Golden
Chapter
1:
Mesmerized by the
light that reflected and flashed, and entranced by the constant spinning, the
child sat cross-legged in front of the white chalk ring that had been drawn on
the floor. Two face-sized golden
circular hoops spun on their sides in the middle of the chalk ring. The child had been sitting there for days.
“Sire, the child will not move. We have called all the physicians, wizards,
and anyone of any note that may release the child from the spell, but none have
been able to break the spell or dissuade the child from this pursuit.”
“Have you brought in the strong men
to move the child, Polaris?”
“Yes, and the child cannot be
moved. There is magic here.”
“Sire, may I ask what interest you
have in this child? Is this child not a
stranger to you?” Ten other people were
in the room with the child: Polaris, the Sire,
the child’s parents, the child’s three brothers, and a five members of the
Sire’s entourage.
“Yes. I was visiting my friend in the palace up on
the hill. We came to the market one day
to purchase treasures for my family as gifts for my return to my kingdom. The woman of this house came out into the
dusty market, screaming and pulling her long brown curly hair. Having children, myself, and, understanding
her distress, I asked Polaris, here, to look
into what could be done, and witnessed the child last week, exactly the
same as I see the child today. Nothing
has changed. The child has not eaten,
but has not grown thin or weak. The
child has not wet itself nor fallen asleep.”
One of the servants of the house
poked his head around the corner and whispered in the silence: “I think I know someone who might help.”
The Sire, Lounge Goodinhale,
having the most delicate ears, and trained to observe the most
slightest of vibrations and sounds, not only had heard the servant, but
the shyness in the voice, as the golden hoops sung. Only he could hear the singing of the
hoops. That is one of the reasons he
entered the house, to discover the
origins of the most melodiest tones he had ever heard.
“Who
could then help, Good Servant?”
The servant politely
entered the room, bowing slowly as the light from the arched window shown
behind the child who remained sitting on the floor in front of the hoops.
“I am Hatalie of the
Chromos Tribe from across the
“Why
do you think this “Natura ” could help?”
“The hoops. They came as a gift for the child’s tenth
birthday from a far off land with no note as to who had sent the gift. The rose in the corner, that was beginning to
bloom when the child spun the hoops, has not yet bloomed. The room, even at night, shows the sun
shining through the window behind the child’s back in the same place as it is
now. You are right, Sire,
nothing…NOTHING has changed in this room at all except for the movement of
others in and out.”
“You are most wise, Hatalie. Please call
me, Lounge, and do not bow from now on.
You will no longer serve the House of Sosna, nor will your people. You have done more than all the physicians,
wizards, and strongmen of the land have done in the past week. None of them observed as much as you
have. You have observed more than myself,
who rules a land, and more than Polaris, who is my most wisest of men. I would have you journey with me back to my
home where I will make peace with my family who expected me back before now,
and we will then procure a ship to sail to your land to find your “Natura” who
I believe is a person of some sort whom we can bring back with us to solve this
puzzle. If you are agreed, I will make
plans with the Lady Sosna of this house, and set up an account to provide for
your family while you are gone. Are you
agreed?”
“I am most honored,
Sire…Lounge,” Hatalie corrected his bow and speech at the same time. His family had always served others. It was their natural born gift as it had been
spoken to his father’s father’s father as a child. It was also foretold that they would leave
the lands of Bliss and Chromos to come to strange lands, in which they would
serve far away from any of their own kinsmen.
Hatalie’s Grandfather had been exiled and sent adrift on a long
fisherman’s sail ship as a young man because he had spoken against the new line of Natura’s that had stolen the name
from the natural heirs and attempted to kill off the rightful Natura line. His Grandfather had been given a locket and
a woven blanket from the last known true Natura, secretly, the night he was set
adrift. She told him his line would be
returned to their lands someday, and these gifts would be needed. Because of his Grandfather’s bravery and punishment,
The Natura would honor the family and the lands of Bliss and Chromos once
again. Hatalie had heard about magic
beyond the lands in which he currently lived, but thought they had just been
fairytales, but the spinning golden rings had been a tale his Grandfather had
told him as a young boy. He hadn’t
remembered until it had been too late, and the child had her soul sucked from
her body. He felt guilty for not
believing or remembering the old tales of his Grandfather, who he had dismissed
as a foolish old man who had lost his mind.
He had not believed in his differences, or himself. Hatalie had dreams of unknown lands and
people who looked more like him than the people of the
He had struggled with
speaking up, because of his guilt, and disbelief of himself
then waited for a good time to offer what he could.
The Sire was a
sensitive and intuitive man. Hatalie
would follow him, and serve in anyway he could.
He would have to try to remember his Grandfather’s stories and
language. Hatalie was no longer a young
man. He had family and children of his
own. His father had passed across the
Hatalie had helped
bring the precious Catalie safely into the world. She had been full of a brilliance since her
birth, and had been strangling in the cord when Hatalie had saved her. Lady Sosna was so grateful, especially after
three boys, she named the child after herself and Hatalie. The child had brought much delight to the
house and the neighborhood, and so much more to Hatalie’s troubled heart. Sometimes, he feared he favored her more than
his own children. Hatalie had five
golden boys, and two milky white girls.
* * *
Outside the house of
Sosna, the street was dusty orange. The
wind blew the soft clay powder around the tops of the chimneys. There were stucco buildings of white or older
homes that had been lightly colored by the dust that looked more brown or
orange now. Across the street, there
were more tightly packed tall stucco homes.
The street was large enough across for carts and wagons two horses wide
to travel down in one direction. The
street opened up to the hub of life for the city, the open air Marketplace with
multicolored canvases hung randomly above the streets to protect from the sun
and rain. The amber light of Fall
glinted through the canvas openings in the Marketplace, but the light that came
through the window in the front room of the house of Sosna remained the same as
a bright white burning summer’s day.
The long journey to
the land of the Goodinhales was just beginning.
The Sosna’s had trouble replacing their Good Servants, Hatalie
Chrosmosal and his family. Hatalie had
some difficulty departing from his wife and children on the warm fresh Fall
day. His youngest boy, Chrisopal, would
not let go of his leg. His oldest boy,
Dant stood proud, and said, “I will be the man of the house, father. I will watch and protect over our
family. Come now, Chriso, father has a
mighty serving duty to perform.” His
wife had hugged and cried and said, “What are we to do now? We no longer have the purpose of
serving. What are we to do?”
“We have been over
this, Lounge has bought this Chrosmosal
Inn House for you to take in patrons for overnight stays, to feed, and
care for strangers. We are still
fulfilling our purpose, just in a different action. Lounge has left one of his wisemen and one
of his strongmen to assist you, to
protect you, and for you to serve. You
have your beautiful embroidery to sell through the market place, the children
have school, and will help you with the serving. You will be so busy you won’t even remember
my name. You will come home one day from
the Marketplace, and I will be waiting for you.
Dant will say, “Some man named
Hatalie is here to see you,” and you
will say, “Hatalie? Hatalie who?” You see, I am the one that will be lost
without you. What will I do?” Hatalie had said the last part mimicking the voices of his Dant and his wife
and gesturing comically in an attempt to lighten his wife’s heart. She smiled and turned her back to him. His children did the same, all standing in
the street in front of their new home and business. This was a tradition of the Chrosmosal that
Hatalie had remembered. Loved ones never
watched each other leave. You say
goodbye and turn your back. When Hatalie
returned, he would have to touch on their backs and say, “You see, I have never
really left you. I have been just right
over your shoulder this whole time.”
Hatalie wore white puffy cotton pants and a
long dusty orange canvas shirt lined with white silk that went to his knees
with slits up the sides to his hips. His
brown leather boots came up halfway to his knees. His hair was short and an odd shade of dark
brown. He had a white canvas pull string
bag with some belongings, the locket , and the blanket. He climbed on the coach that carried Lounge
and left the streets of the only home he had ever known. He would travel with Lounge to his homeland of
Goodinhale which was by the
“Did you not say that
your Grandfather told you a story of landing in Goodinhale, marrying a kindly
woman there, then traveling to Goshonon, he lived
there for a year serving a family until your father was born. The Goshonon family wanted nothing to do with
children, so they moved to Boron where your Grandfather had acquired a position
with the Sosna family, and your family has followed their line ever since.”
“Correct.”
“If your Grandfather
landed in Goodinhale, that is the most likely place to start from. Did he say whether he traveled toward the
sun or away?”
“I believe it was
away from the sun and the night triangle of Satus…as he called it. He traveled towards a star cluster in the sky
that looked like a leaf…no a tree…that was it…a tree. These things are hard to remember. Sometimes he spoke in other words. Another language. He said that on Chromos, the language was
moot. Everyone understood…no matter the
formation. I wish I could remember
more.”
“The journey is just
beginning. We are not even to the
outskirts of Boron. Do not push
yourself. Remember when you can.”
The day was full of
the bumping on the road, discussions of ship building and trees in the sky,
stops for relief, and food.
On the first stop,
Hatalie felt like the world was trying to throw him off its back. He could barely stand on the land that he
knew so well. He had never ridden in a
coach before. His hand reached out for
the nearest tree to steady himself. He
needed to relieve himself terribly, but he had to wait until he could stand
strong. He finally found his legs
again, and urinated against the tree he had been leaning on. The trees were different and the land curved
up and down into hills of green grass.
The leaves of the trees turned golden in the light, and creatures hopped
about underneath the trees.
When he rejoined the
others, they were setting a blanket on the ground to sit on. Polaris was picking some sticky flowers at
the base of a tree.
“Join us for a glass
of wine and some bread, Hatalie,” Lounge pronounced. He was a
Hatalie joined Lounge
on the stark white blanket and grabbed a glass of golden wine. “Why is it so hard to walk on this
land?”
“Oh, you are not
accustomed to riding in a coach. It will
be the same on the ship, but more so. It
is due to the rocking of the coach. The
“This is most
unusual,” Polaris interrupted. Polaris was a great man. He was famous all over the known world for
his writings and teachings. He had
discovered healing herbs and advances in counting. He had written books about man’s role in the
universe and had figured how to grow things where nothing would grow, but was
most famous for his rhyming tales and for being the most excellent player of
the lute. He was a man of many talents
and of great wisdom. He had also been
Lounge’s best friend since the days before they wore long pants.
“This plant with the
bright yellow flowers blooms all year and is sticky to the touch. I have begun to study this plant. I have tested it for poison, and it is edible
and tastes very sweet. Would you both
mind digesting some for the journey so I may see what other attributes it may
effect? I assure you, it will have no
ill effects. It may actually be
beneficial. I will partake of some
myself as well.”
“I must warn you
against my friend, Polaris,” Lounge said as servants poured more wine into
their glasses and washed their feet, and rubbed their backs. “He always finds something interesting to
busy himself with. The universe is such
a vast place. He wants to discover as
much of it as possible before his time passes.
You will rarely see Polaris sitting still. I believe that he cannot. He also will use his friends most highly in
all his thoughts and experimentations.”
Lounge laughed loudly as he played with his friend.
Hatalie felt
uncomfortable sitting and being served.
He felt he should be doing something.
The great honor was his to serve such a great
“Baah.” Polaris
replied to his good friend and
“You see,
Hatalie. Polaris already counts you as a
friend. He makes friends very
easily. I should take that as an
affront, should I not? Look at how he
speaks to his
“If he would only
hang me. Every other day he swears he
will hang me for some imagined offense.
He only knows how I love him. I
could have married many times, except for my dedication….”
“…to my Lord and
Master.” Lounge finished Polaris’
sentence for him.
“You two…you are like
an old married couple.” Hatalie spoke
and blushed for speaking his mind.
“Pardon my words. That was rude
of me. I do not know what came over
me. Do forgive me.”
The other two fell silent
and looked most ominously at Hatalie.
Hatalie felt the weight of their stares.
He was so ashamed of his act. His
heart raced, and he could not speak. He
hid his face.
He heard
laughter. “You would not be the first to
state such a fact.” Polaris said as he
laughed in a most hearty base laughter.
He could barely speak.
“You are truly our
friend now. You have jested with us, and
we have played with you back. This will
be very important on our long journey.
We shall be friends.”
“But I am a servant. I am beneath both of you. I cannot be a friend. A true friend that jests must be family or an
equal. I am not your equal.”
“Every man is equal
to each other. There is no
difference. Each man has his own gift to
offer to the balance of life. You will
have to learn that you are our equal, but there is a chain of command,
especially on a quest. But that chain is
still to be determined. I am
“I will try,
Sire…Lounge,” Hatalie replied, but then
grew silent. He had never viewed himself
as equal to anyone. He was
different. Everyone always seemed better
than him, everyone else deserved the best of life, and he was lucky for
anything he had attained. His thoughts
grew deep as he climbed aboard the coach again.
Lounge and Polaris
recognized the look of concentration and left Hatalie to his own musings as
they looked at maps of the known world.
Hatalie remembered
his Grandfather. His Grandfather had
told him the same thing. “Do not think
that you are less than others because you serve. You are equal to others. Because you have the gift and capacity to
serve others well, you may be better than others in some aspects. You know how to listen, you know how to hold
onto your thoughts, you have patience others can not understand, and you
observe life more keenly and respect it more.
Hatalie had never
respected his Grandfather. He had blamed
his Grandfather for his own feeling that he did not belong to this world. He had blamed his Grandfather for the golden
skin. He now saw that his Grandfather
was not a man full of dreams and fairytales, and he was not a man cursed with a
mind disease. He had not believed in his
Grandfather.
How could he feel
equal to anyone? He must try. He must try for the good of all. He could only truly serve well if he felt
equal to others. He tried to reason how
he was equal to Lounge and Polaris. Then
he remembered what Lounge had said. He
was the only one who had noticed that nothing at all had changed in the room,
and Lounge’s greatest gift was to know who was best for the job, and Lounge had
chosen Hatalie.
Hatalie’s deep
thoughts and the rocking of the coach made him drowsy, and he soon fell asleep
on the soft pillows inside the coach.
The coach rocked and
bumped along the road. The inside of the
coach was a flat bed of pillows of silk, satin, and cotton all piled
together. The colors were bright and
vast as the colors of rainbows. Polaris
would often burn one of his herbs on the edge of the window of the coach so the
coach would fill with a sweet soothing smell, as the smoke wafted through from
one window to the windows on the opposite side.
The windows were covered with brown canvas that was laced with white
satin and carried the Goodinhale emblem:
a large red flower with thorns and blood dripping from one of the
thorns, and two white feathers on either side of the flower.
Hatalie dreamt of his
wife. He was looking for her. He wanted to touch her, to smell her, to hold
her in his arms and kiss her thoroughly.
He wanted to feel her behind nestled in his lap and see her bright eyes,
and touch her long soft hair. He ran
through the streets of Boron searching her out, but she was no where to be
found. There was no one in Boron. The streets were empty, and the sky was
red. A woman with white hair and golden
skin walked past him like the wind. She
turned and smiled at him. He wanted to
make love to her. He wanted to make love
to some woman, any woman. He began to
follow the woman around a corner, but she was gone.
