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Topic: Valley (08/10/06)
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TITLE: The Vale of Awn Dun Vei | Previous Challenge Entry
By Brian Keough
08/16/06 -
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He lay with his eyes closed when he felt the touch of a man. He jerked up in a violent thrust.
“Peace friend,” spoke the man, “I mean you no harm. It is mere curiosity that has brought me here. For I saw you from beyond the mountain pass and have come to offer my assistance if it be desired.”
“I am in need of no assistance. Now be gone,” grumbled Drambel and laid again his head upon the ground closing his eyes while justifying his rude behavior with his bitterness. But again the stranger spoke.
“I see that you are wearied and faint of heart and also the wind is changing. Surely a storm is upon us. Let me at least take you to my dwelling. There you will find rest and regain again your strength.”
At this, Drambel sat up again. He then noticed for the first time the brilliant face of the man; pale light in the darkness like a moon. He stood tall and bore upon his countenance age and wisdom. With this observation, Drambel stood upright for he understood that he was in the presence of no mere man. The man spoke again as he gently placed his hand upon Drambel’s shoulder.
“Will you not come? It is only there, a mile from the path. There we will sup and you can give me tale of why you have come to the Vale of Awn Dun Vei. Surely you have great purpose. I perceive it in your eyes. But let us make haste. Already the storm is upon us and mighty it will be.”
Drambel thought to himself remembering the command he received: “Sway neither to the left nor right. Follow the ‘Necessary Path’. Only it will lead to where you must go.”
But he didn’t know where he was going; only that he missed his jovial dwelling among the handsome trees of the summit and was traveling along a path that grew ever darker and bore heavily upon his heart. He did not like the journey to the valley, nor the look of the path through the valley; so desolate. So he consented saying within him self, “Surely it is an angel sent for my aid.”
As the storm thrashed on the two sat on wooden stools next to a warm fire in the stranger’s small cabin. Drambel spoke his tale. He told how he had met the Keeper of the mountain, was given a new heart, was invited to the summit and had there abode many days, but after a season was bid to descend the mountain following the “Necessary Path”, which was full of trial and caused him much pain, primarily because of the intense contrast to the splendor of the summit. How he longed to return. He thought for a moment closing his eyes. When he opened them, the stranger peered at him as a starving beast. His countenance had changed. Light gave way to shadow as the stranger hummed an eerie tune circling around Drambel. Again the burning reminder roared in Drambel’s head. His heart was pierced. What a fool. He had left the path.
In an instant the snarling stranger lunged at Drambel, but dodging Drambel called out to the Keeper of the mountain. As the words left his mouth, a flash of lightning struck the cabin engulfing it and the stranger in a quick flame leaving Drambel alone and speechless on his knees. The storm ceased and a familiar voice rang out through the night; it was the Keeper’s.
“Drambel take heart. Everyone who seeks truth must walk the ‘Necessary Path’, and through the valley it goes, but not forever. Now go and heed my voice lest a worse thing befall you.” And with that Drambel went, straying not again from the “Necessary Path” that wound through the Valley of Awn Dun Vei.
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