Clansworld
Chapter One Continued...
Warmth held her body as sweet incense floated around her. As sleep released its control her eyes fluttered open. The meadow had been replaced by a large ornate room, illuminated by sunlight and candles. When Lynn turned her head to look more at the room she met the eyes of Acin, he smiled looking grateful she was okay.
“How are you feeling?” he seemed really concerned for her she thought to herself.
“Rested, and I guess I can’t chalk this up as a dream any more can I?”
“Only if you wish to”
“How long have I been out?”
“It is now mid morning. The transition from the outer world must have taken more from you then we thought. Of course we don’t know just how much that is, we don’t go traveling between worlds much ourselves.”
“Thank you for being so kind, I’m sorry about the way I’ve been acting.”
“How were you supposed to react? If it were me I think I would have behaved much worse.” He smiled.
“Well still for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Why? Why are you helping me?” and why she thought to her self, why do I feel so close to you?
“Insatiable curiosity. I have never seen anyone like you before, but you seem so familiar to me. I guess that is why I wasn’t too surprised when I saw you arrive.”
“And I guess I should try to find out why I haven’t had a heart attack from the shock of being here. Why were you out there any way, can I ask?”
“I was out hunting, strictly in the spiritual sense, and I saw you arrive as it were. First, there was a light of amazing colors and out of this light you appeared dancing. You were beautiful the way you interpreted the energies of the forest and the meadow. In my world, many spend their lifetimes trying to master the Old Ways so that they could experience the Dance of Energies. I wanted so much to come and try to dance with you; however you then stopped to rest. I came over to find you had fallen asleep. At first I was going to leave you, but my selfish curiosity took over and I stayed with you. Then I thought it would be better if I brought you back to Rufelis, there has been word of…of a predator in that area. You know the rest.”
“Thanks again. Now I have to find away back home it’s not like I do what did you call it, the dance of energies everyday either.”
“I believe you can do it again, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a while, let your body heal and during that time why not try to enjoy yourself. Maybe we can learn of each others worlds as you recuperate.”
“Sure I guess.” She shifted under the covers.
“Now I should leave you so you may have some privacy. There are new cloths there if you wish them and fresh water to bathe. Shall I send someone in to attend to you.”
“No, no thank you. I think I can manage.” She smiled at him and watched as he got up from where he was sitting and started to the door.
“Then I will try to return when you are finished, so we may begin your tour of the city,” he bowed at the door then turned and closed it behind him. She quieted her self to listen; there was not a sound of a lock being turned so it seemed he didn’t lock her in.
Lynn fell back with a sigh. So many sensations running through her, her thoughts ran a mile a minute, “God, what is the matter with me? I should be scared to death but just now I felt so good, hell I feel so good” she rolled in the bed covers over to the side of the bed, then let her foot drop to the floor. It was a definite struggle to leave the comfort of the bed yet she managed. She took her time, for she thought if this is a dream she was going to make full use of it so she bathed and dressed in the cloths that were laid out for her. The fabric was softer then cotton, and the dress was light and moved well with her. She began to truly look at the room. The furniture, the craftsmanship of the walls, and all that was with in it. Each article had a feline grace, and a cat motif. Lynn loved cats and felt she was actually falling in love with this place. A knock on the door broke through her musings. When she opened the door a small Bastalian girl stepped back in awe as if she had seen a ghost or something unreal.
“Are…Are you finished my lady?” her soft scared voice asked.
“Yes, I am, and please don’t be afraid I won’t hurt you. I know you don’t see my kind every day.” Lynn smiled at her and the little girl nodded.
“The prince asked me to see if you were finished and to ask you if you would join him in the garden, so he may being to show you the city.”
“The Prince? I guess…I would love to join him in the garden, would you be so kind as to take me?”
“Yes please follow me.”
Lynn followed the young girl through the hall ways of the castle. Lynn tried to keep up while trying to look at all the splendor around her. The craftsmanship was the same out here but on a much grander scale. Tapestries, paintings, statues and realistic sculptures decorated their journey. Just as she got into stride with the young girl they came on two large etched glass doors, and before they touched them they opened seemingly on their own accord. A cool breeze flowed in, the scents of flowers and cut grasses mixed and churned around them.
“Thank you Arel for showing our guest to the garden,” Acin said as he walked towards them.
“My pleasure Prince Acin” the girl replied then she bowed and went on her way.
Lynn stared, “Prince? Acin? You…you are a prince?”
“Forgive me for not telling you, I didn’t want to make you any more uncomfortable then you already were.” He looked at her fully “the cloths suit you.” He held out his hand for her. With out really thinking she took it, still in awe as he led her deep into the gardens.
