Jalaby's Journey

by Duane Alston

  “Whoa, there is something to the left just up ahead at about one hundred feet,” Jalaby whispered excitedly. “This feels different, I feel a presence but don't feel a threat. This is unfamiliar.”

  “OK, I'll go slow. The cave looks pretty straight but there may be a side tunnel. We'll know when we get there,” Sarah whispered and Jalaby noted how calm her voice sounded. “By the way, I can only see about twenty feet ahead with this thing. In case you are wondering why I'm so slow.”

  “The slower the better, we don't want to surprise them. We want to sneak up on them.” Jalaby's voice was much calmer now.

  On they went, but cautiously. Jalaby could see no light and for some reason it seemed to be getting warmer.

  “Say, do you feel that? It's actually warmer!” Jalaby kept his voice so low it could barely be heard.

  “Yes. Maybe we are getting close to where they live. Maybe they burn wood or something else to keep warm. I don't know but pretty soon I may regret this heavy jacket I have on,” Sarah finished talking and immediately stopped causing Jalaby to run into the back of her.

  “Sorry, I think I hear something,” Sarah said as they both stood motionless in the dark, silently listening for any noise. After about five minutes, Jalaby broke the silence.

  “Could be sounds of the Pales Ones drifting down the cave.” Jalaby paused and gazed down the cave before continuing. “I've been in the dark so long I think I can see faint light way up ahead.”

  Sarah removed her headband and waited a few moments for her eyes to adjust.

  “You know, I think you are right. Let's keep going and you tell me when it's light enough to where I don't need my headband,” Sarah said and they continued on.

  A little later, Jalaby tugged the strap connecting him to Sarah.

  “There's pretty good light here. Better let me take the lead since the stone may warn us of trouble,” but Jalaby didn't need the stone for what happened next.

  As they rounded a slight bend, two unknown beings ran right into Jalaby, who momentarily staggered back, but it didn't stop there, they started hitting him with small little fists.

  “Hey, hold on! Sarah, they're like Constanto!” Jalaby shouted and as if by command, the two feisty Olandie wildcats stopped.

  “Constanto,” said the one that Jalaby thought might be male, because the other was dressed with bright colors and wore jewelry. In addition, she had more hair on her head. Jalaby tried to communicate.

  “Yes, Constanto is friend. Sarah, show them the headband. Maybe they'll recognize it,” Jalaby said and took a quick look down the cave, even though the stone indicated no trouble. It did the trick. Both seemed to loosen up, but pointed back down the cave and by using hand gestures, they got their point across that they wanted to continue on towards the Woodland Forest.

  “Sarah, there's not much time if they are being followed. I think we owe it to Constanto to make sure his people get on down the tunnel, so they can get back to the Woodland Forest.” Jalaby said and the two Olandie started to become more agitated and looked back and forth from Jalaby to Sarah and back again.

  “You're right, but maybe they can make it on their own while we stop the Pale Ones,” Sarah said as she gestured up the cave.

  “There's no one coming. The stone would tell me and they need you to guide them, to at least as far as where we left the others. They'll be safe after that point. I can see fairly well now, so I'll get Willow and Rosey back and meet you back where we left the others.” Jalaby paused, sensing rather than seeing the worried look on Sarah's face and continued. “Don't worry, I'll be fine. Give me about five hours to infiltrate, get Willow and Rosey and get back to you.”

  “Well, I don't like it but I see your point. They can blend in and become undetectable like Constanto but they must have lost their lanterns, so now they could easily get lost in the side tunnels. You better be back in five hours or we are all coming for you!” Sarah said firmly, before squeezing Jalaby's shoulder and kissing his cheek, which made the two Olandies look at each other quizzically. “Now help me to get them to follow me.”

  So Jalaby lined them up behind Sarah and gave the first one the end of Sarah's crossbow bag strap and had the last one hold on to the first one's hand.

  “That's the best I can do. Good luck and see you soon,” Jalaby said and immediately wished it hadn't sounded so formal. Then Sarah laughed which made Jalaby smile.

  “And good luck to you Lord Langmaster.” Sarah tipped her hat and headed down the Cave Trail with her charges in tow.

