Chapter 13

From his secluded spot high on the ridge, Dalfang watched Bracken struggling up the ravine.  Behind him, almost hidden in the trees, sat his home.  Its storm windows, framed between rough cedar siding, were open, allowing the ocean breeze from the Sea of Aurin to blow through his parlor.  In the distance, he could hear breakers as they crashed against the rocky shoreline.

Bracken stopped his climb and took a sip from his canteen.  Dalfang waited patiently, his eyes warm with a calm glow.  He reached out to the youth with his mind, "You're almost here, a few more steps."  Refreshed, Bracken walked on.  He had been hiking perhaps a half hour.  His boots left waffle prints in the dark brown soil wherever it appeared between the crusty rock surface on the hillside.  Soon he would be at the top.

Dalfang met Bracken at the crest of the hill. "So you've come."

"Yes," gasped the young climber, speaking between breaths.  "That last hundred yards was rather steep."  He turned to look back down the ravine, his chest heaving rapidly.   "I thought I was in shape.  Guess I needed a little of this."   Together they gazed at the blue water of the Sea of Aurin below them.  The distant horizon collected a bank of white, puffy clouds that moved slowly toward them on the crisp breeze.  "Looks like we're in for a change in the weather," offered Bracken.

"You never know how it will turn out here," replied Dalfang.  "Those clouds hold little rain, but the fog should be in by morning. It's always wet."  Dalfang glanced into the woods and then back at Bracken.  "You'd probably like some refreshment after your climb.  Follow me, there's a meal waiting at my home."

Bracken followed the older man along the ridge for a while and then abruptly they turned into the woods.  The tall trees pointed firm fingers of evergreen at the clear sky above them.  As they entered the forest, its lush undergrowth exuded a fragrant aroma.  A variety of herbs grew wild along the trail they followed.  Looking ahead, Bracken could see a quaint mountain cottage wedged neatly between several giant trees.  Its wooden porch squeaked lowly as they crossed it, entering the parlor.  The breeze blew at the burlap curtains that hung inside the open windows.  "Find a seat at the table," Dalfang offered warmly.  "I’ll join you in a moment."

Bracken sat down.   Glancing around the room, he took in its soft earthen atmosphere.  Chairs of wood and leather were clustered near the fireplace, evidence that others besides Dalfang had been there warming themselves from its glow.  Ashen logs were all that remained now.  On the mantle above and resting on tables around the room were unique designed vessels holding a variety of plants.  The interior of the cabin was nearly as lush as the surrounding forest.  The table was made from beautifully carved wood.  Its polished top was held from the floor by intricately sculptured legs.  Bracken liked the homey atmosphere of Dalfang's world.  The woods and mountains seemed to gently extend their peacefulness into the cabin.  The bustling pressure of Accad seemed miles and years away.

Dalfang returned to the room with a pitcher of liquid in one hand and a bowl of fruit in the other.  He offered them to Bracken and took a seat beside him.   "Do you find your surroundings pleasant?"

"Quite restful."   Bracken leaned back in his chair, thinking about the peace he felt, savoring the moment.  "This is jipe juice!" announced Bracken as he took a drink.   "Where did you get it?"  He hadn't had any since he had left Tizra.   He wondered how his Father and Mother were?  Ditten?  Kempec?  Where was Lisha?  He missed her the most.  The times they had shared their thought, visions, dreams.  If only she were here to enjoy this experience.

Dalfang awoke him from his thoughts, "I have several trees in my orchard in the meadow beyond the spring."   He pointed out the window to a clearing in the woods.

Bracken nodded as he took another drink.  "I can see why you enjoy living here.  The forest is alive and yet completely unthreatening.  I'm going to enjoy my stay."

Bracken plucked some of the fruit and ate thankfully, drinking in his surroundings.  "This forest is so nice, I can't imagine anything more pleasant and yet you tell me Malchag is even more beautiful.  I find that hard to believe."

Dalfang folded his arms across his chest and began to address Bracken as a father does a son.   "Believing is something you'll have to learn more about later.  As for Malchag, your reaction is understandable.  But understand this my young friend, merely because you fail to grasp what I'm telling you now, in no way changes its existence."

At first Dalfang had been a little upset by Bracken's unbelief.  He wanted to scold the youth.  But it was evident to the sage that Bracken was just that, merely a youth.  He needed encouragement to make the leap necessary to carry him into the realm of Malchag.  He stroked his beard a few times and then changed his approach slightly.  His eyes smiled as he continued.  "Try to understand that what I'm telling you is evident all around you."

Bracken squirmed a bit, feeling like a child.  "What do you mean by that?  I can see it's beautiful, but I'm not going to try and read some fairy tale into it."

