The Order of Events: The Red Wolf

by C. J. Haines

Daimana smiled as her face was moist. Kaimana smudged her tears from her face with his palm. Samana nodded in agreement with her father, and wiped her tears away with her elbow. “I know, father, we will watch over each other as you have said.”

  Kaimana stood up and smiled. He felt regret for having to leave his children behind, but it was for their own good. He did not want them to share the same fate he knew he would. Donning his helmet, Kaimana whistled his armored horse to his presence. It soon came from beneath the wall bridge. “I am proud of you, my daughters, and I know in the coming years you shall prove yourself warriors as great as your will to fight.”

  Kaimana mounted his steed and nodded to Hoosun, thankfully, for his services. The owl stood among Amen and Henk, who had been watching the emotional separation the entire time. The great warrior paced about the onlookers, and sat atop his steed before his daughters and their new friends. “Keep Murga with you. He is a fine horse, and I’m sure he will continue to serve you well, as he always has.”

  The twins nodded in synchronization. They would do as their father had ordered. Hoosun stepped to the side of Kaimana and bowed respectfully to his friend. “Fair travels, my friend, may fate guide you safely on your journey.”

  Kaimana smiled behind his slit visor, and turned for the gate. “Take care of my children, old friend, and take care of yourself as well.”

  Riding off as water and grass spluttered beneath his great beast’s hooves, the father left his children behind, keeping his head straight forward, fearing to look back upon the faces of his saddened daughters. They watched as their father strode, seeming dramatically further with every stride of his steed. They were soon to be without him.

  Kaimana was swiftly at the great, stone entrance and kicked the turning gear, which caused the door to open before him.

  Taking a few gallops forward, Kaimana stopped his steed’s fleeting tread and drew his sword, turning to see his daughters once more from afar, his great horse standing high on its back legs, giving great height to the warrior as he thrust his blade into the air, in ceremony.

  The sight was surely that of a warrior’s farewell. Sheathing his sword as his steed returned all limbs to ground, Kaimana pulled the reins hard and changed his direction in swift motion, now facing the opposite direction of the Order, and bolting off like wild lightning into the distance.

  Hoosun stood brushing both twin’s heads, softly, with feathery hands and nodded to Amen in signal, the silent one nodding in return as he ran for the gate to close it.

  The owl shepherded the young twins, Henk and Amen following him a few feet behind, holding silence as he spoke upon the twins. “Do not be afraid, young ones. Your father knows what is best. Do not mourn his leaving. Instead, heed what he has said, and go down the path set before you. We all have things we must do alone. Even if we should want help, we just can’t accept it.”

  Samana gripped her sister’s hand as she pulled her hood over her head. “I understand…we just have been through so much lately. If you only knew…”

  Hoosun cleared his throat, secretly saddened by the scene himself; the lone father leaving his only two children behind, so that he may enter battle.

  “Maybe someday you may tell me.”

  To these words Samana replied softly, as she felt her sister put her head to rest on her shoulder, as both walked together. “Perhaps…someday I will.”

  The rain had been done for a short time. The last drops of dew jumped from the leaves and limbs, far above, meeting their demise upon the ground below. The five figures walked through the harvest grounds. It was serene and colorful, with the many fruit trees gathered around.

  Hoosun looked up at the great tower, and had a thought.

  The twins were picking fruit from the tree, looking upon the fruit with curiosity, for they had never seen fruit such as this before.

  Hoosun whispered to Henk, afterwards, she and Amen ran off to go inside, leaving Hoosun alone with the twins as he spoke upon them. “You two should get some food and rest, but before you do, I should introduce you to someone quite important around here, one who I am quite sure would like to meet you.”

  Samana and Daimana put the fruit into pockets about their jackets, and nodded, speaking together at once. “Where to…?”

  Hoosun smiled, and gestured to the great tree that stood high above them. “To meet the Mother, her chamber is at the top of the tower. It offers a grand view of all around us, from its great balcony.”

