“Not born, Sentinel, conceived,” said Atropos pointing. “When she was conceived her soul was called forth from the Guff and imprinted with a sliver of Ordered power. That is what it means for her to be the Soulborn.”
“An interesting aside to be sure, but that doesn’t mean I will be able to—”
“Lucifer told me you could,” interjected Merlin and a hush fell on the room.
Kellan stared at the wizard dumbfounded, “Say what?”
Merlin stared first to Lachesis and then to Kellan. “Lucifer told me you could extract a soul from the Guff and implant it in me.”
Clotho sat up on her chase and looked more serious than she’d had during the entire encounter so far, “Doesn’t Lucifer lie. I mean, isn’t that why he’s called—” she made air quotes, “’The Father of Lies.’”
Merlin was about to respond when Kellan said, “Actually, I think that’s mostly just marketing spin, probably created by Lucifer himself. I don’t think he lies at all. I’m not entirely convinced he can lie.” Everyone was staring at the Sentinel in disbelief so he added, “Now don’t get me wrong. I’m completely sure he’d screw me over in a heartbeat. I just don’t think he would have to lie about it. So, if he says I can do it, then I suppose I can do it.”
Merlin shook his head. “No, Kellan he didn’t say you could do it. In fact, you weren’t even a Sentinel when I spoke to Lucifer about the soul. What Lucifer told me was that I would never get a soul while Asmodeus lived and that only the person who killed him could acquire it. Then he laughed at me because he said there were long odds on Asmodeus being foolish enough allow himself to be destroyed.”
Kellan whistled softly, “Well, looks like Devil-Bowie lost that bet. I guess I am the man for you, Oren. Ok, you have my permanent vow.” He grinned then said, “Present time?”
Lachesis laughed as she stood and motioned to Atropos and Clotho. “Not quite yet, Kellan, but soon. Please stand.”
He did and the three aspects surrounded him, forming a circle by clasping hands. As they did so, Kellan immediately felt a crackle of power and each of their eyes came to light, burning a brilliant amber.
Clotho spoke first. “Who stands witness to Order’s vow?”
All three aspects responded: “We do.”
Lachesis spoke next. “Who binds Order’s soul to the vow that is made?”
Again, all three responded: “We do.”
Finally, Atropos spoke. “Who severs Order’s soul if that vow is broken?”
The third response came as did the previous two: “We do.”
Amber ribbons of energy whipped about the four of them and Kellan felt it touch him like fetters resting about his shoulders. “Who are we?” shouted the Fates above the noise. “We are the Mantel of Earth. We are Gaia. The Vow of Permanence is prepared. So say we all!”
Energy exploded outward from the three aspects like an expanding amber bubble then collapsed in upon itself. Kellan felt like he was being crushed as insight filled his mind and he spoke the final phrase to set the Vow of Permanence, “So say we all.”
There was a final flash of light and the energy faded along with the strange sense of weight Kellan felt just moments before. He looked around at them. All wore welcoming smiles.
“Welcome, brother of Order to Gaia’s court,” said Lachesis.
“Welcome,” echoed Clotho and Atropos
“So say we all?” asked Kellan, “Really? That’s what binds the vow?”
“That was me,” said Clotho as she did an exuberant hop.
“You?” asked Kellan while averting his eyes. “Please stop hopping. What do you mean that was you?”
Clotho stood still and said, “It was me, meaning I added that phrase to the ritual. I’m a huge Battlestar Galactica fan. The 2004 one, not the Seventies one, obviously.”
Kellan shook his head in disbelief. “You know about that?”
Clotho sniffed, “Of course I do, I just accepted the Mantel of Spinning last year.”
“It’s been five years,” corrected Lachesis, “for that is when I ceased to wear the Mantel of Spinning and took up that of Allotment.”
“And I the Mantel of Cutting,” said Atropos.
“Oh wow,” gasped Kellan as the implication settled in, “you each take a turn in each aspect?” The three nodded and Kellan furrowed his brow. “What happens to you, Atropos.”
