* * *
The three sat on the grass in the little glade that opened toward a deep, reedy pool fed by a cheerful, bubbly brook. Zadar smacked his lips as he finished the last piece of sweet raisin bread, licking his fingers in order to savor every morsel. Ishtar’s new friend, Lowenah, had made it along with all the other treats composing this mid-day symphony of delights. Zadar mused how the giant wicker basket, which was also filled with a ground-cloth, some dishes and three cups, would be easier to heft on the long return walk, now that it was so much lighter. After being thanked for the delicious lunch, Lowenah jumped up and went running off to spy out some little hidden corner of the nearby forest.
Zadar and Ishtar remained behind, reclining in the grass while they watched their companion scurry in and out of the trees, chasing butterflies and bugs. Ishtar leaned close to Zadar’s ear, lowering her voice so that her new friend couldn’t hear. “Please don’t misunderstand me. I have enjoyed Lowenah’s company, but I’ve never met a person stranger than she. Why, one minute she’s off scampering around the place chasing a shadow, and the next she will be quietly musing the intricacies of a leaf, petting its silky surface as if it were some special little creature.”
Zadar only smiled, nodding his head in acknowledgment as Ishtar went on. “Then, last night she called me over to sit on the floor with my back to her. She chattered on about all kinds of nonsensical things, the whole while gently combing my hair, occasionally stroking it with her fingers. Not only that, each night she has demanded to rest beside me while I sleep. I have waked to the soft touch of her fingers playing on my skin. It’s like she had not slept at all and that she had remained there just watching me as I dreamed.”
“You have had pleasant dreams for these past nights, haven’t you?” Zadar quizzed. “After all, I hear it’s one of Lowenah’s special abilities…I mean to offer sweet dreams. She has many powers, you know.”
“You are not the first to inform me of such things.” Ishtar replied. “Yet I find her so strange, even childish at times.”
“Child-like, my dear sister…” Zadar corrected. “Child-like...”
“Child-like, then, if that’s how you want it.” Ishtar mildly retorted. “Never the less, she often acts without restraint and undisciplined. She doesn’t listen to instruction well, and she abuses privileges offered. I was told that she was to assist me in getting better acquainted with my new life here and so far I have found her a most disappointing servant!”
Zadar laughed, his toothy grin belying hidden secrets. “My child, you have much to learn about this place. In your world, a servant was little more than a slave. We have no slaves here. When one serves another it is out of a desire to assist. You are not Lowenah’s master. No one is her master. Upon whom she wishes to lavish attention she does, and she seeks no consent from anyone to do so. They say the woman has unreachable wisdom and shares it with only those whom she chooses. If she has picked you as her current object of attention, consider yourself truly blessed.”
Ishtar’s face filled with disquieted puzzlement. “Tell me, then, who is this strange person? When I ask her, she offers me only riddles and stories of nonsense. Or is she a person at all? May she be one of the strange man-like creatures I have heard whispers about? You know, like the ones that fly in those magic sky boats?”
Zadar mused while pondering Ishtar’s question. “Strange, man-like creatures?” He rubbed his chin, eyes rolled upward as if he were scrutinizing the sky. “No, I think not. No, not at all...” He turned his gaze upon the girl. “God’s ‘Cherubs’ they’re called. Lowenah is nothing like them. It is said that the Cherubs were the first intelligent creatures ever produced by God. They were all made - built, you might say. They are like living tools in God’s hands.”
Zadar watched Ishtar wrinkle her face in curiosity and disbelief. He decided to offer further knowledge. “Few of the children have had close dealings with them. I have, but that is another story for another day. What I know of them is that they do have personalities and likes and dislikes, but there is where similarities between them and us ends… Oh! And they are super-intelligent.”
He pointed toward himself. “You see, we were made to decide for ourselves as to what is right and wrong. We can choose our life’s course, can make wise or foolish decisions, become good or bad. We are creatures made with wild and free hearts, which can lead us down the roads of love or hate. As I understand it, a Cherub does not have such a heart. His love or hate is measured by logic or by thinking. For example, they don’t hold grudges.”
Zadar smiled. “The Cherubs are God’s servants. I have been told they were used to build the Great Palace, the first structure in this realm. In fact, it is said that some of them actually reside within the confines of the old palace and surrounding city wall. They take on whatever shape that serves their Master’s purpose, all the way from appearing like a man to that of a beast… or a tree. Why, they can even become invisible… or so I’ve been told.”
“It is also said that they are the torch-bearers of God, bringing justice to the wicked and foolish. Twice that I know of, and possibly many more times than that, they have been used in your old realm. Do you recall the account of the angels and the flaming sword?”
Ishtar thought a moment. “You mean the Cherubs of Eden? The ones who stood at the entrance?”
“Exactly!” Zadar grinned. “Except the Cherubs were not just at the entrance. Those were the ones that the people of your planet could see. There were thousands, surrounding the entire land of Eden. The Cherubs had the abilities to remain as watchers all those long years because time is no deterrent to them. They never tire, nor do they become bored or lose their wakefulness. They have no need for rest, nor do they hunger or become weary. They are wonderful watchmen.”
