Destination Starlight (8)
“Well, you don’t have to leave, just because you do not belong here, because of where you came from. It does not matter here in Saint Brigid.” Kay said, “You are always welcome in this house.” Rijiin smiled, putting his hand on the priest’s shoulder, nodding formally to the youth. “You have my thanks for everything, my friend.” He said, “I will be out of here in a few more days and find other accommodations, I just need to find peace, absolution and truth to the fate that is destined where I walk.” Kay grimaced but nodded. “Besides, I don’t want to open Saint Brigid for Inquisitors and annexation if they find it as a haven for heretics. If someone from the north comes looking for me here.” The elf said, “I know they are still searching for me, having escaped the soldiers when I arrived here in this place. I want to be sure that everyone remains safe. I am not fully an elf yet, and not human in many ways, but as the time progresses I will be completely changed.” Kay nodded, “I understand. Go with god though.” “Thanks Kay.” Rijiin replied, nodding as he passed him and went to the room in the large house of the priest. He did not sleep, holding the blade on his lap as he meditated, focusing on the starlight as always. He explored Saint Brigid and the surrounding area for another couple of months, going abroad, extending outward to the north where he infiltrated the cities of Hypperex, and the smaller cities to the east. There he witnessed for himself the atrocities of this world and time. He saw many burnings, and the soldiers march innocent blood to the dungeons of the keep after false accusations of being a heretic. Even he was questioned, and he answered politely, keeping his blade at his side, drawing it often to fight and kill soldiers and clergy often making his stay brief in the north. During those times, he had learned the truth of the matter of where he was and where he would have to become a part. He was in a savage land, of plague, burnings, turmoil, injustice and even death. The elf had seen the savagery of the land here and it would be what he would have read about in the future, studying history. Now he was seeing it real time, slowly making it his home, acclimating to this place and time. He wondered how the human race made it out of these times, and how they were able to evolve from such savagery. As the elf walked south, keeping to the forest and returning toward Saint Brigid, he was deep in thought. He passed through many clearings and trails that led through the forest and stepped into a clearing that he did not look up to pan a glance at until he heard a humming on the threshold. The newly transformed elf now stared at a shimmering disk that crackled here before him and it made him gasp as he gaped at the disk in astonishment. It is the same portal that had brought him here, and would and could return him to the place where he actually belonged. “The portal…!” Rijiin thought, but instinctively he kept back from it, watching the disk in silence, crouching on the threshold of the clearing. The elf realized he could try to go home, but he also felt a strange aversion to the portal’s presence. He saw the images many times in the starlight, that something inside telling him if he stepped through it that he would not live to see the other end of it. He had seen his own death many times as he meditated in the starlight and did not dare try now knowing his path that lay ahead of him for all times, rather than a lifetime of a single century. He was immortal, changed by the elves goddess and magic and he would live for all times. Rijiin rose slowly and cautiously entered the clearing. He did not get too close to the energy, in case the portal’s energy lanced out to grab him. “Rijiin…! Don’t!” A shout said, and he turned as Mirya entered the clearing behind him. The maiden embraced him warmly, holding him against her. She drew back to peer into his gray eyes. “Where have you been? You dropped out of sight from Saint Brigid. I came looking for you.” She said, holding him. “I am so glad to see you. I figured you would come up here looking for an answer to your questions.” “I have been abroad.” He replied quietly, “I have seen with my own eyes, the atrocities of this world. A world I have to call home, but cannot. I do not belong here. This is an alien world to me. I don’t know if I can assimilate this world and fit in here in the way that is expected of me.” “Oh Rijiin…” Mirya gasped, shaking her head and he shrugged. She realized by what he meant by that. The maiden peered into his gray eyes, before kissing him on the cheek. "You need not attempt what you foolishly are thinking." She told him, “I know, and understand. I was like you in the dungeons of the Inquisition, tortured raped, and about to die when I managed to muster strength and courage to fight back. You can do it too, Rijiin I know you can. I sensed you were about to go through the portal. Don’t do it, you won’t live to see the other end of the tunnel.” “I know, Mirya.” Rijiin said, “I have seen the images in the starlight, and have full knowledge. I know I cannot return to my proper place, where I came from." “Come home then, Rijiin.” Mirya said quickly, meeting his questioning glance with a nod. “Where is home then Mirya, if it is not here in the fourteen century, or the twentieth century, then where do I belong?” Rijiin murmured, “I don’t