THE DRUID STONE

“Caw. Caw. Caw.”

Kane looked up. The crow was standing on a wooden ranch style fencepost not twenty feet from him. The blue lightning was more active within the clouds. It still was not streaking downward and seemed to be now focused above Stonehenge. Beside the crow’s feet was a quarter-size diameter stone. Kane moved toward the bird that stood fast cocking its head and staring at him with a red eye. When Kane was within arm reach the crow flew to the next post leaving the rounded stone. Kane approached the post and looked at the little rock. It was perfectly round and without any peck marks. It was like a smooth stone that had been readied for a jewelry setting–not carved from a solid piece of primeval granite. He looked at the bird looking at him and he touched the stone.

The bird made more noise but remained on his fence pedestal and didn’t stop his cawing until Kane picked up the stone.

Kane placed the stone in his left palm and closed it. A bright blue intra-cloud flash suddenly gave more illumination to the gray cast atmosphere around him. The signs around the grounds threatening prosecution against any purloining of Stonehenge fragments seemed to be highlighted with the blue flashes. As his fist closed around the stone, he felt electricity flowing up his arm. Kane became light-headed and a warm feeling flowed from his left arm throughout his body. He reached for the fence to hold on and felt the dizziness fade and the electricity tone down to a dull buzz. Kane slowly opened his hand and looked at the Stonehenge fragment.

“What in the world,” he mumbled. He looked around and no one was glancing his way. Kane turned back to the stone. It had changed from its simple rock appearance. It was pulsating and glowing a penetrating sapphire blue. Suddenly the complete gray clouded sky calmed down. The blue flashes within the clouds stopped. He became aware of Sorel coming back.

“Morgan, I got my pictures. Let’s grab something to eat.” Sorel moved easily in the warming air now that the sun broke through the clouds. “Oh, there’s our crow again.” She whipped her camera into position and clicked off several shots.

Kane pocketed the Stonehenge pellet and forced a smile. “Good idea. I haven’t really eaten much the past few days.”

They glanced over their shoulders to the fence and saw the large black crow with the out-of-place turned-out white feather, fly rapidly to a scoping circle above them.

“You have to wonder about that bird, Morgan.” Sorel looked skyward and then ahead to the indoor eatery.

Kane lightly touched her elbow to keep from losing her in the crowded restaurant entryway. His thoughts weren’t on food. A strange tranquility had occupied his mind and body since he had pocketed the stone. Yes, you have to wonder about the crow and his mission to deliver this stone to me.