Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 01:25:28 EST
From: Athos6182@aol.com
Subject: "Entering Harmony" chapter 3

Disclaimer:  Anyone legally not allowed to view this story....Don't! It
sucks I know but that's how the world is, sorry. Any references similar to
any other story or person is entirely coincidental.

Authors Note: This is my first attempt at a story series, updates should be
weekly. Please excuse any grammar mistakes. I love feedback, so e-mail me
at Athos6182@aol.com, all comments welcome.

Entering Harmony
Chapter Three
By: Inanimate_Transformer


	Silence. Only silence. Looking out over the bloodstained ground
Razmus, saw many of his family, friends, and fellow villagers wounded,
trembling, or dead.
	As the dust settled over the tainted ground, Razmus saw some hope
as all the robed men and their guards were dead. With a shock he snapped
his head around to look for the bodies of the two men, he and the other
villagers had so valiantly tried to protect. Moving bodies, he could not
find a trace of either boy. A shimmer of hope filtered through the sorrow
filling his heart.


       Hours later, as the wounded had been cared for, and the dead buried,
Razmus entered the now silent hut of Ballard and Kaithan. He walked slowly
around the hut taking in every detail, as if something new would reach out
from time and grab him.
	The hut itself was nothing special, a large 30ft diameter thatch
hut, strung together by thick ropes, the women made from left-over hay and
animal fur. A large central pole rose from the ground like a living tree,
leather strips encircled the trunk like so many creeping vines. Each nailed
in such a way as to provide holding pockets for various knickknacks and
toys for the children. The ground was well trodden dirt, with a sprinkling
of hay covering most of the floor, providing a cushion against scraped
knees.
	Old wooden dressers and cabinets cluttered along the edge of the
hut, as well as the large feather stuffed bed, the two young men had slept
upon. Razmus wandered to the bed and let his head fall on his hands, as he
began to weep softly.
	"My son, where have you and Ballard gone?" Razmus whispered softly,
as tears fell through his hands, landing like hammers on the soft earthen
floor. "Your mother would never have allowed this to occur; she would have
known how to stop this from happening." Looking around the room, Razmus
spotted a small reflection of light, glinting from the dresser. Treading
carefully, Razmus reached over and grasped a small thin necklace; with a
sigh he clutched it to his chest. "Your bonding gift; how could you have
left without this my son. Your mother worked for months, collecting the
small pieces to make this for your bonding to Ballard, what a day that
was."

