Beyond Amber_A Visionary Fantasy Page 10

  Then Lena sat, completely still. She was an open vessel to divine workings. She focused on the image and the words beside it. Once they were ingrained in her consciousness, she allowed her eyes to lose their focus and, without rational thought, she did what she felt she should.

  Silently, she detached the page from her sketchbook. She left both pencil and pad on the rock where she sat and leaned forward over the fire. She lit the corner of the paper and watched the flame hungrily lick at the sheet. The fire consumed the paper, and in its smoke and its flame, it carried Lena’s message—that itself had come from another time—to Asara.

  Lena watched until the paper faded into ashes, then put away all other evidence of her nightly activity. She climbed back into her sleeping bag, turning her body toward Paolo. She eased into the sleep world easily. She had barely been away from it.

  And Sitting Bear, a trained light sleeper from the necessities of living out in nature, had witnessed it all. He didn’t know that Lena had delivered a message, but he’d sensed the power coursing through her. Now he better understood why Creator arranged for Lena and Paolo’s paths to intersect his. Their meeting was one of mutual benefit. They would show him things of great value that he couldn’t yet anticipate. Sitting Bear closed his eyes again to the lure of sleep.

  Lena kept no copy of the drawing or of the young woman’s words. They weren’t meant for her world. And just as Lena’s eyes closed, Asara’s popped open. Image and words carried on flame and smoke arrived at their intended destination.

  When Asara received Lena’s message, her eyes popped open, and they didn’t close again for the night. She’d never received information like this before and, for some time, she debated whether it was a dream or not. Once she decided, she was certain of her conclusion; this wasn’t a dream. It was a deliberate communication from another plane, delivered in images and understandings unencumbered by the barrier of language.

  She left the blankets she shared with Anak to sit beneath a tree. There she went over the details time and again. The woman looked very much like her, with only slight differences in appearance. She seemed peaceful, with a latent power coursing through her, which Asara recognized as similar to her own.

  Asara was speculating whether this woman she’d seen could somehow be her. She didn’t know of something like this ever happening to anyone. She hadn’t heard of it at the temple or in the stories her family shared with her before her parents dedicated her to temple life. Still, this is what she felt. There was something about this woman that she connected with in an unearthly way.

  She knew the soul reincarnated until such time as it completed its evolution. Could this woman be another incarnation of her soul? Had this woman figured out a way to reach through space to contact her? And if this woman could do it, could she as well? Asara didn’t shy away from challenges, and she imagined that she could do this just as well as anyone else—if it was possible.

  Had this woman warped time? Or did she and Asara coexist during one same moment? Asara knew time was an illusion anyway, existing in a different way than most people believed it did. It was possible that she and this woman were living separate incarnations of the same soul, just in different planes. This inter-dimensional message suggested exhilarating possibilities.

  And the message itself, how exciting it was! Even though Asara didn’t understand all it meant, it provided her and her companions with additional guidance, and she was grateful for it. The drawing was incomprehensible, but she knew there must be meaning behind what looked like a giant, malformed acorn. The woman didn’t reach through space to deliver unimportant content.

  Asara was eager to start the day. When Anak and Thom finally stirred with the birthing sun, she began circling the glade. She had to do something to keep her excitement manageable. She wanted to respect her companions’ need for rest to fuel their bodies, but she was anxious to share the new information.

  Good morning, my loves. What a glorious morning it is! Are you ready to begin the day? Asara said to them within her mind, her words rushed together in excitement. Last night, a most incredible thing occurred, something that’s never happened before, something magical. I’m eager to share it with you!

  Asara waited to ensure that her companions were fully alert to receive this news of utmost importance. She looked to Anak. He was wide-awake, intrigued by what she had to say. Thom also gave her his full attention. The lives they led were already incredible. For her to be so worked up about something could only mean that whatever she wanted to tell them was amazing. Thom’s curiosity was aroused.

  This woman, who I think may be another incarnation of me, told me about the doman. She showed me a drawing of it. I couldn’t tell exactly what it was from her sketch, but I don’t think she knew either. It looked like a gargantuan acorn, one that was melted or affected in some way.

  Thom and Anak shook their heads as she described the acorn-like object. They didn’t know what it could be any more than she did.

  Then she told me: ‘The doman is a treasure of the forest. Look to the heart of the trees.’

  Asara looked out at Anak and Thom triumphantly. It was quite a message, and she couldn’t hold back her exhilaration.

  She understood then why their guidance had led the twins and Thom to reunite. Thom was a wizard of the forest. The forest happily cooperated with him, complying with whatever loving request he had. Thom was the ideal choice for this mission. If anyone could discover a treasure of the forest by looking to the heart of the trees, it was he.

  Although the message was mysterious and none of them understood it fully, this new source of information reinvigorated them. It was more than they had to go on before, when all they’d known was that they were seeking the doman, without knowing what it was.

  Asara restrained her enthusiasm for their morning ritual of prayer and connectedness, but immediately after, they set off in the direction their guidance gave them: further into the surrounding woodlands. If the doman was a treasure of the forest, then they would immerse themselves in the woods. This was an enjoyable prospect. Despite the looming threat of darkness, within the forest they could easily push thoughts of danger aside.

