A Tale of Return - And the Sky Full of Wonder - Page 5 She stood before the sunset and a sky full of wonder. Skye adjusted her umbrella over her shoulder when she heard a faint rustle and felt a breeze. “Mana Blessing Araceli, you are always light on your feet,” Skye smiled as she turned to face her friend. “That’s me,” Araceli smiled back as she gently hovered back down to the ground, “you are getting better in sensing my approach. You have Aria’s umbrella with you. What is troubling you?” Skye was silent for a long time as her friend waited patiently for an answer. “I had a Seeker visit today. While we were talking, I thought of Aria and her kindness in taking me in as a Daughter,” she gripped the umbrella handle tight, “I thought I was at peace of not knowing my past name, but not knowing…haunts me. Maybe—maybe it is time I should know?” “So, what holds you back? What is it you fear?” asked Araceli. “What—,” Skye hesitated. She swallowed and took a deep breath, “What if I find out my true name. What if I find out who I am. That I had a life before — a home and family— and then can’t return to my home here in Magic?” “Well,” Araceli said gently “you have two feet don’t you?” “What?” Skye exclaimed, confused. “Please, I will explain, but could you use your Mana to hover just a breath,” said Araceli. “Um, ok,” Skye closed Aria’s umbrella and then concentrated to hover eight inches above the ground. Note: See next 'image' that is the second half of this page. It would not let me fit all of it here in ALT text. The ALT text in next image has the second half so your screen reader can continue the story. Visual: The visual for page 5 is a photograph of a silhouette of a young woman holding an umbrella who appears to be looking at the sunset. She stands in what looks to be a grassy field that is also in silhouette. In the backdrop is a dramatic sunset with gorgeous cloud formations.

A Tale of Return - And the Sky Full of Wonder - Page 5 Second Half (so that the Screen Readers can follow the full story that did not fit on the first image) “Good, now keep afloat, but put one foot down on the ground,” instructed Araceli. Skye hovered, maneuvering low enough that she could put her left foot down to touch the ground. “Excellent! So, one foot is in the air and the other foot is on the ground. Are you having any trouble staying in this position?” “It takes very little Mana to hover and stay like I am now. It is no trouble at all,” answered Skye, “but what does having two feet have to do with my fears?” “Having two feet is akin to having two homes.” Araceli illustrated, “You are never without one. You can have a home here up in Celestia,” pointing to the foot in the air and then pointing to the one on the ground, “and you can also have a home in whatever other Realm you lived in the past…provided it is welcoming, caring and you want it to be another place where you feel you belong.” Skye hovered in position for a long while before answering, “Araceli, you have a strange way of looking at things, but I understand you now. It is possible to have two homes that will always welcome you.” “It is a gift. So, are you still afraid to find out who you are?” Araceli asked. “I am not afraid. I am ready to find my true name and where I came from,” Skye said with resolve. “Good!” smiled Araceli, “Come with me. Aria left me something to give to you.”

Four years ago, I had the idea of creating a short story using pictures/artwork I took/created. The first 4 pages are in my earlier posts.

A Tail of Return – See ALT for Page 5 And the Sky Full of Wonder

#visualstorytelling #ayearforart #storytelling #story #adventure #PictureaStory #writing

A Tale of Return - Catching the Sun - Page 4 “I’ve lived here many years but wasn’t born here. Aria, my nurture mother, cared for me when I came here wandering long ago, alone and unknown,” Skye grew quiet remembering. “So, you are a Seeker like me,” Quédam prompted. “No, not a Seeker. Just someone once lost but found. Aria gave me my name when I had none. She taught me the ways of the Celestia Realm,“ Skye spoke as she glanced at the window. In the window hung 17 multicolored glass spheres representing all the Realms catching the sunlight. “Magic is just one of many villages here in Celestia. Each home has the 17 spheres where we weave cool breezes for all the realms, craft the scent of flowers to aid in happiness & health, and, through the spheres, do good deeds by helping others. Celestia is the one all the way at the top,” Sky pointed to the blue sphere in the window, “we are closest to the Veil. All Sons and Daughters of Celestia here work to achieve an immortal soul before they pass beyond the Veil. That is what I know. And what of you? What are you seeking to find” Quédam looked at the spheres catching the last rays of the sun, “Someone who I lost long ago. I let my responsibilities of my high-ranking position bind me. I always meant to go look for her but the time slipped by. Now, I am just an old man.” Note: See next 'image' that is the second half of this page. It would not let me fit all of it here in ALT text. The ALT text in next image has the second half so your reader can continue the story. Visual: The visual for page 4 is a photograph of a vined covered window with light streaming in. Hanging in the window are 17 glass spheres of different colors. They catch the sunlight beautifully.

A Tale of Return - Catching the Sun - Page 4 Second Half (so that the Screen Readers can follow the full story that did not fit on the first image) Skye met the gaze of this quiet old man noticing the heavy sadness in his eyes but also a glimmer of joy and a flash of hope. Before she asked about who his lost loved one was Quédam spoke, “The sun is setting, and I shall have to soon make my way to the Traveler’s Inn. Might I also speak with Aria?” “Aria passed beyond the Veil eight years ago,” Skye gazed down into the empty cup in her hand. “I miss her,” she whispered. “My condolences on your loss,” Quédam said. The room grew quiet for minutes as both sat in contemplation. Quédam broke the silence, “You mentioned Aria gave you your name when you were lost. Did you ever find out your true name? “I have thought about it from time to time, but no, I have not,” answered Skye as she stood up to clear the table. She shrugged off the persistent question that had surfaced over the years, “I figure I have time to find it later” “Time is a terrible trickster,” Quédam advised, “don’t let it sit too long least you find yourself old like me.” He stood and helped Skye gather up the empty plates and cups. Once cleared, he gathered his walking cane, travel cloak and bag and stepped outside the door. “The inn is just ten minutes from here. Just go down this path to the crossroads, take a right, and just past the row of four mushroom houses and Oak at the end you will see it,” said Skye ““I thank you for your kindness for rest and food,” Quédam bowed in gratitude, “I hope our paths cross again so that I might repay your kindness.” “You are very welcome,” replied Skye, “Mana blessings on your travels and may you find what you seek.” Quédam smiled and began walking. Skye noted that his steps seemed lighter. She closed the door but could not shut out the questions that now lingered long after his visit. “What was her true name? Who was she?

Four years ago, I had the idea of creating a compact short story using pictures/artwork I took/created. I debuted the first 3 pages for the #ArtAdventCalendar

A Tail of Return – See ALT for Page 4 Catching the Sun

#visualstorytelling #ayearforart #storytelling #story #adventure #PictureaStory