I awoke with a start. I was vaguely aware of voices calling in the distance. “Mistress? Where are you?”
I looked around. The sun was high in the cloudless, azure sky. Baalizhene, the tiny, antlered, child-like creature with gossamer wings, was no longer perched on the branch by my shoulder. The terraced falls and pool in front of me were devoid of the fey folk and fantastic creatures that had been frolicking there in the light of last evening’s full moon.
The shouting was getting louder. I recognized the voice of one of my characters. “Where be ye, lass?” My Old Dwarf was getting closer. I struggled to my feet and started walking toward his voice.
A different voice came from near where I had heard the dwarf. “She no could go far.” That voice, I knew, was that of Gobschlerk, the short, green, trollish creature that served the mermaid, Esmie, the ruler of this realm.
“You were supposed to keep watch over Esmie’s guests, Gobschlerk, and guard them from harm.” That voice, the one tinged with a note of reprimand, I knew belonged to another of Esmie’s vassals, Dyrke. He was a man-creature with butterfly wings entwined with tiny branches sprouting from his back. Dyrke stood only about two feet high but he had the commanding presence of one much larger. Blind from birth, Dyrke had been gifted by the wish listeners with an orb that allowed him to see.
“Mistress?” That was Cleric. Her voice quavered with trepidation. “Can you hear us, Mistress?”
“I’m here!” I walked along the path Baalizhene and I had taken the previous evening. The trail seemed much longer than it had then, and the voices I had been hearing must have come from much farther away than they sounded.
I passed a large pool I did not remember from the preceding night’s trek. Dazzling beams of light illuminated a large swan swimming alongside a mermaid. As soon as the mermaid saw me, she smiled and waved. “Hello! Are you the guest who has become lost?”
“Well, I do not believe I am lost, just separated from the rest of my party.” I smiled at the mermaid, a beautiful creature with golden tresses and scales.
“I am Eloise, Esmie’s daughter and Crown Princess of the realm. This is my friend, King Mēzän.”
I introduced myself and said, “It’s very nice to meet you both.”
The royal swan looked down his beak at me and then turned to Eloise. He startled me by speaking. “Is this the one?”
Eloise nodded.
He turned back toward me and moved his long, graceful neck up and down, taking careful stock of me. “Why do you feel she is worthy of my help?”
The mermaid shrugged. “Baalizhene said so.”
Mēzän snorted. “Baalizhene is a child. She does not possess the experience or wisdom to make such assessments.” He looked at me again. “This one does not appear very bright.”
Eloise raised an eyebrow. “Mēzän! It is not good manners to make such comments about someone standing right in front of you!”
Mēzän snorted again. “I am a king. Manners are irrelevant.”
I ducked my head so Eloise and Mēzän wouldn’t see me chuckle. The royal swan noticed my movement and shook his head. “There is no reason for me to inconvenience myself giving aid to one such as this.”
“Well . . .” Eloise lowered her voice and winked at the swan. “What if I told you my mother would not be pleased if you assisted this one and her companions? What if I told you the wish listeners have forbidden all to give aid to this group?”
The swan squawked a startled laugh. “Your mother would be displeased? And those troublesome creatures that listen for unfortunate wishes have forbidden it?”
Eloise nodded and smiled broadly, a twinkle in her eye.
“You.” The swan king addressed me. “Gather your companions. I will provide you every bit of aid that is in my power to give.”
I nodded. “I will gather them now and bring them here.”
“Wait!” Eloise’s eyes were wide as she stopped me. “You must not let Dyrke or Gobschlerk know.”
I quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Mēzän nodded. “Indeed. Gobschlerk’s fealty is questionable, but Dyrke is totally loyal to Esmie . . . unlike some here present.” He gave the Crown Princess a pointed look.
Eloise looked hurt. “I am loyal to my mother!” She paused, smirking slightly. “Just a bit rebellious. It is natural for one my age. Besides, are you not being more than a bit disloyal as well?”
