The Shasta Caper, Chapter Sixty-Seven, Part Two

 

                          Chapter Sixty-Seven, Part Two

Smarn usually won. He didn't look smart, but the giant had a genius intellect. Samuel later found out when Smarn was poking around in the basement of the tree that Smarn had taught the tree to do all the things it did by singing to it.

Smarn sang to the tree in the basement and Samuel watched with fascination as a root sprang into view, then rose into the shape of a chair. When it was finished, it spread out a soft mat of leaves upon its surface for Smarn to sit upon. 

"That's amazing!" Samuel told him.

Smarn nodded. "There's more. Watch."

He began whistling and a series of twigs, or what looked like twigs on the earthen floor began to dance with one another. As they did they began growing taller and taller, until they intertwined and formed a plant that resembled a person. Finished, it half bowed to Smarn and then stood at attention.

"Go to watchpost." Smarn told it.

The Leaf Person climbed the ladder from the basement, seeking its goal.

"Watchpost?" The first hint of danger.

Smarn shrugged. "Nothing for certain."

"I thought you were safe here."

"We are. But forest not. The sky men burn down forests."

Robin dropped from above and squatted. "I overhead your question."

Samuel looked at him.

"Methusaleh and the Ancients have tolerated their acts of cruelty for a long time, in the hope that their leader...whom you seem to know...might change and his peoples. We have actually recruited some of them. You may remember the Island of Whites?"

"Strange name."

"It's what they call themselves." Robin explained. "The Whites. White power. But they no longer claim to rule the world inside or out. Only to be white, so their island name is both a designation and a self deprecation."

Samuel smiled. "It's good to know that they're not all evil."

"No." Smarn agreed. "Not. Just more now."

Smarn looked sad. "Must crush."

Samuel looked at Smarn. "Crush?"

Robin patted Smarn on his right knee. "It's all right,Smarn. They will be provided for."

Smarn brightened.

Robin looked to Samuel. "Smarn still has some doubts about the after life."

"It seems that your partner and mine have some similarities." Samuel mused.

Jimbo, who had been sleeping, woke up stretched, yawned loudly, then interjected. "Someone has to preserve our sanity in the midst of all the crazy mumbo jumbo you guys do!"

Smarn laughed hard. "Like Jimbo!"

Jimbo preened beneath Smarn's laughter. "Ditto back at ya, big fellah!"

Robin stood up. "Dinner time!"

They climbed to the top of the tree where a great round table had been built. No roof overhead, just a kind of soft cloth, which they later found out was more of the tree's genetics woven into a soft cloth like covering.

Robin and his men served the women, who passed out dishes to everyone from where they sat.

"It's a tradition of equality." Robin explained as he sat down after passing out the last of the breads that had been recently baked in the third basement of the tree."

"We believe that all men and women are created equal in the eyes of God. We not only believe that, but we practice it as well. Something I fear you upper earthers are still working on."

Nanny, who had been silent to that point, lit up. "That just about sums it up."

Jimbo looked over at her. "We're not all that bad."

She gave him a dimpled smile and blinked her eyes at him. "No. You're not."

Robin tapped the table with his knife, then cupped his hands over his heart. He closed his eyes and prayed. Samuel and the others closed their eyes.

He and Jimbo listened as Robin spoke. "Dear One Light, the Center of all that we are, we thank and praise you for our abundance, for our lives and for our souls. Amen!"

Samuel opened his eyes a moment as the prayers were going on and he saw a nimbus of golden light dancing around Robin's body as he spoke. Behind Robin Al and M were smiling and waving. Having themselves a great time. Between them stood Methusaleh, beaming at Samuel and his friends.

Well. Well. Well. Thought Samuel.

Robin opened his eyes and then broke into laughter. "And after dinner, I will show you something that will truly amaze you."

Samuel saw Al and M and Methusaleh walk off into the air and vanish. "I already have."