by Avell Kro
done to indirectly cause the youth’s death.
“Forgive me, Lozira!” she heard Goram plead in her mental vision. “My love for you
overwhelms me at times, that I lose balanced perception and must act on my overpowering
emotions,” he said as he bowed his head towards her chest. Rhuna watched as Lozira took his
head in her hands and kissed his forehead, a tear beginning to fall from one eye.
“Of course I forgive you,” Lozira whispered. “I love you! I could not live without you!” she
said, trembling slightly. Goram raised his head and thenlunged tempestuously into a
passionatekiss which Lozira returned in like manner.
That night, as Rhuna snuggled close to Aradin, she told him about her vision of Goram and
Lozira. “So intense and extreme somehow,” she said.
“Maybe because what happened to them was intense and extreme,” Aradin replied. “Such
extraordinary events cause imbalances and intense feelings.”
Rhuna remembered some of thepatients she had healed with Solar Light Healing to restore
the balance of emotions after some extreme event.The following morning, she began to plan the
exact procedure of treatment to heal Lozira’s condition when Damell approached them excitedly.
“Rain of Refreshment has received a message from a Varappan man of Atlan heritage who
has received our call for assistance!” he said cheerful y. “Prepare a basin of water, that we may all
witness this message.” Aradin promptly reached for the shallow basin he had been using to soak
some dried fruit, and filled it with clean, fresh water.
Damell focused his concentration on the water, and without the need for powders or
spoken incantations, the water began to swirl in vibrant colours. Rhuna squeezed between Aradin
and Possessor of Discernment low to the ground while Goram and Lozira stood behind them,
leaning over to view the message.
When the water cleared, they saw a brown-skinned man with striking features and black
hair greeting them with a broad smile of pearly white teeth.
“Be Greeted, MyFellow Atlans! My name is Voyager of the Ocean, the captain of sea fleets on
the coast of Varappa,” he said bowing his head. “Your messages of dire straits have been heard,
and we have responded as promptly as possible. Regrettably, your current location is a great many
sea journey days from Varappa, despite our best efforts to accelerate our travel. Therefore, I
suggest that you proceed along the coast of the long, narrow sea to a pleasant area on the shores
where water meets sand, and trees grow in abundance. There you shal also find food and fresh
water running from the hills, as well as unusual animals roaming the grasslands. A fine place to
settle comfortably and await our arrival!”
The man ended his message with a broad grin and bow of the head.
“At last help has arrived!” said Aradin with relief.
“We’re going to Varappa then?” asked Rhuna, unsure what she felt about this new
development.
“Do we have a choice?” Aradin retorted, looking around at the others.
Lively chatter broke out among the people in and around Rhuna’s huddled group as the
prospect of journeying to Varappawas discussed.
“We must first consult the High Council of Atlán,” said Rain of Refreshment decisively.
“We would be so very far away from Safu and other Atlan colonies!” complained a woman
standing behind Progress of the Wind.
“Naturally, I am very much in favour of proceeding to Varappa, my old homeland!” said
Charmer of Snakes with a snide grin.
“The area indicated by Voyager of the Ocean is indeed as agreeable as he described,”
Progress of the Wind announced, adding that he had also summoned visions by means of the
Gazing of the Waters pertaining to their rescuer. “Voyager of the Ocean has been around the water
all his life, and is therefore very knowledgeable in all matters pertaining toocean navigation, ocean currents, sea-faring vessels and the temperament of the ocean. He took over the trading routes
from his father and added several new ships, establishing new routes further away from Varappa.
He appears to be very successful, especially for his reasonably young age.”
“Surely we are in capable hands,” commented Aradin.
As the day progressed, Rhuna noticed that the rift in the Atlan encampmenthad become
obvious, as people moved their sparse belongings either closer to Rhuna’s personal site, or in the
opposite direction.
Finally, the Atlan Masters taking the lead,and who had been consulting the High Council in
Atlán, received an answer by means of the Gazing of the Waters.
“Reports from the High Council of Atlán indicate that the Ubanti leaders are not considering a
change in attitude towards Atlans, and therefore great danger awaits any Atlan who returns to
Safu,” reported Rain of Refreshment.
“We cannot stay in this wilderness much longer!” someone called out desperately.
“Advice from the High Council of Atlán is to turn left from the course we have been taking,
and by the end of this lunar cycle we should arrive at the coast of the Great Sea. From there, we
can choose our new place of residence, or wait for the next Atlan fleet to arrive,” Rain of
Refreshment said with a strong and even voice. Excited chatter quickly followed, but Rain of
Refreshment held up her arms to signal silence.
“There is also a message from the High Council warning against going to Varappa,” she said
in a stern tone that caught many people’s attention. “Varappa has been viewed with extreme
caution due to the inability to summon visions of any events in that land,” she continued in the
same tone. “Stories of uncanny powers unknown in Atlán abound among knowledgeable Atlans.
