by Andrea Engel
Sadie couldn’t believe she had made it this far, passing through Saponi Straime on her own. She walked between the massive stands of trees that wove through Mystashan. They looked like beech or elm trees from back home, but with something extra, be it bright colors or sparkling trunks. A whole rainbow of otherworldly watercolors stretched far beyond where their trunks were planted.
“What in the world?” Sadie stared at the sky. Lengths of silky fabrics floated, rippling as though they were clouds as far as she could see. But they were neither clouds nor fabric. Their colors in broad daylight changed constantly, encouraging subtle shifts in mood. Shades of pinks, blues, greens, and purples—each brought a feeling of calm. They reminded her of the green and blue flashes from her music box.
A soft, repetitive squeak filled the air. At first, Sadie couldn’t tell where the sound came from, but she soon realized it was from the plants themselves. Lush varieties of low-to-the-ground cover and flowers grew everywhere, familiar in a way but distinctly Mystashan. She took care to step between them rather than on them.
As she grew accustomed to the squeaking, she deciphered another tone, sounding in unison. A distinct humming persisted all around her, like the sound of thousands of tiny insects. She closed her eyes and focused on it. Almost instantly it became more distinct. The humming wasn’t humming at all but words.
High-pitched, fast-talking voices wove in and through one another and carried a melody too. And then she understood. The lilies spoke to marigolds as easily as petunias hummed at roses, and Sadie understood them all. Of course! They were Mystashan varieties—that made all the difference, she supposed.
She took off her shoes and let her bare feet show her the way. They directed her to the midst of a field of finely colored wildflowers in a valley.
A deep voice behind her asked, “How are you today, my dear girl?”
“Thelo!” She ran over and gave him a hug.
“I am glad to see you too…and happy that you heard me and came through okay.”
“Why didn’t you let me through the last time?”
“It is interesting that you ask me that. Have you asked yourself yet?”
Sadie felt for the stone in her pocket and realized she already knew the answer. She gave Thelo a cheeky smile. “Yeah. I hear you.”
She felt something flutter by her ear. It was too quick to spot. A warm wind picked up and brushed her hair against her cheek. She couldn’t help notice the electric violet of her now-longer hair. “I love this color, by the way!”
“I am glad you like it,” Thelo said. “You should see your eyes.”
“My eyes. I haven’t even thought about my eyes. What color are they?
“That is something you will have to experience for yourself.”
“Really? You’re going to leave me with that?”
“Some things one cannot describe. You must experience them on your own.”
Sadie shrugged. “Well, if you say so.”
“Yes, I say so. Let’s go, Sadie. There are some people here in Mystashan I would love for you to meet.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Whiskers and All
They walked along the narrow dirt path, Thelo leading the way, pointing at various landmarks of Mystashan history. The one that struck Sadie the most was the place where the elders met. It had its own vibrating energy. Sadie felt invigorated as they passed the round structure made of silver gray bark.
“Who are the elders, Thelo?”
“Over time, as Mystashan grew in population, we decided to create a council. Not that there was a need, but should any dispute arise. The years were peaceful, for the most part, but we saw how life evolved elsewhere and decided to be proactive. At first it was composed of representatives from different groups, but a few other individuals were appointed later. You will meet them one day.”
“What exactly is Mystashan, Thelo? Is it like another world? A world, you know, like earth is a world?”
“My answers might seem confusing at first, but the more you visit us here, the easier it will be to understand. My answers are, ‘Mystashan,’ ‘sort of,’ and for your last question, ‘yes’ and ‘no.’”
Sadie stopped and faced him. Her eyes narrowed. “Huh? I’m not sure I get it. How can something be both yes and no?”
“The worlds, to use your word, whether it is here or on earth, are more complicated yet simpler than you might think. You will come to see in time.”
“O-kay…for now. I don’t see any other humans here…you know, people like me. How come?”
Thelo took a long pause—too long, Sadie thought.
“First, let me explain. Our time runs differently from yours, Sadie. The question is ‘How much faster or slower?’ I have noticed that whenever you are here, your earth clocks run much more slowly.
“We translate time through our Velluminator, but that discussion might be best saved for another day. What I will say about it, though, is that it allows us to see things on earth in the present and past. Only the cloffuls can see into the future. Sometimes they share with us what we need to know. Other times we must run the course of fate. That completes my answer to your question about why you are here.”
Sadie’s eyebrows scrunched up, and she gave Thelo a skeptical look. “Sorry? Run that by me again?”
“No need.”
“No! I mean, I don’t understand most of what you said. What are cloffuls?”
“Oh! You have already seen them.” He pointed up at the sky.
“You mean those fabric-cloud things?”
“What are clouds to your skies are cloffuls here,” Thelo explained. “We in Mystashan have learned to read ours. Maybe earth clouds are trying to give you messages too. Have you ever tried to understand them? Our cloffuls can do incredible things. We saw you in them and knew you were meant to come here.”
“Wait a minute…you saw me?”
“I am afraid I do not have an extra minute, my dear. I am just about to leave you in the hands of one you know very well but whom you may not recognize in Mystashan.”
