War in Colgilor

by Colin Gibbons

  Shaun glanced up to see one of the Dragons standing on the rocky outcrop above, obviously keeping watch, and began to send out that strange, high-pitched squeal they had experienced on their first visit. And, as before, dozens of the Dragons emerged from the countless caves dotted on either side and swooped down, coming to rest a few metres away with their huge leader at the front. ‘The Great Wizard was right, we were wrong to judge you on your size: you have succeeded in an impossible task. Words can’t describe how amazing this is, and you are true to your word, coming back here as I asked. I imagine you are in a hurry as time is so important. You can leave as soon as your escorts are prepared.’ The two Dragons shuffled forward from the crowd. ‘We are ready and looking forward to the journey and to help you defeat the evil ones.’ The leader turned to Shaun. ‘Did you three travel from your land alone or are there others?’ ‘Why do you ask?’ Shaun asked, a puzzled expression on his face.

  ‘We caught an intruder sneaking through our land. He said he was searching for you.’ Shaun’s face lit up. ‘Herne and Star, you have seen them: what a relief. Are they safe?’ He climbed down the ladder and raced over to the leader. ‘Are they here? Please tell me you haven’t hurt them.’ Just then the sound of his bugle filled the air before Herne emerged from one of the caves with Star trotting alongside and his loyal hounds following behind, howling in unison. Louis and Ava quickly climbed down and the three of them sprinted over to greet them. Herne leapt from his horse and scooped his three overjoyed friends up in his mighty arms, tears streaming down their faces, and even Herne struggled to hide his emotions. As soon as he put them back down they turned to Star, wrapping their arms around him. Shaun wiped his eyes. ‘What are you doing? Have you promised to stay put in the shelter?’

  ‘Yes, I know, but as time moved on we honestly thought the Dragons had either killed you or were holding you prisoner, so we couldn’t turn back without checking. Luckily for us the leader said our fate was in your hands: if you didn’t return then we must stay here for the rest of our lives. But that’s enough about us, I see you have the boat: incredible! And I’m sure you have so many stories of your journey there, probably some good, some bad.’

  Shaun smiled. ‘So many ups and downs but worth every moment of joy and tears, but we will tell you the full story on our journey back home.’ He ushered them to the boat and they climbed on-board. Shaun introduced him to the Dwarfs and Centaurs before leaning over the side and looking towards the leader. ‘Thank you so much for your help and, as I have promised, we will return the boat and weapons to your sacred valley once we have conquered our enemies.’

  They waved goodbye as Shaun steered the boat skyward with the two Dragons following close behind, and they were soon soaring over the mountain tops and flying over the inhospitable land below with its thick heat haze, searing temperatures and those choking, acrid fumes.

  It was only a short journey to the border and, although they didn’t appear to be moving that fast, the landscape below appeared to be flashing by, and as they chatted amongst themselves, getting acquainted, Shaun shook his head in disbelief as he peered over the side and recognised the wild, mountainous terrain with its deep valleys and gullies. It had taken them weeks to travel there, but he wasn’t complaining: the sooner they reached the Great Wizard’s cave, the better. And after a short few days they passed over the densely forested area with its valleys and gorges, heading towards the border to the Magic Kingdom. But again Shaun lost control of the boat and, instead of crossing over, the boat swept to the right and, by Shaun’s reckoning, was heading for the Wizard’s kingdom.

  Herne wrapped his arms around Shaun. ‘We will leave you now. Star must return to his herd and I will take Louis and Ava back to the Magic Kingdom. The Guardian will be able to make sure they return to their homes.’ Ava couldn’t resist a last ride on Star so she fought back the tears as she hugged Shaun before climbing up onto its back. Shaun turned to Ava. ‘I will speak with you soon. Hopefully I can visit once I return from the Great Wizard’s cavern.’ Once Louis had mounted up behind Herne they lifted off, with Star following: they circled several times before turning and heading back towards the Magic Kingdom.

