Chapter 2

The Great Journey
By Jenna Melanson

They had been traveling for many days now, and Checker, being their newly appointed leader had to stretch to his utmost to help them all.  They were traveling away from their old home because of the poison that had accidentally been spilled there.  The other lizards had finally agreed to go with Checker when their old leader, Headmaster Lionwick had been poisoned.  At the moment Checker stood on a tall tree stump watching the lizards as they set up camp.  Checker had already made a place to sleep with Biology Guardian, (BG) their sisters, and the cooks, doctors and other more superior lizards.  After satisfying himself that they were in no danger of any kind he jumped off the log and crawled into the hollow space inside of it.  “Violet, he addressed the head cook, would you go down and make sure everyone has enough food?”  “No can do Mr. Checker! We found some delicious juniper berries and we restocked our supplies and everyone is feasting!”  Checker nodded appreciatively to her and walked off to his nest where he curled up to sleep.
 
     The next morning he woke and had an excellent idea, he rushed off to find BG, his best friend and deputy.  “BG “he shouted” send out a patrol to see if we can find water if so we can stay here!” he said in a great rush.  “Of course!” said BG bowing mockingly low and earning himself a reproachful swat from Checker.  Checker then climbed to the top of his stump and shouting out upon the camp where the group was stirring and beginning to chatter, “I have good news, I have recently sent out a patrol to see if they can find a good water source, if so, we can stay!”  His conclusion was met with a torrent of roars and cheers, he allowed himself a small smile, thinking about how happy everyone would be to finally end this treacherous journey and settle back in to their old comfortable life.  He walked restlessly back in to his quarters wishing that his patrol would go faster.  He thought now as he ran it over in his brains, maybe he should not have got everybody’s hopes up for it would only disappoint them even more than if he had just sent out the patrol without telling them.  He waited in the fretful state for what seemed like hours upon hours, though he knew it was probably only a half an hour.  When suddenly he began hearing joyous shouts filled with relief.  He ran outside just in time to see his patrol swept up in the crowds arms and carried around the clearing in a parade that clearly stated that they had found water and could stay.  Before he could treat himself to a wide smile, he was also swept upon the wave and carried up to stump, where he sat rubbing his sore head which had been bumped quite a bit.  The lizards gathered under him expectantly, as though they knew he was going to say something.  As the noise died away he began “First I must willingly say I have predicted that we shall be staying!  Secondly I must say that I hope we shall all come together and help each other make a grand new, how should I put it? Oh of course!  I hope we shall all come together to help build a grand new home of the lizard community!  And with this I say we should start work immediately, but before you go any where I want to tell you something, I shall have BG, Violet your wonderful cook, your to nurses, Miss Dutch and Miss Honey, and I am very pleased to say, myself!  One more idea, I think we should start the tunnel entrance under this wonderful log!”  To this arose many cheers and within moment’s lizards of every shape and size flooded in the hole to begin excavation, while others ran off to start to collect food and to plant some of the plants that they had brought from home.  So with this the beginning of the Great Tunnels came to pass.

