by JM Bray
Afterward, as they continued their circuit of the grounds, Coleman said, ‘Thank you for letting me join you in that.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Jolie wiped her brow. ‘Sorry I’m so sweaty.’
‘I don’t mind.’
‘Well, it’s...that’s...kind of you.’ She dropped her chin slightly and her face reddened. ‘I must smell atrocious.’
They made their way back around the grounds and were inside the gardens; he paused in the shade of an oak tree and turned to her.
He leaned closer, inhaling. She smelled lightly of spice and salt. ‘You look lovely and smell...wonderful.’ With his finger beneath her chin, he lifted her face towards him and kissed her gently. He felt her stiffen slightly then soften and her full lips met his with equal ardor. The glowing moment of bliss felt both endless and too brief. As if by mutual agreement, they pulled their lips apart and smiled at one another.
‘Oh, my,’ she said.
‘I agree completely.’
His mind raced. ‘I...ah, hope I’ve not gotten you into trouble.’
‘Whatever do you mean?’
‘Well, you called this a Cloister, and there are only women about. Have I, you know, caused you to break a vow or something?’
She chuckled. ‘Not at all. We call ourselves Maidens and this is a Cloister, but many of the women are Bound. They live with their spouses on adjoining parcels of land. In fact, the land around us is set aside for that purpose. Not that I am...ah...implying...well...’
He smiled, ‘Don’t worry, one kiss does not a Binding make, but it’s a good start.’
She looked up into his eyes and threw her arms around him, hugging him fiercely.
‘Ouch. Wounds,’ he gasped.
She let go immediately. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the moment.’
‘It was worth it.’ He gave her a crooked grin and she kissed him again, briefly, but passionately.
‘I know I said twice around the grounds, but I think you’ve had entirely enough exercise, and excitement, for one morning.’
He looked at her, grinning, ‘It certainly has been exciting, but you’re the Healer; I’m at your command. If you say back to the room, it’s back to the room we go.’
‘I do say so.’
‘Want to tuck me in?’
She laughed throatily and helped him toward the building. As they reached his room she said, ‘Perhaps you’ve been wondering how we found you and why we were there.’
‘Actually, I was thinking about that last eve.’
‘Good.’ She patted his chest on the unwounded side ‘Let’s meet after lunch with Sari and the Matriarch and fill in the details.’
‘Lunch. Might I take that somewhere besides this room?’
‘Of course, how about the dining hall?’
‘And would you be so kind as to grace my table with your presence?’ He bowed as best as he could.
‘I would be honored, Sire.’ She curtsied with an imaginary dress.
‘Until then, m’lady.’ He watched as she walked down the hall.
She turned and looked back at him, smiling to see him watching her. ‘I’ll have some sort of clothing brought to you before then. We can’t have the Maidens ogling you.’
He grinned and shook his head as he turned into his room. She had dazzled him so much he’d completely forgotten what he was wearing.
A Meeting
They met in a comfortable sitting room. Coleman had expected something different, an office or command room. The Maidens had a more open way to their hierarchy than he was accustomed to. As he sank into the overstuffed chair, he had to admit maybe they were on to something. Jolie sat nearby.
The Matriarch reminded him of his grandmother, in her chair near a window, the sunlight washing over her. Sari arrived moments later, closing the door as she entered. She poured herself water, and turned to the room with the glass held up.
‘Anyone else care for some?’
The Matriarch looked at them. ‘No thank you, Sari, I have tea. It seems we’re fine. Coleman, ask what you wish and we will answer.’
He looked at Sari. ‘How did you find me?’
‘We knew where to look.’
‘Because you knew the dugout was there?’
‘Well, yes and no. Yes, we built the Refuge and knew its location. It’s a safe place for those battling the Kafla. The construction is designed to withstand them.’
Jolie picked up the explanation, ‘And no, because we were told you would be there when we arrived.’
‘I don’t understand.’ Coleman looked at her. ‘How could you know?’
