Where am I? The snow is falling all around me, but it’s not cold to the touch. It feels like sand. I look up into the sky and I see the moon, but it’s not the moon. Instead, there is a black hole where the moon should be. That’s when I realize that the snow isn’t falling; rather it’s being sucked up into the air by the massive, black hole in the sky. The black moon is consuming the world.
I look all around me and see nothing, but wait… there’s something at the edge of my vision. There’s something upon the ground. It’s not moving. I walk over to it and as I approach it, I can see that it’s a man lying in the snow. There is an arrow in his chest. He is dead.
The black moon begins to pull him away from the ground. He floats upward toward the sky, spinning slowly, rotating in the air like he’s dancing, and then he wakes from death. He’s floating closer to the moon and he pleads with me. Help me, he says. Don’t let the darkness take me, he says. And just before the moon takes him, he leaves me with a rhyme.
In the world’s most desperate hour of need, earthly elements shall be set free, and evil tyrants should beware the coming of an unlikely pair.
Iolana woke from her dream in a cold sweat. Her heart was racing. She looked around to see that she was safe. The Messenger was sleeping a few feet from her, upon the forest floor. Iolana looked up at the pale moon. This was not the first dream she had had about this man and the moon.
Who are you? she thought.
Her heart rate began to slow down and she laid her head back down to sleep.
•••
Morning came and Iolana woke to the Messenger cooking eggs over a fire.
“Where did you get eggs?” asked Iolana.
“I have my ways,” said the Messenger.
“You’re a very resourceful man, aren’t you?”
The Messenger shrugged.
The two travelers ate their breakfast and then continued on their journey to the village of Hammlin.
“Would you like to read more of that journal aloud?” asked the Messenger.
“Yeah. Sure,” said Iolana absently. “Actually, I’ve been wondering if you would tell me more about the men in the mountains? I’ve been having dreams about one of them and I’m not sure why.”
The Messenger furrowed his brow. “Well, two of the men were brothers. I know that much. They quest to return ancient evils to power, evils that the Holy had removed for the salvation of mankind. The Holy instructed me to assassinate them, in order to end their quest. I know very little of the other man and the demon that was with them.”
“There was a demon?”
“Yes. It was in the form of a bear. I knew it was a demon because it had the ability to fly.”
“That’s scary to think that I was in the presence of a demon.” Iolana shivered. “You don’t know anything about the other man though?”
“He was very fast and strong, much more than any other human I have ever come across. I asked the Holy if the man was also a demon, but he was very vague on the details. He told me that he was just a man who had been dabbling in the ways of the Ancient Evils. He told me not to concern myself with him. He told me that he would take care of him.”
“The man in my dreams has been shot by an arrow.”
“Yes. That is the man I’m speaking of. I stabbed him with that arrow to protect you. The man survived though. That was when the Holy intervened.” The Messenger paused as if he was thinking. “I wouldn’t worry about your dream, Iolana. I’m sure you’re still just suffering from the shock of the whole experience.”
“You’re probably right.”
Iolana reached into her pack and fished out the journal. She held it in front of her face and stared at the etching on the front.
“I think that, maybe, I was meant to find this. Maybe this woman is one of my ancestors.”
The Messenger shrugged. “Go ahead and read some more of it.”
Iolana began to read.
Entry 5
I’ve been spending a lot of time with Charles lately. He is a wonderful man. He has taught me something that seems very crucial to the human experience. He is always speaking of relationships, the connections between two people and all of the intricacies necessary in maintaining them. He told me to notice how a relationship with one person will become stressed when a second relationship is taken on. He said any given person can only have so many relationships before being stretched too thin. He also said that some people, for whatever reason, are capable of maintaining more than others. Charles believes that the purpose of every human being is to find one relationship and devote themselves to it completely and totally. He said that one should treat it like an artist’s masterpiece. Charles said that the masterpiece is called love. Charles has such a beautiful way of looking at things.
“This Charles Nesbitt seems more like a philosopher than a fisherman,” said the Messenger. “Maybe there’s some significance to his presence in this journal?”
Iolana continued reading.
