Finding a Way (5) - Setting Out

When Xenophon Treefellow contacted us to let us know preparations were completed for the expedition to enter Tall Tree Forest, Cecile was conflicted.

 

"I want to go with you," she said, "but I'm thinking of the children. I know the expedition is supposed to be safe but should we be wrong..."

"We don't have to go."

"I know. But now they're relying on you..." She sighed. "I suppose I wouldn't be able to contribute much. I should stay. If you don't mind?"

I hugged her. "The Treefellows clearly know what they're doing. They've not rushed into this without thinking. I feel more confident after visiting Xenophon a few days ago. I told you how he let me familiarise myself with the crystal, playing with it to locate the energy in his medallion, but I didn't go into details about the plans he'd made since our last meeting. I have no doubt he's continued to do so, organising everything in precise detail. He's arranged for transportation and everything."

"I suppose so." She kissed my cheek and pulled away. "Tomorrow morning, then."

o 0 O 0 o

The transportation was a small van, property of Ricardo Porcini. He smiled as I approached. 

"Jackson. I'm glad to hear that you might be able to forge a new path to Chunglewood. It was worrying when the old one became unpassable. It was always a twisty way through the trees but at least I could get to my people."

 

"I hope I can. It's by no means certain, you know. I don't want you to raise your hopes too high."

"Oh, I know. Xenophon explained. But you have to hope, don't you?"

Xenophon emerged from the van. "Hello, Jackson. Just a few introductions and we can be on our way. Ricardo is, I suppose, a sort of ambassador. Assuming we get through the forest and into the clearing, we don't want to startle the villagers when we appear in an unexpected place."

"They're not used to complete strangers," said Ricardo. "I can vouch for you. "

"Are you anticipating trouble, Xenophon?" I asked, more to put Cecile's mind at rest. She was watching the exchange.

"Not at all. I'm simply making sure our first contact is as smooth as possible." He beckoned the other passengers out of the van. I recognised them instantly. I had assumed that his team wouldn't be local but they were fellow villagers.

"Hi Jackson," said Delvin McBurrows. "I'm here because there may be some digging involved." Delvin, like the rest of his mole family, were at ease both above and below ground. Whether pits or tunnels were involved, the McBurrows were the ones to call.

Next to greet me was Rolf Billabong. "And I'm here to do clay work. G'day Jackson."

 

I was intrigued. Clay work? I needed to be briefed on Xenophon's plans. Later. There was still more of the team to appear.

The forrester Feargal Pettyfur made more sense. A knowledge of trees - even the unusual ones we would encounter - had to be essential. Feargal saluted a greeting. "Jackson."

The final passenger was Bruin Redbear who works at Mellowdene Van Hire. I doubted his mechanical skills were the primary reason he was there, but I was prepared to be mistaken. It was more likely he was present to lend his physical strength, which was notable. Carrying engines, lifting up vehicles in the absence of jacks, towing cars - all were tasks that had established his reputation. Shyly, he smiled and waved at me.

Even without Cecile aboard it looked as though the van would be a little cramped.

 

We didn't delay. Farewells made (plus a kiss for Cecile from me), we were soon on the road.

 

o 0 O 0 o

As expected, there wasn't much room in the van. On the journey I sought more details from Xenophon. He began by explaining the choice of route we would attempt through the trees. 

"Brady Cornflower's notebook was invaluable. The lad had documented numerous looping paths through the trees. We were able to identify the point farthest into forest. Feargal has placed markers. We then needed to determine the direction to proceed from there. I enlisted the aid of a cartographer and Ricardo's skill with a camera. We looked down on the trees and located the edge of the clearing that minimised the work you'll need to do."

"Looked down? You flew above the forest?  

   

"Yes. You look surprised."

"Did you use Ricardo's camera?"

Driving, Ricardo commented. "I took the photographs."

Xenophon chuckled. "Ah, I see, Jackson. Have you not heard of Cedric Walnut's invention? His flying machine?"  

I stared at the amused owl. I vaguely recalled hearing part of a conversation between Coltsfoot Ivory and my brother Newton. There had been a suggestion that Cedric Walnut should be invited into their Inventor's Club, but I didn't hear why. Xenophon gave a rough description of the flying machine.

