“Oh!” she said, startling Aradin who had been drifting off to sleep next to Shandi on a thick blanket. Rhuna swallowed hard before she was able to whisper the shocking news to him.
“Have the other Council members also been killed?” Aradin asked in an urgent whisper.
“Who has been killed?” asked Goram brusquely, lifting his head from the cushions and causing Lozira to stir restlessly. Rhuna told him about her vision, keeping her voice low in order not to awaken Lozira and Shandi.
“Keep me informed of what you learn,” Goram said, closing his eyes and reclining his head again. Rhuna took a deep breath to brace herself for what else she might see in further visions before returning to her Inside Focussing position.
Her next mental vision was similar to the first, and this time she recognized the polished stone floor of the Safu Council building where the Council had addressed the Atlan people of Safu. She saw several other people wearing Master’s Robes lying on the floor, large pools of blood around their heads and necks. Rhuna began to feel sickened when another vision appeared of the remainder of the Atlan Council of Safu. Two of the men had bloody and swollen faces, and sat on a dirt floor inside the room with a barred metal door.
“The surviving ones are being held as prisoners,” she informed Aradin, and then glanced across at Goram who had opened his eyes and heard Rhuna’s words.
“It’s just a matter of time until everyone else learns of this,” Aradin said shaking his head in dismay. “Then at least those with too much good faith will have to take the Ubanti’s attack seriously!”
Rhuna awoke with a start at the break of dawn, quickly turning to Aradin, and then sitting up to reassure herself that Shandi, Lozira and also Damell were resting peacefully. She moved into the position for Inside Focussing to first release the tension and anxiety of the past day, and then to clear her mind of all intrusive thoughts and feelings. The process took longer than usual, but under the circumstances, she thought this was not unusual.
Aradin muttered a few words sleepily as she stood up and began walking around, careful not to disturb most people who were still asleep. She saw a group of people gathered at a clump of trees and made her way towards them.
“We found some berries,” said one of the women in the group as Rhuna approached. Rhuna took the handful of red berries the woman gave her, and then carefully sampled them.
“Mmm, refreshing!” she said, surprised that they tasted so good. Then she looked at the faces of the other people nearby who were also picking and eating the berries. The dim light made it difficult to recognize anyone, but Rhuna immediately knew one of the young men in the group.
“Peace of the Valley, is that you?” she asked.
“Oh! It’s you, Keeper of Wisdom,” stammered the youth. Rhuna remembered that he had been a nervous boy several solar cycles past, when she helped him by reprimanding his abusive father.
“You have grown up,” Rhuna observed with pleasure, finding his features fresh and handsome, yet tinged with sadness and pain. She recalled the trauma he had endured most of his life at the hands of his angry and violent father, and concluded that he would no doubt still be suffering the long-lasting psychological effects. She asked him how he and his mother were faring, and was saddened to hear that his mother was so ill that she wanted to remain in the Atlan Healing House in Safu.
“Various ailments have plagued me,” he told Rhuna. “So far, healers have not found the cause, and much less any effective treatment,” he said sadly.
Rhuna wondered whether he could be a victim of the curses, and asked him about amulets or other jewellery he may have recently acquired.
“No,” he said shaking his head.
“Come and consult me later, and I’ll try to help,” she said, and pointed to where she and her family had been resting.
“I saw you yesterday already,” Peace of the Valley said. “But I did not know the people with you.”
Rhuna told him about her new family, her father whom she had believed dead most of her life, and that Lozira had recently arrived from Atlán to reside with her in Safu.
“That was Melody of the Dawn?” he asked breathlessly. Rhuna nodded and smiled at the young man’s astonishment. “She looks so different! And who is that man she is with?”
“Yes, she has also grown up,” Rhuna agreed with a nod.
“Is that man her husband?” Peace of the Valley asked carefully. Rhuna hesitated, then told him that although Lozira had no husband, she was emotionally involved with someone. Seeing the disappointment in the youth’s face saddened her once more, so she invited him to meet with her family when the opportunity arose.
Rhuna returned to her family, and when she saw that Goram was awake and looking around, she approached him to examine his condition. She gave him the food she had packed especially for his weakened condition, and told him that his health was improving.
“How much longer must I lie idly here?” he whispered so as not to waken Lozira who had curled up alongside him on the carry-seat. Rhuna answered that it could be another half lunar cycle at least.
When most people had begun to stir, the loud clanging of hammer on metal cooking pans brought every able-bodied Atlan to their feet in a hurry. Damell found a raised mound on which to stand and address the Atlan people.
“Prepare to walk as far as this new day permits,” he called out. “Messages from the High Council in Atlán advise us to continue in this direction with utmost speed, as the Ubanti Army is pursuing us!”
Squawks of disbelief and panic arose from the large gathering, and within a short time they were already walking, pack animals were being led, and a few wagons driven by The Reigning One’s attendants also rattled alongside.
