Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom

by Barbara Underwood

  Rhuna reluctantly agreed that it could be so, but was still slightly unsure about her teacher’s comments. For the remainder of their return walk, Beacon of the Night talked about various other matters relating to the day’s lesson about solar light and energy, and then reminded her of the event at the Orator’s Square to which he intended to escort her.

  In the late afternoon, Rhuna told Tozar about her exciting lesson in the sunshine outside the city where she had caused a concentrated ray of light to sear a hole in a tree trunk, and about the new discoveries concerning the healing qualities of coloured light. Tozar agreed that this was an exciting revelation, and that she should attend the event at the Orator’s Square to learn more about it. Then Rhuna asked him about the people in the southern Xoratán region and whether they had already begun to move location further into safer Atlan territory. Tozar explained that it was a time-consuming procedure to communicate various things to them, to persuade them to leave their homes and make a long walking journey, particularly as most of them had many small children. At that point, Tozar left their seating cushions to prepare his bath, and Rhuna moved into her usual position for Inside Focussing.

  When the humming interrupted her usual vibration during the Focussing, she braced herself for another vision. Only a slight wave of anxiety flooded through her, but she remained calm and continued to focus. She saw an image of a lush green landscape with valleys and many craggy cliffs and rocky ledges. The trees were medium-sized, and tall grass and ferns covered the ground. Rhuna assumed that she saw the southern Xoratán territory, and expected to see the Atlan party and the displaced people, but instead she saw a large group of men. They did not fit her expectations, and she soon realized why. The men held clubs and long wooden spears, and they were performing an angry chant to incite themselves into a killing frenzy. This picture reminded Rhuna of the dreadful massacre scene in the Zao homeland, and she wanted to open her eyes to escape the image. Before she broke her concentration, another image suddenly appeared to her. Guiding the excited men in their angry chants was the Dark Master, standing on a high stone platform and gesturing with his arms. Then Rhuna saw the dark-robed man pick up a stone in one hand and extend it high in front of him. Within one sharp glance of his blackened eyes, the stone exploded and crumbled into pieces to the ground. The men immediately burst into a loud screaming frenzy and raised their arms high towards the Dark Master.

  The vision ended and Rhuna opened her eyes. Even though she had not quite grasped the meaning of her vision, her instinct told her that it meant danger. She rushed into their bathroom to tell Tozar, and the alarm in his eyes confirmed her feelings of dread.

  “It is the reaction of which Revealer of Brightness warned,” he said, hurrying to dry and dress himself. “He plans another ambush!”

  They rushed out their door and down the stairs to urgently call for Revealer of Brightness. He was not surprised when he opened his door to them, and Rhuna wondered if he had expected her to have a vision at that time.

  “I expected… and yet wished to believe otherwise,” he said heavily when he was informed of Rhuna’s latest vision He ordered an urgent warning message be spoken to the Atlan party, and for Seer of Worlds to attempt summoning the area in question in the hope of gaining more information about the Dark Master’s planned attack.

  “This reveals yet another fact,” said Revealer of Brightness when they had set things in motion. “Namely that he has complete control of this people and maneuvers them effortlessly,” he said gloomily.

  “I saw the men scream and raise their arms to him,” said Rhuna. “What did it mean?”

  “That they blindly obey his every word!” said Revealer of Brightness with disgust. “He broke the rock to remind them of his superior power and to evoke their fear and submission. And he has incited them to hatred and violence which he directs at our party and those who fled!” His eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly. “I believe this is a most serious situation!” he said quietly, then turned to look away. Rhuna felt a cold shiver pass over her.

  “Maybe I can receive another vision which could help them. A vision that can’t be summoned by the Gazing of the Waters,” she blurted. Tozar looked at her anxiously. “I was thinking of the Xoratán territory right before I began Inside Focussing… maybe it will work again.”

  Revealer of Brightness stepped closer and looked at her directly. “Very well! Attempt it!”

