And they ask, why does the great invisible one permit suffering, does he not love us?
Do they not see how I make seeds planted deep in the soil spout upwards?
Surely few among mankind are able to see my signs.
-From the Risalah of Mahmet, chapter 5, verse 13-15.
I
It was Saturday in Atlántida, the hymn to the great invisible one has just been completed and the children lingered around the temple for the stories of Mother Kelilah, the high priestess of Glimsdane. The priestess, clad in a black gown that swept the floor as she walked with grace, had a grey veil that revealed her oval face entered the temple, sat on the throne and started addressing them.
"Have I yet told you of the undying one?
The children replied in unison
"No"
"Then pay attention, for today I shall tell you of the undying one." She continued, "It is not that death does not reach the undying one, but that his spirit lives forever. He was present at the beginning of our world, he is here in the present and he will be for eternity."
A child from the group looked puzzled, the priestess noticed.
"What is on your mind little one?"
"well…this undying one, can we see him?"
"He is seen through the realities of faith, but yes, sometimes the undying one appears to us at times we do not expect. It is said that he only appears to those who are pure of heart, those whose soul are like that of a child, for the undying one is also like unto a child."
The child's demeanour switched from seriousness to enthusiastic.
"Does that mean I can see him"
"Yes, but only if your adulthood remains childhood."
"But how is that possible"
"Know that the undying one grows in body but not in spirit."
Another child, a girl, raised her hand in deep curiosity.
"Yes, my child," said the priestess.
"Please, tell us more!"
"Be patient my child, and you shall know more. It is said that the undying one is known as AIN, and he appears at the time when darkness is at its strongest in the universe, and he eradicates it by brining from it thus, light. The first time the undying one appeared was eons ago when humans still only lived on planet earth. There were very few people on earth then and many animals but beasts as well. Humans then did not have very good methods of evading the beasts who wanted to harm them. These beasts include giant serpents and dragons. The humans thought the only thing that would keep them from extinction was to negotiate with the beasts. The beasts demanded that for the humans to be left alone, the humans worship them. It was not because they were more powerful than the humans but because they were jealous, for the humans were more intelligent and attractive than they were. The pact also demanded that every 6 months 5 humans be offered in sacrifice to them. The humans did not have a choice but to agree. The sacrifice went on for many years until one day a warrior appeared among the humans, mobilized them and convinced them to wage war against the beasts. The warrior taught them how to build better weapons and better modes of combat. During the war the humans killed many of the beasts until only few were left along with their leader, TIJARA the dragon. The warrior engaged with TIJARA on a one to one combat armed with only a spear. It is said that during the battle TIJARA belched a red flame on the warrior but he walked out of it unscathed. Even the dragon was shocked and it was in this moment of shock that the warrior thrust his spear into his neck, killing TIJARA the dragon. Witnesses told the story and the village came to know the warrior as the undying one."
"Will the dragons come back?" asked the girl.
"They will if you don't listen to your parents."
II
It is a cold evening in the forests of Afrik, there is frequent thunderclaps which signalled imminent rain. Young mothers started shouting the names of their young ones to get them into their homes. The people lived in wooden homes. The men are making sure that their homes are well prepared for the coming rain. It gets really nasty if they didn't do that. They used nylon canopies to cover the windows and entrances and where there seemed to a break in the woods. There are a group of youths coming towards the village and delivering goods including game, fish, firewood, fruits and herbs to the people and receiving coins in return. It started drizzling and movements increased, mostly from the venders who started packing their goods and closing their shops. They had been hoping that it would not rain simply because they wanted to make more profit. The streets got scantier as the rain intensified. The youths have finished selling all that they had gathered from the forest and had only those reserved for their families, and are already soaked from the heavy rain. Egar, their leader turned to face them, shouting so that his voice which was being masked by rainfall could be heard.
"Today's hunt wasn't bad at all." He said wiping the water off his face with his palm. "But Peter you could do better, you missed almost all your shots. I know you are new in this but it's time you improved." Peter, 15, looked down in shame and murmured. "cut me some slack, it's only been a week since I joined the huntsmen."
"what was that?" asked Egar who appeared furious and approached Peter, pulling down the hood of his rain coat.
"Nothing…." Said peter whose tremor had now increased
"See that's the problem with you. You are weak!"
