As Nathan approached the doors he couldn’t help but to notice claw marks that dug deep into the dark hard wood. Even with the damage it was impossible to see these doors as anything less than magnificent. There were carvings along the edges of what looked like small children playing and as the carvings went up the door the images seemed to grow up into adolescents then into adults and that was as far as he could see, though it wasn’t hardly past midway up.
The castle itself was made of a stacked stone almost like marble with thin swirling feathery strokes that created colorful rivers from side to side and top to bottom. The shapes of the stone fit perfectly together like that of a giant jigsaw puzzle. As he moved back and forth appreciating the craftsmanship it must have taken to build such a masterpiece he noticed that there were no gargoyles or dragons or anything that would normally be associated with such a fortress.
This building, this architectural masterpiece, had a more comfortable feeling about it, as would a mansion instead of a stronghold, though it was without doubt more than just strong. It seemed to beckon him in as if he had been away on a long journey and his manor missed him as much as he missed his manor. He knew without knowing that there was much more to this place than really met the eye.
He stood there admiring the beautiful work when Vigil and Lilly came up beside him; their battle ready squirrels set lose to run through the trees. He looked at his tiny travel companions and noticed that they were waiting patiently for him to be ready to continue. He didn’t have anything to say, instead he let out a soft whistle, expressing how amazing all of this was.
“Yup,” Said Vigil. And he proceeded to the door. There, about two inches tall and one and a half inches wide was a tiny door that Nathan hadn’t even noticed. Vigil opened the door and Lilly walked in, then he motioned for Nathan to do the same. Nathan stood there unsure but decided to trust the tiny warrior. He laid on the giant stone entry way by the tiny door. A second look at Vigil to confirm and into the tiny door he went with a loud ‘THUNK’!
“Ouch.” Nathan cried out rubbing his already sore forehead.
Vigil fell down holding is stomach and howling in laughter. The tiny warrior rolled around and around laughing so hard he was crying. Nathan was unable to find any humor in this as he watched Lilly come back out of the tiny door. “Vigil that was uncalled for.” She scolded.
“I know, I know.” He replied getting to his feet and whipping his eyes. “I’m couldn’t resist.”
“I guess I deserved that after everything…” he said and sat up to lean against the massive door, but when he did, the old iron hinges began to creak and pop. Suddenly the colossal doors began to open pushing Nathan across the stone entryway. He scrambled to his feet and ran clear of the door’s swing. He looked down at Vigil who was drop jawed, but the tiny creature threw his tiny hands up in the air. “Wasn’t me, I had nothing to do with this.”
Every pop and creak of the door echoed like thunder in the vastness of the corridor just inside the castle. Surprising, it was also the only sound that could be heard, which was strange given the enormity of the castle.
Nathan stood in the doorway and marveled at the stonework and detail throughout the front hall. It seemed to go on for miles and it was only slightly wider than the doors. The tile floor was inlayed with beautiful gold and silver images of people dancing and playing musical instruments. Diamonds marked each tile’s corner and rubies and emeralds trimmed each tiles edge.
Along the sides of the hall were hundreds of archways that lead to doors with lanterns on either side. Some of the lanterns were lit and some were still unburned. “Why are some of the lanterns burning and some not? Have people moved out?” He asked to his tiny guides.
“In this house are many rooms, they have all been prepared, in advance for those that will occupy them. Only after the room is occupied, will the lanterns be lit and once they are lit, they will never go out.” Explained Lilly as if she were a curator in a splendid museum.
Nathan also noticed that each archway was connected to the one beside it and above the archways were more archways leading to doors. And above that were more and more archways. As he studied this most wonderful place he couldn’t help but start counting the floors.
He began at the first floor and counted fifty one floors until they started to blur together in the distance. They went so high that he was unable to even see the ceiling although he was sure there must be one since there was no sunlight other than what was coming in through the giant doors.
As they were standing there, the giant doors began to creak and pop once more. The look on Nathan’s face must have been rather obvious because Lilly tapped his toe and said, “Don’t worry, everything is alright. You’ll see.”
Just then he heard the sound of hooves echoing through the hall. From the far end he saw a glow. It grew brighter and looked as if it was coming towards them. Nathan took off running into the first archway he saw and hid behind the column that separated one arch from the next. He looked around for a moment. The entrance to whatever room this is was lit by two brightly burning lanterns.
The normal sized door had a ring on it but he thought better of trying it since he had no idea what might be lurking on the other side. The sound of hooves and clanging of metal grew louder until it stopped just in front of him, or so it seemed. He peaked around the column and saw that there was a beautiful white chariot trimmed in gold being pulled by a pure white stallion standing in front of Lilly and Vigil.
The stallion had bright blue flames for a mane and tail but his hooves were pure silver. As he dipped his head to see Lilly and Vigil better he sniffed and then sneezed causing them to tumble across the floor. Vigil sat up and looked at Lilly and said, “Why does he have to do that every time?”
