"So you've been the one sneaking on us," said Cyclux.
"My job is to make sure master knows everything going on at the sand castle..." Tanda said, flatly. "I have documented everything you will need." His blue register reappeared from under his velvet gown. Ethan was almost not listening; he was admiring how magic had separated the air condition of the inside from the outside. The answer he gave Branda might be indeed the best answer. "I have left them in your carriage."
A carriage that looked like Zander's chair- fairly larger-was waiting outside, without a horse or anything to drive it. Tanda reached under the seats to reveal a chest plate made from sand and stone, with gold plates at the center, shoulder and back parts. "The chest plate of the great Ruder the cruel. It can withstand any fiery dart...or fire." Tanda said, enthusiastically. "Climb! Great men of valor, your quest await you." He returned the chest plate carefully.
"How will it move from here..." Ethan faced Cyclux, who looked at the goblin uncertainly.
"The dust storm...it's on its way." He said.
"The dust storm...? On its way...?" Cyclux almost screamed.
"Do not fret gentlemen...the dust storm will do only what it is told. This time it's taking you to your next stop- the land of rocks.” The dust storm must have heard him just at the time. It appeared, blowing strongly, Cyclux' and Ethan's robe were being blown violently as the dust storm took position in front of the carriage. "Farewell! Mr. Eathen and Cyclovs...!" Cyclux pretended he didn't hear the last remark while Ethan waved back at the creature.
And then everything disappeared out of view- the goblin, the sand castle...everything. The carriage was moving so fast, everything was blurry on both sides and they must have left the sand castle with the speed of lightning.
..................................................................................................................................................
"Hey...! Margaret...I didn't realize I've got a message, Ethan's sent a message... this morning." Grandpa Alger cried joyfully. He was holding his cell as he fumbled with his glasses. It was as though Ethan himself had showed up at the front door. Gran, who had been sewing more aprons- that is what she does mostly now-was busy with her hands but the news made her drop the needle and the apron she was holding. She lifted her weight as fast as she could and rushed to her husband's side- she wanted to see the text as he read it.
"I'm sorry I've not called... I know you guys will be worried sick... my dear gran especially, but everything is fine. I sent this text as soon as I could. Jessica misplaced her phone. She had to go back to Worcestershire, she forgot some important documents there, and she needs to hand them over. She has decided to follow me to UAE (Al Sofouh). We are on our way... I'll probably text again... love you."
"Oh! Ethan...!"Mrs. Alger cried, as she collected the phone from her husband to read a second time. "Oh, thank goodness...! It's a relief to know they are both fine and sound," she said, holding her chest with her right hand and the cell in her left. “I've been worried sick..."
"I guess that explains why we've not been able to reach 'em. I told you Margaret, let us wait for a day- twenty four hours is ideal, and if nothing happens, we'll take action." Grandpa Alger said, Mrs. Alger now held the cell phone to her chest.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE CULT OF ROCKS
The carriage stopped abruptly in front of a rocky mountain, Ethan's hair was completely ruffled and Cyclux thinks he is going to throw up. The dust storm had vanished as fast as it came. It took them minutes to get down from the carriage or realize where they were. They were almost covered in dust. Cyclux dizzily removed the map from the pollen sack, which was also covered in dust. It was not an easy task to get the chest plate into it. The map looked blurry at first as Cyclux stared continuously at it. They were at the land of rocks, if the map didn't inform them, the landscape suggested so. It was a landmass that projects conspicuously, above the surroundings, rocky masses and slightly higher than the hills. They went through a large opening between two large rocks, they came into what would have been a large expanse with larger rocks surrounding the whole landmass like Zander the Cruel's chamber drapes- there were several lumpy but well-spaced rocks. They soon discovered the lumpy mass- as they descended the sloppy mountain they had come in through-were several archways. Ethan and Cyclux started moving through the archways, as the map suggested. The archways lead to a village where they can seek direction to James Eckrock, the cult leader.
