Disorientated as they were they could not protect themselves and they screamed with pain as the powers from the men reached in to tear at their bodies. Haven arrived, already in a rage as she felt the pain of her loves and she was merciless, killing both men instantly.
If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 10, use this link button to open the LC Book Index:
7241
Haven instantly turned to attack Sebura, but Jade screamed at her to stop. “Samantha is inside the sphere with him.”
Sebura could sense I was locked inside with him and his orders had been to destroy my soul so he ignored the others and the shield, preparing to use another power against me. I must have acted out of instinct, for I hid myself within his mind.
Vincent and Kirsten reappeared and almost instantly Robbie and Samuel jumped to us. There was no way they could communicate with Sebura nor could they attack him unless Pirusi dissolved her shield. They were also worried about harming me and desperately trying to sense where I was.
“Papa!” Pirusi made to go to Sebura and Aganthi quickly blocked her.
“Don’t go near him Piri, he won’t know you.”
She looked at Aganthi for a moment and then fought to free herself. Aganthi let her go, respecting her right to choose her own actions. She rushed to grab a back-scratcher carved by an Orati for us and planting herself before Sebura she screamed and feigned her attack against the lion. She continued the re-enactment without pause until she got through to him and he sagged.
He saw the girls raising my body which had half fallen off the bed, my head on the floor, and his face was bleak as he stared at Robbie. He did not know about Pirusi having powers, he’d had a few drinks with his friends and she’d fallen asleep before telling him, so he waited for Robbie to release him. Just outside the shield, Pirusi sat weeping violently and he found it within him to ignore what he thought his fate would be and he knelt inside the shield and called to her.
“It is well you have done my lion fighter. My baba, I am very proud of you.”
She relaxed, convinced it was all over and let him go. His fingers touched her wet cheeks and then he stood up. “Samantha, how bad is she hurt?”
“Where is her soul Sebura, it was trapped inside the shield with you.”
“I don’t know, she…disappeared.” He closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to recall all that had occurred in detail. His eyes opened and they were filled with dismay. “She entered my mind. Robert, I warned her, they set a trap for her, I don’t know how to release her.”
“Relax Sebura, no one blames you. Open yourself to me, I’m coming into your mind.”
“But, the trap?”
“I’ll take care of it.”
Vincent and Robbie entered and working together they were able to drain the trap of energy and then they tore it apart, releasing me. My soul was not damaged, but my mind was. It has taken me over a week for me to be well enough to write for you Arthur. I still feel myself spinning into a dark hole at times and then I need my loves to join me and hold me in my mind.
Robbie returned in time and locked the souls of the two men in stasis. He is waiting for me to fully recover before he interrogates them.
This morning I was taken to sit among my trees with a book and Aganthi sat close by to watch over me. I asked her to bring Sebura. When I saw him arrive without Pirusi I knew he still feared I would be angry with him.
“Please sit Sebura, it’s too tiring looking up at you. While you’re at it, please pour a cold drink for each of us.” He handed me my glass and sat on the grass before me. “What are we to do with you Sebura? You were meant to be my enemy and now, if past experience is of any value, it seems you are about to become loved by all my family.”
7242
“I don’t understand.”
Aganthi giggled but kept quiet. “You’ve heard of how we met the Sparklers? Do you know the story of how we fought the Inguel? How about the Muyzith? On a more personal level, how about Samuel King? Do you know what is the common factor between them?” He shook his head, obviously feeling a bit lost. “They all fought us and ended up becoming our closest friends and allies.”
“She’s teasing you Sebura. What she’s telling you is the truth, but she knows she’s confusing you.”
“Sebura, the two men who came here, were either of them one of the four you killed?”
“No, I do not remember seeing them before.”
I glanced at Aganthi. “I wonder how many others?”
“Now you’re trying to mystify me, what do you mean, how many more could attack?”
“Oh, that number is probably close to infinity. I meant, how many others are mind linked to Sebura.”
“You mean those two were?”
“How did they jump to his room Aganthi? They must have seen it through his eyes.”
