Return to the Golden Mist (Billy Bones, #3)

By Ron Oaks

THE AMAZING JOURNEY BEGINS when a shepherd dog named Bones chases a deer through a mysterious passageway that suddenly opens along an old wagon trail. Inside this other dimension, the two animals  find a storybook world and are transformed into creatures who think and speak like the human pioneers who migrated along the same trail, hoping a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Acon Ring Publishing
• Release date: Jun 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781732349957

Ron Oaks

Ron Oaks was born South Dakota. He earned a degree in speech and drama from Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota; a degree in voice from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland; and a master's degree in drama from Catholic University in Washington, D. C. Since then he has written a musical comedy, a religious opera, a number of reviews, plays, and poems and Book One, Beyond the Tall Grass, of the fantasy series under the general title of Billy Bones. Ron has directed or performed professionally in numerous operas, musicals, and plays from New York to Miami. He was the artistic director of the Garrison Playhouse in Baltimore County, Maryland, for 10 years and taught high school drama in Maryland for 16 years. More recently, Ron stage-directed seven operas for the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore, Maryland and numerous shows for the Woodbrook Players in Baltimore, Maryland. Ron was the bass-soloist with the Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church for many years and teaches voice in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. areas. Ron lives with his wife in Central Maryland.

Book preview

CHAPTER TWO

Lucinda Vulture

As the two friends started to go they noticed a huge bird dressed in black winging its way toward them. At first they thought it might be Winston Wise Owl, but then Billy recognized the black sleeveless robe of the spiritual leader of the Hill Country. Billy was not altogether surprised. Georgie, on the other hand, appeared to be quite fearful of the great bird and stood some distance behind Billy.

Lucinda, Lucinda Vulture! I might have guessed! She knows we’re back, muttered Billy loudly, recalling the many times the old bird had tuned in to his own prophetic dreams and visions. She’s really amazing, Georgie. I wonder how she does it!

The vulture landed a few feet in front of the shepherd dog, walked slowly over to him, and touched his forehead with her gnarled fingers extending from the tips of her wings. It was only the second time she had done this.

So you’ve made it back, Mr. Bones. I should have known you’d find a way. I’ve had this powerful feeling in my breast all morning. At first I thought it might be my son Felix. I even thought of sending his brothers, Festus and Floyd. But then about an hour ago I felt your consciousness being transformed into its present self, and I knew that somehow you had returned.

Billy tilted his head toward the beaver. Actually it was Georgie who got us back through the opening. I just followed him. He glanced up at the vulture. How long have we been gone, and where’s Mr. Wise Owl? He’s always here to meet newcomers on the day of the solstice.

You’ve been away two years, Mr. Bones, and many changes have happened since you left. The old vulture hesitated and then stepped away as if deeply disturbed. Finally she sighed and continued. It’s the wild dogs, especially their leader, Bruno von Shepherd. They came in through the magic portal just as you were forcing Fabian Lynx out. Bruno’s a German shepherd. He’s even larger than you are. But I’m afraid he and the rest of his pack have entrenched themselves up in the North Woods, and what’s worse, they’ve taken a number of the Prairie citizens with them. Lucinda paused again and eyed Billy compassionately. Some of them are your good friends, Mr. Bones. And now Bruno’s threatening to break away from the Prairie and form a new state. Mayor Beaver’s called an emergency session of the City Council, and he’s asked the other citizens of the Prairie to attend as well. I’m sure that’s where Winston and Hester are.

This Bruno: is he like Fabian Lynx? asked Billy, remembering the destructive charismatic lynx.

He’s like Fabian in one way: He wants to control everything. Other than that, they’re very different. Bruno wants to preserve the human artifacts, whereas Brother Fabian hated them and sought to get rid of them. In fact, after Bruno found out what happened at the great burning, when Georgie here and four others were changed back to animals like those in the outside world, he’s convinced there’s great power in the artifacts. He even speaks of you as if you were some sort of savior who kept The Enchantment from being destroyed.

