Questmyre

by HaaJar Johnson

“Oh… okay. But don’t be too long or I will follow to make sure you are alright.” She said this as they reached the large green leaves of the Nommo.

  They immediately found it almost impossible to ascend further as the leaves and thick swirls of gray clouds made a sort of barrier. Roami stopped and looked down at Robin and the baby one last time.

  “Okay, you two wait here please.” He said then turned to continue climbing until he disappeared into the cluster of huge succulent green leaves and clouds of gray mist.

  “Right… Okay, please don’t panic Robin...” Robin whispered to herself. The little baby grabbed her face with its pudgy hands and planted a kiss on Robin’s nose.

  Robin giggled and held the baby even tighter. “How could anyone get rid of something so precious?” She said to the baby as she lightly tapped its purple nose with her finger then kissed its cheek.

  “Alright, I will give him ten more seconds then we’re following, okay baby?” Robin began counting. “One, one thousand-“

  Roami yelled out to her, “Hey, Robin! You won’t believe what’s up here!” She saw Roami’s lean blue hand appear from within the green leaves. He beckoned her with a twist of his hand.

  Robin rushed up the remaining stairs and fought her way through the huge leaves of the tree. When she and the baby finally surfaced at the top, she opened her eyes to the oddest sight imaginable.

  It was undoubtedly, the very last thing she had expected to see…

  CHAPTER 9

  All Robin could see were green leaves and dense white mists as she climbed higher. The intensity of the clouds grew with each step heavenward and she could not help but cough as her throat filled with the alien substance. Robin surged forward and quickened her steps to get the poor baby out of the uncomfortable smokiness.

  When she finally reached the end of the stairs and stood on a hard platform of leaves and yellow dirt, she nearly stumbled back down the tree in amazement.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me…” Robin’s mouth was agape with surprise. She could barely walk straight and proved as much with her next step. She nearly tripped into Roami’s side. Roami steadied Robin and took the small baby from her arms to ensure its safety. He gave Robin time to get her bearings.

  “What the heck is this…” Robin said while looking about her in wonder. The sky was still red but as she looked up higher she saw it gradually turned a deep purplish hue. A rainbow of multicolor lights splayed across the sky. They looked like stars but each was a different color, Robin had never seen the sky look more beautiful than at that very moment.

  A whole new world had been hidden away at the top of the tree. They stood at the end of the stairwell, with leaves and mounds of wispy white clouds gathering at their feet.

  While the sky was clear from their current vantage point it was all but hidden several feet ahead of them where something even more spectacular stood.

  A large city of mammoth sized buildings shot out of the ground and seemed to nearly conquer the skies. The magnificent sky-scrapers made of every imaginable color of stone, were littered all over the place. Each was taller than any Robin had ever seen; even in New York City!

  In her mind she envisioned how this world must look from a bird’s eye view. It was essentially, a large flat expanse of dark forests with black leaved trees, miles of barren gold colored plateaus then in the center of it all a rainbow city with monstrous sized buildings which blocked out the sky’s light.

  Robin surmised that the land they now stood on, must be drifting somehow in the sky. She imagined it looked like a large land mass, suspended in the air and hidden by flurries of white clouds. Since they had not seen it from the water’s surface she guessed it was only clearly visible to those who walked upon it.

  Blue street lamps; glowing brightly, were sprinkled throughout the city. Although it was very far away Robin could also just make out a dark forest surrounding the city at every side.

  At the moment, Robin and Roami had little time to peruse their new environment in more detail. Someone cleared their throat to warn them their immediate attention was needed elsewhere.

  The two quickly realized they were the object of intense curiosity. They looked to see a growing crowd of people leaving the city and making their way towards them.

  When the natives stood just a few feet away they stared at the newcomers intently. Robin and Roami looked back with just as much inquisitiveness. Robin looked at the people more closely and noticed to her surprise that they looked exactly like the green people of Fitz except instead of green their skin was a beautiful plum color and their hair… thankfully was not fuchsia.

  It was at that moment, Robin realized just how tired she had become of seeing fuchsia hair. Before her were heads covered in hair of every color of the rainbow. The styles were just as diverse as some sported curly, straight, kinky and frazzled hair.

  Their eyes were also a myriad of colors; gray, brown, blue, orange, violent, green and black. Just like most of the people of Fitz they were all very tall, lanky and were definitely an awesome sight to behold. Each adult stood well over six feet tall but unlike the people of Fitz they did not slump or slouch while walking to appear smaller than they actually were. They stood up straight, proud and tall.

  While both sides continued to stare at one another, one male stepped out from amongst the group and spoke directly to the trio standing before them with looks of amazement.

  “Welcome strange ones! We will take the child as he belongs here with his own kind. There is a family among us without children who have waited for quite some time for one to call their own. Mika and Tika please come forward and welcome your new son. What will you name him?” Before Robin or Roami could protest the small purple child was taken from their grasp by a pair of large but gentle hands.

  “Oh…” Robin breathed in sharply, feeling as if a part of her was being snatched away with the abrupt parting.

