Chapter Five

The Linking Stones: A New Beginning. A Fictional fantasy novel.

Chapter Five
“Dreams of Foresight”
Within moments thought he lingered back once more on his dreams. He had been having the same dream as long as he could remember. Always the same, always; he never could figure out what they meant, but he knew he was meant for something more. He just did not know what it was. John began to wonder, his thoughts upon his mother and his sick aging father.
John pondering about the times when he would sit and talk with his mother, they would talk till dark. He also remembered and reminisced on the time he found out about his name. His father and mother where married at a fairly young age and they come here to Scotland to settle. They wanted to started their own life and family; they where so in love. She went on, and spoke of how they found this place and it was as if it was sent to them from heaven above. Just for them.
She spoke to John of they decided to rest by a cave close by. Never did she speak of which cave it was but she did tell of the dream her and father had when they slept that night.
She told him that after dark, her and his father went inside the cave to sleep and the others that had came with them slept outside. All the maids and cooks and gardeners and such followed them to this brilliant new home land. As they slept they where given the same dream; His father and mother dreamed of a man, the same man.
Details where the same and the messages given was also; this man, White snowy long shining hair, feet like brass, eyes like fire, and holes in his hands and feet. He spoke with the sound of many winds and many waters. His voice felt like salvation. He spoke to them both and told them they where going to have a son. Their son should be name John, which means Thunder, and Marshall, which means law and order.
He also told them both that their son would be marked by this name, for a symbol of a mission given to him, for his birth and life was to be a crucial importance. He never told them of what it was, just that their son would do great things.
His mother had told him, how his father and she had woken from the dream, and how they spoke to one another of what was seen and spoken of. How they knew this Man was not joking, and how they believed it to be the Son of God. This was a terrific thing that had happen to them and they promised each other that their first child would be named John Marshall Pike. His mother and father did as they where told.
They thought they would have other sons and maybe even some daughters, but they did not. For John was an only child, he could not shake the feeling he got every time he thought of this conversation with his mother about his name, a beckoning heat grew stronger inside him.
As John sit by the trunk of the tree he lingered in thought. On the moments of how he worked with Eclipse. It was almost too simple, He had broke horses before and none were as easy as him. It was like they where destine to be together, His horse became a friend. It amazed him so, and he just could not put his finger on it.
The sky was warm and sunny with the new taste of spring and the fields of the cove so bright and new. His faithful friend Eclipse still grazing in the field feasting on the finest fresh grass that he could find. How far the two of them have come together; He rode with him in every battle. John always would be on foot and running beside his horse. Most people thought him to be peculiar but, He got the job done.
John leaned into the tree trunk just a little more and rested his head against the trunk. His boots planted firmly on the ground and his kilt dusted with dirt from the ground. Blue, White, and Black, his Clan colors, and he wore them with pride. His warrior belt around his chest full of different sizes of knives, big ones and monster sized ones and one small one. And his sword hanging on his back, he took out and laid it beside him, and his bow and arrow lying in his lap. It was almost like he was ready for war to break out in the cove. People did not understand him at all. He just wanted to be prepared, you never know what might happen, it is better to be safe than sorry.
I am a war leader and I am wanted dead by many. It amazes me that I have not been ambushed by my enemies. John thought to him self; I need some rest and relaxation. No one understands me, not even my father. Oh, he thought once more, how I wish my mother was here, so I could talk with her. I wish I could find my love. The one in whom I am the true me and not what other’s see and think that I am.
Yes, he thought to himself. I could have any woman I wanted, but they are only out for my wealth and looks. I wish I could find someone more like me. Someone with a mission, and a Calling; someone that would listen and understand none of the lasses in the Village are what I am looking for. They are lovely but not lovely in the way I need. I know there is someone out there for me, but I don’t think she is close by. John thinking to himself, I don’t want to think no more on this matter. Come on John shut it from your mind; you have more important things to think about, like rest.
John’s mind then pondered on his responsibilities. He was meant to rule the Clan, but he did not want as soon as it was upon him. His father was getting older and more in age and was not in to good of health. John did not want this job right now; he wanted to pursue this question he had. He was not sure of what it really was, and he wanted answers. He wanted to understand this dream he has been having. He wanted to journey into a new land, and find what was calling him there.
John knew that something had been calling to him, his whole life, preparing him for something more; he just could not place his finger on it. He had no clue what was going to happen, he just knew it was growing closer and closer. He knew he had to leave soon; He was growing so tired of thinking. John’s head began to hurt. He leaned in to the tree a little more like it was a soft pillow. He gave way to his stiffness and let his body go into a restful position and he drifted off to sleep.
As he drifted into the darkness of his sleeping slumber he began to dream once more. It was the same vision he had since he was a young boy. It was as if he knew the steps by heart. He journeyed across the ocean to a new land, and he could see a woman. He was sure it was a woman, he could not see her face or what she even looked liked. She was only a mere silhouette, a shadow. He could see a shinning pink light drawing him, calling him come. He felt such an urgency to leave. He did not know what the mission was but he knew he must go before it was too late.
Instantly his dream changed a bit, he noticed someone else. He had not noticed this being before, it was a man. The man had long white hair and a beard that flowed like shimmering snow. His eyes where like fire, and feet like brass. He spoke with the sound of many winds and of rushing water. No sound came from his mouth; He was speaking with words of heart. He knew in an instance it was the Son of God. The description his mother gave him long years ago when she spoke of how he came about his name. He knew it was the same man, but he was not a man.
His hands hand holes in them and so did his feet. As he looked upon his magnificent glory he felt peace, but also an urgent feeling. He heard the Son’s Spirit say to him, “Go now, and go now before it is too late. The time has come and you must start your journey, the time is now, Go.”
Instantly John woke. The stone that hung around his neck felt almost hot, but yet cool. The blue lighting stone grew more luminous. He knew he must leave, but what was he going to do? His father was nearly on his death bed, he had responsibilities to do. How was he going to just up and leave what he had to do here? The Urgency grew stronger and more persuading. Calling him to his destiny, speaking to his very being, He knew what must be done.
He jumped to his feet and called to his horse, “Eclipse, come hurry! We must ride like th' wind”.
He jumped onto the back of his trusty friend and rode as hard and fast as he could. He rode as if they would not be a tomorrow. He arrived at the Castle grounds; He leaped off the back of the dark haunting fierce black beast. He walked in giant strides to the Castle. He grabbed his stuff and ran in long thundering steps back to the stables. He grabbed a few more items, never speaking a word to anyone. It was such an importance griping at his very immortal soul. Pressing him to go, and go quickly. He knew he must ride, and start his journey cross the ocean.
John jumped with a mighty leap and landed on Eclipse back. He nudged the horse with his heal in an urgent motion. Eclipse knew exactly what his master wanted, so into a blunt run the horse takes off. All the while John’s mind is a racing, his heart and soul are leading him wayward. A leader John had always been, but now he had become the follower of the Unknown voice beckoning him.
John had never really left the beautiful land of Scotland. He did not know really what was out there; he knew he would find out shortly. He knew the time was at hand. This feeling he could no longer prolong. Adventure bound, on his way, to find his destiny. He understood the stirring deep within his soul. The occasion is upon him, and only era would tell.