The Four Watchtowers
By Tiger

                       VI


A new male had entered into the Tower of the North,
the day of the Full Moon after The Huntress had begun
her studies. She was curious about him, naturally. He
didn't say his name, but treated her with respect and
friendlieness. He wore the same colors as she, but
appeared to be more knowledgeable about the Hunter of
The Night. She finally asked Alard about this
newcomer. He just chuckled at her. "Curious, you be.
Curiosity will soon be answered. Treat him as you
would treat any who serve the Hunter, then mayhap your
questions be answered." She smiled and began to study
again. This time the subject was fascinating. She lit
a candle in the main library and began to read. She
fell asleep as the candle burned down to the stub.
*******************************************************
The two of them were together as lovers. a deep bond
of love and trust was between them...but they were not
servants of the Hunter. One was human, the other
ghost. Suddenly some of his friends showed up and made
him leave her against his will. She cried out with a
breaking heart and in soul deep grief. Suddenly he
cried out "I came to her of my own free will, she did
nothing to coerce me. I would have broken any spell
that she put upon me if she had! Leave her alone and
let me make my own choices! Thunder rumbled and a
white light shone blindingly down upon all of them.
*LEAVE THESE TWO ALONE....YOU ARE NOT THEIR JUDGE,
JURY, OR EXECUTIONER. WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION THE
DIVINE?! RELEASE HIM IMMEDIATELY! STOP TRYING TO MAKE
HIM WALK A PATH THAT ISN'T HIS!AND LEAVE HER ALONE AS
WELL! YOU JUDGE WHERE YOU SHOULD NOT!* The ground
shook as the Voice rumbled. They immediately let him
go and both ran to each other. A whispered prayer of
thanks leapt forth from both lips, as he held her
again and the bond was repaired.
*******************************************************
She woke up crying and shaking like a leaf in the
wind. A deep howl of pain tore from her throat. A
sound nearly made her scream. Sudddenly arms wrapped
around her and the nameless male was there holding her
as she shook from the soul pain. She was like a
wounded animal. He soothed her fears and just being
held released a lot of the inner torment and pain. He
held her, even as Alard came bringing a lighted
candle.
Alard nodded at the voiceless telling of what had
happened. "Stay with her... I will bring a draught
shortly." He departed leaving the lighted candle. She
finally got a good look at him. His eyes were a warm
brown, showing a very intricate soul. Long hair
brushed past his shoulders. She felt that she could
trust him. She tried to speak, but he silenced her
with a gentle fingertip and again held her in his arms
and wordlessly encouraged her to let the pain out. She
wept until she was too weak to weep more. Alard
appeared with the draught. The nameless one, picked
her up, and carried her into her room, laying her on
the bed carefully. With a gentle hand he lifted her
head up and gave her the draught, as Alard watched.
She finally closed her eyes in slumber, as both stood
guard. Alard sighed and agreed softly. "Twill take
some time to heal this sort of soul wound." A nod of
agreement. He gazed at her as she slept. Alard nodded
in satisfaction as the nameless one's eyes glowed a
strong orange, for a moment then returned to brown.
The secret was safe.


                       VII

he awoke with a cry of pain. The nameless one finally
addressed her "Easy there...bright eyes. I'm right
here for you" She looked at him, still stunned over
the previous nights events. "Please call me Eric" he
continued "and yes I saw what you did. I could not
help you at the time, as you were already too deeply
into Dreamtime." She cried again and he held her
gently as one would hold a baby. Alard came into the
room and asked her quietly. "Child, do you remember
what you were reading when you fell asleep?" She
nodded. "Past lives and reincarnation." she replied.
"The wounding will heal, but will take come time.
Today you are to rest and relax. The Hunter will
understand." he spoke. "Do you mind if I stay with
her,Alard?" Eric asked quietly. "I really think that
she would be better off if someone stayed with her for
a while." "Not at all... you are the best medicine
that she could have at the moment!" So saying Alard
left the room. Eric just held her and encouraged her
to talk to him. They discussed a lot and a friendship
grew even stronger. He started joking with her gently,
to keep her mind off the pain. She smiled at his jokes
and her heart finally lifted. "Bright Eyes, anything
is possible... you know that yourself, being
mystical." Lunch arrived and instead of absenting
himself, he continued to keep her company. He found
out that although she was a fiery person, she was
compassionate and deeply loving. And she found out a
lot about him, especially his kind heart compassionate
nature and fiery nature too, as well as his ability to
make her smile. By dusk, they were laughing and joking
like two little kids.. "Come walk with me outside in
the moonlight" he offered, and she rose and they went
outside to gaze at the Full moon. They talked more,
then he escorted her back to her sleeping room. "Rest,
Bright Eyes. The Hunter knows full well what you have
been through and understands. It is we humans that
dont understand at times. Rest." So saying he finally
left her, but just before she shut her eyes to the
world, a knock sounded at the door. She opened it to
find Alard there. "A gift from the Hunter." She stared
in open mouthed shock as a golden pink rose was held
in Alard's hand. She managed to thank him and put it
in a special vase near her bedside. He chuckled and
closed the door on his way out. It amazed her that the
Power would take such an interest in her. She was just
ordinary Huntress, nothing extraordinary about her.
Alard met The Hunter coming back from Huntresses
bedchamber. Wordlessly Alard described her reaction. A
soundless chuckle was the reply, a chuckle with warm
and caring. "No M'Lord, she doesn't suspect a thing"
Alard grinned.


