Chapter Six

Trees taller than the eye could see at its base. The tree tips only visible from afar earned its name with honestly; The Pikes. Beautiful to behold from a distance, yet a bog between her majestic trunks and a place of eerie misery. Many claimed it haunted and a place for no man. But this day, one walked it calmly and with purpose, but without rushing. To behold him move was almost beyond comprehension, for his feet never appeared to actually touch the ground, but rather hovered slightly above. Creatures foul to man gave him passage without warning or threat. The massive trees looked down to him approvingly and kept its denizens quiet in respect. It was a welcome given to only two people in all of time. Others entering were given warning and even more found it to be their last resting place. At its center, the largest of the trees, mother to all the others dropped leaves to welcome him. Beyond all, she knew him well for his hands and placed her seed within the ground and nurtured her for years beyond counting.

Before her planting, it was an even harsher ground, burned dead in the blood of ancients and creatures no longer existing in all of Terra. While nothing else seemed to grow well, the Pikes had taken root in the iron rich soil and sprouted high to the clouds. In all the time they had been alive, this was his first time to take something from them. Yet the Mother of Trees understood and still welcomed him. For it too, was given by him, for it was his right to take it back.

The man wrapped in leather with no other possessions, stopped at the Mother Trees base, kissed his hand and placed the kiss upon her trunk. The warmth of his hand flowed like life through her from her roots to her heavy canopy top. A faint tremor welcomed the touch and she dropped more leaves to his upward face, a smile wide across it. She bid him well and he understood. For more than a hundred years he visited her in silence, yet today he spoke.

“It must be done, I know you are aware. I speak for my own redemption; to hear myself say it. The brother and sister have chosen; the Boh Madrin has been given truth. Had I never written it this could have been forestalled?” He laid his head heavily against her soft bumpy bark. His burden shot through her like a fire. The earth shook suddenly beneath his feet as his toes grazed the dirt gently. “Forgive me.” He pleaded softly as he took his face from her skin and his toe lifted from the dirt.

“Why do you talk as if she needed your voice?” A young female voice questioned as her young and slender body melded from another tree near him. “Your spirit is like the sun exploding. None here could feign not to hear it or sleep through it.”

“Have you ever heard a sun explode?” Amadagu questioned as he turned to her.

“No but neither have you. Besides, I can imagine how loud it will be.” She answered with a smile.

“No death is as loud as life. The desire to be, will be heard.”

“Then none must wish to be more than you Ama.” She saw how his eyes were trying to avoid her. She had never seen him this way. Always his look pierced through a person, seeing what they hid, what they feared and often what they wanted.

“Why do you ask Her forgiveness when it is me you wish to take from here?” She questioned with a frown deep upon her brow. She moved directly in front of him, looking up to find his eyes. “Is it not my forgiveness you should ask?”

His eyes snapped to hers. He felt her spirit retreat against his although she did not physically move. “You were never a part of the Pikes; it is not you who were asked to accept. I will need your forgiveness, but it will not be for this. You simply must do as I say.” He put his hand gently over her lips as she moved to speak. “Elidra many events have come to be. It is time to listen and then do as I say.”

“You shouldn’t call her ‘the Pikes’, its cold and it’s not her language.” She moved her eyes from his.

“Listen carefully my blood,” he began ignoring her attempt to change the subject. “Long before the Pikes were so strong and vast, before the Dragonspine rose to the clouds and before the Lowlands knew man, I wrote words in a fever.”

“I know of the prophecy of the Boh Madrin.” Elidra looked away as she spoke, trying to keep from his gaze. “You wrote of the war between Xhuri and Rhiya through their peoples. Of a great danger that would cast the sibling Gods from the land of man, destined to exist only if man wished them to.”

“You paraphrase too much.” He stated with his own frown

“The spirit of man is strong and violent, but still best left to man. In all things there must be a natural order.” She found confidence in her words as she saw the truth in them. Elidra listened to all things around her as she had been taught. When she found truth, she immediately latched to it and found a protective nature in it.

“Some men should never be, there are always exceptions. If the siblings wish man to decide their fate, they are welcome to it. That is not where my concern is. My concern is for all of man.” Amadagu spoke softer. “Long ago I became a steward of man and decided to let the Gods be in their childish games. By them both naming champions, they have pit terrible powers against each other.”

“Then simply go kill them both and be done with it. When they die, if what you wrote is true, they power of the Gods over man dies with them. In which man will be free of them.” Elidra stated plainly.

“Ah, but therein lays the problem. Without a purpose beyond ourselves, man is destined to have no will to do anything at all. The cruelest of ties.” He stated.

“Then the spirit of man is not as strong as so many believe and they are deserving of no better.” Her words were cruel and quick.

“It is time for you to return to your fellow man. I will escort you to Hammerhold, my own birth city. They will welcome you there.”

“You weren’t born in a city.” She interjected with excitement in her eyes.

