PREFACE

John Thomas woke at 5.45 am. It was light and the dawn chorus from the local park was in full song. He remembered the words of the Chinese Philosopher Chuang Chou, who, on awakening after dreaming he was a butterfly wasn't sure if he was a butterfly dreaming he was a man or a man who had dreamed he was a butterfly. The clock showed that he had been asleep for only 2 hours and 25 minutes, but his dream had encompassed many many days and some of the strangest adventures imaginable. He decided at once to write these down. So, without even bothering to wash or have any breakfast, John rushed to his computer and started
to write the strange story. Any doubts that he would remember the events of the 'dream' in detail soon faded. Memories flooded back and soon the life that he had lived for the last forty odd years became insignificant and dull. Wonderful visions and emotions took hold of him and a great Truth dawned in his heart. Also a powerful hope that illumined his darkness. John wrote for hours and maybe days before returning to the work a day world. And what he wrote is contained in these pages. May you read and understand......


1

VERDIA

John gazed from out of the window of his fourth floor apartment across the night city. The lights from the buildings and the streets made everything look magical. But he felt alone. It was 2.15am and he could not get to sleep. The night air was warm and clammy. Earlier that day he had taken a train ride into the Derbyshire countryside and visited a stone circle. It had all been rather disappointing, the 'megalith' was only a small pile of stones that could hardly be called circular. The only thing of slight interest was that, as he was walking away, something caught his eye. It was a small yellow crystal lying close to the base of a willow tree. It sparkled in the Spring sunshine and looked so perfect that he took it home with him. Now in his boredom he removed it from his coat pocket and held it in front of the window so that it was soaked in the light of the full moon. Tiredness suddenly overtook him and he decided to place the crystal beneath his pillow to see what happened, if anything. At precisely 3.30am John fell to sleep....

The scent of roses filled his nostrils. Roses! There were no flowers in his room. And the bed felt strange under him. He opened his eyes and found himself gazing up at stars. His hands touched grass and, looking around, he discerned that he was in some kind of garden. His heart pounded. Was this a dream? If so it was amazingly clear. John's head lay against the bark of a tree, which had been serving as his pillow. It was a willow tree, just like the one at the base of which he found the crystal. What is more around his neck was that very stone in the form of a pendant. He touched it. The crystal shone with a soft light and he thought he heard a gentle voice calling his name, but perhaps it was all his imagination. "Save us, Save us," the wind seemed to say blowing through the trees. John was once again overpowered by the scent of roses and lapsed back into slumber.

The morning air was crisp and sweet. John awoke to find that he was indeed in a beautiful rose garden on a bright sunny day. He was besides a path that led into woodlands in one direction and through a gate and across the moors in the other. There were no signs of any human habitation. Something drew his thoughts towards the forest and this is where he headed. Once inside the cathedral of trees all was dark except for rays of sunlight that filtered through the leaves and illumined the gloom here and there. Strangely no birds sang and there were no signs of life. The ground beneath his feet was thick with pine needles and soon the path was indiscernible. He lost his way and wandered through the trees blindly, hoping to rediscover the path, but it became apparent that this was not to be. Just as he felt that he was destined to wander forever in darkness, something caught his attention. A dark shape, darker still than the gloom around him, peered from behind a tree. He could see a pair of bright red glowing eyes. Then a voice from behind him, soft and feminine, called "Quickly this way". He turned around, but there was no one there. He trusted the voice more than the dark image and so walked in the direction of the sound. Behind him was the vibration of heavy footfalls and a muffled roar. But he dared not look. After a few moments John noticed a light, which grew larger as he moved swiftly onwards. The footfalls and the noise seemed very close behind and he was tempted to look. When he did there was nothing visible. All at once he broke free of the darkness and found himself in a clearing, through a corner of which ran a small brook. In the centre of this area was a small green pyramid building about 8 ft in height and twice that at the base. It was constructed of some glass-like material and appeared to have no entrance. John walked around the perimeter but could still not make out what it was supposed to be. A moment later he was surprised to see a form emerge from the structure. It was a young woman, about 20 years of age with long bright green hair and wearing a dress of various shades of green. Her features were perfect and John was spellbound for a while. It was she who spoke first.

"I am glad that you have arrived at last. I am Verdia."

"Well at least this dream is getting better!" John said jokingly.

"Do you think this is a dream? Well perhaps it is. Did not the poet say: "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream? But seriously. I am one of the Antorite people- sorry, you call them pyramids in your world - and it is my task to set you on your way."

"On what way?"

"The way to the Sacred Mountain where the Holy Ones will tell you your destiny."

"But why I am here?"

"The crystal brought you."

"You mean the crystal that I found near the stone circle?"

"No the crystal that found you. It waits, sometimes for centuries to find the right one. The last person I spoke to was from your middle ages."

"So you have spoken to no-one for centuries"

"No, it was only last week. Time is different here, as you will find."

"But you have not explained why I am here."

"I cannot say, 'time' will tell.. The crystal will guide and protect you, as it did in the forest. But I must show you the way through the woods - come."

"But what about the thing that followed me" John asked nervously,

"That was a Vantar. It is like most wild beasts, harmless unless provoked. It will not come near whilst I am around."

Verdia walked with him through the dark woods, but her emerald radiance lit up the area around them. As they walked she talked of strange things, of stars and angels and matters that sounded wondrous, but were beyond his ken. He learned that she was a creature of another world, a world far away. Her race had learned the art of being many places at once in 'spirit' She sang the songs of her race, sad -- but at the same time indescribably beautiful and comforting. And, as she sang golden flowers rained down around them cushioning their footsteps as they traversed the woodlands and her aura became so bright that John could hardly bear to look her way. If this was a dream let it go on forever! He felt a sudden lightness of spirit as if good were coming his way in some inexplicable manner. In her light creatures gathered as if secure in the knowledge that she was present. "

"You are the guardian of these woods?" John asked with a sudden surge of inspiration.

"Yes and to be such I worked for many lifetimes. Where I am no evil can prevail."

"If only we had you in Manchester!"

"Maybe you have, but you haven't looked deeply enough."

He was puzzled by her comment, little knowing that time would throw light onto the enigma.

Too soon they emerged from the trees and were on the shore of a vast ocean.

"Walk eastwards along the coast until you see a range of mountains to the north. Head across the plain to these. You will be helped and hindered on your way, but be brave."

