They were all lost for words at this weird subterranean landscape and stood in awe for several moments before Poriya said, “I guess it’s over the bridge then. You two wait here while I go first.”
As Poriya approached the bridge, they heard the noise of stone scraping on stone just to their left. As they turned to look a pile of large boulders they hadn’t noticed before was moving. Curiosity quickly turned to terror as the pile of rocks took on the shape of a man with two arms, two legs, a body and a head. It towered above them as it stood upright and was at least the height of five men.
Tallia backed away from it towards the tunnel, but Jeb stood frozen to the spot in terror. The monster looked down at Jeb as he stood there shaking in fear desperately wanting to turn and run but couldn’t move a muscle. It bent at the waist and swung a giant fist hitting Jeb in the chest and sending him chasing into the wall where he slid down and crumpled in a heap on the floor.
Tallia looked at his lifeless body and wanted to run to him but was paralysed by fear herself now. She looked over at Poriya who suddenly charged at the giant rock monster and with both hands swung his sword as hard as he could into one of its legs. The loud sound of metal striking stone rang out as the sword struck and the vibration of the metal blade shook right up into Poriya’s hands, and the sword flew out of his hands clattering on the stone floor.
The monster looked down at him and raised his giant fist to swing down at Poriya. Tallia screamed, “Noooooo” and she felt a burst of energy shoot out of her body.
The monster seemed to explode, the bits of its body flew across the cavern smashing into the walls over on the left with incredible force breaking the bits into even more before dropping with splashes into the green lake causing ripples to race across its surface.
Tallia rushed to Jeb tears now streaming from her face as she picked up his lifeless head and rested it on her lap. As she began to sob, Poriya came over and put a hand gently on her shoulder.
Halthor took Merek down to the docks early to search for the priest on the boat. It didn’t take very much asking around until they found an old woman who knew which boat it was but insisted on a blessing from Merek before she would show them.
Merek spent some time on the boat talking to the priest and found out from him about the book he had and what Tallia had asked him about the twins but could offer no further help.
By the time he joined Halthor back on the jetty, the fishing boats were coming back into port. They tracked down the captain who had taken Tallia and her friends over to the other side of the river near where it joined the sea.
After some bargaining, the captain eventually agreed to make a special trip the following day.
Chapter XXII
“Hello Tallia,” said an old woman’s croaky voice from behind them. Poriya spun round quickly drawing his sword. “I mean you no harm,” the old woman said.
“It’s okay Poriya,” Tallia said. “This is the woman from my dreams.”
“I believe you have been looking for me?”
“Are you Amalia Beastwalker?” Tallia asked with her brow furrowed.
“I am yes. I am sorry about young Jeb here, but I needed to be sure about you,” Amalia said.
“What do you mean? You made that thing attack us?” Tallia almost screamed.
“Yes, it was me. I needed to test you.”
Tallia felt a rage rapidly build deep inside her. “A test? My best friend had to die for a test?” she screamed.
“If you will allow I can fix that.”
“What? How can you fix it? He’s dead.”
“Please, let me approach.” She walked slowly over to where Tallia sat with his head still in her lap. Poriya raised his sword ready.
“Please, Poriya, there is no need, no more blood will be shed, I promise.”
Poriya narrowed his eyes as he considered if she was being truthful. He slowly lowered his sword but didn’t sheath it, just in case. Amalia knelt down next to Tallia and placed a hand gently on Jeb’s head. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath then slowly let it out. Tallia felt a strange sensation through her body as if it should have been a tingle but not a tingle.
Amalia removed her hand and smiled at Tallia. Jeb suddenly took a gasp of breath and his eyes flew wide open and up at Tallia with a surprised look on his face.
“Jeb! You’re alive,” Tallia said as more tears began to run down her face, but these were tears of joy now and chased the tears of sadness off her cheeks. Tallia looked up at Amalia and said, “Thank you.”
Jeb turned his head to see who Tallia was talking to. Seeing the old woman standing there surprised him and he leapt to his feet. In doing so, the bonds holding his injured arm came loose, and he grabbed his bow swiftly up from the floor with it.
“It’s okay Jeb,” Tallia said. “This is Amalia Beastwalker. She just brought you back from the dead.”
Jeb’s head whipped around and with a wide-eyed expression said, “dead? I was dead?”
With tears still in her eyes, she nodded. “Yes, Jeb. Don’t you remember, the rock giant?”
“I’m sorry Jeb,” Amalia said. “I was hoping that Tallia would stop it before anyone got hurt.”
“What?” Jeb said as he snapped his head back round to Amalia. “You did that?”
“Yes, I am truly sorry. It was necessary to give Tallia one last test to see if she was as powerful as I suspected.”
“What do you mean one last test?” Tallia said as she got to her feet. “You mean everything that has happened to me, us, you caused.”
“Not all, but some yes. I have been keeping a close eye on you three since you left your village,” Amalia said.
“The hooded figure in the Inns,” Poriya said.
“That’s quite correct Poriya. Thank you for keeping my tankard filled.”