Densa doesn’t like Charles. He said that he thinks I’m lowering my standards by spending so much time with him. He says that he is suspicious of Charles’ motives. I don’t understand why he doesn’t like Charles.
When I’m with Charles, I always feel happy. I try to share this happiness with Densa, but he is disinterested. I hope that he can learn to accept my relationship with Charles and my choices.
–Chera
“I think that there’s a love triangle brewing in this journal.” Iolana seemed joyfully entertained. “Don’t you think it’s interesting?”
“Very,” said the Messenger.
Iolana had no idea that the Messenger knew exactly who Densa and Chera were. He wondered how long it would be before she found out. What then? he thought.
Iolana began to read another entry.
Entry 6
He told me that he loves me. I was so shocked when it happened, but not in a bad way. Hearing his words sent energy through my body that I have never felt before. I don’t even know how to put it into words. After he told me that he loved me, he kissed me. The entire world disappeared except for him. I don’t know what love is but this must be it. Even if it’s not, it’s wonderful, and I don’t ever want it to leave. I don’t ever want him to leave. I love him. I will devote myself to him. Charles will be my masterpiece.
–Chera
Iolana looked up from the journal, smiling.
“You like it?” asked the Messenger.
“Don’t you? It’s romantic.”
“I…don’t understand it.”
“You’ve never had feelings for anyone? There has never been anyone who made you feel warm and fuzzy inside?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Oh look!” said Iolana as she pointed to the horizon. “Is that-?”
“A village,” finished the Messenger.
“Oh, I want to sleep in a real bed so badly. Can we stop there for the night, Murray?” Iolana grabbed his hand with hers, and instantly, the Messenger knew what she had meant by warm and fuzzy.
“Umm…Yes.”
“Thank you, Murray. Oh, this is going to be so nice.”
What is happening to me? thought the Messenger. What am I doing?
Chapter 18: The Pale Genie
The Port of Sanctum was a breathtaking scene. The sand that littered the coastline was as white as white could be, and it played with a crystalline water that was as translucent as the air itself. Tiny, pink fish flitted in and out of the crew’s eyesight as if they were pure imagination. Riverpaw lifted his head and was met by a skyline of green mountains, each with a waterfall that gushed forth from its precipice. The waterfalls filled the air with a fresh mist that was both cooling and invigorating. It caused the sun to sparkle like a jewel. Even the people of the city were poetic in their energy. Full of color and culture, the Port of Sanctum tantalized every sense.
“There’s nothing like this place in the rest of the world, is there?” asked Tomas.
“No,” said Nesbitt. “No pl
ace on earth.”
Riverpaw and Captain Nesbitt retired below deck as Mr. Tripp tethered the boat to the dock. As eclectic as the Port of Sanctum was, a bear would still garner unwanted attention. So, the four men set out upon the streets of Sanctum, headed for the monastery where they would contact the Felaquan monk, Saquu, and ask permission for his audience. The streets were lined with citizens going about their daily routine and it could only be described as festival. Music and dance broke out as randomly and as often as the waves upon the shoreline. The smells of the city alone could lead a man from miles away. Large, colorful birds flew above the streets, hoping for forgotten morsels. Birds also filled cages along the streets, as vendors shouted sale prices at passerby. Some of the birds had been trained to shout their own sale price at potential customers.
“It’s funny, isn’t it?” commented Tomas. “Nobody thinks anything of these talking birds, but if we were to have Nesbitt with us, he would have to remain silent so as not to alarm people… and don’t even begin with Riverpaw.”
“It’s sad, really,” replied Mr. Tripp. “People are afraid of the unknown. It’s the most powerful fear I’ve ever seen. The sad thing about it is that it prevents most of the world from opening their eyes to the things that are right in front of them.”
The group followed Mr. Tripp through the streets and alleys of Sanctum as its citizens bustled by, happy to be bustling. A tall and weathered structure emerged from the sensory deluge like a father towering over his children.
“Is that the monastery?” asked Evercloud.
