The Golden Fountain

by Zuheb Alep

  “But, Benjamin,” said Ruby sadly, “I still haven’t found Ranjit and Pari.”

  “You haven’t found them?” Benjamin was disheartened. Ruby responded with a shake of her head.

  “Still? Not even when we came back from the Far South?”

  She returned the same answer.

  Benjamin hated hearing this. He wanted her to nod her head and say that she had her relatives back, but it wasn’t true. They were still missing.

  “Where are they? Does anyone know?” Benjamin asked, resigned to the possibility of fresh perils to be gone through.

  “There is another branch of the same organization in Brytannia,” Prince Adam told him.

  “Brytannia?” Benjamin was surprised at this. “The Far North?”

  Everyone nodded.

  Benjamin folded his arms, waiting to hear some more.

  Prince Adam was left to explain. “The O.O.H. in the Far South was transmitting a message to another location for reinforcements during the battle. It was Brytannia who responded, opening a black portal-hole in the sky. Do you remember? We’re going there soon.”

  “Benjamin, I need you,” said Ruby, grabbing his arm. “You rescued all their siblings. Now I need your help to rescue my brother and my cousin.”

  Benjamin patted her trembling hands and nodded.

  “If we can’t do it, then who can?”

  *

  While the sun fell beyond the horizon, Benjamin took a stroll around the encampment with his brothers, his friends and his band. They all stayed close together but no one said a word. This was best experienced in silence. It was peaceful, but Benjamin was troubled; the news he’d received was disturbing and unexpected. He must wait for the right time and not rush into action. There were so many problems, and unfortunately they couldn’t all be solved at the same time.

  His pace slowed. He gasped quietly, and so did the others as they gazed at a group of bare-chested humans wearing harem pants and leather sandals. They were crowding around a fire, chatting away merrily, and they had wings – beautiful wings of various colours.

  Benjamin was eager to talk to them; he remembered something about these people from his classes in school. On the whole, though, he thought it best not to interrupt.

  However, they had turned their heads at the approach of the walkers and were surveying him as if he were a trespasser. Their smiles went out like a light.

  Benjamin froze.

  The female members of this group had bras of woven leaves to cover them, but the men were bare-chested and incredibly toned. Some had wings as green as the forest, some blue as the sea; there were wings as red as fire, and a few with wings as yellow as the sun.

  They waved at Benjamin. Their smiles had reappeared.

  Benjamin smiled too.

  One of the men got up. He had red wings. “Greetings. I’m Illoyids,” he said, stroking his flaming red hair.

  Benjamin and his companions responded in kind, unable to take their eyes off his soft feathers which glowed like fireflies.

  “I hope you are well. May I shake your hands? I heard that you rescued the kidnapped children. I’m quite amazed by your bravery and honoured to meet you all. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life.”

  Benjamin smiled and shook hands, asking, “Why do you all have different-coloured wings?”

  “You already know,” Kaileena whispered, nudging him with her elbow. “We learnt it in geography, and in history too.”

  “Yes, but I’d rather hear it from a Tuaryan myself,” Benjamin told her.

  Illoyids waved his hand to indicate that he didn’t mind explaining. “We’re from the mountains of Silmaraith in Swizzland,” he explained. “Each of us controls a different elemental power. My wings, for instance, are red, which means I control fire. As for the other wings, yellow is for thunder and lightning, green is for earth, and blue is for water. Our king, Morandon of the house of Silmar, sent us to do King Baruji’s bidding. I’m the commander of my group of a hundred and fifty Tuaryans.”

  “Interesting,” Benjamin commented. “Then our teachers were right. I never thought I’d see any of you up close.”

  “If Tuaryans are real, then dwarves and elves are real too, aren’t they?” asked Kaileena.

  “Yes,” nodded Illoyids. “Dwarves generally care for nothing, but dwell in the mountains seeking riches. The elves live in peace in the forest, enjoying long life and beauty. If you’re lucky you might see them once in your life, and today might well be the day. There are some friendly dwarves and elves here who still care about us, and they have responded to our appeal for aid.”

