Story Paws: A Mystical World: Toxics 29

Story Paws: Stories to help you pause, and relax.

Felicity is swept into a Mystical Old World where plants and beasts are equal, and all is heard. There she meets Reuben, whom she must help, to save his beloved Old World from the threat of the Toxics...if she wants to return home.

Use this story to help you unwind, rest, and take a mindful pause.

You may like to listen to the first 28 installments of this story first, or simply jump in and use my voice as a tool for rest!

Blessings, Maite

Transcript

Chapter 29.

The Sacred Caves.

They arrived at the Sacred Caves on the last afternoon of the Toro Contests.

The journey had been arduous,

But the loss of Sib hardened their determination to reach them.

A pair of strata had come and offered respect to the memory of Sib from the ancients.

They'd also brought news that Arras and Demet were now united and marching together.

A turquoise river thundered through its gorge,

Birdsong filling the forest,

And glorious scents swirled in the dewy air as they came through the verdant pass.

Reuben spoke earnestly with Gus as they walked.

He is concerned for the aftermath of the quest,

Little Green said to Felicity,

If anything happens to him.

Reuben's wisdom stretches far,

Said Little Green.

Her thoughts turned to her own future.

The idea of being shut up in the stipple chambers to make roots for the rest of her life was appalling,

But for now we must focus only on stopping Arras,

She said.

Felicity was not going to think any further than the end of today.

She was still getting used to her new body.

She wished she had the equanimity of Little Green and Scrat,

Who said he was approaching his time now,

But he'd been saying that since they left Thornton.

Why are you smiling,

My lovely Felicity,

Said Reuben,

Stepping up beside her onto the thick white stone.

I didn't hear you,

Said Felicity.

I'm silent as the night,

He said.

That sounds like Georges,

She said laughing.

It was such a relief to know the travelling was over for now.

Yes,

Isn't it,

Said Reuben.

You're hijacking my thoughts again,

Felicity giggled.

How I love him,

She thought.

Reuben leant over and kissed her.

No hesitation.

Felicity's cheeks were burning.

They were all standing.

Everyone saw the kiss.

Georges,

Wolfgang,

Pippi,

Scrat and Little Green.

Everyone.

She forced her eyes to open as Reuben released her mouth.

They were all grinning.

No one looked surprised.

Congratulations,

Reuben and Felicity,

Georges said in his growly voice.

What does he mean,

Reuben,

Asked Felicity.

But a shout from below claimed their attention.

Welcome,

Quest Party.

We've been expecting you.

Come join the final hours of this year's contests.

The biggest and fiercest ever,

Said the voice.

I know that voice,

Said Georges,

Charging off.

But as they watched him canter down the hill,

They saw a small Torell cut him off.

She charged into him from the side and he staggered in spite of his size.

They all started to run towards commotion.

You detestable,

Irresponsible old beast,

The black Torell was shouting.

She's a very pretty Torell,

Thought Little Green.

I wonder why she's cross.

Georges looked unharmed,

If shaken,

So his friends decided to sit and watch.

Some colour changers came rolling and flying up the hill.

They were whispering excitedly and Felicity was thrilled to see they brought food and drink.

The drink was fizzy,

Colourless,

Yet as it moved,

All the colours of the sky arc reflected in it.

Like the refraction on a puddle,

Thought Felicity.

Absolutely beautiful.

It tasted like lemonade.

They all gulped it down greedily with no remorse that Georges was missing it.

As they took big handfuls of the fluffy,

Crunchy macy pips,

The black dervish that they discovered was Titania was still in full throat.

And after all that,

Big man,

Who I hear is now called Georges,

A proper Toro name not being good enough for you,

The big old bull ran away,

Didn't you?

They told me you would.

I trusted you,

You monstrous lump.

She kicked him at this point.

Georges roared in pain,

But stood stoic as the charade pummeled him.

Tati,

He said pleadingly.

Tati,

My princess.

Ow,

He shrieked as she bit him.

Don't call me Tati,

You fiend,

You ancient old liar.

Titania,

My friends are listening,

He said,

Trying to skip out of the way as she aimed another kick at him.

She was panting now and Georges knew by experience she would surely run out of bellows.

Friends?

Who could be friends with such a dreadful pig?

She shouted hoarsely,

But she stopped when she realised what he'd said.

She saw the audience.

Her sides were heaving and she was clearly very upset.

Little Green brushed off some macy pips and tentatively approached.

I am Toro 3033,

Titania said formally as Little Green faced her.

