The following mirrors held little in the way of help. Some led to caverns, others rivers, and a few to places that produced feelings of trepidation. One had him sweating and contemplating flight after but a few moments of observation had passed.
None proved helpful in locating Streyan. He’d known it to be a long shot when he began. After the last mirror held nothing but a vision of water cascading down a nearly vertical shaft, he sighed and returned the stack back to as close to its former state as he could recall before setting the mirror with the border of pearly magnificence upon the top.
He gazed into it once more in the hopes of gleaning any further bits of information about where he was about to go before moving his hand forward and touching the reflective surface. Instantly, he was engulfed in darkness.
A whack to his sunstone brought illumination to dispel the dark and reveal his surroundings. He stood between the boulders at the pond’s edge. Cool droplets splashed him from the nearby cascading stream of water. Despite their coolness, he knelt at the pool’s edge and drank deeply.
To his right grew the patch of mushrooms foretold by the earlier vision in the mirror. They ranged from the size of a gold coin to that of the palm of his hand. The smaller ones were identical to those he had eaten before. Taking one, he bit into its firm flesh. Nothing had ever tasted so good.
The first one went fast, as did the dozen that followed. By his fifteenth, he began slowing as his hunger had been well satisfied. Another twenty went into the pouch at his waist.
After a second long drink at the pool, he moved beyond the boulders to a dry section of cavern floor near the wall beyond the reach of the falling droplets. Now that his thirst had been quenched and he had a full belly, Holk’s fatigue returned with a vengeance. Setting the sunstone on the cavern floor next to him, he leaned his head against the wall and sleep quickly followed.
He awoke to darkness and hunger. Smacking the sunstone against a nearby rock outcropping, he returned to the mushrooms to again eat his fill. Fatigue still demanded his obedience, so after his hunger had been quieted, he once again settled against the wall of the cave to surrender to its will.
Upon waking the second time, he discovered the cavern to no longer be the pitch blackness it had been upon his earlier awakening. In his sleepy state, he thought this might be the product of the sunstone. But as consciousness took a greater foothold, he realized that the sunstone could not produce such an amount of light. With that realization, the final vestiges of sleep fell away.
The light came from the pool area. Holk couldn’t tell exactly where as several of the boulders bordering the water’s edge were obscuring his view. About to rise and investigate, he stopped when there came the sound of splashing.
Someone was in the pool.
Moving slowly so as to not alert the swimmer, he moved along the cavern floor in an attempt to spy who it was through the gaps between the boulders.
The first thing he saw was a rather familiar looking lantern. Moving a little farther brought a fully-filled mirror-pack into view. Streyan! Fortune must have given him her favor for the lad to be delivered unto him with such ease. Saying a silent “Thank you” to the Capricious Lady, he moved to the nearest boulder and peered around the edge.
A pile of well-worn clothes laid at the pool’s edge. The surface of the water rippled from recent movement yet the lad was nowhere to be seen. Holk had only a moment to wonder where the boy was before Streyan’s head broke the surface of the water. Giggling, the boy settled onto his back, swam a short distance, then turned and dove beneath the surface once again. His bare bottom revealed whose clothes sat at the water’s edge.
As soon as Streyan vanished beneath the water, Holk moved to take possession of both the boy’s clothes and the mirror pack. The pack he lifted with the tip of his sword; and while keeping it at arm’s length to avoid the emergence of any light-worms, placed it out of sight behind a boulder. He then tossed the boy’s clothes atop the pack then went to stand before the pond.
This time, Streyan did not emerge giggling and splashing. Instead, he surfaced slowly with a less-than-happy gaze directed at Holk.
“Well, well, well,” Holk said. “Didn’t think to see me again, did you?”
The boy merely treaded water as he glanced to and fro about the pond’s edge.
“Looking for your pack and clothes?” Holk nodded to the boulder hiding them. “I put them over here for you.” He gave the boy a smirk. “Wouldn’t want them getting wet now, would we?”
Streyan’s gaze settled upon the boulder for a moment before returning to Holk. “I want them back.”
“In a bit. If you’re a good boy.”
“They are mine,” Streyan said with no small amount of irritation. “You have no right to take them.”
“Look, all I want is some answers and to get out of here. You help me, and I’ll give them back. If not…” His sword arm rose above where the mirror-pack sat.
The lad’s eyes widened; whether from the threat to his collection of mirrors, or the sudden realization that the man before him held a new weapon was unclear. Either way, the boy grimaced, then nodded. “If I can.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Moving his sword down to the boy’s clothes, he hooked them on the blade and tossed them over to the water’s edge. “Get dressed.”
Streyan swam to the edge, but before climbing out he said, “Turn your back.”
Holk laughed. “I don’t think so. Get dressed or stay in the water. It makes no difference to me.”
Modesty had the boy returning to the center of the pool.
“Now, the first thing I’d like to know is where I went.”
Streyan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, the last time we saw one another was at that ring of stones. It sent me somewhere and I want to know where.”
The boy shrugged. “I don’t know. Kazzra never said where it went, only that no one ever returned.”