     The next morning Checker woke with a happy feeling in his stomach, the last night they had gone five feet down they had made a great many sleeping areas and kitchens, the nurses even found a good place for a hospital.  Checker was sleeping in his new room; he had found a piece of rounded bark and put in on a tall flat rock as a bed.  He had spread this with grass and cottonwood fluff to make it soft.  He stretched and walked over to his small pond.  He was lucky enough to have gotten a large room, and even more luckily, he had a place where a small amount of water seeped to the floor of his large cavern.  He had also found a hollow branch, he poked five holes clean through one edge of it, then poked some plant fiber through those and tide these to another piece of bark with holes in it making himself a cupboard on the floor to put his clothes in.  He now walked over to the water to take a dip.  After this, He walked over to his cupboard and pulled out a long, emerald green cloak.  He threw this on the bead and began rummaging around until he found a small leather tunic which he put on before wrapping himself tightly in his cloak.  He walked in to the “dining” hall, although now it wasn’t much more than a small cave.  He decided that since there were so many lizards there he would walk outside to the juniper tree, but as he reached the entrance in the log he felt a rush of cold air, then a horrible thought came over him, what if they didn’t get enough rooms for everyone in time!  They would have to double their efforts!  Forgetting all about his breakfast he ran off in search for some lizards that were ready to work.  Two minutes later he was at the end of where their tunnel stopped with 16 burly spinies ready to dig, and a small assortment of other lizards ready to carry the dirt out of the tunnel.  “Everyone!” shouted Checker “We must ready for the winter, while others bring our food plants inside, we must make our tunnels bigger to accommodate so many of us!  So now we must dig!”  And with these last words, many spinies jumped to the dirt and began clawing it, biting it , and getting rid of it in any way the could think of.  Checker, who they thought should not dig, watched happily, a huge smile of satisfaction spreading over his face.  Suddenly he had an idea, within moments he was in Moonfeather’s large chamber, which she had gouged out herself in less than half an hour.  “Moonfeather!” he panted, clutching a stitch in his chest, “Moonfeather, I need your help to finish the tunnels!”  “Of course.” she hooted happily.  “Come, down here.” Checker said.  Although it wasn’t really down, because their tunnels were horizontal to the surface.
  
     Five minutes later he had cleared all the spinies away to make separate chambers.  Now, he told Moonfeather, “Have at it!” and with that she began to attack the wall with much more force than all the spinies put together.  Now he walked to the kitchen to fetch some roasted juniper berries and strawberries (this was one of the plants they brought with them).  When he arrived there he noticed some extremely white bread on the counter.  The cook stood beside them stroking her chin gently. “What is it?” he asked looking carefully at her. “Somebody brought it in and I was wondering where they got it because I certainly haven’t made any bread like this for ages!” Checker to a hunk and tasted it.  “Delicious!  You must tell me why you no longer make it. And where must they have gotten it?  Did they tell you?” he exclaimed.  “But that’s just our problem, when I asked them where it was from they just frowned and they were gone as quick as you can say “bread”!  “Strange.” He mused carefully, “You must at least tell me who it is!” “I think it was that young fool Simon, he’s always getting himself in to trouble.  I think I heard he’s staying down on the bottom floor.”  And so Checker set off the ground sloping lightly downwards.  Within a few moments he was down to the bottom floor.  He decided to go see how the digging was going so he walked farther down the hall towards where he had Moonfeather was still panting from her working.  “I didn’t think I gave you an order to work so hard you killed yourself!” he laughed.  “Ha, ha!” she returned, “but you did give an order to work, meaning I couldn’t go anywhere until you said!” “Oh forget what I said, even though I most certainly did NOT put it that way! Anyway just wanted to drop in to say its quitting time!”  He walked out the hall and went towards the door that the cook had talked about and kn0cked gently.  The door swung open gently revieling a room full of strange gadgets and figurines.  “Come in.” said an ancient lizard who looked far too old to be the mother of the young boy that stood stooped in a corner.  “Can I offer steamed rice or tea?” asked the elderly lizard.  “No I should not rob you of your food, I have plenty, no it is your boy I require, I need to talk to him.”  “Why, heavens, of course you can talk to the boy!”  But from the look on the teenager’s face it didn’t sound like a very good idea.  “So.” Checker said, once they were seated comfortably in to extremely cozy armchairs,” How did you come upon that delicious bread you gave to our wonderful cook?  I had some just earlier.” At this the poor boy looked as though he were going to be sick.  “How much did you have?” he asked sharply.  “Why quite a large chunk said Checker.  “Why?” Oh never mind.” The boy said. “But where I got it?  I snuck in to the kitchen and made some.”  “Checker looked into his deep black eyes and for a moment he almost thought he saw a twinge of regret but by then it was gone.

