Airel - Aaron Patterson [103]
Chapter VIII
1250 B.C. Arabia
Kreios was laid out where he had landed, eyes closed. He entered deep into the part of his mind where he knew it lay in wait. It might help him—or it could take his soul—leaving him to wander, forever lost. He could still hear the Seer, the guards, other sounds from the outside world. But they were far away, as if they were in another time and place.
Heavy darkness filled his vision. He felt his life wavering. Kreios knew that if he did not do something decisive soon, he would die along with Yamanu. At the far end of the maddening blackness that reached for him, Kreios saw a glimmer flickering in his mind. He moved toward it. As he moved closer to the light, he knew what he would find there, before he actually saw it: the frameless door.
Kreios, like anyone, had seen many doors, had walked through them. He had been faced with them both at journey’s end and at inception. He had been invited through them into warmth and fellowship, had banged on them in the cold of winter and bellowed to be let in. Doors had stood in his path as open gateways to his furtherings, but doors had also stood in opposition to him on his pathway as well. Some he had never passed through.
What was beyond it? Was it good or evil, and why did he feel that whatever lurked behind it might kill him? He didn’t know, and as he circled around it, he noticed that only one side of the door was pierced with a hand hold—the other side was smooth, unblemished.
Kreios could feel Yamanu feebly projecting his thoughts toward him. The time was short. He would have to risk his own life in order to save that of his friend—he would pass through the door. All of his options had been reduced to this choice.
The door changed color as well as shape from the corner of his mind’s eye. Reaching out with a strong hand, Kreios grasped the handle and turned it. It yielded smoothly to his touch, swinging open of its own accord, as if there was a pressure difference, and he could feel the gentle rushing of wind passing by him from behind.
The slight breeze that pulled at his robes made him think of the long autumn weather he loved. Memories of his courtship with his beloved wife flowed over him in cool, refreshing rivulets. The smell of orange-red leaves, of pines dropping needles, filled the air . Kreios stood before the open door breathing in deeply. A small smile took the right corner of his mouth.
Beyond, the sun was shining. The beauty of the place called aloud to him. Kreios peered in without stepping over the threshold. There, lying on the grass only a few steps beyond the open door, was a sword. He glanced back and took a tentative breath. He looked in again, knowing already: the sword lying naked on the grass was the Sword of Light. It reflected liquid sunlight off its blade.
There was no more time for wonder. He leapt forward, dove to the earth, and rolled to his feet with the Sword once again in his hand. His back to the door, he was becoming overwhelmed. His will to return diminished with each breath of pure, sweet, perfect atmosphere. The memory of his sweet Eriel called him back.
He turned and in three powerful strides made it to the threshold. He could hear voices calling to him, begging him to stay with promises of undying happiness, and it caused him to stumble. Kreios knew one of the voices in the sea of calling. It was his departed love. Tears streamed down his face as he felt her tugging on his heart, pleading for him to stay.
“NO!” Gripping the door edge he pulled himself through and almost dropped the Sword. As soon as he crossed over, the door slammed shut powerfully, with finality.
He became aware of his limbs again, his heart beating, and he felt the soreness of his face. The sounds of his attackers came from afar, in the distance. He lay motionless, taking care not to betray the change within. He projected to Yamanu his plan, and could feel the life and power from the Sword fill his body once again.
He did not understand how he could go into his own mind to a place he had seemed to have imagined,