I get to Gushes at Dawn's home and knock. “Come on in Jode,” Gushes says.

I open the door, walk in then close the door behind me. The look of the cabin is similar to the one I lived in for a year. Although the fireplace looks dusty from disuse. “How did you know it was me?” I ask.

Gushes is standing in the kitchen which looks to be unused as well. “Because you are the only one that ever comes to my house.” he says.

“That's sad,” I say.

“Not at all, I like it that way. I'm a soloist. Most of my species are. Oh if you want you can start a fire, I just don't need it.”

“Nah, I never used it. Oaky just keeps it going for me if I ever do use it.”

“Well it is the warmer season. You can use the room. I don't need it, I can sleep in the sink.”

“I couldn't do that to you. I'll just sleep on your area rug. I'm not picky.”

“Well at least grab a pillow. I cleaned them for you. You humans are so inconsiderate.” he says mockingly.

“What do you expect, just like a water spout is for a fountain not a kitchen,” I say and laugh.

I head to his bedroom and just before I enter I hear him say, “Your slacking human that was awful.”

The only difference between my old room and his is that there is a large tub in the corner. I grab a couple of pillows and head back to the living room. As I enter I say, “What do you expect I just created a city.”

We both laugh as I lay my pillow on the area rug and lay down. Gushes walks around me to the front door and stops, “Make yourself at home. I got some errands to run and will be back later.”

“Okay and thanks for a place to sleep Gushes,” I say.

“Any time my friend, any time,” he says and trails off as he leaves.

The room has an eerie silence. I am used to hearing Oaky skittle around as I fall asleep. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to fall asleep, but next thing I know I am waking up.

I jump up fearing I have overslept. I take a quick shower and run outside. The sun is just peaking over the horizon. I thought I overslept, but ended up getting up earlier then normal. I go back in and knock on Gushes door. I get no answer. I knock louder but still get no answer. I open the door slowly and see no one. I walk in to see the tub is also empty.

I go back outside and see no activity at all. There is a sheet of paper with a writing utensil hanging from the door. I write, 'At library'. I go to the nearest library. In the center of the building there are two long tables surrounded by chairs. I take a seat at the nearest table.

I look around and see no labels on the shelves. I go to the nearest wall and look at some titles. Most look to be dealing with farming. I go to the opposite wall and see titles like: 'Interactions of magic', 'Where to find your mentor', and 'Levels of concentration'.

This wall has more titles that indicate magic or something dealing with it. I search around and find a title with human in it. The title reads, 'What is known of human magic.' I take the book off the shelf and place in my mind where I took it from.

I sit down at the table and open it up. The prologue reads:

Very little is known of human magic. What little is learned and written about is what has been observed from the few humans that have appeared here. The only one that knows of human magic prior to the portals closing is Mrs Star Seeker. She lives in the southern hills and declined my request for an interview.

The rest is a list of people the writer wanted to thank for the help with the writing of the book. I skim through the book and read passages that catch my attention.

The human says that magic is easy, just think it and it happens. I asked him to show me and he said he was too tired right now. I never was able to find him again.

“Sounds about right. He definitely was a fake.” I say out loud. I read another:

She says that she has tried some magic, but she could only heal. She said that is what she wanted to be able to do on the other side.

Interesting I think. I hope she found a good life over here. I find another passage that looks promising.

He said it takes a lot of concentration, but he has done a few things. I asked him if he was up to it and he said ‘if I don't mind waiting.’ I told him I have no problem waiting. He had me sit in a chair on the edge of his room. He draws a strange design on the floor. It looks like a star circled. He put candles at each point of the star. He stands in the center of the design and muttered some strange words, I don't know the spelling of. He told me later they are magical words and should never be written. After he finished speaking the design burst into flames. He told me not to enter the circle because he had summoned something, but I saw nothing.

“Hmm strange,” I say out loud.

“What is?” Gushes asks.

I look up and see Gushes at Dawn and Rock walking toward me, “Oh this passage about a human and a pentagram,” I say.

“A what?” Rock asks.

