Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (I am that I am) 11.0/34 Julio Cesar divad72@prodigy.net.mx Vi Moreau vmoreau@directvinternet.com TWILIGHT OF THE GODS "In those days when He hath brought a grievous fire upon you, whither will ye flee, and where will ye find deliverance? And when He launches forth His Word against you, will you not be affrighted and fear? And all the luminaries shall be affrighted with great fear, and all the earth shall be affrighted and tremble and be alarmed. And all the angels shall execute their commandst and shall seek to hide themselves from the presence of the Great Glory, and the children of earth shall tremble and quake; and ye sinners shall be cursed for ever, and ye shall have no peace." Book of Enoch 102: 1,3 Apocrypha Mexico March 28, 2013 Two hours after dropping Amanda and Cassandra at Glasgow Airport, the Ancient Gathering flew to Mexico City in Heru-sa-aset's jet, where they confirmed the existence and the location of the village of Texistepec to the southeast. They then flew to a lovely southeast city closer to their destination. From there they set out in three well-stocked Jeeps. Elena loved the warmth of the sun, the sound of the soft rain, the lilt of Spanish tongues and native voices; and the sight of so many natives in their beautiful white clothes and their gentle faces. She felt wonderfully immersed in the rich cultural milieu of a foreign and still-unspoiled place. No wonder Corazon Negro loved this country. The others had been considerate enough to let the lovers have a Jeep to themselves-the first time she'd been alone with the Aztec for quite a while, regardless of their task ahead, Elena found herself happy, for a change. It was as if she was young again, and the sight of Corazon Negro, poised and commanding, beside her was comforting and stimulating. The Aztec drove their jeep like a maniac, but as long as the two cars in their caravan kept up with them, Elena didn't complain. She chose not to think about Lilitu and her powers. She decided to simply trust in God, to whom she had sent more prayers than she could count, and in the strength of the Ancient Gathering. The jungle was breathtaking. Banana and citrus trees all but blocked their way on both sides of the narrow, winding uphill drive; here and there giant mahogany trees soared to 150 feet; and out of the high canopy above came the frightening but unmistakable roar of the howler monkeys and the cries of the countless species of exotic birds. The world around them was drenched in green. Because of the uneven roads and steep hills, again and again they found themselves on a high promontory from which they could view the canopy of the jungle as it spread out over the volcanic landscape below. The clouds settled low in the jungle spreading their humid load among the forest's plant and animal life. A dense mist settled over the vegetation permeating everything, at times it was so dense that it acted as a foggy screen keeping out all but a few rays of sunlight that managed to strain through. Elena inhaled deeply, taking in the rich smells and sensations created by the dampness of the forest. Like beads of moisture, dewdrops stuck to everything they came in contact with. It felt good against her face and skin. Her mind wandered as Corazon Negro drove on through the narrow and ever winding roads. Corazon Negro knew Elena loved it. "Remember our time almost two-hundred years ago in the Andes?" he asked. "How could I forget?" Elena said smiling. "I promise you, everything is going to be all right." Corazon Negro said trying to sound reassuring. "Now that we are together again, I'm sure of it," she said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. At last they reached the jungle village of Texistepec, so small and so out of the way that the government of Mexico had forgotten that it even existed. It was a small grouping of dull wooden-roofed houses. There were pigs and turkeys roaming about everywhere. Elena spied at some cornfields cut from the jungle, but nothing more-not a single sign of technology. In a sense, it was as if time had stopped there. When their Jeeps pulled in, the local inhabitants came out to greet them quite benevolently, enforcing Elena's opinion that the native Indians were some of the most enchanting people in the world. They were for the most part women, dressed in pretty white garments with remarkable embroidery on them. She saw faces about her, which reminded her immediately of her beloved Mapuche. Most of the men of the village had gone off to work in the distant sugarcane plantations or at the nearest chicle ranch, they