Chapter 3
********


"Dinner, huh? You hungry, Jim?"

"Growl."

"Okay! Here, taste this. Mmm. Like that? There's more where that came
from. I'm a bit hungry myself. This looks good. Mmmm."

"Growl."

"This looks great. Wow! Your abs are tasty. What's this? Hmm. Looks
lonely and unhappy. Let's cheer it up. Smooch. Now it looks more lively.
What do you think ... mmmpphh."

"You talk too much, Sandburg."

"Mmmm."

"Sweet."

"mmmmmm."

"Lovebug."


*************************************************


"Cheep chirp cheep click?"

Translation From the Penguinese: "Why do you think they ran off like
that?"

"Click chirp chirp cheep."

Translation: "Don't know. But the big one was unhappy."

"Click click chirp chirp."

Translation: "Do you think it's their mating season, or something?
They were rubbing their bills together when we arrived."

"Cheep click chirp cheep click."

Translation: "Who knows? Humans are strange."

"Cheep."

Translation: "Tell me about it!"



**************************************************


"Morning, Lovebug. Reading already?"

"Wanted to do some before we had to start travelling again. Who knows
when I'll get another chance."

"Is it that interesting?"

"Oh, yes. This book is fascinating. The Sorceress, whose name I have not
been able to ascertain, was taught by a sorcerer. And HE was taught by a
sorceress, whose teacher was a sorcerer, and so on, back for centuries.
The gender keeps switching back and forth. The successor inherits his or
her teacher's powers upon the death of the incumbent. The powers seem to
have something to do with light and knowledge. Oh, and the ability to
control this Island, I think. From what I can make out, this Island
floats in space and time. It obeys the sorcerer or sorceress, travelling
wherever he or she commands. Thus it must have been lost after the
Sorceress died, and we just bumped into it by accident. The Island must
be awaiting the new incumbent, but for some reason one was never chosen.
The Book doesn't say."

"Ah. Does it say how the student was chosen?"

"No, but I would assume because of talent and interest."

"And the sorcerer controls light somehow?"

"Light and Knowledge. He or she wears a magic ring. See, here's a
drawing."

"Looks very old. Valuable."

"Probably. Hey, maybe it was stolen! I can see a possible scenario.
Perhaps someone came here, claiming to be a potential student. Then he
stole the ring, and maybe other valuables, as well. Perhaps he killed
the sorceress. Took off with the ring. It's lost now. Like the Island.
So sad."

"Now that's like you, Sandburg. Collecting lost orphans. Serendipity.
This island. Me."

"You weren't lost, Jim."

"Sure I was."

"Well, anyway, you're not lost now. I have you."

"Good."

"But to get back to the book. Some of it is written in a kind of code. I
wish I could read it all.... Oh. That's amazing! Suddenly, it all makes
sense. One minute I couldn't read it, and the next ... Jim? Why are you
staring at me like that?"

"Sandburg? Maybe you're the next sorcerer? Maybe that's why the Island
appeared right in front of us."

"No way, Man."

"Why not?"

"Because ... because ... well, for one thing, I don't have the ring.
That's vitally important."

"Hmmm."

"The idea is ridiculous, Jim. I'm no sorcerer, okay?"

"Okay."


"Jim, I wish you'd stop looking at me and sighing. There, see, I'm not a
sorcerer -- you're still doing it."

"Well, maybe it doesn't work on me."

"It? It? There is no 'it'. That's the point. I'm not a sorcerer.
Period."

"So you keep saying. I disagree. I've always thought you were a sorcerer
from day one. But leaving all the earlier evidence out of it, just look
at the last few days. You wanted light inside Moby Dick's mouth, and
light appeared. Were you able to figure out where it came from?"

"No. But I've wanted lots of things in my life that I never got. I
wanted you for years before.... Never mind, that doesn't count, I never
actually asked for you, so I couldn't expect.... But the thing is..."

"The thing is, Sandburg, a lot has been happening lately that can only
be explained by sorcery. I'm not a sorcerer, I'm a Sentinel. You found
the book and staff, which seems to indicate that you are the new
sorcerer. Try it out."

