by Rudi James
‘You were both very brave,’ Leena said to Alex and Boris, as she and Jissi left the clearing.
‘Very brave,’ said Jissi.
When they had gone, Boris made it clear that he was going to do some scouting around, as he had promised earlier. He moved off, back to the hole from which they had all emerged, and disappeared from view.
‘He doesn’t wait around does he?’ mused Shirrac. ‘I myself must go now to contact the other Elders.’ He looked at the now disabled weapon that Drum was still holding. ‘You don’t mind if I take the fire lance with me to show them, do you?’
Drum handed it to him.
Shirrac stared at it for a few moments. ‘I will leave you and Hogarth to teach Alex the way of the powders.’
Chapter eight
A Lesson for Alex
When everyone had finally gone, Alex, Drum and Hogarth stood silently for some moments before Drum spoke.
‘Come over here Alex and sit at one of the tables.’ He looked at Hogarth. ‘Hogarth please sit quietly, watch and listen. You may learn something new.’
Alex sat at one of the taller tables and made himself as comfortable as possible. He had a feeling that this was going to take a while.
Drum stood in front of Alex, a few feet away, looking very thoughtful. ‘I think the thing for me to do is to begin by telling you a little more about Shanglo. As you already know, he was one of our great leaders, if not the greatest. And as you know, I am descended from him. What you may not know, but may have surmised, is that he spent his entire life in the pursuit of science and of perfection. His aim was to bring about a lifestyle for his people that was both simple in conception yet rich in function. His vision was one of a clutter-free and, as far as possible, machinery-free society. He wanted none of the material things that seem so prevalent in many other realms, particularly in yours Alex.
‘At first he did invent some devices, mechanical and so on, and some marvellous ones at that, but in the end he decided that there must be a much less complicated and stressful way of living, without the trappings of gadgetry. It was with this in mind that he put his concept to the people. There was a vote and most were in favour of a trial period. Eventually he developed what we now call the Shanglo Crystals, of which I have spoken. It took him over two hundred years of painstaking research, testing and developing the right conditions for the crystals to come into being. When he finally achieved his goal, he realised that the reproduction of the crystals was so complex that it would be very difficult for anyone else to recreate them once he himself was gone.’
Drum paced up and down, hands behind his back, head bent forward, before continuing.
‘He spent a further eighty years developing what he called a ‘Life Link’. In other words, the crystals had to be able to replenish themselves virtually forever, or at least until other scientists were able to fathom the highly detailed and complex documentation of his work, enabling them to produce more. Our best scientists are studying Shanglo’s journals in the hope that one day crystal reproduction will become possible, should it ever be necessary, though I doubt that it ever will. Nevertheless, he thought it wise to pass on his knowledge to ensure that the crystals never ever run out.’
Drum allowed this information to sink in, more for Alex’s benefit than Hogarth’s. Alex had been listening very closely and was beginning to grasp the importance of the crystals. He couldn't help interrupting before Drum spoke again.
‘And the crystals are the main source of the powders that you all use,’ he remarked.
‘Quite right my young friend,’ he said. ‘Not only the main source, but the only source, and for that reason, as you know, they are hidden in a secret location. Only a handful of our people, including myself, know where.’
Drum took a deep breath. ‘Anyway, the trial period was deemed a success and we’ve never looked back. As I said, the powders do have their own replicating ability but, in theory, they have to be replenished from time to time.’
‘From the crystals,’ said Alex.
Drum nodded. ‘Indeed yes, but only if a powder quantity has dropped below a certain level, whereby it loses its ability to replenish. That should never happen if the powders are used correctly and sparingly. They are inextricably linked to the crystals and form the very basis of our society. We can derive almost anything we wish from them; anything essential to life. Food, water, although Shanglo did state that he would prefer us to survive in the traditional manner and grow our own food, and so on. He didn’t want us to become totally dependent on the crystals and their powders. The crystals give us a choice. They release us from having to rely on the things that your realm finds so essential, for what you call “modern living”. We have reached a state of existence whereby we can enjoy the best of both worlds, so to speak. For example, we have no need for mechanical transportation. The correct use of the powders can take us anywhere we wish, as you have already discovered. We can grow our own food, and we do. If, however, there is an emergency, we can produce all the food we require using the crystals themselves.
