Chapter 10
She had not been expecting to see anyone, yet somehow she was not afraid, but at the same time she felt an awe-filled terror. This feeling intensified when she saw the speaker. He walked out toward her from the trees. A sort of light surrounded him and threw the woods into deep shadows. He moved swiftly and smoothly toward her. When Gazaelle walked, she seemed so much a part of the earth that she glided on its breath. This person was different. All of the things that would have stood in his way, rocks and grass and mounds of dirt, bowed and moved to one side, letting him pass. He walked gently, but with the air of ownership.
Miriam could scarcely breath, much less speak, but she managed to stutter"Who are you"
His eyes glowed with some inner fire as he said"I am." At his simple declaration, the stars sang in such a way that Miriam could understand their words.
"He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth."
He was close to her as he said" I am known by many names."
"After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds he holds nothing back."
He stood before her. "Here I am known as Elyon."
"He parted the heavens and came down."
He smiled at Miriam and as he did the glow around him seemed to fade. Miriam could see that he was a man, at least, he looked like a man, but his eyes held a depth of compassion, pity, sadness, hope, and joy that Miriam had never seen before. He sat down beside her and looked at the stars as she was doing. They were now singing in their unknown language.
They sat in companionable silence for a while, then Miriam said"Where I come from the stars don't do that."
He smiled again and recited"Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world." He tilted his head toward her. "That was said of your stars."
Miriam frowned. "How can you know about my stars"
Elyon sighed. "I know a great many things, daughter."
She looked down at the grass. "I don't understand."
He patted her shoulder kindly. "You will someday, but now we must talk of your purpose here."
"My purpose"
"Yes, you were called here for a special reason."
"I was called"
There was laughter in Elyon's voice as he said"Come a little closer, keep on stepping nearer, destiny awaits."
Miriam's eyes widened as she recognized the little rain chant. "Was that you"
He nodded. "I have many voices to those who listen."
Miriam was not quite sure she understood, but she knew she would do whatever was asked of her. "Well, what do you want me to do"
Elyon smiled at her for a moment, then looked away. She didn't think he was going to answer, but finally he spoke softly. "My people have forgotten me. In their times of trouble they do not even remember my name." His voice grew heavy with sorrow. "How many times I have longed to gather their children to me as a hen gathers her chicks, but they would not have me. I have walked among their tents and holes and houses, looking for one among them who remembers me, but found none." He turned to look at her, and Miriam was surprised at the tears in his eyes. "So I have called upon you, Miriam, granddaughter of Traeven, king of Aeral. You will become their queen, and you will turn their hearts to me once again."
Miriam gave a little gasp. "But – how am I supposed to lead these people? I'm just a little girl, and they're grownups. They'd never listen to me"
Elyon's face was intense. "I will be with you. I will give you the words to say. You will be strong in the power of my might."
Miriam said the first thing that came to her mind and was surprised at how grown-up she sounded. "Let it be unto me as you have said."
Elyon laughed then, and Miriam thrilled at the sound. His voice was joyous. "If only all of my people had the faith of a child." He took her hand. "Don't worry about what to do. I'll tell you when the time comes. Don't get discouraged and don't get depressed. I'll be with you wherever you go."
As he spoke the night seemed to get lighter. The images swirled around before Miriam's eyes. Suddenly she awoke. It was morning.
