by Judy Pierce
Once again, Oliver stroked his chin. “Most interesting,” he said. “I suspect this has to do with saving Farlandia,” he added.
“Saving Farlandia? What does that mean?” Gizmo asked.
Oliver explained the queen’s cousins’ plans to claim Farlandia as their own, and Gizmo shook his head sadly.
“Just like in my homeland,” he said.
Annika pursed her lips and ran her slender fingers through her reddish-gold hair. “If I were you, Ozette, I would hold onto my tiara. The one other time I saw an amulet, its possessor began an initiation into nature magic. Might be quite a ride, dear friend.”
Before Ozette could speak, Gizmo’s stomach growled noisily.
“Where are my manners?” Oliver asked, slapping his head with his hand. “You must be hungry. How about some unicorn milk? Full of nutrients and delicious.”
Oliver set Gizmo on the ground and soon returned with a walnut shell cup filled with unicorn milk. Gizmo took a tentative drink then smiled; droplets of milk began dripping from his fuzzy chin.
“This is delicious,” he said, drinking the rest greedily.
Oliver cleaned the milk from the baby’s chin with his tunic. “You can call me Uncle Oliver if you’d like,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be an uncle.”
Gizmo smiled, his face lighting up. “Okay!” he said, clapping his paws together.
Annika busied herself cutting the leftover fruits and vegetables into small pieces, which she offered to Gizmo while Oliver refilled the walnut shell cup.
“That boy sure can tuck away some food,” Ariel said. “Just like you, Ozette.”
“I wanted to talk to you about yesterday, to understand...”Ozette started.
Oliver stopped her with a look. “Just let it unfold. Don’t push anything. It will happen when it happens.”
Gizmo yawned, then yawned again.
“We’ll head home now. I think Gizmo needs a nap. And so do I,” Ozette said, grabbing the baby by his scruff.
“I’ll be over later with bottles of unicorn milk,” Sydney said. “And we need to figure out what this Heartstone business is about.”
Chapter Five
Come Along With Me...
Ozette climbed her tree with Gizmo in her mouth. The baby squirrel was asleep by the time she reached her nest. She picked at some walnuts she had stashed in the corner as she pondered the day’s events.
She yawned and rubbed her eyes, realizing how sleepy she was. She rolled onto her back, pulled her tail between her legs and tucked the sleeping squirrel under her right front leg, hoping to nap, when she heard something. She cocked her head. The sound seemed to be traveling from the Heartstone to the core of her tree. Now, being a squirrel and quite in tune with nature, it wasn’t unusual for Ozette to feel and be comforted by a tree’s energy. But this was different. The tree was emitting a sound she hadn’t heard before. The sound was a cross between a humming and a soft ringing. Ozette let her body sink into the soothing sound and was soon asleep.
She was awakened much later by a tiny creature fluttering in front of her. Her visitor’s shiny, greenish-brown hair was worn in a long braid down her back. Flowers, leaves and vines were woven into her braid. Her sheer, forest-green gown flowed to her ankles, and her feet were bare; her skin was a rich mahogany. The creature’s ears were pointed and turned down a bit at the ends. Sparking, almond-shaped, brown eyes gazed intently at Ozette. Her chin was pointed and her smile warm.
Her wings were a soft, silvery green with a streak of forest green. Iridescent silver veins ran the length of her wings. Ozette had never seen anyone so appealing, and she a felt an instant kinship with her visitor.
“Who are you?” Ozette asked puzzled, as this creature was smaller and more earthy-looking than the fairies she was used to seeing.
The creature laughed, a tinkling, rustling kind of sound, which Ozette found most pleasant, like a breeze kissing leaves. The laughter woke Gizmo, and he sat up wide-eyed and began sucking on his left paw.
“I›m a tree sprite,” she said, bowing. “I’m called Sophia.”
“I don›t think we›ve met before,” Ozette said, trying to place the sprite, who looked vaguely familiar.
Again, that pleasing laugh. “We’ve not formally met, but you know me! Haven’t you ever gazed through the branches of a tree, not focusing on anything in particular and caught a glimpse of me or one of my kin? Perhaps you didn’t recognize me because I blend in so well.”