                       VIII

The last thing that she saw before slumber took her
was the glowing rose that sat beside her bed. She felt
like she was wrapped in a blanket of warmth and love.
Dawn came far too soon. She dressed and began another
round of studies. Months passed.  One morning
something Felt very wrong, so finally she approached
Alard. She had been increasing power to her shielding.
He listened with compassion. This one had such an
empathic nature and a loving heart. He taught her a
new way to shield and with that, came relief. "Little
one.....do not let fear into your heart, for it will
close it and your gifts will die. A shield can become
a prison as well, if you let it do so." She nodded in
understanding. She left him and went to the Chamber of
Vision. The pain had slowly started ebbing away from
the Soul Dream, but was still there. *Think....Misery
and happiness are both self created... which would you
rather be, happy or miserable? Happy it is then... but
why still the strong feelings towards Eric to the
point of pain. I think that it would be easier to walk
through fire than to bear this longing and being
turned inside out.And on top of that the Soul Dream?
Dare I approach him, even? So many questions and an
unsettled soul as well. Blessed Hunter, what a
mess!!!*
She cleared her mind and heart of the strong ache and
gazed into the vision pool, praying for an answer...
but none came. All she could see was his face. She
burst into tears finally of frustration and pain. She
sobbed alone and the pain redoubled. A creak of the
door alerted her, but she could not stop. She stared
into the deep blue water as her tears fell, unchecked.
A gentle touch on her shoulder made her look up. It
was Alard. She told him about the feelings and asked
for help. "Elder, I do not know what to do. These
feelings are so strong and I cannot explain them, much
less tell Eric of how I feel.. I dare not at this
point. I still dont know him well enough to know how
he will react. Please help me to understand or at
least try to... what is happening to me. I feel like I
am being torn apart and the ache is so bad, I think
and feel that I may die of it." Her face contorted in
a grimace as she desperately tried to regain control
of her emotions, her teary green eyes showing the
truth of her words. He gave her a hug and spoke to
her. "Little one...as far as the feelings that you
experience for Eric... I am no Empath as you are, but
even I can feel the truth and the love behind your
words. What I cannot tell you is what to do. There is
not a precedent that even explains this. One thing I
do know... this is not obsession. I have SEEN that
enough to know the signs, and you are not even
exhibiting any of those ill gotten signs." She nodded
as he continued. "Continue to treat Eric as you have,
with friendship and caring. Only time will tell what
is to be. I know that is no solace for you, as your
heart and soul cries for him. Patience youngling. I am
here at any time. The Hunter knows of your feelings.
Speak with him in prayer." With that, he left the Room
of Vision. She finally got control of herself, and
nearly collided with Eric coming out the door. He
noticed the tearstains, and just hugged her when she
told him that it was just an emotional day for her. He
asked her where she was heading. She replied "to the
Heart of the Hunter." He nodded. "I will see you in a
little while then." She came into the Heart and knelt
down, after she had lit the candles and incense and
prayed. "Hunter of the Night, guide me by day and by
night, Give your servant clear sight. Show me what is
to be, for I cry in despair and misery. My heart and
soul cries for Eric in both love and despair, For no
other do I care. My feelings are too strong to be
denied. I only wish to be by his side. Show me and
tell me now,the truth and guidance, What and how" She
bowed her head. Suddenly warmth replaced the soul deep
ache for the moment. A knowledge that all would be
well. That wordless assurance helped her and her heart
lifted a little. She rose with thanks and extinuished
the candles. She was drained by the time she got to
her room. She fell asleep, emotionally exhausted. "She
sleeps, M'Lord...Her feelings are strong and of pure
heart. I could not advise her without revealing the
secret" Alard spoke to the Hunter. A nod and wordless
communication passed between the Hunter and Alard.
"Aye, the Rose still stays by her bed. Shocked her it
did, when I gave it to her. She is her own worst
judge" A soundless chuckle. "Aye M'Lord" 


