Soon, I find the source of the choir of chalky dust. I pass between two great mounds of dust. Before me is a chamber of such beauty as I am certain no eyes have glimpsed before or since. Walls of glittering crystal project their multi-colored light in a dazzling dance of delightful patterns. The softest curtains of plush velvet brush lightly against the walls producing a dulcet melody most welcome. Eager, I rush inside the chamber and imagine I have fallen asleep. In my dream I am flying home.
"Oh, poo-pah and whatever shall I do", said the Lamassu to no one in particular.
"Wake up my girl! Wake up! Tell me what to do! Oh dear me, me dear, whatever shall I do? Help! Help us"!
Lost in dreams and linked to her girl, the Lamassu had followed quiet as a shadow. She lost track of how long they had walked, focusing all of her energy on keeping the girl in sight. The girl paused for a moment, then rushed down some steps into a deep pit. Faster than the Lamassu could whimper out a plea to stop the girl lay down in the center of the pit fast asleep. Nothing she tried seems to wake the girl. Without warning a series of stone blocks fall over the opening to the pit entombing the two of them inside.
"Those rocks laughed, just as they fell. I am sure of it"!
Dust and debris pour into the cracks between the rock and the laughter from the rocks is muffled, then silent. The gray twilight sky is no longer visible above them.
"Oh dear girl, please wake up"!
The dust on the floor of the pit reacts to the plea, flowing up from below like churning water. It is all the Lamassu can do to keep the sand from covering the girl's prone form. Soon the dust has risen past the Lamassu's knees. She lifts the girl onto her shoulder to keep her from asphyxiating on dust.
Starting deep in the belly, resonating through the chest and bellowing out through the wide open orifice of the great beast, the Lamassu bellows forth a roar of such magnitude that people on Earth, momentarily paused their activities, as in question as to the nature of the sound they heard.
"GRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOORROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRR" bellowed the Lamassu with all her might.
The rocks above shook, shattered and fell on the great Lamassu with a mighty death knell, pummeling her flesh. Battered, she leaped with all her might. At the apex of her leap one particularly large rock launched itself at her, shrieking as it struck her on the head. The Lamassu fell with a loud thud into the surrounding dust, her last act kept the girl safely protected from the worst of the fall, nestled on top of the mighty beast.
"I told her not to tarry. I told her not to stray from the path"! Olive looked back and forth from its pocket watch to the prone form of the girl and the battered Lamassu. They were comfortably resting on the finest bedding available. The room was artificially bright, however the source of the light was not apparent. The old man had come as soon as he heard the Chimera's wail. He found the girl and the Chimera and brought them to this place, Olive in tow.
"The creatures from in between are a mischievous and dangerous lot. We are fortunate the girl's Chimera is so bonded to her. If the Chimera had failed to follow the girl, she would be lost to us".
"Can you save them" asked Olive.
"The girl is strong. She will recover. As for the Chimera, that depends on the girl and how much she has grown".
He bent over the girl, almost hovering and whispered in her ear,
"Anything is possible just think it and it's true
Make your dreams reality sure as the sky is blue
Reach for the stars before the afternoon
Find what's in your heart your time has come".
Her breath quickened at the sound of his voice and her eyes began to flutter.
With a start, she bolted upright.
"I thought it was all over". When her eyes opened she saw the impatient rock Olive starring at its watch.
"And it would have been if not for your creature's fierce roar! Why didn't you listen to me? All you had to do was follow instructions"!
"Oh Olive, it was not your fault. I was lulled by the tedium of the terrain. Then I heard a magical sound. I followed it. There was the most fantastic palace filled with the loveliest tones and the most splendid of lights. I remember feeling very tired. I dreamed this was all over and I was back home doing homework".
Olive looked down at its pocket watch unable to find any words to rebuke her with.
"NO! What has happened to my sweet Lamassu"?
"It appeared she was injured defending your from the creatures in-between".
"Will she live"?
"She needs you for that".
"What can I do"?
"The creature was there when you needed her, be there for her".
I walk over to my Lamassu's bed. Her breathing is heavy and she is a mass of bruises. Gently, I climb up into her bed and slowly begin to pat her.
"Don't give up my friend. You are very important to me. You have a voice like thunder. You can fly, walk to the moon, and swim in the ocean. You can save foolish girls from their folly. You bake the most wonderful cookies! We have many more adventures to go on. You are by far, the best Lamassu ever. You are so incredible, why...you can even heal your own wounds. Now show me what you are made of and get up and give me a hug"!
The Lamassu's breathing because stronger and steady. Within a few moments her bruises were no longer swollen. Then they were gone. First one eye opened and then the other. She stretched one wing wide and then the other. Deep down from her chest came a marvelous yawn. Then a smile appeared that grew faster each moment.
"My friend, I see you have survived and are well! Let me give you a hug, then we must go. I want to see Cinereo before you are full grown"!
We hugged for a long time and then apologized once more to Olive.
"Dear Olive, will you still lead us on the Cinereo to see the Golden Faire"?
Olive looked at her watch and then looked at the girl.
"There is still time to do it. Please stay on the path. Remember, sometimes what you imagine to be dull, tedious and slow, may be exactly what is needed. The line between adventure and doom is often a matter of good judgment".
"We will take your advice. Fear not. That last experience is not one we need to repeat anytime soon!
We left the healing tent. When I looked back, it was gone. We shrugged, and followed Olive down the path, focusing out of the corner of our eyes. We told jokes, spoke of dreams, cookies and friendship. The time passed much faster. Soon we arrived. Cinereo was something I hadn't thought possible. I shall do my best to describe what happened next, but I am not certain I have the skill, nor that anyone will believe me.
-- Invitation to the Golden Faire--