The Ancient Lands: Warrior Quest, Search for the Ifa Scepter

by Jason McCammon

“What is this place?” Bomani asked. He looked across the large clearing. There were deep hallowed areas in the ground, big enough that a medium sized animal, a human, or even an ogre could fall into. These holes extended as far as they could see.

  “I’ve heard of this place. It is called the Pitfall Fields,” said Farra.

  Bomani bent down at the opening of one of the deep holes to look down as far as he could.

  “How deep are they?” Bomani asked.

  “I’m not sure. I don’t know anyone who has actually seen them. Not to mention anyone who has fallen down into one. Rumor is that they go on forever,” said Farra.

  “It couldn’t possibly go on forever,” Bomani said. His brow furrowed at the absurdity of such an idea.

  “Well, do you really want to find out?” Farra sensed his mockery.

  “Yeah! I mean, no! I just want to know how deep the holes are. I have no plans of falling in.”

  “Me either.”

  “But we have to cross it. The ogres are close. Next time, you should make sure Pupa isn’t hungry before we go raiding any more camps.”

  “Agreed,” Farra nodded and smiled.

  He sprung back up to his feet and rubbed his hands together to remove the dust and dirt from them. He looked down at Pupa. “You ready little guy?”

  They cautiously made their way across the Pitfall Fields, watchful not to fall into any holes. There were so many cavities in the ground; it was like walking through a loaded minefield. They walked closely together and examined the ground carefully as they waded through.

  “I’ve never even heard of this place,” said Bomani.

  “There is a legend about Pitfall Fields,” Farra said.

  She wobbled a bit, almost losing her balance. She kept talking. Bomani was learning that this was Farra’s way. She always talked a lot when she was nervous, and this time it did not bother him so much.

  “Legend has it that there was a man who stole a jewel from an evil wizard. When the wizard chased after him, the man fell and lost it somewhere in this field. The wizard cursed the man and said that he would have to look for that jewel until he found it. That was over two hundred years ago. Even after his death, he had to keep digging until he found it. That’s why there are so many holes here, and that’s why it is called Pitfall Fields, and that is why it is rumored that the holes are bottomless.”

  “I don’t believe it. One man dug all these holes?” Bomani said.

  “That’s the story,” said Farra.

  “Well, if he dug all these holes, then how could they go on forever? That’s a lot of digging.”

  “Do you have to take the fun out of everything?”

  “What? I’m just saying, even if it was for a thousand years, a man couldn’t dig holes that were that deep; forever deep. That’s all I’m saying,” Bomani debated.

  “Hey, I’m just telling you what I—” Farra began.

  “Ogres!” Bomani interrupted. He looked back and saw the ogres entering the clearance in the field from a distance. “We have to hurry!” said Bomani.

  They sped up their pace; still being careful not to fall into the holes. Soon, they realized that a white mist was thickening all around them. It wasn’t long before they could not see more than a foot in front of themselves. They moved slower, feeling the ground with their feet, making sure not to fall into the holes.

  Before long they heard the hoofing and snarling of ogres, seemingly coming from every direction. They were close enough to smell, but still the fog made it impossible to see them. They kept quiet in efforts to keep the ogres from following the sound of their voices, but it happened to be to their own disadvantage.

  In the thick of the fog, they strayed from each other.

  Bomani heard an ogre yell as it fell into one of the holes. The scream seemed to fade as it fell further and further away. Bomani wondered suddenly if Farra had been right and the holes were endless. His heart beat heavily in his chest as he whipped his body around, turning one way and then the other trying to get a bearing on where the ogres were.

  He realized that Farra was not right behind him, as he had thought. “Farra,” he whispered, looking for her. “Farra, can you hear me?”

  The reply brought him to a halt, for it was not Farra’s voice he heard at all.

  “I hear you Bomani,” came the treacherous voice of Hatari. “I hear you loud and clear.” Hatari’s voice echoed all around him, he must have been right on top of him and yet he saw nothing.

  “Show yourself." Bomani demanded.

  “I am here, in the diamond you hold.”

  Bomani raised the stolen rope necklace he had in his hand to his face. There, projecting from the diamond was the image of Hatari.

  “There. Face to face is so much more natural, don’t you think?” said Hatari. “I don’t know what Hagga told you, but it is my power that you hold. And I can use it at my will.”

  “What is it you want?” Bomani insisted.

  “While you hold it, I am already learning so much about you. I can feel your needs, your wants…your desires. It is a battle that you seek, but I assure you, a battle isn’t necessary.”

  “Then you know what I’m coming for, the Ifa Scepter. It rightfully belongs to Ufalme.”

  “Yes, and I am willing to give it to you. You are a warrior, strong and stern. I can feel your desire to rule, to stand strong amongst the world.”

  “From what I know of you, you only wish to conquer and destroy the world,” Bomani protested.

  “Not true. It is my siblings that you speak of. They have turned Madunia into a world of chaos. Your kingdom, Ufalme is the last of the great kingdoms still standing. Yet it is also the kingdom that stands in my way, keeping me trapped in the Forbidden Expanse. Join me, and I will give you the Ifa Scepter. You can return home a hero, and then allow me and my troops passage into Madunia.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Your father was never interested in an alliance. I am sure that you think of him as a great man, but his narrow view of the world will be your kingdom’s undoing. With you as King, you can join me in returning order to Madunia, to undo what my brothers and sister have done. You will have the gratitude of all of Madunia, not just your kingdom. I know that is what you want, as you hold my diamond of power, your desires are pouring into it.”

  Hatari is right, Bomani thought to himself. It was what he wanted, and what if what his father and grandfather knew of Hatari was wrong. What if he could help to protect all of Madunia? He could be a hero throughout the world. That is more than any King before him had done.

  “What is it that you want me do?” Bomani asked.

  “The young sorceress that you travel with carries a staff. Bring it to me. The Ifa Scepter has given me much power, but there is not much more it will do for me. Yet, to harness the power of an Anifem’s staff to add to my own, that’s a different story. For me, it is a fair trade. For you, you can gain all, and lose nothing.”

  “But what of Farra?” Bomani asked, concerned. “What will happen to her?”

  “She will not be harmed.”

  “But will she be alright, separated from her staff?”

  “I cannot sit here and explain to you the logistics of magic and power boy, but yes, she will be just fine.”

  Chapter 17

  FRIEND OR FOE

  earth