“Then you will not be disappointed,” Edwardo said. “In the modern day, we’ve forgotten all that came before. Those traditions, in my opinion, are part of who we are, and they’re worth learning from. If we had the wisdom of many cultures, we might have more solutions. It takes a lot of creativity for the human species to survive.”
The road petered out and turned to dirt. Edwardo headed directly across the open hills, leaving feint tire tracks. They arrived at the small encampment where a few trees grew. In the central village clay buildings provided shelter. There was a well and a fire pit. As he climbed out of the car, Kris recognized the desert plants that covered the hills. He looked down and saw a small gecko cross his shoe. He bent down to see geckos’ scatter.
Edwardo ran to the nearest building and called to his friend. Soon Toku emerged from the large tent in the center of the village and whistled loudly. He wore purple and teal robes that tied at the waist. Some children came running. Kris assumed the village was small, until he saw people coming from the hills, laughing with their friends. Everyone knew it was Edwardo’s party. A child did continuous cartwheels all the way down the hill.
Edwardo, Kris and Toku unpacked the car into an open-air shelter. Two other villagers cleaned the tables and took the large pots out. They built a bonfire for their stove, and Edwardo placed a large grill over the fire.
“My favorite experience in the whole world,” Edwardo said.
“How can I help?” Kris said.
“Have you cooked on a fire like this?”
“Never, but I’m happy to learn.”
A small boy came up to Edwardo.
“What would you like today?” Edwardo said.
“Edwardo’s party,” Sammy said. “I must get my grandfather.”
“Of course. This is my friend Kris. Kris, Sammy. The boy nodded, then ran across the village.
The pots and pans were organized. Three elder women were chopping vegetables and waiting for the fire to become hot enough to cook on.
“Thank you for coming and interfering with our lives,” Toku said to Kris and Edwardo. “For giving us a reason to celebrate.” He turned to Kris. “If it weren’t for Edwardo, every day would seem like the day before.”
Sounds of vegetables hitting the hot pan brought everyone’s attention to the fire. It was large and hot, too big to cook on, Kris thought. Apparently not.
“We cook the vegetables first, as an appetizer,” Edwardo explained. “When the coals settle down, we bring out the delicacies. Always a surprise,” he smiled. “Foods they would not have without our trek out here.”
“No doubt,” Kris said as he looked at the dry hills.
“Please, have a seat,” Toku said.
Kris sat on a bench facing the fire. Villagers arrived with stringed instruments, thumb pianos, and drums. An impromptu orchestra played. People drummed while others danced traditional dances. A woman sang a haunting melody. Kris was taken by the whole experience. How am I so lucky to be here?
He tried to remember everyone’s name, although he could barely pronounce them.
An elderly man, Jonea, wore a deep blue robe over his white pants and top. He arrived with his grandson Sammy, and Kris nodded an invitation to sit down. They sat next to Kris. Jonea began a story using large hand gestures. Kris was trying to follow just as Edwardo arrived.
“He says that his grandson would like to offer you good luck. He made these small totems with straw,” Edwardo translated.
The boy laid four animals on the table. They were exquisitely braided, with detail in the face and eyes. A wolf, an eagle, a cobra, and a lion.
Kris was stunned. “May I?” Kris asked. They were well crafted and strong.
Gently he handled each one, turning them over to see the intricate weave all around.
“You must pick one,” Sammy said.
“You made these? They are magnificent. Thank you.” He handled the eagle one more time. The straw of the wings was woven to look like feathers. The feet and the beak shone in the light as if they’d been polished. “If I may choose, I’d love this eagle. Thank you.” Kris bowed his head formally.
“Then we shall bless you with the eagle totem,” Edwardo again translated for Jonea. Kris looked down at the eagle and saw a blinding flash.
Kris stood and walked around the fire as instructed. Toku picked up a large rain stick and held it over his head. A deep bass sound filled the village from a single stringed instrument being played.
