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.