Blessing Moon

Thirty-Four: Home Coming Party

As the walls of light retracted back down to the ground, Beanni couldn't help but stare. The golden rays lay frozen within the carved grooves in the floor, forming a shining river of power. Standing in the centre of the eight-pointed star, was Ethan Robson, the impossible man that contacted Beanni from another realm. He stood beside the Trabem Pool, wearing the strange reflective clothes she had witnessed him wear when she first met him in the smoke. He was finally in Natanstrelle, standing in the cold and damp forbidden cave, built by Beanni's ancestors centuries ago.

"Oh, Dachan Terran, I know your air." She heard Ethan say through a deep, satisfied sigh. "I'm finally home!"

"It worked," Beanni whispered. The relief that washed over her in that moment made her smile. "I'm so glad it worked."

It was then that Ethan finally stepped out from the engravings on the floor. As his last toe crossed the dip, the golden light sitting inside it snuffed out, plunging the three of them into sudden darkness. Oslac quickly found his light orb, grew it in his hand and lit up the ancient room once more with a subtle white glow.

"What now?" Oslac broke the silence.

"I must get back to Troll Land. There is not a lot of time," Ethan declared, and made his way to the àrdurum door.

"Wait!" Oslac called after him, making Beanni jump. "You can't just stroll back to Troll Land. It's not safe."

"It's where I belong," Ethan said with a deep, confused scowl.

"Oz is right, Ethan." Beanni made sure to be as careful as she could with her words, so not to upset him. However, she had to tell him the truth. "There's a war. And you, looking like that, like one of us... The Trolls will attack you."

Ethan looked down at himself, it was as if he had forgotten what he looked like, what he was. He let out an irritated sigh and with clamped lips and flared nostrils he turned away from the door.

"What do you two suggest?" he asked with anger plaguing his impatient gaze.

"We will help you! We will get you back! I promise!" Beanni rushed to his side.

"We just need a plan, that's all," Oslac pitched in with a shrug.

"Alright, do either of you have a plan?"

"I do," Oslac spoke up, taking Beanni aback.

When did he have the time to work out a plan? she thought to herself.

Then the prince continued, "I say we all go to the palace. My father is bound to help us once we show him who you are, Ethan, and what your return may mean for this land."

"But how do we show him? What if he doesn't believe us?" Beanni hated that she had to dissect her best friend's plan, but she couldn't help but think his plan sounded too easy, maybe even too hopeful on his part.

"We have to try, I can't see how else we can do this." A flicker of doubt entered Oslac's eyes, which didn't escape Beanni's attention.

"You're right." Beanni gave him a nod of encouragement. She understood that they had to do something, and they had no other plan; she certainly couldn't think of anything. Her eyes locked onto Oslac's as she watched him give her an appreciative smile.

A glimmer of violet then swirled at the corner of her eye, pulling her gaze from Oslac's face to the glowing orb in his left hand. The sole remaining violet ribbon began to swirl and dance amongst the glittering dust that kept it company. Twisting and twirling, it danced more and more aggressively in the confines of the small, clear globe.

"What's it doing?" Beanni asked, not moving her gaze from that lively thread of violet.

Oslac followed her gaze and looked down at the swirling colours of the light orb in his left hand.