The calling

Aepida (ā-pē-dă) lay on the ground. The grass felt cool on her back. Hans hovered over her, staring into her bright blue eyes. Slowly he untied the sash that bound her tunic to her waist. She smiled at him, her hand caressing his chest. He lowered his face to hers and kissed her gently. She reached up, put her arm around his neck, and returned the kiss eagerly.

She untied the sash binding his tunic. His hand was already on her knee. She felt her tunic moving up her leg along with his hand. Each touch sent shudders throughout her body. The hem of her garment was now at her waist. Her hands were under his garment as well. She was breathing heavily. She pulled him down to her, still lying on her side.

"I love you." She said.

"I want you for my wife." He said as he moved one leg over her.

"I want to be your wife more than anything." She said wantonly.

His hand was now at her breast sending sensations that burned like fire. The warm fire of primal desire. He was now on top of her. She wanted him. She needed him. But she stopped him.

"I am not ready yet." She said, almost weeping. "I don't know why but I can't. I am not ready."

Hans leaned down, kissed her forehead, and pulled down her tunic to cover her. He then tied the sash back around her waist. He then tied his back on. He lay on his side next to her and gently kissed the tears from her eyes.

"I don't know why I can't. Why do you put up with me?" She wept. "I want you so bad. We get so close. Then I suddenly change my mind. I don't even know why."

Hans smiled at her, a sweet, gentle smile. He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her once more. His patience only served to make her feel more ashamed.

"Do not fault yourself," He said. "You should not feel ashamed of saying how you feel. You are being honest to yourself and me. There is no shame in that. It also means, when you are ready, you will be honest, then as well."

His words calmed her some. She loved him, and he loved her. When the time is right, It will happen without hesitation, she thought.

"I want you for my wife. I want children with you. I want no other, and I will wait until you are ready to be my wife and the mother of our children."

Aepida wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly. She whispered in his ear. "I love you. I love you."

He answered her with a deep passionate kiss. His tongue probed her mouth, and she accepted. As their kiss broke, a thunderous clap shook the ground. A lightning bolt, purple in color, struck the tree not one hundred feet in front of them. A ball of purple electric plasma enveloped the tree without damaging it. Aepida heard it call her name. She broke her embrace with Hans. Then she started to walk toward the tree and the glowing electrical field that covered it. Hans blocked her path.

"Aepida," He was almost shouting. " What are you doing?"

"Hans, wait here." was all she said.

He grabbed her, trying to stop her. She shook him off and started to run.

"Please. Hans, wait here for me."

She disappeared into the purple sphere. He tried to follow her. The ball would bend but not break. He could not see into the interior. All he could do was wait as Aepida had told him.

Inside, Aepida beheld a very bright white light. She also saw the darkness that seemed to absorb the white light she was witnessing. She put forth her right hand it disappeared into the light. She put her left hand out, and it disappeared into the darkness. When she pulled them back, her hands were whole and unharmed.

"Our daughter." Instinctively she knew it was the light and the darkness speaking in unison. Though she heard them, they did not seem to come through her ears. She was filled with the knowledge of her origin.

"Your mother's seed was fused with the seed of the light, your father's with the seed of darkness. You are light, darkness, flesh, and woman. Your life began in the womb. You carry the womb, the giver of life. You are the one who can stand against the beast that comes. It is the opposite of you. It is created of both darkness and light. It was not from the womb and not from the flesh. You can give life. It gives only death."

The words seemed cryptic, but in her mind, she understood. They wanted her to give up her life with Hans.

"I am not your heroine. I want to marry Hans and have children, his children. How am I supposed to fight this "beast" you talk of? I barely have sixteen summers behind me. I won't leave Hans."

"You were born, created for this purpose. You have all the resources you need. If you don't stop the beast, life in this world will cease to exist. There will be no children, no Hans, no you. If you cannot prevail. There will be nothing."

The spirit's words rang in her heart and she knew they spoke the truth. She knew the meaning of her name. She wept. She knew that she would have to leave Hans.

The Lords sensed that she understood. Once again they spoke.

"You must travel to Alogroth. Speak to the oracle there. She will give you insight into what we face. You may tell Hans that you must leave, even where you are going. He cannot accompany you. You will wear only your tunic and a shawl your mother has prepared for you. She will provide sustenance for the first day. From then on you will find all you need on the way. A woman known only as the witch will come to you. Go with her when she tells you to."

Aepida wept at the thought of leaving home, Mother, and Father, but mostly Hans. The spirits comforted her. Still, they could not promise that she would ever return. They could not promise if she did not return, there would be anything to return to.

The spirits released the field that had enveloped the tree. She stood there face to face with Hans. For a moment, they did not say anything. It was Hans who spoke first.

"Ar-ar-are you alright?" he stammered.

"Yes, I am fine. Will you take me home?" she asked, with a slight quiver in her voice.

