Carthy Family Secret: Book 3 of 4

By K.M.M.

This book is the TRUE Carthy Family Secret; it is Book 3 of 4 and it is the third collection of stories in my pursuit to reconnect my family's delegated posts of the world known within as the Whole of the Green Isles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532097676

K.M.M.

K.M.M. was born in upstate New York in the small town of Endicott and moved to Bota Raton, Florida, as a young girl. She has written several novels and short stories. She currently lives in Jamaica, West Indies.

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Copyright © 2020 K.M.M.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Certain characters in this work are historical figures, and certain events portrayed

did take place. However, this is a work of fiction. All of the other characters, names,

and events as well as all places, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel

are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-9768-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-9767-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020917021

iUniverse rev. date:   11/12/2020

A

Very Special Thanks to: (My Husband)

Mr. Gerald F. Mahfood Sr.

Without him, my life would have never

Held Joy,

Experienced True Love

or Felt Complete.

I Love him, he has made

My life SO WONDERFUL!

Additional Thanks to his WHOLE Amazing

Family for their support and

their remarkable inspiration. Thank you to you all!

And in

Loving memory of:

Evelyn Shammas Mahfood

Saleem Faraj Mahfood Sr.

Saleem Nicolas Mahfood Jr.

Mary Louise Mahfood Shammas

Pamela Joan Mahfood Nahas

CONTENTS

The Pirate Prince Gerald’s line Cluster G

By Yon the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond Eugene’s line Cluster E

Changes Florence and Charles lines Clusters F and H

Steps of a Brother John’s line Cluster I

The Healing Canvas Cornelius’ line Cluster C

Curse of the Innocent Jeremiah’s line Cluster O

Regina Bea Jeremiah’s line Cluster O

Note to my readers

This book, Carthy Family Secret, Book 3 of 4 is the third collection of stories in my pursuit to reconnect my family’s delegated posts of the world known within as the Whole of the Green Isles.

Each story was intended to be a separate book but due to my need to complete them and get them to you I have combined them into four books. In addition, I have added a Part 2 to Book 1 and Book 4 that hold Information and Stories that will educate you to the World Within.

This book is the third of the four.

311CoverPiratePrince.jpg

By

K.M.M.

Editor: Ladybug8

FOR J.J.(JAY)

AS SIMPLE AS HIS SMILE

HE BEGINS THE CREATION

AS CURIOUS AS HIS MIND

HE IS MY INSPIRATION

CLUSTER

Gerald’s Line Cluster G

Isle of Tranquility

FOREWORD

3111Foreword1.jpg

Summerhill, Tramore in Ireland)

As we stood in front of the red door, just on the other side of the road to Holy Cross Church of Summerhill, Tramore in Ireland, James the Book Smith began to tap on the door with a three-beat rhythm. Within a few moments, the door came open and there inside was a woman dressed in modern clothing who had the look of my sister Noreen with bright blue eyes, a round, sweet face, and platinum blonde, shoulder-length hair.

Good day, James, you made it here quite quickly. Good to see you, the woman said as she opened the door wide and allowed us all to come in.

Everyone, this is Mary Louis McCarthy, the current Main Kathrie of the Domed Territory. Mary, this group is from Jamaica, and this is Marypat, she is the one with the crystal linked to the Cluster of the Golden Mountains, James began.

Oh my, this is amazing to finally meet you, Marypat, Mary said as she shook Marypat’s hand while Marypat smiled.

And Mary, this is Blaze, Marypat’s son, and this is Caitlin. James began to present me but was interrupted by Mary.

Caitlin is a Jamaican Kathrie, yes, yes, pleasure to meet you as well, and now I want you to meet someone I believe you will be excited to meet, Mary said with a beaming smile as she closed the door and led us back into the kitchen, where a man was sitting at the breakfast table drinking a cup of coffee.

The look about the man brought me back to the vision, James had given me in the story of the Wed of Penrudduck while we were in the car on the way here. At the start of the story, a man who looked like the man right here in front of me was walking towards a townhouse in Florida dressed as an English postal carrier. He was the same man who had delivered the time traveling necklace to Virginia Constantine McBrady. Now, seeing the man before me, I was in shock, but joyed to see him, and thrilled to have a chance to speak with him!

Mary quickly introduced us to him as Ares and that kind of shocked me, for I thought his name was Charles.

It’s a pleasure to meet you Ares, but I thought your name was Charles Lazarus, I said with a bit of numbness.

Charles Lazarus is my name; Ares is my nickname, Charles said with a distinct Jamaica accent which again took me by surprise. He had dreadlocks when I first saw him in the vision, but in today’s world many men have that style of hair throughout the world and are not Jamaican, so to find him to be from the same country as us, made the meeting even more astonishing.

What Parish are you from? I asked.

St. Andrews. You? he asked.

The three of us are from St. Andrews as well, near Maryland.

I’m from Gordon Town. Charles said.

Amazing we live off the same road, Marypat said with a laugh.

Even more amazing is that we have had to travel to Ireland to meet. What connection do you have with the McCarthy’s? I asked.

Dat a very long h-old h-old connection, he answered slowly.

His ancient family from the 1600’s became devotees to the McCarthy line that held the Crystal Cluster, Isle of Tranquility. James explained.

Really? That McCarthy family was there in Jamaica and I couldn’t sense them? I asked.

The McCarthy’s in Jamaica had been protecting the Clusters for my years, and we had to leave Jamaica in 2008. That is when we brought the Cluster back here, and being here, I had connected with this place and was able to complete one of my mind’s struggling accounts to help the Penrudduck family find their Kathrieen Virginia.