“Humph,” he said and shrugged his shoulders. The corners of Amalia’s mouth turned upwards slightly.
“You actually brought me back from the dead?” Jeb said sounding astonished.
“Yes, Jeb,” Amalia said patiently.
“Looks like she has healed your arm as well,” Poriya said.
Jeb looked down at his arm still holding his bow. He moved it around and looked up in amazement. “Oh yeah.”
Amalia smiled at him. “You could say it is a side effect of resurrection.”
“Resurrection?” Jeb said.
“Yes, bringing the dead back to life is called resurrection.”
Amalia turned and walked to the edge of the bridge, turned back to them and said, “thank you Jeb and Poriya,” giving a little bow, “for helping Tallia find me. I shall forever be in your debt. She has much to learn and time is short. You may leave us now and return to your homes.”
“NO,” they all said almost together.
“I made a vow,” Jeb said. “I will not leave her side.”
“Me too,” Poriya said.
“I promise you she will be perfectly safe with me and your quest is over now and your vows fulfilled,” Amalia said.
“I made no time limit to my vows,” Jeb said.
“While mine was to only get her to the castle of the elders I have grown close to Tallia and consider her as my daughter and have no intention of abandoning her now,” Poriya said.
Tallia looked at Poriya and tears filled her eyes feeling touched by his words. “Please Amalia, is there no way we can all stay together?” she pleaded.
Amalia didn’t respond so Tallia reached out with her mind to try and listen to her thoughts. She could feel nothing from Amalia, but Amalia’s eyes widened. Tallia then felt someone wandering around in her head. She tried to push them away and out of her head. Don’t fight me she heard in her head. Get out of my head she thought. Why? You tried to read my thoughts she heard. I wanted to know what you were thinking Tallia thought.
You love him.
Tallia’s eyes widened in panic.
Don’t worry your secret is yours to tell ... as is his.
Tal
lia’s mind went into overdrive. “What do you mean by that?” she blurted out loud.
Only he can tell you when he is ready.
Jeb and Poriya looked bemused at the two women staring at each other apparently having a half conversation.
“I have to admit to being surprised Tallia,” Amalia said. “You would be willing to abandon your destiny and all I can teach you just to stay with your companions?”
Jeb and Poriya looked in surprise at hearing this. Jeb opened his mouth to speak, but Tallia spoke before he could.
“Yes, yes I would. They mean everything to me. I would never abandon them.”
“So be it,” Amalia said.
Jeb opened his mouth again to protest but was cut off again by Amalia holding her hand up to him. She turned to Jeb and Poriya and said. “If you are to stay I will need you to make a vow to me. An unbreakable vow that you must take to your grave.”
“Anything,” Jeb said.
“Hold on fella,” Poriya said. “Let's find out what it is first.”
“Nothing so bad Poriya. Your vow to me, and to Tallia is that you will never talk about anything you see or hear while here, no matter what.”
Poriya nodded and then knelt down on one knee and said, “I vow to thee that anything that I see or hear while here I will never utter to any other soul and will take it to my grave.”
Amalia smiled and said, ”thank you Poriya.” She turned to look at Jeb who also knelt on one knee. “Err, I vow to three, er thee, sorry, that I won’t speak of anything I see or hear till I die, err, again, err, and even if I am resurr, resurr,”
“Resurrected?” Amalia offered.
“Yes, resurrected.”
Amalia smiled at him and said, “Thank you, Jeb.”
Tallia knelt on one knee.
“There is no need for you to make the vow Tallia,” Amalia said. “Or you Macaque.”
That’s good because you can’t hear me anyway Macaque thought.
“Yes I can, perfectly well.” Amalia said.
Macaque looked surprised and thought what? You can hear me as well?
“Yes, of course I can Macaque. There is just one more thing gentlemen. A couple of rules if you like, but rules that must be adhered to strictly.”
Poriya raised his eyebrows.”
“They are for your safety more than anything else as I have many protections and traps within these caves. Firstly you must not ever try to cross this lake without my presence. I promise you, you will not survive. Secondly, there are many areas that are not safe. You must not wander around and stay strictly within the area I will show you now unless myself or Tallia escorts you. Do you agree?”
They both looked at each other then turned their heads and nodded to Amalia.
“Good. Now if you will follow me and make sure you don’t touch the water. You won’t need that Poriya.” Amalia said looking at his sword still in his hand.
He had quite forgotten he was still gripping it in his hand and sheathed it.
They followed Amalia over the bridge and into the tunnel on the other side.As they walked through the long twisting tunnel going further into the mountains they passed several more tunnels to the left and right, each time Amalia stressed not to venture into any of them.
“Where do they go?” Jeb asked.
“Some go nowhere and some to somewhere,” Amalia said mysteriously. She stopped, turned, and with a very serious look on her old face said, “But all have guardians that will kill you and probably eat you as well.”
Jeb gulped and peered up a tunnel.
Amalia laughed and said, “Don’t worry young Jeb. You are quite safe as they will not come out while I am here.”
“These guardians,” Poriya said. “You mean like the giant spider we came across.”
