The Xidoran Prophecy

by Elaine Bassett

  Before the Council had sealed the rest of his journals, it left a list of Haward’s accomplishments as Prime Minister and a comment that history bears proof that he was an excellent Prime Minister for Sojourners around the world. That was all that was written in the journal about Prime Minister Thomasen while in office. The Council sealed all of his journals when he retired from the office of prime minister. A big hologram of a lock appeared to let the reader know that they did not have access to the last part of the journal.

  Charles closed the journal and set it on the conversation table. “Well, that was interesting.”

  Carson turned around in his chair. “I thought you would like those journal entries. Do you have any questions?”

  “I would like to know more about Haward’s accomplishments as Prime Minister.” “Well, there are biographies about him in the Hub Library. Maybe you would want to read those as well. I can find them for you when you are ready for them.”

  “About the Sojourner crystal Haward talked about. What do Sojourner crystals do, and how do you use them?”

  “You have a Sojourner crystal that you will use. Yours is in the vault. When it is time I will teach you to use it. They are useful tools to a Sojourner. It helps to complete journal holograms and will perform other useful tasks that a Sojourner needs. You will have ongoing training on crystals and other tools that we haven’t even discussed yet.” “I enjoyed reading Prime Minister Thomasen’s journal. It answered some of the questions I had.”

  Carson motioned to Charles to come to his desk. Charles walked over. He showed Charles the response he was sending to the Council. It was written on manila watermarked paper. “This is your letter of acceptance. If you agree with what I have written, please sign above your name.”

  Charles read the response, took the pen and signed. Carson then took the letter, neatly folded it and put it in the envelope. He closed it, then put a wax seal on the back of the envelope and had Charles press the wax with the family stamp.

  Carson set it aside to let it dry on the corner of his desk. “When the Sojourners’ Council receives the acceptance letter, they will notify us of the details of the Council meeting.”

  Carson stood up, stretched and said, “I need a change of scenery. I’m ready to go to the house.” He went over, scooped up Esmond and put him in his aquarium. Airabelle was already in her birdcage. Carson put Charles’ glasses in his desk. Then Charles and Carson went around the office and secured everything before they left to go to the farmhouse. They all said, “Goodnight.”

  Bev was looking for a potholder as they walked into the kitchen. The girls had helped make a breakfast casserole. Sophie was excited to be cooking.

  “It will be better tomorrow morning. This is always better the second time it is warmed up,” Bev said.

  Molly and Jack came to get the girls. Jack sat on the front porch while Molly made her way to the kitchen. She leaned up against the kitchen cabinet telling Bev about the grand opening event for the market. Charles walked over to his mom and hugged her. He said hi to everyone else as he made his way to the library. He was glad to be out of the chaos. He sat down on the couch.

  Carson followed Charles to the library and sat in his chair. He picked up the paper and rustled the pages as he searched for the sports section. From behind the pages he said, “Tomorrow we should be able to start Sojourning.”

  “I am looking forward to it,” Charles said.

  “Good. I’m looking forward to sharing the experience. I’m sorry we weren’t able to go today.”

  Charles said, “No, I wanted to read the journal. I’m glad I did.”

  They sat quietly listening to the girls giggle in the kitchen. Jack walked into the library. He sat down next to Charles on the couch and talked to them about what they had been doing on the farm. Carson told him what he had discussed with Walter earlier in the morning. Carson asked Jack how his work was going. Jack said he was given a new project and had been working on it. Then Molly wandered into the library and sat between Jack and Charles. Jack put his arm around Molly and said he was proud of what Molly and Gretchen had accomplished. He was taking the day off work tomorrow to be at the grand opening. He was going to be busy helping Molly do what needed to be done.

  Carson seemed pleased his daughter was having so much fun. He asked what time she wanted them to come to the market.

  She said, “Late morning around noon. Then we could eat lunch together.”

  Bev came in with a bag that had the breakfast casserole in it. Jack stood up and took it from her. Cynthia hugged Nana, went over to hug Paw Paw and thanked them.

  She turned to her mom. “Can we leave now? Peter is coming over.”

  Molly pretended to have a hard time getting off the couch because she was so tired. Jack handed the bag to Charles. He playfully picked Molly up and carried her to the car. Carson, Bev, Charles, Cynthia and Sophie followed them. Once his dad put his mom down, Charles handed the bag to his dad. The girls got in the car. He said goodbye to everyone and closed his mom’s car door. Carson, Bev and Charles stood and waved goodbye as they drove away.

  After they left Charles grabbed a bite to eat before he headed upstairs to go to bed. Charles lay awake in bed. He was having random thoughts until he finally fell asleep. That night Charles dreamed of the adventures of Airabelle and Esmond. Something in his mind told him he was seeing the real adventure as he was dreaming.

