Chapter 2

Far above Henry's world, the silver strand reached up through the pure black of space.   

Inside it, seven messengers had stopped halfway between Earth and the bright, perfect star.   An opening in the strand appeared, strips of light cascaded along its smooth surface; silver petals unfurling from a shimmering vine. One silver-red strip opened in the light, followed by a silver-orange strip.   Then the colors of green and blue, with the same unusual silvery glow, spiraled outward. Purple light shone from inside the strand, casting a soft purple hue over everything.

The six colors flowed from the strand, creating shining pools.  They glistened vibrantly in the dark sky, illuminating the darkness, and assumed brightly colored human shapes, ringed in pure silver.  Against the strand, the light from their faces formed an active, pulsating rainbow. 

"Why are we stopping?" asked Airin, the orange-hued messenger

"The Star Contingent contacted me," answered Ranthir, glowing silvery-red, "They said we should stop here and rest.”

"I'm not tired," said Zil, a very pale, silver-yellow, "Saving children is quite invigorating, actually."

"Yes," answered Ranthir, looking into his pale face with concern, "But perhaps a fight like the one we've just had is more tiring than we think.  Let's take this time to rest.  Besides, we are to have a visitor." 

“A visitor?” asked Zil, “Who?”

“Actually, I’m not sure,” replied Ranthir, “But all will be well.  You must rest, Zil.  Look at Vim,” he added with a smile, “She has the right idea.”

Vim, a serene metallic blue messenger, had curled up around the strand and fallen asleep.

Taper, covered her tenderly with a green blanket and secured her to the strand.

"Perhaps I am a little tired," Zil admitted, looking at the blanket longingly, "I've never worked with lightning bolts before."  

"I was meaning to ask you about that," chuckled Ranthir, "The breeze itself was enough to transport Henry to safety.  Why did you feel you had to split the tree in half and set it on fire?"

"I had to be sure Henry was safe," answered Zil, sounding a little hurt. 

"So that was it," replied Ranthir, "Perhaps you were wise then. At least the tree is no longer a hazard to anyone."

Zil nodded happily.  He was relieved no one mentioned he'd almost set fire to the whole forest.  
"I wish we could get rid of those Creatures for good," he said, changing the subject, "Why are they so intent on following Henry, anyway?"

"An excellent question," said Ranthir, "It's unusual to see them focused on one so young."

"Perhaps Henry is a prophet," observed Airin.

"What do you mean?" asked Yellow, who was new to the strand.

"Some humans are destined to speak great wisdom to their people," answered the very dark blue messenger known as Aikon, "He may be one of those. A prophet will always attract creatures' attention."

“Anything that brings peace and harmony to the world attracts their attention,” agreed Ranthir sadly.

The messengers were silent for a moment, gazing down at Earth with tenderness. From space it looked so beautiful yet vulnerable, tiny, full of life, gleaming in the cold, silent darkness.

"Henry is so very young," said Zil, "Only ten years old.  Can a child really have such importance on Earth?"

"Of course," said Airin, "There are many extraordinary children there."

"He has a strong and courageous heart," began Yellow, "But  . .  ."

"Yes?"

"I don't want to sound unkind, "Yellow whispered, "But from what I've seen, Henry is really quite an ordinary sort of boy."

"In some ways, perhaps.  But often those who seem the most ordinary," smiled Ranthir, "are those destined for greatness."

"Ordinary or not, one thing is clear," Airin said, "The creatures wish to destroy him."

“Poor Henry!” cried Yellow.

Red nodded.  "Those with great destinies also have great challenges," he said, "But Henry will manage.  He has already been strengthened through sorrow.  He has had no family other than .  his uncle for almost two years now."

"His loss made him strong," agreed Airin, "That is how the best of humans are."

"It is proof of courage.  Loss makes a brave spirit stronger," continued Ranthir, "But it can also destroy the frightened and weak."

Orange looked down at the Earth again.

"Vim, your cloud is magnificent.  It completely stopped the fire," she observed, "In fact, it's still raining."

Vim winked.

"He’s keeping it there," explained Aikon with a grin, "So Henry won't have to water his uncle's plants tonight."

Vim nodded softly.

"Such creative thoughts from you all today," said Ranthir, looking at them kindly, "But, Zil, are you going to return to the strand?  You do look very tired."

"I’m tired, but I want to stay?" cried Zil, "I like it out here.  We don't stop outside the strand nearly enough. It is always rushing up from the Earth to the star and back down again.  Up and down.  Rushing and more rushing.  Just taking a break to enjoy the peace is nice for a change."

Ranthir nodded.  He understood.

