Linada's Quest: Book One of the Pandor Chronicles

Chapter 1

A Child is Found

A s always, Pandor Sound was beautiful at sunset. Many residents of Pandor City thought it to be the most beautiful place on all of Pandor Isle.

The bright red-orange orb in the sky was just starting to make its final plunge into the calm blue-green waters. Just then, three seagulls appeared out of the evening mist and were silhouetted against the sun as they flew by in a graceful pattern. It was a perfect picture of tranquility.

The tan sand on the beach took on an iridescent Orange hue as the sun started to settle in the water. At this time of day, the saline content of the air was at its highest and the familiar smell of salt in the air could not be mistaken. Anyone could be led to Pandor Sound blindfolded, and with ear plugs to drown out the sound of the gentle surf, and their nose would be all of their senses needed to know that they were at the beach. Some even said that if you breathed in through your mouth, you could almost taste the salt.

The forested areas of land that surrounded Pandor Sound on three sides were alive with the gentle sounds of nature at dusk. Squirrels were heard fighting with each other over an acorn that both wanted as their main course for an evening meal. The unmistaken shrill shriek of a distant blue jay along with the five whistling tweets of a cardinal serenaded the serene setting. Chorus frogs added to the melody with their distinctive cricket-like musical production, along with the sound of crickets themselves to back them up. The oak, cedar, birch and maple trees that made up most of the tree population of the island also contributed to the scene by lending the gentle rustling sound of their branches, as they were moved about by the soothing breezes blowing in off of the sea

The short granite outcropping that jutted out from the little hill at the end of the tree line at the North end at the beach was ablaze with a brilliant display of orange, white, blue and pink speckles of light, as rays from the setting sun shimmered off of the crystalline structure of the granite.

The lone woman sitting on the granite outcropping is only a meter and a half tall and a bit too round for her short stature. Her full head of straight light brown hair is aglow with the red-orange rays from the setting sun. She is sitting motionless as she stares out at the beauty of the setting, with small tears oozing out of the ends of her eyes.

Wanildra Offley is still a young woman of only twenty nine. She works hard at the local bakery to provide for her two children; twelve-year-old Kelwin and four-year-old Karci. As is her custom after her day’s work is done and the children have settled down for the night, she walks from her cottage down the two kilometer trail to Pandor Sound to sit and watch the beautiful sunset. This night is no different than many nights over the past year as she ponders her fate after the loss of her beloved husband, Rynlyn Offley. Rynlyn Offley was a soldier in the army of King Tristan Gulliam. A year earlier he died during a battle with the armed forces of the Northern Province of Quarlon. Almost every night since that fateful day, Wanildra has walked down to her favorite granite seat and stared into Gods created beauty until the sun took its final dive into the water and disappeared beyond the horizon. This night was the same as any other night.

Wanildra silently watched the beauty of the last bit of the sun slip into the water. The air was filled with the gentle sounds of the waves breaking on the beautiful tan sand. Over the past year, she had spent many hours sitting on this granite outcropping overlooking Pandor Sound being comforted by the soothing sounds of crashing waves. She sat for a long time staring out into the water until there was nothing left but the faint hint of lingering daylight seemingly trying to stall the entrance of the soon approaching night. Suddenly, her gaze was interrupted by the strangest sight. A sea creature had been washed up on the beach and had become stranded. It was thrashing about on the sand. Because of the lack of light, she was having some difficulty trying to make out what it was.

Wanildra said out loud to herself, At least, for the moment, I can forget my own problems and help some other helpless creature. I hope it isn’t too heavy for me to push back into the water. She stood up and hastened down the beach toward the stranded creature. As Wanildra drew near enough to see, she cried out, May God have mercy. It was no sea creature at all. Wanildra stopped in her tracks on the soft wet sand as she stared in shock and disbelief. A few feet in front of her, flailing about her legs and arms, coughing and sputtering; was a young girl. Except for a blue pendent hanging from her neck, she was totally naked.

