by I. B. George
Eventually, Robert broke the silence of several hours.
“Radius, do you think we will go through the checkpoint all right?”
“I do hope so, with all my heart, my prince. Although the soldiers there can be suspicious and thorough, I expect everything should go well. As I said before, nobody expects us to be here, near Akros.”
“I still don’t know who we’re meant to be meeting and why is it so important as to go so far off our way?”
“It’s a secret, Prince, but I do hope we will have an answer to our problems. On the other hand, I am convinced you will be really pleased to meet this person.”
“Was it someone close to my mother?”
“Very close… more so than you might think”, answered Radius mysteriously, gazing into space.
From the Professor’s attitude Robert could tell that he was avoiding more questions, so he didn’t dare question him any further. They could be nearly in Akros if everything went according to plan, so they were going to meet the mysterious person soon.
Midday had long gone and the sun started gliding across to the West. They were very near the place Azar had in mind for their next break.
***
They ate in silence, squatting around the fire lit by Azar, while the horses grazed quietly nearby, tied up to the surrounding trees.
They were all thinking about the next day and the journey they were about to take to Akros.
“Azar”, warned Radius, “make sure the weapons are well hidden. We’re bound to be searched at the checkpoint.”
“That’s already been taken care of, Professor. I’ve hidden the weapons inside the axle of the cart. I had already agreed with Quilar to have a hollow axle in which to hide the swords and daggers. The bows are under a blanket behind the barrels. If the soldiers find them we could tell them we use them to hunt.”
“The swords are a different issue. Nobody hunts for rabbits with a sword”, chuckled Rolan, making the others laugh too.
“My prince”, said Radius turning to Robert, “I will do the talking. You just make sure to go unnoticed, as we’ve agreed.”
“Don’t worry, Radius, I won’t meddle in the conversation. I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.”
“Vidar, considering that your warrior figure is obvious from a mile away, I will tell the soldiers that your job is to ensure the security of our group on our journey.”
“Yes Sir!” answered Vidar smartly.
“Rolan, Voras and Azar, you will be some trading associates. I will tell the guards at the checkpoint that you wished to join us on our travels when you learned that I was going to Akros. You will pretend to be fur merchants looking for new goods, those in the Upper Realm are famous for it.”
“That’s all right with us, Professor”, confirmed Voras for everybody.
“Then, my friends, let’s get some sleep. We have a heavy day ahead of us.”
They all stood up and started to look for a place to lie down. A few moments later, silence descended over their little camp.
Only Captain Vidar who was in charge of keeping watch, from time to time poked the embers of the fire with a long stick.
***
The closer they got to the checkpoint at the Misty Passage, the heavier the traffic of merchants became. They could see vendors from all kingdoms heading to Akros to sell their abundant goods, hoping for a better price or an advantageous trade with the produce offered by the merchants of the Lower Realm.
Near the checkpoint, the passing crowds queued up systematically for a stretch of several hundred paces, waiting for their turn to be searched.
The tension grew each hour, making the wait almost unbearable. Robert and his companions tried their hardest not to draw attention to themselves, endeavouring to look relaxed, even though the stress and strain were eating them inside.
One of the soldiers signed to them to approach and the little assembly started moving. Then the soldier stopped them while another, who looked like the commander of the checkpoint, came towards them. Two more soldiers approached and started to search the seven friends’ cart and bags.
“Which one of you is the leader of this group?” snapped the commander.
“That will be me”, answered Radius looking straight at him.
The commander eyed him suspiciously.
“Where do you come from and what is your business in Akros?”
“We’re from the Kingdom of Clouds and we’re trying to sell some barrels of wine. We had a rich grape harvest this year and the price went down a great deal on the market in Elementis. We were hoping to get a better deal in Akros.”
“Wine?” enquired the commander as his face broke into a cunning smile.
“Precisely, Your Highness.”
The commander, pompous by nature, liked the name that Radius had called him. He tried however to look tough without showing that he was flattered by Radius’s sweet talk.
“And how do I know you’re not hiding something else inside those barrels? Some prohibited goods, maybe?”
“Your Graciousness”, Radius flattered him again, making the commander feel important again, “we’re just mere merchants trying to make an honest living. I can assure you we wouldn’t try anything deceitful.”
“That remains to be seen, you trader”, the commander cut him off sharply. “And who’s that?” he asked curtly, looking towards Robert.
“That’s my shop boy, Your Grace. I brought him along to help us set up camp when we stop to rest. Good boy, Sir, but simple minded. I found him a few years ago, starving and wandering the streets.”
The commander pointed at Vidar.
“And him? He looks military.”
“Indeed, Your Highness. He’s a former soldier, now discharged. We needed someone to protect us… the roads are dangerous. And we’re just merchants, my lord, we’re not good with weapons.”
“What about them?” asked the commander looking towards Voras, Rolan and Azar who were standing quietly by their horses.
“Fur traders, Sir. They’re trying to find some goods in the Upper Realm. They heard we were heading that way and they asked for permission to join us.”
