Forbidden Places
By Richard LeBlanc
Chapter Twenty-Four: journey
In a section of secluded forest deep within the rugged mountains north of the swamplands, the Charming Enchanter was mentally taking in everything he had observed since his departure from Toy Maker and Tuly. He witnessed the supposed death of Markys - the pact between Tithian and Toy Maker - and the plotting of the Spider Lords and their ally - Lord Arachnid.
"Everything is moving so fast. I hope I did the right thing," he began as he began to play another song on his violin. The timid creatures of nature slowly emerged from their hiding places to hear the hypnotic melody that he played. He sighed and stopped playing. The creatures quickly scurried away.
"What - if all this - is for nothing? What if she does not like the person I have become?" he asked himself as his violin vanished. He floated up to his feet and balanced himself on the tree branch he was sitting on. Around him - the view was amazing. From his perch - he could see out for miles in all directions. He would have continued enjoying the view - but he realized - that someone was watching him.
"I am being watched - and it isn't by a spider," he commented. A magical dagger appeared in his hand. He hopped up from his branch and vanished into the foliage. Down below - a timid looking girl was looking around. She was about to call out when Enchanter landed like a graceful predator inches away from her.
"Who are you and why have you sought me out?" he asked seriously.
"Please - don't hurt me. I'm lost. I've been out here for days," she began. Enchanter studied the girl. It wouldn't be above Markys to try to lull him in - but the girl had no power in her. He then looked around like a tiger stalking a deer - but nothing could be seen or sensed. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"How did you get out here?" he asked - the dagger vanished.
"I was playing with my friends. Mother told me not to wander too deep into the forest - but when the wolves began to chase us - I got scared and ran deeper into the woods. Before I knew it I was hopelessly lost," she said timidly. Enchanter slowly sat down on the ground to collect his thoughts.
"How did you escape the wolves?" he asked curiously.
"I fell in the river. I thought for sure that I was going to die out here - but then I heard a beautiful song - it called to me - filled me with hope," she began as she began to sway. Enchanter took note of this and was able to catch her before she hit the ground.
"Must be hungry," he commented. He leaned her up against a tree and vanished into a fine mist.
Some hours later, the sun had set. The girl began to wake up - only to find herself alone.
"It was just - a dream," she began nervously.
"I wouldn't exactly say that," Enchanter replied as he emerged from the shadows. He walked over and placed a basket of food that he had picked up by her feet. "Eat, you look like you need something that was properly cooked," he added. The girl readily devoured what was placed before her. By what he saw - it was easy to believe that she had been out in these mountains for at least a week.
"I thought you weren't coming back - or that I was just imagining it all," the girl muttered as she wiped some crumbs from her face.
"Hmm. Do you have a name?" he asked curiously - looking up at the cloudless star filled sky.
"Yes, been a while since anyone said it though. I'm Bethany - how are you called kind sir?" she replied politely. Enchanter quietly laughed and smiled at the girl.
"So polite and proper - even when trapped in a world that is not. I am called Enchanter," he stated.
"You a wizard or something like that?" she asked curiously.
"Yes - you could say that," he replied.
"Wow. I always dreamed that I could be a wizard - or sorceress. It must be nice," she said happily.
"It has its moments," he admitted.
"You must have lots of friends," she commented. He was going to respond - but a realization had come over him. For all of his epics and conquests - he had kept pretty much to himself - recluse.
"Actually - I don't really have any. I drove myself pretty hard to be a master of what I do. I kept a lot of people out - hurt a lot of people - I don't honestly think anyone would want to be a friend of mine now," he stated somberly.
"That sounds pretty sad. What is the point of having neat powers if you don't have people to share with?" she asked innocently. Enchanter quietly laughed and looked over at the inquisitive child.
"I never thought of it like that," he replied.
"May I ask why you were sitting up in a tree?" she asked.
"I was trying to determine why I am here. If all of it was for nothing," he answered.
"I think I know why," she began.
"You do?" he replied.
"My dad says that everything - good or bad - happens for a reason. Sometimes - it isn't obvious at first - because you are hurt or angry - but there is always a reason," she continued as wiped the crumbs from her hands.
"Go on," Enchanter requested.
"If you didn't come here - if you weren't in that tree - if you weren't playing that song. I wouldn't have found you - and I would have probably died out here - hungry and alone," she replied honestly.
"I never thought of it like that," he stated as he looked up at the stars above.
"Yeah, and if you hadn't done what you had - in your past - even the bad or scary stuff - you wouldn't be here today - and we wouldn't be talking," she added with a sweet smile. Enchanter sighed and looked over at the child that seemed to have a great depth of wisdom in her that was well beyond her years.
"When did you get to be so smart?" he asked humorously.
"Dad always asked that too. I really miss him. I hope he and mom haven't forgotten about me," she said as sadness began to overcome her. Enchanter leaned forward and shook his head.
"I don't think that they could. I'll tell you what - seeing how you helped me - how about I return the favor and take you home?" he offered with a wink.
"Helped you? But - you saved my life. How did I help you?" she asked curiously.