Thelo took a step back. Sadie looked past him at the radiant being now approaching. He strode down the surrounding hill. The word regal whispered in Sadie’s mind, followed by poised and attentive. For a moment she thought she saw one of the Arthurian knights.
The once-small figure on the hill was now life-size, standing a couple of feet in front of her. She felt his energy before he spoke. Although it was familiar, she couldn’t quite place it.
“Hello, Sadie. Good to see you again so soon. If you don’t mind, please take care next time to scratch me a little more behind the left ear. Right over here.” He demonstrated. “I like that the most.”
“Huh? Did you just ask me to scratch behind your ear?”
“Yes, and while I’m at it, I really don’t like the food offerings in your world. Who do people think I am? A pet? Do you think you could help me out in that department? A little fresh fruit now and then wouldn’t be unappreciated.” He winked at her.
As he winked, Sadie was drawn to his golden eyes. She noticed his pupils were vertical. Just like a cat’s. She looked closer and saw a shimmer of blue around him with a familiar essence. No. It can’t be. Could it? “Barnaby?”
“The one and only.”
“But…you look human.”
“Funny. You sort of do too.” He shot her a sly grin.
Sadie flushed. Barnaby was handsome. He looked somewhere in his late twenties. He wore iridescent blue riding pants and a brocade vest, with a cream-colored silk shirt.
Thelo piped in, “Barnaby, I called you earlier, but I could not see or reach you. Were you busy?”
“I didn’t hear your call, Thelo.”
“That has never happened before, Barnaby. I will have to look into it.”
“Yes. You should definitely look into that, Thelo.”
“You look like a prince over here,” Sadie admired, still staring.
Barnaby wore a headpiece. The closer
she looked, the more she realized it might be part of him. The shapes that rose from the “crown” were set about a half inch apart and resembled the cardamom leaves her father used to show her in their herb garden back when he used to be “Kind Face.” Barnaby’s were straight up and waved about lazily in the breeze.
“Are those attached? Can I feel them?”
“Yes, Sadie. In fact, you have for years. Why stop now?” He lowered his head so she could reach.
She touched one of Barnaby’s “leaves” between her fingers. She couldn’t believe how velvety soft they were. They even changed shades of blue like the cloffuls. “Amazing. This is incredible, Thelo.” She turned toward him, but he vanished. “Where did he go, Barnaby?”
“Thelo? He does that. And just to prepare you, so do I.”
“Oh, great. When do I get to do that?”
“One day maybe, but not today.” Barnaby pointed to the hill and offered Sadie his elbow, which she gladly took. “Come with me, Sadie. I want you to meet someone while we’re here. We’re heading toward the village. There are many places to be in Mystashan.”
They crested the hill to find huts spread throughout the area below. It didn’t take long for them to walk down the hill, where they were greeted by a stunning woman with a headpiece and features similar to Barnaby’s. Her crown and damask gown, however, were opal in color. Their pearlescence made their shimmer more obvious.
“Sadie, this is my sister, Penelope. We’re twins.”
Sadie immediately felt drawn to her.
“What an exquisite pendant you’re wearing, Penelope. I love how it seems to change colors.”
“Thank you, Sadie. It was a gift from the Habnaws. One of them found this stone underground and thought of me. You’ll be meeting them before long, I’m sure.” Penelope winked as she turned to her brother. “You were absolutely right, Barnaby. Sadie does look just like Rose.”
“Wait. You both knew Gramma? I knew Barnaby did, of course.”
“Yes, I knew her too. It was a long time ago. She was a lovely woman.”
“I hope we can talk more about her sometime, Penelope.” Is there anyone else Penelope knows on earth? Sadie wondered. “Thanks so much, Barnaby, for introducing…uh…” And Barnaby wasn’t there.
That will definitely take some getting used to. Sadie shook her head.
Penelope explained, “We use our minds differently in Mystashan. Sometimes we’re needed elsewhere and must take our leave.”
Sadie laughed. “I get that, I guess. I just wish it came with some kind of warning signal so I don’t end up talking to myself.”
As Penelope led Sadie to the village, they passed a shade tree on a knoll surrounded by boulders. She saw that the woven huts were open to the sky. What do they do when it rains? They were well spaced, not on top of one another, with plenty of room for self-expression. She saw many banners flying and blankets on looms, showcasing the full spectrum of Mystashan’s textures. There were luxurious gardens everywhere, lush with green growth. Again Sadie thought it was unusual that there weren’t any people about, as the plants and flowers were so well tended.
“Where is everyone, Penelope? I’ve only seen the three of you so far.”
“There’s a big meeting in the Atrium for some. Others are engaged in various activities, either for service here or on earth, or simply for fun.”
“Oh, cool. What’s the Atrium, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“I don’t mind, but I know Thelonious wishes to show it to you soon.”
Penelope and Sadie talked about everything and nothing, as they were also comfortable with the silences. Sitting on the soft Mystashan ground, Sadie felt comfortable playing with the blades of grass around her. In Penelope’s company, she felt completely at ease. Even though they’d just met, she thought she could tell Penelope anything. She imagined it was like having a sister.
“Penelope, do you have a mother?” asked Sadie.
