Sentinels of Creation: A Wizard's Soul

by Robert W. Ross

  “Really? What about”

  “Stones,” interrupted Merlin, “yes, alive. Water? Living. Just be exceptionally careful Kellan. Do not drink or eat anything unless it has been expressly given to you for that purpose. I do not want you inadvertently killing something here and thereby getting yourself into a heap of trouble.”

  Kellan huffed something noncommittal and looked up again. “Is that where we’re going?”

  “Of course, there is no where else to go. Travel more than a little way in any of those directions,” Merlin swept his arm around, “and you would, quite literally, fall off the edge of this world.”

  Kellan looked skeptical. “You can’t fall of the edge of the world. The physics doesn’t work.”

  Merlin smiled indulgently. “It doesn’t work in your world. This is not your world. It is her world and I assure you, there is an edge to this world in every direction and if you step off it, you will fall.”

  “Yeah, fall where?”

  Merlin shrugged, “No idea, I’ve yet to find anyone stupid enough to try.”

  “Well, then where does this lead,” asked Kellan, pointing to the spiral ramp.

  “Why to Gaia’s home of course. She likes to be up high, to survey the surroundings you see.”

  “Wait, what surroundings? You said there’s an edge in every direction a little ways off. What does she look out over?”

  “Kellan, you really will have to wait and—” The wizard cut off sharply as a crunching sounded above them. “Ah, she must be eager meet you. That’s a good sign.”

  “Oh, is that Gaia?” asked Kellan and Merlin stared at the young Sentinel as if lobsters had just crawled from his ears. “What?” asked the young Sentinel, feeling defensive.

  “Gaia is the Mantel of Earth. She is, quite possibly, the most powerful being next to the Creator Himself. She is sovereign here and a Queen does not open the door to supplicants. A queen sends her servant to convey such to her presence.”

  “So, just how much more powerful than me is she?”

  “Much,” replied Merlin, then added, “Someday, you may be as strong as she, if you live that long, but that day,” he snickered, “is not today.”

  “Good to know,” said Kellan, then frowned, “ Wait, supplicant? Why am I a supplicant? What am I supplicant’ing?”

  “Just let me do the talking, please. He’s here. Do what I do.”

  There was a loud crack as if dozens of dried branches were all suddenly broken in two and a massive creature stepped off the spiral ramp. It seemed made of living wood and vines with leaves and willowy tendrils poking out in all directions. It was roughly humanoid with both two arms and two legs. The creature had a large asymmetrical head with no discoverable mouth, but as it tilted down, darkly glowing amber eyes fixed on them both.

  Merlin affected a deep bow while spreading out his hands in a dramatic flourish. Kellan mirrored him and as his face came close to the Wizard’s he whispered, “Holy shit, Oren, it looks like an Ent. Is that an Ent?”

  “What part of, be silent, was confusing Kellan. And no, he is not an Ent, but Tolkien’s Ent’s were likely born of him, now hush.”

  More cracking sounded and then a deep rumbling voice came from the creature despite the lack of mouth. “Rise, Master Druid and be welcome in Gaia’s court.”

  Merlin straightened but as Kellan began to do the same, he felt the firm hand of the older man on his neck as the wizard replied, “My thanks Belethane, it is a great pleasure to once again be in your presence and to meet with the Mantel of Earth.” The giant inclined its head in acknowledgement then looked to Kellan.

  “And why have your brought this young welp of a Sentinel to her court?” Kellan started to rise again and felt Merlin’s fingers dig painfully into the back of his neck.

  “Unlike his predecessor, this Sentinel of Order seeks fellowship and even guidance from your Queen. He has sought me out to make introductions because of our long acquaintance and I vouch safe his behavior whilst here.”

  There was a long pause while Belethane seemed to consider this himself or, perhaps, commune with Gaia directly. Finally he said, “Rise, Sentinel of Order and be welcome in Gaia’s court.”

  Kellan felt the restraining hand fall away and stood. He gave Merlin a sour look but then turned his attention to Belethane. “My thanks for your greeting. I will endeavor to be worthy of both your time and gracious hospitality.”

