The World Beyond the Door

  Morley and Kendra mingled through the crowd greeting friends and talking about the weather, the harvest, and the recent election of the new mayor. There was some talk about whether the new mayor would support more funding for the library. The ongoing controversy about the authenticity of the giant fossilized bones in the history museum was bantered about. The debate had become popular again, since the discovery of new bones in Sam Tiller's field.

  Sam and Lizzy were newlyweds, and had been given the land to start their own farm. The bones had been discovered when Sam was plowing the field for spring planting. The bones had been moved to the museum, but their origin was still being argued.

  Travis had just entered the hall, and was looking around the room excitedly. After leaving the cave that morning, he had hurried home and drawn a rough sketch of the pattern carved on the door. It had occurred to him that there might be a picture of the door in Telah's book, and he was eager to share his new discovery with her. He was wearing the browns of the gnome men, but had not taken the time to smooth his hair. It was windblown from hurrying the last part of the way. His face was slightly flushed, and his collar was just a bit awry.

  He spotted Telah across the room talking with several young people. Making his way through the crowd, he joined their group. Telah, laughing at some joke that Riley had just made, turned and saw him.

  She looked a bit surprised as she noticed his appearance. The others were all focused on Riley, who was glibly telling about one of his exciting adventures. Travis moved closer to Telah and whispered, "Can we go somewhere and talk about the cave?"

  "Now?" she whispered back indignantly. "You want to leave the festivities?"

  "Y- Yes," he stammered. "Can't we go now?"

  She turned away and looked at Riley who was enjoying all the attention. He was at the height of elaborating about his part in the exciting story.

  "Telah," Travis whispered tugging at her sleeve. "This is important."

  She turned to him slowly and whispered, "This is my first party in gray, and I don't want to miss any of the fun. Look at you. You're a mess. Where have you been? No," she interrupted him as he started to answer. "I don't want to know. Can't we talk about this later?"

  Several of the others were glancing at them questioningly, and frowning at their whispering. Telah smiled reassuringly at them.

  "Fine," he snapped. "You stay here and enjoy Riley's stories. When you're ready we can talk about a real story." Irritated, he slipped through the crowd toward the cider barrel and out the side door, where he sat on a bench under a tree.

  Pulling out a piece of paper, he studied it carefully as he smoothed his hair and straightened his collar. On the paper was a sketch of the pattern on the door. He now compared it to the Forester Constellation that was shinning high in the sky.

  In the hall the music stopped, and dinner was announced. Conversations were wound up as they made their way through the line. Morley seated Kendra, and went to get their drinks. When he returned, she was vigorously defending her grandfather's position on the bones with the Mayor's secretary, Miss Polly Worder. Polly was older than Kendra. She had short curly gray hair that fanned out about her open and frank face.

  "Just because you don't have proof of another world is no reason to totally dismiss the idea," Kendra was saying. "There's plenty of things I know exist that I can't touch or see. But just because I can't perceive them with my five senses, doesn't mean they don't exist. Does everything have to be limited to what I can comprehend?"

  Polly answered in a soft voice, "Maybe you're right." She smiled at Kendra. "It does make a pretty tale and no one can doubt that Axel Wordsmith was a great writer."

  Morley saw the flush rising up from Kendra's neck, and making a pretty rosy glow on her cheeks. Laying his hand on her arm he smiled and set down her cider.

  "Speaking of writers, have you had a chance to read the new poem book by Nolan Lyricraft? I understand he will be reciting some of his new verses this evening," Morley said smoothly.

  Polly gushed excitedly, "Oh I just love Nolan's work. His verses are so simple and fun. Do you know what he will be reciting tonight?"

  "No," Morley replied. "I just overhead his name being mentioned at the cider barrel."

  The conversation slipped from poets to the workings of the mayor's office and the upcoming winter. Kendra forced herself to relax, and turned her thoughts away from the trivial talk. She began to enjoy her meal and Morley's company.

  Telah was still fuming inside from the parting remark as Travis left the hall. Riley continued with his stories, which were beginning to annoy her. The voices around her faded as she was lost in thought.

  She had been looking forward to this evening for a long time, and had been hoping to share it with Travis. She had been a little disappointed that he had not been there when she arrived. Then having him show up late looking that way - it was too much. He hadn't even noticed her dress or that she was wearing her hair up. All he could talk about was some stupid idea about the book.

  Suddenly she was brought back to reality. Abbie was tugging on her arm and saying, "Telah, come on. Are you ready to go eat? Almost everyone else has already been through the line."

  "You go ahead. I'll join you in a minute."

  Abbie shrugged and joined the rest of her group in line. Telah made her way to the side door, and slipped out into the courtyard. She could see Travis sulking on the bench under the apple tree. He was staring at a paper, and kept glancing up at the sky. Sighing she sat down beside him and said, "Okay, this had better be good. I'm missing a great meal and the other festivities."

  "And Riley's witty stories?" he said sullenly.

  "Come on Travis. You know Riley is a braggart. What do you have?"

  "I went to the cave this morning," he began.

  "You went without me?" She looked indignant as he groped for an answer and then she sighed and said, "Okay, okay. What did you find?"

