The Gift by: Kimmy Kenderkin
Chapter Two
After the Lighting Ceremony, Miles and Jonna showed them around the village and pointed out the different buildings and the events that were being held in them. They then brought Hank and Sheila to the small cottage of the local sorceress, Merryl. She was the one who would be able to help them if she could.
The old sorceress explained that they weren't in a place they called the "North Pole", as they had begun to suspect. Instead, she spoke of the village, Inception. They had come the same way as many of the others, if for different reasons. She also told them that there were many gateways that led to the village.
"For many of the residents," she said, "coming to Inception was a choice. A change of lifestyle and a chance for a new beginning, as the name promised. There are many different people and races here whom manage to live together in harmony and combine their customs. The Lighting Ceremony is an example of that, yes. It is our way of blending many festivals into one. "
Merryl cackled ruefully, showing her remaining teeth. "Though, not all our customs were so easily joined. But the Lighting had lights or candles in common with so many festivals, that it became the main theme. A Lighting and a Joyous Night to banish the darkness, yes."
"So everyone who comes here through the portals, comes to stay?" Sheila asked. "Doesn't anyone come here by accident, like we did?"
Merryl nodded slowly. "It has happened that way more than many times. The couple whom brought you here, for instance. They had stumbled upon a gateway and had come here unawares, until the way of things were explained to them. But as you saw, Miles and Jonna have settled in quite well here amongst us, yes. And so will you. Now let me find you a blanket."
Before she could rummage around the tiny kitchen, Hank said, "No offense Merryl, but we can't just settle down here. We need to return to our friends."
Sheila added, "Surely there must have been some people who left. Where is the way back?"
"If there's a chance to get back, we have to try," Hank told her.
"There is only one way out, and of those who have tried, none but one returned to Inception," Merryl said, a touch of anger warming her voice.
"I... I don't understand, " Sheila said softly. "What happened to them?"
The sorceress looked at them and gravely pointed her finger in direction of the path they had followed. "There is only one way back. And only the soulless may use it. Those many who have tried have been claimed by the Soul-Eater.
"Who is this Soul-Eater, Merryl?" Hank asked
"A twisted creature of darkness who dwells in the cave beyond the hill. It lures travelers in with the promise of return, yes, knowing they must have the Key to use the gateway back. But to obtain the Key, they must face the Soul-Eater."
"We can beat it with our Weapons!" Hank had stated.
"You may try to fight the Soul-Eater to obtain the Key, but there is a catch you face with battle. For it is in confronting it that you risk your very soul, yes. The Soul-Eater respects strength but it is intelligent and the clever one may get more from it than the warrior."
"If this Soul-Eater is so intelligent, can't we just try talking to it?" Sheila suggested.
Merryl looked thoughtful. "Should you try to make a deal with it, the outcome is precarious. For though it can be a sensible creature, its appetite is ravenous and will overcome all reason when presented with the chance to feed. "
She paused and continued grimly, "I know because I have survived an encounter with it. And only because it had feasted well on my companions when we tried to leave, long ago. It decided on a whim and a full stomach to let me go back to Inception alive, but without the Key." She sighed and looked hard at Hank and Sheila.
"With the exception of myself, those who have tried to leave have all become victims of the Soul-Eater. Only the soulless could return with the Key, for you see, then there is nothing to distract it." Her fists had clenched for a moment. "I would give anything to be able to have the chance to banish it within my grasp," she said with vehemence.
Merryl turned abruptly and bustled about for a blanket for them to use. "Now enough talk about keys and darkness. This is the time for festivity, yes? Now I know it's not much, but the barn next to the well is warm and dry and has an unused room. You may stay there tonight as it's sure to be more comfortable than this tiny kitchen. And you look like you could use a good night's rest, poor dears. Tomorrow we will see about finding you more permanent lodging."
She handed them a soft blanket and sent them to the barn with food, drink, and a wish for a Joyous Night.
Hank and Sheila gratefully accepted the items, murmured a Joyous Night in reply, and walked towards the barn.
* * *
They meandered their way through the scattered bands of revelers and almost made it to the small barn, when one group caught up to them. One member held a long branch from which dangled a bunch of greenery and ribbons. This was waved over Hank and Sheila's heads while the other members laughed gaily.
"A kiss and a blessing!" they sang out.
Hank and Sheila looked at the group in confusion.
"Is that supposed to be mistletoe?" Hank whispered.
Before she could answer, the group chanted again, "A kiss and a blessing!"
