The Winter Letter
Page 24
Gatnom started to speak, but the King held up his hand.
“Do not answer now. Think about it.”
The three nodded, then Will climbed into the rickety boat.
“Do not forget all you have seen and learned,” said the King. “If you remember, these events will guide you all of your life.” Will nodded. “Goodbye William. I’ll send for you soon. Don’t forget to check your mail.”
Will smiled, climbed in, and waved as they ascended into the heavens. Andrias floated beside the boat and warned Tobby of birds here and there, and Tobby, of course, asked for the whole story and listened carefully, but was sure not to look back this time. Will told each part of his journey as they passed over the places where it had happened. They flew over the old battlefields, along the northern coastline, and watched the mermaids dive in and out of the water far below. They passed the Sudden Peaks, which were at that moment ascending, and flew over the Foot Forest of Mount Highness, where Will had fallen months before. Finally they arrived at the exact place where Will had met Tobby, on one of the ledges of Mount Highness. Will had talked the entire way. It seemed a short flight for such a long journey.
“What an adventure, it is!” Tobby said as the boat came to rest. “That’s exactly why I fly, for the adventure! I couldn’t stand being trapped underground! Ya know?”
“I think I do know now,” Will said. And he did.
Andrias walked Will to the tree line and stopped.
“Are you coming?” Will asked. Andrias said nothing. Suddenly, before Will could react, a tree branch whooped down and slapped him on the backside. He turned a complete frontwards summersault. Will looked up and smiled. “Hello Forest,” he said.
Forest was smiling down from a tree that looked something like cedar, only yellow. “Hello William,” Forest replied.
“Hello Forest,” Andrias said between deep heavy laughs.
“Hello Lord Andrias. Welcome back, Will. Ms. Lani will be happy to see you.”
“I’m happy to see you.”
The big wood lips smiled and the three began their short walk through the forest. Will noticed things this time he had not noticed before, like the giant tulips singing as they passed and the vines dripping a strange orange liquid. Will walked over and tasted some. “Minum Manis?” Will asked.
“Yes,” Forest answered, then he asked Will about his adventures. Will again told them, this time starting at the front and working his way to the present. Forest was amazed at the part about the peaks nearly falling while they were still crossing over.
“That’s why I stay on Mount Highness,” Forest said as his face moved from one tree to another. “This rock never moves. You can always trust it to be solid. You can dig your roots in here and know you’ll be okay.” Will understood. He would not have a few months before, but now he did.
The three arrived at Ms. Lani’s house, who was waiting on the porch, rocking in a crooked rocking chair. The smell of food reached far down the path and reeled the three travelers in.
“You make me wish I ate human food,” Forest said to Ms. Lani.
“Well ain’t you sweet! Well looka here. If it ain’t Will and Andy.”
“Hello Ma’m,” the two said together.
Ms. Lani stood up and started inside. “I s’pect there a heck of a story to tell. Better come on in and get something to eat. I wanna hear everything.”
Will said goodbye to Forest and he and Andrias went in to a massive meal, which was ready and waiting. Will told the whole story from start to finish, again. He wasn’t able to leave out the little details as he did with Tobby and Forest. Ms. Lani wanted to hear everything.
“I just love a good story,” said Ms. Lani once Will was finished. “Well, look at the time.” Will looked up for a clock. There was none. “You had better be gettin back,” Ms. Lani said. “It’s almost warm.”
“Almost warm?”
“Yeah, already. Time flies don’t it?”
Will smiled. He didn’t understand what Ms. Lani was talking about, but was sure he would soon enough. He stood and walked to the closet door. Andrias stayed seated.
“Wait. Wait. Wait. Ya need to change before ya head back. Look at ya,” Ms. Lani said. The old woman reached into a box marked Will’s Summer Clothes and handed him some shorts, a t-shirt, and some flip flops.
“How’d you get these?” Will asked. Then, he realized. “Oh, found at my old house, huh Lord Andy?”
Lord Andy smiled.
Will stepped around a corner and changed back into his old clothes. He tucked his pendent underneath his shirt and threw his bag around his neck. “You coming?” Will asked Andrias.
“No William. I must stay. We must prepare.”
“For the war?” Will asked.
“Yes, I’m afraid so. But you, go. Protect your father’s secrets until the King sends for you.”
“I will. Thanks for everything.”
Lord Andrias nodded. “You are welcome.”
Before Will walked to the closet door that led to the stairwell, he turned and looked out the window towards the cliffs. The clouds drifted by like smoke from the mountain’s pipe, and a flock of gossiping birds passed by at that exact moment. In his mind’s eye he could see the black lake and the forest of The Foot. If anything were true about Baru it was, in spite of all its problems, it was the most beautiful place Will had ever seen.
