Eldion picked up a piece of charred wood and threw it to the passageway. As soon as the charred wood touched the thorny plants on the floor, it was smothered by the slithering stems while several thorns shot at it like darts. Eldion remembered Rolho and knew that the plants fit the description of the terandu that can shoot poison thorns on their victims.
Eldion wiped the sweat off his brows. He was starting to feel the exhaustion after creating the streams of fire that destroyed the plants meant to kills him. He breathed deeply and tried to focus as he created an enormous ball of fire between his palms. Then, he rolled the fire ball inside the passageway and it burned the snakelike terandu which slithered away at the fire. It shot some of its poison thorns at the rolling ball of flames.
As Eldion watched his ball of flames incinerate the terandu on the floor, he knew that he needed to create more fire to destroy the remaining plants that slithered over the walls and ce
The Orchid Queen smiled wickedly and her eyes brightened as the oniad’s tentacle wrapped around Eldion and rendered him incapable of movement. She waited with anticipation as the oniad lowered Eldion to her level and watched Eldion’s face as he grimaced.“You fight well!” began the queen, praising Eldion for his valiant efforts against the plants. Then, her expression changed as if remembering something from her past. “It has been a century since I last saw one of your kind and our meeting had not been very pleasant.”Eldion was confused. “I don’t know what you’re saying. What do you mean one of my kind?” he asked the Orchid Queen. He felt the tentacle tighten around his body and had to stop struggling.The Orchid Queen seemed taken by surprise at Eldion’s words, but waved her hand in front of her face as if to dismiss it. “I don’t know if you are speaking the truth, but the effects of
“You know who I am,” said Eldion to the Orchid Queen.The queen stepped backwards and crouched in fear. “Forgive me,” she said as she raised her arm as if to protect herself from Eldion.“Will you let me and my friends go?” asked Eldion, taking a step forward.The queen shivered before kneeling before Eldion. “Yes. It was a mistake that I held you against your will.”Eldion nodded before speaking. “Will you give us back everything that you took from us and help us to go to our destination?”Still crouching in fear and unable to look at Eldion in the eye, the queen answered. “Yes. I will do everything that you ask.”“Now, tell me. Who am I and how do I get back to where I come from?” asked Eldion.The queen was silent as she slowly lowered her hand to look at Eldion’s face.“You are the builder of worlds, the master of creation. You a
A large bamboo raft that had been built overnight was eased into the river and was prevented from being carried away by the current by a thick rope that was tied to a rock by the bank. It was sturdy enough to carry the weight of the three travelers along with a goods-laden cart and its carabao. Casser led Noha and his cart slowly towards the riverbank and with assistance from some of the healers, managed to get both animal and cart onto the floating raft. The raft sunk a few inches into the clear water but its strong construction that used only bamboo and fiber was able to withstand the load.Eldion thought about the events of the previous night and pondered on the new powers he was able to discover while fending off the attacking plants and pursuing the Orchid Queen. He had not really known that he had those powers, only wishing for that he had the ability to create fire, the same way that Enzir and Lankko were able to shoot fire and energy bolts into the air when they were
The bamboo raft floated over the river, carried by the current towards the Kanima Mountains. The travelers were given by the healers ample food and water for their journey downstream along with some advice on where they should disembark. Eldion did not know how to feel as they left the realm of the Orchid Queen. They did get enough rest while they were there and the healers were very helpful, however, their experience at the temple pyramid and when the Orchid Queen commanded the plants to attack him remained with Eldion.“So, the Orchid Queen knew all along that you have the pearl,” said Casser as he held the long bamboo pole that helped him steer the raft over the flowing river.“That’s what Rolho said,” replied Mira. “Retta also explained that the very earth of Rokuhari is enchanted and magnified the Orchid Queen’s power. Within her realm, the Orchid Queen could sense the pearl and then had her pet lizard steal it from
“Mira! Eldion!” came a call from Casser outside. “Come here quick!”Mira and Eldion quickly got off the cart and went to Casser who was staring at something downstream. Casser pointed his finger, but it was not necessary as Mira and Eldion saw the light that spread towards the sky like the skeletal branches of a leafless tree.“What is it?” asked Eldion. “It’s like lightning, only it’s going upwards.”“It has to be magic,” said Mira. “Someone is practicing strong magic out there.” She then turned to Casser and asked. “Where do you think it is coming from?”Casser bit his lip as he tried to gauge the location of the light display. “I am fairly certain that it is coming from the outpost itself.”“Do you think it’s safe to go there now?” asked Eldion, concern in his eyes.“I don’t know, kid. At a time l
