The Guardians: Chapter 3

[WizardofOwls]

Haven't read the rest of my story? Here are some links:

Chapter 1: http://www.thefantasyforum.com/showthread.php?t=9577
Chapter 2: http://www.thefantasyforum.com/showthread.php?t=9592

I'd love to hear your thoughts on my story! Now on with the chapter...

CHAPTER 3
Copyright © Allen R. Alderman 2006

It was the sharp pain he felt in the back of his head that caused Jonathan to realize he was regaining consciousness. Like a diver forcing himself to rise to the water’s surface for a breath of fresh air, he managed to push himself up and out of the ominous darkness which seemed poised, waiting to consume him.

When he was finally able to force his eyes open, he knew instantly that he was still Dreaming. He was sitting on the ground, legs crossed, and naked before a council fire. Across from him sat two other beings. Both were dressed in formal native Wakani garb, and both were studying him with unfeigned interest. He recognized one of the figures immediately. It was his own dear grandfather. Identification of the other figure was impossible however, owing to the fact that this one's head was concealed in a thick, grey veil of something resembling smoke or fog. Instinctively, Jonathan knew that he should not move or speak, for this was a Judging Ceremony.

Wakani folklore was peppered with stories about such ceremonies. In these stories, the main character was required to appear before a mysterious faceless figure who would determine his or her ‘fitness’ to participate in whatever momentous events might lie ahead. Jonathan had always considered those myths and legends to be nothing more than children’s stories, but now he knew that he had been wrong. However he did wonder why he of all people had been chosen to participate in some fateful occurrence. There was, after all, nothing particularly heroic or extraordinary about him - he was just an ordinary mechanic. Whatever destiny’s reasons were for selecting him, though, he prayed that he would pass the Judging. The old stories were not particularly kind to those who failed.

Jonathan allowed his eyes to roam about the scene before him, but he soon regretted that decision. After briefly examining the two figures who sat across from him, he looked just outside the circle of light cast by the council fire. Beyond this dome of light was a terrible void, a sickening kaleidoscope of swirling color, light, and sound. This brief glance alone had been enough to make Jonathan feel dizzy and nauseous, so he quickly pulled his eyes away and fixed his gaze upon the one thing in all of the chaos that felt familiar and safe to him - his grandfather's face.

"Do you think he is ready?" Michael Talldeer asked the mysterious figure, his eyes never leaving Jonathan's.

"It is too soon to tell," said the other. Upon hearing the voice, Jonathan knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that this being was not of this world. It was a deep and resonant voice, sounding as though the speaker were standing in an echo chamber. This was obviously someone of Power. "And now it is too late, regardless. Look," said the speaker, pointing a finger at something directly above Jonathan's head. At that particular moment, he wanted more than anything else to look up and see for himself what the being was pointing out to his grandfather, but he could not. He knew that to do so during a Judging Ceremony would bring shame and dishonor upon himself, his family and his ancestors. So he continued to sit in silence, his ears straining to catch every word the two said to each other.

"So," his grandfather said, his voice little more than a whisper, "it has already begun." Jonathan was shocked to hear a trace of fear in the old man's voice.

"Yes, but the situation may not be as dire as it seems. You have brought him far in his training as a Shaman, Michael, and my servant has taught him much about survival in the Dreaming. Will it be enough? I cannot say. Only the Streams can tell."

For a time the two looked about, studying the swirling morass as though searching for something. After some time, Jonathan began to wonder if perhaps the Judging Ceremony was over, though the stories had never described an ending quite like this. At least none of the ones he had ever heard, anyway.

"Look! There!" Michael suddenly exclaimed, barely able to contain his obvious excitement. He was pointing to another area above and to the right of Jonathan's head.

"Ahh. This is a most promising portent. He will not be alone in all of this. Certainly the girl does not appear to have much training, but there is much potential in her. And yes, I see much Power, but it comes from another source. Perhaps together..."

The being was silent for several moments as if pondering the significance of this new vision. Finally his head turned once again in Jonathan's direction. Jonathan felt the heavy weight of a gaze he could not see.

"The Streams favor you in the tasks which lie before you, Jonathan Croweyes. You pass our Judgement. But do not take this as a guarantee of success, young one. The battle is yours to win or lose. Your own judgements and choices will determine the outcome. Consider your choices carefully, Jonathan Croweyes, for much is depending upon you."

With that, Michael Talldeer and the mysterious being rose to leave. Out of respect, Jonathan remained patiently immobile, waiting for them to leave the clearing. He had a million questions that he wanted to ask about what he had just seen and heard, but he knew that now was not the proper time to ask them. He hoped he would get another opportunity to ask them later.

As the mysterious being turned to leave, Jonathan was surprised when the veil of smoke lifted momentarily. Unexpectedly, Jonathan was allowed a brief glimpse of the back of its head. He was shocked to find that it was covered, not in hair, but in shiny black feathers.

No sooner had the pair left the clearing, swallowed whole by the swirling void, when Jonathan began to feel the darkness rising up within him once again, threatening to pull him back down into its warm embrace. He could not allow that to happen just yet, though. There was something that he needed to see first. Quickly he jumped up and turned around, hoping beyond hope to catch a glimpse of the vision the others had seen.

He had to fight the urge to retch as his eyes carefully searched the dizzying maelstrom, but his tenacity was rewarded. For one tantalizing moment he caught a fleeting glimpse of a face. A beautiful young Anglo girl with pale skin, vibrant green eyes, and short, flaming red hair. She was looking down at something, an expression of extreme concern and fear on her face. Her lips were moving but they were making no sound. She seemed strangely familiar to Jonathan. He knew he had seen her before - very recently - but he could not remember where. I wonder what her t-shirt says, he thought, but he had only a moment to consider the significance of that strange thought before the terrible, ponderous darkness drew him under once again....