The Rainbow Bridge and the Shadow of the Serpent: The Rainbow Bridge and the Shadow of the Serpent

by Sergio Pereira

  - My dear, what bothers you is the desires that your body provokes in the world of men. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. You just have to learn how to filter them. Every woman and every man too has to learn to do this. I wouldn’t be the Fairy Queen of Youth if there were not many good things to be experienced in the spring of life.

  Stefanie’s pouting lips disappeared in another sigh.

  - All will be well. Let go of these bad presentiments. Don’t let negative feelings take over your adorable soul, which today inhabits a healthy young body.

  - But?

  - But nothing. Everything is so transitory that it demands that life should not be wasted on excesses or stagnation. The body’s youth soon passes. Youth of the soul is something you have to achieve.

  - But?

  - But nothing, once again. Live and learn to deal with your beauty. It is neither a curse nor a blessing. What you do with it is what transforms it into curse or blessing.

  The Fairy Queen of Youth shone so brightly that Stefanie could no longer look at her. However, her light warmed and cured the young woman’s pains.

  Suddenly, the scenario around her transformed. A friendly hand rested on her right shoulder.

  - Hey. Are you in my dream or am I in yours?

  - Is this a dream?

  - It must be. Have you ever seen waves made of pentagrams? – replied Violet, who had neither seen nor heard anything of Fairy Queen of Youth. Half woman, half butterfly.

  The Symphonic Sea of the world of dreams where they met began to play, also by Claude Debussy, “Children's Corner Piano Suite”, composed between 1906 and 1908 for his three-year-old daughter, Claude-Emma, known as “Chou-Chou”.

  This time, it resounded in the genius arrangement by the maestro and friend of the author himself, Camile Chevilard.

  The girls began to run and play like two children sharing the same dream. They dived into the sea and noticed that music can also be wet and flow like a liquid texture through the pores and hairs of their skin.

  CHAPTER V

  TRAILS OF DESTINY

  On the Beach of the After the Now, while Violet and Stefanie were asleep and dreaming the same dream, a startled faun leapt backwards.

  The sands in front of him began to move and assume a shapeless volume that grew and grew. Soon they metamorphosed.

  The faun was standing before the Fairy Queen of Youth.

  - Tut-tut! You are supposed to be here to help, not want. In this case, you are not obliged to want. Your mission is another.

  To the Queen’s surprise, the faun blushed. he looked down to the ground and, slowly, left the canteen beside Violet. H took off, running along the sands until he reached the forest and disappeared from view.

  The deeply disappointed Fairy Queen watched him vanish. In a few seconds all that remained were his tracks, which the wind soon erased.

  The fairy then vanished herself, but not before looking affectionately upon the two girls, who were threatening to wake up with the rising sun.

  The sea crabs, marsh crabs and the others withdrew. The night ballet was over. The Symphonic Sea was preparing another melody, when a voice was heard:

  - I liked your vigil. You ended up sleeping like me, didn’t you?

  Stefanie opened her eyes. She felt light inside but didn’t know how or why.

  Violet couldn’t remember anything, either, but immediately recognised the gift at her side.

  - My dear friend. If this is what I asked for in my prayers, we’re saved.

  - What do you mean?

  - Ah, hah! Now you’re the one saying “What do you mean?”.

  - I don’t understand.

  - Forget it.

  She took the canteen and with two taps brushed the sand off. She unscrewed the lid and smelled the contents. Even though she was human, she would recognize the aroma from a kilometre away.

  - Hooray! We have arum lily milk. What a gift!

  Then she yelled:

  - Thank you, whoever you are!

  - You’re so strange. Hey, you’re not going to drink it when you don’t know what it is. No, no!

  Stefanie couldn’t believe or accept the young girl’s behaviour.

  - You can drink it. I think I dreamt about this. It’s arum lily milk. It’s magic and will sustain us for a long time.

  - Arum lily milk?

