Pagewalker

by C. Mahood

  “ I am sorry my friend, Its been a strange few days and my temper gets the better of me.” I apologised without making eye contact. I just continued to look at the glass that was set in front of me. A warm golden liqueur floated inside.

  “I understand it has been hard but don’t apologise for your anger. It is the reason this place exists. The passion you felt when you threw the pages of Dertrid’s Deed out of your bedroom window is the reason you were transported into it. It was how you grew the coastline and the cliffs, the mountains, trees, rivers, wildlife, cities, fields, walls and homes. It is the Reason you are the Dia.”

  “What is this ‘Dia` that you keep mentioning. What does it mean?”

  “It means God lad, The creator. You are the Owner, creator, Dia of Northland. They all exist because of you” It took me to hear the words out loud before they rang true in my head. I knew everything he had said but the reality of it had never landed on my shoulders with the weight and magnitude it deserved.

  “You see I had heard from one of my employees that someone matching your description was at the rebels rest, that is why I sent Tara to find you and explain” I sat back shocked.

  “Employees?” I questioned,

  “Yes, well you see. I have been visiting Northalnd for years now. The parts that you wrote about and mentioned were bustling and wonderful, the Elves in Xill continue to grow in power and wealth, the Dwarves are still under the command of Penla and are a peaceful race with nothing to fear. Sáann is beautiful and the most wonderful place to live, under the Rule of King Dertrid. Renir and Aondor however were never mentioned in the book so they have struggled. What was unsaid has all been written in blood. I came here to give hope and a home to all those suffering in Northland. In Renir people are born into guilds and get titles through birthright. The people that come here have no direction. That is why I gave a home to them and a guild and banner they can call their own. The guild of thieves is a home for all those who are lost. I have informed them all of your story and who you are, how Northland was born and the rest. They see you as a Dia and a leader. Even though I know that is not what you want.”

  “I am not a God Abe, I'm a musician, I play grunge rock and punk. That isn’t even respected music in my world. I always thought a God would listen to classical or Jazz..” Abe laughed and continued.

  “Yes, but it is what it is lad.” We spoke for a while about Renir. He told me its history and the story of its ever changing and warm throne. He told me the stories I had heard back at the Rebels Rest but I hadn’t the heart to stop him and explain I already knew it all. Besides he told it a lot better. After a while of talking most of the patrons of the pub had scarperd off or climbed into the hammocks that hung outside. It truly is a wonder how it seems easier for a drunk man to get into one that a sober man to get out. Elegance is left with your shoes on that one.

  “Abe, I’m really worried about..” He cut me off

  “I know what you are going to say and I think we may have a lead.” My eyes opened wide in anticipation and alertness. Instantly sober I sat up and took notice. “And?” I asked.

  “My Son Garret was scouting the city towers, it was a usual evening patrol we do. It lets us know what guards are on what shifts and what areas are safe and which aren’t. He was with Tara that evening when He saw a woman running from a man into the woods. He had been tracking a man with the same description for a few days. He was an escapee from the Prison here. He is worth a pretty penny, but Garret has more invested interest in this character. I will explain why in a moment.”

  “Was it Sarah? The man was chasing? Abe is she ok?” My heart was pounding out of its cage once more. I was convinced then that Northland would kill me. He ignored my question.

  “Garret told Tara he was going after him, she was to report back that he was in pursuit heading east to the forest.”

  “So did he find her?”

  “Well this is where things get a little muddy, you see he has not returned.”

  My heart sank. “Jesus Christ on a bike, No, No. NO!” I slammed my fists on the table. A murmur and loud snores arose but quickly settled. “Sarah is not dead, I know she is ok, I just don’t know where she is!”

  “I agree lad, they say you know in your heart the fate of a loved one, you see I know Garret is safe also. Nothing has befallen either of them!” He winked at me with a knowing grin.

  “How could you know that Abe?” I was so confused.

  “You told me Chris, You told me.”

  “What?”

  “When you were having you little blow-out session earlier you told me you met a…how did you put it? Crack-pot talking to himself. I know that is the Man Garret is chasing.” His glare serious and firm now. His voice had lowered as the sentence came to a close.

  “What?” I replied “That crazy numpty? He was arguing to himself, what harm could a weirdo like that really be?” I laughed.

  “That Weirdo, as you put it, is a very dangerous man. He was a masterful thief. He was one of the first I took in here. We met by chance on one of my first excursions here. Before I met my second, or third wife?” He shrugged, brushing the thought aside like someone who forgot to buy dried rice at the supermarket, “Ah who’s counting now any way, He knew so much about the ways of the streets in Renir, his greatest passion however was for cons, he saw it as a game. He loved playing people for fools.” He chuckled to himself for a short while before I broke the silence.

  “For fools you say? Well, I mean, that can’t be too dangerous now can it? Yea I mean I'm sure he diddles people out of a bit of coin now and then but its not like he is a mass murder is it?” I questioned.

