Ch. 6: The Pain of Forest

Back to Arheled

When   Ronnie   woke   up   in   the   house   of   the   Lanes,   the   first   thing   he   felt   was   the   quiet. It   scarcely   felt   alive. The   rich,   luxurious   furniture,   luxurious   not   with   the   opulence   of   a   palace   but   with   the   queer   half-common   half-class   look   of   modern   ease,   put   him   in   an   awkward   mood. He   felt   vaguely   as   if   he   was   trespassing.

             It   was   still   very   early,   practically   dawn. Looking   out   the   window   Ronnie   saw   the   odd   figure   of   the   man   from   the   vanished   time   seated   on   a   rock   at   the   edge   of   the   yard. Their   eyes   met,   and   Wayham   lifted   his   hand.

             In   his   socks   Ronnie   could   move   without   even   a   whisper   of   sound   save   for   the   creak   of   his   own   joints. He   slipped   down   the   beautiful   hall,   past   opening   angles   in   angular   yet   graceful   directions. The   walls   were   deep   quiet   colors,   deep   dark   blue   and   cranberry-red   and   green-olive,   with   white   trim   and   borders,   producing   a   sober   but   rich   effect. A   great   television   towered   in   the   main   room   in   the   middle   of   the   house   in   a   wood   cabinet. The   floors   were   polished   hardwood. Tall   artificial-looking   potted   plants   stood   around,   and   rugs   ran   down   the   center   of   the   floors. How    anybody   could   live   in   a   place   like   this   without   going   crazy   he   had   no   idea.

             Unlocking   the   door   he   slipped   on   his   sneakers   and   closed   it   carefully,   then   headed   across   the   lawn   to   the   old   pioneer.

             “Morning.”   said   Wayham.

             “Good   morning,   Mr. Lane.”   said   Ronnie.

             “Wayham,   Wayham.”   the   other   said   irritably,   flapping   his   hand. “There’s   plenty   of   Lanes   here. So   how   did   you   find   the   interior?”

