Ekleipsis (2 page)

§ § § §

Scimerian, the Shimmering
kingdom, was described by King Salvare himself in the Book of
Wisdom. “My children, behold when I shall return, to henceforth
destroy the Darkness forevermore, I shall bring you forth to New
Erde as Erde shall be no more. Even now do I go away to prepare a
place for you. As you approach, ye shall see Scimerian’s gates of
precious stones, which shall never be closed.

“Ye shall enter upon
streets of purest gold, able to be traveled by foot, as they are
soft and pleasurable to walk upon. The vegetation shall cover the
ground as a blanket, with colors so beautiful to behold, one can
feel the warmth of their color. The trees stretch forth their arms,
full of ripened, bountiful fruit, toward the bright sun which casts
its light, forbidding forever the Shadows and Darkness
entrance.

“There shall be no more
sorrow among the inhabitants of Scimerian within New Erde, for my
desire is for your hearts to be pure and full of joy. Ye shall
behold me as your king, and I shall love you as my people
forever.”

§ § § §

Tindal listened carefully
as MaZak read him the law and would tell his father that he would
be the first to keep that law perfectly, so the King would know he
loved him.

MaZak would chuckle and
say, “Dear Tindal, do not fear if you by chance falter or stumble
at the law. Indeed it is right to desire to obey without error, but
the law is not what allows you into the kingdom. The King himself
must grant you entrance.”

“Aye, father, but how much
more so shall the King accept that one who is perfect?”

Sorie’s family had been
slaughtered by an attack from the servants of Oscuridad, the
kingdom of Darkness, as they overtook Almozak, where she lived. As
the Gottlos attacked, strong delusions overwhelmed the people of
the village, causing them to slay one another amidst the battle. It
was as though the people were controlled by another, having them do
things they normally would not.

§ § § §

The Darkness was that which
some believed had always been, though others considered began with
the treason of Judarius. Dwelling along the southwest outskirts of
Erde, though close enough to touch it, the Shadows Lands were all
that appear to divide Oscuridad from Erde – though truly never
separate, but by sight. Those who fell into the Darkness, such as
the Gottlos, never again returned to the light except to fight
against it. The Darkness and the servants thereof merely waited
eagerly among the shadows throughout Erde, to overcome the souls
who knew not their devices.

§ § § §

There were no survivors,
save Sorie. The village was left desolate with the bodies of those
dead, lingering where they lay in the streets and homes. The
Gottlos left as quickly as they had come, snickering and laughing
with delight in what they had done to the people most unaware.
Though rebuilt, Sorie had never returned.

Was it by chance or
something more that young Sorie had been saved from such torture?
She pondered often why the entire village had to perish, save her.
She still missed her family, but was no longer angered by it. She
had returned from visiting her cousin Tamar in Felter, to find the
village and all she had burning. Her joy was stolen that day, and
in its place put sadness.

As the smoke pushed its way
through the fresh breeze, it carried the smell of death and sorrow
like a message to others who may also fall prey to the desires of
the Gottlos, or other servants of Darkness. The stench of the
smoldering bodies was horrendous, along with the ashes carried by
the wind, which caused Sorie’s eyes to burn. These were people she
knew, family she loved.

Sorie stood in fright, yet
amazed. Wanting to turn away but unable, her tears found themselves
watering the grass beneath her feet. If only she had not gone to
visit Tamar – though she may have likewise died – she would still
be with her family.

How could such have
happened? Have they all perished? Am I but left? Shall I call to
them only to hear the crackling of the fire midst the ashes that
remain?

Sorie stood alone as time
seemed to stand still. She scarcely heard the thunder of hooves
quickly approaching from behind her, caring not who did approach.
Had the savages returned to consume her also? She would readily
embrace it.

Rather, an average-sized,
bearded man, wearing a tan cloak, carrying a strait smooth wooden
staff, did dismount. He solemnly approached, and placed his hand
upon her shoulder. Though unknown, his touch was comforting. She
wanted to be held, but her angered kindled.

Sorie’s lips drew fierce.
“Where then are the King and the Sealed? Have they no desire for
the peasants of the land? Are we but nothing in their eyes? Have
you come now but to scoff?” She was fifteen years old, but not some
silly child of adolescence.

The man who stood beside
her was Ashvar, a seer
^
among the
Sealed. He explained indeed, the village leaders had been told of
the coming threat many moons ago, but had played the spoiled child
choosing not to heed the warnings. Ashvar softly shared that
although the Sealed desired to enlighten and move the villagers to
a safer location, King Salvare’s words had always been clear that
they were not to force people into protection, but to persuade
through words of wisdom.

It was peculiar, perhaps an
inward persuading, which moved her to trust the words of the
unknown man. With no family or place to go, Ashvar took Sorie home
with him. From that day, he beheld her as daughter and she loved
him as father.

It was in the Land of the
Seekers, at the semiannual market, that Sorie first laid eyes on
Tindal. Instantly, there was a drawing attraction between the two.
From that day, they became inseparable. Were they meant to be
together by providence, or was it that neither had found another to
take interest in? Neither cared for such foolish questions; as they
were young, in love, having eyes for only one another.

A few years later, they
made vows to seal their faithfulness to one another, and chose to
marry. They decided to live in the village of Nesal with Tindal’s
family, but were not too far from her adoptive father in Breckenly.
Things were going well for them, as their relationship developed
from young love to couple charity: the love which brings forth both
action and commitment, above and beyond mere youthful
lust.

