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Haharim: nightmare of the past
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Though Supreany retired earlier than everyone else, she was the last to find rest. In the wee hours of the morning, she sank into a deep sleep which, in turn, submersed her into a vivid dream. She began walking through a beautiful white stone city, but the streets were void of any people. Suddenly, she paused and looked down a side street. She had a strange desire to travel down it, but something inside her told her not to. She went against her better judgment and started to pace down the street.
She came to a halt as a pool of blood came into sight. Fear began to well up inside her; she had been here before. Being consumed by her fear, she took off in a sprint, fleeing from that place, fleeing from some unknown pursuer. All around her grew dark, and yet she still ran until she came to an abrupt stop. There was someone before her. They towered over her and all she could see were their orange eyes, so hungry, so angry.
She let out a deafening scream that woke everyone else up.
"Supreany … Supreany, what's the matter?" They all questioned.
She took a quick look around her and threw her face into her hands. "It's nothing, just a dream."
"Well, that was quite the scream for it to be nothing," Ean remarked as he rubbed his face.
"Supreany, you can tell us. We're your friends. That's what we're here for," Cecealye comforted.
Supreany sighed. "There's something … something that happened when I was a child that I'd forgotten all about."
"What is it?"
"When I was about five, my mother was murdered before my very eyes. It … it was terrible. I had forgotten all about it until we were at Sophiapolis. Ever since then, I've been having these strange dreams about it. They just feel so evil."
The group sat in silence, not sure how to respond to what they'd just heard.
Orckle sat up. "So that is what you screamed about. You relived seeing your mother's death. After all these years, something must have triggered it … but what? What happens in your dreams?"
"Well, I always find my way to the place she was killed, and then for fear, flee. Even though I flee, I always encounter those who killed her, except I never get to see them completely. All I know is that they are tall and they have orange eyes."
"Strange …"
Cecealye had made her way over to Supreany by now. "Ean, Orckle, why don't we pray for Supreany." The two men made their way over to the women and they all joined in doing just that.
Blaizen had to admit; it was moments like these that made it on his weird-odometer. At the same time, it fascinated him. The relationship it had caused between the four of them was strong. Though, unlike so many other religions and the people that practiced them, they were never pushy about it. They hadn't tried to push their beliefs down his throat, and he was somewhat relieved for it.
They had finished praying and though no one could see it, Supreany had tears in her eyes. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."
They gave her a rubbing on the back and told her that it would be okay. Finding their way back to their resting spots, everyone settled back down and went back to sleep. Supreany, to her surprise, fell right to sleep and had a restful sleep.
Everyone agreed that morning came too soon. They quickly wrapped up their campsite and embarked once more on the river. The days passed at a casual pace. Blaizen continued his swimming lessons, becoming more comfortable with it as each day passed. The river was becoming much smoother and easy to travel.
Cecealye began to notice that a hawk had been flying over them.
'I bet that hawk is the General's. He must have a message for me.'
She examined the time of day. More than half the day was yet before them. She gave a sigh of hesitation.
'I suppose it can wait till tonight.'
Though she told herself that, she found it hard not to keep her mind off it. She didn't like waiting for such things, and the more she did, the more her anxiety welled up.
Finally, they had seen their end of the river. Although it had been a nice change from walking, they would all admit that it had been a bit rough on the bottom. Getting out, Cecealye gave no attention to helping everyone pull the boats up on shore. She rushed upon the land and put out her leather-wrapped arm, signaling for the bird to come down. It did so without hesitation and was rewarded with a treat and a gentle stroke down its feathers.
She removed the small piece of paper from its container and the hawk re-perched itself on her shoulder. Reading the words on the paper, she froze in place and she felt her heart leap into her throat.
Ean became alarmed at the sudden pale, horrified expression that washed over her face. "What is it?" Everyone came to a pause as they watched Ean approach her. "What does it say?"
Cecealye took in a deep breath. "It says, do not write back … That can only mean one thing." She paused. "He's been captured. Possibly, killed."
Orckle walked up to the couple. Reaching out, he grabbed them both by the arm. "Look at me."
Their heads dropped to him.
"Remember what Igna told you. She has much wisdom. If you were there, you would only have been captured and killed, both of you." He smiled slightly at Cecealye. "It is in the darkest of times when people can easily lose hope. But it has spread to all the nations that you are still alive. And as long as you are, that will give your people hope. Hope for their redemption, for their salvation from these evil days. With that hope, they will persevere to see the light. But if you had been there and now were dead, who, then, would take your place? For a people without hope are a people with a sick, crippled heart."
She took in a deep, comforting breath. "You're right. Besides, if the General is still alive, I have little to worry about. He is very intelligent."
Ean looked over at everyone else. "Would you all mind getting things ready for tonight? We're going to spend some time in prayer."
"Sure, no problem," Supreany answered. And the two went a ways away and knelt down.
Moments passed by. Orckle was off gathering supplies when it got the best of Blaizen. "So, Supreany, you believe in this Theos?"
"Yes. Though, I haven't always been the best example of what it means to live for him." She smiled up at him. "It's something I have to continually work at. I know he's been the one looking out for me all these years. It doesn't make sense otherwise, how I could have survived." She paused. "What about you? What do you believe?"
"In my line of work, I met a lot of bizarre people, some with even stranger beliefs. And the UG tried to force all its citizens into believing there wasn't anything to believe in. As for me, I don't know. I guess you could say I've been waiting to find something that's real."
"Fair enough."
They would all find decent rest that night, and in the morning they would strike out for Belial.