The River Tale (From the Collection)

Somewhere in the distance, Isobel heard a piercing scream, as it faded, she woke up, realising the scream was hers.  She saw Rick beside her, and breathed a sigh of relief.

 �Thank god� she sighed, the dream had not been real. 

 She rushed out to the balcony of the canal boat and gazed up at the sky.  It had just been a nightmare after all.

Rick jumped up out of bed, and ran his hands through his hair, a look of fear spread over his face.

Michel  had just landed a job as a copy writer, in the West End.

He strolled along the canal wondering whether to rent a friend�s houseboat on the canal at Little Venice. A perfect location.

 and ideal place to escape city life, he thought, to give free reign to his muse.   Where the stillness was only interrupted by the steady hum of  passing boats, and home to the artists and writers who lived on the canal and who shared his need for solitude at times.

He looked up, a heron flew past. Two boats went by, their bright gypsy colours, with music wafting, drifting across the water, brightening up the afternoon. The people on the boat waved. He  waved back.

The area had an easy calm, the swirling water rippled, shaded by trees  and inhabited by wildlife. It was a haven of natural tranquility.

He decided to stay.

The cloying heat of afternoon filled the air. Michel  caste off the rowing boat and began to rowing toward Camden,  he reflected sadly on the love he had left behind - feeling marooned, love- locked in an endless situation.

Leisurely he moved toward the bridge, feeling torn. The inertia , of the past enveloping him as droplets of rain began to fall on the oar. He began to consider the emptiness of the future  when a small beam of light began to emerge through a break in the clouds throwing a glow over the boat.

�Where do I go from here?� he muttered unable to make the decision to pull away from his lost love, stuck in endless torment.

A rainbow appeared, its� vibrant colours arching up through the sky, filling him with energy.

Michel  headed toward the tunnel.  Ducking and rowing past the darkness into the sun, feeling the splashes of water as they fell on the boat.  He emerged as the sun began to shine, stopping as he saw a reflection of the boat rippling on the water.

 Coming/Feeling alive again, he rowed away from the past, the memories fading to become a fragment of his imagination, moving faster toward a new beginning, a new life.

Gliding past the bank, he saw a girl sitting by a gypsy boat, painting.

 �She is beautiful�, he sighed wistfully, tying up the boat on a jetty.

Her long hair cascaded over her pale shoulders. Her silk dress was blowing in the gentle breeze, giving her the air of a gentle maiden. The scene had an ethereal air as though she had just stepped from a painting by Millais. He glanced up and saw a dark cloud had begun to fill the sky.

The boat suddenly gained speed as it was carried along  by the gentle current. Michel  in a sad mood sat staring over the side watching the light flowing ripples, lifting the oars lightly, when  a shadow fell across the water, he looked up and caught sight of the sad water maiden walking along the bank her gentle beauty enthralling him. as he lost control of the oars.

******

Isobel walked along the bank of the canal, setting up an easal.

Her hair flowed, as she sat by the water, before a canvas, cascading around her bare, lightly tanned shoulders.

Her long rippling hair fell over her back in wispy  pale curls, her dress billowed in the gentle breeze.  She glided along as though she was the subject of a romantic painting.

 A smile lit up her face, totally captivating Michel .

He sat looking at her.

 Iosbel sighed- it had been along week. her  dream recurring dream of Rick being taken away by a strange entity, was disturbing her.  He had been acting strange lately.  She needed to unwind. She looked out over the canal, when she saw an attractive man rowing past struggling with some oars.

 �She is a like a sea nymph�, thought Michel , watching her paint, fighting to regain control of the oars.

Elegantly she stood up, and waved, the brushes in her hand

She called out to him �Have you got a minute? can you help me. . ?

�Ok� he said, steering the boat to the bank.

�I think you need help too� she said grabbing some rope and pulling him in.

Have you just moved here?

�Yes� Michel  replied. �I�m renting a boat, from a friend, I�m not used to rowing.�

�You�ll get used to it,� She said

��I need to dismantle the eisal. Perhaps you can help me� she asked.

�Ok, he replied.

He stepped out of the boat and climbed to the area where she was painting . She got back onto her stool.

�Thank you for your offer to help� she smiled gratefully, putting away her work.

�Not at all� he said walking over to her

On the canvas, he saw a circle of flowers painted in watercolours.

�That�s very beautiful� he said admiring her work.

Her porcelain hands moved quickly, leaving small precise brushstrokes on the canvas.