             “A   bit   too   high-class   for   my   taste.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Just   how   I   felt   the   one   time   Travel   showed   me   through.”   Wayham   agreed. “You   would   think   old   Rufus   was   a   lord   in   Parlyment. Yet   Travel   assures   me   most   upper-class   homes   are   like   that. Or   houses,   I   should   say;   no   home   would   ever   be   so…formal,   so   stiff,   with   such   perfect   walls   and   floors   you’re   afraid   you’ll   breathe   mud   on   them. Not   like   Crimella’s   house   there. Old   beams   and   wood   walls   and   hand-carved   decorations.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Were   the   Lost   Caves   open   in   your   day?”   asked   Ronnie.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Couldn’t   find   them? That   paper   of   yours   said   they   had   been   blasted.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   Wild   Man   of   Winsted   opened   them…”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Don’t   tell   me   yet!”   laughed   Wayham,   holding   up   his   hand. Crimella   would   never   forgive   me   if   I   stole   the   first   telling.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “They   were   open   in   my   day,   though   even   then   half   blocked   at   the   mouth. I   did   not   go   there   much,   for   it   felt   evil,   and   the   shamans   came   often,   and   I   do   not   like   them. In   my   day   there   were   few   witches   or   she-magic;   all   Indians   then. Medicine   men. But   that   cave   is   a   strange   place. One   well   moans. And   if   you   went   in   far   enough,   you   came   to   the   waterfall,   and   there   my   candles   always   went   out.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Travel   came   outside,   yawning   and   looking   groggy,   her   clothes   as   rumpled   as   if   she’d   slept   in   them. “Hi   guys.”   she   mumbled. “You   have   to   talk   so   loud? You   woke   me   right   up.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   keep   forgetting   how   much   daylight   you   people   waste.”   said   Wayham. “Dawn   was   the   latest   I   stayed   abed.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Grandmother   Lane   emerged   onto   her   porch,   pulling   her   shawl   close. The   cloudy   morning   was   cool   but   very   humid;   already   drops   of   rain   were   falling. “I   thought   I   heard   you   arrive.”   she   said. “Do   you   have   enough   sense   to   come   in   out   of   the   rain? Breakfast   is   ready.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Sounds   good   to   me.”   chuckled   Wayham,   getting   up. “I   wish   I’d   had   her   with   me   back   when   I   used   to   live   here. Never   tasted   better   grub.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Wayham   is   prone   to   exaggerate.”   said   Grandmother   Lane   serenely. “What   happened   at   the   Lost   Caves?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “They   are   no   longer   lost.”   said   Ronnie   as   he   came   inside. “They   are   hidden.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Travel   went   to   use   the   bathroom,   but   Wayham   and   Grandmother   listened   very   closely   as   Ronnie   told   of   the   happenings   on   Knapp   Hill. When   he described   the   enigmatic   words   of   the   Witch   of   Winchester,   Wayham   spoke   up.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">“I   sat   in   that   chair.”   he   said. “I   scoffed   at   it,   deeming   it   superstition,   and   to   defy   the   tremble   in   my   heart   I   sat   in   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   did   you   see?”   Ronnie   said.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Would   your   desire   be   slaked   if   I   told   you,   or   would   it   rather   not   be   whetted   unbearably?”   Wayham   said   dryly. “I   saw   darkly. I   saw   as   if   through   a   black   mirror,   in   which   everything   appears   distorted,   appears   shadowed   and   unlike   itself. I   looked   abroad   with   the   eyes   of   Morgoth. And   when   I   rose   from   that   chair…I   was   no   longer   in   the   world   of   men.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Húrin.”   whispered   Travel. “The   chair   of   Húrin. The   chair   upon   Thangorodrim.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Shaken,   Ronnie   resumed   his   tale. He   told   of   his   fruitless   search   and   the   sarcastic   words   of   the   Wild   Man,   and   his   sad,   mocking   poem. He   told   of   the   opening   of   the   Caves   and   the   walk   within,   of   the   mystical   well   and   of   the   terrible   voice   in   the   darkness,   and   at   last   told   of   the   breaking   of   the   chain   that   bound   the   ancient   Enemy.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Do   you   have   that   ring?”   said   Grandmother   Lane.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Travel   took   from   her   pocket   the   ring   of   Barahir,   and   the   silver   serpents   gleamed   in   the   early   morning,   their   bodies   braided,   their   heads   beneath a   crown   of   golden   flowers,   one   supporting,   one   consuming. In   their   eyes   the   gems   of   Valinor   burned   green   like   minute   stars. “Keep   it   for   us,   Grandmother.”   he   said,   giving   it   to   her. Until   the   Wayfinder   declares   who   should   wear   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Grandmother   Lane   attached   it   to   the   chain   around   her   neck   that   held   a   small   golden   crucifix. “I   will   do   so   gladly,   Ronnie.”   she   said.

