THE WORLD BEYOND THE DOOR
Copyright 2006 by Steven & Margaret Larson and Clive Moore
Smashwords Edition
Published by Margaret Larson at Smashwords
Special thanks to Clive Moore for first recognizing the enchanted tree, helping to visualize what lay beyond the door, and for his collaboration, editing, and encouragement throughout this work.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be resold. Thank you for respecting the work of the authors.
Other books available by these authors
CHILDREN’S FANTASY BOOKS
Murky Manor
Cave of Discovery
Worlds Within
A COLLECTION OF WRITINGS
Thoughts on the Wind
Print versions available at www.lulu.com/larsonworlds
Visit us at our web site www.home.earthlink.net/~larsonworlds
CONTENTS
1 A Garden Party
2 Cleaning and Spinning
3 A Pixie Melody
4 All in a Dream
5 The Pixie Woods
6 The Cave
7 Lyte Spinning
8 Old News
9 The Party
10 Poetry and Plans
11 Riddles and Old Poems
12 Opening the Door
13 Exploring Beyond the Door
14 Berries and Belvedere
15 Back from the Herb Garden
16 Honey and Hiding
17 Pixie Brouhaha
18 Danger in the Dark
19 Unexpected
20 Fox Hunt
21 Out of the Bag
22 Tooth or Talon
23 Thunder and Pixie Dust
24 Lost World
CHAPTER 1 - A GARDEN PARTY
Just off the main highway, away from the noise and bustle, a side road branched off and led to houses that were spaced far enough apart to give some privacy to the residents. Nestled in a group of apple trees sat a one-story brick house with red leaves scattered on the newly shingled roof.
Many more leaves were strewn at the feet of two enormous oak trees that towered over the home. The trees had provided shade all through the long hot summer. Now that winter was approaching, their large branches still offered a shield for the house. A winding driveway made a path through the apples trees. Apples hung on branches just out of reach, waiting to be picked and turned into pies, cobblers, cider, and apple butter.
A fence encircled the back yard offering the perfect place for the family’s dog to romp and chase squirrels. A quaint herb garden in the back corner was surrounded by flowers and separated from the rest of the yard by a short wrought iron fence.
Just beyond the fence, the trees grew close together. Thick undergrowth and fallen leaves from past seasons gave an unkempt feeling. A gate opened onto a path of stepping stones spotted with moss. The branches of a red maple tree formed a natural trellis over the entrance. Climbing vines had grown up the trunk and covered the arch. Just on the other side of the opening stood a stone figure about three feet tall. He had a long beard and was dressed in a flowing robe. On his head was a tall pointed hat with an owl perched on the brim. In one hand he held a staff, and with the other hand he gestured invitingly into the woods.
Down the path the air was cool and crisp with a deep earthy aroma of decaying leaves and pine needles. Squirrels scampered briskly through the underbrush carrying horse chestnuts and acorns, which they were busily storing for the coming winter. There were numerous finches, sparrows, chickadees, and an occasional cardinal or robin. Many of the branches hung down across the path. Here and there a pine sapling was trying to grow in the center of the trail. A light breeze brought the faint hint of a wood fire, perhaps from someone’s fireplace.
Deep in the woods, and just a little off the path, brambles grew in profusion. The thorns and branches were thickly interwoven, and reached several feet high forming a natural hedge. An open area near the ground was just large enough for a rabbit to squeeze under.
On the other side of the hedge was a small clearing with a giant oak. It was very old and very large – a grandfather among trees. The lower limbs started close to the ground, and the massive branches reached up, up, past all the other trees, until it looked as though it were holding up the very sky. The roots were bent and twisted from growing for many years around the rocks in the hard ground. It was a perfect tree for climbing. Its roots and footholds were within easy reach for all but the smallest child.
Long ago lightening had struck the tree leaving a scar that ran from one of the large branches all the way down the trunk to the ground. Lightening storms have an aura of fear and awe, and there was an air of magic and mystery about the tree and the clearing. Lightening often appears out of nowhere with a FLASH and a BANG, lighting up the sky and sometimes changing what it touches forever. Strange things can happen when opposite forces of nature are brought together suddenly, and this was one of those rare and extraordinary examples of when two worlds collide and leave behind a lingering magical residue.
At the bottom of the tree sat a small man who was about six inches tall when standing. He might have been considered extraordinary, but other than his size, his appearance wasn’t that unusual. He was sitting comfortably in the hollow of one of the roots with his back against the trunk.
Just behind him in the tree was a door, and it looked very much like he was sitting on his front porch. In one hand was a cup full of water and some herbs. In his other hand he held a small shimmering bead between his thumb and finger. Squeezing the bead gently he held it for a couple of seconds until it began to get hot, and then he dropped it into the water. In a few seconds the water began to steam. He settled back and took in the evening air as he sipped his mint tea. He was very fond of mint tea.
The door behind him led through the tree to his home. It was a door that he had journeyed through many times. Just that morning he came for an herb gathering expedition. He made the long journey to the edge of the woods, slipped past the stone figure, and entered the herb garden to harvest what he considered to be unusual and rare herbs. The tea he was now enjoying was made from mint leaves he had gathered that morning. The herbs he collected had a richer and more exotic flavor than those he could grow at home. He suspected this was due to their size and to the peculiarities of the soil.
After finishing his tea, he packed up his cup, and gathered up his sack of herbs and his backpack. Touching the door in several secret places, it opened, and he passed through.
He experienced the familiar dizzy feeling that always accompanied traveling through the door, and found himself once again in the cave located behind his house. He spread the new herbs on the shelves in the back of the cave to dry, and hung his backpack on a hook.
