Fontaine Beachhead

 

Vesti let her hand casually fall to her side as the last of the seeds dropped into their fleeting ripples. The witch had steadily let them go from her palm, watching as they sank softly in the flowing water, watching as they disappeared beneath shimmering circles expanding on the pane. They looked so minuscule against the wide current, but she knew holistically the magic would work. Whatever would transpire in the coming days would be blessed by the river's power, and this intention; these seeds given to the flow of the world. Ritual was important to her. It lent power to life because of the intention imparted in the acts, intuitive confidence stemming from knowledge of its power. She never considered whether her magic had an effect, but performed the spells and ceremonies knowing they were effective.

There had been a growing military presence around the river lately. Local troop exercises along the Winniaska were not unusual, but Vesti had felt a greater sense of unease than expected, especially west of here, where the river, passing around long bends, led into a series of gorges and tall urbanized waterfalls. Near to those metro areas along the river loomed the military fort, a sprawling complex above the north banks. Vesti stood on the south shore of the river, looking across the water at placid trees and farmland. No sound or sight out there gave clue to the situation. Trying as she was to read the signs, she could not quite tell what might be coming. There was only a feeling in the back of her mind, as if something had been left undone, some unknown window left open.

A sound entered the river landing, and Vesti turned to see another couple of black speeders enter the clearing. They came to a stop at the height of the beachhead and dismounted, walking towards the little group by the water. She had initially been put on alert, but saw that these soldiers did not bear the green hand-and-star that she had seen during her trip to the river. These had the same red and leaping mountain lion as the Commandant.

The meeting of the fort commander had been a bit of a surprise, as Riannath had come to the riverbank with an unlikely traveling partner. Among the squad of armored troops, Davai's brown cloak had stood out immediately. Vesti had rejoiced at the reunion with her old school friend, and enjoyed meeting Riannath as well. The military woman was surprisingly conscientious, and exuded an almost strange air of peacefulness along with her authority.

“Excellent, Geordi's arrived.” The Commandant inclined her head to address the approaching lead figure. “What news from your scouting Captain? How fare's the river valley?”

Geordi and his team stopped in front of Riannath and exchanged a salute with their commander. “Andrus has mobilized, for sure. We saw numerous patrols west of this point, doubtless it is worse on the other side of the river. The high bridge over the Gorge was under heavy watch.”

Riannath's look sharpened. “Could you tell what their business was? Were all of them really looking or waiting for me? You're right, it doesn't sound like the usual deployment.”

“You know better than anyone that these aren't normal movements ma'am. As far as Elgheny is concerned, you left the base under suspicion. It doesn't matter that you are the Commandant, he will have brought in help from the Imperium, and likely has turned the rest of the base against you by now.”

Vesti looked from the guard captain and back to Riannath. “I encountered quite a few such patrols on my way here from Jericho. They all bore different marks than your men do Commandant. Green hands reaching for the stars. I had to travel through some wild places just to avoid one of their checkpoints.”

“Then it is true.” Riannath turned her gaze out across the water to the far bank with its placid trees. “There are higher authorities, and powerful groups who do not want public acknowledgment of how the world is changing. They want to keep the understanding and power for themselves. This mobilization is Andrus' doing, but he has played his hand too early. I have done nothing outwardly to warrant this response. I will have my base and command returned.”

Davai could feel tension in the air, like a slight electricity underlying their words and movements. He realized though that the tension in the air was from more than their conversation, and at the same time realized that he had come to the awareness too late. The Commandant continued, “We will regroup d–” and was cut off by a blast from the nearby woods and an explosion where the speeders were parked. Whirling around, Davai saw that Vesti had gone from the bank, the spot where she had been standing wet with river-water.

Riannath had been about to discuss a possible fortification along the river when the attack actually came. It was like the compressed time of a dream, where the planning and preparation for a thing runs right into the middle of it happening. She turned to see the destruction of the speeders at the same time as she was directing the others to the nearby embankment. Geordi was right beside her, weapon hot and giving sparse fire back at the bushes to cover their retreat. Upon destroying their transports, the unseen enemy had attempted to shoot off their escape, firing into the sand. Riannath's crew were too quick though, and soon everyone had gotten to cover. They crouched by the side of a small ravine that held an inlet from the river. Behind them through the earthen bank they could hear the rumble of a military LDT entering the landing pad a short distance away. Soon the entire river landing would be swarming with Imperial troops.

In the situation, there were two things in which the Commandant found extreme fortune. One was the skill and training of her squad. They had responded to the threat with lighting speed, protecting the body of themselves while also firing back to maintain a line of engagement. Over the course of the retreat the whole guard had regrouped and not lost a single soldier to the surprise attack.

