Rebenna felt him tie the makeshift rope tightly. She was soon shoulder to shoulder with him, helping him dig a hollow in the snow. After what felt to her like an eternity of digging, they settled down in a tight hole in the snow. Unlike in the rocks, if they moved even slightly the snow would shift, exposing them to the elements.
They were curled up, with Rebenna pressed up against Delmer. It was uncomfortable for them, and impossible to fall asleep. They couldn't talk either, because of the racket the wind was making.
The wind howled, relentlessly battering their feeble shelter. The snow continued to drive, covering them in a thick, cold blanket. It stretched on and on, never seeming to end. Eventually, the intensity of the storm abated. At that point, neither Delmer nor Rebenna could stay curled up in their cubby anymore.
"The storm is ending. I think it's safe for us to start to move again."
"Good! I'm so stiff, and my bandage is frozen again."
"Do you need some more Enicidem?"
"I'm fine,” Rebenna said a little too quickly. “I'll just let it thaw."
"Then let's move. I want to get to shelter before the storm picks up again."
"Should we untie ourselves?"
"I don't think so. The blizzard could start again at any moment."
As they started to walk, Rebenna bumped into Delmer. "We're in such close quarters. I want more freedom."
"So do I, but if the blizzard were to start up again suddenly, we might never find each other again."
"I know, I know. It is dangerous, I don't doubt that. That storm started so abruptly. I'd think that the mountain has a life of its own, if I didn't know better."
"It does seem like this mountain can think. At times I forget get why we even came to get the items."
Rebenna looked at him with a mischievous grin. "True, why did we come to get the items again?"
Delmer chuckled. "Getting the items will not affect Malzepher in the immediate future, but if we don't get them, our enemies might beat us to them."
"By enemies, you mean Noenna," Rebenna stated flatly.
He winced. "Yeah I guess so. I also mean the pirates and possibly even Savann."
"Why would Savann want them?"
"I don't know, more power maybe? They're interested in magic too."
"That logic makes sense, but what proof do you have that Savann would want the items?"
"You know the cat I saw on the mountain? Like I said earlier, it was being controlled by a man. The only place I know of that uses cats as hunters is Savann."
"Wait, doesn't the legend say, that only the people the items deem worthy can control them?"
"It doesn't say that exactly. I just said that to reassure the council." He hesitated and then continued, "In reality, according to Rogan, the items will work for anyone with clear purpose and a strong will. Supposedly, they can't tell good intentions from evil ones."
"So, you lied to your people?"
"As a leader, sometimes you have to lie."
"Do you really believe that?" Rebenna asked incredulously.
He looked thoughtful for a second, and then shook his head. "I guess not. My father never lied to his people. I just didn't know what to do. I'm so new to this."
She frowned. "Don't make excuses. Were you not raised to be a leader? You may be new to this, but you have to stick to your morals."
"I suppose you're right, but I don't know how you would know about this."
She pointedly ignored this statement and said, "One more question." At this, he sighed. "What will you do with the items once you get them?"
Delmer stopped dead in his tracks pulling Rebenna with him. Oh, he doesn't know what he'll do with the objects!
"I suppose we will lock them away...but wait, that won't make any sense. Why come on this journey to get the items, if we don't use them? Perhaps I shall hold a tournament to determine the new wielders of the items."
"Will the tournament be open to anyone?" Rebenna asked hesitantly.
Delmer cocked his head in thought. "I think so. Since it is the items that decide their wielder, then it is pointless to restrict their use to the nobility or to Malzepherians only."
Rebenna smiled, happy that people from her own country would be included. They had started to walk again and were nearing the summit of the mountain.
The snow was still falling in a heavy blanket, but the wind had stilled. The mountain seemed to have exhausted itself and was content just to make visibility difficult.
When the pair looked up again, a cave was suddenly looming ahead of them. It simply stood there, carved into the face of the mountain as if by the hand of a master. The cave radiated darkness.