Simi cut in between Egar and Peter, furious.
"And what of you Egar? Huh? I seem to remember your father saying you froze in fear at the sight of a deer during your first hunt."
"shut up!" screamed Egar "shut up you little…." Mikhail interrupted him.
"Don't you think we ought to go to each of our homes now? It is has gotten pretty late, and the rain is pretty intense."
"We meet at 10 tomorrow morning; nobody should be late." Said Egar after a short pause.
Every one of the huntsmen dispersed. Simi and Mikhail went on the same way because they live next to each other.
"Egar, do you think he behaves that way because he wants to be the village chief one day?" said Simi.
"Bravado is not the only criteria needed for leadership." Said Mikhail.
Simi, giggling, said "I think he is actually brave, he just overdoes it."
"It's his father, he demands too much of him."
"Do you reckon Egar could become a cold-hearted cynic like his father?"
"Let's hope not."
The two reached the entrance of Mikhail's home after a series of conversations.
"I should say hello to your mother." Said Simi.
"You should probably head home instead, it raining and your parents are probably worried."
"That's right. See you tomorrow."
Mikhail knocked hard on the door until Sarah, his mother opened it.
"Oh mother couldn't you have opened the door a little faster?"
"You know it's raining and I was in the kitchen." She said as he entered and removing his raincoat, hanging it on the wall. "How was today's hunt."
"It wasn't so bad." Said Mikhail as he handed his mother the games he killed and sat on the chair. Four rabbits and some fish. "Almost got bitten by a snake."
Startled, Sarah asked "Are you alright?"
"Don't worry, Simi chopped its head off before it could harm me."
"Thank the gods." She said breathing a sigh of relief. Mikhail remember what I have been telling you all these years. You mustn't get hurt in front of others."
"Yes I know." He said distressfully. "it's just that it's a burden. Having this huge secret with no one to share it with. "
"I am here for you, you know that."
"Yes I know mum…. But it's exhausting…. I wish father was here."
"I know, I miss him too but you have to bear this burden, Mikhail," the world must never find out about your secret. If the village itself found out, you could be banished. Do you want to live me here all alone?"
"You know I wouldn't do that, ever."
"So promise me you will do everything possible to guard yourself from harm, especially in front of others."
"I promise."
"Thank you."
"What's for dinner I'm hungry."
"it's yams with fried egg."
III
The following morning was damp from the rain that fell the previous night. Rays of light that has been attenuated by the thick forest foliage penetrated Mikhail's bedroom, some lit up his face. He had awoken earlier but was very tired from the previous day's work. He could feel the curtain behind him brush up his face, sending blissful damp fresh air into the room. He was smiling. He just had the most beautiful dream. He was chasing a deer in the sunset deep inside the woods, not to harm it but to admire it. The dear wasn't afraid but it wouldn't let him touch it and kept leading him deeper into the woods. Eventually the deer entered a cave and he followed her, but to his surprise the dear transformed into a naked woman with long black hair. She uttered something which he didn't understand. And that is when he woke up. He could hear his mother approaching his room. It was obvious that she wanted to wake him.
"Mikhail…. Mikhail." She said as she tapped his shoulder. "Get up and have your breakfast."
"Ok mum… I'll see you at the dining table." He said as he stretched on his bed, cracking his vertebral bones. But he lay still on his bed for five minutes. When he finally got out of bed and his blanket he suddenly felt cold, he approached his wardrobe and looked for his jumper. After he had put it on he went closer to the window, the one adjacent his bed and admired the woods. It was a beautiful scenery, the like of which only the combination of a rainy night and a sunrise could give. He then left for the dining room. His mother had prepared stew from the rabbit he brought home the previous night.
"Do you like it?" Asked Sarah
"Yes of course, it's delicious."
"Good. I thought it would be a bit bland especially when the kitchen is short on spices."
"I'll get some after today's hunt."
"Oh, about that, Simi came by earlier, when you were sleeping, she said the village chief requests to see the hunters in the village."
"I thought the meeting was still some months away."
"Yes, but obviously the chief has something important to address."
"Okay. I'm done." He said signalling his empty plate and got up on his feet."
"Dress nicely." Said Sarah.
"Sure." Said Mikhail, smiling.
