by Jeff Rosen
Neive and Lucas began to dance.
“Looks like Lucas was paying attention in dance class,” said Kip as he grabbed Caley again and began to spin around. “I think I’m doing pretty good too—”
As soon as he said this, he tripped over one of his own big feet and almost banged into the Frogger game.
“Oops!” Kip grinned sheepishly, then noticed the game. “The old guy has some strange stuff in here.”
“It’s a game from my world,” said Caley. “There’s a secret. You can’t go home. Not until you help another frog. Bonus points. Good thing I remembered that with Olpheist. Thanks to you.”
“Scary Close!”
“My new anagram? Why that?”
“Because the closer you get to you, the scarier things are. It’s dangerous around you!”
Caley had to admit, Kip had a point.
“All you need is love!” Pim sang along to the music and bopped around the cottage. “Everyone change partners!”
Lucas turned from Neive and bowed solemnly to Caley. She curtsied back, and they started to dance.
“You’re very brave,” said Caley.
“To dance?”
“At the castle. You and Kip. You saved my life.”
A smile slowly spread across Lucas’s face.
“‘Brave.’ No one’s ever called me that before.”
Neive and Kip regarded each other warily. Kip’s hair bristled, and Neive’s nose twitched. Finally, Kip screwed up his courage and held his hand out to Neive. She took it, and they began to twirl around the cottage.
‘Good thinking getting Lucas to spy on Caley,” said Neive. ‘That was pretty clever.”
“How did you know,” Kip said, “that Olpheist found out where the Hadeon Drop was and that Caley was in trouble?”
“Squirrel sense.”
Kip stared at Neive, mystified.
“My baest. Sort of. Try not to blab it to everyone.”
“You’re a squirrel.” Kip flashed a triumphant smile. “I knew it all along!”
Neive was about to give Kip some serious side-eye … but she burst out laughing instead.
“Dogs might be loyal, and brave, but they’ve got terrible noses for mysteries.”
Pim turned the music up, and everyone danced until the floorboards shook. The constellations came alive and formed the starlit shapes of animals dancing along with them: bears, rabbits, dogs, frogs, crickets, even a squirrel or two. Eventually, Caley saw Pim put on his hat and scarf and slip out the door. She bundled herself in a blanket and quietly followed.
They walked in silence to a small garden tucked in hay for the winter. Pim stopped to admire a small brown flower.
“Oh! Still one left, so late in the season. A special breed of hope lily. Although it is quite plain looking, it has the most wonderful smell in all the world. Give it a sniff.”
Caley regarded the lily suspiciously.
“Nothing unpleasant will happen; gardener’s honor.”
Caley bent down to smell the flower, but it jumped over her shoulder and bounded off into the night.
“Well … it is a hopping hope lily.” Pim shrugged. “Never have been able to smell one.”
“Why would you grow a flower with the world’s most wonderful smell if no one can actually smell it?”
“Once you’ve smelled the most wonderful smell in the world, everything after that is bound to be a disappointment. There’d be no hope for any other smells, and I have found that hope is often the only thing that keeps one going.”
Caley grinned. It made sense (in a Pim sort of way).
“I shall miss our walks.” Pim began to head back to the cottage with Caley. “Winter is almost upon us. The world is going to sleep. Perhaps for a very long time.”
“Master Pim, what’s going to happen to Erinath?”
“War is coming. Some will fight; others will hide behind walls. But in the end, I fear we all will be swept up in a terrible struggle.”
“You were wrong,” said Caley. “You thought I could protect the Hadeon Drop, but it’s gone. Olpheist has it. He’s still alive.”
“But you are also alive, if my old eyes do not deceive me. How is that, without the Hadeon Drop? For, as your friend said, you died.”
“Something … brought me back.”
“The One.” Pim nodded. “Oh, I know the One does not play favorites, but I like to think it leans toward love in the end. Olpheist—full of hatred, seeking immortality and power above all—could not prevail against such a force.”
Caley touched her heart where her mother’s hand had been, her face suddenly full of anguish.
“I saw my mother. And there was someone else. He was like a ghost. Was it my father? I could have stayed with them. Did I lose my chance for all time?”
“It is not about the family you have lost,” said Pim. “It is about the one you find.”
Caley heard the sound of her friends’ voices drifting from the cottage twinkling through the trees. She thought about Neive, and Kip, and Lucas. For the first time in her life, there were people who were important to her. The thought of it made her heart warm. But what if she were to lose them too?
What if one day, the darkness won?
They had arrived at the cottage gate. Pim turned to Caley, his orange eyes shining as if he had heard her thoughts.