  Tozar opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it again. He followed Rhuna back to their rooms and watched silently as she took a seat on some cushions and prepared to concentrate.

  Rhuna closed her eyes to concentrate first on the area surrounding the Atlan party and the refugees, then to focus her thoughts inward, as in Inside Focussing. For a while Rhuna sensed only the usual vibration in her head and wondered if her mere conscious thought of expecting a vision was already hampering the process. She continuing focussing a little longer, and then felt the humming begin. It took a while longer for an image to appear, and she resolved to stay calm and focus her thoughts steadily.

  She saw the green landscape and rocky outcrops in tones of the setting sun, this time with a glance of the Atlan party in a secluded valley, preparing food over several open fires. Then her vision took her across the green treetops to another deeper valley where the men marched stealthily with a hunger for violence etched in their angry faces. Rhuna looked for the Dark Master but didn’t see him. The vision ended.

  “They’re in a gully heading towards our party,” said Rhuna as she opened her eyes. Tozar had been sitting opposite, looking at her intently. “Maybe a day’s walk away, but I’m not sure.”

  “Every item of information has great value,” said Tozar. “Describe the landscape once more,” he said as he moved to her side. Rhuna recalled a clear picture in her mind of the terrain she had seen in the vision, and described it thoroughly to Tozar.

  “There is a possibility,” he said as a light rose in his eyes. He ushered Rhuna outside, this time to the small chamber where the other High Council members had met to discuss the latest developments. Seer of Worlds was also present, and he repeated his message when Tozar and Rhuna entered the room.

  “He has broadened the extent of the impediment in order to hinder our rescue attempts!” spat Seer of Worlds. “It is not possible to summon merely a common place vision of the party in question.” Rhuna saw deep distress in his face.

  Tozar immediately began to tell the members about Rhuna’s latest vision and the landscape she described. He told them that the Atlan party was not far from high rocky ledges which formed part of a long range, and that it appeared to Rhuna that a narrow gorge existed in this rocky range. He said that most probably the valley where the party and refugees were located would extend into this gorge, and that this may serve as an escape route. The nature of the narrow rocky gorge might also serve as a convenient barrier position to prevent the warriors from entering the gorge behind them.

  Rhuna looked at Tozar as he described his plan, suggesting the Atlans most skilled in element transforming be prepared to fill the narrowest part of the gorge with solid rocks as soon as everyone had passed through safely. She remembered that Tozar had told her about quickly building a protective wall when Atlans were in danger of attack.

  “The plan is sound,” said Revealer of Brightness. “May the terrain indeed be as you described, Adopted by the Rain. Otherwise, I hold grave fears for our party and the refugees laden with young children. The Dark One’s warriors shall reach them at sunrise, if hasty retreat is not taken immediately,” he said bitterly. Then he pressed his lips together and tugged at his long grey beard.

  The High Council members sat in silence while Seer of Worlds said he would attempt to summon the Atlan party again, in the hope of knowing whether they had received the warning message. Tozar said that he believed they would summon the Gazing of the Waters before dark, and that they would be able to find the gorge by torchlight. Rhuna held the sleeve of his robe and ho
ped he was right.

  The long wait in silence reminded Rhuna of the night on Chinza when she fled to the beach with Tozar and the other three Masters to await the arrival of the ships the following morning. She wondered if the Atlan party would also feel the same dread as she did that night on the beach.

  “It is not possible to summon any visions or information of the area!” said Seer of Worlds as he burst into the small chamber some time later. Everyone was startled when the tall man stormed in and angrily stooped over them.

  “Should I try to receive another vision then?” said Rhuna. Tozar put his hand on her arm. Revealer of Brightness looked at her pleadingly. “Let me try,” she said and moved aside to sit in her usual Inside Focussing position. She felt the tense silence in the room and took a deep breath to help her concentrate.

  The hum began sooner than she expected, and a vision quickly appeared to her. The image was dark, but Rhuna saw bright torches which were reflected in a small stream of water alongside a fast-moving group of people. She recognized several white Master’s robes and then some smaller, darker forms following behind them.

