Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom

by Barbara Underwood

  Rhuna looked at her teacher’s smiling face and wondered if his words were serious or only in jest.

  “Must the building blocks of the pyramid be transformed from a certain element? I saw that the golden pyramids had only sand around them.”

  “The blocks of the Safu pyramids were transformed from water of the river, and apparently a dense granite-like stone is most favorable for such a harnessing station,” said Beacon of the Night. “Perhaps, after you have acquired a little more knowledge and experience, I may guide you in the construction of such a personal harnessing site?” he asked with raised eyebrows and friendly smile.

  “Yes, I think I’d like to try,” said Rhuna a little uncertain. “I’ll discuss it with my husband.”

  “Naturally,” said her teacher, then leaned back onto his seating cushions. “I may assume you discuss most of your lessons with your husband?”

  “Yes, everything,” said Rhuna. Her teacher’s eyes lowered for a moment.

  “You have known him since your early adolescence, is this not so?” he asked her. Rhuna answered yes.

  “You have not known any other men?” asked Beacon of the Night.

  Rhuna wasn’t sure what his question meant, and told him she had known Mala Mahuni in Medíz quite well, and that she often talked to Solver of Riddles.

  “In the sense of how you know your husband,” explained Beacon of the Night, and Rhuna said she hadn’t. Then her teacher said that her next practical lesson would be the harnessing of solar energies, and that he looked forward to it.

  As usual every evening, Rhuna told Tozar about her day’s lessons as they leaned on soft cushions on their big bed. When she told him what she had learned about the golden pyramids in Safu, Tozar replied that this had been a topic of discussion at the Orator’s Square not far from the center. Travellers and others with knowledge and expertise in certain subjects often gave speeches there to inform people of events, developments and new discoveries in the Atlan Empire, such as the Safu pyramids. Tozar suggested he would take Rhuna to one of the sessions when the pyramids were the topic.

  “Beacon of the Night told me I could make my own small pyramid just for harnessing cosmic energies,” she continued.

  “For what purpose?” asked Tozar sharply.

  “To strengthen my mental powers, of course,” said Rhuna teasingly.

  “It is not necessary to strengthen your mental powers,” replied Tozar.

  “I’d still like to try it.”

  Tozar was silent for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. Rhuna leaned over to hold the side of his face and kissed him.

  Before their evening had ended, Rhuna was startled by a sharp rap on their door. A messenger told Tozar that a private meeting of the High Council would take place immediately, and that Rhuna’s presence was also expected. He thanked the messenger, then gave Rhuna a look of trepidation. She quickly tidied her dress and hair, then hurried with Tozar to the small chamber behind the High Council hall.

  “We have received a deeply disturbing report,” said the small, stout woman of the High Council members. Tozar’s grip tightened around Rhuna’s hand as they sat close to each other in the circle. There was a heavy silence as the members waited for the woman to continue.

  “The investigative party in the southerly region of Xoratán has met with a people previously unknown to us. They are small and dark-haired, but resilient and tenacious. After several days of communication, our party has learned of their reasons for moving further into Atlan territory, from their homeland in the north-eastern part of the land.” Rhuna expected the report to be similar to the things Mikkel told her about the Zitán inhabitants.

  “These people tell of revelries and orgies at every occasion of the full moon, of intoxicating beverages to induce trances and visions, and… the killing of animals and… newborn infants.” Rhuna shrunk back in horror at the thought of killing infants. Two other members in the circle also reacted similarly and let out a suppressed groan of dismay. They waited for the woman to continue.

  “Our party inquired of the origins of such gruesome behaviour, and was told that the priest who sustained them required these things,” she said a somber tone.

  “Abominable!” exploded Revealer of Brightness. “He has chosen the most ignorant and malleable people upon which to inflict his self-gratifying directives!”

  “His lust for power knows no bounds,” said another member.

