About the Defendant

Hunted by the Brown bears and captured. Hauled in and thrown down on the white stone surrounding a reflecting pool. Looking up to see the White bear standing on the raised dais in the center of the pool. Listening in frozen terror as he places judgment upon me. Then watching as the Black bears lick their lips before pouncing. Knocked down and consumed. Fade to black.

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I was born on the bank of a Great Lake and nurtured in its flood plain. 3 decades ago I started up a path I found unexpectedly near the Forest. The Path led me into the Wilderness away from Kith and Clan. There I found an empty Castle. It sheltered me and so I stayed. Its cold stone whispered to me the secrets of Fire and of the Forest. When the Castle became more a part of me and less just a shelter it was time to leave. The Path took me south into the Foothills. Foothills that long ago had their heart mined out from them. Shadows now filled the mines by day and flowed over the ground at night. I was overcome with fear and ran off the Path; where I was lost. With few secrets and little knowledge I was barley able to sustain myself. Often did I stumble and fall. I wandered thusly for 10 years.

Then there came the paradox.

I encountered a free spirit one bright morning. We stared into each others eyes, unmoving. Through lightning and moonlight until the third dawn. What transpired is another secret but from then on have we traveled side by side. I told the spirit the tale of my Path. She laughed, grabbed my hand and dragged me straight to my Path. She then said if I would follow the path she would stave off fear. I can never thank her enough.

But if I was off the Path how could I have found the Spirit I am to complete it with???

So back on the Path we were. Together we crossed two rivers whose channels twisted and wove us into One. Once on the other side we found ourselves looking up at mountains. Never had we dared to imagine such majesty. When first we saw the breath of the Mountain we knew this was our Home. We could feel the life in every stone. Then just as we were growing accustom to the switch-backs I lost balance. I miss stepped and caused an avalanche that swept us away. Back down past the Hills and almost to the Sea. Undaunted as promised my sweet spirit stood back up, brushed us off, and then guided us with her light until we again found the Path. Back to the foot of the Mountain.

Now standing at the Mountains base we can see the Summit. This is where we belong. From here we climb.

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Above is the Map from which I write the observations you will read here. Points along the Path where I knelt in the presence of Grace. Other points where I ran from the terror of Fear. Where everything happened just the way I say it did.

It is the Doom of Man that He forgets

Anáil nathrach, ortha bhas betha, do cheol déanta.

 

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