Miles happened to be among the group and called out merrily, "Come now! Hurry up and kiss the girl already! We've a lot more to bless!" He winked at Hank and motioned for him to comply. "You don't want to break the tradition!"
The rest of the happy group urged them on while waving the stick about.
"U-uh..." Hank stuttered, grinning awkwardly as he was put on the spot.
Sheila blushed prettily as friendly hands pushed her towards Hank.
Hank found himself guided as well, and as the merry-makers repeated the traditional phrase, he leaned down and kissed her lips. A kiss that was returned so softly, he would have gladly drowned in it for lack of breath.
Loud cheering brought them back to the moment and they parted. Miles clapped Hank on the back affably. "That was the best yet!" he laughed.
"You know," he confided as he'd pointed to the greenery, "the tradition has it that a quick peck on the cheek will bring good luck and blessings to those around them. You just brought good fortune to all of Inception with that kiss, my friend!"
Hank's cheeks flushed pinkly and he laughed sheepishly. "Oh."
The band waved cheerfully to Hank and Sheila and made their way to capture another couple for "a kiss and a blessing!"
They waved back and as they were left alone, Hank and Sheila exchanged glances for a long moment before they burst out laughing. They linked arms to steady themselves and made the rest of their way uninterrupted to the barn, still giggling.
* * *
When they had slumped down in a big pile of hay and gotten comfortable, they shared the meal, and realized just how hungry and tired they were.
"I wish the others could be here to enjoy all this," Hank said in between bites.
"Yeah," Sheila agreed. "Bobby would've loved the Lighting Ceremony." She paused before saying, "Hank, we just have to find a way back to them!"
"Don't worry. We will. Somehow." Hank sighed. "We just have to think up a way to get the Key from the Soul-Eater without it getting us."
"Maybe you could distract it with your energy arrows while I use my cloak to sneak up on it and get the Key?" Sheila suggested as she packed away the leftover food.
"Maybe," Hank said. "But I get the feeling from the way Merryl was talking that it will know you're there, whether you're invisible or not."
"You don't know that for sure," she argued.
"No, but I'm not willing to take the chance and lose you to find out."
Sheila was about to protest, when she saw the look in Hank's eyes. A look that caught her words and her breath. It spoke of concern, protectiveness, and something more than she dared hope for. It was a look that held the essence of the mistletoe kiss and something deeper.
Hank looked down and cleared his throat. He smiled warmly and sighed, wishing a blessing stick could appear above them again. But thoughts like that wouldn't get them back to the others. Reluctantly, he brought the conversation back to their leaving. "Um, I think maybe the way to beat the Soul-Eater is to outsmart it somehow. Use our wits more than our weapons."
They thought a while in silence, trying to come up with an idea. Sheila yawned and said sleepily, "Maybe we can trick it into thinking we don't have any souls." She covered herself with the blanket and leaned back into the hay.
Hank took some of the blanket for himself and put his arm around Sheila, as she leaned against him. They listened to the groups of revelers still outside. Some had sung aloud and gotten others to join in as they strolled the paths.
"It's like they're caroling," Hank said as he let the peacefulness surround him.
"Christmas carols," Sheila said softly as sleep drifted over her.
Hank smiled and let himself believe it. He felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. He almost felt that he could truly be happy here with Sheila if they couldn't get back. Sheila shifted and got more comfortable, and he stroked the softness of her hair. His grin widened as he heard Sheila hum sporadically under her breath. He could almost make out the tune when he heard her murmur, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."
Having heard the lyrics, he felt his heart break. He held her tightly as he vowed silently to get them all back home, his previous thoughts of staying forgotten. But first, he needed to get them both back to the others. He pondered different ways in which he might be able to trick the Soul-Eater into giving them the Key. The Key that according to Merryl, only the soulless could get.
All traces of tiredness left him as he recalled what Sheila had said.
"Maybe there is a way to trick it into thinking we don't have souls," he said quietly to himself.
He carefully got up without disturbing Sheila and silently left the barn. He saw a light still on in the sorceress' cottage and made his way along the path.
* * *
On his way to see Merryl, Hank ran into Miles one more time that night. Miles intercepted him with a grin and a package. "I did not think to catch you awake, my friend!"
"I was just on my way to see Merryl," Hank told him.
"Well, I won't keep you. I'm on my way to bed myself. But first, I wanted to give you this." He handed a bundle of cloth to Hank.
Hank accepted it graciously. "Thank you. What is it?"
Miles beamed like a little boy and eagerly urged him to open it.
