The Tower 9

I walked for what felt like several more hours when I heard a sound in the forest.  This surprised me because I had gotten used to the silence surrounding me.  I stopped in my tracks and listened.  It was a faint crackling noise, like leaves crunching beneath someone’s feet. 

I whirled around searching for the source, but seeing nothing.  I continued on carefully searching the trees and bushes as I walked.  The noise got louder and I slowed my steps moving cautiously. 

Ahead I saw the faint flicker of a light in the trees.  Anxiously I moved toward it.  It looked like a fire, but again the colors were off.  Instead of the cheerful yellow glow from a fireplace it was a brighter colder color, like the sun on a foggy winter morning.

As soon as I reached the strange fire it got dark very quickly.  I reached out my hands and felt the warmth from the fire.  I examined the wood.  It looked like ordinary wood, but I noticed that it burned differently.  It was like looking at the fake logs of a gas fireplace.  The logs burned and yet they didn’t.  Shaking my head I glanced around.  A tent had been set up in a flat, grassy area and a small loaf of bread sat on a metal plate next to the fire.

I stepped back.  This was way too convenient for my taste.  I was certain the moment I sat down or ate a morsel of the bread I would turn into a mouse or something.  I turned away from the cozy campsite to return to the road, but stopped suddenly.

A terrible feeling struck me in my stomach and uneasiness gripped my heart.  I tried to moved but I felt frozen to the ground.  It was then I heard the voice I had been hoping to hear since this whole dream started.

“It’s not safe on the road, you should stay here,” he whispered.

It was the voice of the many from the tower.  I turned around expecting to see him standing next to the fire.  I was still alone.

“Why?” I asked quietly.

“Stay in the circle.  You are protected,” his voice whispered ignoring my question.

            My eyes immediately scanned the ground.  At my feet I saw several tiny white flowers spaced evenly.  I followed the line.  They made a complete circle surrounding the campsite.  I had not even noticed them as I stepped into the camp.

I took a step back and felt an instant relief from the terrible feeling, but I still felt uneasy.  A sense of being trapped crept into my mind and settled in comfortably berating me for even thinking about approaching the fire.

“You are safe here for the night.  Just trust me,” he whispered answering my thoughts.

“Who are you?  Where are you?”  I asked hoping, but not expecting an answer.

“Soon,” he whispered back.

Deep down I knew the voice would not return that night.

to be continued...

The Tower 8

The road wound back into the trees and it wasn’t long before the bridge disappeared.  The forest remained quiet as I traveled increasing the nerves in the pit of my stomach.  I looked up trying to track the sun, but my view was completely obstructed by the tall trees.  It seemed darker here in the forest, but I wasn’t completely sure.

One thing was certain, I wasn’t about to spend the night on the ground in a fairy tale forest from my own, obviously overactive, imagination.  I really didn’t think I had any control over the circumstances, but if by some chance I did then I prayed some sort of shelter would appear before I was forced to crouch in a ball beneath a tree.

I walked on annoyed and yet curious.  The trees were enormous, towering hundreds of feet above me.  They reminded me of the Red Wood Forest in California, yet they were different somehow.  I moved closer to one and examined the trunk.  It had the appearance of bark, but the color was off somehow.  I reached out to touch it and pulled my hand back in surprise.  Instead of a rough texture it was smooth, like silk.

I touched it again running my hand up and down the surface.  It was hard as granite, but silky soft to the touch.  The surface wouldn’t give at all.  I moved to a branch and examined the fir needles.  They looked prickly, but they moved against my fingers like heather.

With a sigh I went to another similar tree and found the textures to be the same.  Perplexed I tried a different tree.  This on looked more like a beech tree.  Its bark was rock hard like the fir trees, but it felt more like velvet than silk.  The leaves also had a velvety feel to them though they were more solid than the fir needles.

I tried to pull a leaf from the tree, but it wouldn’t budge.  My brows knit together in determination as I pulled again.  It remained firmly attached.  I scanned the ground looking for any dropped leaves and found none.  This forest was definitely unique.  I left the trees my attention completely taken from the road.

I examined the bushes and flowers finding the exact same circumstances as the trees.  Everything was rock solid and unmovable, but still incredibly soft to the touch.  I figured I could run into a tree and though it would hurt my blow would be softened by the textures.

Shaking my head I finally continued on.  I couldn’t see any noticeable change in the light around me and I hoped that would remain the case until I left the forest or found a place to sleep.

to be continued...

