Chapter
One: The Day Of The Bully
Chapter
Two: The Day Of Reconnings
Chapter
Three: The Gate Of Two Oaks
Chapter
Four: The Room At the Top Of The Stairs
Chapter
Five: The Dream Wright, Lightfield Harbour
And
The Crossing Place
Simon
Closed His Eyes
Oh dreams that fill a sleeping mind.
Such things that know not time
And for some they be real
As real as the mind awake
When Dream Mares takes them off
To an altered state
Chapter
One
The
Day Of The Bully
Lord
Oakland, 5th Earl of Oakland Woods, Simon Ash Eleven V, gazed
impartially at his son, Simon VI. It was necessary to have an heir. It was necessary
that the heir be educated and that schooling was traditionally obtained at
Upper Quarters Academy For Boys, funded in a greater part by Oakland Woods. He
himself had attended the academy from age six to sixteen, acquiring all the
knowledge required to manage The Oak Woods Estate, Market Village, and various
tenant farms. Oak Woods remained one of the last flourishing estates in modern
times and had upgraded to the technological standards of the 21st
century. Upper Quarters had added courses in Computer Programing and
Technologies.
It
was necessary to accept the title of Father, but not the responsibility of that
station until his son came home from school to learn the workings of the
estate.
“My
son. You are now six years of age and it is time to begin your education. Thus,
in a week from this day you will be moving to your room at Upper Quarters
Academy.
Of
course, your mother and I will attend all the student parent functions and
welcome you home for Christmas, Spring and Summer breaks with open arms. Your
mother, and I dare say Nanny love you dearly. I am very proud to have a son and
that pride will grow when you become my apprentice on your journey to taking my
place upon my corporeal departure.”
Simon
Ash Eleven VI stood there listening and understanding little more than the fact
that he was being sent away to school, which was a most frightening thing to
him. He did not want to leave his mother and beloved nanny, not to mention
Ruff, the dog and old McCard the grounds keeper who had patiently answered
Simons barrage of questions.
“Could
I not just go to the common school in Oak Woods Village?” young Simon asked
pleadingly.
“No.
You must attend Upper Quarters Academy as I did and your grandfather and his
father before him. Put such nonsense out of your head.” The older Simon replied
sternly.
Young
Simon wanted to cry but he knew his father would not tolerate such weakness,
even in a child, especially a male child and his son.
Young
Simon nodded compliantly then turned away like a soldier and went out of his
father’s study barely holding himself from running away, mostly because there
was no place he could really run away to.
One
week later Simon was taken to Upper Quarters and registered under the guidance
of his mother. His father was away on business in the city.
When
all the clerical work was done and he had bid farewell to his mother and Simon
was shown to his room, “At least I have a private room,” he carefully put away
his clothing in all the right places and sat at his private desk feeling alone.
It was the worst feeling he had ever known and wondered if he would ever
recover.
And
then things went from bad to worse.
From
day one of classes he despised the teacher, a cranky old codger with all the
grace and kindness of the ogres in fairy tales.
Simon
Eleven. You must keep your eyes on me at all times. Your father insist that you
learn well and I cannot teach you well if you are not completely attentive,
said Master Lufton, which was followed up by a switch smack across his
shoulders. A thing that was hard to believe in this 21st century.
And
if the class room was not enough to turn Simon away from the academy there was
Allan Bloken and his flunkies.
No
matter what institution of education you attend, even the highest orders like
Upper Quarters there are bullies. It just happens that the Bullies of Upper
Quarters came from affluent, influential families like Simon’s, though being
the son of an Earl whose family had donated twenty acres to the school and had
financed its construction four generation since should have had its advantages,
but …
Yet
Simon did have an advantage which he acquired from the grounds keeper, Mr.
McCard. He had taught Simon some fancy foot work and punches in the art of
boxing, having been once a feather weight champion himself. “But young Simon,
you must never use your skills to be mean. It is good for some time you may
require self-defense and it is a grand sport but to use it meanly is a
dangerous and terrible thing.” Simon had…secretly attended a youths group
boxing match in the village on several occasions and had at last won a title.
So his skills, for one so young were quite developed.
