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History Lesson by Rebecca Reeves
Realizing he would get no further rest this night, Vincent decided to
roam the far tunnels. It often helped him to think; besides, maybe he
would come upon Narcissa, and she always had some new insight to offer.
Oh, he knew Father blustered at length about “that crazy old woman,” as
Narcissa laughingly called herself. However, Vincent had found that she
was wise beyond conventional understanding, and she had often offered an
alternate perspective for him to consider. Feeling somewhat lighter, he
went down past the Chamber of the Winds, and traveled ever deeper in the
tunnels.
As he turned into a large cavern which contained a small spring that
made a pleasant murmuring sound, Vincent saw the object of his search.
Narcissa sat near the spring, her eyes closed, listening closely. Before
Vincent was able to do so, Narcissa spoke. “Ah, Vincent! Welcome, child.
I see you are troubled about something in your dreams–is it not so?”
“Narcissa, you always know exactly what is on my mind, and I am
grateful. I do not quite understand what the dreams meant - the images
were so fragmented. These same themes have persisted for four nights
now. I do feel they were somehow very important, but...I...”
“Child, you must not fret; we will see what we can glean from what you
do remember. Then we shall perhaps see what your course must be.” She
held her arms out and embraced Vincent warmly. He had not known until he
saw her, how much he needed that hug. “Come, sit here beside me,” she
said softly as she sat back down beside the spring and patted the ground
to her right.
Vincent sat, and wrapped them both in his cloak–the air was, as always,
chilly, and they might be here a while. He gathered his thoughts, took a
breath and let it out slowly, and began.
“I seemed to be in a hot, dry place, a desert. I
was in a darkened building, unseen by the people who inhabited it; but I
could hear them whispering what seemed to be a supplication. I could not
see who or what they were addressing. I saw lions walking in the
courtyard; and men feeding them fresh meat. I thought that I saw another
being like myself. How can that be? That is all I can recall.
“Well, child, it may be that you have wandered far in both place and
time. Perhaps there is more that you may learn about this other being
you saw. Let me see if I have the correct powder with me in this
bag–yes! Here is one that will guide you in further revelations. Be sure
you have eaten and rested before you take this; there may be a long
while before you return to our world. Take only your Catherine's rose
with you; it will guide you back to this place.” She handed him a vial
with a blue powder inside, saying, “This is one dose. The effects last
about four hours of our measure; but once you have started your journey,
the time may flow differently where and when you find yourself. With that, she stood and walked out of the cavern, calling back, “Oh–and do not fear to meet him.”
Vincent wondered who she meant, but decided to follow her instructions.
He would, however, tell only Catherine the true nature of his
journey–to Father and any others who asked, he would only mention
seeing whether some more of the farther chambers could be reasonably
converted for living or storage.
He would wait until he had spoken with Catherine after her work day was
completed. Feeling much more settled, he returned to the dining hall for
a lunch of beef stew and fresh warm bread with homemade damson jam. He had not realized that he had tarried so long with Narcissa. Sighing, he prepared for the children's Literature class that afternoon. They were reading the first Laura Ingalls Wilder book, Little House in the Big Woods. The pioneer story held their attention, for which Vincent was grateful, as his mind kept returning to the dream, trying to recapture more images. At last the class was finished, and it was time to prepare to meet Catherine at the threshold of her building. Sweeping his cloak about his shoulders in a long-practiced maneuver, he walked through the tunnels. He felt her fatigue, and knew she was glad to be done with this day. Much to his relief, his headache had subsided.
She smiled as his arms reached up to her waist as she descended the
ladder. “Vincent! I have missed you so much today! It was such a long,
boring day, nothing very exciting, but VERY long. Testimony in this case
is going to be a trial for the attorneys as well as for the defendant!
He returned the smile. “That was a very bad pun, my dear! William
has dinner almost ready, and I know that will lift your spirits. I'm
sure the children have some stories from Laura Ingalls Wilder to relate,
as well.
Catherine looked at him more closely. “What else aren't you telling me,
Vincent? Is anyone ill? Was there some mishap in the tunnels?” She
turned toward him, her expression worried.
“Nothing like that. I did, however, have some rather disturbing dreams
last night. I had thought to wait until after our meal to tell you about
them,” Vincent replied, trying to reassure her. Catherine frowned, then
nodded and put the matter out of her thoughts until they were alone in
their chamber.