“The hallmark of the eagle is wisdom,” Jonea said in English, winking at Kris. “You must pay close attention. This gift allows you one more way to know the world.” He bowed deeply before Kris and stood. “You have been granted the eyes and heart of an eagle. You will remain safe and never be hunted. This is now your totem.”
Jonea knelt again and sprinkled dry dust on the woven eagle’s feathers. “So you may always fly,” he said to Kris, then smiled at Edwardo.
He stood and wrapped Kris’s hands around the eagle. Then he held Kris’s gaze. “You are ready for your new calling,” he said. “Your energy field tells a story. You knew you needed the strength of an eagle, and it has been granted. Our people are guides in the desert, as we have lived here for many centuries. We are the ones who know where the water lives and how to find the spirit of humanity even in darkness. Be worthy of your totem, and it will serve your highest good.” He met Kris’s eyes.
“Thank you so much for your kind offering and wisdom. You have a wonderful life here,” Kris said.
Kris took the small woven eagle and placed it gently in his shirt pocket, so it was safe.
Edwardo turned to Kris and smiled. “Now you are a villager. You will acquire the wisdom of this ancient civilization. Jonea is a good man. He is wise, and he knows what’s coming. He reads the energy waves in the universe. It’s an ancient art that is not passed down. Do you notice who is missing? The parents are in the cities, making a living but they are unable to make a life for their families. If it were not for the elders, these children would be orphans. It’s a terrible time they are going through. They don’t need much. Their stories and traditions have kept them alive for centuries.”
“Am I different as a villager than I was when we first got here?” Kris said.
“That depends on you, my friend,” Edwardo winked.
“Thank you again, Jonea. I will try to do be worthy of the eagle totem.
Kris wandered over to the fire to see how the feast was coming. “What can I do to help?”
“Relax and put your feet up. You are now the guest of honor,” Edwardo told him.
Kris wasn’t comfortable watching other people work while he sat idle. As the hours passed, they ate and sang loudly at the fire. Kris danced with the children and showed them to follow the leader. He made whole-body gestures, raising one foot high in the air while doing jazz hands above his head. He stood tall and began to shimmy, teaching the children to do the same. They tried and laughed.
That night, Kris slept more soundly than he had in years, as if he’d arrived home after a long trip. A feeling of familiarity seeped in through his pillow and bed.
Chapter 4
“We must go, Kris. Something is wrong. I can feel it in my bones. I’m glad we came here first … Ready to meet some new friends?”
“Of course,” Kris said. Sammy and Jonea brought him his packed bag. “Thank you so much,” Kris said.
“I look forward to hearing your tales next time we cross paths,” Jonea said.
“Of course,” Kris said, tipping his hat.
He climbed into Edwardo’s Jeep, and the two were off across the desert, leaving behind days of food and a feint trail of tire tracks.
“It is ancient, where we’re going,” Edwardo said. “An incredibly old village. Part of it is so old it is ruins.”
They arrived at the village made of earth and stone. Kris saw a central courtyard and interesting stone paths.
“I must go,” Edwardo said. “Have a look around. The
re is a restaurant in the square. I must speak with the leader.”
The two men got out of the Jeep. Kris grabbed his bag, and Edwardo went down the hill to a neighborhood.
Kris walked into the town square. The courtyard was empty. He examined the geometric design accented in a shimmery mica inlay. It flashed brightly in his eyes and a woman faced him. She had large green eyes and long brown hair. He smiled at her and stood.
“I have waited for you, Kris Campbell,” she said. He turned and saw her green eyes flash in the light.
“For me? Are you a friend of Edwardo’s?”
She sang in a low tone. Kris immediately felt transported by the song.
“Time travelers from another world must prepare to reset the land. To realign the present with the past,” she sang. “You have known this in your past.”
As she sang, her voice felt as light as a feather, as if it were stroking Kris’s cheeks.
Her energy was both unfamiliar and as comfortable as last night’s rest.
“Please come with me,” she said.
