Green Eyes chapter 8

Cynth pondered that for a while.

"So when are we leaving?" she finally asked.

"Oh," said Rynth, "Not until tomorrow morning, at least!"

Tante put them to bed - and by the time morning came around, the motherly old woman had everything they needed packed up and ready for them. They shouldered their packs and began the descent down the tree.

When they reached the ground, they paused only long enough to wave back at Tante, then started down the path.

"We've got a job to do," said Rynth, "A mission to perform. Let's do it!"

Cynth wished she shared her twin's eagerness - but everything had just happened way too fast - she still wasn't quite sure to make of it all.

Green Eyes chapter 7

"I'd still like to know what is going on," said Cynth, deciding that it was finally time to voice her confusion.

"Have you told Cynth anything, Rynth?" asked Tante, reprovingly.

"It was to dangerous," said Rynth, "Ilothar's spies could be anywhere! I had to bring her here first."

"Well then," said Tante, "You have some explaining to do while I pack."

"Yes ma'am," said Rynth, then as Tante hobbled away, she turned to Cynth, and began to explain things.

"You and I are the twin daughters of Ine, who was a princess," she began, "When we were young, we lived in a palace with our mother and father. One day, Ilothar, our grandfather, the king's, prime minister, and most trusted advisor, revealed himself to be a traitor. Of the royal family, only you and myself were saved. You were sent to a ally beyond the thin spot, and I was brought here, to be raised by Tante. Unfortunately, when you were being sent through the thin spot, our ally's granddaughter, who was nearly your age, slipped here, and was captured by Ilothar's spies before we realized it."

There was a long pause.

"Now we are old enough to fight Ilothar, and rescue the girl," Rynth continued, "I pulled you back here, so our journey shall begin soon."

Green Eyes chapter 6

"This is Tante," explained Rynth, "And yes, Tante, I was able to rescue Cynth today. Now we can rescue the girl who doesn't belong here."

"I thought..." said Tante, almost reprovingly, then threw up her hands. "Well," she said, "What's done's done, I'd better back you two for the trip." She looked Cynth up and down, and Cynth noticed that her eyes were gray.

"Aren't you going with us?" asked Rynth.

"No," said Tante, "These old bones wouldn't last the trip. I would try to find some one to send with you two, but I don't know of anyone who I can trust to take you." Then, after some thought, she added, "Besides, I don't think I would be able to make it down this tree again. My joints are just too stiff."

For the first time, Rynth looked unsure of herself, then she sucked in a deep breath.

"Well," she said, "Guess that means we'll go without you."

Green Eyes chapter 5

Cynth followed Rynth up the tree, marveling at the identical girl's quickness and agility. Suddenly, Rynth disappeared into a hole in the side of the very thick tree.

Then her head reappeared. "What's taking you so long?" she asked in an almost hissing whisper.

"I guess I'm not used to climbing trees," replied Cynth.

She did finally get to the hole, and, upon entering it, discovered that it led to a nice, cozy room. An oldish woman was stirring something over a stove.

"Rynth!" she exclaimed, looking up, "What are you... Cynth?"

Importance of Friends

“A friend loveth at all times, and brother is born for adversity,” (Proverbs 17:17) This indicates that friends are at least somewhat important. There are many occurrences of friendships in the Bible, some good and some not so good. Let’s investigate to see just how important friends are.

Let’s first look at various friendships in the Bible. How about we start with Jonathon and David. They were probably among the most spoken of friends in the Bible. Jonathon was the son of King Saul – his natural heir. David was who the Lord had selected to be the next King. Judging from this, you would think that two of them would be worst enemies, as they were both promised the throne, and only one could sit in it. Instead they were the best of friends. Jonathon didn’t begrudge David the throne one bit, and David didn’t mind that Jonathon’s father was trying to kill him every five minutes. Well, maybe he did mind, but it didn’t hinder his friendship with Jonathon. In fact, they promised that if either of them died, the survivor would take care of the other’s children, which David later did for Mephibosheth. Jonathon was even willing to face his father’s anger for David.

