Book 2: Be Not Afraid

February 24, 2026 Starmonia Leave a comment

Chapter Two: Surprise Announcement

Meta Knight walked steadily along the trail, Cloudy curled up in his arms. As he walked, he told Cloudy about his life and family—some parts of which were shocking and sad.

“My wife left me not long after Liloy became a teenager,” Meta Knight explained, his voice full of sorrow.

“Why?” Cloudy asked, then clapped a paw over her mouth as she realized how rude that was. “Oh, I’m sorry, that was not polite. . .”

“It’s okay,” Meta Knight assured her. “She divorced me because she didn’t love me.”

“Then why did she even marry you in the first place?” Cloudy demanded. “I don’t get that!”

Meta Knight shrugged and shifted Cloudy a little. “Who can say?” He took a deep breath and continued, “My son, Gregory, abuses drugs and drinks heavily.”

“Drugs?! Drinks?!” Horror in her eyes, Cloudy stared at Meta Knight, who looked away, unable to stand her look.

“Yes. My son-in-law, Tilry, is in the hospital with cancer.” On and on he went, explaining about his children and other relatives. But Cloudy found it rather odd that he mentioned nothing about his father or even who his father was.

By and by, they reached the beginning of the trail. Meta Knight halted, not remembering which way to go. “Left or right, Cloudy?” he asked. When there was no reply, he looked down, and to his surprise, saw Cloudy asleep in his arms, her breathing slow and steady. He smiled at how calm and quiet she was and how adorable she looked when she was asleep.

“I hate to wake her,” Meta Knight sighed, “but we need to get back to her house before we get stuck in the dark.” He cleared his throat and gently tapped Cloudy’s back. “Cloudy, wake up.”

“Hmm?” Cloudy murmured, opening one eye. She must have dozed off. “What? Where’s the fire?”

“We’ve reached the beginning of the trail. Where from here?”

“Ummm. . .” Cloudy cracked open her other eye, lifted her head, and looked around. After a few seconds of deduction, she jerked her head to the left. “That way.”

“Very well.”

Meta Knight turned left and continued on his way. Ten minutes later, they reached the beginning of Whispy Woods. He walked out of the woods, but halted at the edge, From where he stood, he saw other children playing on Cloudy’s property. A few puppies and humanoid children were darting around and tumbling over each other, screaming and laughing and having a great time. Meta Knight recognized most of them from the Thanksgiving feast. But as he gazed at the happy kids, a wave of sadness washed over him. He had never had a wonderful childhood because of his father’s abuse, but Meta Knight hadn’t told Cloudy that yet. He wasn’t sure he was ready to trust her with such a dark secret.

“Ah, that is a lot of children over at your place today,” Meta Knight commented.

Cloudy beamed and leaped from his arms. “Aw, those are my siblings and friends. You’ve met them before,” she said. “Let’s go over and greet them.”

Meta Knight nodded and followed Cloudy across the pasture. Of course, the fence down the middle hindered them, but Meta Knight wasn’t fazed in the slightest. He put his right hand on the top rail, boosted himself, then swung himself over to the other side. Cloudy slipped between the fence rails.

“Hey, that was a cool jump you did,” Cloudy complimented Meta Knight.

“Thank you, child,” Meta Knight said lightly. “I’m able to do certain stunts. I learned them in the GSA.”

“What’s the GSA?” Cloudy asked.

“The Galaxy Soldier Army, also known as the Star Warrior Army. Star Warriors fight together in this army and work together to attack monsters and try to take down Nightmare.” Meta Knight chuckled. “One day, you could join the GSA too.”

Cloudy looked up at him, her green eyes serious. “Of course I will,” she said calmly.

Meta Knight frowned a little at her expression, wondering why she didn’t take her job as a Star Warrior more lightly. Most Star Warriors did. As he gazed at her face, he wondered if perhaps she was one of those rare Star Warriors who believed duty came before play or lightheartedness.

At that moment, Springtime and Showerstorm appeared on the porch and Springtime called, “Keep it down, please, children!” Just then, she caught sight of Cloudy out in the pasture standing with someone Springtime thought she recognized, but wasn’t sure.

“Hi, Mommy!” Cloudy shouted, running over to her parents. Meta Knight followed more sedately behind. “Hi, Daddy!”

“My dear, who is your friend?” Showerstorm wanted to know.

“This is Meta Knight, Scazzarda’s son,” Cloudy replied.

“I thought his name was Magnet,” Sniper said with a smirk. “And I see he’s still rolling out the Halloween costume.”

“Sniper, shhh! Mind your manners!” Springtime reprimanded him.

“His name is Magnus Stellarum, but he wishes to be called Meta Knight,” answered Cloudy, shooting Sniper a dirty look. “Anyway, I went to visit his mom, but she wasn’t home, so I met up with Meta Knight and he wanted to take me home, so I let him, and he told me about his fa—” Cloudy quickly shut her mouth, realizing that Meta Knight’s family was not a public subject to be discussed, but rather a matter to be handled in private.

“He told you about his what, honey?” Springtime asked.

“Later,” Cloudy muttered to Springtime under her breath. Then she smiled. “Well, he’s a nice person and I like him and he’s my friend. I’d like to keep visiting him and he to visit me, if that’s okay with you.”

“We’ll see, honey,” said Springtime. No way was she letting one of her children visit someone they barely knew without first checking their history.

Cloudy turned to Meta Knight. “Let me introduce you to my family,” she said cheerfully. She gestured to her mom and dad and said, “These are my parents, Springtime and Showerstorm.””So nice to meet you, Ma—um, Meta Knight,” Springtime gently told him.

“Yes, we’re very pleased to make your acquaintance,” Showerstorm said formally.

Cloudy then turned and pointed with her paw to each of her siblings in turn, telling Meta Knight their names. “These are Sniper, Sharkell, Yodi, Pancake, Waffle, and Azalea-Star, better known as Star.” The she smiled. “And I suppose you remember my friends’ names?”

Meta Knight smiled. “Not really.”

Moving over to a dark-skinned humanoid girl with brown eyes and glossy black hair, Cloudy said, “This is Miriam Capperdale, my very best friend. She’s eight. And these—” She gestured to two blond-haired twins. “—are Eloise and Nika Palmer. They’re eight too.” Then she stepped over to the last child, a brown-haired boy with sparkling hazel eyes. “And last but not least, this is Zach Linky. He’s nine.”

“It is very nice to meet you all,” Meta Knight said quietly.

“You too, Meta Knight,” Nika responded.

Springtime smiled, glad that she had trained Cloudy to be so polite. Even if none of them particularly knew Meta Knight that well, they still wanted him to feel at home.

After the introductions, for a long moment, there was silence. No one knew what to say. They all stood around and glanced at one another, uncertain what to do next.

“Kids,” Springtime said brightly, breaking the awkward pause, “I just baked some blueberry pie. Anyone want some?”

