Jacob could feel the force of Cathy's voice, calling, warning him of imminent danger. He did not want to be pulled away from the standoff with his adversary. He felt that one moment of distraction could extract a life threatening cost. The man was powerful. One false move and everything could be lost.

Jacob tried but was not able to avoid the inevitable. Cathy needed him. She was afraid. Her fear drew his immediate energy into the last minutes of the dream sequence. Throughout Cathy's dreamstate travels into the past she had alternated between sensing the feelings of both Arden and Knut. She could not sense both in death. Arden's sadness at losing her anchor and the father of her child played into Cathy's deepest emotions. She too had been a fatherless child, longing for the stability of a home life which included both parents. In the wonderful experience of knowing her ancestry she found the same pattern of single parenthood. He sensed her disapointment.

Jacob utilized the same skills as he had done previously. In order to observe the amazing history of his own parents, he allowed his astral body to travel along strands of DNA to the past. Knut and Arden represented a common strand of DNA for his relationship with Cathy.

Jacob relaxed slightly and saw, in his mind's eye, the cliff side where Knut stood, wondering which path to take to the water's edge. His fishing rod was held securely in his right hand. One foot was set to step on a rock. A blinding pain in his head forced Knut to his knees. The delicate blood vessels in his brain which had been severely damaged during the shipwreck finally gave way. Knut would have known that it was time for him to return to the sea. The violent waves which had washed him ashore years before, allowed him a time of reprieve to create his own dynasty. The sea was coming to reclaim him. Knut felt himself falling. His last thoughts were of his wife and son. He knew they could manage but he would miss the joy of watching his son grow day by day. Before death overtook him Knut cried out to the Valkyries, Goddess of his people. He begged that his spirit be allowed to remain. The halls of Valhalla held joy and great honour for those who died as heroes, but the chance to watch his child become a man would be worth the loss of immortal soul.

Before his head hit the rock which sealed his doom, Knut knew that his spirit had escaped to freedom, earthbound forever but secured in the body of his son. He would guide Karden with a loving internal thought process hoping that the young boy would come to prosper and attain a life of good. The black hole in his aura, representing the final blow to his head would be an eternal part of the gift. He hoped that his son's energy and strength would fill in the empty space in the aura and leave little room for weakness.

Jacob could see it all clearly. He did not need to linger in the past to see how young Karden absorbed the energy of his father. Cathy's presence in the world was a clear indication that the family survived over 10 centuries. He retraced the strands of DNA, like pathways through his head and brought himself back to the present. Jacob was surprised to find that his gaze had not wavered. The man, seated in front of him, was also a descendant of Arden and Knut. MerIndia had inherited the magnificent aura of his ancestor but did not have a strong spirit of his own to fill the gap and thus became corrupt.

The exchange of energy between Jacob and MerIndia allowed the lingering spirit of Knut to be housed in the body of Jacob. It was to be passed to any children he may have with Cathy. With clarity of purpose, Jacob would meld the energy inherited from his own parents and the power of Knut for the purpose of good.

The amount of time it took to rationalize the events of hundreds of years was over in seconds. MerIndia had not moved. His stare, once hard and penetrating now became one of mild curiosity. He looked at Jacob with a doe's eyes, trusting and uncertain. Jacob rose from his seat and stood in front of the weakened drug lord. He spoke clearly, enunciating each word.

'You inherited what was once good and fruitful. You took it and made it a thing of evil. What power you had is now gone. Take your misdeeds and your controlling ways to heart and convert them into the posture of a loving and kind man. Use your money and your time to support the poor and disenfranchised of your eastern nations. Dispose of your drugs and ill gotten gains and live a life of peace.' The words left Jacob's mouth like a benediction, spoken without conscious thought. He wondered which of his ancestors gave him that particular gift.

Jacob waited. The man finally nodded assent. He removed the ring from his finger. Giving it to Jacob was a true sign of his conversion. The masked men who waited for instructions from their master remained stilled by a direct look from his captor. Jacob pocketed the ring and placed his hand on the door knob, tentatively at first. He had every intention of leaving. He hoped that he would not be challenged by anyone. Apparently MerIndia had been so sure of his personal power that he failed to provide adequate security.

Jacob understood that his gifts were not freely given nor were they entrusted lightly. What he had achieved without violence, had been the right thing. It had worked when Edgar and Brian were his adversaries. As he crossed a new threshold of being, Jacob felt the strength of Knut within him. He breathed out a sigh of relief before he made his way down the corridor. How many more members of the organization will rise to challenge my father and our heritage? Will there ever be a time when no one feels threatened by the legend of Vincent? Will the day ever come when innocent people are not seduced by drugs, sexual favours or control of others?

