Chapter 14

“Are you sure it’s this way?” Asked Brownie doubtfully as they walked up the gradual incline that seemed to get higher and higher. the three of them looked a weathered motley crew as they followed the steps that passed innocently by the ancient stone piles that were periodically assembled by the wayside? It was a beautiful night, Eulin was sat upon the hunches of the mysterious Wyrzel creature.

It was perhaps a little strange that the animals got on so well, without a question of, or pause for thought about the others motives, it was almost symbiotic, and altogether alien, or perhaps it was simply the prerogative of humans to doubt, after all, human nature had a lot to answer for.

“my feet are SOOO sore; I simply cannot walk another step!?” Moaned the Little Sprite uncharacteristically, As the company staggered into a rest area.

The plateau was the home of what seemed to be a sepulcher, but to whom, beggared the question? It was surrounded by statuettes of young maidens dancing.

Meanwhile, a waterfall tumbled down the hillside it tinkled and eventually found its way to the holy spa whilst Brownie gazed upon it.

truly it was a tranquil place even the spray from falling water shimmered In The moonlight as if it were stardust. Brownie sat alone on a bench meant for weary travelers, listening to the rhythm of the water cascading down. It made her feel refreshed,
As she sat there, next to the pool. Fanning her toes.

She noticed there was writing etched into some type of Rosetta Stone ,it was the swirly script that had become all too familiar, “I wonder what that says” she said thinking aloud?
Googlee gazed upon the curious writing, as he curled his tail around his foreleg and used the tip of his tail as if it were an index finger, he was striking a pose of contemplation, “I can read it for you if you like sprite!” Said the red and white striped Pegasus, as he towered above her.
“It seems to be a story or an account?!?”

She wondered how old the curious monster was, he wasn’t such a monster, in-fact once you got past the bravado, he was a kind soul, but if you didn’t know any better, you’d be forgiven for thinking the worst.

Googlee read out the text. He began clearing his throat
“In the end, there was only night and the moons alone

The moon met the night where it always did on the reflection of a lake and on an isle in the center the moon(s) personified princess Yeva met the night -leer beneath an ancient arch they called the Spirit Gates.

It was time If there exists such a thing that is? Time once again for their game and this one would encompass the pieces, a sentinel, a guardian. A high priestess, a wanderer, a beautiful spirit, and one piece would have to make a sacrifice.

There was one yet to come to give form to this game the seeker it would be here soon

In the beginning, there was only the moons and the night alone.”

“That’s odd!?” remarked Eulin
“What is ?!” Asked Brownie, “it says the end at the beginning and beginning at the end!!” She turned around to see the Wyrzel holding his tail licking as if he were grooming himself like he were some huge domestic cat, “wha’???” He remarked as he cocked his eye towards them.
“Eulin you’re right?!!!” Uttered Brownie.
“But what on Mars could it mean?”

She looked at her face in the reflection of the calm pool there was not even a single ripple it was as smooth as glass, an odd question crept into her mind, something obvious that was missing! That was it, she thought, there was only one moon in the waters reflection, In fact, its shape was …? She, for a moment thought she could see a face ,it was a persons face, in the water at the bottom of the pool ,it was !!! raising the alarm she shrieked “quick help !” as she grabbed Google’s tail with a yoink ,it was heavy she hefted as she said “Googlee there’s a woman at the bottom of the pool!”
“We have to fish her out “ running around in her stocking feet.

The three of them looked upon the water surface, and there was no evidence of any being or entity having ever been there, “you’re having growing delusions!” Said the Wyrzel “what!!??” Asked the little Sprite “like growing pains, notions of being grown up, with grown-up ideas, and grown-up fantasies!”

“Nooo!” She shrieked pitifully “I didn’t imagine it!” She stamped her foot “I did not!!!” Reiterating herself in the surliest of manners, it was then she felt the voice of Eulin in her head “turn around!!!” It said!
They looked at each other as they slowly turned around.

Before them stood a woman, tall and elegant and enchantingly beautiful wearing a crown upon her head, the odd thing was she seemed to be almost incandescent with soft light glowing from her skin in lucidity.
“Hail there!” She said waving as if she were royalty; she had a way about her, her complexion was soft and almost shimmered with light, golden hair cascaded down and around her shoulders.
The others seemed to be generally enthused as if Christmas had just come early.
“You were at the bottom of the pool!!”
“Yes!”
“How, why!” The little Sprite looked at the woman; she had so many questions she thought she might burst. There was …another feeling, Warmth and magisterial authority that Brownie was at a loss to explain; it was awe-inspiring, it was as if love was pouring out the strange being that they had never met before.
The clothes that she wore seemed to move about in an unreal way. “what is your name, tell me so I might know you better!?” Asked the little Sprite the others were present, but it was as if the dialogue were amongst Brownie and the woman alone.
“you know my name sprite!”
Brownie eyes began to brim with tears “I don’t, I feel as if I should… but I don’t know your name!”

