III. The Mudpearls (Chapter One)

The Wandering Brook, which flows into Spirit Lake from the north, meanders through valleys of lush emerald fields of trees and shrubbery. You and Burt have been following Soraya for almost half a day, with Burt surprisingly keeping quiet. However, Burt has been constantly giving you silent warnings about Soraya. The water bird you summoned found a great spot to rest in the hood of your cloak. The extra member of the group does not appear to be a burden, resting gently the entire journey. You’ve become quite fond of it.

“We’re almost there. Only a shade or two until we reach the bend where we can see the druidess at the foot of the mountain,” Soraya says, looking back at you and Burt.

Burt looks at you and mimics a knife slashing his neck. You look back at him, shaking your head.

“Burt, we have to work together. Let’s play nice,” Soraya says, as if she has eyes in the back of her head.

“Of course, Soraya. I was just enjoying the lovely scenery,” Burt says, trying to change the subject.

Soraya turns around and stops both of you in your tracks.

“Burt, I sensed this would be difficult once you learned who I was, but I am not my father. I’m not sending you all into a trap, and I certainly do not need you to mock me behind my back,” Soraya says firmly but with a gentle voice.

She turns around and continues following the brook. You jog up to Soraya to walk with her instead of behind her, only to see Burt’s anxious face behind you. She looks at you and smiles, then down toward her feet.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

In the distance, a small wooden bridge traces itself across the brook to the other side. Soraya points about halfway up the slope of the opposing hill, where smoke billows out of what looks to be a chimney. The bridge was so thickly covered in moss and lichens that it creaked as you crossed it. A quaint wooden cottage sat within the forest at the foot of what was too big to be a hill and too small to be a mountain.

“This is it. Have your wits about you. She isn’t dangerous. You just need to have a clear mind as she speaks in riddles,” Soraya whispers.

Soraya tiptoes up to the porch and takes a deep breath.

“Chickadee - dee - dee - dee!” Soraya calls out.

A fuzzy bear head sticks its head out of a window, frightening Burt as he falls back off the porch.

The bear retracts its head inside the window, and the door opens swiftly, revealing a small whisker wearing a bear skin with the head still attached and resting upon the whisker’s head.

"Oh, Soraya, you have... you brought friends!” the druidess shouts, clapping her hands together.

“Yes, Maeflorian, I brought friends. I hope that’s okay. They agreed to help me with my troubles,” Soraya replied.

“Troubles? Life isn’t troublesome. We mustn't use negative words. Your friends are here to support you,” Mae says with her hands on her chest.

"That is, if they are truly your friends," she said, her eyes fixed on Burt. “Bless the sun, water, wind, and earth, then come inside,” she said as she turned around to head back into the cottage.

You and Burt watch Soraya as she kneels on the porch and opens up her palms toward the sun. Then she pulls back in and kisses her palms, then outstretches again, this time toward the brook we crossed over. You and Burt are both perplexed.

“Come on!” Soraya says between gritted teeth.

You and Burt obey as you continue the ritual before heading inside. The cottage was cozy, as most of everything had been made by crochet. The couch, tables, and shelves are all made of colorful threads from endless hours of knitting. The walls were covered with hieroglyphics, almost as if they were telling a story through her threads.

“Take a seat,” Maeflorian says as she gathers some snacks onto a crochet tray.

You and Burt plop down onto the couch, realizing how surprisingly comfortable it is. Soraya sits down on a chair beside you as Maeflorian walks back over with hot tea and cookies.

“Now, little Miss Soraya, tell me what brings you here?” Maeflorian says as she takes a seat to join the group.

“Long ago, you told my mother of a prophecy that led her to the Northern Mountains and ultimately to her disappearance. We’ve come for guidance,” Soraya explains.

“My dear, Soraya, the prophecy you speak of has already come to fruition; therefore, it’s no longer a prophecy but rather a fact,” Meaflorian says as she takes a sip of her tea. “In the matter of the disappearance of your mother, I’m sure she was aware of what needed to be done and has performed such duties.”

“What do you mean?” Soraya asks.

"There are layers to a prophecy, some of which live on the surface and others below; for something to be awakened, something must be asleep; for something to be gifted life, another must be cursed to death," Maeflorian says, standing up.

You and Burt look at each other, terrified that it could mean that one of you could die. The water bird peaks its head from your hood and chirps.

“Oh my, you’re much more exquisite than I had dreamed,” Maeflorian said, looking at the bird.

“Dreamed?” Burt questioned.

“Why, yes, I see many things within my night visions. Would you like to see them?” Maeflorian asks.

“That doesn’t make sense. How could we see your dreams?” Burt asks in disbelief.

“One doesn’t always need to know how the flowers grow; sometimes the blessing is just knowing they can, my dear,” Maeflorian says.

“Is this what you did with my mother?” Soraya asks, wondering if it was a trap.

“No, Soraya. As adventurous as she was, your mother did not experience any of them,” Maeflorian says.

“Is it safe?” Burt asks.

“But of course,” Maeflorian says. “Now, eat some of these cookies and drink the tea while it’s hot,” she said as she poured everyone a cup.

You and Burt look at each other, worried, only to see Soraya immediately do as she’s told. The water bird chirps as if it wants to eat the cookies too. You pat it on the head and tuck it back into your hood with a small piece of cookie. You and Burt both indulge in the cookies and tea and almost instantly feel warmth throughout your body. The crochet couch becomes even more comfortable, and your body weighs a ton. You start to feel hazy, thinking you might have made a mistake. However, it’s too late to worry about that now, and you slip into a dreamlike state.