H. L. DOWLES - ONCE UPON A TIME IN NOTTOWAY

The author is a national and international academic/ESL Instructor. He has been a writer for over thirty years. His latest publications have been two books of nonfiction with Algora Publishing, and fictional publications with combo e-zines and print magazines; Leaves Of Ink, CC&D Magazine and anthology, Short Story Lovers, The Fear Of Monkeys, Frontier Tales, WPIF & Stock Company, and many more. ​

​Once Upon A Time In Nottoway

                                                                        Chapter 1
                                                                    
 
                                                                   A Child Is Born
 
   Once upon a time on a tree covered alpine hillside, many long years ago, there was a small serene cottage home nestled comfortably on a grassy ledge, overlooking a shallow ravine, where a crystal creek purled right through it's center. The cozy cottage was owned by the Johanson family, of whom the man was a community doctor. The wife was an humble local accountant, who enjoyed the rich social atmosphere found among the staff who were employed at the local central academy, just down the road eight kilometers away or so, the rich social atmosphere always dominating the scene to every outsider's surprise..To most shocked observers on the outside, the atmosphere at the central academy resembled a soap opera of one sort or another, assuming that they had any knowledge of it to begin with; where everyone put on airs and pretended to be of a strict, elitist moral character, when in reality, very few actually were.
    As a matter of fact, the staff  and administration at the academy pretended to celebrate personal development, since personal achievement was the justification for the school being located there inside the local community in the first place. An exclusive experience that had commenced, right there from inside that pleasantly tidy cottage, yanked out the truth from among the staff and betrayed the honest feelings of the administration toward personal progress; which also, in turn, explained why nearly every subject taught there was masqueraded as holding opportunity, when in fact, almost none at all did, lending the scenario more toward that of a corrupted extortion intending to separate the students from their hard won financial resources.
     You see, the doctor was also an investor; a real-estate investor and general speculator, and everybody all around town knew well of it. Up until now, however, most of his investments failed to produce much of a yield. He would beget a few extra dividends from his rental properties, a few more yields from his product sells, an additional few from his second mortgage investments maybe from time to time..., but such was about it. One day... all of that was to change...., seemingly overnight to everyone's great shock and surprise.
     On the other side of the mountain sat the small hamlet town of Goose-Lick, and the doctor had purchased an abandoned auto-repair shop at a dramatic discount, which was an honest trait common to his character... and in time this shop had began to really prosper. This newly found prosperity had been going on for ten years now...., and had increased by the month, so it seemed to both his family and the surrounding community, though the kind doctor was not one to make all of his personal business intentionally known. Instead the gentle doctor was found always living true to his favorite saying, never let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.
    Then one day, a really wealthy man from way outside of the province dropped by. Some said that he hailed from the big city of crystal glass mountains and neon lights, where the northern display high up in the midnight sky could be readily viewed on a regular basis. He decided to offer the doctor an extraordinary amount in exchange for the auto-repair shop. Matter of fact, the amount was more than ten times the value that the doctor had paid for the establishment, initially...., but the doctor was very wise. Most of the local population claimed in smug envious condemnation, that they would have been satisfied with the deal right there as it was, so therefore, their tainted conclusion was that doctor suffered from the sin of greed.
    The doctor saw opportunity from the out-of-state man's eagerness to own the property, however, so he worked out an agreement where, in addition to the money for the investment, he would also net a ten percent royalty every month from the business profits; and if the business was ever sold, then he would reap ten percent from that transaction and all those future from that time. In addition, the new owner would bear the same sort of royalty obligations as well, as would the new one following him. In this manner, he managed to farm the property out rather than just kill the goose that laid the golden egg, as the locals seemed to begrudgingly suggest that he had some unwritten moral obligation to do. Of course, while the family appreciated the kind attention, the newspapers publishing a front page account of a person's new-found wealth, honestly did not seem to help his personal local relationships out very much.
    Ordinarily such prosperity and fortune from a neighbor generated salutations of good luck and happiness from one's coworkers, neighbors and dear friends. Contrary to logic, it was to be observed that something strange in this close knit community had occurred following the announcement of one families' personal progress in the local paper. Instead the sensations that now radiated outward from the locals surrounding were just definitely not the same anymore, so it began to feel within the Johanson household.
    At work his accountant wife noticed a smug coldness suddenly emanating from her coworkers, that she never recalled taking notice of before. She couldn't quite explain it, but it was almost as if she as an individual.., suddenly did not exist, like she had now transformed into a ghost on the wall, or something. She was astounded from the realization that all reaction was, as if....she had committed some vile offense of one sort or another. These were all people whom she had known for the duration of her entire life, and the feeling presently was becoming one more of heartbreak and hurt, than cheers of congratulation or salutations. Her response was to just convince herself that the antagonizing atmosphere was only temporary, and to surround herself within a hard shell of self protection, until the ominous cloud had passed.
   The problem in this approach was that more than just a few years had passed by now, and the negative atmosphere was still yet alive, well and even thriving. For instance, she was up for a raise in both pay and promotion. To be promoted also meant that she would have received benefits and been placed on a retirement schedule, able to build a really tidy nest egg, so to speak. Her supervisor, the president, also an older man whom she had known all her life and one more whom had suddenly silenced himself toward her.., asked her to step into his personal office for a moment upon receiving her application. He only read the application as he glared down upon her from above antique spectacles that had somehow slid down upon his hooked, glistening nose, with a most sinister sneer that he unsuccessfully attempted to conceal.
   “I am reading your application here....and what I see appears to be somewhat sufficient..., but I just do not see the realistic justification for any of it, to speak the truth to you here as we both presently stand in each others company within these four walls ....”
    “What do you mean? I do not understand,” she then asked in earnest.
    “Well...it's like this...Some times we have to ask ourselves, what are we about around here? Do we support individual people or are we only about our own personal gain? Are we caring and compassionate or do we just want to add more of the nice pie into the plate that we already have sitting before us,” he said to her?
     “What,” she snapped in shock and surprise?! “What on earth are you speaking of? Just be out with it, please!”
     “Well..it's like this,” he continued to sneer. “Just what does a multimillionaire’s wife need a raise and a promotion for, if not general greed and lack of compassion for others in need?”
     “Because I am in line for it and should put in for the job..., that's why,” she snapped! “It's called, self improvement, for crying out loud around here! Is that not what we are all about here as well? Is such not the sole justification for our very salary in the first place? We have the well-fare office for any sort of socialist concerns, for your information here!”
     “Personally...,” he continued to sneer, “it's all on that note... that I am going to decline your application for the promotion. You see, a person with access to your kind of wealth does not really need the job anyway. You are not in need of the promotion as a job, nor the raise and extra wealth generated.., so I am going to save it for someone who does in lieu of this revelation in your attitude concerning this matter, as it has been so presented....”
…..Elsewhere on the premises life continued on in such ways that more illustrated the point in conclusion, that maybe...just maybe, the Johanson clan may need to simply remove themselves from their presently oppressive surroundings. True self improvement appears to generate a need for the beneficiaries to make a new life elsewhere in more cases than just a few, so it seems when we make our honest observations. On top of what had already taken place, there were other surrounding examples of obvious corruption that served to reinforce that conclusion....
…..Then there was the local technology repair instructor, for instance...., an elderly, somewhat large individual, with a flowing beard of snow white that appeared more to resemble Santa Clause than anyone else. He even dressed to play Santa Clause from time to time. The gentleman was long since retired from years of fighting wars and various conflicts, but held a casual cheerful demeanor about himself, which everyone really enjoyed being around.
     The technology instructor employed an assistant instructor, who always labored diligently by his side, offering his helpful interjections to the best of his professional ability to do so. The assistant could be most pleasant to work around, but also was very confrontational when he felt the need to be so. The quality of his work was extraordinary, however, to say the very least. This man's creative abilities allowed him to design complete computer programs and even moving, working.., nay I should say, even the most delicate of robots..., some even bearing extremely realistic likenesses of the female gender and others, such as the president himself in playful jest...,in the most appealing of ways. Very few could even dare to question his personal contributions or skill here.
     The assistant had a dear wife once upon a time back during those days. The wife turned very sour toward him for his long absence from home, at work. In time, she found another man who promised her the moon, the stars and a rainbow caviar, royal serving, on a decorate' silver platter. She took him up on his offer and flew away on a magic carpet with him..., to a land far, far into the beyond. In time, even the glitz that this supposed genie had to offer her, could not keep her there inside his bottle with him.., so she wished herself right back upon the homemade brick door steps of her former husband's modest cottage home.
     Her former husband then did the right thing, however..., he told her that he had fitted a new style of souped up motor onto the latest version of the stick sweeper, and told her that the very best thing that she could do right now would be to kick start it, then take a spin around the universe for a while. Even though she only continued to stand there all alone on his doorstep, crying in the rain, he eventually closed the door and simply ignored her from that point onward..., hoping in silence that even the purest of shite would simply just melt away right there in the pouring rain!
      The assistant was determined to have a life in-spite of his adversity, so he takes a ride out into the surrounding countryside and finds a glittering fairy princess. In the due course of time, this fairy princess eventually invites him in to abide with her in the emerald fairy castle nestled deep inside the enchanted forest somewhere; so just like any true red blooded man of the Kris-crossed cloth, he did so. The two then lived happily ever after..., for a delightful time, that is.
       In time, however, adversity was to rear it's ugly face again. The troll king of the central academy caught wind of the assistant's happy arrangement, from a chirping sparrow floating merrily upon a mid day breeze, then dared to call him into his office for a private consultation. The end result was that the assistant exploded in anger toward the troll king, who dared to question him concerning the perceived morality of his living arrangement... and the kind troll king then terminated his employment status right there on the spot for doing so...; and the jilted assistant never dared return to the premises again....,except when the price in his personal gain for his special expertise...., was very substantial for doing so. Few among those who cherished fortitude blamed him for it.., and we do truly mean that there were just a teeny tiny few.., right from the very bottom of our cheerful hearts.
      Most, in-fact, held a great fear that extended beyond all valid reasoning, for the world outside of our little hamlet here, and any evaluations that did not substantiate that invalid fear were held in strict disregard, no matter whom it was who held them out to offer.
      The cheerful technology instructor, who had once been employed as a gallant knight that fearlessly rode forward into battle, had a dear fairy wife and some nine fair haired children born unto him. All of the children had been raised up righteously inside the confines of the local cathedral..; learning the golden rule, learning the sacred commandments of ten, how to behave, walk and talk. As his dear wife labored away inside the kitchen at home and in her employment away from the house, a certain troll princess from somewhere way out in the countryside, suddenly appeared inside the literature department right there at the central academy of valid reason held in strict disregard. He was immediately enraptured by her very presence and strangely enough, she by his. While it is a fact that he was enraptured by the slim, well toned curvature of her enticing body, because as do most trolls, she did not have very much to offer directly in the face; she was enraptured more by the steady flow of gold from his past retirement allowance, since well educated mannerism nor kosher personality and appearance...were much to the ex-knight's forte.
    The strange thing about this situation was that even though the same informing sparrow chirped every minute of every live long day, the righteous troll king neglected to even acknowledge the situation, preferring instead, to pretend that his staff would never stoop to such a despicable level of conduct when asked anything about it, and even aggressively saying so publicly in words, when he felt that it was in his own best interests to do so. His responsive actions now giving great credibility to the statement that something to be hidden is best done so right there in plain sight....!
…..Then there was the local black smith instructor, who endeavored to assail the ranks of the academic establishment. He was indeed an excellent instructor, who preached the necessity of maintaining a healthy moral character right along with the prized shop skill that he taught. He brazenly chastised the others in all of their shortcomings, even to the point of proudly declaring that all of them deserved their misfortunes by right of their infidelities. His intelligence level was somewhat higher than a majority of the others around him, at least, that such may be deduced by superficial observation. He was aware of this fact in himself, and he arrogantly reasoned that he was totally in control of all, having any future possibility for negative situations under tight, absolutely controlled wraps. He held to a deep dark secret, however, that only he knew of and the individuals thus involved...,so he invalidly reasoned.
   You see, he was wed to the doctors' wife's cousin, who told her of all his brazen misdeeds in the neighboring hay barn with the dizzy blond just down the street; the middle of the corn field at late mid-night, with the fat lady who wears the near butch, GI haircut, who owns the florist shop just across from the wedding cake baker and the scented candle stick maker;  in the parking lot of the local tobacco ware-house jamboree during the fall farmer's day festival..., with the native lady who wears the long flowing, waist length jet black hair...., and a number of other places much too risque to make mention of here, even in these pages. According to her, there was the secretary right there inside the main office..., very young..., with long hair the color of freshly mined Virginia coal, dressing  pleasantly and appearing to be from the gypsy caravans that tended to drift through the small hamlet town during the spring and fall seasons of the yearly cycle.
    There were also a number of unchaste fellow instructors whom he enjoyed meeting in secluded corners, including the troll princess who taught literature..., but these were all deep dark secrets that no one dared not even whisper about in public nor even the majority in private....,mainly out of fearing to arouse anger in Santa Clause or his dear wife back home in the North Pole. The sparrow tweeted dark secrets into the kind troll kings' beholding ear....and he must have investigated...and listened very attentively... with a certain tainted eagerness that tended to arouse his quiet interest, we shall deductively figure here.
    When the instructor applied for an administrative position to sufficiently upgrade his professional standing and his future retirement position, even though he was way more than just merely qualified in every way..., he was denied the position consistently due to his questionable moral character..., and of course..., an informative note was placed to validate that fact, directly into his personnel file; but not his primary personnel file, mind you, his secondary administrative file held on all institutional personnel, reserved solely by the academy for their own exclusive administrative review, available to any other institution only by written administrative request. This asinine note was the true reason that he remained only a simple black smith instructor …until the very day of his retirement, with his retirement remaining only a meager two thirds of his basic wage...and without any benefits of any kind what-so-ever....
….Then there was the very kind old lady who was employed as an office clerk at the information desk, always being stationed right there just behind the double glass front door of the school; all of the staff called her Mrs. Susie Floozy, which we were  shocked to learn was, in-fact, her true name. She may have been somewhat up in age at the time, but she carried a humming motor that just-could-not-stop, even if it wanted to, bless her dear heart. According to the talk, she had taken the entire school administrative staff for a hell benders spin, and a nice portion of the most appealing young bucks there among the student body appeared to nearly always keep her displaying a laughing, happy smile of seemingly perfect contentment. Some had even taken notice of the manner in which the honorable troll king himself suddenly perked up when Mrs. Floozy swanked on passed, him smiling toward her in some sort of silent appeal, always making time to converse with her and not ever hesitating, even for a single moment, to do so in private..., right there inside the administrative coordinators' office, for heavens sake!
     Some observers vary daringly went on inside a step farther, even declaring that she had conversed with him right there on top of the oval meeting table itself, justifying this declaration by an additional claim of strange laughing sounds and thrilling slapping noises emanating through the air vents far into the labyrinth of the building complex! She playfully called the troll king, El Mondo, for some reason that no one among the academic staff could ever figure out, causing him to bashfully blush and smile broadly when in public, then quickly attempt to conceal it from the staff and others surrounding him. The odd name just appeared to be a pet nick-name, as far as any of us could ever tell. The name sounded to all of us with a pleasant enough ring, that it should suffice to label him as such from here on out in this narrative.
    To speak the honest truth about all of this gossip, Mrs. Floozy actually did bear a tantalizingly fine but firmly curved figure that really justified all of this pleasant attention. She worked out at the local gem on a regular basis; she was a dedicated member of the local aerobics club, the JC's, the Cuannas, the singing Goose-Lick quartet swimming committee, etc. She was also a proud member of the local PTA, but such is another story for a time later on. She bore a pleasantly persuasive personality that caused one to feel compelled to offer her their very best first..., then and only then, would come the offer to all of the others..., that is, if she turned the original offers down. The others could only remain paused to wonder as to the real reason why. Usually a generous gift from her would soon follow or would be graciously offered to persuade or convince one that choosing her for the particular acknowledgment ...was most certainly the perfectly divine move made in their own best interests....
….Mrs Floozy had competition, however. Another dear angel just as tarnished but not nearly as firm or calculating, so therefore always failing to maintain her status position with any sort of majestic grace or debonair, as did Mrs. Susie Floozy. This lady tended to bear lose flab in places that demanded exact firmness, though she was some fifteen years younger than Mrs. Floozy. Her personality could be raspy at times, seemingly at those times when it needed to be most pleasant and appealing. Because of this fact, people tended to anger at her, but held that anger deep inside...,until the most appropriate of times, I should say.
     You see, this lady, while she had flab in places that needed to remain perfectly firm, she dragged a really nice caboose ..,that tended to magnetize all of mankind throughout the entire academy administration and the surrounding hamlet neighborhood, compelling them all to over-look her flab and sometimes foul personality.. just for the opportunity to leap inside that beautiful caboose.., for a most pleasant ride to boast about. Here they both could exercise all of their pent up anger and frustration; her toward the job and her own lack of advantage, and they toward her for her unjustified hatefulness and rude antagonism. If the boss ever felt like complaining about her lacking in personal qualities, all that she had to do was give him a timely ride in late night seclusion, around the block a time or three, in that blessed carousel caboose ….and he was guaranteed to remain quite about it and everything else, since it was well known that his little rainbow flower waiting patiently on his return home..., would simply just wilt right there in her dear seat, if she ever knew the real truth.
    Her name was Elizabeth, but her co-workers simply called her Broom Lizzie, since she appeared to have a doe fondness from time to time, when the bucks all seemed to turn and run in spite of her very best efforts in trying to appeal; but in fact, the claim was simply rumor and the real truth could never be determined, but the very true fact of her keenly attentive eye could never be held in denial!
    All claims aside, however, according to old King Mondo, really early on those dreary Saturday mornings in mid December and January, deep inside mankind's corner next to the time honored wood stove, just near the inside rear of old man Nimvel Harry's general hardware store..., she could certainly smoke the best cabana cigar that he had ever seen such a hooked nosed woman do in all of his live long days, he would boastfully declare. According to him, she would puff on it just like she was mad at the entire world or something and by doing so, she somehow managed to exercise all of her raw demons; the vanilla nectar flavor resulting, causing her to become just as mellow and calm as a glass of pure mountain spring water! Her pronounced aggressiveness almost appeared to demand dedicated satisfaction from time to time, and the only element to induce this fulfillment was the remaining nectar flavor that she appeared to even deeply relish, just judging from the tarrying expression on her face at the conclusion of her blessed performance!
     She earned the name, Broom Lizzie, in other ways too, just to be fair about it.... Her poor husband, all broken down from be-drudging years of work and worry so lovingly generated by the affections of  his dear wife, now being reduced into a wheel chair for life. Though he was still yet living, he might as well be dead, as far as she were concerned. The pain in his joints forced him to load up on pills of every sort available at the time, for just a slight sensation of relief, true relief only fleeting from his grasp like dust in the dry mid-summer wind. Sadly, he was bound for ever-more to the confines of a wheel chair; though the pills could offer only a slight relief, they robbed him of his ability to jump into that carousel caboose, for gracious sake...and simply speaking, there was no help for him what-so-ever in the end.
    She attempted to smoke the cigar most immediately near to him, hoping that just the sight of  the act in progress might generate a new found resolve, allowing him to jump into that blissful caboose once more again just for old time's sake, if for nothing else..., but the act was simply of no use to her anymore ….and she had exhausted herself in the care and effort long, long ago. So she commenced to parade the caboose all around town; at first for the simple pleasure in receiving the feeling that comes with the royal treatment.... and of course..., the fulfilling vanilla nectar..., but these days she was only after a most gracious allowance in gold, wrapped solidly in social and professional advancement..., all of this in-spite of her nice appealing reputation and most pleasant appearance, according to those whom she came into daily contact with.
    Her dear children ...she had long since ignored; one now a tarnished barrister who seduced her most appealing clients, only living to hex them from their gold and property endowments;  another a Priest, who only lived to persuade the nuns and even the alter boys into the Devils' employment; then the last, an outright herb induced purloining villain, who had wasted his life in a forgotten cold stone dungeon somewhere way out in nether-land. She only lived to continue on as though she could care less, seldom thinking a single thought in their behalf. So it was, for all of these happy qualities, that she rightfully earned her loving local name, Broom Lizzie. Matter of fact, she even rudely admitted to all of the claims by readily answering to being called by her local nick-name, just as if it was her honest, birth given name.
   Across the narrow two rut road on the other side of the cottage, sat the quaint home of the dear Grandparents. Beside them on the same side of the road was their son, and his wife... and their two children. All of them appeared to love and enjoy the companionship of the other, readily meeting over at the home of the Grandparents for all of the sacred holidays. If their adoration was not genuine, then the display that was made was most definitely of a highly creative nature. On many occasions, their actions suggested the sliver of possibility ..that the honest flow of genuine care and concern was mighty thin, especially after the windfall article was published; but then, no one dared not even speak of it by word of mouth, only doing so instead with their eyes and near telepathic thought.
   It was into this small hamlet that on one starlit night in spring, a child was born onto the Johanson estate. There in the comfortable cottage home, in the bedroom closest to the fireplace, was born the gentle babe. The babe was just an average child, but one that was deemed as having a zest for new adventure, since he only smiled and laughed upon being born, the first of his kind ever seen born by the elders. Fear of new experience did not seem to hold him within it's grasp. Unlike any child ever seen born by the others, this child did not shed tears until he hungered, which did not take long following his birthing.
    Time passed, the child interacted with the other children and soon formed bonds of friendship that were to be treasured for a life time. It was during this time that his exploration of the surrounding area came into being. In the ponds he viewed the geese swimming with the ducks, and came to see them with personality and mannerism all of their own. Some times they even reminded him of certain specific people, when he imagined that the pond was his church congregation or later on, his class at school.
    He saw the chickens pecking around all over the landscape areas of the community in which he lived. The chickens bore another type of personality that identified them as individuals who appeared to converse with one another, even gossip among them selves, becoming really greedy at times, due to the sudden prosperity of their neighbors.
    As he made these observations he would walk through the meadows and pastures, observing the multicolored butterflies glinting from wild rose blossom to blossom as he walked along. Many of these creatures appeared to have heads of closely cut hair that glanced his way, nodding merrily as they arose on a spring breeze, to move on from beside him as he passed.
    In a small pasture near his home, just across the narrow road running past his house, was a donkey who appeared happy being employed as guard for the sheep. Many times he would walk near to the pasture and the donkey would bray as though he were attempting to speak. Often when he did bray into the wind, holding his head high, a lone visitor would approach from within the backdrop or the skies would begin to cloud and the rains would commence to pour. It was almost as if the donkey were a keeper of knowledge unknown to the average and a keeper of secrets in general, he would think to himself as he played about in the neighborhood and beside the green pasture.
    On Sunday morning he was nearly always sitting right there in the seat of his local parish. The building was constructed in the typical grand cathedral style, but in a very conservative manner that betrayed a general lacking of funds with large inflows. Many times the place even appeared to be in need of basic maintenance and no one within could ever figure out how the funds were going to be appropriated, but somehow an anonymous figure always appeared to provide the required financing..., just in the nick of time, every time seemingly just before the rain leaked through the roof or the power went out. According the rumor, the anonymous figure was surly the president of the local central academy, since he took in a salary far greater than any others in the area surrounding. All of this he accomplished less than two kilometers from his farm cottage estate.
    Others claimed that it was the child's father who tended to give generously, since he had productive investments there in the small hamlet and in many other places up and down the mountain range. There were the investments in town, such as his rental homes, his storefronts and the like. On the edge of town he had a tree farm, some open farmland scattered throughout the province, and a growing stock account in several surrounding successful engagements; most certainly he was in need of a nice tax write off, they all said among themselves.
    On Sunday morning, the child and his family passed through the wide opened wooden doors that generated a very warm radiation, where everyone loved the other, hugging all of them warmly as they all moved up and down the congregation aisle.  In the fore aisle sat the local academy president, old King Mondo himself, who would at times, even pretend to act as preacher in his standing, since he automatically received the approval of all without ever having to request it. Before he would commence with the sermon, he would always move through the crowd shaking hands, welcoming, speaking kind words of blessing from the brilliant one above, through himself and unto all of them who gathered about there inside the congregation. He had a way of pinching the boy children on the nerve of their neck base as he walked by, that our child here in observation never particularly liked. The other kids called him Trapper Jack, since by the time he had turned five, he had already begun to master the art of trapping wild animals for meat and fir, making his own contribution to the family table. In time, the name shortened to TJ, for the frugal purpose of conserving both breath and space on the handwritten or printed page.
     Two seats down sat Mrs. Susie Floozy, who arose to speak more kind words as the congregation was being seated. She would pass through the crowd, welcoming all warmly, appearing more as a local Grandmother to the others than any thing else, except to the ones present who personally knew better. She would also pause to pay special attention to the dear children, who would race before her with outstretched hands, begging for gifts, which she always seemed to have...;.such as candy, crackerjack toys and dime store novelties. One time the child could recall receiving a strange powder from her that caused small pebbles to transform into large stones or multicolored rubber like sea creatures, when dropped into a water filled aquarium or emptied pickle jar filled with water. One just never knew what gift it was that he would receive from good Mrs. Floozy, so it was said among the kids.
     On the other side of the congregation, directly across from Mrs. Floozy,  sat Broom Lizzie, who always feared being out done by Mrs. Floozy. She would saunter in among the moving mass, forcing herself to smile, curtsying, appearing as though it were a royal pain to do so; speaking kind words of sanctified blessing as though she had to force them across her hardened, dark lavender painted lips. As she passed, she would carefully eye each and every individual that she chanced to encounter...as though she were in search of something unknown to the observant children. This observation was noticed especially when she encountered the men of the community, and even more so if the men were new arrivals into the hamlet, but yet rumored to be blessed with an ever increasing abundance. Beyond that, she was known by the kids as being a kind lady, though somewhat flaky, who held ice cream parties frequently in her home and allowed the kids freedom like no other adult anywhere else did. Her own kids were very fun to play with and simply just be around as well, thought the kids in the surrounding community. Still however, she could have her unpleasant moods periodically with no justification, even while in their company.
    Two seats behind Mrs. Floozy sat the technology instructor, who smiled broadly, appearing even more so like Santa Clause to the kids while he was at church. He arose to greet the adults, but never hesitated to show attention to the kids, always laughing, smiling, as he paused to tell the kids a silly joke or make some sort of senseless logical analysis of one sort or another, declaring aloud that kids understood more legitimate reasoning than adults.
    On most Sundays his assistant would saunter in among the church congregation, being very careful to take his proper seat on the side of the congregation opposite of Santa Clause, and somewhat nearer to the front door of the building. His appearance was that of a quiet but strong, very intelligent native individual, speaking freely when encountered but rarely venturing outside his personal area to do so. He was assertive in his opinions, but very careful to avoid Old King Mondo at all costs, even while there at church. While at church, he was polite enough to force himself to nod the word hello to Mondo, but very reserved in making the effort, always being very careful to avoid the necessity of doing so every time that such was possible to do and himself still being able to save face in the process.
     On the left hand side of the church congregational hall, sat both of TJ's  parent's, his grandparents and his brother somewhere near the center. Directly behind them sat his aunt and uncle and their two girl children, who were every bit as rowdy, if not more so, than their male cousins. During the church services the children would frequently smile at one another from behind their parent's back as they leaned forward to stand or sing from the hymnal, causing a laughing surge to well up that could not be quelled or repressed by even the most grand of efforts, soon exploding into gleeful laughter among them all.....right there in the midst of the services, of all places!
    At the rear of the congregational hall sat the black smith instructor. His quiet mustachioed demeanor attempted to conceal a figure underneath that even the kids were never quite certain of. He would smile broadly at the kids who raced about just after the services, but appearing even to the kids, to only quietly acknowledge certain adults present, while attempting to avoid acknowledging some few others.
    On his left side sat his dear wife, who appeared to the kids as though she forced herself to dress or had... in some strange sort of way, forced her bargain purchased dress to fit over her obviously growing torso. To the kids, everything about her appeared to be forced, from her slightly off plumb, proper speech, right on down to just her efforts at brushing her hair, her hair appearing as though it desired to simply tangle and just give up on all life, right there on top of her head.
    At church the kids called him Senior El Mario, the Donkey Kong man, which made him laugh. The adults later on, somehow managed to pick this name up..., which tended to anger him very noticeably, strangely enough, in a most shocking sort of way..., some certain ones doing so only in private among themselves, neglecting to notice the kids within their midst; but such is a story that we will refrain from discussing while we are here on the church grounds.
      To the rear of the right hand congregational hall, all alone seated on the very last pew, sat the dear wife of the good king, Mondo. Her elderly face appearing positively enlightened when among the crowd and congregation, but somewhat sullen and vexed when alone. Most could only marvel as too the reason why, when it appeared so radiantly that every possible pleasure in mortal life loomed right there within her firm grasp! A number made the observation but virtually none dared to make any mention of it, all fearing some sort of terrible retribution, since King Mondo was also very active politically and knew well the master Sultan, who held all of the gatekeeper's keys to the entire province of Cromartie Range.
     With only a mere mention, the great Sultan could literally destroy anyone whom he desired to do so. With a single click of a computer button, any person could be bared from employment in any profession, especially one that was sanctioned by the ruling province, which held the very best potential for employment along with the most abundance in quality jobs. Most business enterprises, if not indeed all, were indentured to the provincial system; so either directly or indirectly, they were led by the whims of the provincial authoritarians. The excluding power of the sub-contract, effectively purchasing entire developments before the developers even broke ground, secured the main employers from any possibility of competition arising among enterprising self-employed individuals. This prevailing fact also rendered all of the individuals, no matter what their status-quot, subjective victims to the whims of the system and ultimately, the master Sultan himself; hence indirectly, his most cherished of associations.
     If all else failed, the Sultan could charge any estate whom he desired, with outstanding tax debt, justifying it in dozens of ways known only when the procedure was forced into court at the purloined expense of the poor victim, no matter how much it was that the victim was worth. In the end, the fight was most certain to be won by the condemning province, whose investment was then redeemed by a total property and financial account confiscation of all holdings and properties held in trust of the victim. The poor victim, now rendered destitute and void of his belabored estate..., left only to wonder the dark highways and byways in search of new ways to reestablish himself, but in most cases, finding none deemed as legal. Going the illegal route only led one directly into the cold stone floored dungeon, destined only to labor underneath chain and whip on the Sultans landed estate and those of his associates; so it was, in this manner, that many innocents were effectively destroyed indirectly by the great Sultan and King Mondo himself.
    There were numerous others as well, both known and unknown by the author, who bore a similar relationship to the Sultan, although depending on the strength of their relationship to the Sultan, could be enemies just as antagonizing to one another, if not much more so than the innocents abroad.  It was because of this prevailing reality, that average people tended to tread very lightly, absorbing abuse and simply smiling about it, rather than resisting or even daring to complain. If the great Sultan had been gracious enough to allow them employment and quiet lives, then they were only obliged to be contented with this fact alone, asking nothing more than what was agreed in return for their honorable skilled services rendered. It was a common place saying among the citizens of the province, that they all were to stand honorable and with pride, in service to the province first, the hamlet second and surrounding communities; then in service to one another, with themselves and their own interests in complete sacrifice.
    With great pride King Mondo stood before the congregation and commenced the sermon for the day, declaring aloud with smiles and salutations;
     “Good morning, dear neighbors, coworkers, friends and family. We have gathered here to day to speak of our personal trials and tribulations, paying our respects to all of those present whom deserve it, those that have passed on and of course..., to the supreme Sultan above. In addition, all must plead in earnest for forgiveness, since we all have sinned. Sin is most surly the scourge of man-kind...Lets pause just for a moment ...to pray in silence as we go along here in our way this morning.....
      A pause then prevailed for approximately three minutes, then his voice seemed to thunder from within the silent void.
…..Lets begin by showing our respects to the flags. See the two flags before us, the provincial flag and the flag of the sacred cross? Lets all turn and face the flag of the cross first, saying our cherished verse... Please repeat after me....
 
