by KJ Siirila
“Do you think this path will lead us all of the way out of here without having to go up and down the first mountain again Shaman?” Ovit asked.
“When we get to the faces of the mountain we’ll ask them for a shorter way out of here. If anyone would know, they would.” The Shaman unhooked his ropes from the others and they continued walking down the path.
The faces of the mountain were not far from them, but reaching the top of the mountain just as they were at the bottom of the Mystagogs’ mountain was the witches and the gremlin. If there was ever a moment for intervention, this would be it.
The Shaman, Micael and Ovit neared the faces of the mountains and heard them whispering as they came to them.
The Shaman spoke to them. “Hello friends.”
The face they had spoken to on the way to the Mystagog appeared before them in the mountain wall.
“Hello kind travelers. We see you made your way to the Mystagog. Hopefully, he was helpful to you.”
“He was most helpful thank you. My friends and I were wondering if this path would lead us out of here and back into the desert. We’re trying to get to the Midnight Mountains as quickly as possible.” The Shaman smiled.
The face looked at all three of them. “I’m sorry friends but this path ends at the edge of the first mountain.”
The Shaman, Micael, and Ovit looked disappointed until the face spoke again.
“Don’t be sad my friends, I said that path ends at the mountain but there is another way.” The face smiled and suddenly the mountain began to open showing a secret passageway. The Shaman, Micael, and Ovit were very excited.
“Thank you friends.” The Shaman grinned.
“We know you are here for the act of good friends. We are willing to help anyone who is willing to help the world.” The faces looked upward. “You must move fast my friends there are more coming. I sense evil has entered the mountains. Go now.”
With those words, the three entered the secret passageway out of the mountain range. The walls closed behind them as they went into the passageway, but luckily there was enough light for them find their way.
On the path, the witches and the gremlin began walking. The faces in the mountains disappeared and wouldn’t make themselves seen until they knew the evil doers were gone.
The Shaman, Micael, and Ovit managed to make it through the passageway and found themselves back in the desert. They were extremely happy to know they would be able to reserve their energy for the trip to the Midnight Mountains.
They sat and rested for a moment and tried to figure out what the Mystagog was trying to tell them.
“The only meaning I can gather from it Shaman is that the Book of Elandor is hidden somewhere in the Midnight Mountains near a lake, or water of some kind.” Micael said with confusion.
“I don’t see much more than you do Micael. I’m not sure what mountain or what body of water we should be looking for.” Ovit shrugged.
The Shaman sat for a moment then spoke.
“I believe we are looking for the darkest mountain in the Midnight Mountains. I don’t know where that would be but I’m sure with much searching and a little luck we will find it before the others do.”
“What if he lied to us Shaman?” Micael asked.
“He may have lied to us Micael but we have no choice at this time but to believe him. I don’t believe that he will tell the evil dwellers the truth, but then one never knows.” The Shaman looked up into the sky.
He began pointing at something. Micael and Ovit were wondering what he was pointing at and began looking up also. Just then, something came flying down to them. It was the Queen Armad and Princess Fimella.
The three of them smiled when they saw them.
“Didn’t think we’d find you did you?” The Princess Fimella giggled.
“We certainly didn’t expect to see you, but it’s a wonderful surprise, but why are you here Queen Armad?” The Shaman asked.
“I couldn’t sit forever and wait to see what happened Shaman, so I decided to join you on your journey.” She smiled and he smiled back. “Now, we have more pressing matters at hand. The warlocks are in the desert and not far from us. In order to avoid them, we’ll have to move down the left side of the desert.”
“That works much better for us Queen Armad because we are going to the Midnight Mountains in search of the Book of Elandor.” The Queen Armad seemed stunned as did the Princess Fimella.
“Are you sure we must go to the Midnight Mountains Shaman?” The Queen asked.
“Yes, the Mystagog told us that the Book of Elandor was in a dark mountain near a brook, and there are no mountains in the Valley of Illumination so we are traveling to the Midnight Mountains.” The Shaman was looking around to make sure nobody could hear them or see them.
“So the Midnight Mountains it shall be then Shaman. Come daughter we’ll fly above to keep a watchful eye for enemies.” The Queen and Princess flew into the sky.
The Shaman, Micael and Ovit began moving to the farthest left of the desert readying themselves for the Midnight Mountains.
Inside the mountain range of the Mystagog, The witches and the gremlin walked up the path. Something seemed strange to Grimelda as she walked the path. She felt as though she was being watched but couldn’t figure it out. Magella looked at Grimelda knowing she felt the same thing. Izasa was a bit nervous walking the path but didn’t say anything he just walked along.
“Sister, there are eyes and ears upon us.” Grimelda whispered.
“I know sister I feel them too. We must move quickly up this path and find the Mystagog.” Magella began walking faster. Just then, the mountain walls ahead of them closed in creating a blockade. The witches walked quickly to the wall and realized that something powerful was happening. The face of mountain appeared before them.
“What is it you want here travelers?” The face asked.
“We wish to see the Mystagog.” Grimelda said arrogantly.
