The Kings of the Seven Bells

by Marti Talbott

  Whildon rubbed his hands together, “And while the two of you are away, I shall have Gincar all to myself!” He suddenly remembered her, went back to see where she was, and to finish watching the excitement in the marketplace. With little time left before the challenge, the pace of the wagering had increased considerably.

  CHAPTER 8

  NOT UNLIKE THE DAY-long quarterly games, the Mobbox were gathered on their side of the courtyard with the Carbollos staying on their side. Naturally, this day’s event would not take nearly as long. The Carbollo children obediently sat beside their parents and enviably watched as the Mobbox children ran and played behind their Mobbox parents. Even so, there was excitement in the air when the Boons climbed the steps to the castle’s balcony. Situated on the first floor, the balcony extended all the way across the front of the castle, with steps leading up to it. A thick stone wall, half as tall as the shortest man, served as a railing, with filled flower pots on each end.

  For the most part, the Boons looked to have recovered from whatever upset them the day before, although neither one was wearing his robe. If any of the people thought it odd, they did not openly mention it.

  On the grassy area in front of the castle, men stood by waiting to mark the length of each toss. Just as suspected, the stone chosen for the toss looked impossibly heavy, which caused several young men on both sides to give up the challenge before it even began. Those Mobbox still willing to attempt it numbered five, including Nerratel together with Lasun, and Telder and Enor. Those standing in line on the Carbollo side numbered seven. Among them was Raxton with Effrin by his side, and Whildon, who had changed his mind once more hoping to impress Gincar with his strength and determination.

  All eyes were on them when Boon Mobbox raised a hand to quiet the restless crowd. “Let the first challenge begin! In honor of our late King Grafton, the Carbollo shall go first.” Several, including some of the Mobbox applauded that idea.

  The order in which the Carbollos were to toss the stone was underdetermined and to his surprise, all six of them hurried to get in line behind Raxton. He didn’t mind being first and hoped it would give him an advantage, having been better rested than those who stayed up late gambling in the marketplace.

  With Gincar watching his every move, Raxton refrained from looking for Sarinna. Yet, she was never far from his mind. As well, he tried not to look at the hopeful expression on his father’s face as he walked to the starting line in front of the castle. A Mobbox with a flask full of arrows stood at the other end, waiting to lay an arrow down to mark the place the stone landed, while a Carbollo carefully watched to make certain the arrow was correctly placed.

  Raxton paused to gather his determination, and when the crowd quieted, he leaned down and picked the rock up with both hands. To his amazement, it was not nearly as heavy as it looked. Slowly, he turned it so that one hand was on the side of the stone and the other on the bottom. He raised it until it was even with his right shoulder, took two steps forward being careful not to cross the starting line, and hurled it as hard as he could.

  When it landed an impossible distance from the starting line, the Carbollo cheered, and the Mobbox groaned. Even though he was certain he would win, Raxton held his breath while the other six men tried to out-throw him. None of them even came close. In fact, Whildon struggled just to pick the stone up, which Raxton found curious indeed. Finally declared the winner, he enjoyed the cheers, and the pats on the back, as he moved to stand behind the crowd to watch the rest of the game.

  NERRATEL MOBBOX WAS astounded that Raxton had so easily won. He too noticed Gincar staying close to Raxton, even as Raxton moved to the back of the crowd. If he needed confirmation that Gincar had truly threatened Raxton, he had it. For a very brief moment, he felt sorry for Raxton.

  Nerratel was not the first Mobbox to take up the stone and toss it. This time, it was a Carbollo who laid the arrows to mark the distance, and a Mobbox who made certain the Carbollo didn’t cheat. The first contender managed to toss the heavy stone almost half as far as Raxton had. The second to toss the stone, was Telder, who was every bit as strong as Nerratel, and made a very impressive showing. Enor struggled and did not do as well, which drew humiliating laughter from both the Mobbox and the Carbollo side. Finally, it was Nerratel’s turn. He smiled at his sister and mother as he approached the stone, and just as Raxton had, he discovered it was much lighter than he expected. Briefly, he sought Raxton’s eyes, although he was not certain what he expected Raxton to do. Yet, there was an odd understanding in Raxton’s eyes.

