The Sims of the New World

Sistergirl, storyteller

Prologue, Part II
The Children of JyM

The supplies were almost out and Big John was positive a witch had cursed his ship because the Lady Anne had been steering herself into unknown waters.  Now, on top of everything else, they were hopelessly lost in a very  wicked looking fog.   So, of course, Big John wanted a drink.  Wanted one?-- He NEEDED two or three before facing his crew and friends with the truth of their situation.
    
       But, just as he was heading below decks-- he figured he'd tell Robin first so that he'd have a chance of survival when he told his crew-- he heard his man in the crow's nest shouting, "Land!  Land, ho!  I see land, I tell ya' ."

       Suddenly there was shouting and commotion as the men, Big John included,  dropped  everything and ran to the side of the boat.  Sure
enough, the fog had lifted and the ship was drifting towards
a beach.  The crew of the Lady Anne couldn't believe what
they were seeing.
     
        "Whar? I don't see no land?" 

        "Thar, you big fool. Are ya' blind, ya ol' see rat?" 

       "Blessed be. I thought I'd never see land again."
     
       Robin and Marian  were the first on deck to see what all the shouting was about and viewed the most beautiful land they had ever seen.  In fact, no one had ever seen a beach whose water was so blue and clear, floral as colorful or trees as green.  Soon everyone was staring at the beach in stunned admiration.

       "Stop gawking at it and let's get these boats down!" Big John shouted.  "Bo and Kurt, you come with Robin and me in the first boat.  The rest of you stay on the Lady Anne and get ready to shoot if ya' see any trouble. I've heard tells of cannibals, and I like to not be someone's breakfast today."

       When the boat hit the shore, Robin was the first one out.  He was amazed at how large the pebbles on the beach were and, unlike standing on sand, how his footing was sure.  The small stones weren't even wet or shifted under his feet.    
    
       As Robin continued to  marvel at his surroundings, he heard someone shout, "Look!" and, as if they had been part of the trees and foliage itself, six 'beings' had appeared on the grass... the active word being beings because the small group was definitely not human. "Welcome.  Don't be afraid.  We are friends and we were expecting you," the gray-haired one said.

       Immediately, Bo reached for his saber.  "No." Robin signaled for him to put it away.  "They won't harm us.  I can tell."
    
       Robin looked them over.  They were lean of body, with pointy ears and eyes of a color that shone with an unearthly glow. Two of them were winged and the female sparkled from head to toe as if she was the sun itself.  Robin had heard of such folk from his mother; certainly they could not be the elves and fairies of his childhood bedtime stories from so many years ago. Could they?

  
       "What do you mean, you were expecting us?" Robin asked.  " Who are you?  How did you know we would come to this island?"
    
       "We are the Children of JyM and I am Jaedan.  All of your questions will be answered soon.  However, you've had a very long journey.  I know you and your people need to refresh yourself and eat a good meal.  Quickly, please, follow us, for our King awaits."

       And then, Big John suddenly felt that  they were moving swiftly, like videotape in fast forward.  ZIP! Everyone was off the Lady Anne and on the beach.  SWISH! They were moving up a path through the forest.  Big John had just enough time to wonder how long would it be before they were at the castle, because he saw no tops of buildings ahead, when, BOING!, he and the men  were standing in an open area with wooden furniture and several wooden box-like contraptions.  He turned his head around in disbelief.  It seemed no one else had noticed how quickly they had arrived but him.

       Robin was looking around for Marian, and as if his thoughts had been read, one of their host said, "Don't worry. Marian is nearby.  She will enjoy a bath while you all take a shower."
    
      Shower?  They didn't know what a shower was.  They usually only got a bath when some one complained, and only then if there was a pond near by.  The winged man began running the water in the 'shower' and showed them how they could control the pressure, flow and temperature for maximum comfort.  The men didn't know what to think of all of this, and a couple of merry men were actually afraid. 

       But, before anyone could protest, BING, BANG, BOOM!,  they were all  showered and stood with towels wrapped around their waist  looking at clothes that had been laid out for them to wear.

   
       "Uh, I'm not wearing anything but my own clothes," said Jack, the youngest of Robin's men.

       "Ar! Whars me dagger and me boots? I'm not puttin' on no sissy pants."

       BLINK! They were all in their own clothes, cleaned with sabers sharpened, new laces on their boots, a fresh spring scent and no static cling.   The only person who didn't mind the first set of  clothes was  Jeffrey, Marian's brother, who proudly showed off his new look to the other men---who wanted to snicker, but knowing he was King Richard's cousin, they thought better of it.
 

While Big John still baffled how he was the only one to notice how quickly time was passing---not to mention how, for some strange reason, he thought Jeffrey actually looked  cute in his new clothes---Marian was relaxed in a hot soothing bath of rose petals and lilacs.  In her opinion, time was standing still.  She even took a little nap as the water and hemps relaxed every muscle, something she really needed.  It had, after all, been a long trip. 

