The Awakening (41 page)

“It is not your fault, Sister. What you have accomplished is remarkable in any case,” Emmeline said, reflecting upon all of what she had just been told. She sat down upon the nearby chair and bent her head for a moment. “Why though, do you suppose he felt that you should be circumspect when it came to telling the Sisters about their potential?” she finally asked.

“I do not know for certain. I can only tell you that the feeling of elation at being able to do the simple things that I did was quite strong. Perhaps he felt that this knowledge might cause some of us to act arbitrarily, or maybe he just thought it would frighten the more timid Sisters. I am unsure myself, but who am I to question the advice of a Lalas?” Tamara replied honestly. “He was quite clear in his admonition. Therefor, I could not return home and simply blurt out this news.”

“Your actions were admirable, Sister,” Emmeline said as she walked to the fire. Her back was upon Tamara and she was thinking deeply.

“How should we tell them?” Tamara finally asked.

Emmeline considered the question for quite some time before responding. She beckoned Tamara to pull up the other armchair and sit beside her before the hearth. Turning to face her and taking her hand in her own, she stared at her earnestly.

“I have believed for a long time that the Sisters of Parth were destined to play a more active role in the events of the coming tiels. Often at night, I sit alone in this very room and I feel the power that courses through this place. There were moments when it seemed to beckon to me, to draw me into it, and I resisted the temptation. I was frightened by it, and I worried that if I were to give in to the attraction, then I might endanger myself or the other Sisters. I did not know that it stemmed from the trees, though it felt so right to me nonetheless,” she related. “There was no one to whom I could appeal for advice. Gretchen and I discussed the matter, and she too experienced the feelings, though not as often, nor as intense as I had. We concluded that it would not be prudent to experiment with things we were so unsure of,” she confided. “There were even times when I believed that it was the Dark Lord luring us into his trap,” she said with a shiver.

Tamara listened intently. As Emmeline spoke, she recalled sensing similar things herself over the years. Yet, she had never consciously pondered them.

“Now, after what you tell me, I believe it is time for me to accept what I have denied in the past,” she concluded. “Your news has presented us with a challenge, Sister,” Emmeline said and she stood up excitedly. “It seems we have a new purpose after all,”

Tamara smiled and bowed her head. She thought of Oleander and Liam and she immediately felt warm and satisfied all over. It did not occur to her at the time that the Lalas spoke to her of these issues, but simply by recognizing what was there all along and bringing this news back to the Sisters, she had inadvertently changed the entire course of the Tower’s future.

“This news will be welcome once the Sisters have had some time to contemplate it,” Emmeline said. “We have a great contest before us, Sister. We must learn quickly how to best use this knowledge,” she said.

“We cannot forget the importance Oleander placed upon the visitors he mentioned, Sister,” Tamara repeated once more.

That information had struck her at the time as being more significant than the Lalas had made it out to be.

“The others were correct Sister, to question how we will know whom to admit to our fold. The issue is particularly important now, after the news you have just given me. If we are to learn about ourselves, how can we do so with strangers in our midst?” Emmeline asked.

“I do not see the conflict, Sister. I can only assume that those who visit us and those we invite to stay for whatever reason, will not disturb the process. Perhaps they will even assist us in our pursuit,” Tamara replied.

“We must proceed carefully nonetheless. Do you think we are all capable of doing what you have done?” Emmeline asked, wondering about herself for the moment.

“I only know what Oleander has told me. But if I am able, then I see no reason why the others cannot. Some of the Sisters have resided here far longer than I have. If it is truly this proximity to the energy below that has empowered me, then I assume it has had its effect upon us all.”

“These are strange times indeed,” Emmeline responded. “By the way, Sister, you continue to speak as if you will be here when all of this occurs. What are your plans?” she asked.

“On the contrary. I must depart almost immediately. I fear that every moment I remain in the Tower, I endanger it more,” Tamara answered. “Or should I say, by not removing the map from the Tower forthwith jeopardizes it more. I am of no consequence,” she bowed her head. “I will leave on the morrow.”

