by Tom Hoffman
“Everyone hold paws, form a line. Proto, Squeaky can sit on your shoulder.”
Proto and Brother Solus stood between Orville and Sophia. “We’re ready. Now what?”
“It’s working, you’re both starting to shimmer. Now we just walk through the Black Wall and into the final realm of the Shadow King. Once we pass through the wall we’ll be solid again.”
Orville gulped. This was going to be bad. Really, really bad.
Chapter 35
By Chance
Orville was awestruck by the vista that lay before them.
“Creekers, this is beautiful, almost as beautiful as the world of the Others. I don’t understand, I thought the final realm of the Shadow King would be the scariest place of all.”
Brother Solus gazed across the rolling meadows and forests, the bright patches of glorious blue wildflowers, the flickering golden butterflies.
“This is most unexpected. It would appear our greatest trial was simply finding the Black Wall.”
Sophia nodded. “Each of us facing our greatest fear along the way.”
“Like that crazy ghost pirate riding the centipede.”
“Which way do we go?”
Sophia studied a small patch of wildflowers. “These are blue moreilias, I don’t think that’s an accident.”
“There’s a trail of them leading up that hill. Let’s follow it.”
The adventurers trekked through the idyllic meadow, Squeaky soaring and swooping overhead. He landed on top of the hill, yipping and barking at butterflies, then curled into a ball and careened wildly back down the hill.
“Why is Squeaky rolling down the hill?”
“He’s playing, that’s what puppies do. It looks kind of fun, you should try it.” Sophia snickered.
When they crested the hill Orville scanned the distant landscape.
“Hey, look at that tree.”
“Is that what I think it is?”
“It’s just like the blue tree outside the Blue Monks’ monastery on Periculum. It’s the same tree, I’m certain of it, it’s at least a thousand feet tall.”
Proto magnified his vision. “The leaves are perfectly round, just as they were on Periculum.”
“The Fourth Monk said their monastery exists simultaneously in many worlds. Elysian must be one of them. That’s where we need to go.”
“Hey, Brother Solus, maybe you’ll get to meet the Thirteenth Monk. You’ll probably like him, you can talk about monk stuff with him. He’s really friendly but really mysterious, and no one knows how old he is. I’m pretty sure he knows more about the universe than anyone.”
Brother Solus did not appear overly enthused about a potential meeting with the Thirteenth Monk.
During their two day march to the blue tree Orville inadvertently discovered his shaping skills had returned, when he surreptitiously tried to shape a cookie.
“Hey, I shaped a perfect oatmeal cookie! This is great, we get comfy sleeping bags and tents and yummy dinners with snapberry pie for dessert.”
“We don’t even need sleeping bags here, the meadow grass is really soft and the temperature is perfect.”
“There’s the orange grove, we’re getting close.”
“Mmm, those orange blossoms smell heavenly, but it means there won’t be any yummy oranges.”
“Let’s go look at the giant blue tree. Remember when we climbed it in our dream? That was fun.”
“I remember you lost the race to the top.”
“Not that it matters, but I let you win. That’s just the kind of thoughtful mouse I am, always concerned about your feelings.”
“Nice try, monkey butt, I beat you to the top by almost a full minute, and I wasn’t even out of breath, you were puffing like an old duplonium powered steam engine.”
The adventurers wove their way through the orange orchard to the titanic towering blue tree.
“That trunk must be a hundred feet across. We never did solve the puzzle of the round blue leaves. The Thirteenth Monk said if we touched the leaf he gave us and thought of him, he’d transport us to the monastery on Periculum. I wonder how that works? The leaf must have some weird connection to him.”
Orville forgot his leaf puzzle the moment he saw the blue robed mouse step around the massive tree trunk.
Sophia recognized him immediately. “It’s the Fourth Monk! He’s the one who said so many nice things about Papa.” She waved and smiled as he approached.
