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«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 756 Newer› Newest»Both Kay's and Natalia's thank yous were gracious and loving as they gave him a warm hug and kiss.
As the General marched off with his compatriots, Kay and Bishop, Ian and Natalia thought they would take a relaxing break until lunch was served in a few hour, and so each pair leisurely wandered off to wherever their fancies took them, for after all, a different battle was shaping up, and the outcome was not clear.
Kay and Bishop walked through a winding maze in the garden, which lead to a small but peaceful lake near the outskirts of the woods where Kay had first met Ian and Bishop.
Natalia tugged at Ian's arm so that he would follow her; she was far more interested in going a different direction.
Ian figured that Bishop would enjoy some time alone with Kay, so he obliged.
" I know a secret, Ian," Natalia began to chirp, like a morning bird.
This was the second time I'd heard her say these words, and I sensed her secret was not trivial.
Natalia was far more advanced then her nine young years would lead one to believe.
She lead me through the main library, down a long corridor and to a secret passageway hidden behind a large painting on the wall; somehow we were back in Natalia's secret library.
It was as if she wanted to be out of sight and sound of everyone.
"I've taken a liking to you Ian, and even though Mother and the others said I'm not to tell...I just have to tell you."
" Who are the others, Natalia..and what do you mean?"
Natalia put her tiny finger up to her mouth as if to tell me to be quiet, then she got up on her tiptoes to whisper in my ear.
I leaned down as she whispered, " You and Bishop will pass the test tonight...you will pass the test."
" What test? Who's test?"
" You're so silly, Ian," Natalia giggled. "Would you like to read a book with me?"
"Here's my favorite."
Natalia put my hand on the cover and put her tiny hand on top of mine.
Her hand grew warm and glowed a soft blue hue; I could feel little electrical pulses tingle into the top of my hand.
Within a minute I knew the entire book's contents.
Perplexed, I looked at Natalia and said, " How...and where did you learn to do that?"
She looked back at me just as baffled, " My teacher taught me...at school of course, you are really silly, Ian."
"Dr.Fischer says that books provide us with an abundance of knowledge, and it is literally at our fingertips."
" Don't you like to read, Ian?" Natalia looked at me, wide-eyed and innocent.
"I've read music scores and biographies at the Killarney Music Hall, and a few science magazines on a rack in Killarney, but reading the way you read is a new experience, though I liked it because you and I shared it together in an exhilarating instant", said Ian.
" But Ian...all of the boys and girls in the undiscovered universe..where we were before...they all read that way," Natalia matter of factly said; she didn't realize that she was so advanced or amazing.
I didn't either, I suppose there is alot I've yet to learn, even about my own capabilities
Neither Bishop or I were part of the special group of children born on 9-9-9, and yet here we are in the midst of them all, trying to find our place and to understand how to make a difference.
Most of my world has been of music, sheltered in Killarney; here in Slovakia,although on the surface it seems peaceful, what lies beneath I fear is violence.
It is a most unsettling feeling.
Ian could read her thoughts and wondered why she believed that she wasn't born on 9-9-9, since her father had said, only a day ago, that 9-9-9 was her birthday.
"Oh, you silly, I wanted you to hear my thoughts to help you get used to deeper communication, and so I just made something up."
" Mind to mind communication class can sometimes get boring...it's so easy,and I like things to be fun.
...and it is fun to get someone's attention like I did just now, with you, Ian.
Ian, I hope you realize that there is a plan for you and me we cannot see.
"What do you mean?", Ian asked.
Ian, our mortal senses don't detect elaborate halls, where talk is made behind celestial walls, and where powerful angels construct our Eternal Way.
"The Undiscovered Universe?", Ian asked
"Yes," rejoiced Natalia, "and moments when we aren't aware, we feel the joy and know they care, and it is certain we do not want to feel the other way."
"And, Ian, I just told you a song from that universe called 'The Plan', which is one of the favorites there, besides the one song called 'The Undiscovered Universe."
Natalia softly rehearsed 'The Plan' with "There is a plan for you and me we cannot see."
"Our senses don't detect elaborate halls, where talk is made behind celestial walls, and where powerful angels construct our Eternal Way."
"And moments when we aren't aware, we feel the joy and know they care, and it is certain we do not want to feel the other way."
"If you want, Ian, we can tell Kay and Bishop about our new song and see if we can sing it at the end of "The Undiscovered Universe" tonight."
"That sounds good to me, Natalia."
Kay and Bishop enjoyed sitting by Bratislava Lake and each other.
"Bishop, what does the future hold for us?"
"After we sing tonight, Kay, we hope to create an extremely strong stir in everyone's hearts who hear, and, hopefully, Slovakia will be free from the love of war, and then your Father and his associates will no longer wage war."
I felt the echo of a fear rising within Kay; it was the fear of the unknown, and war was the only thing she had known that had kept her peace.
