Hearth: Discovery

HEARTH 1 – DISCOVERY

Hearth launches the chronicles of a world inhabited only by women; Earth's masculine culture has left a bloodied history, and women must remove themselves from the two-sex society in order to evolve. In 2082, twenty-two years after a world war has eradicated much of Earth's global population, a portal to another dimension is discovered. Thousands of women pass through to begin building their new world, and they quickly move beyond the fundamentals of food and shelter. Those who are drawn to live on Hearth are creative, highly motivated, and ethically grounded, and their surroundings soon become as comfortable as their conscientious ideologies. Women will no longer fear dangers such as abuse, assault, and oppression, but there will be challenges—including the question of procreation in an all-female world.

HEARTH

Volume 1 - Discovery

R. L. George

A Black Opal Books Publication

GENRE: FANTASY, WOMEN’S FANTASY

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, businesses, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. The publisher does not have any control over or assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their contents.

HEARTH – VOLUME 1: DISCOVERY

Copyright © 2020 by R.L. George

Cover Design by Transformational Concepts

Cover photos used with permission

All cover art copyright ©2020

All Rights Reserved

Print ISBN: 9781644372364

First Publication: JUNE 2020

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DEDICATION

To Kelly O'Dell Gladney. Thank you for your friendship and for kindly reading every single book I've written!

DISCOVERY

CHAPTER 1.1

Taylor walked through the field in the early, predawn light until she reached a massive flat rock. It was centered between the four sections of land tended by those living in the surrounding homes, and after a brief pause at the edge of the round, wide, flat surface, she stepped onto the rock. Her mind wasn't on the quiet of the morning, or on farming, or on anything of great importance. She was thinking about art. Something artistic could be created atop the gigantic immovable stone.

She took two steps across the surface and three things happened. First, a flash of dizzying disorientation passed through her. Second, a brief panic grasped her heart when she experienced an abrupt, fleeting blindness. Finally, she heard a sound that she first thought of as a pop, but quickly realized it was more of a highly condensed kromp. The sound was audible, physical, it had scent and taste, and an instant before it passed, her vision returned. What she saw caused a shock of astonishment, but her forward momentum moved her another step, and now she was off the rock.

For a number of seconds she stood still, concentrating on the afterimage of what she had seen during that disorientating handful of microseconds, and then she focused on her current surroundings. She stood on the opposite side of the flat rock centered in the farming sect- ions. Where else could she be?

The normality of her surroundings helped to clear her scattered thoughts. The backsides of homes dotted the edges of the collective farmland, and her own house was closest, about fifty meters from where she stood. The air was sweet, spicy, earthy, and tangy, all representing turned soil and low crops, the nearby Monterey Bay, and the fresh start of the day.

Taylor took a few tentative paces around the edge of the stone, achingly tempted to step onto it again, but she knew she should wait to tell the others about what had happened. She glanced up as the sun’s rim showed itself, aware that most of her friends would still be sleeping. As she considered what to do next she folded her arms across her chest, and that was when she realized she was no longer wearing any clothes.

Lolita dropped her small gardening shovel and stood to watch the tall figure standing out in the fields. It didn’t take long to recognize the woman as Taylor, pacing around the giant rock that was an informal indicator of who worked which parts of the land. The people in the four nearby houses took care of chunks of land that varied in size, and part of that sizing was measured from the rock to each of their homes. The house where Lolita lived with her sister was about a hundred meters away from the rock centered on the land.

The fields were for food, but Lolita also had this backyard with its small flower garden, which she preferred to tend in the quiet, early mornings. Just her, the earth, and its flowers. Now she shared the moment with Taylor Culbertson, who was the only one of their farming-quartet of homes who lived alone. In the measured increase of sunlight, it became clear that Taylor was naked.

A laugh slipped from Lolita’s lips and she hurried inside. A moment later she was walking toward Taylor, carrying a long green robe that had been knitted from finely woven hemp. It wasn’t until she was well across the field that Taylor noticed her approach and gave a brief wave of greeting. Lolita thought Taylor would start moving to meet her halfway, but the naked woman only returned her attention to the big rock.

As Lolita came closer she slowed her pace, examining this person who farmed for food like most people did, but was actually a scientist. At sixty years old, Taylor had surprisingly firm, smooth flesh. She wore her blond hair a little past her shoulders, and it moved in the momentary breeze she created when she glanced back at Lolita’s approach. Despite her nakedness, her general bearing was confident and self-possessed.

Lolita stopped next to Taylor, who said, Hi, Lita.

Hi. Why are you standing here without any clothes on?

You’ll never believe me.

I won’t?

