Now clean, but cold and wet, I returned to the clearing where Yggsdrasil had once stood vigil.
A figure stood near the giant stump. I felt a strange mixture of fear and joy at seeing this figure. Joy at the thought of being able to talk to someone, anyone about what had just happened to me, fear began to wrap its cold hand around what passed for my heart though as I got a closer look at this figure.
It was vaguely feminine, its pale flesh almost translucent in the dim light of the clearing. Her hair was long, dark and tangled in massive clumps that seemed to have a life of their own. Her eyes shone with a bright blue light that only made me feel even colder in my nakedness.
She waited as I stepped from the forest and cautiously approached her.
Now that I had the my natural equipment again, I found it difficult not to drop my hands down to cover my privates, but something told me that there was nothing truly sexual about this creature, so I resisted and kept my hands down at my sides, fists nervously clenching and unclenching.
“Who are you?” I saw no reason to beat around the bush.
“I am Me’shwara, She Who Watches, in your mortal tongue.”
“Can you tell me what the hell happened to me here?” I looked down at my new body before meeting her gaze again. “Where is my son? He helped to bring me here.”
“Your son made his sacrifice. His time has expired. He has moved on in his journey. You, however, have much work yet to do.” Her voice was cold and distant, ringing out with a hollow echo as she spoke, as if she were using a microphone and bad speakers.
“Why couldn’t he wait until this…transformation…that I went through was finished?”
The woman’s face showed no emotion as she replied. “His sacrifice was required for you to rise again. Without the completion of the act, you would no longer exist.”
I stepped forward, losing the fear for this strange woman as my frustration level grew. “What do you mean that I wouldn’t exist? I was far more powerful than I feel now. What the fuck did you people do to me? What happened to my body? Why do I need to eat again? Why…”
Her raised hand ended my rush of questions and halted me where I stood, unable to move or even speak as she exerted some sort of power over me.
“You will have to find your own answers to most of your questions, but I answer three questions that you ask now. Ask carefully, because I will answer no more than three questions.”
I felt her grip of power on me loosen. “OK, what happened to me?”
“You had fallen into the trap of becoming that which you had been fighting against. By defeating the Banes and absorbing their essences, you became too dangerous. This was a process that had been taking place over a number of years, but you reached a critical mass, a tipping point, where you would have soon fallen under the sway of the An’girasii and destroyed all hope for your people. Your son sacrificed his own life so that you could be saved. As you can see, your body has been dramatically altered. You are now flesh and bone once again, your Spirit has been reunited with a body that has certain physical needs. Your Spirit has been cleansed of all the others that you had absorbed over the years, including the creature you knew as Grendel’s mother.”
I didn’t stop to think about her answer before asking my next question.
“So, do I need to eat and drink again because I am alive?”
“You are immortal, to a degree, in that you do not require sustenance to survive. You do, however, need to eat and drink in order to thrive and become as strong as you will need to be for the challenges that you will surely face. You will find that you crave the lifeblood of living creatures, the fresher the kill, the more strength you will gain from its consumption. In that aspect, you are now well and truly your father’s son.”
That caught me off guard. I couldn’t resist throwing out my third question. “Wait a minute, who do you think my father is?”
“The man you know as Drake Kampmann was both your biological father and your spiritual father.”
I was so stunned by this statement that I had trouble forming coherent words in reply. “But…that’s…not…possible…”
The creature smiled for the first time. “It is the truth. When you come to a full acceptance of this fact, you will truly discover the full range of your inherited powers.”
“No…no…no…”
“Say your farewell to this place, human, for you will likely never return. You will find that it will be exceedingly difficult to travel through the Shadow, as you call it, like you did before. You still retain the knowledge of how to do so, but you will no longer have the same complete mastery of that place as you did before.”
She pointed to a pile of clothes and gear next to her.
“Please collect your things and prepare yourself for your final journey from this place. I will open the path for you to take back to your home world.”
I couldn’t bring myself to move just yet. “But what happened to Alexa? Why can’t I see Kenny one more time?”
She shook her head. “You have used up your allotment of questions, human. You will need to find those answers for yourself. You do not have much time before the pathway is open to you. I suggest that you use this time wisely.”
A door of Shadow formed just beyond my pile of clothes. Still dumbfounded, I staggered forward to scoop up my gear. I noticed something was missing. “Hey, where is Excalibur?”
“The Lady of the Lake has claimed the blade for now for safekeeping. If you prove worthy of it, and are in need of it, it may be returned to you at a later time. I suggest that you leave now.”
Clothes and gear in hand, I stepped into the Shadow with far more questions than answers.
“Drake is really my father? Mom, you’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do!”