I felt myself wanting to comfort her.
I put my arm around her shoulder...there is a plan for you and me we cannot see.
Then I kissed her.
It was the first time I'd ever kissed a girl; her lips were soft, and the stir within my own heart at that moment was strong.
Meanwhile, miles away in Killarney, many hearts stirred with powerful emotion.
Ian Smythe Sr. conducted the choir of children as they practiced singing in perfect harmony.
Each child glowed a brilliant blue; it was truly a sight to behold.
Dr. Fischer watched in awe at the back of the room; such progress had been made.
"Remember, children..this next verse is of great importance..and you must focus with your hearts," the great conductor said; they began to sing.
Zachary was amoung them.
" A plan written when time began...Intentions for our fellow man"
"Words of wisdom, love, and peace..remind us how we want to be"
...A plan that we cannot see...guides us to create our Reality."
"There is a plan for you and me...and it shall be our destiny."
Zachary's focus was pure and strong; far away in Slovakia Bishop and Natalia felt it.
Kay's feelings for Bishop had rapidly developed since coming back from Killarney, and it didn't matter that she was a little older.
"Bishop, your hands are so warm, and your feelings are strong."
She felt so close to him and full of attraction for Bishop, who had sung a song he had made through his inspiration and admiration in her presence.
He sang it with rapturous tones and a deep, romantic spirit filled with light and love.
"Your friendship fair, your visage sweet", he sang...
Her beauty was more than he could bear, he thought, as he continued,
"In years, in thoughts of when we did meet, memories will flow like honey over ready mind, and sketches of divine beauty will unroll like a soft, blue carpet."
Kay had never heard such wondrous tones and felt such feelings.
He continued, "Your smooth voice touches me like tonic, healing broken heart and shattered sense, and your supple eyes glow with poetic clarity, revealing innocence."
He kissed her again with such electricity and warmth that she thought she could melt, and she imagined the trees around her looked greener and more alive.
Ethereal and confirming comfort filled her and Bishop from head to toe, and they both could see things unrevealed until now.
Their love was beyond measure, and both felt it.
"Zachary and the 300 children are mingling their love with ours, Kay", Bishop announced softly.
"Yes, oh so beautiful, wonderful and reassuring, all of us attuned to love and our love for each other."
They could not see the future, and yet they knew it held such joy.
At that moment, a great arcing, noiseless explosion lit up the sky far away, just as Bishop and Zachary saw it in their waking dream.
Was it war....or more?
Bishop and Kay thought it to be unusually odd, but they were so wrapped in joy and expectations that they considered it a minor event.
"Bishop, let's go back to the Music Hall, for the time has flown, and the dinner is waiting for us."
"You mean the dinner just prior to our song and the other things?"
"Yes, Bishop, let us eat first with all of the guests, dignitaries, army brass, political people, and family members, the ones whose lives will change forever tonight."
As Kay and Bishop arrived at the Music Hall, so did Ian and Natalia.
Shortly they would be dining and mingling with many people, whose lives were destined to change this evening.
The question was....would it be for the better?
The answer was uncertain.
Change...whether good or bad...was however, inevitable.
Kay and Bishop sat across the table from Ian and Natalia, with General Zidovska and his aides on all sides.
Bishop looked at the General's "friends" and thought they all looked very strong and very fearless, with wide shoulders, large arms and eyes that seemed to know no fear, though they all looked small compared to the General.
There were long tables with smiling and talkative people waiting for their dinners to be served, while a superb piano player alternated between popular favorites and cultural, historical musical story telling.
"Father," asked Kay, "tell us about the wars that are being fought, for we saw an a large flash in the distant sky recently, and we wonder what it was."
"My dear daughter, they are very large explosive probes."
"Our scientists, and others throughout our worldwide network, are are detecting unusual fluctuations that cannot be accounted for by any war or war exercise."
"It may sound crazy, but we believe there may be some alien civilization breaking through into our reality and crossing over through some kind of portal, for some claim to have seen beings suddenly appearing...."
"Should you be speaking like this in front of guests, Father?"
"I fear no man, nor consequence, Kay, and only wish to speak the truth, for the world is at war, and each day may be our last, though that is not likely because our superior defenses of all types and firepower."
"Some say they have detected fluctuations in the garden and elsewhere in Slovakia, and so we are bolstering our internal monitoring."
"I hate war," Father, implored Natalia.
"Can't you stop it," she continued, "for war destroys little girls like me and big girls like my mother."
"Do you miss her, Daddy?"
"Yes, I do, but she made a sacrifice for our society and deserves the highest honor."
"But, Daddy, is there no higher honor to aspire to?"
Bishop thought the General's two aides seemed to be looking at her with suspicion with their dark and glaring eyes.