	 _________________________________________________________________

7 months earlier

	A small dark haired woman, with long flowing brown curls, that held
the slightest hint of sliver, sat at a small work table, in a large thatch
hut. In her hands was an intricately fastened loop of thin rope while a set
of polished metal and small precious stones sat next to the strands of
un-plaited rope. Her hands worked quickly, braiding the rope, around this
stone, and that piece of metal, before moving onto the next segment. The
day passed quickly with each completed section of the necklace signifying
the passing hours, until the last rays of sunlight abandoned the sky. The
woman stood up and stretched, sighing as her back and neck popped and she
felt a hand lightly rest on her shoulder.
	"Cassandra my love, you finished it. It looks amazing!" Razmus
murmured as he hugged her gently.
	She sighed, "Not yet Razmus, I still have two more spaces left to
fill, and I just can't seem to find the right fit. All the stones just
seem, well I don't know, wrong somehow?" Cassandra dropped her head onto
his shoulder, her hair falling over Razmus's hand.  He leaned in and
inhaled the scent of her hair, sighing at the memories it stirred. "Dear,
you know it doesn't have to be perfect, Kaithan will love it either way,
you know that".
	Cassandra laughed softly "That boy would love a lock of soiled
horse hair tied with twine!" Both laughed long and hard as tears formed in
their eyes. It was Cassandra who started sobbing into Razmus's
shoulder. "Shhhh, shhh it will be alright, Ballard is a wonderful companion
for Kaithan, they have been inseparable since he first wandered into the
village 16 years ago. You know how much he loves Kaithan, they will be
happy together." Razmus softly said, as he ran his hand gently through her
curls. "I know, it is silly, but I feel like I am loosing him, even though
he will only be across the yard, oh, and Razmus" drying her eyes and
looking into his large brown orbs "the matriarchs have finished their
part. Now if I can only find the right stone to..." she suddenly paused
looking at Razmus's neck. "Razmus what is tha....Oh Razmus! That's it,
that's the perfect finish..." her hands quickly went to her neck, fiddling
with something behind it. "Cassandra, what are you..." Razmus
chuckled. "Quickly my mate," she said. "Take off your bonding necklace my
mother gave you...oh come now do hurry!" Razmus chuckled again as he
removed his necklace that Cassandra's mother had given him 27 years
earlier. "Here, now what are you.... what are you doing?!?" he uttered,
racing over to the table where she began prying the largest stones from
their necklaces. "Razmus, what better stones to use then the main ones from
our necklaces, with all our years of love, could there be any question as
to the love and affection they hold. It will just take a few....AH! There
we go, perfect" Cassandra stepped back letting the light from the window
hit the necklace. The suns rays gleamed off the stones and metal, making it
come alive, "Cassandra...oh my, its, its beyond words."
       Looking down, Razmus was captivated. Sitting on the table was an
intricately woven necklace. Dozens of polished emeralds, sapphires and onyx
stones, with round polished silver spheres, all matching on both sides
reached the bottom of the loop. Here a large dark green emerald and an
equally large sapphire joined by a golden thread tied around the middle had
the sun glinting off each stone and orb. It had taken months of trading
with the other villagers to get these stones, and a good part of their
grain stock, but it was worth it. Tonight, at the solstice feast Ballard
would ask Kaithan to spend the rest of his life with him. To be bonded in
front of the entire village. Cassandra and Razmus looked up. Each held the
other's gaze before rushing into a passionate embrace; a yearning for each
other burning within them.
	"Dame Cassandra! Elder Razmus, come outside with me, we want you to
play with us...what are....Oh... I am sorry..." Cassandra and Razmus looked
at the little figure that had just come running in from the yard. Both had
a deep blush creeping onto their cheeks. Little William also stood there,
cheeks crawling a red as bright as the adults. "No William its ok, now come
on in here, what is it you needed?" Cassandra asked kneeling, and holding
her arms open for him to come give her a hug, which he rushed to do. "We
are playing fox and rabbits, and Lian thought you might want to play, you
can even go first..."
	"William what are you doing in here, it's your turn to count, while
the little rabbits hide, you don't think a fox would be trying to get
another fox to do his hunting for him, instead of trying to peek to see
where they are hiding do you?" Kaithan stated with a chuckle, still out of
breath from his turn as the fox. "No Kaithan, I am sorry, I'm just not good
at finding them." William hung his head, and Kaithan came over and ruffled
his curly brown locks. "It's ok William, but go out and try to find them, I
will be right out to help you, ok?" The boy raised his head, "Oh ok, meet
you out there Kaithan" William turned and ran out the door.
	"Sorry mom, sorry dad, he got away from me, and Ballard is watching
the babes right now, trying to get them calm since the matriarchs are
preparing for the feast tonight. Oh mom, have you see the Elderess
matriarchs, we can't seem to find them anywhere, and they all seem to have
disappeared?" Kaithan said with a quizzical look at his smiling
mother. "Why no, I can't say I have seen them today, I have been busy in
here cleaning the hut. Have you seen them Razmus?" Cassandra turned to her
husband "No dear, sorry, you know how they get, find a project and just
forget the time. Did you need them urgently Kaithan?"
	"No dad, well you see, with the matriarchs working on the feast,
the children have missed their feeding, and I was wondering if it was ok to
take some extra milk from this morning's milking and feed them
ourselves. They are wailing pretty fierce." Kaithan said in a rush, his
face showing his worry for the young infants. Cassandra smiled gently "Of
course dear, take as much as you need, but be sure to bring back any
extra."
	"Will do mom" Kaithan turned for the door when something on the
table caught his eye. "Hey mom, what's that on the table, something from
the traders?" Cassandra walked by the table, and whatever it was
disappeared. "Oh that, it's nothing, just something I have been working on
for the solstice celebration tonight, nothing important. Now shouldn't you
be outside helping William find those rabbits?" Cassandra winked, while
Kaithan raised an eyebrow before nodding, "Yes ma'am see you later" and
with a wave, he ran out the door.
	"You see, look at how well he and Ballard have taken to caring for
the young ones, they will both be fine." Razmus said as he pulled his wife
closer. "Your right my love, they will be fine together." With that, not
another word was spoken for a long time, both returning to their passionate
embrace.