“If there are more, it means they can see and hear everything, wherever Sebura is.”
He jumped to his feet. “That is possible?”
I laughed. “You’re asking me? What about when you were hanged by the Feshidi?”
“I must leave.”
“I agree, that was part of the reason I asked you to come. Sebura, do your people know about your demon powers?”
“I have not spoken of it, but they have heard that it is I who hurt you.”
“You should have explained, Aganthi please ask our loves to do so, it is not fair that Sebura gets blamed for something he is not responsible for. Sebura, I do not want the fight with those from my world to happen here, too many innocent people could get hurt. You and I must move to an area without any people close by.”
“What is this you and I business?” Robbie stepped around me. “You’re not facing them again, I’m taking care of them.”
“How?”
“I’ll tell you after Sebura and I have been to the void.”
“Oh! Is Adam here?”
Robbie laughed. “You haven’t heard his latest motto? Have World will travel.”
“I am offended. He is partly me also, how can he be corny like you?”
Robbie and Sebura with most of our family went to the void. I hid my grin as Candy sat at attention, her mind and eyes alert for any sign of an attack. When they returned I saw the smug smile on Sebura’s face.
“What new power did you open for him?”
7243
“I taught him our trick for dealing with minds that try to enter ours.” He frowned. “Sam, there is no way we can tell if any mind is linked to his, especially while they are in a different reality. He suffered as I read the surface of his memories, to dig deeper would have harmed him. At least he has some form of defence now.”
“They want him to destroy me, they won’t reveal themselves if they don’t sense me. I have an idea.” He tilted his head with a token smile, not really willing to allow me be at risk. “Place me in stasis. Surround the stasis field with fiery energy and let Sebura stand guard over me. When they arrive he must tell them he has me trapped, but I enclosed myself within some kind of energy. He must ask them for their help to break through my energy. As they concentrate on me Vincent and Kirsten can block them or else place them within a stasis field. Robert, you and Freddie must return to our home or else they won’t dare to come here.”
“Not this time Sam, I’m staying. Vincent, you return with Freddie and pretend to be me.”
Cherine, very seriously, asked, “Are you certain Robert? Since most of us will be with him, are you sure you want him to pretend he is you?” At our laughter he made to grab her, but she jumped behind Sebura, giggling as she called to him, “Protect me.”
Sebura quickly turned, grabbed Cherine and bringing her before him with his arms crossed over her he told Robbie, “She has asked for my protection so according to Orati tradition that makes her my female. Stay away from her Robert.”
I don’t think anyone has ever turned the tables on the two of them that quickly before. Even those of my family who were not with us jumped to be part of the hysterical laughter. Cherine is a gentleman. She pulled at Sebura and when he leant over, his face creased by his smile, she kissed his cheek. “You were wonderful, thank you.” She was soon back in Robbie’s arms, watching our childish glee.
Once I’d recovered, I patted the bench for Sebura to sit by me. I smiled at him. “Your abduction has had some positive benefits. Tell me, do you like our way of handling our fears and stress? Isn’t laughter healthier than posturing and making threats? They are worried about me, but I’m more worried about you. Once I’m in stasis nobody can hurt me, but you’ll be without much protection.”
We chose a rocky outcrop closer to the desert so that if there is a fight less plant and animal life are at risk. Robbie hugged me to him and then he placed me in stasis. We did make one change to our plan. There is a real possibility they understand how important Pirusi is to Sebura, so she was locked in stasis with me.
Sam has asked me to write of those days. They were difficult days for Sebura, for he had nothing to do but stand guard, trying to make it seem he is using his powers to attack Samantha. All the girls, apart from Cherine, went back with Freddie, and Samuel and his family returned to their reality. The Cherinians who are helping prepare for the cataclysms to come were only told that all of us are leaving and it was done in such a way as to cause resentment - just in case the enemy is monitoring them also. The only secret backup was Samuel King. He projected himself to look like a local tribesman and stayed fairly close to Sam. It was far more difficult for Robert and Cherine as they had to stay hidden, which meant no use of any Cherinian gifts, apart from Cherine keeping a tenuous link to Sebura and Samuel.
