CHAPTER 22: A MOMENT OF PEACE

When Norrin awoke, he felt refreshed in mind, body and spirit. He rose out of the pool of water and dried himself off with the soft and absorbent linen placed beside the pool. He was not sure how long he slept, but at some moment, someone had taken time to gather all his gear and clothes and launder them. He found his garments nearby, his armored jacket and bracers repaired, cleaned and looking brand new, and his clothes washed and pressed. His bandero was also cleaned and gently folded on top of the pile. He dressed himself, stepped out of the room and headed for the dining hall.

When he stepped into the grand dining hall, he gained an acute awareness of how long it had been since he ate. The disciples of the oracle were gathered around a grand circular table which held what could be only described as a feast, talking amongst themselves and patiently waiting for his arrival. Tsikki stood and greeted Norrin and motioned for him to take a seat beside her. Nassima also appeared in the room by his side and glided to spot where he would sit. Even though they could not see her, Tsikki and every disciple could feel Nassima’s energy in the room and basked in its vitality. Tsikki then silenced her disciples with a raise of her hand.

“The Azuri Nassima, revered warrior of the light and sacred protector of this Temple, has returned to honor us with her presence. Norrin Shai of the Southern Nines serves as her herald and avatar, and we shall celebrate him with this feast!” Tsikki announced to dining room which applauded with cheers and raised glasses.

The disciples ate as a family, sharing and passing the dishes amongst each other with joy, laughter, and appreciation for their good fortune. Because the Temple respected all life, the dishes were natural, organic, and botanic foods, such as, fresh leafy greens, multicolored slow baked beans and different grains of cooked rice. The smoky smell of the fire grilled and perfectly seasoned multitude of vegetables, roots, and gourds picked from the gardens of the Temple wafted through the air. There were a variety of giant mushrooms cooked and flavored with tangy herbs and spices. Bowls were filled with sweet and savory sauces and dressings. And one could feel the warmth of the fresh baked bread hot from the ovens. For dessert, there were sweet, soft and delicate pastries made with care, and an abundance of fresh, flavorful and exotic fruits.

Norrin enjoyed himself very much, savoring each dish and imbibing in the incredible aromatic wines. He sat enjoying the company of his hosts, conversing with Tsikki about the disciples’ roles and how each found their way to the Temple. Until she turned the topic towards him.

“So, Norrin, let me ask you a question. Why this?” She inquired waving her hand in a circle towards his general direction

Norrin paused with a confounded look and lowered his utensil while he contemplated her question.

“Why, what?”

“Why a Chaser? You do not seem so… nihilistic, to join their guild.”

Norrin slightly bristled at her words. But her small grin and the wide-eyed expression on her face let him know that she was genuinely curious and meant no offense.

“Well, after the Second Conflict, I was done with the military life, so I left the army by buying out my service. I wanted to go to the other citadels and towns without issue, but that meant having to buy entry and exit permits, pay road taxes, and deal with the shakedowns from the companies that travel the wilds. Since I just paid for my discharge, my coin was too low for all of that, so I settled for finding work in Firstview with hopes of saving up. But then someone introduced me to the Chasers. They told me that with the skills I picked up serving as a scout for Firstview, joining their order was my best option to move freely about the land and earn coin doing it,” Norrin answered with his standard spiel. But the Oracle’s face screwed up with skepticism. She did not believe his story.

“No, no,” Tsikki said dismissing his explanation. “There was a life you wanted that you believed the powers-that-be in Citadel Firstview would not let you have. Since you could not have what your heart desired, you decided you needed to escape. At the time the Chasers felt like your best chance at freedom, and you learned the life your heart thought it wanted was really not the life for you, so you are locked into your service for the Chasers until you can figure out what is next.”

Norrin sat in stunned silence. She was right, except he never told anyone about the real reason he left Firstview. He did not even know if Nassima figured it out when she scanned his memories. Maybe Nassima did know and told Tsikki. But if so, why would the Oracle ask about his motivation to join the Chasers if she already knew the truth.

“Oh no, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Tsikki said responding to Norrin’s petrified expression. “But I saw there was a deeper explanation there than what you gave me. Everyone makes decisions that may seem simple and superficial to the outside eye. But in reality, every choice is made through a complex decision-making process that is tied to the core of your being. Even if you yourself do not realize it, something as straightforward as choosing to eat that fruit or not involves a multitude of calculations and has a multitude of outcomes.”

