The Journey

Time stood still. A lake in the midst of a never-ending forest awoke from its nocturnal sleep. A mist had risen mysteriously above the lake and now began dissipating in the air. All was quiet. The gentle silence was occasionally interrupted by the beautiful calls of a pair of loons. Through the mist came the distant sound of paddling. Quiet, yet becoming louder. The loons fell silent as the sounds came closer.

Three canoes seemed to grow out of the mist, smoothly sliding on the clear, black surface of the lake. In those three canoes were seven travelers. All of whom knew their separate roles in carrying out the journey. A journey that was as old as the earth upon which they now lived. And now their mother earth was dissolving, leaving empty polluted nothingness. Their journey was to help save and recreate the ties between humans and Earth.

The travelers were an odd combination of people: a senior Earth-magi, a Royal diplomat, a Thief, a Healer, a Peasant, a Priest, and a Runaway.

In the first canoe was the silvery-haired Earth-magi Pauli, who was the most experienced of the group. The diplomat Bryan of the Royal city of Cor had previously served as a mercenary for several years before entering politics. Usually a bit of a pessimist, nevertheless he was made welcome in the group.

The second canoe, a bit more weighted down, carried the healer; Taenia, the priest; Sven, and the runaway who called herself Alanna. All three were at the moment having a jolie time singing and joking. Taenia tended to play happy-go-lucky, there was not much holy about Sven except his attitude, and Alanna was a mystery.

Lastly, the thief, Blade, and the peasant, Tom, in the third canoe and paddling hard. Blade was mostly quiet during the beginning of the journey. He preferred to sharpen knives and to stare at the wilderness if left alone. Tom was always there to lend a hand but he too kept mostly to himself.

So here were the travelers; all one group, yet considerably apart. They had completed only one-seventh of their journey and the tasks became tougher by the hour.

The mist soon left the seven travelers as daylight flooded the air. The water lightened in color to a dark black-blue, staying midnight black in the shadows of the towering trees. The scenery was breathtaking and the group stopped to inhale the sight of greenery mixed with the subtle shadings of the coming fall. After what seemed to be a long while, they returned to their vigorous paddling.

Bryan, Alanna, and Blade spent what seemed to be an eternity making sure that the canoes stayed on course. They looked hopefully at Pauli who had travelled the journey many a more time than any of them. She stayed silent and meditated on the beauty of the wilderness surrounding them, not giving the slightest smile or hint as to whether the trio had decided correctly or not.

Taenia let out a sigh when the three mappers bent over their maps once again. Mapping did not come easy, so she let others do what she felt she could not. Sven lay back luxuriously, pulling his hat over his eyes to block out the unforgiving sun.

The day was too beautiful to be wasted. The canoes took off again and kept a fast pace until they reached the secret trail in a bay upon the lake.

They unloaded their canoes in an uninhabited swampland. Then, they left the canoes upside down and in the bushes with their paddles. The water was ankle-deep and the seven found it hard to walk as they trudged through the stinking ooze of mud to the dry land trail. It was ironic how a swampland could be so beautiful with its fallen trees, tall grasses, and lilies and pads. Yet, it was so untouchable and remote compared to the usual human habitations.

"How could people drain these beautiful places?" asked Alanna.

"To create farmland..." replied quiet Tom.

"And to create more cities for human expansion.", added Bryan.

It was sad to think of all the swamp creatures losing their beautiful home to the never-ending stream of people. People who did not even know what they had missed. The rare beauty can only be seen in person or through a viewing portal.

The hiking trail was another beauty all on its own. The six younger travelers were struck with wonder upon seeing immense boulders lying in the wake of giant trees. The feeling of ancient wonders lingered in the very air they breathed. The pathway turned upwards running parallel to a tinkling stream. As the seven climbed upwards the stream grew wider and at one stage, the travelers found themselves walking next to a small step waterfall.