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<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             August   came   quietly. The   blueberries   continued   to   yield   a   vast   harvest;   Ronnie’s   weekly   pickings   often   yielded   two   or   more   gallons. The   heat   came   and   went. There   was   rain   now   and   again;   rather   a   surprise   in   this   driest   of   months.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             One   night in   the   first   week   of   August   the   blueberries   kept   Ronnie   so   late   evening   was   drawing   down   as   he   left. He   coasted   down   Rugg   Brook   Rd. The   air   was   pleasant   warm-cool,   a   soft   summer   smell   pervading   it. Brown   leaves,   seared   by   the   heat   waves,   had   fallen   from   the   maples   and   littered   the   gutters,   and   that   and   the   cool   steady   air   reminded   Ronnie   of   autumn. Strange   how   swift   this   year   drew   by,   he   thought,   like   a   river   rushing   toward   some   terrible   end. Or   maybe   it   was   just   a   side   effect   of   growing   older;   he   had   turned   31   a   month   ago,   and   yet   this   summer   seemed   to   have   been   only   a   month   long. A   red   maple   overhead   was   sprinkled   with   scarlet   leaves   at   the   end   of   its’   twigs,   and   red   jewels   strewed   the   street   and   forest   floor   nearby.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   does   feel   like   September.”   he   said   aloud.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Blue   evening   closed   down   as   he   entered   Winsted. He   felt   tired   and   stiff   from   standing   under   bushes   all   day,   and   decided   a   nice   swim   at   Highland   Lake   would   make   him   feel   better   before   the   ride   home. Accordingly   he   walked   up   the   steep   plunging   streets   that   climb   out   of   the   Winsted   Valley,   up   onto   the   high   depression   the   ancient   lake   occupies. The   katydids   creaked   their   rasping   notes,   several   groups   in   chorous   as   it   seemed,   each   group   a good   hundred   feet   apart   and   each   sounding   off   just   after   the   other. “Chid-id,   chid-id,   ka-ty,   katy-did,   katy-didn’t,   katy-did.”   they   echoed   in   the   high   trees   on   the   east   side   of   Woodland. Ronnie   pedalled   around   the   boat   launch   and   pulled   up   on   the   little   corner   of   grass   at   that   end   of   the   beach,   where   the   portapot   and   the   cement   handicap   ramp   leading   into   the   water   were. The   pale   heads   of   one   or   two   other   night-swimmers—girls,   he   was   delighted   to   see—showed   sleek   and   disembodied   out   on   the   dark   water. Orange   and   blueish   lights   made   queer   sparkles   on   the   wave-tossed   water;   boats   still   passed   even   this   late. Ronnie   changed   and   headed   into   the   water. It   was   delightfully   warm   after   the   first   coolness   of   immersion.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Hey,   Ronnieee!”   squealed   one   of   the   girls,   splashing   toward   him. Her   two   companions   looked   a   little   askance   at   this   older   guy   their   friend   was   greeting   with   such   enthusiasm,   and   edged   off   a   little   farther   along   the   beach.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Bell! How   are   you   doing?”   Ronnie   exclaimed. “Big   news   going   on   lately,”   he   went   on   in   a   lower   voice. “You   heard?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “After   that   eye-searing   wall   of   text   you   sent   us,   heck   yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Hey,   I   did   indent   my   paragraphs.”   protested   Ronnie.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “So,   how   do   you   like   my   old   house?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Oh,   there   was   a   little   incident   with   the   landlord   being   a   double-dealing   crook,   but   other   than   that,   pretty   good. How’s   life   on   the   Island?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell’s   face   closed. “Okay.”   she   said   shortly.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   gave   her   an   odd,   appraising   look. “Don’t   tell   me,”   he   said   slowly,   “you   and   Forest   already   had   a   fight.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Not   really.”   burst   out   Bell. “He   avoids   me   all   the   time,   and   when   he’s   in   the   same   room   he   just   looks   at   me   with   those   odd   eyes   of   his. Like   he   hates   me.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “What   exactly   did   you   do   to   start   this? Come   on,   it   must   have   been   something;   Forest   doesn’t   start   fights. Did   you   ridicule   his   paintings?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   sorta   threw   a   bucket   of   water   at   him   and   he   was   painting   and   I   didn’t   know   it.”   she   mumbled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   whistled. “That   would   do   it.”   he   said   thoughtfully. “I’ll   talk   to   him….but   in   the   meantime,   just   try   being   nice   to   him. Have   you   said   you’re   sorry   yet?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   tried,   and   he   bit   my   head   off.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Well,   try   again. He   might   have   cooled   off   by   now. If   that   fails…we’ll   have   to   take   it   up   with   Arheled.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

