by Lee Magnus
“Daisy was injured years ago when I was just a boy. I found her washed up on shore. She was just a tiny thing back then. She had a large gash in her back. Look you can see the scar there. I think it was a spear from one of the other tribes. I never did find out. I took her to a pond and raised her back to good health. I visited her every day for over six months. She often came to see me after I released her back to the river. As she grew larger, she would take me on exciting rides. We would sometimes be out for days exploring these waters. It certainly is good to see you again,” he said returning his affection to Daisy. “You think you can take me home?”
She released a jubilant melody.
“But first, I need you to do my friends a favor.”
She regarded him lovingly.
Daisy moved effortlessly through the water. Her head and back raised above the surface, easily accommodated the three passengers with minimal wetness.
“This is amazing!” Trey said cheerfully.
“She’s so fast,” said Ant.
“Yeah! Nearly as fast as your flying, but way more enjoyable!” said Calhoun.
“I’ll have to give her that,” Trey said. “I was super stressed out in the air. This is smooth, like riding in my grandma’s car.”
“Hey! That was my first time flying. I’ll get better.”
“I sure hope so, because you can’t get any worse,” Calhoun replied.
The occasional wet spray electrified Trey’s face in the rushing wind. He couldn’t contain an elated smile. Daisy made a few soft turns to mix it up before arriving at the shore next to a tall waterfall.
After debarking, Calhoun said, “I can’t thank you guys enough for helping me recover the cradle. You didn’t have to risk your lives for me and my people, but you did anyway. I’ll remember you and tell your story to the end of my days.” He hugged them both individually longer than expected and squeezed them harder than was comfortable.
“I think we all know that Ant was the hero today. I would be dead or stuck in this land without him,” Trey said. “He saved my life at least twice.”
“I agree,” replied Calhoun. He lifted Ant into his great hands, “You are a great….whatever you are.” He regarded Any lovingly then set him down and continued, “I must return the cradle to my land. It was great meeting you two and hope to see you again,” he said as a tear streamed down his cheek.
“I’ll miss you too, Cal,” Trey said hugging him again.
“Till next time!” Calhoun said climbing aboard Daisy.
Trey and Ant watched Daisy slink off the shore then she darted away with amazing speed as Calhoun waved goodbye.
“So. Shall we be getting you on your way?” Ant asked to Trey.
“Yes! Let’s go!” he said, eager to be home again.
They walked along the edge of the shore until they reached the colossal wall of water.
Ant hollered over the resounding falls, “You say it’s behind the waterfall?”
Trey screamed, “He said at the base. Can we get behind it?”
“Yeah. Look. There’s a thin ledge.”
They followed along the ledge to the other side.
“Nothing but solid rock. Looks like Cierden was wrong.” Ant yelled over the thunderous vertical river.
“It has to be here! He was right about everything else!” Trey exclaimed.
“There’s nothing here. Let me fly us back to Roberton. Maybe the librarian can think of something else.”
“No. There’s nothing else he can do for me.”
“You’re sure he said it was at the base?” Ant questioned loudly. Ant didn’t believe it was here but chose to continue the charade until Trey gave up looking.
“That’s what he said. I’m sure of it.”
Ant looked at the water plunging into the lake and said, “Maybe it’s down there?”
“You mean, under the water?” He yelled, feeling a pain in his throat.
“I don’t know. You said base and we walked through there. Maybe it’s further down.”
“Why would it be so hard?” he said wearily. “Ok. I’ll try it. If I don’t come back then you’ll know I made it, or I drowned.”
“That’s really encouraging, Trey. You’re not really going down there are you?” Ant yelled with a ‘don’t do it’ look.
“Yeah. I don’t have any other options. I’m a good swimmer. I placed second in the two-hundred-meter freestyle last summer,” he said with a hopeful smile.
“I don’t know what that means, Trey,” Ant replied confused by the rationale for Trey risking his life in the falls.
Trey rummaged through his pack handing a knife to Ant. “Please get this to Karl Ropping in Hoppston. Can you do that for me?”
“Sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
Trey removed the bag from his pocket. He said, “Aroushidium”, took out the key, said the word again then replaced the bag back in his pocket.
“When you see Cierden again, tell him thank you.”
“You’re really going to do this?” Ant asked worriedly.
Trey gazed into the eyes of the concerned fox, “Yes, Ant. I have to get back. Remember the bad guy? I have to stop him.”
“But this looks hopeless. You’re sure to drown,” he replied emphatically.
“I’ll be ok. I’ve battled worse things than water.”
“If I can’t stop you. I’ll stay here to help if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
Trey looked at the metallic object in his hand, then said to himself, “Where do I need to go now? I remember the shape of the portal Lyza and I took in Egypt. I don’t want to go back to Airhame. What was the one on the portal back home? Argg! I can’t remember.”
“I just want to go home!”
Trey formed the key into the shape of the Egypt portal, then thought to himself, maybe I’ll be able to get help when I get there.
He looked at Ant, then shouted, “I just go down there and look?” He had a frightened expression.
