To Find a God

by Mary Hamilton

  Chapter 53: Tovi

  A large ogre emerged from the far corner of the cavern, only it wasn’t an ogre, really. “You are good explorers, my friends. Allow me to see what you have discovered.” The being that looked almost like an ogre stood easily a head above Kharla and Klunk. What made it different, though, was that it seemed to be made only out of light. He had all the details of an adult ogre except that he looked like a ghost.

  Tovi stared in disbelief and terror. Cringing, he eased over behind Klunk, who also stared at the strange being.

  Kharla, of the three, seemed the least intimidated. “Who are you?”

  The ghost, or whatever it was, seemed not to hear her. “Yes, yes. I suspect you are correct. It indeed seems a part of something much larger.” It bent down over the three pieces, moving its hand over them without seeming to affect their position at all. “Adventurers such as yourselves should be able to locate the remainder of the pieces within this series of caverns.” It looked up and smiled at the party.

  Klunk eased closer to the being and asked the same question Kharla had. “Who are you?”

  “A thousand pardons. I am Mugrok. Or at least, I was. Now, as you can see, I am merely his spirit.”

  Tovi found his voice. “Do you live down here?”

  The ghost chuckled. “Live? No. I do not live at all. I exist in these tunnels as you see me now.”

  Tovi stared, wide-eyed. “Are you really a ghost?”

  More laughter. “Yes, but I promise that I am not one of the villainous wisps of legend. I perished in the mines after the great war. I will move across the bridge to my next life when I have completed my task.”

  Kharla furrowed her brow and she considered the being. “What task is it that?”

  “I must locate all the pieces of the eternal altar and mount upon it the crystal of light. Only then can my soul make the journey. I have spent these centuries here alone. As you can see, I travel and communicate, but, unfortunately, I cannot physically move things. So, while I can locate the necessary pieces, I cannot reassemble them.” Mugrok narrowed his eyes as he considered the party. “Perhaps you might assist me?”

  “What is the purpose of this altar?” Klunk shifted his gaze between the spirit and the pieces of metal on the ground. “And what is this crystal of light that you speak of?”

  “As to the crystal, it is a large thing, circular but not so round as a globe. You will know it by its distinct color. It burns pure white but, within that white, exist all the colors of the world, swirling and mixing.”

  “And the altar?” Klunk sounded skeptical.

  “It is of little importance to you or others, but for me, it will lead me to the bridge between this world and the next. If you could assist me, I would be in your debt.”

  Kharla interjected, “We have only a little time. We are traveling to the mines, and then we are expected at our kraals.”

  Mugrok stared at her. “I assure you, the task should be completed quickly. There are perhaps fifteen pieces scattered through the tunnels. I can help you locate them. I ask only that you transport them here. After that, you just need to clear the obstructed way to the mines. It is there that you will find the crystal of light. And then I can be on my way home. And you can be about your business, whether visiting the mines or going home.” He held his hands out as though pleading with her.

  But something about him struck Tovi as… off… not quite right. The spirit smiled, but it seemed a cold smile. Maybe that was from being dead. But every few seconds, the Azyrean could see a hint of red flash from the eyes, lasting only an instant. He looked over at Klunk and Kharla, hoping that they saw it as well. If they did, though, neither said anything.

  River and Growl had both stood, although crouched with their heads lowered. Tovi had no idea what this meant. Neither animal uttered a sound.

  The spirit turned away, chuckling. “I can see that I have surprised you, caught you unaware. For that I apologize. I have not spoken with living beings since my body perished. I’m afraid I am out of practice and may have forgotten how to communicate respectfully. For now, though, I regret that my strength wanes. I must retreat into the tunnels and regain my energy. Please consider my humble request. I will return to you later.” And with that, the light that was Mugrok flashed and disappeared into darkness.

  The three sat in stunned silence. The dim purple light in the cavern suddenly seemed oppressive to Tovi. Finally, he summoned the courage to speak. “What do we do, Klunk?”