  Chapter 26

  Jalaby felt totally alone as he momentarily stood with the dark cave behind him where Sarah, just seconds ago, had disappeared and the dim light of the cave trail ahead of him, but there was no time to lose if he was going to save Willow and Rosey. He quickly moved forward and it wasn't long until he found the source of the light. The cave walls themselves were glowing dimly all around him. The rock walls had a plant-like covering that was self-illuminating. Although not particularly bright, it was light enough to where he could easily find his way. Even though the light was yellow, the plant itself had an orange glow. Jalaby tentatively laid a hand on the cave wall's surface and the glowing plant felt like velvet or the fuzz on a peach. He moved on and was getting a slight indication from the stone that helped give him a general idea of the direction he should take. So far it indicated that he should just continue on the main Cave Trail. Eventually, there was a side tunnel that led in the direction of the very strong indication from the stone. It was a good thing he didn't run into an open space full of Pale Ones. That could have easily happened by blindly following the stone. A bit more cautiously now, he moved along the side tunnel, which was both vertically and horizontally smaller than the main tunnel. He could reach up and touch the ceiling and by spreading his arms, touch both sides. The light given off by the plants was now brighter. He noticed when he accidentally touched the surface, it would leave a dark hand print in the lighted surface which would disappear seconds later. If he wasn't in such a hurry, he might find it interesting, but he knew he needed to move on and then he heard a sound up ahead. There was no cover where he was, so he chose to draw his sword and keep going. The sound was like the chirping of some small animal. Slowly he crept forward. As he rounded a blind corner, he expected confrontation but there was nothing. He could see the tunnel extending another fifty feet before it turned but there was something new. Another side tunnel branched off the one he was in. Jalaby realized that this could turn into quite a maze, if there were more interlocking tunnels. He decided he better somehow mark the way back to the main tunnel. Using his sword, he made a small arrow in the glowing plants near the bottom of the side tunnel. He also noticed that the new side tunnel had no glowing plant life beyond the first couple of feet. It was completely dark after that. Since the stone indicated something up ahead, he continued slowly in the lighted tunnel. The stone was working better and better and he could actually sense the presence around the corner of two stationary beings. He figured it must be guards of some sort. Inching his head around the corner, Jalaby caught sight of a pale arm and pulled his head back. He had a choice. Attack and kill these two or go back and see where the side tunnel would lead to. Jalaby felt he needed to keep the Pale Ones unaware and so chose to backtrack and take the secondary dark side tunnel. It was very dark but Jalaby found out an interesting thing from the stone. He was starting to feel more and more in tune with it, such that he could actually sense when the tunnel changed directions. It had jogged left and then right before continuing on and even though he couldn't see, he knew when to turn. He was so thrilled with this new ability that he laughed out loud and then immediately chastised himself for being so stupid. He was so confident about knowing the way to go in the dark and how far trouble was up ahead that he began to run. Left, straight, right then straight for a while then a long curved right, amazingly he didn't run into anything, although he held a hand in front of him for protection as he ran since he couldn't quite believ
e it. It wasn't long before he noticed dim light up ahead and the stone let him know that there were many present at that location. He had found the Pale One's living area. He just hoped he wasn't too late to save Willow and Rosey. As far as he knew, the Pale One's might eat them! He would come to find out that his horse and pack animal were the least of his worries.