The second thing was the presence among them of a real witch, and a powerful one at that, though Riannath had little experience of their kind. Vesti had sensed something in advance of any of them. Though she did not have the confidence of vision to warn the others, Vesti had begun early on during her time by the river to tap into its energy. She had felt the water, deep beneath her feet, flowing and strong in its unyielding obstinance of force. She had let her own energy be embraced by that depth, holding the cord within herself so that she could pull that energy up for use; to flow with it as needed rather than be swept away in its current. She knew the methods of harmonizing with natural energy, and so her movements became precise and flowing, with no danger coming near to her being. Riannath was sure their should have been more casualties from the attack.

Ducking into safety, Davai had hardly been able to wonder where Vesti was, when he saw Geordi and the others helping her to ready a boat docked in the little cove. Once the troops had commandeered the vessel, the witch set herself in the prow, speaking words under her breath. All aboard, they sped out into the wide current, turning upstream to flee the landing. No sooner had they entered the open river, a horn sounded from the downstream side. A water patrol came right at their heels, the fast cruiser threatening to quickly overtake them. Vesti saw this and bent down towards the water, speaking some gentle, loving words. When she straightened in her seat, the river seemed to swell under their boat, and the current behind them picked up speed. The patrol cruiser seemed to have difficulty overcoming the flow of the river, and for a little while at least they were able to outrun their pursuers.

Kae-ri's Claim

 

They reached the settlement of Theron-Dean right before sunset. It had been a long day of traveling, with most of it downhill. The van's pace slowed in the afternoon, as the road pitched more steeply into a deep gap in the mountains. They traversed open rock slabs with great care, the repulsars having to catch at every little nick in the surface for traction. The surrounding sights of this treacherous road were beautiful though. At times during the day the sunlight would slant golden through the spruce and fir branches high above, intermittently lighting a world of mossy rock and fen.

Ayleah had seen so many wondrous places along the journey so far, drinking them in with her senses. They had passed through open grassy villages that seemed to rest high on the doorsteps of clouds. There had been dark stunted glades that pulsed with magic, and meadows so sweet the air seemed full of rainbows even in the clear day. Their seasoned driver guided the van safely across all terrain, even as they descended now and then through boulder-filled clefts in the mountain. Woodland hamlets sprouted here and there, often near some spring, or an outlook to the east or west. The ridge lay mostly within low clouds though, so there were no proper views of the valleys below. The whole world up here existed as a green corridor traversing through glowing white mist. It was only late in the day that the sky cleared.

As evening grew closer, the road grew darker and it seemed twilight had come upon them quickly. Looking up though, it was evident that the hour was still early enough, for the sky shone blue between the trees. The group could tell there would be a good view at the village; the road had simply passed onto the east side of the ridge where the sun had already set. Another few bends in the trail brought them to the sun again and the cliff-side township of Theron-Dean. A dual settlement that enveloped an outcropping at the north end of Stark Mountain; the large village had originally formed as two settlements, but unified into one township as the area developed. Theron's Outlook had been a small woodland hamlet settled by mystics drawn to the far views found among the spruce thickets. Below the rocks of the lookout though, the deep and dark Dean Cave had long been the focus of a rural mining town. The miners still oversaw much of the life below the precipice, and a lingering divide in the community was as evident as the bridge that connected Dean Cave to the overlook above. However, the two communities had a mutual appreciation for the beauty of their location, and shared their luck at least in that agreement. The contrasting influences of culture created a rich tapestry of qualities for the small town.

The small group headed for the local travelers offices to check in for the night, and Ayleah's eye was drawn to the clifftop opening. The view really was quite stunning. The sun had just begun to set out beyond the cliff's edge, painting the sky in myriad orange and purple-blues. It was a beautiful location for a village. The township stood on a small shelf, sheltered by dark evergreens that tinted gold at this time of day. Sunrise would probably have a similar effect, she thought, considering the cliff looked more north than west. Despite how wild and rough it is up in a place like this, she felt it must be wonderful to live here and see it change by the hours and weather. Ayleah was grateful her visit included such a nice sunset.

Check-in having been completed, the driver led them to a small encampment clearing where they set up for the night. Once everyone had briefly settled in, they proceeded to a nearby tavern for supper. It was now fully evening, and the sun had set below the horizon, but the sky still radiated fire among its purple hues. As they crossed the square, Ayleah was struck again by the sight from the cliff. Now she felt mildly disoriented though, because it seemed her sense of direction was off. She must have been mistaken about the direction of the lookout, because there now the sun was setting behind mountains directly in the middle of view. Streaks of fire painted the woods below as last bits of light gasped somehow over the hills from the hidden orb, contrasting almost too much with the darkening sky.

