Hope in Deep Waters (an AtE story), Ch. 2

Well Done

Note: I didn't want to leave you too long with poor Nia's grief....😭

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Janner shielded his eyes from the glorious light that shone all around him, enveloping him even. But it was not the light of the stone. This light was so much more than that. More powerful, more pure, more inviting and warm. Janner blinked not because the light hurt his eyes but because it overwhelmed them and it didn't seem right to gaze into it fully. 

Don't be frightened. You have done well, my child.

Tears sprang to Janner's eyes, but a gentle breeze quickly dried them. 

Oh Maker. His heart filled with love and joy in the presence of the One who was love and joy itself. How could he have ever doubted Him? How could he ever want to resist Him? Now Janner realized that his old knowledge of the Maker's nature was but a shadow of his encounter with the Maker by the fane, and even that encounter was only a dim reflection of the full presence he experienced now. The all-too-familiar feelings of inadequacy and guilt began to well up in him, but suddenly, in the protective embrace of the Maker's light, they seemed silly and unimportant. The Maker loves me anyway and was still able to use me to do His work. 

The light around him danced in such a way that it seemed to smile. You will never know just how much I rejoice to see you recognize that. 

To Janner's astonishment, the Maker's voice carried no disappointment in the fact that it took him so long to realize that it was all about the Maker’s ability and not his own. It instead was purely the tone of an immensely proud Father.

I am so very proud of you, and I know of someone else who is too.

Suddenly, Janner felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He turned his head and looked into a pair of eyes as deep as the ocean