Ozette nodded. She had experienced the sensation of being watched and had glimpsed shapes that looked like small fairies flitting through the branches, but she dismissed them as her imagination.
“You just saw me and my friends earlier today,” Sophia said, giving Ozette a sideways look.
Ozette’s walnut-sized brain was usually very quick, but it was still a little foggy from having been awakened from a deep sleep, and she shook her head, confused.
“The Circle of All Beings?” Sophia prompted.
“Ahh, yes,” Ozette said, remembering the small creatures she hadn’t recognized.
“Now that the Heartstone has found you, your initiation begins. You have much to learn, but I sense you’re a fast learner, so let’s get started. Bring Gizmo with you,” Sophia urged, motioning for Ozette to follow her.
“But how do you know…?” Ozette asked, looking startled, but Sophia just shook her head and smiled.
Puzzled, Ozette grabbed the baby squirrel in her mouth and scrambled down her tree. Sophia flew just above Ozette and Gizmo, her wings reflecting the sun’s rays. The tree sprite started singing:
The Heartstone leads
To the mystical tree
Where forest magic flows wild and free
Where wisdom and knowledge
Can always be found
As the circle of life
Goes round and round.
Let kindness and love rule all that you do
And the Heartstone will watch over you
We’ll gather there, to learn and grow
And seeds of love, we will always sow...
Ozette found herself humming along the best she could with a baby squirrel in her mouth, as Sophia led them down the path. It was a simple song, but it but seemed to reflect this new journey.
Ozette set Gizmo on the ground to ask, “Is this just a song or are you taking me to a tree that’s mystical?”
“All songs have meaning, Ozette,” Sophia said. “And all trees are mystical. Be patient. We’re almost there.”
They were following a rather rambling route to their destination and, after turning a corner, Ozette realized they were at the golden acorn tree, as Ozette liked to call it. Seeing her puzzled look, Sophia landed next to her and patted the ground saying, “Sit.”
Ozette plunked herself on the ground and tucked Gizmo close to her. She found herself breathing deeply and calmly, letting her gaze wander into the branches of the tree. The golden hue of the leaves seemed more intense each time she visited. The Heartstone was gently vibrating on her chest. Ozette gasped. Dozens of tree sprites darted through the branches. Ozette continued her deep, slow breathing, and the sprites became more distinct.
“The sprites will bestow qualities upon you and Gizmo that you need in Farlandia,” Sophia promised.
One sprite with forest-green hair, wearing a fawn-colored gown and a crown of small pine cones in her hair, flitted close to Ozette. “I’m Blythe,” she said, flying just above Ozette’s nose. “I’m bestowing determination and open-mindedness on you,” she said, sprinkling a fine deep green dust over Ozette and Gizmo. The squirrels breathed in the smell of hemlock, fir and pine, all of the evergreens that grew in Farlandia.
One by one, the tree sprites flew to the squirrels, sharing their special qualities with them: protection from the hawthorn, strength from the oak, intuition from the willow. Ozette lost count and let the magic flow into her as the tiny sprites flitted around them. Ozette’s eyes became heavy, and she fell asleep.
When she opened her eyes, she and Gizmo were alone. She stared at the tree but couldn’t see any tree sprites. She stood up and shook herself off.
“I must have dozed,” she muttered. “And I had the strangest dream.”
Gizmo yawned and looked at Ozette.
“I had a strange dream too,” he said.
Ozette swiped a paw across her head and when she looked at it, she saw sprinkles of green dust clinging to her fur. She looked over at Gizmo. He too was covered in the fine green dust and looked dazed.
He smiled at Ozette, showing his sharp baby teeth and said, “Well, your grandmother told me you’d be taking me on quite an adventure, Ozette.”
Ozette ruffled the fur on his head with her paw, picked him up and carried him back to her tree, while he protested that he could walk on his own.
She carried the baby squirrel up her tree and set him in her nest, tucking him into moss and leaves to keep him warm. Then she cuddled next to him, letting her paw rest on his chest. They’d slept for several hours when Ozette was awakened by a rustling sound below her nest. She clapped a paw to her heart, fearful that Boardmore and Smiley might have come back.