“Where will you go?” Emmeline questioned.

“I cannot say, Sister. It must remain my secret. Should the wrong people question you and the other Sisters, it will be best if you all truly have no idea. There is much evil afoot, and one cannot assume that the enemy’s methods of drawing out the truth would be acceptable to us. It would be best for all concerned if no one needed to conceal her knowledge of this,” Tamara answered. “I do not believe that lying is something the Sisters would be very good at doing.”

“No, I agree, Tamara,” she said sincerely. “Will you travel alone?” she asked.

“Angeline will accompany me.”

“A good choice, Sister,” Emmeline concurred, and she nodded her head. “When will you return?” she asked softly.

“That I cannot say. I only hope that I will return one day,” Tamara answered, thinking about this herself now for the first time. “Up until a moment ago, I have thought only about the journey. I have not considered your question before,” she said.

“Perchance it is best that way,” Emmeline replied. “We cannot know what the future will bring, Sister. But, I feel it in my heart that you will come back to us. I only hope that you do not become too worldly for us when you do reappear.”

“Are we ever the same from day to day, Sister?” Tamara asked. “Life is change. It differs so from the rocks. I hope you will all be recognizable to me when I return!” she said smiling. “After all, when you start experimenting with your powers, who knows? You may discover that you are able to do things you never dreamed of,” she said.

“We are who we are, Sister. And you are who you are, Tamara. I have faith that you will come back home all the stronger for your journey,” she said. Emmeline placed her hand atop Tamara’s. “I will miss you more than you can imagine,” she said squeezing her fingers.

“Thank you, Emmeline,” Tamara replied. “It is not easy for me to leave. I am not frightened, but I sense that my future will not be as simple as my past has been. It is already infinitely more complicated,” she said. “I have spoken with a Lalas, Emmeline,” Tamara exclaimed.

“You are the fortunate one, Sister. And you have been given a job to do that I am sure was meant for you. I cannot imagine another in whose hands the map would be more secure,” Emmeline commented honestly. “But, I think it is time we informed the others of our conversation. I do not wish to create the semblance of a confidence that might threaten the harmony here. Would you join me, Sister?” Emmeline asked as she rose from her chair.

“Certainly, Sister,” Tamara replied, standing upright and ready now to accompany her to the great hall.

Together they left Emmeline’s room and walked through the dimly lit hallways until they reached the chamber where they would all eventually gather once again. They sat together in the empty room and silently waited, all the while contemplating deeply the news and the changes it foisted upon them. The time passed quickly. One by one, the Sisters filed in and took their seats alongside the large, wooden table. When they were all present once again, Emmeline rose and addressed them.

“Today, Tamara has returned. But tomorrow she will leave once more. When she does, she will take the map with her, and we shall never see it again,” she said. Her words elicited a gasp from Rella and Violet and concerned sighs from some of the others. Bethany remained stone-faced and still, while Gretchen eyed Emmeline closely, scrutinizing the face of her dear friend. “She has been instructed by Oleander, and her destination she cannot reveal,” Emmeline continued. “Angeline will join her, and together they will carry out the behest of the Lalas and its Chosen,” she said, pausing in order to allow the Sisters to digest the news.

No one spoke, as each of the women considered what this would mean to them individually, as well as to the Tower of Parth itself. They had all lived here and worked together as brethren, and they had always privately acknowledged their duty to protect the map. As young girls, it was impressed upon them that their responsibility was to safeguard this ancient scroll, and as mature women, their commitment to this commission only grew in intensity.

A tear made its way slowly down Dahlia’s cheek. Bethany’s cold and grim expression turned into a scowl, marring the calm of her features. Rose looked like a frightened little girl, while Angeline, Rella and Jocasta seemed detached and contemplative still. Sevilla looked from one face to the next, seeking out the others’ opinions as revealed by their expressions, and Violet sat stick straight in her chair, though her white skin was turning redder by the minute. Courtney seemed to be holding back an excited smile, and Gretchen sat, erect and tall, her countenance serious and unwavering.

