The Storyteller - Chapter 20

The Storyteller

A Novel

By Paul McCann

Chapter 20

 

The Monk

 

On the road he walked among places between the mountains and sea .

As the sun began to set, he felt the chill of the winds that blew a drizzle of rain in his face . He slowly climbed his way up the hill of whispers to an ancient site called ,

The Gatekeepers Ring . At the top of the hill some standing stones stood in a circle and within the centre of that circle the storyteller looked up at the sky and stretched out his hand to the sunset and whispered to the creator of life ,

“ Sure, it’s only reserved once a day for us and what a marvellous sight it is to see.

The beauty of the sunset is free to see and a delight for the soul . Wonderful is the work of creation that speaks in silence , The colours of the clouds etched with the silver of the lakes and the green of the grass is like a tapestry of life as yet another day ends. “

A short distance away from the standing stones was the ruins of Chants Joy Chapel and it was in there that an old monk’s cell still remained intact and the very place where the Storyteller was going to stay for the night .

As he made his way through the entrance to the ruins, he could hear in the wind a voice chanting . It was like an ethereal echo from the past drifting through the cloistered ruins . As he continued through one of the archways , the chanting got louder and then he was able to distinguish the words that were being sung ,

“ Only for you , my heart speaks , only for you in this place . Only for you do I seek . Only in my own heart space .“

The storyteller lifted his voice and called out to the chanter .

“Hello whoever you are , can you hear me there . Hello is anybody there “

The chanting voice ceased and a man dressed like a monk suddenly appeared in one of the archways in the ruins . He spoke in a soft voice .

“ Hello there, my name is Brother John . You are very welcome here in this place .

I am a pilgrim monk on a journey of enlightenment “

The storyteller smiled and said ,

“Hello , Brother John , my name is Sean McKay and I am travelling to Colmcille in Donegal for a festival of healing at the Flagstone of loneliness. “

The monk went over and reached out his arms to welcome the storyteller .

After they hugged each other, the monk said ,

“Sure, don’t I know all about loneliness Sean . A lifetime spent on bended knee with prayers send to God on high without an answer back . “

The Storyteller smiled and answered,”

“Why don’t you come with me Brother John and find the healing that’s there to be found .“

The monk in a soft sigh replied ,

“Not for my sake would I go but only for His namesake. My journey is on a road less travelled Sean and it’s there are the secrets of my soul “

The reply came swift and clear.

“Would you ever share some of those secrets with me ?”

The monk replied.

“ Only if you have time and if you do then , come with me now to where we can be a heartbeat away from heaven.“

The storyteller exhaled a long deep breath and said ,

“Sure, what is time in comparison to the secrets of the soul ?” .

A shimmering light appeared all around them and within the light a door opened up and the monk waved his hand and said ,

“Let us go now Sean to a quiet place, where I can share in secret some of the things, I remember about the goings on around this here place. “

They both made their way through the door and to the other side where they stood by the chapel grounds .

Then the storyteller asked the monk.

“So we hsve travelled back in time to when the monastery was in full function as a place of contemplation ?“

The Monk replied.

“.Ever true are the words spoken from the heart and as you said them, I need not reply . You are like myself a traveller of space and time . That’s why we are the same and it is for that reason I needed to meet you and share with you some hidden secrets of a time when invaders came to occupy and control the land and its people”.

The storyteller asked ,

“So why is it that had to return back to a time past Brother John ?”

‘Because what I have to tell you has not yet happened , so the knowledge of that cannot be heard by the hills of whisper who cannot ever tell things that don’t exist for there str those in the dark realm who still seek vengeance for their great loss and still wish to take over the land and its people for their own wicked purpose . Here is where I can tell you the secrets of the soul because the dark spirits of the hills cannot hear what I will tell you which means you can share them

freely because of the universal law “

The storyteller smiled and said ,

“ That means what you will tell to me, I am free to share anywhere in time or space?”

