For a long time there was no sign of life, and then, with one deep sigh, Loman started breathing again, and as he did so, he raised his head. The now-dead lo head could no longer hang on, and with a gentle flopping noise, it detached from his shoulders and rolled away, horrifyingly, across the floor.
Days went by and the cleansing process was complete. The crystals from the Athrak temple no longer hid their light and they glistened with true colours in the candle flames surrounding them in Mahoo's cave. Tyloren sat with Mahoo around the firelight and absorbed the crystals, learning each one. "You know, Mahoo, these crystals should be with their cousins in Wandguard where the guardians can protect them."
Mahoo frowned. "Now that Athrak has become nothing more than a mountain, and Ataxios is no more, I see no danger here."
"There will always be another Ataxios, a new danger."
"Maybe, but perhaps not here. Perhaps it is better to have the crystals separated in order to avoid losing them all in one attack. Maybe Nithrania is safer than Wandguard. After all, we lived so close to danger all this time, but Ataxios was always bent on destroying Wandguard."
"That's because he wanted the Wandguard Crystal Trove. There was nothing he really desired in Nithrania."
"Precisely. Just imagine the temptation of a double Crystal Trove in Wandguard."
"We will train new guardians, young Braedon for one, and the Wandmaster will be twice as strong in the presence of the double trove."
"Ah, yes. Our young Wandmaster. Will he want to return to us if we are again faced with a new evil?"
"When he came to us he was very unprepared and wanted to go back to his own land, in fact at one point he left, but chose to come back again; he had changed radically in the short time he was with us and could not stay away. Now he has changed entirely. He is not the same man any more. He IS the Wandmaster and he has grown into this knowledge as time and fate have kept him here. He will come back. I am certain." Into Tyloren's mind flitted an image of Jazlyn.
"Oh yes," said Mahoo, "I see the connection. Very problematical, very problematical. Have you seen how the dark wand reacts in her presence? It glows and hums."
"A Wandmaster and a Wandmistress. Now that's something to think about."
"One of them in the Realm, and one outside it. Very problematical indeed."
Eventually it was decided by Tyloren that the crystals should return with the party to Wandguard, at least temporarily, for further study by the temple priests and for protection. Mahoo was unhappy to see them go, but accepted the loss grudgingly.
They were to be split up and transported in the clothing of John and Tyloren, the dark wand being entrusted to Jazlyn, as it refused to travel elsewhere. It poked at both of the men or got overheated and uncomfortable, but nestled comfortably in Jazlyn's leather shoulder belt where a dagger would otherwise have sat.
And so it was that the small company returning to Wandguard made its way, with the help of the slints to a high plane, visible for miles around, and waited for transport to arrive. The people of Kinguard had sent their flying creatures to bring home the crystals and those who had seized them from the clutches of Ataxios. Word had spread throughout the Realm, and a new feeling of confidence and freedom was in the air. As the beasts and a couple of riders appeared in the distance, Braedon's face was a picture of wonder, and John slapped him on the shoulder and laughed.
"This will be a fine introduction to becoming a guardian!"
Lenora was fussing and sniffing, but at her side was Loman, who had made a complete recovery and who, without his evil lo head, could stand upright and was almost as tall as his spindly wife. He grinned, and said nothing, while the two younger boys capered around very envious of their big brother off on such an adventure.
"When you next see your son, he will be a trained guardian. You will be proud of him," said Tyloren to the parents.
"We are already proud of him," said Loman warmly and Braedon positively glowed at the praise.
Soon, all the company had been allotted a beast to fly on, Braedon and Jazlyn sharing one as they were the two lightest and it was Braedon's first flight. As they took off, he waved wildly back at all the slints gathered to watch, and at his family, whooping with excitement, and then they were on their way.
The Wandguard plane was full of light and celebration. The lost Athrak crystal trove had been recovered and placed within the temple, causing much excitement among the priests. The families of the guardians had come in from Kinguard, and had found sleeping quarters wherever there was room. Marny was beside herself as she ran around talking to everyone. The sadness over Wes was fading slowly and she still had a faint hope that he had survived the cave-in under Athrak and that somewhere he was safe and well. Only Nya knew for certain that Wes was dead, but he, himself, was also just a memory now. The guardians were dressed in their formal uniforms, looking dashing with metal studs glowing on leather, and full length swords which would take place in the ceremony as it had when the Wandmaster was acclaimed. Vilma had called her kin from the Wildlands, and Tharrios had come with a few of his finest men to witness the affirmation. His fighters, in the main were still occupied with the prisoners they had taken on the Athrak Plain, but it has to be said that not many survived.
