Song

by Jason Lethcoe

  “Tell them to wait for me,” he said to a protesting Tabitha as he elbowed through the crowd and ran over to Bridgette.

  Jack stepped up to the podium and waved for the crowd’s attention. They listened as he embarked on a long speech, detailing the history of the Woodbine and the prophetic arrival of the Bridge Builder. The faun had made certain that Zephath and the rest of the Guardian Council were given front row seats for this part of the event, and relished the humble expressions on their usually haughty faces.

  Edward dashed up the hill to where Bridgette stood and was surprised to see that she’d been crying.

  “Hi, Bridgette. What’s the matter?” he asked, concerned.

  The girl wiped her red, swollen eyes and said, “Once you rebuild the bridges, I w-won’t be able to come with you.”

  Edward stared at her, confused. “Of course you will,” he said gently. “Everybody who wants to leave the Woodbine can come.”

  She stared up at him with an anguished expression on her face. “You don’t understand. It’s not that I don’t want to. I do. It’s just that . . .” Her voice trailed off.

  Edward put his arm around her and gave her a hug. “It’s okay,” he said reassuringly. “I’ll be right beside you.”

  She gently took his arm from her shoulders. Turning from him, she said, “I can’t go because I’m not able to. I’m in a coma back on Earth, remember? I’m trapped both here in the Woodbine and in the hospital. The doctors are treating my burns. I . . . If I try I can almost feel them working, even though I’m also here with you. They’re trying to keep me alive, even though I might never wake up. I can’t go with you if I’m still there.”

  Edward could see the pain on Bridgette’s face. She was trapped between life and death. He thought back to the moment when she’d told him about the fire that had so severely burned her and had taken her baby sister’s life. Then he thought of all the times that Bridgette had encouraged him, helping him press forward even though he didn’t believe in himself. She had been there from the beginning, offering kindness and friendship at every turn. Without her help, Edward wouldn’t be standing here now.

  Turning her gently so he could look into her eyes, he tilted her tear-streaked face up toward his own.

  “Bridgette, no matter what happens, even if I rebuild the bridge and everybody in the Woodbine goes forward, I’m not going to leave you behind.”

  Bridgette rushed into Edward’s arms. The two held each other for a long time, not saying anything. Finally Bridgette stepped back, her eyes still shining with tears. She gave Edward a watery smile and said, “Well, it sounds like the crowd has heard just about enough of Jack’s speech. I think it’s time for you to do some bridge building.”

  Edward smiled down at her. He took her small hand in his own and the two of them walked down the hill to the podium where Jack stood, wrapping up his long speech.

  As Edward and Bridgette approached, a cheer erupted from the crowd. Edward felt a renewed sense of nerves as he surveyed the huge pieces of stone scattered all around the destroyed fortress. They were the remains of the first bridge—huge, oblong pieces of stone that weighed several thousand tons each.

  Edward hadn’t formed a plan for building the bridges. He’d assumed, like the other times, that when the moment came he would just know what to do. But now, as the crowd fell into a hushed silence, he found that he didn’t have the slightest idea how to proceed.

  Edward stared at the field, thousands of eyes boring into him. Here he was, the supposed Bridge Builder, and he had no idea how to do it! His heart started racing and he licked his dry lips. Murmurs spread through the concerned assembly. Everyone wondered what Edward was waiting for.

  Edward’s hand flicked down to his pocket. It was an old habit of his, reaching for his deck of playing cards whenever he felt nervous. He wished he had his cards now. It had been so long since he’d felt their reassuring touch.

  Edward had purged the poison of the Four from his system when he sang his Song of Power, but there was still a voice in his head. This time it was his own, wondering if he was the prophetic hero after all. Maybe it had all been a gigantic coincidence. What did he know about building bridges? The only thing he’d ever been able to build was card houses . . .

  That was when it hit him.

  As Edward gazed at the huge, oblong pieces of stone, a huge smile spread across his face. There they were, scattered among the ruins. Fifty-four of the most perfectly shaped pieces of stone he could imagine.

  He knew what to do.

  One by one the images of his long lost deck flashed through his mind. He visualized placing the cards against one another, as he’d done when building his countless card houses, and a song burst from his lips, a triumphant song the likes of which had never been heard in any of the Seven Worlds.

  It was in a new language, and as he sang, the huge pieces of stone broke free from where they’d been sitting for thousands of years. Centuries of earth trailed from their flattened edges as they followed the ornate pattern that Edward created. One by one, the pieces settled upon each other, eliciting gasps from the awestruck crowd. The mammoth stones stretched an infinite distance, soaring up toward the worlds beyond.

  Edward knew that it was but one of the Seven Bridges that he was rebuilding. There were four more that needed his attention, and to get to them he would have to travel upward and find the waiting pieces.

  Once more the opening lines of the prophetic rhyme echoed in his mind.

  There are seven bridges between the worlds

  And five of them are broken.

  The sixth one has no rails to hold

  And the seventh one was stolen.

  He didn’t know about the sixth and seventh bridges. From the sound of the verses, it seemed that the sixth must be intact but hard to cross. As far as the seventh one went, he could only wonder who had stolen it and why? If there were no pieces, he would have to find another way to build the bridge.

