by Sanders, Dan
Sabina flicked her silver hair and smiled. Daimon laughed so hard he rocked the boat, nearly driving it into the grassy bank.
“Focus your minds into the molecules of the leaf. It is the leaf off the giant Stelar tree, so use the name. Create the picture of what you want the boat to do as it relates to the water. Still your minds.” Aldrick was almost screaming now.
Emily saw their faces scrunched in concentration. Even Rupurt’s blue whiskers twitched excitedly. Noogie flew ahead, flapping her wings in warning.
The leaf slowed to a hum, and despite the demands of the insistent current that pulled at its edges, eventually came to a standstill, just as they reached the frothy edge of the waterfall.
“It works,” Daimon said, white knuckles gripping the edge of the leaf. “What now?”
Before anybody could answer, the leaf tipped over the edge of the waterfall into the lathering pot of white and blue destruction below. Daimon, Emily and Rupurt screamed. Sabina and Aldrick, sweat lining their foreheads, tried to control the leaf as it hurtled into the mist.
As the nose of the boat pointed to the rocks below, the boat slowed but Sabina realised the boat was still moving too fast. Sabina shouted to the both of them in Thoughtspeak. “Emily and Daimon we need your help. Connect now.”
Emily was getting better at connecting with the land, but her heart pounded in her chest. Emily looked at her paws clasping the edge of the boat. The thick waxy leaf, the only fabric between them and the crushing water below, vibrated. After a few failed attempts at connecting with the leaf-boat and water, Emily decided to connect with Sabina’s mind, which Emily knew. Sabina looked over her shoulder, sweat trickling down the furrow in her nose, and nodded solemnly. Sabina let her in and Emily’s world exploded. Emily felt alone in Sabina’s cavernous mind but focussed all her might on following Sabina’s thought into the leaf. Sabina, with her mammoth knowledge of the Lore, and without words, passed Emily into the mix of leaf and water. Then Emily was alone, out of Sabina’s mind and joined with the fierce power of raw nature. She wobbled at first but took a deep breath and went in. As she did with trees on Earth, she didn’t think about it, she just felt it. She felt her way around this new connection and the leaf-boat and water welcomed her. She asked the water for help, and it obeyed. From the corner of her mind’s eye she saw Aldrick and Sabina staring at her.
The boat slowed just enough for it to dive deep into the water at the bottom of the falls, immersing its occupants before bobbing up like a fishing cork.
They told Emily it was time to release the boat. Aldrick and Sabina looked at each other and stared at Emily.
“What?” Emily asked.
Sabina spoke first, “With all my life to the Lore I have never seen anybody as natural with the elements as you, Emily.”
Emily was bemused.
Aldrick said sternly, “Binny is serious. More importantly, the elements are alive to you, Emily. They respond to you. Not by carefully crafted order from the study of Lore, but…”
“Because you are you.” Sabina finished his words with surety.
Aldrick nodded and wiped the water from his curly hair. “This is encouraging.”
Emily looked at Daimon, sitting dejectedly at the back of the boat.
“What’s the matter Daimon? We made it.”
“No thanks to me,” he said.
Sabina patted his shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. Connecting to the land can take years, sometimes a lifetime, for those not born on Annwynian soil.”
Daimon groaned.
“Well done, Sabina,” Lupi said as Emily settled on the edge of the leaf. “Trust you to make somebody feel worse.”
Sabina grabbed for Lupi, who easily bobbed out of the way.
Emily pointed at Rupurt and laughed, “You look like a blue rat.”
Rupurt looked at his paws.
Feeling for Rupurt, Daimon said, “I wouldn’t be so quick to judge, Emily.”
Emily looked at her own red paw and white legs and rolled over in the boat laughing.
“Where to now?” Rupurt said, trembling with cold.
“We follow this,” Aldrick said, squinting through the sunlight into the forest before them. “When it’s time, they’ll find us.”