Verdia picked up a single golden flower from beside her feet.

"Put this in your shoulder bag. It has the power to heal."

John was just about to comment that he hadn't got a shoulder bag when he noticed that he had! He placed the flower inside.

"I must say goodbye now" Verdia said with tranquillity, "but not for long. We will meet again many times and in the most unexpected places."

John felt that the last hour had been the most meaningful of his life. We wander through our day to day activities without really knowing anyone, but occasionally we meet a person whom we feel that we have a special bond with. If we believe in past lives we link them to this or at least to some inner bond. With Verdia it was even stronger than that. It was as if he had known her for eternity and there was no sense of past, present or future. When he came round from his musings she had gone. Without a feeling of loss he continued the journey.


11

THE CASIAN


The day was glorious, the sun shone brightly overhead and the waves lapped the shore melodiously. Seagulls wheeled through the skyway above and John felt cheerful as he proceeded on his journey. There were no regrets about leaving the old world, which was dull and dreary. He lived alone and so there was no one to miss him. So -- enjoy!

The sand was warm beneath his bare feet as he continued on his way. All at once he was aware of a figure approaching from the opposite direction. As the shape drew closer he became aware that it was a young man carrying what looked like a lute. He was dressed in blue- a blue tunic and trousers. His hair was also bright blue. As the stranger approached he spoke.

"What a lovely day, John."

John was not surprised that he recognised him. The stranger then continued to speak.

"Verdia tells me that you are looking for the Sacred Mountain. I have just come from there and you are expected. But you must cross the plain of illusions and I do not envy you there!"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Sapharia and I am from the same world as Verdia. She is my sister."

"She seems a very nice girl" John said wistfully.

"She is, but like all of us on this planet our existence is threatened"

"But Verdia told me that she lived in several worlds at once in spirit, so how can her life be threatened."

"I did not say 'life,' but existence. If we die to this world we will live in others-for nowhere in the Universe is there such a thing as 'death,' just the 'Ever Living.' But there are others not so fortunate who do not share our knowledge. These are easy prey to the dark forces that would destroy this world. If we cease to exist on this planet then the people will have no guidance and will become slaves to wickedness. That is why you are here."

John laughed before replying.

"You are possessed of all these powers and you expect me, a mere mortal, to overcome the forces of evil.".

"That is right; it is your mortality that makes you ideal. You are the perfect link between the forces of good and evil as you contain elements of both in you. We need vehicles to work through. Willing ones. That is why you must see the Holy Ones, they can initiate you into the mysteries that will enable you to defeat these forces with our help. We need a certain type of person, sometimes we have to wait centuries, but what is time! Anyway I was on my way to visit my sister, but I have time to accompany you along the beach to the point where you must head out across the plain. Verdia told you about the plain of illusions, but do not worry you will have more friends there than you
may imagine."

As they walked by the sea Sapharia played his lute and sang strange mysterious songs in an unknown language. Yet John could fully understand the meaning somehow. The weird thing was that no matter how hard he tried he could not formulate the meanings into thoughts or words. It was if he was awakening to something he knew intuitionally and which would help him in time. He felt that this was just as meaningful as his meeting with Verdia. Sapharia pointed out a tree that contained a bright blue fruit. John then became aware that he was indeed hungry and so he ate of the fruit, which was sweet and tasty. It satisfied his hunger and quenched his thirst. He experienced a renewal and was suddenly fired with the incentive to go on. .Sapharia told him that this was the fruit of Inspiration and whenever he saw it he must eat, but only if he was hungry at the time. In this world people feed off inspiration, but too much of it will cause them to become oblivious of their surroundings..

For a while they sat upon the warm sand and gazed silently across the ocean. In time it became a sea of fire as the sun set behind the horizon. John slept uneasily that night. Every time he opened his eyes he saw Sapharia still gazing across the waves. He never slept, but seemed to be watching for something.

The following morning they continued onwards. Just after noon they reached a rocky promontory. They walked along this and John was amazed to see winged creatures disporting in the waves below.

"These are the Casian," Sapharia informed him. "Somewhat like your dolphins on earth except they live in cities beneath the waves and are the keepers of ancient wisdom. They have no vocal language but communicate telepathically as you say. We must go to them now."

"There's no way that I am going down..." John started but, without warning he was engulfed in a sapphire light and the next thing he knew he was standing beside Sapharia in a beautiful temple of Gold. The building had a glass like roof through which he could see the ocean above. Before him were seven of the creatures he had seen earlier. The Casian were certainly magnificent to look upon. It was difficult to tell what sex they were, but John suspected they were both and yet none. They were a sort of violet colour and seemed almost transparent. Their forms were indistinct and ever changing, vaguely human and yet conveying the idea that they were only assuming this form for the convenience of the onlookers. There was something angelic about them as they sported the traditional wings from their backs These appendages were about 4 ft in length and appeared to be made of light.. But the centre of attention was the eyes. They were large and golden, almost hypnotic and tranquillising. They gave a sense of balanced power, benignity and amazing intelligence. Each of these creatures stood about seven feet tall and serenity radiated all around them.

Sapharia appeared to be communicating, but John could not comprehend. After a few moments Sapharia turned to him and said:

"The Casian are now going to enhance your power as the next part of your journey will be difficult and will require much courage and wisdom. You must go into the clear pyramid in the centre of the temple. "

John had not seen this, but now that his attention was drawn to the centre he became aware of the object. It seemed a similar size to that belonging to Verdia and he entered it in the same mysterious way. The Casian surrounded it and for a moment all was still. But then they fixed their gaze upon him and their eyes grew brighter and brighter until he was engulfed in brilliant golden light. Images flashed through his mind.

Suddenly he awoke with a shudder. He was lying on his bed in his flat. Wow, what a dream he thought before getting up to stretch his legs. He remembered saying that he would write down all his experiences but the computer wasn't even turned on. So was even that a dream?. He prepared himself a cup of coffee and a cheese sandwich before going out of the flat and into the street for a breath of fresh air. He felt quite excited about his 'dream within a dream' and was amazed that it was so clear. Soon he was at the local shop. It was dark again and the traffic on the main road was heavy as usual. He bought a can of soup for his supper and gave the money to the young woman shop assistant. She reached up for the can, which was on the top shelf. When she turned around he was aware that she was different.

"Verdia?" he said as he looked into her eyes.

