The Golden Fountain

by Zuheb Alep

  “Welcome to my home,” said Toalla. “This is the kingdom of Afghardan iceland.”

  *

  Entering through the iron doors into the mountainous kingdom, Benjamin and his companions felt their jaws drop. Everything was made of white glass, chiselled to perfection, and etched snowflake designs decorated every surface. Huge pillars supported high ceilings, while crystal chandeliers shone brightly with a deep blue light. Unsurprisingly it was still cold, and very quiet. There was a subtle scent of roses, although there were none to be seen.

  Benjamin threw back his hood in order to absorb all there was to see.

  “Pretty place!” said Bana.

  “It certainly is!” said Juariya.

  “It looks bigger inside than it does on the outside,” said Popalunar.

  Herman’s Eidoncheir started to hop around with excitement.

  In front of them was a huge stairway which led up to the pearly hall, splitting into left and right as it rose. More stairways led to thousands of different houses with silver doors.

  “Go and see your families now,” Toalla said to Kentil and Philo. “Thank you for your company on our journey.”

  Philo and Kentil bade farewell to the others as they disappeared up the long stairs. Coming down was a tiny penguin, wobbling as it approached Toalla and the humans.

  “How may I be of service? Pili is my name.”

  “We would like an audience with the king,” Toalla said.

  “I’m afraid the king is resting,” Pili said. “I’m sure I can arrange an appointment for tomorrow morning if you’d like. Is the matter urgent? We haven’t had human travellers here for a long time.”

  “Yes, it is urgent,” Toalla said, nodding his great head. “Please give my companions a warm room to sleep in, and some food and drink. They are tired and hungry.”

  “As you wish, sir,” replied the penguin, bowing, its tiny, featherless wing slipping to one side.

  Toalla turned to Benjamin and the other humans. “Sleep well. I will see you in the morning.”

  *

  Benjamin couldn’t sleep. He was worried about the Three Kings, who had been left outside in the cold; he felt guilty for being in a comfortable bed with a warm and thick duvet. Herman and Prince Adam were sleeping beside him, while Kaileena rested in another room. Their Eidoncheirs had never left their sides.

  They had been given grilled meat and jugs of pure water, brought by more penguins, and soft white gowns to sleep in. Benjamin was grateful, but the Three Kings had none of these comforts.

  At first light, Benjamin crept out of bed. Bana sensed him leaving and sat bolt upright.

  “Where are you going?” he whispered.

  “Don’t make a sound! Come on.” Benjamin put on his furry slippers. “I’m going to see if the Three Kings are all right.”

  Bana joined him without another word. Going to the wardrobe at the other end of the room, Benjamin took out his shawl and left quietly through the silver door. He descended ten flights of glossy stairs before reaching the deserted ground floor. The iron doors of the front entrance were guarded by two large bears, unsurprisingly enough, but they seemed to be asleep. Benjamin crept past them and saw a small flap at the bottom, doubtless for the penguins and small Afghardan creatures. He wedged himself through it noiselessly, and finally found himself outside.

  Aloncheir lay fully awake beside Lagunar and the Ghost Boy, who both slept huddled into his warm fur. They were hiding behind a rock some distance away.

  “Lagunar, Ghost Boy, look!” said Aloncheir. “Benjamin has come.”

  “What? Where?” said Lagunar, mumbling sleepily.

  “Morning, Benjamin,” said the Ghost Boy, his manner elegant as always. He stood up to greet him.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry!” cried Benjamin. “I feel so selfish, leaving you out here in the cold.”

  “It’s fine, we’re not too cold,” Lagunar lied unconvincingly. Shivering uncontrollably, he clutched Aloncheir’s fur to warm himself.

  “Please come inside.” Benjamin was insistent. “I don’t see what the problem is. We could just say that you’re our companions –”

  “No, we cannot,” interrupted Aloncheir, peering around cautiously. “We must stay outside and keep watch. I sense great danger soon.”

  “Danger? From where?”

  “That we do not know. Please inform Toalla that we have followed as planned, and are already outside.”

