Hello! Thank you for stopping by. ^__^

This is a rather unusal piece that I'm putting up and again, as always, I would appreicate feedback.

To make a long story short, this is an alternate beginning to my first novel. It was never used and has no home, but like all my writing, I love it too much to simply discard. So, I'm offering it up for your pleasure. It's not long, so I'll meet you at the bottom. ;-)

 

The Labyrinth's Reply...

 

            From his seat at the iron table, Sebastian looked across the lawn and smiled as a man emerged from the tunnel. The smile quickly faded, however, as the warm morning light revealed the man’s garment to be the dark toga pulla of a Roman in mourning. Sympathy caused the Maze Keeper to abandon his customary position and hurry to his bewildered guest.

            “Greetings, citizen,” he called, his arms open and welcoming. As he neared, Sebastian could see that the tall, lean man was well into his seventieth season. His smooth head, like a speckled egg, supported a meager crop of hair and his right eye was lost to cataracts. The iron ring of an Equestrian hung loosely on the trembling hand that grasped the proffered arm.

            “Greetings to you, citizen,” the man replied, his speech slurred from the loss of teeth. “Do I know you?”

            Sebastian shook his head. “No, sir. I am a stranger to you. My name is Sebastian.”

            “No family name? You are a freeman, Sebastian? My name is Marcus Garrchus.”

            “My most sincere condolences for your loss, Equestrian Marcus.”

            The old man’s face contracted and a mighty sob bent him over. Sebastian’s free arm reached across Marcus’ back, supporting him as he used his magic to bring the table and chairs within a step. He carefully lowered the crying man onto a seat. As the Maze Keeper sat, his magic placed a chair beneath him. He did not remove his hand, but relied on it to offer Marcus the comfort of contact as great, body-wracking sobs ravaged the frail man. Nothing was said during his breakdown and Sebastian was content to wait.

            When Marcus finally looked up, Sebastian had a warm, damp cloth ready for him to clean his face.

            Nodding his thanks, Marcus accepted the offering and applied it to his cheeks. “My beloved wife, Junia...” Tears began anew and Marcus withdrew his hand from Sebastian’s, using both to press the cloth to his streaming eyes. “How foolish is man,” he gasped between sobs. “I thought I would be dust when Junia left this earth. I foolishly thought that...that...this pain...that I would be spared.” He fell silent again, but his tears were less heartrending than they had been. When he spoke again his tone was pleading. “Surely you know and share my grief, Freeman Sebastian.” Raising his head, Marcus’ hungry gaze searched the green eyes that regarded him.

            “I am sorry to say that I have not been as fortunate as you, Equestrian Marcus,” Sebastian whispered. “You are happier than I.”

            Marcus’ gaze turned inward as he examined this truth. Reflection caused him to nod. “You are correct. I have been happy and am now a foolish old man, wallowing in self-pity.”

            “How long were you married?”

            “Fifty seven years.”

            Sebastian’s lips curled into a smile. “After so many years together, Equestrian, you are entitled to all the wallowing you’d like. I shan’t stop you.”

            The dark eyes narrowed as Marcus scrutinized the Maze Keeper, and then the old man grinned, wiping his face. “Another day, perhaps,” he agreed, nodding. “You have given me something to think about, and I thank you, Freeman Sebastian.”

            “Now, tell me,” Sebastian said, sitting back and making himself comfortable. “Just before we meet you were thinking of a question, something that is plaguing you. What was it?”

            Marcus dropped the cloth onto the table and he too sat back. “Are you a seer?”

            “No sir,” his eyes sank closed as he shook his head. “But I have another power at my command. It was this power that led you through the tunnel and onto my lawn. It is the power to answer the question that has been troubling you.”

            “Power?”

            With a curt nod, Sebastian rose and turned to face the towering hedge that surrounded the lawn. “You see this mighty wall of boxwood?” He put his hands out, palms up, and an arched doorway opened in the hedge before him. “This hedge is a maze; a maze in response to your question. At its heart lies your answer.”

            “You say that as if it were a simple matter of asking and receiving.”

            “I say it because it can be so.” The Maze Keeper took a step toward the opening, his arms wide. “The Labyrinth has stood here since the world began and its magic is uniquely personal to the individual who addresses it. One question alone will it answer, Equestrian Marcus. You have only to enter your maze and find its center.”

            Marcus’ tone was teasing as he asked; “Why should I believe you, Sebastian with no family name?”

            Sebastian turned back to face his guest, a broad smile on his face. “Why not? I ask for nothing and offer peace of mind.”

            “And why would you do such a thing? If not for reward, then why?”

            The Maze Keeper grew still for a moment. “I believe,” he began thoughtfully, “that every person upon the Earth has a task. Even if it is as simple as offering a hand to a child who has fallen. My task is to extend a hand to those who are sick at heart. Your task, Equestrian Marcus, is to help your grandson, is it not?”

            The old man’s head fell forward as he nodded. “He is about your age, but lacks your maturity.” He looked up then, a wry smile on his lips. “Fifteen summers old and still unmarried!” He shook his head as if in wonder. “I have tried and tried to make him understand and he will not listen to reason. His father died when he was yet a babe and he was raised by his mother’s brother. He doesn’t understand that he is not cultivating the right parties. Several prominent families have offered him daughters, but no. No matter how I tell him, he will not hear me.”