There are also some bad friendships. King Rehoboam had some friends that counseled him to rebuke the northern tribes of Israel harshly. This angered them, and caused the country to split.

This indicates that friends are very important to one’s life, for they will often affect one’s life far greater than many other things. They give you advice. They comfort you when you are sad. They will help you do things you can’t. They laugh with you when you are rejoicing.

Green Eyes chapter 4

"Where are we going," Cynth asked, trying to catch her breath.

"Away from the thin spot," said Rynth, "We don't want to fall back in and get stuck somewhere else." Soon she slowed to a stop. "The reason you couldn't see me in the other land was because I was not completely there, and nor was I completely here. I was standing in between. I needed you to step forward so I could take your hand and pull you here."

"Oh," said Cynth, "I see, I think."

"We must be silent," said Rynth, "I will explain things when we reach Tante's house, and she will too."

"Who's Tante?"

"Shush."

Obediently, Cynth said nothing until they reached a gnarled old tree, at which point Rynth let go of her hand and scaled the tree without a moment's hesitation.

Cynth took a deep breath, and followed.

Dad

You may be wondering why I have been posting so much tonight. I'm nervous, and trying to distract myself, and no one's adding to my story games on facebook.

Back up there, you may be wondering why I'm nervous.

Dad had a heart attack on Wednesday.

It was bad, but he didn't call the ambulance until yesterday, at Gma's insistence.

details here on my mom's blog:

http://weshallmountupwithwings.blogspot.com/

Prayers are greatly appreciated. He's still alive, but we're not out of the woods. Way not out of the woods.

Diogenes

Diogenes was a Greek philosopher. He was one of the oddest of all of them. He was the chief of a group called the “cynics” or “growlers”. He was said to have been the pupil of a man who had been the pupil of Socrates. He was said to have lived in a tub out in the streets. Many funny stories are told about what he did.

One time he was caught carrying a lighted lantern through the town square – in broad daylight! When asked what he was doing, he answered “Looking for an honest man.”

Another time, when he had conquered the city, Alexander the Great asked Diogenes if there was any thing that he could do for him. Diogenes just growled “Yes, get out of my sunlight.” Alexander’s men wanted to punish him, but Alexander told them that “If I could not be Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”

Another time, when on a voyage, he was captured by pirates and sold as a slave. When asked what he could do, he answered, “I can rule men, sell me to some one who desires a master.” He was sold to be the tutor over his new master’s two sons.

He had, at one time, a slave named Manes. Then Manes ran away. Diogenes didn’t pursue him. Instead he said, “If Manes can live without Diogenes, then Diogenes can live without Manes.” When he saw a young boy drinking out of his hands. At this, he threw his one cup away.

One day he came out into the square and cried “Men, Men!” When the crowd gathered, he looked intently at each one at each person then turned away muttering, “I was hoping for Men.”

One of his students once asked him why he lost so many students to others, while none lost students to him. Diogenes answered, “You can make Eunuchs out of men, but you can’t make men out of eunuchs.”

According to tradition, he died the same day as Alexander.

Comb Jelly

The comb jelly is one of the most fascinating creatures in the sea. They are called comb jellies for the combs of tiny hairs, called cilia, that enable them to swim. They are distinguished from jellyfish by the fact that they don’t have stinging tentacles. They can be found in most waters, but usually pretty far down. If one would like to examine a comb jelly, however, they would have to catch them in a clear container of water, for comb jellies turn to mush when they leave the water. This is because they are invertebrates and don’t have any supportive skeletons. In fact, they completely rely on the water to support them.

Comb jellies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.­ Some have phosphorous portions, especially the ones that live really deep in the ocean. Comb jellies are carnivores, capable of eating creatures almost as big as them, due to the fact that their stomachs and mouths are expandable. The phosphorous portions help them to attract prey.

One interesting fact about comb jellies is that they don’t have brains. Instead, they have what is called a nerve net. That is what controls their actions.

As you can see comb jellies truly show that God knew what he was doing. If evolution were true, how would it have evolved? The stretchy stomach before the stretchy mouth? But God made them, and He made them right.