  CHAPTER 24

  Carson went out to the office after everyone had gone to bed. He let Airabelle and Esmond out of the office and into the warm summer night. He told them they could do as they pleased and to listen for the wind chimes. The two were very excited to be out on such a lovely evening. Esmond was excited to be heading to the pond. He hopped as fast as his legs could hop. This time he didn’t stop to rest; he just kept going. It felt good to be in the warm night air. All he wanted to do was get to the water, soak and swim in the moonlight. The cool water would feel good. Suddenly he felt like he was being watched. He hopped faster when he heard a rustle from behind him. Whatever it was sprang from the brush and was moving toward him faster now. What could it be this late at night? His heart beat faster as his mind came up with all the possibilities. Whatever it was it would soon be near enough to stop him. He tried to call out for Airabelle, but was so panicked that he couldn’t.

  Then he saw her. She jumped right out in front of him startling him. He would have said she was beautiful in her shiny red fur coat if he’d seen her under any other circumstances. The vixen was looking at him from a crouched position in the middle of the path. He hopped haphazardly. In a quick response she jerked backward. Then lunged at him trying to catch him with her paws. Fear took over as Esmond desperately tried to get away. She snapped at him several times before he could let out a cry for help to Airabelle.

  Airabelle happened to be flying above. She was not paying attention to her friend until she heard his fearful cry for help. He sounded terrified. “Esmond! Esmond, where are you?”

  “Over here!” he said while he kept jumping frantically trying to get free of the persistent vixen.

  “Oh my goodness! I see you now. Hold on, I am coming,” she said swooping in on the vixen.

  “Hey, watch what you are doing!” The vixen snarled at Airabelle as she came from seemingly nowhere in the night sky.

  Airabelle made another pass at the vixen because she hadn’t heeded her warning. She plummeted straight toward her target and this time let the vixen know she meant business. “Leave my friend alone or you’ll be sorry!” Airabelle said in a warning tone. “What was that?” the vixen retorted as she turned her attention back to Esmond. “That was my friend,” Esmond said as the vixen put her paw right on his back pinning him to the ground.

  The vixen looked up just in time to see Airabelle dive right at her face with her talons. She bobbed her head and lowered her tail. Airabelle had had enough of this unwelcome visitor. She landed on the path right in front of the vixen. She spread her wings in an a
ttempt to make herself look bigger and frighten the vixen.

  “You don’t scare me,” the vixen said as she sat down in the path wrapping her fluffed tail around her legs.

  “If I don’t scare you now I will by the time I’m done with you. I said leave him alone!”

  The vixen stood up on her four legs. “Who are you to tell me what to do? I’ve never seen you around here before.”

  “I’m Airabelle and this is Esmond, my friend.”

  The vixen said confidently, “My name is Varina and this is my territory.” She marked the ground with her front paw. The vixen then walked over Esmond into Airabelle’s comfort zone. Airabelle kept an eye on her, as Varina looked her over. Airabelle was vigilant, so that if the vixen lunged to attack, she would be ready.

  “I don’t mean him any harm. I just wanted to play,” Varina said in a disarming voice.

  Esmond hopped over to where Airabelle could see him. She glanced at Esmond to make sure he was all right. “Varina, we don’t play like that. You scared him. I’d say as long as you stay around here you will see us,” Airabelle said.

  Airabelle looked in Esmond’s direction. “If you want you can go swim in the water before Carson signals us to come back.” Esmond croaked and headed off in the direction of the pond.

  “I’ve never seen a bird like you before… How do you glow like that?” Varina asked.

  Airabelle cautiously relaxed her wings. “I don’t really know. I believe I am the only one of my kind.”

  “That is too bad,” Varina said.

  “Where do you live?”

  “In the hollowed out old tree trunk on the other side of the farm.”

  “All right, then we will see you next time we are out.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Airabelle flew away. Varina watched her in the night sky. Airabelle knew she didn’t have long to be free before Carson would signal them to return. She would have to tell him about Varina. She now knew Varina didn’t mean to harm anyone, but she would be watching for her. She took one last flight over the farm before going to look for Esmond. She flew low searching for him. She heard the chimes in the distance. “Esmond, Esmond.” she called in the darkness.

  “Here I am,” she heard him say.

  She landed right beside him. “Hop on and let’s go.” So, he did as she asked. Together they flew to meet Carson at the door to the office. Carson was waiting for them. When Airabelle landed they went inside.

  They didn’t know that Varina was watching them from the tree line. She was curious what it was like to be inside the place they had just entered. She would be looking forward to their next meeting. She turned and went back to the open field. She played in the moonlight before returning to her den for the night.

  Once they were inside Carson closed the door. Airabelle landed on the lectern. Esmond hopped over to the chair. Airabelle told Carson about their adventure and about meeting Varina.

  “I didn’t realize we had a vixen on our property. Is she a threat?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. She scared Esmond but when confronted she said she was just playing.”

  Esmond said, “Well, she made me a little uncomfortable.”

  Airabelle looked at him. “Yes, but you are fine. She’s just playful Esmond.”

  “Well, she plays a little rough for me.”

  “I’ve got your back. So how was your swim?” Airabelle asked.

  “It was relaxing after meeting our new friend.”

  “I for one am glad we were able to get out tonight.”

  Carson smiled and said, “Well as long as she keeps her distance then I suppose for now she can stay. I will have to talk this over with Bev.”

