Zantalth: The magic is returning

by Gary Burfield-Wallis

The ape moved over to look closely at Jeb. Jeb froze and panic filled his face.

  “It’s okay Jeb she won’t hurt you,” Tallia said.

  Can I talk to you? thought the ape.

  “Are you sure?” Jeb said.

  “No,” Tallia said.

  Jeb sat back in his chair looking frightened.

  “Yes, Jeb I’m sure. Now stop panicking.”

  “But you said no.”

  “I wasn’t talking to you.”

  “What? A? Then who? .... Ohhh I see.”

  “Well done. He always gets there ... eventually.” Poriya said.

  Tog came out of the kitchen with three bowls of steaming stew and bread. Having put the bowls in front of Poriya and Tallia, she shooed the ape away from in front of Jeb to put his down. The ape moved to the end of the table sat down to watch them eat.

  Tallia tore off a piece of her bread and handed to the ape who reached out and took it. Thanks she thought.

  “Are you sure that’s wise?” Poriya asked.

  “What?” Tallia said.

  “Feeding it.”

  An ape can go off someone.

  Tallia sniggered and said “Yes I am sure it’s okay.”

  “Well I’m not.”

  Neither is he thought the ape as he peered into Jeb’s empty bowl as he was stuffing the last piece of bread in his mouth.

  “Jeb you eat too fast,” Tallia said.

  “What? Me?” Jeb said looking innocently

  Tallia handed the ape another piece of bread. Can you dunk it in your stew? Tallia dunked the bread in her stew and offered it again. Thanks.

  Jeb watched it eat the soaked bread. “Look, its got hands like us.”

  She stopped eating and stared at Jeb. Yeah, so? Then carried on eating whilst staring at him.

  “I wonder if it has a name?” Jeb said.

  Macaque.

  “Macaque,” Tallia said.

  “What?” Jeb said.

  “Her name is Macaque.”

  “What? It understood what I said?”

  Does he have to keep calling me it? It’s not very nice.

  “Jeb stop calling her it, she doesn’t like it, and yes she understands just fine.”

  “Oh by the four gods. It’s sensitive.” Poriya said.

  Macaque turned her head to glare at Poriya.

  “Sorry, she, she is sensitive.”

  Grumpy is learning quickly.

  Tallia giggled.

  “What’s so funny?” Poriya asked.

  “I think she is starting to like you.”

  “Oh, great,” he said and rolled his eyes.

  “Does she like me?” Jeb asked.

  You’re okay but you don’t share your food. Macaque thought.

  “She would like you more if you shared your food,” Tallia said.

  “Do I have to?”

  Yes.

  “Only if you want to Jeb. But she will like you more if you do.”

  They ordered another tankard of ale each and sat and talked about the market and what they planned to do next all the while Macaque watched and listened intently.

  Jeb yawned loudly and said, “I’m going to bed.”

  “Good idea,” Poriya said. “Best if we all got some sleep. We can have another try at the market tomorrow.”

  Just as Tallia started to stand up, Macaque jumped off the table and onto her shoulders holding on by her hair.

  “Guess you’re coming with me then,” Tallia said.

  Yes.

  “Is she not hurting you?” Jeb asked looking a little worried.

  “No, she is not heavy and holding my hair quiet softly,” Tallia answered.

  Poriya shook his head slowly and rolled his eyes. He wasn’t too sure it was a good idea, but Tallia seemed very at ease with the ape and could clearly communicate with it, so he didn’t say anything.

  As soon as Tallia opened the door to her room, Macaque jumped down off her shoulders, ran and jumped onto her bed.

  “Are you really lost?”

  No I am just where I want to be.

  “Do you come from the forest then?”

  Don’t think so. First thing I remember is being in a box tossed around for days I think. Then the box fell on the ground and broke so I ran off.

  “Oh you poor thing.”

  No it’s okay I have somewhere warm to sleep and plenty of food. Just no one to talk to.

  “Do all apes understand people?”

