“This monk is weird,” whispered Tomas.
Saquu never stopped speaking. “I also know that there are not many men in Ephanlarea, where all of you reside, that do not bow to the Holy. Now, add all of that with the fact that you have found Captain Nesbitt and are aware that he is not just a dog, and I am able to figure out that it is likely that you are concerned with a particular Ancient Being, namely Chera. Knowing that a family by the name of Floyd has been the keepers of Chera for generations, I gathered that the two of you are of that family and have come to see me because you have lost her. Am I right?”
“You knew that we had lost Chera just by looking at us?” asked Tomas.
“No,” answered Saquu. “I can tell who you are just by looking at you. I know that you have lost Chera because my turtle told me.”
“Your turtle told you that?” said Mr. Tripp.
Saquu grinned and nodded his head. “My turtle also tells me that you are idiots.”
Captain Nesbitt broke in, trying to refocus the monk. “Saquu, do you know where Chera can be found now?”
“No. I am sorry. I do not know where Chera can be found.”
“Saquu, there is a more important issue we have come to you about, with hopes that you may hold information that we need.” Saquu cocked his head, slightly intrigued. “Chera has been placed under a spell where she cannot remember who she is.”
“Did Densa do this?” asked Saquu. Evercloud thought for a second that Saquu’s eyes had quickly glanced at him before the question was asked.
“No,” continued Captain Nesbitt. “It seems that the Great Tyrant is responsible. Can you help us? Do you know how to break the spell?”
“No,” answered Saquu. “That is darkness, and I do not dabble in darkness. Darkness is sticky stuff. It has a way of staining those who dabble in it. Just ask Sudali.”
“Sudali?” echoed Nesbitt.
“Yes, Sudali. He has dabbled and it certainly has affected him.”
“Would Sudali know of this spell and how to break it?”
“He might,” answered Saquu. “But you don’t want Sudali’s help. He has dabbled, dabbled, dabbled.”
“Saquu, we will go to whatever length we need to. We must break the spell.”
“Sudali does not give his help for free. He will give you a price to be paid and I don’t think you will like his prices.”
“Please, Saquu. Can you get Sudali to see us?”
“If you are sure?”
“Yes,” answered Nesbitt.
“All of you?” asked Saquu. The party nodded their heads in agreement. Saquu took a hand and rubbed it over his own head. “All right. Have it your way. But know this: you may never return here. After seeing Sudali, you can never return to my turtle. I will not permit it. Sudali has dabbled in too much darkness.” Saquu shook his head regretfully. “His turtle is just south of mine. Knock on his door. He will see you. He never refuses. You should leave now. Go.”
Evercloud stepped forward. “There is another question I would ask before we leave, if I may.” Saquu nodded. “When you first saw Captain Nesbitt, you knew that he was not just a dog. When you look at me, Saquu, do you see what I really am?”
Saquu looked over Evercloud silently. He squinted his eyes as if he were searching or trying to see past something.
“You…don’t know?” asked Saquu.
“No, Saquu. I am unsure.”
Saquu shook his head. “A young boy asks his father why all of the other children are afraid of the darkness. The boy’s father replies, simply, that the other children are afraid because they cannot see in the darkness and there might be dangerous things that they cannot see. The young boy smiles and laughs at his father’s answer. Don’t the children know? asks the boy. They cannot be seen in the darkness either.”
“I’m sorry, Saquu, but I do not understand,” replied Evercloud.
“The children can’t see themselves in the dark.” Evercloud swallowed hard, everyone was staring at him in confusion. “You should not seek answers to all questions, Evercloud. Now go.”
Evercloud turned and walked out of Saquu’s hut.
“Thank you for your time, Saquu,” said Captain Nesbitt. Saquu nodded and the rest of the travelers followed Evercloud out of the hut.
Evercloud stood close to where the water met the turtle’s shell and stared off, into the sky. Riverpaw walked over and stood beside him.
“The monk is crazy, Evercloud. He didn’t have an answer for you, so he created a bunch of gibberish to play with your mind. He doesn’t know anything.”
Evercloud turned to Riverpaw and nodded. “You’re right. He didn’t know anything.”
Riverpaw smiled. “Come on. Maybe this Sudali can be more helpful.”
•••
If Saquu’s hut was to be considered a home, then Sudali’s home could have been considered a mansion. In comparison, it was quite large, almost taking up the entire surface of the turtle shell it was built upon. Saquu’s home had been built of sea-worn wood and mud from the ocean floor. Sudali’s home looked as if it had been constructed of opulent stones and metals.
The travelers looked at each other as they stood outside of Sudali’s home with doubt etched across all of their faces. However, past the doubt was a firm resolution, set deep within their eyes. This had to be done. Ben Floyd reached an arm out to knock upon Sudali’s door, but he never got the chance. The door creaked inward without his touching it, and a soft, broken voice beckoned to them.
“Come…inside.”