“That one over there looks like a soldier too”, he said, pointing at Azar.
“That’s right, You Mighty One, he’s an ex-soldier. When the war ended he was left without a job so he looked for other employment. He married a fat and ugly, but rich woman, and he started trading. I heard she even beats him sometimes”, said Radius a bit more quietly.
“Poor fellow”, chuckled the commander. “Might as well have stayed a soldier than have a life like that. But, what won’t we do for money?”
“That’s right, Your Greatness”, approved Radius, noticing from the corner of his eye one of the soldiers looking closely at the cart axel. “As I was saying, master, we’re just traders who are trying to make some money, nothing dishonest. If you wish, you could keep one barrel of your choice and search it more carefully later, so you can see we’re not hiding anything.”
The commander understood Radius’s insinuation so he called to the two soldiers to bring one of the barrels. Radius breathed more easily as he watched the soldier who peered at the axel going to fulfil his new order.
The commander gave a satisfied grin imagining already the great party they were going to have after dark. He then caught a glimpse of Akura who was lying quietly on his forepaws.
“Is that mutt yours too?” enquired the commander.
Akura jumped when he heard the word ‘mutt’ and his first impulse was to stick his teeth into the commander’s leg. He didn’t move however, and he put on a bored face.
“Yes, Your Greatness! He followed us ever since we went through Bakar where we found him looking scruffy and hungry. We washed him yesterday at the river and fed him. We thought he might keep watch at night when we stop.”
The commander gave a last look at the queer looking group in front of him. At last he decided:
“All right… you’re free… you c
an go!” he snapped. “Pull the barrier up!” he called to the soldiers who started manoeuvring the huge wooden beam that barred the way to the Passage.
The group started moving slowly, heading towards the barrier. Behind them, the commander approached the next group.
Ahead of them rose the steep wall of the Upper Realm, seemingly carved by an unseen hand. Robert noticed a path winding along the cliff, disappearing into white mist as it went higher and higher.
“Friends”, Azar’s voice rang out, “this is the Misty Passage, the most dangerous road there ever was in Fantasmagoria!”
Chapter 6
Danger Comes From the Mist
Full of hope, they set off on the way to Akros. A few scattered trees lined the path leading to the passage, which lay several thousand paces ahead.
They had crossed the checkpoint without problems and they were all feeling relieved now. It seemed that a lucky star was watching over them, making sure they didn’t stray from their intended purpose.
They were advancing slowly, taking great care not to raise suspicion among the soldiers at the checkpoint, who were still able to see them. After crossing the barrier, Radius told them to act naturally, just as any ordinary sensible merchants would. All along, he had this feeling that the commander was glaring at them as they left, as if he had a funny feeling about the curious looking travellers.
Acting as though nobody would ever dare to follow, they kept travelling at the same pace for a good while.
Riding next to Radius, Robert was watching in amazement the landscape around the Misty Passage. Apart from the few lone trees accompanying them along the winding cliff road, there was no other sign of vegetation.
Somewhere half way up the cliff, along the road that vanished into the mist, there could be seen convoys of merchants climbing towards Akros or descending from the lands of the Upper Realm.
Robert felt slightly frightened by the majesty of the Passage and the many myths woven around it. He hoped with all his heart that he and his friends would succeed once more, proving thus that the prophecy was real.
The wide road they had been travelling on until now started to get narrower and steeper. Only now did Robert understand the source of all the rumours. The path leading to Akros was no wider than the width of two and a half carts. Clearly, up there in the mist, the journey would get tougher and tougher.
It was becoming obvious why so many groups of traders had come to a grizzly end at the bottom of the cliff that sheltered the Misty Passage. Somewhere at the bottom of this wall of rock, there was a huge pile of scrap and bodies, which nobody ever disturbed from their eternal rest.
Superstitiously, soldiers and traders never went to that place, full of the goods and souls of the least fortunate ones because it was said to bring bad luck, which was of course, not good for business.
They didn’t even realise that they had started to climb their way to Akros, smoothly at first, then more and more abruptly. The horses were starting to snuffle with effort as they advanced upwards along the winding path. The ones pulling the cart were putting in the most effort, striving to drag along the weight of the wine barrels.
Robert asked the Professor to stop the procession, stepped down from the cart and went towards his horse. Azar rushed to dismount and give him a hand with harnessing his horse. He helped Robert mount then started again alongside him ahead of the cart led by Radius.
They carried on for a good while in silence with Robert enjoying the freedom he felt when he was riding his horse, wind ruffling his hair. At long last, Robert turned to Azar and asked:
“Forgive me, Master, but are you certain that crossing the Misty Passage is going to take two days? By the looks of it, we could be in Akros by tomorrow morning!”
“Allow me to disagree, young prince. I’ve been through this passage a few times before and it’s never taken me less than two days to cross it. If it wasn’t for this damned fog, which covers more than half of the way, then maybe yes, we could probably advance quicker. This way, however, the higher we go, the harder it will get.”