Now she furrowed her brow because she had been right. The sun never set behind those mountains. In all her time on the ridge it had been far further to the left, out over the valleys. Now it seemed too bright, the rays should have faded by now. The gleam had such an intensity that the view had drawn the attention of others nearby. Heln and Fen stopped in their tracks and turned to gaze at the strange glowing view. It was now such that the sun seemed to have set among the hills; nestled itself into the folds of land, controlling its fire as best it could. The light had begun to shift, its beams moving and flaking too much for natural sunlight in any case. The color master set his feet and looked braced but carefully studious, as if readying himself for combat. The look of curiosity in Heln's eyes had never been greater, but his muscles showed he was ready for whatever may come as well. Ayleah stepped forward towards the outlook clearing. The sunlight seemed to be drawing nearer and coalescing as its rays reached closer and closer reflecting points. Just when it became too bright and close for them to see, its approach halted, illuminating just the edge of the cliff. Out there, she saw a delicate foot step from the light, from nowhere, down onto the the rock. She wasn't sure if anyone else had seen.

By the time Kae-ri fully materialized, the being stood right before them on solid ground. The light had subsided to a warm glow about their skin. Fen and Heln (and the few others who remained standing nearby) had relaxed their expressions into ones of pure awe. The elemental took no notice of this, and gave only a passing, though friendly, acknowledgment of Ayleah, who had been standing ready for the meeting. Instead they walked right to the color-master and his apprentice, and held out a hand for greeting.

“Hello, good sir Golbein, pleased I am to make your acquaintance at last.”

Fen seemed utterly disarmed by the frank approach. “Th-the honor is all mine!” he managed to say, gingerly and curiously taking the elemental's hand.

Kae-ri then turned with a happy smile to Heln, clasping their hands together in a warm gesture. Heln's own hand that had been tentatively about to reach out dropped to his side.

“My dear Heln,” Kae-ri began, “I am so glad to meet you in body, finally. I am sorry for the long-time distress my interest in you may have been causing.”

They may have been saying more, but Heln had become distracted by the state of his mentor beside him. Upon releasing Kae-ri's hand, Fen Golbein had found himself enveloped in a sort of cocoon of light that suspended him a few inches above the ground. Once inside, he began to experience the most sensational visual patterns and colors, more beautiful and intricate than any he had ever seen in his life. The effect was beyond distracting and indeed almost overwhelming, as unceasing as it was. Within the floating cocoon his body contorted in a sort of paralyzed ecstasy that perhaps did not look so pleasant for those on the outside.

“Don't worry, I'm not hurting him. I just had to take him out of the scene for a moment.” Kae-ri said quickly, seeing Heln's distress. “I came to mingle with you in particular, and unfortunately think he might be a hindrance to our endeavors. This man is not as good as you probably think he is, Heln. He is no friend of mine, nor any other of my kind. Work with him as you will, but be warned on that regard.”

“Why are you so interested in me?” asked Heln, cautious now, his strength returning.

The elemental looked at both him and back at Ayleah. “You are both good specimens of humanity. You feel the world in ways that others do not, and thus have capabilities; potential. Ayleah, I wish you all the best, and am invested in your journey, if only really as a spectator. But Heln, you come from a far-away land, a land that you have a deep connection with, a land you have felt. I want to feel what you have felt -to learn from you.”

Ayleah could not say for herself why the elemental's voice sounded different, only that she was assured of it when it seemed to deliberately soften with their next questions.

“Are other places as magical as here?” Kae-ri seemed genuinely curious. “Do you have elementals in your western plains? If you do, what are they like? I would know more about the wider world Heln, and you are the perfect being to help me explore.”

Heln took a step back, hand now straying near his belt-line. “Okay, perhaps we can work together...but I think you should release Master Golbein first.”

In response the elemental held out its hand. “Shake on the agreement, and it will be done.”

Ayleah could not stay silent. “Hold on Kae-ri, what do you mean by this? What exactly do you intend to do with this man Heln?” Ayleah asked, concern intruding in her voice.

Kae-ri looked back again at her, their face placid with care, the face of a friend. Only the eyes burned with a bottomless fire of curiosity.

“All I intend,” they said, their voice hitting her with the inevitability of wind, “is to engage in a friendly partnership. A mutually-beneficial partnership to tell the truth.”

