“Oh yes.” she answered, “The ocean here meets the cliffs. They are great high cliffs too and not far from here. Would you like to see them?”
“No, no, not cliffs like rock. Cliff, like a name. As in Cliff and the Shadow Leaper.”
The fairy lifted her pencil-thin eyebrows and tilted her pretty head, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone by that name. Should I have?”
James felt slightly foolish now, “I guess not. Never mind. This may seem strange to you, but I'm not from this world. I just appeared here, and before that I was in a different place altogether.”
“Then why did you think I should know this Cliff?”
“I read about it in a book, in that other world that I come from. But never mind.”
Daisy didn't seem to quite understand all this. I daresay it all was very strange to her. She figured she must take him to her father. Her father would know what to do or say to him and would understand his strange talk better than she.
“You should come home with me. My father is much more knowledgeable than I about the world and may be able to help you with all this. That is, if you have nowhere else to go.”
James felt just a bit annoyed with the fairy girl. Hadn't he just said he didn't know where he was going next? And technically she had already offered him supper, which he assumed was at her home. Of course he was going with her, he would die of starvation out here if he didn't. He didn't word his response quite like that however.
“I'd be happy to meet your family, who, I'm hoping, are kindly towards guests that are also complete strangers. But what do you suppose there will be for dinner?”
“I think it will be a stew.”
“Ahh.” James rubbed his hands together, “That sounds excellent. Yes then, I will go with you whenever you finish up here. Which is soon I hope.”
He was a bit impatient and a sheep had just bitten him rather hard, making his finger bleed. He sucked on it and hoped the sheep wasn't rabid.
—————
The sun was finally sinking out of sight. In fact the whole glorious panorama seemed to be quieting down as James followed the fairy shepherdess as she led her flock across the plains towards her village. James lagged, fascinated by the cliffs as he peered over their edge. It was a far drop and the waves were beating mercilessly against the shoreline. The moon was rising above the distant watery horizon casting gentle silver light over the ocean. The sun had just shot her last shafts of light over the rolling hills, creating a lovely contrast to the moonlight. James wondered if any of the shores on earth ever looked like this. He wished he'd brought a camera. He'd like to show Sandra photos of this place if he ever got back.
His legs were getting pretty tired however, spry old man though he was. He'd walked much farther in one day than he had in many years and dreaded how sore he knew he’d be tomorrow. He wasn’t sure how much longer he could carry on if that village didn’t pop up over one of these hills here pretty soon.
In fact, he had just about decided to drop down and refuse to get up to continue, when the yellow lantern lights of the village broke through the darkness ahead of them. After that the thoughts of hot beef stew gave him the strength to keep on though he continued to fall further and further behind. By the time he finally did catch up, Daisy had already herded the sheep into an enclosed corral, shouted a cheerful good evening to some watchman there, and was waiting for him on the outskirts of the village.
“So, this is your village, or the edge of it anyway?” James heaved a sigh as he stopped beside her, quite exhausted, “Very small, I notice. But I like small. Much more welcoming that way. And the sheep are safe for the night. I hope they sleep better than I expect I shall. But which is your house?”
Daisy smiled brightly as if she had not just walked many harrowing miles, and took James' arm, “It’s just over here. We live very near the sheep since we are their keepers. I watch them during the day and my brother watches them at night. It is that cottage right there, the one with the yellow gate.”
Sure enough there was a small cottage with a little yellow gate leading to it quite nearby. It was a pretty little place but much smaller than James would want to live in with his family. Still, he supposed it was big enough for a fairy family and he had to admit too that the light streaming from the two tiny windows was quite welcoming.
“If you would just wait out here while I go tell my mum and father that you're here. I won't be long and it is not an oppressive night so you should be comfortable enough.”
