Chapter 22-Return to the White World

Carlton was very gentle and slow, but this time it had nothing to do with his age. There was nothing unusual about a grandparent carrying a sleeping child as the two went for a walk, so most of the crowds in the world of the foundation didn't give Carlton a second glance. Slowly but surely, so as not to wake Shibu, the elder Ecaflip advanced toward one of the many winding staircases set back and away from sight in clean, white alcoves built out of the marble.

No one who live down here attempted to hide, or block the staircases which eventually led upward from the deep foundations to the ground level of the castle on top of the hill.

Yet, Carlton was one of the oldest residents of this unique community. He had seen and forgotten more, and remembered more than most of the younger people would ever know. He understood that there was an unspoken barrier between two worlds. It was not just the difference between wealth and poverty, nor difference in social station. Most of the residents of the community chose to live beneath the castle rather than below it because of the difference in attitude between the two groups of people. Everyone up above was always in a hurry. Usually to make money somehow, at a cost to someone else.

In the world beneath the castle, the denizens of this community had built something based not on money, for there was very little of it down here, but on trust, honesty, and open friendship.

As Carlton thought about these things, he glanced down at Shibu, still asleep in his arms. By all rights, perhaps Shibu belonged beneath the castle rather than inside it. But Carlton had seen enough of the world to understand that someone with the unique skills possessed by this young boy didn't belong to any one community. Shibu's openhearted friendship and is pure understanding of right and wrong was something they needed up above. So Carlton made up his mind to undertake a selfless act for the kingdom, even though doing it threatened to break his old heart.

He knew just exactly where the proper staircase was. It was the very one which led back to the Terrace from which Shibu had fallen so fortunately into this world. But as he walked silently up the serpentine curved staircase toward the natural sunlight, Carlton made up his mind at last that the best thing for Shibu was to be a part of the world above, at least for now. Perhaps later on, when things got better, as they always did, perhaps Shibu could bring the two worlds together again.

At least that was the hope in the old Ecaflip's heart as he laid Shibu down softly on the very bench where he had tripped and fallen. In his heart, Carlton knew very well that this was not what he wanted. But he also knew with the same sort of conviction that Shibu himself would have that Bonta needed him more than the people down below.

So Carlton left Shibu where he lay No one would harm him up here, and at the very least, the watch would find and wake him up eventually, as sleeping on public benches was frowned upon by the Royal guards.

Carlton looked down one last time on Shibu's handsome features, and gently whispered "Goodbye young friend, I'll see you again someday soon."

The elder Ecaflip turned away, stepped back behind some overgrown ivy, and was gone like a pleasant puff of springtime breeze.

"Hey boy!" A rough voice interjected. "Get up! You can't sleep here. Have you no home?"

The rude voice and the rough questions pulled Shibu out of his calm relaxed sleep, and rudely back into the world of the awake.

As his eyes fluttered open, Shibu beheld the owner of the voice. He was a short, roundish man wearing polished steel armor, and carrying a largely ceremonial halberd. His slightly fat face had already begun to show a days worth of stubble.

"Oh, forgive me guard captain. I was here with a friend, and then I just fell asleep." Shibu tried to explain.

"Are you ill, boy? Do you need medical attention?" The guard asked, sounding somewhat more sympathetic. Clearly, this young lad was no vagrant, but one of the many visitors to the city who had simply lost his way.

"No sir, I'm fine. Although my friend seems to have gone home."

"I see. First time in Bonta, my lad?" The guardsmen asked.

"Yes Sir. I came as a guest of Count Maxim. I suppose we got to looking around, and forgot about the time." Shibu replied amicably.

"If you're a guest of Count Maxim, you'll want to go directly to the castle." The guardsmen answered. "It's nearly change of watch, and almost lunch time. Come on then, I'll give you an escort up to the castle.

Shibu took a moment to make a lanky stretch before standing up, and walking along with the guardsmen, toward the castle.

"What's your name, lad?" The guardsmen asked as the pair ambled along at a sociable pace.

"I'm Shibu, from Amakina village, Sir." Shibu replied, offering the guard captain his hand as the pair walked along.

The guard took Shibu's hand, giving the boy a firm handshake. "Amakina, that's out beyond Emelka, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir. About two hours walk, if you have the legs for it." Shibu told him.

"Yes, I remember, the guardsman said. "My first assignment as a shave tail was out in Emelka." The guard reminisced. "I suppose that makes us home town boys, doesn't it, Shibu?"

"That it does, Sir!" Shibu replied brightly.

"You can forget the "sir" stuff, Shibu. My friends call me Theo."