     I pledge allegiance to the cherished flag of the cross and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe...
 
…Now lets turn to face the flag of our sacred province;
 
   I pledge allegiance to the precious flag of the iron Maltese cross, to honor and to serve, with determination, resolve and fortitude, until victory shall carry us through the conflagration, or death no less, the most ultimate of altruistic sacrifice....
   A pause of approximately three minutes then prevailed...
...Ladies and gentlemen, I do want to repeat now as I do so on every Sunday morning here, that just having the privilege to live in this fine province.., is an honor unto itself. I hate to beat this statement in the ground, but I honestly do feel that all of us take our great freedoms here for granted. Because of this reality, especially among our youth whom are now present...,I am going to repeat those freedoms as a list that I invite all of you to write out as I speak....behold..
 
   Freedom of choice..
   Freedom of speech..
   Freedom of the written word...
   Freedom of choice in employment...
   Freedom of individual enterprise..
   Freedom of property ownership..
   Freedom to publicly criticize authority...
   Freedom to peaceably assemble...
 
   Another pause then prevailed for about a single minute.
 
   And dear fellow countrymen.., this list could go on and on, outlining the advantages that we have in these freedoms that have set us apart from the all of the other provinces here on emerald earth..Still there are numerous others that all of us take for granted; such as the fact that we never discriminate on any basis, as such is decreed at present in our constitutional law. Please let it be said so right here, dear ladies and gentlemen now, that I feel that my effort is sufficient in making my point. My point here in making this sermon today is that there are reasons as to why it is, that we have these cherished freedoms.....
...The very first reason that we are allotted these precious freedoms is because we placed the supreme Sultan of the sky first in all of our undertakings; then we all endeavored to follow his commandments.... In review, please allow me to read those sacred commandments to all of you, here and now at this very moment in time...
 
   Thou shalt not steal..
   Thou shalt not commit adultery..
   Thou shalt not bear false witness..
   Thou shalt not fornicate...
   Thou shalt abstain from drunkenness...,nay I shall venture to say, even shun the very appearance of all evil itself!
   Thou shalt refrain from deceitful designs...
   Thou shalt honor no other lord before me...
   Thou shalt make no graven image unto me..
   A short momentary pause prevailed....
 
   Kids, all of you are commanded to honor thy father and mother, and to do so with new found pride and joy! Next time that your mother tells you to clean up your room, then you are to do so with nothing but joy in your hearts....!
    My fellow neighbors and church members..., now on that solemn note...., lets pause for just a moment. When the music sounds and the plate passes your way, you may place your request for forgiveness and those of your mortal heart's desire here into the silk covered prayer box on the alter table, following your generous contribution to the house of the supreme Sultan.....”
     The haunting organ music then commenced to sound, the sound played out being very reminiscent of Frederick Magle's Origin. King Mondo now commenced speaking with the organ song looming in the background.
      “So it says in the Lambs Book Of Alms, suffer not your gifts unto the house, for as you freely offer thy gifts unto the house, then so shall it freely be given unto you.” 
       The music ceased when the plates were settled upon the alter and the last member had dropped his request into the box covered of mauve silk, then retaken his former seat. 
      “My fellow citizens of Cromartie Ridge...it is for these reasons that we are living the quality lives we are today..Yes, we have had many warriors who have battled our battles for us, only to come out victorious...,but the question still remains as to specifically why it was that they were victorious...; because I can tell all of you right here and now, that it was not by their own force or intelligence, it was due to the divine hand of the great supreme Sultan himself, I tell you...!”
   As King Mondo spoke, TJ glanced around at a young girl of twelve, noticing her sandy blond head hanging when Mondo mentioned the virtues of honesty and the sin of covetousness...Her father was the one really qualified to hold the position of president at the central academy and the entire province well knew of it...He had the expertise..., the credentials.., everything...., but the proper contacts. King Mondo held that sole attribute, however..., and absolutely nothing else on a president's level...; but just look now who it was that stands so proudly in the position...,looming so forth right there , just like a righteous saint of some sort, before us all..Pretty soon her family along with the girl herself, arose to exit the church building, even doing so at their own potential future career peril. Virtually none among the congregational masses even glanced up to take notice of them leaving....;but I shall declare here aloud, that the purging effects of money and faith combined..., can even make the darkest of sheep lily white once more again, no matter what the nature of their dark transgressions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                        Chapter 2
                                                                   A Day At School
 
