Beyond Doubt: Whispers of the Unseen - Chapter 2

Welcome to my seemingly endless journey.
A trip that will take you to places I might have visited many moons ago.
It´s a tale that came back to me when I meditated on one of my past lives. A life I told you about in my unbelievable true story.

As promised in that story I will now share this story with you.

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Chapter 2

Dear reader, what would you do?

Would you hide, or display a show of force?

Man is often a fearful creature, his choices made upon mortality.

Are you different dear reader? Are you driven by curiosity?

Be honest, by whom or what are you guided?

"The recently discovered settlement was not directly on the stream, but a bit inland and was smaller than ours. Perhaps that is why it had not been noticed on previous trips.

A dichotomy arose, should we make contact or avoid this settlement?
After many nights of meetings, it was decided that it would be better if we found them first, provided we did not let them know where we had settled.

The fear of the Krotan Dua, those diabolical people, was still rampant even after several generations. The elderly in particular were not in favor of the clever plan, but they also understood that in this world it was better to discover than to be discovered.

In the years that followed we found a few more settlements, all many times smaller than ours and only focused on their own survival. There was even some trade between us and a number of surrounding communities, although we remained unclear about where we had our settlement.

Years of hard work transformed this once impassable valley into an ecological marvel. Gradually, plateaus were created where rice was grown. The irrigation of the land was provided by placing weirs in the fast-flowing parts of the river, which flooded the plains.

The valley that had once been full of trees was now mostly flat. The wood was used for housing, stowage, and tools. The resulting plain was partly used for cattle. Livestock that descended from the animals brought back long ago and those obtained through trade. There weren't many, but enough to provide us with hides, cheese, and occasionally meat.

The rest of the plain was used for growing vegetables, fruits, and spices. Especially in the latter lay the strength of our tribe. Both men and women were very well acquainted with flavorful and medicinal herbs.

Generation after generation this teaching evolved. Our knowledge of health and healing was therefore highly appreciated. We were the ally against the ever-lurking diseases and unsurmountable death.

All this was way before my time, but knowing where our people come from is important. It shows where our roots lie. And unlike the tribes in the region, who are mainly concerned with survival, knowledge is seen as the highest good in our society. It enables us to survive but also to grow as a tribe, fight disease and make calculated choices."

I paused, how often had I told this story? Some of these children must have heard it at least twice before, and still, they remain silent.
I don´t mind telling this story over and over again. My tribe should not forget that the peace we perceive today is obtained without struggle. My students need to understand that harmony, which we strive for in everything, is not seen as a priority by all people.

That I took on the role of teacher and mentor is also no coincidence and not simply because coincidence does not exist. As a little boy, I listened to the stories of the village elders. My ears would be glowing, like a sponge I soaked up all their words.

Much later in life, I discovered that their stories were colored. Colored by their own imagination and the traditions passed down from generation to generation.

Anyhow these stories carried the essence of our ancestors, ideas, and wisdom, which are the basis of our current existence.

I dismissed the group and descended to the river. I passed the plain where the older boys were watching the grazing herd. Thick reeds grew along the bank, obscuring the view of the water. Soon I would reach the place where I meditated and contemplated my way.

Once there I waded through the water towards the large flat stone, which lay just outside the riverbank. I spread out the cloth I had brought and placed myself in the middle.

Surrounded by the rushing water, in which shoals of fish passing by glinted in the sunlight, I found my inner peace.

I tilted my head and thanked the gods, the vibrations, and the elements for this beautiful late summer day. I slowed down my breathing and felt the wind caress my skin. The river started to whisper and a fiery red dragon rose from the water, its head was larger than my body. Huge black eyes looked penetratingly into mine and its scales glittered like thousands of rubies caught in the sunlight.

I took my hands off my knees and folded them against my chest. I leaned forward and welcomed her. With her huge shiny eyes locked with mine, she showed me the approaching threat. The black spheres started to burn and when the fire died out, the images became crystal clear.

Ice, wind, snow; a cold hard winter, but that wasn't all. There was a scent of danger in her gaze, something not yet visible. I sensed a threat more deadly than the forces of nature.

I was right as soon as winter passed I saw flames, burning huts, and screaming children. Black shadows, mounted on high-legged creatures, raged like cruel destroyers through a fleeing crowd. Where they can, they separate heads from torsos and arms from bodies. Man or woman it made no difference, I even see children bleeding.

The images of burning barracks and bleeding bodies fade into the background, the screams die down while I try to make out the shapes surrounding me.

Despite my effort, they remain faceless shadows.
I do see buildings in the background, they looked nothing like our huts and I try to remember if I saw acquaintances among the bloody faces. I didn´t.
Nonetheless, I feel that this concerns our tribe after all, this is a warning and not a coincidence.

Because I am too busy tracing what I see, the images fade, until I am face-to-face with the dragon once again. She bends her neck and lays her head near my feet on the edge of the large stone.

I uncross my legs and in one fluid movement, I get into a kneeling position, then bend forward until my forehead touches the rug. I hold this pose for a few seconds. When I come up, I see the last tale scales disappear into the water without leaving a single ripple.

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