Ascension's Lure, page 1
part #7 of Levels of Ascension Series
Ascension’s Lure
Book Seven
of
The Levels of Ascension
Amy Proebstel
Copyright © 2019 by Cavaliers Publishing
All rights reserved. The events, characters, and entities depicted in this book are fictional. Any resemblance or similarity to any actual events, entities, or persons, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All inquiries should be submitted to amy@levelsofascension.com.
ASIN: B07J1DZZSB Kindle Direct Publishing
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2019
Website: www.LevelsofAscension.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/AmyProebstel
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/levelsofascension
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Books in
The Levels of Ascension
Series
Book One: Outside Ascension
Book Two: Inside Ascension
Book Three: Ascension Quest
Book Four: Ascension’s Call
Book Five: Answering Ascension
Book Six: Ascension Seekers
Book Seven: Ascension’s Lure
Book Eight: Above Ascension
Book Nine: Between Ascension
Book Ten: Ascension’s Gate
Dedication
This book is in the memory of my father – an amazing, smart, and funny man.
To the readers of this series, I greatly appreciate all of your kind words, suggestions, and support along the way. None of this would be possible without your enthusiasm for the world of Tuala.
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
People
Elders
Places
Time
Definitions
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Preface
THE PEOPLE SEEM to spend more time harboring excuses rather than coming up with solutions for the courses of their lives. It is My fervent desire for mankind to grow beyond the mindset of allowing other people’s actions preventing them from achieving the success I have ordained for their futures.
I know every situation which has arisen in each person’s life. I have given the power and strength within each person to overcome any challenge of their upbringing. It is the duty of the Elders to help the people realize this inner strength and to nurture them along the way.
The family which raised each person is no mistake. The challenges and hardships are not curses to be carried on to the next generation. Each setback in life is not designed to tear a person down, on the contrary, it is to challenge the person to greater success. The more a person is challenged, the greater the reward for overcoming the hardship.
More growth is achieved in hardship than will ever be accomplished during good times. People become complacent when nothing challenges them. When obstacles are overcome, then the people feel more accomplished in their achievements.
I want all of My children to know they are blessed from the moment they are thought into being. As such, they have the innate ability to grow to new heights and they are only limited by their imagination and the boundaries they have imposed on themselves. When the people shed their excuses, greatness will abound.
Excerpt from the Elder’s Instructional Guide.
Chapter One
AMANDA STEL WAITED anxiously as the door opened. As she had expected, Jessica Taivas answered their knock on the door with a pleasant expression on her face. Even as Amanda watched, she saw Jessica’s gaze travel from her own face over to Nealand’s. Before she could even react, Jessica’s eyes rolled back into her head and her body crumpled to the floor. Luckily the door frame broke her fall so her head did not strike the ground.
Without pausing, Riccan rushed forward and knelt down next to the older woman to check her vital signs. Instinctively, he pulled some elemy from the Earth and used it to assess her general health to make sure an ambulance would not be necessary. As he suspected, he discovered she had merely suffered a mental shock from seeing her long-lost son at her doorstep. “She’s going to be fine. Help me get her inside onto the couch,” he said to his wife as Neal did not seem to understand what was going on.
It was understandable for Neal to be confused. After all, he had just come out of a drugged stupor and been transported between worlds after having been missing for eight years. He had received just as many shocks as his mother and he was still coping. Neal only stared at the scene in front of him and tried to figure out why there would be so much fuss about his coming home.
Riccan moved behind the body and grabbed under Jessica’s arms while Amanda reached down to grab Jessica’s knees. Between the two of them, they were well able to maneuver her into the house. They had just turned the corner of the entry hall when Neal, Sr. noticed the commotion. He rushed forward and directed the group to set her down on the nearest couch.
Only after she was settled did Neal, Sr. look up and ask what had happened. He had been surprised to see Amanda at their house and he did not know the man who had held his wife. “What’s going on, Amanda?” he began and then a movement from the doorway caught his eye. The shock of seeing his son registered on his face and he was thankful he was already sitting on the couch next to his wife. It was clear now what had happened to Jessica.
Jessica began to stir. She took several deep breaths and she moaned. After assuring himself that Jessica would be recovered momentarily, Neal, Sr. rose from the couch and slowly approached his son. “Neal? Is that really you?” He had to ask since the man standing before him was not only quite a bit older than he should be, he was also thin and haggard looking.