Wait, so you have had visions? You are not a female, nor are you a McCarthy, how did that happen? Blaze asked.

No, I am not a female, I’m 100% male, but I am related to the McCarthy’s and my line is also connected to an old Balm inheritance, Charles said with a grin.

What’s a Balm? Marypat asked.

Balms are healers; they hold some incredible powers encrusted in nature and they are of Goodness, not Ubil evil. Such a Balm talent is passed from generation to generation and that’s what you are, a Balm? How? I asked.

Back in 1641 the English captured many Irish and brought them to Jamaica as slaves. One of them was Donald McCarthy, who was my great grandfather like eleven times back. He had taken on an African woman by the name of Jarmon and they had a daughter, Marjorie. Marjorie not only carried the McCarthy visions from her father but also the foresights of her Mother’s African family known as a Balm Eye.

What’s a Balm Eye? Marypat asked again.

A Balm with a special eye, almost glasslike, it gives them the ability to see the future. Marjorie was born with one. Later, once Marjorie was free from slavery, she married Lion Lazarus a good-natured Rastafarian also connected to the power of a Balm. Lion had a gift of finding, called in Africa as a Kutafuta Zeri. He is the man to which my last name has come from.

Wow, that’s amazing; you are like a Magical brother to us, I smiled at Charles and he smiled back.

That’s interesting, but that Donald McCarthy wasn’t the McCarthy with the crystals, right? The crystals were not in Rendition until 1645, Marypat asked.

That’s right; Donald wasn’t an inheritor of a Cluster. The line that did inherit one was the group of men that showed up here in Coolnagoppoge at Lady Mary’s Grandfather’s estate, just days after the Rendition was called. If you remember the vision, it was the four McCarthys, Admiral Gerald McCarthy and his three sons, Bardolf, James, and Jeremiah that had the Cluster of the Isle of Tranquility. They had moved out to sea on their ships, the day after the British attacked the house they were in, and the McCarthy’s had killed the five British. Do you remember this? James asked.

Yes, but how did the Cluster end up in Jamaica? I asked.

Well it’s a whole another story.

And ya know me, me wan-ta ear it! I said in a Jamaican tone and laughed.

Well then the first thing you need to know is that in February of 1658 before Cromwell died, Admiral Gerald McCarthy had taken his ships near Spain. Their ships were attacked and destroyed by the British. Admiral Gerald was also murdered. His sons managed to escape with the crystals and made their way to Portugal where they met up with a ship called VESPERA of the Portuguese Army. Over the next six years, the vessel changed its prosperity from military to theft and it was well considered to be of Pirates even though the crew still wore Portuguese Army uniforms. Their time on VESPERA continued until they met up with a Pirate known as Shane Coffee; he is the one that changed their place at sea and connected Charles’ family to them, James explained.

With that, my mind was taken over again and I was placed in a vision.

HISTORY

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Shane Coffee)

In 1654, in the Irish land east of the Shannon, English soldiers drove the Irish people west. Many families were torn apart during the unrest and, even more died at the hands of the crown.

Young Shane Coffee was just nine when he saw his mother killed by English soldiers claiming to be peaceful servants to Cromwell. From that moment forward, Coffee’s life was forever altered. The death of his mother had ripped his heart from his being, making his soul bitter at life and at the control of the English. For two years, the boy wandered from place to place without anyone or anything. His hatred grew inside of him as he watched the British take hold of his homeland.

In 1656, Coffee took refuge aboard a ship heading for France with a cargo of wool and grain. The ship was only two days out of port when it was overtaken by pirates. The captain of the pirate ship was Captain Drake THE DRAGON Francisco. He was a ruthless Spaniard who showed no mercy in killing an innocent sailor. This day though he took pity on the 11-year-old boy and allowed him to live, if he agreed to work on Drake’s ship, the SELENA so Coffee did.

It was on the SELENA that Coffee finally found a family. Every man aboard shared the same hate he felt for the English. For the first time in his life, he felt camaraderie, so he made up his mind to stay on the SELENA. Over the next nine years, Drake and his crew traveled the world pillaging and killing, while the rage inside Coffee exploded into a terror even more violent than Drake himself.

In 1665, a rival pirate ship called the VESPERA attacked Drake’s ship. Drake was killed and Coffee took control by rallying the men of the SELENA. Together they forced their adversaries back, overtaking the VESPERA. In the end, Coffee’s men won, and it was obvious that Coffee would be the new captain of the SELENA. After Coffee took came in power, he forced many of his enemies on VESPERA to vow their following to him, unless they wanted to die. Many did accept his demands, and among them were three brothers with the last name McCarthy.

Coffee developed into an evil and ruthless man, feared even by his own men. But it was not their fear that drove them to follow Coffee, but Coffee’s own devotion to the SELENA. His loyalty to the ship and the men ran so deep it was in his blood. The men understood this and held it without question. In their eyes, there was no other leader for their ship.

In 1666, the SELENA captured a British ship called the JULIET. The ship was a wondrous sight to behold, polished from topmast to the galley. It was returning to England on a maiden voyage from Africa with a cargo of ivory, gold, and a handful of slaves. Shane Coffee’s men took everything including the slaves and then sank the JULIET without remorse. His crew cheered when it finally slipped completely beneath the surface.

The slaves consisted of three young men, an elderly man, and a woman. The crew took great pleasure in having the woman aboard and this angered the three African men who could do nothing to stop them. The elderly man named Kosey was an Obeah man, a type of evil medicine man. Kosey’s eyes reddened with the fire of hat; he vowed his revenge on Coffee and his crew.

