by L. EE
“Uh, yuck, that’s disgusting.”
Arriving at the statue of King Tut, Andy felt dwarfed by its size. He leaned forward to examine the headdress more closely and noticed a giant cobra poised to strike carved in gold above the king’s forehead. While he had seen pictures of King Tut in this same headdress before, he had never paid attention to the cobra on it. A sign nearby read, “The uraeus was seen as a royal symbol. Historians believe the goddess Isis created the first uraeus and considered it the instrument by which she gained the throne of Egypt for Osiris.”
“Awesome!” whispered Andy.
A larger model of the uraeus stood nearby, inviting closer study. Positioning himself squarely in front of the poised cobra, Andy stared into its round, quarter-size eyes. Remembering that snakes do not have eyelids and therefore cannot blink, he jumped when the serpent in front of him suddenly did just that.
CHAPTER THREE
Kappas
Andy peered into the eyes of a creature he had never before seen as his surroundings suddenly became lighter. Startled, he let out a scream, causing both him and the beast to jump backward. The creature looked like a shriveled old man, but with scaly blue webbed hands and feet. A green tortoise shell covered its belly and back and its face had a long, beaked nose. More remarkable, though, a fringe of bright red hair crowned a bony ridge that circumnavigated its head. The resulting bowl looked to be filled with some sort of liquid that sloshed about wildly. The creature scowled and threw its arms out, attempting to steady the liquid.
Andy looked around quickly. He stood in the midst of thick fog. Lush grass covered the ground and not far away stood several hulking trees. The overpowering stench of rotting fish assaulted his nostrils. Phew, that’s worse than cow farts. Then he heard the sound of rushing water. I’m back! I’m really back!
But before he could celebrate, the creature quickly grabbed the front of his T-shirt with both its claws and started pulling him toward the water. The beast was strong and all Andy could do was stagger sideways and try to keep pace.
“Help!” he yelled, hoping some savior might be within earshot.
Andy struggled to pry the creature’s hands open, but its firm grip made escape impossible. The sound of water grew louder.
“Help!” he screamed again.
Andy tried letting his T-shirt slip over his head, but it got stuck on the string of the pouch holding Methuselah. His shirt now covered his face, blinding him as the sound of the water grew ever nearer.
Seeing his attempted escape, the creature savagely grabbed his left arm and continued dragging him closer and closer to the raging current. He stumbled and fell, but the creature, unhindered, continued dragging him. Andy bounced along backward, every rock stinging his behind.
With great effort, he finally managed to pull his T-shirt down. As he did, he saw through the fog a host of similar creatures staring at the spectacle he had become.
A shrill, crazed woman’s voice split the air. “Get him! Pull him in! Drown him!”
“Help!” Andy screamed at the top of his lungs.
Even though he couldn’t yet see the water, judging by the din it couldn’t be far ahead. The creatures that had been resting on the shore nearby were disturbed by the lady’s ranting. They rose up and approached.
Andy grabbed for the pouch with his right hand, struggling to free Methuselah. After considerable difficulty, the hilt finally emerged. The blade immediately extended, and he swiped at the closest leg of the creature that had been dragging him. It immediately dropped him, grabbed its wounded extremity, and began hopping around and yelping. Baring their clawed hands, the other creatures ran at Andy, ready to tear into his flesh. He bounded up and braced himself. Just before they reached him, however, the injured creature stumbled into Andy and fell backwards, letting out a loud squawk. It landed hard on its shell, causing the liquid on its head to spill out on the ground between Andy and the oncoming hoard. The creature went limp. The oncoming attackers froze.
“No! Don’t stop!” the lady’s voice demanded. “Attack! Attack!”
Despite his surprise, Andy continued holding Methuselah out in front of him, moving the blade in an eight pattern.
The creatures stared.
Andy scanned the hoard for the slightest movement that would signal the beginning of the end for him, and as he did, he spotted a narrow gap between the mass of creatures and the bank. With the raging water still at his back, he inched toward his escape. The creatures closest to the bank moved away slowly as he approached.