That Hideous Strength

(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Not all that long ago I read the book That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis. It is the last book in his Space Trilogy. The two main characters were Jane and Mark, a husband and wife, who, though almost unwittingly, choose different sides in the battle. Jane though the help of some old friends and some odd dreams she has, joins, though at first reluctantly, the smaller group whose leader was the main character in both of the previous books. Mark readily joins the other, much larger group called N.I.C.E, but I have forgotten what it stood for.

Was it true though? It was fictional, so the story wasn’t, but Jesus himself told fictional stories called parables with true meanings. Then was its meaning true? The meaning was that, however small and outnumbered they might be, God’s people will prevail. Is this true? Yes.

Was it honest? He never said it really happened, so, yes.

Was it just? During the course of the book, those who choose the right side were rewarded. Those who had chosen the wrong were killed, so, yes.

Was it pure? Only the people on the wrong were immoral, and they were punished, so, yes.

Was it lovely? I think so. The ones on the right displayed great inner beauty.

Was it of good report? It reminds Christians that when things look down, God is always up, so, yes.

Was the any virtue? Except for Jane’s refusal to have children at the beginning, I think so.

Was there any praise? There was much praise of God, so, yes.

Therefore, this was a good, God-honoring book.

Green Eyes chapter 3

A tingling sensation came over Cynth, starting at her fingertips and within moments enveloping her whole body. Then it darkness flooded her eyes. She tried to cry out, but she had no voice. It felt as though an elephant were sitting on her chest - only what was an elephant?

Then the weight dissipated, and she could breath again, and her sight came back, and the tingling feeling went away. However, she was no longer in the woods she had been in.

She was looking at a girl, who looked as like to her in every way.

"Who are you?" Cynth asked.

The girl smiled. "I am your twin sister, Rynth."

"But -" began Cynth.

"You were lost," said Rynth, "Sent away, stolen. The woman you called Grandmother knew, but could not send you back here. There is a child stuck here that you must return the the land I just brought you from. The child of the man and woman you called your parents."

"I don't understand," said Cynth.

"Nor is there time for further explanations," said Rynth, "This is a dangerous place." She grabbed Cynth's hand and drug her away.

Green Eyes chapter 2

Cynth blinked. "Why not?" she asked.

"You'll see," said the voice, "Walk this way, and I will show you."

"No," said Cynth, "My mother said that I'm not to talk to strangers."

"I'm no stranger to you, Cynth," said the voice, "Or, at least, I shouldn't be. You don't belong here, you never have, and you never will. You yourself have often expressed similar, have you not? Moments ago, you were saying that you wished you knew why your eyes were green and not blue or brown like all the others. If you will trust me, and do what I ask, you will find out."

"Why should I?" demanded Cynth.

"Because there are questions that have been bothering you your whole life," said the voice, "Questions I can help you answer, Cynth, if you'll trust me."

Cynth bit her lip, it was true, oh so true. There were questions that she wanted, needed answered, but could she trust this - this bodiless voice to answer them?

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Just take a step forward," said the voice, "Trust me, I won't let any harm come to you."

Cynth took a deep breath, and stepped forward.

Green Eyes chapter 1

Once upon a time, in a land that I'm sure you've never heard of, there lived a girl with green eyes. Her name was Cynth. Cynth lived in a land where people only had brown and blue eyes, so she was despised and ridiculed. Her mother and father and brothers and sisters all had brown and blue eyes, but she had green.

One day, she was walking in the forest, trying to avoid the teasings of her should-be playmates. Tears chased each other down her cheeks.

"Why am I so different?" she asked, "Why do I have green eyes?"

Her grandmother, whose eyes where as blue as the sky, was the only one who didn't consider Cynth to be an absolute failure as a child. Cynth was about to find out why.

"Who are you?" a voice asked, softly, yet loud enough for Cynth to hear.

"Cynth," said Cynth, without thinking. She turned around to look at her addresser, but there was no one there.

"You can't see me right now," the voice continued, "For I don't belong here." There was a pause, then the voice continued, "And neither do you."

Goldilocks and the Golden Ball

This is a create a story game I started at my birthday party, and then put on facebook to continue. It didn't get far, so I want help continueing it.