He speaks of me? queried Billy, somewhat confused.

"Yes, but he doesn’t like obeying the Prairie’s laws, especially those in The Great Book of Rules. He’s even been stirring up trouble in the Hill Country. I’m afraid to think of what might happen if he gets control there too, sighed the old vulture. That’s why I need you to come to the Tribal Council’s summer session tomorrow morning. I need your help, Mr. Bones, and I think I can get you reinstated. She stopped suddenly and shook her head. But it might be difficult. I’m afraid Bruno’s already managed to influence several of our council members to form a sort of union with the North Woods."

But am I allowed to go outside the Prairie? I think I was considered somewhat of a criminal when I left, recalled the dog. Won’t I have to go to jail or undergo a trial or something?

No, I don’t think so, cackled the old crone unexpectedly. Your friend, Winston Wise Owl, took care of that some time ago. After his own trial, he insisted that your name be cleared, and the new council obliged him. You’re a free dog, Mr. Billy Bones, and you’re now considered somewhat of a hero!

But this Bruno, would he listen to Billy? asked Georgie Beaver, who had gathered up the courage to move to the dog’s side. Maybe he could change Bruno’s mind.

No, Mr. Beaver, I’m afraid Mr. Bones suited Bruno’s purposes better out of The Enchantment. I think when he finds out Billy’s returned, he’ll feel somewhat threatened. The vulture stepped back as if the conversation were over. Well, enough talk. Why don’t the two of you go over to City Hall and surprise all your friends. Oh, and you might want to stop by Percival Gander’s shop for some clothes. I don’t think he’ll be there, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you help yourself. It’s probably not a good idea for the two of you to appear undressed before the whole town. Lucinda turned to leave and then looked back at the two companions one last time. And by the way, you know it’s happened before.

What’s that? asked Billy.

A long time ago one of the ancients left The Enchantment and then managed to return. She also had a strong spiritual connection to this place.

Who was that? inquired Georgie, who was feeling more comfortable in the presence of the vulture.

My mother, answered Lucinda. Well, I have to get back to the Tribal Council and prepare them for Mr. Bones’ visit. And Mr. Beaver, I’d like to be there when you meet your family, but I’m afraid I don’t have the time—so I’ll just say that I’m very happy for you.

Georgie and Billy watched in amazement as the old bird turned, raised her body into the air with her great wings, and flew westward toward the Hill Country.

I wonder why she mentioned my family. Don’t you think that was kind of odd, Billy. She hardly knows I’m around.

I can’t answer that, Georgie, but I’m anxious to find out, laughed Billy, as he danced around the beaver. Come on. Race me over to Percy’s shop. I guess it would look pretty tacky if we showed up at City Hall wearin’ no clothes at all!

At the mention of wearing clothes, the memory of something Billy Stuart had done just before he left immediately crossed the shepherd dog’s mind. When the boy took down his old tan suitcase and started packing his clothes, a terrible feeling of loneliness had suddenly come over the dog. The shepherd had seen him pack before, and he knew it meant that the boy was leaving for a while. But something about the way Billy Stuart was throwing his clothes into the suitcase this time implied that he might never return again.

CHAPTER THREE

Billy Stuart, Bones, And Buddy

Billy Stuart had lived with his grandfather for almost four years when he learned that his father, Bill Stuart Jr., was getting married again in May. His father and new wife had found an apartment in Chicago, where Bill Jr. had been given a more permanent assignment. When they were settled in their new place, Bill telephoned his son to let him know that Billy would be joining them in Chicago. Before long the conversation got around to the dog Bones.

There’s just not enough room in the apartment for a big dog like Bones, Billy. Besides, he’s used to the farm and the freedom to do whatever he likes. Bill paused to gauge his son’s reaction, but when Billy didn’t respond he continued, I’ll tell you what, sport. We’re hopin’ to get a house next summer. Maybe we can bring Bones here then.

But Dad, that’s a year away!

I know it seems like a long time, but Bones wouldn’t be happy here in Chicago, especially when you’re at school all day. It just wouldn’t be fair to him, son.