“Are you procrastinating? You’re the portal expert. I wouldn’t even know what to look for. You’ll be ok. Just jump in and swim down. If you don’t see anything, swim away from the current and come back. We’ll figure out what to do then.”
“Ok. Thanks for saving me today. I’m forever grateful.”
“No worries, mate. You just get home.”
“You’ll be ok getting back from here?” he said stalling.
“I’ll be fine! Just go!” Ant said urgently but also laughing.
“So just jump in and swim?”
“Trey! Go!”
“Ok! Here goes!” Trey jumped out into the center of the waterfall as Ant yelled, “No! To the side, Trey! Not into the falls!”
The water was cold. Not cold like you walk outside in the morning and get a chill or cold like a blistering headache after drinking an iced treat too quickly. It was numb toes cold. It was getting sucked out into space instantly freezing cold. But Trey didn’t think of the bitter water. He couldn’t, while thousands of large surging hands violently pushed him ever deeper. Tumbling, twisting and twirling – he became disoriented. He released his only breath in panic.
He pained for a single inhale. His lungs burned. His chest heaved. Wide eyes revealed nothing but cold wash. He was pushed further and further until finally, he spun out of the turbulence, bashing his head on solid stone, mixing blood into the chaos – nearly losing consciousness. He pressed against the brutal wall while rushing water grasped at his body. He frantically tried to scale the wall hoping to make it back to the surface. With the free hand he pulled and kicked his way up. His weak body failed to make significant progress.
I’m not gonna make it. I’m too far.
Terror overcame him. He hysterically scurried up the wall face. Unable to see as water rushed all around him, he wildly grasped for crevices and crags to help his ascent. Red filled his eyes from the gash. He nearly passed out. He jammed a finger on a protruding rock. He quickly grasped it to preve
nt descending into the abyss.
The world slowed.
Defeat was inevitable.
How easy it would be to let go – to peacefully drift away with the current. How simple quitting would be. How meaningless was all this pain.
Sleep crept in. Endless slumber hummed a tranquil melody.
He tenderly closed his eyes. He loosened his grip. His fingers slid from the smooth protruding stone face.
It’s smooth! This is it!
He slammed the key onto the stone.
The Pheonix
He heaved and gasped for breath on the desert floor. Trey rolled to his side and coughed out water from burning lungs. He breathed in dry dusty air – the pain felt so good. He opened swollen eyes to the blistering sun. He stood on elbows and knees providing better leverage to empty his water distended stomach.
He gasped and panted. Long strings of drool clung to his chin. He said while facing sticky wet sand, “I never ever want to go swimming again!”
He folded over and laid there wet with sand tacked hands and clothes. He closed his eyes secretly wishing he would wake in his bed to the end of this foolish nightmare.
After several minutes of self-pity, he regained his feet feeling the south Egyptian sun already sizzling the water from his dark skin and odd clothes. He put the key in the bag, said the word, replaced the bag in a zipped pocket, then began walking unsteadily toward the small city ahead.
Rising heat from the desert road was unbearable – freezing water a distant memory. Parched lips and sweaty pits summarized Trey’s two hour walk toward the city. Previously wet clothes were dry, and he had a chafe in a place he would never show. He flagged down a nice elderly man who didn’t speak English. With the use of vivid hand movements, he conveyed a desire to go to the town ahead in the distance.
He arrived at the off-white stand-alone wood paneled building where he met Karim and Malory with Lyza just a week before. The door was unlocked but no one was home. He showered then helped himself to two ham and mayonnaise sandwiches along with a tall glass of milk. He laid on an uncomfortable scratchy couch taking a much-needed rest hoping someone would show. He woke several hours later still alone.
“I must get going. I can’t waste any more time.” He stood and continued talking to himself, “But what am I in a hurry for? I really have nowhere to be. I should just wait for someone to get here.” He sat back down. “But what if no one shows?” He nodded to himself then stood from the couch. “Karim could be anywhere in the world.”
He searched the house for useful items. He found a few Egyptian Pounds and an old cell flip phone of which to Trey’s surprise still had service. He grabbed the charger, another sandwich and headed toward the door. As he opened the door to leave, he spotted a set of keys on a hanger. He walked outside to find a sport bike in a side shed. He smiled, then said convincingly to himself, “I’m sure he won’t mind. Plus, it’s sort of an emergency.” He ran back into the house to locate the helmet which fit nicely. He also found a black leather jacket that was just a size too large, but he wore it anyway. He wrote the following note.
Karim,
It’s about ten A.M. Tuesday morning. I need your help. Please call the flip phone that was in the back room as soon as you get this message. The only person I know how to reach is the Phoenix so I’ll head that way to see if he can help.
Trey
He left the note on the kitchen counter then exited the house. He secured loose items in the backpack before straddling the bike. The low sitting machine was comfortable to balance.
“One down, the rest up. Front brake. Back brake. This should be just like the dirt bike back at Grandpa Jake’s farm,” he said nervously.
He turned the key – pressed the ignition. The bike roared to life like a cougar launching at prey. After getting a feel for the throttle, he pressed down on the gear shifter. The machine bumped under his crotch as the transmission found first gear.