He went into his room and skimmed through the clothes in his wardrobe until he found the jacket made of crocodile skin that belonged to his father. He hugged it tightly before putting them on. His father had died when he was just nine. Richard was killed while hunting. A fellow huntsman sent an arrow into his heart by mistake. Sarah fainted when she heard the news. It took years before she could smile again. For she and her son to survive she knitted clothes and sold them at the market. When Mikhail turned 15, he became a huntsman and his contributions helped improve the financial condition of the family and Sarah was able to work less. He has gotten very good at hunting in the five years he's been in the job. He's very handy with a knife, he almost never misses his target and that has made him an invaluable member of his team.
He stepped out of his room and into his living room where his mother was sitting.
"I'm going to see Simi; I'll like to go to the palace with her."
"Be safe."
He headed out only to find Simi standing right in front of his door. She kept her eyes fixed on him.
"What?" asked Mikhail with a confused expression.
"Nothing." Said Simi, quickly lifting her gaze. "Just it's not every day we get to see you in that."
"We?"
"Yeah, I mean the…. Hum." She hesitated and finally forced herself to say "you look good in that, that's all."
"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself." He said. She was dressed in light blue blouse and black skirt both made of wool.
"Let's go." Said Simi.
"After you."
"Yes your highness."
"Reserve the formalities for when we get to the palace."
They kept walking until they reached the palace gates. There was a guard who was of stout build, his short sleeves did a poor job concealing his huge biceps.
"State your business." Asked the guard.
"We are hunters."
"ID?"
"Yeah we have it, one sec." Said Mikhail as they handed the guard their IDs.
"Remember, this is not a tour, go straight to the palace square." Said the guard in a voice that was obviously meant to intimidate.
"Yes Sir." Said Simi, mockingly. "He could actually use a smile. Would make him look a bit less ugly." She added after they were out of hearing range."
"That's funny."
They wandered for some time before they finally found the square. There was a sizable number of huntsmen present and they all seemed to form a group which consists of members of each of their team.
"There they are." Said Mikhail after locating their crew members.
"Got lost?" Said Egar.
"No we didn't. We just decided to tour a bit."
"ooohhhh." Said Leon, sniffling a laugh. Leon is a member of their team responsible for purchasing new weaponry.
"I don't see how that is funny." Said Egar.
"Blame your sense of humour." Said Simi. Egar moved to grab her but Mikhail withheld him.
"Calm down will you, we are in the palace." Said Mikhail.
"We seem to have drawn all the attention in here towards us." Said Fred. Indicating the stare of some of the other groups on them.
"Let's cut it out." Said Mikhail.
"He's here." Said Peter, drawing their attention to the chief who just entered the square.
Everywhere suddenly grew silent. Hermon, the chief was a very dark man, tall, heavily bearded and giant. He was dressed in a silk shirt covered by a furred gown. He was accompanied by two bodyguards, both hefty and serious looking. Hermon climbed the stage reserved for the chief and started addressing the crowd.
"Pay great attention to what I'm about to tell you." His thick voice drew strong command, "my men have reported news of strangers being seen in the forests. They claim them to be from the other side." There was a loud murmur in the crowd. "Silence. Our assumption is that they are here to investigate us and report to their leader. As you know there certainly are rumours about our existence on the other side but no one has been able to discover us, until now." There was even greater murmur among the huntsmen. "Silence. We are in a grave situation, but if we act wisely we will be safe. My men cannot handle them alone that is why I have called you here. These foreign men have very sophisticated weapons, the likes of which were used before the lightning of Zeus struck. Our only chance is if you huntsmen fight with them."
"We are hunters, not soldiers." Shouted one of the huntsmen.
"Yeah, we kill rabbits, not humans." Shouted another voiced.
"The chief, wasn't, asking, for your opinions!" Said one of Hermon's bodyguards. Everyone was silent.
Hermon began again. "This must be done if we are to remain safe. Don't you understand? We are in a terrible situation. Those men must never get out of here alive. You all have been told how life on the other side is hell. Do you want to become slaves?" There was a silent murmur from the crowd, mostly out of agreement. "I want each of your team leaders to report to me immediately. The rest of you may leave, you will be briefed on the mission by your leaders later. Remember, what I have told you must stay secret, we don't know how much the enemy has infiltrated us."
"I don't like this." Said Mikhail.
"Yeah, this is trouble." Said Simi.