The Chosen One

Chapter 58   *

Pathfinder stood on the shore and gazed across the waters at the endless horizon. The surf crashed into the shore, a bombardment that had continued unending since the beginning of time.

He breathed in the fragrance of the salt air and chanted his prayer of thanksgiving to the Great Spirit, for giving him safe journey, and for using him to do His will. He never in his life felt so vibrant, and so alive! He could not imagine a better way to end his life, than by doing as the Great Spirit commanded him. And now that he was here, he had no idea what it was the Great Spirit wanted him to do. And almost in answer to his very thoughts, the Great Spirit suddenly spoke to him.

"Pathfinder!"

"Yes! Yes, I am here, Great Spirit!"

"You have done very well to get here, to the exact place I wanted you! No other servant could have done so well. I am very pleased!"

(Pathfinder was so overwhelmed, that tears of joy streamed down his wrinkled face.)

"You have done so well that I have decided you will not take your last walk!"

(This troubled Pathfinder.) "But Great Spirit, it has been my life-long dream to finish my life with a victorious last walk..."

"Pathfinder! You do not understand! To take your last walk, you must die. I do not intend for you to die! I want you to walk with me in the heavens in your physical body, with your clear mind, and your intellect intact."

"Oh Great Spirit! What have I done to deserve such an honor?"

"I know your heart, Pathfinder, and I find no other as devoted, and so deserving of eternal life! I have a great need for a servant so devoted. But first, your mission here is not complete. There are still things you must do to prepare the way for the Chosen One."

"Yes, Great Spirit! What shall I do?"

"You will go back up the hill, there you will find a shelter in the rock. There in the shelter, you will build a fire."

"Yes, I will build a fire!"

"You will gather fire wood, and store it in the shelter. Enough to fuel the fire for at least seven days."

"Yes, I will gather enough wood for seven days!"

"It is important that the wood be dry, because a storm is coming, and it will be days before it passes."

(Pathfinder examined the sky and saw no sign of an impending storm.)

"I know, you see no evidence of what I am saying, but it is coming, a storm more violent than has been seen here in many years. And with the storm will come the Chosen One!"

"The Chosen One!"

"Yes, the CHOSEN ONE! So prepare the shelter well. Stock it with food of all kinds, and be sure to have your medicine bag well stocked with your healing magic, because there will wounds to heal. The storm that brings them here will deal harshly with them!"

"Yes, Great Spirit, I will have everything ready. When will they arrive?"

"Very soon. Watch the horizon, and you will see the sto