Tibby yelled, “Earthquake!”
Ben and Mel were perplexed but they, obviously, weren’t as frightened as Tibby and Fynn. Tibby watched them as they stood and looked around for the source.
The footbridge they had crossed provided access over a deep gorge that snuggled between two mountains. The gorge was dry, with no water flowing through it. Mel’s gaze rested at the top of the gorge.
Tibby followed her line of sight. “Oh, my...”
Farther up, a billowy wall of water was crashing down the valley, demolishing everything in its path.
Ben asked, “Okay, who’s afraid of water or flooding?” Ben’s tone was calm and casual, as if he was asking: who forgot to turn off the light?
Tibby was shocked. “Who isn’t afraid of that?!? We’ve got to get to higher ground!” He pointed at it. “That’s HUGE!”
That answered Ben’s question. “Tibby, look at the wall of water and say wigle to it.”
“What?!?”
“Just say the word, like you’re calling the water a bad name. Wigle.” Ben acted like they were playing a word game.
Tibby was apprehensive and felt foolish at his request. He looked up the canyon and the wall of water had grown and was only moments from crashing into them. It tore at the canyon walls, taking trees and boulders with it. He glared at Ben, feeling his heart pound in his head, fighting his instinct to flee, but as he studied his face he saw that Ben was serious. There was nothing to lose at this point – there was no time left to get out of the way anyway. He faced the turbulent force, pronounced it like he heard it, and put all his energy into it, as though his life depended on it, which it did.
“Weejul!”
The gigantic swell hung in the air, as though it was gathering its last remaining force before crashing down onto the bridge, and tearing them off the face of the mountain. As soon as the word left Tibby’s mouth, the thunderous sound ceased and the wave instantaneously dissipated into tiny particles, just like the fizzle balls did when they came in contact with another object. Everything the water had destroyed in its path was back to normal, like the destructive force never touched a thing. All was quiet.
Tibby’s mouth hung open as he stared in disbelief. “What was that?”
Fynn was just as shocked and her eyes looked twice their size.
Mel said, “Okay, it’s time to talk about the ymbgang. It’s a two-mile wide belt that surrounds the base of this mountain. This is how Elione protects its borders. It’s a belt of illusion. Most everything that occurs in this two-mile stretch is a leogan – a lie. It’s not real...that is if you’re willing to call its bluff. But, if you buy into the illusion, it can be very real.”
Ben stepped in to help. “And, the illusion is based on our emotions. In other words, whatever we fear, or hate, or want the most is going to show itself in this two-mile wide belt that we have to cross. These illusions are meant to deter or sidetrack any intruders.”
“A wigle is magic; it’s a sly trick,” added Mel. “So, when you call its bluff – by calling it what it is – it has to go away. Only Wærs know this.”
Tibby’s mouth still hung open. After a moment, he managed to say, “Whoa. What is this place?!?”
Chapter 41
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Cnāwan returned with a backpack and duffle bag full of gear. They carried Jon further into the trees and erected a lean-to for more protection. Mel and Cnāwan worked on Jon while Ben built a fire. They cut the leg of Jon’s trousers open and Mel removed the quill. It didn’t take long for Jon to develop a fever and become incoherent. Cnāwan made a poultice, from special leaves that she brought, which she then heated over the fire.
At one point, Ben discreetly asked. “Do you think he’ll make it?”
Cnāwan was focused while she worked and, at first, Ben didn’t think she heard his question. Then she looked him in the eyes and replied, “I don’t know how much energy he has left.” She didn’t have to say any more. Ben nodded his understanding.
A lot of Jon’s energy was spent in Tungate, being caught up in that life for so many years, and even more energy was required to leave that dimension. She didn’t know if he had enough left to heal. His friend suddenly appeared very fragile.
Ben thought back to all those years that Jon blamed himself for missing the call of the flute and how it drained him back then. He wished he could give him some of his own energy, to help him get through this.
Tibby was called upon to generate food for everyone since there wasn’t much left. He was happy to finally be helping. It was better than sitting around worrying.
Fynn assisted where she could but she mostly stayed out of the way. Emotions were riding high inside. She recalled the look on Jimmy’s face – the look of confusion and shock. She wondered if she made the right choice. Should she have stayed with him? Or should she have kept her mouth shut and not let him know he had a half-sister?
She worried about Jon. These people were her family now. She had grown fond of each one and, to be honest, she needed them. She didn’t know if she had the strength – after losing her mother – to now deal with losing Jon.
The days since her mother’s death had been so full: from the moment she was taken to the orphanage, to escaping with Tibby and hooking up with the others. Then there were several days of training, getting the necklace back, and a few grueling days of trying to reach the gate before the trackers caught them – not to mention, learning that she had a brother. In spite of it all, she made it...they all made it. So, it didn’t make sense that after all they had gone through together, that this might be the end of the road for Jon. After two hundred thirty one years in Tungate, she refused to believe that he wouldn’t make it to Elione.
