THE TRIP TO THE MONASTERY - SECTION 4

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC

 THE TRIP TO THE MONASTERY

SECTION 4

Before their visit to Heaven’s Gate Spiritual Temple, neither Teuquob nor Svein had ever smoked a pipe, let alone this type of ceremonial long pipe. At the start of all the religious ceremonies, during the compulsory cleansing ritual, cleansing of mind, body and soul - in a special room a selected group, including Svein and Teuquiob, were on this day, gathered around a blazing fire.  The prayers duly invoked, the long pipe containing a very specific herbal concoction next was passed round. 

Smoke within and without, filling the contained, restricted airspace had an almost hypnotic effect on those present, ultimately reducing all inhibitions and releasing the constraints of heart and mind. Under these circumstances, a young man with fire in his veins, his innermost desires barely contained, Svein had once, momentarily losing his composure (natural reserve), had fervently gazed at Teuquob, to the exclusion of all else around him.  Sensing the intensity of his feelings, her eyes had been drawn to meet his; consequently, both had been terribly embarrassed and the wash of red visibly spread over (stained) their cheeks.  Stark was relieved to see that this slight infringement (seeming incest) had gone unnoticed in the hall that was dimly lit, save for Abbot Boqast Tizanzenn, who gave Stark a knowing wink and a lenient smile (grin).

                                                                         ~

 Following three to five days Stark, Svein and Teuquob had spent much of their time diligently offering suitable prayers to deities, burning incense and making sacrifices to their (seemingly same but cleverly disguised, respective) ancestors. 

His Eminence Abbot Boqast Tizanzenn, extending his courtesy, frequently made himself available to guide, direct or simply converse- extrapolating on various topics- with his alleged illustrious guests, chiefly Stark.  Now with all that hectic schedule of prayers, offerings and feasting, the (two weeks) time was simply stolen away.

Then came the paramount, most auspicious night of all-determined by the moon’s cycle, where which the principal prayers would be cited before the representation of the

“All mighty Deity Mahek” in the holiest of shrines. As a rule, in a fastidious (meticulous) religious ceremony that lasted till dawn, all three: Stark, Svein and Teuquob, were conjoined by countless trusted priests who assisted His Eminence Abbot Boqast Tizanzenn.

The thick smoke, rising from countless incense sticks, shrouded the chamber with sweet smelling, undulating clouds that entirely placated all the spirits of this world and the next, souls so emancipated, to drift in heavenly peace.  The monks’ harmonious chants, the chiming of bells and throbbing of drums, and the echoing notes of long, brass horns resounded all night long till cockcrow, reverberating throughout the holy grounds of Heaven’s Gate Spiritual Temple. 

Subsequent day’s prescribed ceremonies, as Svein, Teuquob and Stark prayed together they found themselves bonding closer still, as though of one heart, mind, soul and now, ancestry.

In view all these elaborate, costly ceremonies, Svein felt certain trepidation that they would not be able to meet all the expenses they were incurring. One night, sharing a private time with Stark hence, he subtly voiced this concern.  Deciding that this was neither the time or the place for appraising Svein of the longstanding, covert benefactor’s (and the elaborate network’s) feats (deeds), Stark had simply smiled and gave his assurance in a brief reply, that there were more than enough adequate funds to cover it.  Trusting Stark, Svein rested easier in mind from then on, as did monk Fayet, who had eavesdropped on the conversation.

                                                                                            ~                                                                                                                

Now that the date of their departure had been announced the monk Fayet had become even more obsequious than before in his attempt to secure a good tip from them.  This behavior irritated both Svein and Stark, to the point that they came to view Fayet as little more than a pest and tried their best to avoid having any dealings with him.  On their last night, after excusing themselves early from yet another vegetarian feast, they retired early, ostensibly to gain much needed rest for the subsequent day’s journey. 

 Instead of slumbering snug in their soft beds however, when all was quiet and all the priests, monks and novices, other than the skeleton staff required for overnight duties, were fast asleep, all three at varied intervals, one by one had snuck outside.

In the small hours, Svein unable to sleep, quietly (soundlessly) and resolutely rose from his bed and hurriedly dressed. Carrying stick of incense and paper money for the offerings, he stole through the hallways and made his way stealthily to the Amber Room which contained the shrine of the Deity of Fulfillment and Love.  Unknown to Svein, upon reaching the Amber Room, he had been spotted by Stark, who was quietly seated at the far bench.  Stark was about to accost him, when on second thought, somewhat curious, he opted to remain in the shadows. 