Tindal had chosen a life of
knowledge and learning over following in his father’s footsteps of
the craftsmanship of swords. At the first, MaZak wanted much to
persuade his son to embrace the skill of the swordsman, but soon
gave in to the idea that his son was more involved in learning and
studies. It somewhat disheartened MaZak to acknowledge Tindal’s
lack of want toward his talents, but recalled the desires his own
mother. Had she had her way, MaZak would have been a shepherd
instead of The Bladesman, wishing to keep him away from the dangers
of being numbered among the Sealed.

Tindal desired to be a
master of the law and study of not only the King and the kingdom,
but also of the Gottlos and history of Oscuridad. MaZak warned
against such peering into the hidden thoughts of the kingdom of
Darkness, but Tindal would not heed his father’s wisdom. MaZak knew
he could have demanded obedience, but Tindal would have merely
found time to fulfill his desires of such studies in
secret.

MaZak told Tindal an
overabundance of law study would lead to a legalistic view that
could cause one to be blind to grace and mercy. He urged an
exhausted study of history could create a lack of desire to act,
feeling it had all been tried before. Even as taking the Book of
Wisdom out of context could cause one to falter into heresy, or
become lax in duty waiting on the King. MaZak also knew peering too
deeply into the Darkness was not good for a man’s soul.

Soon after marriage, Sorie
told Tindal she was with child. He was excited and began to plan
out their entire future together. Though, little did Tindal know,
his plans did not include what lay ahead for him, his family, and
all of Erde. Nor was he prepared, yet he thought he was.

For life is but a journey,
and though a man plan for the future, he cannot prepare for that
which he knoweth not of.

Return to the
Moment

With a loud thump, the door
flew open as the wind threw it against the wall. Two men rushed
into the home, with the rain soaring through the doorway like
locusts. Eslar turned in fright, as the fresh bowl of water in her
hands fell to the ground. She froze still. At the noise, the men
jerked to face her. Pottery and water covered the floor.

Rushing over to her with his arms
stretched forth, one said, “I have the doctor Eslar. Are you
okay?”

“Yes MaZak, you startled me,” Eslar
replied excitedly.

“Sorry, my dear Eslar, has
Tindal returned yet?” MaZak asked, still panting from the weather,
as Dr. Toggle pushed the door closed.

“Not yet. Oh, I wish he
would hurry,” she sighed, holding her hands. “Thank you for coming,
Dr. Toggle. Please see to Sorie as I clean up this mess. She is
boiling with unquenchable fever,” Eslar pleaded, turning her gaze
to the doctor.

Dr. Toggle moved around the
spilt water into the bedroom with Sorie, closing the door behind
him. MaZak grabbed a towel to help Eslar soak up the water, and
pick up the large pieces of broken pottery.

Within the space of half an
hour, two more men arrived at the home. Fighting against the
climate, they entered and locked the door behind them. They were
soaking wet.

MaZak stood to greet them,
“Tindal. Ashvar. Dr. Toggle is here. The time of birth is upon us,
but her fever will not fade.”

Tindal felt his blood carry
the uncertainty of what may transpire next throughout his body. He
removed his drenched poncho, while Ashvar took off his saturated
cloak.

“Fear not, Sorie shall live
to see her child,” claimed Ashvar, most assuredly.

Ashvar’s eyes were fixed
with truth, and his voice quivered not. Neither Tindal nor MaZak
questioned the seer, but both held still the slightest seed of
unbelief. Never had any known Ashvar to lie, for he was one who was
close to God, but faith easily wavers in times of suffering and
worry.

Ashvar made his way to the room and
Eslar followed, closing the door behind them. Dr. Toggle stood over
Sorie checking her vitals and assessing her condition. Patting her
face lightly with the damp cloth, he feared there was nothing he
could do. Looking up from Sorie’s pale face, seeing Ashvar, he
stepped aside. He knew Sorie was in need of a greater physician
than he, if both she and the child were to live.

As if Eslar and Dr. Toggle
were not present, Ashvar moved around to the head of the bed. One
could hear the sloshing of his wet robe against the floor while he
walked toward Sorie. Kneeling beside her, he placed his left hand
over her brow, laying his other atop her right hand. He bowed his
head as the room was still.

Ashvar spoke with his heart
to God, words not audible for man to hear. He was a man of prayer,
one who communed with God. Prepared from the womb of his mother,
raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, he had always
been a seer and friend of the Most High.

Moments that seemed like hours passed
by. Afraid to move, Eslar and Dr. Toggle watched as the seer knelt
in silence with his eyes closed. Eslar cried in her spirit for God
to grant healing, as Dr. Toggle offered his own prayers to the
Father.

MaZak and Tindal remained
outside the room, knowing there was nothing they could do to help.
Helplessness is not one’s favorite state to be found in, but few
there be who escape it. Fighting for prominence, fear and faith –
mixed with prayers – filled their minds as they waited. They could
not deny the doubt which desired to overwhelm them, but fought
against giving it precedence above all else in their
being.

MaZak kneeled, hunched over
the seat of the wooden chair in the corner of the living area.
Across the room in the kitchen, where the bowl and water had been
cleaned up, Tindal sat with his eyes staring at the floor between
his legs. The sounds of the storm could still be heard through the
small cracks around the windows and door, along with the beating
upon the roof. As MaZak sent up words to heaven, Tindal’s mind was
full of small repetitious prayers of, “Please help Sorie and the
baby,” over and over again.

Ashvar lifted himself from
the ground. Bending over, he gently kissed Sorie upon her forehead
and turned toward the Dr. Toggle and Eslar. “God has seen it fit to
remove the fever. The time is at hand. She is ready to
deliver.”

Sorie’s eyes faintly
opened, instantly renewing faith in the room. Color slowly filled
her cheeks once more. The baby was coming! Washing his hands, Dr.
Toggle prepared for the child’s deliverance. Eslar was there to
help with towels and fresh water, while Ashvar made his way out to
be with MaZak and Tindal.