Late one night, Kosey called to the evil duppies of his spirit. He summoned them to do his work for him because he felt an incredible additional strength of evil within the ship’s structure that gave him an even greater ability to pass a curse to his enemy, Shane Coffee. Kosey had known he needed more power to create this curse, because a simple spell would not touch Coffee; for Shane Coffee had no heart and no spirit. Kosey’s curses had always needed such parts of a being for him to seize and control before destroying such a person but with Coffee not having either, Kosey had to construct a different plan a plan that would send his duppy spirits out into the world and case his own heart into solid gold.

So, after several days of enticing the evil within the ship while in a deep trance, Kosey, the elderly slave, awoke to find two of Coffee’s men untying the woman. With the strength of the underworld, Kosey broke from his chains and struck the two men down. The woman’s screams brought more of Coffee’s men.

Once Kosey was recaptured, Coffee appeared. He stepped through the cargo door with his large black leather platform boot and positioned himself in front of Kosey. His six-foot stature and broad shoulders were overwhelming to Kosey, who cowered at Coffee’s sight.

As Shane Coffee stepped forward, he pulled on his emerald green waist length jacket with slashed sleeves. The jacket hung open to reveal his half-buttoned lingerie shirt with ribbon loops. Coffee looked as if he had been abruptly awoken and hadn’t had time to dress.

What’s all this! Coffee screamed as he pulled his red hair away from his face.

The old man tried to escape, replied Coffee’s right-hand man Bardolf. He was a tall slender Irishman with brown hair and a thin mustache.

He attacked the guards, Bardolf stuttered.

Kosey’s eyes had slid inside his head and he was in a deep trance again as Coffee approached him. Coffee bent down to inspect the chains; his blue eyes blazed with anger as he spoke.

How did he break through these chains?

I don’t know captain, but they look as if they’ve been ripped apart, Bardolf answered.

That can’t be! They are made of steel! Coffee snapped as he stepped back and pulled out his sword. It was a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, sparkling steel inlayed with gold and emeralds on its handle. He took the sword forward and placed its point at Kosey’s heart. As Coffee did, Kosey’s eyes slid back into place and they looked directly into Coffee’s face.

I should cut out your heart and throw it to the sharks. You’ve been nothing but trouble. Coffee threatened and then moved the sword slightly upwards cutting Kosey on his chest, as he did the old man began to speak in some mystic tongue and then slipped back into a trance.

He’s crazy! shouted Coffee’s men as they ran out of the cargo room.

The four other slaves covered their faces, for they understood the meaning of Kosey’s words, and they feared their outcome.

The old man continued his strange chanting until, in anger, Coffee drove the point of his sword deep into Kosey’s chest.

Throw him to the sharks, Coffee said to the guards. But before they could move him, Kosey’s eyes opened. Kosey’s gaze pierced Coffee’s own eyes as Kosey spoke clearly in English.

"ONE WITH A PURE HEART AND ANOTHER WITH A PURE SOUL SHALL BE YOUR END AND IT SHALL COME BY YOUR VERY OWN SWORD,’’ then Kosey closed his eyes for the last time.

The guards dragged him away and throw him to the sharks.

On the ground where Kosey had laid, Coffee found a solid gold medallion. On the gold piece was an inscription in African that Coffee could not read. But that didn’t matter to him, it was gold and that is all that did matter. Coffee stuffed the gold medallion into his pocket.

He was no good! Coffee mocked the dead man. His thin vile lips formed a crooked grin as he looked at Bardolf while he rubbed the gold medallion in his pocket. I suppose it’s worth more than he was, Coffee laughed out loud and left the room without a thought to what had taken place.

Bardolf, though, was not as passive about the incident. He instead decided to find out what Kosey meant in his chanting. He stepped over to the other slaves and spoke to them in Spanish. They told him to beware, for Kosey was not just a medicine man but the strongest Obeah known in Africa. His spells were without failure and he was feared not because of the strength of the spell but because they were unforeseen and completely unexpected to their victims; which gave his victims no time to seek the aid of a Balm or a good medicine man.

If you are a true friend to your captain you will find him a good Balm, for this spell has time to seek aid! the woman slave told Bardolf.

Bardolf went to Coffee and tried to warn him. He told him about what the woman had said, but in Coffee’s opinion it was all a heap of balderdash and he told Bardolf never to mention it again.

FIRST PASSAGE

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Marjorie

In April 1671, the Ship SELENA arrived at Port Royal, Jamaica.

Two months before the SELENA docked, a young Balm woman named Miss Marjorie McCarthy, who lived on the island, began having brutal visions.

Miss Marjorie came from a family of healers and visionaries. Her mother and those before her were of good medicine, they were healing Balms from Africa, and she had taught Marjorie everything about herds and healing. In addition, her mother’s family had given Marjorie the greatest gift, the gift of the healing eye. It was a gift that had been passed down through birth every third generation or so.

On the morning, Marjorie was born, her father held her up with her face into the sun, and as her left eye caught the first ray of light, a sparkling rainbow emerged from her eye and filled the sky. The rainbow was the sign that she had been born with the gift.

As a small child, and all through her life, she had visions. The visions came in her dreams. They were always clear and helpful to those they pertained to. Many times, she helped families by healing their sick children. One wealthy white family bought her her freedom for saving their child, while another family whom she helped built her a small home near the waterfront in Port Royal, where she lived happily for years helping those that she could.