“I don’t think he can say that anymore, for here I am.”
Treading water, Streyan failed to comment.
Holk remained silent for a moment then said, “I know that it is the Ti-Ocks that make the mirrors.”
Streyan didn’t even flinch.
“I saw where they made them.”
“That’s interesting.”
Nodding, Holk said, “Yes, very.”
When he didn’t say anything further, the boy asked, “And?”
“You knew that, didn’t you?”
“Kazzra did mention it some time ago.”
“Did he mention how they do it?”
Streyan shook his head. “No.”
“Do you think he knows?”
“Probably. He knows everything.”
Holk seriously doubted that but kept such thoughts to himself.
“I’d like to talk to him.”
“That wouldn’t be a good idea.”
“Why?”
“Kazzra is the sort that it is unwise to bother.” Streyan assumed a curious look. “Why do you want to talk with him?”
“To see about making a mirror.”
That got a reaction. “A mirror?”
Holk nodded. “One that will take me home, or at least away from this place.”
“I doubt if he would help you.”
“True. But he would help you, wouldn’t he?”
“If I asked.”
“Could you ask for me?”
Streyan shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because the answer would be no. It is not for him to make the mirrors, or to interfere with what the Ti-Ocks are doing. He might get into trouble.”
“What kind of trouble can a dragon get into? And who would he get into trouble with?”
Streyan just shrugged.
“You had to have said that for a reason.”
“It’s complicated.”
Holk leaned against a boulder and assumed a relaxed d
emeanor. “I got the time.”
The boy treaded water and remained silent.
“Are you going to explain?”
Streyan shook his head.
“Hmmm. It seems we are at an impasse. But then, you are a naked little boy and I am an armed man prone to violence.”
He hooked the tip of his sword into the belt of Streyan’s mirror-pack and set it on top of the boulder. Glancing to the boy, he saw trepidation in the lad’s eyes.
“Those are mine.”
“Yes, you’ve said that before.”
Sliding the blade beneath the leather thong holding the pack closed, he sliced it in two. Then with a flick of his wrist, he flipped the flap open to expose the mirrors within.
“Stop.”
Holk glanced to the boy. “Are you going to help me?”
“I can’t.”
Ever so gently, he moved the tip of his sword to the end of the pack, and with brief nudges, edged the endmost mirror halfway from within its pocket.
“You don’t know what you are doing.”
With one final swift motion, Holk thrust the mirror out of the pack and down the side of the boulder where it shattered on the floor.
“No!”
Holk returned the tip of his sword to the pack and began nudging the next mirror outward. Pausing when but a third of the hand-held was free, he arched an eyebrow questioningly at the boy. When no answer was forthcoming, the mirror joined the first with a clatter. As it came to rest, a long crack dissected its reflective surface.
Retuning the blade to start on a third, he heard Streyan say, “Wait.”
“Why? You’re not going to help me and these mirrors are now useless to me. What do I care if they get broken?” As if to prove his point, he thrust the third from the pack and sent it to shatter on the remains of the first two.
“Kazzra will be angry with you when he learns of what you’ve done.”
Holk shrugged. “Again, I don’t care. I’m trapped here, not likely to get out alive. What matter the manner in which I die? Either from starvation or being mauled by a dragon, dead is dead and I’m tired of playing these games.” A fourth mirror shattered on the cavern floor.
When the sword returned for the fifth one, Streyan shouted, “Not that one!”
Glancing to the boy, Holk asked, “Why?”
“If you break that one, we’ll never get to Kazzra.”
“We?”
Defeat was clearly written on Streyan’s face when he nodded.
Holk moved his sword away from the mirror-pack. “So you plan to help me?”
“If you promise not to break anymore of my mirrors.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“You can.”
Swimming, the lad left the center of the pool and came nearer to the edge. “I will help you reach Kazzra and ask him to help you, if you promise to not break anymore of my mirrors.”
There was sincerity in the lad’s eyes, but even still, Holk wondered how far coerced cooperation would go. “And you further promise not to play any tricks on me?”
“Yes. Can I have my clothes now?”
Holk gestured to the pile near the edge of the pool with the end of his sword. “Go ahead.”
“Turn around.”
“Fine.”
Turning around, he hooked the end of his sword in the mirror-pack and held it so he was between the pack and the pool. He only trusted the boy so far.
The sound of the boy leaving the pool was followed by that of him donning his clothes. When Streyan said, “Okay,” Holk turned around and motioned the boy to approach.
On his way, Streyan grabbed the lantern.
Keeping his body between the boy and the mirror-pack, Holk waited for Streyan to come close then grabbed him by the collar. He felt the boy tense.
“Don’t worry, I’ll not hurt you. Not unless you try to do me wrong.”
With Streyan grasped in a hold from which the lad was unlikely to escape, Holk brought the mirror-pack to just within arm’s reach of the boy. As Streyan reached for the pack, Holk tightened his grip.
“If we end up anywhere but Kazzra’s cave, you die.”
