“I think you’d be surprised at just how tasty they are.”
Dimitrios pointed out the green ruffled lreez-leew creatures that were moving toward them over the surface of the water. They looked like they could be the planet’s version of a duck as they flapped their wings. The group turned their attention to the creatures as they gracefully glided on top of the water’s surface, making a sound that sounded like their name lreez-leew. The animals seemed to be curious of the humans’ presence on the bridge. As the lreez-leew drew closer to them, the group could see each creature had scales on its body and wings, not feathers. The animals used their bills to make an unusual clicking sound signaling their presence. Suddenly the creatures submerged themselves underwater as they propelled their bodies by kicking their feet and spreading out their scaled wings to swim under the bridge.
Dimitrios turned to view the log cabin. It had a covered front porch and several rocking chairs as if the recluse had at one time suspected he’d have visitors. Dimitrios walked to the end of the bridge and looked at the pavers leading to the home. They had been chiseled from large stones. He glanced over to the side yard. He saw a roasting pit in the distance with meat cooking on a spit. As the breeze blew, he could smell the fresh roasting meat. It wasn’t a familiar smell but it made his mouth involuntarily water as if his body knew what the smell was, food.
“Someone’s been around recently.”
They slowly walked to the front porch. The covered porch had on either side of the steps, faces carved into the large logs. Bev walked up to inspect them. “These look so life-like… Someone put a lot of love in the details. Each one has a name carved under it. Isn’t that curious?”
Willoughby said, “We all have a name.”
Bev corrected herself by saying, “I’m sorry, Willoughby. Yes, of course you do.”
Wayland asked out loud to no one in particular, “Where do you think the owner is mate?”
Chapter 6
Dolores sat up in bed and snickered when she heard the kitchen door close behind Joseph. She was relieved that he left without making a production of going to the firm. She hated when he would kiss her on the cheek and lie to her about coming home for dinner. It was just Sterling with her now. They had the house all to themselves.
She imagined the scene that would take place when Joseph realized just how helpful she could be when she put her mind to it. She was certain her little project had paid off, because he didn’t turn the lights on earlier. Joseph never, not once, paid attention to the clothes he put on in the morning. Dolores had for years pampered him by color coordinating the closet so that he could just from memory grab the clothes in certain sections and they would all match. The other day he had complained about a choice she had put in one of the selections. She asked if he wanted to start over and redo his closet the way he preferred. Joseph roared back at her, calling her incompetent and just plain rude for suggesting something so ridiculous as he himself doing something so trivial as reorganizing a closet. That was woman’s work and beneath him. He had caused a scene in front of Sterling.
She tried to justify her efforts by stating, “I was just trying to be helpful in the way I organized the closet. I have made every attempt to make it easier on you in the morning.”
Joseph ungratefully disregarded her thoughtfulness and told her to fix it. So that’s what she did. It took her all day, but she followed his instructions. Dolores couldn’t help that he came home late last night. It wasn’t her fault he didn’t go into his closet to check on just how she’d “fixed” and “reorganized” it, in an attempt to make him happy. After all, she was asleep when he arrived home so late in the evening. He didn’t even bother to wake her to let her know he had been there during the night. The thought of the clothes he must now be wearing made her giddy. She wished she could see the look on his face. She’d gladly accept his wrath, if she paid him back for his arrogance, the ungrateful twit.
She got out of bed, went to the bathroom to wash and then walked down the hallway to check on Sterling. Dolores found him rearranging his collectable action figures on the shelves in his room. His back was to her. She stood in the doorway listening to her son as he conversed between the characters. He was different from his father in every way. She smiled.
Sterling sensed her watching him and turned. “Mama, it’s so good to see you smile this morning. You’re the best!”
She put her arm around his shoulder and hugged him. “I’ll always be here for you Sweetie.”
He asked, “How about some of the greatest pancakes in the world?”
She grinned. “Are you talking about mine?”
He stood up tall. “Yes, I am.”
“In that case, one tall stack of the best pancakes in the world coming right up!” He cheered as he ran for the bathroom, pushing up his pajama sleeves to wash his hands.
Dolores walked down the hall making her way to the kitchen. She paused and shuddered, as she remembered the faint stain left on the wall from the confrontation that had occurred in their house. She wondered if Joseph had known the intruders. He said he didn’t recognize either of them, but she had the feeling he was lying. Dolores could usually tell when he was lying but proving it was a different story. She pushed the thoughts away of all the times she had tried to catch him in his lies and came up empty handed. This wasn’t the time for that.
Dolores walked into the kitchen and began putting the ingredients to make the pancakes on the counter. Sterling came into the kitchen ready to help her. They had fun making and eating breakfast together.
When they finished eating breakfast, Dolores asked Sterling to get ready for the day. He walked off after putting his dishes in the sink, leaving her to clean up. Dolores sipped the last of the coffee in her mug. She stood, walked over to the sink and began washing the dishes.
