It wasn't long until he found the page he was looking for. “The priest writes of three symbols, which directed him to the key's realm, where it waited, expectantly. Look...”
Sedgwick turned the book around, and I looked upon the three carefully drawn symbols in black ink; underneath each sketch was a short phrase.
The first symbol was a statue of a key, carved in stone: First bread crumb. It points towards the second.
The second was a sundial: Wait until sunset and watch for a shadow in the east.
The third and final symbol was a Roman coin of a Crow's head: Open and go forth.
I couldn't help but recognise a similarity between the first symbol and the rock in the river. Our next task should have been hard. These symbols could have been located anywhere in Alaise, in any shape, size or form.
I shared my thoughts with Sedgwick, who was sceptical, and I didn't blame him; I felt it was a long shot, but we headed through the woods and back down the banking.
We perched on the rock, where I caught our morning meal and observed the stone.
“This is too good to be true...” said the Gnome.
“What are the odds... finding the first symbol here?”
“Maybe we were meant to,” I replied. “Or, someone has guided us here. If so, I thank them.”
“Hmm...” sighed Sedgwick. “I feel Ullpli has done more than just send us a message. If so, he's done something incredibly reckless, but he shows us his faith. First things first.”
“What?”
“We need to be a hundred percent certain that this rock is fully shaped, like a key. And, I'm not too good in the water, as you well know.”
Sedgwick insinuation was clear and so, I reluctantly dived into the river and swam towards the dark stone...
To confirm our suspicions, the carved statue was in the shape of a key, but not in the shape of the one we sought. William's drawing was rounded and weather-worn, the one I looked upon, displayed a more prominent detail; it had a pattern of Celtic ribbon embossed in the stoned key. It showed a resemblance to the descriptive druid story, which also, was carved in stone. Within the centre, a circle enclosed a smaller key, with the puzzle head. I felt the rock and knew we were on the right track again.
I swam to the surface and gasped for air.
“It points downriver! We must follow!” I shouted, but my voice was drowned out by a very familiar noise. A Fokker Eindecker, single-seat German fighter plane passed over. The beautiful site of the metal flying machine that coasted overhead gave me a sense of relief; even if it was the enemy.
“Are we back?”
“Yes,” smiled Sedgwick. “And in France. The town of Alaise won't be too far away.”
We did what the journal instructed and followed the river downwind, keeping close to the banking.
Since the German plane flew over, the atmosphere had become awfully quiet and we trod lightly. We were cautious because there was a big chance, Alaise was infested with the enemy; even the woods we ventured through.
Eventually, the flow of water drastically increased, and we stopped at a section of rapids. We were cut off, but within a clearing to our right, a sundial was enclosed in vines and weeds.
Since the reveal of William's journal to the Gnome, he'd taken responsibility for carrying the leather-bound book and often analysed the text within. He brought it out and compared the sundial with the priest’s picture. Once again, there were small differences in detail. The drawing had completely succumbed to nature and the weeds were elaborated in the sketch; yet, the sundial I looked upon was less depreciated, just like the stoned key.
“What now Sedge?”
“We wait till sunset; the dial should show us the way.”
We had an hour wait until the sun collapsed to go to bed. In that time, I'd spent it playing around with the sundial’s features. Now, as memory recalls, sundials do not have hands like a clock, but a single pin called a gnomon, which acts by casting a broad shadow to show the time; this one, had two...
Sunset came and a shadow from the east, but nothing happened. We had a short time to figure the puzzle out and Sedgwick kept repeating, “Wait until sunset and watch for a shadow in the east. Open and go forth.”
We frantically felt around the sundial for any kind of clue, anything that was out of the ordinary. I suggested for one of us to venture east, to see if a ley-line had opened in the woodland. Sedgwick lost out on rock, paper, scissors, and disappeared in the shrub.