Despite Damell’s insistence that they quicken their pace, the majority of Atlans lagged due to either age, sickness or simply exhaustion. Small children had to be carried, and Rhuna had counted four other carry-seats, as well as ten wagons, some heavily laden with food provisions. Seeing their discomfort, Damell ordered a rest period and then came to sit with Rhuna and her group.
“It’s fortunate that it is not yet the hot season,” Aradin commented.
“Indeed,” replied Possessor of Discernment, who had been keeping up the pace with Rhuna and the carry-seat, and at times even letting Shandi sit atop his shoulders.
“And fortunate also, that the cool season has brought much rain this solar cycle,” Damell observed. “See, we have several sources of fresh running water, as well as ponds and small lakes of rainwater.”
Rhuna carried her empty gourd to one of the ponds and tasted the water which was sweet and clear. When she had filled her gourd and turned around, she was startled to see two of The Observers standing close behind her.
Divider of Fortunes leaned in to whisper in Rhuna’s ear.
“Why did you save him? The leader of the Dark Ones had been slaughtered, as befits the likes of him, and yet you healed him with your special powers!”
“We are perplexed and concerned that you saved his life, and now you have brought him with us, in a carry-seat like an important and valued member of society!” added Revealer of Truths.
“We are forced to endure him in our very own midst!” grunted Divider of Fortunes outraged. “He has directly caused this calamity to befall all Atlans!”
“My daughter loves him,” Rhuna answered flatly.
“She would soon recover from the loss!” argued Revealer of Truths.
Rhuna shook her head. “She was so devastated when he almost died…”
“You see? It is as we have said: you have been seriously compromised!” scolded Divider of Fortunes. “Surely it is possible to convince her that she has no happy future with such a man!”
Rhuna shook her head vigorously. “We have tried everything except drastic measures, which would only propel her further towards him.”
“Perhaps you should have let him die!” hissed Revealer of Truths.
“The Dark Master could not be readjusted, so should we not expect the same from his followers?” replied Divider of Fortunes.
“I believe that Beacon of the Night is different,” she said, and took a determined step to leave.
“What a travesty!” muttered Divider of Fortunes as Rhuna briskly walked away. Her mind was still reeling from the verbal assault she had experienced when she reached her own small encampment and saw several people huddled around the carry-seat.
“Don’t worry,” said Aradin as he rushed towards her, seeing her sudden fear. “He is much better. Sitting up and talking to his…friends,” Aradin explained, and then took the heavy gourd from her. Rhuna felt relieved that Goram was recovering and able to converse with his fellow Guardians of Knowledge, but she was still unnerved by the encounter at the water source.
“They can only see things from their own perspective,” Aradin said when Rhuna told him about the exchange at the pond.
“In case I haven’t told you lately,” said Rhuna looking at her husband appreciatively, “I value the love and support you always give me.” She cupped his face in her hands and he smiled gently, his eyes expressing more than words ever could.
A short time later, Rhuna sensed heightened agitation all around her, and assumed that Atlans were using the water to summon the disturbing visions of events in Safu. As she looked around, she saw The Observers making their way through the crowd towards her.
“Messages and images inform us that the Ubanti Army is pursuing us through this wilderness, and would soon catch up with us due to our slow pace,” reported Reaching the Moon.
“They have used violent force towards some Atlans who remained in Safu!” exclaimed Softness of the Clouds with deep anguish in her voice.
“My summoning has revealed their intention to keep several Atlan Masters alive and to coerce them to give them the Atlan Knowledge they want,” said Designer of Works. “Those for whom they think they have no use are simply…executed!”
“This-is is horrendous!” stammered Echo of the Evening.
“People of other lands do not view such matters the same way as we Atlans,” reminded Aradin.
Rhuna noticed that not only had The Observers gathered around, but many other Atlans whose personal encampments were nearby, or who were wandering around seeking information had also stopped to listen and ask questions.
“The Ubanti believe Atlans provoked them, causing the death of many of their own!” Divider of Fortunes said to one of the strangers who had joined them.
“Why did they think we Atlans caused such a calamity?” asked someone else.
“The Guardians of Knowledge - as they call themselves - they are apparently followers of the Dark Master,” answered Echo of the Evening nervously. Several gasps and urgent mutterings ensued and quickly spread to other people like ripples in a pond.
“They are able to cause ailments and afflictions, even accidents and bizarre events by means of acquired Dark Forces!” added Designer of Works.
“Their leader - the green-eyed one - he is the most dangerous and powerful of them all!” spoke another stranger from the growing crowd.
“What is this? The Dark Master is in our midst?” croaked an old woman from the gathering.
“His followers are alive and among us!” answered a younger woman.
“The one healed by the Star Child?”
“Why did she heal him, if he is as bad as the Dark Master himself?”
“He is the one the Ubanti should be chasing, not us!” said an angry man.
“All these things are being reported to the High Council in Atlán. Let us await their verdict,” said someone with an authoritative tone.
