The Gathering Read online

a while, their work had the opposite effect. Now they had traveled a greater distance than they would have without the quickening chant from the Believers. She turned full face to the dashing figure at her side and again laughter her melodious laugh. There was nothing malicious in her laughter, merely a full enjoyment of the moment. He returned her laughter with a conspiratorial chuckle of his own, implying they were engaged in a game and both knew the outcome. But to Mantu this was earnest and he fully intended to delay her past the hour of the gathering. He would give no quarter; this she knew.

  Marita maintained the faster pace and Mantu kept up with her without effort. “Why don’t you join me in the glade up yonder for a spot of tea?” he asked her. “All this walking is making me thirsty? How about it?”

  “Thank you, Mantu,” her smile never wavered, “but my mission is somewhat urgent and I may not delay.” This she said with a pleasant firmness in her voice. He tried his nudge again, without result. Mantu whistled a piercing sound which echoed in swirling patterns around the pair, bounced off the lifeless trees flanking the path and spread out in a sustained sound throughout his domain. The urgency of the sound froze everyone in the domain, except Marita. The folk rushed to the path in throngs. Marita walked on, undisturbed. However, she did hum a strengthening sound causing here cocoon of music to glow bright and firm around her.

  The folk in the domain of the Opposers were afraid of the brightness of Marita’s shield, but their greater fear was of Mantu. They knew the punishment would be great if they failed to delay her. His choice was to keep her from crossing the boarder altogether, but they were unable to touch her, making this task very difficult. Those who came close to her shield felt it as a searing pain and blisters appeared on any part of their body the shield touched. They thronged the path ahead of her, but cringed and backed away as she came close. This slowed her steps somewhat as she did not like to see their pain, but she did not stop. Step by step she marched long the path, happy for the advantage gained by the faster pace while the Believers were there. A few brave Opposers linked arms and stood on the path directly in front of the pair. Mantu smiled his approval. But as she dauntlessly approached the glow from her shield shinned on them causing them to scream in extreme pain and fling themselves off the path, allowing her to continue on. This was repeated time and again with different ones, hoping for a different result, tried to block her path. It never came.

  The boarder was in sight and Mantu and his folk had not yet delayed her progress. He, himself, would have to stop her. His last ploy was to appeal to her graciousness and sympathy. He clutched his stomach and pretended to stumble, falling right into her and causing her to place one foot off the path. She knew he was not hurting, so she ignored his attempt to appear in pain. Suddenly he darted in front of her raising himself to his full stature, which was awesome indeed.

  “Stop, and stop now,” he shouted almost in a rage. For the first time since she entered the path, Marita stopped walking. She was very close to Mantu, so close their noses were inches away from each other. The great understanding for which she was famous shone brightly in her eyes, and lit her beautiful face with a smile.

  “That is not possible,” she said in a soft voice. “I must inform She Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken of the hour of the gathering. You have done a splendid job in your attempts to delay me. I commend you and your folk. They have done well. Now move or I will move you.” The firmness with which she said ‘I will move you,’ caused her shield to expand toward him and its light to wash over him. To his credit he did not scream or flinch in the presence of his folk, but he did step aside as he was compelled to do. In a few more steps, she was at the boarder, she turned and waved goodbye to the gathered folk behind her and stepped over the boarder.

  The difference was night and day. Where the domain of the Opposers was dark and gray the vegetation dead or dying, here all was bright, cheerful, fragrant and vibrant. Colors were everywhere and the folk were dressed in the bright hues of cheerfulness. There was a welcoming throng to greet her and to sing and dance for her. A visit from She Who Need Not Be Told was very rare. Each domain had their own duties and areas of work, there were little or no overlap. Communications between the domains were done in the mysterious towers at the center of each domain. Those who did not work in the towers did not know how those communications were done. Thus they only knew to expect a visit at the entrance from the Opposers domain. They knew the hour the Gathering was at hand and had prepared for both events.

