The Winter Letter (30 page)

The rest of the night was full of dancing, singing, jesters, candy, story telling, drum performances, karaoke, and a few funny gentleman who figured out how to make the Minum Manis sparkle and make you act funny. Sharleen and Daveed were there, along with their large friend Moa, and were clung to constantly by their reunited children. Everyone danced and spun, jumped and hooted, sang and smiled, because for this night all their worries slept. The only thing anyone noticed was the thick joy of being reunited with good friends after a hard journey’s end. The party lasted late into the night, and Will, Wohie, and Gatnom sang until their hearts glowed. Early in the morning hours they fell asleep, shoulder to shoulder, staring at the stars above the spot where their dancing legs had finally given out. And the happy magi slept the night away, smiling in their sweet dreams, without the tiniest thought of the sorrow that had been so thick a few days before.

Twenty Five
The Beginning

Everyone was gathered on top of the wall late in the morning two days later. It was time for Will to return to earth. There were secrets to protect, and Will was the one to protect them. All of his new friends lined up to say good bye.

“Will, brother, I’m going to miss you,” Gatnom said. He had been assigned to assist King Mel directly and had been chosen to sit near the King at all times, free to ask questions as he pleased. It was a very high honor.

“I’ll miss you too Gat. I wish I didn’t have to go.”

“The King knows best. He brought us together, didn’t he?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Will said, “as usual.” 

Gatnom looked down and away, the same look Will had grown to love. It was the look that said,
I’m really not that smart or that strong. I just do what I’m supposed to.

Wohie squeezed Will with every bit of strength she had (which was a lot). She was wearing the new uniform of the female knights: a long loose fitting cloak that split at the waist and pants that moved with the wind. Wohie had almost squealed when she found out the footwear for her new uniform were combat boots. She had been given a place in the palace as well, where she would take part in the court practices as the head of a brand new devision: The Ladies of Baru. Their sole purpose was to protect those who could not protect themselves. Wohie trembled at the responsibility, but was no where near rejecting it, not after all the King had done for her and her friends. She felt at home; the only thing missing was her brother. Andrias had told her of his need for time. She understood. She knew he would return; he always kept his word to her.

“Willy, come back soon. Okay?” she said. Dark makeup ran down her cheek. 

Will swallowed hard. When Wohie’s green and gold eyes swirled together with the sun and tears, she reminded him of his mother. “I will. I promise,” he said. Wohie buried her face in Gatnom’s shoulder. 

The rest of the crowd thanked Will and told him how much they would miss him. All of the once lost boys from camp hugged him at once, knocking him over. They were much happier now. It turned out the nightmares had been a curse to keep them angry at King Mel, a curse of bitterness. The dreams had ceased the moment they had arrived in the city. Since, they had been learning about things they had never dreamt of. Morning after morning, clusters of new mysteries were discovered, then in the afternoons each were assigned to teachers who instructed them on how to do the things they loved. Jubal was learning music’s magical elements, like which strums and tempos made water dance and what combination of notes could open locked doors. Randiby was learning the names of every star and which of those were surrounded by other worlds. He learned the majority of the worlds were aware of each other, but there were a few isolated by the King of All until certain sicknesses or ideas died away. He was thrilled when he learned travel between these world would one day be open to Baru, and amazed at how the worlds made a perfect balance, like a scale, as each spun and tilted at the perfect time and at the perfect angle. 

Yoh, Goh, Sloh, and Broh were attached to their parents. The reunion was sweet with tears and sobs and songs. Private moments ruled the days after they were reunited, and it was one of the best times in all of times yet.

“Where’s Jabber?” Will asked. Everyone looked up and down and in their pockets. He was nowhere to be found. “Well at least tell him I said goodbye.” 

“I will,” said the King as he approached. Everyone dropped to one knee. “Thank you. Rise. Lord Andrias will escort you to the mountain.” The King lifted Will’s bag from the ground and set it on his shoulder. 

“Is he going to carry me?” Will asked as he peeked over the edge of the wall.

