The Way

by Janet Parsons

Toby watched them pass and then turned to Beth. “Doesn’t it amaze you that those two are so inseparable? You’d think spending the first nine months in such crowded conditions would make for a lifetime of craving space, but no, they don’t ever leave each other’s side. Anytime I’ve asked Nathan to come kayaking or for a ride it’s like, ‘only if Gary can come too’.”

  Beth pondered his statement and then gently added, “Perhaps Nathan is not ready to single-mingle yet? You needn’t be offended that he always wants Gary along, I think he’s just wanting to play it safe. And hey – in matters of the heart, truth be told, don’t we all?”

  “Listen to you, wise one. All right, let’s leave it there for now. I know where you’re heading and I’m not ready to talk that road, with you or anyone else.” Toby playfully poked out his tongue at her. They sealed the water drum, and, taking a handle each, made their way back to camp.

  After the chores were completed to Ms. Flander’s exacting, almost military, standards and the fire stacked and started, Professor Cragg called the rest of the students together, and spoke in his usual monotone. “You will now accompany me to a perfect site to photograph the topography of this region. Okay now, just remember however exciting this trip is; we all must ‘Keep Calm and Carpe Noctem, students’.”

  “Pffffft! He can’t be serious. If he keeps on speaking like that, we won’t be keeping calm, we’ll be falling asleep! How do you stand being in his class with that voice?” Toby looked at Beth cross-eyed, causing her to burst out laughing.

  “Are you all right there, Miss Harlow? Have I said something that amuses you? Do you need to share this with the rest of us?” Professor Cragg looked over his spectacles.

  “No, sir, I guess I am just excited to be here,” Beth answered, flicking Toby in the back.

  “Excellent. Now come along with me, and have your photographic devices at the ready.” He led the group to the lookout as the sun was setting. The valley below looked like a patchwork quilt of differing hues, an Autumn showcase of red, gold and green. The Arethusa Falls looked like a small white streak and as Beth looked across the valley and up at the vast mountain range, she realized that this view was identical to the painting in the corner of the lounge at the lighthouse.

  “Toby, do you recognize this incredible vista?” Beth asked him. “It’s on the wall at home.” As she said the word ‘home’, Beth reflected how much the lighthouse, Maggie and the pets had really become just that– home.

  “You’re right, Lady Macbeth. At least you won’t get homesick here then. Mmm…smell that chili bean stew! I’m starving and nothing tastes as good as camp cooking, especially after a hard day’s walk. Come on let’s head back and make sure we’re first in line.”

  “Always thinking with that stomach of yours!” Beth laughed.

  The campfire danced with red and orange flames, the occasional bright spark popping out when the sap from the pine branches boiled and bubbled away. The few wispy clouds wore a slight pink blush with the last rays of the setting sun. The dark silhouettes of the pine sentinels standing around the clearing provided an etched frame for the night sky, revealing the first few twinkling white stars.

  The students lined up hungrily with their bowls by the steaming pots of stew. Sturdy, aged logs had been dragged to form seating around the fire. The springy moss on them made soft cushions on parts of the thick bark.

  After dinner, the crew assigned to the clean-up began their work while the rest gathered around the fire for some storytelling. The usual suspects cropped up in people’s tales; Bigfoot, werewolves, and vampires, and Toby’s story which included a knife wielding psychopath hunting unsuspecting science students in a deep dark forest.

  Logan joined the group and sat on one of the logs opposite Beth, the firelight casting shadows across his face, making it difficult to see his eyes, until he looked up at her, the flickering light catching them, as he gave her a knowing smile. Taking from his pocket a silver and red harmonica, he played some familiar contemporary tunes, and when everyone had warmed up he included the routine singalong songs that had been around for generations.

  You couldn’t help but join in, thought Beth, and although she wasn’t familiar with all the songs, she found herself catching on to the choruses and belting them out with the rest of them.

  The fireside song session had created a convivial atmosphere and Logan asked for any song requests. The proposed song was not one Beth was familiar with and involved a lot of stamping, clapping and chanting.

