Journey from Skioria

CHAPTER 1: THE OCEAN AND A HUMAN

TANIA, MOVE AWAY from the railing! Look out!

Nine-year-old Tania felt a push and then a pull as if someone had reached out and grabbed her. Water rushed around her. Cold seeped into her bones. Her eyes stung from the salt water, so she closed them tight and took a huge breath. Waves pulled her under, and she struggled to come back up.

Where were Mom and Dad? The boat? She pushed the thoughts aside and strained for the surface. A deep gulp of air filled her lungs before the water flung her high into the air and dropped her back down between waves. Her teeth chattered together, and an icy-cold, deeper and more terrifying than the water, gripped her heart before she tumbled under the surface of the ocean. A sudden jolt shocked her into almost taking a breath, but she fought the urge. Pain radiated from her head, then she knew no more.

***

Incessant chattering reached Tania’s ears, along with bone-chilling cold on her back and great warmth on her face. It took a moment, before she realized that the sound contained words.

"Say! What is this? Is it a man? Is he hurt? Say, he’s a she! Look at that beautiful hair! It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before! Wow, what would Fil say about that? Even the Avarians don’t have hair that shade of blond."

Tania tried to move away from the cold underneath her, but she had no energy. Instead she opened her eyes.

I say, are you awake? A brown, hairy face looked down at her. Deep brown eyes expressed concern.

Tania blinked and struggled to a sitting position. She rubbed a wet hand across her aching forehead. "How could I sleep with all that chatter? And Mom and Dad say I talk too much! I wish they could meet you."

Mom and Dad? The man glanced around the wooded riverbed. Where are they? Are they near here?

Memories flooded back. Tania hung her head. No. I … I don’t think so. I don’t know for sure.

You don’t know for sure? Why ever not?

I … I … I was on the boat. Mom tried to warn me, but the next thing I knew, I was in the water. Tania wiped at her eyes but only managed to get her face wet. A shiver ran down her body. She climbed to her feet.

At first she thought she’d landed in a state park, because the only place she’d ever seen such clean woods had been in Honeyman State Park in Oregon. Next she wondered if she were dreaming. The man beside her stood no taller than any other kid in her fourth grade class, and yet he didn’t look like a dwarf or a midget.

The man’s forehead wrinkled as he looked down the waterway. This river surely wouldn’t have gotten that bad. I mean I’ve seen it pretty rough, but even the old timers have never seen an accident where people turned up on the bank.

Oh, this wasn’t on a river. We were enjoying a vacation and went crabbing.

You were out on the ocean! The little man sat back on his heels. How’d you make it into the river and here?

Well, I did have my life jacket on. Tania tried to adjust the bright orange vest.

Life jacket? What’s that? The man’s bushy eyebrows disappeared behind his hair.

Don’t you know anything? It’s this here. Tania unzipped the jacket.

Oh, I thought it was just your vest to keep warm. Like mine. He looped his thumb through the armhole of his buckskin-like vest, then adjusted his dark brown shirt at the collar. He smoothed his brown, leather pants.

Tania stared up into the trees. Their boughs obscured the sky but let streams of sunlight through. Do you have any idea where I am?

That, I can answer. Oh, where ever are my manners? Let me introduce myself. I’m Trilicius. You’re just a half-hours’ walk from Skioria, my home. Why don’t you come with me, I can find a place for you for the night, and then we can see about getting you back to your parents.

Tears sprung to Tania’s eyes at the mention of her parents. She jumped up and down, but immediately regretted it as dizziness overtook her. She steadied herself before introducing herself and following after Trilicius.

Trilicius kept up a running dialogue of everything they encountered, from the string of fish he’d caught earlier that day, to the flowers growing alongside the path. Tania stared about her, soaking in the sounds of birds flittering in the evergreen boughs far above. The fresh scent of the forest invigorated her and took her mind off her wet clothes.

After about ten minutes of non-stop chattering, Trilicius interrupted himself. Tania, please tell me if I’m talking too much. My friend Fil’s constantly saying that I chatter too much. He says that’s why I’ve only seen a few of the Avarians other than those in the council. They don’t like the noise I make, and they hide. I don’t know if it’s true, but if I’m talking too much just let me know.

Tania laughed. Actually I was enjoying listening to everything you knew about the forest. Where’d you learn it all? How can you remember everything? I know I won’t remember all of that in the morning.

Well, I’ve had a life time of learning. My dad started to teach me when I was six. He’d bring me out and show me all the different things.

Just six! Tania stopped. How old are you? You can’t be out of high school; you’re too short for that.

High-school? Trilicius stumbled over the word and ran it together. I’m thirty-five years old. Hah, that’s what I get for so much talking!

But, I … I’m sorry, I thought you were just a year or so older than me. Tania hung her head, and tears formed in her blue eyes.

Oh, dear, what did I do? Holly’s always saying I speak before I think. I’m sorry, Tania. You’re saying you’re not yet thirty? That’s okay.

Not thirty! I’m nine years old!

Nine? Trilicius’s bushy eyebrows arched. Then, he paused and stared at her, you’re a human child!

Yes, aren’t you human?