Without offering a reply, Taylor took a few thoughtful steps around the rim of the stone. Lolita’s eyes followed the fine lines of the lithe body, and she said, "Tierra madre, I can’t believe you’re six years older than I am!"

Taylor chuckled. Thanks. She gestured to the material folded in Lolita’s hands. What do you have there?

It’s for you. Lolita unfolded the garment to display its length. I think it will look good on you.

Thank you! Taylor accepted the robe and slid her arms into the sleeves. This really is beautiful, Lita.

I finished it last week. Lolita reached up to straighten the fall of the material across Taylor’s shoulders, turning her this way and that to brush invisible lint from the back and sleeves. I’ve been planning to give it to one of you tall women, and now I did.

This is so kind. I don’t know if—

Lolita snapped her hand up. It’s perfect for you, it looks good, and it brings out your eyes. And… She brushed Taylor’s shoulder one last time and took a step back. It shows you have a really nice body.

This remark brought a smile to Taylor’s lips, but something cynical danced in her eyes. I accept that compliment with suspicious gratitude.

Why are you suspicious when someone gives you a present and a compliment?

You might be vying for something in return.

‘Vying?’ You know English isn’t my first language.

If you say so. Taylor’s fingers touched the smooth fabric of the robe as her smile touched the corners of her lips.

You’re confusing me. Lolita held a hand over her eyes to shade the light of the rising sun. Will you tell me why you decided to come out here naked?

That wasn’t my decision. Her attention returned to the stone. I’m still trying to work out what happened in my own head. I want to talk to all of you together.

"You know you’re sounding totally loca, right? When Taylor laughed at that, Lolita couldn’t resist laughing with her. Will you at least tell me why you’re standing in front of El Monolito at the crack of dawn?"

"The Monolith? Taylor tapped the edge of the stone with her foot. Yes, I guess it is sort of like that, in an inverted kind of way. Not long ago the stone had been electronically measured by Belle, the town’s engineer, and she had told her friends that leaving it in place would be the only way to deal with it. I remember the way Belle put it, said Taylor. She said this is the flat top of a massive, granite berg that gets bigger as it goes deeper underground."

Lolita pointed to the edge Taylor had tapped with her foot, which was in the area of the field she tended with her sister Izzy. This is in our section, and a little piece of that part is in yours. She pointed to the opposite edge of the stone, six meters from where they stood. That wedge is in Liza and Belle’s section. Her arm swung to the right. Opposite them is the land Clara and Frankie are farming with their girls.

Taylor gently massaged the back of her own neck. Aren’t we an interesting group?

If you say so. Lolita delivered this repeat of Taylor’s words without changing her expression, but the tall woman’s attention remained fixed on the stone.

By interesting, she said, I mean not just as people, but also in a scientific way.

I don't know what you’re talking about, Taylor.

I’m not keeping up with myself very well, either. She looked toward her home. I should do some research while we’re waiting for everyone to wake up. Want to come along?

Why would I want to do that?

It would help me to talk it out with someone.

Talk about what, science? You know that isn’t my subject.

Okay.

A sigh of exasperation pushed out from Lolita’s lips. I’ll come with you if you’ll tell me what’s going on. Let’s go. She started across the rock, but Taylor grabbed her arm.

Walk around it.

What?

Don’t step on it. Taylor led her around the stone and didn’t let go of her arm until they were on the other side, heading in the direction of Taylor’s the house. I will tell you that the initial reason I came out here. I’ve been wondering if you’d consider building something on that spot. She jerked her thumb at the stone. You know, one of your things.

"Things? Lolita said, with mock offense. You call my artistic masterpieces ‘things’?"

That was the wrong word. I meant your…stuff.

Lolita laughed, an audio of her sister Izzy’s perpetual smile, beautiful, endearing, shared freely and often. Why, she asked Taylor, would you want my art on that boulder?

Why not?

Hm. Good question.



Lolita could always pull a smile across Taylor’s lips. As they continued walking companionably through the field, Taylor glanced down at the top of Lolita’s head, which only came up to Taylor’s shoulder. Almost by accident, Taylor sent out a curious, probing strand to see if she could take a peek inside Lolita’s mind. She immediately withdrew the probe, embarrassed by her own audacity, but she knew she had bumped up against a block. What she didn’t know was whether that block had been innocent or intentional. For something to say, she asked, Have you ever heard the term ‘multiverse?’

Maybe, but I don’t really know what it’s about.

It’s a theory about a multitude of universes existing simultaneously in different dimensions.

That kind of shit makes my brain hurt.

