Three other paths intersected at our current one. Looking left and right, I saw no discernible guideposts to give us an idea which road we should take. Suddenly I was very happy to have the grumpy pig leading the way, being on my own I would have panicked. And with my luck, I probably would have taken the wrong path.
The one to our right led under a canopy of leaves, hanging low with the weight of hundreds of white flowers in an arc over the road. The opening of which ended the rocky path, the gravel turned to a carpet of dark green grass, made even darker by the shade of the thickly woven canopy of flowers.
The white noise I had heard in the distance seemed closer now, and in that direction. Although I was curious, I wasn’t hoping to enter the pitch black that waited just inside the entrance. It loomed, consuming the light showing nothing inside, like walking into a black hole. I really hoped we didn’t have to go that way. I felt a shiver run through me at the thought. I wasn’t the greatest fan of the dark. Not afraid really, just leery of what might be hiding there.
The path to our left led to a steep incline dotted with boulders, a log blocking the path several yards ahead. In the distance, high above the trees I could see the mountains I’d seen from the beach jutting into the sky, their tops dipped in white. The trees lining that path gradually turned from the jungle type trees we’d been walking through, into white trunked lean wisps, with delicate orange and yellow leaves.
The path ahead looked almost the same as the path we had been traveling. Up ahead I could make out another open clearing, or so it appeared from this distance. That path seemed to slope slightly downward, veering left then right in an unpredictable zigzag through the trees.
Feilvus at least turned to check that I was still behind him before choosing the left path, and then grunted as he marched ahead. As we neared the log over the road, I could have sworn I saw it move. Taking a few steps forward, I saw it move again.
I decided to hang back, letting Feilvus gain a hefty lead on Lars and me. The stocky warthog trotted right up the log and stopped short a few feet. The giant lizard I mistook for a log swung his head to face Feilvus who grunted at him.
I watched as the lizard flicked its tongue, hissing low then snapping its jaws. He moved forward, towering over the warthog. Its body must have measured almost six feet in length, its powerful forearms rippling with each calculated step. Claws inches long dug into the dirt floor.
This did not look good. The monster’s tongue reached out tasting the air, nearly flicking the warthog’s nose. Feilvus took a step back, then glanced to me. It was clear, my presence was the issue here.
I certainly wasn’t going to turn around, not after making it this far. There was no way I was letting an overgrown Lars scare me. I stood my ground, willing my heart to beat a little slower. Animals could smell fear or so I had read, and the last thing I needed was to show how scared I was.
No sooner than I felt him shift in my pocket had Lars jumped from my jacket and sailed through the air, all four feet splayed open as he landed on the ground between us. His tiny legs pumped furiously as he ran straight for his larger doppelganger.
I almost expected the larger lizard to snap down, making a quick snack of my traveling companion, but to my surprise the giant reptile not only backed away, but lowered its head in submission. Lars waited until the beast waddled off the path and into the forest before walking back in my direction.
I bent down, offering my hand down to him, as the mighty lizard hopped right up then crawled back to his pocket, settling in again. Leaning my head towards him, I whispered, “Friend of yours?” Lars turned his head upward and puffed out his throat. “Well thank you,” I responded.
I began to see other animals as we started off again. Maybe they’d been there all along, my mind too occupied to notice, or maybe we were nearing the city. Maybe they were as skeptical about me being here as I was.
Deer softly stepped along the jungle floor, birds of all colors and sizes hopped from limb to branch. The forest was alive with sounds and movement now. A large and brightly colored peacock called out from his perch in one of the trees, causing me to startle then stare at his plumes of feathers.
Rounding the curve in the path to our left, the ground became a rocky mine field, dotted with dozens of jagged black stones, some as large as my head. I watched my steps as best I could, although it was difficult to keep pace and dance over the uneven terrain at the same time. Feilvus was so small he was able to squeeze through the smallest cracks between them, I however was not.