“Yes, that is the reason so now I can tell you this , because in this place where we stand is where once a battle took place to save all who lived then and for all those in the future who would one day have a life to live . In this very spot where we are now , one day standing stones will be there just so you know exactly where we are. “

With a nod of his head the storyteller said ,

“Now I know the place where we are standing but in a different time and space . So please tell me more”

The monk continued ,

“Here in this place is a giant known as The Gatekeeper who had once driven away invaders who came seeking to destroy everything on the land as well as all its people . The giant knows no fear of anyone or anything and then he began his attack on those who threatened to destroy everything that was good . One by one he killed all of the invaders and their remains now lie underneath that place in a future time where standing stones have been left . But before the last of the invaders died, they said they would return one day to this land seek their revenge and until that time comes they left behind evil ears around the hills to listen to all the knowledge of words spoken that would try to prevent victory of their wicked plan . So what I am about to tell you is in the past so no one can hear and understand all the details , thus knowledge is only for you storyteller . Then here ever after you can go tell it to the mountains and the sea and wherever the wild winds blow , through every season that will be , in the rain and the snow , let everyone know the truth of those who intend to return to invade and control life in the days that are yet to come .baer have put in place a plan to counter their wicked plan and when they return we shall be waiting . The time for that is coming soon so the gatekeeper must be made aware of the invasion at hand . Soon is a time when the forests will be no more and the green hills will turn into wildernesses . The rivers will also run red like blood through the veins and when these things happen it is then the time for the bell to be tolled . When you return back to the time where we were before you will make your journey to Colmcille and there is where you will find a key that is placed under a cross near the flagstone . You will be guided to that place there where the key is kept by one of those who will seek healing there . Take that key with you and bring it back to the monk’s cell in the ruins of Chants Joy Chapel . In that room you will see a picture of a bell on the wall and behind that picture is a keyhole that the key in your hands will open . As that is opened you find a secret door in time and space , beyond that place you will see a staircase to climb . On the top of that staircase is a bell tower in the universe where the gatekeeper awaits . Leave the key with him and let him know it is time for the bell to be tolled then leave the way you came back down the stairs to the room in the ruins . There you will be again in another time back in the dimension you’re from . So on the day when the invasion is about to start every giant will be awakened by the sound of that bell that will ring out at such a high frequency there will be no sound for mortals to hear , however, it will ring loud and clear with such a divine intensity that its energy will awaken every sleeping giant to arise and defend the land and all its people once again from those who would come to cause destruction and harm .Do not fear all will be well . Fill your head with stories and songs and recite poetry about a better place in the future for everybody You’re words must be heard and you have to continue to walk among the hills underneath the sun in a land where the druids left room for the holy Trinity in places where people can discover the truth that is there if only they have time to listen to the secrets of the soul”.

Suddenly a pillar of light fell from above and open up a doorway at its foot . The monk reached out his hand and said .

“ I cannot go with you to where we met but you must travel on for the sun awaits to rise in the sky and there is a road ahead that you must travel . Go now storyteller.“

Through the door in the pillar of light the storyteller went and found himself back

among the standing stones where he whispered to the hills , .

.

“ I could tell you of a morning when the dark night has passed by and of another time when giants walked with footsteps in the sky and of winds that drove away the whispers of the things we shouldn’t fear.. I would tell you every single thing

if only you were here . Ah but no , there is a place for us all before we live and die when we can be at peace with the great spirit in the sky . So let go now to the place where healing can begin and love and peace can have a chance to get in where confusion seems to happen every now and then inside the minds of those who like to think they’re clever men , but someday they will find there is a better place to be when you can fill your head with stories and recent some poetry . Its away I have to go now on the road in the rising sun and open up a doorway to a time not yet begun”

Then as he made his way along the road through the hills underneath the sun

he remembered the monk he once had met a long time ago .

 

End chapter 20 

 

\The Storyteller

Link to chapter 21

https://www.abctales.com/story/mcscraic/storyteller-chapter-21

By Paul McCann