Dolores thought about how she’d changed her way of life recently. After all the years spent in their marriage, she discovered that she was enjoying the idea of the real Dolores finally emerging from Joseph’s shadow. She was tired of conforming to the Greys’ idea of the perfect wife. She wasn’t at all who they molded her to be. She wondered why she never saw it before. Well it is better to change late, rather than spend an eternity as a shelved trophy and the subservient, benevolent wife. Things were different now. Even Ruthie had commented on her taking her power back. It felt good and that was something Joseph couldn’t take away.
Dolores finished washing and drying the dishes. She left the kitchen and went to dress. Along the way she stopped to turn on the radio. She sang along with the lyrics as she danced her way to her bedroom.
Chapter 7
Dimitrios had an idea. He took a strange instrument from his pocket and began to play it. Everyone grew quiet in order to listen to his melody. Not long after the song ended, a gentleman emerged from the forest line upstream. Natalie spotted him first. He was waving to them. She smiled and waved back.
Dimitrios turned around. “Well I’ll be, here he comes.”
The man began walking toward them. As he came closer, his stride quickened. It didn’t take long until he reached them. The gentleman was wearing a woven hat and was dressed for hiking. In one hand he carried a braided basket with white berries inside. In the other hand, the man held a carved walking stick. He took the hat off as he greeted them. He was well groomed with a head full of thick white hair that was neatly combed. The gentleman had a friendly face with a smile that instantly put them at ease. He looked at each visitor. He spotted Willoughby and said several words that no one understood, except Willoughby.
His first words were spoken with a heavy English accent. “I would like to welcome you to the kingdom.”
The visitors looked at each other. Dimitrios smiled and held out his hand.
The gentleman shook his hand and asked, “Do you speak my language?”
Dimitrios said, “We do. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He introduced himself, along with everyone in the group.
T
he gentleman introduced himself as “Virgil”. He looked around. “Is Catherine with you?”
Caroline said, “No, Sir. She is not. She passed away some time ago.”
He straightened up and said, “Oh, I see. That’s a shame. I shall miss her.”
Then Virgil asked them to follow him inside his abode. Standing in the doorway, they could see that the inside was just as charming as the outside of his log cabin. “Please make yourselves comfortable. I would like to offer you food and drinks. I’d offer you these berries but they should be washed first. I have already prepared a light meal.” He led the way in and they followed. Once inside, he offered for them to take a seat in the front room as he made his way to the kitchen. Bev followed to help.
Virgil said, “Thank you. If you would take these to the other room, it would be helpful.” He handed her an ornate silver tray with crumpets and berries on it. He followed her with another tray of dessert plates, eating utensils, glasses and a pitcher. They set the trays down on the knee high table in front of his couch and chairs. He returned to the kitchen for extra chairs so that everyone could sit. They waited for him to return.
Virgil said to Dimitrios, “Sir, it has been a very long time since I have heard an instrument like that played. May I ask where you learned to play the instrument in your possession?”
Dimitrios knew Virgil would figure out he had researched early explorer instruments. He took the instrument out of his pocket and handed it to Virgil. As the older gentleman looked it over, Dimitrios explained that he bought the instrument from a fellow Sojourner.
Dimitrios asked Virgil if he’d like to play it. Virgil smiled. He carefully handed the instrument back to Dimitrios and left the room. He soon returned with his own. He presented it to Dimitrios for his own inspection. Dimitrios looked it over. Virgil’s instrument was gold-plated with leaves etched in it. He handed it back to Virgil. “Very impressive and beautiful.”
Virgil said, “Let’s show our audience how the song is supposed to be played, shall we?”
Dimitrios stood with a nod of his head. The two men talked for a minute then played a duet. When they finished the song, everyone applauded. The two men smiled and bowed.
Virgil asked everyone to bring the plates outside. They ate dinner together around the roasting pit. The food was excellent. The meat was from an animal native to the kingdom. Virgil referred to the animal as being similar to a cow on Earth. The unusual plants that Virgil prepared for the meal were in a covered pan that was buried in the fire. He called it cabrulage, which was a healthy complimentary dish that went perfectly with the meat.
After eating the meal, it was time for them to leave. Virgil stood and offered to accompany them back to the clearing. As they walked along the path, he pointed out the native wildlife and plants.
Once they reached their destination, he explained how they could get back. “In order to find the Passageway back you need a native crystal.” Carson withdrew his crystal from his pocket. Virgil continued, “Hold your crystal up and blow on it, into the air like so.” He demonstrated for Carson.
Carson followed Virgil’s example. As he blew a steady breath of air over the crystal in his hand, a ripple effect was created nearby and they could see the Passageway.
Virgil said, “Thank you for your visit. You are welcome to return to the kingdom. I hope we shall meet again.” Then he turned to Willoughby and they conversed for a moment in his language.
Virgil turned to Caroline. “Willoughby tells me you are Catherine’s great-niece. It has been a pleasure to meet you. I now understand that you are to be honored at the coronation the queen is planning. I am looking forward to the celebration, and to visiting with you and your friends once again. I’m sure the queen has informed you that you will use the same marble for the coronation that was used for this visit.”
