Inner Voices: The Awakening

by Barry Alder

  The city itself seemed to be laid out in an organized manner, as though its growth was planned. Residential housing gave way to commercial enterprises, which eventually gave way to what appeared to be public offices.

  Jason was eager to start gathering information, but Pa’re had other plans. He took them to an inn just off the commercial district and procured three rooms.

  “Wait here,” he suggested, rather strongly, after they had unpacked in their rooms, “while I find a place to eat.”

  “Why?” asked Jason, somewhat galled.

  “To have you wandering about would only bring attention, something I believe you wish to avoid.”

  Jason was about to reply that they could look after themselves, but realized Pa’re was right. A group their size would be noticed.

  About an hour later, Pa’re returned.

  “I have found us a place to eat and hopefully gather the information you seek. It is in an area known for its many travelers and, I’ve been told, can be dangerous at times.”

  He turned to Lara and No’an.

  “I suggest you remain here. The proprietor has a small dining area below and you can eat there. I’m afraid it will be just too dangerous for the two of you to be about.”

  “Dangerous? In what way?” asked Lara.

  “Dangerous to us,” replied Jason calmly. “We stand out and others would take notice. I’m sure we’ve already been noticed by the people we’ve passed, but I hope we won’t be remembered. If we continue to go out together, I’m sure we will be.”

  No’an started to protest, but Pa’re cut him off before he could say a word.

  * * *

  From the outward appearances of the establishment, Jason expected a typical small town bar, and was startled by what he found.

  The place was well lit, with seats arranged around large circular tables. The tables had an opening to allow the servers to serve from the inside. The serving staff seemed to be equally made up of men and women, both sexes dressed very conservatively with heavy cloth aprons and long-sleeved shirts. He thought it was rather odd as the temperature was quite warm in there, and moved to ask Pa’re about it.

  Pa’re raised a hand to stop him and leaned toward them.

  “Do not speak here. They will wonder about your accent.”

  Both Jason and Peter nodded in agreement, and followed Pa’re as he led them to the only table that had space for all of them. As he sat, Pa’re murmured a greeting to the man to his right. When Jason sat down, the man to his left spoke the same greeting to him. He was momentarily alarmed before Pa’re spoke up.

  “I’m afraid my friends here cannot speak. They are new to our village and are currently studying under Mi’kol and are vowed to silence until their training is complete.”

  Everyone at the table nodded in understanding. Jason noted that even though Pa’re had not said exactly where they were from, they all seemed to know him and Mi’kol.

  Pa’re ordered food and drink for them, and commenced talking with their table partners. Although Jason had not briefed Pa’re on what information he wanted, Pa’re seemed to know that instinctively.

  The talk and discussion went on until quite late. The topic of the coming invaders gave everyone an opportunity to express what they knew, thought, or had heard “from a reliable source.” Although much was said, there was very little real information for Jason to digest and he left feeling disappointed.

  “Seems like that was a waste of time," Jason said. "Pa’re, do you know of any other places where we might get the information we need?”

  “I am sorry Jason,” he replied, “but that was our best chance. That inn is frequented by many travelers and sellers, and tonight it had as many as I have ever seen at one time. If we had any chance of getting the information, it was there.”

  “Surely there are other places?” Peter interjected. “Ones where they serve real drinks?”

  “I don’t understand,” replied Pa’re.

  “All that place seemed to serve were herbal teas. How about something with alcohol in it?”

  “Ah. Now I see,” Pa’re chuckled. “Those sort of drinks are not available here. The use of alcoholic drinks is just not common anymore.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding!” said Peter, astonished.

  “No. I do not joke about that. However I speak only of our culture and this area. There may be other places where the use of alcohol is common, but I do not know of any.”

  Peter was about to say something in retort, but Jason interrupted him.

  “So, Pa’re. We’ve come up empty-handed. But from what I’ve gathered, most of those people we sat with are not too concerned about the impending invasion.”

  “True. Many are wandering merchants and they will just move on. I have heard that some already have contacts with the Empire, but they are reluctant to make that knowledge public. Most of the rest are resigned to the inevitable change. Of the ones that remain, I do not know what they will do.”

  “Do you think we can talk with the ones who have contacts with the Empire?” asked Jason.

  “I do not know of any, and to go seeking them would only bring unwanted scrutiny on us. I do not believe it would be wise.”

  Jason had to agree. Right now, maintaining a low profile served them best, but he felt as though this part of the journey was a complete waste.

  “Perhaps I can help,” Lara said tentatively.

  Lara had been standing to one side of the room, away from the main conversation.

  “How so?” replied Jason.

  “Women generally speak a lot amongst themselves; and much of that is never heard by the men. Perhaps there are some women in the city who would have that knowledge.”

  Jason thought for a moment. It was a good idea, but it was also one fraught with danger.

  “It would be just as dangerous as if we did it. I don’t think it is worth the risk.”

  “As do I,” said No’an emphatically. “It’s much too dangerous for you.”

  “You are not my keeper, No’an, and I am willing to take the risk.”

