The Well-Spring - Chapter 2

Link to Chapter 1: Morning Song

CHAPTER 2 - The Clearing

Alana opened her eyes to the sound of locust chirping and the cool dampness of dusk. Her skin was already moist from the tiny droplets of dew that covered the ground and surrounding foliage. A chill from the ground beneath her seeped slowly through her clothes and into her back. Conflicting with the cool sensation was a warmth that radiated from the top of her head. Lazily she reached up and found Sebastian curled around her head. She smiled to herself realizing that he must have found her while she napped that afternoon. Alana gazed up at the sky, still flat on her back, and witnessed the dawning of the night sky. Each new star, like pinpricks through paper added light and beauty to the night.

Sebastian complained softly when Alana sat up. Extending his paws he stretched long and then with feline grace he stood arching his back. His black tail twitched rapidly before he sat facing Alana. Green luminous eyes pierced the darkness, waiting and watching. The tiny black body shuddered in anticipation. Meowing impatiently he pressed his head against the palm of Alana’s hand that rested lightly on her right knee as she sat legs crossed before her. She reached over to cress his soft black fur and he began to purr.

The landscape of night filled with dark shapes and shadows revealed nothing. Alana felt alone with the exception of Sebastian; she sensed no other presence. No human or animal sound. The night orchestra was all that indicated there was still life awake and active. Sebastian’s continuous purr comingled with the locust evening song.

There was no moon to light the sky or to reveal an opening in the trees to a path that could take her home. She stood turning slowly to see if there was anything to hint which way she should go.

A warm breeze traveled through the open field; the grass bowing low and the leaves in the trees fluttered and shook. The rustling leaves mimicked a distant ocean crashing upon uninhabited sandy shores. The ebb and flow of the breeze added a new dimension and rhythm to the night symphony.

Underneath the sounds of the night, a low melancholy note rose up from the earth. It began deep and full; bursting to the surface this single tone rang through the night. Softly, intermittent chimes joined in. A melody began to form out of the sounds. Invisible hands strummed and plucked at unseen harp strings. A voice uttered indistinguishable words; the message unclear to her mind was painfully acknowledged by her heart.

Alana froze in the place where she stood and felt the music sweep over her like a warm bath. The subliminal harmony pulled at her, urging her to follow it through the darkness of night. The tiny whisperings of sweet music continued to speak to her. The stars as entranced as Alana burned more brightly and they danced to the rhythm of the song. Alana slowly made her way across the field and the music grew louder and each silent step.

Alana moved swiftly through the tall grass; Sebastian following in her wake. Alana didn’t notice the thickening of the foliage as she pressed forward. Low lying shrubs grabbed and tugged at her skirt tearing and ripping the fine cloth. Branches snapped and popped in protest as she continued to follow the music.

Shrubs turned to trees that grew steadily taller and thicker. If she had not been so drawn to the music she would have grown frustrated with the denseness of the trees. Still pressing forward she could see fractures of light bursting between the massive trunks like light shining from the welcoming windows of a house at night.

Alana soon stepped out into a small clearing lit up by a bonfire so bright it was as if it was day. The music was building low and eep from the earth rising high and bursting with chimes and harps ringing through the clear open night sky.

Alana slowly moved forward and around the blazing fire. There on the other side was a small personage singing and playing the harp. There were no distinguishable features. The face seemed to change from a young female child to an angry man and then change back to a youthful man-child to a fairy-like creature. Sometimes the skin was fair and smooth. Other times it was weathered and tan. The continuously changing face was intriguing and terrifying.

Alana sat down on a feather cushion that appeared to be for her. Once she was settled she looked upon this beautiful creature that had finished its song. The image before her had submitted to an appearance pleasing to Alana.

Kind green eyes gazed back at Alana’s. Alana imagined touching the smooth translucent skin. Beneath the surface colors seemed to move freely like water flowing and rippling in a pond. The long flowing golden hair flickered like tiny flames.

Alana watched the crimson lips of this creature as she began to speak:

“I am Time. I am Eternal,” she began. “There is nothing in the past; the future or the present I do not see. I know each soul’s path and purpose. I am the Keeper of Mysteries and Treasures. I am Life and Death. I am joy and sorrow. I am pleasure and pain.”

Alana gazed upon her companion as she continued, “I am Light. I am Darkness. I am Thirst and Hunger. I am Water and Earth.”

Hesitating a little, Alana asked, “Why am I here?”

“What do you seek?” the creature returned.

“I seek nothing,” Alana replied.

“What do you desire?”

“I want to go home.”

“There is something more.”

The creature began to change. The color of her skin became more solid and fleshy. Her hair burned a brilliant red.

“You would not have heard my call if you weren't ready.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Alana’s voice began to quiver. “I fell asleep in the meadow and awoke at dusk. I could not see the path to go home when I heard your song.”

“My song only calls those whose heart is ready.”

The creature’s features softened; turned a pale shade of pink. Green eyes fixed on Alana’s brilliant blue eyes wide with wonder.

“I want to go home. I don’t know how to get there. Can you tell me which way to go?”

“Your path is a long and treacherous one.”

“It cannot be. I just walked this way this morning.”

“Your home is found after many journeys… This path is long and will be met with many trials.”

“I don’t understand!” Alana’s features grew more frustrated. She sat staring into the fire. The creature continued to speak in riddles. The sing-song voice and the blazing fire were hypnotizing and she felt her body sink deep into the earth. She felt heavy and weighted down. She was trapped in this place but did not feel the urgency to leave.

The low melancholy notes began deep below her; rising and swelling. Flutes and horns rang through the trees spiraling upward toward the stars. Harp strings resumed their previous melody and the words that dripped like molasses from the creature’s lips pierced Alana’s heart.

It seemed to her that beauty and peace could not be met without experiencing pain and turmoil. Life could not begin without death. Love and hatred: equal partners. It did not seem fair that all that was worth having would come with an incredible price.

As her young mind began to realize what others learn after a lifetime of experiences, the deep pit of pain in her heart began to feel like a tremendous whole. She felt empty and forsaken. The usually peaceful blue eyes turned yellow-green as salty tears streamed down her cheeks dropping and splattering on her skirt. If a heart could break she was certain that hers would break now.

The song of this immortal creature rang through the night. All things immortal knew its meaning. Al of nature respected the truth and lived by its eternal law.

Filled with sorrow and despair; Alana sobbed; her body trembling and shaking uncontrollably. She longed for comfort. The creature offered no strength or an arm to hold on to. The song was all it could offer. Alana folded upon herself falling to her side; sobbing until exhaustion. No strength to rise up. The stars gazed down on her broken body that finally slipped into unconsciousness.

Chapter 3 - Scorching Sands