"What do you mean re-born?" I asked. I noted the alarm in my voice.
"Sometimes a spirit can choose to be born again, fully incarnated. I made that choice to be here now to aid you on your quest."
"That makes no sense to me," I said. I stood. "I'm calling the police."
"James," said Marion sharply. "You will do no such thing. Sit your butt down."
I sat. Glumly. My mind was going a thousand different directions at once. Hell, ten thousand. "What quest?" I heard myself asking.
"For the Holy Grail, of course," said Arthur. "Why else do you think you're here, in Glastonbury, my home? To order orange juice in English pubs?" He winked.
Marion giggled; I felt sick.
"This doesn't make sense."
"Only because the concepts are new to you, James," said the man who would be king.
"That King Arthur was reborn in a park? I have a feeling that wouldn't make sense to anyone," I countered.
"Anyone who was not initiated," said Arthur.
"Am I on drugs? Did someone slip me a roofie?"
"What's he talking about, Marion?" asked Arthur.
"He thinks he might have unwilling partaken in a hallucinogenic substance."
Arthur clapped his hands. "Oh, yes, the merry root!"
I rolled my eyes. This wasn't happening. "You're King Arthur?" I asked.
"The one and only."
"Then how is it that you speak modern English, complete with modern vernacular and idioms and...everything?"
"I speak many tongues," he said easily. "But this is something you will just have to accept on faith."
"Faith? You're avoiding the question," I said.
"No, James. I'm just suggesting that you won't accept the real reason."
"Try me."
"I've already tried you once," he said.
"Then try me again."
"The real reason I can speak your modern vernacular is that I choose to speak it. Just like I choose this body."
"You're right, I don't get it."
"James," said Marion. "Those spirits who can manifest fully in the flesh are often considered ascended masters."
"Ascended what?"
"Ascended masters are highly evolved spirits," said Marion. "Those who do not die. Or rather, those who cheat death."
"Those who do not choose death," Arthur corrected.
"I have a headache," I said.
Marion went on. "Ascended masters are spiritually enlightened beings who in past incarnations were ordinary humans, or even kings of , but who have undergone a process of spiritual transformation. Ascended Masters have learned the lessons of life during their many incarnations, gained mastery over the limitations of the earth planes, balanced their karma, and fulfilled their divine plan. Ascended Masters become a source of unconditional love to all life, and serve as the teachers of mankind from the realms of spirit."
As she spoke, Arthur closed his eyes and seemed to have gone into a trance. He gave no indication that she was speaking of him, or those like him. Myself, I might have blushed, if any of it were true.
Marion continued, "Ascended Masters help others realize their potential, to eventually attain their own ascension and thus move forward in spiritual evolution beyond this planet. Ascended Masters remain attentive to the spiritual needs of humanity, and act to inspire and motivate its spiritual growth. They have achieved the highest desires of their soul. They have, in fact, achieved mastery of the soul. Such masters can come here for a specific purpose. Usually their purpose is to help us. And thus, they remember their purpose, unlike us."
"Unlike us? What does that mean?"
Arthur answered, "It means you are put on this earth with no memory of who you truly are or why you are here."
"And who am I?"
"You are many things, James. It is up to you to decide that which best expresses who you are."
"Who I am," I said simply. "Is a writer."
"Very well. Then be the best writer you can be. Embrace it and love it, and in the process help your fellow man find and discover their true purpose."
"I already do that," I said, somehow getting caught up in the madness. "I love helping people reach for their dreams. My friends call me the Great Motivator."
"I know," said Arthur.
"You know what?" I asked.
"I know you are a great motivator, James. But you are also a writer who often doubts his own talents. Doubting yourself is doubting God."
"Guys, we're getting off the subject - " began Marion.
"Wait," I said, holding up a finger. "How am I doubting God if I doubt my own writing skills?"
"Because God has given you the ability to do anything you want, to be whoever you want. By doubting yourself, you are doubting the abilities God has given you. And thus, you are doubting the power of God."
"Then explain my dreams."
"Your dreams," said Arthur, "are your own soul's gentle reminders that you still have another purpose here."
"And what is my purpose?"
"That is for you to decide."
"But it has something to do with the Holy Grail?"
"Oh, most definitely. That, and saving the world."
"Saving the world?" I said.
"Yes."
I took in some air. "Fine. And why are you here?" I asked him.
"Why, to help you find the Holy Grail, my boy," said Arthur. "After all, I'm the one who hid it."
And he winked at me again.
Chapter Fourteen
I was silent.
The hotel, however, wasn't so silent. Showers were running, people were talking, floorboards were creaking. The sun was shining through the parted curtains. On the surface, it was just another morning. Below the surface, something very, very strange was happening to me.
"So do I have your full support, my friend?" asked Arthur.
Marion looked up, hopeful. But I wasn't ready. Not yet.
"Look, can we go back to the part about you being re-born. Help me understand this. What do you mean by re-born?"
"Prior to yesterday, James, I was not of this earth," said Arthur. "I was in spirit."
My head was hurting. I needed my morning Starbucks. Bad. "And then you just appeared?" I said.
"Yes."
"How?"
"It's easy, James. It is nothing more than a slowing of energy."
"A slowing of energy?"