  “Well, it’s settled for now,” Airabelle said. She was relieved that they were safe. They worked late into the evening. Carson finished up and cleaned the office before they called it a night.

  **********

  Charles woke up early in the morning. He was excited today was the day he’d begin Sojourning. He cheerfully showered and dressed. Not only was he excited with anticipation of the adventure that awaited him, but he also was excited that he might see Caroline at the market’s grand opening. He found himself daydreaming about what he’d say when he saw her. He really wanted to be able to steal away with her for a few minutes. It was easy to be around her, and he liked her. Charles finished putting on his socks and shoes. He went downstairs to the kitchen. He could smell the breakfast casserole warming in the oven and the coffee brewing. Bev was making a grocery list at the table. Carson was reading the paper. He put it down when Charles walked in.

  “Good morning,” Bev and Carson said in unison.

  “Good morning.”

  Bev said, “The breakfast casserole is ready if you would like some.”

  “That sounds good. It smells good too.”

  Bev got up from the table and took it out of the oven. She fixed a plate for him as he sat down at the table. She brought it over to him and set it down. She also got a glass of juice for him.

  “Anything I can help with this morning?”

  “Not this morning. Walter already beat us to the eggs. He gathered them and brought them over this morning for his morning meeting with Paw Paw.”

  “That was nice. Well, if you don’t have any chores for me then I think I will go and collect crickets for the frog.”

  “Can’t think of anything right now, Charles,” Carson said.

  Charles put his dishes in the sink and headed to the back porch. He picked up the brown paper bag and walked toward the flower garden. He looked under some plant leaves in the garden and found a couple of crickets. He put them in the bag. He kept looking around. He found a few more then he went back to the house and put the bag on the porch. Charles pulled the screen door to go inside. He looked up and over his shoulder just in time to see Varina watching him from the tree line. He watched her as she backed up and disappeared into the trees. He went inside and told Bev, “I noticed a fox beyond the tree line.”

  “Paw Paw brought that up to me this morning. He’s discussed it with Walter to determine if something can be done.”

  Charles went to find Carson who was in the library. He was busy working a crossword puzzle from the newspaper. Soon he put his pen down and said, “Nana can finish this. I’ve had enough.”

  He stood up and they walked to the kitchen. Carson gave the puzzle to Bev. He told her they were going to the office. They walked out the back door. As they were leaving Charles picked up the bag for Esmond. On the way Charles mentioned that he’d had seen a fox in the tree line earlier.

  Carson looked at him and said, “I’ve talked to Walter about it already and we may relocate her if she stays around. I know for a fact Nana won’t like it if she sees her that close to the hen house.”

  Once they entered the office Charles turned on the lights. Esmond and Airabelle were talking. They stopped when they heard Carson and Charles enter.

  “Good morning everyone,” Carson said. Carson opened Airabelle’s cage. Charles fed Esmond. Carson told Airabelle about Charles seeing Varina.

  “Oh well, I think she is okay; but we’d better keep an eye on her. Esmond and I had an encounter with her last night. I’ll let her know tonight when we go out to stay back beyond the pond,” Airabelle said.

  “Good idea,” Carson said.

  He turned to Charles. “Well, today we begin our adventure. Let’s get started. Why don’t you read over the final notes that we made last night?” He handed Charles the Expedition Guide. Then Carson walked over and took Esmond out of his aquarium.

  Charles sat down in the chair to read the final entries. When he finished reading, Charles went back to Carson. “This should be fun!” Charles said.

  “I hope so. Now remember you may feel sick the first couple of times and disoriented.”

  “It will be worth it.”

  “It’s almost time to be going to the market’s grand opening. When we get back we will get ready to begin your first adv
enture.” Airabelle flew to her birdcage and Esmond was placed in his aquarium. Carson and Charles went around securing the office. Then they walked back to the house.

  Carson decided to drive them in the truck into town. The market parking lot was crowded. “That’s a good sign,” said Carson. “I’m going to have to park down the street. I’ll let you off at the front door.” He let Bev out at the door. He and Charles then went to find a parking spot.

  It was crowded inside the market. Bev looked around and was proud of what Molly and Gretchen had accomplished. She walked around looking down the aisles for Molly. Friends stopped her and complimented the new store. A photographer from the local newspaper was taking pictures of the patrons. An employee was walking around helping customers. She noticed Bev was looking around and asked if she could help her. She told Bev where she could find Molly. Bev turned around and headed in that direction.

  Molly was relieved to see her mom. She came over and gave Bev a hug. “Where are Dad and Charles?” Bev told her that he was trying to find a parking space.

  Molly smiled and said, “We are having a bigger turn out than we expected to have today. I was hoping to be able to keep Charles here to help Jack grill orders.”

  Bev tried to tell her they had already made plans for him when Carson and Charles came around the corner.

  Molly rushed over to him, “Oh thank goodness you are here! Charles go to the kitchen area and help your dad cook orders on the grill.”

  He turned to go when Carson stopped him. “Molly, we haven’t eaten lunch and I have already made plans for Charles back at the farm today… You never mentioned that you needed him to help out around here.”