The Matriarch spoke, ‘Because I dreamed it.’
Coleman leaned forward. Now it made sense. ‘You’re a Seer.’
‘Yes, I’ve been blessed by the Divine with that gift.’
He paused for a long moment. ‘Then you must know more regarding me.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘Why do you say that?’
He shrugged slightly. Wasn’t it obvious to them? ‘Warriors die as a matter of course. I only survived by using The Run, not knowing where I went. If you foresaw my approach, and risked yourselves to rescue me, it’s for something more than just my life.’
Jolie sat back in her chair with her mouth slightly open.
The Matriarch said, ‘This is a clever man.’
He noticed Jolie’s glance at Sari, who pursed her lips and nodded as if she’d been thinking the same thing. Coleman bit back a smile at their reactions and went on. ‘So I think the next question is obvious: what else did you dream regarding me?’
‘I see you are a man of direct speech, so I’ll try to answer in the same manner. I didn’t dream of you specifically. I dreamed of what you are, or rather, of what you might become.’
Coleman’s shoulders tightened and his eyes narrowed. A Seer with knowledge about him wasn’t necessarily something he wanted. ‘And what is that?’
‘Are you familiar with the ancient texts regarding the Shroud?’ she asked him.
‘No, I’m not.’
‘They speak of one who will tear the very fabric of reality.’ She waited for his response.
Somehow, the desert lands moved into his mouth. ‘May I have that glass of water now, please?’ he asked. Sari brought it over. ‘Thank you.’ He drank deeply. ‘What is this Shroud?’
Jolie leaned forward. ‘The Shroud is what separates our world from another.’
‘Another...world?’ This was going from strange, straight into unbelievable. He set the glass on the small table nearby.
‘Actually,’ the Matriarch said, ‘it’s another existence that shares our world, or we share theirs — that point has always been debated. Whichever is accurate, there is another existence living alongside ours. We cannot perceive it, nor they ours, except in rare instances. They have families, learn trades, live and die, just as we do. The lands they walk are the same as ours, except...’
‘Except?’ Did he really want to know the except? Too late now.
‘They don’t have the Kafla. Additionally, though many believe in the Divine, they do not experience its presence as we do. Scholars believe their existence is further away from the Seat of the Divine...and Abyss than ours.’
Coleman frowned. ‘The presence of the Divine?’ He looked at each of them. ‘Aren’t we just...living our lives?’
‘Yes, but the Divine’s influence is all around us. Sometimes in dramatic ways, such as Seers like myself, or Wonder Workers who have power over certain elements, or those who can heal with a touch.’
He nodded. ‘We have a Healer in the Warriors. They don’t have such people?’ How would they survive?
She shrugged. ‘Our information is limited; they have minor Healers, but few who use the power of the Divine. Beyond that, in a much less dramatic way we live with the presence of the Divine constantly around us. It empowers us, directs our actions, and shapes our lives in so many ways that, as you said, it is simply normal life to us.’
‘The texts refer
to this?’ he asked.
‘Yes, but the one I spoke of focuses on something else. Our Cloister is a repository of sorts. We search throughout the Realm, collecting documents regarding the Shroud. You should visit the library.’
He rubbed his chin. ‘I would like that. But how do you know these texts are correct, or that the Shroud exists?’
The Matriarch smiled warmly. ‘I have communicated with those on the other side, and dreamt of it as well.’
Coleman sat back and took another drink of water. He added mythological to the list containing strange and unbelievable. They watched as he pondered her comments. Within a short time, he nodded. At least it was a myth they had documents about. ‘What do the texts say about the one who would tear the Shroud?’
‘They call them the Tearer.’ She shrugged. ‘The term might be a description, or may be a play on words that terror will be upon us if they succeed. It tells us that in seeking to escape death, they would force a way across the Shroud. Their efforts would eventually cause a tear, allowing the Kafla to pass through, wreaking destruction on those who live there. You’ve fought the Kafla. Can you imagine what would happen if they were set loose on a people who’d never known them?’