Rules: Keep your post (comment) under 250 words and wait until someone else has posted to continue. I want to see how different this version will be from the facebook version.

Me:

Once upon a time, in a land ruled by dragons and where unicorns roamed free, there lived a girl named Goldilocks. Goldilocks hated her name because her hair wasn't gold. It was a drab mouse brown.

Her parents had been killed in a dragon attack when she was only two, so she lived with her Uncle Taan instead. Uncle Taan was nice enough to her, but his wife, Aunt Ell, seemed to resent her living with them, as did their son and daughter, Haver and Cirin, respectively. Haver was a year older than Goldilocks, Cirin was a year younger.

Goldilocks was a good singer, though, and would often go to the meadows to sing. There the unicorns would come to listen to her, but they would always stay just out of reach. Goldilocks knew that, if she were ever granted three wishes, she would immediately know what those wishes would be. Her hair to be the color of her name, a family that loved her, and the trust of a unicorn, so she would be able to ride it.

One day, while wandering in the meadow, she found a small, golden ball.

Aunt Ru.:

She had once been told by her Uncle Taan that the one who owns the golden ball could rule the land. Only, it had disappeared when the dragons took over. Could this be it?

Upon finding it she sang out in a song to the unicorns for help. Would one come forth to help her? She sang out the last stanza ... and then -

Mom:

She heard a rustle in the grass behind her. She turned around slowly to face the biggest, blackest, oldest unicorn that she had ever seen. His horn was gone, and a huge scar ran across his forehead and into one eye. He turned his head togaze at her with his one good eye. Determined, she gazed back, although her heart pound in her chest.

His gaze dropped to her hands, and she opened them to reveal the golden ball, then closed again and clutched to her chest. She took a deep breath, and said, "I am all alone in the world, I want to help you."

The unicorn stared at her for several long minutes, and then turned and walked away.

Me:

She hesitated for a moment, then decided to follow him, hoping she was doing the right thing.

He led her to a cave, in which sat a very, very old woman. Her hair, or what was left of it, was snow white. Her eyes were cloudy, and her wrinkles had wrinkles.

When Goldilocks entered the woman spoke in a high, creaky voice. "We've been waiting for you, child."

Mom:

It took all of her willpower to not suddenly run back the way she came, for the old woman was not a pleasant sight to behold. "Me?"

"Yes, come be at supper with me."

"You're not ... not going to eat me? Are you?" gasped the girl.

"You are MUCH to skinny to eat."

Goldilocks shook with fright, but the old unicorn blocked her exit. She stepped forward and sat down at the table. She took a bite, found it delicious, and was soon scooping every bite into her hungry stomach.

Me:

When she had finished eating, she looked up. "Why have you been waiting for me?" she asked.

"You are the one who has found the golden ball," said the old woman, "You are the one who can free the land from the dragons. You have a grand destiny, Goldilocks."

Goldilocks gulped. "How do you know my name?" she asked.

Mrs. V:

Before the old woman could answer a young man burst into the room, a very handsome young man with hair the color of purest gold. "Grandmother...grandmother...have you seen my....oh...excuse me....I see you have a visitor."

"Yes, yes I do. Goldilocks, this is my grandson, David, slayer of giants and dragons. He watched you the other day as you walked in the meadow. He heard you singing. And, most importantly, he saw you pick up his missing golden ball, the one he uses in his sling. "

"But, I still do not understand," Goldilocks replied. "You...you.. knew my name."

As Golilocks looked more closely at the old woman, she could see kindness in her eyes. When the old woman spoke again, there was a softness to her voice. "Yes, child, I know your name. We hear your uncle calling for you when you are seeking refuge in the meadow. We hear your songs in the wind."

Me:

Goldilocks bit her lip. "What is my destiny?" she asked.

"You will have to discover that for yourself," answered the old woman, "But, you must be brave, for there are many dangers you will have to face."

Goldilocks gulped again. "Dangers?" she managed to say.

"Every day occurrence for me," said David.