“ I am that what I am!” She said enigmatically as She put her palm on her cheek it was as if energy or chi had passed from her as she felt uplifted

“ I am that which was there at the start and will be there at the end!”

“ I am the moon princess, Yeva!” The women continued in a soft voice, “and I have always loved you, and I have always watched over you!”
“I will walk with you on the winding road… to wherever you are going?”
“We’re going to the warrior’s gate! But my feet are very sore!” She Said with self-deprecation as she was disappointed in herself.

There was a sweet fragrance in the night air it was agreeable and saturated all around.

Yeva turned toward the huge Pegasus “ please divine Wyrzel will you carry a weary sprite on your back, as you carry so much unknown “ Googlee nodded and with that the woman placed her hands into the water, it sparkled in her palms as she Sculled it as if she were preparing a baptism. Then from beneath the water, she pulled out a saddle, it didn’t seem like magic, it seemed beyond that as if it were some type of miracle.

Later
“Woohoo!” Screamed Brownie As she raised both arms up in a v …The little Sprite sat atop of Googlee, it felt awesome, his muscles rippled beneath his skin, as she rode the magnificent beast, she was higher than everyone. The world looked very different up here, as they continued on the dark road before them, she hugged him periodically and kissed his neck, ran her fingers through his Mane and whispered, “thank you, you’re the best!” To wit, he just winked at her in acknowledgment.

The moon princess walked alongside them she seemed to glide as her dress trailed behind her as Eulin sat upon her shoulder. “Why are you going to the warrior’s gate?” She asked
“ to meet up with Kay! On his Birthday!” She felt weird saying it like that, but she hoped, she would understand.
“Eulin said we’re to meet him there!” She added. The whitebird nodded in agreement.

It was at this point Googlee stopped dead in his tracks. “What’s up ooglee !” Said the Sprite trying to be cute.

“ guys I can’t meet, a normal at night!?!”
“A normal!” Remarked Brownie intrigued?
“Why?” She asked
He started to have palpitations as he began to sweat profusely, he replied anxiously, “I just …I can’t!” He said feebly
“Jussi You’re not making any sense” uttered Eulin

“ I have a thing!?” He said looking panicked
“What!”
“A thing!” Remarked the Sprite lost

Eventually, he said sheepishly “I have a phobia with  the dark  n’ strangers I just act irrationally I do stupid stuff!”

“ I get nervous! ok!”
“Just at night, tis all!” He said trying to salvage at least a modicum of pride.
“ well in that case,You’ll just have to lie low until daybreak then! “, the Wyrzel nodded in agreement.
“I’ve been working on it…I I’m getting better n’ better all the time!” He said still trying to defend his lack of courage.
“ it’s ok! Big guy, we believe ya!” Said Brownie.

After a while, the four of them reached the end of the steps which opened up into a lavish garden.

Finally, the moon princess turned to Brownie and said farewell and left with a cryptic remark “Little of what you say makes any sense!?!? She Exclaimed shimmering in the moonlight …
“Least of all do I understand this thing birthday …?”
Brownie tried to
Explain herself “of course ”
“I’m going to celebrate the hour before Kay was, and was not!”
“Dear Sprite, the hour before Kay was and was not?!?!? Don’t you think Kay existed before time ever was!”

And with that Princess Yeva faded away and was gone

Then it was time to separate from Googlee, Eulin looked indeed worried.
The little Sprite hugged the huge Wyrzel, and they reassured each other that they would be reunited soon.

As she walked away, the imaginary creature camouflaged himself like some type of chameleon, to ponder on his shortcomings as he so he too vanished into thin air.

The Grand Garden at Abbeywell just before the warrior’s gate was majestic; it was a serenity garden that in itself was the type that could only be imagined in the Brightest of dreams.

Beautiful tall trees seemed to ascend for forever, and it strained your neck just looking up at them. Delicate fire-flowers mottled the chamomile lawns, primsies grew up the trunks of the occasional sendel tree that shaded the open areas.You could lie beneath them in contemplation, and not another soul would know you were ever there.

many ornate candles flickered vibrantly in the night air; no doubt lit in stoic remembrance.

magnificent statues were strewn about the landscape that invoked the people’s emotions like a drum stimulated a soldier to courage.

