The Return of Two of Deed-Book #5 in Bright Star Journals

By Byron Calhoun

Story number 5 of “Bright Star Journals” brings back Cousin Mercy Smithton, who first appeared in our previous book the “The Quickening” (book #4 of “Bright Journals”). You may want to read of Mercy’s previous adventures in Logoland in Book 4 of the “Bright Star Journals”. In this book (story #5), Mercy and her cousin Paul Fillingston enter into Logoland on horseback into winter. Once there, Mercy and Paul meet Firmgood the gnome. Princess Faith of Logoland has mysteriously disappeared. Her father, King Logosian the XIII is frantically searching for her. Mercy, Paul, and Firmgood must find the Princess Faith and return her to her father King Logosian and Logoland. Their adventure includes a perilous journey to Castle Dreadful to free Princess Katy. Come along and see how to rescue a princess while learning about true courage and character!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Byron Calhoun
• Release date: Oct 24, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310777257

Byron Calhoun

Dr Byron C. Calhoun, MD, has authored a previous non-fiction book on male infertility “When a Husband is Infertile: Options for the Christian Couple” through Baker books. He has also authored over 70 scientific medical research articles in the obstetric and gynecologic literature, presented over 100 scientific papers, participated in over 40 research projects, and has published numerous articles on medical and ethical aspects of obstetrics and gynecology. Dr Calhoun serves as Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the West Virginia University-Charleston. He began writing children’s stories for his own children; reading to them and incorporating their comments into the story lines. Dr Calhoun continues to actively practice medicine in high risk obstetrics, perform diagnostic obstetrical ultrasound, and participate in prenatal diagnosis counseling. Dr Calhoun and his wife, Kathryn, have 5 children, and, 2 lovely granddaughters.

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The Bright Star Journals Number 5

The Return Of Two of Deed

Byron C. Calhoun

Copyright 2015 by

Byron C. Calhoun

Smashwords Edition

Dedicated to my wife Kathryn, my children-Paul, Daniel, Joshua, Faith, Mercy, and my Lord Jesus Christ to whom I owe all. Soli Deo Gloria!

. . .whereunto ye do well that ye take head, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts. II Peter 1:19

The Bright Star Journals

Number 5

Chapter 1

Logoland revisited

Mercy Smithton and her cousin Paul Fillingston rode down the mulched trail on their horses. Mercy rode her own horse Star. Star was a lovely, lively appaloosa mare that Mercy adored. Paul sat on a large bay quarter horse gelding named Rusty. They cantered along the trail laughing and enjoying them selves. The wonderful spring air carried the sweet scent of flowers, grass and recent rain. Trees waved lazily in the breeze with green buds bursting forth on every limb. The path took a sharp turn to the left ahead through the overhanging trees. Neither of them could see what lay down the path. Both riders sharply reigned in their horses slowing their pace. Paul and Mercy rounded the corner ducking under the branches. Directly in front of the two riders, the path dissolved into a golden-blue wall.

Mercy pulled Star to an abrupt halt. Paul drew Rusty up short. They stared at the golden-blue wall in wonder.

What is that? asked Paul.

I’m not sure? returned Mercy in wonder. I’ve never seen this on the trail before. The color looks strangely familiar.

Where did this come from? wondered Paul out loud.

I say we ride into it, said Mercy with excitement in her voice.

Are you crazy? answered Paul incredulously. We don’t even know what it is and you want to ride into it?

It looks just like the golden-blue light of Logoland, said Mercy.

You mean Logoland? The Logoland of your story? questioned Paul.

The one and only, replied Mercy with a mischievous grin. You ready to go to Logoland?

I guess so, said Paul with a smile. Besides, we don’t have anywhere to be until dinner.

The two clap their heels to their horses’ flanks and rode into the golden-blue light. As they leapt through the wall of light, they felt a sharp blast of cold air. The horses landed on the other side of the wall onto a road covered with snow. Frigid air bit at their cheeks and their breath came in misty, swirling clouds. Snow whirled around them in a blinding storm. The two checked their mounts abruptly.

Where are we? wondered Paul in a cloud of breath.

In Logoland I think, answered Mercy.

They sat looking around the snow covered ground. The road wound dimly ahead over several hills. Tall trees lined the road like sentinels on guard towering over the riders. Several inches of snow sat like the white fluffy topping on a cream puff pastry on the tree limbs. The large limbs of the evergreens hung down weighted by the wet snow. A half-foot or more of snow covered the road they traveled upon. No other tracks appeared around them. An eerie silence, broken only by the occasional sound of the wind, surrounded them. The white world engulfed them as the snow swirled and eddied around them. It would be beautiful in any other setting.

Mercy looked at Paul and started in surprise. Paul sat in a cunningly wrought saddle of tooled brown leather with silver embossing. His bridle contained silver inlays and the bit hasps were made in the shape of a centaur. A large fur cap of white sat on his head. A cloak of dark blue covered his shoulders trimmed with white fur. His jerkin was spun of wool and dyed deep blue. With the jerkin, Paul wore heavy black leggings. On his hands were black, fur lined gloves. Over his feet were soft black leather boots.

Paul, look at our clothes! We are dressed for winter, exclaimed Mercy.

Mercy sat astride a beautiful brown leather saddle with golden trim. Her tooled bridle’s hasps looked like small birds. Her wool blue dress reached to her knees. A thick golden cloak draped over her shoulders held by a golden star clasp. Her hands were covered by soft, blue leather, fur lined gloves. On her feet were fur lined black leather boots as well.