  Tamara Muir, one of the girls from the other tent, approached Beth. Pushing back her dark-brown hair behind her ears, she shyly asked, “Would you please come with me to the um er… bathroom? The two girls I’m bunking with have already been earlier, and I’m a bit scared in the dark.”

  “Of course I can.” Beth stood up and walked with her along the flat pathway illuminated with solar lights, which had been fixed by Ms. Flanders. “Oh good, you have your torch, so let’s go.”

  The track was narrow and the girls walked single file. Their footsteps sounded with a light cracking and crunching of the twigs and leaves, as the little flares gave a faint light that let them identify any larger tree roots or rocks along the way. Although the full moon was enormous, the treed canopy concealed its light.

  As they moved along the track, the music from camp sounded muffled.

  “I’m sorry we couldn’t fit you in our tent, Beth. I hope you are okay with those other girls. Our group doesn’t tend to mix with them. They are kind of stand-offish. I see you with Toby most lunch times and I’m glad he has you to be around, as before you came, he was quite lonely. He seems to have a weird sense of humor and I think a lot of people don’t know how to take him.”

  Tamara continued chatting until they reached the designated area, then, reaching around for the torch, she continued, “Thanks Beth, if you could just wait here I’ll be right back, it’s not much of a bathroom really, is it? At least the rear wall is rock and surrounded by those little bushes off the clearing it kind of gives some sense of privacy.”

  Beth turned her back and waited. The forest was dense either side of the path and apart from the subtle glow on the ground, it was pitch black. A couple of minutes passed. From her peripheral vision Beth was sure she saw something move through the trees to her left, then a few seconds later, something else.

  Calm right down, she told herself firmly. This is no time to let your stupid hyper imagination kick in.

  Trying to distract herself she called out, “Are you okay, Tamara?”

  Tamara answered, “Yeah, I’m fine, just fumbling a bit with the torch; give me another minute or two.”

  A low creaking came from the trees, like a branch being weighed down. k`1`2

  Beth scanned the forest where she had seen the motion a few minutes earlier, her skin prickling with fear. About three feet from where she stood, peering from between two thick and twisted tree branches was a pair of blood-red glowing eyes.

  CHAPTER 15

  Qualm

  “There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing”

  – ROBERT BURNS

  Llandyr stood out on the exquisitely crafted balcony of the immense tree branch, his hands closed around the plaited rail. He had just returned from the Seers, who had not been able to shed any light about the deep unrest he was feeling and the Dail had shown only a murky representation of the fears he was desperately trying to allay. He looked out into the Realm, the full moonlight shimmering off the multitude of wings as the Fae flitted about, greeting each other after day’s long labor, couples embracing mid-air and the young Faebs squealing with delight at the sight of their respective families coming to collect them from their day nurseries.

  The glittering threads of the silken rope bridges between the tree tops were alive with those Fae readying themselves for Evenglow in the Great Hall, which involved music, dancing and a cornucopian feast. The Evenglow ritual, held on the full moon, commemorates, celebrates and when necessary commiserates all life
occasions and accomplishments for the Fae, their allied mythical races, animals and plants of the Realm.

  “Why such deep concern on that face of yours, Llandyr? How can you look so perturbed witnessing this sacred time of day in your Realm? The Dochas is so thick in the air that you can see it, taste it, even bathe in it. Wipe your furrowed brow, and come join me for a glass of lummous.” Lady Ashling held out a silver and glass goblet containing an opalescent fluid with tiny lilac bubbles rising to the surface. “And then you can escort me to the Great Hall.”

  Llandyr’s expression softened and he accepted the goblet and took a sip. “Thank you for this. Of course I will accompany you this evening, it’s just I have been experiencing a disturbance in the ether and feel helpless that the Seers still cannot give me any insights. I know I must trust that the measures we have put into place around our Ellucidite will prove sound.”

