Rhuna, Keeper of Wisdom

by Barbara Underwood

  “This incident should be viewed as a progression to deeper understanding of humankind, rather than an obstacle in your personal course,” said Flower of the Field in her usual optimistic manner. Rhuna said that she understood this because Tozar had once told her the same when she had another unpleasant experience in her early days in Medíz, and that she was growing in understanding.

  “You have experienced many disturbing incidences for someone so young,” said Flower of the Field thoughtfully. “However, such things often lead to greater compassion and sympathy, which are most desirable qualities in a healer,” she said smiling fondly at Rhuna.

  They reached the open level area on a gently flowing hillside that overlooked part of the Great Lake, and Rhuna looked around at the various standing stones erected there. She counted eight such tall stones, uneven in shape but elliptically placed and aligned with the invisible flows of earth and cosmic energies. Inside the oval, Rhuna observed several other large stones of different density and shapes, and Flower of the Field explained that these were the conductive stones upon which the ailing person sat or lay, while the eight outer standing stones forming the ring served as the generators of energy.

  “The most effective time of operation is sunrise at each point of seasonal change. The cosmic forces energise the electro-magnetic flow along this corridor,” explained Flower of the Field as her arms pointed along a slight ridge that ran parallel to the curvature of the hillside. “And are captured by the eight standing stones that generate a strong flow between them. The electro-magnetic energies generated between the eight stones is extremely powerful, hence the conductive stones in the center of the ring which absorb the circulating energies in moderate amounts, suitable for healing various ailments,” continued the teacher. “Furthermore, the generating and conductive stones must be positioned according to Plant and Earth Harmony knowledge to achieve the most beneficial effects, such as small or large circles of four to fifteen generating stones, or rows in straight or arced lines, according to the earth energy flow.”

  Rhuna remembered the statues on Chinza which served to capture and generate such energies, but which never benefited her people. After some more instruction, Rhuna said she understood, then asked several questions until Flower of the Field said they could return to the city.

  “The seasonal change takes place in several days,” said Flower of the Field as they left the Circle of Healing, “and students should attend to observe the procedure.”

  Rhuna said she was eagerly looking forward to it.

  In the evening, Rhuna sat on seating cushions and prepared for her Inside Focussing session while Tozar bathed. She thought of the Arawana people again, and decided it could be important to know what the Dark Master was doing about the mass migration of the people who were once under his control. She focussed her thoughts on the Dark Master, then closed her eyes and began the usual deep concentration. For a little while she felt only the usual vibrating darkness, and then the familiar humming interrupted and revealed a vision.

  Rhuna saw a large crowd of dark-haired people cowering as darkness began to settle over them. On a stone platform above them stood the Dark Master in a flowing cloak with a dark hood. Rhuna saw that he had put black paint around his light eyes so that they appeared to shine unnaturally in the reflection of the torchlight he held. She watched as he began a performance of setting other torches alight around the primitive camp, throwing a sharp glance with his eerie eyes, or opening his hands towards the torches as if the light would spring from his fingertips. Each time a torch sprung alight, the frightened people screamed and prostrated themselves, then called out a monotonous chant to the Dark Master. Rhuna kept watching until all the torches were lit, and the people were all prostrated before him in silence. Then the Dark Master yelled and produced a dead animal from near his feet, which he threw into the crowd. The people scampered towards the carcass and carried it away to a nearby fire. Then the vision ended.

  Rhuna opened her eyes and thought about what she had seen. It was a disturbing scene, but she had remained calm, like a detached observer, throughout the vision. She went to the bathroom.

  “The Dark One still has people under his control,” announced Rhuna as she entered the bathroom. Tozar looked up from his bath and waited motionlessly. “I saw a vision. He frightened people by setting torches alight by his concentrated thought energies, and when they had lain down on the ground in front of him out of fear, he gave them a dead animal to eat,” said Rhuna.

  “You are tremulous,” observed Tozar. “You received this vision while practising Inside Focussing?”

  “Yes, but I concentrated on the Dark One’s activity because I wanted to know,” she said as she sat down near Tozar. He looked at her for a moment, then placed his hand on hers.

  “Is this knowledge worth the mental distress the vision causes?” asked Tozar. Rhuna then assured him that she was not so distressed, only agitated by the images she had seen, and that it might be important for the High Council to know these things.

  “Any information concerning the Dark One is important,” said Tozar, then squeezed her hand and said that she should accompany him to the High Council the next day to describe her vision.

  “It is as expected,” said Revealer of Brightness when Rhuna had described her vision to the members of the High Council. “He has found many vulnerable people beyond the Atlan borders where he flourishes unopposed.” The old man stopped and frowned. “Perhaps the extent of his Darkness spreads further than we anticipated. We have become complacent due to our ignorance of his continued existence and activities!”

  “Let us assist the Arawana and others who flee from his domain,” said Tozar. “It is an indirect action, and serves to enlighten the ignorant who were once under his Dark Influence.”

  “If we could only enlighten all the people he controls, it would take away his power over people” said Rhuna.