                        IX

Huntress grew in learning and in faith.Her year and a
day was just about up... in two days, she would take
the Oath and be Oathbound to the Hunter Of The Night.
Alard patiently schooled her.. however, she didnt see
much of Eric and got concerned. Alard smiled to
himnself. Little did she know what would happen on the
day of OathTaking. He soothed her concerns about Eric.
"Patience little one. You will see him again." She
smiled. There was so much to do and to learn in these
final days before OathTaking... and her dreams were
becoming strange. She mentioned this to Alard. He
questioned her about them and her emotions at this
time. She answered that her emotions were fluctuating
and certain feelings were getting stronger. "Peace
child... all will be well. You wil undergo a very deep
transformation as the OathTaking is being given. You
are being prepared. So set your fears aside." She
nodded again and put her mind back into the tome that
she was reading. Not enough hours in the day. The two
days passed too quickly for her. The day of OathTaking
was upon her.


                         X


The Huntress rose long before dawn. She was still
light headed from the ritual fasting. She began her
ritual bath in the candle lit bathing area. The smell
of wildflowers permeated the room. On the bed lay new
robes of brilliant orange, gold and white, with the
orange torc laying beside it. She relaxed into the
soothing warmth and concentrated on what she was
doing. She had never felt more right in that path that
she chose. Finishing her ritual bath, she dried her
long hair and donned the robes with seriousness..
Outwards, she hadn't changed, but inwards was another
story. Her reflection gazed back at her and she donned
the sword that she had always worn. Battle maiden, she
was, but had more than a little of Healer in her.
Walking down the hallway, her memories played before
her of the previous year and a day, and her friendship
with Eric. She smiled to herself as she continued the
walk down towards the entrance to the North Tower
where Alard waited patiently. He saw her smile and
knew what her thoughts were. He had become very fond
of this one, and knew that even more shocks awaited
her during the OathTaking, which was a day long
process culminating with the final OathTaking in the
Heart of the North Citadel. He led her to the stone
circle again, where the Hunter of The Night waited.
Dawn broke over the eastern sky. She knelt before his
hooded and cowled figure as the first part of four
rituals would begin. "Bring you any deceitfullness or
treachery here?" Alard stated as the oathtaking began.
The entire forecourt was crowded with people. " NO I
do not" she said emphatically. "Tis still your wish to
be bonded to the Hunter of the Night and be his
servant?" "Aye" "Do you bring with you any ill intent
towards anyone here, any maliciousness?" "Nay, only
pure intent to be the servant of the Hunter and using
my skills  and powers for good only, both defensive
and offensive, as well as that of Healer." "It is well
Huntress, but I must still ascertain your honesty and
loyalty" said the figure before her cowled in the
black robes that signified the Power Himself. "I am
open, do with me what you will and examine me how you
will. I have nothing to hide." So saying she lifted
her gaze  for the first time into the Power's eyes,
which caught her own and locked them both in trance.
She felt like she was being turned inside out... all
her memories were laid bare, her emotions, her
feelings... everything. She would not hide anything.
Some of the memories were so painful that she could
have screamed as she relived them, but allowed not a
tear nor a sound to be made. Finally near nooning, the
contact was broken. She had exposed everything both
good and bad about herself to the Hunter Of The Night.
"It is well Huntress" He spoke again warmly. "I see no
falseness nor any other ill gotten sight of misuse of
power. Your openess and honesty is appreciated. You
are now considered to be a dedicant to Me, but there
are still three more parts that you must pass before
the final Oathtaking. We shall begin with the first
oath. Do you, Huntress, swear unto me that you will
NEVER use your power for ill gotten gains, nor to
bring harm to those you are sworn to and sworn to
protect?"" Aye, this I swear upon the highest Power of
all." "Do you willingly take this Oath to me, freely,
and of your own free will and swear that you are not
being coerced in any way?" "Aye Elder, I swear this
with an open heart and soul." His voice was warm. Well
met and well met again, Huntress. I am pleased by what
I see and hear and know. I accept your first Oath. Now
for the second part. She was led to the hall of
Mirrors. Thus began the second ritual.