  “Can you believe this?” Roami said with an incredulous look on his face. He shook his head back and forth, which tussled his curly wet hair. “The Fitzians must have sent all their purple babies up the Nommo Tree thinking that they would be disintegrated when they touched the sky. To them the choppy currents at the waters’ surface made it look like they were being broken to bits. Thankfully, they were completely wrong about it. It appears all those poor discarded children started their own society up here. They did not die but were… reborn here in a sense.”

  “Wow…” Robin stood beside him listlessly with her mouth agape. She really could not find the right words to express the overwhelming thoughts and feelings racing through her head at that very moment. Just then an errant thought came to her, “Do you think Mirub knew about this? She said something cryptic once…about rebirth… I think she must have seen the babies past the surface time and time again. That’s why she was not afraid of dying when we…” Robin spoke more to herself than to Roami as she tried to put all the pieces together.

  “Yes… and maybe that’s why she decided not to come here…she knew…what we might find here…” Roami too looked as if he were being swamped with thoughts. However, now was definitely not the time for inner reflection; the two realized as they looked at the multitude of rainbow eyes staring directly at them.

  “We will name this beautiful one… Brifton.” A pretty purple woman with long straight blue hair said as she held Boonie’s baby gently in her arms. Her golden colored eyes alighted on her husband who had a shock of curly silver hair and sparkling blue eyes. He stood beside her and tousled Brifton’s bright red hair playfully.

  “Have you any objections to this, strange ones?” The short purple man who had spoken initially piped up again. His words brought the growing crowds attention back towards the brown and blue colored beings standing before them.

  The boisterous man was nearly as short as their old host, Thister. He wore a brown silk business suit with a pink silk shirt beneath the suit jacket. His shoes were black and shiny and his wavy hair looked like freshly spun
gold. Although he did not wear a single jewel or adornment, his attitude along with the piercing look in his large green eyes made it obvious he was someone with considerable power in this society.

  The air nearly crackled with tension as the two groups sized one another up. Neither could be sure the other was not or would not soon become a serious threat of some sort.

  Robin took a moment to take in their style of dress. Everyone seemed ridiculously overdressed. All the men wore identical silk business suits of various colors and the shiny black shoes seemed to be uniform among everyone in attendance. The women wore short-sleeved shirts, silk vests and either long or short, silk business skirts. Their black shoes looked nearly identical to the mens’ except theirs had a very short square high heel.

  Robin could not help but hope she and Roami would not have to do as the ‘romans’ in this particular world. She had never been one to don a suit. At least not comfortably; she cringed inwardly at the thought of having to wear one.

  That was not the only thing that worried her. Roami knew something was bothering Robin when he saw her lips slowly make their way into a pout. That was her signal that she was peeved at something or someone. At the moment he did not care to ask her what was so upsetting but she was keen to inform him anyway. Robin pulled Roami closer to her and whispered, “You know, I actually kinda liked being called ‘the sky-ones’. This ‘strange ones’ business, though, is really not working for me...”

  Roami sighed and pinched Robin, “Can you just focus on the life changing situation we are currently faced with right now, Robin? Please? Who cares what they call us?”

  Turning back towards the crowd Roami replied, “If they will take care of him and cherish him, then no, we have no complaints. He was abandoned by his blood parents and needs a loving family to take him in.”

  The leader of the group spoke up again, “Yes, believe me, he will have all that and more here in our home; the town of Wongswited. We heard the bell of the water world resound and knew another of ours would be sent up. However, we did not expect such strange guests to accompany the newcomer.” He looked at them pointedly then smiling a bit stiffly added, “Do not worry, unlike the nasty people of Fitz, we are good to outsiders. You two will find your stay here a pleasant one.”

  He smiled again but suddenly a thought dawned on him. “Oh my! I’m sorry. I have yet to properly introduce myself.” He chuckled then added, “I am the king of Wongswited; King Philtu. We welcome you, oh strange ones. You may live here with Mika, Tika and their new son Brifton until you find your place here among us or elsewhere.” With that said the king smiled at the group at large, nodded his head toward their two new guests then turned to leave.

  Robin and Roami watched him make his way back towards the city. He was surrounded by four massive men who were apparently his guards. Each wore matching blue suits with black undershirts. They flanked him to ensure his security. Everyone watched King Philtu leave. The crowd was silent in a show of respect.

  Amazingly, it did not take long for the king to reach his destination. The royal entourage stopped right in front of one of the first buildings at the edge of the city. It was a grand structure with elaborate geometrical designs cut within the hot pink marble facade. There were too many windows to count, all of which were made of clear glass and were encased in golden frames. Apparently the actual front of the palace faced inside the town and could not be seen from their current vantage. What they did see was a dark green emergency exit door strategically facing the town’s entrance and the treetop portal. Robin guessed the King liked to be one of the first responders when newcomers arrived via the Nommo Tree. However, it was not the intricate designs that made his home truly spectacular.

  “Woa! Is that their City Hall?” Robin asked aloud as she took it all in.

  “No, of course not. That is the King’s Palace.” Someone in the crowd said with pride.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me…” Robin said and blinked to ensure she was seeing correctly. The building seemed to stand well over four hundred stories high!

