Noon in the Spanish countryside, I am taking advantage of the siesta by strolling on the beach. It’s a warm summer day. Just me and the roll of the surf. I gaze at the red tiled roofs of faraway houses. I’m so glad I decided to go to Spain for a year rather, than going immediately to college.

Believe it or not I'm not a rich kid. Nope, my family is pretty solidly lower middle class, but I was blessed in high school to be part of a class trip to France and Spain with one week in each. I gathered and sorted so many cans for that. It was also the first time I left the little podunk town I grew up in, just two thousand souls strong. I got to see cities with grand histories, palaces, a wealth of art and history. We saw so much of France, but when we got to Spain I fell in love. It was so lovely there. It made me wish that I had transferred to Spanish class after the first year instead of sticking to French for six. After we left I wanted to return so I scrimped and saved, and took multiple summer jobs and saved just enough for another trip.  

I just wish I felt better. I've been fighting some kind of cold since the flight, but it only seems to have gotten worse. I've been dizzy, nauseous, and so tired there has been an ache in my bones. I was hoping that the walk along the beach would help me feel better but even this small exertion feels like it's already taking a far greater toll than expected. I tried to head back to the hotel, but I grew too dizzy and fell. The fall sent pain shooting through me so intense I blacked out.                     

When I came to I was sitting up in someone's house. There were no lights but the moonlight shining in from the windows was bright enough that I could still see. My body sluggishly responded to the commands of a battered mind and I stood. I staggered from dizziness that took me for a moment. My head was pounding. It felt like I had been cramming for hours and my mind had finally reached a point where it just couldn't absorb any more. I took a few deep breaths which eased my head as bit.

 I called out, "Hello? Hello, Is anyone there? “But I received no reply I began looking around the room I was in. Grabbing my cell phone, I used the screen as a crude flashlight. There was furniture cluttered everywhere, clothing and a faint layer of dust. A small desk was crammed haphazardly into the corner near the window where an oil lamp unlit sat. I took a book of matches and after checking the wick and the reservoir lit it. On the desk lies a letter with my name on it. It read:

My Friend and Associate 

You may not know me, but I've been keeping an eye on you for a long time. You hold within yourself an amazing power. I brought you to Adva’ari’i to correct a grave injustice that I alone cannot solve. Since you cannot get back to Earth, don't wallow in despair and loathing. Enter this strange new world with pride – and an open mind.

We'll be in touch,

~ Charles X. Thorn 

I put down the letter, thinking I’d been kidnapped by some kind of crazy person. Then, the more I thought about it, no, that couldn't be. Whatever had happened had just taken a lot out of me and I was exhausted. Made sense with the headache I now realized I had, and I laughed at the bizarre nature of it all – though I could hear the hysteria of the sleep deprivation in my voice. I sat on the couch, and checked my phone. Perhaps I could call someone for help, roaming charges be damned, but I had zero bars. I leaned back; the couch seemed comfortable enough, so I lay down and drifted. 

*     *     *

The ancestral land of the Sik-lirr Clan was once quiet in the early hours before the hunting, fishing, and farming would begin – but one of their numbers had not been well. He'd been haunted by terrible dreams. So when the clan had been summoned to the Cliffs of Change, many looked deeply wary. All the most important events in a Drak-mar’s life happen here: births and weddings – but also executions and exiles. Judging by the mood circulating, Jos of the Sik-lirr Clan feared the latter.

 The others sit around him in deep meditation, their eyes half closed, wings fluttering, tails twitching. A few with upraised arms pray to the deities for his sake. The other clans watch intently, this. This was also a unique occurrence; while the clans were all technically at peace with one another they often did not quite get along. Holidays were one of the only true multi-clan events; which this was certainly not. The Eldest Clanless – one who upon reaching great age abdicates from their clan – walked slowly but proudly out of her hut and into the center of the Sik-lirr. Whatever her worry, it was tangible on her face. I step up beside her and whisper "Eldest please tell me why have I been summoned, I have done nothing wrong. I know I am haunted by dreams but –”

"That is true – you are not here to be punished. “The Eldest said definitively

He opened his mouth to ask more but fell silent when she raised her hand.

Turning to his clan, the Eldest explained in her deep resounding voice "Clan Sik-liir, I have summoned young Jos here not to be exiled or put to death – BUT to send him on a journey outside the Territory. Into the Empire. “Some of my tribe gasped while others murmured amongst themselves. 

