Wave after powerful wave crashed against the unseen barrier to no avail. Mixed into the pounding surf was spiritual energy greater than the sea waves, but they too could not breach the barrier. That which was lost lay inside this hidden and protected space. The search led through many seas, many ages and the trail had dissipated. That was until a faint glimmer of that which was lost was found in the vast place between all that is and is not. In that dark void, those hazy traces crisscrossed in many directions. All had to be followed and all were. As the last trace nearly faded to nothing, that which was lost strongest traces were found beneath a mighty pile of stones.
There in the depths at the feet of the great stones, lay an impenetrable barrier. However, the space in which the stones existed were now marked and a new search for passage within was sought. Once more many ages were traversed to find any port of entry until this avenue before a mighty sea had been found. Yet, the barrier at this point was equally impenetrable. Oddly enough, another entity appeared looking as one who was born to land stood outside the barrier watching intently. The entity made no challenge but asked a simple question, “What are you doing?”
It took several moments for the question to digest. So much time had passed since another offered words of exchange, the process of replying took many moments to relearn. Once more the entity asked, “What are you doing?” Haltingly the answer given was, “Go in....” The entity’s countenance changed and many sharp teeth like those fish that kill and never sleep appeared. No danger was felt, but caution was warranted with this strange entity.
Coming forward slightly the entity then said, “You will need permission. Why do you want to go in?” Again the words felt strange after not being used for so long. “W-want... comp-panion.” The entity’s countenance changed and gone were the many teeth, but an aura of powerful menace emanated causing the desire to flee. No attack came. Instead the entity replied, “Show me your... companion.” The waters were stilled and drawn up to take the shape of that which was lost.
The entity then said, “I understand. I will pass on your request to pass through the barrier. You will have to ask permission of she who protects this realm to do so. There is no guarantee she will hear your request or grant it if she does. Should you be allowed entry, you must follow her commands exactly. Do you understand?” With great difficulty, the words were brought forth from distant memory. “I-I... u-under-ssstand.”
Upon those words, the entity easily passed through the barrier and into the place where that which was lost lay. An uncertain amount of time had passed since words were exchanged with the strange, yet powerful entity. The feeling of betrayal returned after so long an absence and its familiar sting proved unwelcome. In frustration, more powerful waves were brought to bear against the barrier in the hope of gaining entrance.
****
With spear in hand and Little Fish beside her, the Priestess strode out off the reed island and onto the tidal flats. This was a dangerous area considered to be ‘neutral territory’ between the Valley Realm and the Beyond. During the eons long war between the River and Mountain Gods, their ‘blood and bones’ cast off from their battles created the Delta Region. Just like any battlefield, scavengers reaped the bounty of their cast off energies as they fed upon that which washed out to sea.
No minor gods or entities dared pass beyond the Delta lest they be destroyed by the warring powers. When the Priestess ended their conflict and struck the agreement with her ancient enemies the River and Mountain, the land quieted and began the long process of healing. However, the scavengers became bold for the Mountain slept and the River lay behind the Great Dam. To many, the assumption no great power stood watchful in the Valley led to their doom.
Eventually the sport of hunting down minor gods, demons and what-not grew tiresome. To keep out undesirables, the Priestess erected the Boundary effectively cutting off the Valley from all realms. However, just to keep things interesting she left small portals minor spirits and mortals could pass through. These make up the population of those who now and will call the Valley Region home. The Boundary also keeps the place she nurtured hidden from the greater powers though a few like Death and her second husband Qatula managed to find it and gain access.
The entity she and her small party moved toward appeared to be a minor goddess at best, but the Priestess knew all too well with the gods nothing was as it appeared. She could feel the Chief’s trepidation behind her while he did his best to maintain a brave face. The Priestess did not begrudge the man’s concerns. For a mortal to merely walk out onto the Tidal Flats without divine protection would be a costly mistake. Yet, the Chief was doing well in the care of Little Fish.
At the moment it was good the former mariner could not see what awaited them with his mortal sight. Little Fish on the other hand had a look of sheer amazement as the minor goddess brought considerable energies embodied by ocean waves against the barrier. It took Death a considerable amount of time just to find this realm, let alone gain entrance. So far to the Priestess’ eyes, this entity had no chance of forcing entry.