But if you're friends of my Georges,

Then you may call me by his chosen name for me,

Titania.

I welcome you on behalf of this year's leading competitor Nathaniel.

I apologise for my rudeness.

It's surely not the welcome Nathaniel would have wanted for you all,

She said,

Made a charming Torel bow deep and low.

Her tummy prevented the full swoop,

But it was still finely executed,

Thought Ruben.

Nathaniel,

Asked Little Green,

Interested.

It was not a common name.

Yes,

He leads the contests.

Today's the final day,

The day of the unseen trials.

He's there.

But he asked me to welcome you,

Titania said.

She tossed her head as she spoke.

It reminded Flistie so much of Georges.

They suit each other,

She thought,

Smiling.

Ruben stepped forward.

We thank you for making us welcome,

Titania,

He said.

And we would love to share an hour of the contest,

But we must be allowed to enter the sacred caves by dusk.

As he spoke,

He looked down the hill.

Where was the best place to enter the caves?

He guessed it might be right behind the largest and ugliest of the Guardian Toro.

The sentry's half snapped horn suggested it might be unwise to upset him.

Ruben sighed.

Perhaps they must honour the end of the contests,

He thought.

Titania led them down the hill.

Your reputation goes before you,

She said,

Picking out her path carefully on the hill.

It's said that the toxics are restless and are led by one who seeks the knowledge.

Can you defeat him?

Titania,

Georges grumbled,

Worried her audacity might offend.

It's okay,

Georges,

Said Ruben.

If you could lead us to our seats for the finish of the contest,

I will try to answer you,

Titania.

A fine gentleman,

She said in a loud voice,

Looking over her shoulder at Georges as she led her guests with a dainty trot down to the bowl and the grand finale of the Toro contest.

The bowl was a large area of sunken land,

Nestled amongst the surrounding green hills.

The Guardians took their challenges in its flat,

Wide space,

With spectators lining each side.

The hills and the sacred caves faced each other at either end.

Georges stood close to Felicity and Ruben as they took their soft seats.

The colour changes came with more refreshment and they waited.

Everyone chatted as the last and hidden tests took place.

I would rather have seen some sparring,

Thought Felicity,

But the wounds on the less successful contestants warned her it may not have been so pleasant to watch.

One poor beast lay on its side,

Unable to move due to its broken hind leg.

She looked about her.

The hills gave way to rocky mountains and beyond,

As she knew,

Was a harsh land.

Georges,

Who was trying to avoid speaking to Titania,

Described its history.

This part of the world was not home to any beast or creature,

He said.

It was a forgotten place,

Lost between the lands of the Green,

The Sibylline and the Lupata.

The barren mountains were not a place to settle.

Only a curious traveller could stumble upon them.

Here were laid the roots of knowledge by the Stipplegreens.

Deep within the heart of these caves is the chamber where the first root is laid,

Layer upon layer,

Root upon root.

Thousands of years of history,

Healing,

Harmony,

Kept safe by the guardians of the caves,

The bravest and the strongest of the Turo.

Georges looked across the great green field.

At first he heard the wistful tone in his voice.

He continued,

The contests are hard.

First,

A Turo must be strong.

Only a mature Turo may enter.

There has been one exception to this rule.

Once upon a time,

A young,

Immature Turo,

Seeking fame,

Entered the contests.

His size and skill were so immense that he won all but the last.

However,

He returned,

Mature,

The next year and earned his honoured place as a guardian to the caves.

He held this position longer than any before or since.

To remain a guardian,

One must refight each year.

The Stipples must be protected by the best.

Do they charge at each other to prove strength?

Asked Felicity.

Yes,

And they have tests for speed and agility,

For stamina and endurance.

The grassy field is four hundredths wide.

They must run it 20 times and not be tired.

They must ford the roaring river on the mountain.

They must go without drink for all of this first day.

Then the battles on day two,

Tests of sheer strength and courage.

They must hold their lines.

The power causes pileups.

Legs and necks may be broken,

He said.

Felicity had seen.

Horrible.

She stretched her legs out as he continued.

Today,

The last day,

Those few remaining are allowed to drink and are taken inside.

Why?

Said Felicity.

Georges looked at her.

He was fond of this young stranger.

She was odd,

But he admired her tenacity.

Well,

That's something only the guardians can tell you,

He said,

His old eyes shining at some private joke.

Felicity,

Look,

Said Reuben.

On the far side of the green bowl was a small copse.

From behind this green screen stepped four huge Toro.

They walked slowly.

Their heads were up,

But Felicity could see by how carefully they trod that they were struggling not to collapse.