He decided not to use the front entrance of the warehouse building. He chose instead to return to the top floor and ride down on the elevator, reversing the way he and his father had come in. No sound broke the eeriness of the upper floor. Jacob waited for the elevator to rise. He pried open the door and watched as it approached. Throwing himself on the rising car, he lay flat to avoid the low ceiling, and waited for the car to start its downward descent.

'How did you get away so quickly?' Jacob was quickly enveloped in the strong arms of his father.

'Dad I have no idea how much time has passed. I was kind of lost, wondering how to best a man of such immense power.'

'And how did you manage to do that son?'

'I don't know. I can't understand these gifts yet. I think it has much to do with the power of purpose and intent.'

Vincent nodded in response, directing his son to the way out.

'Where is Brian?'

'Diana has taken him to the hospital. Let's go home. I am still worried about the safety of everyone at the house.

'They are fine Dad. You go ahead. Diana won't stay with Brian. I am going to join him at the hospital. I want to see him alright. If surgery is to be done tonight then I want to be there.'

Jacob had been happy to see his father waiting for him. He was surprised that less than one hour had passed since his confrontation with MerIndia. He knew that his father would not have gone too far. The knowledge that Vincent waited and allowed him to resolve the conflict in his own way, did much for his confidence.

They parted company with another warm hug. Jacob knew that he should go home with his father and soothe his recovering wife, but Brian and Mea faced a dangerous surgery. If it was to be done right away, he wanted to be there. He sent a quick message to Cathy with words of love. He would share the story of Knut's ultimate demise when they were together. He understood that her dreams were meant to strengthen the knowledge of herself and know that a place in all worlds was her birthright. He hoped she would be happy to know that the spirit of the golden giant would always be close to both of them, binding their love.

Epilogue

Jacob pushed open the door to a private room at the hospital. It had been two weeks since the confrontation with MerIndia. Brian had not been operated on immediately. The stress of the kidnapping had left his liver toxic. Its levels returned to normal within a few days. Rest and good food helped Brian to recover without any lasting effects. The operation was quickly scheduled for the first available opportunity. Jacob who had returned to work, left Mea in the care of her doting parents. Sue was with Cilla.

'How's she doing Jacob?'

'She is doing just fine. Mea's had a better recovery than you.' He turned to a figure seated in the corner of the hospital room. 'Hi Merindia.'

'Hi Jacob. I just thought I would drop in and visit with Brian. Listen, I still don't know what you did to my father but he is a different man. I keep waiting for him to revert to type but he hasn't.'

'He had a change of heart. We are all entitled to do that once in a while. Is everything alright now?'

'I am not marrying Virgil if that's what you are asking. Cathy has agreed to let me help out below. Brian thought I could be like a 'liaison' person helping him pull things together for the shelters around the city. It's a much better idea for me than getting pregnant every year.'

'Have you heard from Virgil?' Jacob's tone held more than mild courtesy. Virgil had not over reacted to the change in MerIndia's actions. There may be repercussions. The end of the lucrative drug trade severely compromised his partners around the globe. Jacob knew others less scrupulous would pick up the slack soon enough. Seven of the eight rings were accounted for. One remained.

'No. Nothing as far as I know.'

'Good…..listen Brian…you know that Cathy loves Mea with all her heart. She is grateful for everything you've done. I hope you know that.'

'Yeah, I do. I still hope she can forgive me someday. I didn't do this just for her. Based on what we talked about months ago….I think I have found that inner place of peace.'

Jacob smiled. With a salute to his distant cousin who had done so much for Mea, he turned and left the room. Cathy was waiting outside the door. He smiled and took her hand, bending over it to plant a kiss in the palm, much as he had done on their wedding day.

'What was that for you, romantic fool?'

'Because you are my wife. We are at peace. Mea is doing well. My parents are happy. Reasons are easy to find, but...do I need a reason to kiss my wife?'

'No...never!'

'Let's go.'

Jacob is such a wonderful character to me. None of his skills is beyond the scope of anyone who cares to learn to read auras and mesmerize through intent. Being able to see into the past and access previous lives is also possible. Only his cat-like ability to jump remains the one area where he is extraordinary. I thank readers for enjoying him and his adventures with his parents. I would love to write more in the future. Thanks for reading this story.

Vetivera