Showing posts with label Lady of the Lake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lady of the Lake. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Monday, July 16, 2007
A Desperate Gambit
I emerged from the Shadow to find myself standing in the shallow water of hidden lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I had been once before with Cerrydwen and the Frau. I had Ravyn’s body cradled in my arms.
It was a desperate plan that was unlikely to succeed, but it was something I felt that I had to try. I hoped that the Lady of the Lake would bring Ravyn back to life the same way that she brought back Naomi.
The water lapped quietly around my boots as I set my shoulders and began to take the last few steps toward the shore.
I had tried to step through the Shadow directly onto the island itself, up by the stone altar where Cerrydwen had worked from the last time that I was here, but I had the hardest time even finding this place. It was almost as if the Lady had raised a barrier against anyone coming onto her island through that means.
As I tried to get closer to the island, a stream of the will-o-wisps streamed up from the water and began dancing directly in my way. I stepped to the left, but was stonewalled again as they shifted to block my way.
Finally, I got frustrated and tried to push my way past them. “Dammit, get out of my way! I have to see the Lady.”
At that last word, the wisps stopped their dancing and joined together. Hundreds of them took on the rough outline of a feminine form. Before I could move or say anything, the Lady spoke to me in a distant, dream-like voice.
“You have not been invited here, nor have you asked permission to come to my sacred space. You come bearing weapons and the body of a comrade. Why are you here?”
“Lady, please, I need your help. This is Ravyn Fyre. She was slain tonight by a Bane. Please, please bring her back!”
She looked at me with her eyes, formed out of the brightest of the wisps. The wisps that formed her mouth moved as she spoke, but like a badly dubbed foreign film, they didn’t seem to form the same words that she spoke in mind.
“You presume much. I do not meddle in the affairs of humans. There is always much sorrow and loss in your world.”
“I saw you bring back Naomi! Can’t you help Ravyn?”
She shook her head as she responded. “I cannot help this one.”
I took a step forward, unwilling to give up so easily. I held out Ravyn’s body in my arms for her to see. “Why not? You brought back Naomi without her body!”
The form glided back as I moved forward, keeping an even distance between us. She began to turn away, but stopped, looked back over her shoulder and spoke once again. “You demand for that which can only be given. Return to your world and perform your rituals of loss and mourning. Only there will you find the solace you so desperately seek.”
As her form began to dissolve into the hundreds of individual wisps again, I tried one last time. “I don’t want solace, dammit, I want Ravyn back!”
But my objections did not sway her or the wisps. They resumed their blocking dance as I stood there frustrated and angry.
It was a desperate plan that was unlikely to succeed, but it was something I felt that I had to try. I hoped that the Lady of the Lake would bring Ravyn back to life the same way that she brought back Naomi.
The water lapped quietly around my boots as I set my shoulders and began to take the last few steps toward the shore.
I had tried to step through the Shadow directly onto the island itself, up by the stone altar where Cerrydwen had worked from the last time that I was here, but I had the hardest time even finding this place. It was almost as if the Lady had raised a barrier against anyone coming onto her island through that means.
As I tried to get closer to the island, a stream of the will-o-wisps streamed up from the water and began dancing directly in my way. I stepped to the left, but was stonewalled again as they shifted to block my way.
Finally, I got frustrated and tried to push my way past them. “Dammit, get out of my way! I have to see the Lady.”
At that last word, the wisps stopped their dancing and joined together. Hundreds of them took on the rough outline of a feminine form. Before I could move or say anything, the Lady spoke to me in a distant, dream-like voice.
“You have not been invited here, nor have you asked permission to come to my sacred space. You come bearing weapons and the body of a comrade. Why are you here?”
“Lady, please, I need your help. This is Ravyn Fyre. She was slain tonight by a Bane. Please, please bring her back!”
She looked at me with her eyes, formed out of the brightest of the wisps. The wisps that formed her mouth moved as she spoke, but like a badly dubbed foreign film, they didn’t seem to form the same words that she spoke in mind.
“You presume much. I do not meddle in the affairs of humans. There is always much sorrow and loss in your world.”
“I saw you bring back Naomi! Can’t you help Ravyn?”
She shook her head as she responded. “I cannot help this one.”
I took a step forward, unwilling to give up so easily. I held out Ravyn’s body in my arms for her to see. “Why not? You brought back Naomi without her body!”
The form glided back as I moved forward, keeping an even distance between us. She began to turn away, but stopped, looked back over her shoulder and spoke once again. “You demand for that which can only be given. Return to your world and perform your rituals of loss and mourning. Only there will you find the solace you so desperately seek.”
As her form began to dissolve into the hundreds of individual wisps again, I tried one last time. “I don’t want solace, dammit, I want Ravyn back!”
But my objections did not sway her or the wisps. They resumed their blocking dance as I stood there frustrated and angry.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
A Legendary Blade
After we disengaged, I went back to the stone table to collect my batons and to examine the extra blade that lay there.
