The Orb & Prince Asper

By Bynum Westmoreland

The Orb & Prince Asper (2nd book of series) continues the story of delightful fantasy. It furthers the tale of a boy made parentless. The infant grows up as ward of Trapunto and Nunsin, as told in The Orb & Ward Asper. Lucid dreams tell of his ‘real parents’ in a penal colony. Now anointed Prince Asper, he lurches forward on his ‘teen venture’ as prescribed by custom with his fervent goal: locate his long-interred mother and father.
A year younger than other boys doing a teen venture, Asper insists he travel alone. However, Prince Dullard, a year late in starting and afraid to go alone, begs Asper to travel in disguise, giving Dullard full credit. Priest King Trapunto overrules and the two depart, walking toward the dreaded Penal Valley.
Asper concocts a cover story that he and Dullard represent a wealthy merchant. Kingsman, a fourth-generation Freeman of the Penal Valley, cushions the boys’ arrival and assists them during their visit.
The boys are wandering across the valley when a horned bull attacks Dullard. Driving away the beast, Asper carries him to a farmhouse. Unknown to them, the residents are Asper’s biological parents, the Falconers. They treat Dullard’s wounds and put Asper to work.
Asper discovers a mystical cavern, haunted by supernatural spirits. The High Mogul proclaims the cave as ‘a holy vault’ and rightful property of the Vigilante High Council. At a special service, he rewards Asper. Brazenly, Dullard steals the sacred jewels.
Asper contours his face, appearing as Dullard, and heads for the perilous mountains, intent on escaping by traversing the cruel peaks. As he departs, Mrs. Falconer excitedly discovers a tattoo on Asper’s arm, matching that on her husband’s arm.
The fanciful saga continues. Princess Giddy joins Prince Asper to cross the mountains and visit the Penal Valley. Giddy’s relentless effort to snare Asper as ‘her man’ highlights the book’s surprising conclusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483564494

Book preview

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SUMMER – The SEASON for GROWING

{ about Two years later }

- - -

Mad Father, Tart Mother, Dumb Brother, Smitten Sister!

You cannot begin to believe how furious King Papa is with ‘the dull one!’ Wait until I tell you all about it. Giddy said brightly. She had entered Lady Gadabout’s home and now helped her aging friend to remove and fold garments taken from a clothesline. I have not seen King Papa that angry since ‘the dull one’ stole the gold and silver from the Abbey’s basement vault and gave it to the Gypsy chief so he could go for a ride with their caravan. She looked at Asper who had slowly followed her. She waved him to hurry, and said to Lady Gadabout, Don’t you remember? Dull Dullard paid the Gypsy to give him a ride to wherever the caravan was going. They would still be gone if…

Yes, my young Miss Giddy, I do remember all about Dullard and Asper being ‘stolen by the Gypsies.’ And I recall how angry your father was. I also remember how he sent Kingsman to rally Vigilantes throughout the Realm to chase down the Gypsies and rescue your two brothers. And yes, I do remember how he swore that if even one Gypsy were ever again to enter Abbeville he personally would hang him by their thumbs and watch the crows pluck off their ears.

Gypsies are such bad people, Giddy added.

Perhaps, Miss Giddy! However, you will no doubt remember that I come from Gypsy stock. Lady Gadabout laughed, So in your mind, that makes me an evil one. Right?! She glared at Giddy, laughed, and said, So since your brothers were captured by the evil Gypsies and traveled far away into the mystical land of Shiptown, it now seems your turn. Again she laughed, Giddy child, step into my parlor, I have magic candy to give you. Another laugh, Then off to the prison stump at the rear of my property where you once were held captive by you own flesh and blood.

It was that same evil Dullard who tricked me to hide in the stump, Giddy frowned, and then brightened, Besides Lady G, you are different! Giddy turned, Asper, hurry up. You come here! Lady Gadabout wants to hear your words about Dullard’s trouble.

I shall listen to you first, mouthy Miss Princess Giddy. You started the tattling, so you can finish it. Then if I feel a need to listen to Asper’s golden words, I will be the one to decide and do the asking without your interference. Lady Gadabout’s glare caused Giddy to step back, bump into Asper who smirked; she rewarded him by jabbing from her elbow into the ribs.

