Ekleipsis Read Free Page B

eyes, allowing Sorie to squeeze her
other hand. Sorie’s skin was cool, no longer burning with
fever. It’s a miracle , Eslar conceded, a marvelous miracle
indeed . Sorie puffed and blew trying to
make herself take deep breathes and excel fully, pushing with each
contraction.
    Little Vandor was about to
flow from darkness to light, from the womb into the Land of Erde.
Today he would be born among the dark howls of the night storm, but
tomorrow he would feel the warmth of the bright sun upon his tender
skin. From the safety of his mother’s womb, he would soon be among
the forces of good and evil.

    Sorie anticipated the precious smile
of her son, which somewhat eased the discomforts of her groans and
cries through the pain of birth. Dr. Toggle, with his sleeves
rolled up and freshly washed hands, held the newborn. With a fresh
damp cloth, Dr. Toggle cleaned out the eyes, ears, and mouth of the
child. A small cry and then another.
    New life: a beginning with opportunity and promise for both
failure and success; a desire for wants and a need for
understanding; a blessing and a gift.
    No one cared for the
disarray among the wind and rain of the night. A baby was born. New
life had sprung forth. Cheers and tears filled the home. Burdens
lifted, fears released, prayers answered; it appeared mercy had
been granted. The small room, moments ago filled with silence, was
now full of family and laughter.
     
    Sorie, exhausted, beheld her child
with sleepy eyes, “My little Vandor Leshing.”
    A bond, that which a mother
instinctively feels for her baby, was made without thought. She
held him close, wrapped in a soft blue blanket covering his body
and head, only revealing Vandor’s face and arms. His eyes squinted
against the light, with the faintest hint of eyebrows.
    Tindal gazed at his son, so
delicate and innocent he looked. Countless things passed through
Tindal’s mind, taking in every bit of baby Vandor. There were
things that must be done, which must be taught, and made known to
be expected. Does not every father ponder
these things within his heart , he
wonders.
    “Shall we dedicate him to God and the
King, as it is written in the Book of Wisdom Ashvar?” asked
Tindal.
    “If you and Sorie be agreed, then so
be it,” replied Ashvar.
    “We are. Let it be so,”
claimed Tindal.
    “Yes, father, we would like as much to
be done,” agreed Sorie faintly, still looking ever so tenderly at
her newborn.
    She lightly kissed Vandor
and lifted him toward Ashvar. Vandor’s eyes were wide open as if
taking in all that was new. MaZak and Eslar stood near the door
anxious to hold the child, but patiently waited their due turn.
This was a moment of dedication, an important time indeed. A
picture, whereby the parents offered their precious gift of life
back to God, who saw it fit to grant them as an
inheritance.
    Ashvar stepped up to the
bed, taking the child from his mother’s arms. Lifting Vandor up
toward heaven, Ashvar began to speak: “Dear young Vandor, before
knowing good or evil, thy parents doth dedicate thee to the great
and holy God, thy Creator. It is He who has seen it right to grant
thee life, and to Him doth thou eternally owe it.
    “To the law may thou be
obedient. Love God and serve the King with diligence. Honor thy
father and mother, that thy days may be long. Take heed to godly
wisdom from those which prove to be wise. Strive to give light to
those in darkness. Give service to those around thee, thy kindred
and thy neighbor. Shun the teachings and babblings of the kingdom
of Darkness and the servants thereof. In all things keep thyself
pure, for we know one shall reap from what is sown.
    “Long live the King, and
long may thou serve him in pure of heart. To God be all the honor,
glory, and praise forevermore. Amen.”
     

 
     
    Spring Forward a
Little
     
     
     
     
     
    “Come on Kayla. Let’s go to
my grandfather’s shop and see what he is working on,” begged
Vandor, seeing Kayla sitting in the