Journey to Hope-Chapter 15

Chapter 15 To Clovenfast

     Laughing, the family stepped away from their long embrace. They stood looking at the Maker’s Well, filled with awe at its beauty and power. 

     “Wait a minute, does anyone have water flasks?” Janner asked. 

     “Uh, I think so. We each have two in our pack.” Kal responded. 

     “Good. I’ll need three of those,” Janner said. In confusion, the family fished through their packs for extra water skins. 

      “Why?” Leeli asked. Then Janner told them what the Maker had told him concerning the Water as he emptied the skins and filled them carefully with Water from the First Well. Again the family stood looking at the Well and soaking up the feeling of the Maker’s presence.

     “Look on it well,” Janner said. “We are the last people in Aerwiar who will ever see it.” After a little while, they walked away hand in hand, toward the clearing where the dragons still were, away from the First Well. Though it was hidden from mankind after that, the Well stayed in the hearts of the Wingfeathers, Oskar, and Sara, as a place of restoration and of hope. As they walked, Janner slowly drifted toward where the newly restored Artham stood.  

     “Uncle Artham?” Janner asked.

     “Yes Janner,” Artham responded. His voice was deep and gentle, so much more than Peet’s jittery talking. 

     “I’m glad you’re healed.”

     “So am I Janner. I feel better, more peaceful than I have for a long time.”

     “I had a question…” Janner trailed off. 

     “I’m glad to answer any questions you have,” Artham said. Janner paused for a while, trying to figure out how to ask his question. 

     “When I was with the Maker, my scars were gone. They’re back now, but they’re different. And a lot of yours are gone, but not all. I-I'm just trying to figure it out.” Janner said with a sigh. He looked up at Artham, wondering what his answer would be. 

     “You know Janner, I’ve been wondering the same thing. Here’s what I’ve concluded,” Artham paused and sighed. 

     “My scars, the ones that disappeared, most of those were from Throg, when Esben and I couldn’t do anything to stop what they were doing to us. The others that disappeared came from times when I made wrong choices, or when I ran away. The scars that stayed, both mine and yours, came at a time when we were protecting. Your scars are still there because they tell a story. Every time someone sees you, they will remember what you did and be inspired to do the same. Your scars changed though, because on the Enramere, they healed…badly. Now, they are completely healed, like they would have been if we had been able to get you proper care. Does that make sense?”

     “Yeah, it does. Thanks Uncle Artham.”

     “No problem. I'm here for you whenever you need me, Janner.” As Janner walked back over to where he had been with Kal, he relished the sound of Artham’s strong voice. It reminded him so much of Esben. They continued walking back to the dragons and on the way, Kal told Janner all about what he had missed in the last three days. Janner grinned when he heard of Artham and  Arundelle, laughed at the Hollowsfolk’s reactions to the new Kalmar, and grew thoughtful when Kal told of all the sacrifices Artham had made to get Janner to the Well, especially how he had reacted to seeing Throg.

     “Wait, do you think we need to go back there? I mean, if there’s anyone left, they’re worth saving. We could heal them with the Water.”

     “No,” Kal responded. “I talked to Elder Cadwick the evening before…you know. He said that he and the prisoners who escaped searched the place thoroughly for survivors. Remember Ood’s friends that we met up by the gondola? They helped too. They unlocked every cell, searched every room, basically turned the place upside down. The cloven that they freed, those sane enough, were really helpful too. They sniffed out hidden rooms and cells, and a lot of them were able to get into places too small for a person. It’s empty and forsaken now. Everyone was there when you caused the Mending.”

     “Is that what people are calling it?” Janner asked.

     “Yup. Oh, and by the way, we aren’t in the Fourth Epoch any more. The Annierans and the Hollowsfolk decided that your death marked the beginning of a new era. Before you write in your journal again, remember that this is now the Fourth of Third Moon, year one of the Fifth Epoch. They decided not to change the months. We don’t need a whole new calendar.” Janner laughed and shook his head, then stopped short when he saw the dragons.