Yes Lady Gadabout. Giddy walked to a wooden stool kept especially for visitors and sat, put her tiny hands in her lap, brushed invisible dust from her skirt, picked up a blouse and folded it. She waiting for Asper to select as his seat a box where Lady Gadabout keep firewood ready for use in her beehive oven, Last year, Dullard was slated to leave on his ‘teen venture;’ he was fifteen then. That was the deadline for starting this experience. He faked being sick for so long that King Papa forgot all about it.

No! No! No, Giddy that is not quite right. Dullard asked King Papa to hold off a year so I could go with him. Asper proudly claimed, I am now over fourteen. I could go alone and by myself but Dullard needs my protection. Giddy frowned at ‘alone’ and ‘by myself.’ Asper continued, I would have gone last year but custom makes me to wait until I am fourteen. He leapt off the wood box, snatched a too-large log from the pile, and thrust it into the fire, causing sparks to fly.

Giddy leapt aside, brushed the glowing ashes from her dress. Lady Gadabout frowned and spat, Asper, how many times have I told you to be careful? Though her words sounded harsh, her voice revealed her admiration for this teenager’s yearning to become as a manly citizen of the Realm and beyond.

Sorry about that! Asper replied, Others boys go alone on their teen venture. I should too! He sat again in the wood box, staring into the blaze of the open oven and said, Perhaps I will go with Dullard as his bodyguard. He is the heir apparent to the throne and he deserves to receive my protection. And guidance!

For generations teenage boys of the Realm ventured on an undefined mission. During their coming-of-age trip, they would mature and become a responsible citizen. The normal age for going was fifteen years; the daring ones went when a year younger and people praised them for it. Most chose to travel alone, although some joined with close friend. Upon returning, those going solo were highly rewarded, receiving a large copper medal to celebrate this venture. Those going in groups received a part of the medal, physically split and divided among the individuals. Most felt belittled by this, receiving scorn from those going solo. The signal for starting was the day when the hours of darkness equaled the hours of daylight. Some called it the spring solace. Others called it the first day of the spring season.

After we return with Dullard getting full credit for his teen trip, then I will leave, this time alone and do an extended venturing trip and get my own medal.

Giddy said, Lady G, I will keep Asper’s medal safely worn around my neck.

Good! That is what we will do! Asper exclaimed.

Asper, you didn’t hear everything said today! Giddy glared at Asper, Dullard wants you to go solo but not as Prince Asper. He wants you to mimic his face as you leave and when you return so he can get the credit and the award. While you are away, he plans to hideaway in the belfry room.

Better still! Asper shouted, I get to make two teen trips, going alone on both.

Now I understand why Priest King Trapunto is furious. Lady Gadabout said, turning and speaking to her parrot, Bycrackie who sat on her shoulder. Very quietly, she whispered to the bird. He is ashamed to admit to himself that his first son is a coward.

Big coward! Dirty coward! Dirty! Dirty! Bycrackie squawked so loudly that Lady Gadabout shooed her off her shoulder and casually swatting with her walking stick but missed.

So what did Priest King Trapunto finally say? Lady Gadabout knew that Trapunto seldom left any decision hanging without a resolve. He alleged that instant action was the best way to rule a kingdom. However, his abruptness without serious thought and analysis often added to his problems.

He called for my Asper. Giddy looked deeply at Asper and beamed, And King Papa asked Asper if he was ready to go a venturing. And Asper said…

Lady Gadabout abruptly cut her off with a wag of her finger. Prince Asper, does your adopted sister Giddy tell the truth? And if so, what was your response to the question put to you by Priest King Trapunto.

Yes, Lady Gadabout. My sister most always tells the truth. He hung his head down; apparently recalling that only a moment earlier he had scolded Giddy for holding back the entire story. Asper shook his shoulders like a dog shaking water from its hair. I was excited by this order and told King Papa that I was ready to leave today and go in any direction he chose. Joy slipped from his face and he grew saddened, I thought he was telling me to go solo. I agreed to mimic Dullard’s face if I could go solo and Dullard would get credit for doing his teen venture.

Asper, sometimes you make me as angry as King Papa gets. Why must you always be covering up for ‘the dull one’ like he was better than you.

He is better! He is prince of the Realm. I am but the Abbey’s ward. One day I will become his Kingsman and that is reward enough for me to expect.

He is not better! He is stupid! You are smarter than any other teenage man anywhere. And you are not the Abbey’s Ward; you are Prince Asper. Why won’t you get that through your thick skull?

