After Kelne left Kris on the plateau, he discovered they’d broken into the sacred mountain in the Black Hills. Fortunately, Koteo, the protector of that land, proved more powerful. They didn’t get much, but they caused some damage.
Kelne stood atop the burning hill in the Ball Return complex, quickly put out the flames and doused the fire in the building. Using his staff, Kelne summoned large sheets of ice to cool the carved stone before anything was lost. Taking a closer look, he could see the intruders had deliberately sabotaged the instructions that kept Shaman Moon in the sky. The saboteurs’ intention had been to destroy the wisdom too, not just take the energy.
Kelne helped but didn’t prevent the damage. He examined Shaman Moon and noticed she looked weaker, darkened on one side. Urgently he looked for the Protector of the Ball Return in hopes that she could reverse the damage. He found her in the main building, next to the stadium and breathed a sigh of relief.
“What has happened here?” he said.
“They came in from the floating mountains. Some sort of projectile pierced the building. I haven’t seen anything like it before,” she said in utter dismay.
“Remember what you can of the attack,” Kelne coaxed.
The Protector pulled out a crystal and replayed the attack for Kelne. “They came from there. Are they trying to take Shaman Moon from the sky? That would be suicidal—or homicidal.”
The two looked at one another and shook their heads.
“Fortunately, they can’t open the hidden vaults no matter what kind of magic they throw into this place,” the Protector said. “The battering-ram defense is solidly in place. I checked; it’s gained strength with the attack. So far, I think the ancestors thought of everything.
“I think Charles and Joe tapped the energy within the buildings.” Kelne said. “Glass buildings are off their footings. I think we’d better seal all the passages right away. How is your strength?”
“I’m all right,” she said.
“There was a second assault in the Black Hills, earlier today. I brought my grandniece with me. She’s with Roger in the watchtower. She’s surprisingly powerful. I think I’ll ask her to help.”
“Your grandniece?”
“There was a terrible explosion in the Black Hills a few days ago, and another this morning. I don’t have the whole story, but when I arrived, Tah had the Chancellor cornered and in pain, promising to leave those lands alone. They tried to take the ancient crystal within the mountain. The only thing that prevented them from dismantling the connection to Shaman Moon was my six-year-old grandniece,” Kelne said, shaking his head in dismay.
“For the love of …” the Protector said. “What do they think they’re doing? Do they think it wise to harness all the energy in Kalendra for their personal use? They don’t understand they’d cease to exist if they succeeded.”
“I don’t know what they’re building, but they don’t believe in history or facts,” Kelne said. “They poured liquid stone over the instructions to repair Shaman Moon here so we wouldn’t be able to repeat the protocol stored in those tablets in the event of a collapse. Fortunately, I repaired that in time.”
“Tah, dear,” Kelne called. “Will you come here, please?”
Tahendra slowly stepped into the room, looking down at the floor.
“You’re not in trouble, my dear,” Kelne said as he gave his grandniece a hug and took her hand. “This is the Protector of the Ball Return. I want you to know her.”
Tahendra looked up and into the eyes of the Protector. She relaxed a little but then looked away. “Do you know where my mom and dad are?” she asked. “I was with them, and some bad people tried to take our world apart. At least, that’s how it felt inside my body. I … well, I made the mean man who was hurting everything - I made him stop. I made him get red and itchy.” She smiled. “so, he stopped.” She giggled. “He couldn’t stop scratching. Granduncle Kelne made them leave.” The Protector smiled.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” the Protector said. “We’ll get you back with your parents.”
Kelne knelt. “May I ask for your help?”
Tahendra nodded.
“Look at this map on the wall here. These buildings on the hill. Something is wrong with some of these passageways.”
Tahendra looked at the map.
“Look closely and tell me what you see.”
“There’s purple over here. A secret passage with purple in it?” she said.
“You’re right. It’s the Tari, and they’re moving fast, apparently helping the Great Thieves.”