“A pentagram, it is a five pointed star with a circle around it.”

“What's it for?” Rock asks.

“I heard witches use it in magic,” I say closing the book and getting up.

“I thought magic doesn't exist in your home world,” Gushes says.

“It doesn't, not like here. But some believe it does work. I don't know. Never done it.”

“Strange indeed.” Rock comments, “What are you doing here so early? Oaky isn't back yet.”

“I woke up early then didn't know what to do so came here.”

“I thought I would get home before you woke up, but you woke up way earlier than you usually do,” Gushes says.

“Yeah I know, strange huh?” I comment.

“Not really, battle does that to you,” Rock says, “Keeps the adrenaline flowing longer. Causes quick naps.”

“So this is what I have to look forward to?” I ask.

“For a while yeah, but your system will adjust and you will be able to sleep more sound and longer,” Rock explains.

“Great I'm going to be a basket case for a while, great,” I say snidely.

“Could be, we will have to wait and see.” Rock says evenly.

“Thanks, that helps a lot,” I exclaim.

“Hm, glad I could help,” He says.

I look at Gushes, “Okay you will be with me, in him,” I say.

“Oh good, someone needs to keep you on those fragile human toes,” Gushes smirks.

“Ha, Ha, thanks,” I say and put the book back where I got it. I walk back over to them and ask, “So what ya here for? Anything fun?”

“Not really, “Gushes says, “Just wanted to give you your gift and met Rock here. He was looking for you so I brought him along.”

“Ha, brought, I told him I was coming along,” Rock retorts.

“Oh I forgot you are a dragon, I have to bow to you as a slave,” Gushes retorts.

“As a matter of fa...” Rock starts to say when I interrupt.

“Enough, you both have too much arrogance. Just be friends, you both are so much alike.” I say.

They both look at me and say, “Really?” They then look at each other and laugh.

“Well I hate to sound greedy, but what ya get me?” I ask.

“Oh,” Gushes pulls out a necklace of shells with a large red and blue shell in the middle, and clips it on my neck. I grab the large shell to look at it better. It pulses like a heartbeat and is warm to the touch, “Nice,” I say.

“It was a gift from my dad. It has been passed down through the generations. It helps you attune to the water you are in.” He says with a tear in his voice. He could be crying, but I can't tell since he is all water.

I look at him with compassion, “I can't take this. You should give it to your children.”

“I can't have children. You are as close as I will get to a son. I hope it helps.” he says and leaves the room in a hurry.

Rock watches him leave, then looks at me and asks, “I'm not that blubbery am I?”

I chuckle, “No that is where you differ. Gushes can't control his emotions, they flow like he does, never ending,” I say with a smile.

Rock laughs, “Mom did tell me his people are hard to keep up with,” he says.

“Yeah sometimes, but I had a good friend the same way. She would flip on a dime.”

“A dime?”

“Oh a form of currency in the human world. A way of exchange for services and objects.”

“Oh okay. I think I remember something on that.” Rock returns.

“Yeah sometimes a pain,” I comment, “What did you need?”

“Just to talk.”

“Well let's go outside, the echo in here is driving me up the wall,” I say, and we go outside.

“Anything particular?”

“Yeah, what spell did you cast on me in the battle with the fire demon?”

“Sorry, I think it was to make your aim true.”

“Really that means I need to work on my aim. I hit every where I aim on the demon, but it never scored. Before I would hit every fifth strike or so,” he says in thought.

“Actually I messed up by doing that. The creature was not where you were aiming. It was displaced.”

“Displaced? You mean where I saw it was wrong?” he asks confused.

“In a way yes. Somehow it is able to blur its actual position. I saw every hit you made should have struck home, but as your blade connected the creature appeared in a different location.

I was told teleportation is more complicated than just thinking, plus the creature seemed not to be worried where you were striking. The only other possibility then was it created an illusion that it was somewhere it wasn't. Then when it attacked me when I said that, I knew that had to be it. So me making your hits true, I actually sabotaged your ability to hit it.”