"What?"

"Try it out, Darwin."

"How?"

"How should I know, I'm not the sorcerer. Is there a simple spell in
there you can try?"

"Sigh. Okay. Anything to shut you up. Let's see. Here's something. The
first spell for the new sorcerer, to summon the powers and knowledge of
his or her predecessors. Sound good? Here we go. 'I summon the power and
knowledge of the ancients to aid me in my endeavours. Awaken, O Mighty
Ones, and come to my deliverance.' There. Happy now? You see. Nothing.
I'm not a sor..."

"Greetings! At last you have awakened me. And exactly what prevented you
from entreating my assistance heretofore?"


"Who said that?"

"I did. I speak to you from over here."

"Where? I don't see anyone."

"This is vexing. I have not manifested myself to your vision?"

"Um, no. You are not made manifest. Reveal yourself, O Spirit! Or
something along those lines."

"I am attempting to do so, to no avail, it would appear. I make my
apologies. This must be the result of such a long period of inactivity.
I have been trapped in your ring for, lo these many centuries. If you
had conjured me ere now, I would not have so fallen into torpor. But
enough, what is thy need?"

"Trapped in my ring?"

"Aye. The ring you wear upon your finger. Are you hard of hearing, or
actually bedevilled in your wits?"

"He's a little of both, Spirit. Ouch! That hurt, Chief. But more to the
point, he is confused. He was unaware that you were trapped in his ring,
and so was I. I had it for many years, and thought it was a cheap toy,
that I kept for luck and because I liked it. I only gave it to him
because I had no other."

"Ah. Then my ruse has been successful. I disguised the ring, so that I
would not be the prey of the mercenary and the corrupt. Only the pure of
heart would see my value. I was given as a gift of love, then?"

"Oh, yes."

"An auspicious beginning. Then we may proceed. You spoke of some trouble. Perhaps you could now inform me of its nature?"

"Oh, boy! That is going to take some doing!"



***************************************************


"Thus, your situation is as follows: you are travelling in the company
of an egg laid by an Alien being from another world, two penguins, a
strange whale named Moby Dick, who is presently in a miniature form, and
your Mother, who flies a Magic Carpet. You are being chased by the male
parent of the egg, who is pursuing her for some nefarious purpose. Have
I summarized the preceding events correctly?"

"You got it, Spirit. Um, what is your name exactly?"

"My name? I do not believe that I remember that. I will endeavour to do
so."

"Thanks. Ah. Here we are at the cave. Prepare to meet the rest of the
company. Hello, Mom. Everyone. I'd like you to meet, um, the Spirit of
the Ring. It seems that I'm a Sorcerer."

"That's nice dear. Would you like to join our Magic Circle? We're
attempting a little spell here, and we could use some extra power."

************
"Okay, Sweetie, what are you a Sorcerer OF?"

"Um, well, Mom, Light and Knowledge. I think."

"You think?"

"Well, yeah. I just discovered that I'm a Sorcerer, so it's all a bit
new to me, you see."

"Well, where's this Spirit of the Ring you introduced us to?"

"Oh, she's here, but she's invisible. Say 'Hello', Spirit."

"Hello. I am still attempting to manifest, but I am not having any
success. Oh! Am I there? Can you see me? Can you see me? I can see
something now, besides gray clouds. But that's strange. You are all
upside down. Why is that?"

"Spirit, YOU are the one who is upside down!"

"What do you mean, I am the one who is upside down? My attitude is the same it has always been. It is the world that has changed."

"Well, forgive me, Spirit, but we are all standing upon the ground, so we are right side up. You are floating in the air with your heels toward the ceiling. Seems to me that you are upside down."

"On the other hand, Chief, we are in the Southern Hemisphere."

"The Antipodes! We are in the Antipodes! That explains the situation. Of
course everything is upside down here."

"Er, yes. That's it, of course. Whatever. Um, have you remembered your name yet?"

