‘Nearly there,’ said Sonny. ‘Now we can go quickly.’
They travelled for another hour until Sonny pointed to a distant hill.
‘It’s there and it’s still open!’
‘Where? I can’t see it. How can you tell?’ said Sam.
‘There, that point in the distance, if you look it seems the grass is slightly larger, and the clouds behind a little larger. It doesn’t quite fit smoothly. It’s being magnified.’
‘Yes, I see it now, but I’d have walked straight past if you’d not pointed it out.’
The anticipation of returning home encouraged them to run up the last hill. They stood before the gateway, watching it shimmer in the sunlight.
‘It’ll close very soon. You see how the clarity is changing, it’s becoming cloudier. It’s closing. You two must leave now.’
‘No, I’m waiting for Kerri, I can’t leave without her,’ said Lulu.
‘You must leave, or you’ll never get out of here. Your father won’t last much longer in this land. He came to take you home, you must go with him now.’
‘I’m not leaving Kerri and the others here. She came for me, I’m not deserting her.’
‘Lulu, I know who you are. Kerri told me about your family, your royal lineage. You must go back, your people won’t survive without you. I promise you, I’ll wait for Kerri. I will help her, but you must go. It’s closing.’
‘Lu, I trust him to do the right thing. We must get you home,’ Sam said.
Lulu turned and scanned the horizon, desperately hoping that Kerri would step out of the grasses, but the plains were empty in all directions.
‘You be here for her. Tell her we’ll be back, we’ll not leave her in this land. You tell her that,’ she told Sonny.
He nodded and stepped back, expecting the flash as they walked through, gone out of his life forever.
Sonny stood there, mesmerized by the changing hues, as the gateway became a multitude of colours within the circle. With a dying flash it collapsed, leaving no sign in his land that it had ever been here. A wave of sadness overcame him.
‘What have I done?’ he said aloud.
Chapter 8
Sam and Lulu stepped out of a blindingly white tunnel onto the Northern Plains. They stood transfixed, as if seeing their homeland for the first time. The vibrant green of the grass was carpeted with radiating reds and blues of the poppies and cornflowers.
They were pulled out of their trance by yelling; someone was calling their names. As his eyes refocused, Sam could see Casey in the distance, running to them.
‘We’re home, Lu, we made it.’ Sam suddenly felt alive again, all tiredness draining away, smiling as Casey arrived.
‘Sam, where’s Lulu and Kerri and the others? Whoa! What’s that you’ve brought back this time?’
‘Lu’s here,’ he said, now realising Casey knew nothing of Lulu’s change.
He took his blanket and wrapped it around Lulu shoulders. ‘Change, Lu,’ he said. ‘Come back to us.’
They watched the hound standing beside Sam grow smaller, shrinking under the blanket, the legs and fur disappearing to leave an outline of a little girl lying in the grass. Slowly, Lulu stood up, holding the blanket tight around her, feeling the softness and the smells of her father and her home.
‘Lulu, you’ve grown up! You look so... older,’ Casey said.
She smiled and put her arms around his belly, giving him a big hug. ‘I’m sorry about Kerri,’ she said, ‘‘We had to leave. I’m sure she’s okay.’
Casey held her shoulders and kneeled down to be at eye level with her. ‘What do you mean, what happened to her?’ he said softly.
‘We had to leave without her, the gateway was closing and Dad was sick, and Sonny said he’d wait and...’ The tears came flowing down her cheeks in uncontrollable sobs.
Casey pulled her to him, squeezing her close. ‘It’s all over now, Lulu, it’s okay, you cry it all away.’
She hung onto his shoulders, burying her face in his chest as Casey stroked her head, waiting for the hurt and loss of her friend to pass.
Sam put his hand on Casey’s shoulder, ‘I’ll tell you everything,’ he said.
Casey picked up Lulu and carried her to where they’d made camp while they waited for Sam’s return.