  “Okay,” Benjamin nodded solemnly. “Did you have enough food on the journey?”

  “Yes we did, thank you. We summoned food to be brought to us from our home whenever we are hungry. Now run along, boy. You should be inside in the warmth.”

  Benjamin slumped his shoulders, accepting that there was nothing he could do for them. As he was about to turn back, however, it struck him that Lagunar was human too; unlike Aloncheir and the Ghost Boy, he could feel the cold.

  “Please take this,” said Benjamin, offering his shawl.

  Lagunar closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Thank you,” he said. “You are very kind.” He allowed Benjamin to wrap the shawl around him.

  Then Benjamin hurried back with Bana by his side. He crept through the flap and checked that the bears were still asleep, then made for the stairs. Back inside his room, he went straight to sleep. They’ll be all right now, he thought.

  *

  Benjamin woke groggy, regretting that he had slept less than he should. Toalla roused them all from their beds, informing them that he would be taking them to the grand dining hall where they would have their festive breakfast. Before they left, Benjamin informed his companions of the Three Kings’ wellbeing.

  When they opened their doors, they saw penguins, white stags with pearly antlers, fat walruses and more polar bears than they’d ever seen in one place, all walking along together. They joined the arctic foxes, white hares and seagulls ascending the crowded stairs. Benjamin even thought he saw an Orellion or two. Never before had he been in a land where the people gathered together for a feast at this time of the day. Benjamin followed them, keeping Bana close by. He eyed the creatures cautiously, nervous that they might attack, but his fears were groundless.

  The grand dining hall was on the tenth floor, furnished in glass and silver. There were numerous rows of long wooden tables, and the floor was flat solid ice, with salt sprinkled around to keep it from being too slippery. A dim blue glow came from carved brackets on the pillars by the walls; Benjamin couldn’t identify the source of the fire. The table at which he sat was set for the guests and laden with food for the humans to enjoy. Benjamin helped himself to a grilled chicken breast, a couple of lamb chops, fried onions and mushrooms. There was a lot of meat in this hall, mostly for the carnivorous animals. At another table, the penguins and seagulls loudly gobbled fish.

  “I’m starting to like this kingdom,” said Bana.

  “Me too!” said Benjamin, almost smiling. Herman, Kaileena and Prince Adam were shifting uncomfortably in their seats as they ate, uneasy at being surrounded by so many animals. They enjoyed the feast, and when they’d finished Pili the penguin told them that the Afghardan king was ready to meet them.

  Benjamin drew a deep breath, exchanging nervous glances with his companions. Their Eidoncheirs warned them that they must overcome their nerves and be brave in order for things to go well.

  Walking twenty more flights up the stairs to the thirtieth and highest floor, Toalla caught Prince Adam’s eye. “I suggest that we do most of the speaking,” he said. “The rest of you can keep quiet and leave it to us.”

  Benjamin nodded, happy to do just that. Herman frowned and replied, “Unless there’s something I need to say, then I agree you should do the talking.” The look on Kaileena’s face said it all; she was overjoyed. Neither she nor Herman had ever stood before a king and spoken; only Benjamin and Prince Adam had had
that experience and Benjamin would be glad to forget his time with the pharaoh. Prince Adam nodded and tried to look brave.

  “Good!” said Toalla.

  Pili took them to a large door. “This is the throne room,” he said. “The king is ready to see you.” Some bears who acted as the king’s guards opened the door, revealing a much larger room. It was dark and filled with rough rocks smelling of burnt coal, and there were no glass walls, floors or ceilings to be seen. In the centre, a scarlet carpet led to a long row of mahogany tables, behind which sat the large Afghardan king on his great throne. He was a wolf, and a big one – twice as fat as Toalla. He wore neither cape nor crown, and no jewellery decorated his bulging claws.

  “Welcome,” growled the Afghardan King, although his manner didn’t match his words.

  Benjamin gulped. This was terrifying. Toalla led him and his companions toward the high table with their Eidoncheirs, and they bowed.

  The Afghardan king nodded, permitting them to take a seat.

