Since fall was upon the land, most of the flowers were gone, but other things of beauty filled the scene before their eyes. Hawks soared high above, looking for meals of the tiny animals scurrying about in their last minute preparations for the coming winter. As they rode and talked, Raven began to see it was the most natural thing in the world for the four of them to be together. Raven then realized that there was no other company he would rather be with and knew this was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. As they journeyed, Andrew asked Raven more about the ring he had given him and informed him that the Crestlaws were in the process of changing everything that involved the old family crest to that of the Brickens bestowed upon them by the honor of the new king. Raven smiled at Andrew’s enthusiasm and told him the rings were made of the same durable metals that the armor was made of and that there probably was a ring for every duke at one time. As they compared rings, they both realized that they were identical except for the crests.
“There is so much we do not know about the ancients,” Raven stated, “who they were and how they made things like the rings and armor that are so durable and still looked new after a thousand years.”
Raven then went on to tell Andrew about the weapons’ room and how he found the armor neatly stacked under every crest. Now Andrew asked him why he had taken the armor and had given it to each of them instead of leaving it in the weapons’ room. Raven simply told him that the kingdom needed trust and assurance after the recent war. Giving the dukes each their family’s armor went a long way in fostering that trust, in comparison to the armor doing nothing gathering dust in the weapons’ room.
“Trust,” Raven explained. “is what we need to make the kingdom strong, and someday there may arise a need for all four dukes and the king to trust each other completely.”
Andrew nodded, knowing of the damage that had past been done because of a lack of trust.
Soon they were coming closer to the rocky cliffs that ringed the great valley. Turning a little bit south, they ran into Happiness Creek. Raven looked at the creek now with more interest and saw fish darting to and fro as they rode next to it. It wound its way through the grass plains with a few apple trees growing along its banks. Since it was fall, the apples were ripe and it was quite easy to ride up under the branches and pick a few to eat as they traveled. It was not long before they were approaching the cliff face and they could see the pool of water that started Happiness Creek. Raven could see why this was Andrew's favorite getaway. It was isolated, yet beautiful and full of the wonders that nature contains, with apples, berries, and cherries growing along the creek. All sorts of rock formations were about, and the enormous cliffs were impressive. Afternoon to evening were the best times to be at this spot because the sun would be sheltered by the cliffs in the morning.
Coming to a stop, they dismounted and staked their horses. Taking their lunch, they walked to the pool, keeping an eye out for Twainlar Serpents, having seen one here before. They sat down at the edge of the pool and began their lunch facing Rock Spring to look and observe so they might decipher the riddle.
They repeated the riddle out loud so they all could contemplate its meaning, “If you seek wisdom of those long gone, then follow happiness to its source, where the sun is setting and rising both.”
“Well,” said Andrew, “we are at the source of Happiness. This is where the creek starts but I see nothing that resembles a sunrise or sunset.”
Raven, too, was surveying the rock with no better luck. He could see no out of place lines like the doors in the castle. The spring came out of a cliff face and poured into the south end of the pool. Most of the water was moved by the spring down Happiness Creek, but where the water filled the pool to the north, there was a quiet eddy that was still and smooth. The cliff face in that particular area was very smooth as well, going right down to meet the still water. Raven noticed this but it was neither out of place nor overly unnatural. They all sat and stared trying to see something in the way the water came rushing out or something in the rocks. Several times, one would point out a particular formation only to realize that they were trying too hard to see something there.
Finally Rebekka said, “It looks as if we are not going to solve the riddle. There is not anything here that resembles a sunrise or sunset.”
Raven got up and walked around the pool, looking for any clues. He even went to both sides and felt the rock cliff face with his eyes shut, but nothing felt out of place. He then went back to the others and sat down to think. There had to be an answer here somewhere. All he knew of the ancients told him they did not leave empty clues. There was nothing left to do but sit and enjoy the surroundings, and the talk turned again to what the wisdom of the ancients was. The wisdom had to be something valuable, but only for those who really sought it fervently.
Now Andrew spoke, “It will be getting late soon and maybe we should get back. It is too bad this mystery will not be solved.”
Raven thought for a moment and then spoke, “Andrew, that riddle has been there for probably a thousand years. A few people over the centuries could have seen it and some may have come here, but I doubt if any found what the ancients wanted those who really sought it with their full heart to find. They probably looked, did not find anything as we have and left, just like we are about to do.”
Andrew was perplexed at what Raven was getting at, so he asked, “What are you suggesting we do?”
“Wait a little longer,” Raven suggested. “The ancients would not want their secrets to go to the impatient or those who give up too easy. It would have to be someone with perseverance and wisdom to understand the riddle.”
“How long?” Andrew asked.
“Till the sun gets lower,” Raven answered.
“You are the king,” Andrew said smiling.
This made Raven frown, but he knew Andrew was needling him. However, this was exactly what bothered Raven about his kingly title.