Thoughts racing in his mind, Heln's face was set in an inscrutable look. Gazing into the elemental's eyes, he could feel the fire reflected on his face. Slowly, and with all of his power in mind, he took Kae-ri's open hand.

On the Hunt

 

He was accustomed to travel, it was how he lived. He carried himself from around the land, with his long black cloak to hide both his person and the small but rich possessions he had. He had been hunting energies (actual beings, elementals, as he now knew them) for a long time, and enjoyed the lifestyle. He enjoyed the tastes of the different nexuses, each briefly coloring his spirit in a unique way. This time the hunt was a little more tedious, though he supposed this struggle was only a mirror of the possible reward at the end.

It was slow going, keeping as he was away from the population centers. He didn't want any attention from the local authorities, or the even locals themselves, and that was becoming harder the further north he traveled. He was traveling inconspicuously, only a dark-cloaked man on a shabby unassuming speeder, but something about his presence made people wary nonetheless. He had long ago shunned his trust in others, and it seemed that choice had had a rebounding effect. Of course he could purchase services when he needed them, he had no shortage of wealth, but there was never really a friendliness in the transaction.

It was just as well, he needed time to prepare his energies. He could travel faster if he wished, using the shadows in the ways he knew. It took more energy though, and he was certain he would need all his strength if he was going to confront the elemental he had seen in his mirror. He would use the shadows again, bend them to his will and bind the quarry. He had done so in his attempted capture of the girl back south, but this time he would be stronger. He would prepare his inner power and concentration, knowing now ahead of time what he was getting into. At times of great strength, he had even been able to bend his physical form into the shadows, and mingle with their quality. That kind of power would easily help him pass through the metro areas surrounding his destination. No, he thought, better to take my time and travel by normal means. I can use the space to organize my plan, and to grow my power.

He sometimes thought he could be on the path to becoming his own version of an elemental, if he developed his powers enough. They had strangely increased the more he rejected the kindness of community. He had found a sort of selfishness made his experiments more effective. It was not a demeaning of anyone else, he simply did not care about other lives. The only one he could control was his own, and so that was the only one that truly mattered. The perspective allowed for a stoic sense regarding calamity, as well as a focused mind for one's purpose in each moment. He was often a scientist; a seeker of the means to grasp esoteric knowledge. Lately though he was a hunter of bigger and bigger game, seeking the power source that would catapult his abilities to the heights they needed for his quest. If he could merge with this powerful elemental energy he was tracking, take it in to his own shadowed self...he shuddered at the thought of that potential. He had experienced the rush of power before when consuming the smaller nexuses. If those had been bits of poultry, then he thrilled at what the taste of venison might be like.

The land through which he traveled had become a mire of rocky hillocks rising above wide marshy swales. It was a pain to navigate, even on a speeder craft. He wondered what that other place was like, the one he had seen in his mirror. It had clearly been a different plane, somewhere with more flowers and delicate, naturally short grasses. He had seen trees flowering there, the blooms bursting where leaves should be! Perhaps that landscape was gentler as well. He had no disdain for this world, and had enjoyed what it had offered him throughout his life so far. If it was coming to some catastrophic end though, and a natural one it seemed as well, he had no second thoughts about leaving it behind. His true purpose was to persevere and survive. Needing to gain more power to accomplish that was only a necessary step.

-

The Man in Black found himself at the edge of a vast lake. It was not a part of the inland sea, as far as he could tell. Low green hills rose rounded along the far horizon, across a shallow expanse of murky water dotted with boats. He had just passed through a small village nestled on a rocky clifftop, where the road turned to follow a high bank out towards the water. This area was rural, but long-settled and with a vaguely proud quality to its inhabitants. There was some sort of history here, to judge by the faded “King St.” sign he had spied at the town center. It would be a good place to stay a while and regroup. Looking up the road, he had a strange sense that proceeding any further with the hunt at the moment would be unwise. As he set up his encampment and invoked the usual magics about it, he knew again that he was making the right decision. Although he could never explain the reasons for following his intuition, he had learned to always trust its guidance. This grove would serve as a base for him to grow his power and prepare for the confrontation with the purple elemental. The locals wouldn't bother him in his preparations. They never seemed to mind him settling in for a while, his shadows always took care of that.

Sights and Smells

 

Sun beat through the corridor of green, warm in its closeness. The rocks here knew much more of the sky than those in the valley: they were subjected to its forces in a more intimate and constant way. Throughout the ridge-top woods, they squelched in pockets of rich mud, glinting with infinite sparkles of reflected gold; flashes of broken mica. Little swarms of black bugs danced where moisture met sun, and the still inhabitants baked in resplendent clear rays. In other places the rocks thrust vulnerability past flora and fern and into the raw blue sky, wetted only by the passing clouds and rain. Their edges had weathered and faded from the unrelenting elements, and they met such a life with stoic gusto. They may not have the soft blankets of loam, moss, and deep earth that sheltered their brethren of lower elevations, but they traded that dark comfort for high views of bright sun and mystic stars. The gods were just as present in that edge where sky met land as they were in the deep recesses of the earth.

