Home Alone-A Christmas Farewell

[Gullander]

Home Alone- A Christmas Farewell

Introduction:
It had bothered Ketram. For a long time he had the nagging feeling he was still missing something in his time traveling. He had defeated Bal Muen and the way was open now to have the Silver Sword be found and Sebastius be defeated, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling an important piece of his puzzling existence still remained hidden. He had gotten glimpses he thought in his sleep awaking suddenly but never able to recall the dreaming. It was there buried deep in his subconscious mind and all efforts to draw it out had failed. He went to the Mage Council and asked them, he went to the devils giving them a huge financial boon, and even tried to visit his ghostly self in the Weisstein room, though that Ketram was no longer present. He had long talks with Ascanius but the harder he pushed the more evasive Ascanius seemed to be. Maybe he just imagined it but he noticed once a tear in Ascanius’ eye and wondered if there indeed was something unpleasant he was being shielded from. He came to decide nothing was going to lift the veil so he would simply have to learn to live with it. We pick up the story a week before Christmas as the general festive atmosphere made him feel lighter and forget his inner longings.

Part One- A Momentous Meeting at the Start Map

Characters:
K- Ketram our befuddled hero
W- Our beloved wood cutter ever present and amazingly wise

K- (to W) Hi my old friend! These lit Christmas trees sure make this place look like a magical land!
W- Well said! I carefully watch my cutting during this season it seems quite wrong to lop down such a tree!
K- I am still looking for presents but haven’t found any yet!
W- Ha, ha, yes if anyone deserves one it is you considering all you’ve done for this land and been through.
K- Alas the task isn’t yet complete, but I have to admit it is a time like Christmas that makes me think anything is possible.
W- If you could have one thing what would it be?
K- (hesitating) You’ll laugh at me…
W- Certainly not! Ha ha ha…
K- See already you mock me! (smiles broadly)
W- Is it the dream?
K- Yes, if I could know it that would be a fine gift.
W- Sometimes things are hidden from us because they are too hard for us to face.
K- Are you saying you know something? Ascanius seemed to but told me nothing.
W- Well my boy, I don’t know about your dream but I do know about the passage of time and how what is old from the very beginning can appear now as a phantom, a glimmer of a past reality.
K- So what I am dreaming may be an old memory from the beginning of any memory I have?
W- Yes exactly, for some reason this ancient bit is bubbling up.
K- So you think I ought to pursue it?
W- I didn’t say that, it could be something horrible best left undiscovered, or it may be a source of peace that knits you fully back into a whole person.
K- I’ve tried every one I can think of, no one can help and if I trust my intuition about Ascanius I should just leave it alone, but I want to know!
W- Then I have a suggestion, visit the old coot that lives on Fairy Island.
K- You mean Magus? He is rather odd and reclusive, why him?
W- He knows something about astral planes and may aid you in recapturing this memory, how to draw it out what it is. Since you have been a time and planes walker there might be a block he can help remove.
K- Aha! Wonderful! You are right he ought to know….I’m on my way!

The woodcutter wasn’t very hopeful it would help but Ketram needed encouragement. Who knows Magus could be helpful, if…..you could catch him in a lucid moment!

Part 1 of 4

[LostKnight]

Hmmmm ... Magus
Might be .. I am intrigued.

[Gullander]

Part Two- Hope on Fairy Island?

K- Ketram our hero on an inner mission he must complete
M- Magus the research minded mage in alternate realities, though a bit confused about his own!

K- Hello Magus! Remember me?
M- Of course I have perfect memory, you stole from me a chaos plate!
K- No, I brought you dragon items, and a giant bat for blood…
M- Disgusting! Why would I need those? A thief and a liar!
K- You had me kill dragons on the astral plane and bring back husks as proof!
M- You know about the astral plane? Thief, liar, imposter! No one knows about that but me!
K- But…you told me, I went there because you told me to..
M- I did?
K- Yes, you certainly did, don’t you remember?
M- Maybe….I live here alone and the fairies are lousy company always flitting about and zapping things, very hard to have a conversation with them. (looking intently at Ketram) Oh hi Ketram, nice to see you!
K- (rolling his eyes and sighing) Yes, hi Magus, I have a question for you.
M- Oh good, I like questions, ask on.
K- I have a dream, a memory I suppose, that I keep getting glimmers of but can never remember what it is.
M- Aha! Astral amnesia I’d say!
K- Interesting, can I regain my memory?

