Beyond the Forest

by Kay L. Ling

  “Welcome to Strathweed,” Folio said with a touch of pride. “It may not be luxurious, but it’s homey.” His voice didn’t echo as much here, probably due to the rugs and furnishings. “I’ll bring you a cup of fialazza and something to eat, but after what we’ve been through, sleep will do us all the most good.” He glanced about. “As you can see, I have plenty of animal skin rugs and pillows but only one bed. Normally I would offer my bed to the lady, but if she’ll forgive me, Jules, I think you should sleep there tonight.”

  “I agree,” Lana said hastily.

  “That’s not necessary. I can sleep on an animal skin,” Jules protested.

  “Don’t argue,” Lana said firmly as their eyes met. “I won’t listen to your protests, and you know just how stubborn I can be.”

  Jules laughed and shrugged, giving in with good grace. “Yes, indeed I do.”

  “With that out of the way,” Folio said cheerfully, “Grab a rug and we’ll sit by the circle of stones.”

  After taking off her backpack and coat, Lana chose an animal skin with brown and tan zebra-like stripes, took it over to the glowing stones, and set it down by Folio’s rug, which had shaggy, reddish-brown fur that reminded her of a mastodon hide. Jules set his knife on Folio’s desk, and then sat beside Lana on a gray skin with large black spots.

  “I’ll be right there,” Folio said.

  He brought them root vegetables, greens, mushrooms, and pieces of dried meat mixed together in pottery bowls. Next he filled goblets with fialazza and then he sat and said, “Please eat. I hope you enjoy it.”

  While Lana ate, her eyes strayed to the cave’s eerie lights. “What’s the weird glowing stuff?” she asked Folio.

  “Foxfire. Do you know what that is?”

  She shook her head.

  “It’s also known as fairy fire. Isn’t that a delightful name? A species of fungi in decaying wood creates the bioluminescence. The greenish-blue glow is actually an oxidative enzyme reaction.”

  “Fascinating,” she said and meant it. She had always enjoyed science.

  “I like the color. I find it soothing,” Folio said with a shrug. “As you can see, I’m partial to green.” He indicated his robe and smiled.

  “So, you’ve been to Folio’s cave quite a few times?” she asked Jules, trying to make conversation.

  “Yes, as Elias explained, every full moon I became lucid. When my human mind returned I found myself in a dog’s body, and I usually came here first, and then I went through the portal to check on the Amulet. Sometimes I kept going—into the Fair Lands.” He paused, and his voice was a little shaky when he continued. “As time went on, I didn’t age, but everyone I knew and loved passed away. The world I knew was gone.” He smiled sadly and went on in a steadier voice, “Oddly enough, the one thing that never changed was Grayson Jewelers. The store survived the generations with very few changes.”

  Lana didn’t know what to say. In Elias’s case, he’d lost family and friends, but he had no one to blame but himself. She hadn’t stopped to think about the consequences of Jules’s disappearance. His parents must have been heart-broken. Perhaps he’d had brothers and sisters. A wife and children? A lump formed in her throat. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”

  Folio said, “I didn’t try to stop Sheamathan in my early days when I might have had a chance. Once Jules was enchanted and our “ace in the hole” didn’t work out, I can’t tell you how miserable I felt.” There was no mistaking the pain in his voice. “First I had lost my son, and then a dear friend, all because of my own poor choices. I became despondent. I didn’t care about anyone or anything. I channeled my pain into further dark powers.”

  The thought of his wasted years was depressing. The harsh things Lana had planned to say to him a few days ago went out of her head. She didn’t condone his experimenting on the gnomes or mistreating them, and he was responsible for Jules getting involved in the gnomes’ conflict with Sheamathan, but Folio had suffered for what he had done and seemed truly sorry. If Jules could forgive him, who was she to hold a grudge?

  She stared into her bowl. “I didn’t mean to upset everyone by bringing up a depressing subject.”

  Folio said firmly, “None of us can hide from sorrow or mistakes.”

  “My nightmare is over at last, thanks to you, Lana,” Jules said softly.

