It had been a few weeks that Zia had been within the community and he was looking forward to spending his ‘saved up’ days at home with his family. He couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to be back with them again. Not to be able to tell them what he had been doing was going to be hard.
He had been summoned to visit Calda. He didn’t know what for but it was no good worrying, he would find out soon enough. He made his way to Calda’s cave that evening and the wizard was waiting for him.
“Come in Zia, there are things that I must explain to you, things that you must understand before you go home to your family.” Calda glided across his room and stopped beside the table and Zia followed him, not at all sure what to expect but afraid that he may not be able to go home as planned.
“Yes Sir. Is some thing wrong?”, he asked.
“No, nothing wrong .…. just some things I have to make clear. Sit down. Sit down and relax.
Don’t worry. It’s just that the Equalizer Mode spell will work in reverse once you leave the Dark Cave. So you will revert to the size you were before your height was increased to one and a half metres. It could be a bit of a shock if you hadn’t been warned, don’t you agree?”
Calda spoke as he reached for one of his many books. This time it was a small, thin maroon leather bound volume.
“I have been asked to present you with this book to explain just what will happen. There are some other interesting things in this little book and it may take you quite a time to reach the end of it. Any questions or queries you have about the Community, the Dark Cave, or the mine are here.
Anything you may want or need to know, BUT the information will only be there IF you are allowed to know the answers. Can you understand what I am saying?” he asked Zia.
“Ummm, I think I have an idea. Its like an encyclopedia of answers, to things I need to know, about things I am permitted to inquire about. Is that it?”.
Zia hoped he had the idea. He was not at all sure how he was to use the book but had no doubt that all was about to be revealed.
“Very good. An excellent way to describe it. You may take the book and study it. Use it as you would a tutor. If you don’t know what is correct or how to behave, who to go to, where some thing is to be found, when a thing happened or who does what and where. Anything at all. It will make those things that you think about when you are alone easy to answer at once. It is yours to keep.
Start by going to the index and look up Equalizer Spell. Go on do it now,” Calda encouraged Zia.
Opening the book, there was only one page and it had one word ‘Question?’ He thought of the Equalizer Spell. He saw the answer to the question he was thinking appear on the page. He was shocked and looked up at the wizard, his tutor.
“Don’t worry. It just reads your thoughts and prints the answers. It’s no good to anyone else. It is your book and will only work for you. Think of it as your genii in a book,” Calda smiled, showing his yellow teeth.
Zia looked at the page and thought,….. What will happen when I leave the Dark Cave? Words formed on the page and as he read the words kept coming, explaining fully what would happen, how he would feel and why. He looked up at Calda and smiled broadly.
“That is fantastic. Everything answered. I have so many queries and things I don’t understand. I can find out so much just by thinking! Thank you Calda,” Zia said not knowing how to express his gratitude. He couldn’t really give this great big wizard a hug. Thanks would have to be enough.
“You are welcome. Keep it safe. Use it well, wisely and often,” was all Calda said before showing Zia to the door.
The transfer from ‘tall’ to ‘small’ went just as he expected and had been told. He didn’t worry about it and felt very little when he shrunk just as he reached the exit to Dark cave but once he stepped outside and knew it had happened when he saw everything the way he used to. Looking up instead of level or down, as he had become used to was a shock!
He ran as much of the way home as he could. It was a long way and took him about fifty minutes.
There was such a reception waiting for him as he opened the door and shouted, “I’m home!”
His family neighbours and friends were all there waiting for him and wanting to know how he was and what he had been doing. He had to explain that he couldn’t tell them anything about his life in the Dark Cave but anyway they all had plenty to tell him, so there was no shortage of conversation!!
Zia had three days with his family and intended to enjoy every moment. He visited all his friends and they had picnics and climbed trees, went to their hiding places and exchanged ‘special things’ like conkers and shiny quartz stone that came in several colours and could be found all over the place. They had been dug up during the time that the mines were working.
He helped his father and collected wood for the fire. Sat and talked to his mother in the warm kitchen that smelled of cooking and baking, drank lots of blackberry cordial and ate bilberry pancakes. It was good to be home among the things he knew and now appreciated more than ever.
