Ozette's Heartstone

by Judy Pierce

  “But...but how will you get them to change their minds?” Ozette asked.

  Princess Abrianna and Queen Beatrix exchanged a veiled glance.

  “Ahhh, Ozette. More magic exists in this realm than you could imagine, even in your wildest dreams,” the queen said. She turned to the princess. “I think calling a meeting of the Circle of All Beings would be in order, don’t you, Princess Abrianna?”

  The princess smiled knowingly and nodded. “Absolutely,” she said.

  Ozette was thoroughly confused. “What’s the Circle of All Beings?” she asked.

  The queen held up a finger, saying, “Give us a few minutes alone. Then you shall see.” She led the princess from the room, leaving Ozette and DZ alone, each with her own thoughts.

  DZ cuddled next to her squirrel friend. “It will be all right, Ozette. I saw through those two rogues from the beginning. Boardmore pretended to be all friendly to me, but when the queen wasn’t looking, he kicked at me. Smiley liked to pull my ears and tail whenever I was alone with him,” she said.

  The door opened, and the queen and princess walked into the room. The queen carried a pale green silk bag tied with a yellow ribbon. She stood in front of Ozette and DZ.

  “You want to come with us, Duchess Zorina?” the queen asked, petting the dog’s head.

  DZ barked once and moved closer to Ozette.

  “Just relax, Ozette, and breathe deeply,” the queen ordered.

  Ozette shut her eyes nervously, unsure of what was coming. But being a curious squirrel, she opened them a slit and saw the queen reach into the silk bag. She pulled out a handful of fine, silver powder.

  “It’s only fairy dust,” the queen said, as Ozette flinched. The queen sprinkled the dust over Ozette, engulfing her in the most aromatic scent the squirrel had ever experienced. It smelled like a perfect blend of every flower ever created, with overtones of fresh green leaves, sun-kissed dew and flowing rivers. Ozette caught a whiff of moonbeams and shafts of sunlight, evergreen needles and sweet, fragrant earth.

  She felt light headed–like when she hung upside down on a tree for too long–and the blood rushed to her head.

  The princess’s voice seemed hollow and distant. “Relax and breathe,” she said. All at once, Ozette felt like she was flying. She felt the wind rush by her, and it seemed to be calling her name. DZ grabbed onto her paw. Ozette opened her eyes to see DZ flying by her side.

  They drifted through a fluffy white cloud, and Ozette felt a warm, loving sensation seep into her bones. She caught a glimpse of the princess and queen soaring through the sunlit sky. Ozette felt a oneness with all that was, and despite the strangeness of the experience, she was unafraid.

  She had no concept of time or distance, but soon they drifted downward. The princess, the dog and the queen were by her side as the foursome landed with a soft thud, and Ozette looked around to get her bearings.

  Ozette put her paw to her mouth in surprise. They were at the golden acorn tree. At least that’s where she thought they were. The tree glowed with the purest of shimmering gold, and its leaves made a soft, tinkling sound in the breeze. Beings of gold were seated around the tree in a circle. But what were they? Although they had very distinct shapes, they had a wispy, ethereal quality about them. She looked around in amazement. Each animal took on this same quality when it entered the circle.

  The queen motioned for Ozette to sit on the ground next to her. Noticing Ozette’s shocked expression, she whispered, “What you’re seeing, Ozette, is the essence of each being in our realm. They’re all here–except, of course, for Boardmore and Smiley. And my advisors are gallivanting in Earth World, but I’m not sure they would’ve been included anyway. I’m not pleased with them. Now, Ozette, look at your paw.”

  Ozette stared at her paw. It was a shimmery gold. She looked at her feet and grabbed her tail. They were also golden.

  “Each creature has an essence, its highest self. This essence is what I’ve summoned together. Your body is sitting back on the sofa at the castle. Your essence traveled here. Do you understand?”

  Ozette nodded, although she wasn’t sure she understood at all. She looked around and, strangely enough, she could recognize individuals. Her fairy friend Sydney nodded at her, and she noticed Oliver sitting between Milligan Mouse and a pair of dragons. Maxwell gazed at her, and Gertie the spider held up one of her eight legs in greeting as she joined the circle. All of the elves and fairies were watching her. Squirrels, griffins, unicorns, foxes, raccoons, cardinals–every species was there, and there were too many animals to count. They were all looking in her direction.