  “It was you who so wisely reminded us all about ‘unwritten variables’. You know as well as I, there are certain outcomes that cannot be controlled, even by our deepest magic. Drink that up and then come and greet your faethful Realm. There are many wondrous beings waiting for and deserving of, your attention.” Lady Ashling’s glorious wings opened out like a vibrant flowery fan. “Llandyr, leave your fears. Go now and make sure you are truly present for those here depending on you.”

  Llandyr’s golden-rimmed white wings appeared and he made ready to accompany the beauty by his side. He took her hand and they gracefully rose from the balcony and into the night air. Tiny beads of light shone entwined in silken threads draped along every tree branch and fragrant honeysuckle and wisteria blossoms cascaded from them. As the couple glided along, Llandyr greeted many passers-by, all by name, and enquired of their families and well-being. He was an incomparable leader, wise, caring and committed to the Fae cause.

  As they alighted at the entrance to the Great Hall, an excited young attendant alerted the next in charge to let the orchestra know that their great ruler had arrived, and overhearing him, Llandyr interrupted to ask, “What is your name?”

  “Me? I’m Avery. Have I done something wrong?” It was Avery’s first time working at Evenglow and though he had read the manual at least fifty times he couldn’t help thinking he had missed some important part of the protocol.

  “Avery, listen well, I lead you all, I do not rule you. We are each our own ruler, free to choose our own path, purpose and potential. Always I will offer guidance and advice, but remember you belong to yourself. Your greatest gift is your freedom to choose – which way you will take.”

  The young Fae looked both delighted and surprised to be addressed so personally. “Thank you, I will try to remember that.” He called out to his colleague again and a most enchanting serenade of harps, flutes and strings swelled into a regal crescendo.

  Llandyr and Lady Ashling walked up the center of the hall, a soft carpet of pastel rose petals underneath their feet. Llandyr led Lady Ashling to a long table at the front of the Great Hall. He pulled out her chair, holding her robe as she sat, and when she was comfortably settled, he walked to the lectern which was an elaborate sculpture of a golden lily, the petals forming a backdrop and the stamen of the flower serving as a microphone. All the tables were draped in white gossamer cloth, embroidered with a single exotic golden lily in the center except Llandyr’s table’s cloth, which was wreathed in embroidered golden lilies.

  An older Fae woman seated on the table nearest to them turned and whispered to her daughter, “Ooh did you see the way he helped her to her chair? Do you think they are finally together?”

  Her daughter answered, also in a whisper, “In her dreams. He is a long way from taking another mate.” She looked at Llandyr and let out a sigh. “Even though you’d think a hundred years of grieving would suffice, he is no closer to moving on than the day he lost her.”

  An attendant standing close to them gave them the signal to be quiet.

  Llandyr opened the ritual by complimenting the organizing committee for the stunning decor and thanking those who had travelled great distances to attend. He gave a Fae blessing on those who were present under difficult circumstances. The Fae blessing was a special incantation, spoken in traditional Fae. It was much more than just an auditory experience, it was tangible—as each of the words were uttered, a mist of glittering, luminous, energy encapsulated the beings for whom the blessing was offered. The energy surrounded the physical shape of the being and then entered into the heart area, providing healing, strength and a solid dose of Dochas.

  Each being who was to be recognized, was called to the lectern and given a chance to respond to their award and were then granted the chance to make a wish for someone in their life. They wrote their wish with a gold pen on a white rose petal which was then placed in a quaint timber Wishing Well. Sweet white and pink budded ivy vines wrapped around the posts and crossed over the shingled roof of the well. As each wish was received, a small cloud of pale pink would arise from the well. If a wish was not accepted by the well – for example if the being had made the wish about themselves or wished for anything that was not in keeping with Fȁeth – the petal would be ejected from the well and morph into a fat black velvet moth and then vanish.

  There were no further consequences for those who had placed an unacceptable wish; they were just unable to request another wish until next they were called up at Evenglow. The thing that tended to happen if a wish was rejected, was that the recipient would endeavor to achieve recognition quickly, to gain another chance at helping another.