“Irrelevant. You are her daughter. I am but her ally, and a ruler in my own right. I do not owe her fealty in all matters.” The swan gave his head a vigorous shake. “But Dyrke is not just loyal to Esmie. He is also beholden to the wish listeners. Should he discover we are aiding you in opposition to them, he could make things most unpleasant for all of us.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Go back to your companions. Tell Dyrke and Gobschlerk you wish to return to Esmie’s pool for an audience with the mermaid queen. They will not refuse your request. Ask her if she intends to help you. She may decline outright, or she may send you on a fool’s errand. Whatever the case, you and your companions should make your way back here as covertly as possible. I shall, by then, have a plan in place to aid you.”
I nodded. “Thank you. Thank you both!”
I continued along the trail toward the voices of my companions and Esmie’s servants. Soon I was back at the clearing where Gobschlerk had served us our evening meal. I called out as loudly as I could, “I’m over here, in the clearing!”
Moments later, my characters and the mermaid queen’s minions burst into the clearing from another trail. “Told you she no could go far.” Gobschlerk sneered at Dyrke.
My characters rushed over to me, all speaking at once, welcoming me back and telling me how worried they had been. I motioned as furtively as I could to them to remain quiet. Several nodded, indicating they understood, but many continued murmuring and chattering.
Dyrke scurried over to me, peering into his orb while speaking. “You gave us quite a fright! Your companions said you were missing this morning when they awoke.”
I feigned surprise. “I was up early and went for a walk. I didn’t want to disturb anyone. I frequently go off by myself. My companions should be used that, and know it is no cause for alarm.”
“Oh?” Dyrke’s voice held a note of suspicion. “Well then, I do hope you had an enjoyable jaunt. Did you encounter anyone in your travels?”
I sidestepped the question. “It was a very nice walk, thanks. The scenery around here is so delightful. I tried to find Esmie, but I was unsuccessful. I’d like to speak with her, to determine whether she is able to assist us or not. Will you lead the way back to her pool?”
A dark expression passed over Dyrke’s face before he marshaled his features into an unreadable mask. “Of course. Right this way.”
Dragon and I exchanged glances but remained silent. My characters and I filed along the trail following Dyrke and Gobschlerk. We arrived at the mermaid queen’s pool to find Esmie sunning herself at the water’s edge. Just as the first time I saw her, the mermaid was gazing up at a large bubble she held in one hand. I still could not quite make out the images in the bubble.
Before Dyrke could announce our presence, Esmie dropped the bubble and turned to face us. “Oh, splendid, you are here! I have good news for you.” Her brilliant smile could have made the sun jealous, but I noticed it did not reach her eyes.
“Really? What news is that?” I returned her smile.
“I have discovered the path that will return you to your world.”
My characters brightened at that news and gathered closer to hear.
Esmie pointed. “Right over there, along the west bank of this pool, is a deer track heading north. If you follow that for a few miles, it will join a wider path. When you reach a fork in that trail, be sure to follow the left branch. You’ll be home in no time at all!”
“Well, it’s about time!” My Arrogant One’s face was red, and his voice was at the pitch that could have easily shattered crystal. He drew himself up, rocked back on his heels, and grasped his robes in both hands. His annoying voice was petulant, accusatory, and haughty, all at the same time. “The accommodations last evening were not at all acceptable for someone of my stature . . .”
Dragon clamped a clawed hand over the elf’s mouth, stifling his outburst. “What my companion meant to say was thank you, Your Majesty. We appreciate your hospitality and all your efforts to assist us.” She bowed to the mermaid and shoved my Arrogant One into the arms of my Bounty Hunter and my Foreman, who managed to silence the now sullen elf.
Sniffing disdainfully at the elf, Esmie nodded graciously at Dragon and the rest of us. Then she gave me a sidelong glance. “Should I send Dyrke or Gobschlerk with you, to make certain you do not lose your way?”
I smiled but shook my head. “Thank you for the offer, but we don’t want to inconvenience your people further. I’m quite sure we can follow your excellent directions.”
The mermaid and her two strange minions watched us as we started on our way along the path Esmie had pointed out.
Dragon shrank to the size of a pug, to better navigate the forest trail, but kept her true form.
“Here, Dragon, let me help you over this log.” I picked up the small reptilian figure and whispered in her ear. “I need to speak to everyone without being overheard by any of the inhabitants of this world.”
She nodded and turned her head to whisper in my ear. “Perhaps there will be a clearing up ahead, where we can gather close and I can cast some wards to keep other eyes and ears from joining us.”