"Verdia?" the girl repeated. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You look like a girl from a beautiful dream of mine."

"Well that's an interesting chat up line, but my names Miranda."

John noticed a green badge with a picture of a tree on it pinned to the girl's chest.

"Hoy what are you looking at?" she shouted suddenly.

"I'm just admiring your badge"

"That's what they all say. Then they pretend to be interested in the fact that I'm into environmental issues."

Something 'clicked' in John's mind.

"That's it. That's what she meant when she said that she was even in Manchester but I hadn't looked deeply enough. She is in you, because you care!"

"Are you mad?"

"No, I think I am sane for the first time in my life"

John rushed back to his flat. It was then that he noticed the crystal pendant around his neck. That was certainly no dream. He sat at his computer and switched it on. There was a disc already in. He soon found that it contained several pages of writing. He scrolled down and found to his surprise that it ended with the incident in the Temple beneath the waves. He continued to write:

Eventually the light faded and the shapes of the Casian were clear again. Sapharia spoke:

"You have gained insight. You are learning to find elements of this world in others like the girl in the shop"

"Wait, wait. This is doing my head in. I am writing about a dream I had some time back. But I went to the shop only a few moments ago. Am I writing this or living it?"

John realised that things were stranger than he thought. If he was writing why could he not stop now. No, he was LIVING this.

"Time is illusion" Sapharia continued. "That is the greatest lesson you are learning. There is no past or future. Just NOW. You did not dream in the past. There is only the reality of this moment."

Another blaze of Sapphire Light and they were back on the beach facing a range of mountains. On his left-hand side stood Verdia and on the right Sapharia.

They spoke in unison:

"Now you must cross the plain of illusion. Be brave. The Masters always tell us to TRY. So must you. You must be tested alone for a while"

All at once they were gone and he was alone. .

111

THE PLAIN OF ILLUSIONS

John set off across the plain. After walking for about a mile clouds began to fill the sky and it grew dark. A gale force wind very quickly arose and soon driving rain lashed his body as he struggled to walk on. He saw a small clump of trees in the distance and made his way towards them for shelter. One of the trees contained the Inspiration fruit which he thought that he needed. The trees indeed protected him from the storm, but huddled in the darkness he could not get the thought out of his head that he was being watched. A feeling of great uneasiness took possession of him and he could not rest for a moment. The song of the wind was beautiful and the lashing rain gave excellent accompaniment, but for the first time in this land John was afraid. If only Verdia or Sapharia were here now. Then he heard another sound, different in the centre of the incessant storm. It was a cry that sounded near and yet at the same time far. Pathetic and menacing all at once. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark he noticed a shape crawling along the floor slowly and slithering like a snake. But it was no snake. It looked like a child but as the thing drew nearer the face became more and more distinct. A cold chill ran down John's spine. He was alone and something dreadful approached. The visage was like a child's but there was a twisted grin upon its face and the eyes were cold and dead. John decided that he would rather face the storm than this, but when he tried to run he discovered that although his feet moved he did not. He was rooted to the spot. Then he felt a cold clammy hand upon his leg and the touch of death froze his very flesh. A disgusting stench overpowered him

Then he remembered that this was the Plain of Illusions. Nothing here was real. An icy hand touched his face. Something was in the branches of the tree above him. John looked up and a wizened face peered back at him. Some vile liquid dripped from its mouth which burned as it fell onto his head. He noticed that now the woods were literally crawling with these creatures, some looked ancient, others young - but all were insane with a torment that seared John's very soul and he felt that they wished to consume him with their misery. Soon even the sound of the storm was drowned by their tortured screams. John put his hands over his ears but he still could not shut out their cries.

He slowly realised that these creatures were not evil but desperately looking for some relief from their pains. Like many people on earth he thought. So he decided not to fear these things but pity them. As one grasped at his leg he rather awkwardly patted it. This was a rather pathetic attempt to show sympathy. He then remembered the healing flower given to him by Verdia and, taking it out of his bag he touched the creature's head with it. The effects were stunning. All at once the cries stopped and all was drowned in a dark red light. When the light faded the creatures were gone, but out of the shadows arose another shape. This one was about ten feet tall, red slimy skin - like a reptile, long lashing tail, eyes of piercing yellow. It also had the stereotyped horns on the head, cloven hooves and claws for hands. The voice was loud and booming as it spoke:

"Who are you to show sympathy to my subjects?"

"My name is John Thomas " he replied nervously.

" I am Kamia. These are my children. They suffer so that I can live. I feed off their pain. How dare you come here and upset the balance."

"Excuse me your monstership, but it does not seem fair to live off others suffering"

The thing laughed.

"That's a fine thing to say, coming from earth!"

"Well that's true but still it isn't right"

Kamia moved closer and stared John full in the eyes.

"There's nothing you can do."

John swallowed.

"Well maybe there is," John said "I believe you to be just an illusion and therefore unable to do anything"

The thing lifted John off the ground.

"Of course I could be wrong" he gasped!

Then he remembered one of the powers given to him by the Caspian, to see the real nature of something he strained his inner sight to see whether or not the thing had any soul. All he perceived was darkness.

"You have no soul" he called out "you are not real."

"All the more reason to devour you. You will be my next victim. You will be Kamia's next meal " the monster screamed.

All at once the crystal around his neck started to glow and a golden ray of light struck the beast on the heart, making it shudder.

"No, No "Kamia cried, "keep it away from me."

The Light swallowed up Kamia and slowly ate through the skin which it began to shed like a snake. John was horrified at what he might see beneath the outer cover. As the skin fell off another light escaped from within the beast. It was a brilliant bright red light, seeming more like a white radiance tinged with red. As the body of Kamia fell apart another being was slowly revealed. This time it was a female form with red dress and long flowing red hair.

"Another beauty," John gasped. "At least the women in this story are lookers."

She smiled at him benignly.

"Greetings John. I am Rubia. You have freed me from my tomb. You have overcome the beast. We have waited for someone like you for a thousand years."

"W-Well glad to be of help"

"Where are you off to?"

"I am going to the Sacred Mountain to see the Holy Ones. Hopefully they will tell me why I am here."

"Well already you have done a great good. Look behind you. "

John looked around and saw a group of about 20 radiant people. They were all ages from tiny children to aged men and women.

"These are the ones that you saved from eternal misery."