It surprised Zia that he did not mind when the time came for him to get ready for the journey back to the Dark Cave. In fact he was looking forward to seeing Nip and Zoe and telling them what he had been doing and finding out what had been happening while he had been away.
His family walked half way back with him. Where he had to cross over a stream on a fallen branch, they turned and went home waving as they went. Zia took to his heels and ran and jogged the rest of the way back to his destination.
He was trying to imagine, as he went, how it would be to grow ‘tall’ again but as he entered the cave and walked along the tunnel it happened in a second and he had no real sensation at all. Down the steps and through the curtain, through the cave and back to his own room. Everything was just as he had left it. The Mine Minder must have been in to clean and tidy as not a thing was out of place. He went first to make sure the ‘Question Book’ was still where he had left it, in the drawer by his bed. He changed into his uniform and went to find Nip. He didn’t have to look far as Nip was on his way to see him and they bumped into each other as they rounded a corner from opposite directions. Laughing and joking they went to the recreation centre and sat and talked about what they had been doing during the last few days. Zoe joined them for a short while but was busy with the Teams as it was a normal working day for her. Zia waved as they were about to leave to do their work and said he would see them all tomorrow when he was back at the Station.
During supper with Nip, Zia told him about the visit from Calda and the need to go and spend time with the Wizard in order to learn about his new powers.
“Good idea. I was a little concerned about your ability to use your powers. They are so varied that although they may not seem much compared to the magic of the witches, if you know how and when to use them it can make a big difference to the way you are able to live,” Nip said, seeming genuinely pleased for him. Nip was always pleased about everything.
“It seems as though I will never stop learning, and its all new and so complicated. I think if I can just find out what I can and can’t do it will help. I’m so glad its Calda teaching me this evening and not Lord Tupol tomorrow!!”
Later as Zia stood outside the entrance to Calda’s cave, saying goodbye to Nip, who was off to visit one of the other Mine Minders, he began to wonder just how he was going to cope with tomorrow. He wasn’t looking forward to a whole shift with The Others and wondered whether or not they were going to accept him.
Calda welcomed Zia in his quiet, calm way. “Do came in and sit down at the table. I’ve produced a stool for you,” he said as he floated in front of Zia, leading the way.
Indeed there was a tall stool which Zia sat on but Calda just floated about as he spoke and explained thing. He asked Zia to try this and try that.
“Now, I want you to imagine that you are floating, like I do. Concentrate. Harder. Do you feel any sensation?” Calda asked.
“No, not really,” replied Zia, “Just a sort of tingling all over.”
“Good, very good. That’s perfect and just what I wanted to hear.” exclaimed the wizard rubbing his hands together. “This is one power that varies from person to person. Sometimes its weeks before the tingling is felt. This is good, very good.”
“But what does it mean, what will it allow me to do?” Zia questioned.
“Ahhh! That depends on how good you get. Now, again, try again. Concentrate. That’s right keep trying to float. Think of me and imagine that you are beside me as we are moving about. Try harder.
Now, as you are still thinking step down from the stool. Concentrate. Concentrate. Brilliant now go to the doorway on your left. Keep thinking. Harder. Now just think about gliding and don’t move your legs! Nearly. Almost. Turn and come back to the table. Glide. Glide. Well done, you’re a natural. Very well done,” Calda remarked excitedly for him, in his quiet, silky smooth voice.
“What did I do? I didn’t feel as though I was doing anything,” Zia asked, puzzled to see the wizard smiling and happy.
“What did you do? You floated, a good two inches above the floor and that means that you should be a great asset to us all, and you will be able to glide higher and higher as you perfect the power. I have never seen anyone master it the first time of trying. That is why Grace is so fond of you. She knew you were very receptive to our powers. She is so clever. Brilliant!” Calda exclaimed.
He was so pleased that, seeing the wizard smiling, Zia found that he was laughing and enjoying himself as he practised his new skill.
“That will do for this evening, Zia. Even though you are now bigger, stronger and don’t get so tired, you are going to feel like a good rest after this. It’s much more taxing than you realise,” Calda said taking a big hard-backed book from the shelf and approaching Zia.