“Shh,” a familiar voice said. “She may be napping.”
Ozette shifted her body so she wouldn’t disturb Gizmo and stuck her head out of her nesting hole. Princess Abrianna was at the base of Ozette’s maple, trying to hush Cassady, who was bounding around the tree’s roots yipping.
“I’m here,” Ozette whispered, scrambling down to greet her friends.
“Why are you whispering?” the princess asked as Cassady wagged her tail. The dog was delighted to see Ozette, and she barked and wiggled until Ozette patted her head. A scuffling noise caused both the princess and Ozette to look up. Abrianna gasped. Sticking his head out of the nesting hole, Gizmo rubbed his eyes and yawned.
“What have we here?” the princess asked, shading her eyes to get a better glimpse of the baby.
Ozette nodded just as Gizmo gingerly climbed onto a branch. He was a little wobbly because climbing was new for him. Ozette scrambled halfway up her tree and coaxed the youngster down, although her maternal instincts were screaming for her to just grab him rather than risk his falling.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard all about little Gizmo,” Ozette said, as the baby peered at the princess. Cassady’s tail swept the ground making a swooshing noise, and she smiled her goofy retriever grin.
“I’ve been…away,” the princess said, looking thoughtful.
“It’s complicated,” Ozette said, sitting on her haunches. Gizmo jumped onto her chest and cuddled against her, unsure of these strangers. Ozette opened her mouth to speak when Cassady cocked her head and looked startled. The princess put a finger to her lips for silence and listened intently. Ozette became aware of a tingling sensation in her chest, much like the feeling she’d had when her grandmother had put the golden acorn into her paws for the first time.
“Do you feel that?” the princess asked Ozette.
Ozette nodded. She began telling the princess about Gizmo’s arrival carrying the Heartstone from her grandmother. Ozette set Gizmo on the ground and showed Abrianna the white squirrel nestled on her chest.
The princess nodded. “Ahh. This is making more sense. Ozette, the reason I hadn’t heard about Gizmo is that I›ve been traveling. You remember when I told you about Koshi WorldDreamer and some of the other elves moving on to create other worlds?”
Ozette bit her lip. So much had happened in such a short time; she had a hard time remembering all of it, but she nodded.
“I visited him in...well, in another world. So many animals in Earth World are nearing
extinction that Koshi WorldDreamer and some of the other elves are creating a new world for them. But the main reason I wanted to see him is because I wanted to run our plans for Boardmore and Smiley by Koshi WorldDreamer. He mentioned that we’d be receiving help from a surprising place. I think, Ozette, he was referring to young Gizmo and the Heartstone. Ozette looked baffled.
“Did he approve of our plans? What did Koshi WorldDreamer say?” Ozette asked eagerly.
“He just nodded and said that we should be led by the heart. Now I think I know just what he meant,” the princess said. “Somehow, your Heartstone will be an important part of Farlandia’s future.”
The princess held Gizmo, cooing to him and tickling his fuzzy chin. They chatted for a few more minutes; then her guests scurried through the forest to collect mushrooms.
“I like your friends, Ozette,” Gizmo said, nuzzling Ozette. Ozette patted the little squirrel absently, thinking about Farlandia’s future.
Chapter Six
The Essence of Trees
Several moons passed. Ozette was still trying to absorb all that had happened since the Circle of All Beings last met. Each day she received a report on Boardmore and Smiley’s activities. An intricate network had been devised so that the men were constantly observed. Gizmo was a much-needed distraction from all she had weighing on her.
She and Gizmo were asleep when Ozette heard a fluttering at the entrance to her nesting cavity. She opened one eye, then the other and saw Sophia, the tree sprite, peering in. Ozette stretched and scurried over to the entrance.
“Ozette, the alignment of the planets is creating vibrations that make this the perfect time for your next lesson. I want you to come with me and bring Gizmo,” she said.
“Alignment of planets? Vibrations?” Ozette whispered, trying to shake the cobwebs from her sleep-clogged mind.