‘We must use the other stone. We have to go back for Kerri and the others,’ said Sam.
‘We’ve got two now. The others have been out searching since you left. Tell me what happened, Sam.’
‘It’s bad, Casey, it’s a bad situation over there.’
‘Is Kerri okay?’
‘I believe she will be. After we found Lu, I got sick on the mountain. It’s something to do with going through the gateway. It makes you feel old very quickly. The older you are the quicker you seem to age. Anyway, we were coming down from the mountain and we were hit by a storm like you could never imagine. With the cold and the wind, I didn’t think we’d get down at one point. There was no way I could get to the other children. Kerri said she’d go.
‘She changed, Casey, she changed into this enormous hound. If you didn’t know it was Kerri you’d say it was a hound from hell.
‘We were to meet back at the gateway, but when we got there, it was closing down and she still wasn’t back. We had to come or get stuck in that land. Sonny’s still there, he promised he’d wait for her.’
‘Do you trust him?’
‘In this, I think I do. It’s complicated over there, Casey. Sonny’s father, Duma, is the chief of their town. But he’s a nasty piece of work. He’s stolen a box from people on their northern border, people who can change into bears. And now they’ve come to get it back.
‘He was using our children to defend himself against them because the children can change into hounds and sit out in the High Passes throughout winter. He made the children believe they were really defending us against the bears, but the bears are only trying to get back a box Duma stole from them.
‘He’s evil, Casey, he’s evil to his own son. There are just so many lies and secrets. The way things are, they’re heading for a war over there. He’s not going to return the box he’s stolen and those bears aren’t going to back down.
‘I met one of them, he’s called Naz, and he seems to have some sense. They talk and think like we do. They only seem to be doing what they think is right, as we are.’
‘Do you think Kerri will be okay?’
‘Believe me, Casey, the thing she changed into, you’d have to be stupid to try and stop her. You’ve got more stones?’’
‘Sitting over there in the cask of water.’
‘If we go now, we can...’
‘Sam, stop! You’re not going anywhere. You need to look at yourself, buddy. You look like an old man who hasn’t slept for a month. Salli is going to be so angry when she sees you! And you smell like you haven’t washed for a week.’
‘Give me a minute to get fixed up. Will you come back with me?’
‘You need to stay here. I can go alone and I’ll bring Kerri and the others back.’
‘You don’t know the place, you don’t know...’
‘I don’t need much to bring her back, just this,’ he said picking up his staff. ‘And you said Sonny’s waiting there, right?’
‘He said he’d wait for her.’
‘Sam, there’s something else, something happened while you were gone. It’s Grandfather. There was an accident.’
‘What sort of accident?’
‘We don’t know. He was in the forest and...’
‘And what?’
‘You’re in charge now, Sam, the crown is yours. That’s why everyone’s back to the Meeting Place.’
Sam couldn’t speak. He felt like he’d had the wind pushed from his stomach. Casey grabbed his arm to steady him, guiding him to a cot that had been prepared for him.
‘Avi, Ben,’ he called. ‘Get them something to eat and let them rest. Then get some help, and you carry your new king and Lulu back to the village. I’m going
to get Kerri and the others.’
‘You’ll need help, I’ll come with you.’
‘No, I can deal with this.’
‘Even Sam had Kerri with him. You can’t go alone.’ said Ben.
‘It’s Sam that needs help. One of you stay here, for when I get back. Just make sure you look after Sam and Lulu. And keep well away from the forest, follow the river. There’s something going on in there, and I don’t like it.’
Ben nodded, keeping pace with him as he strode over to the cask.
He grabbed a stone from the cask, and his pack that he’d made ready, just in case.
‘Don’t be a hero, boss,’ Ben called after him, as Casey walked out towards the border.
‘Heroes don’t sleep well at night,’ he called back.
‘And you do like your sleep,’ Ben muttered to himself.
