Storymania - Destination Starlight by Nathaniel A Miller

Destination Starlight (16)
Nathaniel A Miller

“But where is here?” Chelle asked and the elf turned his head.

“It is the village of Saint Brigid, one of the free towns here that is outside of Inquisition control.” The elf replied, “Come, your temporary lodging is nearby. Be at peace.”

Rijiin and Natil led them toward a two-story home, made of timbers, and with a small church attached to the side of it with a small steeple near the square. The couple peered at the modest other homes of the village, including the house of the Blacksmith, and his shanty attached to it, billowing smoke as the sound of pounded metal could be heard across the entire village.

Rijiin knocked twice and Kay answered.

The couple of the future was still astonished by the village, the friendly villagers and the modest home of the priest that stood in almost the center of Saint Brigid. The couple both stared at their surroundings in silent amazement, hardly able to believe this place existed, or had existed. The couple was so busy admiring the surroundings they did not hear what Rijiin had told Kay as he motioned to the couple. The young priest smiled at the couple warmly, strangers to this land and stepped toward them, bowing as they turned.

“I am Kay, the cure of Saint Brigid.” He said to Joe and Chelle, “Welcome to my house.”

The couple had turned and smiled, stunned by his youth and the old-fashioned customs they were seeing here. Kay motioned for them to enter and the couple did so, following Kay through the door. Rijiin, being the last in, closed the door behind him. Natil had gone to see Roxanne, known as Sana among the Elves.

“I will only be a moment, Natil and I will be returning to the encampment in a few minutes.” Rijiin told Kay, who nodded.

Chelle and Joe had turned when Rijiin had informed Kay of his intentions, and both had grimaced. The couple turned their heads, their eyes examining the moderately, but Spartan furnished home that had been built for Jacques Alban, a man of the north who had the cure and had disappeared, thanks to Varden. He had the house built next to the chapel that stood beside it, attached to the home. Both were amazed that it was so large for one person, like Kay. The young man led them to what appeared to be an old-fashioned food preparation area or kitchen as they called in their own time. The priest motioned them into the main dining/sitting room.

“Thank you.” Joe replied entering, followed by Chelle who took a seat in the second chair across from Joe. Kay grimaced at the blades the couple wore at their sides.

“You have a beautiful home.” Chelle said, panning a gaze to the surroundings, nodding to the priest who smiled and had a modest look on his face.

“My thanks…” He replied, “Be at peace, you don’t need of your weapons here in Saint Brigid.”

The couple nodded formally.

“It all the same we’d rather keep them.” Joe said, “We be strangers here, and best to remain protected.”

“I understand.” Kay said, “There is no violence here in Saint Brigid, or very often from the north. You should keep them hidden if you explore our fair village, to not alarm the good people of Saint Brigid, even though the villagers are used to it and the elves that usually are carrying one.”

The couple shot an amused look at Rijiin who stood nearby, listening and had grimaced at the statement, holding up his hands innocently. Kay turned after a moment.

“Are you both hungry?” Kay asked and both nodded.

“Ravenous.” Chelle replied, making Kay smile broadly, his chuckle echoing through the room. He motioned them to the kitchen Chelle helped him prepare a meal for them. They sat down, the priest blessing the meal, in which they ate. As they refreshed themselves, Kay stepped outside of the room, joining Rijiin who had exited the priest’s home as the couple sat down.

“Are you heading back to the encampment?”

“Aye, give them this note, explaining the intentions ahead.” The elf replied, handing him the folded piece of parchment.

“These people wear stranger’s garb.” Kay said, “Are you sure it is safe to be around them?”

“Be at peace, Kay.” Rijiin replied, “They are from a place far away as I was, wearing similar garb. Nevertheless, not to worry they are in your care for a short time. I will be returning in the morning, to make a plan to return them to where they belong.”

Kay nodded, smiling warmly at the elf who nodded. The elf had quickly written a note in stilted English calligraphy. Kay was stunned by the letter, as most of his letters were in Latin. He gasped openly. He scanned the letter. He found he did not understand it, but realized that Rijiin had been human and Mirya had said he had come from England.

‘Dear Joe and Chelle:

I will be returning in the morning and will see you then, in the short time, Kay will be here to help you with your needs. Do not worry. I will see you soon. Rest and relax, as we will figure out what needs to be done soon.

Rijiin.’

The elf walked toward Natil who came from the home of Roxanne, embracing him warmly. The elves waved at Kay who stood at the door.

“Take care of my guests Kay, you have my enormous thanks.”

“Be well my friend, the hand of the Lady upon you.” Kay said, smiling, “They are in good hands.”

The youthful priest checked on his guests, and went upstairs to place the letter on the bed’s pillows in which they would be sharing together. He read the note again, grimacing at the stilted letters there, which astonished him. Exiting the room, he returned to the dining area, to check on his guests again then after they were done, Chelle helped with dishes, and Kay went to the chapel to pray. The couple went to the room and found the letter, both grinning when they read it. They sat together as they held each other on the bed, and lay on the comfortable mattress, sleep finding them quickly, but with plagued, restless dreams.