They looked at each other, dumbfounded. Too shocked to speak. They had expected to have a hard time finding the cave, but there it was, right in front of them.
We have come through so many trials to get here, and yet this cavern was easy to find. It sits right here, as if mocking us. However, we shall see what trials await us inside.
At last Rebenna said, "Well we're here at last. We might as well go in."
Delmer still looked confused but nodded, following her into the cave.
Chapter 11
Never before had Delmer seen such a place. The cave seemed to extend on forever, the darkness trying to devour them.
If this is indeed the cavern which we have sought after, how are we supposed to find the items? This place is enormous, and they could be anywhere.
While Delmer fretted, Rebenna had kept her head. She lit their small oil lanterns, the light from them extending in a small circle.
Finally, Delmer shook off his fear. "Which way should we go? There are three paths."
Rebenna surveyed their surroundings. As Delmer had stated, there were three different tunnels — all of them leading into darkness, with nothing to distinguish them. "I don't know what way we should go. Why are you asking me?"
"Because I don't know which way to go either!"
Rebenna shrugged. "We could always spin around in a circle, and whichever path we point at is the way we go."
He laughed. "That's hardly logical, but right now it makes just as much sense as anything else."
As they were puzzling the problem, an eerie woman’s voice rang out, coming from everywhere at once. "Welcome, visitors, to my humble abode. You are a few of my rare but welcome guests. The problem that you debate is any easy one, if you correctly solve the riddle I will give you."
"What if we don't want to solve a riddle?" Delmer queried.
Ignoring him, the voice continued, "To reach what you are looking for, pick a path and explore. Happiness waits along two of the paths, but if you choose the third, you have much more in store."
"How are we supposed to solve that? It is not even a riddle!" he grumbled.
Had I known that I would have to solve puzzles, then I would have brought one of my scholars with me. I don't mind thinking when it's logical, but I never have been able to grasp abstract concepts.
"That was not the riddle. Be patient, my dears. There are three brothers all arguing among themselves. The youngest steals something precious to his siblings. Furious, the middle brother sets out to take it back, only to find the youngest has hidden it. Seeing his brother's rage, he gives one clue. 'It lies amid the eldest.' This is the clue I pose to you. Remember the key lies in geography." The voice faded, leaving both Delmer and Rebenna more puzzled than before.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Delmer shouted angrily at the voice, but to his annoyance, it did not reply.
Rebenna shook her head. "I have never been very good at riddles. What does 'Happiness waits along two of the paths’ mean?"
"I'm not sure what any of this means. I think that the first part of her speech was a warning, so for now we can ignore that. Let's try to figure out the riddle now."
"You're right, but what does her hint mean? It obviously applies to the riddle somehow. 'The key lies in geography.' Maybe the—no, that can't be right."
&n
bsp; The cave was as silent as death as they stood mulling over the strange voice's riddle. Finally, Delmer broke the silence. "Rebenna, I think that each of the three brothers represents a figure from history: one from Malzepher, one from Noenna, and one from Savann."
"Your theory is similar to mine, but I think the clue is much more literal than that. I think that what it meant is that each brother represents a country."
"That would mean the first tunnel is Malzepher and the next would be Noenna. The third would be Savann?"
"I think so, which means that the tunnel we should choose is the far east tunnel."
Delmer laughed, "Of course! The items are hidden in the tunnel that represents Savann, the country rumored to have forged the items!"
"If you are sure about this, then let's go," she suggested nervously.
"I'm not sure about anything. It was your idea."
"It was my idea, but I wasn't certain of it!"
He took a deep breath. "We have to pick a tunnel, and right now we sound like arguing children. Every hint seems to point to this one, so we might as well get going." Rebenna acquiesced with a curt nod of her head.
When they started down the tunnel, the terrain was not treacherous. The tunnel did not twist or turn, but simply descended steeply into the mountain. They only stumbled several times because of the incline.
