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How to Seer, Part 23

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Since I was first exposed to Spirits back on the river the one consistent experience I had with them was that they very jealously guarded me against any other spirits. Having such a hard time finding spirit energy in the modern world, few Spirits were inclined to share me, their Seer with any newcomers. That night in Kennedy City, though, the night of my birthday, there was no argument and no objection: Herne indicated he was going to be joining us, and everyone just took it at face value without complaint.

Mitch, who seemed to have at least a passing familiarity with the Stag was quick to explain that the Nexus (the proper term, I learned for at least three Spirits accompanying a Seer) was there to celebrate my birthday. Little did I realize just how important birthdays were among the ancient Celtic people, or exactly how much impact Herne would have on the trajectory for that evening. I knew when I first met Herne that he had a certain majesty about him, but I wasn't prepared for how quickly the other Spirits would agree with his his ideas on the best way to celebrate.

I wasn't old enough to drink, which seemed to dampen Herne's outlook just a little (and Link had to explain that, in the US, Humans had to be 21 or older), but he was surprisingly upbeat about the entire affair after having only earlier in the day been on the cusp of becoming a Feral Spirit. His resiliency was nothing short of amazing, especially as he took each and every roadblock to celebration in stride. As it drew closer to midnight, I can't believe it, but I ended up running naked on the beach-- it's strange what peer pressure can do, even if your 'peers' in that case are ancient spirits. The bonfire may have been a bit much, but I consider myself lucky to this day that no police decided to come check out what THAT was about. I haven't done it since-- well, maybe one other time... okay, twice.

We stayed in Kennedy City overnight at the Oceanfront Lodge, a very high-end place that I'd normally never manage on my own but, considering the blessing of riches that were constantly bestowed upon me by Mitch, a quick stop off at a Native American casino on the north side of town resulted in more than enough to cover the cost of a really nice room-- I got a suite in fact, making sure that there would be enough sleeping spaces for my entire collection of Spirits. Despite how surprisingly well everyone had behaved at letting Herne into the group, when it came time to consider sleeping arrangements and who would get to sleep with me in the king sized bed, arguments started back up. In the end I slept alone.

The trip back home the next day turned out to be a little complicated because I didn't technically have enough room in my car. Considering Spirits weren't entirely physical there was no real problem with four fitting inside the car and one clinging to the top (not as dangerous for a spirit as it sounds), but I found myself with six spirits, not five. There was some discussion among everyone about who would do what (including a suggestion that someone could get stuffed in the trunk) before I proposed a solution.

Realizing that they couldn't come up with a solution that didn't somehow inconvenience one of the Spirits, that meant I would have to take control, and the best way to do that would be to offer an award. "Who would like to volunteer to recall to the apartment to make my life easier?"

It was a passive way to offer a reward to whomever volunteered: a boost of Spirit Energy for doing me a favor. As anticipated, every paw and wing shot up with an emphatic offer to be that spirit. Considering I knew Mitch was one of the most adept at using his powers to change his location and because he was the Spirit with whom I'd spent the most time recently, I asked him personally. "Mitch, it would mean a lot to me if you go home ahead of the rest of us and get the apartment ready for our return."

He was happy to oblige. "Sure thing, Billy... travel safe and I'll see you soon."

Kon, who had already slipped into the back seat called through the open window "And make sure Ms. Patrick in 103 paid her rent on time... she's always late."

Although the property management job was mine, my spirits usually didn't mind commenting on some of the more 'complicated' residents. Realizing it was just Kon being Kon I let the statement slide as I gave the Raven a hug. "Thanks, Mitch."

After the farewell, Mitch about-faced, looking east, and turned into a large, land-based blur until he reached the street, at which point he took to the sky, assuming a much more mundane raven shape as he disappeared over the hills. Looking to the rest of my spirits I addressed the driving situation. "Kon, Talapus and Mishupishu in the back. Link, do you mind sitting up top?"

The Bat flapped his wings as he spoke. "Always happy to get some wind in my face!"

I looked to Herne. "You can sit up front with me, Herne... I'd like to talk to you some more, if you don't mind."

The Stag offered a pleasant, subdued smile as he inclined his head regally. "Nothing would bring me more joy, A Thiarna Uilliam."

Chuckling, I got into the car, offering him a simple request so that he could get a little boost of spirit energy. "Just William is fine, Herne."

Despite how formal he was, the Stag also seemed to be capable of no small amount of humored wit. "You would not accept Uilliam?"

I saw the faint hint of a well-hidden smirk from him and I matched it with one of mine. "I'll allow it."

