Fear drove TLari through the underbrush. Her breathing came in ragged gasps. Which way to go? Back towards the colony? Or into the depths of the planet’s forest? Bushes and brambles tore at TLari’s clothing and light, blue flesh. Her long, silver hair caught in the bushes, making her stop to pull herself free. She paused a moment and tied her hair into what the humans called a pony tail. No time to catch her breath, TLari continued slashing her way through the underbrush, the Earth children’s hatred clawing at her as she pushed on.

TLari’s family came to Caspia II from their home planet Airyon as ambassadors for the Star League in 2225. The Earthlings had settled Caspia eight years earlier, but still had much to learn about other civilizations. TLari’s parents were teachers turned ambassadors for this new colony. Although a child of only nine years, TLari had already learned that the Earth children could be aggressive and dangerous. And now she was running for her life.

TLari ran with all her strength? How could she escape her tormenters? She could hear their voices echoing in the hills behind her and then grow steadily closer, the echoes fading as fast as the distance between them. But she could not be caught. Not now! Not at her most vulnerable!

These Earthlings! TLari sometimes wished she was back on Airyon. There things were different. But she had good friends among the Earthlings here on Caspia. Miranda was one of her best.

Miranda was one of several Earth children who had befriended TLari. She and TLari explored the woods almost every day after school. They knew the woods as well as any of the adult colonists. Now, as she ran, TLari thought of her friend Miranda bound and gagged by the bullies from school. This was why she was running now. Clive and his gang had come after TLari and Miranda had come to her rescue, only to get caught herself. TLari tried to get Miranda away, but it was too late. She went for help, but the alley where she and Miranda were cornered allowed no other escape routes. She ran down the twisting alleyways and out into the rolling hills outside of Settler's Fork. She followed the river, trying to throw off her pursuers and crossed the river at its shallowest point, hoping this would throw her pursuers off her trail. Here, she had stopped and rested below an old oak tree, but her pursuers were determined to catch up with her. As she caught her breath, she could hear them nearby.

"Come on guys, we've got to find her. I'm not going to let her get away with this. We have to teach her who's boss! You two go south along the river. Mark and I will go north, crossing the river upstream. Use your communicators to contact us. Check in about an hour from now. We are going to take care of this business once and for all," Clive said snickering to himself.

"Don't worry, Clive. We'll catch her. She won't get far," Marcus hollered back at Clive.

As her pursuers followed Clive’s directions, TLari heard their voices fading in the distance. TLari's heart raced, fearing that she would be captured. She needed to rest and get a drink from the river. She crept down to the river to get a good long drink. It was hard to take care of the body's needs when a person was being chased

As she drank, TLari looked at her reflection in the river. She wasn’t all that much different from the Earth children. Was she? Why did they persecute her so?

TLari’s violet eyes were large and beautiful. She had long silver hair, blue skin and small, delicately pointed ears. She was tall and slender for a nine year old Airyon. At first, the Earth colonists from Earth had mistaken her people for elves. Maybe this was why Clive and his gang were so hostile toward her.

While she thought about her predicament and worried about Miranda’s safety, TLari washed her elvin face, cleaning the dirt and blood from her cheeks. Next, she carefully washed her arms and legs, and gathered soft moss and mud to make a poultice for the cuts and scrapes on her arms and legs. Her people were a race of healers, so she knew many ways to heal a broken body. She would be alright as long as she could keep ahead of Clive and his brutes. She just had to reach her sanctuary.

Walking slowly back into the forest, TLari recalled how she had become the prey in this latest conflict with Clive and his gang. They were always too eager to persecute her, something she had learned to live with; but they also found pleasure in tormenting others weaker than they were. It was her effort to stop Clive’s gang from beating up other children and stealing their computer pads that led to this.

Clive's gang were always looking for money. A few days earlier, TLari had seen Clive and Marcus beating up Gina and her little brother to steal their computer pads. The pads would fetch a great price in the city. What Clive and his gang did with the money, TLari didn’t know. Nor did she care. She couldn’t watch her friends being abused any longer. She had to act. Although she didn’t dare confront Clive directly on this day, she knew what she had to do.

