by Mary Coffin
“What are they?” whispered Fynn.
“They’re forest children,” said Ben. “They don’t often let themselves be seen but they like kids. They’re making a special appearance to welcome you. They’re friendly but very shy. And, they can’t keep a secret to save their lives.”
Jon laughed softly, “Yeah, anytime news spreads through Elione that someone wanted to keep secret, we blame it on them.”
Giggles broke out from all around them and several more forest children stepped out into the open. Some of them romped and played just like young squirrels that tumble and roll over each other. Several hung by their tails from nearby trees. One walked up to Tibby, sniffing along the way, and curiously reached out to touch his hand. Then it laughed and rolled all the way back to its companions.
Mel said, “Usually, if you don’t acknowledge them, they keep to themselves. If you give them too much attention, however, they stick to you like a lost puppy. They know you both are new here so they’re checking you out. And, I imagine by now, everyone in Elione knows we’re approaching.”
More giggling from the forest children seemed to confirm that last statement.
~~~
A couple hours later, they approached the top of the mountain. The trail led them to the upper edge of the caldera, which gave them a full view of Elione, before it dropped down the side of the hill and entered the community.
They stood and stared. Jon, Ben and Mel let out a collective sigh at the sight of it. Two hundred thirty one years in Tungate felt like an eternity. Knowing it had only been seven of Elione’s gears, the place looked pretty much like they remembered.
Fynn gasped when she saw it. She had never seen so much color. She realized that Mel’s painting didn’t do justice to its size either; Elione was big. At first impulse, she felt nervous about how she would handle the vibrations. She recalled how difficult it was in Tungate, and especially at Happy Days, living in such close proximity to others. As soon as she had that thought, she realized it felt different here. The vibrations were more harmonious, more relaxing, and less coarse.
She looked at Tibby, standing next to her, and wondered if he felt the same thing. As he smiled at her, she saw the excitement in his eyes that she felt in her gut.
“Sure is good to be home.” Jon put his arm around Cnāwan and kissed her on the cheek. “Thank you.”
She stepped in front of him, took his face in her hands, and planted a long, embracing kiss on his lips. At first, his body language indicated his surprise but he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.
Ben cleared his throat but they continued, obviously lost in each other. Ben and Mel both cleared their throats and they stopped kissing but still held each other. Jon glanced at his friends and they laughed at his goofy grin and the dreamy, trance-like look in his eyes.
Fynn snuck a sideways glance at Tibby and saw he was smiling as he looked past her and watched their display of affection. He caught her eye but she quickly looked away before he could see the rose color appear on her cheeks.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, the next time-space travel adventure starts in five minutes.” Ben held his wrist in front of his face, pretending to look at a watch. “Who’s with me?” Multiple groans erupted and Mel playfully slapped his shoulder.
Fynn kept a straight face when she said, “I don’t think I could handle the excitement.” They laughed.
“Don’t be too sure about that. Give it time; you might change your mind. Besides, sometimes travel is assigned, especially when we’re in need of something here that we can bring back from another dimension.”
Fynn thought back to the look on Jimmy’s face, in the last moment before the gate closed. She recognized the mixture of emotions that surfaced all at once. She didn’t want to assume anything about whether he would have an interest in having her as a sister but she filed it away in the back of her mind. Perhaps, one day, she would take a trip of her own; maybe even return to Tungate and visit him...find out whether she made the right choice.
For now, though, Fynn resolved that she needed to focus on her new life. She was curious about this new dimension and the people who lived here. She wondered if she would feel more of a sense of belonging here than she did where she grew up.
She didn’t know how much she could learn about her parents from the archives but she was eager to find out. In fact, knowing how much she had learned since her mother’s passing, she realized it was a loaded statement her mother made about having so many things she should have explained to Fynn. In truth, she began to wonder if she really knew her mother at all, since her mother spent more time trying to help Fynn fit into that other life than teaching her about her real identity.
For the first time, when facing an unknown situation, Fynn realized she didn’t feel the familiar knotted dread or apprehension. She was ready to walk into that stunning caldera and learn what other secrets her mother never shared. She was eager to know what it truly meant to be a Wær.
The End
Glossary
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baec (bake) back
cæge (ka•juh) key
dropa (drō•pah) drop
fæst (fast) fast
fleoge (flē•juh) fly
flowan (flow•ən) flow
forgietan (for·gettən) forget
freo (frē) free
freosan (frē·sən) freeze
Gädweg (gôd·weg) the Wærs’ reference to the source of all life
hafoc (hafok) hawk
haldan (hal·dan) hold
hangian (han·wē·ən) hang
healt (hālt) halt
leogan (lē·jun) lie
mæcca (mach•a) match
sceadu (skā·dōō) shadow
scield (skild) shield
scyttan (shut·tən) shut
slaw (slaw) slow
sund (sūnd) sound
thawian (thaw·ē·ən) thaw
tréow (trē·ow) tree
ule (ulē) owl
wæcce (wa·chē) watch
Wær (wa·ər) a person possessing keen awareness of/ability to manipulate energy, pl. Wærs
wigle (wē·jəl) trick, magic
ymbgang (ūmb•jang) belt
Note to the reader
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It is the author’s hope that you enjoyed this story. If so, it would be greatly appreciated if you let the author know by returning to the site where you purchased or obtained this book and rate it and/or provide a review.
About the author
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Mary Coffin lives in Colorado with her husband and their cat that prefers to look at the world upside down. When not writing or being active outdoors (or rock hunting), she works with her husband creating jewelry for craft fairs and their online jewelry shop: Rock2Gems. Of course, quiet time and curling up with the cat, a good book and a cup of coffee is just as fun.
Connect with Mary Coffin at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryCoffin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@MKCoffin
Email: [email protected]
NEW RELEASE:
The Crystal Keepers, An Overseers Novel – Coming summer, 2013