� It helps me relax�� I�ll just put the brushes away.� she said watching him dismantle the eisal. Watching him amused, she stifled a giggle.

�There, that should be ok, I was never any good with these things�

They laughed

�Do you like it here?�she asked

�Yes I enjoy the freedom and the space� he admitted.

enchanted by her.

 Seeing there was a sadness in his eyes, she did not want to question him further as she thought he looked vulnerable.

�Would you like some tea?

�Yes, thanks�

� Come inside the boat�

�We are a collective of artists, who run a business from here� she said climbing down into the small cabin

He climbed in after her.

He sat on the seat toying with the tarot cards layed out on the small table. Watching Isobel turn back, busy making coffee weaving her long hair into a plait. He saw her breasts point through the fabric of her dress wanting her.

He wondered how light her caress would be. She handed him the coffee, her hand brushed against his. He felt a wave of desire.

�Come to dinner with us on Saturday� she offered.

� Yes, I�d like that� he said gratefully. I don�t know many people  here yet�

That weekend. Walking toward Isobel�s boat �Lilith�, Michel  reflected how he was glad to be away from the oppression of the city and boredom of suburbia .  The River was peaceful but vibrated with energy.

�Lilith� was  parked by the bank, a large boat with gothic spires and windows . He pushed open the huge medieval door, peeking down into the boat.

Inside, he saw was even more strange. With black iron furniture, and tall exotic plants crowded into a large boat  It reminded him of a film set. Lillies and poppies adorned the room. Black candles were displayed in wrought iron, gothic - style  holders on the walls. He half expected to see an open coffin in the room, or bats flying over the crosses in the small garden.

Michel  climbed into the boat, observing the other guests, thinking they  seemed equally odd.  

 �I�m glad you came. Come with me, offered Isobel warmly, taking his arm. I�ll introduce you to everyone�

�This is Rick� she said. Introducing him to a man with chiselled cheekbones and the longest hair he had ever seen.  Michel  saw that Rick was at least six foot, and was dressed in  all black, with dark make up around his eyes.

� Hi� said Rick,  unplugging a guitar from an amp.

� Were glad you could make it. Are you enjoying life on the river?� he asked

As he began to speak, Michel noted his anarchic appearance concealed an articulate manner.

�Yes, it�s great� he confessed.

�Don�t be put off by my appearance� he said, turning to Michel �I�ve just played a gig�

He walked over noticing he joined them at what seemed to be the height of a heated debate.

�What do you think of civilisation? So called reality� Rick asked one of the guests, fuelling the discussion.

 �Civilisation is just a facade. He said �An illusion�, �Even the most advanced societies are only four meals away from anarchy�. He said filling some goblets  to the brim with wine.

 �Anarchy is just an expression of freedom in the human spirit�. said a female guest

Our �safety� in this life, is a relative and fluctuating concept.� he elucidated.

�Don�t you agree?� he asked turning to Michel

�That there are no certainities ?� No I disagree, There are some.�

�Well, I believe in Karmic law� said Isobel, �there is a cause and effect to human behaviour. We create our own destiny, we reap what we sow�

�I agree�, said the other guest.

� This is Felicia, said Isobel �the lead singer with Rick�s band�

�Hello� said Felicia in a dark voice, staring  at him with wild  vibrant eyes.

Felicia wore a black silk wedding dress. Torn open at the front showing black lace and long black fishnet tights.

Her long black raven hair, flowed to her ankles.  

She looked at him intently, caught unawares her eyes conveying a feline cruelty.

A dark energy glistened perceptibly, beneath her civilised veneer.

She warmed toward him. � I hope I haven�t shocked you, I study the dark goddess� she said, �The source of all life and creativity, the unleashed untamed forces of our dark creative power, I suppose I am a witch�. She admitted

�How interesting� said Michel .

�So you are a copy writer� she said � I find it a nice place to work in the middle of the city�

�Yes, it is very inspiring he agreed. � Do you write too?�.

�Sometimes, I do have one or two areas of interest� she answered darkly. �The occult�.

� And this is Steve and Jane� interuppted Isobel.

� Hello�

�Do you live  on the canal?

� No in Highgate, the others in Camden� they said.

�I�m so pleased you could make it� Iosbel said. �Would you like some more wine?� Michel   took it wondering if it might be devil�s blood.