The
coached bumped hard, and Hatalie woke up.
“Oh, we are awake
now,” Polaris said as he looked up from
a book. He marked his place in the book
with a piece of animal skin that looked like rabbit. “I thought I would catch up on some writing
while you two snoozed. I had the oddest
feelings. I was thinking that Hatalie
was very attractive, and that it was too bad he was not a woman. I had the oddest sensation of wanting to make
love to someone. It was hard for me to
concentrate on my writing trying to categorize this sticky yellow flower.”
“I
had the strangest dream,” Lounge said as he rubbed his eyes.
“You
snore most horribly. I’m surprised you
did not wake Hatalie.”
“I
do not snore.”
“You
do too, but nevermind that…what was your dream?”
“I was at home with
Eileen. We were in bed having the most
wonderful sex I have ever had. We made
love all day and all night, and I didn’t get tired, and neither did she. She finally begged me to stop, but I
couldn’t. We stopped to eat, and we took
a bath together, and I made love to her in the bathtub. There were candles all over the room, but
they didn’t glow yellow or golden, but they glowed red. It was the oddest dream.”
Hatalie told the
others of his dream, telling himself in his mind the whole time that he was
their equal and could impart such a dream to them, because, he was their equal.
“We all tried a few
pieces of the sticky yellow flower. I
believe one of the attributes of this sticky yellow flower is to heighten the
libido. Was there anything else?”
“No. But I don’t think I want any more of that
flower until I see Eileen again.”
“Are you giving up so
soon, Lounge? There may be other
attributes that have not had a chance to show themselves yet. How can I study things if you give up before
I’ve barely begun? You will not give up
on me, Hatalie, will you?”
“I must apologize,
but I agree with Lounge. Without my
precious wife, I would not dare walk near that flower again.”
“Well, I must
continue on my own. I would not trust
giving it to the guards or anyone else in Lounge’s entourage. They are all horny enough as it is. I don’t want them losing their minds and
taking us off course so they can find women.
You two were the only ones I could truly observe.
I am most
disappointed, and now I will begin to mope, but must write these observations
down, so if you would excuse while I become self absorbed.”
“Is
he always so blunt?”
“Yes, but he is partially
joking. He does not blame us and only
mocks his pout to play with us. But he
will become totally self absorbed in his work.
Nothing else exists at this point for him.”
“Do
you often have to have someone watch out for him while he works so nothing
harms him?”
“Yes. That is a most understanding comment. You have sensitivities that you deny
yourself, I believe. You have a gift to
see what is needed and what is there.
Tell me, is there anything else you remember about your Grandfather that
might help us find the
“I
have this blanket and locket.”
“May
I see them?” Hatalie passed the locket
to Lounge.
“Why,
this piece here opens up. It looks like
some sort of compass.”
It was true. When the locket was opened horizontally, it
could then be opened vertically. A three
dimensional delicate lattice work of golden arms and levers and swinging
pendulums appeared in miniature, no larger than Polaris’ thumb nail. For the first time, he looked up from his own
work to view the beauty that was before him, and he spoke, “What marvel is
this?” As if answering Polaris, a light
shown brightly towards the heavens filling the traveling coach for a few
moments then silenced itself in darkness.
“It is certainly a compass. May I see
the locket?” Polaris reached his hand
toward
“Do you know what the symbols shown in the horizontal view of the locket might
mean?” Polaris looked at Hatalie who was
still stunned by the locket’s revelations.
“No. I don’t know.” He had possessed the locket since his
father’s death, and had seen it on many occasions before then in his
grandfather’s withered, crackled, and fading gold hands. His father had left the locket in a box in
his desk drawer, and that is where Hatalie had left it as the desk had passed
into his hands. He remembered his
Grandfather saying something about the links in the chain of the locket. “Links in the chain and the symbols inside
the locket will one day bring us home.
That is what the Natura said.
There is a secret when all is unfolded…but what, What!? The blanket will protect and keep warm the
true believers. Follow the light…follow
the light…but I did! I did! Toos loo tal kat bad tak…toos, toos
….toos.” The Grandfather would babble on
like that often making no sense to his son or the grandchild that looked like
him. Hatalie now knew the Grandfather’s
words had meaning, but he could not understand how the words fit together and
made sense. If he would have only asked
the Grandfather more questions, perhaps he could truly serve now. Instead, he had humored the old man only in
the belief that his mind was already gone.
“Let me see the blanket,” Polaris reached his hand towards Hatalie who supplied
the blanket for them.
“Hmmm….interesting patterns. Hmmm.”
“Can you remember anything that was told to you about these objects besides
that they were given to your Grandfather by the Natura as he was exiled from
your homeland?”
“Actually, I was thinking of the times I had seen the locket, and some of my
memories of the Grandfather. Perhaps, if
I share the words with you, they may make some sense to you. I think I understand part of it, but the rest
is muddled.”
As Hatalie spoke, Polaris had placed a small corner of the blanket into a glass
box with the rest of the blanket hanging out where the top and the bottom of
the box met. The box had a fingernail
sized hole in the top. Polaris began to
pull various vials from his case and began to pour the liquids over the corner
of the blanket in the box.
Lounge and Hatalie watched Polaris intently as Hatalie told what he remembered. Steam
rose from the box, a blue haze, flame, even lightening seems to be held within
the box. When Polaris was done, the
corner of the blanket remained unchanged by any of his liquids.
“Amazing! Even some of our strongest armor cannot
withstand the purple liquid! This
special box I have for testing is the only other substance that can withstand
all the liquids, but there is one that will even eat through the special
ingredients I have formed the box from.
The ingredients are very hard to find.
I only have four of these boxes left out of the ten. Many men lost their lives to get the key
ingredients to make the boxes. The
liquid that eats through the box is back in Goodinhale in crystal form. If it is heated, it is most deadly. I would like to try it on the blanket once we
reach Goodinhale, with your permission.”
“I would be most honored.” Hatalie
replied.
“Now, the links in the chain are different shapes separated by perfect
rounds. If we understood the symbols,
they would probably tell us how to reach your homeland. Do you remember anything about the symbols?”
asked Polaris again.
“I am getting weary. Can I rest for awhile?” Asked Hatalie.
“We may not need the symbols. If we can
follow the light from the locket to Hatalie’s homeland, we don’t need to understand
the symbols, do we?” Asked
“I think they may give us clues into the traveling. They may reveal things that may be helpful on
our journey. It is hard to say.” Replied
Polaris.
“Well, it seems that
the blanket is not part of a map for the journey. It is for protection against something. Hatalie’s Grandfather’s words ring true. We should try to discover the meaning of the
symbols. Perhaps, after a rest, we can
work together to try to determine their meaning.”
Hatalie and
Hatalie dreamt of swirling symbols and food.
He was hungry. The symbols
swirled and swirled and swirled. His
Grandfather appeared before him babbling, looking down, and walking in circles
in the air. Hatalie reached out, but
could not touch him. “The Grandfather,
what do you mean? What can you tell
me? What are you trying to tell me? Can you help me Grandfather?”
“Natura, Natura, Natura…talk to them.
Sing to them. Feel them. Whisper.
Symbols and words are unnecessary.
The meaning is in your heart.
Translations are not necessary. We
all just knew what someone meant. Words
and symbols were too small for most true meanings and true believers. What’s the point? What’s the point? Home is so far away. Too far away.
I will never be able to just be silent again. To just sing to hear nothing but the
note. How it drifts on the air and fills
the void in the hollow. There is so much
nonsense and noise. Why can I not hear
the song of the wind? The sun sits on
the ocean, glowing with warmth, and filling the horizon, but the wind has died. Soo din.”
“Grandfather, what does it mean?”
The Grandfather
stopped his pacing and ranting and turned silently to Hatalie. He put his finger to his lips and shook his
head from side to side. Hatalie awoke.
Chapter 2:
Hatalie looked through
the long glasses at the edge of the rock canyon. Polaris had sent the soldier to the place
where the crystal could be heated to form the substance that could burn through
their best armor. Polaris stood by with
his medical equipment at ten paces back
from the soldier. Hatalie and Lounge
stood on the cliff of the canyon looking down through the long glasses at the
experiment. It was as if they were
standing next to the soldier, but they were far away, safe from any
danger.
The soldier held the
blanket in his hands. He was wearing the
best armor, and knew he might lose his hand, or maybe his life, but he was
sworn to follow orders and risk his life for the brotherhood of soldiers and
for the
An indentation in the
rock had been made ages ago. The crystal
had been placed in the rock, and the rock had been slowly heated.
The soldier dipped
his armor and blanket clad hand into the deadly liquid. He held it there as Polaris counted to
ten.
The soldier was
amazed. He had watched others perform
the experiment with armor, and the liquid had taken off their hands and the
armor within a second. The men had
screamed in agony and dropped to their knees.
Some men had pulled their hands from the liquid in jerking motions and
splashed liquid all over themselves, perishing from the exposure.
The soldier knew his
great act of heroism would be honored with a space on the ship that would
travel to far off lands. This was his
greatest dream. He would have a name to
his
He
was careful when removing his hand from the liquid.
He walked to the
basin of water and dipped the blanket in the water, and released it from his
hand. He removed his arm and hand armor,
then his gloves and rolled up his sleeves, he waved his hand to the great ones
standing on the cliff above him.
He had completed each
move as he had been told to do by the great Polaris. A cheer arose from the onlookers.
Polaris stepped over
to the blanket and touched the spot, gently, where the man had covered the
blanket with the deadly liquid. It was
as it had been before. Nothing could
damage the blanket.
“Soldier,
what is your name?”
“I
am Gronchel Lelarian.”
“You are not
compelled to follow what I say now. You
are already honored and placed within the court of wonders and allowed to
travel to far lands with your
“Yes,
Master Polaris, what shall you wish of me?”
“You must call me,
Polaris, only. Gronchel, the blanket is
not only said to protect, but to keep warm.
Would you surround yourself completely with the blanket?”
“Yes,
Polaris.”
Gronchel Lelarian,
now spoken, wrapped the blanket around himself, he felt warm, and light, as if
he were floating through the air. He
realized he was. Polaris was stammering
and yelling, but Gronchel had wished a closer view of his
His mouth moved, but
Gronchel could not hear the words. He
moved to the land side of the cliff, and rested on the ground. The Golden man who had come from Boron last
week with Polaris and the
“Did you hear
that?” Gronchel could hear Hatalie speak
as clearly as if Hatalie had whispered the words in Gronchel’s ear.
“I am not sure what
happened to Gronchel. I know he is
gone. I don’t remember anything the
Grandfather said that would cause the blanket and man to disappear.”
“True.”
Gronchel could not
understand why Hatalie spoke in such a way.
Then he saw the
Gronchel now knew he
had disappeared and travelled under the strange blankets spell. He felt so warm and wonderful, and could not
be seen and was totally free to float where he wished and see what he wished,
and he knew he could not be harmed in any way.
He wondered. Could he jump off the cliff and survive? He jumped.
He floated down…he could not fall.
He was at the bottom of the cliff again.
He wanted to speak to Hatalie. He
was at the top of the cliff again in the blink of an eye. He did not move there, but rather jumped
there as if he blinked his eyes and was somewhere else.
“Hatalie,
I am here. Can you see me?”
“No. Where are you?”
“Here.”
“I can hear him. I am not talking to myself. He is right here somewhere,” and Hatalie
pointed directly at Gronchel.
Gronchel was a young
man with golden hair and bright blue eyes.
He was a picture of youth and trust, and looked like angels drawn on
ancient
He
removed the blanket. He did not want to,
but willed himself to unwrap the warmth from his body.
The
“Thank
You!”
* * *
It
had taken a long time to arrive in Goodinhale.
Polaris,
Hatalie
had remembered little more, but had dreamt a lot.
They had arrived in
Goodinhale in the middle of the night.
Lounge had unpacked the gifts and had placed them at the edge of his
children’s beds and on his wife’s sitting table, then had slowly crawled beside
her and wrapped his arms around her. She
had woken slightly, but he had whispered peace in her ear, and she had fallen
back asleep without fully waking with a smile on her face.
Polaris had gone to
his laboratory immediately to check on experiments in progress and to look in
some of his books to see if he could find any clue to the chain symbols and the
locketcompass.
A gentlewoman had
taken Hatalie’s hand and led him to a bed.
He had not slept well that first night.
The sounds were different. He had
been able to hear the great ocean as they had approached Goodinhale, and now
the sound of the power of the water filled his first night in a strange
Even at night, the
streets of Goodinhale could be seen to be paved with one continuous white
stone. The carriage ride became smooth,
and the houses were made of the same white stone. It seemed to have a slight glow against the
darkness of the night sky. The stars
seemed as bright to Hatalie. A few homes
had blue light emanating from inside and shadows seemed to dance on the
walls. The houses had space around them
and were not taller than two levels.
The wall around the
town and around the castle was formed with rounded stones that glittered with a
silver glow.
The air was crisp and
fresh, and not full of dust like Boron, but he had noticed the air changing as
they had travelled closer to Goodinhale and the great ocean.
Goshonon had been
full of greens and earth toned buildings.
The lushness of Goshonon was evident in the many farms and various types
of trees. They had travelled through
many forests and up and down many hills and mountains as they had travelled
through Goshonon. The people of Goshonon
were beautiful and slightly round with large dark eyes. They tended to laugh a lot and took much joy
in everything they did.
Goodinhale
was as different as Goshonon was from Boron.
Hatalie had awoken in
the morning, after their arrival in Goodinhale, to six women standing over
him. The women bowed and asked if there
was anything he wished for in unison.
He
had not been sure what he should say.
“We can wash the dust
from your feet and off your body from your long travels,” said one lady with
long yellow hair and green eyes.
“We
could bring you something to eat,” said another looking just like the first.
“Or
fresh clothing,” said yet another with long black hair and bright blue eyes.
“We
are here to do as you wish,” said the smallest one standing on her toes.
“I
prefer to bathe myself. Is there a
bath?”
“Yes. We shall show you.”
“I am also hungry and
do require some fresh clothing and to have my own clothing cleaned. I would prefer clothing similar to the manner
of clothing I already have. If you can
manage.”
“Yes,
Master Hatalie.”
“I would also like to
have someone guide me through the rooms of the castle and the town of
“It
shall be our honor, Master Hatalie.”
“Could you please
just call me Hatalie, and tell me each of your names so we are friends and not so
much Master and servant? I am accustomed
to serving others, and having someone serve me is not something I wish, or
something I know very well. You will
help me say and do the proper things, will you not?”
“Yes,
Hatalie.”
“I am Tora, this is
my sister Ora. We are the same, and came
into the world at the same time, but I think she smiles more,” said the lady
who first spoke as an individual pointing to the second.
“They
call my name as Dayla,” said the lady with long black hair as she moved forward
and bowed.