"I am sorry, but no. Can you see me more clearly now? What do I look like? Am I a man or a woman?"

"You appear to be of the female persuasion, though it is hard to tell, what with you wearing long flowing robes and all. Your skin is dark blue and you have lavender hair, if that's of any help."

"Blue skin and lavender hair? I am sure it was the other way around the last I remember."


************************************************


"So, Spirit, just to introduce everyone... I'm the new Sorcerer, it
appears -- Blair Sandburg. This is Jim. He's a Sentinel. My Mom.
She flies a Magic Carpet. Serendipity. She hasn't come out of her shell,
yet. Tictic and Toctoc, our two Penguin friends. And last but not
least, Moby Dick. He's not himself at the moment."

"Glug glug glug."

"Greetings, everyone. I have been informed of your problems. This Island
should be a safe refuge, for we can move it to any location at a
instant. We can also form a shield to hide Serendipity's thoughts from her pursuers."

"Ah, a Cone of Silence."

"Your pardon, Blair Sandburg?"

"Never mind. Teach me the spells, O Spirit."

!crack!

"Serendipity? Was that you?"

"Serendipity?"

"Hey, Kid, you cracking at last?"

"Cheep?"

"Cheep?"

"Sweetheart? You okay?"

"Am I finally going to see my Grandchild?"

tap!

"Right on! Hey, Spirit. Maybe we better get this spell on the road.
Serendipity? We're going to raise the Cone of Silence so you can talk to
us while you hatch."

tap!

"O, Spirit, let us have the spell."

"I am attempting to remember the spell, Blair Sandburg. Do you have the
Book with you?"

"Um, yes."

"Turn to page 18."

"Um. How to Eradicate Fleas?"

"That appears to be the wrong spell."

"No kidding."

"Page 81, perhaps?"

"Ah! How to Raise a Shield of Protection So That Your Enemy Mayst Not
Overhear Your Plots Against Him. Sounds good to me!"



*********************************************


"O Spirit, why is this so complicated now? The first magic I committed was very easy. I just asked for what I wanted and it appeared like... well, like magic."

"Firstly, those were simple spells, and used little little energy. The Ring was trying to get your attention, and used its stored energy to do so. Next, the magic you performed was instinctive. Now, however, you are
conscious of your magical powers. You must needs learn how to use them,
rather than merely using them without being aware.

We must now arrange everyone in their proper place, in a circle. Jim,
Naomi. Tictic, Serendipity, Toctoc, Blair, Moby Dick, and Me. Now,
Blair, read the spell. Everyone else, please concentrate."

"O Powers of the Ring and Spirits of the Aether, protect us from the
Discoverie of our Thoughts and Stratagems. Raise a Shield so that our
Machinations mayst remain unknown outside this our Island Home."

"I believe that the shield has been successfully raised."

"Good. Serendipity? It's safe to speak now."

"Oh! Thanks unto Riarko! Just in time. It's been so difficult to keep
quiet sometimes. Daddy Jim. Daddy Blair. You should stay close. I'm just
about to hatch."

!crack!

"We're here, Sweetheart. We aren't going anywhere, are we Blair?"

"Nope! We can see you now. The shell's almost completely off. Ah, there!
Let's wipe this sticky goo off you and... Oh, wow! What beautiful eyes.
Aren't they beautiful, Jim?"

"Yes. Just so beautiful. The most beautiful baby I've ever seen."

"Am I? Am I beautiful? Do you love me?"

"Yes, Sweetheart. You're the most beautiful baby ever, in all the
world."

"In all the Universe, actually!"

"Thank you, Daddy."

"Psst. Naomi?"

"Yes, Moby?"

"I suppose she's a beautiful baby. I'm no judge. But a beautiful baby
WHAT?"



**********************************************


"Thank you, Daddy Blair. Daddy Jim. It's so comforting to know that you
think I'm beautiful, but look at me! I'm so little and awkward and funny
looking. I should be a great Warrior, and instead...."

"Oh, Sweetheart. You're just a baby. When you grow up...."

