Читать книгу Wind - Daniel Mello - Страница 7

When she awoke within her own mind, Lythina could hear a roaring wind coming from some place far away. However, she couldn’t see from whence it came. In fact, she couldn’t see anything at all; her entire Universe was pitch black, and she wanted to find where the wind was coming from so she could hide from it. From the depths of her soul, she knew that the wind was coming to take her away, to move her and change her into something she didn’t want to be. Why her? Why couldn’t the wind change someone else?!

She wasn’t afraid to die. Of course, Hildabrand would be devastated, but her grandmother would understand. After all, Lythina was a stupid young girl for chasing down some eerie light out at sea. However, that wasn’t her anymore, and she would never again be so foolish.

She was sure the divine light at the end of a tunnel would be coming for her soon. She just wished that it would arrive before the wind. That way she could just spend eternity with God, instead of changing all the time.

Quite suddenly, she grew an awareness of her body. It felt like her very consciousness had blossomed outward to fill a silhouetted border of her frame. She couldn’t pinpoint her extremities yet, let alone move anything, but she felt she knew where her body stopped and eternity began. She wanted to look around, to turn her head in order to find the wind, but she couldn’t.

And it was getting louder. The rushing windstorm was closer now, almost upon her. But it must’ve been shifting inside the Universe, because it would get louder and louder, then quiet again, almost as if it was moving two steps forward and one step back. And every time it got louder, there was a freezing sensation of despair that washed over her newly formed body. Though she couldn’t turn to see the wind, she almost wished it would stop toying with her and consume her already.

From somewhere deep inside the Universe, light began to break through the darkness. Finally, Heaven was coming for her. She willed it to hurry, to reach her before the wind. Strangely, however, the ever increasing light had a bluish tinge to it. Wasn’t heavenly light supposed to be dazzlingly bright?

As if in response to her thoughts, she suddenly shot across the entire Universe at an unimaginable speed. An ethereal wind rushed and roared past as her unearthly hair flapped in the gale behind her. The bluish light, the icy despair, and the roaring wind all collided at once as she snapped back into her human body, crushed against the inside of her skull.

She felt her finger tips, her toes, and her heartbeat. She felt the warmth of sunlight soothe her skin as it dried the water on her face. She felt the despair cripple her body as the ice cold ocean washed over her again, before receding back down the shore. And she felt that same cold water bubble inside her lungs.

Instantly, she heaved her body over as it ejected the salty seawater from inside her chest. She coughed as she vomited out what felt like the entire ocean. And she clutched at her throat as every new breath and every painful swallow burned like the inside of the sun itself. Half-alive, she forced herself to crawl away from the frigid sea, up further onto the shore until it couldn’t touch her anymore. Finally, she collapsed onto the sand and breathed in the crisp air. It relieved the pain from her burning throat, while the sunlight warmed her skin.

She lay there for what seemed like hours. As her strength gradually returned, she lifted her body up to look around the beach. With any luck, she would have drifted back toward Flowerpatch and back toward her grandmother. She could only imagine the look that would contort Hildabrand’s face when she told her what she’d just been through.

But her surroundings were not like the shore she had just left. In fact, they were unlike any place she’d ever seen on Hyrendell before. Around her, almost framing the shoreline, was a huge hill that reached toward the sapphire sky. It was covered in a soft, flourishing greensward that swayed with the sea breeze, and it had massive boulders jutting out of the soil, dotting the landscape. But as she focused her eyes upon the huge rocks, she noticed that they were actually marble stones formed into squat circular pillars. They were artfully engraved with an unknown script beside simple images; there were little figures who were either offering food to the sun or gardening, while the strange jagged language must’ve been describing the whole scenario.

Suddenly, Lythina noticed that a person was standing atop each stone. Not carved of stone themselves, but men and women of real flesh; and they were all looking upon her. Though their expressions were of joyful curiosity, however, she noticed, none of them seemed too eager to jump off their rocks and help her up.