“I am Sazly,” said a
frail thin girl with the whitest skin that Hatalie had ever seen and no hair,
and dazzling purple eyes.
“I
am Jacinta,” replied a very tall woman with a large nose and beautiful red hair
and white eyes.
“I am Tetora,” said
the very short woman who stood on her tiptoes and shook Hatalie’s hand. “We, as a group, are called Jora Ladies. If you want us all at one time, just call for
Jora. Otherwise, you can use our
individual names. We have lived together
as a group, and we consider ourselves and our lives intertwined as one
family. I am the oldest, although the
shortest. It is the custom that you
treat us as your friends, but also know your word is our command. If you are not joyful or pleased at any
moment, we are to blame and will be punished.
Not with beatings or anything like that, but with isolation. We are so accustomed to living with others, being
part of a group, and serving others, that being alone without a purpose is
torture to us. We must meditate during
our isolation in order to be in touch with our own sensitivities in order that
we may serve better. Then we would
return to you to report on what we discovered about our mistake in not pleasing
you and how we can do better in the future as revealed through our meditation
and isolation. If you are not pleased,
then we will return to our isolation and repeat the act until you find pleasure
with us again. Any serving group would
do the same. It is up to each serving
group to know what will please their Master best, but we will call you Hatalie,
if it pleases you.”
“Yes. Thank you all.”
Tetora took Hatalie’s
hand gently and led him to the bath which the twin girls had already
prepared. The bath was in the next room
and was cut out of the floor with stairs going down. It was large enough for Hatalie and all the
ladies to lie down in. The water was
just the right temperature, and smelled sweet.
The ladies had drawn a curtain around the tub so Hatalie could remove
his long shirt and step into the water without being embarrassed to be seen by
the women. He had just eased back into
the water to relax, when he noticed a hand gently lift the curtain, and another
hand remove his long shirt, then deposit a tray of fruit and bread then a
pitcher of something to drink.
As Hatalie finished
his bath and the meal, he had noticed a chair with towels and a robe hanging on
a stand in one corner of the curtained-off area. He dried himself and put on the robe and
walked out of the curtained area. The
ladies were standing in a row in front of him, as soldiers waiting for a
command. Hatalie felt uncomfortable
about this, but didn’t dare say anything for fear they would punish themselves.
“Your clothes are in
the top drawer, here. The other clothes
we have acquired for you are in the drawers underneath. We have found some similar to yours and some
as worn in Goodinhale so you can choose what you would prefer to wear. Would you like us to dress you, or should we
leave and return when you call us?”
“You
may go, and I will call you.”
They did not turn
their back to him, but bent over from their waists and touched the top of their
heads to the ground. Hatalie could not
imagine how they could do this. Then they
backed out of the room, keeping their eyes on him until the door was shut and
the last Jora had left the room.
“They are quite
amazing and strange,” Hatalie had told himself as he looked through the drawers
to choose some clothes, and noticed how the bed had been made and the room
cleaned. His bags had been unpacked and
new flowers had been placed in the vase next to his beside table.
He chose to wear the
clothes he had travelled in. He had felt
he would be more comfortable exploring the castle and the town in familiar
clothes. Hatalie walked around his
room. There were large colored glass
double doors on the outside wall that opened onto a balcony. He walked outside and leaned over the edge of
the railing and breathed deeply.
Goodinhale was a silvery blue and white, glistening town. The air was fresh, and the view of the great
ocean made Hatalie a bit dizzy. The
water seemed to go on forever. There was
no end to it.
“Jora!” He called, ready to explore the castle and
the city. Before he took his next
breath, the door to his room creaked open, and there stood the Jora
ladies. “I will see the castle now.”
“Yes, Hatalie,”
replied Tetora. The Jora waited for
Hatalie to pass by the entrance of his room, and followed him.
“Could
you show me the castle? I have no idea
where I’m going.”
“Certainly.” Replied
the Jora in unison. Three women took a
position in front of him, and three stayed behind him. Tetora seemed to be the oldest and the leader
of the group, if there was a leader. She
began down a long hallway of white stone.
Multi-colored tapestries hung with many scenes of nature, war, moments
of historical significance, weddings, and funerals. “This is the guest hall. The tapestries are hung to remind visitors
of all the wonderful things Goodinhale has to offer, from its history to festivals,
and the pleasures that nature can bring.”
Hatalie wasn’t sure who had said this, but the voice had come from
behind him.
“There are other
guests here, with their own ladies or gentlemen attending them.”
“The hallway connects
on one side to the hall of mirrors, and on the other to the double outdoor
patio and arena for plays and games.”
The castle was a much
larger place than Hatalie had imagined.
He couldn’t imagine how he was ever going to learn where everything was,
and how to get anywhere, or even find the front door. When they stopped on the first floor in the
Main Hall to rest at the table that sat 100 people, Hatalie asked if there was
a map of some sort so he could find his way around.
“No map of the castle
has been allowed since it was rebuilt after the last great war and added on to
many times since then. Not even the
architects, who drew the castle, and many of its additions, know, since there
were many architects and builders with different pieces of the plan. I believe only eight groups of servants know
the entire layout of the castle. The
Jora being only one. Out of the eight
groups of servants that know the castle, only three know the city as well. The city has some maps, but not many. It is purposeful, in case war ever finds its
way back to Goodinhale, we hope it will get lost in the streets, or not be able
to find its way through the castle. The
Royal family and a handful of close advisors also know the castle and the city,
but that is all. It is a well guarded
secret.”
“How
am I ever to find my way?”
“We will always be
with you, and you are considered a trusted advisor to the
The tour of the
castle continued through a maze of rooms, going up stairs and downstairs,
showing doors to the outside and rooms of varying purposes and themes.
There was one main
hall, and one large kitchen, but many other halls and kitchens of smaller
degrees throughout the castle.
The Jora spoke the
entire time, describing rooms and purposes, paintings and historical
facts. They led Hatalie up a long
twisting stairway with many doorways, which were explained to him as false
doors or doors that led no where or just to a long drop to the ground below and
open air. The climb to the trapdoor in
the ceiling at the top, which Hatalie would not have guessed was there, until
Dayla lifted her hand and knocked three times, and it opened. Tetora said, “Master Polaris, a visitor to
see you, Hatalie.”
“Welcome,” came the
reply, and Hatalie was lifted from the ground through the trapdoor, and the
door closed behind him.
Polaris greeted him
with open arms and a pat on his shoulder.
“Thank you,” he said. “I needed a
break from the symbols and the blanket.
They are most amazing, and yet frustrating. We shall journey out to test the blanket
further when the Lounge joins us, which should be any moment now. The Jora are always punctual. Flawless aids, I must say.” A few moments later,
* * *
Four weeks after
their arrival in Goodinhale, the blanket experiment had finally been a
success. Now, there were only a few
obstacles in the path to finding the Natura and saving Catalie. A great seagoing vessel was still being
built, and it was the time of many festivals. The ship builders, and those
recruited in this time of need to become temporary ship builders, suggested to
Captain Towms that the most sea worthy ship (the CassieTalia - named after
Lounge’s two daughters) also be a part of the questing journey to unknown lands
as security measure. “Two ships are
better than one.”
Another obstacle was
the fact that Lounge’s wife and children were not happy about the news of
another departure so soon after he had just returned home. Since
Polaris didn’t view
his inability to comprehend the locketcompass and the chains code as a hindrance
to the journey since no one knew how long it would take to get to Chromos and
the lands of Bliss. He figured he had
some time aboard ship, as well, to try to unravel the mystery, but he preferred
to do it soon, though he had other duties to attend to as well.
Hatalie had no
obstacles, except his attempts to remember anything his Grandfather had told
him became more and more frustrating and less and less fruitful. He decided this was the worst obstacle of
them all.
“Jora!” The six ladies appeared through his doorway. He smiled.
They had become good friends. He
had spent much time playing games and attempting to learn Goodinhale customs
and about the upcoming festivals. They
had toured him through the castle several times, so he could always find his
way to the Great Dining Hall, Polaris’ rooms, Lounge’s waiting room, or the
private gaming room that he often met Polaris and Lounge in for private
meetings and relaxation. They had showed
him the gardens where Lounge’s children played, and Hatalie had much fun with
Cassie and Talia playing tag or hide-and-go-seek amongst the topiary animals
and fountains.
“Jora, I would like
to start my tours of the city today. I
have chosen robes, so I may look more like a citizen of Goodinhale, and not
stand out so much, but my golden skin always betrays me.”
“Oh, Hatalie, the
robes cover most of your skin, we can hardly see any skin at all. It is warm out, and we can walk some, but we
should obtain a man carriage for when you grow tired and wish to seek shade.”
“Besides, I believe
your skin is most beautiful. There are
times I admire the coloring, wishing my dull skin was more vibrant as
yours. I have seen men of many
“You
should not speak so to Hatalie, Sazly.”
“Shall
I punish myself?”
“No,” replied
Hatalie. “And your perspective is
delightful, and refreshing, but I am curious.
Who was the older Jora, and do you remember what she said about the man
with the golden skin? I have been
struggling with memories of my Grandfather.
Trying to decipher bits and pieces of a long ago past, and if you have
any memories that could assist me, that would be wonderful.”
“Tetora
is the oldest, and remembers better than I,” replied Sazly.
“Jacinta also has
memories of long ago that I do not have, and she has a way of helping people
remember things. I wish you would have
told us sooner so you would not have been struggling. I sensed your struggling, but did not know
the cause or how to relieve you. I
should have. I should punish myself for
not knowing what you needed.”
“Nonsense,
Dayla. I wanted to discover these things
for myself, but I cannot, and am now requesting help. If you would have helped any sooner, I would
have been displeased.”
“Well, now we do have
issues. Do we start your tour of the city
today, or do we help you remember and tell you of Zanear, the oldest Jora
teacher we had, and what she told us of the man with Golden skin. He came when war was still the key to
Goodinhale and blood ran in the streets.
The Jora protected him, and one left with him. Which shall you choose, Hatalie?”
Chapter 3
The suggestion of the
man carriage was wise on Tora’s part.
Even with fall in the air, the sun was very warm and resting and
travelling through the streets of Goodinhale by man carriage was a break from
the sun, though walking had been enjoyable, just not very tolerable out of the
shade. Ten very strong men moved the
carriage which was completely enclosed with bright blue flowing fabric and
stocked with various liquids. The
carriage had wheels, but the men often carried their seven passengers through
the air without letting the wheels touch the ground. The wheels were normally used for longer
journeys or for when the passengers decided to walk.
Hatalie had decided
to delay the stories. He needed a break,
and wanted to be prepared for the street festivals that were themed throughout
the next week. They had stopped in a
wild bird shop, a topiary plant shop, various marble and glass shops, and a
ladies shop where he obtained a dress, hat, and scarf in Goodinhale style for
his wife and also bought the Jora’s scarves which they almost cried over with
joy. They had returned to the carriage
with the purchases, and decided to ride awhile to the next street, and if
something intrigued Hatalie, they would stop and go in the shop.
“This is
“What
is that shop?”
“Things From the
Sea,” replied Tora, reading the sign hanging above the doorway that was draped
with nets, starfish, and sand dollars.
“I
would like to explore that shop.”
The
salty air brushed Hatalie’s face, and he smiled, not knowing why.
The shop was packed
with sea shells, shiny and dull stones, wind chimes made from fish bones or
shells, paintings of the ocean and its creatures, fountains with mermaids
blowing water from their mouths into large basins, and candles glowing with a
blue hue. The walls of the shop were
lined with large glass tanks full of water. Swimming in the water were various
creatures from the sea. Hatalie was
amazed by the varying shapes, bright colors, and even sizes of the fish in the
many tanks. Hatalie walked up to one of
the tanks where there was a light green snakelike creature slithering its way
through the water. In the same tank
there was a flat round bright blue fish with a very small mouth. Hatalie smiled
at the fish in the tank.
“Oh, Master, you have
spied our Reed Fish. Does he not look
like a snake on the ground? See the
small fish in the tank? He eats those,
but don’t feel sorry for them. The Reed
Fish is mostly blind and fished for the little fast fish through vibrations in
the water. His mouth is so small that he
sometimes only gets the tail off one of the small fish. See that one is missing his tail. Though the Reed Fish is fast and doesn’t
starve. We also have some good eating
fish and crustaceans in the back. You
look as if you are a man of fine tastes.
I bet you would like your wife to cook some fresh lobster for you
tonight. We have some that just walked
on shore this morning. Though I could be
wrong, perhaps you would like some salmon caught just moments ago and cleaned
and filleted in front of your eyes by one of your fine servant ladies. Well, blow me down, you are Jora ladies. I recognize the Tora and Ora twins. How lovely it is to see you again! It has been some time. Well then you are a visiting dignitary and have
no need for eating fish. You are looking
for some unique souvenir to bring home with you, or to gift some fine ladies of
the town. Oh, but you have the look of a
married man with children. Find what you
would like, and if you need anything, call me out. My name is Rashter Towmes, but just call me
Rashy…everyone else does.” The plump
short bald man scurried off to speak with another customer. Though the streets were full of patrons,
Rashty’s shop only had a handful of customers perusing his shelves.
The
Jora’s helped Hatalie chose some gifts for his children.
“Dant would love a
live fish, but would the fish survive the journey back to Boron, and what would
Dant feed the fish?”
Ora spoke so softly
that Hatalie could barely hear her words, but he understood what she said
anyway, “The bright blue fish eat vegetables the same that are grown in
Boron. Here is a small tank with
unbreakable glass that would make the journey, but should you not get more than
one blue fish so the other would not get lonely? Maybe even six blue fish. Six is a good number. It works for Jora.”
“Ora, there is more
to you than softness and grace. I will
get the gift of fish for Dant as you have described. Thank you.”
Ora
smiled shyly at the compliment and walked with Tora to tell the shopkeeper of
Hatalie’s wish.
“Corpo, my second son,
does not care for much, but food and hard work.
He is a strong massive boy that can lift twice his weight. He is not flabby, mind you, but strong and
solid, and loves tasting a variety of foods when he can. We do not have such crustaceans as the
shopkeeper mentioned in Boron, but how would they stay fresh on the journey
back?”
“You can get another
unbreakable tank and keep the six lobsters alive until they reach Boron. You can send instructions on how the lobsters
are best prepared and eaten.” Tetora
said quite loudly for such a small person.
“Yes, but how would
they know which were the lobsters, to eat, and which were the blue fish, to
care for?”
“I
apologize, Hatalie, I should have thought of this before you asked. Should I punish myself now?”
“No!” Hatalie hated the thought of any of the Jora,
who were so kind and thoughtful, of ever punishing themselves.
“Later
then?”
“No!
No! No!”
“I have caused such
displeasure that I must leave now, but first, you could send a note to both
boys describing their gifts and what to do with them.” Tetora turned to leave, but Hatalie stopped
her with a question.
“But I will not have
time to write such notes to each child and my wife. Could you and the rest of the Joras not write
the notes for me?”
