The Cainite Order

CHAPTER 21

ПРИЛИКЕ СУ СКЛОНЕ СПРЕМНОМ УМУ

CHAPTER 21

"Chance favors the prepared mind."

"This is a very old form of rest and rejuvenation used by very few people outside of the Reapers. If not for our dire situation this knowledge would not be passed to you." Volkov stated flatly. Though he had not spent much time with him Beathen understood that he was short with people because he had little time for bullshit. For a Reaper, formalities like political correctness and people's feelings were only hurdles to slow you down, and for a Reaper slow equals death.

"I get the point of meditation, but shouldn't I be sleeping instead of meditating in the Sanctum Sanctorum?" Beathen wondered out loud.

"Sleep will only recharge your body and a portion of your magikal power. This type of meditation, if done right, will recharge both." answered Volkov.

"What kind of incense is that? I've made my own before but I don't recognize the scent of those herbs." Beathen asked.

"Mugwort, Wormwood, Jasmine flowers, Mullein leaf, Motherwort, and the hull of a black walnut; it's a special blend used to center oneself. If we survive this I may give you the correct amounts to use but for now be silent and meditate." Volkov replied.

Beathen did as Volkov instructed and closed his eyes. As with every time he tried to meditate, the more he tried to clear his mind the more random thoughts would force their way in. Now that Ash was here all he could think about was finally telling her how he felt.

"As wonderful as a companion can be they do tend to complicate many situations." a female voice said, interrupting his thoughts. Beathen was so shocked it took him a few seconds to realize he wasn't in the Sanctum Sanctorum any more.

"Who are you? What's going on?" he asked, immediately moving to a defensive stance.

Moving gracefully through the foggy brush came a raven-haired woman on a path right toward him. Beathen tried to place her ethnicity but it was more difficult than he would have thought. She was wearing blue jeans and a shirt that said Don't be such a Muggle. It wasn't until she began leaning on a tree that he realized fully that he was in a wooded area full of foliage he didn't recognize. The entire area felt different to him, like a half-remembered dream.

"Who I am isn't that important at the moment. As for what's going on, that's going to take a minute to explain. Have a seat and relax." she said, motioning to a fallen tree. "We are just outside of Varanasi, India in the Chandraprabha Wildlife Sanctuary. Partially because the entire area is latent with magikal energy, but mainly because I love this part of the world; it's almost untouched by human hands. I can tell by the troubled look on your face that you're wondering how you got here. In truth you're not really here. Your body is still in the Sanctum at your Chapter house. You are astral projecting to this spot."

"I thought you had to try to astral project. Just projecting randomly during meditation isn't something that is supposed to happen, right?" Beathen questioned, trying to sound less confused than he was.

"You are correct, for the most part. Astral projection is something that you have to try and do. There are occasions that it is used as a means of conveying information secretly. Like now." she answered.

"So who are you? Some Goddess I don't recognize?" he probed.

"No, I'm not a Goddess!" she said with a laugh, "Some people think that but I can assure you I am not omnipotent. Now the easiest way for us to get through this is going to be for you to accept that there are certain things you will not understand for some time. First and foremost is that my name is Lilith and I'm your Grandmother."