  It was a beautiful morning for the intrepid explorers, and they made good time toward their unknown destination. A smile traced Thom’s face. He was glad his skills would be used to support light on the planet, and he enjoyed the company of friends whom he considered more like brother and sister. But neither Thom nor his companions realized there was a desperate urgency that they reach the doman before the dark illusionist could. If the dark sorcerer found the doman first, as was his intention, he would destroy it forever—the doman would obliterate itself rather than let the darkness utilize it for evil.

  It was imperative that Thom reach the doman first. The fate of humanity depended on this one feat, and neither Thom nor the twins realized it. They were entirely in the hands of their guidance to fulfill their destinies and save the world.

  Chapter 18

  Isolated from other human beings, Master Kaanra woke to a delightful day in the forest. Accustomed to beginning the day’s activities with the sun’s first rays, he allowed himself an unusual luxury. He lay in his improvised bed at the base of the tree the stars had led him to, while the soft sunlight of the morning filtered in through its wide canopy.

  There was nowhere else he needed to be right then and, for the first time in decades, he chose to skip a dawn moving meditation. He had no specific reason for deciding to skip the meditation today. If anything, he had more time than ever to move through it slowly, enjoying each pose. But he just didn’t feel like it, and this was reason enough for the wise old man. He’d learned long ago that rigidity was dangerous.

  Kaanra remained within his blanket, content with the easy indulgence he was affording himself. He was warm and snug, and his aged body was grateful for the unexpected rest after days of walking in search of the appointed location.

  He sensed that Asara and Anak, the children
of his heart, were close, searching for him and the doman. His heart leapt and beat excitedly.

  The twins had found him already? It seemed so improbable that they’d find him so quickly when he could have headed in any direction, into any forest. Yet they were headed his way; he was certain of it. They were, after all, the golden children of prophecy. They saw, heard, felt, and knew what others never would in their lives. And now they were on their way to find him.

  Unlike the twins and Thom, Master Kaanra was aware of the urgency in discovering the doman. He knew that by now someone possessed by darkness would be searching for it as well. Once an object of such great power returned to the consciousness of humanity, it was just a matter of time before the darkness grew aware of its beckoning light.

  When Asara and Anak recounted how extraterrestrials murdered the cousins against universal laws, Kaanra understood that an irreparable breach between the worlds had taken place. Darkness was behind the attack, and Kaanra realized that the time for the doman’s safe concealment was over. The doman must awaken from its dormancy.

  The next morning after the twins shared their tragic news, Kaanra called the master council together to tell them of the situation. However, he spoke only in general terms. Afterwards, he and Master Sina discussed further details of Dann’s final prophecy in private. It was for him to know because he was to play a part in the prophecy’s fulfillment, and it was for Sina to know because she was guardian of the secret prophecy. They didn’t include anyone else at that time.

  In his wisdom, Kaanra understood that all thoughts carried energy. The more energy they gave to the doman, the more readily anyone who tapped into the energy of the universe could detect it, including the dark side that monitored the world’s energy closely. Even unaware of the attacks on his colleagues at the temple, Kaanra was aware of the potential danger to the doman.

  He’d soon find out whether they’d acted in time or not. The fate of the world hung in a delicate balance, in the hands of just a few men and women. Nevertheless, Kaanra had great hope. These were able men and women who’d prepared all their lives to fulfill their potential destinies.

  Kaanra went within the space of his heart to call out to Asara and Anak. They must hurry. He’d do what he could to help them find him. He’d done his job and located the tree. Now they must fulfill their part of the prophecy.

  My children, hurry! There’s no time to spare. If you listen, I’ll guide you to me.

  Kaanra sat up and settled himself comfortably on the blanket, then he began to sing the same songs of the birds in the forest. He let the sounds echo through heart and mind. He prayed his gifted pupils were listening.

  Asara, Anak, and Thom were walking when the twins froze mid-step. Once Thom noticed his companions had stopped, he did nothing to distract them. They could be connecting to something that would point them in the direction of the doman.

  Thom gave them space. He turned away, face toward the sun, and stood tall, arms spread wide, eyes closed, and enjoyed how the sunshine warmed his face. The surrounding birds and some small animals stopped what they were doing and looked around them, searching for the source of this new emanating calm. They were drawn to Thom, and a few birds had begun moving closer to him when Asara called out.

  Our master is guiding us to him! He’s found the tree! Asara closed the distance between her and Thom in a burst of excited movement.

  He’s leading us to him through song! Anak said. Do you want to hear his song? It’s floating among the forest’s energy.

  Yes, I’d like to hear it. Thom was already closing his eyes so he could more acutely listen.

  Our master’s message is subtle, Asara said, but you’ll be able to distinguish it from the other sounds of the forest. His songs are like birdcalls, and they say we must hurry, that there’s little time.

  Thom’s focus and breathing grew deeper, allowing his consciousness to spread through the woodlands, listening, searching.