Airin looked down at the Earth.  "Henry has reached the house, but his uncle is not there."

"Airin," called a rich, deep voice from inside the strand.    It was the voice of the purple messenger, Argalis.  "I suggest you check the Omnoculars now."

Airin cupped a silvery-orange hand to her forehead.  Into her palm, a complicated-looking object materialized. It looked like six pairs of binoculars stacked on top of one another.   
It was no ordinary set of binoculars, however; but a special viewing device called Omnoculars.  The messengers' own vision was sharp enough for them to see any sight they wanted to on Earth, but Omnoculars allowed them to observe much more than that.  Omnoculars were used for deeper levels of observation; with them, messengers could see through things, around them and inside them, and more importantly, the Omnoculars even allowed them to see into a human beings’ thoughts, ideas, or to glimpse into their future.   The six pairs of lenses on these messengers’ Omnoculars allowed them to gather information about Henry’s life and safety at any moment. 

"Lens 1: Light & Darkness readings," began Airin, "I see an area of darkness around Henry.  Very high."

She looked through the second set of lenses.

"Lens 2: Visible & Invisible Danger Readings," continued Airin, "Both high."

She shot Ranthir a look of concern.

He stared back at her, puzzled.  "It's odd that the Contingent called us away from him," he said, "With Henry’s Darkness and Danger readings so elevated, it seems as though he would still need us close."

Airin looked into the third set of lenses.

"Here's the answer," she said simply, "Lens 3: The Right & Necessary Readings.  Very high."  

"So, whatever is to happen today is right and necessary for Henry's life. It must be," stated Ranthir, his voice faltering a little, "I have seen these readings before.”

“So have I,” agreed Airin, “They foretell terrible disasters, accidents, even death."

"Now, hold on!" objected Zil, "I was told that all yellow messengers received warning well in advance if their human was to die!" 

 Aikon shook her head. "None of this makes any sense to me."

Orange's eyes traveled down to the fourth lens. She gasped, "Oh, Ranthir, look at the Alignment lens!"

Omnoculars appeared in Ranthir's hand. The fourth set of lenses, the Alignment lenses, enabled him to see how the lives of others could be affected by Henry's actions.  Ranthir was astonished to see thousands upon thousands of images, more than the Omnoculars could contain.

"So many people!  So many lives!" he exclaimed in wonder, "Henry's life could affect a lot of people."

Intrigued, the other messengers pulled out their Omnoculars, too.

"What could be happening down there?" said Zil, who wasn't as expert as the others at using Omnoculars, and was holding his upside-down.  "Will he save those people, or harm them?"

No one answered him.  They did not know.
 
"Henry's a fine person; his influence will most likely be positive," Aikon reassured him.

“I bet that’s why the Star Contingent is coming to see us,” said Airin.

“It certainly seems likely,” answered Ranthir.

“How could Henry be so important?” breathed Yellow.

The older messengers were too busy to answer him.

 "Lens 5:  Knowledge and Supplies lens," Airin continued, "He's low.  Ranthir, I’m concerned.  Whatever the trouble will be, Henry may not get through it alone."

They checked the sixth set of lenses, the External Force & Help lenses.  "It will be all right," observed Ranthir.  "The External Help reading is high.  There will be many sources of help to assist Henry." 

Taper looked intently at the others.  "Whatever happens," she said, "Can be made into something good.  That is always the case when friends are there to help."
 
"His strand has grown strong of late," said Argalis from the strand.

"Hopefully strong enough to make good choices," commented Airin. 

Ranthir nodded, but his gentle face was full of concern. It brightened a little, however, when he looked above him.  Overhead a great shimmering ribbon of silver burst through the atmosphere with such brilliance it illuminated the entire sky. 

"Awaken Vim!" he called, "The Star Contingent has arrived.”

The Star Contingent’s stand rippled elegantly through space and hovered over them.   Its shimmering petals were much longer and brighter than those of Henry's strand, and the strips of light that opened along its surface gleamed white, silver and gold.  As they unfolded they transformed into ten stately and silent messengers. A burst of pure, brilliant violet light shone out from the center, glowing vibrantly and scattering purple hues over them all.  

The very last light strip to unfold transformed into a unique-looking being.  He was tall, with garlands of white leaves and birds entwined through his golden hair and beard.  His garments were brilliant white, edged by a fluid hem of glimmering lights of gold and silver that gave the effect of ocean waves sparkling at sunset.  The old messenger’s gentle eyes shone more brightly than the light.  Around his neck hung a shining prism.  

He bowed.

"Have you come to speak to us about Henry?" blurted out Zil immediately.

