Ethan helped him up and supported him with one arm, holding tightly to the pollen sack with the other weary arm. They escaped being encircled by dust storm by few inches and took shelter in the cave. It was dark and damp, yet dusty. The dwindling illumination of the half-moon could not penetrate the cave. Cyclux lay helplessly on the bare ground, while Ethan sat beside him- both gasping for breath.
"You should take something...you will regain your strength." Ethan pushed the pollen sack to Cyclux. Ethan stood up and walked a little further into the cave, they needed a better spot to pass the night. The darkness was thick, he could barely see anything. He decided he should go back and wait for Cyclux, creating fire through magic should be basic, but something caught his attention. It was easy to see a pair of pale yellow eyes in the thick blackness, they were looking at him. Ethan took steps backward, but two pale yellow eyes soon became a dozen and then...a score. Ethan took to his heels, loud sound of shrieking creatures now enveloped the silent cave. Cyclux was busy with the pollen sack; he had eaten enough from the sack and was still eating.
"Cyclux...! What are you doing…!" Ethan was shouting at the top of his voice, the shrieking sound grew louder and closer. A startled Cyclux stood up clumsily, his mouth hanging wide open. "Damn it! Cyclux...do something...!" Ethan was breathing heavily, ignorant of whatever was pursuing him, which now made Cyclux shake with fear.
"Wo-lf-bats…!" Cyclux screamed, shuddering.
Two wolf bats were already catching up on their prey; Ethan was scratched behind the neck and at the back of his ear. The pain was biting, he yelled painfully.
"Allitroe banas syamore!" Cyclux cried, his voice echoing in the depths of the cave. Ethan didn't know what was going on but the darkness behind him had disappeared and the noise grew louder, and his pursuers had given up the chase. Ethan stopped running to see what was happening, gasping heavily. The wolf bats had become torches-burning brightly with fire in mid-air; a few of them had dropped and were burning fiercely.
"Brilliant!" Ethan cried, Cyclux had set the whole flock of wolf bats on fire, while only few narrowly escaped.
"Can we sleep here tonight...? Will they come back...?" Ethan asked Cyclux clamantly, the air was thick with the smell of roasted meat. Some of the birds were still burning in the distant, casting a faint shadow of both men, sitting in the dark. The half-moon had disappeared completely; the stars were in their usual formation. "Ouch...! Careful, it hurts..." Ethan's neck and ear stung him continuously, as Cyclux helped him dress his wounds.
"I'm done already...the pickle powder has healing power, the wound will dry up in a couple of hours- like nothing happened." Cyclux assured. Grusav had packed the pickle powder for emergencies, such as this. Ethan soon felt there was nothing in the pollen sack that will not be eventually useful through their journey. "He could have seen all we will need through the crystal ball." He concluded. Cyclux started returning some of the contents of the pollen bag which he had hurriedly taken out while looking for the powder. The map and the compass were the last item to return into the sack.
"Ah...yes...where are we now...?" Cyclux said as he unfolded the map. "We had almost forgotten you are here..." He was smiling enthusiastically at the map.
"How far are we from our first destination?" Ethan asked impatiently, touching the back of his neck and ear, to feel his wounds.
"Er... I can't see much now..." Cyclux said, as he moved towards what was left of the wolf bats, they were almost burning out, but gave Cyclux enough illumination to find where their feet were on the map. A pair of feet was few inches away from a second pair on the map. It is an especially enchanted map that shows you where you are and guides you to your destination. The compass works pretty much like that also, but it comes handy in a situation where you are lost and you need directions. "Er...it's a dungeon...!" Cyclux said in his usually alarming manner, looking closely at the map."... And the passage-way to the sand castle."
"…and full of bloody wolf bats maybe!" Ethan said, disgusted.
"It's the fastest way up there Mr. Ethan, except you want us to take the other route available- we will be walking on drifting sand for two days." Cyclux said, giving Ethan a quick look. "We should start moving towards the direction the wolf bats came from, it leads to an opening on the other side...they are scared of fire, we will need to light torches." He reached into the sack one last time and withdrew two sticks. He returned the compass and folded the map in one hand. "Mr. Ethan please you might want to help with this sack, I might be young in the actual sense, but my strength is of the aged and carrying the sack is a lot of trouble."
