Tall windblown grass rippled in waves like water under the hot desert wind. Under the shade of broad fronds from a lone palm tree, a pair of bright brown eyes took in the scene of the green field. Though the scene looked tranquil, the owner of those watchful eyes knew all was not as it seemed. Still, the rippling grasses gave no indication of any threat. The owner of those bright eyes slowly let them close drowsily in response to the oppressive heat.
Suddenly, the sound of a child-like roar broke the calm as a boy burst forth from the grass towards the watcher’s unprotected back. Swinging a club made of tied grass, the boy was certain of victory. Just short of striking the watcher, a dark shadow appeared. Both his makeshift club and his forward momentum were abruptly halted by another grass club. An instant later, the boy was pinned to the ground beneath a powerful arm. Looking up from his prone position, the boy saw the shapely back of his intended target and groaned, "I almost got you this time!"
Without turning the woman whose back the boy looked upon said cheerfully, "Hmmm, looks like another week I won't be sweeping the house or the grounds." It was the man holding the boy down who said, "Care to make another wager young one?" Exasperated the boy replied, "No Sir Knight! I already owe a month's worth of chores on top of my usual duties to the shrine!"
The Valley Knight released his hold on the boy and said dryly, "That's too bad. You nearly made it interesting this time." Laughing with a sympathetic tone the woman scolded, "Husband, don't be so mean to the boy! Except for you being close enough to touch him all morning, I think he did quite well." Upon the revelation he hadn't come close to evading the Valley Knight all morning, the boy was crestfallen.
The Knight picked him up and gave the boy a hard swat on the back. Over the sharp sting from the blow the boy heard the Knight say, "You did well." Surprised to hear praise from the Knight the boy replied, "How did I do well when you knew where I was all the time?" The Knight sat upon the shaded grass beside his wife the Priestess. A long moment passed as he looked out over the grassy field shimmering in the midday heat. The Priestess handed the Knight a half fist-sized stone and after a pause, the Knight handed it to the boy.
As the now frustrated boy was about to speak the Knight pointed out into the field and said, "Throw the stone over there hard as you can." The boy was confused and irritated at the Knight's lack of response to his question. Angrily, he hurled the rock out into the field with all his might. As the missile arced over the tall summer grass the Priestess said, "Good throw." Falling into the stalks, the stone struck something and a sudden roar made the boy jump with surprise. A young male lion broke cover and bounded away at best speed.
Hiding behind the Priestess the boy exclaimed, "How long had that been there?" Calmly, the Knight replied, "It had been following you all morning. It kept its distance because I was so close to you." Chuckling the Priestess added, "You were so focused on getting to me, you lost sight of everything around you. That is something you can ill afford to do 'Little Fish'. You were able to get so close to touching me is due to your new perception gained from traveling to the Space between Life and Death. Remember, you must learn to see with more than just your eyes. Now close your eyes, take a breath and tell me what you see."
Still frustrated but too startled to ignore what just happened, the boy did as bidden. Upon closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, the world appeared to him as he'd just seen it. A blue vaulted sky held up the blazing sun as it shone down over the waving grasses. Suddenly, the tall Chief of the Aesir waded through the grass followed by other people who shared his red-brown hair and pale skin. Following him was a woman with red hair and hazel eyes. Behind them all, walked a darker-skinned woman with black hair carrying a much darker baby with fierce eyes. The boy's eyes popped open with surprise and he saw the Chief and one of the younger elders coming towards them.
The boy waved to the approaching men and the Priestess said, "Run and go greet them." Excited, the boy absentmindedly took off to greet the two men. Once the boy was out of earshot the Knight said, "Were you ever like that?" Sounding insulted the Priestess replied, "Of course! I told you I was once mortal." Smiling the Knight replied, "My apologies Wife. Please don't ruin so nice a day by striking me down with a lightning bolt!" Giving her husband a sharp elbow in the ribs the Priestess replied, "With a sneaky tongue such as yours, two bolts would be needed!"
