Enchanteur Calling Bo

I hear a whisper, a teeny buzz in my ear. Is it from an early spring mosquito or static from my music player or breeze from the blowing trees of Central Park or mumbling from pedestrians on East Parkway? I concentrate. No buzz, no static, no breeze, no mumbling, but I still hear the whisper. It is getting louder and my grassy place under the maple trees is beginning to shake. Yes, shake. I’m in New York City, where earthquakes occur once every century, and the ground below me is shaking.

Funny, though. I see no one else reacting to the noise or the earthquake. Children are playing on a wide expanse of park land just steps from me while their parents are sitting on benches and sipping drinks poured from their Thermos. Perhaps I am hallucinating. I make myself look calm while I consider what to do.

Now my blanket is moving. Really? Yes, something is is moving. A snake? A gopher? No, a faerie, barely three inches tall, slithers from under my blanket. She pushes the grass and dandelions from her face and crawls on my blanket.

We both sigh with relief. “Bo! Thank goodness, I say. I traveled from Maine to California and from Florida to Washington State searching for you. I even flew to Hawaii and drove a dog sled in Alaska. Enchanteur never told me you’d be in a metropolis. She clearly said ‘nature’.”

“Should I feel sorry for you, Etouile? Just how long did this marathon trip take you? And what’s wrong with my metropolis? New York City is a lovely city.”

“Well, it took me 14 seconds for your information. And your metropolis is quite lovely, but this isn’t nature.”

“Etouile, Central Park is as much nature as New York City gets.”

“Yes, perhaps. Anyway, I have a message from Enchanteur. She wants you to come on the Heroine’s Tour while working on the Bumper Catalog.” The faerie’s eyes sparkle with glee and excitement. “It is a request not to be refused.”

Knowing I’d agree in the end, I moaned a little. “But I’ve only been home a few days. Some personal business… I plan to return to Lemuria in a day or two.”

“On behalf Enchanteur, I am here to escort you. Everything you need is be provided. I have an empty suitcase for you to take on your travels. Are you ready?”

“Why, I guess. Yes, I’m game. What do I do next?” I look around, checking to see if anyone is watching me or the faerie. No one is. We might as well be invisible.

She reads my mind. “We are invisible, Bo. Faeries always travel incognito and so do those who travel with them. Now hold your suitcase in one hand and pick me up in the other.” The faerie holds her arms up to me. “Don’t let go. The ride is a bit bumpy.”

The faerie jumps on my hand and we whirl into the sky as if we are in the eye of a tornado. in seconds we set down in the yard of the Riversleigh Mansion — four stories of a red brick house, a swimming pool, natural gardens and manicured roses and more.

I am confused from that speed warp trip. “Etouile, tell me what I do next.”

The faerie nods. “You’re near the portal of Lemuria. Enchanteur is waiting for you on the back porch. I do believe she has a cup of tea and some sweets for you. Now I am needed elsewhere. Good bye, Bo.”

I swear that the tiny faerie disappears in my hands as I look up and see a woman in splendiferous clothing appear from thin air. She calls my name. “Bo! Bo! Come over here. I’d like a conversation with you. I have a cuppa for you and a brownie or two.”

I heed her words and find myself seated comfortably on an upholstered settee. I am parched and hungry so the treats taste wonderful.

“Have whatever you fancy, Bo. Have it all if you like and I’ll let you know the specifics. It is time for you to take The Heroine’s Journey through the land of Lemuria. You will discover many things and thrill with what you learn. When you finish the journey, you will find you have a new soul.”

“Enchanteur, I do wish to explore this mysterious land. But I am afraid, too.” I do not like the unknown.

“That is good. A little fear will keep you alive and on your feet. Your adventure does include its’ unknowns,” says Enchanteur. “Have that last Brownie, Bo. It will fill you up.” She walks over to the porch steps as I struggle to my feet. “Now head into the Murmuring Woods. Simply walk along. You will find a portal or perhaps two or three. You will instinctively know which portal to enter and through that you will cross into Lemuria. Now, go ahead. You’re on your own, but do not worry. We shall meet soon.”

I stumble down the steps, follow the stone walk to the edge of the woods and enter the Murmuring Woods, unsure of what I am to find. I peek in holes of tree trunks, scramble through chutes of rocks which, in turn, roll down upon me. I stroll along a short stretch of beach near a nameless lake. I dub it The Searchers Lake as I search for a hole in the sand but find nothing. When I turn to head back to the Woods, I am surprised to see a row of caves nearly hidden in a small granite bluff. With greater confidence, I head towards these caves. I count. Twelve. There are twelve caves that I can see.

Enchanteur assured me I will know when I reach the portal to Lemuria, so I explore each cave in turn. The first seven caves give me no clue, and I weary of the black, damp interior of the caves. Perhaps I made a mistake? I look beyond the last cave and notice a pile of scrub and cut tree trunks, all jumbled together. At the bottom of the mass of wood, I see a distinct hole lit a pale yellow. I run, passing the other caves, and study the opening. Indeed there is a portal, and indeed there is a pathway. The pathway is lit by tiny lights set into the walls.

Slipping into the hole, I follow the dim lamps some twenty feet. Gradually a golden glow appears. I make a sharp turn in the tunnel and before me spreads a luminous land. I step out into the crystal air. The sky is the deepest color of azure blue, and speads light as bright as daylight, but with no sun overhead. Large sparkles of jewels in star shapes, not twinkles of lights marking Earth’s night, light up the sky. Clouds of an iridescent gold fluff are intermingled with the starry jewels. The landscape is expansive, covered with giantess’ flowers and ten feet grasses as far as I can see. Unusual animals (ones I’ve never before seen) and people of the sort I do recognize, travel in pairs or small groups, roaming the land.

I entered Lemuria near the top of a hill and I sit upon the grasses to catch my breath. I cannot take my eyes from the land and sky, as it majestically spreads before me. So this is Lemuria!

I lie down on the soft grass and close my eyes for just a minute. Just before I drift off to sleep, I hear a musical chirping.

Journal entry submitted by Bo