The group of travelers had stopped for the evening near one of these minor peaks, a small jagged outcropping along the ridge. After a light dinner, Ayleah went off to meditate on her own. The rocky woods provided nice secluded spots, and she found one with a view out to the east. Stars winked into their places over the vastness of land. A deep valley lay before her, and it was lit with its own stars: signs of the communities that lived down there. Beyond was another range of mountains, not quite as high as the one where she now sat. Their distant dark slopes enclosed the valley life, and separated the stars above from the stars below. Now she knew though that the whole of that land was filled with life. Even in the dark places, there would be gatherings of life; hidden sparks holding the web of existence together.

Back near the center of camp, the master of colors sat writing in his journal.

'...he is a man of capable physical and mental strength, and I have enjoyed his company. Heln came to me this morning with news that he was leaving to seek knowledge elsewhere. He thanked me most honorably but succinctly for my service, and would have parted ways on the instant. There was certainly an immediacy of his actions, though no sense of anxiety or hurriedness about his person that I could detect. No, it was rather the faint gleam of orange I perceived in his eye that made me follow along. Heln I fear has tapped through to something. He may have had a breakthrough he is keeping from me. If he has gained a contact to an elemental, he is important to keep in my sights. I will not let this one get away! I insisted that I had no need to pack belongings, as I was accustomed to living on the road myself. In truth, I should have liked to pick up a couple of sundry items from my studio, but I also did not lie: I will be fine for a few days. Anything I'm missing I will be able to purchase at Theron-Dean or the Gap.

'Otherwise my Plainfield friend has shown notable improvement from our time together. I have kept my eye on him while being on the road today, and have noticed his attention to the surroundings at an increased level. He has commented to me about the small changes he sees in energetic profile even between these neighboring summits and their woodland flanks. We have spoken before about these distinctions in habitat, and wondered at the 'elementals' that must inhabit them. If they are manifesting here, are they also doing so out West? Do the elementals of the Great Plains look or feel different from the ones here? In my mind they must, and so what are their unifying traits? What is an “elemental's” relationship to the piece of earth that shapes it? It is somewhat difficult to converse with Heln about these topics in such close quarters. Most of our fellow travelers do not seem as aware, and would not understand or might even be frightened of our topics. That is a shame in itself, but not for elaboration here and now.

There is one among our little group who greatly intrigues me. She is a young woman who I remember seeing around Isak's farm, but had never actually met in proper. She has a sort of presence about her, though of that I'm not sure even she is aware. She seems to spend a good deal of time in thought, even now I believe she is away from our group meditating. This in itself does not bother me, but I hope she opens up more during the course of our journey. I have experience in meditation, and am interested in knowing what she is seeking by the practice. I can recognize that she is exploring her senses; she has been listening to the road today more than watching it go by. Someone must have taught her well.'

True to the color-master's musings, Ayleah had been exploring her senses, but not just that of hearing. She had also smelled her way through parts of the day. It had occurred to her, as she had been preparing to leave that morning, that in seeking other sources of knowledge, she was still seeking them with her eyes. The forest had so many sounds, and smells, and textures, in addition to its glorious sights. Sitting in the back of the van with an open window, she was able to close her eyes and feel the forest as they moved through its sensory body. When they stopped for a break she felt like a figure in a gently-stirred petal globe. Everywhere in the world that Ayleah went, it seemed there was a whirling stage of wonders.

On their way, she could hear charming birdsong, the workings of the land around them, and a soft hum that might have been the collective of insects or the background pulse of creation itself. She could smell a whole separate world of things, just as rich as the one she lived in most of her life, if only she paid enough attention. Earth and animal, plant in flower and decay, smells sour and sweet and every conceivable mixture of the two came to her from the forest. Ayleah's realization that day was that each sense held an equal part of what made reality. Each sensing being might have a preference as to which was primary, based in their biological makeup and socialization.

One such as her could only imagine what the world might be like from the perspective of an animal who prides smell above those others. As in all things though, moving towards a balanced perspective increased one's understanding of the world; of other's perspectives and those in your own past. An increase in understanding was an increase in harmony through compassion, and so exploring the senses was crucial to her energetic work. Her parents had taught her compassion, and the scholars at the Sanctuary had taught harmony above all other pursuits. It was also an easy practice at the moment: the air smelled really good up here.

