Chapter 5. Boys
The widow left. The Seer was trying to explain his new uneasy feeling. He felt bad, but that had nothing to do with his recent guest. He always attentively monitored his feelings to probe events when preparing to them.
The Seer had stopped seeing visitors, although there were many willing to meet him at any cost. Just sometimes he helped his friends and acquaintances or the people who came with a recommendation from his close friends.
And suddenly he was told that there were two strange people bold enough to insist he spoke with them. The Seer got angry as he was not waiting for anyone, and his first intent was to make unwanted guests go away, but suddenly he stopped: he felt that the sense of danger was related with them. Curiosity prevailed and he decided to meet them. The gate opened and two men passed to the courtyard.
“Maybe I’ll stay here to cover the rear?” asked the Soldier, examining an unknown place. He even did not try to conceal his anxiety.
“Are you afraid?” the Stranger was slightly surprised, looked his friends in the eyes and smiled.
“I don’t want to be turned into a dog or worse still, in a pacifist,” the Soldier whispered.
“Don’t worry. Even the Seer cannot make you a pacifist. Just, warrior, do not swear even mentally,” the Stranger was in good mood.
“Is it true that he can read all thoughts?” the Soldier got nervous.
“Of course, but abusive language is the easiest to read,” the Stranger was trying not to laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
“When you were shooting you were less afraid.”
“War is my elements, I feared all the time, especially at the beginning, but it is different fear. Fear that makes you stronger and sharpens your instincts, but this one deprives you of them. Even my knees are trembling. What a mess I’m in!”
“Fear that deprives you of strength is called panic. Do not worry, hero of the war, I will protect you.”
A beautiful young woman pointed out to the study. Approaching the door, the Stranger listened and said,
“It seems there is no one there. I cannot feel anything.”
“You are mistaken. I’m here,” a slightly croaking voice could be heard from behind the door. This voice could belong to the certain one man only.
They entered a gloomy study: bookcases were crowded with folios; there were curious artifacts on shelves, and abstract demon masks, deities, and pictures on the walls.
“It is impressive! I haven’t known that you like fetishes,” uttered the Stranger ironically, watching around the room attentively.
The Soldier inhaled and held his breath: the host would surely push them out for this unceremonious treatment and that was if they were lucky.
“Do not swear and don’t be afraid. I respect hospitality laws. If I let you in, I will let you out,” the Seer addressed the Soldier who expressively glanced at his companion and blushed.
The Stranger did not want to combat the Seer or show disrespect, but he suddenly heard a slight Wind blowing. He slowly turned his gaze earlier directed at the red and brown mask of the God of war at the host. “Can it be the Seer?” The Stranger thought and looked him directly in the eyes. Suddenly, he felt slightly dizzy, got pale, swayed, he was short of breath. But the Wind helped, it became stronger not only in the head and shoulders, but in the arms and that could happen only in special circumstances. Wind came out of him and seemed to be above him at the same time. The jaw vice which seized the Stranger weakened, but he was gradually filled with strength and nothing could harm him, even the Seer who was capable to lull a large audience or make a crowd jump on one foot in one place in unison.
“I haven’t come to fight you or show my strength, I have come to speak. Trust me,” the Stranger said slowly and distinctly.
The Seer was shaken. He literally pierced his guest with his stare. His eyes became wet from tears and showed fear and pain. Seeing this misery of a great man, the Soldier rejoiced. He believed. He believed the Stranger.
“I have never seen anything like that. What was that?”
The Seer was speaking with difficulty. He sat down on a chair and pointed his finger at water. The Stranger rushed to fetch him a glass of water.
“Please let’s not test each other. I have come with peace,” said the guest quietly. When he saw the host in that condition, he could not rejoice in his victory.
“I haven’t tried to impact you to make you unconscious, I just wanted to feel you to understand what you live with. I haven’t shown aggression, but drove against a powerful energy stroke. Who are you?” the Seer was externally calm and was eying the Stranger without fear but amazed.
“I need your help. Can we talk?” the Stranger asked.
“Take a seat, but I doubt I can help you,” the Seer pointed at the chairs.