"Of course not. Simply observe."  Dalfang pointed to a tiny insect that slowly crawled across the windowsill.  "Do you think our little friend here has any knowledge of our plane of existence?"

Bracken looked at the creature with amusement.  "I doubt it. He lives in his own world."

Dalfang looked satisfied.   He was starting to get somewhere.  "Exactly! Yet we exist, don't we?   Now just think for a moment if suddenly he was given the capacity to understand as we do.  It would be overwhelmingly beautiful to say the least.  The realm of the insect is limited."

"And so is ours."

"You're catching on quickly, my boy."

"So, what you're saying is that there's a higher realm for us as men."

"The worm metamorphoses and comes forth a butterfly.  And you and I must move on as well.  We can go anywhere we wish if we know how.  We can become creatures of a higher realm if we only learn the keys to that world."

"What kind of world are you talking about?"

"One that's infinite.   A world in which we evolve ever upward until we become like the one who made this world.  And then ... and then we can create our own worlds and fill them with what we choose."  Dalfang's eyes squinted as he unfolded these truths.

Bracken was ready to see the evidence.  "It sounds great.  Now all I need is to experience it."

"Fine, that's what I brought you here to see."  Dalfang glanced out the window toward the treetops.   A soft golden light touched their branches.

The old man stood to his feet, taking a staff that rested against the wall near him.  "We better go, the sun is moving toward the sea and we need to reach the gate before dusk."

Bracken followed as his guide led him from the cabin door and deep into the forest.  Branches of great trees formed a green sanctuary around them as they moved along the twisting path.  After a half-hour's walk, they came to a clearing.  Granite cliffs pushed themselves together forming a narrow canyon at the bottom.  Bracken watched with amazement, as Dalfang gingerly climbed and jumped between the rubble of smaller rocks that were strewn in their pathway.  Dalfang broke the previous silence of their climb with an utterance that sounded as if he had been reading Bracken's thoughts.  "I've walked this trail often, young one.  My feet are familiar with each step.  Follow on, we're nearly there."  The leader quickened the pace as the two hikers moved closer to their goal.

The first chill of evening was settling as they reached the end of the path.  It dead-ended into a solid wall of granite.  Although Bracken wasn't sure of what to expect, he began to feel he had followed a foolish old man on a crazy chase.  Once again, it seemed that his elder had read his thoughts.  "Don't be fooled by appearance, lad.  Secrets must be well hidden.  Mysteries like Malchag do not open their doors to stumbling fools and skeptics.  "Have a seat and listen," ordered Dalfang quietly.  But firmly.  Bracken found a seat on a large rock behind him.  "This is no time for doubts," the elder continued.  "You haven't come this far to throw away your faith...trust me and you will soon see."

Dalfang's form seemed to take on an awesome majesty in the twilight.  His eyes glowed even more brightly as he pulled the hood of his cloak over his balding head to warm himself against the evening chill.  "Here lies the Anindi Passage to Malchag."  He pointed to the stone wall in front of them.

Bracken's eyes slowly followed the granite wall to its crest.  Above them the sky was pink, as the fading sunlight splashed itself on the previously distant clouds.  An almost overwhelming stillness hung in the air around them.  Bracken began to feel foolish again, wanting to run away from this madman.  He pushed the thought away.  "The key to this door lies in your tongue," continued the sage.  "A few short syllables will turn its lock.  The code is simple.  But remember, it must be kept a secret."

Reaching into the leather bag at his side, Dalfang withdrew a polished rectangular piece of metal and handed it to Bracken.  On its surface were scribed these words:

IVEX · HITH · MINAE · TRAE TRAE · VO · REM

"All you must do is speak them and the door will open.  Sometimes just once, other times you may be required to speak it more.  But it will always open if you are faithful and persistent."

What is this idiot telling me? Bracken argued within himself. This mindless ancient thinks granite will move by talking to it. Bracken, you have really made a mistake this time, you'd better head back before it is too late. You'll probably have to spend the night here.

"Quiet yourself, Bracken."  Dalfang's soft but authoritative voice interrupted his thoughts.   "How long will it be before you understand Malchag is a parallel universe.   It's not in this dimension.  Here at this rock is where the two worlds meet.   Simply repeat the words with me and push away your doubt.  You must try."   Bracken hesitated for a moment and then spoke reluctantly.  Almost in a whisper, they began.

"Ivex Hith," the younger repeated each word.  "Minae Trae Trae Vo Rem."  Instantly a faint hum began.  In a moment, it had grown to a loud ringing.  Then without warning, the granite face dissolved; Bracken stared in wonder.  Moments before, all he could see was solid stone.  Now there was a glowing passageway yawning before them.  "Let us go," commanded Dalfang.

Humbled by the sight, Bracken obediently followed him into the passage.  No sooner had they stepped into the corridor, than it was gone.