Simon,
by nature was a gentle soul and had never thought of being aggressive or
reactive against aggression. When challenged he walked away and he was
challenged almost daily by Allen Bloken and his minions. Sometimes things got
rough and Simon would get knocked to the ground. Yet it was not until the gang
of bullies took after Eddie Mosser, Simon’s only friend, that Simon turned. It
was an act that would initiate a terrible change in his life and the structure of Oakland Woods.
Simon
was running to catch up to Eddie who was on his way to Library Hall, but before
he reached his friend Eddie was waylaid by Allen Bloken and his friends.
A
kid named Pauly, who was sort of Allen’s second walked up to Eddie, smashed his
books to the ground and then punched Eddie so hard in the stomach that he
keeled over choking.
Simon
ran even faster and stood between the bullies and Eddie until Eddie recovered
and was able to stand.
“That
was mean, even for you lot.” Simon accused.
“Yah
freaky. What ‘ er ya gonna do about it?” Allen shot back, trying to sound tough
like the hard gangsters on TV.
Simon
did not answer. He just took Eddie by the elbow and steered him around the
bullies toward Library Hall, but before he got two steps in Pauly ran up and
pushed him very hard. But Simon was ready. He made a quick recovery move just
like Mr. McCard had taught him and turned on his adversary abruptly.
“leave
us alone or you will be taught a terrible lesson.” Simon commanded.
Allen
stepped up. Laughing harshly and said viciously, “Hey Freaky. You think you can
beat me?”
“I
know I can if you push me to it.” Simon replied bravely, hoping he remembered
his boxing lessons.
Allen
Bloken jumped forward and pushed Simon to the ground. Something in Simon broke.
In a second he was on his feet and had taken a boxing stance.
Allen
Bloken looked at him and laughed again, moving in to push Simon back on the
ground, but Simon was quick and gave the bully a one two punch that doubled
Allen over, but did not stop him.
“You’ll
get it worse for that, “Allen cried out angrily and charged at Simon, but Simon
simply stepped out of the way and Allen charged past smashing head first into
the trunk of an old oak tree.
Allen
staggered to his feet, enraged, and wiping away a trickle of blood from his forehead.
Then he charged again but before he took two steps his eyes rolled back in his
head and he collapsed to the ground.
The
gang attacked Simon and beat him until he laid unconscious on the ground. Then
they beat Eddie up and finally got Allen to his feet and took him to the
infirmary where they told a story, a lie about what had happened.
Chapter
Two
The
Day Of Reckonings
“You
are fortunate that Allen Bloken suffered a minor concussion Simon. Whatever
were you thinking. I never thought of you as being a bully.” The older Simon
admonished.
“I
am not the bully Father. You listen only to what the head master said and
listened only to Allen’s lies. He is the Bully. I was defending my friend Eddie
whom Allen and his gang were bullying.” Young Simon replied defiantly.
“Who
am I to believe. You or five other witnesses besides Allen?” The older Simon
challenged.
“Me,
because I am telling the truth and if you chose to believe lies then you are as
big a bully as they are.” The younger Simon answered the challenge.
“You
will be punished Simon. Other than classes and meal time you are confined to
your room for two weeks. Then we shall all have another talk to decide the
future.”
“Then
you are siding with the bullies?!”
“I
am siding with the larger body of witnesses.”
The
younger Simon nodded like an older adult, despite his tender six years old. He
refused to cry even though he felt like it. He refused to stay angry even
though he wanted to be angry in some ways. What he did do id become determined
never to trust his father and never follow in his footsteps.
He
said after a long silence, “Very well Father. I will obey but you should know I
feel as though you have abandoned me and someday when I know how I shall abandon
you.”
Lord
Oakland eyed is son critically. “I was too lenient on you. You shall be
confined to your room for the remainder of the term. When you come home for
Christmas break we shall consider your future. My wife is producing another off
spring, another male. I shall do better with him I am sure.”
He
turned and walked away. Simon watched him go with the fire of anger in his eyes
and the seed of something that was not good and would bring him to a place he
would have regretted had he had the mind left to do so.
Over
the next weeks Simon studied hard, but not on subjects taught in class. He
studied elements of survival, how to build a shelter in the wild, how to fish
and find food in the forest. He did not want to hunt having read that it was a
difficult task and took a life time to learn. He already knew something about
fishing, having done so with the grounds keepers several mornings.