  “Has he not taken enough human life? Must he now revel in the deaths of newborn infants?” said a younger woman in a shaky voice.

  Rhuna felt Tozar’s hand firmly around hers, and was comforted by it.

  “But what reasons did he give those people for taking their children?” asked Rhuna. It was the first time she had spoken of her own accord at a High Council meeting.

  “Our party reports that this people believes in the life-sustaining energy of an animal or human life, and that these lives must occasionally be taken - or given to the mediating priest - in order to sustain their own existence, and perhaps even prolong their own life,” explained the stout woman.

  “It is an obscenity! A perversion and a blatant act of cruel domination of the highest degree!” spat Revealer of Brightness as he jerked his legs restlessly in his seat.

  Tozar sat still and looked at the floor ahead of him.

  “We are impelled to act,” said another man in the circle. “We have certain knowledge of the Dark One’s activity in the region beyond Xoratán, and the people he has suppressed are fleeing to find sanctuary in Atlan territory. Had we not sent special investigative parties to these remote areas, we may yet be ignorant of the Dark One’s ways!”

  “Ignorance is the key to this entire matter,” grumbled Tozar as he broke his stare on the floor.

  “Yes,” said Rhuna, suddenly remembering Tozar’s words about ignorance giving the Dark Master power. “If we can educate the people and remove their ignorance, the Dark Master won’t have such power over them anymore,” she said.

  All eyes turned to her.

  “Perhaps this is the only course available to us,” said Revealer of Brightness, still looking at Rhuna. “We acknowledge your wise counsel, Adopted by the Rain.”

  Tozar looked at her and smiled. His hand was still firmly wrapped around hers.

  “I agree with my wife,” said Tozar. “The Dark One thrives on the ignorance and consequent submissiveness of a people, and we are empowered to absolve them of their state. I propose our party commence enlightening these displaced people with correct information and education, thereby welcoming them to the Atlan Empire.”

  “I am in agreement,” said another member.

  “A second agreement,” said Revealer of Brightness with a tremble in his tone. “However, I predict a counteraction to our undertaking,” he said sharply.

  Tozar looked at him through narrowed eyes. “What is it you predict, Esteemed Colleague? It is the second time you have given this warning.”

  Revealer of Brightness breathed in loudly. “I know not the precise nature of his reaction, however, there shall be one,” he said with a firm nod. “He shall not tolerate people under his control to be enlightened and guided to higher wisdom by us.”

  “Perhaps the people our party has met is merely a small and insignificant group, not worthy of recapturing to his domain,” suggested a woman in the circle.

  “This is a logical thought process. Recall, my Valued Colleagues, that the Dark One’s power is partly due to his unnatural thought processes which have eluded, baffled and surprised us,” said Revealer of Brightness. “Let the investigative party in the southern Xoratán region be ever vigilant, and if possible, persuade agreeable persons to leave the area without delay and return with our party to more familiar territories of the Empire,” he concluded.

  Outside the High Council building, darkness had engulfed most of Atlán’s center, and only the empty paved courtyard reflected dim moonlight onto nearby walls. Tozar still held Rhuna’s hand firmly as they walk
ed home in silence. Rhuna looked up at the faint moon behind a haze of clouds, and felt a chill down her back as she imaged the things the Dark Master demanded of those people. She told Tozar that she was frightened by what she had heard, especially that the Dark Master wanted people to kill their own children. Then she asked him if they were safe in Atlán.

  “He cannot control a large group of enlightened people,” answered Tozar. “Although he may attempt to harm certain individuals, as it occurred in the past when he was hindered in his divergent course.”

  “But he can’t hurt anyone from a distance, from where he is, can he?” Rhuna asked.

  “We are safe, My Dear,” he said giving her a cuddle and then opening the door to their home. “It is the mere report of his deeds that arouses anxiety.”