As she rushed to join her friends, TLari doubled over in pain, feeling the needles jabbing in Gina’s stomach from Clive’s assault. Her right arm hurt as well as Marcus twisted and then turned loose Danny’s arm. When TLari finally reached Gina and her little brother, Clive and Marcus had already fled. She found the two bruised and aching.

"Are you two alright? I saw what Clive and Marcus did to you."

"TLari, please don't tell anyone what happened," cried Gina, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm not going to let Clive get away with this. I will see that you are protected. It’s time someone stood up to them and told our parents and teachers what's going on," TLari said emphatically.

"TLari, what will happen to us if you tell?" Danny said quietly.

TLari understood their fears. She had experienced the same feelings herself. She had been beaten and threatened herself. Right now, she must think of ways to stop the abuse, in spite of her fears.

As TLari tried to reassure Gina and her brother, she placed her hands about Gina's face. Looking into Gina’s eyes, TLari spoke softly, "Ssh, everthing's going to be alright. I'm sorry, but its time to do something about this. You and Danny are my friends; I don't want to see you get hurt." She brushed the dirt away from Gina's eyes, then placed her hands on Gina's injured abdomen. Soothing heat from TLari's fingertips entered Gina's belly, healing all her injuries. Gina gasped in surprise; all the pain was gone. TLari healed Danny's arm as well. The two Earth children had never seen anything like it. They knew of no humans who could have done that.

Awestruck, Gina’s mouth fell open. "Thank you, TLari."

"Come, I'll take you both home and explain to your parents and our teacher what happened," TLari said.

TLari had decided it was best to tell the children's parents what had happened. They were amazed by what had been going on. TLari also warned her teachers about Clive and his gang. There had been trouble before in the school, but never to this extent. As a result, the boys were punished and many privileges were taken away. Clive was furious. He vowed to get revenge against both TLari and Miranda.

Now, as TLari plunged deeper into the woods, she wondered if she had done the right thing. Yes, she must put a stop to the bullying. Clive and Marcus had to be stopped. She had done what she could, and she would continue trying to make things better for all the children.

As her thoughts of recent events began to clear, TLari focused again on her place of refuge. She knew a place where she could hide from Clive and Marcus for now. But, as she forged ahead, she heard voices coming steadily closer.

They must have discovered her tracks. She must get to the old temple quickly. No one knew of the ancient place except for Miranda and her. Her destination was an ancient pyramid in the middle of the forest that Miranda and she had discovered on one of their outings. Apparently, an old, wise race had once lived on Caspia II and had left traces of their civilization.

The ancient pyramid was at the top of the next rise. TLari knew temples and burial chambers were often located on mountaintops, at least on the worlds she had seen. TLari’s people had built a large temple on top of Mount Cinu, dedicating their souls to the great creator of all, a loving and gentle creator who was at once male and female. This pyramid was similar to those of her own people and those on Earth. She wondered if this ancient race had also settled on Earth and on Caspia II.

As TLari climbed toward the pyramid, she wondered how Clive and his gang could be so cruel. Weren’t all creatures connected to the great spirit? How could they be so brutal and insensitive to the feelings of others?

The pyramid was not very large; it was obscured by the treetops. Earth's survey parties had missed it when they were doing visual scans of the planet. TLari still felt dwarfed by the towering edifice. As she got closer and closer to the pyramid, TLari could feel the love that had gone into building the pyramid. TLari and Miranda had explored this place many times, and TLari had felt its power before. But, now, she felt it stronger, as though it were a part of her and she a part of it.

The pyramid’s large brown and white stones were smooth to the touch. TLari touched the hieroglyphs that surrounded the entrance to the pyramid. The glyph that looked like a hawk was the key to opening the secret door. The hawk glyph seemed to beckon to her. She touched the outline of the hawk and suddenly the pyramid started to rumble. A door appeared out of nowhere, sliding open to reveal the lighted interior of the pyramid.