“Shhhhhh!” scolded Airin, “That’s Spectrum, the head of the Star Contingent.  Show some respect.  Wait for him to speak first.”

“I’m sorry,” apologized Zil, “I couldn’t help it.”

Spectrum looked at them all very solemnly, “I am here about Henry,” said Spectrum. “Not to reprimand you about almost starting a forest fire, Zil,” he added with a wink.

Yellow wondered how Spectrum had known what he was thinking, but said nothing.     He was secretly very pleased Spectrum had noticed him.  

The Argalis’s voice greeted Spectrum from the strand. “Rest with us,” The Argalis said.

Green came forward, pulling a few small portions of clouds from his right sleeve.  He breathed on them gently, molding and pulling the fluffy white pieces to create a large, very comfortable-looking, chair.

Spectrum grinned appreciatively.  “With every year that passes,” he remarked, “I appreciate a good place to sit a little more.”

Taper held up his hand, motioning that he was not finished yet. From another small cloud, he created a fluffy white footstool and positioned it before the chair.  He gestured to Spectrum to sit down.

“Quite delightful, Taper,” smiled Spectrum.

The old messenger sat down and closed his eyes.  Everyone gathered around him, except Airin, who continued to listen, but also kept watch over Henry and the Earth.  Argalis, the purple light, remained in the strand.

After a few moments Spectrum’s eyes opened.  "Your duties with Henry are about to change,” he abruptly said.

Zil and Vim leaned forward in excitement, but Taper and  Aikon looked worried and Ranthir was sober.  “How are they to change?” asked Ranthir.

“You have, like many messengers before you, watched over your human with great care," began Spectrum.

"Yes,” agreed Ranthir, with a questioning tone in his voice, “We have watched his life on Earth in a spirit of kindness and protection since he was born." 

"Exactly," said the old messenger, beaming, “But if Henry were to die, what do you think would hap --. . . ?”

Zil rushed to Spectrum’s feet.  “Please tell us that Henry is not about to die!” he cried.

Spectrum leaned forward, placing his hands on Zil’s shoulders.  

“Be calm, Zil; Henry will not die today,” he replied.  Spectrum gazed down at the Earth for a long time without saying anything.  

In the distance, a strand glimmered.  

“Tell me, my dear friends, what do you think happens to a person’s strand when they die?” continued Spectrum, “Haven’t you wondered?”

The messengers glanced awkwardly at one another. Most of them had been messengers for thousands of years, and knew strands were returned to the star after a person died.  Even a messenger as young as Zil knew that.  

The actual moment of death, however, was something very private, between the human and the star.   About that, they knew almost nothing.  When someone died, messengers were always sent to Earth to comfort the person’s loved ones, while the strand was returned to the star in a mysterious, secret process.  That was the way the star wanted it to be. It made no sense for Spectrum to travel so far to talk to them about what they already knew, or to ask them about something so private. 
.
After a long silence, Vim finally spoke.  “From time to time,” she said, gently, “We have all wondered what actually happens to our human’s strand, Spectrum.”

Spectrum got up from the white chair Taper had made and hovered slightly above them.  He lifted the prism up from his neck to the brilliant light of the star. 

“Come, see the mystery,” he said, “Look above you.”

Instantly, sparkling bursts of light emanated from the prism and flickered all around them, illuminating silver and gold strands everywhere, seemingly to the darkest parts of the universe.  Some were thick, some thin, some moved rapidly, some were perfectly still.  Their attention was soon drawn to one strand in the distance, however, suddenly flooded with intense light that grew increasingly brighter.   After a few moments its light was so strong even the Messengers had to look away.  

But even as the light seemed as blinding as it could get, somehow the strand kept increasing in brilliance.  It became so bright that the other strands all around them became filled with its light, too, each reflecting it back to the one star that connected them all.  Finally, everything in the universe was part of the light; and at that moment, the messengers heard a loud snap. All the strands but the very first one vanished.  Deep, rumbling sounds echoed through the heavens.  Then, the one bright strand began to roll up, one end coming very rapidly down from the star and the other as quickly up from the Earth.  

As the messengers watched in amazement, the two ends met violently, colliding in an enormous explosion of light and color.  At first nothing seemed to remain from the explosion, but then, off in the distance, from a few wisps of colored smoke, a single, gleaming disk emerged, hurtling toward them at tremendous speed.  As it approached, Zil covered his head, but the disk slowed down just in time to avoid striking any of them. In a broad, perfect arc, it glided gently above their heads, landing soundlessly at the old messenger's feet.  

"I know you have never seen one of these," said Spectrum, picking up the disk, "But I tell you now, they are the only real reason for your existence."

