The World Outside The Shell<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chapter 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The climb to higher ground continued through mid-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri stopped at the crest of a hill and surveyed the marsh lands. The ancient lake was returning. The rocky cliffs and steep tree lined hills surrounding the lake contained the water as the rain poured down.
I shouted over the rumble of the storm, \u201cI will translate the map.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe map cannot be read in the rain,\u201d said Lady Ri. \u201cI think we should climb to higher ground then follow the ridge line to the cliffs on the northside. I noticed caves in the area when we first arrived.\u201d
The ground shook as thunder split the damp air and a landslide cascaded into the lake below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd what if the map is wrong?\u201d I shouted, and continued with a long list of reasons to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cI cannot hear you turtle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked up and tried to warn her, but it was too late as the landslide pulled the ground out from under her feet. I remember Lady Ri holding me close as she found traction, jumped free of the unstable ground, and climbed deeper in the forest, eventually stopping at the base of the sheer cliff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cI remember seeing the cliff in our search for the map. I think the cliff marks the edge of the ancient lake, so we can rest later.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd if we fall?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cHa! Danger is nothing to me. I will simply continue the search for a cave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease bring me with you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course, I need a translator to read the map,\u201d said Lady Ri as she grabbed hold of the shell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWait, I need to see the map to start translating the map!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri tucked me into a small travel bag tied to her waist. \u201cI feel the strength of your shell, I could drop you without consequence.”
I said, \u201cWhat!?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cCan turtles actually travel in the air like a bird, or was there magic playing tricks on me in a dream?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I fainted into a deep sleep when she closed the travel bag, and suspected the sleep was caused by magic as my consciousness drifted into nothingness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The crack of thunder woke me from the nothingness as Lady Ri stood at the peak of the cliff watching the lake form in the basin of the marshlands. She nearly stumbled off the cliff into the rising water at the sight of her companion. \u201cRog!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked down at the rising waters and marveled at seeing Rog, the weakest member of the party casually scaling the cliff with relative ease, despite the pouring rain. He was alone.
Lady Ri leaned over to pull Rog to safety. She said, \u201cWhere did you go?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rog said, \u201cThe ancient temple revealed another secret, a drawing of a turtle with same markings. I have sad news, the companions were lost in the flood.”
Lady Ri said, \u201cI still have you Rog, the last hero to save the world. And now we must stay together to survive.\u201d
Rog noticed my efforts to crawl to freedom.
I caught his attention and said, \u201cIs there any chance you can reason with the Lady RI?\u201d
He shook his head.
Lady Ri said, \u201cI must learn to accept the advice of others. I have been the all powerful leader of nations for too long.\u201d
I said, \u201cLeader of nations?\u201d I shrunk back worried about the true identity of Lady Ri and her companion.
Lady Ri said, \u201cDo you have a memory of your escape attempts? I heard reports from Venn and Romm about the challenges they faced trying to save you.
I said, \u201cI was captured, not rescued.\u201d
Lady Ri said, \u201cThe coiled snake wanted to eat you turtle. He tracked our group into the woods to seek revenge, because I continued to save you from his attempted\u2026\u201d
I said, “I wanted a simple life, Tamm wanted a simple life.”
Lady Ri said, \u201cThe marshlands are gone and we all want something we cannot have. I lost the staff because I tried to hold too much power. The same fate is yours should you decide to refuse the guidance of the others. I request your help, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said, \u201cThe companions must have known the rains would start when the great turtle was found. I get the impression we need each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cThe companions asked me to save the world. I refused and laughed at the truth of the prophecy and died three times. I was returned to this world with a better understanding of the prophecy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said, \u201cWhat? You died?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cI fear you are the key to locking the door to another world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said, \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cThe flood began when a door was left open. I am the youngest of the guardians and failed to close the door in time. The balance of worlds has turned to chaos\u2026storms of unimaginable size. Do you remember the man in the white robes climbing around the temple?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said, \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cThe Lake of the Lost Kingdom once hid the temple from unwanted visitors. The man achieved his dream as I watched him step through a door to enter another world. Are you the cause of the storms?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I said, \u201cThe sound of a waterfall is my first memory. I was Tamm in another world similar to this one, but the rain was not so cold.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lady Ri said, \u201cAre you ignoring me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n