Finding a Way (3) - Xenophon Treefellow

On one morning recently we received a telephone phone call from one of our relatives. I was the one who took the call.

"Hello? Is that Jackson Butterglove? It's Wester. Can you hear me? I'm using the Post Office phone."

The telephone booth by the sub post office has been a welcome facility to those living at the other end of the county where there are less public services. To my knowledge, this was the first time any of the Cornflower family had used the booth to contact Butterglove House.

 

"Yes, Wester. You sound nice and clear. Is everything okay?"

"Ah. Yes thank you. I'm calling to tell you about a visitor we had. One of the Treefellow owls."

"Who? Aristotle?"

"No. It's the one that's using the tree house in the woodland near you. Calls himself Xenophon."

 

Situated in the woods separating Butterglove Lodge from the village green, the tree house belongs to Aristotle and Arabella Treefellow. It is used infrequently these days as the family has a larger family home across the river. This was where I visited Aristotle earlier in the year. I'd heard rumours that the tree house was in use again, but this was the first time I'd been given a name for the occupant.

"Xenophon? What did he want from you?"

"It wasn't me he wanted. He wanted to talk to my boy."

"Brady? Why?"

 

"It was about his interest in Tall Tree Forest. Do you remember how we told you Brady was mapping the odd way paths loop in the Forest? This Xenophon said he'd heard about Brady from Aristotle."

"Now I think about it, we did mention Brady when Aristotle was talking to us about the Forest. Was it a problem?"

"Oh no, but that explains it. Xenophon spoke with Brady for a while and then congratulated him on his work, asking to borrow his notebook to make a copy. I admit I'm curious why there's an interest." He paused. "Although it is an unusual place. Maybe that's why."

"Could be."

Wester continued. "Anyway, you're probably wondering why I wanted to tell you this."

"I thought you just wanted to find out how Aristotle heard about Brady..."

"No, but as I said, you've explained that. I mainly wanted to let you know that Xenophon is planning on visiting you."

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Both Cecile and I wondered what the owl newcomer would be like. I guessed he would be following up on the crystals and a way to reach the Chunglewood community. I had expected Aristotle would be the one to take this forward but, I realised, he didn't claim he would do this personally. 

"Well," said Cecile, "I think we should get something for his perch. I don't want him to stand on the coffee table like Aristotle did. His feet weren't as clean as he thought."

 

We chuckled and found a solid container from the shed that would serve the purpose.

When Xenophon arrived, his manner showed he was a different sort of owl to Aristotle. For a start, he seemed a jollier Treefellow, his eyes sparkling as if there was a huge joke he wanted to share. His clothing was a little unusual too. From his oddly shaped hat to the chunk of shiny rock he wore as a medallion he presented a unique style. 

 

He gratefully hopped onto the pseudo-perch we had provided and waited as we settled.

 

 

"I thought I should introduce myself," he said. "I will be leading the expedition that we hope - with your invaluable help - will open a path to Chunglewood. There's still some organisation to do but I felt that I should explain why the job has brought me to Mellowdene." 

The owl fixed me with an unwavering stare, but his eyes still sparkled with humour.

 

"Before I start, I believe it would be to our mutual advantage if you understood my motivations, Mister Butterglove," he said in an almost confidential tone.

"We go by first names here. Please call me Jackson. And my wife is Cecile."

 

"As you wish. What I want you to appreciate, Jackson, is that I have a longstanding connection to Mellowdene. Although I haven't lived here long, my ancestors played a significant part in its early history."

"Like Aristotle?"

"In a way. Aristotle's heritage includes a long line of teachers and mentors that helped shape Mellowdene society. Mine is more connected to the land itself. Some of my ancestors had an interest in the valley long before the rabbits came here in search of a place to settle."

I held back from questioning Xenophon at this point; I could see he wanted to tell his tale in his own way.

"At that time, the valley only had stunted growth. It wasn't really suitable for settlement. Unlike most of Sylvania, the magic didn't have sufficient strength here. I use the word 'magic' because I don't have an alternative word. Normally, Sylvania is enfused with energies that enhance nature and growth, the spark that makes the entire land the home that we critters inhabit. Something was preventing the valley from getting its quota. We didn’t know at the time, but much of the energies were being diverted to somewhere within Tall Tree Forest."

I started to speak but he raised a wing to forestall me.

"No, please let me continue. My ancestors wanted to make the valley whole but had not thought of a solution. When the rabbits came, my Treefellow forebears expected them to bypass the valley to seek out another home but they persevered. It appeared they wanted to stay and were searching for a means to do that. They needed sustenance and a decision was made to guide them to the mountain lake - the one now known locally as Sweetwater Lake."

