Chapter 1: Bird of Prey
On the way to the Outer Circle (interdimensional):
Vera stood very still. She listened carefully to Mullum-Mullum. She did not want to miss any of the few words he was giving by way of instruction. In his customary style, Mullum-Mullum spoke in a meaningful but mysterious manner,
Think not you can return on the path that leads to the fork.
Taken once, it disappears as the choice lies ahead.
Both roads will lead to somewhere, but one will be to nowhere.
It was Mullum-Mullum who first told Vera about the Inner Circle. She was not sure who told her to go there, but apparently it was already decided. She surmised that Mullum-Mullum’s verse meant that she would come to a fork in the road and, having reached that point, there would be no turning back. She glanced up, realised Mullum-Mullum was walking into the forest, and quickly asked if he had more advice. He stared at her with dramatic, grey eyes. They were deep enough to carry part of the world’s creation in them; powerful eyes. One would be foolish to underestimate their owner. Yet, they were also peaceful and kind. They looked like water as if they were connecting with all the water, all the rivers, creeks and lakes in this vast land.
“Remember, Vera,” said Mullum-Mullum, “by far, the most common reaction of those who get to the first circle, the Outer Circle, is to abandon the quest immediately. Be not deterred and you will have won the initial, important battle.”
Vera felt that Mullum-Mullum’s words were simultaneously frightening and reassuring. She startled as Aquilla, Mullum-Mullum’s wedge-tailed eagle, gave a high pitched squawk indicating he was about to move. That meant that Mullum-Mullum was about to move. Aquilla’s mission in life was to tail his master. He fulfilled his mission with devout single-mindedness. Aquilla was not the only bird around Mullum-Mullum. There were many birds that followed him and they appeared to have different tasks. Some came and went, relaying information from far and near. Some were busy with domestic duties, although Vera was not quite sure what those duties were. Others were happy, little creatures whose sole purpose was spreading joy.
Mullum-Mullum was gone and so Vera turned to pick up her bag. She pulled her coat tightly around her and headed down the road towards the distant fork. Although somewhat daunted by her task, she knew she was not alone. For one thing, a family of the cheery, chirping birds had decided to keep her company. Mullum-Mullum’s doing, no doubt. They flitted about and sang their little songs proclaiming the world to be a wonderful, safe place. They will be good company, thought Vera. She reminded herself that Mullum-Mullum had one day, long since passed, made this same journey. He would not have sent her on it if it was too dangerous or if he felt she could not succeed. That lightened her load. The birds chattered more loudly and seemed to be agreeing with her summation.
Donna Goddard 