The Vision

A stillness covered the woods that night. Lia was told she would see something that is not normally there. After walking a good distance she saw a tent. It was usual to see a tent that big in the middle of nowhere. It looked like something nomads would live in, maybe it had been passed down through generations. Inside the ground was covered with old rugs. There were just a few pieces of furniture. A handmade feather bed, a few old trunks, a table and chairs, and several pillows. We sat using the pillows on the floor. It was difficult to tell the age of the owner of these items. She was tall, about 5’10, with long white hair. Her face had not aged much, just a few lines around the eyes, which were green, was all Lia could see in the shadows and light of the fire.

Closer to the fire, Lia could see the woman better. The woman wore a pleasant expression as if she knew everything that was going to happen and had already made peace with it.

“Hello Lia, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“ You have?”

“Oh yes, quite a while now. I’m glad you made it here.”

“Uh, you were...waiting for me?”

She smiled,” You have a journey to take.”

The woman sprinkled several herbs in the fire, then gave a cup of oil.

“You need to put this on your feet and hands and I have a tea you’ll need to drink.”

“What will this do?”

“You need to have a vision.”

“Why?”

“ So you can understand your gifts better.”

“My gifts?”

“Yes, you need to meet with an elder spirit. This will help understand your abilities and how to best use them..”

Lia had to know what the woman was speaking of, there was a feeling in her gut she couldn’t deny. She would do it and see what comes of it. After she was done with the oil she drank the tea.

“ So what now?”

“Lie down”

Lia laid down on the pillows the woman arranged for her.

“ Now, close your eyes and focus on what you want to know.”

Her body relaxed, along with her mind, drifting out of consciousness.

Awake again, she was standing in an ancient temple. Above her was an ornate glass dome that covered the entire ceiling. The sun shined through the giant dome illuminating the sandstone walls. There were figures and scripts carved into the walls that seemed to record events from long ago. Lia was fascinated by what great stories the pictures told. She could not understand any of the script written on the walls but she was hoping whoever she was going to meet would teach her. Turning the corner, she came upon her guide for the rest of the journey.

A bull stood in the middle of the hallway waiting for her. Amazed by the sheer size of the animal she froze in place for a moment. She had never seen one in person before. Then, realizing why it was there, she understood. The beast gazed at her, then turned toward its destination and began to lead the way, she knew she was to follow.

Together they walked through what seemed like a large maze, all the walls covered with more art depicting other great stories. She wondered how long this would go on. It all seemed endless. The maze opened into a dark room lit with only a fireplace. The bull stopped and turned to her as if it was waiting. Lia went forward.

Again Lia see could nothing, but kept going, looking to fulfill her quest.

A voice spoke in the darkness,” Welcome Lia, We have much to discuss.“