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Chapter 10, Chronicle III - Druid's Pray By William Black Will walked some distance away from the camp; far enough so that he could not hear the soldier's voices. Far enough so he wouldn't be disturbed. It was bad enough listening to the voice of his own doubts, which he seemed to have in great profusion. Would his plan work? Did he really have a clue to what he was doing? All this time he kept his plan hidden save for one other person. Moreover, that one was out of his control. The Druid, in the past, had to contend with such situations, but now he had to deal with both friends and foes. All of which had their own way of dealing with life, stress, and the present situation. Will found a grassy patch and knelt down to pray. The words came slowly, as if not willing to disappoint him with their lack of clarity. Nevertheless, it wasn't the words that were unclear. It was he. As he prayed his mind wandered to his boyhood years in service to Lord Melbrook, and the times he'd sneak off to meet with the Druid Morlyn. He remembered the lessons in Natural Philosophy, Astronomy with its older sister Astrology, and the other sciences. The alchemistic pursuits were a specialty. Yet, Botany, and more specifically, Herbology were his crowning subjects. Morlyn seemed to concentrate his own attentions and powers on Mind Craft. He told Will that with THIS diamond in the Staff of the Wizard, nothing would or could be withheld. Mind Craft was the controlling factor for all things. Morlyn claimed that even the Source used a form of Mind Craft to create the Universe, for a word was spoken, and the Creation was. It was just on one such visit to Morlyn that Will encountered the Lady Catherine; who just happened to be Morgan posing under a different title. It was from her and the clan she belonged to that he learned the Healing Arts. It was from her that he learned about love. Not just the lustful kind, but also that which is chosen rather than felt. Though it was not difficult, he made the conscious decision to love her. Moreover, 'yes' he admitted to himself, she was the first woman who had captured his heart. He snapped his mind back to his prayers, angered at his lack of concentration. Still the words came slowly. Unbidden, his mind wandered back to the past. How he'd initially missed the similarities between Catherine and Morgan. She was good at disguises. Quite the actress. He hoped she hadn't faked everything. Again, he shook himself to bring his thoughts to heel. He was letting his emotions run away with him. Now he had another complication. "No," he chided himself, "Not a complication, but a friend, ally, and...God, but she is beyond description." He smiled at the thought of her. Was she truly beyond description? On the other hand, was her presence just so strong that words failed him? She was his Sovereign and the woman who tamed the power of the Dark Crystal. She loved Nature as he did and was a big part in keeping her section of the Lands whole and fruitful. She was quite the woman. He felt tired. The night was stealing away from him, and he hadn't even begun to pray as he'd planned. He wondered at his feelings for these women. He had to keep his heart well guarded. "Heaven's but I should have become a monk!" Will slammed his clenched fists onto the ground where his bowed. "Lord, forgive my wandering mind...see the conflict within this little soul and have mercy. For I do not deserve you graciousness; and in truth, you have been abundantly so...." "I have good friends. Even Sir Robert is not adverse to me any longer. And I'm loved. So why do I feel alone?" Will looked at the glittering stars as if waiting for an answer. But no voice came, only the gentle night-breeze." "Great King of the Universe, I've vowed my life to the protection of your world. Yet I'm like a little child without control over my own heart. Regrettably, I don't have time to grow up now. Please hear my prayer. My Lord Morlyn not only seeks to destroy that which is Morion, but also to rule over the lands as a demonic dictator. He cares nothing for Life that comes from you; only Power over your creation." "You know I'm not without quilt. This isn't a matter of one man's righteousness against another's evil. I'm NOT righteous. Nor is it a matter of a good ruler as oppose to a bad one." "It is about Life!" "Therefore, I ask you to give my mind, heart, and body strength for the coming ordeal. Protect the men and women who fight for Morion. Who fight for their freedom." "And please give wisdom to Morion herself. Giver her insight into her deepest magic; her own heart." "By the way, if you have a better idea than the one I've come up with for the upcoming battle...Please let me know...really soon!" "So let it be." Will slowly got up and looked to the Heavens, a sense of peace flooding his soul. Though he felt old. He knew that soon it would be time to sleep. Shaking his head, he slowly walked back to camp and his brother's tent. William Black © Continues... Chronicle III, Main page |