked. He wondered what Pix meant by that. Was the Ich trapped here as if in a prison?  No that could not be right. Pix said that a part of the Ich was here, not the entire thing.

“Never you mind about that.” Pix said dismissively. “There is much for you to learn here. But,” he added, “not everything in one day. We have plenty of time this week for me to walk you through your history. First things first, the ground rules.”

Both children groaned when Pix told them there would be rules. This was a vacation, a holiday even, and here Pix was making everything a chore. “I don’t want to hear it.” Pix said smartly. “This place is beautiful and dangerous. I am not just talking about ordinary nature either, but in truth, in reality, as you now know it. First rule, do not under any circumstances attempt to use your power without me present this week. Do you hear me?”

“But whatever for? Janney asked”

“Others will be sensitive to you if you use your abilities. We may not be alone here, so only use it when I say it is okay to use it. Do you understand me?” Pix asked. He waited, looking at each in turn as if expecting an answer. Eventually, they both agreed to which Pix nodded in approval at their compliance.

“Next, do not wander off alone. You don’t need me to be with you everywhere you go, but you two need to stay together while you are here. I don’t care if you think it is not necessary, you will listen to me on this.” Pix demanded of them.

“Yes, Pix.” They said in unison.

“Lastly, enjoy yourself.” Pix said as an impish grin lit up his face. “This place is amazing. We thought so before the battle, and its beauty has been enhanced even more so now as a result. There is a wealth of history and shared experience here. Learn from it. Think of this time as advanced AP classes but in summer school.” His smile took on an air of smugness as he finished speaking.

“How can we have fun with that kind of description?” George complained.

“What, you don’t like to learn?” Pix laughed.

Both children looked at each other with blank looks on their faces. Neither one understood why Pix thought they would be excited to take intense crash courses in anything. Janney understood the need to learn but thought that Pix was taking this just a bit too far. After all, they were here with their Mom for the holiday. Their Mom. Just then Janney remembered Mom told them to be back in an hour. How long had it been already she thought?  Then she remembered her new phone and saw that nearly an hour had gone by already. There were no messages from her Mom so she knew they were alright but still they needed to head back. It took them almost 20 minutes just to get there.

“Alright Pix, we promise we will not do anything without you and not go anywhere without the other.” Janney promised. George agreed as well and, in the end, Pix looked satisfied with them.

They ran back to the cabin hoping they were not too late. As they entered the cabin they were not only greeted with the smell of their Mom’s fried chicken, but standing in the kitchen was their mother’s sister, Aunt Emma.

“Janney!  George!” their aunt yelled out in joy upon seeing them enter the cabin.

“Hi, Aunt Emma.” Janney said with a slightly confused look on her face. She was more concerned about how Aunt Emma’s appearance here would interfere with Janney and George’s time with Pix. She was genuinely happy to see her aunt, who she hadn’t seen in a very long time. Her aunt Emma and uncle Charlie live all the way down in Florida so they don’t get to see each other very often.

“Emma and Charlie are going to be staying with us for the week!” Mom said with a giddy smile. “Isn’t that great?”

“That’s cool.” George said. He wondered where they would all sleep and then he realized why Mom got the bigger of the cabins. Which meant that he would not be getting his own room after all.

“George dear, Uncle Charlie is on the back deck with your cousin Jonathan. Can you please tell them to come in for dinner?” Mom asked.

“Sure Mom.” George said. George liked his uncle Charlie. He was a bit goofy with a corny sense of humor but he always took a genuine interest in George. He liked his cousin Jonathan too. Jonathan was older almost the same age as Janney. Jonathan never annoyed him the same as his sister did though. Jonathan was more athletic and adventurous than George. He did the things that George wished he could do but never had the nerve to do. Jonathan always seemed more confident than George was but when they were together George always felt like Jonathan was more of a brother than a cousin. At least George thought that was what it must be like to have a brother.

He found his uncle and cousin both with their fishing poles already in the water on the back deck. “Hi, Uncle Charlie. Hi Jon.” George said as he walked outside onto the deck.

“George!” Charlie said with a big smile. His uncle set his fishing pole down and gave George a bear hug.

 “Hi, George.” Jonathan greeted his cousin with a smile and a wave.

“Ah, Mom said you need to get inside for dinner.”

“Great!” Charlie said excitedly. “The smell of your mother’s fried chicken has been driving me crazy out here.”  Charlie laughed as patted George on his back. “George if you keep growing at this rate you are going to be taller than me!” his uncle joked.

George didn’t know what to say to his uncle. He was slightly embarrassed and today had been one very long day and full of surprises.

“Come on Jonathan.” Charlie said earnestly as he took the fishing pole from him. “Let’s get some of that food before it gets cold.”

Nothing eventful or magical happened that first evening in the cabin. Once dinner was over the sleeping arrangements were sorted out. Aunt Emma and Uncle Charlie took the big bedroom which had a fireplace and balcony. Their Mom took the second bedroom that had a large queen bed and the children took the bunk room. Because they were on vacation there was no bedtime so after everyone unpacked and settled in, they made their way out to the back deck.

It was an unspoken rule whenever they got together someone always brought a pack of Uno cards with them. Over the years they had some epic and ruthless games. Janney loved playing with her aunt and uncle. They made up rules as they went along and would always play way past her bedtime and this night was no exception. The family sat on the large picnic table on the deck laughing and playing cards until very late. Janney didn’t know how late they played, but she saw George beginning to nod off at one point so she knew it had to be pretty late. Her cousin Jonathan finally won a game and immediately declared the night was over and went inside. Janney wanted to play one more just to keep Jonathan from having the final word but then decided she was just too tired to argue about it.