She seems to admire you, young Prince Asper Ward. Lady Gadabout laughed aloud, followed by Bycrackie’s squawks. And she is right, though she is but twelve. You are by far the smartest and best qualified of all young men of the Realm. It is time you realize this and act aptly. She glared at him and shook her finger. Giddy ran and hugged his neck.

King Papa ordered that Dullard and I go together. So I agreed to take Dullard with me and do all the things that I usually do to protect him. Asper stopped talking; actually hoping that one of the women would speak. Neither did. I really did want to go alone.

Giddy appeared perplexed and asked, If alone where would you go? Lady Gadabout nodded, showing she also wanted this question answered.

He looked calm and said, I would go through the East Brutal Gorge to the Penal Colony. There I would live and explore this entire valley I have heard so much about.

Lady Gadabout asked, Why ever would you go there? Sensing Asper’s hesitation, she added, My endeared Asper, my lips are sealed. Tell me. Then seeing Giddy’s expression, she said, Tell the both of us!

Asper ducked his head and answered shyly, There I will find my real parents.

Lady Gadabout gasped, dropping the clothes she was folding, Why do you believe your parents are living there?

His eyes gleamed, A Pixie told me.

A Pixie? Really!? Asper, would you lie to us? Giddy exclaimed. I saw the glint in your eyes; you are thinking of a female Pixie tart. Right?!

Asper grinned, nodded and said, I have also heard from others who say my real parents live in the Penal Colony? Giddy released his arm, covering her mouth with one hand. With the other hand, she motioned for Asper to explain.

Lady Gadabout said, If they are still alive. It has been a long time, over fourteen years. She looked first at Giddy and then at Asper, My precious son, where did you learn this?

Partly through my nightly dreams, Asper paused, The Chief of the Pixies streaked my forehead when I lay in the treetop. Lady Gadabout, you told me about that. We know the Pixies streaked Giddy after she saved them from Dullard. She and I are members of their commune. Perhaps you are too, my lady. Lady Gadabout nodded, yes.

Go on, Asper! Giddy demanded, "Get back to the story about your real parents.

I dream often. He said, Some dreams are scattered; most of them are. But some are vivid, like I am actually there. In my dream, I often see my real parent’s home.

Do you have these strange dreams when you are asleep in the Abbey? Giddy prodded.

Not exactly! Asper paused, Lady Gadabout motioned, followed more forcefully by Giddy’s exaggerated gesture, Ok! I confess! People think me crazy! I use the teachings of the Blind Organ Grinder who everyone knows is a bit crazy. The women listened quietly, He taught me to see with my eyes closed. Giddy gasped. I said you would find this crazy.

Not at all my son. Lady Gadabout said, How do you think I arrange to meet with The Orb of Rondure? She smiled at Giddy who mouthed and motioned for Asper to continue.

Asper continued, I sit on a rock where the hot springs cascade toward the bottom of the canyon. I stare into the vapors. I learned this technique from the Blind Organ Grinder when I was but a young boy. Asper held his hands against the temples of his head, swayed from side to side and chanted, I see my real parent’s yard and their stable and their new house with its water well with windless and bucket attached by a rope. I see clothes hanging on the line and chickens and their prize cattle. They have hand tools and a water barrel. There are dogs lying about waiting for day-old bread soaked in clabber and two mighty falcons perched on my real fathers arm. He trains them like I train parrots. Except for swaying, Asper sat motionless, staring skyward until the women prod for him to return his thoughts to them. He abruptly jerked alert, cleared his throat, So from these dreams, I will know what to look for when I do my valley walkabout."

You know what their farm looks like. Do you know what your real parents look like? Giddy asked. Asper shook his head, ‘no.’

- - -

Priest King Trapunto was pleased when hearing Giddy’s telling of the long meeting between Asper, Lady Gadabout and herself. It clarified a salvo of gossip. The confusion began right after the meet; Bycrackie had flown to the Abbey and screeched, Hark, hark, hark, Asper will again save Dullard from shame and being chewed by the Pixies. The king had not heard the parrot.

