another elephant ride

They ran through Tuuttii’s memory slate. It contained a similar meeting with a biologist.

 

“So we have been hiding on Earth. No wonder everyone was surprised to see us.”

 

“But why are we back now? We were supposed to stay on Earth until you were of age, until you were ready to become king.”

 

A servant interrupted them.

“There is a visitor to see you your highness, he said.”

“Who? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

 

“He says he is The Conduit. He said you would agree to see him.”

 

“Ah, yes you had better send him in.”

 

The Conduit is tall, as tall as the king, and behaves exactly as the biologist – he makes little effort to bow or avert his gaze. He spoke without even being invited to.

 

“My elephant was most put out, he is not used to hitchhikers,” he said.

 

“Who are you addressing?” Hraal demands.

 

The Conduit nodded in acknowledgement of his faux pas.

“My elephant was most put out, your majesty, he is not used to hitchhikers.”

 

“Your elephant?” Tuuttii asked. “What are you talking about?”

 

“My elephant is the means I used to travel between worlds. It is not really an elephant, of course, it is a pan dimensional existence that takes on the form of an elephant. He acts as a conduit between realities. Between this world and the Earth. It is how you returned here. But it is too soon, a mistake. You are not due back yet, it is not safe you. Neither of you are safe.”

 

“Yet we chose to return?” Hraal said.

“Can you recall why?” The Conduit asked him.

 

Reluctantly Hraal had to confess that he did not.

 

“Then I shall explain. On Earth you know nothing of this life. You were intrigued when I brought a message from your mother. Knowing nothing of the danger you face here, you followed me and stole a ride home. You showed great ingenuity and initiative, as one might expect your highness, but it doesn’t end the danger you are in. Which is why you must return. You must both return, this instant.”

 

“But how did we meet?” Hraal asked. “The plan was for us to be kept apart, so that we would be harder to trace should anyone come looking for us. How did we both manage to come back together, as if we had never been apart. ”

 

“An accident,” The Conduit said, “a foolish accident, an error on my behalf. It will not happen again I assure you.” Come, we must go.”

 

“To the biohouse?”

 

“No, no need for that. The human forms are still within you. Your enzymes can now bend both ways, simply moving between worlds triggers a natural process within you and your body returns to the appropriate form.”

 

“Is that how we resumed out form here?” Tuuttii asked.

 

“Exactly.”

 

“So how do we return?”

 

“I shall give you a ride on my elephant. Come, we must go, you are not safe here. Neither of you are safe.”