  With far less effort than he expected, Nerratel tossed the stone twice as far as all the other Mobbox, and landed it almost even with Raxton’s mark. He too accepted the adulations of his people, and then went to sit with his sister. Yet, once the next Mobbox went to toss the stone, he once more sought Raxton’s eyes. He was not surprised to find Raxton watching him. Raxton’s nod left little doubt that he too thought something strange and unexplainable had just happened.

  As soon as the last man had tossed the heavy stone and lost, Boon Mobbox again stood up. “It is apparent to everyone that Raxton has won the right to go on the quest for the Carbollo and Nerratel for the Mobbox.” He paused until the shouts of agreement calmed down. “And now for the riddle.”

  A Carbollo with a negative expression on his face, stood up and shouted, “If they are already the winners, why need we a riddle?”

  Boon Mobbox glanced at Boon Carbollo, as though he did not have a ready answer. As soon as Boon Carbollo whispered in his ear, the Mobbox said. “Should the two of them finish the quest at the same time, the riddle is to determine who is to ring the bells in the Gazebo first.”

  “Oh,” the man said, sitting back down.

  As soon as Raxton and Effrin went up to the front, Nerratel and Lasun joined them, and then all four turned to face the crowd. It was Effrin who was the most nervous, for he was unaccustomed to having so much attention paid to him. This part of the challenge was up to him and he feared he would let his people down.

  When they were young, Effrin Carbollo hated the very sight of Raxton. That was before the day Raxton grabbed a newborn lamb just in time to keep it out of the jaws of a hungry wolf. A lover of all animals, especially the newborn, Effrin was overwhelmed with joy and swore his loyalty to Raxton that very day.

  Whildon’s part in the challenge was over – or so he thought. He was a builder and could make most anything from the least amount of material. He was especially good at carving, and each birthday, he proudly gave the king a new carving to add to his collection. Therefore, when he heard the riddle, he knew the answer right away. Unfortunately, Raxton had chosen Effrin to solve the riddle instead.

  Boon Mobbox took a step closer to the balcony railing and cleared his throat. “The riddle is – What is seen and not heard, wood and not glass, and kept secret these many years.”

  Whildon was shocked. A day not so long ago, he happened upon the king while he was riding his horse on Carbollo land, and took the opportunity to give him a particular carving. The king was so delighted with the image of his most recent wife and cherished it so, he asked Whildon to keep its existence a secret.

  For a time, Whildon tried to think what else the answer to the riddle could be, but he could not. He watched in agony as Effrin tried desperately to give an answer. Nerratel and Lasun had their heads together whispering to each other, but they would never come up with the answer. How could they?

  Regrettably, when asked by Boon Carbollo, both teams had to admit they could not solve the riddle. The crowd began to mumble, “The riddle is too hard...the Boons must choose another riddle...forget the riddle, it matters not.”

  Not one single person on either side could have guessed what Boon Mobbox would do next.

  CHAPTER 9

  BOON MOBBOX SLOWLY looked over the faces of the Carbollo and then the Mobbox before he asked, “Can anyone give an answer?”

  Whildon was about to raise his hand when a Mobbox stood up.
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  Still reeling from the humiliation of not doing well in the stone toss, Enor grinned and said, “I can!” Telder’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped, but he did not stop his brother before Enor continued, “Tis a carving of the king’s wife.” His answer was met with complete silence from the people, a glower on the face of Boon Mobbox, and a fierce expression of rage in the eyes of Boon Carbollo.

  “’Tis but one way you could know!” shouted Boon Carbollo. “You saw the carving in the King’s bedchamber the night you killed him!” The Carbollo men quickly got to their feet, shook their fists, and began to loudly express their anger at the Mobbox. Some of the Mobbox seemed deeply troubled, while others were all too happy to rise up and return the hostility displayed by the Carbollo.