Hindsister did hear Bycrackie’s chattering. She ran and told Queen Nunsin, Oh! What news comes my way? I shall tell. The two princes have once again saved each other from harm’s way. Sadly, Hindsister’s mind was failing. Though she was keenly alert and easily excited, her memory was almost zero. For safety, Mother Superior vetoed her freedom to wander alone outside of the Abbey. Unless touring with someone - usually Dullard - Hindsister spent her time in a small alcove of the Abbey where her needlepoint was the most delicate known anywhere in the Realm. Dullard teased her but walked with her anywhere she wanted, especially to the kitchen to pluck pastry from the pan while still hot. Oddly, she coveted his attention, calling him either, ‘my son prince’ or ‘my sun prince.’ The nuns chatted about which she meant.

Queen Nunsin knew Hindsister’s account was garble, so she talked with the parrot and reported to Priest King Trapunto, And so it seems Lady Gadabout once again has decided for you what your two sons should do. Her emphasis was on ‘your’

After returning from Lady Gadabout’s home, Giddy vouched for her mother’s claim by telling her King Papa that the two boys - ‘her man’ and ‘the dull one’ - would happily obey their father’s orders and go together on their teen venture.

Trapunto excitedly shouted for Kingsman. After waiting three enraging hour for him to return from his pasturelands, he ordered Kingsman to organize a trip to ‘my most fertile valley’ for the two boys. Priest King Trapunto detested calling his prime farm area, the ‘Penal Colony.’

Trapunto’s last words as Kingsman rushed to do his bidding were, The boys can take turns riding on the Sisters Taxi. Everyone else knew that the Sisters had long ago dissolved their taxi business; Hindsister was physically incapable. Foresister was too busy with her love life; she spent every hour she could muster with Kingsman, helping with his heavy work and speaking for him when he choked to find the right words. Kingsman nodded at Trapunto and then shrugged, telling Queen Nunsin that he would find another transport for the boys.

- - -

Kingsman found Asper working at the local shingle mill. Guidance from Blind Organ Grinder had inspired Asper to hire himself to any shop that would pay basic wages. He learned fast; word spread quickly, getting him invites to ‘try another trade, young Ward Asper.’ Asper told Lady Gadabout that one day he would own many different shops and that she could visit any she wished and pick whatever she wanted without paying. She had told him it was foolish for a business to give away its wares. Reluctantly, Asper agreed.

At the shake and shingle mill, cedar logs were cut into short lengths by a one-man saw. Then a splitter-man split the wood blocks, using a froe axe, which he struck with a mallet. The pieces of wood, called shingles or shakes that fell away were stacked for several months, letting them to dry. Asper had the job of ‘run-boy’ who picking up the cuttings as they fell from the froe ax, loading them firmly on his arms, charging to the drying area, stacking them quickly and returning on the run before the next bundle was too large to carry. The run-boy was pushed to hurry for he must gather up any fallen pieces on his own time after the lone splitter-man went to lunch and at the end of the day.

Shakes and shingles were in great demand. People used shingles to cover the roofs of adobe and sandstone buildings. The shake, which was thicker than the shingle, made up the frame for barrels, buckets and kegs. Often Asper had ridden on the oxcart carrying shakes to a barrel factory in a village about three leagues away. He had been fascinated watching the cooper-man form a new barrel, and how the shakes were loosely held in place until a narrow metal band was pushed around them, fixing them firmly into place and a round wooden lid was pressed into the top and bottom openings.

At dusk the splitter-man dropped his froe axe and mallet. After he left, Kingsman walked to Asper, helping him gather the remaining shingles. Together they carried the last of the pieces to the stacking yard. Well young Asper Ward sir, I bring you bad news, he told Asper, Priest King Trapunto has ruled that I may not drive you to the Penal Farms in a wagon. You must find your own way. He expected a groan from the teen.

So much the better! Asper grinned, It will be well worth the trouble just to hear Dullard complain about having to walk.

Kingsman laughed heartedly, slapping Asper on the back and said, Well sir, perhaps I can get you a ride on the manure wagon. On the Realm’s lands, farmers raised horses, donkeys, cattle, goats and sheep. Farm crops were not grown for the soil was rocky and too poor a quality. Grass grew naturally amongst the rocks where animals grazed during all seasons except winter. During this ‘off season’ hay was hauled from the Penal Colony where it was left over after the thrashing of wheat and barley. On the return trip, the oxcart was loaded with manure from the Realm’s livestock and hauled to the Penal Colony to enriching the field for the growing of grains and vegetables.