“I’m afraid the Mystagog will see no one else today travelers come back another time.” The face was trying to delay them to protect the Shaman, Micael, and Ovit.
Grimelda grew angry. “See here keeper of the mountain, I suggest you open your doorway to us before I cast a spell that will destroy your blockade.”
The face laughed at Grimelda. “Silly travelers, magic doesn’t work here in the mountain range. You have no powers here. You will wait until I decide when you shall pass. Threatening me won’t help you get there any faster.”
The face disappeared and Grimelda, Magella, and Izasa slumped to the ground in defeat to rest.
The ghouls had waited till the witches went over the top of the mountain with the gremlin before beginning their climb to the top. It was less difficult then they thought at first. They knew they couldn’t possibly find the Mystagog before the witches but would follow them as best they could. When they reached the top of the first mountain they too realized how many mountains there would be to climb. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t see the path and chose to take the long route.
“Slothard and Wagrim do you realize how long it will take us to climb all of these mountains to find the Mystagog? Do you also realize that we have no idea which one of these mountains he’s on?” Helmog was frustrtated.
“They are in a row Helmog we shall just look at each one as we climb it, until we reach that large one at the end.” Slothard reassured him.
Wagrim was bothered at the idea of traveling even further through the mountain range to look for the Mystagog. He just wanted to go back to the castle in the Midnight Mountains and find another way, but he knew this was two against one, him being the one so he continued with the other two.
In the desert and nearing the edge of it Crovis and Trovis walked on. They didn’t know about the mountain range in the mirage and continued to just walk forward.
“How do we know we’ll ever find the sisters Crovis?” Trovis asked.
“Where else would they be Trovis? They went north
to search for the Mystagog. We will find them eventually.” Crovis kept walking. As they walked Crovis began to wonder how much longer the desert could possibly be.
“Let’s stop and rest Crovis.” Trovis stopped and sat on the ground.
“Trovis, if we want to find them we have to stop resting. We must keep going.” Crovis wanted to continue on.
“Crovis, why are we chasing the sisters anyway? Why don’t we fly back to the castle in the Midnight Mountains and wait for them. They’ll have to come back eventually.”
Crovis sat for a moment and listened to Trovis. He may be onto something. Why should they struggle with this long journey when they could just wait for the sisters to come back to the castle?
“You know brother I agree, I am tired of walking and I’m ready to go back to the castle. But, when we get there we better prepare for the return of the bitter sisters. I’m sure they’ve realized by now that we’re onto them. We will have to create a spell or potion to destroy them if we should ever stand a chance against them.” Crovis spoke quietly.
The brothers decided to rest for awhile before going back to the Midnight Mountains.
The witches in the meantime were still waiting for the mountain to open its blockade to let them through. They must’ve waited for at least twelve hours before the face in the mountain appeared before them again.
“I have decided to let you pass now travelers. You may go.” As the words were spoken the large mountain blockade began to open and the witches and the gremlin were able to walk through.
Once inside Grimelda realized that the largest mountain must be the home of the Mystagog. It’s the only thing that made sense to her.
“We must climb that great mountain in front of us to find the Mystagog I hope you know.”
Izasa looked at the mountain and spoke exhaustively. “I have traveled with you long enough witches, it is time for you to keep your promise and set me free.”
Grimelda cackled. “We don’t need you any longer gremlin. I don’t believe anybody needs you honestly.” She walked towards him. “But, we haven’t found the Mystagog yet which means I’m not done with you yet.” She grabbed him and put him up against a tree. “Magella take the rope and tie him to this tree. Once we come back down this mountain and have spoken to the Mystagog we will set you free gremlin.” She frowned at him.
Magella walked over to them and began tying Izasa up.
Izasa just stood there tied to the tree looking at both of them angrily. He could hardly wait to see the day when the witches were finally destroyed.
Grimelda and Magella began climbing the mountain while Izasa stood below ready to escape from the ropes that bound him.
The Shaman, Micael, Ovit walked rapidly through the desert. The Queen Armad and Princess Fimella flew overhead.
“We must come up with a plan in case we are attacked in the Midnight Mountains Micael and Ovit.” The Shaman spoke with much concern.
“We can defend ourselves Shaman. You taught us well. We may be useless when it comes to magic but we are warriors when it’s weapon to weapon.” Micael was becoming a young adult on this journey. When they left the Valley of Illumination, he was still a child, but the tasks laid before him were turning him into a young man.
The Queen Armad flew down and fluttered before the three of them as they walked.
“My daughter will be flying back to the Valley of Illumination to tell the Angelic Spirits what is happening. We will find our way back to her when our task is complete.”
The Shaman looked at the Queen Armad with seriousness. “I think you should go back to the Valley of Illumination Queen Armad. I mean no disrespect, please understand, but the fairies need you.”
“I have talked this over with my daughter Shaman. We both agree that I possess the skills necessary to help you along your journey. She is wise for being so young, but she’s not strong enough to defend herself. I possess magical powers as you know hers have not yet been honed.” The Queen Armad smiled. “Don’t worry my friends, it will be fine. I’ll tell her you said to travel safely.” With these words she fluttered upward into the sky.