“Interesting. That does explain why they are hard to hit,” he says in realization, then adds, “What gave you that idea?”

“A game in my world called Dungeons and Dragons or D&D.”

“A game of what?”

“Strange as it sounds, about this world in a way. There are adventurers that fight monsters with swords and magic. Even stranger is that some of the monsters actually exist here, but act differently.”

“Different how?”

“As bad as it sounds I'll take dragons as an example. In the game dragons are greedy and extremely egocentric. They sit in a cave on a pile of gold, jewels, and treasure and kill anyone who comes near it.

Another is water elementals like Gushes at Dawn. Instead of their being a member of a town, they wait in water areas and ambush any adventurer to kill them.”

“Strange, sounds like fun to play, but we dragons hoard knowledge not material items. Objects are to be used, not hoarded.”

“Well in the human world, gold is one of the most prized metals. Men will kill for it.”

“For life's sake what for? It's all but useless unless you enchant it. You saw it was my tears. Who would collect tears like that?” he says disgusted.

“Well humanity has strange concepts to this world. Haven't you ever met another human?”

“Nope, I have never left home and my father would not let any human near the cave till you. I'm surprised he let me out to see you. He says humans are disgusting vermin.”

I laugh, “To some degree he is right. I have met some that were worse than vermin.”

“You are strange Jode. To speak of your kin like that,” Rock says disturbed.

“I only state it how I see it. There is no need to defend a lie.”

“I do see your point, but I have been taught that you never speak ill of your kin or family no matter what.”

“Well with a race that is as old as yours, I doubt there is much that needs to be mentioned that is bad. You all have such an ordered society.”

“Pah, Lets just say there are many things I will never speak of.” He says reserved.

“Oh got you. Never thought... Okay so I am a lot more naive than I thought.”

“A hole lot naive,”

“Hmm guess I better pay a little more attention.”

“Wouldn't hurt,” he says simply.

“Oh there you are,” Oaky says and I realize Rock and I ended up at the miniature city. I can see the activity has increased again from the night before.

I look at Oaky, “Sorry just talking and walking,” I say.

“Maybe this morning, but I hear you were very busy yesterday after I left.” she says.

“Nah not really, just visited the clinic and sat at our old place,” I say timidly.

She looks at the city then back at me, “Funny man,” she says.

“I try,” I say.

“Try harder.”

“Ooo harsh, Okay I will try harder,”

“Sometimes I feel you can be so hopeless,”

“Only sometimes, I'll have to try harder.” I say.

She just sighs in frustration, “Come on, we need to get you a pack for supplies,” she says and walks off.

I follow her to a building I have never been to in the whole year I was here. When enter a knome is stocking some items on a shelf. It looks like jars of chicken’s feet, but I can't be sure.

“Hello Forms under a Rainbow, Jode needs some traveling supplies please,” Oaky says.

He walks over to us. He stands the same height as Falls. His clay body looks to have fine cracks. His face looks a bit blockish. I notice a limp as he comes over, “The Jode?” he asks.

“The only Jode I know why?” Oaky asks.

He grabs my hand and shakes it vigorously, “I wanted to thank you from the bowls of the earth,” he says.

“Um don't mean to sound inconsiderate, but for what?” I ask.

“You helped my daughter. Without you she may never have walked again.”

“Oh Falls, you are quite welcome. But just a suggestion. Get her a man before it happens again.”

He laughs and I swear I see more hairline cracks appear on his arm, “I've been trying, she is just so shy.”

“Funny she didn't seem it when I talked to her.”

“You're different, you're human,” he says without callousness.

“Oh at that age.” I say.

“Yes, many have asked about her, but she won't talk when she meets them.”

“Oh that shy. I hope she grows out of it.”

“I hope so. I think you helped, she asked to see someone today. And he was formed with rich clay. I hope they hit it off. Been many generations since we had rich kids.”

I chuckle, “I'm sorry, I still think like most humans and when you say rich kids I think of wealth not structure.”