  “Well not yet, you see I haven’t told you the whole story. There was a time he was acting as my second in command. He would organise runs and sort the fences for those bringing goods to sell. The coin was his biggest love however, above all else he wanted more. He couldn’t control his greed, it got the better of him. Consumed him.” Abe shuffled on his seat uncomfortably, fighting because he was not enjoying this recollection. He settled back into the stool with a long sigh. I got the feeling then he was ready to tell me a long story.

  “You see, the Guild was starting to flourish, so much so that I wanted to spend more time away from the City. Over the last few years I have been bringing more and more of my family into Northland. Eire Just isn’t safe for us now. As vast and as beautiful the countryside is, there is just not as much room as we are used to. As you can imagine, all of the constant secrecy isn’t a way to live any more. Ireland is not was we are used to any more. Northland however is a new land of possibilities and freedom. You have created us a new home, my people know that. We have watched over you and your family for years before you both wound up here.” He reached over to my shoulder and placed his small ringed hand on me and squeezed. “You have given us a new start, and for that we are forever in your favour. You are honestly a Dia to us.” He smiled and I couldn’t help but smile back. Again that enormity weighed heavy. So heavy it pushed on my tear ducts. That’s the only explanation for the tears that fell from my eyes. No other reason.

  “Abe, I…I really don’t know what to say, Its all a bit much, you know?” I smiled and wiped my eyes and nose. Sniffing loudly I went to speak but fell silent again as Abe continued.

  “Now as I was saying, Northland was the new start for the luchorpán, we had found a few villages, settled, started new lives, started family’s and even trade. We kept ourselves to ourselves. We were so used to hiding we just kept doing it. Not because we had to now, but because we were just used to it.” He brought his eyes down from the celling to his glass. “That’s is where my main focus was those days. I took my eyes of the Guild and onto my family. It was then that I started to hear murmurs. Murmurs that Oisin was making to replace me, phase me out. He wanted to turn the guild from a brotherhood into a gang, a mob, I wasn’t too pleased with that. I returned here one evening to speak with him. To try to sort this out. Unfortunately he misread my arriva
l as a challenge. I won’t speak of what happened that night but it resulted in a quick departure on Oisin’s part. He left with the entire collection and belonging of all his previous brothers and sisters in the guild.” His voice turning to a growl “That betrayed does not go unpunished.”

  I sat even more perplexed than before, The way Abe told stories was so captivating, but I was impatient. How was this going to help me find Sarah. I’m sure you can understand the frustration.

  “Abe, what does this have to do with Sarah? I’m sorry to be blunt but I’m beginning to loose track here.” I apologetically tapped his hand but I am sure he could see the Seriousness in my eyes.

  “I’m getting there Chris,” He replied, he was about to continue with what was about to be another long story but I just couldn’t wait.

  “Abe, you need to get to the point here, what has the man I met the other day have to do with your son and my wife. Why are they in danger. What is going on!” Abe sat back, he jumped from his stool and walked behind the bar without saying a word. “Abe, listen to me.” He continued under the bar and lifted out a notebook, bound in a dark brown leather and wrapped in think, frayed yarn. “Abe, for God’s sake, what the hell?” He walked past me and set the book on the floor opened at the third or fourth page.

  “Lad, listen. You have the gift of page walking, so rather that I waste my breath you could step inside and see for yourself? Eh?” His smile grew so large it seemed to come off his face! The idea of page walking while already in a book seemed so alien to me. Like Christopher Nolan film. Multi layered dimensions, that kind of thing? A book within a book? I suppose in hindsight, reality is the present. There should be no reason why I couldent. I sat for a while, not saying anything. Just looking at Abe. He had placed the book open just a few paces away from me. He was reading the first few pages. He put his finger n a page and folded the corner over slightly. “Here, this is the part. This is Garret’s diary. When you step into this it will be different. The further you go inside pages the farther removed from the story you become.” Without looking up Abe gestured his hand in a sweeping motion from where I was sitting to the open book.

  “So you mean I wont be actually there? It will be different from here?” I wondered out loud.

  “Well yes, you see the gift of Page walking is different. Usually only the scribes and Luchorpán can live in the pages, many others can escape in the books and live there by watching. Like a totally immersible experience. Like moving picture houses, I think you call them?” Spluttering and waving his hand in the way elderly people do when they have forgotten a word or don’t understand something you are telling them.

  “You mean cinemas Abe?” I chuckled.

  “Aye, I’m sure that’s it, you youngsters and your new gadgets.” I really saw Abe showing his age there. I know it doesn’t matter to him as he lives in pages of book and not the real world. The real world? Is that what it is? It was all becoming a little shrouded in the fog of confusion.

  “You see Christopher, only few like yourself get to control those experiences or those worlds. You rare ones have the choice to control and acceptance. If you step inside this diary you can just choose to see the story instead of controlling and living in it. Do you understand?” I agreed with a nod of my head “Good, then waste no more time lad, make haste and step through!” He moved aside and I made my way over to the book. Tessa walked behind me but I told her to sit, then stay beside Abe. Her head tilted, mouth closed with her tongue only showing the tip between her front teeth and a high pitched sad sigh came from her as I held my hand up in the stay command.

