The Anarii Chronicles VIII
The Purpose
Part 1 - At the Eye of the Lady, Kellander recovers from his teleport accident and reclaims his Azerii, while Callent struggles between his many obligations; his promise to help Kellander journey to Mahdii and look for his father, his duties to the Mirii, and his worries of the failing of the Covenant and the turmoil happening in the Outerlands. Part 2 - Morgana stops her journey in the winds and decides to join her beloved, Drek'h, once again using the Forbidden, then find Rejat and Sarduk'h, inviting them to join them on the Sumarkh Plateau as they journey to Drek'h's grandmother's clan.
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A Glimpse of
The Purpose
from Chapter 8
“Wait here, Kit,” Drek'h said and flashed his Azerii a reassuring smile. He produced a small light sphere and raised it enough to see his path, then climbed from their secure hideaway and up the short distance to the crest of the hill. At the top the land leveled out several body lengths. At first his light only revealed wind-flattened grasses with a few thorny kul’den’nae bushes making dark lumpy mounds in the night. He continued forward, lowering the sphere to just skim the ground to see where to place his feet, then heard the huffing again. A warmth met his chest in the cool night air and he raised his sight just as the golden form of the First of the Lii came into view. The stallion was standing on the southernmost edge of the rise, facing that direction. At his approach the Lii swung his head Drek'h’s way and one softly gleaming bronze eye fell upon him.
Holding his hands open in the Mirii gesture, his palms soon glowing gently, Drek'h greeted the stallion with only a trace of unease at what he might hear. Graceful Lii, I have come at your call, he sent and stopped a few paces away from the stallion. The First huffed again and moved toward him, stopping close, then raised his nose to blow softly in Drek'h’s face, his long-familiar reply following. Returning Healer, I have come for your need.
Drek'h’s stare deepened. “My need? Until only recently I was not aware I was in need,” he replied, the thread of tension swiftly replaced by discord. He lowered his hands to his sides and glared at the stallion, again wondering at the purpose of the Lii’s early morning call, and why only now was the First making his appearance?
Skyrynnar tossed his head in a brisk up and down manner. Yes, Brother Healer, your need; it was there all along. You just put a different name upon it, the stallion sent, and the image of what Drek'h was pursuing flashed in his inner-sight.
“Morgana,” he breathed out lowly, comprehension dawning in his awareness. The stallion huffed once then moved forward, his nose gently butting into Drek'h’s chest.
Yes, this need of your heart for the love you shared. It is still a need, though your Soul also desires it, but now you have another choice before you. One that may displace your private desire for the good of the many. The First Stallion turned away and began to walk slowly to the northern edge of the rise, Drek'h following at his side. When they reached the crest of the downward slope they stopped. In the faint starlight the plateau glowed ghostly, the hills barely discernible in the moonless night. Look over your home, Healer, the Lii commanded and Drek'h let his eyes roam over the shimmering stillness of the Sumarkh. What would you do to protect this land? Would you surrender your greatest desire for it?
A shudder went through Drek'h at the Lii’s question and he felt his legs start to give way. His Sight exploded and he fell to his knees. Before him the dark night no longer ruled but wildfire did; it engulfed the grassland, consuming the greatest resources of his people—the grasses, shrubs, trees, all plant life, and all animal life that depended upon that—the Lii, chza, wild sheep and goat, all game large and small, as well as the hunters, two-legged, four-legged, and his people. Screams, both hu’man and animal, filled his senses, overwhelming him with terror—My homeland is being destroyed before my eyes! But by whom? What monstrous being would do such a horrendous act? he cried in his head, and the swift image of the leader of the black-robed men appeared in his Sight. The man’s face was filled with hate, his eyes revealing a madness akin to the possession of the Dark Azerii. These men would destroy all that challenges their beliefs, sent the First Stallion, his presence still near. Their truth would annihilate all peoples who would defy them, unless….
Drek'h coughed, feeling the suffocating hand of hot smoke fill his nose, searing his throat, his lungs. He sputtered and clawed against the terror of his vision, finally drawing enough breath to scream out the First Stallion’s name, begging him, “Skyrynnar! Unless what? Graceful Lii, what must I do?”
Surrender your fear…. whispered a gentle feminine voice, not the stallion’s, filling his senses. Calm, loving, it swept through his awareness, clearing him of the foul stench of fire and death. Surrender your fear, Drek'h Pendaran’atah, for it is illusion. Only the Light is real, only the Love of the Universe is the truth…. he heard, then the brilliant yet gentle visage of the Lady, her handsome Consort standing beside her, filled his inner-sight. Great peace settled upon him and he found himself gazing adoringly on Their radiant appearance.
Drek'h breathed deeply in relief, his awareness fixed on the profound image in his mind. Great Lady, Great Lord, how can I best help my people, my homeland? How can I keep them safe from the horror these men bring? he asked them while tears ran courses down his cheeks.
You can choose…. They whispered in unison, Their expressions full of divine love. Choose to share the love of your heart for all beings, but also recognize the perfection of all choices, at all times. Choose to teach, Drek'h Pendaran’atah, that love—only love—will bring you your greatest desire . . . peace to your world. Love them, even the ones your mind fears, for the fear is not real, is not truth, but only the illusion of the limited mind. Show your love always . . . Be your love always, for that is who you really are….
But, what about the ones who won't listen? How can I help them? How can I help the ones who refuse to see beyond their fears? he sent in return, still feeling the anxiety from his earlier vision.
The Lady glided nearer, Her form dazzling him with Her light. She reached out and lay Her hand upon his brow and all thought, all concerns fell to dust in the unconditional warmth of Her luminous gaze. Love them, Drek'h, all of them. It is only your mind, that child-like creation of your Soul, that fears. For the ones who do not see, do not feel, do not hear, allow them their truth, allow them their drama. But teach those who will listen, from your heart, teach them to love all. To choose only love, for that is the only reality. Love . . . always choose love . . . always choose love . . . always choose love . . . Her words echoed, and Her peace swept his awareness aside until he felt nothing more.
And the journey continues...
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