“We wont go any further with your other powers today. Practice this one when you can, when its appropriate and come back tomorrow at the same time, if you are not to exhausted. Don’t forget you will be working with The Others tomorrow. There will be a lot to learn there as well. I would like you to keep records of what you are learning, they don’t have to be very detailed but you may find them very useful later.” He pushed the book toward Zia across the table, “Take this book, and here, this pen as well. Keep them in your cave and keep them safe. Use them to keep your records.”
“Thanks, I will, and I’ll be back tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what else I can do. Goodnight Calda, thanks for your help and for your time.” Zia said as he walked to the entrance.
Calda just nodded and held up his hand, turned and went back to his shelves of books.
Zia was soon back in his own cave and did feel as though he had done a very hard days work so after one or two more practices at floating and putting his new book and pen away in a drawer, he got ready for bed and was soon asleep.
The next morning Nip was not there in his room as was usual. Zia had thought he would be, he wanted to tell him all about his evening with Calda and felt a little let down that his friend wasn’t as keen to know as he was to tell. He had no idea how he was to get to the Lowest Level, and was hoping that some one would come to take him there and introduce him to the occupants, he didn’t fancy trying to follow the names and markers on the walls. He need not have worried, he should have known that it would have been taken care of.
There was a tap on the door and as he opened it Grace was about to tap again with her stick,.Talik was beside her. She greeted him with a flourish of her hand.
“Good morning, Zia. Are you ready for your first day on the Lower Level? We’re here to accompany you. Come now, its time to be on our way.” Grace stated.
“Yep, I am all ready. I was wondering how I’d find my way down there. I didn’t think you would leave me to find it on my own but I was beginning to wonder,” smiled Zia
They went down the steps that Calda used to carry him down when he went to the Station, where Nip would slide down the hand rail. When they got to the junction where they used to turn left, they carried on slightly to the right and down many more steps. It got colder, damper and darker as they went but at the bottom of the steps they turned left and along a dark tunnel lit only by the occasional candle, that had a green flame! It was the creepiest place Zia could have imagined.
Calda had said to him once, “You wouldn’t want to go there,” and right now Zia felt just that, he didn’t want to be here!
At the end of the tunnel was an enormous door. Talik went forward and knocked loudly. The door glided open as though on casters. No one, that he could see, had opened it. Then he remembered what Zoe had told him that day by the bridge, The Others were brilliant engineers. That explained the door! Hydraulically opened from some where inside? Maybe. Zia felt sure that was only the first of many “special effects” he would see today.
Once inside, the tunnel was much higher and wider and broke immediately into four, one to either side and the other two forward but one slightly to the right, one slightly to the left. Still lit green by the candles but more of them, so it was lighter.
They took the tunnel ahead to the left and a few yards on came to another door, Talik, tapped.
“Enter,” came the response.
As soon as they had they were approached by Lord Tupol. He wasn’t looking quite so menacing but he was looking even more green with the lighting in the enormous cave, which was obviously a workshop of some sort. There was Whirrrring and deep Bomp Bomp noises coming from some where. Benches and shelving, boxes and cupboards lined the walls and across the cave The Others were working on big tables, alone and in two’s and three’s, at all sorts of things. None that Zia could hope to know anything about….YET!
Zia stayed behind Grace and Talik but could see Lord Tupol as he looked between them.
“Welcome Grace, Talik and Zia. Please come with me to my office where we can talk without interruption.” and saying that Lord Tupol led them the length of the cave to a smaller opening to the left side.
They all sat around a table and Lord Tupol addressed Zia calmly,
“We have planned an informative but not laborious day for you, Zia. There will be time in the future for you to work harder but for today we will see how you are at observation and memory retention. Put some of those new powers of yours to work!!”
Zia nodded but said nothing, he still felt rather uncomfortable with Lord Tupol and kept thinking of that day in the dining area when he was still much smaller and had been introduced to him for the first time. He found him very overpowering then and nothing had happened to change his mind about that ...so far!! Zia hoped he would be able to get on with him or some of The Others well enough to enjoy his work, whatever it was to be.