Ishtar asked, curious, “You speak of another time also…?”
“Oh, yes!” Zadar confirmed. “It was far different that time. Let me try to explain.”
“You have been told the tale of a great flood that swept your planet, bringing to nothing most life on it.” Ishtar nodded, smiling. “Well…” Zadar went on. “God used those same Cherubs to bring it about and to protect the people who survived. Your old planet once had a layer of water compressed under its skin, deep under ground. It acted like a giant shock absorber, sort a’ like a thick blanket on a hard seat. It also had a layer of water high above the clouds, in the form of really, really small particles, far tinier than a misty droplet. They would filter out any of the harmful glory of the sun - the stuff that could give you a burn.”
Ishtar’s eyes were wide with the excitement at learning new things, especially from a person who had witnessed the event he was speaking about. Her face radiated the wonder filling her mind.
Pleased at seeing her interest, Zadar tried to describe things in ways she could easily comprehend. “What God had these Cherubs do was to alter the orbit…that’s the way planets and things move in the outer sky, the sky that lies beyond what’s blue up there.” He pointed up, drawing Ishtar’s attention in that direction. “Some of those Cherubs pulled giant stones out of their normal orbits and made them crash into your planet. Well, when that happened, the huge rocks smashed such big holes in the ground that they released the pressurized water, shooting it high into the blue sky, higher than any clouds had ever gone.”
Zadar watched puzzlement grow on the girl’s face. So he offered an example. “It’s like when you fill your mouth with water, stuffing you cheeks until they’re puffed full out, and then open your lips. The water squirts out. Well, it was something like that, but much, much more powerful. Anyhow, the water under the ground was hotter than steam and when it shot up, it took a lot of dirt and mud with it. All that heat and mud mixed with all the super-cold water high in the sky, making it heavy and it fell, whoosh! to the ground, flooding everything.”
“Well, after the water had smashed up everythi
ng and flooded the whole planet, the Cherubs took to watching over the people and animals that were supposed to survive, keeping them safe whilst all the other people and most the other animals finished dying off. Then, these same living tools of God went to work fixing things up so that the planet would be hospitable enough for life on it again. What they did then is a whole other story and we don’t have time for it today.”
Ishtar piped in, “If that’s the case, then who is she?” referring to Lowenah. “Is she one of the children, like you and all the others I’ve met?”
Zadar thought a moment and then cautiously replied, “Lowenah is her own child. I don’t know how long she has lived. None of the Ancients have ever revealed that secret, if they do know, and Lowenah has never chosen to include me in on it.”
He reached out and touched Ishtar on the forehead, just above the eyes. Then, he slowly and gently slid his finger down and along the bridge of her nose, softly pushing the tip like a button. He let his hand fall. “I think somewhere inside your head, Lowenah has hidden that secret, along with a whole bunch of others. One day you will discover it.”
A look of mild, impatient disappointment crossed Ishtar’s face. “I am always waiting for everything! All the time, I ask questions and only get riddles or half answers. I am told that I’m in heaven… Well that’s what I call it…the First Realm, if you like it better. Yet it looks a lot like my old home to me. It’s nothing like what I expected it to be.” She rolled up on her knees and placed her hands on Zadar’s arms. “I saw Darla once, at a long ago place and time. My people would call her an ‘angel’, but she didn’t have wings like the stories I was told, and you don’t have any either. And people don’t fly here, either, only in those magic boats.”
She hurried on before Zadar could reply. “And there’s war! I mean real war - with killing and fighting, people dying. Where is this wonderful world we hoped for? Dreamed of? This place, wherever it may be, is no paradise dreamed of! Those I love go off to kill and be killed! My dreams are filled with battles and slaughter, swords and oaths, treason and fury! And where is this Almighty God in all of this? Does he appear and lead his people to victory? You…” Stuffing her finger into Zadar’s chest, “had me locked away in my room when I only attempted to see beyond these mountain walls. And I hurt and got wet and cold and frightened. And then the very man who watched over my execution I see in the woods the night of my capture. Tell me if you can, what has really become of me? And don’t speak in riddles!”
A cloud swept over Zadar’s face and any joviality escaped his words. In almost a whisper, he answered, “You are a star-child. Your sword will make the rivers run red with the blood of my brothers and sisters. In your pride and vengeance, the innocent will perish along with the wicked. What you need to know will come in its time, but first you must learn our ways and un-think yours. My God will weep oceans of tears because of the things you and your people do to us. I have nothing else to say in the matter.”
He pulled himself up on his knees and stood. Turning away, he quietly walked toward the bubbling stream. He raised his sad, misty eyes and watched Lowenah as she scampered among the flowers. The cost was too great. The hour of the ending age was upon them. Soon the Destroyer would arrive, driving his armies across the bloodied plain to finish what this war was only starting. But, for him, there was to be no remorse shown - not even for Lowenah’s feelings. This she knew, yet it was by her own hand that the future had been cast into motion.