"Ok, Theo, its a pleasure."

"So, my wandering sparrow, what think you of Bonta, Hay?"

"It's the most wonderful place I've ever seen." Shibu replied honestly, still with a bit of starlight in his eyes. "But I do miss home more than a little bit."

"Aye, I'll bet you do, Shibu. Not many trees in this city, hay?"

"Not half enough." Shibu confessed quietly. "If there were more trees, people could just climb up, and they could see their way."

Theo chuckled. "I suppose that's one way to solve the problem of people getting lost."

"There would be more shady spots as well." Shibu replied. "More places to play and have picnic lunch."

"Sounds fine to me, anyway." Theo answered. "Walking on stone all day can be hard on the feet, that's sure."

"That's why Bonta needs more fountains too, I think!" Shibu replied brightly.

This time, Theo laughed, right out loud, even though Guards were supposed to be stoic while on duty.

As the two approached one of the checkpoints leading into the castle itself, they had no trouble getting thru the crowds, who were still as thick as fleas on a boar.

"Well, Theo, whom do we have here?" an authoritative voice asked.

Theo turned, came to attention and saluted.

"A guest of Bonta, Major." Shibu here seeks to find the Honorable Count Maxim, who doubtless has business before his Majesty."

"I see." the officer in the gilded armor replied." Pass, Theo. Please see our young wanderer back safely to the Court."

Theo saluted, but as the pair marched on, he bent down slightly to Shibu. "When I get Leave next time, I'll come and visit you, Shibu. Maybe we can climb a few trees and catch a few fish in the shade."

Shibu smiled. "Sounds good to me, Theo!"

Theo rose again, saluted smartly and both he and Shibu marched past the check point.

"Friend of Count Maxim, are we, Shibu?" Theo inquired.

"Yes." Shibu replied honestly. "He brought me here to see the city."

"Oh did he now?" Theo replied. The guardsman looked up and around a bit before he spoke to Shibu again in a low whisper.

"You seem like a bright and bonny lad, Shibu." He began. "Why not take a word of advice from an old Soldier of the King?"

"Anytime, Theo. Tell me." Shibu replied seriously.

"If I were you, I'd keep some distance between the likes of him, and a fine lad like yourself." Theo told Shibu. "And that's all an old Soldier has got to say to a bright young lad."

"You're the second person to tell me that." My Aunt from Emelka told me sort of the same thing." Shibu confessed to the officer.

"She is obviously a fine lady, Young Man. She doesn't want you falling in with bad company."

"Bad Company?" Shibu whispered. "Is Count Maxim a bad man?"

"His Excellency is the half brother to the King. He was never a good sort, like his Majesty." Theo replied.

"I see." Shibu answered. "I think I understand now what my Aunt Anya was trying to tell me."

"That's the ticket, Lad. Just you be careful around the likes of him, says I, friendly-like."

Shibu nodded, so no one could overhear his answer.

He had a funny feeling in his stomach again, but this time, it wasn't hunger.

"Are you, all correct, Shibu?" Theo asked.

"I'm fine, Sir. Just now, I wish I could see my Family, too." Shibu told the old soldier quietly.

"That's the big city, Lad." Theo answered sympathetically. "One more bit of advice, lad. If trouble finds you along the way, you make straight for the King. There's no finer man in Bonta, or anywhere else, I'll warrant."

"You know the King, Theo?"

"For most of the life His Majesty saved during the siege of Bonta. I was a lowly Page all those years ago, and His Majesty still a Prince of the Realm. Worked our way up together, I guess you'd say."

That was something Shibu admired about the officer all the more, and it showed in his pure blue eyes.

"I want to do the same, so I learn everything."

"You seem sharp enough to do it, Shibu. And Bonta needs good people to protect her, and the King."

Theo halted, and with a slow, exacting bit of ceremony, shifted his imposing halberd from one shoulder to the other.

"Shibu, I'm right sorry I can't introduce the two of you, but it's time for the Changing of the Guard, and I have to report." Theo told Shibu. "Make your way up these steps, Lad, and you're sharp enough to spot the line for the General Audience. It's probably out of the main Doors by this hour."

"Thanks Theo. I hope we meet again soon!" Shibu called after the Royal Guard.

Then, Theo was enfolded by the crowd, and Shibu lost sight of him.

Something tells me I'd better hurry. Count Maxim and Fel are up there somewhere. Probably looking for me. Shibu thought to himself.

The boy with the black hair had another new feeling in his stomach this time.

It was a thick knot that Shibu had felt so seldom. But he was smart enough to recognize worry when it came to him.