At the appointed time, all gathered around the temple grounds and Jetham appeared from the Chief Guardian's quarters, having been appointed as Menoneth's successor. Around the temple stood guardians, their swords out of their sheaths and pointing downward onto the ground before them, both hands on the hilt and legs astride. Beside Jet was John, the Wandmaster, and on his other side Jazlyn, who they had been unable to separate from the dark crystal wand, which refused to be handled by anyone else. In her hands it was passive and co-operative. It had chosen her as its mistress and no-one could change that.
Jet's voice boomed out, "Honour to the Wandmaster".
"Honour!" shouted John.
Jet continued.
"I will not waste too much of your time with pretty words. Let it just be said that
1. Ataxios is no more! (greeted with whoops and cheers from everyone)
2. The Akryd is no more! (again greeted with loud voices of joy)
3. The crystal trove of Athrak is now cleansed and within our temple giving us light and protection!
4. The lo's and spindlies are either lost or destroyed!
All this, we owe to our Wandmaster, John Stone and his loyal band of companions, who set out on a quest of supreme danger and difficulty, and accomplished everything that was laid upon their shoulders. We salute you, Wandmaster, Guardians, Tyloren, Vilma and all who played a part along the way. We have discovered new allies in Nithrania, and we will strive to open up pathways to other regions now that our passage is safe, and strengthen alliances throughout the Realm."
Braedon, on hearing Nithrania mentioned, grew a little taller, and peered around proudly, meeting the eyes of a pretty young girl, who just happened to be Marny. There was a sadness in her eyes, but her gaze was steady, making him blush.
"Honour to the Wandmaster, Honour to the Wandmaster, Honour to the Wandmaster!" shouted Jet.
When the crowd quietened, John bowed graciously, and replied, "First I want to pay tribute to the Great Lord Menoneth, who lost his life in our struggle. Indeed I want us to remember each and every one of those lost. We will always keep their memory in our hearts. Also I thank all the guardians who aided and supported our quest with bravery and steadfastness against evil. Our friends from the Wildlands will also be forever acknowedged as our trusted and esteemed allies.Finally,….yes..... we did what I thought was impossible, but I learned along the way that one should never give up hope, even when it seems that all is lost. The future looks brighter for the Realm, but evil has a way of presenting itself when and where you least expect it, and the Guardians must always be ready to defend the crystals, and keep true to the name of 'Wandguard'. I will soon be called upon to leave you all and return to my home, but I leave with a very heavy heart. I
will always be connected to you and my thoughts will remain always with you and will never fade. My wish is that on my leaving, you should accept as my immediate second a new force, selected by the crystal trove wand of Athrak itself. I call you to honour Jazlyn, the Wandmistress! Honour to the Wandmistress!"
There was an awkward silence, during which time Jazlyn glared at John for this totally unexpected and public presentation, but he stepped towards her, and said, "Raise your wand, Jazlyn." She hesitated, but his eye did not release her and he waited, not to be refused.
She withdrew the wand and John also drew his from its sheath, then he clasped her hand and together they stood, arms raised, and slowly the points of the two wands came together and touched.
The whole of Wandguard was encircled in a huge dome of flashing light which hummed and sang in glorious colour. In the centre, stood our hero and heroine, grinning, heads held high and their two wands throwing out spools of coloured light above their heads. The whole population of Kinguard, Wandguard plus some outsiders who had heard and turned up uninvited, were dazzled and awestruck by the spectacle. As the two young people looked at each other, there passed an understanding between them – that there had to be more than this for them. But at that very moment, John started to fade before Jazlyn's eyes. He started to feel distant, as though he wasn't really there, and the scene before him began to evaporate as the familiar figure of William Stone, the previous Wandmaster took substance before him. The smiles fled from the faces of the two young people, and with a last beseeching look back John was gone. The light show faded and Jazlyn dropped to her knees, hugging her wand to her chest and crying, "No!"
In the silence of nowhere, William Stone guided John back through the wall of the dark crystal. It was a dream-like experience over which he had no control and during which he felt strangely detached. He wanted to react but was unable to do anything except follow, propelled along by some force he could not counter, sucking him further and further away from the Dark Crystal Realm and before him a familiar, yet unfamiliar image began to form. He drifted through the nothing into a room he recognised as his bedroom in his little house near the park. It was gloomy, lit by candle-flame that twinkled in reflections from the crystals placed around the figure lying in his bed. He saw, with detachment that it was his own body and that there was a stranger standing at the foot of the bed, eyes closed, rocking gently to and fro, and chanting. John drifted past him, in silent companionship with William Stone, who directed him back into his body, and before disappearing, spoke to John's mind "Honour, Wandmaster John, your task is fulfilled and you have returned to your first life. Peace be with you in your renewal." With that, John felt a jolt, William Stone was gone, and he flicked open his eyes, taking in the scene before him, pulling a deep breath of air into his lungs, and trying to understand exactly what was happening.
