Lysander's Path

Given my recent exploits I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised to  receive a phone call from Mellowdene's resident paranormal investigator - but I was. Mulder Honey-Fox wanted some information from me.

"Arabella Treefellow has informed me that you were key to opening a new path through Tall Tree Forest. If that's true I'd like to talk to you about it."

"Er, what do you want to know?"

"I had... experience... of the original path and I need to know if it is... more comfortable."

"I'm not sure what that means."

"May I visit you to discuss the matter? I can explain more fully."

 

I was intrigued by his reference to the original path. I knew someone else who would be too.

"That's fine but it would need to be when the children are out. I'd also like Darcy to be present. We have our own questions."

Mulder had no objections and there followed a series of phone calls to arrange a mutually agreeable time to meet. We also shifted the meeting to Mulder's office so that we wouldn't be interrupted.

o 0 O 0 o

Mulder soon got to the point.

"The new path to the clearing. Is it shorter? I once experienced the original path. Twice if one counts the return journey. Not something I cared to repeat. But if the new path is significantly shorter I would like to revisit the clearing and Chunglewood."

Darcy's whiskers twitched. "You found it unpleasant? I'd heard it was time-consuming.  The path took four hours I understand." 

"Four hours?" said Mulder, indicating that we should sit. "In one sense, yes. But it's more complicated than that."

Darcy and I exchanged looks and Mulder noticed.

 

"Tall Tree Forest is an unusual place and has been considered that way over many lifetimes. I think you know why."

"Wild energy," I said. "The Treefellows said as much."

"Yes, yes. But I'm guessing they didn't say how rare it is that such extreme effects of the energy are seen on the surface. Distortions of space are normally limited deep beneath the ground. You've encountered the so-called speed tunnels down there. Tall Tree Forest is an anomaly."

"Okay..."

"The Owl Collective have been interested in it throughout Sylvanian history. They ventured into the trees and were always turned back before getting too far. That's the same as it is today. Some determined souls were able to get further but their routes always twisted around and they eventually re-emerged not far from their start point."

"Brady Cornflower mapped a few routes like that," I commented.

"That would take a particularly directed mind," said Mulder. "Most wouldn't penetrate the forest too far. The Owl Collective included. Arabella Treefellow told me that her ancestors eventually decided that their resources were better directed elsewhere."

"They gave up?" said Darcy. "That's surprising in itself." 

"Not totally. They intended to return to the project at some point. Don't forget they are incredibly long living critters. A break of a few decades would not have been unusual." He paused. "Except one owl - one called Lysander Treefellow - a bit of a maverick, prone to going his own way - persisted in his investigations. The owls knew there was a clearing in the forest as they'd seen it from above - but it was inaccessible. Lysander was obsessed in reaching the clearing and after fifty years he found the path. Yes, the one that supposedly takes over four hours to traverse. He mapped it and went back to inform the Collective."

"Well, that's one mystery solved," said Darcy. "It wasn't the Chunglewood people that discovered the path."

"No. Definitely an owl who deviated from the Collective's plans. They had been a little concerned about his obsession but were delighted at his success. They went to check out the path. That's when they discovered the complication I mentioned."

Mulder went on to explain how Lysander's path led through a region where the wild magic within the trees was particularly... wild. It not only distorted space, it also affected the perception of time. Although the elapsed time for travellers was around four hours, most critters would experience the effect of significantly longer journey times. It didn't matter that time pieces would correctly display the interval - traveling along the path could feel like days. 

"This was often accompanied by a sense of intense claustrophobia," Mulder continued. "I had a bad reaction and had to recuperate in Chunglewood for a few days. I was sedated for the return journey. That's why I've never been back."

"Is that why most of the people of Chunglewood rejected using the path?" I asked.

"Most certainly. There were some critters who could tolerate the experience - most owls for example - and a few individuals are totally unaffected. Like Ricardo Porcini. And three or four from the Sylvanian Research Group."

