Looking intently into his parents' viewing pool, Hielnar stared yearningly at the image of the planet in it. Qudara turned slowly as the day passed into night. The young fox wanted to be down on the planet and tread on the ground, exploring its secrets in intimate detail. However his parents, Iskt and Iliener, had denied him permission to go to the planet. He couldn't understand why, it wasn't as if anything on the planet could harm him. He turned as soft footsteps sounded behind him. His mother smiled as she saw him.
"I might have known I'd find you here, kitling," she ruffled his hair. "Your father and I wanted to know if you could spare a few minutes for us?"
Hielnar nodded. He appreciated his parents asking for his time instead of simply summoning him to them as they still did with his youngest brother. He figured it was a sign that they accepted him growing up. Now if only they would treat him as fully grown. He hid a sigh as he followed his mother to the back yard where his father was practicing his archery.
Iskt, Lord of the Hunt and Protector of the Forvites, smiled at his eldest son. His smile contained a mix of pride and regret that his son did not recognize. He offered his bow to Hielnar and watched his son take a few shots before clearing his throat and gesturing to the side where his wife was setting out refreshments. The two walked together over to join her, Hielnar noting with pleasure that he was almost as tall as his father.
"Your archery improves," Iskt said as he selected some food. "That is good to see."
"Thank you, Father," his son replied, taking his own food. "I follow your advice and practice every day."
Iskt nodded, glancing at Iliener, who gave him a small nod back along with a smile.
"And have you memorized the planet yet, my son?" he asked in a deceptively mild tone.
Hielnar almost choked and shot a glance at his mother who smiled reassuringly at him.
"As much as I can from here," he responded neutrally. "I can certainly recognize any of the major landmasses from almost any angle."
Iskt studied him for a moment however his son's tone had been one of confidence not bragging.
"So if you were on the planet you would know where you were at any time?"
The young fox looked startled, clamping a tight hold on the sudden excitement that spread through him. He answered cautiously.
"I think I would Father. I don't want to say for certain until I had a chance to look from that angle."
Iskt nodded, pleased.
"Your mother and I have talked it over and we have decided you are now old enough for a visit on the planet." Iskt held up a paw in warning as his son stared at him in shock. "You will be mortal while you travel and can be hurt. You have to be careful when you interact with our Forvite children. That is why you have been taught to use the same weapons they do. The power you wield as a god would destroy the people and lands you wish to see so closely. You will have some power, for that is an integral part of our beings. If you believe you can hold to these limits then you have our permission to go. You also have to promise to send your mother a message every moon cycle letting her know of your travels."
Iliener gave her son a serious look.
"Be certain to mind your manners. We, at least, should always be courteous."
Hielnar grinned so widely he thought his face would break. He was ready to promise anything for a chance to travel on the planet.
"I promise, Father, Mother. You'll see. I'll be fine and a gentleman. I would never dishonor you, Mother."
The scene was one of peace; calm, serene, silent. The beach appeared to continue into the horizon, waves gently brushing at the edges of the sand. Here and there shells dotted the coastline and small pools of water formed in the hollows of sheltering stones. The sky was almost cloudless, a vivid blue colour that spoke of midsummer. The lightest of breezes caressed the surrounding hillside and the grasses growing there. Grass slightly higher than ankle height spread from the edge of the bluff back into the distance.
The air vibrated as energy built. The sound of the surf grew louder and louder as the waves swelled higher and higher until they were crashing on the beach. Water swept over the beach then swirled around, pulling some of the sand up into itself as the waterspout rose almost as high as the bluff. Then it poured downward as if being drained, leaving behind a cloaked figure holding a staff. Water clung to him, the droplets sparkling in the sun. The energy drained away, as the waves settled back into their gentle rhythm. The figure opened his eyes.
Hielnar leaned on his staff, his eyes roaming over the peaceful scene. The calmness of the sight seeped into him. He looked north and south at the unblemished lands as he tried to determine which direction to travel next. He felt the sturdiness of his body and how his weight was balanced in this form and felt what he knew was a thrill of pleasure run through him. His eyes dropped to the perfect sand and the seashell lying near him. He lifted his paw and the shell rose then floated over to him.
Long strong fingers stroked over the beautiful pattern on the shell. Images flashed through his head: the snail whose home this used to be growing and moving on; a child crying to keep the shell as his mother took it away and tossed it back on the beach; a couple running along and kicking the shell; and finally, a young girl dancing, holding the shell as if it was her partner as she hummed to herself. Hielnar released the shell and it floated back to its original location. The fox spread his arms and felt the breeze caressing him. He closed his eyes, feeling the lingering magic from his mother's transport.