  - Just listen to me. I’ve been in this Kingdom before. I’ve already been very hungry and I know it’s good. We’re being helped. I know. I just don’t know all I want to know. It’ll do you good. The hunger will pass.

  Stefanie faltered but in the end she followed Violet’s advice. She would never normally accept anything from strangers, or even from friends at parties. She knew the risks of taking all types of drugs in the Kingdom of the Blue Earth. However, her heart told her, in this very particular situation, to trust Violet.

  Even so, she waited a few seconds to check that her friend hadn’t changed or become drugged after sipping the liquid. When, finally, she was reassured, she tried the most wonderful food she had ever eaten.

  - What does it taste of?

  - Wow, it’s amazing! How is that possible? It tastes of chocolate and cream and camp marshmallows.

  - What are camp marshmallows?

  - Marshmallows that we thread on a skewer and toast on a fire.

  - I’ve never done that.

  - Forget it, then. But thanks for the arum lily milk. I feel great. So what do we do now?

  - We have to go somewhere. I have no idea where.

  A questioning expression remained stamped on Stefanie’s face. She looked around and what she could see seemed more beautiful.

  Violet was looking around, too. The reflections of the great Sun seemed to want to surf the waves. Her desire from the day before to go into the sea merely increased. She looked at her friend and was soon in just her underwear. She ran to the sea and the sea ran to embrace her. It was like being on a deserted beach in Brazil. The waters and foam washed over her back and ran through her hair. Her joy was so great and infectious that it ended up influencing Stefanie.

  The young woman imitated Violet. Some seagulls and terns flew close to them. Violet tied in vain to play with them, splashing in the sea with her hands.

  It was already late in the day on the Beach of the After the Now and the two girls forgot all about time while leisurely bathing in the sea. Finally, they got out. While they were walking, Violet noticed Stefanie’s svelte body and thought that she’d love to be like her when she grew up. As Violet tried to visualise her future, Stefanie, without saying a word, admired how much hair that girl had, and how lovely her curls were. Even when wet, they didn’t go limp. At that instant, she wanted to be a child like her and be free of the weight she felt at being a woman.

  - What would you say to a dip in the river to get the salt off our skin?

  - Good idea.

  - This place looks like Cardoso Island, in Cananeia.

  - Where’s that?

  - You know, I always go there with my parents. It was great that they made a park there. It’s a nature reserve and it’s the most magical beach I know.

  - OK. But where is it?

  - In the south of São Paulo.

  Since Stefanie kept the same expression, she continued.

  - I already know that you are not aware of what Ibirapuera is and have no way of knowing what the south of my state is like. Come to think of it, a Geography teacher can’t possibly teach everything, can they?

  Stefanie smiled and said nothing this time. They got the clothes they’d left under the coconut tree and walked towards the river. Whether it was coincidence, or the hand of fate, they were heading for the same place where the faun had stopped before approaching them.

  As ever, Violet was the first to go in. The water was very refreshing and the river formed a small swimming pool about forty centimeters deep.

  - How wonderful! It’s the best thing in the world to have a river beside the sea. It’s perfect.


  - I agree. It’s marvellous. Not cold at all.

  While Stefanie was enjoying the freshness of the waters, Violet noticed something about three metres away. It was a cloth backpack thrown on the ground. Curious as to what it was, she decided to have a look inside.

  - Hooray, look what we have here, I don’t believe it!

  There lay the same clothes that she’d worn the first time she’d been in the Kingdom of the Seven Moons; but both the dress and the slippers had grown as she herself had. Immediately and once again triggering Stefanie’s indignation, Violet began to put on what she’d taken out of the backpack. First, the underwear, then the rest. She soon looked like a princess.

  - You really are crazy. How can you take something that isn’t yours? And on top of that, decide to wear it?

