Prelude

Chapter One: A name day to remember

Chapter Two: The First Awakening

Chapter 3.1

The Stone of Wisdom

After the tears subsided and his emotions calmed, Keth remained lost in his thoughts. For nearly a half hour he sat, stroking his beard, reflecting upon his latest experience. Amongst all the questions that fluttered about his mind, one stood out above the others.

What was that voice, that called me back from death?

Finally convinced the answer would not manifest itself through sheer pondering alone, he abandoned it for the time. Deciding instead to seek out his Grandfather’s wisdom, he rose, opened the door to enter the house.

“And?” The old man suggested, as he swept his hand open, in a sign of invitation.

“What?…” Caught off guard, amidst his entrance. “How did you know...”

“No time for me to explain that now. In due season, I will reveal to you all that I know. For when you are ready, only then will you have eyes to see...”

Karlios paused for a moment to exposing a white stone he had hidden in the palm of his hand. He held it out to Keth.

“Here is your name day gift... Now, tell me what you saw.”

Keth was perplexed and a bit aghast by the strange and seemingly cryptic response from his Grandfather. He decided that of all the things he had witnessed that day, this was not worthy of his concern and told his experience. Leaving out, of course his little run in with Azra, which had almost entirely, escaped his mind.

As He relayed his outer body experience to Karlios, he rolled the peculiar white stone in his palm. The stone seemed far too heavy for its size. It also seemed too cold, as though it was immune to the heat of his hand.

As he conveyed his story the aged man would ask a qualifying question or two. At times he would nod in a sign of understanding, or simply say. “Oh yes, of course.” As though this was all just a normal everyday experience.

This behavior continued throughout his retelling of the event up until the end where Keth mentioned the commanding voice. At the utterance of this Karlios’ mouth broke into a smile, letting out a light chuckle.

“What? Do you think I’m crazy or something?” Hurt by his Grandfathers response.

Karlios lost his composure completely. What began as laughter quickly turned into a laughing fit. The like of which he had not experienced in well over 120 years. He could not contain himself, this was therapeutic. A slight lifting of his heavy burdens, and the many secrets of which he carried daily.

This outlandish behavior upset Keth to his core. In a gesture of his distaste, he threw down the strange stone and turned to walk away.

The old man noticing his laughter's effect on his young protégé, abandoned this temporary reprieve. He regained his composure.

“Did you not recognize the voice?”

All emotion fell from Keth's face, as the revelation struck him like a wall of stone.

“It… was… you?”

“Yes… This is how I knew… I was watching your body... Although I could not see what you saw. I am well trained in the arts of viewing, but I do not have your gift…”

Keth turned around to face his Grandfather. He could feel the emotion swelling behind his face.

“You can see the Aura of others, this will serve you well. Once mastered with a look, you will be able to judge the nature of a man.”

Keth’s eyes began to burn from holding back the tears.

“Please do not lose this stone.” Karlios proceeded to pick it up. Then purposefully placed it into the younger man's hand. “For within it, I have locked away your birthright. My wisdom etched within its mass. Locked away until you are able to see...”

The old man looked deep into the younger’s eyes and spoke

“Go... Seek out what I have prepared for you.”
Keth swallowed deeply. Pondering the words his Grandfather spoke. Unsure how he would carry out this task, he agreed regardless.

“I will go, I’m not sure how, but I will try.”

“Before you go, shall do an exercise?” Suggested the older man. Sensing the insecurity within his apprentice.

“Yes, please.” He whimpered. Slightly relieved of the suffocating stress. He let out a cough to regain his composure. “Yes, that would be good.”

The building pressure instantly dissipated, knowing that he was once again in the hands of his loving Grandfather. The man whom had raised and cared for him for as far back as he could recall.

“Ok then, follow me.” Said the Elder and lead Keth to the upper floor.

---

This is chapter 3.1 of my Steemit Novel.

I will be attempting to complete the next section as soon as possible, but I have no idea as to exact time tables of when this will be. Your support would certainly help start a fire under me and help this project move forward with more force.

If you find this work of value, please consider Resteeming it. I am but a tiny fish in a massive ocean of talent and spam alike, and will very much appreciate any help I can get at getting my work seen.

PS Remember Don't hate me I'mjustsaying

-K

If any "Artists." are interested in making some cover art inspired by my writing. I would be happy to showcase your work in future posts. I will link to your profile, of course giving you full credit for your hard work. If interested comment with your image on this post.

_{I currently would rather not use the "services" of upvote bots or any of the other pay to play options available on Steemit. (Please do not be offended if you do use these services, frankly I don't care who does. But personally I would rather only get upvotes from real, live, breathing, interested parties, if someone wants to pay for these services on my behalf I would view that as the same as a personal upvote. I just don't want to self promote.) This does leave me as a little guppy at a disadvantage to those who do use these services. The only way I can think of to offset this is to give real live people an opportunity to upvote me outside of the 7 days. I will be attempting to leave a comment each week, until the next chapter is complete. If you would like to help partner with me in this work please feel free to upvote my latest comment. I know of no other way to allow people to reward this work beyond the 7 day limit. If this practice is in violation of any rules please inform me with links to said rules. Thank you.}