The blue monk studied the group of adventurers. “It is a great pleasure to see you again, Sophia, Orville, and Proto. I see you have brought a friend with you, from all appearances a Mintarian Gray Monk.”
“Yes, this is Brother Solus, we met him in Okeanos. We passed through the Black Wall east of Laurus and stumbled on your monastery. It was such a surprise to see the big blue tree.”
This seemed to amuse the Fourth Monk. “Yes, such a surprise. The Thirteenth Monk would like to speak with you. He has been following your exploits on Elysian with great interest. Your meeting with Captain Tobias was especially interesting. Quite a marvelous watch he gave you, Orville.”
“Huh? How do you know about that?”
“Elysian is a world unlike any other. Shall we go? The Thirteenth Monk is waiting for you in the monastery.”
As they made their way around the gigantic blue tree, the towering outer wall of the monastery came into view, its enormous timber doors lined with stout iron bands. In the center of each door was a single gleaming golden eye, the ancient symbol first used by the Thaumatarians, and later adopted by the Shapers Guild and the Blue Monks. The Fourth Monk approached the gates and raised a heavy iron ring, a sonorous gong sounding when it fell.
The gargantuan doors groaned open just enough for them to enter, then rumbled shut behind them.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful your garden is. I’ve never seen so many flowers, so many colors. It’s really lovely.”
Orville strolled down the serpentine garden path, artfully created from thousands of smooth colored river stones. The Red Monks were still tending the garden, weeding, watering, planting, snipping spent blossoms.
“It’s so peaceful here. No giant centipedes.”
The Fourth Monk laughed. “And no ghost pirates.”
Sophia said, “I remember when you said the flowers come and go, but the garden is eternal.”
“I am pleased you remembered my words.”
“Why does the Thirteenth Monk want to see us?”
“Your kindness toward Ebenezer Mouse, your selfless search for his beloved Aislin has opened certain doors to great change. There is far more at stake than you know.”
“What kind of things?”
“The Thirteenth Monk will do what he can to aid you in this endeavor.”
In the center of the magnificent garden stood a stark gray stone building, twenty feet tall, one hundred feet square. There were no windows, only a single arched blue door bearing the symbol of the golden eye.
The Fourth Monk sang three exquisite notes that lingered on longer than they should have. The blue door silently opened.
Orville whispered to Brother Solus, “The Blue Monks manipulate energy fields by singing.”
“You may enter, the Thirteenth Monk will see you now.”
Orville, Sophia, Proto, and Brother Solus stepped into the shadowy interior of the mysterious monastery.
Chapter 36
The Thirteenth Monk
Orville and Sophia knew what to expect, having met the Thirteenth Monk before. The floor of the monastery was made from river stones worn smooth by the footsteps of countless Blue Monks over the millennia. Orville whispered, “Keep your eyes on the far end of the room.”
Brother Solus squinted through the nebulous shadows, first glimpsing a flickering blue light, then a floating blue robe, then a mouse wearing a blue robe, then thirteen mice wearing blue robes. One of them stepped forward, slowly making his way across the ancient monastery floor. The remaining twelve monks faded into the
darkness.
The Thirteenth Monk came to a halt in front of the adventurers, pausing to study their faces as they waited for him to speak. He turned to Orville.
“Arghh, ’tis the scourge of the Great Sea, the Dread Pirate Orville.”
Sophia burst out laughing, slapping her paw across her mouth. “Sorry.”
The Thirteenth Monk smiled. “Laughter is the purest expression of joy, there is no need to apologize. It is always a great pleasure to see you. I do hope you are all well?”
“Yes, very well, thank you. This is our friend Brother Solus, the last of the Mintarian Gray Monks. We met him in Okeanos.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Brother Solus. How kind of you to offer your assistance in the search for Aislin Mouse.”
Brother Solus avoided the Thirteenth Monk’s penetrating gaze. “I will confess it was somewhat of an accidental collaboration, not so much a selfless act on my part.”