  The queen stood and spoke. “Friends, this Circle of All Beings has been called because Queen Ozette has been made aware of a threat to Farlandia. She’ll speak, and then we’ll formulate a plan.” Princess Abrianna gestured for Ozette to stand and address the assemblage.

  “Umm,” Ozette started hesitantly, not knowing where to begin. DZ nodded at her encouragingly, and the story of the brothers’ visit started flowing from the squirrel’s mouth. The animals murmured amongst themselves as Ozette relayed the men’s plans.

  “Oh, and Smiley said Farlandia was ‘eaten up with magical creatures who were evil little thugs,’ ” she finished.

  Laughter filled the circle. “I was called many things in Earth World,” said Milligan Mouse, “but evil little thug is a new one to me.”

  More laughter. Then a magnificent chestnut mare stood to speak. Ozette was startled to see it was the essence of the horse Boardmore had been riding.

  “I ask permission to address the Circle,” she said.

  “Certainly, Celestine,” said the queen, bowing in her direction.

  “Boardmore and Smiley will not easily be stopped from carrying out their wicked plans. They’re cunning and deceitful. You, Queen Beatrix, may have been told that Delaney and I were gifted to Boardmore and Smiley by your advisors. That’s the story they spread, but in truth, we were taken from your stable by Boardmore. He told your advisors we were a gift from you. He’s not a kind master. We’re anxious to help defeat his evil plan.”

  Delaney, the horse Smiley had been riding, nodded his head in agreement, his mane glowing gold in the sunlight.

  The queen was silent for a moment. “Methinks my advisors are spending too much time traveling to Earth World and not enough time here tending to business,” she said. “We need to pool our knowledge of Boardmore and Smiley and devise a plan to stop them.”

  The animals, elves and fairies shared what they knew about Boardmore and Smiley. The queen knew the brothers the best and contributed the most. Chuckles abounded when they probed some of Boardmore and Smiley’s weaknesses, and they painstakingly formulated a plan.

  “Each of you has skills we may need to call upon,” the queen said. “Everyone will have a part to play.”

  They spent considerable time amid much giggling, plotting how to stop the brothers. Burrowing animals would dig tunnels to the hut where the men lived and take turns watching them. Birds would fly surveillance and everyone was to be alert to their movements.

  “Boardmore and Smiley will use us to drag the logs out of the forest once they’ve clear-cut the land,” Celestine said. “They’ll be riding us when they try to perform their dastardly deed. Hopefully, we’ll be safe, but if not, we’d gladly give our lives for Farlandia.”

  Delaney snorted his agreement, and the animals shouted, “I also will also gladly give up my life for our beloved Farlandia.”

  Ozette had a lump in her throat. She sometimes forgot that she was a newcomer to Farlandia, and she realized that she too would gladly die to save her new home. After experiencing her own emotions, she was deeply moved when she realized how strongly those who had lived here for so long must feel.

  “We’re a peaceful land,” Queen Beatrix said. “Our hope is that all will be safe, even Boardmore and Smiley. Our goal is for them to decide that they’d prefer a swift return to Earth World. That’s how it should be: their decision.

/>   “If necessary, we’ll meet again,” the queen said, “but I think we have a solid plan. The Circle’s dismissed. Thank you, one and all, for choosing good over evil, and truth over deceit. You honor us with your presence in our territories.”

  Ozette watched with fascination as the assembled beings seemed to float into the air. She realized that some had shapes she didn’t recognize and turned to ask the queen about them. She was about to open her mouth when the queen reached into the silk bag, withdrew a handful of the silver fairy dust and sprinkled Ozette with the concoction. Knowing what was coming, Ozette breathed deeply of the heady scent and relaxed her body, allowing the intensely comforting fragrance to engulf her. In a heartbeat, they were flying through a now misty sky, the breeze caressing her fur.

  Thump! Ozette found herself sitting on the velvet sofa. She blinked twice and saw Queen Beatrix and Princess Abrianna float into the room. DZ was close behind.

  They sat in silence for several minutes, getting their bearings. The queen spoke.