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<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   very   next   morning   Ronnie   pulled   up   in   front   of   the   gate   at   Wintergreen   Island. Hunter   Light’s   car   was   there,   but   not   Mrs. Lake’s. Ronnie   let   himself   in   the   gate   and   knocked   on   the   door.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   answered   it. She   looked   like   she’d   been   crying. “We   can’t   find   him   anywhere.”   she   said. “Mom   last   saw   him   at   supper. We’re   worried.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   frowned. An   odd   gleam   flickered   for   a   moment   in   his   deep-set   eyes. “I’ll   take   a   look.”   he   said   shortly. “Which   room   is   his?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Bell   pointed   it   out. Ronnie   stalked   up   the   stairs,   hands   clenched   into   fists. He   stood   in   the   doorway,   turning   his   head   slowly. His   eyes   were   flickering   now   with   a   red   light.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   whirled   and   raced   downstairs,   then   outside. Slowly   he   stalked   around   the   Island. The   red   light   in   his   pupils   shone   as   bright   as   hot   metal. Suddenly   he   paused,   staring   fixedly   at   the   brushy   corner   with   the   cloven   rock.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Your   power   has   grown,   Forest.”   he   said.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">                There   was   no   answer.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   are   able   to   conceal   yourself   not   only   from   your   family,   but   even   from   your   sister   who   is   under   the   Road.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   red   light   in   his   eyes   grew   to   a   flame. “But    my   power   too   has   grown!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   air   rippled   and   shimmered   before   him,   as   if   become   fluid,   or   as   if   a   veil   was   trying   to   remain. Then   suddenly   there   was   a   snap   and   a   crash,   and   Ronnie   rrocked   but   did   not   give   back,   and   there   stood   Forest.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Ah,   there   you   are.”   said   Ronnie   easily. “Your   mom   is   worried.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Is   she   worried?”   Forest’s   voice   sounded   as   rusty   as   if   days   had   passed   since   he   spoke.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   hear   you   had   a   tiff.”   said   Ronnie.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   want   her   to   be   worried. I   want   her   to   know   what   it   means   to   lose   something. As   I   lost   something.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “That   picture.”   said   Ronnie. “What   was   it   of?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “We’ll   never know   now,   will   we?”   howled   the   boy;   it   was   shocking   beyond   belief   to   see   such   violent   emotion   from   so   dreamy   and   quiet   a   person. “It   was   important. You   don’t   understand. You   don’t   know. You   never   Saw!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   must   remember   the   main   image!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “The   first   flash   is   the   only,   and   once   that   goes,   that’s   it.”   Forest   seethed. “Of   course   I   know   the   image. But   I   can’t   incarnate   it!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Tell   me   in   words,   then.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   drooped. His   fiery   eyes   dimmed. “Death.”   he   whispered. “It   was   of   an   end. He   was   there. Walking. They   all   lay   broken. I   saw   blue   lightning,   power   rising   up   in   tremendous   might   and   majesty   unthinkable   beyond   all   guessing;   and   He   was   leaning   forward,   like   this,”   Forest   put   one   leg   back,   one   leg   forward   bent   at   the   knee,   leaning   down,   his   right   arm   arching   forward,   hand   splayed,   “and   he   was   just    squishing   the   blue,   steadily,   down,   and   he   was   black   as   nothingness,   but   two   eyes   burned   sadly   in   his   awful   head. It   was   mournful   and   awful   like   eerie   wailing   music. And   it’s   gone!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   whistled. “I   can   see   why   that   would   be   hard.”   he   said. “But   did   it   never   occur   to   you   that   perhaps   God   doesn’t   want   it   painted   yet?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “But   that   doesn’t   make   sense!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Maybe   the   time   isn’t   ripe   for   it. Maybe   the   warning   was   in   the   image   described,   not   the   painting   of   it.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest’s   face   closed   like   a   trap. “That   still   doesn’t   excuse   her.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   is   your   sister.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “By   blood,   maybe. Arheled   does   not   lie. But   not   any   other   way. She   is   no   sister   to   me.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   do   hope   you   haven’t   cursed   her!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   gave   him   a   scornful   look. “I’m   not   stupid.”   he   snapped. “What   are   you   here   for,   anyway? Did   she   send   you?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie   stared   at   him   in   a   dignified   silence.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Why   don’t   you   just   go   away?!”   Forest   exploded. He   sounded   close   to   tears. Then   turning   on   his   heel   he   broke   into   a   run,   and   as   he   did   he   vanished   from   sight.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest!” <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">   Ronnie   roared. “In   the   name   of   Arheled,   come   back   here!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   flickered   back   into   view   as   Ronnie’s   eyes   began   to   burn   red,   showing   him   halted,   irresolute,   under   the   spruce   trees.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Forest.”   Ronnie   said. “Forgive   her.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest’s   face   twisted   and   he   raced   around   the   corner   of   the   house.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Ronnie’s   shoulders   drooped. With   slow,   defeated   steps   he   walked   back   up   the   drive   and   got   on   his   bike. Wintergreen   Island   stood   cool   and   dusty,   brown   leaves   bordering   the   drive. Then   he   headed   off.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             How   dare   he. How   dared   he!