Magus begins a rather long and elaborate dissertation on how and why this can happen. He tells how different planes can swallow up realities from a different plane but that the realities aren’t gone just hidden.

M- So you see it should be able under the proper conditions to be restored!
K- So it is like when I defeated Bal Muen and the magic that was holding me out of my time was broken, and then all the memories of the past life were restored to me.
M- Yes, similar in scope, yes. But unlike the magic that withheld you before this is simply the natural result of traveling between two planes. During the time it takes for the transition bits of reality from one dimension or the other can be fragmented and jumbled up in our memory. Get it?
K- Not really, but what can be done about it?
M- Oh, nothing at all, quite beyond hope!
K- (Exasperated) So we know how it happened but not how to fix it?
M- Fix what? What are you talking about? Now what happened to my plate!
K- (sigh) Magus please! The astral plane, remember?
M- I have perfect memory! No Ketram I don’t know how to help you but I am not the only old one still around. Go to the other island! Now, where is that chaos plate? I know it is here somewhere….(wanders about searching)
K- Well I guess that’s it, it’s obvious he has plane walked a few too many times! But I think I know what he meant. Off to the Kraken Islands to seek out Vetus Lector!

Part two of four

[Leone]

The magus has a memory like mine!

[Gullander]

Part Three- On Vetus’ Island Refuge

K- Ketram our hero wearied but hopeful from the long journey to this island
V- Vetus Lector the keeper and interpreter of ancient scrolls, historian of FT