“I’m sorry.” Ishtar stopped beside Zadar and gently took his hand. “I am sorry. I wish harm to no one.”
Zadar turned to look upon the child. He reached his arm around her shoulder and drew her close, sighed, and gazed back across the brook. Lowenah was currently stooped over as if searching for something hidden in the grasses. “You and your people were delivered to this place to return our souls to us. If Asotos is not brought to a finish, there will soon be nothing left of all the things you see. We haven’t the heart to do what must be done. It is hoped you will share yours with us so that once again we shall stand to face the coming storm…and this time, see it through.” The two became silent, watching Lowenah rummage through the weeds.
Moments later she was hurrying over, hands cupped as if they held some precious treasure. Grinning from ear-to-ear, she called out, “I’ve found a strange one! You must see what I’ve come upon!”
Lowenah stopped up short, directly in front of her companions. Opening her hands enough to allow them a peek in, she proudly announced, “I have never seen one like this before! Look how strange and different it is!”
Ishtar peered into the cave-like opening in Lowenah’s hands, seeing what appeared to be some furry little caterpillar wiggling around in the woman’s palm. The girl tried to act excited, but some ‘bug’ had no appeal to her, and besides, it looked like all the other bugs in the fields surrounding them.
“I don’t see the difference. I’m sorry.” Zadar apologetically offered. “Would you please show me what you see?”
“Look!” Lowenah beamed with excitement as she opened up her hand and then, with a finger from her other, began to stroke the little hairs on one side of the caterpillar. “You see those little yellow dots? Those dots will carry over onto its wings when it emerges as the graceful butterfly…” glancing at Ishtar, “what your people would call the ‘Porphura Smaragdos’ or ‘Purple Emerald’. The yellow should enhance its royal purple-colored transparent wings, making it a breathtaking vision of fluttering beauty.”
Zadar’s face blossomed into a huge grin. He reached out and softly grasped the hand holding the bug and bent forward to make a close examination. “How wonderful that it’s been found! It will give us all something to search for when it unfolds its wings in the spring. Thank you for discovering it for us.”
Ishtar attempted to appear as pleased as Zadar. She also thanked Lowenah for finding it. Yet, the thought of such excitement being generated over a potential butterfly while there were already thousands upon thousands of every color and description surrounding them puzzled her.
Lowenah giggled and turned with the little animal still in hand. “I’ll put it back and wait to see what happens.”
Ishtar broke in, curious. “How can you be sure it will stay safe? After all, many a creature here would find it a tasty treat.”
Laughter burst from Lowenah’s lips. “It will be quite safe…quite safe.” She hurried off to hide it away from where she had found it.
Ishtar looked at Zadar, eyes filled with disbelief at the words she had just heard. Zadar smiled, “I told you that Lowenah has many powers. If she chooses to protect that fuzzy worm, believe me, it will remain safe.”
The two began chatting on about matters of little importance. They were in the middle of Zadar’s explanation of clouds when a loud splash interrupted the conversation. Lowenah had stripped off her flowery garment and was now merrily splashing in the reedy pool just below the brook.
Ishtar stood there staring, aghast at the thought of a woman stripping naked in mixed company and going off swimming in the buff. Disgusted, she was about to call out and give Lowenah a lecture on proper manners when a finger was gently pressed against her lips as Zadar reminded her, “You are in our world now. You are the one who has to shed the ways of the past and rid yourself of the guilt from a troubled conscience. You asked me why we have kept such a close eye on you. This is part of the reason. There are many others, some subtle, others not so. How stubborn will you remain to our culture?”
With that, Zadar stood back and peeled off his clothes and strode toward the pool. He turned back and motioned for Ishtar to join him. She stood in shock at his bold handsomeness. Something inside her heart repulsed her, but, as she watched this perfectly formed male gingerly walking toward the pool, she felt a strange desire to join in what looked like so much fun. Concluding that her bad feelings came from what he had called a ‘troubled’
or ‘guilty conscience’, she attempted to look at the matter from their perspective.
Zadar and Lowenah were splashing and frolicking in the delightful, refreshing water, playing tag and carrying on like two little children. Ishtar watched, longing to immerse herself in such a wonderful world of titillating pleasure. Gradually, desire overcame self-consciousness. Ishtar’s longing to join in the fun started overcoming her guilt, and soon she found her fingers busily tugging at the restraints, allowing her the same pleasures.
Her tunic drifted to the grass as the child stood as one does at birth, a light breeze tingling her skin as it swept over the little hairs on her arms and legs. Slowly and cautiously, she advanced toward the pool. No one took notice. First one foot and then another slipped into the water, and still no one gave any heed. Oh, the delights of a naked swim, a kick here and a splash there! Oh the sweet freedom of life without confinement! Soon the girl was joined in the games that Zadar and Lowenah were playing, forgetting forever this ‘foolish’ taboo of her old world.