Will Stuart’s farm had been the perfect playground for his grandson to recover in after his mother’s death. Will had purchased the farm from the son of the original homesteader. An old wagon trail used by pioneers on their way to the Oregon Territory passed through the property. Although Billy got along well with his grandfather, it was his grandfather’s dog Bones that rekindled the boy’s enthusiasm for living.

Bones was a mixed breed. He was tan with a smudge of white on his face, chest, and tail. Part of what was special about Bones was his ability to sense when something momentous was about to happen. Besides common occurrences such as knowing when Billy’s school bus was about to arrive, the dog had saved the boy from serious injury. During a strong windstorm, Bones had darted in front of Billy and knocked him backward just as a huge tree limb broke and crashed to the ground in front of them.

Unfortunately, one summer Bones disappeared. Although Billy was devastated, he never lost hope that the dog would come back to him. When the dog finally did reappear a year later, he brought a young beaver with him, and the bond between the two animals was extraordinary. The young beaver would often tag along after Bones and Billy when they went exploring. The beaver spent his nights at the pond but in the morning would come up to the farmhouse and wait for Bones and Billy by the back step. Because the beaver was the dog’s buddy, both Billy and his grandfather referred to him as just Buddy.

Sometime in the middle of October Buddy started missing his morning appointment. The reason became clear in early November when Buddy surprised everyone by swimming near the edge of the pond with a female beaver while Will and Billy were fishing.

Well, I’ll be! It looks like we may be losing Buddy! exclaimed Will Stuart as he pointed to the young female and put a hand on his grandson’s shoulder. Mating season starts in early January. They’re probably already looking for a place to settle down.

True to Will Stuart’s prediction, Buddy and his female friend left the pond in late November.

They’ve probably gone south to build another dam along the creek, observed Will one morning after Billy and Bones had searched for the beavers on both sides of the pond west of their farm. We should leave them alone for now and let nature take its course.

In mid – to late June, to the boy’s astonishment, Buddy suddenly showed up on the back step of the farmhouse. After a happy reunion with Bones and Billy, the beaver led them to the edge of the pond. After seeing what Buddy brought them to see, Billy raced back to the farmhouse to fetch his grandfather.

Grandpa, Grandpa, come look! You won’t believe this! Buddy and his girlfriend, they’ve got twins!

When they reached the pond again, Will laughed when he saw the little entourage and said, Well, I’ll be hornswoggled! Would you look at that!

After a time Buddy gave Bones one last nuzzle, gathered his small clan, and headed south. As Will predicted, the two beavers had built another dam a couple of miles below the Stuarts’ farm.

Should we follow them? asked Billy.

No, we might frighten the female and the young ones, warned Will. We’ll visit them later this month. Buddy just wanted to show off his new family. He might not be back this way again.

Contrary to Will Stuart’s prediction, a distraught Buddy turned up at the farm a couple days later without his family. Will, Billy, and Bones followed the creek south to the new dam that Buddy and his mate built but found no trace of the female or her twins. They finally gave up the search, concluding that something disastrous had occurred.

Buddy showed up at the back step every morning for the next year. It was as if he was afraid of losing his friends as well, and everywhere Bones and Billy went, the beaver tagged along as best he could.

After Billy Stuart left for Chicago, Will saw a definite change in Bones’ demeanor. He tried to keep the dog with him, but Bones spent most of his time with Buddy. When the dog disappeared a second time along with the beaver, Will was beside himself. He knew he had to call Billy in Chicago and explain what happened, but what could he say when even he didn’t understand?

CHAPTER FOUR

The Journey To City Hall

The corn on either side of the road belonging to Farmer Jason Crow and Charlie Pheasant was almost knee high as Billy Bones and Georgie Beaver raced by on their way to Percival’s shop. When they drew even with Jason’s farmhouse built into the fence row, Billy noticed a crow perched on the farmer’s thatched roof. He put his arm out to stop Georgie as he glanced over at the bird. It was small and unclothed, like crows in the outside world.