Then one of them, Demetrios Vladoski, spoke,"Natalia..you will soon learn of higher honor when you begin your training...just like your sister Kay."
Demetrios then directed his comments to the General, " I do not understand this new generation...my daughter Mariska...the same age as your Natalia, they need disispline..that is what they need."
" They certainly will get it..come next month when they begin their training...then they will understand."
Demetrios then looked back at Natalia, " You want to grow up to be an honorable Slovakian,like your sister Kay...yes?"
Natalia nodded her head respectfully to Demetrios; she wanted to speak so badly but she didn't.
Demetrios turned his attention back to the General... " They need disapline, I tell you."
The General nodded in agreement.
Natalia, however had other thoughts in mind.
Although she was silent, Kay, Ian, and I heard her very clearly.
" I won't be going to training, and neither will Mariska...we won't!"
" I know a secret!"
The General, his aides, and the rest of the guests were oblivious..they could not read another's thoughts.
For Natalia's sake, this was a very good thing.
As we dined, without warning, in walked an Islamic militant soldier.
How could he have breeched the high security?
For one moment I thought he was here to kill us all, but no one stirred; no one noticed.
No one, that is, except for Kay, Natalia, Ian, and me.
Kay was about to jump from her seat when Natalia grabbed her hand, 'Don't worry Kay...he comes in peace."
Behind him was a young girl..then I realized it was Emme.
She motioned for us to all follow her into the next room so that we could talk in private; lime sorbet was being served, so we excused ourselves from the table...it would be a short break between courses.
"Ah, it is such a blessing to be in your presence," Emme beamed, "though we are aware of what you are doing here."
"Let me introduce Sheik Razik, a devotee of the prophet Muhammad and a scholar and spiritual warrior."
"Razik has chosen to travel within the light waves generated by The 300 in the Killarney grotto, and he offers his services to all of you when it is warranted, but he is here today particularly to witness the taking of Slovakia."
Razik looked at Natalia and said with kindness and interest,
"I would like to tell you that since there is nothing in Islam which prohibits Muslims from destroying their old political systems and making new ones on the highest principles of the spirit and the experience of nations, then I hold no special place in my heart for cultures that go to war and have evil hearts."
"Islam is a spiritual community and holds the individual conscience and soul in high regard, and since there are many souls here in Slovakia whose lives will be changed, I asked Emme to let me meet you and see the outcome of tonight's musical wonders."
Zachary suddenly blended in with Emme and Razik and said, "I and Emme will be singing with you tonight, though hidden from the spiritually weak, to help focus the energies of the 300, and Adriana will be mindful of you."
An aide to Demetrios suddenly came to his side and whispered something in his ear; consequently he took out of his pocket a small monitor and quickly studied it.
Emme smiled and whispered into each of her friend's minds the part of The Undiscovered Universe that says, "Our senses don't detect elaborate halls, where talk is made behind celestial walls, and where powerful angels construct our Eternal Way."
All of these conversations were silent and subtle, and others were totally unaware of them, though the spiritually discerning could hear Demetrios whisper to the General, "There is a small power surge in this room, but we cannot understand it, for we cannot see or hear anything that might relate to it."
The General nodded and ate more of his chicken.
He then had some Lime Sorbet and thought carefully about the matter.
Kay seemed much more hesitant than Natalia, for she had been well groomed as a soldier of war; yet she was willing to listen to Razik with an open mind.
From behind Razik stepped an Iraqi soldier; he was no more than seventeen.
"Kay..this is Anah," Razik said.
" Like me, he comes in peace; please listen to what he has to say."
Anah looked directly at Kay and spoke softly and with kindness; I saw no hate in his eyes.
When I was fourteen I was sent to the training camp; day after day I was taught that the Slovakians and others were my enemy.
They invaded my country, bombed my city, and had killed my brothers.
Like the Americans, the British, the French..they too would pay; I was taught to hate.
...and I did hate!
I was taught that to die a martyr was the greatest honor; to die in Allah's name would grant me access to heaven.
Right after my sixteenth birthday I was chosen for the mission; I was to blow myself up at the village market, and kill as many Slovakian's as possible.
They showed me how to attach the bomb to my clothing, and how to detonate it.
As the day drew near, I became more fearful; I did not want to die, and what if other innocent people got hurt.
If I refused, I knew they would kill me; I pretended to go along, but decided to warn the Slovakian soldiers instead.
I figured that they would take me prisoner, and it was better than dying.
My two commrades and I left for the market with our bombs conceeled, and when we got to the market the plan was to separate and kill as many Slovakians as possible.
I followed my brothers instead; when they were about to make their move, I ran ahead, toward the Slovakian soldiers to warn them.
The Slovakian soldiers opened fire on me; as I lay dying my brothers detonated their bombs and the Slovakians were blown to bits.
