by D. L. Jordan
“I should take you to the palace now. The rulers have been worried sick about you all day.” He returned Dean to The Marble Palace.
COMING BACK
He didn’t want to face what the Rulers would say to him after behaving in such an irresponsible manner. After swallowing his anxiety, Dean ascended the tall palace stairs and entered The Marble Palace itself.
Dean, standing in the entrance hall, heard a great deal of yelling coming from the throne room. He went up the steps of the grand staircase and down the twisting corridor. Dean found the doors wide open. To avoid being seen, he stealthily hid behind one of the doors. Peering out from his hiding place, he saw that several maids were tending to the room while the Rulers were all standing closely by their thrones.
“I knew it was an awful idea! We all knew that Xanire dwelled within the Ice Waters!” said an angry voice that sounded a lot like Queen Lila’s.
“I just thought it would expand his knowledge of our palace.” said Empress Xian. “Now, Lila, do not be too angry! I also thought that it would have been a good idea for
the boy to see more of the palace,” said Emperor Yang cautiously.
“There’s no way Xanire could have known exactly where we were when I showed Dean the aquarium,” said Empress Xian. “You should have seen how frightened Dean was when he saw Xanire staring at him from the depths of the sea. Besides, where is Cacellon? No one, not even the police, have seen him all day after Dean ordered him to take him far away from the island.”
“Who knows where that two-bit child has gone?” Madu interjected. “The boy was so stupid to run off. I say good riddance to him. He deserves whatever happens to him after leaving the island like that.”
The rest of the Rulers, even some of the maids tending to the room, looked at him with chastising glares. Dean felt something suddenly wisp past him and bombard into the throne room.
“Dean is missing!” shouted a voice. It was Cacellon. Everyone in the room, including the servants, faced him. “We were flying over the Ice Waters. I turned around to talk to him, but then I saw that he was gone. It was as if he just suddenly disappeared into thin air.”
Dean couldn’t bear it any longer. The guilt of allowing these people to worry like this was eating away at him like termites to a tree. Dean swallowed his pride once again and bolted into the throne room.
“I’m right here,” Dean said as he came from behind the door. Water was streaming down from his soaked clothes and onto the floor of the throne room. Most of the maids in the room gave him unappreciative glares. They were going to have yet another place in the large room to clean.
“Dean, you’re back!” gasped Cacellon.
“We were so worried about you!” said Queen Anarkali as she ran up to him and hugged his neck, pressing against his soaked garments. “Why did you run away like that? Don’t you know that it’s dangerous going out into unknown places, especially with Xanire almost returning?”
“I know what I did was wrong. It’s just that…when I saw that thing in the water calling my name…I…”
“It’s alright. You don’t have to explain anymore.” she said. “The important thing is that you’ve returned home to us.”
It was the first time, since Dean’s entire week of staying in The Marble Palace, that anyone had ever told him that the palace was now his home. He had never really thought about his situation that way. He had always considered the house of the Sabulra family his home, but since Dean was now staying in the palace he assumed that this new place was now permanently where he would live. Dean faced the rulers in the room as Queen Anarkali loosened her hold and stood beside him.
“I wanted to go and run away from my problems, Queen Anarkali,” said Dean. “But now I know that wasn’t at all the right thing to do. I fell off Cacellon’s back and into the sea, and I was almost to the bottom when a gigantic creature named Tekiao rescued me from being taken by Xanire. He said that he was a good friend of yours, Cacellon.” Dean said, facing him.
“Yes,” replied Cacellon. “The great plesiosaur and I have been very good friends since I rescued him from a fisherman’s net many years ago.”
“Yes…well…anyway,” Dean began. “He settled me down in a large cave beneath the water and told me about the scepter located deep within the mountains of Pulchra that will help me to defeat Xanire.”
“What Dean speaks of must be true,” Cacellon said in a sure voice, his phoenix pendant dangling from around his neck. “My friend would never lie to another! We must send Dean on a journey to retrieve the scepter.”
“Before you are to go on this quest you must first complete your training, so you will be ready for anything that will come your way,” Queen Lila said with a smile. “I am aware of the fact that you know what I’m talking about Dean, because you are quite the spy.”
“When you are ready, I will help you,” said Cacellon, placing a comforting hand on Dean’s shoulder.
“I will also guide you on your journey,” spoke Emperor Hanab Pakal happily. “I know the geography of Pulchra very well.” Ix Chel humorously rolled her eyes before her husband Hanab could see her.
“You are truly committed to your duty, Dean. I’m proud to see that you have learned quickly from the mistakes you have made in the past.” Queen Lila announced proudly, “This is a fitting quality our world finds in a noble ruler. You shall see one day of rest. Starting on the morning of the day after tomorrow, your training on this island will begin. At the end of your training, the annual festivities shall commence.”
“I’m proud to say that we will be celebrating two joyous occasions on that day,” said King Salim. “It is the coming of the new year and Dean’s step closer to becoming the beholder of the Pulchran throne. Once you have the scepter of Pulchra, Xanire will finally be defeated!”
