TAG: Star Caves

The Star Caves are on the westerly coast of Imagi, near the Hyden Sea. It was a short hike north through Knotting to get to the Red Bead River. I found a boat that took me north all the way to where the Gold Band River intersects. It took two days to get there, but it was a lovely trip. I was able to prepare a nice stew to share with a fellow passenger named Tello, who in turn offered us a delightful sweet cake.

I planned to travel on the ground from there but Tello introduced me to a ZuZu bird named Diga. Diga offered me air passage to the star caves in exchange for some bread. I couldn’t resist getting to know this magnificent creature better, so I took her up on her offer. We flew low to the ground so I could see the beautiful landscape and arrived at the star caves at nightfall, which is the perfect time to arrive. Diga told me a bit about the caves history and said she would see me again and flew off. I decided to explore the caves.

The star caves are amazing. The legend is that eons ago, far away in another world there was a very beautiful princess named Star. Everyone loved her and men everywhere wanted to marry her. Whoever married her would be the future king so she had many suitors. Star promised her eternal love to one man. But, just as soon they said “I do” her husband was shot in the heart with an arrow by a jealous suitor who wished to be King. Star was heartbroken and very lonely. But eventually she met another man named El and married in secret, because the rule of the land was one marriage only.

The King was tricked into believing that El was the man who murdered Stars first husband. The King declared El a criminal and sent his men to kill him and rescue her. Star escaped fearing the King was going to punish her for marrying a second time. More importantly she was pregnant and would give birth soon. She flew from the world as fast as she could; faster and faster until she could no longer stay awake; exhausted she crashed here in Imagi forming these caves.

Soon after the local villagers came to the caves and discovered these tiny little flowers they call “min-ango” which means “little stars.” These tiny sparkling flowers are very unique. They only grow in this cave and only bloom at night. The villagers believe that these tiny sparkling flowers are Stars children. When the wind blows from the south the tiny flowers are lifted out of the caves and blown into the sky, and it is believed this is how stars are born. Because of this the caves are very sacred.

As I approached I could see thousands of the tiny star flowers inside the cave. I could hear a gentle whistling through the rock that almost sounded like whispers as I approached. As I entered the cave the scent of the flowers was intoxicating, like a good strong tea. The flowers actually seem to dance in the air and you can touch their soft sparkling petals as they float by. You can’t help but be in awe of the beauty and feel the hope that surrounds you as you walk through the cave. Folks who live near the star caves come here when they need inspiration or have lost hope.

I continued to walk deeper into the cave. It seemed that the tiny stars were guiding me along. The cave takes many twists and turns as it goes deeper. I finally reached a place where I noticed most of the stars have stopped and have made a wide circle around me, except for a few that have circled a loose rock on the ground. I picked it up and realized it was a very unusual rock if it was a rock at all. It was a very colorful object. As soon as I did this the stars began dancing around me and the whispering noise I had been hearing sounded like music and giggling. I was suddenly surrounded by the tiny light flowers and they lifted me up on my back, and head first began carrying me out of the cave ever so gently. It was like floating on a soft cloud. I dropped the object thinking I should not have touched it but as I let it go the flowers encircled it and placed it gently back in my hand. I was carried to the opening of the cave and set gently on the ground. As I faced the cave I could see them all still dancing and giggling and then suddenly they were all gone, and it became pitch black. As I turned to leave there was a woman standing directly in front in me.

She was no ordinary woman, she was beautiful and timeless. She wore a dress that was a rich turquoise with streaks of fuchsia, covered with tiny sparking stones. Her long thick hair curled as it blew in the warm night wind. “You have been given a gift” she said in a voice as light as air. “um, yes I guess” holding out the object in my hand. “I don’t know what it is though” She smiled at me and held out a small container in her hand. She said “keep it in this when you are not using it, you don’t want to overtax its powers” I took the container from her and placed the object in it. Her warm hands clasped over the top and bottom of mine holding them on the object. She continued, “This will help you to see what others cannot.” I asked “Who are you?” as she moved her hands from mine. I let the object drop in the box and it snapped shut and locked. The woman quickly faded away.