The Soldier was the first to take a seat; he was no less surprised than the Seer. The Stranger took his seat, too.
“I would like to know what you think about an important issue. I’ve heard something,” he started.
“In what state were you at that time?” the Seer completely recovered. He made himself forget his weakness as a bad dream, absolutely erase from his memory.
“I climbed up the hill and tried to tune in the heavenly wave and started to speak,” the Stranger hoped the Seer would understand.
“Was it a dialog?” the host’s eyes shown smirk.
“It’s not a theatrical performance. Why do you use such terms? Do you want to know if I can hear the Voice? Very rarely. But that requires a correct question. Sometimes I hear different voices as if I couldn’t tune on to a necessary wave in a bad quality radio receiver. And still I’m not sure if I heard my subconscious voice or really entered the Source of Knowledge,” it was hard for the Stranger to choose words.
“You have little experience. I have heard many voices or rather senses, since my childhood, and then learnt to translate them in human speech. But I checked myself: I came up to people and told them what they were thinking about. Sometimes I was mistaken, and the words I heard were of the person standing nearby. With time I learnt to differentiate sources,” the Seer started to speak in his normal complacent voice.
“I didn’t have the task to read others’ thoughts. I’m interested in the rules of the universe and my actions,” the Stranger explained.
The Seer was eyeing his companion with interest.
“A source of Knowledge is a kind of a large shop: there are various goods required for living and even more. There is something we cannot understand or use, at least in our time. A man who happens to be in the supermarket chooses what he needs. But sometimes takes everything he can lay his hands on, even something he cannot and will not be able to use. Give a fighter plane to a music teacher and he won’t be able to start it. If you give a mobile phone to a person, living somewhere deep in the countryside, where never heard of radios or telephones, will he use it to communicate or rather hang it on his neck as decoration or use it as a hammer?”
“I understand what you are driving at. I have received something I cannot understand. But you cannot understand everything either. Still, I think the analogy with a shop is not really suitable. A source is rather a warehouse and goods are issued by a storekeeper according to the visitor’s inclinations,” the Stranger said smiling.
“If a recipient does not know what it is, he should study an operation manual and understand its purpose.”
“What have you seen on the hill? Repeat exactly what you have heard,” asked the Seer sharply. He couldn’t stand polemists and considered that he was always right and therefore was slightly irritated by lack of respect to him.
“I was told: ‘Go to the City’. The voice was distinct and clear as an order. I heard it from outside. I am not crazy. And I’m no less skeptical than you, but ignoring facts is a crime.”
“Have you asked something before that?” the Seer became serious and thought that some
thing important was in the air.
“I asked how I should live. What must I do?”
“Was that all?”
“As regards the Voice, that was all. Then I have started to seek the meaning of the phrase and understood that I have to undertake an important and unsafe mission, but maybe these were the answers prompted by my soul and consciousness.”
“It’s good that you can tell the voice of your consciousness from another voice. But the voice of your soul can be equally true to the heavenly voice,” tutored the Seer.
“Why? How can this be possible?”
“Are you ready to believe anything you hear over the radio?”
“Of course not. Do you want to tell me that I can hear an unknown voice translated from anywhere?”
“Translated by someone for unknown purposes.”
“But there exists the Voice from the Source of the Truth, to explain the unclear and understand the unknown,” the Stranger was slightly alarmed.
“Ok. It is hard to tell it from the voice of your sub-consciousness and more difficult from the voices outside. I’m speaking about the source of information don’t have the slightest idea about. By the way, you have interesting terminology for the phenomena which are generally only hard to perceive to say nothing about describing or naming them,” the Seer smiled lightly.
“It is for better understanding. Speak on, please.”
“Imagine there are powerful translators high up in the sky, and all can hear a heavenly voice, but we understand that the signal is from the Earth.”
“I see. You want to say that intelligence services may have sent a signal directly into my brain?” the Stranger got worried. He understood what the Seer was speaking about.
Hearing the words ‘special services’, the Soldier showed the signs of life with a heavy sigh, but, trained a sniper, he learned to be patient.