Unpacking his gear, he carefully cleaned his tools and put them away, ready for the next trip.
As he left the cave, the sun was just setting. A gentle breeze stirred the bush that grew around the mouth of the cave, flooding him with the smell of lilacs. The breeze shifted and he caught the whiff of a wood fire, and knew that dinner would be waiting. He hurried down the path through the trees to the stone house where he had lived all his life.
Kendra Wordsmith, a slim, lady gnome, met him at the door. The sleeves of her dark green dress were rolled up. Her face was framed by wisps of dark red hair that had escaped from the long braid down her back. She drew him into the warm inviting kitchen where the delightful smell of her hot stew filled the room. She and Morley had shared the secret of the door for many years.
When her grandfather, Axel, was young he had discovered the door on property owned by Morley’s family. Axel had written several books on his discoveries and adventures, though he never revealed the location of the door. That was a secret that was kept by the two families.
During his lifetime, Axel was viewed as eccentric and fanciful, and was often scoffed. Controversy about his writings continued even after his death. In spite of this he was very generous with donations to others, and shared his personal collection of books by opening a public library, with the stipulation that Kendra would be the caretaker. All this no doubt added to the general good will and high esteem that his name now carried, although his writings were mostly considered fiction by the general populace.
“How was your trip, Morley?” she asked, setting the plate she had been keeping warm for him on the table. “I hope you didn’t run into any more strange creatures. You know it worries me when you are off on these adventures, especially when your lyte cloak is getting so thin.” She drew two frothing mugs of apple cider from the keg in the corner and sat down with him. She had already eaten, but companionably sipped her cider while he ate his dinner.
Morley smiled and said, “You know I’m always careful. Got a nice batch of mint and some herbs drying in the cave. Should be ready for you to make up one of your special herb chicken dishes for the party next week,” and he grinned. “Course if you’d like to make up some before then….”, his voice trailed off.
She ignored the hint and said, “I’ve just about finished your new cloak. It will be ready for your next trip.”
“That’s good news,” he sighed with relief. “The old one fully evaporated just before I got back to the door.” He saw the concern in her eyes and hurried on, “But I was already through the Tangles so it didn’t matter that I was visible.”
He glanced up at her and said, “Have you decided yet about your trip next week?” He looked back at his plate and continued, “Will you be around for the party? It won’t be the same without you – and I was counting on you going with me.”
She smiled and answered, “I wouldn’t want to miss it. I thought I was going to have to visit Aunt Matilda, but her neighbor Nellie is looking in on her. So I guess I’ll need some of those herbs if you’re planning on taking me, and the herb chicken, to the party.”
He laughed and said, “Great. You can pick out whatever you need tomorrow.”
They chatted for awhile longer about Morley’s trip while he finished dinner, and they cleaned up the dishes. It was late and the moon was up when Morley walked her home.
In the moonlight they could see pixies; tiny, frail, almost transparent creatures much smaller than the gnomes. Their wings shimmered as they chased each other through the treetops, something gnomes would never do even if they could fly. In fact many gnomes felt pixies were not respectable company. But they were pretty to look at on a moonlit night, and their singing and laughter in the trees was a pleasant accompaniment.
As they reached the big apple tree near Kendra’s front gate, Morley slipped an arm around her and pulled her close to him. She felt the warmth of his side, and smelled the faint fragrance of exotic herbs. She caught her breath, and Morley said, “Shhhhh,” and he pointed past the tree.
Standing in the deep shadow of the old tree, they were almost invisible as they watched what was happening. A large group of pixies danced in Kendra’s garden, playing their version of blind-man’s bluff. About half of the pixies had devised blindfolds from things they had picked up, mostly large leaves or scraps of cloth they had found. The ones without blindfolds were singing and taunting those who did, leading them around the garden with their songs.
All this flying around blindfolded led to a great deal of bumping and knocking into things. Whenever they ran into something, their magic flared up to protect them, and created a shower of pixie dust.
The dust from the smaller bumps looked like fireflies and would wink out quickly, but the harder bangs would send out a plume of sparkling dust that hung in the air. This seemed to be the object of their game because pixie dust from their magic was everywhere, and the dust from each pixie was a different color.
“Oh Morley, it is so beautiful.” Showers of light of every color exploded across the garden. Pixies were running into things everywhere. One landed on a stem just behind a large, ripe tomato. For a moment her blue wings sparkled like a flower sprinkled with dew. Then the blue was hidden as she folded them against her back. Her short brown hair swirled around her head like feathers as she peeked out and called to her friend,
“Hi de ho, why are you so slow,
Can’t you tell which way to go?
Hi de ho, hi de hey!
I’m right here, come and play.”
Her friend hovered in the air, his white wings fluttering to hold him in place. A piece of red cloth, torn from someone’s old shirt, made a stark contrast to his silver hair. As he turned his head in her direction to listen, his fine hair, held captive by the blindfold, rubbed across his collar. Moonlight reflected off the silver gilding on the tips of his wings.
Quick as a thought he dove. Splat! Into the tomato he flew. Silver sparks flew into the air, dimming slowly as they drifted towards the ground.
The sight was too much for Morley, and he burst into a deep fit of laughter.
“Morley! Keep it down or they will see us here for sure,” but Kendra was laughing almost as hard as Morley. All their whispering and laughing caught the attention of every pixie in the garden, and soon they were surrounded by pixies swarming like noisy bees.
“Spying on our games you were,” said a stout pixie. His round head was covered with dark red hair that curled tightly to his head. He was the most solid pixie that Kendra had ever seen.
