The Serpent's Song

by S. Robertson

  Angi and Vette stood back admiring the beauty and grace of the structure while the dogs darted about the walkway and over the stairs.

  “The structure seems unoccupied and there’s no community in the vicinity, so this must have been chosen for security,” said Vette, looking around. “A burial place may be. But the length and width of that walkway looks like it was meant for processions or spectacles. You know Angi, I’m beginning to sound like Morgan.” She laughed.

  “Hey you two, come on up here,” yelled Wolfram. “We’ve managed to wedge this door open. I’ll find something to keep it ajar as those wind gusts might close it again. I don’t think I’d like to be entombed in this crypt or whatever it is, in case we need to exit.”

  To their surprise the interior was cool and possessed some form of invisible lighting which negated the need for their Aqk lights. Having squeezed through the outer doors, they faced another set of equally large double doors, positioned directly opposite the entrance, twenty feet across a corridor lined with sculptures. The structure seemed to contain just one major room. The second doors were covered in a soft fabric and opened easily to the touch. What greeted them was indescribable. The one hundred and twenty foot square marble enclosure glittered in gold and precious gemstones with purple drapery and several golden banners hanging from a twenty-five foot ceiling. A thick gold and purple carpet covered the steps leading up to a throne which sat against the middle of the far wall. The environment looked pristine, as if whoever had been there had just stepped out. The absence of people produced a poignant impression. The silence was broken only by the sound of water trickling down a walled waterfall on either side of the throne.

  Wolfram chuckled saying, “Morgan is in his element. Just look at him.”

  Morgan, spellbound, walked ahead giving his professional opinion on what he was seeing, “Strange, I expected some kind of burial chamber. This is obviously a throne room. The golden gem-encrusted throne sits in front of that gigantic wall decoration of an engraved, golden snake on a purple background. The waterfall is a symbol of supreme wealth in a desert. Those pots on the seven steps leading up to the throne look like their filled with offerings of diamonds, sapphires, rubies and some gemstones I’m not familiar with. If one was materialistic this would be a heart wrenching treasure trove. But our objective is to escape this den of temptation. As you will also observe, the throne is the highest point within this room.”

  “Your right, Morgan,” replied Wolfram, “I pray the gate isn’t behind that serpent wall plaque. It must weigh a ton. But it seems to be the only possibility.”

  Unwilling to accept defeat, Vette began ascending the steps saying, “Let’s take a closer look behind the throne, there may be some clue as to how that plaque rises.” Suddenly, on reaching the second step a marble block by the throne opened releasing a short, powerful arrow which shot out and embedded itself into Vette’s upper right leg. Vette cringed, grabbing her leg and began to fall. Rafie moved quickly and crouched trying to aid Vette’s retreat down the steps and onto the floor. The wound was bleeding profusely.

  Angi yelled to Wolfram, “Quick, retrieve the pad from Vette’s kit. I’ve got to stop the bleeding.”

  Handing Angi the pad Wolfram asked, “Is there anything else I can do?”

  “Yes, help me pull out this arrow. There’s going to be tearing.”

  Vette winced as Wolfram rapidly dislodged the arrow. The arrow out, Angi went to work at healing the wound, the blood seeping through the pad as she worked. Soon the bleeding eased. After checking the wound a couple of times Angi was assured the jagged edges had knit properly leaving a pencil-like mark on Vette’s leg. She then asked Vette, “How’s the pain?”

  “I can manage,” came the whispered reply, “I’ve had worse in my line of work back home. Let me see if I can stand.”

  “No wait,” replied Angi. “Wolfram, we’ve run out of pads. I need one for Vette. Any chance your wrist has mended by now? I’ll use the protective spray, then a silver sheet from our kit for safety and your pad for cushioning. Once I’ve completed all that can you help me get Vette up on her feet?”

  “Sure, here’s my relatively clean pad.” And looking at his wrist he added, “I’ve practically nothing to show for my icy dip in the brook.”

  Angi proceeded to dress the wound and seal up Vette’s ripped uniform. When completed Wolfram came to assist.

