Part 1:

There is a story, and this is it.

 On the particular day in question, as Eukidmi took his daily stroll, he strayed from his normal route and found himself in an area completely unexplored by his people.  As he rounded the top of a hill, he saw a Great Forest looming in the distance.  He had never seen, or heard of, a Forest such as this. Its foliage appeared lush and jungle-like in its diversity.

The road led to an entrance in the great facade of the Forest.  A small red and white ramshackle hut was standing beside the entrance.  It reminded Eukidmi of an old guard house.  Standing in the doorway of this small hut, stood a large, hairy, ugly looking Ogre.  He held up a hand as if to stop Eukidmi.  "Where do you think you're going?"  Asked the Ogre.

"Here and there,"  said Eukidmi. "But I thought I'd like to take a stroll into this forest."

The Ogre made Eukidmi uneasy; but he didn't think that the Ogre had the right to stop him from going where he wanted to go.  "Who gave you the authority to prevent people from entering the Forest?"  He asked, defiantly.

The Ogre didn't like Eukidmi's tone of voice.  "I don't like your tone of voice, Human."  He snarled. "This is the edge of the Forest,"  he said.  "It is the Threshold, and I am the Threshold Guardian!  The unworthy cannot survive in the Dark Forest.  It is a dangerous place, and I must keep the weak from entering...for their own good"

"You must be kidding me?"  Said Eukidmi. "I'm not weak."         

Eukidmi decided to run past the Ogre into the Forest, but the mere thought of trying it made him instantly nervous.

The Ogre started to say something as Eukidmi made his move.  Quick as lightning, the Ogre grabbed him, held him up to his smelly face, and laughed.  The Ogre's breath was like a toxic gas being blown directly up into Eukidmi's nostrils. The putrid odor whistled between the Ogre's crusty green teeth as he spoke.

 "I am not kidding you,"  The Ogre said.  "And you are weak.  Go back to where you know it's safe."  And with that, the Ogre pushed Eukidmi and he fell back down the path where he landed with a thud.

 This violent turn of events merely increased Eukidmi's desire to get past the Ogre and into the forest.  He remembered a tactic that had worked in the past. He would tell the Ogre one of his stories.  (It had not escaped Eukidmi's notice that whenever people listened to one his stories, they would invariably fall fast asleep.)  Armed with this plan, he brushed himself off, and walked back up to the Ogre.

The Ogre was leaning against the shack picking at his toes with a stick.  "What now?"  He grumbled.

"You remind me of a story,"  Eukidmi said.  "And I think you should hear it."

The Ogre was bored, so he acquiesced.

 (Eukidmi's story is too boring to relate to the reader at this time. However, a written transcript can be obtained by sending a SASE to the Library of Congress.  Suffice to say, that the story had no point, was redundant in the extreme, showed no signs of character development or plot line, and was an affront to any self respecting storyteller.  It ignored any possibility of negative criticism; but it did in fact put the Ogre fast to sleep.)

 Eukidmi was proud of himself for out-whiting the Guardian, but as he entered the Forest some of his old insecurities returned to him.  He began to wonder if the Ogre had been right.  What if he was too weak to explore this Forest? He had nearly persuaded himself to turn back, when he heard a beautiful voice singing.

A Cappella.

The voice drew him deeper into the Forest like a will-o’-the-wisp in a fairy-tale.  The magical sound entranced him, lured him on, promised ecstasy and unconditional love.

The path eventually opened up to reveal a well-manicured, park-like enclosure. At the center of this clearing stood a tall Victorian farmhouse.  It was a cavernous two story building, painted white with green trim. It appeared normal in every respect -- except that it was so out of place here in the Forest.

 Seated in a rocking chair on the front porch, sat a woman of unrivaled beauty. Her hair shown with an array of colorful highlights, refracted from every wavelength in the spectrum, like a prism.  Her lithe body was sensuous, and alluring, as she rocked slowly back and forth in her rocking chair.  But it was her face that truly stunned; how overwhelming to stumble upon such an unexpected display of Raw Beauty.  It was uncanny, in a supernatural kind of way.

