by Lee Magnus
“That’s astounding,” is all Trey could muster. “This whole story about the king and fantastical creatures is completely unbelievable. If only I weren’t living it then maybe I could enjoy it.”
“I’ve been at it for a long time and it never gets boring, but it’s been exceptionally exciting lately. There was that span of maybe 250 years during the Persian Empire when everything seemed calm.”
Trey’s look of bewilderment was all Seth needed to move on.
“We need to see if she left the center stone here,” Seth continued.
Trey fingered the disk in his pocket but chose to keep it hidden.
“So now what do we do?” Trey asked.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t look like anything’s here. There should be something. If Alex was correct, she wouldn’t have swam all this way for nothing.”
Kicking his feet around, Trey said, “Hey, take a look at this.”
He bent over, then brushed away layers of salt and dirt. With his finger, he dug an outline of a metal object in the ground.
“Look,” Trey said. “It looks like it’s firm in the ground and possibly goes far down. I can’t budge it.”
Seth crouched down beside Trey to take a closer look. He fidgeted with the object, then removed a copper colored metal cap, revealing a long narrow hole.
“What’d you think that is?” asked Trey.
“I don’t know, but it’s all that’s here. It must be related to what she came for.”
“I have an idea,” said Trey.
He grasped the sword with a hand, gracefully bringing it to his front – as if he were an ancient samurai preparing for battle. He carefully placed the tip into the metal opening then lowered to his knees.
They briefly looked at one another.
“What are you doing, Trey?” Seth said nervously. “I don’t think you should – “ he tried to say before Trey rammed the sword fully into the hole.
“Trey! Trey! Where’d you go!”
Seth found himself immediately alone on the island. Trey was gone.
Airhame
Hands still on the handle of the sword, Trey felt nauseous but not as bad as when he travelled to Egypt.
“Where am I?”
The small damp cavern felt starkly different from the dryness of the desert. Light seeped through several deep holes above casting eerie shadows when he moved. He yelled for Seth but received no response other than a faint echo. He removed the sword from the stone portal and retained it in his hand. He proceeded cautiously down a low ceiling tunnel avoiding large boulders and stalagmites. His feet squished upon each step on the soppy floor.
The walls and ceiling were dotted with curious yellow marks. Trey neared a group to take a closer look. Just as he reached out, a long slug-like creature protruded slowly from the wall to meet his hand – then another until about 10 were competing in a leisurely race to reach Trey first. He withdrew his hand and they reacted likewise.
Trey pushed his hand closer and they reached out to meet him again. However, when he retracted his hand, they kept moving forward – very slowly. He stepped back maintaining his eyes on the wall slugs. He felt something on the back of his head and when he turned, thousands of wall slugs hung low from the ceiling and protruded from the walls – all reaching for Trey with long slimy neon yellow tentacles.
He yelped just before dozens draped over his face and ankles. He thrashed wildly but their grip was tremendous. He began to suffocate as they entered his mouth and wrapped around his throat. He then lashed above with the sword, freeing his head – goopy yellow slug guts plopped onto the floor. He gagged several times as he spit out the bitter foul-tasting creatures. He slashed again several times around his feet then sprinted toward freedom.
The slug tunnel opened into an enormous cavern where he stopped to catch his breath and to ensure he was clear of the yellow onslaught. He turned to perceive the cavern. On the adjacent wall was a narrow slit through which light emerged. The cavern was significantly drier than the tunnel. He slid down a small embankment, then advanced toward the middle of the vast expanse where he sat on a rock to rest from the harrowing slug eating experience.
“Ahhh yes. There you are,” said a voice that seemed to come from everywhere. Each syllable was carefully enunciated. “But where are you? Very interesting,” the voice continued.
“Who’s there! Show yourself!” said Trey standing with the raised sword.
“Andressen’s sword. Remarkable,” the voice said slowly.
“So sad it is missing its most important decorations,” the low intentional voice said sarcastically. “You are here for something, but what?” A brief pause. ”Ah yes. There it is. So, you must be him. Curious,” said the deliberate voice. “I no longer have what you seek. You should return from where you came – while you still can – Grandson of Patrick.”
Trey nearly fell over as he was broadsided by the revelation.
“What! What did you say? Did you know my grandfather?”
Nothing
“Are you still there? Can you hear me? How do you know my grandfather?”
Nothing
“While I still can? What do you mean?”
Nothing
“Tell me what you know about my grandfather!” Trey demanded.
“Aren’t you a persistent pest,” the voice calmly replied. Why should I tell you anything? There is nothing you have that I require. I can merely take what you have should I develop the desire.”
“My grandfather disappeared four years ago. I thought he was dead. Is he here? Is he still alive? Please tell me what you know!” Trey spun around as he spoke, not knowing from where the voice came.
“I could tell you; I could eat you. Either way, I believe, would be just as pleasing.”
Trey took a step back, the trembling sword still raised.
“Make a funny move and I’ll end you!” Trey said shakily.