Bethany was the first to break the silence.

“It seems that you indeed have a new role, dear Sister, and I will not presume to question you about matters that you cannot reveal. You have my complete trust and support,” she said sternly. Bethany looked dangerously at the other maidens sitting around the table as if challenging them to defy her on this matter. She then returned her gaze to Tamara. “But what of the rest of us? Have you come back to Parth with the news that we so dearly long for? Has Oleander also indicated that our services are still needed? Has he given us a new imperative as well?” she asked Tamara.

Tamara glanced briefly at Emmeline before speaking, and then nodded subtly, indicating that she was ready to take the floor. As she was about to rise, she distinctly felt something vibrate inside her shawl. She reached for it without drawing anyone’s attention, and she felt the warmth of the gift Oleander had given her as she folded her fingers around it. Her entire body felt energized suddenly, and she fought desperately to maintain her consciousness. Within seconds, she regained her composure and shed her momentary fatigue, now bolstered and ennobled like never before. She removed the small, nut-like object from her pocket and held it tightly in her closed palm. Tamara then placed both her hands on the table in front of her. Oleander’s present was pulsating slightly, as if alive. She could feel something other than heat emanating from it, and she grasped it securely, though she still kept it hidden from view.

“Now that I have had a brief rest and I have freshened up, I can honestly say that it is wonderful to be back home, Sisters,” Tamara said, and a broad smile broke across her face. “I missed you all,” she continued. “Unfortunately though, as Emmeline just informed you, I must depart with the morning sun. And it is with great trepidation that I will take the map with me.”

She paused in order to calm herself before speaking any further. She felt as if the energy of the Gem itself was inside her, fighting to get out. The events of the past days had finally caught up to her, and she felt an intense surge of emotion envelop her entire being. Her eyes filled with unbidden tears, as she gathered her thoughts.

“A great evil has been let loose upon the land. It is our duty, Sisters, to combat it in any manner that we can. I have had the great misfortune of encountering it personally on my way to visit the Lalas.”

Some of the Sisters gasped in response, but not an eye wavered from Tamara’s countenance.

“For tiels, we have served the cause and protected the map from harm. Those days are over. You will never see it again,” she said to the hushed gathering. “We had thought that perhaps we protected it for someone. But in fact, I believe that we protected it from someone,” Tamara continued. “And that evil personage will be at the very gates of Parth if I do not act swiftly. We can no longer risk the safety of the Tower for the sake of this object, and I have been chosen to spirit it away,” she summarized. “I wish you could all come with me. The First knows how I would revel in your companionship. Alas, I must go with only one other, and Angeline has been generous enough to agree to accompany me.”

The other Sisters nodded appreciatively, pleased with the choice. Tamara bowed her head and was silent for a moment. When she raised it again, her eyes sparkled brightly and she seemed to radiate power and strength.

“I take with me the object that has solidified our Sisterhood for so long. Harken unto my words now, maidens of Parth, for Oleander has directed us afresh,” she spoke as if possessed. “Beneath the stones of this tower, yea in the very walls themselves, resides the power of the Lalas. Since time began, Parth has been infused with their essence, bathed in their spirit and imbued with their souls. We have not been immune to this conflux of power. It is in our very midst all the time, everywhere we turn. As Sisters of Parth, we committed ourselves to the Tower. We thus traveled infrequently as such a commitment required, and thereby we spent the vast majority of the days of our lives here. The proximity to this potency has given us unique and powerful qualities that we have been heretofore unaware of,” Tamara said to the captive crowd, astounded herself at her command of the language.

Though always garrulous, she had never been particularly scholarly until this moment, and now the words came to her easily and naturally.

At that point, she unclenched her fist and allowed the shell to fall onto the table. Without quite knowing why, she lifted her finger and drew continuous circles in the air before her, while the nut danced and bobbed in response. Suddenly, she felt her abdomen grow warm, and a very white light opened up somewhere within her head, just above her eyes. She closed them and concentrated upon Oleander’s token, focusing the light that she saw in her mind upon it.