Varappa is shrouded in dark secrets, and is rumored to nurture the Dark Arts.”
Rhuna wondered about the expression ‘Dark Arts’ and how it was apparently in frequent
use by some Atlans.
“While they do not give any command or instruction, they nevertheless advise to proceed
with the utmost caution, and recommend that you choose another destination as suggested
earlier, namely along the coast of the Great Sea.”
Turbulent mumbling and worried chatter erupted as soon as Rain of Refreshment stepped
down from her rocky podium, and Rhuna once again mingled to hear what people were saying.
“No city, not even a settlement in many days’ walking distance,” said a man carrying a small
child.
“We shall have to roam the wilderness to find a new home!” wailed a woman nearby.
“At least along the coast of the Great Sea an Atlan fleet can meet us,” said someone more
calmly.
“Some of us shall depart in the opposite direction,” said Charmer of Snakes, and Rhuna
noticed that most of the other Guardians of Knowledge had already assembled at his side.
Suddenly, Rhuna sensed that someone was standing behind her and she spun around.
“Where you go?” asked Panapu looking down at her. In that moment Rhuna became aware
of his enormous size and wondered why she had not noted it earlier.
Rhuna answered that she did not know yet, and that her family would have to discuss it.
“I go with you,” he said smiling, and then adjusted the cloth he had wrapped around his
bald head.
“Don’t you have to return to Safu, to The R
eigning One?” she asked, puzzled.
The gentle giant shook his head. “Reigning One say we – the older ones – can leave his
Service, go with Atlans, find new home,” he said, then revealed his uneven but congenial smile
again.
“Then I would really like it if you came with us!” she said, suddenly feeling safer at the mere
thought of his continued presence.
After half a day of agitated discussions, the Atlan throng finally calmed down a little so that
Rhuna could meet with her family group in peace. Shandi had been playing with Possessor of
Discernment again, and then Aradin played with her before handing her over into Rhuna’s arms.
“Dead man,” said Shandi, and Rhuna looked at the innocent young child on her lap, trying to
hide the horror she felt.
“Maybe she means someone else. Someone who is yet to die,” suggested Aradin, who was
seated next to Rhuna.
Rhuna nodded thoughtfully. A chill ran through her at the thought that someone close to
her could be the dead man of her little daughter’s vision of the future. She looked at Possessor of
Discernment who appeared healthy and even youthful for his near-ninety solar cycles in age.
“What does the dead man look like?” Rhuna asked her young child. Shandi merely looked at
her mother, unable to give an answer.
“Is someone here going to die?” she asked with a shaky voice.
Shandi shook her head firmly.
“Do you know what ‘dead’ means?” Rhuna asked, trying a different approach.
“Like that man,” she said pointing to where Peace of the Valley had been buried.
“Is the dead man you see also going to be in the ground?”
Shandi shook her head adamantly. “No,” she answered firmly.
Rhuna remembered the words her father had spoken about Shandi also having insight,
which was similar to her own mental visions.
“What does the dead man do?” Rhuna asked, suddenly intensely curious.
Shandi hesitated a long time, her eyes moving back and forth as if she were seeking the
answer in another realm where no one else could see.
“Put things in here,” she finally said, gently slapping her forehead with her tiny hand.
Aradin shook his head in a gesture of surrender, but Rhuna placed her little girl’s words
securely in her memory.
The evening meal was a turbulent time in the Atlan encampment as everyone discussed
which direction they would take the following morning. It had become evident to Rhuna that most
of the Atlans were heeding the advice of the High Council of Atlán, gathering closer together with
Rain of Refreshment and the other Atlan Masters. Damell had been sitting with them, imparting
his wisdom and experience in journeying through wilderness, and answering many questions
about his life since he departed from Atlán.
As Rhuna and Aradin cleaned up after the meal, the group of Atlan Masters taking the lead
approached them, and Damell stepped behind Rhuna to indicate his position in the inevitable
confrontation.
“We have given serious consideration to our plight and the advice given to us,” began Rain
of Refreshment with a stern expression. “We desire a start to a new life in a pure Atlan colony
without any Dark Forces, meaning those of you called the Guardians of Knowledge and your
adherents,” she stated firmly.
“We have inquired and confirmed that Beacon of the Night was banished many solar cycles
past, and more recently, Keeper of Wisdom. It can be no coincidence that two banished persons
are in liaison!” said one of the Atlan men standing next to Rain of Refreshment.
“The Atlan law in this regard remains constant, namely to shun the Banished Ones
completely, lest their influence encroach on the pure Atlan ways!” said another man from the
group.
“We insist that they do not accompany us, nor follow us to our new homeland along the
shores of the Great Sea!” said Rain of Refreshment forceful y.