  Violet didn’t answer. She just took out more clothes from inside the backpack. The outfit was simple and at the same time complete. Nude knickers and bra, ballet tights and a knee-length, loose-fitting dress with straps; however, the blue colour and fabric texture were unique.

  - It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s yours.

  Violet stretched out her arm to hand the clothes to her friend.

  - How can you know that for sure?

  - Believe me, I’ve experienced similar things. Why would this be here on the beach, like the food we ate, if it wasn’t for us? I’ll bet if fits you perfectly.

  - And I say, I’ll bet this isn’t ours.

  - And if I say I wore these clothes when I was eight?

  - I’d say you’re crazy or lying. There’s no logic in it. It doesn’t make the slightest sense.

  - Logic, sense. Is that what counts for you? You have to believe more in life and magic that envelops the world.

  - And you have to stop talking like a shaman of the First Nations.

  - What do you mean, First Nations?

  - Ah! Now it’s my turn to say “aah, what do you mean?”. First Nations is the term for the indians of Canada. They were the first real Americans who crossed the Bering Straits in the Ice Age.

  - Are they the Mohicans? I saw “The Last of the Mohicans” with my father! He loves old series.

  - Oh good Lord! The Mohicans lived around the River Hudson. That’s the United States, not Canada.

  - Sorry, I don’t know your history. But do you know anything about the Guarani or Tupi indians?

  - Oh my God, here we go again! The sea was great and the river as well. But we’re arguing again. You’re impulsive and stubborn. Just know that I’m not wearing clothes that are not mine and that’s that!

  - Yours will tear and get dirty. These won’t.

  - So it’s a fairy-tale thing?

  - No, it’s magic, my friend. We’re in a magic place and since you mentioned logic, if these clothes were with mine, then they’re yours.

  - But that doesn’t explain anything.

  - So explain the arum lily milk.

  Stefanie had no answer. She reflected and reflected. The clothes were an absolute dream. Could that irritating girl be right? They seemed to be the right size. She hesitated for a few more moments. And so she decided to try them on to see what they were like. She went behind a tree. She had a good look round. As she didn’t feel she was being watched, she stayed naked for a while

  - Does it fit?

  She spun on points. The sands recorded with a mark her first dance in that kingdom.

  - Incredible, Violet! It fits like a glove.

  - Mine, too. Relax a bit. You need to believe more.

  - And now?

  - Now we put our stuff in the rucksack. And we take it with us.

  - Take it where?

  Violet handed her friend a weathered, creased parchment.

  - What’s this?

  - It was in here. I think it’s part of a map.

  - And how do you know?

  - Do you see this mark here? Do you see this blurred name? I’ve been to that Castle. I think that’s where we ought to go.

  - I’m not going to argue. If it has to be, let’s go to the castle. Things here don’t make much sense.

  Violet smiled and gave Stefanie a tight, affectionate hug. The hug wasn’t returned by the young woman, who stayed with her arms by her side. But her heart was greatly comforted by that gesture.

  The girl put the map into the breast pocket of her dress. Stefanie went back to the coconut palms. She picked up the empty canteen.

  What a pity there’s no more – she thought.

  She took it with her and gave a few jumps until she reached the riverbank sands again. She washed the canteen and filled it with water. She smiled and said:

  - My father also taught me many things. We always have to take water. Don’t think you’re more experienced than anyone.

  Stefanie put the rucksack on her back and Violet put her hands on her waist. The two were face to face, looking at each other. Violet was going to snap back but thought better of it. She smiled, and so did Stefanie. They both chuckled and began to walk on the soft sands that led in the direction they thought they should follow.

  CHAPTER VI

  THE DESTINY OF THE TRAILS

  The trails led to other trails. At the end of the beach, guided by the deficient map, they started walking along the rocky coast. The huge rocks challenged the sea, which crashed against them. The strong wind carried foamy, salty spray through the air to the faces of the girls.