“We meant no harm, and besides you can hardly call it spying when you’re in my garden after all.” Kendra didn’t mean to be rude, but she was caught by surprise.
“Could it be true, you came to play too?” said a soft voice. Morley turned his head. The voice came from a very delicate little pixie that seemed to be made of gold. Her long curly hair was the color of spun honey, and even her skin had a golden glow. Her yellow tunic fell below her hips and was belted about her waist. Wide yellow pants tapered down to her tiny bare feet. Her name was Marigold, though everyone called her Mari.
“Oh thank you, No!” said Morley. “We have things we must do in the morning and we can’t be playing all night in moonlight with you.” Morley realized he could have said that a little nicer, but it was hard to think clearly with all the pixie dust in the air.
Mari sang,
“No time for fun and games you say?
There’s always time to laugh and play.”
She spun around tightly. The golden fabric billowed out and then gently swirled around her knees. One arm pointed up in the air to the sky, and a spiral of golden pixie dust was sent spinning into the air.
Then the other pixies began to sing:
“What’s that you say?
No time to play?
Even a gnome should have some fun,
If you won’t play let’s see you run.”
As they sang, they picked up strawberries and grapes. Splat! One of the berries struck the tree beside Morley’s head, and another glanced off his shoulder. A little eep of surprise escaped from Kendra’s lips when a grape bounced off her hat.
Morley grabbed her hand. “Looks like we’re in for it now. Let’s run for it!”
Off for the house they ran, the pixies parting before them like spilled beans on a wooden floor. Up the main walkway Kendra and Morley ran, hand and hand, like newlyweds fresh from the church. Pixies on either side of the walk showered them with berries, grapes, and flower petals. Kendra wasted no time opening the front door under the hail of debris. Morley turned and slammed the door before any of the pixies could get though. Standing in the hall with his back against the door Morley broke into another fit of laughter.
“Did you see that pixie stuck up to his wings in that tomato?”
Kendra was laughing too. “And the look on his friend’s face when she was splattered with all that tomato juice. What a sight.”
A sleepy voice called down from upstairs, “Kendra?” It was Telah, her little sister.
“All’s well, dear,” she called up the stairs. “Go back to sleep.” There was the sound of a door shutting, and Kendra turned back to Morley. They were both still grinning and holding back their laughter. As the noise in the garden died down, Kendra bent down to pick up a stray grape, and walked to the window. “My poor garden. It looks a mess.”
Morley followed her to the window and put an arm on her shoulder. “I know it looks a little beat up right now, but it’s not all bad. I don’t know anything that makes a garden grow better than pixie dust, and there was plenty of magic out there tonight.”
“You’re right. I must be tired,” admitted Kendra, as she turned to look up at Morley. “I’m going to have the best garden around for many years.”
“Well I best be getting home. It’s been a long day, but one I won’t soon forget,” said Morley through a yawn.
“What about the pixies?” said Kendra.
“I’ll just slip out the back door. The only thing shorter than a pixie’s temper is their memory. I’m sure they have forgotten all about us already. Wish me luck.” Morley bent down and gave Kendra a quick kiss on the cheek, and then he was down the hall and out the back door.
Kendra stood in the doorway and watched Morley slip through the yard. As he turned to latch the gate he looked back to Kendra and waved, then he was off down the path and into the woods. She watched until he was out of sight, and then she closed the door and turned back down the hall.
Morley was right. This has been a night to remember, she thought. Then she smiled and brushed the back of her hand across her cheek where Morley had kissed her.
CHAPTER 2 - CLEANING AND SPINNING
Telah Wordsmith was up early the next morning. Kendra told her about the pixies, and asked her to check the garden for any vegetables that had not been damaged in the fray.
The sun was just rising as she left the house with a large basket. The dew on the grass mixed with the pixie dust, and created an iridescent glow that made her toes tingle as she walked across the yard to the garden. The smell of ripe tomatoes was strong in the air. There were strawberries squashed against trees, tomatoes split open on the ground, and grapes everywhere.
She carefully picked up the ones that were not damaged, and placed them in the basket. She reached for a particularly large tomato that weighed down the vine and rested on the ground. Something moved as she touched it. She jerked her hand back, and gave a little squeak of surprise.
Lying on a leaf behind the tomato was a pixie, sound asleep. His wings were folded up, and his shirt was covered with tomato juice. His silver hair and face were spotted with bits of tomato except for the clean band across his eyes where the blindfold had been.
Laughing softly she carefully picked up the leaf with the pixie still sleeping, and placed him in the flowerbed on a soft bed of grass under some flowers. Returning to her work, she was just placing the last of the tomatoes in her basket when she heard a flutter of wings. Looking up she saw the pixie girl with the beautiful blue wings darting in an agitated way around the tomato plant where the other pixie had been sleeping.
Catching her attention, Telah pointed to the flowerbed and said softly, “Hey Della, if you are looking for Thistle he’s under the daffodils.” Smiling and waving, Della sped off to the flowerbed. Telah laughed and took the tomatoes inside.
She was eager to get to her favorite reading spot. She washed up and hurried to the window seat in the front of the house, carrying her favorite book. It was a large, heavy book with an ornate cover. On the front under the title were pictures of fanciful herbs and flowers that had been imagined by the author.
But it was the back cover that was the most interesting. Each corner had four lines of writing like the stanzas of a poem, but many of the words had been worn smooth and were unreadable. In the center was a picture, which had originally been embossed in gold, but most of the gold was now worn off.