As she caught each of their eyes, she unintentionally gave them a weak smile. She was examining their figures, their features, and their clothing. All of them were exceptionally beautiful, with perfect curves of toned muscle and blemish-free skin. Some of them looked exotic, due to their sharp features, while others looked softer, like they were from Hyrendell. And the clothes they wore were extremely unusual due to their brilliant, pure white hue. The women were vivid with their wind-swept hair, and slimming, sleeveless dresses with a silver band tied high around the waist. Some of the men wore robes with long trumpet sleeves, while others wore only straight, loose-fitting slacks, allowing their bronze, chiseled physiques to absorb the generous sunlight.

“Okay,” Lythina quietly admitted to herself, “maybe I’m in Heaven after all.”

For a moment, she reveled in the many possibilities that eternity could possess, though a painful realization was throbbing through her veins; if, in fact, she was truly in Heaven, why was her body in such turmoil? After a disheartening sigh, she concluded that pain of any kind was unfathomable to her in the afterlife, and thus she had instead washed ashore upon a distant land.

While gazing at the landscape and its people, she noticed a long weaving staircase cut into the hillside. It led straight up to the peak of the hill, where Lythina had to shield her eyes from the brightness of the day. And that’s when she noticed a small flash of light. It looked as if the sun itself had momentarily peeked over the crest of the hill. It vanished as soon as it appeared, and in its place was a person descending the stairs toward her. Lythina realized that she had better get up to introduce herself, and as she pressed against the shore to ease her body off of the sand, she wobbled and settled for a gentle sitting position on her legs instead. She wasn’t strong yet, what from nearly dying and everything, and she was sure that whoever was coming to greet her would excuse her impoliteness.

As she waited, Lythina noticed that the person was a woman wearing a sleeved robe fashioned in the same stunningly white brilliance, yet she was much older than the others; indeed, old enough to be their grandmother. Her silvery hair trailed behind her as she descended the stairs, and when she reached the sand, she walked right up to the young lady with a compassionate smile.

Lythina was about to say hello, but the woman bent down to kneel in front of her, mimicking her exact sitting position. Uncertain what to make of this, she found herself suddenly speechless.

But the old woman must’ve sensed Lythina’s thoughts. “Are you alright, dear?”

Her voice carried a delicate accent and an undercurrent of authority, seeming to vibrate dominance along with empathy. Lythina got the distinct feeling that if she decided not to speak, it would be perfectly acceptable. However, she did have much to say.

“I...I think so,” the young lady replied, hearing her voice for the first time since everything went dark. It was abrasive and unused, as if it was coated with sand. “I’m Lythina Graham.”

“It is very nice to meet you, Lythina,” the woman replied. “We’ve never had someone arrive on our shores in that manner before. We were quite worried about you, but everyone has relaxed now that we know you are safe.”

“Where am I?” Lythina hoarsed.

“That question is more important than you know, I think,” the woman said. “I’ll show you.” She gave Lythina the once over and rose to her feet with a gracefulness that was not reminiscent of her age. Lythina noticed that the woman didn’t have to brush the sand from her robe; it simply fell off, as if the fabric had dropped it back to the shore. Leisurely, the woman held out a hand to help her new guest up from the beach. Cognizant of the fact that she needed help, Lythina took it and found that it was unusually warm. Carefully, she stood to her feet. She rested for a second, allowing her spine to pop into place and compress with the weight of her body. She rolled her neck and caught in her sight the full length of the stone staircase. With a moan, she began toward the hill. The old woman intertwined her arm through Lythina’s and they both began to climb toward the sky.

Each step was a milestone for Lythina. After nearly succumbing to death, then being shot back into her cumbersome body only to throw up the sea, she thought she was progressing well. The people on the stones turned to watch them as they passed, and the woman stayed with her, preventing her from swaying as she ascended the stairs to some unforeseen providence. This brought a thought to Lythina…

“Thank you for helping me,” she quietly said to her caregiver.

“Absolutely, dear,” the woman smiled. “Soon, you’ll see that you will always find help here.” Her expression morphed into concern. “If I may, what is the last thing you remember before waking up on the shore?”

Lythina placed her next foot, pondering the question for a moment. “Darkness; I remember being part of infinite darkness.”

“Anything before that,” the woman asked.