We will walk and stop at any shop or mill we come to. Asper stated, and I will get a job to buy food and lodging for Dullard and me. It is the way a teen venture should be done.

Kingsman nodded his agreement and then said, Well sir, if you don’t tell King Trapunto, I will let you know when the prison wagon makes a run with the latest crop of Indenture Slaves headed for the penal farms. Kingsman grinned, his missing teeth showing, For a copper coin or bottle of sweet wine, the driver may let you hitch a ride. A secret sign verified Asper vow of secrecy. Since a youngster, Asper and Kingsman were sworn friends. At first, it was just a game but then evolved into a way of flashing signals known only by the two of them. Asper withheld telling Dullard; the older boy had seen but had never deciphered their signals. Giddy eventually decoded their ploy and bribed her way into their secret club under threat of telling Dullard, King Papa and Mom Queen.

- - -

Asper slept fitfully that night. At hearing the first crowing of the cock rooster, he leapt to sitting erect on his low bed. Sweat covered his face and he shook with fright. His mouth flew open to usher a scream but at the last moment, his newly found masculinity blocked the sound, reaffirming his zealous belief that real men must stay calm and unruffled.

However, he did talk but to himself, Not again! This dream held him in the confines of a great nest in the top of a giant tree. Pixies surrounded him, feeding and coddling. About noon, a huge creature appeared at the edge of the nest and crawled menacingly toward him. The awful creature grasped him away from the Pixies, argued with them and then threw him over the edge. He fell and fell to crash far below where two strange creatures were waiting, their hands extended with massive claws pointing upward to impale him.

Rising and wandering to Lady Gadabout’s home, Asper told her the dream. I have had this dream a thousand times. It is always the very same. I know it is untrue. I did not fall. You lugged me down the tree and then handed me to Foresister. All the while Hindsister looked on. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed deeply as Lady Gadabout had taught him to do when stressed.

Lady Gadabout continued the story, It is the story of me climbing the tree and bringing you down and of us riding to the Abbey atop the sister’s taxi. Your dream is true. It happened.

I know! He looked fondly at her as he sipped hot sweet milk laced with chocolate she had handed him in an earthen mug. So why do my dreams scramble the truth?

Perhaps it is because you are too smart for your own good. Asper stared at her. He felt shock from her words; usually she was sweet and caring. I mean: you think for yourself. You are all the time thinking of new things to do, new jobs to work at, new places to visit, new words to say. New silent signals! She grinned, So why not ‘scramble your dreams?’ It seems to fit.

Sloshing the hot milk, he barked at her, then smiled shyly, There is nothing new about falling from the nest to the rocks below and awaking in a sweat; scared half out of my skin.

You are right. I am sorry for the way I spoke. They sat looking quietly at each other. A breeze ruffled Bycrackie’s feathers, causing her to curse. This jolted Lady Gadabout to say, Asper, during the dream perhaps you should awake before the evil woman throws you out of the nest. Perhaps you should grow yourself to double huge and carry this old woman down the tree to safety.

He looked at her in astonishment, Yes! Yes! I like that! I will; I will do it! Asper gulped the last of the hot chocolate, handed the mug back to Lady Gadabout, nodding for a refill and gloomily said, How can I stop a dream in mid-stream? I do not know I am dreaming until I awake. So how to stop something before I know about it?

From her silence, it was obvious that Lady Gadabout did not have the answer. It was also obvious that The Orb of Rondure did not have the answer when they met at the next breaking of the dawn. However, The Orb of Rondure did have a quickly formed answer for he could always conjure an answer.

Old woman, why do you bother me with such fool subjects? The Orb growled, If I am not mistaken, young Ward Asper has the ability to see things in the far distance with his eyes closed. Right!? He spun his dome around twice, getting Asper’s attention and spat, The Blind Organ Grinder taught you. Right? He calmed and whispered, What if I told you that this blind man teaching you was really me in disguise? Or vice versa! Whichever! Who knows?

Yes sir, I can see faraway things with my eyes closed when I am with the Blind Organ Grinder but not when I am away from him. He hung his head and then brightened, But then I am still learning. Someday, perhaps… Asper heard the first question, not the second.

