around. “Invisible? How can I possibly find someone who’s invisible?”
Merlin joined him at the window. “Actually, I think semi-transparent is more accurate. If he moves, you will see him, like flowing water. So walk carefully or you might stumble over him while he is sleeping, and he can be quite irritable if he decides not to like you.”
Elam collapsed the spyglass to its original state. “When I find him, then what do I do?”
“First, beware,” Merlin said, raising a finger. “The forest is haunted by the Caitiff—the spirits of those who abused or murdered children during their lives on Earth. They wander there in hopelessness, waiting for the judgment of God. They know their penalty will be sure and severe, an eternal damnation that will make them suffer beyond all others. So, they are desperate and cruel, both to each other and to any lost soul who ventures among the perverse.”
Elam shivered. “Why would the gatekeeper be in a place like that?”
“The forest serves as a barrier to those condemned souls who might try to leave the Circles of Seven. At the center, there is an unusual gate that serves as the only dimensional exit that an unqualified person could possibly use, and Glewlwyd guards it. His transparency keeps him safe from the Caitiff, and he acts as a guide if a worthy seeker of the gate enters the forest, as Acacia and Paili did not long ago.”
“So what do I say to Glewlwyd when I find him?”
“Tell him you are seeking Heaven’s lower altar, and ask him for passage to the Bridgelands. He will likely test you in some way to prove who you are, but I cannot predict what the test will entail. Just answer his questions. If you pass, he will allow you through the gate.” Merlin stroked his bearded chin and sighed. “Unfortunately, that’s only the beginning of your trials. Since even Glewlwyd can be deceived, once you go through the gate, there will be another battery of tests you must pass before you get to the altar. These will examine the character of your soul rather than the cleverness of your lips, so all deception will be purged along the way.”
Elam laid the spyglass in the bag. “How in the world could Acacia carry Paili through all of that? I mean, she had great character of soul, but what about the Caitiff? How could she get past them while carrying a limp body?”
“Joseph of Arimathea guided her, and he likely took over the burden of carrying Paili. He was a great warrior in his time, so he is strong, and the Caitiff fear him.”
“Where is Joseph now?” Elam hiked his bag higher on his shoulder. “I mean, I’m no coward, but I wouldn’t mind having him along if he’s available.”
Merlin untwisted the bag’s strap and patted it down. “I have no idea what has become of Joseph. As far as I can tell, you will have no guide, but I’m sure you will find your way.” He laid his palm on the back of Elam’s head. “You have proven yourself worthy of every assignment I’ve given you, and this will be no exception. But you must maintain a confident mind-set in full assurance of faith, otherwise your heart might melt within you.”
Elam kept his head straight, not wanting to disturb Merlin’s touch. The old prophet’s strong fingers felt good in his hair, filling him with confidence and energy. “I appreciate your faith in me,” Elam said. “I’ll remember what you told me.”
Merlin pulled his hand away. “I know you will.”
Turning back to the portal, Elam gazed at the jungle scene again. The rain had become a downpour. “Any last-minute instructions?”
“Indeed. I have saved the most important part as your final warning in order to firmly implant it in your brain.” Merlin glanced at the doorway leading to the living quarters of Sir Patrick’s house, and, leaning close to Elam, lowered his voice to a whisper. “I have learned that Mardon, Sapphira’s old master, is behind a plot that could trigger a potential catastrophe so great, even
Merlin joined him at the window. “Actually, I think semi-transparent is more accurate. If he moves, you will see him, like flowing water. So walk carefully or you might stumble over him while he is sleeping, and he can be quite irritable if he decides not to like you.”
Elam collapsed the spyglass to its original state. “When I find him, then what do I do?”
“First, beware,” Merlin said, raising a finger. “The forest is haunted by the Caitiff—the spirits of those who abused or murdered children during their lives on Earth. They wander there in hopelessness, waiting for the judgment of God. They know their penalty will be sure and severe, an eternal damnation that will make them suffer beyond all others. So, they are desperate and cruel, both to each other and to any lost soul who ventures among the perverse.”
Elam shivered. “Why would the gatekeeper be in a place like that?”
“The forest serves as a barrier to those condemned souls who might try to leave the Circles of Seven. At the center, there is an unusual gate that serves as the only dimensional exit that an unqualified person could possibly use, and Glewlwyd guards it. His transparency keeps him safe from the Caitiff, and he acts as a guide if a worthy seeker of the gate enters the forest, as Acacia and Paili did not long ago.”
“So what do I say to Glewlwyd when I find him?”
“Tell him you are seeking Heaven’s lower altar, and ask him for passage to the Bridgelands. He will likely test you in some way to prove who you are, but I cannot predict what the test will entail. Just answer his questions. If you pass, he will allow you through the gate.” Merlin stroked his bearded chin and sighed. “Unfortunately, that’s only the beginning of your trials. Since even Glewlwyd can be deceived, once you go through the gate, there will be another battery of tests you must pass before you get to the altar. These will examine the character of your soul rather than the cleverness of your lips, so all deception will be purged along the way.”
Elam laid the spyglass in the bag. “How in the world could Acacia carry Paili through all of that? I mean, she had great character of soul, but what about the Caitiff? How could she get past them while carrying a limp body?”
“Joseph of Arimathea guided her, and he likely took over the burden of carrying Paili. He was a great warrior in his time, so he is strong, and the Caitiff fear him.”
“Where is Joseph now?” Elam hiked his bag higher on his shoulder. “I mean, I’m no coward, but I wouldn’t mind having him along if he’s available.”
Merlin untwisted the bag’s strap and patted it down. “I have no idea what has become of Joseph. As far as I can tell, you will have no guide, but I’m sure you will find your way.” He laid his palm on the back of Elam’s head. “You have proven yourself worthy of every assignment I’ve given you, and this will be no exception. But you must maintain a confident mind-set in full assurance of faith, otherwise your heart might melt within you.”
Elam kept his head straight, not wanting to disturb Merlin’s touch. The old prophet’s strong fingers felt good in his hair, filling him with confidence and energy. “I appreciate your faith in me,” Elam said. “I’ll remember what you told me.”
Merlin pulled his hand away. “I know you will.”
Turning back to the portal, Elam gazed at the jungle scene again. The rain had become a downpour. “Any last-minute instructions?”
“Indeed. I have saved the most important part as your final warning in order to firmly implant it in your brain.” Merlin glanced at the doorway leading to the living quarters of Sir Patrick’s house, and, leaning close to Elam, lowered his voice to a whisper. “I have learned that Mardon, Sapphira’s old master, is behind a plot that could trigger a potential catastrophe so great, even
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