“Oh no!” Tahendra said. “Do you hear that, Granduncle? It’s Shaman Moon. Is she hurt? Sometimes the big moon, Sohm, talks to me. But this is different. She sounds injured.”
“Tell me more,” Kelne said. He and the Protector looked directly at Tah.
Tahendra closed her eyes and listened carefully: “We haven’t lost her yet. She’s going to be okay. Thank you for being such a good moon child. You’ve made a difference for Shaman Moon, Tahendra. Thank you for that.”
“What’s a moon child?” Tahendra said. “Sohm said she would be okay because I was a good moon child.”
“It’s an incredibly special person who can talk to the moons and hear them speak,” Kelne said. “I didn’t expect you to hear them for several more years. You were born on an auspicious night, when all three moons were full at once. That is rare indeed. That is how you became a moon child. Our ceremony for honoring a moon child falls on your tenth birthday. Usually that’s before you’d hear the moons speak.”
“Something was different about that voice today,” Tahendra said. “Sohm talks about Shaman Moon, mostly. He sounded nervous today but said she’ll be okay because I did the right thing.”
“That is very good news,” Kelne said. “Please ask Sohm how we can help.”
Tahendra closed her eyes again and silently asked.
“You must leave and find a new home. Your parents are okay. You must go. They will hunt you because you know they will do great harm.”
Tahendra opened her eyes wide. “He says I have to go away and I need to hide.” Tears came to her eyes. “Have I done something wrong? He said I did the right thing, but I have to leave anyway.”
Kelne knelt and buried his grandniece tightly in his arms. Then he and the Protector looked at one another. “Perhaps it’s time to take Kris home,” Kelne said. “Our visitor Kris Campbell arrived here from Earth recently. I wonder how he would feel about adopting a child the age of his nephew. It may be too much to ask. We’ll find a way to make this work.” Then Kelne looked at Tahendra, “I promised your parents I’d keep you safe, Tah, no matter what. I’ll let them know where you’ve gone. They will understand and be grateful you are safe. If the moon said to go, we’d better find you a new home for a while. Help me with one thing first.”
The three left the main building, and Kelne transported them to the geodesic dome. Before they walked in the door, Tahendra looked up and saw Shaman Moon, who was small in the sky. When she stepped inside, she saw Shaman Moon up close, in all her glorious detail. Rainbows of soft light surrounded her.
“She’s so pretty,” Tahendra said.
“She is,” Kelne said. “I want us to use our combined strength to make her stronger. Do you know what I mean? If we work together, we can protect the crystals and carvings that keep her strong. I don’t know the shaman magic that put her into the night sky. I do know enough to keep her strong for now. Do you see here?” He pointed to the right side of the moon, where it was a little bit dark. “That is a weak point, likely from the crystals taken out of the Black Hills.”
“They cut it wide open, Granduncle,” Tahendra said. “I saw the energy go out of the mountain and directly up to the sky. Like someone had spilled the energy. Can we put it back?”
“Koteo sealed it up when you interrupted the Chancellor and made him itchy. Excellent interference. Good job,” Kelne said with a smile. “I want you to do one
more thing, and the two of us will help.” Kelne showed a map up on the wall within the geodesic dome. “Protector?”
“I have the crystals that were used originally to seal this place and protect Shaman Moon,” she said. “Tah, please hold this crystal in your hand. I want you to send love to Shaman Moon and show gratitude for the food that she allows with her moonlight.”
Tahendra took the crystal and held it in her hand with wonder. Then she grabbed it tightly and closed her eyes. I love you, Shaman Moon, and you are beautiful, she said. I am here to protect you always, even though I need to go away for a while.
Kelne raised his staff and placed it on the map near the Black Hills. Protect the heart, the core of the energy. Crystals from this place, it is time to be impervious to any Chancellor or Great Thief. The crystals cannot be mined, their energy useless except to assist Shaman Moon.
The Protector of the Ball Return took a white crystal and placed it high in the air. Reseal the borders of this land. Remake the secret trails of the ancestors and eliminate new trails that have emerged. Collapse and seal intruding passages.