  “He would not tolerate such a situation!” snapped Revealer of Brightness. “However, the enlightening of those fleeing into Atlan territory remains the most prudent and beneficial course of action” he said nodding at both Rhuna and Tozar.

  The debate continued without a definite conclusion, and with anticipation what further reports might come from the Arawana settlement or other border regions where Atlan parties had been dispatched.

  The day of seasonal change arrived, and Rhuna prepared to leave home before sunrise, eager to attend a session at the Circle of Healing. She gave Tozar a happy cuddle and kiss as she left him in bed, and he said that he was glad she was in such a good mood that morning. Rhuna met Flower of the Field under a street torchlight near the center, and together they began a brisk walk to the Circle of Healing. As they walked, several other people joined them on the road out of the city, most of them also carrying a walking torch.

  When Rhuna and her teacher arrived at the site, several people were already waiting there, while others tended to several sick people who were stooped or sitting on nearby mounds. Rhuna was curious what kind of ailments they had, and she went around to look at them while they waited for others to arrive. Most of them were older people, but Rhuna noticed a young woman sitting awkwardly on a grassy mound.

  “What is your ailment?” asked Rhuna as she approached the young Atlan woman who appeared the same age as Rhuna.

  “Insufficient circulation in this leg,” she answered as she laid her hand on her outstretched left leg, “since an injury less than two solar cycles past.”

  “Is it painful?” asked Rhuna, trying to imagine the problem.

  “Yes, often,” nodded the woman. “It is heavy and rigid, and impedes walking.”

  Rhuna tried to imagine living with such a condition for any length of time, and then told the young woman she was confident that the earth energies would heal the condition. The woman replied that she hoped so because she had already tried the various herbal tinctures for her condition without much relief.

  In that moment, a deep voice began to
speak loudly to the gathered crowd, and Rhuna turned to see a Master with a long, light-coloured beard. She recognised him as one of the prominent healers of Atlán, but had never had the opportunity to speak to him. The healer beckoned the ailing ones to enter the circle and find a suitable position on the conductive stones in the middle. The young woman’s mother helped her daughter slowly walk inside the circle, and Rhuna walked close by.

  The healer looked at each patient and advised the best position for each one, either sitting or lying on or against the inner conductive stones. He recommended that the young woman sit in such a way that her left leg and hip were in contact with one of the lying stones, and told her to stand up as soon as he felt her leg regain normal sensations.

  “Is this important?” asked Rhuna when she sensed an urgency in the healer’s directions.

  “Yes. In cases of circulatory stimulation, it is vital that the patient receive only the necessary dosage of electro-magnetic impulses, else heart action failure may ensue,” the healer explained.

  Rhuna said she understood, then watched the healer advise some of the other ailing persons. There were seven people needing various treatments, and some were told to sit or lie on the stones until the healer told them to get up. When he had finished instructing the patients, he forcefully clapped his hands to alert everyone that the sun was rising, and that everyone not receiving treatment should leave the circle and gather outside the generator stones perimeter. Rhuna reminded the young woman to get up and leave as soon as she felt an improvement in her leg, and she nodded and smiled at Rhuna.

  Flower of the Field stood next to Rhuna as they stood a little way outside the generator stones perimeter, and watched as the pink line on the horizon grew in size and changed to a deep orange glow. Rhuna thought that everything was suddenly eerily quiet, and she held her breath. A humming sound began, and Rhuna assumed it came from the generator stones as they began collecting energy. As the sun’s rays began to emerge and lighten the eastern sky, the humming sound changed to a vibrating buzz, and Rhuna decided to step back further from the generator stones.

  The sun’s rays finally reached the generator stones, and the patients were covered in a soft pastel light. Rhuna had become slightly dizzy from the humming and buzzing sound which vibrated through her entire body, but remained still and watched the people in the circle. Before long, the young woman moved and slowly stood up. She walked out of the circle without a limp, but cautious each time her weight shifted to her left leg. Just as she reached the perimeter, the healer called out to another patient for him to also leave the circle. Rhuna kept watching, and before long, the vibrations suddenly ceased. Rhuna breathed a sigh of relief. The sun’s rays had bedecked the entire Circle of Healing, and only four patients remained seated or lying on the inner stones.

  The healer approached the four patients inside and spoke to them. Rhuna turned to Flower of the Field and told her that the vibrations were very loud.

  “You sensed vibrations?” she asked surprised.

  “Yes, they were very strong, and they made me feel dizzy and uncomfortable,” said Rhuna. “You didn’t feel anything?”

  “No, it is not common,” said Flower of the Field puzzled. Rhuna then explained that she often experienced such humming or vibrations when she was in one of the energy fields. Her teacher nodded thoughtfully.

  Rhuna approached the young woman who was still standing and touching her left leg. “Did you feel something?” Rhuna asked her.

  “I experienced a warm sensation along my entire leg and hip where I lay against the stone,” she answered. “Then my leg softened and my knee flexed easily.”

