“Oh yes,” Sam assured him. “The empress captured him.”
“I can attest to that,” said Hermes with a yawn. “I have seen the blue star caged in a glass jar. He cannot escape.”
All the wolves murmured to each other, some excited, others disbelieving, but all interested. “This is important news,” said another elderly wolf, stepping forwards. “For a long time we have kept away from Clebbster and Yaark, who come here often and are both so dangerous and cruel. Yaark has killed many of my kind. My name is Lellium, and I am Little Seed’s aunt. When I change, I become a tired old lady, but I cannot speak if I change, so I prefer to stay as I am.”
“Well, give my love to Little Seed,” said Sam. “But I promise it’s true. We have Yaark trapped, and also three other stars in pink and green and black.”
Once again everyone was amazed and muttered together for a few minutes.
Then Lellium spoke again, her other two heads looking worn out. “How were they taken?” she asked. “And can you capture the others as well?”
“What others?” asked Sam, dismayed. He looked towards Hermes. “I knew it. I sort of felt it. There’s more here in the roots.”
Lellium sat down, and so did most of the wolves, having finished every tiny leaf, bone and scrap of the food. “We are so grateful to you,” she said. “We have not eaten so well in many months. But the Meteor Stars, as we call them, are the worst danger of all. They live beneath the crust. We have seen four here who come out at night and try to enter our minds, which is dreadful. One of the stars managed to get into my brother’s mind some years ago, and he went mad trying to get it out, and he ended up jumping off the edge of Sparkan, fell right through the sky, and died, poor boy. I cried for long days, but the star was laughing.”
“There are just four,” said Miffy. “One is yellow, and one is deep red. Then there’s an orange one, and lastly there’s a great big purple one. We hate them all. But the others don’t bother to go to Lashtang very often. Only Yaark goes to Lashtang. Yet I believe the others have promised to help Yaark if he decides to take over the wizard Wagster forever and rule Lashtang properly.”
Hermes was interested, saying, “How do you know this? Can you speak to these star creatures?”
“The star incubi,” nodded Missa. “Some call them the Meteor Stars. And they speak to us when they wish to threaten or tease. One will enter the mind of a wolf, a dragon or even a crab or beetle. But most of all they like to sneak into the minds of the snakes. You must not believe anything a snake tells you, for it may be one of the incubi.”
“And slugs,” added Lellium. “The incubi like the slugs. I cannot see why since there is very little brain to suck away.”
“Which makes them easy,” sniffed Milla, with contempt.
Both Sam and Hermes were listening attentively. They spoke almost together.
Sam said, “And you know where they are? I want to find them.”
While Hermes said, “Lord Samuel, I beg you will not contemplate approaching these dangerous monsters. You know the terrible powers Yaark can use.”
“I can’t capture them,” Sam agreed. “Nat’s mum Messina trapped them with her mind and she even made the glass jar. I couldn’t do any of that. But I want to get all the information so I can tell the others. They have the magic. But I can find out the truth.”
Milla, who was far more impressed with Sam who had given them all that food than with Hermes who he thought was just a farmyard goose, so he said, “I can show you the easiest way to the island’s roots, Master Samuel, if you wish it.”
Sam brightened up, excited. “Then show me. And I promise to come back in three days and bring even more food.”
“Humph,” said Hermes softly, “if you are still free and alive in three days.” But he clacked his beak at Sam, saying, “Then I shall come with you, my lord, to protect you. And if something terrible happens, then at least I can fly back to her illustrious highnesses Messina and Altabella to report the disaster, and they may be able to help where I cannot.”
The sun was shining brightly on the back of his neck and Sam felt strong. He was surrounded with well-fed and content wolves, he had made friends with them and wasn’t afraid, and he had begun to feel he could do wonderful things, just like the others. More than anything else, he wanted to prove himself. So with a deep breath, he turned to Milla, Missa and Miffy. “So can you show me the way? “
“Follow me, young man,” said the middle head, and set off towards the mountain.