Oh, no; I’m Skiorian. No humans live near here. I don’t know of anyone who’s met a human before. He ran a hand along his beard. Well, maybe Old Man Shadow may have met some, but they weren’t here. They were somewhere off to the north of here. He traveled a lot, you know. He was a strange one.

Humans don’t live here? How am I to get home? Tania bit her lip to keep it from trembling.

Now don’t you worry, honey. In the morning, we’ll go to the elders of Skioria, and they’ll figure something out. For now just enjoy the forest.

They continued walking and Tania relaxed. Surprisingly, Trilicius kept quiet. The news that she was human seemed to have stunned him into silence.

The path meandered north through the woods and gradually became denser. Tania saw flowers on some of the bushes and knew that, if she asked, Trilicius could tell her what they were, but right now, she just wanted to look.

The sound of voices drifted down on the breeze; Tania gazed up into the trees above her and gasped. Lights twinkled between the boughs.

Trilicius looked over at her and smiled. Welcome to Skioria, Tania.

 It’s beautiful! Tania turned in a circle to take it all in.

I always enjoy coming home at night. The lights are the best part, but next is the sound of the voices of home. I know I’m safe.

They moved in among the trees, Tania’s eyes widening in surprise at their size. She ran her hand along the bark of the nearest one. She’d seen pictures of trees that trucks could drive through. The pictures didn’t do the real thing justice.

Trilicius? Tania pointed into the trees. How am I supposed to get up there? Her voice wavered.

I’ve been a thinking about that. I’m still not sure, but I think the best way would be for you to become a pack on my back. Then I can take you up. Do you think you could hold on to me?

Oh, you mean piggy back. I think so. Daddy always takes me that way, but he usually holds onto me.

I won’t be able to hold onto you, but we can use the extra rope in my pack and tie it around your waist and around me.

Okay.

With sure, deft movements, Trilicius put the rope on like a belt—leaving room for Tania to slip inside of it. Once she’d climbed on piggyback style, he tightened it up. With a jump that took them five feet up into the air, he started to climb. Claws extended from his fingers and his toes to help him make his way up the tree. Trilicius took a rest at the first branch, then climbed further up to where the lights shone.

Trilicius untied the rope while Tania glanced around. Rough wooden planks created a walkway high above the ground. Rope railings provided safety from meandering off the path.

You can walk now, Tania, Trilicius gasped, a little out of breath. Follow me.

He led her around the trunk of the tree to another wooden trail, which led further into the trees. They didn’t pass anyone, but the low murmur of voices drifted through round holes covered by curtains. Glassless windows held candles or oil lamps. Before long they came to a tree with a curtain-covered hole in its trunk.

Trilicius moved the thick, brown curtain aside. Holly, I’m home, he called.

The singing in the background stopped, and a female voice said, Supper’s almost ready. Better wash up.

Holly, I have a visitor with me. Trilicius led Tania to the back of the tree home.

The sweet scent of cedar filled the air. Tania ran her hand along the smooth wooden arm of a chair and admired the green cushion. Forest scenes in frames covered the walls in decorative arrangements of threes and fives. A bouquet of rhododendrons and bluebells mixed with ferns and salal stood on the dining table in a clay pot.

A visitor? the feminine voice asked. Trilicius where ever did you pick up a visitor while you were fishing? Did you meet up with Fil? If so, Kern will be upset that she didn’t get to come with him. The woman came into view. Her wooly hair sprawled up and outward from her head much like Trilicius’. Her black hair stayed off her face, and beyond the homespun mushroom-colored tunic sleeves her arms had a thin layer of hair over them. She stopped in mid-stride when she saw Tania.

Trilicius? Her mouth hung open.

Trilicius grinned. Tania looked uncertainly between the two. Finally, Holly wiped her hands on her apron and extended a hand to Tania. Hi, I’m Holly, Trilicius’ mate. Welcome to our home. Trilicius’ll show you where to wash up. Right, Trilicius?

Trilicius’ grin spread from ear to ear. He nodded, then lead Tania to another room with a circular, glassless window looking out over the forest. A lamp flickered on the ledge, revealing a basin with a pitcher of water beside it and a fluffy towel hanging on the wall.

After washing up, Tania sat with the couple at their table and enjoyed warm, creamy soup while Trilicius shared with Holly all about his day. With help from Tania, he explained about finding her and her plight. With much grumbling and complaining, Trilicius agreed with Holly that he should go to the elders the next day and that the outcome would be a council meeting.

Tania finished her last bite of nutty bread. Trilicius, you said the council would help me. Why don’t you want to go to them?

Holly laughed. He just doesn’t like staying inside all day.

"And the council will take forever to decide anything! Trilicius rolled his eyes. I’d much rather be out fishing."

CHAPTER 2: NEW FRIENDS IN SKIORIA

A GENTLE SHAKE woke Tania after what seemed just moments of sleep, but when she opened her eyes, she saw sunlight streaming in through the cracks of the curtain. She squinted and looked around. Panic built in her and her stomach knotted.

I’m sorry to bother you, Tania, Holly said, but Trilicius is gone, and I have breakfast ready for you.

Tania nodded as her sleepy mind grasped the words. She didn’t like getting up in the mornings. If she had her way, she would stay in bed all morning. Then she realized; this wasn’t a dream! Everything was real! That meant both the good