  “Well said, young Sentinel. I am Belethane Arboratus , high counselor to Gaia and elder of the Etunazian people. I am pleased to make your acquaintance and add my personal greeting to that of our Queen. Please, follow me.”

  With that he turned and slowly started back up the spiral. Merlin leaned close and whispered, “Nicely done. Against all odds, he seems to like you.”

  “I’m likable,” hissed Kellan quietly, “why is that so hard to believe.”

  “Reputation?” replied Merlin then silenced Kellan’s retort with a warning gesture as Belethane turned back to them.

  “Sentinel,” he began, “A question comes to mind and—”

  “Kellan,” interrupted the Sentinel causing Merlin to visibly tense.

  “What?”

  “Please, call me Kellan. I appreciate the honorific, but hope that the bonds we begin to form today will transcend such formality. More, it is my fervent wish that it someday lead to familiarity and friendship.”

  Several heartbeats passed while the Etunaz seemed to ponder his response, then he inclined his head to the Sentinel. “Your words are as welcome as they are unexpected. Kellan, then. A question comes to mind, Kellan, and perhaps you have the answer.”

  “I will do my best,” he replied with a smile.

  “I see in you the imprint of Creation, how came you to have it?”

  At first, Kellan didn’t know how to respond, but then said, “Imprint of creation? You mean my eyes. They glow when I channel Ordered power.”

  “No,” said Belethane with a rumble and pointed, “not the green of Order.” He curled his fingers into a fist and quickly opened them again. Dark violet flowers burst from his hand and their petals floated down to land on Merlin and Kellan. “The violet of Creation, Kellan.”

  “Oh, that,” and he looked to Merlin hoping for direction, but the Wizard did not meet his gaze. “That was an accident. I absorbed a Demon’s Chaotic energy and it would have destroyed me along with several others about whom I care deeply if I had not combined it with Ordered power.”

  For long moments, Belethane said nothing and Kellan felt the giant’s eyes upon him, seeming to take his measure. Finally he said, “It has left its mark upon you, young Sentinel. Do you seek to repeat the act?”

  “Um, the act? You mean killing a demon?”

  “No, the act of Creation. Do you covet the act of Creation?”

  “Oh, hell no,” blurted Kellan and he saw Merlin wince, then turn to Belethane.

  “Peace, Master Druid,” said the Etunazian holding up a hand. He tilted his head, eyes still on Kellan, “You speak without thinking and in doing so reveal truth without guile.”

  “Thank you?” said Kellan, his voice rising as he again looked to Merlin who just shook his head.

  Belethane motioned them forward again. “Come, my questions have delayed us enough. My Queen is not a patient being”

  Chapter 11

  A Trio Of Queens

  Kellan’s internal clock left him with the sense that they had been walking for the better part of an hour when the spiral ended. It spilled out onto a wide open vista that was surprising for its seeming lack of distinction. Belethane stepped to one side and ushered them forward with a flourish. “Take a moment, friend Kellan, and appreciate the beauty around you. It can be distracting but be warned, you must maintain control of your wits.”

  “My wits? Why would I not have control of my wits?” Kellan looked first to Merlin, then to Belethane and swore the two of them were sharing some private joke. A moment later the world around him exploded in a shower of
life.

  The ground rippled with the flat surface undulating to form gently rolling hills. Thick grasses burst forth followed by all manner of trees and bushes. Fruit appeared on many trees while nuts and berries did so on others. Directly in front of them, long blades of grass folded in on themselves. A complex weave formed that seemed to create a rectangular carpet about four feet wide. It began stretching away from the three, even as small flowers burst forth to cover the area in a rich blanket of dark red. In the distance, the carpet began to rise, forming a series of stairs at the top of which grew a large flat dais.

  Kellan could feel his jaw falling open slightly as four massive trees burst forth from each corner of the dais and rose to form a canopy over the entire area. The bark gleamed bright white and fullers appeared along the length of each trunk giving the impression of ancient Greek or Roman columns.

