Ekleipsis Read Free Page A

coming,
Dr. Toggle. Please see to Sorie as I clean up this mess. She is
boiling with unquenchable fever,” Eslar pleaded, turning her gaze
to the doctor.
    Dr. Toggle moved around the
spilt water into the bedroom with Sorie, closing the door behind
him. MaZak grabbed a towel to help Eslar soak up the water, and
pick up the large pieces of broken pottery.
    Within the space of half an
hour, two more men arrived at the home. Fighting against the
climate, they entered and locked the door behind them. They were
soaking wet.
    MaZak stood to greet them,
“Tindal. Ashvar. Dr. Toggle is here. The time of birth is upon us,
but her fever will not fade.”
    Tindal felt his blood carry
the uncertainty of what may transpire next throughout his body. He
removed his drenched poncho, while Ashvar took off his saturated
cloak.
    “Fear not, Sorie shall live
to see her child,” claimed Ashvar, most assuredly.
    Ashvar’s eyes were fixed
with truth, and his voice quivered not. Neither Tindal nor MaZak
questioned the seer, but both held still the slightest seed of
unbelief. Never had any known Ashvar to lie, for he was one who was
close to God, but faith easily wavers in times of suffering and
worry.
     
    Ashvar made his way to the room and
Eslar followed, closing the door behind them. Dr. Toggle stood over
Sorie checking her vitals and assessing her condition. Patting her
face lightly with the damp cloth, he feared there was nothing he
could do. Looking up from Sorie’s pale face, seeing Ashvar, he
stepped aside. He knew Sorie was in need of a greater physician
than he, if both she and the child were to live.
    As if Eslar and Dr. Toggle
were not present, Ashvar moved around to the head of the bed. One
could hear the sloshing of his wet robe against the floor while he
walked toward Sorie. Kneeling beside her, he placed his left hand
over her brow, laying his other atop her right hand. He bowed his
head as the room was still.
    Ashvar spoke with his heart
to God, words not audible for man to hear. He was a man of prayer,
one who communed with God. Prepared from the womb of his mother,
raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, he had always
been a seer and friend of the Most High.
    Moments that seemed like hours passed
by. Afraid to move, Eslar and Dr. Toggle watched as the seer knelt
in silence with his eyes closed. Eslar cried in her spirit for God
to grant healing, as Dr. Toggle offered his own prayers to the
Father.
    MaZak and Tindal remained
outside the room, knowing there was nothing they could do to help.
Helplessness is not one’s favorite state to be found in, but few
there be who escape it. Fighting for prominence, fear and faith –
mixed with prayers – filled their minds as they waited. They could
not deny the doubt which desired to overwhelm them, but fought
against giving it precedence above all else in their
being.
    MaZak kneeled, hunched over
the seat of the wooden chair in the corner of the living area.
Across the room in the kitchen, where the bowl and water had been
cleaned up, Tindal sat with his eyes staring at the floor between
his legs. The sounds of the storm could still be heard through the
small cracks around the windows and door, along with the beating
upon the roof. As MaZak sent up words to heaven, Tindal’s mind was
full of small repetitious prayers of, “Please help Sorie and the
baby,” over and over again.

    Ashvar lifted himself from
the ground. Bending over, he gently kissed Sorie upon her forehead
and turned toward the Dr. Toggle and Eslar. “God has seen it fit to
remove the fever. The time is at hand. She is ready to
deliver.”
    Sorie’s eyes faintly
opened, instantly renewing faith in the room. Color slowly filled
her cheeks once more. The baby was coming! Washing his hands, Dr.
Toggle prepared for the child’s deliverance. Eslar was there to
help with towels and fresh water, while Ashvar made his way out to
be with MaZak and Tindal.
    Eslar touched the face of
Sorie as she looked into her