Some people were oblivious in silent meditation; some were singing requiem music devoted to the night and the moons, The air was rich with pollen, fragrance, and enchantment.

Brownie could not believe her eyes it was like she had wandered into a dream.

She raised the hood to her blue cloak and tried to be less conspicuous as she looked over her shoulder to Eulin “ you think Li Kay’s really here?” She asked hopefully
“ he said he would be here; I see no reason why he’d lie about such a thing!”

Brownie swayed her hips as she weaved in between the people that were too’ing and fro’ing with impunity, once she would have been apprehensive, and without realising she had grown bolder and braver.

However little did she know that her nerve was about to be put to the test.

Suddenly Brownie felt something snag her cloak, she tugged on it gently, and when that was unsuccessful, she turned around to see a giant of a man dressed in some sort of guards uniform. He had all the attributes of the Martians but he was definitely of a different race, he looked almost Neanderthal with thick skin that almost appeared woodlike. He had her cloak as he was standing upon the hem of it. “What are you doing !?” Asked Brownie as she thought about unclasping it, as her pulse began to increase steadily.

“You are a strange creature!” Said the guard in a foreign accent, “did you think you’d get away with doing mischief in the land, evil faery!” He said as he spat. She thought she recognised the voice was it one of the men from that night in Mārin village.

Eulin had flown off hurriedly, and now truly the little Sprite felt totally alone and forsaken, and quite powerless.

She passed a glance at the guard and was about to open her mouth and speak when she heard a voice say “ what are you doing imbecile, you’d better remove your hand from my daughter, or I shall remove your hand!” The man wore a mask, but Brownie recognised the all too familiar voice of Li kay
“ release her at once” the voice commanded.
The man begrudgingly obeyed and let her go. The little Sprite fully turned to see Eulin sitting upon his right shoulder.

The guard slinked away frustrated.

Brownie flew at kay as she hugged him as his very breath bellowed out of him, “I’m so happeee, can we go home now!” Kay pressed his cheek into her forrid and kissed her hair “you know, I have missed you sprite!!” He said as his yellow eyes twinkled, suddenly Brownie saw his expression change with a violent pang, as he seemed to be looking at something pressing beyond her, he whispered: “when I say run!” He stood up, putting himself inbetween the space of what looked like seven men “RUN!!!!! he shouted!” As he rushed at the first man in a melee attack as his mastery of the art of Chaunie showed-leaving him in a pile on the floor, he followed the sprites wake weaving and using people and trees and plants to his advantage.

Another man cut kay off as Brownie turned to look back as she saw him block, parry, punch another man to the stone cold ground. He seemed to move effortlessly around the men and the environment. It was like watching a potter or artist do their work.

And now there were only five men, as Brownie ran on through the garden to what looked like a dead end. By the time kay caught up with Brownie, there were only three men left.

Brownie stood at What appeared to be a large archway naturally cut into the side of a mountain; she looked at it, it seemed to be somehow eerily filled with black fog that writhed and whispered.

Kay was now standing before the men with his back towards the huge gateway
“ why go on !!” He said to the other men pragmatically; this, however, didn’t deter them as they broke formation and standing behind them was the giant of a man he was at least 7 feet tall and as wide as three men.

This was it; his last stand, if this was to be his demise he was ready, it was only the unanswered questions of , what would happen to the Sprite that irked him?

Li Kay adopted his beginning stance one he called ti ‘shou as he turned his form succinctly and warded the men off easily he moved between the four men, (brush peacocks tail, single whip, hammer fist)….as he sent them left and right.

Brownie gasped as she put her hands over her mouth, the giant swung his huge fist but was unable to manage a hit on the grand marshal, instead hitting one
of his accomplices and knocking him out cold.

He roared,conniptions.

The two shorter men between them had managed to seize kay he struggled his way out of it as he put the other men between him and the giant .(lazy about tying coat.)
the giant shoved them sideways they scampered off limping.

And now it was only him and li kay
The two went at close quarter combat the little Sprite was hysterical as tears streamed down her face in horror, as good as he was the giant was too strong, kays hits were not doing enough damage to the huge behemoth of a man. Grabbing him he threw li kay to the floor, there was a crunching noise as if multiple bones had been fractured, like the sound of an eggshell breaking after it had been hard-boiled , Brownie was powerless to do anything as the giant moved on top of him as he squirmed, there was no way out for kay, this was the end?