Many of the details were blurred, but the picture was still clearly recognizable. It was the image of a man walking under a large oak tree. A branch bent down to his upraised hand with an acorn dangling from the tip, almost within his reach. At his waist hung an ax. The blade had a leather cover embroidered with an oak leaf. There were scattered leaves about his feet and his left foot rested on an acorn. The picture was framed with a border of branches with acorns and oak leaves. At the bottom of the picture in small decorative letters was inscribed The Way Back.
The name of the book was The World Beyond the Door, and it was written and published by her grandfather, Axel Wordsmith. His books were greatly enjoyed by children and he was considered an excellent storyteller, but respectable citizens thought they were obviously fictitious.
Telah loved to read about the other world and imagine the adventure of exploring its wonders. The books described a world of giant people, monstrous animals, and bizarre contraptions made of metal and glass that had strange powers. They also told how the lyte cloth, woven by the gnomes, could be made into cloaks that made them invisible when worn in the other world.
It was mid-morning, and the sun was shining brightly outside. Kendra was upstairs in the sunroom, which was ideal for spinning lyte thread. Weaving sunlight, moonlight and starlight was a long tradition with the gnomes. The window on the east wall was open allowing the morning sun to shine directly into the crystal spindle on the spinning wheel. She was spinning the sunlight into a fine gold thread, which she used to sew together the pieces of lyte fabric that lay in the covered basket beside her chair. She had almost finished Morley’s new cloak, and just needed a bit more thread to finish the last few seams.
Downstairs, Telah’s reading was interrupted by a knock on the door. She grudgingly put down the book, and went to answer it. She was greeted by Morley’s bright eyes and cheerful, “Helloooo.” It was always fun visiting with Morley. Even though she was now twelve, he didn’t laugh at her for reading her grandfather’s books. He even speculated with her about what the other world might be like.
“Reading Beyond the Door again, eh?” he smiled. “What part of the story are you at today?”
“The part with the big iron contraption that blows out steam, and pulls large buildings behind it down an iron road. It says that some of the giant people climb inside the buildings, and you can see them through the windows as they whiz by.” Her voice was whimsical.
“Hmmm, sounds like an interesting way to travel. I wonder how they managed to keep the furniture in their houses from sliding around. Do you suppose they nailed it to the floor? And how do you suppose they stopped? Or turned the whole thing around to come back? Of course it would certainly make packing for a trip easy - they just took their house with them. It’s like they stayed home and the journey came to them.”
Telah giggled. Morley had read all of Axel Wordsmith’s books, and had experienced many of the things written in them when he secretly went on his adventures through the door. On one of his journeys he had even come across what he thought was the iron road that Telah had just described. It was overgrown with weeds and grass, but fit the description perfectly. Though he had never seen the machine that traveled on it, he had often wondered about that chapter in the book.
“Is Kendra about?” he asked.
“Upstairs in the sunroom, weaving.”
“Okay if I go up?”
“Sure, she said you’d be stopping by.”
Morley climbed the stairs to the sunroom. Kendra was seated in front of the spinning wheel in a cushioned wicker chair embroidered with small blue flowers.
There were two overstuffed chairs in the room with a table between them. She glanced up and flashed a quick smile, and then bent over her work again.
“Almost done,” she said. “I need to finish this spool of thread before I lose the strength of the sun.“
“Go ahead. I’ll just make myself comfortable,” and he sat in one of the chairs. “How’s the cloak coming?”
“I just need to attach the hood, and something new I’ve designed, and it will be finished. I made the hood extra full so it will shadow your face. The bottom of the cloak will reach the tops of your boots. They should blend in with the grass or foliage, and we don’t want the cloak to hinder you when you walk.” Stopping the wheel she said, “That should do it.”
She opened the basket. Inside, the glowing folds of the lyte fabric lay in soft piles. She had woven cloth from sunlight and moonlight and then made it into a reversible cloak that would cover the wearer in a shimmering golden mist during the day, and in a soft gray mist at night.
The cloak would make Morley practically invisible on his journeys. She dropped the thread into the basket and closed the lid.
“Aren’t you going to tell me about the new design?” he asked teasingly.
She smiled. “I’ve added an outside flap to the back that you unroll to cover your backpack. Then you’ll be completely invisible.”
“Clever idea. Can’t wait to try that out. Speaking of trying out new things…I was thinking about trying my experiment with the owl tomorrow night,” he said casually.
“So soon?” she looked up startled. “From the pictures in the book they look very fierce.”
“Well, I haven’t seen one up close, but I think the plan will work. If the owl is tamable, I’ll feel much safer about being there at night. Maybe I could even ride on it like in those tales we have about riding on the backs of dragons.” He grinned. “But I won’t try that the first night.”
“You will be careful won’t you?” she looked hard at him. “Dragons don’t exist in our world, and I’m not sure you should be riding anything like that in any other world either.”
He sobered up and said, “Yes, of course. Besides, I’ll have my new lyte cloak to keep me invisible.”
“I just have one more seam to do on it, and it will be done.”
“How about I go clean up the garden, and then repair that broken hinge on the gate while you’re finishing up?“
She nodded, “Come on back afterwards and we’ll have some lunch. Telah is learning how to bake.”
He laughed, “Sounds interesting.”
He headed downstairs while Kendra sat in the overstuffed chair and finished up the lyte cloak.
Slipping quietly up behind Telah, who was deeply concentrating on her book, Morley reached out and tugged on her braid. She jumped and yelled, “Hey!” Morley chuckled and went outside.
He had finished straightening up the garden and was putting the rake into the shed when he heard whistling. Down the lane he saw Travis Fields coming towards the house.