Tetora turned around
with a pleased look on her face, but also a small tear was finding its way down
one cheek. “Yes. We certainly could care for those duties for
you.” Tetora turned to leave again.
“Tetora, you cannot
leave! I have five other children and a
wife to still buy more gifts for, and the rest of the streets to see. I need all my Joras for these tasks!”
“I
will stay at your bidding, but must be punished.”
“Can I choose your
punishment and punish you now so we have no more talk of this punishment
stuff?”
“Yes,” replied Tetora
looking down at her feet, not daring to look at Hatalie, who had become quite uncharacteristically
stern with her, as a few more tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Your punishment is
to come over here and give me a hug in which I lift you into the air and
laugh. You will have to stop crying and
laugh too. This will help heal more heart
with your sadness and will remind me of my youngest girlchild, Anabeth, whose
laughter is unsurpassed in all the kingdoms.
So you will have to laugh with much giggles and joy.” The punishment was kind, yet harsh for
Tetora. Because of her height, she hated
being lifted in the air like a child, and only hugged her fellow Jora. Tetora was not one much for laughter
either. She was better at serious
pursuits and sadness. The punishment
would be hard, but the kindness of her Master did bring her joy, and she had
not wanted to leave. She did as her
Master wished.
“You will have to
work on smiling and laughter when we return.
Perhaps, you should take lessons from Sazly. She knows how to laugh and smile the best.” Master rightfully so gave Tetora another
stinging punishment. Tetora knew she was
proud, and she thought of herself as the oldest and wisest of the Jora. Sazly was the youngest, and not always very
wise. Tetora had valued her gifts, but
had thought herself better than Sazly, and had punished herself on many occasions
for such thoughts. Perhaps the great
Master Hatalie had come upon a punishment that would not only help Tetora
relish joy better, but maybe she could also finally squelch some of her
superior feelings, especially towards Sazly.
“As
you wish, Hatalie.” Master was certainly
the wisest Master Tetora had ever had.
“Now, Hatalmy is the
most like me. He lives to serve. He loves children. So what would I like to have in this store? What appealed to me in the store was the net
with the different types of shells on them.
They were odd, yet beautiful.”
Jacinta spoke up,
“Hatalie, why not get a variety of shells wrapped in the net? Maybe, this starfish, this conch shell that
sounds like the ocean when held to the ear, this abalone that is so beautiful
with the rainbow colors, this sanddollar that is so unusual, and maybe this sea
urchin shell?”
“That
is a wonderful idea, Jacinta! I will put
you in charge of picking out the shells for Hatalmy.”
“Bebo.
He is the one that is least like me or my wife, Bethany.
He is unlike anyone I know. He
serves reluctantly and daydreams a lot.
He also likes to read whenever he can.
He can sit and stair forever at a blade of grass. If you ask him what he was thinking about, he
always says, “Nothing.” What can I get
for such an odd boy?”
“I have a thick book
that is all about the sea. It is the
truth of the sea wrapped in a story of adventure, danger, certain peril, love,
and success. There are maps of the known
world that are most recent, and it will take him a long time to read. It will not cure his daydreaming, but he will
always know his father knew his soul if you give him this book. A young boy who reads and daydreams may
become a great story teller some day,” said the shopkeeper.
“Yes. That is a good idea. Write something in the book like that from
Father to Bebo.”
“As you wish,” smiled
the shopkeeper. He was pleased at his
own cleverness and the fact that he would make a lot of money from the Great
House of Hatalie today. He could pay his
creditors, and then he could take his entire family out for a fine meal at the
Hogs Head Inn. He could picture the
juicy steak and buttery potatoes and chocolate pie. He found himself salivating. He was so tired of eating fish. He would have enough money left over from the
day’s sales to put some away for a rainy day.
He was quite pleased with himself indeed.
“Chrisopal is my
youngest boy, and such a wonderful and loving boy. He is fascinated with the way things work,
but is quite small.”
Dayla did not say a
word, but she held up a most fascinating wind chime mobile with stone, metal,
glass, and seashell renditions of the animals from the sea brightly painted
then smiled as she shook the large mobile slightly and the chimes rang
delicately, but whispering a tune as if only the wind could sing such a
beautiful song.
Hatalie
smiled back at Dayla and shook his head approvingly.
The last two children
will be the most difficult. They are my
girls. Nido is the oldest, and she is wise
beyond her years. She is a year younger
the Dant, and is serious about business and finding a husband. Anabeth is a year older than Chrisopol and
loves music and dancing. I would also
like to get something for Catalie, the joy and charm of my heart, yet not my
child. She is the frozen one we seek to cure.
“Nido may like
something that would be pleasing on her to men, yet also valuable to be part of
a dowry. This pearl necklace, that drips
with pearls and jewels as a painting of the sun sinking in the sea, would be
beautiful, yet practical for a young girl with her eyes on marriage.”
“Yes. That is lovely, Tetora. I think that would be a fine gift for Nido.”
“Anabeth may like
this music box made from shells with carved dolphins and mermaids dancing to
the song that plays, “Tora said.
“Let me hear the
song,” replied Hatalie.
The melody swirled
and splashed and sounded like a miniature man was hiding inside the abalone
shell covered box playing the piano.
Hatalie could picture Anabeth in her gauze dress twirling and spinning
and leaping through the air to the tune.
“She will love the
box.” Hatalie grew sad. He missed his family. He missed the streets of Boron. He missed serving the House of Sosna, but he
knew he had to hold on. He had to find a
way to help Catalie.
“What is Catalie
like, Hatalie?” Asked Jacinta,
attempting to pull Hatalie from the sadness that showed on his face.
“She is like the
sunshine. Although she has only passed
ten full seasons, she fills a room with warmth and light. Her smile could melt a tyrant’s heart. Her silver blue eyes sparkle as if an entire
galaxy of stars hid deep behind her eyes.
When she looks at you, her eyes seem to say,”I know you and I love you
for all you are, and all you are not.”
She walks so gracefully, she can sneak up behind you and scare you with
a whisper or walk through the forest without making a sound or disturbing the dirt
on the ground. Her skin is not the beautiful deep tone of most Borons, but is
lighter, as if she were part Goodinhale.
Her skin is the color of the pudding we had the other night… milk
chocolate! I had never seen anyone with
that color skin before. Her hair is
black with streaks of silver that match the silver in her eyes, and her hair is
so soft, like the fur of a rabbit. It
grows loose and long to the middle of her back.
She says the wisest things I have ever heard with a questioning and
innocent voice. Her voice is soft and
sweet, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
She has a mark around her neck that will never go away where the chord
tried to strangle her. The doctor had
not come yet, and I saved her. I saved
her only to bring the curse of the rings upon her. Why would someone do such a thing to such a
child of the gods?” Hatalie had started
remembering Catalie with a smile on his face, then tears, then anger. He remembered her laughter as he blew raspberries
on her stomach when she was just a toddler.
He could see her standing up for his golden skin as she grew older. No one else had done this for him. She said she loved his golden skin. She said that she was like him. Different from others, yet beautiful. She said she wished she had golden skin
instead of her dull light brown skin. He
would tell her he would trade skin with her anytime. He thought her skin was the most beautiful he
had ever seen, and he hated his own skin.
They would talk and joke while Hatalie cleaned or as they shopped in the
market for groceries. People would
follow her through the market just to hear her laugh. As they walked, people would part in front of
them or lay down their coats in mud puddles so she would not have to wait to
move and so she would not get dirty.
People loved to be near her.
Everyone loved her.
The Joras listened in
awe to Hatalie’s description of a creature they could only imagine. Such Spirits of light they had heard told of
in fairytales, but no one had ever believed such creatures actually
existed.
Dayla gave Hatalie a
hug, since everyone seemed to be lost in thought as if frozen in their own
golden ring of time. Hatalie pulled his
mind away from his memories.
“What gift could I
give her?” He said trying to sound like
he believed there was something in the shop that would be the perfect gift for
her. Something that could cure her. Something that would delight her as much as
she filled others with delight.
“We are not
sure. We have combined our minds in an
attempt to find something even on this sphere for such a creature. We have found nothing yet. Give us some time in silence to think.”
“Would you like to
taste some fish and fresh bread with some beer while you wait for the
Jora?” Asked the shopkeeper more humbly and
sincere than Hatalie had heard him speak.
“My treat, and if they can find a gift in my shop for your Catalie, that
shall be no charge as well. I would be
honored if you find anything to gift her here.”
“We
have thought of something,” said the Jora in unison.
“What
is it?” Asked Hatalie.
“We cannot tell you,
and we cannot show you. It is not here
yet. There will be many gifts for
Catalie you will bring to her, but the gifts we have thought of cannot even be
known until the time is right. You must
trust us. You must go on your journey
first.” Answered the Jora.
“As it should
be.” Replied Hatalie. “Let us view the rest of the city by carriage
then return to the palace with our purchases and send them back to Boron. I am tired of shopping and will need to rest
as soon as we return to the palace.”
*****
The carriage ride
through the streets of Goodinhale was enchanting and helped ease Hatalie’s
mind. Though, every time he saw young
children running through the streets, he remembered his own children and grew
sad. He was homesick, and his journey
had not yet begun.
“Will
you want to be awoken for the evening meal in the dining hall?”
“No. Could you bring a meal to my room when it is
time? I would like to start work with
Jacinta and Tetora. I would like to hear
the stories of the Golden man and Zanear, and I would like Jacinta to help me
remember.”
The city swirled
around Hatalie. Then the carriage turned
and went towards the castle. Hatalie
remember seeing the sun midway between the center of the sky and the horizon
that led towards night, but nothing else until he awoke in his bed in the
castle.
Chapter 4
“You
are awake then. I have waited. Are you yet hungry?”
“No. I’m a bit thirsty though.”
“There
is a glass of water by your beside that Tetora left a few minutes ago. She is quite good.”
Hatalie rubbed his
eyes and saw the glass of water, but could not yet see the lady who had been
speaking to him. She was sitting on a
chair not far from his bed, but she was hidden by shadow.
“You
wish to know my name. Zanear. You did wish to speak with me of Hatalpo?”
“I’m
sorry. I was unaware you were still
alive.”
“Am I? I’m not quite sure myself. Yes of course I am. I am just joking with you. Though, I would not have to be. Jacinta seems to have the gift of spirit
speak. When I pass, I could always speak
through her. I am very old. I am probably the oldest citizen in
Goodinhale…or maybe the entire known world.
It is possible. You wonder why I
do not speak as a we. We were Aora, but my group passed so long ago. I am not sure why I was spared, but have
become “I” over the years. I still do
teach the younger servant groups. All
servants and their groups, as the Jora, must be approved by me. Are
you allright, Hatalie?”
Hatalie had realized
that he must have been carried to bed, bathed, and had his clothes changed by
the Jora. He had gotten out of bed to
walk towards Zanear so he could see her in better light. He breathed in deeply and held his breath at
the sight of Zanear. Zanear did not look
old at all. She had no wrinkles, her
skin was very white, she had no hair on her anywhere, she was about Hatalie’s
height, and her eyes were white. She was
blind.
“Oh, the blind
thing. Yeah, I’ve been this way for
years. Not sure how many now. It happened when the rest of my group
died. I was sure I would die too, but I
just lost my eyes. It was a flash of
sight, and it was gone. Very strange
indeed. I agree.”
“I
didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to
say much around me. And I love to talk
anyway. Didn’t much in the group, but
when I became “I” with no sight, that is all I want to do most of the time. Talk and talk and talk.
“I’m sure you can go
as far with us as the
“Oh, they will go
along with what you say. You have good
instincts. You would have done well in a
serving group, but you could never be of one mind, and would have punished yourself
too often. Your destiny is to serve, but
not as a servant. The
“You
spoke the Grandfather’s name.”
“Yes. I met him long ago. He landed on our shore. He was the most gorgeous man I had ever
met. He was handsome in every way. The serving groups were just beginning. There were a handful that were doing fine,
but they were not of one mind. Larz
Goodinhale, Lounge’s father, had begun the peace. His idea for the serving groups came from the
fact the most servants were already very close to one another and could
anticipate wishes of their masters, but Larz hoped to perfect the serving
art. Those who had chosen to try the new
method had been older and could not master the one mindedness needed to serve
as a group in every way. Larz decided
that younger citizens were needed to begin the process earlier. Volunteers could not be accepted. If someone was chosen and did not wish to
serve or changed there mind during training or did not pass the training, they
would not stay in the serving group. I
will tell you more of Hatalpo soon. You
must understand what an exciting time it was in Goodinhale. Peace after so many generations of war. Larz was the
My father died in the
wars. Two of my brothers went to war
soon after the other two tried to flee and were hung. They were twins and only ten years old. Two girls were in the wars as well. My mother and I and baby Ann fled to the monastery. I was older than my sisters, but had been
able to avoid going to war by serving a Lady with my mother. Ann was only three years old and too young to
fight. She was still very dependent on
my mother. The Lady fled to the monastery
with her only surviving family member, her daughter, Leanna. We arrived safely at the monastery and I
began to study the word of the Monks and learned much about the world. My mother continued to serve the Lady, but
the Lady soon died and my mother became mother to Leanna as well. We believe her heart broke. My mother died soon after. The weight of the world was too much. She heard of her other son's deaths at war
and how her daughters had been captured by the enemy and made to bear children
for the enemy. They would be killed
after they were no longer useful. The
Lady had been able to provide us with a supplement to the bread and water diet
the monks allowed for time of war for refugees, but when she died, Ann became
sick because the bread and water were not enough. Then mother passed. Luckily, Leanna and I were able to obtain
work in the gardens and I began to serve the monks, who had taken a liking to
me and Ann. They had not cared much for
Leanna until she had proved her worth in the gardens. She had the gift with plants and
animals. The garden was abundant and she
kept seeds and knew the best way to keep them and sew them for the next
year. She knew how to care for the
animals so they would give milk and bare children and give healthy meat when
their time came. She knew how to speak
to them so they would help in the fields to plant wheat and the planted all the
land that was bare. She knew how to move
the crops from year to year so something could always grow and the land would
always yield something wonderful and never be barren or lack nutrients to
support the seeds. She knew how to spare
the water and dig trenches to use the water in the most efficient ways. The monks cherished her gifts, and made her a
saint when she died. There is a statue
that always watched over the animals and the gardens that is a likeness of
her. She was a good friend. She died so long ago. She was about my age. She died right after the current
“What
happened to Ann?”
“She grew up. She was fifteen when she married another
refugee, who was a young man, from Nocturn, who had found his way to the monastery
in the
For a long time, Hatalpo said
nothing, though I could sense his words and feelings, and so could Zandra. She had the gift and could have been a great
anchor in a serving group. As I watched
Zandra and Hatalpo laugh as he regained his strength and walked through the
streets holding her hand, I knew they had both found where they belonged.
We may think we know our path and
where we are going and what our purpose in life is, then something crosses our
path that directs us to our true path.