Once the batons were securely in place in their special drop down holsters strapped on the inside of each forearm, I turned my attention to this curious, long sword.
I placed one hand on the hilt and the other on the sheath near the base of the blade. Unsure of the origin of the blade, I opened my Spirit sight to see what I could glean from that. Nothing of interest.
Shifting back to normal sight, I picked it up, still sheathed and brought the hilt close for a quick visual inspection. The hilt was long enough for two hands, but the blade was easily light enough to be wielded with one hand. The crossguard and the pommel were of plain, unadorned silvered steel, while the hilt was wrapped in plain brown leather. Nothing spectacular, but plainly meant to be a very serviceable weapon.
I then drew the blade in one smooth motion, which made a very satisfying, almost singing sound as it emerged into the light. At first the blade seemed rather plain, absent of any ornamentation or etchings, but light seemed to gather around the blade, causing it to glow slightly. The whole blade seemed to hum in my hand, like it was very glad to be free from its own prison.
In my head, I heard the familiar voice of the elven woman, her voice piercing through my very being again as it had not so long ago.
*This blade is my final gift to you. It was given to me for safekeeping by your vanquished foe, in another place, a long time ago as you mortals deem it.*
“Drake had this blade and gave it to you?”
*Yes, he was afraid of this weapon but could not destroy it, so he brought it to a place where he knew it would be kept hidden.*
“It seems familiar. I feel like I should know its name.”
*It has many names, but one more is well known than the others.*
“Excalibur...?”
*Yes, that is one of its names. It is time for this blade to be of use again, but not in the same way it did in the past. You should beware, this blade knows no equal, but it will not allow itself to shed to the blood of innocents. Any attempts to do so will be at your own peril.*
“I would never...”
*You may not intend to shed the blood of an innocent, but it will make its own judgement of your foe. You will not be warned, for this blade does not communicate with its bearer like your last weapon. This sword answers only to a Higher Power. Use it wisely, or not at all. I must take my leave.*
“Wait, what else can you tell me of this weapon?”
Silence.
I looked from the glowing blade to see the three women staring at me with varying looks of awe, consternation and amusement on their faces.
The Frau, as usual, was the first to break the uncomfortable silence, chuckling as she spoke. “It would seem, Rusty my boy, that the Lady is fond of you.”
I looked from the Frau to Cerrydwen, confused. “Wait a minute, did you hear her also as she spoke to me?”
Cerrydwen nodded.
The Frau chuckled again. “I don’t know, but if the Lady feels that you need that weapon, then I have a feeling that things are going to get pretty rough again.”
I looked at the still glowing blade in my hand. “Wow, who would have thought that Excalibur was actually real?”
Cerrydwen shook her head and replied. “Who would’ve thought that it was Drake who had taken Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake in the first place? There are so many questions that we don’t have answers to. Let’s hope we can find the answers to some of them before its too late.”
Feeling almost sorry to have to do it, I sheathed the blade. “We should get going soon. I don’t think your Lady wants us hanging around here much longer. Naomi, can you walk?”
Nodding her head, she began to stand up with the Frau lending some assistance. “Yeah, I think so.”
Once she was up, she was able to walk on her own after a few shaky steps.
The Frau gathered up her cane, grabbed the two sticks with the cooked hare on them, muttering under her breath as she toddled off toward the beach. “Waste not, want not.”
Once the batons were securely in place in their special drop down holsters strapped on the inside of each forearm, I turned my attention to this curious, long sword.
I placed one hand on the hilt and the other on the sheath near the base of the blade. Unsure of the origin of the blade, I opened my Spirit sight to see what I could glean from that. Nothing of interest.
Shifting back to normal sight, I picked it up, still sheathed and brought the hilt close for a quick visual inspection. The hilt was long enough for two hands, but the blade was easily light enough to be wielded with one hand. The crossguard and the pommel were of plain, unadorned silvered steel, while the hilt was wrapped in plain brown leather. Nothing spectacular, but plainly meant to be a very serviceable weapon.
I then drew the blade in one smooth motion, which made a very satisfying, almost singing sound as it emerged into the light. At first the blade seemed rather plain, absent of any ornamentation or etchings, but light seemed to gather around the blade, causing it to glow slightly. The whole blade seemed to hum in my hand, like it was very glad to be free from its own prison.
In my head, I heard the familiar voice of the elven woman, her voice piercing through my very being again as it had not so long ago.
*This blade is my final gift to you. It was given to me for safekeeping by your vanquished foe, in another place, a long time ago as you mortals deem it.*
“Drake had this blade and gave it to you?”
*Yes, he was afraid of this weapon but could not destroy it, so he brought it to a place where he knew it would be kept hidden.*
“It seems familiar. I feel like I should know its name.”