"But I need to be grown up NOW, Daddy Jim. My people are chasing us. We
can only hide for so long. If I were what I should be...."

"What is it that you should be, Serendipity? Please tell us. I know
there was no time before for any real explanations, but there is now.
What is going on, Baby? We love you and we need to know."

"Okay, Daddy Blair. I am a baby on the outside, and in a lot of other
ways, but part of me is an ancient female warrior. Her mind and spirit
live again in me. If there were time for me to grow up, I could defend
us all against the whole army that is chasing us!"

"How did this happen, Sweetheart?"

"It's a terrible thing really. Will you still love me if you know what I
really am?"

"Of course we will. Always."

"It's something my father's people have done for many centuries. They
have interbred themselves with another sentient race to produce hybrid
slaves. This is done against the will of my mother's people. The
offspring is sterile of course. They are used as soldiers, in the front
lines of their armies, to die in the service of their masters. But some
of us are slightly different. We are meant to be great warriors, but
still slaves. The minds and souls of great warriors of ancient times
have been preserved and they are somehow... melded... incorporated into
our beings. =A0 I can't explain the process. But I am part Humanoid,
part Zenathian, part this great, ancient warrior. I have three parents
in a way. Three biological parents. And then all of you as well. I'm
very lucky."

"We're glad you see it that way, but don't worry. We promise, you won't
be a slave, right Jim?"

"Right! Never!"

"Er, Serendipity? Could I ask you a question?"

"Of course, Moby Dick."

"Well, what are Zenathians? I know nothing about them."

"Oh. Naturally you don't know anything, and you are curious. Hmmm. I am
going through the data base of information I have picked up from
everyone's minds, and the closest I can come to a similar species is the
Dragon."



"So you're part Dragon, Sweetheart. That explains the gold scales, and
the wings, and the incredible eyes. I can see every colour in the
rainbow in them. You said that you read our minds. Do you do that all
the time?"

"Oh, no! Don't worry. It's not mind reading exactly, though I can do
that. But I'd only do it with permission. Baby Zenathians in the shell
gather information from all the other minds around them. It's when we
form our world views, as infants, so that we are born already
socialized, so to speak. That is how my father's people were able to
enslave us, the half Humanoid/ half Zenathians. They used that as a
weakness, by cutting us off from all contact with other minds, so that
when we hatch our minds are blank, empty. We do not know our own place
in the world, and can be molded into slaves. But my mother rescued me. I
learned a lot from her mind, and then from all of yours."

"How long would it take for you to become mature, Serendipity?"

"About two of your earth years, Daddy Blair. Why?"

"O Spirit? Is there anything we can do to foil our enemies for that long
a space of time?"

"This Island can be hidden in time as well as space."

"Hidden in time?"

"Yes. Time may be stretched here. Or it may be shortened, as is needed."

"So we can arrange it that we spend two years here, but to the outside
world it is only a short time. Say two days?"

"Yes. Do you wish this? Read the spell on page 24, accordingly."

"Um. How to turn Water into Wine?"

"My pardon. Page 42?"

"Thank you."



***********************************************



"Okay. I have the spell. Now, how does everyone feel about spending two
years here on this Island? We'll all be two years older when we get back
to civilization, but everyone else will just have aged two days."

"Well, Chief, it's not like we're losing the time. We still get to enjoy
those two years. =A0 And we're together."

"Time is just a state of mind, Honey."

"No skin off my nose. I would like to go and ask some of my whale
friends to join us. Especially Moby Jane!"

"Cheep chirp click cheep?"

"Well, Tictic, I don't know about Internet access. How it will work in
this time warp, I mean. I suppose we can give it a try. I have my laptop
with me."

"Chirp cheep cheep."

"Chirp cheep click chip cheep!"

"Great! Serendipity? How about you?"

"Thanks, Daddy Blair. If you're sure about this."

"Very sure! Okay. Let's go pick up Moby Jane and the others, if they
want to join us. Then we'll go hide in Time."