  Continuing on their journey over rugged terrain, in the distance Shaun recognised the large forest with its mountainous backdrop. They were soon flying over the forest and, although he had seen it before, he gasped in awe at the magical landscape that unfolded before him. A mountain range rising from the wooded hills with the sun washing over their peaks. As they passed over, golden shafts of sunlight flooded the deck of the boat, filling the travellers with a warm, positive feeling. Further on, a huge mountain soared above the others and disappeared through a veil of soft folds of mist and cloud; the mountainsides were covered in strange vegetation and trees sprouting from the many clefts and crevices.

  Still out of Shaun’s control, the boat approached the huge mountain and began to climb vertically with the passengers hanging onto the sides. Shaun recognised the huge stone arch near the summit with its thick vegetation entwined around, and a thick wall of dense mist masking the entrance. They all held their breath as the boat sailed through and continued up through the clouds, and again their breath was taken away as the clear blue sky revealed a magical setting: on the mountain top, towering limestone pillars sprouted skyward like a stone forest with a network of pathways and caves; beautiful rainbows danced along the snow-capped pillar tops, spanning small crystal-clear streams and tarns like magical bridges.

  After passing over the highest point, the boat slowly descended with the Dragons following, coming to rest in front of the huge entrance to his cavern; gigantic limestone columns stood either side. The boat lifted off, hovered for a minute or two before gliding through. It was just as Shaun remembered: filled with limestone formations. They continued on in total silence, weaving between stalagmites and stalactites, skimming over underground streams in the shadows of a warren of interconnecting tunnels and caves with their strange crystal formations casting weird and eerie figures on the walls as they passed through a frightening yet extraordinary underground wonderland. Shaun and possibly the other passengers and the two Dragons were relieved as they entered the huge, open cavern, coming to rest in front of the fast-flowing stream with an arched stone bridge crossing over.

  It reminded Shaun of the cathedral he had visited from the orphanage back home in Cork. The walls went on forever, hundreds of metres high, and near the top a stone ledge jutted out and a solid mass of ice dropped over the edge into soft folds, forming an ice curtain. Above, a hole in the mountain top allowed a ray of golden light to filter through, washing over the ice curtain and creating a breath-taking spectrum of glitter.

  Shaun and indeed the Dwarf and Centaurs were somewhat mesmerised by the spectacular vision of light and colour, but they suddenly realised the Great Wizard had appeared at the other side of the bridge. His velvet gown and robe gave him a majestic look, and his long, white hair and beard fluttered in the cool draught from above. He was holding his golden caduceus as he spoke. ‘Welcome to my kingdom. I am pleased to see you have arrived safely.’ His voice was strong and loud as it reverberated around the chamber. ‘You must be weary and hungry after your long journey. I have prepared a meal in the cave over to your right. Please go and enjoy it. I will join you shortly.’ He raised his caduceus before turning and disappearing back into a cave behind him.

  Shaun led the way. He always liked to be first when there was food on offer, but his eyes lit up when he entered the cave. It was more like a banquet than a meal: several long tables were set with an abundance of various types of food and bowls filled with fruit. Each table had a barrel of mead and several goblets which made the Dwarf’s eyes widen, and huge smiles crossed their faces as they marched over. The Centaurs, too, enjoyed a drink of mead and they were standing at the end of the table while Shaun and the Dwarfs were seated, all enjoying a well-earned meal and chattering away. The one thing their journey had achieved was that the Centaurs, norm
ally wild and aggressive, were happily laughing and joining in with the Dwarfs’ merriment.

  A short time later, the Great Wizard appeared at the cave entrance. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt your enjoyment but time is pressing, and Shaun, I need to speak with you on an important matter. Bring a plate of food with you. I wouldn’t want you to miss out. I have heard you like your food.’ For the first time his voice was soft, and a mischievous grin crossed his face. But that didn’t put Shaun off. He loaded his plate with an assortment of goodies before following the Great Wizard out of the cave.

