Episode 1: The Sunflower Valley

As he progressed on, he found that the path he had been traversing on was heading downhill. As he followed, he soon came through a valley. Yet, i wasn't dark and unusually enough, the mountains of fortitude alongside thee valley did not seem to cast a shadow upon what remained within. As he passed slowly through the valley, he came upon field after field of bright golden sunflowers gazing upwards in unison, as if there had been a celestial spectacle. Every head of every blossom was transfixed upon the same direction, almost anticipating an announcement or an unveiling of a mystery of sorts... almost as if sky and sun would speak or roll and unfold a new revelation for the day.

As he continued passing the sunflower fields, he gained some ground uphill and noticed a most unusual sight- the sunflowers in the valley were casting shadowns on the other side of the mountains! It seemed that light came from within the sunflowers themselves that challenged the very essence and existence of the imposing but defeated mountain range. And this is the testimony of the sunflowers. Our traveller thought about the caretaker's statement... that everything speaks. It seemed that the sunflowers were speaking and yet, to him, it was unintelligible. Nonetheless, there was somewhat a faint nuance, a glow within his heart that conveyed an attitude of peace and also a sacred fear. He knew that something sacred was transpiring before his eyes though he perceived it not.

As he proceeded along his way, he came upon a weather-beaten straw house. It looked like it had been there for a really long time... And yet it looked sturdy nonetheless, as if it leaned on imperceptible beams stronger than any material of physical construction. To him, it was another paradox of this strange country. Then, the morning mists carried to him the song of animals! It was all coming from the farmhouse! By this time, his stomach had wanted to join in the song of the animals with its own pleas for sustainance.. full hoping for hospitality, he proceeded towards the house. Before he could knock on the door, it opened inwards to reveal the face of a lady, rugged in appearance and yet graceful in dignity. "Ohmyword! You're finally here!"

He jumped back.. "You mean you were expecting me?"

"More than that! I've cooked something for you to eat! Come on in!" she said. :)

He came inside and sat down. There before him was some piping hot stew. Yet, he headed for the cup of cool, clear water that was next to it and gulped it down fast. His eyes brightened and he said "Thank yew!"

She smiled. "I'm Farmer Mandy and i live here in Sunflower Valley" she said to the weary traveller, sensing his guarded curiosity in the midst of the coolness of his relief. "Many of travellers have come by here and i always know when they come. I'm here to look after weary travellers and give them food to eat" she explained.

He dug into his bowl of stew. "Thank you again" he said. "I'm sorry i can't introduce myself... I don't even know who I am"

"It's alright, Sojourner. I understand." The cool morning air sent a draft through the window.

"Sojourner?"

"Yes, you are one of them, you are a traveller, yes? Seeking something... seeking tr.."

"I'm not the only one?"

"Yes, many have come by here with that same purpose. And i have been sent here to help them along for thier journey."

"You've been sent by who?" asked the traveller. "Was it the old man with the brown tunic near the forest of cedar?"

"I see that you've met him. Pay atention to every word that he says. He takes his job very seriously."

"Well he wasn't much of a help. Anyway, i'm really lost. And i don't even know where i am going... or even how to get there. And how.."

"Rest, young man and drink more water. That water is life. It's source is eternal and it will refresh and unite your entire being."

He drank and his eyes brightened even more. He felt he was more alive, as if a fresh wind had just flowed into the windows of his senses and cleared the air in his mind. And as he looked, he saw Mandy's face glow with a tangible brilliance amidst its rugged exterior. "Where did you get this?"

"Remember that path where you were travelling on? There is a brook beside the Way. Wherever the way is, the brook runs with it."

"Really? i didn't notice that at all" He peered outside the window towards the Way and saw the little stream flowing beside it. "There it is! But i'm sure i didn't see it."

"You're very honest. And i believe you're beginning to understand the intricate mysteries of this land. For the journey ahead, you need to drink and drink and drrrinnkk. And as you drink more, you'll see more.. Taste and see..."

He took another sip and at once, the song of the animals outside became clearer and almost intelligible.

"Remember. The river is always there. Sometimes, it will be like a little brook and hard to discern. At other times, it will be a raging rapids that is hard to cross. Yet, it is always there. And you must listen for its voice, listen for its song.. it is always there though at times you may not perceive it. But know this- should you ever drift from the Way, hear for the still sound of the river... and you'll know how to find your way back."

After drinking, his heart seemed to catch Farmer Mandy's words more quickly, though they even seemed just as enigmatic as what the caretaker had spoken. The traveller pondered over this but his train of thought was interrupted by the journey ahead.