  Vette tried nobly to stand but Angi, seeing the pain in her eyes and clinched jaw, asked, “How about we use one of Myttrwn’s tablets?” She was now concerned the degree of pain might indicate the arrow had grazed the bone.

  A few minutes after taking the tablet Vette replied, “Good old Myttrwn. That helped Angi. I think I can navigate now.” Rafie moved closer. “I’ll activate my Aqk for a walking stick just like we did for Morgan.”

  “Why don’t you rest Vette until we know what Wolfram and Morgan are going to do? We still have to get to that throne up there.”

  On cue Wolfram appeared, “Angi, I wonder if you can use your javelin throwing skill again. I’m thinking if you aim it in the direction of the throne it might release any other hidden weapons. But before we do that Morgan and I will activate our Aqk shields and we’ll get Vette and the dogs to a safe location. Then Angi, once you release the javelin I want you to hit the deck. Morgan and I will try to deflect any other arrows or hidden devices.”

  With everyone’s agreement, they positioned themselves. Angi created a throwing stick from her Aqk and, pacing herself, she threw it in the direction as indicated by Wolfram, then dropped to the floor. Three more arrows were released which were diverted by the shields.

  Seeing the arrows Morgan commented, “I expect, those arrows were intended as a first line of defense against any unexpected attack on whoever sat on that throne. I’m sure the first arrow would alert the guards who would immediately attack the individual. Now that we’ve released three more arrows no further missiles should appear …………… of course, I might be wrong.”

  “Are you willing to risk your life on that assumption?” asked Wolfram, not convinced there weren’t more defense mechanisms hidden near the throne.

  “Sure, as long as I’m behind this shield,” replied Morgan.

  Still armed with their shields, the two cautiously approached the throne. Nothing happened.

  “It’s nice to be right on some things,” said Morgan with a wide grin.

  “How’s our time?” asked Wolfram to no one in particular.

  “We’re within twenty minutes of the third hour,” replied Angi. “We’re cutting it a bit tight if Zolar has another third hour. Somehow I expect not.”

  “OK, Morgan, let’s try and move this throne,” said Wolfram, testing the item, “It’s not going to be easy, it’s solid.”

  As the two struggled to shift the throne Angi noted the third hour had come and gone with no sound other than the squeaking of the throne being moved. Once achieved, Angi and Vette joined their companions, Vette carefully maneuvering the few steps up to the throne with the aid of her walking stick.

  “Vette, why don’t you sit on the throne and raise your leg up on this,” suggested Morgan, pulling a nearby pot of precious stones closer.

  As Vette positioned herself she said holding a few gemstones, “Never in my life have I been so close to such wealth. Strange isn’t it, I have no feeling for this stuff. I expect it’s due to our time with Myttrwn. Deep down I am slowly understanding his concept of our world being a hologram, and grasping after such material possessions has little meaning.”

  Angi, taking the opportunity to wash her hands in the waterfall, replied, “I agree with you Vette. Myttrwn’s wisdom is penetrating my unconscious and making me re-evaluate many things. When this is over let’s philosophize more over a much deserved cup of tea back at our residence.”

  “Ok Angi, since we’ve skipped past the third hour, do your magic and fly us to the fifth hour,” said Vette.

  Angi did as requested focusing on the blue gem
stones of her medallion. When they reached five minutes to the fifth hour they waited.

  This time the click was heard by Morgan standing closest to the serpent plaque. “There it is. It will be sad to leave such splendour but we must move on.”

  Moments after the click the huge plaque rose effortlessly upward revealing a metal gate. As the gate swung open the eight proceeded through, Wolfram and Angi following Vette to make sure she was able to navigate after her injury. The dogs trailed behind.

  At that very hour, the attendants in the monitoring room of the House of Life announced, with delight, the progress of the four candidates into Chamber Five.

  * * *

  Pyramid, Chamber 5

  When the gate to Chamber Four closed the four found themselves in the dark. A gloom so penetrating that they could barely discern the individual standing next to them.

  “Flick on your night vision,” instructed Wolfram. “This is our world for the next few hours. And I thought the fog of Boston was thick, this definitely caps it.”