“I remember my grandmother, Hildabrand. And how we met and gathered supplies for my voyage.” Her memories came flooding back to her, pounding the inside of her skull. “I set out to find the sealight, but it never came. I was so alone, so scared, so….lost” She wobbled a bit, but the woman held fast, steadying her. None of it made sense. She had to ask the question, to clarify it once and for all.

“Am I dead?” she tenderly asked.

The woman gave small burst of laughter. “No, dear, certainly not. If anything, you’re well alive,” she assured. They were almost to the top of the hill. The woman stopped short, and Lythina turned to her. “Do you think you can make it to the top by yourself?”

Lythina assessed the last few steps and huffed a sigh of perseverance. “I think so.”

With that, she let go of the old woman and steadied herself on the large stone step. She placed one foot in front of the other, like learning to walk all over again, and within a few steps, she and the woman beside her reached the top of the hill.

Luckily, the woman was there to catch her. As they crested the hilltop, the sight that graced Lythina’s eyes also loosened her knees. All of the land was vibrant with color, intense enough to overwhelm her senses. The hilltop that she stood upon was part of a huge ridge of connected hills that ringed around the entire landscape, circumscribing a giant crater. Various sets of carved columns, attached by an architrave of engraved marble, were scattered about the ridgeline. Inside the luscious green crater were elaborate stone buildings, surrounded by blossoming gardens, which reminded Lythina of an ancient philosophical era she used to read about. In the center was a large circular monument built from twelve gigantic columns, all coupled by a large ring architrave. And to Lythina’s left, off upon a distant hill, sat a circular marble pyre adorned with seven columns, and topped by another carved ring architrave. Inside it smoldered a pile of charred wood. She turned to the woman, her hands covering her lips, tears spilling over onto her cheeks. “The sealight?!”

“Welcome,” said the old woman, “to the Isle of Illumination.”

Lythina gazed out at the enormous island, sobbing with happiness. The woman stepped back to give her some time alone, and soon stepped forward again as Lythina reached out an unsteady arm.

“It’s so beautiful,” Lythina sniffled. “I’ve never imagined anything like it.”

“You’re not the first to seek this land, dear,” the woman said. “Many have come to join us, and many have perished trying.” Then she turned toward the young lady. “You were one of those who perished, yet you arrived anyway. That’s why the circumstances of your arrival are so remarkable. You went searching for the light, got lost in the fog, and lost your mind, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I lost it. I’ve lost everything.”

“You’ve only lost that which was not important.” The woman looked upon her now with intensity. “You’re welcome here, but your stay will be productive, not to mention temporary.”

“Temporary,” Lythina gasped. “I don’t ever want to leave this place. It’s perfect!”

“Few things are ever so certain. You may find that your mind has changed some day.” The woman looked back out upon the land and pointed to a decorative set of buildings rich with stonework, all set around a brilliant courtyard. “Over there, you’ll find the residences. Take your time, but go to the main reception hall and someone will show you where you’ll be staying.”

“After I get situated, what will I be doing?” Lythina asked. She couldn’t think of anything to do here besides help out with tending the gardens.

“Your intuition will tell you what to do. Follow it, for it will not betray you. I assure you that the isle is ruled by perfect love. We have no laws other than moral equality. Everyone here will treat you with absolute courtesy. We ask that you follow your true heart and do what is right.”

The old woman peered into Lythina’s emerald eyes. “Those who don’t reach the isle do not truly believe in their hearts that they are deserving of such peace. Do you think you deserve this?”

Lythina sighed and eased her chaotic mind into tranquility. “Honestly, no, I don’t think I deserve to be here. But someone higher than me must think I do because He brought me to your exquisite land to learn from all of you, I’m sure. And in Him I trust wholeheartedly.”

The old woman grinned a sensational smile, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. She held out her hands, and Lythina slid hers into them at once, which was like a warm bath for her fingers.

“I look forward to seeing you again, Lythina,” the woman gently spoke. “I’m so excited that you’re here with us.”

An urgency to ask the woman to stay boiled up inside her, but she fought it back. This was the start of a new life, a life of temperance and integrity, and now was the time to start. She gathered up her gratitude and molded it into a meaningful smile. Then, she turned toward the crater to gaze out over the charming landscape once more as she asked a final question. “When will I see you again?”