By now, Gizmo was stirring. He rubbed his eyes with his little paws and looked up.
“Wha...t’s going on, Ozette? Why is Sophia here so early?”
Sophia fluttered into their nest. Fragrant miniature red flowers were woven into her long braid.
“Gizmo and I need some breakfast. Won’t you join us? I have some freshly cracked walnuts, dried apples and mushrooms,” Ozette, always the generous hostess, said as she gestured for Sophia to sit on the moss near Gizmo.
“I’ve eaten, but if you have any tea, I’d love a cup,” Sophia said, sitting by the baby squirrel.
Ozette had some leftover anise hyssop tea that she especially liked and poured cups for Sophia and herself and a cup of unicorn milk for Gizmo.
Gizmo drank his milk eagerly, managing for once not to dribble any down his chin. Ozette hid a smile, knowing that he was trying to impress Sophia.
“Today you’ll meet with me and some other tree sprites. We’ll teach you how to see trees,” she said.
Ozette snorted, tea spraying from her nose.
“See trees? I live in a tree, Sophia. I see trees almost every minute of every day,” she said, looking at the tree sprite as if she’d lost her mind.
Sophia raised her tiny hand. “You see trees with your eyes. We’ll teach you and Gizmo to see with your hearts, to see the essence of trees.”
“How will this help save Farlandia?” Ozette asked. The thought of Boardmore and Smiley was never far from her mind.
“Let me explain something to you both. Everything has a vibration. You’ll learn to be in tune with tree vibrations today and most likely, since I think you’re both quick studies, you’ll be more in tune with the vibrations of all nature.
“This isn’t just about Farlandia, Ozette. Earth World is as close to us here as a heartbeat. When we raise the vibrations in Farlandia, we raise the vibrations in Earth World. Many humans in Earth World only see with their eyes, not their hearts. If there’s any hope for Earth World, human hearts have to change. Their survival depends on it.”
Ozette put a paw to her mouth, deep in thought, trying to take in what Sophia was telling her.
“Let me put it this way, Ozette. Words and thoughts not only have meaning, they have power. They give off vibrations, energy. Earth World can be saved or destroyed by thoughts and words because thoughts and words lead to actions.
“Even humans in Earth World who are basically kind, compassionate and work for the gr
eater good can send negative vibrations. When they think negative, angry thoughts, they lower their love and compassion vibrations. Trees personify love, generosity, loyalty and kindness. Earth World definitely needs more of these vibrations. The more you enhance these traits within yourself, the more all realms will benefit. As queen, this is part of your work here. The Heartstone channels these energies, and helps you make these vibrations stronger within yourself.”
Ozette wrinkled up her nose, trying to take in all of this while Gizmo stared wide-eyed.
“Squirrels and trees are bound in a nurturing relationship, which transcends time and space,” Sophia continued. “The trees provide you with food, shade, and a safe haven for your homes. In turn, you plant nuts and seeds for more trees. Plus, your antics amuse the trees, and they love watching you play.”
Ozette nodded, knowing she’d always had a close kinship with what some called “the standing people.”
“But what about Gizmo? He’s just a baby. He isn’t old enough to be so involved in magic,” Ozette noted, looking at the squirrel who was holding a cracked walnut in his paw midair, fascinated by Sophia’s words.
“Au contraire, Ozette. He’s the perfect age. And let me say this about magic: that’s what humans in Earth World call what they can’t explain. We can use that term if you want, but remember, we’re just working with the forces of nature. So many adult humans in Earth World have hardened their hearts and closed their minds to nature, making the children the real hope for the future. Gizmo is the perfect channel for this energy. Why do you think he came here?”
Ozette saw Gizmo through new eyes. She put her paw over her heart, touching the Heartstone, which seemed to throb with energy. She finished her last sip of tea, dusted crumbs from her paws and said, “Let’s go.”
Once again, Sophia led them to the tree Ozette had planted from the golden acorn. She always felt a deep sense of kinship with the tree. As they approached, four lovely creatures joined them. Ozette stared at them, her mouth agape. She guessed that they were some type of sprite since they were the same size as Sophia.