“What if we want to stay in the present and not time travel?” Sam asked. “I don't think we’re going anywhere in particular other than down the trail.”
“Did you think that through, young man?” asked Flanders, sounding like an actual adviser.
Sam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wanted a straight answer, and this was getting complicated. He wanted to know exactly where the messenger trail to the Crystalline Forest from Kris’s map was. It began outside the cliff basin in the meadow and went through the mountain. He wanted to take that shortcut. He didn’t know how to explain this to this Flanders bird. Apparently Kelne likes him.
“We’re in the Waterlands, correct?” Sam asked Flanders.
“Yes indeed. And frankly I don’t see why anyone would want to be anywhere else. We have the tastiest meadows, filled with small, yummy edibles. Sometimes you’d be surprised just how big the fish can get in these mud flats. They forget to stay in the deep water for a moment, and I get a full belly. What could be better?”
“Do you know the Crystalline Forest? They have waterfalls too and large lakes. Is it better here than there?” Sam asked.
“There’s magic in the walls of the Crystalline Forest. Magic you might want to savor—or avoid completely. I personally get confused in there, I must admit. Sometimes the cliffs become mirrors. I’ve had wonderful conversations with a beautiful heron and found I was talking to a mirror.”
Jaime laughed.
“What’s so funny, young man?” Flanders said pointedly to Jaime.
“Um...oh...it sounds like something I would do,” Jaime said so he didn’t sound like he was laughing at Flanders.
Flanders warmed to Jaime immediately. “So, we are alike,” he said with a wink, straightening himself to full height. “That is wonderful.”
“If you wanted to visit the Crystalline Forest from here,” Jaime began, “and you didn't want to climb all the way to the top of the ridge, how would you get there?”
“Easy. I’d fly.”
“Maybe we aren’t quite as alike as I had hoped.”
“Why don’t you just take the trail?” Flanders said.
“What trail?” Jaime asked. “What do you mean?”
“You were nearly there when we met. You couldn’t see it because you didn’t expect to,” Flanders admonished them. “There’s a trail through the cliff face. It’s much shorter to the Crystalline Forest. It’s just over there.” The bird pointed his beak in such a way that it was hard to pinpoint exactly where he meant.
“Can you show it to us?” asked Jaime.
“It’s right there. It would bite you if it had a mouth,” Flanders said. “Have you ever told yourself you knew the way? Try that. It doesn’t always work, but it’s always worth a try. Look with a plan. It’s easier.”
“I see,” said Sam.
Sam, once again, had no idea where the trail might be. He closed his eyes, like Beacon had taught at the fire. Three breaths in through the nose and out, like he was blowing through a straw.
Flanders might be hapless, Sam decided, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t know anything. He was a heron. He lived here at least part of the time. Sam decided he knew what he was doing.
“I think I see something here,” Sam said. “Jaime, come look.”
The colors of the brambles looked red and orange, like bits of glass floating near the undergrowth. They’d found a clue.
Chapter 18
The healing center overlooked Lake Kinizar. Near the end of the hallway, Kassara and Jasmine, one of Kalendra’s messengers, waited near the door. Ivy was taking them to Tahendra after they collected the right herbs.
Ivy opened the door and led Kassara and Jasmine down the stairs to the room of healing herbs and stones. It was cool at the earth’s floor. The room was lit by a window under the surface of the lake outside. Mysterious bottles were lined up in rows covering the room. Some bottles were filled with liquids, others with large stones, dried leaves, and unusual ground crystal combinations. Kassara wondered what all these medicines were used for.
Halfway into the room, light began to show more brightly across the labels on the glass bottles. Confused, Kassara looked to Ivy, questioning why light appeared.
“Do any of these containers call to you?” Ivy asked.
“Call?” Kassara said.
“Walk past and notice how these containers make you feel. Strong, weak? Do you know what I mean? These items contain different energies waiting to be released. Your intuition matters when selecting. You need to clearly think of Tah’s energy when she’s at her best. We can restore her balance using the right plants. Be aware of yourself first. Then of your experience of her. Remember a time when she was relaxed and laughing, at her best. Try to find that feeling in your body, of being with her. Do you understand?”