As he held out the beautiful, shining disk, no larger than a man’s hand, the messengers realized it was filling everything around them with warmth, light, and joy.

“What is it?” whispered Zil.

“This, Zil, is a disk of peace,” explained Spectrum, “It requires one complete strand to make, but can only be created from a life lived in kindness and love." 

"I feel so positive and hopeful just being near it,” Aikon remarked, "The disk contains such serenity.” 

"Quite true," agreed Spectrum.  "And if you, a messenger, feel this way, imagine its effect on Earth.  For after all, what every human being truly craves is peace.”

“Humans want peace?” exclaimed Zil, “They sure don’t act like it!”

“Oh, but they do,” corrected Spectrum, “Humans often think revenge or money will bring them peace.  Again and again they find it does not, but it is hard for them to learn. Humans continue to do all sorts of terrible things: kill, fight, lie, steal . . . because they want a peace they still do not understand.  

“Will they ever understand?” asked Zil.

 “Oh, yes,” smiled Spectrum,  “A human who lives in the presence of true peace --- the kind these disks bring --- will understand instantly.  And at that moment, the person will never experience pain again, or another negative moment.  Death, sorrow, fear . . . everything that robs the world of joy is destroyed when brought close to a disk like this.  Anyone who lives in its presence will live forever in peace."

“Those disks should be on Earth now,” said Zil, boldly, “They certainly need them there.”

“They do, but it is not yet time, Zil,” answered Spectrum, “ . . . .yet.” He added the last word pointedly.

“Are they being used for something?” asked Ranthir.  

“They will have a great purpose in the future,” answered Spectrum, “For now they are all kept by the star.” 

Zil was fascinated. He stared and stared at the disk.  Spectrum finally held it out for him to hold, but Zil was afraid he’d drop it, and shook his head.

"Don't worry, Yellow," reassured the old messenger kindly, "You cannot hurt the disk.  It is made to last forever." 

Zil reluctantly accepted, but passed the disk on to Airin as soon as he could.  One by one, each of the messengers admired the beautiful object, before returning it to Spectrum, who tucked it carefully away in his sleeve.

From inside Henry's strand, Argalis spoke again, "I recognize the peace that comes from that disk.  It contains the love of an African woman’s life named Helen." 

The old messenger nodded.  "Her spirit sleeps now, within the disk, which I will transport to the star.  It is a process that has taken place since life on Earth began.  Someday, at the end of Earth's time, this disk, as well as countless others, will be used to construct a great city of peace."

As he spread his hands out, a faint image appeared above them.   There, traced in stars, a dome appeared, constructed from thousands of glittering disks, arranged in spirals.   Underneath them, a second dome appeared, creating an enormous sparkling ball.   

"The city will be built inside a sphere, constructed from the lives of millions of good people.  When the last disk is in place, every life will be awakened from their disk to dwell in this beautiful world forever."

The messengers gazed at the extraordinary sight while the messenger continued lighting disk after disk with stars.

"The design of the city is very exact," he said, his voice straining with emotion, "For every life well-lived on Earth creates a disk of a specific weight, shape and size.  They fit together perfectly to create the city’s domes.  Should even one person's life be missing, the structure of the city would be flawed.  With even one disk gone, the city would be vulnerable --- an empty space, a hole of a certain shape--- even the slightest flaw could make it collapse."

With that, he abruptly clapped his strong hands together. The stars that created the image of the city crumbled into a heap and vanished.

"A disk could never go missing, though" stated  Aikon confidently, "Messengers watch a person's strand every moment and all disks come directly to you!"

Spectrum was silent.  

“Aikon is right, isn’t she, Spectrum?” asked Zil.

He sighed.  “There are those who do not want to see the City of Peace ever built.  They are jealous and hateful of anyone who will live there because it can never be their home.  Nothing would please them more than to put its structure in jeopardy.” 

Airin looked over her shoulder, listening.  Her eyes narrowed.

“What are you saying, Spectrum?” asked Ranthir.

"It’s time you knew,” stated Spectrum, "A strand has been damaged.  That is why I am here.  A fragment is missing." 

"Missing?" cried Vim, “Actually missing?”

“Yes,” answered Spectrum, “Stolen.  By a creature.”  

“But how could that happen?” cried  Aikon, “Earthly things like a book or a cup can be damaged by creatures . . . but creatures cannot touch strands . . . or anything else from the star for that matter.  It is the Way of Things!”

