The Reflection of Steel
In this gripping episode, Ulu is forced to expose his tender son to the evils of this world as they penetrate the dangerous territory of a most cruel enemy…
Warriors of Transcendence, Part 15
Ulu caressed him and allowed the sorrow, so natural, to wash over him. His son was being forced to grow up too fast. He was being exposed too quickly to a foreign world, so distant from their village by the sea. Who knew how much time remained before he would have to face the evil powers, making his way in the world on his own?
After a two-day rest, Ulu and his son resumed their journey from Potter’s Village, going toward the Valley of the King. They passed through Artisan’s Village, where the residents created exquisite glass artifacts and musical instruments with which they performed eloquently. Next they passed through Herbal Village. With ancient knowledge handed down from generation to generation, the villagers created a wide variety of incense and medicines from the herbs and medicinal plants growing abundantly in the fields. Ulu and Sage passed through the farming regions of the villages, close to King’s Valley, which supplied food to all surrounding villages.
Sage had grown accustomed to outdoor life. He could ‘read’ the tracks found in the sand and grass, and was becoming more and more capable of surviving on his own in the mountains. It was clear to him, based on what he had heard from his father that a great war was taking place just beyond King’s Valley, threatening the lives of the villagers. What part did his father have in this war? He was too fearful to voice this question.
Ulu walked softly. Every so often he would pick up a rock found on their path and move it aside. He removed rotting tree limbs from trees. He noticed everything: A newly dug burrow near a large rock; a small red flower, freshly sprouted from the damp earth; the whispers and murmurs of small animals making their way from one place to another. Ulu journeyed through the hills as if they were his home, and his spirit was free. He felt as if he belonged in the forest, and was at ease. This made Sage feel safe, protected and happy. But beyond, the trees the slopes were coming to an end, and soon they would be overlooking the Green Lowlands. Always, when Ulu reached this point, he would be overcome with sadness. These feelings were intensified now, with his son at his side, so close to the impending dangers. In the far distance, within the Green Lowlands, they were able to see the Tower, soaring over foreign lands. Though the visibility was hampered by fog and distance, they could see the Tower which rose into the sky, topped by a white flame. Soon father and son began their descent into the valley, each step taking them closer to the Towered City.
The borders were unmarked. The Green Lowlands sprawled out as far as the eye could see, from King’s Valley, beyond the Tower and reaching to the outskirts of the White Desert. Because the inhabitants of the Towered City, the Descendants of the Emperors, were so enchanted by the City, it was unnecessary to guard the border of the Northern Forests. The Descendants of the Emperors’ were limited to the confines of the Towered City. No guards stood at the borders, just a wall of fear. Fear of becoming detached from the power centered in the Tower was so overwhelming, it was clear to all that it would not be possible to leave. And not a soul desired to do so. Thousands of the Descendants of the Emperors harvested the fruits of Oblivion in the Lowlands, and the green promise of freedom in the distance held no attraction for them.
Indeed, the opposite was true; the idea of freedom sowed fear in their hearts. They were in a constant state of uncontrollable desire to lift their eyes to the top of the Tower, from which they imagined they obtained strength and sympathy from the burning flame. The Green Lowlands lay before Ulu and his son. If not for the daunting black stone Tower, the Lowlands would have been attractive. Sage looked into the distance and saw the Towered City for the first time in his life. He stopped walking, frozen in place. The immense size of the Tower, which loomed into the sky, rendered its observers speechless. One was either terrified of the Towered City or passionately yearning to be a part of it, but no one could view it with indifference. Even the boy felt that its strong impression was not created solely by its enormous dimensions. The mighty visage of the City of Steel was dark and paralyzing. Its intensity was overpowering.
“Father”, Sage grasped at Ulu’s clothing, terrified, “What is that?”
Though Ulu knew this moment was coming and had prepared his words wisely, he had difficulty remaining composed. He sat heavily upon a large rock on the side of the trail, embracing his son.
How can I expose such an innocent heart to such profound evil? he wondered.
“The city you see before you,” Ulu chose his words meticulously, “is great, strong and powerful, because all of its inhabitants work for it and devote their entire lives to its Tower. The people’s essence of being provides life to the flame, which leaves them empty. The inhabitants of the City are oblivious to the fact that the Tower does not give them life; the Tower actually sucks their strength and destroys their vitality. But you are still a boy, you cannot understand”.
Sage moved even closer to his father, still gazing at the Tower fearfully.
Suddenly a rustle was heard in the grass. Something moved through the nearby fields. Before Ulu had a chance to discover its source, a warrior appeared before them. The gray flame which appeared on his sleeve and his crude appearance made it apparent that he had come from the City of Steel.
He extended his sword towards Ulu and asked him arrogantly, “Who are you?”
Before Ulu could even answer, a second figure emerged from the tall grass. He carried no weapons and his clothes were unmarked, but he radiated an inner strength and extraordinary intensity.
Upon noticing that Sage seemed bewildered, he smiled a terrible smile and said in a quiet voice, “The center of strength, goodness and blessing to all, lies in this valley.” Sage listened to his words with utter fascination as he continued, “The ancient fire, root of all flames, seeks contact with its soul mate, the fire of your soul.”
“Curses upon you!” the man of borders cried out.
His son cowered at the sound of his father’s furious cry. From beneath the folds of his cape, Ulu stealthily grasped a carved flute into which he had hidden a sharp blade. The armed warrior, who had been standing on the side watching the unfolding scene, noticed the gleaming metal piece. He rushed at Ulu. Within seconds the knife was deeply embedded in the warrior’s chest. His sword fell to the ground. Ulu looked for Sage, but he had vanished, along with the other warrior.
A wail with no beginning and no end arose from the depths of Ulu’s being and finally made its way to his lips, “Sage! Sage! Sage!”
He ran frantically into the field, still grasping the knife, stained with the warrior’s blood, helplessly searching for his son. He stumbled and fell to the ground. A nasty gash on his face caused profuse bleeding, the blood mingling with his tears.
“It’s my fault! I took him out of the village and did not protect him…SAGE!!! MY SAGE!!!”
He remained motionless in the grass, ignoring the possible dangers in his midst.
Multitudinous images from the distant past appeared in his mind. A son! he remembered exclaiming upon becoming a father. The image changed, and his wife now appeared from within the fog, a gay smile lit her face. She was tired from sleepless nights, though full of the joy felt by the mother of a young baby. He could hear his son calling him Father, and see him take his first steps.
The images came and went. Finally, only one lone image remained. It was the image of his son clutching his father’s clothing such a short time ago. Yet it seemed as if it were so long ago! Sage had gazed at the great City confused, and asked: What is that?! This image remained with Ulu for quite some time. The sound of his son’s question echoed repeatedly, in a childish, demanding, puzzled voice: What is that? –and then the voice vanished and only the image of the boy’s wide-open eyes remained.
Ulu had seen the reflection of the City of Steel in Sage’s eyes.
To be continued.
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