Grace turned to Zia saying, “You may go now. I need to talk to Lord Tupol and there is no need for you to hear what I have to say or what he will reply.”
With that, a younger version of Lord Tupol, entered the room and was instructed to,
“Take Zia, our new apprentice, to the workshop and show him around the permitted areas will you, Tekal? We have things to discuss so you can leave your work and stay with him…for today.”
Tekal showed Zia around the different work tables, introducing him to all The Others working there. All these green faces. Would he ever be able to tell them apart? Some seemed quite pleasant, others were too busy to do more than grunt at him, while still more were studying books and plans.
There were Mine Minders down here as well, fetching and carrying, all smiling just like Nip. Zia did wish that his friend could be here with him now. He hadn’t seen him at all today and that was the first time since Zia had arrived that Nip had not been there to greet him in the morning. He was surprised at how much he missed his friend. He would surely have a great deal to tell him when they met up again.
Throughout the day there were things to see and places to visit, rules to be observed and the names of all his new acquaintances to remember. Calda was right, he was going to feel exhausted by the end of his shift. To his delight it was Nip that came to collect him at the end of his working day and show him back to the upper levels.
They chatted all the way, then had supper together. Zia never stopped talking. If he did Nip prompted him to go on.
“I learnt to float last evening when I was with Calda. Its brilliant. He wants me to go back this evening if I am up to it,” Zia told his friend.
“If you can float already you must have super powers. That’s great. If you go back there this evening maybe you will just do some law learning. There is always lots of that. Laws and rules, can’s and can’ts, dos and don’ts. It will be just as well for you to get to grips with all of that then you wont dive head first into any pitfalls,” Nip informed him earnestly.
Zia agreed he aught to go, even for just an hour or two, and maybe collect some homework.
That evening Calda welcomed him warmly, for a wizard! Again he asked him to sit on the stool and he glided around the cave as he spoke.
“I have spoken to Grace since I saw you yesterday and she is very impressed, not exactly surprised at your ability but pleased. How was your first day on the Lowest Level? Did you find it exciting?”
“Not really exciting. A little overwhelming perhaps and as you said it would be ...very tiring!
There is so much going on and so much to remember,” Zia told him.
“You’ll get there. Its just time and patience but right now we have work to do. Are you ready?” asked Calda, already reaching for one of the books on his many shelves, taking one that had a deep purple cover and gold writing on it which read, ‘Complex Movements And Other Powers’.
“We will see just how you can manoeuvre while you are off the ground. Gliding, floating, its all the same but when floating you are stationary…. and when gliding you are moving…that is how it is determined in this book. Now first lets see if you can do the same as yesterday. Remember to concentrate and think of being light as a feather,” the wizard stared intently at his pupil.
Zia jumped off the stool and did as he was being asked, hoping he could still manage to float.
“Off you go. Good. Now higher. Higher. Think. Concentrate. Excellent, that’s six inches off the floor. OK back down and come over here,” Calda said leading the way across the cave to one of the paintings on the wall.
“This painting is of a great wizard, Ondara, no longer with us but he left great legacies of powers to be bestowed on worthy recipients. Not just anybody but those deemed to be able to perfect and use them to benefit the community. If you can master the floating and gliding at twelve inches off the ground, then, you will be able to manage the other powers you already have been given and then many more that are available.” Calda was talking with great intensity and very seriously.
“What must I do now?” asked Zia, thinking that maybe he wasn’t going to do any more tonight.
“You must practice that and this new skill I want you to master. You most likely have not even found it yet,” Calda said.
He started to whisper very quietly so that Zia had to listen very hard. Calda moved away from him, still whispering and it became almost impossible for Zia to hear what was being said. He went to follow so that he might catch what the wizard was saying.
“Stay where you are and LISTEN. Listen hard. Concentrate. THINK that you can hear me, and you will,” demanded Calda.
