Chapter 20 Conquest of Chimera

Chapter 20

Conquest of Chimera

   As far as Kian could tell, Lucius accepted his talk of Earth and death without the slightest bit of trepidation. He tried not make too much of it, but Lucius’ apparent complacency made no sense to him. Just as Kian was about to question the giant squirrel, he saw what looked like a huge wooden corkscrew though the trees.

  As they drew closer, they could see it was not a corkscrew but a massive spiral staircase twisting its’ way up the largest tree Kian had ever seen. This was the base of the common, one of only three ground based entrances to Wayferra. From here, they could gain easy access to the tree house city, easy except for the hundreds of steps they would have to climb. Eager to please Lucius they made no mention of flying but followed him and the captain up the winding stairway happily soaking up the dream like view as they walked.

    Another question pecked at Kian’s mind as the climbed.  Lucius had plainly stated they were not Chimeran, but did not pursue the subject any further, why, was he really that accepting of them after all. Kian could only hope.

   He pushed it to the back of his mind, which considering his delightful surroundings was easy to do. Shadow and light played tag with the distant treetops as a playful breeze tickled and teased the bouncy green canopy sagging and swaying high above their heads. 

  So distracted by the forests’ mystical ambience, Kian and Kia did not notice the steps, wide as they were, had gradually fanned out even more until they became a large circular terrace. They were now standing on the Common and they were not alone.

   Sunlight streamed past their shoulders casting a golden glow over a large crowd of wide -eyed faces. Some smiled through fur and fangs; others leaned in on hoof and claw trying to get a better look without getting too close, while a few looked perfectly human. Much to Kian and Kia’s delight and relief not one fear clenched face, not one narrow hateful eye glared back at them.  

  Lucius stepped forward as an over -all clad ferret carrying a work apron of plaited pine needles scampered up to him.

  Lucius took the apron and tied it around his waist, “Thank you Gris, feel naked without it, not good for tree sailing though, in any case, we have two strangers in our midst. Their eyes are clear, his words are true and they have no home. What say you family?”

   A beaver like creature with long delicate fingers and short stocky legs waddled out of the crowd, his long flat tail dragging behind him like a train. “They are spectacular, never seen the like. The rumors were true. Poor things look cold, though. We will warm you.” He turned toward the others, “will we not?”

   “Yes of course Timothy,” said a slender black furred rat wearing a loose red shift with long human arms a sad sweet nearly human face. A long rope like tail dangled from her left shoulder, apparently placed there so it would not be stepped on, “why they are just new born furless babes, of course we’ll make them warm and right at home.”

  “Did you really fall out of the sky,” said a dark haired man wearing a thick brown shirt whose muscular torso towered above the others crowded in front of him. His handsome face beamed with delight and curiosity as he moved forward gently parting the crowd as he carefully made his way toward the new arrivals.

  ‘you’re kidding…’ Kian thought as the centaur clumped toward him on four hooved horse legs.

  “Whoa,” Kian gasped, “you’re a centaur, sorry I didn’t mean to say whoa’ cause well you know, I’m being stupid well sorry. You took me by surprise.”

  “And you took us by surprise,” the centaur drew close and waited with outstretched hand.

  “Oh,” Kian said, “my name, its Kian West and this is my wife Kia,” he said shaking the centaur’s perfectly human hand.”

  “She is lovely and bears you’re your favor, odd, my name is Carlos. Welcome friend.”

  “Thank you, Carlos, so much.” Kian smiled and drew in a deep breath.      

  “Is it true you flew out of the storm on a lightning bolt?” A squeaky little voice whispered in Kia’s ear.

  She jerked her head in its direction and saw what looked like a thumbnail-sized fluff of gold hovering just inches from her face. Upon closer inspection, she could clearly see the fuzzy ball of golden light had wings, arms, legs and a tiny human torso draped in shimmering white hair.

    Leaning in closer she did something she did not realize she was doing, offer the bridge of her nose as a perch.

  The fluff happily lighted on it and looked deep into Kia’s eyes. “Did you?”   

  Kia eyes crossed as she peered down the end of her nose and saw the tiny face of a beautiful winged girl smiling back at her.

  “What,” Kia asked as tried to focus her eyes on the brook sprite’s shifting double image.  

  “Ride a lightning bolt from the sky? Did you, did you really?”

  “No, not at all, a lightning bolt struck me dead. But my husband Kian brought me back.”

  “From death,” the brook sprite exclaimed, “that’s even more wonderful. Please call me Kress my Goddess.”

   No one but Kian heard Kress call Kia Goddess, but most were thinking it. She turned her attention away from her tiny passenger just long enough to gauge their reaction. Welcome and warmth had turned to awe and reverence, something she and Kian would still not accept.