"Yes," said the old woman, "There are those of us who haven't stopped fighting, though we have had to go into hiding. We have been waiting for you, Goldilocks, waiting a long time."

Mom:

Just then, a small girl with hair as dark as night came into the room, a bird was cupped in her hands, and tears were in her eyes.

Me:

‎"What's the matter River?" asked the old woman.

"I just found this bird," said the black-haired girl, "She's hurt. I think one of the young dragons attacked her!"

"Bring her here," said the old woman. River brought the old woman the bird.

Mrs. V:

The old woman cradled the bird in her gnarly fingered hands. "No, River, it's a fledgling. It will be fine after some moments of rest. I think the little fellow was in too much of a hurry to leave the nest. And, speaking of leaving the nest, David you promised your sister a ride on Eunice. Why don't you grab the halter and get on with you. Perhaps, Goldilocks would enjoy a short ride on your favorite unicorn.
Would you like to go along, dear?}

Goldilocks did want to go along; however, was it the handsome young man or the promised ride on the unicorn that was causing her heart to flutter? " I...well....I....yes, I would like that very much."

"It's settled then," proclaimed the old woman. "And, David, I believe this is what you were looking for when you barged into the room.? She held up his sling.

Me:

David smiled, almost sheepishly, but not quite, "Yes Grandmother," he answered, taking it.

"I want you to take her to her uncle's house, and inform him what we need her for," said the old woman, "I don't think they will refuse you."

Mom:

With great excitement, Goldilocks climbed onto a pure gold unicorn that shone like the sun. Beside her, David was mounting a stallion that shone like the moon.

She had tried to give the golden ball back, but David had waved it away. "It has chosen you."

Mrs. V:

‎"Thank you, David," whispered Goldilocks. At that moment, Goldilocks was wrapped in a warm light and her hair turned to a lovely shade of gold.

David turned to Goldilocks with a smile and exclaimed, "Your hair! The golden ball has worked its magic."

Goldilocks giggled in delight, nudged the unicorn into motion with her heels, and shouted, "Giddy-up, Eunice. Let's go!"

Mom:

David laughed, "That's not Eunice. Her name is Glo. She is one of mine. I am riding, Lunar. Eunice is over there with River."

For the first time, Goldilocks noticed that River was sitting on a small turquoise blue unicorn with a sea green mane and tail.

"Oh my!" gasped Goldilocks. Glancing down at Glo, she seemed to be laughing, then she seemed to instantly be in a gallop. Her hooves never seemed to touch the ground, and all too soon, the gates of the castle were within sight. They stopped in a grove not far from the gates.

"Oh my!" gasped Goldilocks.

"You done said that before," giggled River. Behind her David grinned.

"Come," said David. The two of them walked down to the gates and into castle, and right into the Great Room where her Uncle sat polishing the furniture.

"Sir," David's voice boomed into darkness.
The man glanced up, startled at the sight of David and the change in his niece. "Oh My!" he stammered. Goldilocks hid a grin behind her hand.

"Sir," David started again, much softer. "It is my understanding that this lass is the child of your brother?"

Uncle Taan nodded.

"She is also the child of my mother's sister. Long we have searched for her. We would like to bring her home with us."

"Oh my," gasped Goldilocks.

Mrs. V:

Goldilocks, having gotten over the embarrassment of confusing Glo with Eunice, was now overcome with a deep sense of gratitude. With her hair now the color of gold, a unicorn to ride, and the promise of a home, it would seem her dreams were coming true.

Mom:

Uncle Taan chewed the edges of his mustache, considering the two before him. There were glistens of tears in his eyes, for he was truely fond of the child.

"Ay," he sighed at last. "She may choose."

Goldilocks gave her uncle a hug and promised to visit, then ran up to her room to pack the few belongings that she called her own, a second dress, a brush for her hair that belonged to her mother, and a string of beads and pearls that she had gathered through the years as she cleaned the castle. Also, an old worn quilt that she had been wrapped in when she was brought to live here. She hesitated a few seconds, and then took the cloak that the Lord of the castle had given her last year.