“Do you think I’m an idiot to believe in the omnipotence of intelligence services?” the Seer asked.
“You know what I’m thinking about.”
“Ok, excuse me. Would you like some coffee? I’ll ask to bring some.”
“It is unimportant. But thank you,” the Stranger felt uneasy: the desire to have a coffee was instantaneous and insignificant, but the Seer guessed. The host pressed the intercom button.
Several minutes later a young woman came in, holding a tray with a coffee pot, sugar pot, cups, biscuits, chocolate, and dried fruit on. The Soldier got interested and was watching a beautiful woman looking as if she stepped from a fashion magazine cover. The Stranger glanced at his bemused comrade and slightly raised his eyebrow pointing at the Seer. The Soldier took on an innocent appearance. The host was attentively watching everything going on in the room, laughed carefree and winked at the Soldier. After his guests had their coffee, he lit a cigarette.
“Sorry, I haven’t understood what you meant when you were speaking about the source of the Voice?” the Stranger resumed an unfinished talk.
“Have you heard about the Adversary?” the Seer was looking at his guest cunningly.
“Yes, of course. There is a learning of a power confronting the Creator’s will and making harm to people. However, the records of the earlier clairvoyants do not mention him. As if they did not see him at all. The evil similarly to the good, as early prophesy manuscript says, – is sent by the Creator who made day and night, light and darkness. And only afterwards, sages concluded that it was not the God who was the source of misfortunes or disasters, but someone else. Let’s call him the Adversary. I can assume that this figure, appearing in human consciousness, is based on real circumstances. Although I think all misfortunes sent down on people are actions of the rewarding and responsibility system.”
“You think that all evil, misfortunes, and agony is the doing of the reward system? And do you think it is fair and flawless? That it punishes evildoers and bestows on righteous people? Do you think the Creator is so cruel to people?”
“People make other people suffer. The Creator tries to teach us not to destroy each other but to teach in the way that does not deprive us either of autonomy or of the right of choice. Maybe the reward system is not so apparent to all because its laws overlap and it is very difficult to understand all mechanisms. We don’t have much information to make the right choice,” the Stranger was speaking softly and calmly, but he was tense.
“Anyone can deprive people of their autonomy. Even I can do this,” the Seer looked up at a frowning companion and smiled. “Calm down I’m not using my abilities corruptly or for self-assuredness as some think. There are brain diseases that deprive people of self-control. Passions deprive us of reason and make us act crazily, so that we will regret these actions. Manufacturers of goods and advertisements impose a certain value image on us and turn us into slaves who depend on goods, which are attributes of success and happiness in the eyes of ordinary people. Tyrants, rulers, and politicians manage people’s lives. Strong people try to make the weak obey, take away the right to search, independence of thinking, and destroy the right of choice... And have you ever thought why the powerful need that?” the Seer asked.
“It is not difficult to understand: money, power, and glory. All this relies on vanity, ambition, different insecurities, and sometimes just boredom and passion,” the Stranger answered quickly. “Why is it allowed? There might be many traps along the path; it is a kind of preparation for those who are willing to enter the world of peace and justice.”
“Then it means that confrontation with the powerful people of the world, diseases, and vices are just a race track which makes spiritual people stronger? And by the way, this training is to get ready for the war and not for peace,” it was long ago when the Seer discussed those topics, and therefore despite tension in the air, was glad to have these visitors.
“It’s bad that not all arrive at the finish line. And there are cases when you have to run to a certain point as there you will get your reward. You know, in order to run you have to move your legs faster. You buy a simulator, move, sweat, get exhausted, but are running in the place. People have the right to choose their way while they often serve some silly and unworthy things. They sweat as if they were running with a simulator, but senselessly. It is their choice and we do not care about it, do we? But others suffer from their actions and not all are protected against the evil,” the Stranger seemed that his fate was hanging in the balance during the conversation.
The Seer was trying to recollect something.
“My camp experience proves that most people cannot withstand trials, and will break physically and morally and become inferior people. I don’t understand who might need that. I have been observing ants the other day,” he said as if turning it in his mind.