The drive back to Cherry City was full of dialogue, mostly between Herne and I but Kon and Talapus offered up some discussion from the back seat and even Link poked his head through the car's roof to offer some insight occasionally-- his excellent hearing certainly helped him keep track of what was being discussed inside the car despite him being outside of it. I don't remember everything we talked about for the hour-or-so ride, but I remember enjoying it; despite how ancient Herne was his ability to engage in conversation made it feel like he was practicing an art form.

When we got home, as anticipated, Mitch met us at the door. He accepted another hug (and more Spirit Enegy) from me and Herne followed me into the apartment for the first time. The entire Nexus helped me in showing him around, not that there was a lot to see in a dwelling barely over 900 sq ft, but it was a gracious enough welcome party. Mitch and Mishupishu were incredibly chill about it, which made sense since they were the most overtly interested in engaging with the Stag as a member of the Nexus. Talapus and Kon were a little more reserved, but they had done remarkably well in the car and that seemed to transfer positively into their outlook at home.

Link, however, despite being the most easy-going of the entire group, seemed a little taken aback about everything. "So... about this whole Seer thing... didn't you guys say it was almost impossible for a Human to have four Spirits, and Billy already had us FIVE before Herne came along... but you said it wasn't a problem?"

Mishupishu, looming taller than everyone except perhaps for Herne, gazed down at the Bat. "William is different. He is special, Tatchen."

Mitch snickered, adding "Aw, Link... he has a 'pet name' for you."

Herne interrupted any retort by reiterating. "Uilliam is Adhruil."

Link didn't give up, ignoring the gentle chiding from the Raven in favor of trying to solve the apparent mystery. "Yeah... that's what you said before... but that doesn't really explain anything."

I was also interested in understanding more but I was willing to let them explain things to Link. Herne did just that. Resting a hand on Link's shoulder, the Stag spoke calmly. "Ialtog, you and " he gestured to Mitch "fitheach know how to fly, but the rest of us do not."

Kon quickly interjected "I can jump really far!"

Ignoring the interruption, Herne continued. "No matter how hard you try, it would be very difficult to explain to us how you do such a thing in a way that would let us also fly... that is because we are different. Not worse. Not better. Just different."

Mishupishu added "William KNOWS spirits... it is like he is one of us. He knows spirits more than other Humans like how you know how to fly."

I wanted to object, to let them know that there wasn't anything special about what I could do-- I just paid attention, and listened and, when in doubt, went with my gut but, as I considered that, I realized that perhaps was what the two ancient Spirits were talking about. I didn't get much more time to consider it as Herne looked to me. "You are special, Uilliam. Priceless. I see that you have guardian spirits, but I will be your guardian as well."

Falling to one knee, Herne lowered his head, bowing it low in supplication. Talapus snickered from behind me. "Silly Nature Spirit... protecting Humans doesn't work like having some forest protectorate. You need a nation to protect, or a city, or even at least a family. You really expect to survive guarding a single Human?"

There was something about the way Herne said the words, almost as if he didn't believe them himself. Perhaps he was just toying with the Elk, or maybe he was trying to question the newcomer's loyalty, but Herne wasn't dissuaded and he spoke with conviction. "I will be his guardian."

It was rare for a Human to have a single Guardian Spirit all their own, and I already had two... but, then again, it had already been established by that time that I was hardly ordinary. I thought of something that could be a problem though, and I addressed it directly. "No, Herne. I don't accept."

All of the Spirits present were surprised at my answer; I guess they were always used to me going with the flow. Herne looked even more taken aback as his head shot up incredulously. "...no?"

I shook my head as I explained. "Yes; I said 'no'. Tapalus is right. If you take me as your Human to protect there is no way you can survive off of me, Adhruil or no."

The Stag remained where he was, still kneeing, head returning to a bowed position. "Then I will stay with you for as long as I can until I am forced to go elsewhere to find--"

I had no intention of misdirecting him, just to resolve the issue. "Herne... would you please be my Guardian Spirit?"

The almost eternal stoic expression on Herne's face seemed practically immutable but, in that moment of recognition, when he must have realized that me asking him to protect me would be far more beneficial to him than me simply accepting him in that role, a smile as warm as the sun and as contagious as a funny laugh broke through his stoicism. He looked up, his eyes gleaming a brilliant topaz. "Uilliam, on my honor, I will see you come to no harm."

And so it was that I added a sixth member to my Nexus of spirits. I first met him when he had surrendered all hope and resigned to become a Feral Spirit. Just when all hope for Herne seemed lost, that was when I found him and, in so doing, helped him find a home.

Just when all hope for Herne seemed lost, he found a home.