The Valley Knight crouched upon the high point of the hill behind his home. Placing a hand on his brow to block the descending sun, he caught the stream of village women breaking off in other directions as they reached paths leading to their homes. The Knight knew it was the Spring Gathering of Women returning from Winemaker’s home. Oddly, his wife was not leading the procession as she always did. Her being missing did not seem dire due to the casual actions of the women. Yet the Knight felt it was safer to err on the side of caution.
Pulling back firmly on the reins, the Knight brought his horse to a halt before the remaining group of women. A young woman with three small children in tow bowed at the knee in greeting spurring the others to do likewise. “Greetings Sir Knight. Are you out for a ride on this fine evening?” The Knight tensed as he maneuvered his excited horse into a more stable state. “Greetings young Madame. No, I come to inquire if my wife took leave at the time your gathering ended?” A look of concern took the smile off the woman’s face as she replied, “Sir Knight, the Priestess left the gathering early and took the new wanderer Okavanga with her. Did you know she too is a goddess?”
The Knight knew the latest wanderer taken in was a minor goddess as his wife explained. Apparently, she who had followed the Chief through time was now officially welcome and had been given a name. It did not make sense to ask the woman where his wife and her new companion may have gone. With both of them having godly powers, they could actually be anywhere. “Many thanks!” said the Valley Knight as he heeled his horse past the group of women and children.
Night was soon approaching and it was uncharacteristic of his wife to not be with him or her location unknown at this hour. Something was not right, but the Knight could not put words as to what. Unsure as to what had him on edge or where to begin looking, the Knight allowed the horse to run headlong down the path. Over the sound of pounding hooves the Knight said, “Little Fish would be of immense help at this moment. Where is he?”
****
Little Fish stood on the dunes with the Surround’s forest line barely visible on the horizon. The sun was nearly set so the undulating landscape was washed in red-orange light. Above, only the brightest of stars defied the sun’s waning light as the world lay caught eerily between sunset and nightfall. This was the time his God-Mother told him the world’s beyond and this one all came together.
It was Little Fish’s belief should any portals through the Great Barrier allowing mortals to pass would appear, it would be now. Turning away from what the God Qatula described as ‘the familiar world’ toward the vast desert, Little Fish could see nothing unusual. Upon closing his eyes, the Fishscale Necklace lit up with white light. Upon reopening them, his brown eyes burned with the same white luminance. Instead of desert dunes and emptiness, Little Fish saw the same riot of color and movement he’d witnessed at the Delta Boundary. Before him, world upon world made themselves visible before fading into the Ether.
He had been so accurate in his prediction of where the Boundary would be, Little Fish merely stretched out his arm to touch the Barrier! A huge grin lit up the young man’s face at the accomplishment. Taking several large steps backward, Little Fish was no longer flush with the Barrier and could take more of it in. Beyond lay unfettered chaos and the Barrier holding it at bay was solid yet intangible. Little Fish could completely understand why no lesser power or mortal could even detect it, let alone force their way through. The cacophony of worlds moving just beyond was near maddening to watch. Then, Little Fish realized trying to see it all at once was impossible.
Setting his mind to the task, Little Fish decided to just pick a world as it went by. No sooner thought, a passing world caught his eye. A blue sky fading toward sunset with snow-capped mountains and an immense forest at their base looked like the place to test his theory. Focusing only on that world scene, Little Fish managed to slow its progression past the Barrier. The strain of doing so surprised the young man as he struggled to hold his connection to it. Regardless of his efforts to maintain his grip, the world did its best to continue away unhindered. Worst yet, no portal appeared. Unable to continue, Little Fish let go and the scene faded in an angry swirl of color.
Breathing heavily, Little Fish let a measure of the Fishscale’s power retreat and his mortal sight returned. Looking up, he saw that sunset was moments away. If he wanted to try again before dawn it must be now. With a deep breath, Little Fish drew upon the Fishscale with greater effort that he could remember. Both the Fishscale and his eyes lit up at the same time while a small tremor reverberated through the great dune beneath his feet.
This time, he would try a different tack. Instead of some random world, he would try for one he’d visited before. Much more focused, Little Fish brought forth a picture of a world and beyond the barrier that world appeared! Surrounded by a thick stand of trees lay a calm lake under a sunset sky. At the waters edge, a much larger than he remembered oak tree stood guard. It was Chief Svengald’s homeland! Abruptly, a flash of white light appeared and an opening in the Barrier formed.
Knowing he could not pass through with his power active, Little Fish caused the Fishscale’s power to retreat. Once more the scene returned to normal but the opening was still there. Looking back, the young man thought for a moment about getting the Chief and bringing him along. Instantly, Little Fish let that thought go. This time, he would see what had become of the Chief’s people but it would be alone.