The closest thing to a clearing we found was where the deer track joined a marginally larger path. I beckoned everyone to draw near. By gathering around and sitting on rocks and fallen logs, we were able to make a tight enough circle for Dragon to cast her wards.
After mumbling the incantations, Dragon nodded to me. “Speak freely. I assure you no outsider can see or hear us now.”
I quickly disclosed the earlier conversation I had had with Esmie’s daughter, Eloise, and her friend, King Mēzän.
Sorceress sighed. “It would be nice to believe that Esmie is sending us on the path that will lead home. However, if you believe Eloise and Mēzän, we need to be wary. Mayhap the mermaid queen does not have our best interest at heart.”
My Young Hero nodded. “It does not sound as if she will defy the wish listeners and help us.”
My Gypsy frowned. “On the other hand, how do we know we can trust Eloise and Mēzän? While you say they seemed genuinely eager to defy the wish listeners and ignore Esmie’s dictates, might they not have their own agenda?”
My Old Dwarf fidgeted with his axe. “It be better ta be taken’ our chances wit tha princess an’ ’er friend. We do na be knowin’ fer sure iffin they be meanin’ ta help us or no, but we do be knowin’ aboot Esmie’s lackey. Tha blind flutterby laddie be beholdin’ ta tha wish listeners, so’s he do na be going agin ’em, and I do na be thinkin’ his queen would be defyin’ ’em, either.”
Cleric adjusted her robe and squirmed on the hard rock. “I agree. I believe we should try to make our way back to the pool where you encountered Eloise and Mēzän, Mistress.”
“And just how will we manage that without arousing the suspicion of the mermaid queen and her serfs?” My Arrogant One crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. “They expect us to be following the trail Esmie dictated. If we go off bumbling through the forest, trying to find the other pool, they may take action against us.”
I tilted my head and stroked my chin. Surprisingly, the elf had made a good point.
Dragon snorted. “I can maintain the wards until we find Eloise and Mēzän, as long as we move at a leisurely pace and stay reasonably close together.”
I nodded. “Let’s try. But stay alert. We don’t know if any inhabitants of this world possess magic equal to or greater than Dragon’s powers. We don’t want to be caught unawares.”
It was late afternoon by the time we found our way back to the spot where I had encountered Eloise and Mēzän. The pool was empty, and the mud at the water’s edge looked as if there had been a scuffle.
What has happened to Eloise and Mēzän? Did Esmie and the wish listeners discover their treachery? And what will happen to us? Should we go back and take the route Esmie directed us to take, or try to find another way home? Be sure to join us again next week as our odyssey continues. We’ll leave the porch light on for you.
“Don’ falls down!” The little creature squeaked in alarm. “Dids Baalizhene scareded you?” She bowed her antlered head contritely and softly fanned her gossamer wings. She folded her hands in front of her, as if praying. “Baalizhene sorry if Baalizhene scareded you.”
The green creature the tiny one addressed as Gobschlerck stamped his foot. “Esmie tan yur hide if she find you talk at strangers. Go!” He pointed up to a copse of trees on a rise adjacent to the clearing.
Another creature strode across the clearing toward us. This one was about two feet high but had the commanding presence of one much larger. Butterfly wings, entwined with tiny branches, sprouted from his back. He did not watch where he was going; instead, he peered into an orb that floated above his outstretched hand, and he directed his remarks toward it rather than to the green creature he addressed.
I nodded and allowed Dyrke to lead me along the trail. I tried not to stare as he nimbly navigated the uneven ground while staring into the orb. “If I am not being rude again, may I enquire about your orb? Your eyes never leave it, even when you are speaking to someone.”
“Evidently, one or more of my companions wished for something. A group of creatures who identified themselves as wish listeners decided coming to this world was the answer to that wish. In our travels here, we were directed to Esmie. We were told she may be able to help us find our way back home.”
My Old Dwarf grabbed my arm before I could pop the apple slice in my mouth. “Be ye sure it be safe, lass?”
“No, but we learned nothing that would make us trustful, either.” My Gypsy scowled. “We know nothing of these creatures. The mermaid disappeared and has not returned. Her lackeys assembled this repast for us. Do we know their agenda? Are they ally or foe? Do they mean us good will or harm?”