She hurried back to the great room, but not fast enough. Cirin and Aunt Ell found her just beyond the doorway. Cirin grabbed the dress and cloak away, laughing, and then as David and her uncle appeared in the doorway, she felt the hair of her head being pulled backwards and with a "snip" it was gone. HER HAIR!!!!

David was angry. "What do you mean, can the lass not leave with her own belongings?"

Aunt Ell's eyes narrowed. "The dress and cloak should rightfully go to my daughter. And I will sell her hair to pay for all the money we have been forced to spend on her." Her hands darted toward the beads and brush, but David intervened, whisking Goldilocks off of her feet and into his arms, and wrapping her into the quilt all at the same time. His glare was enough to silence her from further protest.

David turned and walked out of the castle. Goldilocks sobbing. Setting her down finally in the clearing.

River ran over with a cry, "Not your hair! Why did they take your hair?"

David sighed, running his hands through the ragged locks. "Granny will fix it up, but it will take a long time to grow back. Perhaps it is for the best, we have a long journey ahead to overcome the dragons. And I'm sure we can find both dress and cloak to replace the ones they stole."

Me:

They remounted, and rode back to the cave, quietly, yet swiftly. When they got there, however, Granny was gone! The table was overturned, and things scattered all over the place.

"The dragons have taken her," David announced.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Goldilocks, "She was so good."

"Our family is too valuable for the dragons to kill," said David, "they have her prisoner somewhere, I'm sure, just as they do her daughters, our mothers."

Mrs. V:

‎"But, David, do not despair, I still have the golden ball! We can remedy this situation with a simple wish," Goldilocks said with excitment. " But, nooooo.....it won't work, David! I have received my three wishes. MY hair, though short, chopped, and uneven is a beautiful golden blond. Good old Glo, seems to be my own unicorn,trusting me completely. Then it.....well it.....ummmmmmm...it appears that I was soon to have the family of my dreams. Oh....what to do? What to do, David?"

With his eyes downcast, David replied, "It is also said, that a wish can be reversed by giving one back to the power of the golden ball."

"I'll do it David, I'll do it at once," replied Goldilocks. "But which precious gift should I return?"

Mom:

River inturrupted, "But if you wished for your own family - maybe this is part of the wish? Now must we probably go adventuring to get back all our family from the dragon dungeons?"

David laughed, "Too true squirt."

"So what should we do?" asked Goldi.

"Pack!" said David firmly. "And then we go find Uncle Joe and see if he can help us. And maybe my cousin Jonathon can go with us too."

Me:

Goldi and her cousins entered another cave hours later. In this cave stood an old man. His wrinkles had wrinkles, and his head was as bald as a turnip. His gray beard, however, was thick and long, trailing some feet behind him. It was full of sticks and stones and - was that a bird? He was so short, he barely came above Goldi's waist.

"What's the news?" he asked in a dry and cracked voice.

"The dragons took our grandmother just hours ago," answered David, "Right after Goldi, here, found the golden ball."

Uncle Joe's gaze softened. "Rithina?" he said, "Well, I suppose you came to get advice?"

"Yes," said David, "We wish to save her, as well as our mothers."

"Well," his said, after some deliberate thought, "The way I see it, you need to find the Dragon's fortress, sneak in, free the prisoners - without being caught - find the rift through which the dragons came to this world - for they don't belong here - convince them to go back through the rift, seal the rift behind them, and come back here." He smiled, and sat down at a desk, then said, nonchalantly, "Piece of cake."

Mom:

Uncle Joe's gaze traveled across the faces of the youngsters. He gazed a while on Goldi - then turned her around to look at the very short and jagged golden hair. He sighed, reached into a pocket, pulled out comb and scissors and carefully trimmed and shaped her hair into a very boyish cut.

"Perhaps will be for the best," he sighed. "Now give me your ball."

"Gladly." relplied Goldi, tossing her head to feel the strangeness of her haircut. She handed the bauble over without hesitation.

Uncle Joe gazed at it for several minutes, and then tossed it into a boiling pot of ... something thick and green. Then, muttering to himself, he fished a book from the shelf and began turning pages. Then finding a ladle, he scooped the hot red ball out of the gooy mix and plopped it beside the book on the table. Goldi was surprised to see a design covering the ball.