“No. You have alternate transportation.” At that exact moment, Tobby, the flying mole, lifted up from the outside of the wall and landed. Yoh, Goh, Sloh, Broh, Daveed, and Sharlin instantly forgot about Will, amazed at the flying boat, wondering aloud at how it worked.

“This time hold on better,” said Gatnom.

“Yeah, don’t be falling out okay. I won’t be there to take care of ya this time,” said Wohie.

“Funny,” said Will, with a grin. The three laughed hard and hugged all together. 

The King stepped near. “Gatnom, William, Wohie. I want you to think about something very important. I want you to consider joining my family. You are all three very special. Your futures are full of adventure, battle, joy, and pain. But, it is an impossible request to ask one to live such a story alone. I know you have each other, but will you allow me to adopt you as my children? Will you join my family?”

Gatnom started to speak, but the King held up his hand.

“Do not answer now. Think about it.”

The three nodded, then Will climbed into the rickety boat.

“Do not forget all you have seen and learned,” said the King. “If you remember, these events will guide you all of your life.” Will nodded. “Goodbye William. I’ll send for you soon. Don’t forget to check your mail.” 

Will smiled, climbed in, and waved as they ascended into the heavens. Andrias floated beside the boat and warned Tobby of birds here and there, and Tobby, of course, asked for the whole story and listened carefully, but was sure not to look back this time. Will told each part of his journey as they passed over the places where it had happened. They flew over the old battlefields, along the northern coastline, and watched the mermaids dive in and out of the water far below. They passed the Sudden Peaks, which were at that moment ascending, and flew over the Foot Forest of Mount Highness, where Will had fallen months before. Finally they arrived at the exact place where Will had met Tobby, on one of the ledges of Mount Highness. Will had talked the entire way. It seemed a short flight for such a long journey.

“What an adventure, it is!” Tobby said as the boat came to rest. “That’s exactly why I fly, for the adventure! I couldn’t stand being trapped underground! Ya know?”

“I think I do know now,” Will said. And he did.

Andrias walked Will to the tree line and stopped.

“Are you coming?” Will asked. Andrias said nothing. Suddenly, before Will could react, a tree branch whooped down and slapped him on the backside. He turned a complete frontwards summersault. Will looked up and smiled. “Hello Forest,” he said. 

Forest was smiling down from a tree that looked something like cedar, only yellow. “Hello William,” Forest replied. 

“Hello Forest,” Andrias said between deep heavy laughs.  

“Hello Lord Andrias. Welcome back, Will. Ms. Lani will be happy to see you.”

“I’m happy to see you.”

The big wood lips smiled and the three began their short walk through the forest. Will noticed things this time he had not noticed before, like the giant tulips singing as they passed and the vines dripping a strange orange liquid. Will walked over and tasted some. “Minum Manis?” Will asked.

“Yes,” Forest answered, then he asked Will about his adventures. Will again told them, this time starting at the front and working his way to the present. Forest was amazed at the part about the peaks nearly falling while they were still crossing over. 

“That’s why I stay on Mount Highness,” Forest said as his face moved from one tree to another. “This rock never moves. You can always trust it to be solid. You can dig your roots in here and know you’ll be okay.” Will understood. He would not have a few months before, but now he did. 

The three arrived at Ms. Lani’s house, who was waiting on the porch, rocking in a crooked rocking chair. The smell of food reached far down the path and reeled the three travelers in. 

“You make me wish I ate human food,” Forest said to Ms. Lani.

“Well ain’t you sweet! Well looka here. If it ain’t Will and Andy.”

“Hello Ma’m,” the two said together. 

Ms. Lani stood up and started inside. “I s’pect there a heck of a story to tell. Better come on in and get something to eat. I wanna hear everything.”

Will said goodbye to Forest and he and Andrias went in to a massive meal, which was ready and waiting. Will told the whole story from start to finish, again. He wasn’t able to leave out the little details as he did with Tobby and Forest. Ms. Lani wanted to hear everything.

“I just love a good story,” said Ms. Lani once Will was finished. “Well, look at the time.” Will looked up for a clock. There was none. “You had better be gettin back,” Ms. Lani said. “It’s almost warm.”

“Almost warm?”

“Yeah, already. Time flies don’t it?”