  Before they could go to blows, Boon Carbollo yelled, “DOWN, ALL OF YOU!” Reluctantly and with great hesitation, even the Mobbox did as they were told.

  Enor realized his mistake and started to shake his head, but he was too late. By then, the king’s guards had surrounded him and his brother. In his defense, Enor cried out, “I did not kill the king. Telder did!”

  “HE LIES,” Telder screamed.

  The Mobbox would not have believed it had they not heard it for themselves. It was the worst that had ever happened, there was the threat of war in the air, and most knew not what to do. They whispered to one another, tears rimmed the eyes of the women, and some of the men suspected they best prepare for battle.

  Boon Mobbox managed to calm his civic down as well. “Since King Grafton was a Carbollo king, I say we let the Carbollo decide the punishment. Are Telder and Enor to be put to death, or shall they be banished?”

  Still facing the crowd, Nerratel turned to Raxton. “What say you?”

  “I say there has been enough killing.”

  Nerratel nodded. “I agree.”

  Raxton raised his hand and shouted to his people, “I SAY THE MOBBOX SHALL BANNISH THEM!” The Carbollo were somewhat slow to agree, but little by little, they backed Raxton. After all, he could well be their next king.

  “Banished to where?” Enor whined. “Are we to live with the Carbollo?” That brought about quite a ruckus by way of shouts and shaking heads from the Carbollo.

  Kircom Mobbox, an elder and highly respected Mobbox slowly stood up. “Good Mobbox, we must not allow killers to live among us. Would banishment to the Lowlands be a fair and just punishment?” Gradually, the Mobbox began to agree until all the Mobbox started to chant – “TO THE LOWLANDS!”

  Telder’s whole body shook as he turned to his brother, “This is all your fault. You said we would not get caught. Now, they mean to throw us off the cliff!”

  Deeply disappointed in the two members of his cherished civic, Boon Mobbox said, “Perhaps you might find a way down, and perhaps you shall spend your days seeking one. If you dare to ever come near a Carbollo or a Mobbox again, you are to be killed on sight! Gather your things and go!”

  It seemed neither Telder nor Enor understood the edict, for they did not move. Despondent and nearly in tears, Enor began to walk toward Mobbox City. When Boon Mobbox nodded. Elder Kircom and three Mobbox men followed the brothers. Behind them, Boon Mobbox commanded, “Take them to the cliffs and leave them there.”

  There were even more rumblings among the people when Raxton’s mother had something to say. “For the first time, I do not feel safe.”

  It was Nerratel’s mother who loudly agreed. “Neither do I. None of us are safe with the two of them allowed to remain on Extane.”

  Both women received voiced agreements and applause from both sides.

  While the people continued to fuss and fume, Nerratel whispered to Raxton, “Might they borrow your wings? Just to get down, I mean.”

  It was not a laughing matter, but Raxton was tempted to smile. “Unfortunately, Mother took my wings away when I was yet a child.”

  “Pity.”

  Boon Carbollo brashly cleared his throat. “If both the Carbollo and the Mobbox will give me their pledge not to do anything out of anger until after we have a new king, we shall let the quest begin!” About that, everyone quickly agreed, for there were even more exciting bets to place.

  “Now?” Nerratel asked.

  “Why not now?” Boon Mobbox asked. “Extane needs a king and the sooner, the better.”

  “But where do we go?” Raxton wanted to know.

  Both Boon’s turned and pointed to the castle behind them. “In there,” Boon Carbollo confirmed.

  A hush fell over the crowd when an incredulous Nerratel asked, “In the castle?”

  Boon Mobbox added, “’Tis all we can say. After you enter, the guards shall close the gates and make certain no one interrupts.”

  “Where do we find the first riddle?” Raxton asked. Both of the Boons shrugged. Raxton hurried to say goodbye to his family and was about to head for the castle when Gincar grabbed him around the neck and hugged him. It was the perfect opportunity, so he whispered in her ear, “There is another who loves you far more than I.” When she drew away, there was complete surprise in her expression.

  “Who?”

