World of Whispers - The Joining
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​It was a dark and stormy night... Of course the night would be stormy, after all, it is the Eve of all Hallowell.  Tonight is the time between all the Realms when the dimensional walls are the thinnest and the best time to try to create a portal that could finally help those that have been held in the World of Whispers and unable to return to their homes.

​Bohoj lit the small pocket lantern that he always carried.  "A sailor is always prepared," he told himself again.  He still thought it might be needed for the ritual even in this land of white and crystal.  He patted his pocket in his lose fitting pants one more time to confirm that he still held the Cursed Anchor there.  Looking at the three Roses he saw that they were also getting ready for they too held an active part in this ritual.  As Rose held up the chain that had been passed through a very small portal made earlier by those in the Realm of Wymsy, Bohoj still thought the chain looked only like a small necklace.  When it had appeared, they had all read the note that was attached to it by a piece of string.  They were hoping as they read the message the flimsy looking necklace would hold up for what it was to do.  Bohoj also patted the blue bottle he had put into his pocket that was sent with the chain.  There were no instructions about the bottle.  Though the sailor was still hopeful that when his thirst return to him there would be something tasty inside as his bottle of Rum was empty.

​As a wind was starting to come into their little protected ring of white rocks from the east, the Roses pulled out their scarves and wrapped them around their heads.  "This is a good time to put on our cloaks," shouted Rose to the others as the winds began to get stronger.  "It is almost as if the weather knew what we are going to try and do," thought Bohoj as he watched the Roses.  Once he saw that they were ready he said, "Ladies, lets proceed to our destiny with Fate," adding an impish smile and a wink to his comment.  All three of the Roses rolled their eyes upward, smiled, and shook their heads.

As they left the protection of the ring of rocks, they proceeded towards a spot where the Moon Dragon from the Realm of Wymsy said they needed to be.  It was where he would open a new portal to try and rescue them as well as all of the others that were stranded in the World of Whispers.  ​As they got closer to the spot that Dree had indicated in the note with the chain, Bohoj could smell seawater.  "There is water up ahead," he told the others.  Rose did not even ask how he knew since he was a sailor and she figured if there was any nearby, it would be a sailor who would find it first.  Soon they could see a coastline.  A coastline unlike any of them had seen before.  In this world of whiteness, the water blended in perfectly for it was so clear that the white sands beneath the surface of the water still gleamed through.  It was almost like looking out on the oceans that Bohoj had sailed on many a times with his old captain friend.  Mostly the water washed up on a sandy beach shore, but to the right as they approached was a large white boulder that the water splashed against and occasionally surrounded as it reached for the white sandy beach.

There posted in the sandy beach by the rock was a parchment attached to a stick.  "Yup," thought Bohoj, "We are at the place".  As Bohoj pulled the stick out of the sand and looked at the parchment he recognized his name written on the side.  Not being much of a reader (since he had taken off to the seas at at very young age), he passed the parchment to Rose and asked if she would read it for him.  Rose nodded and took the parchment.  "It says here," began Rose, "that you need to call on the Goddess of the Seas.  She will hear you as sailors have often lamented to her over the years as her seas are full of their tears, hopes, and dreams.  You will know the words to call her," Rose finished.  Then she added as she saw the PS at the bottom of the note, "Once she has arrived ask her to hold back the sea so that we may cross over.  Whatever that means," Rose added as she shook her head.

Bohoj thought for a minute before telling the others, "If we are to reach her, tonight will certainly be the best time".  Bohoj remembered a night or two when he too had cried his woes and shared his dreams with the Goddess as he leaned over a ship's rail.  He felt confident that she would hear him.  "May she decide to aid us in this adventure," Bohoj whispered to himself.  Afterall, Bohoj loved her more than he loved any other.  With that thought something told him to rise his lantern.  He then started swinging it too and fro like a light bobbing on the water.  Left to right, right to left the lantern light traveled.  Then from his heart he called out to the Goddess of the Sea with only words he and her could hear.  The ocean waves were already high with the storm that had been slowly blowing in but now the waves grew even higher.  Soon the water completely surrounded the large rock and the waves crashed against it as if trying to crumble it to dust.  The night grew darker as the waves reached so high as to almost block out the white stars in the sky.

Suddenly, the winds stopped blowing and it became eerily calm as a bright light started to shine from the water before the waves parted like a veil revealing a beautiful blue hued woman with iridescent scales along her arms and her chest much like a bodice.  A gown of seaweed and ferns created her skirt and on her feet were slipper that appeared to have been made of seashells and pearls.  "Oh Bohoj, it has been quite a while since you have called to me and I have missed our talks.  What is it that you wish of me oh favorite son of the seas?" asked the Goddess.  Bohoj blushed with this warm compliment and then proceeded to tell her how a Moon Dragon from another realm was going to make a portal soon appear and they could use her help to hold back the seas so they could cross over through it.