After each had performed their request, the three looked more closely at the map. The areas of yellow were gone. Tahendra saw the purple haze dissipated. “I think they’re gone. Look, Granduncle. No more purple.”
Kelne smiled. “Glad we caught them.”
“Look Granduncle, she’s brighter, not as hurt,” Tah said.
Kelne knelt and turned to Tahendra. “She is. Thank you for helping. I think it’s time for you to meet my friend, Kris,” he said. “Maybe he’ll be sort of like an uncle.”
“A new uncle?” She looked surprised and excited.
“Sort of. Let’s go track him down.”
Chapter 9
“I’d like you to meet my friends,” Sylvia said. “We’ll go to Beacon’s in Wizandor Village first.” They took a messenger trail and the two emerged in the courtyard of a magnificent medieval village built directly into the cliff walls. There were tall stone columns on either side of a large arched doorway. The thick wooden doors were carved with the emblem of the city. A bell tower stood across the square from the entrance and was by far the highest point in the village. Sylvia and Kris walked inside the town square, and past a comfortable restaurant. Sylvia led him down the corridor to Beacon’s door and knocked three times.
“Sylvia, what brings you? Come in.” Beacon was slightly taller than Kris and had curly hair and salt and pepper stubble. The three walked into Beacon’s living room together.
“I’d like you to meet my new friend Kris Campbell. Shantini found him at the bottom of the Divide, severely injured from a fall.
“Oh no,” Beacon said, acknowledging Kris. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“He's come here from Earth. Kelne expected him but I don’t know more. I want the two of you to meet,” Beacon shook Kris’s hand.
“Good to meet you,” Kris said. “Kelne suggested I come here but then the wind blew my plans apart,” he smiled.
“I understand completely.”
The sound of horse hooves and many men on foot filled the village square. Three archers accompanied the Chancellor.
“I sense trouble,” Beacon said as he turned and ran outside to the courtyard. Sylvia and Kris followed.
The Chancellor stepped onto the podium in the square. “Taxes. I want my taxes right now! The crystals in the bell tower are to be confiscated because the Wizandor owes me. If you give them up now, I won’t have to bring my army in,” he said, pointing to a sizeable army of men outside the square.
“What is this?” Beacon said.
“We’re in great need of crystals, and although I doubt you have much of value in this puny village, I expect to take it all,” The Chancellor said.
“Have you gone mad, sir? You know that isn’t possible. The harm of removing sacred objects would be irreparable. I’ve never heard of such a thing in my life,” Beacon said. “The purpose of those crystals is to keep the land in balance and the crops strong, so we avoid famine. Remember?”
The Chancellor slowly looked at the Bell tower, then signaled his three archers to shoot the large crystal. Beacon held a clear crystal inside his robe and created a protective force field. Several arrows shot accurately, but hit the forcefield and bounced off, falling to the ground.
The Chancellor, a heavy-set balding man, with short grey hair and beard stepped down from the podium and marched to Beacon. “How dare you,” his wild eyed, red-faced anger overtook him as he grabbed Beacon by the neck, and pushed him to the ground, smashing his right cheek directly into the stone and holding one arm behind his back. "You and your magic," he said, standing and kicking Beacon in the back and side. The Chancellor’s archers stood, bows drawn, aimed at Beacon, waiting for orders. The crowd watched. The army waited for his cue.
Kris jumped onto the raised podium and stood with his hands held wide. “Welcome all of you. Fortunately, I do conflict resolution. We can get to the bottom of this without further injury. We all value fairness.” Kris faced the Chancellor. “I believe this kerfuffle was a little mistake. Please, explain what you want.”
Sylvia knelt by Beacon and used her green flat stone to help his shoulder and cheek. Beacon winked at her. Then he nodded and she helped him stand.
The Chancellor stood frozen in place staring at Kris, visibly back on his heels. “It is my job to collect from the people for the needs of all,” the Chancellor said. “Taxes and all that.”