  Stepping forward I placed my feet on the first page, then my other foot, closed my eyes, drifted off and then disappeared inside. The calming, yet exhilarating feeling came over me. Like fear followed by acceptance. Colours danced in front of my eyes, smells past my senses and my skin tingled with the feelings of many sensations. Then the beautiful, musty, old book smell arrived. Filling my head with nostalgic happiness. The library meeting the sea side is how I can best describe it. I arrived in a forest. Like a computer game starting at the tutorial. The part when you can not control the character just watch it run through the cut-scene that describes the controls and the back story.

  Trees fluttered from side to side, joining in the festivities of the luchorpán, Melodious voices calling out to the sky, bodies stepping nimbly across the dirt, and groups of children gathered in playful activity characterized the merriment. Their forest homes seemed better off for their presence. I could see now that the Luchorpán were seen to be stewards of the land. They felt it their responsibility to maintain this land, like Ireland, by the will of their druids. For every tree cut, a new one planted. Not far from their place of congregation, the fearsome and aptly named Dirty Peaks towered over the northern shore, protruding from the coastline and guarding their seaport village from storms, weather elements, the threat of Northland's other races and societies. I cant describe how I know, I didn’t see words just sort of knew them, like finding an item that triggers a memory. For example, one such town of Aondor used the lough to its west to ferry goods and trade from Renir on the far west. The river mouth was wider here so larger ships sailed through with ease. The Luchorpán often saw these boats pass and only the most daring would sneak aboard to “borrow” supplies if there were in need.

  This luchorpán village thrived off its coastal economy: their dock, port, and trade vessels composed their trinity of great possessions, unimpressive as they were. I could see the town from my birds eyes view as I flew over it and back to the starting point I was at to start. I felt that Instilled with both Mischief and modesty, the luchorpán were more than content with what little they had. The trade routes and treaties with the neighbouring town Kendor and the oversees Renir provided all the commodities they couldn’t produce themselves, and the fish they exported were considered luxurious by their trade partners. This one commodity aside, the luchorpán weren’t much for elegant cloth or kingly homes, and other civilizations often took note of their “poor” way of life, which the luchorpán perceived as a “peaceful” way. However peace cannot last forever.

  At the fall of the evening sun, three luchorpán companions met at the village centre to, as usual, embark on a regular, and usually, uneventful adventure. Out where the moonlight danced through openings in the thick forestry, in a clearing known only to them, the three friends danced gaily in a circle, laughing and trading stories with one another. They needed not to build a fire for the fireflies in the forest joined them. Swirling into the form of a Luchorpán the fireflies danced with them as a fourth member. It had been a bonding ritual of them, their personal way of maintaining inner peace. You see, Luchorpán did not fight. Violence was seen as a weakness in conflict. Disagreements were settled with words and softened hearts. The Luchorpán truly understood community. They knew it was to be seen as solid vines and each Luchorpán was only a branch from that vine. Together achievements were more valuable. No one held sway over another. The Elders in each Luchorpán village acted as advisors, due to their experience. They were not leaders. Every decision was joint, democratic and agreed upon before enforced. Vary rarely were there differences in opinion as the Luchorpán were a people of equal mind. This evening however the ritual was abruptly interrupted.

  Their frolic broke with an unexpected tremor. The ground beneath them shook, leaves fell from the trees above and the fireflies, who were in the form of a fourth Luchorpán quickly dispersed, plunging the surroundings into a deep blue darkness. Only fading moonlight lit the small clearing they were in. The three fell ungracefully to the ground. The largest of the friends was a Luchorpán named Garret. Something about him glowed, he resembled Abe in a way I can only describe as cloned. I could tell that he was revered by most Luchorpán simply for his stature. His father was a founder and Elder but Garret was a leader. He was stronger so caught more fish, he was taller and could reach higher to mend roves and sails. His legs were longer so he ran faster and caught more r
abbits in the woods but his mind was sharper. Sharper than any fish hook, arrow head or butcher’s knife. He was often the talk of the Luchorpán because he ventured out of the forest often, always bringing new and exotic trinkets home with him. Garret stood up, pointed their attention to the stream that cut through the clearing. The water began to rush away, sinking down into the earth, simultaneously with its widening. At first, Garret marvelled at the phenomenon, that nature would bless them with a widening river. But reality soon sunk in. The water there disappeared completely, swallowed by the earth, and revealed a great rupture in the very earth. Moonlight danced off the glistening earth, drawing Garret ever closer to the phenomenon. His friends warned him against drawing too near, but Garret would not have their warnings undue his well-earned reputation. Unassuming and roguish, his bravery was without parallel. And though it was that very same bravery that drew his friends to him, he often found himself in peculiar situations. Over them, the splitting earth surely took rank.

  Though not so brave as their friend Garret, the fallen luchorpán knew nothing of threat or danger and could not justify fleeing the scene. Together with Garret, they observed the depth of the hole. The echoes of water cascading down the fissure found their ears, but their eyes found only darkness.