  He could see better now and ran quickly to what turned out to be an overlook to a large open area about forty feet below. What he saw next both startled him and brought his blood to the boiling point. There below was a large group of Pale Ones and poised before a deep chasm were two of Constanto's people, but before Jalaby could even do the insane thing and cry out or attack, the two were pushed over the side. Even though he didn't know who they were, Jalaby's heart sank and his anger rose. He didn't have time to dwell on it because he could see there were more prisoners below in pens. He needed to get down there and fast. If there was any way to help them escape he was going to find it. Turning away from the overlook, he hurriedly continued on. The path was sloping steeply down and he ran disregarding the possibility of guards and sentries. To do what? He had no idea. Then he ran into six Pale Ones guarding the entrance to the large open area he had seen from above. He didn't hesitate; he drew his sword and with mighty swings from left and right he slew all six before they could move. The movement of his attack had been like a blur. Aided by the stone, his abilities had been enhanced tenfold. As the attack took place, all the other Pale Ones in the large chamber turned in unison to face him and screamed a tremendous roar that was deafening. Jalaby drove into them as they raised their strange weapons and began their attack. It was brutal fighting and Jalaby's blade did not slow as the bodies of the Pale Ones stacked in front of him while the other Pale Ones tried to pull the bodies out of their way so they could get a chance to attack. The ebb and flow of the fighting continued, their strange spiked weapons catching Jalaby's armor a few times but his relentless blade work was too fierce. There was so much carnage in such a small area that the Pale Ones were having trouble getting close without taking the time to remove their fallen comrades and thus exposing themselves to Jalaby's blade. Initially the Pale One's attacks were primitive, direct and it seemed to Jalaby that there was no thought given to survival. After heavy losses, it was then that a larger Pale One warrior seemed to take over. Unlike the ordinary Pale One warrior who had no armor at all, this new one had light armor and a heavy metal spike stick. He took charge and had the front line start clearing away the bodies for what Jalaby knew would be a heavy assault. He knew he must take a chance and instead of defending, he would attack and eliminate this intelligent foe. So while some of the front line were busy with their house keeping, Jalaby flung himself with everything he had at the side where the new leader was. With smashing blows he was able to quickly breakdown the defenses and came weapon to weapon with the new leader. This leader was more cunning and signaled the others to join him but the Pale Ones were too slow to respond and Jalaby went one on one with the new leader. In the end, it was quick. With three quick smashing blows that broke both the Pale One's weapon and his light armor, Jalaby slew the new leader which caused the others to retreat in disarray. To Jalaby's dismay, they quickly returned and not only with more numbers but with a couple of larger specimens that were evidently the new leaders. Jalaby fought on but he felt himself begin to tire and more and more their spiked weapons began to clang solid against his armor and then fortune found its way. One of the spiked weapons snagged the stone's chain and pulled the stone out of hiding. The reaction was immediate. The Pale Ones, in cascades of increasing volume, began to shout some unintelligible phrase and Jalaby could make no sense of it, but in an instant, as if by the snap of someone's finger, there was total silence. No screaming Pale Ones, no clang of sword, spike or shield, nothing, just the labored breathing of Jalaby and several hundred Pale Ones. In the next second, Jalaby saw what he would never forget. All the Pale Ones, every last one were down on their knees and bowing to Jalaby. He was stunned, dirty, sweaty, bloody and amazed. He stood with his mouth open and surveyed the cavern and wondered, what next? He looked down and saw the stone reflecting the light from the cavern and looked up to see all the Pale One's eyes transfixed on the stone about his neck. Then the ranks of the Pale One's parted, and an even larger specimen came forward wearing a bright red robe with his head adorned in a gold crown which looked more like an upside down bowl. The dignitary was quite a bit fatter than the Pale Ones Jalaby had encountered, so he knew he must be in charge because he certainly was eating well. He bowed and then waved his hand around at the kneeling group of Pale Ones and began muttering in a strange dialect that Jalaby had never encountered before. Jalaby cut him off and sensing that the stone had a lot to do with their change of attitude, raised it above his head which immediately made the group cower. Jalaby then moved briskly to the pen that held six Olandie people and with his sword he cut the rope that held the gate, opened it and gestured for the six to come out. They came out, but timidly. It was then, Jalaby gestured to his heart and said, “Constanto, friend,” hoping to get the point across and it seemed to work judging from the apparent immediate relief on their faces.

  “My name is Brand and wish to thank you on behalf of all of us,” one of the Olandie said.

  This momentarily startled Jalaby, who stared back, but regaining speech said, “Er, ah Brand, my name is Jalaby and I am acquainted with Constanto, your leader. Now I intend to get you out of here but I need to somehow communicate with these fellows so they don't renew their attack on you,” Jalaby said softly while looking around the room as if seeking the face of someone who could help.

