5. THE FULL MOON GATHER

     This was the evening dedicated to sharing.  
     Three days after the bizarre burning of the hands, the evening of the Full Moon Gather arrived.
     It would be a very unusual gathering, as the leader would not be attending.  Thunderbold had descended the onyx staircase to the beach, to speak to the Sea You, and sit in the sweat lodge. 

     Life was in upheaval.  His daughter was mentally unstable, and he and Freegirl were threatened with healing disabilities.  The stricken man wanted to know why. 
     He stayed on the warm sand in the late springtime, alone—walking barefoot, gazing into the campfire, and sighing.  Sweating, and Contemplating, he pondered his challenge.
     The clan remained on the mountain top and held their moon ceremony without him.  His wife, Balancea, assumed his position, for the wife was considered equal to the husband. 
     The great, gaping, endless moon enveloped them. The celestial body drew itself to Photopia.  This enormous moon was close to the planet—and such a large, enlightened beauty— almost a quarter of the sky was covered when it was full.  A giant bowl of light glared down at the humans, inspiring monthly merriment—as the full moon’s radiance had control over the world.
     The Gather always began with a Healing.  Not that any of the Children ever became sick, but a Healing was a way to enhance and rejuvenate the inherent qualities all humans possess. 
     This was an especially important time since another member of the tribe had experienced the inability to heal—and the strangeness was scaring them.  The festivities would help everyone to exalt, and not be overwhelmed by another healing challenge. 
     But as the evening opened, many individuals shared the same bizarre story of having their own healing difficulties.  This excited and tormented the gathering greatly, and put a whole new twist on life.
     The members who shared their stories held the speaking staff.  During a social event, where there were more than three people present, a speaking staff was used. No one could speak unless the staff was in hand.
     Leon told them he had seen sick people in a cave.  Dawn Aurora saw in her mind a hole in the Web into which health was leaking.  One of the elders had been bitten by a gofer while gardening, and could not stop the bleeding.  It was days before she could close the lesion.  
     Fear was testing them.
     To keep the clan at ease, throughout the evening more songs than usual were played. 
    While the family laughed and talked, now free of the speaking staff, Freegirl watched them.  She was too excited to eat, so she strolled dreamily.  The only thought she had running through her mind was her father’s voice saying, “We will get you to the Lore Halls…” 
     She kept wondering, with apprehension, how he would manage this, now desire seemed to be heading into reality.
     The child of Mount Gold was suddenly petrified.  How?  How will I get there?  How am I going to do this? 
     Then she could hear the distant voice in her head softly repeating do not worry, you will be helped.
     Suddenly, she realized the sense in her father’s argument.  It was more than six thousand miles to the Lore Halls, and she could get caught in the winter months.  Traveling through the winter of Photopia was simple if one stayed away from the Arctic Circle. 
     But the Images had built their temple just below the arctic circle, where it was iced and snowing seven months a year!  Winters were extremely harsh there.  She would have to arrive in the icy territory no later than October, for this would be the beginning of the snow season.  That meant she had less than four months to make arrangements and arrive there.  It was now the beginning of June, and it would probably take her several months of walking, provided she had no obstacles.
     Wearing yellow cotton knickers and a multi-colored, sleeveless shirt, in bare feet sparkling with an array of toe rings Freegirl sat and contemplated.  A great oak stood over her.
     The moon was remarkably huge, a bright snow-covered mountain, hovering in the sky.
     She would need a boat.  A boat would be faster than walking, for rivers headed in all directions deep and wide, perfect for water vessels.  She would have to have company she was sure of, someone to help with hunting, and keeping the night fires burning—and someone who knew the lay of the land.  She thought maybe when the summer hunting took the hunters to Save the Lake, she would hunt with them through Shadow Meadow, and then stay at the Lake to find sailors—travelers familiar with the river byways.       Or she might go to the Spring Meeting—which lasted all summer long—with her father, and find traders moving north.
     Travelers.  What a concept.  She knew of only one traveler in her family.  His name was Glory, but she knew he took his time trading, and visiting, and meandering everywhere.  That would not be the traveling companion to have.
     However, since few Children of the Glimpse ventured beyond their sanctuaries, finding a partner would not be easy. 
     Her father had certainly spoken truth about the difficulties in journeying, so the realization of her destination was becoming more daunting.
     Then a bright idea occurred.  Freegirl thought Thunderbold might escort her to the Lore Halls.  However, as soon as the idea hit her, she thought of her mother being left without husband or daughter.  Perhaps that would be too much of a sacrifice for her mother.   
     Although Balancea was strong and could forfeit for another, leaving her without her husband was out of the question—Freegirl would have to find someone else.  Unless, of course both parents were to escort her.  That would be the choice plan, the three of them walking and sailing together to the Lore Halls.
     Music was being played while Freegirl pondered under the oak tree, in the balloon of the full moon.  She watched people dancing and spinning, and noticed how free they were.  They had not a care in the world.  Perhaps she cared too much—if caring too much was possible. 
     She wished more humans traveled, so the adventure could be simpler.  Five people venturing six thousand miles would be thrilling.  But there was no five; there was not even two.  Only one existed, and she was an inexperienced girl of eighteen years. 
     Most Children of the Glimpse preferred staying home, and seldom chose the endless road—traveling was usually done while dreaming in the Dreamscape. 
      Aside from hunting, and trading treks throughout the year—of distances no more than a couple hundred miles—long excursions over the land were uncommon, and Freegirl wished they were not. 
     She signaled to Balancea she was going into the mountain to get a map, and would be dancing later.  With her map, she wanted to converse with her father on the beach, to get a travel plan started.  But she knew not to disturb his peace.  To stroll suddenly upon him as he gazed into his beach fire, or danced solo under the full moon would be insensitive.
     A light breeze touched the back of Freegirl’s neck and shoulders, as she entered the doorway to her family’s radiating golden grottoes in the mountain.  The gentle warmth was unexpected and caught her attention, and for a moment she hesitated.
     Holding her breath, she hesitated still …
     Her flow of air shortened with a gasp, and tightened in her lungs.  Her mouth opened, her pupils widened, and her feet froze in place.
     Wild-eyed, Freegirl watched her vision awaken. 

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