The Clan Elder raised her hand yet again and hushed the noise. "Before we found the Cliffs and forged our home, in the time of the Thousand Clans, The Pathway opened to an outsider. It was the Takarr Pandu, The Bringer of Change, who brought death and destruction. The Pathway opens again; we believe that the opening of the Pathway brings the Takarr Turi, The Bringer of Balance. He is like a child and will need a guide. I have searched using the ancient Art and my own eyes, I believe that the best Drak-mar for the job is young Jos of the Sik-lir Clan, “turned to me and said, “So gather your supplies and say your goodbyes because you'll be leaving in the morning". 

Jos was speechless. No words to describe the great scope of honor and responsibility that was a quest. Before he could even mutter a simple thank you the Clan Elder flew off leaving him alone with his people. 

A grand festival was quickly assembled in his honor. Dozens of sheep and rams were slaughtered for roasts, large bottles of brandy were brought up from cellars, and spice breads and fruit rolls were cooked. The children gathered to participate in a play called Tarri's Quest that Jos remembered watching as a child. Through the whole event, there were cousins, uncles and aunts, siblings, and parents congratulating, nuzzling, and slapping him on the back for luck. There were even compliments and well wishes from the other clans – though from some it was clearly more out of politeness and perhaps even jealousy. Jos’s anxiety grew as the festivities did – now feeling like far too much for him. He had often thought of himself as a pariah and had now cherished being alone. To have so many so close now was beyond unnerving. 

He practically fled to his mother and pleaded "I beg you; I need some quiet to reflect and pray. Would you please cover for me at the feast? "

“But this is all for you, you've finally –…”She stopped herself, then nodded, and whispered "Hurry.”

Without wasting a second he soared up along the Cliffs of Change until he found in the dark the entrance to the caves within. The deep tunnels and caverns, home to the Deities, and safeguarding the history of the Drak-mar. First he prayed to the Sik-lirr patron gods Garrutu and Yrundii – but soon he was wandering the cavern praying fervently to any god or goddess he knew of. Eventually he was praying to the oldest statues and paintings in the whole place that hadn’t even heard a daily reverence in years. A hand grasped his shoulder and Jos yelped in surprise, spinning around, it was the Eldest.

  “Why are you here instead of celebrating, young one? “she asked. 

“I came here to pray because I'm not worthy of this privilege, or this honor! “He blurted out the bitter words before a deep shuddering breath and continued “There are many of us who are far greater than I. Tarirs, Dori, and Suter are by FAR my better, but instead you chose me. I came here in hope the pantheon would give me strength…"

"Then I wouldn't pray to that statue, that's Shira, Ancient God of Fertility. The sacrifices he demanded were legendary in their brutality,” she mused with a laugh though the steel in her eyes remained. "My boy I chose you because you have abilities they will NEVER have, I tell you this in utter truth. These powers may be a great burden to you and others around you, but they are a gift of the gods".

“Please tell me what these powers will be."

“You have already gotten a taste of them, those dreams that have haunted you for so long. We will help you to understand them, and teach you the skills you need to survive in the lands outside our own.  Now off with you! Go back to your party and enjoy yourself. You will have little time for celebration in the future. “And so he did.

* * *

I’ve been wandering the woods for days now getting food from the forest, not far from the beach. At first, I tried to wait patiently for Charles to arrive but finding no food in the house I knew I needed to keep up my strength. As I scavenged, I’ve been noticing the similarities between Earth and Advaarii – it's truly amazing. This world has oak, cherry, birch and maple trees, blackberry and raspberry bushes, and even animals like deer, squirrels and rabbits. You’d figure all this familiar flora and fauna should make feel right at home – until you see a frog the size of a terrier covered with silky orange fur and ears like a fox, or a bird which feathers glowing in bright crimsons, oranges, and whites so that it looks like a bolt of fire. When I first encountered a flock of those birds, I honestly thought they were a forest fire.

Strange plants would also break the still-on-Earth illusion. Trees with deep red wood and blue leaves, a bush with leaves like brass, and mushrooms that resemble rocks. I've been searching for some kind of town or village but I've had no luck so far. There are signs of civilization everywhere: roads, bridges, and even an aqueduct. Unfortunately, no power lines. Other than the berry bushes I haven't had a whole lot of luck on the food front. My high school did have one semester of wilderness survival, and while I really enjoyed it, knowledge and experience are two very different things. I'd give my host another day or two before hitting the road and looking for civilization.