The Return of Avalon

Not only did a mythical isle suddenly exist, but now I was being asked to help the Avalon Sisterhood bring it closer again to Earth. A calm had settled over me though, a blanket of peace and serenity, and although I believed I was probably dreaming, I still would give the answer I must.

"Yes. Tell me what I must do."

"Thank-you. Now come, lie down upon the altar." She commanded.

I walked up the hill and climbed onto the altar in the middle of the circle of stones and waited for her next directive. "Listen closely. Only your spirit is with us now, your body remains in your own world; however, there is a cord that remains connecting the two. You cannot see it and we will enable you to see it also. Now this may hurt a little..."

Suddenly from her hand placed upon my brow there came a hot, electric energy and a bright, searing light burst through my head. As the glowing afterimage subsided she apologized and said that she said that it was the only way to allow me to see the energy. After a bit I became aware of a web of glowing strands traced along the inside of my mind and a slightly thicker strand heading away from me, which did not fade.

"Do you see that thicker strand, the one heading off into the mists? She asked.

"Yes."

"Well, when I tell you, imagine yourself gripping that thread tightly, and being pulled along it." Without waiting for an answer, she beckoned to the other priestesses. They each laid a hand upon me, and began to chant again. Slowly, I noticed the outlines of the land begin to blur a bit, like it was being uprooted from its place. Then, just as I saw a light envelop the isle in a blue glow, I heard the High Priestess shout, "Now!"

With a start I remembered what I had to do, and grabbed the glowing strand hard. I felt myself travel along it; then I felt a lurch as the world tilted sideways, and I was home.

The voice of the High Priestess spoke out of the darkness, "Thank-you for your aid. If ever you are in trouble just call out my name and I will come. I wish you well, good-bye."

"Wait! What is your name?!?" I quickly yelled.

"Magdalyne." She said, and was gone.

On the enchanted isle, Magdalyne was addressing the rest of the Sisterhood, "Sisters, it is done. We have returned. However, Avalon will yet remain separated by a thin veil. We can come and go as we please, but will still be able to maintain the secrecy and sanctity of this holy land. Now we have a long, arduous task ahead of us and we must remain brave and true in our prayers. The world has greatly changed since our foremothers' time and we must be steadfast in our devotion to the Lady."

"What is needed of us?" Asked one of the priestesses.

"We will be messengers of wisdom, light, and truth. We must bring promising young girls here to be trained and taught, and they in turn will go out into the world to heal and lead the land."

"What of the ravaged Earth?" A young sister asked.

"We will send out the four holy relics to heal and restore the land." She answered.

A shocked clamor went up from the multitude. Out of the tumult, two distinct questions were heard, "Who will bear the treasures?" and "What of the necessary sacrifice?"

The High Priestess shushed the throng and answered those questions, "We will summon the bearers, and the proper ones will be called to us and educated.