  Seated around him was his court: a white doe, four penguins including Pili, a fat brown walrus who seemed to be fast asleep, an arctic hare, three snow-white foxes and a seagull. Strangely enough, there were four other humans, two men and two women. They must have been residents of this kingdom for a long time; their faces were white, as if they had adapted to life in the cold.

  The doors closed behind the group with a loud slam!

  “What do you want with me?” growled King Ophildar, breaking the eerie silence.

  Prince Adam proceeded to explain the story. It took him an hour and, as agreed, Benjamin, Herman and Kaileena didn’t say a word. Toalla spoke occasionally, but Prince Adam did most of the talking. At the end, he added, “So there you have it. What we ask is that you and your kingdom should become a member of this expedition.”

  The court broke into loud discussion, mostly in favour of Prince Adam’s suggestion. Only the four old humans seemed displeased, shifting in their seats. They seemed suspicious, Benjamin thought, keeping his eye on them. They were humans too, but they had no Eidoncheirs. Where were theirs? Benjamin wanted to tell his companions but it wasn’t the right time.

  Ophildar grunted and said, “Haven’t you got enough armies and clans already? Why do you want us?”

  “We need as many allies as we can get if we are to succeed. As I’ve just explained, we’re not only going to the Far North but also to the other locations of the O.O.H. We suspect that there are more. We must shut them all down.”

  “So you think you can just waltz in from Londaron and ask for my army? I find it very strange that three young children such as yourselves are here in my court. You should be with the missing children.”

  “Hey!” Benjamin shouted, his voice rising with anger. He scraped back his chair, clenching his fists.

  Toalla nudged Benjamin hard on the arm. “Keep quiet!” he said. “Forgive him, great king, he’s only a child,” he continued.

  “I’ll have you know that the answer is no. My kingdom is also in the Far North, near Halamaband, which is further north again. Did you imagine that we had no connection?”

  The frowns on the faces of Benjamin and his companions grew deeper.

  “My army will serve them, and only them,” continued the king. “They’ve given us everything we need. Did you enjoy your breakfast this morning? Well, we never had that until they came and offered us employment.”

  At these words, the members of the Afghardan court fell silent. It was clear that they weren’t happy with this either.

  Benjamin’s face turned red. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He was suddenly reminded of his encounter with the pharaoh who said the exact same thing. How many people did the O.O.H. help?

  “Now, I want to change the subject. I want to talk about you, Toalla!” Ophildar pointed at the bear as he spoke. “Why did you come back?” he asked.

  Herman and the three children looked at Toalla, their expressions suddenly changing.

  “This kingdom will always open its door to you. You are a true Afghardan as you always have been, but you took your leave of us many years ago. So why did you come back?”

  “What’s he talking about?” asked Prince Adam.

  “I left the kingdom almost thirteen years ago. Do you remember what I said back in Greenhorn forest? I didn’t agree with the alliance Ophildar had formed with the strange people, the dark ones of Halamaband; it was wrong.” Toalla took a deep breath. “Because of this, I left.”

  “You knew about this?” Kaileena said, shocked.

  Benjamin realised they’d made a big mistake by coming here.

  “Yes, I did,” Toalla replied. “To make things right, I brought you all here, hoping that you would persuade the king to do things differently. I felt that there was hope when I heard your name, Benjamin, but I was wrong.”

  It would seem that the meeting had not been a success.

  “Remember, though, I’m still on your side. Our contract stands.”

  At this, Ophildar rose from his seat, wide-eyed as an owl in the night and very angry. “Benjamin? What contract?” he roared, saliva spitting from his muzzle into the cold air. “You cannot be Benjamin! You cannot be he!”

  Benjamin jumped, darting his eyes from left to right. This didn’t make any sense. What was wrong about him? Of what was the king accusing him?

  “Do not distress yourself, sire,” Pili intervened, waving his leathery wings. “Let us concentrate on the matter at hand. Sire, I advise that we leave the service of Halamaband and join the expedition.”

  “No!” roared Ophildar, his voice shaking the great hall. He pushed back his throne and it skidded across the hard floor, creating a large black scratch.