Zia was taken aback and stood by the old painting wondering what he was supposed to concentrate on. He couldn’t hear what was being said so how could he concentrate on it? Then the light dawned. Concentrate, that’s what he had been told when the wizard wanted him to float. This was another power, the power to hear very well. He did as he was told, thinking as Calda whispered and gradually, after several attempts and concentrating until his brain hurt, he could hear, not very loud at first but every time it was clearer, until he could answer the question the silky voice of Calda was asking him.
“Yes. Yes, I can hear you quite well now. Are you still whispering? I can hear. Yes I can.!!!!”
“Yes, I was whispering. Good. That is not easy to get the hang of.” remarked Calda. “You’re doing well. There are some rules that go with this power. First as you should expect, it is not for you to listen to conversations that don’t concern you, UNLESS, its for the good of the community and that would normally mean it was used outside the caves and mines that we live in and with the permission of the necessary authority. That means those that gave you the powers. Secondly you may use it if you think someone is calling you or if some one is in trouble. In other words to help within the community. Thirdly, you may be asked by one of those in authority to use it for some reason, that does not fall within these categories. That is permitted.”
“That is an enhancement of the power of hearing I already have, not like the the power to glide,” Zia commented.
“All the powers you have been given are just that, teaching you how to use your talents to the full. Gliding or floating is just a suspended jump or leap,” informed the wizard. “That can be a much more powerful ability than you know at the moment. It works particularly well with Little Folk. Its one of the best powers you will be given. Right, that will be enough for today. Practice as much as you can. The fact that I am not there wont make it any harder. You have been given the abilities and you are the only one that can improve them. See you tomorrow?”
“Yes, please. I can’t believe the things I can do or that there’s any more powers to learn. I can’t wait to know then all,” Zia replied, feeling delighted with his progress.
What would be the next of his powers to discover and learn? Not just his new powers but all about his work as an apprentice. The days went by and there was never one when Zia didn’t learn something exciting or new…or both!
He had spent several days with Zoe and the Teams and was permitted to stand on the back of the bigger wagons sometimes, when deliveries were made.
Calda continued to tutor him every evening and Zia never failed to be amazed at what he could achieve, just by concentrating and trying really hard. He practised every moment he could and found that his powers grew stronger and all the others he had been given to learn were just as extraordinary as the first two.
His eyesight had improved and he could see fairly well in the dark and much further than before.
He was learning to Mumble and realised that it was just talking very fast and very accurately. Not a different language as he had first thought. His memory was fantastic. He missed and forgot nothing.
He didn’t have to worry about finding his way to or from a place once he had been there. Dates, names, books, learning all became so much easier. Simple things like swimming and running were no effort and he was so much faster than before.
Two weeks had passed since he had been sent for by Faldarek and it was time for Zoe to go back with Zia to see the Wizard. They went to his cave and he greeted them with quiet superiority.
“Please come in. Thankyou for coming. How does everything seem to be going, Zoe? Are you pleased with the progress your apprentice is making?”
“Very pleased indeed, Faldarek. He has great ability and uses his powers very well. All the Teams have commented on his efficiency and pleasant disposition. In fact there is nothing but good to report,” Zoe said beaming, her white teeth showing in a grin
“Good and how do you feel about it all, Zia? Are you as happy to work here as Zoe is to have you working with her?” the wizard questioned.
“Very much so. I’ve never been happier and I am learning so much. The new powers are much stronger now that Calda has shown me how to use them and I do practice as much as I can. I can’t believe all the brilliant things that have happened to me in such a short time,” Zia reported.
“You must continue to learn and take it all very seriously. As you perfect your powers, new ones will be added for you to work on and the more you have the more you will be able to help the community in the future. That will be all for now. Come and see me again in a months time, both of you. Thank you for coming. Goodbye.” Faldarek walked with them to the entrance, shook hand and paw and returned to his office.
As they walked back toward the Station, Zoe was talking, “Soon you and I must have some time together. There’s something I have to show you.”
“Another talent?” Zia asked.
“Sort of,… more like another branch of one you already have and use well. Its very important and not one that we can show you right here. We will start off here but then things change!!” Zoe said with a knowing wink and an amused smile.
“Gosh, you sound like me when I am talking gibberish. Can’t you be a little clearer than that Zoe, it’s not like you to be so muddled.”