What should we do now? inquired Paul as snow settled over his clothing. If we stay out in this we will be covered with wet snow!

Looks like we ride up the trail to see what we can find for shelter. Roads always lead somewhere, especially in Logoland, replied Mercy.

Do you think we need to worry about an ambush? asked Paul a bit anxiously.

With weather like this, I don’t think we need to worry much about meeting anyone. Besides, no birds can fly or see in this white out. There are no tracks in front or behind us. Let’s see where the road leads us, shared Mercy.

Do we go forward or backward, wondered Paul.

I say that forward is always the best. At least then you are moving toward something, said Mercy joking with Paul

Forward it is then, agreed Paul.

The two nudged their horses forward and started up the roadway. If not for the trees lining the roadside, they would have had trouble keeping to a path in the thick snow. It whirled and blew so much that they could barely see their way. Soon, the horses and their clothes were encrusted with a white layer of wet snow. The flakes fell in a thick, damp mass. These flakes were the type that created a thick blanket of snow quickly in a blizzard of white. In no time, the snow reached above the horse’s ankles. Both horses began to falter and tire.

We must dismount for a time or our horses won’t last, shouted Paul above the risingwind.

Okay, but the snow is getting deep and it will be slow going, yelled Mercy back to Paul.

Both children dismounted, set their faces into the wind, and plunged gamely onward. Paul with Rusty broke the trail for Mercy and Star. The big gelding bravely pushed on behind Paul but Paul knew the big horse was tiring. They must all find shelter before dark. Paul pushed forward another few hundred yards and saw something! It was a dim light on the side of the trail.

Mercy, there’s a light ahead. See it! shouted Paul eagerly to Mercy.

I do! Do you think we can get a place to stay there? questioned Mercy.

I can’t imagine anyone refusing help to travelers on a night like this, replied Paul.

Okay, but let’s be careful. Remember, we are not at home now and all the people in Logoland may not be our friends, Mercy cautioned.

It’s either that or we’ll freeze out here in the snow, returned Paul grimly.

The duo pushed onward down the trail toward the flickering light. They could barely see the yellow glow of the light in the pelting snow. Paul pushed on forward and reached the door of the cottage. In front of the door the snow was less deep due to an overhanging awning. It was also less windy with the cottage blocking the cold blasts of air. Paul shook the snow off his clothing and Mercy did the same.

I guess it is too late to turn back now, smiled Paul weakly.

We can’t stay out here, replied Mercy.

Here goes nothing, returned Paul.

Paul knocked loudly upon the door with his fist. They heard no movement and could not see inside the cottage clearly with all the snow and ice caked upon the windows. Both stood for some moments. Paul looked at Mercy and shrugged his shoulders. He turned to knock again. Suddenly, the door swung open.

Standing in the door filling it up, stood a burly gnome. He glared with fiery blue eyes under a bushy set of reddish eyebrows. Firmgood, the gnome, glanced from Mercy to Paul and back again.

What do ye want? Firmgood growled.

Please good sir, we seek shelter from the snow storm, pleaded Mercy.

And who would ye be? questioned Firmgood.

I am Mercy Smithton and this is my cousin Paul Fillingston, replied Mercy.

Did ye say Mercy Smithton? queried the gnome. Lady Mercy Smithton?

I have been called that previously, answered Mercy quietly, drawing herself up to her full 5 foot height.

Then ye be welcome to my humble home Lady Mercy and Lord Paul, answered the gnome with a graceful bow. Come in out of the beastly cold you two! Let me get you warmed up with some nice hot tea and some tasty biscuits.

Before we enter though we must stable our horses and get them warmed, pleaded Mercy.

Oh aye, let me put on me coat and boots. I’ll show ye the barn, replied the gnome.

He shut the door abruptly in their faces.

The two looked at each other questioningly. The door flew open again almost before they had time to think much. Firmgood stomped out the door in a warm bearskin coat with heavy leather boots up to his knees. On his head sat a bright red sort of hat which was a cross between a beret and tam-o’-shanter with a very red ball at the top. The children later learned a little, different colored hats and woolen balls denoted the different clans of gnomes.

Follow me. This storm’s a bad one and ye could get lost just tryin’ to get to the barn, shouted the gnome above the wind.

Paul, with Mercy, pulled on their horses’ reins and trudged after the gnome.

Paul shouted to Mercy, Grab Rusty’s tail and stay close. This snow is so bad you could lose me in it!

Paul could just make out Firmgood’s broad back in the blowing snow. After a short walk, a large barn loomed out of the darkness. The thick stone walls with heavy timbers looked like they would withstand a hurricane. Gnomes build cleverly with stone and some were masters with wood. Firmgood came from that sort of gnome. The barn actually had been built by his great-grandfather but Firmgood improved it with running water from the spring up the hill, a larger mow for hay, and a special set of pulleys with a large basket in the mow to move the hay down the chutes to feed the animals. He grabbed a small, flat shovel and quickly cleared the doors of snow. He pulled the massive wood doors open and a warm blast of air met them. The homey smells of animals, warmth, grain, and sweet hay met their noses. The horses pricked up their ears and whinnied with eagerness. Neither Rusty nor Star needed urging to get into this place!

Just let me light a lantern so’s we can see a bit, said Firmgood.

As he lit the lantern, the children saw multiple stalls of cows, kelso, and even a pony. The animals all made welcoming noises to Firmgood. The pony especially made high-pitched noises and ran to his stall door.

Ah ye daft little rascal Silky. What is all the noise about? grinned Firmgood. "I brought ye some friends to spend the night. Now, what are ye