“Yeah!” the kids cheered.

Just then, a gray car cruised down the road and pulled off onto the grass outside the pasture’s fence. The driver’s door opened and out stepped a pretty humanoid woman with blond hair and dark green eyes. “Hey, all!” she called, opening the gate and entering, then walking over to the others. “It’s so nice to see you all again!”

A warm smile spread across Springtime’s face. “Hello, Scazzarda!” she said. “Thanks for stopping by.”

“I’m glad to be here,” said Scazzarda. Her eyes landed on Meta Knight, who avoided her gaze. “Hello, Magnus. What are you doing here?”

“Mother, do not call me Magnus. My name is Meta Knight. And as for my business being here, I brought Cloudy back to her house. I wanted to meet her family.”

“Why were you away from your house, honey?” Scazzarda asked Cloudy.

“I wanted to visit you, but you weren’t home, and I met Meta Knight and we became friends,” Cloudy explained.

Scazzarda grinned. “I’m so glad you did! My son is very withdrawn and never seems to like talking to a lot of people outside his family. I’m surprised he took a fancy to you.” She gave Meta Knight a questioning look.

“There’s something special about this child,” was all Meta Knight would say. “And I do not mean because she is the Prophesied One.”

Cloudy knit her brow. What did Meta Knight mean by that? It wasn’t as if she were above everyone else.

“Ahem,” Springtime broke in. “Children, Showerstorm and I need to discuss something with you.”

The children instantly perked up and gave her their full attention. “Yes, Mommy?” said Sharkell.

Springtime drew herself up and smiled. “Showerstorm and I are going to take you kids to Cloudy’s aunt’s friend’s house at Vastre Hall for Christmas. Of course, Miriam, the twins, and Zach all have to get their parents’ permission to come with us.”

“When do we leave?” Star asked.

“Tomorrow,” replied Springtime.

“Cool,” said Eloise. “If my dad and mom let us go, then Miriam can come too.”

“My parents will let me go if the rest of you can,” Zach said. “Oh, by the way, is it okay to invite Arrow?”

“Certainly,” said Showerstorm.

Cloudy grinned, feeling very excited now. Arrow was one of Cloudy’s friends from school. He was a gray Malamute with brown eyes and a curious personality. Cloudy suspected that Arrow actually liked her, though he had never told her so.

Springtime clapped her front paws together. “Then it’s settled. If you parents give permission, pack your bags and meet us here at the house tomorrow morning around seven.”

“How long will we be gone?” Miriam asked.

“Once New Year’s Day is over, we’ll start our trip home. You kids are on Christmas vacation now, correct?”

The children all nodded. “We start classes again a few days after the New Year,” Sniper replied.

“Good,” Springtime said with a smile.

Eloise raised her hand. “How are we going to be traveling?”

Showerstorm chuckled. “We’re gonna take to the sky!”

Gasps arose from all the children. “We’re going to fly?!” Pancake exclaimed.

“That’s correct.”

“Wow!” Waffle squealed. “We’re going to fly! I’ve always wanted to fly!”

“So have I!” Star said.

Springtime raised an eyebrow. “Of course, we will probably need an extra chaperone for the trip. Cloudy, can your teacher do it?”

“Nope. Mrs. Ivy’s going away with her boyfriend for Christmas,” Cloudy said.

“Oh.” Springtime turned to her friend. “Scazzarda, do you want to do it?”

Scazzarda frowned a little. “I mean, I’d love to, but we don’t get a break from work until Christmas Eve. . .But maybe Magnus can do it.”

“Meta Knight?” Springtime asked in surprise. “I don’t even know him that well.”

Cloudy felt a stab of sympathy as Meta Knight looked at the ground. Meta Knight was one of the nicest warriors Cloudy had ever met, and she felt certain he was capable of being a good chaperone.

Scazzarda laughed and put an arm on her son’s shoulder. “Oh, Magnus is very kind and good, and he loves children. He’s very dedicated to protecting them with his whole life.”

Meta Knight sighed. “I will do it if you need me that badly.”

“Well, it’s not like we’re dying for a chaperone,” Sniper said roughly, the words coming out a little more rudely than he intended. Cloudy stared at her brother, shocked that he would be so rude to an adult.

“Well, excuse me!” Nika said sharply. “Sniper, apologize to Meta Knight. That was so rude.”

Sniper rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’m sorry.”

“That is all right,” Meta Knight said gently.

Springtime cleared her throat, attempting to relieve some of the tension. “Ummm, okay. Meta Knight, you’re the chaperone.”

Meta Knight nodded seriously, his eyes steely.

“Meet here early tomorrow morning,” Showerstorm said. “Pack plenty of jackets and sweaters ‘cause it is chilly up at Vastre Hall. This meeting is now adjourned!”

“This meeting is now what?” Star asked.

Showerstorm laughed. “Adjourned means over, sweetie. The meeting is now over. You kids can go back to whatever you were doing before.”

“Righteous, dudes!” Sniper said. Showerstorm raised an eyebrow at his eldest son, wondering where he had picked up that expression, then shrugged. No use worrying about it, he told himself. It was probably better not to know—if you believed in Sniper, that is.

The children dispersed into different areas of the pasture. Meta Knight was about to walk after Cloudy when Showerstorm placed a paw on his arm. “Meta Knight, wait. We need to talk to you a moment,” he said.

“Yes,” Springtime agreed. “Come with us.” To Scazzarda she shouted, “Hey, Scazzarda, can you watch the children for a few minutes?”

“Sure thing!” Scazzarda replied.

“Thank you!” Springtime called. “Let’s get inside,” she said to her husband and Meta Knight.

Meta Knight, feeling very uneasy, turned and followed the two adults inside. Cloudy watched the three, her eyes filled with puzzlement and a hint of darkness. Without a word to the others, she got up and crept over to the front door as soon as it was shut, pressing her ear to it to listen.

* * * * *

Meta Knight stood in the parlor as Springtime and Showerstorm sat in front of him, their expressions serious. The doors and windows were all shut and the curtains drawn because this was a private conversation.

“Meta Knight,” Springtime said, “we need to ask you about your history. I know Scazzarda says you’re kind and all—and we don’t doubt her—but we just need to check for ourselves.”

Meta Knight dropped his gaze to the floor. “If you really want to know about my history, ask your daughter,” he said darkly. “She knows a lot from my past.”

Springtime looked startled. “You mean Cloudy?” Meta Knight nodded. “What did you tell her?”

Meta Knight shrugged unhappily. “I married a woman a few years ago, but she divorced me because she didn’t love me. I have a younger sister named Tourmaline who was kicked out of the house at age ten because she became a Christian. I never saw her again after that.”

Springtime’s face showed pure horror. “Oh my word.”

“I have two foster children named Gregory and Liloy. Gregory is nineteen and drinks and severely abuses drugs. Liloy is seventeen and is expecting, and she is very sweet and kind like my mother. She is married to her cousin, Tilry, who is dying of cancer.”

