Journey to Rainbow Island Read online

  Yu-ning rested her head on Romeo’s chest and felt something under his shirt—it was his purple crystal heart necklace, which was void of light. She gently picked up the violet-colored heart in both of her hands and closed her eyes, tears continuing to roll down her cheeks. She gently set the heart down again on Romeo’s chest, rose, and walked back into Metatron’s waiting arms. She was sobbing now.

  “Yu-ning, look,” said Metatron, pointing at Romeo behind her. Yu-ning turned around and was stunned to see the purple crystal heart begin to glow, a soft purple speck of light pulsing from the very center of the crystal. The light was growing stronger! She rushed back to Romeo, who opened his eyes wide and took a deep, sharp breath.

  “He’s alive, Metatron!” Yu-ning exclaimed.

  Romeo’s eyes fluttered and opened, and he stared up into his friend’s large brown eyes. “What happened? And why are you crying, Yu-ning?” She just laughed, and gave Romeo a big hug.

  “Where is the dragon? And what happened to the warlock?” Romeo inquired, a bit wobbly on his feet as Yu-ning and Metatron helped him up.

  “The dragon is gone,” said Metatron, leaning on his staff. “The power of Lightcaster has torn the darkness, and broken Hobaling’s curse. The obsidigon is no more.”

  “You mean, you killed it?” asked Romeo.

  “No, not killed. Transformed. Yu-ning’s arrow filled it with light, breaking the Darq curse that created it.”

  “And what of Hobaling?” Romeo asked.

  “He is gone—he slipped away during the battle, I am afraid,” said Metatron, concern etching his brow. “But he cannot run far.” Metatron took a blanket from behind the saddle on Suparna’s back and carefully wrapped the obsidigon skull within it. He stowed the grim trophy behind the saddle and urged everyone to climb aboard. “This is indeed a great day, my friends. Quickly, to the Floating Palace to inform the Empress of today’s fair tidings!”

  Yu-ning was about to climb atop Suparna, but then jumped off his wing. “Where are you going?” asked Romeo.

  “I traveled far to find these—they are treasures worth keeping,” said Yu-ning. She retrieved ten arrows and placed them in the Quiver of Light. “All right, let’s go!” she said as she scrambled onto Suparna’s back.

  As Suparna took flight from the ledge high above the Cliffs of Conundrum and turned toward the Floating Imperial Palace, hundreds of tiny, rainbow-colored butterflies gathered around him and the three passengers, joining them in their flight into the clouds. The butterflies fluttered in and out among the riders, as if celebrating with them, brushing delicate wings against their smiling faces.

  Thirty-Three

  Empress

  YU-NING AWOKE IN A BEAUTIFUL BED in a royal-looking bedroom. Colorful trogons, mot-mots, quetzals, and other bright tropical birds flitted in the trees just outside her window, searching for their morning’s breakfast. Their birdsongs were mellifluous, welcoming her to the Floating Palace.

  She wandered outside to find Romeo standing on the porch of the room next door. The scene before them was breathtaking: an enchanting sanctuary of temples, gardens, streams, and forest glades. They dressed and were greeted by benevolent imperial ambassadors, attendants, and masters, who were there to give them a tour of the serene grounds. As they prepared to depart, Metatron and Magic joined them. “I have seen these grounds many times, but I never tire of seeing them again!” Metatron smiled as he stood between Romeo and Yu-ning, squeezing the children’s shoulders. Magic jumped into Yu-ning’s arms, grateful to see his master whole and fit.

  “Welcome to the Imperial Palace,” a group of temple teachers, leaders, and students, known as brothers, chanted simultaneously while bowing. Metatron and the children were awestruck by the startling sight before them, and Yu-ning was deeply moved. Every last ounce of fear, weariness, and trauma from the previous day’s events evaporated the moment their gaze took in the miraculous sight before them.