He
put together a bag of tools, pilfering a strong knife, small hatched and hammer,
hooks and fishing line, a coil of stout string, salt, which he learned was
difficult to find in the forest and a packet of rice for those first few days
abroad in the forest. Oak Wood was huge and a boy could get lost among the trees
so that no one could find him, almost. There was one if he so chose to do so
when it was discovered that he had run off.
(I
hear your thoughts readers. How could a boy of just six years be clever enough
to make such plans and carry them out. Well, to tell the truth it did not work
out the way Simon had planned because he was not quite clever enough to pull it
off.)
And
here is what happened. Things that led to the day of reckoning the final straw.
The
part of the reckoning you have read about, the fallout between father and son.
But here the reckoning is singularly explored, by Simon. The boy never
returned, in such a fashion that anyone would comprehend.
Simon
was clever enough to prepare for an adventure in the woods but there are things
he never thought of. Things that even adults might not have considered or
expected and he neglected to take into account that autumn, though it had been
a mild time was waning and the warm days were beginning to be followed by
cooler nights.
He
did of course have enough sense to bring an autumn coat and long-johns knowing
even in the height of summer the night in the forest can be chilled. What he
did not take into account was that there were things, creatures who lived there
that might not take kindly to a human invading their homes. Creatures like
bears, and wolves and badger, even coyotes of late.
But
it started out quite nicely with three days of adventure that brought Simon to
a clear understanding of the woods as far as it went. Like nice warm camp
fires, fresh caught brook trout and ground berries aplenty, not to mention roasted
acorns. And by the light of stars he slept under a lean-to that kept of the dew
fall curled up in a cozy sleeping bag. Not even the night noises bothered him
because he had listened to many of them on his computer and there in the wilds
of Oak Woods he recognized them cheerfully.
But
then, in the late afternoon of the fourth day things took a harrowing turn
while Simon was fishing for brook trout. He had one on his hook actually when
suddenly he heard a deep resonant growl not far off and behind him.
Slowly
Simon stood and turned. There not a dozen yards away stood a wolf, slightly
crouched and staring very hungrily at Simon, which was mostly in Simon’s mind
because most of the stories he had heard about the wolves in Oak Woods were
terrifying.
He
ran, which was one very big mistake. The second was, he ran off without his
gear and the third was he ran deeper into the forest where the underbrush grew
much thicker, the air was much colder and the wolves and bears were as thick as
thieves.
And
worst of all, in just a very few short minutes he was utterly lost with not but
a pocket knife and a short piece of string. It was just fortunate that he had
not taken his coat and boots off to fish since the day was quite warm. Two
minutes later and he might have done so.
At
first Simon thought he had given the wolf the slip. He planned to circle round
and find his way back to the camp site but as he rounded a large oak he found
himself face to face with the wolf.
Simon
turned and ran again. He did not know that running was not a good thing to do
or that running excites predators like wolves and they give chase even if they
are not hungry.
Then
the worst happened. Simon tripped and fell and that is all he remembered for a
long time, long enough that he woke cold and in the dark but at least in one
piece. He wondered about the wolf for a second then worried what to do next. He
had not prepared for being lost in the woods in the dark and suddenly all those
sounds that were pleasant became frightening and that part of him that was just
six years old became frightened.
Chapter
Three
The
Gate Of Two Oaks
I
should explain something about Oakland Woods Manor and Upper Quarters Academy.
They were not so far apart as it may sound. The estate sat on five thousand acres,
three thousand of which were forest a thousand set aside for cash cropping,
twenty acres for the academy and twenty for the manor. The remainder hosted the
market village a commons and a public hunting wood that was available in the
autumn. Simon of course was lost in the forest that stretched between the
academy and the manor. So if one walked in a straight line long enough they would
have found a road and maybe Simon would have done so if he had walked in a
straight line, but he didn’t. he walked, as so often happens to people lost in
the forest, in circles crossing his own path though he did not realize it.
Remember,
Simon knocked his head and when he came out of his stupor he was not quite
thinking straight, nor did he ever do so again, in terms that others might
consider thinking straight.
We
must leave Simon to his circular wanderings for a bit because in another place
on the estate something else was occurring. However before moving off I should
mention that Simon still had enough sense to ‘not’ try and find his way home.