Showerstorm and Springtime stared at him as though he were the worst criminal on the planet. Meta Knight cringed at their looks, but continued on.

“My wife hated me and divorced me not long after Liloy reached adolescence. My uncle, Magnus, whom I was named after, is very cruel and wicked, as well as his brother, Exia. My mother, as well as I, suffer from their abuse, but the worst possible abuse comes from my father.” Instantly, Meta Knight faltered and tried to take back what he had said. “I-I mean. . .”

Springtime’s shocked look morphed into one of alarm. “What?! You were abused by your father?!”

Showerstorm sighed and placed a paw to his head. “It never ends, does it. . .”

“Who is your father?” asked Springtime.

Meta Knight clenched his fists. “I cannot tell you!” he exclaimed. “You will all reject me if I do!”

“Why would you say that?” Showerstorm wondered.

Meta Knight felt like he was going to scream in anger and hatred, but he didn’t. “Because my father is Nightmare!” he burst out before he could stop himself. His eyes grew wide and he took a few steps back, realizing he had just let out his most painful secret.

Springtime gasped and Showerstorm’s face grew darker than the clouds gathered in the sky. Nightmare. . .

“You cannot be serious.” Showerstorm’s voice was full of disdain and rage. “How could a nice knight like you be the son of that wicked, wicked demon?”

Meta Knight didn’t answer. He turned his back on Springtime and Showerstorm, trembling. Springtime bit her lip in anxiety and glanced up at her husband, who shrugged, his eyes full of sorrow. Both were at a loss for words. How were they supposed to have known that Meta Knight had been so severely abused by the worst-feared demon in the universe?

“Meta Knight, sweetie, I’m sorry,” Springtime said, her voice dripping with empathy. She placed her paw gently on his arm. “I’m sorry you went through all that. . .I had no idea. . .”

Showerstorm nodded in agreement. “I’m sorry, too, Meta Knight.” There was nothing else he could say. What could he say anyway? He was practically speechless at Meta Knight’s now-revealed secret.

Meta Knight, feeling emotionally broken, began to cry. Springtime felt terrible for him. She wanted so badly to help him, but knew there was a limit at which she must refrain from helping others. Only God could surpass the boundaries and supply the real healing. Before she knew it, she had wrapped Meta Knight in a warm embrace, hugging him tightly, comforting him as best she could. Meta Knight wrapped his arms around her neck and cried into her fur, desperately wanting and needing comfort. Springtime was more than willing to give it to him.

“Mommy?” Cloudy said quietly, opening the door and stepping inside. Springtime jumped a little upon seeing her daughter.

“Cloudy, what are you doing here?” she exclaimed. “Were you listening to our conversation?”

Cloudy looked sheepish. “Uh, maybe?”

“Cloudy!” Showerstorm said sharply.

“Okay, okay!” Cloudy cried. “Yes, I was! I’m an eavesdropper! Are you happy?”

“And how much did you understand?” Springtime asked.

Cloudy shook her head in disbelief. “Meta Knight was abused by his dad, Nightmare.”

Showerstorm sighed heavily. “Do you even know what abuse is, child?”

Cloudy shrugged. “More or less?” she confessed. “It’s like mistreatment of a person or animal, and it can come in several different forms.”

Showerstorm nodded. “You’re right,” he said.

Springtime placed a paw on her head, her eyes revealing pure shock. “How could something so horrible as this have happened and we never knew it?” she questioned softly. “We live not far from the Stellarums.”

Showerstorm looked straight into his wife’s eyes and his voice was shaking slightly as he replied, “Maybe we never cared enough to go look for others in trouble.”

There was a dead silence as mom, dad, and child stared into each other’s eyes, silently communicating their thoughts. “Cloudy was brave enough to go out into the unknown and she found Meta Knight,” Springtime said finally. “What a strong girl.”

Cloudy just shrugged. She didn’t want praise. She just wanted Meta Knight to be safe from harm. Walking over to her newfound friend, she asked, Mommy and Daddy, promise me you won’t tell anyone Meta Knight’s origins?”

Meta Knight instantly became tense and Springtime knew he was scared—scared that others wouldn’t want or love him if they knew where he came from. She couldn’t let that happen. “Of course we won’t tell, honey,” Springtime said quickly.

“Never in a million years,” Showerstorm promised.

“Thanks,” Cloudy said softly, inwardly relieved.

Meta Knight disentangled himself from Springtime’s embrace and picked up Cloudy. “Thank you all,” he said calmly, though his voice was strained.

Cloudy gazed up at him, her emerald eyes clear and solemn. “You’re welcome.”

Meta Knight gently hugged Cloudy to himself and Cloudy licked his hand in appreciation of his kindness. Then he set her down, opened the front door, and stepped onto the porch

“Meta Knight?” Showerstorm called out tentatively.

Meta Knight turned. “Yes.”

“You’re welcome to come back anytime and visit our kids,” he said.

Meta Knight’s eyes glowed a light blue. “Thank you very much—and I will,” the knight answered. Then he turned and walked down the steps.

Cloudy trotted over to her parents and settled herself between them. “I’m so glad he’s my friend,” she said.

“And we’re glad he’s yours,” Springtime replied, ruffling her daughter’s fur.

Books

Book 2: Be Not Afraid

February 24, 2026 Starmonia Leave a comment

Chapter One: Meta Knight

December 9, Spring Breeze, Dreamland. . .

“Mommy, may I go visit Miss Scazzarda?” asked Cloudy.

Springtime turned away from the kitchen counter and the blueberry pie she was making and smiled at her youngest child. “Certainly, honey! Just bundle up good and don’t stay out too long. It’s freezing outside!”

“It’s December, Mommy. It’s naturally going to be freezing,” Cloudy replied, a know-it-all look crossing her face.

Springtime giggled and shooed her daughter out of the kitchen. “I know, dear. Now run along!”

Cloudy dashed up to her room and threw on her pink snowboots, a thick yellow jacket, a red beanie, and a beige scarf. She skipped downstairs and out the front door. For a long moment, she stood on the porch and gazed out over the giant pasture in which her house sat. The pasture was divided in two by a fence, the other side containing a tiny house in which no one lived. A fence surrounded the entire pasture.

Across the street was Cloudy’s school, Emmanuel Elementary, and next door to the school was Miriam Capperdale’s house. Miriam was Cloudy’s best friend.

Cloudy glanced down at the frosty grass stalks and windows of her house and grinned. The frost reminded her that it was two weeks to Christmas. While it was going to be Cloudy’s first Christmas, her mother had told her it was a very special time. Decorating the tree, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and spending time with family and friends were just a few of the special traditions Springtime told Cloudy about. But her personal favorite thing about Christmas, Springtime had said, was celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and telling others about His love for them. That was why they celebrated the holidays in the first place.

