Chapter 33
"What did you say?" Magayla asked.
"God is my dad," Lauren said again. "I know it is a huge revelation. I just found out and I am not over it."
God greeted everyone again and told them the same story he told Lauren about why he waited to tell Lauren. "I've always watched over her just as much as I watch over the entire world. I still can't directly influence mankind. Now that she is a part of the world of Imagination, I can be here for her more. I love that I can be a part of your life now." God said with a radiant smile on his face.
Everyone sat around and talked a while longer. Once everyone got over the shock of God being her dad, Lauren listened to the reports from the bears, wolves, and everyone else. There were problems that needed to be seen to and she allocated the work between her team. She remembered her dream and relied on her team instead of trying to do everything herself.
God sent the team back to the Keep, Cartrell's capital, Dragon realm, and left those that were with Lauren with her, then went back to heaven. Lauren was glad to know her history, she had always wondered who her father and mother were, and being raised by her grandmother was a treat. It did ease her mind to know the truth.
The bears and wolves went from town to town, and city to city taking care of the residual effects of the witch and Reseph's attempt to take over the world. Lauren, Cartrell, Tom, and MaGayla went back to the capital of the animal kingdom.
I have to get the council back in order. I don't want to stay here and be away from you yet." Cartrell said. "Our bond is not strong enough for that."
"Don't worry. I will help you sort out the council and I am not leaving you here. If we all stay to help, you can finish quickly and we can go back to the keep. I have a few new skills to learn and to practice, leadership challenges to watch, and some renovation to do."
Cartrell laughed. "Very well, let's get started." He took her hand and they walked into the council chambers.
This time there were two chairs at the head of the table. Cartrell sat Lauren and then sat down himself.
"Good day, my King." The chancellor began. "I humbly beg for forgiveness and throw myself at the mercy of this counsel. I didn't have the willpower to fight my sister and her magic. I have no magic. The only thing I can do is organize and keep order. I never would have willingly betrayed you, my king. Please forgive me." He went to his knees and bowed his head.
Cartrell looked at Lauren and she mentally told him, "Forgive him. Everyone deserves a second chance if they are presented with the opportunity."
He smiled at her then turned to him and said, "You will have to pass through the trial by fire, to prove yourself worthy of being my chancellor, but I forgive you. I forgive you all. The trial by fire will be the test for anyone that wants to stay on the council or get on the council. He boomed his voice, "All council seats are open and will be given to the top seven that can pass through trial by fire at the end of the week. Anyone, male or female, can try for a seat."
People talked among themselves softly. Worry showed on a few faces. Cartrell noticed and continued, "There are no qualifications you must meet, no elders to answer to, and no one can tell you that you cannot participate. If you feel threatened in any way, call out in your mind and the Keeper will hear your desire. This will be a fair trial."
Excitement entered the soft voices and Lauren started hearing the voices of all that wanted to try for the council seats. She could also hear the upset of the former council and the elders of the species. They felt they should automatically be given the seats. "I hear your thoughts," Lauren stated. "Many of you elders feel it is your right to have the seats that are now open. Many of you council feel you should not have had your seat taken. If it is true, then the trials will prove you right. Search your hearts and minds. Before you walk through the flames, make sure they are strong and right. Those who are not worthy will feel their unworthiness." The warning touched the ones that were filled with pride and sent a touch of fear in them. Lauren would find out tomorrow if it was enough to deter negative behavior.
Cartrell, Lauren, and her entourage went to Cartrell's castle for the night. Levi decided to go for a flight while Tom decided to run. MaGayla stayed with the village priest to help prepare the trials for the end of the week. She was going to recheck everything and make a few changes in case any of the priests decided they wanted to run the trials. Lauren requested that the sprites stay in her room with her belongings and they were happy to take a rest.
So, Cartrell and Lauren were alone. "Will you take a walk with me?" He asked and reached out his hand for hers. Lauren took his hand and they began to walk toward the sound of water. As they walked the sound of water became louder and louder. Moisture filled the air and tiny drops of water sprayed up into the sky creating rainbows.
Then she saw it. A sheer sheet of water that went on for miles. In both directions. "No wonder early people thought the world was flat. I would too. It looks like this is the edge of the world. It's so beautiful."
"Yes, The view is so beautiful here. It is one of my favorite places in the world. I used to come here with my mother and father. They told me the world's history and instructed me in my duties as king of the beasts. Mother loved to tell me folklore and fables so that I would learn the lessons I needed to be successful in life." Cartrell sat down on a thick patch of grass and reached out for Lauren inviting her to sit with him. She took a seat. "My life is not an easy one but my parents wanted me to have a good childhood to reflect on. They told me that if you don't know what heaven is, you won't strive to reach it. I want you to see our heaven and meet our ancestors."
"Okay. What should I do?" Lauren willingly replied.
He pressed her back and made her lay down. While he was leaning over her, he kissed her slowly deepening it until she broke the kiss. "You looked too irresistible not to kiss you." He said with a smile.
"Well, what's next?" His smile widened, and she laughed, "to meet your ancestors?"
He joined her in laughing and said, "Okay, I will stop." He took a deep breath and laid out beside her." You go into meditation all the time. This is the same. The only difference is that you need to think about Earth and the people that have come before. You are from Earth so you can think of your earthly ancestors."