The turbulent chatter was interrupted by the clang of pots to announce meal time, and Rhuna felt grateful for the interruption. The crowd dispersed, eager to be fed after an arduous day of walking and plain boredom. At the food-dispensing area, Rhuna stepped near the fire to warm up as the cool of evening descended on the Atlans. Lozira approached with Goram, who used a thick branch to support him as he walked. As they stood and waited their turn, Rhuna saw Peace of the Valley approach Lozira, grinning broadly and his eyes shining as he looked at her.
“Do you remember me?” he asked her shyly.
“Peace of the Valley! Of course I do!” Lozira said with a happy smile, and then proceeded to ask him questions about his wellbeing, his mother and what he had been doing since she left Safu several solar cycles past.
Rhuna observed the sparkle in the youth’s eyes as he spoke with Lozira, and for a moment she wished Lozira would love him instead of Goram. Then Rhuna’s gaze shifted to Goram who stood close by, and a cold shiver of dread shot up her spine. She had never seen such dark and vicious venom in a person’s face as in that moment when Goram observed Peace of the Valley and Lozira smiling and enjoying pleasant conversation.
Before she knew why she was doing it, Rhuna stepped towards Goram and tugged at his arm with enough force to turn him slightly away from the sight that caused him such dark rage.
“Are you sure you are well enough to stand and walk around like this?” Rhuna said forcefully, hoping to distract him from Lozira and the boy.
“Yes, of course!” he hissed angrily, jerking his arm out of Rhuna’s grasp.
“Come eat, you two!” called Aradin, and Rhuna was again grateful for the interruption. She heard Goram grunt as he shuffled behind her towards the fire where cooked meat was being dispensed by the attendants.
As they ate and mingled among each other to obtain more food and water, Rhuna once again listened carefully to the conversations around her.
“It is not so simple,” she heard Rain of Refreshment tell someone. “They see all Atlans as one – namely as those who inflicted ailments and curses.”
“The amulets! We were fooled into believing they would help us!”
“The Dark Ones help no one but themselves!”
“This was discussed at the Council Address, was it not?”
“Now the Council members are all dead, save two of the men with transforming and other traditional Atlan skills!”
“The Ubanti killed them?”
“They shall kill us, also!” screamed a panic-stricken woman.
“We must separate ourselves from the followers of the Dark Master!” called out a man with a shrill voice.
“The Ubanti Army will catch up with us tomorrow!”
“What does the High Council advise we should do?” a man asked.
“They have no advice,” answered someone with a weak voice.
“The High Council cannot do a single thing to help us!”
“We are abandoned here in this wasteland!” wailed a woman loudly.
“We are Atlans – surely we can use our skills to save ourselves!” insisted a man.
“How? There is nothing here to transform. No stone to build a protective wall, no metal to use for tools or weapons!” answered another.
Fear and panic rising all around them, Rhuna turned to ask Damell if they could do something in The Infinite.
“There is always something that can be done in The Infinite,” Damell answered with a frown. “Although I have not yet thought of what could save us from this predicament,” he said gloomily.
“Allow me to redeem myself before my fellow Atlans!” Goram said as he rose slowly to his feet. “It is due to my actions that this has befallen us – now I must attempt to correct the situation.”
“Do not cause the loss of life!” admonished Rain of Refreshment.
“Causing ailments would also transgress Atlan principles!�
�� added another Master from the elite group assisting Damell.
“Oh, may we never transgress Atlan principles!” mocked Goram with a sneer. “A harmless Atlan gesture is not enough to deter an angry Ubanti army,” he said forcefully. “Assist me, Brother,” Goram said to Progress of the Wind as he struggled to his feet.
“Instruct me, Brother!” said Progress of the Wind with excitement.
“First we must find the most efficacious confluence of earth energy currents,” he said, pointing in the direction of the setting sun. Lozira promptly went to his side and secured her arm around his back to support him.
“How do you find them?” Rhuna wanted to know.
“My short experience as teacher of harnessing earth, solar and lunar energies taught me a great deal,” he told Rhuna. “Harnessing these energies has given me a high sensitivity to their vibrational frequencies, allowing me to sense them both physically and mentally.”
Rhuna thought of the vibrations she always felt and heard whenever she summoned visions or transformed elements.
“It is very fortunate that we shall experience a full moon and a cloudless night sky tonight!” he said enthusiastically.
Rhuna walked behind Goram, his steps still shaky from the weakness of blood loss. Aradin took Rhuna’s hand as they walked slowly behind the pair as every gaze followed them. Damell and his new assistants walked behind her, and before long, Rhuna noticed that many others had also begun to follow them.
“Here,” said Goram coming to a stop and indicating an area directly in front of him. “Allow me to find the precise axial point in this circle of energy,” he said as he disengaged himself from Lozira’s firm hold. “This, I must do alone,” he said to Lozira softly.
After shuffling around for a short time, Goram indicated the exact spot where he should be seated, and one of the Guardians scurried to provide a seating cushion for him. Once he had made himself comfortable, he looked around at his fellow-Guardians who stood around him, ready for instructions.
Rhuna, The Star Child Page 26