Hank grinned back and unwrapped the bundle and beheld one of the silver balls the children had used to capture the snowflake lights during the Lighting Ceremony.
"It's a Gift Giving Ball," Miles explained. "It 's a custom Jonna and I brought to the Lighting from our homeland. Look inside!"
Hank moved aside the catch and opened the ball. A sheer cloth of silver and a ribbon of the same shone out at him.
"Jonna is a weaver by trade," Miles told him proudly. "Now like everything else on this festive occasion, there is a tradition to go along with it. And it goes something like this..."
Miles coughed, straightened up in mock self-importance, and then recited, "Inside this beautiful ball, please place something dear, to give to a special friend, whether far or near. Once the ball is opened, it must be filled once more, then passed on to another, according to folklore. From one friend to another, this gift of love extends, creating an unbreakable bond, between our circle of friends."
Miles bowed comically as he finished. "So, now it is your turn to pass on this tradition. Perhaps to your pretty lady."
Hank smiled but it faltered as Miles added, "Inception is not the worst place to settle down in, you know. Jonna and I came here by mishap, much like you. But I can see you are determined to return and perhaps you will succeed where others have not. Should you change your mind though, come to me and Jonna and we will see to it that you and Sheila lack for nothing!"
Hank was touched by his generosity and was strongly reminded of Ramoud. He regretted having to refuse Miles, but he said, "Thanks for the offer, Miles, but we have to get back to our friends. It's important."
Miles simply nodded and with a brotherly embrace, said, "Well, you must do what you must, my friend. So, I will wish you farewell, good fortune, success, and not least, a Joyous Night." With a wave, Miles went home to his small cottage and his waiting wife.
Hank sighed and walked on to Merryl's, hoping she'd help him with his plan. He knocked on the door and it opened immediately.
"I had a feeling you'd be back this night. Come in and tell me what you intend to do," Merryl ordered.
Hank went inside and explained his idea for tricking the Soul-Eater. She remained quiet throughout and then finally told him, "It is very dangerous, yes, but your plan just might work. I must find a container of a special sort for you so that you may give it to another while you confront the Soul-Eater."
Hank looked down at the Gift Giving Ball in his hands. "Will this do?"
The sorceress cackled with mirth. "Aye, young sir. It will do. And what a gift it will be!" She winked and took the ball to perform the spell Hank required for his plan to work.
* * *
Chapter Two
After the Lighting Ceremony, Miles and Jonna showed them around the village and pointed out the different buildings and the events that were being held in them. They then brought Hank and Sheila to the small cottage of the local sorceress, Merryl. She was the one who would be able to help them if she could.
The old sorceress explained that they weren't in a place they called the "North Pole", as they had begun to suspect. Instead, she spoke of the village, Inception. They had come the same way as many of the others, if for different reasons. She also told them that there were many gateways that led to the village.
"For many of the residents," she said, "coming to Inception was a choice. A change of lifestyle and a chance for a new beginning, as the name promised. There are many different people and races here whom manage to live together in harmony and combine their customs. The Lighting Ceremony is an example of that, yes. It is our way of blending many festivals into one. "
Merryl cackled ruefully, showing her remaining teeth. "Though, not all our customs were so easily joined. But the Lighting had lights or candles in common with so many festivals, that it became the main theme. A Lighting and a Joyous Night to banish the darkness, yes."
"So everyone who comes here through the portals, comes to stay?" Sheila asked. "Doesn't anyone come here by accident, like we did?"
Merryl nodded slowly. "It has happened that way more than many times. The couple whom brought you here, for instance. They had stumbled upon a gateway and had come here unawares, until the way of things were explained to them. But as you saw, Miles and Jonna have settled in quite well here amongst us, yes. And so will you. Now let me find you a blanket."
Before she could rummage around the tiny kitchen, Hank said, "No offense Merryl, but we can't just settle down here. We need to return to our friends."
Sheila added, "Surely there must have been some people who left. Where is the way back?"
"If there's a chance to get back, we have to try," Hank told her.
"There is only one way out, and of those who have tried, none but one returned to Inception," Merryl said, a touch of anger warming her voice.
"I... I don't understand, " Sheila said softly. "What happened to them?"
The sorceress looked at them and gravely pointed her finger in direction of the path they had followed. "There is only one way back. And only the soulless may use it. Those many who have tried have been claimed by the Soul-Eater.
"Who is this Soul-Eater, Merryl?" Hank asked
"A twisted creature of darkness who dwells in the cave beyond the hill. It lures travelers in with the promise of return, yes, knowing they must have the Key to use the gateway back. But to obtain the Key, they must face the Soul-Eater."