“I thought a breath of fresh air may help you before your long day of discovery.”
“You can say that again,” she smiled “God, I fall into a dream and I am met by a Prince. What else can happen to me?” She shook her head in amusement and disbelief, but she held his hand as if it were a lifeline.
They walked slowly talking of what ever came up, each interjecting the history of his or her world when it came up, trying to explain the differences even if they didn’t understand them. Lynn found herself mostly watching him speak, looking at his face, his uniquely handsome face.
“You are staring.” He said in mid sentence.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Am I that unusual to you?” It was a question but it seemed as though he was afraid to hear the answer if it were yes.
“Oh, no…you are very handsome…” she stopped herself feeling the blood rush to her face. She looked away from him to hide her embarrassment.
He moved in front of her and his hand moved to her chin to lift her gaze to his, “Thank you. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
She smiled up at him, “Well I’d better get used to it, I made a fool out of myself yesterday didn’t I?” She stood there, and was in awe again that there was no fear; looking deep into his eyes she felt she was remembering a dream.
“Forgive me, for being so forward, you seem so familiar to me now that I have watched you, talked to you and truly looked into your eyes.”
“I kind of feel the same, it’s weird, even this garden it’s like I’ve been here…” she gasped as images began to flood her mind.
“Lynn what is it?” He stood close, trying to steady her.
“Something happened to you in this garden,” she began to move towards the images as they led her to a place that gave Acin a cold chill.
“What do you see? Don’t fight the energies, let the visions come.”
“A promise between you and Skylar…there was blood.”
This time it was Acin who gasped, “Our pact, no one knows of that save Skylar and I. In this garden we made ourselves total spirit brothers by sharing blood.”
“You both saved each others lives.”
“That’s right, it was when I was…”
“15”
“Yes, he saved me during a storm in the process he was hurt and I healed him. Ever since the Bastalians and the Wolfendim have been close allies and friends.”
“I can see you both when you were young in my head.”
“Lynn, when you were 11 seasons, did you have an accident in a metal vehicle?”
“Yes, I was in a car accident, my arm was broken.”
“Here,” Acin pointed at the exact spot on her arm. Lynn drew away, this was becoming too much for her as the images kept coming. Suddenly, a face, so evil appeared before her. He looked almost human as he smiled. The face smiled and started to come closer to her, she instinctively backed away, Acin and the garden all but fading from her senses.
“Lynn? You are fighting the energies, please let me help.”
Instead of Acin she saw the face and it’s voice talk to her and come close, “Stay away from me!”
“Lynn, it is Acin, please let me help.”
“No, get away from me!” She turned to try to run from the illusion, but a pain seared through her mind and she fell. Acin came to her quickly and pulled her into his arms cradling her head. He gently began to rub her temples and warmth poured from his body.
“Calm, Calm…you are all right. It seems my world has awakened your mind soul energies more then we thought.”
“Mind…Soul? What happened?”
“You were overcome by visions. What did you see?”
Not moving from her comfort in his arms she answered, “I think it was a man, yet all I could feel from him was dark…sick…evil.”
There was a slight reaction from Acin, when he heard the description, “Well, it’s over now, you’re safe.”
“Why, and how do we know these things about each other?”
Acin still massaging Lynn’s temples spoke quietly, “For some reason, I don’t know, we have been linked; we have been it would seem most of our lives. There has to be some explanation for our union as it were. How are you feeling now?” he drew his hands away from her.
“I’m not sure.”
“Let me help you up,” he moved and pulled her gently up with him as he stood, “Maybe you should go back to your room.”
“No, I want to know why this is all happening. I’ll be fine, please continue to show me around it may help.”
“As you wish, but please tell me if you tire.”
“I will.” She leaned on him as he led her out of the gardens and moved towards the city.
The day went quickly, and they had covered a lot of the city in a short time once they had returned to the palace, they heard a bell sounding.
“Ahhh are you hungry?”
“Actually I am.” She smiled up at him.
“Good, now you will meet the rest of the court of Rufelis.”
“Whoa, I’m not sure I can…I mean how should I act…oh I don’t know if I…”
“Shhh, just act yourself,” He looked deep into Lynn’s eyes trying to calm her and smiled. He led her through the halls of the palace and to a set of double doors that opened again as if by magic.
When the doors swung open she could see a long elegant table filled with at least 50 beings sitting at their own places. They were all sorts of what else to call them but animal people; bird, reptile, mammal, even amphibian types. Also there on the far wall were tanks with fish people in them. They were all talking between each other when suddenly a voice sounded over all others.