"How did you get in here?"  She asked,  her voice still singing as she spoke. "Did you kill the Ogre at the gate, is he dead?"

"Only to the world,"  said Eukidmi, smiling.  "I have beaten the Guardian, and crossed the Threshold.  Shall I tell you my story?"

"Instead,"  she said bluntly, "why don't you tell me how you plan to leave." She casually motioned towards the path behind Eukidmi.  Eukidmi turned around and saw, to his horror, that the path was gone!  The dense undergrowth that bordered the path had crept in so swiftly that the tangled Forest looked as though the path had never existed.

Eukidmi swung back around to face the woman.  She was laughing.  "There is only one way out of the Forest."  She said.  "You must follow my instructions, and your instincts, to the Center of it, and only from there can you set yourself free."

"You've got to be kidding me,"  moaned Eukidmi.

"I joke sometimes, but I don't kid."  She said.  "What is your name?"  She asked.

"I am Eukidmi – Warrior."

"Indeed? I am Dez I'yur, and you need my help."

"Well, Miss I'yur...I, er..."

"Call me Dez, please."

"Fine.  Dez.  I really need to find my way back; my friends will be worried.  What kind of crazy place is this anyway?  I've never seen a path disappear like that before, it's very disconcerting."

"I know."  Dez said. "It takes getting used to.  I have seen many Warriors like yourself crumble under the realization that ill Fate, sooner or later, befalls them all.  They must learn to deal with unexpected, and disconcerting events, moment by moment, day by day, endlessly having to cope with some new adversity.  How will you fare, Eukidmi?"

"Well...."  He cleared his throat. "I will fare well, Milady.  You shall see."  He paused.  "So, how can you help me to get out of here?"

Dez smiled to herself. She knew that he would now do her bidding.

 "You must fulfill the Four Tasks, or Trials, that I put forth."  She said.  "Know that very few have succeeded in escaping the Forest. The Trials are the same for every traveler - until someone fulfills them all -  then new ones will be chosen, for there must always be Trials.

"We will begin your quest with retrieving the Trolls 'Center Stone'.  You must bring me this 'Center Stone', and then I will tell you of the second Trial."

"What? Trolls? Stones? I don't understand."

"Oh, really?  Perhaps this is the type of circumstance that the Ogre alluded to when he warned you of the dangers lurking within the Forest.  It is time for you to accept responsibility for your actions - or not. You entered here despite warnings, and now you find that you cannot return by the trail you came in on.  What a surprise!  Do you suppose that we place a guard at the entrance without reason?

"Your only hope of escaping the Forest is to do what I instruct you to do.  The first Trial has been named, and frankly, either you attempt the endeavor, or be forced to wander aimlessly within the Forest forever, lost and confused.  It is your choice...Warrior!"

By the end of this short, but impassioned speech, Dez was standing up, and glaring down on, a very frightened Eukidmi.

Eukidmi didn't like this kind of treatment at all, but he wasn't in the best position to take charge of the situation. There were too many strange things going on that he didn't understand.  It might be best to humor this irascible Lady, he thought.  If he could fulfill these Tasks; he might be able to safely leave this bizarre world of mystery and danger.

"So how can you help me?"  He asked again, politely.

Dez smiled, "Here is a map."  She said, handing it to him.  "It will lead you to the Troll's 'Speaking Pit', as they call it.  That is where you will find the 'Center Stone'."

"How big is this 'Center Stone'?"  Asked Eukidmi.

"It is large, but if you are the Warrior you claim to be, the 'Stone' will be yours."  With this Dez sat down and began to sing. Eukidmi was mesmerized by her fantastically melodic voice, he stood motionless for some time listening, then, tearing himself away, he turned and headed down the path that lead deeper into the Forest.

 This time the path did not disappear behind him.  He checked.