  “Wait…” Robin looked deeply confused about something.

  “What is it Robin?” Roami whispered.

  “The king called this a town not a city. I know a city when I see one and with buildings that tall… this is definitely a city...” Robin muttered aside to Roami.

  “It is absolutely amazing how high the buildings are constructed. I have never seen anything like this in Source One. I thought maybe you would be used to this; being from the large city you come from back on earth…” Roami whispered in awe.

  “Nope, not even close. These things nearly block out the sky…” Robin’s head was held back as she looked in awe at the massive constructions littered throughout the city they mistakenly called a ‘town’.

  The male called ‘Mika’ overheard Roami and smiling said, “We Wongswiteds love tall buildings. Wait until you see our home. It is not as grand as the king’s home but stands one hundred and fifteen feet tall. We hope you will like it dear Strange Ones.”

  “I’m sure we will be happy with it. Thank you so much for taking in little Brifton. Oh, and us too.” Robin said gratefully.

  Robin took Roami’s hand and squeezed it, and glared at him a bit, “Hello? Thank them.” She mouthed.

  Roami had been deep in thought and blinking he quickly muttered aloud, “Thank You.” for the couple to hear then lowered his voice to speak to Robin in private.

  “I do not think we should trust and thank these people too soon. I have a feeling that something is wrong here. Something just does not feel right to me...” Roami whispered.

  Many of the people had had their fill of the newcomers. Most of the crowd members had started to disperse back towards the town. They made their way to the bright golden stone pathway that led directly to the main entrance of Wongswited.

  “Come now, we will take you to our humble home. Do not worry, it is not too far a walk from here, Strange Ones.” Mika’s wife, Tika said as she held little Brifton in her arms. She and her husband began to walk amidst their fellow people as they all made their way from the tree top entrance and into the very heart of Wongswited. Robin and Roami followed slowly pondering what novel wonders they would discover in yet another new world.

  Robin gawked at her surroundings as they walked. She also stared at the backs of their hosts in an effort to determine if they were ‘good’ people and would not end up being quacks like Thister the evil Disposer.

  The tall, lean couple held Brifton as if he had always been a part of their family. Robin was happy to see there was a place here for the awesome little purple baby with the sweet disposition. To think the Fitzians had wanted to kill something so precious; seemed more and more outrageous each time she set eyes on him.

  “Thank you again for making Brifton your own… You don’t know how much this means to me and Roami.” Robin said with true feeling.

  Robin and Roami jumped slightly when Mika glanced back and yelled out for them to hear, “It is no problem at all! We Wongswited do sometimes have children of our own but from time to time find that a young one is sent from the water world below and… We just feel it is our duty to care for them. Tika and I were not blessed with a child so-”

  Before Mika could finish his thought, Tika made a choked sound and stumbled a bit.

  “Are you okay?” Robin asked with concern. She took Tika’s elbow to ensure she and Brifton did not fall. Once Tika was sure on her feet, Robin ensured she had a tight grip of the small baby in her arms then back away to give Tika room to breathe.

  Whereas the ground near the tree had been littered with the large green Nommo Tree leaves, the path towards Wongswited was just several feet of flat, carefully laid, golden stones. Alongside the main road on either side were acres of barren gold dirt. There were no plants, no trees, just a few scattered rocks and flat ground. Robin checked to see if maybe Tika had stumbled over a rock but found nothing to explain her near fall.

  “Yes, oh yes
… I’m okay. I am sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” Tika said shakily.

  As they made their way through the Town entryway, the path gradually became golden cement. Up above them hung a Purple sign with gold lettering which read, “Welcome to Wongswited”.

  Robin smiled with excitement. She could not wait to see what kinds of delights this world had to offer. Once again she felt like a little baby exploring, testing out and experiencing the world for the very first time.

  As they walked under the sign and into the town she immediately noticed two things. The first, was that the atmosphere within the town was very dark as the buildings blocked out the sky. Second, was the lack of transportation. “Too bad they don’t have water buggies or cars here. We wouldn’t have to walk… Seems odd to have such a large city and no means of quick transport…” Robin looked around to see if anyone was doing anything other than walking.

  “Wait.. Look there; see that stream of water… looks like a narrow water channel running through the streets. I bet it goes throughout the entire city. What do you think it’s for?” Robin asked Roami. She hoped against hope it was nothing as diabolical as the gray “Mobbin Only” paths back in Fitz.

  Looking around she noted there were no light-skinned purple or lavender people walking about so it was safe to say there was no ugly cast system here in Wongswited. Everyone seemed to look similar so there could be no obvious division of classes. Robin sighed happily. Thankfully the banished children of Fitz had not repeated the sins of their fathers.

  They both eyed the tiny water channel as they passed it from a closer vantage point. Roami was about to say he did not know what it was for but before he could utter the words its purpose became apparent to them.

  Right before their eyes, a man in a red business suit dropped a blue wooden skateboard onto the stream of water and glided smoothly down the small canal. When the man made it to his destination he hopped off the stream of water and lifted the board in his hands. Roami noticed there were chips of purple gemstone embedded on the underside of the flat piece of wood.