“Announcing Prince Acin and the Lady Lynn Synclair of the outer World Earth.” Everything stopped and all turned to them as they stood in the door way. Lynn felt a new level of scared flow over her, Acin’s hand squeezed hers in reassurance. He slowly urged her into the room.
“Come you are fine. Remember we have only heard stories of the outer worlds, most have never seen a Homo Sapian before.”
“Good then I am on the same terms, I’ve never seen anything like this before, and it doesn’t make it any easier, but I’m all right I will have to be.” She smiled at him swallowing hard feeling all of the stares and hearing the whispering.
Acin guided her through the hall and up towards the other end of the table there were the three wolf men she had seen when she first came here. Their names were reintroduced to her, and before she knew it she was in front of the King and Queen of the Bastalians, Acin’s parents.
“Mother, Father, may I introduce the Lady Lynn Synclair.”
Fidgeting with nerves she tried to curtsy while saying, “Your majesties.”
“We are honored to have you here Lynn, we are glad to see that out worlders have such good manners,” the King replied.
“I try..” she blushed hard and was escorted to sit next to the king and Acin.
The feast was luscious, tastes and smells beyond her wildest dreams. She tried to stay in the conversations a lot of times she just focused on the food or Acin’s smile which helped her calm. So much happening she felt her self tire quickly, she yawned with out realizing it, but when she did her hand went to her mouth.
“Excuse me.”
“I told you to tell me when you were getting tired.”
“Sorry, I didn’t want to disturb your conversations.” Before Acin could answer his father did it for him.
“No need my dear, it is time for all of us to get our rest, we have a big day tomorrow so your yawn was a good timing.” He winked at her and smiled, then stood. “My friends, may I say thank you again for coming and gracing our table. I hope this annual meeting of the Nine Clans tomorrow as always will be a productive one. Since we have a full schedule to get under way, I must bid you all a good night.” He extended his arm to his wife, “My dear.” As she stood all stood with her in respect.
The queen turned to Lynn, “Lynn, thank you for your company and good cheer, I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.”
“I know I will your majesty,” Lynn heard the words ‘rest of my stay’ ring in her head as she thought, ‘how long will that be, especially when I don’t know how to get back home.’
After the king and queen left the crowd slowly dispersed, saying their pleasantries and going their way. Acin started to guide Lynn through the crowd back to her own rooms. Once outside the dinning hall, they met up with Skylar, Alayen and Daran.
“It’s good to see you my dear.” Skylar took Lynn’s hand and kissed it, “of course it seems Acin has warn you out.” He winked at her smiling impishly.
“Well it wasn’t all…” before she could finish Daran came up and confronted her.
“What
are you doing here on Clansworld?”
“My Daran let’s be blatant.” Alayen Remarked
Lynn stepped back from the imposing Daran, “What do you mean?”
“I mean, why are you here? What purpose do you have? I do not trust this situation.”
“Lynn forgive Daran, sometimes he gets overly military.”
“Alayen I don’t need input from you.”
“And she doesn’t need input from any of you, you are upsetting her.” Acin interceded.
“Hey a lot of things upset me recently why should Daran be left out?” Sarcasm had always been her security when she was scared, she let it out now, “Listen Daran, I have no idea how I manage to skip across the high ways and by ways to end up on your untrusting door step. And the why is beyond me, but I assure you I am not here to hurt anyone or anything. I am still trying to deal with this.” She didn’t allow him to say anything as she took a breath. “And believe me I am still scared! I’m not sure how to get back to my home, or if I will ever be able to see my family and friends again. You don’t think I go popping around alternate universes for fun and giggles do you? Well I don’t,” she was getting upset for Daran had even stepped back, “you can take your over military trusting ways and shove them up your…”
Before she could continue, Acin stepped in, “Lynn please…calm” She let him encircle her with his arms as tears came to her eyes.
“I…have to know about these things…for my Prince. It is my job…I am sorry.” Daran attempted.
“We all apologize,” Skylar began, “We all have been overly protective of our people lately. Anything out of the ordinary must be thoroughly investigated. Especially now since Olmeran is back on Clansworld.”
“Olmeran?” Lynn looked up wiping her eyes.
“An evil one of the so called clan Primata” Acin answered.
“A megalomaniac of the highest order.” Alayen added.
“He has threatened all of the Nine Clans, specifically the Bastalians and Acin,” Daran hissed.
“Why you Acin?” Lynn asked, when she looked in his eyes there was fear, yet he didn’t answer, Skylar did.