Cloudy knew that if her mother loved Christmastime so much, then she knew she would too. Taking a flying leap off her porch, she landed in the grass. Scrambling to her feet, she jumped the fence onto the other property and ran across it for a minute or two before she found herself at the edge of Whispy Woods.

Cloudy took a step back. She wasn’t necessarily afraid of being in Whispy Woods—she had roamed it before with her parents in past months—but she was a little frightened by the eerie silence and the light fog. The silence was deafening, but the brave puppy was determined to press on with her mission. Shaking off her fear, she marched confidently into the woods.

As Cloudy walked, she thought about Scazzarda Stellarum, who lived in a cabin in Whispy Woods. She was a sweet old woman who had two children and a wonderful reputation. Cloudy had met Scazzarda last month when Cloudy and her mother had invited lots of guests to come to their Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn’t much fun at first because the school bully, Wylanda Coven, had incessantly complained about everything she had. Very ironic for Thanksgiving since it was a day on which you were supposed to be grateful for everything you had. Cloudy and her friends had attempted to explain to Wylanda what she could be grateful for, but Wylanda didn’t care. She had still complained. In the end, it was Cloudy who had brought Wylanda to her senses.

Cloudy took a deep breath of the cold, wintry air. It made her nose hurt and filled her with a fresh burst of energy. She had never experienced this freezing cold weather before, but she loved it. It made her feel so alive.

Cloudy plodded on for a minute or two more before she came upon a well-worn trail. It was used, that was clear, for it had hoofprints, claw marks, and footprints all over it. She decided to take the trail and see where it led her.

As Cloudy trotted along, she began to think about her family and friends.

Springtime and Showerstorm were Cloudy’s parents. Springtime looked almost like Cloudy’s twin, with the same black-and-white fur and sparkling emerald-colored eyes. Like Cloudy, she was a Malamute husky who loved adventure. But she was also a kind and loving mother who tried her absolute best to raise her kids up in God’s Word.

Like his sons, Showerstorm was a brown and white Siberian. He was quiet and thoughtful and loved meditating on the Bible, and he was a wonderful father who taught his children to be diligent and kind and Christlike toward others.

Cloudy’s thoughts then traveled to her siblings. Her oldest brother, Sniper, was the most annoying child in the family and loved pulling pranks and generally being a snot toward others. Her next four brothers—Sharkell, Yodi, Pancake, and Waffle—were very nice and friendly with others. The only sour note about them was that they sometimes tended to team up with Sniper in his pranks.

Azalea-Star was a gray and white Siberian with beautiful blue eyes like her aunt. She was amiable and sweet, but sometimes tended to be a little mouthy.

And that left Cloudy herself. Cloudburst was Cloudy’s real name, but everyone she knew called her Cloudy. Over a hundred years ago, Photron, the ruler of the universe and the forger of the sacred sword, Galaxia, had prophesied that a special Star Warrior would free Dreamland from disaster—disaster spelling N.M.E. The uniquely-shaped diamond mark on her left-front paw proved this, for it was what set her apart from the other possible Star Warriors. She had to fight for her planet along with the other Star Warriors she would one day meet. Cloudy was kind, compassionate, loyal, and protective of her family and friends.

N.M.E. stood for Night Mare Enterprises, an intergalactic company with sold monsters. The president of the company, Nightmare, was an evil demon who sought to rule the universe with an iron fist. He was cruel, coldhearted, and enjoyed making others miserable.

But though there was so much wickedness in the world, Cloudy did not give up faith. She believed the prophecy and trusted in her God, and she refused to back down no matter what happened to her. It would take more than a wicked, abusive president of a monster company to make her back down.

A short time later, Cloudy reached the end of the trail and glanced up in surprise. A small cabin, with its paint chipped and its roof with several shingles missing from it, loomed in front of her. A dirt driveway led to the side of the cabin and a rusty metal by the cabin said “Stellarum” on the side. Cloudy though the whole place looked abandoned and mussed.

“This must be the right place,” Cloudy mused to herself. She frowned. “But how can such a clean and neat woman as Scazzarda live in such a dirty and dilapidated building?”

Cloudy took a step onto the driveway, then stopped. She felt very queer, as if a sixth sense were warning her not to go onto the property. Cloudy, little as she was, sensed extreme danger lurking nearby.

A rustle behind her startled her. She whirled to face whoever or whatever it was, but saw nothing. She frowned, her beginning to stand on end. She felt very uneasy. Something was fishy here.

Then Cloudy unmistakably hear something her ears could not deny. It was clear, sharp, and strong. Footsteps. Someone was behind her and was creeping up on her. Cloudy tensed, ready to spring. Every muscle in her body told her to run, but she didn’t. She had to see who was pursuing her. Who in their right mind would be stalking a young girl? she thought.

Though the footsteps came nearer, Cloudy held her ground. She decided to turn around on the count of three and see who was there. “One!” she counted under her breath. The footsteps sounded closer. “Two!” Then the footsteps stopped, and Cloudy felt her blood freeze upon hearing the schwiiing of a sword being drawn.

“Three!” Cloudy counted. She spun around, quickly snatched up a heavy stick from the ground, and threw it at the dark figure standing behind her. The sword flew from his hand and landed in the grass near Cloudy as he fell backward. Cloudy marched over to him and bared her fangs.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

The figure stood up slowly and stepped into a pool of sunlight pouring through the canopy of trees. Cloudy observed the stranger. He wore a navy-blue cape, gray pauldrons with yellow lining, and around, silver mask through which only his yellow eyes showed. Upon seeing him, she gasped and withdrew.

“Goodness, child!” the stranger exclaimed. “I didn’t recognize you at first! I thought you were a monster! I’m sorry.”

Cloudy’s eyes widened in amazement. She knew this person. He was Magnus Stellarum, Scazzarda’s eldest son. He had come to the Thanksgiving feast with Scazzarda and chatted a little with Cloudy. However, the puppy didn’t know much about him.

“Hey, you’re Magnus Stellarum!” Cloudy blurted out.

The figure raised his head and gave her a strange, uncomfortable look—or so it seemed to Cloudy. She couldn’t tell for sure because he had a mask on. “Yes,” he said slowly. “But I do not wish to be called Magnus.”

Cloudy tilted her head to the side, puzzled. He acted rather odd whenever anyone else besides his mother called him Magnus. Cloudy couldn’t understand why he was so sensitive to that name. She thought it was nice.

“Then what can I call you?” she asked.

“You may call me Meta Knight. All of my friends do.”

“Meta Knight?” Cloudy repeated.

“It’s a moniker, child,” Meta Knight explained.

Cloudy gave him a blank stare. “Uh, what in the world is a moniker?”

Meta Knight’s voice was full of patience as he told her, “A moniker is a nickname given to someone that describes their personality, character, or attitude.” He tapped his foot rhythmically as he went on, “My name, Meta Knight, is given to me because I wear a mask and dress like a knight. My nickname means ‘beyond youth,’ and truly, I am beyond youth.” Then he suddenly smiled at Cloudy. “Um, forgive me, child, but I forgot your name.”