I cluelessly repeated my inspection and my hand brushed against the second gnomon and it moved slightly. I began to push the gnomon with the tip of my finger until it was aligned with the shadow in the east. It abruptly stopped and clicked in place.
“Sedgwick!!!” I yelled and he came scampering back. He fell a couple of times, on the roots of the tree's and arrived with a bird’s nest in his bushy beard.
“Damn it!” he shouted, and embarrassingly brushed the twigs and leaves from his facial hair. I showed him my discovery where the second gnomon was stuck in place. “Open and go forth...”
Sedgwick pressed on the gnomon and a secret compartment opened. I reached in and retrieved the third and final symbol; the roman coin. The Latin words for hooded crow Corvus Cornix were around the golden rim and in the eye of the bird was a small spyglass. It revealed, what I thought was just an illusion; a trick of the mind; an old house was directly in front of us.
I walked forward with my arms out and reached for the front door. Of course, my friend thought I was mad because he couldn't see the building in front, but he trusted my lunacy and kept close.
I opened the front door and we stepped into the house; it smelt like old cotton balls. I didn't need the coin anymore and placed it into my pocket. Sedgwick jumped up and down the spot causing the floorboards to creak. “Just checking it’s not a dream.”
“But it isn't a dream little druid, this place is as real as you and me,” said a large Crow, who skulked at the top of the stairs. Its black eyes were piercing and menacing. The man-bird wore a dark burgundy cloak, which clothed its whole body.
Its head tilted to one side, like a twitch, and back again. “I was told, someday, you'd arrive in my domain,” it said. “The tides are shifting and fast, this world has not long to go, before complete destruction... caw!!!” it squawked. “I am the Guardian of the Druid’s Key; the Master key that was used to unlock the ley-lines between realms. All worlds are connected; caw!”
The animal jilted its head once again: “Please come with me to the attic. I am sure you have... many questions.”
The Crow had quickly flown upstairs with one gigantic, whoosh! And we ventured up into the triangular attic...
It was full of shiny objects. Items I’d recognised from my own time-period and the past, but there were things from the future too.
Silver plates; spoons; letter openers; coins; another metal gizmo branded with an apple; a knight's helmet; chain mail; swords and a katana that chimed, etc.
The most unusual objects were the hundreds of mirrors that occupied most of the attic space. I could see every angle of myself and I thought, perfect for a vain person.
The crow perched itself on a vintage chest of draws and spoke, “Welcome to No Man's Land, an intersection realm for all ley-lines that feed me information from every world.”
“Then you know why we’re here?”
“Yes... I know what has happened,” replied the bird and he pointed towards the largest mirror. It was framed in dark oak and patterned in earthen theme; the mirror was smashed. “Every telluric current to Eve is lost, except one. The pillar of light and darkness can still be opened, by using the Druid’s Key. The door that was opened to free the remaining innocents can still be accessed; Ullpli has been doing his best, to keep it open. Caw!”
The Crow's eyes darted between us and focused on Sedgwick again.
“So, you know everything then?” asked the Dwarf.
“I know all things. I know you possess a Timekeeper who
hides in your pocket... a crafty plan, one which might actually work...”
Iobar poked his head out. “Cheep!”
“Tell me Crow, has William Frankfurt passed through here?” asked the Gnome.
“Not yet, but he will. Fate has created a strange path for the Priest.”
“Will we ever see him again.”
“Most definitely, Lucius. Caw!” squawked the crow.
“What about my path? Will my role in all this, be over, once the balance between worlds is corrected?”
“Your fate will still be entwined with the Light and Darkness.”
“I don't understand; won't this fix the problem.”
“Where there is Light, there will always be Darkness, and the shadow who possessed the boy - still lives...”
“Dante? But how? I destroyed him! I used the lights sword, exactly as the prophecy foretold!” I protested, as my heart raced with anxiety.