    The school building was a quiet little wooden box sitting merrily in the edge of a hard wood-stand, right beside a plowed dirt, base ball-field, on the side of the box opposite the woods. Home plate sat within fifty feet from the front door of the old school building and the porch. Class was held here within those walls..., walls and rooms that appeared gargantuan back then, but much later on, seemed no larger than his own bedroom. Here it was that he joyfully interacted with all of his friends from church and the surrounding hamlet community.
    During the first grade, TJ sat on the second side row to the left, and the third seat from the front. In this manner, he could grasp every word spoken by the teacher. Matter of fact, he had two excellent teachers, since Mrs. Rouge, who was assistant to Mrs. Daite Blath, was every bit as helpful and encouraging as any teacher who ever stepped through the door in front of him.
    The first grade division was the largest sector of the classroom; but the second grade division, which sat to the back side of the class, appeared to have more privileges than the first grade, so it appeared from the perspective of a poor first grader back then. Boy was TJ to become disappointed upon reaching the second grade, since second grade felt like the same material that had been covered in the first grade, with about as much advantage as the first grade. What he did like about the experience, right there inside the wooden box, was when the teachers allowed him complete liberty to go to the library and read any book of his heart's desire. All that was required for him to receive this granted liberty, was that he maintain an A average on all of his work. This included every subject loved with passion as well as all of those hated with an equal vigor.
    The really good news in all of this was that if he was to have a problem at school, Mrs. Blath could then promptly address the problem, following church services on Sunday morning, with his Mother and concerned Father. Mrs. Blath was actually the dear wife of old King Mondo, but while at school she preferred to be known and respected as Mrs. Blath. Most of the kids and the local adults simply called her Mrs. Blath without regard, out of ignorance and respect more than anything else, since nearly everyone there in the hamlet under the age of fifty had been educated by her anyway.
    He would never forget his first day at the school. His mother had brought him there...He could recall walking up to the front porch of the wooden box and seeing all of his friends from church sitting right there...Three raced up immediately upon seeing him as he walked up, Fish, CL and Crook. All three of them hugged him, saying to him with faces that glowed in radiating joy..
     “Welcome to our school. We are so glad to see you here. All of us are going to have a good time. We are reading a really fun story and we have found a place right here, that reminds us of this faraway land that we are reading about in literature class.”
    “Wow, I cannot wait,” TJ replied with great joy! “I cannot wait to go to this new land.”
    “Well here,” said CL, “we must get passed the wicked witch, who if she catches us, will be certain to eat us all up.”
     Instantly TJ's eyes fell upon the local girl who also attended his church, Donna Bonita. To him in all honesty, she did not look anything like a witch at all. In fact, he thought that she had to be the most beautiful girl that he had ever laid eyes on. She seized up an old clothes basket that had been sitting on the front porch of the school building for a while, raising the open end up, running toward the boys with a high pitched, charging yell....
    “Come here, my little chickadees,” she pretended to snarl. “You are all mine now, all mine and can never belong to any body else!”
     She raced up toward TJ, slamming the open end of the clothes basket over his head and pushing him down, until he was bent all up inside the basket as it sat right there on the ground before them.
     “Now ...my little pretty, I am going to cook you and eat you all up,” she pretended to snarl!
     CL raced toward the clothes basket, yelling to the others...
     “Come on, now, come here everybody now! Lets rescue him and run away to Xanadu Land. She will never catch us there!”
     Just across the ball field was a huge stand of woods with an ancient live oak tree that had imposing limbs which arched over, concealing what then felt like a large tract of land underneath the massive drooping arms. Underneath those arms grew brilliantly green leafed vines that held soft lavender flowers shaped like trumpets. Vines of white jasmine and golden honey suckle covered the entire expanse within the majestic enclosure, with not only their enrapturing sight, but also their sweet seductive scent that seemed to float about on the gentle breeze everywhere underneath the limbs and even outside of the limbs, to a limited extent. The vines were so thick that they all hung down like the curtain on a stage, blocking view of the inside from all those on the outside, who dared to try and peek inside.
    On the inside of the enclosed expanse grew two or three narrow persimmon trees that produced fruit in the late summer and fall of the year. There were even an abundance of huckleberry bushes that produced  huge clusters of berries during the mid-summer and early fall, giving competition among the children with the persimmons. Some small yaupon bushes grew about among the berries and the fruit. These leaves the boys knew produced outstanding smoking material for use inside an acorn hull pipe, especially when mixed with the leaves of jasmine and good dried corn silk. The strange thing was that these fruits grew no where else, anywhere nearby, as far as any of the kids or even most of the adults knew anything about. Just as soon as the boys made their way into the woods, they vanished into the thick veil cover created by the hanging vines. There they all sat scattered within the cover freezing motionless, remaining perfectly quiet as the girl walked into the woods.
    “I know that you are all here, my little pretties..,” she said as she walked, glancing to the left and the right. Soon she spotted the area enclosed by the limbs. “So, I now see, that all of you think that you can hide from little ole me, do you....? Oh...by the sweet stars and the gentle sea, I can do what it is that all of you never knew...” She crept up silently, slipping into the vine veil... “as you hide here so quietly in your sweet.... Xanadu,” she screamed as she raced inside upon the boys, who yelled out of shear shock and surprise!
    All of them screamed in both ecstatic joy and abrupt surprise, racing from the girl as she chased them again with the  clothes basket, only to catch up with the boys and roll around upon the lush ground, all of them enveloped in bubbly laughing joy. Soon they settled down to view the area underneath the veil of vines. To them, the area seemed huge underneath the massive arching limbs of the oak that appeared to sweep the very ground beneath them. A crow soon landed immediately above them, sitting upon the uppermost point inside the veil, still yet high above their heads, so it felt to them. He glanced down as they played about and settled into a quiet curious observation. Donna pointed with her right index finger, directing the bird to the others.
    “You see, I put a spell on the last boy that I did not like,” she whispered. “I turned him into a crow.”
    The crow made a call, but sat in motionless observation.
    “He is speaking to us,” she said.
    “Well what is he saying,” asked TJ?
    “He says, hello, I see all of you down there. I remember all of you.”
    The crow moved his head from side to side, then made another call of a raspy tone.
    “What is he saying now,” asked CL?
    “He says that we are soon to have company. Lets sit still and see who it is that is walking up,” Donna whispered.
     Soon a bush broke from on the outside of the veil. The vines rustled close to the ground and a fat brown bunny slowly moved passed the group of kids.
     “Who was he,” asked CL?
     “He was a boy that I once knew who loved to listen in on everyone's secret talk, then he would break out into a run, if he thought that he was about to get caught at it.”
     “Wow,” gasped Fish! “I wanna be a rabbit. Rabbits have fun, running around and playing all the time.”
   “Yea but their lives are not all fun and games. Look who's following in close behind the bunny.” She pointed toward the bush from which the rabbit just appeared. Silently eased a black cat with a white throat, walking in the exact steps of the bunny, who had disappeared into the foliage ahead of the group now.
    “Who is that,” asked Fish?
    “I think that is Miss Broom Lizzy. Sometimes she will make me angry. If she does not turn herself into a cat, I might do so for her.....I had much rather turn her into a pregnant female dog, though, right now, however....Sometimes, the way that she acts makes me feel like doing this..I know that it is so bad of me to feel this way.”
    All of the kids in the group broke into a muffled laughter at the thought.
    “That picture would suit her just about right at this time, I must agree as well” snickered TJ.
    “We could turn all of them at church into something funny that would suit them well,” laughed CL.
    “Except Miss Floozy, she could be our pixie sprite, who follows us around and gives all of us good instruction and advice,” said Donna.
     “What about Miss Blath,” asked Crook. “What could we turn her into?”
     “She reminds me of a bird.., maybe a blue jay, with the way that she chirps at us all of the time,” laughed Fish.
     “I was thinking more of a flower....I don't know what kind...I don't know, but lets look around. There are some flowers on the other side of the oak here,” replied Donna with a smile and a pause as she placed her hands upon her hips.
     As the two made their way around the huge ridged trunk of the ancient oak tree, they found a small patch of tulips and petunias, with an iris of lavender standing alone in the exact center of the patch. The iris appeared to reign in majesty above the other flowers by a whole foot or more, dominating the scene.
     “There she is is,” pointed Donna as she cried in joy at her discovery. “There is Miss Blath! An iris ruling a class room filled with other flowers. There she is!”
     All of the others raced from around the tree to behold the marvelous sight that appeared to leap out before them.
     “What do you think that she is teaching them,” asked TJ?
     “Why.., of course,  she is teaching them how to stand, the proper way to address the others, what clothes to wear and how to present themselves, the proper ways to dress and the right colors to present themselves in. Wouldn't you know it..there really is nothing else that could be taught here in this class room today,” replied Donna.
    “What about the shamrocks by the base of the patch there? What is their purpose,” asked CL?
    “Why, of course, those are the carpet and the chairs,” replied TJ.
    “Don't forget the perfume that everyone is wearing today,” said Fish, with a smile toward Donna. “They all must be taught the proper scents to display and the proper times to do it. Mrs. Blath is really big on that sort of stuff, you know. She is always telling you girls about this kind of information. She calls it etiquette, and tells us of far away schools that teach it and how pristine girls, as she calls them, were all sent there back in the past, a long time ago.”
     “Yea..., they sent them there during the summer months, when the hands were working the fields and gardens to the profit of their parents' illustrious estates,” said Donna with a deep sigh.
     “I wish that I could have lived back in those days. I would have been really rich and had lots of hands, and a caring door butler as well,” said CL with a twinkle of sudden excitement lingering in his eye.
     “She showed us clear pictures of those grand estates back in the past....The  mansions with the really big columns that looked more like the Parthenon in Athens or something, than just houses; the really big flower gardens with ponds all surrounded by statues of the Greek gods.., the dutiful servants tending the gardens and the house servants tending the mansion interior.....It must have been wonderful to have lived back then,” said TJ with a sign.
     “What happened to all of the mansions and the pretty gardens,” asked CL? “Did we have those around here?”
   “Well, according to what Mrs. Blath told us, there was a big war. The Sultan king of all the provinces decided that he wanted the money made by the estates in the enterprising provinces..., all for himself. So he sent his army of knights in to force the people to give him all of their money. A really bad war started because of it, since the people who owned the estates refused to hand the money over. The Sultan told all of the servants, that if they would help him and his army fight, that he would personally give them plenty of land stolen from the estate owners and all of the people's secret riches stored away on it, that they could find. So for this reason, the servants took sides with the Sultan and his huge army of  knighted thieves,” Donna informed them.
    “Who won the war,” asked Fish with a puzzled look on his face?
    “Unfortunately, the Sultan and his army of thieves,” said Donna with a sad look on her face. “That is the reason that no grand estates stand now, cause from that point on, all of our grandparents and parents were forced to pay half of their money or even more that we earn from working, to the greedy Sultan and his army of mean thieves.”
    “Well...I am going to have an great estate anyway, when I get grown,” snapped CL. “I will leave and go to another kingdom, then, if this one will not let me have it! The Sultan can just take a hike on a long road, or go down to the grand poo-BA below, for all that I care!”
      All of them laughed for a short spell.
    “That explains all of these ruins that I find around here, where nothing but the columns are standing and the whole place is covered in honey suckle vines and wild sweet potato,” said Fish with a surprised look on his face. “Tell me more about what happened,” asked Fish to Donna.
    “Well, you know, Mrs. Blath told us all about it in class, not too long ago. I asked my Grandfather about it, and he said that it was all true,” replied Donna with her eye brows raised.
    “What was true,” asked Fish?
    “Mrs. Blath said that the servants took sides against the owners of the luxurious estates, and the great Sultan who lords over the provinces promised them land and all of the riches that they could find or steal. He offered them the freedom to run all over the estates and abuse the owners and their families just as much as they felt like doing. The servants then helped them attack the owners of the estates, burning, stealing and hurting innocent people, while the Sultan and his army of thieves simply looked the other way. Once he felt like he had robbed the people of all their wealth and destroyed their peaceful lives of luxury and plenty, then he and his villainous men passed on through, leaving the innocent only to starve and die among the smoldering ruins and fields,” Donna continued.
    “What happened to the servants,” asked CL?
    “Grandfather told me that all of them were chased down the mountain range and out toward the sea,” said Donna. “Many of them were hanged because of what they did and the outrageous crimes that they had committed. Grandfather said that a mighty, avenging army of ghosts moved against them in the near future from that time of the war, attacking late one Christmas night, intending to restore honor in the name of those whom had once been innocent victims of the knighted thieves and traitorous servants and to avenge their spilled blood, then disappeared upon soundly defeating all of them. According to Grandfather, the ghosts were the spirits of those valiant warrior innocents whom had fallen in battle against the thieving knights, that were conjured up by the grand warlock, Corvus Rex, who reigned by casting death spells from the old stony hill fort high up on Mason Devil's mountain.
    And you know something else?  Grandpa said that the servants never received their promises of land or gifts from the Sultan for helping him in battle nor were they able to steal much wealth, since this sort of activity was anticipated by the innocent estate owners ...and all of the real wealth was carefully hidden, long before the army of thieves ever made it to the estates. That is how justice was restored at the expense of those who were unjust, according to Grandpa.”
     “Wow,” said fish as he stared outward in surprise! “I wish that I could have been there to have seen it. I would have fought all of them off. The dirty dogs would not have stolen anything from me!”
    “What did the servants look like,” asked TJ, with a slight laugh.
    “Like short, dirty yellow and faded red gargoyles with long tails. They had very sharp teeth and claws. Some of them had six fingers and toes, according to Grandpa,” said Donna, “and they were really mean and had nasty tempers. I also heard that they liked to live off of people's blood and could go about it in ways where the people were forced to allow them to draw it. According to Grandpa, some people were leeched bone dry because of it.”
    “Where are they at now,” asked TJ. “I hope that none of them are around here anywhere.”
    “Well, I told you,” sighed Donna, “they had been ran down the mountain and on out toward the sea. So I have been told, many of them still live out toward the sea.”
 “Well, I am never leaving Goose-lick hamlet here. This is home and where I am going to stay for ever and ever,” yelled CL, filled with pride and excitement!
 “Me too,” replied Fish!
 “Me too, but I don't know...probably,” hesitated TJ in making his reply, yet still smiling with joy in his voice!
  Donna preferred to simply remain quiet, but then laughed out loud, telling the others that it was about time for class to begin. All of them raced back toward the old wooden box of a school building, yelling with joy as they did so.
    The group arrived back at the porch on the wooden box where they went to class. As they crossed the threshold enveloped in cheerful conversation, Mrs. Rouge and Mrs. Blath were inside taking an account of the kids as they entered.
    “Come on inside. Come on inside, please get quiet and be very quick about it,” both of them yelled to the kids as they entered. “Come on inside and lets quickly get seated, class, because today we have lots to talk about.”
    “What are we going to talk about,” several of the students inquired?
    “Today we are going to speak about the history of the province and how it is that we have such a gracious amount of freedom and liberty. No other province anywhere has been blessed such as ours' here, and we are going to talk about it today. So lets all settle down and listen to everything that is being said today, so that we can learn what it means to live in Cromartie Ridge here and how wonderful it is to live in Goose-lick hamlet.”
    All of the kids moved into their seats placed into rows, then quickly settled down to listen to the teacher as she spoke. Mrs. Blath then continued on in her speaking.
    “Did all of you know that we were once ruled by the evil kingdom of frogs across the deep and wide lake out there? The saying used to be that the sun never set on the world wide kingdom of frogs. But the frogs wanted us to work for them, giving them most of our money and food that we labored from the earth. Our forefathers rebelled against them because of this demand, refusing to give them their hard earned resources and a really big war started because of it.”
   “Well who won the war,” asked Crook, sitting next to the front of the class?
   “Why, of course, we did,” snapped Mrs. Blath. “Our forefathers won...”
   “Were you alive then,” asked Crook?
   “No...., it happened a long, long time ago,” replied Mrs. Blath, “but we still need to talk about it for a while.”
    “Well what happened,” asked another kid next to Crook?
    “Well, the evil frog king sent his agents over here to occupy this province, so that they could take everybody's money and food as they earned it. They wanted to collect it up and send it all back to the king and his court. After the agents arrived, they put out the order telling people that they could not own weapons, they could not even leave their local communities without written permission from an agent. They also told the people that they could not speak out against the king. They could not print anything except what was approved by the frog king. Before they could buy or sell, they had only the choice of going through the agents to do it, and they had to receive a stamp showing that they had paid the same amount again in taxes, if they were buying; and half the value received, if they were selling. Anyone caught buying or selling without the stamps would be sent away to the dungeon and never seen again, all the people presuming that the very worst had happened to him.
    Our forefathers were brave, however, so they began to sneak around buying from undocumented sellers and selling to the same people. The prices for the goods were much higher then than normal, but not as high as they were after paying the heavy taxes. They also began to lay back stores of weapons that they hid from the agents, so that they could eventually make war on them when they became better organized inside their communities. In time, they did make war on them, by organizing into platoons, attacking the frog agents, killing them and taking their weapons. Then they could outfit more men to do some more fighting. This is how they organized and fought their war.”
    “What happened when it all ended,” asked another kid near the front of the class?
    “When it all ended, the great army of frogs surrendered to us, then we made our demands for freedom and told them exactly what freedoms it was that we wanted.
    “What freedom was it that we wanted,” all of the kids asked?
    “Here,” spoke Mrs Blath, “I'll list them for you..
 
Freedom of speech...
Freedom of the press...
Freedom of lawful enterprises...
Freedom of religion....
Freedom to assemble...
Freedom of employment with due accountability...”
 
    “What does that mean,” asked another kid from the far right hand side of the classroom?
    “What that means,” replied Mrs. Rouge, “is that if you are qualified for the job, then you have a right to secure that position. It also means that you cannot be terminated without verifiable facts supporting the conclusion of doing so being necessary. This requirement is called the employment security due process clause. That is how your parents can get jobs and hold them, allowing all of you your fine comfortable lifestyles, nice toys and good food that you eat. You have freedom from discrimination too, and that means that nobody can harass you or fire you off of your job just because they don't like the place that you are from or the way that you look to them. Some people get harassed and fired from their jobs because they are too old, but it is against the law if they do.”
     Mrs. Rouge then took a deep sigh, scanning the papers carefully with her bespectacled eyes as she held them within her hands.
    “To summarize here today with our history lesson, class...Our entire history is founded upon the rule of gold out lined in the Lambs' Book Of Alms, that we study every Sunday in church. Do all of you remember it,” asked Mrs. Rouge?
    The entire class then replied in unison..
     “Always do unto others as you would have them do unto you, because every motivation demands a response in kind and on some level.”
     Both teachers then smiled a bright gleaming smile back out toward the class....
    “That is so right, dear class..., and all of you have done so very well here today! I am really proud of you all. I hereby assign the grade for class participation today..., as that of an A! You may all go home and tell the good news to your parents...”
     All of the kids respond by cheering and clapping their hands in joy to the words of the teacher, following her closing statement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                    
  
 
                                                                            Chapter 3                                                                  
                                                                     The passage of time
                                                                       and the big move
 
   Time continued to march on passed, and the small wooden box of an elementary school was soon to transform into the large brick and iron bar Bastille of high school. TJ did not really wish to attend, since the neighborhood boundaries had been transformed, forcing him outside of his familiar home area. He had family members who had never even bothered to go and all of them were doing well without that experience. If he had been allowed to attend school in his familiar home area, then maybe the experience would not have been all that bad. Being forced to pull four years in a place that one did not wish to go, did not do very much to make a person excited about going.
   Luckily for him his Father had sensed his apprehension in being forced to attend in an alien environment. In addition, because of the negative reactions from their neighbors and his mother's coworkers, just because they had really managed to improve their lives financially and socially, his Father rightfully decided that it was time to relocate.
   TJ did not know where it was that they were going to go, but he really did enjoy anticipating the new place that he would call home. He hated to leave all of his friends, but even he had noticed that his friends were not quite the same toward him as they once were. His life long friend, Fish, for instance, barely even payed him any attention at all. When Fish was around him, he felt like a ghost in the room, just sitting and observing. CL had relocated himself some forty miles or so away. Little lovely Miss Donna Bonita had moved somewhere far away to live her own nefarious adventures, so he had been told by a number of people there in Goose-lick who knew her family well. Her story would most certainly be a very interesting one all of it's own for another time and place. Crook was now a rising plant manager who had little time for talk or even casual conversation. All that he had time for was working in the apprenticeship school right there inside the local toy factory where his mother was a proud plant manager and supreme authority in the human resources department. He continued to ride back and forth from high school to work with his mother, carrying with him everyone's gracious blessings. The factory was called Pondu Toys And Things. Their motto was that even good old saint Nick himself and his merry band of elves, cannot even make ring what we can make sing!
    The position of apprentice there is a much coveted position that only an elitist few can ever manage to acquire. TJ had tried to land a position there himself once. Crook's mother had promised to help him slide inside the network at the close knit facility, but for some reason unknown to him, he never heard from her in regard to it. When he inquired, she simply told him that the company had yet to notify her of their decisions on anything regarding work. As a matter of fact, she claimed, they may even be closing parts of the plant down soon; so if such was the case, then there was no use in hiring to any great extent at the present time nor at any time in the foreseeable future; kudos to his effort in trying, though, she commended to him.
    Finally he had gotten around to asking his father where it was that they were moving to. His father told him the name. He told him that the place was really good for business and had loads of opportunity simply for the taking. The original name was Nottoway Meadows. The place was some one hundred eighty or so kilometers from Goose-lick, but there no one knew anything about the newspaper article and Father was certain that the people would welcome all of them with wide opened arms. The place was a step up socially, since nearly everyone there was self employed and relatively well off. Father had given the entire family careful instructions not to tell anyone of their plans. In his mind, the years of negative motivations had just forced the type of response that he was soon to give them....and that was to simply leave without even saying a single word of warning to anyone. Let them all figure out the questions of where and why for themselves, he reasoned; the very last thing that he needed  to do was to forewarn any who might silently endeavor to do them harm.
    Father had already hinted around to some of his friends in Nottoway that they might be moving soon. He  owned a rental home there and had done so for years. Here they were, soon to move into a nice Chattel type home on the edge of town, that had long since been payed off and even had payed for itself several times over by now. The estates surrounding were attractive enough that Father had purchased them long ago, hiring a man to establish a vineyard right there for him on his property. The vineyard would fetch a fine royal profit, paying for itself in less than three years, according to Father's very accurate calculations. At this point in his life, he thought, everything was looking up and going onward much higher still.
   The high school in Nottoway was much more conducive to an intellectual atmosphere. The place actually resembled a Parthenon of sorts, with a garden, elaborate gazebo and a classical style of intellectual atmosphere that really appealed to him, just like those ones of such grandeur in the old pictures. The gardens held custom crafted, hand carved marble statues of the Greek and Roman gods, along with several local heroes; such as Captain Malibu Fanning, the chain slayer, from the war with the Sultan and his grand army of ninety thousand thieves.
    According to local legend, all of them once marched headlong into the province, reasoning that they would defeat all opposition in a simple matter of days, highly underestimating the resourcefulness of Cromartie Ridge and it's determined people. Captain Malibu had exhausted his ammunition, but yet, still retained a huge store of powder. The army of the Sultan marched forward in several long rows through the hills and expansive wood-stands, he anticipating his ability to force a fight out into the few small open fields, where he was most certain to win. Captain Malibu detected a hint of weakness in this perceived expectation. On the thicket covered high ground ahead of the villainous army, he positioned a scattered platoon of twelve Libras six canon, carefully aimed through the openings in the brush, but deceitfully disguised as sawed logs. His main body of men now taking cover from the far left backside in front of the cannon, their call sign for battle..., being when the guns of black iron belched fire and the roar of thunder commenced to rage.
   Since Captain Malibu had no shot, he simply took heavy log chain and crammed nine foot sections into barrel of the great guns, packing all of it in with green Spanish moss gathered from the surrounding trees and soured tobacco, which he had plenty of still in the store house. In some cases, he took the links out of the chain, somehow managed to cut them in two, grind the ends down into points and hammer them while glowing red with heat, into pre-drilled nine pound stone boulders. These points then could be welded onto the chain lengths for additional weight. When the canon thundered, the links fragmented in some few cases, tearing through the columns just like lead shot or even better, declared some soldiers later who observed the events as they occurred. The stones on both ends carried the chains through the columns, tearing down entire legions as they marched; or shattered, forming more flesh ripping shrapnel. The scene was horrifying to behold, according to the history born from tales told and passed on by those whom survived the onslaught. Blood flowed so thickly that it completely covered the newly fallen leaves in the crispy fall air. Even the armor was shredded by the fire and lay aside in bloodied heaps that soon served as more ammunition for the cannon.
   When the column retreated backward in the face of the terrible slaughter, the men in hiding opened fire with sawed down scatter guns filled with scrap iron, granite stone crushed into shot size and remolded lead from castaway trinkets, fishing tackle and looted enemy stock piles, firing almost at point blank range and slaying just as many more. Although they were out numbered more than ten to one, Malibu's men nearly slaughtered the army of thieves down to the last man. So the stories go, the few who remained, he and his men stripped bare, taking care to burn them with glowing wrought iron on the most pain inducing areas, then releasing them abroad to spread the news among their own about the punitive horrors of their invading efforts that they had witnessed and experienced.
   According to the enemy out-lander accounts, many of the survivors were then summarily executed following the release of a chosen few, some even crucified out of a sheer desire for perverted sadism. Others were sacrificed to Ares, the great ancient god of war by his dozens of  suspected followers, so we are told by their propaganda. Malibu could have really cared less what happened to the survivors; the province was his land, the land of his people and these villains were on it and demanding extortion; so they all were rightfully being compelled to go back into the land from which they had originated! All was justified in pure logic that was straight forth and very simple.
   In spite of what the enemy accounts are, here in the town of Nottoway Meadows, he is revered in a near Pantheon of demigods. The sacrifices that he made in the name of individual liberty astound all observers, even unto this very day. So for that reason, he is still much revered with statues in private gardens, in-front of restaurants by water fountains, in public buildings and before local court houses, and many other places too numerous to mention.
   Father had already taken him around on numerous walks through the school and the surrounding grounds, taking him on rides through the town and allowing him to meet the local people and their families. Matter of fact, the entire family had been taken to a number of community events and special occasions over the course of time; the intent here being to prep the family for the forth coming move.
   Finally that anticipated day arrived....and the family spent the day loading a moving van up with their accumulated valuables and riding away into the middle of the night. The house had previously been put up with the property management company that Father was already using, and the manager knew of Father's desire to keep the move a classified secret. According to recycled rumor, it was well after the renter had already moved in that the citizens of Goose-lick had even bothered to notice that the Johanson clan was gone. By that time, the family had adapted well into their new surroundings, the thoughts of Goose-lick and it's tainted citizenry..., now a hazy lingering, but slowly fading memory.
    What was really amusing about this move much later on, was when certain individuals, whom had seldom ever even dared to venture out of the small hamlet, now suddenly felt the need to invest in huge tracts of land and build lavish homes in places where it would have made much more sense just to rent. These people never even moved into their new homes or bothered to rent them out, they simply just went to the trouble to build for show and tell among themselves and their associates back there in Goose-lick, obviously, then allowed the house to simply stand empty. In nearly every case, these people were those whom had pretended to be friends who wished Johansons well in the name of future accomplishment, but then turned on them when the Johanson family had really managed to achieve true success! This observed lack of individual motivation and creativity sickened the Johanson family deeply; so for that reason, they all laughed in silence at these tales, but seldom spoke a word in regard to them, even among themselves out of a desire for better quality conversational subject matter.
    School had commenced and TJ had really begun to enjoy the interesting people and the new surroundings. Maybe this experience was indeed what he was in need of for a while now..., a new upgrade in general surroundings. Everyone was happy inside their newly acquired environment; Father continued on with his new business enterprise and his investment program, mother found work in a new academy...and received a very substantial raise in doing so. Now she could retire with her full pension being greater than if she had remained in Goose-lick for thirty years, since everything fell on the last five years, as far as determining the retirement value per month. She had came out a really big winner in her little contest with King Ignoramus, in the long run. All of TJ's cousins had moved off into their own directions and were doing very well now, as far as they reported anything back to him or his family about.
    He had even managed to meet some new friends since the day of his move. He still occasionally thought about the old ones, but the new ones had their own sort of sophisticated appeal to them. First there was Miss Molly Folly, who was a very fair skinned, petite sort of flaxen haired beauty, with a type of mannerism that offered the appearance of being pleasantly shy and enticingly attractive. This young lady was always very entertaining and filled with bubbly  adventurous fun once one got to know her, in an exhilarating sort of way. She traveled with a group of relatively attractive, although somewhat plain girly girls, that all the others surrounding them merrily referred to as the Lollypop Platoon.
    Then there was Miss Hazy Daisy, so called because she walked about as though she were caught up inside a misty gloom of some sort and loved wearing dresses with carefully sown pictures of flower petals. She had been accused by the older adults of being strung out on entrancing herbs or living aloof among those around her. Most that knew her well just figured that she was caught up in some sort of dream land, all of her own design or something else of a strange creative nature. She spoke often about carousel camel people looking through kaleidoscope eyes. Sometimes she would see a smiling, fuchsia peach, looking glass sun high up inside a delightful marmalade sky, that would speak to her in a raspy voice of whines and wheezes, instructing her to do little things that at times...just might be somewhat debauched...and not to do certain things that on the surface appeared perfectly harmless; or in-fact, the instruction may be in the exact opposite. At times she was instructed to do really fun things..., then at other times, these instructed activities were not so fun, but never were they boring or non-entertaining.
    Then there was the friend that everyone simply called Little Lord Grady. Out of jesting fun, TJ  simply called him Shady Grady, since he would talk a nun into leaping from her best pair of pantaloons, if he could get her to stand still and speak with him for just a moment. He was truly the salesman and the negotiator of the group. He had already exercised sound business potential, even though he was only in the ninth grade and just barely sixteen years old. Some claimed that he would sell pristine farmland out at sea, sight unseen or beach front property way out in the golden desert sands; and he probably would do so much quicker if he felt that there was a self serving motive in going to the trouble for it. All in all, he was a warm compassionate person. He could be very down to earth and honest with people that he felt closest to and this quality was what attracted TJ into his company, besides his general gift of intelligence.
    On many occasions just after school, he would hang around with his friends in the garden, all of them walking to the back side of the pond to speak of intellectual matters and that far out pondering of young imaginations, unadulterated by ever looming, indenturing responsibility. Grady and Molly, who really were the intellectuals of the group, had reasoned to gather the wine trumpet flowers from their flowing vines, during the late fall when they are filled with seeds. TJ had dropped on into the local general store and purchased a small tin of nutmeg. All of them together had discovered the luscious  mauve flesh of the wonderful belladonna rose, the inside of which had by then dried into a nice fragrant crisp. The combination in this blend, they mixed with the dried leaves of jasmine, then carefully packing all of it into their acorn hull pipes that bore long hollow stems of wild rye grass that grew in such abundance throughout the province. This mixture, all of them would alight while packed inside their pipes and smoke lazily through their long grass stems, that served well to cool the smoke into a very pleasantly smooth mist......
…..Daisy claimed that if they only focused their eyes upon the reflective surface of the pond there before them and the graceful unblemished swan gently paddling in the distance..., that the trance gradually induced, in combination with the herbal mixture ingested into the blood stream through the lungs...would transport them deeply into hidden immortal dimensions...; where ancient intellectual knowledge would then be made known unto all men once again...., if only the spirits therein accepted their mortal presence to a degree that the invading mortals were warmly accommodated.  In general, according to Daisy, the two realms did not combine nor did one accept the mere presence of the other, so the facts therein betrays the trial to be so anticipated....Could any of them ever be accepted to the level of accommodation? Only the revealing truth locked far away inside the realm of the future, would appear at the appropriately appointed time. Maybe that certain special time would come around in much more enthusiasm..., with just a shy touch of magic mushroom added into the herbal smoking mixture on a later date, all of them began to smile and say while huddled into their gathering groups underneath the arbor.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                         Chapter 4
                                                                   Again in Erewhon
 
