The Bright Star Journals
Number 1
“The Gnome’s Children”
Byron C. Calhoun
Copyright 2013 by Byron C. Calhoun
“. . .whereunto ye do well that ye take head, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” II Peter 1:19
Dedicated to my wife Kathryn, my children-Paul, Daniel, Joshua, Faith, Mercy, and my Lord Jesus Christ to whom I owe all. Soli Deo Gloria!
Series Title: The Bright Star Journals
Story Title: The Gnome’s Children
Chapter Titles
-Chapter I-Into the Meadow pg 3
-Chapter II-Two of Deed pg 8
-Chapter III-Woods of Gallin pg 12
-Chapter IV-Star Traveling Dreams pg 17
-Chapter V- A Second Denial and Trial pg 23
- Chapter VI- Sanctua Gained pg 27
- Chapter VII- Treachery From Without pg 34
- Chapter VIII- Shame And Renewal For Edward pg 43
- Chapter IX- Heather’s Dungeon Descent pg 49
- Chapter X- Logosian Meets the “Servants of the most high’s band” pg 54
- Chapter XI- Of Owls and Rabbits pg 59
- Chapter XII- At Old Abigail’s House pg 67
-Chapter XIII- Danger at the Pass of Doubting pg 77
-Chapter XIV- The Battle Ripplesway pg 84
-Chapter XV- To The Clearing of Light pg 90
-Chapter XVI- Council of War pg 95
-Chapter XVII- A Stranger Welcomed pg 100
-Chapter XVIII- The Charge Turned pg 106
-Chapter XIX-Rout pg 112
-Chapter XX- Salvation on the Breath of the Wind pg 117
-Chapter XXI- The Library Revisited pg 122
INTO THE MEADOW
I
The afternoon remained dreary and stormy in Heather and Edward Fillingston’s grand parents home in northern Minnesota. It was the Christmas holiday and late afternoon during a typical Midwest blizzard. Both children were bored and decided to explore the old house. The house actually was more of a mansion, having been built in the 1850’s by the children’s great, great grandfather Fillingston. He had been a steamboat captain and built the lovely home on the banks of the Mississippi he loved so well. The house with its beautiful grounds was called “Fairview”. The house consisted of a brick outside with numerous cubbies and crannies to investigate. In fact, there were rooms and passages that the grand parents knew existed but hadn’t found. Great-great grandfather had fancied himself a builder and was somewhat of a practical joker too. Thus, all the passageways and rooms.
The children decided to start exploring in the old library as it was rumored to contain a false bookcase with passageways behind it. They drifted into the room chattering excitedly about all the adventures to come when Edward noticed a huge old book on the table that stood in the center of the room.
“I wonder what this book is about?” murmured Edward.
“C’mon Ed, you’re always looking at books!” exclaimed Heather who was only eight and not much interested in reading yet.
Heather was a blond, green-eyed little girl with a passion for animals and adventure. Her parents considered her somewhat of a tomboy, hence her present dislike of books. Edward on the other hand, was ten and had a passion for books, especially odd, old books. He had brown hair with blue eyes and was a good person to have around in a tight spot. He was particularly fond of his sister and humored her enormously.
“Why don’t we just peek in it and see what it is about. I’m sure with this rich gold lettering and leather cover it must have some lovely pictures, maybe even some of animals.
Heather conceded and said something about they’d probably never get to explore the passages. Edward opened the book and saw a beautiful picture of a star made to look like a human being with rays shooting out from it’s body.
“There is an inscription!” exclaimed Edward.
‘In our time of greatest need,
The King shall send two of deed.
Boy and girl to free the land;
Servants of the Most High’s band.’”
No sooner had the last word been spoken when the children heard a roar like the ocean when it is breaking on the beach and felt themselves wrenched.
“Hey, cut it out Edward,” shouted Heather. “Let go of me!”
Edward yelled, “I’m not holding you!”
There was a thump and bump. Suddenly the children found themselves somersaulting on soft grass in a sweet smelling meadow much like an English moor.
“Wh-wh, where are we?” whispered Heather.