(This is an AU story about Jim and Blair visiting Antarctica... and Moby
Dick, who will soon be joined by Moby Jane... and a mysterious Island,
which will soon be Lost in Time... and Peru, when they get there,
someday.)


*************************************************


"Ow! I keep tripping over my own feet. Sorry. I'm so awkward."

"You're beautiful. Here. Let me carry you. Don't worry, you'll learn to
walk soon enough."

"Thanks, Daddy Blair."

"Hey. Just wait. Soon you'll be running all over this Island. I'll teach
you how to run fast. Jim will teach you Martial Arts. Naomi will teach
you Yoga, and how to dance. How do you like all that?"

"Sounds great. In the meantime, I'd like to learn to walk."

"Okay. Here we are Moby. Go talk to your friends."

"Thanks, Jim."

!SPLASH!

"HEY! MOBY JANE! COME HERE BABE!"

"Disgusting!"

"HEY, JIM. YOU CALL YOUR LOVER YOUR WAY. I'LL CALL MY LOVER MINE. OKAY?"

"Whatever."



*********************************************



"I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT! ALL MY FRIENDS WANT TO JOIN ME IN THIS
ENTERPRISE. MOBY JANE. MOBY SALLY. AND GUESS WHO THAT WHALE OVER THERE
IS?"

"Moby Spot?"

"YOU WIN THE $64,000 QUESTION, JIM! MY DOLPHIN PALS, JUMP AND TWIST,
WANT TO COME ALONG. AND SOAR THE ALBATROSS. SO LET'S GO!"

"Time for Fun with Dick and Jane. Ready, Chief?"

"Ready! Here's the jar, guys."

!splash! !splash! !splash! !splash! !splash!
!splash!

!plop!

"Hey! What's this?"

"Jim, you look cute with an Albatross on your head! Hi, Soar."

"Thanks. Can we get this over with, Chief?"

"Okay. O Spirit! Are you ready?"

"Ready. Everyone is in their place. Cast the Spell."

"Unsipthebywavzerinpoijywerinfijkolpheavequstolmathyrighkmanzirk!"

"Uh, Chief? What was THAT?"

"I guess it was the Spell. O Spirit? Was that the Spell?"

"It most certainly was. We are now hidden in Time. Our Enemies will not
discover us."

"Great. Now let's eat!"


"Where's the food? I need food. I'll starve to death if I don't eat
food. NOW! Jim? Mom? Food?"

"Here, Sweetie. Here's a sandwich."

"Thanks. Food. Eat. Umumum. Great. Anything else? Anyone got any more
food?"

"I've got a chocolate bar, Chief. Full of fat and other nasty, good
tasting things."

"Wonderful. I'll eat anything. Thanks, Jim."

"I'll make us some tea, Honey."

"Umumum."

"Boy. I've never seen you so hungry, Sandburg. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. I'm just really really hungry."

"Well, I can see that."

"The Spells you have just performed have drained your energy. You need rest and food before you can perform more magic."

"Ah! Thank you, Spirit. I'll eat, and get some rest. Then we need to
start work on a permanent place to live. That's our next priority."

"Daddy Blair? Daddy Jim?"

"Yes, Serendipity? What is it, Love?"

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I need some clothes. I don't want to run
around naked."

"Oh! Of course! Um. Naomi?"

"Mom? Help!"


*******************************************


"We're sorry, Sweetheart. It's been a bit frantic since you hatched. It never occurred to us that you were, um, undressed."

"Yeah. You're covered in all these lovely gold scales, so we never noticed."

"That's okay, Daddies. It just occurred to me, too. But on my world, only the slaves go around naked, so...."

"Well don't worry, Dear. I have lots of beautiful fabric that I bought at the same bazaar where I got the Flying Carpet. It's stored in here. Let's see. Here's a nice length of blue silk. We just wrap this end here, tuck this end under there, tie the ends together like this, and voila! You're all dressed."

"Granny, you're a genius."

"Thanks. But enough with the 'Granny'. Call me Naomi. 'Granny' makes me feel about a hundred years old. Blair, Honey? What do you think of Serendipity's dress? Blair?"

