Chapter Two
Rosetta set down a bowl of pretzels and took a seat between Craig and Eadie. ‘What part are we up to?’
Royston tilted his head to the side, birdlike and alert. ‘Chapter III. What’s happened to Lena?’
‘Working.’
‘At 8 p.m.?’
‘She’s rearranging stock at her shop.’
Craig opened his book, then craned his neck round to Eadie on his left, deep brown curls bobbing like a glassful of cola bubbles. ‘Do you want to read next, Eadie?’
‘But I read last time!’
‘All right, I’ll read,’ Craig said. ‘And then, Rosetta, could you read Chapters IV and V?’
‘Sure. But before we start, I have some news that I’ve been absolutely aching to share. About our Friday Fortnight website.’ She told Eadie, Royston and Craig that her Lillibridge-related site had rapidly gained international interest since its launch two weeks earlier. Her hope of connecting with other readers throughout the world was blossoming into reality.
Anyone who had managed to get access to an out-of-print copy ofOur True Ancient History—available at only a smattering of antiquarian outlets—anyone wanting to explore its philosophies, was encouraged, on Rosetta’s ‘About Us’ page to form a book-study group of their own. She’d had no idea the response would be so enthusiastic. ‘So far we’ve had over 800 visits!’
Craig gave a low whistle, and Eadie shrieked.
‘And five other Friday Fortnight groups are being formed. Thirty-seven people in total participating!’
‘Where are these groups situated?’ Royston asked Rosetta. ‘Are they mostly in Australia?’
‘There’s only one other here in Australia—it’s in Melbourne. Every other group is overseas. I’ve got a list here with the exact numbers. Drum roll please, Craig.’ Craig pummelled the coffee table. ‘England, Scotland, Canada, and two groups being formed in the United States. A few readers in Ireland formed anOur True Ancient History group well before we did. They’re going to stay connected with us through our website.’ She scanned the list again. ‘Ooh, and just one person in Sweden.’
‘In Sweden?’ said Royston. ‘Where in Sweden?’
‘A little place called Perelda. It’s an island just north of the mainland apparently. Just the one person in a group of his own. How amazing is that? Okay, Craig, Chapter III awaits.’
‘At your service,’ said Craig. ‘Alrighty, people, listen up.’
III
Once Maleika had woken, she was pleased to discover Pieter had readied the fire. When she asked where he’d journeyed in the Dream Sphere, he couldn’t remember.
‘Take another sip of Remembrance Essence, Pieter. You’ve probably travelled far.’
Pieter did so. ‘It’s no use,’ he said. ‘All I recall is a forest similar to this one. And a fellow who got quite angry with me.’
‘Ah well,’ said Maleika accepting the cup Pieter offered. ‘Perhaps you aren’t meant to remember it.’ Comforted by the familiar sights that now surrounded her, Elysium Glades bejewelled with moonlit dew, she turned to the campfire, sipped the Remembrance and allowed her memory of the day’s slumber to return. ‘Alcor asked me to observe a scenario. I expect what I saw was the distant future, and I expect it was our earthly world rather than another. I observed two people. One was the Clan Watcher and the other a learner.’
‘And...?’ said Pieter.
‘And they conversed inside a smallish dwelling which resembled that within.’ She nodded towards the Grudellan Palace. ‘Its walls weren’t rounded but sharp and square.’
‘What colours surrounded you, Maleika?’
‘Sparkling colours of the Earth,’ she said, recalling flashes of silver, copper, amber. ‘Gold,’ she added warily. ‘Gold there was.’
‘Were the people themselves golden?’ This was asked by her nephew Croydee, another member of the Brumlynd clan who had crept out to join them. ‘I hope they weren’t body kings.’
‘Not body kings, no. The Clan Watcher was quite obviously a sprite because she had skin and eyes of brown like us, dear, although her complexion was much lighter in shade, and no sign of superiority towards animals was indicated; a feline of grey sat loyally by her side. The younger one had a snow-pale face and tresses the colour of fire. The Wa