“I don’t know,” answered Edward, “But there is a cottage. Let’s go investigate.”
Now, both children knew this must be magic because they had read about such things in other books. This was because they went to what is called an “old fashioned” school that taught about such things. In fact, they didn’t have any computers or even calculators; it was so “old fashioned.” They even made children learn their numbers and read poetry! Oh well, on with the story.
The children approached the cottage. It was made of white stone with a thatch roof, neat round porthole windows and a lovely carved wooden door with pictures of what looked like trees, dragons, and knights upon it.
Edward knocked on the door and a voice answered, “Gaway ye beasties! Ye’ll naught have me!”
“But please sir, we’re very lost and we don’t know where we are,” pleaded Heather meekly.
With that, the door flew open and a very angry, nasty-looking, red-haired, red-bearded gnome glowered at them and asked, “What’ll ye be wantin’?” (Gnomes talk this way when very cross or upset) What confronted the children was a smallish man about 4’6” tall in a green cloth jerkin, a pair of a sort of knee breeches with thick wooly stockings topped off with sturdy hob-nail type boots. Crowning his red hair was a green sort of hat which was a cross between a beret and tam-o’-shanter with a very red ball at the top. The children later learned a little, different colored woolen balls denoted the different clans of gnomes.
His face softened when he saw Heather, but his eyes narrowed as he asked, “Who be ye? Half-grown man cubs,” he murmured.
“Please sir, we’re very confused and lost, might we come in?” asked Heather.
“How do I know ye’ll not be spies from the King and Queen?” Groundfirm asked.
“King and Queen who?” retorted Edward. “We don’t have any kings or queens, only a president.”
“A Press Dent?” scoffed Groundfirm. “What be that?”
“Not what,” said Heather. “Who.”
“Who, what?” replied Groundfirm.
There ensued a lively interchange over presidents, queens, kings, and government in general that finally ended in Groundfirm inviting them in for breakfast. Both children realized how hungry they were.
While Groundfirm bustled about preparing breakfast the children surveyed the house. It was really more of a cottage and made in the octagon shape since it was the gnome’s “lucky shape.” The inside appeared spotless with a polished stone floor and large hearth with a big, black kettle and metal arm to swing the pot over the fire. This was made by Groundfirm’s uncle, for gnomes are very clever with metals. Only one room made up the cottage and the sturdy wood bed stood in the corner with a lovely quilt made of some sort of soft fabric, keslo down they learned later. The table was the size of a regular card table, only shorter and made of wood with small wood stools to sit on. The walls were decorated with carved pictures that Groundfirm made in the c
old winter and with paintings of lovely animals that the children had never seen. Over the hearth were two portraits: one of a distinguished, grey-bearded, wrinkled gnome and the other an older, motherly appearing gnome. They turned out to be Groundfirm’s parents.
Groundfirm sliced some meat similar to our bacon and put it in a skillet. The meat’s aroma filled the air and set the children’s mouths watering. Next, he poured some meal, he called it gribbich, into the metal pot with boiling water. He also sliced some bread and set out some golden pats that looked like butter and placed plates and utensils on the table. Breakfast was soon ready and the children “fell to” and both ate more gribbich and poc (the meat) than they could ever have imagined. They later tried to describe the gribbich to me but said it tasted unlike anything in our world. They described it as sort of cross between wild acorns, corn meal, and sweet honey. The poc tasted like beef jerky, bacon, and smoked chicken all in one.
They finished and pushed their plates. Groundfirm picked up his pipe and began to smoke. He sat silently with a wreath of blue smoke hovering about his head. Heather and Edward glanced nervously at each other without speaking, wondering what their host intended next.
TWO OF DEED
II
“Now then, me bonnies,” Groundfirm said, “what be ye here to see?”
“Well,” chorused the children.
“You begin Edward,” said Heather.
“We were in our grandparents study and opened this book, read a rhyme, and here we are.”
Groundfirm questioned them closely about their country and had much trouble with the “U-Knighted-States.”
He commented to Edward, “Ya don’t even look big enough for a squire, yet alone a knight!”