  The twins stepped back a few paces, their eyes wide at the sight of the great tree, and the great height that they were soon to be challenging themselves with. Speaking together, once more, their voices trembled at the thought of such a great climb, for whether in a tower or not, it was an intimidating idea, going to such grand heights that which the great tree had offered. “All the way up there?”

  Hoosun nodded in confirmation of the assumption, and gestured to the entrance of the awesome stone tower. Cool air blew freely from an open mouth that made entrance to a stairwell, at the place which the tower’s stone met ground.Two stone columns sat resting themselves on each side of the opening. Hoosun entered and turned, calling the twins to his side, as it was to be a long climb up for sure.

  -Chapter 4-

  Present

  The walk up the great tower was long and tiring. Along their way up, the twins and their new friend had passed chambers, here and there, chambers of rest, or just plain sitting rooms, accommodating benches, chairs, tables, and beds.

  The long trudge up the stairs had come to a halt. The three stood before a corridor, wider than the rest. An opening stood at the end of the long stretch, awaiting entrance.

  A sturdy, feminine voice called from within the doorway, speaking to Samana, Daimana, and Hoosun as they walked down the open hall. “Please, come in.”

  Samana was the first through the archway. She looked around the room. It was truly exquisite. The ceiling was covered with a reflective, green crystal, with a rather frosted opacity. The walls were of the same fine, green stone that the rest of the tower and walls of the Order were built of, but far smoother to the touch.

  At one end of the room was a wide opening, like a mouth opening wide, releasing its tongue in the form of a rounded out balcony, and at the other end was a simple looking throne, made of the green stone, with a green cloth resting to hang over its back. Parallel to the entrance, which the twins and Hoosun had come through, was another archway, leading to a small side chamber, containing three slit windows, and a flat stone bed, with nothing but a green cloth to grace it.

  Samana wondered at the interior of the chamber. It was truly magnificent, but there was one thing that had not quite caught Samana’s attention, not yet.

  Samana felt her arm tugged by her sister, which brought her attention to a great glowing object that sat in the corner of the room, between two giant trees limbs, which wrapped themselves about a fierce, emanating light.

  The light was beautifully vast, beyond comparison, its green and white hues bouncing off the stone walls, blissfully. Samana had never seen anything like it, and neither had Daimana. It was the Aura, the meeting of all past souls, the place where the souls of those who had passed away would meet, becoming one with the Aura, and then moving on to the next plain of existence, the second plain of life.

  Watching the mesmerizing sight, the twins had completely forgotten that they were called into the room by a voice. Hoosun tapped their shoulders, while stifling a laugh at the sight of the bewildered duo. “Ahem...there’s someone you should meet here.”

  The twins’ attention was stolen from the mighty light as they turned around, awaiting the one who was to meet them. There wait to be no longer.

  Hoosun stepped aside in bowing stance, revealing the Mother Dhahn from behind his form. She stood gracefully, with her veil down over her face, her features obscured by the fine, transparent linen.

  The wind blew in softly from the open mouth of the chamber, causing the many clothes, and ribbons, about
the Mother to blow gracefully upon the wind. She bowed her head, and held a hidden smile, greeting the new comers. She spoke in a fine, and peaceful tone, like soft rain upon a shallow pool. “I am the Mother Dhahn. It is nice to see that our new guests are such young and beautiful ones. Your father told me of you when he came to see me. We are always glad to bring new people to our Order, even though some around here dislike strangers. Do not heed them. If you find any problems coming up involving your arrival, just come to me, or Hoosun, and we shall put them in their proper place, in the most fair and understanding manner of course.”

  Samana and Daimana bowed gratefully in appreciation, each responding one after the other. “Thank you, high Mother.” “It is our honor, Mother.”

  The Mother gestured the twins up from their bent positions. “Please do not stoop before me. I always have disliked that sort of manner. It makes me feel unequal to those around me.”