“The message that has come from the star,” answered Spectrum, “Is that for one moment in time. . . a creature . . . only one . . .  had access to a strand. Somehow this creature was able to borrow a tiny section from a boy.  It was never returned.  Unless that portion is found by its rightful owner, no disk will be made. And small though it may be, if it is missing, the flaw will jeopardize the City of Peace.”

The messengers were quiet.

“Who does the strand belong to?” whispered Zil.  He so hoped the damaged strand wasn’t Henry’s.

“To someone you are all familiar with.” 

Zil looked away in despair.   

“Henry’s uncle, Oliver Duncan.”  

Zil breathed out a huge sigh of relief, but once again, the other messengers were paying very little attention to him.  Instead, they all looked to Aikon.  Everyone but Zil knew she had been part of Oliver’s strand once, and knew Henry’s uncle well.

“An unusual fellow,” said Vim tactfully.

“Very,” agreed Ranthir.

“I kind of like him,” said Yellow.

“You don’t know him,” said Aikon, without emotion.

“When did the theft happen?” Ranthir inquired.

“Sixty years ago,” answered Spectrum.  

“Sixty years!  Such a long time!” exclaimed Zil, “And no one has recovered it yet?”

“Not yet.”

 “How did you let it happen?” Zil asked tactlessly.

 Aikon began to weep.  “I was not aware until this moment that it had happened at all.  Sixty years ago?  He was only a boy.”

Spectrum was quick to comfort her.  "You were not to blame, Aikon.  Danger and challenges get the best of all of our humans sometimes.”

“Let me ask you, this,” said Aikon, “Where did it happen?”

“At a place called Camp Patagonia,” answered Spectrum, “The circumstances of the theft, I do not know.”

 “Does the lost portion of the strand still even exist?” asked Zil, “Maybe the creatures have destroyed it!”

 “Nothing but the Great Star can affect a strand,” Spectrum reminded him gently, ”The missing fragment is protected somewhere, Zil,  we definitely know that.”

 “Spectrum,” said  Aikon, quietly, “If Oliver has to find his own strand, how can we help?  We’re not his messengers.  It is not our place to ---“

“For sixty years his messengers have tried unsuccessfully to help him recover the hidden fragment,” stated Spectrum, “They recently requested earthly hands to help them.”

“So not our hands, but Henry’s,” stated Aikon.

“Henry may succeed where they have failed,” answered Spectrum, “He is our greatest hope,” 

“Amazing!  To think what we’re being asked to do,!” gasped Zil, “We may be able do what messengers haven’t been able to in sixty years!” he pumped his fist enthusiastically.

“It is Henry’s destiny to try, not yours, Zil,” corrected Spectrum gently, “But we will all help.”

“Yes, of course,” said Zil, flushing deep gold.

“Henry can succeed.  He has begun to sense his connection to us,” said the voice of Argalis.

“Yes,” added Spectrum, 

“Spectrum, do you know where the missing fragment is?” asked Ranthir.

“I do not,” answered Spectrum, ”Only the star and the creature know the hiding place.”  

“Are his messengers still actively seeking the lost part of Oliver’s strand?" she asked.

"They are, but there are other forces that surround Oliver's life that distract him so efficiently, they are quite unable to help him."

"So it will all come down to whether we can get through to Henry, and Henry can get through to his uncle?"

"Yes, and it will be a challenge.  For 60 years," continued the old messenger, "Oliver has been kept from hearing his messengers.  But since Henry has come to live with him . . ."

Spectrum turned to the messengers and smiled.

***********"After many years of loneliness and failure, Oliver was asked to look after Henry," 

[rework this --- ]

"He loves Henry," said Ranthir, “And that is what the Star knows will help break through.”

"His love for Henry is our hope?" asked Zil.

"Oh, yes," smiled the old messenger, “Not just for Oliver, but for the whole world.”

"Yes.  We understand.  We saw the images in the Omnoculars," recalled Yellow.

“Henry has a key role in the destiny of all good people of the Earth.  That is what you saw in the Omnoculars."

“How best can we help?” asked Aikon.

“The closer he gets to succeeding,” the messenger explained, “The more difficult things will become for him.  Your priority will continue to be to keep Henry safe.  But as he follows in his uncle's footsteps, he will undoubtedly encounter creatures and their helpers.  They no longer have any respect for the Way of Things .  As the uncle’s life is nearing an end, and they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

“We will be on watch at all times,” answered Ranthir.

“Messengers,” called Airin from her watch, “Hurry.  We must return to Earth.”

 “Henry is in need.  Hurry,” added Argalis.

“Be at one with all peace,” called Spectrum as he raised one arm to bid them farewell.  And with that, a great petal of gold and silver enveloped him into the light of the Star Contingent’s strand.