Qyrll suddenly breaks into a laugh which draws the attention of the others. When all eyes are upon him, he says, “Don’t you see? It was a test of morals. Only one who would not take an innocent life would be allowed to pass. Any agent of Dmon-Li who read those words would have killed and killed in an attempt to open that door. Very clever.”
“Thank you,” James hears Miko say next to him. Turning toward him, he sees him wiping a tear from his eye. “I could never kill you,” he assures his friend. Raising the orb he moves to the opened doorway. “Now,” he says glancing back over his shoulder, “let’s see what’s in here.”
He steps through the doorway and into a large circular chamber, the cavernous ceiling disappears into the darkness above. A two foot wide ledge runs around the length of the chamber. Sitting in the center of the chamber is an island of rock surrounded by a fifteen foot wide chasm. The only access to it is a narrow stone bridge which arches its way across.
Sitting in the middle of the island is a small, plain wooden chest. Other than that, the island is bare. James makes to step onto the stone bridge leading across the chasm. Jiron puts his hand on his shoulder and says, “Not this time. Better let me take it from here.”
Hesitating a moment, he nods when he sees the wisdom in the suggestion. Stepping back, he allows Jiron to cross.
Uther comes to the edge and looks down. “Let’s see just how deep this is,” he says. Picking up a rock, he drops it into the darkness below. Jiron pauses before crossing and listens with the others. No sound comes back to them.
Jorry looks to Uther and says, “That’s pretty deep.” Uther nods in agreement.
Jiron then resumes crossing the bridge and reaches where it ends on the island. Stepping hesitantly upon the stone surface he gradually places his entire weight upon the island. When nothing happens he cautiously walks across to where the chest sits.
Before touching it he does a cursory check and finds a round area on the front with the Star of Morcyth engraved upon it. Realizing he’ll need James’ medallion as a key, he turns back to the others and hollers for him to come across.
“I think it’s okay but it looks like your medallion will be the key to open it,” he says when James joins him beside the chest. The others have followed as well and stopped several feet away.
Taking the medallion out of his shirt, he sets it into the Star on the chest and then turns it clockwise. The Star on the chest rotates a full turn and then the lid pops open slightly. Replacing the medallion back around his neck, he lifts the lid.
As the lid opens, he finds a large gem resting upon a velvet cushion. It’s comparable in size to the Fire and can only be the Star of Morcyth. He turns back to the others and says, “Miko, come here.”
As Miko begins crossing the bridge spanning the chasm, a light suddenly flashes from within the chest and James goes rigid. “Jiron!” Miko cries when he sees James start toppling backward.
Moving quickly, Jiron grabs James before he hits the ground. Lowering him the rest of the way, he looks up at the approach of the others and says, “He’s stiff.”
“Is he alive?” Dave asks.
“I’m not sure,” he replies. Placing his ear against James’ chest he can hear the slight lubdub of his heart. “His heart’s still beating,” he says in relief.
“What happened?” Jorry asks.
“I don’t know,” replies Jiron.
The city is in ruins but the citizens appear jovial. In the background he can hear a band playing a lively tune and from a side street children emerge as they play a game of tag, laughing and giggling.
As he walks down the street, he notices signs of rebuilding all over. Up ahead is a grand building which looks like it’s recently been completed. A temple.
He walks toward the structure and before he reaches the entrance, a figure emerges through the two large ornate doors. Bearing a hat and blue vest, the man looks oddly familiar.
“Welcome,” the man says.
“Am I late?” he asks.
“No, you’re right on time,” the man replies as he opens the door wider to allow him to enter.
Suddenly, he’s in an octagonal shaped room with a marble pedestal standing in the center. Atop the pedestal is a small raised platform made entirely of crystal. A bright light shines from a large gem resting upon the raised platform, illuminating the room.
“Where are we?” he asks.
“The High Temple of Morcyth,” is the reply.
He glances to the man in the vest and asks, “Why are we here?”
“To show you what must be done,” the man replies. “The Temple must be rebuilt.”
“Where?” he asks.
“Where it stood in ages past,” the man explains. “The only place it may be built.”
“Is this why I was brought to this world?” he asks. “To build the Temple?”
“Among other things, yes,” is the reply. “A war is going on which you humans know nothing about, one which could lead to the end of all you know.”
“What kind of war?” he asks.
“One between the gods,” the man says. “You’ve seen the results already, of what can happen to a world when the forces of evil prevail.”
“That place with the shadows?” he asks.
“Yes, that world was consumed by those who follow evil,” the man explains. “Dmon-Li is simply one of many who strive for dominance, world by world. When Morcyth’s priests were decimated and on the verge of extinction, a plan was set in motion to bring about his return. The balance must be maintained.”
“Am I the instrument to bring about his return?” he asks.
“It’s already begun,” the man replies. “His name is once more being spoken, that alone will not be enough however. He needs a focal point for people to direct their energy toward, in that way his priests can work to counter the evil.”
“So the Temple must be built,” he concludes. “It will be the focal point.”
“Yes,” the man says.