V- Hello hero! It is rare anyone visits me unless it is about that blasted disappearing artifact!
K- Hi Vetus! Glad to see you are witty as ever.
V- Indeed, what brings you here?
K- Magus thought you might help me reclaim a memory. He supposes it became hidden in my travel between planes.
V- Oh Magus! Perhaps he is right. These scrolls of mine have divulged many things. Things never told. Things you never even thought to ask.
K- You are getting all mysterious on me Vetus, are you just saying that?
V- No, I have perfect memory!
K- Oh boy! I’ve heard that line before!
V- Oh so you think I am a forgetful old coot like odd but harmless Magus?
K- Well…I didn’t mean to….
V- Ha ha ha, don’t worry my friend I am toying with you! I get so few returning visitors…and that is part of your answer!
K- Hmmm….what specifically?
V- Now listen to me carefully I am going to tell you what few others know. But first let me ask you why do you think you are free to travel this land? Why are others limited to one location? How come if you are killed you do not really die but always find yourself back where you began this FT journey?
K- I just figured it was the magic here or just how this realm operates
V- And you would be wrong Ketram! It is you that is different not this realm!
K- Well I know I was out of time and seemed to have a task to accomplish which up to this point has guided my steps. But now I have a nagging sense there is more, and if I can put it this way, it is like a memory is trying to draw me out of this realm entirely. Wow, I never said that before! Just talking to you is bringing some clarity.
V- Excellent! You really do not belong here.
K- But it seems to be all I have known.
V- Ok then I will tell you the remainder of what you have forgotten, for you have known much more than this realm.
K- Tell on, I am ready..
V- Ha ha ha, hardly! But this will get you closer. First let me answer those questions I asked. Haven’t you thought it odd you can travel independently and make choices whereas all the inhabitants are set in certain boundaries? That is because you are from outside this realm.
K- Wait! But Resa is my mother, I am from here! I have royal blood!
V- True, but let me continue. Even your mother Resa is locked in these repetitive boundaries. She appears alive only to be escorted, only to marry, and only to die over and over again.
K- That is confusing and I have noticed, what madness is this place?
V- Madness indeed! I cannot leave this island. If I try I end up back at this spot. And what about your immortality? How is it you could go south of me and be slain by fire archers only to live again? The monsters of the realm die too but their numbers never diminish but again are set in their boundaries like Resa to do the same thing over and over. But you Ketram, other than being trapped in this realm, are like a god doing as you please never to die.
K- So I am different other than being on a mission here?
V- Yes you are one of a kind Ketram, out of time, out of place, a stranger for a season in this realm.
K- It all is a bit confusing….not sure if I should hope or despair?
V- Let me continue and then perhaps I can offer a bit of hope. Ketram, who was your father?
K- I was told he was a stable boy, not very fine lineage!
V- And there my friend you are very wrong! We all look to Resa because of her royal lineage in the FT story, but the real royalty is your father!
K- Now I’m really confused!
V- Your father was not of this realm, his disguise was one of a simple stable boy only!
K- How is that possible?
V- Let me answer that by asking this, how do you know who Santa is?
K- Well every traveler knows he choose to visit here but is not of this realm…..(pausing and a realization coming upon him) but comes and goes as he wishes!
V- And how do you know of the lore around Santa and his giving of gifts?
K- I’ve always known that even before I met him out in the snow and quested for him returning his bag! I did know that….I am perplexed.
V- You knew that because you are more of his realm than this. Your father was from the same realm as he, though Santa traverses many realms.
K- So if I am understanding you my glimpses of memory trying to come are memories of my fathers’ realm?
V- Exactly, now hold that thought a bit longer and let me ask you, at what age did you arrive in this FT realm?
K- I was full grown, a man mature enough to face the dangers and respond to the challenges.
V- And what of childhood and youth?
K- I guess I never thought much about it because I have no memories of it! Aha, missing years now trying to come into view?
V- Yes, you are getting there Ketram.
K- But why am I here then, why ever leave that other realm?
V- Well I can only surmise but this is what I think. Your father loved your mother but after your birth they realized it was far too dangerous for you to stay. The child, you, would be sought after to kill as you would have been the heir and a prince. Not an ideal life for a child! So your father took you away back to his realm to grow up. When you came of age he knew this realm would need a hero, it would need a king to bring it to a land of peace. He knew because you shared the blood of both realms you would be able to operate within its distinct laws but being outside it also not suffer permanent death and move about in freedom.
K- But why now? Why draw me back when the realm is not a place of peace?
V- You have done all you can, the silver sword remains unfound and Sebastius alive to exert his will. You have done much and your father would be proud of you for all you have done. But you are alone. You came alone, you fought alone, and now you must go Home Alone.
K- Here I thought my adventures were coming to an end, but if I can return to my fathers’ realm a new life of adventure awaits, or rather embracing once again the type of life I had before finding myself in FT!
V- Yes you have been glorious! All of us here who desire good hold you in high honor, our hero!!
K- But how do I return? How do I respond to the summoning memories and leave FT?
V- That I do not know my friend, but I suspicion one does know and can help you.
K- You mean…why yes…of course….Santa!!
V- He is wise and aged and understands the mysteries of travels between realms. He is an immortal in your fathers’ realm as you have been an immortal in this FT realm.
K- I hadn’t thought of that, my immortality ends in that realm.
V- Yes and no, but that is for you to discover. But take it from me and please believe me this existence for us FT inhabitants is no life at all to be ever in the same repeating cycle. But to be free even if full of danger is better than to be a slave to tedium! Even your travels here have had some boundaries but you will go to where the possibilities are endless. I envy you! This tedium is no place for living. Now go! Find your Santa and find your freedom!
K- Thank you is too small a phrase to reward you for your help, you have changed my life!
V- No, you would have found your way. Those memories would only have heightened until you discovered what needed to happen. I am glad to have played a part. Farewell dear hero!! We all salute you!!


Part three of four

[LostKnight]

The magus has a memory like mine!

We be the three forgetters!

[LostKnight]

Excellent read 3 of 4 Gull....

It has me thinking ... pondering ...

So now I know why my forgetter is getting better ...
Now if only I could reactivate my rememberer!