            “Come, Equestrian Marcus,” Sebastian said, his hand out to help his guest rise. “Your answer is before you. Ask the Labyrinth, and trust that I have fulfilled the commission created for me.”

            Marcus’ expression was fraught with resignation and skepticism as together they moved to stand before the arched opening.

            “Think of your question, Marcus Garrchus, and open your heart.”

            Sebastian put his hands out toward the hedge. In each palm a glowing ball of bluish light appeared. Tiny sparkles of light erupted in the air before him and were drawn into the expanding glow. As they did, the hedge seemed to melt, collapse, and reform itself. In a matter of seconds there was a new opening to the maze, directly before Marcus. The glow in Sebastian’s hands faded as, lowering them, he looked up at his guest.

            “Will you enter your maze, Equestrian Marcus? I can offer you no other assurance than the faith I have in you. You passed through the tunnel, you posed your question and I know you will find the means of helping your grandson. Come.”

            Gently drawing the man forward, Sebastian helped Marcus to the door and placed him within his maze.

            “I cannot see what you do. This maze is yours alone. Never before has there been one like it, and never again will it be repeated. You are standing upon your path and need only move forward.”

            Looking around himself, Marcus turned back to the Maze Keeper. “This is my neighbor’s garden.”

            Sebastian nodded. “This is where you begin.”

            Marcus’ tone was firm as he again met the Maze Keeper’s eyes. “We shall meet again, Freeman Sebastian.”

            Sebastian bowed, a hand over his heart. “You will return, Equestrian Marcus Garrchus, and tell me of your triumph.”

<0> 

            Coming out of the darkness, Arnold stood for a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dazzling light of day. Across the lush lawn he could see a white, cast iron table and chairs. Occupying one of the chairs was a figure, dressed in black. The lawn itself was surrounded by a towering hedge. For some reason the colors were more vibrant than he had ever encountered, and the feeling of exceeding good health made him draw in a deep breath.

            Fortified, he strode onto the lawn.

            The young man at the table rose, and as he did a passing wind lifted the cape that draped his shoulders. In that moment, Arnold could see the long, black frock coat, wing tip shirt collar and cravat, and was impressed by the assembly. While the time of day required less formal wear, the unknown man was the height of fashion.

            Drawing closer, he was amazed at the youthful appearance of his host. The man could not be more than sixteen. Faced with this quandary, his pace slowed. “Forgive me, sir,” he began, “but you are the Maze Keeper, are you not?”

            Bowing, the young man smiled in greeting. “I am, sir. My name is Sebastian and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

            Shaking his head in wonder, Arnold smiled in reply. “Forgive me, please. I expected someone of a more advanced age.”

            Offering his guest a seat with a sweeping gesture, Sebastian resumed his own. “People perceive me as less threatening in this form.”

            “But you are ancient?”

            “As old as the Earth,” Sebastian agreed.

            Arnold nodded, satisfied with this confirmation. “And the hedge maze, I read about in Gibbon—”

            “Alexander’s account of our meeting,” Sebastian smoothly interjected. “Yes. I am that Maze Keeper and this,” he indicated the hedge behind him, “is the Labyrinth.”

            “Great God,” Arnold breathed, his voice steeped in awe as his gaze rose to study the boxwood.

            “Do not be impressed,” Sebastian soothed. “You are indeed treading the path Alexander walked, but you are no less an extra ordinary individual. Greater men than Alexander have I met, and their names were recorded nowhere. Clio is fickle with regards to whom she favors. My history of the world reads quite differently than hers.”

            “Are there such things as Muses then?”

            Sebastian’s smile warmed. “All things are born, whether in the heart, mind, or upon the land. Who is to say what is real? Are you and I speaking, or are you deep within a dream?”

            “Am I?”

            “You know of the Labyrinth’s ability. Ask your question and discover what is real.”

            Arnold nodded, his gaze returning to the young man’s face. “I find myself upon the horns a dilemma. One I feel is insurmountable.”

            “And I disagree,” Sebastian said with a smile as he rose. He reached up, swept the cape back over his shoulders, and exposed a gold, crescent-shaped badge around his neck. Arnold saw the flash of cut stones set in the gold as his host turned to the hedge.

            “Think of your problem,” the Maze Keeper directed as he called upon the magic of the Labyrinth, “open your heart, and let the Labyrinth show you the path to your answer.”

            “And if I find the path too arduous?”

            “Two words will suffice to remove you from your Maze, forever. If you say, ‘Enough, Sebastian,’ you will be ejected, never to return. But I warn you, do not utter these words, even in jest, unless you are truly done with your quest.”

            The Maze Keeper glanced over his shoulder, and Arnold saw a smile in the green eyes.

            “But you will succeed, Arnold Bennett. Of this I have no doubt.”

 

                                                                                                                          

^__^ Please do email me, and let me know what you think.
Personally, I think it's charming and I'm sorry that it didn't work out.

PP