“Well,” emerged the disrupting voice of Madu, “all of you are crazy if you think I will be a part of this foolish boy’s plight to become the beholder of this throne.”
He banged his hand hard on an armrest of his throne. “Remember these words when I say them to you, boy…no one, not even you, is suitable for this throne besides me. Always remember that and you will do just fine!”
“Madu, that is enough!” Empress Xian roared. “I will not have you talk to Dean that way! Dean is the descendent of Amenhotep and the rightful heir to the throne that you so desperately cleave to, yet have no divine right to sit upon.” Madu looked at Xian spitefully.
Emperor Yang came between the both of them, giving Madu a threatening glare.
Knowing that he had lost the argument, Madu stormed out of the throne room cursing under his breath all the while.
Dean, Cacellon, and the Rulers, having finally reached a decision, went to dinner that didn’t involve the company of Madu.
That night, when everyone in the palace was sleeping, Dean lay still in his bed, pondering the things that happened throughout the day as he always did. He tried not to think heavily on the negative words of Madu as they forcefully repeated themselves in his mind. Frustrated, Dean slowly got out of bed and put on his robe. Since he wasn’t tired at all, he decided to take a stroll through the corridors of The Marble Palace.
As Dean was walking through a corridor on the fourth floor, he was stopped by a voice from behind him saying, “It’s quite late to be out around the palace, isn’t it Dean?”
THE LETTER
Dean quickly turned around and caught a glimpse of a figure emerging from behind a door in the shadows. It was Cacellon, who was slowly coming out of his bedroom. Dean stopped in his tracks, relieved as Cacellon walked up to him.
“What’re you doing out so late?” he asked. Dean responded, “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Me neither. Since we’re both up, would you like me to give you a tour of the palace?”
It was as if he had read Dean’s mind. Cacellon lifted up his hand and a circle of light appeared around it. Dean turned around to see if this affected the entire palace, but it didn’t. Everywh
ere else around them was still in darkness. Dean accepted Cacellon’s generous invitation and they were soon on their way.
The minutes seem to quickly pass by. At first, Dean was eager about exploring the palace, but it didn’t take him long to become irritated from the long walk around it and Cacellon’s constant historical facts and opinions.
“But the most interesting of all,” he said, finally coming to a complete halt. “…is this.” Cacellon led Dean down to a secret passageway in a wall that led to a golden door designed with a large bird with its wings outspread.
“This is a room that was made and given to me by Amenhotep before his untimely departure. Behind this door is something he instructed me to give to you. Something that is very special.”
Cacellon opened the door with a copper key and behind it was a stone room that contained a small fountain of rushing water in its center. Cacellon and Dean stepped closer to the fountain. As Dean peered in to get a closer look at the fountain, he noticed that a large hole was in its middle below the water, but none of the water seemed to drain through the hole. Cacellon slowly placed his hand down through the water and into the hole.
Red flames forcefully erupted out through the surface of the water, but it did not singe his hand. Cacellon pulled out his hand and Dean noticed it contained a piece of folded papyrus.
“This object,” began Cacellon, “from which I have retrieved this piece of papyrus is known as a Balledere. They are great securers for valuable possessions. It was invented in Chang’an many centuries ago and was one of the possessions of Hanbal, Amenhotep’s second son. The red flames severely burn anyone, besides its possessor, who tries to reach or steal anything that is inside. This papyrus that I have retrieved is a letter…a letter for you from Amenhotep.”
Dean’s heart began to race as Cacellon held the piece of papyrus in his hand. “Amenhotep gave me this letter many years ago, but I have not read it.”
Cacellon turned around to give Dean the letter. He unfolded it. The markings similar to the ones on the entrance hall floor covered the parchment.
Having been in school since his first arrival to the island, Dean now understood the letters of the Avesian alphabet. He read the letter aloud:
To my most beloved and destined heir,
I leave this message to you in the object that once belonged to my beloved son, Hanbal. As you might already know from my faithful guardian, Cacellon, and the rest of my friends, you are to complete a fate that was once lost at the chance of its arrival. Ever since my defeat of Xanire, I have suspected that he was plotting his revenge against me. I only regret hearing his cold and bitter voice through my ears once more.
I hope that when you begin your journey of defeating this evil you will know how special you truly are, but I must advise you to exercise caution against those around you. Remember that I will always be with you. The fate of our world now rests in your hands.
With honor and love, Pharaoh Amenhotep
Dean stared down at the floor with the letter in his hands for a moment. Cacellon led Dean back to his room with his hand still aflame with light.
Back in his room, instead of going straight to bed, Dean sat in a comfortable armchair by the warm and comforting fire. He was thinking about the letter. After much contemplation about his ancient ancestor, his legacy, and the letter he left behind, Dean laid his head sideways and fell asleep.
***
The next morning, Dean awoke in the armchair. He sleepily walked to the bathroom across the corridor and took a warm bath. As he sank into the tub of warm water, he once again thought about the letter that his ancestor wrote.
Dean finished his bath then made his way to the dining hall for breakfast. After a breakfast of eggs and grilled Bluban Blangot, Dean walked outside to the grounds, fully rejuvenated. He was anxious to continue his tour of The Marble Palace from the night before.