*It has many names, but one more is well known than the others.*
“Excalibur...?”
*Yes, that is one of its names. It is time for this blade to be of use again, but not in the same way it did in the past. You should beware, this blade knows no equal, but it will not allow itself to shed to the blood of innocents. Any attempts to do so will be at your own peril.*
“I would never...”
*You may not intend to shed the blood of an innocent, but it will make its own judgement of your foe. You will not be warned, for this blade does not communicate with its bearer like your last weapon. This sword answers only to a Higher Power. Use it wisely, or not at all. I must take my leave.*
“Wait, what else can you tell me of this weapon?”
Silence.
I looked from the glowing blade to see the three women staring at me with varying looks of awe, consternation and amusement on their faces.
The Frau, as usual, was the first to break the uncomfortable silence, chuckling as she spoke. “It would seem, Rusty my boy, that the Lady is fond of you.”
I looked from the Frau to Cerrydwen, confused. “Wait a minute, did you hear her also as she spoke to me?”
Cerrydwen nodded.
The Frau chuckled again. “I don’t know, but if the Lady feels that you need that weapon, then I have a feeling that things are going to get pretty rough again.”
I looked at the still glowing blade in my hand. “Wow, who would have thought that Excalibur was actually real?”
Cerrydwen shook her head and replied. “Who would’ve thought that it was Drake who had taken Excalibur back to the Lady of the Lake in the first place? There are so many questions that we don’t have answers to. Let’s hope we can find the answers to some of them before its too late.”
Feeling almost sorry to have to do it, I sheathed the blade. “We should get going soon. I don’t think your Lady wants us hanging around here much longer. Naomi, can you walk?”
Nodding her head, she began to stand up with the Frau lending some assistance. “Yeah, I think so.”
Once she was up, she was able to walk on her own after a few shaky steps.
The Frau gathered up her cane, grabbed the two sticks with the cooked hare on them, muttering under her breath as she toddled off toward the beach. “Waste not, want not.”
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Mission Accomplished
The Frau and Cerrdywen, now dressed and back to their normal selves in every observable way, came over to where Naomi lay next to me. In a few short, semi-coherent sentences I told the story of my meeting with the elven lady and the choice she offered me.
Cerrydwen nodded as I described her, clearly agreeing with my choice of words, but her demeanor had shifted back to her normal, dour self--few words and even fewer smiles.
The Frau sat down heavily in the soft grass and began fretting over Naomi as I spoke, only half listening to my words. She was far more interested in Naomi herself and how she seemed.
Naomi was still unconscious, but was clearly breathing. She appeared to be wholly healed of the grievous wounds that I had seen that creature inflict on her in New Orleans. Her face was small, smooth, and beautiful. She looked much as I had seen her when she had been waiting for me at the Tree.
As the Frau settled in close and began checking for less obvious injuries, Naomi began to stir. I had finished my short tale, so I got up and gave way for Cerrydwen to settle in my spot. I was pretty sure that she and the Frau would be a far gentler sight to wake-up to than I would be.
I moved away from the ladies and closer to where I had met the elven woman, over by the stone table. Everything seemed dark and still here now, especially compared with the vibrant colors and and singing faery circle of that other place. Unconsiously, one hand moved up to my inner jacket pocket, as if to assure myself that the ring containing Drake was still there. It was.
As I contemplated everything that had just happened, I noticed some things laid out on the top of the table that hadn’t been there before I had looked into the Spirit world. Our weapons, from Cerrydwen’s sheathed athame to the Frau’s cane were all laid out in a neat row on the table top. Diego was there in his sheath, as were my batons. Next to my weapons however, there was a long, narrow sheathed sword that was easily a foot longer than Diego was.
I strode over to the table and looked at the arrayed weapons. Despite my curiosity as to the new blade, my eyes kept falling on Diego. I could feel the sadness coming from him. I reached over and picked him, unsheathing the blade in one smooth motion. I let the black leather sheath fall to the ground.
I felt a surge of sadness, frustration and resignation through the hilt. He was disappointed that Drake had been killed and that he had no part in making that happen.
“Diego, I know how much you wanted to be a part of Drake’s demise, but I am not sorry that you had no part in spilling his blood. I think you have seen enough killing in your time in this world.”
In one swift move, before I had time to reconsider, I reached up with my left hand, wrapped my thick, mechanical fingers around the blade near the tip, and snapped the flat of the blade over my knee. With that blow, the last of the Witchbane Blades passed from this world.
I felt an immediate sense of relief and joy flash from the shattered blade as Diego’s spirit was finally freed to resume it’s journey through the Cosmos. I heard a soft tinkling of ghostly laughter and a softly whispered ‘Thank you, Senor Bones’ from Herlinda as she had returned to wait for her brother’s release.