"Cedric has cleverly managed to use coolsalt blocks and heat exchangers to control the lift provided by floaty-pods. This mechanical arrangement is concealed in a protective balloon-like structure attached to a steering unit. He calls it his Skyrider. Very impressive and highly manoeuvrable. It can even remain immobile in mid air. Ideal for taking aerial photographs. "     

I suppose I didn't need to know the details. It did, however, prompt a question. 

"If you have a flying machine, why didn't you land in the clearing to get your crystal things? Mind you, I suppose that doesn't replace the path to Chunglewood."

"A fair question," said Xenophon, "if the energies only affected the vicinity of the trees. Unfortunately it continues above the entire region. Chunglewood and the clearing are still inaccessible."

"It's why we have sky pools," added Ricardo.

"Yes, an interesting phenomenon," said Xenophon. "I should explain. Rain can reach the land, but this is indirectly. Gravity ensures it gets through but, like the looping paths through the forest, it has to wind its way through small portals, sometimes leaving shallow pools of water in the sky."

"It's an odd world," I muttered under my breath. Xenophon heard.

"A world of wonders, certainly." He looked ahead. "We'll soon be there. We can then use the map my cartographer contact made from Ricardo's photographs."

"Okay." I glanced at my travelling companions who seemed to have not being paying attention to my discussion with the knowledgeable owl. "What about the others? I take it you've already briefed them. Don't I need to know what they'll be doing?"

"You will, dear Jackson. At the appropriate time. I sense you've already had a lot of information to absorb. I'm surprised you haven't heard of the Skyrider, you being Newton Butterglove's twin."

"Newton doesn't gossip."

"Ah. Well you'll have plenty to tell him after we're done."

 

I wondered what that would be.

 

o 0 O 0 o

(To be continued)

 

Flash Gopher and the Micro Rays

It was Saturday morning and my sister-in-law Eliza had gone to visit her brother Denzel over at Butterglove Lodge. She goes across every couple of weeks to give Denzel and Samantha a day off from their quads. On this occasion, Cecile, Beverley and little Russell had accompanied her. Merlin was elsewhere in our house leaving me with Brendan, Orton and Snorker.

Brendan was enthusing about one of his Christmas presents, an activity book tied in to his favourite television show. Yes, you know the one. Flash Gopher. He was reading snippets aloud, showing Orton some of the themed puzzles and the prospective craft work to create facsimile props as used by the actors. Orton began by simply showing polite interest (although co-opted into the game, it's more Brendan and Lucky Snow-Warren's infatuation) but I could see the lad becoming infected with Brendan's enthusiasm. 

"Look at this," said Brendan. "Plans for Flash's jump-car. Just think if Mink the Muckiless had one like it..."

 

"Mm," said Orton. "Does it say how it flies?"

"No. I suppose some bits need to stay secret."

The conversation was interrupted with the entrance of Merlin. He looked almost as excited as Brendan.

 

"I've got to show this to someone. Come through to the Cauldron."

He disappeared back through the door and the boys looked at me. A brief pause and they scrambled to follow him.

 

"Coming, Pappa!" Orton called.

 

I followed more sedately, although my curiosity was rapidly mounting.

o 0 O 0 o

The Cauldron was the nickname for Merlin's kitchen. When he wasn't reading or engaged in librarian duties, my brother liked to be inventive in the culinary arts. He would share his creations - always tasty and something eagerly anticipated. 

Butterglove House has been in our family for generations and currently both Merlin and I live here with our families. Being such a close family we have no real issues living together but we had to admit scheduling the use of a single kitchen and bathroom was a challenge at times. 

Now, there have been modifications and extensions to the house over the years. The most recent was prompted by a suggestion from Merlin. We agreed the idea to extend the rear of the house to add an extra kitchen made sense, and that is how the Cauldron came into being. 

 

Henry-Lloyd Construction were engaged and Merlin played a large part in specifying the design, liaising with their senior architect Hector Corntop. Hector had seniority following the resignation of his friend and colleague - Cecile's brother, Rowan Ivory.

Bamboo Builders did the actual building with Bertram Bamboo liaising with Henry Corntop. Diego Woolly and Slick Slydale were the primary bricklayers and were heavily involved throughout the construction.

