Looking for a place to sleep safely, he
noted an opening, the mouth of a cave.
He entered cautiously.
"There is no cause for fear. Welcome. I've awaited your coming."
An old man spoke the words softly, calmly. His countenance
belied the words.
Clad in the armor of a warrior, with face stern, marked by
steel and fire, the old man projected a sense of authority.
Demo stepped forward slowly.
"Sire, I know you not. Yet you have awaited me?"
"One who has traveled far with you forecast your arrival. In
due time you shall know him. Much will be revealed - by the
tarn. But that another day, another world."
The unseen companion! He had been here, spoken to this one.
What strange fate forever brought their paths together? And what
was the secret of the tarn?
Demo shook his head.
"I rule this domain, ignored by the Gods, unknownst to mankind.
This is the field of atonement. All pass through here. Some
quickly. Some remain long. For a moment you have lifted the
mists. Nevertheless, they shall return. I have halted all
transitions until your coming. The souls who depart your world
and pass through here would press on. And so shall they, in due
time."
"What would you have of me, Sire?"
The warrior stood, pulled from its sheath a sword. "Vulcan did
temper this sword with blood. And each who leaves your world
must first feel this edge. It has proven strong and sharp.
Still, time and usage take their toil, and it is now it is only
a blunt instrument, useless for its purpose.
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