The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 8 The black wind blockade

The Girls of Ohmer Chapter 8
The black wind blockade

Bear Dog Vampire was very upset. This day was starting out to be the worstest ever! Not only was she bound up in some sort of dried up super snot, she had to endure the stench of Toms Terrific Tonic again. It was almost enough to make her cry.

Tom returned with a bottle of his awful smelling tonic, smiling and humming to himself. He looked ridiculous in his spotted coveralls. Bear Dog Vampire began to despise him for what he was about to put her through. She could not hide her animosity.

"Hey Bee Dee Vee, why the long face? I'll get you out of that muck in a jiffy!"

"It's not that," she began to break. A single frustrated tear rolled down her cheek " its just the horrible smell of that terrible  tonic!"

Tom scrutinized the label, making sure he had grabbed the right bottle. Should he put "Toms Terrible Tonic" on her, she most likely would not survive the experience. Nope, he had the right one. Terrific!

Tom smiled. " Well if the smell is your only worry then worry no more my little shape shifter! Smell is just a matter of perception! Which do you prefer, apple pie, or honeysuckle?"

Bear Dog Vampire smiled at the mention of honeysuckle. That was her favorite smell in the whole wide world. "I like honeysuckle!" she said with a grin. Then sensing a trick she reserved herself. "what are you up to Tom?"

Tom looked injured by the insinuation that he was up to something. " Nothing, nothing at all, I'm  just here to help you. Here, hold this tightly in your hand."

Tom pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in her hand. It was a button carved from a yellow seashell. It looked like something that would be on an old ladies sweater. There was a honeysuckle flower embossed on it. She sniffed the button. " It smells like old socks!"

Tom shook his head. "Don't smell the button! Hold the button, and smell the tonic!" Tom popped the cork and quickly placed the bottle under Bear Dog Vampires nose.

She tried to pull away but then caught just a tiny whiff of the most enticingly sweet honeysuckle fragrance. Oh it was wonderful! It made her think of summertime and butterflies. It filled her nostrils and tickled her brain. The most luxurious smell in creation. "Mmmmmmm" she took deep sniffs " mmmmmmmm!" was all she would say.

Erika and Vay were running out of the room  coughing and holding their noses. They were saying "EEEEEWWWWW!" in unison as they retreated to the kitchen.  To them the smell was putrescence incarnate.

Tom dipped an eyedropper in the tonic and began dripping drops here and there to dissolve the dried goop from the snot trap.

As Tom worked he looked at the placid face of the girl before him. " I understand why you like being called Bear, and even Dog, but why vampire, if you've never actually changed into one?"

She stopped sniffing the bottle of tonic.  " how do you know I've never been a vampire?"

"Because you still have the eyes of an innocent." He replied.  "Being one of the unliving undead for even a short while can change a person."

"But Tom! I always change back when I want to."

Tom stopped working for a moment, and placing a hand on her shoulder, looked her directly in the eyes." Little one, some things cannot be forgotten. When you are a bear you are still natural, still warm, you still feel joy and love. It's the same when you transform into a dog. However, no matter what the stories say about vampires, I know for a fact that they are all cold and unloving. To assume such a form would be unnatural for you. It would be a tragedy for you to lose your innocence when it is still in bloom. Do you understand?"

Bear Dog Vampire nodded her head, although she did not comprehend exactly what he meant. Vampires are strong, and they can see in the dark, and they are so fast! Yes he was righton one point, she had never changed into a vampire before, but thats only because she was always at home and safe when the sun went down. Some night though, she would try it just to see what its like to stalk the darkness without fear.

Tom was not convinced that she understood. " Listen very closely." He continued " If you ever do make that change, and you feel lost,"

"I won't get lost." She interrupted.

Tom shook his finger in front of her face." Shh! Listen. If you feel like you are losing yourself, I want you to think of the smell of honeysuckle and the warmth of your mothers hugs. ok?"

"Hugs n honeysuckle!" She said with a grin

"Very good!"He said" now close your eyes and think about your mothers warm hugs while you smell this."

Before long the job was done and Bear Dog Vampire wasstanding released from the binding goop. She stood smiling dreamily as she sniffed the bottle of tonic and remembered her mothers warm embrace.

++++++++++

The journey back to the village took most of the day. By the time Nina pulled Blue to a halt in front of Toms managerie, the sun was setting. Nina felt like she had been dragged behind, rather than riding on top of Blue.

