The Magic Puzzle Box

It was to Karoosh, the resting place that the box was brought one fall day.  Hidden deep in the heart of the forest, its location was known only to Faerie.  To the untrained heart it seemed a glade like any other whose boundaries were formed by a stand of Black Spruce arranged in a lazy circle.  But it was not the blackened trunks that defined Karoosh, it was the gentle caress of peace that greeted those who came within its boundaries.

The floor of the glade was lain with a thick carpet of moss whose roots drank from the sparkling depths of a bubbling spring located near its center.  The whispering breezes and calls of the Canadian geese far overhead were caught in this natural carpet and lay muted in the air.  Eons of sound rested here, caught for all time within the woven black trunks and soft light.  It was a magical place where Faerie came to listen to their beloved land.

Beside the spring the box rested on granite stones rough and barren but for small patches of lichen clinging to the wet surface.  As the days passed it remained a quiet sentinel in the clearing surrounded only by Nature and sound.  The days grew short and the air crisp with frost while the colors of fall came and went.  At the center of Karoosh a jewel of blue and aqua ice stilled the gurgling spring.  The time for magic was at hand.

The moment the sun slipped beneath the far horizon a single note sounded from an immense crystal buried deep beneath Karoosh.  Carried on the bones of the earth it held but one message for those whose hearts heard it; "Come."  In answer they were born on an instant of thought to stand outside the ebony circle of cedar trunks. When the call melted back into the heart of Karoosh it drew those gathered with it.

No one spoke and none moved as they waited, caught in the web of light that flowed from each to the other.  In the middle of the web sat the Magic Puzzle Box glowing softly until the rainbow of colors painted on it burst forth to dance in the clearing.

Hours passed with each participant speaking the words of magic in turn.  As they spoke, the colors shot skyward in sheets of liquid light carrying the tones of magic to the stars.  Lastly, the gifts were brought forth and with great ceremony placed within the Magic Puzzle Box.  Then with gentle hands Stump sealed the box whispering the final words of blessing that caused the dancing light to flow into it.

Standing, he looked to the others gathered as they moved to form a circle of oneness to sing to the heavens and earth in joy, thanksgiving and love.  Finally they stood in silence a moment to listen to Karoosh whisper its stories.

In the twinkling of an eye they were home to sleep or watch the new day dawn.  The Magic Puzzle box remained, until the day Ariel, Gared and Stump rode the winds on the back of Windracer to take it to their friend.