Dinner was lasagna, both meat and vegetable varieties, with accompanying
salad and more freshly-baked bread. Sharing the meal and casual
conversation of the other tunnel dwellers eased Vincent's mind a bit,
and he was more relaxed when they left the dining hall and turned down
the tunnel that lead to their chamber. It had been rearranged to
accommodate an extra desk and chair for Catherine, but was otherwise
much the same chamber that he had occupied since he was a boy. They each
sat in their favorite chair, facing each other across the table that
held Vincent's journal and pens. Catherine knew that her husband would
tell her about the dream in his own time, so she waited patiently for
him to begin.
“Last night, I was dreaming about a place that I have never seen. It was
hot and dry, maybe a desert. I could see and hear men in a darkened
building where I remained hidden. They seemed to be asking for or
praying to someone or something that I could not see from where I was.
There were lions walking outside in a walled courtyard, and men were
throwing fresh meat in to feed them. Then I seemed to be elsewhere. I
don't know how I moved or why, but there was a being there who resembled
me. The sound of the men praying grew louder, and then...I woke up. I
have been wondering what it all means. I visited Narcissa in the cavern
with the spring. She told me that I had traveled in time as well as
distance, and suggested I try to connect with the place and the being by
using a powder that assists these types of visions. I intend to do so. I
will be leaving this evening and I will return when I am through. I am
not certain when that will be. Time may be perceived differently in the
realm of dream-seeking. Narcissa told me to take only your rose to guide
me back here to you.” Vincent finished all of this in a rush, barely
stopping to breathe. He lowered his head and looked at Catherine through
his hair.
Trusting in her husband's past experience to tell him which dreams were
significant, Catherine sat and tried to digest this stream of
information. She was worried that he would meet with some injury, or
worse, but knew he needed to follow this journey through. Maybe he would
gain more understanding of exactly who he was and how he came to be. No
one knew. Most speculated that there had been some genetic manipulation
somewhere, but that was only conjecture at best. Not knowing his origins
caused Vincent a great deal of pain, so she would support him.
Vincent moved about the chamber, restless to begin his search. Narcissa
had told him to bring only Catherine's rose, so he had nothing to pack.
His usual layers would serve him well, as he could always remove a few
if it were as warm as it had appeared in the dream. He spent a few
moments in Catherine's arms, memorizing the feel, the scent of her
before he stood, gathered his cloak about him, and said farewell.
Catherine watched him go with trepidation.
Vincent went down several levels of the tunnels, finding a chamber where
he had often spent a few days. It contained a bed and a few basics, such
as firewood and a lamp or two, and the omnipresent candles their
community so depended upon. He put the blue powder into a cup and added
some water. He lay on the bed under a quilt, reasoning that if he were
only traveling in his spirit, his body needed to be kept warm. Closing
his eyes, he began slow, deep breathing to relax and let the powder do
its work more quickly. He drifted off...
In only an instant, it seemed, he awoke again. He looked carefully about
him. He stood in a hot desert land. There was a temple of some sort
nearby. There were indeed lions walking about in the courtyard
surrounding one side of the temple, and he could see the remains of
their last meal on the ground. The temple itself seemed to be empty of
people, so he walked inside, carefully keeping to the shadows.
“Welcome, oh my relative! I saw you in a dream and was amazed. I thought
that I knew of all of the family; it seems I am remiss. I am known as
Maahes, son of Ptah and Sekhmet. I am called the Lord of the Slaughter,
Lord of the Storm, Avenger of Wrong, Wielder of the Knife, Preserver of
Ma'at, and Protector of Innocents. There are many other names, but these
will serve. How are you called?” asked the lion-being suddenly before
him. Vincent could not help staring; he had never seen anyone who looked
like him before. The stranger was dressed in a linen kilt and sandals,
with a pectoral piece of gold and lapis lazuli, and a headdress of
elaborate design. His eyes were the same shade of blue as Vincent's.
“I am called Vincent, which means Victorious,” said Vincent.
“I have
never seen anyone like me before. Are there many of you? What is this
place? Am I here in truth or only in a vision?” After all of this had
rushed out of his mouth, Vincent felt very embarrassed and looked away.
“Your words sound strange, although I can understand you. Do you live in
“No, I come from far away to the West–some have called it the
“No one may enter here except the priests of this, my temple. They are
accustomed to seeing me and others of our kind; they will not notice
you. Although you were seeking an answer to your dreams, you are here in
body, although not precisely the one that you left sleeping. You
are just one more god to them; we have many gods and goddesses here in
Vincent considered this. This being was a god? Was that where he came
from? He had so many questions, but hardly knew where to begin. He
decided to tell Maahes his history, as it was known. He told him of
being found behind
“You did not realize that you are of divine origin? Did no one tell
you?” asked a shocked Maahes. “You are a son of Sekhmet and Ptah, as I
am, as are all of our kind. We have a special duty to perform. Our
titles, Lord of the Slaughter and Preserver of Ma'at–truth and justice,
I believe you would call it–cannot be overlooked. We were created to
protect and kill, if we must, to keep our loved ones safe. It is inborn
in us, we cannot do otherwise. Come, Vincent, let me show you a bit of
your heritage so that you may see and understand,” and Maahes indicated
that Vincent should follow him out into the sunlight.