He turned and began the climb up the never ending staircase. This time he wasn’t scared of what was around the corner. The result was the walk didn’t seem to take half as long. When he reached the top he climbed through the hole leading to the well and then up the still hanging rope, but this time he found himself not in Ms. Lani’s house, but climbing out of an old well in the middle of the woods. All he saw was a crooked lamp dangling from a tree, which lit a trail that he followed to an empty train platform. A few minutes later a train stopped and Will boarded.
As the chuck a’ cluck began, Will noticed the world’s waking by the infant blooms nursed on every plant. The young colors smeared across the window as one dissolved into another and back again so fast Will could hardly make out what he was looking at. He was mesmerized. He had never noticed these colors before, not like this anyway. It was like they were all brand new, waiting to be named.
Something moved in Will’s bag. Will started and jumped into an empty seat next to him.
“Hey Mr. Will!” said Jabber as he crawled out.
“Jabber?! What are you doing here?!”
“I couldn’t let you go without me. The King said to stay close.”
“Sshhh Jab,” Will said, looking around. “Listen, bugs don’t talk in this world.”
“What?!” Jabber asked too loudly. “Why not?”
“They can’t, I don’t think... I don’t know why. You’ll freak people out.”
“Okay, Mr. Will. I’ll be quiet,” Jabber whispered. He made sure no one was near before he spoke again. “Where are we? What is this thing?”
“It’s a train. We’re almost to my old home.”
“It’s... what did you say before? It’s cold?”
Will laughed. “It’s cool.”
“Yeah, it’s cool. I like it.”
The train squealed to a stop and Jabber crawled back into the bag. Will stepped onto the train platform and took a deep breath of Nameless’s fresh air. The flowers lining the brick streets were blooming; people were outside enjoying the day with frisbees and footballs; and old men sat on benches in front of pastry shops. The town looked the same as always, but something seemed different. Something had changed. Across the tracks he could see the hospital where his mother had died. Along the side of the road were the same road signs he had ran passed when he first caught the train to Ms. Lani’s. The houses were the same; the people the same; the streets all the way back to the one he had grown up on were the same, but there was still something about his hometown that wasn’t quite as he remembered.
Will turned down his street, towards where his old
house once was. He walked all the way to the end and stopped. He checked the street sign; he was on the right street, but where was his burned house? Where was the rubble? Will turned around and walked back.
What was it? Why were things brighter? Why did the town seem happier, like even the trees were smiling as he passed? Will stopped by a mailbox on the outside of a chain linked fence surrounding a two story house. His jaw dropped. He shook his head, blinked his eyes, and looked again. When he opened them nothing had changed. Before him was his house, as if it had never burned.
Will stumbled and bumped into the mailbox. A single letter fell out, addressed to Lord William, with the seal of King Mel on it. Will ripped it open and read.
My Dear William,
Out of all my duties as King, the one I enjoy the most is taking something that has been destroyed and putting it back together stronger and better than before. Please enjoy your new home. I shall see you soon. Your Aunt Leah and Daphney will be living with you from now on. Take care of them.
Your King and Friend,
King Mel Masih
P.S. Tell Jabber I said hello and that you told me to tell him goodbye.
“Jabber, King Mel says hello,” Will said as he flipped open his bag.
“What? Where is he?”
“He sent a letter.”
The tiny butterbug crawled out of the bag and flew onto Will’s shoulder. Will read the letter to him.
“So this is your home?” Jabber asked once Will was finished.
“Well that’s hard to say now, but yeah, this is it.”
“I like it.”
“Me too, but ya know, there’s something different about this place.”
“What is it?” Jabber asked.
“I don’t know. It’s—”
Will stopped speaking as the answer emerged from hiding. He turned and looked up and down the street. None of winter’s things were piled up on the sidewalks. All had melted and made way for Spring. The cold had departed. No more was the world stuck to the freezing ground. Will’s hands we no longer numb. Spring had arrived right on time and painted everything the color of life. Things which were dead a few months before were smiling today. The warm breeze now tickled the trees. The sidewalk now hugged the green grass.
Will looked back at the house. Only a few months before it was ashes, but now it was whole, with new life moving about in its windows. Will thought of his parents. Sure they had died, but they were alive, just somewhere else. All death meant was they had been planted in a new place to bloom again. Never again would the cold hurt their hands. They still existed, and they were better — dead for a moment, but alive forever more.
Will suddenly knew what was different. It wasn’t the town or the house or the streets or trees. It wasn’t the people or the cars. It wasn’t even the season of weather in Nameless. It was him. The cold season had melted from his own heart.
Will smiled bigger than he ever had before.
“What is it?” Jabber said, wanting to smile too.
“Nothing Jab,” Will replied. “I’m just glad winter is over.”
About the Author
D.E. Stanley is a world traveling missionary, author, host of The Revolutionary Life television series, and founder of Revolutionary Life International. He is married to his love, Darlene, and currently lives wherever they are together.
www.destanley.com
twitter.com/destanley | facebook.com/destanley
:Coming Soon from D.E. Stanley:
The Sad Song of Spring
Book Two of The King of All series!
