The Levies

Learning from George's experience, Draco did not want to rouse the giant before he had to. The giant was unpredictable, and would likely do more harm than good. Running away would not help, and besides, he was close to fulfilling his task. But if the two pavilions were damaged, the Powers might not look kindly upon him.

Fortunately, the current was not yet swift, and the two streams had not found relatively soft rock to channel into yet. There was a good supply of rocks downstream from the giant. Draco called into the pavilion, and quickly organized the group into a chain that would haul rocks and dirt, using the empty casks, from the riverbed to the edge of the flooded area to form a makeshift levy.

Four hours later, the levy was high and solid, and the Ruby Pavilion was no longer in immediate danger. Water pooled behind Ethelwhyte, who, sleeping on his back, now had water level to his ears. The four creatures ran across the body of the giant in order to try and save the Sapphire Pavilion. They were not out of danger yet - if the giant rose, then a wall of water would rush down the gorge, but some might also flood the bank and wash away the blue pavilion, and George along with it. George had spent much of the night in the cask, healing his cuts and bruises in a deep sleep after his adventure with Ethylwhyte the night before. When his companions had crossed the river, they called on George to help. He was awake, and agreed, if his companions could get him down off the roof of the pavilion.

With six of the empty casks, they were able to form a simple set of steps. George had to jump down on the top of three casks before he reached the ground. He then took his turn in the chain, helping build the levy on the far bank of the river. Draco, Edain, Geomi, and Adar, each in turn, took off a couple of hours to rest. Fortunately, the giant was a sound sleeper, and it was not until the afternoon that he awoke.

At this point, the group had a fantastic stroke of luck, although they were not to understand this for some time. The giant bolted upright suddenly when water entered his ear canal. Draco, Edain, and Adar were on the Sapphire bank, unloading casks, while Geomi and George were on the giants legs. The last two ran for their lives as the giant underneath them convulsed. Both were in terror of falling into the gorge. Reaching the Sapphire bank, they jumped off the giant, and landed on the ground. Neither could run very well after that, but they were safe from the giant, and the wall of water that now rushed into the giant-sized hole left behind. Even mighty Ethylwhyte strugged against the current, but he managed to wade out to the Ruby Bank.

Ethylwhyte lay his left ear against his shoulder in an effort to drive the water out. While he was occupied with this, the group stopped and rested. They had apparently saved the pavilions, but were no closer to their goal, and the second day was running out. But each was now thinking about the power of that water, and how it might help them, if they could only channel it in the right direction. Exhausted by their work, they all slept soundly.

Finally, the surface tension of the water inside Ethylwhyte's ear broke, and he was happy again, no longer suffering from swimmer's ear.

"Apparently it took more than eight casks of bad wine to hang over the giant," Benjamin noted.

He noticed the long levies well behind the banks of the river. Ethylwhyte noticed the gap where he had laid down, and the raging waterfall that had reformed. Ethylwhyte must have thought that it walls would be prettier if the gap was closed, and he started fishing for stones. By the next morning, Ethylwhyte had closed the gap by building the great dam across the river.

The group of five awoke the next day to find that the park had changed. Behind the dam was a great lake that provided a scenic backdrop to the pavilions. At the edge of the wall, the water flowed and flooded the stables that Adar had to clean. The stables were spotless. The filth of the animals churned into the mud and gravel of the Citrine Valley, whose fertility is proverbial, and where Adar's descendents dwelled.

"Where is the Citrine Valley?" asked Benjamin. Any hint of good land sparked professional interest, and he was curious as to whether this story had any historical basis - it might be a hint as to where these creatures came from. Unfortunately, Checkers could not tell her where the valley was.

The newly-created stream found a vein of soft rock, and carved it out. The citizens of Eden were surprised by the presence of a new river, coming from the direction of the park. Everyone in the group helped Geomi dam the new stream, finishing early in the afternoon, and the result was a broad, flat, muddy highway from Eden to the park. Geomi's task was complete.

After the task was complete, all that appeared to be needed were a bridge, lights and an orchestra, and a cleaned-up Ethylwhyte. Geomi had an inspiration. Geomi loved gadgets, and he was good at creating them, within the limits of his material. He had a short knife. He proceeded to heat some water, soak his hair and beard, and used the blade of his knife to cut it off, within the site of Ethylwhyte. Draco then did the same. Edain and George had no beard, but did cut their hair. Ethylwhyte observed, and imitated what the little creatures were doing. He took a huge boulder, and cleft it against the hardest rock he could find. He soaked himself in the lake, and then started to cut off his hair. A large pile of hair lay on the Ruby bank of the river.

And so the giant was clean and well-groomed. Draco's task was now complete. He, Adair, and Geomi started walking down the highway, trying to catch Ethylwhyte's attention. Finally, he saw them, and joined in their game, following them down the road to Eden.

It was late in the third day, and Edain and George still had to accomplish their tasks.

But the dam spans the river. Would it be an adequate bridge?

1. The dam across the river is an adequate bridge.
2. The dam across the river is impassible.

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