The transition from death to life was mimicked in the physical world by the hurried extraction of the child from the sea. A young cleric snatched up his catch and ran in a notably unclericlike fashion toward the bowels of the temple.

“Master, a child has emerged from the light,” gasped the cleric. A deep, booming and authoritative voice responded, “How many witnesses?” “Three possibly, certainly no more. I retrieved the child too quickly for anyone to have gotten a clear view”. “You have done well; deliver the child to the examiners. Tell them I await their full report within the hour”. “Yes, Master” he said bowing as he backed toward the door.

High Cleric Pholein stood pensively for several seconds before speaking, “There have been others”. “You do not yet know if he bears the mark, Ryan” replied a form emerging from the shadows behind him. The old cleric’s brow relaxed at the sound of his name and a smile pursed his lips, “How good it is to dispense with the formalities of title, my old friend. There are few here who know my given name and fewer still who would dare speak it. Thank you for coming so quickly”. “I don’t know why anyone would fear you, you old geezer. I recall once pulling your young screaming hide out of a janitor’s closet in the temple barracks” chided the voice. “Oh for the millionth time, it was dark and the way the mop was leaning looked like a head floating in midair”. Laughing, the two embraced in a bear hug that lasted a second longer than that of brothers. “It’s good to see you, Emil. I wish you could have come just to visit, but it appears we have work to do”. “How long have you known of the child, Ryan”. “You were here when the cleric arrived, I have known since then”. “How then did you know to summon me?” replied Emil. “Because the sea around the area where the child emerged has been glowing as if the sun were shining up from the sea floor for several days now”.

Oricx’s Journey is © Jeff Bates