Once outside, Maahes walked toward the lion enclosure. “These are our
little brothers and sisters. Tell me, have you never shared their
feelings?” he asked, waiting for his newly-found relative's reply.
Vincent looked pensive. “There have been a few times when I was walking
near them, when I was aware of their feelings, the sadness of being
caged, the loss of the hunt; but I didn't stay with them for very long.
It was too painful. I also have much empathy for those I know well,
especially my wife. We share a deep connection, a bond, which is like
nothing else I have ever experienced. Even now, with the distance
between us, I am able to sense her and to send her my feelings of wonder
at this place.
“Then you have discovered our most precious power! Tell me, who was your teacher?” Maahes asked, with a look of wonder and pride on his face.
“I have a wonderful man who is my father, although he did not sire me.
He taught me love: of truth and justice, gentleness, literature, poetry,
and has cared for me when I was ill. He is a healer. I have had the love
and teachings of a whole community of people who make up my extended
family. But the one who has taught me the most is Catherine, my wife. In
loving her, I have learned so much more about myself. But I have always
regretted not knowing of my origin and how it might help me to better
guide my life,” Vincent replied, smiling slightly at the thoughts of his
loved ones. “Oh! There is one who has been a teacher of things more
esoteric. Her name is Narcissa, and she has spent countless hours with
me since childhood, trying to show me how to open my awareness of things
not entirely of the physical world.”
Maahes pondered this reply for a few moments. “It seems that you
have learned much without help from one of us. Tell me, do these people
revere you as their protector and guardian? Do your enemies fear your
wrath? Does your wife receive proper homage as your consort?
Vincent looked back at him, incredulous. “I have always done my best
to help protect my family and my wife, sometimes regrettably having to
kill to do so. But I do not wish or expect any reverence or homage. We
do not have gods such as you in our experience; I am simply a member of
our community. It is a hidden place, where I am safe as are the others
who dwell there. The others protect me as I defend them from harm.
“But Vincent, do you not see? That is why we exist; we are guardians and
protectors of the weak, the innocent, and of truth and justice, what we
call Ma'at. Come, let us leave this place and go to my home. There is
still much to learn for both of us. I would hear more of this place you
are from and how it has been a refuge for you, although I admit it is
strange to think of one of us needing to hide away from the world of
men.” He turned and led the way across the wide avenue that was lined
with sphinxes on both sides. Unlike the similar road that Vincent had
seen in books, these sphinxes had the head and aspects of a lion, more
like the Great Sphinx in
They came to a large two-story building made of white limestone with
marble trim. There was a large deep blue faience vase at each side of
the entrance. As Maahes approached with Vincent, a beautiful woman came
to greet them. She wore her hair shorn, her head covered by an elaborate
wig done in what Vincent would have called a “Cleopatra” style; although
he thought, from what he had been told, that the queen of that name was
yet to be born. She had bright blue makeup on her eyelids and black
eyeliner on her upper and lower lids. Now that Vincent thought, he
noticed that Maahes had the same eyeliner lines, and he remembered that
the Egyptians of both sexes had worn makeup as an adornment. Her eyes
were alert and bright, and of a very dark brown. She
was dressed in pleated white linen with a bright sash, and sandals, and
wore earrings and a necklace of gold trimmed in malachite. She was also
very human. She smiled at Maahes, saying, “My husband, I have missed
you. Please come and have some water. Who is this? I do not think I have
met him before.
“I have missed you as well, my wife. This is my wife, Masika, she who
was born at night. No, you have not met Vincent, because he is but newly
arrived in our land and time. He is from a faraway place called
Vincent nodded his head and accepted the cool water with ceremony,
knowing it was important. It seemed that, even this long ago, it had
become the traditional welcome in a place that was arid. Offering a
guest precious water was more than a courtesy; it also conveyed the
message that the host had no hostile intent. The guest was supposed to
accept what the host offered, signifying his own benign status. Father
would be interested to know this custom was so ancient, Vincent mused.