"We can beat it with our Weapons!" Hank had stated.
"You may try to fight the Soul-Eater to obtain the Key, but there is a catch you face with battle. For it is in confronting it that you risk your very soul, yes. The Soul-Eater respects strength but it is intelligent and the clever one may get more from it than the warrior."
"If this Soul-Eater is so intelligent, can't we just try talking to it?" Sheila suggested.
Merryl looked thoughtful. "Should you try to make a deal with it, the outcome is precarious. For though it can be a sensible creature, its appetite is ravenous and will overcome all reason when presented with the chance to feed. "
She paused and continued grimly, "I know because I have survived an encounter with it. And only because it had feasted well on my companions when we tried to leave, long ago. It decided on a whim and a full stomach to let me go back to Inception alive, but without the Key." She sighed and looked hard at Hank and Sheila.
"With the exception of myself, those who have tried to leave have all become victims of the Soul-Eater. Only the soulless could return with the Key, for you see, then there is nothing to distract it." Her fists had clenched for a moment. "I would give anything to be able to have the chance to banish it within my grasp," she said with vehemence.
Merryl turned abruptly and bustled about for a blanket for them to use. "Now enough talk about keys and darkness. This is the time for festivity, yes? Now I know it's not much, but the barn next to the well is warm and dry and has an unused room. You may stay there tonight as it's sure to be more comfortable than this tiny kitchen. And you look like you could use a good night's rest, poor dears. Tomorrow we will see about finding you more permanent lodging."
She handed them a soft blanket and sent them to the barn with food, drink, and a wish for a Joyous Night.
Hank and Sheila gratefully accepted the items, murmured a Joyous Night in reply, and walked towards the barn.
* * *
They meandered their way through the scattered bands of revelers and almost made it to the small barn, when one group caught up to them. One member held a long branch from which dangled a bunch of greenery and ribbons. This was waved over Hank and Sheila's heads while the other members laughed gaily.
"A kiss and a blessing!" they sang out.
Hank and Sheila looked at the group in confusion.
"Is that supposed to be mistletoe?" Hank whispered.
Before she could answer, the group chanted again, "A kiss and a blessing!"
Miles happened to be among the group and called out merrily, "Come now! Hurry up and kiss the girl already! We've a lot more to bless!" He winked at Hank and motioned for him to comply. "You don't want to break the tradition!"
The rest of the happy group urged them on while waving the stick about.
"U-uh..." Hank stuttered, grinning awkwardly as he was put on the spot.
Sheila blushed prettily as friendly hands pushed her towards Hank.
Hank found himself guided as well, and as the merry-makers repeated the traditional phrase, he leaned down and kissed her lips. A kiss that was returned so softly, he would have gladly drowned in it for lack of breath.
Loud cheering brought them back to the moment and they parted. Miles clapped Hank on the back affably. "That was the best yet!" he laughed.
"You know," he confided as he'd pointed to the greenery, "the tradition has it that a quick peck on the cheek will bring good luck and blessings to those around them. You just brought good fortune to all of Inception with that kiss, my friend!"
Hank's cheeks flushed pinkly and he laughed sheepishly. "Oh."
The band waved cheerfully to Hank and Sheila and made their way to capture another couple for "a kiss and a blessing!"
They waved back and as they were left alone, Hank and Sheila exchanged glances for a long moment before they burst out laughing. They linked arms to steady themselves and made the rest of their way uninterrupted to the barn, still giggling.
* * *
When they had slumped down in a big pile of hay and gotten comfortable, they shared the meal, and realized just how hungry and tired they were.
"I wish the others could be here to enjoy all this," Hank said in between bites.
"Yeah," Sheila agreed. "Bobby would've loved the Lighting Ceremony." She paused before saying, "Hank, we just have to find a way back to them!"
"Don't worry. We will. Somehow." Hank sighed. "We just have to think up a way to get the Key from the Soul-Eater without it getting us."
"Maybe you could distract it with your energy arrows while I use my cloak to sneak up on it and get the Key?" Sheila suggested as she packed away the leftover food.
"Maybe," Hank said. "But I get the feeling from the way Merryl was talking that it will know you're there, whether you're invisible or not."
"You don't know that for sure," she argued.
"No, but I'm not willing to take the chance and lose you to find out."
Sheila was about to protest, when she saw the look in Hank's eyes. A look that caught her words and her breath. It spoke of concern, protectiveness, and something more than she dared hope for. It was a look that held the essence of the mistletoe kiss and something deeper.