“I was born there before the city was built, but that isn’t the point. You will be welcomed there. I will not return for a long time after; until I am sure you have learned what is needed. But before I do, a strong young man will take the city so quickly, no one will be able to react. This is the man you will take in ceremony as your own and bear his children. From his veins flows a power blood, like yours.”

“Will I return to the Pikes?” She questioned, tears suddenly in her eyes.

“Never, for the Pikes will all but die. And before that, your spirit will return to the light.” He closed his eyes as he wiped her tears from her cheeks.

The woman closed her eyes as new tears fell from her eyes upon her cheeks. The memory so clear and was still so painful. A larger and younger hand wiped away her tears and waited silently for her to open her eyes. Her husband and soon to be the father of her child, Vrok Mortalis, the man Amadagu had told her of so long ago, came to her as he stated. Calming her breathing, Elidra opened her eyes to find his hard, yet caring before her.

“You are the Timewalker’s daughter? In the almost year since we have met, you share this now? Why?” He questioned softly.

“I don’t know for certain. It seems I need to tell you now. He oft called me his blood, so I believe I am his relation in some way.” Elidra kept her eyes locked to his and could see something of it bothered him. “Will you cast me aside now? Knowing our child may contain his blood?”

“The child is of my blood and yours. Our child, that is what I care about. But many things will be changed to this.” His eyes were intense and he suddenly stood. “I have no real love for the Timewalker, but I didn’t think you should understand why, before our child is born.

Vrok walked to his private chest and pulled a parchment from it. It was starting to show age and had obviously been unrolled many times. The edges were starting to fray and several spots had discoloration.

“I was visited by the Timewalker and given this.” Vrok handed her the document and waited for her to read it.

‘What does a man do when there is no fighting left? What do we do when there is nothing to fight for, when all wars are fought and won or lost? Man has found themselves in the position once, twice, a hundred, thousands of times? How many times have we known peace? True peace, no war, on direction, one focus and one need, we have been there haven’t we?

This is the question I am plagued with as time continues. The lands have known peace, they have known safe harbor and they have known joy. That is indeed the word for it; joy. Complete and simple, no complications, no false directions, just joy.

I have walked the lands more than most, but still less than others. Those I have walked the lands less than have long since disappeared. Long since moved on, as I supposed I should have. Walking those lands has meant choosing a side here and there. Just to help this one or that one as they worked toward another or new peace. What was the greater good in that? What was the overall purpose? That too I often ask only to find justification in the world I now live in. Always trusting, often blindly, in that one or this one. Searching text older than could be imagined for the true answer, the true God, the true universe in which we live.

Is all of this to some greater purpose? This fanciful idea that often keeps my motivation high and watching. Too many signs I have seen that followed a peace that lead right back to a war, each one more bitter than the next. Each one finding new ways to destroy their enemies. Religion has been blamed, science, magic, nature and always this individual or that individual. Never once was the real blame placed on the real source. Our primal origins; this could be the only answer. Only those that know all the paths such things take can arrive to this answer. In being this is the answer, it is always destined, for the lack of a better phrase to repeat. How can it not? Each previous answer is long forgotten before a new one takes place. Languages gone, faded or bastardized into something completely new and not even a glimmer of what it was. In this same passage of time I have watched the lands transform, more often than not due to the wars that birthed such changes in a violent and far too often deadly nature.

I have seen this circle four times now, over a period of time well beyond years fathomable. Watching the calendar itself re-written seven times in my existence. Yes the stages of the cycle have always the same, always one constant; nature, magic, science, individual, religion.

I have been written about in more history books than I could count and unfortunately foretold about in far too many religious sects. But there is one name that has stood the test of time. The name they have given me has an example in every religion, every tome, every prophecy, every ‘vision’; Timewalker. If my name is to give credence to anything, let it give credence to this; we are entering the fourth stage of the fourth cycle. Amongst this peace, one man or one woman will create a rift and rise to lead that rift. Another will rise to fight this, eventually. In the end, it will give birth to a new religion and thus the cycle will start again.

Why do I write this when I have seen this over and over again? Because each time I am hopeful we will learn and it will end.’

Elidra handed it back to Vrok and sat in silence, never taking her eyes from him as he put it back.

“Once I received this, the Timewalker left without further words. I was nine. The very next day we received word our sister clans were dead by an unknown force. I made a decision at that exact moment that has been the meaning to my life.” He explained to Elidra as he stood beside the chest. “I had gifts and many were uncomfortable around me. I found others like me, learned from them and returned home. I knew I would bring the Empire to being and I would find this other chosen and eliminate them to insure the travesty spoke of didn’t come to pass.”

“You believe, and I with you, that you will bring a peace unknown before this time.” She moved to his side and took his hands into hers. Pulling him gently to their bed, she whispered into his ear. “By your hand my Grace, the Ministry and its evil will fall and the people will love and honor you for it.”

