The Hidden Song - A Sequel To The TV Show WANDER OVER YONDER

Ch. III - The Flower

The morning sun crept through the window of their room, illuminating a hollowed out chamber in the side of a tree. Not long after the gentle rays had landed upon the slumbering pair, Wander opened his eyes and stretched.

"Wake up, Syl," he said, backing out of his hat and sliding down her neck. "Let's see what the Wyrls are doing today."

The Zbornak opened one eye. "Where do you want to go?"

Wander plopped his hat on his head and finger-combed the fur on his body until it looked less messy. "I'm not sure. How about figuring out where we can get some brekkie first?"

Sylvia rose to her feet and tested her ankle. "Good, not as sore today," she remarked, following Wander out a door that led onto an outdoor platform.

"Last night was so wonderful," Wander said as they walked up some stairs that wound around the tree. "They eat so many different types of fruit, a bunch of which I didn't even recognize!"

"And don't forget they eat leaves too," Sylvia added. "Lettuce is one thing, but those leaves were leaves. And they were eating them by the mouthful!"

She stopped as the stairs beneath them creaked loudly.

"What's wrong?" Wander asked, concerned.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but everything up here is constantly swaying a little. I don't like it."

"I'm sure the Wyrls have built everything securely. And there's plenty of guard-rails; don't worry about falling."

"It's not just that." Sylvia started forward again, gripping the stairs' guard rail more tightly. "My stomach doesn't like it either."

A Wyrl came down the steps towards them. "Good morning, guests! Chief Nasaki has already prepared breakfast for the two of you. He's waiting for you at the feasting floor, the place we all ate last night."

"Thank you," Sylvia said, nodding at him as he passed them. Wander danced up the steps with fresh excitement.

"I hope it's more fruit! They have the best fruit."

"I was talking to Ryn last night, and he says that's all they eat – leaves and fruit."

It wasn't long until they reached the feasting floor. The chief and several elders were sitting and eating at a colorful mat laid out in the middle of the platform. Nasaki's eyes grew animated as soon as he saw them.

"Wander! Sylvia! Sit down and eat with us, honored guests!"

They complied, Wander immediately digging into the food and talking with his mouth full, while Sylvia ate more slowly.

"I want to see a mora," Wander announced suddenly. "What do they look like?"

"They're beautiful creatures that come in many colors," Nasaki replied. "They have a tail that looks like the body of a screw. It ripples smoothly and quickly when they move. Their backs produce oxygen that riders collect and use on the trip. They have very good temperaments for beasts of burden, and live a long time."

"Do you have one?"

"We did, once, but it was killed in a Dhrak attack many moons ago," another elder said quietly.

Wander's face fell and he looked down at the mat. He felt Sylvia softly pat him on the shoulder.

"Hey, what do you guys do for fun around here?" she asked. He knew it was mainly for his sake.