ETTING   OME   O   LFANDRA

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Return to Sender part 3

The next morning, Fengren decided it would be a good idea to look about for some food.  Surely, that non-huggle had something to eat (besides Fengrens) and whatever it ate had to have something to eat, or at least grow.

He set out, searching the valley.  About ten o’clock (he thought it was ten o’clock, but how was one to tell in a place with 15 hour days?) he found a small apple tree.  Suspicious (after all, that huggle looked harmless too), he pulled out his sling and flung a few rocks into the tree.  Sure enough, the tree promptly responded by wrapping branches around the rocks.

Well, then, he’d have to outsmart the tree.

Two or three tries later, Fengren was knocking apples out of the tree with his sling, and the tree was only able to catch every other one.   He then flew in as fast as he could and grabbed an apple in each claw, and zipped out before the tree caught him.

Apples weren’t exactly choklit, but they would do.

Just as he was about to bite it, he heard a voice behind him

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Fengren turned around, and behind him stood a human, about 5’5” tall, wearing what seemed to be black enameled armor, but looked to be very light.  “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am called by many names, but you can call me William.”

“And I am called Fengren.”

“Well then Fengren, You’re not from around here, are you?”

“What makes you think that?”

“Because, for one, you’re about to eat a poison apple, and for another, I’ve never seen your like around here, at least, not lately.”

“Where is here, anyway?” Fengren asked.

“Here is basically the worst place on Earth.  Right in the middle of a Null Zone, and in the artic to boot.  But then, maybe I should ask some questions, eh?”

Fengren nodded.

“Well then,” William continued,  “let’s start with how you managed to get inside the barrier.”

“Barrier?  What barrier?”

“Don’t play stupid.  You had to have crossed the Prismatic barrier around this Null Zone, unless you came through an entry station.  And none of the stations were due to open for three weeks.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.  I’m not even sure how I left Alfandria.  I was sittin’ in my tree, minding my own business, takin’ a nap, when all the sudden, FOOP! Here I was.”

“Alfandria, where is this?”

“Well, Alfandria is the greatest place ever for dragons.  It is the land of many names, where us dragons live, along with our dragon-kin and dragon-friends.”

“Is it an alternate reality?”

“I dunno, but it’s not here.”

“Hmmm, Well then Fengren, perhaps you should come with me.  Maybe we can see about getting you home.”

“We?  Who’s we?”

“Those of us at The Quantum Research Center.”