Sam had decided to walk, and Hermes flew above, but as they came closer and closer to the volcano, Sam became a little worried. The sparks and flashes of flame were ferocious, and there wasn’t just sunshine now, there was the heat of explosions and roaring fire. “Much further?” asked Sam in a small voice.
“Inside the mountain,” said the wolf at once. “We rarely venture into that burning danger, but there are steps down inside, and you are a very brave young man. It is the best way through to the Sparkan underground. The only other way is to climb down on the outside, right on the edge. But there are winds and nothing safe to hold onto. You could fall into the great empty sky, as others have done, and died. It would be impossible to survive the fall to Lashtang.”
“Some of us have climbed down inside the mountain,” added the smaller head, “when all there was to eat were snails and slugs and worms.”
“Oh dear,” whispered Sam.
Hermes, looking down, was immediately reassured. “Then we will return to Lashtang, you lord,” he said, “and you may tell the important truths you have discovered.”
But with a shake of his blonde curls, Sam set off again. “No,” he said firmly. “I’m going to do what I said I’d do. You don’t have to come with me if you’re frightened.”
This rather annoyed Hermes, who said, “I am fearful for you, my lord, and not for myself. And I shall not leave you alone.”
“Thank you,” said Sam. “I’m going to climb in there and go to the roots of the island, which will be most exciting. And if I get a bit scorched, I don’t care. Then I’m going to hide and find out how many stars I can see. Then I shall talk to the slugs, like Nat’s mother did, and if they know good things, then I shall grab two or three, and then you can fly me back home to Lashtang, to tell the others all about it.”
“How gloriously brave,” said Miffy.
“How absolutely stupid,” murmured Hermes.
Chapter Nine
The blazing heat shone orange and golden, like sizzling flames in a great huge blistering oven. The ledge around the mouth of the volcano was wide and solid but scalding as though on fire. For one moment Sam stood there, suddenly realising that he should not be doing this. He was wrong. He was an idiot. And he should be going back.
But instead he peered down past the flare and spit and burning threat, and managed to see the dark steps leading downwards, all chipped out of the rock. He started to climb down.
Because of the extreme heat, Sam wanted to hurry. But he couldn’t. The steps were hard to see as the flames behind shot upwards and sent vivid reflections all around. The explosions were sudden, huge and frightening, and the hissing sparks flew in all directions. But with great determination, Sam continued to climb down. Just beside him came Hermes. Indeed, Hermes was having more trouble than Sam, for every time he stretched his wings, the flames caught the tips of the feathers and singed them. “Go back,” Sam yelled over the rumbling and exploding. “It’s not safe for you.”
“I will not fail, my lord, nor will I give up,” said Hermes with a clack.
“I order you,” said Sam eventually, clinging on to the holes in the rock beside the steps.
“I beg your pardon if I do not obey,” answered Hermes, his voice quivering. “But you are not my master, Lord Samuel. I am the messenger of Clarr and answer only to the Octobrs. I call you lord out of respect, but I must point out that you are not a lord. I shall therefore continue to protect you as I wish.”
“Oh dear,”
hiccupped Sam. “You’re not allowed to get burned. Feathers catch fire easily, you know.”
“Not mine, my lord,” Hermes protested. “My feathers are magic, beautiful, and entirely fireproof.” Sam thought that must be an exaggeration, for he could see the tips of those beautiful white feathers turning brown, but Hermes managed to keep flying, although he stopped and rested whenever there was a little step large enough for him to land.
With slow deliberation, Sam climbed ever downwards into the crackling fires below. He thought he must have been climbing for an hour or more, but he wore no watch so could not be sure. It seemed like a lifetime. And then, with an enormous smile of relief, he saw a black opening off the side, big enough to stand up in, and after that the rocky steps stopped. So clearly, the tunnel was the way to go. “But,” said Sam to himself, “it was a dark tunnel where Yaark and Flibweed and the others were living last time when Messina entrapped them. So he knew he must stay attentive once inside. With a hop, he climbed into the tunnel, and Hermes followed him. It was too low for flying, so Hermes also walked, and Sam put his hand around the goose’s neck.