“Don’t just stand there! Attack! Attack!” the lady’s voice screamed.
None of the creatures moved.
As soon as Andy cleared the gap, he turned and ran as fast as he could back into the fog.
“Imbeciles!” came the roar.
He glanced back over his shoulder. Thankfully, none of the beasts pursued.
What just happened back there? I was toast.
After passing several large trees, Andy slowed to a walk, catching his breath.
What a grand entrance. Even Imogenia knows I’m back. Yes, I AM back!
Andy took a deep breath, savoring the thought. As he did, he realized the air smelled considerably fresher away from those creatures, whatever they were. Andy continued walking.
It’s hard to see in the fog today. I wonder where I am?
A loud explosion, lots of banging, and men yelling interrupted his thoughts.
I don’t know, but I think I’ll try someplace else.
He moved on quickly, coming to a dirt field. It looked like an egg with several markings on and around it. A playing field? Here? That’s weird. I wonder what it’s for?
Not far off, he heard the sound of several horses neighing, clomping across cobblestones.
The Cavalry Training Center! I must be right outside the castle!
His heart started racing and he quickened his pace. As he reached the edge of the cobblestone terrace, Andy saw three blue-uniformed soldiers standing guard. That’s new.
Despite the fog, it didn’t take the soldiers long to spot him. They drew their swords and charged toward him.
“Halt! Who are you?” growled the largest of the three, coming to a stop less than two feet in front of Andy.
“I’m Andy. Andy Smithson,” he replied with surprise as he looked up into the hairy nostrils of the towering man.
Andy instinctively moved the hand holding Methuselah, and another of the soldiers pointed his sword at Andy’s throat.
“Sheath your weapon, boy!”
Confused, Andy objected. “I’d like to see the King and Mermin.”
“You’ll not do anything until you put your sword away.”
“Where do you come from?” the beefiest of the three asked gruffly.
“You’d never believe me, even if I told you.” Methuselah retracted and Andy saw alarm register on the faces of the three.
“You will answer my question,” the man insisted. “Are you from the land of Cromlech? Carta? Hadession?”
“None of the above,” Andy replied as he put Methuselah into his pouch. “Look, just let me see the King and Mermin and all this can be easily cleared up.”
“Not so fast,” the first soldier interrupted, growing more testy. “It was a simple question. You will answer us or we will arrest you and take you to the dungeon for questioning.”
Amazed, Andy relented. “Okay, fine. I’m from Lake Hills, Texas. Now are you happy?”
“This boy is being uncooperative. Arrest him,” commanded the hairy-nosed soldier.
“Stop! Wait! You’re making a mistake! Let me go!” Andy yelled, hoping someone he knew would hear him and intervene. No help came, and Andy struggled as they bound his hands.
“March!” the shortest of the three commanded.
Andy refused, continuing to struggle to free his hands.
“If he will not come willingly, bind his feet and carry him,” instructed the other man.
“Stop!” Andy yelled as they
forced him to the ground, wrestled rope around his ankles, and pulled it tight. “You’re hurting me! Stop! Get your hands off me!”
Mr. Hairy Nose hoisted Andy up and over his shoulder as if carrying a large sack of potatoes.
How humiliating. Realizing the pointlessness of continued struggle, Andy contented himself to ride it out, convinced someone would eventually vouch for him. On their way inside, they passed two more soldiers guarding the castle door. Why so many soldiers?
As they walked through the back door, he saw no one familiar, even as they passed by the laundry, the kitchens, and on into the entry hall. He saw five vulture-people, none of whom he recognized. The few servants he saw gave him strange looks. After descending two flights of familiar stairs, the soldier in the lead pulled out a key and unlocked the heavy reinforced metal door. It still had a huge dent in it—from the inside. Andy read the sign that hung above the door, Fear Ye Who Tread Here, and remembered the last time he’d been here. It had been the biggest battle of his life—a battle between life and death against the evil King Abaddon, to save his king, Hercalon V of Oomaldee. He had succeeded in wounding Abaddon thanks to Methuselah. What’s more, he had cut off several of the seven-headed dragon’s red scales. He filled with pride as he remembered the conflict that secured the first of several ingredients needed to break the five-hundred-year curse that gripped the land. Yeah, dragon scales that are still in my pouch.