Cloudy giggled at the thought of anyone forgetting her name. It was short and fairly easy to remember! “My name’s Cloudburst, but you can call me Cloudy.” Then her ears perked up as she gazed up at Meta Knight, her emerald eyes full of curiosity. “But if Meta Knight means ‘beyond youth,’ then what does Magnus Stellarum mean?”

Meta Knight looked down. “It means ‘greatest of the stars.’”

“Wow! Are you really the greatest of the stars?” Cloudy asked.

Meta Knight shrugged. “Everyone says I am the greatest Star Warrior ever born. But that may soon change.”

“Huh?” Cloudy was confused. “What do you mean?”

“What I mean is that you may be the next greatest Star Warrior after me,” Meta Knight said.

Cloudy blinked at that. She didn’t truly believe that she would ever be as great as Meta Knight, but she decided not to pursue the subject further. Instead, she sat down and scratched her ear. “Meta Knight, do you live here?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Alone?” she prodded further.

“No,” he said. “I live with my mother and father.”

Cloudy knit her brow and shot him an inquisitive gaze. “Not to be rude, Mag—uh, Meta Knight, but how old are you?”

“Thirty years.” He smiled. “And you?”

“Almost nine months,” Cloudy replied. “But never mind that. I have a question.”

“Well, ask away, Cloudy.”

“If you’re thirty years old, why do you still live with your parents?”

Meta Knight instantly looked downcast or ashamed; Cloudy couldn’t tell which. She immediately felt stupid for asking him that question. “Cloudy, I have nowhere to go,” he said simply. “My wife and I were divorced a few years ago, but before that, she and I lived together in a little house not far from here. A few years after she left, I didn’t want to keep the house anymore, so I gave it to my daughter.” To himself he muttered, “I also don’t want Mother getting hurt. . .”

Cloudy’s curiosity was piqued. “What’s your daughter’s name?”

“Liloy.”

Cloudy was interested in Meta Knight’s family. “Your family sounds very, um, unique,” she said. Sensing the depressed air about him, she hastened to add, “Not in a bad way, of course. Just, um. . .”

“No, Cloudy,” Meta Knight replied sadly. “My family is not the best in the book. In fact, it is probably one of the worst.”

“What do you mean?”

Meta Knight shook his head. “I mean that my family is not one I’m proud of. I’m ashamed of it, very much so.”

“Why on earth?” Cloudy asked, then instantly wished she hadn’t. She knew it was impolite to pry into another’s family affairs. “I-I’m sorry. . .”

“No, Cloudy, you did nothing,” Meta Knight replied dully. He sighed deeply. “If you like, I will tell you about my family.”

“I’d like that,” Cloudy said. “My mom says the best way in order to get to know your new friends better is to talk to them and find out about their hobbies and pastimes, more about them, etc.”

Meta Knight couldn’t help but smile. “Are you saying you want to be my friend?”

“Of course.” She smirked ever so slightly. “What, you haven’t figured that out yet?” Both laughed at that. At the feast, Cloudy had given Meta Knight a poem emphasizing she wanted to be his friend.

“But we’re so far apart in age, Cloudy!” Meta Knight reminded her.

“Age doesn’t matter the slightest bit in friendship,” Cloudy said wisely. She walked up beside him and nudged his gloved hand with her nose. “Let’s be friends and get to know each other better.”

“Yes, let’s do. I will tell you more about my family.” Meta Knight suddenly cast a quick glance around. “But not in this place. It is dangerous here. Why don’t you lead me to your house, Cloudy? We can talk on the way over there.”

“Sounds fine,” answered Cloudy, but she was a little puzzled as to how Meta Knight’s property could be dangerous, However, she decided not to ask. “But I was going to visit your mother. Why don’t I do that and then walk home with you?”

“My mother is not home right now, Cloudy,” Meta Knight said softly. “Last I checked, she was working today.”

“Oh.” Cloudy smiled, then yawned. “Well, I’ll catch her later, In the meantime, let’s go to my house.”

“Would you like me to carry you?” Meta Knight asked.

Cloudy stared at him for a few seconds, then burst into laughter. “Carry me! Why? I can walk. I have legs, you know. Four of them, to be exact.”

Meta Knight chuckled. “I know, little one, but your house is about two miles away from here. You’re a little girl, you’ve walked a long way, and you’re tired. I can carry you back. I don’t mind.”

“Well, I am a little tired,” confessed Cloudy. “But I can walk on my own,” she quickly added. “Really.”

Meta Knight smiled and held out his hands. “Come on, let me carry you back home.”

“But I don’t want to put you to any trouble,” Cloudy objected. “Really, I don’t.”

“It’s no trouble. I’m happy to do it.” Before Cloudy could object again, Meta Knight had bent down and scooped the puppy into his arms. “Come on. We must hurry before it gets dark.”

“Okay,” Cloudy reluctantly agreed. She knew that no matter how much she argued, Meta Knight wasn’t going to change his mind, so she might as well relax and enjoy the ride. Meta Knight turned and began walking along the trail in the opposite direction from whence Cloudy had come.

Books

Book 1: Thankful Hearts

February 24, 2026 Starmonia 3 Comments

A Word from the Author

Hi, readers! I have learned an awful lot from this Thanksgiving, and I hope you all have as well.

First of all, this entire story is fiction, and it centers on the Kirby universe. This entire series is what we refer to as Christian fiction, meaning that one or more characters in the story are Christians and use God’s Word to solve the conflict(s). And I understand that not everyone who reads this series is Christian. That’s okay. I don’t expect everyone to be. But what I do expect, dear readers, is that you’ll learn something valuable from this entire series.

But while the story is fiction, the evidence for the Bible is true and real. The Bible is the only Book that is true and right and lines up with history and answers all conflicts about hefty topics, such as the resurrection.

A lot of people are confused by the Bible. They asked questions such as: Does the Bible contradict itself? Who was Cain’s wife? How could Jesus die on the cross for me? If God loves us, why are we all suffering? Are angels real? What is my purpose in life?

These questions are answered by the Bible. False teachers and books (other than the Bible) can’t always be trusted. But the Bible can be because it was given by the Creator—yes, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Jesus is alive, and true, and real. If He were not a real person and did not exist, then we wouldn’t even be here. We wouldn’t be breathing.

God gave us a mind and a conscience and keeps human depravity on the level. He won’t let destruction run rampant. Yes, there are many evils in the world. There are murderers, drunkards, rapists, thieves, and the whole nine yards. But if God were not keeping our depravity in check, we would all be dead.

It’s by God’s grace we’re alive. It’s by the Lord’s mercy that we aren’t struck dead by His hand. We have a choice to accept Him as our Lord. And if a true Christian truly accepts the Lord, he will never regret His decision.

The Romans Road of Salvation gives us three things we can do to be saved.