  “The risk is not just yours, Lara,” replied Jason. “The risk is in exposing all of us. If anyone found out what we were looking for, it would not take them long to figure out that we intend to defend ourselves. Right now, the only advantage we have is surprise. We may have other advantages, but until I know what they are, I have to assume the Empire is much more powerful than us, and that they may already have spies here trying to find out what our place has.”

  Lara was saddened that she had not thought of that. Jason seemed to have much knowledge that was so foreign to her, and to think in such strange terms. At times it scared her, like now. Still, she thought, I can accomplish what they cannot. Whether or not this was false bravado or a realistic statement, she would only find out later, but right now she felt it was true.

  “I agree with Jason,” No’an continued, “and I do not want to see anything happen to you.”

  There was fear etched on No’an’s face. Everyone in the room could see it clearly, but only Lara spoke.

  “No’an. I know you are infatuated with me and that you love me. But you are not my keeper. I understand your feelings, but this is the path of my choosing. Have faith. Things will turn out as they are supposed to.”

  No’an seemed to accept Lara’s words, but Jason detected an undercurrent that hinted at rebellion. He felt No’an had heard this all before and that he was just putting up with an old speech.

  “Lara,” Jason spoke softly. “Like it or not, this is my mission and you are not going.”

  Jason had expected anger in response to his order, but Lara just gave a small chuckle and smiled.

  “You still have much to learn of our ways, Jason. No one here is really in charge. We accompanied you as equals, as we do with everything. I am not bound to your requirements any more than you are bound to mine. Whether I go or not is solely my decision and unless you have other reasons you wish to share for my not goi
ng, my decision stands.”

  Jason was taken aback by this, not so much in what she said but how she said it, almost in a manner like you would tell a child.

  “I see I don’t have any choice in this,” he said solemnly. “When will you go?”

  “You always have a choice,” Lara replied. “No matter what the situation, there are always choices. You must… No, I’m sorry, you should, always keep an open mind. No matter how bleak the situation appears, the choices are there if you allow yourself to see them.”

  She paused to observe Jason’s reaction. When she saw nothing, she continued.

  “I’ll go in the morning. The market is near here and that may prove fruitful.”

  Pa’re let out a loud chuckle at that, obviously catching the double entendre, whether it was intended as such or not. There had been a tension building and now it was gone. Jason was amazed at how easily Lara had turned a potentially dangerous confrontation around. The more he learned about her, the more he admired her.

  * * *

  Peter paced anxiously about the room.

  “Relax,” Jason suggested.

  Both he and Pa’re were seated, patiently waiting for Lara’s return. Despite last night’s discussions, No’an had insisted on accompanying Lara and, after some discussion between them, had finally gotten her agreement. They had been gone for about two hours now, and Jason was beginning to get a bit anxious himself. He wondered how Pa’re could remain so calm and unmoving for so long.

  Jason almost flew out of his chair when he heard Lara’s and No’an’s footsteps on the stairs. Peter already had the door open when they arrived.

  “Well?” Peter asked anxiously.

  “Unfortunately we were only a bit more successful than you,” Lara replied. “As Pa’re stated last night, most people are resigned to what is coming and are taking whatever actions they feel will keep them from being noticed too much. We did learn, however, that an advance party of the Empire is only about seventy miles from here. It’s in a small town at the crossroads of some trading routes. Apparently there is an emissary from the Empire negotiating with the townspeople. He is accompanied by a number of troops. I don’t know how many there are, but there are more than the town could possibly defend itself against. But the main body of troops are farther back and won’t arrive for some time.”

  “Not a lot,” Jason said slowly, rubbing his hand over his mouth, “but good information.”

  Lara smiled at his comment, pleased with her efforts.

  “Boss. Why would they send in a negotiator?” Peter asked. “Why not just march into the place and take over?”

  “That’s easy, Peter. If the town agrees to be taken over peacefully, then there is no need for bloodshed. Both sides win, and it’s much more likely that the town will be treated better. If the town resists, then the advance force can hold it until the occupation forces arrive and it’s very likely that a number of the townspeople will die.”

  “Good tactic,” grunted Pa’re.

  “I didn’t know you were a student of war,” Jason replied sarcastically, turning to Pa’re.

  “I’m not. I was referring to the idea of allowing the people a choice in the outcome of events. But I do understand what you’ve said.”

  “And what do you think?” continued Jason.

  “That would depend on whether I was on the giving or receiving end. As it appears we will be on the receiving end, and that we have already made our decision to resist, I think we can expect some of us to die.”

  Pa’re had replied in a rather indifferent manner, as though the thought of death meant nothing to him. This bothered Jason.

  “Are you so cold as to not care if any of you are killed by this decision?”

  “Not cold. Just accepting. We are all born and we will all die. The length of our life and the manner of our death are largely beyond our knowing, but that does not change the fact that it will occur.”

  “Pa’re is right,” Lara added, “But while we may not know those things, we all want our time here to be happy and pleasant, as much as our path allows.”