As the door slid open, Tlair stepped into the inner corridor that led into the depths of the ancient temple. The door slid closed as she studied the beautiful murals and hieroglyphics that adorned the walls. This was Miranda’s and her secret sanctuary. Perhaps one day she would show the Earth colonists and her parents the pyramid, but, for now, she was glad it was her secret.

Inside the pyramid, two chambers beckoned: one masculine and one feminine. TLari often wondered why the two aspects of creation were divided, but could not bring herself to question the wisdom of the ancients. She was drawn now to the chamber of the goddess.

She must still cross from the chamber of the goddess to the inner chamber, not a small task since a great crevasse separated her and the inner chamber. Miranda and she had crossed once before by placing a worn plank across the crevasse. Would it still hold her weight? She would soon find out.

TLari looked down into the dark depths of the crevasse. It seemed to have no bottom. She always held her breath going across the unsteady bridge. The air was getting warmer and the eyes in the painted frescoes glowed. Something strange was going on; she could feel it in her bones. The pyramid seemed to be rumbling. There was an eerie, dark feeling that came into the pit of her stomach and she heard voices echoing in the passageways. Clive and Marcus? How could they have gotten in? They must have seen her touching the hawk glyph. And, now, the sacred place was trembling from their presence. She must get across the crevasse.

As Clive’s and Marcus’s voices grew louder, TLari realized that she must be strong and cross the divide that separated her from the inner chamber. Gingerly she treaded the worn wooden plank and suddenly found herself on the other side.

Stepping a few more steps toward the inner chamber, TLari heard Clive’s taunt: "TLari, we’ve found you at last. There is no escape. You’ll pay for turning us in!"

As Clive taunted, Marcus whined, "I don’t want to go any farther, Clive. This place gives me the creeps." The walls of the temple rumbled as he spoke.

Undaunted, Clive shouted at Marcus, "Come on! Let’s get across that bridge. Just think about what TLari did to us and what we’ll do to her in turn. Come on, Marcus! Come on! She’ll pay with her life!"

Marcus hadn’t counted on this. He didn’t want to KILL anyone. He pulled away from Clive.

"I don’t know about this, Clive."

Clive climbed out onto the creaking wooden plank and began jumping up and down on it to show Marcus that it was safe. "Come on Marcus! Don’t be a baby! What are you afraid of? See, there’s nothing wrong."

"No, Clive. You go ahead. I’ll wait here."

"Come on, Marcus!" Clive jumped on the plank again, and, suddenly, the plank collapsed sending Clive into the thick darkness of the crevasse. As he fell, the walls of the temple shook and seemed to move in upon Marcus. All he could hear was Clive screaming and a loud thump as Clive’s body landed dully upon the ground.

TLari appeared looking dirty and frightened. The walls of the temple continued to tremble as she looked down into the pit trying to discover Clive’s whereabouts. Dirt and debris rained down around Marcus and TLari. Clive was quiet. Marcus backed away from the precipice screaming at TLari.

"This is all your fault! Clive’s dead because of you! I’m getting out of here! It’s all your fault! You’ve killed Clive!"

TLari, somewhat stunned at what had just happened, gathered her composure and faced Marcus from across the divide. "No. You are not going anywhere. You are going to listen to me for once. We have got to get Clive out of the pit! Now, go back outside and get one of those long vines growing on the outside of the pyramid. Do you hear me?" TLari’s breathing came in great gulps. She could feel Marcus’s fear and Clive’s pain. She must do something now. And Marcus must help her.

"Marcus, do you hear me? We’ve got to get Clive out of here. He is still alive. I can feel it. Go! Now! Get the vines!"

"Why should I help you or Clive! It’s because of both of you that I’m here! Leave me alone!" Marcus trembled with fear, not knowing whether to run or to try to help.

TLari calmed herself and, in a low and forceful voice, said to Marcus, "That doesn’t matter now. Clive is your friend, isn’t he? You must help. You must put aside your fear and help him. Go get the vine and we can save him yet. Concentrate. You can do it."

Marcus stood still a moment, frozen in fear, but then screamed back at TLari, "Alright! Alright! I’ll get the vine!"