  I don’t know I have never met another. Well not since I woke up in that box. Macaque looked down into her lap and looked sad.

  “I’m so sorry Macaque I shouldn’t have asked that.”

  After a moment or two Macaque looked up. How is it you hear me but no one else does?

  Tallia explained how she could connect with animals and hear peoples thoughts but no one else can. She went on to explain that she is looking for answers and her quest for Amalia Beastwalker.

  Can I help?

  “I wish you could Macaque, but unless you know where I can find her or know of where to find out more.”

  No but I can help you look. I am good at climbing and able to listen to what people are saying. Please let me come, I have never had anyone to talk to before.

  “I don’t know Macaque it’s going to be dangerous and I like you and don’t want you to come to any harm.”

  Please let me. I don’t mind it’s dangerous. I just don’t want to be alone again.

  “Oh, I see, then yes of course you can.”

  Macaque started jumping up and down on the bed more excited and happy than she had ever felt. She suddenly stopped and looked at Tallia. Is grumpy going to be okay with me coming?

  “I doubt it but that won’t stop you. And you need to stop calling him grumpy.”

  Why? he can’t hear me.

  “Oh yeah,” Tallia said and laughed.

  Chapter XV

  Tallia walked into the bar with Macaque on her shoulders. “As she been on your head all night?” Poriya said.

  Tallia just gave him a look as she sat down and then smiled at Jeb as Macaque took her place on one end of the table. Shortly after, Tog came out with their breakfast. “Are you still hanging around these good people?” she said to Macaque. “Go on, be away with you and leave them alone.” Macaque turned her back on Tog.

  “No, it’s okay,” Tallia said. “We don’t mind at all. We quite like her.”

  Poriya snorted, and Tallia shot him a glare.

  “Yeah, okay, I suppose she’s alright,” Poriya said.

  “Well if you’re sure. Anyway, what are you up to today? You have any plans?” Tog said.

  “Were off to the market again see if we can find out any clues to where we can find someone,” Tallia said.

  “Who are you looking for my dear?”

  “Someone from a long lost legend called Amalia Beastwalker. Have you ever heard of her?”

  “I would remember a name like that if I ever heard it. Sorry but no.”

  “It’s said that she lives in the northern mountains somewhere.”

  “Oh my, I thought that was a more deadly place than our lost forest. You don’t want to go wandering anywhere near there unless you know exactly where you're going.”

  “That’s why we are asking around. Someone must know something.”

  “I doubt you’ll find anything around here. Your best bet is to go to Kargell Landing.”

  “That’s what we keep being told. We’re heading off there tomorrow.”

  Tog drew closer and spoke in a hushed tone. “I’ll give you some advice. Go to the market and try to find a few unique wooden carvings or trinkets they are worth a lot more in Kargell Landing and will buy you better information.”

  “Thanks Tog,” Tallia said and smiled.

  “Just don’t tell anyone I told you that for free,” Tog said and winked.

  “Don’t worry we won't.”

  After breakfast, they left the inn with Macaque on Tallia’s shoulders and headed to the m
arket square. They stood on the edge of the square and looked down one of the long alleyways between two rows of stalls.

  “So what are we looking for?” Poriya asked.

  “Something unique,” Tallia replied.

  “What’s that look like?” Jeb asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Tallia said. “I guess we will have to look around and try and find someone that’s selling something different to everyone else.”

  “That’s going to take all day,” Poriya said.

  “Yes, I suppose it will. Come on let’s get started.”

  They walked slowly along the first row of stalls looking carefully at what each merchant was selling. Tallia noticed that Jeb was moving his mouth but not saying anything. “Jeb? What are you doing?”

  “What? A? Oh, I am trying to remember what everyone is selling.”

  Poriya laughed. “And how are you getting on with that?”

  “It’s really hard, and I keep forgetting what the last one had,” Jeb replied.

  “Stop trying to remember everything,” Tallia said. “Just look at what they have and if you think you see something you haven’t seen before tell us.”