The elves had held hands as they slipped out of the village after nightfall, and raced to the encampment. They soon stood outside the cave but they held each other, tightly together, peering into each other’s eyes. Natil smiled as she stared into his solemn gray eyes, kissing him hungrily as they stood there. They broke a few minutes later, and he smiled too. The kiss had been very passionate, like many of their kisses and embraces. They were always longing to be in each other’s arms, always together and inseparable, even more so after this trip to the north. They were not lovers but Rijiin had found his place, his new home with her.

“I am so glad to be finally home.” She said, “Thankfully safe and sound.”

“I agree whole-heartedly, beloved.” He replied, still holding her, “I still have a place to take you, but we should rest for a time before we travel again. I’ll take my friends to the portal in the north in a few days and be back quickly to be with you.”

The maiden managed a slight nod. They turned their heads as Mirya and Terrill appeared at the cave entrance. Both of them bolted and embraced the couple.

“Welcome home!” They chortled, Mirya embracing Rijiin and Natil. Terrill embraced Natil and warmly shook her companion’s hands. They were glad to see them, having been away for several weeks as they traveled into the hazards of the north.

“It has been a while, and we were concerned that something may have happened.” Terrill said, “We almost came looking for you both. The couple smiled as they glanced at each other.

“We had a run in or two and almost were discovered up in Hypperex.” Rijiin admitted, “It was difficult to get out of there and return home. We had one heck of a time getting out of Hypperex, right after a burning. We discovered a couple of people and brought them south who are from my original home. Kay is looking after them.”

“Good. He is a good host, a good soul, and a good man.” Mirya said, smiling.

“Who are the visitors?” Terrill asked, curiously.

“They are friends who have lost their way and ended up here in this century, through the same way I arrived here.” Rijiin replied, “I will see to them and return them to where they belong. Be at peace.”

“Human ways are not ours.” Terrill gently reminded him, but the still transforming elf managed a grim nod.

“It is so, but they came from the portal.” Rijiin replied, “They are here by a mistake, and I will see to their return to their proper place. I do not want them to lose their lives here, and would have had a better, longer life in the future where they rightly belong.”

“As for your thought, Mirya, I cannot return with them, no matter how much it could be possible. Neither will I try to do so.” Rijiin said, and he repeated what Joe had told them in Hypperex. Mirya and Terrill glanced at each other and gasped.

“It no longer matters any more. I have my place here, my home, is here, and with my beloved Harper whom I will not leave.” Rijiin said sharply, “The twentieth century has no place for me in it now. That time has passed and here is where I shall remain.”

“Then welcome, to your new home.” Mirya said as she kissed him on the cheek then turned to Natil who did the same. Terrill took up the hands of Rijiin and Natil, placing them together. Their kinfolk were grinning as Rijiin and Natil blushed in the dim light.

“Come we should go indoors.” Terrill suggested, and he led them into the cavern. They were greeted with handshakes and hugs by Sana, Talla, and Cara, a handshake by Varden for Rijiin and a hug for the young Harper. Their chatter echoed the cave as they were greeted warmly for several minutes.

The couple took their seats together, and he held his beloved Harper beside him, even kissing her passionately on the cheek. She giggled and kissed him. They were in each other’s arms holding each other tightly, staring into the cracking flames of the fire that burned inside the cavern most of the night, their music echoing the cavern also, as it always had been for entire time he had been here.

Back in Saint Brigid, Joe and Chelle woke from a troubled sleep. As they opened their eyes to the rustic room, they stared at the ash bedposts, the furniture, and the mirror that hung on the wall. The skylight made of stained glass in a moon shape radiated color as the sun touched it. They glanced at each other, snuggling as they remembered their last few days and both were not in what they thought was a dream. They were in reality and both gasped as they sat up, both in the same bed, having stripped to sleep. A warm bath was made for them and the couple gasped as they took turns getting into it, washing themselves of the dirt, grime from their travel and partially clambering through the sewage slews of Hypperex.

They also washed the costumes in the bathwater, and let them drip dry, the window open to let the cool breeze enter the home. Both of the couple found simple robes for them, and they put them on. They smelled food, and headed for the door. The hallway was dark, dingy and the stairs tight, as they navigated it. They held each other as they carefully stepped on each narrow step, grimacing at each other.

“Dang, you don’t find this just anywhere do you?” Joe asked, holding Chelle for a moment, as they continued down the stairs. She giggled at him and the couple walked into what appeared to be the kitchen area.

“Good morning.” Kay said, “How did you sleep?”

“Great!” The couple said, “It is really quiet and restful here. We are used to a lot of outside noise where we are from.”