  A wonderful way to promote the traditional qualities of Fae, this part of the ritual was a joy for all.

  A mid-age Fae, Dawn, who was the daughter of the older Fae lady seated at the front table, was being recognized for her outstanding service to the Faelders and approached the podium looking longingly into Llandyr’s eyes as she received her scroll. Dawn had known Llandyr since they went through Fae College together and for all that time, she had held a candle of hope that one day he would be hers, as many of the ladies of the Realm hoped also. She spoke into the lily stamen and gave a short speech about her work and how much she had learned from working with the Faelders who had so much history and knowledge to pass on.

  Dawn then wrote her wish on a white petal and placed it into the well. There was a minute or two of delay, then the petal shot out of the well, lit black and disappeared.

  “What’s this? My wish was honorable and not self-centered.” Her voice quivered quietly as she looked across at Llandyr.

  Llandyr leant in closer to her and looked benevolently into her eyes. “Fret not, just know that the well reads between the lines and hears the message of the heart’s intention. The work you do for our people is indeed both worthy and honorable and there is a certain someone who is waiting for you to notice him. Sometimes the flame we hold for another blinds us to who we are destined to be with. He will both honor and cherish you. Keep watch. He is waiting. Close your eyes.” He placed his palm gently over her eyes and she felt a warm glow in both eyes.

  When he had finished, Dawn opened her eyes and felt a single tear escape down her cheek. She wiped it with her hand and saw it had become a large, teardrop shaped, pale pink, diamond. “Thank you. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

  She held it in the palm of her hand.

  “Go now and be sure to have it set in a ring to remind you of your own beauty – priceless and rare.”

  A delicious banquet followed the formal part of the evening. Dainty morsel tasting plates were served so that everyone got to taste the multitude of colors and flavors. The food was in the form of detailed replicas of forest flora; brightly colored berries and all kinds of edible bark, moss and ferns. Delicious roulades, both savory and sweet, were made to resemble tree logs, and exquisite flower-shaped cupcakes were served for dessert. The lummous flowed and the orchestra picked up to a lively pace while the floating cordoned dance area became a sea of wings.

  “Come Llandyr, let us join the celebration.” Lady
Ashling took his hand and they floated up and into the flurry.

  * * *

  Degarl, dressed in a slick black tuxedo, fiddled with the stiff white bow tie as he restlessly paced along the massive window wall of the viewing room, an impressive overhang of steel beams and glass walls, floor and roof. He looked out at the harvest moon, the colossal glowing orb huge on the horizon; an orange, red and yellow fusion, it lit up a wide rippled road across an otherwise ink black ocean. He could not escape the uneasy dread forming in the pit of his stomach and it wasn’t to do with the impending evening of boring political rants and high society hoopla.

  Lilith had organized an ‘easy’ formal dinner party for twenty high profile guests at the “Beach Shack”, as she referred to it. The staff had been busy setting up the five guest suites in the south wing as Lilith decided a morning-after-brunch would be a most appealing way to determine which of the twenty would make her ‘Friend List’. As if the woman needed any more ‘friends’, as her private secretary had an alphabetized on-line FRM (Friend Relationship Manager) System, that held impressive (some may even say invasive) fields of data from their net worth to their shoe size.

  Lilith was like a sponge, absorbing and extracting every single drop of information about the people she identified as worthy to share the same oxygen as her.

  Degarl had received further warnings from Zie that he was to leave all Fae issues alone and to keep to the set agenda. Winning the mayoral election was the first step in the Bureau’s strategy plan to ensure that the Omega Order’s political path was established. No amount of sound reasoning with Zie would change his mind on the power of the Broin. Degarl had researched and pooled enough evidence to the contrary but watched via a video conference as Zie tore up the scrolls and documents he had presented as evidence, and threw them into the fire.

  “Degarl! Make your way to the entrance foyer now; our guests will be arriving shortly and we must create the right impression, with a formal receiving line.” Lilith’s voice sounded jarringly through the intercom system. Her nerves were high, from the sound of her tone.