  Kharla answered the question. “We can get information from it. It has been here a long time. It spoke of a great war. Maybe that has something to do with the humans. It might be able to help us.”

  Klunk, in typical Klunk fashion, scratched the side of his head. “Perhaps. But we must take care that we understand the price of that help.”

  “He has already told us. We just have to find the pieces of the altar and then go get the crystal.” Kharla’s tone exuded exasperation.

  “I sense that there is more left unsaid than he spoke. Once we do his bidding, we will probably not be able to undo it. If it is as he says, then there may be no problem. But if there is some other purpose or result….” He left the consequence unsaid.

  “We won’t know until we do it. I say that the risk is worth it.”

  Tovi added his piece. “I’m not sure. Something doesn’t seem right. I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something there.”

  Klunk nodded as though in agreement. “We should leave the cavern and go back to Myhrren’s. He will know what to do.”

  “No!” Kharla leapt to her feet. “We are here now. We may have answers, and even help, within our reach. It would be foolish to leave this and go back to talk to an old man. Besides, if he knew anything about a ghost or altar, he would have told us.”

  “I cannot tell you what to do. But I have a responsibility to my kraal and to all ogres. I also must think about what is right for Tovi. I am not sure that the risk is worth it.”

  She fumed, jaw and fists clenched. Finally, she turned away and began to pace around the cavern. “What about a compromise. What if we stayed here overnight, you know, sleep here, and think about it. We might find more pieces around this cavern. And when Mugrok comes back, we can ask him about humans and the war. And if you are worried about the altar, you can ask about that, too.”

  The compromise was an uneasy one. The group settled in, each lost in their own thoughts. After a cold meal of meat and nuts, Tovi curled up next to River. For the first time, he wished the voice would come. Maybe it would know something. Silence. But he felt something—a thought, a word—trying to break through. It seemed only a vague, dusty feather of an idea. Try as he might, he could not pull it in. It was as if a veil had fallen over his mind, much like the veil of darkness that had fallen over the oasis earlier in the day. And somehow, he knew the voice was trying to talk to him.

  Chapter 54: Tovi

  Tovi awoke with a start to find Mugrok, the spirit of the long dead ogre, sitting beside him. “What are you doing here? You scared me to death.” He propped up on an elbow and stared at the ghost’s visage.

  “I am sorry. I did not mean to alarm you.”

  The Azyrean heard two sets of snores and glanced over to see his companions asleep. “It’s okay—just that Klunk and Kharla are asleep. We’re going to….” An inner voice cautioned him not to describe everything the group had argued about. “They’ll be awake later.”

  The spirit chuckled. “Yes. Of that I am sure. But I wanted to talk to you for just a moment.” He gazed around the cavern. “It is hard being here for so long. I long to join my family and friends in the next life. Hopefully that will happen soon. But, until then, it is just nice to have someone to talk to, even if you’re not really an ogre.”

  Tovi searched for a response but could only shrug. What does one say to a ghost who just wants to talk?

  “What brought you to this land?”

  “It was a stupid mistake, that’s all
. I was riding moonbeams and jumped on a colored one.” He went on to tell the story yet again. By this time, he had it memorized and knew just when to throw in the pauses.

  The spirit’s gaze seemed full of wonder. “That is truly a remarkable story. And I must add, you are very brave to wander about the desert helping the ogres.”

  Tovi started to retort that he had very little choice in the matter. He was, after all, stranded here and the ogres, especially Klunk, had befriended him. But he decided that it was okay if this being thought him courageous. Certainly no one in his other life had looked at him that way.

  Mugrok continued the questioning. “What is it that your noble party is doing out in these parts?”

  Tovi told him of the charge from Myhrren and how they were trying to rally all of the ogre kraals to meet the invasion of the humans.

  “Myhrren.” The ghost seemed to smirk. “Indeed.” He stood and walked over to the tunnel leading out of the cavern. “I will leave you to your sleep, my small friend. I shall return when your friends have awakened. I bid you good night.” And with that, the shimmering red and golden light that embodied Mugrok flashed out of existence.

