Chapte 14, Mika Summoned. Tales of Atoz

The following morning dawned in spell binding splendor.  Bjorn had never seen the land coming to life in such a way as the grass sea. As the sun slipped up, breaking free of the rolling hills in the distance, the sky was suddenly alive with all shades of earth tone and swimming reds and ambers. Across the endless waving grasses birds darted into the sky and the sounds of animals greeting the day, somewhere off in the far distance created a symphony. Bjorn, eager to try his new found ability again, opened his mind to the web and felt the flow running. His senses detected birds in flight and he let himself begin the subtle change from corporeal to energy. He was about to let his powers slip totally off on the wind, when he felt another power tugging at his and he opened his eyes to see Mika standing there before him. “Bjorn, I know you want to slip into the stream, but you are still a novice and need me to guide you.”1

Bjorn felt a sudden rush of anger, but forced it away. Still, he was puzzled, asking Mika what he meant by his being a novice. Mika nodded his head patiently and explained that while he had learned to slip free of his corporeal form, expanding his energy, he had not learned to control it. Though Bjorn hadn’t been aware of it, Mika had been acting as his mentor, keeping his power under control so that he could enter into other bodies. 2

“You see, Bjorn. You can now escape your own body’s boundaries, and that is the first step. But, you haven’t learned to contain your energy fully. When you entered the bird in flight and traveled with the other creatures, you were under my control. I was able to concentrate enough, for you, to constrict your energy so that you could slip into smaller animals. When you have become proficient, you will be able to do this yourself. But, it takes time and developing of your potential before you are ready. Then, when you are an initiate, you will be able to focus your energy to such a degree that you will be able to become one with the wind, the fire, the water, the lightening in the sky, all the elements of the universe and travel from one spot to another at will as pure energy. “3

“How long will it take me to reach that state Mika”, Bjorn asked anxiously. “And, why do you prevent me from entering the fire, or the wind?” 4

“It won’t be long for you as you are a good student, Bjorn.” Mika assured him. And, I will be working with you daily to see that you continue your education. When you are an initiate you will be ready for this next step.” Mika continued along the trail, pointing out creatures as the two wandered on. There were several types of rabbit, from fast running, golden brown hares to the gigantic lopers with there patchwork of white, black, brown and yellow, fur, slowly ambling along, grazing on the soft grasses. The presence of small deer was everywhere as well, beautiful, lithe and graceful, these creatures bounded past in a blur, heading off through the tall stalks, disappearing and reappearing all about them. They seemed to be playing a game of hide and seek and were a delight to watch. Hunters such as badgers, wolves and other wild dogs of the grasslands, and cats nearly as large as snow lions roamed the open plains and Mika helped Bjorn to slip his bonds and enter into the hunter and the hunted, allowing him the opportunity to become one with the web, learning as they progressed south towards the land of the Jud. 5

The Jud, Mika’s people, had lived for centuries in the grasslands of Sampa. They were herders, raising goats and had, at first traded with the Kenson. But, as the Kenson grew more and more powerful, they began to simply take what ever they wanted from the Jud, forcing them to comply, taking their strongest young men to serve in the Kenson army and any amount of the Jud’s herds and crops they saw fit to. It was then the first teachers came to the Jud. They taught them the way of Karuke, and the Jud used this knowledge to fight back. The Kenson soon learned they were no match an army of Jud herders and farmers properly indoctrinated in the way of the Karuke and they seldom menaced them, instead attacking those who wandered off on their own, as they did the people of the inland sea. 6

All through the day Bjorn practiced coming and going from his body. He was feeling more alive than he ever had and by early evening he felt ready to attempt to become one with the elements. Mika read his thoughts and explained why he could not do so yet.7

“You understand how to slip free and expand your energy Bjorn, but to concentrate it to pin point size and hold it, is difficult. When you have acquired the ability to do this, you will be able to enter pure energy sources without having to worry about your own energy merging completely with the elements. Since fire, wind, water all have no life, existing as pure energy, you would lose yourself in them and not be able to return to your body. Soon, however, you will have the ability you will require and then you will learn the freedom of soul travel.”8

“Will I be an initiate then,” Bjorn asked and Mika nodded smiling. 9

“And, when you have reached this stage I will be glad to lead you on further.” He promised.10

“Are you an initiate Mika?” Bjorn continued to ask.
“I’ve been an initiate for several years, yes,” Mika answered, turning. “I was to become a teacher, but left to go to the war. It’s been nearly three years now and I have been summoned to return to the grass lands and enter into my final stage. When I’ve become a teacher, I will carry the knowledge of the Karuke to all the people I can. We will then be invincible, remember my words, Bjorn. When the people of the seas are one, in spirit no Kensen pirates will be able to harm them again.”11

“But, if they were able to harm the people of the Jud, with the knowledge,” Bjorn asked, “then how will bringing the knowledge to the people of the uplands make them less vulnerable to the attacks of the Kensen pirates, Mika.” Bjorn asked.12

“It’s simple. Those who do take the way of the Karuke will be free of their corporeal bodies, able to enter any other they choose, including those of any attackers. They could turn the attackers on each other if they chose. The Jud have done this and drove the raiding parties of the Kensen away with this tactic.”13

“Yes, Bjorn nodded, but what if the people of the north don’t want to take on the way of the Karuke?” he asked. 14

“Not all people do, Bjorn. But, those who do are free. There are even those people of the Jud who have not embraced the way of Karuke, but we have protected those of our people who have not, knowing that eventually, all will come to the truth of the web and be free as well.”15

As it began to grow dark, both men being anxious to reach the Jud tribe, continued on in silence, Bjorn meditating and Mika playing his flute. They were approaching the low hills on the horizon, when Mika suddenly stopped dead in the trail. Bjorn, intent on his meditation crashed into his back, nearly knocking him down. Startled, he stared at Mika, who seemed to be in some sort of trance. “Mika what is the matter,” he asked as the tall man stood with his eyes closed. Slowly, his arms came up, lifting his hands towards the sky. Mika mumbled something low and soft. Then opened his eyes, a look of near horror was in them. He turned to Bjorn.16

“I’m be summoned Bjorn. The teachers have called on me. I must go!”17

“Of course, let’s go where ever it is you have to go, then Mika,” Bjorn said agreeably.18

“No, I cannot bring you along Bjorn, for I must ride the wind and I cannot hold your energy as well as my own. I must hurry and move quickly, other wise I would be glad for your company. But, stay on this path and you should reach the first settlements by early tomorrow. Camp here tonight and move on in the morning when it’s light.”19

“But, Mika, I don’t know the grass lands, what if I get lost?” Bjorn asked 20

“Just follow this path. You will reach the Jud’s meeting place if you continue on, trust me and have faith in your ability Bjorn.” Mika placed one hand on Bjorn’s shoulder. “I must hurry, Bjorn, but you will be safe. You are a good student and my friend. I know the Karuke is strong in you.” And, before Bjorn could protest again, Mika simply dissipated, like dust thrown into the wind, and was gone.