  During the following days, Rhuna learnt that Seer of Worlds had been informed of the report and that the High Council requested his expertise in the Gazing of the Waters to gain any further helpful information on the displaced people in question. Seer of Worlds had told the High Council that when summoning information about the people’s homeland which they fled, he had met with the impediment, particularly when invoking visions of the people and their activity there. He also accessed images about the people who had fled into Atlan territory, and explained to the High Council that they all had small children with them, and also held a deep-rooted fear of reprisals from their dead ancestors. This became evident when he summoned images of their daily lives and saw them huddled in fear in their huts, discussing certain ancestors who they feared.

  Seer of Worlds never discussed the High Council matters with Rhuna during her lessons, but discussed with her various theories and unusual experiences with the Gazing of the Waters. Then Rhuna told him about the clarity of her last vision of the Dark Master walking with anger and deliberation, and that the image was as clear as in the Gazing of the Waters. Seer of Worlds was silent a while as he pondered her words.

  “It is a theory,” he said slowly, “that certain receptive minds receive the images which otherwise must be summoned by means of the Gazing of the Waters. This is to say, the Gazing of the Waters, the powders and incantations, are merely tools to assist in obtaining the desired visions. Some of us may bypass various steps, as you yourself have demonstrated by summoning without the use of powder.”

  Rhuna thought that Seer of Worlds no longer sounded quite so stern, and that he even enjoyed talking about the more complex aspects of his life’s passion. But his deep-set eyes remained almost hidden, and he often paced when only slightly aroused.

  Rhuna’s practical experience at the building site along the lake front had finished, to the satisfaction of both the supervising Master of the team and Beacon of the Night. Her young teacher told her that she could now progress to the more advanced techniques, such as summoning solar energy. He arranged for them to leave the school the following morning to walk to a site near the mound where she had harnessed the lunar energies, and that the instruction would take place there. Rhuna looked forward to it with great anticipation.

  “The day is most favorable for this lesson,” said Beacon of the Night cheerfully, as he led Rhuna out of the city that morning. Rhuna thought his friendly green eyes matched perfectly the sandy colour of his wavy hair and slightly tanned skin. She took in the sun’s warmth and clear air, feeling temporarily freed from the unnerving darkness on the edge of her mind. At times she felt tempted to tell Beacon of the Night about the things she knew concerning the Dark Master, but felt it would weigh too heavily on the pleasant lessons she always enjoyed with the young teacher.

  Beacon of the Night had carried a large bag with a strap to cross his shoulder, and he set it down when they had arrived at an open space on level ground. Rhuna said it was a nice spot due to the view of the lake and city, and the shady trees nearby.

  “Perhaps it is a suitable location for the construction of your personal pyramid?” he said with flashing green eyes.

  “Oh, I’m not sure,” began Rhuna. “Maybe it’s not really necessary to strengthen my mental abilities.”

  “Ah. Is this your own opinion, or that of your husband, if I may ask?” said Beacon of the Night as he took a casual standing stance. Rhuna admitted that it was Tozar’s opinion, but that she tended to agree, although she was still curious about the pyramid and its functions.

  “It is not necessary to construct a new one merely to satisfy one’s curiosity,” the young teacher continued cheerfully. “There is one such pyramid nearby that is rarely used by its builder! Perhaps I may show it to you at a convenient time?” he asked with a bright inviting smile.

  Rhuna said that she would like to see it, and then began to listen to her teacher’s explanation of the equipment in his bag. She recognized the square metal container her teacher showed her, and told him that this was the instrument the Master on Chinza had used to soften the stone before sculpting.

  “Inside is an apparatus of glass plates which intensifies the rays of solar light and heat.” He showed Rhuna the arrangement of glass disks which already reflected the sun so brightly that she squinted several times. “This tool easily produces fire without the assistance of concentrated thought energies. However, we may produce a concentrated, projected ray of either solar light or solar heat from this tool, using specific focussing techniques.” Rhuna’s teacher then described the visualization methods that were required to produce a concentrated ray of solar light or heat from the glass disks which collected the sun’s rays. She told him that she understood the concept and was eager to try it.