They advanced carefully into the dungeon, bearing their torches. Ethan was very much at alert, any pale yellow eyes was what he was on the lookout for. However, they did not see any wolf bat, not even one. "They must have gone out to hunt. Like every other bats, night is their best time to hunt." Cyclux had said. They walked throughout the night, rested only once or twice. They feared the wolf bats might be back before they leave the dungeon. A ray of light shone weakly into the dungeon, at a far distance, they knew they were close to the exit. They walked very quickly towards the opening- almost running.
"Wow, finally, we are out..."Ethan said, stretching his back and legs. His wound has indeed dried completely. The wind was blowing steadily, it wasn't a strong wind, but strong enough to put out their torches. Cyclux held the map up and narrowed his eyes to see. "Old age...let me take a look," Ethan said. "Where are we heading?" He asked.
"Sand Castle," Cyclux answered, leaning closely towards the map Ethan was now holding.
"It's not far anymore, we are close... we should go." Ethan folded the map and they started moving towards their destination.
"What on earth is that?" Ethan was taken aback by the architectural master piece standing before him.
"It's on Lonus... Mr. Ethan" Cyclux said, smiling broadly.
"Can you just call me Ethan, and remove the mister... Please?" Ethan said, almost irritably.
"Oh, thank goodness! I've been waiting for that...'Ethan' is a lot much easier...and it's not like you address me as Mr. Cyclux," Cyclux said as he moved towards the castle, leaving a stunned Ethan to catch up with him.
Ethan absolutely appreciated the architectural genius of the sand castle. From a distance, it reminded him of the last date he had with Jessica. It was at the beach; Jessica molded several castles that got washed away by water. She finally molded a very spectacular one; she wished she could take it with her. Ethan thought it was childish, but those memories, he now relishes. Stepping into the castle, the interior was breath taking. Ethan thought the inside will be dusty and there will be sand drops at every instance, but he was surprised to see how firm the pillars and ceiling were- though made of sand. The sandy floor was also smooth, as if coated, such that dust cannot escape despite hundreds of mages trooping in and out. It was a great hall with several sections, it's like three times the size of the biggest mall Ethan had stepped foot in. Cyclux wasn't admiring the structure as Ethan was; he had something else on his mind.
"Mr... oh Ethan... sorry I'm accustomed to the bad habit..." He said, "There is something I must buy, I knew I would come here sooner or later... I've been saving up..."
"What...? Ethan asked curiously.
"Come..." Cyclux pulled him along; they entered into one of the sections. It was a market, a large market. Cyclux walked into one of the stalls, while Ethan followed. "Hullo Branda...! I want a dozen wrap of my favorite," he had a broad smile on his wrinkled face; Ethan had just seen his face very clearly when they approached the sand castle. The spell really made him old.
A beautiful dark young woman with curly black hair smiled back, "It's been a while Cyclux, old age must have made visiting the sand castle hard..." She said, pity registered on her bright ebony face. "I will add half a dozen more...for your troubles and for the handsome gentleman with you."
Cyclux could not hide his excitement, "really...? Branda! Thank you!" He was almost blushing. Ethan pret
ended he didn't hear Branda's last comment. "Meet my friend- Ethan, he is from planet earth..."
"Hi Ethan...my grandma lives on earth, she tells me beautiful stories about the place. Is it true you use technology instead of magic? Is technology more powerful?" Branda now faced Ethan after she handed Cyclux a small bag.
"Not exactly...technology has its place and magic has its place I guess...it was nice meeting you Branda." Ethan said briefly, pulling Cyclux's robe at the side, who was engrossed in examining the content of his bag after handling Branda five bronze coins.
"What is that? Ethan asked after they left Branda's stall and were moving back into the large hall.