“Yes, Dad. I don’t understand what’s so wrong about me coming home,” he said with a worried glance toward his mother.
“You don’t understand…,” Neal, Sr. repeated and turned around to look back at Amanda with raised eyebrows for an explanation. “Where did you find him, Amanda? I’m assuming you found him since you brought him home.”
“It’s a long story which I think should wait until a later date. Neal has been through quite an ordeal and I think he needs to spend some time sleeping and eating regular meals. I’m not sure of his whole story, but I can tell you we located him down in Mexico.”
“Mexico?” Jessica spoke for the first time. She had recovered enough to sit up on the couch and simply stared at her son in wonder.
“Of course,” Neal, Sr. said as he rushed forward and hugged his son. “We’re so glad to have you back home with us, Neal.”
“I think we should leave so Neal can get some rest,” Amanda said during the lull in conversation. The sooner she got out of the house, the better she would feel.
“You can’t leave yet, Amanda,” Neal, Sr. said as he turned to face her. “We need to know where you found him and how you came to find him. There are far too many unanswered questions.”
Riccan stepped away from Jessica and moved closer to his wife as though protecting her and answered, “There will be plenty of time for that in the future. For now, let’s just leave it alone. Amanda and I must get going. We’re glad you have your son back.” He took Amanda’s hand in his own and asked her, “Are you ready.”
Amanda did not trust her voice so she simply nodded. Her eyes lingered on Neal’s face and she was haunted by what she saw. She wanted him to get better, yet she no longer felt any connection to the stranger standing before her.
Riccan tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and he led them out of the house. He opened the passenger door of the truck and waited for Amanda to get seated before he went around to the driver’s side and got in. He turned on the engine and began pulling away from the house. With one last look in the rear-view mirror he saw Neal, Sr. standing in the open front door and wondered how long they would be able to keep the questions at bay; hopefully long enough for them to come up with a plausible excuse for Neal’s absence.
Chapter Two
RASA TRIED TO hide her nervousness while she sat next to Elder Wilken while the other Elders filed into the large conference room of the Manzanit Residence. Most of them she had heard of, however, only a few were personally known to her.
She wondered if the order in which they entered had anything to do with their alliances. She did not care for the scowls she received from nearly every man present. She could, however, appreciate their concern over a woman sitting in on their meeting since they had not been told the identity of the proposed candidate.
The convocation proceedings were projected to be long and arduous considering what was at stake. The Ascension Gate located at Manzanit was the most powerful gate in all of the world. Many of the Elders present had hoped to have one of their own grown children be brought forward as a succession candidate.
Once everyone had taken a seat, Elder Wilken stood at the head of the table and cleared his throat. “Thank you my fellow Elders for coming to this succession convocation. I understand that this type of meeting is unusual; however, there is a precedent for what I am proposing. I’d like to turn over the rest of the meeting to be conducted by our First Elder.” He took his seat and nodded his head to Debbon who had taken the seat immediately to his left.
Instantly the men around the table murmured among themselves. Uvan spoke what was on everyone’s minds when he said, “Excuse me. Do you think we should be speaking formally with someone not our own in attendance? What is the meaning of this, Wilken?”
“Thank you for your concern, Uvan,” Debbon said as he stood and nodded gravely for the introduction. The group’s complaints quieted, yet they were not appeased by the departure from tradition.
“We are gathered together today to discuss the successor put forward by Elder Wilken. The woman you see here today,” he turned and nodded solemnly at Rasa, “is the proposed candidate.”
Pandemonium erupted. All of the men spoke at once against the meaning of Debbon’s outrageous statement.
Debbon held his hand up for silence. After several minutes of being ignored, he used the power of his position to command the room to be quiet before he continued, “As Wilken has stated, there have been cases in the past where Elders have proposed candidates not of their own blood to follow in their post.”
“None of them proposed to put a woman in a man’s place!” Yingun yelled as he stood abruptly and placed his fists on the table. He looked around the room for support in his outburst and was pleased to see several men nod in affirmation.
“Yingun, please sit down. Your comment is out of line and not in keeping with the dignity of this proceeding.”
“There’s no dignity in offering a woman as a candidate and you know it!” he retorted even as he resumed his seat. He folded his arms across his chest and sat back abruptly in his chair.