  He followed him over the bridge and through to his private quarters. Shaun was surprised at the basic layout; he was expecting something a little more plush and comfortable rather than this simple fundamental abode. To think he could conjure up all the luxuries imaginable, but instead seemed satisfied with the bare essentials, although it appeared to have everything needed: a table and chairs, bed, cupboards etc., but how he could live his whole life alone in this place was a total mystery to Shaun. The Great Wizard smiled. ‘I can see by your face what you are thinking. Yes, I could live in a palace or castle, but I find this small place meets all my needs. Please take a seat. I have one more important mission you must take on alone: you are the only one in the whole of Colgilor I am able to share this with. Not even the Grey Elf knows of this.’ He sat down opposite Shaun. ‘When the great war ended and the evil ones were defeated, I was concerned that the survivors who fled to their safe havens would someday regain their strength and increase their followers, and once again try to take control of our lands – which is exactly what is happening now. But I thought it would happen a lot sooner. So after the war, unbeknown to anyone, I arranged for an elite force to be placed at my disposal so I could call on them when needed. They were made up from the bravest and most superior warriors from each kingdom: Dwarfs, Centaurs, Elves and Fairies. I created a special Kingdom in a secret area of Colgilor that no one knows even exists. The kingdom is split into four areas, one for each group of warriors and their families, and furnished each with their chosen habitat and the facilities to continue making their weapons, so that they were fully prepared.’

  ‘You can depend on me,’ said Shaun, bursting with pride and impatience. ‘When do I go and how long will it take me to get there?’

  The Great Wizard screwed his face into a grimace. ‘That’s the major problem: it is a long, long way from here, and when they first travelled there they took with them a portal so that in an emergency they could pass through to my cavern, but when we found out about the Dark Wizard’s intentions, I tried to contact them, but found the portal dead. So either it had accidentally been broken by them, or something more sinister.’

  ‘Well, that’s no problem. Star can carry me there. We know we can trust him.’ Again the Great Wizard shook his head. ‘If only it was that simple, but I’m afraid even Star would struggle to carry you there. The long journey is one thing but the skies around the secret kingdom are patrolled by huge birds, and on the ground an assortment of ferocious predators, making it impossible to pass through.’

  Shaun dropped his head, rubbing his brow, deep in thought; after a few moments be looked up. ‘But how did they travel there in the first place?’

  ‘Dragons at that time were a great help in our battle, although their ancestors had fled to the land of the Dragons after falling out with the Dwarfs. Some had stayed in this area, inhabiting the many caves around us, and were willing to carry the chosen warriors and their families to the secret land before flying on to join their distant relations in the Dragon’s kingdom.

  Shaun’s face lit up. ‘Well, that’s it, then: the two Dragons that have travelled with us would, I’m sure, be willing to carry me there.’

  ‘It’s too risky. We don’t know if we can trust them. There is still some bad feeling between them and the Dwarfs.’

  ‘Yes, but we can,’ Shaun replied eagerly. ‘It was these two that spoke up for us and possibly saved our lives while we were in their land because we had rescued the young Dragon while we were on Louis’ Quest. I would trust them with my life.’

  The Great Wizard stroked his long, white beard as he pondered for several minutes. ‘Well, I suppose we don’t have many options, but you really will be putting your life in their hands. But first let us speak with them and all their responses. Come, we will speak with them now while the others are still enjoying their meal, but remember: not one word to the others.’ The Dragons, too, were enjoying their well-earned feed when Shaun and the Great Wizard entered their cave. ‘Carry on eating while I ask you how you feel about helping Shaun reach a distant part of Colgilor.’

  The mother turned her huge head towards Shaun. ‘Of course you don’t need to ask: we will do whatever we can to help.’

  ‘Well, can I explain?’ said the Great Wizard as he walked towards them. ‘A long time ago there took place a huge battle between the good and evil of Colgilor. And it is happening again: after we triumphed with the help of your ancestors, they carried some of our surviving warriors to this distant, secret area and now we need to speak to them.’

  ‘I can do better than that,’ said the mother. ‘I was one of those Dragons who escorted your warriors. Granted, I was young at the time but I remember it well, and I would think with a little help could find my way back there.’

  The Great Wizard shook his head in disbelief. ‘Oh this could not be any better. Shaun, I will provide you with a special waystone that will be homed in on the secret area. I’m sure between you the journey will not be a problem, but when you get there you will need to stay out of sight until you find out why the portal is not functioning. Maybe you could use the Grey Elf’s shroud to do so. Oh yes, and I will sort out a new portal for you to take with you and use it to travel back here. Be ready to leave at first light after you have enjoyed a good night’s rest.’

