32 But there was another presence here .....a
presence dark and lonely, a presence joyful, yet sorrowing; something
old beyond North's understanding of age. It began to take shape in his
mind a gentle, old Hashon carrying one of their ceremonial staffs, and
flanked on one side by a beautiful young maiden, and on the other by a
handsome young man.
33 "Who is it?" asked the elder one, stepping forward and positioning
his young companions to the rear. "Who is it that approaches my Realm
when it is far from his time? Who is it that calls me forth?"
34 "I am Northern Star," North answered, "overall Military Commander of
The Republic's Forces. With whom do I speak?"
35 "Surely," the old Hashon answered, "you know who I am. I am known by
many names ….The Reaper Of The Grain, The Keeper Of Times, The Shutter
Of Books, The Sender Forth Of The Youths, The Plucker Of The Flowers.
Does your people not have one like me?"
36 North could not understand the old man's words, then, a thought
struck his mind. "The Messenger Of Darkness," he gasped, "that's what
we would call you ...The Dark Servant Of The Holy Spirit. Death."
37 "Yes," agreed the old Hashon. "That is what my counterpart among
your people is called. I prefer to consider myself The Keeper Of The
Passage, The Mender Of The Roads. I and my sweet ones have long done
this work.
38 From the beginning of Hades' time until now have I cared for her
children. Long have I taken the sweet harvest home, and I will continue
to do so until the end of time."
39 "But why," asked North, "has a being such as you not reached that
point that The Hashons call Ultimacy?"
40 The old Hashon smiled. "Because I am, in reality," he admitted, "a
dream, but a dream that has been dreampt