An image of Diego running through the clearing, chasing after laughing faeries before landing in the arms of his sister. I could sense a feeling of strong approval from the unseen presence of the elven lady.
I felt Cerrydwen’s arm on my shoulder as she came up behind me. “You’ve done well, Rusty. The world is a safer, better place with the last of those blades now destroyed. You’ve seen a Being this night that no mortal man has ever seen before, you were the first to do. I hope you understand the significance of her choice to reveal herself to you without an intermediary.”
I nodded, looked at the broken pieces of a blade that had taken far too many innocent lives. The metal of the blade seemed to be deteriorating quickly as rust spots appeared and quickly spread. I let them fall to the ground and watched as they dissolved into two small piles of rusty dust and then blew away in the breeze in a matter of a few moments.
I looked into Cerrydwen’s eyes, noticed that there did seem to be an inner peace that may have been missing before. “I will never forget...Her. Maybe someday you can tell me more about her.”
She nodded. “Maybe.” She walked over to the table and recovered her athame without further comment, sticking the sheath back into the top of her heavy boot.
I looked over to see the Frau fussing over the now conscious and sitting Naomi, who was staring at me intently.
I walked over and knelt down in front of her. “Do you remember me?”
She kept her eyes locked onto my face, nodded, and managed to speak. “I do. She told me that you would look different than when i met you by the Tree.”
“Who told you that?”
“That Shining Lady, she had called me back from far away with her beautiful song.” Naomi shook her head, fnally glancing away before continuing. “She said that I would have an opportunity to be with my daughter again and that you had given up your life to make it happen. I didn’t understand what she had meant by that, but I think I am beginning to see what she meant.”
Somewhat self conscious of my rather frightful appearance, I looked away. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to scare you.”
She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and sobbed into my ear. “Oh no, Mr. Bones, you don’t scare me none at all. I have you to thank for saving Alexa during that storm, and now I have you to thank again for giving up something I had thought I had lost forever. I could never be afraid of you.”
A surge of emotion welled up within me, but I had no outlet for it, other than to hug her back and say, “Call me Rusty.”
Cerrydwen nodded as I described her, clearly agreeing with my choice of words, but her demeanor had shifted back to her normal, dour self--few words and even fewer smiles.
The Frau sat down heavily in the soft grass and began fretting over Naomi as I spoke, only half listening to my words. She was far more interested in Naomi herself and how she seemed.
Naomi was still unconscious, but was clearly breathing. She appeared to be wholly healed of the grievous wounds that I had seen that creature inflict on her in New Orleans. Her face was small, smooth, and beautiful. She looked much as I had seen her when she had been waiting for me at the Tree.
As the Frau settled in close and began checking for less obvious injuries, Naomi began to stir. I had finished my short tale, so I got up and gave way for Cerrydwen to settle in my spot. I was pretty sure that she and the Frau would be a far gentler sight to wake-up to than I would be.
I moved away from the ladies and closer to where I had met the elven woman, over by the stone table. Everything seemed dark and still here now, especially compared with the vibrant colors and and singing faery circle of that other place. Unconsiously, one hand moved up to my inner jacket pocket, as if to assure myself that the ring containing Drake was still there. It was.
As I contemplated everything that had just happened, I noticed some things laid out on the top of the table that hadn’t been there before I had looked into the Spirit world. Our weapons, from Cerrydwen’s sheathed athame to the Frau’s cane were all laid out in a neat row on the table top. Diego was there in his sheath, as were my batons. Next to my weapons however, there was a long, narrow sheathed sword that was easily a foot longer than Diego was.
I strode over to the table and looked at the arrayed weapons. Despite my curiosity as to the new blade, my eyes kept falling on Diego. I could feel the sadness coming from him. I reached over and picked him, unsheathing the blade in one smooth motion. I let the black leather sheath fall to the ground.
I felt a surge of sadness, frustration and resignation through the hilt. He was disappointed that Drake had been killed and that he had no part in making that happen.
“Diego, I know how much you wanted to be a part of Drake’s demise, but I am not sorry that you had no part in spilling his blood. I think you have seen enough killing in your time in this world.”
In one swift move, before I had time to reconsider, I reached up with my left hand, wrapped my thick, mechanical fingers around the blade near the tip, and snapped the flat of the blade over my knee. With that blow, the last of the Witchbane Blades passed from this world.
I felt an immediate sense of relief and joy flash from the shattered blade as Diego’s spirit was finally freed to resume it’s journey through the Cosmos. I heard a soft tinkling of ghostly laughter and a softly whispered ‘Thank you, Senor Bones’ from Herlinda as she had returned to wait for her brother’s release.
An image of Diego running through the clearing, chasing after laughing faeries before landing in the arms of his sister. I could sense a feeling of strong approval from the unseen presence of the elven lady.