“Okay…,” Norrin said as he slowly put down citrus he subconsciously picked up while she was talking. “So, you are saying the reason I joined the Chasers was wrong?”

“No, it isn’t about being right or wrong. You made a choice based on what you were feeling at that moment. The outcome of that choice then has a positive or negative effect on your life.”

“So, was becoming a Chaser a positive or negative?” Norrin asked wondering if the Oracle would give him some special insight to his fate.

“You tell me,” she answered with a smirk.

Norrin sat back again and contemplated his career as a Chaser. He had some close calls and questioned his occupation on more than one occasion. He lost friends and made mistakes. But he also did good deeds and enjoyed seeing the gratitude on the faces of the travelers when they reached their destinations without incident. He learned a lot about the world, other people, and himself along the way, and was grateful for everyday he lived in the freedom of the open road.

“Overall, I think it was a positive,” Norrin answered with confidence.

“Ha! I knew it,” Tsikki said with a beaming grin. “Optimism surrounds your being. It is probably why you have survived so many missions. You know the life of a Chaser is short, and you do not fear death, but you do not be court it either. You have a lot of hope in your heart and that is what keeps you going. Maybe you could have chosen a path that was even more positive for your life, but again, I am not saying you made a wrong decision in joining the Chasers. Despite what I said before about Chasers being nihilistic, I have so much respect for you all and the service you provide to others. The people who join your brotherhood are very special. One needs a brave and righteous heart to do what you do. You chose this life because you have that kind of heart. But I must ask you, did you really think it was your only option?”

Norrin sat with arms crossed. The casual ease in which Tsikki broke down his life touched an emotional nerve and alarmed him. However, he believed she had no malicious intent against him. He was just caught off-guard by her impromptu reading.

“I don’t know… I just wanted to be out of the Citadel. I was running with some Trapsmen after I got out the army, and that seemed like something to do for a while.”

“Only because they were some of your oldest friends. But you realized that you outgrew your old friends, and that is fine, it happens to many other people too. It is a process of life,” Tsikki interjected.

“Yes, how did you? … never mind,” Norrin stammered. “But, yes that, and I didn’t enjoy the hunts. That world and was too chaotic and unpredictable.”

“Not to mention filled with shady characters,” Tsikki added with a wink

“Yeah,” Norrin said with a guarded laugh. “So, anyway, the Chasers offered a way out of the Citadel, the ability to travel without restrictions, and good pay.”

“As long as you stayed alive.”

“I have been doing a pretty good job of it,” Norrin said with a smile. “I enjoy the journeys. People think that the life is lonely. But I like the solitude and I have met so many people from different walks of life. If I do die, well at least I could say I helped people.”

“True, and you have learned how to deal with your anxiety in the process. I am sure your friend is happy and proud of the life you have built despite the obstacles you had against you,” Tsikki said with another knowing nod and her trademark smile.

Norrin smiled back but was once again stunned into silence. Tsikki’s words hit his heart like a hammer and stirred up a host of sentiments in his mind.

“You know your story has many similarities to the journey of our mutual friend,” Tsikki said breaking Norrin’s reverie. He turned his attention to the spirit of Nassima as she crossed the dining hall, admiring the celebratory feast in her honor.

Norrin watched Nassima mingle amongst the disciples, as she drifted around the room, like a ghost spying on the living. Norrin empathized with her feelings of being on the outside looking in, but she was no melancholy specter haunting the room. Nassima was not bitter nor upset about not being able to properly join the feast, she was quite the opposite in fact. She smiled and laughed along with the disciples even though she could not participate in their conversations, because they made her happy, and in turn her aura brightened the entire room.

What astonished Norrin the most was how much vitality she exuded. How when she got close to one of the disciples their whole demeanor changed. Their smile grew bigger, their conversations became livelier, and their laugh became heartier. It dawned on him that she was not an angry warrior goddess who only channeled her wrath into lightning like the stories portrayed her, she instead was a being that was able to harness a special type of energy. It was the energy that powered life, the energy that made you get up every morning with a smile on your face. It was the energy that drove you through the day with a song in your soul. and it was the energy that made you grateful every night before you went to sleep. It was the energy of life. Norrin felt this energy and he cherished it now more than anything ever before. He cherished her energy. He cherished her. He wanted to help her, not for any reward or promises she made to him. He wanted to help her because she was the most important thing in his world. He decided to steer the conversation with Tsikki to the business at hand.