They had arrived at Taylor’s back door, which entered into the kitchen. It can be mind-blowing. It’s like trying to think about infinity. Taylor paused by the stove and rested her hand on the kettle. But the theory makes me wonder what could happen in our particular place in this multiverse, at this particular time. She stood quietly for a few seconds, and then focused on her own hand. Do you want some coffee?

Lolita rolled her eyes. Not as much as you want to start digging into your books.

This brought another chuckle from Taylor, and they left the kitchen for what everyone called the local library. It did fit that description well. Armchairs, reclining lounges, and couches of varied length were interspersed throughout the giant open space, and near all the seats were tables. Many of the tables were made from low, stout bookcases, and books also lined the walls. On the far wall was a large fireplace, cool for the moment, and it was bordered by two bay windows. Some angled couches and easy chairs fronted the fireplace. Taylor pointed that way and said, Have a seat, and then went to one of the shelves on a wall. Within seconds she had found some books, and carried them to the fireplace area. Lolita hadn’t taken a seat, but was using a small broom to sweep old ashes from the hearth.

You don’t have to worry about that, Lita.

I don’t mind. What do you have there?

Taylor sat on a short couch and flipped open the top book. Physics, chaos theory, multiple dimensions…

Lolita rested the broom in its holder and sat next to Taylor, who tilted the old, tree-paper book toward her. See this? It’s called a Calabi-Yau form.

What’s it supposed to mean?

They were trying to illustrate the appearance of six dimensions. Taylor handed her the book and opened another, this one fabricated from hempaper. During the BioNuclear war there were some physicists working on inter-dimensional travel, and that’s what I’m looking for. They wanted it for military reasons, but the war ended before they made any real progress.

Lolita continued turning pages of the book she held, examining more visual interpretations of the Calabi-Yau model. This is really weird. I keep starting to think it’s scary, but that’s not what it is. I don’t know what to call it.

Is ‘titillating’ the word you’re looking for?

Huh? What does that mean?

When Taylor looked up, she became aware of Lolita’s proximity on the small couch. Titillating? It means exciting, in a good way. Why, what did you think it meant?

Lolita cupped her own breast and gave a laugh that was short but sincere. She looked back down at her book while Taylor couldn’t resist looking a bit down the woman’s low-cut shirt. It occurred to her that although Lolita wasn’t one to read a lot of books, and sometimes used that second language excuse, the woman had a respectable vocabulary. A smart woman, and seductive, too. The comments they’d just exchanged might even have been orchestrated to lead Taylor’s gaze in its current direction.

Lita?

Hm?

Are you ever going to tell me about the trip you took from the Sixth Continent? The Sixth Continent was south of their own. For reasons she had yet to explain, Lolita had never told anyone exactly why it had taken her some eighteen years, after the war of 2060, to make the journey from the southern Sixth Continent to a small town called Monterey in the Central West Coast, Fifth Continent.

Lolita tipped her head back on the couch, looking thoughtfully at Taylor through lowered eyelids. Taylor waited. Yes, Lolita finally said, I’ll tell you. But not now. You act like you have more important things to think about. She looked at her book again, and after a moment, Taylor went back to her own.

CHAPTER 1.2

Nearly an hour had passed before Taylor pushed her books aside and reached for the coffee she had been distractedly sipping. She stared at the cup in her hand for a moment before calling out to Lolita, who was nowhere in her line of sight, Are you still here?

I’m here. Lolita came in from the kitchen with a cup of her own in her hand.

Taylor gestured a toast. Thank you for this.

You’re welcome. I’m starting to get hungry, but there’s not a whole lot in your fridge.

I think we should go talk to the others now. I’ve had a little zap from Liza. Taylor tapped her temple. She’s awake now. Belle is, too.

We’ll stop for Izzy on the way to their house.

They walked through the field again and entered Lolita’s house through the back door. Isabela! She shouted, Are you sleeping?

Little Izzy Fuego, Lolita’s older sister, stepped through the kitchen doorway with flour on her chin and a bowl in her hand. I’m making pancakes. She saw Taylor and grinned her open, endearing grin. That’s the robe Lita has been working on. What have you two been up to?

Taylor looked down at the robe, then to Lolita. This really is comfortable. I forgot to get dressed!

Why were you undressed, Taylor? Her smile broadened as she looked between the two women.

Lolita rolled her eyes, brushed some flecks of dirt from her shirtsleeves, and touched her hair. I’ll be right back; I need to wash up.

I have a mystery, Taylor said to Izzy. About an hour ago I was out in the fields, and Lita saw me. She brought me this robe because I lost my clothes.

You were naked? Izzy prompted.

I don’t know how that happened, although I do know what led up to it. I’ll tell you all about it as soon as we get to Liza’s house. She pointed to the bowl in Izzy’s hands. Can your breakfast wait?