Kassara closed her eyes and imagined being with her friend after school. They ran three miles each afternoon, then hung out and listened to music and Jaime and Sam. Tah seemed happiest after they ran. Kassara thought about her friend. How did it feel to be with her? Content and safe. Different from the energy of fidgeting and anxiety that Sam often carried. That memory of Sam helped her identify Tah’s energy. She had it.
“Calm and safe,” she said out loud. “Content.”
“Walk past the glass jars here. Stop when you feel that energy while touching these vessels,” Ivy instructed.
Kassara walked past several vessels, touching each one. “Spicy.” She laughed as she touched one. “Sweet. Summertime. Mysterious.” She continued as she placed her hand on each vessel to experience what she felt inside as she walked down the aisle.
“Good. Keep going,” Ivy said. “You have a natural talent for this, Kassara.”
As she continued down the aisle of dried plants and seeds, the space became lighter and brighter. She continued to use single words to describe the feelings that came to her as she placed her hand on each vessel. “Soft. Angry. Chaos. Content.” She took note of the one she had labeled content, then turned the corner to see a large wooden cabinet. On it were vessels filled with a rainbow of colors that looked like confetti. Yellow, pink, blue, lavender, each in its own vessel. “The lavender. That’s the one. I can feel it from here. That is Tah’s content, safe feeling. It’s like she was standing there.” Kassara looked to Ivy in surprise. “How can I know that?” she asked.
Ivy smiled. “Thank you, Kassara. You are truly a sage in the making. Your friends will be so grateful for your help. I can see the love and caring that led you to that vessel. Did you notice that the light is brighter as you walk in here? It’s not like that with everyone.”
Tempted to dismiss it as a fluke, Kassara remembered Kelne imploring her to allow others to speak of her strengths and accept the praise. Instead of tossing off the compliment, she stood tall and proud, and received it with grace.
Taking the jar down from the wooden cabinet, Ivy began placing a small amount of the lavender color in a container. They took that and a few other containers that Kassara had identified. When they got up the stairs and into the hallway, there was a young man a little older than Kassara standing there.
Ivy briefly introduced Kassara to Marty, then ran down the corridor to go to Tahendra’s room. She began by using the materials Kassara had identified as a reference. Tahendra was pale and having difficulty breathing. She was out cold. Ivy worked with her. The lavender crystals made a difference and she breathed more easily. Kassara’s other choices also made a difference.
She turned to Marty and smiled. “Where exactly are you from? The Crystalline Forest or the Divide? I’m not sure I understood.”
“Originally from the Chandrama Ray. Let’s just say I cross the Moonbridge every time it’s available. I usually spend one month on each side, then return at the next full moon. I like it that way. It keeps me organized. I finish projects before I leave for a month. It works out.”
“I see. What do you work on that you can wrap it up and walk away?”
“Gardens of stone. It’s an ancient tradition, layering stone and gravel on the land. It captures the dew from the night air and keeps the crops growing, keeps their roots wet, and preserves water in the desert. I’ve built three gardens so far in the Outer Plateaus. They’re thriving. We’re learning how to tend them so they’re more productive,” he said, smiling widely. “It’s working. People are happy and feel their food is more secure. It brings the community together.”
Ivy came back into the hallway, where Kassara and Marty were talking.
“I love it when you come to visit,” Ivy said, giving Marty a hug hello. “It’s been too many moons. Thank you for getting here so soon. I am glad you two have met. Soon you’ll see Tahendra. She’s still sleeping, poisoned and pale. I definitely need your skills.
“She was placed at Joe’s house. Misty’s decision. Joe’s daughter being close in age provided an excuse. The first night Charles came over for dinner so he could meet the new girl. After dessert, he rolled a Blue Montis marble at her.”
“What? Oh no!” Marty said. “Is she okay? What happened?”