‘You don't use the powders for that purpose?’ Alex asked.
Drum shook his head. ‘No,’ he said, after a few moments. ‘The powders are meant for general everyday use such as you have already seen.’
Alex looked slightly perplexed at this last remark. ‘I wouldn’t say flying or making yourself invisible are general everyday things.’
Drum smiled. ‘Not in your realm Alex,’ he replied, ‘But that’s what they were designed for; primarily for avoiding danger and to escape from harmful situations, in other words a kind of passive self-defence. They also provide us with pleasurable activities, as you have also seen.’
Alex nodded. ‘I must say I have to agree with that. Flying through those tunnels was the most fantastic experience.’
‘Just wait until you experience going to the future or the past, as I’m sure you will sooner or later,’ said Drum. ‘Then you will really begin to understand why we don't need the kind of material things you have in your realm. Realm travel has allowed us to learn wondrous things about this universe of ours. We are a people that thirst for knowledge. As do you Alex.
‘I have to tell you that Shanglo made it clear that the crystals also have powers that he couldn’t reveal. It seems we will find out what they are when we are ready to accept them.’
Alex looked perplexed again. ‘Speaking of time travel, exactly where am I, past or future?’
‘Neither,’ said Drum, ‘You are simply in a parallel time dimension.’ He thought for a moment. ‘Actually, that's not quite correct. There is a time gap, of probably a few
microseconds, perhaps less, between your realm occupying a point in space and this realm occupying the same point. You could say they follow on, one behind the other, but even that isn’t a true picture. We prefer to see them as running side by side; it’s more accurate and easier to envisage. Both realms cannot occupy exactly the same space at precisely the same moment. Let me also emphasize that there are several parallel realms; some good some not so good. We tend to visit your realm rather a lot because it has so many fascinating aspects and because it also happens to be the closest in line, so to speak.’
Drum looked at Alex to see if he had grasped the concept. Alex was nodding his head and seemed perfectly at ease with the explanation, so Drum carried on.
‘But you are still on Earth, in fact you are still in your own Wainfirth only in another time sequence. We are primarily realm travellers although we do travel in time as well because the two are very closely linked. We do it because we find it a most enjoyable pastime and, as I said, to satisfy our quest for knowledge. I am sure you too will find the same; but first you must understand the basic control of the powders, which is why we are here.’
‘You know,’ said Alex, ‘I'd named you the Realm People in my mind when I first met you and got to know a little about you.’
‘A very apt name,’ agreed Drum. ‘And it shows that you have a good gras
p of the way we live.’ He looked at Hogarth, who had been paying the utmost attention, then turned back to Alex.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘Shall we get on with your first lesson? What would you like to do first?’
Alex didn't have to think for long. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the flying experience in the tunnels.’
‘Ah hah!’ exclaimed Drum. ‘I thought you’d choose that. Very well then, come over here and stand with me.’ Alex did as he was asked.
‘Now,’ said Drum, holding some green powder in his hand, ‘Let's take it step by step. You will have to say a rhyme again, as you did before with Hogarth. This is to tune your mind to the powder frequency. You have to know that the powder is just a means of doing what you wish by the use of your mind; as I explained in the tunnel. Your mind controls the powder. Now take it from me and hold it in your palm.’
Alex held out his hand and Drum transferred the powder to his upturned palm.
‘Now repeat this verse,’ said Drum.
‘Bright green circle
Bright green light
Grant my wish
Let me take flight.’
‘At the same time, throw the powder skywards and concentrate on flying and nothing else. Off you go.’
Alex took a deep breath. He began the verse, speaking very haltingly and with a slight stutter. ‘Brr-ight ggrr-green…’
‘Stop,’ said Drum. ‘You have to speak with confidence. I suggest you say the verse a few times to be sure you know it.’