They passed along the corridor toward the large open area Andy knew lay ahead. He heard a commotion, horses neighing and loud voices.
“Hey, Ugly Mug! Andy’s back!”
“I challenge you to a duel!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. After we rescue Andy, you scoundrel.”
Two knights on horseback came galloping around the corner. The soldier carrying Andy unceremoniously dumped him on the floor, and he landed with a thud. Immediately, he began struggling to loosen his bonds. The warriors drew their swords and readied for combat.
“Yeeha!” yelled one knight, charging ahead as he leveled his lance at the head of the soldier closest to him.
The other knight followed.
Just before impact, Andy yelled, “Everyone stop! Stop!”
The two knights slowed their horses, passing between Andy and the three soldiers who quickly stepped aside. They turned their horses around and headed back toward Andy.
“Andy! So good to see you again!” heralded one knight.
“You too!” responded Andy, smiling.
“What’s going on here?” demanded the hairy-nosed soldier who had been carrying Andy.
“I knew you were back! I just knew it! When we could move again, I told old Ugly Mug over there you were back,” exclaimed Sir Gawain.
Andy heard Sir Kay make a low growling sound behind him.
“Mr. Soldier, I’d like you to meet Sir Gawain. And this is Sir Kay.” Andy nodded his head, indicating the second knight. Both horses snorted and started pawing the floor.
“What are you talking about?” the man demanded.
“If you’d untie me, I’ll be happy to explain.”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort until you explain what’s going on here.”
“Uh, Sir Gawain?” Andy asked, raising his bound hands.
“Say no more, Andy.”
At that, Sir Gawain dismounted.
“Stop!” demanded the smallest of the three soldiers, pointing his sword at Sir Gawain’s heart. While he was the smallest, that didn’t say much since they were all monster sized.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Andy cautioned as Sir Gawain walked toward him to untie his bonds, armor creaking all the way.
“Looks like a bit of polishing needed,” Sir Gawain said, laughing.
Not used to being ignored, the soldier charged at Sir Gawain. As soon as his sword made contact with the armor, it fell clattering to the floor. The man grabbed his hand, howling in pain.
“Enough!” shouted the beefiest soldier. “What’s going on?”
“Uh, Andy? I’m having a problem getting the knots undone with these gloves,” whispered Sir Gawain, lifting his hands for Andy to see, his back to the soldiers.
“As I said, untie me and I can explain,” Andy instructed the soldier, nodding his head to acknowledge what Sir Gawain had just said.
“No.”
“It seems, then, that we have reached an impasse,” Sir Kay interjected. “I shall go find King Hercalon and escort him here. He’ll clear up this whole misunderstanding.” At that, Sir Kay turned and raced toward the dungeon door. They heard his horse clomping up the stairs, the sound of him dismounting and opening the dungeon door, remounting and charging ahead. A couple screams followed before the sound of hoofbeats faded away.
“How did he unlock the dungeon door?” the hairy-nosed soldier asked his comrades.
The smallest soldier only shrugged his shoulders, eyes wide.
Several minutes passed and they heard Sir Kay again. When he reached them, Andy saw the King seated behind the knight, holding him around the middle as best he could. Andy’s heart leaped.
“Andy!”bellowed the King, dismounting. He wore his familiar long-sleeved black T-shirt and blue jeans. Because of the heat, he had pushed the sleeves up to his elbows.
The King walked briskly to Andy, swallowing him in a hug.
“It’s so good to see you again. How are you?”
“Well, ah…” Andy replied, holding up his bound hands.
“Release him.”
The soldiers scrambled and removed the ropes from Andy’s wrists and ankles.
