I hadn’t been long in my peaceful state when I woke up with a start at the sound of horrifying screams overhead. I opened my eyes and saw the tree covered with those chickens I was talking about. They were all hot and bothered, jumping from one branch to another. I watched their little game for a while and figured that when they found the hole plugged up they got out somewhere higher up in the tree. I opened it up to see if that would change anything, but they just went higher up. One of the little ones was lying in front of the opening, apparently killed in a fall. I picked it up and after examining it I was no longer surprised by the hubbub—it came from the fact that they could not fly. Their wings were really fins folded back on each other and could only be used to swim. Only their back was covered with feathers; their stomach was scaly like a fish. Judging by their claws and their soft skin I figured they would taste great and the experiment I made proved me right.
After this test I went back to the fruit. I was hungry and its liquid had piqued my appetite. I wanted to see if the fruit tasted as good as its color and juice suggested. I ate with delight and found it tasted like the sweetbread we make in our country. Imagine my joy, Queen, for what could be better than being able to save your life? Taking a half dozen of these fruits I was going to leave the wonderful tree to come back to this dwelling here that I had already picked out, but then I saw the chickens leaving the hole I had left open. I snuck up on them, but they did not seem scared. I picked one up easily and petted it; it was very soft. So, I went to the rock loaded with my rich booty and all kinds of encouraging thoughts about my findings.
What can I tell you, Princess? With time and labor I gradually got used to this subterranean home. I dried out the fruit and ground flour for bread. For the dark nights I discovered fire from the bitumen on the other side of the rock. It burned continually and gave me the means to build an oven to bake my bread and cook the excellent meat. It was also veined with a kind of pitch that was bright when lit up and had a nice smell that was good for the health.
I haven’t been bored for a minute since I got here. My books now are the wonders and contents of this Inner Earth. When I have lived through the four ages of man, I will still find new things every day. Every time I go out I come back with more new marvels than I know what to do with, so I put them up in a deep closet that I carved out of the rock where I can relax and enjoy myself. I hope, Princess, that in your exile you will be as charmed and amused as I have been.
Forget about your rank, which in reality is only a pure illusion and gives only false pleasures, which you will clearly understand if you think about it. True happiness depends on the things around us. My experience proves it and I hope that you will agree before too long.
Motacoa is raised underground
Hildaë was comforted by Lodaï’s wise words. What calmed her completely was how easily I got used to the new food he gave me. Not only did I like it, but it was also so good for me that I grew before their very eyes. 12 years passed in total calm, untroubled by the sicknesses or worries that constantly bother us in the world. I was raised by the wise Lodaï, who taught me what he knew and when I was old enough he told me about my birth. They were surprised at how strongly I reacted to the King’s injustice against my mother. I was so angry that I sometimes disturbed our tranquility and whenever our conversations turned to the subject, they always ended with me swearing that if ever I saw the light of day again, I would spend my life putting my mother back on the throne where she deserved to be. Lodaï lectured me in vain that I should not dream of such things because it was impossible to return to Earth. I shook my head at his protests and kept saying that I had a hunch that it would happen. Events proved me right, that a secret intelligence was giving me a glimpse of the future.
As I got older, my thoughts about everything that Lodaï had taught me expanded and focused on everything I could see. He taught me philosophy, but natural philosophy, not with prickly words but with things that are clear and obvious and I was so preoccupied with the miracles that I saw everyday that I often forgot to take care of myself. The research I was doing sometimes took me 10 or 12 karies from our home and I got lost twice. My mother and Lodaï, who loved me tenderly and worried about me a lot, begged me badly to stop alarming them, so for a while I did not go far and I made sure I got home to sleep.
One day when I went into a crevasse in a rock on a wide, clear path I found a flowing vein of such beautiful, perfect liquid46 that I wanted to find the source. It was thick and the color of gold, but what was really amazing was that instead of following the natural downward slope, it flowed steadily upward. I followed it for more than three karies and the farther I went into the heart of the mountain, with light slanting in, the wider and rougher the path became. I had to sit down to rest and I looked around. Through a crack in the rock I saw something so bright that I jumped up and ran to it. As soon as I got up close to it, I heard an awful hiss and I shrank away. I had discovered a dreadful animal, crawling on its belly, folding and unfolding on itself like it was rolling. I started running at full speed up the mountain because the monstrous worm was behind me and seemed to be chasing me. I was sorry, then, that I had not followed Lodaï’s sage advice and I made a resolution that if I escaped this hideous threat, I would never expose myself to danger again—the oath of young people in danger that they forget when it’s all over.