The room was large and dark, but space was tight, as the entire room seemed to be filled with trinkets, gadgets, knick-knacks and baubles. A long, wooden table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by many leather-bound chairs. A small man sat at the far end of the table, his eyes milky and bulging. His hands, folded in front of his mouth, were large in comparison to his body and very bony. Jet-black hair was slicked to the back of his head and a large, golden ring sat upon his finger, giving the impression that he was wealthy, but as he parted his toothless mouth to speak, he looked more like a vagabond.
“How…can I help…you?” said Sudali. The small monk put odd inflections upon his words that made it difficult to tell what he was truly saying. Again, Nesbitt took the lead to begin the introductions.
“My name is Captain Ch–”
“Stop,” uttered Sudali. “I don’t…care…who you are. Just answer…the question.”
Nesbitt looked at Mr. Tripp and their eyes spoke the same cautious sentiment. Tell this man as little as possible, get what we need and get out fast.
“We need to know how to break a powerful spell.”
“Are you willing…to…pay for my services?”
“If we must,” answered Nesbitt.
“Sit down,” Sudali waved his hand at the table. The travelers did as he asked and the conversation continued.
“A family member has been placed under a spell which we seek to break. The spell causes a loss of memory,” said Nesbitt.
“Causes?” asked Sudali. “Does this spell… repeat?” Sudali’s eyes bulged.
“Whenever this family member performs a certain act,” replied Nesbitt.
“How old is this…family member?”
“We do not know.”
Sudali’s eyes bulged again. “Do we know…who cast…this spell?”
“We believe it to be the work of the Great Tyrant.”
“Tyrant is he?” said Sudali.
“Careful Cap’n,” whispered Mr. Tripp.
“Yes, Sudali,” answered Nesbitt.
“You are involved…in…dangerous…affairs.”
“Do you know how the spell is broken?”
“Yes.”
Nesbitt looked around the table at the weary looks on the faces of his companions. “What is your price, Sudali?”
Sudali began to play with the ring upon his finger. “I am an…explorer of sorts…or maybe…more like…a…scientist. I like to discover…new…potential�
��in the world. In order to…unleash…this potential, I must…conduct experiments, and in order to…conduct my experiments, I…need…test subjects.”
Tomas began to look around the room while Sudali was speaking. There were odd jars, here and there, filled with strange liquid. Some contained what seemed like parts of animals, but it was difficult to be sure because Tomas didn’t recognize any of them. He looked across the table, over his brother Ben’s shoulder, and saw something dart across his vision. It seemed to have come from inside a terrarium. He kept watching, hoping to see it again, and saw what looked like a tiny man, hiding behind a small rock. Tomas shook his head and blinked and it was gone. Unnerved, he returned to the conversation.
“What, exactly, is meant by test subjects?” asked Riverpaw. “What are you suggesting we subject ourselves to?”
“Well…it’s hard to say. You…never really know…what will come…from an experiment,” said Sudali. “You do wish to break that spell…don’t you?”
“How can we be sure that you really know how to break the spell?” asked Captain Nesbitt.
“You…can’t,” smiled Sudali. “There is no way… I…could prove it.”
The travelers knew that he was right. They hadn’t bargained for this. They had thought all along that their information would be coming from Saquu, who Captain Nesbitt had vouched for. They were now in completely unfamiliar territory.
“We should leave,” whispered Tomas. “We can’t be an experiment.”
“Is there any other form of payment you will accept?” asked Nesbitt.
“There is nothing else…I want.”
“What about the Pale Genie?” asked Evercloud.
Everyone turned to Evercloud with perplexed looks upon their faces, but Sudali was intrigued.
“What of the Pale Genie?” asked Sudali.
“Would you swear, in front of the Pale Genie, that you know the real way to break the spell? Would you allow the Pale Genie to test your honesty?”
“Do not…play with me,” warned Sudali. “The Pale Genie…is a myth. Men…have searched…their entire lives…and found nothing.”
“He is real,” continued Evercloud. “I am his master. He is waiting for me just outside of your door.”
“You lie,” said Sudali.
“If I lie, then explain how the bear can fly.”
Evercloud nodded at Riverpaw who stood from his seat and proceeded to lift himself just off of the floor.”
“Tricks,” replied Sudali.
“Is this also a trick?”
Evercloud stood from the table, and in a flash, snatched the ring off of Sudali’s finger, returning to his seat before Sudali knew what had happened. Evercloud flicked the ring back at Sudali, who snatched it out of the air with a snarl upon his toothless mouth.
“If you are in possession of the Pale Genie, explain to me why you have not had him break the spell? Why have you come to me?”
It did not pass the group’s observation that Sudali was suddenly speaking without pauses or inflections.
“The Pale Genie is not all powerful,” answered Evercloud. “There are spells that even he cannot break, and questions even he cannot answer.”
Sudali scratched his chin and stared off blankly.
“So, I tell the Pale Genie how to break the spell, and if it is truth, you will be my test subjects?”
“Yes, Sudali. That is the deal.”
Evercloud was still getting strange looks from everyone around the table, except for Sudali. He raised his palm slightly to them and nodded, trying to keep them from asking questions of their own.”
“I wish to change the terms of the deal,” said Sudali. “I no longer require you as test subjects. I wish to posses the Pale Genie.”