"Be careful there... You can stumble easily." Ethan called out to Cyclux, who was dragging behind him. They were walking through a very rocky path and several archways, so that you can barely look at the sky, without seeing a lumpy rock hanging over your head. As they proceeded, several thick ropes hung loosely around the archways before them, so they treaded carefully. However, after walking a distance further, Ethan could feel something grab him tightly at the ankles and lift him off the ground, and the next thing- he was facing facedown. He could hear Cyclux grunting and struggling, his head was hanging downwards too.
"Oh... What the heck!" Ethan lamented, it felt as if every blood in his body had rushed into his head and it was going to burst open. Cyclux continued to grunt audibly. The pollen bag had fallen to the ground, heavier than it was initially... The chest plate was a great load, the pollen bag could accommodate it though, but the bearer felt the weightiness. Cyclux tried not to let the map out of his grasp. After few minutes, they could hear footsteps approaching; it was not easy to find out which direction they were coming from. Ethan could see someone approaching hastily; he was wearing a coat made from goat's skin. If a normal man had worn it, it will barely go past the waist, but it looked like a gown on him- he's of the same height as Tanda, the goblin at the sand castle, but very thick and stud, and with stiff and very strong limbs. Ethan could see four...no six others, in his upside down position. They had austere and fierce looks, holding clubs in one hand. They were all wearing an identical cap, dirty and concealing their foreheads.
"I told ya...! Cryptmaw's spies... Bloody intruders…!" The first dwarf was shouting, he looked like the leader of the gang.
"We a-re...not sp..."Cyclux managed to speak; he was so pale that it looked as though he was going to pass out any minute.
"Shut up!"
"Plea- uhm... Please, we are not spies..." Ethan reiterated.
"I said... shut up!" The first dwarf yelled, much angrily this time.
"Plea-" Ethan was going to plead with them again... And then, thud!
Everything went blank and black.
"Here, we saw this map with them and this small bag too... I don't think Cryptmaw will ever stop sending mages to spy on us..." Ethan could hear distant voices, it sounded like the dwarf, who led their abductors, speaking with someone else. His head was pounding profusely; it felt like his heart was now pumping blood right in his head, and fast as ever. Cyclux wasn't moving, Ethan's tied hands and leg made it impossible for him to know if he is alright.
"They've been to the sand castle and they started their journey from here... If I'm not mistaken, that's the archive... Open the bag..."This was a different voice, another man's voice. Ethan thinks he is probably their leader- James Eckrock. They are most likely reporting to him.
"A chest plate... Sand, stone and clay..." He said, Ethan strained to hear him... He must know about their mission. "I don't think they are spies... Bring them at once!"
"He-y... Ethan, oh my! My head hurts." Cyclux had finally woken up.
"Quiet... They are coming."
Some men were approaching the cabin, very quickly. Ethan rested backwards, so that he remained in the position they left him. The iron door opened, and four dwarfs came in. They loosed their hands and feet, and led them through a dark corridor that leads into a larger room. It is completely different from Zander the Cruel's palatial apartment. Nothing impressive, mostly make shift chairs, hewed from rock. The one at the far end, opposite the entrance, looked a bit different from the rest. It was
bigger and covered with goat's skin. A dwarf was sitting on it; it would perfectly serve as a bed- if he decided to take a nap. It must have taken some efforts to climb. His pair of slippers was beautifully decorated with goat skin, and he had an overall with the same design, on a purple robe. He had a thick moustache, either brown or black, which matched his hair too. "I know you are not spies... Did Grusav send you? He asked.
Cyclux said, "The note he gave us is in our bag."
"This one…?" He raised a blank slip; exactly like the one he presented Zander the cruel.
"Yes... that one. I guess you've ransacked our bag... Did you find anything else?"
The dwarf ignored Cyclux and leaped off his seat, he landed like some skillful and experienced acrobat. "I am James Eckrock, leader- the cult of rocks." He said, looking from Ethan to Cyclux. We are sorry for the rude reception. We usually are not like this, but we've had terrible experiences with Cryptmaw's spies. Allow us to show you how hospitable we are." He clapped his hands and immediately, the 'rocky' chairs started moving forward, towards Ethan and Cyclux, who stood at the center of the room. "Please have your seats, gentlemen." Ethan and Cyclux moved to the left side of the room to sit down. As they did, the 'rocky' chairs rose steadily until they were comfortably seated. He clapped his hands again and something rigid and flat started coming out, from the floor. Cyclux thought there was going to be an earthquake or a volcano eruption. He held Ethan's arm very tightly, the whole room was shaking and then there was quiet.