Andrew lay down and began to rest. Lorriel also lay beside him and put her head on his shoulder. Soon they both were asleep, which left Rebekka and Raven sitting before the pool looking at the moving water and listening to its rushing sound.
Rebekka turned to Raven and said, “Why do you want to find this ancient wisdom?”
Raven had not contemplated that a whole lot, but answered truthfully, “There is so much we do not know, even very little of where our ancestors came from. I have a feeling that it will be enlightening to know more about the ancients and why their past is so shrouded in mystery.”
Rebekka continued to stare at Raven until he asked, “Why do you look at me so?”
Rebekka sighed and asked, “Is that the whole reason?”
Raven turned away. He loved this part of Rebekka, but it irritated him at the same time. Why did she have to see through him so transparently?
“No,” he answered, “there is another reason. I feel inadequate as such a young king. The wisdom I find may help me to do better, be a better leader.”
Now Rebekka’s features softened, “Oh Raven, you have carried too much already for a young man and have done more than anyone could ask. I do not think the ancients could help you to do better than what you have done already.”
Raven smiled at his new bride and hugged her close. He could tell that this came from her heart. The love and trust she had in him were enough to lift him out of his self doubt.
Turning back to the water, his eyes went to the still part of the pool and he pointed and said, “Look!”
Rebekka turned to look at where Raven was pointing and could see a reflection of the sun on the still water.
Raven took Rebekka's hand and said. “Come over here with me.”
They headed over to where the creek came out of the pool. This caused Andrew to open his eyes and watch the two of them walk excitedly to the spot, then turn and view the water. Andrew and Lorriel got up now and joined Rebekka and Raven at the water’s edge.
“Do you see somethin
g?” Andrew asked.
Raven pointed to the still part of the pool and said, “The sun is reflecting off of the pool and look at it shining on the smooth rock wall behind.”
Andrew could now see it, the sun reflecting on the water and bouncing up onto the smooth part of the cliff face. Soon, as the sun got lower, the two reflecting suns would meet and look like a sunrise and a sunset both at the same time.
Lorriel saw it too and squealed out the answer they were all just now absorbing, “It must be somewhere where the two suns will meet shortly.”
Raven nodded and said smiling, “If we would have left, we would not have seen the answer to the riddle. But we still have not solved the secret yet. Andrew,” Raven said, “stay here and guide me as I go over to the rock wall. Tell me when I am at the spot where the two will meet.”
Raven walked around the north end of the pool. He had already been over here and had noticed a ledge just beneath the water. Before, he had thought nothing of it, assuming it was a natural formation, just part of the rock face. He now stepped into the water that was only a few inches deep and walked out into the pool along the cliff face. This act caused Lorriel to gasp, since none had seen the ledge. It looked almost as if Raven were waking on the water next to the cliff. Andrew motioned for him to slow and then to stop. Raven bent down and right at the water’s edge he felt. Andrew motioned him forward a little more and then raised his hand for him to stop. Raven felt around in that spot and then found it, the small square stone just under the water. He pushed it in and behind him a ways from the pool, some of the rock cliff swung open. He looked back at the three others standing across the pool and they all had their mouths open. They were pointing. He looked to where they were pointing behind him and was astonished himself to see the rock face opened. They all met at the edge of the pool and walked to the opening. It was dark inside and you could not see in very far. Raven was impressed. The doorway was not at all uniform but followed the natural lines of the rock. That is why he nor anyone else could ever determine there was a door there. Part of the rock itself had been made into a door. The ancients were clever, putting the catch below the water where it would never be seen, and this door was so unnaturally shaped that it defied logic as to how it could even open. Andrew went back and retrieved some torches, for they had come prepared at Raven’s instructions. They lit the torches and stared into the blackness beyond.
“Well,” Raven said, looking at the other three, “this is it. Shall we go?”
Inside the doorway, they proceeded but realized right away this was not what any of them had expected. The passage was as smooth as glass, polished in its cutting, reflecting the light as they went.
Andrew felt the wall and asked Raven, “How could anyone cut something like this out of solid rock?”
“I do not know,” Raven said. “I do not know how they made the swords or armor either.” Then he paused, “Speaking of armor. I left my crossbow at the upper end of the tunnel by the pass gate. If you would have someone retrieve it for me, I would appreciate it very much.”
Andrew nodded, saying nothing, still mesmerized by the polished rock. They proceeded down the passage until they came to a large hollowed out cavern. As they entered the cavern, a slight hum began and a light came on in the ceiling to light up the whole room. They all froze for it was terrifying for a moment. Then reason took over and they could see that there was nothing in the room except a large metal chest.
Raven started forward and Andrew grabbed his arm, “Sire, we should leave. To have such light without the sun is impossible. It unsettles me.”
Raven stopped and turned to face Andrew, Rebekka and Lorriel. “It is kind of frightening and unsettling to see such light, but I do not believe our ancestors wish us harm. They only had a knowledge to make things such as this place and the armor which we cannot. I wish to know more, and the answer, I believe, lies in that chest at the center of the room.”