“Really? With that tiny sword?” the voice said unimpressed. “I still can’t see you. Let’s take a closer look,” said the surrounding voice.
The ground trembled – small pieces of debris fell from the walls and ceiling. Trey flinched then crouched in a defensive position with the sword ahead. A truck sized glossy charcoal colored ball-shaped object with evenly spaced orange horizontal lines emerged from a cave in the far wall. It rolled slowly down a decline – defying the expected effects of gravity on the orb. It turned left to avoid a rock formation. It rolled a few paces forward then made a right – never altering the tedious pace. A crunching sound filled the space as it rolled over the gritty floor.
Trey felt anxious but not totally fearful – mostly mesmerized. He watched in disbelief as the lumbering object navigated an invisible maze. It settled ten meters from where he stood – blocking his escape back to the portal. It rapidly opened into an enormous pill bug shaped millipede that swiftly crawled with rapidly undulating legs in a wave fashion before coming to a stop just short of Trey. Trey screeched as he stumbled backward over a few small boulders.
Half picking himself up, half hiding behind the rocks Trey said shakily with the raised sword, ”You stay right there! Don’t come any closer!”
The bug crawled uncomfortably close to Trey and wriggled, no vibrated Trey thought, two thick antennae hovering just above the ground positioned below two large dark eyes. It then spoke directly into Trey’s mind beguilingly, ”There you are. I see you now, just barely. Yes. You are interesting indeed. Four years ago, you say?”
“Yes,” Trey said out loud.
“I cannot be certain of his demise.”
“Then tell me what you can be certain of.”
“If you must know, an aged human bested me in a match of riddles. The prize was the stone you seek. However, I made a mistake for he did not come through the portal.”
“Was that man my grandfather?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know he was my grandfather?”
“There are hints of similarities in minds
of relatives.”
“What do you mean by our minds are similar? Can you read my thoughts?”
“You are challenging to read which is likely the reason you remain alive.”
Alex said Lyza brought the stone here three years ago. If this bug is right, my grandpa has been here since then. He might still be alive!
“Indeed, Mr. Roberts. He may still be alive.”
“You can read my mind.”
“Indeed.”
“If he didn’t come through the portal then he didn’t have the sword. How did he get here?”
“There is another way. Through Airhame.”
Trey detected humor in the bugs response but continued the probe, “Please, tell me how to get there. I have to find him.”
“You do? It is a necessity to you?”
Trey didn’t understand the bug’s rationale for the question. I think it’s trying to trick me. I didn’t like how easily it mentioned how grandpa got here.
“Trust is a hard thing to master,” the bug replied to Trey’s thoughts. “I intend you no harm – at the moment.”
“Stay out of my head!” Trey yelled holding his ears tightly.
Ignoring Trey’s command, the large bug said eagerly in Trey’s mind with its two long quivering antennae, “Let’s play a game. Answer my riddle correctly and I’ll show you from where your grandfather came. Answer it wrongly, I will eat you.”
“How about plan C where I drive this sword through you, then leave the way I came!” Trey said with a little hysteria in his voice.
“Yes!” the voice in his mind said more energetically. “That sounds like a fun option.”
Trey reconsidered his aggressiveness, then said, “What kind of riddle did you have in mind?”
“Does this mean you accept my offer?”
“Yes. I suppose I could use the sword option if I get it wrong,” Trey said with an uncomfortable laugh.
“Excellent!”
“You know my name, who are you?”
“I am Simon. It is a pleasure to play riddles with you, Mr. Roberts.”
“If I guess this riddle it will also be nice to meet you.”
After a brief pause Simon said, “When you have your answer, please begin with ‘My answer is’ and then give your answer.”
“I got it.”
Simon stated his question,
“I beam, I shine, I sparkle white. I’ll brighten the day with a single light. I’ll charm and enchant all. I’ll bring the best in you all. What am I?”
After a few seconds of silence, Trey began murmuring, “Beam, shine, white, bright, light, happy, warm, sun. Sun. Could it be?” He wiped edgy moisture from his forehead and said, “I wish Marcus was here. He’s super-good at riddles. I’m sure he’d crush it.” He continued his previous open thoughts, “Enchant, bring out the best. Sun? No that’s too easy. Flashlight? Does he even know what that is? Arggg! This is nuts. I’m having a riddle contest with a huge bug!”
Simon’s antennae quivered, “Are you ready to give your answer?”
“Not yet,” Trey said anxiously. “Give me a minute. Light, charm, enchant, all, all people, all, uggg! I shine, I beam, I charm, I enchant.”
Trey looked down then scanned the area hoping for a hint that would miraculously save his life. Simon stood motionlessly – like a statue. Even the once vibrating antennae were frozen in a fixed mannequin-esque position.
“Brighten, sparkle white, charm.” Trey sighed.
“Do you give up?” Simon said in an overly cheerful tone.
“No!” Trey yelled in distress, fearful of the consequences of losing the ill-fated game. “Charm, brighten, sparkle white, teeth. Smile. Smile! My answer is you are a smile!” Trey screamed.
