Creation Mischief Chapter One

In the beginning I awoke to find darkness surrounding me. I searched throughout the damp cave until I found my satchel of herbs. Through touch I found my supply of sun-filled dandelions. Upon bringing them out into the air they released their golden light. I squinted against their beauty and warmed to their soft touch. Letting the heat flow over me I breathed in the sticky sour smell of the dandelion milk.1

Beside my satchel was an old lantern. I set the flowers inside. The glass lid spread the light to all corners of the crowded cave, throwing shadows on the wall as I walked towards the back. The sound of running water reached my ears and I groped around inside my satchel again to find a vial of clear honeydew liquid. My steady steps brought me to the trickle of water. I tossed the contents of the open vial in and watched it grow into a steady brook.2

Satisfied I stepped back to watch it run out the opening. Curiosity took over and I ran to follow it. Distorted shadows lengthened as the dandelion lantern bounced in front of me. The coolness of the soil under my bare feet made me aware of the rawness of this young land.3

At the opening I paused as the lantern's light raced over the ground, spreading along the barren valley. The brook had taken on more volume to build into a restless river without boundaries. Its waters raced wildly towards an indentation at the far side of the vast bowl. As I watched, the water calmly filled the depression to make a large lake. It rose to fill the land, spilling over to make smaller rivers and laughing streams.4

Smiling I turned to view the rough terrain around me. A subtle wind whipped my dark hair, lashing my pale cheeks and stinging my parched lips. Through clear eyes I searched through my worn satchel, feeling the strap tug at my shoulder. Pushing crinkly sacks, cool vials and loose vegetation aside I found a narrow stick with rough skin and thorny knobs running its length.5

My bare feet sunk into the dry earth, sending puffs of dust to tickle my slightly turned up nose. I sneezed once as I descended from the mouth of the cave.6

I buried the twig near the newly formed water and sat back to wait. I watched the water roar between the sandy banks as the twig twitched under the ground. Dirt moved to the sides as a small green sprout erupted from the mound. From that moment on other sprouts begin popping up around the valley. In minutes trees of all sizes and shapes dotted the land.7

I was pleased. This land was easier then the preceding one was. For days I fought to make the trees grow, to get the dandelions to show their bright faces, but this valley was manageable, pliable. It made me remember why I had taken on this never-ending task.8

For a time I just sat watching the newly planted saplings mature into shade trees with wide jade green leaves. Thoughts filtered into my peaceful mind, bringing with them memories of before. I remembered being young once, of running through waist high field grass, hair in disarray, and laughing at my father as he chased me. Green, sour apples on a hot, dry day also ran through my thoughts. Beside me an elm tree switched its serrated edged leaf to that of an apple trees oval leaves. Beautiful-cream colored blossoms exploded from buds on green bows and as I watched the petals fall, apples expanded turning from sunshine yellow to a shiny waxy red.9

It startled me to see my thoughts transferred to a tree and I glanced behind me to see if my father was standing there, to see his great hulk of a body waiting, a patient smile peeking out between his dark mustache and curly beard, to see his eyes with crinkles at the corners would be very welcome. My job was often a lonely one.10

I sighed in disappointment. "It's for the best,” I mumbled. "He never did understand." 11

I turned my face up towards the sky. Now that the water and trees had been brought to life the clouds could form and I searched the expanse of cornflower blue. In the distance I spied a puff of white marking the sky.12

"Right on time."13

Now that rain was in the forecast I got to work on the next step. As the clouds continued to form, I once again search my satchel by feel, I pushed the contents around but the next item was not to be found.14

Frantically I dumped the bag out, fingering each vial and bag, flipping them out of the way. My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't finish the job if it was gone.15

Partly covered by a dark brown colored canvas bag, was the item I had been searching for. The amber colored vial was fragile and slight. It wasn't too hard to see why I had missed it.16

I took a deep breath of relief and stood. I traveled the length of a mile, periodically dropping small amounts of the deep orange liquid. Behind me slivers of new green erupted from the dry ground.17