“They labored, hurried, stumbled against each other. A boy ran up to them and caught the first ant on the way. The kid tore off an ant foot and threw the wretched fellow away. He placed another on his palm and blew. The ant was off. While the boy was experimenting, I didn’t tell him anything. Let him explore the world, however cruel the method might be, but when the brat started to stamp ants with his feet I interfered as his unreasonable actions disturbed the natural balance. The struggle for survival ended long ago, the territory was divided. Observe co-existence of creatures in the world. The boy didn’t know that, was offended and ran away. He even didn’t understand why it was wrong to be so cruel to living creatures and I didn’t have time to explain him that. But the thing is the ants didn’t understand anything either and continued their ant routine as before. They didn’t and couldn’t understand the service I rendered rescuing them from the boy.”
“Who is this boy?”
“Boys are capable of anything. At least they have strength to tear off feet and blow off from the palm.”
The Seer was attentively watching the Stranger’s reaction.
“Listen:
If I remember it
And my memory doesn’t sleep,
They
are creators
Of the world
They do not believe
Or never cry…
…They seem to care for nothing
Captains of heaven,
Smoking in the open window
And leading by bad example…”
The Stranger laughed.
“Is this the source of your philosophy? Do you believe that the authorship of such a complex world belongs to those who do not know its laws? Those who make harm and lead astray?”
“I don’t know, I think not,” the Seer scratched the tip of the nose.
“But I think they exist. We are ants for them. These creatures might know nothing about compassion, cannot feel it, but they are much stronger and more experienced than we are. They have their own goals and objectives. They can use you in their own interests to no one’s benefit.”
The Stranger thought the Seer was not sincere and was playing cat and mouse challenging him.
“Ok,” the Stranger smiled with the edges of his lips going up. He understood that the Seer could not believe he could think critically. “I know about the existence of the other world. I can sometimes feel their presence. Do you think I will have to encounter them in the City?”
“I’m not sure you need a special place, but it is dangerous for you in the City,” the Seer answered and stretched a hand to fetch another cigarette.
The Stranger came up to the window and looked at a well-kept orchard with fruit trees. With his back to the Seer, he asked him the most important question:
“Have you felt the Power in me? What is it? Why do I have it?”
The Seer smoked again, was silent for several minutes. He was smoking with his eyes closed, without looking at ash falling down onto his knees, and spoke without looking at the Stranger:
“I will be honest. I have never encountered similar energy before. You are unlikely to use it to suppress people. There are other more known, simpler and no less efficient means. Certainly, this power can be used to protect against all energy impacts and even more: attack. But you won’t search people who have special energy. No? That’s what I have thought. And there are not many people who use their talent to make evil and so it means we have no one to fight … This might be a weapon but many-sided and very complex. A sword and a shield at the same time and God know what else. At first I thought I had something which could not be put in practice in our life. That happens. Believe me! I have faced different people, even the ones who could burn paper with their eyes from a distance of five steps. And? Who needs this when there are affordable means to make fire? I don’t have information to answer. You have to tell me more.”
The Stranger sighed feeling that the Seer was suspiciously interested. Rather, he thought he should not open the reason that made the Wind appear.
“I don’t know why but I can’t.”
Suddenly the Seer looked rough.
“I understand that you do not trust me. You fear that learning the mechanism, I will deprive you of your protection. Or – more than that, acquire your ability and then you will not be the unique holder of the talent. I won’t dissuade you but let me just note that it is dangerous both for you and others not to know the purpose of this complex weapon. You can’t even use it at your discretion. This power shows by itself. Believe me, I’m not weak and have seen much, but I have felt uncomfortable and miserable and frightened when you showed your power. I don’t know yet who controls whom: you it or it you,” the Seer seemed to become tense trying hard not to lose control.
“I’m not going to fight flesh and blood. Calm down, I beg you,” the Stranger was visibly afflicted.
“Do not calm me down. I don’t know how I can help you. Maybe you need money?” the Seer tried to look calm and self-assured. “I can see that you are not rich.”