Weren’t you listening? The Orb of Rondure asked, a fuming sound coming from deep within his dome. A voice laced with puzzlement emerged, As I inferred, perhaps it is the other way around? More fuming came, And the Blind Organ Grinder is the real one and I am just your mind's eye run amuck? More fuming came. Decide for yourself. Take your own sweet time, use years if needed but you decide for yourself. That is the only meaningful way!

Yes sir. Asper’s next words came as a stutter, What if I need help?

So then, young Ward Asper, go talk with the foolish Pixies. They are mystics and may know about mystical beings and may be able to convert you into a mystical being and from this you may find your own answers and not have the need to bother me with such trivia. His voice started softly and grew to shouting.

Yes sir.

Then in a growl directed to Lady Gadabout, Teach him to be a sensible man, not a skirt-clinging pansy. With a puff of smoke, The Orb with his cat clinging atop the dome vanished.

- - -

So you want into Mystic School? The Chief Pixie said to Asper with Lady Gadabout listening and watching. It is not as easy as Lady G promised you. Without waiting for his response, You will be plunged into a new world below the water’s surface with its many weird and strangely bizarre creatures. Some will entertain, some will be unbelievable, and some will frighten beyond words. The eager to teach Pixie chief paused and smiled at Asper, "If you survive - most mortals don’t - you will be more prepared for the world of lurid dreams than…Unable to think of the right word to say, he scratched his beard.

Yes sir! I am ready to plunge, Asper turned to Lady Gadabout and motioned for her to join him to laugh at his humor.

From all directions, a rumbling came and grew louder as it approached, surrounding and engulfing. A brief silence came when even the birds became quieted, followed by a menacing burst. Asper gasped aloud then gasped for breath until curiously he faded away into space. Lady Gadabout was gone. The Pixie chief was gone. He was alone and deep under water. The fear puncturing his body exceeded any terror he had ever known or could imagine. Logic told him: ‘you cannot breathe under water; thus you will drown.’ Yet he was breathing while underwater.

In front of him and emerging in every direction: right and left and ahead and behind and above and below, he sensed being suspended in an environment of vapor, which smelled of lilacs and populated by women clad in stylized vapors of multiple colors, ebbing and flowing, glowing and shimmering, waving for him to follow.

Gentle fish swam by ignoring him. Asper reached out and stroked their silvery bodies. An electric eel circled, rubbing against him. Asper watched his own skin glowing. His serenity was shattered when a monster - its mouth flashing a hooked beak - charged then flared and fled in defeat when the glow of Asper’s electrified skin banished him into a whirl of scales.

The rumbling came again and then a burst of noise. Asper faced not creatures of the sea but odd demons of the sky. Again, the rumbling came and another burst; he faced not demons of the sky but demon like earth creepers. Again, the rumbling and then yet another burst and Asper faced not creepers of the earth but delights of the mist. He thought ‘one for three’ isn’t all that bad. The fourth promises beauty! he cried aloud; no one heard.

He opened his eyes wide, seeing Lady Gadabout looking back at him. The Pixie Chief laugh and clapped, motioning for food and drink be brought to them. A dozen Pixies obeyed. He asked, So, young Prince Aspergil where have you been these last million years.

Asper was speechless, and then following Lady Gadabout’s emphatic gesture, he said, I saw Giddy as she will appear twenty years from now. He beamed broadly, She is beautiful!

That figures, does it not? We give you a series of thirty-year lessons about living and learning unavailable anywhere else in the inner-world or in the outer-world for that matter. All you learn is that mature women are beautiful. Lady Gadabout laughed.

A man is a man! spoke the Pixie Chief’s woman, Oh that all men everywhere would be real men, drawn to a woman’s virtues instead of lusting only and foolishly for her young body.

The Orb said to make you into a ‘sensible man, not a skirt-clinging pansy.’ I wonder if this is what he had in mind. Lady Gadabout said through her snide laughter. You will not be a skirt clinger; I am sure about this. But about being ‘sensible,’ I am not all that sure. Her expression brightened and she jumped to her feet, ran to Asper and hugged him, saying, Oh, my handsome Asper, my endeared son. What a man you are becoming!

Wait! Wait! Asper cried aloud, It is happening again. I cannot stop its happening! He seemed to fade from their eyes and in his place emerged a demented vision of The Orb of Rondure. The cat upon its dome spat and frantically tried to pull free its feet. To their surprise, a strange voice sounding like Asper came from the depths of the image before them. In a whisper, The Orb spoke to the raging feline calming it to purring.