He looks confused for a moment then says, “Oh I see the pun. No, I mean well seasoned and aged clay.” He laughs again then adds, “I wish you didn't have to leave. You have been a delightful addition to the town. If you can, you have to come back.” he says.

“Oh I plan on it. This is my home now, and I will always carry it with me.”

“Well I can help you there. Wait here I will be back,” he says and I nod.

He goes in a door behind the counter. He is gone for several minutes and comes back with a belt with a small pouch attached. It looks black and made of the silk just about everything is made of. It looks to be three or four layers of it.

The pouch is the size of a pocket wallet. It looks to be part of the belt itself. The top is a flap closed by a silk button. I expect to see holes and thread like most buttons, but it looks to be solidly attached.

He hands it to me. “This is a very rare item, but I think you deserve it.” he says.

“Is that?” Rock asks.

“It's a special belt I got as a youth. It is magicked to hold an infinite amount. You can put anything in it and simply picture what item that was put in it and grab in the pouch, and it will be in your hand.

I must warn you though, any living thing that is put into it will die. I was supposed to return all I had to Big City, but I kept one. Some were using it as a weapon, so all were called back to prevent its use. But I know I can trust you to use it wisely. Any perishables put in it are put in stasis and will not spoil.”

He pulls out a paper from his side, “Here is the list of what is in it. There should be enough provisions for a year. And all the tools and equipment you will need for your journey. It's the best I can do for saving my daughter's future.” he says.

I take the paper and see a huge list of foods and other items. I see the word tent, “I see tent. I don't know what it looks like, how can I pull it out?” I ask concerned.

“Just say the name of the item exactly as I have written it. That is enough to grab the right thing,” he looks at Rock, “I put a dragons cowl in there. It is enchanted with sight and communication. Just don't wear it too long though, it can cause disorientation.”

Rock's eyes grow huge. Forms under a Rainbow then looks at Oaky, “I found an old tree ring too. I figured you would know what it is and how to use it,” he says.

She hugs him then steps back and says, “Oh Forms Under a Rainbow that is such a special gift. I thought there weren't anymore,” she says.

“I found it buried in a box a while back and tried to find out what it was. The tree spirits I talked to would only say its name, never what it did.” he says.

“That's because there is no way to describe it. Or predict it. It works differently for each one of us. I only know of one, and it is at our home tree. It is used to heal.” she says in tears.

“Well I am proud to give it to you Oaky,” he looks at each of us. “I just wish I could do more,” he says with a catch in his tone.

“You have done more than enough Forms Under a Rainbow. You have made this journey many times easier,” I say. “May life shine on you and your family always.”

Forms Under a Rainbow starts crying. At least I think it is tears. It looks like droplets of mud forming at his eyes and falling to his chin where they melt back into him. “Thank you so much, I will cherish the blessing always.”

“Thank you for everything Forms Under a Rainbow, but we have to be off now,” Oaky says.

“Anytime,” I say and Oaky rushes me out the door. I get outside and put on the belt.

“Do you know what you did?” Oaky asks distracting me from admiring the belt.

I look up at her, “Um yeah, I put the belt on,” I say.

“Oh dear life, Walk while we talk. Head for the ancient city, Moon wants to see us off,” She says and we walk.

“Now what do you mean, what did I do? Was I not supposed to put the belt on?” I ask, confused.

“Not the belt,” Oaky says, “Your blessing.”

“Oh I just wanted to say something really nice. I thought that was a polite way of saying extreme thanks.”

“For most yes, it is a way we say thank you and wish them well, but not for you,” Oaky retorts.

“Why not me?” I ask.

“Because you actually did the full blessing,” She says.

“Um, is that a bad thing?” I ask, confused.

“No, but a blessing like that uses ancient magic. That blessing brings into play things only Star Seeker knows of,” she says exasperated.

“Well if you want to know, mom did tell me about the old ways and the blessing is one.”

“Please elaborate before Oaky has a drought,” I say.

“Oh you,” Oaky says defeated.