"Come...let's sit here...and we'll see," Cyclux moved towards a bench, which looked like the floor- made of sand and neatly coated. "Have this...and tell me how it tastes." Cyclux handed him something like candy, neatly wrapped in a beautiful paper, from the small bag. Ethan opened it, the content looked like sand- tiny, sticky pieces of brown grains, more like thick mud wrapped in a fancy paper. Ethan looked at Cyclux suspiciously, but he gave him a go-ahead nod. Ethan tasted a tiny bit, he widened his eyes, there was delight in them and quickly toss the whole content in his mouth. Eating it gratefully, with both eyes shot. It tasted like the best chocolate Ethan had ever tasted, because it had every lovely flavor Ethan would want in a chocolate- it's just like eating gran's variety of chocolate candy...and more, all at once. It made him feel young again.
"Sand chocolates...made by witches." Cyclux said delightedly.
"Made by what...?" Ethan's eye widened, this time it's not delight but horror. "...you should have told me th-at!" He gulped, the last piece of chocolate melted down his throat.
Cyclux had a large grin on his face, making his face wrinkle the more, "you are not accustomed to the fact that you are on a magical planet, mages, wizards, witches...are the normal people here and you will still meet elves, dwarfs and centaurs. Witches are known for delicious cakes and chocolates, else it won't taste like that...you will agree it is spectacular, I've been saving up for it. Ethan stared at him, jaw-drop and speechless. He thought about the juicy welcome he had in Grusav's office, the pumpkin appeared from nowhere...the food, the water, they had brought...a witch's sumptuous chocolate will not kill; he had better start getting used to it. Ethan looked at the small bag and then at Cyclux, who was still smiling brilliantly.
"Alright, can I try some few wraps more...? Probably it won't feel as strange anymore," said Ethan.
"A few more wraps? C'mon Ethan, it's obvious you loved it...there is no one who will not love Brandy's chocolate, except he's bewitched..." Cyclux replied almost quickly.
"But I thought you were bewitched..." Ethan said, with a serious look on his face- in a bid to tease Cyclux.
"I wasn't bewitched! I was charmed- charmed by that son of a devil, Mogul!" Cyclux wasn't pleased, his fist clenched and his lower lips were trembling. For a second, Ethan thought he had gone back in time, to the day he faced Mogul in the fatal duel that caused him his youthfulness, bodily. Ethan could feel a lump of guilt in his chest, he swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- to upset you, "Ethan pacified him.
"It's fine...it's Migol that has upset me and he will pay for it in time." Cyclux said, Ethan noticed there was a glow in his eyes, as he said so. "We shouldn't ruin the fun… Let's eat some chocolate. How-ever Ethan, you've got only two more wraps..."
They walked straight ahead after they had nearly finished the whole content of the bag, they almost succumbed to the temptation to eat everything and keep none for their journey. They ascended a flight of sandy stairs and entered into a small hallway, through a large oak door. Unlike in the large hall, where everyone minded his or her own business which made them almost invisible; every stare, every gaze, every concentration was directed towards them for the first five minutes or so. Everyone in the hallway were seated, this gave an impression that the small hallway serves as an unusual reception. There were chair-like structures, just like the bench they had sat on in the large hall and a look-alike door was opposite the one they just came in through. It was a relief that they will not have to walk down the hallway just yet, there were two empty seats close to the entrance. They quickly sat down, avoiding the several eyes staring concentratedly at them. Ethan felt very uncomfortable; he wished Cyclux could make them invisible. He decided to distract himself by studying the map- he could see both feet that indicated their positions, almost at the far end of the sand castle and the only information written at the foot was:
SAND CASTLE
THE CULT OF SANDS
He wished there was more information about the sand castle and that can explain the weirdness in the room. Cyclux seems to be uncomfortable as well; he kept staring at the small slip Grusav had given him to give the leader of the cult. Completely blank, nothing on either sides, yet Cyclux kept himself busy. "He must be thinking of a way to read the content." Ethan thought, he feared if he talked at that moment, some of the people that are now concentrating on other things might return...gawking.