“Fortunately, she had some protection. Maureen picked up the Blue Montis and blew some magic on it. Charles insisted Tah roll the stone back to him, and she did. When she had no visible reaction to it, he concluded she was not the One. She had a Moon Catcher in her pocket, thanks to Maureen, which also deflected the strength of the poison. Of course, Kelne’s memory charm kept her from knowing the stone was a danger. Glad it fooled Charles. When she was told the stone poisoned her, she didn’t take it seriously. She was pretty sick when she arrived.”
Kassara slipped out of the room and went back downstairs.
“Kris brought Kassara and Tahendra here,” Ivy said. “Her strength is returning. I can tell Kassara’s choices are making a difference. Unfortunately, each day she rests means the trek to the Moonbridge must go faster. Less time for training. We have no choice. She has to heal before she goes near the Crystalline Forest.”
Marty nodded in agreement.
“She didn’t tell anyone about the mysterious burn,” Ivy continued. “Whenever she thought about Charles and Joe, her mind went fuzzy. We need her resilient. I’m glad Kris took Tahendra and Kassara to the Kinizar Waterfall and let her really soaked in the spray. That gave her enough strength I was able to talk to her when she arrived. I instructed her to keep that mist in her mind while she slept.”
“Charles. What did he do to make her mind fuzzy?” Marty wondered aloud. “How is her memory otherwise?”
“If you ask her about her life, she only knows Kalendra from the day they arrived,” Ivy said. “She has random early memories in the Wenderfaren Valley when she was six, but no real memory other than growing up on Earth.”
Kassara came back from the cellar with more lavender and the other powders she’d identified. “There’s one new one here. I think it goes with the others. It lit as I walked toward it.”
“You are lighting the healing herbs? And you’ve just arrived with no training? That’s very unusual, Kassara,” Marty commented.
“Yes. Ivy showed me. I focus on what it’s like to be with Tah when she’s at her best. I try to find herbs that feel like that. Then I watch for light when I touch the herbs. If they light up, I bring them to Ivy. If not, I note them for later.”
Marty looked from Kassara to Ivy and nodded his head. “I’m so glad you’re here. Looks like your dear friend is in good hands. Where is her Moon Catcher now?”
“It’s in her coat pocket on the chair, I think. That’s where it was, last I checked. I never thought about moving it.” Kassara turned to Ivy for confirmation.
“I’ve tried to place it in her hand to test if it gives her strength or drains her,” Ivy said. “So far it only seems to stir her dreams a little. When she’s awake I haven’t found a difference whether she’s holding it or not.”
“Ivy is the best healer in Kalendra,” Marty said. “Keep learning from her, Kassara.”
“How modest of you, Marty.” Ivy kissed her friend on the cheek and squeezed his hand. “I thought you were the best healer in Kalendra.”
Chapter 19
“Sam, Sam, Sam.... Sam, Sam, Sam...”
Where was that sound coming from? He kept hearing it, like a rustling in the bushes, like a drumbeat on the wind. It was driving him crazy. It had been happening off and on all morning. He thought maybe he should check with Jaime to see if he heard it too. Otherwise, he was certain he’d finally broken. Or was something trying to get his attention?
“This is Sam. Do you want something?” he said, awaiting certain ridicule. After all, he would have hassled any of his friends for talking to themselves. Jaime was busy, thankfully. To his surprise and relief, he then heard, “Of course I want a word with you. I’ve been asking for you to respond all morning.”
“Oh. Sorry about that. Tell me more. Where are you?”
“I’m right here, if you please,” said the voice.
Sam was perplexed. Who was right there? There were a few fish in the high mountain lake. He had seen some birds fly past earlier. He didn’t see anyone, human or otherwise, that was right here. He looked around the logs and the forest nearby. Then up the tree and down on the ground. He was puzzled.
“I could let a juicy turd drop right on your head, and I’m considering it. Move more, and you’ll see me.”
Sam jumped off the boulder and looked up. In the tree above him he saw a bird on a branch with a white ruffled chest. His head was filled with white and teal feathers.