His features grew stern at the images flashing through his mind. ‘The devastation would be horrific.’
Sari spoke, with quiet intensity, ‘And after they worked their evil on that side of the Shroud, they could spawn unchecked. Then where will they go?’
It hit him like a horse’s kick. His eyes widened. ‘Back here.’
‘Beyond that, their insurgence would further damage the Shroud, allowing the people and things of that other world to pass through.’
‘And...that would be...bad?’ Coleman asked.
The Matriarch nodded. ‘I have seen their lands in my visions; they are overpopulated and dotted by cities clouded with pollution. That world has machines of immense power — vast armies and weapons that can level entire cities in a moment.’ She snapped her fingers. ‘Their world would not survive the Kafla and ours would not survive them. The Shroud protects and preserves each of our lands.’
The magnitude of the moment brought a pregnant silence. He tried to get his mind around it all and finally spoke, his voice edged with danger, ‘This Tearer of the Shroud, is it a creature of the Abyss?’
The Matriarch’s countenance saddened and she shook her head. ‘No, whoever it is, they are a person of the Realm.’
‘Then they must be found and stopped, or destroyed, before they can do this thing.’
Sari spoke, ‘Berdine tasked the Maidens with that before her death. That is why we gather the texts.’ Jolie rose and placed her hand on his back. He trembled with suppressed outrage. ‘Coleman,’ she said, ‘there’s more; perhaps you should sit?’
He looked around. Why was he standing and when had it happened? Nodding, he sat back down.
The Matriarch started hesitantly, ‘We believe they may have attempted a crossing already, perhaps even achieved it for a short time. Since there has been no outpouring of Kafla, we are reasonably sure they haven’t accomplished their goal, and the Shroud is intact. In the last fifty years we have learned something Berdine did not anticipate.’ The Matriarch paused. ‘Because we are close to the Eternal, our Realm — ’
‘Pardon my interruption, Matriarch. Close to the Eternal?’
She nodded. ‘Earlier, when I mentioned that we were nearer to the Seat of the Abyss and Divine, I was referring to the Eternal Realms.’
He frowned. ‘I know Kafla are creatures of the Abyss. But if we are close to the Seat, why doesn’t their Master battle us himself?’
‘An insightful question. Fortunately, it isn’t that simple. An Eternal Being, such as their Master, cannot directly attack those who follow the Divine — they must work through minions, like the Kafla. It is that way both here, and as I understand it, in the Companion’s world,’ the Matriarch said.
‘The Kafla are not from the Abyss but it gives them their power and perverted forms,’ Sari said.
‘But then...where are those who gain their power from the Divine?’
They hesitated, sitting silently.
‘Coleman,’ the Matriarch said gently, ‘we are those people.’
The statement transfixed him. They waited patiently as he looked at each of them, his mouth working as he gathered his thoughts.
‘So. Then. We are...part of the Eternal? No,’ he spoke before they could answer. ‘My men died combating the Kafla, and I struck the creatures down, so that can’t be the case.’
The Matriarch smiled. ‘You’re correct, neither we nor the Kafla live forever, though there are those who walk the Realm who do. We’re simply in very close contact with the Eternal and we draw our life Essence and abilities from that contact. That very association is the reason we cannot find the Tearer here in the Realm. The energy of the Eternal, both good and bad, is powerful and constant. To find a use of power, even of that magnitude, is nearly impossible due to the interference caused by that energy. Does this make sense?’
He nodded. ‘It does. It also raises more questions.’
‘Then please, ask them,’ she said.
‘There are...actual Eternal Beings walking the Realm?’
‘We believe so.’
‘Would we know one if we saw them?’
She shook her head. ‘I can’t say with certainty as I have never met one that I know of. They would have to reveal themselves.’
‘Are they in the other land as well?’
‘It is thought that Eternal Beings, be they good or evil, may cross the Shroud as easily as we pass through a door.’
