by Ripley, Ron
Israel nodded.
Israel Porter, it must stand no longer. Yet you cannot burn this place down.
“I can’t?” Israel asked.
No, she said, smiling at him. Not with ordinary fire, for this Lodge is no ordinary place. It is as alive as you are, as alive as Ka-Riu was. Only through a fire from one such as myself will the Lodge burn. Only with immortal fire will you and your people be free of it. I cannot have the Lodge remain, yet I am unable to assist.
“Not even with the fire?” Israel asked.
She smiled at him once more. Your heart is good, Israel. Yes, I will give you fire from myself, yet you must ensure the Lodge burns, that the Lodge dies.
“I will.”
I know you will, she said.
As he watched her, the goddess opened her mouth and extended her tongue. There was a flower upon her tongue, and in the center of the flower was a flame. She reached up and plucked the blossom from her mouth and extended her hand to Israel, who took the offering with shaking hands.
To the Lodge, the goddess said. To the Lodge.
Israel nodded and cradled the blossom with the burning heart in his hands.
***
A short while later, Israel found himself walking through the woods. Turk walked with him. Israel knew they were close to the Lodge. They were walking along the fallen line of trees, moving ever closer. In the distance Israel could see small points of light, as though someone were in the Lodge, waiting for him.
Israel had no knowledge of how they had come to be where they were, himself and the dog, but he was sure the goddess had some hand in the matter.
That was fine with him.
He had a task to do.
Turk kept pace with him easily, and soon the two of them were no more than thirty yards away from the Lodge. For some reason it sounded as though there was music coming from the Lodge.
Perhaps there was. Israel couldn’t be sure. He couldn’t be sure of anything except the flower in his hands. The flower with the flame.
Soon they stood in front of the door to the Lodge. Warmth radiated out from the building, and the light slipping out around the shutters and the door flickered, as though cast by lanterns and a well-lit fire.
A well-lit fire, Israel thought, smiling.
“Turk,” Israel said, looking down at the dog. “You stay here.”
The dog’s ears flicked, and he sat down.
“Good boy,” Israel said. He reached out with one hand, opened the door, and looked into the Lodge. The room before him was bright. A warm and inviting place.
Israel walked in, knowing the door would close behind him. The Lodge sighed with anticipation.
“Yes,” Israel said, chuckling. “I’m here for you. I’ve brought you a gift.”
***
Turk stood up and crept back a few steps. Flames were slowly eating at the roof of the strange building in front of him, and he could no longer smell the man with whom he had come.
Turk waited a short while longer, until the heat of the fire was too much.
He turned away from the burning building and made his way deeper into the forest. He could hear the sound of water and a woman singing softly.
* * *
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