“Jealousy”
“Please Skylar don’t” Acin was noticeably uneasy.
“Come on Acin, it’s true and you know it. With all of his high and mighty technology he can’t even come close to or compare with your gifts. He has been jealous of you all of your lives.”
“Yes, but he is still a threat with this technology, who knows what he went through when he went to the Warlords and left Clansworld. The only things that are saving us are our number and not all of the Primata are on his side. The problem is they are still afraid of him and won’t do anything,” There was not joking in Alayen’s words.
Acin continued, “We have to remember that his technology is also his weakness, he and his people have forgotten the old ways.”
“What are the old ways?” Lynn asked again.
“The old ways are the ways of the mind-soul. I’ll have to show you, but you already have the gifts.” Acin tried to explain.
“And no one better to tell you then the most powerful sensitive in all of the Nine Clans,” Skylar remarked filled with pride for his spirit brother.
“Me gifts? What I dance into another dimension and suddenly I have gifts…you’ve got to be kidding.” She tried to joke about it.
“All of you should have seen her dance and interpret the energies of the forest, it was amazing.”
“I was just dancing.”
“Just dancing to music that just formed in your head…just feelings.” Alayen added.
“Yes, I felt just a need or desire to dance.”
“A sensitive as well…great.”
Sensing the tension was to grow again; Skylar broke in, “Well enough talk. You have already indicated you are tired and we are just being a bother,” he stared at Daran when he said that, then turned to her again, “I hope we may see each other again tomorrow, please rest well Lynn.” Skylar motioned to the other two and they in turn waved and followed him away.
“Other then Daran, how do you like Rufelis so far?” Acin tried to lighten the mood as he continued on their way back to her rooms.
“The city I love it, but right now I am beyond tired.”
“Then my lady,” he lifted her into his arms, “allow me.”
“Oh god this is embarrassing”
Acin laughed as he carried her rest of the way to her room.
The next day went as fast as the first full of wonderment and awe as Acin led Lynn around the city and told of the intricate history of the world. There was hustle and bustle around the city as well due to the conference that the king had alluded to at dinner the other night. As they continued, Lynn would remember things, where certain rooms were, and even when guards were to be out and training. So much came to her, it even seemed to amaze Acin.
They late in the day after a good meal returned to her rooms, it had been straightened and prepared with fresh flowers, a small fire to ward off the chill of the evening and light from candles and small crystals.
Acin turned to Lynn and held out his hand, “So you wish to learn some of the old ways? Come and sit.” He guided her over to the couch in front of the fire and continued, “I will show you the very basic, and I am sure you will remember it as if it were a reflex. Now close your eyes, sit back and be comfortable.”
Lynn did so and relaxed, it felt so good.
“Are you as comfortable as you wish to be?”
“Yes.”
“To learn the ways one must be relaxed, do you trust me.”
“Yes.” ‘I do now’ the voice in her mind continued.
“Begin by being aware of how you take in your breath. Breathe through your nose, and breathe deeply. Pull the breath deep into your lungs. Then let as much of it out as possible, continue for a few more breaths. Now, imagine that you are outside sitting on the ground. Your legs ever so slowly start becoming roots, penetrating down into the ground. Your arms raise and become branches with leaves. See yourself as you are now, a beautiful tree. When you breathe in, you are bringing in the life force of the planet up through your roots and through your leaves. As you breathe out all of the negative energy in your system flows out, harming none. Continue to breathe with this visualization until you feel it’s power…when you are ready open your eyes, slowly.”
Lynn did this for a while, fully aware of her new tree like body. The bottom half of her body felt weighted and rooted to the ground. The Upper half felt each imaginary breeze. When she felt she could, she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Acin, his form was all a glow with beautiful rainbow colors, and right over his heart was a baseball sized green glow.
“You are so handsome Acin.”
“What you are seeing now is my mind-soul, good.”
“This is wonderful,” she stood slowly and started around the room, studying everything, “it’s like I’m seeing for the first time.” A crystal flashed it’s desire to be held, as she touched it the energy mingled with her own making her light headed, she laughed, “This is great.”
“This is just another way of the mind soul, just like dancing with energy of the forest” Acin had come up behind her touching her lightly on the shoulder, “But please be careful not to over do it, I don’t want you to walk up with a headache.”
She turned and looked at him, his aura was brilliant and clearer now but still with the hints of the spectrum blending into the next as each occupied it’s place around his body. It danced and started to extend towards her, she wasn’t scared, she felt as if she wanted to be enveloped by it.
Running on emotions and yearning to be held by someone who cared, she reached for him and pulled him into her kiss.
