Part 1 (1/2)

VRIN: ten mortal G.o.ds.

by J Michael Hileman

To my precious wife Joan for the many grueling hours spent editing and refining my vision. You are a gift from the Creator and I am diminished without you.

To Nate Dudley- You were inspiration when it was needed most.

CHAPTER 1.

A G.o.d AWAKENS.

001001011001110.

So there I sat, wondering how long I had been staring at the same page of my book. My head was fuzzy, and my thoughts were scattered. I could remember starting the book, and I knew it was important that I finish it, but not much more would come to me-- including my name.

Somewhere a log popped.

I pulled my eyes from the page and tried to focus on the lavishly decorated room around me. Light from a fireplace scattered dancing trails of orange on bookshelves lining the walls and in the corner a spiral staircase wound its way up to a balcony where statues of mythical figures sat balanced on delicate podiums.

I shook my head; something was wrong with my vision. The effect was subtle, yet distinct. Every color in the room s.h.i.+mmered with a life of its own and my eyes tingled from the influx of shades and tints. I closed them and gave a squeeze, but the problem persisted. I looked down. Even the hands gripping the strange leather book had a color fluctuation, as if they could not decide on a proper shade of tan.

How long had I been sitting? I reached up and rubbed the back of my neck. The stiffness there indicated it had been awhile-- but I was unable to draw upon any workable memory to confirm that conclusion. Scenes pa.s.sed before me, but their meanings ran like frightened shadows. Face after familiar face pushed forward from the murky pool of my consciousness, but who these phantoms were and how I knew them was a mystery. Am I dreaming? Am I dreaming?

I shook the jumbled images from my head, pulled forward in the chair, and put weight on my feet. They tingled but had not yet fallen asleep. Placing the heavy volume aside, I stood and shuffled over to the fireplace where a variety of framed pictures sat lining the mantelpiece. The colors continued to dance, but I managed to bring things into focus. There were several portraits: a family gathering, children in color, a couple in black and white-- and a panting dog next to a smiling man holding a trout. I sensed these images held a secret to my past, but whatever that secret was, it eluded me.

Something caught my eye, a trophy tucked behind one of the larger portraits. I moved the picture to get a better look. The inscription read, ”1976 Bar Harbor Golf Tournament, Second Place, Jason Tardin.” Jason Tardin? Jason Tardin? Was that my name? There was a faint recollection. But nothing more. Was that my name? There was a faint recollection. But nothing more.

Again I surveyed the room. There was such familiarity in this place. No. More than familiarity-- a sense of security-- like a childhood hiding place. I felt safe here, but safe from what, or whom?

My eyes came to rest on the book I had placed on the end table. I could remember nothing of its contents and yet-- there was something something in it I needed to know. I walked over and looked down at the volume. On the cover emblazoned in gold were the words, in it I needed to know. I walked over and looked down at the volume. On the cover emblazoned in gold were the words, Davata Notrals, Davata Notrals, and a line of letters I a.s.sumed was the author's name. I started to reach for it, but froze. Why could I remember nothing and a line of letters I a.s.sumed was the author's name. I started to reach for it, but froze. Why could I remember nothing before before holding this book? Could it have been tainted with a poison or some kind of drug? Crouching down I examined the worn out pages from the side. They appeared to be stained from age but-- could the stains have been caused by something else? holding this book? Could it have been tainted with a poison or some kind of drug? Crouching down I examined the worn out pages from the side. They appeared to be stained from age but-- could the stains have been caused by something else?

Using a nearby pencil I turned to the first page-- then stared in confusion. It was written in a foreign language! I flipped to the next page, and the next... They were all the same. I stared long and hard at the stylized calligraphy, hoping my mind would string the characters together in some meaningful way, but it was no use. I let the pencil fall from my loosened grip. It didn't make sense. I could remember remember reading this book. But reading this book. But how? how?

The door to the study creaked open and a finely dressed man stepped in. ”Master Tardin, a gentleman is here to see you, sir. Shall I show him in?” His voice was deep and his manner showed the distinct signs of cultured refinement.

The astonishment on my face must have painted a pretty picture. ”Uh, I'm sorry. What?” What?”

”You have a visitor, sir.”

”--Who?” I asked, trying to appear calm.

”A Mr. Sajin Barrows, sir.”

Sajin Barrows? The name held no familiarity. I straightened. ”Uh, yes. Show him in.” The name held no familiarity. I straightened. ”Uh, yes. Show him in.”