  “They’re walking quickly along a small river carrying torches, and the refugees are with them,” said Rhuna.

  “Very good!” exclaimed Revealer of Brightness. “Your assumption was correct, Harbinger of Solace. The creek shall lead them directly through the gorge! There is hope,” he said loudly.

  After a few more remarks of relief and high hopes, Tozar suggested that they return home to rest a while until there was further news. The members reluctantly agreed, but Seer of Worlds said he would continue to attempt summoning the Gazing of the Waters throughout the night and morning.

  Rhuna awoke to a rapping on their door. The sun shone brightly through their large windows, but her eyes and body still felt heavy. Tozar had jumped across their bed and scurried to the door. Rhuna sat up and heard the familiar high and shaky voice triumphantly tell of another very fortunate escape. Seer of Worlds had continued summoning the Gazing of the Waters until the impediment suddenly lifted not long after sunrise, and then he viewed the rough stones in the narrow entrance to the gorge. The Atlan Masters had been able to either transform various elements into solid blocks, or make nearby boulders lighter in weight so that they could be moved to form a high barrier. The Atlan party felt safe from threat due to the high rocky cliffs which stretched a considerable length in either direction, but they would continue moving back to safer Atlan territory as quickly as possible. They did not see or hear the warriors, but acted as fast as possible throughout the night.

  “I am most relieved!” said Tozar. “If our presence is not required today, I desire a day of recreation for my wife due to the harrowing night and mental effort of calling on the visions.”

  “Of course, Valued Colleague,” replied Revealer of Brightness. “However, the High Council would like to discuss a matter of a much more joyous nature with Adopted by the Rain.”

  Tozar said that they would meet with the High Council at a later time, and then he closed the door and returned to their bedroom. He wore only a wrap-around cloth of fine cotton when he relaxed at home.

  “All is well, My Beloved, thank be to you,” he said as he dropped onto the bed and embraced Rhuna. He held her for a long time and Rhuna felt all her fears and tension ebb away. After spending the morning in bed, Tozar took Rhuna to some of the nice parts of Atlán they always enjoyed, such as the gardens and the tree-line path along the lake. They ate delicious meals of roasted chicken with fruity sauce and warm, fresh bread. During the day, Tozar often leaned over to kiss Rhuna’s cheek. When the sun began its final descent, they walked to the High Council building where the audience and Low Council members were dispersing and going home. Inside, they went to the small private chamber at the back and sat down with anticipation.

  “Adopted by the Rain,” said Revealer of Brightness, “on behalf of the High Council I may acknowledge your enormous contribution once more in the sparing of lives. Our thanks be to you, also, Harbinger of Solace, for your plan of escape and refuge for our party.” He paused and then looked at Rhuna once again. “We have evaluated your words, actions and demeanor since the time of your arrival in Atlán, and we have deemed a new name be bestowed upon you. Despite your young age, you have displayed great discernment and courage, and particularly in regard to your inherent enhanced capabilities you have preserved self-control, humility and forbearance. Therefore, we wish to bestow upon you the name ‘Keeper of Wisdom’.”

  Tozar looked at Rhuna and gave her a happy smile. Rhuna responded with surprise and delight, and said she had never expected such a thing. Then each High Council members shook her hand and spoke complimentary words, and Rhuna felt it was the perfect ending to a wonderful day.

  Part Six

  (Gatherer of Sage)

  After a few days, another closed meeting of the High Council took place to summarize and evaluate the situation concerning the Dark Master. Rhuna was also invited to attend, and she was told that she was regarded as a special member for certain cases relevant to her exceptional abilities and knowledge. It was also implied that in the future she would become a permanent member of the High Council, presiding over all issues great and small affecting the Atlan Empire.