“Afraid you will just have to live with that explanation for now but as soon as I get the go ahead you will be the first to know,” Zoe assured him.
Zia interrupted, laughing, “The first to know what I don’t know now because you don’t know if you can tell me what it is that I will know once you have been given permission to tell me, whatever it is!!”
They laughed and chatted as they approached the Station.
Nip popped out from an alcove with, “Whoopee…..How did everything go? Are you a prize student and apprentice or have you been sacked?”
“Everything seemed to go well, don’t you think Zoe? Faldarek seemed happy with my progress, didn’t he?” replied Zia, trying to regain his composure after the scare Nip had just given him.
“Indeed, everything is better than all right, its brilliant. My star pupil!” laughed Zoe.
Grace had called a meeting between the witches and wizards to discuss the progress Zia was making. They were all seated around the big table in their individually carved chairs. Grace picked up her stick and tapped it on the arm of hers. She stood and addressed the gathering.
“Order. Can we have silence please? We are gathered here to see just what we think about the progress apprentice Zia has made so far. Its about a month now since he joined us and I want to know what you all think and if you haven’t had much to do with his education, to ask questions of those that have. All questions will be noted and answered later, after the reports.”
Grace sat down and nodded to Talik, who stood and continued where she had left off.
“Each of you have been asked to prepare either a report or questions about Zia’s progress. I will start with my opinions and we will work around the table.”
Talik cleared his throat. Picking up a folder he removed a piece of paper from it and continued,
“I have found Zia to be all we could have wished for. He appears to be keen and willing to learn and enjoys what he is doing and most important, he gets on well with all those that he comes in contact with. As yet he has no knowledge as to what his true role could be and for now he is just an apprentice learning as much as he can. I have had excellent reports from all his tutors. I rate him a first class choice….from what we have seen so far.”
Talik sat down and nodded to the witch on his right who followed the same procedure and told what she knew and then asked,
“When is Zia to learn what we wish of him in the long term?”
It went on all around the table. Some of those present had hardly met Zia, apart from at his Acceptance Ceremony and the occasional greeting in the tunnels or dining area. Most of these had questions and Calda was busy taking notes. When it came to Calda’s time to speak he did not have to stand as he was, as always, floating in front of a seatless panel that bore his symbol of an open book carved upon it. Turning to a different page in the book in front of him, he began,
“I have had the pleasure of spending a great deal of time with Zia, teaching and encouraging him.
His ability to comprehend the tasks, powers and duties given to him is far better than any other student or apprentice I have known in my many years. He takes to everything with ease and dedication. I am at a loss to know how such an obedient Little Folk managed to find himself within the cave at all. Unless he had help, which I know nothing about.”
At the head of the table Grace raised her eye brows and tilted her head to one side and waved her hand a little agitatedly for Calda to continue.
“Ahuuum!!!! Yes well, enough of that.” Calda went on, “The Others report that he is a satisfactory worker but admit that so far he has only been given the most mundane and rudimentary tasks to perform but agree that once his days there are increased they will start him on the more interesting things he is to learn. They feel he is still a very new member of the community and must prove his worth and earn their trust before he is given further and more important tasks. Their whole business revolves around the secrecy of what they do, after all. We have to be prepared to allow them to judge when is the right time to increase their trust in him.”
Foldarek was the next to stand and give his account.
“I have had Zoe bring Zia to me on a couple of occasions, just so I could get to know him, well, for him to get to know me really as I am pretty well aware of everything he has done since the moment he arrived within the cave but I digress, .… Zoe is very impressed with all aspects of his work and is very happy to have him as a Leader with her Teams. Also the Team members are very happy to work with him which will make things very much easier later on. He is to visit me in my office in a couple of days so I will be able to learn more then as I believe Zoe is taking him “Out”” this afternoon, for the first time!!”
There were Oooos and Ahhhs and smiles all around the table. Then Grace tapped with her stick once more. She did not stand but put her hands on the table in front of her with the stick held between them. She did not have to ask for silence again, all eyes were on her.
“Now,” she began, “The questions have to be answered. Calda, you have kept a record. Perhaps you would be good enough to direct the questions at the one you feel is most able to answer them.