We may have ideas for our lives, but the Spirits will always guide us to
our truth, no matter how much we may fight against the truth. And Zandra fought. She fought to stay true to what she believed
was her destiny – to serve in the groups.
Oh…I’m so sorry. You want to know about Hatalpo. Can I help you. That is what you want to know. I apologize.
The memories play before my blind eyes as clear as if they are happening
today. I tell you what I see, but it is
not what you need to know, but you must know something about Zandra to
understand Hatalpo. Zandra was your
grandmother. I don’t believe you were
able to meet her. She had the soft white skin of Goodinhale. That is why all your girls have the soft
white skin. I counseled both your
Grandfather and Grandmother, and helped them find their true path. Your Grandfather was a brilliant man. Many a woman of Goodinhale would have chosen
his Golden skin and talents over the men of any of the towns they had known,
but his heart belonged to Zandra. They almost
did not get together. He had learned our
language and the language of many of our neighbors and had held counsel with
Larz, but his heart grew homesick.
From what I understood, an evil had
entered the
The three children were
separated. One stayed with the mother
and was much loved and nourished, Shanfree.
Shanfree was named after the father, Janfreez, and grew into a strong man. One child was raised by the Spirits in the
woods, and this was Natura. She also
grew beautiful and well loved. The third
child was a boy, set adrift in the universe, given no name, watched over by any
who dared to cross the Spirits or were ignorant to the ways of the Spirits. The third child was really left to die from
what your Grandfather imparted to me. There were those that cared for him in
Secret and knew his story. The Natura
blessed him and gave him gifts to carry with him, and watched over him from
afar when she could. The Spirits did not
have the heart to keep her younger brother from her eternally. She had watched over him since his birth, and
they could not bear to break the bond completely. Shanfree was unaware that he had siblings or
who his father was. He was raised under
the idea that he was an only child and that his father had died in an accident,
and was a hero. The Natura watched over
him as well. The Natura was the only who
knew the true story, and she imparted it to your Grandfather when he was
exiled. She wanted him to know what had
happened. She wanted him to know why he
was being exiled. Shanfree had been the
ruler of Chromos forever. The land prospered,
and he watched as others around him aged and died, and he lived on. The Spirits still walked amongst men, but no
longer were allowed direct contact with man.
They were only allowed contact with man through the Natura. She became the Holy person for the
The youngest boy had survived the
foolishness of the Spirits. He had
become an angry and powerful Spirit that could take any form he wished. He learned his story from Zota, another
jealous Spirit who had been the play thing of Laliti. Zota disappeared soon after Lalita, but not
before telling the nameless boy all he knew and teaching him the ways of the Spirits
and showing him the path to learn about man.
The boy took human form and began his tutelage on humans with a farmer,
named Bran. The boy left Bran and
traveled the lands of Boron, Goshonon, Goodinhale,
The boy, not named, found his sister and brother aging, and killed
them. He then took their forms and
placed his line in theirs. He would have
killed the heirs, but he could not see them.
He replaced the Natura line with his, and that is who had exiled your
Grandfather. His eyes are
different. There is something about his
look that is not the same as the true line of Natura. The same could be said about the true line of
Shanfree, but not all of Chromos could see the difference. Your Grandfather and his family could. They were all killed, except for your
Grandfather, who was to be set adrift to die, as the no named boy was set
adrift to die.
I don’t know if they ever named
him. Your Grandfather does not
know. I don’t know if they ever
discovered that the Shanfree and Natura had been replaced by something unholy
and evil. Your Grandfather did not know,
but he did know that one day his line would return to set the world right
again. He did know, because Janfreez
still lives as a Spirit and whispered to him, that his youngest son still lives
and exiled Naliee. His youngest son is
the strongest Spirit. Janfreez kept his
cloak of punishment and used it to escape his son’s wrath, and to find the
Chromosal that would help the Spirits correct the error of jealous Spirits.”
“Do
you think he whispers to me? Why can’t I
hear him?”
“Yes. You have heard him. That is why you are here.”
“Is
that what this is all about?”
“Wait. You ask me now, but you are hearing Janfreez,
are you not?”
“Yes. This was all meant to be. Even the Spirits are someone’s children. The Great Spirit guides all. My Grandfather had great purpose. We serve, yes, but we first served the Great
Spirit in the lands beyond death. My
Grandfather was saved so his line could join the world together. My Grandfather’s line is not of one world or
culture, but of all. This world and all
others. This is not the first time our
line has been sent ahead to be first contact with other life forms, and it
won’t be the last. Because we serve, we
are never looked upon as a threat.
Because we know how to see and listen and find the truth, we become
where we are and invaluable to any we encounter on our path. But I must believe in my purpose and the
greatness of my line for this journey to be successful. The no named one is powerful, and also knows
the plan of the Great Spirit, and is prepared.
The no named one is now searching for me and the Great Spirit, which
none has done before. The youngest son
of Janfreez wants to put an end to all life on all levels and has many of the
keys to do so, but cannot do it with my line alive and the Great Spirit giving
strength to all the other Spirits. “
“It
sounds confusing.”
“I
must believe. I don’t know if I can.”
“You
must not tell a soul of any of this either.
The secret stays with you and me.”
“I
know. The more that they know, the more
danger they will be in.”
“So
you are alone in this.”
“Until
you set foot on Cypia, yes.”
“Not even your Jora
will be with you then, but what about Jacinta.
She has the gift and could see it in you.”
“This
all goes much deeper than just saving Catalie.
I don’t know if I can do this.”
“If you can’t, your
children will be sent. If they cannot,
then their children will be sent.
Yes. You are right. What about Janfreez’s son? He searches.
Perhaps that is why there are some far off lands that begin to believe
in no Spirits. This weakens the Great Spirits
and all Spirits, but would not weaken a Spirit that can also be part man. He would survive because of his human form
then take form when all other Spirits are gone or have changed form to
survive. He could switch back before all
others, and then freeze them in the form they took.”
“I do not want to
visit this task upon my children. I
believe my children will have their own paths and challenges. I must do this. I must believe. I just look to the Great Spirit and Janfreez
to help me, and the true line of Natura and Shanfreez to guide me.”
“All
you can do is try your best and believe in the Spirits.”
Hatalie’s
conversation with Zanear had been exhausting.
He was hungry, but more sleepy.
Without having to say a word, Zanear tucked Hatalie back into bed. He slept and dreamt of Chromos.
Chapter 5
The land was different here. The leaves were large and shining in the
sun. The colors were so vibrant that
Hatalie had to blink several times before he could see clearly. The land looked just as Hatalie had imagined
a land that had been kissed by the Spirits would look. He was filled with a great love and sense of
belonging. He wanted to sing and jump
and skip, but he heard a soft whisper from behind the large leaves of a nearby
bush, “I am glad you are pleased, but you must stay quiet and join me in this
bush…quietly now.” Hatalie gently moved
the leaves aside and discovered a girl child no larger than his youngest
daughter, but this was not his daughter.
For the girl had golden skin and the brightest white hair he had ever
seen. As Hatalie joined the girl in
their hiding place, he noticed her eyes had a lavender glow to them, but
otherwise looked slightly green. “Who
are you?”
“They call me Liela,
but that is not my true name, is it? You
know my true name and will call me when it is safe for us to reveal
ourselves. Even in dreams it is
dangerous to speak. He can be anywhere,
but in dreams, we are the most safe.”
“I
do know you, yet I do not.”
“Hatalie, you must
come soon. His power grows everyday over
the worlds of humans and Spirits. He
tries to capture your good
“There is a festival
that creates goodwill among two nations.
If we sail after the festival, will this suffice?”
“Yes. I know men will
have to work through the festival to prepare, but that is the latest that you
can leave or more terrible things will happen, and you will never leave, and
the Chromos will be lost, and so will I.
The rest of the world will follow, and then the Spirits will not be able
to survive. Come quickly, even before
the festival ends, if you can, please…” a dark cloud seemed to cover the sky,
and rain fell heavy. Hatalie had to
adjust his sight again, but when he looked back at the spot where Liela had
been standing under the bush, there was nothing but the echo of he soft voice…”please.” Hatalie was drenched from the downpour, even
though the sky had brightened again, and he felt it strange that he had not
left the dream. Then he heard another
voice speak loud and clear, “I know you are there. Why not come out and join me?” He peeked around a large leaf of the bush and
saw a young golden man standing near the shore of a great ocean. The man was some distance way, but his voice
was so strong. “You do not need to hide
from me. I am your friend.”
Hatalie did not trust
the voice. Although it seemed to be full
of love, it also seemed to be full of confusion. The young man turned away from the ocean and
looked towards where Hatalie was peaking out from under the leaf, but didn’t
seem to be able to see him. His eyes
were a dark green, but there was no lavender glow. There was no glow at all. In fact, his eyes were such a dark green;
they seemed black or that there were no eyes there at all. Hatalie wondered if he was blind because he
walked up to where Hatalie was staring right at him, then he turned and pulled
back the branches of the bush next to Hatalie.
“I know you are here. I know you
are. Why do you not show yourself? I have many things to show you. Do you not want to know the answers to all
your questions?” Hatalie was not even
tempted by the calls of the golden skinned man that could not see him.
Then, Hatalie was no
longer there, he was nowhere. He seemed
to be floating in the mists of nothing.
A voice like none he had ever heard before washed over him. “You were right not to show yourself. You know who that is, don’t you? You will.
Don’t worry. Now you know what
may be in your path. Do not let it stop
you. I will be with you. It does not matter if he takes our lives. They are little compared to the universe.”
Then Hatalie was back
home. Back in Boron with
“What is it my
love?”
“Come home.”
“Is there something
wrong?”
“Come home.”
“But I can’t.”
“Come home.” The voice that was not
“Come home, come
home, come home.” She would never say
this. She knew the rules. She would ask for nothing. She was as accustomed to serving as he
was. She would never ask him to deny his
purpose. Not for anything. Why did she have no eyes?
He did not drink the
wine nor eat the bread. He stood up and
said, “Be gone demon. Haunt my dreams no
more. You have no power over me.”
“Where
are you, my beloved? Speak your name so I can hold it in my heart.”
Hatalie wanted to say
something. He wanted to spit a curse at
what had walked back into the room of his dream and interrupted his time with
Hatalie
woke up. His clothes and bed were soaked
with sweat. Tora stood by him.
“We will care for
you. You had a terrible dream. You need a bath, new clothes, new bedding,
and food and drink. You have had only
drink today, and it is almost time for the nighttime meal. I know Zanear filled your head with
much. Your dreams must have been very
informative too. I watched you toss and
turn and then you were wet. In one
second, you were soaked as if you had been in a rain storm. You spoke in your sleep, “Janfreez!” you said
then you woke up.”
The Jora took care of
Hatalie. He decided to have dinner on
his terrace after he had been washed and dressed. He had pen and paper brought to him, and
walked out on the terrace. He looked
down upon the glowing city of
“Thank
you, Jora.”
Ora smiled then lit
some lamps around the terrace though the sun had not gone down. She knew these men would not speak briefly to
one another.
Hatalie began to pen
some things he needed to mull over. He
had finished just as Polaris burst through his bedroom door with Ora attempting
to guide him in.
“So you keep yourself
from us good friend! We have two days
before the festivities begin, and you hide yourself away when there is so much
work to be done for our adventure! Oh, I
do have such good news my friend, and some questions, but let us wait until our
As if answering the
call of Polaris,
“Yes. And we have Polaris here, and the golden
man. Yes. As it should be.”
Gronchel entered the
room behind the
“I’ve found some
interesting information, and have progress notes on the building of ships, crew
lists, and provisions for our voyage.”
“Take a seat on the
balcony terrace with Hatalie. We will
provide the nourishment that each of you needs, and your companions will
provide the rest,” Jacinta bowed the way to the terrace doors. Ora and Tora helped the
“My dreams!” The
“Tell me of your
dreams,” said Hatalie softly as he began to eat the food and drink from his own
goblet that the Jora placed in front of him.
“They were twisted
and strange. War and deaths if I leave
on the voyage with you. If any of us
leave, my wife burning alive in the castle, my children, skinned alive. Everyone was blind. Blind!”
“They weren’t
blind. They could not see you. Where their eyes should be, only
blackness. Yes, I saw the demon that is
full of lies too.”
“I sent men one way,
then another. I tried to bring peace and
save everyone, but it did not work. I ….
I….grew angry, vengeful.”
“You
told the demon your name.”
“I… I…I…killed them
all. All of them. The rings got larger and larger. I could not move. I froze.
But first, I slashed and burned and raped and poked their eyes out. I killed them all!” The
Polaris, who sat on
the
Polaris spoke,
“Lounge, they are dreams. You are a
great
“It seemed so real,”
Lounge lifted his head from his hands.
His eyes did not look so tired anymore, and his voice began to sound as
if he were himself again. “It knows I’m
“Well,
right it should be!” Said Gronchel with
the vigor of his station and youth.
“We
are an awesome force,” replied Polaris chewing on some food and winking towards
the
“Together, we are
quite a team. I must admit. I was afraid.
I may still be afraid, but I serve.
I serve all. I do not want to see
our children try to complete this task, and by then, it may be too late. Not to change, the subject, but to change the
subject since Lounge seems to have recovered a bit from the drain of the demon,
I must speak of many things.”
“You,
Hatalie, must speak of many things, so must I!”
“I
have great news as well, Polaris.”
Lounge looked at the
group gathered around the table. They
were almost fighting like children to see who should share their good news
first. The
“Gronchel. Please speak first.” The
“Yes, Sire! Well, you see here, this paper, it has the
route to Takus, to see your father. I
have obtained some route information for some of the Seas on the other side of
the
“Yes. I see.”
Lounge’s eyes lit up.
“The largest and most
sea worthy vessel is almost complete. We
have a full compliment of crew for each ship, good men, all ready to leave
anytime. Many of the men that
volunteered for crew duty could not pass the rigorous tests, but we still have
men that will be staying home that passed the test since there were already so
many able and experienced seaman assigned to each ship. The provisions for the voyage are two-thirds
stocked, thus far, but that is also with preparations for the festival underway
as well. With halting work for the
festival, we should have another two or three weeks more of work, without
incident, to be done before we can sail.”
“That is great news
indeed!” Lounge said beginning to eat
his meal and feel revived. His voice was
back to its normal timber.
“Not
so. We must leave sooner than that.”
“But how can we,
Hatalie? Most of the men have been
working shifts, day and night, to have such great achievements in so short a
time. I told them they could enjoy the
Festival of Lights and participate in the games, but especially attend the ball
where Princess Natalie and Oronia will most definitely be looking for men
amongst my Lords and Guards and Seamen to woo them.
“Couldn’t Neopolis
entertain your guests? Have you not been
training him to keep the peace in your absence?
Did he not attend to most of your duties and please the Monks of the
“No,
Polaris, we must leave as soon as we can.”
“Gronchel,
how soon can the stores, ship, and men be prepared to leave?”
