Seal of the King by Ralph Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

David asked “What?”
    Aurora looked at him , and in a gentle voice said, “When I was looking at the picture in your parent’s room, and I saw your mother, I couldn’t place it then, but I think I may have seen her before. I’m still not certain when or where, but she’s extremely familiar to me.”
    David sat there staring at her, his head spinning , and after a few moments he regained himself. “Aurora, after today, as difficult as it may be to accept, I must admit that anything’s possible.”  Seeing how tired she was, he added “But for tonight I think you need to get some sleep before you collapse from exhaustion.” He gave her a smile letting her know it was not a dismissal.
    “Perhaps you’re right . With some rest, my memory may become clear.”
    He stood , and offered her his hand. She pushed the blanket off her lap, and he pulled her effortlessly to her feet. She turned, and grabbed her pack. He followed her back to her room, and pushed the door open, looking inside. All was as it should be, and he stayed at the threshold as she moved into the room. She turned to him with sleepy eyes. “I’m not sure how I’ll sleep without the hard ground for my bed.”
    He smiled at her. “I’ll be in the room next to you with the door open so I can hear you if you need me. Sleep well , and I’ll see you in the morning.”
    She placed her hand on his chest, over his heart , and closed her eyes. Her touch sent a shiver through him. She looked up, and opened her eyes again to see him gazing at her intently.
    "You'll be safe here tonight."
    “I know I will” she replied. “Good night, David.”
    “Good night, Aurora,” then he pulled the door closed, but left a crack; just enough for her voice to carry through.

 
     

The Awakening
     
    David made his way back to the living room lost in thought. He gathered up the tea and cups, and laughed to himself as the dog slept on the rug in front of the fire. A dog had so few things to worry about, but his lighthearted moment was short lived. His mind began replaying the day’s events again. Running through every moment, looking for anything he may have missed, considering her words. Before he realized it, he had finished cleaning the kitchen, and made his way back to the fire that was burning brightly. He sat on the couch and stared at the seal on the mantle. He was finally getting tired, but it somehow held his gaze. The outer ring was a circle, and the inner markings were divided into three groups. He couldn’t specifically tell what they were, but they gave the appearance of motion. As he stared at it in the dimming light his eyes began to lose focus, and he thought he saw movement. Soon the inner markings began to swirl as if around a whirlpool in the center. Slowly at first, so he thought it was a trick of the light, and then suddenly it was a blur of speed. Beginning at the center, a small light started to emerge, and began spreading until it filled the entire circle. The moment it reached the outer ring, he heard a bang.
    He felt as if he was being propelled through the air, directly into the vortex of light. In an instant, he was inside the light, and then he was surrounded by silence. He looked around. He couldn’t tell if he had a physical form or not. While trying to sense something or gain some perspective on what was happening, a sound began to reach him. It was a voice floating in from a distance saying his name “David”. He called out “Yes I’m here”. 
    The voice responded, “You have acted wisely today. The time has come, the battle rages, only through faith can you prevail. You have been given everything you need. Follow your heart , and beware those who serve the Dark One.”
    David called out desperately, “ What do I need to do?” As the voice began to drift out of his reach, he heard “You will know. Choose what is right, and serve others.”
    David felt as if he fell back onto the couch or into his body, he wasn’t sure which.