Tears streamed down Kay's face; Anah reached out to her, " Kay...please do not be sad...just understand the hate has to stop."
" I left behind a younger sister, Raneen; she sings the most beautiful song of an Undiscovered Universe."
If all goes well in Slovakia, I am hoping that Razik will persuade you to go to Raneen, and change what I could not change.
"I feel your concern," said Kay, and I feel disposed to help, but we have a performance in about an hour, and what storm or peace it produces is not known."
"The winds that blow, the lights that shine, and the controversy that is produced could be like a hurricane that pushes us to unknown places, but in the midst of the fierce winds, I hope to help Raneen."
"How did Raneen learn The Undiscovered Universe, has it helped her, and what does she need from me that many others could not do?"
Emme interrupted with, "Kay, you were taught the warrior way and so have insight, and you also have access to the sound and spirit portals; thus, no matter how strong the winds and the persuasions, you must find a way to help."
Bishop concurred with, "Dear Kay, let us have confidence as we approach the unknown."
Anah and Razik silently thought identical thoughts," ...it is Raneen who will help you if you are successful tonight."
"There is a plan for you and me," Natalia silently and lovingly communicated to Raneen, far, far, away.
Hope.
Hundreds were assembled in the large and beautiful Music Hall in Bratislava Castle listening to various speeches and presentations about Slovakia, the wars, the brave actions of soldiers and diplomats.
They saw a film about the destruction of a large city filled with rebels and their families, and the celebration that ensued at the United Nations, and how Slovakia was honored for its conspicuous part in the campaign.
Kay saw Razik and Anah look with sorrow and disdain at the joy many felt about the destruction and conquering.
But the moment finally arrived when General Zidovska stood and said, "Attention, everyone, my beautiful daughers, Kay and Natalia are going to sing a special and beautiful song with two of their friends, Bishop and Ian."
At that moment, a dim but ever growing energy stirred within the Vienna Woods, just on the outskirts of Bratislava.
Vienna Woods, the very woods where many musical masters like Mozart, Beethoven,and Straus had found inspiration when alive, was once again filled with their presence.
Both Kay and Natalia stood before the hundreds of faces they recognized, and Natalia winked at Demetrios' daughter Mariska, who was flattered by the General's daughter's attention.
"All our friends", announced Kay, "Natalia and I will sing with our new friends, Bishop Brennan and Ian Smythe, who come from a far country to grace our celebration with beautiful voices and sentiments."
All hearts and minds in Vienna Woods focused on the four friends
Kay didn't know that Mariska was at the piano and that she had special musical talents (but Natalia knew) and that Natalia had invited her to play the sheet music that had been prepared, including something a special musical piece that Anah, Razik's friend, had brought to make the night even more memorable.
All four found this special musical piece among their copies of their musical selections and felt an unusual energy building within their hearts and center, something that gave them a beat and feeling for what they were about to sing and had never rehearsed.
Mariska felt unusual emotions and feelings and began to play Anah's song that was entitled "Philosphers Speak."
Emme, Razik, and Anah focused their powerful intention along with the others in Vienna Woods.
It was Anah's gentle warning to them all that something different was about to happen.
Zachary and Emme were there hidden behind invisibility.
These six glorious singers (with subtle backup from the 300 in the grotto) began Anah's introductory piece.
"Philosophers speak in dimly lit rooms, telling of things they've spun on their looms."
"Looms of wisdom that are seldom seen, lost in the darkness away from the mean."
Of Kingdoms and Glories that have passed before, that crumble in pieces on glorious shore, that crumble in pieces on glorious shore.
Their speech and their commerce had opulent ties, but the looms that spun wisdom foretold their demise."
They sang this several times more and broke into parts and medleys and overlapping refrains and haunting tones, and they sang it with such beauty and effective pathos that all in the room who had feelings and true sentiments were riveted, quieted and entranced, while others felt a little intimidated.
And then they began to sing "The Undiscovered Universe", with Beethoven's masterful and unequaled melody and penetrating tones, with the 300 in the Grotto carefully crafting their part in a gradual crescendo.
"An undiscovered universe lies within that no one can see; It is filled with light so sacred, the materials of eternity"
The room seemed to sway with subtle rivulets of light, and the curtains seemed to glow and hum.
Most in the room thought these were wonderful special effects and sat transfixed and quiet waiting for even greater things.
Bishop felt deja-vou in the midst of his singing and bliss and remembered his waking dreams with Zachary and when he was carried to the Grotto while dreaming of glorious things.
"Things we only talk about in hallowed halls,in secret places, dreams, prayer and beneath the shawls."
The 300 in the grotto sang louder and more glorious, and this was funneled through the voices and bodies of the 4 seen and 2 un-seen friends.
It was enough to cause the curtains to seem like they were ablaze with different bright colors and scintillating oscillations that not only glowed, but also gave impressions.
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