She opened the yellow gate, which creaked just enough to irritate, and walked up to the little door. When she opened this to slip in, she let out floods of light, only to shut James out in lonely darkness when she then firmly closed it behind her. James thought how tragic it would be if, when she opened that door again, she found her companion lying dead at this little yellow gate. And he supposed it was almost probable too, if she didn't hurry. He was quite faint and wobbly with hunger now and his aching legs weren’t improving things for him.
To distract himself, he looked towards the other cottages which were sprinkled about. They all seemed to have the same basic structure, stone walls, thatched roofs, smooth wooden doors, and smoke-puffing chimneys. Every cottage appeared to have its own garden plot to the side, each plot displaying varying amounts of success which James found mildly amusing somehow. In what must have been about the center of this village the community had decided to dig their well. Several fairies were drawing water from it now, though they didn't seem to notice the stranger standing in the shadow of the shepherd's house. They seemed jolly enough, but James was ever the cautious one and kept his distance.
Quite unexpectedly, James felt something touch his shoulder. He almost died of a heart attack it frightened him so. He started quite obviously and turned rapidly around, prepared for the worst, knowing full well it might be nothing worse than a leaf. He was not to be so disappointed however, for there, right at his shoulder, stood a tall stranger. James could not discover much about him at a glance in this darkness other than that he was standing too close. He also seemed to have unusually long hair for a man and his voice sounded unnecessarily merry given the fact James had nearly expired in fright.
“So sorry,” the stranger apologized enthusiastically, “I didn't mean to frighten you so. Perhaps it would've been better if I'd spoken up first.”
James doubted that would've been any better.
The stranger finally took a step back as he seemed to look James over.
“I do not believe I've seen you before. Are you from around here?”
James narrowed his eyes, knowing he must be cautious with personal information in this unknown world.
“No, I'm not from around here. And if you don't mind, sir,” for it seemed appropriate to address him as such, “I don't care to discuss this further. You may not be the trustworthy type.”
The man laughed long and gleefully at what really could be considered quite a rude remark. As you can imagine, this did little to ease James’ discomfort.
“You told the truth when you said you were not from these parts. Who from around here would ever accuse Helix the elf of being untrustworthy?” The man chuckled again and held out his slender hand, “I assure you I am no threat to you or anyone and mean you no harm. But who might you be?”
James was still skeptical and failed to notice the extended hand. The fellow's cheer seemed genuine and it eased his mind some. So this was an elf? Well, he was much taller than a fairy. And now that he had stepped back, James could see his sharply pointed ears and his pale smooth complexion. Very elfish indeed. His eyes were quite merry but at the same time, somehow very wise-looking too. In fact, the longer James considered the man, the more naughty he felt for having doubted such a noble creature.
“You don't have to tell me if you don't want to but there's nothing much to fear from me.” the elf continued seeing that James did not respond.
“Oh no. Sorry I was rather self-absorbed for the mom
ent.” James was ashamed at his own rudeness and weakly shook the man’s hand, “You must forgive me for questioning your trustworthiness. I seem to be a bit suspicious of everyone here. My name is James. James Redmond. I come from…well, far away. The fairy shepherdess Daisy and I met and she brought me here to get some food, for it has been a long time since I've eaten and I am quite famished.”
With this reminder, James’ stomach took the opportunity to rebuke him severely and loudly. He suddenly felt very weak as his head started to spin and everything began to fade. He reached out for the gate to prevent a fall, but before he had a grasp of it, he had fainted away.
—————
James’ head was finally beginning to clear. He heard a somewhat familiar voice speaking. He wondered if it were Sandra. It was a sad thought but he must consider all the possibilities. But no, the more his head cleared, the less it sounded like his daughter. Too high-pitched. He slowly opened his eyes. Directly above him was Daisy, holding a damp cloth to his forehead. Just behind her and looking down on him congenially was an older man with a kind face and a very strong voice.
“So our mystery guest has awoken. Good, good. And how are you feeling, my unfortunate? Hungry I'll bet. Fona, please get James some stew.”