Sebura did not have to stay by Samantha permanently. He’d seem to build up the energy fire and leave to eat and drink, but he slept close by. We’ve wondered about the thoughts that must have occupied his mind while he waited. Does he find himself astonished at the changes in himself or does he accept them as natural?
‘Robert’ announced they have foiled an attack on Samantha and they are now back at home as the problem has been dealt with. When asked why Samantha had not returned, he told them she is busy preparing for the difficult years ahead and keeping Efineh company. Somehow it did make Robert and us sound selfish, returning for our comforts, while Sam stays behind to help, but everyone found it natural of Sam and public opinion polls about her show that among the Normals she is one of their favourite Cherinians. Luckily everyone is used to not seeing much of Cherine so her absence was not noticed. One of us could assume her appearance, but that would only help with the Normals, Cherinians would sense the charade as her ‘signature’ is too unique and well known to Cherinians. Michael made a comment about Samantha that could be interpreted as being slightly insulting of us, but he has his games to play and it did help our story sound more truthful. Wisely Hettie used the media in all ways she could to build up everyone’s love of Samantha as she knew it would inflame those who hate her.
7244
On the eleventh day, the improbable happened. A man who in appearance was from one of the tribes living at the southern edge of the desert arrived and his language was almost incomprehensible to Sebura until the man spoke Feshidi. He seemed awed by the flames that did not feed on timber and after some polite comments he asked what Sebura is doing. He explained that he is fighting a demon and has to keep the flames going to prevent her from escaping. After a few hours the man left.
A couple of days later the man returned, but now he had four other men and two women with him. They explained they will care for him so that he does not need to hunt for food and they can watch the demon while he sleeps. This was defeating the purpose of placing themselves so far from people, but Sebura could not think of how to get rid of them.
It was inevitable that they would ask him why the demon has a child with her. He explained that when he attacked her she’d grabbed his daughter. He confirmed for them that if she tries to escape, his daughter will die. The drama and his willingness to sacrifice his daughter to prevent a demon harming people had them talking till the early hours of the morning. Another five tribesmen arrived during the day.
Sparklers advised Robert that five people are watching Sebura and the surrounding countryside from the air. Samuel was advised, but Sebura was not warned as he should not show awareness of them. They worried about the tribesmen, but saw no way to get rid of them. They concentrated on those in the air, waiting for signs that they are closing in, so they missed the first few seconds.
The first tribesman altered and Sebura recognised him as a Canadian who’d guarded him on their world. “What are you trying to achieve and what kind of defence is she using?”
“We fought and when she realised I have powers she’d never seen before, she closed herself within a force shield. I don’t understand why she and my daughter have been asleep for so long, but I’m guessing it is her way of lasting until Robert returns. The flames are not really a danger to her, but I keep them going to prevent her releasing the shield to call for help.”
“Which powers have you fought her with?”
“With everything you gave me.”
“Keep the flames going while we try our powers.”
Once the rest of the tribal people changed, Robert should have acted instantly, but he was worried about the five watching from afar.
“Cherine, can you and Samuel handle the five while I go after those with Sebura? If any get away it doesn’t matter that much, so don’t take any risks.”
“Wait a moment, I’ve called Efineh, she can help Samuel and me.”
Efineh arrived with Irfan. Quickly Cherine explained what is happening and the need to capture all the attackers. Before Efineh could respond, Irfan did. “We believe in peace and we do not condone killing or destroying the minds of others. Efineh and I cannot help you.”
Efineh jerked free, her face contorted by her fury. “Return by yourself and soon as Freddie is here go to your reality, you will not stay in mine. Get out!” She turned to Cherine, shattered by the shame. “Samantha is my mother and you are my family, he does not speak for me.”
Cherine was open to the pain and anger in both of them and she was in such distress that she could not concentrate on what she was doing, Samuel and Efineh expected her to coordinate their attacks but she mistimed their actions because of the shimmering heat waves, with the result that two of the five got away, returning to their reality to report their failure.