“I see. Sure,” Kris said. “Let's write up an agreement and include all the people who are affected. Otherwise, it might look like stealing. We wouldn’t want things to look bad.” The archers set their bows down and put the arrows away. Other men in the square stepped back, with looks of bemusement.
Kris faced the Chancellor. “Are you inviting us to participate in something for everyone's good? We accept.”
“Oh, no, not that. That’s not what I was implying.” The Chancellor said.
“Then bring us a fair proposal. I am certain we can find agreement.”
The Chancellor turned slowly towards his army and continued to turn until he had spun around in a circle. He was at a complete loss. Sylvia saw a soft warm glow surrounding Kris as if he were bathed in magic. The welcoming glow extended past the village square. It rendered the Chancellor and his men helpless.
She brushed off Beacon's robes and watched the Chancellor back away from Kris. Utterly baffled, he stumbled to his horse, slowly mounted it, and rode off. His archers followed and the army walked away.
Kris ran to Beacon. “Are you alright? I’m so sorry he attacked you ... “I think it would benefit you to go to the Kinizar Falls. It really helps you feel like a brand-new man.”
“How about that,” Beacon laughed. “I think I’ll take your advice,” he rubbed his knee.
“I have no tolerance for bullies,” Kris said firmly. “None.”
Sylvia opened a messenger trail and the three arrived at the Kinizar Falls misting platform and bathed in the waterfall’s light mist.
Chapter 10
Sylvia and Kris turned to walk up the hill when they saw Kelne running toward them, a look of concern on his face. “Kris, there you are. I’m so sorry, but I must ask a huge favor, please,” Kelne was out of breath.
“Of course,” Kris said. “What do you need?”
“It’s a rather significant request. My grandniece would be better off if she left this world for a while and visited Earth. When I checked on her clan in the Black Hills after I saw you, things were a mess. As a precautionary measure, I’d like her to go to Earth for a little while until I get things straightened out,” Kelne said. “I have a friend who’s agreed to care for her there. I would appreciate having a chaperone who can check in on her and keep me apprised. Let’s all go together. Does your nephew live in a good neighborhood for children? That would be ideal.”
“Jaime lives in a great neighborhood for families. How can I help?” Kris said.
Kelne ope
ned a messenger trail, and Kris, Sylvia, and Kelne returned to Ivy’s Healing Sanctuary of the Waterlands. They walked in and sat down.
“Tah,” Kelne said, winking at Sylvia.
A few seconds later, Tahendra came into the room, holding Ivy’s hand. Kris saw she was Jaime’s age, with large green eyes and beautiful brown hair. She’ll be a perfect friend for Jaime. Kris liked the idea already.
“Granduncle, are we going a long way from here? I didn’t mean to make us have to leave,” she said, shaking her head. “He made me so mad. I—”
“You did the right thing, Tah. You really did. We just needed a bigger team of people as strong as you,” Kelne said gently as he gave her a hug. “I’m very proud of you for all you’ve done.” He paused, looked at Kris, then back at his grandniece. “We have a little trip planned, Tah. I need to take this fine man, Kris Campbell home, and I thought you’d like to come with me. He lives on Earth but has promised to come back and visit often. Will you come with us?”
“A trip with Granduncle and Kris to Earth? Of course I want to go!” She jumped excitedly. “I’m already packed. Are you?” Tahendra’s big green eyes looked to Kris’s. “Are you from here?” Tahendra said.
“I … I came from Earth.”
“But you’re like me,” Tahendra said. “I can tell.”
Kris looked confused, not sure what to make of her comment as she looked him over.
“I saw it too, Tah,” Sylvia said. She turned to Kris “The Chancellor couldn’t touch you. He couldn’t even think, Kris. You protected the Wizandor Village as if you were a beacon of peace in that square. Did you know he brought an army, and they were waiting for his signal? I think they intended destroy the whole village.”
“I did what?” Kris said.
“Surely, he had a backup plan after Beacon protected the crystal in the bell tower. When you intervened, it kept him from collecting his thoughts,” Sylvia said. She looked to Kelne and Ivy.
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