Perceiving his thoughts, Farmer Mandy explained. "What you seek is in the Palace of Light. It within the City of Truth, the city on a hill that nobody will surely miss. You must journey there and the journey is pretty simple. All you have to do is follow the brook and the narrow Way. You might encounter some obstacles or other paths that wind down and seem to promise hope of immediate relief from your journey, but beware.. always drink and stay on the Way."

"The Palace of Light... who lives there? What am i to seek for?"

"The King of Aletheia. He will explain everything."

"Aletheia?"

"Yes. You are now in Aletheia. And everything here in this land belongs to Him, the King. And He was the one who commissioned me in this distant outpost far from the City that every Sojourner who passes by might receive some comfort and guidance for their journey."

"You know the King?"

"Yes... very well. I've served in his courts before i was sent here to Sunflower Valley." Her eyes trailed off to a distance, as if accessing a far memory nearly forgotten. The traveller drank and perceived her two sad eyes. He knew that she had a story to tell but wasn't sure if she should tell it. Yet, her weather-beaten face was set like flint and as he perceived her heart, he knew that she was determined to fulfill her assignment. He saw that she exuded a war-like quality in her being, as if she knew deep down that in her hands were something of great importance. Then she eased down a little, trying to maintain herself before the young lad and exuded a faint but genuine smile. "You better rest now" she said "You'll need it for the journey ahead."

She picked herself up from her table and again, sensing his thoughts and questions, said with a smile, "I'll tell you my story tomorrow..."

Prologue: The Journey Begins

The rays of the sun gently lifted the veil off his eyes. Stirred by the misty morning winds, he attempted to pick himself up to a sitting position. All around him were long rows of outstretched cedars that assembled beyond the golden horizon. He looked around him and found himself in a small clearing in the middle of a dense forest.. but it looked too neat to be a forest. The rows of cedar stood one beside another like soldiers gathered in rank and file, almost as if someone had planted them there. In fact, the forest looked more like a garden. And it was not dense at all. There was ample light for each tree and enough space to weave oneself through. Despite this, the assembly of cedars looked neither contrived nor artificial. It looked completely natural, almost as if they talked and fellowshipped with one another, yet without audible utterance. No man could have conceived such exquisite design. "Where am I?" He thought.

He started to move westwards, the same way the sun headed. He had no idea of where he was going. Yet, as he moved, the morning winds seemed to stir him in the same direction. Strangely enough the grand design of the garden seem to create a westward path too. He kept moving...

As he moved, he though to himself.. Where am I? Where did i come from? Where am i headed? What am i even doing here in the first place? Who put me here? He stopped. Who am I?

The morning winds blew again and it sent the leaves of the cedars rustling.. no.. it was more like singing... but it wasnt a human song, neither was it sung with a human voice.. how absolutely twisted would it be for trees to sing songs like men do.. yet they sang and they sang not as men but as trees for the glory of trees were not like the glory of men.. and yet they sang.. and they seemed to sing westwards. He could barely hear them sing and he could not even make out the words, let alone join them. But amidst that faint touch of a chorus, the singing was joined with the voice of another. Though not a tree, the meek voice blended splendidly with the song, until it became more pronounced and noticeable...

That certainly caught his attention. He turned to see whose voice it was and there was a person wearing a straw hat and a brown tunic. "Who are you?"

"I take care of this place" he said with a hint of a smile. "You're another one of them aren't you?"

"Huh? Who are they? I don't even know who i am or what I'm doing here. I'm just passing through this place."

"Indeed you are" said the caretaker. "You are on a journey. Like the rest of ..." He was interrupted.

"Did you bring me here? Were you the one who knocked me out and dropped me right in the middle of this.. forest?"

"You ask too many questions, Sojourner."

"Is that my name? So.. soj..."

"See, you ask another one!" The caretaker said with a slight assuring laughter. "Let me tell you something.. you will get your answers soon enough... but you have to seek them. This land, all that you see, they speak. Every tree, every river."

"Wait... huh.. what, but i don't under.."

"You don't understand because you're not really listening. You're not even listening to me."

"Look. If you're not going to tell me anything, i'd better be going."

"What's the hurry young man? Do you have to go somewhere?"

"I..." He walked away and carried on westwards.

"Keep moving along this path. You'll find the answers you seek." said the caretaker. Looking on towards the diminishing figure in the distance, he spoke under his breath. "You'll be back here eventually."