exactly belong in Saint Brigid either. I am a person without a county, time or people.” “I will show you a place where you belong.” She said, taking up his hand, smiling at the newly transforming elf. He grimaced at her, and glanced at the portal. “Trust me.” Mirya soothed, nodding. “Give us a chance to show you the path.” She led Rijiin from the clearing and they traveled together, along the paths known only to elves, and toward Saint Brigid. “Be at peace, you will be welcome there.” She said, “Come, I will show you.” They traveled for two days, moving rapidly along the paths, and soon arrived at Saint Brigid. They did not stop there, as Rijiin was pulled by Mirya to the forest’s edge in which he felt a little unease. He remembered what had happened when it came down to the last time he had entered the forest and the events that followed. Mirya nodded her head in earnest, motioning to him. “It is alright Rijiin, I know the way, just follow and you will not be harmed.” She told him, sensing his unease. “Alright Mirya…” Rijiin replied with a sharp inhale and followed her into the forest. The maiden led him along the paths, and they soon arrived at a great oak tree. Here the path split, and Mirya him to the left, off the path into the forest, among a hidden path. As they traveled, he felt turned around and lost. He stuck close to the maiden, however, taking in the nature, the sounds, the smells and other things about the woods with his new found improved senses. Rijiin sensed his new abilities coming naturally. He was not fatigued by the quickness along the path that Mirya traveled, able to hear, smell, see and perhaps feel his way through the woods. “Very strange…” He thought, looking down at his large hands that were strong and able to wield a blade. The elf shook his head in perplexed silence. He did not know where this was going, and how he could survive in a place that was not very modern in comparison to what he was used to. Here he was, though, alive and well. Rijiin followed the young maiden closely as she led him through the forest, soon arriving at the entry of clearing and the entry to a cave. He sensed great power here, able to see a strange aura that surrounded the entry. She paused, disappearing through a woven rug over the entryway of a cave. The newly transformed elf paused. He was wondering what he was getting himself into or where he really was. It was not until she reappeared in the entry, peering at him, that he slowly walked toward her. “Coming Rijiin…?” “Tulien, Miryai.” He replied, “Amin tyav-…” He stopped in mid-sentence, realizing that he was speaking a different language. “I feel a bit uneasy, give me a moment.” Mirya appeared from the cave, with surprised look on her face. He had spoken to her in their language, and she smiled brightly, nodding slightly. “Lle quet- ve’ lye Eldalie?” She asked and he nodded. “Aye, amin inty amin umea.” He replied, smiling at the thought. He had told her that, yes, I guess I do. The newly transformed elf managed a grin. Mirya smiled pleasantly, and even laughed briefly embracing him. The maiden had been stunned, his knowing their language, as if he were being manipulated by the goddess perhaps to blend in with their life and being, their ways. For Mirya, things were looking up and she peered into his gray eyes to nod. Rijiin had been astonished by the ability to speak another language now, but always had wanted that ability anyway, even was a kid. He had dabbled learning long ago, but this came free flowing, naturally, as if he was speaking it for years. It had blown Rijiin, completely away. “Come, this way Rijiin.” She said, breaking the embrace and he entered the cave behind her, but not without scanning the forest in silence before he entered. The forest seemed different to him, a little less intimidating to him as it had been before. The elf had no fear of it, and a feeling of home overwhelmed his new senses. He liked the feeling and managed a smile. As he entered the cave, he followed Mirya through the short passage and entering the main chamber. Here, Rijiin stood in the firelight, meeting the glances of the others. They all knew him by name, sensing their acceptance as the others nodded a silent greeting to him. A few of them occupied the large cavern here. It had a high ceiling and benches made of wood. It had small alcoves that branched off from the main chamber and in the center was a fire. It was rustic and quaint, his home for the moment. Scanning the cavern, he heard harp notes echo the cavern here. His eyes quickly fell upon the familiar long red hair, the fair and beautiful Harper, Natil of Malvern. He let out a gasp and all eyes of the other elves had turned to fall upon the newcomer silently as he shook his head in disbelief. He felt choked up, seeing her. Rijiin did not know what to make of this situation, only knowing her from four years prior to coming to this century, and having met her harping in his own century. He had instant recognition with her, and they met often for a long time during that time he was at his high school nearby. They shared a relationship together for a few months together and an almost inseparable one. When it came time for her to leave, he seemed to understand. Images overwhelmed his senses as he peered at her, remembering outside his High School at Adrian C. Wilcox. Those images seemed to expand outward as he stood there, and