  She could feel him looking at her but she kept her head down. After an eternity of tense silence, Folio said with forced cheerfulness, “Well, I’m about to call it a night. Eat up. I’ll rinse the dishes. Then Lana and I will fight over the most comfortable animal skin rugs while Jules climbs into my comfortable bed.”

  As tired as she was, she was sure she’d have no trouble sleeping. She would have to sleep in her shirt and khakis, she realized. Tomorrow she’d definitely need a bath. Maybe she’d bathe in the underground stream.

  After piling three animal skins on top of one another, she took a pillow from one of Folio’s chairs and lay down. Folio brought her a woven green cloth to use as a top sheet. She took a last look around the cave room and snuggled into the rugs. Until recently, she’d led a pretty boring life, she told herself with a faint smile.

  Clearly, those days were over.

  Chapter 29

  When Lana woke and opened her eyes, it took a moment to recognize her unfamiliar surroundings. Strathweed. Folio’s cave.

  Maybe it was because no outside sounds could penetrate this far, but she had slept soundly, even on the floor. These animal skins were surprisingly comfortable, she thought as she stroked the dense fur. And they smelled faintly of herbs, maybe from Folio’s cooking. Rolling onto her back, she listened to see if anyone was awake. Deep, even breathing came from behind her, probably Jules. She didn’t hear anyone else, so Folio might be up.

  She yawned deeply and stretched, then threw back the green cover and lay staring at the ceiling. Yesterday had been a day to remember. She had met her ancestor Elias, brought a man back from the brink of death, walked three miles through a forest in another world, and had dinner in a cave with an underground river. Yes, it had been a remarkable day. Today would probably be just as remarkable. They needed to find a way to overthrow Sheamathan—a being with gem powers who had destroyed the gnome world and set herself up as queen, and wanted to rule Lana’s world now. It all sounded pretty crazy.

  Lana glanced toward the cave entrance as Folio entered from the outer cave carrying a plate of food. He must have been cooking outdoors. Whatever he’d made for breakfast, it smelled wonderful and she was really hungry. Rats! He won’t have coffee! I’ll have to do without!

  She sat up and looked around. Jules was sleeping soundly on Folio’s bed, with a green cloth pulled up to his chin. Sleep would help him recover, so the longer he slept, the better. She studied his face while he slept. It was still hard to believe that this man had been the wolfhound—the nightmare beast that had terrified her. Would she ever get used to the idea? There was nothing terrifying about him now. Whenever he smiled his whole face lit with warmth and good humor. His penetrating blue eyes shifted in an instant from hard and determined to patient and kind. She felt drawn to him, but he probably had that effect on a lot of people.

  Getting to her feet, she looked down at her rumpled khaki pants and brown knit shirt. She looked like she’d slept on a cave floor. Oh, wait. She smiled inwardly, plucked bits of fur off her clothes, and dusted herself off. Hopefully she smelled better than she looked. Taking the hairbrush from her backpack, she pulled it through her tangled waves. I’d give my right arm for a shower right now. As quietly as possible so she wouldn’t wake Jules, she walked to the glowing stones where Folio sat with his back to her, drinking something from a pottery mug.

  “I don’t suppose that’s coffee,” she whispered.

  He jumped and looked over his shoulder, startled but clearly happy to see her. “I’m sorry, it’s not. But it’s very good. Would you like some?”

  She was about to ask,
“What is it?” but did it matter? Right now, any dark, steaming liquid would do as a coffee substitute. “Sure. I’ll try some. Thanks.” She sat down beside him, sharing his animal skin rug.

  A covered cast iron pot sat on the circle of stones. A tray on the stone floor held steel knives and forks, pottery mugs, plates and a pitcher. He poured the steaming liquid with a flourish and handed her the mug. The aroma was promising. She took a sip and smiled. The flavor was bold but not bitter, and the intensity gave her a pleasant jolt. Suddenly her day seemed brighter. She sighed contentedly. “It’s good, whatever it is.” She let the steam bathe her face.

  “I’m glad you like it. It’s the closest thing we have to coffee—roasted rakka root. When I make it strong I don’t notice the minerals in the water.”