"Of course," he answered, putting his arm around her waist. She leaned her head on his shoulder, accepting the loving gesture.

They did not speak as they walked. When they reached her door, they kissed. She invited him in. Her Mother was sitting sewing. Her father had just brought in some firewood, and was putting it into the fireplace.

"Mother, Father," she said. "I know who I am."

Her Mother gently put her sewing down and covered her mouth. Her Father stopped stoking the fire and slowly walked over to his daughter. Her Mother joined them and they both hugged her. Hans stood there bewildered by her statement and the reaction of her parents. It was her Mother who suggested that the four of them have a seat at the table. Aepida took a seat next to her lover. Mother and Father sat across from them.

"Hans would you tell Mother and Father what happened out in the meadow today?" she said.

Hans looked at her questioningly. Aepida, seeing his confusion, and giggling, whispered in his ear.

"About the tree."

Hans sighed in relief and began telling about the lightning, the tree, and how Aepida could enter it. He was not. He told them how he tried to stop her but couldn't. Then she began to tell what had occurred inside the bubble where Hans could not see. Hans sat there in shock and disbelief. Her Mother and Father accepted what she was saying. After all, they knew even before she had been conceived.

"Aepida, what are you saying? What does all this mean?" asked Hans.

"It means I am leaving for Alogroth in the morning," she stated.

"Why? Over some vision? It was probably just a dream." Hans argued.

"It was not a dream." her Father said. "We knew about this from the very beginning. We just hoped it would not happen this soon. But, now it has."

He could not hide the sadness in his voice. Her mother could not hold back her tears. Hans was visibly upset.

"I will go with you then." He declared.

"You cannot go with me," said Aepida. Taking both of his hands, she turned him to face her. "If you follow me. You will give me away. You will unwittingly betray me. You must stay here if you want to protect me. Do not follow me if you want to give our future a chance."

"She is right, son." her Father added. "None of us would be helping her if we went along. We would only betray her."

Tears welled in Hans' eyes. "When will you return?"

"When it is over," answered Aepida. "I will be leaving in the morning at daybreak. Can you come over and sit with my parents for a while? I would feel much better knowing you were here to protect them."

"I will," said Hans, nodding his head. He then did something he had never done in front of her parents. He kissed her passionately. She returned it with a passion that matched his. Her parents hugged each other, and jumbled fear, love, and pride flowed through them.

Aepida walked Hans to the door.

"Remember your promise and be here tomorrow morning to sit with my parents," she said and kissed him lovingly.

"I will be here," he said as she broke her embrace. He then turned and headed toward his home, looking back twice to see her watching him.

When she went back inside, her mother was holding a shawl. Her Mother placed it on her shoulders and said, "This is the shawl I was instructed to make for you. It is not for warmth but protection from that which cannot be seen. Do not take it off until you are under the protection of others. The witch will be the first haven. She will guide you. Follow her instructions."

Her father came over and hugged her. She cried into his shoulder. Unseen by her, tears ran down his cheeks as well. It was dinner time. Aepida went to help her mother. Father stood, for a moment, proudly watching the two people he loved the most. Then he went outside to do some chores before the food was ready.

After they ate, there was still plenty of daylight left, and all three helped clean up. Aepida went out and picked some wildflowers. She brought them inside and found a vase to set them in. She sat the vase on the table. The sun had finally set. It was time for bed.

Hans went home. He did not want to but fell asleep. He dreamed he was sitting on a mighty steed. Around him were legions of soldiers ready for battle. In front of the massive army was a lone figure, also astride a horse. He watched as each leader, starting from his right, one by one approached the figure. They guided their horses so they were beside each other and faced the opposite direction. Then they raised their swords vertically. They touched them together. Then returned to their ranks.

Finally, it was Han's turn. A man urged him to go and do as the others had. he guided his horse forward. Following the examples he had witnessed, he raised his sword. The other person turned to return his salute but paused.

"Hans," it was Aepida. "I was so hoping that I would not find you here."

"Just the same, I am here."

She nodded her head, sadly acknowledging the statement. She raised her sword and touched his, returning his salute.

"For peace then."

Hans woke up. The light of dawn was breaking through the window. He quickly dressed and hurried towards Aepida's house. Hoping he was not too late, he stopped to pick some wildflowers he found along the way.

He knocked on the door, and Aepida answered. She smiled at him. When she saw the bouquet, she giggled.

"You know me too well." she kissed him, then took his arm to lead him to the table and vase full of flowers. "I picked them last night after you left." She then added his to hers.

"I am glad you came," she said sadly.

"I wish you would let me go with you."

"I can't. I wish I didn't have to go. But," she could not finish the thought. She just kissed him one last time before she headed out the door. Hans and her parents watched as she reached the road out of Hort. She looked back one last time to see them standing there. Her heart was heavy as she turned on the road to Alogroth.

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