Marcus disappeared from view. TLari tried to calm herself and began speaking to Clive, who lay on a ledge not too far below. A few more inches, and he would have plunged to his death in the gaping crevasse.

"Clive, can you hear me?" TLari pleaded. "We’re going to get you out. We will."

While she waited for Marcus, TLari sent waves of compassion to Clive’s crippled body, hoping to keep him alive a while longer. She knew he had been severely injured; she could feel it. But she knew he would survive if she could only reach him.

Marcus returned, out of breath, but carrying an armload of vines.

"TLari, what do you want me to do with it?" he asked.

"Can you tie strong knots?" TLari asked.

"Yes."

"Do it! There is a pillar behind you. Loop the vine around the pillar and tie a good knot. Throw the rest over to me. I’ll go down and help Clive."

Marcus tied the vine around the pillar and threw the rest of the vine over to TLari, just as she had directed. TLari caught the vine and quickly eased herself over the edge and into the darkness. There was barely enough light to see Clive, who lay unconscious on a small ledge about 15 feet below.

Dust was flying everywhere, making it even more difficult for TLari to assess the situation. At least the walls of the temple had stopped rumbling, but now the stone floors were beginning to buckle under Marcus’s feet.

"We've got to get out of here!" Marcus shrieked.

TLari was nearly overwhelmed by the waves of pain coming from Clive's body. She gritted her teeth and took several long breaths. Sitting next to Clive on the narrow ledge, TLari placed her hands upon his back, and then upon his legs. Slowing her own heart rate by taking several more deep breaths, she focused all her healing powers on Clive. Her mind and heart searched Clive’s body for injuries. The creator’s energy coursed through her body, causing it to glow with a pink and blue light.

Marcus was dumbfounded by what he was witnessing. He had never seen anything like it. For a few moments he forgot his own fear and stood fixed on the ledge above.

TLari watched the creator's energy knitting together bone and tissue. Cells regenerated, helping Clive's body to heal. Injuries to Clive’s spine and legs healed under TLari’s ministering hands. TLari sang praises to the creator for the healing energy that was repairing Clive’s broken form.

Clive's eyes opened, his pain disappearing under TLari’s touch. Tearful, he took one of TLari's hands in his own.

"Don't try to speak, Clive. I think you are strong enough to be pulled up, but you mustn’t exert yourself."

TLari looked up at Marcus, "Marcus, I want you to pull Clive up now. Very slowly."

TLari, certain that Clive had been healed enough to move, had carefully tied the vine around Clive's chest under his arms, to avoid putting any extra strain on his recently repaired back. As Marcus slowly pulled Clive out of the crevasse, the stone floors of the temple began settling back in place. Once Clive was pulled over the edge of the crevasse and sat resting against one of the temple walls, Marcus tossed the vine back down to TLari and pulled her up. Nearly exhausted, TLari sat next to Clive. Marcus followed.

As the three children rested against the painted corridors, the air in the temple changed, filling the passages with the cool, fragrance of flowers. Beginning to feel revived, TLari’s gaze was drawn toward a painting of the goddess on the temple wall. She seemed to smile down on the three of them, pleased that they had been brought together by their experience.

TLari heard a voice inside her mind. "You have done well, my daughter."

Clive and Marcus looked up at the goddess’s smiling face. They were ashamed as they heard her words working into their minds and hearts.

"My sons, it is time to learn compassion for others. All beings are one, even with the rocks and plants. You nearly made a fatal mistake, but all is forgiven now. Teach others what you have learned this day. Now, go, my children. Share your wonderful gift with others and know that all races must grow and walk in kindness. Go, my beloved children."

Still drained from her efforts to save Clive, TLari rose slowly and began walking with Clive and Marcus toward the temple entrance. When they reached the entrance, Clive and Marcus helped TLari through the doorway. Clive looked into TLari's large and violet eyes. Tears fell from her eyes as she heard Clive say thank you. She could feel the light entering their hearts. TLari had saved Clive’s life, but her greatest gift to the two boys was understanding and love.

c Jan Grokett March 20,1998