Known Afterlife (The Provider Trilogy: Volume I)

by Trey Copeland

  *****

  Ginllats canvassed the valley floor with its soothing, milk-green spotlight. Volume and intensity of the Guardian's mantra had reached a climax as the harmonic blend of tenor and baritone vibrated deep within Steffor's sternum. Memories of when he first discovered his Guardian powers had fortified Steffor's confidence. Empowered by Kilton's keen insight, Steffor had found a new purpose and with it, the courage to forge ahead. Compelled by a divine interdependence, Steffor stepped out from his sanctuary and approached the Forging Ceremony with renewed hope.

  "I began to wonder if you would ever decide to join us," said a husky voice from the very spot he had just left.

  Steffor halted in mid stride and then slowly turned back around to see the face of Vejax floating bodiless above the fronds. His broad mouth quivered, then creased with a cocky smile, the joy in surprising a fellow Guardian too much to contain. A second later, the rest of Vejax materialized as he stepped forward to stand before Steffor.

  Impressive as it was for garments to camouflage a Guardian in any setting, they were not immune to the heightened senses of another Guardian. If needed, Steffor could smell Vejax a half a mile away.

  Reading his thoughts, Vejax's smug eyes darted to the top of his shoulder high staff and the blue crystal within gave a quick wink of intense blue light. "One of the rare skills bestowed by the Provider the day I became Teuton."

  "And an impressive skill it is. Can all Teutons cloak themselves in this manner?"

  "While I have not surveyed all of them, I have learned enough to know I share this trait with only a few. The stronger we grow, the more specialized our talents become."

  "Such is the mystery of the Provider," Steffor replied.

  "Such is the mystery of the Provider," Vejax echoed, intently searching Steffor's eyes.

  Unlike his reunion with Kilton, Vejax never appeared to lock on familiar ground. "You look well Steffor. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, one would never guess you had died," Vejax said, looking Steffor up and down. His attempt at making the statement sound light failed against the brevity of the subject, leaving it to fall flat.

  There will be no easygoing banter today.

  "The body is well," Steffor said, spreading his arms with palms open, "but my resurrection has left the spirit...wanting. As I imagine you have assessed while observing me over the past few hours, my thoughts have been clouded with doubt."

  Vejax stepped closer and put a hand on Steffor's shoulder. "What lies within you is all that ever matters, Steffor. Do you still love the divine energy within you, which is you, which is the Provider?"

  "Yes, my belief in the Provider has never been stronger," Steffor said with conviction.

  "Then why do you no longer commune with the whole? Why do you not embrace the Source? Is not everything done to you in accordance to your beliefs?" Vejax, a look of vindication captured on his face, turned toward the valley's northern wall. He then gestured for Steffor to follow, not waiting for or appearing to want an answer.

  Steffor followed, concluding Vejax's appearance at this crucial juncture, no matter how covert or contentious, was a good omen. The ceremony could wait a little longer.

  They walked in step up the gradual incline, skirting the ring of Guardians, toward the opposite side of the Forging Tree.

  A few strides later, incline became steep wall with no discernable path shifted into its side, requiring them to climb vertically. Mid-way up, Vejax came to rest on a small ledge, just large enough for the two of them to stand side by side and face the Forging Tree. Vejax began to sway and hum in sync with the rest of the Guardians encircled below. He made no attempt at conversation, his sight transfixed on a spot along the trunk meant for him alone to see.

  Steffor pulled his gaze away from Vejax, looked toward the tree and beckoned it to take the weight of his thoughts. The dark side of the trunk, outlined by the luminescent gourds placed on the opposite side, eclipsed all but a small portion of the valley's adjacent southern wall. Across the way, moonlight reflected off a distant waterfall.

  The sight reminded him of the brief respite he had spent with Calivera upon the landing of Fregak's Ladder. He was relieved to find he no longer cared about the negative feelings that transpired soon after. Instead, he chose to remember the simple pleasures. The taste of her sweet aroma, the press of her body as her gentle laugh brushed his ear. Overwhelmed by the sudden and palpable memories, he longed for her presence.

  The curative mantra echoing off the valley wall eased his angst, enabling him to release his fantasies about Calivera. In their place, he contemplated Vejax's open-ended questions in earnest. As always, the man got to the root of the situation with calculated bluntness. While they each processed and dealt with issues according to their own filters, they were kindred spirits when it came to what mattered most. Now, no matter how much had changed in so little time, Vejax continued to play a key role in exposing that closest to his heart.

  He had grown comfortable with his altered perspective, governed by rigid laws of black and white. But Vejax's questions cast a long shadow of gray and exposed all the nooks and crannies filled with doubt. Try as he may to swim in the clear waters of truth it remained a challenge not to feel like an anachronism. He was comforted in the belief that everything existed and happened for a reason and that it was not his purpose to figure out why.