“Thank you. Money will not help,” the Stranger viewed the walls covered with expensive trinkets and looked at the host merrily. “You have much to be proud of. You have a beautiful and large house. You seem to have everything to live a happy life but you are unhappy. You have strong eyes but look like a hunted down wolf. I wanted to go to the City with you. I think we will meet something important there and you may be interested to know something new and unknown.”
“I’m sorry,” the wounded Seer answered coldly. A prick aimed at his guest turned against himself, “but I’m not so inquisitive to risk all for something unknown. Moreover, I can’t show up in public places, especially in the City. I have too many enemies who want to become a history by sharing in my glory, who want to test me and hide behind me. I can’t. I won’t advise you to do this either and, even more so, to your silent friend. You can always come to me and I will do my best to help you. I wish you all the best.”
The Stranger got up from his armchair and stretched his hand. The Seer answered sluggishly without looking his guest in the eyes.
Companions left the house, walked along an even path in the garden to the gate. The Soldier sighed with relief:
“Good house, nice women, lots of money, and glory. How can he leave all that and go for something unknown? The wealthy find it hard to risk,” he said seriously but smirk showed in his eyes.
“Maybe. I have nothing to hold to in this world and the same is true about you, but still, have you heard his advice? Don’t go to the City. I regret I let you in,” the Stranger said.
“You don’t know what is going on in the City,” spoke the Soldier impulsively. “There are absolutely autonomous neighborhoods. Police fears to go there because there are no strangers from outside and you are an enemy for them. So many disturbing orders have appeared lately! I don’t advise you to interfere with them, they hate outsiders. They won’t speak with the representatives of other religions.”
“I’m far from the religious representatives or communities, but I’m close to the people of spirit,” the Stranger interrupted him.
“And what’s the difference?” the Soldier was surprised.
“The clergy serve a certain cult, their community, and their flock. But the people of spirit serve the Truth which is above any religion or cultural and national traditions,” the Stranger explained.
“I think it will be hard to explain to an enraged crowd. Teenager gangs are active in the City as vagrant dogs. They are merciless drug- addicts who lost their human dignity. Let’s go together. I have decided to quit my job. I have a professional breakdown,” the Soldier smiled.
“Good,” the Stranger was unexpectedly fast to accept the proposal. “Let’s do like this: a day after tomorrow at about eight in the morning we meet at the ticket office at the railway station. If you don’t come, it means you have thought twice. I will understand it.”
“And if you don’t come?”
“Then you stay.”
They shook their hands firmly and went their ways. The Soldier left for his home and the Stranger went to the park, as it was not cold at that time.
Next morning the Soldier was making his decision, which was
probably the most important one in all his life. “Maybe I stay; the Seer’s advice cannot be ignored. I will live a normal life. Stop battling and find a normal job. Every morning I will wake up with the woman I love, have kids. That’s what happiness is about…
You are lying, boy! You know yourself. You won’t live a life without a sense of danger. That’s how many people live and I have a chance to do something important. I have touched magic. The Stranger has found me and I have met the legend: the Seer himself. And he was afraid of the Stranger. I saw fear in his horrifying eyes. I have a chance to become a companion of the man whom the Seer himself bowed to.
What do I have to lose? How many years have I taken the risk? And what for? Destroy terrorists? But they grow in numbers every day. No, I take risk because I do not like to lead a dull life. I enjoy risk, I like to feel that I’m one of the elite, and top rulers of the country know about me. Reports on completed operations find their way to their desk. Maybe they
admire me.
But I saw the light… My feats turned out to be the fruit of vanity. I happen to be no warrior of the light but a bolt in the government vehicle flying down the slope as it does not have brakes. I will become a real warrior if I follow the God’s will. I have fought someone other’s and senseless war. And now I want to fight for Him. He rescued me and consoled me in His church. I owe Him my life. The God saved me. Was not it for this time? And now time has come to act. By the way, why did the Stranger appoint a meeting in two days? He was anxious to get to the City. Something is wrong here. I need to lay in ambush at the railway station and wait. He might decide to go earlier without me.”