Preview
The girl, just over seventeen, pulled back her long wavy hair and wrapped it around her neck twice, tucking the remainder down the back of her shirt. She sipped her glass of water before pulling up her hood and wrapping her shawl around her face.
Her veil; her safety.
Outside the commotion continued. “Unlock this door in the name of the Under-King!” demanded one of the many voices at one of the many doors. Sure, she could bring these intruders to their knees before they even found the hallway of her room, but she needed the practice, and she needed money. They would be happy to find her door was unlocked.
“Tick. Tock,” whispered the watch hanging from her neck. “I know,” the girl replied aloud.
She took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm her pulse. “Be careful this time. No accidents,” she said to herself as she stood to her feet, falling natural into the battle stance. Her emerald eyes locked on the doorknob. The commotion was now next door. Her room was next.
“In the name of Markus, open this door,” came the call, almost instantly. She said nothing. The door rattled upon its hinges, then, as if the opener expected it to be locked, the knob snapped to the right. Inside stepped a man dressed from head to toe in black. He paused as soon as he saw her.
“It’s her,” he said calmly. From outside there was a brief silence followed by chaos. A moment later five other men rushed into her room. They kept four or five feet distance as they surrounded her.
“Serena Vaslikós, you are now the prisoner of the Under- King. Surrender your carrier willingly.”
She, Serena, moved only her eyes. Her breathing was heavy; her heart beating hard. She knew the feeling well. Fear.
“Now!” demanded the officer in charge.
Startled, she reached beneath her black shirt and pulled the tiny clock from around her neck, cradling it in both hands like a fairy infant. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes. “My friends, my dear weary seconds,” she whispered so low that only she heard. “Please, take these men’s next moments—”
“Quiet!” screamed the commander as he lunged towards Serena.
“—and rest from your constant labor.”
Serena winced, expecting a blow, but no blow came. When she opened her eyes the enraged face of the commanding guard was frozen. He leaned beyond balance, but still stood, motionless. All of his comrades were statues as well. They were paused, frozen in time, helpless and oblivious, unaware that anything was happening.
“Thank you,” Serena said to her clock, tucking it safely in her shirt. A few minutes later she flipped from the second story inn window and slipped silently into the woods. Regardless if she could pause the day, she had to keep moving. Time waits for no man and only one women per generation. But still, it is unpredictable. The guards could sleep a day, a week, a year, or a minute. It wasn’t up to her.
Serena stopped just before descending the last hill before she lost sight of the inn. A flash of regret pulled her chin towards the ground. She lifted her mask and dried her eyes. She had stolen from these men something much more valuable than the gold now jingling in her pockets. She had stole their life, or at lease a few hours of it. They would never again know those moments. For now, although they were alive, they were dead.
She slid back on her mask and took in the scenery. Across the sea the tip of Mount Highness glimmered with its neighboring stars. That mountain marked her destination.
She must get to the City of the King.
Revolutionary Life
To learn more about Revolutionary Life International, Dustan's mission adventures, or The Revolutionary Life reality TV Series, check out:
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Copyright © 2012 by D.E. Stanley All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval program, without written permission from the author and publisher. Cover designed by D.E. Stanley, using elements purchased and used under licensed permission from vladstudio.com, fontalicious.com, and kimberlygeswein.com. Much thanks to these amazing creators for their work.
E-ISBN: 978-0-9839474-1-7
For corrections, inquiry concerning reproduction, or sales - contact info@revolutionarylife.org
Table of Contents
Cover
<
br /> Letter to Reader
Map
One: A House & Its Boy
Two: The Slow Flow of Time
Three: The Library
Four: The Crooked House
Five: Down and Down and Down
Six: Hello Forrest
Seven: Baru
Eight: Back Home
Nine: The Man With the Bowler Hat
Ten: The Team
Eleven: The Grouchy Book
Twelve: The Ceremony
Thirteen: Master Jared
Fourteen: Training
Fifteen: The Spy
Sixteen: The Tower
Seventeen: Three Different Similar Dreams
Eighteen: New Friends
Nineteen: The Sudden Peaks
Twenty: The Valley and Plains
Twenty One: The City of Neba
Twenty Two: Retreat
Twenty Three: The King
Twenty Four: The Knights
Twenty Five: The Beginning
About the Author
Preview: The Sad Song of Spring
Revolutionary Life
Table of Contents
Cover
Letter to Reader
Map
One: A House & Its Boy
Two: The Slow Flow of Time
Three: The Library
Four: The Crooked House
Five: Down and Down and Down
Six: Hello Forrest
Seven: Baru
Eight: Back Home
Nine: The Man With the Bowler Hat
Ten: The Team
Eleven: The Grouchy Book
Twelve: The Ceremony
Thirteen: Master Jared
Fourteen: Training
Fifteen: The Spy