Travis’ father, Garth, was a gardener for two of the big landowners. With skill and imagination he had turned those gardens into the talk of the village for their beauty and variety. He often experimented with hybrid plants mixing wild flowers from the Pixie Woods with the domestic gnome garden variety. Travis had been learning about flowers since he was old enough to walk in the garden. Lately Morley had been teaching him about spices and herbs, and he was a quick learner.
“Hellooo Travis,” he called. Nice kid, he thought, but spends too much time by himself roaming around the woods. Maybe I can get him to talk to Telah. She might be able to get him interested in reading.
Travis grinned and waved.
“Where ya headed?” Morley asked as Travis stopped and leaned on the fence to talk.
“Off to the Pixie Woods for some wild flower cuttings,” he said. “Dad has a spot in one of the flower beds that needs something new to brighten it up.”
“Can you give me a hand to set this gate? Should only take five minutes.”
“Sure.” He set down his backpack and together they soon had the gate back on its hinges.
“Thanks. Telah just made a cake this morning. You might stop in and see her on the way.”
Travis blushed and said, “Okay.” He grabbed his bag and went up to the house. Morley finished putting away the tools, and headed for home.
Telah saw Travis coming up the path and met him at the door.
“Still reading that book?” he asked as he noticed it lying open on the windowsill.
“Yes – you should try reading yourself. Might find there’s other things of interest besides gardening.”
He laughed. “Does it give you cake recipes in that old book?”
“Oh – you do think about other things – like eating. I made a cake this morning. Would you like some?”
“Don’t mind if I do,” and he followed her to the kitchen. She cut him a piece and they sat down at the table.
“So, tell me about what you’re reading in that fascinating book.”
She pretended to look out the window, but she was watching him closely as he tasted the cake. He took a small bite, then ate the rest with enthusiasm. Satisfied, she told him about the giant plants in the book.
He sat back and patted his stomach. “Nice story, but it sounds like something you’d dream up after spending too much time in the Pixie Woods.“
She laughed and said, “Well, going through the door does make you a little light headed, but I don’t think my grandfather spent a lot of time with pixies.” She changed the subject. “Where are you headed this morning?”
“Off to the Pixie Woods to get some flower cuttings for my dad. Say...you wouldn’t consider giving me some cake for the pixies, would you?”
“You want to give MY cake to pixies?” she said indignantly. “You know you shouldn’t be hanging out with them.”
“And whose garden were they in last night? And who knows them on a first name basis?” he retorted. “Besides, you know it helps if I give them something in return.” He looked at her hopefully.
She sighed, and wrapped up a large piece for him in a napkin.
“Thanks," he said. “You’re terrific. I’ll bring you back some flowers. Course they won’t be of gigantic size, like in your book…” he teased.
She laughed and said, “It’s almost noon. You better go before it gets too late. And yes, I would like some flowers.”
He put the cake in a basket inside his backpack, and headed off to the woods.
CHAPTER 3 - A PIXIE MELODY
Morley had cleaned up from his work that morning, and was now home in his study getting ready for his trip. He pulled down a book from the shelf entitled Monstrous Mammals – Do They Exist? It was one of Axel’s books, and had a short appendix about the possible effect of music on songbirds, which had given him the inspiration for an experiment he wanted to try.
On the wall beside his desk hung a map that was sketched in pencil. In the center, a large tree was labeled Grandfather Tree. Off to the right another tree was named Owl Tree. He studied the map measuring the distance between the two.
On previous trips, Morley had noticed a great horned owl living in a tree not far from the Tangles. Although obviously not a songbird, his theory was that the owl could be tamed by flute playing, and he was eager to test it out. He had carefully chosen the music, and practiced until he thought he could play it even in his sleep. Now he felt confident enough to test the idea. He briefly reviewed the information about the owl, and then placed the book back on the shelf.
He went back to Kendra’s for a late lunch, and to pick up his new lyte cloak. After lunch they sat on the back porch enjoying the breeze, and talking about village business and the upcoming party. When it was time to leave, Kendra packed him a dinner to take with him. After stopping at his house for a lyte hammock, he headed for the cave. Taking his backpack, he added Kendra’s bundle of food and the hammock to the bag. He then slipped on the new lye cloak.
It was late afternoon when he passed through the door in the tree. The sun was warm with just a few white fluffy clouds on an otherwise clear day. Climbing the tree, he found a shady spot to hang his hammock between two branches. It was a perfect setting for an afternoon nap. He was virtually invisible once he settled into the hammock and covered himself with the lyte cloak. He drifted off to sleep.
The sun was low on the horizon when he awoke, and the breeze was cooler. Perfect timing, he thought to himself as he tucked the hammock into his backpack and slid down the tree.
Sitting in his favorite spot on the root outside the door, he opened Kendra’s dinner. Inside he found some of the raisin cake that Telah had baked that morning, a slab of cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and a bottle of his favorite cider. The cake was sweeter than Kendra’s, but it was still quite tasty and he washed it down with the cider. The tune he had chosen ran unceasingly through his mind as he thought about what he was going to attempt.
It was dusk when he headed towards the Owl Tree. Owls hunt at night, and he hoped he had planned his experiment so as not to become a meal himself. He was wearing his cloak with the moonlight side out, so he would be invisible under the light of the moon. Knowing that the owl slept during the day, he planned to get into position and wait for nightfall.
As he approached the tree he could just see the outline of the owl high up in the branches. A mound of rocks had piled up near the base of the tree. Climbing up the pile he found a small dip in the rock where he would be able to sit securely balanced. He settled in and waited for dark.
About an hour later the moon rose, and cast a cool light into the clearing. The owl began to stir and stretch its wings. It uttered an oot-too-hoo hoo-hoo, which made Morley shiver.