    The truth is, right at first the only experience was basically that of an intense euphoria, only serving to simply make all of them laugh uncontrollably; but as TJ gazed into the far distance across the surface of the pond or into the rose sunset toward the point where the sky met the line of the mountainous horizon..., sometimes he beheld vast cities and gargantuan monumental buildings looming forward in a manner, seemingly..., that beckoned him inward for a much deeper, esoteric metaphysical experience.
    The structures appeared strangely translucent, allowing him to behold scenes of mountains, distant rivers and deep meadows far out on the other side of the metropolis. The feeling generated was one of forceful compulsion....,compulsion to explore much deeper in search of experience beyond that of just the average mortal realm.. ; a compulsion of intense euphoria in the thrill of new experience and raw terror combined, like that feeling conjured by one's very first forbidden wanton adventure.
    He could not help but inform Daisy of the sights that he beheld, and she informed him that the seraphim who were in control of the immortal dimension, were welcoming him inward into their private abode. The problem lay in making the determination as to whether the nature of the seraphim who were inviting him inward, were ones of positive intentions or negative motivations. The depraved seraphim were masters of lies and deception, claimed Daisy, so they could very easily masquerade themselves as being lords of the positive, when in reality their true intentions were to simply offer bait and destroy.
    “How is it that we may make the determination.” he asked Daisy?
    “We must allow ourselves to follow the feeling radiating backward into our hearts, from the perceived nature of the experience as it lies immediately before us,” she replied. “If the feeling is one of seductive euphoria and unhesitatingly positive in it's overwhelming nature, and the sights before us stand as all consistently positive, then so it is that the forces in control of the realm into which we are led, may be safely deduced as positive. In that manner, so it is that we shall then move forward, but do so only with extreme caution, calculating our every move via critical deduction and never acting solely on base assumption..., but only in lieu of superior reason and logic,” Daisy purred to the group as she blew the thick aromatic smoke into the hazy mixture of corona, tea and herb already hanging as a blue haze in the air immediately where they stood underneath the arbor. A quick pleasing burst of breeze would hiss in the leaves of the surrounding willows, effectively removing this haze just before her next address to the group.
    “As I instruct each and every one of you...., inhale the sacred herbal mixture deeply,” Daisy coached as she drew upon the stem of grass, “gaze upon the refection of light on the surface of the water in combination with the ripple created by the gently swimming swan of the purest natural white....., and allow the feeling from those combinations to reign supreme..., only for a single moment..., while we all make the determination as to whether or not the source of this sensation is positive or negative, inviting or discouraging....or even damning in it's imposing personality!”
    For a period of nine days the tarnished trio continued on in their esoteric quest for the perfect metaphysical experience. Many times TJ would pause in the evenings just before sunset, to tempt the invitation all on his own, which Daisy had warned the group not to ever do. According to her, the spirits who ruled the metaphysical realm could exert a much more powerful force upon a single individual's intellect than they could the intellect of three mortal individuals combined. Some hateful  spirits even bore the power to cloud clear reasoning and the process of deductive logic, to suit their own purposes, which were to entice, entrap, extort and compel into their own indentured service. All of these thoughts traveled through the mind of TJ as he paused, but the magic allure of the anticipated metaphysical adventure was simply much too great for him to forbear.
   He paused there before the pond underneath the arbor of fragrant jasmine and sweet honey suckle, facing the main classical styled building of the school, with the marble statue of Athena sitting right there before it on the other side of the large pond surrounded by the flowing tears of the weeping willow, the face of dear Athena suddenly bearing an expression of delightful approval as he drew deeply upon the grass stem of the pipe. He seated himself upon the stone bench of heavenly suspension, as he now called it, right there inside the shade of the arbor; continuing to gaze upon the approving face of Athena as he drew the vapor of the magic herb deep inside his breast, only to exhale the sweetest misty fumes of dried morning glory seed, belladonna sensation and honey suckle rose'.
   As the euphoria settled in upon his mind and he gazed deeply into the reflection on the surface of the water, the sight of blood appeared as if the water and the picture in the reflection itself, suddenly commenced to pour blood, bleeding into the translucent form of massive metropolis streets. Though his eyes still beheld the sight of the ponds reflection behind the city, still the form of the city itself loomed forward. As he gazed deeply into the streets he saw the flutter of a soaring eagles' feathers, indicating that the wind had suddenly picked up. In the distance throughout the streets he heard the distinct flutter of cloth, such as the flapping of a flag in high wind, but could see no sort of flag nor behold the movement of any cloth.
    He heard a voice of wind in the distance that appeared near to him, yet then moving away into the beyond, sounding not as a voice riding on the wind, but as a voice which was a part of the very wind itself..., whisper his name. Strangely enough, the name was not the name of TJ or that of any nick-name, but of his genuine birth name. Obviously this spectrum knew amply of him, his past life and well of his present life. The voice continued to beckon him inward, drawing him in toward the very heart of the city..if only he would make that first step forward. Not only did the voice speak his true name, but it told him that it knew of his heart's most mysterious desires, and as it spoke of those seductively shrouded innermost desires in their proper order, he then perceived a sharp crash of thunder immediately following the last statement of the voice on the wind.
    As the thunder crashed he beheld the apparition of radiating golden coins in heaps, drenched in  glinting neck chains of pearl and untainted golden bead, with amulets of emerald, ruby and the brightest sapphires. He beheld priceless amulets of untarnished, unadulterated ivory and bezoar, all sitting inside a heavy three by four, by four foot, chest of elaborately decorated teak covered by straps of wrought iron..., sitting there completely exposed in the streets' midst for someone's immediate taking. He heard his name whisper again on the blustery wind. His heart began to race uncontrollably, his mouth ran dry, his mind labored to force his body not to move forward, but the force of shear curiosity and the lust for the feel of new thrill, compelled him with ferocious intensity...,to simply just step into the metropolis refection there upon the water. In spite of the fierce battle going on inside himself, he somehow still managed to force himself to remain stationary.
    Again he heard the astounding earth shaking crash and rumble of the thunder. He heard the wind increase in it's distant howl, then his ears beheld the voice of wind whisper his name again, but this time, the sound was more distinct. Again the voice went on to say that it's source knew of his heart's most secret desire, both those of the most abandon nature as well as those of the most righteous motivations. As it spoke it's words, a beautiful belly dancer appeared, as if from some unseen sheikh's entertainment chamber. As his eyes consumed her perfect, though still intangible translucent form, she began to assume the splendid figure of a fantastic Persian queen. She strode from nowhere across the city street, coming to pause before the chest overflowing with coins of glittering gold. She gazed into his astounded face, gently calling his name and motioning for him to come unto her. She then eased backward upon the gold, fully laying upon the sparkling coins, amulets and charms inside the very chest itself, with her bared right leg hanging down delightfully across the front side of the chest. In her right hand, she seized a fist full of the golden chains and pearls, gently rubbing them from her knees upward across her inside thighs, belly torso and breasts, as she slowly turned his way gazing directly into his astonished eyes, whispering his name as she did so.
     The near magnetic compulsion was almost more than poor TJ could resist..., his heart raced, sweat poured from his throat that gulped impulsively on it's own, then downward all across his chest and stomach, feeling more as bugs crawling than flowing droplets of liquid. The desire on the deepest inside for the thrill and experience of  entering deep into her immaculate flesh, only to savor the thrilling sensation of the luscious experience...and his desire in anticipating the feel of immediately possessing the gold, was driving him to a point that was nearly impossible for him to forbear, even though his mind clearly deduced the lack of wisdom in simply moving forward into the vision, let alone in actually taking the first step forward. As the powerful force pulled upon him, he groaned as he continued to back up in resistance, his force exerted from the power of his intellectual wisdom, clashing solidly against the force of the invisible, yet very compelling spectrum, who seemed to stand right there before him, reaching outward to grasp the very threads upon his breast and forcefully pull. Inside he knew very well, that if he dared to make that first step toward the dazzling sight of the forbidden, that then there would exist no chance of ever turning back. He would then be locked deeply inside the heavenly compelling mirage for an eternity....
    An abrupt flash of brilliant light, another piercing roll of rumbling thunder and the howl of gusting wind on the distance, once again whispering his name. He now before him beheld a carpet of Persian styled decoration. Upon the carpet midst sat another stunning robed Sumerian maiden. Before her stood a large chalice of crystalline ruby glass and unadulterated gold, with exotic gem in trim, filled with perfect blush wine even to the very brim. She slowly turned his way whispering for him to come, to fly away with her into the perfect place of paradise dreams, to any place of his deepest heart's desires. The wine will never run out, the wind would whisper, the carpet will transport you into the place of your heart's desire, it continued to beckon unto him. The maidens are all yours, to act out all of those secret impulsive desires of passion's most endearing allure.
    The lightening flashed again..., the thunder rolled and rumbled. Then in her right hand she held an aged scroll of parchment. The voice on the wind told him that the scroll consisted of all ancient knowledge, especially that lost knowledge of history, wisdom and invention forbidden for men to know by those in power over them, if they were even aware of it at all. In that scroll contained all ancient knowledge of medicine, technology, travel, the truths of life, death and of those most divine worlds beyond, offered freely forth unto the ancients by those immaculate beings who came unto earth from the vast star-lit heavens above.
     From the streets before him a splendidly translucent but gradually intensifying carpet of rouge was rolled out upon the streets, toward him at his very feet, by an unseen spectrum hand; the voice on the wind beckoning him forward, the beautiful gypsy motioning him inward, toward her, her granting him permission to savor her flesh for his deepest, most cloaked of carnal pleasures and to posses the gold for his secular endowment. With those gifts, his contentment in body would be assured, the wind told him, and his respect from the others who knew him, guaranteed. What more could a young heart desire than to have his respect and future success sealed?
    Before his face he felt the presence of an unseen female figure and enticing lips, breathing the sweetest breath saturated by the alluring plum rose of dried belladonna. The face was close, most immediately before his own face, but yet completely intangible and imperceptible. He felt her hot breath as she spoke her powerful words into his trembling face of intense yearning and terror combined.
    “You will move forward, even though you may not even be aware of the fact that you move; you shall transport your self forward by the magnetizing force within you of your own hidden desires, both those of the most righteous and the shockingly abandon. You cannot conquer the battle against your self, neither can you lie to your own,” the intangible face informed him. “Doing so is way outside the possibility of mortal intellect,” she continued to inform him, “though you do posses the power to envision the ability and imagine the gifts in both character and possibility, that the ability to forbear may indeed hold.”
    “Gaze about you at present; behold the city streets that now surround you, the cobblestones that run beneath your very feet... Look! The street runs endlessly ahead of you and likewise, endlessly behind. There is no escape for you now. Your dark carnal desires have overwhelmed you, only to draw you inward by the shear force of that desire alone, no matter how much it is that you may choose to lie to yourself or the world surrounding, that you would never suffer to submit! Your only option now is to move forward....to endlessly march forward on the street of well worn stone and dwell among these translucent walls for an indiscernible period of time. There have been many more before you, so indeed you are not alone; some managed to survive but many more were consumed by the perverted hunger of their own lust...,truly you are not alone...,” the voice of wind whispered sharply! “You, dear mortal, are not alone in your weakness to resist the compulsion before you.”
     The streets seemed completely empty. There was no one, villain nor saint, to be encountered. TJ simply just continued to move forward. He could do nothing more. As he walked along he observed the many empty shops and restaurants, the party clubs and the coffee houses. Even though there were no one present, still the establishments appeared clean and well stocked, just like the people were anticipated to return. The sound of a distant wind moved from far beyond back toward him as he slowly ambled along. Within that sound of wind he detected the voices of people, the voices of multitudes and individuals, but the mingling of their sounds made their words imperceptible. The sky above seemed a strange mixture of blush and long ribbon like clouds, the two together appearing more like peach marmalade to the eyes of young TJ. The feeling that prevailed, even though no figures could be detected, was that the place was inhabited.....and that he was being watched by unseen eyes everywhere it was that he dared to venture.
     In the far distance he heard the psychedelic whine of what sounded as an electric guitar. Other than that, he could not make another determination as to what label to place the sound into. In the distance faces of rouge, apricot, mauve and blush, men, women and young girls, would suddenly appear in the air around him, only to fade just as instant as the sounds of electric guitar continued to whine and change pitch. From the edge of the intangible expanse beyond, he perceived the howl of distant wind when the guitar sound suddenly ceased. Suddenly he heard the abrupt sound of piercing thunder as the electric guitar sound continued with a flash of brilliant light. The pitch of the sound rose and it fell until it jelled into a hexing melody that pulled at the youth with a newly arousing strength all of it's own. Before him now was a brilliant blaze of light and a terrific feeling of moving forward that gave a strange tunnel effect surrounding his body....and the sound rocked with an enticing, hexing, entrancing melody that proved to be more than the youth could ever hope to resist.
     The music was strange in another manner, not in it's sound but the feelings that it generated in the heart of the youth. The pull of the music was not only force of shear strength...,but that of a trans- sensual unchaste motivation, like the compelling force of a repressed veiled, impure desire radiating backward into the mind of the youth; the anticipation of a risque magical experience that could be strictly taboo in the secular world, but allowed to flourish without limitations here in the uninhibited world of the marvelous divine. Even though his level of fear was extraordinary, the anticipation of a possible mystical experience superseded that fear, and still by his shear force of will he moved forward, though of that prevailing fact of fear, his mind refused to accept or submit unto.
    As a result, his mind deduced illogically that he was not walking forward, but moving without taking a forward step by shear might of a robust outside force. The truth was, in-fact, that he was moving forward solely by the strong forces of his innermost desire, the sounds and sights surrounding him were simply extracting out that which was only repressed from deep within, then transforming it into a force that was visible according to the whim of his unconscious imagination. Still, all was well within his ability to force  this power to cease in it's pull, and his body to return back into the world from which he had made his exit. The desire to return simply had to reign superior to those of repressed wanton knowledge and unrestrained indulgence combined with the curious desire for an unearthly engagement.
    Strangely enough, he noticed that if he thought of a tune in his mind, the sound of the electric guitar would radiate back to him that specific melody. Right now he was in a really good mood in-spite of his looming fear, and the rocking sound strongly resembled the jamming session of Zeppelins' Highway to Heaven. The lights surrounding him appeared to pass by faster, gaining speed until they moved passed so quickly that they resembled a steady endless running string. Now he was moving forward into a shear tunnel of light, toward a brilliant blaze of radiating light poised at what appeared to be the end of  a bedazzling tunnel. All about within the air surrounding him he heard the rocking vibrations of the electric guitar sounds. As the guitar sound gradually began to fade, he heard haunting sounds of deep laughter, then the taunting but cheerful laughter of young girls and children. He struggled to go backward, but the more that he did so, the faster that he moved forward and the more the laughing sounds gave him the feeling of being mocked from all sides. He moved faster and faster toward the brilliant blaze of light, which gave him the terrifying feeling of his figure soon to be consumed, both in mortal body of flesh and eternal breath of soul.
    What could he do but just to accept his fate, to simply just give in to the force of the flow like a terrorized swimmer caught up in the undercurrent of a powerful river? The brilliant light became more intense, ever radiant and brilliant as he moved forward ever swiftly and quickly toward it. He felt as if the orb literally hungered for his flesh or the light of his very soul, the very force within his inner being that made him the unique individualist personality that he was. As he moved forward through the tunnel of light, toward the orb appearing to behave with intelligence, he could perceive that he was nearing the end of the tunnel..., moving directly into the very midst of the blinding blaze! As he left the edge of the tunnel exit, only to gaze into the consuming orb before him but then quickly shade his eyes; at the very moment of his suspension within the orb, the brilliant world of radiating light suddenly shattered into thousands of raining multicolored fragments. Each fragment bore every color known to man-kind and even some that were not. He called these fluttering colors not known to man, those of the immortal marmalade. The colors that men knew, he called mortal colors of  boring jello.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                   
                                                                            Chapter 5
                                                                TJ meets his new friends
 
 
 
