Emberoks

... the glowing coals held a special fascination. They always reminded him of Grandpa’s stories of the Emberoks the bright-eyed seldom-if-ever seen folk of the wilderness. Grandpa’s stories were different more like eyewitness accounts than fairy tales. What endeared Grandpa’s Emberoks to Kristofer was their love for animals and for the wonders of the wilderness. Kristofer and Grandpa’s Emberoks were kindred spirits. Wide eyed and breathless he watched as the stone surfaces changed to flowing garments and unfurled to reveal six humanoid creatures of various sizes cloaked in hooded capes. Six pairs of ember eyes glowed yellow at him with the light from his flashlight. “Emberoks!” He whispered. “A man!” two astonished voices replied. “See I told you!” said another. “Men are not just in stories.” He reached out to touch Kristofer who instinctively drew back “A real man.” “A human to be sure.” The strange creature stood at Kristofer’s height. He wore a dull cloak having the appearance of weathered rock. His probing penetrating eyes glowing yellow from the flashlight seemed to search every dark corner of Kristofer’s soul. Only the peace the soothing calm of his voice made his gaze bearable. “A man? Perhaps.” Kristofer’s embarrassment frowned at the Emberok’s judgment. He liked these creatures better in Grandpa’s stories.