  “The situation has changed,” said Revealer of Brightness as they began the closed meeting. “We are no longer in ignorance, nor are we misled by the false hope that the Dark One perished more than twenty solar cycles past. He attempted to kill two Atlan parties and helpless people in their care, and had he succeeded, we may have merely believed that a fire or tribe of angry men caused their tragic deaths. His use of the impediment may have continued to mislead us and keep us in ignorance. However, both times we acquired knowledge of his actions and we foiled his gruesome intentions.” He paused and glance at Rhuna. “He shall know of our newfound strategy of eluding his destructive devices.”

  Tozar straightened his back, and Rhuna felt a chill as she realized the Dark Master knew how they had helped the Atlan parties escape his deadly attacks.

  “Do you predict further action by him, Esteemed Colleague?” asked Tozar nervously.

  “I predict he shall change his course of action, however the nature of which I am unable to devise,” answered Revealer of Brightness.

  There was a moment of thoughtful silence, and then discussions about the Xoratán territory began. The Atlan party had made progress through uncharted terrain heading back to Atlán, and had been directed to find suitable land to establish a settlement for the people in their care. The party reported that many of them required considerable persuasion to abandon their deepest fears of reprisals from either dead ancestors or the Dark Master himself, who they believed sustained their very existence and could kill them at will from a great distance. Most of the fleeing people were motivated by fear of losing their children to their High Priest, and believed they had acted wrongly by leaving the rest of their people in the land beyond Xoratán Rhuna imagined that these people were much more badly affected than the inhabitants of the Zitán territory, and that they would require patient and thorough re-education to be freed from their enslaving beliefs.

  Rhuna was relieved that the Atlans and Xoratán refugees were safe, and that the fleeing people would eventually find a peaceful new home. At times she felt a little anxious when she recalled the visions she had been able to invoke, but was relieved when no further visions came to her while practicing Inside Focussing. Tozar often asked her how she felt, and he suggested various recreational activities such as attending a musical performance and spending the day walking along the lake. He also took her to the Orator’s Square to hear an informative talk about the pyramids of Safu, which Rhuna found very inspiring. Not long after this, Beacon of the Night also escorted her to another discussion held at the Orator’s Square.

  “The Master most knowledgeable in the new technology of Solar Light Healing has returned to Atlán to present this information,” said Beacon of the Night as the
y entered the large open area of the Orator’s Square. Although it was called a square, it was actually oval in shape and reminded Rhuna of the High Council building which also had a circular center and seating rows around it, each one a level higher than the inner row. The speaker stood in the central stage area to present a speech, and other times demonstrations of various kinds also took place there. Rhuna paid keen attention when the Master of Solar Light Healing was introduced. It was a woman of tall stature and slightly greying hair called Tamer of the Storm, and she spoke in a strong, vibrant voice.

  Rhuna listened to the presentation which gave an overview of the principles of solar light and the newly-developed methods of harnessing, extracting and projecting individual colours of solar light. Towards the end of her speech, Tamer of the Storm announced that she would commence teaching at the school of Atlán for a length of time, while also collaborating with other Masters experienced in this and related fields. Rhuna sat upright and immediately asked Beacon of the Night if she could talk to the eminent Master. He flashed his bright green eyes at her and said he would gladly fulfill any wish she had. Since she had told him of her new name, Beacon of the Night had become even more enthusiastic about her rapid progress, and Rhuna thought this was the reason he was giving her special attention.

  When the speech had ended and the audience dispersed, Beacon of the Night introduced Rhuna to Tamer of the Storm, saying that Rhuna was his most brilliant student and wished to know more about solar light technology. The tall woman examined Rhuna with her sharp clear eyes for a brief moment.

  “Do you possess knowledge of the healing arts?” she asked Rhuna firmly.

  Rhuna was taken aback and dismayed as she answered no.

  “Keeper of Wisdom is an exceptional student whose progress astounds her teachers,” interjected Beacon of the Night. “Study of the healing arts would pose no great hindrance to her.” Tamer of the Storm scrutinized both Rhuna and her teacher once more, and then agreed to talk to Rhuna at a later time when her teaching curriculum had been set. She politely excused herself and continued talking to others who had gathered around to speak with her.