  Finally, three rough hewn thrones emerged, each appeared to be made of living wood. The left throne was made of thin willowy vines and white flowers bloomed throughout it. The right throne appeared as brittle as the left did supple. It was made from dried and twisted branches. Where the first throne had welcoming blossoms, the third bore only thorns. Finally, the center throne emerged. It was the largest of the three and had aspects of both. It was made of strong vines and vibrant living branches that were covered in both blossoms and thorns.

  Kellan stumbled slightly as a powerful wind whipped them from behind and his eyes followed three columns of glowing amber as they arced high into the sky. The three columns swirled and danced, then, as if on cue, hurled themselves toward the dais where each buried itself behind a throne. The Sentinel lifted a hand to shield his eyes as each throne exploded with a blinding amber light. When it faded and he lowered his hand, each throne held a seated figure. The figure to Kellan’s left was the youngest while the woman who rested upon the dried throne of thorns seemed to be at least an octogenarian. The woman sitting in the large center throne was of indeterminate age, but Kellan pegged her at maybe ten years his senior. Then again, he thought, Satan looks like a young David Bowie, so, really, who the hell knows. He banished the internal monologue and felt three pairs of eyes bore into him. He leaned over to Merlin.

  “Ok, I’m sufficiently intimidated. What do I do?” Before the Wizard could move or answer an impossibly loud voice boomed overhead.

  “Kellan Thorne!”

  “Oh shit!” cried Kellan as he whipped his attention to the Dais. The leftmost figure stood several steps in front of her throne while the other two remained seated.

  “Kellan Thorne, you have been vouched safe by a trusted friend of this court. Approach and be recognized.”

  Kellan had unconsciously embraced his power at the first booming sound of his name and now stood frozen in place. With his Sentinel’s sight fully open, he saw the world around him from an entirely new perspective. Every fiber of the place pulsed with an organic power he had never seen before. Each tree, each blade of grass, each piece of fruit was a tiny fusion generator of power. He actually found himself taking a step back as his eyes rested again on the three figures. They were enrobed in thick, undulating, cords of amber power that made even what he’d faced in Asmodeus pale by comparison. He might well have continued his backward progress were it not for the large hand that suddenly gripped his left shoulder.

  The young Sentinel looked up and smiled wanly as Belethane’s eyes met his own. The Etunaz tilted his head toward the dais and Kellan swallowed.

  Ok, he thought, You got this. Just channel your inner Han Solo. Be charming, a bit roguish, and completely indifferent to the incredibly destructive power and complete can of whoop ass these gals could unleash. Go git ‘em, tiger.

  Kellan shook his head, dismissing his inner monologue. He squared his shoulders and began walking up the red flowered carpet toward the stairs that led to the dais. He looked up while ascending the stairs and saw that the young woman had moved to greet him. She stood only two or three paces away when Kellan finally stepped onto the dais. The woman was even younger than Kellan had thought, she looked perhaps eighteen or nineteen. Her hair was a pale yellow and was adorned with several fresh leaves and flower blossoms. It had a part running slightly off center and leading to a thick braid which draped across her right shoulder then down her chest. She wore a golden shift made of a thin gossamer fabric that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Kellan desperately tried to keep his attention focused on her face with mixed success. The woman’s lips quirked up in a half smile, seeming to enjoy Kellan’s distress and he saw laugher in eyes that glowed a deep amber. Across both her cheeks were intricate swirling tattoos that reminded Kellan of nautilus shells. Finally, around her neck hung a leather thong on which attached a golden figure with three faces.

  “Greetings, Sentinel of Order, I am Gaia. What business have you with the Mantle of Earth?”

  Kellan affected his most formal bow, complete with the exaggerated arm flourishes that Ah’Anon taught him. In his peripheral vision he saw the two seated women glance to each other and nod with approval. “My friend,” Kellan began while turning slightly to indicate Merlin, “has requested a favor of me and, in return, offered introduction to you.”

  “ All this I know, Sentinel of Order. My question remains the same. What business have you with the Mantle of Earth? What do you seek?”

  “Only your friendship and a better understanding of the effect your hands have upon the world. Forgive me, until only yesterday I did not even know you existed.”