  “NO! That cannot be Benjamin! How dare you bring him here? You are bringing me to my death! I will not have this!”

  “Death?” Benjamin muttered. “Why would I bring you death?”

  “Calm yourself,” said the seagull. “Nothing terrible is going to happen.”

  The Afghardan king was going berserk.

  “Sire, you must rest!” said Pili.

  “Please leave us now!” requested the doe.

  The humans rose from their chairs. At this stage, Benjamin wanted nothing more than to get them all safely away. The roars of Ophildar were menacing, and a crash resounded in the air as the high table was torn from its roots. The Afghardan king slammed and punched everything within reach, in such a fit of anger that not even a sedative dart could have stopped him.

  “I’m not going to die because of you! It is you who shall die!”

  Toalla had seen this coming and had pushed Benjamin and his companion behind him. “If you hurt my friends, you will meet your downfall,” he said calmly. The king seized him by the neck and both of them rolled out the door, struggling.

  “Hey!” said Prince Adam.

  “Toalla!” cried Benjamin.

  “Leave him alone!” shouted Kaileena.

  Herman gasped but said nothing. Their Eidoncheirs wailed and tugged at their humans for reassurance, frightened by the sudden outbreak of violence.

  The two creatures wrestled, their limbs flinging this way and that. Ophildar was on the offensive, while Toalla defended himself as well as he could. They were nearing the edge of the landing and Benjamin shouted a warning, but it was too late; Ophildar threw one more punch and Toalla parried it, both stumbling over the banisters. The glass barrier could not withstand the weight of their heavy bodies; it gave way and shattered, and the two animals tumbled from a great height.

  Benjamin was shocked into silence, but Kaileena and Prince Adam cried out. Herman and his Eidoncheir dashed over to the edge. A loud roar punctured the air, followed by another and another.

  “Toalla’s fighting back!” he said.

  Benjamin ran over to join him. He peered down from the edge and saw it was tru
e. The two beasts had nothing to hold onto and were somersaulting through the cold air. Claws were stabbing and teeth gnashing; Toalla was fighting back, attacking his own king!

  Many doors burst open as the arctic creatures rushed from their homes to see what disaster had befallen the kingdom.

  “What’s going on?” they asked one another. They were answered by a roar, followed by a thump and a thwack.

  “Is that the king?” one said, looking down.

  “Oh, no! That bear punched the king!” said another.

  “What’s happening?”

  “Why are they fighting?”

  “What did the king do this time?”

  “They’re falling!”

  “I can’t look!”

  Suddenly, the two arctic giants pushed themselves away from each other to grab onto a banister: Toalla on the ninth floor and Ophildar on the fourth. Ophildar pushed himself up to land on the stairs but Toalla was slipping, his paws creating gashes on the glass material.

  Benjamin wasn’t going to stand by and watch his friend slip and fall. “Aloncheir! Lagunar! Ghost Boy!” he called as he ran down, taking the steps two or three at a time. Bana leapt from the warmth of his neck and soared towards the entrance in the form of a hawk. Whether the others followed, Benjamin neither knew nor cared; he concentrated on reaching the ground floor as fast as possible. On his way down, Benjamin ignored the creatures pouring out of their doors. A few had even tried to catch Toalla, but they missed. A roar followed.

  “ALONCHEIR! LAGUNAR! GHOST BOY!” Benjamin shrieked.

  He was on the sixteenth floor, only halfway down.

  Just then, the iron entrance doors blew open and in came the Three Kings, followed by Bana. They looked up and saw Toalla reaching for something, anything, to break his fall. His arms and legs flailed wildly, too fat to find a foothold.

  Aloncheir and Lagunar leapt into action, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. They slowed his fall and levitated him to the ground, ripples of air circulating around them. The Ghost Boy held his fist and watched the Afghardan king paw his way down the last few steps, his face drooping in disappointment. His eyes had turned black, making him look even more dangerous, but he was fearful; he feared Toalla yet he seemed bent on facing him, even at risk of his life.