Notes: The song used in this story is ‘The Island of the Living’ from the cd The Moon on the Lake by Caiseal Mor & Friends. The Island of the Living (the actual island not the song) is a part of Irish Celt culture/spirituality, the journey to the island was inspired by a visual meditation workshop given by Caiseal Mor at the Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival – November 1998. If you can get hold of any of his cd’s or books, I recommend them, especially The Circle and the Cross trilogy. This is his website:
http://www.home.aone.net.au//caismor/moon.html
The sun was getting low on the horizon when the lone rider reached a small clearing in the woods. The rider had been travelling steadily upwards for the past hour but the thick growth of trees prevented him seeing just how high he was. The man dismounted his horse and, grabbing the canteen that hung from the saddle, looked around for some sign of what the hell he was doing here.
+ + + + + + +
Higher up the mountain another man sat brooding staring down at the same small clearing. He watched as the other man stopped and looked around before seeming to disappear into the hillside.
This man had been hidden here for most of the day. His original plan had been to get away from Four Corners but when he’d reached this spot earlier in the day his ear suddenly began to throb renewing the pain and anger of his humiliation in the saloon at the hands of THAT woman. Damn uppity women, he thought as his anger slowly turned to rage. He got down from his horse and roughly set about making camp. Damn uppity women!
He’d stopped moving about when he heard a sound from below. He looked down the slope to where he could see two figures on horseback in a small clearing. The sound he’d heard was some sort of music, low and deep – it moaned its way up the mountain. His whole head throbbed now and his ear felt like it was on fire. Fishing a bottle of whisky from his coat pocket he sat down to watch the riders below.
The two figures were busy clearing brush away from the slope. When they finished their work they went back to the horses and led them into the trees coming back a few minutes later carrying saddlebags, canteens and some other objects the man couldn’t identify.
One of the riders looked up and as they did the man could hear the music rumble through the earth beneath him. He clamped his mouth shut as a strange urge to howl his humiliation and rage raced through his trembling body. While he fought the sensation the two figures disappeared into the side of the hill. The furious man dragged himself back to his makeshift camp and dropped onto his bedroll lying unmoving until the throbbing in his head retreated to a dull ache. He didn’t see the man who was sitting in the trees only 20’ higher up the hill and he didn’t hear that same man get up and make his way down to the clearing and the cave entrance.
+ + + + + + +
It took a few minutes for the lone man’s eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness of the cave but when he did he saw he wasn’t alone.
"Hey cowboy!" Vin Tanner greeted him.
"Hey yerself! What’re ya doin’ up here?"
"Waitin’ for you Larabee"
"What am I doin’ here then?"
Vin shrugged, "Guessin’ ya were called up here"
"Who by?"
Vin just smiled and let his friend work it out for himself.
"Tel Macloud? Why?"
"Must have somethin’ for ya"
"What?"
Vin shrugged again. Chris ran his hands through his hair in consternation.
"Ya ain’t the only one" Vin offered.
"She done this to you already?" Chris probed his friend, "When?"
"First night she was here, the full moon"
"That was over a week ago"
"Yep"
"What’d she show ya?"
Vin thought about it. He still remembered the music and the way he felt as if it was only the night before.
"The truth"
"Truth ‘bout what?"
But Vin just smiled and stood, "C’mon, they’re waitin’ on us"
"They?"
There was no answer, Vin had disappeared into the darkness of the cave. The wary gunfighter sighed deeply then stepped in after the man he trusted with his life.
As the two friends carefully made their way through the inky blackness they became aware of two things. Firstly, they could hear the notes of a distant instrument reaching out to them and secondly, they could now see where they were going.
A dim light was radiating from the walls of earth that surrounded them. It was an eerie redness that glowed just bright enough to prevent the men tripping over the few stray rocks that littered the path before them.
"How much further is it?" Chris whispered to Vin as they travelled ever downwards.
"Don’t know. Haven’t been down here before" Vin answered just as quietly. Their voices still managed to echo into the gloom.
"How come we can see?"
"Dunno that either."
After what seemed like hours the tunnel opened up into a small cavern. The men covered their eyes against the brightness of several rush torches that adorned the walls. The music had ceased as they entered the room and the only sound the men could hear was their own ragged breathing.
Chris looked at Vin who just shrugged – again – in return. The silence was almost too much to bear and the men started to nervously look around them for some idea of what to do next.
As they got closer to the cavern walls they could see how unnaturally smooth they were. Vin placed one flattened palm against the wall and then the other. He turned his face to Chris who followed his actions. The walls were perfectly smooth and warm against their skin.
The music began again, slow and rhythmic. At the same time the earthen walls and floor pulsated in union with the distant instrument.
Chris pulled his hands away quickly in shock at the sensations that had started running through his arms.
"What the hell?" he exclaimed, but Vin didn’t hear him. With eyes closed he was pushing against the cave wall as hard as he could. Sweat was starting to bead on his forehead from the effort. As Chris watched, his hands actually started to sink into the wall. Chris grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away hearing a faint sucking sound as Vin’s hands pulled out. He watched in rising horror as the indentations his friend’s hands had left flattened themselves out til the wall was as smooth as before.