Evercloud stood from the table. “I will not relinquish the Pale Genie.”
“You would forsake family…for power?” Sudali’s confidence had returned and so had his odd speech.
“No,” replied Evercloud and bowed his head.
“Then what are we waiting for?” said Sudali with a toothless grin.
“Follow me,” said Evercloud and turned to walk out of Sudali’s home. Riverpaw and the others stood and followed.
“What in the world is going on?” whispered Riverpaw.
“Just wait,” whispered Evercloud.
Everyone exited the dark room, into the intense sunlight of the outside world. Sudali came last, slowly moving his small body out the door like a slimy snail. He shaded his eyes from the bright light. It was obvious that he was not accustomed to it, and it was difficult for him to see.
“Where is the Pale Genie?” he said.
“I am here,” came a voice, towering above them.
The crew of The Rusty Nail looked upward and smiled as they suddenly understood the trick that was being played upon Sudali. Staring down at them was the familiar face of the great griffin, Tenturo.
“Do you know why I have summoned you, Pale Genie?” asked Evercloud.
“Yes,” replied Tenturo. “To evaluate the truth of Sudali’s words.”
“And you understand that I have made a deal to transfer your services to him if he speaks the truth?”
“Yes,” replied Tenturo. “I understand.”
Evercloud turned to Sudali, who stared at Tenturo, jaw agape, still shading his eyes from the brightness of the sun.
“Amazing,” uttered Sudali.
“Tell us how to break the spell, Sudali.”
Sudali smiled and began to laugh. “The only way that the spell can be broken is if a loved one dies at the hands of the affected.” Sudali continued his malicious little laugh. “Any volunteers? Who will be the loved one to sacrifice themselves?” Sudali laughed at all of them.
“Does he speak the truth?” Evercloud asked Tenturo, hoping the little monk was lying.
“Yes,” said Tenturo. “He is speaking the truth. He is not lying.”
“Iolana will have to kill someone she loves?” Tomas was stunned, everyone was.
Sudali continued to laugh mercilessly. “Not the help you were looking for, was it?” Sudali turned to Tenturo. “And now for my prize. Pale Genie, I command you to kill these foolish imbeciles.”
“As you wish,” said Tenturo, and with one sharp movement, Tenturo grasped Sudali in his beak and gobbled him whole. “Urgh,” grimaced Tenturo. “Wretched-tasting, little thing.”
“You ate him,” said Riverpaw, nodding his head in approval. “Effective.”
Suddenly, the giant turtle lurched beneath their feet like an earthquake.
“The turtle is dying,” shouted Tenturo. “We have to get off of the shell. Quickly, climb onto my back.”
Tomas, Ben, Mr. Tripp and Captain Nesbitt scrambled to climb the giant griffin. Evercloud jumped onto Riverpaw and the group took off into the sky. They watched from the air as the massive turtle began to sink.
“They had become one,” said Nesbitt. “As Sudali died, so did his turtle.”
Tenturo and Riverpaw turned and flew for the coast of Felaqua, deciding to land on a deserted stretch of beach. They dismounted onto the perfect, white sand, and immediately, the questions came forth.
“How did that just happen?” asked Ben.
“Tenturo entered my mind as we were inside Sudali’s home,” said Evercloud. “It was his idea to use the myth of the Pale Genie.”
“The Pale Genie is no myth,” said Tenturo. “But that’s a story for another day.”
“We are fortunate for your arrival, Tenturo,” said Captain Nesbitt. “We owe you a debt.”
“Think nothing of it,” said Tenturo. “We have more important things to discuss. I have recently made a potentially disastrous discovery.”
The travelers gathered around Tenturo, giving him their full attention.
“After I plucked the Farsider that attacked you out of the sea, I carried the creature out of our atmosphere and disposed of it the only way that I know how. I incinerated the creature on the surface of the sun.”
“That is, seemingly, an anomaly. The Tree of Death is in a difficult location to access and I highly doubt it could provide us with enough fruit to be of ultimate use. Also, we cannot waste time scouring the earth for other plants that may or may not be detrimental to the Farsiders. But that is neither here nor there. I wondered about the arrival of the Farsider. I had assumed that the ones that guarded my prison were something else. You see, many years ago, the other Ancients and I trapped the Farsiders within the core of the moon, so that they could not ever harm the earth again. We created a gate that could not be opened again by any one being. So, I returned to the moon to ensure that the gate had not been reopened. I am disappointed to report that the gate has been reopened. The Farsiders have been released.”
“So we can expect to see a lot more of those things,” said Tomas.
“I would think so,” replied Tenturo. “But that is not the extent of my worry. As I said before, the gate was created so that no being could reopen it alone. Even a great being such as the Tyrant could not do it. We are all aware that the Tyrant has returned and if he wished to release the Farsiders that would be no shock to me. However, in order to release them, he would have needed the help of another great being.”
“That man in the mountains,” said Riverpaw. “The one with the scarred face, the one that called himself a messenger. It must have been him.”
Everflame: The Complete Series Page 39