A sound reached him from behind the bluff. His ears flicked and he could hear the muffled sounds of someone trying to keep from panting. He rose slightly so he could look over the bluff. A young vixen was crouched there, her eyes wide with amazement but not fear. His mind brought forth the image of the girl dancing with the seashell. He smiled gently and spoke quietly so he wouldn't spook her.
"I'm sorry, my lady. I was not aware anyone was around."
His voice rolled smoothly over her and seemed to fill her with warmth and calmness. Without thinking, she smiled shyly and responded,
"I often come here to," she caught herself and quickly substituted words, "watch the sunset."
Hielnar stood as if frozen, barely breathing. Her voice echoed through him as sweet as the tones from a crystal bell. He felt a mad impulse to pick her up and dance, holding her close forever, kissing her sweet lips under the moonlight. He jerked his thoughts to a halt and pulled his eyes from hers for a brief moment, feeling like a drowning man breaking the surface of the water to breathe again. So this was what it felt like to be mortal. His eyes sought hers again.
"The sun will be setting soon, my lady. Would you care to watch it with me?"
The vixen hesitated. Irrationally, she wanted to stay with him but he was a stranger. A handsome young fox, she admitted privately to herself, but still a stranger and one who had arrived in a strange manner. A small part that was still rational inside her screamed at her to run, to flee this unexplainable madness.
"I-I-" she glanced south towards what Hielnar assumed was her home. He could barely make out her trail in the grass. He looked back into her flustered face, feeling his heart skip a beat. "I don't know you!" she said breathlessly, as if speech had to be forced.
"My lady! My apologies!" Scandalized, he bowed, sweeping his cloak back with an unconscious flourish. "Where are my manners? My name is Hielnar. And your name is - " he paused, anticipation fluttering wildly through him.
The vixen stared at him, bemused. Hielnar meant The Traveller. She felt as if her feet were rooted to the ground.
"The Traveller? That is a strange name for a strange -" she blushed, embarrassed, stammering in her haste to apologize. "My Lord, forgive me! I - I did not mean to -".
The fox instinctively reached forward to reassure her, feeling a tingle along his nerves as he touched her smooth fur, her warmth sending a wave of pleasure through him.
"Please my lady, don't feel bad. I did not know my name would unsettle you." He felt heat flooding his face and knew he looked uncomfortably embarrassed. "I am new to your land and your customs even if I thought I was prepared for them. Please forgive me."
"Where are you from?" she whispered, not sure if she wanted to know more than she did, the memory of his strange arrival still clear in her mind.
Hielnar smiled wryly.
"I come from quite a ways away," he replied. Suddenly gripped by a bout of honesty, he admitted, "From beyond the planet in fact." He looked into her wide blue eyes. "My parents are Iskt and Iliener Ikeine. They allowed me to come for a visit but I have to be mortal while here." He looked and sounded wistful for a moment. "I just want to travel and see all the wonders of our world." Somehow he managed to convey the impression that he was speaking of the two of them and not his family. He smiled shyly, unaware that he was still speaking. "And find out if your name matches your beauty."
She turned scarlet, dropping her eyes down as he realized what he had said and blushed in return. Both looked around in an embarrassed silence then their eyes caught and they started laughing. Her smile was still shy but also showed her pleasure at his flattery. His honesty had touched her and she knew she believed him.
"My name is Etesselar Oudarin."
Hielnar felt as if his soul was singing. He repeated her name to himself. Etesselar; Beautiful Eyes. Etesselar. He was unaware of how he looked as he kept saying her name under his breath. Her giggle broke his reverie. He smiled warmly.
"Etesselar Oudarin, it is my pleasure to meet you."
Warmth rushed through the vixen as he spoke her name, uplifting her spirits and leaving her giddy. She barely noticed that he was lifting her paw to his lips for a polite kiss. She smiled warmly at him and, prompted by her inner conscience, asked,
"Would you like to stay at our village tonight? We were about to start our celebrations for Midsummer. Unless you have someplace where you expected to be?"
Hielnar shook his head. He was enjoying how the setting sun made her hair look like it was on fire.
"There is no one waiting for me at any place, Etesselar. I have the freedom to go where I wish for as long as I wish," he paused briefly, "and I wish to go with you for a while."
The vixen smiled and turned to head back home, telling him of the people in her village so that he would feel more at home. Behind them, the shells on the beach wobbled then moved together to form the words "Thanks Mother" before returning to their locations in the sand. As the sun set, turning the sky into a brilliant canvas of reds and oranges, one last bright ray fell on the smooth dirt road heading south from the beach to a little known village astir with surprise and celebration.