Mira and Eldion stayed quiet as Noha pulled the cart towards the guard post. There were five imperial soldiers manning the post which was unusual according to Casser. In other days, there were only two of them and they were Alnoc’s own guards.Casser flicked the reins and clicked his tongue to signal for Noha to stop. The carabao halted immediately and two of the soldiers walked towards Casser.“Tell me who you are merchant and state your purpose.” asked the first soldier as the second went to the back of the cart to inspect its load.“My name is Guido. We seek a night’s stay at the outpost and then we’ll get on to Dagos,” replied Casser.“Who are you with?” asked the soldier, looking at Eldion and Mira through the cart’s opening behind Casser.“My helpers,” said Casser. “They have relatives in Dagos that they also want to visit,” explained Casser.The
“You! Cart driver!” came a loud cry from an imperial soldier nearby. “Move along!”Casser flicked Noha’s reins and they started to move forward. Casser, like Mira and Eldion, was astonished by the spectacle of the portal. He tried to drive Noha closer to see where the portal was but the soldier was quite stern.“I said move along!” said the soldier and he eyed Casser suspiciously.“Officer, that was quite amazing what I just saw! To have so many imperial soldiers arrive here in the outpost. Where did they come from?” Casser ventured a question, referring to the soldiers who had just came from the portal.“They come from Lazar by orders of the great Emperor Terdu. Outlaws have become rampant in this area and the good emperor has decided to send forces to protect all law-abiding citizens of Kanima and Alnoc,” said the soldier.“That portal though. I thought it was a painting of some sort h
The old man looked closely at Eldion, curious why it was that he was unable to identify something as ubiquitous as the Emperor’s insignia.“Sorry about that, old man,” apologized Mira. “My cousin here has poor eyesight and could not see very well. I already told him to see a healer about it. That’s why we’re going to Dagos, hoping to find a healer there.”The old man relaxed and smiled. “Poor boy,” he said as he looked at Eldion’s eyes. “I know how you feel. I’m old and my eyesight is also not as good as it used to although may be not as poor as yours. I haven’t heard of a healer in Dagos for years, but I do hope you chance upon one when you get there.”Eldion tried to squint his eyes and not to focus on the old man’s face. Then, he looked at the space just to the right of the old man and said, “Thanks, old man!” He then reached out to tap the old man’s shoulder
The director placed the back of his hand over his forehead and closed his eyes. He seemed that he was going to faint, but he quickly dropped his hand after a moment and stared at the scene before him. The star dancer was able to sit on the floor, but she was still crying and holding on to her ankle while the other dancers crowded over her. The singer was kneeling before the dancer with his hands clasped tightly together as if praying that everything would be alright.“Do you think you can dance tomorrow?” the director asked the dancer.The dancer tried to stand up with the help of her fellow dancers, but when she tried putting some weight on her injured leg, she gasped and fell on a heap. The dancers gasped and crowded over the injured dancer.“Obviously, not!” said the director. “Quickly get her to the healer and pray that her injuries would heal soon.” Then, to himself, “Or pray that you’d dance at least half as
It was early afternoon when the three men arrived in the center of Dagos. Gent held the reins up and the horses pulling the carriage stopped by the entrance of an imposing wooden building. The door of the carriage opened and a servant garbed in the green garments of local peasants came out. He bowed low while keeping the carriage door open for his master. After a few moments, a man in bright red and purple clothes descended from the carriage.Lankko appeared regal in his red shirt and crown of glorious blonde hair. The heavy gold chains around his neck as well as the sparkling jewels on his fingers completed his attire. He played the part of a wealthy merchant quite well and walked with his chin high, barely looking at the ground. At first, he made a slight tumble upon stubbing his foot on a protruding rock, but Enzir and Gent were quick to steady him.“Thank you,” said Lankko to his servants as he recovered his elegant pose. Then, he wiggled his arms to re
There was a coded knock on the door and Lankko peeked through a hidden peep hole before removing the latch. Lankko insisted on the additional precaution, knowing that it would be very dangerous for his master as well as himself should they be discovered by the Imperial soldiers hiding in the cabin.Lankko saw that it was Gent standing at the door and he was holding several woven baskets. He appeared to be alone. Lankko opened the door to let his cousin in and immediately closed it behind him.“Are you sure no one followed you,” asked Lankko as the metal latches clicked, effectively locking the door. Then, Lankko slipped a thick wooden bar across the door.Gent nodded at Lankko. He then walked towards the kitchen where he placed the woven baskets on the table. Then, he methodically removed the contents of the baskets one-by-one, revealing them to be different food items for Lankko and Enzir. Lankko followed his cousin to the kitchen and helped h