Woods Edge

 

The gentle thrumming of the speeders' engines came to a halt. They had traveled over rumpled woody terrain, which now opened on wide fields that sloped further down to the north and east. By the side of the road stretched the placid waters of a small pond, and across from this view sat a dilapidated country inn. Riannath dismounted, and walked apart from the group, gazing at the open fields beyond a scruffy fringe of bramble. Davai followed her. Geordi came along as well, though he held back a bit, seeing the scholar joining his commander. As he left the squad, he made the call. “Quick regroup, then we continue on. Be ready to move in five!”

Davai had caught up to Riannath at an outlook. An old birding platform stood slightly above the lower growth at the woodland's fringe. From here they could see the land falling to a dark dell, then rising again in soft, deep green mounds. Beyond, a further horizon showed in jagged blue peaks that touched the sky. Both of them knew that somewhere out there, between the hills, lay the river valley.

“We'll camp down there tonight.” Riannath said, indicating the thicketed defile. “There we'll be better protected, and I don't think that land is as populated as the woods here.” The pond hamlet was not much to look at, but they had passed through quite the settled area on their way from Five Trees. The woodland townships here benefited from close relationships with the numerous local cities. This close to the Metro areas, rural places like this one became just one of the options for local living. Many residents came from nearby cities with a desire for an outside life. They found like-minded individuals and founded small communities that began to dot the primary woodland roads. A single official township might have ten or more of these impromptu villages, each with a slightly different flavor. Davai enjoyed seeing the diversity of the rural villages, though it was different from the back of a military speeder.

“Tell me more Davai. You know so much it would seem of the workings of the world. I have my knowledge, but it is about people, not the powers of the universe. I would know something more about how this reality functions, if you can tell me. I want to be prepared for what you say is to come. I want to be able to guide my people through it.” Riannath's gaze remained mostly on the horizon, only flicking to the brown-robed scholar for an instant.

By her side, Davai smiled, and then let out a soft sigh, his gaze also resting on the far-off mountains. “I suppose it will be important for more people to know more about all this. They know...you know, about systems. Systems created by us humans and put in place to help control our world. I'm sure that you, Commandant, are well-versed in all the rules that we keep to maintain and build our society. But there were rules here before we humans came and made our own.”

Davai continued, knowing he had the Commandant's full attention. “Our reality exists in a dualistic format. I don't know if that is a necessary construction, or even a permanent one, but it has operated dualistically for as long as we have had knowledge of it. In every aspect of life, we can see a shifting balance between polarities. Whether they are called order and chaos, feminine and masculine, yin and yang, social and military, or spiritual and secular, everything exists in balance on one or more of these dimensions. When you tune in to the energy of a place, or a situation, or a simple temporal object, you can feel its balance; its relationship to the various poles of the world. Now, often where we find balance, we also find tension. With such a myriad of influences on the subject, there are undoubtedly contradicting tendencies. Many teachings show that some sort of 'middle path' is the correct way to approach the world, but often, usually actually, the person attempting this comes up against a paradox. The two polarities they are trying to mediate cannot simultaneously exist, creating a sense of tension. The tension causes the collapse of the person's consciousness back towards one of the polar states as a way to avoid internal conflict. Incidentally, this usually creates an energetic release, and these releases are the sources of the world's creativity, both for good and for ill effects.

“Through practicing equanimity though, one can train oneself to exist within the middle of that balance without triggering the same paradox effect. When you are more able to hold that larger perspective without collapsing your energy, the middle path starts to feel more and more peaceful. Support the contradictions without them threatening conflict. From there you can then help foster the healthy balance of the world as it seeks to eventually free itself from duality altogether.”

“So there is a goal to it all? A direction that reality is naturally moving?” Riannath cut in.

“In a sense,” Davai responded, realizing he may have said more than he intended. “but not in any sort of intentional terms. It's like we're all part of a very slow-motion explosion, and far enough into the future, it should eventually resolve.”

They were both silent for a moment, then Riannath spoke. “Well, that was certainly quite informative Davai, thank you. This has given me a lot to think about. I'll have to meditate on the subject as well.”

Davai turned to walk with her back towards the resting squad. “It is good you have a practice. Mindfulness is the first step towards understanding these things. We have all the students learn it first thing.” They came face to face with Geordi, who had been waiting a few paces back. Riannath gave the sign for all clear, then continued on to address the rest of the crew.