  "Well, the light was shinning on the door, just as you suspected."

  "And??" she said impatiently.

  "There was a pattern on the door. I made a rough sketch of it from memory when I got home." He handed her the paper.

  She looked at it quizzically. "This looks like the Forester Constellation," she said slowly.

  "Just what I was thinking," he nodded towards the sky where the constellation was shinning brilliantly. As they were both looking up, a shooting star flashed across the sky, crossed over the constellation from the upraised arm, passed through the belt, and disappeared near the foot.

  "Everything except the lightening bolt," he said slowly.

  "Yeah?."

  "Well?," he said after a moment. "If we're ever going to get the door open, we'll need a key. So while I was there I took a look around to see if I could find one. The only place I could think of to look was that old trunk."

  "That old musty smelling thing?" She wrinkled up her nose in memory.

  He laughed. "It had some pretty strange things inside. Old clothes and stuff like my grandfather would wear. Oh, and there was this really great spyglass. It was ancient, but in super condition. The paint on the tube was faded, but -."

  "Yes," she interrupted, "but did you find a key?"

  "No, but I found this." He took the page from his pocket and handed it to her. As she unfolded it he said, "I just borrowed it so you could see it. We'll have to put it back of course."

  She looked down at the paper and scanned the article quickly. "This is about my grandfather," she said surprised. "Did you read this?"

  "Yes. Sounds like the writer isn't convinced your grandfather's theory is right about the bones. There seems to be a poem at the end of the article. I can't tell if it's all there or if it's continued on another page. It seems to end abruptly."

  "I know this poem," she said excitedly, "Or at least part of it. It's on the back cover of The World Beyond the Door. But that one is rubbed smooth in places and it's no longer possible to read all of it."


  "What do you think it's about? Is it just a poem, or is he trying to tell them something?"

  Kendra called from the doorway, "Do we have to bring a plate of food out to you two?"

  Travis jumped and flushed. Taking the paper back, he stuffed it in his pocket and said, "No, no? we're coming."

  While they were eating, several of the more prominent gnomes were getting ready for the speech making and poetry recitations. Elder Moore, as he was known in the village, would start off the evening's festivities. Elder was the title given to retired mayors. It was also appropriate in this case, as he was one of the older gnomes in the village. He was the owner of Moore's Dairy and was in fact one of the large landowners who employed Garth Fields as a gardener.

  He was very proud of the unique and extravagant garden around his elegant home, and freely admitted it was due to the care and talents of Garth. He was a very generous gnome and events such as weddings and birthday parties were often held in his gardens at no cost, which made him very popular. The younger gnomes were also very fond of his Honey Dunks.

  Almost all the gnomes had finished eating, and were now sipping tea or cider and nibbling pastries. Elder Moore made the announcement to start the dancing. Everyone cheered, and the music started.

  There were several exuberant dances, which the energetic young gnomes loved and joined enthusiastically. Kendra and Telah were whispering together about the light patterns on the dresses, and Travis and Morley were discussing gardening. Travis glanced up just in time to see Riley walking towards them with his eye on Telah. Realizing his intentions, Travis jumped to his feet, grabbed Telah's hand and said, "Come on, let's dance." Surprised Telah got up slowly looking questioningly at Kendra. She smiled and nodded, and gave her a little push.

  They spun out onto the dancing floor leaving Riley with a surprised and disapproving look on his face. But he too was soon swept into the crowd by Abbie, who giggled and chattered happily while they danced.

  Kendra turned to Morley, her eyes sparkling and said, "Well? Are you up to this old man?"

  He jumped to his feet. "Old! Old you say," he said indignantly as his eyes sparkled. Pulling her to her feet he slipped his arm around her waist, caught her hand tightly, and laughingly led her briskly into the dance.

  CHAPTER 10 - POETRY AND PLANS

  When everyone was out of breath and needing a break, Elder Moore stood and introduced Nolan Lyricraft who would be reciting one of his poems. Everyone gladly took the opportunity to sit down with a drink, and rest up for more dancing later.

  Nolan was highly admired, and his poems were loved by all. He was a scholarly gnome with thinning hair and a long white beard. The light from the hall reflected off his thick spectacles, which were perched on the end of his nose. The light webbing on his sash was woven from a deep somber blue light into the simple pattern of the Forester Constellation. He meticulously adjusted his spectacles, and peered at his notes. Clearing his throat he began to read in a deep baritone voice, "A reciting of?

  The Tale of the Forester

  Looking down at the earth below

  the Harvester watched the gnomes

  Sailing boats and casting nets

  and taking the fishes home.

  And then he gazed at the Milky River,

  and thought he might like some fish

  But he didn't have a boat to sail,

  so his thought was just a wish.

  He gathered some wood, and piled it high,

  and then began to design

  A marvelous boat on which to sail

  the Milky River sublime.

  He caught a beam from a nearby star,

  and wove a string of lyte

  And with that string he formed a net

  that shimmered in the night.

  From bow to stern the timbers ran,

  with sails and rigging too.

  He then set sail that very night

  to practice his daring-do.