  Tovi laid back, his head resting on his pack trying to make sense of what had just happened. Through it all, he could feel something or someone, probably his voice, trying to talk to him. But nothing came through. His friends continued to snore. He closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.

  ◆◆◆

  Kharla rummaged through her pack and pulled out a strip of meat. “We should ask him when he comes back. He might know something about how the humans are getting into this land. Maybe he could even tell us where to intercept them.”

  Tovi pondered whether or not to tell them about the middle-of-the-night visit from Mugrok, but on reflection, he wasn’t at all sure that it really happened. Maybe it was just a dream.

  Klunk stood, stretched, and yawned. Ambling over to the tunnel leading back to the pool, he turned to the group. “I don’t know. We did what we were supposed to do. And even with the help of Growl and River, I’m not sure the three of us could fight a group of these humans and win.”

  “Well, maybe we don’t have to fight them ourselves. What if we just find out what we can from the ghost. We can go back and tell the kraals or Myhrren if you want.”

  Klunk reached up and scratched the side of his head as he pondered the idea. “Maybe. Perhaps we can just ask.”

  As if on cue, the spirit suddenly reappeared. “Ah, my good friends. You have awakened.”

  The sight of the ghost had ceased to frighten Tovi. Instead, he looked more carefully at the details beneath the shimmering light. He wore the standard leather jerkin common to all ogres that the young Azyrean had seen. The trousers and even the leather boots seemed identical to others in this land. All the details were there, right down to the backpack he carried.

  Growl and River stood and positioned themselves—Growl beside Klunk and River standing between Tovi and Kharla. Klik, who had been nibbling, oblivious to the discussions, had stopped and remained dead still. Tovi could almost feel the tension emanating from the rock dog at his side.

  Kharla stepped forward toward the spirit. “We are glad that you have returned to us. We wonder if perhaps you might help us with something?”

  Mugrok smiled and held out his hands to the group. “Of course. It would be most advantageous if we could all help each other. What is it that you desire of me?”

  Tovi did a double-take. He was certain that he’d seen a flash, no, just a hint, of red in the ghost’s eyes. River uttered a low, guttural growl but remained still. If the others had seen anything, they chose not to show it.

  “We,” Kharla gestured toward the entrance to the cave, “the ogres, have been attacked by humans. They killed my father. Others have died as well. We need to find a way to stop them. Maybe you can tell us how they get into our world. Where can we find them?”

  The shining image rubbed its chin. “Humans, you say? Most odd. They were indeed a warlike race some centuries ago. But since the sundering, I am given to understand that they have become a peaceful hunter-gatherer society.”

  Tovi wondered how a ghost trapped in these tunnels would know such a thing. But the words came from the spirit with such sincerity. The sound carried no evidence of lie. Something, though, bothered the young Azyrean.

  Kharla pressed the issue. “They were humans. Tovi, here, saw both battles. Klunk and I saw the second battle. These were not any hunter-gatherers. They were here to kill ogres.” She eased closer to the spirit, hands on her hips.

  “Of course, of course. I meant not to dispute you. I am merely trying to understand. Perhaps this group you speak of is but a small group, possibly a rebel contingent.”

  “I don’t know anything about contingents. I just know that humans killed Papaw. I mean to make them pay.”

  “I understand, my young one. I know about family and death. I may be able to help you. I hope that you would be so kind as to return the favor and help me cross over, so that I may be with my loved ones.” The ghost’s smile never wavered.

  Klunk weighed in, “Myhrren is helping us. We should consult with him.”

  Kharla whirled and glared at him. Klunk did not return the stare, but rather continued to gaze with a neutral look at the spirit.

  Mugrok shook his head, continuing to smile. “Myhrren. Humph. I would only remind you that he himself is a human. He can hardly be considered as a reliable source of counsel in this matter.”

  “That’s right. Kharla eased over to the side of the ghost, turning to face her companions. “I’m not saying that he’s bad or that he had anything to do with the attacks, but I agree with Mugrok. He is human.”