“We will hold this meeting with the formality to which it is owed. With all present, we will begin by taking an initial vote to see where we stand with Rasa as the successor for Manzanit. For the record, each person present will give his name, the name of his precinct, followed by his vote. I will begin. Debbon of Elder Isle. My vote is yes.” He nodded to the man on his left as he resumed his seat.
“Rylon of Menad. Yes,” he spoke softly, never taking his eyes off of Debbon.
“Daven of Pantano. Undoubtedly yes,” Daven said with a smile first at Wilken and then at Rasa. He approved wholeheartedly of this departure from the stuffy tradition.
“Jedon of Neve. Yes.”
“Quentien of Gamb. No.”
Rasa’s breath caught in her throat. She knew this was going to be difficult, yet she never imagined the Elders would go against Jehoban’s express wishes for her to be placed in this post. Then it occurred to her, these men did not know all of the facts. She glanced over at Elder Debbon to see what he was really trying to accomplish with this preliminary vote. Surely there was something else afoot other than a simple vote.
“Tarshen of Sambur. I respectfully abstain from my vote until I may hear about the candidate’s qualifications.” He nodded firmly and then looked down at his folded hands resting on the table.
“Uvan of Secar. No,” he said as he continued to glare at Rasa.
“Vargen of Apio. No.”
“Xylen of Noidad. No.” He looked to his left as the silence continued.
Yingun remained sitting with his arms crossed and refused to speak.
Debbon spoke suddenly, “Elder Yingun, either you will participate as is required in this meeting or we will be searching for yet another successor before this day is done. It’s your choice.”
With a glare at the censure, he spoke curtly, “Yingun of Gaud. No!”
“Senjin of Argot. Yes.”
“Emmin of Telae. Yes.”
“Olguin of Genip. Abstain.”
“Zigern of Neum. Abstain.”
“Wilken of Manzanit. Yes,” he spoke firmly.
“So, the first vote is seven for, five against, and three abstentions. We are not required to have a unanimous vote for this to be officiated, only a majority is needed. For those who are opposed, please explain your reasoning,” Elder Debbon continued. “Quentien, please begin.”
He looked rather uncomfortable at being singled out and shifted in his chair. “Elder, don’t you think it’d be better to discuss this privately?” His gaze shifted nervously over to Rasa and back to Debbon.
“This is a closed hearing. Anything said in this room will remain confidential. Please proceed.” Debbon deliberately disregarded Quentien’s real reason and stared at him to begin.
“Very well,” he began quietly. “It is well-known that the position of Elder is reserved for men. Obviously, Rasa is not a man. Therefore, it goes against tradition. That is all I wish to say on the matter.”
“Uvan,” Debbon said, “Is this also your concern or do you have other reasons?”
“No, First, that is my reason as well.”
“Very well. Vargen?”
“I’d hate to see what other traditions would be flouted should we allow this break.”
Debbon nodded at Vargen’s answer and then looked at Xylen with raised eyebrows.
“It’s just wrong. I don’t want to have to pander to a woman’s ever-changing moods when it comes to matters of importance. This would set a terrible precedent which would make us look weak in the eyes of the populace. No amount of proof will change my mind.”
“Your position is duly noted, Xylen. Thank you for your honesty,” Debbon said with a slight nod. He was not looking forward to the next Elder’s opinion only because he knew it would be less eloquent than Xylen’s. With a deep breath he made eye contact with Yingun and lifted his chin minutely to indicate it was now his turn to speak.
Unlike all of the others, Yingun could no longer remain seated. He jumped out of his chair and planted his fists on the table. His face began to turn red and as he began speaking globules of spittle came out with each angry word, “To say this goes against tradition does not cover the blasphemy of the situation. A woman is unfit to be a representative of Jehoban. Jehoban is a man, therefore men have been appointed to lead the people. She would be an abomination and will bring down the power of the Elders.” He looked at the Elders for several seconds to try to get them to realize the error of their ways before he seemed to deflate and sink back into his seat.
Debbon stood to draw attention away from Yingun and said, “Thank you for your impassioned response. Wilken, will you please describe how you came to have Rasa as your successor? I believe once everyone knows what I know, they will have a different opinion on the matter.” He sat down again and waited.
“First of all, you all know I have a biological daughter of my own. Because she has neither the aptitude nor the desire, she has been excluded as a viable successor to my position. I have met with Jehoban on several occasions to discuss this delicate matter and He has repeatedly told me an answer will be revealed.”