Instead he remembered what Mr. McCard had told him, “Listen up boy. If ever you
find yourself turned about in the forest don’t try and find your way home
because you’ll never find it. Chances are you’ll be following yourself about.
Instead let the circles you make lead you to the Gate Of Two Oaks. It is a place
that only certain people can find. If I have learned you are lost in the woods
I will meet you at the gate.”
That
is all Simon could remember as he thrashed through the underbrush among the
giant oak. He felt very small and frightened and knew what it must be like to
be a hunted animal, especially a small, hunted animal.
Head
Master Lindel stood before the Lord of Oakland Woods, nervously wringing his fingers,
and stumbling over his words.
“My
Lord. I can’t express my apologies clearly enough, though…though I think none
of this falls to fault me. I do my best to keep the students safe and in order.
Yet I cannot control them all. Your Simon is a disruptor. He has proved this
violently and it was all I could do to keep Mr. Bloken from engaging a solicitor
to sue you for damages. And…well…and now…the little blither has run off…I
believe into that abominable forest.”
“First,
Headmaster Lindel, the forest is not abominable. It is the life of this estate.
Our acorns bring in an enormous income which pays for the upkeep of the academy
and the salaries of its staff, including yours.
That
aside, I am complete sympathetic to your issues with my son. I have become
certain he is not quite right in the head. No member of the Eleven family has
ever showed such defiance, however I suppose he must be found and returned,
possibly to an alternative situation to the academy. The best person at my
disposal to accomplish this is McCard, my grounds keeper and game warden. I
shall send him out immediately.”
“Very
well My Lord. I hope the matter is made straight for you and young Simon.”
Replied the head master who bowed slightly and attempted to depart.
“One
moment Mr. Lindel. I have bright news. My spouse is producing another child, a
son as it were and he will become my heir and have the name Simon Ash Eleven
VI, in place of my faulted off spring. Please prepare the academy to take him
on in six years and if I could depend on you, consider sending forth a tutor
who could begin teaching him at an earlier age, especially in matters of
discipline. Scholars are much better at such things than parents who tend to be
a little too lenient with their children.”
“I
shall do as much as I can My Lord, but tell me, what will become of young Simon?
“I’ll
lend him to the grounds keeper and he can teach him to do the labours of that
station. There is no place for him in the manor.”
I
can tell you now, though Simon actually like the idea of falling under the
tutorship of Mr. McCard, it did not work out that way because his mother made a
go interference in his case. Yet I wonder if she actually did right by him in
the long run, and you might ponder that consideration as well when once you
have learned what did become of Simon. It depends entirely on your imagination.
That
said, Mr. McCard and Simon became very close friends in the years the old man
had left to share.
Now
back to the search for Simon, which, with the groundkeepers expertise in
woodland lore was a rather simpler occupation than it might have been for any
other.
“The
Gate Of Two Oaks is about in the middle of Oakland Woods.” Mr. McCard had
described.
Gabriel
McCard listened to his master patiently. He, in truth despised the man but he
adored Lady Oakland and it was for she that he remained, sometimes as and ear
that listened, then when Simon was born he took on a small responsibility
raising the boy to understand something about life beyond the direction his
father was pushing him.
Both
his mother and the groundskeeper had noticed very early in the boys life that
he was much more than heir to an old and failing rift of civilization, though
neither could quite put a finger on what that higher thing could be, not until
that day when Mr. McCard found him, unconscious in the space between two ancient
and enormous oak trees, the largest in the forest to be sure, as chilled and
desponded as a living thing could be.
Here
is how it happened.
Mr.
McCard, Gabriel, set out into the forest with a pack on his back that harboured
all the things he would need no matter what condition he found young Simon in,
even if the boy had expired. “If you have died in these woods you shall remain
here forever. Only your mother will know the truth and she will understand my
decision.” He determined silently, but in his heart he knew it would not come
to that. Yet he knew also that the Simon he found would not be the Simon he
once knew.
There
is no beaten path to the Gate of The Two Oaks, but Mr. McCard knew the way by
heart, having visited the place over the nearly forty years he had been
employed by the estate. It was in fact he that named the place and manicured it
to a small degree, mostly to keep back the brambles and hawthorn and
blackthorn, and he never travelled the same path twice, going or coming,
avoiding cutting a noticeable trail.