Knitting

Well today, instead of spending time writing and continuing my novel journeys I decided to pull out the good ol' knitting loom and play around.  It was such an easy process and I ended up making a hat and a scarf, something I have wanted to do for quite a while.  I had a lot of fun adding to my winter accessories and will probably do more in the future.  Thus instead of a continuation of a story I have created the story of some yarn and their journeys through the loom and into my new scarf and hat.

I think it is a good thing to explore and do something creative with a different part of my brain.  So if you plan on watching TV get a small loom and create something fun for yourself or a friend.

The Line That Divides Chapter 3

Here is the next chapter of The Line That Divides.

The Tower 7

I stepped back carefully swallowing the nauseous feeling from the height of the cliff.  I looked to the left and could see nothing but trees and the sheer drop into the mist below.  The path turned to the right following the edge of the chasm until it came to a bridge.

The bridge was a grand affair rising in graceful arches high above my head.  It was wide enough to fit a car but I supposed in this fantastic world I was experiencing it would be a coach and four.  It arched out into the chasm supported by a fantastic layout of what looked like iron or steel trusses.

I searched for the other side but could see nothing but the rising mist.  At this point I was well and ready to go back to the tower and wait for something else to happen.  I wasn’t about to waltz out onto a bridge that I didn’t know how old or structurally sound it was.  The astonishing height of the bridge and depth of the chasm was enough to keep me firmly on the ground.

The deep urge to continue struck me again, but this time I was going to be stubborn. 

“If you want me to cross it then you’d better show me how stable it is and provide someone who will cross with me,” I said stubbornly.

I fully expected to wake up at that point, but I stayed right where I was waiting.  At this point I could see the sun dipping toward the western horizon (I assumed it was west).  It was still warm and felt more like early afternoon than evening.  I waited for another half hour and watched as the sunlight illuminated the arches of the bridge near my side of the chasm. 

Slowly but surely the mist began to burn away in the afternoon warmth.  I still couldn’t see to the bottom, but now the entire bridge was visible from where I stood.  It had to be at least a mile wide and several hundred feet tall.  The trusses on both sides were anchored deeply into the rock walls of the chasm arching to the center.

The bridge was suspended between two solid towers grounded firmly on each side of the chasm.  The structures were made of a mixture of stone and the iron or steel that matched the trusses.  Long chains attached to the top of the towers and dipped down near the approach in the center.

I studied the structure for several minutes before deciding whether or not to cross.  It looked solid enough and new enough that I shouldn’t have any problems crossing.  The rails of the bridge were high enough to block my view of the chasm below giving a bit of added comfort to the situation.

With a deep breath I stepped onto the bridge.  I had gone about a hundred yards when I remembered the fairy tale of the troll bridge.  With a shudder I tried to push the thought away.  This didn’t seem like that kind of fairy tale situation.  I hadn’t encountered monsters of any sort so I felt relatively safe.

I continued.  It felt like an eternity before I reached the other side of the bridge.  When I turned to look back the mist had risen up obscuring the other side.  I closed my eyes, grateful for the sunshine and nervous for what might be ahead.

The Tower 6

It didn't take long for the trees to close around me.  I looked back and could barely see the tower through the thick branches and leaves.  At this point my nerves started to give out.  What in the world was I doing?  I'm not this adventurous.

I turned around and took a step back toward the tower and stopped.  Deep in the back of my mind I felt I should go on.  I hesitated, not sure what feelings I could trust at this point.  With slow measured steps I resumed my travels on the path.

The forest around me was quiet and peaceful.  Different from any other forest I had visited.  The usual noises of bugs and wildlife were gone replaced only by the sound of wind moving through the branches high above my head.  I craned my neck searching for a landmark ahead, but I could only see the path winding through the trees.

After what felt like an hour I sat down to rest.  I was tired and hungry and thoroughly unimpressed with this new adventure.  I knew if I kept going it would eventually get dark and I would need to eat and sleep.  With these new thoughts I became worried.

What if I never got out of this place?  What if I died in this dream?  I shuddered.  It was like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe gone crazy.  I should have met a faun or someone by now.

Angry this time I turned back and again I stopped.  The deep urge to continue almost overwhelmed my senses.  At that point I knew I would not be able to return until I finished what ever it was I had to do here in this forest, so I continued on.

As I walked I reviewed every fairytale I had ever heard and tried to figure out which on my brain had thrust me into all the while wondering why I hadn't awakened yet.  As I walked further away from the tower I started to notice a change in the forest.  The trees started growing further apart and the rustle of the wind in the leave above was now being challenged by other sounds.