Darcy frowned. "That makes it more unusual that critters endured the journey to establish Chunglewood. Why would they put themselves through that?"

Mulder Honey-Fox nodded. "I know. That's one of the reasons I'd like to return to Chunglewood. I wasn't in much of a state to ask detailed questions years ago. I don't believe they ever used the path. They must have reached the clearing by other means. I have my suspicions but I'd like to question the villagers to find out for certain." 

"You don't care to share your suspicions?" Darcy said, his reporter background kicking in.

Mulder turned, seeming to consider the request before responding. "I can do," he said, "if you remember 'suspicion' is the operative word."

We acknowledged this and he continued.  

"There is a theory that the Chunglewood people came from another realm. The term Woodzeez has been used although I don't know if that's the name of the people or the supposed realm. If they did come to Sylvania from such a realm there is a possibility something happened that prevented their return. The timing is interesting."

He paused and watched our reactions as he continued.   

"I say the timing is interesting as it seems a coincidence that Chunglewood became effectively isolated at the same time that the Chocolate Mine came into being. The same time that two creatures from yet another realm were transported to Sylvania and some wild energies were temporarily destabilised and redirected."

Darcy's mouth dropped open. "You mean... the Packbat?"

 

"It's a theory."

Unlike Darcy I wasn't particularly interested in the Packbat. I was surprised that Mulder thought that the people of Chunglewood might not be from Sylvania. The few I'd met looked like Sylvanians and acted the same despite what might be different customs. Not that it mattered. There were generations of families going back to the origins of Sylvania - like the Treefellows, Babblebrooks and Wildwoods - and "newcomer" Sylvanians like the Umberhounds and the elves adopted by the Murr-Grands. So what if the Chunglewoodians were newcomers from somewhere else? 

"Is that why you want to go back to Chunglewood?" asked Darcy. "To find out where they came from?"

"Amongst other things," said Mulder, "but I still need to know if I could tolerate the new path, Jackson."

"It's around twenty minutes to pass. That's fifteen minutes of winding before a straight path to the clearing. I also remember Ricardo saying it was quite some distance from the original path so the extra wild energy might not be a problem for you."

"That's encouraging. I'd particularly like to speak to their archivist."

"That's Owen Quiller. Merlin's helping him do some research in our library and he's still in Mellowdene as far as I know. Ricardo arranged for him to have a room near him at Minestrone House."

"Now that is handy to know."

o 0 O 0 o

Mulder had answered some of our questions. The mystery of the original path - Lysander's Path - was solved. I know Darcy had been particularly curious about it - but that's Darcy. Further, if the Chunglewood people had come from another place - or realm as Mulder called it - it might explain some of Owen's research. Searching for more of his people (were they called Woodzeez?) and maybe a way back. Were there other Woodzeez elsewhere in Sylvania? 

So. Still some questions. No doubt Darcy will be seeking answers!

o 0 O 0 o

 

  

Dog Days

Last time, when I was talking of the Sylvanian Olympics and some of our younger Mellowdene athletes, I mentioned Adam Maces as this young mouse has become quite an accomplished runner. It has since occurred to me that we haven't had any dogs taking an interest in this discipline. It struck me as odd because - as I have previously highlighted - we have a number of canine families living in the grasslands bordering the village and one reason they live there is because many of them enjoy running around in joyous abandon.

 

Recently I was at the dock snack bar playing a game of jindick with Owen Seadog (the place has become a popular location for board gamers). As I was wondering about the Olympics and why dogs didn't clamour to be participants I asked him for his take on the situation. He huffed as he considered his reply.

"I've never really thought about it, Jacky," he said. "I suppose it could be because we dogs like the freedom to run where we want to go. Change direction at a whim, enjoy how one's hair ruffles with the movement of air, the feeling of control in your body. No rules. We don't stick to a given path, don't time ourselves, try and break records or be better than our running mates."

"I see how that wouldn't lend itself to competition."