But two months before the ship SELENA docked, she began having visions that were the most violent, fragmented and brief. They were extremely upsetting to her and it was the night that these visions started that Miss Marjorie knew her life would change.

The visions left her weak and some days with violent headaches. She became obsessed with them as she felt she needed to do something to stop the pain, but what to do, she did not know. She could only recall the names Coffee and SELENA and the figure of two children holding something in gold. The image’s haunted her every moment until one day while in town she heard there was a new ship in port, "THE SELENA.’’

Is the captain of the SELENA named Coffee? Marjorie asked Jake, a shopkeeper who held a business near the dock.

Jake was a tall slender man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. They had been friends for a long time, helping each other out every now and then. So, Marjorie didn’t feel that he would keep anything from her. He would tell her the truth and she could confide in him.

Why, yes, it is! How did you know? Jake answered, as he stood behind the counter of his shop. He then leaned over slightly to speak more confidentially.

They say he’s the devil himself.

She nodded her head in agreement and continued to listen to the man.

His ship, the SELENA, docked last night by the light of the moon. By morning, his men were everywhere. I hear he’s next store at the tavern.

Jake, have you seen him? she whispered softly.

NO, Jake answered.

I have to see him! she said directly.

NO! blurted Jake as he looked about the shop nervously not wanting any one to hear him. Then he spoke again in a whisper.

No, Miss Marjorie, you don’t want to see him, he is the devil. The evil of him will rot your soul; it will blacken your heart. No Miss Marjorie, what good could come of your meeting him?

But I must see him, she replied.

You must never see him, Jake insisted.

You do not understand; I must try to help him. An evil spell is on him and I must warn him, she spoke softly.

NO, you don’t have to, Jake interrupted.

Yes, I see the horror of his deeds and the evil he has spread but there is more to come, and I must try to stop it, her brown eyes filled with tears and the shopkeeper reached across the counter and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Alright then, I’ll see what I can do, he relinquishes. You wait at home; I’ll let you know when it’s all set up.

Miss Marjorie then left the store; she stepped out on to the brick road and pulled her old gray shawl up over her head. Without another thought, she walked directly to the ship.

When her she laid eyes on it, she felt all the pain again. The visions came flooding back to her, but this time she could make a little more sense of it. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as fresh tears streamed down her face. Marjorie knew what she had to do; she had to see Coffee now before it was too late. She stepped towards the gangplank but before she could start across it she was stopped by an enormous man standing on the other side of the plank.

What ya want? Ya just can’t stroll on ye ship, the large man bellowed before he turned to spit into the sea. Then he whipped his chin with his white slashed sleeved shirt and stared at the intruder.

Well what ya want? he shouted

Miss Marjorie stood firm and made her request. I’ve come to see the captain.

What makes you think he’ll see ya? replied the man.

Because I can help him, she answered.

Why would the captain need your help? he said with a lopsided grin.

Well I’ve seen the captain in a vision, and I think he’s in danger. I might be able to help him.

The captain doesn’t believe in that vision shit. Get out of there and don’t come back, he said waving his hand at her as if to dismiss her.

Miss Marjorie lowered her head in defeat. She had tried but as she turned to walk away, she heard someone calling her.

Yoe miss! The voice was coming from the ship and as she turned back, there was a tall white man standing on the plank.

Please miss, tell me what you told the watchman, the man said as he stepped down off the Plank and stood beside her. The man was dressed in a white lingerie shirt with a falling band collar that buttoned down the front and tied at the wrist with little silk ribbons; his breeches were a dull brown fabric that tied in front with points and finished with simple loops at the knees.

Marjorie looked into his eyes and spoke. You are not Coffee!

No, you’re right I’m not. My name is Bardolf, Bardolf said while his auburn brown hair glistened in the sunlight, giving Marjorie a sense of goodness around him.

And yours…? he asked.

Marjorie, she replied with a smile.

Well, Miss Marjorie is there some place we can go? I want to hear everything you know, he spoke in a soft tone.

Yes, of course. I live this way, she answered directing the man towards her home.

They walked together without a word, and when they reached the house, they ducked inside and closed the door. They had entered the house through the kitchen door and now they stood beside a little wooden table and three rickety chairs. She offered him a seat and he sat down. She did the same and then told him about what she had seen concerning the captain. When she finished, he lowered his head and held it in his hand, as he rubbed his forehead.

Have I upset you? she asked. Should I get you something to drink?

No, he spoke gently. I just can’t believe this is happening. You see there was this man … . . he continued explaining about Kosey and what happened on the ship. When he finished, she was able to understand the visions even more.

That explains a lot! she said.

Can you help him? he asked.

Only if he wants it, I can’t do anything for him unless he is willing. You must bring him to me as soon as possible so I can get to work.

I’ll do my best, but I must tell you he doesn’t believe in this stuff and he has told us all never to talk about it again. He’s a fool but I’m not. Do you see anything in my future; I mean, will I have the same fate as Coffee?

She looked at him optimistically, No, your fate doesn’t have to be the same as Coffee. It is clear to me you have a heart otherwise you wouldn’t be here, but for me to truly tell I must have something of yours. She reached out her hand to him.

He thought for a moment and then took off his pinky ring. He placed it in her hand, and she closed her eyes. After another moment, she held the ring up to her left eye and began to speak.