The path was growing steeper still, a steady climb upwards, sometimes forcing me to climb over large boulders. This made the journey that much slower, which I could tell was frustrating to the little pig. I learned from the past hours though, that almost everything seemed to irritate him. Not only me, but flies and wind and sunshine for that matter. He was a rather grumpy little thing.
Finally we came to another junction, paths leading in multiple different directions, too many to count. We turned right, following the trail most traveled, by the look of it. Even if I did change my mind, and try to find the beach again, there was no way I could remember the way back.
It felt as if we had been walking forever, my legs were beginning to get sore from overuse, my arms still weak from earlier. I yawned and pulled the phone from my pocket. Strange. The lock screen claimed it was already 6:00 in the afternoon. It certainly felt later than the bright sun overhead led me to believe. I shrugged and stuffed the phone back in my pack, grabbing the almost empty water bottle.
I lifted the mouth of the container to my lips and let the remaining drops run over my tongue, giving me a brief respite from my worsening thirst. My stomach had begun to growl again, almost aching with hunger. I pinched the top of my hand, and watched the skin stay that way for a full second, a sign of dehydration. We needed to reach camp soon or come across some source of water, which I hadn’t seen since we left the beach.
Feilvus paused, waiting for me to catch up again. Then trail began to grow wider, multiple trails converging with ours until we walked along a broad road. As I looked down at my feet, I noticed my footprints joined with tracks of animals, all leading in the same direction. We must be getting closer to the city, I though with relief.
The dirt had turned from a dark brown, almost black to a reddish, more compact clay. The large boulders had thankfully been left behind, replaced by slippery pebbles that skittered along in front of our feet as we walked. The trees began thinning, the sunlight coming through the leaves constantly, bathing the undergrowth in a bright light.
Flowers flourished along the ground, filling the air with a fine fragrance of life. Steady breezes ruffled the greenery along the ground, making the flowers sway. Small animals, mice and chipmunks scampered through the ground cover darting in and out as if playing a game.
The flowers here were unlike any I had ever seen. Some were a bright gold, almost clover shaped; some were a deep blue green, towering above the others on thick stalks. Efflorescence abounded here, unlike the arduous walk through the jungle, every turn of my head was greeted with new and more beautiful sights.
I pulled my gaze up, looking further ahead now. Beyond the breaks in the trees I could see what I imagined to be a wall, reddish in color, the same color as the clay path. Still far away, but growing closer, and higher with each step.
Lars stirred in my pocket and climbed out and up to my shoulder, enjoying a much better view. Feilvus of course only trotted straight ahead, rarely glancing back. In fact he had picked up speed, his tuft of brown hair bouncing right along with him. His duty as field guide must be coming to an end, which I’m sure was a relief to him.
Finally we emerged from the trees, stepping into the spacious clearing. Although I had seen several animals along our trip, here at the city, I saw only emptiness now.
I shrugged and followed Feilvus along the perimeter, hearing a steady flow of water tinkling not very far off. Being within the limits of what I assumed was the town, I
felt comfortable moving at my own pace, slowing to make some distance between myself and the overbearing warthog.
I followed the sound of moving water just outside of the city limits, wading through ankle deep grass. A few steps more and I saw the bank of a small deep creek. My parched tongue begged for water. I slowly stepped down the sloping bank and saw that the water was perfectly clear, moving slowly but steadily, splashing against the smooth large rocks just under the surface. Dropping to my knees I pulled the empty water bottle from my pack and pushed it down into the cold stream.
I lifted the bottle to my lips. Never had I tasted anything so pure, so perfectly cool and satisfying. I drank until I thought I would be sick, then reached in with my hands to scoop up the water and splash some on my face, wiping away the sweat and dust from the long hike. I wished I could take a quick dip to wash off all the saltwater that stuck to my skin, but thought better of it. Maybe later.