Instead of the woman’s gentle, flawless voice, a whisper carried upon the back of the wind responded. “Soon.”

Lythina quickly turned around, and the woman was gone. Without the sound of footsteps, or even wings for that matter, she had vanished. And with a sigh, the newborn girl spun back to look upon the Isle of Illumination.

“Thank you, God,” she prayed. “Thank you.”

She slowly began the journey to the bottom of the crater. Another set of perfectly carved stone stairs led Lythina down into the isle. She descended slowly, making sure every footstep was firmly planted before releasing the other. Tumbling down the stairs was an embarrassing reality, but she began to feel better with every step toward the bottom. Her head started to clear of the nausea and the constant thoughts, and her body loosened itself with every subtle impact. She inhaled the fresh, gloriously fragrant air, filtered of salt from the grassland, and listened intently to the conversation of the birds.

Her eyes were adjusting to the sunlight. It seemed as if the fog of the Forgotten Sea had vanished from the ocean because she could see a calm horizon over the ridgeline of hills. Her eyes flowed around the inner landscape of the crater, taking in the various colonnades that decorated its features. Sporadic marble platforms were constructed on the edge of the hillsides, jutting out into the air as a place to over look the isle. Her eyes, focusing with exceptional clarity, examined the bountiful trees and the stunning gardens, the elaborate architecture of the isle’s buildings, and the population of people who lived gracefully among the land. No one seemed to hurry anywhere, as if every step of the journey to their destination was where they were supposed to be.

Peaceful silence seemed to be the essence of the isle. As Lythina reached the bottom of the crater, she moved calmly toward the Residences, feeling the fundamental nature of tranquility shimmer through her body. To her left, inside a columned marble gazebo covered in ivy, one of the isle’s inhabitants was softly breathing into a carved wooden recorder. The music he played glided through the air, the crisp notes harmoniously mingling in a wave of serenity. Lythina couldn’t help but close her eyes, allowing the sound to penetrate into her mind, letting it calm her thoughts. She noticed that when her mind was calm, she could walk without having to watch her footsteps because each one was placed with perfect authority. When she reopened her eyes, she glanced back at the man playing the recorder. He met her gaze and gently bowed his head. The gesture felt so simply nice to Lythina that she returned the nod automatically.

Continuing her way to the Residences, Lythina passed a few couples quietly laughing to each other as they discussed some intense subject. She was intrigued because she couldn’t fathom how a couple could laughingly argue over something. But this place, the isle, felt like it could humble even the most arrogant of people; maybe all it took was love.

An engraved portico decorated with colorful foliage stood as the entrance way to the Residences as Lythina hopped up its steps. She was feeling better than ever and she couldn’t wait to find where she’d be staying at this gorgeous place. Once inside, sunlight streaming through the glassless windows glistened off the foyer’s polished marble floor. Twin curved staircases framed a huge, simple stone desk near the far wall. Behind it, a lady sat waiting, staring at Lythina with a courteous smile that crinkled her caramel eyes.

“Welcome to the Residences, Lythina,” the lady said. “I’m Radna, and I’ll show you where you’ll be staying with us.” Without hesitation, she spun up from sitting at the desk. Lythina was startled that Radna had known her name already, and she was about to ask her about it, but she decided that the isle’s mysteriousness made it so attractive. Conclusively, she dropped the subject.

When she reached the desk, Radna was standing, waiting for her. In a unique gesture of compassion, Radna placed her right hand ever her heart and gave Lythina a subtle bow.

Sensing the curiosity in Lythina’s expression, she explained, “You’ll find that everyone here has a unique gesture of kindness. It’s called a Greeting. Mine means that my heart beats for you. In time, you’ll find your own.

Come,” she said as she gestured to an open doorway, “let’s show you your place.”

“Thank you so much,” Lythina said, somewhat astonished.

Lythina and Radna passed through an arched doorway into a deep hallway. On each side were three doors, some closed and some open.