Together they entered the darkness. After the brilliance of the fire and dancing flames, the pitch black seemed even darker, and they could see nothing at all. But they kept walking and after a short time, their eyes adjusted, and they saw the way ahead. The noise of the volcano still echoed behind them, but it faded as they walked deeper. The tunnel sloped downwards, but it was not so steep to be a problem, nor was it wet or slippery. The rock was uneven and in places there were lava piles, almost like rivers, but long gone cold and solid.
It was quite sudden when a tiny light showed at a distance, and they realised the tunnel was ending. But it was not a natural light and they were certainly not going to abruptly climb out into fresh air and sunshine. But the distant light did not seem to be fire either and it did not flicker. So Sam and Hermes walked onwards, but they were both nervous, wondering what they would find at the end. The tunnel was very long but it did not wind, and they could constantly see the light, but they were both exhausted and could not hurry.
As finally they came closer, they could see the light shimmering, huge and silver. It almost seemed to beckon them. And then, in excited amazement, they stood in front of it and could see what it was. There was a large cave, much larger than the one at the end of the rocky tunnel in the cloud where Yaark had been. This was high and wide, and right through the middle from ceiling to ground, was a brilliantly beautiful ribbon. It was so bright, it lit the whole cave, but the ribbon was narrow. It shone like satin, but it was vivid silver and seemed to be stretched downwards, and where it started could not be seen for it was too bright. It seemed to just appear from the rocks above. Yet where it finished was very clear, for it passed down into a small pond of shimmering water. Ripples danced around its entrance into the pond, and they moved and spangled like diamonds, for the water was very bright.
Both the water and the ribbon were singing. The song was faint and soft, but when Sam went closer and reached out across the pond, almost touching the silver ribbon, the music rose louder like a thousand birds singing in a chorus.
Hermes spread his wings, flapping them in delight, and the burnt ends of his feathers seemed to heal, and turn bright white again. Sam moved back, staring with enormous pleasure, awed and thrilled as if somehow the whole scene was a promise of happiness. “Look,” he called to Hermes, “your wing tips aren’t scorched anymore.”
“Miracles and magicals,” murmured Hermes. “This must surely be the Eternal chain.”
“I just wish Nat was here.” Sam sighed. “I don’t have a knife, and anyway, I think it’s only the Knife of Clarr and the Lord of Clarr can cut it. But wouldn’t that be marvellous? With Yaark in gaol and the Eternal Chain cut, we’d have won the war without a single fight.”
Hermes flopped down on the rocks beside the pool. He leaned over and dipped one wing into the water. “I can hear a million voices,” he said. “A little disturbing.”
“Well, Peter thought he saw a tunnel under the island,” Sam nodded, coming to sit beside Hermes. “This must be the same one. Look, the tunnel travels on through the other side of the cave. But this is just wonderful. The stars aren’t here, are they?”
“They might be guarding the Eternal Chain,” Hermes suggested, “to stop anyone cutting it, because then they’d lose everything.” Hermes waved his wet wingtip, and the water flicked out in tiny droplets. “But if that is so, surely they’ll hide in rocky cracks or little holes. They wouldn’t dare show themselves openly.”
“Well, I don’t see why not,” decided Sam. “After all, they’re the powerful ones. Not us.” He smiled. “Oh well, yes, you are powerful with wonderful magic, Hermes. But I’m not at all. And the stars sound more powerful than any of us except Granny and Messina.” He stood up, ready to walk on, and then he realised something. Wheel the drips from the pond had showered the air as Hermes shook his wing, several spots of water had landed on Sam’s hands and now there were tiny glittering silver circles. Hermes’ wing-tip was sparkling silver as well. Sam hurried to the pond and stuck one finger into the water, the ribbon seemed to shiver, Sam’s finger turned into silver spangles, and a soft sweet voice came from the fingertip.
“Ask me whatever you wish, Sam,” said the voice. “I can answer three questions.”
Sam’s mouth hung open until he shut it with a snap, and looked at Hermes, confused. “Is that my finger talking?”