  Then he heard it. It was very faint at first, as if he were imagining it, but he was certain it was what Asara and Anak described. Thom was intimately familiar with the various bird songs of the woods. He could tell what he was hearing was a man’s voice, but the human sound was transformed by such depth of emotion that it sounded very much like the lyrical music of birds.

  Thom’s heart swelled. This temple master must hold great inner beauty to produce such stirring sounds. Thom found himself yearning to find this man, to be closer to his powerful energy. And he was nearby, within the day’s walk. They’d reach him before nightfall if he kept guiding them with his songs.

  Thom sang back to Kaanra, through the waves of his mind and heart, with news that they’d reach him that eve. Once Thom finally opened his eyes, Asara and Anak waited patiently for him to show his readiness to move on.

  I’m ready. Thom beamed a luminous smile.

  Then let’s go, so we may reach our master this evening. He’ll be pleased to see us all. Anak sensed Thom’s longing for Kaanra’s paternal energy.

  The three light warriors walked toward the muted sound of Kaanra’s enchanted bird song.

  Master Kaanra came to sudden alertness. His spine grew straighter from his cross-legged seat on the blanket. The golden children had responded to his guiding call. It was incredible! Kaanra was ecstatic to discover they’d arrive at his location before nightfall. Time was of the essence now. The world depended on what they did next and on how quickly they did it.

  Beyond Kaanra’s enthusiasm, there was something else: curiosity. Someone else was traveling with the twins, and this person had been able to communicate through the frequencies of the forest. Who could this person be? Asara and Anak would almost certainly be traveling with someone strong in their light. It was more important now than ever before that the twins maintain a high energetic vibration, which was much easier when surrounded by people who held a similar focus.

  This mysterious person—Kaanra couldn’t tell from the responding song whether it was a man or a woman—was obviously capable of extraordinary things. Only someone connected to the forest and its creatures at a very deep level could communicate in this way.

  Perhaps this person who possessed the ability to respond to his birdcall was the master of the forest from Dann’s final prophecy. Was this possible? Could it be that, without knowing the content of the prophecy, the twins were helping to complete an essential part of it? Could they be bringing the master of the forest to the appointed place?

  Kaanra barely contained his excitement, but he had to focus and continue broadcasting his songs to the light warriors. He must lead the twins and the unknown one to him. They might only be a few steps ahead of the dark side.

  Hurry, my dear ones. Hurry. Kaanra sang out in radiating waves.

  The twins and Thom heard the master, and they picked up the pace. They were coming.

  Far above, a jet-black speck in the distant skies, a raven swooped and circled, searching for any sign of the doman.

  Chapter 19

  When Lena woke this time, the sun had just risen. Still lying down, she looked around. She found Paolo sitting on his sleeping bag, facing away from her, staring off into the distance. He was fully dressed, and his hiking shoes were laced up.

  Sitting Bear had stoked the dormant embers of last night’s fire with enough firewood to cook a light meal. Lena couldn’t tell what he was roasting, but he was tending whatever it was with care. He held three sticks above the fire, rotating them slowly. The pyramid towered behind him majestically.

  Although he wore contemporary clothing, with a wolf howling at the moon screen-printed on a faded T-shirt over worn-out jeans, he still looked the part of the indigenous man. The tight braid he’d redone for the day ahead drew his long, peppered hair away from his eyes. Bright turquoise earrings hung at either side of his face, appearing fluorescent against his dark skin. In this dawn light, his linear tattoos seemed chiseled into his chin.

  Sitting Bear stood as the representative for his native linea
ge, of a people misunderstood, censured, and abused. He stood before the pyramid as his relations had centuries before.

  The power, hidden within the pyramid, brewed and simmered in response. It recognized who would be approaching.

  Sitting Bear was a direct descendant of Thunder Gods, the only one of his tribe to understand the pyramid and use it for its intended purpose. Lena and Paolo were the twins of prophecy, reincarnated to rise to the challenge of their destinies. They still had much to learn to discover their full potential, but they carried the seeds within them, and they nurtured them every day.

  The pyramid vibrated and hummed so subtly that only the most attentive animals and plants felt it. Coyote did as he roamed, and he turned his watchful gaze toward the pyramid.

  Times were finally shifting. There were those who would do everything they could to halt this change, but there could be no deflecting an unstoppable force. The strength within Lena and Paolo was building, as it was within Sitting Bear.

  Some things couldn’t be stopped once they were started. The revolution of light had already begun.

  After a meal of cactus fruit that was surprisingly flavorful, the explorers were ready to begin the day’s adventure, although none of them knew what their next step should be. They looked at each other. They believed their work with the pyramid was significant, even though they couldn’t anticipate what its results would be. Each waited for another to take the initiative until, finally, they all broke out in laughter.

  Life was about to test them in earnest. They all realized this. They were anxious to see what the pyramid would demand of them and wondered if they could rise to meet its challenge. Lena and Paolo were especially tense; the memory of demons and wraiths attacking them and their teachers was still recent—if the bizarre and terrifying had descended upon Marian’s otherwise normal home, what could the pyramid unleash?