“What happened here?” demanded the King when they were done.
“Sir,” one soldier began, thinking quickly.
After a muddled explanation, the King declared, “No harm done. You three were just doing your jobs. Return to your posts.”
The three men couldn’t leave quickly enough and stumbled over each other in their haste. Andy smiled.
No sooner had they left than Mermin appeared, cinching up his overflowing bright blue satin robe and straightening his drooping Santa hat. He pushed his glasses up his long, knotty nose, exactly as Andy remembered him. Andy ran over and gave the old wizard a hug.
“It’s good to see you, Andy,” said Mermin, grinning. “You look like you’ve been thwough a war.”
Andy looked down and for the first time noticed how dirty his T-shirt and pants had become. “I feel like it, but I’m glad to be back! I missed you. I missed everyone!” He reached down and brushed off some of the dirt on his jeans as he continued, “It had been so long. I wondered if I’d ever get to come back.”
“Why would you doubt, Andy?” asked the King. “You know you have been chosen to help break the curse.”
“Yeah, but I disobeyed. I wasn’t supposed to mention—” He stopped short, eyes wide. “I can’t say, Sir.”
“About the trunk, Andy? Is that what you were going to say?”
Andy looked at the King then hung his head. “Yeah.”
“I understand,” came his reply. “I will not ask you to reveal what you have been told to keep secret. Although I have to admit, I am curious,” he added, smiling.
Andy took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Let’s get out of here,” the King suggested. As they headed up the stairs, he commented, “You certainly made a quick exit.”
“Yeah, I know. Wasn’t what I wanted, that’s for sure, but I found something interesting.”
“What’s that, Andy?”
“When I got back, even though it seemed like I’d been gone a long time, it was the same time as I left. Weird.”
“Vewy intewesting,” chimed in Mermin.
“Why is that?” Andy questioned.
“Mermin?” the King volleyed the question.
“I may be wong, but I think your world doesn’t wecognize ours. As a wesult, no matter how long you are gone, you will always weturn at the same time you left.”
Andy thought about that as they climbed more stairs.
They passed three vulture-men who were headed down. Trying to catch his breath on the fourth landing, Andy panted, “Hey, I got the gold letter you sent with Sir Gawain.”
“So it worked?” exclaimed Mermin, adding, “He got back and the letter was gone fwom the pouch, so I hoped he had been successful, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Yeah! It was great!”
Finally reaching the fifth floor, Andy held his side where a stitch had formed. The King and Mermin smiled. “You’re not breathing hard,” Andy panted.
“One of only a couple benefits of the curse, I guess,” the King replied. “My body is still young. It’s only my hair that seems to be graying.”
“You too, Mermin?”
The wizard nodded.
They headed down the hall to Mermin’s library. Entering, Andy saw the decor looked the same as the last time he’d been here. Mermin’s oversized oak desk stood on the red rug, its top still buried under open books and rolled up manuscripts. The table to the right also remained covered in parchments. An old trunk identical to the one in Andy’s attic and overflowing with scrolls sat next to the large stone fireplace. The multitude of books lining the walls from floor to ceiling looked undisturbed.
I wonder if any of these will tell me what the scrolls in my trunk at home mean. Glancing at the bottom row of one section, he spotted the book invisible to all but him, filed where he had left it. The room smelled musty, like it always did. Smiling, Andy felt as if he had never left.
Once he finally caught his breath, Andy said, “By the way, when I first got here some creatures that sorta looked like turtles attacked me. That’s why my clothes are all dirty.”
The King gave a start. “What happened?”
Andy explained the events that had transpired. Both the King and Mermin listened intently. When Andy finished, Mermin said, “Those are kappas. Sometimes they swim upstweam from the Sea of Mystewy by way of the Cwystal Wiver that flows around the castle. They’re cuwious about humans. But if they gwab you, they’ll twy to dwag you to the water and dwown you. There’s almost no hope of escape. They’re vewy stwong. You were lucky to get away.”