Episode 2: Pigdor's Tale

"Ohmyword!" a distinguished alarm rose early in the farmhouse. The traveller stirred from his bed, attempting to make some sense of bearing. He had somewhat perceived Farmer Mandy's voice ring out but trailing off in the distance. But in that state of being half poised to return to slumber, his thoughts were still on the vague flashes of images that he seemed to have dreamt the night before. He recalled being elsewhere, on a bed full of white linen. And there were flashes of some flowers too, metal bars and he recalled a distinct pulsating sound. He would have dismissed them as another one of the mysteries of the land but there was a feeling that was just so... real. It was, however, just as elusive and he decided to give it no further thought. After all, his mind was already occupied with his enigmatic journey to the City of Truth.

He caught a most delightful scent of roasted fruit and dough, carried by the energising presence of the cool Alethiam air that catapulted him to a state of alertness. His stomach was suddenly aware of its need and desire for nourishment. He hastily groomed himself before leaving his quarters. In the kitchen, the kind familiar face smiled, expecting him. "Good morning!"

"Good morning!" he replied back but being the lad he was, his eyes were transfixed upon the piping-hot pie that was at the centre of the table. And then those words- "Help yourself!"

All he could do was smile at Farmer Mandy and sit in gratitude upon her generous hospitality. His eagerness to devour the pastry and the satisfaction which followed were enough to convey not just his word of thanks but the highest complements that was ever due a skilled artist. Attempting to make some conversation, he asked "Where did you learn how to cook?"

"Learned it from my mother." she smiled back. He noticed that whenever Farmer Mandy spoke, her words were almost sang out, as if they proceeded from her heart with a pre-ordained tune. It was as if her person complemented the beauty and mystery of the land.

"I heard a cry ring out earlier. Is there anything wrong?" the traveller asked. He perceived the enigma of her countenance- her bright yet sad eyes framed by a weather-beaten face.

She wasted no time in explaining. "One of my sheep has been taken." She said with a sudden seriousness. Now the traveller shared in her alarm but before he could choose which question to ask next, she continued. "The wolves have taken him. They are not from Aletheia. They come from the land of Carnalin just beyond the range of mountains."

"Carnalin?"

"It is a dark land, ruled by cruel dark lords, enemies of the Palace of Light. The wolves of Carnalin steal into Aletheia in the cloak of the night and take from us."

By this time, the traveller had finished his meal and didn't know how to reply her. He wanted to offer her some consolation, a word of assurance or encouragement but he didn't know how to express it. Farmer Mandy, knowing her charge full well perceived this in the traveller and smiled, knowing his kind intentions. And the traveller smiled back, knowing his encouragement had been fully conveyed. He took a generous glass of clear Aletheian water. Amidst the sad revelation, he perceived in Mandy's countenance a dignified determination, a resolute and confident indignation and as their eyes met, the traveller shared in the same resolution as they became united in purpose. Without a word spoken, they knew in their hearts that they would get the lost sheep back.

"Follow me." Farmer Mandy beckoned. They went outside of the house to farmyard where the traveller surveyed the assortment of animals under Mandy's care. Then he noticed a most unusual sight. Farmer Mandy was talking to one of the animals. He recognised the snorts and it drew his attention to a most unusual pig. He recognised it as the one whom he heard in conversation with Farmer Mandy earlier in the morning!

He drew closer to examine the pig. It was small but it carried a tremendous presence. It held itself high on its trotters with such enigmatic yet graceful poise. It was unlike any other pig that the traveller ever saw. For one, it wasn't dirty at all! As Mandy and the pig noticed the traveller's curiosity, they met him. And as they walked together side by side, he perceived that they walked as if they knew each other well, almost as if they could be best friends! It was as if the pig shared in Mandy's graceful dignity. As they met, the traveller stooped down to inspect the pig better. It had such a very clean and healthy coat of skin that it almost seemed to give a pinkish glow-a most magnificent and most majestic pig indeed! He looked at it face to face and paused for an eternal moment.

"Curious young lad, isn't he?" said the pig.

The traveller jumped back and drew himself straight, obviously startled by the unusual phenomenon. Farmer Mandy and the pig giggled spontaneously and in such a like manner that they could almost be sisters.

"The Aletheian water must be taking its full effect" said Mandy. "I told you always keep drinking." The traveller understood though still reeling from the shock of the incident. It must have been the clear Aletheian water from the brook that cleared his senses. And now, he was able to listen, even understand the sound of the animals. "This is Pigdor. She is one of my closest companions. She will help us to track the wolves."

Pigdor snorted and smiled. She said in a surprisingly sweet voice, "Quick, there isn't much time to lose if we're going to catch them." She didn't give him time to recover from the shock. Mandy then instructed the Sojourner to bring a flsk of Aletheian water with him as she proceeded to equip him with a slingshot. Mandy herself weilded a rod. Its sturdiness, despite its apparent agedness conveyed the faithfulness of the equipment. They set off promptly and trekked through the nearby woods just beyond the valley, Pigdor leading the way.

During the journey, the Sojourner attempted to overcome his still confounded state and began a conversation with Pigdor. "I... i notice that you're very clean." he said awkwardly.

Pigdor smiled and related her story. "I was once from the land of Carnalin too. I dwelt among the swamps and muddy wastelands feeding on whatever scraps of food i can find. Somehow, there was something in me that felt like there was more to life than all that. Deep down, i was convinced that there was something far better. But i had gotten so used to it that i didn't want to venture anywhere else beyond the swamps. Until one night, a ball of light appeared outside my camp. It was so beautiful and unlike anything i had ever seen. It started moving and i followed it.. i had my eyes fixed on it all the time and before long, it led me into Aletheia... to the Palace of Lights."

"You've been there before?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes." Pigdor continued. "As I was outside the Palace, the door opened inwards and i was received by the King of Aletheia. He was expecting me. And He personally took me and cleaned me from all that miry clay that i was covered with. I've never felt so clean.. and so free! Ever since then, i developed such an innate disgust for mud that i never wanted to get myself near it again."

The Sojourner remained silent. He pondered all that Pigdor said and concealed his hidden amazement at Pigdor's newfound dignity and the grace that she spoke with. He pondered her awesome journey and imagined what she must have gone through, though it was obvious to him that Pigdor told him the shorter version of the story. And when she spoke of the King, her voice carried such a respect... and more than that, a sense of adoration and delight. He thought about the King of Aletheia, what He was like, how He might look like. And even concerning himself and his own mystery and personal journey. His mind trailed off in the distance but was brought back to the present reality when he heard Pigdor give three exquisite but violent sneezes.

Recovering from the last sneeze, she said with an air of seriousness, "The wolves are close by."