  After acknowledging the welcoming folk and singing a brief song for them, Marita was escorted to the court of She Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken. The court was sparse and almost deserted as word of the hour caused the folk to leave for the various parts of the domain where they were needed. She Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken was standing in the center of the court, arms outstretched in welcome. The two leaders embraced, pushed gently away from each other, smiled and embraced again.

  “Welcome Marita my love,” She Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken said with a soft smile in her voice, “welcome. Let us have tea, while you rest from your journey. Did Mantu give you much resistance?”

  “Yes he did. He brought out all the stops; so I commended him and his folk for doing their duty well before I crossed the boarder. They were splendid, splendid indeed.” She chuckled softly at the memory.

  The two women sat on soft cushioned chairs facing each other over a low table which glowed softly and sipped fragrant tea and chatted. To all appearances this was merely a friendly visit by two leaders of different domains with nothing urgent to accomplish. They were relaxed and comfortable, their laughter filling the court. The happiness they enjoyed overflowed and those who served in the court fairly danced as they brought the tea and crumpets to the table.

  After they were thoroughly refreshed, Marita sang. All the folk who served in the court stilled their scurrying and sat on pillows to listen to her song. She sang of the hour of the Gathering. She sang of the ages of preparation which went into making the Gathering possible; she sang of the noble work performed by the Opposers which gave courage and strength to the workers over the ages as they were resisted the snares of the Opposers. She sang of those who would Gather and the changes that would come afterward; and lastly she sang of love and the joy of being in the world. Then she was finished.

  In unison all rose and left the court. Each knew their own task and went to perform it; lightened by the song of Marita. The two leaders joined hands and left the court heading for the domain of The Silent One. There path was through meandering meadows filled with flowers, tall grasses, gently streams and friendly folk preparing for the Gathering. They were greeted with joyful respect by all the folk along the way. folk paused in their work to wave or sing or shout, however the joy of seeing the two leaders struck them. Before long they reached the boarder and crossed over into the domain of The Silent One.

  As was fitting this was a subdued domain. There was silence over everything and everyone. It was not a somber silence, but a most restful and refreshing silence. It was a silence in which the folk worked and played with uncommon joy. The women basked in the stillness all around them. In lowered voices, so as not to disturbed the silence, they greeted the welcoming party and were led with dignity to the court of The Silent one. They entered the richly carpeted court, their steps soundless, muffled into silence by the carpet. The Silent One was waiting for them. A group hug brought the three together in the center of the court. Softly, he held each one, smiling so warmly as to melt even dew. They rested for awhile in the plush and muffling center court as they told the Silent One of Marita’s journey to inform She Whose Name Cannot Be Spoken, and their journey to him. The Silent One did not speak, he never spoke, but everyone with whom he had interaction knew what he needed them to know. Although words were used in his domain, as they were now by the two women, it was not often, nor were there many of them. The pictures he painted mind to mind were all that were necessary for him to communicate his intent. The women preferred wo
rds, thus they spoke while The Silent One communicated with them, and everyone, with mind pictures.

  He rose and went to the huge fireplace almost covering the entire back wall of his court. From the mantle over the fireplace he removed a sheathed sword which had hung there for ages untold. He notched the sword to a place on his belt, but there was no clicking sound as one might expect. This was the signal. The activity in the court which had appeared leisurely while the trio chatted, became purposeful, swift and extremely focused. Everyone knew their duty and silently performed it. The three leaders left immediately heading for the Meadow of the Gathering. Opposers were not permitted in the domains of the three, but they had the freedom to roam everywhere else and oppose the work done by the folk from those domains. Thus it was known as soon as the trio crossed the boarder into the land of the Meadow of the Gathering they would encounter Opposers and perhaps Mantu himself.

  Sure enough that was exactly what happened. They had not gone many steps into the land, when Mantu strolled up to them. He was as urbane and pleasant as was his usual demeanor, but