Walking on, I resist the urge to look back. The sun, the excitement and the physical exertion finally take their toll and I trip over the small root of a tree that has emerged into the narrow foot path.  As I fall, I furtively look behind, but the sun’s glare prevents me from seeing the familiar gates of home.

Lying on the ground, I recite the chant of initiates and wait for an answer.

Wheel, wheel spinning, spinning. Wizard, wizard grinning, grinning. What will be my future fate? What lies for me beyond the gate?

Wheel, wheel spinning, spinning. Wizard, wizard grinning, grinning. What will be my future fate? What lies for me beyond the gate?

The rumble in my belly reminds me I have not eaten. Wanting to remedy that, I shift my body to lean against the trunk of a large tree. My eyes are attracted to the exposed root that caused my fall and I gently stroke the top part of the root and then the top of my head where the blood is still drying. the sun is full upon my face. The warmth is soothing and friendly to my body.

Then I remember the spinning wheel and a fragment returns to me from a dream. “Your task is died within the yarrow.” What does it mean?…………………………………..

My novel, ZARDA, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Book Baby as an ebook or paperback.