The stallion turned and pulled the chariot around, then stopped, Lilly and Vigil walked up to the rear of the chariot and Lilly called to Nathan, “Come on Nathan. I see you behind that column.”
Nathan popped his head out and replied, “Is it safe?”
“Of course.” Vigil yelled. “Would I let you get hurt?” He added trying to maintain a straight face.
Nathan felt that Vigil would have fun with him but somehow he also knew that he was safe with his new friends. He took one step slowly, then another and soon was walking to the stallion. He looked the magnificent beast over with his ornately decorated harness then he leaned down and assisted Lilly and Vigil into the chariot.
When he stepped in, the stallion reared up and took off down the hall. It was even longer than Nathan had first thought. It went on for at least half a mile before coming to a ‘t’. They headed right and down another length of hall, only not as long as the first. Half way or so, down the hall the chariot came to a rest.
Vigil asked, “Are you hungry?”
Nathan was still looking around at his wondrous surroundings when he heard Vigil’s voice but not his words. “What?” He asked.
“Are you hungry? You must be a hungry. Come on let’s get something to eat.” He rambled as he hopped down and then out of the chariot and onto the stone floor. He scurried to an open door and stopped, turning back to Nathan and Lilly still where he left them.
Lilly climbed into Nathan’s out stretched hand, and they stepped out of the chariot and followed Vigil through the door and into another enormous room as larger as ten football fields, maybe more. There were rectangular rings of tables placed end to end, leaving only a single opening at the end nearest where they were standing. Vigil made his way to the opening but continued several rows in before turning left and getting lost in the plethora of chairs and tables.
Nathan followed and placed Lilly on the end of one table that had a large vegetable tray and a large bowl of fruit. He was amazed at the vast array of food and drink that covered the tables. Ornately decorated plates and utensils were neatly positioned in front of each chair. Chrystal goblets and pitchers full of various liquids and the pla
ters held almost anything Nathan had ever imagined and a few he hadn’t.
“Where is everyone?” Nathan questioned with excitement, expecting others to join them at any moment.
“They are out right now doing their tasks.” Lilly replied.
Then he spotted Vigil setting on the back of one particular chair waiting for Nathan to finally arrive. But when Nathan reached for the chair he noticed something peculiar and he drew his hand back as he fell against the table behind him. The chair had his name engraved in the headrest. Vigil took two steps and leapt over to the chair beside it. As Nathan watched he gasped. That chair had the name Kathleen on it.
Nathan stumbled over his own feet for a step or two and then ran around the tables and out of the door. When he reached the hall he fell to his knees and buried his face in his hands and began to sob uncontrollably. Lilly and Vigil came up to him and Lilly placed her paw on his knee, but said nothing.
“I’m so sorry my friend; I didn’t mean to upset you.” Vigil said as he turned and walked away.
“Why?” Nathan cried trying to catch his breath.
Vigil stopped but didn’t turn back, “I thought you should know.”
“Know what?” Nathan raised his head and with pain drenched eyes, looked at Vigil. “I know you wouldn’t do this without good reason, but I don’t understand. What is this place?”
Vigil turned and removed his helmet. His sad little eyes, innocent and regretful, “I wanted you to see.”
“See what! Where are we?” Nathan demanded.
“The Father’s House!” Vigil called back with his tiny arms spread wide and turning around. “Nathan, we are in the Father’s house. Kathleen is with the father.”
Nathan stood up, carrying Lilly with him. He looked around through renewed eyes. He raised Lilly up to face level. “Is she happy here?”
“It isn’t about happy or sad here, but, yes in a way she is happy, she is healthy and she is home.” Lilly said with a tone of understanding. Then she walked to the edge of Nathan’s hand and with her tiny paw lifted his chin, Nathan‘s eyes met her eyes, “Kathleen is no longer sick or in pain.”
Nathan dropped his face in shame, “How could I have ever doubted her.” He wiped his face with his other hand and got to his feet. “What do I need to do?”
“You need to let her go.” Lilly said softly. “She doesn’t know you now, and she won’t remember you unless you take your seat beside her.”
Nathan looked up. “What?” His face contorted with confusion.
“In this place there is no pain or sickness or even sorrow. If she remembered you and you did not come here, well, that would make her sad. So she doesn’t know you. But if you take your seat beside her, then and only then will her memories come back to her of you and your life together.”
Nathan ran back into the dining hall and around the chairs until he found the one that Vigil showed him. He took hold of it and pulled it, but it wouldn’t move. Lilly ran down the table to where Nathan was as he grabbed the chair with both hands but still couldn’t make the chair even budge the slightest bit.
“It’s not you time to take your seat Nathan.” Lilly stated with a broken heart from the look of anguish on Nathan’s face. We are only observing now; you must finish your journey first.”
“What do I need to do to see her again?” He begged.
“If you try to get here to be with her, you will fail. There’s only one way to the father and that is through the son.”
Chapter 10