by Ava D. Dohn
* * *
Ishtar was nearly beside herself with excitement. In a short while, Lowenah’s ship would be settling down in a forest glade at the drop-off site near the girl’s home, her old city. Lowenah had tried to dampen the child’s excitement, helping her prepare for the reality soon to be revealed, but Ishtar would have nothing to do with it. She finally shrugged and offered one last word of caution, and then tempered it with a command. Gripping Ishtar’s arms, Lowenah began, “Even the desert appears luxurious at dawning, and its magical lakes can lead you on a fool’s errand. In the end, the treasures rediscovered may be more bitter than sweet, with the price paid attaining them far exceeding their worth.” She shook her head sadly. “My dear child, you do not yet believe the countless hours you have slept. Things are different. Your old world is no more. Do be careful. There are times to be as cautious as a serpent.”
“Oh, no!” Ishtar exclaimed. “I understand completely! I really do!”
Lowenah frowned and pointed toward Ishtar’s head. “You believe it here…” She then poked the girl in the chest, “but you refuse to accept it there.”
Ishtar became flustered, arguing the issue.
Lowenah pressed a finger to the girl’s lips. “Shush! That’s enough!” She scolded. “You hide no secrets from me. I know every fiber of your soul.” She lowered her head as the sadness returned. “I am sorry to do this to you, my child, but there is no time left.” She pulled her hand away from the girl’s shoulder, turned and walked away.
Treston, who had been patiently standing nearby, stepped up behind Ishtar and gently rested a hand on her shoulder. He called after Lowenah, “I will take care of her. No harm will come to our girl this day.”
Lowenah turned around, smiling sadly, slowly shaking her head. “Treston, my son, you have been delivered here because I have known there is nothing you wouldn’t do for this child, but the harm I speak of is an inner pain - a pain so great, it will make the heart wish to burst from agony. Can you save my daughter from that?”
Treston promised, “A companion I shall become. It is true, the cold of the night I cannot prevent, but I may be able to offer some shelter from it.”
Ishtar was so surprised by Treston’s reply and comforted by his reassuring support, stirring memories in her heart of the protective love of her father, it brought tears to her eyes.
Lowenah returned to Ishtar and Treston. She tenderly stroked Treston’s arms as she searched his eyes. “It is but as yesterday when the dark hour took her and it is coming again. You have seen it in your dreams.” She patted his arm and lowered her eyes. “Do not attempt a coup. What must be must be. You have promised me to look after her soul...” She looked up into his eyes, “but you must allow her spirit to run free. May you succeed.”
Ishtar was baffled by Lowenah’s statement. She tried to get an explanation. Lowenah stopped her. “Enough, my daughter! You will understand soon enough.” She then took the girl’s hands in hers. “I have seen this day from afar and have regretted its coming. Today you shall die, but today death will not protect you as it did before. Yet it is through death that you will regain the past and those whom you love. May your heart still love me after you have wandered the foreboding road I’ve assigned you.”
She gave Ishtar a hug. Just then, the three felt a slight jolt. Lowenah looked up, sighed, and smiled. “Well, your journey is about to begin.”
The they exited an opened passage door in the ship and descended the stairs into the large clearing. The moon still haunted the morning sky, providing a ghostly light to see by. Walking some distance away, Lowenah finally stopped and looked around. “It has been nearly two millennia since I’ve been here. And it was so different then.”
Lowenah directed Ishtar and Treston to a spot in the clearing surrounded by some scattered boulders. Motioning with her hand, she drew their attention to one corner of that clearing. “There - that’s where your blood sister, Darla, nearly died assisting you with your trials. And over there…” she then pointed toward the rocks, “my daughters, Periste and Sirion, fell wounded near those stones, Sirion saving Gabrielle’s life in the process. My other daughters: Michael, Ehleenohr, Depais, and my sons, Chisamore, Avdiel, Tzidohn - my children stood the line against the man who forced your murder. I confronted him over there.” She pointed into the shadows then looked at Ishtar. “They all offered their lives up for you…for me…that day. Your valor, bravery, and loyalty at that time made you a hero in their eyes.” She looked away toward the glow beyond the hills. “It will be peaceful today - no soldiers, no beasts, and no beatings.” Turning to look into Ishtar’s eyes, Lowenah’s took on a fiery glow. “Still, be wary because the Dragon’s wrath awaits you!” She pointed toward Ishtar’s heart. “It hides in there, and seeks your destruction. Do not forget the things I have shown you here.”
The three left the glade and wandered past the forest, away from the ship. As they cleared the trees the crest of the sun was just beginning to rise over the hills. Lowenah drew the two close. “The Realm Below is beginning to see morning. I have gifted you both, for never have I granted permission to another of your kind to return in the flesh to that realm. Be careful, for men will be able to see you, you being like them. Treston, protect my daughter, because beautiful she is and may attract unwanted attention. If you stay with her, she will remain safe.”
Lowenah added a little more advice. “I have instructed Treston as to your journey today. Trust him, for he knows what to do. I wish for this to be a pleasant day.” With that last comment, Treston and Ishtar felt a strange tingling sensation and the world around them fuzzed into blackness.