Robert had it easier, he created a massive stasis field and only then enclosed each person within an individual field. He released the large field and then released Sebura and Sam. He took Piri to hold as he waited for Robert or Sam to tell him how they want to deal with the enemy.
“Well Sam, it looks like we have the same unresolved problem as the Orati - how do we solve it?”
7245
“It won’t make any difference to them if you keep them as they are for a few days.”
Robert turned to Sebura. “You have your own thoughts?”
“Yes, they tried to use me and honour demands I fight them. Can you release them one at a time?”
“I’d prefer you and Sam talk it over and let me know what you’ve decided. We need a couple of days for relaxing and mending a few relationships.”
Our world was shocked to learn of the conspiracy to kill me and they quickly brushed aside our apologies for misleading them. We announced that the total number who attacked were nineteen but two of them have died. We asked the United Nations to rule on who has jurisdiction to deal with our prisoners. As expected they passed the buck back to us with thick files of legal reasoning to justify their decision.
Sebura did not glow with his sudden popularity. He is bitter and still wants his revenge and continues to press for his right to combat - and therein lies our moral dilemma. According to his culture he has the right to make his demand and if we do not agree, it will damage his soul for a long time. According to the culture of our Normals he has the right and even according to Cherinian mores we do not have the right to refuse him. Since I care about him, I cannot agree to a fight I know he will lose and yet, to give him a fair chance we have to teach him a few new powers which could make him a threat if his powers go to his head. In the end I capitulated, as I had known I would all along.
“What powers are you thinking of?”
“At first I thought it might not be necessary to open any new powers in him, all we have to do is protect him with a stasis suit. That won’t work Robbie, he must fight with powers that are native to him. We do not know what unique powers all our prisoners have, so we cannot prepare him to meet all contingencies with success.
Sebura has not opened himself to empathy and is a long way from achieving the state of mind required, so we dare not make him powerful enough to have a chance of surviving. I see only one way we can allow the fights to happen.” I bit my lip as I double-checked my thoughts.
Meli giggled. “Have you noticed she always pauses just before revealing her ideas? She talks as if she is writing a book, stretching out the dramatic moment to key up the reader. Oh, I forgot, she is writing a book! We never thought of it before, she’s writing a book, but she’s using Arthur so that if it is not a great success she can blame him.”
Robbie smiled. “A nice theory Meli and I’m certain you girls will have a great time teasing her about it, but I think she pauses to give us time to guess her thoughts. If we cannot then she can lord it over us for not seeing the obvious answer even when she gives us a clue.”
I ignored their jabbering, the only way to treat their comments with the respect they deserve. “What is Sebura? An Orati rider. I say we block the contestants so that they are forced to fight according to his strengths, not theirs.”
“Some of them have had martial training, either through personal interest or from their time in the army. With their fast reflexes, the fight won’t be that equal Sam.”
Haven nodded. “I have watched how he fights, how all Orati riders fight. To him strategy is for the weak, he rides directly into battle, believing his courage and the strength of his arm is all that matters. He will lose.”
“It doesn’t matter. As we will bring those he kills back to life, we’ll do for him when he loses. What matters is that he will have fought on his terms.”
I took Sebura to a coffee shop by a beach in South America. Bemused he stared at the nude bathers. “They have no honour Samantha, when our women bathe, they also are without clothing, but no male would watch them and other females would hide them from our eyes.”
7246
“Different cultures Sebura, you must make allowances so that the universe does not become stale and boring. Which brings me to the reason I asked you here.”
“You wish to see me bathe nude?”
I had to laugh at the picture that brought to my mind. I spoke the next words in Orati. “I wish to set conditions for the fights. Is the rider stern enough to make you hear my ideas without becoming impatient of me?”
I could feel his astonishment. “You wish me to fight as an Orati rider?”