Casey held the stone out, feeling it get hotter the closer he got to the border. Not sure where the actual border was, he kept going until he couldn’t hold it any longer, then threw it forward, closing his eyes as it hit the ground. A brilliant flash erupted and a shimmering veil opened before him. Casey remembered what Sam had told about being in a trance when he first went through the tunnel, so Casey held his eyes tightly closed, and stepped into the unknown. When he felt his world was stable again, he opened his eyes. Looking around, he expected to see Sonny and hoped to see Kerri, but neither was in sight.
‘Sonny, Sonny.’ he shouted, but his calls fell dead on the empty valley. No one responded and nothing moved.
All around him he saw a sea of smoldering ash. The air tasted of burnt grass and charred pines. In the eastern sky rose a column of thick grey smoke from the forest.
‘Damn you, Sonny,’ he thought. ‘You said you’d wait.’
Sonny retreated back to the high grasses, hiding himself in the tangled maze of stalks, but close enough to look out over the plains and hills. He waited through the heat of the day, hidden in the tall grass.
His mind was calling her name, over and over. Come on, Kerri, I know you can make it.
His thoughts drifted back to his memories of their short time together. When she’d laughed at him, when she’d fought to protect him, and when she’d stood up to his father, and he wished she were here now. And he remembered lying at the cave entrance, looking up at the night sky, sharing patterns in the stars, and wishing he could do it all over again.
He kept his vigil at the grasses’ edge as the sun continued overhead, finally dipping below the mountain peaks, drawing a curtain of darkness over his world. Still he waited, hoping and hoping. Then, off to his left he saw something move. In the far distance, his night vision clearly picked out the two runners, coming his way. Two hounds, racing across the plain. Sonny ran from the safety of the high grass to intercept them.
Kerri and Carter ran throughout the night, down the eastern mountain face, through the foothills, until they finally reached the valley floor. With the passing distance, all the terrors of the High Passes were left behind. The howling wind that felt as if it would cut them in two, the numbing cold that seemed to freeze their very bones, the driving snow that was slowly making them blind, along with the loss of Holly. All left behind in the high mountains, along with the memories of the raging storm.
They touched the valley on the eastern side, where the forest climbed into the foothills, before the snow line ended any more advance of growth.
As they ran, Kerri’s mind drifted away to more happy memories: of running with Lulu, arm wrestling with Casey, who always let her ‘nearly’ win, and fishing at the river with Holly. Her best friends and favourite places came clearly back to her.
And she thought about Carter. She’d never really noticed him much when they were at the Meeting Place. She’d seen him around, knew his family, but in the tiered age awareness of teenagers, the little boy hadn’t been noticed much, that is, until he wasn’t around anymore. She saw him now, though. He seemed to be leaps and bounds beyond his young age.
Is that what this land is doing to us, or was it the mountain and that storm? she thought.
As they ran further along the edge of the forest, Kerri’s sense of lightness slowly changed. She started to feel unease as she ran, but didn’t know why. Her senses were alert, she could smell nothing nor see anything wrong. But the sense of unease increased as the forest passed to her left.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Carter called to her, ‘Kerri, hold up a moment.’
She slowed down but was unwilling to stop, allowing him to catch up and match her stride as they continued running. ‘Kerri, I think we are being watched’
She nearly missed her footing as she turned quickly to look at him.
‘I think I keep seeing something in the forest watching us. It’s too dark in there to see clearly, but I’m sure something’s running alongside us.’
She looked over but saw nothing. But she knew he was right. She decided to distract him, as much for his sake as to hide her own concerns.
‘We need to follow this line until we reach the high grass. But we’ll have to wait for evening until we can get our final bearing.’
‘Do you know the way home, Kerri?’
It’s working, he’ll ignore it now, she thought.
‘I need to see the stars before I can get us close to it. But I’ll recognise them when I see them.’
You’re doing well, Carter, she thought.
‘Let’s try to run faster and close the distance. We can rest up in the high grass,’ she said.