     Later that evening Checker walked into the dining hall where he sat down at a table and beside him sat BG and a very pretty checkered whiptail that he had liked to walk and talk with during his journey.  “Hello Song.” He said cheerfully, when suddenly to his surprise a sharp twinge of pain spread through his stomach.  He doubled over in pain, his stomach began to throb and so did his head.  He grimaced in pain, “what is wrong?” said Song.  “Oh, he said stomach ache!”  And he hurried out of the hall quietly.  He headed straight to the infirmary where he was ushered in by Honey the nurse.  “My stomach all of a sudden it hurts.”  “Just a minute, it can’t be, not that poison again! Quick, get over here Poppy (this was the assistant nurse’s first name)!  Pain spread through every one of his limbs and then everything went black.
           
     “Checker over here, Checker opened his eyes and there stood professor Lionwick.  “Listen Checker, I haven’t much time to tell you before you wake up, what? Of course you’re not dead! But you know what did this that bread and that boy was only acting on orders, beware Checker, many plots are being set, and you are the target!  Good luck Checker!  Be careful who you make your friend!”

And with that he was obscured by a cloud of mist. “Checker wake up!” shouted a voice loudly.  Checker opened his eyes into slits, his head throbbed and everything else ached horribly.  A face hovered over him he expected it to be BG’s but it was not, no that voice was brighter, higher than BG’s.  “Song?” he mumbled as loudly as he could.  “Oh Checker!” She howled in delight.  “I was so worried!  She threw her arms around him in joy, and as his head still throbbed in pain, he wished she wouldn’t.  He felt her wet tears falling down his cheeks and he thought, boy she really likes me!  With this he felt a stab of joy, now that he came to think of it he liked her quite a bit to, to tell the truth, he was glad she had hugged him!  She got up off him, “Checker, I was so worried about you! She exclaimed.  “I think I should give you a rest now, bye!”  She walked out her elegant tail swishing behind her.  “Checker” said a familiar voice.  “What happened?”  “BG,” said Checker urgently, tell the cook Violet not to let anybody else eat the bread she showed me yesterday!”  “But-   go!” Checker said.
    
     By the time BG got back Checker was asleep, dreaming dreams woven with images of Songbreeze, the young lizard, and Professor Lionwick, but every time each of them got close enough for speech they were swept away again, until finally he fell in to a deep, deep sleep.

     “Meanwhile Simon the young trouble maker crept silently out of the entrance log and off to the south.  He traveled quickly not stopping until he reached his destination, a large stone building.  He swept off a ragged traveling cloak and ran to the door.  It opened with a creak.  He jumped over the threshold.  “News master!” he said in a strange hissing spitting language much unlike the lizards.  “Of what kind?” said a small human sweeping him up in it’s hand, he did not protest.  “I poisoned the stupid lizard but he survived!” he said in distaste.  “What should we do now?”  “I think I have a plan,” said the human. “It requires much loyalty on your part.  You must lead him in here, I will trap him, we will leave, you call them out to “save” him and we trap them all as well!” It is perfect!  Once this happens, we will rule the lizards!  Now lizard hating brother is coming, you must go!  Come to me again as soon as you can!  Go, my stupid lizard hating brother is here, idiot, hates lizards even though he lives on a wildlife refuge!”  He opened the door and let the small lizard go.  “Come back as soon as you can.”  He whispered.  And with that the small lizard scurried quietly away.

     At that same moment Checker awoke far away in his bed, Songbreeze bending over him again.  “Would you like some food?”  She asked kindly.  “Why thank you!” he said excepting a pastry and a warm cup of their finest herb tea, as warm as it could get.  He sipped it and then made to set it down on the side table but it was already occupied by a large bouquet of flowers.  A note hung off it that read, “Get better soon, Song”.  “Oh hear, I didn’t realize how much room they took up,” she began to move them but he stopped her.” No I’ll just hold this.” He said indicating the cup.  He held it tightly even though it was extremely hot.  The only reason he still held it was because he did not want to move the flowers.