"Shucks. I didn't do that much."

"Don't play your role down. We needed the mortal link to complete the circle of healing. What you have done is incalculable. Here, we must give you something to remember us by."

With these words she stretched forth her hand and laid it on his forehead. A great feeling of unreasoned happiness filled his whole being and his heart grew warm with Love. He saw things that need no telling. Beauteous sounds filled his inner hearing and the inner sight saw the passing of time into something beyond understanding. Now he was in the rose garden from whence he started and talking to Verdia, Sapharia, The Casian and Rubia. But they were talking like friends, sharing jokes, laughing and all the time the full moon shone above them and the stars sparkled in an indigo sky. John felt as if he had come home and his heart was lonely no longer. They watched the sun rise in a crimson sky, they beheld the swans upon the ruby covered lake and then as they sat beneath the willow tree John felt a merging as they lost their identities in each other. They communed in silence for what seemed a thousand years and yet at the same time only a split second. All was steeped in cherry coloured splendour. The world in his head and around his body slowed down. He saw lives and deaths coming and going; were they his own or others? He suddenly knew that life and death were dreams, there was only transformation - the 'Ever Living' as Sapharia had said.

A voice broke the silence:

"Are you paying for this soup?"

John was looking into the eyes of Miranda, the shop assistant!

"B-But I've paid for it once and took it back to my flat."

"Look, what's up with you? First you call me a cheesy name, 'Verdia'; then you give me a corny chatup line and then you stare at my chest. Now you're trying to say that you've gone before you've arrived. Are you on something?"

"No, No. I just think you're a very nice girl and you send my head whizzing. Don't think anything of it."

"One day you'll have to come to a POW meeting with me it will clear that head."

"POW? What is that?"

"Don't you know. Pals of the World."

"I'll hold you to that" John said as he walked through the door. Looking back he definitely saw the light of Verdias eyes shining in Miranda.

He had a very strong feeling of deja-vu as he re-entered his flat. He went straight to his computer. This time it was switched on and there was writing on the screen. He was amazed to find that it finished with him leaving the shop just a few moments ago!

All that we see or seem IS but a dream within a dream!

He recommenced the tale as he could remember it from his reveries.

John awoke to find that he was alone in the middle of a vast moorland with the mountains directly ahead. The morning was beautiful and the song of skylarks filled the air as they ascended to heaven. A slight breeze gently rocked the grass and the scent of awakening was everywhere. After a time he descended and reached a river in a valley. It was a wide fast flowing current and John had not a clue how he was going to cross it. Just then he noticed a bridge about a mile upriver. He headed towards it, but after an hours walk he realised that he was getting no closer! Two hours passed and still the bridge was the same distance. He then realised that he would have to use different tactics as he was getting more and more off course. The river was about 100 metres wide and it seemed too fast flowing to try to walk or swim across.

Once again remembering that this was the Plain of Illusions he thought he would exercise his power to see beyond the facade. His penetrating gaze saw beyond the play of things and he realised that the river, was in fact, no river at all but just a mirage. Taking a deep breath he stepped into the imaginary waters only to find that they were real after all. The current bore him away and he felt helpless in the rush. This was the end he thought - but a voice in his head said "No, just the beginning!" John finally discovered that a drowning man DOES see his life before his eyes. He saw parks on sunny days, birthday parties, first love, parents passing, heartbreak and joy, like flashes of lightning. Then he went under. Twice he was submerged. Third time unlucky he thought. But then everything moved in slow motion. He felt like a dolphin swimming through the depths. He was suddenly a creature of the element of water. He thought of the Casian. He became aware that he had grown wings. He was one of that august band. He rose through the torrent, seeing the sun through the liquid growing brighter as he neared the surface. Then he broke through into the air and took wing like a bird in the softening skies of early afternoon. He gently landed in the branches of an oak tree At that moment he experienced such joy as rarely comes to mortals. Too soon the moment passed and he found himself climbing down from his perch as John Thomas once more. He had realised what it is to be Casian. A veil had fallen. He was more and more becoming a part of the whole environment of this world.

For many days he walked the moors, seeing no other human being. He heard the soaring song of skylarks and the symphony of the wind. He never ceased his walking day or night, but did not grow tired or bored. It was a calm meditative experience. A oneness with nature. Gradually the mountains grew nearer and John felt hopeful. On the seventh day of his peregrinations he came upon a small settlement of dome like buildings, each one about 10 feet tall. He counted 49, each one a different colour - the rainbow 7 times over. As he approached a young man of about 18 years of age rushed out of the nearest hut, orange in colour, and shouted to him agitatedly:

"Thank God you are here. Another one has been taken today."

"Another what?" John enquired.

"Another girl. The monster has taken my sister. She is only 16."

"Well what can I do?"

"You can find its cave and rescue her, before she is killed."

"Why me? Can the men in the village not do that?"

"No, the beast is a Vantar. It has the power to cast a glamour over its dwelling place, we have been told that you have the sight and can see beyond illusion. You have been blessed by the Casian."

"Well I don't know that. A few days ago I failed to see beyond an illusion and almost drowned."

"That is because you did it for yourself. If you do it for others it is infallible. Please help us. 6 girls have gone. They may all be dead by now, but at least there is a chance for Samaria, my sister."

John was pondering how on earth he was going to decide which way to go when the crystal around his neck radiated light and a soft voice said "To the East."

The young man's eyes widened with wonder, before he spoke.

"You have the talisman of Karnon."

"Karnon? Who on earth, or anywhere else is Karnon?"

"We are not allowed to tell you. But when you reach the mountains you will know. But you must go quickly, there is no time to lose."

John bade farewell to the young man and set out to the East. Very quickly he reached a large rock, about 50ft in height and a couple of hundred across the base. It was rather strangely placed in the middle of miles of open moorland. He approached the edifice and walked around. Facing the east was an entrance. John was afraid to enter, not knowing what monstrous beast he would find. But he somehow mustered the courage and stepped boldly within.

V
MANTRASIA

At first all was dark, but slowly his eyes adjusted to his surroundings. Rather than the stench of death there was a lovely odour of roses, just like in the garden. The smoke of sweet incense filled his nostrils. He followed the scent on all fours along a narrow passageway. In a few moments he reached a small cavern and was astounded at the sight that met his eyes. Around the circumference of the grotto, suspended in the air were six beautiful young woman, dressed in pure white robes. Below them was a large beast with glowing red eyes looking straight at him. This beast was very Yeti-like and about 12ft tall. John was temporarily taken aback, but there was something amazingly beautiful about the whole scene. The girls seemed in a blissful trance and the beast appeared very un-threatening. Then a surprisingly mellifluous voice said:

"Greetings. I am Mantrasia the Ventar."

