TWWM - Lost Events

The mist swirled around, billowing up from the river and filling the canyon with no breeze to clear it. Rum had finished playing with the bugs, and with familiars in tow, returned to Ayla’s side. He carefully packed his little bottle and necklace, along with other trinkets into his bean-pod satchel before lowering it to the ground so his inchworm could climb inside once again. The beefly zipped inside as well, eager to snuggle inside the cosy leafy lining of the bag. Content to ride on Rum’s head, the damselfly nestled into his fur, falling asleep almost instantly.

Rum sighed, slinging the sack around to his back. “Well? Should we home?” he asked, placing his second pair of arms on his hips like a little curious traveler. Kahala held back a chuckle.

“I think...maybe so. We should…” Ayla’s words trailed off as she felt the mist thickening.

“Maybe…”

Slowly but surely, the mist from the river swallowed them up, swirling softly around them, hiding the canyon from view. The familiar feeling of being transported rose again, and as the mist cleared, they were met face to face with a massive esk.

They had been moved this time to the top of a mountain, like before, however this one was not being plagued by a blizzard. The sun shone brightly above them, the bright blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds. It was warm, but not as hot as the desert had been. These mountains were high, but not high enough to be snow-capped. Their sides were forested almost half way up, and Ayla could sense Kahala’s spirit soften.

The massive esk rose it’s pale head, gazing at them with enormous dark eyes. Ayla bowed her head gracefully, nodding towards them. “Hello Ragga, it is an honor to see you again.” she motioned to Rum and Kahala before continuing. “This is my dear friend Rum, and our new friend Kahala. We have been…”

“I know what you’ve been doing…” his voice rumbled like falling stones, rough and booming. He peered first at her, and then at the others. “You three… you have been on quite the journey haven’t you?” Lightly glowing air poured from an oculus on his forehead, cleansing the sky. Ayla inhaled, realizing how fresh everything smelled.

“Yes sir, but...we’re not sure how we were brought here.”

“Neither am I…” He seemed curious, but dismissive. “I do not know what your intentions were, but you have greatly affected my mountains.” He turned, looking out over the expansive mountain range before returning his gaze to the trio. He seemed expectant, waiting.

“Oh uh...we didn’t mean to disturb you, i mean. We were moved here without…”

“I know I know, I want to know what you did.” The massive wanderer stood quietly, the only sound coming from his tail as the stones tumbled together. Ayla looked at Rum, and Rum looked at Kahala. Ayla spoke again, smoothing her wings against her body as a breeze tugged at her feathers.

“Something...or someone…” she peered at the wander suspiciously, “teleported us all to the base of a mountain, deep in a tropical rainforest…”

“Jungle” Kahala chimed.

“Yes, a jungle. We felt something pulling at us, it seemed to be asking us to climb the mountain and help it. So we did. There was a destroyed shrine there. We worked together and healed the shrine, and nature seemed to benefit from that.” She paused, but Ragga remained silent.

“And so… as we were moved another time to a mountain top, and then again to a desert canyon, we continued to heal the shrines. I have no clue as to who would have destroyed them, nature seemed to flourish as soon as they’d been repaired.”

She paused, extending an open hand towards him. “We did our best to heal them though…”

Ragga shifted once more, his tail of stone knocking against itself, a thunderous echo rattling between the peaks. Eyes narrowing, he peered at them.

“Did you give any thought to the meaning of the shrines? Did you pause and consider that maybe they weren’t meant to be healed?”

Ayla’s eyes widened, she heard a gasp from behind her. Voice trembling, she curled her fingers into a ball slowly. “I...We hadn’t thought of that sir…”

Squinting, he continued. “Do not fear, you have bettered the mountains with your action, whether you thought it out or not.”

They bowed their heads, thinking about the destroyed shrines. What if there had been dark spirits tied to those places instead of nature? Regaining her courage, Ayla rose her gaze to Ragga again. “Sir, We acted in confidence because we could feel the spirit of the shrines. It carried no malice. We hadn’t considered darkness because well… we felt none.”

The wanderer pondered this for a moment, cleansed air pouring from the light still.

“I see. However quick to decide, you speak with wisdom.” He turned, looking across the mountains again. “As I said, my mountains have been impacted positively by what you’ve done, and for that...I thank you.” He exhaled, a strong breeze against the trees below him.

“And the mountains thank you.” he continued, intrigue in his voice.

The trio exchanged looks.

“The mountains?” Rum queried.

“Yes. From now on, when you visit my domain, the mountains themselves will react to you for what you’ve done for them. It is a blessing.”

Ayla let out a gasp. “A blessing sir? Oh thank you!” She bowed low, her wisteria softly rustling against the ground.

“Rise you silly girl, and take this poor ancient home to her forests before she shrivels up…”

“Oh! Yes sir! Of course!”

Rum giggled and landed on Kahala’s back. Kahala was looking very sheepish. She bowed her head, “Thank you great wanderer. I will not forget this kindness.”

“Nor we yours. Now go.” His voice rumbled like an avalanche over the land, he had said his piece and was not interested in discussing further. Turning, he lumbered off into the distance, moving as a cloud between the peaks.

They had healed three broken shrines, scattered across the land in places they'd never have known to look. They had met with the great mountain wanderer and gained the blessing of his domain. Ayla wondered what this meant for them. Peace crept over them like a warm hug as they turned to go. The day was long and tired, and they were grateful for the coming rest.

Rum had curled up and fallen asleep atop of Kahala quite soon after Ragga's departure, and Ayla gently cupped him in her arm. Her and Kahala spoke for a time, learning how to find her forest home. Ayla promised to visit soon, perhaps with Sail when he came. Time crept away from them, and soon the sun was setting here as well. A fitting backdrop to a day full of surprises. As it dipped below the horizon, Kahala bid them farewell and faded from view. Ayla was glad she was able to return home finally. She was grateful also for her freedom, as her home did not cry out for her like it used to. She looked down at rum, sleeping soundly, his little blue bug on his head, and her heart smiled.

This day was blessed.