Michel  noticed  how feminine she looked .  Her ethereal elegance contrasted heavily with Felicia�s vampish presence. her glacial poise made her seem  like a goddess, then she smiled her gaze mellowed   an impish grin lighting up her small face. They seemed to represent the two sides of woman, the darkness and the light Michel  mused, mystery and innocence -.

 �Do you like it here? asked Isobel tossing the salad.

 �Yes it�s very relaxing�

� We moved here two years ago. I would not live anywhere else.�

�Are you hungry� she asked �We are vegetarians ,  I hope that�s all right.�

�Yes  fine�

They spent the afternoon basking by the side of the water, listeing to Rick play.

Rick interrupted the silence by strumming a few chords on his guitar.

�We are touring next week�. He said �This will be my last chance to relax for a while� he explained. �It�s going to be a hectic six months� he sighed.

�  Well, here�s to the tour and the success of �Andromeda�� toasted Isobel.

Michel  raised his glass looking around the boat taking in the strange, gothic - Freudian imagery and occult artefacts. He wondered if the interest in the dark paraphenalia was Rick�s. There was strange vibe in the room.

It seemed at odds with Isobel�s spiritual aura, her personality.

�When are you playing?�  he asked Rick

� Next week. Brighton, then Europe�

�What kind of music do you play?�

� Rock, sort of classical rock with a dark edge�.

�It has a certain appeal really, for those dark in nature� he explained, �I doubt you will have heard of us.  But you must come to one of our gigs, you�ll enjoy it� He said dragging deeply on a joint.

� Yes, I might do that� said Michel  taking the joint from him.

Rick turned to Felicia and asked

�How did the meeting go ?

� Ok� said Felicia, fiddling with strands of her hair. Her dark lips cased in black lipstick, parted sensually, her long black hair shining like a raven�s wing. She pulled her long skirt up above her knees, showing her legs in black fishnet. Her long black nails running along them like swords.

She turned to Michel  and said ,

�I taking a course in the occult and witchcraft.  To learn how to be prepared for travel into other realms.. she explained

�How interesting�,  remarked Jane �I�m thinking of taking a counselling course.��Do you need to have inherited psychic ability to study witchcraft?�

� It does help� admitted Felicia �It tends to run-in families like clairvoyance. Mine has psychic powers, I am psychic� she confessed, �My aunt was a medium, but in theory anyone can learn it�.

�So can you can use your powers to manipulate your own destiny? asked Michel

�Perhaps� she replied her dark eyes flashing dangerously. He had touched on a raw nerve.

�If it gets me what I want�...  she said gazing at Rick

�Is the course still running ? he asked

�Yes. We have a lecture on �stability zones� tomorrow�

�What are �stability zones� ?

�Our own place of safety, our own will � explained Felicia,.� To which we return, to re - balance ourselves. We may enter a realm where we will encounter energy that may  be harmful�. She paused.  We need to be able to return to our own boundaries,

 As she spoke Felicia took of morsel bread from Rick�s plate. Her long black talons scraping the crumbs together in a predatory manner, reminding Michel  of a bird of prey.

�Tell me more� asked Michel  intrigued

�I am particularly interested in the dark goddess, living in harmony with creation, the awakening of female power� she continued. �The darker side of female psych, the side of us that gives us creativity, life and psyhic energy. It is the very centre of us and women should celebrate it more to learn to give themselves power, to find our creative potential and spirtuality.  Like Lilith, who refused to adhere to male domination and patriarchal rules. Her sexuality gives us power with which we can create or destroy. We soar into the universe dancing the dance of freedom, without wings. She said moving her hands in a dramatic gesture.

Rick stifled a sceptical glance in her direction.

�Gosh, how exciting� said Michel , absorbed.

�What is the dark goddess?�

�She is the spirit of woman in all of us, Lilith� said Felicia,  � a psychic entity, prophetic, unrestrained free,  a force of energy. She represents all that is wild powerful, creative and free.  Some say she is the uncivilized part of woman. She can bring about change through destruction. Using dark forces to get what she wants. She is wild, untamed, with a sexual power few men can resist. She heals,  she is a goddess, a will unto herself.  She also destroys, like me�, she said her eyes flashing dangerously.

 �We�ll we had better watch out� joked Michel  taking some bread.

�We always need to protect ourselves in life� declared Isobel prophetically. �From real and imagined dangers, but in life, the freedom of love and creative power are stronger than all, and women hold the key to the universe�

�How apt� thought Michel  seeing Felicia�s seductive gaze aimed at Rick.