While he was relaxing in the cooler air inside the house, he was a
little surprised to see a servant, clad only in a plain linen kilt,
kneel before him with a basin and towels, and proceeded to bathe
Vincent's feet. It came to him then that this was also an ancient custom
in the Middle East, providing much-needed comfort if the guest had been
walking far, and also showing the gracious manner of the master of the
house.
He waited until they were alone again, and asked, “Tell me, how did our
people come to be here? I am so full of questions that I never thought
to have answered that I hardly know where to begin.
“I will try to tell you the story of our people. A long time ago, when
the sun first rose on the earth, it was a sign that the dry land had
emerged from the chaos of the ocean. Each day, Ra rises and renews that
act. Each evening, Ra moves from his day bark, or boat as you would say,
into the night bark. He must travel through the Duat, the underworld. He
travels with other gods and must fight with Apep, a serpent. I, Maahes,
am one who may accompany him on this journey. Ra also meets Osiris each
night, he who was resurrected by his wife, Isis. This ensures the rising
of the sun for another day, and the victory of order, Ma'at, over
chaos.” he explained. “Ptah, our father, conceived this world by thought
and by the Word. He is the patron of sculpture and construction, among
other things. Our mother, Sekhmet, was created from an eye of fire by
Ra. She is known as the one before whom Evil trembles, and Lady of
Slaughter. These were the beginnings of our kind.” Maahes paused to let
Vincent digest this. “This city, Taremu, was built to honor all of us.
The priests bring fresh meat to our statues and to our little brothers
and sisters; and they honor us and make their petition for continued
Ma'at and protection from our enemies.”
Vincent nodded, still taking all of Maahes' words into his heart and
mind. “How is Ma'at maintained? Is it something each person does, or
only our people?” he wondered.
“Each person should keep Ma'at in his heart and mind. He should be
mindful of his actions and words. When he comes to the end of his life,
his soul must go before Anubis and Osiris, and make the forty-two
declarations of purity. They are for example: 'I have not committed
sin. I have not committed robbery with violence. I have not snatched
away the bread of a child.' When he has said these things, his heart is
weighed on a scale. On the opposite side of the balance is the feather
of Ma'at; an ostrich feather. If his heart is free from sin, it will be
lighter than the feather, and he may pass on to the afterlife. If his
heart is heavy with sin and lies, it will be heavier than the feather,
and Ammit, the Devourer, will consume it. So, Ma'at is our most
important principle,” Maahes replied.
Vincent reflected on all of this. He thought of all of the times that he
had defended those he loved–his tunnel family, especially the children,
and Catherine, above all. He found it very comforting to realize that
his dreaded hands with their sharp, deadly claws could have had their
beginnings long ago. He had been created to protect those he loved, and
to preserve justice; something about which Catherine also felt strongly.
Had they indeed been predestined to meet, as Catherine had insisted many
times? He had to ask.
“How do we choose our mates? I have always feared that I may injure
Catherine unintentionally, with my greater strength–especially when I
am enraged or in the heat of passion. It has been a source of much
worry, although Catherine does not fear me. She says it is impossible
for me to hurt her, as we are two halves of the same soul.”
“Then your Catherine is a worthy consort!” Maahes answered, smiling. “We
believe that our mates are predestined, and that we incarnate together
again and again for all time. Tell me, you said you have a bond, and are
able to sense emotions within each other?”
“Yes. It is most comforting...and most disconcerting at times. I monitor
her feelings almost unconsciously, as she does mine,” Vincent said
softly, with his head down, looking up through his hair at Maahes and
Masika.
“You must believe me that none of our kind has ever harmed his mate or
his children,” Maahes said, smiling. “There is no reason to worry
further about the matter. The bond you and your mate share is a
connection forever.” Vincent's heart leaped in his chest at the mention of children. “Then, we are able to produce children?”
“We were never sure...will they look like me? Does the pregnancy or
delivery endanger the mother?”
“Yes, Vincent, we are able to have children. Some may look like us, but
most may be more like the human. It is not known exactly why this is so.
But, both males and females may resemble us; after all, Sekhmet, our
mother, was a lioness! Both sexes may also resemble their human parent.
In this way, our familial line does not disappear. The pregnancy may be
shortened somewhat from a mundane human one, but the labor and delivery
process are presided over and protected by the goddess Bes, and are no
more dangerous than any other birth. We believe it an honor from our
mother Sekhmet when one of our children is as we are. Would you like to
meet some of our children?” Maahes asked Vincent.
