Eric--Part Thirty-Four

Splog # 156

Thirty-Four

   Bev and Nol moved to the table and began accepting the offerings which were being passed from somewhere deeper in the tree. Meat, fruit and other foodstuffs were followed by piles of dishes and utensils. Eric wandered to the opening that looked out over the surrounding countryside. It seemed to consist mainly of forest. There were trees springing up everywhere for as far as he could see. There was also a river winding through the forested expanse. At one point, the lack of green growth allowed Eric to follow the path of the winding river. The trees were in full foliage and there were many different types, although the only one that Eric knew by name was the pine tree, growing sometimes singly and sometimes in groups. There was a great variety of birds enjoying the late morning. Many of them could be seen, flying among the trees, singly or in flocks. Eric loved to watch the birds. He wondered what it was that inspired the winged creatures. Often one would make a solo flight from one tree to another. Or else it would fly in swoops and swirls for some length of time before taking a perch. And then there were the flocks that would soar in wide curves and then turn and dive in unison, leaving him smiling and breathless. After watching for a couple of minutes, Eric wondered why the background of the various flyers was white instead of blue. And where was the sun? The sky was bright enough but it just didn't seem right without the golden disk somewhere up there, creating that one spot that was too bright to look at directly. The whiteness of the sky was odd in that it didn't seem to be a cloud cover. It just seemed to be the color of the sky. But sky was supposed to be blue...

   "Birds and sky," said a voice next to him.

   "Hmmm..." It was hard to respond and hard to take his eyes from that vast colorless expanse. There was one large bird that his gaze had settled on and part of him dreamed of being up there with it. Wide, wide wings fully spread. Riding the air currents in long slow glides. Seeing the earth so far below, a green carpet with a blue ribbon unrolled across it.

   "Shall we forget about breakfast and simply remain soaring with the birds until...?"

   The voice was soft and insinuating and for a moment Eric was tempted to reply in the affirmative. But as the words sank in, savory smells invaded his nostrils and he turned to see Splog standing beside him. He was holding a plate generously laden with all manner of eatables and Eric started to say thank you and reach for it. But Splog interrupted both impulses.

   "I hope you aren't thinking of denying me my own breakfast. I wouldn't have the audacity to choose for you. Please help yourself."

   Eric turned further to see Bev, Nol and Cor seated around a small table and breakfasting eagerly. Bev pointed to the large table where Eric could get his dishes, utensils and food. As he starred walking towards it, Eric heard a stamping sound and turned to see what it was. Just before the window where he'd been entranced, a small round table was rising from the floor. When it reached a suitable height, it stopped rising and Splog lifted a cloth he had in one hand, flicked his wrist so the cloth billowed out and then let it settle over the table. He smoothed it a bit before setting his plate down and then stamped his foot again. Something else began to rise but Splog ignored it and headed back to the main table.

   "Silverware," he mentioned, passing Eric who was watching the small seat ascend from the floor. "Come on, before it gets cold."

   Before turning to the main table, Eric took a glance at the others. They all semed to be sitting on small stumps that hadn't been present when they entered the chamber.

   Splog repassed him going the other way. "You better get there before those three head back for seconds..." he murmured.

   "Heard you," laughed Bev as Eric headed for the table. He picked up a plate and piled it with eggs, sausage, ham, toast and a waffle. He put some butter on the waffle and then a splash of syrup. He filled a large drinking vessel with orange juice from a pitcher, grabbed silverware and a napkin and returned to Splog's table in eager anticipation. When he reached the table, he set his breakfast down and then, feeling slightly foolish but wanting to fit in the others, he stamped his foot. To his relief, one of the stump seats rose immediately beside him and he settled onto it. He put his napkin on his lap and eagerly attacked the delicious-looking repast.