Not really. I’m starving. But all I’ve done so far is put flour in this bowl, so there’s no loss. And there’s no way I’m going to pass up hearing your story.

While Izzy stepped back through the kitchen doorway, Lolita reentered the room. Is she done pretending I might not be het?

Taylor raised her eyebrows. I don’t think your heterosexuality is—

Izzy came bustling back out of the kitchen. Let’s go, I want to hear about this big mystery.

The three women exited through the front door and went down the long sidewalk to the main street. Liza and Belle lived in the house next door, but it took a few minutes to walk from door to door. The mountains rising in the distance were stolidly, beautifully silent, and any rustlings the nearby surf might be making were inaudible. The park that separated the homes was landscaped, like the others on the street, with a variety of trees and flowers. Each park also had a large picnic table, barbecue, and firepit.

Izzy spoke in a hushed voice. Taylor, where exactly were you in the field?

I was at the big flat boulder, you know the one, Taylor whispered in reply.

Lolita said, at her normal, loudish volume, "She’s talking about El Monolito."

Izzy shushed her, but Taylor went on with a normal speaking level. I was on the part of the stone that’s in your daughter’s field. Izzy’s daughter Clara lived nearby with her spouse Frankie. Their hectares of crops were connected to those of Izzy, Lolita, Liza and Belle. The sun was about to rise.

So, said Izzy, "you were just standing there at El Monolito, on Clara and Frankie’s side of it, and your clothes disappeared?"

I wasn’t just standing there. They mounted the stairs of Liza and Belle’s front porch and Taylor knocked on the door. I started walking across the stone.

The door opened, and Liza stood there wearing a morning robe and a curious expression. Her thick hair, pulled neatly into its long braid, was white but for occasional, determined strands of black. Her robe rumpled over her large frame, and her thoughtful eyes weren’t entirely awake. She looked at the tall, pale-skinned woman standing between the two short, brown-skinned women, and she reached out to rub the spot of flour from Izzy’s chin. Hey, she said, which was her customary greeting, and stepped back to allow them inside. Each second, she seemed more awake. I’ve been sensing some excitement from you, Taylor.

Hi, said Taylor, and gave the big woman a brief hug.

Hi Liza, said Lolita. Taylor was naked in the fields this morning.

I see. Liza tipped her head for them to follow her to the kitchen, where her spouse Belinda Rose stood at the stove cooking an enticingly scented breakfast. The short, stocky, deep-dark-skinned woman smiled cheerily, and when she spoke, it was in the accent that had originated on an island once known as England. Good morning! Half-past-seven, and here we all are. Liza doesn’t usually climb out from the covers until after eight o’clock, but there she was asking if I’d stir something up for us. She eyed the robe Taylor was wearing. Isn’t that attractive! Where did it come from?

She wasn’t wearing any clothes, Lolita offered again, so I gave it to her as a present.

Generous of you, said Belle. She asked Taylor, Did you send Liza some sort of ESP message this morning?

Not intentionally. Taylor kissed her cheek and added, It isn’t ESP, Belle, it’s RP.

Yes, I’m aware of all that. The term ‘refined perception’ is only another way of saying the same thing, isn’t it? Belle paused to accept a kiss on the cheek from Izzy, and then she continued. Liza wanted me to make breakfast for the lot of us, and that, combined with the loss of your clothes, makes me think you’ve had some sort of experience? Do tell.

"Yes, por favor," said Izzy. She sat on one of the sturdy stools at the counter bar and Lolita sat next to her, while Liza settled into a chair at the table. Belle turned back to the skillet, but the others looked at Taylor expectantly.

She leaned against the refrigerator and tucked her hair behind one ear. I believe I walked into some kind of alternate universe this morning. Maybe a different dimension.

The initial reaction of the women was of movement. Liza straightened a bit in her seat, Lolita grasped the edge of the counter in front of her, and Izzy covered her mouth with her hands. Belle released the handle of her skillet and spun around. Her long bundle of braids swung with her, and she restlessly flung them back over her shoulder. You did what?

Another world, Taylor replied. I took a few steps and then for a fraction of a second, I stood on the soil of an entirely different planet.

Everyone settled, quietly absorbing this statement.

I know it sounds strange, said Taylor, but since 2060, we’ve seen things that would have stunned our ancestors. They might even have been terrified by our evolutionary advances.

And mystified, Liza added, by the speed of those advances. Go on, Taylor, describe your experience.

"I was at that big boulder in the field. Lita calls it El Monolito."

With a mock frown at Taylor, Lolita told the others, She was thinking I should put some of my things there. You know, my stuff.

