Alora: The Wander-Jewel (Alora 1)

“They don’t actually talk to me, but I can communicate with most animals. I can sense fear or pain or contentment or excitement. I can tell if something is wrong. For instance, this one has a very small, irritating stone in her hoof. It’s not enough to make her lame, but she’d appreciate us removing it.”

Alora immediately retrieved a hoof pick and cleaned the mud out to remove the stone. Kaevin said, “Your horses are happy and content, though, and well-cared for. I’d like to talk with Beth and see if her gift is similar to mine.”

Alora felt a pang of jealousy. “I don’t know if she’ll have time to come visit.”

“We could talk at the dance, if I went with you.” His enthusiastic smile made his deep green eyes sparkle.

“Oh, uhmm, I don’t know if I could take you to the dance. I’m not sure how I would explain you. I mean... you dress kind of different.” In truth, she didn’t want him to meet any of the other girls from her school—other girls who were older and prettier.

“I understand. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you.” The smile fell from his face as he examined his clothing.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I just don’t want people to ask questions we can’t explain. I’m not really that great at dancing, anyway.”

“But I am.” The hint of smile returned. “I can even do the Winged-Foot.”

“I’m pretty sure none of the kids at school do the Winged-Foot. They do two-step, polkas, and the Cotton-Eyed Joe.”

“I’m certain I could learn quickly.” His dimple danced with a partner on his other cheek.

“I guess, if we could get you some clothes...”

“After I go hunting with Wesley, I’ll have some pelts to trade. Perhaps I could borrow something from your uncle.”

“Yeah, that ought to go over well.” She regretted her sarcasm as his smile faltered. “We’ll figure something out. Wesley’s older brother, Steven, might have left some clothes behind when he went to college. But meanwhile, I want to practice. I know just the thing to practice on.” She reached behind a hay bale to retrieve two frisky kittens. “This is Mittens, and this one with the black band on his tail is Ringo. And I know a great place to practice. There’s a frozen pond on the other side of those trees. I bet if I’m near that pond, I’ll have plenty of power.”

They made their way through the woods to the edge of the pond. The wind had picked up considerably, so Alora had to tuck the kittens inside her coat to keep them warm while they walked. The wind had blown most of the snow off the pond, but there was a small motte of trees near the edge that provided some shelter. Alora set the kittens down onto the ground.

“I thought I’d let them wander off a little, and then see if I can bring them back to me,” she said.

“Okay. What do you do? How did you make it happen when you brought me here?”

“I’m not sure. I think clearing my mind has something to do with it. Yesterday, I didn’t even know what I was doing, really. I just knew I needed to be with you. Maybe I need to have some kind of deep longing.” She smiled at the kittens as they pranced out onto the frozen ice. “I’ll try that. And I’m just going to try one at a time. Mittens first.”

“I’m going to hold your hand, just in case you accidentally move yourself somewhere. I don’t want you going anywhere I can’t find you within a day.”

Alora closed her eyes and attempted to relax. She tried to clear her mind of everything except Mittens. She imagined the little kitten in her memory, with her black fur and white on her front paws. Then she pictured Mittens on the ground in front of her. She opened her eyes, expectantly.

“Awww, it didn’t work.”

“Keep trying. I’m sure it takes lots of practice. It’s supposed to be really difficult.”

“Okay, I’ll try again.” She closed her eyes and concentrated, trying not to think about how cold she was. She opened her eyes to peek at the little kittens, worried they were getting too cold. But both were playing, chasing each other farther and farther onto the ice.

“I hope you can transport them,” Kaevin remarked, squeezing her hand playfully. “I don’t want to walk out on the ice to get them.”

“They’ll come back eventually,” she replied. “Or we can walk all the way around to pick them up on the other side. You can’t walk too far out there in December. It’s still got thin spots in the ice.”

“What’s December?”

“December is... it’s what we call the last month before a new year starts.”

“What’s a month?”

“A month is about thirty days long. Some are longer and some are shorter; February has twenty-eight days.”

“Ah—you’re talking about a moon.”

“Uhmm, yeah... I think it takes about a month for the moon to go through all the phases. I was never that great at science, but we could ask Wesley.”