  Why then can I not stop asking why?

  Resolved to face the challenges ahead, these unanswered questions continued to stoke the embers of fear lingering in the dark halls of his ego.

  I must relinquish control of that which I do not understand, to those who do. Vejax is in my life for reason; trust that belief to show me what to do next.

  "I do not sync with the Mysticnet or shift the Source because I have forgotten how to do so."

  With noticeable effort, Vejax's fluid sway turned to rigid stance. "Do you desire to do either?" he asked, still facing the tree.

  "Yes, but not for the same reason or purpose as I once had."

  "Does your new purpose have anything to do the four races?"

  Steffor was not surprised or upset that Kilton divulged the details of their recent conversation. On the contrary, he was grateful. "Yes, it does. I do not believe my intentions to be malicious, simply, out of principle I do not wish to participate in the continual growth of that modality."

  "Principle? What principle prevents you from contributing to the growth of the Provider?"

  "That's just it. I no longer believe the races contribute to our growth. If anything, I believe they will lead to our digression, and soon."

  "Long I have prayed for the day you finally understood that our growth has nothing to do with what you want to believe. That complete surrender to the Provider's flow, faith that living the Certain Way is all that is required of us. Do you not think your recent accident and rebirth was a message, telling you it cannot be both?"

  "No, not once. If anything, my belief that we live in the Provider and, in accordance the Provider lives in us, has only grown stronger. Our interdependence is as evident as ever and for reasons I am still trying to understand, our continual reliance on the four races jeopardizes the growth for all of us."

  "I can find no common ground on this subject Steffor," Vejax said, frustrated and disappointed. "For reasons of my own, I feel the flow led me to help you in a specific way but I do not share your desire to rid us of the races. Even if I did, I have no idea as to how anyone can help you in this endeavor."

  Vejax's role in future events was vital, this Steffor was certain. Much as I have had to come to terms, he too must find faith in our new reality if he is to fulfill his mission. Vejax's journey is his own and he will not fail himself or us.

  "Your counsel alone adds value to my process but, as it has been from the beginning, this is my burden to bear. But, if you are still willing, you may be able to help me in a different way."

  "If within my means, I will always help you Steffor," Vejax replied with fla
t baritone.

  "The time for me to join the ceremony is upon us."

  Vejax nodded in agreement. "Indeed. We have left our brothers and sisters waiting as long as we dare risk. Are you prepared?"

  "I believe so but, as you so aptly pointed out, there are two crucial steps in my rebirth I have yet to take, steps that must occur in order for me to fulfill my part. Yet, I still hesitate."

  "Indeed," Vejax replied, the return of his confident air a welcome sight. "Since the discovery of our ability to shift the Provider's energy, no Citizen has gone as long as you have without drinking of the Source or connecting to the whole. We both know, without the ability to do either, your involvement in the ceremony will offer little value."

  "It is no longer a lack of desire as it was prior. If anything, I sense urgency within to break my fast from the Source. But as I stand here, ready to join the ceremony, I realize I have forgotten how to shift the Source."

  Vejax, perplexed as he was by the notion, was quick to apply his pragmatic mind toward a solution. "I will send you the Source," he said a moment later, his brow locked in concentration as he pieced the solution together. "It has never been done but I believe it will work. I will tealk you the Source."

  Tealking was named after Teuton Tealk, the legendary Guardian who first discovered, mastered and trained others in the niche technique. The act involved sending a narrow beam of the Source over long distances. It was developed in the later years of the Deagron Age, about the time man began to flourish and Deagrons diminish. Tealking was a classic example of how war accelerated innovation.

  The best application of tealking occurred when Deagrons advanced up the Provider. Situated above an advancing pod of Deagrons, Guardians would tealk the pressure points and vulnerable joints of the creature. The targeted beams of Source would jar loose a Deagron's grip and cause it to falter. Other Guardians, camouflaged and lying in wait at close range, would then deliver their pointblank burst of the Source. The maneuver sent many of the ancient enemy falling to a gruesome death, ideally taking out several of their kindred in the process.

  "I did not realize you were familiar with antiquated technique."

  "Only a handful of seasoned Teutons know how to shift the Source in this manner today; the practice was kept alive out of reverence alone. I believe I can alter this technique in a way that will help you rediscover how to shift the Source."

  "Be prepared Steffor and I will send you the Source when you are ready." With a nod, he wrapped his long cloak around the length of his body, pulled hood overhead to drape his face in shadow, and purposely started his descent down the cliff side.

  Steffor watched his friend work his way down. His wide flowing cape masked his long stride, a dark, hovering shade traversing a treacherous path with deceptive grace and agility.