Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Gardens

We walked back to the main part of town where I had two free hours while Micah attended another meeting, and Fletcher helped prepare dinner in the kitchens. I decided I may as well try to study, despite the discouragement I felt.

Thankful to be back in the quiet of our bunk, I opened one of the books and began reading about the history of Kapanathy. I tried to study, but I had difficulty focusing. By the end of the homework period, I didn't know any more about Kapanathy than I did at the beginning.

Around that time, Micah returned to our bunk to take me to the meditation grounds on the opposite side of the city.

The moment we arrived in the gardens, I let out an audible gasp at the scintillating sight before us. The place was adorned with beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. Fountains with innately carved symbols sprayed small streams of water into the air. Butterflies glided gracefully with the help of a slight breeze, and the only sound was that of birds chirping in the trees, forming a sweet melody. The place was so lovely, it almost brought tears to my eyes.

I strolled deeper into the gardens, as if drawn to them through some unseen force. I walked past beautifully embellished benches, laid sporadically against tree trunks and bird baths. Many of them are wrapped with elaborate vines of bright pink clematis and white hydrangeas. The smell of flowers wafted up to meet me and I took a deep sniff, inhaling their wonderful fragrances.

I turned to look at Micah, a wide smile on my face. "It's wonderful!"                                          

"The gardens were created to have a calming, peaceful affect. I guess the Council thought that the children would need it, after the things they go through during their trainings," Micah said, his face hard.

"Each member of Tueri is required to come to the gardens regularly, and you are no exception. For one hour every day, you're scheduled to come to here and meditate. It's meant to help clear your mind so you can concentrate better during your lessons.

"I'll be back at the end of the hour and we'll go to the cafeteria for dinner," he said.

"Wait," I said, reaching out to grab his arm before I could leave. "I don't know how to do this," I admitted. I had never meditated a day in my life.

"There's no wrong way to meditate, Alexis. You just need to focus on your mind and clearing the negativity to make room for the magic to flow. You'll be just fine," he said with a small smile. Then he strolled from the gardens, leaving me alone in the enchanted space.

For a moment I just stood still, staring after him after he was long gone. The gardens were quiet, the only sounds that of the cheerful robins in the trees, and the gush of water flowing from the fountains.

"Okay, let's give this a try," I muttered to myself. I sat on one of the the benches propped against trellis of bright yellow roses, and closed my eyes.

I had seen actors practicing meditation in movies, but it wasn't as easy as it seemed. I couldn't seem to concentrate, as my mind raced in a dozen different directions. Unable to relax, I shook the stress from my tensed extremities, and tried again.

After sitting in silence for another ten minutes and trying with all of my willpower, I didn't find my mind or body to be any more tranquil than when I first began the process.

"Dammit!" I exclaimed, my head dropping to my hands in exasperation.

"Well that doesn't seem very relaxing," a deep voice said, causing me to jump to my feet in alarm.

I had thought I was alone in the meditation gardens, so the young man's sudden presence startled me. I recognized him as one of the other protectors I had met at dinner the previous night.