The Four Watchtowers
By Tiger

                        XVI-Celebration Part 1

Bells rang outside which woke her up quickly. Looking
at the sundial, she swore, and put some speed into her
dressing. She hadn't meant to sleep so late! Eric
caught her by the hand." Slow down, bright eyes! The
ceremony isnt until dark." She had forgotten all about
the ceremony at sunset. She blushed again. Eric
chuckled and ruffled her hair, and she impulsively
gave him a hug, which he returned. "Time to go!" with
that he helped her to stand and they walked out the
door to the forecourt. She gave a nod of courtesy to
Alard, who looked splendid in his robes of highest
state. Robes that looked exactly like the ones in her
DREAM! She looked at Eric, but noticed that his robes
were like hers and blew out a sigh of relief. "A
silver for your thoughts, Huntress." Eric asked. She
told him finally about the dream and how Alard's state
robes looked exactlly like the ones in the dream she
had. He didn't say anything , but just grinned as a
wicked thought came to him regarding the Huntress.
Soon the time would be right to tell her everything.
The ceremony began with a balefire at dusk. An
absolute peace flowed through her she looked into the
fiery embers and saw a most wondrous thing. A saandar
walked straight towards her, stopping only inches from
her face. The look of surprise was quickly contained.
Then the Saandar quickly formed the Sigil of the
Hunter and disappeared. Would wonders ever cease. She
then got another shock as she saw Eric walking towards
her... in highest state robes as well. Her insides
shook, Then a third figure formed  beside the
balefire. She got control of a hammering heart VERY
quickly. The Dream!, but what is meant now was highly
uncertain. She held herself together with a will. What
would tonight hold?


                        XVII - Celebration Part 2

As his hands touched hers she was pulled into
Dreamtime. The Huntress had forgotten that it was The
Feast of the Dead. She looked around as he let her to
a place that they could speak undisturbed. Her
physical body was still moving and watching as Alard
still officiated and Eric was beside her. *What?* was
her exclaimed reply. *Tis time you see who and what I
really am Huntress* She nodded, and the truth was
revealed. She was in a litle shock. *I walk both
worlds, human and spirit. I am what I am, both human
and not* She replied with all her heart *that does not
change how I feel for you, nor towards the Hunter* He
smiled at that. *Aye this I know as does the Hunter Of
The Night. This is to be our special time where many
things will be revealed, but we must return at
Midnight, and this knowledge will remain locked into
your heart. You will remember here what happens in
your soul.* She nodded *You be the Hunter in human
form be you not?* He smiled at her quick guess. *Tis
true Huntress. Tell me your thoughts* *No matter if
you be the Walker Between Worlds nor the Hunter of The
Night, that will not change my feeling for you. I am
.. just surprised that you would choose me to honor in
both forms. I am no one...* With a gentle touch to 
silence her, he smiled. *Ah, but you are..You are
unique in your own way. Do not judge yourself so. I
see things that others do not see. Modesty is a trait
as is humility* *What happens now that I know?* she
asked shaken to the core as the Power made Himself
known. *What you will, and what you desire, but this
must be kept to yourself in your heart of hearts.* *As
it shall be* Huntress replied, her head spinning. The
Hunter now stood before her. and smiled. *Peace Child
and Beloved...I know your thoughts.* as Eric's form re
materilized beside The Hunter. *what is your desire?*
he asked. She told him the truth *To be beloved of
Eric and servant of The Hunter Of The Night* and
knelt, but the Hunter pulled her back to her feet
again. *What you ask for with open and pure heart and
mind, you shall receive* He placed both hands one on
each of their heads and blessed them both. Tears
streamed down the Huntress's face. He smiled at her.
*Child of my own, did you not think that I am fond of
all my children* She blushed in response. He smiled
again. *I knew Hunter Of The Night, but not how much,
until I was made your Priestess and until I was
trained.* he nodded agreement. *aye and even then
until now you harboured doubts. It is all right child
to be doubtful, but your faith has seen you true. I am
proud of you Huntress.* The Hunter vanished and in his
place stood Eric. He held her as she absorbed the
truth and the lesson. The bells tolled three hours
before the hour of power. She was surprised, then
remembered Alard's lesson that the Dreamtime did not
operate on the physical plane. Eric smiled at her.
*There is more to be seen and shown before the hour of
power is upon us*


                        XVIII - Celebration Part 3

Eric and the Huntress continued making their way
through the Veil of Shadows. She was deeply thankful
to see this and she knew she would remember this the
rest of her days. The sights and wonders filled her
soul with new found strength. The clock stuck two
hours to midnight... the hour of power. Knowledge
filled her heart and mind. The clock began to strike
one hour before the time. *We must return, Huntress.
You can now acess this realm quite easily and Bright
Eyes.. be prepared for another shock when we return.*
She nodded as they had turned back, hand in hand.
Feelings of joy and peace flooded her mind and set her
soul on fire. Eric smiled as she grasped the knowledge
that she would need. she felt herself going back into
her body as the clock struck twelve. Eric took her by
the hand and together both leapt over the balefire
without a word.


                        XIX

White hot fire filled The Huntress as her soul flamed with the knowledge and the power of what had been seen, felt and heard. The Hour of Power was upon them. She felt the call from Eric and answered with one of her own. Joining hands with Alard, all three formed the triad of power. The Hunter answered their combined call for the last time that night. He manifested fully to the triad's call, giving blessings to all and responding to questions of other loved ones whose relations were in the Summer Land. As the last chime sounded, he vanished and the triad called the power back down. Releasing the wild power down, the last blessings were made and the crowd dispersed. Eric and the Huntress returned to her room. They did not speak about what had been said and done. But before sunrise something would happen in accordance with what had been said and done during dreamtime. He left her at her room. Sitting down on the bed, she shook from full knowledge and the wild power still singing through her. She went into the Sanctuary one last time and began her last round of prayers. Her heart ached and she released the pain in a fervent prayer. A sudden noise brought her back into the present. 


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