  The night vision feature of the goggles gave them some advantage but even this had its limitations for they were still unable to see any distance.

  “Our critical dilemma,” said Angi, “is with such restricted visibility detecting a rise of land or building will be almost impossible.”

  “Your right, Angi. This is going to be a problem. I believe the entrance is to our right where the dogs are headed,” replied Wolfram. “You don’t suppose the dogs have night vision as well, they’re moving rather easily in this mush. Or do these dogs navigate on some other system?”

  “Nothing surprises me about these dogs or Myttrwn’s skills,” replied Morgan, “The dogs likely have other built-in capabilities, we should use them as our lead.”

  “Good idea, right now I’d be grateful for any guidance. In this darkness let’s keep close and resume talking.” Then Wolfram added, “Vette are you OK?”

  “I’m fine. I’m still using my walking stick and Myttrwn’s medicine has relieved the pain,” came Vette’s response, speaking within feet of Wolfram.

  Entering Chamber Five all they could discern about their environment was that they were on the ground floor of some elaborate building with possible rooms off in all directions. What little they could see with their goggles was that the building appeared deserted evidenced by the chaotic disarray of furniture and the layers of dust and cobwebs.

  “Watch your step,” yelled Wolfram as he stumbled over a fallen item on the floor, “It’s the small stuff underfoot that’s deadly. Let’s stop and review our next move.” He whistled for the dogs who appeared almost instantly.

  “The dogs came from the right, should we go in that direction?” asked Morgan.

  “The dogs are an option, but I’d like another, if possible,” said Wolfram. “My concern in the intensity of this gloom is if we make a mistake it will be a nightmare backtracking. We could waste an awful lot of time.”

  Then unexpectedly a wee voice penetrated the darkness, “Can I help?”

  Startled by the presence of anyone else in the pyramid but themselves, Angi asked, “Come here so we can see you?” The hair on the back of her neck began to bristle as the voice moved closer. The dogs, restive, assumed a guarded position in front of them.

  Barely visible in their night vision goggles, walked a sickly child, a boy about six, his appealing eyes aimed straight for their heart. He was dressed in nondescript, worn-out clothes and walked with a shuffle.

  “Do you live here?” asked Angi.

  “Yes, this is my house,” replied the expressionless child.

  “Where has everyone gone?” asked Angi.

  “I don’t know,” replied the child, reluctant to look at Angi.

  “Where are your parents?” asked Angi.

  “I don’t know,” replied the child, holding the same pose.

  “What’s your name?” asked Angi.

  “Boyson,” replied the child.

  Morgan coughed, and elbowed Angi.

  “What is it Morgan?” she asked, not wanting to interrupt her conversation with the child.

  Whispering he replied, “Boyson is another name for poison. It may mean nothing or it could be trouble. Remember Sirona mentioned spirits……… this could be one of them.”

  Angi was not dismissive of her intuition or Morgan’s warning but thought it wise to play along as, if this was a spirit, it might endanger their progress. Speaking quietly to the others she asked, “Should we ask the child for directions?”

  “It’s a lead,” said Wolfram, “But I’ve got a nagging feeling in my gut about this.”

  “So have I,” came Vette’s reply. “Twelve minutes………. no more. Then we get rid of this waif and consider our own path. This child gives me the willies.”

  “Fine, twelve minutes,” replied Angi, and turning to the child she said, “Boyson, can you help us find our way through this building?” asked Angi.

  “Yeh, sure,” came the reply,” Follow me.” Boyson, shuffling slowly, guided them down a long corridor and into a lit room where, to their surprise, was an extended table brimming with food and drink, as if set for invited guests. The room was also clean and devoid of cobwebs.

  Morgan, stepping past Angi surveyed the feast and exclaimed, “Now that’s what I need, some descent food. I can’t remember when we ate last. The wine would hit the spot right now after all we’ve been through.”

  In the gloom the child’s grin could not be discerned by the others. “It’s all for you,” said Boyson pointing to the table, “And there’s more if you want.”