As he neared the portal, the Fishscale turned green! The last time Little Fish remembered seeing such a color outside of nature was the green dress his God-Mother wore when she sent him on the quest five years ago. Shrugging it off, Little Fish figured he’d just step through the portal and then step back. Passing through the opening was uneventful. He stood looking at the lake and then put his hand on the lake tree. Behind him he heard, “I knew you would come back.”
Turning sharply, Little Fish laid eyes on a young woman standing in the dappled light of sunset with hair nearly the same color and covered in naught but a length of woven cloth. “Who are you?” asked a wary Little Fish. The young woman smiled and then stuck her tongue out at him. A flood of indescribable emotion at the recognition of his old tormentor caused Little Fish to growl, “Mjarga. That is it. I am leaving!” Her smile now an evil grin Mjarga replied, “I don’t think so.” Little Fish turned to go back through the portal, but it was gone.
****
The Priestess stood at the edge of the forest looking out into the desert. Somewhere near the horizon line, a bright white light flashed for a moment and then it was gone. Immediately afterwards, night fell and the stars began their journey across the black sky. Her eyes lit with amber fire, the Priestess turned to her God-Husband Qatula. Her angry gaze literally made the ground vibrate causing birds and ground dwelling animals to flee the vicinity. Calm and with powerful arms folded the God Qatula acknowledged the Goddess’ anger. “Now wife, don’t pretend for a moment you did not know this day would come.”
Clouds began to form high above in the once clear night sky and the wind began to stir the forest. Looking up Qatula remarked, “I swear, I never should have shown you how to do that. Beloved, bringing storm to this place is not going to change anything....” Putting her hand up the Priestess replied, “Be silent. I am doing my best to hold back my desire to strike you down!” Qatula put out his hands in acquiescence and held his tongue. She stabbed him with her spear and shut him out for three thousand years when he mistakenly killed her husband. There would be a physical confrontation if he pushed the matter and the Valley Realm’s other powers would be awakened in the struggle. When that happened, everything his wife so carefully nurtured for so long would be annihilated. Three thousand years would just be the starting point of turning her back on him for causing such a thing to happen.
Long moments passed and then the growing cloud bank slowed to a stop with the wind dying down. Better composed, the Priestess growled, “You knew I had not yet told him how to access the portals!” With an eyebrow raised over a coal red glowing eye Qatula interjected, “But you told him about the portals, didn’t you? How long do you think it would have been before he figured out how to use them?” Her hand extended toward him like a spear the Priestess snapped back. “That is the problem! He does not know how to use them properly!” Now facing his Goddess-Wife, Qatula gave her an unsettling mischievous glare. “So when exactly were you going to tell him?”
The Priestess’ eyes grew brighter in intensity for a moment and thunder rolled across the forest. Those burning eyes faded to their mortal state and the Priestess exhaled, “I truly hate you husband.” “I hate you too beloved,” said a grinning Qatula. “I had no intention of telling him. Ever.” The fires in the God’s eyes also died and he remarked, “You know you couldn’t keep him here forever. Besides, he’ll be back.” Giving another sigh, the Priestess retorted, “I know! But he’ll be different.” Qatula leaned against a stout palm and cut his eyes towards him wife. “Of course, he’ll be all grown up. You knew this would happen....” “I did not want your interference!” barked the Priestess.
Qatula moved close enough to touch his wife but dared not. “I am his God-Father. You always knew my time to instruct him would come.” Even without her godly power expressed, the Priestess’ eyes cut into the God as she snarled, “Yes, you shall instruct him alright. He will despise you in the end!” With a blank face Qatula replied, “To make sure he will be ready for that which will come to pass, what makes you think I can’t live with that? Let him enjoy these moments. You enjoy them too. Well, I shall go. The ‘Caretaker’ approaches. Goodbye beloved.” The Priestess watched as the black cloud of smoke which had been Qatula dissipated. Astride his mount, her mortal husband the Valley Knight looked like a dark spirit of the forest.
“Greetings Husband.” The Valley Knight cantered his horse to her side an looked to her. “Greetings Wife. Is all well? I was concerned when you did not return with the village women.” A smile could not be restrained from crossing the Priestess’ face. She held out her arms and her husband lifted her onto the mount in one powerful motion. Seated behind him, she hugged him fiercely. “Hoooooof! Wife, I am but flesh and blood... not a god!” Easing off considerably, the Priestess did not let go. “Take me home husband....” The quietness of her words were more plea than command. Something transpired which caused his wife great dismay.
As they began the long ride home, the Priestess was grateful her mortal husband asked no questions. She held onto his waist and kept her cheek firmly against his broad back. There were times when even a Goddess needed comforting. Losing what for all purposes was her son to his destiny no doubt called for such tender treatment. The vision she had was now in motion. Soon, the past, present and future would converge and the years of peace would be but memories....
The End
© 2012 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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