[Gullander]

Part Four- The Santa Connection

K- Ketram our hero ready to go home!
S- Santa giver of gifts upon many realms

S- Greetings Ketram! Delighted to see you!
K- Oh is there another conspiracy or Ice Troll uprising? (See Santa and the ice trolls story )
S- No, but I can see there is a bit of a storm over you! How can I assist you?
K- I have recently learned I am not from this realm exactly but from the same realm you started in, a mixture of both.
S- Oh that! I’ve known all along! A wonderful man was your father! And Resa what a sweet beauty! It is no surprise such a wondrous son was given us!
K- Uh…I…you knew my father?
S- Oh Ketram, he loved this land of your mother and always desired its prosperity but you were to them the most desired thing of all. You have dispatched your sojourn here with honor and with heart. He was proud of you! He would have loved to have seen you again.
K- Would have loved?
S- Yes, time moves differently in these two realms. Alas it has been several years since he passed. I gave him a report when you first arrived and he lived long enough to hear of your hero status and breaking the magic that held you split between FT times. He took comfort knowing soon you would begin to search more diligently for your history.
K- So then I don’t really need to tell you why I have come?
S- I assume you want my help in returning to the realm of your father?
K- Yes if you can?
S- Ho Ho Ho, it will be my pleasure, but I have a request of you.
K- Anything Santa!
S- Go visit your mother
K- Oh but it is so sad, forever caught in such a tragedy, always alive but always dying too. And to think I once escorted her to her father….wait I just realized that was my grandfather! And I provided fish and meat for her wedding only to learn they both were struck down! Oh if only I could have saved her!
S- Ah but in a way you have Ketram. There is now hope that the magic on the land will finally be broken and the cycles undone. She knows you, her son, accomplished that! You saw her before as a quest, now go to her as a son and tell her you know, you love her, and will get to the land of her beloved, your father. She will be glad for you and can find peace in that knowledge you will be safe and free from FT.
K- Yes Santa, I will with all my heart!!

After a tender reunion of mother and son, though Ketram now was older than the set in time princess, Resa was filled with joy! Her baby was safe, his future sure, and his home, his real home met again. As Ketram headed across FT for the last time he was overcome with emotion. It had been a hard path but he had made many friends along the way. Other travelers like him too would hear the call of distant memories to a life before FT. He had begun alone, and now he would end alone. A new world, his world awaited him, he soon would be Home Alone but he suspicioned that wouldn’t last long but he would find that life full and rich and satisfying.

Back at Santa

K- Good byes all said, I am ready.
S- Good, I hope you don’t mind a few detours before you arrive home.
K- I guess not, what are a few more delays..(he smiles happily)
S- Good, come here. (Santa unveils his massive sled) Hop aboard!!
K- Ha ha ha…really?
S- It is Christmas eve tonight you know, can’t disappoint all the kiddies can we taking one hero back to the town in which his father had lived can we?
K- No, up up and away Santa!
S- Well said, you will be promoted tonight!
K- Promoted?
S- An honorary elf is far greater than an FT hero!
K- Sounds great to me! Santa I am so excited!
S- It is well Ketram, soon you will find how rich life can be freed from the constraints of this realm. Here have a candy cane to munch on, it is my special planes warping formula!
K- (chomp chomp) I feel different!
S- Ha ha, gets them every time! It’s just an ordinary candy cane, just thought a bit of theatrics was in order! Ok then off we go!!!

Our unlikely pair disappear from FT. Santa will return of course as he senses other travelers may need his assistance. And what of Ketram? Who can tell? His father had come, and he had been sent before, perhaps he will be needed again and as he felt the draw to leave he might feel a draw to return. But for now he will enjoy Christmas as he never had before.

The End

And it is this authors wish you too my readers may have a most memorable and enjoyable Christmas season!

Part four of four.

[LostKnight]

And it is this authors wish you too my readers may have a most memorable and enjoyable Christmas season!

Thank you.
And may you and yours have the same and many more to come.

Exceptional read. Thank you.

[Leone]

Excellent! Thank you. Brilliant read!