But eventually, he understood that they came from another place and satisfied. He sat again in thought and finally spoke, “Ye’ll have come because of our great need.”
The children were confused now.
“What do you mean?” Heather asked.
“Well, a long time ago, here Logoland we had a legend of people from another land fa’, fa’ away comin’ to our need.” He chanted in a sing-song voice with half-closed eyes the ancient rune:
‘In our time of greatest need,
The King shall send two of deed.
Boy and girl to free the land;
Servants of the Most High’s band.’”
“Wow!” said Edward, “But we’re just kids. What can we do for the King?”
“I dinna know, but the old ways dinna lie. I suppose best tell ye what tha land looks like now.”
He then proceeded to explain that bad times had befallen the peoples of Logoland, now called Shadowfall by the new king and queen. Groundfirm said their names were King Lipophrenia and Queen Leipeinphren and that they were usurpers of the throne. The king was actually only one-half Logolander and the other one-half Utilitarism. He was the rightful prince’s (Prince Logosian XII) uncle and had started out as regent but took over the throne with his brother Existention because the prince was too young to rule yet. All the nobles from Utilitar supported King Lipophrenia and Lord Existention. The prince’s father had been killed “by accident” on a hunting trip when the boy was only about six years old and his mother had died when he was only six years old and his mother had died when he was two during child birth, the infant girl died two days later. The prince was now fifteen years old and only one year from coming to his majority, or the time to assume his realm but his uncles had taken over from him. Groundfirm explained that long ago, hundreds of years earlier, that the Utilitarians had tried to invade Logoland and had been repulsed by Logosian’s great, great, great, great great-grand father Logosian III. However, a great many of the Utilitarians had been captured and his ancestor let them live. The Utilitarians were soon integrated into society, but they always held a desire to wrest the kingdom from the Logosians. The laws read that only a true Logolander could rule the land.
“Then how did Lipophrenia get to be king?” interrupted Heather.
“By treachery and murder,” growled Groundfirm. “He had all tha nobles loyal to tha Prince set ta war, kilt in hunts, sent on quests, or just plain murdered!”
“So, now the Prince has no allies?” asked Edward.
“Na, na laddie! There be many loyal Logolanders left! Tanight weel be meetin’ the lot of ‘em at the Woods of Gallin to decide how to free the Prince. We’d been plannin’ this meetin’ afore ye came but now there’ll be even more reason ta be gatherin’!”
“Who’ll be there?” asked Heather who loved secret meetings.
“Niver mind, ye’ll be seein’”
With that, Groundfirm rose abruptly and began to clean the breakfast dishes and prepared to go out and work for the day. He worked on his own small farm. It consisted of about forty acres with a meadow, trees, tilled fields (with ripening gribbich), and a small stream in the meadow. Groundfirm gave the children a tour of his small farm and pointed with pride to his “herd” of three keslo.
Now, the keslo is a remarkable little creature about the size of a small sheep only it has a head and neck similar to a llama and the wool like an agora sheep: long, silky and very soft.
“It will repel water of the wettest night and yet is as soft as a bird’s down,” commented Groudfirm.
This remarkable creature also gave a rich, creamy milk that the children had used on their gribbich for breakfast.
“It was smoother than cow’s milk but not as rich as cream,” is what Heather told me later.
By the time they had toured the farm and combed the keslo it was late afternoon and the children were very hungry and sleepy. Remember it was early morning to them in their world. As they walked toward the cottage in thought, there was a blur of motion and a rustle of branches. Groundfirm leapt into the underbrush only to see the disappearing haunches of a Bobcat.
“That’ll bode no good,” muttered Groundfirm.
“What’s wrong with a Bobcat?” inquired Heather innocently.
“They work for King Lipophrenia and spy on us all,” answered Groundfirm.
“Oh!” remarked the children in unison.
“That makes our meetin’ tonight the more important,” said Groundfirm.
After arriving at the cottage Groundfirm fixed some more poc and a delicious stew of wild rabbit. Following dinner, he told the children to take naps and that he would wake them in time to go to the meeting. It was night when the children awoke but the moon streamed silver into the windows and added a strange phosphorescent gleam to all the objects in the room.