The young Sprite shouted, “Stop!!!!, please!” But this only gave the giant more perverse satisfaction as now he began to try and crush Li kays skull as he screamed out in pain, he gloated “who’s the best fighter in the land you or Li Min, HA!”

Suddenly Eulin swooped down and landed on Brownies shoulder softly she heard his wings flap as he saw what was happening, scarcely could he believe his eyes “please Eulin. make him stop!” Begged the little Sprite hysterical.

Li Kay was trying to force the guard off him, but he was too heavy as eventually he became resigned to his fate and stopped resisting.

the huge beast of a man began to hover his thumbs over his eye sockets.

Eulin swooped down upon the huge giant’s shoulder “ what do you want!” Shouted the man as he drew his face close to the whitebird.

Eulin was an animal sometimes it was easy to forget.

he proceeded to savagely peck out the giant’s eye, as dark red blood splurged out of his eye socket like a fountain.

Brownie let out a scream as she felt sick to her stomach.

Eulin amorphous voice penetrated the hue and cry that unfolded quickly “c’mon jussi let’s go!!”

It took a moment for kay to get back on his feet.

As the little sprite propped him up.

the two of them proceeded to run down into the black fog that was on the other side of the warrior’s gate.

Eulin chased them and flew in after them

Darkness.

Everywhere.

They wandered hand in hand.

Into the unknown.

Eventually, they found themselves standing in a beautiful mangrove glade.

As the first rays of the dawn were breaking.

Later that morning, they sat, on a small levee in the Martian lagoon, surrounded by the shallows of the green water. Brownie sat her fingers making ripples on the water surface, which were making bigger ripples in ever increasing directions.

“I sorry I couldn’t get you anything for your birthday,” She said

She noticed kay was in another world

He stood alone his face was pensive as if he were contemplating something that weighed heavy on him. The Martian breeze ruffled his silver hair.

Brownie piped up “Kay what’s up?” He looked in her direction with far away cold dead eyes, and it was as if his spirit were called back to his body through the ether, ” Sprite I’ve been thinking, No! ” He declared” I’ve always known this moment was coming, “I’m sorry ” he announced as his lip was ever so gently quivering, so little but it was.

Brownie turned her attention to him, he repeated “I’m sorry Sprite, but.but we have to part company, I have to go and meet Li Min and face the Queen, and, AND it’s somewhere I may not come back from” he announced the last part quickly as if saying it quickly was as if it were never spoken, but it was, and there it was.

” but who will look after you Kay, what will happen to you!” Brownie asked, “you’ll be alone!” Kay bowed his head and sighed Brownie chimed in “, but I don’t want you to be!”
” Yes, I’ll be alone” his heart sank he was trying to be brave, but he couldn’t hide his vulnerability Brownie began to ask the hard questions he passed a cursory glance over to Eulin the whitebird… “take Eulin with you, he will protect you in my stead!” He is more powerful than you know? Kay gathered up Brownies little hands, they were tiny compared to his, and as soft as spider silk, his, however, were hard as stone. He folded his palms around her hands, and they came together as if her hands were in prayer.

At last, making good eye contact with Brownie “Bronwyn Lozen Spender of the Earth, never change !” This was the first time anyone had called her by her real name instead of using the Monika Sprite; her mouth dropped open as the emphasis placed on his words began to
Take root. He looked into her brown eyes as they began to well up and a tear began to roll down her cheeks of mocha

“Brownie, Sprite !!!” He said, “as a warrior, I’ve been taught to use all the weapons, not just the ones we carry with us, but the ones you never see.”
“I don’t understand!” Brownie declared.
“Please, Kay! you’re breaking my heart” she protested.
“It doesn’t matter” he continued looking to find the most suitable words” it doesn’t matter if you’re a faery of the highest order, always remember your heart is a beloved treasure, and so compassion is the greatest of all weapons, we’re all stories in the end you know ”

Brownies body went taught as she withdrew her hands, putting them on her hips she puffed out her chest and raised her voice ” stop, I won’t let you!” Kay cut her to the quip ” remember the day we first met in my garden, just before tempest retreats,” Brownie nodded ” I remember, I remember thinking what is this strange and beautiful creature, and do you also remember that I made you cry, well now it’s time for me to Go and I am crying !” And she could see his golden piercing eyes were full of tears she hugged him as his body nearly collapsed under the weight and Kay whispered: “Thank you for saving me.” And they walked together for a time. Until it was time to go, Brownie knew in her heart that she might never see Li Kay again, but she said a small prayer to herself in the hope that she would.

And with that her journey was ordained, south to see the oracle at the philosophers’ gate.