“Yes, but may I first ask something else?” said Vincent, his brow
furrowed. “Then, we are not considered human? How then are we able
to...breed with humans? Is this not wrong? I have been conditioned to
think of myself as a thing outside normal experience. I am concerned...”
“Ah, Vincent, we are MORE than human. We are descended from the creator
gods themselves! Although we are gods in our own right, we are
compatible with humans. Since our mother and father gods made the first
of us, we have always taken human consorts. In fact, we must; two of us
cannot reproduce. Thus, it ensures the communication between gods and
humans. Please be reassured. Now, come with us.” Maahes stood,
indicating the way out of the room which led to a spacious corridor with
frequent openings to let the faint breeze through.
“Vincent, these are our children, at least, those who are still living
here with us. We have two others, a son and a daughter, who have their
own households.” Maahes indicated two boys who appeared to be about nine
years old. “These are our twins: Ahmose, child of the moon; and Badru,
born during the full moon. They have finished their lessons for the day
and are getting ready to go to the stables, one of their favorite
places.” The boys looked up at Vincent, noting his strange clothes.
Ahmose resembled Maahes, but Badru resembled his mother. Both had bright
blue eyes.
Then, Maahes led Vincent to another room, filled with three little
girls, ranging in age from about two to seven. They all wore their hair
in braids with bangs, and had varying shades of eyes. Two of them had
the deep, almost ebony, eyes of their mother, but the third had the
bright blue eyes that greeted Vincent each time he glanced into a
mirror. “These are our youngest daughters: this is Amisi, flower, who is
seven; Jendayi, meaning thankful, who is four; and lastly, Merit,
beloved, aged two years. Our older children are our daughter, Banafrit,
beautiful soul, and our oldest son, Azizi, precious. We will send word
to them if you can stay for our evening meal...?”
“I am afraid that I must go back. My wife and family must be worried.
One thing I must know, if you have the knowledge. How was I born into my
time, so far from you in time as well as place?” Vincent asked
reluctantly.
“Long ago, my sister, Shamisé, the first-born, was pursued by bandits
from another realm to our south. She fled into the dunes, hoping to
outrun them. She was pregnant at the time. She was gone for a long time;
and when she returned, she was no longer pregnant but the child had
disappeared. She would not talk about it at first. Eventually, she told
us that she must have traveled to another time, where she labored and
delivered. Just after her delivery, there were people chasing her. She
left the infant wrapped in strips of cloth which she had made from her
desert robe, and left him behind what appeared to be some large
building, perhaps one for healing. Thinking she would be back soon, she
led her pursuers away from the infant. She escaped, but when she
returned, her baby was gone. She searched and searched, but could not
find him. Eventually, brokenhearted, she returned to us. She had been
injured and died from her wounds several weeks after her return. Her
mate shortly followed after her, as our kind so often do; we cannot
easily survive the loss.”
Vincent was stunned. So he was meant to be born here and now, instead of
the time he knew. That explained so much. He was saddened to know that
both his parents were dead, but strangely comforted to know they were
together, perhaps in another life. He faced Maahes with tears brimming
in his eyes. “Thank you so very much. At
last I know that I was not an experiment of some misguided scientist. I
was meant to be, and my parents loved me even before I was born. That
brings me much peace.”
“You were very much loved and anticipated by all of our family. Perhaps
when you return, you can meet more of them. You must bring your
Catherine and return to us another time. Now that you know the way here,
it will be easy for you to do so. Let me have your thoughts for a
moment,” Maahes said, holding his hands toward Vincent.
“I'm afraid I don't know precisely what you mean,” Vincent replied, but
he felt that he could trust this man. He bent his head so that Maahes
could place his hands on either side of Vincent's face. He felt only a
warmth where Maahes' hands touched him, then all at once he just...knew
how to make the trip again, without resorting to Narcissa's potion. It
was a simple matter now. He smiled and thanked his hosts for their
kindness.
Maahes and Masika showed him to a room where he could sit and relax with
his thoughts. He ran through a simple relaxation exercise, breathing in
and then out deeply. Then, he thought of the chamber that he had been
lying in when he began this amazing journey–and he awoke there in
another instant. He sat up, looked around, and smiled.
What a story he would have to tell Catherine and Father! Hurriedly, he
straightened the bed and started for the home chambers, smiling as he
thought of his new-found family and their incredible surroundings. He
would indeed love to travel there with Catherine. And to think,
children–he couldn't wait to tell her about that revelation. Grinning
now, he turned the last corner into the Hub.
This story was written solely for the enjoyment of the fans of Beauty
and the Beast. No copyright infringement was intended and no profit has
been made. RR |