Chapter 15

Dalfang and Bracken stood on a green hillside. Above them, the sun shone brightly in the sky. Bracken turned slowly to take in the view. Rolling hills, with trees dotting them, filled the landscape. In the distance a lake glittered in the daylight. Beyond it, high snowcapped peaks embraced a blue sky.

"I can't believe it," shouted Bracken as he fell back in awe. "It's really real! You weren't crazy, I was. You aren't the fool, I am. Wait till Silas hears about this." Bracken rolled in the grass laughing, its fragrance increasing his intoxication. Dalfang stood and quietly smiled.

Gradually, Bracken composed himself. Still somewhat overwhelmed, he listened quietly as Dalfang instructed him. "You're welcome to remain in Malchag as long as you wish. There's much to learn and enjoy. I am sue you will continue to find things quite pleasant. If you wish to return, simply come to this marker and repeat the code." Dalfang pointed to a granite slab that stood about ten feet high, rising from the earth not far from them. "We'll talk more when you return. Stop at my cabin when you leave." With that, Dalfang turned and walked to the obelisk. As he spoke the secret phrase, the golden passage appeared again. Stepping into it, he vanished.

For a long time Bracken sat quietly in the grass looking into the sky and savoring the clean air. Abruptly a figure approached from a nearby clump of trees. Bracken stood up watching expectantly. The creature was about four feet tall and walked on its two legs with a graceful gait. Two large eyes seemed to be the predominant feature on its head. Bushy hair grew back over its skull from a high forehead. The rest of its body was dressed neatly in what appeared to be a leafy garment.

The figure gave what appeared to be a smile and then spoke. "I see you are enjoying yourself." His voice had a slightly melodious tone that seemed to tickle the eardrums. His head bobbed as he talked. "It's pretty hard not to be happy here in Malchag." The creature looked toward the obelisk. "You've just arrived ... Dalfang brought you, I assume." Bracken stared in amazement bordering on humor, as he watched this funny creature articulate. "Dalfang's a good fellow. He's brought a few like yourself here before. They all seem to have the same dumb look when they first arrive." The creature's large eyes didn't blink once, and his body seemed to emanate a soft glow. "Come with me. It's my delightful duty to show you around."

Bracken smiled with more of a touch of humor than courtesy. "Well, if you're going to be my tour guide, at least tell me your name."

The creature immediately responded with another smile announcing its name. "I am Dimliss, son of Curaa, at your service." The elf-like being winced pleasantly. "Come along now, there's much to see."

Now it was Bracken's turn to speak. He pumped Dimliss with questions as they walked toward a large cluster of trees on the horizon. "What race are you?"

"We're the family of Filanleys. We came to inhabit Malchag after losing our former home." The Filanley seemed almost homesick. He quickly covered his dejection with a smile. "We were driven from it by a strong lord who made war against our leader. It wasn't very pleasant for a while. I mean, we weren't accustomed to this kind of life, but we've adjusted gradually."

"Who is your leader?"

"His name is Wiscim." Bracken's new friend pointed toward the snow-capped peaks. "He lives high in the Knasir Mountains. Perhaps you'll meet him someday." Dimliss seemed troubled when he talked about the previous problems of his people, but bounced back with another smile after a few thoughtful moments.

"How long have your people lived here?"

"Ages." Dimliss' voice sounded strangely distant for a moment, like an echo in a long tunnel. "I am quite old myself. At least six thousand of your years."

"Hmm, you look well preserved."

"Our kind don't age in the normal sense."

"I can tell." Not completely satisfied with the answers, but impatient to discover their destination, Bracken changed his line of questioning. "Where are we going now?"

"To a party. My good friend, Striray, lives in those trees ahead. He's invited many friends." The cluster of trees was closer. Dimliss pointed toward them as he spoke. "Dalfang told us to expect a visitor. We spread the word. There should be a good group to welcome you." Bracken could hear the sounds of plaintive music drifting in the air. Strange forms appeared to be moving about beneath the trees. "You'll be glad to know that one of your kind should be there as well."

Bracken felt a sense of pleasant surprise at this latest announcement. "Good, I'll be interested in seeing who else Dalfang has brought here."

"Oh, she didn't come here through the western gate, but through the Kutim Passage beneath the mountains," replied Dimliss.

As they approached the party, people emerged from beneath the wooded canopy to greet them. Dimliss introduced Bracken to a number of the Filanleys, few of whose names he remembered past the introduction. They all seemed happy, eating and offering him various types of fruit. Music came from a group of creatures sitting near one of the tree trunks, playing upon strange looking instruments.

The area beneath the trees had been fashioned by some organic magic into various rooms and levels. Bracken found himself in conversations with his new friends. Like Dimliss though, they seemed to be doing most of the talking. Eventually he found a seat at one of the tables. Looking up from his food, he saw a girl approaching him through the crowd. He stood to greet her. She was tall and beautiful. Her dark red hair was thick and silky. Her tanned skin accented the deep blue of her eyes. She smiled.

"Hello. It's so good to see one of my own kind here." She placed her hand gently on his arm as she sat down beside him. Bracken felt a tingle goes through his body. "My name's Brish Trim."