The old man turned the ball this way and that with a spoon, and glanced repeatedly at his book. Finally he turned his gaze on the threesome.

"It's not a wishing ball. The hair, the family, the unicorns are your birthright girl, not because of wishes."

"Then is that ball even important? or just a pretty toy?" asked River.

"It's the key to the portal, and it must be replaced in the sky to seal the broken rift from their world into ours. - and it must be placed by the only daughter of second daughter of a third daughter. She must ride a creature of gold and have hair the color of gold and a name of gold. .... er at least, that is what the old king said when the dragons first came through the portal."

Jonathon suddenly unfolded himself from a corner, startling Goldi. "Ah, so we will leave River here with you - and us 3 young lads, David, Locksly, and myself, will have to go adventuring into the lands of the dragon - and hope to find such a lass as we go." he winked at Goldi.

Me:

‎"How did you do that?" Goldi asked, still trying to recover from her surprise.

"Do what?" asked Jonathon, as if absolutely nothing was out of the ordinary.

"That's what we've always wan't to know," said David.

"Why do I have to stay here?" asked River, pouting.

"Because you are to young," said Jonathon, "Besides, if you don't stay, who'll be here to take care of Gramps?"

"Who indeed?" asked Uncle Joe with a shake of his head.

Mrs. V

The three young lads, armed with slings and stones, rode off in a blaze of brightly colored unicorns with David taking the lead.

Mom:

She felt odd dressed in pants and with short hair, but she loved the feel of the wind blowing past her face as she rode posing as "Locksly". She wondered how long they would ride and where they were going.


As the sun set, the 3 lads found a place to camp out in a small cave like place in a cliff. The mountains were before them, and they would tackle them the next day.

"You've rode good today Goldi .. er Locksly" said David.

"Glo is like riding on a cloud. I feel like we belong together. I don't mind the hurry up part. But even as fast as we must be going, I feel like the whole trip is taking forever.

And Jonathon is ... where is Jonathon?"

Mom: (there had been mixups earlier, which I have removed, and this was to fix them)

Jonathon had vanished into the shadows again. Goldi shivered, whether from cold or fear, she was uncertain. David found a blanket and wrapped it around her.

Suddenly a loud protest broke the darkness.

"Let Me GO!"

David and Goldi jumped and peered into the darkness. Jonathon appeared, with a huge grin pulling behind him ... River and her unicorn Eunice.

David peered down with disapproval.

"But," demanded River, "I found something that you HAVE to see!"

Me:

‎"River," said David, "We left you with Uncle Joe, you were supposed to stay wit Uncle Joe."

"Yes, but," said River, "I was looking at this book, and I realized that there was a word that said Duh Rrr Ah Guh Oh Nn, dragon. All the pictures were dragons and I remembered that you were going to go see dragons, so I realized that you needed this book."

"Did Uncle Joe send you?" asked David.

"He was asleep," said River, "But I left him a note!"

Jonathon seemed to regard this conversation as funny.

Goldi, who had acquired the book, suddenly began to read, "Push the Magic Dragon, master of all dragons. No dragon stronger, fiercer, or more cunning than Push. Faster than a speeding arrow....able to leap the deepest chasm in a single bound. It's Push...the Magic Dragon.l One thing, and one thing only, sends Push running scared ...to hear a golden-haired maiden singing this song 'Push the Magic Dragon out to the sea, never let it come back here to frighten little me'"

"Well, thank you River," said David, almost politely, "Now go back to Uncle Joe's"

"But if I go back," said River, "Who will come up with all the good ideas?"

"How about Jonathon," suggested David.

River pulled into a pouty posture. "Jonathon has bad ideas," she said, "He leaves me at home!"

Jonathon definitely regarded that as funny.

Mom:

‎"Personally, I think she should come with us," said Jonathon.

River looked at him suspiciously.

David didn't seem to be listening. "I've never heard of Push the Magic Dragon. Is there more there?"