Wanildra took off her tunic and dried off the girl. Then she wrapped her in the tunic and made a dash back up the trail toward her cottage, running as fast as her short legs could carry her

Chapter 2

Lost Memories

L inada was confused and frightened. She glanced around and didn’t recognize where she was. She wondered who these two beings were that were standing in front of her staring at her. She heard sounds coming from the two. They were obviously communicating with each other, but the sounds that were coming from them were sounds she had never heard before. She thought where am I? What is this strange place? What am I doing here? All I can remember is waking up as I was being carried. Where was I before I woke up? I can’t remember. I don’t understand what is happening to me.

The one of two beings was kneeling in front of her, and sound was coming from her. All Linada could think of was that she was trying to communicate with her, but she understood nothing of what she was hearing. Then the sound grew very loud and scared her. She cringed and closed her eyes as she started to cry. Then the sound became soft and less scary. Linada opened her eyes and once more stared at the one kneeling in front of her. She was smiling and didn’t appear to be threatening her in any way. Suddenly, her hand was gently lifted and placed over the face of the stranger. Then she heard sound once more that she didn’t understand. The sound was repeated several times, as the stranger pointed to herself. Oh, I get it Linada thought. She must be trying to tell me what she is called. She listened intently until she felt that she could repeat the sound. She opened her mouth and spoke exactly what she had heard, Wa–nil–dra. The stranger smiled and nodded her head in approval and repeated the sound as she pointed to herself.

Wanildra took Linada’s hand and placed it on her own cheek and made another sound. Linada thought; I understand now. Her name is Wanildra, and now she wants to know my name. Linada opened her mouth and said, Li-na-da.

Wanildra seemed pleased and repeated the sound. Then she turned to the other stranger and made some more sounds. The other stranger got up and left for a short time and returned with something in his hand. The larger stranger took the three objects and placed them in front of her. Linada thought, what’s this? I’m not sure what they want me to do with these.

Suddenly, Wanildra gently picked up Linada’s hand and put the smaller object in it and had her squeeze her hand to hold on to the object. Afterwards, she pulled her hand down to the larger object upon the table and had her put the object into something that was in the bigger object. Next her hand was raised to her mouth, and the small object was placed right in front of her mouth. Wanildra opened her mouth and stared at Linada.

Linada thought, Oh this makes sense. The larger object must contain something for me to eat. She must want me to put this in my mouth. I must admit that this grumbling in my stomach must mean that I need something to eat. Well, here goes.

Linada took the object in her hand and put it into her mouth. She emptied the contents of the small object into her mouth and felt a warm pleasant sensation. She rolled the contents around in her mouth and sensed a wonderful taste in her mouth. She chewed and then swallowed the contents. Oh my, she thought; this was very good. Then Wanildra took a third object and broke off a piece of it and gave it to Linada. Aha, Linada thought, something else good to eat I would bet. She took the piece and put it in her mouth and chewed it up and swallowed it. Both things are very good. What am I waiting for? Linada proceeded to clean everything from the big object, only to have it filled again. Once more, she cleaned the object and devoured the two softer objects. Then a large flat object was brought out and set in front of her with many smaller objects sitting on top of it. She knew that these must be more good things to eat. She rapidly devoured four of them before she had a feeling in her stomach that she needed to stop.

Wanildra made some sounds to the other stranger, and the other stranger reached out and took Linada by the hand. By now, it was obvious that these two were trying to help her. She looked up at Wanildra to see what she would do. Wanildra smiled and nodded that it was alright for what the other one was doing. Linada followed the other one to a door and stopped. The stranger left her and ran over to Wanildra, and they embraced and Wanildra kissed the other stranger. She thought, somehow; I understand this to be a sign of affection. I know; Wanildra must be the mother, and the other one is her offspring. I wonder if she would give me the same affection. As the offspring came back and tried to lead her through the door, Linada resisted and turned to look at Wanildra. Wanildra smiled and put out her arms. Linada slowly walked up to Wanildra and stopped. Wanildra reached out and gently took Linada into her arms and repeated the affection. Then Linada walked back to the other stranger. She was led to another part within the area where there was a smaller stranger who was sleeping. She was gently led to another place for her to lay down. As she lay staring up, she thought that she was very fortunate to be in the presence of Wanildra and her offspring who were so kind to her. She reached down and took hold of her strange blue pendent. She looked at it and wondered why it had been given to her. She felt a strange attraction to the pendent and held on to it as she drifted off to sleep. She never noticed the light-blue glow that filled the room.

