The oppressive heat of the summer sun hammered down upon the lush green landscape of growing crops. A hot breeze rustled the leaves of uncounted soy bean, corn and rice plants. Insects fleeing ravenous field birds flew in intricate patterns to save their lives. All was as it should be. The pulse of life within this unlikely oasis in so vast a desert beat with invigorating energy. Suddenly the breeze changed direction. The dueling birds and insects abruptly ceased their hostilities to lift off over the great fields as if fleeing a great fire. As the last dark speck of a bird disappeared from view the sun holding court in the cloudless sky grew dark. A tremendous shadow passed over the great mountain watching over the valley and reached out until it completely covered the life-bringing waters of the great lake.
With the valley from mountain to lake plunged into darkness, stars now shed their pale light upon the land. The breeze once warm now grew bitterly cold and frost quickly took hold upon the earth. Row by row, field by field, the crops succumbed to the killing frost until all were wilted and frozen in death. High above, the stars wheeled over the dark land as the sun neither rose nor set. With each rotation of the great star-field in the black sky, the land below grew colder and the ice deeper....
The sudden chill of the night breeze awoke the woman from her nap atop the Lake Dam. Night had come and during the long summer only here by the Lake cool breezes brought welcomed relief. The woman rubbed away the goose-bumps from her cold skin and looked out over the land she had long claimed as home. All was as it should be. The stars held sway on this moonless night lending their pale radiance upon the vast fields of crops growing in the valley below. However, the woman’s vision let her know things were about to change. Something was coming... and soon.
The quiet footfalls of a man leaping from boulder to boulder reached the woman’s ears. Few could hear the man’s approach and normally if someone did, those soft sounds would be their last. However, there was no malice borne by the powerful man coming toward her. Instead, he had come looking for her out of a husband’s concern. Once he reached the highpoint atop the natural dam where she sat, the man stood silent with only his breathing slowing from his exertions. After a long moment of silence the man asked, “Are you well my wife? You rest here only when you are troubled.”
Looking up at the dark-skinned man and his dark colored skirt with only a wide belt and long fighting knife tucked through, the woman patted the stone next to her inviting him to sit down. With powerful grace, the man sat beside her with legs folded and back straight as a house pole. Though married for only a few years, the man was well versed with his wife’s moods and knew when something very important was on her mind. It was also important for him to keep in mind that the beautiful dark woman far outstripped any power he imagined. Though the Valley Elders ruled the people, it was his wife the Priestess who ruled the land.
Her dark eyes catching the faint starlight stared at her husband and protector as she said, “My Husband, I need you to do something for me.” The man took in the serious look upon his wife’s face and replied, “You have but to ask my wife. What great task would you have me undertake?”
Taking his large callused hand in hers the Priestess replied, “A traveler will soon arrive. I want you to go meet the person and ascertain their intentions. Once you have done so, bring the person here to me. You must do this before the last rays of sunlight fall away from the earth tomorrow.” The man noticed his wife’s hand was unnaturally cold.
Seeing the now hard look in his wife’s eyes the man asked, “Who could be of such importance to disturb you so?” Giving his hand a gentle squeeze the Priestess replied, “No matter what my husband, treat the traveler with the utmost respect!”
Nodding his head in acknowledgement the man agreed. “Of course my wife, I’ll do as you command. Where must I go to meet this person and how will I know them?”
Turning from her husband the Priestess said, “Go up the path following the lakeshore to where the River feeds into it. You will find the traveler there. As for how you will know the traveler, I cannot tell you. Use your better judgment. In fact, take the Chief of the Aesir with you. With his men gone off to bring back their families, I’m sure he’d be happy to have an excuse to leave the Mountain for a while.”
Giving his wife a tender kiss upon her forehead the man said, “I shall return with your traveler before the appointed time. Your skin is cold my love. You should go home and sit by the fire.” Just as he turned to descend the Dam, the man stopped stock still.
The Priestess knowing her husband all too well said, “You want to know what should be done if the Traveler shows ill intent?” The man made no move as he waited for an answer. With a sigh, the Priestess said, “Again I leave you to your better judgment. However, take my spear if you wish. I may also take your advice and sit by the fire. Be very careful my love.”
Giving no further sign of acknowledgement, the man leaped down the boulders to blend with the dark terrain. No longer able to see him, the Priestess looked up at the night sky and said, “I hope I have not sent them to their deaths.”
© 2011 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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