THE WOODS OF GALLIN
III
Heather woke up grumbling, “Just when I was having a lovely dream about unicorns and things you woke me up!”
Edward was trembling with excitement and Groundfirm had to calm him down at least three times.
“Steady laddie,” Groundfirm told him as they drew the gnome cloaks over their shoulders and heads. “It’ll be a bonny far walk for ye.”
In their own country the two children would never have been able to keep the pace or walk as far as they did. But, it seems that the air or food made the children much stronger and in better shape so they were tired but not exhausted. Edward said the air and food were rich “sort of like chocolate pudding, but not sweet.”
By the time they reached the clearing in the Woods of Gallin all the other gnomes and creatures were gathered, and a strange group they were too. There were red gnomes like Groundfirm, black gnomes, and blond gnomes, and each clan had its own brightly colored tassels displayed prominently on the peak of their hats. There was a large troll or two (not nasty ones but friendly ones that looked rather like old wizened men), a unicorn, an eagle, centaurs, a white stag, various other creatures including a very large Cyclops. Now, he was not like our Cyclops but was very large (being seven feet tall) and humble. He kept stepping on peoples toes, and since he only had one eye had terrible depth perception, and so he kept murmuring, “Frigh
tfully sorry friend.” His name was Trimbleteather. The noise emitted from the gathering was a dull rumble and there were numerous high-pitched twitterings from smaller animals like rabbits, squirrels, mice, and foxes.
Suddenly, an eagle flew to the top of a tall oak tree near the clearing’s edge and cleared his throat, “Come to order please, order please!” The twitterings died away rapidly and there was silence.
The children told me later that the eagle didn’t really speak. He really screamed like an eagle but they understood what he said. Both children agreed that the animals “talked” but not like we do, but it was more “like when you’re learning a foreign language and you hear it in the other tongue and translate it into an ‘hear it’ in your language,” Edward told me after his return.
“The Bright Morning Star has been seen in Logoland again,” said the eagle.
“I’ve seen him too,” chattered the squirrel Nutkin.
“Shh,” said the others.
“Him?” whispered Heather to Groundfirm. “How can a star be a him?”
“Later lassie,” muttered Groundfirm.
The eagle Truefeather continued, “We know that the two man-cubs have come and that the Bright Morning Star is again in the land. We meet now to discern what is our next course of action.”
“To war,” bellowed Trimbleteather.
“Attack!” chorused the gnomes and trolls.
“Wait, friends,” a voice spoke over the din.
It was Veritas the centaur who spoke. Now, centaurs are very wise and respected so all the others quieted down to see what he had to say.
“Brothers,” he began, “we cannot hope to mount an attack yet. We are too few and we lack a true leader. Lipophrenia and his knights would cut us to ribbons in open combat. We need a leader to rally us and that can only be the true King of Logoland. . .his majesty Prince Logosian.”
“But, he is in prison and tightly guarded,” countered the gnomes.
“Yes,” said Veritas, “but we now have the plans to the dungeons, thanks to our small friends the field mice,”
The mice all blushed and hid behind their friends the rabbits.
Veritas smiled and continued, “We also may not forget the two friends sent us from afar, Lord Edward and Lady Heather.”
“They are but half-grown man-cubs,” snorted the trolls. “What good are they?”
“The two can be ambassadors from a far land to the court of Lipophrenia and Leipeinphren. As such, they can gain access to his royal majesty and free him to us.”
All the creatures turned to the children and both of them paled.
“I don’t think I like this,” said Heather, “I’m scared!”
Groundfirm brought them into the moonlight and the eagle spoke to them, “Men children, are ye willin’ to do this thing in the name of the Bright Morning Star?”
“But sir, we don’t know who He is?” confessed Edward.
“You know Him or you would not be sent,” replied Truefeather.
“Will you go? We will help you, of course, get to the city and the mice will aid you in the city, but the rescue is in your hands.”
Edward looked at Heather and, she, at him. Then, Edward’s brow furrowed for a moment, only to clear and he turned away from Heather and straightened his shoulders.
“We’ll go,” he said.
