Eric--Part Thirty-Five

Splog # 158

Thirty-Five

   For a short while the only sounds heard in the green chamber were the songs of birds, calling far and near, and the hum of conversation from different directions. Eric wondered if possibly this last wasn't merely the wind moving through the myriad of leaves surrounding him. The trio close by would occasionally pass remarks among themselves, but they seemed mainly focused on consuming as much food as possible. And that made sense to Eric. He wondered if his hunger had added a special savor to the breakfast. Everything he placed in his mouth had an exceptionally sharp sensation of flavor, as though this was the first time he was experiencing the taste of eggs or sausage or orange juice. He looked over at Splog, who was placing small dainty morsels in his mouth and then chewing them gently and at some length. When Splog looked up at him, Eric raised his eyebrows and gestured with his fork at his plate. Splog seemed to agree with the wordless communication. He nodded and smiled. Eric turned his head to the window. As he did, the large bird he'd been watching earlier soared into his field of vision. It glided gracefully along and soon vanished in the distance, leaving Eric staring at that vast blank sky.

   "Why is the sky white?" he asked Splog, around a mouthful of waffle.

   Splog looked back to him and Eric, sensing a sudden stillness around him, turned to see Bev, Nol and Cor all looking at him over their plates. Nol had a fork halfway to his mouth, but seemed to have forgotten it. When he looked back to Splog, the little man seemed to be appraising him with his eyes, while his mouth chewed lazily. As they looked at each other, Eric felt that there was a lot going on behind the eyes across from him. They moved for an instant to the three companions at the other table and Eric heard the soft sounds of eating resume. When they returned to his face, a smile had bloomed beneath them and the chewing motion had ceased.

   "Eric," Splog paused after the one word. Then he too looked out the window. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

   "Eric," he repeated, without turning back to him. "Eric, that sky will be blue again. And right there in the center of it will be a shining golden disc bathing everything in its radiance. The king will return. Sol."

   One corner of his mouth curved up slightly in the ghost of a smile and Splog seemed lost in a reverie. Eric sat motionless, not wanting to disturb him. He heard a soft hissing sound and turned to see Bev pointing to his plate. She waved a hand up to her mouth and nodded. He thought she was probably trying to tell him it was all right to go on eating so he continued his breakfast.

   While eating, he watched Splog. He seemed lost in a trance. He hardly moved, except for an occasional sigh. His face had a ruddy glow, as though the sun were shining on it. And, at one point, a single tear leaked from his left eye and slowly travelled down his cheek until it rested on the ledge of his chin.

   "Would you like any more?" a voice quietly asked.

   Eric looked over to find Cor had risen from his seat. He thought for a moment and answered, "Sure."

   "Well, come on."

   Eric returned with Cor to the food-laden table and refilled his plate, although only with about half as much food as last time. While in the process, a name popped into his head and he said to Cor, "Who's Mae?"

   Cor looked at him over the plate he was lading with assorted fruit.

    "Mae is my twin sister," he answered.

   As they both resumed their tasks, Cor inquired, "Why do you ask?"

   "Her name just came to me. I've heard it somewhere linked with yours. Cor and Mae."