“They are not Cherinians Sebura, not even Ipohin. They are selfish, greedy men and women. Keep that in mind when I tell you that they will not have given you the powers needed to fight them as an equal. They only taught you the powers needed to destroy me.” He nodded. “I suspect they will also have placed controls in your mind that will leave you at their mercy.” Again he nodded, his eyes more thoughtful now. “I’m glad you are Sebura, Sebura the man who does not hide from the truth even when angered. We have decided they have wronged you by trying to make you their pawn, so you have the right to demand they fight you on your terms. We can block all their powers so that they have to fight as Normals. Do you agree?”
“You have honour Samantha.”
“Not as much as I should have, because I’m not willing to risk losing you. You will fight the first of them in three days. The men you will fight one at a time, one each day. You will be on horseback and each will carry a spear, a knife and sword. How would you fight the women Sebura?” He blanched.
“I had not given them any thought! I agree, they must be punished. I cannot do it Samantha.”
“Will you agree to a woman fighting them for you? She will be your champion. It is a custom of our world and is considered an honourable solution where the wronged person cannot fight.”
“Not you Samantha, not you.”
“Me? Fight without my gifts? Not a chance Sebura, not while I have those who would drug me until the fight is over - as Samuel did at the Mountain Orati. Haven and Jade ask to be your champions.” I grinned. “Can you imagine a female Akiard being your champion?”
“Aiee! It would not be honourable to ask even the men to fight such a one. They are true warriors!”
I laughed softly, happy. “Then imagine this, not one of them could fight for you for they are incapable of hurting a human being - however rotten they are. They would try to teach them how to love.”
“Haven I understand, I have seen her fight. Jade looks so weak.”
“Even Haven would think twice about challenging Jade. Her small size and apparent weakness is deceptive Sebura, she is a true warrior.”
“They can kill?”
“Under the conditions I have set for all of you, yes, they can. Here is where I need the stern rider to hear me. Sebura, anyone killed will be brought back to life. Their death does not give you honour, fighting them does. Can you see that?” He nodded. “When they are returned to life they will be children and we’ll arrange for good families to raise them and we hope they’ll be good people this time. There is one more condition. You need to go with Haven to another reality and spend one year learning how to fight. You will honour her and do exactly all she asks of you and try to understand what she teaches. It will be painful and humbling and very tiring, but you’ll return with new fighting skills that make you equal to fighting any of the men. They have had the same training so it is only fair you learn. Sebura, most of them have studied for ten or more years, you will only have one year, you will have to study hard and learn to endure when you feel you cannot move a finger. Haven will be a hard teacher and you’ll hate her at times, but she can give you a chance at winning.”
His eyes were moody for a while. “I should have known Samantha never has a straight answer. I see the wisdom and will do as you ask. When they held me, I saw the men training, they know ways of fighting I do not, so what you say is true.”
7247
“There is still one matter to be resolved. Haven demands payment for the one year of being apart from her family. She asks that if she teaches you well, you agree to become a healer and travel throughout your world for a year helping those who are ill or crippled. You will see much that will hurt your heart if you do so. Pirusi will travel with you often, for there she will learn to see the hidden good in her father. Do you agree?”
“I agree.”
“Enjoy this evening, have a good meal and play with little Piri for you leave in the morning. For us you will only be gone one day. Sebura, either Vincent or Robert will be watching over both of you.”
He frowned. “They do not trust me?”
“I only warned you because you may forget at times and speak to her of things you would not wish to share with us. If you do speak privately to her, they will not listen, that is a promise, just ask for what you say to be private - Haven will not share what is said with anyone. As for trusting you, how could you harm Haven, you are the one in danger if you attack her.”
In the morning, Sebura held Piri’s hand, looking solemn. He spoke to her standing up and staring at Robbie as he did so. “Pirusi my lion fighter, today I will not be with you. I am taking Haven with me and she is the warrior who guards Robert. While we are gone, will you guard Robert for me?”
She looked up at him, glanced at Robbie and then, letting go his hand, she went to stand by Robbie. We all made certain Robbie was left alone with her for the entire day.
