Discovering Dhurga

Chapter 3

What is that delicious smell? That was my first thought as I woke, warm and comfortable in a luxurious bed made of plants. Opening my eyes to this wonderful light is something I never thought to experience. Well, I accepted the challenge of living and thriving here, might as well get started. As I reluctantly left the comfort of the bed, I looked again at my room, and noticed a few changes. I guess every day from now until whenever, something new and amazing is going to happen.

I went through the door following my nose and my stomach.

Good morning, small one.

“Kat, just call me Kat”

Good morning, Kat. I have prepared a meal I think you will like. Then, we will explore my gardens and you can ask me questions about your new home.

Sounded like a good plan to me. As long as I could eat first, I’m game for just about anything. It was interesting to me that I had felt no fear in the short time I had been in this very different world. I was sure that would change at some point. I sat down at the little table just as Khoth set a steaming tray of food in front of me. It seemed to be some vegetables, meat, and maybe eggs. I didn’t wait for an invitation to begin. The flavors burst in my mouth, I closed my eyes and groaned in pleasure. My first question of many was, “What is this? I see the vegetables in no shape or even color I recognize. There are blue, pink and purple plants that seem to be vegetables, and the meat is also unfamiliar.” Granted, I’d only ever had canned meat, canned vegetables and once in a while we would have a treat of fresh bread baked in solar ovens. And how is there meat if life is so important?

Those are all wonderful questions. I will answer the last first. Death is a part of the circle of life. Many beings on Dhurga consume other beings to sustain life. The destruction of life comes when beings take more than is given and the world balance is disrupted. This is not tolerated by the being that is Dhurga. Remember, this “planet” is a living being and will preserve it’s own life with ferocity. Unlike Gaiya, what you know as your Earth Mother. She was too generous and allowed too much greed. By the time she was able to communicate in desperation to try to heal herself, there was too much damage done. As to the vegetables, I grew them in my garden in preparation for your arrival. I encouraged the plants to produce a flavor, texture and color to be pleasing to you.

Whoa! That was the longest string of words from Khoth and it dawned on me his mouth didn’t move except to chew on a large chunk of meat as big as the table I sat at. “How can you speak to me, your mouth doesn’t form words?” I hope he is patient and doesn’t get tired of my questions. Another thing, I didn’t ask the questions about the meat and life preservation out loud. “Can you hear my thoughts??” That kind of made me feel afraid. I didn’t want someone in my head every moment no matter how caring and supportive they were.

Kat, please believe me, feel the truth of my words, I will never harm you. You are my bond and my friend. I have been preparing for your arrival for decades. Yes, I can hear your thoughts, but I am not listening to every thought, only what you send. In time here, you will learn to shield your mind to any you do not wish to hear your thoughts. For now, you are safe with tme. Look inside, you will feel my truth. You, if you noticed, can hear my thoughts as well. But, I have only shared answers to your questions, I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed in your first days.

Well, too late for that. One step forward at a time, Kat. I decided that was enough information before breakfast. I focused on making sure there was nothing left on this plate of deliciousness before me.

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After breakfast, I watched Khoth clean up. He put dirty dishes and leftover food into a break in the wall that looked like an open box. There was that glow again. It seemed to circulate about the dishes and there were creatures that weren’t insects, but, well I don’t know what they are. I will save that mystery for another day. It was only moments that he took everything out sparkling clean. I hadn’t heard any noise of water or anything. Well, that sealed the deal. I was ecstatic to live anywhere where I didn’t have to do dishes.

Let’s begin our lessons outside, Kat. I want to show you my gardens.

I followed him out, and took my first good look at what I had thought to be a forest, but was evidently his garden. We walked a short distance on a winding path that had a slight incline. Khoth stopped in a sort of clearing and sat on his haunches like a very large feline with his tail curled around his feet and twitching slightly at the end.

I want you to look around and tell me what you see.

So, that’s an easy assignment. From the slight rise, I could get a better look at Khoth’s home. I noticed the tree next to it seemed to be growing upside down. The tree was as big as the skyscrapers I had looked at in books. It was gigantic. The limbs, on part of it at least, seemed to grow downward to form the dwelling walls, roof and floor. There also seemed to be vines growing upwards covering it with huge leaves and flowers of every color. And there was that glow again. I looked closer to where we were sitting and could see a faint glimmer around the plants that seemed to circulate up from the ground and flow around the plant. I then looked at the tree, same thing. Even in the dark parts of the bark I could see a soft sort of glistening. I looked at my feet, I had to bend down for a close inspection and sure enough, it was faint but there. I glanced at Khoth and tried to explain what I was seeing unsuccessfully.

Don’t worry, Kat, I can see from your thoughts what you can see. It is truly amazing that you can see Dhurga’s life force, what you may know as magic. I thought it would be months before your perception was enhanced enough from living within and consuming foods filled with life force, or magic we will call it. I am so impressed with your strength! This must be why you were first to awaken. You, my small Kat, are extraordinary.

I was pretty positive that was the first time in my life I had been called extraordinary. I could feel the truth of his words. It made me feel stronger knowing he wasn’t just saying something to make me feel good. And this glow, the magic, it was everywhere. I could not only see it, I could sort of sense it. I couldn’t feel anything running my fingers through the current around the closest flora. I closed my eyes to try and get to know the sensation and I felt a sort of tug on my mind. I asked about it.

Outstanding! You can feel your purpose and fulfillment calling to you through the current of magic. Today and for the next few days, we will remain within the safety of my garden so you can build your skills and learn more about your new home. When you have become accustomed to feeling the magic and you are certain of the direction of your purpose, we will begin our journey.

Remain within the safety of the garden? What is out there that is dangerous I wondered. Then I started to take a closer look at Khoth. He was absolutely magnificent. He seemed to be about 4 times my height and twice again as long. His paws weren’t really paws, but looked more like hands, but dragonified. His wings were mostly transparent and I could see magical current swirling around within the membrane between the bones. I couldn’t see through to the bones, there were heavy scales protecting those areas. The color of his scales was difficult to pinpoint. He seemed to reflect the bright colors surrounding us in the garden and if I looked closely I could see magic current circulating through the scales. I guess I was staring. I kind of felt a little sheepish. Then, for the first time, I met his gaze and something happened.

With a flare of what I can only call magic, I felt the bond he had been talking about. Now not only was I his honored bond. He was my honored bond and friend. All of the sudden, I felt like there was nothing we couldn’t do together. I felt a happiness bloom in my chest of such magnitude, tears formed in my eyes. He had been watching my reaction to the bond connection. He smiled that razor sharp smile and opened his arms. I ran and jumped in for a warm embrace. I knew he would never hurt me, we would be together through thick and thin. I was safe. I was home.