“Growing up, you never knew the simple joys of love and friendship, and so you came to believe the world was filled with evil. Now you find a light in the most unexpected place, perhaps most surprisingly in yourself. And your choice remains—will you hold a candle to the darkness … or blow it out?”
The night suddenly brightened. A full moon appeared above the trees, and its silver rays hit a lone, shriveled blossom poking up from the cold ground. It burst open. In its center, the galaxy was slowly spinning—a billion points of light in a great cosmic dance.
Pim’s face lit up like the blossom.
“The phantom flower. It seems there is still a little magic left in the world after all.”
•
CALEY woke to the sound of a whistling kettle. Everyone had slept, curled up in their blankets near the fire. Pim was stirring a pot of porridge over glowing bazkûl-breath gems as the first light of day crept across the cottage. Neive began to set the table for breakfast. Kip was still asleep, growling a bit, his hair bristling. Caley figured he must be chasing a squirrel in a dream. Outside, the sky was clear and deep blue, the sun hinting on the horizon. Snow had fallen overnight, blanketing the world in a crisp white coat.
Winter had come. Pim carried the porridge pot to the table. Kip’s nostrils twitched, and he sprang to his feet, wide-awake.
“I’m famished!” Kip pounced on the table, plunking the entire pot of porridge in front of himself. He looked around at the others staring at him. “Oh … anyone else hungry?”
They ate in silence as Pim bustled about the cottage gathering supplies in a large burlap sack that he began to drag to the door. Caley went to help.
“Better put this on …” Pim handed Caley a clothes-rose.
She blew on it, sad to see her beautiful ball gown replaced by a thick rough cloak held in place by a sturdy woven belt.
“Not quite as fashionable, I’m afraid,” said Pim, “but you’ll be warm at least on the journey.”
They headed out the door with the sack. The Scabbard took it from them and slung it over his shoulder. It looked about the size of a school bag on him.
“Where should I go?” Caley turned to Pim.
“Somewhere far from here. The nen has fallen. You are not safe. Olpheist once again possesses the Hadeon Drop. He will eventually regain his powers. But he fears you now.”
“What can I do against him? If he gets stronger …”
“I have something for you.”
Pim reached into one of the pockets of his overalls and drew out a silver sword hilt.
“I have been waiting to give this to you. But I needed to be sure you were ready to
accept it. This was your mother’s. To wield a Watcher’s sword, you must find the One within yourself. This sword is called ‘The Light.’”
Pim held the sword out to Caley. She hesitated, then took it. The gleaming metal gave off a surprising warmth in her hand. The rising sun hit it, and it sent out dazzling rainbows, as far as the eye could see. Pim nodded, a faint smile crossing his face.
“Find the Watchers—if there are any left. Begin your training. The road ahead will be long, and the destination far from certain.” Pim turned to the Scabbard. “He knows the way.”
Caley tucked the sword into her belt and headed back to the cottage. “I have to say goodbye.”
“Goodbye to who?” Neive stepped through the door. “I’m coming with you. You never officially fired me.”
Caley stared at Neive, remembering now the cruel words she had said to her when they’d last seen each other in the castle.
“Only if you come as my friend. Not as my servant.”
“I’ll always be your friend,” said Neive. “Even when you forget.”
“You’re going to need a tracker.” Kip bounded out of the cottage with Lucas. “I’m ninety-eight percent bloodhound. And Equidium champion.”
Caley regarded Kip, surprised.
“It’s a noble cause, isn’t it?” Kip shrugged. “Save the world from tyranny. Dad would approve.” His face fell. “Mom’s gonna kill me …”
“I’m coming too,” said Lucas. “I’ve always wanted to go on an adventure. A real one, not one just made up in some tapestry.”
“Lucas, I don’t think either of your parents would like that,” said Caley.
A huge grin broke out on Lucas’s face. “No, they won’t. Especially my father.”
Pim cleared his throat. “It is very gallant of you young people, but I’m afraid it is quite out of the question. Such a large party would attract unnecessary attention. Not to mention it is most dangerous. I cannot allow you to be put in further peril. You have already risked too much.”
“They’re coming, if that’s what they want,” Caley said in a firm voice, standing beside her friends. “We wouldn’t be here without them.”
“And as for danger,” added Kip, “it’s my middle name.”
“I thought it was Gustus,” said Lucas.
Caley and Neive swallowed smiles as Kip shot Lucas a look.
“Very well.” Pim regarded the young people grimly. “In which case, Miss Olander, it is better you keep this …”
He handed Neive a leaf. She unwrapped it. Inside was the nut the squirrels had given her.