he grimaced as they seemed so vivid to him like his had been yesterday, but in reality four years had gone by. Nathaniel stood outside the multi-purpose room, as he walked toward the P.E Quad. It had not been without a quick glance to the doors that he continued walking down the walkway. The bus had not arrived here yet, and he wanted to be alone, taking guff from the others in his trade school group in which he did not really want to associate. However, as he approached the walkway leading to the locker rooms, that he noticed a young woman sitting on the low brick wall of the planter before him. She was beautiful, exotic, with blue eyes and long red hair that cascaded down to her shoulder in a single braid. She wore a patchwork cloak, and clothes that were old fashioned. She held a harp in her hand as she tuned it and he cautiously approached her. It had been instant recognition to the young man, of someone who was quite different and did not belong in this century. He wrote many Fantasy and Science Fiction stories for pleasure, and read many too but what he was seeing was clearly out of that same fantasy that he had been writing. Natil turned her head and he peered into her blue eyes that twinkled there which he saw there. Nathaniel was taken back when he saw there, and he clearly was astonished of whom and what he was seeing before him. "Alanae ea Yolisi Elthia…" He told her, touching his forehead to bow wide and low. The Harper gasped hearing his statement and she had an alarmed expression on her face. "Manea…" She replied, instinctively, nodding to the young man. The Harper peered at him astonished again, and with alarm. Her mind-sight whirled with overwhelming turmoil inside. "How can he speak elfish when that era is long since past, and the first born elves vanished in the winds of history?" She thought. He stood up and smiled at the confused Harper, as-if to sense her confusion and astonishment. "Can I help you Mistress? You look a bit lost." He asked, and he saw the pensive look on her face. "I am just passing through kind sir." Natil told him. "Be careful, this is a closed campus and the people here, might ask you to leave." He warned her, nodding. "May I?" He asked, motioning to the wall and she peered at him with a grimace on her face. "I am not going to harm you, mistress Harper." He told her, "You seem to be a bit out of place though." Natil could not believe his statement, his perception of her quite correct, when she had been traveling through time and space. The Harper had been brought forward into a time via the goddess five hundred years from the Renaissance period and she wondered how he knew. It had shocked the young Harper when he had greeted her in the old custom, and in Elfish to boot. "How do you know that?" She asked, "And how do you speak Elfish? Me'Lord?" He grinned, hearing her voice that had been accented with an inflection that he had recognized immediately. "A few words…" He replied, "But I am startled to see you in this time Fair one. I know you are immortal, but for you to be in this century would be a step out of time itself." Natil gasped, as she peered at him, wondering at this young human. He had been perceptive and respectful. "Where do you say I belong?" The Harper asked, confused. "Not from here, but from the past, perhaps in the year about twelve to thirteen hundred A.D…" He told her, "Not from America, where you are but by the look of you a European, perhaps southern…" He shook his head, seeing her confusion. "Be at peace, and no matter, you are here…" He peered at her and smiled as he motioned to her harp. "Ah, a beautiful musician…" He replied. The Harper in the light had blushed slightly and he touched her cheek. "Do you need anything?" He asked, and she cocked her head. "I-I am alright, but I have not had a meal yet." He nodded to her, rising as he put out his arm. "Welcome to Santa Clara, young Harper." He said, "Come, I'll buy you lunch. You seem like you need someone to talk to and some say that the path through inner turmoil begins with a friendly ear. My ear is open if you care to use it." The Harper grinned at his ZEN wisdom. "Very wise words…" She remarked, "Do you have a name?" "It is Nathaniel." He said, "…and you?" "Natil." "It is a GREAT honor to make your acquaintance, young Harper." He replied, and he led her to the quad where he bought her food. She asked him questions, where she was and he answered, making her grimace and even gasp. The young Harper had never seen anything like this place, and as she ate, he asked her a few questions, holding back many of them of her background, as-if he had already known a lot about her by her clothing and other things. "I am in a place called America?" She asked, "Of what year?" "By your calendar, Natil it is nineteen ninety, it is the twentieth century." He told her, gasping but ultimately putting up a hand to block a smile by her priceless reaction. Natil peered at him, sensing his respect toward her and that he was a good man, despite what everyone around him had said in his environment. No one saw them together, as they returned to a secluded grove and sat together eating and smiling. They talked a lot, and he learned a great deal, about her mentioning he was writing stories and he smiled at the concept stories he kept a notebook.
Go to part: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Copyright © 2019 Nathaniel A Miller |