Here is a picture of the object I found in the cave. Its unusal isn't it?

TAG: Samhain

I woke up in the morning with a mystery on my mind. Last night I had gone to bed thinking about the trip I was about to take to the Star Caves. Apparently though, during the night something very peculiar happened. I woke to see letters strung together on my night table, like beads on a bracelet of some sort with a wood bead attached. The letters formed a word and they were slipping off the table and on to the floor. I got out of bed and ran over to retrieve them, but as I reached them they were gone. I found myself standing next to my bed wondering what I had seen.

Since today is Samhain the veil between these worlds and the “otherworlds” is thin. Perhaps this was a message from beyond, if I could remember the word I saw it may have importance.
Duboi asked me to extend my stay a bit longer to attend the Samhaim celebration this evening. There will be a huge celebration at the Guild Hall, a bonfire, costumes and sharing of the harvest. It will be fun, I agreed to postpone my trip, it seems wrong to turn down such gracious hosts. I will depart at the witching hour instead.

TAG: Map of Imagi

TAG: Keggy answers the call part 2

Calling part 2

The room before me was magnificent in every way! The ceiling was incredibly high, and a large circular window in the center revealed the sky. The sky was pitch black with thousands of sparkling lights. There were crimson, cobalt and amber mists that moved about over my head, and off to one side what appeared to be the most incredible fire red moon I had ever seen. The walls were the palest of pinks and were covered with magnificent pieces of art. The floor was a deep chestnut with black and white patterned carpets scattered about. There were lit candles of every size and color scattered throughout the room on giant silver candlestick holders dripping with crystals. There were topiaries and fresh roses in vases and a roaring fireplace along side of a huge sofa covered with the palest of green satin pillows.

“It’s so beautiful!” I said out loud. A voice behind me spoke “Why thank you my dear, Welcome to Imagi” I spun to see who was speaking and saw an elegant woman dressed in a flowing yellow gown standing beside me. “Welcome Keggy Featherwolf, glad you could come so quickly, I hope you had a good trip” I curtseyed and offered her my bundles of daisies and basil. She thanked me and smiled at me so genuinely I was moved. She handed me a map and explained to me that I was called upon to explore the nation of “Imagi.”

Over a sumptuous meal followed by tea and berries she told me that I was welcomed to stay at the Guild Hall until I was ready to depart. At some point Duboi returned to show me to my room where I immediately fell into bed and into a deep sleep. I woke up during the night wondering if the metallic tube, the Guild Hall and the entire trip were just a dream. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness I could see a crystal pitcher of water on the table next to my bed and leaning against it was the map of Imagi. I knew I was far from home.

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I was awoken in the morning by the lovely sweet smell of cinnamon. I bathed and dressed and headed down to the main hall where Duboi was holding a breakfast tray for me that was fit for a queen. After eating he told me a little about the Imagi-nation and said it was best to learn more on my own. I decided to plan my adventure as I go and travel above land as much as possible, but my first stop would be what caught my eye first on the map, the Star caves. I am not sure where I will go after that but after speaking with Duboi I know that when I leave the guild hall in Crimson I will be visiting the Pattern Islands, Mt Cloud (they say you can see all of Imagi from its peak). Jagons Temple, Basil Fields (since I just love basil) Shadow tip, Bell Rock, Lake Sam, the Crayon Gardens, Lost key Island, ZuZu temple, Dark Rock forest, Button Lake, Pearl Temple, The mumbling stones, MT Ghost, and I must see the Plum Ocean up close! So much to see and no time to waste! Tomorrow morning I will be off to the Star Caves!

TAG: Keggy answers the call part 1

It was a particularly lovely morning in my cottage, the rain had just stopped except for a light drizzle still falling. I just finished baking several loaves of cornbread and stepped outside, the air smelled sweet and clean. It was a good day to take a short journey to one of my friends in the upper worlds.