She smiled. “When next someone takes up the Mantel of Spinning, I go to eternity and well earned rest, young Sentinel. We are not meant to labor under Mantels for all time, just for our time.”
Kellan was trying to process this when Clotho exclaimed. “The thread. I want to see the thread now!”
The older two gave her an indulgent smile and Lachesis took Kellan’s hands in her own. “Clotho has never seen the weavings inherent to a soul that has been touched by power. You must consent before this can be done.”
Kellan looked thoughtful, “Is this part of the Vow?”
“No, of course not. You are free to decline,” said Lachesis.
“But as a friend off the Court, we pray that you do not,” said Clotho so hurriedly that Kellan had to laugh.
“Very well, examine away. I doubt you will find much interesting.” The Sentinel hadn’t even finished his words before a golden chest appeared in Clotho’s hands. “What’s that,” he asked.
“That is your life, Sentinel of Order. Within it rests the thread of you existence. Only you can open it. Just touch the lid with intent.” Kellan did and it sprang open to reveal a tiny hole through which poked a thick strand of grey thread.
Lachesis reached in and gave the strand a tiny tug. A small length of thread came forth. “Why is it grey?” asked Kellan.
“All human life begins grey, Kellan Thorne,” said Atropos. “What we do in life lightens or darkens our threads.” Lachesis continued to pull and the thread thickened while becoming streaked with fine green strands. As more thread flowed through her fingers, the grey gave way entirely leaving only the glowing green. “This is where you accepted the power and became the Sentinel of Order,” said Lachesis.
“Pull some more,” encouraged Clotho.
The two aspects arched eyebrows and said, “Why?”
“I am the Mantel of Spinning and I feel something dramatic. Please, pull just a little more.”
Lachesis did and the thread became streaked with red. The two elder aspects stared at each other. More thread was pulled and the red vanished to be replaced with strands of violet which glowed so brightly that it was uncomfortable to stare at it. Lachesis continued to draw more thread and the violet gave way to the solid green strand they’d seen before. The middle aspect nodded and said, “There, daughter, it is finished. It now is as you see him.”
“No,” she responded and her eyes had taken on the furtiveness of a profit. “Pull one more length, Mother.”
Lachesis did and all three gasped.
Kellan turned to Merlin and said, “Oren, what the hell does that mean?”
The old wizard shifted his attention from the box to Kellan and shook his head. “Honestly, I have no idea.”
“Great,” said the Sentinel, his voice sounding a familiar note of resignation. “What about you three? I mean, this is your area of expertise, right?”
Lachesis still wore the frown from when she’d first seen the brightly glowing crimson thread emerge and said, “Normally, I would agree, but in this case, there are extenuating circumstance.”
“Of course there are,” groaned Kellan, “and they are?”
“This part of your thread has yet to be lived,” said Clotho.
“And no future is so set that freewill cannot upend it,” added Lachesis.
“Which all pales in comparison to the the most disruptive influence,” cackled Atropos as she pointed to the Sentinel and said, “You!”
Kellan tried to frown at all three aspects simultaneously, “Thanks for being so very helpful, you guys. Well, one thing I know for sure, this certainly can’t
mean anything good.”
“No,” the other four all said in unison.
Kellan looked back to the open box and the pure blood red thread that protruded from it. He tapped the lid, then sighed as the thread retreated within and the box sealed itself.
Kellan grasped Belethane’s hand or tried to. The Sentinel’s hand was lost in the Etunazian’s grip. The three aspects remained huddled together, whispering while Merlin sketched out a travel circle nearby. “Honestly,” began Kellan, “I think they are worrying too much. This kinda crazy shit happens to me all the time lately.” Belethane looked at him doubtfully. “All the time,” said Kellan again. “I mean there could be lots of reasons why the thread of my life turned red, right? It doesn’t have to mean something bad does it?” Belethane shrugged, which, Kellan decided, was an exceptionally awkward movement for an Etunazian to make.
“Kellan?” The Sentinel turned and took a step back. All three women had silently closed the distance.