"Hello?" replied John. "You don't sound much like a monster. Not the ones I see on the Sci-Fi Channel anyway. Aren't you supposed to grunt and roar?"

"Remember this is the Plain of Illusions. Don't believe anything you see."

"But why have you kidnapped all these girls? Are you going to eat them?"

"Certainly not. I am a vegetarian. But just look how beautiful they are. They need to be appreciated."

"And their families don't appreciate them?"

"Not in the way that I do. You see I am an artist. I paint and I sculpt. I need these girls for models. I want to immortalise them. Think of it. Their tribe, the Talian, marry them off when they are sixteen and then they become drudges and baby-making machines. Soon their looks fade and they become old and wizened by the time they are forty. Their whole lives are filled with mundane duties. Just look at them, they do not deserve that fate."

"Well why don't you explain the situation to the Talian."

"Do you think they would listen to me if I could? But the truth is that I can't, because they see me as a monster and so that is how I appear to them. They have not met Verdia, Sapharia, Rubia and the Casian. They have given you the sensibilities to see me as I am. The Talian just see the monster. Come let me show you something."

Mantrasia led John to the far side of the room where there was a large canvas seated upon an easel. It was covered by a large cloth which Mantrasia removed. John's eyes met a picture of unparalleled beauty. It was of one of the girl's that were suspended in the air. The painting was more than lifelike, it captured the subjects very soul. It was a creation of Light. The Vantar then led him to another cover that was thrown over an object. When this was removed John was not prepared for the wonder he was to see. It was a life-size image of another one of the young women. It was 3 dimensional and constructed of pure light expressing a deeper loveliness than can be imagined.

"Watch this," Mantrasia said enthusiastically.

As he touched the figure rays of light emitted from his finger tips mingling with the coloured light that already composed the picture.

"I am painting the soul."

John thought it was the best example of finger painting that he had ever seen!

He noticed that the Vantar had seven fingers on each hand, each one emitting a different colour. He learned that the fingers of the left hand dispensed the deeper shades and the right the brighter ones. Each colour conveyed a feeling. Red emotion, green compassion, yellow intuition, violet spirituality, blue pure intellectuality, indigo meditation. Of course these were the Higher feelings that Mantrasia wanted to instil in the girls. The darker colours represented feelings like lust, jealousy, fear, anger etc..
Mantrasia's plan was to keep an image of each girl in his cave and then let them all return to their village. By looking at their representations he could see the changes in their emotions by the altering of the colour in the figure. Then, by using his colour therapy he could replace the bad tint with a good one. There would be a definite link set up between the girls and their likenesses.

John could see the wisdom of this in one sense, but thought it wrong to deprive the maidens of their independence. Surely to love, hate, feel jealousy etc., was a normal part of life and it was up to the girls to overcome these things themselves.

"I agree." said the Vantar, interrupting his thoughts ". It is only in times of great danger that I will help them."

Still John felt that there was something odd, about the whole thing. Why help just the girls and not the men? Perhaps in the end Mantrasia was just a lonely man who idolised women. He could identify with that at least! But in time he came to see it as an act of great chivalry, Knighthood at its most idealistic. Time would bring him that realisation also.

There was still the great problem of how to explain all this to the Talian. Would they believe that the 'monster' was indeed a very cultured individual who only had the welfare of the girls in mind?. The first move was to get Mantrasia to free his 'captives'. This was not easy, but , as he had finished with two of the girls, he agreed to let John take them back. Once released from their spell they became hysterical on seeing a 'monster' before them. A sad reflection on society, he thought, that they could not see the beauty in everything. Even the idea that viewing their portraits would convince them did not work as these works of art were as invisible to them as the rest.

Back at the village the Talian were far from impressed with Johns explanation, but were thankful that at least two of their daughters were returned . Over the next four days John acted as go-between and eventually returned all the maidens. He said goodbye to the Talian and decided to call in to see Mantrasia on his way passed the cave, but when he reached the spot where it had been there was just empty space. In his mind a voice clearly said : "We will meet again soon."

V
MIRANDA'S DREAM

Over the next few days John pondered the lessons learned and walked for many days again without food or drink, as the mountains grew closer and closer. He slept under a full moon and awoke early in the morning to a pounding on the door of his flat. When he opened it Miranda, the shop assistant, was standing there.

"Are you completely barmy? " she asked. "Last night you gave me a tenner for a 50p can of soup and went home without the change."

"How did you know where to find me?"

"I was watching you from the shop and saw you walk into the flats. Then I saw the upstairs light go on and you against the window."

"So you're a peeping Tomasina?" John laughed.

"O very funny. How many people would make the effort to bring the change back. I could have kept it."

"I know, it's good of you. Would you like to come in?"

"OK, if you'll promise not to take advantage of me."

"Now who's being funny!"

John made her a coffee. He could see that she was on edge. She twiddled her thumbs and was quiet for a long time. Then all at once she looked at him earnestly before speaking.

"I had the weirdest dream last night and you were in it."

"I don't want to know" John cried raising his hands in protest.

"No, No not that kind of dream. It was weird and beautiful at the same time."

"Sounds like the kind of dream I would be in. Carry on."

" I was on a boat sailing down a river. I was me, but in a different body. I looked in the water and I seemed to be some kind of princess, dressed in Egyptian like clothes. I have always loved Egypt since seeing the film "The Mummy". It was night, the moon was full. I felt wonderful.

Soon I reached a Temple. A beautiful place, bathed in moonlight. I got out of the boat and walked up some huge steps to the entrance . I entered a large hall, there were huge sticks of incense all around and the smell was heavy and sweet. At the far end was a shrine. I approached, and as I drew nearer, a statue came into focus. It was a goddess with many arms. She was so beautiful. I felt a warm radiance from her heart. I started to cry. I don't why. Then behind me I heard footsteps, like music, on the marble floor. I turned around and a Priest in a white robe and hood was approaching. He said my name, so softly. He took my hand and led me nearer to the image. Suddenly a brilliant green light shone all around her and a gentle feminine voice said; "Do not fear, all will be well." I turned around. The priest had lowered his hood. It was you. Then I awoke."