Kay grinned at the statement, knowing fully where they were from, as Rijiin had told him, and he did not press them about the events to come or place where they had come. He did answer many questions from the couple about Saint Brigid.

Sitting informally at the table, Kay placed bread and stew before them in wooden bowls. The priest sat with them, eating a meal with them, and they paused before they began eating as Kay said a prayer for the meal.

“This looks absolutely scrumptious.” Chelle murmured, picking up the spoon to eat the stew, and bantering with the young priest. The young priest was astonished by the questions, not certain what to tell them about this place. They were still dressed in the robes, and so strange to the priest, despite what Rijiin had told him about the couple.

“Be at peace, you need not worry about Saint Brigid. You are safe here.” A voice interrupted them and they all turned to the door, seeing Rijiin, clad as always in the green and gray. The couple had not heard the door, his footsteps, or noticed him in the shadows of the room.

“Rijiin…!” Joe and Chelle gasped, the young woman running to embrace him. Joe joined his girlfriend at her side.

“You are still here?” The young man asked, and the elf shook his head.

“Be at peace, I do not live in Saint Brigid, but I am nearby.” The elf replied simply, and with that, he bowed.

The couple noted the accent even thicker in his voice that repeatedly slipped in and out of it. They noted the remarkable changes than what they saw in Hypperex. In the bright light, they could see his fair features, the long hair, and gray eyes. Chelle remembered that he had blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy features before. He certainly was not human any more by any means to the couple, and seemed to belong here, despite his coming from the twentieth century.

“He has changed so much.” Chelle thought, and tilted her head in silent wonder. Joe was staring at him in the same way. Something was changing about the elf and the couple both could not put their finger on it.

“This village is really spectacular. Too bad the games weren’t quite like this.” Joe remarked.

“Oh I know it.” The elf murmured, “But thankfully not, as you already saw the butchery associated with this century. We are still in a savage age here in this place and century. I know my friends at DeAnza College would have loved this too. But I rather they would play in the games that looked like this place and thankfully without the violent reality associated with it.”

“And even a few from Synerchat.” Joe added and smiled broadly.

“Oh hell, I know they would.” Chelle said, laughing, as did Joe and Rijiin both.

Kay listened in silence as he ate, amazed by the banter between the couple and the elf. The young priest smiled many times, at the elf’s warm laughter with the couples. Abruptly, the elf fell silent, as he thought of DeAnza and his friends who still probably mourned for his passing now that he was legally dead.

He did not know that his death had hit Mouse the hardest having found difficulty to accept his passing, like his family, after his body was found in the creek outside of Eastridge. It had been months now after his initial disappearance and his body’s discovery.

“They probably they took it very hard.” He thought, and found he suddenly did miss them. He managed a slight shrug, a casual wave across the face, as-if to clear the images and the thoughts from his head. The elf managed a grim expression and shook his head when he glanced at the couple, who had noted his mood change. The elf quickly dismissed his next thought, and met the quizzical, questioning looks of the couple.

“Be at peace, I am alright.” Rijiin said, “I just was remembering my friends at DeAnza and my family. I guess I do miss them a bit after all.”

“More the reason you should come home with us.” Chelle suggested and Rijiin only grinned at her.

“As I said, do not worry about me. I assure you I will be fine here.” The elf assured them, “We should quickly worry about you two, and return you both to where you belong, as quickly as we can. We need to start planning the trip to the portal in a couple of days.”

“We were thinking… if it’s alright… we would like to look around this place, and stay here for a while before we return to where we belong.” Joe replied, “We both are interested in this place, and the incredible surroundings you live in. It is like it came out of a fantasy book.”

“Yes, doesn’t.” The elf replied, grinning, as he thought about the request, “I don’t see a problem of you staying a few more days, unless Kay has any.”

The priest shook his head. “It is my honor to serve.” He said, “Saint Brigid may be small, but it has a lot to offer.”

“We don’t have modern conveniences as you are so used to. But these people call it home as I do.” The elf added, making the couple grin.

“It is rustic as hell.” Joe said, “I have been watching the people outside the window and they are quite friendly to outsiders.”

“Yes, but there is always fear of annexation by the Inquisition but the Barons in the north cannot decide how to divide up the lands.” The elf remarked, and glanced at Kay.

He was speechless, as the elf knew he was listening intently. Rijiin sensed that the young priest could not fathom the thought of moving through time, it was just unreal to him. They were just like the elf, to the priest, when he had first arrived, but Rijiin had found change and healing. Kay wondered what it was like five hundred years in the future, and if it was the same as the year twelve, fifty-two. The elf turned, hearing the thought question and met the young priest’s glance with a slight shake of his head in reply to his question. Kay’s face showed astonishment.

"It is much more than here Kay." His voice sounded in his head, as-if a dove carried his words to him, talking in casual conversation, "More than you will ever know and very much unlike Saint Brigid…"

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