Wanildra ran as fast as her small frame would carry her. Her small burden was cradled

in her arms, wrapped in her tunic. She covered the 2 kilometers from Pandor Sound to her cabin in about twenty minutes. Kelwin was startled when his mother burst through the door. He asked, Mother, what’s wrong? Why are you so out of breath? Is something chasing you?

Wanildra didn’t answer for a few seconds as she tried to catch her breath. Finally, she could speak, Kelwin, don’t be afraid, she responded, nobody is chasing me. Everything is alright, However; for right now, no more questions. Just do what I ask. What I need right now is for you to go to your room and get me some of your clothes.

My clothes? Kelwin responded, And what’s in that bundle you’re carrying?

As I said son, no more questions please. Just run to your room and get me a pair of your old pantaloons and a shirt. Being an obedient child Kelwin immediately ran to his room. A minute later he emerged with the requested clothes. Wanildra took the clothes and then disappeared into her room. A few minutes later Wanildra came out of her room with her visitor. Even Kelwin’s clothes from a few years earlier when he was only eight were too large for the small visitor. Her extremities were nowhere to be seen. Wanildra spoke to her little visitor apologetically, I’m sorry little one. That’s the best I can do until I can find some clothes that fit you. Without taking a breath, Wanildra said, I know what to do. Druza’s daughter, Ila is about your size. We’ll borrow a few of her things.

Mother, Kelwin questioned. Where did she come from?

I don’t know. I was just getting ready to get up and come home, and I heard a splashing sound down on the beach. I thought it was some kind of a stranded sea creature. I thought it would be nice to help the creature and push it back into the water. When I got to where the splashing sound was coming from, this is what I found. Other than that blue pendent, she was naked, so I dried her off and wrapped her up in my tunic and carried her home.

By now, Wanildra set her visitor in a chair. The child just sat there and stared at Wanildra and Kelwin with her large brown eyes. Her eyes were a bit too substantial and looked out of proportion to the rest of her little head set in her thin small face. Her blonde hair was pasted to the sides of her face in loose, wet tangled clumps. She was about the same height as Wanildra, only much thinner. Wanildra pulled another chair from the table and sat across from her small visitor while Kelwin continued to stand by his mother and stare. My child, Wanildra spoke in a soft tone of voice so as not to frighten her visitor, what is your name?

No answer was forthcoming. The young girl just sat still and stared.

Once more, Wanildra asked, Please tell me your name. I mean you no harm. My name is Wanildra. What is your name?

For a few minutes, the young girl’s big brown non-blinking eyes stared at Wanildra, as she was obviously searching for an appropriate answer. It looked like she was trying to say something, but after a minute of staring, it became obvious that she was going to say nothing.

Kelwin offered, Mother, I wonder if she might be deaf?

Wanildra responded to Kelwin’s suggestion by looking right at the girl and yelling, PLEASE TELL ME YOUR NAME … RIGHT NOW.

The girl cringed and put her head in her hands and started to cry.

Wanildra said, Does that answer your question Kelwin; no, she isn’t deaf, but I’m afraid now I’ve frightened her. I’m sorry child I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’m just trying to help you get back to your parents.

Kelwin said, Perhaps she isn’t from Pandor Isle.

Kelwin, Where else could she be from if not Pandor Isle?

I don’t know. Perhaps she fell from a ship on the way to Pandor harbor and swam into Pandor Sound where you found her on the beach; on the other hand, maybe she came from somewhere else and fell off the dock in the harbor and wound up here.