Alex repeated the rhyme a few times, took another deep breath and tossed the powder in the air. This time he spoke the verse easily and flowingly.
A bright green circle of light appeared above Alex’s head and began to descend. He watched it and held his breath. The circle was soon all around him. At first nothing happened. Then he heard Drum saying, ‘Concentrate boy, concentrate on flying.’
Alex thought as hard as he could about lifting off into the air, at the same time watching the green pulsing light intently. The light vanished and suddenly he felt himself lurch upwards. He was airborne but not the way he wanted to be. Not the way he was in the tunnel. He was finding it extremely difficult to control his stability in the air. First he flew up at great speed and saw the ground beneath, together with Hogarth and Drum, moving away very rapidly. Then he came down just as quickly, the ground rushing up at him at an unbelievable rate. Panic-stricken and perspiring heavily he desperately forced his mind to think 'up' at the same time shouting the word out loud at the top of his voice.
To his great relief the descent to a certain crash-landing was immediately and rapidly brought to a stop, barely a metre from impact. For a moment he hung there and then started to swing from side to side and back and forth. He was beginning to rise in the air again when he heard Drum’s voice.
‘Calm down Alex. What you’re experiencing is perfectly normal for your first attempt. Look about three metres straight ahead. This will fix your height. Then think about stopping all movement, just as you would normally. You should hover.’
Alex did as he was told. He fixed his gaze on an empty space in front of him. The effort of it all continued to make him perspire profusely. Then, to his amazement, he was no longer lurching up and down, though the sideways movements were still getting the better of him. He took Drum’s second piece of advice and thought of nothing but stopping all movement. The sideways swinging began to slow down and then stopped. Alex was hovering in mid air.
For the first time he was able to survey the ground below and the immediate surroundings in a relatively relaxed manner. His feelings of panic were subsiding rapidly, although he still felt apprehensive. His thoughts were interrupted by Drum's voice once more.
‘Well done!’
‘Well done!’ shouted Hogarth.
‘Now,’ said Drum, ‘look gently left and think of going that way. Then right and then up and down.’
Alex obeyed and found that he had reasonable control over his movements, although his heart was still pounding. It reminded him of the first time he had gone ice skating, and the effort involved to stay on his feet.
‘That’s it,’ yelled Drum, ‘you're doing fine! Now think forward and back. That’s it you’ve got it. It’s only like thinking about everyday actions such as walking or running. You don't have to consciously think about them all the time. They become second nature. Think about that Alex.’
Alex listened carefully to everything that Drum told him and when he put it into practice found that his control was almost perfect. Up and down, left and right he went, until at last he gained full confidence.
‘Excellent!’ exclaimed Hogarth. ‘You learn fast.’
‘All right Alex,’ said Drum. ‘Now reflect on how you would think if you wanted to walk round in a circle. Apply the same thought to flying. You should move forward slowly and continuously but in a circle.’
Alex did as he was told and, barely having to think at all, found himself flying round and round above the heads of his audience. He was beginning to enjoy the sensation of being in control of his own flight immensely.
‘That's magnificent!’ Drum shouted. ‘Now all you have to do is control your speed, but I think that’s enough for now. Look at the ground and think about coming down slowly. All you have to do then is break your thought contact with the energy field and it will automatically fade away.’
Once again Alex did as he was asked, and began to glide very gently down to earth.
Hogarth rushed forward, grabbed Alex by the hand and shook it vigorously. ‘Absolutely brilliant, wonderful and fantastic!’
Alex was extremely pleased at the outcome of his first lesson with the powders. He looked skywards and could scarcely believe that a few moments earlier he had been up there, controlling his own flight.
‘Do you have any questions?’ asked Drum.
‘I do have one. Why do you need, or why do you have, so many different powders?’
‘Variety is the spice of life.’
‘I see,’ said Alex. ‘That explains it.’ He thought for a moment. ‘Have any of the powders ever reached a point where they stop replicating?’