  Benjamin opened his eyes wide. What was he talking about? He looked at Prince Adam, who was smiling as if he were hiding a secret. Illoyids pointed to a crowded area further down. Benjamin peered forward and beheld troops of tall elves marching in striking yellow armour; their skin was fair and their hair golden.

  “King Riverillien of the house of Ethanel has sent three hundred at King Baruji’s bidding,” Illoyids explained. “Their commander is Benuviél. Strict woman, that one, but kind all the same.” Then Illoyids pointed in a different direction.

  Benjamin turned and saw a group of forty dwarves; they were small but sturdy and strong, with bulging muscles. Their beards were brown, blue or grey, and they wore thick iron armour. The dwarves had an extra advantage, fat noses which could be used to identify scents at a considerable distance. Like the Tuaryans, the dwarves sat huddled around the fire, feasting on greasy mutton. They were telling old jokes and laughing raucously.

  “King Thorebor of the house of Balfour has sent a hundred and ten dwarves to assist King Baruji,” Illoyids continued. “Their commander is Silvor, who is nice but somewhat stubborn.”

  Benjamin couldn’t believe he was seeing them all in the flesh – he had only ever read about them in books. He knew he was lucky to have this memory to keep for the rest of his life.

  A roar from behind made him jump and turn. It was Prince Chamillion, pawing towards them in his favourite form of a snow tiger.

  “Chamillion!” cheered Benjamin. “How are you?” He flung his arms around the snow tiger’s neck.

  Chamillion chuckled in response. “I haven’t yet left the service of the Aradian Empire,” he said. “My clan is all here.”

  “What is all this?” asked Benjamin. “First there are the Tuaryans, then the elves and dwarves. What next – the witches?”

  “Yes,” Chamillion replied quite seriously. “Queen Ingvild has sent twenty of her witches from Norwegia; they’re on their way now. She doesn’t belong to a royal house. Witches pass their crowns to their most trusted advisor.”

  Benjamin’s mouth fell open.

  “Queen Ellaria of the bird clan’s services to the Aradian Empire are great. They are at the edge of the encampment. I’m sure you’ve already seen them.”

  Benjamin nodded and looked back to the winged creatures in the sky, clad in armour of iron and gold, with reinforced sharp talons.

  “Don’t forget King Midas of Sparta; his men are travelling here as we speak. He belongs to no house or clan but is king of a strong country, although not as powerful as King Dastan Baruji,” added Prince Chamillion.

  “Spartans!” Benjamin exclaimed. “Adam, this is amazing! Did you gather them all?”

  Prince Adam nodded, barely able to conceal his smile. “In the Aradian Empire,” he explained, “the armies of other countries, houses and clans that are allied to my family must heed my father’s call and obey; this is the law. We in Aradia would do as much for them. What you see here is only a tenth of it. More will come soon, including the royal house of Bozorg of the elephant clan.”

  Before anyone could comment, Illoyids spoke.

  “I must bid you farewell,” he said apologetically. “I will see you all very soon, no doubt.”

  Benjam
in nodded and waved goodbye.

  “I will send news to my father that you are well,” Prince Chamillion growled. “Have you seen your elder brothers yet?” he asked.

  “Not yet,” Benjamin answered. “I thought they might be busy.”

  “Well, do see them soon. They’ve been worried because you hadn’t woken up.”

  *

  The warm wind blew past while Benjamin, Kevin and Alby walked alone. Everything was quiet and peaceful. The others had gone to get some rest, while Prince Adam had been summoned to the main tent by his father.

  Benjamin ate a large meal at the food tent and wasn’t tired even though he was full, as he had already slept throughout most of the day. He was thinking about that strange dream he’d had. It had never fully left his mind; it was too mysterious to forget.

  Had it just been a dream, or was it another form of reality? Who is Zephraim? I feel as if he and I share a special bond, though I don’t know what it is.