"Snooore."

"I think Daddy Blair has crashed and burned, Naomi."



*******************************************


"Yawn. Oooh. Ouch. Did I fall asleep, or what?"

"No, Chief. I knocked you out with a two by four."

"Very funny, Jim. =A0 Oh, Serendipity. What a pretty dress!"

"Thanks, Daddy Blair. Naomi made it for me. She told me to call her Naomi, by the way."

"That's good. I feel much better after that nap. Maybe we should fix up a more permanent home now. Get started anyway. This travelling and camping out is getting old."

"Here, Chief. Have some coffee."

"Thanks. O Spirit! What can I do in the way of building a house of some sort?"

"The Jade Palace was the home of the Ancient Sorcerers who inhabited this Island. It is presently Lost in the Mists of Time, but then so are we. It could be persuaded to join us on this plane of existence."

"How persuaded?"

"The Jade Palace is a living entity..."

"Figures. With a mind of its own?"

"Indubitably. It must needs be bribed somehow. Perchance with goodly promises of being restored to its former glory."

"Great. On which page do I find Bribery and Goodly Promises?"

"I do not recall any such Spells, but you can try summoning the Spirit
of the Jade Palace. Spell to be found on page 57."

"Ah. Page 57. How To Rid Oneself of Warts?"

"Oh, dear. Page 75?"

"Here we go. Summoning the Spirit of the Jade Palace. Good."

"Why is everything backwards, these days?"

"By the Power vested in me as the Sorcerer of this Island, I request
you, O Spirit of the Jade Palace, to appear!

"By the Power vested in me as the Sorcerer of this Ring, I request you,
O Spirit of the Jade Palace, to appear!

"By the Power vested in me as the Sorcerer of this Staff, I request you,
O Spirit of the Jade Palace, to appear!

"There! Is that enough? I hope! This Spirit needs a lot of requesting.... And he or she is not appearing!"

"Do not concern yourself unduly. She must needs appear. It just takes Time. It has been many centuries since anyone has requested her appearance, and it is a bit discombobulating when... Ah! Is that a
Spirit that I see before me?"

"Water!"

"Er. Um. Yes. You want a glass of water?"

"No. A cup of dust."

"Er. Here. Here's a Sports bottle, with some glacier water."

"My most gracious thanks, Your Elevated Lordship. Hmmm. Glacier water? Where did you acquire such an item?"

"I went out early this morning and melted it off a glacier myself. Are you the Spirit of the Jade Palace?"

"I have that unfortunate designation, yes."

"Why unfortunate?"

"Because the Jade Palace is a dump, that's why."

"Well, We are here to fix that. We require a Residence fit for Our Elevated Majesty, and as you can see, if you would kindly direct your gaze beyond your drink, We are surrounded by nothing but ocean, sand and palm trees. All nice in themselves, you understand, but hardly fit for Us to live in. The Jade Palace may be a dump now, but it is Our official residence, or so this Spirit has assured me. Therefore, if it would be so kind as to appear, We would see to its refurbishment.... Hello? Hello? Are you awake?"

"Well.... You just said a mouthful. Did you mean any of it?"

"All of it."

"I will repair to the Jade Palace upon this instant and persuade it to journey here posthaste."

"Make it so!"

"Done!"

"Uh... Chief?"

"Yeah, Jim?"

"Who was that speaking just now? Didn't sound quite like you."

"Well it was. Just my Sorcerer of the Island persona. Didn't think ordinary little Blair Sandburg was going to get anywhere with HER!"



************************************************


"Chief. You are not ordinary. And as for little... well, that's a
matter of perspective. Remember."

"Thanks, Jim. But I think I impressed her enough to get the Jade Palace
here. Posthaste. That's the important thing. Hey? Where are we going to
put it?"

"Put it?"

"Yeah. Mom? Where would be a good spot? What place has a good aura? Try
out your Feng Shui here."

"The Jade Palace used to be on that hill, if my memory serves me. Which
it has not been doing lately."

