Earth & Evermore: Courting Dreams

By John Consalvo

"Dreams are costly things. They must be guarded, not discarded. Most importantly, they must be fought for."

Courting Dreams delves deeper into the Earth and Evermore universe as the second installment of the saga, traversing anew the past, present and future of souls, questioning everything we think w

• Language: English
• Publisher: Earth & Evermore
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780578982533

Book preview

Earth & Evermore:

Courting Dreams

John Consalvo

EARTH & EVERMORE: Courting Dreams

Copyright © John Consalvo, 2021

All rights reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN: 000-0-00000-000-0

Contents

Twins 1

Welcome 47

Legend of Dyrebare 57

Haunting Fear & Doubt 69

Chained Forever 83

Her Majesty 105

Halfway There 129

Of Cleopatra 155

The Angelic and Demonic 165

Unveiling 181

All for Naught 219

The Coming Age 235

The Next Morning 243

About the Author 275

Chapter 1

Twins

I’m running. I know why, but I don’t really know. This jungle of massive leaves and raindrops seems familiar, and yet I’m not quite sure where I am. Something fearsome is approaching from behind, and I don’t have the heart to turn round— need to keep moving forward. The rain is hot and the small puddles gathering on the leaves are making it nearly impossible to run  through.

CHOP!

A machete in my left hand? Where did this come from? It feels like it has always belonged there, but—I am lost and sweating profusely. Need something to wipe down this brow. Over there, yes to my right, I see a dry leaf. That should do it. It’s not attached to anything, just at the base of one of these mammoth trees.

He picked up the dry leaf.

Oh, this is perfect. Who knew wiping my brow would feel this good? I feel like I have been sweating for ages. Man, I’m soaked. Wait a sec. What is this?

He turned the leaf over and wiped his brow once more.

That’s odd. Just like on the other side, it’s red and almost black. Am I bleeding?

Bleeding? No, well earlier ya might say, but not now, a voice came from one of the trees.

Who said that?

I did, from up here.

This must be in my head; I can’t see anything.

No, look up to your right—into the sunlight.

Into the… Well brilliant; now I can’t see at all.

The tall tree bristled as if hit with a sudden breeze. From out of the sun glare a purple and black bird appeared, most noticeable due to its unusual silver beak. The bird swooped down towards one of the lower branches. View me now?

I must be dreaming.

You may as well speak, sir, think it is obvious that I can hear your thoughts? the bird whispered mockingly.

I definitely am dreaming.

The bird shook his head and sighed. Dreaming? Why? Because you are in the presence of a talking raven? Or perhaps because this bird can hear your very thoughts? Or maybe because you might be dreaming even though you are not?

Silence.

Might I add then, sir, although I may be deemed a rare raven, by some, is it any rarer than the gargantuan cobras and mammoth dragons you and your friends just fended off? Or need I remind you of—

Dragons, you say?

Well, Komodo dragons—but dragons nonetheless, the raven answered.

I don’t recall, but I do kind of remember something. I remember a battle now that you mention it. And there were others?

Yes. Your memory fading? They were soldiers like yourself, wearing the same fatigues you are in now and fighting by your side up until that last battle.

Where are they? By my side? The soldier paused and looked around and behind him. The fear he had felt—as if someone had been chasing him—subsided. I remember them now, and this place. It’s all coming back to me. Why would I have forgotten so quickly?

The great cobra swallowed your remaining friends—Rash and Heep, I believe they were called—whole, in front of you. As good a reason as any to blackout, I would expect.

Oh. The soldier fell to his knees. Rash and Heep. They promised they would fight with me to the journey’s end. And yes, what you say is true. I can picture their death and how gruesome it was.

Yes, but you conquered the mighty snake, and these jungles are free of the reptilian wizardry which plagued it for many years!

As you speak more, I remember more, the soldier mumbled. Did you fight? In the battle?

Fight? Oh no. I am what you might call a scout.

A scout? For who?

Just a scout, the raven answered.

Is that your name? Scout?

Verbeak, I am called. The bird slowly grazed his feathers with his special beak. After the bill and all.

"Yes … I can, um, see that. I’m called—"

I already know your name. It seems as if I know more about you right now than you do.

The soldier looked at his own hands smothered in ash and his black boots covered with mud and grass. I might not even know my own name; this bird must be my conscience or something.

This again? I can read thoughts. Have you forgotten? Verbeak said as he flew even lower to a nearby stump to get closer to the soldier.