Emily shook the water from her thick fur, and settled back into the boat to soak in the view. Emily was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the river and forest. They were at the top of a range that wound down through a valley of open plains and trees. Verdant grasses, fruits and flowers of all colours decorated the landscape; fruits of blood-red, salmon and peacock-blue; trees, pregnant with daffodil-coloured blossoms, all seemed to wave at Emily as Emily floated past. The creaking of tree trunks and the swooning of the leaves all sang in Emily’s ears.
Emily waved to Noogie who was frantically buzzing through the meadows, soaking up the vastness of her new playground.
“Emily, I can’t explain. The trees are three times larger than our biggest trees back home. It’s as if they are trying to speak to me.” Noogie was breathless even in her Thoughtspeak.
“I feel it too. Such joy. They are pleased to see us.” Emily hopped about in excitement.
“Settle down please. We don’t have time to stop and enjoy this.” Aldrick reluctantly hosed down the notions he knew Emily harboured to be released and play in her new paradise.
“Emily!” Rupurt pulled on her ear.
“What’s up?” Emily lifted him so he could get a better view over the edge of the leaf boat.
“Springton Forest is a representation of the pure Annwyn, and the connection. All things are alive.”
Emily nodded, half listening, her eyes fixed on the wonder opening before her.
He continued, “This is what you are working for, as the symbol of spring. When spring arrives, it is this power you will be spreading and renewing across the Twin Worlds. That is why they are overjoyed to see you. They sense you are the Chosen One.”
Emily turned and looked into his eyes. It was the first time Emily’d grasped what her role in this would be. Emily stilled, her white ears folding against her back.
Suddenly Rupurt’s mouth dropped open, horror in his eyes.
“Aldrick, Sabina. Emily’s… eyes.”
They all turned, including Daimon, looked into Emily’s eyes, and froze.
“What’s wrong?” Emily said, feeling her whiskers and eyes for trouble.
“Is that what I think it is?” Sabina asked Aldrick.
“The change has started,” Aldrick said.
Emily said, “Will somebody please tell me what is going on.”
With nobody concentrating on the boat, the giant leaf had drifted and wedged into the grassy bank. Shadows fell across them from tall cream-coloured trees. Noogie settled onto the boat edge, anxiously bobbing and flapping her wings.
Aldrick said, “Emily is a symbol of the elements for spring. As Emily grows in power and fusion with the land, her body will manifest those elements. It appears her eyes are the representation of the water element.”
“Is that why they look like the ocean inside?” Daimon said, fascinated.
Emily looked over the edge of the boat into her glassy reflection in the river. Her black eyes, which Emily had finally become familiar with, had turned ocean blue; not a still colour but bubbles of swirling iridescent ocean.
“I don’t feel different, and I can still see normally,” Emily said, nonplussed.
Sabina said, “It will not affect you; it simply symbolises your change into the final being you will be at the appointed time.”
The giant leaf boat drifted, and the sun bathed the weary friends in sweet tepid warmth which Emily felt began to heal the scars of the past week.
Emily had been lying on her back with her long footpads resting on the edge of the leaf, thinking about the upcoming trials.
“Who are the last two members of the Circle of Six?” Daimon wondered aloud.
“I’m sure it will reveal itself in good time,” Ald
rick said.
“I don’t trust the Treebith,” Sabina said.
“Now you sound like me.” Lupi laughed.
“I never sound like you.” Sabina pulled a book from her pack.
They drifted into a sleepy daydream. The sweet smells made Emily hungry.
Then Aldrick stood up in the boat, his eyes fixed on the changing scenery around them. “Everybody, we should get out of the boat.”
Aldrick and Sabina willed the boat over to the grassy bank and climbed into the valley before them. The boat wobbled when Emily hopped onto the grass without assistance. Kato quietly bounded from the trees and her smiling teeth greeted the boat at the waters edge.