James quickly sat up on his elbow. This loud man knowing his name was disturbing and he felt a bit more in control of the situation on his elbow than on his back. Daisy walked over to assist her mother in getting their guest a bowl of stew, allowing James to get a better look at his loud host. He was a small, round man, with little dancing eyes, dark but greying hair (neatly combed), and a pair of those delicate wings which characterize fairies. He also had a pair of reading glasses perched on his nose so that he had to peer over them to look at James. Overall, he seemed a harmless sort of man, if not a bit annoying. James shifted his gaze around the room as he slowly sat up. It was a cozy, bright room, but as he had suspected from outdoors, it was very, very small. There seemed to be five other persons there besides himself. Daisy's father and mother, Daisy herself, a wee fairy child staring at him from through the bars of her cradle, and the elf, who at the moment, was pouring over a sheaf of papers.
Daisy's mother walked over with a steaming bowl of stew. She seemed to have much of her husband's good nature about her but James could see where her daughter got her gentle ways.
“Now, don't eat this up too fast. It will only upset your stomach. Here is a piece of bread too. I do hope it revives you.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” James was not going to forget his manners this time, “It looks delightful!”
He picked up the spoon and dipped it in the bowl. He fished around in the broth a moment, searching for the meat. Where was it? Did they seriously not put meat in their stews either? How was he suppose to get strong on vegetables? He sighed very quietly and stuck a spoonful into his mouth. At least it tasted okay, though how anyone could survive solely on the produce of the land was a mystery.
“Eat up, stranger friend,” his host boomed, “It is simple but good and will quickly help you to regain your strength. Helix, you say he fainted right into your arms? Well, guest James, my daughter is not always as observant as she should be. You look very bone-weary to me and in need of a good rest. Daisy says you say some strange things that I should hear. When you finish up there, perhaps we will discuss them if you have the strength.”
James was not sure what there would be to discuss. What he did know though was that fainting wasn't as grand or glorious as novels made it out to be. And not nearly as safe. He could've cracked his skull open on the flagstones if the elf, Helix, had not been there to catch him. He practically owed his life to the man.
Looking at him now, Helix seemed to have gotten bigger, though James soon realized that it was because he was surrounded by fairies. It would seem an adult fairy was a good two feet or more shorter than an average full-grown human. Indeed, James realized that as soon as he stood up himself he'd probably be considerably taller than his host. He smiled to himself. Finally taller than another adult! He straightened at the thought and bit into his piece of bread with renewed confidence.
4
We Follow an Important Person Around
A distant grumble of thunder drifted across the grassy flatlands. The air was still as dark clouds slowly reached their arms out to blot out the blue sky. A stream gargled carelessly, I suppose because a stream has nothing to fear from a storm, but the two figures galloping across the plains most definitely would have something to fear if they didn’t find shelter before the darkness engulfed the entire sky.
There was a dark forest behind the merry stream and it would seem perhaps the riders were headed towards its shelter. Indeed, as they came upon the stream they slowed and eventually stopped as one of the riders jumped off his horse and led it to the waters edge. The man gently rubbed the neck of his horse as the weary animal plunged its face into the stream. The other rider remained mounted as he grimly watched the storm brew behind them. They were both dressed in light armor and had long swords at their sides. This, added to the way the horses were bedecked, spoke to an association with royalty.
The man on the ground gave the sky a careless glance as he swung back up on his horse. He smirked mischievously as he nodded to the dark forest, “Might I suggest we get back before that storm breaks. I would rather not be forced to take shelter in there.” He turned his horse very deliberately back the way they’d just come.
His more solemn companion raised an eyebrow, deep grey eyes glittering, “A high knight of our kingdom and afraid of dark forests? Where has your courage gone I wonder. Father would be so disappointed.”
Sir Lavison, for that was the name of the first man, rolled his eyes, “I daresay he would agree with me in this matter. There have been strange things afoot of late.”
The other gave a harsh laugh, “You’re just bored and have been talking with the townspeople again.”