As they reached the bed, she pulled her hands from his and slipped from her silken gown. A smile was side upon her lips as she watched his eyes take in her form before him. Quickly he pulled the skins from his shoulders and pushed her down, pressing his lips hungrily to hers. Elidra met the warmth of his mouth with hers, pressing hard for more of him. As she felt Vrok’s hands caress her breasts, she widened her legs to accept him. Her hands dug deeply into his skin, her nails leaving deeps scratches down his back and sides.

“My Grace, my breath and my life, take me. I am yours in this world and beyond.” She whispered into his ear as she pulled on his lobe with her teeth. She gasped as he was suddenly in her.

Closing eyes and arching her back, she screamed his name and cried out for more of him. Her skin felt afire with is touch and kisses as his fervor continued to intensify. Gentle caresses turned to animalistic gropes and pulls. Vrok’s fingers were tight around her hair, pulling Elidra harder into him. Again his mouth was upon hers, threatening to engulf her breath into his own. She felt her own powers beckoning to his. As their wills met, Elidra was washed in their powers. Both wills were giving and taking while intensifying their love making. She felt all his emotions, desires and needs as she felt hers pass to him. Elidra was lost in the act, drunk with it. From deep within her she felt powers not familiar grow intense and hot. The sound of a thundering lightning bolt filled her head, yet she felt no pain. It filled her with joy and pleasure beyond anything she had ever known. Elidra knew she was yelling out in pleasure, but she was surprised to hear Vrok’s own voice filled with ecstasy. She felt his shudder as Vrok collapsed beside her, pulling her close to him.

“There is no power than the two of us.” Vrok proclaimed to her as his eyes closed. Elidra nodded in agreement, but she was still blanketed in the power she felt return to her not a moment before. In this she knew the truth and welcomed it. The land of man would bleed and bleed heavily. But through it, they would find peace. But first the Ministry must fall and the other chosen must be found. If not, Elidra knew her children would be in jeapordy.

Quickly her thoughts moved to Amadagu and the Mother Tree. The Timewalker had been wrong, she would indeed see the Mother Tree again. She had to, but she knew the Mother Tree was more than the first tree of the Pikes. There was a mystery hidden in the Pikes and it was just out of her reach. It had been so long since she lived in the Pikes amongst the Mother Tree and her children. They would tell her the secret, they had to, for her child, still growing in her would need to know the Pikes like she did.

“Vrok, I must visit the Pikes.” She looked at his face as it was drifting to sleep.

“Will it give you happiness? Will it put an end to your sleepless nights and your wonderings?” He questioned behind closed eyes.

“I would not ask if I didn’t feel some connection to it my Grace.” Elidra responded. Stunned that he knew of her nights after she was so sure he had been soundly asleep.

“Then it shall be. When will we go?”

“I wish to go alone. I must speak with the Mother Tree.” She said her next words carefully. “She has something I must have before our child is born. In this safety for our children will be secured.”

“Then you must go at once.” Vrok stated as he drifted to sleep.

If he said more Elidra didn’t hear it. Quietly she shifted from his arms and sat naked beside him. Humming softly her form began to shimmer and take a new shape. A soft white fur with leopard spots covered her body. Her eyes took a deeper black as she took to four legs beside the bed. Her head was filled with the sound of the lightning bolt as the air around her compressed. Elidra’s new form was complete. With new eyes, she surveyed the room and took in the smells through acute nostrils. The smell of Vrok filled her with longing. If she could have him take her again, she would. But she had to return to the Mother Tree. With a sudden leap, she left the room and landed on a heavy branch. Tremendous agility filled her limbs and she bound limb from limb as Tova quickly faded behind her. Her legs were strong and swift as the cold wind pushed against her face. She had kept this secret from Vrok, but first she had to understand. Elidra could not understand the tie, but she knew there was something.

While she was living among woods of the mother tree, she was apart yet distant. No creature would threaten her, but none would allow any closeness. She could understand their thoughts and knew they didn’t feel her as a human. But they didn’t treat her like they treated the Timewalker either. Elidra couldn’t help but wonder if she echoed like he did when she walked amongst them. She couldn’t imagine being that loud or that intrusive. This too she would have to share one day with Vrok. But there was an attachment she felt should be there that wasn’t. A distance, similar to the one she felt for the mother tree. It was the same distance she felt for everyone, even her son. But Amadagu it was different. That distance wasn’t there, no matter how much she wanted it to be there. That was what she needed to know. Was she of his blood? Were they the same?

Elidra couldn’t shake the feeling the mother tree would know. The Timewalker stated she couldn’t go back, yet she was going there. She had to know what he was keeping from her. The mother tree had to know, why else would it have kept her. All those years and so many seasons passing as if nothing else in the world existed. Each only punctuated by the visits of Amadagu.

Elidra’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the primal scent of a wolf filled her beastly nostrils. Animal desire threatened to overcome her, to hunt the wolf. Focusing she pressed on, keeping her eyes on the lush snow covered canopy of the Pikes beckoned her. The wolf she smelled, stopped to watch her and suddenly howled, calling out to her. Had she seen the face, she would have seen the tear that fell from its snout.