"What were ar doin’ Vin?"
Vin looked a little wild-eyed and was breathing rapidly so Chris shook his shoulder, "Vin, what’s happenin’?"
"I dunno … she was callin’ … and I … I dunno!" he stammered, bewildered by his own actions.
"Who was callin’? Was it Tel?"
"No. I thought it was but it was another voice – older, deeper" he paused and licked his lips, "It was … it was the earth"
The music changed its tone, the notes were higher, lighter, beckoning. One by one the torches went out until the cave was immersed in complete darkness. Shit! thought Chris.
"Shit!" he said, out loud.
One part of the cavern started to glow with the same dim light as the tunnel. Both men walked over to that area and could see another passageway leading further down into the earth.
"Reckon ya don’t have to force ya way in after all" Chris said.
"Reckon not" Vin replied and stepped in.
The second passage was shorter than the first had been and after only thirty or so feet they came to another cavern. In the centre of this cavern was a roaring fire. On opposite sides of the fire sat Tel Macloud and Loren O’Neill.
The men froze where they were. The two women were all but naked, strange patterns painted on their bare skin. Feathers and beads hung from their hair and ears, more were bound to their arms.
Vin gasped in shock, "This ain’t right" he said as he remembered stories from his time with the Indians, "We shouldn’t be here!"
"What d’ya mean?"
"This is women’s business. We gotta get out. Now!" It wasn’t like Vin to panic but he knew what usually happened to any men who dared to spy on the secret women’s business of the tribes – their ceremonies were sacred and strong with Power.
The music halted and the sudden quiet caught both men’s attention, they turned back to the fire. The women had laid their instruments aside and were watching the men.
"Took your time getting’ down here" Tel said. Her ordinary words and voice immediately putting the men at ease.
"Is this a private party or can anyone join in?" Chris responded.
Tel laughed, "Oh, its very private. Invitation only, in fact, sit down."
She indicated they were to sit opposite each other either side of the fire then nodded to the other woman who had remained silent. In front of Loren sat two small wooden bowls. She passed one each to the men.
"Drink this. Throw the bowls into the fire when you’re finished" she instructed them.
Tel had picked up her harp and once again began to play. The men drank the bitter liquid the bowls contained and threw the empty vessels into the fire. The flames flared briefly before consuming the wood. Loren threw a powder substance into the fire causing the flames to shoot upwards. She repeated the act another eight times mumbling a chant all the while. The woman’s voice was low but the men could occasionally hear the phrases she uttered.
Lady of Light and Dark - Mistress of Mysteries!
Queen of the earth and sky!"
We call upon thee
To restore the balance of our world!
With your quick silver fingers
Spin your web upon our hearts!
Let the vastness of your midnight sky
Make a mirror in which to see
The spirits of the dead
The ninth time the flames licked the ceiling of the cave and the men felt their heat wash over them. She changes everything she touches, and
Everything she touches changes! Chris visibly jumped when he heard her say "… the spirits of the dead" Oh, shit!
Then Tel spoke again, "Look into the flames Mr Larabee."
Chris looked at her, into her eyes, he was shit scared and on the edge of panic. Nothing he’d ever seen or done could have prepared him for what was happening right now.
"Life’s a bitch, Mr Larabee." Tel’s words cut through his fear to the place where he eternally raged at the world and his eyes flashed.
"Just look and listen, Chris. We’re going on a journey."
He couldn’t help himself, he looked into the flames. Tel nodded at Vin to do the same, "You too Dan-El"
The music continued soft and relaxing, lulling the men into a deep trance. Loren reached for her drum and began a slow steady beat that vibrated throughout the cave. To the entranced men it sounded like the beating of their own hearts.
Tel began to sing:
My bright eye looks towards the shore
Where gentle waves are lapping …
As the words reached the minds of the men they found themselves transported to the muddy shore of an unknown lake.
Where are we? But there was no answer, Chris looked for Vin. He was only a few feet away standing perfectly still and looking out across the lake. A dark shape was slowly moving towards them.
Chris was curious but no longer scared. He could feel the cool, wet mud on his feet. Where are my boots? He looked down at his feet and then at the man beside him. They both stood in the mud in just their trousers and shirts – no boots, no hats or coats, and no guns.
The dark shape loomed closer and the men could finally see that it was a boat, sitting low in the water with a single, heavily cloaked figure at the stern. The boat glided noiselessly towards them stopping just before the shoreline. The cloaked figure gestured for them to board.
Once aboard, the boat turned around and, just as noiselessly, headed back out across the lake. A heavy mist appeared and the men could barely see each other through its thickness. The air felt cold and clammy on their faces, their clothes hung damply against their skin.
Vin looked down into the mirrored surface of the water. Beyond his reflection he thought he could make out shadows gliding below. He reached his hand out then quickly pulled it back – the water was like ice, his fingers tingled as if burned.
Chris looked towards the boatman but the mist hid the figure from view so he turned and looked in the direction they were heading. Slowly the mist began to roll away and a huge dark shadow rose before them. As they drew closer they could see lights flickering here and there from within the shadow.