"That could be why," Owen nodded, "though maybe we Seadogs aren't the best to ask. Me and my brothers prefer the freedom of the waterways. A good sea breeze in yer snout. Now Drake has finished his academic work at the nautical college I expect he'll be joining his dad and the rest of us on the Marita May or at the docks."

 

Horatio's son Drake Francis Seadog had been at the college a few years, specialising in engineering as well as a range of other seafaring skills. He had been a live-in student, only spending holidays with his family in Mellowdene.

"My Cornel is interested in the waterside life but hasn't found his niche yet," reflected Owen. "On top of that, I think he doesn't want to offend his aunt and uncle."

After Owen was widowed, it didn't seem fitting that his son should live on a boat or in Dockside Cottage with his dad and uncles Amos and Irwin. It was agreed that Cornel could settle with his maternal aunt's family, the Paperbarks. They had an additional spare room for Owen when he wasn't busy at work - ideal as it ensured father and son could take advantage of that quality time. 

The Paperbarks run a stationers' shop. They craft their own speciality paper, mix inks, and deal with the bulk paper imported by the sea cats and transported to Mellowdene via the canal. Owen knew his sister-in-law's family hoped Cornel would join their business when he decided his career path.

Owen clicked his tongue. "I doubt my boy will take advantage of the Dog Days this year."

Dog Days. Yes, they are about due. And they had cropped up in conversation only a day ago.

o 0 O 0 o

My surrogate nephew, Orton Butterglove popped his head around the door to my living room.

 

"Are you free, Uncle Jack?" he said. "I've got some pals who'd like to see you."

 

I was curious so agreed. He opened the door more widely allowing three young dogs to traipse through before closing the door behind them.

.

There was Tam Tailbury, Fergus Hunter-Smyth and Kimball Bayer.

"Hello boys," I said. "How can I help?"

Orton opened his mouth to speak but Tam beat him to it, stepping forward to act as their unelected leader.

 

"It's about the Dog Days, Mr Butterglove."

Before I go any further I should give you a rough idea about these so called Dog Days. They are yet another canine tradition. It might be local to our region but it was adopted by our community long before I was born. They tend to be in the warmer summer months and they are occasions when a pup decides how they want to spend their life as a dog. It isn't age specific. Unlike most of the grassland dogs the Seadog family tend reject the majority of these traditions - especially in Horatio's case. His son Drake Seadog wanted to tinker with boats from an early age and that led him to attend nautical college. He didn't wait for a Dog Day.

Exactly how I could help with the three pups in my living room remained to be seen. I didn't have long to wait.

"Orton told us that you weren't always a songwriter," Tam explained. "That you used to work for the Henry-Lloyds doing office work."

"That's right," I said, wondering where this was going. "Henry-Lloyd Construction.  Do you want to know about what I did there?"

"Not really, Mr Butterglove," said Tam. That was telling me!

Fergus joined Tam. "It's just that you changed your job. We want to know if it was hard changing. If we say what job we want to do as part of a Dog Day we're worried what would happen if we changed our minds."

"Be stuck doing the wrong job," said Tam.

"I think my uncle Hubert would like me to join the Huckleberry family business," said Kimball,  "but I don't know if I want to. Yet."

"I think it relates to apprenticeships," said Orton trying to explain. "I think Tam and the others are worried that they'd have to stick with whatever job they chose on their Dog Day even if they changed their mind."

"I don't know what I want to be," said Tam, "so I don't really think I should choose yet."

Fergus looked at me. "I know lots of pups follow the family business but my mum and dad are singers. I couldn't follow in their pawprints as I can't sing for toffee." 

"It's true," said Tam. "Fergus is excused whenever we have howl choruses. He puts others off. Even Cornel. Mister Farthing lets him clap instead."

Fergus's parents - Nelson and Jeanette Hunter-Smyth - sing old standards and light operetta, sometimes touring northeast Sylvania. Whereas their daughter Rose-Marie shows signs of following in their pawprints, Fergus tends towards more rough-and-tumble activities.

