A warm blanket of tenderness enfolded him as his awareness was drawn to the figure of a woman materialising beneath the gaslight. She must have been about five foot nine and seemed as though she was made from the surrounding mist; her silvery hair cascaded down her back. A gown of white gracefully flowed over her shoulders embracing the curvature of her body. With elegant, fluid movements it swept the path about her feet as she walked toward him. Her bare arms hung lightly by her side, and the soft contours of her face showed the fullness of her lips around a beautiful smile.
“Hello, Nathanial, I am Kalareena.”
The richness of her voice held him spellbound. A peal of laughter escaping her lips helped to regain his composure. Rising from the bench, he indicated for her to be seated.
“Good evening Kalareena,” he replied, his voice wavering slightly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“Oh my, you’re so politely spoken and well-mannered,” she said, smiling as she made herself comfortable on the seat.
As he sat beside her he couldn’t help but admire her beauty. Her clothing appeared to be translucent and he wondered if she felt cold. There was a familiarity about her that disturbed him. She chuckled at his obvious discomfort and he wondered if she was making fun of him.
“I need you to heed my warning, Nathanial.” He looked at her in surprise; Kalareena’s manner had become quite serious. “You must stop your research into the Woodlands. Your activities have come to the attention of Slegna and your life is in danger.”
“I see,” he answered, bewildered. “I don’t wish to appear uninformed, but who or what, is a Slegna?” he asked, intrigued.
A knowing smile caressed Kalareena’s lips as she answered, “You know Slegna as The Mystery of the One Truth.”
“Interesting,” he responded, his mind going over his research notes. “Out of curiosity, what do you call The Mystery of the True Light?” He wanted to see what name she put to that.
“She is called Oletha.”
“She!” he exclaimed. “The Mystery of the True Light is a woman?” Nathanial asked, disbelieving.
“Actually,” Kalareena clarified. “Oletha and Slegna are both beyond our abilities to fully comprehend. However, because Oletha is creation and pregnant with everlasting life, it’s only natural to refer to her as she and Slegna as he,” she finished respectfully.
Nathanial had for many years been interested in the origin and interpretation of people’s names, so it struck him as rather amusing that The Mystery of the True Light would be called Oletha. “If my memory serves me correctly, the name Oletha means truth, doesn’t it?” His curiosity awakened despite the unusual conversation.
“Yes,” she calmly replied.
“Lovely name, most fitting.” Assuming his professorial manner he asked, “Now young lady, what’s this nonsense about my investigations into the Woodlands and who are you?”
A low menacing growl echoed through the night fog.
Kalareena’s face changed slightly. “You hear that? That’s one of Slegna’s hounds of despair. They are born from the unwholesome deeds of humanity. Their claws can rip you to pieces and their bite disorientates the mind and spirit. That hound is looking for you, Nathanial!”
“What are you talking about?” he asked, shocked.
“It’s no longer safe for us to talk tonight,” she answered. “Nathanial, we are Keepers of the Realm and Slegna will stop at nothing to prevent us from fulfilling our destiny. I will contact you later; please heed my warning. You must leave before the hound finds you. Now go!”
Kalareena smiled but then her shape wavered and vanished from his sight. “Well, I’ll be,” he remarked in surprise. How does she do that? he wondered as he hastily headed home. Who is she really and why come to me with that fanciful tale about being Keepers of the Realm? And why would this Slegna want to stop me investigating the Woodlands? There has to be a rational explanation for all of this. How does she come and go like that, maybe I’m going crazy and none of this is real.
A howl reverberating off the surrounding buildings had him looking around nervously; quickening his pace he moved through the murky fog. Well, that’s certainly real, so I suppose I should give her the benefit of the doubt. He headed home swiftly, his mind full of unanswerable questions.
A siren wailing in the distance got his attention. Moments later, a police car appeared with lights flashing and sped along the street that Darshan had earlier run down. He decided to discuss this evening’s events the following day with Renae, the manager of his bookstore ‘Enigma Books’ as she was a gifted psychic.
* * *
At age sixty-two, Nathanial stood his six feet with dignity and pride; his athletic body had lost none of its tone for his age. His thick wavy blond hair fell gently about his shoulders. Mirth and merriment shone from deep green eyes. Astute intelligence and a quick wit enabled him to expertly unravel ancient myths and legends.
As a result of her ability to see into people, Renae had employed some unique staff members. Janelle, her second-in-charge, was an exceptional trance-medium, Gela had the uncanny ability to know instantly when a person was lying. Lomasi had the capacity to spiritually see through material objects and Lon, the only other male working in the shop apart from Nathanial, was a skilled doctor and psychic healer.
Nathanial arrived at the shop around midmorning and was lucky to find a park directly in front. Renae noticing his arrival went to meet him and opened the car door.
“Out you get, Nathanial,” she remarked cheerfully.
He alighted from the car and acknowledged Renae’s greeting while admiring the window display in the large bay windows that flanked the entrance of Enigma Books. Renae linked her arm in his, and, with her blue eyes smiling, they headed towards the shop. Standing five feet six, with mousey blonde hair, Renae was his brilliant accountant and administrator.
Entering through the outer door they moved into the lobby to the bookshop entrance and stood admiring the large spiral staircase in the middle of the store. This impressive structure was constructed completely from redwood and could comfortably hold four people across its steps. At the base of the balustrade on either side of the first step stood a carved eagle. The bearers that supported the handrail were elaborately carved nature sprites. A carpet runner in the design of a country garden graced the spiral staircase from top to bottom and gold rods at the rear of each step kept the carpet in place. The staircase led to a mezzanine that covered half the ground floor. At the back of the mezzanine there was a storeroom flanked by offices. The stairs then continued upward to the first floor. There were bookshelves throughout the ground and first floors, with carpet runners between all the shelves. Renae and Nathanial walked around the circular counter at the front of the store to the stairs that led to his office on the mezzanine.
“I’ve employed two more staff members,” Renae advised as they moved towards his office. “Their names are Gabbryel and Fala.”
Nathanial stared at her waiting for her to continue.
Looking at him questioningly, she frowned. “You’re giving me one of your ‘what else’ looks,” Renae commented, puzzled.
“You mean Gabbryel and Fala don’t have any spiritual abilities?” he enquired cheekily.
Smiling, she replied, “Gabbryel is gifted in psychometry and Fala is skilled in predictions and premonitions. Happy now, are we?” Renae said, playfully punching his arm.
Nathanial rubbed his arm, pretending he was hurt. “Ouch,” he joked. Grinning happily Renae gave his arm an affectionate squeeze and continued. “There was also a strange little old lady here earlier this morning looking for you.”