I glanced back with a contented smile on my face, to see five multi-colored butterfly bushes rapidly forming.18

The further I went the more vegetation grew. Flowers and shrubs crowded around the bases of the trees. A meadow of tall wild grasses, dotted with multi-colored wildflowers took over the barren ground on the opposite side of the river.19

The smell of damp ground and greenery drifted on a slight breeze. I looked up and saw that the clouds had almost reached the area where I stood. My linen dress flapped around my legs as I walked through the newly developed forest. 20

I snaked my way through the undergrowth, running my fingers over the young growth, sending new smells of evergreens and sticky sap. I could see the opening of the cave just ahead. I hadn't realized that I had traveled so far but the trail was becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. 21

A small line of sweat dripped down my spine, as I climbed back to the cave. Slightly out of breath I studied the scene before me.22

Varying shades of green cascaded away from where I was standing. Deep forest green, almost black, to the soft green of lime rose to the aquamarine sky. The deep rich blue of the river was splattered with the white of foam that developed when it ran swiftly over rocks. A rainbow of colors freckled the carpet of green.23

“Looking good," I said overly loud, listening to my voice echo off the mountains behind me. "Couple of items left."24

My satchel was feeling lighter as I adjusted the strap to a more comfortable position. This time I searched my bag slowly and not by memory. The envelope I needed was tucked in the inner pocket. Carefully I broke the wax seal. Shaking the contents of the envelope into my palm, I thought about how I had acquired it.25

* * *26

A small iridescent scale glittered on the Mastercreator's worktable. It had caught my eye as soon as I had entered the room. Mastercreator Ruben had me studying the differences in shades of gray when the summons to attend him had come. The shimmering colors had been a welcome relief to my eyes.27

"You wanted to see me Master?" I asked as soon as I walked into the overstuffed room. Across every surface a piece of vegetation lay a vial here and there. Papers and clothes were strewn wherever there was an open space.28

"Yes, Sabrina I have asked you here to discuss a matter that has come to my attention recently." He cleared his throat and I watched with fascination as his Adams apple bobbed. Master Ruben ran his bony fingers through his tangled gray beard. 29

I rocked back on my heels in apprehension as I quickly scrolled through the list of trouble I had caused in the past fortnight. I wasn't worried about the kitchen incident last restday and the rocks in Tye's bed weren't even discovered yet. So I just waited.30

The cluttered room grew warm as I waited patiently. Beads of sweat formed on my upper lip as I stood on tired legs. My exhausted eyes returned to the bench that held the shimmery scale. I was very intrigued. What type of creature could possibly hold that many colors in one small flake? Was it reptilian or some sort of water dweller?31

Mastercreator Ruben cleared his throat before I could go on with my query with myself. He ran his spindly fingers over a page in a shabby book. Not finding what he was searching for the Master flipped a couple of pages back to a dog-eared page full of scratches, marring the surface. 32

"Yes, here it is." Again he cleared his throat, as I shifted from one numb foot to the other. "Deter Seven, hmmm yes." He continued to scan the page.33

Relief flooded through my slender shoulders, as I realized we had already been through this disastrous planet before. When Mastercreator had said the name, my bare feet had come unglued from the shaggy rug and I started to walk around. I shifted through various piles of leaves and branches all the while slowly inching towards the enticing scale.34

"Sabrina," Master Ruben barked and I jumped guiltily. "It says here that you and um." He paused to check the book again and I walked a couple of paces closer. "You and Kyle were supposed to go back and survey the progress of Deter Seven. Is that right?"35

I clasped my hands together on the pitted work desk to hide their trembling. "Yes Master Ruben, but.”36

"Isn't it then that the two of you got into an argument?" He interrupted forcefully.37

"Yes, but!” I tried again.38

"And because of this argument a dormant volcano became active?" His eyes stared and me, unyielding. He wasn’t always absent minded.39

"Yes," I stated softly. What else could I do? The first argument hadn't turned out very well. That was the reason I was studying shades of gray.40

