Good morning,
Traveller.
I take it you slept well.
Ambrose?
Ambrose?
Oh,
He's gone.
He does disappear sometimes.
Ah,
A note.
And,
Of course,
It's from Ambrose.
Let's see what he's got to say.
Dear Andy and his Traveller friend.
I had to leave in the night as a bluewood fairy alerted me to some trouble in the mountains.
When I say trouble,
I actually mean a party.
Wizards only,
I'm afraid.
Please take my carriage and Parthenax to assist you onwards on this noble quest.
See you soon,
Ambrose.
Well,
That solves that mystery.
A wizard's party,
Of all things.
Here's a bit of breakfast to munch on.
Bread.
Fresh pine nuts.
Cherries.
And a nice cup of tea.
Okay,
We'd best get going.
Our carriage awaits.
Jump on.
I'll take the reins,
Unless you prefer to.
I'll go on then.
I'll navigate.
As Buckleberry Woods has led many astray.
Okay,
Parthenax.
Show us the meaning of slow and steady.
Ah,
We're here.
We've made it to Farindale.
The city of magic.
You can't see too much now,
As it's getting late.
But you'll see everything there is to see in the morning.
Time for a rest,
I think.
Okay,
Parthenax.
You can stay over here in the stable.
Lay down.
You've worked hard.
Now,
My traveller friend.
Follow me up to these treetops,
Where we shall sleep in one of the traveller cabins tonight.
Just along the boardwalk.
Simple lodgings,
But they'll do nicely.
Your bed is over there,
My friend.
Near the fire.
Now,
Drift off.
And we shall meet here in the morning.
Good morning,
My traveller friend.
Let's go outside and see what's what.
Ah,
Welcome to Farindale.
The city of magic.
And,
At times,
Mayhem.
I say city,
But it's more of a big village,
Built in the treetops.
Full of fairies,
Sorcerers,
Wizards,
Elves,
And animals that you've never seen before.
Like blue tons,
For instance.
Small blue fairy wind creatures,
The size of a cat.
But the face is that of a bush baby,
With bright green eyes that can draw you in.
They don't hold opinions,
But they are wise,
Shy,
And humble.
They behave like small children,
And to the world they seem confusing.
Yet people look at them and listen.
Onwards and upwards.
Let's walk.
To many,
This will seem a busy place.
But this is just the spontaneity of nature.
For in the blue fluff all above,
We have wind creatures,
Mini-messengers beating the air.
Lifting morale with their song,
And mosaic plumage.
Meanwhile,
The tree canopies allow speckled pools of light down into the dense woodland below.
Blankets of shadows concealing those who are not ready to be seen.
And at the centre of this city,
Rich flowerbeds in bloom.
The most colourful spectacle,
And also the place where there is stillness,
Peace.
A place where stories are told.
Now,
We best go and find Erwin,
The healer.
She lives up here somewhere.
Let's try this one.
Up a bit further.
This place is odd.
Let's try this one.
This looks like her door.
Hello Erwin.
How are you?
Sorry it's been a while.
Hello Andy.
What a nice surprise.
And who is this?
Just another traveller,
Who has read too many books,
But not enough pages.
I see.
One of those sheep and owl clothing sorts.
Come on in then,
I suppose.
Potion?
Potion?
Why not?
We're in,
Er,
Fairendale.
I have strawberry optimism,
Banana regret,
Or perhaps something more complex and refined,
Like kiwi and rhubarb rainbow catastrophe.
How about something with a bit more bite than bark,
But more sweet than sour?
Okay.
A Coke float for both of you it is then.
Now,
How can I help you?
Well,
We have come quite some way now,
And we have found comfort and ease.
Well,
At least some of the time.
But something is still missing.
What in the sweet name of Sylvester McMonkey McBean is that about?
Right,
It is obvious that you need a clarity spell.
Let me see.
Honestly though,
You only come here for a spell or potion.
Nothing for months,
And then,
Oh,
Let's visit Erwin,
Because we want a special potion.
You're lucky I'm so good-natured.
Right,
Stay still.
There you go.
I'm finished.
Right.
I'm absolutely none the wiser.
Your spell is,
Quite frankly,
Rubbish.
I've never felt so deflated in my life.
Apart from a time I ran out of teabags.
Look,
You idiot!
It won't work unless you go to Mithril Peak.
I thought that would be obvious.
You'll need three shards of Nevarian crystal too,
Of course.
Here you go.
Go up there,
Close your eyes,
And listen.
And stop trying so hard.
Now go.
I have things to do.
Okay,
Okay.
We're going.
Thanks,
Erwin.
I think that was a bit brash.
Come on,
Traveller.
Let's head over to Mithril Peak.
Oh,
Watch that step.
It's a wobbly one.
Not too far now.
Right.
Let me play with space and time for a moment.
That's enough walking already.
That's more like it.
Here we are.
I've got the crystals.
Here's a few.
I guess we should just close our eyes and see what happens.
Sit down here with me.
And we'll check in on the other side.
