Chapter
8: Cycles & Illusions
I was born on the first day of the last cycle in the
Mayan calendar. My mother was the Keeper of the Traditions of
all peoples. In her veins
it is said flowed the blood of every race and every nation.
This honor and responsibility has been handed down since the
beginning of the Long Count from mother to daughter.
When I was born, it was prophesied that I would lead
all peoples to a new time of peace and harmony, for only I would
be able to see the reality that exists beyond Illusion. My child, it was foretold, would be the birth
of a new age.
Indeed, in the years that followed, my blindness made the intensified teachings
easier to grasp, understand and perfect, so that it wasn’t long before I could
“see” the world so much more clearly than I ever could when my eyes had sight. Still, my teachings continued.
As you can imagine it was not easy living all those years in the shadow
of such grand responsibility. Many times
during my life, I have turned my back on prophecy and tried to live a simple life. I was even married once, and tried to have a
child, thinking that it would break the blessing and curse of my fate. But my womb remained barren. No matter how far I strayed, I always returned
to accept my fate.
Fate is a mysterious puzzle. It
isn’t always obvious what her plan is when she brings people into our lives. But the moment I met the man-boy Jimmy and the
young woman Jesse, I knew without a doubt that we were meant to be together and
would share great, new adventures. Arthur
felt it too, that moment he turned and faced them.
There’s always been a deep emptiness that aches in Arthur. When last we’d parted, I had hoped that the
bond he shared with Samantha would be enough to fulfill that longing, and I knew
that it could in time, if he’d only see that it was true. Their love was a beautifully blinding light. But I knew, too, that hearts need time to find
their way through all of the illusions, and so I wasn’t surprised when I found
him this time without Samantha.
I was also not surprised when I sensed sparks flying when he first met
Jesse. After all, she had saved his life, and she was
beautiful. But most importantly, her shell
was just starting to crack, allowing one to see just a hint of the brilliance
within. There’s something so inviting to
a caring heart when they find someone at this stage in their self-discovery.
A feeling that a rare and precious gem will emerge with the right nurturing
touch. “Thank you for saving my life,” Arthur was saying
as his own heart sensed that hers needed to be saved.
“Why certainly, Jess. That would
be a wonderful idea!” He was beaming and
proud, although he quickly noticed the way Arthur and Jesse were looking at each
other.
“Arthur, bring Jesse inside so that she can dry off and freshen up,” I
suggested. “It’s been a long day for all of us. Jimmy and I will speak to the elders and tell
them that Miss Gold’s generosity will be rescuing their lands, and we will feast
in celebration.”
Jimmy mildly protested, but, sighing, he walked with me and we quickly
found ourselves discussing what the immediate and long-term plans of our new little
group would be. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter Table of Contents | Preface | Ch 1
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4 |
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