My son, you aren’t thinking straight; no girl this age could swim that far. I’m guessing that she’s about eight years old. It’s at least five or six kilometers from here to the docks. Do you really think an eight-year-old girl could swim that far?

I guess not.

Wanildra said, I think I know what’s going on here. She probably disobeyed her parents by being out this late and doesn’t want to get reported and take her punishment. Wanildra got down on the girl’s level and looked right into her eyes, Do you have any brothers or sisters? Do your parents live in Pandor City? What is your name?

Again, Wanildra’s questions were met with big confused looking orbs with a shaking of her head from side to side. Wanildra ceased the barrage of questions and just sat there and tried to discern what kind of a game the child was playing. Finally, she said with a little sterner voice, Listen, If you are not home very soon your parents will be frantic. You must stop this pretense and tell me where you live so I can take you home. I understand that perhaps you did something that you weren’t supposed to do, and you don’t want to get into trouble, but you’re just going to have to deal with your parents when you get home and take your punishment. Now please tell me where you live so I can take you home before it gets any later.

The girl cringed, put her head in her hands and started to cry again.

Wanildra sat back in her chair, looked in bewilderment at her young visitor, and tried to figure out what to do next. She stood up and walked around the table a few times before getting to her knees in front of the girl. Wanildra said, Is it possible that you don’t understand me?

Once more, Wanildra’s question was met with a blank stare.

Wanildra stood up and shook her head and said, I don’t understand how a girl, I would guess to be about eight years old, would not be able to understand our language. Wait a minute; I’ve got an idea.

Wanildra got down on her knees again in front of the girl. She gently took the girl’s hand and placed it on her cheek. Then she said, Wa-nil-dra. I’m Wa-nil-dra. When she got no response, she repeated the procedure three times. Finally, the girl opened her mouth and mumbled in a very soft voice, Wa-nil-dra.

Wanildra smiled as she said, Yes, that’s my name; Wanildra. Then Wanildra put her hand on the girl’s cheek and asked, Who are you? She repeated this procedure three times also, when suddenly the girl opened her mouth and said, Li-na-da.

Wanildra asked as she pointed to the girl, Did you say Linada? Is your name Linada? The girl didn’t respond verbally, but she did answer with an affirmative nod.

Wanildra said, Great, at least I know your name. It’s Linada. I think that’s a pretty name. Where do you live Linada?

Once more, the question was met with a blank stare.

Kelwin said, Mother, I think you’re right. She doesn’t understand you. I’m wondering when she ate last. Perhaps she might be hungry.

That’s a good idea son. I should have thought of that. I know we still have some mutton stew left over from our evening meal. Why don’t you go and get her a bowl of stew and some trenchers?

Kelwin jumped up and ran to the kitchen. In a minute, he returned with a bowl of steaming stew and two trenchers. Wanildra took the food and set it in front of her strange guest.

Linada stared at the food and did nothing.

Wanildra said, Oh my … Don’t tell me she doesn’t even know how to eat?

Wanildra picked up the spoon and gently put it into Linada’s hand. After that she moved Linada’s hand down toward the bowl and dipped the spoon into the stew and scooped up a spoonful of the thick stew. Next she moved Linada’s hand up to her mouth and opened her mouth as an example. As Linada opened her mouth, Wanildra guided the spoon into Linada’s mouth and then closed her mouth as an example. Linada followed Wanildra’s example and emptied the spoon full of stew into her mouth. She rolled the food around in her mouth before chewing and swallowing the bite of food. A smile followed. Then Wanildra picked up the trencher and broke off a small piece and held it up to Linada’s mouth. That was all the encouragement needed. Linada took the bite of the trencher into her mouth and chewed it up and swallowed. That was all it took. On her own, Linada picked up the spoon and began the eating process. Linada wasted no time in getting to the task of eating. She hardly stopped to take a breath. Wanildra and Kelwin watched in amazement as Linada finished off the second bowl of stew by using the last piece of a trencher to scoop out the remaining bit of gravy. Not a crumb from the trencher was left.

