Discovering Dhurga

chapter 4

The rest of the day and the rest of the week we spent mostly together in the garden. Khoth showed me the vegetables and fruits he had been preparing for me during the week. He also showed me a sort of animal enclosure where he raised the meat he had been preparing for me. I also learned he had help preparing meals and managing what could only be called his farm. He tried to explain to me the many beings and creatures that inhabited Dhurga. It got way to confusing and I asked him if he could please just focus on one day at a time with the creatures and beings we encountered one at a time. I heard a strange noise come from Khoth and the ground started to shake a bit. I looked at him for an answer, still no fear, and from our bond I could feel, laughter. It sounded like rushing water, a gale through the trees and mixed through those sounds were chimes. My mother had some back home. I hoped my family made it here.

Of course little one (chuckle), we can take your education of Dhurga slowly. Soon, we will need to leave the safety of my garden and answer the call of your purpose and fulfillment.

I closed my eyes to feel the current of magic. The Pull had become stronger during the week. I felt the need to travel north. I asked about the Pull and how were we supposed to find my purpose. I didn’t have any clue what it could be.

From what he explained, the Pull was communication from Dhurga, urging me to find my purpose. Dhurga seems to know me better than I do. I also wondered about the others from Earth and when I could go look for my family. Evidently, I will feel my family when they awake if they are here. I’d been given plenty to occupy my time until then, hopefully it won’t be long.

The morning of my second week on Dhurga, the Pull was nearly overpowering, Khoth felt it also. So we packed up and Khoth set me down to establish some traveling rules.

#1 There were many creatures intent on eating me for breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight snack, brunch, high tea and just about every minute of the day. My bond and close proximity to Khoth would protect me from most, but there were many things bigger and more fierce than him. I really hoped to avoid those, because I just couldn’t imagine something that Khoth could possibly be worried about. I was anxious about his warning to stay close, but terribly excited to begin. Also, the Pull was beginning to be overpowering.

We set out the next morning, as I approached Khoth, he was carrying bags, rolls and packages attached to what looked like a saddle. He bent down and lowered his paw to help me up. I couldn’t believe it! He wanted me to ride. I bounced up and down clapping like a 2 year old before I eagerly climbed up. Once up there, I felt a little differently, it was really high. Also, were we going to fly?! I hoped not, since just the thought made me nearly lose my breakfast.

Don’t worry Kat. It will be many weeks before you are ready to fly with me.

Whew.

So, I rode Khoth along with what looked like months of supplies set out. The creatures of the garden came to bid farewell. I worried slightly about their well being, but Khoth explained they would be fine. Then he turned and closed his eyes and I could feel a slight rumble begin in his chest, he opened his mouth and, instead of fire (that’s what I thought) waves of magic glittering on the wind seemed to form into a shield of some sort surrounding the garden like a luminescent bubble. No wonder there was no need to worry, of course, why didn’t I think of that.

One of the creatures that had been tasked to help me during the week, a creature about half my height, with flowing lavender hair and the most beautiful purple eyes, slightly pointed ears and tinkling chimes for a voice came to bid us good journey. I explained to her, Viola (the best pronunciation I could manage), that we would be back soon and thanked her for her kindness and care.

I continued to marvel at Khoth’s farm. As we progressed through what had to be miles of garden and animal enclosures. As we neared the edge of the boundary, I could immediately see the change in the land. Beyond Khoth’s care and magical influence, it was a wild area filled with life of everything imaginable and unimaginable. Most of the day I spent with my mouth hanging open just trying to take it all in. I found myself wondering how I fit into all of this.

Each being and creature has a purpose and a way to reach fulfillment. Some are masters of the sky, wind and rain. Others feel the most pleasure under the vast seas. There are even those that feel drawn to the fiery mountains that occasionally throw out new islands. Can you guess where I feel happy?

“You must love the forest and creatures in it.” That had to be it. I could sense it somehow.

You are right, my Kat. You continue to please and surprise me with your intelligence and perception. I really hope you can feel your own happiness also. Where does your heart and mind feel most at home?

I had to think about that for a bit. I knew that my time in Khoth’s garden just felt good. It was almost like tangible happiness. But, if that is where I feel at home, why was the Pull dragging me away from that safety and comfort?

Because, small one, your purpose here with Dhurga is far bigger than my little garden.