Enzir remembered the Imperial soldiers whom they fought at Remuel’s den. Those he hit with his energy bolts collapsed to the ground and turned into dust as smoke rose to the air. He also remembered how those whom he thought to have been stunned and lay unconscious would suddenly stand up when an Imperial officer held up a glowing necklace in his hand.Enzir was filled with concern as he realized the forces that he would be up to if he joined the resistance to topple down Terdu’s regime. “What can we do then, Lankko?”“I have to admit that I don’t know, Jad Enzir. Terdu has become too powerful that I don’t even know if it is too late to resist him,” answered Lankko.“You mentioned that the people could rise against him. Why don’t they?” asked Enzir.“As I said, Jad Enzir, people are afraid. They need a leader to rally them into action like Rodan did during the time of Sukram, however&n
“If those healing stones really do work, I think it’s bad that there aren’t many of them left,” remarked Enzir.Lankko nodded. “I don’t know if you still remember, Jad Enzir, but we used to have a lot of sun stones at the fortress. You place them under the sun during the day and they will shine at night when activated, replacing the need to burn candles or oil.” Lankko’s face brightened as he remembered how it was when the use of magical artifacts was ubiquitous.“I remember that. I had a lot of those in my bedroom,” said Enzir.“When Terdu banned the practice of magic, I think we lost a lot of our simple joys and freedoms,” said Lankko, hanging his head.“Why did he ban magic in the first place, Lankko?” asked Enzir.“You really don’t know, Jad Enzir?” asked Lankko, scratching his bald head. “I thought your teachers in magic history covered
After serving breakfast and washing the dishes, Lankko decided to go to work in extracting energy from an old healing stone that he was able to get his hands on. It was an old magical artifact that he got from his cousin who also managed to get it from an old friend. According to Gent, the stone worked by rubbing it vigorously between the user’s palms and placed over the painful area. The stone would produce enough heat to warm the area it was applied on and helped in the healing process. Lankko that there was not enough energy in the healing stone to extract but still went on the laborious process of finding out how it worked and develop a method for extracting its power. After several tries, Lankko was finally able to discover that the stone drew energy from the sun and placed it outside. He then directed several mirrors towards it before dropping the stone inside a glass vessel filled with a mixture of salts and minerals. Only then did the stone start to create bubbles that
The following morning, Enzir woke up early with the sound of Kora’s nervous clucking. He looked out his window and found that the chicken was not without company. A rooster was walking around her excitedly and after flapping his wings, gave out a loud crow that could have woken even the heavy sleeper. Enzir smiled as he saw the two chickens eyeing each other and flapping their wings in some form of dance. Slowly, Enzir lowered his window to give the chickens some privacy.There was the sizzling sound of frying along with the delicious smell of garlic being fried. Enzir stretched out his arms and then got out of bed to see what Lankko was cooking. He walked to the kitchen and saw Lankko busily adding ingredients on a frying pan where there was already a steaming pile of rice.“Good morning, Jad Enzir!” said Lankko to his master after giving him a quick glance. “Did you sleep alright?”“Slept like a log,” replied Enzir. “W
Dinner with Lankko’s family was a rowdy affair, but Enzir did not mind. After all the chaos and not being able to eat at a proper table in the past few weeks, he realized that dining with other people on plentiful was really a luxury. He remembered the many times that he did not even recognize the efforts of his own cook who feisty as she was still made the most wonderful dishes that he had ever tasted. Lankko and Darla tried to control their children, especially the little ones who kept on arguing while trying to outdo each other in telling stories of their journey to Dagos. The children really do miss their father, thought Enzir. He had not really thought of Lankko’s family and failed to recognize that his Keeper of Secrets did have his personal life outside his work. Enzir did make Lankko work a lot, especially after he discovered that he could extract energy from the magic artifacts to make an elixir capable of infusing power to whoever drinks it. He had Lankko
“What are you saying, Lankko?” asked Enzir, his voice rising as he felt his blood rushing through his veins. “What do you mean my mother may still be alive?”Lankko suddenly felt warm. He felt sweat forming on his forehead and he wiped it off with his hand. He could not look at Enzir whose eyes seemed to drill into his own. “I have to apologize, Jad Enzir. Your father forbade everyone to speak to you about your mother and I had to obey his orders.”Enzir felt weak. He wanted to shout at Lankko and destroy everything he could have his hands on, but there was nothing to break, nothing to smash against the walls.“Aaahh!” cried Enzir. He finally managed to pick up a rock and threw it hard towards the lake. He felt his breathing quicken and he stood on the slope watching the rock he threw fly through the air and landing on the water.“Please, Jad Enzir,” pleaded Lankko. “Please don’t be angry wit