     He stayed in the infirmary for a week, Songbreeze, or Song as he now called her, visited him every day.  He was finally moved back to his room at the end of the week.  By this time they had fashioned him a bed with cloth and a dresser, along with a mirror and to his joy, fancy walls around the pool so it would rise farther.  They had also (he had no idea how) made the pool quite warm, so he could sit in it and swim in it without being cold.  He occasionally asked Song to go for a swim with him as she loved to swim.
 
     Meanwhile the human and the young lizard continued to plot their attack on the lizards.  In one of their latest meetings they decided they should take Song captive to make them come to them.  So as summer slipped in to fall their plans became even deadlier.

     So one extraordinarily warm day, Song and Checker where on a walk going to the spring.  They did not know however that the human and his friend hid right in front of them in the bushes.  As they walked forward, the human sprang forward snatching the unsuspecting Song in his hand, Checker instead of staying, made off for the tunnels straight away.  He was in the entrance in a moment and he ran yelling, “BG, Moonfeather, BG, Moonfeather!”  As he turned the next corner they both ran up, “What” they screamed together.  “Come” he barked. He jumped on Moonfeather”s back and said “fly!”
    
     Within moments they were circling over Song and her captor.  “I can’t make you do this BG, Moonfeather, get right over them!”  And with these words, he leapt off in to the sky, he fell and fell, suddenly, he slowed and stopped.  He had never believed in magic, but he was flying!  He soared down with all his speed right on to the human’s head, it screamed and threw him off.  But just then Moonfeather swept down, giving it a crashing blow to the head, blood poured from the wound, it dropped Song and ran screaming.  He ran to her she was uninjured, he hugged her.  “Song” he said, “your all right!”  “Of course!” she said, Simon’s friend Gabrielle didn’t want to hurt me!”  “Song watch this, I don’t know how I did it but hold on to me tight, and with that they both rose in to the air and flew all the way to the tunnel where he landed and set her down,  “Farewell for now , he said, “There is something I must do!”  He ran to his room, he truly had no idea what he was going to do, all he knew was that he needed to be alone to think this through.  He had never met his parents, maybe they could do this too.  If only he could ask someone.  But each time he thought of what to do or who to ask, it sounded like an extremely stupid idea.  And as he pondered each of his ideas was even more far fetched and unbelievable. Finally when could think of nothing else he could do, he fell back on to his soft pillows and was asleep. He saw Professor Lionwick, striding towards him, “Why didn’t see you last time ?” he asked.

“Because you tried to see me!” said Lionwick in his old wise voice.  Now that he said it Checker noticed how blind he was not to have noticed it.  “How did I fly?” He asked, hoping that maybe the professor would know this as well..  “Do you know why I chose you to do this?” he asked, without waiting for an answer he said,  “Because we are both part of a very rare group of lizards, we Checker are wizards.  Simon is also a wizard, your parents both were, and I think I can almost certainly say that Miss Song is one to.”  “Your sure?” Checker asked.  “Oh I’m very much sure, he added,” I think I’ve seen her do quite a lot of magic, nobody, not even herself noticed.  Oh but I noticed it.  Ever wonder why you’re such a great fighter, it’s magic! Now I suppose you’d like to go and tell all your friends of you’re new discoveries?”   “One more thing, said Checker” are you alive right now?”  “Only in your mind.” he said.  “So everything you say is only in my mind?” Checker said.  “No it is very much true, in your mind and out.” Lionwick replied.  “Now good day to you.” And with that he disappeared in a cloud of mist.  Checker woke with a start and leapt out of bed.  “Boy do I have a lot to tell Song!” he said and he ran out of his room at full speed.   



©2008 by Jenna Melanson, All Rights Reserved