“Having the Queen Armad with us makes me very nervous Shaman.” Micael looked to him.
“She has made her choice Micael and it’s not likely that we will change her mind.” The Shaman knew the Queen Armad was a pillar of strength in times of crisis and he felt better knowing she was above looking down.
“It’s not that I don’t think she can handle our journey Shaman, it’s just I’m worried that something may happen and she could get hurt, what would the fairies do if that were to happen?” Micael asked.
“The Princess Fimella was brought to this world to carry on the Queen’s legacy. If anything were to happen to the Queen the Princess would carry on the throne.” The Shaman knew that this may ease Micael’s mind a bit.
Ovit kept walking but spoke quietly. “I think it’s a great thing the Queen is doing for the Princess. She’s protecting her from harm and protecting her legacy at the same time. I think she should be honored for her bravery in the face of danger.”
The Shaman and Micael looked at Ovit as he kept walking along minding his own business.
“You know for a troll you surely are wise.” Micael laughed.
“You’re not so bad yourself Micael, for a myrmidon.” Ovit smiled.
The Shaman looked over at both of them and grinned. “Alright you two, it’s time to get serious.” He began laughing with them.
Grimelda and Magella were approaching the peak of the Mystagogs home quickly. Grimelda felt over anxious at the prospect of knowing the whereabouts of the Book of Elandor. She knew that with the Book of Elandor she would possess some of the greatest spells ever written, and combined with her magic, she would be extremely powerful.
At the peak, Grimelda and Magella climbed over the top slowly. They saw the cave in front of them with a light flickering on the inside. They walked slowly into the cave and saw the old man lying on the floor.
As they got closer he sat up and raised his hand motioning them to stop.
“We have come to find out the location of the Book of Elandor.” Grimelda spoke softly to the Mystagog.
“I know why you’re here witches, but don’t be fooled you aren’t the first to arrive.” He smiled at them.
Grimelda and Magella acted calmly. They just wanted to hear his riddle and be on their way. Knowing their magic didn’t work in the mountains made them a little nervous.
The Mystagog walked out of the cave and looked into the sky. Grimelda and Magella were close behind him.
“Listen very closely witches, for I will only say this once. A great circle of light in the sky, shall show you where the book does lie, find the tree with leaves of red, to find the object to which you’ve been lead.” With these words, the Mystagog walked past them and back into his cave.
Grimelda stood thinking about what he had just said. “A great circle in the sky.” She looked at Magella with fear in her eyes. “We must go to the Valley of Illumination sister.”
Magella gasped at the thought of it. “The Valley of Illumination Grimelda? That would be asking for death.”
“Don’t worry sister we’ll be safe as long as we have our magic. It may not work here in the mountain range of the Forest of Shadows but once we leave here we are powerful once more.” Grimelda began climbing down the mountain. “Come Magella we have no time to waste. We must find the Book of Elandor before the others.”
“What if he lied to us sister?” Magella asked.
“Then we shall come back and find the Mystagog, and destroy him.” She smiled.
They moved as quickly as they could down the mountain.
At the bottom of the mountain Izasa was almost free of his ropes and ready to escape. He just needed to get one more knot out of the rope, he managed to use one of his claws to cut it and freed himself just in time to look up and see the witches were not far from him coming down the mountain. He would hide further up the pat
hway until he knew they were gone, then, he too would climb the great mountain and speak to the Mystagog and bring the information back to Olagh at the fortress. He moved quickly up the path and found a hiding place where the witches would never look to find him.
Hours had passed when Grimelda and Magella reached the bottom of the mountain. They walked over to the tree and realized that Izasa had escaped.
“Don’t worry sister he’s not needed any longer. Once we have the Book of Elandor, we’ll destroy all of the gremlins.” Grimelda began to laugh loudly. Izasa heard what she said and muttered to himself. “Not if I find it first witch.”
CHAPTER SIX
The ghouls continued to climb the mountains one by one. They still had at least ten more to climb when they decided to stop.
“Helmog, I truly hope this is worth our time and effort hunting down this mysterious Mystagog.” Slothard was irritated.
“We will find him Slothard and Wagrim. We will find him and then find the Book of Elandor.” Helmog smiled.
“I do hope you’re right Helmog.” Wagrim looked at him wearily.
“Why do you continue to doubt me Wagrim? Why must you always doubt me?” Helmog didn’t like the way Wagrim spoke to him sometimes.
“I try not to doubt you Helmog but I am concerned for my own well-being. I’m sure you can understand this.” Wagrim smirked.
“Of course I understand this Wagrim, just trust me for once and let’s continue on to the Mystagog. The information he gives to us could be vital to our survival.”
Slothard and Wagrim nodded to agree with Helmog and they continued on.
Once the witches had disappeared up the trail Izasa began his climb to the top of the mountain. He moved much more quickly than the witches because he was smaller and didn’t carry as much weight as the witches. He managed to climb to the top of the mountain in a matter of hours. He was nervous about meeting the great Mystagog. He saw the cave with the light streaming out of it and entered the cave.
The Mystagog was standing facing the wall drawing pictures on the wall. He didn’t turn around at first. “Be seated.”