  The last stone rose into the air, soaring upward until it was lost in the clouds, journeying to take its place at the end of the long line of others. Nobody but Edward could see where it was supposed to fit, but in his mind Edward saw the last piece of the puzzle perfectly. And with a satisfying click it fell into place.

  The fully restored bridge shimmered with a gentle light. The awestruck crowd finally found their voices. A mighty cheer resonated through the Woodbine, making the ground shake.

  It had happened. The first of the five bridges that the Jackal had broken was rebuilt. The countless souls trapped in the Woodbine for thousands of years would finally be able to journey upward.

  Edward’s mother stood beside him, a look of fierce pride written on her face. Edward wondered if his father could somehow see him, or if he knew what Edward had done.

  His thoughts were interrupted by the Guardian High Council, who sheepishly congratulated him and suggested that Jack should be the first to set foot on the newly made bridge. Jack hesitated, insisting that Edward take the historic step. But Edward was thinking about Bridgette and told Jack that he should do it. After all, it was Jack who had recognized Edward for who he truly was.

  Jack nodded and, extending his hand to Joyce, led the procession of souls to Lelakek, the world that legends said was closest to the Woodbine.

  Edward stood, his hand clasped in Bridgette’s, watching as the steady stream of Woodbine inhabitants made their way up the bridge.

  Tabitha, Rachel, and the other young Guardians who had participated in the battle had decided to see what lay beyond, and they had invited Melchior’s old friends Sariel and Artemis to go with them. Edward noticed that for once the two creatures weren’t fighting with each other, but wore huge smiles, glad to be included once more among the ranks of their Guardian peers. Although they had fallen, they had earned their redemption at last. Edward knew that he never would have succeeded without the help they had offered both him and his father.

  As the sun sank lower in the sky, the crow
d of people started to thin. Edward watched as two of Cornelius’s big, blue snails slowly advanced up the bridge, following the last of the stragglers.

  Neither Edward nor Bridgette spoke as the last few people ascended the bridge. Some of them shot curious glances back at Edward, wondering why the Bridge Builder himself wasn’t going with them. Edward smiled and waved, insisting that they go on without him.

  The sky turned crimson as the sun set behind the mountains. Edward didn’t look, but he could tell Bridgette had started to cry. Faith, faith. Have faith . . .

  He repeated the words over and over again in his mind. Too many times before, when all hope was gone and everything seemed lost, he had given up. If he hadn’t learned by now to have faith, then he’d learned nothing at all.

  Just as he was about to ask his mother to go on without him, there was the sound of small footsteps running up behind him. Edward turned and saw Tollers, red-faced and puffing, coming up the hill.

  “It’s all right! It’s all right!” he wheezed as he approached. Edward looked at him, confused.

  “What’s all right?” he asked.

  Tollers pointed his tiny finger at Bridgette. “Word . . . just came . . . from Earth,” he said, his voice punctuated by gasps. “Bridgette’s been released! She’s now an official resident.”

  Bridgette felt something the moment Tollers said the words. It was as if heavy chains deep inside her had fallen away, leaving her with a new sense of freedom. She felt more alive, more real than she’d ever been.

  She looked up at Edward, too stunned to speak. He gazed down at her, his eyes twinkling with happiness. Then, with a whoop of joy, Edward gathered her into his arms.

  Silhouetted against a sea of glittering stars, Edward, Bridgette, and Sarah approached the bridge. Edward spread his long, ebony wings, stretching them protectively around the people he loved most in the world. As his feet touched the bridge and he began his long walk to the heavens, he felt joy like he’d never known before. Edward knew there was still work to be done, but for now he was at peace.

  The Bridge Builder began to sing.

  Appendix

  Beezlenut’s Guide to the Afterlife

  The following is an updated excerpt from Beezlenut’s Guide to the Afterliferegarding the worlds between Earth and the Higher Places. This is the most current information available to travelers since the arrival of the Bridge Builder, and is changing as new discoveries filter back from Guardian Scouts.

  The Woodbine

  Designed as a brief stopping place, the Woodbine is a place where souls can take care of unfinished business on Earth. From the Woodbine, a mortal is free to request that a Guardian be sent to provide comfort or healing to loved ones left behind.

  Occasionally, a mortal wishes to communicate a message to their loved ones. This is more complicated, as Guardians are invisible to mortals and cannot communicate with them directly. Guardians arevisible to animals, and often use pets to help a loved one find something or to provide extra comfort.

  For thousands of years, mortals were stuck in the Woodbine, unable to move on even after their business on Earth was completed. However, with the reconstruction of the bridge, they are now free to travel upward when they feel ready to do so.

  Lelakek

  Lelakek’s reputation for having a perfect climate and majestic mountains has circulated throughout the Woodbine for centuries. In fact, the Afterlife’s second world is so beautiful that many mortals have stopped on their journey upward to become permanent residents. When interviewed, most explained that their reason for stopping was because they believed that the Higher Places couldn’t be any more gorgeous.