“I see. Nevertheless, here you are, a member of the search party, looking for that which has been lost.”
The Thirteenth Monk sang a short but infinitely melodious tune and a group of comfy green chairs appeared. He sat down with a sigh.
“Marvelous, nothing like a soft comfy chair. Everyone take a seat please.”
When the others were resting comfortably he continued.
“I am a very old mouse, far older than my dashing youthful appearance might lead you to believe.”
Sophia grinned.
“During my lifetime I have acquired many cherished memories, but also many memories most mice would sooner forget. These painful events we all experience are the fires of life. Orville experienced his papa’s disappearance, Sophia suffered the loss of her mum at a very young age, and the murder of her papa by Draken Mouse. Both Orville and Sophia persevered through these difficult times, learning from them, growing stronger, kinder, wiser, and more empathetic toward others. Proto, you have had similar events in your life? Events you would rather forget?”
Proto gave a start, glancing nervously over to Orville and Sophia.
“I recently remembered a rather dreadful event which occurred during my time with the family of Elders.”
“Come, you may whisper it to me.”
Proto rose up, stepping over to the Thirteenth Monk, leaning over and murmuring inaudibly for almost a full minute.
“And that is your greatest fear?”
Proto nodded.
“I can assure you this is a fear shared by all living creatures. You must face it head on, no matter the outcome.”
Proto returned to his seat, avoiding eye contact with Orville and Sophia. The Thirteenth Monk stood up, padding across the smooth stone floor to Brother Solus.
“Brother Solus, I am aware of your struggle. It will be difficult, but your memories are the fire that has shaped you, made you what you are. You are far nobler than you think, far stronger than you think, far braver than you think. And you are in the company of three friends who will watch over you, comfort you in difficult times.”
Brother Solus had a lump in his throat, something he had not felt in many years.
“Continue your travels to the east. You will know when you have arrived at your final destination.”
The Thirteenth Monk turned away, then stopped, his eyes on Brother Solus. He sang three short and powerful notes.
“You will remember.”
A shiver ran through Brother Solus.
The Thirteenth Monk faded to nothingness.
“Creekers, what was that all about? Why was he talking about bad memories?”
“I believe it was for my benefit. He is preparing me for events to come, for my impending encounter with the Shadow King and what shall follow.”
“I still don’t understand who the Shadow King is and why he took Aislin.”
“It is not Aislin he wants, it is me. She was a means to an end, a way to lure me to his realm. It was no accident that I witnessed her abduction. He knew when her rescuers arrived I would inexorably be drawn into the drama, drawn into his dark realm.”
“Why didn’t he take you instead of Aislin?”
“He cannot. Only I can make the choice to confront him, to face him head on.”
Brother Solus pushed the blue door open, brilliant sunlight flooding into the monastery.
The Fourth Monk was seated on a wooden bench outside the blue door, Squeaky lying next to him, a garland of bright yellow flowers around his neck. He gave a loud bark when he saw Proto.
“Hello, little pup, that’s a lovely collar, although it might diminish your ability to frighten away unwanted intruders.”
Squeaky hopped off the bench and stood next to Proto, wagging his tail.
“You will be heading east, to the final realm of the Shadow King?”
“Yes, he is holding Aislin Mouse captive and we are here to rescue her, to bring her back to our friend Ebenezer Mouse.”
“Most admirable. The effects of your selfless endeavor will extend far beyond the safe return of Aislin Mouse, but I suspect you already know that. I will tell you something that the Thirteenth Monk did not. Dark times lie ahead, there is a dire swamp you must pass through before you find the Shadow King. Do not lose hope, you must persevere no matter how disheartened you become.”
Orville did not like the sound of that. “A dire swamp? Are there weird creatures in it?”
“I must go now, I am needed on Periculum. Remember, above all, do not lose hope.”
With a quick wave the Fourth Monk disappeared into the monastery.