A—Acknowledge: Realize that you are a sinner in need of salvation and that you need Christ. You are not independent from God; you need God and learn from God. Without Him, you are dead spiritually.

B—Believe: Believe that Jesus died on the cross to save you and He was buried and rose again the third day for YOU! Jesus conquered death and reigns on His throne in heaven.

C—Confess: Confess your sins to Christ and ask for forgiveness. Beg Him to enter into your heart and be your Lord and Savior. He will govern your life the moment You ask Him to. You don’t need to pray a fancy way; just ask for forgiveness, confess your sins, and believe on Christ.

Dear readers, I hope you will respond to the truth of the gospel if you have not already. God loves all and wants to save all.

See you next time!

Books

Book 1: Thankful Hearts

February 24, 2026 Starmonia Leave a comment

Chapter Eight: Thank You

After the meal was over, the crowd sang a few hymns and chatted a while longer. Then it was time to go.

Cloudy and her friends offered to help clear the dishes and fold up the picnic tables to return them to Mrs. Turner’s restaurant. As they wiped the tables, Cloudy hummed snatches of the songs they had just sang.

Wylanda, overhearing, smiled contentedly. It was funny, she thought. If her mother had never made her go to this feast, she probably wouldn’t even be standing here right now. Truly the Lord works in mysterious ways, she thought.

After forty minutes or so, the picnic tables were all cleared away and the dishes had disappeared. Lily and the Palmer sisters cleaned the bits of food off the ground and stuck them into large trash bags, which they then hauled out to the side of the road.

Showerstorm smiled. “You guys are good helpers,” he commented.

“Thanks,” replied Lily, her brown eyes shining.

By the time the pasture was cleared, most of the people had already left. A few remained, such as Eloise and Nika’s family and Miriam’s mom, as well as the Stellarums. The knight was talking in a low voice to his mother, who nodded after everything he said. Cloudy looked at the paper she had made, remembering she had to give it to him.

She danced over to him and waited for the knight to stop speaking, then cleared her throat. “Magnus.”

“Hm?” The knight glanced down at her and smiled. “Oh, it’s you, Cloudy. What do you need?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to give you this.” She then added as an afterthought, “I made it.” Then she rushed off.

“What does it say, Magnus?” Scazzarda wondered.

The knight delicately unfolded the piece of paper and held it up to the light shining from the lamppost across the street. It read:

We met just today, Magnus Stellarum,

But I feel like I know you very well.

I wish I could understand you better,

But I can’t, so I just want to tell

You that you’re one of the kindest knights

That I’ve met, though we met so suddenly.

You know me, and I know you—

And that’s the way it ought to be.

-Cloudburst

The knight finished reading and his hand began to tremble, but with an effort he restrained his emotions. He folded the latter and lovingly held it. “It is just a poem,” he said quietly.

Scazzarda smiled kindly at him. “And from the looks of it, it’s a lovely poem.”

“Yes,” he admitted, looking over at Cloudy. Sensing somebody was staring at her, she turned to see the knight and grinned, her pearly white teeth reflecting in the lamppost’s light. “I’ll never forget her, Mother. She’s one of the kindest kids I have ever come across.”

“And she’s different, too,” Scazzarda murmured. The knight nodded, his eyes locked on Cloudy’s glistening black-and-white fur and her intelligent emerald-colored eyes.

“Let’s go home,” Scazzarda told her son.

* * * * *

Cloudy watched the Stellarums walk off toward Whispy Woods and frowned a little. Why were they going in there? Perhaps they lived there, but what an odd place to live!

“Hi, Cloudy.”

Cloudy whirled and saw Wylanda standing there, a smile on her face. “Oh, hello, Wylanda,” Cloudy said. “How are you?”

“Just fine, actually.” Wylanda’s brown eyes looked like stars in the dim light. “I came to thank you for showing me the truth.”

Cloudy backed up a little and shook her head in protest. “Oh, no. Don’t you thank me. It’s God who deserves the thanks. I was just His vessel.”

“Ohh. Of course.” Wylanda giggled. “I thanked Him too. He’s just wonderful to me.”

Cloudy agreed. Then a thought came to her mind. “Did you ever tell your parents about the knife?” she asked solemnly.

Wylanda nodded soberly. “They were grieved, but also happy because you came along and showed me the way to truth. They were very grateful that I accepted Christ as my Savior.”

Cloudy looked up to the starlit sky. To her, it looked as though God had drawn a black velvet curtain dotted with white spots across the sky. There were no clouds and the air was chilly but refreshing. “And do you now see how blessed you are?”

“Indeed,” Wylanda nodded. “And I hope one day to trace my original parents and tell them I forgive them for what they did to me.”

Cloudy smiled. What a drastic change the Lord has worked in Wylanda!

“Hey, wanna go to the mall together this Saturday?” Wylanda asked. “We can do some shopping.”

“Sure! I’ll be there!” Cloudy said. “And if you want, you can come to our house Tuesday night and have a sleepover.”

“Cool!” Wylanda then looked up to see Mrs. Coven waving at her. “Oh, we gotta go home.” Then she looked at Cloudy. “Say, I’ve been meaning to ask you. Where do you go to church?”

Cloudy frowned, confused. “Umm. . .I don’t go to church. This area of Spring Breeze has no church.”

“You don’t go to church!” Wylanda was silent a moment. “Well, we go to to a small Baptist church about thirty miles down from our house. We don’t live in your area, you know. We’re more in the north. But anyway, you’re invited to join us. We’ll pick you up this Sunday.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting,” Cloudy said. “Now shoo!”

Wylanda waved to Cloudy as she climbed in the Coven’s automobile. “Take good care of my necklace!” she shouted out the window as the car roared away.

Cloudy stood alone on the dewy grass, the chill of night beginning to press down on her. She shivered and looked across the street just in time to see Miriam and her mother go into their house and slam the door. The Palmer sisters were climbing into their mom’s car. Once they were settled, Mr. Palmer puled out of the yard and drove down the road. Then silence.

Cloudy looked up to the sky once more and saw a tiny sliver of the crescent moon. The sheer beauty of its silvery light seemed to embrace every fiber of her being. And now she wondered where the Lord would take her next.

~ ~ ~

And that marks the end of this story. But don’t forget, dear readers, that the theme of this story is to always be grateful for what you have and not gripe, for what you own, the Lord has blessed you with. Take this moral and apply it to your own lives, and never forget to have a thankful heart no matter what.

Books

Book 1: Thankful Hearts

February 24, 2026 Starmonia Leave a comment

Chapter Seven: Count Your Blessings

Star yawned. “Isn’t Cloudy back from talking to that bratty girl?” she grumbled, glancing at the sky. “From the position of the sun, I’d say it’s almost five o’clock or so.”

“Aw, be patient,” Arrow said. “She’ll be here.”

Scazzarda nodded in agreement. “She’ll come when she’s ready.”