  She found humor in this and glanced back to the older women. They rose and slowly walked to join her at the edge of the dais. Kellen gave a nod of acknowledgement to each as they stopped, taking positions to the younger woman's left.

  “Master Druid,” began the eldest of the three, “how much have you shared with our young Sentinel? He does not yet seem to comprehend either our nature or the role we played in his ascension.”

  As soon as he was addressed, Merlin walked up to take his place beside Kellan and bowed deeply to the old woman. “Mistress Atropos,” he began voice almost reverent, “I have shared little and less, as was our arrangement.”

  The old woman nodded with approval as Kellan locked in her name and began to subconsciously sift through memories.

  “And he has agreed to what you've requested of him, Oren?” asked the middle aged woman. Hey, said Kellan to himself as he stared intently at the woman, she looks very familiar and why did she call him Oren? No one calls him Oren but me. The other two refered to him as ‘Master Druid.’ Something is definitely going—

  “Sentinel?” said the middle-aged woman and Merlin gave Kellan a jab with his elbow.

  “Huh? Yeah?” She gave the young Sentinel a look dripping with disapproval and turned her eyes back to Merlin.

  “Oren, your friend does not seem to find my words worth attending.”

  The wizard took a step forward and raised both hands imploringly, “No, Shay-”

  “Merlin!” all three said together and the air rippled with their power, then the matron continued, but with a gentle familiarity. “Merlin,” she emphasized the name. “Merlin, I believe you almost mistook me for someone else.”

  The wizard bowed and stepped back beside Kellan, “Indeed I did, Mistress Lachesis, forgive me.”

  Lachesis, thought Kellan as the second name clicked into memory.

  She smiled with that odd sense of expressed familiarity and said, “Think nothing of it. We are all friends here, which is the very thing I had been conveying to young Kellan when his attention wandered. Are you back with us, Sentinel of Order?”

  Kellan sighed, “Yes, and please do not take offense. I certainly meant none. It,” he paused for a moment and sighed again, “just happens from time to time. Not sure why.”

  Atropos gave a dry laugh that seemed too stereotypical a cackle to be genuine and said, “I know why, young pup.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes,” she replied drawing out the word, “I do. Would you like
to know the answer.”

  “Hell—uh, heck yes,” said Kellan becoming animated. “I’ve been trying to puzzle it out forever.”

  Atropos laughed again. “Sometimes we don’t see a thing because we are too close to it, Sentinel of Order. Your mind is not wandering the way you think it is.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No, quite the opposite. Your inner-self sees a puzzle that it believes to be more important to solve than whatever might be going on around you. Such introspection is almost always accurate though most mortals ignore it. You cannot ignore it because it simply wrestles control from you as it seeks to solve the puzzle. Once the puzzle is solved or at least an immediate portion is solved, your attention returns to matters at hand.”

  Kellan had furrowed his brow while listening to her. It did sound like what he’d experienced most of his life, but he found the explanation less than satisfying. “If what you say is true, why can’t I just do both.”

  “Your mind simply cannot manage both, Kellan,” said the young woman. She turned and walked back to her throne, but glanced over her shoulder and continued, “You may be the Sentinel of Order, but your mind is still human and thus suffers from human limits.” She slowly settled herself on the throne and Kellan noted absently how the translucent fabric seemed to pull against her in the most interesting ways. She leaned back with a self-satisfied smile and crossed her legs.

  With a supreme act of will, Kellan kept his gaze firmly locked on hers and thought he detected a touch of disappointment.

  “Clotho, enough,” said Lachesis and the younger woman affected an innocent expression so perfect that Kellan knew it had to be fake. Atropos burst forth with another cackle and touched Lachesis lightly before heading back to her own throne.

  “Leave the girl alone. If I looked like her, I’d be doing the same thing.”

  “Thank you, grandmother,” said Clotho as she inclined her head to Atropos.

  “Oh, don’t thank me. Take heed of my warning. Someone already plays the strings of that one’s heart and she will not suffer kindly a second pair of hands. If you want your thread cut short, by all mean, continue your flirtations.”