"The hill would be good. Good view of the bay. Lots of sunlight. Mom?"

"I am getting a good feeling about the hill, Sweetie."

"Well, if we put it there, what about the trees and everything? We can't
have a huge palace land on top of all the living beings there. O Spirit.
Can we move the trees and everything else living there to another place,
so they'll be safe."

"Even the insects?"

"Even the worms."

"I don't know. I've never heard such an action proposed. We could try."

"Yes. We. Everyone. Let's get together on this, and devise our own
Spell. Then perhaps add it to The Book."

"You are going to be a very interesting Sorcerer. With you around, I
never know what is going to happen next."

"Thanks, Spirit."

"Yeah. That's my Chief."


***********************************************



"Whoa! Hold on one damned minute here, Chief! You are going to create your first Spell? Here and now? When you've only been a Sorcerer for less than a day? And you're going to move all the living things in that huge area to some other part of the Island? And you're going to do it with Naomi's help? With me sitting right here in firing range? Are you crazy? Or do you think I am? Do you think I want a load of worms up my ass? Well?"

"Man! Jim! I don't think I've ever heard so many questions from you in such a short space of time."

"Well, I've never been in danger of being smothered by bugs before."

"I won't smother you with anything, Jim. Have some faith. We'll do this very carefully. Start small and work up. Let's try moving that tree first."

"Fine. You find a shovel. I'll look for a new place to plant it."

"Oh, man. Such trust."

"Well he does have a point, Daddy Blair."

"Et tu, Brute?"

"My name's Serendipity, Daddy."


"Right. Here we are. A spell of Protection Against ye Magick. I can place this spell over everyone, so no one will get any worms up their ass. How's that sound? Then there's a Spell For the Boxing and Carting of Heavy Objects. And... let's see, a Spell For the Gathering of Many and Divers Objects Into One Place Entirely. Hmmm. A Spell For the Preservation of Life and Health. I think we have all we need here. So why don't you go into the cave. I'll set the Protection Spell over it, and then I'll do the rest.... Well... get a move on, we don't have all day!"

"I'll stay here with you, Chief. I'll be okay."

"Me too, Daddy."

"I'm okay here, Honey."

"Just give us a moment to jump back into the Bay and regain our former
sizes."

"Cheep."

"Cheep."

"Squawk!"

"Well... that's great. Okay, if none of you are leaving... on with the
Big Move."


*********************************************



"Salutations, O my Lord and Master. I bring Good Tidings. The Jade
Palace will arrive within a few moments."

"Thanks, O Spirit of the Jade Palace. You done good. We're all ready. See, We have the foundations cleared. All the trees etc. have been carted off and artistically arranged elsewhere."

"Hmmm. Not bad. Ah, here comes my charge now. Just place yourself there, Jade. They have prepared your old home for you. Well... what do you think, O my Master?"

"I think that you seriously understated the condition of My home. 'Dump' doesn't even come close. Jim? Jim? Don't faint on me here. Jim-Love? Can you hear me? Speak to me, Jim!"

"S-S-S-Sandburg?"

"He's alive!"

"Chief? Can you see that? It's... it's -- FILTHY!"

"Top marks for your observational skills. You must be a Detective, or something."

"And the smell! And I can hear things... moving around. Small... scratchy... things...."

"Okay, Jim. We get the picture. What do you think we should do about it?"

"Do about it? Do about it? We're going to clean the dump out, of course. What do you think we're going to do about it?"

"Well, I had to ask."

"O Spirit, how did the Jade Palace ever fall into such a state of... disrepair?"

"You mean squalor, don't you, Chief?"

"Yeah, how did the Jade Palace ever fall into such a state of squalor?"

"It's a long story."

"You can tell it to us while we clean this... hovel out. And in the meantime, does anyone know where to buy mouse traps around here?"

"Mouse traps!!!"

"Yes. And rat traps would be good, too. Don't start with me, Chief. We are not going to share our home with the entire rat population of... what was that town the Pied Piper led the rats away from?"