The sounds didn't frighten me, on the contrary I felt more comfortable and at ease.  After what felt like another two or three hours the trees broke away and I found myself at the edge of a deep chasm.

To be continued...

A Thank You To Our Military

So I had the chance to come home for a few days and visit with my Dad and pick up a few things I left in the move.  As I was getting situated I noticed a young man across the aisle from me.  He was in his Navy blues and looked tired and worried.

A gentleman passing thanked him for his service and a few minutes later the gentleman sitting next to me struck up a conversation with the young man.  He was heading home to the east coast to be with his daughter who was in the hospital.  He mentioned that he was anxious to get there and I could completely understand.

I always get teary eyed when I see these wonderful men and women in uniform who are sacrificing so much to keep us free and I just want to add my thank you to them as well.  I also want to ask those who might be reading my little blog to say a prayer for this man and his daughter.  Our military have enough to worry about without having to worry about family at home.

It may be such a little off-hand note from me, but I know if we combine the power of prayer, whatever your religion may be, then hopefully one valiant soul and his family will be blessed.

Thank you to all those who serve in the armed forces!!!

The Tower 5

The door opened again just as it had the first time.  Without reservation I entered and glanced around.  Nothing had changed, except there seemed to be a layer of dust on everything.  I looked up at the winding staircase and groaned.

I still hurt from climbing the stairs before and here I had to do it again.  With a deep sigh I started.  The passage didn't seem to go as long as before and after a much shorter time I found myself at the top of the stairs looking across at the flickering fire.

Everything up here was just as dusty as the main floor, but I turned immediately to the tall chair and the stand where the man had put the book.  The chair was empty and the book still sat on the stand.  I walked silently across the thick carpet and approached the book.

The dust here was the same as everywhere else.  I reached out and brushed it away, anxious to see what was there.  The page was blank.  I blinked remembering something had been on it before.  I looked around hoping the man would return to explain everything, but the room remained empty.

Frustrated and annoyed I walked over to the bookshelves.  They were still lined with the many leather-bound book, but they looked even older and more worn.  I couldn't understand what was happening.  Why did this place look like a hundred years had passed.  It had not even been a day.

I took a deep breath trying to picture everything as I had first seen it that morning.  The warm fire, the rich carpets and no dust.  When I opened my eyes nothing had changed.  Frustrated I moved toward the stairs.  Clearly there was some sort of magic involved in this, but I didn't understand it nor would I be able to without some sort of help.

Resigned I started down the stairs.  I am a practical person, but I love fantasy.  This whole dream reeked of fantasy and magic.  Yet my practical brain wanted to understand, wanted an explanation.  So I was determined to find one.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and left the tower.  A large meadow surrounded the tower and tall trees surrounded the meadow.  To the north I noticed a tiny break in the trees and what looked like a path.  With a tremor of excitement and nerves I made my way to the path.

To be continued...

The Tower 4

I opened my eyes and realized I was back in the hotel room.  It was a dream, or was it?  I felt like no time had passed.  The sunlight was still coming through the window, but it was a bit dimmer than before.  I glanced at the clock.  It still read the same time.

I yawned and rolled out of bed.  My legs were sore and stiff like...I thought about my 'dream'...like I had climbed hundreds of stairs.  I shook my head.  This wasn't possible.

Suddenly the phone rang.  I jumped and then reached over to answer it.  My wake up call.  With a groan I stiffly got up and showered and got ready for the day.  I had three flights to work and then we'd be coming back to the hotel for another night.

When I finished I grabbed my lunch and manual and left the hotel room.  Everything seemed slightly off, like I was still dreaming.  The sounds around me echoed a little and I took a deep breath trying to shake the feeling.  I reached the lobby and met my crew and then we hopped on the shuttle to the airport.

The day was normal and when we returned to the hotel that afternoon I made a beeline for my room.  It had taken two flights for me to shake the weird feeling and I was anxious to change and relax.  I planned to walk around the hotel and soak in some of the beautiful sunshine.

When I changed I sat on the bed feeling suddenly tired.  Unconsciously I lay down and closed my eyes.  When I opened them I was again standing in front of the tower.

To be continued...

Time

So I haven't really been busy, but I have been very lazy and not writing when I should have.  I have no excuse just tired and lazy oh and wait and ear infection.  So that's my excuse.  I still wanted to write even though it would be totally boring and I hope you can forgive my lapse. 
Hopefully there will be something creative coming out of me tomorrow.