"You just did. Now - I noticed a few towns that are near these mountains. If you tell me something distinct about your home - I will be able to take you there," he instructed. Bethany hopped to her feet. Memories of home flooded her mind - but everything seemed so mundane and ordinary.
"I can't think of anything," she began. Just then, something came to her.
"A sign! I remember a sign! It looked really silly. Half horse - half human or something," she concluded. Enchanter closed his eyes and remembered back when he was collecting food for her. His mind sifted through every detail of each city. It was then that he saw what she was talking about. It was the sign to a tavern called the Centaurs Barn.
"I see it. Shall we go home?" he asked curiously. He extended his hand to her. She eagerly nodded and placed her hand on his. In the blink of an eye the two vanished from the forest and appeared on the outskirts of the small town that the tavern was in. "This the place?" he asked as he pointed to the tavern sign.
"Yes - this is where I live," she answered. Enchanter walked with the girl through the night street. It was then that s small band of surly looking men made their way towards them.
"Fancy this boys - a well dressed man and his daughter - out for a leisurely stroll," one stated as he drew a crudely made knife.
"Hmph, ruffians. They litter the landscape everywhere it seems," Enchanter muttered as he stood in front of the girl.
"Hand over the gold - or you and the little girl - will not be long for this world," the leader of the small band ordered. Enchanter closed his eyes and smirked. When his eyes began to slowly open - green light began to filter out.
"Children - shouldn't you be in? IT is way passed your bedtime," Enchanter hissed. Strong winds began to blow against the small band.
"He's one of those wizards! Run!" one of the thieves squealed as they scampered away. Enchanter then closed his eyes. The winds died down. He opened his eyes again and they looked as they normally should.
"You saved me again," the girl said happily.
"You might have been safer in the wilds - it seems as though things were more civil out there," he commented as he carefully lifted her up. Bethany laughed at what she knew was a joke. Which way from here?" he asked. She quickly raised her arm and pointed straight ahead.
"That way!" she answered. Enchanter laughed at her enthusiasm and made his way in the direction she had pointed. As they walked he took notice of how every simple detail of every common thing captivated her attention - but nothing more so than when she saw her home.
"Home," she muttered timidly. Enchanter carefully put her down and began to walk away. She quickly hurried over and grabbed his hand.
"Don't go. I want mom and dad to meet you. Please?" she asked as she tugged on his sleeve. He looked over at the house and saw the sad looking pair that was inside. He then looked down at the girl and reluctantly nodded.
"You sacred?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted.
"Don't be," he replied with a wink. The two slowly made their way up to the front door. Enchanter lightly knocked and waited. The two could hear the sound of someone getting up and heading to the door. Bethany instantly hid behind Enchanter. The door opened.
"Can I help you?" a sad looking man asked. Enchanter looked over his shoulder and sighed.
"You have a daughter?" he asked curiously.
"Yes - she went missing about a week ago. We searched everywhere - but all we found was her hat. The others gave up the search. Said that the wolves must have gotten her," he replied as he tried to hide the emotion.
"Well, I sort of bumped into someone during my travels. I think you might know her," Enchanter commented as he calmly stepped to the side. The father looked down and saw a timid little girl looking back at him. The shock of seeing her there almost knocked him over - but the realization that she was actually there.
"B-Bethany?" he stuttered.
"Daddy?" she replied. Enchanter stepped back and watched as the two hugged each other.
"What is all the commotion out there?" the mother asked as she made her way over to the door. When she saw her husband hugging her daughter - the same reaction set in.
"Oh my god - Bethany!" she exclaimed as she hurried over and hugged the girl. Enchanter stepped back. It was then that the father looked over at him. He slowly got up and tried his best to regain his composure.
"I can't thank you enough," the father said as he lifted up his little girl.
"Think nothing of it. She's something else," Enchanter said politely with a bow.
"There must be something we can do for you for saving our baby girl," the mother added.
"No - I won't hear anymore of that kind of talk. Just meeting her and talking with her - that was enough," he replied with a smile. Enchanter politely bowed to the reunited family and began to walk away.
"The deeds of the past - are the keys to the future," the father began. Enchanter stopped dead in his tracks.
"The light in the darkness is dim - but it is growing," the mother added.
"Everyone has a true friend Enchanter - yours - is still waiting," Bethany concluded with a smile. Enchanter quickly turned around. The family was gone! The house that once stood there was in charred ruins - in fact as he turned he noticed that - the whole town was. Just then he woke up. He was high up in a tree. Before he could get his thoughts together he found himself falling - catching every odd branch on the way down. He hit the ground with a thud. He slowly forced himself to his feet. It had been years since he felt that kind of pain - but it was the last thing on his mind.
"The girl - it was her," he muttered as he leaned against the tree beside him. He looked at the mountains to his right and saw the sun beginning to rise. He remembered ever detail of the girl in his dreams - it looked nothing like the girl that rescued him - but he knew that it had to be her.
"I am close - I must be," he said to himself as he looked down at the ground before him. there - before him - was a perfectly preserved Black Lotus. He began to reach down for it - but stopped. He knew that there were precious little Black Lotuses left in the world.
"No - last time I picked one - it cost so many. You should be safe here. I doubt that anyone will find you in this place," he said to himself as he began to walk away.
To be continued...
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