I was out of breath and the enemy in pursuit was slowly gaining on me. I could hear the noise it made dragging itself along and the hissing got louder. I was at death’s door when I saw four feet above me another strange looking, but very different animal. I screamed at the sight of it. Not knowing what else to do, I hid in a hole on my left. I was so scared that when I grazed myself with my own hands I thought the animal had seized me and I shivered. But my enemy had other things to worry about. It was attacked by a formidable athlete that stood up on its hind legs and found the right time to strike. I saw the snake or worm coil up and spring out at its adversary hard and fast. Its mouth was open and a tongue armed with three hooks shot out of the gaping chasm. The slightest touch could have felled its enemy. Falbao, the same dog as you see here, Lamekis, (for it was him) dodged his attacks like an agile fighter by jumping to the side whenever the worm uncoiled and by this tactic wore him down. The fight lasted for a while like this until Falbao suddenly jumped on his enemy and cut it in two with his lethal fangs. The two parts tried to come back together again, but in vain: the skillful victor took one and threw it 30 feet away. After this precaution, which was no doubt done instinctively, he came back to the battlefield and looked around. Finally seeing me he dropped the head of the terrible enemy at my feet. He lay down looking at it and looking at me with eyes that cheered his victory.
My mind was so confused that I did not know what to do. My nerves were numb from fear. Falbao and I sat there looking at each other for about an hour until the animal finally let up the tension; he got up, took three steps forward and came back. It looked like he was inviting me to follow him and his gentle eyes gave me confidence, but because of my fright I stayed back afraid of being eaten. I cannot say if sympathy was the reason he took care to reassure me, but whatever his reasons it worked wonders—he came up, wagged his tail and nuzzled against me. I ventured to stretch out my hand to touch him. He lowered his head and gave me all the signs of gentleness that he could, so I plucked up all my courage to leave. He walked ahead and I followed. After one karie I was so tired that I had to take a rest next to the vein of gold. Falbao did the same and lapped up the liquid. I saw him try to lick a wound on his back, but his neck was not flexible enough to reach it. Then his eyes seemed to beg me for help. I cupped some of the liquid gold in my hands and rubbed it into the wound. He stretched out and let me do it. There was also a wound on his back paw and I was surprised that as soon as I applied the liquid the wounds healed. I, too, had grazed myself, so I put some of this divine balm on it and was relieved right away.
After resting a little while in this place, Falbao got up
and I followed him. After a few more karies, imagine my surprise, Lamekis, when I found myself on top of a mountain in mid-air, which convinced me that I was in the regions that my mother and Lodaï had talked so much about. I felt a secret joy, enchanted by the splendid sight of nature. I stood there without moving, dazed, in awe of the beauty of the bright day while my eyes wandered over the immensity of the sky. I spent two hours like that, unable to get over my astonishment and if a new adventure had not pulled me out of my lethargy, I might still be there.
I was sunk in this ecstasy when I felt someone touch me. It was a man the same color as Lodaï. At first I thought it was him and I reached out my arms, but they hung back down when I did not recognize his face.
“Ah, young man, what are you doing here?” the stranger asked. “Are you running away? Where are you going? To your sure ruin. Where do you come from? Don’t you know that you are in the empire of the Houcaïs and he has ordered all whites to be arrested and brought to the capital to be sacrificed?”
Imagine the impression those words had on me, Lamekis, finding out that I was in the empire of my father whom I hated more than anything else in the world with a hatred born in childhood for the sake of my unjustly banished mother who was dearer to me than the fate that had torn me from her arms. The dangers I had just faced had lulled my thoughts, but the stranger’s speech woke them up and I fully felt my loss.
“Oh Heavens,” I cried, “where is this barbarous King you’re talking about who covered my mother in shame and sacrificed her to his anger? Where can I find him? Ah! As young as I am, my hatred will give me enough strength to take his life…but what am I saying, good gods! He’s my father. The Houcaïs gave me life...”
“What’s this I hear?” the stranger cried out. “What are you saying? You, the son of the King of Abdalles! Obviously fear has made you crazy and wild! But I can see a resemblance in your face. And your color almost…I recognize…but no, it can’t be. Hildaë died a miserable death in the depths of Houzaïl and her son shared her fate. But, listen mortal, whoever you are, flee! Go back to the cave you came out of! Someone less compassionate than me will arrest you. The order is for everyone, everywhere. Since the day our Queen Hildaë brought a white into the world, it’s happened to many men of this color. All the King’s subjects are spies and the punishment is so strict against anyone who disobeys that no one would dare break his inhuman laws; not only would it cost him his life, but also the loss of his goods and family.”
I stood there without moving as he spoke. Many different thoughts passed through my worried mind. In spite of my prejudice an inner voice rose up for my father, but fear, which was inseparable from my looming fate, got the upper hand and I cried out, “Whoever you are, protect the son of the great Queen whom Heavens’ kindness saved from a more tragic fate. Vilkonhis saved her from death, but oh, how much bitterness does she suffer now? I was her consolation and she has lost me. She has shed so many tears already! Oh my mother! Will I ever see you again and calm your soul? O Lodaï!...”
“What are you saying?” the stranger interrupted. “What names are these? Hildaë is alive and you’re her son? What proof can you give of these extraordinary things?”
“My story,” I replied, “and Lodaï’s, who is alive.”
“Lodaï!” he interrupted again. “Surely you’ve lost your mind…”
“No,” I continued impatiently, “it’s easy to prove the truth. I can lead you through this cave to the center of the earth where the pit of Houzaïl is only one way in. There you will see the Queen and Lodaï.”
