From Night On: Magdalene

Chapters 23-24

Chapter 23:

Truth be Told

It was like a pebble being dropped into a pool. As Meira and Quaden rode ahead, they passed through a rippling barrier and vanished, startling everyone who saw it and causing a surge of panic to wave through the rest of the traveling band. Thomas, without concern for himself, kicked at his horse and rushed forward to try to catch them, but they were gone as if the portal was meant solely for them.

Mathew was close behind and rode his horse back and forth through the area where they had vanished, hoping that he might find some hidden trick to joining them, but it was to no avail. Before anyone could ask any questions, he called out an order for everyone to stay within the caravan and to not wander off.

"We can't risk anyone else being separated," he explained. "Everyone, stay where you are." He and Thomas quickly returned to reading the ledger, but there was no mention of hidden pathways or members of the previous group to brave the torn desert landscape who vanished inexplicably.

"What do you suggest, commander?" the centurions asked from their locations.

"Remain calm," Thomas called back as Mathew scanned the ledger. "You have your orders. Stay still and stay calm. Men on left and right and rear, keep your eyes open. Let us know as soon as anyone sees anything." He then turned his attention to Mathew and the ledger. "Is there anything that tells of what just happened?"

"Nothing," Mathew answered through his focus. While no verse of the strange accounts carried any warning or clue as to their current situation, one section seemed to oddly speak directly to the commander, himself.

"Much pride can be the strength that destroys mountains, as do the hooded men that destroy dreams."

"A warning, perhaps?" Thomas asked.

"But a warning of what?" Mathew grumbled as he analyzed the section. "The rest of the ledger talks about deranged slavers who purposefully kept their slaves blind and chained and how one found his fate as one of the slaves."

"Maybe," a voice came from caravan, "it's not actual blindness."

Just then, Mathew and Thomas looked up to see three horses riding towards them. "Justus, Patricius, Lucius," Mathew greeted them. "Have you been studying the ledger with Meiri?"

"No," Justus answered, "but she had asked us to join you in trying to understand her journey."

"And we are no longer Patricius and Lucius," Andrew answered. "Like you, we have renounced our old selves for new lives. I am no longer Lucius. She has given me my new name of Andrew."

"And I am now Simon Peter," the other added.

"Well," Thomas smiled, "that is an oddly comforting development." He then looked to Justus as to ask for his new name, but something felt even more encouraging before the man could answer.

"This desert is my final trial," Justus announced. "If I am so worthy as to gain forgiveness and shed my past, then I will renounce my name when we have made it through, but that is not as important as keeping everyone alive."

"Good man," Mathew nodded in respect. "Lend me your whimsical minds. I fear my cleverness might be lacking in comparison to yours."

"Well," Simon Peter rode up to sit next to Mathew and look over the ledger with him, "blindness also means ignorance, does it not? Should we share as much as we can with the others?"