Waldmeer: Lifetimes Ago

This short story is part of Waldmeer (Book 1 of Waldmeer Series). The series is available in these formats: ebook, paperback, box set, and audiobook.

Lifetimes ago:
Zufar and Amira were lifelong mates. They fell in love as young adults and were soon married. It was a good, spirited match, and they gave much to each other. Many of their joint life lessons came from their bodies. Sometimes, people love each other and connect in their minds or hearts but never really connect in their bodies. Zufar was a soldier and strongly aligned with his healthy and strong body. He was also very aligned with Amira’s body. They were as much at home with each other’s bodies as they were with their own.

In those days, soldiers spent long periods overseas, and many slept with other women while away. Although Zufar did not do this for several years, eventually, he did. Amira knew as soon as he returned. His body was different. Part of it felt foreign. Zufar’s guilt made him protect himself. Both decided it was best not to talk about it. They tried to focus on the essence of their love rather than the betrayals to it. They worked to get the purity of their connection back. It took time, but they did get it back. That is, until the next long trip away.

As time progressed, Zufar learned to control his sexual drive rather than it control him. It was a happy day when next he returned home. His body felt as it did when he left home. However, along with Zufar’s ability to transcend his body’s desires, he also learned to transcend the thought of separate and conflicting bodies in general. He found that he could no longer kill another person. He could not see anyone as an enemy anymore. This was an outstanding achievement as a soul, but it was a serious conflict as a soldier who was now in command.

One time, he confronted an enemy to protect one of his men. His soldier escaped. Zufar was unable to harm the enemy and was killed instead. As his guides took him to the Homeland, he told them he was pleased to be going home and no longer wished to live in a world where brothers were seen as enemies. He knew he would see Amira again.

Amira was the one left behind. The grief forced her to learn that souls can never be separated. She could see that even though we have a body that can thrive and be used for beautiful things, it is the changeless soul that connects. After that, she often felt Zufar around and even heard his voice. Her grief was completely healed. Further, the actual capacity for grief was dismantling.