Gronchel rifled
through his papers, scribbled numbers here and there, brushed his hair back
from his face and said, “
There was a light
tapping on the terrace above them, and the sound of someone clearing their
throat. A soft voice said, “Excuse me,
gentlemen, but I could not help but overhear your dilemma. I am most appalled at the fact that you only
say you need more “men.” What about
women. The women could chip in
more. I would be glad to help. I have grown much since last year and do not
appreciate the girlish occupations I once did.
I would be willing to help, and may even get you more “men” to help if
you allow me to go on this adventure with you.
May I come join you on the terrace below?”
“(Now this was really
something. A woman, in the top balcony,
at least 20 or 30 feet above Hatalie’s, not only heard their conversation, but
wanted to join in. She had some good
thoughts. Was this a trick? How could she find more men to help? What was the catch? …and a woman on such an adventure…could he
allow this? Let us see her and hear her
fully before deciding. Yes.)” Thought
“Yes. Join us.
Do you require….” But before
She was tall and
slender, but muscular. Not like a man,
but fit and strong, and very much a woman.
Hatalie had never seen anyone like her, ever. Her skin was dark, black as the night sky
without any stars. Her hair was just as
black, straight and thick. Her nose came
to a very sharp point, as did her chin and her ears. Her fingers and toes were long and slim, they
looked so delicate, but almost dangerous.
She had a strange beauty and red glow about her cheeks. Her eyes were blue. The woman seemed to stare back at Hatalie
with the same curiosity.
“What
strange creature is this?” She said,
pointing at Hatalie.
Polaris began to
laugh, and Hatalie did not seem to catch the reason. Then everyone, except Hatalie was
laughing. Tetora brought another chair
around and a goblet for the lady who had entered the conversation in such a
dangerous manner.
When the laughter
quieted, Polaris spoke first, “This is our good friend, who is the central
reason for us even being able to think of this adventure, let alone attempt it,
Hatalie.”
“I apologize. I tend to speak what I think. Some say this is a good thing, for I have
nothing to hide, and none had to guess with me, but others believe I was cursed
since I often speak out of turn. I just
never have seen a Golden Man in my life.
I can’t imagine how you were made.
I first thought that you must be an invention of Polaris’. He breathed life into gold, and here you
are! Amazing and strangely different and
wonderful. ”
“I must also
apologize, for I was staring just as you were.
I have never seen anyone like you.
Stunning and dangerously beautiful.”
”Dangerously
beautiful? You must be a married man!”
Everyone
laughed again, but this time Hatalie laughed too.
“If you have not
guessed yet, my good friend, Hatalie, our rude intruder is Oronia,
“Polaris, don’t
forget, only the women have these,” and Oronia lifted her hair to show to eyes
at the base of her neck on her back. The
same color and size as the one’s on her head.
“So the song goes,
Oronia, “beware of the four eyed beauties, that walk as dark as the night, and
slip in the shadows, and see everything, and hear the whispers of the ants.”
“Yes. We are known for our stealth, and great
senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, intuition, and logic.”
“I’m
not so sure about the logic part.”
“Hmmph.” Everyone laughed again.
“Let us get back to
business. We have much work to do.”
Chapter 6
“If it was up to me,
I would say – “Not on your life!” But do
you think such a willful child would obey my wishes. She also has a way of getting whatever she
wants. She knows how to manipulate me
well. Always has…just like her mother,
maybe worse. Yes, of course she will go
with you. I will lend my guards to help
with any preparations you need. If any
men wish to go with you, they can.
Though, our men are not as adventuresome and brave as our women. We will miss you at the Ball, but Neopolis
is fine man and substitute for you. I
fear your wife and children will miss you most.
The journey sounds so very dangerous.
We will watch you children, people, and lands for you while you are
gone. I will leave Natalie with
Neopolis. We have all seen the way they
are together, and know it is not long before he asks to become her husband. She is not as clever as Oronia, but is more
beautiful, if that is possible. I must
sound like a proud father and not the
“So, everything is
settled, then. With your help, we will
be able to leave in five days. Gronchel
has crunched the numbers.”
“Well, I can see this
saddens you more than delights you. You
will miss the festival and many things, I guess. I understand how it is to be away from home,
facing the unknown, hoping for guidance, and wanting peace and freedom. I will hold what you hold dear until your
return.”
As he sat and watched
his children dance under the stars, on the lawn as his wife sat next to him on
the ornate bench holding his hand quietly as he ruminated, he thought of how
they would see the same moon, the same stars, and he could look up and know by
the stars that they were safe, just as he had done in the days of traveling for
peace and trade. He squeezed his wife’s
hand, and she leaned her head on his shoulder then said, “Five more days?” Then sighed.
“Yes,” he replied. “Well, I know
you will do what you have to do to come home safe to us. I don’t think any country or family could ask
for a better leader, a truer soul, a braver
“Yes. I remember my first Light Ball when I met
you. You shown brighter than all the
lights. I couldn’t take my eyes off of
you. I was sure you had placed a spell
on me.”
“Only the same one
you place on me.” A ball fell in
Eileen’s lap. She threw the glowing ball
back to her girls.
“The Light Ball is in
three days, the festival starts tomorrow.
I hope you will be able to enjoy some of the festivities.”
“I’m
sure I will.”
“Then smile.” She was torn.
Should she tell him? She knew
that it would burden him further, but how could she not tell him? “Lounge, I must tell you. I am pregnant.”
Lounge’s face lit up,
then his brow furrowed, and he looked at his hands, and whispered, “I must go,
but you have helped me. I will go as
Lounge, not as a Sire or
“No.” Hatalie came around the corner of the cat
topiary.
“Hatalie.”
“Oronia. If you do not lead – Oronia.”
“But
some men will not follow a woman.”
“I
beg your pardon.” Eileen looked cross.
“You
know it is true.” Lounge replied somewhat defeated.
“Perhaps, but
Neopolis was not the only entertaining, planning, and working for the Festival
of Grapes for the Highland Monks in your absence. They actually told me that Neopolis did a
fine job, but it was I that made their visit and the festivities
successful. Oronia is ten times the
woman I am, and that maker her twenty times better to lead than any man!”
“Thank
you, “Oronia, aid as she seemed to materialize from the air.
“It is true that the
women of Nocturn are irresistible. If
you ask, I could not deny you,” said Lounge with a smile at seeing both Hatalie
and Oronia, while his daughters played wish ball behind them. He felt a sense of peace wash over him. He even began to truly feel wonderful about a
new baby.
“You are right. There are some men who will not follow a
woman, but no one said there had to be one leader either. On the ships, Captain Towmes knows the most. Lounge – we will always look to you for
guidance. Whoever you look to, we will
follow, and your men will follow. You
should still be the one, but I think you are right about everyone calling you
Lounge.”
Lounge
took a deep breath and exhaled. A weight
had been lifted.
“You are right. I just feel the need to hide myself
further. I must be the one. I just haven’t trusted myself without you and
Hatalie.”
“I felt that,” said
Eileen. “It is as if a cloud follows his
heart, and he cannot breathe, but then you two appear, and he becomes himself
again.”
“We will stay by you
then. If you need us before the journey,
you know where we are,” Oronia seemed to disappear into a curtsy and was
gone. Hatalie remained, “May I play wish
ball with the girls awhile before we leave for supper? They were teaching me yesterday, but I think
I need some practice since they beat me quite handily last evening.”
Lounge smiled his
full smile, “Perhaps, they are cheating, and two against one hardly seems
fair. What if I help even the odds?”
Lounge stood up and
rushed towards his girls. His confidence
had returned, and he felt relaxed for the first time since the bad dreams had
started.
Lounge and Hatalie
made the wish ball game fun and exciting for the girls, but in the end, both
fathers had to let Cassie and Talia win.
“I
think they cheat, somehow,” Lounge said breathing heavy and smiling.
Eileen laughed as the
two men played against her daughters.
She felt as if they were finally a family again; she had her Lounge
back. She stood up at the end of the
game and ran towards him and jumped into his arms, giggling like a young
girl. “We better get inside for supper
before Cook spanks us for being late!”
“One, you are a not a
young girl and are much heavier, now that you are pregnant, again, and are
lucky I didn’t drop you or but a rib.
Two, if anyone is going to spank you, it will be me!” At this, Lounge placed Eileen back on the
ground and patted her behind. Eileen ran
away, dashing between hedges and topiary, giggling and shrieking with joy as
Lounge skipped after her. Talia and
Cassie rolled on the ground holding their stomachs and laughing with complete
abandon until tears ran down their cheeks.
Hatalie stood in awe
at the scene. He found himself joyful, yet
sad. He was glad to see Lounge relaxed
and happy, but he missed his old life.
He was homesick for his family and Catalie. He missed the Sosna’s and his daily
routine. As he watched the magical
family painting moving in front of him, he felt a hand gently touch his
shoulder. For a moment he dreamt his
wife was standing next to him, watching his children play. He felt some peace, and heard a voice inside
of him say, “Don’t worry. I am with
you. There is a power higher than even
the Gods that guides us. All was
intended to be, but the story has not been written yet, and no one knows what
will happen. Do your best, and what is
meant to be will be, and even when time seems to end, and there appears to be
no new road to travel, and you think the story is over, do not be surprised if
you continue. I must go and whisper to
other souls, but will be with you when you need me.”
Time went by so slow
for the moment the voice filled him then sped up again. Someone was speaking to him. “…your
family.” The voice was feminine, yet
strong. Hatalie turned his head, and
realized Oronia was standing next to him with her arm around him, and was
talking. He seemed to be looking through
her. “Hatalie?” He blinked his eyelids a few times. “Are you ok?”
“Yes,
just someplace else.”
“I
thought you whispered something.”
“What?”
“There
is something more powerful than the Gods.”
“That
is true.”
“Hey! That’s a married man, Oronia!” Lounge
teased. “I will have to keep Hatalie
safe from you for his wife!”
“But
first, we should all have supper, “said Eileen, breathless from the chase.
Chapter 7
Eileen
woke early the next morning before the sun.
She bathed and freshened and put on a sparkling day gown. She knew the parade merry-makers were doing
the same. Her Jora came and made her
shine and feel beautiful and young. She
would be riding on the Refraction Float with millions of prisms creating
rainbows everywhere. Her daughters would
be riding on the float with her. The
Jora had tended them first. Lounge would
sit in the Royal Box with Polaris Hatalie, and Oronio.
The sun was not up yet, but Eileen
could feel the excitement of the day buzzing in the air. Eileen never had a plan for her life. She had no regrets. She hoped the child was a son, but, besides
that, there was nothing she lacked. Her
life had been one great surprise. She
felt guided by something and followed the path.
She was a woman of infinite grace, wisdom, and strength. She had decided to write to Hatalie’s
family. She had a feeling that
Hatalie awoke before the sun had
peaked over the edge of the horizon. He
had slept well. It was a day of joy and
celebration, and he felt like celebrating.
He felt different, somehow, today.
A weight had been lifted from the air, and he could move and breathe
again.
Polaris had not slept. He had found another section of the locket
that was a puzzle: four compartments
that had dry minerals of some sort, but under water, which he could not pour
out to get to the minerals. He had tried
many ways to remove the water, but could not.
Tetora and Jacinta Jora entered through Polaris’ trapdoor before the sun
came up.
“Polaris, “spoke
Tetora.
“Hmmmmm. Oh, Jora! I hadn’t noticed your arrival.”
“You have not slept,” said Jacinta.
“No.”
“You must
prepare for the festivities. Hatalie
will await you on his balcony for breakfast.
Gronchel, Lounge, and Oronia will join you there as well,” said Tetora.
“Wait. All night you have tried to figure out the
puzzle – and you will go nowhere without a solution or some progress. Have you tried asking the water to
move?” Jacinta understood.
“Why, Jacinta Jora, that
is the silliest unscientific thing I have ever heard. “
“You would have to believe it would
work.”
“She does
have the sight.”
Polaris felt beaten, but he had to
trust the Jora, but he could not seem to muster belief.
“What if I ask first? You would have proof then you could believe
and ask yourself.”
“Yes, Jacinta. That does sound reasonable.” Polaris opened the section of the locket and
held the puzzle in the palm of his hand in front of Jacinta’s face.
“Water, would you please move
aside. Polaris would like to see the dry
dirt under you. He will only take a little
bit to study then you can return to your place.
He would be most appreciative.”
The still water came in waves, lapping
the edge of the locket then lifted into the air in one piece.
Polaris stared in wonderment and
amazement at the sight. “Take only what you need, “said Jacinta touching
Polaris’ hand lightly to move him from his frozen silence.
“Yes,” he grabbed four clean vials
and four small clean scoops. He
carefully scooped one dry mineral into a vial, leaving the scoop, then Tetora
handed him a new pair of clean vial and scoop.
As he finished with the last, the water returned to its place and was
still again.
“Thank you,” said all
three at the same time to the water.
They smiled at each other with the understanding they were now
bound by this one moment. None would
ever be the same.
“I will be on Hatalie’s balcony
presently.”
The Jora bowed and
exited the room backwards, as they always did.
Polaris verified the vials were
secure then prepared for a breakfast. He
felt refreshed, as if he had slept all night.
Oronia slept well, rose, dressed for
the day, then hopped down to Hatalie’s balcony.
Sazly Jora had poured a cup of saphire tea for Oronia then
disappeared.
Oronia expected Hatalie to walk out
on the balcony next, but Gronchel came out with some papers in hand, rubbing
the top of his head and flipping pages.
Sazly floated by him with two plates
of food and a cup of onyx brew for the soldier.
She placed a plate and the cup in front of Gronchel as he sat in an
empty chair – unaware of his surroundings and staring at the papers still. Sazly place the other plate in front of
Oronia. The Jora always amazed her. She began to eat, silently. The pungent smell of the onyx brew and plat
of food finally broke Gronchel from his papers, which he peeked over, saw the
food, put the papers on an empty chair, and grabbed the cup of onyx brew. He sipped then looked over at Oronia.
“Good morning. How did I get here? How long have you been here?”
“Oh, I was first – as
usual. You must’ve just gone by
instincts to Hatalie’s balcony.
“Yes. Yes. Hatalie is trying to squeeze another day out
of me. I think I’ve been able to do
it. Just checking my numbers. Will have to check with the Queen,
sometime. She wanted a day without Festivals
and duties for family and goodbyes, and I thought we would need that day for
preparations as well, but I’ve got women and a few Jora’s working too –“
“Yes?”
“Well, we could probably leave
tomorrow or the last day of the Festival, honestly. Everyone should be able to enjoy the last
Festival day. Then, we leave the next
morning.”
“Well, Hatalie would
prefer earlier, and the Queen would prefer later. I believe the compromise is fair. You would be taking a day away from each.”
“True. If I phrase the point that way – I just need
to schedule with her Jora a moment to approach her on the subject – today.”
“Oh, is that all –
Good-luck with that!” Oronia laughed.
Gronchel smiled. Eyes locked then
turned to Polaris walking through the door.
Oronia thought, “What was that? I mean.
