The Key of Ban by James Harshfield
Earthkin sat in the opening of the cave looking at the snow covered plateau. The fingers of darkness were slowly pushing away the fading glory of daylight into the western sky. Coaldon watched the spreading cover of darkness with eagerness. He was ready to go home. Yet, when he glanced at Earthkin, he detected a brooding concern. Earthkin’s body twitched with tension. The dwarf had experienced something negative.
In a somber tone Earthkin said, “We can not wait here much longer. The trogs might be following us. I suggest we travel after the moon rises. I want to see where we are going.”
Then he added, “I feel a disturbance in the spirit of the earth. Things are not well. A great power of evil has invaded a sacred temple. I am afraid we will be required to face a new danger.”
Topple listened to Earthkin, but showed little concern. His relaxed smile beamed with a tone of assurance.
Earthkin looked at Topple with a disgruntled attitude. He assumed Topple’s passive nature meant disinterest. Earthkin’s concrete view of life demanded ridged conformity to an accepted standard of conduct. He could not understand how Topple could be so comfortable and satisfied in times of danger and distress. Earthkin believed concern and work provided the building blocks for tomorrow.
In a grave and philosophical mood he quoted,
“The stones of yesterday provide the foundation for today.
The rocks of today offer the building blocks of tomorrow.
The caverns of life are only empty space unless made alive
by purpose and action.
The power of each deed is a stepping stone in history.”
Toppled chuckle as he responded,
“While kings rule by force,
clowns lead through weakness.
While kings command by dictates,
clowns dance with life.
While kings are slaves to time,
clowns celebrate each moment.
While kings are guided by rules,
clowns walk in faith.
While kings struggle for control,
clowns rest in submission.
While kings are captives of power,
clowns find peace in trust.”
Topple smiled with satisfaction at his magnificent recitation. Earthkin shook his head in disbelief at the wizard’s quick mind.
The rising moon signaled the time to depart. An ancient trail crossed the wide mountain side providing the best way down the steep slope. It was a challenge to walk on the snow covered slopes in darkness. Each step on the uneven ground required great caution. One false move would mean a dangerous fall. Coaldon followed a long ridge-line that seemed to go forever. His intuitive feel for the land successfully guided the travelers to the valley floor. The journey down a ravine did not allow a view of the valley. The sound of Rolling River indicated the end of the trek.
He led the way to a grove of trees next to the river. The glow of a new day came as the cold night air flowed into the valley from high peaks. As Coaldon stood in the tall brush he heard it.
Coaldon proclaimed, “The silence is deafening. I hear nothing. The usual morning sounds of the wildlife are gone. Something is wrong!”
Earthkin’s grim face signaled trouble. Topple’s soft grin was a bizarre discord to the stillness.
Without thinking, Coaldon ran to the riverbank. To his horror, his childhood home was a heap of ash. The bodies of half eaten farm animals lay scattered across the fields. The scene of death and destruction burned deeply into Coaldon’s mind. He sat on the bank in a state of shock and disbelief. His world collapsed around him. The shock of the disaster slowly sank into his consciousness. His feelings of grief grew into a burning anger. Tears of rage rolled down his face.
Coaldon felt he was being initiated into his adult life by the ancient ritual of violence. He realized his vague goals of yesterday were being transformed into the clear and definitive goals of tomorrow. From this time onward his life would burn with the zeal for the conquest of evil.
~ ~
Now What
In a somber tone Earthkin said, “We can not wait here much longer. The trogs might be following us. I suggest we travel after the moon rises. I want to see where we are going.”
Then he added, “I feel a disturbance in the spirit of the earth. Things are not well. A great power of evil has invaded a sacred temple. I am afraid we will be required to face a new danger.”
Topple listened to Earthkin, but showed little concern. His relaxed smile beamed with a tone of assurance.
Earthkin looked at Topple with a disgruntled attitude. He assumed Topple’s passive nature meant disinterest. Earthkin’s concrete view of life demanded ridged conformity to an accepted standard of conduct. He could not understand how Topple could be so comfortable and satisfied in times of danger and distress. Earthkin believed concern and work provided the building blocks for tomorrow.
In a grave and philosophical mood he quoted,
“The stones of yesterday provide the foundation for today.
The rocks of today offer the building blocks of tomorrow.
The caverns of life are only empty space unless made alive
by purpose and action.
The power of each deed is a stepping stone in history.”
Toppled chuckle as he responded,
“While kings rule by force,
clowns lead through weakness.
While kings command by dictates,
clowns dance with life.
While kings are slaves to time,
clowns celebrate each moment.
While kings are guided by rules,
clowns walk in faith.
While kings struggle for control,
clowns rest in submission.
While kings are captives of power,
clowns find peace in trust.”
Topple smiled with satisfaction at his magnificent recitation. Earthkin shook his head in disbelief at the wizard’s quick mind.
The rising moon signaled the time to depart. An ancient trail crossed the wide mountain side providing the best way down the steep slope. It was a challenge to walk on the snow covered slopes in darkness. Each step on the uneven ground required great caution. One false move would mean a dangerous fall. Coaldon followed a long ridge-line that seemed to go forever. His intuitive feel for the land successfully guided the travelers to the valley floor. The journey down a ravine did not allow a view of the valley. The sound of Rolling River indicated the end of the trek.
He led the way to a grove of trees next to the river. The glow of a new day came as the cold night air flowed into the valley from high peaks. As Coaldon stood in the tall brush he heard it.
Coaldon proclaimed, “The silence is deafening. I hear nothing. The usual morning sounds of the wildlife are gone. Something is wrong!”
Earthkin’s grim face signaled trouble. Topple’s soft grin was a bizarre discord to the stillness.
Without thinking, Coaldon ran to the riverbank. To his horror, his childhood home was a heap of ash. The bodies of half eaten farm animals lay scattered across the fields. The scene of death and destruction burned deeply into Coaldon’s mind. He sat on the bank in a state of shock and disbelief. His world collapsed around him. The shock of the disaster slowly sank into his consciousness. His feelings of grief grew into a burning anger. Tears of rage rolled down his face.
Coaldon felt he was being initiated into his adult life by the ancient ritual of violence. He realized his vague goals of yesterday were being transformed into the clear and definitive goals of tomorrow. From this time onward his life would burn with the zeal for the conquest of evil.
~ ~
Now What