Goldi/Locksly shook her head. "No, the rest of the page is gone, but the strange thing is ... I know that song. We use to sing it back at the castle. It's just a children's rhyme."

David sighed. "Figures." River, you brought us that book for nothing.

"Personally, I think this book may well prove helpful." said Jonathon, now studying the thick book.

Again, River looked at him suspiciously.

Me:

‎"How does the rest of the song go?" asked Jonathon.

Goldi took a deep breath and sang this song:

Push the magic dragon
Out to the sea.
Never let him come back here,
And frighten little me.
Push the dragon, strong and mighty,
Feared throughout the land.
But I won't fear him, no not I,
I'll push him off the sand.

Push the magic dragon,
Mighty and strong
Having him here with us,
Is very wrong.
Push the dragon away from here,
Away from my home.
I don't want him here with us.
I want him to roam.

When the magic dragon
Is gone from our land.
We'll have a great big party,
And we'll clap ev'ry hand.
Yes, then rule ourselves again
And cower not in fear!
'Cause Push will no longer be in,
The land that we hold dear!

Mom:

‎"What a Weird song" commented David.


"And too obvious to be insignificant." laughed Jonathon.


"Well, I think that song sounds like it was out of that book!" commented River.

"Well, I've always found the best place to hide anything from my aunt, was right under her nose." said Goldi.

Me:

‎"What do you mean Goldi?" asked River.

"Shhh!" said Jonathon, "That's Locksley, remember?"

"But what do you mean?" persisted River.

Mom:

‎"She means that the song is probably the key to getting rid of our dragon problem." said Jonathon. "What else is in that wonderful big book David?"

Me:

‎"Gol- I mean Locksley has the book, not me," said David, "Ask her."

"A lot of stuff," said Goldi, flipping through the pages, "And it's obviously old."

Mom:

‎"There are a LOT of old maps in here." She handed the book to David and Jonathon, and they sat with their head together, discussing the maps.

Locksley took River by the hand, got her some supper, and tucked the yawning child into her bedroll, then climbed in beside her. She glanced once more to her cousins, turning pages and discussing what they were reading.

"You did good kid," and kissed River as she slept.

River smiled, yawned, and both girls were asleep seconds later.

Me:

Goldi woke, just before dawn, to voices.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to be coming this way?" said a girl's voice.

"I didn't know myself until just before we left," said Jonathon.

The girl's voice sighed. "Mother was taken yesterday afternoon."

"Her too?" said Jonathon, his voice thick with dread, "So was Aunt Rithina."

"The Dragons are growing bolder," said the girl, her voice clear with certainty.

Goldi sat up. Jonathon was talking to a girl with hair so light it was almost white.

"Locksley!" said Jonathon, noticing Goldi, "You haven't met my twin sister, Jinathia."

Mom:

‎"Do you know where we are going?" Goldi asked.

Jin laughed. "Of course, but I cannot go there - there is no light."

"why haven't the dragon's captured you?"

"They have tried - many times." Jin answered.

River woke just then, and rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she seemed to fly at the girl, crashing into her with a giant hug. For just a second, the two girls looked like colliding sunbeams and rainbows.

Me:

Goldi found it hard to believe that the two were twins, Jonathon with his dark skin and black hair and eyes, Jinathia with her pale skin, almost-white hair, and pale blue eyes.

Mom:

‎"What are you?" asked Goldi. "I've never met anyone like you, all shadows and rainbows and light."

"We are you're cousins." smiled Jin. "Hard it was for your mother to leave you with you're father's people - but you had to be hidden."

"My mother is alive?" Jin nodded.

"And my father?" Jin shook her head.

"He died defending your mother."

Goldi cried. River ran to her and cried too, holding her tight.

Some time later, as she dried her tears, she noticed that River's eyes were dark, and her hair wild about her face. It occured to her that River always reflected those around her - like a pool of water.

Me:

"There is another thing," said Jin, "Before Cousin Chay was taken last year, she told me that the land, if purged of the dragons, would need its rightful ruler found first."

"But the line of the kings was lost years ago," said David.

"One still lives," said Jin, "You must find him, and you will know him by the sword he carries. The sword of his ancestors."