Continue,” she instructed and leaned back in her chair with her hands and stick now on her lap.
Calda did as he was asked and when all the questions were answered satisfactorily the meeting was brought to a close and a further meeting was arranged for three months time, unless there was any emergency business to discus in the meantime.
Back at the station everything was in full swing. It had been a very busy day. Wagons were piled high with items for delivery. The post office had several urgent deliveries of their own and the Express Force, the fast Zoedledoodles, were called to take those in panniers. Everything was done in record time as if there was a deadline, like finishing an hour earlier than usual.
Zoe had said she had to have a talk with Zia and as the last wagon returned to the station she called him to one side and led him to Pog’s room, where Pog was sitting in a chair at his desk.
“Ahhh, is it that time already? Good I have been trying to keep busy, in the hope that time would pass more quickly. I am quite excited, well very excited actually. How about you Zoe have you explained things to Zia yet? Take a seat Zia, take a seat and Zoe you come beside me and lets talk things over,” Pog instructed.
Zia did as he was asked but he had no idea what Pog was talking about and Zoe looked a little surprised but she said nothing and went and sat between Pog and Zia. What was all this about. What was it he hadn’t been told and what was he about to find out?
“No I haven’t had a chance as yet to explain anything to Zia. He is kept so busy with his learning that I only see him while we are working and we can’t stop then. Things are very hectic.” remarked
Zoe and continued, “Anyway, I am sure it will be better coming from both of us. There is a lot to explain and we have only a short time before dark.”
“Will some one please tell me what is going on? I haven’t a clue what you are talking about and its driving me crazy,” Zia said with a mixture of annoyance and excitement.
“Sorry. So sorry. Yes of course. We are being very unfair. Zoe will you please tell Zia what is in store for him?” Pog said apologetically.
“Well, not to beat about the bush, we are taking you out very soon.- like ...NOW!!” Zoe told him.
“Out where? To see my family? I am due to go home again soon but that wouldn’t call for all this secrecy and explanation, would it? Where are we going? Come on Zoe, out with it,” Zia said.
Zoe looked at Pog and then back to Zia saying, “Right, OK, we are going out through the roof!!”.
“Through the roof? What roof? The only roof is the one above the pool and…..” Zia stopped as Pog and Zoe nodded in unison.
“That’s the one,” They said together.
“Let me try to explain some of it,” Zoe said quietly. “This is another of your powers….sort of, and its rather amazing, so we are all going to be there to help you cope, all the Zoedledoodles and Pog,…… and Calda, .……and Grace.”
“I think it will be just as well to proceed to the pool and explain it when we get there. It will all make more sense then, I hope and give Zia time to digest what you have….or have not told him already. What do you think?” remarked Pog.
“That’s fine by me,” agreed Zia. “At least I will be getting nearer to the facts. This not knowing is making me nervous!!”
“You’re right. Come on then. All the Team is waiting and they will be getting impatient. You see Zia, we really haven’t done any thing like this in…Oh ...many decades!!” Zoe informed him.
“Great!! now you tell me,” Laughed Zia as they went out to meet up with the Zoedledoodles.
“Calda and Grace will meet us there. Quickly, we mustn’t keep them waiting and from the look on your face, Zia, you are about to burst with curiosity,” Pog noted as he climbed into the wagon that some of the Team were harnessed to,
“Come on Zia, climb aboard!!”
Zia had never seen Pog so animated. He was quite different to the Pog in charge of the Station!!
He seemed to be enjoying himself more than he ever had but then all the Zoedledoodles seemed to feel the same, all very excited and happy. Zia was the only one that wasn’t laughing and smiling but then they all knew some thing that he didn’t. When he found out what it was that they were all so secretive about, that concerned him, he hoped it would make him as happy as it made them! He would have the answer when they reached the pool.
The journey didn’t take long, with the team racing at speed and giving the occupants of the wagon quite a hairy ride as it swung around corners and up and down slopes.
Zia was pleased to see Grace and Calda waiting for them when they arrived. Soon all would be revealed….he hoped.