       Then, it seemed she took hours trying on the different tops and skirts in various length, styles and colors that  had been brought for HER to wear.  The cloth was so different from what she wore at home, softer and more colorful with beautiful prints, and she was  delighted with what she saw in the mirror.

       When Marian was finally reunited with the men, she ran up and hugged her brother and gave Robin a kiss on the cheek.  "Don't you just LOVE it here," she said to everyone.  It was quite obvious that she was very happy.  And the men were quite happy when they saw HER new clothes. Only Big John felt apprehension.  He didn't want to say anything  with their host  so near.

     And again, time sped up, and before Big John could say, "Holy, mother of...." Swoosh! They were all standing in another open area surrounded by giant trees and a being like the others sat on a large chair in front of them.  He was attended on either side by the folks who had greeted them and a few new faces.  He was also gray-haired, but obviously not as old as Jaedan, with gray clothes  trimmed in silver.
     

  . 
        "My friends, I'm so glad you have arrived safely.  Allow me to introduce myself: I am  Jordan, King of the Water Elves, and you are welcome here."
    
       "Great. Fine. Got cha'.  But, where exactly is HERE?" Robin asked in his most charming voice.
 
        "Why, the Land of JyM, of course.  We, meaning our elders, knew of your problems and we wanted to help.  You are a good man, Robin, and so are all of you.  We did not want to see you come to any harm.  So, we brought you here to live.  You will be safe, no one will ever harm you.  Jaedan, my family and attendants will stay close to you and teach you our ways.  Then,  when the time is right, you'll be assimilated into our world and meet all of the Goddess JyM's children."

       Robin hadn't notice that Jordan had used his name.  He continued, just slightly losing his composure.  "I don't understand.  You mean to keep us here against our will?"

       "Oh, please.  Don't think of it that way.  We want only to protect you and this was the best way we knew how.  Think of us as your protectors, not your captors."
    
        "But, we have the Lady Anne.  We could simply sail away."

        "That would not be wise.  Besides, you will not be able to leave
on the Lady Anne."
 
         Robin was starting to lose his cool. "Why not?  She's fit. 
Are you telling me you're going to st...Hey!"
  
         "Shsssssh," Big John had just jabbed him in the ribs.  He urgently whispered into Robin's ear, “this is not the time. We know nothing of these people.   We have no choice but to agree."  Of course, Big John already knew that their new benefactors  were (some how) very capable of keeping  the Lady Anne in their shores.  

       "Forgive my friend, your highness," he said directly to King Jordan,  "he's  used to being on his own, you know, independent of anyone's help.  We all are thankful for you saving us from the Sheriff of Nottingham and his mercenaries.  We are in your debt."

       "Of course, I understand.  Now, come, everyone.  Please join my family and I in the banquet room.   There's quite a feast waiting for you and it's getting late."

     Well, despite what misgivings Robin was having, Big John's warning made sense.  This island was beautiful, Marian was happy, they were safe.  Why worry now? He might as well relax and enjoy himself.    But, he wasn't sure if he could get use to the food.  Not a deer burger, deer pudding,  or even a dribble of deer gravy in sight.  EVERYTHING was fruits and vegetables.

. 
        "We live in harmony with all nature," explained a lovely female in black.  "We could never kill and eat any animal, in the water or on the land.  I am Banta, cousin to King Jordan.  I'll be helping all of you adjust to life here in the Land of JyM.  We can start the lessons tomorrow after you have had a good nights rest. Eat up.  I think you'll find  everything quite satisfactory."
  
       And, believe it or not, they did.  There wasn't any mutton or sheep's head on the banquet table, but the food was unusual, yet very delicious. 

       A good night's sleep was definitely in order after a long night of eating, entertainment and good conversation.    And, even though time was back to it's proper pacing, Big John needed a good stiff one to help him relax.  Certainly these children of a goddess have some liquor around, he thought.  They may be non-meat eaters, but that shouldn't mean they don't like getting good stone drunk now and then.  Unfortunately,  his inquiries led to his benefactors looking at him very queerly, making excuses to go in the opposite direction.
    .
      In fact, at least at the moment,  most of the 'newcomer's'--- as they were now being called---questions were answered with an automatic "in due time"  response.  Soon, no one was asking any questions, realizing it was best not to argue.  So, when it was time to retire,  without arguing the men allowed an attendant to lead them to their quarters.  Without arguing, they put on the gray-blue sleeping clothes that were nicely folded in the wooden chest.  Without  arguing they laid in the cool clean hammocks that were strung between bushes of long leafy wood.  Without arguing, the men fell into a restful sleep, Marian in her new clothes the last thoughts in their heads.
      

     Marian was preparing for bed on the other side of the stream, though she did not know how close her love, brother and friends were because of the thickness of the trees surrounding her little haven.  Her bed was of soft cushions that were in a light wooden frame close to the ground.  As she laid her head on the pillow, she thought about England, knowing she would never see her home again, and smiled.  She was glad she would not have to put up with the Sheriff of Nottingham's unsolicited advances or the whining of her sniveling coward of a cousin, Prince John, ever again.  The last thoughts in her mind were the new life that awaited her.