The Guardian

         Death came at midnight on Halloween while a terrible nor’easter roared outside the sheltered hut located high on the side of the mountains. She had known exactly when her end would come. Everything had been arranged for ahead of time. Her only living relative, a distant cousin, would be notified in the morning by telegram which she herself had sent a week ago. She would be buried in the cave behind her hut by the natives who live in the desolate, cold place with her. She knew them all by name though none of them had ever been near her home while she was alive.
         He looked outside when he awoke. The prophecy had been fulfilled. He got up and dressed carefully. Custom had to be followed. He woke the other twelve villagers. They had to hurry. She had to be attended to within seven hours of her death. Quickly the villagers gathered the items needed. Within ten minutes, they were inside her home. No one spoke. They worked separately and quickly to prepare her abode. They did not look at her face as they readied her body, for it was forbidden.
         Her heart was removed and placed in the vessel she herself had chosen. The heart was as white as snow and twice as cold. It still beat. A purple crystal the same size as her heart was placed in her chest. Her eyes were removed next and placed in the crystal containers she held in her hands. They were as black as space and he knew that they still saw. A small red crystal the size of her eye was placed in each of the empty sockets. Her hands were then crossed - left over right. Belladonna and foxglove were woven into her hair. Her feet, arms, and forehead were rubbed with angelica, hawthorn, mandrake, and ginseng.
         Meanwhile, the burial chamber had been prepared by the others. The crystal table that they would place the body on was covered with a white cloth embroidered with ancient symbols. Thirteen tall black candles and thirty-one short white candles were placed at the head and foot of the table. The vessel with her heart in it was placed three feet above her head into a glass box set into the chamber wall. Lion’s foot, hawthorn, woodruff, rue, and opium poppies were spread on the floor around the table.
         Next, she was carefully placed on the table. He covered her with a black cloth which had been soaked in incense. Her head was directly centered between the table edges as precise as the placing of the stones in the great pyramids of antiquity. Her arms were placed on top of the black cloth, hands still crossed; the all seeing eyes faced the heart.
         The twelve others, all women, stood in a circle around the table holding hands and chanting the ancient song of change. He stood at her feet and prayed the ancient prayer of transformation. When he was finished, they all left as silently as they had come.
         Now preparations would have to be made for the cousin who would be here in one months time. He knew she would come. They always came. She would be looking for riches not yet knowing her importance. After all, the new millennium would be here in two months time and all must be ready.
         Their time was short and they must be gone before the new one came. The ancient charms, crystals, and ankhs must be polished and placed in specified locations ordained. The books needed repair and rebinding. Food had to be provided. The hut needed to be updated for this one for she was from this century. Each one knew exactly what to do. In time her needs wouldn’t matter because she would know the greatest solitude and struggle on Earth forsaking all for humanity. Lastly, the entrance to the cave must be hidden but not so that she could not find it in time. They toiled silently, quickly, and with great care and precision. Ancient custom was followed to the letter without hesitation or question while prayers were constantly repeated in their minds as if they were one being.
         At long last, the day she would arrive came. Transportation had been provided. All was in readiness. The villagers would sleep now, but he would wait until he heard her wails of knowledge and understanding. Then he would rest with the others knowing that all would be well for one thousand more years.
         As soon as she entered the hut, a nor’easter blew in and quickly grew in intensity. Strange she thought. Her eyes opened wide in astonishment. She would be very rich because of this cousins of hers that she had never heard of. She looked outside and decided that it would be a long time before she could get out again. She began looking at all the beautiful things. So many gold and silver artifacts. They looked old, very old. Herbs growing everywhere in beautiful old containers despite little sunlight. And books. So many and so old.
         She was lost in thoughts of riches and wealth when she realized that she was hungry. She went to the cold box and looked inside. The food inside looked delicious. She took some salad and yogurt. Her favorite meal. Curious. She made tea from tea leaves she found in the ruby colored jar. Odd. Strange tastes were evident but everything was good. She decided to read while she ate. When she opened one of the books, she saw it was written in an obscure, unfamiliar language. Amazingly she could read it. Astounding. Four hours later she finished the book, her meal forgotten. Where had the time gone? She picked up another book.
         Time vanished. Stood still. She read every book and remembered all she read. She drank more tea. Strange flavor, but very relaxing. Suddenly she decided to get up and look at everything again. A doorway, semi-hidden, she hadn’t noticed before drew her attention. She entered it. The first thing that she noticed was the wonderful smells, the gleam of the crystals secondly, and the body last. She was drawn to the body. Was this her cousin? She was very old.
         The need to see, to touch, to be near the body was strong. New knowledge was filling every cell of her being. Suddenly she saw the eyes. She knew that they were watching her. Thoughts of herself were slipping away. She had to see the face. She got closer and froze. Her face - only older. Much older. Then total darkness. Nothingness. A wail, so loud, so mournful, so long, escaped her throat.
         She woke up on the table and sat up. She felt different. She was seeing through new eyes. An old, heavy, strong, all knowing heart beat in her chest. She knew what must be done. The other body needed to be burned and the last chamber reopened. She placed her chair near the crystal table…It’s tomb! Everything had happened precisely. She was the new Guardian. The world would be safe for the next thousand years as it had been for many others.
         He returned to his place of rest until he was needed again for a new guardian. She saw him and smiled. It looked at her and howled. The earth shook. The storm got stronger. It was January first. The prophecy was fulfilled.