… and so the boatman rows toward
the Island of the Living
Tel’s voice murmured on.
The boat came to a stop at the end of an old jetty. The men climbed onto the rickety structure then stood and watched the boat depart.
Turning they gazed at the island before them. It was covered in a thick, almost impenetrable wood. Together they followed the jetty to the shore, where they could see rough-hewn steps cut into the earth leading to a path through the trees.
The island of my dreams
The island of my morning
The island of my sleep
The Island of the Living …
The path took the men deep into the woods and, as it wound its way through the growth, the air turned from chilly to hot and humid. The sweat began to drip from their bodies as they walked.
Eventually the path crossed a small stream and the men were able to stop and drink some of the cool, refreshing water. Neither man felt the need for words, the immensity of the trees around them made them feel insignificant and anything they might have to say seem frivolous.
They continued on and shortly came to a grassy clearing. Gratefully, they sank down onto some fallen logs to rest. Above them the moon shone its silver light directly into the centre of the clearing.
The scented rain upon the breeze
Taste the water fresh and cleansing.
Touch the sacred soil
On the Island of the Living …
The men waited side by side. Before them the moonlight began to shimmer and move forming the shape of a person, a woman.
Chris held his breath as the shape slowly formed into the figure of the woman he’d loved more than life itself.
I thought I heard a bell
And the sweet sound of their singing
Spoke the words to lift the veil
On the Island of the Living …
"Sarah?" Chris whispered.
"Yes Chris. Its me" she answered.
"But … how?"
Sarah stepped forward and placed her hand to the stunned man’s lips.
"Shhh now" she said to him gently, "We don’t have much time."
The woman’s gaze was loving as she looked into his face.
"How I’ve ached to be able to touch you again, my love"
"I miss you Sarah"
"I know you do, love. But its time to let go of your grief and your pain. Let your heart heal and you will be able to feel us with you"
"If I had only been there for you …"
Sarah’s fingers brushed his lips again.
"Then you would have died too. Nothing you could have done would have prevented what happened. Your destiny was not with us, precious, but with the men who are your new family."
"Why Sarah?"
"We each have our own path to follow. Yours and mine came together for a short while and they will come together again, but not yet"
"Adam?"
"He’s here" and as she spoke the form of his son materialised and ran forward. Chris hugged his son to him, the tears now flowing unchecked from his eyes.
"Adam" he cried, "I love you"
"Love you to pappa" the boy held his father just as tightly then lifted his face to kiss the crying man’s cheek, "Don’t cry, pappa"
Chris buried his face into his child’s neck and hair breathing in the scent of him for the last time. Adam pulled away then and, in a small sad voice, said, "Bye pappa, I gotta go now."
Chris tried to hold his boy tighter, unwilling to lose him again but Sarah touched him on the shoulder.
"Its time to say goodbye, Chris"
Numbly, he let go of the child who then quickly ran over to Vin Tanner and threw his arms around his neck.
"Thank you" the boy said to the astonished man. Vin lifted his arms up to return the hug. Adam pushed some hair away from the man’s face and smiled before darting back to the centre of the clearing to wait for his mother.
"Bye pappa!"
"Goodbye Adam" Chris’ voice almost broke with pain.
Sarah walked over to Vin as well.
"I’m so glad he has you" she said simply. She leant forward and kissed him. They held hands for a moment then she said, "Your momma loves you Vin, your pappa too. They couldn’t visit tonight, they’ve already moved on, but they love you. Your paths too will meet again."
The woman went back to her grieving husband.
"I’m so proud of you Chris. You’re meeting your destiny head on but to go further you must let go of your guilt and torment. You must forgive. Forgive yourself, forgive Buck and forgive me"
"Forgive you Sarah? What for?" he asked bewildered, what could he possibly have to forgive his beloved wife for?
"Forgive me for leaving you Chris." Her words were simple and honest and he knew them to be true. He had been blaming her for leaving him.
"Its alright Chris. Forgiveness isn’t easy, first you must say goodbye"
"Sarah, don’t go"
"I must. Goodbye Chris. I’ll always love you, I always have"
"Goodbye Sarah, I love you …and … I … forgive you"
Sarah walked back into the moonlight at the centre of the grassy knoll then she too began to fade.
"We love you Chris … Sar-El. Farewell Dan-El"
Chris didn’t heed the strange names Sarah spoke, his legs could no longer keep him standing. He fell to the soft earth his sobs racked his body as his grief spiralled within him.
The island of my dreams
The island of my morning
The island of my sleep
The Island of the Living
+ + + + + + +
Back in the cave the fire had begun to burn low and the shadows the dying flames threw around them flickered across the slumped bodies of the two men.
As they began to stir, dragging themselves back to reality Tel’s song changed to a lament, a song of yearning and of great sadness tempered by the promise of new life. The words she sang were unknown to those around her as she sang a ballad first sung centuries before in a language now only known by Tel herself.
The men awoke and Loren stopped her drumming to offer them water while Tel played on, tears streaming down her face as she sang her lament for the dead.
Sacred Earth [Next]