Wanildra commented, My, my Linada; I have never seen anyone so small eat so much so fast. When did you eat last? Again, Wanildra’s question was met with the stare of those big brown unblinking orbs. Wanildra laughed and said, Alright, alright; I know the answer. You don’t know, Right?

Linada responded with a smile of her own.

Wanildra asked, I wonder if you would have room for a sugar cake?

Linada just looked at Wanildra.

Wanildra said, Linada, if you still have room after what you just ate, you may have all the sugar cakes you can eat.

Wanildra went to the pantry and brought out a tray of sugar cakes. To their utter amazement, they watched as Linada gobbled down four small sugar cakes before she finally pushed herself away from the table.

How do you feel now? Wanildra inquired.

Again her question was met with a blank stare.

Linada, are you certain you don’t remember a thing about where you came from and who your parents are? Wanildra again questioned.

Kelwin said, Mother, I think that your guess was correct. It appears that she doesn’t understand a thing we’re saying.

Wanildra said, It looks like you may be right Kelwin. I’m sure she’s going to be fine. We’ll keep her for now and try to find out more about her. If all else fails, we have a wonderful king in Pandor, and he is very wise in these matters. Linada will stay with us for a while as we try to find out where she comes from. If necessary, we’ll go to the palace of King Gulliam and request an audience. I am certain that he’ll be able to help us locate her parents. In the meantime, she has nothing to be afraid of. She’ll be safe here with us.

Again, Linada was staring at Wanildra and said nothing.

Kelwin, I just thought of another possibility. This may be worse than we thought, Wanildra said. "Perhaps she hurt your head when she landed at the beach and lost her memory; however, right now that doesn’t matter. What we need to do tonight is get some sleep and get up early in the morning, so I can go and borrow some of Ila’s clothes from Druza. It looks like Linada is about the same size as Ila.

Kelwin headed toward the bedroom and excitedly beckoned Linada to follow, Come with me Linada. You can sleep in our room tonight. Linada looked up at Wanildra for approval, and Wanildra responded with an assuring nod, It’s alright dear, but Kelwin, please do not make any noise and wake up your sister. Let Linada use your bed. You can use the bed roll on the floor.

Alright mother, Kelwin replied. We will be as quiet as mice. And, we’ll go right to sleep. Kelwin reached down and took Linada by the hand (the empty last few centimeters of the sleeve from his shirt, that is!) Linada did not resist. She quietly followed Kelwin over to the rough-cut wood door leading to the children’s bedroom.

Kelwin, are you forgetting something? Wanildra asked.

Oh, I’m sorry mother. I guess I’m just too excited having a guest. Kelwin answered his mother’s query. He left Linada standing in front of the door and ran into his mother’s open arms. They hugged, and Wanildra kissed Kelwin on the.forehead. Kelwin responded in like kind and kissed his mother on the cheek. He ran back to Linada and again took her by the hand, er … sleeve. Linada resisted, and stood there staring at Wanildra.

It’s alright Linada, Wanildra said as she once more extended her arms. Linada hesitated for a moment, and next pulled her sleeve loose from Kelwin. Afterwards, she walked toward Wanildra and stopped just short of Wanildra’s open arms. Wanildra leaned forward and gathered Linada to her breast. She gave her a soft hug and a kiss upon the cheek. Linada slowly returned to Kelwin and took him by the hand.

Kelwin said, Goodnight mother. Linada’s response again was not verbal. She once more stared at Wanildra with her big brown eyes. Only, this time, they were adorned with a smile. The children turned and disappeared through the bedroom door. Wanildra was left alone with her thoughts, as she pondered the meaning behind the appearance of this mysterious child who could not understand the local language and could tell them nothing other than her name: Linada.

Chapter 3

A New Friend

T he warmth of the late-summer sun was gentle as it kissed Wanildra’s cheeks as the bright warm rays poured through the kitchen window. She had just prepared bowls of porridge for the children for breakfast. However, this morning was different: she had to prepare four bowls. She carried the four bowls of steaming porridge to the table and set them down in front of each chair. Kelwin was the first one out of the bedroom with Linada in hand. They were followed by a yawning Karci. Kelwin sat Linada to his right, and Karci took a seat to his left. Wanildra sat at the end of the table. Wanildra said a short prayer giving thanks to God for the food, and then they were ready to eat. Linada needed no further instructions as to how to use a spoon. She dug right into her bowl of cereal. Kelwin asked, Mother, may I teach her some new words today?

