‘You’ve become a Tempest.’ said Glammer looking quitesurprised.
‘Good, that was its intension. Who are you?’ askedMiranda.
‘Tempest Miranda meet Truth Fairy Glammer. Glammer meetMiranda.’ said Aquitain as they glared at each other.
‘No we’re not crazy Glammer. Miranda has just staked out ourclaim to Moonmist and challenged anyone to disagree. Miranda hascreated a refuge for all but especially for Tigerlilly in case sheneeds it. This is our turf now. The Mentarin will need to be verycareful from now on as we’re not prepared to let them controlpeople like they have in the past.’
‘I still think that you’re crazy. But since you have alreadydone it I have a present for you all.’ said Glammer as she flewdown to the ground and planted a nut in the middle of the area andbegan singing a song of power.
‘Hey that’s a druid song! You shouldn’t know that.’ saidMiranda.
‘What is she? When did you meet her? How well do you knowher?’ asked Miranda with a slightly jealous tone to hervoice.
‘She is a very special friend and quite unique. She has savedmy life and yours. I will tell you about her later.’ hereplied.
Out of the nutgrew a sprout that grew until it was about a pace high thensprouted branches and kept growing. Navarro, Gizel and Tigerlillysaw it and returned to watch.
‘What is happening Warden?’ asked Gizel.
‘I’m not sure. Let’s wait and see.’ he replied.
Miranda spoketo Navarro.
‘I am sorry if I seem a little excited. The Warden and I havebeen parted for too long. I wish to thank you and Burlop for savingme from the hounds, your courage in defending me, and your help intrying to get my memories returned. We are in yourdebt.’
Navarro noddedand Gizel spoke.
‘I have heard tales of the wondrous deeds of the Wardens anddid not believe them. If he were my chosen I would be just asexcited to be reunited with him as you are your highness. You haveboth amazed me. I am now a true believer in the old tales. Ivaguely remember one that talked of a new Warden and a new world.This sanctuary is an omen. It will give us all hope for a wonderfulnew future. Thank you both. I will tell everyone I meet about theLord Warden and his Lady and your wonderful sanctuary.’
Finally thetree stopped growing. It was now ten paces high and two paceswide.
‘Why hello! What is this? Is that you Glammer? Is that youMoonbeam? Is that Tigerlilly? Am I back in the land of dreams?’ itsaid using mindspeak.
‘Is that you Ironbark? It’s me Moonbeam. Aquitain the Wardenhas found my memories and Glammer has planted your seed in mysanctuary and Tigerlilly is much more than we expected. I’m so gladyou survived.’ said Miranda with tears in her eyes then sheintroduced Aquitain and Tigerlilly.
‘You’re no longer a preserver.’ he said a littleworried.
‘Yes I’ve been changed but I will still look after you.’ shereplied.
Navarro andGizel stood speechless. Miranda was talking to a tree and it wastalking back.
‘Hello Ironbark. You were an old man before. You were therewhen I was born.’
‘Well yes I was. He Heh.’ replied Ironbark. ‘You have a goodmemory for one just a few days old.’
‘I leant quickly from mummy. But now daddy has said I have tolearn myself.’
‘That’s really good advice from your daddy. He is a veryclever man.’ replied Ironbark.
Now let’s makesure Ironbark is visible for a good distance so that visitors canfind this place and she began singing again. Soon the leaves on thetree began to glow and it looked like it was lit up with lights allover it.
Now for somedecent protection and she flew over to the edge of the sanctuaryand began singing again.
‘What’s she doing this time?’ Aquitain askedMiranda.
‘She’s growing bushes just inside the wall of thorn bush.She’s dam powerful I’ll give her that and she seems to know a lotof druid magic but she‘s not a druid.’
When shefinished the bushes seemed to sparkle with berries. Aquitain usedhis magic sight and confirmed what he thought they were. They arefire berry bushes. They will attract mothra. She’s going to usemothra to defend the place against dangers.
Glammervanished for a minute or two and returned covered in mothra allclinging to her. On arrival they flew off to examine the fireberrybushes.
She flew overto Aquitain and said.
‘This is as much as I can do to help at the moment. The mothrawill keep away small rodents and such nuisances and they will warnme if there is trouble. I will check the place from time to time toensure it remains safe.’
Glammer lookedat Tigerlilly.
‘She’s too small for her mind’s age. She should be more thesize of a 5 year old Newman.’ said Glammer suddenly.
‘Since her body is made of wood I could make it grow to fither mind’s age if you agree.
‘Actually I was thinking along the same lines. She is the sizeand shape of a doll. Nobody can imagine that she is a real child.She might be accepted by others much more readily if she was more anormal size. What do you think Miranda?’
‘I guess it makes sense. What do you thinkTigerlilly?’
‘I want to be big like you were.’ she said.
‘Okay.’ said Miranda and Glammer began singing and Tigerlillybegan growing until she was half the size of Miranda then stopped.She looked like a smaller version of Miranda that had been carvedout of wood.
‘That’s truly amazing!’ said Gizel. ‘Wait until everyone hearsabout this!’
‘Umm.. Gizel and Navarro I wonder if you could keep a lot ofwhat you have seen here to yourself. We have enemies out there andwe don’t particularly want them to know too much aboutus.’
‘Oh! I guess that you’re right, Lord Warden. I wouldn’t wantto be the cause of any harm to you and your family.’ replied Gizela little disappointed.
‘They will forget a lot tonight.’ stated Glammer using mindspeech that only Aquitain could hear. He nodded hisapproval.
Miranda wasannoyed and jealous at all that Glammer had done but decided to bediplomatic. Aquitain seemed to be much too friendly and protectiveof Glammer than she liked. She would have