How fast a year flies by when alternate realities are used. Sebura returned a changed man. There is a stillness to him he never had before. Haven is also changed.
“Robert, I never imagined teaching would teach me so much!”
“Has the new and wiser Haven kept a place for me in her heart?” She flooded him and he looked stupidly happy for a while. (R: God but you can be poisonous at times!) (S: We all relish those moments when we make you look like that. I bet it is true for you also.)
I tried to watch Sebura that evening without making it too obvious so as to work out how he has changed. It may sound insulting, but I do not mean it that way, it is almost as if he has absorbed something of Irfan. He was a man who was often at war with himself and now he seems to have found a center where he is able to accept who and what he is. I hope it means the vestiges of influence from his father are gone or, at least, transformed into positive aspects of the new Sebura. I am told that the ability to transform what has hurt us into reasons for positive growth shows true maturity of spirit. I still tend to dwell on the past in ways that weaken me. Perhaps I should spend a year with Haven - no, I’m too lazy. From what I saw in the memories she shared, she is a gruelling taskmaster J.
Despite the ruling regarding jurisdiction by the United Nations, we cannot hold the duels on our world, so we are returning to Efineh’s reality. I first went on a shopping expedition with Claudia and Aganthi to advise me and bought new clothes for Efineh. I want her looking bright and cheerful at the time she is hurting. I wonder why we evolved such a strange linking to the clothes we wear. I asked from Robbie a favour and he was upset he had not thought of it first. Aganthi insisted I be with her and give my advice - I’m hopeless at it but maybe my link to my sweet girl will help guide me.
We arrived and asked Efineh to come to Freddie. She arrived looking worried, but we all hugged and kissed her, trying to keep our secret at the same time. Sebura and Piri watched us until the little girl couldn’t resist running to Efineh to also welcome her with a hug and kiss. Robbie had prepared a small podium and we crowded around it, all of us eager to catch her first reactions. Suddenly Sebura stood on the podium! Efineh was not expecting him either and she faced him with a question in her eyes. He went to stand exactly before her and he bowed his head to her. He spoke in English.
“I have called you many things in the past and claimed Samantha used you as a toy to pass her time. I tried to use you when I saw what Samantha intended for you. Efineh, daughter of Samantha, loved as I have seen by all her family, will you accept the apology of a foolish Orati rider?”
“There is nothing to forgive Sebura, all has long since been forgotten.”
7248
“Then let it be known that when Samantha is not with us, to me you are Samantha and I will obey you as if you were Samantha. My hope is that you will find me of use to you so that my shame may truly be forgiven and forgotten.”
Someone had raised Pirusi onto the podium and she stood by them, watching and trying to understand. She took Efineh’s hand and tugged at her. As she looked at her, Pirusi asked, “Mama? Are you now my mama?”
Both Sebura and Efineh blushed. Efineh crouched to hug her. “Not your mama, but in my heart you are like a daughter to me.” She held her for a long moment as she waited to gain control of the tears that threatened.
Our big moment of wanting to impress on Efineh that she is part of our family forever, had been upstaged. Robbie calmly suggested we eat and drink. We seated Efineh and Sebura on either side of Pirusi and she was brilliantly happy, her joy bringing a glow to our hearts as we ate and talked and found ways to tease each other.
After Robbie had his coffee and cigarette we wandered back to the podium, this time our close friends forming a ring behind us. With her hand in his, Robbie led Efineh up to the podium and they faced us.
“Daughter primarily of Samantha. Daughter and sister of all my loves and granddaughter of our pappou Alki, we have come together to show you in some small way how deeply you are loved. Watching you grow up into the lovely woman you are today, I am proud that Efineh Teller is a Teller and daughter of mine also - even if I look too young to be your father,” he added with a grin. “To symbolise our love and your being a part of our family we have prepared a small surprise for you. Will you give me your hand daughter?” As she did he smiled, unable to resist his sense of humour. “The only daughter that never married me! You are a bad example.”
Before we could boo him he jumped so we had to quickly follow if we wanted to be a part of her joy. We landed on the verandah and watched as Robbie presented her own apartment to her, designed and decorated just for her.