She increased her stride and sensed him match hers, keeping to her side. He’s going to be okay, she thought.
They ran on into the late afternoon. The valley was opening wide before them. As the grass got higher, they consciously ran further to the right, putting more distance between themselves and the forest.
Kerri called to him, ‘We need to go west, but I don’t know how far yet. We can rest now.’
They both slowed their pace, until a slow walk turned to a stand, then a collapse on the ground.
‘We’ve done it, Kerri. We’re going to make it.’
‘Breakfast at home, Carter,’ she laughed, breaking the strain of the escape and the forest.
‘Grilled fish and warm berry juice for me.’
‘Pancakes and honey, please,’ she said.
They both laughed, just to hear themselves laughing and to make themselves believe they were going to get out of this place soon.
They both lay, looking at the sky, wishing for the first stars to appear, drifting away to times past.
‘You’re a good swimmer, Carter,’ she said, just to keep the mood light.
‘Thanks, Kerri. You’re pretty good too.’
‘No, I prefer running. But I remember you won that race out to the island, you even beat those older guys.’
‘Yeah, I enjoyed that day. It was like the village had suddenly noticed I was there. All the men were shaking my hand.’
‘Yeah, I remember,’ she smiled.
‘I felt like the tallest guy in the village. All the women were congratulating me, and kissing me on the cheek. Even you!’
Carter really has grown up quick, she thought.
‘You know I let you win, don’t you,’ she said.
‘You did not!’
‘Yeah, I pulled up the last few strokes, pretended I missed my footing getting to the beach.’
‘You did not!’
‘No, I’m only joking. You’re a good swimmer, Carter.’
‘Thanks.’
‘But you’re not much good at running.’
‘If there was a grilled fish on a plate over there, I bet I’d be there before you.’
‘Yeah, maybe,’ she said. ‘But if there were pancakes on that plate, you wouldn’t stand a chance.’
They both laughed until tears came down their faces. Carter felt himself drifting away; the strain of guarding the High Pass was finally seeping away. He felt so safe and happy to have Kerri by his side. It was going
to be okay, he knew it.
He went back to his memories of his race to the island. That had been one of his best days. He’d practised for weeks, in secret, getting up early each morning before breakfast, training as hard as he could. And each morning, after his swim, he’d pass Holly and Kerri on their way to school.
Every morning he’d call out, ‘Hello, Kerri Carpenter.’
And every morning she’d smile, and Holly would shout, ‘Hi, Carter, you swimming today?’
Once he’d heard them talking, ‘Who is that, Holly?’ Kerri had asked quietly.
‘That’s Carter, he can swim like a fish,’ Holly had said.
He’d felt so proud, now Kerri knew his name, and knew he could swim. It gave him the energy to train even harder. The next day he passed them.
‘Hello, Kerri Carpenter.’
‘Good morning, Carter, you swimming today?’
She remembered his name! She remembered he was a swimmer!
‘Every day, Kerri Carpenter, you want to come?’
She’d laughed, ‘I’ll see you at the races,’ she said.
That was another good day. His eyes became heavy. Unable to fight against it anymore, he never knew when he drifted off to a peaceful sleep, the first peace he’d found in days and days. His dreams were filled with happy memories of his family and friends, and all the good times at the Meeting Place.
A calmness came over Kerri. She watched as the first stars emerged, always looking south, trying to recognise the patterns she’d seen when she first came into this land. The evening was clear and warm, with just the whisper of a breeze to sway the grasses around them. She felt a gentle peace wash over her for a moment, and then she saw them. The three stars in a line.
The bright red star higher up. She knew the blue star would rise later. She shook Carter awake.
‘That’s it! That’s the way!’ she pointed to where the last of the three touched the horizon.
‘You’re sure?’
‘I can smell the pancakes.’
They ran like their life depended on it, Kerri leading, Carter always keeping up on her right shoulder. The hills on the horizon didn’t change. But she was expecting that. As long as I follow that third star, she thought.
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