"That does sound like an interesting adventure and yes, Bohoj I will assist you in your quest for I haven't seen a Moon Dragon in many an age," replied the Sea Goddess.  Almost as she finished speaking, a portal suddenly appeared floating on the water's edge a distance out into the clear ocean.  Bohoj and the Roses could see a blue colored Dragon inside of the portal opening surrounded by people all staring back at them.  The Dragon seemed to be waving a wooden spoon and they could see his lips moving as if speaking, but no sound was coming from the portal.  Slowly it started with a whisper then suddenly they could start to hear what the Dragon was saying as his voice crossed over the now still water.​​

"Bohoj, take the Cursed Anchor and place it at the base of the large stone," instructed Dree.  As Dree pointed to the big rock, he saw the Sea Goddess and realized that maybe it would be good to acknowledge her first before doing the mundane part of the ritual.  Smiling (well, what looked like a smile for a Dragon) the young Moon Dragon extended his greetings and now the courtesies were taken care.  The Sea Goddess lifted her hands and parted the waters so that Bohoj and the Roses had a path and could proceed to place the anchor on the boulder.

​Dree, sweat starting to form on his forehead from the strain of the keeping the magical portal open, then directed the Roses to attach the chain they had been given to the end of the anchor while hold each the other's hand.  What happen next even surprised the Roses!  As they were holding hands and Rose was attaching the chain, a bolt of energy hit Rose.  She held strong to the chain now attached to the anchor and felt the energy flow through to Rosie's hands and finally to Roslie who was at the end.  The chain then grew and grew until it was long enough to snake around the boulder three times and land with a loud CLICK - the final closure attaching it to top ring of the Anchor.

While all this activity was going on the elves, gooblins, faeries, trolls, and other creatures also trapped in the World of Whispers were being drawn to the noise and bright light in this usually dull white world that had been their prison for so long.  Soon a large crowd was standing on the shoreline and watching the spectacle before them.

Feeling the strain of holding open the portal as the magic increased, Dree continued his instructions.  "Roses, continue to hold onto the chain and don't let go.  Bohoj, take the blue bottle and pour the contents over the Anchor.  It is a song that will weaken the curse and allow the portal to be permanently anchored from here to there for those who wish to leave.  Do you know the song on the bottle's label Bohoj?" asked Dree.  "Of course," replied an indignant Bohoj.  "Anyone who doesn't know the song 'La Mer' isn't truly a sailor of the many oceans" thought Bohoj as he heard Dree's further instructions.  "When you release it, take the melody and sing the song," Dree continued.  "Roses, when Bohoj sings the song, follow along and begin singing it too," said Dree.

Dree then said in a loud voice, loud enough for all standing on the seashore watching to hear, "For everyone who wishes to leave this realm, grasp the hand of the one before them.  The first in the chain needs to then link their hand with Roslie. Join in and sing the song too."  Soon everyone could hear Bohoj starting the song.  Rose was surprised as she had never heard him sing before.  "Oh he does had a beautiful baritone voice..." 

​Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waitin' for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailin'

It's far beyond a star
It's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon

​​Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailin'  ***   

As those on the shoreline started to link hands and walk towards Roslie, the Sea Goddess continued to hold back the waters (parting the water from the shore to the anchor and now to the opening of the portal).  As the first person links hands with Roslie, the surge of power continues to flow through the Roses and sends the energy flowing down the chain of now linked hands.  With everyone continuing to pick up the next person's hand, more and more join in and sing the song.  As the last hands are joined, Rose lets go of the anchor attached to the rock but holds on firmly to the chain.  As if extending the surge of power from the joined hands, the chain continues to grow longer and snakes towards the open portal - pulling all of them along with it.  As Rose came closer to the portal, she saw that it was now getting bigger.  "The opening was now large enough for all of us to pass through.  Especially with so many of us of different sizes," she realized as she smiled and looked back over her shoulder to see a large ogre in the magical chain.  As she was pulled forward, the chain snaked pass the singing sailor.  Reaching out Rose grabbed the hand of Bohoj holding the now empty bottle.  Going with the flow and with his loud voice he continued singing as they were pulled through the portal.

Shortly everyone was through the portal and were now standing in the Realm of Wymsy.  They were no longer trapped in the World of Whispers!  Rose turned around to look at the portal and realized that it was still open.  But as she turned back to see all those standing around her, she saw Meerher coming over to her.  "Meerher!  What are you doing here?" she asked the House Mother.  "Do I have you to thank for my rescue?"  Meerher smiled as she hugged Rose and told her that it was all thanks to the young Moon Dragon.  "With your help and that Cursed Anchor, the World of Whispers is now part of the Realm of Wymsy...  The balance is restored."

As the Baron, Dowager, King Dulbbe, and Queen Ffion greeted everyone, others directed those that had crossed over to the tent where Granny Flare, Allspice, and Nutmegg were setup with hot tea and cookies.  Once finished, the Dowager walked over to the Roses and introduced herself.  "Would you and your sisters help in the process of returning these lost souls to their homes or help them find new ones here in this realm," asked the Dowager​?  "Yes, me and my sisters would be happy to help," answered Rose after seeing Rosie and Roslie both smile and nod their head accepting the offer.

​*** The song has been translated to the English version sung by Bobby Darin titled 'Beyond the Sea' written by Jack Lawrence and Charles Trenet from the Original French version titled 'La Mer' by Charles Trenet.