Later that night...


	The entire village had turned out for the feast, fifteen long
tables created a semi circle inside the large gathering hut. Hay and animal
skins lined the floor, to give a semblance of warmth to the room. The
tables were filled with villagers of all ages, from Sarita's three day old
baby, to Dame El'Beth the eighty seven year old head matriarch. All
intermingled gorging themselves on the food that the ladies of the village
had been preparing for days. Inside a small children's table had been set,
with around fifteen youngsters ranging from age two, up to seven seated
around it. With them, were their daytime guardians Ballard and Kaithan. Who
even now were wrangling them into some semblance of order, so their parents
could enjoy the night. Toys littered the floor around them, so as to keep
them entertained.
	The moon now hanging high overhead, shone through the open hole at
the top of the hut, casting a silvery glow over everyone. As the moon
meandered through the sky, it moved closer and closer to the exact center
of the roof, as it reached its position, it created a large round blue
circle of haunting light. All the torches except for four around the room
were extinguished, as had all of the extraneous noises. Everyone waited
patiently for Dame El'Beth to walk to the center of the circle, to address
the community.
	"Villagers of Di'Tharn, my family and friends, another year has
passed and once again we meet under the Solstice moon, joined together in
friendship and familial ties. Together, we have built over thirty new huts,
including this new gathering place. We have once again gathered enough food
to sustain all of us through the coming winter. Thirteen new children have
been born, while seven have reached the age of decision. Here they will
work with different villagers, and decide what they want to do for in their
lives. We have two of our hardest working young men to thank for preparing
them for this, Kaithan...Ballard, please stand so that we may thank you for
your work." Both men stood, and took a small bow, with the villagers and
children cheering their accomplishment. "For nine years you both have
watched and cared for our young ones, so that we, their parents can work to
make sure our community is fed and taken care of. For this, we offer you
our gratitude.
       "Ballard, Dame Natura blessed us with you, when she guided you to
our village after yours was crushed by that tragic landslide. Since then,
you have worked harder than any other, proving yourself to us, and making
us proud to have raised you; for you are truly this village's child. We all
had a strong hand in guiding and raising you into the man you have
become. We are honored to call you our son." Dame El'beth said loudly with
moisture in her eyes.
	Kaithan, son of Dame Cassandra and Elder Razmus, you were the
person who found Ballard after he had wandered into the village after dark;
and it was you who ran to get me when he collapsed from exhaustion. I
believe it was a sign that you chose that night, to wander out of your
house to stargaze. You have made us all proud."
        "Now Ballard, you asked me earlier if you could have a moment to
share something with the community, I believe that now would be an
appropriate time." El'Beth says with a hint of a smile.
       "Ballard, what's going on?" Kaithan asked with a questioning
glance. "It's ok Kai" said Ballard, using his pet name for Kaithan, "there
is something important I must do."
       El'beth moved to one side of the circle, giving Ballard the space he
needed. "Friends, family, I want to thank you all for your help in building
the new children's space near Kaithan's parents, and also for helping with
Dame El'Beth's new residence beside it.  A few of you came to me concerned
that the children's space was to small for our young to all congregate in,
and to be honest you are right. That is not a children's space at all, but
is to be my new hut. For years you have all taken turns letting me stay
with you all in turn. But as the village is growing, so are the families
and it has become increasingly difficult for room to be found. So Dame
El'Beth came to me with an idea, of my own hut and a much larger children's
space. For you see, the space next to my new hut, is not for Dame El'Beth