"Then what happened?" He went back to the book with a quill in hand.41

I bit my bottom lip as I tried to form the words to make this conversation better than the last one. "When Kyle and I finally noticed that the temperature had changed, the volcano was just sending out smoke." I chuckled here as I remembered Kyle mentioning that it looked an old Earth western show when the Native Americans would send up smoke signals, that earned me a sharp look from the Master. "Kyle and I went to the rim to pour the aloe vera ointment you had just given us."42

"Stop right there," he interrupted as he held up a hand.43

He kept the hand up as he mouthed the words under his breath. I took the opportunity to take the last couple of steps and slide the flake into my pocket.44

"Humph, seems we've already gone over this." He looked up abruptly. "What is your punishment?"45

"Three days of studying gray." My palms were sweating.46

"Very good. You are dismissed." He waved a hand towards the door while rambling to the table he had been at before I came in. 47

Now I held that fragile scale in my cupped palm. The stream still ran out of the cave on my right. I sat down on the grassy bank enjoying the feel of the new sprouts while the smell of damp soil lingered in my nose. Around me the wind had picked up, blowing the taller grasses and flowers. Trees with still maturing leaves danced and waved as the clouds gathered over top of me.48

I’d better get started or I’ll get rained on before I’m through, I thought to myself. I was anxious to find out what the flake could be. 49

The river seemed the best place to put an unknown scale, so I slid my feet into the stream. Awkwardly I held up my hem, while balancing the specimen. All the while the bracingly cold water was numbing my feet. Gently I laid the scale on the surface. Around me the breeze stopped as though it too was waiting. Under normal circumstances fish and water dwelling mammals would be next, so I wasn't deviating from the schedule Mastercreator Ruben had set down. The multicolored scale flashed as the newly formed sun shone down on its surface. It floated in front of my rapidly numbing feet before the current swept it away. I tried to keep it in my sights, but lost track of it as I slipped and splashed through the knee high water.50

I dragged myself to the grassy bank and heaved myself up to a sitting position, out of breath. Laying back I slowed my breathing and listened for any change in the valley. 51

Soon it would rain and still no sign of the creature the scale would become. Moments passed, clouds floated above, some wispy at first and then swollen with rain. 52

Swallowing my disappointment about the unknown scale, I shuffled up to my well-used satchel. I sat up with relief as the feeling returned to my goose bumped legs.53

Pushing the scale from my mind I concentrated on finding my vial of dried seaweed and ground fish scales.54

Upon finding the sickly green mixture, I promptly poured it in the water. Immediately, the blend was taken downstream, lost to my eye as the scale before it had done. I stepped in to get a better look.55

Near the bend in the swift moving river, a white froth began bubbling. A torrent of movement began like hungry fish coming up to feed. Ripple after ripple erupted, causing the water to lap the sides of the banks. Dirt slid in and the water turned a bark brown.56

As quickly as it started, the activity stopped. Silver flashes slid beneath the surface. Rapidly they charged at my feet, only to swerve at the last moment. 57

I reached into the icy water and grabbed one of the slippery beasts. It squirmed and thrashed as I held it out of the water. A muted gray colored fish gleamed as the sun hit its sides, and I smiled in satisfaction. This was just one of many species to come.58

I climbed out to the soft grass by the river. The sun-warmed my numb toes as I wiggled them in the sun heated soil.59

"Another success. One more, and I can return home."60

My bag was lying where I had left it and I crawled to it. Loam and crushed grass were surrounding me.61

The smell of the grass made me think about the argument Kyle and I had. I didn't understand how we had started the volcano. It was like the elm turning into an apple tree. I should probably talk to Kyle about what had happened.62

It was really quite a stupid discussion. I didn't want to attend the harvest dance on the next restday and Kyle wanted me to go. He demanded after the second time I refused him.63

I could picture it so clearly. We were standing on a small hill. The grass reached our knees and it tickled my calves, making me bend over to scratch them. 64