He looked at the floor and tapped a finger against his lips. ‘So, regarding the Tearer — how do we stop someone who’s impossible to find?’
‘By searching for them beyond the Shroud. There the Eternal is more distant; when power is used it will be noticeable by someone familiar with its presence.’
He nodded at the practicality of the solution. ‘Pursue him where he is easily seen. That makes sense.’ He paused and raised his hands palms up then let them fall back into his lap. ‘How could anyone, no matter how evil, risk this other world and the existence of the Realm for selfish gain? It’s unthinkable.’
The Elder woman shook her head sadly. ‘At some point in life each of us chooses, Divine or Abyss. Once we choose the path, there’s no turning aside. Some see evil as a way to achieve what they seek.’
Coleman clearly remembered his choosing and never doubted his decision; it was one of the happiest moments of his life. He knew there were those who followed a wicked path, but struggled to come to grips with the idea of the Tearer.
The Matriarch must have read his thoughts. ‘The texts don’t just speak of the person who will do this evil. They also tell of those who would combat him:
‘“When the Tearer passes the Shroud
A Traveler shall arise and be blessed
And join the Companion
They shall oppose the evil one
And fight to throw him down.”’
‘The Traveler will cross the Shroud?’ he asked.
‘Yes, somehow.’
He shook his head. ‘There’s an inconsistency. If the Tearer harms the Shroud by passing through it, won’t the Traveler’s passage do the same?’
The Matriarch huffed and raised an eyebrow. ‘Young man, are you sure you’re not a scholar of debate rather than just a simple Warrior?’
He smiled. ‘I never claimed to be simple.’
‘Indeed you’re not,’ she said. ‘The answer to your astute observation is this: The Tearer assaults the Shroud with evil intent...the Traveler is given safe passage as an invited guest.’
Coleman saw the right of it and nodded.
‘But there is more,’ she said. ‘The text goes on to tell us:
“You will know the Traveler...”’
She paused continuing softly,
‘“...for he shall come to you in your dreams
moving by ways unknown.”’
She stopped and they all watched him as the impact of the quote sunk in.
Coleman’s pulse galloped. ‘You think...I’m the Traveler?’ His voice was just above a whisper.
The Matriarch smiled kindly. ‘Coleman, it’s your face I saw in my dream, and we have witnessed the gifts of body, mind and spirit you have been given. You are a Traveler.’
He needed more water, but took a moment to steady his hand before taking another large drink.
Jolie squatted before him, looking into his eyes, concerned for his wellbeing. ‘This is a lot to absorb, let’s take a break until after dinner.’ She brushed an errant lock of hair from his face tenderly.
‘I’d rather not,’ he answered softly. ‘This is like taking a bandage from a dried wound; it’s best to get it done in one pull.’
They looked at one another for a long moment, and then she nodded, ‘Very well, let’s continue.’
As she stepped back to her seat the Matriarch said, ‘Mistress Healer, thank you for seeing to Coleman’s welfare.’
‘How can you be sure that I am the Traveler?’ he said quietly.
The Matriarch looked sympathetically at him. ‘Not the Traveler, but a Traveler. You aren’t the only one who could do this. It’s your choice, your opportunity.’
‘I could refuse?’
‘Of course, and another would be revealed, somehow. However, the texts appear to reflect your arrival, and my dreams have never been incorrect.’ Sadness entered her voice. ‘Not even when I wished they were.’
Sari eased the moment. ‘They led us to you, didn’t they? At the exact place and time needed.’
‘This Companion you spoke of, where is he? Or she?’
‘I told you I had communicated with those across the Shroud.’
He saw where this was going.
‘I have tried to send warnings to those who might hear, but I also communed with the Companion. Only with a champion from the Realm and the land beyond the Shroud can the Tearer be opposed and, hopefully, defeated.’
‘How did he take this news?’ Coleman raised an eyebrow.
She sipped her tea, and sighed. ‘I don’t know.’ She held up her hand. ‘Let me explain.’