 

The couple now have a regular slot at the Bear Pit Club on Wednesday nights. Finley Osborne says it is proving popular. If Fergus's voice was as bad as he claimed, he could rule out singing like his parents thereby reducing his Dog Day options.

The three pups waited expectantly, clearly hoping I had some obvious solution. I didn't. I wasn't sure how strong expectations were regarding Dog Day decisions. I didn't know if my answer was going to be of any use nor did I want to go against canine traditions. Yet whilst prevarication and procrastination aren't ideal, analytical postponement might help. 

"Do you have hobbies to help guide you?" I asked.

"I like making models," said Tam.

"Right," I said, rapidly thinking of assorted creative jobs. "Then maybe you should check out all the Mellowdene craftcritters. Like Durwood Chestnut. He works with wood. Rolf Billabong works with clay. There must be plenty you can investigate."

Tam slowly nodded. "Maybe. I'd have to do it properly though. Too much to investigate in time for this year's Dog Days."

Orton patted his friend's back. "There's no rush, especially with the Pause delaying ageing. Best to get it right."

Tam brightened. "Yes. I'm going to stay a pup as long as it takes. There will be loads of Dog Days to come."

"I could come with you, Tam," said Kimball. "I don't do models but it might be fun looking at what people do. Learning stuff. Maybe Miss Wildwood would let us off school early for the researching."

"I doubt it," said Orton. "Besides, you might miss something useful in class."

"Then it would be her fault if I stayed a pup for years," said Kimball, "taking so so long before I saw a job I might like."

"Do you really think we could blame Miss Wildwood for delaying our Dog Day choices?" laughed Tam.

I had to say something. "Do you really think your parents would fall for that? "

The three pups giggled. Even Orton's mouth twitched with barely hidden humour.  

"I think we're all going to put off Dog Day." said Fergus, decision made. "What about you, Orton? What would you do if you were a dog?"

"What - for Dog Day do you mean?"

"Yep."

"Well I like learning about the rare animals that my Mamma and Dadda keep safe..." - he paused, looking at me - "...but Pappamerle's library has got lots of reference books about them and a lot more."

It was touching how Orton wanted to balance his love for his parents and his foster parents.

"You want to be a librarian?" Fergus prompted.

"Erm... I think I'll be a pup too."

o 0 O 0 o

 

Owen Seadog was staring at me. "Daydreaming, Jacky boy?"

I smiled. "Thinking about Dog Days and something I heard from one of a few pups yesterday. I was given the impression that Cornel was one of the better singers in your howl choruses."

"Aye, he likes to sing. Pretty good at it too, though I might be biased as his dad. Why?"

"Does he like sea songs?"

"He likes most songs. What are you thinking?"

"You were wondering about him feeling a conflict with his Seadog heritage should he start to work with his aunt and uncle, a possibility given he hasn't found a nautical role yet. Who do you currently have doing your sea songs?"

"Family-wise Irwin does a bit, but young Oscar Marmalade has a couple of songs when we have to haul ropes at a steady rhythm. Are you thinking, Cornel...?"

"If you think he might be interested, I have a contact with the Purrchester Shantymen."

 

(Bing McClaw of the Purrchester Shantymen*)

 

Owen burst out laughing.

"What?" I said, "They are very good."

"It's not that," Owen chuckled. "It's the thought of Cicely Paperbark - Cicely Growling as was - and her reaction. She was surprised when her sister chose to marry me. What would she think if she heard her nephew sing, 'Drunken Dogs on a Sailing Boat' at the top of his voice? She might faint."

 

"In a dog daze?"

"Ha!" 

o 0 O 0 o

* Bing McClaw and the Purrchester Shantymen are the creations of my Sylvanian Collectors' Forum friend Florence Holiday. My thanks to her for the well-crafted shantyman clothing she gifted to me.