"Whoo oo...!" One of the dwarfs squeaked, and the others responded. They had stood their ground during all the shaking without falling, and that seemed to call for some jubilation. But their visitors were terribly frightened. Cyclux's headache returned as quickly as it relieved him. There was now a flat platform in the middle of the room, which served as the 'rocky' table, a rather biggish table for a dining hall of such modest magnitude. The room looked like a small dining hall. It reminded Ethan of his last dinner on planet earth. As James Eckrock prepared to clap a third time, both hands raised to his chest level. Cyclux quickly held Ethan's arm, not knowing what to expect. Clap! clap! clap! The entrance door- which Ethan cannot remember when they walked... or were carried through it- flung open and an aroma of several delicacies wedded in lovely harmony filled the entire room. Cyclux almost stood up.
About six ladies- 'non-dwarf', came in carrying something like a tray, with several delicacies in it. They dressed like waitresses. They were wearing white aprons and broad smiles. They were led by a dwarf- male. He looked like the cook, his hat bent awkwardly- it was almost as tall as him. Seven dwarfs followed behind, they were carrying violins and harps. The ladies arranged the content of their trays on the table and dashed out immediately. The other seven dwarfs started on their instruments. They started with a beautiful musical piece.
"Anything you want gentlemen! Let's dine and let's wine!" James Eckrock announced.
The other dwarfs answered, "whoo oo!"
Ethan's and Cyclux's chairs moved them closer to the table. There was all they would love to eat on the table: roasted chicken, beef, fresh cream from cows, white bread, dry bread, garlic stew, tomato soup with barbequed fish, fresh salad... and as much wine and ale as one wants.
"Gentlemen, I present to you the knights of this great cult, men made of rocks..."The entrance door was flung open again but this time, some men came in numbering to about a dozen, there were only two or three dwarfs among them, the others were giants beside them. They came in shouting "whoo oo!" And they lifted up their weapons as they did- clubs, swords, axes and a spear. They were all carrying a shield, craftily hewed from a rock. It looked very heavy, but they carried it as if they were bearing something lighter. They took their positions around the table. The 'rocky' chair rose a bit higher and moved closer to the table if a tall man sat on it, but if a dwarf did, it only moved closer to the table.
"I would like to make a toast..."James Eckrock said, he was holding a goblet. Everyone on the table got hold of a goblet. Ethan looked into his, it had a reddish content. "To the fall of Cryptmaw!"
"To the fall of Cryptmaw!" The whole room echoed, lifting their goblets fairly above their heads and then to their mouths. Oh! The wine tasted... Awesome! Cyclux poured more into his goblet as soon as it touched the table.
James Eckrock leaped again- this time, backwards and a little bit higher, with the same acrobatic grandeur- and then... he was sitting down again.
"Oh! That didn't take any effort at all; I thought he will struggle greatly to climb that thing..." Ethan said to Cyclux, who was busy with a chicken breast, but he was loud enough for half of the men around the table to hear him. There was a brief, tense pause as almost every eye was on him. "Er... I meant that... his acrobatics is simply fantastic...! And I love it." Ethan said quickly, not sure if he sounded convincing enough.
"Oooooh! Oooooh!" James Eckrock lets out an absurd cackle, echoing through the walls. He must have been spectacularly elated by Ethan's comment unlike his knights. "Eat... Eat and drink comrades! Don't ruin the fun please... and in the morrow we shall teach Mr. Ethan how to fight a dragon and how not to get burnt! Ha ha…!"
This last announcement was greeted with shouts of "whoo oo! Aye! Aye!" Some of the knights hit their chest so that it gave a Thud! Thud! sound. The banquet was soon over and some pretty ladies- like the waitresses, but not as covered-came to show the visitors into their room, for the night.