     “Wait, we’re riding home on dragons?”

     “That’s right!” Leeli said gleefully. “First to the Hollows, then to Anniera.” Artham looked up at the sky. It was painted with the colors of sunset, and the Blackwood was starting to get dark. 

     “Perhaps we should wait for morning,” Artham said. 

     “Hold on a minute,” Janner said as he took Kal by the arm and they walked a few paces away.

     “Have they seen Clovenfast yet? Have they seen Esben’s den?” Janner whispered.

     “What do you think?” Kal responded, also whispering. “Uncle Artham was already half crazy. I didn’t want to risk him going over the edge seeing where Esben lived.” 

     “I think they need to see it.” Janner stated.

    “You’re right. I kinda want to go back there too. Maybe I can try to sketch it. And I’m sure Oskar will be thrilled to explore Clovenfast.”

     “Are you sure there are no Cloven left?” Janner asked worriedly.

     “Yes,” Kal sighed. “We didn’t meet a single one on the way here, and we probably made enough noise to wake up a deaf cloven. You worry too much. Here, have some diggle. You’ll feel much better.” Janner laughed at Kal’s characteristic response, going to food as the remedy for every problem. How he stayed so skinny, Janner had no idea. The brothers turned and walked back to the company. 

     “Kal and I know a safe place where we can stay the night. It’s not too far.” Artham looked at them in slight confusion but nodded. Janner mounted Hulwen with Leeli and Kal behind him. Nia and Sara mounted the green dragon, and once again, Oskar mounted the blue one alone. Artham was glad he could still fly. Janner leaned forward to whisper to Hulwen. He didn’t even try to connect to Hulwen because if he did, he knew Artham would be able to hear as well.

     “Can you take us to Clovenfast? It’s this huge ruined city, not too far from here, and it would be a safe place to spend the night.” 

     As you wish, Throne Warden. It is an honor to be in your company again. Hulwen had made the connection and Janner knew Artham was listening too. Then with a smile, he realized that Artham was healed and whole. Janner didn’t need to worry about him losing himself again. Janner spoke out loud.

     “Thank you,” he said to all the dragons in general. “For bringing us here and all you have done.” The dragons nodded in response and leapt into the air. The feeling of flight was incredible to Janner. He realized that he had probably already flown several times when he was dead, but that was really weird. So, he considered this his first time. When the dragons leapt into the air, his heart leapt into his throat and he felt like he had left his stomach on the ground. His heart thrilled in exhilaration and he leaned into the wind, loving the feel of it in his hair. 

     “This is amazing,” he said quietly.

     “Hey Janner, nice job thanking the dragons. Now that you’re back, you can do all the uncomfortable speaking for me!” Kal said from behind Janner.

     “Oh Kal,” Janner said with a chuckle. He drifted into thought and found himself wishing he was riding with Sara. I-I want to hear what happened in the Fork! Factory! after I left! He excused himself. Since he couldn’t ride with her now, he glanced over to the green dragon she was riding. She was already looking at him. When his glance met hers, she looked quickly away, but soon she was looking at Janner again. He grinned and waved and she waved back. Suddenly, Janner heard whispering from behind him. Tink and Leeli burst into suppressed snickers. 

      “What are you guys laughing about?” Janner asked. He was pretty sure he knew. “Oh, stop it.” He said.

     “Just about a certain Throne Warden,” Kal started,

     “And a certain ‘girl with diamond eyes,’” Leeli finished. Janner moaned. He was glad that the wind was blowing hard enough that Sara couldn’t hear their conversation. 

     “Is this what I came back to?” After a second, everyone on the dragon burst into laughter. Janner loved it all. The flying, the view, being with his family, even Kal’s teasing, annoying as it was, was wonderfully normal. The laughing stopped and Kal hugged Janner hard from behind, almost knocking him off the dragon.

     “I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you,” Kal said.

     “I’m glad too,” Janner responded. Suddenly, Kal broke their embrace and peered into the distance.

     “Hey, is that…” he started to ask. 

