Chapter Thirty One
The first thing James notices after entering the opening is a slight breeze coming from within. It brings the smell of earth and mustiness with it. Twenty steps bring him to a small narrow way carved out of the rock. Barely wide enough to allow one man to walk without scraping his shoulders, it extends further into the mountain.
“Be careful,” Jiron says to him.
“Hadn’t planned on not being careful,” he replies.
He follows the narrow passageway and eventually comes to a natural cavern that’s barely large enough for them all to fit. One section of the wall on their right has been smoothed and seven recesses have been carved into the surface.
Six of the recesses sit in two rows, one atop the other. The first and third in each row are of uniform size and each center recess is a third of the size of the others. It goes: large, small, large. The seventh recess is a foot away from the others along the wall and contains many small iron cubes.
Miko moves to the cubes and picks one up. Rust has begun to eat away at it but the cube hasn’t deteriorated very much. Holding it up for James to see he says, “Wonder what these are for?”
“I don’t know,” James replies. Glancing around he realizes the only way for them to leave is the way they came. The breeze he’s been feeling is coming through a small narrow fissure in the wall on the opposite side from where the recesses lie.
“Another secret door?” Jiron asks. He remembers all the other times when it looked like there was no way to proceed and each time James had managed to discover a secret door.
“I would think so,” he says. “Everybody stand back and give me room.” He begins examining the walls with his fingers, checking every nook and cranny. When he gets to the fissure where the breeze is blowing through he brings his orb close to try to look through to the other side but is unable to see anything. Spending extra time there, he fails to find anything and then moves on.
“Going to use your magic?” Jiron asks.
Shrugging he says, “If I have too. But let’s see if it can be figured out without that. Might attract unwanted visitors, though they may already know we’re here anyway.”
“At the foot of the king, bathe in his cup, pull his beard to make him sit up,” Fifer says from where he’s standing watching James do his thing. “That makes sense now. At the base of Kiliticus, you got on the water and saw a bearded figure made by the shadows cast by the setting sun. At the spot where the shadow’s beard lay, we pulled down a piece of the outcropping and with your medallion, a piece rose up.”
He glances over to where James had paused in his search to listen to him. “Maybe the next set of lines will aid us here.”
Seven to Nine,
Six to Four.
Spit in the wind,
And open the door.
“That’s the last of the prophecy,” he says.
“Okay then,” says Fifer. “There’s a breeze coming through here so that could be the wind. But what does seven to nine and six to four have to do with anything?”
“How about these?” suggests Miko. Everyone turns and sees him there with one of the iron cubes in his hand. “These have to be here for a reason.”
“Could the numbers mentioned in the prophecy correlate to the two rows of holes in the wall?” Qyrll asks.
Coming to where Miko stands before the iron cubes, James does a quick count and finds there probably could be enough to put the specified numbers in each of the four major recesses. “Let’s see,” he says as he and Miko begin taking the cubes from their resting place and putting them in the recesses.
On the top row they put seven cubes in the left one and nine in the right. The second row gets six in the first one and four in the last. “There’s still some left over,” Miko says as he points to the four cubes left.
“That’s probably to throw off whoever makes it this far,” suggests James. “Without the prophecy they would be trying to use them all and it wouldn’t work.”
Nodding, he replies, “Makes sense.”
They all hold their breath for a moment, expecting something to happen, but the room remains quiescent. “Nothing’s happening,” Uther says.
“Maybe you should spit into the wind,” the miner suggests. When James turns to look at him he shrugs and says, “It is part of the prophecy.”
“Very well,” he says. To the others he says, “Stand back.” As the others move to get out of the way, he turns to face the breeze and lets fly a big wad of spittle. Just then a gust suddenly blows through the opening and causes the spittle to fly back toward him and hits him in the face.
“Hahahaha,” Miko breaks into uncontrollable laughter as James begins wiping his face clean with his arm.
“Well that didn’t accomplish anything,” he says, giving Miko an irritated look. No wall opened or anything.
Jiron moves to where the breeze is coming through and takes hold of the fissure and tries to pull and then push it open. “Maybe it wasn’t so much that you had to do it but rather to indicate where the door is.” Try as he might he can’t budge it.
“We’re missing something,” he says as he comes over and joins Jiron in attempting to open the door, if door it be.
From where Qyrll is standing, he hears him mumble, “Seven to nine, six to four.” Suddenly, the Parvati lets out with a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” asks Fifer.
“We’re thinking about this wrong,” he says. “It’s not seven to nine, it’s seven, two, nine. The four remaining blocks are supposed to go into the middle areas.”
“Worth a try,” says James. He moves over to where the four remaining cubes lay and picks them up. He puts two in the top center recess first, then the last two into the bottom. As soon as the last cube is placed within, each recess sinks down a quarter of an inch and a click can be heard coming from the wall with the fissure.