Rock chuckles, “The blessing aligns the stars for the one taking the blessing. It removes most if not all the obstacles for the one blessed. My mother gave me the blessing while I incubated,” he explains.

Oaky looks at Rock shocked, “Then why do so many worry that it was the humans downfall?”

“I don't know. Maybe because everyone was given the blessing back then. And it was a human that brought the race down to almost nothing.” he answers

“Okay I can see how that could connect, but it wasn't the blessing per say, but actually human greed that actually done us in,” I say.

“My dad says stupidity,” Rock says as an aside.

“Okay that too. I guess the five were a bit stupid by not listening to the warnings,” I say.

“A bit?”

“Hey,” I return, “Just because you avoided the cataclysm doesn't mean you couldn't have been the cause eventually, especially from what I have heard.”

“Okay point taken,” Rock says, a bit humbled.

“What?” Oaky says.

“Remember Oaky not all is for every ear.” Rock says.

“Of course wise Rock,” Oaky says, bowing her head.

“Not wise yet, but eventually,” Rock says.

“That's a matter of opinion,” I say.

“Well it's my opinion and that's what counts.” Rock says smugly and puts his nose in the air. We all laugh.

“What's so funny if I may ask?” Moon asks.

“Oh Rocks stuck on himself and is trying to drown,” I say.

“Yep … Hey,” he says with a hurt look on his face. I just shrug and look at Moon.

“Well I guess this is goodbye,” I say.

“Yes,” Moon says, “But I have bad news.”

“Now what?”

“The rider got sick. It already had caught it and the healing just hid it.” Moon says defeated.

“Should have known luck doesn't seem on our side,” I say.

“There is a town in the mountains. You may find transport there,” Moon says.

“I'm sure it is a long ways away too, isn't it?” I ask.

“Two days at least on foot,” Moon answers.

“Great I actually have to work at this.” I say sarcastically.

“It's not that bad,” Rock says.

“No you just have to poof to a gold snake and zing you're there,” I retort.

“Hey,” Rock responds then thinks a moment, “Okay I can see a snake. Maybe I can slither my way around,” he says with an evil grin.

“Rock please, you're not helping,” Oaky says.

Rock looks at Oaky hurt, “Sorry,” he says with genuine regret..

“Do you have any good news?” I ask, moon.

“No.”

“Didn't think so, Why would I even think this would be easy. Movies should have told me that much,” I say.

“Movies?” Rock asks.

“It's a flat screen that has moving pictures of people acting out parts of a story,” I say.

“Oh like stage theater?” Rock inquires.

“Yeah, but done earlier and recorded to play on a flat screen,” I say.

“Interesting,” Moon says. “I wonder if it could be done here.”

“Don't know, they use mechanical recording devices and chemical film. I'm not sure you all have those,” I say.

“I don't think so, but it might be possible with magic,” Moon says.

“Go for it, you might invent something new,” I say.

“Not new, but unique over here,” Moon says in thought.

“Well when I get back from this mess I hope to see a prototype,” I say.

“Prototype?” Rock asks.

“Means the first made as a trial to see if it will work out,” I say.

“Oh neat,” Rock says.

“Well I guess we better be off. Anything else you want to slap in our face?” I ask Moon.

“I believe that is all I need to tell you.”

“Okay I am terrible at goodbyes, so see you later,” I say.

“I hope so,” Moon says.

I turn and head off but then stop. I look around to Rock and Oaky, “Maybe someone who knows the direction we need to go should lead,” I say.

Rock points in the opposite direction. “I think north east then,” he says.

“Lead on then, smart ass.” I say.

Rock looks at his ass and says, “It is pretty smart isn't it?” He walks off in the direction we need to go in. I shake my head and follow.

“See ya Moon,” I say as I pass him.

“May life shine on your journey,” he says then in a lower voice says, “You're going to need it.”

“I heard that,” I say loudly and walk out of talking distance.

As we leave town a few people are up and wave goodbye. I feel a little regret having to leave the town. It had been my home for a year. I see a few homes I had visited throughout the year. Some I fully remember and others I just recall I went to the home.