“That is correct!” Simon said with more excitement than Trey expected.
“You are a very good riddler. Nearly as good as your grandfather before you. Now I will take you through Airhame to the Keeper’s Burrow.
“Take me?” Trey said as he released a deep breath. “Don’t you think you could just draw me a map? I don’t really travel well with gargantuan bugs. Plus, you are too large to fit through the only exit I see.“
“It is too complicated to draw a map. Besides, you will need my help and I haven’t been out of this cavern in ages.”
“But you’re still too big to fit.”
The bug curled up and then as he rolled toward Trey, became smaller and smaller until he was larger than a normal sized pill bug but small enough to fit into Trey’s hand. Trey lowered his finger so that Simon could crawl on. He then raised the tiny bug to eye level.
“Ok. Fine. But first…”
“You would like to bring Seth to the burrow,” he said completing Trey’s sentence. “Who is Seth?” Simon asked curiously.
“How are you doing that? You have to stop,” Trey whined.
“It is how I communicate. Reading your mind is a bonus. Besides, I only get bits and pieces of your mind. I find it very interesting that you are so hard to read. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about travelling in an alien world with a size changing mind reading bug that would be happy to eat me.”
“Your friend cannot bring me out of this cavern. For only the one who won the challenge can I fulfil the agreement.”
“Wait. What? You mean I have to go – alone?”
“Or I can eat you. Either way is fine with me.”
“You aren’t as scary at this size, you know.”
Trey traversed the cavern then squeezed through a large crack to exit into a lavish pasture.
“Ahh yes. That feels good. Welcome to Airhame,” said Simon.
Trey stood in intense wonder at the site.
To say it was gorgeous would be a wretched understatement. To say it were merely heaven would be like using roses to wipe away excrement.
Airhame was more beautiful than the most amazing descriptions of the most amazing natural wonders man has ever envisioned. Airhame was peaceful, serene, and wildly colorful.
There were blossoming, bushy trees all about. Large pink and white flowers covered congested limbs. Fluffy red and blue birds flittered in tall lush grass. Millions of tiny rainbows seemed to garnish the land.
Trey set Simon on the fertile ground. He grew to about four feet in height.
“We will need to navigate Ravenger’s Forest.”
Simon turned looking down toward a dark forested area far on the horizon. Clouds, which looked to Trey to be in the shapes of hearts and stars, rose in the sky but not directly over the forest. A stream zig zagged across the land diagonally to the forest entering on the eastern side just after a splendid waterfall. Rising grassy hills gave way to thriving valleys full of more color and life.
“You see it there in the distance. We should arrive within a few hours.”
“This place is remarkable! I’ve never seen anywhere so beautiful. Not even in pictures. I’m sure Sarah would love it.”
“Yes, it is quite lovely. I had nearly forgotten. We must move on.”
“Right,” Trey said admiring a large silver bulbed flower with a tall green leafy stalk. Its yellow center shone like polished gold. Suddenly, but slowly, a black caterpillar with hundreds of bright red spots emerged from behind a sparkling silver petal. Trey reached a finger toward the winding creature.
“Not that one, stupid boy. Do you touch everything you see that you do not understand?”
“What?”
“The caterpillar. All places have their share of dangerous creatures. Airhame is no different.”
Trey withdrew his finger and eyed the creeping creature as he rejoined the journey.
Red and purple winged grasshoppers crisscrossed their path as they trekked across lovely terrain. Something like a ladybug with blue spots on a white body with dragonfly wings hovered near Trey’s face for just a few seconds.
“Good thing the bugs here are normal size. I’m not sure what I’d do if they were all like you.�
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Simon shuttered. Trey didn’t notice.
They walked in silence while Trey remained in quiet amazement.
After a while, Trey became curious, “So, tell me Simon, how did you get the privilege of guarding the center stone?”
“The cavern has been my home for at least a hundred years.”
“A hundred years?” asked Trey astonished. “How old are you?”
“Let’s just say I’ve been around a really long time. I made a mistake, hurt someone badly and was exiled.”
“But you can change sizes. Why didn’t you just leave?”
“There was a spell placed on the cavern. I could only leave if I could convince someone to take me out. If I could do that, I would be bound to do what they asked of me. You asked for guidance, so I am helping you get to the burrow.”
“What did you do?”
“I would not like to discuss it. It was a long time ago. Just keep up,” snapped Simon.
“Okay. Okay. Don’t get hostile.”
“What will you do after you help me?”
“Go home.”
“Where is home for you?”
“It’s a place we call Land’s End.”
“Is it on this world.”
“Yes. I do not have permission to use the portals.”
“Neither do I but here I am.”
“Indeed.”
“So, you know there are more than the cavern and keeper portals?”
“I know many things. I have the privilege of knowing.”
“You mean spying on other’s thoughts.”
“It’s all the same, isn’t it?”
“No. One is asking and receiving the answer, the other is invasion.”
“Merely semantics.”
Trey frowned at the comment.