She wept on Robbie’s shoulder and he gave her the time she needed to recover. He pulled at her chin so as to make her look at him. “I guess it does not need saying that the idea was Samantha's? However, the apartment holds one item from each of us so that you remember that all of us also love you and always will.”
Just for a brief moment we helped her forget her pain and we’ll have to be satisfied with that.
We returned to the taverna for cake and Efineh was told about our plans for Sebura to fight the ones who’d tried to use him against us as Normals. A look of alarm paled her face.
“Sebura, I’ve watched men of that world, they have ways of fighting that are unbelievably difficult to defend against. They’ll kill you!”
“I have spent a year being trained by Haven, it will have to be enough.”
“A year?”
We explained and she looked at Sebura again. “I thought you had changed! Isn’t Haven wonderful?”
He smiled. “If I am able to fight without losing my honour, I shall forgive her for being so wonderful for all of a year! Do not ask her to train you Efineh.”
The elders were warned and they asked for the fights to be delayed by a few days as the leaders of other lands are certain to want to witness such a series of fights. They needed time to prepare for their guests and since Sebura agreed, the fights were delayed.
7249
When Efineh needs to be alone, her room is of no comfort so she has taken to walking in the roof garden. I can sense when she is there and stay away, but this time I decided I needed to talk to her. She did not comment when she sensed me, not even when she saw I’d come as the scarred Samantha of our first years. After a while she stepped sideways and putting her arm around me she leant her head on my shoulder. We gazed at the stars close to the horizon.
“You have come to speak of Irfan?”
“I have come to hear what your heart has to say about him.”
“I still love him.”
“I know.”
“How can he be so wonderful in so many ways and so...so…”
“Small minded? Not all people who travel to the Far East to learn of their philosophies do so for mature reasons. By far the majority of them go because their own culture is stifling them and they are looking for a new way to express themselves or, and this is true of nearly all of them, because they are afraid of life.
Eastern philosophies are beautiful, but they have their ugly side too. Any belief that relieves their followers of taking responsibility for their own lives is harmful to their development. Where there is great poverty and no way for the majority of the people to improve their lives, such a belief system is of great comfort, but that is all it is. It is amazing that so many millions over the last fifty years have tried to abandon their western upbringing to find happiness in the Far East. No guru can show you the way to happiness Efineh, not even Cherine. Devoting your life to the finding of happiness is a shallow excuse for not making that switchover from childhood to adulthood - and it is the one flaw of the westerners that very few gurus will try to correct, for it keeps the westerners returning to them and they spend a lot of money to do so.
We all hate confrontations. We all, at some time or other, bend over backwards to avoid the unpleasantness of confronting those who take advantage of us. At times we have to, for it is not wise to live our lives taking umbrage at every excuse, it is part of belonging to a community. However, there are times we must not avoid such confrontations, not if we are to have any dignity.
One of the most difficult decisions every Cherinian has had to confront is the need to kill. The decision is not based on some aesthetic ethic, it is basic to who we are and what we want to be. Any human who wishes to achieve some level of wisdom must confront that devil. To make a decision that is ethical we have to take into consideration what life is. Not just life for humans, for beings capable of self awareness. For all life, even those energies we do not ordinarily think of as life.
Universes compete, galaxies compete, suns compete. At the other end of the scale, atoms compete, bacteria compete and every organism capable of growing and reproducing competes. If we are to hold a corner for ourselves, for not to do so is a betrayal not only of who we are, but those we came from and those who should follow us, then we too must compete.
Cherinian reason searches for ways we can compete as allies with all other lifeforms. What do we do about those lifeforms that refuse to compete as allies? If they bring us sickness, do we not look for medicines that can kill them? If they attack us in any way, we owe it to ourselves that we react in self defence. In most cases we are able to find ways to handle the threat without killing - especially when the enemy is a human. Some people though have so been twisted by their own bitter thoughts that they are incapable of understanding qualities like love, tolerance and forgiveness, seeing them only as weaknesses that permit them to do as they wish.