That must be Jason’s son, Gerard, called Billy excitedly, as he stepped closer to the house. He was transformed back to a regular animal the same day you were when Mary McMink’s furniture was being burned by Brother Fabian and his cronies. This is the first time I’ve seen him since that day.

As Billy was recalling the incident, the crow suddenly flew down and landed on his outstretched arm. So you remember us, little fellow? I wasn’t sure you would.

While Billy was talking to the bird, Georgie noticed that the door to Jason’s farmhouse was partially open. He walked over and poked his head inside. Farmer Crow, Mrs. Crow, is anyone there? It’s me, Georgie Beaver.

After Georgie stepped inside and called again, both animals concluded that the farmer and his wife had also gone to City Hall.

Well I guess I better let you fly back to your roof, said the shepherd dog as he held the crow up in the air. Instead of obeying, Gerard gave out a loud caw, flew in a circle around the farmhouse, and landed again on Billy’s shoulder. The dog realized that the crow would only return to the roof, when he was good and ready.

When the three travelers reached the intersection where the Southern Road turned south, Wheat Walk turned north, and Beaver Dam Road went straight ahead, they stopped again and surveyed the wondrous scene in front of them.

It’s really quite a sight, Georgie! I remember when I saw it three years ago with Victor Running Deer just after we entered The Enchantment the first time. I’d never seen color before, and the trees around the pond really amazed me. They are so large and magnificent!

Yeah, you’d hardly know there was a town beyond them. They block everything ’cept City Hall and the two meetinghouse steeples. But you can see Deputy Eagle’s cabin up there, continued Georgie, pointing to Eagle Butte, the rocky hill that lay some distance beyond the City Hall’s clock tower.

Behind and north of Eagle Butte, the foothills were covered with dark pine trees whose deep green needles contrasted sharply with the bright leaves of the hardwood trees surrounding the beaver pond and the water flowing below it. To the south and west of the butte, the trees were sparse, and the drying grasses were already turning to the bright gold of summer.

As the two comrades and the crow continued their journey to Percival’s shop, Billy Bones thought back to the crossroads they had just passed and to Victor Running Deer.

Remember, Georgie, when you were takin’ Victor and me to Percy’s shop for clothes the first time? Remember when Rodney Wild Deer came runnin’ around the corner and collided with Victor? laughed Billy, picturing the scene in his mind. Then he suddenly became serious. Rodney was a troubled soul, wasn’t he, Georgie, and he hated Victor from the beginning. I guess it was just their destiny to be pitted against each other in all those races. And then of course they both loved Melinda Doe… It’s just too bad that someone had to die over it!

After the dog remembered the incident at the crossroads, his thoughts turned to the Spring Race that always took place on May Day. Both Rodney Deer and Victor Running Deer had lost to Sandy Antelope. Afterward tragedy had struck when, as Rodney was trying to abduct Melinda, he fatally stabbed Melinda’s father, Olen Buck. Eventually Rodney was cornered and fell to his death during a struggle with Victor on top of Castle Rock.

Percival Gander’s shop lay on the south side of Beaver Dam Road. Like many animals in The Enchantment, the eccentric tailor favored the type of structure he had known in the outside world. A row of small windows across the front let in plenty of indirect light, and a large double door around the back opened to the lower floor where he kept his used furniture.

I’d forgotten how much Percy’s place looks like one of the old man’s chicken coops! exclaimed Billy as he started up the ramp to the front door. Percy, are you at home? It’s me, Billy Bones. We need your help! After receiving no response, the dog cautiously entered the shop and looked down the long rows of clothing inside.

Finding no one at home, the two newcomers quickly found clothes that would fit them. Billy selected a white shirt, a dark blue vest, and a pair of brown trousers held up by suspenders. Georgie chose much the same style, except that his vest was red and his pants were black. When the two animals finally saw themselves in the large mirror on the far side of the room, they were shocked to discover that they looked at least ten years