LITMIR.BIZ

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the hill before the hand appeared once again, followed quickly now by a head.

      ‘Over here, quick, take my hand and I’ll pull you through.’

      It was the eyes. Ultra blue, they seemed to pierce through her, somehow knowing what she was thinking. In that split second Maisey felt trust for the elf-like being whose face shone with kindness and laughter.

      ‘Hurry, take my hand,’ he insisted.

      The girl did as she was asked and an instant later, landed on her backside, having been pulled through the shale and between a small gap in the rock face. She stood, but banging her head, decided to crouch instead. The hand which had so terrified her was now extended in welcome; its owner a pointy eared dwarf with weathered skin.

      ‘I’m Rendal and you are?’

      ‘Maisey.’

      ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, Maisey.’

      She shook his hand but frowned now at his cheery face which seemed to be laughing at her.

      ‘What’s so funny, short stuff?’

      Rendal ignored the insult. ‘Life’s funny, and you’d be a whole lot better off if you laughed more.’

      ‘Well I don’t see what there is to laugh at. For one, how did I get here and where exactly is here?’

      Rendal turned and signalled for the girl to follow. ‘There’s no time to explain, come with me. Follow closely and be very quiet.’

      ‘But?’

      Rendal silenced her. ‘We must hurry or we’ll be caught in the avalanche.’

      ‘What avalanche?’ asked Maisey, following him through a twisting tunnel that wove upward.

      ‘The avalanche of fear and doubt that hangs like a cloud,’ he whispered. ‘If it penetrates our senses for too long, we must stay.’

      Maisey crouched low and hurried to keep up with her tiny escort. Breaking out of the tunnel, they scrambled through shrubs to stand atop a thick outcrop of rock. Before them stretched a green valley dotted here and there with trees.

      ‘Get down.’ Rendal whispered desperately as he pushed the girl behind bracken.

      ‘We’ve still got this to cross before we’re home.’

      ‘What is this place? And where is home?’

      She was even more confused now, for the terrain looked inviting enough.

      ‘This expanse is known as The Void and it stretches between this land which is known as Id and my own homeland of Euphoria. There are eyes that watch so you are going to have to wash at the spring before we cross or they’ll spot us for sure.’

      Maisey realised that she needed a good wash but she wouldn’t have risked staying here to get it. She tried to get a whiff of herself. Surely the enemy couldn’t smell her? Then again.

      ‘Come on! Stop mucking about.’ Rendal sounded quite stern and for once she didn’t argue as she followed after him around the perimeter of the valley, using shrubs for cover.

      Eventually Rendal veered off into a thickly wooded area and weaving through the trees, they emerged into a clearing. A well stood surrounded by a wide circle of flowering fruit trees, their blossoms sending out a plume of fragrance. Hurrying to wind the bucket up, Rendal instructed Maisey to stand nearby.

      ‘But why? Why should I do what you say?’ she snapped. Having to follow blindly made her irritable.

      ‘Well now, you always have a choice.’ His eyes twinkled with humour. ‘But the options don’t seem favourable now, do they?’

      There was little comfort to the truth of his words so the girl walked over to where he stood with bucket raised.

      ‘You must leave your fear and doubt here, otherwise we will be detected as we cross the void,’ he explained.

      ‘What?’ She was confused. ‘I thought you wanted the dirt off me.’

      Rendal laughed. ‘That can wait till we’re home. There’s different dangers here.’ He held his hand up to silence the girl. ‘This spring runs from Euphoria to Id and if you place your hands in the water, you should imagine all of Id’s filth flowing away.’

      Reluctantly she did as asked and felt lighter and happier than she could remember. Finished, she stepped back and allowed Rendal to send the bucket downward.

      ‘The current will return it to where it rightfully belongs.’

      That completed, Maisey followed Rendal out of the clearing and back to the edge of the void.

      ‘We’ll make a run for it. I trust you’ve gotten rid of all the slime you picked up in Id because if you haven’t then Well, I guess we’ll soon find out.’ Maisey took the hand he extended, then they were off.

      Out over the valley they ran at breakneck speed. Maisey found she could barely keep up. Suddenly a scream pierced the air. ‘They’re there!’

      Rendal ran harder as the girl looked back to see the rocks dissolve and become large armies of grey creatures with spears in hand, forming a wall that was fast approaching. Though the creatures were only a few inches tall, there was no question of their ferocity and with newfound strength, the girl leapt ahead, nearly overtaking Rendal on the uphill leg.

      Only at the top did the pair stop to catch their breath and turning, they watched the defeated army meld back into the terrain.

      ‘That was close,’ gasped Rendal. He patted Maisey’s arm. ‘You drew on determination. You’ve still got it.’ A tear formed in the corner of his eye and he brushed it away. ‘We’ve got a lot more to work with than I first thought.’

      Why does he care? thought the girl. Nevertheless she felt a warm glow spread over her at the compliment. ‘What were those creatures?’ she asked.

      ‘Those are Fear’s Armies of Doubt sent to keep you in Id. You must still have a lot of fear and doubt in you for them to detect us so quickly. Mind you, it only takes a little fear for doubt to gain a foothold. But, you’ve seen Id. Now I shall show you my land.’

      CHAPTER THREE

      This time Maisey slid her hand easily into Rendal’s and they walked down the hill and entered a forest. Sunlight danced through the thick canopy of trees as the pair walked uphill for a while following a stream that bubbled along toward them. Beauty lay all around. Brilliantly coloured flowers grew in clusters and as the pair approached a bend in the brook, Maisey noticed a whirlpool that seemed to suck half the river away beneath its rocks. ‘This is where the spring flows downward to the well, then on to Id. If we follow it upstream, it will bring us out in Euphoria.’ Having said that, the dwarf led the way through the serene forest until they stood on its edge overlooking Euphoria.

      Before them, in the distance stood a vast city. Radiant colours of light reflected from every turret and tower; many of the central buildings appeared to be made of crystal. Rainbows within rainbows spun outward casting colour in every direction. Maisey was speechless as she took in the view, never before had she seen such beauty. They followed the river into the city and as they entered she asked, ‘Why are there no walls to keep out the enemy?’ For surely there were many who would rather live here than in Id.

      ‘What emanates from within this state keeps all those that dwell in Fear away. Any of those that truly wish, may dwell here but it must begin with the ability to appreciate it first and to leave all manner of turmoil behind,’ said Rendal. ‘Besides, most of those in Id do not know of any other life.’

      Music and voices grew louder as Rendal led Maisey through narrow twisting streets toward the central district which opened out into a vast town square. Maisey felt happiness wash like a wave over her. A

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