“No, we cannot.” The high-pitched, petulant, impatient whine of my Arrogant One interrupting me grated on my nerves. “None of us, through physical or magical means, can foretell if eating this food will cause our demise. I propose we employ a food taster. If someone eats the food and does not die, the rest of us can eat it, too. I suggest the dwarf.”
I sighed and removed my hat. I raked my hand through my hair, then plopped the cap back on my head and adjusted the drawstring. “Great! Now what?” I looked at my characters.
Dragon cleared her throat. “I propose we start wishing to return to the park whence we came, and hope those curious little creatures hear us and are inclined to grant us our wish.”
“And iffin they do na be so in-clined?” My Old Dwarf raised his eyebrows and his axe. “I be proposin’ thet I be gittin’ ta choppin’ tha wall o branches what be blockin’ tha path ta tha steps.”
“I think the dwarf is right. We need to get out of here and find our way back to the picnic grove by the lake where Master Miles awaits us.” My Foreman wiped the sweat from his brow and rested one foot on a small boulder next to the clearing. “Since we know two of the trails leading from this clearing are impassable, and we do not want to follow our recent knightly guests down the avenue they took, that only leaves us one viable alternative.”
“Wishing is a viable alternative. Did the creatures not imply that is what brought us here in the first place?” Sorceress scowled and glared at her companions through narrowed eyes. “One or more of our company wished for something that brought us to this place. If one or more of our company wishes for us to return whence we came, perchance the wish listeners will grant us a boon.”
My Arrogant One pursed his lips and drew himself up, rocking back on his heels. “For once, I agree with the dwarf. We need to extricate ourselves from this land, not place our fate in the hands of alien creatures whose agenda is unknown to us.”
“Neither is the handful of wildflowers scattered in that prairie on the other side of the creek.” My Foreman pointed.
My Gypsy frowned. “That is as disconcerting as the fact I have been hearing the pervasive melody of birdsong ever since we left the old growth forest, despite the obvious lack of birds.”
Warily, we continued along our way. For a time, the trail we walked paralleled the waterway. The scent of the wildflowers and the sound of birdsong followed us, though we saw no more flowers or birds. Eventually, the stream narrowed, and the path started to rise. A wooden fence bordered the side of the trail farthest from the stream.
Ahead of us a beautiful figure blocked our way. She wore a royal blue and gold gown, her flowing, silvery hair was crowned with a circlet of laurel, and angel-like wings sprouted from her back. When she spoke, it sounded as if an unseen musician was caressing the strings of a harp. “I am Medal`av`alia, Queen of these lands. Why are you trespassing in my realm?”
My Young Hero tilted his head and rubbed his chin. “Turtles are usually found near water. Mayhap we should return to the spot where we observed the ducklings and the egret.”
“I will try, Mistress.” She looked doubtful but approached the edge of the pool. “Kind turtle, Queen Medal`av`alia suggested you might be able to direct us back to our own lands.”
I looked around and spied a large tortoise. My mouth dropped open and my eyes almost popped out of their sockets as I stared at the bizarre creature, which had a small, wooden shanty tied atop its carapace. Three tiny, winged fairy-folk were in the structure, while two more flitted about the tortoise’s head. A small songbird was perched on a tree stump in front of this strange group.
It took me a few minutes to regain my composure. Then, with my characters in tow, I traversed the wooden bridge we had seen the turkey crossing earlier and approached the strange entourage. “Excuse me. Are you the one the queen referred to when she told us to consult the turtle?”
“I do not believe your friend identified Esmie as a mermaid.” Dragon had been growing impatient with the exchange and had shape-shifted back to her reptilian form. Black smoke drifted from her snout.
The late afternoon sunshine lit the grotto by the waterfall as we approached. A mermaid with emerald green hair and scales splashed in the shallows by the shore, gazing up at a large bubble she held in one hand. The orb was filled with images I could not quite make out.
“Wale, I be guessin’ we do na be goin’ thet way, lass, ’lessens ye be wantin’ me ta be choppin’ a hole through tha hedge.” My Old Dwarf raised his axe.
The rest of my characters drew into a tight semi-circle around me as Dragon moved forward. The great beast towered menacingly over the knight who had dismounted, but when he made no threatening moves, Dragon sat and greeted him in a congenial voice. “Hail and well met, noble knight!”