For a while they sat quietly. Miranda had spoken with such passion and feeling. Then she continued:

"You see I am afraid. I live alone, like you. My parents were killed some years ago in a road accident. I see such crazy things going on in this world. People abusing other people, people abusing nature, and I wonder what kind of insane society we live in. I am afraid when I'm in the shop, in case some nutter robs it with a gun. Then this dream comes along and, even though its weird, it gives me some hope."

John looked in her bright blue eyes. In their depths he saw, Verdia and Rubia and all the women that ever existed in reality.

"What does it mean?" she asked

All John could reply was

"All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

This seemed a trite thing to say, but she smiled.

"I don't know why I'm talking to you like this. I don't even know your name! But I get the feeling that we've been friends for ages. Do you ever get that feeling?"

"Yes I do. And my name's John."

"She stood up and said:

"Thanks for the coffee John, but I'll have to go now I am working early today."

"Thank you for being honest about the change. I hope you have some more pleasant dreams."

Miranda smiled again as she opened the door to leave. John watched her as she crossed the square towards the shop where she worked. He felt that all this was the beginning of something.

Soon he was back at his computer and 'memories' flooded into his mind. He continued the story:

V1
THE SACRED MOUNTAIN



The mountains were very near and John felt confident that he would soon reach them. Then he may learn what all this was really about. Having crossed the plain rather more easily than he had expected he came to a large forest that surrounded the mountains to a distance of about five miles. There seemed no other option but to the enter the forest, which made the wood where he had met Verdia seem insignificant.

Inside the trees it was pitch black. No light filtered through the leaves here. There were no paths to follow and John wondered how he was to find his way through. All at once the crystal around his neck lit up and cast a beam several feet in front of him which he used as his literal guiding light.

As his eyes became more accustomed to the dark he could discern shapes flitting from tree to tree above him. The wind became strong and howled through the branches. The forms looked ghostly and the wind added its mournful dirge to the whole scenario. John became more and more aware of shapes flitting all around him like bats. As they neared him he felt an icy coldness run down his spine. They shied from the light in front of him, though. He saw faces, some young, so old -but all mournful and sad. They moaned quietly like ghosts in traditional ghost stories do. They were transparent and white, again typical. They gave him no cause to fear, to John they were like swallows weaving their way in and out of trees.

He felt that they were aiding him on his journey through the darkness. Perhaps souls that were lost and wanted to be sure that no one else went the same way. On and on he went guided by the phantoms until he broke free into the brilliant sunlight Looking back he framed a silent 'thank you' in his heart and a tear started from his eye.

"Don't worry. Everything will be ok in the end." He whispered and then proceeded onwards to the mountains ahead.

Once through the forest he found that he was once again on the plain. The mountains that had seemed so close were now as distant as ever. Suddenly he was startled by a voice behind him:

"Lovely day isn't it?"

He turned round and gasped in surprise. For standing there were Sapharia and Verdia.

"Am I glad to see you two. But I thought that I had to cross the plain of illusion alone."

"And so you did," Verdia said. "This is no longer the plain of illusion. It is just a common or garden plain!."

"Now we can accompany you to the sacred mountain." Sapharia added.

John was relieved to have some company at last. As they walked on they became closer and closer as friends. Indeed as he conversed with Sapharia it was almost like talking to himself, different aspects of his own psyche. He was aware of how much like Miranda Verdia was. When they had first met she had seemed like a distant 'goddess', but now she came across as a very intelligent woman. The sort of woman that romantic men dream about. Totally feminine and happy with her femininity. John thought that if it were not for the overbearing negative influences of society all people could be like these two and the world would be a much better place to live in.

Soon they reached the mountain range.

"This is where you will need some help", Sapharia said.

John was led to the foot of a very high mountain.

"This is the Sacred Mountain that you must climb" Verdia told him. "You could get some help from your powers, but ancient tradition says that you must climb by your own efforts if you wish to discover the secret."

"What secret?"

"Well it wouldn't be secret if I told you, would it?" Verdia laughed.

"But you said I would need some help and then that I can't have any. That doesn't make sense."

"We can help you with advice and encouragement, but the climb will have to be made by you alone."

Then she looked at him seriously before saying:

"But I will be with you always. In the deepest parts of your mind. I will always be there."

"Always?" John repeated.

"Always." Miranda echoed. John was looking into the eyes of Miranda. "You always talk weird. But I've come to think of you as my best friend."

"Well. I've only known you a few days."

"Yes, but don't you get the feeling that you've known somebody for eternity, even on first meeting?"

"Sometimes" John replied, thoughtfully.

"DO you get that with me?"

"Yes"

Sapharia and Verdia watched as John started his ascent.

V11

ASCENT

At first the climb was pleasant, birds sang in the woods and the day was soft and warm. His heart was light and cheerful. He thought of Verdia and his soul soared into a quiet heaven of gardens and waterfalls. All those perfect dreams were quickly focused and the future looked as bright as the sun. He had found his fairy tale princess, but was it Miranda or Verdia or both? Were they one or different? Time would tell. Words of Love shone in his mind. He felt liks a mute poet.

Soon he reached an area of thick mist, his spirits faded somewhat and a strange uneasiness spread through his soul. Dark fears and doubts assailed him. Images of his past taunted his mind and his spirit sank. He felt himself as a failure. He walked through the mist with heavy steps and seemed to make no progress. Hours merged into days, years and centuries, time lost all its meaning to him. He wished that the journey had never started and that he could go home and forget this ridiculous quest. He was depressed in body and mind and at last turned to go back down the mountain.

He walked a little while and then remembered that crystal around his neck.

"If you can help me now, please do so. This is a time when I need your guidance more than ever."

The crystal responded and started to glow. John turned around and, with a new determination made his way back up the mountain. It became very cold, an icy wind blew, and a blizzard raged, but in his heart was the warm glow of confidence regained. Just when it seemed that the wind would blow him off the mountain and into the dark chasm the mist cleared and he was at the summit. Here all was peace. Everything felt warm and calm . The sun shone in clear blue skies once again. In the distance he discerned a shape sitting cross legged inside a small pagoda type building. Drawing closer he saw that it was a monk with shaven head, apparently in deep meditation.