Orville let out an unusually loud groan.
“Seriously? Now we have to go through a dire swamp? It’s probably filled with creepy poisonous wiggly things that bite your legs.”
Proto nodded emphatically.
“Undoubtedly there will be hideous monstrosities squirming about in the putrid burbling muck, waiting to snare a hapless victim. How exciting!”
Chapter 37
The Swamp of Despair
“Eww, what’s that smell?”
Orville eyed the thick oozing mud at the edge of the swamp, foul smelling bubbles belching and popping up from beneath the stagnant muck.
“It’s methane gas bubbling up from decayed vegetation. Quite a dreadful smell, also highly explosive, so no campfires.”
“How are we supposed to get through this?”
Sophia stepped into the swamp, sinking up to her ankles in the slimy goop, the brown murky water up to her knees. She pulled out one foot with a horrible glurping noise and took a step forward.
“Not so bad, it just takes a little more effort to walk.”
“I just bought these boots, and they weren’t cheap. This mud is going to ruin them.”
“We can camp on those little islands farther out in the swamp.”
“I can’t see the other side, how big do you think the swamp is? Maybe we could shape a boat or something.”
“The water’s not deep enough for a boat. Come on, let’s get moving.”
Orville grimaced as he stepped into the putrescent gurgling muck. “This is really going to ruin my boots.”
Proto strode ahead, his long silver legs seemingly unaffected by the gloopy mud, Squeaky perched comfortably on his shoulder.
Brother Solus followed behind them, a sour look on his face.
Six hours later nothing had changed, they were still slogging through foul smelling muck, the oppressive swamp appearing to have no end.
“There’s one of those little islands. We should take a break, I want to clean my boots and dry them over a fire.”
“No campfires, it’s not safe with all the methane gas.”
“Creekers, why did we even come here? These flies are awful, and I won’t even mention the mosquitos.”
“We came here to rescue Aislin, in case you forgot.”
“I didn’t forget, it was a rhetorical question. Rhetorical, that means I wasn’t expecting an answer. And rhetorical was not one of my words for the day, in case you were wondering.�
�
“I know what rhetorical means, Orville.”
Proto pointed to a thicket of gnarled trees growing on the island. “There’s a sign hanging from that branch.”
Orville pushed his way through the gloppy viscous muck until he was close enough to read the sign.
WELCOME TO
THE SWAMP OF DESPAIR
“The Swamp of Despair? Why didn’t the Fourth Monk tell us it was called the Swamp of Despair? That seems like a really important fact to leave out. And why would they put a welcome sign so far inside the swamp? They wait until we’re halfway across the swamp and then tell us it’s called the Swamp of Despair?”
Proto studied the sign. “According to my calculations we have traveled approximately thirteen miles into the swamp. If the swamp proves to be very large, say five or six hundred miles across, then thirteen miles is relatively close to the outer edge of the swamp, the perfect spot for a welcome sign. Has anyone seen any creatures? Felt anything bite their leg?”
Orville gave Proto a dark look.
Sophia stepped up onto the island. “Everyone is tired, it’s been a long day. Let’s camp here for the night. We can’t have a fire, but we can shape light orbs, tents, sleeping bags, and a nice dinner.”
Brother Solus slumped down and leaned back against a tree, attempting to scrape the muck off his boots with a stick. He did not look happy.
Orville slept fitfully that night, waking up numerous times, certain he heard something sloshing its way through the murky swamp. Twice he saw little flickering blue lights in the distance.
“I don’t like this place. So creepy, I feel like something is watching us.”
Two days later the only thing which had changed was their ever darkening mood. The swamp was endless, the gurgling goop filling the air with horrendous putrid odors, clouds of stinging flies and mosquitos buzzing relentlessly around them.
“Aghh! Another fly just bit my ear!”
“I told you to blink up a sphere of defense, it will protect you from the insects and most of the bad smells.”