  Beacon of the Night then instructed her to stand beside the solar harnessing instrument so that her shadow would not block the sun’s rays, and then project her concentrated thought energies onto it with the purpose of producing a narrow ray of intensified light. He showed her the side of the metal container where the ray could emit through a hole. He moved it slightly so that a ray emitting from the hole would project onto a small tree about twenty paces away. Rhuna said she understood and then closed her eyes to concentrate.

  She had barely begun to visualize and project her thought energies when she was startled.

  “Ho-ho!” exclaimed Beacon of the Night. Rhuna’s eyes snapped open and she looked at him surprised. “It is done!” he said, and ran towards the tree to point out an area of the tree trunk where smoke emerged.

  “The ray of concentrated light immediately emerged forth and produced this seared hole!” he said in a very excited state. “Come see!”

  Rhuna also ran towards the tree and inspected its trunk where Beacon of the Night still held his finger. She laughed with surprise and delight.

  “You are astounding!” said her teacher, still beaming. Rhuna thought his whole face glowed, and it thrilled her that her instant success pleased her teacher so much.

  “Does concentrated light burn or cut like this?” asked Rhuna, eager to still please her teacher with her desire to learn. He let his admiring look linger a while before answering.

  “Yes,” he said walking back to the solar harnessing instrument, “when the light and heat concentrations are in correct proportions to the stone or metal intended to be cut or formed. A thin ray of concentrated light cuts a stone more accurately than the finest metal saw.”

  “And much faster, too,” said Rhuna.

  “Precisely. It may also be used to bind two stone blocks by projecting more heat from the harnessed solar energy. This serves to solder two objects of the same element and produces a perfect join.” said Beacon of the Night in his usual instructing tone.

  “I didn’t know that solar energy could be used that way,” said Rhuna.

  “Ah, that is why I am the teacher, and you are the student!” said Beacon of the Night playfully. “Furthermore, new discoveries are reported which indicate that pure solar light has healing benefits.”

  “For healing?” asked Rhuna astounded.

  “Indeed! We are already aware of the therapeutic qualities of colours, and solar light contains
the complete spectrum of colours, as is evidenced by the rainbow, of course. Therefore, some advanced Masters have attempted to extract certain colours from the harnessed solar energy and project them onto an ailing individual - often with most positive results!”

  “But isn’t it dangerous to project the concentrated rays onto a person?” asked Rhuna.

  “No. One or two colours cannot harm. It is the entire spectrum of colours together that may inflict injury.”

  “That’s amazing! Healing with coloured light from the sun!” said Rhuna astounded.

  “It shall be discussed at length at the Orator’s Square next lunar cycle,” said Beacon of the Night. “Perhaps we may substitute a lesson for attendance at one such oration to learn more of these discoveries?”

  Rhuna immediately agreed and said that Tozar had already suggested they attend some special events at the Orator’s Square.

  “Do you desire your husband’s approval of everything you do?” he asked with a teasing smile.

  Rhuna hesitated and wondered about the tone of his question while Beacon of the Night picked up the solar harnessing instrument and placed it in his bag.

  “Perhaps your husband has more the role of a father in your life,” he continued as they began the return walk to the city.

  “I don’t know… I never had a father,” said Rhuna unsure of what her teacher had asked. “But my husband knew my father.”

  “Is this so? I knew nothing of this,” said Beacon of the Night raising his eyebrows. “More so the reason for his fatherly role towards you,” he said.

  “I don’t understand your words, Teacher,” Rhuna said.

  “Oh, you may address me by name!” he said cheerfully as he flashed his green eyes at her. “I am not so much older than you are. The meaning of my words…is that perhaps your husband watches over you excessively, like a father over his young child, when you are in fact capable of independent actions and decisions.”