When John approached he looked up and smiled.

"Ahh you have made it" he said in a soft melodious voice. "I am Bodhia and am here to welcome you to the Sacred land

"I am tired" a voice sighed, but it was not Bodhia. John was looking into the eyes of Miranda. They were beautiful and luminous, but filled with tears. She continued:

"I don't know why but a great depression and loneliness is filling my heart. I am afraid all at once. The world looks dark and gloomy."

He was lost for words. For a moment he cast his eyes down and then raised them to reply. But Miranda had gone and Bodhia continued the speech:

"Time is running out. You must go through the mystic forest and find the Temple of the Golden Flower. There the Lady of the Fountain will give you guidance. Take this bell. Ringing it will give you the power to flit between your world and ours. You must watch Miranda. The time approaches."

"What time?" John asked

But Bodhia had gone and he was alone again.

VII
THE MYSTIC FOREST

The mystic forest was beautiful. The sound of the wind in the trees was like the music of a thousand harps. The scent of all the flowers combined filled his nostrils with a divine aroma. Everything looked clear and fresh. He stopped to taste the fruit of the Inspiration tree and used the herb from his shoulder bag to heal a sick deer. John was very contented here and soon began to forget all about his quest. Soon he came upon a village inhabited by the most perfect looking people imaginable. They were all youthful and happy and the men played the most wonderful tunes on flutes and guitars whilst the women sang like Angels.

Using the powers of perception given to him by the Casian he could see that these beings were as innocent as dawn and their hearts were filled with only love. He had at last realised one of his dreams to find such a society. Why should he bother to journey on. What did it matter to him what happened outside of this arcadia. He had at last found somewhere that he could be happy forever.

After a meal of the most delicious fruits night fell and John lay down beneath the stars and began to think on previous events. He thought of Verdia and Sapphiria, of the Casian, Rubia and Mantrasia. Each one had touched his heart in some way and taught him a great lesson or given him a power. He began to see that NOTHING that had happened was by chance, everything had a purpose. All things had been designed to help him on his quest which was slowly becoming clearer. Certainly Miranda was at the centre of all this, but how?

John began to feel sorry that he had been so ungrateful to all these beings who had helped him. True, the forest was wonderful and the people here were beautiful and gentle, but they were so wrapped up in their own world - so happy in their oblivion of all that goes on outside this forest. He realised that he too had succumbed to the enchantment of this grove. He noticed that the crystal around his neck was glowing. The guidance it gave was obviously not only external but internal. The young Talian had called it the Talisman of Karnon, but who are what was Karnon? And what part DID Miranda play in all of this. He was sure that some bond was growing between them. With such thoughts playing around his mind he fell into sleep.

He awoke to the sound of knocking. The scenery had changed to that of his flat. He was lying on the settee and it was daylight. He opened the door and Miranda was standing there.

"Hello" she said "I thought I would call. I wanted to tell you that I have quit my job so I won't be seeing you around here anymore."

"Why did you do that. I thought you were happy there?"

"I was but I can't handle it anymore. I can't sleep at night. Bad dreams keep wakening me and I feel very depressed. I can't get the car crash that killed my parents out of my mind. I wonder what there is to live for now. I don't know why I'm telling you these things. You hardly know me. I bet you think I'm a right nutter. But I feel that you might understand somehow. Don't ask me why. Desperation perhaps."

"Look Miranda. You must hang on. I think things are going to change very soon, for the better."

"How could you know that?"

"Well. I can't really explain without sounding like - a right nutter as you said."

Miranda laughed.

"Its good to see you laughing Miranda. Your face lights up. Remember the good dream that you had! Hold on to that."

"Wish I could, but things come along and drown that out."

"Come in for a coffee and we can chat some more."

"Wish I could, but I've got a meeting in half an hour."

"Pals of the World."

"Yes. At least that keeps me sane - just about."

She laughed again.

"There's something about you John that makes me laugh."

"Perhaps its my face."

More laughter.

"No its not that. You make me feel hopeful."

"In that case you must come for coffee tomorrow morning."

"Ok. I'd like that and we can chat some more."

"Sure can."

"Well I'd better be going then."

As she walked away John called after her:

"Keep smiling."

"I will." She replied softly.

John spent some time bringing events up to date on his computer . Then he dozed on his settee and awoke to greet dawn in the mystic forest. He thought to himself.: "If only Miranda could see this sunrise. How she would love the colours and the smells and the bird song and the taste of morning air."

John bade the beautiful people farewell. They were not concerned. They simply continued to dance and sing and make music.

Cheerfulness returned to him as he continued his journey. But he could not help thinking about Miranda and her misery at that moment. He was realising more and more that all of this was connected to her present state of mind and that his efforts WOULD help her in some way. So he had renewed determination.


IX
KARNON


The forest eventually gave way to meadowland and in the distance John could make out the shape of a structure. It was like a medieval castle and John smiled for no reason. His whole life was becoming more and more focused upon Miranda and anything that could help save her. As he approached the drawbridge lowered and he walked across. Soon he was in a large hall and in the centre was a round table with many seats around it. On seat, on the far side, glowed with a golden light. There were names on all the seats, some familiar - Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, Sir Perceval, Sir Bors and many others. Some were completely unknown to him. The name on the glowing seat was Sir Tarian. He continued through the hall and out through a door which lead into a large courtyard, in the centre of which was a fountain. A beautiful woman suddenly materialised by the fountain and smiled benignly towards him. She was the synthesis of all the loveliness that had entered his life over the last few days.

"Welcome Sir Tarian," she said.

John was flattered but not surprised by his new found name. It was somehow familiar to him. The lady approached him, she was more attractive than he had at first noticed. Long golden hair almost touched her ankles and she had the deepest blue eyes, if that is the right way to describe them. Her dress was medieval and golden.

She continued.

"You must bathe in the fountain if you are to give love's first kiss."

"I beg your pardon," John exclaimed.

"It is all that can save Miranda, my friend. She is aching for true love, as you are. Sir Tarian's weapon is a pure kiss that can awaken love amidst the coldness of your world. It is all that can bring her here to take her true place - it is all that can break the depression that haunts her life."

John knew that it was true. He had never found true love, and life was swamped by shallowness and sensuality. Suddenly it was all clear. In the midst of all this darkness there must be the power to restore pure love to the world, to find something in another person that was beyond the physical, that was more than the desire to procreate the race. It was a living fairy tale.