  “Well, Ozette. I know you must have many questions. My best advice is to let this unfold as it will. You’ve been introduced to the world of magic, deep magic. You’ve so much more to learn. As you become ready, you’ll be taught. Just trust in the goodness of Farlandia.”

  Ozette nodded as DZ looked at her anxiously. “You can trust the queen and princess, Ozette,” DZ reassured her, patting Ozette’s leg with her paw.

  The queen stood, and the princess and Ozette prepared to leave the castle. DZ followed Ozette to the door and planted a wet slurp on the squirrel’s face. Ozette tried not to grimace–she did love the little Bichon.

  Maxwell was pawing the ground, anxious to leave. Queen Beatrix hugged her sister, and Maxwell knelt so his passengers could mount easily. Ozette waved to her friends as Maxwell flapped his massive wings and headed skyward.

  No one spoke on the trip back to Farlandia. The princess seemed lost in thought, and even Maxwell was subdued. Ozette forced herself to relax and relish the splendor of land and sky laid out before her. Maxwell had chosen a different route for their trip home, and they followed a wide river that snaked through the pristine forest.

  Maxwell dipped lower, looked at his passengers and said, “See the otter family playing near the river bank? And look. Baby beavers are swimming downstream.”

  Ozette clutched Maxwell’s mane and peered down. The beavers looked up and smiled, showing their little beaver teeth.

  “Queen Ozette!” they shouted, jumping up and down in the water. The otters stopped their play and waved their paws as they joined the chanting.

  Ozette waved and vowed she’d do whatever she had to do to keep Farlandia safe from Boardmore and Smiley.

  Maxwell landed gracefully near Ozette’s tree. As she slid off his back, the princess said, “I can walk from here, Maxwell.”

  Maxwell tossed his ebony mane and headed skyward.

  “This has been a busy day for you, Ozette. Don’t try to analyze what’s happened. Just go with it, and let the magic take you where it will,” the princess said. Then she turned and walked into the forest.

  Chapter Four

  A Gift from the Divine Miss Piddlewinks

  Ozette’s dreams were fitful that night, filled with the sounds of trees falling to the ax and animals fleeing in terror. Despite the Circle’s assurance that all would be well, Ozette couldn’t help but worry about the fate of Farlandia. Toward morning as she dozed, she thought she felt her beloved grandmother, the Divine Miss Piddlewinks, give her a swift lick on her nose and whisper, “Follow the heart, dear child. Follow the heart.”

  The next morning, Ozette awoke early, snacked on her stash of seeds and nuts, groomed herself and scurried down her tree. She felt overwhelmed by yesterday’s experiences and longed to see her elf and fairy friends.

  She foraged for some hen-of-the-woods mushrooms and slowly wound her way to Oliver’s house through thick woods. She had rounded a bend on the trail when something caught her eye. Something small, furry and gray was lying under a witch hazel bush. Ozette walked closer, and the creature moved.

  “Goodness!” she said, putting a paw to her mouth. “It’s a baby gray squirrel.”

  She knelt by the tiny creature. When he heard Ozette’s voice, he opened one eye, then the other. He looked startled when he saw Ozette, and his deep brown eyes grew wide.

  Although fully furred, his tail was skimpy, and he looked to be less than two months old. Why was he lying under this bush, and where was his mother?

  “Who are you, and where do you live?” Ozette asked gently, not wanting to frighten the squirrel.

  “My family called me Gizmo,” he said.

  “Why are you wandering in the forest by yourself? Tell me where you live, and I’ll take you to your family,” Ozette said.

  He shook his head sadly and looked intently at Ozette, his gaze locked on her tiara. He nodded and then looked into her eyes.

  “I think you’re the one I’m seeking.” He opened his tiny paw and Ozette gasped. Lying on his palm was a perfect replica of a white squirrel. She picked it up, examining it from every angle. It appeared to be fashioned from some sort of stone, possibly white quartz.

  “Where did you come from? Where did you get this?” Ozette asked.

  “I came from Earth World,” he said, locking his gaze with hers. I was born almost two moon cycles ago, not far from where you were born. You’re Ozette, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “How do you know my name?” she asked, dumbfounded.

