Dark Clouds

The afternoon sun with its sweltering heat had made his lips crack from dehydration. His whole body was caked with dirt, dried blood and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. In an open courtyard surrounded by dilapidated stonewalls he stood with his hands tied behind a post.

He had lost everything.

As calculated as he was in all that he did there was one thing which didn’t add up. How could he have known it was going to end up like this. Would today be the beginning of his demise he wondered.

He went over the whole scenario again. One minute the courtyard was filled with friends and family celebrating a reunion and the next minute he was tied to a post.

“What the hell did I miss?!” He bellowed with sheer frustration.

“Absolutely nothing.” Rasped a voice.

“Who are you? Show yourself!” He barked.

“Have you forgotten what you bargained for many years ago. I’m here to collect your debt.” The voice sneered.

All of a sudden his eyes widened in alarm as he felt an eerie cold wind from behind and had sent shivers down his spine. He slowly cleared his throat and tried to muster up a calm voice but failed to conjure up a sound except for a high pitched squeak. He coughed and blood spewed out from his injured lip and he spat on the ground.

“I still have some time left. One year to be exact.” He hoarsely whispered.

“Perhaps so but that would be the case except you failed upon our agreed contract. Matter of fact, you don’t seem to remember what it was. Now this is a pleasant surprise especially coming from you. Even if you do remember by now what do you suppose I would want in exchange.” Laughed the voice.

*************

“Why did you show me that scene?” I asked the Guardian of the Sun.

“You will know what to do when the time comes. See its truth.” Smiled my guardian.

“Is this necessary? I thought we’re supposed to be working on me here and not anyone else.”

“You are, you being the operative word.” Chuckled the ancient spirit.

“Okay. Well, each has a role to play according to what I see. The consequences that arise are only the result of which these two parties have engaged in. The voice is at a clear advantage by cloaking himself in mystery even though the man at the post recognises him in the end. The voice does not show himself in order to continue exuding his power over the man and to break him down slowly. Whatever it was in that agreed contract must have contained a loophole which the man who’s tied to the post thought he could overcome. Aha! I see now why you showed me this.” I said calmly.

“Let us go to another place and time.” Replied my Sun Guardian.

I wondered whether the man would survive and if so, was there a way to prevent the inevitable from happening. And if not then the only solution was the hope that somehow he’d find a way to free himself from that post or figure out the loophole in the contract.

“Sometimes you care too much without knowing how that will affect you during battle.” Consoled the ancient being.

“I am a woman in this present life for a reason. It’s in my nature to care regardless of anything else. And don’t get mad I just called the rains to come now. He’s entitled to drink some water.” I said matter-of-factly.

“That will not change anything,” paused my guardian as he quizzically stared at me and continued saying, “even if the ropes do get wet. There is little or no chance of him escaping.”

“A little goes a long way.” I retorted and smiled.