PaxOku (PaxLair Times) – August 24, 2011– by Tatania
Adventures of Kelin – Dream Adventures
Constance sits at the kitchen table at the Steel Estates enjoying a cup of coffee with Gnieus, Chase, Milla and Spirit Walker. The five would be an unlikely group to those who didn’t know them or the bond they share. Constance, a Grand Dame well past her prime yet so full of vibrancy that she practically glows sits beside Chief Spirit Walker, a leader of his people, strong, proud and surprisingly compassionate. Gnieus, still trying to find his footing is vulnerable though it is hidden pretty well except to those who know him best. Chase and Milla, so happy in love after many years yet polar opposites of one another in many ways, Chase, half disreputable, fierce on the outside and nothing but a pushover when it comes down to it and Milla sit holding hands. Milla is a Lady who is the most surprising. She seems to be one who complies to everyone’s whims, making life comfortable for all around her, sweet disposition on the outside yet to all those who do love her, a Mother Tiger when it comes to those she loves. She has the backbone made of the strongest forged steel and patience enough to see any storm through.
“The reason I am here is because it is time for Kelin to begin his studies outside of the elementary classes”, Milla says. “We need to decide how to proceed with his education”, She finishes.
“Doesn’t the child normally decide what they wish to do with their studies?”, Gnieus asks.
“Oh, those studies will be Kelin’s choice as is normal, but Kelin has two special abilities that he needs direction in. We want him to explore all he can be yet we want him safe and sound as he explores these areas”, Chase answers.
“Is Spirit Walking and Dream Walking dangerous?” Gnieus asks.
“Only in that it is enticing”, Constance answered. “It is a good idea to give Kelin direction to learn to use his gifts wisely and with honor.” Constance said. “A person’s dreams are often personal. Kelin would need to learn to leave if he happens into one of a personal nature or in the least to ask permission to remain.”
“I can understand that. Training would be good for him.”, Gnieus says.
“Walking with Spirits can be disorienting at times” says the Chief. “Not all spirits can be trusted. Many have agendas of their own. Kelin needs to learn to control them. He doesn’t have to have anything to do with any spirit he does not want to. He also needs to learn to base his decisions in life on the living and never the dead.”, the Chief finishes.
*****
Kelin appears on the teleporter from the Savage Village, Milla awaiting him with a hug and a kiss. She takes his backpack from him and shoos him off. “Your Grandmother will be waiting. Go on and please be home by 6:00 for dinner.”
“Yes Maam”, Kelin replies. He blows her a kiss and steps onto the teleporter that will take him to the Prince Estates.
*****
The family is in full roar around the dinner table, each telling the others about their adventures of the day. Laughter and love flow as easily as the conversations as the family devours their evening meal. Tara argues with her father and Milla just shakes her head listening as she knows all Tara has to do to get her way is to shed a tear or three. “But Papa! All you’d have to do is to buy me four soul stones! I don’t have to keep the skills all the time! I mean… I can still be a great mage and a great tailor with the ability to hide and walk around unseen!”, she exclaims.
“The tailoring I don’t have a problem with Tara. It’s the part of you sneaking around that has me worried. You are sneaky enough as it is. Plus, soul stones are expensive” her father replies in a voice as stern as he can manage.
Tara looks to Tempest with a gleam in her eyes then looks to her father, her lip quivering ominously and her eyes growing dangerously close to overflowing with tears. Chase runs his fingers through his hair with frustration and his eyes get a desperate frantic look in them. “Tara… we can talk about it later. I’ll take you to New Magincia tomorrow to buy you a new dress. Didn’t you tell me you had spotted an emerald green dress from a tailor that you just had to have?” Chase tries bargaining.
Tara sniffles dramatically and bobs her head, swiping at her red, puffy eyes. The table takes a collective breath and the meal continues. Tara leans to Tempest and whispers so softly that nobody but she can hear, “The soul stone vendor is in the stall next to the dress maker.”
*Kelin notices Chase looking at Tara suspiciously and decides to break the tension, for Tara anyway, “Papa? Can Grandmother and I visit your dreams? You too Mama. Grandmother said that you can lead the dream to show me anything you want to, even if it’s not real or even possible. You can show me a memory in your dream too if you want to.”
“I don’t mind Kelin. I know just what I want to show you” Milla says.
Chase grins and nods, “Sure Kelin, it will be fun to have an adventure with you, but we both have to get up in the morning.”, Chase replies.
“Oh, Grandmother said that while we are sleeping, we’re still resting. Dreams are not real like life after all. We won’t lose any sleep. She’ll lose sleep but she’ll come get me after I’m sleeping and we’ll go to you. I’d like to visit with you too Da and the rest of you.”, Kelin finishes looking around the table.