  One of the brothers stepped forward to greet them. His head was shaved, and he was wearing a beautiful, long, azure blue robe with woven bamboo sandals. The crystal beaded malas around his neck and wrists glistened in the sunlight. “Welcome, welcome. Come, come,” he said, bowing with a smile that lit up his entire face. “My name is Yeshe, and I welcome you.” In a quiet and humble tone, he led the three visitors on a tour along a beautiful garden pathway through the imperial grounds. Slowly and methodically he announced the sights with wonder and reverence, as if he himself were seeing the kingdom for the first time. “There are eight sections of the grounds, which occupy over 100,000 acres of pristine rain forest, gardens, and meadows. We have the outer court, inner court, front and center, and the main palace where our divine Empress resides. We have meditation gardens, temples, museums, libraries, and parks. There is a school that all the children in the community attend. But there is so much more. Let me lead you.”

  The trio stood in awe, taking in every detail that Yeshe was sharing. He continued, “Toward the center of the imperial grounds stand the tallest and largest buildings. This is the Imperial Palace, where the Empress resides. It is the only building not made out of wood, but is composed of carved stone, marble, and crystal. It is gold-framed, with yellow stone walls, speckled throughout with citrine crystals. The gabled brick roof is covered in gold vermillion shingles.”

  The travelers continued to follow Yeshe toward one of the green gardens. The group stood in a grove of orange trees, smelling the intoxicating sweetness of the neroli blossoms and the ripe fruit. “This garden is where everyone plays and gathers. Over there behind the apricot trees is the green teahouse. You are all welcome to come to this garden and have tea anytime,” Yeshe said, pointing at a small green wooden house in front of them.

  With serene gestures he guided them toward a set of red buildings. “This way,” he said softly. “These red buildings are for ceremonies and celebrations. The pink buildings at the rear right are used for special ceremonies, meetings, and observances for the Empress. The middle white buildings to the right are all the creative buildings where artists come to think, meditate, and create. The orange buildings toward the front in the middle are where everyone works, and this ancient bridge here takes you to the tallest tower that oversees the lands for meditation, prayer, and worship.

  “The blue structures on the left are the sacred temples for the masters and teachers. These wisdom temples and meditation temples encircle numerous libraries and museums, so that our knowledge and appreciation of beauty is blessed with pure intention. The large yellow building to the right of the Imperial Palace houses relatives of the imperial family.

  “I am going to the temple now, and all of you are welcome,” he said, standing in a serene pose as he bowed his head. Eager nods received his invitation, and everyone ventured down the garden path together toward the blue temples. As they approached the magical circle of temples sweeping across the land in multiple shades of blue, Yu-ning was struck by the beauty and peacefulness of the space.

  The shades of blue were the colors of a tropical lagoon, surrounded by an array of blue blossoms: lilies, violets, hyacinths, and more. As the threesome pondered the breathtaking sights before them, Yeshe whispered, “Enjoy, and know your way. I will leave you now to your walking.” He smiled, bowed, and stepped backward very slowly.

  “Thank you, Yeshe,” Yu-ning added, waving enthusiastically. Yeshe looked at her and everyone else and smiled broadly. He placed his hands together at his heart and turned to leave. Yu-ning and the others looked all around. The site was heavenly and calming. They saw many masters walking slowly, looking very peaceful and kind. They bowed, smiling at Yu-ning and the others as they walked past. On a beautiful, long cobalt porch in front of a sapphire and cerulean blue temple, they saw a brother sitting meditatively with a bowl of rice and chopsticks.

  He nodded at them, smiling ear to ear. Others came to join him with their bowls, and together they sat in a circle on indigo cushions. The masters all wore beautiful azure blue robes and crystal
malas like Yeshe. Yu-ning saw the clusters of amethyst, tanzanite, calcite, lapis lazuli, and aquamarine catching the light and sighed at the beauty.

  As they continued on to the main temple, which was the largest of them all and flanked by smaller buildings, the three slowed to a stop, waiting to move forward beyond the entrance. A brother approached them, bowed his head, and said, “Please, come into the temple. The master teacher would like to meet you. He is the leader of all masters. His name is Master Tenzin.”

  Yu-ning exclaimed in a whisper, “Oh, he is expecting us!” The brother led the group inside the temple and down toward the center of the structure, forward to the altar. They walked inside the sacred sanctuary, which was bright, open, and serene. The fragrance of sage and incense wafted through the air. The main room was simply adorned. The cypress-wood roof and walls were warm and rustic. There were bamboo and rice paper sliding doors and straw tatami mats on the floors. There was a long wooden bench and table on one side of the room. In the center of an elevated platform, the master sat cross-legged on a red silk padded seat. A breathtaking array of crystals was displayed, as well as candles and bowls of beautiful fruit and blossoms. The master was smiling blissfully, eyes closed.