“We'll camp down in those thickets tonight, then we make for the river valley in the morning. Stay alert everyone, this is now a code-yellow expedition. I'll have further information at our morning briefing, as well as some new deployment instructions. Now let's move.”

Blue Spruce

 

It happened one midday, as she was delivering goods to the market storehouse. Isak owned a permanent stall at the peak square, and a cellar near by the edge of the woods that was kept stocked to reduce trips from the farm. The sky was clear, and reflected the condition of her spirit as well. Of recent days she had felt lighter, and more sure in herself than ever before. It was as if a brooding sort of presence had lifted from her being after this time working in the mountain air. It had been a nurturing presence, and one which offered her a good place for reflective thoughts and internal work. It had been necessary but oppressive over a period of time. Ayleah had treated the farm as a sort of cloister, where she could engage in simple, honest labor that allowed her mind the freedom to reset and refresh; to stop reflecting as much and just be. She was much less worried about her previous quest, knowing that the only way forward had been through self-discovery. There would always be more to discover about her self, but now she felt empowered, not just for continuing her search, but with regard to her understanding of the world.

In any case, she knew it was time to leave Isak's farm. Crossing the open hilltop of Lincoln Peak, she noticed the waning but still bulging moon high in the blue air. It had passed fully through more than three of its cycles since she had come to the farm. Isak had been the most consummate host, giving her the space for her own thoughts, while lending a supportive ear when she needed one. He did not love her, or rather, he did, but not in the way Ayleah had usually thought of love before. He cared for her as closely as a friend could, sharing on the whole selflessly with his guests, her included. More than that though, he accepted her presence on the farm as a matter of fact. Nothing she shared with him from her day's work was ever received with judgment or reproach. He simply seemed open in mind and heart to the people around him for some reason. The two of them shared a rural upbringing, and so Ayleah had begun to feel more and more at home with the young farmer. She would miss him, but knew she could not stay here. Not yet at least.

Kae-ri had not been seen since their arrival at the dual peaks, though Ayleah felt sure the elemental being was still around. There was something about the sunlight that sometimes looked more orange than usual, or a gleam from a wet spot on the ground. She felt Kae-ri's presence about her life at the farm, like a backdrop, or transparent filter over everything. It was not constant, or over-bearing, and she wondered if her new sense of clarity was at all related. It could be that she had been working with Kae-ri this whole time, meditating as she had been on the self and its place in the world. There had been moments when the internal dialogue had felt not entirely her own. It was a disquieting thought, but she assured herself by her current state of clarity. If Kae-ri had been haunting her, they seemed to have moved on now, perhaps because they had served their purpose as teacher. If so, Ayleah hoped she would see them again sometime: it would be nice to give them thanks.

Returning to the now empty cart, she considered the sobering side of her motivation this morning. The search for Telon would be far from easy, as she still had no real idea of where or how to begin again. It had been a good while now, and, and she almost thought she could see his features in the spruce trees that ringed the cleared summit. Some of the trees even looked wholly like hooded figures, their needles a blueish teal in the sunlight. Ayleah shook her head, it was as if her thoughts this morning had reawakened the purpose that drove her up here in the first place, and now her perceptions were overloading, seeing patterns of her goal that weren't there. He couldn't be there, those are just the same trees that have always stood there. She could even see the branches, and a bird flitting from one trunk to another. The needles did look awfully blue though, and some of the branches hung down, packed together almost like a cloth-texture. She thought of the ceremonial pine-coats she had seen in some of her studies of the native hill-folk, and wondered whether those costumes were comfortable. Then she saw the eyes. Just above where a thin branch curved across the open space, coming from nowhere between the hanging branches, were a set of lights. They gave only the softest glow, but their position and demeanor were unmistakable.

Ayleah gave a start, and dashed to the edge of the clearing, keeping her eyes carefully on the apparition. As she got closer its shape resolved more and more. It was her mentor, his blue cloak emerging from the drooping needles, and a kind, though slightly strained, face floating within. He gave the slightest turn in her direction, as a way of recognition, and then spoke in a voice that could have been a part of the breeze. The words were sparse: “Come to Burnt Rock, peak.”, even the preposition was more implied than spoken. Ayleah heard the words more clearly in her mind than through her ears, and as soon as they were said the apparition vanished. Once more she stared only at a blank canvas of forest.

Farm Visit

 

His helm was dented now, only a little; marred on its top right side by some impact suffered on one of their ventures. It still gleamed well in the sun though, casting glints now and then from where it lay in the passenger seat. His light brown hair was uncovered, driving casually as he was through the gold and green woods. The day was the first pleasant one in a while, and he hoped the armor would be unnecessary.