They passed countless side tunnels, but agreed to stay in the main passage. After climbing downward silently for what seemed like hours, the slope leveled out suddenly, and the tunnel began to widen. It opened into a large room. It was already dimly lit, and Delmer and Rebenna turned off their lanterns.
Delmer gaped in awe; he had never seen anything like it. Unlike most caverns, this one had a smooth floor and ceiling. Exquisite paintings circled the room. They were of humans, animals, and some combination of the two.
The painting that most fascinated Delmer was a combination of an eagle and a lion. It seemed to roar a challenge, leaping off the wall that kept it prisoner. Rebenna was more intrigued by the humans soaring through the sky with wings instead of arms.
My knowledge of mythical being has always been lacking. I suppose that I've always been more interested in war stories than fanciful fluff.
They were so absorbed in the paintings that they forgot what they had come to do. Suddenly the voice broke through their marveling, "You made it my dears. It has been too long since I last had company. I see you have discovered the marvelous paintings in this cave. Even after all these years, those paintings still strike awe in me."
Rebenna started so badly her knees buckled, while Delmer shakily turned towards the voice. Bravely he drew his sword. Metal sang as it came unsheathed. "What do you want with us? I am ready to fight if you threaten us."
At this statement the voice laughed. "My, my, you are a brave one. The self-proclaimed protector of your companion, though I suspect she does not need one. Anyway, I am afraid you have my intent all wrong. I do not want to hurt you, Love. I want to help you."
Rebenna regained her composure. "If you want to help us, show us who you are and give us the items."
"Tsk, tsk, I suspected you were here for those. They make a mess of people's lives, you know. Oh, and I suppose if it makes you feel any better I will show myself to you."
The being stepped forward, revealing itself. Delmer gasped. What stood in front of him was a being like those he had seen on the wall. It had a lanky cat's body, but a beautiful woman's head. Her coat was tan, the legs were long, its front paws oddly slender, like hands. The most striking part of the body was the tail; it was long and whip-like, moving to convey what she was feeling. Set on top of a short neck was a head that looked chiseled out of marble. Her complexion was dark olive, the lips almost too red. Her hair was a thick, lustrous black, cascading down her back like a mane. Her eyes were captivating, large and almond shaped. The iris was a bright blue, similar to Delmer's own, with large slit-shaped pupils. Instead of looking odd, she was a beautiful supernatural being.
"What is it?" he was intrigued and repulsed at the same time.
"Delmer, don't be rude. She is a sphinx. They are part human and part lion, which is another mythical animal. I did not know they really existed up until now. She seems to be a wonderful example of her kind. Have you never even heard of them?"
"No, I never knew of them, but I am not surprised. There are many things I do not know; they were not included in my narrow court education." Turning, he addressed the sphinx. "I am sorry I was rude, but I have never heard of your kind."
She smiled kindly. "That is fine, love. I am not surprised that you have not, even if you are a king. Malzepher erased all traces of beings like us from its history. I am flattered that this bright young lady did know of us, however. My name is Smith; I am the unwilling guardian of this deserted place."
"I am hesitant to press too hard, but I'm still wondering where the Items are? I left my kingdom to get them, so I was hoping that we could obtain them soon."
"I heard that the problem with sphinxes is that they constantly change the topic. I mean no offense by that, Smith," Rebenna added in amusement.
"None taken, dear. I am sad to say even after that long journey, you will not find the sacred Items here. My riddle was only a clue to the true place where the items lie."
She uses terms of endearment as though they were our names. What a truly odd being, Delmer thought in amusement.
"You have to be kidding!” he exclaimed. “The items aren't here? Then where do they lie?"
"I tried my best to tell you, but your uncle said that I must give the clue in the form of a riddle. Unfortunately, love, as much as I enjoy riddles, I am no good at writing them. I am afraid that I cannot tell you the true answer. I will explain my hints after you get the answer, however. You are extremely close, just put two and two together."