     “It sure is!” Janner answered. “Look! There it is! There’s Clovenfast!” Hulwen turned toward the huge city. When Janner said ‘Clovenfast’, Kal glanced at Artham worriedly. There was no reason for it. Artham looked great. His face was completely glad and peaceful for the first time in over almost ten years. He flew over to Hulwen and shouted to Kal over the wind,

     “So what is this place, this Clovenfast?” 

     “Can we talk about it when we get there?” Kal shouted back. Artham nodded, and Kal prepared himself for a really long conversation as they began their ascent into the ancient city of Clovenfast. The dragons wheeled over what was once the town square, if Kal remembered correctly. The high stone walls remained undamaged, which Kal hoped meant there were no toothy cows inside. Kal’s thoughts turned to Janner, and he wondered what Janner was thinking of. Probably about Sara, he thought, rolling his eyes. But exploring an ancient, abandoned, ruined city that was who knows how old, was just the kind of thing Janner would love. Kal guessed that Janner was grinning, and when Janner spoke, Kal knew he was right by the tone of his brother’s voice. 

     “I never thought we would ever come back here,” Janner said. “I’m glad, for more reasons than one. I can’t wait to show them the you-know-what.” 

     “Yeah,” Kal answered. “But I think it’s getting too dark to go to you-know-where. You I ever know when we might meet a toothy cow.”

     “What are you boys talking about?” Leeli asked with a slightly annoyed tone. 

     “You’ll see!” The boys said in unison. Leeli sighed and looked at Sara, who was now close enough to have heard the last part of the conversation, questioningly. Sara shrugged and laughed. As the dragons started to land, Oskar was getting more and more excited. He was holding onto the poor blue dragon for dear life, but managed to ask,

     “Kalmar, is this the Clovenfast you were talking about? Is this where we are spending the night?” 

     “Sure is, Mr. Reteep!” 

     “Ah! Splendiferous!” Janner looked back at Artham. He was like a new man. A few hours ago, he would have been jittery and afraid, and might even have flown away at the sight of Clovenfast. Now, he leaned into the wind, a happy, adventurous expression on his face. His eyes sparkled with interest when he saw Clovenfast’s ancient structure. 

     “The only thing I can’t get used to is his hair,” Kal whispered to Janner. 

     “Huh?”

     “Uncle Artham,” 

     “Oh,” Janner laughed.

     “It’s so…so…”

     “Black?” Janner finished.

     “Yeah,” Kal said, looking back at Artham and chuckling.

     “He’s always looked kind of like Papa, and now that he’s healed, I’m seeing how similar they are. Papa’s hair is dark too, but it’s brown, not black.”

     “Yeah, so…when are you gonna tell us what happened while you were… well, dead?” Kal asked. Janner chucked. 

     “Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all about it. But I have something special planned. Now is not the right time,” 

     “Okaaaay,” Kal groaned before punching Janner in the shoulder playfully. 

     “Just don’t keep it to yourself for too long. You're driving me nuts! That’s supposed to be my job.” 

     “Hold on Kal, we’re about to land.” Janner stated. He felt Kal grab the dragon tighter and knew that Leeli was doing the same. The wheeling dragons were so low now that Kal could have touched the highest building’s roof. Quickly yet gracefully, Hulwen folded her huge wings and landed. She and the two dragons who were already in the square looked uncomfortably large. Artham landed just as gracefully as the huge dragons had and walked over to Hulwen. He held out his hand toward Leeli with a courtly bow that made her laugh. Despite the fact that she could have gotten down by herself, she let her uncle sweep her off the ruby dragon and onto the cobbled streets of Clovenfast. As the boys dismounted, Artham walked over to Hulwen. Janner could hear their voices in his head. 

     Thank you for bringing us here, Hulwen. We will spend the night here and light the signal fire when we are ready to leave. That was Uncle Artham. Hulwen nodded her huge, majestic head and flew off, accompanied by the other two dragons. Then Sara, Oskar, and the Wingfeathers looked for a sheltered place to make supper and spend the night in Clovenfast.