"I'm Bracken. It's good to see you as well. Are you familiar with this land?"

"Of course. I've been here many times."

"Yes, we're old friends by now." Brish glanced around as she talked. Her eyes danced with joy. She seemed to enjoy Bracken's presence. "But he wasn't the one to bring me here. I came through the Kutim Passage beneath the western mountains. My guide was Estar Cosh. Have you heard of him?" Brish's teeth flashed gleaming white as she talked, her eyes punctuating her sentences with anticipation.

"No." Bracken thought for a few moments. It seemed odd. Dalfang had never mentioned that there was another way into Malchag. He smiled back at Brish with another question. "Have you been here long?"

"About three months. It's a beautiful place. You almost forget about time. Each day seems to bring something new and unusual. I've never been happier in my life."

Bracken enjoyed listening to Brish talk so much that he almost failed to catch the anxiety in her next statement. "But something has been troubling me recently."

"What could possibly bother you in a place like this?"

"Each night the most horrible feeling seems to overwhelm me just after sunset. It seems to come in with the evening air. It's been increasing each night." Brish seemed tense. She spoke softly now. "I wasn't frightened at first, I didn't think there could be anything evil in this beautiful world. But now that it is growing more intense, I've found myself becoming extremely anxious. I'm almost afraid to go home this afternoon."

Bracken's face showed his concern. "Haven't you told Dimliss? He must know what it is."

"Yes. I've asked the others here about it, but they don't seem to understand what it could be. They seem to be pleasantly ignorant of the whole thing." Brish looked hopefully into Bracken's eyes. "Perhaps you could go back with me after we're through. Maybe you'll be able to find out what it is."

"I'd be glad to," Bracken said.

The party around them continued unabated as they talked to one another, sharing their backgrounds and the strange destiny that brought them together, here in this unlikely place. Although their conversation continued pleasantly, underneath, Bracken felt a strange sense of foreboding. He wasn't able to put his finger on it, but it was there nonetheless. He wondered too, what a girl like Brish would be doing in Malchag. He felt a deep kinship with her. It seemed they were pilgrims together in this new world. "How did you ever end up here?" he asked.

"I was in a mind-training school in Toplana. It was a complete bore." Bracken was familiar with Toplana, a city in northern Nerkush. "I bumped into Estar there. He told me about Malchag."Bracken nodded, "That's how it happened with Dalfang and me."

"I was skeptical at first. I'd heard what most people hear...Malchag's just a dream world, the only reality is life in Nerkush. But Estar took me to a secret chamber inside his house and just like you, the next thing I knew I was here. It's been even greater than I dreamed!"

I know. When I first stepped out of the passage, I was overwhelmed. I can see why Dalfang was so eager to bring me here. I know many people who would love this place."

"I agree. It's exactly the kind of place my friends need. Most of them are uptight. It would help them settle down a little. I've been thinking about going back and bringing them with me. But until now, I thought they would think I was just crazy." Brish turned to Bracken and touched his hand lightly with her own.

Just then, Dimliss interrupted their conversation. "You'll have lots of time for talking later. Right now we'd like to present Bracken with our welcome leaf." A crowd quickly gathered around them, as Dimliss raised his voice. "We'd like to let our new friend know how glad we are that he's come to join us here. Bracken, you are welcome to stay as long as you like. Bring others here if you wish." His voice took on sincere warmth. "We know the problems of Nerkush and trust that Malchag's soothing atmosphere will settle many troubled lives. Now receive this welcome leaf as a token of our friendship."

Dimliss held up a ring-shaped piece of green material. Its texture was similar to the garment he was wearing. Motioning Bracken to hold out his arm, he slid the bracelet of green around his wrist. It felt snugly comfortable. Bracken smiled a thank you and all applauded. "Also, Striray wants you to know that you can stay in his home until we Prepare a better dwelling for you tomorrow."

"Oh, but he's going to stay with me tonight," injected Brish.

"Just as long as he's well taken care of," smiled Dimliss. A chuckle went through the crowd. Dimliss turned to his guest. "I must be off, Bracken, I'll see you on the morrow. I have some business to take care of in the south." Dimliss waived a goodbye and departed, a few others leaving with him.

"Let's go now too," whispered Brish. "I want to get home before sunset." Bracken thanked his new friends for their hospitality and then left with Brish.

The sunlight cast shadows from the trees across the green rolling hills as they walked toward Brish's dwelling. At first, she seemed happy to be out walking on the open fields. But as they drew near to her home, she became noticeably anxious.

"What you're afraid of isn't real." Bracken tried to reassure her. "It's only a fading memory of something from your life back in Toplana." Bracken looked back into her eyes with a reassuring gaze.

Brish cheered up a little and smiled. "You're probably right." The two of them came to the top of a small hill. "Look, you can see my place ahead."

Brish's house looked like a typical Malchag dwelling. But when Bracken stepped inside, he recognized a few Nerkushian touches that Brish had applied to various parts; pieces of hand craft and artwork adorned the walls. "Your place is nice."