There are times that the only way we can hold our corner is by killing. Hold one point very clearly Efineh, no other person has a greater right to your tiny corner than you, so they are never justified or to be tolerated at cost of our lives or the lives of our competitive allies - whether we call them friends or family. That is a concept my world is still struggling with. You have heard Robert rail against the laws that protect the criminals instead of the victims, so I do not need to expand on the subject.
As Cherinians we are lucky. Thanks to the gifts of Cherine and Robert we are able to travel to the void and we know that humans have souls, sometimes we are even able to influence what life the souls return to. That is why we have been constant in our refusal to implement final death for anyone - however monstrous they are. What we have to be cautious of, is slipping into some kind of cheap philosophy that justifies our ending a life because we know it will continue as a soul. Every soul is born for a reason with lessons to be learnt. Any interruption of the voyage a soul takes is evil. Allowing another person to interrupt our voyage without defending ourselves or those we love, is cowardly and ethically wrong. In other words, killing is evil, but the evil of not defending ourselves, our family, our nation and species, is even greater, for as innocent parties we should not allow the criminal to reign without fear of reprisal.
7250
It is not for me to comment on the beliefs of Irfan. Open yourself to him, try to understand him. If he has valid reasons or his ethics are justified, then look for a way of changing yourself and we’ll learn to accommodate you or maybe grow to be as you. If he is who he is for the wrong reasons, then do not change yourself my daughter because of the love you have for him.”
Asking anyone to reason when they are in pain and their dreams are dying is a terrible thing to do, but I do not see any other answer that can bring her lasting happiness.
I have arrived at the distasteful reporting of the fights.
As Robbie released the first stasis field, Vincent waited to enter his mind should he try any psychic attack against us. He took a moment to orientate himself, barely glancing at Robbie as he checked the surroundings, maintaining an admirable sang-froid.
“How much later?”
“A few weeks. We returned to our reality for a decision by the United Nations. They decided the crime was not committed within their jurisdiction and have left it to me to decide what to do with you.”
He nodded. “You hold the others also?”
“Not all, two got away. Would you like to know your choices?”
“Do I have any of my own? Do whatever it is you intend.”
“You will either open yourself to having your talents blocked or I will do it against your will, but then your mind could be damaged. Once I have done so, you will be given a day to recover and then you will face a battle to the death with Sebura. Your intention was to harm Samantha, but he was your first victim and demands the right to fight you. Samantha has waived her rights to him. You will both fight as Normals according to Orati tradition. Each will be on horseback and will hold a spear, knife and sword. Afterwards, whether he wins or loses, you will be reverted to a baby and lose most of your memories. You will be given a second chance to grow up as a decent human being. That’s it.”
“Ah, the famous Teller empathy. What if I prefer to take my chances and leave the choice of my reincarnation to the void?”
“I had not considered that possibility as most people prefer to remain the person they already are. If you wish it, that is how it will be.”
“Yeah, after you succeed in blocking me. Go ahead and try.”
“I should warn you as to the method I’ll use because I’m not foolish enough to enter a hostile mind ready to fight me. I will kill your body so that you are forced to the void. There I will block your talents and you will return to your healed body. Bon voyage.” Robbie caught him by surprise when he raised a pistol and shot him. The idea was that he was likely to try to use a talent to protect himself, leaving him open to Vincent and a Sparkler. In fact, he was caught by surprise and allowed the bullet to smash his heart. Healers urgently worked on his body while Robbie returned to the void. He did exactly what he’d promised and the man was forced back into his healed body.
He groaned as he came to. “Jesus! That was a fucking dirty trick!”
“I trust you have had some martial arts training? So has Sebura.” He smiled. “May the better man win.”
The man stayed at the house we’d built for their temporary use. There was food and drink, though not enough alcohol to leave him with a hangover. He was collected the next morning and teleported to our centre.
He refused to climb on the horse. “Fuck the horse, let him meet me like a man on foot.”
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)- posted: 16th Jun, 2020
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