  “Well, maybe I can be of service. I speak both the Zeffert language and yours as well,” Brand said. Brand was the same height as Constanto but much younger. Like Constanto, he was about three feet high but the horns were mere nubs compared to Constanto's. He had the same broad flat nose and was also covered head to toe with brown hair but it seemed brighter in color.

  “Oh, Zeffert! We've been calling them the Pale Ones for so long I forgot Constanto mentioned their formal name. Well Brand, how did I get that lucky, you're just what I need.” Jalaby's smile must have been infectious because Brand and his other five friends returned his facial gesture with broad smiles of their own.

  “OK, tell that Zeffert there, who appears to be their leader, that you are my friends and no harm shall come to you or your kind now or in the future. Also tell him that his people took my horse and pack animal and I want them back. Most importantly, I want to know what he knows about this stone,” as Jalaby finished he pulled the stone forward to show Brand. This move made the Zefferts moan, move back a step and mutter among themselves.

  Brand was quick to relay Jalaby's words to the leader, who immediately began shaking his head in affirmation and continued for some time in conversation with Brand.

  “The leader's name is Malno. Your animals are safe and you can have them whenever you want. About the stone, he says since the discovery of your stone's existence, their duty to guard the “Du-stone”, which is what they call the one they possess, is over. It is in their prophesy to give their stone to the bearer of the “One-stone” which is the one you possess. They can now all leave the caves and return to their peaceful lives in the Neteos River Valley. Believe it or not, they were farmers there.” Brand finished by looking at Jalaby expectantly but Jalaby's mind barely registered the future farming aspirations of the Zefferts, his mind hung on the part about a second stone and he couldn't help but wonder what powers it might bring.

  “A second stone! Tell him to lead us to this Du-stone.” Jalaby demanded eagerly.

  Brand conveyed Jalaby's request and Malno nodded and bowed in Jalaby's direction. As they turned to follow, Malno barked some orders, Jalaby presumed, and the other lesser leaders in turn did the same. As a result, the Zeffert “Worker Bees” began to unceremoniously dump their fallen comrades down the deep abyss that had previously been reserved for the Olandie people. What
struck Jalaby was the total lack of emotion. He knew he wouldn't want to live in their world.

  Malno headed to the far end of the large cavern that held their sleeping area. At the end it became somewhat more narrow and as the mass of Zefferts parted in front of them, they beheld a carved rock wall. It was beautifully done and Jalaby recognized that it must have taken an incredible amount of time and skill to achieve such a marvel. The carving showed images of the Zefferts defending, what must be the du-stone, against all manner of creatures, which he was sure never existed except in the mind of the artist who created the display. Finally Jalaby's eyes fell on the stone. On a small altar protruding from the wall was a square pendant of bronze with a circular bright yellow stone and a heavy neckband. Malno waved his hand in the direction of the stone, gesturing for Jalaby to take the stone. Jalaby could not imagine devoting one's life and the lives of an entire race to protecting an object that they apparently know little about. How they could form an almost religious cult around this artifact and then to so easily just give it up and return to a former life was beyond what Jalaby could fathom. Nonchalantly he stepped forward to claim the pendant while Malno made bowing motions and backed away muttering in his incoherent language.

  Jalaby studied the pendant for quite a while but knew immediately that the hole in the middle was the right size and shape for the Stone of Crieton to fit in. He now took the stone from around his neck and removed the attached neckband. He then inserted the Stone of Crieton inside the Du-stone. As he did so, he heard a metallic click and it was as if they were now fused together as one stone. He could see no way to physically separate them even if he wanted to. Jalaby studied the combination but the only thing he noticed was that it was now orange, nothing else, so he put it around his neck. At first Jalaby sensed nothing but then as his thoughts turned to Sarah and the others that he had left behind, something startling occurred. He could actually see images of them and sensed that there was worry and anxiety in their thoughts. He then tried to reassure them in his mind that he was alright and would be back soon. He saw the images look at him, smile and nod, then vanish. Weird, Jalaby thought. Hallucinations on an empty stomach, that's all, but just the thought of his group brought back the urgency of getting back to them.