This ring belonged to a very beautiful woman, Marjorie smiled. She was your mother; she left it for you when she died. Don’t worry she did not feel pain when she passed. You … you have killed many men but it was not with a bitter heart I see a vision of you and your brothers needing to protect something, something of great value to your family, which is why you have done, what you have done but still you must be truly careful what you do next with your post for it has engaged Ubil, to your Captain’s curse.

Bardolf pulled away from her somewhat in shock but Marjorie quickly pulled him back to her.

Wait, there is more; there is a woman, she is calling to you from afar; she is not your mother, but she is certainly of the same appearance; she must be a family member. She is telling me you are in need of a Kathrie, and such shall be born I also see a great wave pulling your ship into the sea; this could endanger your post I’m afraid that’s all I see. Marjorie handed the ring back to Bardolf with a look of fright, for she did not know what a Kathrie was or the reasoning behind the mention of his post and the word Ubil.

Bardolf accepted the ring back and put it onto his hand.

Thank you. I’ll talk to the captain tonight, he said as he stood up.

Wait, what is a Kathrie? What is Ubil? Marjorie yelped nervously as she watched Bardolf leave her house and give her no response. She had not heard those terms before and yet her heart sent fear throughout her body because of the word Ubil. Something was telling her that it was connected to the captain, to his curse, and to all the visions she had been suffering with; it was truly of evil.

It was early the next morning when the pounding of someone’s boot on her door awaken Marjorie. She sat up in her bed, frightened and unable to move. The pounding continued until she heard her name being called from the same direction.

Miss Marjorie, I got the captain. Come on now open the door. I said I got the captain. It was Bardolf and Jake, the shopkeeper; they were dragging Coffee, who was passed out, stoned-drunk, and by the sounds of it Bardolf was well under the influence as well.

When Marjorie came to the door, she was still wearing the same charcoal colored dress with a gimp lace collar and puff sleeves, which she had worn the night before. Her hair was disorganized, and she tried to pull it together as she opened the door. With the door open, Bardolf tugged and turned until, Jake, the captain, and himself were all in the house.

Well we brought him to you, now what? Bardolf hoofed as he and Jake put the captain down in one of the chairs in the kitchen.

Marjorie turned to the shopkeeper with a scared look on her face. Jake took her hand and held it. Then he spoke.

Be careful! he paused, looking over at Coffee and then back to her. I have to get back to the shop but call to me if you need anything, Marjorie.

She nodded yes and then he slipped out the door without a sound.

Marjorie then looked at Bardolf, who was sitting as well, and then at Coffee. Coffee was slumped over and lying limp on the little table. His face was completely covered so she walked over and pulled the mess of his red hair away from his face to make sure it was truly him. She stared at his face for several minutes, trying to see the real man. But there was a mist that covered his inner being and the one thing she could always do read one’s true being was impossible for her to do with Coffee.

I can’t help him like this! she said as she turned to Bardolf and spoke to him in a tired and frustrated tone. She then began to rub her left eye nervously and walked over to the stove to put on a pot to boil water.

Well, I got him, here didn’t I? Bardolf responded in a drunk and slurred voice. Then his head swung around and crashed onto the table next to Shane Coffee’s head.

Marjorie took a deep breath, shook her head, and then went back to her water. She made herself a cup of tea and then stood there in her kitchen, unable to move. She could not believe that within only a few moments one man could enter her home and her life, and seemingly destroy it all. She knew nothing would be the same again.

She then sat down beside Bardolf and checked out Coffee’s lifeless body, his arms hung down like anchors holding a massive ship in place while his legs were bent and crossed in a peculiar position. The aroma of his clothing choked the air and Marjorie could hardly bear to be in the same room. On a closer inspection of his apparel, she discovered that he had at some point been directly involved with animal produces as well as human and excreting from his blouse was the distinct fermentation of rum.

It was not long before the sun warmed the kitchen and Coffee began to stir. At first, he moved his head knocking a saucer off the table; it crashed onto the floor next to the remains of its matching cup. The sound of the crash awoke Bardolf, who was still drowsy. Bardolf watched Marjorie closely as she approached Coffee.

Be careful, he’s a bastard after a hard night of drinking, Bardolf said.

She quietly stood beside Coffee and examined his face; she noticed that some of his color had come back to his cheeks and that his lips were not white anymore. Without explanation, she set a new pot of water to boil and then reached for a large plate. She placed the plate on the table next to Coffee’s head and then walked to the cupboard where she removed four bottles filled with odd substances that Bardolf couldn’t recognize. She set them next to the plate on the table and then took down a small bowl, which she filled with boiling water, placing it as well on the table. Lastly, she grabbed a small sharp knife and sat down across from Coffee. With the knife, she cut off a piece of Coffee’s hair and she placed it on the large plate. Bardolf helped as she took a fingernail clipping from Coffee’s left hand, and then she excreted a few drops of blood into a small glass vile from his left ring finger. She placed both on the plate and then continued by opening one of the bottles that was filled with a green substance that poured out like a cream on to the plate. The second bottle was yellowish and when she opened it a puff of yellow smoke escaped and filled the room awaking Coffee. Taking a deep breath of the yellow substance, Marjorie fell into a trancelike state. Her left eye sparkled in the light that passed through the kitchen window, and as it did it threw a rainbow across the table striking Coffee in his face. Quickly she poured the yellow substance on to her index finger and then touched Coffee’s forehead with it.

Hey, what ya. Coffee tried to speak, but Marjorie’s stare somehow quieted him placing him in a kind of trance as well.

Now give me your medallion, she spoke to him in an almost sleepy tone.

Coffee did what he was told and took the medallion from around his neck and held it out to Marjorie. She accepted the charm and placed it in front of herself on the table. Then she told him hold out your hands.