 

Milton Chocolate was engaged to do the decorating.

Mice and Clean - represented by the Hazelwood brothers - dealt with the additional water supply and laying of extra sewer pipes.

Perry Babblebrook did all the internal plumbing. In fact he's done it twice - once when the kitchen was built and again when Merlin and Eliza decided that the original sink unit was too basic. The second time they decided to site the replacement beneath the window figuring it would be nice to view the wildlife whilst they were washing up.

 

Like our kitchen, the Cauldron does have a table for eating away from the dining room. In Merlin's case, this proves ideal to give him a little privacy with Eliza. Also, since Orton joined the family, time there helped him bond with the couple who would become his surrogate parents.

It has freed up some space in the dining room too. I'm not claiming sole use (Merlin and Eliza eat there when they invite guests) but it is less cramped than it would be now that our children have grown.  

With Merlin's excitement I expected either a new gadget or the sharing of an brand new culinary delight.

o 0 O 0 o

Merlin took us through to his kitchen and we saw there was someone waiting. Our brother, my twin - Newton Butterglove.

"Newt," I said in greeting.

"Jackson. Boys," he said in response. 

Merlin was beaming, an arm extended to one of the worktops. "Look what Newton has given me as a belated Christmas gift. It's a microwave!"

"It's for you and Eliza, and it's from Audrey as well as me," said Newton gathering his tools. "I've installed it into your secondary power ring." 

 

"Yes, yes," said Merlin dismissively, then realised he was being impolite. "Sorry, Newt. Thank you." He then addressed me. "But isn't it great? It is the first one in Mellowdene."

"It's SRG approved," explained Newton. "We should see more become available, but I thought you'd like one as soon as the Research Group okay-ed the technology."

"What does it do?" I asked.

"It's a type of oven that generates microwaves," said Merlin. "It will help with my veg prep and all sorts. It cooks things faster too."

Newton smiled, happy at our older brother's reaction. And yet, I was distracted by some rapid whispering from the boys - mainly Brendan.

"What are you two whispering about?" I said.

Brendan turned, wide-eyed. "It's the micro rays thing. I've been reading about it in my book."

"Your Flash Gopher book?"

Brendan began to get quite animated. "Yes! Micro rays are what powers Flash's ray pistol. The one that makes people good. Pyoo pyoo and he wins against the army of Mink the Muckiness. Dr Skunkov invented a generator to charge the pistol. And here it is in the Cauldron."

In this longstanding role play game, Lucky Snow-Warren adopted the role of Flash Gopher and Brendan played the evil Mink.

"I was telling him that it's a microwave," said Orton. "Waves not rays. Different."

"And yet light can be considered as both waves and rays," commented Newton.

"Probably not helping," I muttered, aware of the potential of Brendan's imagination.

"You see?" said Brendan. "I am Mink the Muckiness. If I can sabotage the micro ray generator, then Flash won't have his power over me."

"You won't be playing with the microwave, Brendan," I said firmly.

"Oh, okay. I guess I won't need to. I just need to stop Flash getting to it to recharge his pistol. That's how it works. The book says so."

Merlin looked at Orton. "And who are you supposed to be in all of this?

"Mink's advisor, General Octon," said Orton sheepishly.

"Then advise Mink not to play in my kitchen."

"Looking at Brendan's book, it seems Mink doesn't always take advice."

Newton stepped forward and aimed a power drill at Brendan.

 

"Pyoo pyoo. You've been goodified."

Brendan stared, confused by this uncharacteristic behaviour by my boffin of a brother. "Uncle Newt?"

"Also known as Professor Newtov, colleague of Dr Hans Skunkov. Henceforth you will be known as Mink the Mild Mannered."

Orton laughed. "As your advisor I advise you to give up, mighty Mink."

From the side of my mouth I whispered to my twin, "How do you know about Flash Gopher? Are you a secret fan?"

"Hardly. The Sylvanian Research Group provided technical advisers to the show's production company. I went on set a couple of times. Don't tell Brendan."

Brendan had turned to leave, his shoulders slumped. I saw him pause, smile at Orton and say something. I only caught a few words but it explained the smile.

"...effect is only temporary."

o 0 O 0 o