Jaen kept his plates well-shined, and enjoyed wearing them as a show of office. He had come far from the lessons learned of his arrogance, through humbleness and trial to find himself on a good path again. The Premir's council had good rapport with the townsfolk. As captain of Grive's ranging parties, he was an integral part of a government well-regarded by its people. He hardly needed to include the thought that the township was an important one, known and venerated throughout the region. Grive gave a healthy model of pride for Jaen to follow. He was never humble about the distinction of his office, but never flashy about it either. His uncle would brag about hunting or other personal exploits, but always met his townsfolk as equals, understanding that everyone's hands mattered in the town's endeavors.

Today was a casual one, even though he was driving out of town on business matters. Grive had suggested a visit to their friend Isak, who operated a large farm at the south end of the township. His uncle had a sort of partnership with the farmer, though the latter occupied no formal role in the township. The farm sat on a separate smaller peak, which afforded by way of traffic and geography its own tiny village square. This natural gathering and development point lay right at Isak's front door, and so the farmer had taken it upon himself to be its watchman. He developed friendly relationships with any who came or stayed near to his farm, and was a relay for information, if necessary. In this way Grive had ensured the security of this otherwise far-flung neighborhood within his township. Jaen liked Isak, though the farmer could be strangely reserved at times. They were of a similar age, but Isak had lost any ties he once had to family. He now carved out a unique place for himself in the world. It made Jaen think about his own ties to family, and how much they had helped him get to where he was. He felt gratitude, but mixed with a distasteful curiosity. He wondered sometimes where his real power lay, and whether he would be able to have any without that external help. Thoughts like those could cloud an otherwise sunny day.

Isak never would share Jaen's doubts though, and that equanimity gave Jaen comfort. Each person was trying to do the best for themselves as their circumstances allow. Especially up here in the wilderness, Jaen knew he could be proud enough of his own power.

The young farmer was in fact a friend to Jaen, but they rarely had time to visit much. Today they could have a good talk, and maybe he would return with something for his uncle as well. Both of them wanted to know how Isak's farm had been doing lately. There had been a spate of cloudy and cooler days, with winds coming sometimes at night that sounded fiercer than usual. True, storms would hit the mountain peaks now and then, wreaking havoc on the communities there. At those times roads became rivers as torrential water drained off the sides of the rocky slopes. Winds before had destroyed whole groves; entire villages smashed by the downed wood. Such storms were not new experiences. Recently though, there had been a feeling that was new. It came like a chill in the air, tingling the skin even in bright sunlight. Days always varied warmer or colder, wet fog enveloping the mountain on the cloudiest of days, but lately that fog had felt harsh. It pricked at the body, causing a feeling of contraction. Simply, there had been more cold in the air the past cycle or so, and Grive was curious if the farmer had noticed it as well. The way he had suggested the visit to Jaen had indicated he probably already knew the answer Isak would give, and that the trip was primarily for Jaen's own benefit. Despite his own sensory experiences, the young ranger could not help being a bit skeptical. The sun glittered peacefully through the canopy of spruce, and the open spaces along the road felt warm enough on his uncovered head.

“As a matter of fact, I think pretty much all of my crops are growing a bit slower than typical.” Isak leaned forward to take a sip of his drink. “Does your uncle have any leads on why this shift in the weather might be happening?”

Jaen set his own cup down on the table. “Grive might have his suspicions, but he's kept them to himself. There's been talk of sending me north though, and he'll probably confirm that once he's heard this confirmation from you. I'll probably be bound sooner rather than later for Watertown, though who knows what good it'll do if we're in for some ecological disaster. I'd rather be here to help out on the front lines.” Isak looked at his friend. “You're a good man Jaen, it's been good to have you around up here. We have a good council, but sometimes I think age necessarily puts one more out of touch as a price for the deeper wisdom. You'll come back from the valleys with what we need to weather the storm, I'm sure of that.”

After a warm welcome, the young farmer had readily echoed Grive's concerns. His new plantings, he confided, were doing poorly, and those crops coming to maturity now were doing so nearly half a cycle late. His livelihood had not yet been affected, but he and his farmhands were preparing for the worst. Moreover, he was concerned for his community: if the living things on which they all relied were starting to dwindle, what would happen to the people?

Jaen left Isak's farm with a new sense of purpose, and a curious mind towards the future. As he walked to his vehicle, he passed by one of the farm workers. She was carrying a large bundle of dried moss in her arms, her face tilted away from him. Yet when she called over to one of her co-workers, he realized who she was. Strange, he thought, climbing into his seat. Ayleah had been here only a few cycles, and yet he had almost not even recognized her.