“Every hallway holds the entryway to six homes. There are seven hallways per floor and three floors. Each of the Residences seven buildings holds 126 inhabitants. As you can see, we are well furnished. Not all of the isle’s people live inside the Residences here; some live near the places they enjoy the most. For instance, a few of my friends live above the Librarium.”

Leaving the hallway, they stepped into the sunlight and followed a stone pathway that weaved around another Residence building, past a colorful courtyard. Some inhabitants were among the gardens, tending the flowers, watering and trimming as needed; others were sitting among the trees talking. Radna led Lythina toward yet another Residence hall. Above its entryway was a large ‘7’ chiseled into the stone.

As they entered the foyer, constructed of shining marble like the last, Radna moved toward one of the curved staircases and glided to the top with Lythina right behind her. They entered the first hallway and walked all the way to the end. As soon as they reached the last door on the right, Radna stopped and held out a hand, gesturing inside the open doorway.

When Lythina entered the first room, she saw that it was enormous. Two large sofas, made of wood and that same pure white cloth as the peoples’ clothing, sat around a carved stone center table; two chairs, finished from the same materials, sat near them, and everything rested upon an woven rug. Through an arched opening in the farthest wall, the entire isle could be seen, everything from the columned monument in the center of the crater to a distant forest on the other side of the land, while luscious green and blue daylight bounced around the marble walls, illuminating the room. As Lythina stared at her new immaculate home, Radna motioned toward the side of the residence to another set of rooms.

“Here is your bathing room, should you find the need,” she said as she gestured to the left, toward a rather generous space illuminated by sunlight streaming in through high, thin windows. “And here is your sleeping room, should you find the need.” To the right, another large room was furnished with a marble nightstand and a bed constructed of wood and white cloth, and another woven rug.

“Thank you so much, Radna, but what do you mean by ‘should I find the need’?” Lythina asked, curiously but courteously.

“Your spirit is always awake,” Radna answered. “You may find that the closer your mind, body, and soul come to unity, the less you need to sleep. For that matter, cleanliness becomes a state of mind, rather than a state of body.”

Once again, Lythina felt reality slipping away from her. The excitement of living in a place as peaceful as the isle was beginning to seem like a dream. This would account for the strange way of life that the inhabitants were accustomed to having. Never getting tired? Not needing to bathe? It was unthinkable.

She needed to rest, needed to get her bearings on life once more. Radna must’ve sensed this because she finished her tour by showing Lythina a closet full of pure white robes and dresses, explaining that they were made from windcloth, like the furniture.

“Everything here is organic, from the buildings to the clothes,” Radna smiled. “Feel free to take your time becoming acquainted with the isle. It’s majesty is quite overwhelming at first, I know, but soon you’ll be right at home. If you need anything, I’ll be at the front desk. Do you remember how to get there?”

“Yes, thank you,” Lythina replied quickly. She wasn’t sure if Radna was going to vanish like the old woman. With her distinctive salutation, she bowed to Lythina, who did an awkward knee-bending bow in return.

“It’s okay,” Radna smiled. “If you don’t know what to do, listen to your instinct.”

With that, she turned and left. Lythina grinned as she watched Radna leave, but her expression dropped to shock when Radna turned and waved her hand in front of the entryway. Instantly, the entry frame itself molded shut, like a hidden door had slid out from the wall.

“Whoa,” was the only thing that escaped Lythina lips.

After playing with the door a few times, giggling like a child every time it disappeared and reappeared, Lythina stepped out onto the small balcony that overlooked the isle. She rested herself there for a minute, allowing the exhaustion of the day to seep through her. It seemed like years ago already that she had almost died; the isle had a way of enchanting everything, making every moment an eternity. As the sun slipped into the west, Lythina’s eyes drooped, and she slowly made her way into the bathing room. She wiggled out of her damp clothes and hung them, with her father’s medallion, onto a marble hook on the wall. She easily managed to work the elaborate faucet system that poured out fresh hot water, and slowly slid into the warm bath. After rinsing her body of the grimy sea, she dried off with an organifiber towel, reveling in its softness. Making her way to the bedroom, she slid into the luxurious bed and immediately sank into sleep.