“And you, daughter?” questioned Truefeather.
“Oh well, yes, I’ll go too,” replied Heather, but her heart said, “no”. Truefeather’s glance pierced through Heather and she had to look away.
“Good daughter,” he said, “The Bright Morning Star be with you.”
With that, the council finished and the creatures scurried off, all except the eagle, centaur, stag, unicorn, and Groundfirm.
Veritas spoke, “You, White Horn (the white stag’s name), go and spread the word through the forest creatures that we go to free the Prince and that the Bright Morning Star is again in Logoland. We will meet them in seventeen days in the Clearing of Light for a council of war.”
“With pleasure good sir,” he trumpeted and was off in flowing bounds.
“Tetelestai, my brother, you need go and arouse as many of the wood-folk as you can. Spare not the nymphs, satyrs, fauns, and tree spirits!”
”To hear is to obey Veritas,” rippled the unicorn as he raced out of sight.
“I go to mount my people, the ravens, and owls for spies,” announced Truefeather. “We will be watching you always men-children; so have no fear,” and with that the eagle took wing and soared over the tree tops out of sight.
“My brothers and I go to rally the remainder of our people and rest of the trolls and gnomes,” added Veritas. “And you, Groundfirm, know the plan to put the children in the city of Sanctua?”
“Aye, Veritas, I do,” replied Groundfirm, for they had discussed the plan to free the Prince while the children slept before the meeting. “I’ll be startin’ back to me cottage, if you don’t mind. It be getting’ late and there be spies all over.”
“Goodbye brave gnome and the Bright Morning Star be with you all,” returned Veritas.
“Let’s be goin’,” said Groundfirm. They started the long hike back to the cottage. The pace the gnome set was rapid and soon both children were tired and Heather complained a lot. The moon added a sort of ethereal, sweet tinge to everything.
“This is like being out late at night with a big, full, harvest moon,” Heather breathed.
On and on they went, weary mile after mile. Back over logs, around stumps, across meadows, and finally they neared home. Heather at last gave out and Groundfirm hoisted heron his broad shoulders and carried her for the last two miles. They reached home and both children fell onto their pallets fully clothed and dropped to sleep immediately.
STAR TRAVELING DREAMS
IV
When they awoke, it was to a cheery, bright morning and a bubbling pot of gribbich. Groundfirm was nowhere to be seen.
“I wonder where he is?” asked Edward. They hadn’t long to wait.
“Well, well me sleepy-heads, ye decided to rise after all?” chuckled Groundfirm. “I have already milked me bonnie beasties and here is our milk for the gribbich.”
The children and gnome dug in and ate heartily. The three finished, cleaned up their dishes, and then asked Groundfirm, “What about our trip to the city?”
“Aye, we’ll be goin’ today, but first ye need some new garments. What ye have on are not fit for a scullery boy or girl.”
Groundfirm stepped over to a trunk and proceeded to take out some lovely clothes. For Edward, a chain mail shirt covered with a doublet, colorful red leggings, and a small shield with a bright golden star in a light blue back round. He also handed him a short, straight broadsword and scabbard. The sword was a fine steel blade as only the gnome can make, with a temper as strong and true as Sheffield steel in our world. Edward knew nothing about swords but Groundfirm said there would be plenty of time to learn on the trip.
Heather received a shining, glowing lyre or sort of harp. “But I don’t know how to play a harp!” she said.
“Ye dinna have to,” said Groundfirm. “It is a magical lyre and will play itself when you stroke it. It will warn of danger near by glowing with a bluish golden light. Its tinkling tones will put to sleep your enemies and finally, if you stroke it backwards, help will come to you.”
“Help from whom?” asked Heather.
“From whomever it is suppose to come,” answered Groundfirm and he spoke no more of it.
Heather slung the lyre over her shoulder and thought about what he said. Her thoughts didn’t last long though because Groundfirm hauled out a gorgeous, light blue, short waisted, long dress from the trunk.
“For you, milady,” and he bowed.
“How am I ever going to walk in that thing?” challenged Heather.
“Ye’ll not; we be ridin’, if ye dinna mind,” said the gnome.