  Jason was at a loss. These people had awakened him and his team and yet it seemed that they really didn’t care one way or another how things turned out. Anger rose in him. He could understand Pa’re’s position. He had opposed their awakening, but he didn’t understand Lara’s. To him, she now seemed detached from the whole situation, indifferent to the imminent death of their way of life and to some of them personally.

  “Let me get this straight,” he said menacingly. “You’re concerned that your way of life will be ‘inconvenienced’ by the Empire?”

  Lara could see that Jason was extremely upset by the way the conversation had turned. She looked to Pa’re and No’an. Their faces indicated that they saw this too. Even Peter seemed upset by the tone of Jason’s question.

  “It is more than that, Jason,” she replied softly, “Much more. But I do not know how to convey that to you right now. You have had so little time to learn about us, and that is what you need to do to completely understand.”

  She paused for a moment, trying desperately to collect her thoughts so that she might tell Jason what he needed to know.

  “We are all one with the universe, and everything that happens is what the universe has determined would happen. We know the universe only wants the best for us at our spiritual level, so we accept whatever comes our way. But we do have a choice in all matters, and that allows us to choose a path that is not necessarily in our best interests. The universe allows this because no matter which path we take, we will eventually accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves before we arrived here.

  “You see, we are not just human bodies. We are spiritual beings using the bodies to learn and experience. We know this to be true and allow ourselves to be open to any experience that comes to us, not just the good ones. This way of ours is something we believe everyone should hear about. After that, they can decide if they wish to use it or not. This is the reason we want to maintain our current way of living; to teach others. So you see. No matter what happens, it is not something we feel is bad.”

  Lara finished, but felt frustrated. She suspected her reply had not clarified anything for Jason, but she did not have the words to explain further.

  How do you explain in words what can only be felt and experienced, she thought.

  “When we return,” she continued, “we should see Mi’kol. He will be able to tell you better.”

  Jason wasn’t satisfied with her response, but wasn’t willing to push it either. He sensed she was as frustrated as he was with her answer, and that she was struggling to impart information that was so basic to her that she had never thought of putting it into words. He let the matter drop.

  “Then we return now,” he said abruptly, trying to hide his anger but not entirely succeeding.

  * * *

  The trip back was quiet. Only Lara and No’an spoke, usually apart from the rest and only to each other. There was a palatable tension in the air that everyone noticed.

  Lara did something she had not done since she was a small child. She worried. She worried about what the soldiers would do, now that their quest for information had failed. She worried they might abandon them and leave them to the whims of the Empire. But what she worried about the most, and this seemed very strange to her, was how Jason was feeling. She felt as though she had stepped outside her life. Ever since she had approached the cave to waken the soldiers, her life had not gone as she had expected. What had been a relatively peaceful and predictable life had been overturned. Uncertainty and unforeseen changes had become commonplace and she was not sure she could handle them, despite her beliefs and training. Even the familiar companionship of No’an had changed. And so she worried.

  Chapter 5

  Ka’tel arranged for a general village meeting as soon as he heard of the party’s return. He knew this was going to be a pivotal point in the village’s existence and wanted to include everyone in t
he decision. Jason hadn’t expected to have the whole village present when he outlined his plan for them, and was concerned that having so many people present would cause his presentation to become too unwieldy with questions.

  As he stood in front of the gathered crowd, it seemed every person in the village was present and all were obviously intent on hearing him. There were a few hushed conversations going on as he looked over the meeting area. Ka’tel and the other village elders were seated to his left. He looked to Ka’tel, waiting for him to start the meeting. Ka’tel gave him a nod, indicating that he should proceed.

  He stood and waited for the murmurs to stop. Very quickly, all eyes were on him.

  “You woke us to defend your village, and for the past couple of weeks we’ve been gathering information on how best to do that. On the good side, your village is located in an area that provides many natural defenses. The only problem I see is the path through the mountains.”

  He looked over the crowd to see their reactions. So far, they seemed interested, but he had not yet told them anything they didn’t already know.

  “That path will be where we make our stand. In order to defend the village, we’ll need to maintain control over the pass. To do that, we need to restrict the pass even more.”

  He saw that more than a few of the people in the audience were concerned about this. Still, no matter what they thought, he had to continue.

  “We need to build a barrier across the path, one that will be strong enough to survive any attack by the Empire. In short, we need to isolate ourselves from the other side of the mountain.”

  He noticed a few nods of agreement amongst the crowd. That was a good sign. He had not alienated all the villagers.

  “But that’s only the first step. Once the barrier is up, we’ll need to constantly monitor the other side. A barrier by itself will only delay the invasion for a short time. And we’ll need to actively defend any attempts by the Empire to breach the barrier.”

  So far, so good, he thought. There had been no active protests although there were still many villagers who had a look of concern on their faces.

  “My team is not big enough to tackle that job by ourselves. We need to have you be part of the effort.”

  Now even Ka’tel looked worried. Jason knew he had to explain himself further or he would completely lose the backing of the villagers.