  “Where I live, people pay for mineral water. This tastes fine.”

  “I have rakka in the morning,” he said, combing his beard with his fingers. “The rest of the day I drink tea made from herbs.”

  She took another sip. I wonder how Greg and Jordy are? They always eat breakfast with me. I hope they’re all right. She hadn’t thought about them since leaving home. “I need some advice about dark gem powers,” she said abruptly.

  Folio’s hand jerked. Rakka splashed on his robe and he gave a little yelp. She hadn’t stopped to think how that request would sound. He looked visibly shaken.

  “No!” she exclaimed, waving a hand to erase the false impression. “I don’t want to use dark powers; I want to undo them. For my friends.”

  His shoulders sagged with relief. “Ah,” he said, letting out a long breath, “in that case, perhaps I can help. Tell me the situation.”

  “It’s a long story, but I was rescued from the dungeon by a gnome—with the help of two teenage boys Sheamathan turned into giant talking rats.”

  Folio grimaced, “Rats have been a favorite at Shadowglade, lately.”

  Folio didn’t need to know they had tried to steal the knife, so she left out that part of the story. “Breghlin were chasing the rat-boys, so Raenihel and I took them through the portal, and now they’re living in my apartment.”

  It took a moment for her words to register. Then Folio threw back his head and laughed. Belatedly, he covered his mouth, glancing toward the bed. After a moment he whispered, “My dear, you’re a wonder!” He set down his mug. “Remind me to never drink hot beverages when you’re talking to me.” Then he turned serious. “I can undo their enchantment if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “It’s different from what Sheamathan did to Jules?”

  “Yes, completely.”

  “Great! What a relief!” She could hardly wait to give Greg and Jordy the good news. “I know we have more pressing problems right now, but I’m glad to hear you can help!”

  “Sheamathan doesn’t know this,” Folio said in a confidential tone, “but I’ve helped a few poor souls like those boys.”

  Lana leaned toward him. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Now and then I find an enchanted creature near the portal. They don’t know how to get home, but they remember the woods where they came through, so they often return there.”

  “I’m sure they’d rather go home enchanted than not go home at all,” she said, “but it’s wonderful that you could restore them to human form.”

  “Yes. There’s no worse fate than having one’s mind trapped in an animal’s body.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. Was it worse to be like Greg and Jordy who lived their daily lives knowing they were enchanted, or to ‘come to’ once a month like Jules and discover it over and over? Lana said, “After you helped some of Sheamathan’s victims escape, didn’t she wonder what became of them?”

  “They’re worthless, inferior beings, quickly forgotten,” Folio said in a tone dripping with sarcasm. “She turns them into whatever amuses her at the moment and they’re left to survive however they can. Most get eaten by wild animals.”

  Lana shivered. Thinking back, Greg and Jordy had said the same thing.

  They had been so engrossed in their conversation that Jules’s cheerful, “Good morning!” caught them both by surprise.

  “Have a seat, dear fellow!” Folio said with his usual gregarious charm. “We waited breakfast for you.”

  Jules sat down by Folio. Lana tried not to stare. His black trousers and white shirt looked as rumpled as her own clothing, his hair was tousled, and he needed a shave. His blue eyes were clear and bright, though, and his cheeks glowed with healthy color after a good night’s sleep.

  Folio opened the cast iron pot to let out the steam. As he reached for a plate, he said in an elaborately casual tone, “Lana and I were just discussing the two young men living in her apartment.”

  Lana stiffened at Folio’s choice of words and glanced at Jules. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he quickly looked away. “Is that so,” he said awkwardly.

  She felt her face flush. “No—um, they’re not exactly young men.”

  Folio calmly filled Jules’s plate, handed it to him, and then served Lana. She took her plate, but she barely noticed what was on it.

  “True, the young men aren’t quite themselves at the moment,” Folio agreed vaguely. He left it at that, dished his own breakfast, and then glanced innocently at Lana. “How’s your breakfast?”