 From either side of the path, behind the thick foliage, Eukidmi heard strange noises. Presently, he heard voices. He instinctively slowed down. He silently crept forward toward the sounds.

Through the leaves, Eukidmi saw six large Trolls sitting around a large rock.  They were big and ugly.  Their clothes were torn and filthy, and they looked mean as hell.  The 'Stone' that they sat around had intricate carvings all around its surface. When one Trolls finished speaking, another would lean forward, touch the stone, and begin to talk. They seemed to take turns in this manner. Suddenly, the speaker stopped and sniffed the air. All the Trolls turned towards Eukidmi at once and stood up.

"Come out, Human"  Said one.

Eukidmi knew he had to make something happen, so he left his worthless hiding place, and entered the small clearing.

"Who are you?"  Demanded the Troll who had spoken before.

"I am Eukidmi,"  replied Eukidmi.

"Do you kid me?"  Asked the Troll sarcastically, and all the Trolls burst out laughing.

Eukidmi had heard it before.

When the Trolls finished laughing, the leader asked,  "Why have you come to this sacred place of ours? Do you not know the dire consequences?"

"In fact, I don't."  Eukidmi said. "I've been trapped in this God-forsaken Forest since this morning, and I must fulfill these four Trials that Ms. Dez I'yur has invented, before I can leave."

The Trolls began to laugh, and this time they laughed until tears streamed down their cheeks.  Finally, one said, "She is toying with you, Human. You can leave the Forest without her help.  Stay away from her.  She is always trying to get people to do her chores for her."

This information confused Eukidmi. He had instinctively trusted Dez, even though he was a little afraid of her. He certainly didn't trust the Trolls.

"What is that stone there?"  He asked, indicating the 'Center Stone', hoping to change the subject.

 "That is our 'Center Stone'.  It is the Heart of our tribe.  Why do you ask, little Human?"

"Dez told me that I must bring her this very 'Stone'.  It is the first Trial, you see, and I don't want to waste any time fulfilling it."

The Trolls had another lengthy laugh at this statement.  "You're pretty funny, Human, but not only won't you take the 'Stone' with you - if you leave - but you couldn't even lift it if we gave it to you."

"What's so important about this 'Stone'?"

"This 'Stone' is the 'Word Master'.  When we, the leaders of the Trolls, discuss something of importance, we come here to talk, and we stay until the problem is resolved."

"That sounds reasonable.  What were you discussing just now?"  Asked Eukidmi, glad for this generous outpouring of information.

"There are others who crave the power of the 'Center Stone'.  They want to rob us of our power.  It is our duty to defend the 'Center Stone'."  He said.

"But I don't understand," said Eukidmi. "What do you use the 'Stone' for?"

"To speak."  The Trolls looked at each other, and shrugged.  "We realized many years ago, that we tend to fight amongst ourselves whenever we try to decide big issues.  The 'Center Stone' is touched when one wants to speak.  It gives us order."

Now it was Eukidmi's turn to laugh, but Trolls do not like to be laughed at.

"We do not like to be laughed at."  Said the largest Troll, taking a menacing step closer to Eukidmi, who stepped back.

"Why use a stone for this?"  He asked.

"It has always worked."  The Trolls seemed baffled by the question.

"There are many ways to control meetings without the use of a 'Center Stone'."  Said Eukidmi.

"There may be Human, but why should we adopt them?  So that you may take our 'Stone' from us?  How do we know that you are not a clever spy sent by our enemies to confound us?"

"Look at what's happening to you.  You are planning for war in order to protect your 'Stone'.  The Stone makes you weak; because you treasure it.  If it were ever lost, or destroyed, you would be defeated - in fact, and in spirit."

 The Trolls didn't like being called weak.  "We don't like being called weak."  Said the Leader.