Not only were the injuries she sustained from the trap aggravated by the long ride, but her magic was still out of her reach. This was deeply troubling. Nina had not realized how much she relied on that power for everyday things. Everything from giving herself a burst of energy when she was sleepy, to helping alleviate pain, to the simple task of heating water.

If another demon showed up, Nina was at a loss for what to do. Maybe Tom would have some ideas, after all, he used to be a wizard long ago when men wielded magic. He seemed to have adjusted quite well, although his sanity my have suffered some.

Hilario dismounted with the grace of a panther, landing soundlessly on the street in front of Toms. " I will alert those inside to our arrival" he bounded up the steps and knocked on the door, a loud rapid stacatto like a woodpecker on a tree. Then he jumped down the stairs and began helping Nina get down from the saddle. " OK lady, be careful, I don't wanna drop you."

Even though she was in pain all over, Nina smiled at the fortune of being rescued by this funny little man. He reminded her of a grasshopper or a flea, jumping and springing about, like he had all the energy in the world. Sometimes during the day he had been a bit annoying with all of his questions, but when she saw the child like wonder in his eyes she couldn't remain upset.

No doubt this was all quite new to him.  Before today he had never even seen a square building. Doors were a curiosity to him, and locks were an enigma, everything from how they worked to why anyone would need one.

Wahakans had a much different way of life. Nina almost wished she had grown up in the jungle, until she remembered what brought Hilario here in the first place. His parents and brothers and little sister had been taken into slavery.

Nina paused, considering the fate of her child, and grand child, and the danger they were all in even at this moment. The two situations were remarkably similar.

Tom opened the door as Hilario helped Nina limp up the steps.  "what happened to you?" Asked Tom as he hurried to help get Nina inside.

"The lady get caught in a trap mister. I just help her get out and we come here" Hilario smiled up at Tom. " Nice suit mister!"

Nina groaned as the two men helped her across the porch. " How have the girls been?"

Tom was about to tell her what a delight it was to have them around when the trio heard the sound of hoof beats coming down the street. A lot of hooves.

"Inside. NOW!" Shouted Tom. He didn't know what was coming but he was sure it wasn't good.

As they entered the house, Tom barred the door and began flipping levers on the wall beside the door. Outside the house, shutters were closing automatically and the spear tipped poles that held the banners angled down, pointing to the street in front of the managerie.

Tom looked Nina. " get to the basement with the help of your friend, I'll get the girls and meet you there."

Nina protested, "Blue is out there!"

Out on the street Armed riders were assembling in formation. A crescent line in front of the building. They carried the banner of the Black Wind, the army of Brock.

Hilario smiled" Don't worry lady, I'll get him!"

" No Hilario I'm afraid its too dangerous!" Nina was resigned to the loss of her faithful mount. The Black wind were cruel and would most likely slay the beast for fun, but their only chance was to try to find another escape.

"Come on lady! The danger is the fun part!" Hilario insisted.

Just then the leader of the troops stepped his black horse forward and shouted. " Tinker! We have no quarrel with you! Send out the witches and you will be spared!"

Nina gasped. They were here for the girls too! Brocks minions referred to all females with magical ability as witches, and Ohmer girls had an extra portion of magic compared to others. " Tom you can't let them get the girls! My magic is useless right now. You must protect them!"

Hilario spoke up" Lemme out mister, I have something for this crazy guy!"

The girls were standing on the stairs, staring at the scene below. Through the window they saw the hooves of dozens of black horse. Iron shoes sparked on the cobblestone street.

The leader began to speak again. "Tinker! This is your final warning! Send out the...ack! Gurgle..."

While he was speaking the leader failed to notice the mail slot on the front door had opened, and the very end of a flute poked out. A deadly lullaby sailed silently into the leaders throat, pinning his spine to the back of his helmet. He hunched over and slid out if his saddle, falling to the ground like a sack of bricks. The other riders in the formation sat in stunned silence.

Hillario burst out of the door screaming " YAAAAHEEEEEEEEEEE!" He rolled across the porch, dropped to the ground and popped streight up onto Blues back. "Go big fella! Go go GO!!!!"

Blue reared up then drove head first into the flank of the formation. Knocking the stunned riders aside like bowling pins. Trampling one in the process.

Inside the house Nina was talking to Erika, a hasty plan of escape was underway. "You know what to do. Be brave sweetheart! I'll see you on the other side of nevertime, and the other side of that blockade."

Erika steadied her nerves and took a deep breath raising her hands above her.