Lars wiggled from his pocked, jumping to the highest flower. A tall finely decorated one with a pinking color at the base of the petals growing albicant at the tips. It was like nothing I had ever seen, stunning in its perfection. He perched there, watching me enjoy my long awaited and much needed break.
Full of water and exhausted from the long journey, I rested on the soft ground, feeling myself grow tired until my eyes closed. I could feel the warm sun on my face as I laid on my back and hear the gentle bubble of the water from the creek. It wasn’t long until I had drifted off.
The City
When I opened my eyes the sun was still shining, although it had dropped quite a bit, no longer visible high in the sky, but falling behind the trees. I shivered, pulling my jacket tighter around me. I looked around for Feilvus or Lars, who must have found my napping very boring and wandered off.
Sitting up I refilled the bottle from the stream and placed it in my backpack. I stood and walked around a bit, feeling the soreness of long hours of walking beginning to take hold of my muscles after being allowed to rest for a while. I bent down and stretched, moving this way and that, rising back up to head out in search of my two companions.
I walked cautiously into the city, moving towards the center of the clearing. Dominating the horizon to the west was a sheer rock face several stories high, which must have been the reddish wall I had seen through the trees. Spaced every five to ten feet apart, were what looked like caves that dotted the wall with inclined paths crisscrossing their way to a second and third level.
They reminded me of the cliffside dwellings I had seen in Colorado, these being quite smaller and obviously meant for animals instead of humans. The ground was mostly flat, with a slight rise and fall to it. Small bungalows also dotted the landscape as well. It was like I had stepped back in time.
At the very center of the clearing, a large tree commandeered my attention. Reaching tall into the sky, it was different from any other tree I had seen through the jungle or along the beach. Its trunk extended almost all the way to the top of the tree, with only a few short branches jutting from the very top. The bark itself was nearly iridescent and glowing in the sun.
Everything here amazed me, a completely different world, with different trees, water, plants, flowers. I sighed, remembering again my desire, and inability to go home, which dampened my awe of the city.
I gave up trying to find Feilvus and Lars. I considered calling out to them, shouting up at the cliff, but decided against it. I remembered Ethera asking Lars to stay quiet about my arrival. It was probably best not to go around making a scene first thing. Though I’m sure word was getting around on it’s own by now.
I moved back to the shade by the stream, taking my seat once again. After a few moments Lars crawled out from under the greenery, climbing up onto my foot. “There you are.” I smiled, very happy to find I was not alone after all.
“Where have you been?” I asked him, giving him my hand, onto which he jumped happily.
He opened and closed his mouth, telling a very fascinating story I’m sure. I waited patiently for him to stop speaking. Although I couldn’t hear him, I didn’t want to interrupt.
“I really wish I could understand you,” I told him.
Lars lifted and jerked his head suddenly, staring intently behind me, then leaping to the ground. I spun around, my ears catching a strange sound on the wind. Whatever it was, it was heading this way, the noises growing louder. I stood and eased further into the sparse trees around the clearing, never turning my back from the wide-open space of the town.
The noise was beginning to reach a thunderous level now. I could make out the distinct animalistic calls, echoing against the sheer cliff. I didn’t know what to do, so I ducked behind the thin trunk of a white tree closest to me, peeking around the corner at the city’s edge.
Breaking through the trees at the far end of the clearing I saw first a group of monkeys, ambling together jumping and tumbling over each other. Their hooping reached a fevered pitch of celebration as more animals followed them.
Horses of all different colors, elephants towering over everything, and birds breaking from the leaves high above them painted a fantastic and unbelievable picture.
Another group emerged from a different trail along the perimeter, deer and possums, rhinoceros and giraffes, bears walking on two feet and kangaroos hopping, converged together, all making their way towards the city center.
I stood frozen to the spot, trying to get my brain to accept what I was seeing. Animals peeked from the cliffs, apparently hiding from me the whole time. Some made their way down the side of the cliff, meeting their returning friends; others simply watched the spectacle, as I was doing.