“I had a mother once. She’s around here somewhere. After her first year with us, we only got to see each other once in a while. Plus, my mother was also an elder since before Barnaby and I were born. He and I had to leave the den early due to our roles and responsibilities. Barnaby and I do a lot of…how would you say it? Earth work. Barnaby gets to see her more often.” Penelope turned toward the cloffuls and then back to Sadie, refocusing her attention.
“That must be something, Penelope. Hard but important. I’m glad you still have her. My mother talks and talks and talks. Sometimes I can’t keep up with what she’s saying. She’s either telling me what I did wrong, telling me what chores I still have to do, or telling me what she did with her boring day.”
Penelope expressed earnest understanding; she placed her long arm and elegant sleeve over Sadie’s shoulders.
Sadie continued, “Mom tells me about how she has to go grocery shopping for hours, though I think it takes more time for her to tell me about it than to actually do it. She recounts in endless detail how it took her so long to pick the right ice cream for my dad and me because one was on sale, but he likes the other brand, and of course I like caramel swirl. It goes on and on from there. I can’t take it. My brain shuts off before it explodes, so I can’t hear her once I reach that point. I get so wound up that my heart starts to pound, and I feel tiny dots of fire all around my body. It’s too much.”
Sadie turned to Penelope, who nodded in understanding. “Your openness and observations will serve you well, Sadie. Unfortunately I must take my leave now, but I have a feeling you’ll run into friends here soon.”
“Wait…don’t go!”
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
A Hunting We Will Go
“I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. I don’t know how it’s possible, but something’s fishy.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Finn…and who is ‘she’?”
“Never mind the particulars for now, Basset. The signal brought me here, and it’ll show me—I mean us—the way.
They sat in the Ford, parked outside a discount warehouse store in Florida, but it quickly became too hot for comfort once Finn had turned off the engine.
“What signal, Mr. Finn? Maybe I can help if you tell me a bit more.”
“Maybe so. I think you can be a helpful pooch if you listen to each of my directions carefully. First off, we need supplies. More than you used to get at the cabin. We might be in the woods for much of our time here, until I can narrow down where the signal is leading us more clearly.”
“May I ask a few questions first, Mr. Finn?”
Finn shook his head. “No, that’s for later. The days are short, and there’s much to do before dark.”
“Just one then?”
“Don’t push this good thing we’ve got going here, Basset.”
“Yes, Mr. Finn.”
Getting out of the truck, Finn felt the stinging sun on his skin. Each burning ray scorched his flesh. Now that his memories had returned, this unpleasant side effect had come back too. He hurried toward the relative darkness inside the store with Basset close on his heels. He heard the squeal of metal drilling into his skull as the automatic doors opened. He shook it off. He had work to do.
“Basset, stay close until we get the list down, and then I’ll have you do most of the legwork.”
“Sounds good, Mr. Finn, especially after so many hours in the truck.”
“Yeah. Whatever. Get all the things you usually get for the cabin but about three to four times as much. Nothing perishable unless you want to eat or drink it now. It’s so hot in this horrid state.”
Basset nodded. “Okay. Is there anything extra that you want…to fill in for those perishable items?”
“Use your brain, and only this money I give you now. Take it and put it out of sight immediately!” They both turned toward the wall as the dollar transfer was completed. “Keep track of what you spend so you won’t bring attention to yourself fumbling about at the register. This is pretty much what we have left. Remember to use it wisel
y.”
Basset pulled a cart from the corral near the door and headed down the dairy aisle.
Finn sighed. I just told him no perishables. He waited until Basset turned the corner and was out of sight; then he hurried to the other end of the store. He easily found the camping and hunting section. The weather may be abominable, but at least this store is well stocked.
Finn knew just what he needed. Those old magazines in the cabin had made good research material. He scanned the racks for the perfect blade, the perfect ending for that beast. Not just any blade would do. He stopped in his tracks. Eyes closed, he concentrated. “I hear you,” he spoke to the air. A steel blade called out to him. He walked over to the display case at the end of the aisle, where the middle-aged salesman stood.
The knife had a sawback design that curved toward the end with a strong, sharp tip. “Will this blade be good for digging rocks out of the hard ground?” Finn asked the man.
“Yes, of course,” answered the salesman. “It’s made from the finest steel on earth. This is the best hunting knife we carry.”
Finn, pleased with his purchase, slipped the blade into its ankle sheath and secured it under his pant leg. He picked up a few other camping necessities as well. Then he met up with Basset and his huge, well-balanced cart on the far side of the registers. They left the building and headed back to the truck.
There’s that ghastly sun again! The beast always said I was too sensitive, but I think we know by now how wrong “His Majesty” was about everything! How can anyone live here like this?
Finn and Basset loaded their equipment and food into the back of the truck. “Good job, Basset. It looks like we have enough food and water to last us several weeks, although it’d better not take that long.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Freanweas
Penelope disappeared even as Sadie watched. Now what? I don’t know what to do next. She stood up, brushed the grass off her jeans, and headed back toward the village. Wait, it wasn’t this far on the way here, she realized after she’d been walking for a while.