"Aye…! Aye...!" They could hear a voice from the other oak door, opposite the entrance. A frisky creature came rambling through the door, slamming it behind him noisily. Ethan had never seen anything like it before: short, ugly brown head- like a huge pumpkin, popping eyes, large pointed nose, dollop palms and feet on tiny hands and legs. He was clad in a velvet gown, which will fit a six-year old girl perfectly. He was holding a blue register firmly in one hand. The creature looked around uncertainly, threw the register under his arm and clapped his hands, grinning from ear to ear. Everyone in the room disappeared except Ethan and Cyclux. "Sorry, we always do this...so that our visitors can stay put...and stay quiet. You are the only real ones in this room...and of course I. "He said as he approached the two of them, his gown was swinging from side to side as it approached. "Ah...Mr. Ea-then and Cy-clovs...the great Lord Zander the Cruel will see you now..."He informed them, still grinning.
"It's...Eth-an and Cy-clux." Cyclux told him sternly.
The goblin, as Ethan later learnt the frisky creature is, gave a look that suggested he didn't care. He turned briskly; Ethan and Cyclux followed quietly and tried to catch up.
"Why is he called 'the cruel', is he...cruel?" Ethan had asked Grusav back at the archive when Grusav was apprising him about the leaders of the seven cults.
"Er... let's just say it's a name earned on merit and has been passed from generation to generation. I guess it runs in the blood," was all Grusav told him.
The goblin led them through a narrow corridor which led to Zander the Cruel's inner chamber. The room was cozy, with thick, wine drapes covering most of the expanse. The floor is the same as the large hall and the small hallway, covered with a wine rug only at the center. A statue-head of every leader of the cult in the past were arranged accordingly, so that they formed a curve round the room leaving out the entrance and a few other places. The first and last statue heads stood close to the big, beautifully carved chair, which looked like a throne made from a mixture of sand, clay and stone- same as the statue heads. Ethan and Cyclux stood at the center of the room, looking from one statue head to another, while the goblin swayed through the thick drapes.
A giant-sized, fierce looking man came into the large room, barely noticing his visitors until he had climbed his 'throne'. The goblin followed him as if he had been completely charmed not to be himself anymore- he was walking very slowly, hand-crossed and his head bowed. The man's portly stomach reminded Ethan of Mr. Bulk. His neck area was completely invisible; it looked as though his head was sitting on his shoulders.
"Uhm... you are...?" The large man addressed them, in an unwelcoming, coarse tone. Cyclux approached courteously with the slip Grusav had given him, but the goblin intersected him quickly to collect the piece. Ethan thinks he has so much in common with the desert, his skin color- yellowish-brown, his mannerism as boorish as the texture of sand. "Uhm... which of you wants to kill Cryptmaw...? Ha ha...! Fascinat
ing...! Fascinating...!" He said tauntingly. "You didn't bring any gift for the great Zander...did you? His eyes were moving from Cyclux to Ethan and then back. "Not even Branda's chocolates?" Ethan and Cyclux gave themselves an awe-struck look that was screaming 'he has been watching us!' The goblin stepped forward, as usual, his dollop right palm outstretched, Cyclux quickly dropped the only wrap left, and the goblin retreated when no other one came out. "One…! You finished seventeen wraps of chocolate and brought only one for the great Zander?" Zander cried.
"We are so sorry for the oversight; we didn't know the great Zander would love chocolates..." Cyclux managed to say, his knees had gone feeble, but Zander the cruel wasn't listening, he was...seriously unwrapping the chocolate and squeezing it into his dolly mouth and smacking his lips repeatedly. He rose lazily from the chair and walked towards the same direction he had appeared.
"Uhm... gentlemen, Tanda will give you everything we can contribute to this quest." He said, pointing a large finger at the goblin and then added, "one advise before you go...you shouldn’t eat too much of a witch's confectioneries, else you will turn out like me...I wish you luck as great as I am." He had a big grin as he swept pass the long drapes.
"Master had given me instructions already...when I told him I saw unusual visitors at Branda's and then in the large hall." The goblin said, back to his usual...or unusual self. He led them through the drapes close to the entrance and as they went pass the drapes, they discovered they were outside...! They were on the other side of the castle. The drapes were especially enchanted to keep the covered expanse cozy and beautiful. Dry wind had greeted them as they went pass the drapes like it did when they first stepped foot on the land of sands. It is however hot this time.
Dragon and Prophesy Page 5