*****
Kelin was being punished by Aunt Pudge, shelling a mountain of peas while he watched the others playing with longing. The proof of his misdeed was still smeared on his face in the form of chocolate icing. He couldn’t figure out why he had stuck his face in the bowl. He knew better. He continued to shell the peas one after another. Suddenly his Grandmother was standing before him and he was sure she was about to chew him out too. He looks up to speak but the words stuck in his throat as she spoke first, “Remind me to teach you to change your own dreams Kelin. There’s no need to punish yourself if you really hadn’t stuck your face into the cake”, she told him.
Kelin smiles then and wipes his face, making the chocolate icing disappear. “Thanks Grandmother.”
“Whose dreams shall we visit tonight?” she asks him.
“Mama’s first”, Kelin answered.
*****
Milla twirled around and around on the stage, jumping high into the air and twirling again. She landed gracefully on her toes to a deafening applause and bowed gracefully. Kelin claps too and laughs, causing her to look over to him and Constance. She gets a funny expression on her face then blushes. “Oh Darn! It’s only a dream! I should have known I wouldn’t be a real ballerina!”, Milla says.
“You can be anything you like in your dreams Milla”, said Constance with a smile.
“Well, tonight I’d like to show Kelin something very special.” Milla said.
“Concentrate on what you want us to see and we will”, Constance said.
“This is the day after you were brought to me Kelin.”, Milla said.
A mist forms and Kelin sees a small cottage as it thins. The ground around it is scattered tree limbs from the storm the night before. Uncle Caius and Chase walk up to the picnic table where Milla sits holding a baby. Chase looks to Milla and smiles, “Good to see you again Lady Milla. Yer brother here tells me you need some protectin. Is that the lad?” Chase asks.
Kelin watches in amazement as Chase takes the baby Kelin from Milla and bonds with him almost immediately then turning to look at Milla smiling. The mist forms again and Kelin sees Chase, Milla and himself as a baby settled on a blanket under the shade of a tree as it clears. Some times has passed as the baby Kelin has grown much. Kelin grins up to his Grandmother then to Milla as the scene unfolds beneath the tree. They watch as Chase proposes to Milla and amazingly to Kelin himself.
As the mist closes in again Milla takes Kelin’s hand and leads him out on the stage… and they dance.
*****
The next evening Kelin was in his own dream but interestingly enough, was waiting on his Grandmother when she came for him. She smiled to Kelin and took his hand, “Your Papa Chase tonight?”
“Yes Ma’am”, Kelin answers. “He is really excited about it.”
“Should we be worried?” Constance asks Kelin.
“Very much so Grandmother” Kelin laughs and answers her.
*****
They found Chase in the middle of what surely could be classified as a nightmare. Chase led twelve pack llamas while Tara bought three of everything in Luna. He tried to bargain with her to no avail, “Tara, this is enough baby. I can’t afford to buy you everything!”
“You’re going to Papa or I’m going to tell Mama I saw you kissing that Lady.” Tara replied.
“Tara that Lady was Tempest all grown up and I was kissing her on the cheek” Chase pleaded.
“I’ve never seen Tempest all grown up so I wouldn’t know. Now would I?” Tara says then buys another pile of dresses with her Papa’s money.
Constance looks to Kelin and winks to him, “Should we save him?”
Kelin nods to her and busts out laughing, startling Chase. Chase turns and frantically and looks to them then groans, “Oh no! I can’t afford to buy for both of you too! Tara is putting me in the poor house!” Chase exclaims.
Kelin laughs again and says, “Papa! We’re here for a dream. You’re only dreaming!.”
Chase gets a gleam in his eyes and points to the Tara of his dream. He laughs like a maniac as Tara begins returning all those purchases for twice what he had paid for them. Soon his pockets were full of gold and he sent Tara home and turns to look at them both. “I have somewhere special to take Kelin and a special way to take him.. Did you say we can do anything?” He looks hopefully to Constance who nods.
“Good, then we’re going to Pitmuck to get some ice cream and we’re flying.” Chase said with a triumphant smile.
Before long, the three of them were flying around in the sky. Chase and Kelin were having too much fun chasing birds and looping trees along the way. Chase did use the time as instructional to show Kelin how to get to Pitmuck. He told them what fun the Goblins were and how handy they were to have as friends, in a pinch. Over the Hedge maze they flew then onward to the coast where they flew along the coastline to the swamps and finally crossed a narrow channel to land in Pitmuck.
The trio enjoyed their ice cream and wandered around the village, mostly staying out of the way of the goblins, although they did play on the merry-go-round and tour the ice cream making business.
As the three of them flew home, Chase spoke to Kelin, “This is a good place for you to visit for fun Kelin, but always remember that the goblins are your friends. They’ll always help their friends when in need.”
*****
When Kelin awoke the next morning, he was curiously hungry for Ice Cream!
*****
The Saga of Kelin and his adventures will continue in “The Adventures of Kelin 18 – “Black Pearl Summer” coming soon to the bookstore at The PaxOku Silent Rose Library!
Peace and Knowledge be with you!
Tatania Karthina
24 August 2011