Then Star heard something. From her right came the sound of someone running, and she leaped up eagerly, expecting to see Cloudy returning. But to her consternation, it wasn’t Cloudy at all. It was Wylanda!

“Oh, no,” Sharkell muttered. “What is she doing here?”

Wylanda slowed and walked right up to the group. Star bristled and backed away from the girl, baring her fangs.

“Why are you here?” Arrow coldly asked.

To Star’s surprise, Wylanda didn’t mock or make fun of them as expected. Instead, she seemed very contrite and kind. “I know exactly why you’re acting afraid of me, and in no way do I blame you,” Wylanda said, pressing her palms together. “I just wanted to say that I regret all the mean things I’ve done to you, and I’m sorry.”

“Huh?!” Star stared, speechless, at her. This wasn’t the Wylanda they had always known!

“Whoa, talk about a drastic personality change,” Zach said to Star under his breath.

“Yeah. Since when is she so friendly and nice?” Star said to herself. She was getting suspicious, certain this was some sort of trick to win their trust.

Wylanda looked around at their stern, cold expressions and sighed. “Cloudy finally showed me the truth, and I accepted Christ,” she explained. “He’s changed me from the inside-out. I’ve made a commitment to Him, and I will never go back to my old lifestyle.”

Sniper and Sharkell looked at each other, their eyes wide. Scazzarda frowned. Wylanda seemed so sincere—but how could they trust she really had changed?

“Prove to us that you’re not the same person you were,” Nika challenged. “How do we know you’re really saved? Do we know it’s not a trick?”

“It’s not a trick,” came a familiar feminine voice from behind Wylanda. Cloudy stepped into view, the porcelain rose lightly bumping against her chest with every movement. The children seemed confused by her wearing the necklace, but made no comment.

The knight took a step back. “Cloudburst,” he breathed, but said no other words.

“Wylanda is changed,” Cloudy said firmly. “She is now a daughter of the King.”

“How wonderful!” Scazzarda said, taking Wylanda in her arms and hugging her. “I’m so happy for you, child.”

Wylanda embraced her in return. “Thank you.” Then she glanced up at Scazzarda’s bright blond hair into which was stuck the white rose. She reached up to touch one of the soft petals. “You’re wearing a rose!”

“Naturally. It’s Thanksgiving,” Scazzarda said. “And in Dreamland, the symbol of gratitude is a rose!”

“I know!” Wylanda said. “That’s kind of cool.” She scratched her head. “But I wonder why? Why a rose?”

Scazzarda put an arm across Wylanda’s shoulder. “The rose was chosen specifically because many of our Pilgrim ancestors associated the rose with Jesus.”

“What does Jesus have to do with Thanksgiving?” Star asked. “I mean, I get He brought our ancestors safely to Dreamland and all, but I don’t get. . .”

“Well, dear, let me explain,” Scazzarda said. “See, Jesus is more associated with the theme of Thanksgiving, which is gratitude. When we get saved, how should we respond to Christ for saving us?”

Star’s eyes shone as brightly as her name. “Thanksgiving!” she exclaimed. “Gratitude! Of course!”

“Exactly, my dear!” Scazzarda went on. “Anyway, these Pilgrims chose the rose because of the symbols the flower held.”

“What do you mean?” Yodi asked.

“You know how a rose can have thorns?” Scazzarda asked. Several of the children nodded. “Well, the Pilgrims associated that with the crown of thorns, or the suffering and agony Christ had to endure on the cross.”

Cloudy gasped and Star seemed intrigued.

“Most people think red is the main color of rose petals, so the Pilgrims chose that color to represent Jesus’ blood, or the cleansing of our sins.”

“Golly!” Arrow exclaimed. “I never knew any of this stuff before!”

Scazzarda gently hushed him and then continued, “And lastly, the green of the stem and leaves represents rebirth, or the renewal of our bodies and spirits in eternal life.” She looked away across the pasture and up, gesturing to the sky, and everyone looked up. What they saw made their hearts nearly skip a beat.

The sun was setting, fading behind the thick greenery of Whispy Woods. Blue, purple, and gold entwined in one marvelous spiral of color to create an unusual-looking but picturesque painting of God’s spectacular handiwork. White flamed the edges of the clouds stretching away beyond the peak of Mount Moonstem, and the edges of the usually-golden sun seemed tinged with red fire. The mountain peak was a dusky blueish-gray in the fading light.

The children were captured by the awe of it all. “Truly God’s the Master Designer of this wonderful world!” Star whispered.

“No one can ever paint such a glorious sunset as well as God can,” Cloudy said to Wylanda, who nodded her head.

“Thanks be to God,” Scazzarda murmured. “It’s by His mercy we are able to stand here before Him and admire His handiwork. It’s by His grace that we are not struck dead by His hand right now.”

“Amen,” Eloise said. Then she looked to Wylanda. “Oh, um, by the way, Wylanda, I wanted to apologize for those awful things I said to you. I didn’t mean it, really.”

“Apology accepted,” Wylanda said, then looked around at the group with a smile on her face. “So, does this mean we’re all friends now?”

“Well, of course!” Miriam said, dashing over to Wylanda. “We’re friends now!”

“Cool,” Wylanda said. “Well, what do you want to do first?”

“I think the feast will take place in forty-five minutes or so,” Eloise said, looking at her watch. “Let’s go to the house and help set up the picnic tables Mrs. Turner provided.”

Wylanda started to walk toward the house, but halted and looked back at the knight. His sun-colored eyes glared at her from beneath his mask, his body wrapped in his cape. Wylanda wanted to say how much she was sorry for insulting him, but felt too afraid to approach him. Instead, she smiled apologetically, hoping that would communicate the message. He seemed to understand what she was trying to tell him, for he kindly nodded. Feeling better, Wylanda ran off to join her friends.

Scazzarda chuckled as she watched the kids start a game of tag on their way to the house. “Magnus, what do you think of those children?”

The knight’s eyes landed on Cloudy, her green eyes sparkling in the last light of the sun, her kind smile seeming to illuminate the dark, her necklace swaying rhythmically from side to side as she darted left and right, trying to deviate the others from touching her. There was something about her that set her apart from the rest of the children, but he wasn’t sure what.

“They’re different,” was all he would say.

* * * * *

Showerstorm caught Cloudy and Star as they were trying to push two picnic tables in line with one another. “Psst,” he whispered, handing each of them a large bucket. “Go out and collect as much money as you can from the people here—that is, if they want to donate. Okay?”

“Why?” Star asked.

“Don’t ask questions. Just go.”

Star looked like she was about to argue, but Cloudy stopped her with a warning look. Star looked puzzled as the two sisters walked off together through the crowd. “Why are we doing this?” she whispered.

Cloudy gave her a surprised look. “Don’t you remember? It’s for Miriam’s mom,” she said. Then she added in a whisper, “But don’t tell them until Mommy says so.”

“Okay,” Star agreed, and the two sisters went to work collecting money.