"You may not like being called weak when you are not; but you can be rendered weak by the loss of this treasured possession." Eukidmi could see the wheels turning in the minds of the Trolls as they pondered his words.  They seemed much brighter than what he'd heard about Trolls and their ways. The Trolls asked Eukidmi to stand back as they discussed his argument in private.  A few moments later they broke their huddle, and the Leader said, "We have resolved this issue without the use of the 'Center Stone', and have found that, indeed, we do not need it.  You are right.  And when you're right, you're right.  When our foes come to take the 'Stone", they will find nothing but a gap in the Earth, and no one to fight.  We will help you carry the stone to the Lovely Lady."

 Dez I'yur was extremely surprised when she saw Eukidmi leading the six large Trolls towards her carrying the 'Stone' on their shoulders. She stood up. The Trolls set the Stone at the foot of the porch, turned, and left without a word. Dez glanced over at Eukidmi, who was smiling broadly.

"So,"  she said.  "You have passed the first Trial.  That is good.  I want you to succeed, I really do.  Are you ready for the second task?"

Still smiling, Eukidmi bowed and said, "Yes, I am ready."

"Then go over the hill here, to the Gardens of Mi'Beli, and bring me the Mother of Pearl Pitcher - out of which flows everlasting nourishment."

Eukidmi bowed again, turned, and hurried up the hill.  He wanted to get these damn trials behind him and go home.

From the top of the hill he could see the vast Forest spread out below him.  The sparkling green tree tops were pushed aside in various places, to make way for grass covered hills, and sparkling blue lakes.  Directly below he could see the Gardens of Mi'Beli.  The main Garden was a maze of vivid colors, and from this distance, Eukidmi thought that the flowers were arranged in such a way as to look like an spinning atom, or solar system. Complete with a nucleus, and orbiting bodies. In the midst of this elegant design, Mi'beli could be seen tending to the plants and vegetables. She was pouring something on them out of a glittering pitcher.

 From the edge of the Garden, Eukidmi could hear the old lady muttering happily to herself.  He made his way along the petal strewn path, and stood quietly watching her until she noticed him.  When she did see him, she smiled. She obviously loved to have unannounced guests.

"Hello, young man, welcome to my fine Garden."  She said. "Would you care for a nice home cooked meal?"

Eukidmi heard her question, but he had been mainly thinking about the Pitcher that Mi'Beli was holding in her hand, so close to his.  He could easily snatch it from her grasp, dash over the hill, and fulfill the second trial before the old Lady knew what had happened.

 But then another thought cut across his mind: You can't just snatch the Pitcher from her grasp, dash over the hill and fulfill the second trial before she knows what's happened.  It wouldn't be polite.

These were two equal and opposite thoughts and they canceled each other out.  Eukidmi decided to bide his time and wait for a more covert opportunity to get the Pitcher.

"Why yes, thank you."  He said finally.  "A home cooked meal sounds delicious."

He followed her into the small, unusual, cottage.  Mi'Beli explained that it had been made from the wood of a single tree.  Each board's wood grain matched the one beside it. Shelves were made from sliced branches, and windows from giant knot holes.  Birds flew in and out of them, making nests in the furniture, and twittering.

Eukidmi sat at the small table and listened to the old Lady's numerous stories of pain and suffering. "Oh, and that reminds me,"  She continued., "this other time, almost all my flowers died.  Someone stole the Gardens Center Stone."

"What?!"  Exclaimed Eukidmi.

"That's right.  It was horrible, because it's so hard to get a garden started over again in the middle of the season.  I surely could have used a strong man like yourself to help me out in those days."

"That's very interesting."  Said Eukidmi, thoughtfully.

"I had designed the entire Garden around this Center Stone. It seemed to radiate energy directly into the flowers.  I never understood it.  Then one day it wasn't there anymore, and the flowers reacted poorly.  Later I found out that the Trolls had stolen it.  Apparently, it's a very important rock of some kind"

 Eukidmi didn't say anything, but looked at the Pearl Pitcher.  It looked very elegant and impressive there on the tattered table - in sharp contrast to the chipped plates and rusty utensils.