  The following morning, after the Dragon had explained to her son that he must stay there to protect the boat, as the Gods had commanded, Shaun climbed on her back, and before the others had stirred from their beds, they set off, flying out of the cavern and soaring skyward just as the first ribbons of golden sunlight filtered up from the distant horizon. Shaun could see what the Great Wizard had said, although Star was powerful in the air, the Dragon was so much more so: one flap of her mighty wings and the landscape below seemed to flash by, and they were soon leaving the stone forest far behind. As they travelled onward, the scenery became even more mysterious, with wild, barren lands with deep ravines and strange clusters of rock formations rising from the shadows below, their colours ever changing with the passing sun and floating clouds: a truly weird yet magical vista.

  Further on, huge, rugged mountains rose sheer from the lush, wooded land below, their peaks shrouded in a swirling mist, but it was difficult for Shaun to take it all in because of the hectic speed they were travelling at, stopping only when the last rays of the sun faded and they took shelter for the night. Luckily the Dragon’s memory of her previous voyage flooded back, recognising the caves the warriors had used. So each night they rested, allowing Shaun to enjoy the delights from his rucksack before bedding down. The Dragon didn’t seem to sleep, and Shaun wondered what she had to eat; he never actually saw her eating but she did go missing during the night. Maybe she was hunting or foraging, so he just put it out of his mind; after all, she seemed so fresh the following morning as they set off once again.

  Finally, after travelling for so many days, Shaun had lost count. The Dragon landed on a huge, rocky outcrop and in the distance was a vista that took Shaun’s breath away: of all the spectacular and terrifying areas he had visited on this and his other travels around Colgilor, this was much more. An absolutely mesmerising sight: a huge, wide gorge stretching as far as the eye could see in both directions, and cascading, thunderous water leapt over the edge with an explosion of ear-splitting vibrations and a torrent of dense spray shooting skyward and forming an obscure curtain. ‘That’s it,’ said the Dragon, ‘the secret land lie
s beyond, but we still have to pass over the hostile area ahead. Keep your head down till we reach the gorge: there are many dangerous predators lurking both on the ground and in the air.’ Without warning the Dragon took off, catching Shaun unawares, and he had to grab hold of its huge, scaly back to prevent him falling off, and he flopped his body forward, burying his head and keeping his eyes tightly shut. But suddenly there was a crescendo of nerve-jangling sounds, roars, screams, bellows and growls reverberating around the rugged terrain below. Shaun couldn’t help himself: he had to take a look. He slowly slid his head over the side and his blood ran cold as he watched all the most frightening of beasts rampaging through the area. Some he had seen before: the three-headed wolves and sabre-toothed lions, fire-breathing monsters with the head and legs of a lion and the body of a huge goat; another with a cockerel’s head and legs with a dragon’s wings and tail. Further on, dozens of giant, multiheaded snakes, packs of huge wolves and large herds of colossal, armour-clad beasts with huge horns roamed around, making it impossible to pass through.

  But just as Shaun was getting over the dreadful sight and sounds below, the air around them was filled with strange, high-pitched cries and screeching. To Shaun’s horror from out of the clouds there appeared several giant birds with huge wingspans and claws; their massive heads and bright, flashing eyes sent shivers down Shaun’s spine, and their beaks looked big enough to swallow him whole as they swooped down towards him. He sighed with relief as they suddenly changed course and descended towards the nest of the giant snakes. But the reign of terror continued as from one side a group of Griffins appeared, and from the other side the dreaded Harpies. Four of the hideous, feathered predators swooped across the open sky, circling around as the Dragon continued towards the gorge. The Harpies suddenly changed flight, swooping down towards them, but the Dragon, unperturbed, simply turned its huge head and let out several fiery blasts, making the Harpies screech as the flames licked their bodies and they quickly turned and disappeared. The Great Wizard had obviously created this impossible area to protect his secret land, and of course he was right when he had said Star would never have made the journey.