at all, but is in fact the true children's space. She has always planed to
stay in her family home, where she spent fifty-nine years with the love of
her life. So, this is why I wanted to speak with you, and to let you all
share in this special moment. Kaithan, my friend and companion will you
join me, and help me explain the plan to our friends and family." Kaithan,
mouth open, stood up and joined Ballard in the center circle. Both stood
side by side under the light of the harvest moon. Kaithan leaned to whisper
to Ballard, "why did you hide this from me, did you not trust me to keep
this secret?" Kaithan said in a sorrowful tone. "Shhh, let me finish Kai"
Ballard said resting his hand on Kaithan's shoulder.
       Ballard moved to the side, and instead of facing the audience, he
turned to face Kaithan with a warm smile on his face, his love shinning
through. As he spoke, Kaithan began to feel weak in the knees. "Kaithan my
love, from the moment I saw you, you captured my heart. Every moment I have
spent with you has been both loving and blissful. You are strong,
confident, funny, and most of all eternally caring. Your compassion for all
things has inspired me to become the kind of man worthy of being your
friend and companion." Ballard lost himself in with light sniffs, while
tears fell down his face.
	Ballard placed his hands lightly on Kaithan's shoulder. "I, Ballard
of Di'Tharn, child of the whole, ask you to bond with me, now and forever,
to live your life with me, and be my companion throughout time. As an
orphan I do not have a necklace, as that would have been my mothers place,
and I could not ask our matriarchs to take such a burden on themselves. All
I have to offer is my undying love for you. Kaithan, will you be mine?"
With these last words, he locked eyes with Kaithan, whose emerald eyes
glistened in the moonlight, his mouth opening and closing several times,
before he found his voice.
	"Ballard my love, my heart, you know the answer is yes. You have
been my friend and companion for sixteen years, through hard times and
good. My answer is yes, but I am afraid I do not have a Bonding necklace
for you." Smiling, Dame Cassandra got up from her seat and walked over to
Kaithan. When she stood next to him she pulled out the necklace she had
labored on for these many months.
	"Ballard, this necklace is from my self and Elder Razmus to bind
you to our son and accept you into our family." Tears fell down his eyes,
as she handed the necklace to Kaithan, who raised it, to place it on
Ballard's neck, when suddenly ten of the Dame Matriarchs stood up and
walked over, gathering behind Dame El'Beth.
	"Kaithan, this necklace is from the village as a whole, to bind you
with Ballard from this day forth" Ballard looked shocked before turning and
pulling each Dame into a long hug, giving each a light kiss on the
cheek. Ballard took the necklace from her and at the same time, both put
their necklaces on each other, once on, they turned to face the community,
as a gasp rang out. Wondering what had shocked them, both Ballard and
Kaithan looked down at their chest, as tears once again fell from their
eyes. There, hanging from their necks, were two identical necklaces, each a
reverse of each other, whether standing on each others right or left, their
stones matched. Emerald to emerald, Sapphire to Sapphire, they flowed
seamlessly between the two.
	Dame El' Beth, stood in front of them, and with a small piece of
silver rope, bound their wrists together and spoke.  "Ballard and Kaithan,
sons of Di'Tharn, on this day, in front of the entirety of our community,
family and friends, you are now bound together as a whole, for all of
time." This time all in attendance leapt to their feet, and applauded the
young couple as they turned to face each other. With a gentle kiss, they
promised themselves to each other.

The present

Razmus, sat sobbing clutching the necklace, tightly as Dame El'beth, came
in, sat down next to him to console an old friend in a time of great
hardship


       I hope you have enjoyed Chapter 3 of Entering Harmony. Thanks to
Gee-Kay for his wonderful help in editing this and future chapters.  If you
have any comments, questions or critiques feel free to e-mail me at
Athos6182@aol.com .