The children rushed to the wind
ows and peered out. Sure enough, there were two horses. One was a handsome bay with a knight’s accouterments and looked every inch the war charger. His name was Flying Hoof. Next to the bay was a dainty, dappled mare that appeared Arabian. Her name was Dainty Foot. She had a cleverly mounted side saddle with cunning silver work that flashed in the sun. Next to these two stood a little, fat, brown pony such as gnomes occasionally ride.
“What a lovely horse!” squealed Heather as she rushed out to meet the mare. The mare nuzzled her and they were soon fast friends. The bay looked inquisitively at Edward and the boy approached him gravely and soon they too were comrades-in-arms.”
“Step lively bairns, we dinna have all day!” grumped Groundfirm. Gnomes always pretend to be cross when they are pleased and want to cover it up.
Groundfirm made sure his keslo were fed and ready for his brother Goodearth to take care of and then they quickly gathered their belongings and supplies for the trip and started off to the city. It was midmorning by the time of their departure off to the city It was midmorning by the time of their departure and the sun shone brightly without a hint of clouds. Groundfirm proceeded to explain the plan.
“Veritas (the centaur) and Truefeather (the eagle) have come up with a plan to get ye inta the castle. Ye are going ta be ambassadors from a far off country across the seas ta the west of the mouintains at our backs. I’m ta be your sort of squire and gintleman-in-waiting. Ta make the story more reliable ye will tell the king and queen ye have heard of them far and wide and that ye bring gifts: gold, spices, and jewels. They are in ma saddlebags. The ‘king and queen’ (he snorted) are verra greedy and will welcome ye with open arms. Besides, this is the time for the great summer festival and there be many ‘foreigners and strangers’ in the city,” answered Groundfirm.
There were many questions about how to act and what to say. Groundfirm answered all of them patiently. They finally came to a small hidden valley to camp for the night.
“This be the last safe night for us. After tonight we enter into the domains of King Lipophrenia. He has na totally defeated us all yet. We must be quick for the time is short for our Prince,” said Groundfirm.
They had a sumptuous dinner of nice hard rolls, poc, fire-baked potatoes, and hot tea. Then, they laid down on the soft grass near the bubbling brook and drew their capes over themselves and fell fast asleep.
The next morning they awoke, each with a tale of a strange dream to tell.
“I had the strangest dream that a bright man came to talk to me and said that I had been overly proud of myself and my bravery. He said that before the trumpet sounded that I would betray Him three times,” related Edward. “Who do you suppose it was?”
Groundfirm nodded wisely and replied, “The Bright Morning Star has come to ye Edward. What He says is always true and happens. I too had a dream. The Bright Star said that I had to endure three trials to come. I hope I’m equal to them.”
Heather joined in and said, “I have seen him too, I think. Was He tall and looked like a young man with bright radiance surrounding His countenance?” The others nodded yes. “He seemed to look through me and know my innermost thoughts. I knelt before Him in my dreams and it felt so strange as if I’d known Him all along. Then He told me to ask you all to forgive me for being such a beast and whining and complaining! Will you?”
The other two readily agreed to forgive her. Heather later admits she didn’t do quite all she was commanded. She still did not admit to her lie in the council. She was too proud to be called a “baby” or “scaredy-cat.”
There was not much conversation after that because each person thought about what the Bright Morning Star had said to them. Besides, they had to eat and the children were tired and achy from riding all day.
“The city be a journey of seven days,” commented Groundfirm. “We’ll be camping in the woods tonight without a fire, so eat a hearty breakfast!”
The day passed quickly and they camped quietly and soon fell into a deep sleep. The third day was eventful, however. They came to a beautiful young maiden standing by the roadside who hailed them.
“Where do you go my brave travelers?”
Groundfirm replied, “It is on business not of your concern.”
“Ah, it is true then friends,” she sweetly spoke, “that you might be going to Sanctua? I know a shortcut here, through these woods, that will get you to the fair city in only two days.”
“Only two days?” asked Heather.
“Hsst,” hissed Groundfirm.
“Yes, my fair lady, only two more days,” the lady replied.