He turns to look the man in the eyes and asks, “Am I to be the High Priest?”
Shaking his head, the man says, “No, that task lies with another.”
Sudden realization strikes him, “The Temple was in the City of Light!”
“That is correct,” the man affirms.
“But, the Empire is in control of the City,” he says. “They won’t allow us to build it!”
“That is true,” the man says. Turning to face him, the man adds, “As long as they control the City.”
“But that means…”
“You must drive them out,” concludes the man.
“But…”
“It’s time for you to go,” Igor tells him. “You can stay no longer.”
“But…” begins James but then the world around him fades away.
They are all gathered around him as he lays there unmoving, worried about whether or not he’ll come around. Suddenly, his chest heaves as he takes a deep breath and his eyes open.
He at first looks around, not remembering where he is. Then his eyes settle upon Jiron and Miko standing there with the others and the memory returns.
“Man are we glad you’re back,” Jiron says.
“We were worried about you,” Miko tells him.
Sitting up, he asks, “How long was I out?”
“Not too long,” Uther says. “Ten minutes or so.”
“What happened to you?” Fifer asks.
“It’s all fuzzy,” he says. “I think it was a vision of some kind.”
“A vision?” asks Qyrll, now keenly interested. “What was it?”
James looks around at the others and that’s when he realizes Dave isn’t among them. “Where’s Dave?” he asks.
“Who cares?” Jiron replies. “Probably gone off to be by himself again.”
Getting to his feet, he looks around and he’s nowhere to be found. “Dave!” he calls but receives no answer.
“Did you guys do something to him?” he asks, his
eyes finally settling on Jiron.
“Don’t look at me,” he says. “If I had done something I would’ve told you. We’ve all been here next to you ever since you collapsed.”
“Dave!” he calls again, now becoming worried.
To Miko he says, “Get the Star and put it in your pouch.”
“Me?” he asks.
“Do you think that’s wise?” Jiron asks. “Considering what happened last time that is.”
“I don’t think you have much to worry about with the Star,” he assures them. “Morcyth is a god of learning. The worst that could happen is that you would become smarter.”
Looking dubious at the prospect of handling another item of such power, Miko gives in and goes over to the chest.
“Dave!” hollers James again, now becoming visibly agitated with worry. “Where are you?” His voice reverberates throughout the chamber but no reply from Dave is forthcoming.
“It’s gone!” cries Miko.
Everyone turns at his exclamation and James rushes forward. “What do you mean it’s gone?”
“Look for yourself,” Miko says, standing aside.
James comes forward and looks inside the chest only to find the velvet cushion. The Star is gone!
“I’ll kill him!” exclaims Jiron. A knife flashes in his hand as he races for the bridge spanning the chasm. He’s soon over it and through the door.
James comes to the same unfathomable conclusion as had Jiron. If the Star is missing, and Dave is missing, then Dave took it. But why? “Jiron!” he screams as he races in pursuit. The others run after him.
Increasing the brilliance of the orb, he races through the door and into the cavern. Ahead of him he sees the back of Jiron as he flies around the stalagmites and pools of water.
“No!” he hears Jiron yell as he somehow starts running even faster. In but a few seconds he realizes what made Jiron yell. The other door, the one that was opened by placing the cubes in the recesses is closed.
Jiron hits the hidden door but it withstands the impact and doesn’t budge. “Dave I’ll kill you!” he screams through the fissure.
James comes up to him and skids to a stop. Shoving Jiron aside he puts his mouth to the fissure and yells, “Dave!”
From the other side he can hear Dave’s voice, “Sorry James.” His voice is full of sadness and regret. “I…I have to.”
“Dave,” he says, trying to get his anger and hurt under control, “open the door.”
“You don’t understand,” Dave says. “My master needs this. H…he said I must bring it to him.”
“Dave, we’ve been friends a long time,” James says in a clam, soothing voice. “I can’t believe you will leave me here to die.”
Dave’s voice grows fainter as if he’s moving away from the door. “I…I gotta go. They’ll be here any minute.” A moment’s silence and then he says almost so quietly James can’t make out the words, “Remember, you said you would always be my friend. No matter what.”
“Dave!” James cries out. When there’s no response he screams for all he’s worth, “DAVE!” When only silence comes from the other side, anger boils up inside him and he tells everyone, “Stand back.”
Everyone scrambles back, Fifer grabs the miner when he doesn’t move fast enough and jerks him away from the door. Summoning the magic, James lashes out at the door and it explodes outward into the other room.
For a brief moment he can see the light emanating from the Star ahead in the narrow passage leading from the room to the stairs. Sobbing can be heard as Dave races up the stairs.
Jiron flies past James and enters the passage in pursuit. Rushing behind, James and the others follow. James no sooner enters the passage than he feels the tingling sensation of someone doing magic. Then it suddenly spikes and the ground begins to tremble.
“Back!” he yells coming to a stop. Turning around, he and the others beat a hasty retreat back to the room with the cubes. Barely able to keep on their feet due to the shaking of the ground, they race out of the passage and cross the rubble strewn room and make their way into the cavern.