John bathed in the fountain and the Lady gave him a pure white robe to wear. Then she smiled the most wonderful smile he had ever seen. It contained all the feelings that had lain within his heart for so many years, but could not blossom forth in a world of emptiness and despair, a society plagued by inconsequential thoughts and actions. Then she gave him the kiss! A gentle kiss upon the lips, just for a second, but his life was transformed from that moment. It was as if he had just awoken from a dream, all doubt disappeared and his heart grew warm.

"Miranda" he whispered, as his hands ran over the computer keyboard. He was in his flat again.

"Yes?" a voice replied. Miranda was standing by his side.

"You are here."

"Of course I am, you invited me for coffee."

The room faded and the Lady of the Fountain filled his vision.

"Sir Tarian, everything that you have said and done up to now has prepared you for this moment. Not an event or meeting has been chance, one piece missing from the jigsaw and you wouldn't be here."

Verdia and Sapphiria, the Casian, Rubia and Mantrasia all flashed before his eyes. They were all one again.

"John, John," Miranda called. "You are miles away."

"I have a gift for you. It is a blossom from the garden of my heart."

With those words, he kissed her softly upon the lips, just as the Lady of the Fountain had to him. He knew that if it had not been for the events of the last few days, he would never have understood love's first kiss.

X
LOVE'S FIRST KISS


His eyes only closed for a second, but when they opened he gasped in amazement. He was standing in a rose garden, the same one as at the beginning of his journey. Miranda was with him, but so changed! Soft dark hair, almond eyes, a dress of brilliant white. She looked like an Egyptian Princess.

"Who are you?" John asked.

"I don't know, was the reply, "But I am who I was always meant to be. But look at you, you are so different."

John looked at his reflection in the garden pond and saw himself as a knight in golden armour, but soft armour-made from some tender metal.

"A warrior of Love" he muttered.

"There's only us in the whole world," Miranda sighed.

"That's all there ever was," John replied. "Everything else was a dream. The crystal must have had some effect on my brain."

"I feel that I am living in two worlds." said Miranda and, as John looked up the familiar surrounding of his flat met his vision. "My depression has lifted and I feel a deep peace in my heart. I can almost smell the scent of roses."

"You are so beautiful" Sir Tarian told the Lady of the Rose Garden. "What is your name?"

"Some call me Verdia or Rubia or just the Lady of the Fountain, or the Lady of the Rose Garden - but my real name is Lilania."

"Lilania, I will remember that forever."

From that moment on John knew that a new recruit had been added to the army that watches over the world and that Liliana lived and laughed and dreamed in a world far different than the one on which we 'live, move and have our being!' He liked to think that she and Sir Tarian shared a love that was rare and beautiful and that was hardly possible in the world of work a day life. But his days from then on were sustained by the memory of love's first kiss and by the smile of the Lady of the Fountain.


Miranda threw herself into her work for Pals of the World and gained a rare sympathy and understanding for all things that surely was the seed of a deeper understanding that would light the way someday.

John and Miranda remained friends and silently through their days together, through their conversations and communions something wonderful touched their hearts and they entered a world that only lovers know - a world more magical than the one shown to John as a result of his finding

Hello Wayne Gee, I see that this was posted quite a while ago. I would imagine you've either revised it on your own or have tucked it into some hidden corner of your computer. In any case, I hope I'm not too late to offer my two-cents.

First off, I'm going to critique in sections because my time today is sort of limited, and I don't want to rush over what you've obviously put considerable time and energy into. This critique covers the PREFACE to the CASIAN.

I'd like to remark on your use of the exact time. In short, I like it because as a reader, it intrigues me. Why is the exact time so important to this character? Is he obsessive? Is sleep so hard to come by he has to scrutinize every minute of it he gets? Very interesting.

Already, having only read the first few sections, I'm really impressed by the concept of the story. The crystal, the dream world, and the existence of those existing in both. Such a magical adventure for a man who needs a little something in his life.

Now as for my two-cents on what needs a little work. I know the old adage of "show and not tell" is cliche, but it really can make a difference. I've noticed that you do a lot of telling when it comes to what John is feeling. He's lonely, surprised, joyful...etc. The problem is that emotions come in ranges. One word really can't accurately describe the depth of an emotion. Instead of " But he felt alone." expand. "He often found himself going on walks simply to escape his quiet apartment. He considered getting a dog, it would be a good conversation starter, but he wasn't sure if he had the patience." How lonely is he? He lives alone and the only contact he gets is on walks, in fact, he's so desperate for contact he considered a dog simply for the conversation it would start. Don't tell your reader John's lonliness, show them.

The second topic I'd like to address is the dream world. Wonderful creation, so much so that I'd really like to read more about it. Does the dream world feel different than reality? Maybe it's so much the same that John can't tell the difference. You've described the people, the landscape, but it needs a little more...umpf. We're not talking about wally-world here, after all. This is not like walking down the street. Show the audience, and help them experience what John is experiencing. When John walks on the pineneedles, do they crunch the same way they do in reality or do they have more give? Does the dream world have hazy edges, or is it crystal clear? I know in my dreams when people talk, their mouths don't move. (Weird, I know). You have so many beautiful and magical elements in this dream world, don't brush them off.

Well, that's my two cents for now. I will definitely be back to read the rest.

~New York Bum

Thanks for the compliments and criticism regarding the story. I have also been a long time replying as I had almost forgotten it was here and that anyone would read it! But I have taken your words into my consciousness. Eventually it was meant to be much longer but I left it for a good while and then decided to tag a quick ending on it! I will take note of what you said and reply in time!

Wayne, some good stuff here. Apart from the points already made, I'd like to see people appearing less suddenly, although maybe that's what does happen in dreams. You do have some very profound Theology or is it Philosophy going o in the story.

I think you are right about people appearing suddenly. I am a great admirer of the Victorian Fantasy writer, George McDonald who tended to add a dreamlike quality to his stories. I am very much into Theosophy, philosophy and comparative religion-so it is used quite a bit in my stories and poems. I try to make the worlds I create quiet unlike the world we live in and things happen as they do in dreams i.e often following no logic at all.

I haven't been on here for a while due to a virus and a change of PC-I had neglected to find my way back to here until I got an e-mail recently about new management! I have a large amount of bookmarked sites!