#2

The Tripod seemed to vibrate as the many swirling figures dance and shimmer with a strange faint blue haze. When the tiny hand placed the orb within the Tripod's fingers, each in turn vibrated in a rhythmic sensation. Electricity filled the air with pregnant expectation! Lightning flashed throughout the room with increasing ferocity. Each bolt sprang from the orb ricocheting from object to object,all the while increasing in speed beyond vision. The room was filled with blinding light that vibrated the very bones of the onlooker. Vibrations shook each bolt of light with a deep pulsating hum! Each moment passed in excruciating pain and ecstasy.

A child's hand emerged from behind the panel and giggled with delight as the light danced through the room. Anna was a child of the temple. She had no mother and no real father she knew. The temple was a home for the less fortunate. Each acolyte could expect hard work and long days in the temple grounds. Acolytes received meals and clothing for their labor. Some worked the gardens and kept the grounds free of litter and beautiful for the visitors. Others learned crafts and trades that would benefit the temple and the palace alike. Anne was trained to read and write. This took many years because the languages of the palace were very intricate and detailed. The symbols were used to record simple trades and agreements. Anne was one of the very few acolytes who learned the secret language of the gods.

Sanggie was given to man from the creator gods to communicate with them.

Worlds Apart #1

The shallow panel slid creakily along it's path. A small hand held an object warm and solid to the touch. To look at the tiny, round, clear and green orb made one uneasy and anxious.

Some called it the "Angel Stone." The orb was very old and older still were the many legends about it's origins. Many myths have been told about the mysterious stone. All seemed to hold some truth but none were true.

Green light glowed eerily between each small finger that held the orb. Behind the panel appeared a small tripod with swirling figures of lions, dragons and dancing Centaurs. The figures seemed to dance with a will of their own.