    Now he had the feeling of suspended animation, with the fragments of colors flying passed him as he seemingly moved or floated in mid-air. When the colors had all rained passed, he found himself neither floating or moving, but sitting in a meadow of glittering bright emerald grass. The feeling was one of warm spring time, with a glowing sun of perfect peach sitting perched proudly up in the sky, the trees surrounding seemingly were those of his familiarity, but upon close inspection, many then appeared not to be. He saw bunnies hopping about with human faces, smiling squirrels leaping from branch to branch and heard song birds chirping seductive tunes of a type unfamiliar to him. The feeling generated was that of both the place being strangely familiar, but then simultaneously, not being familiar at all...or hauntingly one of a hidden dimension that had always surrounded him from the very day of his mortal birth.
      The colors surrounding him were brilliantly clear, most radiating in the natural known colors of the rainbow, but some few being colors of which he was not familiar, but yet strangely very natural inside of his present environment. Ahead he caught sight of a rabbit who paused before a tripod supported canvas.  The rabbit raised up onto his hind legs, taking hold of a paint board balanced on the left paw and a brush in the other, which he clenched skillfully between the toes. When TJ eased up on him from behind, it appeared that he had nearly completed a portrait of a wooded flower scape and a Papagayo sitting perched comfortably upon a blooming multicolored lily. The rabbit continued to paint, seemingly not yet taking notice of TJ who stood behind, then suddenly he glanced over in his direction taking abrupt sight of him, quickly turning around and nearly collapsing from shock and surprise. He  continued holding tightly to the paint board and brush.
    “Oh...oh, my, me oh my! What have we here? Who, may I ask.., are you, who stand there just looking over my shoulder like that? Don't you know that doing so is considered ill manners? How dare you,” the rabbit gasped from shock that instantly transformed into anger!
    “My name is TJ. What is yours?”
    “My name is Ribbit, they all call me Ribbit, since I am a rabbit. Now all of that seems understandable, does it not?”
    “Yea...I can see that,” TJ replied.
    “Well...well now, what are you doing in a place like this? I have not ever seen you here before,” spoke the rabbit.
    “I do not know..I honestly just do not know,” replied TJ, “ The real question is how do I get back home from here?”
    “Well now,” replied Ribbit, scratching his head, “From whence did you originate with such a void in proper etiquette?”
    “A place called Nottoway,” replied TJ. “ Nottoway Meadows was the old name...It should not be very far from here, to be honest about it.”
    “Hmm, now,” replied Ribbit, as he continued to scratch his head. “To be quite honest with you, I have never heard of the place. I cannot recall Grandfather ever speaking of such a place either, just to be honest about it.”
    “You haven't,” gasped TJ in shock?
    “Never in all of my live long, born days,” Ribbit said. “Matter of fact, I would not even have the faintest idea as to which way to even begin to tell you to go.”
    “Wow,” TJ began to sob, “I guess that I will never get back home! I should have listened to hazy Daisy Mae. I should not have played around like I did and violated those stated rules of the outer dimension, by trying to enter inside here all on my own.”
    “Hmm, now..., the outer dimension....? Never heard of such,” replied the rabbit, shaking his head from side to side.
    TJ continued to sob, whimpering about home, his friend Molly, his family and his mother.
   “I guess that I am going to be right here forever, with the likes of you,” he sniveled.
   “Well now, that is not so bad, I guess? I have a plenty of food for the likes of us both. I have plenty of shelter out in the hollow log and the brush pile. You do not look too fat to accompany little ole me, now are ye there? See, I have etiquette, I am not above helping one in an obvious state of dire need.... If you'll step just a little closer, I let you in on a secret...”
    TJ eased just a bit closer to him as Ribbit continued on in a whisper.
    “Plenty of herb grows all around me, man. I can even get you some real lotus, just like that eat by the lotus eaters; you know, those people out on the island where Jason and his men landed who gave him the lotus fruit and they did not ever want to come back into the ship.”
    “Wow,” said TJ in surprise and shock! “You have some of that? That stuff must be really good!”
    “Good is not the word, it is the very best! It really does strange things too a person, especially a man...or a rabbit.”
      “Like....what,” inquired TJ?
    “It makes my tender prunes feel as though an invisible ripple is stimulating them non-stop for about an hour, among many other very desirable sensations. One feels this sensation first, before all the others. The final and most extended sensation is one of total fulfilling contentment. There is no hunger in this world, no fear, and time seems to race passed rather than just ease along. The sensation upon moving is one of floating, since the feet are felt to never touch the ground,” the rabbit continued to speak in a strong whisper as he glanced around watchfully.
    “Wow,” replied TJ. “You just wait until I tell the others of this when ever I do make it back home from here!”
   The rabbit turned briefly and continued to paint as the boy spoke to him.
   “What are you painting there,” asked TJ?
   “I am painting a large toucan here on a multicolored Iris,” replied Ribbit.
   “What ever it is that you can imagine here in Nymphaion, one may manifest into reality, if one can present it clearly first.”
   “Nymphaion,” replied TJ? “I've never heard of it.”
   “Well we were once called Xanadu, but too many people got the name confused with too many other places that meant way too many different things. What we really needed was a name that spoke more of the situation here on the ground. So they changed the title into this wonderfully descriptive name,” spoke the rabbit.
   “I do not understand about the business of imagining things and them becoming reality,” replied the boy.
   “Well then, just watch the painting sitting before us! See me put on the last touch here,” asked the rabbit as he painted a dainty pointed green cap onto the toucan's head?
    Upon him completing the portrait, the wind appeared to suddenly move the flowers and the iris upon where the toucan was perched. In a single astonishing breath, the toucan opened his wings into a spread and took off in flight from his perch, now circling above the head of TJ and the rabbit, soaring on into the forest depths beyond.
    “Wow,” TJ responded in complete astonishment! “ I cannot believe it...! I simply just cannot believe it....How did you do that?”
    “Here, every achievement is well within the mind's grasp, dear boy. Your hearts' desire can be reality, if you simply just follow along in the pre-designated process. If you can show it, you can have it, if you first only believe it, sonny!”
    “I wish that I knew how to get home,” TJ said.
    “Well that, I cannot help you with. I can help you with much, but not that at the present time,” said Ribbit.
     “I wish that I just knew which way to start going, and then I would just begin in that direction,” replied TJ.
     Ribbit replied, “well...since the sun rises in the West and sets in the East, then we will just walk to the east from here, I suppose, just to start.”
     “I thought that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West,” replied TJ. “It sure does in Nottoway.”
     “I shall make a very valid guess then, that this is just not Nottoway,” replied Ribbit. “and only one of us is bass ackwards!”
     “and it feel like this is the place, to me,” sighed TJ.
     “Yes, I can sympathize, being in a strange place and all,” Ribbit replied. “I suppose that I could travel with you, then, like mates on a faraway journey of sorts. I mean, somebody needs to watch over you and keep you out of harms way, do they not?”
     “Why, certainly! Two heads trying to figure this puzzle out are much better than one, that much is for sure,” TJ replied.
     “Well...we'll head this way,” said Ribbit, now pointing with his right index finger upon taking notice of the sun and the path that it was moving in.
     So the two began to move into the Eastern direction, just like the sun there in Nymphaion did. The meadow appeared to be the most intensely lush green of any grass and vegetation that TJ's eyes had ever beheld. There in the forest scattered among the oaks and palm orchids, and the multicolored date palms menagerie, with that in itself being a strange enough phenomenon; TJ's eyes would behold trees that appeared as oaks and polo santo combined, with multiple types of fruits on the trees that are far different from any ever seen by the boy.
    “What kinds of trees are those,” asked TJ, pointing toward the strange combo-fruited trees growing scattered about within the timber growth?
     “Those have been called the trees of latens sophia. In other words, if one wants to know the answer to a question, then he can bite the fruit and then ask it, and that answer will be revealed back to him, that is, if the great Sultan of the blue ice castle allows it. Here, the great Sultan always has the final say.”
   The two walked up toward the tree of latens sophia. TJ stood about in complete awe of the multiple fruits growing, in which the very fruit itself appeared as two separate fruits combined.
    “That is very strange,” sighed TJ. “Looks like two fruits all rolled up into one.”
    “It is somewhat, I guess. You see, you can bite the fruit on one side, investigate the flavor, then flip it over to investigate an opposite flavor. Isn't that amazing,” Ribbit asked?
    “Yes...I should say...and very much so,” replied TJ as he gazed upon the tree in complete awe.
    “What type of flavors do they have,” TJ inquired?
    “Well just think of a flavor and look up at the fruit.”
    “Oh....strawberry ice cream,” he snapped!
    “Well now, lets see,” replied Ribbit. “Take a look at that fruit with the strawberry tinge there to it and the dark tinge on the other side..,”
    TJ seized one up, then bit the strawberry tinge side....
    “Wow...! It's simply divine! Unbelievable....This fruit tastes just like strawberry ice-cream, I should say here.”
    “OK...now just flip it over and bite it,” replied Ribbit.
    TJ flipped the fruit and bit the dark side..
    “Wow...It's simply amazing! If I could bring such a tree home, I would be rich, I tell you! Rich over night! That fruit on the other side tasted of an absolutely perfect chocolate ice-cream!”
    “Try another, if you like...There is one just ahead of you, that appears to be a peach and a plum combined. What do you make of that, there sonny? Peach cobbler and plumb pudding,” said Ribbit sarcastically?
    “Let me try it..,” replied TJ.
    He reached outward to seize up one of the majestic fruits with his right hand.
    “I just cannot believe it...! I cannot believe it...! That fruits tastes of a perfect peach cobbler, I should say. Why, I do believe that one could just bite the strawberry ice-cream and the peach cobbler, and have a perfect meal!”
    “Now just flip it over and try the plumb pudding,” said Ribbit.
    TJ did so, he flipped the fruit and was again astonished into an amazement.
    “It does taste like plum pudding, I tell you! It is simply divine...I think that we have found our fortune here, my friend!”
    “Well now, just calm down...just calm right on down, now..,” replied Ribbit.
    “You said that I could have a flavor of my imagination's desire..,” asked TJ?
    “I should say, so I have always been told,” replied Ribbit.
    “Well....I have a flavor that I am in search of here, since you mentioned it. What about the perfume box of the fairy princess,” TJ inquired in a near whisper as he quickly glanced around out of a noticeable caution?
    “Hmm now, lets see...,” said Ribbit? “Just try this one right there, with it's menagerie of lilacs and blush on one side and dark brown on the other. I honestly feel that such might just be the perfect trick.”
     TJ quickly snatched it up with his right hand, biting the dark brown side with a strange possessive hunger..then his face changed expression in a near instant and he began to gag in the same wink, spitting all of it onto the ground before him...
      “My word, man, that garbage tastes like it just might be from the nearest hill of dung! What are you trying to do, kill me or something?”
      “Just flip it over!...I say..., just flip it on over, for the love of Nymphaion,” cried Ribbit as he collapsed upon the grassy earth,  rolling with laughter at the obvious blunder!
      “I tell you, I simply cannot see how this trash would be the source of any new knowledge,” roared TJ with what now appeared to be anger. “Even so, I still like the fruit tree and wish that I could take one back home with me.”
    Suddenly a whip-like blow struck him from somewhere within the tree, across his face. He glanced up, spying an angry light blue monkey eyeing him with both hands upon his hips and a wooden rod for for a walking cane in his right clinched fist as it sat upon his hips.
    “Just who is it that you think that you are, there boy,” rasped the monkey toward TJ?
    “What do you mean,” said TJ to the monkey?
    “Here you are, a marching about onto someone else's turf like that.., and then you have the gall to just walk up and steal his fruit? How dare you there, boy! I say, there boy, where in the name of Agamemnon are your manners at, in your boot heels or the seat of your pants?  I take it that you came into these parts a lookin for trouble, did ya? If you did so, then you certainly have found it” replied the monkey!
    “No, No, oh No,” gasped TJ, “you've misunderstood me! I do not want any trouble, I just want to get back home. Which way do I go?”
    “Well, I cannot answer that for you now. You'll have to make it to the great crystal glaze castle of cerulean and golden flame combined to find that answer.”
     “Who lives there,” asks TJ in astonishment?
     “Who lives there, you should ask me? You mean that you came all the way here from where-ever, just to ask me who lives there,” the monkey asked?
     “Yes, I don't know these sorts of things. How am I supposed to know, being a foreigner and all?”
     “Well on that note, since you have been so kind as to ask, then I shall tell you, right here and now. It is the great Sultan, that's who! And while we are here, rabbit there...”
     “The name's  Ribbit, mind you...,” he interrupted!
     “Well Ribbit then,” the monkey continued, “ you need to instruct the boy there on some manners and what it is that we believe in around here and how it is that we do things in general.”
     “I agree, he may need a good dose of manners, I should say,” replied Ribbit. “Maybe if all else fails, then I'll just deliver them right here on the toe of my boot directly into the seat of his pants there!”
     “So as I see it,  you shall pause to ask me which way it is that you need to go..Well, just keep following due East. Last it was that I heard, there in the mountains to the far east, with the sea at it's back, should sit the extraordinary colossal blue ice mansion. Just the mere sight of it is so astounding and magnificent, that you might even go as far as to simply faint. Beyond that, I really do not know what else to tell you. As you walk along, there may be gifts sitting about here and there, where you can find the answers as to what to do next, if the unseen forces surrounding you agree with offering you assistance, but such is about all that I know to tell you,” replied the monkey. “ I shall tell you this much too..., just watch yourself around here; while all appears very relaxing and pleasant, which in-fact it is so, indeed eyes are a watching you there boy! You cannot go anywhere without some set of eyes knowing exactly where it is that you are...at all times, sonny.”
    “We both understand and thank you very much, for your assistance,” quickly snapped the rabbit.
    “You both are very welcome,” replied the monkey.
    “I apologize for taking your fruit,” said TJ as he and Ribbit slowly walked away.
    “No problem..., this time..., no problem, son...No problem indeed, at least, not with me, presently...,” replied the monkey with a broad smile as the two walked away.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                 
                                                                             Chapter 6              
                                                        Onward toward the blue ice mansion
 
 
 
     The boy and the rabbit began to walk along in an eastern direction across the grassy, tree scattered meadow, talking about life, pains of life and it's sweetest of pleasures. The rabbit laughed as the boy spoke, but then abruptly assumed a serious face, clearing his throat repetitively before speaking.
    “I guess that now is the proper time to inform you of all our regulations here in Nymphaion,” said Ribbit.
    “Yes, they might be handy to know and now is sure just as good a time as any other,” replied TJ with a sigh and a smile.
    “Well they all kind of line up kind of like this,” spoke the rabbit:
 
    “Do not lie...
     Do not steal...
     Do not kill....
     Do not discriminate...
     Do not fornicate....
     Do not commit adultery...
 
     We are also a very free society here in Nymphaion. Here are the blood won freedoms that we hold so dear and would rather suffer death than to ever relinquish...
 
    We have...freedom of the press..
    Freedom of Speech...
    Freedom of individual enterprise...
    Freedom of a check on employers, forcing them to validate their decisions to terminate an individual's employment status-quot. Yet employers are free to hire at their own will.
    Freedom of benefits, specifically health and retirement benefits. This rule simply states that every employer must provide benefits, especially health benefits, as part of his business obligations. Doing so keeps Nymphaion a first rate place for it's people to live.”
    “Wow...that sounds really nice! I wish that Nottoway had rules like that,” said the boy. “I know of people who get fired from their jobs for no good reason at all, simply because a claim was made against them... and the people making the claim do not even have to produce any supporting facts! That is why my Father is self employed..and the money that one receives versus being a payed employee's ridiculously low salary. I sure do not want to labor back there, in that hostile climate and put up with the outright sanctioned harassment from my coworkers when I get older!
     Father even told me that many businesses hire completely incompetent managers and supervisors back in Goose-lick, then bring another person in from a distant province to actually perform the work. This happens because the local company officials are either his friend or family and they don't want to fire him. These people tend to allow the workers to supervise and manage themselves using a program of harassment. It all is really pathetic, I tell you, since really creative, effective employees lose their jobs and have their references and resumes destroyed and ineffective, incompetent employees are allowed to remain. Most of the businesses thrive on extorted public funds, according to Father and do not survive by their own quality production and performance”
      The rabbit cleared his throat repetitively, appearing really surprised at the boy's words, but trying hard not to make a comment.
      “Let me continue on with our basic beliefs,” said Ribbit with a puzzled sigh. “We believe in a supreme Sultan who rules from the sky. The Sultan came down as a man once, giving us our basic living regulations that I have just given to you. At the mid-stage of the human life span, he then rose back into the heavens to sit at the right hand of the central supreme divine monarch of the celestial universe.
       We also have the earthly Sultans who rule our provinces and one superior Sultan who resides over the entire Kingdom of provinces. Matter of fact, we are in search of the superior Sultan, Siegfried El Pulchrea, Lord of the blue glaze castle up in the high mountains. According to our logic, the provincial Sultan gets his authority from the superior Sultan, and both of them receive their authority from the supreme Sultan of the sky; so therefore our rules given and all of those made, originate from the supreme Sultan and all of us are to only listen and obey ...even to the fullest commandment, dear one.”
      “Wow...what about foreigners? How are we viewed,” asked the boy?
      “Well, as far as you foreigners are concerned, while you are not allowed to cause anyone harm of any type, you may indulge in freedom of the heart's desire in a measure slightly beyond what we as provincial citizens are allowed. Most of these freedoms are of a moralistic nature, however. Some business freedoms do apply in a likewise fashion, as well as tax freedoms,” informed the rabbit to the boy.
      As they walked along, TJ suddenly caught sight of a rainbow colored wooden box sitting neatly underneath the umbrella palm trees, with the word open me, written directly on the top. He removed the top, taking note of a large colored layered cake made in green, red, yellow and white layers, with the word temptations written on top in black icing. Beside the cake was a note saying:
 
    Good evening weary travelers,
    If you are in search of the superior Sultan, keep following due east until you arrive at the chief Priest's marble henge, then make a direct left. Please eat the high energy cake for your rejuvenation.
 
    TJ hesitatingly seized a part of the cake up in his right hand, glancing back toward the rabbit, who replied to him; “go ahead boy, take of it and eat.” He did so, breaking the cake in half and handing the other piece to the rabbit.
     “Yea, I should say that this cake was tempting enough. What do the colors have to do with temptation, I wonder?”
     “Well I guess it is that the layers mean, money, wine, and blond haired white women.., I don't know,” replied Ribbit with a sudden laugh.
     “Sounds good enough to me, but I do declare that I sure have lots more energy after eating that cake. I wish that I knew what it was that was in it.”
     “It is all tough to say, but lets keep moving on just to see where it is that we are, if for no other reason that we can think of.”
      TJ replied, “I agree, because I sure am thirsty right now.”
     The two kept walking along until they arrived at a marble stone table stand, about waist high. On top of the stand was a note beside a golden chalice filled with blood red wine. TJ picked the note up, reading it aloud to the rabbit.
 
      “Dear Fellow Travelers,
       You both have arrived in the world at the time that you did so. You were very curious and have thus ventured inward this far. You both carry your innermost desires deep within you. One day you will fulfill those desires.... and this is the effects that gratification will have upon you.
 
       TJ seized up the chalice and quickly drank half down, offering the other half to the rabbit who finished it. Both suddenly began laughing, glancing around and speaking of the way that they felt as if they had been out at sea for months on end, only to now stand upon dry land. TJ then glanced down upon the note once more again.
 
       Gratulantur!
       You both hath made it thus far, so now it is that you have reached the point of no return. Keep going due east and you shall soon arrive at the sacred henge. You will soon feel the allure of real success, since you hath now reached the near midpoint in your great quest.
 