He’s a common Gronchel. I felt
something odd. I’m not sure if I like
that.” Gronchel wasn’t sure in his mind
what had happened. Polaris was
talking. He was eating and sipping his
brew and nodding at Polaris, but, mostly, he seemed locked in the laughter and
eyes of Oronia at that one moment in time.
He didn’t dare look her way again.
It was as if something inside him had been broken, and he was
afraid. Sazly touched his shoulder, and
the world came back into focus again.
She didn’t’ say a word, just replaced his plate of food with more and
refilled his cup.
“…so, anyhow, then I tried
fire. Thank you, Sazly. The Jora are so wonderful. I was just thinking of a berry tart after my
mean and more onyx brew. Anyhow, as you
can imagine, that didn’t work either.”
Gronchel still felt lost, but Oronia said, “Amazing!”
“Yes. Yes.”
“Hatalie!” Gronchel was grateful for Hatalies’
entrance. “Where have you been?”
“For a walk
in the gardens. The decorations are so
beautiful. No one could claim Goodinhale
to be a lazy town.”
Sazly flitted about with two more
plates and cups. As soon as Hatalie sat
down, Lounge walked through the balcony doors.
“And, where have you been?” Asked Polaris.
“I slept in. I just got out of bed, really. Best sleep in… a long time, it seems.”
“Is the Queen still
about?”
“Oh, no, Gronchel. The Queen and the girls were gone long before
I awoke. I didn’t wake until I heard the
music playing to greet the dawn. We
should be able to see the musicians and crowd at the shore from here. The Queen and the girls are probably at the
floats getting prepared for the parade.”
“We do have
some time before we have to take our seats in the Royal Box. Don’t we?” Asked Polaris.
“Sure. We have a few hours, at least.”
“As I was
telling Oronia and Gronchel, I found another secret section of the
locket-compass, quite by accident, sometime after dinner last night. I want to get back to it. I was up all night getting nowhere then
Tetora and Jacinta came to get me going for breakfast, and – Walla! A breakthrough! I can’t wait to get back to it, but I’m sure
Hatalie’s Jora will not let me miss my duties at the parade and elsewhere.”
“Why
don’t you have your own Jora?” Asked Hatalie.
“None could serve Polaris well, only
by accident.” Lounge laughed.
Polaris blushed,
“It is true. I do best alone, for the
most part. My lifestyle is not suited
for the Jora groups.”
“Though
you feel free to depend on my Jora?”
Hatalie smiled.
“Well, only
by accident and association, or to please you – which is their job. Right?”
The company around
the table joined in laughter.
“Now, now- we should not laugh at
Polaris’ expense. We would all miss him
at the parade. My Jora are too busy with
my family,” said
“With that,
I shall take my leave, good friends, and join you later.” Polaris smiled.
Gronchel then excused
himself to find the Queen.
Oronia said, “Well, what shall the
three of us do until duty calls?”
“Well, I think I will pack up more
stuff for the trip, if the Queen agrees to us leaving a day earlier. Then I’ll go to the seashore to enjoy some of
the festivities, “Lounge said.
“You still
have packing to do?” Oronia asked.
“I,
too, am packed and ready to go,” said Hatalie to Oronia.
“I have been dragging my feet. It is hard to leave again, so soon, but I
will be ready,” replied Lounge.
“Hatalie and
I could go to the seashore, and you could meet us there later.”
“Okay. See you then.”
As Hatalie walked to the seashore,
lights seemed to be falling from the sky.
Bright objects full of light floated down from above, but when they
landed on him, the objects would burst with color and cool his skin without
leaving a mark.
“Fizzles.”
Oronia said. “Refreshing. The first time I came to the Festival of
Lights, they were my favorite part.
Polaris invented them. I believe
it was one of his first inventions. I’m
not sure how they work, but they do bring memories...”
“Oronia! Oronia!”
“Oh,
my!” It is Mesme from Freetle!”
“Who is your golden friend?”
“Mesme, it
is so good to see you! I haven’t seen
you since…”
“The first lights festival- I know!”
Mesme looked like she
could be from Boron or Goshonon, but also was different somehow. Lighter?
Brighter? Taller? Hatalie, usually the most observant in the
room, could not decipher the difference.
The ladies talked while they walked, and he tried to figure out what
Mesme was.
“Hatalie,
this is Mesme, my best friend. We write,
often, but haven’t seen each other in years.
She is from Freetle. The lands
over the mountains past Boron.”
“You have to cross a few rivers too
– eh?”
“Oh,
yeah! I remember the time I came to
visit! How could I forget?”
The ladies laughed,
sharing a private joke.
“Hatalie is
from Chromos, across the ocean. On the
other side of the world.”
“My word!”
“In a few
days, we are taking him home.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Hey! Come with!”
“Really?”
“Yeah-after
the Jora and Zanear leave on Cypia, I’m the only female.”
“Company.” Mesme said shaking her
head up and down and smiling.
“Y’dad?”
“Choicesmuch? – no.”
“Yeah, but
you practically run Freetle now. Who
would take your place?”
“Deeter?” Both ladies busted-out
laughing. “Hey, have some light-candy – it melts in your mouth.” Mesme handed sticks with some type of white
glowing material spun on top of each stick.
Hatalie bit into the sweet light material that did melt in his
mouth. “Wow!” He said.
“He speaks?” The ladies laughed again. “Between dad and Nesa, they can lead.”
“Yeah. True.
Sizen could help.”
“Sure. See. It is settled. I will come.”
“We’d
have to talk to the group.”
“Hatalie,
they won’t hesitate to have Mesme along.”
“Why?”
“Oh, that is
right. Not many know about Freetles.”
“Don’t you have to be a royal pain
to know about Freetles?”
“No, Mesme,
that is to know Calpisians!” More laughter Hatalie did not understand.
“You better be careful. Zon, from Calpi, is here too.”
“Everyone
came this year.”
“I also saw some monks, Takusans,
Cypians, Syties, and even a Golden Man!”
“So,
what is special about Freetles? She
almost looks like a Boron, but is obviously different in many ways I can
detect, and perhaps some ways I cannot detect?”
“True.”
“Yes. Leave it until tonight. Come to my room. We can go to the balcony – I will show you
some.”
“What
shall we do until then?” Asked Hatalie.
“I know! Enjoy the seashore, watch the parade, feast,
swim, see the Light Drama Show, feast, enjoy the pyrotechnics, make wishes,
sleep – then more! And maybe you should
ask what is so special about a Golden Man –eh?”
“Hello,
“Lounge, please. Especially, if you join us on our voyage.”
“Yes.
“Looks like we might
catch the beginning of the marathon on the sea.”
“Yes, Lounge.”
- - - - -
Polaris entered his room. Something had changed. Something smelled different about the
air. He looked towards the vials. Out of one vial grew a large tree that had
flowers and fruit growing on it. “Amazing.”
He began testing the fruit, the flowers, the tree, and the other powders
in the vials. A grain of powder and a
touch of water. Nothing. A touch of fire. Nothing.
A touch from my finger. “Well,
here’s something.”
- - - - -
“She said yes.” Gronchel imparted to the group in the
“Did you have to say much?” Asked
Lounge.
“No. She looked at me and smiled, then said, “ You
do what must be done.” Cassie gave me a kiss on the cheek and told me to come
home safe.”
“Yes. That is my Cassie.”
“Gronchel, meet Mesme.”
“Nice to meet
you. Are you from Boron?”
“No.”
“Goshonon?”
“No.”
“Hmmm. I can’t place
you.”
“She is my best friend
from Freetle,”Oronia said almost angrily.
“Oronia, he
is a common soldier in times of peace.
Though he does have a spark about him, so I don’t blame you – sweet- but
don’t get angry for me. Really.”
“I have heard of
Freetle. I’ve just never seen anyone…”
“Of course not. Freetles are private beings.”
“I heard once, from
an old soldier that Freetles…”
“Curiousmuch? Come to my room tonight, and I will satisfy…”
“Hey, he doesn’t have to
come, does he?” Asked Oronia.
“The voyage
will be long. You think more won’t be
discovered in time?” Answered Mesme.
“Amazing.”
Polaris said as he joined the group.
“Oh, Mesme – good to see you.
How’s Nesa, Deeter, Frill, and Zeffier.”
“Good.”
“Tripp’nmuch?”
“Voyagyn. Wity’all.”
“Sweetness. Dangerousmuch.”
“DPT.
Whatever.”
“Yono.
Pissn, but cited.”
“Infinite.”
“Yeah.”
Hatalie hoped they would stop
talking like that. It was annoying. He didn’t know why he didn’t like
Freetlespeak. He just didn’t. It was if they had a secret, but let you hear
enough of the conversation so you understand bits and pieces, but then were
curious for the complete picture, but you weren’t going to be let in on the
secret. They were a private people. Perhaps, they had to develop their speech in
such a way for survival. Though it still
felt like a tease or manipulation, but…
“…But if you
understand it, you can preserve your words and breath.” Mesme whispered in his ear finishing his
thought.
“Do you also feel free to read minds
whenever you please?” Hatalie said
angrily.
“Oh. We don’t have that talent. But I have seen the look on your face many
times before.”
“You picked up on my thoughts.”
“No. We can’t do that. I so wanted you to like me. I thought we might understand each other
better than most. Being different,
outcast and all of that.”
“You don’t look any different than
most on that side of the world.”
“But looks can be
deceiving. Let’s watch the parade, and
perhaps, you will give me another chance at your friendship?”
“Of course.”
The parade started
with marching musicians and a float with a seashore motif with the top eight
winners of the marathon. A Nocturn woman
came in first place. Swimming, running,
sailing, then running – but on their hands.
The shadows float came next.
Moving darkness with hints of light.
Some clowns, dancers, more musicians then the mirror float. Acrobats, jugglers, horses, then the water
float. Creatures of various types,
musicians, then the rainbow float. Marching
soldiers, flame throwers, baton twirlers then the last float with the Queen of
the Light Festival singing a song and light streaming under her and up to the
sky. The Queen of the Light Festival had
been chosen from all the Goodinhale women by the Royal family. There were many contests and tests she had to
complete to become Queen of the Light Festival.
Hatalie thought her singing was beautiful.
The parade ended, and the crowds
started to disburse.
“After lunch, we have
to attend the awards ceremony. Best float
and such stuff. Lunch consists of
various items the townspeople have made.
They will all have to be judged and give prizes. Their prizes come tomorrow. Then swimming. Is it hot today?”
“Yes!”
“Let’s go judge some
food!”
- - - -
The night was filled
with glowing wishes floating up to the darkness of the night sky. Hatalie had joined Gronchel and Oronia in Mesme's
room. They stood on the balcony and
watched all the wishes floating up in the sky.
Mesme’s Jora had drinks appropriate for each person.
“Okay. Mesme of Freetle. What makes you different?”
She looked at Gronchel and Hatalie
then began to glow. Wings unfurled from
her back. The wings were colorful, and
not feathered like a bird's, but more like a butterflies. She flew up in the sky, slightly glowing,
while darting around the orb wishes floating up. She landed on the balcony, in precisely the
same spot then did a pirouette.
“Lovely,” said
Gronchel.
“In the past, our people were caged,
kept as pets, used for experiments, usually involving wings being ripped
off. Trophies and decoration. We all once spoke eloquently all the time, as
I do now, but created a shorthand language to protect ourselves and each
other. Those that could, left Freetle
and flew up to the highest mountain tops that they could find. We lived in caves and trees. We lived far from the grasp of land
dwellers. We learned to hide our wings. My grandfather returned to the
“To eat?” Said my grandfather.
“No, to
befriend. I have set the peace. I have traveled far to spread the word and
find those that still live from the Barbaric Days and the more recent Days of War. We have found very little literature or maps
of these lands, but had one reference for the lands of Freetle. We guess this may be where a people once
lived and flourished, but besides you, we have seen no others and fear we may
have come too late with peace to Freetle.”
“I have only arrived here
today. I was searching for a home, a
peace, a memory of a life I never knew.
What do you know of Freetles?”
“Nothing. There were children’s stories that mentioned
Freetles, but they were described as creatures to stay away from. Evil creatures that would steal children if
the did not behave. They would eat the
children. Such stories have been banned
and are only kept in the library of the past so we never forget.”
“I am a Freetle.”
“Are you the last?”
“No, but I won’t lead you to the
others. I do not trust you.”
“That would have to
be earned.”
“Yes.”
“You do not look like
an evil creature. You look like a
lighter, slenderer, politer, and more graceful Boronian. You seem to have a bit of a glow about you,
but other than that – the buildings and evidence that is left of Freetle looks
like a peaceful, cultured, and highly intelligent society. So why the stories?”
“Sometimes, people fear what they do
not understand or that is different than themselves.”
“Yes. I have found this to be true. Also, trust is hard to come by when so much
abuse and war have only prepared many peoples for distrust. The Highland Monks begin to trust, but put us
to task. The said, if we found any
surviving Freetle and gained even the slightest confidence from one Freetle
then they might allow us to use the pass more freely to enter Nocturn. Since you are the only Freetle I know, I
desire your confidence – how may I gain it?”
My poor grandfather
did not know what to do. “Do you have an
extra horse?”
“We can repack the
horses. I will take a pack horse, and
you can have mine.”
“Then I will ride with you to see
what you do. I am not young, and if you
wish to kill me, then only an old Freetle is lost. The risk for hope and a return to our
homelands is worth the cost. A man
proves his truth through his actions not his words. This is the only way.”
My grandfather, Sile,
road with
Sile and Larz left some men behind
as they drew nearer to the gated fortress of the heart of Calpi. Sile had traveled long in the company of land
dwellers, and found Larz’s company very pleasant. The stories of peace and trials that lead to
the present day. They had found food
together, got lost, talked about the stars, and shared some secrets, but not
all. They had met pockets of survivors and
breathed new life into their hopeless faces.
They helped rebuild little villages – taught agricultural techniques and
shared cooking secrets as well as hygiene rituals. They gave gifts of clothes, wine, and horses
when they could. Some Calpisians joined
the group traveling towards the heart of Calpi and the main gates. They thought they may have better luck
surviving if a Calpisian was with them.
On the way, they met five men on horseback, who immediately charged
Larz’s men with spears and swords drawn, killing several in the group. Larz shouted, “
The men stopped their attack. “A Freetle.
But they’ve been gone so long. None
survived your people: The Boron, the Goshonon, the Torrez, and the Goodinhale. Their beauty will never be seen again. They were our friends.”
“I am a Freetle, but not the
last. Do you see? You have killed two Calpisians and three of
Larz’s men. They were not allowed to
fight back. You can kill us all or help
us spread the peace to Calpi.”
“Prove you are a
Freetle.”
“I will only do so when I stand in
front of the Calpisian
“Say something the
way Freetles would say after the horrors began, and before the
disappeared. The talk they made to hide
the words.”
“
“Freetle once held
sand slip. Calpi sand.”
“Catchnit.”
“Tagious?”