Emily was amazed. The basin of the valley was filled with creatures of all kinds, many of which Emily had never seen before. Emily recognised numerous Earth animals from her brood tales: leopards, bears and lama; as well as birds like cranes and hawks that jumped and flapped excitedly. There were others Emily thought must be unique to Annwyn, such as tall birds, with long legs and long necks; and furry ground creatures with razor sharp smiles and round bellies. Whistles, calls and cracklings filled the basin with energy and excitement, a musical symphony of rich forest life. Emily suddenly knew them and their lives in this ancient forest and was overjoyed at the connection Emily felt with them.
Hopping slowly, Emily led the group to the clearing where they stopped. The giant trees surrounding the valley rustled and all sound stopped. The ground shook. Through the dense forest outside the clearing, the Treebith-Nod strode out to greet Emily.
Taller than a house, built completely from the sinew of vines bound together and stronger than a tree; the Treebith-Nod had Annwynian facial features and limbs. The tops of their heads proudly held a living crown of ferns encased with flowers of varying kinds. Emily counted over a dozen Treebith-Nod, casting their ominous shadow over the other forest beings. Their big bark lips creaked as they smiled at her.
An old Treebith-Nod stepped forward, his crown rich with colour and texture, his worn wooden face providing the only indication of his ancient status. The thin vine arms were folded as his deep voice with the sound of rustling trees whispered through the forest.
“I am Afani Dranwan, Chief of the Treebith-Nod. Welcome to our home, Chosen One.”
Emily hopped forward and said, “The joy is ours, Chief Dranwan.”
“Join us as we walk through to the centre of Springton Forest. We have something to share with you.”
Aldrick and Sabina both said, “What is it you want to show us?”
The Treebith turned, as though seeing them for the first time and said, “Emily will be part of the Reveal.”
And with that, the Treebith picked up Emily and Rupurt, sat them on the trunks near his face, lifted his vine legs and stomped through the forest. With worried faces, the others chased the Treebith through the pliant undergrowth of the largest Forest on Annwyn.
Emily’s heart pounded until the rhythms of the Treebith eased her mind, reminding her of her life as a bird. Noogie swooped excitedly around the trees, chirping at her bird-friend. After a while Sabina and Aldrick agreed to be carried by another Treebith. After his initial apprehension, Daimon found riding on Kato’s giant back exhilarating.
Chief Dranwen unfolded the story of the Treebith-Nod and their heritage as one of the Exotic races on Annwyn. Together with the Reven– the ancient rock beings— the Treebith-Nod were the first Exotic races, born soon after the time of Eostra, to serve and instruct in the Lore of the Earth Elemental. The Treebith-Nod had authority and responsibility of all Floral life on Annwyn, one of the most diverse of Earth-Elemental Lore.
Emily was interested in the history but it was time to find out where the Artefacts of Harmony were and how Emily should get them. Emily tapped his spindly arm with her paw and said, “Chief Dranwen, we thank you for your kind hospitality and for your generous tales shared this day.”
The Chief dipped his head in appreciation. An empty bird’s nest fell from his crown of ferns. “It happens all the time,” Chief Dranwen said. “You have some questions for me?”
Emily was surprised at his warmth and felt better about proceeding. “Yes, we do. You might know of the prophecy?”
“I am aware.”
“Good. To restore balance and defeat the Disonnant One, we need the Artefacts of Harmony. The problem is we don’t know where they are or how to use them. Did I say that right Sabina?”
Sabina smiled from across the next Treebith. “Most accurate information, Chosen One.”
Emily playfully threw a pear Emily had been eating at her.
Chief Dranwen thought for a while before answering. In a voice of trees and wind, he said, “What you attempt is gravely difficult, Eama. Thousands of years ago, each artefact was entrusted to the protection of an Exotic nation, like ourselves. They are the masters of their own Lore and do not concern themselves with the affairs of Annwynian peoples. Even if you find an artefact you must earn the right to retrieve it.”
The Chief saw the look of doubt cross Emily’s face and quickly said, “If Eostra has confidence in you then you will succeed.”