  But Lelakek has more than gorgeous scenery. It is home to a species of bird so rare and beautiful that it caused endless arguments over what to name it. Consequently, the bird has been labeled the “No-Name Thrush.” The bird is covered with plumage that has a mirrorlike sheen and reflects the colors around it. It also has a magnificent crown of thin, wiry feathers on its head that vibrate like harp strings and produce a single, beautiful note that adds harmony to its distinctive song.

  Travelers should be sure to keep an eye out for this unique bird.

  Although Lelakek’s beauty is sure to draw visitors, the real highlight here—and the reason for this world’s stellar reputation—are the unforgettable feasts prepared by Guardian chefs. One restaurant worth visiting is The Broken Wing, run by Chef Jean-Paul Ange, which received the prestigious Five Rings award from Bridges Restaurant Quarterly.

  It is said that Jean-Paul’s chefs, nicknamed “tabach” in the Guardian tongue, undergo many years of training before they’re allowed to cook their first dish. The training is kept very secret, but rumors abound about strange and bizarre rituals that require the ultimate in physical skill and mental concentration.

  A recent report from an anonymous tabach described a training ritual that involves gathering fire berries from a bush that can only be found in the molten core of Lelakek. The chef-in-training must tunnel beneath the ground for miles before diving into the core’s flames and retrieving the berries.

  Considering that “flame berry” tea cake is one of the simplest and most common recipes on Lelakek, one can only speculate what kind of training creating a savory dish like Roast Griffin Framboise would require!

  The guide heartily suggests that visitors to this spectacular world come hungry!

  Jubal

  Built millennia ago by famous Guardian Josiah Goodwin, the legendary Ten Thousand Mile Maze is a “must do” experience for any visitor to Jubal. In fact, the only way for a visitor to ascend to the next world is to complete the labyrinth.

  The maze’s beautiful stone arch entrance is well-known for the blue sage that grows on it. As most Woodbine botanists know, blue sage is famous for being a “philosopher plant,” one of the few plant species that can actually speak. Upon entry to the maze, each walker is treated to a spiritual question posed by the sage plant. The walker is then left to ponder the question while he or she wanders the endless, twisting paths. Questions range from abstract queries like, “Do I know when I’ve had enough?” to somewhat comical questions such as, “What is the meaning of fish and why are there so many of them in the sea?”

  The maze’s interior is constructed out of so many different materials that the terrain changes every few steps. A typical visit may begin on a pathway of ornately decorated stones and suddenly wind into a majestic crystal forest. Walkers have also reported twisting paths built high on stilts that stretch over an endless horizon of glittering, crimson seas.

  Fortunately, rest areas are in abundance throughout all parts of the labyrinth. These areas are constantly supplied with food and drink, and provide a wonderful opportunity to rest or interact with other walkers.

  Jubal has been rated by Afterlife 100 magazine as the third-best stopping place for those travelers wishing to probe the deeper meanings of life or wanting a really good nap somewhere extraordinary.

  Baradil

  Perpetually shrouded in fog, Baradil remains one of the most mysterious and unexplored worlds of the Afterlife. The few reports that have come back tell of a place so dense with clouds that very few details about the terrain can be made out.

  Baradil is said to be a place where one can discover “self awareness,” but because there are so few reports, this cannot be confirmed. Further updates from the guide will be provided when available.

  Akamai

  The legendary Akamai is known for its extensive music library, which houses every Guardian song ever written. The library is a tremendous resource for Guardians interested in composing Songs of Power and a wonderful place for mortal travelers to witness firsthand the magic of newly invented songs. It is also the place where mortals and Guardians research songs to help them build vehicles to cross the bridge without rails on Zeshar.

  The traveler to Akamai should be aware that the lands outside the library are filled with dangerous creatures. The library is well guarded, wi
th sentries posted along its castlelike walls. Since it is the only habitable structure on this world, travelers are advised to stay inside the library building at all times. The structure is expansive, with sleeping quarters and several very nice restaurants housed within, so visitors need not worry about comfortable accommodations.

  Scattered throughout the library’s huge rooms are several viewing areas constructed on high platforms. And unlike most libraries, loud noises are encouraged here! Because thousands of compositions are being sung or played on Instruments of Power all at once, the noise can be somewhat overwhelming at first. But most travelers report being able to make sense of the chaos after spending an hour or so listening to the individual melodies.

  For best viewing, it is suggested that visitors remain in the library after dark. The magical properties of the songs glow with resplendent color at that time and can be quite spectacular. Equally entertaining are the songs that don’t turn out quite right, such as the famous “Song of Wondrous Fruit” that ended up showering everyone inside the library with green pomegranate juice.

  Several new Songs of Power have been composed since the rediscovery of Akamai. Among these are “Jezreel’s Song of Battle,” which produced glowing spears over fifty yards long, and “Lissa’s Lament,” which created a steady rain of sweets (much to the delight of the younger mortal travelers).

  Zeshar

  A favorite of mechanical-minded people everywhere, Zeshar is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves invention and clever machines. The famous pastime on this world is the construction of vehicles to cross the famous “Sixth Bridge” that has no rails. Each vehicle is unique, and any mortal or Guardian wishing to cross must invent his or her own, using the Song of Power written or found while visiting Akamai.