  Violet was walking as if she were at home. That tropical landscape was familiar because of her nationality. However, even though Stefanie thought everything was very beautiful, she didn’t have the same resourcefulness to climb and jump up rocks. It was common for Violet to have to wait for her.

  Two kilometers after they’d done the coastal stretch, another small beach appeared. It must have been about one hundred metres long, and was tucked between the rocky coast and a stretch of forest that formed an isthmus to an island about two hundred metres from the mainland.

  At the end of the beach, a narrow trail led to another very long beach. Maybe eight kilometres from end to end. The sand was that superfine type which, when wet, becomes firm. So walking at high tide was very easy and delightful. Carefree, the girls took their shoes off and began another walk, while talking about their own lives.

  The wind coming from the sea to the land whispered stories from afar and didn’t let the sun get too hot; however, it didn’t protect the girls from the ultraviolet rays.

  - Wow! Look at your shoulders. They’re going red.

  - I think I’ll put my shirt on. It’ll help.

  - My, what hot Sun. My mum’s always talking about using sun cream. She never stops.

  - With your clothes you don’t need to worry. But on your face, yes – said Stefanie, while she was putting the shirt over her dress.

  They both had strong, fit legs. So they quickened their pace. They were doing six kilometres an hour. Their legs and feet covered the beach in a little over an hour. That pace didn’t tire them at all.

  - This map is so crazy, it seems that it has a different design every hour...You know those Satnavs that change all the time and sometimes gets confused?

  - Let me see. A map’s a map. We either read it right or we’ll be lost going nowhere.

  - But I know how to read maps. And I say: it’s different. Look, where it was half smudged before, it isn’t anymore, and now there’s a new mark here, where it just says Kingdom of the Forgotten Operas. Do you see, Stefanie? It looks like a hole or a smudge. But I think the right path goes through this blotch.

  - I think you’re right about the way we should go. But I didn’t look at the map before, and as for it changing, that’s illogical. Is the castle we’re going to this one in the left corner?

  - Yes, that’s it. Do you see? Do you see? It’s the Castle of the Seven Towers. It’s the Castle of Music.

  - Castles don’t change places in real life and even less so on maps. You must be mistaken. Ok, that happens. But why so worried all of a sudden? And again, how do y
ou know that this castle’s where we should be going?

  - Blimey. Of course I’m worried. We walk and walk and we’re further away.

  - And why should our route be to the Castle? Shouldn’t we be going or looking for the way home?

  - Because I think that’s what makes sense. It’s there that the Fairy Queen of Music lives. Because if there’s some reason for us coming to the Kingdom of the Seven Moons, that reason is there. Because if we want to go home, it’ll be from there that we’ll get the way back.

  - Wow! There are a lot of reasons based on “I think” and groundless suppositions. I agree to going to that castle only because I don’t have a better proposal. But if you go over the top about something else, there’s no taking you seriously.

  It was Violet’s turn to give up the desire to always be right. She looked at the sea and studied the map with attention. She’d practically memorised the whole thing. Under no circumstances did she want to make it official that she didn’t know how to walk on trails.

  They turned their backs on the Symphonic Sea and headed along the trail that began with fine sand underfoot. The vegetation was low-lying and the trail had slight ups and downs. Another forty paces and the vegetation reached Violet’s knees. A little over a hundred metres ahead, the persistent transition flora gave way, unwillingly, to tropical almond trees and some unique species of red flower with thick stalks between green herbaceous plants, like mother-in-law’s tongues.

  Stefanie stopped to smell them, but Violet’s previous travels aroused fears in her and hurried up her steps.

  - Beautiful! They’re wonderful. Smell them!

  - Let’s get going. It’ll soon be dark. I think the Castle’s a long way off.

  Stefanie paid no attention. The aroma was intoxicating and brought a sensation of peace. The sounds and winds coming from the Symphonic Sea got further and further away. She agreed with going to that castle; but she no longer liked the fact that their pace should be set by a girl younger than her.