The Passage Chapter 4
The Seeing Water
When the light was gone Gawain felt more afraid than he had ever been. He had been in total darkness before. He should not have been fearful, but he was. The light that had left, felt as though life its self had left him. The shadows he saw with aid from the light could now be felt rather than seen, gliding wistfully along the walls. Every so often one would glow and shapes appeared in the mists, a blue illumination of the smoky figures. He could not see them but for seconds at a time. He saw faces and scenes of happiness. He saw a mother and her child, smiling then disappearing into the darkness, a field of wheat blowing in the wind and a farmer standing there in the midst of it, all disappearing into the black. He found himself staring into darkness when the shapes extinguished themselves and felt that they flew away at the sound of Forsooth's return.
Gawain squinted and squeezed his eyes to adjust them to the coming torch of the demon. He could see the misty shapes becoming shadows again at the approach of the light. He was frightened to see Forsooth again, had he though it only a dream? It was not, he found as Forsooth inserted the key into the lock and entered his dark prison. He was holding a chalice filled to the brim with clear water but not overflowing.
"I have brought you drink, but this is not it." He laughed, seeing that Gawain eyed the water in his hands. "Your draught is much nastier." He finished and sat down and gestured for Gawain to do the same. Gawain did so. He watched the other bring the water in front of his face.
"Who is it you wish to see?" Forsooth asked evilly. Gawain was unnerved by the mere presence of the seemingly immortal being and felt even more frightened by his eyes on him. He thought a moment and slowly looked up. He bravely met the demon's eyes and spoke.
"Galahad." He said finally.
"That boy?" Forsooth laughed, surprised. "There's not anyone else you wish to see? A woman perhaps?" He said, rolling his brilliant but alarming blue eyes. Gawain held his gaze.
"It offends you that my request is not foul or impure. I am no Christian, but I know evil when I see it." Gawain said to him and he was surprised at his own words.
"You will see him." Forsooth said his voice for the first time angry. The water in the chalice began to quiver apart from Forsooth's hands. Gawain kept his eyes upon it and watched. Before a moment had passed, Gawain heard Galahad's voice and saw, finally, his face in the water.
"He is dying."
Galahad was crying.
"Galahad, look at me."
Arthur was there.
"Gawain's fate is not sealed. The last thing he would want you to do would be to give up hope."
Gawain nodded sadly. The image disappeared. Gawain was unable to hold back the tears after seeing his dearest friend so. Galahad was strong but also passionate, he would be very distressed, possibly dangerously. Forsooth read this thought and smiled again.
"He will hurt." Forsooth said.
"He is hurt now." Gawain shot back.
Forsooth took away the water and stood, shaking his head and sighing, but not sadly he said:
"He will hurt himself."