  “I know of you because your grandmother, the Divine Miss Piddlewinks, raised me after my family was killed by men with smoking sticks. She took me in as her own, and she told me all about you. She sent me here to give you this,” Gizmo said, dropping the white squirrel into Ozette’s paw.

  “But...how will you get back?” Ozette asked.

  “I won’t,” the baby squirrel said, looking anxious. “She said you’d care for me and treat me like your son. She said you need the replica and me for your work here. I can stay, can’t I?” he asked, his lower lip quivering.

  Ozette picked Gizmo up and held him to her chest, stroking his soft fur. Her heart was filled with love for this baby squirrel.

  “Of course, Gizmo. I’d be honored to have you share my home. Now let’s go visit some friends of mine. They’ll love meeting you. You can carry the replica for me. Now tell me all about your time with my grandmother,” Ozette said, picking the baby up with her mouth and carrying him down the path.

  Gizmo delighted Ozette with stories about his time with her grandmother. She hungrily absorbed every word. It made her feel closer to her beloved grandmother yet miss her even more, if that were possible.

  Before they arrived at Oliver’s cottage, Ozette sat Gizmo on the ground for a moment and looked at him closely. “You certainly seem very advanced for your age. I’ve never met a baby squirrel as bright as you.”

  Gizmo nodded. “Your grandmother said I was very preco…preco…” He looked at Ozette expectantly.

  “Precocious, Gizmo. It means intelligent and mature. And that you are,” Ozette said, gently grabbing the baby squirrel by the scruff of his neck and carrying him in her mouth as they headed down the path.

  Soon Oliver’s cottage came into view. Ozette always felt welcome in Oliver’s cozy cottage, with its bay windows—perfect for comfy seating—and cupolas that jutted from the roof. It reminded her of whimsical bird houses she had seen in Earth World. The window boxes were overflowing with late-blooming flowers in a variety of colors. She hesitated as they approached the door. She could hear laughter and voices coming from the back yard. She turned and headed to the back of the cottage where her elf and fairy friends, Oliver, Barnaby, Mateo, Sydney, Ariel and Annika, were sitting on porch swings and munching vegetables and fruit while drinking lemon balm tea.

  “Ozette!” called Oliver. “Come sit with us. We were just talking about you.”

  Ozette walked over to the swing with Gizmo in her mouth and s
et him down gently on the ground. She heard gasps as her friends looked in amazement at the baby squirrel.

  Gizmo looked up, his eyes wide. Oliver reached down and picked him up and started bouncing him on his knee.

  “You’re a cute little rascal. Okay, Ozette. I know there’s a story here, so let’s have it,” the elf demanded.

  Ozette told her friends how she’d found Gizmo. Gizmo opened the paw holding the white squirrel replica. Oliver scratched his chin and stared.

  “This is an amulet, a magical charm,” he said, holding it to the light and squinting. “Where did you get this?” Oliver asked.

  Gizmo told his story once again, while Oliver stroked the squirrel’s back.

  “Amulets harness powerful magic. I’ll be curious to see where this leads you,” Sydney said, examining the charm. Barnaby and Mateo nodded in agreement.

  “Oh. I forgot,” Gizmo chimed in. “Your grandmother said you’re to wear it.”

  Ozette picked up the amulet. Wear it? How could she wear it? It had no hole for a ribbon.

  “I guess we could somehow make a little hole in it...” Ozette started.

  Sydney looked up in horror. “You never deface an amulet. Never. It can cause the magic to escape. There must be another way,” she said.

  Ozette experimented with tucking the amulet behind her ears, but it fell off into her paw as soon as she moved. She tucked it in the curl of her tail but to no avail.

  Gizmo tapped his head with his paw. “Now I remember! Your grandmother said this was a Heartstone. But what does that mean?”

  Ozette looked intently at the Heartstone. It seemed to gaze back at her. She gently placed it over her heart, and the Heartstone stuck firmly to her fur. It felt warm where it touched her chest, warm and comforting. Ariel frowned and ran her small hand through her dark curls before she reached over and tried to pull the Heartstone from Ozette’s chest.

  “Ouch!” Ozette yelped, but the amulet didn’t budge.

  “I guess this is where you’re to wear it,” Ariel said, patting Ozette’s chest.