  Metatron and Romeo followed Yu-ning and stood quietly behind her at the entrance of the altar space. At that precise moment, the master opened his eyes and looked softly, but intently, at each of them. “Come, sit,” he said kindly. Yu-ning knelt down reverently next to him, and the others followed suit.

  “Welcome to the Imperial Palace. I am happy you are here with us. I have a gift for you.” Smiling, the master took out a large wooden box from behind his sweeping, deep sapphire blue robe and set it in front of them. He gestured down to them to open it.

  Wide-eyed, everyone smiled, but no one moved toward the box except Yu-ning. She nodded at the master graciously and reached to touch the top of the box. She gasped. “Light is shining from within!”

  The master smiled at Yu-ning and nodded. “Yes, know what you feel.” As Yu-ning opened the box, a flood of light burst out from inside it. Inside on a bed of beautiful, dark blue velvet was a single amethyst crystal mala in the length of a necklace. The master took out the gleaming strand and held it in front of Yu-ning. Closing his eyes in prayer, he placed the mala over her head and bowed. Yu-ning was so moved she didn’t know what to say. She gasped and looked down, holding the necklace with both hands and bowing down.

  As she rose, her voice was in a whisper. “It is beautiful.” She looked at the beautiful purple roundel beads. They were perfect. “Thank you, Master,” she said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” She lifted the necklace to kiss it, and turned to the others to show them.

  The master bowed his head, acknowledging her heartfelt gratitude. He looked to Metatron and Romeo and said, “Yu-ning is the embodiment of love, and this necklace will guide and honor her from that place.” As he said this, he lifted the velvet in the box to reveal two more malas just like Yu-ning’s.

  Yu-ning was surprised. She shouted out in glee, “You have a mala for all of us!”

  The master smiled and said, “Of course.” One at a time, he lifted a mala and placed it over each one’s head, saying a blessing. “Wear it, hold onto it, and remember to do everything with integrity and love. Follow your intuition, and be open to learning the wisdom.”

  Sunlight streamed through shingles on the roof above, causing the necklaces to shimmer. As they rose to leave, the master rose too. He guided them to the door, and they all bowed to him once more before walking outside the altar space. He bowed back and said with tenderness, “Live a righteous path.”

  As they exited the main temple, they stepped onto the beautiful pathway that led to the other temples. Yu-ning paused at one temple whose door was wide open. Hung above the door was a wooden sign with the words “Sincerity and Openness” painted in black calligraphy ink.

  Yu-ning nodded. “We must go inside here.” The others followed her onto a short pebble-stone walkway and up the long, shallow steps of the temple. The three interior walls were covered from floor to ceiling in one-foot by one-foot cubes that contained twenty rolled-up paper scrolls in each.

  In the center of the room, an elderly, bespectacled scholar-teacher was holding an open scroll. As the threesome walked inside, the old teacher looked at each of them with the deep wisdom of a sage, and nodded. He paused then and smiled with his eyes. “Welcome to the Temple of Eternal Wisdom. My name is Lobsang.” Yu-ning discerned that he was the preeminent scholar of the community.

  Yu-ning was excited; she walked to the center wall and reached high up over her head, taking out one of the scrolls from one of the niches in the wall. As she carried it down, it was glowing pink. The scroll was thick and heavy, with many sheets rolled inside. It looked old and had a musky smell. The edges of the paper were tinged sepia.

  “The Scripture of Love,” Yu-ning read as she opened the scroll. The others looked at her, nodding. Lobsang approached her and reached for another scroll. He handed it to Romeo, who opened it. “Wisdom,” he read.

  Lobsang moved back and forth along the walls with elegant, sweeping gestures as he retrieved scroll after scroll with fluidity and grace, handing them to the three visitors. They took turns reading aloud: “Magnanimity”; “Integrity”; “Mindfulness”; “Valor”; “Generosity”; “Gratitude”; “Humility”; “Forgiveness”; “Peace”; “Stillness.”

  At that moment, Lobsang became very still and quiet. “Read these words,” he began solemnly. “Hold them close to you. The wisdom will always stay with you.”