“Jiron, get back here!” James cries as he pauses where the secret door had stood for a moment.
Then all hell breaks loose. The ground shakes even more and stones start falling from the ceiling. A loud roar and then a belch of dust explodes outward from the passage. “Jiron!” cries out James as the sound of a massive cave-in reaches them.
The rumbling continues for a few more seconds then all becomes quiet.
Chapter Thirty Two
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“Jiron!” cries out Miko once the rumbling subsides.
Coughing, James begins working his way back through the room toward the collapsed passage. “Jiron!” he cries out. “Dave!” He increases the luminosity of his orb and the light manages to cut through the dust.
“Nothing could have survived that,” states Uther as the passage leading out is revealed. Choked with rubble and large stones, it doesn’t look like they could have survived.
“Maybe they made it through to the other side?” Miko asks hopefully.
“Let’s hope so,” says Fifer.
James works his way through the room to the passage and is able to move several feet into it before being forced to stop. “Jiron! Dave!” he cries.
From somewhere within the passage, a muffled, “Here!” can be heard.
“Someone’s in there!” he cries and begins removing the rubble.
Coming to help him, Miko says, “It must be Jiron.”
“He was in the rear,” agrees Uther.
As Miko and James remove the rubble, the others take the stones and pile them further back in the room away from the opening. Slowly, the rubble is removed from the passage. Fortunately it’s only the smaller blocks of stone which made it this far and so between them, they are able to move them out of the way.
“Are you okay?” asks James.
This time the unmistakable voice of Jiron replies, “My leg’s trapped under a block of stone. I think it’s broken.”
“Sit tight, we’ll get you out of there,” Miko hollers.
“Is Dave with you?” James asks.
“No,” he replies. “Saw him make it out before the ceiling caved in.”
Dave on the loose with the Star, and from what he said on the way to the Empire’s forces to hand it over. He just can’t believe Dave would do such a thing. What did they do to him?
“I see your light,” Jiron tells them after another ten minutes of digging.
James quickens his pace and removes several more stones and climbs to the top of the remaining rubble. Holding his light so it shines beyond, he looks down and finds Jiron lying upon the stairs. A massive stone rests just above him and seems to have given him some shelter against the falling rubble. His left leg looks to be wedged under another large stone.
To the others James says, “Hurry up, we’re almost there.”
Moving back down, they continue to clear away the rest of the smaller stones. They’re forced to leave a couple big slabs as they are simply too heavy for them to lift. When at last they have all the loose rubble cleared away, James backs away and lets Fifer and Qyrll through to see about getting that large slab off him.
“Miko, lend us a hand,” Fifer hollers out. “Help Jiron get his foot out when we lift the rock.
Moving in close, he says, “Alright.” He moves in next to Jiron and takes his leg.
“Take it easy now,” Jiron tells him.
Giving him a reassuring grin, Miko says, “Of course.”
Qyrll and Fifer get in position to lift the stone. “On three,” says Fifer. “One…two…three!” Lifting with all their might, he and Qyrll strain against the weight of the stone. They manage to lift it an inch and Miko quickly pulls Jiron’s leg free.
“He’s out!” exclaims Miko.
They carefully set the stone back down and then move to help Jiron to his feet. Miko scrambles out of the way as they help
him back out of the passage and into the cube room.
“Set him down over here,” James tells them, indicating a spot on the far side of the room. He doesn’t want a sudden collapse by the rubble in the passage to possibly cause more damage.
They bring him over and set him on the floor. “Easy!” he says as pain courses through his leg. When they finally have him seated comfortably with his back against the wall, he looks to James. “You’re friend has left us here to die.”
“I know,” he replies in anguish. “I’m sorry.”
“What do you plan to do now?” he asks.
Fifer rolls up Jiron’s pants and inspects the leg. “Looks like it is broken,” he says. He glances to Qyrll and says, “Come with me.” With Qyrll behind him, they return back to the cavern and the others can hear them walking off into the distance. Before they get too far, the sound of a flint stone making sparks is heard and another of Qyrll’s candles springs to life.
James sits there in silence for a moment and Jiron says, “You haven’t answered my question.”
“I think the first thing we need to do is figure a way out,” he says.
“No, I mean about your friend,” he clarifies. “He took off with a very important item.”
Sighing, James says, “I know. After we get out, we go and get it back.”
“And Dave?” he asks.
Turning sad eyes onto Jiron, he opens his mouth and then closes it again without uttering a sound. Finally he just shakes his head and says, “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about Dave anymore.”
“Why?” Jiron asks, surprised by his answer.
“Remember back when we got the Fire?” he asks. When Jiron nods yes, he says, “The guardian spirits said that ‘Only a son of this world may touch it. All others must surely perish.’ The Star is similar in nature to the Fire.”
“You think he’s going to die?” Jorry asks from where he’s been listening in.
Nodding he replies, “I don’t know what else that could mean.”
The Star of Morcyth: The Morcyth Saga Book Five Page 41