”As you wish.” He bowed, and without so much as a raised eyebrow, turned and exited.

Show him in? in? What was I thinking? I didn't know who this man was-- I didn't know who What was I thinking? I didn't know who this man was-- I didn't know who I I was! I felt my head. There was no damage, nothing to indicate an injury. What then? Was this a mental inst.i.tution? Was I a part of some psychological experiment? Had I been started on some new drug that was messing with my mind? was! I felt my head. There was no damage, nothing to indicate an injury. What then? Was this a mental inst.i.tution? Was I a part of some psychological experiment? Had I been started on some new drug that was messing with my mind? Is that the answer? Is that the answer? They've drugged me because I'm crazy?! No. Crazy people don't They've drugged me because I'm crazy?! No. Crazy people don't wonder wonder if their crazy. They're just crazy. That's all. if their crazy. They're just crazy. That's all.

Footsteps approached in the hallway. Frantically I looked about. The colors continued to s.h.i.+mmer; the room s.h.i.+fted at odd slants. It had had to be drugs! I needed to get ahold of myself! Just let things play out. Go with the flow. to be drugs! I needed to get ahold of myself! Just let things play out. Go with the flow. Don't give anyone a reason to believe you're crazy! Don't give anyone a reason to believe you're crazy! Regardless of what had caused this problem, the best course of action would be to pretend there Regardless of what had caused this problem, the best course of action would be to pretend there was was no problem. Until an appropriate opportunity presented itself-- if I could just play along-- maybe the answers would come. The doork.n.o.b clicked. no problem. Until an appropriate opportunity presented itself-- if I could just play along-- maybe the answers would come. The doork.n.o.b clicked.

I gathered my wits for the performance of my life.

A man entered the room, a distinguished looking gentleman in an elegant gray suit. The material was flawless, almost too perfect, and at his side he wore-- a sword? My memory was messed up, but I was pretty sure I'd never seen anyone wearing a sword before, not in real life anyway. I fought to keep my expression from revealing my confusion.

The man had a strong physique and his short black hair shadowed the determination on his face. Keeping his eyes lowered, he cautiously strode forward and reached out his hand. ”Greetings, Lord Tardin. I have been sent by Vrin's ruling house to welcome you to our world.”

Our world? world? I shook his hand and kept my expression neutral. I shook his hand and kept my expression neutral.

”I am Sajin Barrows.” He looked up and offered a smile. ”But of course you already know this.”

I returned his smile.

”The Prime Median, Daru, apologizes for his absence, but his reason for not being here is my reason for coming. I have come to implore you to consider a matter of grave importance to my people. I have no knowledge of how your kind communicates so if I cover anything with which you are already familiar, please forgive me.”

I nodded stiffly, wondering what he meant by my ”kind”.

”Since the awakening we have no doubt witnessed indescribable wonders, things we never would have experienced on our own in a thousand years, and most of my people are thankful for the intervention of the G.o.ds. We believe the ancient prophecies and we believe you will one day deliver us to Ethral...”

G.o.ds? I was immediately thankful for the quasi euphoric state I was in. I was immediately thankful for the quasi euphoric state I was in.

”Nevertheless, there are some who are profoundly affected by the seemingly incidental acts of the G.o.ds, and it has caused in my people a troubled heart. We want to believe, we want to trust, but it is difficult to reconcile the contradictions. We need you you to lead us to reason.” He paused. to lead us to reason.” He paused.

This guy was good! good! If he was acting, he was totally believable. If he was acting, he was totally believable. Fine. If this is the game, I'll play along. Fine. If this is the game, I'll play along.

”Too which 'incidental' acts are you referring?” I said, trying to sound broody as I imagined a G.o.d would sound.

”My apologies, lord. I meant no disrespect.”

”None taken. Please continue.”

”It is the war which weighs most heavily on my people.” He looked at me, as if I knew to which war he was referring.

”I'm sorry. You will have to give me more than that. There are many wars.”

He lifted his brows. ”The battle between-- Armadon and Rath?”

”Oh. That war.”

His brows then furrowed. ”We know of no other war in which the G.o.ds fight.”

”Of course. You wouldn't,” I said, hoping to cover myself.

”Why do they fight amongst themselves? Does the ancient text of the Marathil not describe the G.o.ds as joining together to destroy the evil of chaos? Even as we speak my people are dying by the hundreds, yet the others look on with indifference. Why?” He stared at me expectantly.