  The cow looked on with a doubtful eye

  at the brashness of this rogue

  Who dared to sail on her river of milk

  that through the heavens flowed.

  He cast his net, and soon it filled

  with stars and comets and such

  Until it was over stretched and strained

  and bulging very much.

  He pulled in his net with the wonderful catch,

  but the cow would not have it so.

  With a mighty charge and a bellow loud

  her great horns delivered a blow.

  The Harvester fell right out of the boat,

  and sprawled across the sky

  The boat broke up in a thousand pieces,

  and rained down from on high.

  The fishnet tore and came apart

  and the gossamer strands unfurled

  In strings of lyte it floated down

  and descended upon our world.

  And everywhere the timbers fell

  a tree began to grow.

  Until the Harvester looked amazed

  to see a forest below.

  The delighted gnomes examined the strings

  and soon discovered the way

  To catch the beams and spin the thread

  from the light of night or day.

  The cow returned to her place in the sky,

  and the river was calm and still

  The starfish returned to their ancient homes,

  but the comets wander at will

  The Harvester thought how nice it would be

  to live beneath the trees

  A Forester he decided to be,

  and gave up the Milky Sea."

  There was great applause, and whistles of admiration from the audience. The poem was the myth of the origin of the Forester Constellation put to rhyme, and was just the sort of entertainment they liked. There were, of course, a few exceptions. Old grandfather Harold Handyman, who owned the village tool supply store, was sitting in a back corner and bellowed out "Hogwash! Pure nonsense," as he set his empty cider cup heavily on the table with a thud.

  His startled granddaughter Emmie, who was sitting beside him, turned red as a beet and hissed, "Grandfather, it's poetic license."

  "Didn't know you needed a license to write a poem," he grunted loudly. "Who granted him a license?"

  His wife Edna filled his cup, and patted his arm. "Never mind dear," she soothed. "Have some more cider and then we'll dance the firelight jig."

  There were grins and much good-humored laughing. Handyman was a gruff and cantankerous individual, but he was more than fair in his dealings at the tool shop, and everyone ignored his crusty ways.

  The band started playing a lively melody, and a group of gnomes sang to the catchy tune. The floor filled with couples, and gray skirts swirled casting a rainbow of shimmering lights around the room.

  The music then slowed and the gnomes began a new dance, forming an intricate geometric pattern in time to the music.

  The dancing continued until the fireworks began. Everyone went outside to watch. Barrat Blacksmith and a small group of craftsmen put on the show. They had been planning the program for over a month, and the display was exceptional. The last rocket burst in a flowery finale that filled the sky with blue and yellow embers and slowly faded.

  Suddenly a shooting star crossed the sky. Another followed a couple minutes later. Then they could be seen every minute or two. It was the beginning of a meteor shower that would last all night. The gnomes wandered in and out of the hall, watching the sky, nibbling bits of food, sipping drinks, and enjoying the company and conversations of their neighbors. The band continued to play softly outside for those who wanted to dance under the stars.

  It was after midnight when the party began to break up. Families gathered together and headed for home. Travis and Telah sat on the bench under the apple tree.

  "I'm staying at Morley's tonight." Travis was saying. "He has some projects he want
s help with tomorrow."

  Morley and Kendra strolled up and Morley asked, "'bout ready to head home?"

  "Already?" Telah asked.

  Travis smiled timidly. "Maybe we could stay and listen to one more song?"

  Kendra looked at Morley who shrugged. "Okay," she agreed. "When this song is over, come right home. We'll go on and meet you there."

  "Okay," they both said together, and sat back to finish discussing their plans about the cave and the door.

  The last notes of the band faded away, and Travis grabbed a couple pastry rolls on the way out. As they walked home they could see pixies flitting among the branches. Pixie dust sparkled and floated in the air like leftover fireworks. The shooting stars were becoming more frequent, and it was easy to mistake a pixie darting through the trees for a shooting star.

  "Kendra will be going to see Aunt Matilda in a couple days. Maybe we can get together and try to figure out the poem. There's a map in the book we can look at too," Telah said.

  "Great idea," Travis mumbled as he munched on a roll.

  "Were you able to see a way to open the door?"

  "Nope. Actually I was feeling guilty that I was exploring it without you. Besides, we shouldn't be exploring alone. Did you say there was a map in the book?" He stuffed the last roll in his mouth.

  "Yes, there's one in the back, but it's attached. We couldn't take it out without damaging the book. But we could copy it."

  Kendra and Morley were waiting for them when they arrived. She poured a glass of buckleberry juice for everyone, and they toasted the night. Morley and Travis left and headed home.

  Outside, the Forester Constellation was now low on the horizon. There were a few gnomes in the village who stayed up all night, or who slept outside so they could watch the meteor shower as they fell asleep. High up in the trees, pixies sat leaning against tree trunks or stretched out on branches as they too watched the wonders of the night sky.

  CHAPTER 11 - RIDDLES AND OLD POEMS

  Several days after the party, Telah and Travis were seated at the kitchen table hovering over the old book. Kendra had left early that morning to visit Aunt Matilda and would not be back till late. She had left instructions for starting supper. Morley would be joining them.