“Go forth far from us! We do not want you in our midst!” said one of the women next to
her.
“You ungrateful, spineless dissemblers!” Goram roared venomously. “It was I who saved
your lives by confusing the Ubanti Army, and this is how you thank me!You are accustomed not to
think in reasonable, logical terms because you are so subservient to the High Council of Atlán!”
“It was you who brought this misery upon us!” screeched Rain of Refreshment. “The
High Council refused to give the Ubanti what they wanted. Eventually, this conflict of interests
would have led to a crisis like this,” Goram countered.
“I hate them!” said Lozira viciously. Shocked, Rhuna spun around to look at her daughter.
“They blindly believe whatever the High Council of Atlán says, without thinking for themselves!”
Before Rhuna could respond, Lozira stepped forward to stand next to Goram and faced the
Atlan group that opposed them. “The High Council of Atlán has completely misjudged my mother,
Keeper of Wisdom, due to Harbinger of Solace’s twisted and deranged mind!” Lozira shouted.“You
should be grateful to her for everything she has done for the Atlans and people of Safu, just as
Beacon of the Night saved our lives by scaring away the Ubanti soldiers. But instead youshun
them! I am ashamed to be Atlan when I look at you!”
“What a woman!” Goram gushed as he pulled her firmly to him.
Rain of Refreshment paused a moment to gather her thoughts before speaking again.
“Following the direction given by the High Council of Atlán creates unity, and thereis
strength in such unity,creating a solid, peaceful society in which every individual can flourish.
These are the preceptsof the Atlan people which are known and held in high regard throughout
the entire world. This can only be achieved by adhering to the guidelines, counsel and directions
given by the High Council.”
“Ptah!” scoffed Goram.
“Yes, at times they have made errors in judgement,” she admitted. “When evidence is sparse,
and a matter can only be investigated from one or two aspects, then injustices may occur, but they
are corrected when new insight is gained and…”
“We know all this!” Progress of the Wind interrupted. “The High Council of Atlán is going
backwards by rejecting the New Knowledge, and this is something many of the younger generation
shall find difficult to accept.”
Rhuna noticed that Progress of the Wind had accumulated a reasonable following of young
people who had gathered together to stand behind him.
Rhuna turned to her father for advice.“I don’t want to be separated from Lozira.”
“Then we must journey to Varappa,” Damell said decisively.
“But Father, what about the Dark Forces the High Council warned against? Shouldn’t we
avoid Varappa for this reason?”
Damell took a deep breath before answering. “The term ‘ dark’ is merely a designation, since all Forces are neutral. The people using them for wrong purposes make the Force good or
bad, light or dark.”
“Then, are many people in Varappa using their powers for wrong reasons?” Rhuna asked.
“There are many reasons a Force may be manifest as dark,” he began. “Some have good
intentions but lack knowledge or experience, others are immature in their misuse of powers, while
still others are misguided.”
Aradin touched Rhuna’s arm to direct her attention to some of The Observers who had
approached them.
“We shall not go to Varappa, as advised by the High Council of Atlán,” said Divider of
Fortunes with a deep grumble.
“We have come to say farewell,” said Reaching the Moon.
“A life without Dark Ones and the burden of responsibility being one of The Observers is
most appealing to me,” said Roses of the Field in a slightly apologetic tone. Rhuna said that she
understood, and wished for a similar future for her family.
“You appear to have aligned yourself with the Dark Side,” commented Designer of Works
with a deep frown.
“I cannot leave my daughter, and she will not leave Beacon of the Night, whom you don’t
want amongst you, so I have no choice,” Rhuna explained.
“Hmm,” responded Designer of Works skeptically.
Aradin and Rhuna shook hands heartily with each member of The Observers, and wished
them a safe journey to their new homes, wherever that would be. When they turned to leave,
Rhuna was suddenly overcome with sadness and uncertainty.
“Wait!” called a young woman from the Atlan group which had begun to disperse. “We
have summoned a message from the Ubanti Queen by means of the Gazing of the Waters!” she
called out excitedly. “Some of us are invited to return to Safu!”
Excited chatter broke out among both sides of the encampment, and Rhuna looked around
for the small basin and some water to use for the summons.
“Beware! Possibly, it is a trick!” called out a man from the Atlan Masters group.
Progress of the Wind motioned to some of the Guardians of Knowledge, and soon they
were arranging bowls of water among them to summon the message by means of the Gazing of
the Waters.
“Is it possible for a non-Atlan to speak a message by means of the Gazing of the Waters?”
asked someone.
“It is not a message, as we speak them,” explained Damel . “It is simply a normal vision in which she addresses certain people.”
Rhuna felt the excitement in the air all around her as everyone began to summon the
vision of Uxbana. When everyone in her family group had assembled around the water basin,
Rhuna focused her mental energy to summon the vision.