  Samana and Daimana stood straight up, and looked upon the Mother. She was a very beautiful sight to all eyes, with her flowing clothes of pale green and white linen, but her veil made it difficult to make out her face. Anything but a slight outline of features was invisible to their eyes, but what they could notice was that her hair was a fine, pure white, like that of snow drifting in a cool breeze.

  The Mother nodded in approval of the twins’ stance, and turned to the owl. “Get these children some food, Hoosun, will you?”

  Hoosun bowed his head in agreement, and signaled the children to his side. “Will you be joining us then, Mother?”

  The Mother glided gracefully upon the floor, over to the mouth of the chamber, feeling the nice, cool wind blowing across her face, as she removed her veil, her back to the others. “I will join you soon, head down now, please.”

  Hoosun did not stick around another second. He took the children, hand in hand, down the corridor, and they started their way down the stairs which they had come from, only moments before, the echo of their steps traveling back to the chamber, as they were soon only a faint pattering sound to the ears of the Mother.

  The Mother Dhahn stood with her face tipped to the sky, and her eyes closed, soft remnants of rain caressing her face. It was cool and soft as the wind drove the burdening clouds away from the great tree, slowly. As the night had come, the moon loomed high over all, even the great tree, as its light was shown to all below, illuminating the darkness with its astonishing form.

  Down quite a good length of stairs from the high chamber, there was a small chamber lit with burning lamps. The window was open, allowing a fine breeze to come in, causing the curtains to bustle about, swaying to the winds touch.

  Hoosun and the twins sat at an aged wooden table. Set before them was fruit that was harvested just earlier that day, and a few loaves of soft bread. The appetite of the twins was not very great. They sat nibbling on some chopped fruit, staring out through the window from their seating.

  Hoosun watched them pensively, wishing he could raise their spirits. Pretending to clear his throat as to grip their attention, the owl reached out with a feathery limb and purposely knocked an apple from a platter on the table, causing it to roll across the table’s surface, until falling, and landing, on Samana’s lap.

  The girl’s attention was stirred, and she took the apple in hand, and set it on the platter. Looking at the peaceful figure of an owl, she spoke. “Sorry, we’re not in such high spirits, right now…”

  Hoosun nodded severely. “Nonsense, it’s quite understandable, young one. I cannot expect you to take your father’s absence so lightly. After all, you have a soul, and a right one at that. I wouldn’t think of you not to be gloomy at a time as sad as this. It just wouldn’t seem the normal type.”

  Samana noted his statement, and agreed. Turning to her sister, she patted Daimana on the back, while trying a smile on her, conversing with the owl as she did so. “I think we should try to rest. Is there somewhere we can sleep?”

  “Indeed there is.” The owl said assuredly. “Let’s not bother walking down all those steps tonight, there is a free bed in my room, it’s only a short way down the stairs from here.”

  Samana smiled thankfully, playing with her braids with her fingers. “Thank you very much…it’s been such a long day.”

  The owl took his spectacles to clean them, and dusted them upon his sleeve. “Indeed it has, my young friend, indeed it has.”

  Daimana was near falling asleep as Samana helped her up from the table, which she was drooping over, tiredly. Hoosun arose, and breathed in, as a fresh gust of air crept in through the window. “Follow me then, I’ll lead the way.”

  As they headed for the door, footsteps were heard coming from the stairwell. The Mother Dhahn produced herself in the archway as she stood veiled, looking upon the three individuals before her. “I’m sorry it has taken me so long. You children look tired, a good night’s rest would do you well.”

  “Actually, I was just about to take them there myself. I’d rather not have them walk all that way down those stairs tonight. I’ve offered them the bed in my room.” The owl said, pushing his slipping spectacles back onto his beak tip.

  The Mother nodded in agreement, ushering the children through the door. “I shall walk with you.”

  After a rather short walk down the stairs, the Mother, Hoosun, and the children had come to a wooden door with a tall, iron handle on it. The owl gripped the handle, firmly, and pushed. The door opened to a very nice and comforting room. Parallel to the doorway were windows, all were glassed in but the center one, which allowed the tree limb that formed Hoosun’s perch to curl and anchor outside of the window in stretch.