Wanildra didn’t answer because she had just taken a large spoonful of hot cereal in her mouth. She just nodded.

Kelwin started by pointing to the bowl and saying the word. It didn’t take Linada long to learn the sound and repeat the word, bowl. All during the meal Kelwin taught Linada new word after new word: bowl, cereal, spoon, table, floor, etc. by the time breakfast was finished, Linada was starting to acquire a smattering of a vocabulary. When breakfast was over Wanildra picked up the dirty dishes and took them to the sink. She was going to wash them right then, but the knock on the door took her away from the task at hand. She walked to the door and opened it to find her lifelong friend Druza Eddings standing there with her eight-year-old daughter, Ila.

Wanildra said, "Hello Druza and Ila. I wasn’t expecting you two this morning. To what do I owe this visit?

Druza responded, Good morning Wanildra. Thorgo got up early and suggested that we come and pick up you and the children so you could ride with us to the chapel service.

That was very nice of you. Please come in. It will be wonderful to ride into Pandor City rather than walk. I appreciate Thorgo’s thoughtfulness. We have plenty of time before the chapel service starts, so I’ll put on some water for tea.

Who is that? Ila asked, as she pointed to Linada.

Druza looked to see where her daughter was pointing. Oh, I see you’ve got company. Is she a relative?

Wanildra said, "No, she’s not a relative. Why don’t you go and sit down and I’ll explain how I found her after I get our tea.

Ila walked up to Linada and asked, Hello; my name is Ila. What is your name? Wanildra didn’t wait for the obvious blank stare. She walked up to Ila and spoke to her, Ila, Please don’t think that Linada is ignoring you. She isn’t. We found out last night that, for some reason, she doesn’t understand our language.

She doesn’t understand our language? Is she from some foreign country?

We have no idea where she is from.

Druza asked, Wanildra, if you don’t know where she is from, how is it that she is visiting you now?

Please sit down. I’ll get us some tea, and we can talk.

Druza and Ila went to the table and took seats next to Kelwin, Karci and Linada. Wanildra poured the tea and brought the cups of steaming tea to the table.

Ila said, You called her Linada. Is that her name?

Wanildra answered, Apparently so. I worked with her a bit last night and managed to get her to understand my name and also got her to tell me her name.

Druza commented, I find it strange that a girl at least as old as Ila doesn’t know the local language.

As tea was sipped, Wanildra unfolded her story of finding Linada at the beach on Pandor Sound the previous evening. Druza and Ila sat and listened without comment.

Ila was the first to speak, It sounds like a lot of fun to teach her new words. Mother may I help Kelwin teach her some brand-new words while you and Wanildra visit?

Druza said, It’s up to Wanildra. We do have some time left before we have to leave for chapel service. What do you say Wanildra?

Sure, why not. Ila is at about the same age as Linada. Kelwin take Linada and Ila into the bedroom and you can work with Linada on teaching her some new words. We will call you when it’s time to leave.

Kelwin jumped off the chair and took Linada by the hand. He didn’t say a word. He headed for the bedroom followed by Ila and Karci.

The two friends talked for about twenty minutes trying to come up with some explanation as to why an eight-year-old girl would not be able to understand the local language. The thing they were most puzzled by was her sudden appearance on a beach at dusk, wearing nothing but a pendent around her neck. Wanildra pointed out it wasn’t so much the fact of her not being able to understand the local language, as much as it was she seemed to have no language of her own. That troubled her the most. Druza suggested that she might be an orphan from another part of the island. Wanildra conceded that it was a possibility that she could be without parents, since so many fathers had died in the war with Quarlon; however, she questioned what happened to her mother. Druza put forth the idea that maybe the burden of trying to raise a daughter by herself was too much for the mother, and the mother abandoned her daughter. Wanildra agreed, but said that still didn’t answer why she seemed to have no language skills. Finally, the two friends looked at each other and shrugged, indicating that neither one had an adequate solution to the puzzle of Linada.