Caroline thanked him and said, “It has been a pleasure to meet you and to learn more about the Whispering Forest. This is a beautiful kingdom. We will be honored to visit with you during the coronation. The queen did send us letters of instruction that were very helpful. We are looking forward to the ceremony she has planned.” Her comments pleased Virgil.
The group walked through the Passageway and returned to find Anthony where they had left him waiting in the office. Caroline gave Willoughby to Carson. He placed the walking stick in the vault and returned with Caroline’s black box. Next Charles and Wayland helped Carson put the Marble Track and marbles away in the vault. Caroline and Natalie showed Dimitrios and Anthony the decorative black box. They took the crystals out of the container and inspected each one. When Caroline picked up one of the crystals, it flickered inside with swirling lights.
Carson looked over at Caroline and said, “That is the crystal you should work with the most. The others can be programmed. I will help you with the programming later.”
Caroline nodded and placed the crystal in her pocket. She asked Carson if she could continue storing her crystals in his vault for safekeeping. Carson agreed.
**********
After Caroline and the others had walked through the Passageway, another Passageway opened. Virgil smiled when he saw the queen’s assistant come through. They walked down the path together toward his cabin discussing the arrangements for the upcoming coronation. Virgil was gratified to hear that descendants of the original villagers had requested to return as part of the coronation.
Chapter 8
The travelers told Anthony what they had seen while on their adventure. He asked several questions about the natural land of Bridgeiro and the man named Virgil.
Dimitrios then brought up the instructions and the details for the next day’s coronation. He mentioned, “Anthony received his letter after I returned to my office last night. The same official gentlemen who visited us stopped by his office. I asked Anthony to bring his letter.” The prime minister showed his correspondence. They briefly discussed the information the queen sent for the coronation.
Bev said, “I should call and discuss the coronation with Margaret and Al. I believe it would be easier to prepare for the ceremony if Caroline stayed the night.” Caroline agreed to the suggestion. The two ladies left the office and returned to the house.
Charles asked Carson, “I wonder what will happen at tomorrow’s event.”
Carson shrugged. “I don’t know what to expect. I imagine it will be one of the best celebrations you’ll ever attend in your lifetime.”
Anthony, Dimitrios, Natalie and Wayland decided to leave since they had to get up early in the morning. They wanted to be on time returning to the office the next day, in order to prepare for the ceremony.
Once their visitors left, Carson reminded Charles, “Tonight is an early to bed, early to rise time.” Charles acknowledged him with a nod.
Carson sat at his desk to read for a while longer. Charles wrote notes in his journal on what he had observed that day. They soon cleaned the office and secured everything. They headed to the house to see what Bev and Caroline were doing.
As Carson and Charles walked into the library, Bev said, “Margaret and Al will be here soon.”
Charles said, “What an ending to an already eventful summer, a party with royalty. Who’d have imagined that? Wow.” He drummed his hands on the table.
Everyone quietly pondered the statement until a knock at the door disturbed the silence.
Charles jumped up. “That must be Margaret and Al.”
He jogged to the door, followed by Caroline, and opened it. Margaret and Al were waiting. Charles took the bag from Al as he invited them inside. He and Caroline took the bag upstairs to the room where she would be staying.
Caroline asked, “Are you excited about tomorrow?”
“Yes, it is going to be hard to sleep tonight.”
She agreed. “I’ll have butterflies in my stomach. I don’t like being the center of attention.”
“Don’t worry. I will be by your side the whole time.”
She thanked him. “I needed t
o hear that. Whatever you do, just don’t leave me alone.”
He reassured her. They went downstairs just in time to tell her grandparents goodbye for the evening. Margaret and Al told Caroline they wished they could be with her the next day. Her grandparents gave her a hug and a kiss goodnight before leaving.
Bev suggested, “We should get ready for bed. Tomorrow morning will be here fast, and we all want to be at our best for the celebration.”
Everyone said goodnight and got ready for bed.
Carson commented, “Anthony, Dimitrios, Natalie and Wayland will all arrive at 7:00 a.m.”
They all slept soundly.
Chapter 9
Joseph walked into his office and slammed the door. He knew there wasn’t an alternate suit of clothes in the building. Unless he wanted to drive all the way back home, he was stuck looking ridiculous. He sat down behind his desk with a sigh. Joseph knotted his tie, leaned back in the chair and placed his feet on the desk. He began thinking about different scenarios in which he could punish Dolores for her little joke.
Donovan suddenly barged through the door without knocking. “What are you doing with that silly smirk on your face, when you should be working? Didn’t you hear me call for you? Get up!” Donovan walked away, leaving the door open.
Joseph sighed. “I was ignoring you.”
“I heard that.”
“I meant for you to hear me.”
Joseph stood, walked around his desk and went into his father’s office.
Donovan yelled, “Shut the door! Do you want the whole world to hear my business?”
Joseph glanced at Seymore, who was the only person in the building besides them. He closed the door. “I hardly think Seymore is the whole world…”
Donovan pounded his fist on the desk. “Number 4 here has something to say. Go ahead Number 4. Tell Joseph what you told me.”
Return of the Clonsayee Page 4