Mi'Beli set the table, prepared the food, and related several wearisome anecdotes.  After they had eaten, she began to talk about the Pitcher.

"See this Pitcher?"  She asked, holding it up for him to see.  "It was a gift, but I can't tell you from whom."   She waved away the thought.

"Anyway, it is said that it was made a millennium ago.  Or was it a era?  Maybe an epoch, I don't remember.  It doesn't matter; a long time ago.  It's made from a Giant Oyster's Pearl.  In fact, it was hand carved out of one single, huge Pearl.  Isn't that something?  My, my.  Now, the really interesting part is how the pearl somehow condenses moisture from the air, like dew, filters it through it's shell, and produces a nectar as sweet and wonderful as anything you’ll ever taste.  It strengthens, and revives.

“Here, Take some with you for your travels."  She tipped the Pitcher, and poured some of the silvery liquid into a small clear flask, tightened the top, and handed it to Eukidmi.  He held the flask up to the light.  The substance looked like liquid mother of pearl.  Exceedingly beautiful eddies swirled slowly around and around.  It was hypnotic.

"I came here to steal this Pitcher,"  Eukidmi said suddenly.

"I beg your pardon?"  She asked politely.

"I said: I came here to steal this Pitcher."

Mi'Beli nodded, frowning to herself.  "I know you did, young man. They all do.  And I would gladly give this Pitcher to you, or to anybody, if I could.  But I must wait for my Center Stone to be returned.  You see, the power of the Pearl is similar to the power of the Stone.  Without either one the Garden would be lost."

"I have your Center Stone!"  Eukidmi said.

"Oh my!"  Mi'Beli sat down and stared at Eukidmi.  "Could it be true?"

"Yes ma'am,"  Eukidmi said happily.  "If I bring you your Stone, would you trade me the Pitcher for it?"

"Look at this."  She said, as she stood up and opened a cupboard.  The shelves were filled from floor to ceiling with gleaming, mother-of-pearl, Pitchers.  "If the Pretty Lady over the hill ever got a load of this cupboard, she'd sure change the second trial in a hurry.  I would have given these away to folks long ago, but I learned that they don't last forever.  So I've had to conserve them."

"You're kidding me!"  Eukidmi exclaimed as he slapped his knee.  "And they all produce this nectar, or elixir, as you call it?"

 "Oh, yes.  Come to think of it, now that you've accomplished the first and second Trials, Dez won't be using me as one of them anymore.  She thinks there is only the one Pitcher, so she'll have to devise some other task for unwary travelers to perform. You wouldn't believe how many visitors I used to get. Now I can give these Pitchers away to all my friends." She seemed very happy as she handed one of the unused Pitchers over to Eukidmi.

Eukidmi was extremely happy too as he rounded the hilltop, sipping now and then on the Pearl Pitcher, smiling.

Dez was lounging in her rocking chair, an empty glass dangling in her hand.  "Well, well, well."  She said.  "You did get it after all.  Somehow, I'm not surprised."

"I have retrieved it, Milady.  But I think you should know that I had to trade the Center Stone to get it."

Dez pointed to the dent in the earth where the Stone had been.  "I had the Trolls return it to the Garden, where they stole it from so many years ago.  I've been trying for years to get someone to retrieve it for Mi'Beli.  Congratulations, Warrior, you have warmed the old woman's heart."

"I give this to you."  Eukidmi said, as he walked up the steps and onto the porch, Pitcher ready.  He poured a healthy drought into the glass.  Dez drank it down with a gulp, and held out the glass for more.  After four or five glass fulls, she leaned back and smiled.

The unique sensation derived from this strange beverage was one that quenched every conceivable craving that anyone had ever known or imagined. From crisp greasy bacon, to pickles, or peanut butter.  Cravings - never fully realized in consciousness, were brought forth - only to be squelched like a desert thirst in a sudden storm.

Dez and Eukidmi looked at each other and giggled.  They giggled for sometime before the effect of the elixir began to wear off.

Part II

HomePage