Most of the animals either stayed along the rock wall, or meandered around the bungalows and tree, some wandered closer to me, but never gave an indication of seeing me.
I scanned the growing crowd, still more animals wandering in from the forest, thousands of them congregating in the vast acreage of the city. As I looked around, I could not see Ethera, only animals. Even Lars had gone to meet the crowd, leaving me alone by myself.
The sound of a snapping branch beside me sent my heart racing. I stood still, frozen, listening. I nearly screamed in fright as the large grey wolf came into my peripheral field of vision. I forced my mouth to remain closed. The wolf circled me until it separated me from the clearing, standing between me and the crowd in the valley.
My foot sunk into the mud as I took a single step backwards, almost falling into the creek. I had no place to run, as if that were even an option. I screamed, “Ethera!” My voice breaking as it reached the ears of several animals over the din of their celebrating, causing them to turn their heads in curiosity, but none moved.
The wolf shook its head, and as I watched the grey hair grow longer, the animal stood on its back legs, as the thick fur along its legs fell to the ground, replaced by human flesh. Lifting her head, Ethera gazed back at me, shaking off the final pieces of her wolf form.
“Hailey, don’t be afraid, it’s me.” She moved towards me as I took a step sideways and pulled my arms to my chest.
I wanted to scream and hug her at the same time. My heart was racing, my hands I could tell were shaking. I forced myself to stop panting, trying to calm my nerves and my emotions before I answered back.
Being angry wouldn’t get me anywhere, I reminded myself. And how dumb would it be to make an enemy of the only other person on this island. I unfolded my arms and turned back to face her.
“Well, I mean you did scare me a little,” I confessed and lied at the same time. She gave me a little sly knowing smile, she wasn’t buying it.
“How . . .. ” I was completely at a loss on how to finish my question.
“I tried to show you on the beach, I changed into the hummingbird you chose for me.” She waited still standing.
“I didn’t see, I thought you disappeared.” I mumbled.
“From time to time, I change my appearance. A hummingbird for quick travel, a bear for strength or a moth for hiding
” she beamed. “Pick something else, I’ll show you,” she smiled.
I chuckled, how could I not play along? I thought, considering. “Anything?” I prodded. Ethera nodding, being a good sport. “Ok, how about a tiger?”
“One of my favorites,” she smiled.
This time I watched intently allowing my eyes to burn from not blinking. In an instant she dropped onto her hands, her skin changing to a golden orange color before my eyes. She shifted so quickly, if I had blinked, I would have missed it. Which explained the disappearing act at the beach earlier.
The huge tiger panted, opening her large jaws and letting the giant pink tongue loll out from the side of her mouth. She sat down on her haunches, lifting her two front paws into the air and moved them left to right, almost dancing. I giggled at the ridiculous sight of her.
“Wow,” I gawked. “But Lars and Feilvus, they’re . . .”
“Just a lizard and a warthog.” She finished my thought for me. I nodded numbly, watching a tiger talk to me.
I wanted to reach out and run my fingers through the fur on the big cats head. I had never seen a tiger so close, without any bars or windows, but I was afraid of offending her, so I thought better of it.
“Only the island Leaders can change form, it’s a pretty nice perk.” She smiled again.
“Leaders, as in more than just you . . . .?” I paused as I walked back to the creek’s edge. I was curious and trying to distract myself from my nervousness.
“Yes, and more that just this island. This is Evisara, one of the islands in Enrovia’s Kingdom . . . “ She trailed off before fulling explaining. It was becoming an annoying habit of hers.
She reared up and stood on her back legs, shedding her animal appearance. Once again she stood in front of me as the woman I had first met on the beach. “Ok, you ready to meet everyone?” she asked. Hearing no objection, she turned towards the city center and started walking.
Ethera and the Island of Evisara: Book One of The Enrovia Series Page 6