  “Friends, friends. I mean not to sow discord. I do not demean good Myhrren nor do I besmirch his intentions. I merely seek your help in crossing over. In return, I can help you to discover how these humans are getting into your lands. What you do with that information, of course, is up to you.”

  Another thought struck Tovi. This spirit did not speak like any ogre he had heard. In fact, he sounded more like one of the teachers in the classes back in Pangrove or even some of the people on the Assembly who came and talked to the students.

  “Perhaps while you turn the issue over in your minds, I could take this opportunity to guide you into a few of the tunnels. The pieces of the altar that I seek are scattered about and you could begin to assemble some of them as you continue this discussion.”

  Chapter 55: Tovi

  “Yes. Go ahead and feel your way along the passage and illuminate the next crystal.” The light given off by Mugrok kept the blackness of the cavern at bay, but the purple crystals mounted on the walls did a much better job of brightening the space.

  Tovi remained behind Klunk, as the ogre moved cautiously ahead. The ghost alternately moved ahead and then fell behind. Kharla brought up the rear, remaining silent as she kept pace with the group.

  “It is just ahead. There is another piece just around this next corner.” The spirit seemed to know where all, or at least most, of the pieces of the altar were located.

  Tovi, the closest to the ground by virtue of his short stature, spotted the shiny object as they rounded a bend in the tunnel. “I see it. Right there.” He shot out in front of Klunk and picked up the piece, turning it around in his hands. They had left the other pieces back in the main cavern, so there was no way to know how it fit. From all appearances, though, it came from the same large object.

  “You have sharp eyes, my small Azyrean friend. My most profound thanks to you.”

  Mugrok’s words and tone were beginning to grate on Tovi’s nerves. It felt like too much sweet in the fruit nectar at home. He chose not to respond. Instead, he stuffed the metal piece in his backpack and resumed his position behind Klunk.

  Klunk leaned against the wall and took a deep drink from his water skin. “We have been doing this for a long time now. We should return to the cavern and have our dinner.
After that, I think we should go outside and return to Myhrren’s. We can let him know what we are doing. He can tell our families so that they do not worry about us.”

  The ghost stood facing them, his smile fading. “You should certainly take your meal and rest. But I would offer this word of caution about Myhrren. While I cannot know his heart or his intentions, he has, over the past years, done a disservice to the ogres. He has preached kindness and peace. And now the ogres are weak, unable to repel even a small human invasion. Our people were once strong, proud warriors. Now we scrounge about for small game. We dig roots and gather nuts. And we run from the idea of having to fight to defend our kraals and our families. This is what Myhrren brings us.”

  “No!” Klunk stood in front of the ghost looking up at his face. “We live in peace. We honor the life that has been given us.”

  “Apologies, my friend. I meant no offense. But I see what has happened over the centuries. I died as a result of war, so I myself love peace. Sometimes peace must be bought and paid for. And that price can be high. To run from the fight, that only makes matters worse. You can see that from what happened with the human invaders.”

  Kharla stepped up and put her hand on Klunk’s shoulder. “He is right, Klunk. And remember, Mugrok is an ogre, or at least was one. Myhrren, no matter his intentions, is human. He cannot know us, not truly. You must have faith. If we are to bring the kraals together and defend our homes, we must not give in to weakness.”

  Tovi felt sickness building in his stomach. His friend was being pounded from both sides—the ghost of a long-dead ogre and a young girl whose father had been killed by humans. Both were relentless in the pressure. “Wait. Kharla, Klunk. Please. Look, we are gathering these pieces. But a short delay while we go out and talk to Myhrren won’t hurt anything.”

  A part of him sympathized with the spirit. After all, like the ghost, he was also trapped in a land far from home, away from his loved ones. He hadn’t been here as long as Mugrok had, but still, not being with his family hurt. But he also hated seeing his friends argue. After all, at the moment, they were the only friends he had. And it seemed as though the ghost was just making them argue more. It didn’t feel right.