Taking his hand, the Priestess gently urged her husband closer. Now side by side, the Priestess took his larger callous hand in both of hers. It amazed her that so powerful a hand was so delicate. With but a careless thought or gesture, she could crush it like one squeezes water from mud. All the more reason to cherish such a hand and enjoy it while she could. Knowing his wife as he did the Knight turned to her then said, "Something troubles you. What did the boy see?" Giving his hand a kiss, the Priestess replied, "Things which have and have not come to pass."
Facing toward the boy leading the men to their shady spot the Priestess remarked, "You are very good with Little Fish. You would be a fine father." The Knight gave his wife's delicate hands a gentle squeeze and replied, "Look at how happy 'Fish' is. With all the blood on my hands, how could I dare bring a child up?" Now giving his hand a series of gentle pats the Priestess retorted, "To balance the lives you've taken my love. If it were possible to give you a child with this body, I would have gladly done so upon our first coupling." The Knight saw his wife smile wickedly and say, "You have already sown enough seed within me to have grown an army! Don't think for a moment I have not appreciated your efforts...."
Leaning his head close to hers the Knight queried, "Surely so natural a thing as bearing a child is not beyond your power?" Placing his hand beneath the upper wrapping covering her breasts the Priestess replied, "Beyond me, no. Beyond this body, yes. As I told you when we married, I am far beyond the woman you have taken into your heart and bed. You've borne witness to that. There was a time very long ago when this body could bear children and did. That was a terrible mistake I would not make again..., even if it were possible."
The Knight quickly noticed his wife had not completed her explanation. "You mentioned it wasn't beyond you to bear children. Do you mean your 'true self' is capable of doing so?" Removing his hand from beneath her garment broke the primal connection he felt as her heart beat against it. Looking into her deep brown eyes they suddenly turned to luminous amber as the Priestess answered, "Yes. As my true self, I can bear children if I wish. However, it is much too dangerous.
My presence here as you have seen, attracts enough otherworldly attention. To bring forth a child of half divine, half mortal blood would be a clarion call for those powers desiring its untapped power. It would also be too dangerous to try to raise such a child here among the people. Even I would not be privy to the child's potential power and I won't risk the lives of those who live in the Valley and the Surround so carelessly." After a pause the Priestess dropped her head and said, "Lastly, it would be too dangerous for a mortal man to couple with my true self for he would be consumed by the act."
Letting go of her husband's hand the Priestess' eyes returned to normal as she looked back to the approaching trio and calmly said, "The Chief is going on a journey. He will need your assistance, but will not ask out of respect for me. I would wish for you to go with him. As always, you are free to say 'no'. If you do decide to go, please take Little Fish with you."
The Knight did not know what to think. He had always been aware the woman he married and swore to protect was a goddess living among mortals. Though he always kept that in mind, sometimes her humanity made him see her as more woman than Goddess. It was much to think about. Giving her a kiss on the cheek the Knight took his leave saying, "You don't need me for this. I shall see you at the evening meal my wife. Give my greetings to the Elder and Chief if you would."
The Priestess watched briefly as her husband disappeared among the tall grass in the shimmering heat. Turning back towards the arriving trio, the Priestess saw the men carried offerings of roasted meat, bread, fruit and cool water. It was as she had foreseen. The Chief enlisted the negotiating expertise of the Junior Elder on his behalf. The Priestess smiled for she already knew her answer, but having her midday meal brought to her in so pleasant a setting was worth having to listen to the two men try and negotiate with her.
The Priestess was concerned about her young acolyte's vision. To see beyond what is, was an unpredictable thing to divine even for one adept at doing so. It was that very unpredictability which always made her reticent to look away from the now. For all the long ages she had existed, not knowing what was to come was a rare comfort. Whether for good or ill, existence always brought 'change'. If Little Fish's vision was accurate as the Priestess believed, change was coming... and all too soon.
© 2011 H. Wolfgang Porter. All Rights Reserved.
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