Hmmm. That was exciting and terrifying at the same moment. What or how was I supposed to contribute to a being older and wiser than the galaxy? I guess I would find out. I let the excitement win over the terror. I would get through this day and the next. I would go with the Pull rather than try to make my own way. Keep moving forward.

The first night away from the garden was spent in a camp of Khoth’s making, I think. I was wandering about looking at the new beings and creatures. Evidently, there wasn’t plant life or animal life or rocks and water. There were creatures that could move on their own and beings that were basically stationary since everything, even the planet was alive. Well that made biological classification pretty easy. Some things had more magic/life force than other things. The more they had, the more powerful and wise they became. At that point I began to worry about the other humans that were brought here. I knew back home, some people would do anything to gain power over another. I hoped those type of people just weren’t chosen. I had to trust in Dhurga and the Proteks.

Back to the camp, when we arrived, it looked like your ordinary clearing through the surrounding flora. However, after my short wander, I had to make sure I was in the right spot. Now, there was a shelter, a fire ring with a large pot in a tripod, some chairs and a shower stall? With a mini-waterfall?

“Khoth? What … How… when… “ another roll of laughter from him. He went on to explain that because of his talent for the forest, he could encourage plants to form what he needed. He even showed me a spot on a nearby plant that was growing huge and fuzzy as the blanket back in Khoth’s home. He asked me to close my eyes and feel the current of magic. So, I did.

It was beautiful. I could “see” the magic coming together to take shape according to Khoth’s coxing. I let my senses reach out to see further. I could sense the current coursing from Khoth encouraging the surroundings to form our camp. Then, I felt another being. I opened my eyes in a snap. That creature felt nothing like Khoth’s loving comfort and happiness when I reached for him. It felt, large, hungry and sharp. I don’t know how to explain that I could sense something sharp. But, when reaching back through my senses, Khoth was everything comfortable, happy and well soft, despite those razor sharp teeth and talons. I questioned him about it.

What did you say? (he sounded pretty surprised) Wait.

I could feel his senses stretching out and then I felt him jump ever so slightly. Then he slowly turned his head to gaze at me. “What?” He continued staring and his tail began to twitch. I then noticed his tail was covered in a huge scale that curled around the end like a cone shape, or the tip of a spear. I felt him begin to grow. HIs magic poured off of him in a tidal wave. I started to feel alarmed. “Khoth, what is it?”

Quiet Kat! You can communicate to me through your mind, only think to me and I will hear you anywhere on Dhurga. You have somehow sensed the approach of a dangerous and hungry predator. A good thing also, I had time to alter my essence and make him think I was a much bigger dragon and he has turned away from our camp, but too much noise will bring him back. I will be on alert and cast a shield.

Huh. I wasn’t sure if I should feel accomplished helping us stay safe, or hide under Khoth in fear of a predator that worried him. At that moment, I felt his shield growing over us and the world felt muffled. “Khoth, will the shield stop it if it comes back?” I thought to him. “What is it anyway?” Instead of an answer, Khoth sent me the image of the creature. I was very sorry I asked. What came through appeared to be twice the size of Khoth, with long tree trunk arms, a massive head that sprouted a single horn from the center and more horns sprouted from the center going all the way down it’s back to a tail with more horns or spikes at the end. The creature, I learned was called a nashornt, walked on two front arms as big around as a small tree and could walk upright like a human on shorter but no less muscular hind legs, for short bursts. It’s face looked like two large cunning eyes above rows and rows pointed dripping teeth. Once the sight sharing ended, I decided that that feeling I had earlier about hiding under Khoth was exactly what I should do at this moment. So I did.

After Khoth was certain the nashornt was gone from the area, we started a fire and cooked supplies. He, having done most of the work carrying me and all the supplies through the countryside, was tired, I could feel it through our bond. “Is it safe to have a fire and sleep with that thing out there?” I was getting better projecting thoughts I wanted to share, and shielding those I didn’t.

There is no need to fear, my magic is much stronger that the nashornt. Hunger drives it’s thoughts, while cunning, it is easy to mislead with enough magic. My shield is strong and nothing in this area of Dhurga could get through it. You can sleep in safety.

Well, that was easy for him to say. Soon, the rumbling from his easy breathing could only be snoring. I sat propped up against his side just behind the front arm and studied the shield. In close contact with him, I could feel his heart, his steady breathing and the warmth from his scales. Staring at the circulating, shimmering shield, with his heartbeat as a lullaby, sleep soon found me.