  Zephraim … Zephraim …

  Benjamin smiled. He liked the sound of the name; somehow it made him feel loved.

  Billy and Emily, too; who are they? And those two girls … Mariam and Barbie …

  Zephraim … Zephraim …

  “Benjamin, where’s Kevin?”

  Benjamin snapped out of his daydream to find Alby tugging at him. Kevin was nowhere near his side. Benjamin was puzzled. He scoured the encampment, hoping to catch a glimpse of his brother somewhere or other, but there was no sign of him. Alby shrugged and looked down at the ground, pretending it didn’t bother him. Benjamin groaned in annoyance.

  How could Kevin just disappear? He’d been standing right beside them. Before they could continue searching for their brother, something stopped them in their tracks.

  “What’s that?” Alby was pointing towards a low brick wall, stretching far over the dunes of the golden desert like the Great Wall of China. From where they stood they could see a black tree, apparently dead, with no leaves sprouting from its withered branches. It had broken the wall in two.

  Benjamin sighed. Searching for Kevin could wait; after all, they were in the safest place they’d ever been, surrounded by allied armies. He lifted Alby onto his shoulders before climbing over the gap. They had just left the land of the Red Tents and were now on golden sand.

  It was dark. The sun had disappeared, turning the red sky into a starry veil of dark blue. The crescent moon was high in the sky, shining its pearly light upon the three Bedouin tents nearby, patterned with dark green and purple sheets. Guarding the tents were six men huddled around a generous fire, their weary camels resting on the ground.

  Alby tugged at Benjamin again, pointing to a large grey aeroplane. Below the huge wings on each side hung three fat propellers, silent at present. Numerous red and gold zeppelins lay in rows behind, but Benjamin paid no attention; he only had eyes for the grey plane. A small tunnel was attached to it at the side, which was shining brightly. White light emanated from it, almost like a gateway to another world.

  Curiosity got the better of Benjamin and his brother. He put Alby down and they walked across the sand, hand in hand, taking no notice of their surroundings, drawn by the light. They passed the threshold of the tunnel and went up the pathway. The bright glow shielded the interior from their sight. It was mysterious, warming and oddly welcoming.

  Benjamin felt he couldn’t go on. He looked down at Alby; he had a family. He had to go back. To explore would waste time.

  There it was again, that feeling of time being slowed and faint music playing in the air. Benjamin stilled and listened intently, trying to remember. He’d heard that music before – it was the same high-pitched violin he’d heard when leaving Springhaven for the Far South. Yet he couldn’t see a violin anywhere. Maybe it was all inside his head.

  Benjamin blinked slowly and heaved a deep sigh. They must go back. He was silent as he turned, Alby at his side, and walked back towards the clearing.

  The bright light faded behind them, allowing the tunnel to be consumed by the hollow darkness.

  It was a beautiful moment – a moment to remember. Benjamin would never forget the light he saw. He didn’t look back; there was no point.

  Just then he was startled by a sudden shout, followed by several others. To his surprise, he saw nine Egyptians overseers approaching the Red Tents.

  Like falling paper, Benjamin and his brother dropped to the ground.

  “Play dead,” he hissed to Alby, and they did.

  The Egyptians ran past, taking no notice of the boys, whose tactics had succeeded. Several shots rang out and a couple of Egyptians removed their headdresses, stabbing their companions in betrayal. Were they doing it to save themselves, or possibly because they repented their actions?

  Benjamin didn’t know. He looked directly at one of them, who had a black goatee; he was quite chubby and not at all dark. He was Aradian. This man smiled reassuringly at Benjamin. All was safe.

  Benjamin stood up with Alby and they hurried back to the black tree that stood over the low brick wall. There they saw Kevin, waving and grinning at the sight of them. He seemed glad to have found them.

  “Where have you been?” Benjamin asked crossly when they had climbed back over to the land of the Red Tents.

  “I wanted to see the birds.” Kevin fidgeted with the button on his shirt, unhappy at being scolded. “I got distracted. Sorry.”