     “Wow,” said Ribbit, “guess that we must walk a bit more. I am getting just a mite tired, to tell the truth about it all.”
     “This meadow, now turning into a forest, is getting kind of far and wide. All that I know to do is to just keep heading due East, until we get to that darned henge. To tell the truth, what is a henge anyway,” asked TJ with a yawn?
     “Well...it is a stone temple, with two large flat stones on either side, and two across the top. It can be an alter upon which something is held in great reverence,” replied Ribbit.
     “I guess it is that we will just keep on walking East with the now, peach colored sun, directly overhead,” TJ replied.
      The two continued on for what felt as though hours had passed. Soon they passed a purple unicorn who could peer forward into the future and backward into the past. They asked him what time it was and were astounded only to find that they both had been in Nymphaion for only a matter of minutes! The unicorn claimed that the effects of the herb laced wine were to quicken the passage of time. He refused to speak information regarding a way out that avoided passage through the blue ice Bastille mansion and the Sultan. According to him, the Sultan had earnestly requested that they visit him, and that request would be honored dutifully. As they continued to walk along, they heard the speech of a small but harsh voice from within the thick brush beside them.
    “Keep your toes to the East, thus shall your mind then wonder least,” the voice said. Ahead he heard another voice speak the same words, the source only continuing to remain hidden. Then another voice replied; “Otherwise your body shall become lost and your dear families shall surly pay the cost.”
    “Where are you,” asked TJ aloud?
    “Who are you,” asked Ribbit?
    “Come out, come out now, who ever and where-ever it is that you are,” they both inquired together.
     Soon they saw a figure step out, who appeared as a small green gnome. Ahead a small red troll appearing character stepped out, who was about the same size, both carrying walking sticks.
     “These two gnomes are from the groups, Pie and Pix. The Pies are the green gnomes and the Pix are the red miniature troll looking ones. Once upon a time in the past, the green gnomes, the Pies, ruled over and owned the red ones or the Pix. It has been nearly two centuries, but there is still much antagonism between the two groups. The Sultan made war against the Pies, forcing them to free the Pix, which they did after much shedding of innocent blood. The Pies then forbade the Pix from entering onto their side of the province and kingdom, banning them by their own self imposed regulations. A hundred years later, the Sultan had to step in and force the two to merge the halves of the kingdom and province. Even so, there are still bitter rivalries between the two, even to this very day,” explained the rabbit.
   “I thought that freedom had been guaranteed,” stated the boy.
   “Well it was,” explained the rabbit...
   “I do not understand,” replied TJ.
   “The official explanation is that the Sultan moved against the Pies in a great crusade to end their subjugation and domination of the Pix. The Sultan had to launch a campaign to persuade people to fight on his behalf, so he initiated an information campaign, until he slowly began to get followers to align themselves with his cause.”
    “What was the true cause for the war,” asked TJ?
    “All of the people here inside the province are well aware of the real cause, but to publicly announce it would only enrage the Pix and government officials. So much time has now passed that it really does not even matter to most people, at least, for the present time it doesn't,” replied Ribbit. “Most folks just want to work, do business and simply go on with life in general.”
    “Tell me what happened. What is the real history of the place here,” asked TJ?
    “Well, it is like this...back during the day when we won the great war against the world conquering kingdom of chains to the far east, the one across the great dividing pond; the people here demanded their freedom. Our leaders placed in a set of checks and balances to regulate everything. The understanding in general was, however, that in due course of time, no matter what system was established, that authority would discover a way to usurp their way around it. Almost immediately the system began to deteriorate. Within fifty years the first big attack came on our personal freedoms by our own government.”
     “What was that,” asked TJ?
     “Consolidation of the banks and the currency, since all localities within the province could have their own banks and issue their own currency. The eastern half of the province resisted this consolidation and continued to print their own currency, declaring that the demand to consolidate was an attempt to control prices and force the people into servitude directly with the banks and indirectly, the government, since most of the government officials owned the banks in the first place. This resistance enraged the Sultan, of course, who tried to force this consolidation.
     Finally a deep economic depression came about, and the East was prospering immensely due to trade with the other provinces and kingdoms, while the West collapsed. The West claimed that they could not compete with people who used compulsory labor, since doing so was against the law there. So the Sultan demanded that the East pay a sixty percent tax on their produce and exported goods. The East refused, voting instead among themselves to succeed and form their own nation that supported their own free individualist interests. Doing so was in perfect compliance with our provincial constitution, but the Sultan invaded militarily any way by immediately securing all of the military fortifications throughout the eastern side of the province, and done so very quickly to prevent the East from making military logistical preparations for future combat.
     Right at first, no one in the West nor any other province would assist in the fight for authoritarian consolidation, so the Sultan changed his approach after about two years into the fight and one that he was losing dearly. Now, according to the Sultan's information minister, the fight was a great crusade against servitude. The Pix were told that they would be allowed twenty hectors of land and a donkey if they would just assist in the great fight against indentured servitude. On that ground, all of them agreed to fight, since they were so very certain that the Sultan and vast army of knights would stand behind them all, to ensure that they could act in any manner imaginable, to the detriment of the enemy. All of the Pix conveniently forgot that the war would end and that the Sultan, with all of his men, would simply just go on back home..
    So now just imagine the Pix...here they are with their protectors, whom they categorized as their liberators, now gone...,after they have been looting, burning, stealing, raping and murdering innocents in complete liberty, now having to return back into the very land against which they had once marched...How do you think it was that they were received?”
    “I doubt with open arms... I can say that much with a sure certainty,” replied the boy.
    “Without a doubt....! Soon the Pie came a marching, forming wicked guerrilla bands that used terror to seek revenge for the wrongs that the Pix had committed and to restore as well as to preserve security. In the end, a great army of ferocious ghosts where called up from within the midst of ancient grave yards, to provide divine retribution for the sins of the Pix against the innocent Pie, soundly defeating them and stomping them down into dust and eternal submission.
     Soon following, a great wall between the Pie and the Pix was constructed, only to be slowly removed more than a hundred years later. Now it is is true here in present times, that the two do exist together, but only on very precarious terms.”
    “But I thought that this was a kingdom that indorsed individuality and personal choice with the freedom to do so..,” replied TJ.
    “Yes, so do most people everywhere. Truth suggests other additional horrible possibilities and a fearful future repression.” replied Ribbit.
    “Like what,” asked TJ?
    “Back during the days when the wall was coming down, at the same time rules were being put into place that forced all of the shopkeepers and employees to hand over half of their earnings to the Sultan and his legions. Now he could do what he wanted to do before the war began, and what he had so seriously desired to do in the years following. Now the people had no choice but to comply with orders. To justify this extortion, some small benefits were offered to the people in the name of giving assistance to those in need. The overwhelming majority of these so called benefits went to the Pie, who were a divisive element to be manipulated by the Sultan in the midst of the national body; but enough did go back into the coffers of the Pie, so that some sort of backlash would not result against the extortion. All of this was part in an overwhelming stratagem of new conquest, as any wise observer can readily deduce.
    Twenty years following, the checks and balances on the large corporate conglomerates were being dismantled. Now the entire province was managed by the large business syndicates, the Sultan and his thieving legions. The people were at the complete mercy of these villains masquerading as saints. One clear morning suddenly, a large provincial bank building that held all of the gold from every kingdom on emerald earth, was destroyed by great soaring eagles who had been baited in and trained to carry fire and brimstone by the Sultan himself and his military commandant. This fire was dropped from the eagle's talons, along with relatively large stones, until it completely destroyed the entire banking structure.
   A few years later, in the false name of preventing future attacks, the checks and balances against the Sultan being forced to go through parliament to declare a national emergency were removed. Watchful eyes were imposed throughout the province on every level to spy on individual citizens, just in case they should anticipate any forthcoming negative occurrences and decide to respond to them in the name of true patriotic liberty. So at the present moment, all that the Sultan needs to do is to simply declare a national emergency, and then the people shall lose all constitutional rights, with the legions of knights being free to lord over them in any manner that they deem fit, according to the law of the Shepard, which shall then be the rule. The people will not even have the natural right to dear life anymore once this insidious law is in decree; their only reason for being allowed to live will be to give complete service in labor and body to the ruling Sultan's benefit.”
     “You are saying that they will be literal slaves to the Sultan, and that specific title will be the one of all the people here in the province,” replied TJ?
     “That is right...that is my prediction for the future of this province. That is also why I have determined to leave it. I am going away into the deep wilderness, I tell you, and go now while it is still possible to get away,” replied Ribbit.
      Soon the bushes ahead rustled a bit. Out stepped a green but very pleasant appearing elf gnome. His outward radiance caused TJ to feel that he was compassionate and helpful. Even so, the general feeling as well, was one of great caution. In his right hand he held a six foot staff with a metal cap and a three foot chain running from the cap, bearing a spiked ball on the other end.
     “And just where is it that you two think that you are going,” demanded the elf?
     “Looking for the henge,” replied TJ.
     “I shall inform you right here and now, that as you go looking for the henge, you are walking through Pie land here.”
     “Oh yea,” asked the rabbit? “Where are the signs saying so? I don't see any? Who says so?”
     “Who says so,” snapped the green gnome? “Why, it is I who says so, that's who! Ignorance of rules is no justifiable excuse for breaking them. I could just order both of you to go away right now or have you carried away in chains and shackles.”
     “But how are we supposed to know,” asked TJ? How are we supposed to know what is against the rules and what is not? This is crazy!”
     “Well go ask a rule pigeon,” said the gnome. “He will not charge but half a days wage to speak with him, and all that he does is sit on a stool and study the rules. For a substantial fee more, he will go into the Sultans' court and fight for you. If the person that he is fighting pays him more to condemn you, however, then and only then will he turn on you...,unless you up the ante made against you by your opposition, that is. If you don't up the ante for any reason, then the Sultans' adjunct will have you thrown into the dungeon for a few months.., then that will be that..; except that there will be an eternal record of your violation...,then you cannot vote or own property, or even contest any charges made against you in the future made inside the same category in which you were originally charged. You will not be allowed to have a profession or run a business of any sort; and you will be required to check in with the authorities monthly, as well as be forced to submit unto random searches of one's person and living quarters. Other than that, however, you will be O.K.”
    “You're crazy, man,” said TJ! “There should be posters up around here, stating that you and whom ever, own this property and all of this. I don't have the time or the patience to go see that fool of a rule pigeon, or what ever it is that you speak of, let alone the money. All that we know is that this road runs long from where-ever right on to where-ever, and at this moment, all that I know is that I must go that way,” he replied, pointing up the two rut dirt road with his arm extended. “According to what it is that I understand, the henge is that way.... Come on, there Ribbit,” said TJ as he glanced back.
   “Can I walk with you to the henge,” asked the Pie?
    “Why should we allow it,” asked the rabbit?
    “Because we are all in search of fortune, just like every being here on emerald earth is. I am in need of it just as much as anyone else. Since you two are headed eastward, then I would presume in the direction of the Sultan, I would also presume that the both of you are in search of fortune as well. I simply just wish to assist in our discovery of it.
    “Yes...I guess,” said both the rabbit and the boy. “We need all of the help that we can get.”
    So the three made their way down the road, where according to the Pie, the henge was sure to lay. None of them knew exactly what the great henge was, except that the blue ice castle mansion of the Sultan lay to the left of it. So off they went on down the road through the green wood that had replaced the open meadows, walking seemingly for days until suddenly, a small chest fell before them from the sky at their very feet. All of them glanced upward, seeing nothing but clear blue sky.
    “What is this,” cried the Pie?
    “I don't know, what is that,” cried the rabbit?
    “Well lets just have a look and see,” said TJ, as he bent down to pick the chest up. He placed the box in his left palm, then very carefully opened the lid with his right hand, exposing another weathered parchment note.
    “Wow..., it's another message,” cried the rabbit!
    “Yea, I should say, that it looks like another message,” said the Pie!
    “I will open it and give it a read.., so listen..,” said TJ, “and the note says...
 
    Dear travelers,
   Please stop right here and dig in this very spot. You will soon find a leather bag filled with valuables. When you arrive at the henge, give this large bag of valuables to the gatekeeper and he will direct you toward the majestic castle of cerulean glaze, and he will inform you of your additional duties, so pay close attention here. To the right, approximately twelve paces, lie a pick ax and a shovel hidden inside the tall grass and bushes. Dig in the exact spot where this box was found for the valuables. Don't try to cheat the gatekeeper, he has put in an order for this bag and knows well of every item in it that is to be found. Good luck to all of you!
 
                                                                                        The messenger
                                                                                               Owl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                      
                                                                           Chapter 7
                                                                     The Nymph's trial
 
 
 
    “So....looks like we have our work cut out for us here today,” says TJ, “so now lets look about for the pick and shovel.”
    “Twelve paces,” reply the Pie to the rabbit? “That's one, two, three..., hmm now..., ten, eleven....it should be right here,” he said, stomping both feet down in an opening right there before them in the wood.
    “No, it's right here,” said Ribbit, as he stooped to pick up the shovel, “and there lies the pick right beside the shovel about nine more steps out.”
     The Pie raced up beside him, stooping to grab the pick.
     “I guess, now, that we can get to work.”
     TJ continued to stand where the box had been found.
    “Don't forget to dig right where I am standing. The best thing for us to do is to simply take turns digging. You dig first Ribbit, then I will take the pick and let the Pie rest. Then I will dig and the Pie can take to the pick again, and then you may rest. That way we can get there faster without wearing ourselves out.”
     “Sounds like a real winner to me,” said the Pie with a smile and an air of sarcasm.
    So the Pie and the rabbit race over to where TJ was standing, and commence to dig with all of their strength. All of them switched out, the hole going wider and deeper with every scrape of the shovel....until they were all in over their head before they even knew it...Then suddenly...,Ribbit hit something with the pick that rang slightly and bound up the pick.
    “Here it is, here it is! I have hit something here, fellows,” he screamed, now digging with his paws!
    “Let me see there, let me see there,” yelled the Pie as he raced up, pulling upon what appeared to be an aged sheet of leather!
     “And boy is this thing really big and heavy,” they both said as they pulled with all of their might, until the bag released, allowing both of them to fall back all of a sudden!
     TJ laughed loudly as he raced to where the two lay.
     “Wow there, are you both alright?”
     “Yea,” said Ribbit, “ I think that we are alright?”
     “Let me take a look there,” said TJ, as he walked around to the opened end of the bag, reaching inside and pulling out a nice, single ounce doubloon of pure gold. “Wow,” he said as he reached again into the bag and pulled out one hundred and forty three more solid golden coins. “An ounce of gold is worth over a thousand dollars right now back home, I tell all of you...We are rich, I tell you! Just think what it is that we can do on our own with this marvelous find here!”
     Ribbit quickly walked up, looking at the shinny golden treasure there as it lay, shaking his head from side to side in silence as he gazed down upon the pile.
     “Just remember now, we were instructed to give it over to the gatekeeper there at the henge. We were also told that he would know if we palmed even a single doubloon of it. You need to make it over to the blue ice castle soon, just to receive the Sultan's blessings ..,with even a faint hope of making it back home. Where was it said that you were from, there boy...? From a technical point of view, we among the average folk here in Nymphaion, really have a very limited use for gold here among ourselves, and personally, I will never leave home to live anywhere else, myself. I don't know about the Pie there, but as for myself, I am here to stay. I am well aware that in other kingdoms the truth is otherwise, in regard to the value of gold. Valuable foreign purchasing power is what makes the Sultan so hungry for gold.”
     “ Oh yea?.. All of what you say may be true about this place here, but we sure have lots of use for it back in Nottoway, where it is that I am from. I could make a fine use of it back in my home town and province, just to be honest about it,” said TJ with a sly smile that he appeared to attempt at concealing.
     “How do you propose that we carry it all out of here? This stuff is heavy as lead, I tell you,” said Ribbit.
     “Well lets divide it into even threes. We could cut the bag up and tie the new bags with strings made from the milkweed fibers growing here and there around here. That way, we could carry it all out, I think,” said the Pie?
     “Sounds like a good one to me,” said TJ, who then pulled out his handy Swiss army knife and began to cut the heavily aged and soiled leather bag into three evenly sized sections, laying them out flatly upon the damp earth before the three of them. The rabbit commenced to divide the coins out, carefully placing the even piles into the center of the sections. The Pie then paused before a small milkweed patch nearby and began separating the fibers in the stems, carefully rolling them on the thy of his leg with the flat opened palm of his right hand, which made some really strong string. These he brought back to the rabbit and TJ, who carefully tied the bags up around the coin piles.
     “Well...I will cut us all some cane poles and we can place the bags on the ends of them, being careful to carry the poles over our shoulders. These canes will make some fine fishing poles as well, should we ever need them,” said TJ.
     So he did so. He walked way out to a nice patch of cane nearby, being careful to cut three fine nine foot poles of cane, then he carried them back to where the bags lay, being careful to place the poles underneath the tightly woven string on the bags. Once these bags were secured onto the ends of the cane poles, they all made their way out of the freshly dug hole and headed on down the two rut dirt road, traveling deeper into the ever darkening forest depths.
     As they walked along for a span of time, soon their ears detected the crackle of dried twigs, their eyes beheld nothing but an empty void of leaves and branches gently waving in the cool day time breeze.. All of them froze in hopes of catching a slight move in the area, but their eyes still beheld nothing save the slightly moving leaves in the gentle breeze and maybe the sudden flight of a song bird or two. Then they heard a voice behind them in the opposite direction from whence the movement had came.
    “I would suppose that all of you are looking for someone,” boomed a strong feminine voice from behind, startling the entire group. When they abruptly turned, their eyes fell upon the most beautiful  bohemian nymph that any one of them had ever beheld.
     “Is there anything that I could help you with,” asked the nymph?
     “We are looking for the henge,” said TJ, who had now seemingly aged a year, from fifteen into a tall muscular sixteen.
     “I can tell you where the henge is, but you must prove that you are worthy of finding it once you are there. Only sophisticated men are allowed to pass through the gatekeeper's gate. You must prove that you know enough about the basics of life, just to pass through and learn of life's more complicated attributes and perilous situations.”
      “How must I do that,” asked TJ to the nymph?
      “First, I superficially deem you worthy of the test right now. So the task for you is to prove that you are worthy as a sophisticated man, both on your feet and off your feet, in the light of day as well as on the twelfth-stroke of mid night. If I am not perfectly contented with your appeal, then you are not worthy enough to pass through the gate anyway,” replied the nymph, “and I will just withhold any further instruction, only to cast all of you outside into the eternal damning void beyond, where you will be most certain to encounter extreme hardship.”
     “I still do not understand,” asked the boy?
     “Pause here and allow my talented minstrels to entertain your guests, and please allow me to entertain you as we spend time getting to know one another much better. By tomorrow morning you shall have proven yourself to be ready for any challenge placed before you; or that you are  doomed to fail, no matter what it is that you go up against and that you only deserve to simply fade away into nothingness.”
      “But the sacred teachings strictly forbid it,” spoke TJ.
     “What teachings? The teachings of what land,” asked the nymph?
     “The sacred teachings of my own land and even those here in Nymphaion Province,” replied TJ with a slight gasp.
     “But this is my land here where it is that we now stand, and only I say what is to go on in my own land. It is I who deems you worthy superficially at this specific moment, but you are only to prove your worth by first light tomorrow morning. I must warn you right now in deep earnest, that you have only this single chance within the previously stated time frame...,to verify your worthiness to endure... So come, follow along and lets proceed forward in our honest endeavor, in which all truth shall then be revealed, with nowhere left to hide.” said she as she gently raised her palms to grasp both of TJ's slightly trembling hands, coaxing him into a cave entrance concealed inside the bushes ahead, the other two hesitatingly following him.
      For what felt like hundreds of yards they walked down a long winding dark cave corridor, until the corridor opened up abruptly into an expansive room, that appeared more as a natural palace than a room of stalactites and stalagmites. The room had obviously been chiseled by a very talented stone cutter at some point in time, appearing more now as a Pantheon that incorporated the stalactites and stalagmites  into it's elaborate design, than merely just a natural cave. Slowly all of them walked up the stairway until they entered the Pantheon, the very spectacle of the grandeur before them felt to induce a strange intoxicating haze in the eyes of the three, all in and of itself. The sensation puzzled TJ, who could never determine if the feeling derived from the Pantheon mansion itself or the reflective lighting there inside the palace interior; or even from some other source, such as the strangely delicious but very pungent odor of heavy incense that seemingly lingered about within the air throughout the entire Pantheon interior.
      Once inside the Pantheon a menagerie of characters were playing games and moving about, some painting portraits and others composing cheerful songs with tall mugs in hand, all of them wishing to invite the two companions of TJ among them, to socialize, sip delightful wine from sliver chalice and to compose both poetry and musical prose; the nymph only requesting that TJ follow her as she walked along. In the back room of the Pantheon was a warm man-made cesspool holding crystal clear indigo water. Three blush robed female attendants wearing strands of rose blossoms alternated with white chrysanthemums were pausing with happy smiles before them, bearing decorated icicle nectar drinks in both hands that extended outward, to assist with taking care of their belongings and encouraging their comfort. Before the pool sat two lounge chairs, with a small table of perfectly unblemished marble between them.
    The females  attentively separated the two, being careful to crowd around them in order that their clothes may be removed and replaced with a more relaxing robed attire.  As he changed his attire, he was instructed by them that these new clothes were functional, both dry or wet, being that the wind passing through would dry them in a matter of minutes. When the women backed off, the two made their way toward the lounge seats, taking their ease and speaking about the wind, the place that they were now in, and TJ's home that he had left so far behind. Every now and then one of them would stand up to dip their right toe into the water, just to test it for the perfectly accommodating temperature.
   Soon one of the attendants disappeared, then returned bearing a huge chalice of gold filled with smooth but very strong blush wine. In the center of the wine was a flower of beryl lotus, the combination designed to give enhancement to the both wine and the sensual thrill of the moment. Two golden straws were placed into the chalice, so that both of them could share in the exhilaration of their time together. Behind them formed a quiet violin serenade born from a delightful band of artistic nomads as they both paused to speak and peacefully drink from the straws.
    Time strangely had no meaning here within this palace. An hour felt as a moment at times and then as an entire day. The pleasure seemed to be intoxicating and continually alluring, seemingly beckoning him to remain therein for all eternity by causing those hazy thoughts of home to gradually fade away. The two moved from the chairs into the warm cesspool, then back into the chairs. At some time along the way, the robes were forgotten, both being left behind in a casual unorganized pile by the pool side, in absence of any modest hesitation. Soon, but maybe hours later, they both arose from the pool, making their way toward the palace berth chamber.
    Once inside TJ was astounded by the majestic canopy bed sitting on legs of brass that were plated in pure gold. The mattress itself was one of goose down, feeling like a cloud in the berth of heaven itself when one's entertaining body lay upon it. On the other side soon glided the nymph, both of them embracing in ways that conjured raw heaves of passion, that felt as though the general feelings would supersede all others ever felt in their level of enlightened pleasure.
    The moment felt as though it would never end, but when it did his eyes opened, now beholding the  enveloping glow of a tangerine sun through a pane-less veil covered window facing the foot of his elegant bed. The general feeling consuming him was a sensation of him longing that the span of time linger for a perfect infinity. The nymph soon awakening, so it seemed to him, only to warmly embrace him once more again, like the sensation of a cozy gentle breeze passing all over his inviting sweating body.
    Time passed as though he had only blinked, finding himself now back outside sitting with the nymph in the minstrels chamber and parlaying in the courtyard with his two companions. The two then asking him how was his experience, and him replying that it was among the very best that he had ever had, being anything but even close to bad! As the three began to make their way out, the assistants retrieved their belongings and the nymph spoke her words of instruction to them all.
    “You have certainly passed your test with flying colors.... Congratulation in your delightful conquest, and me in mine to keep our perfect rhythm in it's proper timing, just to pat the divine magister on her right shoulder! Keep following the sun in an Eastward direction.... Watch your step as you pass. The Sultan's knights have taken notice that you are here in their midst. Remember that the knights are supplied by the merchants and tradesmen, who pay handsomely for the knights' sustenance and material supply at years end. This allows the Sultan to save tremendous amounts of revenue, including the twelve percent extra that he builds into the yearly amounts for the materials and food supplies charged to the merchants and Tradesmen. The merchants that you have passed through have warned them of your intentions in meeting the Sultan and have perceived your subconscious suggestions of an individual enterprise endeavor. They highly resent those suggestions, since any effort of enterprise on your part, would force them to compete with you and eventually, the average people on the ground around here... and the knights are determined to stop your advance toward the Bastille glaze mansion, out of fear that you will appeal your case for permission to engage in individual enterprise here in our kingdom.
     I must give all of  you these following warnings... Please watch how you move through the territory from now on. When you get to the henge, the gatekeeper will speak with you concerning the remainder of your journey. My minstrel assistant will now lead you back out of the corridor and back onto the road into the right direction. You are always and forever welcome right here in my blessed abode. It is my hope that maybe one day you will choose to return here unto me at some point in the future and remain in my company for a greater span of time. If you can continue to prove yourself worthy of the call, then maybe...just maybe..,I will invite you in for an indefinite time span,” she said as she kissed him goodbye with deep passion, directly upon his dry lips.
    So the four of them made their way back down the corridor, the three soon finding themselves back out onto the road. TJ now felt really energized in a way that he had never experienced before. He now knew that he could accomplish anything, over coming any obstacle that would ever be placed before him, for some reason that he could not explain. Contrary to what he had been told, the sensation  was not one of being negative in the very least, but was one of a positive greater than any he had ever felt before in his life. He would never forget the name of the nymph for the remainder of his mortal life, since she had whispered it so many times into his wanting ears ....Kyria Tisdasos.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                     
                                                                           Chapter 8
                                                            War with the Sultan's knights
 