Emily was reassured by his comment. The Chief continued. “Gilga’s Kettle, the bowl which will contain each element, lies in the ancient Reven enclave, home of the Rock people, where none may enter without invitation. The Harp of Harmony lies in the depths of Nilawen, the underwater city and home of the Styx. Finally, you must persuade Eostra’s protectors to hand over Eostra’s Egg, the controlling crystal of all four elements. The means to achieve such a feat can be found in Thilameth, city of air, home of the Agramond.”
“But they are at opposite ends of world. How will we reach these places in time?”
“Time is not our concern young one. But know this. You first must obtain the key in the place between the Twin Worlds, so you may release the Harp of Harmony.”
“As if we didn’t have enough to do,” Sabina quipped. “You know we have nine days to do this.”
“As I said, silver-haired one, time is not our concern.”
“Where is this ‘place between the Twin Worlds’?”
“Not far from here, as serendipity happens. More, I cannot tell you now. I have already said too much.”
“Ha, too much,” Aldrick grumbled.
For the rest of the day Sabina sat brooding. Emily thought her a little rude but felt her frustration. They had less than a lunation to reach these places and now Emily was not even sure the guardians would give them to her.
“Chief Dranwen,” Sabina said, “Magas says Torek may raise an army against us. Will you help us if there is a battle against Torek?”
“We are protectors of the trees, and have never raised a branch in anger. War is for others.”
“If you are not concerned about time and will not help us in battle, are you worried if our mission does not succeed?” asked Emily.
Aldrick put his hand up and said, “Please excuse Emily. Emily is tired and worries about the land.”
The Chief arched his eyebrow and said, “Are you implying, Master Icelander, that we don’t care about the land?”
“Just that you might not appreciate the gravity of the matter.”
This wasn’t received well. The chief creaked like trees in a wind and sighed. “There is great pain in the land and it moves fast. This is not simple rejoining Professor; what is happening is deharmonisation. Gorgos is undoing all the first Elementals have created and Mother Eostra has worked for. Yes, Master Icelander, we understand pain, but do you? I must think about how much you should know.”
Chief Dranwen did not speak for the rest of their walk, which worried all of them. They walked all day and into the night, never stopping, fruits and drink passed from birds and animals high in the tops of the Treebith. The blinking lights of the day were replaced by the winking stars of night, and through the fog and the dew they continued stomping; through the thickest of forest lands. Daimon finally fell asleep on Kato’s back, after days of little
sleep. Emily felt loss for the Earth boy and for how his mother would feel. Emily wondered why he never mentioned his father.
Emily was only half listening when Emily heard Aldrick whisper to Sabina, “He is a popular royal among the people. His only problem is that he doesn’t want to be the King of Ibendari.”
“I’m not surprised,” Sabina shot back. “He’s too busy with his ridiculous Grael competition and gallivanting the kingdoms with his playmates.”
“Sabina,” Aldrick cautioned, “don’t judge people. It’s hard being in his position. Besides, the Grael competition was the clue to the Artefacts of Harmony.”
“Wasting his privilege, that’s what I think,” Sabina said. “He seems such a thunderhead. I heard he didn’t even pass the Academy.”
“These are the times that our differences must be put aside for a greater communion. I know you will do the right thing and make your mother proud.”
Sabina sat back, her dark emerald eyes seething with defiance. “Aldrick, you know the Ibendari hate the Loric. How will I be accepted?”
Emily heard his voice become softer, almost urgent, “That’s not what I was getting at. People are not always what they are. Sometimes circumstances prevent the real person emerging. Look at your mother–”
“What about Mother?” Sabina said, as forest shadows danced across her face.
Aldrick paused. Emily had become interested and leaned over the Chief’s sleepy head to hear what the Professor was about to say.
“She is the finest person I know.”
“I know that Uncle.”
“Shh, Binny, let me finish. An event, a tragedy in your mother’s early life, before you were born, twisted her… no, refined her, similar to the way the Lore tames the elements and so on and so forth.”
“I’m confused, Aldrick. What are you speaking of?”
“Nothing bad,” he whispered and threw his hands in the air. “But when your mother was young Emily was hot-headed too. And beautiful. All the men in the kingdom sought her attentions, and Emily knew it.”