It
took him but a couple of hours to reach the two oaks and as he suspected, there
he found Simon, deep in a stupor that some may have mistaken for death on
sight.
The
groundkeeper picked the boy up and wrapped him in a wool blanket the sat him by
one of the oaks slightly propped up against its huge trunk. Then, quickly,
Gabriel built a small but warm fire in a ring of stones in the space between
the two Oaks and began brewing a pot of tea, with real tea, not tea bags. This
was a special tea made of fired and ground acorns, haw berries and clover, a healing
tea among those most ancient creatures once called apothecaries now, tragically
referred to mostly as charlatans.
It
wasn’t long, after several sips of the tea and finally a full cup, that Simon
came round. Though still groggy he looked up at Mr. McCard and said, “I
remembered what you said, but I do not remember how I actually came here. I was
lost and walking in circles.”
“I
did not tell you the most mystical thing about this place laddie. All circles
walked lead to the Gate Of Two Oaks. It is a quirk of the forest, maybe because
the forest tilts inward to the centre…or, well…no one can really explain it.”
Gabriel replied musedly.
“Now
drink another cup of tea while I make us a good supper. It won’t take long. It
needs but to be heated.”
Simon
ate ravenously and between goggled mouthfuls he asked many question, most of
which Mr. McCard could not answer but the ones he could he did, like, “Oh I
think your heart just knew what circle to follow, and Your father is as your
father always is but your mother is anxious to see you home soon, then, when
Simon said, “I am seeing things, very strange things like a huge city with buildings that go all the way
up to the clouds and stands on the edge of a sea.” To which Gabriel responded, “Well
my boy, you seemed to have given your head a good band and jarred somethings
loose that have been locked up but are now opened for you to explore.”
A
second later, and very suddenly Simon collapsed into a deep, very deep sleep.
In
the morning, now recovered enough to walk Simon followed Mr. McCard back to the
manor where his mother was waiting for him, arms opened wide. His father was no
where to be found, though he had mentioned he was going off to the city to meet
with his solicitor on a matter of desperate urgency. Lady Oakland suspected it
had to do with making arrangement to disinherit Simon as heir to the estate and
make appropriate name changes for the soon coming new heir.
“I
wished not for this Simon. But I am your father’s wife and am obliged to play
my roll or be cast out. I have nowhere to go if that were to happen. But maybe
it is all for the best. I will find you a good place in this life and you have Nanny
who will care for you always.” Lady Oakland was explaining when Simon collapsed
uncontrollably, again into a deep, deep sleep.
Chapter
Four
The Room At the Top Of The Stairs
Doctor
Farinsham examined Simon from head to foot while Lady Oakland looked on. Mr.
McCard was there as well and explained that Simon had received a nasty knock on
the head just above the bridge of his nose, despite the fact that Simon had a terrible
bruise in that place.
“How
long was he unconscious for?” Farinsham inquired of McCard.
“I
can not say for sure. I found him that way.” McCard responded ruefully.
“Quite
long. It was early afternoon when I fell and dusk when Mr. McCard found me.”
Simon described.
“And
since, you have fallen into a deep sleep several times uncontrollably?!” the
doctor extended.
Simon
nodded and said, “Without warning. I could really hurt myself if I conked out
in a bad place.”
“Indeed.”
Replied the doctor. “I will have to run more tests to be sure but I think my
initial diagnosis will be that the bang on the head may have bruised the brain
causing a very serious concussion which has in result created a condition
called Narcolepsy, which as you have observed causes sudden unconsciousness
akin to sleep.”
“Will
more tests make any difference of simply confirm your assessment?” Lady Oakland
inquired.
“Really,
all it will do is give confirmation with a small possibility that there might
be something else amiss and or repairable. I should like to explore the
possibility before coming to a final conclusion.” The doctor answered., then
added, “Only one more test should do it. An MRI. Scan of the cranium. I made
preparations before you arrived so I can do this immediately and it won’t take
long.”
“Very
well. Mr. McCard and I will begin making plans for Simon’s future.” Lady Oakland
replied.
It
turned out that Dr. Farinsham’s first perceptions were correct and there was
little that he could do for Simon. “Maybe time will reverse this condition but
until that happens Simon will be unable to hold a license or take on tasks that
could be harmful to himself or others should he collapse in a Narcoleptic state.”