The strangest thing began to happen to them at that time. They all soon desired more than anything to take that road even though their instructions were clear to stay to the high road.
“What can it hurt Groundfirm?” asked Edward.
“Yes, good sir, what can it hurt?” the lady trilled.
Ever so slowly they began to urge their mounts toward the forest.
Groundfirm at last spoke again, “It be a trick! It be evil magic! By the Star’s Beam, we canna leave the road!”
At the mention of the Star’s Beam the lady gave a shriek and immediately became as she was, a wizened, old hag-sorceress. She screamed at them, “You are servants of the One, the Bright Morning Star. I will destroy you!”
Edward shuddered as if in a nightmare and spoke, “We, we, we are not! We are just poor travelers!”
Groundfirm’s voice broke through with authority, “Nay lad, we serve Him and now draw yer weapon and we’ll have done with this foul woman.”
At that, the had convulsed, paled, and disappeared. They all recovered themselves as if from a dream and breathed freely. The hag never returned and they resumed their journey. Edward was crushed at having denied the Bright Morning Star and resolved to himself never to do it again. Heather was just glad it was all over. The day continued uneventfully and the children marveled at the beauty of the woods. Groundfirm wondered if their experience with the hag had been his first test, mentioned in his dream by the Bright Star.
“I haven’t heard at birds,” mentioned Heather. “Where are they?”
“They canna live here anymore. It is na safe for them with the king’s men about,” answered Groundfirm.
The sky remained clear and they passed another long day of travel. The next day, after another cold breakfast, they continued again. They were less sore now and the ride was so very lovely. They were coming to the low pass through the eastern mountains Groundfirm had mentioned earlier. They camped that night at the foot of the mountains and would travel through the pass the next day. On the other side there was a sort of stone fort with guards. They were getting closer each day and the land became less cheery as they went. They looked back over the forest and saw the clear blue sky and the dark and splendid peaks of the western mountains in the distance.
“I’ll certainly be glad to get to a clean, soft bed and take a decent hot bath,” commented Heather.
She had never thought she’d be glad to take a bath! Other than the thoughts of a soft bed and baths they were sorry to leave the safe forests behind. They went to bed early that evening, for Groundfirm said the mountain pass was rugged, although not particularly steep.
A SECOND DENIAL AND TRIAL
V
Morning came early and they ate another rather plain breakfast. Hot food and a fire would be a welcomed sight! They began the trek on horseback with their mounts picking their way along the trail. Dense brush and huge trees towered over them. Little sunlight penetrated the forest floor on the mountain slope. These were larger, denser, and less friendly looking trees than down in the plains and valleys. Soon they were forced to dismount and walk their horses.
“They certainly do not keep this road up very well,” muttered Edward.
“That’s because most folks dinna come out into the outlands much anymore except to raid and pillage,” informed Groundfirm.
r /> A rocky curve appeared ahead and the side of the path disappeared into a canyon on their right and a rugged rock cliff was on their left. The path narrowed more and hugged the side of the mountain. It looked as if it had been cut long ago from the very rocks. The path was worn and almost shiny from the ageless tread of feet of long ago. Now, though, there were patches of weeds pushing through cracks in the trail.
Suddenly they heard yells and saw some ten knights spring into the path, five in front and five in back of them. Instinctively Groundfirm’s hand went to the hilt of his sword. The lead knight, dressed in scarlet addressed them, “Do not be so anxious to put your hand to the blade little dwarf!”
Groundfirm thought better of his move and removed his hand on his side. The knight continued, “Much better little one. Hail travelers, we are the knight errants of this mountain pass and demand passage money from all who travel our way. By the looks of your rich palfries and raiment are worth a good three hundred pieces of gold. . .each.”
The children gasped and paled.
He continued, “Yet what is this I see on yon shield little squire?”
“N-n-nothing sir,” replied Edward lying. He was very frightened.
“It is a star on a blue back round! Servants of the Bright Star! We are bitterest foes of all in the Bright Star’s service,” snarled the scarlet knight. “At them men, but try and spare their lives if we may. They will bring a pretty penny in the slave markets of the city!”