I know the battle and everything behind me, the soldier said. It’s just what lies ahead. I see this path of dirt and rocks, and it looks like it leads to that hayfield up there but—

You have no idea where to go, I gather, Verbeak said as he flew towards the soldier’s shoulder. The soldier stared at him. It’s quite common, ya know, for a soldier to forget what he was originally fighting for, Verbeak said in a comforting tone while petting the soldier’s green helmet with his left wing. Don’t worry; I’ll guide you a little while further.

Can I ask you something, Verbeak?

I’ll give you the satisfaction of asking. In an attempt not to be rude, I’ll pretend I can’t read your thoughts. Go ahead, ask me something.

Why were you watching me?

I am a scout, my dear boy, as I have mentioned. I watch through the jungle, which is why I will not be guiding you further beyond those hayfields.

Have you an idea as to where those hayfields lead?

Indeed, I do.

More war?

Perhaps or perhaps not. A small, fairly peaceful town called Zahorst is up ahead. It is known as a small step among many towards The Pathway. The Pathway leads to the Noble Mountains and ultimately the magnificent Derosarena: the castle of Princess Catareecia herself.

The soldier paused and leaned over as a sudden sweat came upon him.

My friend, said the bird, who seemed a tad nervous now. I was not expecting that sort of reaction. Are you well? I can’t afford an illness during scout season.

I don’t know—yes, I think so. But that name. A jolt went through me upon hearing it.

"Ah, Catareecia," Verbeak said again, attempting to study the soldier’s reaction.

Yes! I’m weary from battle and just hearing that name gives me a renewed strength even in this weakened state. Is she some sort of healer, that her name alone could do this to my senses?

Well, not many know. She is quite mysterious—more rumor than anything else. But I do know something. Something you should already know.

The soldier shook his head and chuckled softly with his head bowed. Again?

But first, tell me about those stones lining up on the edges of this pathway we are on. The blue ones, what do you notice? Verbeak asked.

"Um, I guess that they are blue?"

What shade of blue?

I don’t know; royal blue, I would call that color.

And the dirt we are walking on, at what point did you notice that it turned to thickened mud with blood?

"Wow, uh, I think now, actually." The soldier realized he was fighting to lift his feet from the mud.

Strengthen your mind, young lad. You’ve been through an age but nothing compared to what lies ahead.

The path led into the hayfield, where the pair stopped. The soldier was now breathing heavily from the trudge through the sudden mud. What is ahead of me?

Your mission—the princess.

The princess? My mission?

Let nothing deter you or deceive you. If you truly desire to know who you were born to be, you will find her.

And the war? The battles?

This is the war. It is why your platoon was saddled with you on the journey and why you must go on.

But—

Listen now, the raven admonished. It’s a long way into the heart of Snow Leopard Mountain. There will be days that you will wish for war along your journey. Even though you will, I tell you not to lose heart.

What else is out there? the soldier asked while attempting to see above the hayfields.

I don’t know, but I will be forthright in telling you that many of my kind do not believe you are worthy or able to fulfill such a task.

They don’t! Well, why not? Who are they to say wheth— The soldier looked around and saw the raven was gone. He was tempted to look back for a moment but decided it was best to move forward. His next step led him into the hayfield pathway, where the shadows of tall grasses covered the trail from the bright sun. He was no longer shielded by the large leaves from the jungle. There is something happening within me that I’ve not felt since childhood. The overpowering humidity that had engulfed him earlier was gone. The heat from the sun was accompanied by a soothing spring breeze coming from a near-cloudless blue sky. However, with each passing step, the soldier was coming to the realization that this place was far more different from home than he had anticipated.

I really dislike this mud; the more I walk, the harder it is to move. It feels like quicksand. Am I just losing it here, or is the sun moving a little more rapidly than it should? I coulda swore it was morning when I first saw Verbeak. Yet, it feels like the day is moving on with each step that I take. Ugh, and even walking is no longer a simple task.

The soldier used great strength to lift his right leg out of the deepening mud and move it forward. As he placed both of his hands around his left thigh in order to lift the next leg, he saw a curious sight. A small, furry grey animal was several yards ahead of him and hastily eating the mud on the trail. This caused the soldier to pause curiously and watch. What sort of creature is this that eats mud? And in such a manner?

The creature looked up towards the soldier. Have you not seen a squirrel before? Surely you have, or haven’t?