"Hamlin."

"Right. Well, they all came here!"

"You know what we need, Guys? A cat!"


***************************************************


"I could try to clean the Jade Palace by magic. There must be a cleaning spell in here somewhere."

"Forget it, Chief. Here's where I put my foot down. I'd rather trust my own cleaning skills. Besides, you've done enough today. Just try whipping up some cleaning supplies, and leave the rest to me."

"Okay, you're the boss here. I'll see about that cat, though. O Spirit? Can I magic up a cat?"

"A living cat from the plane of ordinary existence, no, since we are
hidden in Time. But a Spirit Cat from the Spirit Realm, yes."

"A Spirit Cat? Could it catch mice and rats?"

"Of course. The Spell for summoning one is on page 98, I believe."

"Page 98. How to Boil Water Without the Aid of Fire. I know. I know. Page 89. How to Summon a Spirit Cat to Your Succor. O Spirit Realm, Send to Me a Spirit Cat to My Succor, That She Mayst Keep My Home Free of Mice and Other Pests."

"Prrrp. Peep, meow, prrrp."

"Hello. What's your name?"

"Prrp. Prrp peep prrrp!"

"Ah. Her name is Danielle, and she just joined the Spirit Realm from
Middle Earth. This is her first assignment."

"Middle Earth, Chief?"

"Our former plane of existence, before we became hidden in Time. Am I right, Spirit?"

"Yes. We are now inhabiting the Spirit Realm."

"Well, let's introduce Danielle to her new job, Jim."

"Okay, Danielle. See that big green house? Well, it's full of mice and rats. Go get 'em, Girl!"

"Prrrrrrrp! Chchchchchchch."

"Wow! I don't think I've ever seen anyone move so fast!"

"Me neither, Chief. Those mice won't know what hit them."



*************************************************


"What do you hear, Jim?"

"I hear a lot of squeaking, a lot of running feet, a lot of pouncing and growling -- the Terror of the Jade Palace, that's what Danielle is!"

"Yawn. Oh boy. I'm getting tired again.... Thanks, Jim. Mmmm. Good tea. I think I'll just put my head in your lap for a few minutes, and... snnooorre."

"I wonder if my whole life's going to be like this, from now on?"

"Prrrrp?"

"Oh. Hello, Danielle."

"Prrrrp!"

"What? All the mice gone already?"

"Prrp!"

"Good job. Now I can start cleaning. Want to come along?"

"Prrrrrrrrp."

"Hmmm. Where do we start? The whole place is a mess. Might as well start at the front and work our way back."

"Prrrp."

"Hey, this is nice. I have someone who agrees with everything I say."

"Prrrrrrrp."



*************************************************



"Okay, Danielle, this is going to be a big job."

"Prrrrp?"

"No, no. This is wonderful, and I can't wait to get started. But who knows when we'll be finished. I just wish there was an easier way to get some of the big stuff out of the way. Like the floors. They're so filthy. If we had one of those industrial floor cleaning machines... but that takes electricity. Too much to ask Blair for right now. Hey, wait a
minute.... Blair? Chief?"

"Mmmm? Wha'? Jim? Wha's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, Chief. I just want to get started on the Palace, so we can have a roof over our heads tonight. Could you just do one little thing for me, then you can sleep. I'll make it up to you tonight. Promise."

"O-kay. Wha' d'ya want?"

"Just some cleaning supplies, a long piece of heavy tubing, and some heavy industrial tape."

"Okay. Lesee. The Spirit of the Ring said this was easy. I just concentrate on what I want for inanimate objects like that. There! That good?"

"Great, Chief. Go back to sleep now. When you wake up, we can start furnishing our new home."

"Let's start with the bedroom."

"Good idea.... Hey, Moby Dick? Could you help me with something?"

"LIKE WHAT?"

"Oh, this should be fun. If we tape this tubing to your blow hole, and you spout water through it, I could clean the floors in the Jade Palace a lot faster.... Why are you looking at me like that?"


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Chapter Four

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