He stood up. He had draped his cloak loosely over his shoulders so it still covered him, but would not be in his way. Taking out his flute, he proceeded to play a sweet haunting pixie melody. As the notes drifted through the air it was as if they had substance and produced a mild hypnotic effect. It made you think of distant enchanted places full of noble deeds, valiant friendships, and brave adventures.
The owl slowly walked to the end of the branch, its long sharp talons curling and uncurling around the branch. When it got to the end of the limb, it paused and looked down into the clearing. Spreading its wings it glided noiselessly down to a nearby rock swaying slightly with the music.
The breeze had subsided, and the night had become warm. Morley felt a trickle of perspiration roll down his spine, but he shivered and felt chilled. The only sound was the captivating melody. Morley’s original plan had been to bond with the owl. But now that he was so close, he was beginning to doubt the wisdom of this whole adventure, and was hesitant about revealing himself too soon.
The owl perched on the rock a few feet away and faced Morley. It leaned forward intently, listening to the music. Gathering his courage, and careful not to interrupt the flow of the tune, Morley shrugged off his cloak watching the owl closely. It seemed to notice him immediately, but made no intimidating move. Its eyes were bright, but distant and dreamlike. Morley carefully sat down on the edge of the rock, balancing in the small hollow. He played for a couple more minutes, and then allowed the last mournful note to fade into the still night.
The owl studied him carefully and uttered a low hoo-hoo, and ruffled its feathers. It then sighed, and slowly and majestically flew off into the night.
Morley breathed a sigh of relief, and quickly wrapped his cloak around him. A good beginning he thought. He was glad the night was warm for he felt chilled, and was uncertain about any further encounters with the owl.
After a few minutes he packed his flute into his backpack, and headed back to his own tree, and home.
CHAPTER 4 - ALL IN A DREAM
After Travis left for the Pixie Woods, Telah poured herself a cup of tea and cut a generous slice of cake. Taking these with her to the window seat, she settled in to enjoy The World Beyond the Door. She took a couple bites and began to read. As she was pulled into the story, the cake sat forgotten on the shelf beside her, along with her tea, which had become cold.
The afternoon sun poured in through the window, filling the seat with a comfortable glow and warming her back. She had gotten up early that day, and was tired from the morning’s activities. The tick, tick, tick of the mantle clock had a soothing rhythm. She leaned back to briefly close her eyes.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought pleasantly of warm woods with beautiful enormous blooming flowers that spread a thick pungent perfume in the air. She saw herself in a clearing surrounded by bushes laden with large juicy berries. The berries were so heavy that the branches drooped almost to the ground. How easy it would be to simply pull one of the berries down, and drink the sweet juice.
As she walked towards one of the bushes, she felt a chill from a cool breeze. The sky clouded over, and it began to get dark. Glancing at the sky, she could see just a sliver of the moon shinning behind the clouds. As they parted, the Forester Constellation was visibly spread out across the sky. A strange musty scent drifted on the breeze. It was getting colder, and there were unfamiliar noises. She could no longer see berries on the bush in front of her. Was it the same bush, or was it just that the light was dimming?
From the other side of the foliage came a scratching and snuffling sound followed by footfalls that were getting louder. Someone was running towards her. She stood frozen in place unable to move. Into the clearing ran a gnome wearing a cloak that shimmered faintly. She couldn’t make out his features. It was like looking at a reflection in a pool when the water is slightly rippled. He stood panting in the middle of the clearing, either not seeing or not acknowledging her presence.
Out of the bush came a large, terrifying, creature walking on four legs, and covered in fur except for a long naked tail. Small menacing eyes looked out of a face with a pointed nose. It turned its head from side to side, sniffing the air and trying to catch the scent of its prey. She didn’t understand why it couldn’t see the gnome, and was terrified that at any moment it would turn and see her. The gnome stood motionless, covered in a luminous mist.
She tried to scream, but the cold air took her breath away and only a small whimper came out. The breeze swirled the leaves on the ground, and she shivered with cold and fright. With the shifting of the breeze the animal caught the scent of the gnome, and focused its attention in his direction. She could smell its fetid breath as it barred its teeth.
She screamed in horror. Instead of hearing her own voice, she heard a terrifying screech of some creature in the air. Above her a knocking noise drew her attention. Looking up she saw the branches in the tree above her creaking and rattling together. Forcing herself to look back at the ground, she saw the animal charging toward the gnome.
Just then a shadow passed overhead. Large powerful talons descended out of the sky, and fastened mercilessly on the animal. Huge wings briefly blotted out the Forester Constellation as it flew off carrying the limp body into the night.
The branches above rattled again. She woke with a start, but the noise continued. The sun had gone down, and her cozy warm corner was now cold and dark. Dazedly she realized it was evening, and someone was knocking at the door.
CHAPTER 5 - THE PIXIE WOODS
While Morley was preparing for his adventure, Travis was entering the Pixie Woods. He walked along the path through tall, ancient oak trees. Their wide trunks prevented him from seeing very far down the path. A layer of decaying leaves covered the ground adding a fine earthy smell. There was very little undergrowth. The whole area was deeply enchanted from all the pixie dust that had accumulated over the years. The dust kept away harmful insects, and only a few weeds could be found. Travis stepped carefully so he wouldn’t stir it up. Unwary travelers who breathed in too much of the dust found themselves lightheaded and talkative.
Every so often he came to a clearing where the trees had separated. Opaque shafts of sunlight shown down revealing hundreds of tiny sparkles from the pixie dust floating in the air. It was in these clearings that Travis would find the small, delicate flowers called Wing-Buds. Every morning their four, leaf-shaped petals opened like pixie wings. The color varied depending on the type of pixie dust they grew in.