A smile crept onto Xenophon's face. "By chance, Sophocles Treefellow heard a remark by one of the rabbits - that it was a shame that waters from the lake could not be used to irrigate some of the valley. That chance remark was the solution we had been seeking, in ways the rabbits did not know. That is because of the depth of Sweetwater Lake and what lies beneath. The energies down there infuse the water with the magic that makes Sylvania. By allowing those waters into the valley it would not only provide a degree of irrigation; if it could supplement the existing subterranean water courses it would invigorate the entire valley.

"By subtle guidance and by offering practical help co-opting moles from beyond the valley, we were able to help the rabbits achieve our dream. Making the valley whole and an integral part of Sylvania's nature.

"Mellowdene is the culmination of my family's ambition. I am proud of being a part of this."

He inclined his head towards the doorway. "I understand your brother is a knowledgeable local historian. I'd be happy to give more details to him at some point. Anyway, now you know why I'm invested in the valley."

We waited expectantly for him to continue.

 

"Ah, of course. To the point," he said. "Regarding the expedition, so far there's only a little I can tell you. Firstly, I have a copy of a handy notebook that young Brady Cornflower put together. Clever lad. I hope that, after some analysis, we can use the book to choose the optimum entry point into the forest." 

"You won't be using the route Ricardo Porcini used before it was blocked?"

"No. It was quite circuitous, having evolved naturally. It took over three hours to pass through. Not a route to take without good reason. Ricardo was unusual in that respect. We want to open a more direct pathway. It is my hope we can do that. In any case, given our resources, I doubt we could reopen Ricardo's route. It's only thanks to your lady wife that we were able to locate those resources at all."

Cecile, who had been uncharacteristically silent to this point, reacted upon being mentioned.

"Me? Do you mean me suggesting the shiny stones Morwenna uses?"

"Exactly.  Arabella Treefellow took me to see Morwenna Deerheart and I was able to persuade her to lend us one of her proto-crystals. She's apparently very fond of her collection and didn't want to part with any but Arabella put her mind at rest. Fortunately I was able to identify the best one; most were flawed. Perhaps that's how young Ricardo was able to gift her so many. I do hope the one I chose will be enough for our purposes. It might be if your ear is as musical as your reputation dictates, Jackson."

I smiled weakly. "One can always hope."

"Ha! Modesty!" he laughed. "I have spoken with both Aristotle and Tara Lapine-Frost.   They give me every confidence in you." 

Cecile had clearly been thinking about Xenophon's words more than I. "Something you said," she began. Xenophon shifted his gaze to her.

"When you say some of these crystal things were flawed, how do you know? Are they safe for Jackson to use?

 

"Oh yes," he smiled, "you need have no fears on that count. All are safe. You see this?" - he indicated his medallion - "It's not purely decorative. It allows me to test the integrity of the proto-crystals. Most of the ones Morwenna possessed had an imperfect structure so would have limited range when affecting the energy portals. Please be assured that the one I borrowed is the best one she had and promises to be the easiest for Jackson to manipulate."

"Good," said Cecile. "And another thing. I was looking at your medallion. It reminds me of..."

She paused, looking at me before continuing. "...of the Dreamstone."

I stared at her. I had suspected that she had encountered the mysterious rock that was in the care of the Reverend Kelvin Waters, kept beneath the chapel, but this was the first time there was apparent evidence to confirm those suspicions. I didn't follow up on this because I became aware of Xenophon chuckling.

"You are a delight, my dear Cecile. This is indeed a tiny fragment from a chunk of Dreamstone that the Owl Collective holds. I didn't expect anyone to recognise it. Most believe it to be a myth. I'm able to use the energies within this particular fragment to activate proto-crystals and see how they might be channeled."

 

Cecile smiled at me. "Sorry, my love. I know you're not really into the spiritual side of the Snow Queen story. That's the only reason I haven't mentioned me seeing the Dreamstone."

Xenophon regarded us both before again indicating the doorway. "Something for you to discuss perhaps, but I've taken up enough of your time. I shall leave you and be in touch when we're close to being ready to proceed. Much will be dependent upon daylight and the weather."

He moved to leave. "I will let myself out. Farewell, Jackson Butterglove. Cecile."

"No, I'll let you out," said Cecile, rising to join him. Maybe she had further questions.

I sat a while after they had left, wondering how long it would be before I would be the one leaving - on Xenophon's expedition. Expedition! I wondered who else would be going?

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(To be continued)