Strangely enough, autumn had come to the island of Avesia and the leaves of the trees had turned to colors such as red, orange, and even blue. When Dean had first arrived to the island, this weather took some time for him to get used to.
It was strange that there were cold seasons at all on the island. As some of the leaves fell to the soft green grass of the palace’s grounds, they instantly disappeared. It was a most beautiful day and there wasn’t a sun, yet strangely, the sky gave light to the earth. The sky had changed from purple to a mixture of blue with pink hued streaks and the earth beneath it glowed in its beauty in a sharp light.
All this reminded Dean of his years in New York and a smile came upon his face. He went behind the palace and found a courtyard in front of a large field of acacia trees and other places to explore. In the midst of the courtyard there was a granite statue of a woman in elegant garments holding a balance.
Her left eye was blindfolded, but her right eye was not. On the right side of the balance was a shining star that outweighed a pair of upright horns, which were on the left side of the balance. Dean walked closer to the statue and saw that the right eye was looking at the star. Dean looked below the statue and saw engraved words that read ‘The Statue of Reasoning’ in Avesian lettering.
***
When Dean finished his self-guided tour, he went inside the palace to the balcony of his room. The foot of the balcony provided a great view of the island and the city. His thoughts drifted to the festivities that would take place after his training. Visions of streamers, exquisite parades, fireworks, entertainment, and laughter came into Dean’s mind. He also recalled the memories of how he and his family would often go to the parades in New York City.
They went as often as they could to enjoy the magnificent events. Dean tightly clasped the lion necklace that hung around his neck, searching and praying for enough strength to get him through his training.
As Dean looked up, the pink and blue sky was suddenly turning pitch black. A giant, spiraling black hole appeared in the sky. Dean watched with utmost terror as the hole started to turn into a gray spiral that circled around him, causing him to fall to the floor of the balcony. He could feel the gray spiral create a slithering motion in his body through his mouth. He was completely motionless, unable to stop the sensation that filled every part of his body.
After a while, everything turned back to normal as thunder echoed throughout the island.
Dean heard a tray drop onto the marble floor outside his room and footsteps running in alarm. Unable to get up from the floor, he passed out.
***
Later on that evening, Dean awoke in his bed feeling nauseous and barely able to move. He heard the voices of the Rulers above his head. He heard two of them saying, “Why do you think he’s unconscious?”
“Maybe the moment we’ve been waiting for has finally come.”
“I think it has.” Dean said, muttering incomprehensively as he sat up. His head was pounding severely as if he’d been hit with a bowling ball. King Salim encouraged him not to sit up.
“I was on the balcony overlooking the sea and all of a sudden it was…. darkness everywhere and a gray spiral appeared. It circled around me, and then I heard a loud thunder.” Dean’s speech was finally returning to normal.
“We all heard the thunder,” Cacellon replied as he and the Rulers looked at Dean with amazement. Madu seemed to be nowhere in sight. King Berthold told Dean that what he experienced was the Omnai.
“What is that?” he asked, his voice trembling and his hands shaking.
Berthold explained to him that the Omnai was the passing of divine power into the soul of a person. It was a rare occurrence that many people over the duration of Erlon’s history had
the honor of enduring. To many cultures in Erlon, it was the universal signal that the heavens had approved of someone who was destined for great things. The Rulers then left Dean to rest.
Moments later Dean closed his eyes and fell asleep. He would have to begin his training in the morning.
ADVERSITY THROUGH TRAINING
It was the first day of the
month of Terhune. Dean awoke from his sleep fully rejuvenated. He went down to the grounds behind the palace. Today he was going to the large field behind the courtyard of the Statue of Reasoning. Remembering his training and Pharaoh Amenhotep’s quote, Dean decided to fulfill his duties. As he walked down the long staircases, he sensed that he was being followed.
Dean felt a warm breath on the back of his neck and turned around to see who was behind him, but no one was there. As he arrived in the entrance hall, he could hear the trotting of hooves and the neighing of a horse behind him above the stairs. Dean looked back and saw that, once again, nothing was there. He continued to walk to the grounds of the palace, hoping that he wasn’t losing his mind.
When Dean arrived in the field of acacia trees behind the courtyard of the Statue of Reasoning, he saw King Berthold and Queen Clotilda standing at its center. The weather was cool and the field smelled heavily of freshly cut grass. King Berthold had a leather belt hanging down from his shoulder. Dean didn’t know what to think as his excitement quickly turned to uncertainty.
“Come, Dean! Your time is slipping away,” said Queen Clotilda. Dean quickened his speed and met them both at the center of the field.
“This,” began Clotilda as Dean took the belt from Berthold, “is known as a Morph-belt. Today we’re going to begin your physical training. You will first learn how to use the Morph- belt to ease your way out of bad situations by shape-shifting. A Morph-belt allows itself and its user to transform into anything at the possessor’s will. It also will give the possessor the power of invisibility. Now, if you will, young Dean, Clotilda and I both would like for you to stand over there.”