These clearings were also where the pixies ate and had their parties, when they weren’t having their merriment in someone’s garden. They also had water parties on the river that ran through the woods, when they floated on water lilies and teased the fish.
Wing-Buds were only found deep in the forest, and Travis passed several of the clearings before coming to one where he heard the singing and laughing of tiny voices. Mostly concealed by the trunk and branches of a tree, he peered into the opening.
In the center, a group of pixies was dancing and playing a game of water tag. They were in pairs except for one who had a cup of water. He was waiting for the right words in the song when he would throw the water at one of the couples. If he was successful in getting them wet, they would join him as Water Pixies.
Others were sitting on mushrooms and clapping and singing:
When pixie dust with iron is mixed
Those nearby are firmly fixed
And held in bonds - they cannot fly
However hard that they might try.
Tell me now what do you think?
Where does water get a drink? (splash!)
The Water Pixie threw his water at a nearby couple soaking them. They separated, grabbed full cups from under a mushroom and ran back into the fray.
Sparkling dust floats in the air
Trapping those who don’t take care
When metal is red with spots of rust.
Careful, careful with Pixie dust.
Tell me now what do you think?
Where does water get a drink? (splash!)
How can a Pixie brave and bold
Break the bond and free the hold?
Stronger than iron it falls from the sky
Soft as a tear drop in your eye.
Tell me now what do you think?
Where does water get a drink? (splash!)
When the last couple was doused with water, they shook their wings scattering drops of water everywhere, and creating a small rainbow. A thin gold band was placed on each of their heads, and they were declared prince and princess of the evening.
Travis was enthralled by the scene, and didn’t notice the pixie buzzing about his head until it landed on his shoulder, pinched his ear, and said,
“I’ve found a big one
Who’s come to join our fun.”
Travis laughed and said, “Hello Thistle. I was hoping to get some Wing-Buds, but didn’t want to interrupt the fun.”
Thistle flew into the circle calling,
“Hey ho
Join the show
Travis has come
For flowers and fun.”
The dancers stopped and turned to face him. Della and Mari had been giggling together. Now they turned to see the intruder, and Mari sang,
“You have to pay
If you want to stay.”
A tall pixie named Briar jumped down from the mushroom he’d been sitting on. His copper colored wings had a dull glow in the soft light.
“What did you bring
To hear us sing?”
Travis sat down on the edge of the clearing and said, “As pretty as you sing that’s not why I came. I brought you cake in trade for some Wing-Buds.”
An old pixie named Forrest quavered out
“Sweets are nice
But they won’t suffice.”
The stocky pixie with the short curly hair chimed in:
“But a story will do
And we’ll eat cake too.”
Briar laughed, then sang,
“Buckleberry’s in the mood
For tasty treats or fancy food.”
“A story?” Travis frantically searched his mind trying to think of a story.
Spikenard flew over his head. His beating green and brown wings looked like falling leaves.
“Here’s pixie dust
To end the fuss
To clear your mind
And save some time.”
As he sang he scattered green dust in the air, and it drifted down on Travis.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that Spike. It makes me light headed. I can see how going through a door into another world would make one dizzy. Probably filled with pixie dust,” he said disgustedly.
This statement made them all buzz with excitement. Pixies love a good story and are inclined to believe any tale that is well told.
Della tilted her head to one side and looked at him quizzically.
“Of this we’ll hear
You have our ear.
Don’t make us guess
Now tell the rest.”
Travis said, “There’s more to this tale than can be said – In one short night, and that before bed.” He groaned. “Now you’ve got me doing it.”
There was much laughter. He cleared his throat and started, “Once upon a time…” but he was interrupted by Buckleberry who shouted:
“Let’s have the cake before you start,
And I wouldn’t mind a pie or tart.”
Travis put down his backpack, carefully brought out the cake, and set it on the napkin. As the pixies descended on the cake, he told them the story of a door into a world where everything was of gigantic size. He described the flowers, trees, and herbs, adding imagined details when he ran out of facts. They were delighted with the tale, and pestered him to know where the door was. He shrugged, and said he didn’t know.
They allowed him to dig up some flowers, and he carefully wrapped the roots in wet moss to keep them alive. He chose a gold Wing-Bud for Telah. After dining on cake, the prince and princess graciously allowed him to also dig up some truffles to take home.
When it was time to leave they escorted him out of the woods, buzzing around his head and singing. Sparkling dust floated everywhere. By the time he got to the end of the forest his head was buzzing, and he was glad to be back in the fresh air. As the jumble of words and rhymes floated around in his head, a clear voice rang out above the rest. It was Spike.
“When the door you find
Keep us in mind.”
With that the pixies darted back into the woods, and Travis made his way to the village. It was almost dark when he arrived at Telah’s house, and knocked on the door. There was no answer, and he knocked again. Telah was just waking from her dream. She was dazed and white when she opened the door, and stared in amazement at him. He was covered with pixie dust, and his pants were spotted with mud. There were cake crumbs on his shirt, and his hands were stained from the flowers.
“You look white as a ghost,” he said. “Are you okay?”
She had recovered from the dream now, and laughed a little shakily. “You don’t look so good yourself, Travis. You’re a mess.” She brushed the dust off his shoulders. “I’m not sure you should be visiting the Pixie Woods.”
“Aw, it’s okay. I’ll be all right as soon as my head clears. I brought you a flower. It reminded me of the little golden pixie, Mari.” He handed her the golden Wing-Bud which had closed up for the night.
“A Wing-Bud. It’s enchanting.” She gave him a quick hug. He blushed and said, “Just don’t smell them. All that dust on them will make you light headed and you’ll be talking in your sleep. Goodnight.”