Hank looked down and cleared his throat. He smiled warmly and sighed, wishing a blessing stick could appear above them again. But thoughts like that wouldn't get them back to the others. Reluctantly, he brought the conversation back to their leaving. "Um, I think maybe the way to beat the Soul-Eater is to outsmart it somehow. Use our wits more than our weapons."
They thought a while in silence, trying to come up with an idea. Sheila yawned and said sleepily, "Maybe we can trick it into thinking we don't have any souls." She covered herself with the blanket and leaned back into the hay.
Hank took some of the blanket for himself and put his arm around Sheila, as she leaned against him. They listened to the groups of revelers still outside. Some had sung aloud and gotten others to join in as they strolled the paths.
"It's like they're caroling," Hank said as he let the peacefulness surround him.
"Christmas carols," Sheila said softly as sleep drifted over her.
Hank smiled and let himself believe it. He felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. He almost felt that he could truly be happy here with Sheila if they couldn't get back. Sheila shifted and got more comfortable, and he stroked the softness of her hair. His grin widened as he heard Sheila hum sporadically under her breath. He could almost make out the tune when he heard her murmur, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."
Having heard the lyrics, he felt his heart break. He held her tightly as he vowed silently to get them all back home, his previous thoughts of staying forgotten. But first, he needed to get them both back to the others. He pondered different ways in which he might be able to trick the Soul-Eater into giving them the Key. The Key that according to Merryl, only the soulless could get.
All traces of tiredness left him as he recalled what Sheila had said.
"Maybe there is a way to trick it into thinking we don't have souls," he said quietly to himself.
He carefully got up without disturbing Sheila and silently left the barn. He saw a light still on in the sorceress' cottage and made his way along the path.
* * *
On his way to see Merryl, Hank ran into Miles one more time that night. Miles intercepted him with a grin and a package. "I did not think to catch you awake, my friend!"
"I was just on my way to see Merryl," Hank told him.
"Well, I won't keep you. I'm on my way to bed myself. But first, I wanted to give you this." He handed a bundle of cloth to Hank.
Hank accepted it graciously. "Thank you. What is it?"
Miles beamed like a little boy and eagerly urged him to open it.
Hank grinned back and unwrapped the bundle and beheld one of the silver balls the children had used to capture the snowflake lights during the Lighting Ceremony.
"It's a Gift Giving Ball," Miles explained. "It 's a custom Jonna and I brought to the Lighting from our homeland. Look inside!"
Hank moved aside the catch and opened the ball. A sheer cloth of silver and a ribbon of the same shone out at him.
"Jonna is a weaver by trade," Miles told him proudly. "Now like everything else on this festive occasion, there is a tradition to go along with it. And it goes something like this..."
Miles coughed, straightened up in mock self-importance, and then recited, "Inside this beautiful ball, please place something dear, to give to a special friend, whether far or near. Once the ball is opened, it must be filled once more, then passed on to another, according to folklore. From one friend to another, this gift of love extends, creating an unbreakable bond, between our circle of friends."
Miles bowed comically as he finished. "So, now it is your turn to pass on this tradition. Perhaps to your pretty lady."
Hank smiled but it faltered as Miles added, "Inception is not the worst place to settle down in, you know. Jonna and I came here by mishap, much like you. But I can see you are determined to return and perhaps you will succeed where others have not. Should you change your mind though, come to me and Jonna and we will see to it that you and Sheila lack for nothing!"
Hank was touched by his generosity and was strongly reminded of Ramoud. He regretted having to refuse Miles, but he said, "Thanks for the offer, Miles, but we have to get back to our friends. It's important."
Miles simply nodded and with a brotherly embrace, said, "Well, you must do what you must, my friend. So, I will wish you farewell, good fortune, success, and not least, a Joyous Night." With a wave, Miles went home to his small cottage and his waiting wife.
Hank sighed and walked on to Merryl's, hoping she'd help him with his plan. He knocked on the door and it opened immediately.
"I had a feeling you'd be back this night. Come in and tell me what you intend to do," Merryl ordered.
Hank went inside and explained his idea for tricking the Soul-Eater. She remained quiet throughout and then finally told him, "It is very dangerous, yes, but your plan just might work. I must find a container of a special sort for you so that you may give it to another while you confront the Soul-Eater."
Hank looked down at the Gift Giving Ball in his hands. "Will this do?"
The sorceress cackled with mirth. "Aye, young sir. It will do. And what a gift it will be!" She winked and took the ball to perform the spell Hank required for his plan to work.
* * *