“His physical form was defeated by you for a second time, the first was by Arn Siegfried and his Knights who had to entrap him inside the Cathedral. But again, his spirit lingers in the realm of Maylok. He is weak, but the balance has shifted in his favour and his power will return in due time. To fully understand this prophecy, Lucius, you must know all the facts. Caw!” replied the crow. He swept the ground with his large wing and created words of fire, which told me of the beginnings.
'When the worlds came to be, the first Celestial created a realm that stood as a pillar between the planet's energy; Eve. Out of the shadow, her twin brother came to be from the lands of Maylok. In the years to come, they clashed for the right of ruling their domain, but an unexpected event opened the doorways of all worlds that connected like strands of thread. The Druid’s came from another domain and created a key to open the ley-lines to explore the realms. In doing so, they unleashed the shadow onto all worlds, but for a Celestial to travel the earth's energy, they need to be flesh. The Darkness found a vessel, worthy enough to claim as its own and declared himself, Dante. The Light set out to stop his plans and with the Druid's help, they created an idea that set a sequence of events, which unfolded through time.'
“This plan... I was once told that I’m the idea to stop the Darkness. I was created for this very purpose, but what I don't understand is, why can't this all-powerful Light help?”
“As the story goes, a Celestial being needs flesh to travel the telluric currents and the Light needed a vessel too, but she cannot possess another being. That's not what she represents. And so, she created you,” explained the Crow. “The Light lives within you because you are part of her. There had been many attempts to fraught Dante's plans with the help of others, but you are, the only solution, to end all this. Caw!”
My lips moved with a question from my heart, one that has been on the tip of my lips, ever since I'd learnt of my purpose. “Were my parents’ part of this plan?”
There was an awkward silence and the bird was reluctant to answer.
“Tell me, Crow! Were they just, collateral damage!?”
“Caw!” squawked the bird. “Dante knew of your existence and wanted to corrupt your heart, to use you as his vessel. I’m sorry to say this, but in order to be his, your soul had to be damaged. The Entity had taken your parents for that purpose.”
“I don’t understand; how could Dante be the cause of my parent’s death, when he was trapped within the Cathedral?”
“He has many spies in all worlds, even in yours...”
“He has human allies?”
“They are Dictators, Presidents, MPs, Lawyers; even the simple folk, who have nothing to live for, except to serve their Master,” said the crow. “I believe their main task was to find Dante a worthy vessel, to claim as his own, but he couldn’t choose just anyone. There has to be the right balance between light and darkness within the human heart for a Celestial to enter a human body; these traits are a rarity.”
My heartfelt cracked and I was dizzy from the Crow's factual knowledge. I dropped to the floor and said, “I'm nothing but a pawn, in a child's game.”
Sedgwick placed his hand on my shoulder: “You are more than that Lucius Domhill, you're our only hope, but you are not alone.”
The Crows triangular boots that compensated for his three talons came into my view; as I stared at the floor, I looked up into its black eyes.
“Gentleman,” he said. “I know it will take time to digest my knowledge, but the fact of the matter is, our worlds are still in danger. The time to act is now and the key awaits you, in its vault.” And his wings expanded beneath his cloak. A squared mirror was hidden amongst his feathers.
Chapter Thirteen - The Puzzled Key
I was advised to reach into the vault and retrieve the Key. The mirror was a portal, a short ley-line, like the ones that exist between the realms in Eve. This one was utilised for storage.
I touched the glass and it moved like liquid. I blindly reached in. There were many odd items that brushed against my hand and I came across something, that felt like paper. I retrieved a bird magazine, titled 'Twitcher’s Edition' and it contained a variety of photographed birds.
The Crows eyes sheepishly darted about, and I awkwardly placed the magazine back into the mirror.
I grasped an edgy metallic item, which felt like a puzzle piece and I instantly knew I'd held onto the Druid’s key, but something unexpected occurred. A hand grasped my wrist tightly and I was pulled into the vault. Sedgwick's voice trailed behind, and my scream echoed around a dome-shaped room. I called out for the Gnome, who replied like a God, his voice was everywhere.