  The group was called out of their reverie by the deep, resonant gong of an ancient bell, which rang three times. A young brother walked into the temple quietly; he bowed to Lobsang and turned to Yu-ning and the adults. “Please follow me. Her royal highness, the Imperial Empress, awaits.”

  They all bowed and said goodbye. “Thank you, Lobsang,” Yu-ning said, holding her scrolls to her chest. Lobsang smiled and bid farewell to his three guests. They walked back through the circle of temples to the grand entrance of the main palace, where they had first met the Empress. As they entered, a hush fell over them as the Empress walked toward them from the end of the main aisle.

  “Welcome, all. It is wonderful to see you looking so refreshed! I trust your walk throughout the palace grounds has been pleasant?” All three bowed before the beautiful Empress, who was wearing a flowing, cream-colored gown imbedded with small gemstones of sky blue. “You have all done a great service for the Kingdom of Tunzai, and we are forever indebted to you for your courage and bravery. As a small token of my appreciation, a small celebration has been prepared. Would you care to follow me?” asked the Empress.

  The three nodded again and followed the Empress toward wide double doors off an adjacent corridor. As they reached the ornately carved white doors, they could hear beautiful music playing from inside. The Empress nodded, and, swaying like a willow in a spring breeze, she escorted the group through the doors into her royal chambers. Once through the doors, Yu-ning and the others were so dazzled by their surroundings that they came to an abrupt stop. They were speechless. This was a part of the palace that Metatron had never seen before.

  The room was enormous. Every square inch of the space was richly adorned with fine furnishings and artwork. The fifty-foot vaulted ceilings were painted from one end to the other with angelic figures. Though the figures were painted onto the ceiling, it was possible to see beyond the ceiling, into the clear blue skies punctuated by cotton white clouds. The angelic figures appeared to be flying in the air above them. Everything in the room was white, accented by soft shades of pink, lavender, sage green, and soft blues.

  There were chandeliers adorning the ceiling, altars on each wall of the room, and heated floors of pristine white and grey marble. The white walls were covered with glazed tiles painted with figures of goats, bulls, fish, lions, seahorses, cranes, horses, elephants, and tortoises.

  In the center of the room wa
s a long red velvet carpet leading to three long white steps up to the Empress’s throne, which rested on a platform. The chair was large and white with plush, light pink velvet cushions on each side. The throne shined with a soft pink glow from the beautiful jewels and crystals encrusted on the arms and high back of the chair.

  The Empress walked slowly up the red carpet and settled comfortably onto her throne, smiling peacefully at the group. At that moment, all the side walls retracted from the middle to reveal hidden screens that opened onto the larger palace grounds. The Empress’s staff members pulled back the doors as servants entered the royal chamber with trays of food and drink. There were six tables covered in beautiful lavender velvet, holding an array of fruits, pastries, cakes, chocolates, and cookies. “Welcome, are you hungry?” A woman handed Yu-ning a colorful fruit.

  “Thank you,” Yu-ning said with appreciation and wonder. Joyous, lively music began to play, as eleven musicians entered the room carrying a multitude of exotic instruments. The Empress laughed and stood, descending from her throne to dance with everyone. Yu-ning was overjoyed, absorbing the spirit of excitement, love, and celebration. The Empress was standing next to Yu-ning, clapping and dancing, her beautiful shining gown swaying to the music.

  A handsome man entered the chamber—he was dressed in an elegant robe and held an enormous bouquet of red, yellow, and orange tulips. He saw the Empress and smiled broadly as he approached her, nodding to greet the court of dancers and musicians. He handed the flowers to the Empress and said in a soft voice, “I picked each of these flowers for you, my love.”

  “Thank you, my Emperor,” she said, with affection in her eyes. She leaned down to Yu-ning and whispered, “He is my Emperor.”

  “An emperor!” Romeo said in wonder, standing next to Yu-ning. Throughout the space people bowed and smiled happily at the Empress. She and her Emperor greeted everyone politely and lovingly. As the Empress took Yu-ning through the cheerful crowd, she noticed a square indigo blue box resting on a table nearby. The Empress leaned down to her and said, “This is a gift for you; you can open it. You see, when you trust and have faith, when you choose love, you receive many gifts and blessings. Open it!”