  Jeb frowned not really understanding but nodded anyway.

  Macaque put her hand on her face and thought he’s not much use is he.

  “How you doing?” Tallia said looking up at Macaque. “Seen anything yet?”

  Macaque chose not to respond taking Tallia’s subtle point.

  Having got to the far end of the row, Tallia noticed a brightly coloured tent tucked into the corner of the square. It had a large tatty looking sign propped up against it with faded lettering.

  MADAM XANDRA

  The greatest seeress in all of Zantalth.

  Discover your destiny today.

  Tallia stared at the sign for a few moments wondering.

  “Don’t bother,” Poriya said. “Seen them before, just tell you what you want to hear.” Putting on a high croaky voice, he said, “You will meet a tall, dark stranger in an unusual place.” Then in his normal voice. “Next thing you know your being mugged by a little bloke with blond hair in an alleyway.”

  “Oh no, oh no sir,” said the voice of a short bald man that had overheard them. “Madam Xandra is genuine. The real thing. She told my friend where to stand to catch his wife with another man. Turned out completely true. He caught them red-handed as they say.”

  “Work for Madam Xandra do you?” Poriya said suspiciously.

  “No, no sir. I have the stall just there,” he said pointing behind him. “Sell the finest carvings of the elders' castle here.”

  “Carve them yourself?”

  “No my friend does. Best carver here and exclusively for me.”

  “Exclusively for you and the merchant the other end of the row.”

  “What? What? He wouldn’t dare. I pay the best price. He wouldn’t,” the merchant raged as he walked off to look for himself. Poriya laughed.

  Tallia was still staring at the tent. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt. She might know something.”

  “It’s your coin, waste it if you want,” Poriya said. “I’ll wait here.”

  Tallia and Jeb approached the tent. As she reached out to open the flap, a voice from inside said. “One at a time dears.”

  Tallia and Jeb looked at each other in surprise. “I’ll wait with Poriya then,” Jeb said.

  “And no pets,” the voice added.

  Macaque bared her teeth at the tent and jumped straight off Tallia’s shoulders onto Jeb’s who froze in fear for a moment and as he realised she was not harming him relaxed and kind of liked it.

  I’ll wait with grumpy and dummy then. Macaque thought.

  “Be nice,” Tallia said.

  Jeb froze again and said, “What did she say?”

  “Yes, she will be nice.”

  Jeb relaxed and walked over to Poriya who was looking highly amused at Jeb with Macaque on his head.

  Inside the tent, it was dark and difficult to see anything. As Tallia’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see a low table with some sort of round see-through ball on it and behind sat a cloaked figure among piles of cushions.

  “I am Madam Xandra. Please come and sit,” she said and pointed to a cushion on the opposite side of the table to her.

  Tallia sat down and looked at Madam Xandra but could not see her face as it was shielded by her large hood. Her hand stretched out to Tallia. “One coin and I will answer the question on your mind.”

  Tallia put a coin in her hand and she withdrew it into her robes.

  “I am looking...” Tallia started to say.

  “Shhh,” she said and held up a hand. “Look into the crystal.”

  Tallia stared at the clear ball guessing this must be the crystal. Nothing happened and Tallia was beginning to wonder what happens next when a mist started to swirl inside it.

  Madam Xandra said in a distant, strange voice, “I see an old book, a very old book, bound in dark red leather with a symbol on it. A circle with three wavy lines inside.”

  The symbol for Larknoz thought Tallia.

  “It’s in this book the answer you seek will be found.”

  “Where is it?” Tallia asked.

  Madam Xandra slowly slid her hand out towards her and Tallia placed another coin in her hand which shot back quickly into her robes. “The book is being held by an old priest. On his robes are the symbols of the gods.”

  So do all priests robes thought Tallia.

  “On the front is the symbol of a creature of the sea. This is all I have to say.” The crystal cleared and Madam Xandra bowed her head as if she had fallen asleep.