“Lucius! Are you okay?”
“Yes! Where am I?”
“The vault; you will begin a test, which will potentially unlock the gate to the key. Caw!” explained the bird.
Not far ahead from where I stood was the Druid’s Key. It was behind a gate of red roses and blackthorns. There were similar gates, dividing the sections within the dome, most likely to hide the Crow's prized possessions.
“What now?!” I shouted.
“Defeat the Gate Master and the roses will open.”
Amongst the grassy mound to my left, a figure, made from the earth it stood on, came forth; it held a mighty stone mallet. Its face was hidden by thousands of overgrown weeds and its right foot was partially wooden; I was out-sized and out-matched. It got closer and I panicked.
“There's a g-g-giant hill walking towards me! What should I do?!” I yelled, but there was no reply. I repeated myself, to only receive my echoing question. My voice sounded nervous and the stutter was profound.
I walked away and retraced my steps to the back wall. I felt around the dark stone for an opening of some sort, but nothing came to be. The Gate Master was only a few feet away and slowly closed in.
At least it is slow, but the creature's large frame almost takes up the whole room, I thought. Not enough room for evading its attacks. I wish I had a weapon.
Before I could think of a defensive strategy, the Gate Master did something very unexpectedly; it dropped its hammer and placed it in front of its feet and sat down. On the side of the stoned weapon, was a pattern of carved lines within a box. I approached with caution and noticed the pattern was in-fact a checker’s board. The creature held out its hand and dropped some identical stones.
“You want to play?” I asked. It nodded in reply and began to set up its own side of the board, and I did the same. It was a strange circumstance, but a lucky one too. I was almost certain of becoming part of the floor at one point, the mallet (which turned into a board game) was intimidating.
I had to kneel on the grass because if I sat, it would’ve been quite impossible to see the game and it had been a while since I'd last played.
Checkers or in the English tongue Drafts was a favourite in my household. Chest was always an option, but we rarely had any time for such a complex game, as drafts were simpler and quicker. My Grandfather and I must have played at least fifteen games within five minutes; we were speed demons, or we liked to
think that we were, but we had no concept of strategy. I thought the only advantage was whoever went first seemed to lose, but I think it was more psychological than anything else.
The game had started like any other checkers match. The first move came from me and I did the typical, third row, second to the left movement, which seemed to be the norm. My opponent copied me; I didn't care because I was too busy defensively creating another row. All of my lines had moved a step forward, with the aim of reaching the other side to create a King; the power to move in all directions. The big grassy mound had no choice, but to move his checker into the firing line and the fun began.
After a few minutes, I had three Kings left and the creature used only one. We spent a while playing cat and mouse until I cornered my opponents, last King. I sacrificed one of my own, to take the game and it was over.
I knelt silently and awaited the Gate Master to perform an action. It stayed still for quite some time; I think it was sulking. I didn't want to test my theory by gloating or pushing the creature to open the gate, so I waited.
After what seemed like an hour, the roses on the bush withered and died. The branches curled back to create an entrance and the Gate Master returned to its hill. I stepped forward and entered the key's vault, to find a plinth where the Druid’s Key levitated within a light. I wasted no time and clutched my goal and found myself backing out of the mirror. I caught the last glimpse of my checkers' opponent, who silently waved goodbye.
The mirror sealed after my hand had left the vault. I loosened my grip and the Crow's black eye's sparkled with a golden tint.
“Are you okay, Lucius? I was calling out for you, but the Bird said you wouldn't have heard, and the test had begun.”
I explained my strange interaction with the earthen creature, who was in fact, a Troll and a good friend of the Crow. Its name was Elafad and like Sedgwick, the Gate Master was also the last of its kind.
The Gnome's gaze set upon his ancestor’s creation and his pupils doubled in size. Sedge licked his lips and asked, “Is it gold?”
Lucius's World Page 9