  As Morgan picked up a bunch of grapes Vette’s walking stick came crashing down on his arm causing him to drop the fruit. “Vette, what the hell is wrong with you. We’re famished. It’s been hours since we ate last.” Morgan moaned as he rubbed his arm.

  Vette, yelled at Morgan, “Remember Sirona’s command, not to eat or drink anything offered in this pyramid? You yourself said the boy’s name could be trouble. I bet this food and drink are laced with poison. Zolar missed nothing.”…………. Then turning she continued her rant saying, “Where’s that conniving little brat, ghost or no ghost, he was here to destroy us.”

  As hard as they looked the boy could not be found. Following their rejection of refreshments, a high pitched laugh pierced the silence as if mocking them.

  “Go to hell,” came Vette’s parting yelp. “We’ll not be lured into your diabolical plot.”

  “Whew, that was a close call,” remarked Wolfram. “Stay alert. We’ll now have to weave our way back to the start. Thankfully it’s not too far but we’ve lost time.”

  They had all been checking markers while following the boy so they were soon back at the beginning.

  “Let’s go with the dogs,” suggested Morgan, “Them we know and trust.”

  And so the dogs were directed to find the gate, a first in their journey through the pyramid.

  “I believe they are actually pleased to have been asked,” said Morgan, “I’m new to dogs, do they have emotions?”

  Vette had calmed down and now regretted the forcefulness of her action. “Sorry Morgan, I hope I didn’t hurt you in preventing you from eating those grapes.”

  “I’m fine Vette. I should have remembered. If you hadn’t hit me I might have been a goner. However, it still doesn’t eliminate my hunger. Maybe when we get to where we’re going we can take another sip of Myttrwn’s brew.”

  “Morgan, to answer your question on dogs, my only experience is with police dogs who were trained to assist us in capturing criminals. Not that I had such a dog, but they were in our unit. They did show affection for their trainers, it was a very close bond. I expect we know far too little about our furry friends and especially these ones designed by Myttrwn.” Angi, Vette and Morgan continued chatting about dogs as they continued following their guides.

  Wolfram was not entirely sure following the dogs was wise but it was their only option. As they meandered through various corridors
and rooms he tried to determine their direction by his own instincts. As they rounded a corner midway in their journey a loud piercing sound shattered the silence, assailing their ears, a sound that grew more penetrating and disorienting by the minute. Even the dogs started pawing their ears. “As much as I regret saying this, perhaps we should stop for a few minutes to consider some remedy for this,” said Wolfram.

  “I agree,” replied Angi, “We need to cushion our ears. I’m getting nauseated. It’s not like we can switch off this misery. I bet Zolar programmed an extra loud version of this just for us.”

  “Is there anything in these rooms we can use for padding against this onslaught?” asked Vette.

  “There’s padding in those benches over there,” said Morgan, “Perhaps we can stuff it in our headgear.”

  “Good idea,” replied Wolfram, taking the sharp device provided by Sirona to cut the pads. Each one assisted the other in padding their ears.

  Once completed, Angi said, “Now, how can we help the dogs. There suffering.”

  “We’ll pad their ears as well,” said Vette. “It’s only for a short time until we clear this. We’re experiencing one colossal demonstration of sound pollution. We should iPhone the environmentalists to come and protest.” They all laughed, which relieved some of the tension.

  Well padded, they moved on. The dogs eventually led them outside the building into an enclosed courtyard, the gloom following them. Once outside they removed the padding.

  “This must be it,” said Angi, “It’s huge, so it will take time to find a gate.”

  “We’re not stopping,” replied Wolfram, “The dogs are still moving. See, they’re starting up that far stairway. Let’s keep them in sight.”

  At the top of the stairs they found themselves in a second enclosed courtyard, slightly smaller than the first with no exit or stairway.

  “This must be it,” said Wolfram, still uneasy about following the dogs fearing they might have reached a dead end.

  All four dogs made their way to a far alcove where a sculptured snake was in evidence and sat down. In reaching the alcove the four were stunned to discover how large it was and that they were standing in front of a stone gate with no visible latches or hinges.