  Tallia stood up and left. As she joined her companions, Macaque jumped off Jeb’s shoulders and onto hers. She told them all what Madam Xandra had told her.

  “So where do we find this priest?” Poriya said.

  “I don’t know, she didn’t say, but at least it’s a clue,” Tallia said.

  “Not much of one.”

  “Well, it’s better than what we have so far.”

  Poriya sighed and said, “I suppose. Come on let's keep going here.”

  They continued their search among the stalls and merchants. It was Jeb that spotted the first carving. It was in an S shape with eyes at one end and a diamond pattern down the length of it. The man said it was a carving of a creature that slithered around on its belly and called a snake.

  “Well done Jeb,” Tallia said. “Keep going your better at this than us.”

  Jeb beamed with pride and started looking even harder. Which was the wrong thing to do as it’s because he had relaxed and stopped trying he spotted it.

  Tallia spotted a wooden shape with four flat sides with the symbol the gods on each side. She was told it's a prayer chooser. You throw it in the air, and the god that lands face down is the one you should pray to.

  After they had taken a break to return to the inn for lunch they started again from the opposite side of the market in the hope it would turn up some more items.

  It wasn’t long before they came across a young man sat carving. All around him sat wooden carvings of things they had seen being sold all over the market. He looked up at Tallia as she watched him. “Want me to carve your pet?”

  Tallia quickly realised that this would be most unique as they had not seen anything like that, even Jeb’s snake and her prayer chooser they had seen a few more times after buying them. “Yes please.”

  “Can you leave it here until sundown?”

  Tallia looked up a Macaque and said, “do you mind?”

  Seriously?

  “Please. It would be a great help.”

  Macaque didn’t answer just jumped down from her shoulders and climbed up on a wooden stump and sat down trying to strike an impressive pose.

  “It will be three coins,” the carver said.

  Tallia handed him the coins and said, “Just give it to Macaque when you're finished. She will find me.”

  The carver looked a
little surprised and said, “Are you sure?”

  You trust me then?

  “Yes, of course,” Tallia replied.

  Macaque knew she was talking to her and felt very happy at someone trusting her.

  The carver shrugged and chose a suitably sized piece of wood and started carving.

  As the sun fell low in the sky and the shadows grew long the three of them were feeling tired and fed up not having found anything else.

  As they reached the end of the last row, they were going to look down Macaque dropped from the roof of a stall straight onto Tallia’s shoulders.

  “Hello Macaque, how did it go?” Tallia said.

  Please never ask me to do that again, it was so boring and difficult to sit still that long she thought as she handed Tallia the carving.

  Tallia, Jeb, and Poriya looked at it. It was lovely and very detailed. He had her face exactly right, and you could almost believe the hair on her body was real.

  “Wow it’s beautiful,” exclaimed Tallia. “I never want to part with it.”

  “I agree it’s very good, but you might have to at some point.”

  Tallia looked sad and said, “Yeah I know, but I hope not. I really love it.”

  Chapter XVI

  They all met early down in the bar, and Tog gave them a hearty breakfast ready for their journey to Kargell Landing.

  “Happy coming of age day Jeb,” Tallia said and handed him a small packet.

  “Oh wow, thank you Tallia,” he said.

  “Happy coming of age Jeb,” Poriya said.

  “Thanks Poriya.”

  Jeb opened his present to find the leather bracelet she had brought him. “Thank you, thank you so much, it’s brilliant.”

  “Sorry it’s not as good as your present to me, but I...”

  “No it’s better, I have always wanted one of these ever since I saw some when a merchant visited our village but mother said no.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, honestly.”

  “You never told me.”

  “Mum told me it would make me look stupid and I thought you might think I was stupid for wanting one.”

  “I would never think you are stupid Jeb, no matter what you did. Anyway, I think you will look great with it on. Give me your hand and let me put it on.”

  Jeb put his hand out, and Tallia tied it around his wrist. “See it looks great on you.”