Drum shook his head. ‘As I said, they go on for a very long time. We are in contact with the crystal location should we ever need to produce more powders, or require the power of the crystals themselves.’ He rubbed his chin and appeared to be momentarily in deep thought. ‘Shanglo did say, in his journals that he had tried to develop one powder for all uses. It seems even he was unable to do so.’
Alex nodded his head slowly. ‘I'm fascinated by the kind of science that would allow someone to develop these powders, and then use mind control.’
‘That,’ said Drum, ‘is far too complex a subject for me to explain to you. Even if I understood it fully myself, which I don't. Suffice it to say that Shanglo was a total genius. Rest assured that the powders work entirely through science and not magic as they appear to.’ He paused. ‘However, despite that, I still have this deep-rooted feeling that some things aren’t entirely due to science. Still, can’t prove it.’
Alex considered this, but asked nothing further.
Chapter nine
Droch Strikes Back
After all the congratulations and all the excitement at Alex’s successful flight were over, the three of them began to discuss what to do next.
‘We ought to try and find out what has happened to our giant friend Boris,’ suggested Drum.
‘I expect he’ll turn up when he’s ready, especially if he has information about Droch,’ replied Alex. ‘What do think we should do, wait here for a while or go back to the village and wait for Shirrac?’
‘Let's wait here for a while. Perhaps we can come up with another plan of action to rescue the rest of our people,’ replied Drum.
Before anyone had time to make any further comments, Boris himself came bursting into the clearing.
‘News bad,’ he gasped breathlessly. ‘Shirrac he ambushed on way to meet other leaders. Elders as you
say.’ Boris's chest was heaving. ‘Me run very fast through forest. Not know all detail, but think Droch involved. Some of your scout tell me.’
The three of them looked horrified on hearing Boris’s news.
‘Where is Shirrac, is he hurt?’ Drum asked when he eventually found his voice.
Boris was drawing in a huge lungful of air to try and regain his breath. ‘Me not think Shirrac hurt, scout say he escape but lose medal from round neck. Attackers take medal.’
This last piece of news caused Drum so much anguish he almost collapsed in a dead faint. He literally fell against Alex, who had to physically hold him up. Hogarth sat down, head in his hands.
‘Oh no, not the amulet, not the amulet,’ cried Drum after regaining some of his composure. ‘Droch has been after that for a long time. It can lead him straight to the crystals if he finds out how to use it.’
Alex realised that Drum was referring to the amulet that Shirrac was wearing when he, Alex, first entered the realm with Hogarth. He remembered the engraving of the Earth’s solar system and another unknown system next to it. It was obviously very very significant indeed, judging by the state of his two friends.
‘I noticed that amulet when I first met Shirrac,’ Alex remarked. ‘I wondered at the time about what it was.’
‘That amulet,’ said Drum, ‘is the gateway to our crystals for anyone who knows how to use it. Droch doesn't know, but I’m sure he’ll try to find out. Failing that he’ll probably use it to blackmail us into telling him by severely threatening his hostages; probably with death.’
By this time Boris had recovered from his run in the forest. ‘Something quick we must do, but what?’
‘The only thing we can do is try and get to the crystal location before Droch finds out how to get there. It’s so far away that even using the relevant powder to travel there would take far too long. The amulet is a direct link and takes only a few minutes. It’s the nearest thing to instantaneous travel there is. Two of them were given to Shirrac by a great friend of ours, Seggim Tome.’ Drum sounded very dejected as he spoke. ‘One of the amulets was later given to me. Now we must use it to once again meet Seggim, guardian of our dearest asset; the Shanglo Crystals. Seggim has a warning device that tells him if anyone other than myself or Shirrac is about to use the amulet, but Droch may well find a way to take Seggim by surprise. He could force Shirrac to use the amulet to take him to the crystals; in which case Seggim would not receive any warning. The whole thing is too unbearable to think about. No, we must get to Seggim first to warn him.’