Your art, Lita. Your stupendous, fascinating, inimitable art.

Now you’re starting to catch on.

"Come on, Izzy interrupted, batting Lolita’s arm with the back of her hand. Let her tell the story."

It’s a short one, said Taylor. When I got to the stone this morning I stepped onto it and walked to the middle. A dizziness came over me, and I couldn’t see anything, but then I heard a noise. Sort of a crunching ‘pop.’ Her accent made it sound like pwop.

The women waited.

After that sound I was able to see again, it must have been less than a second. From what I saw, I knew I wasn’t here anymore.

Belle asked, And by ‘here,’ you mean…?

On Earth. Then I took another step and I was back. You know, here.

Oh, well alright, then. You went to an entirely different dimension this morning, just a quick visit, and then came right back to the one we're existing in now. Sounds simple enough. Belle’s cynicism was hardly subtle, but she said nothing more as she brought the skillet to the table and began sliding chunks of pork and potatoes onto the plates that had been set there. She moved calmly, despite the vibrant excitement that had begun tingling in the air.

"Tierra Madre!" Izzy said suddenly, as though Taylor’s words had caused an abrupt burst of energy. She jumped off her stool and began pacing between the dining table and the kitchen counters.

The rest of the women waited to hear more from Taylor.

Liza calmly watched Izzy pacing. She understood why the little woman was buzzing with impatience, and why Belle and Lolita did little more than wait for details. Taylor was a respected scientist, and if she spoke of seeing a different dimension, the idea couldn’t be dismissed. She wouldn’t make such a statement with any measure of conviction unless she believed it had happened. And Liza knew every other woman in the room sensed the depth of that conviction. Of the group, only Liza and Taylor had high levels of RP, but no refined perception was necessary to explain the stretching silence. What they were hearing could make even chatty Belle become speechless, albeit temporarily.

Liza herself had no trouble believing what she was hearing. Ultimately, all the components of what was happening at that moment in time were part of an endless weave, and their colorful designs were in continual motion.

At last, Izzy spoke. If you weren’t on Earth, where were you?

Liza knew her friend Taylor hadn’t finished gathering her thoughts. The tall blonde opened the refrigerator, retrieved a pitcher of orange juice, and set it on the table. She rested her hands on the table’s edge and gazed into the deep color of the juice. Everyone continued waiting patiently for the Master of scientific mind-and-body studies, whose staring eyes were not hazel or of some mixed color, but a dark, forest-green. When she finally spoke, it was to say, I couldn’t begin to guess the answer to that, Izzy. I tried looking through some of my books, but I couldn’t find any clues about where I might have gone.

Everyone remained silent as she paused again. She sat down and leaned forward on her elbows, creating pronounced pockets above her collarbones, which were visible in the wide V at the top of the robe. When the ‘pop’ happened, she continued, "it had some sort of smell, and I even thought I had a taste of it on my tongue. What a taste. The closest I can compare it to is what a little kid might think is okay about the taste of dirt, and that’s what makes her want to try a few sprinkles.

The place was barren, and I was standing on a low, broad hill made of reddish rock. I saw more hills and flatlands that led to some mountains in the distance, but everything was hard, maybe a volcanic material. There was no vegetation, in fact there didn’t seem to be life of any kind at all. It did feel wet, I guess the air was humid. That’s all I remember about it. Taylor looked at the big philosopher. Are you picking up any vibes about this?

Some. As Liza spoke, she distractedly watched her spouse place glasses on the table and fill them with the juice.

When did those vibes start for you? asked Belle.

I felt something even before I woke this morning.

Taylor asked, Did you have a vivid dream?

Such a question was based on one of the advances Taylor had said would have stunned people from the past. Much had been learned about dreams, and Liza had, indeed, sensed something while she’d been sleeping. Nothing vivid. If there were any images or sounds I didn’t retain them, and the sensation itself didn’t stay as a clear memory. But I woke with the feeling that something significant had occurred.

She stopped, thinking with all the parts of her mind and body. The power of vibes and dreams were safe ground for Izzy, Lolita, and Belle, because everybody in the world had a familiarity with those phenomena. It would help them to accept the deeper connotations of Taylor’s experience.

Something significant? asked Izzy. She and Lolita had taken seats at the table, and Izzy accepted a basket of warm rolls from Belle. What kind of significance are you talking about?

Yes, said Belle, you are being rather vague, love. Is it important to our little population, here? Or to our continent? To the world?

Liza looked at Belle, who had jogged the answer loose. It is important to existence.

Wow, said Taylor. "That’s the essence of what I’m feeling, too.