He put out his hands and held them in front of him as she opened the third container. She poured only a drop of the oily substance on each palm, and one drop in the boiling water; the water began to foam. Marjorie picked up the hot bowl and placed it in Coffee’s hands.

Into the foaming bowl, she placed his hair cuttings causing the foaming to grow more intense. Together she slipped the fingernail clipping and the creamy green substance into the bowl, which stopped the foaming. At this point, she picked up the medallion and with her eyes closed, she began to sway from side to side. All the visions she had before came flooding back, but strangely, they were like a comfort to her. The visions ran smoothly, and in slow motion. For the first time they didn’t weaken her it was almost as if something wanted her; to know the truth so that she could help.

After some time, she finally spoke. Shane Coffee heed my words the curse of Kosey clouds your fate. Tears flooded her eyes as the visions of Coffee’s painful life passed before her, it made it clear to her that this man had no heart and no soul. She could see now how easy it was for Kosey to place the curse upon him.

Carefully she poured the few drops of his blood into the bowl and as each drop entered, the water a sliver of light forced its way out into the room until the bowl glowed like the sun. With this, Marjorie’s visions changed, and she described them to Coffee.

One child is born with a heart upon his chest, a pure heart, a heart unhampered of evil. The second child is born with a star upon its shoulder; the star is a symbol from the heavens given by spirits to strengthen and purify the child’s soul.

Marjorie paused for only a moment before continuing.

I see that the two are weak alone; their strength only comes when they are together but when they are as one, they shall be your end.

Coffee suddenly grew angry he had heard all this before, and he didn’t want to hear it anymore. His anger was so great that it broke the trance and sent him flying away from the chair. He then threw the glowing bowl through the air hitting the wall where it burst into flames setting the house on fire.

Stop, Stop! I can help you. Please let me help you! Marjorie yelled.

Help? What kind of help are you? All this hocus pocus, and you want me to think that it’s real; I don’t need your kind of help, Coffee growled back at her.

Coffee roared with anger so raw that its frightened Marjorie to her bones. Coffee grabbed for his sword and attacked her, pinning her against the kitchen cabinets. Bardolf rushed over to help but Coffee was too fast; he swung his sword around just in time to hit Bardolf powerfully with the handle knocking him to the floor.

Marjorie’s body shook as Coffee grabbed at her throat and waved his jeweled sword in the air. His voice was like a flame against her soul and she felt the true evil of this man. She struggled out of his grip just as his sword swung down toward her. His aim was directed at her heart, yet she managed to turn her body just as it hit her, entering her thigh instead. She screamed from the pain and then fell to the floor next to Bardolf.

Coffee ran from the burning house leaving the two lifeless bodies on the floor of the kitchen. Bardolf awoke just in time to escape the inferno dragging the injured Marjorie with him. Bardolf took her down the street to the shopkeeper who had helped them earlier. Once there, Bardolf and Marjorie made their pact and the word was spread that Marjorie and Bardolf had died in the burning house.

Two days later Bardolf set off on the Majesty, an English clipper sailing to England. The day before he left, Jake arranged a meeting for Bardolf with his brothers know as James Arthur and Jeremiah Patrick who were still on Coffee’s ship and not able to leave their duties. For if they did leave, Coffee would send all of his men to find them and kill them, and even if they survived their leaving, they would have no way to track Coffee and keep the world safe from him. So, they agreed to let their brother Bardolf go, in hopes that he would make his way back to Ireland at some point and inform the family of their trouble.

Marjorie also received help from Jake the shopkeeper and his family. They smuggled her high into the Blue Mountains to a lovely little house on the edge of the Hope River, where she could rest and recover from her injuries. It was here that she heard that Coffee and his men had left the island the night after the fire; it was little comfort to her as she sat looking at the medallion knowing how she angered the heartless man. Her nightmares had not stopped, they had only become more intense and clearer. She tried to put it out of her mind, but their messages pierced her heart; she could not forget.

One day after a sleepless night, she walked deep into the forest carrying the medallion and Coffee’s jeweled sword. She did not know where she was headed, only that she had to go. Finally, she came to a large boulder that sat in a peculiar fashion, balancing on two smaller rocks. It was here that Marjorie decided to leave the sword and medallion. She placed them under the large bolder and covered them with soil. As she turned away from the boulder, the earth began to move, and she heard a crash. Marjorie turned around to find that the boulder had fallen from its peculiar perch, and now barred the two objects. At that very moment Marjorie knew what she had to do; she didn’t know how she was going to do it, but she had to try; she had to try and find the children.

SECOND PASSAGE

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Lion

The air was cool as Marjorie returned home that night and there was a light breeze blowing through the mango trees that surrounded her house. Marjorie went inside and walked straight to her bed. For the first time in months, she climbed into her sheets unafraid of what her dreams might bring.

She awoke the next morning refreshed. Her mind was clear, and her soul inspired. She slipped on a dress and stepped out into her garden. Her eyes were wide and her thoughts clear as she walked through the roses and ferns. A light dew covered the foliage and glistened in the morning sun. She smiled to herself as she sat down under an ackee tree. It was peaceful with only the sound of the river and the flutter of an occasional hummingbird to fill the air.

Marjorie wished it could be like this every morning, but she knew that it could not until she had completed her task. So, in the shade of the ackee tree, surrounded by the peace and harmony she made her final plans and she was determined to see them through. With her plans made Marjorie leaned back and closed her eyes just as a man stepped from the river and called to her.