Turning back around to face the fissure, Jiron takes hold and pulls hard. On hinges groaning from centuries of accumulated rust, the fissure swings opens and reveals another narrow passage.
“Yes!” exclaims James in jubilation and he moves to enter. As he passes Qyrll he says, “Smart thinking.”
The Parvati simply nods in acknowledgement as James passes.
“So the Star is down here?” Dave asks, looking into the dark opening.
“I would think so,” replies James. “All the sections of the prophecy have been utilized, but you never know.” Taking the lead, James moves into the passage, the orb lighting the way.
The passage leads further into the mountain for another hundred feet or so before opening onto another underground cavern. This one here is reminiscent of the ones they found when working their way beneath the Merchant’s Pass. Stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the continuous dripping of water creates an eerie atmosphere. The shadows cast by the orb as James moves through gives an otherworldly feel to the place.
“Just like the Shasta Caverns,” whispers Dave.
James grins at the memory of when Dave’s family had taken him on their trip north that one year and they stopped at the Caverns. “It is a little,” he agrees.
A flow of water runs along the bottom of the cavern. It enters from a hole in the wall on one side and continues to follow the length of the cavern. Though not very deep, James can see how this little stream could have carved out this cavern over the course of a millennium.
The antagonism between Dave and Jiron seems to have been subdued with the discovery of this secret area. They are more interested in what it may hold than the enmity they hold for each other.
They follow the stream through the cavern. The cavern not being very wide, the orb is able to illuminate both sides as they make their way through. So far there has been no other way to go but forward.
After another couple hundred feet of following the stream, the floor of the cavern becomes less smooth and more broken. The sound of the water increases as it flows over the uneven surface.
As they continue through the
cavern, the streambed begins sinking further into the floor of the cavern from where the water has eroded the stone away. Finally, they reach the other side of the cavern. A large jagged opening, encompassing part of the cavern wall and floor allows the water to flow from the room. The sound of the water falling over a precipice can be heard coming from somewhere on the other side.
Back a ways from the opening where the water is escaping, a section of the wall has been smoothed. An arched door sits within it. No handle or any other discernable means with which to open the door can be seen.
Next to it is what looks to be a stone scabbard and sticking out of the top is a shiny handle. James comes over to it with the others right behind. He reaches out for the handle and hesitates. Glancing back to the others, he sees Jiron nod his head. Turning back to the handle, he grips it and pulls it out.
It’s a foot long knife, the edge is incredibly sharp. Just as he turns back to show Jiron, he feels the tingle of magic and above the door, glowing letters begin to appear.
‘ With the Knife of Maricel you must take the life,
Of the one that fire aged through strife.’
“What does that mean?” Dave asks in puzzlement. He glances to James and sees a look of horror on his face. “What?”
James knows full well what it means. Miko is the one the Fire aged through strife. When Miko had the Fire, every time he went into battle the Fire aged him until at last his youth was gone. He looks to Miko and can see he’s come to the same conclusion. If they are to continue, Miko must die!
James sits against the wall with the Knife of Maricel resting on the ground beside him. He’s been sitting here almost a half hour now as he tries to come up with another meaning to the words glowing above the door than Miko’s death. This can’t be right! Morcyth is a god of good, it’s inconceivable that a human sacrifice would be asked by a god such as he.
Miko and Jiron, as well as everyone else but Dave, congregate over by the outflow of the stream. They talk in hushed tones, occasionally casting quick glances over to where James sits in contemplation. Dave sits near him but remains quiet.
A memory comes to James, one from long ago when he first met Serenna back in Willimet, before becoming the leader of a cult. “I see a long road but you are not alone, another walks with you,” she said to him. “He will be the key, a lock must be opened.”
Is this the lock which must be opened? It has to be. But taking Miko’s life? Even if it means not fulfilling why he’s been brought to this world, it’s something he’s unwilling to do. Coming to his decision, he takes the knife in his hand and stands up.
The others come near when they take notice of him coming to his feet. Miko comes forward and with a haunted look in his eyes says, “James if you must do this…” His voice cracks and he’s unable to finish.
Giving him a smile, James lays his hand upon his shoulder. “I will not kill you Miko,” he assures his friend. “Even if it means my quest ends here and forever remains unfulfilled.”
“But…” Miko says, tears coming to his eyes.
“If Morcyth is such a god as requires the death of a good man, then I want no part of him,” James says then turns toward the door. Walking forward, he takes the Knife of Maricel and places it back into the scabbard.
Suddenly, the tingling sensation he’s felt since the words first appeared above the door spikes. Backing quickly away from the door, he watches as lines form around the perimeter of the door. Then in a flash, the door vanishes and the way is open.
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.
H
e 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.
The star of Morcyth ms-5 Page 40