I felt Cerrydwen’s arm on my shoulder as she came up behind me. “You’ve done well, Rusty. The world is a safer, better place with the last of those blades now destroyed. You’ve seen a Being this night that no mortal man has ever seen before, you were the first to do. I hope you understand the significance of her choice to reveal herself to you without an intermediary.”
I nodded, looked at the broken pieces of a blade that had taken far too many innocent lives. The metal of the blade seemed to be deteriorating quickly as rust spots appeared and quickly spread. I let them fall to the ground and watched as they dissolved into two small piles of rusty dust and then blew away in the breeze in a matter of a few moments.
I looked into Cerrydwen’s eyes, noticed that there did seem to be an inner peace that may have been missing before. “I will never forget...Her. Maybe someday you can tell me more about her.”
She nodded. “Maybe.” She walked over to the table and recovered her athame without further comment, sticking the sheath back into the top of her heavy boot.
I looked over to see the Frau fussing over the now conscious and sitting Naomi, who was staring at me intently.
I walked over and knelt down in front of her. “Do you remember me?”
She kept her eyes locked onto my face, nodded, and managed to speak. “I do. She told me that you would look different than when i met you by the Tree.”
“Who told you that?”
“That Shining Lady, she had called me back from far away with her beautiful song.” Naomi shook her head, fnally glancing away before continuing. “She said that I would have an opportunity to be with my daughter again and that you had given up your life to make it happen. I didn’t understand what she had meant by that, but I think I am beginning to see what she meant.”
Somewhat self conscious of my rather frightful appearance, I looked away. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to scare you.”
She lunged forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and sobbed into my ear. “Oh no, Mr. Bones, you don’t scare me none at all. I have you to thank for saving Alexa during that storm, and now I have you to thank again for giving up something I had thought I had lost forever. I could never be afraid of you.”
A surge of emotion welled up within me, but I had no outlet for it, other than to hug her back and say, “Call me Rusty.”
Thursday, June 01, 2006
The Gift
I watched as the Frau and Cerrydwen walked away together, each whispering to the other about what had just happened. That was just fine with me, as I sat there trying to take it all in myself.
I had so many questions and almost no answers.
Was Drake well and truly dead? What the Hell was Dracaar going to do now with Drake’s body? Was the cure perhaps worse than the disease?
Fingering the sealed pocket of my leather jacket, I knew the ring was in there. What the Hell happened with Drake and this ring? Was it dangerous to have? Was there some part of Drake’s essence that escaped by going into the ring?
Knowing that it would be some time before the ladies were anywhere close to ready to depart, I took the opportunity to ground myself as John Red Bear had taught me to and slipped from my body. In my Spirit form, this place, this island looked completely different. It was brimming with colors and vibrantly alive. Instead of the dull, almost lonely place that it was to my normal senses, in this view, the place was brimming with creatures of Spirit that were dancing and playing in an almost gleeful way.
The large stone table was the center of a large gathering of sprites, brownies and other faery like beings who were dancing and singing in high pitched voices. Standing in the center, near the table, was a tall woman with long, elegant limbs, flowing hair, and a thin, angular face that called to mind the word ‘elf’.
I noticed that even with all of the activity going on around her, she was standing quietly, watching me. I felt a nervous tingle as I felt compelled to move closer to her ethereal beauty.
I was so entranced by her face, particularly her eyes, that I almost didn’t notice that she was naked except for a single loin cloth, like Cerrydwen had worn at the ceremony.
As I approached the ring of dancing fey, they scattered before me with gleeful cries and chaotic laughter, going off in pairs and threes into the nearby woods. Those woods, by the way, were much more colorful and cheery looking here than they were to my normal vision.
I continued to move forward, until I found myself standing directly in front of the angelic looking elfin woman. Like an awkward, geeky boy asking the prom queen for a dance, I managed to stammer out a few halting words in greeting. “H-H-Hello, my Lady. A-A-Are you the Hostess of this place that my friend Cerrydwen spoke of?”
She nodded. She was taller than I was, causing me to look up in order to speak to her properly. Her oval shaped face was perfectly proportioned, from her high cheeks and large, tear shaped eyes to her full lips framed by a small, dainty chin and a shapely nose.
“I’m sorry that I tried to break the Peace of this place.” For some reason, I felt like I had to apologize for just about everything. Her presence was a powerful, intoxicating spell, one I could not seem to resist. I so desperately wanted to please her.
I didn’t so much ‘hear’ her response as I ‘felt’ it pass through my Spirit, each word a swirl of emotion, color, and vibrant, living energy.
*There is no need to apologize for what you are.*
I was absolutely transfixed by her words as they passed through me. I had so many questions I wanted to ask this being about what had just happened, but I was transfixed by her gaze, her energy, her presence. I had never before encountered anyone or anything as beautiful as she seemed at that moment.