He turned and hurried down the path. Telah isn’t silly like the other girls, he thought. She understands about the Pixie Woods and cake. Her grandfather was a bit weird, but he did write interesting stories.
Telah shook the dust off the flower outside, and then placed it in a vase in her room. It was kind of romantic getting flowers from a boy. The terror and vividness of her dream was forgotten.
CHAPTER 6 - THE CAVE
Several days later, early in the morning, Travis stopped by Telah’s house. Tomorrow night would be the Harvest Gala. Everyone in the village was talking about it, and getting ready for the big night.
Kendra was in the kitchen preparing to bake her special spice cake and herb chicken for the party. Morley was overseeing as chief taster for the delicacies.
An old swing hung from the large maple tree in the backyard. Its wide weather stained, wooden seat was cut from a piece of hickory. Carved into the wood was a tree with many branches, and tiny chickadees perched on the boughs. Travis and Telah sat on it together, discussing his trip to the Pixie Woods.
Travis was saying, “Well, after Spike dropped pixie dust on my head, I couldn’t think of anything except what you told me about your book. They were clamoring for a story, so I told them about the door, and the gigantic plants.”
“But I didn’t tell you very much of the story. What did you tell them?”
Travis looked a little smug. “Well, I just sort of filled in the parts I didn’t know with new stuff. Turns out I’m not too bad a story teller in a pinch.”
Telah looked surprised and said, “What did they think of the story?”
“You know pixies. They like to believe anything – and it is a good story, even with my additions. They pestered me something fierce about where the door is. I don’t remember you telling me that part of the story. Where is this door supposed to be anyway?” he laughed.
Telah paused before answering, “It doesn’t really say….but…I have a theory.”
He snorted, “You mean you really think there is a door?”
“Hush…,” she said quickly. “Not so loud.”
“Why?” he whispered. “Are the pixies going to hear?” and he smirked.
“No, but Kendra and Morley might.” She lowered her voice, “I think they know where the door is. In fact – I think they might have even been to the other side.”
“Aw, come on. It’s just a fantasy story that your grandfather made up. What makes you think it’s real?”
“Ever wonder where Kendra gets the spices for her cake, and the seven secret herbs and spices for her chicken?” Telah said mockingly. “And what about the skeletons in the village museum? We’ve never seen animals that big around here.”
Travis shrugged it off and said, “Those are from prehistoric times. And of course Kendra doesn’t want to share her secret recipes. Her cooking is certainly delicious and everyone raves about it but it’s not – “ and he paused for effect, “other worldly.”
“Okay, Mr. Practical, but you should see the flower she has in her bedroom. She doesn’t know that I saw it. But it’s strange – and huge. Not even your father or the pixies could grow something like it.”
“Really?” he said suspiciously. “You’re not making this up?”
“Really,” she said emphatically.
“Well..,” he drawled. “I’d have to see it before I could tell for sure that it wasn’t from our world.”
“Always the skeptic, huh? We can’t go upstairs, but this tree has a limb that gets pretty close to the house. The flower is on the dresser right next to the window. You could climb up and have a look.”
“Oh sure. And Kendra would come in and see me looking in her window. That would be a fine mess.”
“Nonsense. She and Morley are in the kitchen. I can hear them talking. I’ll let you know if they leave the room. Up you go and don’t fall.”
“I would never fall,” he said disgustedly. “And don’t push.” He scrambled out of the swing and up the tree. As he walked nimbly along the branch towards the window, he glanced down. Telah signaled that all was okay. “Okay for her,” he thought. “I’m the one who’s going to be in trouble if we get caught.”
He knelt down and crawled along the branch to look inside the window. There on the dresser was a flower with large orange petals and brown spots. They were wide at the bottom where they joined the stem, and then tapered to sharp points.
He had never seen anything like it. Working with his father, he thought he had seen every flower there was that grew in the area, including the Pixie Woods. This was definitely something new, and it was huge. He was puzzled and excited as he turned and climbed back down to the swing.
“Well?” Telah said smugly.
“Are you sure that’s a real flower?” he asked.
“Of course I’m sure. When Morley gave it to her a couple nights ago, I heard her tell him he shouldn’t be bringing back things like that. He just laughed. Now, where do you suppose he was bringing it back from?”
“Okay, so you think there’s really a door and they know where it is. How do you plan to find out?”
“She’ll be going with Morley soon to get herbs and spices. She’ll need them to cook this morning. I say we follow them, and see where they go.”
Inside, Morley was sneaking a taste of the cake batter while Kendra was at the sink finishing up the dressing of the chicken. She placed it in the pan and covered it. “Ready for the magic ingredients,” she teased turning around.
Morley finished licking the spoon, and dropped it in the sink. “Excellent. Let’s head for the cave. Everything should be dried and ready for use by now.”
Kendra called out the back door, “Telah, we’re going out. We’ll be back in a bit.” She waved goodbye in answer.
As soon as Telah heard the front door close she turned to Travis. “Come on. We can cut through the backyard and watch them from the trees.”
Jumping off the swing, they slipped through the garden, over the fence, and into the woods on the other side. Morley and Kendra were deep in conversation as they walked up the path. The kids were surprised to see them pass Morley’s house and head around the back. Cautiously they peeped around the corner just in time to see them reach the end of the path and disappear around a large lilac bush. Travis looked puzzled. “Where are they going?”
“I don’t know. That’s why we’re following them, silly. Come on. We’ll lose them if we wait here.”
They bounded up the path and peered around the lilac bush. To their surprise they saw the mouth of a cave.
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