Sir Lavison feigned offense and swept his sandy hair out of his face, “You’d be surprised what the tradesmen and layworkers have to say about what’s going on in the world.”
“Perhaps, but I still wouldn’t pay them much mind if I were you. Not that you care what I have to say. We both know you can’t help it but make the world out to be more exciting than it is.” A slight smile broke across the young man’s solemn features.
Sir Lavison huffed, “Well, regardless, I still don't think it wise to take shelter in that creepy place. The wind is picking up and listen to how it makes it creak and groan. Exactly like you’d expect from a haunted forest. I think it’s high time I got you home. Your father will wonder what has become of you. And if it starts to rain, you will get wet, and then you will get sick, and that will ruin your celebration. And it will somehow all have been my fault, at least, that is what you will lead them all to believe.”
Terragone, the name of the other rider, chose to overlook this accusation and said instead, “Aren't you even slightly curious what might be in such a forest? I feel this is precisely the kind of thing that would fascinate you. Unless of course, danger and mystery are only fun while they are also in the safe confines of conversation and gossip.”
Sir Lavison shrugged nonchalantly, “I don't need to do something stupid just to prove myself. And I’m not curious because I already know what's in there. Trees. Lots and lots of creaky, moaning trees.”
Terragone elegantly dismounted and with a flash of a playfully mean smile, led his horse over to the stream, “Stirling must have a drink before we ride back.”
“Make it quick.” and Sir Lavison turned his horse again so as to keep an eye on the forest, “Speaking of it, are you ready for tomorrow? A prince coming of age is a rather big occasion you know.”
Terragone sighed as he watched his horse raise his dripping head from the water, “I'm as ready as I can be and I suppose you can endure anything for a single day.”
“Well I’m excited. The chef’s list alone is enough to make it all worth it in my opinion.
But, that aside, your horse is done, are you ready to go?”
Terragone made a great to do of studying the sky, “I doubt we have enough time now. The wind is getting stronger and don't you see the wall of rain coming? It will be upon us shortly. And even if I didn’t mind getting wet, which I do, it’s not at all safe to race across a flatland during a lightning storm.”
Sir Lavison squinted suspiciously, “It’s probably safer than taking refuge in a haunted forest.”
“I disagree, and it’s not haunted. Come, let's cross the stream and get under the trees before the rain gets here.”
Sir Lavison glared at his companion who was dismounting again and leading his horse to the shallow water, “And when did you become afraid of thunderstorms?” but a loud crash of thunder drowned him out.
“Come along brave knight,” Terragone called mockingly as he crossed the stream, water flowing around his tall riding boots.
Sir Lavison looked back towards the storm wistfully. He would much rather brave a furious storm than a creepy forest. They'd probably be grounded here overnight too. Cheery thought indeed. He sighed dramatically and dismounted, leading his horse into the chilly water. The wind was raging fiercely now and the distant roar of rain was getting steadily louder as the sheet of it raced towards them. Lightning flashed incessantly and the thunder bellowed in response.
Soon both men and horses were across the stream and under the boughs of the tall trees, watching as the wall of rain descended in misty sheets.
“I hope your father doesn't worry.” Sir Lavison said, his voice nearly drowned out.
“He knows I'm in good hands.” Terragone responded, “But now, since we're in here, let's have a look around. Looks as if this storm might last awhile so we may need to find a place to rest if it does.” and he led his horse deeper into the forest.
The rain was coming down hard and fast now, the trees moaning eerily under its roar. Both men had remounted and were slowly making their way deeper and deeper under the dark canopy. It was damp, and the further they got from the edge, the quieter it got, so that soon, not only could they hear the whispering of the trees, but dripping sounds as the water made its cumbered way down through the leaves. It was a strangely sinister-feeling forest once you really got in it. Of course, it was relatively near the castle, so it was highly unlikely to home anything more dangerous than a horned owl or fox.
Rolling Thunder Page 4