“It is,” answered Mr. Tripp. “Follow me.” Mr. Tripp took a left, down a small alley, and then a right, onto an empty street. The group followed as Tripp darted adeptly through the crowd like a fish through water. It was strange to have come upon an empty street after being immersed in a sea of sights, sounds and smells. “The monks are sacred to the Felaquans. They will not tread upon this road unless they have business at the monastery.”
The street was lined with willow trees whose branches hung overhead, gently swaying in the sun and breeze. The monastery stood static amidst the motion of the trees, a constant standard in an ever-changing world. The four men approached the small, wooden gate that led to the sacred cylinder that stood fifty feet into the air. It was wrapped in a coiled staircase like an old tree being scaled by a serpent. There was no lock upon the gate and no presence to greet them. They opened the gate and walked up to the monastery door.
“Should we knock?” asked Ben.
“No need,” replied Mr. Tripp. “We’re taking the stairs.”
Mr. Tripp led the party around the monastery to where the staircase began, and they started to climb.
“We’re headed to the top of this thing, aren’t we?” asked Tomas.
“Did you even have to ask?” replied Ben.
As the group ascended the stairs, they looked out across the Port of Sanctum. The view was amazing, a breathtaking spectacle of the merging of man and nature. From this height they could see the waterfalls depositing into the river at the base of the mountains. The river traced itself intricately through the Port of Sanctum and out into the ocean. It was as if the river had created itself around the cityscape, when it had obviously been the other way around. Beautiful, stone bridges of white and orange leapt from one bank of the river to the other and pristine, stone buildings textured the hills like pebbles upon a beach.
“Men built this place?” asked Evercloud.
“Who else?” replied Mr. Tripp.
As Evercloud took in the view, a sense of serenity came over him, and for the first time in his life, he was proud to be a man. For the first time in his life, it was men who had created something amazing, not nature, not bear, not god.
The four men reached the top of the monastery and entered a room that had no door. The room was filled with windows and little else. A telescopic gadget was mounted in one of the windows that faced the ocean.
“There’s no one here,” said Ben. “Who will take our message to Saquu?”
“We send our message through this.” Mr. Tripp walked over to the window and pointed at the telescopic gadget. There was paper and a pencil in a compartment located below the window. Mr. Tripp took it out and scrawled a message upon the piece of paper.
Captain Charles Nesbitt and his party request permission to meet you. An evil has taken a loved one and we seek a cure to her malady. There are six in the party, four men, one bear, and one Captain Nesbitt. Thank you.
–Mr. Tripp
Mr. Tripp took the paper and placed it in a glass window at the front of the telescope. He then looked through an eyepiece at the back end of the telescope and pointed it in the correct direction.
“I’m pointing this thing at Saquu’s turtle, so that he can read the message,” said Mr. Tripp. The party seemed confused. “Watch,” added Mr. Tripp. The man then pulled a lever on the wall, next to the window, that opened a panel in the roof. Sunlight flooded through the panel and hit a crystal upon the telescope, sending a focused ray of intense light through the window that was holding Mr. Tripp’s message. “The light will project the message to Saquu. We’ll wait a while and look through the telescope again. Saquu will read the message and raise either a red flag or a green flag. A red flag means he does not give us permission, and green means that he does.”
“What if he raises a red flag?” asked Ben.
Mr. Tripp shrugged. “We ask again.”
The men sat down upon the floor and waited. Every few minutes, Mr. Tripp would stand and look through the telescope, then, he would shake his head and return to his position upon the floor.
“Is there anyone in this monastery?” asked Tomas.
“Don’t know,” replied Mr. Tripp. “But not usually. This place is mostly used as a library for the people of the city.” Mr. Tripp again got to his feet and looked through the telescope. “Aha,” he shouted. “There we are. Green flag, boys. Let’s be back to the boat.”
The men smiled at each other and proceeded to leave the room. The sun was high in the sky, but a breeze still cut across the land, rendering a perfect day by most estimations.
“I think I’d like to live here,” said Tomas as the group rejoined the circus of people who flooded the streets of Sanctum. They passed a group of attractive, young women and they coyly waved at Tomas. “Yeah, I’d definitely like to live here.” Ben just shook his head.
