Dell's Journey

Chapter 39: In The Sky

Upon the innermost circle of the dome-floor, a sharp

beam of light cut in upon the void and cast a spooky

ambiance upon the room. With a smooth, silent motion a

sliver of the central cylinder rose up out of the floor and

shot upward like a fantastic beanstalk. Up and up it rose

until it reached the pinnacle, directly underneath the

place the sun had previously rested. And there, as the

circular disc of the platform stopped, the two astonished

watchers saw the wan figure who sat upon it, gazing down

upon them from a terrible height.

"Come, let us reason together," he said in his smooth

voice that seemed to conceal something dreadful, and which

was amplified by some unknown art. "You will have the

assistance of my courtiers."

Suddenly Dell felt something like stocks clamp down on

his upper arms, and in surprise, he watched the ghostly-lit

floor fall away beneath his feet as metal bodies carried

him through the air. They moved as silently as ghouls

toward the judgment seat of Gradient. Monster hovered

alongside.

"Well, we found him," he said to Dell with a sour

smile. "Don't worry. Remember, we haven't refused an

adventure yet."

Dell forced an unconvincing look of good humor in

return, and turned his attention to the approaching column.

Its appearance had changed. It had taken on a reflective

quality, and looked smooth as glass, or perhaps obsidian,

for it was a deep charcoal color. Gradient sat casually,

even lazily upon a modest chair set somewhat near one edge.

In front of him were silver dishes filled with all kinds of

berries and fragrant flowers. It was actually quite nice

to look at, there under the glare of the spotlight, and the

detached stare of the creature that had brought them there.

Gradient stirred as if starting out of an unintended

doze, and blinked his big, pitiable eyes several times.

"You see, I have all the berries I need! I do not

need to horde them like a cranky miser. But they are mine,

after all. One should probably ask before snatching up

whole bag-fulls of them!"

He paused, and then softened.

"I want to speak with you for a moment. I am glad you

have come to visit. Come, have all the fruit you want, it

– it doesn't matter to me! Enjoy them," he pleaded,