"It's a noble task you've got Mr. Ethan; probably the most noble any knight has ever had in all of the seven lands." A knight said to Ethan as they filed out of the room.
"O-kay... I'll keep that in my mind." Ethan said, forcing a wry smile.
Cyclux was mumbling a lot of nonsense about his exploits as a renowned wizard and the ladies were giggling nonstop. Ethan was irritated.
"Sir, would you not like to have some sweet company for the night...?" One of the ladies said, smiling broadly. They've been led to a large room, through a dimly lit corridor. Ethan entered as soon as the door was unlocked, but Cyclux doesn't want to leave the ladies so soon. He was particularly happy about how the night has turned out. A little company is not a bad idea. "Oh... how thoughtful of you my ladies! We-"
"No, thanks... We have a lot to do tomorrow, we would like to rest now." Ethan interrupted quickly. He pulled Cyclux into the large room and slam! He shut the door.
"What did you do that for? Not everyone has found love like you have, and this ageing spell does not make it any easier for me. Now that I have ladies flocking around me, you pushed them away."
"And you think you will find love here, really...? I wonder how many men they've kept 'company' in this room." Cyclux didn't reply him, he clumsily walked pass him, his eyes was fixed on something- like he had found a long lost treasure.
"Our bag…!" Ethan exclaimed. Cyclux had opened it already. "Cyclux... What are you doing?" He was helping himself to some fruits already.
"I've greatly missed blueberries; they make me feel less old and haggard." He said, but Ethan ignored him.
"No! No! That is not a 'rocky' bed... is it?" Ethan stared at the platform before him, it was as flat and solid as the table they just ate on.
"Hmmm... you will be amazed at what magic can do." Cyclux, who was already sitting on the bed with the pollen bag on his laps, said amid mouthful of blueberries. Ethan touched the 'rocky' bed to feel it, Cyclux's parable did not answer his question; the last thing he wants after a long day, is to sleep on a rock. But it felt like he was going to be sleeping in a field of cotton and roses that night- the bed looked solid and rigid, but what you feel when you sleep on it was completely dissimilar."...but how long were we locked up in that room- if it's so dark now..."
Ethan wasn't listening anymore, he was thinking about what the knight had told him, "it's a noble task you've got Mr. Ethan Probably the most noble..."And he drifted off to sleep.
"Good morning, Mr. Ethan. I hope you had a splendid night rest." James Eckrock was already outside the large r
oom, where they had dinner the previous night- he was standing on the balcony. The room had returned back to how it was, rocky chairs were back on both sides of the room, and the table was gone too. Ethan had wondered through the corridor until he got to the large room after he woke up.
"Yes I did, thank you."
"What of the wizard you are travelling with... still sleeping?"
"Still snoring, he had too much yesterday."
Eckrock smiled, "I am glad he enjoyed the treat... but I can't say the same of the ladies, you don't seem to have enjoyed their company."
"Not exactly, we were just tired yesterday. We needed to rest."
Eckrock agreed, "Of course... of course. I hope the bed did rock you to sleep."
"Absolutely…!"
It was a spectacular view from where they stood. Ethan could see the mountainous rocks that surrounded the city; the archways they had to go through before their capture were like lumps of scattered stones in the distance. There were tiny cottages sparsely arranged, where the archways ended. Men, women, children- dwarfs and non-dwarfs dwelt there. Close by, to the far right, Ethan could hear the clanging of metals and a familiar shout of whoo oo!
"We call this place the rock palace, this is where the leader of the cult is born and raised. The only village after the archways is the village of the gate-keepers. They are mostly warriors and mostly dwarfs. You were captured by the gate-keepers on duty, yesterday." Eckrock told Ethan. "Only knights practice here," he pointed to where the clanging noise was coming from. "You will be taught how to bear a shield hewed from solid, heavy stone and sorcery. We have protected it and kept it safe, waiting for this day." He said, his eyes beaming with fulfillment. "Come with me... Mr. Ethan."
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