“You will know what to do with it when the time comes.” Pim fixed Neive with the full intensity of his brilliant orange eyes. “I feel that you, child of the wild woods, will have a part to play in the great drama that lies ahead.” He turned to the others. “And now you must be off, and quickly.”
Everyone hurried toward the orocs. Caley turned and walked back to Pim, giving him a big kiss on his cheek. Pim looked surprised and even blushed.
“You said I should do one silly thing before teatime every day.” Caley winked.
Pim tipped his straw hat to Caley with a little bow and began to head back to his cottage, clearing the snow from the path with a magical wave of his staff.
Everyone climbed up on their orocs. The Scabbard gave a sharp whistle. From out of the trees thundered a mammoth gray oroc, and he swung up on the snorting beast.
Kip stared at the Scabbard nervously. “So … should we call you … ‘Scabbard’? Or … ‘Mr. Scabbard’? Or …”
“Sliigo Killiman,” he grunted.
“Pardon me?”
“My name. Sliigo Killiman.”
Kip swallowed hard. “I’ll stick with ‘Scabbard.’”
Caley shifted forward on Fearfew to make room for Neive, but Kip trotted over on Arrow and offered his hand to her.
“Arrow is the fastest,” Kip explained with a serious face. “Especially with two people. I’m just being practical.”
Neive nodded and swung up behind Kip with a trace of a smile.
The orocs took to the sky. Caley glanced back at the little toadstool-like cottage in the woods. She wondered if she would ever see it or Master Pim again and considered what strange sights would lay ahead.
“So, where are we going?” Kip called to her.
Caley looked around at her friends and thought of Pim’s words, It’s about the family you find, and realized this must be what home felt like.
“I don’t know,” she said. “But we’re going together.”
Caley tightened her fingers on Fearfew’s glowing mane, urging him toward the dawn.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo credit: Benny Fong
When he’s not writing Caley Cross, Jeff Rosen creates award-winning children's television series like Bo on the Go, Poko, Animal Mechanicals, The Mighty Jungle, Pirates!, Monster Math Squad, and Space Ranger Roger. He was the principal writer of the beloved Theodore Tugboat. Jeff’s programs have been viewed around the world and translated into numerous languages.
Jeff was a founding creative partner of WildBrain (formerly DHX Media), a global children’s content company, home to Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and Degrassi.
Jeff got the idea for Caley Cross when some horses escaped from his daughter’s riding academy and roamed the city, popping into various shops along the way, mixing it up with the locals. The books have nothing to do with that, but you never know where ideas will lead.
An accomplished painter, Jeff’s work can be found in galleries, at http://jeffrosenart.com/, and on Instagram @jeff.rosen
Jeff lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his wife and vampire poodle, Vlad.
SELECTED TITLES FROM SPARKPRESS
SparkPress is an independent boutique publisher delivering high-quality, entertaining, and engaging content that enhances readers’ lives, with a special focus on female-driven work. www.gosparkpress.com
Gobbledy: A Novel, Lis Anna-Langston, $16.95, 978-1-68463-067-7. Get ready to meet everyone’s favorite alien in the attic. Ever since Dexter and Dougal’s mom passed away, life has been different—but things take a whole new turn when a shooting star turns out to be a creature from outer space!
Eye of Zeus: Legends of Olympus Book 1, Alane Adams. $12.95, 978-1-68463-028-8. Finding out she’s the daughter of Zeus is not what a foster kid like Phoebe Katz expected to hear from a talking statue of Athena. But when her beloved social worker is kidnapped, Phoebe and her two friends must travel back to ancient Greece and rescue him before she accidentally destroys Olympus.
Above the Star: The 8th Island Trilogy, Book 1, Alexis Chute. $16.95, 978-1-943006-56-4. Above the Star is an epic fantasy adventure experienced through the eyes of three unlikely heroes transported to a new world: senior citizen Archie; his daughter-in-law, Tessa; and his fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Ella. In this otherworldly realm, all interests are at war, all love is unrequited, and everyone is left to unravel the truth of who they really are.
The Leaving Year: A Novel, Pam McGaffin. $16.95, 978-1-943006-81-6. As the Summer of Love comes to an end, 15-year-old Ida Petrovich waits for a father who never comes home. While commercial fishing in Alaska, he is lost at sea, but with no body and no wreckage, Ida and her mother are forced to accept a “presumed” death that tests their already strained relationship. While still in shock over the loss of her father, Ida overhears an adult conversation that shatters everything she thought she knew about him. This prompts her to set out on a search for the truth that takes her from her Washington State hometown to Southeast Alaska.
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