told Corazon Negro, the only one of their party who understood their dialect. Elena wondered if it was forced labor, but decided it was best not to ask. This was no vacation. Theirs was nothing less than a hunting party. She knew she must keep that in mind. As for the women, they often walked many miles in a day to offer their skillfully woven baskets and embroidered linens for sale at a big native market. They were thankful for a chance to display their wares at home, because Myrddin, Heru-sa-aset and Aylon bought a substantial amount of their hand made goods. There was no hotel of any sort whatsoever, no post office, no phone-no contact with the civilized world, but they didn't need any anyway. Myrddin's computer could supply information regarding any necessity of that sort-and in the village there were several old women who would eagerly give them lodgings in their houses. Their money was welcome. Since this was a tropical rainforest, there was plenty of food to be had. The village was fringed with coconut palm trees and there were even some pine trees due to the elevation. As soon as they settled on a place to sleep, Elena said to Corazon Negro, "I'm going to have a look around." He smiled. "Don't get eaten by anything," he warned. "Snakes?" she asked, remembering the huge constrictors in Malaysia, another jungle she'd gone hunting in. "Snakes, jaguars, crocodiles. Just be careful." "I'll come with you, if you like," Connor volunteered. "It's a far cry from the Highlands." Elena nodded, and together they walked about the bordering jungles and saw many exquisite butterflies in the dappled gloom. There were moments when Elena was so purely happy that she could have given way to tears; but not, of course, in front of the harsh Scot. She was secretly grateful to Corazon Negro for this journey. She concluded in her heart that no matter what happened, the experience would be well worth it for her. When they returned they found that the women of the community had cooked a group dinner-tortillas, beans and delicious wild turkey meat-that they put on the ground at the center of the village. They sat to eat, shooing away the dogs. Several children delightedly perched on Aylon's lap, asking him about the tattoos covering his face. Beside him, Heru-sa-aset was bombarded by questions as well about his shaved head, while Myrddin, Zarach and Methos laughed, at Corazon Negro's translations of the childish patter. Several of the young girls had eyes only for Duncan, and Connor teased him unmercifully about it. "If any of those girls makes moon eyes at you, they'll have to deal with me," Elena said in a mock-fierce voice, holding possessively onto her Aztec's arm. Corazon Negro laughed. For the very first time in many days, the Ancient Gathering enjoyed a peaceful and happy dinner. Once they finished eating, the Ancient Gathering decided who would go with Corazon Negro after Quetzalcohuatl's mask. After some discussion, they again chose to let the Aztec come to a decision. The others would wait for him in the village homes. "There's no need for all of us to cut through the jungle," Corazon Negro said. "We are beyond the danger of bandits, and the cave isn't far. Besides," he continued, drinking from his carved wooden cup, "only a Dreamer can enter the cave." The Aztec settled back onto the ground, resting one elbow. "What about Lilitu?" Methos asked, touching the head of the child sitting beside him. "She is not omnipotent," Corazon Negro stated. "Otherwise, she would destroy us right now." A little light came from the nearest bonfire, barely penetrating the jungle around. "She knows nothing of our whereabouts, or about the mask." "Are you sure about this?" Myrddin questioned, finishing his wild turkey's leg. Corazon Negro sighed while Elena put her head on his chest. "Yes," he announced. "This is my task. Besides, if something happens to us, you should continue our mission." "Anything happens to 'us'?" Zarach asked, his two-colored eyes sparkling with mischief. "I would like Elena to come with me. Don't worry, I can protect her from any magic." Corazon Negro replied. There were knowing smiles all around, and Connor said, taking a swallow of native rum, "The way I see it, you are starting to look like Duncan, with all the fun and all the good women. Isn't it so, laddie?" he asked his kinsman. Duncan looked away from a girl he'd been smiling at, which prompted everyone to laugh even harder at the joke. "Don't worry, brother," Corazon Negro said. "Very soon all of us will share the fun against the hag. It's getting late. We should sleep. Tomorrow we have much work to do." ========