Still focusing on the activity at the barrier, the Priestess gave Little Fish his instructions. “Son when we reach the mid-point of the flats, you will stand fast with the Chief until I call you both forth. No matter what happens, you must maintain your protection of the Chief. He cannot survive out here without your power.”
Looking to the Priestess his eyes burning with the same white fire as the Fishscale Necklace Little Fish inquired, “What will you do Priestess? Do you know this, this, spirit?” They then reached the midpoint and the Priestess stopped. “No. I know not this entity. I shall go forth and have words in order to find out. Chief, you stay with Little Fish. He will keep you safe.” The Priestess turned to see the Chief nodding with the look of having been ready to bolt an instant before.
Little Fish watched as the Priestess walked confidently across the flats towards the barrier. He had to admit, this was the first time he’d ever been out here. All the warnings given by his God Mother kept him from coming out to the Delta unless she was with him. Now, he stood with his own power making it possible for the Chief to stand where no mortal could on their own.
It made Little Fish think. When Death tricked him into jumping off the Great Dam to fall into what he called ‘The Black’, everything changed. There in the space between all things, he met the mighty entity ‘Sir Fish’ who gave one of his scales in exchange for a loincloth. After the Priestess pulled him free of that strange place, she told him because he’d been beyond life and death he would no longer be truly mortal. She was right as always!
Lately, Little Fish had been traveling the Dark Road which was the actual name for The Black. He’d learned how to do so helping the Chief on his quest years ago. Never had he encountered anything odd or suspicious on his travels to realms and times beyond the Valley. But seeing the strange being futilely tearing at the barrier gave him pause. Even with the power of the Fishscale, could he begin to handle such a creature? Little Fish let that thought go for any lapse in confidence would cause the protection he gave the Chief to falter. The young man thought it strange how it had been the Chief who had looked out for him all these years. Now his turn had come to pay back what was owed.
Chief Svengald stood out on the unbearably humid flats feeling naked and vulnerable as a newborn piglet. He was not allowed to bring so much as a knife! The Priestess’ words that this place was too dangerous for the Valley Knight to tread, continued to make Svengald’s skin crawl as he heard them over and over.
The sun had set, but its red-orange light fought with pale purples and dark blues to create the flat’s ethereal atmosphere. The light from the Priestess’ weapon and that of Little Fish’s necklace managed to cast strange hard shadows upon the moist dark sand. The Chief couldn’t decide which worried him more, being out here on the flats or what lay beyond the barrier. For his sake, he prayed the Priestess would handle the situation with her usual godly wisdom!
The Priestess stood within arm’s reach of the barrier as ocean waves grew in intensity on the other side. The entity was bringing considerable power to the endeavor, but the barrier was fed by the dominant gods and her power. There was no chance of this minor creature breaking through. However, all this activity would attract attention. To the Priestess, this was nothing more than a tantrum at not being able to gain entry. With a single stamp of her spear upon the tidal flats, a great ripple of the ground, air and water caused the barrier to ripple as well. The ripple extended through the barrier cutting a path through the crashing waves on the other side abruptly stilling them. The entity was rudely revealed standing in calm water as its power was nullified.
The look of sudden shock upon the entity’s watery countenance met with the Priestess’ approval. After a moment, a more corporeal body formed and a naked somewhat human looking female stood opposite the Priestess. Hair the color of an azure lagoon cascaded down naked mixed silver and bluish skin. Haunting red eyes like those possessed by deep sea creatures peered from within a face that was a blend of human and amphibious features. The Priestess had made the acquaintance of a myriad beings most of which looked nothing like her. Still, whoever this was the Priestess found her quite beautiful.
Beautiful or not, this entity was being rude. The Priestess could feel the stern look her husband often warned about move across her face as she demanded, “Who are you? What do you want?” The entity blinked with clear eyelids that went from bottom to top and then put a long nailed, webbed fingered hand upon the barrier. The two azure jewels on the crossbar of the Great War Spear pulsed once and a ripple in the barrier emanated from where the entity’s hand lay. With a sound resembling the sigh of a tranquil seashore the entity answered, “G-give... w-what was l-lost....” It was clear to the Priestess this being had not communicated directly with others in quite some time. To expedite the inquiry the Priestess placed her free hand upon the barrier matching the entity’s. She then said, “Show me what was lost.”
To be continued....
© 2012 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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