  Rhuna said she was very happy to see the good result, and she listened as the healer approached them and asked the young woman about her leg. He told her that the leg would feel weak for a few days, but that she should not favour it, rather walk gently and have several regular hot baths each day until the leg had completely recovered.

  Rhuna followed the healer as he spoke to the other patients, and took note of the advice he gave to each one. Flower of the Field also accompanied Rhuna and added further comments to complement the healer’s words and to explain other things Rhuna had seen that morning. Then they returned to the city, and Rhuna said she had never seen Atlán so beautiful as it glowed in the morning sunshine, twinkling and reflecting the sun’s changing light on its many windows and shiny metallic panels. She returned home feeling light and happy, and she told Tozar about the morning’s events with great enthusiasm.

  “Your passion excites me,” he said happily as he quickly embraced her, “however in your absence a messenger informed me of an urgent closed meeting of the High Council.” He looked at Rhuna. “Your presence is welcomed, though not required. Should you prefer to maintain your high spirits today...”

  Rhuna interrupted and said she wanted to attend the meeting, and that her afternoon lesson with Tamer of the Storm would put her in a good mood again. Tozar said he hoped this, and added that he expected the meeting to involve reports concerning the Dark Master.

  They walked silently to the High Council building which was bathed in warm sunshine. Its solid stone blocks and pyramid foundation gave Rhuna a sense of strength and security. Inside the small chamber, most High Council members had already assembled and carried a stern expression.

  “Disturbing reports from various parties in outlying regions,” began Revealer of Brightness when all the members had arrived and exchanged greetings. “Primarily, the reports concern the Arawana, however some active Arawana members have once more returned to their homeland to seek out others in different regions suffering difficult situations.”

  “This is somewhat unusual, is it not?” asked one of the members in the circle.

  “The nature of this people’s suffering is unusual,” answered Revealer of Brightness grimly. He breathed in deeply and continued. “By means of the Gazing of the Waters I am informed by the concerned party of the detailed oppression suffered by the Arawana, currently embarking on their walking journey southwards to Atlán. Our party has progressed in their inquiries of the Arawana’s fears and superstitions, and report severe and gruesome practices. In their homeland…under direction of their High Priest…the Arawana believe this one is empowered to create weather, water and food for their sustenance. To continually vitalize his power to sustain life… human infant lives were required by him, and many additional varied rituals. Some of these rituals include drinking hallucinatory substances and performing chants and hypnotically rhythmic dances, accompanied by unrestrained sexual activity leading to family breakdowns and miscarriages. Furthermore, some women were forced to drink a brew which caused their unborn child to abort, and the foetus given to the High Priest.” Revealer of Brightness paused and furrowed his brow. “They do not bury their dead, rather carry the cadaver around with them, sometimes removing only the head or hand of the deceased to accompany them.” There were a few muffled sounds of dismay and disgust from the High Council members. “This practice is based on their superstition that their deceased ancestors constantly watch them and either assist them or cause them harm when they are displeased in any way.”

  “This is shocking!” spat an older man from the circle. “These are practices introduced by the Dark One?”

  “Most certainly,” replied Revealer of Brightness. “The vision described by Keeper of Wisdom indicated the Dark One’s motives, namely the complete submission, obeisance and ritual observance by the people. This feeds his hunger for power, glory and superiority!” The old man begun to tug his long grey beard.

  “Are we not obligated to free these enslaved people under his control?” asked one of the other members. “He was once among us, he uses Atlan knowledge and skill to oppress and dominate…”

  “We are not responsible for his actions!” spoke the stout woman with greying hair.

  “Only we are empowered to act against him!” said another.

  “We can merely escape his assaults, as demonstrated
during the last solar cycle,” said Tozar.

  “Only his death shall release us all!” grumbled another older man from the circle.

  “Any action on our part may provoke him!” said another voice, and Rhuna remembered the retaliation the Dark Master used against her when he spoke his shocking message to her.

  “Our party in question shall have made similar deductions,” said Tozar grimly.

  “They are informed of the Dark One’s continued existence, yes,” responded Revealer of Brightness sharply. “However, it remains advisable to restrict this knowledge to only those in positions of responsibility, else the freedom and peace that the people of Atlán enjoy shall be deeply undermined.”

  “Very well,” said Tozar, “however, you mentioned reports from other outlying areas?”

  “Yes. Yet another group of people has emerged from beyond the Atlan borders, due to the scouting efforts of several men who desire all others in Darkness to find sanctuary in Atlan territories. This newly-found group bears resemblance to the Arawana, and is journeying westwards from the Xoratán area.”

  “An Atlan party has received them?” asked the stout woman in the circle.

  “Seer of Worlds summoned a vision of the group, enabling us to direct one of our parties to them. The groups shall meet within days, and our party shall direct them further into productive Atlan regions.”

  “What is the situation concerning the proposed site for the Arawana at a high altitude eight walking days from Atlán?” asked Tozar.

  “It is suitable, and a building layout according to Plant and Earth Harmony is taking place. The settlement has been named Chipka,” answered another woman from the circle.