“Father
will want to be rid of me or a least out of sight out of mind and I have just
the idea to accommodate him, with your help, Mother, and yours Mr. McCard, and
of course Nanny. I will need her for the remainder of my life, or should I say
her life.” Simon said.
Then
he turned to the groundkeeper and asked, “Can dreams and nightmare be real,
like, as real as the world when we are awake?”
“Dear
what a silly question Simon.” His mother admonished lightly.
“On
the contrary My Lady. The question is legitimate and there are many researchers
who believe that out reality is only one of many and that dreams and or
nightmares are realities within themselves or, I suppose, combined.”
“What
do you say Doctor Farinsham?” Lady Oakland asked. The
doctor shrugged his shoulders in answer. The he said, “If these dreams became
physically dangerous as in, if they cause you to sleep walk, it may be necessary
to prescribe a sedative drug.”
“Well.
We shall deal with that if the time comes to it.” Lady Oakland replied.
“Between
Nanny and myself, My Lady, we will be able to take good care of Simon.” Mr.
McCard assured.
Lady
Oakland Nodded agreeably and at that they retired from the hospital and returned
to Oakland Woods.
Lord
Oakland had arrived home minutes after Simon and his mother were settling down
to lunch. When he entered the dinning room he immediately attempted certain
announcement concerning the disposition of his son, but Lady Oakland cut him off
sternly.
“For
once Simon you will listen rather than bark out your nonsense.” She demanded. “If
you flap your lips at this moment I shall make sure you never see the son I
bare now.”
“Speak
then woman, wife.”
“Your
first born and true heir to your stupid aristocracy has been diagnosed with
narcolepsy, a sudden sleeping syndrome, caused by a bang on the head he
received while attempting run away…from you. I hold you forever responsible for
this condition and dare you not take on this responsibility the repercussion will
be severe.” His wife demanded.
The
older Simon merely nodded…halfheartedly.
I
know why you went off to see your solicitor and we have no argument with that.
Simon wants nothing to do with becoming the next Earl of Oakland and tells me
he never has. Because of his new found condition his life will contain certain
restrictions of which I will lay out at another time. As his father you will
make sure he is financial assisted and supported in whatever activity he is
capable of engaging in. He will be taking possession of the room at the top of
the stairs, as per his request, where there is a bay window in which he can nap
at will and maintain a good course of privacy.
I
assure you he will be off your hands and out of your jurisdiction. Mr. McCard
and Nanny will take over his care, with my support.
When
I deliver your second son I will mother him as needed and as per our marriage
agreement I shall deliver him to your care to be educated. I will grieve but I
will comply. At that juncture in our marriage you will refrain from any marital
contact. I have fulfilled my role, an heir and a spare as you so rudely put it.”
Lord
Oakland thought for a moment then opened a folder he held in his hands and
place it before his wife. Sign wherever there is an X.” He afford no
explanation.”
“I
shall, after I have read the contents of these pages. Return in the morning. I
will give you audience then.” Lady Oakland replied harshly.
In
the matter of those documents, Lady Oakland signed most of them but added sub
notes to those things she did not agree with one being a prelude to a
separation agreement bent to accommodate a divorce, which she would never agree
to, much to her husband’s discontent.
Simon
was moved into a small apartment in the main living area on the second floor of
the manor. It was hear would sleep if he could. Narcolepsy is most often
accompanied by insomnia. But it was the room, a large room, at the top of the
stairs where Simon spent most of his time when not in the company of Mr. McCard
or Nanny, who actually became his Governess and teacher, though he continued
to call her Nanny.
There
was a ledge in the large bay window wide enough for a very large sleeping
pillow for Simon to nap on, often one of those sudden narcoleptic naps.
From
the window he could see the green way that stretched out five acres toward the
Oak forest. He imagined and daydreamed many things gazing beyond the glass of
that window, all the things that a six year old might dream about, but those
waking images were pale compared to what came into his dreams so provoked by
that knock on the head jarring his brain into the world of narcolepsy which
Simon gave a much nicer name to when he realized what was happening.
“I
will call my sleep world, Tanglemind.” And without hesitation he shared his
dreams with Nanny and Mr. McCard, both who advised him that all things beyond
wakefulness is but an alternate reality, which we often create ourselves.”