*He who broke my Peace has been punished for that crime, at least.*
I finally managed to form a coherent question and utter it. “Is he, Drake, dead?”
Her head tilted back in the slightest of movements and a small, tinkling laughter escaped from her mouth, a sound that that sent shockwaves of chaotic, thrilling energy through my very being.
*In the sense that you mortals would deem it, the one you call Drake is indeed dead. His essence, his Spirit as you might say, has been imprisoned in a vessel of his own choosing, a fitting punishment for what he has done to so many others, mortal and immortal alike.*
“The ring? Is his Spirit trapped inside the ring that he gave to me?”
She nodded.
“Is there any way for him to escape? Is it dangerous to hold onto that thing?”
*His essence is bound to that ring until such time as he accepts his guilt and is truly remorseful for the crimes he has committed. Yes, there will always be danger in holding that ring, but there is perhaps even more danger in not keeping it. There is much for you to learn from this one you call Drake. You will need to learn the lessons he has to teach if you are to become that which you must become, if you are to fulfill the destiny of which you are capable.*
“What destiny is that?”
She merely smiled and laughed again, sending even more spasms of energy through me.
“If you can’t tell me that, then can you at least tell me about this Dracaar and what his intentions are?”
*You will learn more of Dracaar from within and by learning from that ring that is now yours than you will from me. I am not of that Order and have no authority to interfere in their affairs.*
“I don’t understand.”
*I cannot offer you understanding, it is not in my nature to do so. But I can offer you something else.*
“What is that?”
*Life. I can restore your body to the world of the Living, make you whole once more.*
“Y-y-you can actually do that? Make me alive again?”
*Yes.*
Everything screamed to a stop in that moment. The one thing that I had wished for more than anything else was being offered to me. To be alive again! To be able to breathe, eat, sleep, touch, smell, taste again! To be able to feel the warmth of my daughter Alexa’s breath on my cheek, to feel the touch of another human being again!
I thought long and hard about her offer. At first I couldn’t believe it could even be possible. Then I thought of everything that happened since I had died, all that I had gone through and become. Would that be lost? Would I be able to do the things that I could now? Would I be able to be there for Alexa and the others who needed me if I were mortal again?
We stood there for what seemed an eternity. She never waivered or became bored as I fought my way through the debate of whether or not I should accept this gift of Life that I had just been offered. Finally, I looked back into her eyes and asked a question.
“Can I ask for this gift to be given to someone else?”
*You can always ask. But once you ask, the request is final*
“Then I will ask if you will give life back to Naomi Jackson, Alexa’s mother. She died too soon.”
The elfin woman’s eyes filled with a sparkling energy that grew so bright as to make it impossible to look directly at her. Her words were like a tidal wave of emotional energy as they washed through and over me.
*So mote it be.*
The power of her words blasted my Spirit back into my body, hurtled my physical form onto its back. As my eyes began to adjust and I felt the connection of Spirit and body click into place, I heard, or rather felt, her voice once more, much more softly this time.
*You have taken another step forward on your journey, you have chosen well, Friend.*
I slowly sat up, tried to shake the cobwebs free and heard some surprised gasps coming from the direction in which the Frau and Cerrydwen had gone.
The Frau called out breathlessly, “Rusty, who is that next to you?”
I looked over to see the sleeping form of Naomi laying beside where I had fallen. Her face a mask of calm repose. If I could have fainted, I would have.
I had so many questions and almost no answers.
Was Drake well and truly dead? What the Hell was Dracaar going to do now with Drake’s body? Was the cure perhaps worse than the disease?
Fingering the sealed pocket of my leather jacket, I knew the ring was in there. What the Hell happened with Drake and this ring? Was it dangerous to have? Was there some part of Drake’s essence that escaped by going into the ring?
Knowing that it would be some time before the ladies were anywhere close to ready to depart, I took the opportunity to ground myself as John Red Bear had taught me to and slipped from my body. In my Spirit form, this place, this island looked completely different. It was brimming with colors and vibrantly alive. Instead of the dull, almost lonely place that it was to my normal senses, in this view, the place was brimming with creatures of Spirit that were dancing and playing in an almost gleeful way.
The large stone table was the center of a large gathering of sprites, brownies and other faery like beings who were dancing and singing in high pitched voices. Standing in the center, near the table, was a tall woman with long, elegant limbs, flowing hair, and a thin, angular face that called to mind the word ‘elf’.
I noticed that even with all of the activity going on around her, she was standing quietly, watching me. I felt a nervous tingle as I felt compelled to move closer to her ethereal beauty.
I was so entranced by her face, particularly her eyes, that I almost didn’t notice that she was naked except for a single loin cloth, like Cerrydwen had worn at the ceremony.