"Uh, well I, yeah, I guess. I just wasn’t expecting—"

To see a squirrel? Interesting. It’s nice to know that we are scarce in some parts. My brothers greedily munch on all of the buttery snacks in this place. Where are you from?

Well actually—

No, wait, I know. Besides, that’s not important. What is important, though, is I need to yum all of this up before sundown.

Yum, you mean like, eat? the soldier asked.

No, I mean like walk through, dummy. Of course, I mean eat! Speaking of which, what are you doin’ over there airbrain?

I am actually just taking the trail to…I guess that lamppost a ways down, you see—that black one.

And walking through my buttery road. Do you know how many of my taste buds are getting angry with you over each step that you take?

With me? I haven’t done anything, answered the soldier in a confused tone.

Ruined! Those what? Ten steps behind you? That was perfectly good peanut butter you flaunted your steps through, apparently without a care for any of us squirrels, I might add. And don’t give me the ‘oh well, I don’t really see squirrels where I am from’ because I have it on good authority that we infest every land on every planet—especially those with peanut butter.

Peanut butter? That wasn’t peanut butter I stepped through; it was mud.

Mud? What is this mud you talk of? Can’t you smell that beautiful aroma?

No! the soldier answered quite sure of himself. It smells like … he paused and realized that he hadn’t used his sense of smell much since talking with the raven. Indeed, there was an aroma. I may owe you an apology, Mr Squirrel. It surely does smell like peanut butter.

Jitters, is the name. the squirrel answered as he continued his assault on the buttery trail. And don’t worry about it. More will grow at sunrise.

I suppose those cool looking rocks on the edges of the trail are big peanuts? the soldier asked as he went to pick one up.

Peanuts? Jitters responded excitedly. The stones being peanuts? That’s just brilliant—of course, they’d have to be. Give me that, the squirrel said as he leaped towards the soldier’s hand to take the stone. Jitters stared at it with a great big smile and chomped down on it.

"Owwwwwwwwwww!!! he yelled. How could you even suggest this? I think I lost a tooth! Jitters then began shaking and feverishly slammed his face back into the buttery trail before peeking back up. You know what that was genius? I bet you will never guess."

The soldier looked even more perplexed than earlier. "Um, I am guessing it wasn’t a peanut?"

No. It was a STONE! Jitters yelled as he looked around to see most of the butter in the area was finished. That’s the last time I take your word for anything. Jitters stared at the soldier as if he, too, was confused. Are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming?

"Um, coming where?" the soldier answered, opening his arms wide.

The black lamppost! Didn’t you just say that you wanted to mosey on over to the lamppost? Humans, I tell ya. Jitters turned and shook his head in disapproval.

Oh yeah, but then you said about the peanut butter. I wasn’t sure—

"Ah yes, well, as you can see directly in front of you for about ten yards, it’s pretty dry. It doesn’t take much for me to clear the pathway. Up there is almond butter and beyond that sesame seed butter. I can clear the pathway for you towards the lamppost, which is where I shall leave you, considering that the road gets far less buttery and tremendously boring."

Boring?

Yes, it’s the Twins Highway made of sand and stone. Can lead to powerful places but not much for a squirrel to yum on.

Powerful places? Like the palace, the kingdom of the Princess Catareecia? the soldier asked.

Jitters frantically leaped onto the soldier’s shoulder and covered the soldier’s mouth. "Shhh, we mustn’t mention her in these parts. Hados may hear us," he whispered.

Hados? the soldier asked.

You really aren’t from around here, are you? There is a ceasefire for now, but the battles between the townsfolk and Hados have been ongoing—especially when a new suitor appears.

Suitor? the soldier asked curiously.

Yes, much like yourself. One who comes to defeat her enemies and take the Twins Highway in order to win her heart and ultimately her approval.

Her approval?

Why yes, that’s what this fuss-n-buss has been all about. The princess. Her beauty is so well known that there is always a suitor looking to win her. And along with winning her, the power, and glory, and fame. But to do so, one must spend one’s life fighting through the snares and traps that lie before one.

And the people of the town? the soldier asked in an annoyed tone.

As far as she is concerned? Some say merely collateral damage. While others say she is unaware of the damage at all. After all, it is a great distance between the mountain palace and the town.

What do YOU say Jitters?

The squirrel looked around, this time more nervously. I think I better get on with this almond butter. He then burrowed his way underneath in order to open a walking path for the traveler.