“Oh my. You’re beautiful. Thank you for speaking to me,” Sam said, remembering gratitude calmed him down. He had been feeling irritated, but he didn’t want to trigger a bird pooping on his head as evidence. He was grateful for the warning. And now that he saw the delicate and beautiful creature, he wanted to learn all he could.
“What would you like?” Sam said in awe.
“You have a gift you aren’t using.”
“I do?” Sam said, excited. “Please tell me. May I ask, what is your name?”
“You know much more than you let yourself know. Allow more.”
Sam was incredulous.
“What do you mean allow more?” Sam said. “I take in as much as I can handle. “Do you know Beacon? He said a time will come when I can take in more. Is this the time?”
“The time has passed already, and you aren’t using your gifts. I’m here to say everyone would be better off if you acknowledge the importance of finding them immediately and moving into yourself.”
Sam was mystified. He had a special gift of some sort. It was his job to find it.
“Can you give me a hint? I can’t wait to help,” he said.
The teal-and-white bird flew off, and Sam saw him disappear on the other side of the lake.
“I’m special,” Sam said aloud to himself, “and I get to figure out how.” He had a lightness to his step as he walked toward the lake and climbed along the cliff’s edge.
He looked up at the bird and said, “Thank you so much. You’ve made my day. I probably have more gifts than I ever knew. I never thought of myself as anything other than ordinary, or worse.”
Jaime and Sam invited Flanders for breakfast They’d camped by the lake last night, and it was a treat to cook breakfast near the stream. Flanders ate his usual snack of fish, while Sam and Jaime ate the vegetables they brought from Beacon’s.
Jaime grabbed the task list he was given by Beacon. When he read through his list, he got excited.
“Wow. I’m doing this one! It says Learn to ride an eagle,” he announced.
“Where are you going to find an eagle to learn to fly? Do you suppose Flanders has any ideas?” Sam said, looking over at Flanders.
“Oh, why yes, of course. A friend of mind will give you a lift. Wait here. I’ll call and see what I can do for you.”
The two waited. Yesterday they’d learned how to find the beginnings of a Messenger Trail. Maybe today they’d get to open it.
Kelne would be so happy Jaime did a task from the list. Sam wondered what he should be doing. His list included items like Forgive yourself. That didn’t sound nearly as fun as riding an eagle. His conversations with Beacon impacted the way he saw his life. He liked the idea of being kinder to himself. That was new.
He decided to wait at the lake’s edge and work on his task while he kept an eye on Jaime. Should he forgive himself thinking his dad’s sudden temper tantrums were his fault? Beacon said blaming himself had made the injury go deep. He replayed his dad’s disappointment in him again, and realized Beacon was right. He was being unfair to himself.
Flanders returned with his friend, Alana.
“Here you go, Jaime. My friend Alana would love to give you a ride into the sky. Riding an eagle is on your docket. Maybe now you can fly to the Crystalline Forest, just as I suggested.”
Jaime nodded.
“Hello. Thank you so much, Alana. I have a task Kelne, and Beacon recommended for me. I need the skill of riding an eagle. Is that something you are willing to help me with?”
“Sure. That would be fun. Where would you like to go?”
“Um, I want to see the world from your perspective. I want to see the lay of the land from the air and see into the lake.”
“Where would you like to go from here?”
Jaime pointed up to the sky. “Can you please show me the view from the mountains?”
“Sure. I’ll go to the height of the mountains, and then we can do a tight circle around the lake. When I start circling tight. We’ll have a little tour. How would that be?”
Jaime nodded excitedly, then climbed on the bird’s back, hoping that the space between her wings would hold him securely. He hung on to her neck. It seemed comfortable enough.
“I think I’m ready.”
The bird took off in flight. Jaime hung on tightly. Sam marveled, wondering when he would get such a lofty assignment. Then, instead of beating himself up, he said out loud, “I’m becoming ready. Beacon says so.”
Magic Invitation: Kalendra Chronicles Book One Page 8