Forbidden Mountain - Part 3

"What is it father? Why do we stop?"

"Stay quiet little one. I'm just riding up to the top of that hill over there. I think this is the way to the next village, but I can't be sure since I have never been there."

"Why can't the Healers in our own village give me a potion or something? Why do we have to travel so far away?"

"The Healers have tried everything they know to help you feel better, Ariana. This is my last hope. There is a rumour of a Healer with great powers on the other side of this mountain."

"I heard the Explorers talking when they returned to the village at nightfall. They said they saw bright lights below the mountain. They heard loud noises that they couldn't explain. They saw what looked like fire and objects that moved above the ground. They said it was a dangerous place and they thought it was unsafe for anyone to travel past the boundary."

"We have to go past the boundary, Ariana. That is the only way to reach the other side of this mountain. Please don't worry, I won't go anywhere near the area where the Explorers saw the strange happenings."

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"Alex, you are not in good shape. Ugh, this is hard. I wish I had my transporter now, these hills are killing me. I think I'll just rest here for a moment. Who would have thought climbing up a mountain would be so hard? I really should have taken more time for sleep. I'm so tired. I'll just close my eyes for a second."

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"Father, father, come here!"

"What is it Ariana? I barely got to the top of the hill, when you started calling me."

"Look over there, by that big tree. Isn't that a young man?"

"Why, so it is. It looks like he's sleeping. I wonder which village he comes from? Perhaps he lives in the the same village as the Healer we're looking for."

"Wait, father. Do you see his strange clothing? His vest looks like silver. I have never seen anything like it, have you?"

"No, I haven't. I wonder how he came to be here? I don't see his horse anywhere, do you?"

"No, I don't see his horse. I wonder if he walked here? If he did, then his village must be very near by. Let's awaken him and ask if he's heard of the Healer."

"Wait, Ariana. We must stay hidden for a time. This lad looks quite strange to me. His clothes are very different material than ours. It looks almost metallic. Look at his boots - they are like none I have ever seen. I don't think he's a threat to us, but you never know. We'll move the horses beyond that group of trees and then come back quietly to observe this young man."

To be continued.

Forbidden Mountain - Part 2

Worried about his mother finding out where he's going, Alxx tries to get his friend, Mykk to keep quiet about what he is about to do.

"I'm trying to avoid telling mother where I'm going. I know if I told mother about the lights, she would follow up and send a Regulator up there, but the last time the Law Regulators went up to Forbidden Mountain, they did it with all their lights blazing and the transporters whining and their Ghasers blasting, and we never saw them again."

"I remember that. We all heard the shouts and the thundering noises echoing down here, and all of a sudden - complete silence. It was eerie."

"That's why I'm trying to go unnoticed up to the mountain. Just to the edge of the crest and take a quick look to see if I can spot anything odd. I'm not planning on making any noise and I want to be in and out as quickly as I can, without anyone knowing where I am. Understand?"

"Of course I understand, Alxx. I wish I had seen those lights. Can you imagine what they might be?"

"No, I can't. I have tried to think of everything I know about strange lights. I can't think of anything stranger than the lights from the far-off planets. These lights were different. They were small and sort of in a row. It seemed to me they were following one another."

"Wow! I have to go with you, Alxx. I just have to see those lights."

"No, you can't. You know you have to be at Sun Call today. I know it's important to you to be recognized for your good work with the endangered horses. You have put a lot of work into keeping the species in good shape. You deserve your award. I plan to be back well before the sun is high. You better go and practice your acceptance speech. I promise I'll come by your quarters on my way back."

To be continued.

Forbidden Mountain - Part 1

"Wait, Alxx! Where are you going?"

"Shhhh. Keep your voice down, Mykk. Someone might look this way and I want to get out of the market square without anyone seeing me."

"Where are you going? Why don't you take a transporter? How far are you planning to walk?"

"Be quiet! I can't take a transporter, someone will see me. I'm trying to be discreet about this so nobody will see where I'm going."

"Well, where are you going?"

Sighing, Alxx looked at his friend and said, "I hope you can keep a secret. Especially from the Assembly. I'm going up to Forbidden Mountain."

"You can't! It's strictly forbidden! You are not allowed to go there, you know that and I know that, so why are you so anxious to go?"

"I saw some odd-looking lights up there a few moons ago, lights that weren't there before. They were moving in a strange up and down fashion. Like this, see? It just made me curious and I thought I'd go up there during sun time and see if I could see something."

"See what? You should report it to the Assembly. They have lots of Law Regulators who can deal with a mystery like this. Try to be sensible about it. What would your mother say if she knew you were going against the Assembly decree - especially since she is Assembly Leader?"

To be continued.

Chuck & Charlie - Part 17

"Oh, Mom, isn't it exciting? I can't believe they're giving Charlie and me a citizenship award for finding Lucky!"

"I was very proud of you and Charlie. You did the right thing and made everyone very happy in the process, except for those criminals, of course! You know, I've been thinking, you have been very responsible and I'm sure when you choose your pet from the animal shelter, you will take very good care of it."

"Yowza! Did you hear that Charlie? Mom said I could get a pet. Wow! Come on.. we have to ride over there now. I can't wait to see what the shelter has to offer."



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"Too bad the shelter didn't have another monkey that liked to play baseball, eh Chuck?"

"Yeah. But hey look at Rufus - he can shag that ball with the best of them. Hey Rufus! Fetch!"

Well, Rufus had other ideas of what to do with that ball. He loved balls. He grabbed the ball and headed straight into the trees at the City Park, with Chuck and Charlie yelling and running after him.

Rufus just loved this game!

The End.


Hope you enjoyed this adventure with Chuck & Charlie. They have more adventures coming up, but first, next week read all about some new friends. You have to use your imagination with Forbidden Mountain - it takes place way, far in the future!