“Frinkintink.”
“Hale?”
“Hale.”
“Trippn. I’ll go with you. The rest better stay here. Calpi’s look for food. That is why we are out in the open. Sile, my name is Zoronic. You, Larz, come too.”
“He is the
“What? But why would
you travel and risk yourself. Our
“Sani.”
“Yes. Perhaps, not a prison, but a Sanitarium. The Queen and her daughter try to help the
people as much as possible and work around the
“It appears I may have
also come here too late, Sile.”
“No.
Let us try.”
The three road up to
the gates. The arrows flew past as
warning shots. “Zoronic? Who do you have there?”
“A
“Ciao.”
“QB.”
“SitchSec.”
“We speak the Freetle
taught to hide from
The gat squeaked
open, slightly. The men dismounted the
horses and rolled under the small opening.
A young woman greeted them.
“Follow me-“ she said. They
ducked down back allies, went through houses, stuck to shadows, and lifted a
bed n one house and were under the city being led, quickly, by torch
light. They had heard a loud voice
yelling about the gate opening, but upon further investigation, it was apparent
that a spring had snapped; thus, opening the gate slightly. The repair was made quickly. They were climbing stairs, then ladders on
walls. Finally, the young lady tapped a
rhythm on a ceiling – and light flooded into the underground passage where the
three men hung on a ladder affixed to a dirt wall. A frail, gently hand reached down and helped
each person out of the darkness. They
were in a stately room, walking out from a hidden door in the floor of a huge
fireplace. There was an opulent bed
across from the fireplace. If she hadn’t
moved, you would not know she was there, a wisp of a young woman, sat up, and
smiled. The effort must’ve been enormous for her. Another woman, older, dressed beautifully,
with dark circles under her eyes greeted them.
“You have met Ziash, my lady in waiting.
You see my daughter, Zfini, and I, your humble servant, Zenia.”
All bowed to the Queen. But she did not look up form her bow, and
tears dripped on the floor from her face.
“Thank you. My husband…the fear that once protected us
and helped us survive has grown. It is
now killing us. He will not hear this
from anyone. He will not be moved. My hope- a Freetle may awake him from the
blinding, cancerous fear.
“I want you to meet
some friends.”
“We have no friends.”
“A Freetle.”
“The Freetle are extinct.”
Zoronic opened the
curtain revealing himself, Sile and Larz.
“You will all die. You poisoners!” Ziron drew his sword. Sile unfurled his wings and flew up into the
air and glowed. Silence, swords dropped,
all fell to their knees and looked up.
Sile said to Ziron, “Yold. Canst. Halestime. Freetlesin FreetleZbak.” Sile landed.
Larz said, “I’m not sure what Sile said, but as for me, I bring peace,
prosperity, tools, food, whatever you need to come back to the world.”
“If a Freetle be with you, then you
are true. Open the gates. Let us find the merriment again that history
tells can be amongst the world. Let us
never let the darkness and fear touch us again.”
“Only Royal will see
a Freetle’s wings besides a Freetle. We
will wish for secrecy, privacy, community, until we can rebuild and rejoice truly
with the world.”
“Why? You are
beautiful.”
“We were hunted and
kept and tortured – like animals. We may
never completely feel comfortable amongst land dwellers who are all the same.”
“Have you ever met a
Nocturn woman or a sea dweller who lives between the islands of Cypia and
Takus?”
”No.”
“Then, wait, my good
friend, Sile. You have many adventures
and discoveries before you, but your secret is safe. Look in our eyes. You can see, we will be true and do as you
wish. We all just want the Freetles to
come home. I must return home – but want
to hear from you all if you have needs.
I want to see you all at a Festival of Merriment in Goodinhale before
Winter takes ahold of the sea. You will
come, and we will discover together the merriment of the world read in the
histories. Will you agree?”
“Yes.”
The rule has not
changed. Though we use our own discretion
as to who we reveal ourselves to. The
myths still talk of Freetles that fly, but we still keep to ourselves, and show
ourselves to few. As time has gone by,
the trust has returned, but the rule stands and serves us well.”
Chapter 8
The morning was full
of song. Hatalie could hear birds
singing, people singing, songs from everywhere.
Notes floated in on the breeze, and melodies glided across the sky. He bathed and dressed and stepped out on his
balcony and took a deep breath. The sun
sat on the horizon of infinite water.
The rays of the sun glistened on the waves. The songs ended and complete
silence enveloped the world. All he
could hear were the waves whispering against the shore. The moment of silence. Programs had been handed out yesterday
morning. The songs would be heard, then
a moment of silence would be observed for those who could attend this year, for
one reason, or another, for the past that once battered these shores and made
the air thick with the smoke of the dead, for the present that fills hearts
with joy, and for the future that is full of hope and promise. Hatalie wondered what his wife and children
were doing. How the Sosna family was
surviving the frozen Catalie. He
wondered about the people that looked like him, who lived so far away, no
others had ever seen them or journeyed to their lands. He thought of the Spirits and Janfreez and
his three children. How had the world
become such a mess? How had the Spirits
let their world become such a mess, and how could they let the mess affect the
people? From the stories, the reasons
sounded the same as most reasons: jealousy, envy, misunderstandings, hate, and
judging before knowing. He almost felt
sorry for the son with no name, and didn’t want to fight him or hurt him, but
he didn’t see a way yet to restore Catalie without doing some harm to him. No name did not understand how Janfreez loved
him, but maybe now hated him for killing his other two children. But could he?
Would Hatalie hate any of his children for this reason? He couldn’t even imagine having to ever
answer that question.
Sazly had walked onto the balcony
and left a plate of food and some prettle tea.
She stopped beside Hatalie and bowed her head. Then the silence ended with shouts or hooray
and other such words meaning the same thing.
Sazly turned to walk away, but Hatalie stopped her. “Sazly, I hardly ever see you take a moment
to yourself. Do you mind me asking why?”
“I have many friends who no longer
grace this world with their presence. I
always take a moment in the silence to connect with them again. The rest is serving. That is my joy. I do have a pet cat that also brings me
purring joy, but that would be all. I do
not appreciate the frivolities of the world.
A purpose is what most fills my heart and makes each new day a joy to
wake up to. With the Jora, I do not have
much need for anything or other relationships.
I have read all the books I can and know as much as I can. I do like to learn new things, but that would
be all. I’m afraid there isn’t much else
to Sazly. Must seem boring to you.”
“Not at all Sazly. Your life seems peaceful and
uncomplicated. Mine was, fairly, once.”
“Except, you are the
only man, or family, with golden skin. That
has created complications for you often.
Just as I am very white, thin, no hair, and purple eyes. You do not see many like me, but my history
is here. Before the wars, most
Goodinhale looked more like me than the Goodinhales of today. I look at myself as an early stage in
evolution.” A dazzling smile rarely seen
on Sazly appeared, then quickly disappeared, just as she did. She returned quickly with another plate and
onyx brew. Hatalie could tell Gronchel
would be walking through the door any moment.
He sat down to his own breakfast and watched Sazly bring another plate
and cup as she followed behind Gronchel.
“A bright and beautiful day,” said
Gronchel.
“I must agree,” said Oronia hopping
down from her balcony to Hatalie’s.
Memse flew in, then Polaris, and
“Why can’t you do some of that
tomorrow?” Asked Hatalie. “There doesn’t appear to be much on the
program tomorrow besides the Festival of Lights Ball and a little ceremony in
the morning.
“Because, the women take most of the
day “preparing” for the Ball,” answered Lounge.
“What do the men do?” Asked Hatalie.
“We prepare too. Mostly, we relax, eat, get massages, watch
the kids, maybe,” answered Lounge.
“Last year, we hung out by the pool,
played ping pong, pool, swam, had food brought to us, and had massages,” said
Polaris. “The girls went with Eileen last
year to get all pretty like mom.”
“True.”
“The year before, we
went on the duck hunt that happens between the morning ceremony and the Ball.”
“True.”
“The year before we
went on the deep sea fishing boat, that is also the other event that is between
the morning and the Ball.”
“True, but is that
not the way we prepare. We only have one
really nice suit, and it only takes a moment to shave and comb my hair.”
“Us
ladies do more than just get pretty, we have our own special not programmed
events we attend every year.”
“Oh,
really?” Asked Gronchel.
“Something other than
the dash for a new dress or jewelry because you waited to the last minute, or
maybe just got asked to go to the Ball?” Asked Polaris.
“Yes. And that is all I will say,” Answered Oronia
while Mesme laughed.
“Eileen and the girls
will be joining us today at the horse stables and continuing through the day
today. The ladies and the men are
separated for the day, between the morning ceremony and the Ball, tomorrow.”
The day had gone as planned. Hatalie felt the day had been surreal, as if
he had been walking through clouds of laughter and joy. Although, part of him was always absent. Perhaps it was the constant presence of
Cassie and Talia that pulled his thoughts home to his wife and children and
Catalie, or maybe, he just realized, they were leaving to go across the sea in
one more day, and he missed them.The candlelight floating on the waves of the
ocean, out to sea, and the stars shining through the black of the sky swirled
about him with his memories as people danced in the sand along the shoreline,
twirling and looking up and out at the lights laughing. He crawled into bed, exhausted from the day,
and his heart reached out to the Spirits, then he was calm and fell asleep as
if he received an answer.
The next morning, they all met in
the Great Hall. The large table was full
of people and Hatalie was led to his place between Polaris and Oronia. The
“Well, I hope you do get back to it
some day. A hot air balloon ride from
Nocturn would be so much more pleasant than the treacherous path through the
Ora attended Hatalie by pouring some
prettle tea and asked, “Would you like us to take your plate and get your
favorite items from the table, or would you prefer to help yourself
today?” Tora dropped a plate in front of
Hatalie with food on it, and said, “I’ve got it, Ora,” then skipped off with a
smile. Tora laughed then skipped after
her.
The Sire,
The crowd responded,
“May the Peace always keep. My Beauty,
Truth, and Love always shine so we may know the way.”
Everyone sipped from
their cups.
Hatalie was quiet this morning. Gronchel was trying to get Oronia’s attention. Mesme was sitting with a short odd looking
man. Hatalie guessed the man was a
Calpisian. People were finishing their
breakfast and started to slowly wander out to the ocean’s edge. Hatalie was done with his meal, but he sat
observing the crowd and the interactions of people. He could tell that the woman sitting across
the table from him was married to the man next to her, but that she had been
lying to him about something and was having a hard time keeping the secret. He wondered why people ever thought they
could lie without ever being discovered.
When she had said the words of the toast, she could not get the word
“Truth” to come out of her mouth.
Deception was never a good plan.
In a blink of an eye, Hatalie knew what the lady was lying about. How to reveal the truth or knowledge of the
truth, without defense mechanisms flying up, denial shields being held out, or
retaliation being wrought? Then he knew
what to say, “Lady, my name is Hatalie.
You haven’t eaten much. Are you
feeling well.”
The husband looked at her, puzzled.
“Oh, just a case of the nerves, I’m sure. I’ve never been invited to the
“Sometimes, a lie can
tear things apart. Sometimes, we must
trust that being honest will only prove that love is stronger.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Then maybe, it was
never meant to be, but this is the Light Festival. I don’t believe any lie or fear can hide
here. Beauty, Truth, and Love
illuminated.”
“Yes. I lie can tear things up.”
“Darling, you and
your new friend need to stop philosophying, or the day will be gone. Isn’t there much to do to prepare for
tonight?”
“Yes. Tonight will be
good.”
Oronia grabbed Hatalie and said, ”We are going to miss the morning ceremony, and I won’t
see you until tonight, so let’s go!”
“Wait! Don’t I need a date for tonight?”
“You can go with
Polaris.”
“I’m sure he would
dress pretty for me, but why can’t you be my date?”
“I already have a
date, silly.”
The shore was full of people waiting
for the morning ceremony. There was much
talk about “illumination” and physical light versus ethereal light. There were testimonials on Beauty, Truth, and
Love. Hatalie realized there were
platforms down the beach where people stood up and asked others to go to the
Ball with them or where testimonials and speeches of all sorts were given. None were very long, and most were formatted
the same. He guessed there was a time
limit to get your licks in, then everyone sang the same song, and doves were
released from the castle towers. They
flew out over the ocean and out to sea.
They were beautiful. He realized
many people had brought umbrellas for the flyover or were wearing hats. Then the crowd sang another song. Hatalie didn’t know the songs, but he
listened. He decided that Oronia was
many wonderful things, but a good singer was not one of them. She didn’t seem to care or notice how out of
tune she was, and sang at the top of her lungs anyway. She was spirited. He had to give her that.
The song ended, and butterflies
filled the air. They tickled Hatalie’s
face, then disappeared. He looked around and noticed that some of the
color from the wings of the butterflies had rubbed off on some people’s faces
in the crowd. He knew that this meant
those butterflies would not live much longer, but he did not feel sad. He normally would have, but he didn’t. It was meant to be. Water goes the way it goes, and so does
life. There are things you cannot
change, and things you should not force.
The crowd slowly moved back toward
the land. Women going
in one direction, men in the other.
“For someone who has great sight and great hearing…”
“….I don’t have a great voice.
Yes. I know. My sister has that talent. I was not blessed with that talent.”
“But you still sing
loud and proudly for the world to hear. “
“What do I have to
lose? I enjoy singing, even if not
well. Those who love me allow me this
because they love me. Those who don’t, don’t really matter.
Do they?”
“Has anyone been rude
to you about it?”
“If they are, they
better watch out. No one is perfect, and
I can find most other people’s imperfections easily. I don’t think they would want that
battle. What do you think?”
“I’m the only Golden
man in town. I thank you for not
pointing out all my imperfections.”
“You said what you
said from jest and love. I was not offended. You are my only Golden friend. I’d like to keep you a friend. See you later, Hatalie. I’ll save a dance for you. I’m sure you won’t want to dance with
Polaris. I think you might be a fair
dancer too.” She smiled and waved her hand
as she walked away with the other women.
Gronchel grabbed
Hatalie’s sleeve and pulled him in the direction of the castle gardens away
from where most men were going. He found
a spot then said breathlessly, “What did she say?”
“What? Who?”
“Oronia.”
“See me later? Save a dance? What? What do you want to know?”
“She didn’t tell you
I was her date for the Ball?”
“No, but I
guessed. You two have been acting
strangely since a few breakfasts on the balcony ago.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Only
to a blind man.
No it is not. But, what are you
thinking. The sea
voyage, long periods of time. Lots of men. Jealousy. You know
what I’m saying?”
“Yes. Yes. It’s stupid, stupid, stupid. Gronchel is a stupid lug of a guy. What she sees in me, I don’t know. I was so surprised she said “yes.” She isn’t normally my type. I just… I don’t know…there’s something about
her eyes or her smile…I just can’t stop thinking about her, but then it is hard
to look at her without losing all thought or consciousness. I’m just…I don’t know. This is messed up isn’t it. I messed up, I
mean…what was I thinking?”