I typically like to journey through a tiny hole in the roots of a huge willow tree that lies just beyond my garden. So I wandered out past the fragrant herbs and myrtle to what is my favorite traveling tree. I could hear a woodpecker tapping away at the tree, which usually meant there was a message for me, but not always. I could smell the basil and mint growing in my garden and thought I better pick some when I return home. As I approached the willow tree I noticed the glint of metal at its base, right where my entrance should be.

As I got closer I made a startling discover. There was an ornate metallic tube stuck in the entrance hole! I removed it from the hole easily and examined the odd device. The metal was embossed with curlicues, dots, dashes and the letters “T.A.G” were in the center. It was encrusted with all different colored gems on one end along with a few gears and screws. I turned a small crank on the end cap and it slid off as a puff of steam escaped.

Inside was a scroll of delicate gold rimmed paper with writing and a tiny skeleton key. I pulled out the scroll gently and unrolled it. It read, “Your presence is cordially requested at Guild HQ. Please come promptly!” On the bottom of the parchment in gold writing it said “Traveling Artists Guild,” and was dated today! My heart was pounding wildly as I looked at the tiny map enclosed showing me how to travel there through the tiny hole in my Willow tree that I was all too familiar with. I was so excited to receive such a glorious invitation!

I quickly went back into my cottage and packed my travel case and knapsack for my trip. I took along a few loaves of fresh baked corn bread, herb butter, tea, chocolates, a parcel of meat-cakes, a flask of cider, wedge of cheese, apron, scarf, candle, skillet, pocket knife, 3 gold coins, my best pen, journal, bag of magic dust, art box and my traveling companion Henney. I posted a note on my door that said “be back soon” and headed back to the willow tree, grabbling bunches of basil and daisies on my way. I made myself as tiny as I could then headed right down the hole.

It’s always wondrous to travel to other worlds, much like an amusement park ride I hear, but better. This wasn’t going to be a long trip at all. I slipped down the Willow roots till I hit the Mitzie line root. I slid along that till I came to golden rock; the map showed me that I was to travel to the end of the Chalke tunnel directly to its right. I followed the tunnel down till I hit a fork and headed left. I could feel a breeze and hear water moving and knew I was getting close to the Booku stream. When I got to the stream there was a small red boat with a tiny white sail tied to a dock. I slipped onto the boat and untied it from the dock, and it gently moved away without me doing a thing.

The water below me was clear and luminescent; it lit the tunnel. I could see dozens of fish in all sizes, colors and patterns had surrounded the boat. They were carrying the tiny boat and directing it downstream, it took me quite a ways. The tunnel walls that surround the stream was a deep dark rumpled red, and at one point I could reach out and touch the walls and it felt like soft velvet! It was a peaceful ride, but a bit bumpy at times. As I rested I took a chocolate from my bag and plopped it in my mouth, and thought, this is the life! The boat finally stopped at a small dock where I saw a sign that read “Guild HQ.” I jumped out onto the small dock and gathered up my belongings. I took out a loaf of bread, pulled it into pieces and tossed it to the fish to thank them.

It was pretty dark but there were many torches lit around the dock. I picked up one and headed down the tunnel carrying my trunk; knapsack, daisies and basil. I finally reached a large door that was slightly ajar. As I reached for the knocker the door opened to reveal a very, very tall thin man wearing a purple top hat and tails. He said in a very low voice “Welcome to Guild Hall Keggy Featherwolf, welcome indeed!” he then winked and saluted me in whimsical way and with a huge smile, introduced himself saying. “Duboi, at your service, please allow me to escort you to the main hall.” Duboi carried my trunk as I followed him down a long corridor. Then he stopped at a large pair of mahogany doors and swung them open. I gasped as I saw what was inside.

Traveling artist guild

So, I joined the Traveling Artist Guilds which requires me to post on a fantasy journey I am taking. (On a blog no less.) So, I have a blog over on wordpress that is with the rest of the guild.
I am thinking of posting some of the work here... if I can it will begin to happen today.
Keep in mind nobody is checking my grammar, puncuation or anything else, which is one of the reasons I tend not to blog.