What a ting, my lady till sleeping.

The man startled her, and she sat there uncomfortably as he shook the water from his foot. He was a tall dark Rastafarian man wearing nothing but a pair of old tan pants that went down past his knees. His hair was twisted into locks and pulled together behind his head. His almond shaped eyes glistened like glass as he looked at her from the riverbank. Slowly he walked through the rocks that lined the river until his massive body blocked the morning sun from her face. She turned her head up to him and noticed a cloud of smoke encircling his mouth. The smoke cleared as he pulled the weed from his lips and spoke again.

How you go, my lady? He held out his hand to her and smiled.

Go on now, me not your lady! Marjorie spoke harshly to him and then looked away as if to tell him to go, but the man was not convinced. Instead, he sat down right beside her and grinned. His smile reached across his entire face and beamed at her.

Now why ya treat me so bad? he asked her still smiling.

Cause I don’t know you! she said matter-of-factly.

Oh yes! He said as he jumped to his feet and put out his hand to her.

Me name is Lion; the mighty Lion, he said.

Marjorie nodded but did not give him her hand. Instead, she stood up and walked away from him. He followed dancing all around her, and as he danced, he sang a little song.

    "This long-time gal me never see yuh

Come mek me hold yuh hand

This long-time gal me never see yuh

Come mek me hold yuh hand

    Peel head John Crow sit upon the tree top

Pick out the blossom

Mek mi hold yuh han Gal

Mek mi holdw yuh hand

    Long time gal me never see yuh

Come mek we walk and talk

Long time gal me never see yuh

Come mek we walk and talk"

Lion’s singing and dancing was such a spectacle that Marjorie couldn’t help but laugh.

Lion, mon go ome, ya can’t sing and ya surly cannot dance!!

Then she ducked under a breadfruit tree and disappeared from his sight.

That night after her dinner, she took a cup of tea out on the porch and sat down in the little porch swing. There was a gentle breeze blowing across the porch and she felt so comfortable that she drifted off to sleep. Suddenly her body began to shiver as she envisioned a boy child being carried through the darkness. The child was cold and hungry. She envisioned a ship in the ocean, and then she saw that the child crying had blood dripped from his chest. The vision upset her so much that she began to cry uncontrollably until she awoke in Lion’s Arms.

No cry my lady! Lion spoke very gently to her as he patted her back to comfort her. His voice was soothing to her as she awoke.

There, there me come now, don’t cry!

It was sometime later that she finally did stop crying, but Lion stayed with her until she did.

Thank you, she whispered to him.

How you stay? he asked her as he looked into her eyes.

I’ll be fine; I hope I didn’t trouble you, she spoke very quietly.

No problem. But what happened to make you fret so?

Marjorie couldn’t speak; she could only look at Lion. Her face showed all the pain that she felt inside but she was unable to express it in words. She turned away from him and tried to stand but she was so weak that she only fell back into her seat on the swing.

Let me help you, Lion said as he gently helped Marjorie to her feet.

Thank you again. Marjorie whispered.

No problem! Lion answered as they entered the house. He set her down on a chair and went to the kitchen to get her some water.

Drink this. Lion handed her a glass and she took a sip.

Now ya tell ya Lion, why ya cry. He spoke to her as if he were her father and for some reason that she could not explain she told him everything. He listened without saying a word and when she finished, he reached over and held her hands. Neither one spoke for quite some time until he thought of something.

Marjorie, you see tings that are in the future that means this child hasn’t been hurt yet, so if we can find de child, we can save him. He was so excited he burst from his seat and landed in front of her.

Ya don’t understand. I don’t know where the child is! she sobbed.

Well my lady that’s why you have me. He said it with such confidence as he bowed in front of her.

What do you mean, how can you help? Can you tell me where the child is? She said it sarcastically to him. Her face became angered as she thought that he was making fun of her, mocking her for the story she had told him.

Yes! Yes, I can find the child, he said very quietly. He seemed hurt that she didn’t believe him. His head bent down and his eyes looked at the wood floor.

Then tell me where the child is! She was still not convinced that he could tell her, but she thought it couldn’t hurt to humor him anyway.

It’s not that easy, Marjorie; I can’t just find the answer in the air. It takes a little work. He was still hurt but he knew he could help so he explained to her that he was a seer-mon.

Ever since I can remember I had had the gift to see what others could not see only by thinking about them. Many times, the people in my parish have enlisted my help in finding one thing or another and I was always able to see the object that they sought. That is why I came down the river this very morning; I knew you were looking for me, so I found you! He spoke with such assurance that she had to respond.

But I was not looking for you! Marjorie said and stood up and walked over to him.

My thoughts were clearly not on you they were on the children, she gasped.

Yes, your thoughts were completely on the children, on HOW to find them; me heard you and so I came! Lion said boldly.

Marjorie couldn’t believe what she was hearing; she sat down on the chair again and stared at him.

I just can’t believe this.

Well, will you let me try? he asked.

Yes, please do. What do you need? she inquired.

Is there anything that connects the children to you?

There is only the medallion, she answered as she closed her eyes with a deep sigh. For, she had just buried it deep in the forest under a boulder and would be unable to retrieve it. But I buried it deep in the forest.

Yes, he paused for a moment while he closed his eyes. It is buried under a rock with a large gold sword. I can see them very clearly; yes, that will do. He stood up and walked outside. The night air was cool and fresh; it felt good to him and it helped to clear his mind. He took a deep breath and then sat down on the steps leading up to the house. He sat there for over an hour before he stood up again and walked back into the house. He spoke to her very softly. There is a child on the island of Cuba; we must leave tomorrow, for the birth will be soon. He didn’t say another word, he just turned and walked out the door and disappeared through the mango trees.