Her heart ached. She really missed her mother now and wished she could talk with her. Fynn’s mother always had a way of helping her see things more clearly. She walked a few paces away and sat on a rock. She was almost to Elione – where both her mother and father originated – and it gave her a sense of being close to her mother. All of a sudden, she wondered about the locket. Events transpired fast before they came through the gate and she couldn’t recall what happened to it after Jon took off the key. Hopefully he still has it, though she’d have to wait to find out.
It felt as though someone was watching her. She turned, expecting to see Tibby or Ben or one of the others but it was none of them. She was totally unprepared for what she saw.
“Mom?”
Her mother stood before her with arms outstretched to welcome her. She smiled. “Hello, Fynn.”
Without hesitation, Fynn jumped up and into her mother’s arms. It felt so good to be hugged by her again. She needed it more than she even realized: that warm, loving embrace that made her feel that everything would be all right. For a fleeting moment, a thought flashed through her mind. Perhaps this had all been a dream; maybe once she opened her eyes and stepped back, she would be awake and back home with her mother.
A thought tried to push its way through her emotions, to the surface of her mind, to remind her that this is what she was warned about. But she wanted so much for this to be real that she wouldn’t allow it to reach her awareness.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Fynn. I’m glad you’re finally here.”
“But how...”
“I’ll explain another time. Let’s walk a bit.” Her mother took her hand and they began walking and talking – just like they used to do.
Fynn explained all that had transpired since her mother’s passing. Her ability to use reason and logic took a back seat to the strong sentiment, which is why she never questioned how her mother could actually be physically present. She focused on her mother’s soothing voice. Oh, how it comforted her. It always had.
She was so caught up in the moment of her mother’s company and their conversation that she wasn’t paying attention to where they walked, or how far from the others t
hey had gone. Soon they were on the footbridge, walking across it to the mountain on the other side. Her mother was in the lead and kept Fynn engaged with different topics. As soon as her mother stepped off the bridge onto the other mountain, Fynn finally noticed where they were. She stopped.
“Where are we?”
Her mother turned to face her. “We’re almost home, dear.”
Fynn heard the answer but as she looked at her mother’s face, she saw coldness in her eyes that hadn’t been in her voice. She realized that she hadn’t looked in her eyes until now. Her mother held out her hand for Fynn to follow.
Chapter 42
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Suddenly, Fynn had a sinking feeling and some part of her knew that the moment she stepped off the footbridge and onto the other mountain, there would be no going back. She looked around and realized they were at the place where they came through the gate, even a bit beyond that point. It hit her like a hammer. She had been duped!
“This is an illusion,” she muttered as she slowly stepped backward.
“No. Of course not, dear.”
Fynn came alert and noticed the change in her mother’s voice. It sounded distant, with an edge of impatience. The comfort was no longer there. Maybe the edge was there all along; maybe she heard exactly what she had longed to hear.
The palm of her hand went to her forehead. What was that word? Wiggle? Wijjy?
“Come dear, I’ve made your favorite snack. Your father is at home waiting for us.” The voice became more insistent. Her mother stepped back onto the footbridge and grabbed Fynn’s hand. She started pulling.
The word finally surfaced. She spoke it with all the contempt she felt for this apparition – this lie! ”Wigle!!” She closed her eyes and said it even louder, with more emphasis. “Weeeeejullll!!!”
The tugging on her arm ceased so abruptly that she nearly toppled backwards but caught herself on the rope handles. She ran back across the bridge and stopped on the other side. She could hear the blood flow in her ears, rushing loudly as she took in her surroundings. She was alone. Fear rose in her throat like a dry lump. She took deep breaths to overcome the impulse to vomit.
“Don’t panic, Fynn,” she told herself. She played out in her mind the events that occurred when they first came through the gate, hoping to recall their steps and get back to the others.
“Okay, we moved Jon to these trees.” She stepped over to the exact spot. “Then we...”
She heard a sound, like someone was trying to get her attention.
“Pssst.”
She turned. Standing near some bushes was Jimmy. He waved at her.
She almost fell for it but then said, “You’re not real.”
“Yes, I am.”
“How did you get here then? I saw the gate close and you were on the other side.”
He took a couple steps toward her. “It started closing but I jumped through at the last minute. I saw that your friend is hurt. Will he be okay?”
If he knew about Jon, then could this be real? The thought of Jon made her look away. “I don’t know.” Then she faced Jimmy and asked, “Why did you come here?”
He studied her for a moment while he calculated his answer. “You said we have the same father. That means that you’re my sister.”
“You shouldn’t have come. Ben said you would die here if you came through the gate.”
“I couldn’t help it. I wanted to talk with you.”
“And risk your life?” Fynn observed his face.
Jimmy cut in quickly. He pointed behind him, further up the hill. “There’s a spot up there that I found...some nice rocks, overlooking the gorge. I found it when I was looking for you. Why don’t we sit and talk for a bit. No harm in that, is there?”
She noticed that his eyes kept moving, not resting on any one thing for long. At first she thought he was nervous but as she watched more closely, she realized why he wouldn’t look her in the eyes.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Wigle!”
Jimmy’s form turned into millions of particles that shimmered in the sunlight as they fell to the ground and disappeared.
Fynn rolled her eyes and scolded herself for being so gullible. “I am so naïve.” She shook her head and then searched the area to regain her bearings. She headed off in the direction that she and the others went earlier.