The stranger cried out again at these last words. He cast everything into doubt when he happened to look at Falbao whose weird face made him shudder. The animal seemed to be listening to us and the stranger could not move an inch without the animal looking like he wanted to eat him. His foaming mouth was hanging open and his eyes were furious. I was so preoccupied with the stranger that I had not paid attention to him. I trembled, too, and got so scared that I fell backward. The animal ran to my feet and looked so gentle and humble that I trusted him again. The stranger’s eyes were all agog and he wavered between fear and admiration. I reassured him and told him how the animal and I had become so close. The adventure impressed him.
“I’m starting to believe,” he said, “that there’s something extraordinary in your story. I’ll even admit that I’m getting interested, though I can’t imagine why. I’m curious to know more, but still it’s too dangerous for you to stay here any longer. Follow me. My cabin is in the middle of the desert nearby where you will be safe from any fanatics. There we can get to the bottom of this and see if you can convince me that you are the son of the Houcaïs. If so, I won’t disappoint you. Even though I’m by myself here, I can get things moving. I don’t live alone by chance. I have my reasons that you will appreciate when you know why, but I would be a criminal if you really are who you say you are.”
Saying this the stranger led me into the dark woods. After many twists and turns we came into a little valley watered by a river where his house was. Along the way he told me that his name was Boldeon, the first Prince of the Houcaïs’ blood. After the disgrace of my mother the King married again, but had no children. He was so in love that he had this Princess’ brother, Ruraos, recognized as his heir provided that he and his successors exterminate all the whites found in his and the neighboring realms. A few months later he retired into the royal cave47 and Ruraos mounted the throne where he ruled as a tyrant who was so detestable that all the nobles of Abdalles preferred to flee into faraway provinces rather than obey the usurper.
When we got to Boldeon’s house and washed up, he was eager to hear my story. I told it so naturally and sincerely that he could not help but believe me and he humbled himself as if I were his legitimate Prince. I kissed him and he recognized me as the Prince and swore to me that he would spill his blood to put me back on the usurped throne. Then he let me in on the plans he had made to get rid of the tyrant since the Houcaïs was cut off from everything, just like his contact with the nobles of Abdalles who would form such a formidable opposition that Ruraos would surely fall. Boldeon had pretended to travel to far-off lands to accomplish his plot without suspicion, so no one knew about his house, which was near the capital and also in range of the conspirators whom he could contact when the time came. He told me that he would not let them know about my arrival, but would keep it for the final blow to incite the people in case the tyrant’s power got the upper hand, but that it was absolutely necessary that I go back down into the depths of Houzaïl to get my mother and Lodaï to prove my bloodline. Not only did I agree with his plan, but I was elated by it and we resolved to carry it out. The next day I found where I had come out of the abyss and I hoped that I could find where I had grown up. But, I could count on faithful Falbao who was constantly showing me new signs of loyalty. I already knew his bravery and now with him and the weapons we could take, there was no danger we could not face. But, Sinouis, we did not figure that the depths of the earth were inhabited. We would soon find that out, too.48
The worm men
The evening star had just appeared on the horizon when we left Boldeon’s cabin loaded with the supplies needed for a journey that might take very long if we got lost. When we got to where we had first met, it was not hard to find the cavern entrance and the mysterious vein was only a few feet inside. I pointed it out to Boldeon and told him about the miraculous effect it had on Falbao’s wounds after the battle with the snake.
“Aha! Motacoa,” he said. “It can’t be! Wonder of wonders! How long have I been searching for this divine vein? Don’t regret your bad luck because it has brought you this treasure. This alone is enough to make us the happiest of mortals. It’s one of the greatest benefits we could hope for. This vein contains the universal remedy and whoever has it is guaranteed to live without sickness and be forever healthy unto the grave.”
Saying this he cupped some in his hands and drank three times, inviting me to do the same.
After doing this we sat on a big rock and ate a light meal while Falbao lay down nearby. The liquid worked its wonders and soon put us to pleasant sleep.
I had barely closed my eyes when a mysterious dream churned my senses. I thought I was somewhere in the Inner Earth where I used to go before I left. There was a rock of talc, shiny and strange, that was very precious to me. Inside it was a kind of natural crucible in which the wondrous water was constantly boiling. When the fiery heat poured it out, it congealed and took on the strangest forms that I examined for a long time.
Then I dreamed that I was in a cave where the back was laid up by an earthquake and revealed a bright corridor. The ceiling was dotted with different colored gems that sparkled so brightly that my eyes could barely stand the fire. I went in. It ended in a big room that was decorated with so much beautiful art that it looked like our most skillful workers had been there. In the middle of the room was a table made of a single opal with an exquisite mother-of-pearl armchair in front of it. On the table was an open book with gold letters. I went up to it and, being alone, I could not hold back my curiosity: I read a sentence that stood out. It said, “You, mortal, cannot ascend a throne that belongs to you unless the marriage with Ascalis49 puts you there.”
Lamekis Page 5