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest’s   face   burned   as   he   ran   around   the   house   and   took   shelter   behind   a   tree. He   didn’t   trouble   to   crouch. No one   could   see   him   unless   he   met   their   eyes. No   one   except   Ronnie. That   old   busybody,   what   business   did   he   have,   coming   here   like   that!

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forgive   her. At   the   very   thought,   the   pain   of   that   lost   image,   defined   but   fading,   so   terrible   and   sorrowful   but   now   never   to   be   incarnated,   tore   through   him   again. He   hungered   to   call   it   down   and   give   it   form;   he   knew   somehow   that   it   was   important,   even   urgent;   yet   every   time   he   tried   now   the   results   were   so   flaccid   compared   to   that   first   vivid   drawing,   that   in   fury   he   would   destroy   it. It   was   lost,   so   sad   and   beautiful,   that   tremendous   conquering,   it   was   lost   and   he   could   never   find   it.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             It   was   too   bad   his   parents   worried   as   well. Sometimes   when   Mom   cried   his   will   was   sorely   tested,   and   he   wanted   so   much   to   lift   his   eyes   and   meet   hers,   and   stop   her   tears.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             But   then   she   would   know,   too,   and   his   revenge   would   be   undone.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forgive   her? He   could   never.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             He   got   up   to   sneak   inside. He   was   hungry,   and   if   no   one   was   in   the   kitchen   he   could   snitch   from   the   fridge. Coming   out   from   behind   the   tree   he   froze.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Arheled   was   walking   toward   him. His   face   was   majestic,   even   terrible;   his   eyes   burned   like   stern   stars,   and   about   him   flowed   a   great   cloak   of   some   luminous   white   cloth,   sparkling   like   snow.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   lowered   his   eyes   and   crept   under   a   thick   branch.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Are   you   trying   to   Hide,   from    me?”   said   the   Warden   in   White,   and   his   voice   vibrated   in   the   very   ground   at   Forest’s   feet. “Come   out.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest,   his   feet   dragging,   slowly   stood   up,   as   if   compelled.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   cannot   be   Hided   from,   Forest.”   said   Arheled. “Answer   me. Why   do   the   tears   of   your   parents   cry   up   from   this   island?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             Forest   would   not   answer,   nor   lift   up   his   eyes.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Answer   me. Why   do   the   tears   of   your   sister   cry   out   like   blood   on   your   account?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   destroyed   my   painting.”   he   muttered.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “So!”   roared   Arheled. The   strength   of   his   anger   slammed   Forest   against   a   tree. He   felt   his   flesh   bruising   and   bones   creaking;   he   could   not   breathe;   and   for   the   first   time   he   felt   a   jolt   of   fear,   as   one   does   when   nearly   slipping   during   a   perilous   climb. “So   paint   runs   thicker   than   blood   in   your   veins,   does   it?!”    He   shook   Forest   with   one   hand   as   if   about   to   throttle   him. ''“What   excuse   can   you   make   for   this   sin   against   your   sister?!” ''

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “It   was   important!”   wailed   Forest.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “Then   it   will   return   in   its’   own   time. Her   tears   cry   out   against   you. Why   do   you   grieve   your   sister?”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “She   is   no   sister   to   me!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “You   grew   up   with   her.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “I   don’t   remember   it!”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             “As   I   feared.”   muttered   Arheled,   letting   go   of   him. Forest   sagged   against   the   tree,   great   wheezing   breaths   rushing   into   him. He   wanted   to   run,   to   slink   sullenly   away   and   hide   somewhere. Where   people   would   leave   him   alone. “There   is   no   other   way….save   for   you   to   unlock   your   own   bars.”

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             His   hand   stretched   toward   Forest,   long,   longer   than   a   hand   could   be,   and   it   was   burning   like   blue   flame   and   Forest   could   not   move,   and   then   the   hand   of   fire   clamped   down   over   his   eyes   and   upper   face.

<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">             The   two   figures   stood,   one   tall   and   cloaked   in   white,    one   small   in   pale   clothes,   unmoving   for   a   long   time,   behind   the   house   on   Wintergreen   Island.

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