“Jesus, Clotho, don’t stand so close to me. Get it? You know the Police song about the teacher and the young student. Oh, never mind. What’s up? Are you guys done whispering?”
Clotho nodded. “I’m sorry but I don’t know what it means.” The young woman looked as if she were about to cry and Kellan put his arm around her and gave her a half-hug.
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t know what lots of things mean.”
“But I’m the Mantel of Spinning. I’m supposed to know. Your thread becomes filled with Chaotic energy and that doesn’t seem possible.”
Kellan shrugged, “Aren’t I supposed to be getting presents?”
“You aren’t alarmed by this,” asked Lachesis, while ignoring the Sentinel’s question.
He shrugged again, “A bit, but if I spent time dwelling on all the things that should be alarming, I’d be curled up in a ball somewhere muttering. So, what about those presents?” Kellan looked hopeful and the three aspects of Fate shared an incredulous look.
“He has earned them,” said Atropos. “Let’s get on with it, then.”
Kellan grinned with anticipation as three pairs of eyes sparked to life. Clotho walked to him and kissed his left cheek. “By my will, all that has lived or ever will can be attracted.”
She stepped back and Lachesis walked up and kissed his right cheek. “By my will, all that has lived or ever will can be repelled.”
She, too, retreated and Atropos stepped forward. She placed both hands behind Kellan’s head and pulled him in for a rough and extended kiss. Finally she released him and the young Sentinel remained stunned while she spoke, “By my will, you may slip the bounds of Earth.”
With that the three Mantels joined hands and spoke as one, “Fair well, Sentinel of Order. You are always welcome in Gaia’s Court.” They began to glow, and Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos started to merge into a single body. Kellan’s eyes widen as he tried to take in Gaia’s combined form, but the glow intensified and he had to raise a hand against the glare. He squinted through fingers and called out, “Wait, what do those gifts mean?”
As the glow began to fade a voice came from the wavering form. “You will have to find that out for yourself young Sentinel.”
Kellan ground his teeth, “Ok, fine, one last question though?”
Their image continued to fade, but Kellan heard the whispered response, “Speak…”
“Ok, I’m being serious now. How come Atropos was the one to give me the super lip lock?”
Her dry cackling was the only response.
Kellan turned to Merlin as he finished the travel circle and frowned. “That wasn’t cool, Oren.”
It was the wizard’s turn to shrug. “She did the same thing to me the first time I was here.”
“Dude, not cool,” he said again, “why didn’t you warn me?”
“Because you embarrassed me in front of Shaylee and the Court. Now we are even.”
“We are even?” said Kellan. “What is this high school? Where does that circle go anyway?”
Merlin smiled. “Nowhere. It’s just a waypoint for your portal. Form a portal there, on that spot and I will show you something neither of us have ever seen, a special parting gift from Gaia.”
Kellan stared at the wizard with suspicion. “Will the something try to kill us?”
“Most likely not.”
“Good enough. Let’s go.”
Chapter 12
A God Reborn
Merlin looked around as the portal winked out, then focused on Kellan with a flat expression. “This isn’t the right place, Kellan.”
The Sentinel gave him a winning smile. “Sure it is. Colona, Illinois, USA.”
“That is not what I meant,” began the wizard, then continued, “We are supposed to be near a home, not a bar. Did you channel to the location inscribed in my circle?”
Kellan sighed, “Yes, and it provided me the information I needed since I’ve never been here before. I just tweaked the location a bit because I’m hungry.”
Merlin gave him a long blink. “You’re what?”
“Hungry. As in, I need to eat.”
Merlin took in a breath then let it out slowly and spoke in a patronizing tone, “How about I take you out for a nice dinner AFTER we observe the rebirth of a god.”
“We have plenty of time,” said Kellan evenly as he looked around. He paused a moment, then whipped his attention back to the wizard. “Wait, what?”
Merlin’s face lit up with almost a fanatical zeal. “A god, Kellan. A god returns to the world this night, and you are going to make us miss it, with your hobbit-like appetite. I can sense its coming and Gaia told me we needed to make haste.”