Michel  felt in contrast to Isobel�s poise, Felicia�s Machiavellian presence made him feel uneasy.

Isobel went over to Rick,  and held his hand.

Felicia glared out of the window. �I believe in the dark creative power of the dark goddess, Lilith she said sensually �Sex is good for our soul, it gives us life. Only women know that life goes in creative cycles, that we must first destroy to bring about change�.

�You must rehearse soon� Isobel suggested to Rick changing the subject.

Felicia turned from the window,

�Yes, My powers are at their peak� she answered alluringly, �but we must get back to rehearsals�

Rick  kissed Isobel.

Michel  couldn�t help noticing a rapport beween Rick and Felicia.

Something strangely magnetic passed between them. Disturbing vibes, as though she had a hold over him. She held him in her hypnotic power, with her powerful blue eyes that changed shades from deepest blue to almost black.

Felicia put a garland of black flowers in her hair and began to dance to the music, circling Rick.

� Do play some music� she said vampishly

�I feel a creative mood coming on,�

Isobel laughed edgily �They do a stage act together� she explained, �Felicia portrays the goddess Freya, dancing for the seasons� she explained.

Michel  smiled, hiding his scepticism of the innocence of their relationship.

A growing tension filled the room

�When are you driving to Brighton? asked Michel , eager to change to discuss something else.

� Tomorrow� said Rick, �We need some time to set up and rehearse�

�Are you going too? Michel  asked Isobel.

� No, I�ve got some artwork to finish, then perhaps next weekend�

 �Perhap�s I can  take you, I am not busy next weekend� suggested Michel .

Felicia stared at Michel . She was about to say something then stopped, Her eyes were /glintedglinting dangerously.

He sensed somehow he had thwarted her plans.

Her vibrant eyes were beautiful, enigmatic and mysterious, traits he usually found attractive in women. Yet in her he sensed danger.

Looking away, He decided how different she was from Isobel, she was more like Rick, sleek and dangerous with wild a dark streak.

Michel  walked away. He looked forward to the coming weekend, when he might see Isobel alone. He liked her.

Rick picked up an acoustic, and began strumming some chords.

 As they relaxed, Isobel poured more drinks. Michel �s attention was captured by the bright boats sailing by.

It grew dark, there was heaviness in the air. �I think there is going to be a storm� commented Isobel. Michel  agreed. The air was stifling. A black cloud moved over the boat obscuring the sun.

�Thank you for coming� said Isobel,

�See you next weekend then � said Michel , noting how sad she looked.

Isobel set off along the canal, it was quiet at that time of day. Some of the larger boats drifted up the river, it had been unbearably hot, she needed to cool off.  She looked through the trees when she saw Felicia  talking to Rick, he was picking at a leaf, looking downwards, Felicia  seemed to be angry. She could not hear what they were saying,  so she  climbed through the bushes trying to to see what they were doing. Rick had a worried expression, shifting restlessly like a caged bird.

There was no mistaking the look in his eyes. He looked torn. Isobel wondered if you could accurately read someone�s emotions from several feet way, when they were partially obscured by bushes, and decided she could not. The light in Rick�s eyes was just there. maybe it was nothing, she must not be so paranoid. Scowling He threw down the leaf and walked away. Felicia sat down and started doing yoga. Isobel walked back onto the boat.

When he got back she confronted him

�Is there still anything between you and Felicia� she asked

�No, of course not, I just want some space to rehearse� he said angrily,  We�ve had a disagreement about rehearsal times. His face blackened as he stalked from the room.

******

Blood Roses

Isobel sat wistfully in the light of the window, feeling cold. She pulled a shawl around her. She put the flowers that Rick had given her in a vase, she pricked her finger, blood ran onto the white silk. 

 A storm had began. Lightening flashed across the canal lighting up the sky.

Isobel felt strange and uneasy. She shivered with a sense of foreboding, fearful, in a way she could not define.

 Her thoughts turned to Rick.

He seemed preoccupied, Was there was a part of him that was growing away from her? In the apparent happiness, was there a distance developing between them,  a chasm?. 

They had been so close. He seemed so irritable lately.

The euphoria of the afternoon, gave way to doubt.

Was there a part of him that she did not really know?,  Did he keep secrets from her?.

Something was happening to their relationship. It was changing . A web of uncertainty was being spun. She turned over the Tarot cards, the first one was off the Tower, destruction and change, the second was of  Death.

Copyright(c) 2000 Bridgette Cassis. All rights reserved