Will smiled. He didn’t understand what Ms. Lani was talking about, but was sure he would soon enough. He stood and walked to the closet door. Andrias stayed seated.

“Wait. Wait. Wait. Ya need to change before ya head back. Look at ya,” Ms. Lani said. The old woman reached into a box marked
Will’s Summer Clothes
and handed him some shorts, a t-shirt, and some flip flops.

“How’d you get these?” Will asked. Then, he realized. “Oh, found at my old house, huh Lord Andy?” 

Lord Andy smiled. 

Will stepped around a corner and changed back into his old clothes. He tucked his pendent underneath his shirt and threw his bag around his neck. “You coming?” Will asked Andrias.

“No William. I must stay. We must prepare.”

“For the war?” Will asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. But you, go. Protect your father’s secrets until the King sends for you.”

“I will. Thanks for everything.” 

Lord Andrias nodded. “You are welcome.”

Before Will walked to the closet door that led to the stairwell, he turned and looked out the window towards the cliffs. The clouds drifted by like smoke from the mountain’s pipe, and a flock of gossiping birds passed by at that exact moment. In his mind’s eye he could see the black lake and the forest of The Foot. If anything were true about Baru it was, in spite of all its problems, it was the most beautiful place Will had ever seen.

He turned and began the climb up the never ending staircase. This time he wasn’t scared of what was around the corner. The result was the walk didn’t seem to take half as long. When he reached the top he climbed through the hole leading to the well and then up the still hanging rope, but this time he found himself not in Ms. Lani’s house, but climbing out of an old well in the middle of the woods. All he saw was a crooked lamp dangling from a tree, which lit a trail that he followed to an empty train platform. A few minutes later a train stopped and Will boarded. 

As the
chuck a’ cluck
began, Will noticed the world’s waking by the infant blooms nursed on every plant. The young colors smeared across the window as one dissolved into another and back again so fast Will could hardly make out what he was looking at. He was mesmerized. He had never noticed these colors before, not like this anyway. It was like they were all brand new, waiting to be named.

Something moved in Will’s bag. Will started and jumped into an empty seat next to him.

“Hey Mr. Will!” said Jabber as he crawled out.

“Jabber?! What are you doing here?!”

“I couldn’t let you go without me. The King said to stay close.”

“Sshhh Jab,” Will said, looking around. “Listen, bugs don’t talk in this world.”

“What?!” Jabber asked too loudly. “Why not?”

“They can’t, I don’t
think..
. I don’t know why. You’ll freak people out.”

“Okay, Mr. Will. I’ll be quiet,” Jabber whispered. He made sure no one was near before he spoke again. “Where are we? What is this thing?”

“It’s a train. We’re almost to my old home.”

“It’s... what did you say before? It’s cold?”

Will laughed. “It’s cool.”

“Yeah, it’s cool. I like it.”

The train squealed to a stop and Jabber crawled back into the bag. Will stepped onto the train platform and took a deep breath of Nameless’s fresh air. The flowers lining the brick streets were blooming; people were outside enjoying the day with frisbees and footballs; and old men sat on benches in front of pastry shops. The town
looked
the same as always, but something seemed different. Something had changed. Across the tracks he could see the hospital where his mother had died. Along the side of the road were the same road signs he had ran passed when he first caught the train to Ms. Lani’s. The houses were the same; the people the same; the streets all the way back to the one he had grown up on were the same, but there was still something about his hometown that wasn’t quite as he remembered. 

Will turned down his street, towards where his old house once was. He walked all the way to the end and stopped. He checked the street sign; he was on the right street, but where was his burned house? Where was the rubble?  Will turned around and walked back. 

What was it? Why were things brighter? Why did the town seem happier, like even the trees were smiling as he passed? Will stopped by a mailbox on the outside of a chain linked fence surrounding a two story house. His jaw dropped. He shook his head, blinked his eyes, and looked again. When he opened them nothing had changed. Before him was his house, as if it had never burned.

Will stumbled and bumped into the mailbox. A single letter fell out, addressed to
Lord William
, with the seal of King Mel on it. Will ripped it open and read.