Andrew was more calm now and only nodded.
Rebekka stepped forward and said, “This is what you came here for, Raven. Let us find out what it is.”
And with that, she started forward toward the center of the room with Raven right behind her and Andrew and Lorriel not far behind.
The chest was nothing extraordinary, made of a similar metal to the armor Raven found in the weapons’ room. He tried to open the lid but it would not budge. Looking more closely, he saw that there was a lock on the front. Kneeling down, he saw what looked like a hole for a strange key. Only something about it looked familiar. Then it dawned upon him that it was an inversion of his family crest. Looking down at his ring, he knew it would fit the lock. Now with the others watching with amazement, he placed the crown of the ring into the key slot and heard a light click and the lid came open on its own. They all jumped back expecting some demon or ghost to be set free but nothing came from the chest. They drew near once again and looking inside saw only a scroll. Raven reached inside and withdrew the scroll. It was made of the same durable material that the notes were written on he had found in the compartments of the weapons’ room.
Rebekka said cautiously, “It must be very old. Will it fall apart?”
“No,” Raven said, “I saw some like it in the weapons’ room at the castle. It is very durable.”
He unrolled the cloth very carefully and began to look at what was drawn and written. It was a map of the kingdom of Glenfair. They all gathered around and began to look at the map of the kingdom from days gone by. All the dukes’ castles were present as was also the king’s castle, but what was amazing was that close by every dukeship, there was some kind of fortress, fort, or hideout way up in the cliffs and hills, virtually inaccessible. Raven did not know what these places were because the names did not make sense to him. Above the Zandels there was a place called the Metallurgic and Synthetic Composite Factory. By the Prescotts was another hideaway called Resources with things like power modules, heavy equipment, and electronics listed in parentheses. High in the hills above Duke Rollins was a place for mining needed elements.
“That at least,” thought Raven, “made some sense.”
It was all written in the ancient dialogue that was hard to read so Raven attributed the lack of understanding from the loss of language over the thousand years of their kingdom. The most unique feature of the map was the revealing of a small valley or plateau at the top of Brickens' Falls. There in that small valley was a place called the Library of Wisdom. It also mentioned that the Keeper of Wisdom was there. Everyone was at a loss to discover there were places that no one knew existed. Now what shape they were in after so long was another matter. Raven looked more closely at the map. None of the places except one showed a door or route to their locations high above the valley floor. That one place was the Library of Wisdom.
Raven motioned Andrew closer and pointed to Brickens’ Falls. There, written in smaller print, was the explanation of how to find the passage or ascent to the Library of Wisdom.
It read:
“The path of wisdom leads to the falls,
come feel its mist and touch its walls,
then find the wisest feathered friend,
and keep him from ever seeing again.”
Andrew shook his head, bewildered at the new riddle, “Why do they always speak in such hard to understand words? Why do they not tell us plainly what we want to know?”
Raven chuckled, “I think they want to discourage anyone not willing to think and persevere to find the wisdom they offer. Remember how we found this place. Most would have given up and gone home. We stayed and prevailed. I believe the ancients want us to come to this place first for some important reason.”
Andrew looked at Raven and said, “Well, we live for adventure. Tomorrow we go to the falls.”
When they turned around, both ladies had their hands upon their hips with defiant looks on their faces.
And then maybe not, thought Raven as Rebekka interrupted.
“We came
along because we thought it would be fun and would only be for today. I am interested in solving the mystery, too, but at a later time. Remember, we are newlyweds.”
Lorriel agreed with Rebekka and Raven wisely said, “We can pursue this some other time. We should spend a little time with our wives first.”
So they put the map back into the chest and closed the lid. As they did, they could hear a faint click as it shut. They went back to the passage, picked up their torches and headed toward the outside. As they were walking, Raven looked over his shoulder and saw the lights to the chamber go out.
Amazing, Raven thought, how does the light go on and off of its own accord?
When they were at the entrance, the door was like that of the king’s castle, the latch hidden on the outside but easily seen on the inside. So Raven had no problem closing the rock door. It was almost dark as they emerged, so they quickly mounted their horses and set off toward Crestlaw Castle for the night.
Chapter 10
The Truth Revealed
When all else fails, do what everyone else would do, pray..........
--The Wisdom of Fathers
Time had passed quickly in Glenfair since the four friends had solved the first riddle of the ancients. Raven had always intended on going back that fall with Andrew to Brickens' Falls to solve the second riddle of the ancients. All four of them promised not to tell a soul of the wondrous cavern they had found carved into the mountain near Rock Spring. He did not know if Rebekka had forgotten the quest, but he could not. Almost daily the riddle played in his mind and burned there. At times he wondered if Andrew felt the same way, but the kingdom required so much attention and time went by so quickly.
The King's Folly Page 25