As I approached the ring of dancing fey, they scattered before me with gleeful cries and chaotic laughter, going off in pairs and threes into the nearby woods. Those woods, by the way, were much more colorful and cheery looking here than they were to my normal vision.
I continued to move forward, until I found myself standing directly in front of the angelic looking elfin woman. Like an awkward, geeky boy asking the prom queen for a dance, I managed to stammer out a few halting words in greeting. “H-H-Hello, my Lady. A-A-Are you the Hostess of this place that my friend Cerrydwen spoke of?”
She nodded. She was taller than I was, causing me to look up in order to speak to her properly. Her oval shaped face was perfectly proportioned, from her high cheeks and large, tear shaped eyes to her full lips framed by a small, dainty chin and a shapely nose.
“I’m sorry that I tried to break the Peace of this place.” For some reason, I felt like I had to apologize for just about everything. Her presence was a powerful, intoxicating spell, one I could not seem to resist. I so desperately wanted to please her.
I didn’t so much ‘hear’ her response as I ‘felt’ it pass through my Spirit, each word a swirl of emotion, color, and vibrant, living energy.
*There is no need to apologize for what you are.*
I was absolutely transfixed by her words as they passed through me. I had so many questions I wanted to ask this being about what had just happened, but I was transfixed by her gaze, her energy, her presence. I had never before encountered anyone or anything as beautiful as she seemed at that moment.
*He who broke my Peace has been punished for that crime, at least.*
I finally managed to form a coherent question and utter it. “Is he, Drake, dead?”
Her head tilted back in the slightest of movements and a small, tinkling laughter escaped from her mouth, a sound that that sent shockwaves of chaotic, thrilling energy through my very being.
*In the sense that you mortals would deem it, the one you call Drake is indeed dead. His essence, his Spirit as you might say, has been imprisoned in a vessel of his own choosing, a fitting punishment for what he has done to so many others, mortal and immortal alike.*
“The ring? Is his Spirit trapped inside the ring that he gave to me?”
She nodded.
“Is there any way for him to escape? Is it dangerous to hold onto that thing?”
*His essence is bound to that ring until such time as he accepts his guilt and is truly remorseful for the crimes he has committed. Yes, there will always be danger in holding that ring, but there is perhaps even more danger in not keeping it. There is much for you to learn from this one you call Drake. You will need to learn the lessons he has to teach if you are to become that which you must become, if you are to fulfill the destiny of which you are capable.*
“What destiny is that?”
She merely smiled and laughed again, sending even more spasms of energy through me.
“If you can’t tell me that, then can you at least tell me about this Dracaar and what his intentions are?”
*You will learn more of Dracaar from within and by learning from that ring that is now yours than you will from me. I am not of that Order and have no authority to interfere in their affairs.*
“I don’t understand.”
*I cannot offer you understanding, it is not in my nature to do so. But I can offer you something else.*
“What is that?”
*Life. I can restore your body to the world of the Living, make you whole once more.*
“Y-y-you can actually do that? Make me alive again?”
*Yes.*
Everything screamed to a stop in that moment. The one thing that I had wished for more than anything else was being offered to me. To be alive again! To be able to breathe, eat, sleep, touch, smell, taste again! To be able to feel the warmth of my daughter Alexa’s breath on my cheek, to feel the touch of another human being again!
I thought long and hard about her offer. At first I couldn’t believe it could even be possible. Then I thought of everything that happened since I had died, all that I had gone through and become. Would that be lost? Would I be able to do the things that I could now? Would I be able to be there for Alexa and the others who needed me if I were mortal again?
We stood there for what seemed an eternity. She never waivered or became bored as I fought my way through the debate of whether or not I should accept this gift of Life that I had just been offered. Finally, I looked back into her eyes and asked a question.
“Can I ask for this gift to be given to someone else?”
*You can always ask. But once you ask, the request is final*
“Then I will ask if you will give life back to Naomi Jackson, Alexa’s mother. She died too soon.”
The elfin woman’s eyes filled with a sparkling energy that grew so bright as to make it impossible to look directly at her. Her words were like a tidal wave of emotional energy as they washed through and over me.
*So mote it be.*
The power of her words blasted my Spirit back into my body, hurtled my physical form onto its back. As my eyes began to adjust and I felt the connection of Spirit and body click into place, I heard, or rather felt, her voice once more, much more softly this time.
*You have taken another step forward on your journey, you have chosen well, Friend.*
I slowly sat up, tried to shake the cobwebs free and heard some surprised gasps coming from the direction in which the Frau and Cerrydwen had gone.
The Frau called out breathlessly, “Rusty, who is that next to you?”
I looked over to see the sleeping form of Naomi laying beside where I had fallen. Her face a mask of calm repose. If I could have fainted, I would have.
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