“It would appear so, my lord,” blinked Hermes in surprise. “So ask about the stars.”
Holding up his finger in its own bright light, Sam asked, “The incubus stars. Where are they? What can you tell me about them? Are they wicked like Yaark?”
The soft voice rustled and whispered, and then answered clearly. “Those are your three questions, Sam. I am sorry, but I cannot answer more than that. But yes, the incubi are here. They like the dark parts of the caves, where the only little flickering light comes from themselves. Four live here. When they first flew from the great Meteor K.E. 869 they found this place and made their home here. But then, exploring widely, the star Yaark discovered Lashtang and became ambitious. They are all wicked and like to occupy the minds of others, making them sick and ruining their lives. But Yaark wishes to be king and the others have sworn to help him, so they may all live in dark palaces in Lashtang instead of here, where there is less opportunity. Then when Yaark created the half-way cloud, three of the stars went there to follow and help them. Those are Flibweed, Thwy, and Oplick. But four others still live here, waiting until Yaark achieves his victory. The most powerful is the red star, Cakist. He is very cruel, but he grows old and weak. You will find them all in a smaller cave off this tunnel if you walk further on.”
Both Sam and Hermes had listened in horror, and now muttered to each other. “So we go on?” asked Sam.
“Or we go back?” said Hermes. “Now we know everything to tell her illustrious highness and tell the great and gracious Empole about the Eternal Chain as well. You have accomplished much, my lord. To go on now and face the incubi would be extremely dangerous for no obvious gain. We cannot capture the incubi on our own.”
Rather reluctantly, Sam nodded. He looked again at his silver finger. “Can you still talk?” he asked. But the voice was silent. “Come on then,” he said. “Let’s go. At least I got this far, I know lots of wonderful things, I fed the lava wolves, I found the Eternal Chain, and I have a magical silver finger.”
“You have gained great things, my lord,” said Hermes with a little bow. “But I believe the whole day and part of the night has passed. Your friends will be most worried, and we should return as quickly as we may.”
“But if we continue on through the tunnel,” said Sam suddenly, delighted with his new idea, “we can come out the other end straight into the sky. I can climb on your back and we can fly straight down to Lashtang without any more danger or volcanoes or burning up on that awful long climb up the stairs.”
Sam’s smile faded. “But we will just walk on,” he said. “We won’t go in. We can run past and keep quiet.” He flung his arms around Herms’ neck. “Oh, please,” he begged. “I was so terrified of that dreadful volcano. I’m sure it’ll burn me up if I go there again.”
He could not refuse. Hermes patted Sam’s back with one gentle wing and nodded. He would have chosen the other option and gone back the way they had come, but he had also found the volcano horribly dangerous and would gladly avoid it. He was, however, even more dubious about meeting up with four more stars like Yaark. One had been bad enough.
So together they crossed the cave, walking around the edge of the pool, and waving goodbye to the beautifully shimmering Eternal Chain.
“Not that’s it’s a chain, really,” mumbled Sam. “It’s a glossy ribbon.”
“But,” explained Hermes, “it represents an eternally continuing chain of circumstances.”
“But it won’t be eternal if Nat cuts it,” said Sam.
“I have no idea what will happen after that,” said Hermes. “I do not know everything, young lord. We must wait and see.”
They stopped speaking and kept silent as the tunnel led on into more darkness. For some distance they saw nothing, heard nothing and felt nothing. But then, opening to the left side of the tunnel, was a small cave. They could not see it well, for it was utterly black, but they could see the round hole in the rocky wall, and they hurried past it, hoping not to be seen. Then the continue walking through the tunnel, making for the other entrance.
Then they realised they were being followed. There were no footsteps, but there was a squeaking and creaking, very faint, as though some strange object was being pulled over the rocky ground.
Hermes stopped abruptly and turned around. There in the air before him were three small stars, sparkling like tiny fireworks, sending out coloured lights and hissing. A strong smell blew around them like a cloud of something foul, and the cloud thickened. Now it surrounded both Sam and Hermes, and they could not see past it.
Dominoes Page 9
