An Abyss of Light (The Light Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

his gaze to stare at the moist earth passing beneath his feet. “I remember, but—”
    “I thought you did.”
    “The Mea is like a thousand gates, isn’t it, Grandfather?”
    “That’s what we think the old words mean,” Zadok answered. “Because there are a thousand paths leading to the orchard of Truth. But each Mea is a single gate.” He patted his chest where the object lay warm and comforting.
    Darkness deepened around them, moonlight tarnishing the trunks of the trees and the curving branches overhead. Mikael edged closer to Zadok, childishly fingering the threadbare fabric of his black sleeve.
    “Grandfather,” he said very softly. “Grandfather?”
    He gave the boy a searching look. Mikael was persistent. Once he asked something, he never let it go. “I’m listening.”
    “Maybe you could just let me look at it?”
    “Later, all right?”
    “Maybe now and then I wouldn’t have to remember to ask again later.”
    “You think you might forget?”
    “Sometimes it happens.” Mikael stared morosely at him, eyes tight with longing.
    Zadok suppressed a smile and tried to look stern, but relented after a few moments, pulling the chain out of his white shirt. Kneeling in the wet grass, he swung the globe for Mikael to look at. The tiny blue ball glowed of its own inner light. The line of people veered around them, other children pointing excitedly.
    Mesmerized, Mikael unconsciously reached out. Violent swirls eddied across the surface of the Mea Shearim. Zadok gripped the tiny fingers firmly, keeping them away. “You want Epagael to find you so soon?”
    “God already knows where I am, Grandfather. You told me so.”
    “Yes, but he’d want to talk to you if you touched this.”
    “I want to talk to God.”
    “You just think you do. He’s not as friendly as most people imagine.” He tucked the sacred object back into his shirt. Mikael watched intently.
    “I know how to use the Mea, did you know that, Grandfather?”
    “Do you?”
    “Yes,” Mikael blurted excitedly. “You have to find all of yourself inside —” he tapped his forehead, “—and then you have to put the Mea to your head and send yourself through.”
    “Usually, but sometimes God reaches out and grabs you when you least expect it. That’s why you can’t play with it. God always thinks you’re serious when you pick the Mea up.”
    Mikael nodded, licking his lips. “Grandfather, tell me again about how the sky used to be filled with Meas? And how the Magistrates came and got them all and put them—”
    “You have more important stories to think about tonight. Like Edom Middoth and the Exile.”
    “Did all the other Meas go to God, too?”
    Zadok sighed. “The legends say that some did and some didn’t. But since ours is the only one left, nobody really knows anymore. Now, you think about the Exile.”
    “But,” Mikael halted, deciding, then gave in. “Okay, tell me about Middoth.”
    “You can’t wait to hear it from Rev Bahir?”
    “No, please tell me.”
    He smoothed the child’s curly black hair and smiled. Rising, he took the boy’s hand and started walking again. “All right, but only just a little. Otherwise, I’ll spoil the Sighet celebration for you.”
    “Just a little.” The boy beamed.
    Zadok took a breath and his voice grew deeper. “Long, long ago, in the days of the Tranquillity, our people lived on one planet, a blue world of immense beauty. Then one day—”
    “Edom Middoth came!”
    “I thought you wanted me to tell this story?”
    “Don’t be difficult, Grandfather,” Mikael mimed his mother Sarah’s voice and it made Zadok laugh.
    “I’m never difficult.”
    “But you know I want you to tell me about Jekutiel. About how she used her Mea to rescue us during the Exile. How she flew to God and He gave her ships out of a whirlwind and a huge pillar of fire led her to the planet where our people—”
    “Ah, the Mea again. I think you know the old stories better than I do. Why