Disappointingly however, distracted or otherwise, Svein had failed to note Stark’s presence, a serious concern, that of which Stark would broach the subject with his nephew later. For the moment setting aside his annoyance, Stark assiduously observed Svein’s actions- as latter carefully placing the lighted incense in designated holder and then burning the paper money offerings, after his subsequent prostrations, knelt upright before the Deity and offered, blushing, his whispered request: May I be united with my beloved Teuquob in blissful matrimony in the not-too-distant future.

What Svein did not know, and could not have guessed, was that he was following directly in the footsteps of Teuquob, who had also just completed a somewhat similar request. 

During the night Stark, a naturally light sleeper, had heard her stirring outside her room and had risen and dressed, in ready anticipation of receiving her to offer usual solace.  Contrastingly however, he had heard her quietly exiting her room; charged with her safety, he’d therefore followed her to this destination.  Not wishing to cause her undue fright or embarrassment, he had though reluctantly, espied on her curious activity. After invisibly escorting her back to the safety of her room, he had then returned to the scene of event to ponder on the concern.

Long after Svein had taken his leave, Stark remained rooted at the spot, going over the night’s incident in his head. 

For a long time, he had resisted the notion of Svein and Teuquob’s union.  His Eminence had even toyed with this concept, during one of their surreptitious conferences, calling him inflexible, unyielding being, as Stark persisted on his reluctance, though in truth he was not altogether averse to the idea.

 Still, how could he in good conscience condone it, when Svein’s uncertain future discouraged any normal course of life’s events: marriage and offspring?   Presently, perhaps because he was softened by the conciliatory amber light or by this pacific, sacred place that’d encouraged the impossible or truer still, swayed by the wholesome atmosphere of chaste love and unsullied affection- that Stark (finding himself favorable disposed,) now contemplated the idea of risking the unfeasible and uniting the two in holy matrimony?

He must have subconsciously anticipated this outcome…. Stark absently nodded his head. Why else back at the mountain abode, would he have contemplated building added provisions to Svein’s quarters, heedful of Teuquob’s expressed wish to stay with them indefinitely?

Now that the decision had been finalized, Stark with lightened heart and spirit, retreated his steps back to his quarters long enough to fetch some incense and paper money. Returning to the Amber Room anew, he lighted the incense and burned the offerings before the same Deity; then going down on his knees, he put forth his frank, silent requests.

In the small hours, as Svein and Teuquob, each snug in their respective beds, with their fancies, imaginations and hopes and dreams merging into one, drifted into blissful sleep, the pernickety fate was made to yield to God’s will- and thus it come to pass that all their prayers were answered.

                                                                                    ~                                                                                

Subsequent morning Stark had another lengthy private conference with Abbot Boqast Tzaneen where which he addressed (tackled) the probability of his charge’s future union, asked for His Holiness’s advice, his blessings and his instructions regarding the (nuptial) ceremony and so forth. 

Late afternoon, Stark concluded all other unfinished business, including donating enough funds (by way of most rare, highly sought after precious metal and gemstones, fortuitously discovered within specific caverns at the mountain) to the temple to cover all incurred expenses and provide a generous gratuity to be shared among the monks.  Lastly at dusk, as he thanked monk Fayet for his trouble, he additionally pressed a very generous sum (gold ingot) into the other’s hand. 

Fayet was beside himself with delight, and his hence unceasing flattery and well-wishes, flooded their ears, exasperating Stark, but at the same time, amusing Svein and Teuquob. 

On their final day, after the lengthy farewells from Abbot Boqast Tizanzenn, and then the assembled many well-wishers, Stark, Svein and Teuquob, their hearts weighed with melancholy, embarked on the long journey back to home.

As the distance was spread between them and the Heaven’s Gate Monastery, with each step, carrying contented hearts and lightened spirits, the return journey, though lengthier, (for as precautionary measure they’d adapted more circumlocutory route), it had felt much shorter, far less strenuous and dangerous.

 Before long they had reached the threshold of their home, and subsequently, returned to the happy, normal routines of secluded (remote) life.

                                                                                      ~

 (This concludes “The Trip to the Monastery”.  New adventures are unveiled in the next post, Legend of Nevetsecnuac - The Wedding.)