Into the Deep, Part III

“Uh? You’re who?”

“Amara Von Saxonberg” A young woman, about 30 or so, stood before me.

“Do I know you?” I eased myself off the bough.

“Let me help you. Oooooo, honey, that’s one nasty scratch. What were you thinking trying to pet that cat?” She helped me to the ground. “Sit,” she commanded as she started pawing through her backpack.

“How was I supposed to know it was going to attack me?”

“It was a jaquar. What did you expect?”

“I DIDN’T expect a figment of my imagination to draw blood! This is, after all, the inside of my mind.”

“Don’t you know that the most hurtful things we encounter come from deep within our minds. And the deeper you go, the scarier it gets.” She unrolled some cotton gauze and pulled a tube of anti-bacterial cream from her bag.

“What are you? Some sort of shrink?”

“No, I am not a psychologist, although the human brain, or lack of one, does intrigue me. I’m an archeologist, anthropologist, and independent scholar.”

“Independent scholar?”

“I got fired.”

“Oh… you said you were looking for me?”

“Yes. I was supposed to meet you on the other side of the portal and point you towards Duwamish. You shinnied down the cliff before I could get to you. Why in the world didn’t you use the wings in your bag.”

“I forgot I had them.”

“Look, you are not going to get anywhere in Lemuria or in the Universe in general if you don’t use the gifts you are given.”

“Enchanteur sent you, right?” I winced as she began cleaning my wound. “Ouch!”

“Sorry. Yes, I was in the neighborhood and she asked me to check on you.”

“You were in the neighborhood?”

“Yes.” Dr. V. pulled a book out of her bag.

I turned my head to read the title. “Mountaintops of Lemuria… you’re looking for the real Lemuria? I thought it was all in the mind.”

“Well, maybe I’m out of my mind!” Dr. V chuckled at her own pun.

“Great. A comedienne.” I hauled myself to my feet. “Okay, which way do I go towards Duwamish”

“That way” she pointed towards the brush.

“Is there a footpath?”

Dr. V sighed. “Aren’t you listening?”

I paused for a moment then said “The wings?”

“You got it. You’re going to fly up, find the River and follow it to the Bay.”

She picked up her bag. “I’m off now. Catch you later.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“No, I’ve got an ancient ruin to find. Give my regards to the Ferry Women. Oh, you’d better get that scratch tended to when you get to the Inn. You may need a tetanus shot.”

“Why? Can’t someone just wave a magic wand over it?”

Dr. V turned sober and pointed a finger towards my heart. “Some wounds don’t heal so quickly, my dear.”

She turned her back towards me and disappeared into the jungle.

Story and digital construction by Lori Gloyd (c) 2007