Lauren wasn't sure if she was ready to let Cartrell know so much about her without giving him a warning first. "Cartrell, I need you to know something about me. I'm not a human." He looked over at her but didn't comment. "I found out recently that I am an Earth goddess. My ancestors will not be what you probably were thinking. I have not met many of my parental members until recently. I mean, you know that the Almighty is my father. We all just found that out. Until recently, I thought my mom, and grandparents were dead."
"And you just found out differently?"
"Um, my mother is Evandalyn and that would make her parents who came to pick her up and take her to heaven, my grandparents. I was raised by Beatrice, her mother. She was in human form and she did die in a car accident. Evandalyn's medical condition has confused her memories and she has lost some of her memories as well."
"Like that she is your mother? That had to be a lot to learn and deal with while you were saving the world." He said as he sat up so he could look into her eyes. He wanted to know if she was sad but she didn't seem to be too bothered.
"Yes, but I am glad I know. I wanted you to know before we journey into the land of our ancestors. I have no idea who we will meet."
"Okay. Duly noted." He said and he laid back down beside her. "Now, let's meditate. I really want you to meet my ancestors and I am dying for you to see who you will meet."
Lauren giggles. "Okay." She took his hand. "Let's go."
Lauren and Cartrell were transported to a world of sunshine, clouds, sparkles and rainbows. There was a rich feeling of peace, comfort, and love. Cartrell led her through the landscape to a place that looked like the waterfalls they were in the real world. "I always marveled at how this world looks like the waterfalls. They will come soon."
They sat down and enjoyed the beauty of the world. "I didn't expect to see you again this quickly. The lion king must really be trying to impress you."
Lauren looked up and saw God, the Almighty, standing over her. "Hey there, I didn't know for sure if I would see you."
Cartrell looked up and jumped to a bowing position. "Hello, your Excellence. It is so wonderful to see you again."
"Yes. Thank you for bringing my daughter here so I can see her again. I see you have company coming. I will hold back Lauren's ancestors until you introduce her to yours. They will want more time than you would believe."
"Thanks for the warning," Lauren replied. You promise not to leave?"
"I promise," he replied. Then he bowed and went to the gate Lauren just saw and told the guard to tell everyone to stay on their side and that I will come to visit as soon as Cartrell was done with his visit since he was my guide.
A group of people gathered around Cartrell and Lauren. Once everyone was seated, Cartrell spoke, "Good day, ancestors, I have brought my mate to meet you. Her name is Lauren Williams and she is the Keeper of the Keys."
Many of his ancestors oohed and awed. "Greetings, my lady. You bless us with your presence. It is an honor to have you as part of our family. This has happened only once before in history and she was the greatest of the keepers."
"Thank you for your hospitality. I am humbled by meeting all of you because we would not be here if it wasn't for you." Lauren replied and bowed her head in reverence."
"That was a wonderful acceptance. I love your poise and grace. I am Dakshayani. The oldest of the animal ancestors and this is Nonja the oldest male of the animals. Before you get any false thoughts in your head, we are not mated and he is much younger than me. We are, however, the leaders here."
"I try not to assume things about, well, anything anymore. My world was turned upside down when I accepted the position of Keeper of the Keys, so I stopped guessing. Thanks for making things clear though."
They continued to have wonderful conversations and to get to know each other. Then, there was a hush in the forest. "Hey, when are we going to meet the other side of your family?" The Almighty said. He was standing across from Lauren and every creature had bowed their head. "Please raise your head." He said when he noticed. "Sorry, I forget they will do that when I am around because they do it so much."
He went around the circle and hugged every creature. He knew everyone's name and species. He knew personal details about them as well. Lauren could see and feel the love he had for all of them. "It's okay. I like to watch your interaction with them."
"If you don't mind, I am going to take our dear Keeper to visit her side of the family for a little while," God said. "Cartrell, are you coming with us?"
"If that would be okay, I would love to come. I don't want to be a bother though."
"Never a bother." Lauren and Cartrell got up and joined God as he walked towards the gate.
"I never saw a gate here before today," Cartrell observed.
"It is there because Lauren is here. She is a part of two worlds. They are not supposed to interact but she needs a way to visit the world of the gods and goddesses of Earth." God replied.
"Isn't that the heavenly realm? Lauren asked. "I've been there before with Oliver, Beatrice, and Evandalyn. It's the same place, right?"
"Yes, but no one can just go to the heavenly realm. Your group was able to go then because of Oliver getting permission. That is why there was a lit path opened. Gerald and the dragons guard the realm so he knows more than most about it, but the rest had to be with Oliver."
"What about Beatrice, Evandalyn, and Me? We can't come and go to the heavenly realm? We are earth goddesses."
"The power of travel is bestowed to the gods. Goddesses are caregivers, teachers, and providers of goodwill. Gods are defenders, providers of physical needs, and leaders. They are both role models in societies. You, however, are an anomaly because as the Keeper, you can travel, defend, and all the rest. All Keepers have stood out on that account. So, you have a key to every realm, including the heavenly realm." He reached for her keys and pulled up a crystal key that Lauren had not noticed before. "You are a goddess and that gives you the right to be in heaven. You are also the keeper and that gives you the privilege to move between realms." They walked up to the gate and there was a keyhole that glimmered.
"Use your key to open the gate. Your ancestors await.