Druza stood up and said, We had better get the children ready to leave for chapel service.

Wanildra said, Oh, I thought that we had a little more time.

We do my dear friend, but don’t forget, we have to stop by my cottage and get something for Linada to wear to chapel.

That’s right. Thanks for the reminder. Kelwin, come out; its’ time to get ready to leave for chapel.

The bedroom door opened and Kelwin came out with Linada in tow, followed by Ila and Karci.

Druza asked, Ila, did you have fun with Linada?

Ila walked up to Linada and put her arm around her waist. She said, Yes mother. I helped Kelwin to teach Linada some new words. One word I taught her I really like. Listen. Ila turned to Linada and said, Friend, as she pointed to herself.

Linada smiled and said in a soft voice, Faarieend

Ila corrected her and said it again slowly, Listen Linada… friend; say it just like that.

Once more, Linada spoke; only this time in a very clear voice, Friend.

Druza issued a warning to her daughter, Now Ila, I wouldn’t be too much in a hurry to declare Linada to be your friend. After all, we don’t know where she lives. If you get too attached to her, and we find that she has parents who live very far away, you will be hurt if you never get to see her again.

Wanildra added to Druza warning, "Dear, your mother is right. I’m going to do whatever I have to try to find Linada’s parents and get her safely home. You will be very disappointed if we find out that she lives too far away for you to be able to visit her.

Ila didn’t flinch; She confidently spoke, It’s alright. I’ve prayed to God about Linada, and I know that she is going to be my best friend forever.

Both women looked at each other and once more shrugged.

Kelwin asked, Ila, is your wagon outside?

Ila answered with a simple, Uh-huh.

Kelwin had an excited ring to his voice as he grabbed Linada by the hand and literally drug her outside as he said, Come on Ila, we can teach her newer words about the wagon, and horse, and trail, and sky, and clouds… His voice trailed off as he and Linada disappeared out of the front door followed by Ila and Karci.

Druza said, Now isn’t that something.

I know. I’m amazed at how Kelwin has taken to this strange little girl. It’s as if he is taking the responsibility of taking care of Linada all by himself. I know all of his friends at school, and none of them are girls.

Do you think he is taking on the attitude of a protective older brother?

I hope not. As we warned Ila, we may find that Linada lives too far away for any of our children to visit.

What are you going to do with her?

The first thing I’ll do is ask all our friends if they have heard of a local girl gone missing. After a while, if I don’t find anything about her, I’ll probably have to ask for an audience with King Gulliam and ask for his help.

I know King Gulliam can help, although; I think that your first course of action should be to enlist God’s help. Let’s make this a matter of prayer at chapel service today.

Wanildra put her arm around Druza’s shoulder and said, That’s why I cherish our friendship so much. You always seem to come up with the best solution to any problem.

Druza laughed as she said, Wanildra Offley, we have both been believers since childhood. You know as well as I do that prayer is always the starting place to try to solve any problem. The one thing that we can be certain of is that God loves this child more than we do and knows where she lives. I’m confident God will help solve the puzzle of Linada. Come on let’s get outside before our children decide to take off down the trail without us.

Oops, you’re right. Kelwin does know how to handle a team of horses.

The two women departed from the cottage to join their children

Chapter 4

A Visit to the King

T he morning was bright and cheery. Wanildra loved to stand at the kitchen window and allow the warm rays of the rising sun to caress her face. The trees cast long dark shadows across the meadow behind the cottage. The shadows seemed to dance across the meadow as the tall prairie grasses waved in the breezes coming in from Pandor Sound. She had just cleaned the dishes from the morning meal and had set them on the counter to dry. The sound of the bedroom door opening caused her to turn around. Linada was standing at the door smiling at her.

Wanildra said, "Good