Free Black by Ted Dekker Page A

not be the more excitable of the two Roush, but at the moment he was eager enough to take on the role of teacher. He stretched one wing toward the black forest and spoke with authority.
    â€œThat is the black forest. Do you remember it?”
    â€œOf course. I was in it, remember?”
    â€œYes, I do remember that you were in it. I’m not the one with the memory problem. I was just double-checking so as to give us a common point of reference.”
    â€œThe black forest is the place where the Shataiki live!” Gabil said.
    â€œIf you don’t mind, I’m telling the story here,” Michal said.
    â€œOf course I don’t mind.”
    â€œNow. This river you see runs around the whole planet. It separates the green forest from the black forest.” He absently flipped his wing in the direction of the far bank. “That’s the black forest. The only way into the black forest from this side is over one of three Crossings.” He pointed to the white bridge. “The river runs too fast to swim, you see? No one would dare attempt to cross except over one of the bridges. Do you follow?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood. And you can remember what I just told you, correct?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood. Your memory was wiped clean, but it seems to be working with any new data. Now.” He paced and stroked his chin with delicate fingers on the underside of his right wing. “There are many other men, women, and children in many villages throughout the green forest. Over a million now live on Earth. You likely stumbled into the black forest over one of the other two Crossings on the far side and then were chased here by the Shataiki.”
    â€œHow do you know I don’t come from nearby?”
    â€œBecause, as the wise one given charge over this section of the forest, I would know you. I don’t .”
    â€œAnd I am the mighty warrior who led you from the black forest,” Gabil said.
    â€œYes, and Gabil is the mighty warrior who cavorts with Tanis in all kinds of imagined battles.”
    â€œTanis? Who’s Tanis?” Tom asked.
    Michal sighed. “Tanis is the firstborn of all men. You will meet him. He lives in the village. Now, Elyon, who created everything you see and all creatures, has touched all of the water. You see the green color of the river? That is the color of Elyon. It’s why your eyes are green. It’s also why your body was healed the moment the water touched it.”
    â€œYou poured water on me?”
    â€œNo, not I—”
    â€œRachelle!” Gabil blurted out.
    â€œRachelle poured the water over you. Trust me, it’s not the first time You’ve touched his water.” Michal’s cheeks bunched into a soft smile. “But we’ll get—”
    â€œRachelle has chosen you—”
    â€œGabil! Please!”
    â€œYes, of course.” The smaller Roush didn’t seem at all put off by Michal’s chiding.
    Michal went on. “As I was saying, we’ll get to the Great Romance later. Now, the black forest is where evil is confined. You see, good” —he pointed to the green forest—“and evil.” He pointed to the black forest. “No one is permitted to drink the water in the black forest. If they do, the Shataiki will be released to have their way with the colored forest. It would be a slaughter.”
    â€œThe water in the black forest is evil?” Thomas asked. “I touched it—”
    â€œNot evil. Not any more evil than the colored trees are good. Evil and good reside in the heart, not in trees and water. But by custom, water is given as an invitation. Elyon invites with water. The black Shataiki invite with their water.”
    â€œAnd Rachelle invited you with water,” Gabil said.
    â€œYes. In a moment, Gabil,” Michal said. But the more stately Roush couldn’t hide a slight smile. “For many years, the people have agreed not to