The soldier walked forward and found the ground didn’t have the quicksand-like feel it had earlier. As the squirrel continued to gobble up more butter, more of the pathway opened. He kept his eye on Jitters, whom he had already taken a liking to, but maintained cautiousness due to Jitters’ lack of response regarding the princess. I wonder why he evaded the question? There was no response from the squirrel as he continued eating. This was a bit of a disappointment for the soldier since he thought for sure he could use the mind-reading to his advantage. So, he tried a new tactic.

Where I am from, the soldier interjected into the munching, there are jars and jars full of all sorts of butter. Yes, like peanut, and almond, and sunflower, and cinnamon even. There are different flavored kinds of butter that go on grains like this golden wheat field we are passing, and dare I say, even Swiss almond chocolate butter. Of course, you have all of this at your disposal here, but you seem to be missing something grand, Mr Jitters.

The soldier could see that although he was not responding, the squirrel looked to be getting a bit antsy. Have you ever heard of grape jelly jam or melted marshmallows?

Jitters paused. He was nearing the lamppost. He lifted his head up and looked at the soldier. Jelly jam? Tell me more.

Can you handle it? the soldier playfully asked. He then whispered, I probably shouldn’t say anything in this town. I mean, what if the other squirrels found out?

They wouldn’t! I would never disclose such a valuable secret, Jitters responded. Is this jelly jam some new kind of butter?

Well … what it is, is … The soldier could see that Jitters was hanging on to his every word. No, I cannot. I just can’t.

You have to! You’ve come this far! Jitters said in an attempt at being persuasive.

And will you tell me of the princess, your thoughts on the matter, in return?

The look on Jitter’s face became almost frightened, but he clearly wanted to know the secret of this mystery surrounding jelly jam.

OK, don’t panic, Jitters. The soldier felt the need to search his pockets and, to his surprise, found a small packet of grape jelly from his hometown. Whoa! Lookie here. Right here!

I don’t understand, the squirrel responded in confusion.

Hold out your paw with some butter on it. Just trust me.

Jitters eagerly did as was asked. He lathered his paws with some almond butter. The soldier then opened up the packet and squeezed the jam on top of the butter.

Try that, he said, smiling at the squirrel.

Jitters moved his nose close to the new substance to smell it first. He then tasted it. Within seconds, the squirrel looked at the soldier with eyes that welled up full of tears. I … I have never, ever tasted such ... He then fell backwards in disbelief, attempting to savor the moment.

I am just peanut butter without my destiny, the soldier said poetically. "Finding the princess for whatever reason, I believe that to be my jelly jam. I don’t recall being sent as a suitor, but I do know that finding her is my mission, and I am lost without my mission." He gave the squirrel a look that seemed to plead for help; it was full of all the sadness he could get his eyes to show.

Indeed, Jitters said in a different, less playful tone. Oh, and look, we are at the lamppost. I have kept my word. We are finished now. Twins Highway begins here and shall lead you on to wherever you choose. I leave you with this warning; great deception is everywhere from everyone, including you. Good day traveler. You are being watched.

Watched? Wait, I need to know more! the soldier yelled, but the squirrel, like the raven, had vanished.

I wonder what other surprises await me.

Woah! Excuse you!

I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there at all, said the soldier.

Didn’t see me? Me? With my stunning long, gold and brown curls, or plump red lips, spotless smooth skin, and even this gorgeous pink and blue hoop gown? Of all things not to notice, it was me? a woman said to him while twirling her white umbrella and swinging herself around the black lamppost.

"I, um, guess I didn’t. I was just talking to that squirrel over there in that big hay and wheat field on the buttery path and-"

Squirrel? What squirrel? You were talking to a squirrel? Please tell me it didn’t talk back.

Well actually—

Oh no, she responded with a deep sigh. Why is it only I who finds the crazy ones?

I’m not crazy! the soldier said as he turned around to show the woman where he had just come from. Look, he was right … here. To his surprise, the pathway they had just traveled on was gone. There was no sign of any buttery path or trails with hay fields. Just the jungle.

You fought in there, didn’t you? she asked.

The soldier wiped his brow with his forearm and silently nodded, looking as if he still was in disbelief.

The Demonted Forest, she said. Most don’t come out. You should consider yourself fortunate. But those that do, are never the same.

Wait a minute. The squirrel- he mentioned that someone was watching me. Was that you?

Watching you? Really? Have you seen me? Shouldn’t you be watching me? Again, this squirrel of yours is in your imagination. I am real—right here. She grabbed the soldier’s hand. See? Feel my arm! Real!