She gestured to follow her, and he nodded in a trance, aware of nothing but her presence.
She led him down a long staircase that wended through the village. The stairs were covered in geometric patterns. At the bottom, she led him out of the village altogether. They crossed the cobblestone road past the outer gate of the village and across to a large grassy knoll. At the top, she turned and faced Kris.
In a high-pitched voice, she once again sang. “The time travelers must become prepared.” Then she looked Kris directly in the eye and took his hand. “Please protect the ancient people,” she said. Kris nodded although he felt certain he could do no such thing.
She took him by the hand and led him to the old city, an ancient ruin. He recognized signs of an archaeological site before him. As he entered the space, he could see that part of the village was still buried, but rooms were excavated and livable. He saw a large circular carving on the wall. Line drawings showed people doing things like shooting arrows and hunting game. Other symbols looked like a written language.
He looked to the woman for guidance. Her deep-green eyes flashed again. Then she reached into the pocket of her flowing gown and placed her hand into Kris’s, leaving a small ancient figure carved from bone. It was a toy any child would love. He bowed to show his appreciation.
She held her finger to her lips, then walked across to the large circular design carved into the cliff. She gestured again and Kris tipped his hat. She pointed to the circular carving in the wall. The mural told the story of villagers in different times. As he met her eyes, she raised a small crystal in her hand. Kris saw a bright flash, and the woman with the deep-green eyes vanished.
Kris stared in disbelief and suddenly came out of the trance he had been in. Didn’t I have a conversation with a woman? He looked around and wasn’t sure where he was.
Wait, Kris thought. He pulled the small toy out of his pocket to examine it once again. Kris ran across the site to take a closer look and see if there were footprints. He turned around in dismay, certain he’d lost his mind. In the far corner, near the entrance, he saw a man hidden in the shadows, working at a makeshift desk. Kris, desperate to understand what was happening, walked across to the man.
“Hello,” Kris said as he walked up to the man writing.
“I’m Jim. Glad you made it out here. Very few people do. This mystery can be solved, I’m certain.”
“What mystery?”
“The people who lived here were so advanced, but the tools they had were so simple. It’s hard to understand how they were able to do so much … I’m sorry … I do that when I haven’t spoken to anyone for a long time—go on and on about whatever is on my mind.”
“No. Please. I’d love to hear what you have learned. I came with a friend. He was in a hurry to see someone. I met a woman in the square, with big green eyes and dark brown hair, who showed me this place. Do you know her? She said her ancestors lived here or they needed protection or something … I think. Beautiful deep-green eyes and dark hair.”
“Well, I’d like to meet her, if you see her again. I’d love to talk to her ancestors right now. I mean, they could tell me what that round carving is about. I’ve been trying to decipher it, but it’s difficult when you don’t know the meaning of all the symbols. I have translated some though,” he said as he showed Kris his notes on his desk. “What brings you out here?”
“Edwardo brought me,” Kris said. “I’m not sure how I ended up here, if I’m honest.”
“Edwardo’s a good man. I’ve seen him help many people. We’ve had many conversations and compared notes. The best of mankind lives in the hills around here,” Jim said, nodding. He stood. “I want to show you something.”
The two walked across the site, past the excavated rooms to the large circular carving on the wall. He pointed to the carving. “Do you suppose that the people time-traveled? I think each of these marks represents a generation. But these larger ones appear to transcend time. Is that what it looks like to you?”
“You might be onto something. The woman mentioned something about resetting the ancient world. Something like that.”
“Let me know if you see her again.” Kris nodded.
“If you’d like, I’d be happy to draw that big mural for you.”
“Thank you. I’ve tried to capture it, but I’m a bit awkward with a pencil. I have a notebook and a variety of colored pens. Perhaps you could use these,” Jim said. Jim handed Kris a beautiful leather journal that tied with a strap and some colored pens.
“Sure. You haven’t seen anyone else here today? That woman led me here, but it was so bright I didn’t see where she went.” And I’m sure I’m completely insane, Kris added to himself.