After walking for a few minutes, she heard the sound of an animal. It wasn’t a growl but was more like a grunt. Then a different type of sound drew her attention to the tall brush nearby. She stepped over to it and peeked around.
There was a black bear eating berries off the bushes. Fynn squealed and jumped back. The bear sniffed in her direction. It rose onto its hind legs and growled, apparently unhappy about her intrusion on its feeding grounds. It stepped toward her and revealed even more teeth with a louder roar. It was angry at her presence.
She looked around for a place to hide or to run to before she had a thought. “Wait a minute.” She looked back at the bear and said, “Wigle.”
The bear took a couple more steps in her direction and was about to charge, when all of a sudden, a bright yellow light flashed through the air and hit the bear square in the chest. It fell onto its side, as though it had just been shot with a heavy dose of tranquilizer. It lay still; its eyes stared straight ahead.
Fynn turned to look where the fizzle ball came from and saw Ben standing by a tree. She ran to him but stopped abruptly.
“I’ve been looking for you! Are you okay?” His face showed genuine concern.
She stared at it and studied his eyes. Then she spat the word. “Wigle.”
“I’m real,” he said and held out his arms.
She hugged him tightly. “I’m sorry. I know you warned me but I fell for it, for my mom. She was taking me across the footbridge to that other mountain before I realized something was wrong.”
“It’s a good thing you didn’t leave the bridge. You would have been lost, for sure, in the land of deceit. Come on. Let’s get back to camp.”
“How’s Jon?”
“Too soon to know but we’ve done all we can for him. The rest is up to him.”
On the way back, she told him how she was duped by the illusion. “It seemed so real.”
“That’s the whole idea behind it, to make you think it’s real so that you get sidetracked and go off and live in that illusion or, worse yet, die. Elione doesn’t need an army to guard its borders. The ymbgang – the belt – is sufficient.”
“Have you been duped by any illusions?” she asked.
“Yes, in the past I almost got caught by one. But, as you mature in your disciplines, it will be easier to pass through the belt with no problems.”
Chapter 43
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When they walked into camp, Tibby glanced up from where he sat next to Mel. The look on his face showed relief and, without hesitation, he stood and ran to Fynn. Suddenly, as if his mind had just caught up to his body and told him what he was about to do, he stopped before reaching her. He looked down at the ground and a slight blush appeared on his cheeks. Fynn was quite happy to see him so she took the last step and wrapped her arms around him.
At first he was surprised by her action but just as quickly settled into the embrace. “What happened?” he asked.
While they walked to the fire and sat next to Mel, Fynn explained how she had been tricked.
“Welcome back.” Mel hugged her. “Those illusions can be nasty, can’t they?”
Fynn rolled her eyes. “Hmmmph. When will we be through the oomgu...the umbu...the belt?”
Mel pronounced it for her. “The o-o-m-b-j-a-n-g.” She motioned toward Jon sleeping under the lean-to. “It all depends on him.”
Cnāwan sat next to Jon while he slept. Her arms wrapped around her calves and pulled her long legs tightly to her chest while she rocked to and fro on her
butt. Her long black hair was tied into a knot but strands had fallen loose onto her shoulders. She seemed physically tired but began to hum a melody. The tune sounded familiar, almost like one of the songs she sang back in Tungate, when she was in cat form. This time, however, there were words. The others listened as she sang about when two people met, in Elione.
Cnāwan’s voice was lovely and melodic. Fynn had the sudden realization that the song was referring to when Cnāwan and Jon met.
She tapped on Mel’s arm and whispered, “Do they...are they in love?”
Mel smiled. “Yes. They were to be joined in a mæcca.” She stopped at the perplexed look on Fynn’s face. “In some dimensions they call it getting married.”
“But they didn’t?”
“They decided to wait until he returned from this last adventure. She promised that she would come for us if we missed the first call to return home.” She glanced at Cnāwan and sighed. “And she did.”
Hearing this gave Fynn a whole new appreciation for what Jon must have gone through in Tungate and why he was so hard on himself for missing the fluted call. She looked at Tibby. At hearing this, he raised his eyebrows and mouthed, “Wow.”
The sun was lower on the horizon and the shadows on the ground lengthened. They ate supper while it was still light. Tibby was quickly becoming a culinary artist. Once he learned how to use his imagination to conjure up mouth-watering dishes, they nicknamed him Chef Tibby. His own tastes were wandering away from fried, junky-type food and the others appreciated it. He found that, by creating healthier food, he didn’t have to eat as often as he once did.
“Night time can be a particularly difficult time in the belt,” explained Ben. “The mind and imagination become more active. I suggest that you two,” referring to Fynn and Tibby, “sleep between Mel and me. Stay in the moment and don’t let your thoughts run wild. No one goes anywhere tonight! Understood?”
The kids nodded. The four of them lay close together, next to Jon and Cnāwan.
~~~
Evening settled in with very little light except for that provided by the fire. Ben and Mel kept it fed throughout the night. A couple of times, when it dwindled to glowing embers, Fynn woke and admired the stars in the sky. They were brighter and appeared larger than what she recalled in the other dimension.