“I’m sorry to be so nosy, Master, but what kind of business brought you to Akros? Was there perhaps some mission from my mother?”
“As a matter of fact, my young prince, I did have a mission to complete, but not at Queen Neri’s bequest, but Your Highness’s grandmother’s, the Queen other.”
“My grandmother’s?” wondered Robert innocently. “What kind of connection could my grandmother have with the warrior tribes in the Upper Realm? As far as I know from Radius and some other stories about the Eremons I’ve read in my father’s journal, my grandmother never led the kingdom. When Grandfather died, my mother was crowned the new queen, isn’t that right?”
“That’s correct, my prince. When King Neron died, it was Queen Neri who took the reign of power in the Kingdom of Fire.”
“Then, maybe Grandmother tried to establish diplomatic relationships with the tribes of Akros, as advised by Grandfather or Mother, right?”
“Your grandmother did indeed try to maintain a relationship with someone from Khalari, prince. But it wasn’t a diplomatic relationship, it was an affair of the heart.”
The confusion on Robert’s face made Azar burst out laughing.
“Come now, prince. Patience. Just a bit longer and you’ll find out the answers to all the questions troubling you. We shall meet that very person in two days’ time. I wouldn’t want to spoil the pleasure of the moment when you make their acquaintance, Your Highness.”
“Very well, Master”, replied Robert. “I will be patient. After all, I have learned so much lately that nothing can surprise me anymore. Before coming to Fantasmagoria I didn’t have a clue that this world even existed, that animals could speak or people could control water and fire as they wished. Just as I’ve managed to live this far without knowing that these things existed, I think I could go on for two more days without knowing who this mysterious person who can help us is.”
Azar scratched his beard, amazed at the clarity and logic behind Robert’s words.
“You spoke well, Your Highness, like a true wise man. Your Highness’s forefathers would be proud of your mature thinking at such a young age. Ever since we’ve met, prince, you haven’t ceased to prove that the blood of the Eremon House runs indeed through your veins. Every one of them that I’ve met has proved they were worth running the Kingdom of Fire. The wisdom, courage, kindness and loyalty to their people were the main qualities of the Eremons ever since the time of Great Ga’al, the founder of the dynasty. I’m glad to see that these traits haven’t been lost, but have come together in you, my prince, and have been joined by another quality: tenacity.”
“Thank you, Azar… you’re a good friend and a loyal servant. You’ve already proved that.”
“No need to thank me, prince. You must keep your determination to go forward and fulfil the prophecy. Forgive me, Your Highness, but not many young people your age would have faced so many dangers without giving up.”
“I can’t do that, Master. I have to honour the memory of my ancestors. Up until yesterday I was Robert Anderson and my only duty was to play with my friends. Overnight, I became Robert Eremon, heir to the Kingdom of Fire and now I have a duty to give back my people their dignity.”
The sun had passed midday and it now felt scorching. Looking at how far they still had to go, they decided to have a break before entering the thick fog that enveloped the second part of the passage. The Professor had been informed by Khar that further ahead there was an alcove in the wall of the cliff, which could make a suitable camping spot and he guessed that they should be there by sundown.
Those who travelled through the Misty Passage didn’t dare go any further on the narrow path after dark.
They advanced carefully, especially when passing others who came from the opposite way. They had to be doubly careful when making room for the others to go past that they didn’t go too close to the abyss that stretched threateningly to their right.
As night began to spread its darkness over Fantasmagoria, they started approaching the place spotted by Khar. Gradually the sky became painted with stars, while the moon accompanied them, playfully hiding its face behind the clouds.
At last, they reached the place, almost as soon as the dark descended upon them. It was a hollow carved inside the rock, perfect for sheltering in case of a sudden storm. The grass was flattened, which meant that many travellers had found cover there over the years.
They lit the fire and took from their bags the food that Quilar had prepared: some vegetables, smoked meat and fruit. They quenched their thirst with the water from the sacks on the pommels.
After their meal, they sat around the fire in a circle and enjoyed its warmth. They recalled yesterday’s adventures when they had been so close to being uncovered by Grodor, and they congratulated Azar again for his vigilance.
They had a laugh at the commander’s expense as Rolan successfully imitated him walking around and putting on airs.
“And that one there?… Who is he?… What about the other one?” he mimicked, trying to act out the commander’s manner.
The seven companions fell asleep around the fire, exhausted in the end by their trip that day. They didn’t take turns to keep watch because they knew that nobody ventured to cross the Misty Passage in the middle of the night.
At long last, after a few hours, the fire went out, leaving behind a few smouldering coals, which glimmered like the stars in the sky.
***
King Tyreas was attending a bow and arrow tournament in the courtyard of Heldor Castle, in the midst of all his courtiers. You could see on his face that he was in a good mood because he was unrivalled that day. All his opponents gave up one by one, some of them betrayed by their lack of skill in handling the bow, others driven by reasons known only to themselves which dictated they should loose in favour of the king in order to keep their privileges or gain new ones.