The winner and his trio,

Squealed Tanya.

As the mighty four walked to the centre of the bowl,

The crowd roared.

The spectators had been patient and they were rewarded.

Nathaniel had indeed won.

Little Green stood straight as she peered across the distance.

She tried to mindshare,

But his mind was too tired.

She absolutely knew it was him.

It had to be.

Will he help me mature after the feast,

She wondered.

He was an incredible beast and she felt honoured that the old world had given her such an enharmonic.

He was pale caramel,

A golden Toro.

They were rare.

She felt the keen interest of the Torrels as they watched him receive his glory.

Now he will wash and feast.

My,

What a fine creature,

Titania said.

No,

First he will thank all his contestants for their worthy competition,

Said George.

And actually he's a little young,

I think,

For such a responsibility.

He is mature,

Said Titania.

He cannot be too young.

Actually I don't think he is,

Interjected Little Green.

Mature,

I mean.

What,

Bellowed George,

Never has this been seen.

Only the one many years ago.

Even he did not pass the final tests of reasoning and wisdom,

He cut short the sentence and flisty understood.

Of course,

To complement courage and strength,

Wisdom and tolerance.

Thus approached as the spectators began to move about.

George be pleased,

My old friend,

He said.

You are the first to succeed in entering the contest as an immature Toro.

You held your position longer than ever recorded by the Roots.

You are a legend,

Unsurpassed,

But today Nathaniel has proved his worth,

As once did you.

I know,

George said quietly.

Titania came and licked his neck.

He nudged her and they walked away to sort out their misunderstandings.

Wait everyone,

Reuben called as they dispersed.

After the feast,

We meet at the cave entrance.

Wolfgang and Pippi had watched the finale from the other side of the bowl.

Do you think they'll know where to meet us,

Said Flisty.

Grey shadows crept across the bowl as tall clouds built up overhead.

They will,

He said,

And before you worry,

Scratch is just over there flirting with a group of female thorns.

Flisty laughed and her face became serious.

What will happen to us,

Reuben,

When all this is over?

We'll be together of course,

He replied,

And mate,

Flisty choked on a macy pip Reuben.

Yes,

It's not that simple.

Well,

Flisty,

You're part of the old world now,

That's how the Orion talk here,

He said with a smile.

He couldn't resist teasing her.

You forget,

I'm not an Orion female,

She said.

Her thoughts raced.

How can we be together?

I have to go home.

I want to go home.

I want to stay.

Reuben's thoughts interrupted her own.

I think we can make it simple,

Flisty.

We're not so different.

Reuben,

You're.

.

.

But she didn't finish as there was a blinding flash of light that turned the sky red and pink and orange.

Its radiance lit up the bowl and shone on Reuben's face,

Turning his eyes a fiery crimson.

What was that,

She asked.

Scratch came running over.

Did you see it?

Did you see it?

What was it,

Flisty repeated.

Little green and Nathaniel,

Said Scratch.

They've matured.

The feast had begun.

Scratch went to find Wolfgang Pippi.

Reuben felt it was time for the troop to be reunited.

You asked them to meet at dusk,

Said Flisty.

They'll come.

George will be there early,

I should think.

He'll want to be first in.

Yes,

But I feel darkness,

Flisty.

I think the toxics approach faster than we anticipated.

I'd like to leave.

What about the rest of the feast,

She said.

The Macypips and trillions are very nutritious.

We'll be fine.

They weren't very filling,

Muttered Flisty,

Thumping her tummy to stop it rumbling so loudly.

At last little green returned.

Her phosphorescence was so bright they could hardly see her face.

She laughed at their stunned expressions and lifted her elegant trailing arms,

Making the blue light ebb and flow with the movement.

As they admired her new brilliance,

A sound niggled at the back of Reuben's awareness.

It started as a dim rumbling behind the horizon.

He looked around.

The feast was over and only stragglers and guardians remained.

The sound was loud now and spectators were looking into the sky,

Searching for its meaning.

Flisty looked at Reuben.

Where were Scratch,

Wolfgang and Pippi?

George was galloping flat and hard across the grass toward them.

Flisty was relieved.

Have you seen the others?

Asked Reuben.

No,

I was busy with Titania,

Said George.

His voice was deep and urgent,

A tone Flisty had not heard before.

They'll come.

Where shall I stand?

Can you hold the centre for us?

Said Reuben.

And George sprinted to his position without reply.

What's that noise?

Flisty asked him.

Arras,

Said Gus,

His spines lifting as the rumbling came closer.

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