“Right,” said Kellan nonchalantly as he started walking toward the dimly lit red brick building, “but she won’t say that for another hour or so.”
Merlin’s face pinched in confusion and he started to trail behind the young Sentinel. “She won’t, what? Kellan, did you portal us back in time?”
“Yep, a bit more than an hour. I told you, I’m really hungry.” He stared at the large metallic sign that was designed to appear as if bolted to the brick. “Grease Monkeys Sports Bar & Grill,” he said slowly and looked back to the Wizard. “With a name like that, it just has to be good. Oh, and look, there must be twenty or so motorcycles parked here. Dude, this is totally a biker bar. I love biker bars. C’mon!”
“Kellan,” Merlin growled as the younger man reached for the door handle, “you cannot simply rip through time on a whim. You have no idea what kind of paradox you might—“
The Sentinel turned and placed a hand on both Merlin’s shoulders while staring at him intently. “Timey Wimey, Wibbly Wobbly. Don’t worry so much, Oren. I create paradoxes all the time. They tend to work themselves out.”
“No, Kellan, they do not.”
“Really, and just how many times have you traveled in time,” Kellan paused leaning close to the other man’s ear then whispered, “Hmmmm?”
The wizard frowned, “I don’t see what that has to do with it.”
“How. Many. Times?” asked Kellan in a clipped fashion.
“Once,” Merlin answered reluctantly.
“Once? Aw, that’s cute. I’ve done it dozens of times. Oren, I’ve gone back in time to buy a good bottle of scotch and haggle with Vincent van Gogh.” The young Sentinel twirled about slowly with his arms outstretched. “And the world is still here, with all of creation fully intact.” He squeezed Merlin’s shoulder with friendly encouragement, “Trust me, I’ve seen what it takes to really muck with foundational aspects of time, and you can’t just stumble into it. So, Mr. Wizard, I’m hungry and now we have less than an hour.”
Merlin followed Kellan into the bar and the two stood silently by the small hostess podium as a middle aged man behind the bar looked at them both. He was surrounded on all sides of the semi-circular bar with every stool taken up by a patron. Interestingly, most of restaurant was unoccupied, with only a small scattering of customers sitting around the reclai
med yellow metal and wood high-top tables.
Kellan grinned and pointed to one of them, “That is so cool. They took old mechanics work benches and turned them into tables.” This revelation caused the normally unobservant Kellan to take in the rest of the establishment. Above the bar rose a display wall that housed six rows of vintage oil cans and the bar itself consisted of countless beer bottle caps encased in thick acrylic.
“Maddie!” shouted the bartender in a deep rumbling voice that seemed to shake the whole room. “Break’s over, folks at the front.”
A moment later two swinging doors that lead to the kitchen parted and a waitress bustled into the room at a half jog. Kellan smiled as she seemed to give whatever was in her mouth a half-hearted final chew then swallowed as she drew up to them.
The young woman smiled broadly as she reached into the hostess station for two menus. It was so infectious that Kellan could feel his own broaden into a grin. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties with longish brown hair the color of toasted grain and eyes of a steel blue gray.
“Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to make you wait.”
“No problem,” said Kellan, “we're sorry to pull you off your break and make you almost choke on your dinner.”
She blushed, “Oh, god, you guys saw that.” She shook her head. “I thought the rush was over,” then gestured to the bar, “well at least for food anyway. The kitchen shuts down soon so you guys will be my last table.”
“Kellan, let the poor girl go home. You can’t possibly be that hungry.”
“No!” both Kellan and Maddie said at the same time, then laughed for a moment before Kellan turned to Merlin.
“I’m completely serious. If I do not get something to eat in the next twenty minutes I will go complete Incredible Hulk on you.”
“…And we wouldn’t want that,” interjected Maddie with another smile. “Come on, follow me. I’m not off for another thirty minutes anyway.”
For his part, Kellan simply gave Merlin a smug expression and said, “Lead on milady.”
Sentinels of Creation Page 16