As they got back to The Rusty Nail, Mr. Tripp untied the boat and lifted the anchor. Tomas went below deck to deliver the news of success to Captain Nesbitt and Riverpaw. As the boat left port, everyone came above deck and shared in the success. It was the first time that the group had felt like a cohesive unit.
“It’s good to see smiling faces again,” said Riverpaw.
“Let’s hope it stays,” replied Evercloud.
•••
The Rusty Nail drifted a few hundred feet within reach of Saquu and his turtle when Mr. Tripp dropped anchor.
“Why are we stopping here?” asked Evercloud.
“We can’t run the ship onto the back of the turtle, now can we?” replied Mr. Tripp.
“So how do we get onto the turtle?” asked Riverpaw.
“We swim.”
Riverpaw looked over the edge of The Rusty Nail, into the deep, blue water, and found that he had developed a fear of the great below.
“Swim,” Riverpaw echoed uneasily. “In the ocean?”
Evercloud walked over to Riverpaw and whispered into his ear.
“You can fly, remember?”
Riverpaw heaved a sigh of relief. “I can fly, can’t I?”
“Yeah,” Evercloud nodded, smiling.
“Want a ride?” said Riverpaw to Evercloud.
Though he was only speaking to Evercloud, a reply came from everyone aboard The Rusty Nail in unison. “Yes.”
So Riverpaw set about transporting the crew of The Rusty Nail, one-by-one, onto Saquu’s turtle.
“Well, I know what I’m asking Tent
uro for, should I ever see him again,” said Captain Nesbitt once they had all landed on the turtle’s shell. Riverpaw smiled.
The group walked over to a small hut, set in the middle of the massive turtle shell, and knocked upon the door. Only a moment passed before a tall man opened the door and poked a bald head out into the open air.
“Nesbitt,” said Saquu. “You’re still a dog.”
“Yes, Saquu. I’m still a dog,” replied Nesbitt.
“All right then. Come in.”
The crew of The Rusty Nail walked in through the small door of the hut with the exception of Riverpaw.
“The door is too narrow for me,” said Riverpaw. “My shoulders don’t fit. I suppose I’ll just wait outside.”
Saquu shot his bald head back out of the door, extending what seemed to be an abnormally long neck.
“You’ll fit. Just keep walking.”
Riverpaw cocked a single eyebrow in disbelief, but obeyed the monk and tried to walk through the door.
“Now, don’t blame me when I break your doorway. You see, my shoulders are…umm…I couldn’t do that the first time,” said Riverpaw as he slid easily through the door.
“You’re not the only bear who can do tricks,” said Saquu.
Evercloud and Riverpaw looked at each other confused. Captain Nesbitt smiled and took his opportunity to divert Saquu’s attention.
“Saquu, thank you for granting us an audience. We are in great need of help and we are hoping that you can be of assistance.”
Saquu nodded and sat down at a small table. “Okay,” he said.
The Captain continued. “This is Ben and Tomas Floyd.”
“I know,” said Saquu interrupting.
“You know who we are?” asked Ben. “How?”
“The world tells me things,” said Saquu. “The air tells me things, the ocean tells me things, my turtle tells me things…it happens.” Everyone looked at each other, wondering just how powerful or completely mad Saquu really was. “For instance,” continued Saquu. “The bear is from Gray Mountain. I can tell by the stubbiness of his snout.” Riverpaw self-consciously raised a paw to his nose. “And the man to his right has spent some time on the mountain, given the looks of him. Also, I know that non-human creatures of the world have faith placed in the Ancient Beings of Earth rather than the Holy, and given the fact that the bear can fly, I’d say that you’ve recently been in contact with one of these Ancient Beings. Either that, or I am still asleep and dreaming, and if that is the case, I’d very much like all of you to go away and replace yourselves with young women, thank you very much. However, given the fact that you are confused by the way in which I am speaking to you, you are most likely not a creation of my mind, probably someone else’s, and I am not asleep. Soooo, that would mean these two humans, who are of obvious relation, must also harbor a fondness for the Ancient Beings rather than the Holy, or all of you would not be traveling together and speaking to each other and flying your bear onto my turtle.”
Everflame: The Complete Series Page 38