“We are.” Dragon stood and began to explain. “We are traveling and seem to have taken the wrong road.”
My Old Dwarf stomped up to the knight and brandished his axe. “I wouldna be doin’ thet iffin I be ye, laddie. I be thinkin’ ye best be releasin’ tha lass right quick-like, iffin ye be placin’ any value on yer hand!”
The ranking knight gaped at me. “What manner of dress is this thou art wearing?”
The two knights started to pull me over to their superior. Dragon reared up and roared. Flames shot toward the ranking knight, who stood steadfast against the fiery threat.
“This is the mode of dress in the land wherein I reside, my lord, a land far from these most pleasant woods.” I motioned to my camera. “And this object hanging from my neck is one of the tools of my trade.”
“So, what do you think we should do for the holiday?”
“What is this about an outing?” Cleric entered the room and caught part of the conversation. “Are we going on another nature trek to take pictures, Mistress?” Cleric’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she fidgeted with the cord on her robe.
Now Dragon entered the room and the conversation. “Nature photography? Food? What is transpiring?”
My Arrogant One, who had been right behind Dragon, grimaced and stuck his nose in the air. He commented in a petulant whine, “I thought you said it was a holiday. I suppose you are proposing a stayiday, like our last vacation was a staycation?”
“Wait a minute! We haven’t even decided where we should go, or on which day of the three-day weekend.” I looked at Miles. “What do you think, honey?”
Everyone pitched in and helped my husband prepare the food. After a huge lunch, I suggested we go exploring. “I know Cleric wanted to assist with some nature photography, so I brought my camera. You’re all welcome to join us if you wish, to check out the resident wildlife.”
“I’m sorry, honey.” Miles looked at me apologetically. “With the medications I take, you know I can’t tolerate the sunlight. I must stay here in the shade. The rest of you go enjoy yourselves. I’ll just clean up everything here and then take a nap under these trees.”
Neither Dragon nor her companion saw the small figure on the side of the trail. It was only slightly smaller than the squirrels that were scampering through the tall grass. It had a white beard and long, rabbit-like ears. A sly grin spread across its stony face as it listened to the conversation between my Old Dwarf and Dragon.
We continued along the trail, enjoying the warm weather, the scenery, and the camaraderie. We had walked a considerable distance when I spotted a path off to the right, marked by a sign proclaiming it a Secret Trail. “Hmmm. I thought I knew every trail in this park, but I don’t ever remember seeing that one before.”
Aaaaahhhhhh-CHOO!
Cleric looked up from a book she was reading. Her eyes widened. “Mistress?”
Dragon leaped from the back of the sofa. She shapeshifted mid-leap into her customary guise of an elf maiden and was by my side in a split second. She placed her hand on my forehead and drew back in alarm. “You are correct, Cleric. Mistress Writer is ill.”
I grabbed for the box of tissues.
Cleric was sobbing, Dragon was growling, the deer were wailing and bleating, the raccoons were whirring, the birds were chirping, and the rabbit was thumping her foot and glaring at me. I was getting a colossal headache.
The din quieted for one blessed moment. Then my Arrogant One began screeching in his customary glass-shattering tone.
Before my Arrogant One could reply, the rabbit thumped her hind foot again. “Ya don’t listen real good, do ya, sista? I told ya before, I ain’t no illusion!” She underscored this pronouncement with another thump of her foot.
I turned to Cleric, who was still crying. Tears rushed down her face, silent sobs shook her petite frame. “Suppose you explain what’s going on.” I tried to marshal my tone of voice to be reassuring rather than accusatory, but I must have failed, as Cleric only bawled harder.
Dragon stood there, black smoke rising from her nostrils. She narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
“Ye do na be worrin’ none aboot tha wee critters. I be keepin’ an eye on tha big beastie. She will na be botherin’ ’em any.” My Old Dwarf stared at Dragon, a defiant smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He slapped the flat of his axe against the palm his hand.
“Get with it, sista!” I hadn’t noticed the rabbit had joined us, and I jumped when she addressed me. She thumped her foot and gave me a look that clearly said she thought I had just fallen off the turnip truck. “The dame’s a cleric, sista. She used the words she would use ta cast a clerical spell, the words she learned from her clerical order.”