“I’m sorry,” Jim said. “It’s hard to notice people from my desk.”
“If I draw the mural and all those letters, can you translate them?” Kris said.
“This is what I have so far,” Jim said and grabbed another notebook from his desk. “Full disclosure: I am guessing a little and other people also worked here and wrote some of these notes. I’d love to speak with someone who lived back then. Since that’s not going to happen … this is what we have.” He smiled.
Kris quickly wrote several of the symbols and their translations down from Jim’s reference materials. Then he walked back over to the large mural, sat down, and began to draw the large carved mandala. Mandalas, Kris had learned, contained stories that began and ended in the same place, so they’d repeat forever. He wrote the symbols along the circle and translated what he could using Jim’s notes, to capture the gist of the story.
Kris was nearly finished with the rough sketch when Edwardo suddenly ran into the site.
“There you are. I must go. Please, I’m sorry. Stay here. I must take care of something right away. He ran.”
“Do you need help?” Kris offered. By the time he stood, Edwardo was gone. “I need to talk to you,” Kris said.
He ran after Edwardo, hoping to tell him about the woman in the square. As he ran out of the site, he saw Edwardo’s Jeep racing into the distance in a cloud of dust. Kris returned to the mural and double-checked his work.
When he had sections translated using the key Jim gave him, Kris stood to show him what he’d discovered. He picked up his bag and walked past the mural and gently touched it with his shoulder.
A blinding flash filled his vision, and everything went white.
Chapter 5
Dense cloud cover filled the sky. The temperature was cool, several degrees colder than it had been a moment ago, as if he’d walked into a cloud.
“Jim?” Kris shouted. “Are you still there?” Kris could see the carving in front of him, but it had lost most of its color. It looked more ancient than ever, carved deeply into the cliff. He looked to see the rest of the site and found himself alone with the carving in the cliff.
How the heck did I get here?
Kris sat down to look for
any other clues about his surroundings. Jim’s office should have been right there, so he took some steps in that direction, but the excavated rooms were nowhere to be seen. There was no archaeological site. No desk. No Jim.
Kris sat on the rocky ground. If he just kept himself calm, everything would return to normal. I hope I’m dreaming. That’s the only explanation that makes any sense at all. Did I hit my head? Kris pinched himself hard. It hurt. He was awake.
The cold mist dissipated, and Kris found himself on a high plateau. As he looked around, he saw a mountain range in the distance, as if it floated in the clouds. He shook his head. As he walked to the edge of the plateau, a gaping canyon, steep and wide, showed him there was no route down. He thought he saw a river at the bottom of the canyon, but he could barely be certain.
Did I follow the woman through the flash of light? Where is she now?
Kris’s stomach grumbled and he felt tired. Thankfully, he still held his small bag and the leather-bound notebook and colored pens Jim had given him.
He began walking and hoped to find someone. He made some trail markers with stones. Kris found a gentle way into the steep canyon and saw more rock carvings. He was heartened but realized there was no village, just a lookout. Could that carving take me back to Jim?
He turned to go back and saw movement. Coming across the plateau was a man in a white robe with long white hair and a beard. He carried a staff. Perhaps he knew the woman with the green eyes. I am definitely insane. I should have stayed at work, he said to himself.
“Young man,” he heard, “I am Kelne with Kalendra’s Coalition of Wizards and Shaman. I received word that you’ve come to help us.” The wizard yelled loudly across the plateau.
“Really? I can try,” Kris said. “A woman with a beautiful voice asked me to care for the ancestors. Are you an ancestor?”
“That’s a complicated question,” Kelne laughed, walking up to Kris and greeting him.
“Do people live here, or have I gone completely insane?” Kris asked directly. “I was helping someone translate the symbols in a mural …” Kris held up his journal and showed his work to the wizard. Kelne took the book and looked through the drawings and the translations at the front.
Summon the Elven Mage Page 2