ENCOUNTER Hep Aldridge (best autobiographies to read .txt) 📖

know how we can thank you for this amazing gift. I think I speak for everyone when I say, we assure you we will use it wisely.”

Jeannie nodded and left the room. We went back to our preparations for departure, too dazed by all that had just happened even to discuss it right now. It was late afternoon when we finished and headed to the restaurant, as we called it. The table was once again set with meats, cheeses, bread, fruit, and flagons of drink. We were halfway through our meal when Jeannie appeared, and Eduardo and Lithel walked in. I think we all were more than a little taken aback at the transformation we saw in Eduardo. His clothes were flowing robes of a pale blue color, his hair was neatly cut, and he stood taller with confidence we had not seen before. Lithel, in her giant saber-toothed cat form, walked in and sat next to Jeannie as Eduardo came in and greeted each of us with a manly handshake, followed by a hug and huge grin.

Joe spoke up first, “Eduardo, look at you; you’re looking good, young man.”

He was, and it was evident that a transformation from teenager to adult was taking place. As he greeted us, his voice was even different, precise and confident—the voice of a man. When he got to me, he gave me a great bear hug, then stood back, and, looking me squarely in the eyes, thanked me for all I had done for him over these last couple of years and for agreeing to allow him to stay with Jeannie.

“You are welcome,” I said, “but I should be thanking you for what you have done for us and what you have brought to the team. You became a true asset to this group, and you will be missed.”

I saw Lithel’s huge cat form get up and walk to me. I was seated, but her head easily came to my shoulders as she nuzzled against it. Her thoughts were clear, “Thank you, you have done well with this one. He will make a fine Watcher and keep your memory fresh in our minds.” She pushed her cold nose against my cheek in what I can only describe as a giant feline kiss and turned away.

Doc laughed and said, “Colt, I think you may have just made the A-team.”

Lithel glanced over her shoulder as she continued walking away, and I heard, “Indeed you have, Colt.”

Eduardo joined us, choosing to sit next to Joe, with whom he had developed a close bond, and we continued our meal as Jeannie and Lithel watched. I had been thinking about something and figured this is as good a time as any to bring it up.

“Jeannie,” I said, “those men that attacked us, I am afraid when they do not return to civilization, there may be more sent to find out what happened. They will not give up easily. They are driven by a perverted zeal that seems to have been building for many years within their organization. There could be more trouble.”

“I understand, and thank you for your concern. But now that my powers have been restored, I am quite capable of protecting the Citadel from all foes. They will find it impossible to find a trace of our existence, let alone be of any danger to us.”

“What if they find the roadway?” Doc said.

“The roadway is no longer visible. I have increased the cloak and added safeguards that will ensure no one will come this way uninvited. I will be able to sense their presence days before they would even come close, and at the very least create mental disincentives and confusion to keep them from continuing.”

Knowing how fanatics can react, I said, “And if that doesn’t work?”

Jeannie shrugged and said, “Then they will cease to exist.”

Dimitri said, “You could do that?”

“Oh, yes,” she responded, “and much, much more…remember, you are only privy to some of my magic.”

With that reassuring thought, we finished our meal and enjoyed our time with Eduardo, not wanting to think of it as a good-bye visit. We rose to leave, and Jeannie asked, “You plan on departing in the morning?”

“Yes, we need to get an early start. It’s over a two-day hike back to the abandoned village, then two more days to Tamara’s village, and two days back to our vehicle. So, we’ve got a bit of journey ahead of us,” I said.

“I understand. I will meet you in the morning before you leave,” Jeannie said and disappeared.

We said our somewhat emotional good-byes to Eduardo and Lithel, with promises of seeing them again, and headed back to camp.

The rest of the evening was spent in final checks and quiet discussion. They centered on the amazing circumstances around our search for the library and discoveries made as well as the gifts Jeannie had bestowed upon us.

O’Reilly commented, “You know, it almost seems normal for us to make these wonderful discoveries, finding an otherworldly Citadel, meeting and learning from an alien being, and finding the library of all libraries. I don’t know; I think I’m kind of in shock over all of it happening in such a short time.”

“I agree,” Joe said, “And then there was the confrontation with the Brotherhood and the Vatican mercs on top of it all. I even got to use and work with magic tools.”

“And don’t forget, we got to fly,” Dimitri added, “that was so cool.”

Doc said, “I do believe we are in sensory overload, accepting what we have seen, experienced, and been part of without having or taking the time to really let it sink in. It just kept coming at us non-stop. It’s only been a little over two weeks during which we’ve experienced all of this. That’s a hell of a lot to take in during a short time.”

Reggie, who had been unusually quiet the last couple of days, said, “You know, Colt, when I first decided to try and join your group, I was