Enchanted by the never-ending woods, Taenia and Alanna fell back from the others' pace and continued to enjoy the wonders of the forest. The guys rushed on to see all of the new wonders awaiting them. The magi, Pauli, walked at her own pace between the two groups, feeling at home. She had returned to her paradise.

As the day wore on it soon became evening. The girls soon caught up with Pauli and met the guys waiting for them at a suitable campsite.

As usual, Pauli and the girls set up their tent and went their ways to gather firewood. Sven and Tom set theirs up and cleared an area for the fire. Bryan and Blade could not seem to make up their minds as to where to put up tent. Finally, they found the worst possible spot and succeeded in erecting a tilted, lopsided tent.

After a well-deserved dinner, the seven sat around the warmth of the fire and stared at the stars.

"In the city, we are lucky to have a few stars: what with all the magi lights. Here... well here there are... billions." Bryan commented.

"I know. Of all the places I have ever been, I love it here the best." Alanna sighed and closed her eyes.

"Where have you been?" Someone asked.

"Everywhere," she replied, "I have been to the south, to the East, and the West. But this is the first time I have come North." She replied leaning back against Bryan.

"I feel closest to the Goddess up here," Sven commented. As usual, he was luxuriously lying back with his head on Alanna's lap.

"So do I," added Taenia, who was receiving a much-needed massage from Blade. An owl screeched as the sounds of the forest took over.

Another morning, another day. The bedraggled occupants of the three tents emerged into the darkness before sunlight. Still tired and aching from the previous day's labors the six younglings stumbled around, quickly repacking the camp.

Pauli observed them with a bit of humor; it was not long ago that she had once been as they were. They would get used to it, but until then she would have to bear their constant complaints, which she knew from personal experience were not as bad as they sounded.

Alanna caught herself staring again. For some reason, she could not keep her eyes off the scenery. She wanted so badly to be able to stay in this land but she knew one day she would have to leave again. She memorized the hundreds of places she saw each day, hoping she would someday return to this peaceful, happy life.

She did not know that she was not the only one feeling this way; Taenia was also dreaming of staying in the forest with lakes for eternity. It was an escape from her everyday lifestyle. An escape that she welcomed with all her heart.

As the sun came out over the tops of the trees, the seven split into the same three groups as before and hiked up the trail. By noon they had only one-quarter of the way left to go. They stopped on a stretch of bare rock and ate a small lunch of basic rations. Time was running out. They had to get to the top of the mountain by nightfall. Magi went on ahead at a faster speed and the guys who were now tired kept pace with the girls.

It was still full daylight when the small group reached the highest point on the mountain. The trees had become smaller and smaller all the way up. Here on the pinnacle, there were no trees. Bare stone, bleached and rounded by the wind was what they climbed. As each individual reached the top they fell to their knees in exhaustion and looked at the scenic view around them.

For miles in every direction was forest dotted by lakes. To the far South was the great sea, to the North and West, the vast stretches of forest, and to the far East, a city.

As Alanna gazed at the city and the smoke that billowed upwards from its center, she was overcome by a terrible feeling.

"I don't want to go back... I don't want to ..." she repeated to herself, mouthing the words and willing for the never-ending smoke to stop its continuous swirl upwards. This was slowly and fatally killing the Earth, leaving behind the pollution she hated. Yet, she knew she would have to go back, whether she wanted to or not. She turned her back to the East and concentrated on the North.

"You okay?", Taenia asked with a look of concern.

"Yeah,..." replied Alanna. She noticed the others had a ghost of that feeling around their faces. They had felt it too.

"We must go now." Pauli stated happily, "We must camp before nightfall."

The travelers heaved their packs and followed their leader down the path. They had passed their first milestone and would continue their journey. A journey that was as old as the earth that they lived upon. Their journey was to help save and recreate the ties between humans and Earth.

The wheel began turning: the love of the wilds grew and blossomed within the young souls. More brave adventurers and heroic wanderers joined the blessed group and many of the original members sadly followed new solo paths fated not to return. Most of the paths, however, cross over as friends rekindle memories and relationships.