HOLES IN THE FABRIC: Bk 1 The Weaver Prophecy

Chapter 18: Rebirths

     The horse landed on the ground outside the gate. As soon as he alighted he knew something was not right.  He called to the guards

         “Stand aside.” The gate swung open before him.

               Lord Shu used all his senses to locate Moana. He sensed her, but she was very weak. He made his way to the tree where she was last, and examined the markings on the ground. He followed the tracks and scent of her. Her trail led to the sides of the inner cavern, where lying at against the wall curled in a ball was a humoth crying at his feet. He bent down gently and brushed a tear away from her cheek.

        The Humoth kicked and scratched striking out at him, arms flailing. Going with all hell and fury.

          “Stop it’s me, it’s me.”

The Humoth cocked its head to one side.

           “I have returned, Moana. Is that you?”

The Humoth reached out its hands and tried to find the source of the words. He leaned in closer taking its hands in his. The hands touched his hands gently, and then moved up to feel his face.

          “I helped you before. You must trust me. Come, let me help you up.” He lifted the Humoth tenderly to its feet, still holding its hands gently. He pulled the hands up to his lips and kissed them softly.

           “There now. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  The Humoth calmed down.

            “Moana, what have you done to yourself. This is not who you are. ” He whispered in her ear. “ You have to believe in the power of love. Feel my love for you.”

   He took her hands and placed them over his heart. Then reached forward and wrapped his arms around her bringing her in close to him. He held her tight as she wept in his arms.

       “You are stronger than you know. You have to find that strength now. To see the light in yourself, to believe its still there. I will help you.”

    Shu reached into his pack with one arm and pulled forth a golden disc. He placed it upon her head. It started to spin and vibrate spinning gold shafts of light about her. As it moved, strips of humoth skin fell away; the wings fell to the ground. He placed the disc back in his bag, and then gently pulled the last of the strips away. He stood back to look at who was now before him. Her face was alight. She was grubby yet still beautiful.

          “Ah, there you are.”  He smiled gently, and lifted her a little so he could look straight into her eyes. He placed her gently back down, and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

    Moana let out a sob. Her whole body trembling.  He sat her down and held her in the darkness until she stopped. His chest covered in her tears.

    “You’re safe now. Nothing would have harmed you. I promise you that much.” His words tousled her hair like a warm summer breeze through the trees.

    “To survive in this place you must be aware of a few points. It is an emotional realm. So be aware of your own. Otherwise they will manifest physically and throw you about the place. You can become your own enemy.” He took her fingers and brushed them with his lips, looking intensely into her eyes. 

      “It is important that you always remember love. Never cut yourself off from it completely. Especially in these realms. To forget it, is to become lost.  In this place all gifts and all short fallings are amplified. Remember that, and focus on the positive as much as you can. It is more instant than the world above. There your thoughts manifest, but so slowly many do not make the connection between the two. Here it is more obvious. The stakes are higher.” He reached into his bag.