Sailing aboard the Pneuma (Part Eight)

After a hearty meal, we left our beaming hosts and, instead of heading back to the ship, Shekinah turned back towards the hospital. We soon passed it dispelling any ideas I had of a return. On up the street he strode with me in breathless pursuit.

The town soon fell behind us as the road headed into the hills that stood guard over the town. Bare rock crowned each hill. Those crowns peered out over the tops of tall fir trees that thickly populated the slopes. Before too long the roadway gave way to a dirt track that became steeper with every step. Finally, we veered off the track onto the grass at the base of one of the hills.

I could stand it no longer, “Why must you always walk so fast?” I asked incredulously. “By the time we get anywhere, I am ready to collapse.” I exaggerated. He looked at me in a way that made me wish I had never asked. Not that he was cross or anything like that, he just looked down at me, and the corners of his mouth began their mischievous curl upward. One would not notice that at first, but the more I spent time with him the more playful he seemed to become. There was always a flash of the eye, the cheeky upward curl of the corners of his mouth. “Did he ever get cross?” I thought to myself.

“If it is not too much trouble, my friend, I would like you to go with me into the wood.” Undisguised mischief was in his voice. “I suppose I could manage a few more steps.” “Good.” he said as he rocketed off up the hill to the first line of trees.

As we entered the wood, the cool shadows gave some relief to the heat of the day. However, these were strange shadows, as they did not alter the intensity of the light. I looked upwards and the trees were so close together that they formed a canopy obscuring the sky. Something else suddenly came into my consciousness: Wherever we had gone together, I was always able to see. That terrible house behind the hospital had no light to speak of, but my vision was unimpaired, so much so I could see the darkness as it charged at us.

Two things I became sure of that day, an unflappable, childlike mischief, and constant light. Never in our organized times back home had I ever heard of him spoken of in this manner. I was getting to know him and what I was learning contradicted the traditions. Would everyone know him like this? Was I the only voyager? Had there been any before me, would any come after?

“Come over here.” His rich voice wafted lazily through the trees. As I had stood wondering, he had moved a hundred yards further on. “I want you to meet a friend.” As if on cue, a tall, impossibly elegant figure dressed from shoulder to foot in a long silvery white gown emerged from behind a tree. His face was handsome and beautiful all at the same time. Just as I decided he was male, some female aspect seemed to show itself, and then balanced by another male feature. An energy emanated from within this being. His, if he were male, gait was purposeful yet his footfall did not seem to make any sort of impression upon the forest floor.

I extended my hand as if to shake the hand of Shekinah’s friend. He spoke, or rather sung. There are no words to describe the sound, suffice to say it was beautiful, emotional even. So stirred within, I had to swallow hard to prevent an onrush of emotion. “I am Aagar, you are welcome here.” I looked toward Shekinah who said, “Aagar and his fellows watch the town. When an enemy comes, they watch and protect. Sometimes an enemy is stubborn and they call for me. While they wait for my arrival they protect those who can and desire to be protected.”

Aagar pointed down the hill. My gaze followed his outstretched finger and, frankly, I saw nothing other than the town. His other hand brushed my forehead with the softness of a gentle breeze. Then, suddenly, I saw: All around the town figures like Aagar were walking. It was a truly amazing sight. One of them, as if to offer an example of their task, walked towards a panicking horse and all at once, the animal calmed much to the relief, I am sure, of the child hanging onto its reins.

“You have all been here while the darkness was in the town?” I asked. “Yes.” Shekinah spoke, as if on Aagar’s behalf, “Had they not been here, the darkness would have spared no one. They were here because there were those in the town who knew Truth and believed that ultimately no lie could survive, and then there were those unable to understand. They were the reason for the presence of Aagar and his companions.”

As I focussed again on my immediate surroundings, I became aware of a vast crowd. Beings like Aagar surrounded Shekinah and I. Their faces calm but with a happiness that does not require constant laughter. Their demeanour was a calm delight.

Open your hands, said one of Aagar’s number. I cupped them to receive a small cloth bag. “This is for you to remember this day by. When the darkness comes then you may open the bag. Until then keep it closed and keep it close.”

Suddenly, Shekinah and I were alone again, or so it seemed.