- - -

The land Asper entered was a land of strangeness and of far faraway place. It was a place pictured with nursery rhymes and children’s cartoons. There was excitement and danger, and sugarplums growing on thorn bushes. People danced and swam through air heavy with odor of flowers and leather being cured for shoes and clothing.

Asper landed softly. The sound of hammers driving nails into the heels of boots drew him. The shop housed a half-dozen tiny men and women working with children running all about.

None of the people wore shoes. For some, there were no visible feet or legs, only a swirl of vapor showing below their waist. This obscured their lower body, similar to a genie half-emerging from the reputed floating bottle. Seeing the elf-like people nailing heals, Asper said, All of you are barefooted! If no one wears shoes, why do you make shoes?

They replied, Oh, foolish child, we are not making shoes. We make boots especially styled for dancing on an enchanted bubble. Then noting the baffled look on Asper’s youthful face, in unison they chanted, Life is like dancing on a tinder bubble while keeping the hobnails of your boots from puncturing its tender skin.

Without awaiting his rebuttal, they handed him a bucket and told him to fetch water for the workers. Charging all about and finding no source of water Asper collapsed on a tiny stool, held his head between his hands and asking where he was and why he was here. And most importantly, what should he do next? Then recalling his task, he pled, Where is the well?

A tiny finger tapped him on the shoulder and whispered, causing a cat that had jumped into Asper’s lap and fallen asleep to jolt awake and snarl. The voice behind the finger asked, Are you going to work and eat? Or are you going to sit about and starve? Asper barely raised his head, looked around for the voice and heard, The water you were sent to fetch flows from the rock. You merely need to tap the code on the rock face to start the stream. But beware for the wrong code may bring you sour wine or bitter oil or curdled milk or…

Asper leapt, grabbed the bucket, ran to the only rock anywhere within sight, raised his clinched fist to knock and then froze in pantomime. The code! He screaked, What is the code to open the rock to get the water?

You seek the code of life? a feminine voice asked with sweetness and mockery riding the sound of her words. She was shorter that Asper, much older and sparkled with challenge.

I must open the rock and get water for the workers; it is my assigned duty. He heard his naïve answer as her laughter drowned his fragile esteem. He looked at a small factory. The workers had stopped - no doubt taking a break - each held a cup and drinking from it with gleeful smirks showing across their faces.

Seemingly oblivious to Asper’s dilemma, a voice said, My name is Giddy of Rondure, and then her soft voice asked, What is yours?

Mine is Ward of Abbey.

It is not! she snapped, You are Asper, the emerging one, the one to be, the one for me! She watched him stare at her and then continued, I am here to teach you the ways of all women. He gulped but stood frozen as she asked, What would you like to know about us women of the world?

Tell me! Where am I? he blurted.

That is not the question I sought. Giddy of Rondure said, mocking with classical teenage disgust. But I shall answer you anyway. She took a deep breath, still showing distaste for his boyish way. You are now under my spell. She covered her mouth to hide her smile and choked laugh. Your mission while in this mystical land of mysterious creatures is to do my bidding.

Is that the way of women? Asper gleefully asked, For men to do their bidding?

It is if the man - otherwise known as ‘boy’ - is stupid enough to be duped into such a foolish submission. She choked back her rebuke and firmly spoke, This older woman prefers for you to ‘know what you want’ and ‘to know how to get it.’ Perhaps that is too much to ask of a fourteen-year old child. I can only hope that with time, you will mature.

Know what I want? Asper gazed upward and shyly said, I think I know what I want. He then thought to himself, ‘I can only guess what I really want out of life. And from women, I don’t have a clue what I want.’ Then bravely he looked at the woman, As for how to get it, be good enough to tell me. He though this sounded reasonable. Mom Queen would have agreed. Lady Gadabout would have given him a long lecture and Hindsister would have cheered.

Disgusting! Giddy of Rondure snapped. A man who doesn’t know for sure what he wants and doesn’t have a clue of how to get it, she turned up her nose, is disgusting!

His bubble burst and Asper was again sitting with Lady Gadabout and the Chief of the Pixies. They smiled lovingly at him then shook their heads indicating that they had no insight about his recent ‘faraway experience.’

- - -

When Asper’s absence stretched to several days, the irate Queen Nunsin