* * * * *

Springtime smiled nervously as the people filed among the row of picnic tables and took their seats. All the tables were arranged vertically except for one in front of the house, which was arranged horizontally. That was the table at which Springtime, Showerstorm, the Covens, and the Stellarums would sit.

“It’s starting in a minute,” Miriam said to her mother. The two were standing together on the porch.

Meredith groaned and placed a hand to her forehead. “I don’t even know why you brought me out here. I don’t feel good.”

“Cloudy said her parents had a surprise for us, but wouldn’t say what it was,” Miriam said.

Cloudy rushed up the steps and stopped before mother and daughter. “Are you guys gonna join the feast?” she asked.

“Yes,” Miriam said gravely.

Meredith sighed. “Sure, I suppose so. But I’m not feeling very well.”

“That’s expected when you’re having a baby,” Cloudy said nonchalantly, her eyes roaming over the packed crowds.

Meredith started. “What did you say?”

“You’re pregnant, Mom!” Miriam cheered. “Miss Springtime said so!”

Meredith was stunned. Slowly the tears filled her eyes. “A-A baby?” she murmured.

Miriam nodded and did a pirouette.

“Okay, everyone, welcome to our Thanksgiving feast!” Springtime announced into a megaphone. “We’re pleased and proud that you would join us, and we will say grace in a few moments. But first,” she said, “we have a special surprise to present to a Mrs. Meredith Capperdale and her daughter, Miriam. Please come here.”

Meredith and Miriam looked at each other and Miriam shrugged. The two walked sedately down the steps and over to the front table.

Springtime cleared her throat and looked to her husband, who picked up the two buckets and pushed them toward Meredith. “This is to help pay off your loans,” he said in a low tone.

Meredith peered into one of the buckets and gave a sound gasp. “Good grief!” she cried out. “How much is in here?!”

“There’s just as much in the other one!” Miriam exclaimed.

Showerstorm winked at his wife and picked up a third bucket, bigger than the other two, and pushed it to Meredith. The woman’s eyes were wide. “We sent out a third recruit to gather money when Star and Cloudy got tired,” he said, casting his gaze on Nika. She smiled proudly.

“So this is for you, Meredith, and we hope you will be able to stay in this neighborhood,” Springtime concluded. She looked out toward the audience. “And I’d like to extend out warmest and sincerest thanks for all those who donated to help this family!”

There was a thunderous applause and cheers and whistles filled the air. Meredith was speechless and shocked while Miriam was amazed. The two looked to Cloudy, but she shook her head and pointed to her parents. “It was their idea,” she mouthed.

Meredith smiled warmly. “Thank you,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “I will pay these loans back as soon as we get home.”

At the word “home,” Miriam cheered and began dancing around. Everyone laughed and smiled at the little girl.

“And now to proceed with the feast,” Springtime said once everyone had quieted down and taken their seats. “But before we do, I want to give an overview of our history and how we came to celebrate this special holiday.
“Three hundred years ago, the Pilgrims left their home in Leudon and sailed on the Moonflower to escape religious persecution in their hometown from James I,” she began. “They sailed for sixty-five days before finally reaching the place which we call Dreamland. Many died that first winter, but when spring came, Indians such as Squinto, Missosoit, and Sumosot helped them and taught the Pilgrims many things. And that first fall in the New World, they had a huge feast. That feast day became known to the world as Thanksgiving.”

Then she held up a rose, apparently snipped off one of Cloudy’s rosebushes. “This rose became the symbol for gratitude, and we will have Scazzarda Stellarum explain why.”

As Scazzarda again explained the meaning of the rose, Cloudy looked around at the joyous crowd and smiled. She thought over the events of the past two weeks. Just a few days ago Miriam’s family was in debt, Wylanda was a jerk, and nothing seemed to be going right. But now Miriam could stay in Spring Breeze, Wylanda was saved, and everything had turned out wonderfully. Cloudy knew only the hand of the Lord Himself could have worked things out in such a mighty and marvelous way.

“And now,” Springtime said when Scazzarda had finished, “we will have a few stand up and say what they are thankful for.”

A young woman stood up. “I’m thankful for my husband and my family and for the grace the Lord has shown, thought I went astray in previous years while battling drugs and rehab,” she said.

A middle-aged man was next. “I’m thankful my wife, though she’s ill with cancer, is still alive, and that I’m able to be with her at the hospital. I’m thankful for my children and what they are becoming.”

“I’m thankful for my mommy and baby brother,” a little girl about three years old said.

Wylanda then stood. “I’m thankful for my best friends and that I’m a child of the King—and that we’re all able to be here tonight as God’s family,” she said firmly.

Miriam was next. “I’m so grateful for my unborn sibling and for the fact that God is with us and that I’m able to stay in this neighborhood,” she said.

A few more people went before Cloudy stood and prepared to say what she was thankful for. Her eyes landed on the knight, who was holding his mother’s hand. Scazzarda smiled at him, and his eyes glowed light blue.

Cloudy lifted her head and said strongly, “I have many things I am thankful for, but before I begin, I want to say something.
“I am aware many here are struggling with past trauma, and I will not say I can relate, because I cannot. But I can tell you this: If you have the Lord Jesus Christ in your life, you are in good hands. The Lord will preserve you if you trust Him.
“I am also aware that many here may not have ever made a personal choice to accept the Lord. If so, the time is now. Today is the day of salvation; don’t wait any longer. You’re not promised tomorrow, nor your next breath.”

Springtime listened to her daughter speak these bold words and smiled at her husband. He nodded imperceptibly and listened.

“And now for my thankfulness list: I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am thankful that we are all here to tonight. I am thankful that I have shelter, food, water, a good school, and good hygiene,” Cloudy said. Some people chuckled at the last statement. “But most importantly, I am thankful that Jesus is my Friend and that He will never forsake me or leave me. I am thankful Jesus is Jesus!”

Everyone began to clap. It started out quietly and then grew louder and louder until Cloudy thought she would become deaf. She pinned down her ears to block out the roar of the mass of clapping hands and paws. The applause went on for so long that finally Springtime had to stop it.

“Now who wants to say grace?” Showerstorm asked.

“I will,” Scazzarda volunteered.

While Scazzarda payed for God’s blessing over the food, Cloudy looked over at the knight. He seemed ill at ease and rather uncomfortable with the fact that his mother was praying. Cloudy felt a bit concerned and sorry for him. He didn’t strike her as the kind to trust others, and she felt it had something to do with his past. She made up her mind to be his personal friend. So while the others were praying, she quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen and scribbled down a short but powerful poem. She folded it carefully and tucked it away as Scazzarda finished her prayer.

“Now let the feast begin!” Springtime announced.

As happy hands passed around the food from table to table, Miriam leaned over and whispered to Cloudy, “Isn’t it amazing what the Lord can do?”

“Yes,” Cloudy said softly—and she meant it.