 
 
    Just as a precaution, if he felt the need to do so, TJ reasoned that their best move would be to simply walk to the side of the road some ten to thirty meters out, just to remain in good cover. This way, if the knights had a scout on the lookout, which he was sure that they did, the scout just might overlook them as they walked right on passed. All of them were carefully instructed to remain quiet and any who failed to do so caused the others to become extremely irate. After traveling for what felt like several hours, soon out on the road center lay a shinny object that caught everyone's eye. When the Pie eased out onto the road to examine it, the object turned out to be a large golden gem laden crucifix on a silver chain, just like those worn by the pursuing Knights. Evidently one of them had passed through recently and simply dropped it. Most surly he would return to search around for a while, since this charm is very precious to them all.
    TJ eased down his rod and the bundle, taking note in his mind of the supplies that he had picked up as they had journeyed about. He was always picking up any item that he felt might be of some possible future service to him and the group. He opened the bundle to find a roll of black stove pipe wire that he had picked up earlier on near the nymph's cave entrance. An idea had now suddenly struck him that he could not resist. He instructed the Pie and the rabbit to help him locate a sharp curve in the road up from the point where the crucifix was discovered. When they found one, Ribbit stood on his shoulders and tied a section of the wire to an oak trunk, at a height estimated to be chest high where a six foot man would sit on a five foot high horse's back. Anywhere from the base of the chest up should work out just fine, he deduced. If he were just a bit too high, that would be perfectly O.K., since the wire technically should always strike a bounding patrol of armored knights directly in the throat or underneath the chin then. By using a two foot section of tree limb, the wire could be tied, then twisted until very taunt and the looped knots then slid down, secured and virtually locked into proper place, which was what TJ wanted for chief effect in holding the wire at a tight maximum. He did not know for certain if they were in the area, but he sure wanted to strike at them first in an offensive move, if they were on patrol attempting to locate him. Doing so was most necessary, if he was to slow down their advance and launch an effective plan of intimidation with very limited supplies.
    What would really be nice is if he could secure some weaponry, such as a longbow or a crossbow and some arrows. Of course, a thirty caliber rifle with armor piercing bullets would be much better, but around here, it was highly unlikely that he would ever find such a thing. He would keep his eyes open for one, just the same. They all had just passed around the curve where the wire trap had been placed in and were ahead in the distance by about ninety yards; then suddenly, they heard what sounded like   remote thunder and saw a rising cloud of dust far out into the distance beyond them as they traveled. Carefully and quietly the other two were instructed to crouch low while what was appearing to be a search platoon passed.
    Sure enough, when the group passed, instantly it could be determined that they were a platoon of well armored knights out on the search; when they thundered around the curve, suddenly the sound was one of five hundred tin cans collapsing into a bent up heap directly onto the ground. The three soon doubled back to investigate from the security of good cover. The scene was one of nine knights who had lost their horses, their helmets and a third of their armor. All of them, but two, were in the process of picking themselves up off of the ground. In anger they pulled their remaining armor off, slinging it to the ground in an apparent rage at their frustrating situation. Their heavy swords and lances they tossed, only keeping their precious  side knives. All of them paused before their fallen comrades to examine them, but upon seeing that there was no help for them, they simply walked on down the road in the opposite direction from where it was that TJ and company were headed.
    Once the fallen knights were down the road far enough that TJ and the group felt it was safe, they walked out to examine all of the material that the knights tossed by the road side. Most of it was heavy armor and other items that was of no real use to a traveling group like TJ was a part of. As they continued to look around, they found what appeared to be three machetes and canvas sheaths, belts, and to all of their delight and surprise, a crossbow and a quiver filled with heavy arrow bolts. Evidently the knights intended to return to the area and claim these precious items, but when they did, their luck would be out on them again, if TJ could cause it to be so.
    As much of these items that could be carried by the three were gathered up, including several thin swords for a dueling styled combat, that were laying about. TJ had even managed to discover a number of new metal files scattered around. These more than likely had tumbled from a knight's supply pack, that he quickly collected upon noticing the potential for use later on in the future. He had come to feel that now he was at war with a real living enemy, who was playing for keeps. He could only shudder as he came to imagine the horrors that all of them had in store, should they ever catch him. He felt like Robin Hood, Sir William Wallace or another one of his heroes from the past.
    As he gazed into the faces of the two armored corpses laying there in the road underneath the taunt wire, he experienced a feeling of raw accomplishment that filled his breast with joy and anticipation for the next potential experience. There was a sensation of confidence that came with this spirit of accomplishment as a boost to the general emotion. He smiled broadly as he glared into their frozen light blue faces and glazed eyes. A lump had formed upon the sides of both their necks, indicating that the wire had broken them, probably snapping them like a twig with a pistol shot, just like he had seen deer do when attempting to escape pursuit through a long tall fence line. TJ then motioned to the rabbit, saying;
    “Get back up here on my shoulders Ribbit, you son of a black eyed Pix, and lets remove that wire before they come back. They will then know that whom ever committed this act had returned, but they will also have a sensation of apprehension and hesitation, slowing them down and keeping them from following us so religiously.”
    After they had collected up the scattered wares, TJ and his companions ambled on back down the road in their former direction, making their way toward the henge. After they had walked for what felt like several more hours, they rounded another sharp curve.
   “This appears to be an excellent place for another set up, from what I can tell. I figure that we just might be able to make another strike on the same group that was after us before, since I am nearly certain that they have turned to pursue us in the opposite direction, which sadly for us, would be the correct direction for finding us.”
    Under TJ's guidance, both he and Ribbit walked back down the road for about ninety meters and replaced the tight wire across the road once more again. Pie managed to file the narrow swords down into nine inch pieces, filing a needle sharp point on to one end and a point of lesser degree onto the other. When TJ and Ribbit returned, they took the machetes and cut four five foot long wooden poles about two inches in diameter. Three feet of these were shaved flat on one side, the shavings carefully picked up and dis-guarded. On the flattened end was fastened one single spike by pushing it through a hole drilled out that was smaller than the spike, then jamming the other side with a wooden wedge. While Ribbit and TJ prepared these, the Pix began digging one feet by two feet holes about two feet deep, just in the edge of the woods a couple of yards by the roadside, slightly up from where the wire had crossed the road. By the time had passed that the holes had been dug, TJ and Ribbit were back around to help set the rigs into their proper place.
    Across the ground a long scratch was made with a machete that was about three inches deep and the length of the five foot poles, going from the holes outward. The poles with the spikes were placed into these scratches, with the spikes sticking straight up. The round end of the poles went directly over the rectangle holes the long way. Once the rigs were snugged into proper place, the scratches were filled in. Dead twigs were placed over the holes and the pole ends. Over these twigs was places leaves and straw from the immediate area in such a way the entire set up was completely concealed. Only two inches or so from the spikes appeared through the leaves and sifted dirt, but the diameters were small enough that these were not even visible, unless one was right up on them and very observant. To be quite honest about it, TJ knew well that most people were not observant enough to take notice. Once the work was done, all of the fresh dirt hauled away from the site and the site camouflaged perfectly, appearing just as it was prior to putting the set in, the trio then continued on in their walk with the remaining articles collected in hand. Right now, all that TJ had on his mind was just making it to the blue ice castle and meeting with the Sultan, so that he could find his way back home. Even so, in-spite of the semi-hostile conditions, the general feeling was one of great adventure experienced and grand accomplishment.
      Just as soon as the details of the trap site were cleaned up, the trio moved on, walking forward for what felt like many tiring kilometers. Soon the woods opened up into a vast mountainous plain, with a broad river that ran beside the mountain, on which it was that they now noticed they were walking down the narrowing road. On up ahead in the distance along the river, sat a splendid columned palace with a wall that spanned the bank on the other side of the river and on either side of the bridge. In the center of the wall was a stone door the same width as the bridge toward which the bridge ran directly into. To TJ and the other two, it seemed as if the stone door separated in the center, then drew back into itself. To the right side of the stone door there on the bridge itself,  stood a sheltered hutch of carefully stacked flagstone, obviously housing some sort of watchman. The trio then assumed in agreement among themselves, that this just might be the gatekeeper, whom they had heard so many tales of.
    It felt as though it took forever just to walk the distance from the two rut road's forest exit, out to the gated door of the bridge and the palace. At long last, they finally found themselves walking across the bridge and over to the stone hutch. The hutch had a window open to the air and inside that window sat a crude appearing troll, hardened by excessive drink, combat duty and rough living in general. He was dressed in standard soldier's attire for this particular place, that being a kilt, body armor, an iron helmet, a short sword and a heavy side knife. In the corner of the hut stood a cross bow and a quiver filled with arrows. He looked up at them as they approached with a hard steely gaze that revealed his general lack of trust in people.
     “How do ya do sire? We would like to cross, if doing so is possible.” said the rabbit.
     “Where is it that you are intending to go,” asked the gatekeeper?
     “To the blue ice castle, to see the great Sultan,” snapped TJ.
     “All of you are aware that doing so will demand the Sultan's fee, aren't you,” replied the gatekeeper?
    “What is the fee,” asked the Pie, simply just to see what the gatekeeper's reply would be?
    “That fee will be only forty eight golden rings, per person,” replied the guard, “and that is just to make it through the gate here. I am here to tell you, that there are more demands that must be met, if you wish to visit the superior Sultan.”
      “Isn't forty eight golden rings enough,” snapped the rabbit, “what more is asked of us?”
      “Just to speak to the Sultan and receive any measure of his divine gifts and blessings, you must posses a specialized skill that he and his illustrious court holds in value. By possessing this skill, you must then prove to him and his court, beyond all questioning to the contrary,  that all of you are truly worthy of his extraordinary generosity.”
      “My word, man,” snapped the rabbit, “what kind of hoodie-doodie- do-dottle is this? What kind of blasted skill is it that this, fellow and his cronies so values here, man?”
      “Hand me your crossing fees and then we may speak more about it,” snapped the gatekeeper.
      The three then dumped the bags filled with golden coins there on the table before the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper carefully examined the coins with a solid bite, then placing a droplet of mercury on each coin, gently rolling it around on them. He then weighed each one in the set of scales there on the table, seeing that the weight was an ounce and smiling back toward them in his approval. Upon completing his examination of the gold, he stepped out of the hutch, walking up to the stone door and pulling on a ancient rolling chain.
     “Step right up to the door, and welcome to the palace of dreams. In this blessed place, many great  dreams are conceived and astounding wagers made. Since you are wanting to visit the superior Sultan, you must learn a skill to use in his service, proving that you are of a value to him and worthy of remaining in his stay. Since all of you have found the gold, then the skill of treasure finder would be of an immense value to him and his Reginald court.”
     “All of us know how to discover treasure,” said TJ. “We do not need any sort of training. Our proof is the treasure that we have already found.”
     “Past success or natural talent is simply no longer good enough here nor even recognized any more in the province of Nymphania. One now is in need of an endorsed certification, proving that his level of skill is adequate to a standard and that he has been trained by a certified instructor in an officially endorsed establishment of learning. Don't despair, however, your lucky day is here, since this palace is that endorsed establishment. You need to go no farther, my future friends and comrades...So step right up and see the face of success as it sees all of you!”
    “How long is this process going to take,” asked TJ?
    “Only twenty and eight days,” smiled the gatekeeper, “but a twenty and eight day period of instruction that you have no choice but to take..., that is...., if you wish to experience the wonderful opportunities offered by the great Sultan and his most generous court.”
    “Do the fees include room and board,” wisely inquired the rabbit?
    “Only your entry fees and the instructional fees. You must pay for your own room and board, I do regret having to inform you. Like I said, however, please do not despair...., because today is certainly your lucky day! We have loans that we will make to you, payable only when you appear in gracious appeal for service to the great Sultan and his most blessed court.”
     Finally before the day ended the gatekeeper had introduced the trio to the teacher who had arrived for work fresh from the forest woodlands and plowed dirt fields. This ridiculous imp could barely even speak in a language perceptible to the three, much less offer them any sort of new knowledge. On the surface, at least, he appeared friendly enough, even though being forced to endure his impish company was much more of an insult to the three than a blessing.
    Though they were very bitter about having to go through with it, every one of them managed to pull their time there in the palace, learning the valuable skill of treasure hunter. According to the imp, the tools needed were a treasure sniffing goose and a periwinkle donkey to pack the digging tools in and/or the treasure out, if some was ever to be discovered. If one only starved the goose long enough, since he had been trained to do so previously, he would pause over a store of diamonds, gold or gems hidden somewhere long ago deep inside the ground. All of the revealing signs in the behavior of the goose were carefully explained as they relate to hidden treasure. According to the imp's instruction, the proper food to be given in reward was yellow corn and fresh green grass. The fees for the specially trained goose, the tools of the trade, the donkey and the yellow corn were only the same as that which was paid to the gatekeeper initially..... one hundred forty four rings of pure gold. If one may recall, a single ring is equal to an ounce of pure gold. A ring of pure gold or a coin in the same ounce and quality, was just as good for payment.
   When the experience had completed, the trio now had in their envious possession... a goose that they were told had been specially trained, a purple donkey, a couple of fake leather saddlebags that all of them jokingly referred to as pleather (plastic leather), a pick, a shovel and a twelve pound dirty cloth bag of yellow corn. The imp, who continually smiled the entire time, patted all of them on their backs, barely capable of saying that he wished them all well and best of luck with the Sultan. The trio simply could not believe their own experience as they continued to walk along the road toward the far east and the sea. They made a pact among themselves not to ever tell anyone of this horrible extortion once they were all back home among family and friends. They also vowed not to speak of it anymore among themselves, from that day forward, in an effort to simply put what had happened out of their minds.
     For what felt like several days they walked, and during that time they were able to converse with their comrades. TJ, out of curiosity, asked the Pie, why it was that he did not attempt to employ himself as gate keeper or some sort of guard, since it seemed like they were always running into either one or the other. The Pie explained that the only ones who were allowed that opportunity were those who served the Sultan either in his military or as his civil servants and tax collectors, but strangely enough, those opportunities seemed to always go to the Pix more than anyone else, who also stood as the divisive manipulative element within the general population's midst. The only logic in this observation was that it all came from the Sultans' allow first service program that was in place to guarantee employment to the Pix at the expense of everyone else, based on the assumption that no-one else ever needed regular pay, like everyone else was indebted to the Pix for some sort of imagined services rendered in the past or the present. For a person to even speak an opinionated word out loud in protest, insulted the sanctioned appeal to emotion and was most certain to invite the wrath of the Pix themselves or the authorities, as well as to invite misfortune upon himself, such as job lose or suit by court of law.
     “But I thought that discrimination was illegal,” replied TJ, “is that not what all of you have been told for so many years going now?”
     “We are told that constantly,” replied the Pie, “but here, quite often, events as they actually occur, do not match words that are spoken and those events even run in direct contrast to the words. Even the word, as it is written, does not match the events on the ground. Remember our blessed constitution?”
    “Freedom of enterprise...Freedom from discrimination, and so on,” replied TJ. “I laugh out loud at times, because somehow strangely enough, all of it seems so familiar to me...”
    “Well around here, we all just get used to it,” replied the Pie. “If the Sultan's agent speaks the claim or if we read it out loud....or if we all hear it being hammered into the heads of the children while at school or the adults while they are in congregation....then we just assume the opposite in expectation of reality. What I have observed is that in nine out of ten instances, that assumption in the opposite will wind up being reality, especially if the claim is of something very beneficial to all or positive in general.”
    Soon the dismal road that they were traveling upon turned into a huge open field of  blue lotus and mulberry belladonna rose. In the far distance loomed the sight of a mountain range with the faint sound of the sea crashing behind it. Seemingly directly from them in the barely perceptible distance, the site of a massive  castle would suddenly appear on the summit of a distant mountain, then vanish with the clouds moving to cause the light to shift.
    “That is amazing,” spoke TJ. “The way that the castle looms in the distance, then vanishes with the shifting of the light....is simply amazing! It is like a work of pure art in and of itself...”
    “It has been said among some,” replied the rabbit, “that the castle can virtually disappear. The fact that it appears then vanishes is also a part of it's unique security system. On most nights it seems to vanish completely. Some times, in the glint of a full moon or a flash of lightening, one may get a quick glimpse of it, but that is about all. I highly suspect that those within the castle already know of our approach, even though we are way out here in the far beyond.”
    “To me, the fact that all appears to be constructed of pure ice seems to be more a weakness than a strength. I mean, I am well aware that cerulean ice would make an immaculate construction for all of it's beauty, but the fact that the ice melts and will break up into fragments is a serious weakness. How come it does not melt,” asked TJ?
    “According to what all of us have been told by those who labored in the distant past once upon a time to construct the castle, the castle sits on a naturally flattened ledge of sorts up there on top of the mountain. The stone of the mountain from above shades the castle and is also of pure crystal in it's make. This crystal deflects the rays of the sun, thereby rendering the castle immune to the heat and rays, so that the mansion simply sits there in perfect majesty and comfort to it's occupants,” replied the Pie. “Isn't that revelation wonderful?”
     Soon the three make their way through the huge field of lotus, finding themselves pausing right there before the winding staircase going up to the door of the blue ice mansion. Before the staircase stood one of the Sultan's guards there on the ground, wielding a long bolt action rifle fitted with a lengthy sharp bayonet.
     “Halt, who goes there,” demanded the guard?
     “We tarnished three are here to see the Sultan,” snapped TJ.
     “Let me pull my paperwork here, where the guests are listed whom the Sultan is expecting to see,” replied the guard as he struggled to find the folded list from within his tangled clothing.
     “Ah ha! Here it is,” he yelled in the joy of finding it! He carefully unfolded it, holding it far before himself to read the list.
     “What is your name,” asked the guard?
     “My name is TJ, this is Ribbit, the rabbit and over here is Pie, the gnome,” he said pointing to his right.
     “I don't see your names listed,” he snapped! “Let me call the great Sultan.”
     The guard lifted his right  hand and a falcon soon dropped from the skies to land upon his arm. Into his beak the guard placed a red colored ribbon..., the falcon disappeared with it. Within ten minutes the falcon returned, bearing a handwritten note. The guard quickly opened the note....
     “The great Sultan asks what it is that you want from him and what service is it that you can provide in precedence to that request being fulfilled,” quoth the guard sternly and without visible emotion?
     “I need to know the way back home and what we have to offer is the service of treasure finder,” snapped TJ.
     The guard proceeds to scribble, fold the note, then hands it back into the beak of the falcon. The falcon flew away, returning with another handwritten note....
     “The great Sultan says that this is all good.... You three, may enter into the palace gates.”
     “Well wait just a minute here,” snapped TJ. “Just how much is required for this instruction, since it is obvious that the Sultan wants payment?”
     “You'll all freely and unhesitatingly offer forth what-so-ever it is that the great Sultan demands for this service that you request of him.... How dare you even dream that you have a right to demand limitations on the great Sultans' desires......! Your haughty attitude is a bloody filthy insult to the majesty of the Sultan himself. I shall tell you this much there, boy..., if the great Sultan desires a labor of the wind and your pathetic donkey, then you'll even give him that much..., and much more as well...;but I cannot even imagine it, personally, the very thought brings me near to the edge of a putrid vomitorium.” raged the guard as the color of his face changed from a paled gray into a flaring mauve! “Even the very sight and smell of ye disgusts me. I entertain absolutely no thoughts otherwise what-so-ever, and cannot imagine anyone else ever daring to do so! Even your very presence before me is a filthy insult, right there as ye three stand before me! Retirez vouz de moi avant,” the guard screamed as they turned and walked away!
 