The boy nodded and reached for the pack. One of his fingers slipped into the pocket holding the mirror Holk had been about to smash, and they vanished.
Chapter 19
Kazzra lay asleep, curled upon his massive hoard. The mirror had not delivered them to the small cave high above where the dragon slept. Instead, they appeared less than ten feet from the great beast’s head.
An eye cracked open.
“So, you have returned, human.”
Streyan immediately tried to break free of Holk’s grasp as he cried out, “Help me!” but was held too tightly.
The great head raised from a mound of golden disks, each the size of a turtle’s shell. One disk adhered to the underside of the jaw for a moment before dropping to clatter among its fellows.
Holk flung the mirror-pack to the side with a flick of his sword, grasped the boy in a firm embrace with his free arm and brought the blade to within a hair’s breadth of the lad’s throat.
The proximity of the blade quieted his struggles. “He broke my mirrors!”
Kazzra opened his mouth, revealing teeth designed to rip and tear. There was malice in the eyes. “So, this is how you repay my kindness?”
“I have not hurt the boy, merely used him to get to you.”
From deep within the dragon’s throat came a rumble, the sound of which shot tendrils of fear through Holk, but he steeled his nerve and continued.
“I know the Ti-Ocks are the ones who make the mirrors. I also know where it is they create them.”
“What does this have to do with me?” In the shadows behind Kazzra, his great tail moved to and fro.
“I don’t think there is any way for me to get out of this place. Even Streyan has said that no one ever escapes.”
“I did not!”
The great beast’s head rose to tower above him. “It is true that very few of those that find their way here manage to win their freedom. However, are you so sure that incurring my wrath will win you that freedom?”
“If I believed there to be any other way, I would not have chosen this route. As it is, I figure the Ti-Ocks will be out of material for their mirrors soon. If I don’t act now, the opportunity will be lost.” Which was true, the creature from which the Ti-Ocks were removing sections for their mirrors had little over half of its bulk remaining.
The great head turned its eye upon the boy. “Are you hurt?”
Streyan shook his head. “No, but he broke four of my mirrors.”
“Only to impress upon him the seriousness of my need to meet with you. From what he has told me, you may know the manner in which the mirrors are crafted. And if so, I would ask that you impart that knowledge to me.”
When the eye directed its gaze full upon him, Holk felt as if his soul lay exposed, such was the intensity of that scrutiny.
“It wouldn’t do you any good, human. There are certain components that you must have. Without them, the mirrors will not work; or will work imperfectly.”
Holk didn’t like the thought of trying to pass through a mirror that wasn’t working properly. Scenes of a grisly demise made him swallow.
“Are you referring to a twelve-sided object of the deepest black, inscribed with runes upon all sides?”
“That is but one of six.”
“Six? I’m assuming the section removed from the creature is number two of the six components. And upon the table where the Ti-Ocks worked, were three bowls.” He glanced into the eye. “Perhaps they are numbers three, four and five?”
Kazzra did not answer.
“I’m right, aren’t I?”
“You intrigue me, human. None have been so bold as to try and coerce me into helping them. I sense that you truly do not wish to hurt the boy, and that may just stave off your death…for now.”
“If I let the boy go, will you help me and
not kill me?”
The great head tilted downward so the dragon’s gaze fell upon the boy.
“Please, Kazzra,” Streyan begged. “I don’t want him to hurt me.”
“Worry not, little one. He shall not harm you.”
“Then we have a deal?”
“If you let the boy go, I promise that I shall allow you to live for a day. After that, I will hunt you down and kill you.”
Holk laughed. “What kind of deal is that?”
“However, should you manage to gain your freedom from this place in that time, I will not.”
He considered it for a moment. “And you’ll instruct me in the method for creating the mirrors?”
Lips curling into what Holk took for a dragon’s grin, Kazzra replied, “Of course. Streyan will also take you to a location from which you can reach the room wherein the mirrors are crafted.”
“I will not! He broke my mirrors!”
A growl came from deep within the beast’s throat and Holk felt the boy shiver. “You will do as you are told. Worry not, we will replace the mirrors this human has destroyed.”
The boy’s head lifted ever so slightly. “Even one that will take me to Shigraz?”
“Yes. Even one to Shigraz.”
The boy turned his head to glance up at Holk and gave him a grin. “So, what are we waiting for?”
Holk wondered what this Shigraz was, but as long as it brought him one step closer to his goal, he didn’t really care. About to release the boy, he considered for a moment the ease at which Kazzra had acquiesced to his request. Did Streyan truly mean that much to the beast? Or was he being deceived? Figuring that he’d gone too far down this road to turn back, he lowered his sword and released his grip on the boy. To his surprise, Streyan only took two steps forward before coming to a halt.
The dragon’s head rose as if to strike and for a moment, Holk thought his end had come. But instead, the dragon paused only a moment before lowering his head to a point just before and little above his own.
“You are correct in your assumption that the bowls contain components three, four and five. And yes, the material from the creature constituted number two as does the black object being number one. But it is the last component that you may have the hardest time in acquiring.”
Portals Page 21