The
first dream mares concerned his real life and the ugliness it was washed with by
his father. There was also his conflicted impressions about the academy and
Allen Bloken and his bullyish friends.
But
there came a day, a winter’s day when he fell suddenly asleep and Tanglemind evolved into a place of wonder
where and when the dream mares transformed into a new real.
“Nanny,
Mr. McCard. It’s too hard to explain.”
“Don’t try kid. It’s your place,
just embrace it.”
“But Mr. McCard, it’s like I am creating it
but I am not part of it.”
Chapter
Five
The
Dream Wright
Lightfield Harbour
And
The Crossing Place
“Are
we doing right by him Gabriel?” Nanny Ola asked her husband.
“We
are doing our best and it seems our best is doing right by Simon. He is happy
and content when awake and his tales are truly entertaining. Even My Lady
enjoys his stories and his father cares not as long as he remains a forgotten
shadow in his life. All is well my wife.”
Simon
climbed onto the windowsill and leaned against the frame. He let his gaze drift
across the greenway into the forest and it seemed to him that the trees began
to reform as they would if being washed with an artist’s brush only it seemed
as well as though it was being drafted and drawn with the tools of an architect.
And what amazed him most of all was, the artists and the architect were
answering to his thoughts, his imagination, his direction.
Little
by little the trees grew into streets and avenues lined by houses and tenements,
stores and shops, factories and train yards and a long harbour of docks and
piers and there were ships anchored and tied, great ships like ocean liners and
cargo ships and tall ships.
There
were great glass and concrete towers that reached to the clouds, There were wide
traffic ways and narrow side streets and shadowy alley ways, some stretching
from one street to another and some coming to a blind end. There were people, all kinds of people
from all walks of life and strange creatures that walked among them but they
were inhuman.
And
finally Simon told himself, reminded himself and assured himself that this was
his world a world he had already named but it was not until that moment he made
it official. “This is Tanglemind and the city I will name Lightfield Harbour
for it is created much like a holographic image yet as real and solid as … as
what? Reality?!”
Of
course he wondered if the concept of reality would truly suit the scape of
dreams, especially in the narcoleptic sleep.
“All
this from a bump on the head.” He uttered amusedly.
“I
think there is more to it than a simple bump on the head.” Nanny said softly
from the door way.
“How
do you mean?” Simon replied curiously.
“Well,
one might say the bump on the head was simply to get your attention and once
that was accomplished, while you lay unconscious by the Gate of Two Oaks you
were transformed into Grand Spirit, an
artisan, artist and architect in the mysterious world beyond what our mundane
eyes can conceive.” Nanny explained.
“Which
I have called Tanglemind.” Simon replied excitedly.
“Interesting
name. I might add that once you have created your Tanglemind world,” Nanny was
saying.
Simon
interrupted with, “And a city I have named Lightfield Harbour.”
Nanny
smiled warmly and finished what she was saying, “Once you have created
Tanglemind and Lightfield Harbour you could make things very exciting by make
use of the random factor, things that happen on their own and creates
characters. Of course these would come from within your own imagination still
but it will all seem to you like coming of their own will.”
“I
get it Nanny. I will try not to control everything and watch the dreams unfold,
kind of like a movie, or video game.” Simon said cheerfully.
“It
is much more complexed than that Master Simon. What goes on in the mind is as
real as our waking existence. Your part in it is much like the mythologies of
the mundane world. Like Zeus or Odin.”
“I
have an idea.” Simon announced and when it is accomplished I will sit back and
watch the stories unfold.”
“You
must remember that if you create characters they will be aware of your
presences though they may not understand who or what you are.” Nanny advised
then turned and left Simon to build Tanglemind.
***
It
was the only time Simon ever stepped foot in Lightfield Harbour. He wanted to
feel it sensing that since the city was the centre of Tanglemind and he felt
that it was the only way he create the last aspect of his Dream Place before leaving
it to random chance random characters derived from some place too deep in his
imagination for even him to conceive of.
He
wondered about the city for what seemed days, until he came to a place that
looked out across the sea, high upon a cleft and there he create the final
aspect. “Here will begin all adventures. I will name it simply, The Crossing
Place.”
Watch for Part Two: 'Gafrinker's Time Machine: Now in the notorious editing grinder.
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