Easing onto the highway, he lightly twisted the throttle feeling consistent power from the finely tuned machine. He slalomed the center line a few miles as he moved through the first three gears, enjoying the ride while becoming accustomed to its handling characteristics.
With a rush of adrenalin and the next gear, he aggressively throttled the bike rocketing him along the deserted road. Rocks, palm trees and miles of sand whooshed past in a blur.
Fourth gear.
He twisted more and laid down behind the tiny windscreen. The thick jacket ruffled wildly in the turbulent wind.
Fifth gear.
He passed 100mph then 125mph continuing to push the bike.
Sixth gear.
The bike howled as the wheels hugged the hot pavement. He let out a scream of excitement, ”whhoooooooaaaaahooooohoooohoooo!” as he passed 135mph. Every muscle in his body tensed as he walked the edge of chaos. He released the throttle at 150mph letting out a cry of ecstasy. He coasted while he caught up to himself. He maintained a speed of 100mph until he entered the city where he would learn a valuable life lesson.
Trey pulled into the parking lot lined with freight trailers. He parked the bike on the front sidewalk, hung the helmet on a handlebar, then let out a breath of relaxation. He itched to climb back on to feel the speed again. He longed for finishing this meeting quickly so he could return to the road. An uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. “Must be the excitement. I thought I’d be accustomed to that by now,” he mumbled to himself.
Reluctantly, he turned to enter the building. He checked the flip phone to reveal no calls or messages before he walked through the stale waiting room toward the attendant. She said to him while standing, “Good morning, Mr. Roberts. He is expecting you.”
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Trey replied.
Expecting me? How can that be?
He thought about leaving. His instincts urged him to jump on the bike and fly away. But he continued because he knew not what to do and thought he needed guidance.
He walked vigilantly down the hallway. Two large men in black suits filed in behind, cutting off an escape. He paused when he reached the open door.
“Trey, my boy! It’s so good to see you again,” said the Phoenix wearing a pin striped navy suit and slicked back black hair.
The two guys behind pressured him into the room.
“Have a seat over there. We have much to discuss.” He wore a deceptively pleasant smile.
Trey sat in an elegantly tufted dark leather chair stamped with leather buttons. It was uncomfortable.
“Trey. How’ve you been?” the Phoenix said behind the large desk.
“I suppose I’ve been ok,” Trey said unsurely.
“And your mom? How is she?” his smile beamed with duplicity.
“Why would you ask about her?” Trey asked defensively.
“No reason. Just small talk. Let’s get to it. I need your help,” he said walking around the desk. “We are in a very tight situation. Your friend, Lyza, has betrayed us. She is working with Commerand to free Kahitu.”
“That can’t be true. She’s risked her life several times to keep the relics from his possession.”
“Has she now? Or is that what she told you she was doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. When you were last here, her only concern was to recover the sword only Khaitu can wield.”
“Ok. I suppose that might be true.”
“And when you recovered the eye, did she actually risk anything to help or did she arrive just in time to secure the eye into her possession?”
“She, uh, helped us…well. I guess she did get there just in time. And she wasn’t anywhere near the fight. But if she were working with Commerand, why didn’t she just let him get us?” Trey thought for a second then continued, “How did you know I recovered the eye?”
“Trey, my boy. It’s my business to know things. Didn’t Lyza tell you?”
“Yeah. I guess she did. Why do you think she betrayed us?”
“She needed
leverage. Without the eye, she had no bargaining power with Commerand. My sources tell me she hasn’t yet turned it over to him. We have to hurry. I need to know everything you know about the location of the eye. We must recover it before Commerand can use it to find the relics!” His urgency seemed unauthentic but passionate none the less.
He doesn’t know that we lost the eye to Clievan. So much for your great info skills there buddy. A smug smile creeped onto Trey’s face.
“But she saved me from the rogglets. None of what you say makes any sense.”
“Tell me. Trey. What do you know about the story of the great King Khaitu?”
“First I know he wasn’t great. He was an evil king that killed lots of innocent people. When he was banished, the benevolent queen hid the relics and ruled the land until she died.”
“Is that the story you know? She ruled until she died?”
“Well, I just assumed that’s what happened.”
“Take a look at this.” He handed Trey a tablet with pictures and hieroglyphs.
“This is a depiction of King Khaitu and Queen Raferti. The description below reads, “…and he took the former king’s daughter as his wife. An exquisite beauty standing over three cubits, which is about six feet by the way, with flowing dark hair and dark blue eyes. Tell me, Trey. Does that description and image remind you of anyone?”
Trey’s expression didn’t change. He dismissed the evidence by saying, “It can’t be. That was over three thousand years ago.”
“What is time to you, Trey? Have you not met anyone else that is still alive from ancient times?”
Trey thought about Seth and Simon. But they aren’t human.
The Phoenix continued, “It’s true. Lyza is Queen Raferti. She was granted immortality in the very ceremony intended to bestow it upon Khaitu. She’s been trying to free her beloved husband ever since.”
“Lies! She said I couldn’t trust you. Now I know why. Making up a crazy story like this.”
But what if it’s true. It does sound like her and she does have the book of relic locations and possibly the eye. Maybe she’s out at this moment recovering the lost relics!