What do I do? She called out after him but there was no response. She closed the door and locked it, then went to the kitchen where she sat back down to decide what she needed to take with her.

By the time she finished packing her bag there was a knock at the door. It was Lion and he was completely dressed, including shoes, and he was carrying a bag over his shoulder.

Are ya ready? he asked her as he held out his hand to take her bag.

Yes, she answered, stepping though the doorway.

Good, my brother is waiting for us by the road. He has a cart that will take us to the harbor and from there we’ll find a ship to take us to the island, Lion spoke quickly as he walked up the steep embankment to the road.

But how can we take a ship? How will we pay for it? she asked.

Allah will provide! he spoke with confidence.

He helped her on to the back of his brother’s cart and they were off. They didn’t speak much on the ride, but soon the gentle rocking of the cart put Marjorie to sleep. When she awoke, they were at the harbor and she was alone in the cart. She sat up to find that Lion’s brother was feeding the horses.

Good morning miss. I’m Bear. Bear spoke with a rough voice like he needed to cough, but he didn’t. My brother will be right back; he is over at that ship. They say it’s leaving for Cuba tonight. Bear pointed to a ship that was docked in the harbor.

Marjorie shielded her eyes from the bright mourning sun as she tried to get a better look at it. It was an English ship called the Eileen. It looked to her to be a fine vessel in which to travel. Just as she stood up, she noticed, Lion, coming towards her.

Well my lady ya sure do sleep a lot! he said with a smile and then he went to speak to his brother. When he returned to her, his brother pulled the cart away and left the dock. Are you hungry? Lion asked her.

Yes, she answered.

Then follow me, he said as he led her down a street lined on one side with small houses and on the other side with trees. They stopped when they came to a blue house on the end. Lion walked up to the door and went right inside, Marjorie followed cautiously. He headed toward the kitchen and pulled out a chair for her to sit down.

Come now, he said with a smile. It’s O.K. this is my sister’s house. She works for the man who owns the dock and he lets her live here. He turned his back to Marjorie and then presented her with a tray of food. Go ahead and eat, I’ll be right back.

Then he was gone again. She ate and waited what seemed to be hours before he came back for her, but when he finally returned, they were off again, this time to the ship. He helped her across the gangplank and introduced her to a large man. The man nodded his head with acceptance and then they were off again. Lion showed her the way down into the belly of the ship then he stopped when he came to a little door.

You can put your things in there. Lion spoke very fast and she obeyed without saying a word. Now, this way. Lion motioned to her to go down some old wooden stairs that lead to a make-ship kitchen. Well, what do ya think? He asked.

What do I think of what? she asked with a puzzled look on her face.

The ship. I arranged passage to Cuba and back on this ship. So, what do you think? His response was quick.

But how did you do it? I can’t pay, she answered nervously.

I know; the passage is in exchange for work, he said reassuring her.

What kind of work? Marjorie asked. However, she was starting to figure things out for herself as she stood in a kitchen-like area and began to understand she would have to cook for the staff.

I’ll be working on the deck and you have the kitchen. He said with a nervous grin, and then continued: Their regular cook broke his foot and has to stay on land for three weeks. That’s just how long it will take to return. Now get yourself aquatinted with this place; the captain likes his breakfast at daybreak. That was all he said before he sprinted back up the wooden steps to the deck leaving Marjorie confirmed for her own assumption as to how he had arranged their passage.

The voyage was smooth and uneventful. They arrived in Cuba within the week and when they docked, they were given orders to return to the ship in three days; if they didn’t, the ship would leave without them.

Lion left the ship as soon as it docked, leaving Marjorie, still on board. He spoke to her as he walked down the plank and then stepped on to the dock.

I’ll be back before night fall; have all of our things ready to go. He then disappeared into the crowded market that lined the pier.

Marjorie just stood there, watching the people walking in the market; they spoke Spanish, and she didn’t understand them. She felt confused and for the first time since they began their quest, she questioned her being there.

How could I have followed a perfect stranger to a place I am not familiar with? The people, I don’t understand what they are saying! She rubbed her forehead as it throbbed with pain. She wanted to cry and now she felt she had been foolish in her choice to come. Marjorie ran to her room and burst into tears. She stayed there for some time until she fell asleep on her little cot.

While she slept, she had another vision only this vision was not of a child, but of a woman in great pain. The woman’s face appeared to her in a mist; her eyes beckoned to Marjorie. Luring her thoughts and then consuming her mind. Marjorie’s own senses were so overwhelmed with the woman’s pain and frustrations that she suddenly awoke drenched in perspiration. She could still see the woman’s face in her mind, and she was determined to find her.

The vision had been a sign to Marjorie that she was where she was needed and that she should be ready to leave the ship when Lion returned. So, she quickly packed up their items and then went to wait for Lion on the deck of the ship.

The sun was just going down when an old cart pulled up to the end of the dock. Two large oxen with horns pulled the cart; their massive bodies cast an eerie shadow across the wooden dock. The shadow captured Marjorie’s attention as she stood on the deck. She didn’t even notice Lion jump off the back of the cart and walk up to the Eileen.

Don’t tell me you’re sleeping again, Lion called up to her.

His voice startled her as she tried to locate where the sound was coming from.

Are you ready? he asked from the dock, extending his hand across the plank to help her. Without