"I am Luis Estervan, your keeper and watcher," said the elderly, broad shouldered man at the foot of his bed. John remembered seeing him in a glimpse of his old life when he was in Kinguard. "I carried out the same function for William Stone, and I have come a very long way to be beside you now, but we will talk when you are recovered from your journey. Here, drink this, it will restore you somewhat and then you must rise and begin your life here again. You are weak from your long absence." He helped John to sit up and gave him a cup of strong-smelling herb tea, which John allowed to slip down his throat, wondering how long he had been without food or drink. He thanked this Luis Estervan, and did not question either his presence or his origins. Too much had passed for him to feel this whole situation unusual – it was only mildly puzzling, but not at all alarming after all his recent exploits.
His head cleared finally, his surroundings solidified in his awareness, and he sat pensively trying to make sense of things. Jazlyn's desperate look as he left her was the strongest image he had of all that had passed and he felt a huge emptiness at having left the Realm. He looked Luis in the eyes and asked,
"Will I ever go back?"
"That I cannot say, Wandmaster. Perhaps."
The little apartment was in darkness. No-one was home. It's owner had left early in the morning dressed in travelling clothes, a rucksack on his back. He was off to the airport with a strange companion, and they were booked on a flight to Bolivia. There was much to be done.
Afterword from the Author
Living in Greece, Crete to be exact, I started this book as a form of therapy. I was in a frustrating situation, in a country not my own, with responsibilities which I felt ill-equipped to cope with. Writing gave me an outlet and the book is pure escapism.
It is not an angry book. It is an adventure into a foreign environment full of dangers and with demands made on the hero by the 'establishment' to perform great deeds that he is ill-prepared by previous life experiences to accomplish. I only now see that my adventure has parallels to the life I was living. The overall choice of fantasy fiction genre and the inspiration for an adventure in a strange Dystopia stems from the books that were available to me through my two sons, who filled my shelves with such reading material on visits in the summer from England where they studied, at a time when I had neither the economic luxury to buy books either on line or otherwise, in my native language. Reading Greek authors in Greek is a worthwhile challenge I have tackled, but does not provide for me the pleasure that reading in English does – the nuances in a language are fine-tuned and I like to feel I am on 'home territory' in terms of language. I would not, on principle, read an English novel translated into Greek, which would have been my only other option.
I used the imagery of the dark crystal as a means of passage to the strange new world because I was, and still am, fascinated by the beauty and uniqueness of the crystal and rock formations which surround us and form in the depths of the earth in darkness and under pressure, only to emerge to shine in the light of our sun-bathed earth. I was fascinated to find that an anthology of translated modern Greek poetry exists entitled 'The Dark Crystal', 1(The Dark Crystal, Edmund Keeley and Philip Sherrard, Published by Denise Harvey & Company, Lambrou, Fotiadi & Mets, Athens Greece.) and that Lawrence Durrell 2 (Prospero's Cell) had referred to life in Greece as though seeing things through a dark crystal. "You enter Greece as one might enter a dark crystal; the form of things becomes irregular, refracted." I admit to not having read any of his works, "My Family and Other Animals" by his brother Gerald being my only Durrell read. It seems that the dark crystal image somehow pops into the psyche of those who live and write in a Greek context quite independently. Interesting, that, especially when you consider the intensity of colour given to the Greek landscape by the burning summer sunlight.
I don't claim to have written a great book, or even a good book. I am not able to judge. I have written a book which I can leave to my children, through which they will perhaps remember me a little better, and through which my grandchildren will get to know me through my writing. I hope they will be able to 'feel' me through its pages, and at the same time, join me on a little adventure.
I thank you if you have taken the time to read this book, and I hope you will excuse my weaknesses and any inconsistencies that I haven't rooted out. If you don't like it, well, that's ok, just know that it had to be written.
Thanks
Thanks are due to:
To my children, Dino (who took the burden of publishing off my shoulders), Robert and Rena for nagging me to finish the book.
To my husband, Elias, without whom neither my children nor the book would have existed.
To Mandy Mavromati, who encouraged me and designed the cover.
To England and Crete, Greece, for being England and Crete, Greece.
COLOPHON
Wandmaster - Valerie Kramboviti
© 2016 Valerie Kramboviti/Rightsholder
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
Author: Valerie Kramboviti
Cover Artwork: Mandy Mavromati
Ebook Formatting & Cover Finalising: Dino Krampovitis
Publisher: Krampovitis Publishing
Contact Data: Ratulje 6, Drazice 51218, Croatia
ISBN: 9783961126590
Wandmaster Page 44