  “Perhaps you might look for him while I am gone.” He left her standing there, and then went to join Effrin. A few minutes later, it was Sarinna who drew his attention. This time, he did not take his eyes off her, nor did she take hers off of him. It was a precious moment for him, one he was not likely to forget no matter how long the quest lasted.

  Nerratel hugged his mother. “Try not to fret,” he told her. When he reached for his sister, Sarinna was not looking at him, she was looking at Raxton. Nerratel was too excited to scold her, so he hugged her instead. “I shall return as quickly as I can.” She nodded, and then watched as her brother caught up with the man she loved. All four men quickly put on their belted swords, bows and arrows, and then attached water flasks and knives to their belts. The last thing they picked up was their sack of provisions.

  Amid the excited cheers of the people, Nerratel and Lasun headed for the Mobbox gate, while Raxton and Effrin ran to the one on the Carbollo side. The people shouted the name of their preferred winner until the contestants disappeared inside and the castle doors closed.

  It didn’t take long before their attention turned, not to fighting each other, but to collecting their winnings from the night before, and placing new wagers on who would win the quest. Knowing little about what the quest involved, it was not an easy guess as to who would become their next king. Interestingly, people on both sides were willing to set aside their Civic loyalties in an effort to win the wagers, and soon, there were as many votes for Nerratel on the Carbollo side as there were for Raxton among the Mobbox.

  Whatever the squabble between the two civics, winning the silver coins was far more important.

  NEVER HAVING BEEN IN the castle before, all four men were surprised to learn that the hallway from each door converged on a center corridor that led to the throne room – a room more lavish than any of them had imagined. For a moment, it was enough just to take it all in. Each man wore similar clothing and carried bags of provisions. The only distinct difference between the two sides was their hair. While the Mobbox wore their curly hair short, the Carbollo preferred to let their hair grow and wore it in a braid down their back.

  It was Effrin Carbollo who spotted the stones with the etchings in the marble floor. As soon as he drew near enough to read them, the other three followed, each reading in silence. Just as Effrin did, they followed him from stone to stone.

  “What paradise?” Lasun Mobbox asked.

  “That is what it says,” Effrin confirmed. “Extane is a paradise where people shall always live in peace.”

  “Ha,” Nerratel scoffed. “Not always.”

  Effrin turned to read what it said on the last stone. “Take care, it says, not to upset that which the founders set in place, for the consequences shall be dire.”

  “What founders?” Raxton asked. “I have heard of no founders.”

  “Wait,” Effrin s
aid. “There is also a symbol “Tis a crescent moon with seven spires, just like the one in the gazebo.”

  Puzzled, all four of the men examined the symbol and tried to determine what it meant. At length, Lasun muttered, “’Tis a riddle. Find the symbol and find the way to the quest?”

  “Sounds logical to me,” said Nerratel. He headed for the throne room’s side door, but just before he reached it, he turned back. “I will not let you win, Raxton. I cannot!”

  “I know,” Raxton answered. “I expect nothing less.”

  With that, and with Lasun following, Nerratel opened the door and stepped into a hallway. It was the same hallway that led to the king’s bedchamber, with stairs on the far end, doors on each side, and one closed door on the end opposite the stairs. Nerratel chose the door opposite the stairs, the same door Mobbox Boon opened. However, what lay beyond the door was not a room with a single chair and an old man, but a second hallway.

  Without looking back, Nerratel entered, held the door for Lasun, and then closed it behind them.

  IN THE PASSAGEWAY WITH an odd bluish glow, there were no doors, no decorations on the walls, and no rug on the floor. When they came to a corner, they could go no direction other than left into a continuation of what appeared to be the same passageway, only considerably longer. It too ended with a left turn and another passageway identical to first, only a few feet shorter. At the end of that passageway, they turned left, and at the end of that one, they turned left again.

  “I find this most peculiar,” said Lasun, a man with short hair and slightly taller than most of the Mobbox.

  “As do I,” Nerratel answered.

  “While I am pleased to go on this quest with you, I openly confess to expecting plagues and monsters to fight, not passageways.”

  “And all this time I thought it was the Slewworth you feared most.”