“That was a simple creature and easy to defeat. The guardians are much more powerful. Even you, Poriya, will not last very long.” Amalia said then turned and continued along the tunnel. “Enough chatter for now. Time is short, and we must get on.”
They eventually came to the end, and it opened up into a beautiful green valley hidden deep in the middle of the mountains. They followed Amalia down a steep slope into the trees and along a path until they reached a clearing with a small wooden cabin in the centre. All around them the peaks of the mountains towered above them with wisps of white cloud clinging to them.
“Welcome to my home,” Amalia said. “I don’t have much room, but we should all be comfortable enough.”
The cabin inside was very simply furnished with a table and a single chair, a bed, a few shelves with things piled up on them. At one end was a large fireplace with a large black pot hanging over it.
“I am afraid you will all have to sleep on the floor,” Amalia said, “as I only have the one bed. But maybe you two gentlemen could make something while you are here?”
“I take it you have tools to cut wood?” Poriya said.
“Behind the cabin, you will find a woodshed that will have everything you need,” Amalia answered.
“Erm, is the forest safe?” Jeb asked looking a little anxious.
“Yes, Jeb. There are only birds and insects here. You won’t find any other creatures anywhere in the valley,” Amalia answered.
“Do the monsters in the tunnels not come out?”
“No. A protection spell has placed on the entrances that they cannot pass.”
“Entrances? There are more than the one we came through?” Poriya asked.
“Yes, many. But you must not enter any of them. Inside the valley, you are perfectly safe. Trying to leave without my assistance will result in certain death. A death I will not be able to bring you back from,” Amalia said a looked at Jeb.
Jeb smiled and said, “Guess we will just stay around here then.”
Amalia smiled and then said, “I expect your all hungry. Poriya, can you get that fire lit for me? and I will prepare us something to eat.”
Amalia prepared a delicious stew with meat and vegetables handing them a bowl each and a large chunk of bread which they sat on the floor to eat.
“If there are no animals here where do you get the meat from?” Tallia asked.
Amalia thought for a moment working out how best to explain it. “All will become clear in due time. For now, lets just say I have ways.”
“What? like magic?” Jeb said.
Amalia laughed. “Sort of Jeb, yes, I suppose it is.”
“Wow, you can just make an animal appear?”
“No Jeb, I can’t do that. But I can buy the things I need from the shops.”
“There is a town near here?” Poriya said.
“No, not for many days travel,” Amalia said.
“So how?” Jeb started to ask but stopped as Amalia looked at him smiling and tapping the side of her crooked nose with her finger.
Chapter XXIII
After an uncomfortable night on the hard floor, Poriya had decided that he and Jeb would get the beds built while Tallia started her lessons. Amalia asked them to take Macaque with them so Tallia would not have any distractions.
While Poriya, Jeb, and Macaque went off to find some tools and search for what they needed to make the beds Amalia led Tallia away from the cabin to another small clearing at the base of a cliff face. There were lots of rocks of all shapes and sizes strewn around. Amalia sat down on a large oval shaped one with a smooth flat top.
“Come and sit down my dear,” Amalia said.
Tallia sat down next to her suddenly feeling very nervous.
“Don’t look so worried,” Amalia said. “We’re going to start off with something simple.”
She stooped down and picked up a fist-sized, almost smooth, round rock and placed it between them.
“Pick it up,” Amalia said.
Tallia reached out with her hand, and Amalia grabbed her wrist with surprising speed to stop her. “No with your mind.”
“I can’t. I’ve tried before.”
“Yes, and you have made rocks move
before.”
“Only when I get angry, then they shoot off with no control.”
“So you know you can move them. But now I want you to lift it up without being angry.”
Tallia started to feel frustrated knowing she had tried so many times before but couldn’t do it. She tried pushing her frustration aside and concentrated on the small rock willing it as hard as she could to move it. Amalia sat and watched her for awhile and could see she was getting frustrated and annoyed.
“Tallia, stop,” Amalia said. “You won’t move it by just willing it to move.”
Tallia’s brow furrowed. “But then how else am I to move it?”
“By understanding it.”
“Understanding it? That makes no sense.”
Amalia laughed. “It will, soon. Tell me, what do you see when you look at it?”
“A rock,” Tallia replied.
“That’s a bit on the general side. Try describing it.”
“Oh, okay, well it’s a fist-sized rock that is smooth and almost round but not quite.”
“Smooth?”
“Nearly smooth, it is a little rough.”
“That’s better, so would you say it was unique?”
“Yes, I suppose it is. I never thought of it like that. But how will that help?”
“We're not done yet. Now that you recognise it’s unique, try feeling it. No, not with your hand, your mind.”
“My mind? I don’t understand.”
“Look at the rock and use your mind to build a picture in your head of how it would feel, it’s texture, it’s hardness, it’s weight, what it might be like inside. Let your mind reach out to it, round it, through it.”
Tallia stared at it hard as her mind raced to see all those things with her mind.
“Relax Tallia, stop trying so hard. Let all those things come to you slowly.”
Zantalth: The magic is returning Page 16