(Search & Sitemap)
> Writing >
Longer Fiction >
The Steel Orb
Skip Back
Previous
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Next
Skip Forward
Printer-Friendly Version
The rhythm of the calendar, of the week, of the day, became clearer. My head itself became clearer. With the discipline I became hazier and the Glory became clearer.
I was praying in my cell, and suddenly it was illuminated with beauty and light, so that the flame of my lamp could not be seen. I was dazzled, and at the same time uneasy.
I looked, and I saw the form of the Glorious Man. He looked at me and said, "You have done well."
I felt as if there was something jumping up and down, shouting for attention, inside me.
"I will tell you what you are to write about your error."
I was fascinated. Or almost fascinated. I turned my ear to the man jumping up and down. And wrenched myself away.
I bowed my head, and said, "Glorious One, I am not worthy."
Immediately I reeled. A stench, that felt as if I was touching fetid--I do not want to say what it smelled like. I fell backwards, reeling and gasping for breath.
I heard a shuffle of cloth, and then footprints. The chief monk stepped in. He looked displeased, although I wasn't sure he was displeased at me. He bid the other monks leave, and said to me, "My son, tell me everything."
I hesitated. "You need to sleep so you can greet the morning in chant."
"My son, another of my brother monks can lead that greeting even if you are still talking when it comes."
I opened my mouth, and talked, and talked, and talked. He seemed surprised at times, but looked on me with kindness. At the end he said, "I will take the cell next to you and pray with you. The whole monastery will pray over you."
"I am not worthy--"
"And I am not worthy to serve you and give you what strength I can. If it were a question of being worthy--" he shuddered. "Sleep, and rise for the morning chant if you can."
That night I was riven by my dreams.
(Search & Sitemap)
> Writing >
Longer Fiction >
The Steel Orb
Skip Back
Previous
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Next
Skip Forward
Printer-Friendly Version