"Thank you, Bracken." She showed him around the house. The sitting room looked out on a small garden. The kitchen and other rooms were paneled in dark wood and covered with tapestries. She showed him the small guestroom where he would spend the night, and then headed back to the main room. "Please make yourself at home." Bracken found a seat on theCouch. Brish settled down beside him. Dusk was quietly moving from the east as they talked. Everything appeared peaceful, but Bracken could sense the growing uneasiness in Brish. He tried to comfort her, hiding his own anxiety.

"Like I said, there's really nothing to be afraid of. I'm here now. If anything does come, I should be able to take care of it." Bracken patted his pouch to make sure the energy eggs were still there. He looked at Brish’s lovely face. She seemed so frightened. He wanted to comfort her. In fact, he wanted to do more than just comfort her. He wanted to hold her, to protect her, to bathe all her fears away with love. Her look seemed to invite his affection. The moment seemed endless. Then he remembered Lisha. He would never betray her. Not even for a few moments of pleasure. Somehow as he thought about her, all temptation drifted away. He reached out and held Brish's hand reassuringly for a moment and then let go. "You'll be all right. Cheer up."

Abruptly, a dreadful presence began to pervade the room. Frightened, Brish moved away from him and began to tremble. "See what I mean, it's here. There is something. Where's it coming from?" Bracken felt chilled to his marrow. He stood up, and looked around. Where was the strange presence coming from? Brish stood beside him, staring out the window. Suddenly, she screamed and pointed in horror into the blackness outside. Bracken's adrenaline moved him to the door. Squinting into the darkness, he tried to see what had frightened her. Something moved in the distance. Then it stopped. Silence. All he could hear was the thud of his own heartbeat, and Brish's breathing behind him. "If you can, blow out the light behind you."

Brish crouched down and moved along the floor till she reached the candle on the table. She blew and the flame flickered. Exasperated, she blew again. Darkness. She threaded her way back to Bracken and clung to him. Not a sound. It seemed like eternity passed. The air was heavy; it enveloped them, till they almost felt suffocated. Then again, something moved. "Did you see that?"

"That's what I mean," Brish's head was light, she felt faint. A metallic glimmer shrouded in a surrounding cloud of darkness floated toward them. Unexpectedly, a dreadful whirring sound began to shake the ground beneath them. Flaming eyes appeared in the midst of the miasma. Bracken felt something gripping, tugging at his very inner being, drawing him toward the murky apparition, like quicksand devouring its prey. He held onto the table. Threatening tentacles appeared from the cloud and moved along the ground toward him. Bracken's mind was blank . . . he couldn't believe his eyes.

Overwhelmed with fear, Brish fled to the rear of the house screaming hysterically. Bracken, snap out of this, he told himself. Quickly, he reached for the energy eggs in his pouch. Holding the small oval weapon in his hand, he set it to discharge on impact. Fighting off the overwhelming mesmerism he felt, he moved to the doorway. Standing clear of the door, he hurled it at the advancing specter and then ran after Brish.

A powerful explosion rocked them off their feet as they reached the back entrance. Simultaneously, a hideous scream rose to a crescendo and then died away, leaving the night air still again. Brish and Bracken waited for several anxious moments before slipping back through the house to the front door. The energy egg had done its work. A direct hit to the mid-section of the creature had brought it down. Shards of metallic and flesh-like substance were scattered about on the ground. Brish held onto Bracken in relief. For a long time they stood staring at the dismembered creature. Then, Bracken blinked several times.

"My eyes must be deceiving me. I can't believe it. This is insane." Just as quickly as it took place, the scattered remains started to disintegrate into thin air.

"Bracken, hold me, I feel so weak. I can't take it." They huddled together, till there was nothing left of the creature just a memory and a few ashen marks on the ground.

"It's all right now. Calm down. Brish loosened her grip on Bracken's arms, still trembling, she tried to relax. She took a long, deep breath. "You'll never know how glad I am that you're here. Thank you, Bracken." Gradually, Brish began to calm down, consoled by the returning stillness of the warm night air.

Then a most awesome, majestic sight began to fill the sky. "This happens every night in Malchag, Bracken. It’s the fireflies dance of bliss."  Together, they watched as the sky erupted in a display greater than any fire show Bracken had ever seen. Tiny luminous winged creatures spun a ballet of light in the dark sky. Entranced they watched. The sparkling light had a soothing effect. Their anxieties melted away.

Slowly the joy of Bracken's initial experience in Malchag began to return. Brish sighed deeply. "I'm exhausted. I think I’ll go on to bed." She got up and moved toward the door.

"I’ll be out here for a while," responded Bracken. "I’ve got some thinking to do." Bracken remained there in the ebbing light of the fireflies.

The terrifying experience was a fading memory, almost as if it had somehow been erased from the scroll of his mind. He felt secure, warm, comforted. All was quiet around him. He reflected on the joys of his first day in Malchag. This place was too wonderful to be kept to himself. He promised himself he would leave in the morning. He had to bring his friends here. Lisha would love it. He chuckled to himself when he thought of Dimliss. He stood up, stretched and yawned. He was tired. Taking one last gaze out into the night, he turned and headed to bed.