  She looked daggers at him. He gave her the ghost of a smile and she noticed the twinkle in his eye. He’d done this on purpose, she realized. Apparently the old man had a perverse sense of humor. “Orelia eggs are very tasty,” he advised meekly with his mouth full.

  When she looked down at her plate, giant orangey yolks surrounded by cream-colored egg whites stared back like two accusing eyes.

  If I don’t say anything, Jules will think what he’s thinking now. If I defend myself, he’ll know I care what he thinks. “At the moment, they’re not young men. They’re, um, giant talking rats,” she finished. Staring down at her plate, she took a big bite of yolk and chewed savagely.

  “Giant rats,” he repeated with a trace of amusement. She looked up and met his eyes.

  Folio finally intervened. “You see, Lana couldn’t turn the rats back into boys, but she could rescue them from Shadowglade. She and her gnome friend took them through the portal.”

  “They couldn’t go home as giant rats,” she said with a helpless shrug. “I didn’t know what else to do with them, so I took them home.”

  Jules’s blue eyes sparkled and it looked like he was trying not to laugh. “I’ll bet they make, ah, interesting companions.”

  “That’s for sure!” It was a relief to clear up the misunderstanding. Everything she knew about Jules from reading the letters, well, he was a decent, honest sort of man. Of course she cared what he thought of her. Why make a bad impression? Returning to her rapidly cooling breakfast, she dug into the ostrich-sized eggs. What did an orelia look like? Maybe it was better not to know.

  “Lana will bring the rats to the portal and I’ll restore them,” Folio said. “It’s the least I can do, considering they helped her escape from the dungeon.” He paused, fork in hand, and turned to her. “By the way, I would like to hear about your thrilling escape.”

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be any help,” Jules said, looking embarrassed.

  “Clearly she managed just fine without you,” Folio replied with a shrug. “More rakka, Lana dear?”

  She held out her cup. This rakka stuff was really good. Almost as good as coffee. After taking another gulp, she launched into her tale. “At first I tried to get on the good side of my guards. It worked, sort of, until they put a wounded gnome in the cell next to mine. He was in a lot of pain, but I managed to heal him.” She looked at Jules and added, “I used your knife.”

  “There you go, Jules,” Folio said in a satisfied tone, “a precedent that she could heal you. No sooner was your knife in her hand than she was using its gem powers to heal people. You needn’t have worried.”

  “Who said I was worried?”

  Lana hid
a smile. “When the guards asked the gnome what happened to the cuts and bruises, he admitted I’d healed him. Sheamathan heard the story and of course she was upset, so she switched head guards. The new guard was afraid of me.”

  Folio said, “Breghlin are afraid of gem powers.”

  “Later, a giant beetle dropped through an air vent and attached itself to my bars. I tried to drive it away, but all I did was make it mad. Things went from bad to worse.” She shivered at the memory and looked at Jules who seemed fascinated with her story. “Eventually, I fried it with your knife. All that was left was a beetle-shaped cinder.”

  “Bravo!” Folio said in delight.

  Jules broke into a slow grin. “I’m impressed.”

  “After seeing what I did to the beetle, the new guard was more afraid of me than before. Long story short, right after that, my gnome friend Raenihel showed up with the rat-boys he’d met in the cellar. The three of them crawled through air passageways to find me.”

  Folio stroked his beard. “Finding you was one thing, but getting you out was quite another, I imagine.”

  She tucked a lock of wavy hair behind her ear and smiled. “We tricked the guard. Raenihel and the rats who were up in the air vent pretended to be powerful spirits from my world that had come to help me.” Jules and Folio exchanged glances, smiling at the ploy. “After that, I told the guard I’d spare his life if he escorted me out of the dungeon.”

  Folio let out a hoot of laughter. “Spare his life indeed! Utterly amazing!”

  Jules laughed and looked at her with frank admiration. “Who besides you would think of such a thing?”

  She shrugged, feeling her face flush, and said lightly, “Probably no one. I can’t resist a long shot.”

  “Good,” Folio said. He cleared his throat meaningfully. “Then you’ll appreciate my plan to overthrow Sheamathan.”