Groundfirm then did a very brave, or if you wish, foolish thing. He drew his sword and attacked the scarlet knight. The gnome was like a whirlwind and fiend. He slashed and cut at the knight’s legs and so surprised him that he fell back. The other knights were initially too stunned to move and this gave Edward a chance to draw his blade too. The gnome then danced back to Edward’s side and they were able to buy enough time to put their backs to the wall and shield Heather as she cowered behind them. The knight errants regained their wits and with a roar, charged. The boy, who due to the Logosian air was much increased in strength and skill, along with the gnome, beat them back again in desperation.
“We kina hold out again lad,” panted Groundfirm. “They be too many and too seasoned.”
The knights regrouped and started back for the final attack. Just then Edward remembered the lyre.
“The harp Heather, play it now!” shouted Edward.
Heather grabbed the lyre and in her haste strummed it backwards. The knight errants stopped inmid-attack, gave a gasp, and began to fall back. They fled tripping over themselves in their haste to escape.
Groundfirm brandished his sword and shouted, “And dinna come back ye miscreants and thieves! I’ll guess we showed’em”
But Edward was too stunned to speak for behind them and to their right stood three of the most brilliantly clad figures he’d ever seen. They were in silver armour that shown like the sun, with swords that glowed and pulsed brighter than any steel, and shields of the brightest blue with the single bright star in the center. The most bizarre part of their appearance was their boyish, grave faces without helms, that drove all three travelers to their knees.
“Arise, fellow laborers. We do not deserve such courtesy. We have come because yon maid bid us. We are servants of the Bright Morning Star and are glad we could assist you in this hour of need,” proclaimed the middle figure with a bow.
“W-w-who are you?” whispered Edward with wonder.
“We are Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael. We serve our Lord. He wishes to tell you good gnome that you have passed the second test well. You good knight have denied the Bright Morning Star yet again. Do not despair though. This will work to your gain,” explained the figure to their left.
“You came by the lyre?” asked Heather in a small voice.
“Yes, little maid,” answered the middle figure, who was Gabriel. “But now we bid you good-bye. Our task is done. Remember in time of great need you may summon aid by the lyre. Farewell fellow laborers and good speed.”
Upon completing this the three figures strode down the road and disappeared into the woods and vanished.
“Pon my soul,” breathed Groundfirm, as he rose to his feet. They had been kneeling in spite of the request not to.
“I have heard tell of helpers coming from afar to aid us in time of need but never so bonny! We own a debt of thanks to the Bright Morning Star.”
They went to catch their frightened horses and found them down the trail a few hundred yards. They mounted and continued their journey. It was early evening when they saw the guard house with a small fire in front of it. It was a ramshackle affair, with vines overgrowing it and leaning at a precarious angle over the road. There was even a weather beaten guard pole stretched across the road to police traffic.
Groundfirm observed, “Things have gone verra bad since the new ‘king’ took over. There be not enough there to scare a rabbit!”
But the children were intimidated just the same when a guard drew up and pointed his pike at them and bawled out, “Halt, in the name of the king! Who goes there!”
SANCTUA GAINED
VI
There was a flurry of noise and a couple of other half-asleep soldiers joined him. Along with them came a very portly man in a night shirt who had a sword on. He was obviously the officer of the group and brought them to a halt.
“And who in the name of thunder are you three?” growled the officer.
“We are come from His Royal Highness across the water, the Most High King of the Western Lands, Guardian of the U-Knighted States, to inquire of His Royal Majesty with the Heart of a Lion, King Lipophrenia!” announced Edward in a pompous voice.
“I have never heard of such a one,” said the officer, scratching his head. Yet, that they were royalty and looked like ambassadors, was quite clear to him. It was an agonizing decision for him and a time of great disquiet for the children and gnome.
The gnome growled, “The lady and his lordship do not have all night man! They are expected to be in the city by day after next. We must not be delayed!”
The officer shrugged and capitulated, “Let them pass. There are so many queer happenings and peoples going to the city, three more people will not matter.”
“Thank you my good captain,” replied Edward. “You shall be handsomely