  Benjamin shook his head. “We’ve been looking for you everywhere.” He took both his brothers’ hands and went to find the main tent.

  He had to tell Sebastian and the others what he had seen. No doubt more men would be coming soon.

  *

  “Sebastian! Sebastian! The pharaoh’s men are coming!” Benjamin ran straight into the main tent, pushing aside the flap at the entrance.

  The babble of political diplomacy was silenced.

  Warrick, Mikael and Rafe were looking at him, as were Sebastian, Edgar and Herman, all of whom were crowding around their king and his son, Prince Adam.

  Before them was a large table piled with maps of Egypta and various papers. The room smelt of ink.

  “Seb! The pharaoh’s men are coming, the ones we saw back there –”

  “I know,” said Sebastian, raising a hand to silence his brother. “We already know. These men have told us.” He indicated the soldiers wearing the dark green turbans, who turned out to be Bedouins, armed with bulky rifles. They were the ones who had killed the Egyptian henchmen.

  Benjamin’s eye was caught by Prince Adam, who had something in his hand. Looking closer, Benjamin saw that he was holding the Unique Compass.

  “Isn’t that mine?” Benjamin searched his pockets, only to realise that the compass had been hidden in the pocket of the skirt which he was no longer wearing.

  Herman sighed.

  “Benjamin,” he explained, “the compass belongs to Prince Adam, but it had been taken from him during his stay in the Far South. I found it and gave it to you, not knowing to whom it belonged.”

  Benjamin shook his head sadly. So the Unique Compass, his most treasured gift, was now no longer his.

  “Sire?” said Sebastian.

  The king turned to face him.

  “Will you permit Prince Adam to take my brothers back to their tents? I am happy to see that they are all safe, but we need to concentrate on our strategy.”

  The king nodded. “Goodbye, father,” said the prince, bowing.

  Placing his hand on his son’s head in blessing, the king bade him farewell.

  Prince Adam escorted Benjamin, Kevin and Alby out of the main tent and took them across the path that led back to their own tent.

  Benjamin was still thinking about the compass.

  “I can’t believe it,” he said. “The compass used to belong to you, and then it came to me, as if I were meant to keep it safe. I’m sorry, Adam
. If I’d known, I would have given it back to you.”

  “Don’t worry about that. There’s something I’d like to say to you.”

  They had entered their tent. Kevin and Alby scuttled off to sleep on the comfortable mat and went out like a light. Then Prince Adam began to speak.

  “Benjamin, you have my utmost gratitude for looking after the compass. My father gave it to me the day after my birthday party. Since then it has taught me many things, and I was sad to lose possession of it.”

  Benjamin shrugged. “That’s okay,” he said. “But make sure you hold on to it from now on.”

  Prince Adam smiled a little sadly.

  “That won’t be necessary,” he said. “I’m going to leave it with you. The compass told me that you should have it, and I agree. This small, magnificent object is almost like a living thing; it knows what’s best for itself.”

  “But your father –”

  “I spoke to my father already and he agrees with me. I want you to have it. It carries responsibility with it, and that will no longer be my burden to bear.”

  Prince Adam handed the Unique Compass to Benjamin who received it with gratitude. Benjamin didn’t know what to say but felt his heart ease. It was good to have the compass back in his hand, and he accepted the responsibility.

  “Thank you,” he murmured.

  “Make sure you look after it.”

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  “Good.” Prince Adam took a couple of pillows for himself and Benjamin. No one could be bothered to get changed into their nightclothes as it was too hot, and none of them wanted a blanket. “I think it’s time we got some sleep,” he said.

  Chapter 19

  The Second Battle

  “Benjamin! Prince Adam! Wake up!”

  It was Kaileena who was shaking them awake. She sounded terrified.

  Benjamin stirred groggily, half-asleep. “What’s wrong?” he asked, blinking.

  “The Egyptians are coming!”

  Benjamin sat up straight on hearing this alarming piece of news.

  It couldn’t be true! They’re here already?