  The room was square, and though not grand in size, was good enough to serve the owl’s needs. There was tall shelving against the wall, some books, scrolls, and papers swallowed by each individual pocket of the crafted wood. There was a bed next to the windows, it was big enough for Hoosun, and since he was more than twice the size of the twins, it offered more than enough room for them both.

  Samana and Daimana went over to the bed, and sat on it, testing the firmness of the padded, wooden-framed bed. Daimana yawned, silently, and laid down, soon followed by Samana, who snuggled up to her sister as both were soon asleep.

  Hoosun looked upon the twins. They were asleep in but a moment, there tired bodies and minds well-deserving of a good night’s rest. Hoosun turned to leave, and noticed the Mother standing in the doorway. Watching the twins was a serene sight at that, and warming to the heart.

  The owl smiled at her, and patted her shoulder, speaking quietly, as not to wake the children. “They’ve grown quite strong, haven’t they…?”

  The Mother replied calmly, smiling behind her veil. “Yes, they have, old friend…it is a wonder to see children who have gone through so much, at such an age, and manage to be so strong…yet, at a moment like this…you may look upon their sleeping faces, and see that they are still but children. It is truly a wonderous thing, my friend.”

  The owl put his arm around his good friend, leading her beside him, out the chamber door. “Yes it is, my friend…yes it is.”

  The night was still and calm. Clouds blew peacefully, coming to a silent stop in view of the moon. White shafts of light shot down from the moon, piercing the clouds like sharpened steel against a fleshy body. A white light poured from the inflicted wounds, raining down upon the glorious tree below.

  Samana awoke from her sleep. Rubbing her eyes tiredly, she looked ahead and saw Daimana standing at the window, looking up at the moon.

  Samana spoke quietly, as not to startle her sister, and climbed across the end of bed. “Daimana, are you okay?”

  Her twin sighed heavily and slumped on the sill, looking down at the walls below. “I feel wrong and messed up inside, Samana. I feel like…I feel like I’m doing something wrong, sitting here as father charges ahead to do battle without us…are we not warriors as father made us as?” Daimana ran her hand over her left ear, the one which was pierced with double-notches, the piercing
given to those who had earned the rank of warriors amongst her people.

  Samana went to her sister’s back, and hugged her from behind, looking out into the distance from the window as her sister did. “I know it may seem wrong, but this is what father wanted for us. He wants us to live and be children, as we are children. Do not feel bad for not following him into battle, for he doesn’t wish us to feel the dust of war beneath our feet, he does not wish us to taste the blood of a foe, for we are young, and should not experience such things at our age.”

  Daimana gripped her sister’s hands, feeling cold through to her bones. “Your words are wise, Samana. I wish I was as wise as you are, now.”

  Samana smiled and gave her sister a caring kiss on the cheek. “You are very wise, Daimana. Our time will come to prove ourselves in battle, but it is not now, for we are but children. My sister, father is proud of both of us, we need not carry a sword into battle to prove our worth to him, nor would he leave us behind without knowing it was best for us. So be at peace, my sister. Remember what he said to us, before he left?”

  Daimana let out a slight smile from her saddened lips. “He said that we would see him again.”

  Samana brushed her sister’s braid and hugged her tightly. “Yes, and indeed we will.” Samana then returned to the bed, lying upon it as she stretched herself out.

  “We should rest now, Daimana, come on.” She gestured her sister over to the bed to rest.

  Daimana looked out the window, brushing her hand over the sill. A star had caught her eye. She wished upon it that her father be safe, and not die in battle, so that they would meet again in this world.

  Daimana went over to her sister, and nestled herself next to her. Her head rested upon Samana’s shoulder. Daimana knew she had a great sister. Samana had brought some ease to her mind, but still, as she dreamt in the night, something still felt unsettled within her heart.

  She could not shake the feeling of what she felt she must do. It soon overwhelmed her mind and soul, and she had no choice but to fulfill her thought.