At this Rebenna burst out, "I know, I finally know! The answer to the riddle is that the items lie in Savann. Not that the items lie in the tunnel representing Savann."
Smith's tail quivered in excitement. "You are a smart one, dear. I am impressed. Now you are free to ask me any questions you have, and I suspect you have quite a few."
After this statement, Delmer rapid-fired the first questions. "Why did you tell us to choose a tunnel, if the answer was not a tunnel?
"What did you mean by unwilling guardian? How did you get here?
"You mentioned my uncle, what does he have to do with this?"
Smith looked exasperated. "Enough! I will answer the questions one at a time. My answer to the first question is simple: When I gave you my warning, I never said tunnel. I said path. I was referring to the paths of life. The next questions can all be explained by a story, but it is a long one. Do you wish to hear it?"
Instantly they nodded their heads, settling down on the cavern floor like children in front of a village elder for a story.
Smith launched into the tale with no preamble. "A little over twenty years ago, I met your uncle, love. Thomas was a wonderful man. He was not so much a soldier as a scholar, but that is beside the point. Around that time, all magical beings were being persecuted.
"Queen Minna and King Hector of Noenna were fair rulers, but their countries were in turmoil. They could not control all the factions of farmers that wanted us out of their land so they would not have to share their crops with us, or deal with our powers.
"Men from both countries imposed their overwhelming numbers on our few, forcing us into exile. Any who did not want to go or were too infirm were killed. I was among the few proud creatures that decided to stay in our native homeland.
"Many of us fled to Savann, a safe haven, but not I. I always had a strong will and I did not want to leave my mate, who was too sick to go. Our hiding spot was eventually found. We could not use our powers to defend ourselves, for it is forbidden by our elders. We had to solely use our physical weapons,” —she showed her claws— "which left us much weaker.”
"They killed my mate before my eyes...” As
she said this, Smith's voice broke, but she continued on in the same lilting tone. "Then they turned their gaze to me. I fought back with everything I had, but it wasn't enough. Right in the moment of my greatest defeat, he showed up — your uncle, Crown Prince Thomas. With a voice akin to thunder he demanded them to stop.”
Pausing, Smith laughed. "I suppose I have a flare for the melodramatic. I apologize if my story sounds unoriginal." When her listeners shook their heads emphatically, she went on, "Seeing the prince, the farmers fled, and Thomas bent down to inspect the wounds I had received. It was then and there that I pledged my life to serve him and do what he asked. Even when he asked what frightened me the most, I obeyed him. I cared for him and was willing to make sacrifices.
"What he asked me to do was to guard the clue to where the sacred items were hidden. I was honored by his trust in me, but it meant I had to leave my homeland. He offered to accompany me, and when I turned him down, he insisted. We made our way to the cave I knew was on this mountain. It is undiscovered because no one ever comes here. Now the mountain claims too many lives, but at one point a whole nation lived up here.
"Thomas and I said our goodbyes here, and then he left. I offered to transport him to the bottom of the mountain with my magic, but again he insisted on going down the old-fashioned way. I never could argue with that man. Later I learned that he had died on his way back home. I mourned his death and kept my promise. I will stay here until someone, no matter who, finds the items. So, I ask you one favor, dears, I who served your uncle faithfully — when you find the items, remember me. That is all I ask, remember me.
"Do either of you have any more questions?"
Getting over the shock of Smith’s revelations, Rebenna managed to say, "I have one more. I am wondering, what did you mean by saying that two of the paths led to happiness — and what is through the other two tunnels?"
"I'm surprised you did not figure this one out, dear. The sacred items hold great power, but you must remember power does not bring happiness. Sometimes you are just as well off being ignorant as being educated. Having too much knowledge of the world makes one cynical. What I meant by saying that is that death would be more welcome than the knowledge the sacred items represent. You see, the other two tunnels lead to a pitfall and an endless trek into the mountain."
Homecoming Page 10