                                 
                                                                          Chapter 9
                                                               Inside the blue ice castle
                    
 
 
 
   The three glared down toward the guard in a sudden streak of anger, but very wisely decided to move up the winding stone stairs toward the drawbridge of the castle sitting so high on the hill summit. All three of them had taken turns the entire trip riding the donkey and walking, but still were getting somewhat tired by the time that they had made it up to the massive drawbridge leading into the castle. As they crossed, they gazed down into a vast bottomless chasm of freezing ice and glowing, apparently inflamed stone that combined both ice and fire in a manner defying all logic. Far down below the wind howled and moved in ways that caused TJ to feel a rigid hurricane force is what had kept the ice frozen intact for endless eons. This combination of details did not make sense to TJ, but he did not have time to question what it was that he had noticed or to ponder the subject. All that he had time to do now was focus his gaze directly upon the heavy, wrought iron pull gate looming intimidatingly at the end of the draw bridge, blocking all entrance into the castle foyer.
    As he gazed upon the pull gate and through the wrought iron bars, it appeared that a fair of some sort was going on inside, complete with a neat vagabond caravan, the dwarfs, the elephants, more multicolored unicorns and everything else needed to make a fair into a really exciting event. Through the gate bars the three noticed that there were tents erected and small crowds moving in an out underneath the tents. Dwarfs were doing acrobatics and performing neat tricks of balance and precision, while the beautiful bohemian maidens were engaging in illusory presentations for a wagered fee from the observers and acting as talented readers of opened palms or the crystal ball.  Between the gate and the approaching three, the Can Can Girls danced a happy colorful high skirted jig just to maintain a lively atmosphere for the pleasure of all present. As the three walked forward, the gate slowly arose, until it was high enough for  them to enter on inside. As they moved underneath the pointed spears that made up the gate and moved into the enclosed courtyard garden, a Pix troll dwarf couple approached them.
    “How is it that we may help you? Whom is it that you wish to see?”
    “Why..., it is the Sultan himself that we all wish to see,” they replied in unison.
    “Walk this way,” they said to the three, “just walk right this way and very soon, before the Sultan ye three shall most surly be.”
    So they walked through the winding castle corridors, taking note of the fierce weapon displays on the stone walls and the open rooms. All around the castle, both inside and out, appeared to contrast with the known reality in ways that defied all laws of science and logic. In one area was huge room that appeared to lack walls at first glance, being filled with tropical plants, large toucan birds, chirping monkeys and multicolored  parakeets who spoke in multiple languages familiar and very unfamiliar; although the walls and ceiling were constructed of perfectly translucent ice that allowed one to view the sky while on the inside, if he were to step outside he could only see the solid stone and dense tile of the roof. When he inquired from the dwarf for an explanation, the response was that the display stood as a demonstration of the power to be found in sacred natural clear quarts crystal, which bend the suns rays in ways that the health giving properties remained, while the destructive heat and radiation were effectively deflected. A healthful balance was what allowed the room and the tropical environment to prosper, even though the settings were contained inside walls of solid ice.
   “The apex of wisdom and deduction,” replied the male dwarf troll, “therefore was in knowing exactly how to determine where the point of this perfect balance lay, then being able to apply it into a tangible context.”
     Making their way through the tropical garden was a pleasure just in itself. On the other side lay another corridor lit by mounted wall torches and their dancing eternal flames. When the corridor ended, it opened up into a room that appeared as a tropical mountain forest, with a river filled by crocodiles only realized by taking notice of their menacing eyes just on the waters surface. There were also multicolored swans of lavender, sapphire and bright green. Farther down from where they entered, stood a sizable flock of  multicolored flamingo. In the center of the river, above the flock of flamingos, was positioned a small white plank bridge. The three and the dwarf made their way across, into the forest toward the mountains in the background. From the very granite of the mountain was carved the throne of the great Sultan, which suddenly loomed out upon them as they rounded the corner concealed by the wood all at once in a manner that startled anyone who dared to make the approach, although it was immediately apparent that the Sultan had full concealed view of everything from the river bridge backward. On each side stood three dozen armored knights wielding pikes, with another three dozen before the Sultan's throne wielding swords and pikes. The very sight was astounding to those whom observed the amazing spectacle for the first time.
     The Sultan himself was a huge being, dressed in a fir skin robe of crimson wolf, wearing a pointed hat of the same nature tipped with an orb of snow otter and a band of snow fir that wound around the hat where his forehead was covered. Around his waist went a wide leather belt of sable hue, crafted from the mid-night skin of the free roaming bull. His face was concealed by a  flowing beard and mustache of flawless snow white so thick that one could not even get a faint glimpse of his face. Over his eyes were worn shades darkened into a perfect black, like that of freshly dug coal. The three could never determine if the being was mortal or that of an immortal, but the general feeling radiating backward to any observer was that he was at least some measure of an immortal being, in the same fashion as a demigod.
    As the three approached, the masses of knights standing before the throne parted, allowing the three to pass inward underneath their raised pikes to stand before the throne in humble bequest.
    “I heard your call,” thundered the Sultan! “What then, is your request?”
    “I just want to make it back home,” replied TJ.
    “Home,” thundered the Sultan, “where is that, pray tell? Is my kingdom here not home enough for the likes of you?”
    “Well...certainly..., I have no problem with this place, except that my family is not here to enjoy it with me,” replied TJ.
    “So where is home for you, then,” snapped the Sultan?
    “Home for me is a wonderful place called Nottoway. There lies the home for me.”
    “Oh...,” thundered the Sultan? “What does home look like? Tell me more about this land of  Nottoway.”
   “Well, my father lives is a place kind of like this...and I just have to get back! I have been gone way too long now.”
    “Oh...,” roared the Sultan? “ Do you mean that your father is a Sultan, as am I?”
    “No,” replied TJ, “he is not a Sultan, he is just a very successful business man...”
    “What...,” roared the Sultan again? “You mean to tell me that your father, who is only a simple merchant..., is just as talented and glorious as am I....? That is a dirty insult, I tell you! You mean that you came all the way here just to insult me like this, son? I cannot believe it!”
    “No, No, No,” replied TJ with a nervous shudder! “I mean that my father has done very well for his family, but no, he is not a Sultan by any means.”
    “Well...I will provide you the service, but you must pay the fee for doing so...,” roared the Sultan. “Managing a kingdom is way too expensive for a person to just offer huge services for free.”
    “What is your fee, then,” asked the three in unison?
    “My complete fees are just one hundred, forty four rings of perfect gold, that is all. I need that paid in full, please. I will assign you to two of my best guards who will escort you throughout the grounds around here. You may make use of your new skills that you have learned to earn your way. I must warn you, however, that nothing comes for free in this world. Every...hmm now... three days here..., including room and board, will cost you an additional... one more ring of perfect gold. All of you shall be accommodated well however; I can assure you that much, with all of my personal authority to back it up.”
    “I thought that you had received your service payment from the guard at the bridge,” asked TJ?
    “What? Payments that I have received...? No payments have been sent to me, I should say,”thundered the Sultan. “I will most certainly have to investigate this claim of my supposed payments! You just commence to do your part and let the past be all passed and for me to make my personal inquiry into, if you really want to make it back home.... Stop complaining and get to work. I want to see what it is that you are capable of. Let it be said right here today, that the force of immediate productive employment shall indeed..., set all of you free in the end!”
    So the three, TJ now riding the donkey and the goose following behind, along with the two knights as their escort, made their way from the Sultan's throne back out toward the courtyard gardens. Once inside the gardens, the goose was turned lose and allowed to wonder across the grass and huge winding tulip beds. Once upon a time, long long ago according to the knight, a building extension was positioned where the gardens are presently. The tax collector's station was once very close to the point where they now stood and the goose walked along casually. Suddenly, she rose her head up and down twelve times in a row, then stomped her feet up and down twelve more times. This was the signal for gold, according to the imp of a teacher that trained her and the trio in reading her indications.  Indeed, some form of gold was directly underneath the point on which they presently stood.
    The rabbit soon walked up with the pick ax and the shovel, commencing almost immediately with the picking while the Pie began to dig with all due caution. When the hole was barely one foot down, they suddenly found four golden rings, to their delighted astonishment. The hole was quickly and very neatly covered, then the search began again, but only in the same general area, with TJ making a map of the area and very meticulously notating upon the map specifically where the find had occurred.
     In making use of this technique, TJ was hoping to reveal potential patterns that could lead into more future discoveries. In that manner he could search according to a pattern of possibilities, rather than just at aimless random. He soon uncovered the base for a chimney in the area where the first find was made. The four corner stones uncovered indicated the position of a small shed, which the knight confirmed from old maps that he had came to view over the course of the years. Four more solid gold rings were discovered in the area of the chimney where the other corner opposite that of the first find, had once stood. When the day had ended, both TJ and the team had uncovered twelve golden rings. At eighteen hundred hours sharp, the night guard demanded payment for the first days' accommodation, as it would be so from that day forward. Now the amount in hand was eleven golden rings. Come tomorrow, they would need to discover at least twelve more golden rings to be really effective, he reasoned.
    After eighteen hundred hours, the peach colored sun began to creep downward behind the distant horizon. Now the time had arrived for relaxation and entertainment. In the bath house the trio was given a lavish washing by the delicate bohemian maidens and new courtroom dress, soon to take their seats back outside in the garden where the circus performances would commence. Here there would be lots of feasting and boisterous speech from both the dwarf performers and the trio. Out in the far corners of the gardens, even the donkey and the gifted goose was receiving a thorough combing and a good bath. The donkey's hooves were properly trimmed and the gooses claws were properly clipped. This celebration with the belly dancers and the acrobatics would continue on amid the quaffing of fruited punch until the stroke of midnight, where they would immediately cease for the night.
    The maidens would then escort the trio into their proper bed chamber for the night. When they awoke, they would all be served the very best in grains, fine corn gruel and cured meats for breakfast. A quick devotion with alms spoken toward the supreme Sultan of the sky would be offered, in a request for his blessings on their efforts, then the search would continue on for the day. To the trio's surprise, they managed to locate twelve more rings, with the knight politely requesting a ring in payment for the accommodation, leaving them with eleven rings more in hand. The total accumulated in hand now coming to twenty and two rings of pure gold. By the close of the seventh day, not only did the trio have a good map of the tropical room as it once was, but they had a total of seventy seven rings accumulated. This grand accomplishment called for a celebration all of it's own among the trio, since it appeared that TJ might be able to go home much sooner than anticipated, in lieu of the happy goose's astonishing success.
    The court jester had some unpleasant news on the evening of the seventh day. Since the prices of the festival makers, the food and the gypsy performers had increased,  the Sultan was now forced to increase the daily rate of accommodation from one ring of pure gold, into that of two golden rings.
    “What,” gasped the trio in sudden shock and rage? “You are aware that the request originally was for payment by the tri-day, and we have been paying by the day, without question.”
    “What does he think,” suddenly inquired TJ with rage born out of frustration, toward the jester, “that we can just walk out and pluck gold from the ground for infinity? All of us have just been very lucky, I tell you; very calculating, I must admit, but very, very lucky at the same time!”
    “Yea, we have just been very lucky,” replied the rabbit!
    “I wish that we could make gold,” snapped the Pie, “we would all be for the better then around here, so it seems.”
     “I do honestly understand your frustration. I feel that all of them should be much more understanding about the situation. My job is just to deliver the message, not make the rules. I personally would not even waste my time with trying to profit from the misery of everyone else,” spoke the jester. “That being said, however, everything is still just as everything is., I am sorry to spell it all out like that.”
     The days then carried on as usual, except that the daily amount charged for accommodations rose from one ring into two. By the end of the second week, the trio had seventy rings more accumulated. This brought the in hand total to one hundred and forty rings in just two weeks, in-spite of all the excessive accommodation charges. Before the first half of the following morning had passed, four more rings were discovered, which now brought the in-hand amounts up to what was needed for covering TJ's trip back home.
     TJ then met with the other two, all of them taking a deep breath upon completing the assigned duties. The very first thing that rabbit done was to feed the goose yellow corn to his hearts delighted contentment. Above all of them, the goose needed his reward first, since without his services, they could have never been so successful. As the goose joyfully plucked the corn from the earth, TJ addressed the other two.
    “This great day has finally arrived! We are very happy that we have been so successful. At long last we have the assigned amounts to bring into the coffer of the great Sultan, who shall then surly see all of us back home. All of you have performed nicely and have my greatest applause. I will never forget you for as just as long as I shall live....”
    “Well lets all make our way into see the Sultan before he determines that he needs more money for any future services that he is to render,” spoke Ribbit.
    “I'll second that,” replied the Pie.
     So the three headed off with the nine pounds of pure gold that the Sultan had so harshly demanded of them, just so that TJ could make the trip back home in safety. Soon, while still under the knight's escort, they made it through the tropical garden and back down the corridor, finding themselves once more standing again in the Sultan's court. Before him and on both sides stood the one hundred, forty four knights, who then parted immediately before the Sultan, allowing the trio and the knight to walk forward toward the Sultan sitting haughtily upon his massive throne.
    “Sire, we have the golden rings in your requested quantities,” spoke TJ, as he held the straw hat filled with them up high enough for the Sultan to observe. The knight quickly seized them, bringing them before the Sultan and bowing on one knee before him in humble presentation.
     “Very well done,” spoke the Sultan, “but I question your honesty in this endeavor. How did average mortals manage to discover pure gold so quickly?”
     “We had the tools and the training,” spoke the Pie.
     “And we had the gifted goose,” replied the rabbit.
     “The goose,” roared the Sultan? “You mean that you had a goose who could find this gold in such astonishing quantities? Why.., I demand that the goose appear immediately before my court for inquiry!”
     “Please sire..,do not bother the goose,” pleaded TJ, “he did no harm what so ever, but only had the interest of his comrades in mind before those of his own.”
     “I demand that the goose appear before my court immediately....,” screamed the Sultan as he slammed both fists down upon the arms of his throne! “Guards, fetch me the golden goose or I shall order the heads removed from the ones of your ranking in high command first,” roared the Sultan! “I shall have all of you drawn and quartered, if any one of you should fail to satisfy my ambitions and requests!”
     “Please,” pleaded TJ.., don't bother the goose. He has done no harm in this sad tale of frustration, tears and woe.”
     “All of you standing there before me, cease in your disgusting quibble! I am the Sultan lord of province Nymphaion, and I shall do as I Jim- Do-Dolly please! No mortal anywhere shall ever demand that I do anything otherwise! I could order that you be seized up in chains and thrown into the dungeon, where you would be most certain to suffer dreadfully at the hands of the impish troll Allabites and the violent, blood thirsty, Sodomites. Cease now in your pleading quibble before me or else suffer the horrible consequences of doing otherwise!”
     High up near the ceiling, in complete silence soared the divine goose, who swooped down from nowhere upon the Sultan, beating him ferociously with both wings and pulling violently at his hat, his beard and the dark shades,  then throwing them all upon the floor of the castle as he flew away. The clothed, seemingly headless torso of the Sultan then arose, as if to attempt at walking away, then collapsed upon the floor in an abrupt instant, tumbling down from the throne into an unorganized heap upon the natural stone floor beside the colossal throne. Everyone there inside the chamber made such a great gasp born out of a sheer astonishment at the spectacle laying before them on the natural flat stone, that it was heard throughout the entire mansion estate.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                        Chapter 10
                                                             Home again in Nottoway
 
 
    Immediately the trio followed the goose as he flew through the corridors back out toward the garden where the gypsies sat underneath their tents in relaxing contemplation. The goose quickly seized up one of the smaller canvases, flying off toward the overhanging mountain sides with it held tightly in his bill. The rabbit, the Pie and TJ quickly seized up all of the others that they could carry along with them in their hands, racing in toward where the goose had flown. As they made their way toward the crystal stones in the heights, they could gaze downward, taking note of the knights as they scrambled about in a strange sort of orderly disorganization, apparently in great search for them, but obviously not in possession of a presumed protocol to address the present emergency. The scene from above appeared to be one of total pandemonium among all of the mansion guests.
    Across the crystal quartz, the goose had spread one of the huge tent canvas sheets, carefully weighting it back down on the translucent stone with small granite stone boulders. The Pie assisted him in placing heavier stones for more security to the canvas. The width and length of the canvas was just enough to cover a huge section of the crystal. Now the rabbit and the Pix spread their sheets into a like wise fashion to cover the crystal stone of quartz. The outward pressure of the wind rifling through the ravine caused the canvas to lay plastered flatly upon the crystal stone, as though it had been ironed into it's proper status. The amount of canvas was almost enough to completely cover the entire expanse of quartz, but each of them well knew that he had to make it back down into courtyard, if he was to secure enough canvas to see the job through.
    Once they had made it back into the courtyard and cave like corridors of the colossal ice mansion, huge droplets of water fell like a heavy rain had covered the entire earth. In the distance the sound of ice crashing down into a splash shocked the relaxing sound of the falling rain. The knights, so it seemed, rather than continue in their pursuit of the trio, had fled the area upon discovering their new freedom from the repressive spell of the dominating Sultan. In the distance, the loom of cathedral bells ringing in their newly discovered elation covered the area of the entire province, the sound of which was even detected by those in the neighboring provinces. TJ called the goose back into the castle on a sudden whim. Before he left for good he had just one more personal task to complete, he reasoned from amid the confusion observed. He placed the goose back onto the ground, coaxing him to discover just three more rings of gold, only to take them back home with him as a prize to forever remind himself of this greatest adventure experience and to profit just a small bit from property investment, that he reasoned he could grow into a fortune with the addition of some time.
   Then suddenly after walking only three dozen yards, the goose bobbed his head up and down and began to pace his feet up and down in place, just passed the marble bust of Plutus The Wolf immediately above the immense door-less archway, which opened into the Sultan's court and vast chamber. On the inside of the room ice fell in continuous fragments and chunks, along with the rain as it melted underneath a now glowing radiant sun of immaculate rose'. As TJ stepped underneath the marble bust, it suddenly dislodged from the melting of the ice securing it, tumbling down in an instant, only to nick TJ in the left temple side of his head, causing him to fall backward unconsciously upon what felt like was the cold porcelain tile floor of the majestic mansion Bastille......
….When he opened his eyes, he was back in the garden by the willow enshrouded pond in Nottoway, underneath the arbor laying face up on the ground just in-front of the concrete bench....; his family and the medics looming over him, the red and blue lights flashing brilliantly in the foreground, the shadows of the dying sun looming behind tree limbs that seemed to reach down and grab at him, like the hands of hungry demons. Directly above his astounded stare, he gazed into the face of his father clenched in what appeared to be anger, his mother frowning near to tears in an apparent heart wrenching disappointment and disapproval....
    “How many times have we told you son..., stay away from drugs and all of those wastrels who indulge in it! Do you know how long it has been that you have lain out here today....? Are you aware of the possible danger that you exposed yourself to? Your dear mother and I were worried sick about you, for crying out loud...! We did not even have an idea as to where it was that you might have been! Do you know that....? Have you even paused to consider anyone here but yourself....? I moved from Goose-lick just to get you away from that loser crowd there and into a higher class of life here in Nottoway..., and it really is a shameful, pathetic disgrace, that all you could find to associate with was just a higher class of loser, son...!”
    “But Dad.., you just will not believe it...! You will not believe my story, even if I was to tell it to you and introduce the cast of happy characters so involved..... You will just not believe what it was that I did and where it is that I have been to...,” moaned TJ as he moved his aching, intensely throbbing head from side to bruised side.
    “Ribbit, Pie and the gifted goose, wherefore art thou now in my moment of extreme need....? Please...help me to tell them all about us, the delightful bohemian maiden in her cave palace and our merry adventures in kinder-land....!”
     He then sighed deeply, repeating over and over again in a meaningless rant, until he gradually faded off to sleep.....
    “Just where oh where has my poor honky donkey wondered off to now...? The wicked, despotic Shylock of a Sultan has died, I tell you all..! Let the happy bells of liberty ring for all infinity..., the   divine gilded goose is with us elves and the evil Sultan is gone forever more! Salutations and cheers to a glorious Elysium future right here in our home land once more again! Dance and merry make for all time ever more, for at long last....we are free, I tell you all...!
    Behold,  my chains are really gone, so now the entire world may see that time has truly come for mine to just be me...So party on with the long shaft and the drinking cup...right on up until the very break of dawn.. Damn the all of you for being the vain villains that you are! If I cannot be there in body, then I will most certainly be there among you in spirit...and with the best of spirits, I shall tell you all....; so damn the lot of ye for being the arse slathering knaves that all of ye most certainly are to be! I only choose to be the me that is rightfully mine and any who determines not to accept it can just step kindly aside......and into the raging flames of Hades with the lot of ye, I say!”