Juan had heard of Nod. “Nod no longer exists. It was the land outside of the Garden of Eden.”
Abuelo smiled. “The garden, yes. That is from where the fountain comes.”
“What do you mean?” Juan asked breathlessly.
“Perhaps you should ask your friend.”
“My friend?”
“Christopher Columbus.”
Juan had to get out of the hut. He had to find his men and leave the village. He would fight all of the warriors himself if needed. He tried to stand but found he could not.
Abuelo watched intently. “Christopher Columbus is not dead.”
Juan was bewildered. “He is dead! I was at his funeral!” He was on the verge of hysterics and shouted the words into the dark hut. Juan had faced and killed many men in battle; he had fought ships and entire armies. None of those situations had brought Juan to the point of losing his equanimity. But here, sitting with an old man in a small hut, his poise dissolved.
“Yes, you were at the funeral,” Abuelo agreed, “but Christopher was not there.”
“What are you talking about?” Juan screamed at the old man.
“Did you see a body?”
The words struck Juan and he sobered instantly, thinking back to the funeral. After a moment, he answered. “No, there was only a tomb. Are you saying he was not in the tomb?” Juan stared into the fire.
“I am saying that he was not in the tomb. Christopher Columbus was here with me.”
Juan discerned his strength and stood. He was disoriented but located the door and stumbled outside. He retched until his guts ached.
Through tear-blurred vision, he looked up to gather himself. There was the fountain.
Juan felt himself drawn towards the fountain as if lost in a dream. He came face-to-face with the magnificent stone lion and waited, apprehensive of his next move. Motion caught the corner of his eye and he turned. To his astonishment, the statue of the horse lifted one hoof and then another before stepping from its platform.
Juan didn’t know what happened to him inside of the hut but now it seemed he was going mad. He crossed himself as the turtle and elephant joined the mare.
The animals began a tranquil amble, circling the fountain clockwise. Juan discovered he was trapped inside of their circular movement with the lion and true fear took root when he realized that the immense cat was actually gazing at him.
The lion spoke, “You are Juan Ponce de Leon.”
The lion waited patiently for a response and Abuelo’s eyes twinkled as he observed the interaction. “I am Juan Ponce de Leon,” Juan answered, finally mustering the strength to speak.
“You seek the waters of Bimini and so you have found them,” the lion confirmed.
Juan took a deep breath. “How is it that stone moves and talks?”
“Is that truly the question you wish to ask? Perhaps a better question is are we truly as we seem?”
“Are you, then?”
A look came across the lion’s face that Juan interpreted as a smile. “You know the answer to that. But I will tell you of us nonetheless. The elephant, horse and turtle are extensions of me and I am an extension of something much more. We are part of the true nature of the fountain. I am Cherubim.”
Juan knew the name and was astounded at the mention. “You are the Guardian of Eden?”
Cherubim smiled again. “You were expecting a flaming sword?”
He roared stridently and Juan covered his ears in pain. The roar sparked Cherubim’s mane and it became fire. Juan was drawn to Cherubim’s eyes and within the pupil of each was a sword swathed ablaze. “Do you fear me?”
“Should I?” Juan asked.
The flames increased abruptly and Juan felt as though his flesh would be scorched. Then just as suddenly, the flames died out and Cherubim spoke softly. “You are worthy.”
“What?” Juan was uncertain of the words.
“The fountain has been here since the beginning. It was once a source of water for the first people of the garden. Even after the garden was empty, the fountain remained. I was set to guard Eden as well as the fountain.
“The men of this village are the Men of Nod. They were created to guard the people who came from the garden, to ensure humanity continued.”
Juan’s head was spinning. “How have the Men of Nod survived? I have seen no women.”
“The Men of Nod were not created in a manner you would understand. But there were women in the beginning. It was thought that the original woman would need companionship. Also, the sons of the first man and woman needed women. The Women of Nod went with those sons into the world of man.”
Juan considered Cherubim’s comments. His head continued to rotate but he was energized. His rationale did not want to hear more but interest trumped rationale and he craved the information.
Cherubim waited patiently and allowed Juan to gather his thoughts before asking his next question. “Would you like to see your friend Christopher Columbus?”
Juan was unsure how to answer but felt his head nodding.
“Come then,” Cherubim offered. “The true power of the fountain is not the waters. The true power is where the fountain takes you.”
“To Eden.”
“Yes, to Eden.”
“Was Eden not closed to men?”
“The first man and woman were removed from garden because they were no longer worthy. I am the guardian of the fountain’s power. Some are worthy of receiving that power. Christopher Columbus was worthy. And you are worthy.”
Juan was nervous but excited. “Are you ready?” Cherubim asked.
Juan nodded his head. Then, he disappeared.
CHAPTER SIX
Reality set in that the priest was among rare people. He knew Juan and Diego’s story but hearing it firsthand changed his understanding.
He nodded to Juan to continue but was interrupted by