"Please, Sabrina, please come with me." The wind had picked up and his long blond bangs covered his eyes seconds before he pushed them out of his face. Blue eyes sparkled with determination. 65

"Kyle, I've already told you I've no desire to go to the feasting. Besides I need to study the properties of Rosemary and I had planned to visit the second level library at that time."66

"Library?" He asked as though the word was foreign to him. The sun beat down on his cheeks making them appear burnt. 67

I stood with my hands on my hips. "Yes, a library. You know, that place where they keep paper filled with words? People usually go there to learn. Any of this registering with you?" I didn't keep the sarcasm from my voice.68

He screwed his eyebrows up, causing many wrinkles to form on his forehead. "Rosemary: Common names are Rosemary, Dew of the Sea, Incensier. Latin names: Romavinus officinalis, R. prostratus. Description: Rosemary, the herb of remembrance, is an aromatic evergreen perennial, prized for its culinary, medicinal, ornamental and symbolic qualities. Its dark green, glossy leaves are..."69

"Stop!" I interrupted. "So you know what Rosemary is all about, but I do not. And if you remember," I poked a finger at his chest while my voice rose. "you are a fourth year, where I am only a two. I need basic vegetation to advance, you pompous ass." I poked him hard enough to make him take a step back.70

"B- but, I could help you study for the exam, if you'll just come with me." He stuttered while pushing my finger away.71

I yelled no and the volcano spit smoke at the same time. The discussion had ended as we jumped back to the academy. 72

Masterplanter Root had been waiting for our report. When we had explained what had happened, the little man had tumbled away to find help.73

Kyle and I had been punished and that new world had been saved.74

Again, I shook my head still puzzled as to why we caused such an incident.75

I crawled to the riverbank and watched the many fish flash by me. I trailed my finger over the surface, and caught the attention of a couple of rainbow trout that came to nibble on my digits, tickling them.76

The last bit still needed to be put out and I pulled out the remaining packet. I held it up to the sun. I laughed under my breath as the memory of how I was given this blend.77

"But Master Ruben," I had complained. "Why have animal and insect properties together?"78

He had sighed and mumbled, "One without the other could not exist."79

I had thrown the packet down in disgust. "That makes no sense to me."80

He had shuffled over to the worn table where I had laid out my papers for that days lesson, his gnarled fingers plucked the crisp square packet up and held it out to me. "Take it. It is the last element to creating a new world."81

"So this is my last lesson?" I asked uncertain. 82

White hair fell across drawn cheeks as he nodded his head. “With me it is. You'll be moving on to Masterplanter Roots tutelage. You'll be accepting your white stripe tonight at dinner." 83

I looked at him suspiciously. "You mean I'm graduating? I'm a second year now?" 84

Again Mastercreator Rubin nodded while handing the packet back to me. "Now before you leave here I need you to recite the steps of creation."85

Staring at the packet, I couldn't help but giggle. "Oh, well I'd better get going." A few scattered raindrops began to fall around. Small craters dotted the parched ground as I walked towards the line of trees.86

Master Ruben had emphasized the placing of this blend near a grouping of trees. Something about the shelter helped them develop. Going between two mature blue fir trees, I sprinkled the white dust. I retreated to a small meadow a few feet away and huddled behind an evergreen bush. I settled myself getting comfortable knowing I could be there awhile.87

Around me, the cool rain continued to fall gently. In the distance, I heard a splash and I recognized the sound of a frog coming out of the water. A few moments later, I was rewarded with the low throated grumble of the frog.88

Something was digging into my shin and I shifted to ease my discomfort. The ache persisted; so I looked down to eliminate it. I removed a sharp stone and glanced back to the spot where I had sprinkled the powder.89

A minute movement caught my eye and I was drawn to the ground. Sitting with a small seed grasped in tiny pink paws was a gray mouse. 90

I gasped and it scampered away. I was always surprised when one appeared. It seemed the animals showed up when I was not looking. Some distraction always took away my attention.91

Satisfied that this last part of the creation was running smoothly, I streched my cramped body and thought about the academy and then jumped.