Findy scratched his scruffy beard. “This is as far as I’ve ever been from home. I don’t know how to get around this wall.”
“Can we fly over it?” Astriella asked.
Miranda looked around and up, then behind them. “There isn’t enough room. Besides, galloping on this stone floor could chip the camions’ hooves.”
“There must be an opening somewhere,” said Satrah.
They dispersed and tried pressing on different parts of the wall, feeling for weak spots. Finally, Findy discovered a stone that had gaps all around it and was slightly loose. “Over here! I think I found it!” he cried to the others.
They pushed away the vines to reveal a Red Larimar stone embedded in the center of the detached rock. Suddenly a warm sensation burned into Miranda’s chest. She looked down to see that the stone in her necklace was luminous.
“Ooooh, look…,” said Astriella.
Rays had shot out from stone in the wall, and connected with the pendant, which glowed a fiery red. Both stones began to pulsate to the same rhythm until the beams increased to such intensity there was a blinding flash.
Immediately, the loose block in the wall moved away from them, making a grating sound, stone against stone. When it had cleared the back of the wall, it slid to the side, creating an opening. Several of the surrounding stones did the same in succession until there was a large void in the wall.
“Let’s pass through while we can!” said Miranda.
As soon as everyone was the other side, the stones slide back into place of their own accord. The vines that had been cleared recovered the wall, masking any sign of disturbance.
In front of them lay a stunning landscape, lustrous and vibrant. Glorious green hills teeming with flowering plants studded the horizon, and gently flowing rivers traced patterns along the valley floor. The air was perfectly calm and the sun soothingly warm.
Butterflies flitted from bloom to endless bloom, dragonflies darted over the lakes and streams, and colorful birds of a multitude of varieties preened themselves in between melodic song. It was a utopia.
Satrah was mesmerized. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” she said, her voice smooth and made of velvet.
“Ooooh,” giggled Astriella. “Soooo pretty.”
Miranda wasn’t so sure about it. “Keep your eyes open. This may be too good to be real.”
“Indeed,” agreed Findy.
As they walked along, they didn’t notice that the luxurious grass beneath them had receded and was giving way to vines stippled with sharp thorns. The camions’ legs were being scratched and Findy’s dragon dog was whimpering from the sharp pokes in its paws. The doken, flying overhead, cawed loudly over and over.
Without warning, the vines covering the ground began flowering before their eyes. The golden blossoms became so dense it was impossible to avoid trampling them. And as they were stepped upon, they emitted a fine amber colored vapor, which rose through the air, wound its way upward, and when inhaled, acted as a sedative.
Astriella waved a hand over her face. “What is that smell?”
Miranda glanced up at the cawing doken and sensed something was amiss. She yawned and felt a laziness settle in. “We need to move more quickly.”
Satrah was already in a daze, a big grin on her face. “Can’t we stay here just a little while … just a little while longer?”
The vapor, which had an acidic aroma, grew thicker and more pungent with every fatal step. Miranda tried to lead them away from the vines, but couldn’t move quickly enough.
“Let’s go back,” she said weakly. “Find another way.”
Astriella rubbed her eyes. She felt weary. “What’s happening?”
Findy yawned and pointed down, “It’s coming out of these flowers.”
Satrah fell to her knees. “I’m going to lay down for a bit.”
“No! Quickly, everyone, cover your faces,” implored Miranda as she pulled a corner of her cloak over her nose and forced herself to keep going, fighting the urge to rest.
Astriella looked at Miranda, serious for once. “We must concentrate on moving forward. Get on Cavalo and fly.”
Miranda saw Astriella’s mouth move, but couldn’t make out the words. It sounded like distant chirping, devoid of meaning. Dizziness overcame her. She rested her head against Cavalo for a moment and when she opened her eyes, she saw that her companions were crumpled around her in various states of collapse. She tried to stay up, but her legs buckled under her. She fell to her knees, her head heavy.
The camions became nervous and skittish, seemingly not affected by the vapor, but still irritated by the thorns and vines. The plants traveled in an upward spiral around their hooves and legs, making them growl and nip. Miranda and her friends were also being overtaken as they were enveloped in the poisonous smog.
Astriella cried out, “Miranda! Look!”
A tiger mouse scurried by. One of the flowers flicked a tongue out and caught the rodent with the stickiness, and pulled the writhing creature back into its teeth.
The vines were everywhere now, sliding up and around their ankles like ravenous snakes. Miranda felt drugged, but didn’t want to give in. She had made it this far. She just had to get to the summit. She opened her mouth to speak, but it felt like it was stuffed with cotton. “Use your daggers,” she managed, hoarsely.
More and more flowers were opening, baring sharp teeth and wagging gluey tongues. The victims fought their lethargy, chopping at the stalks with their knives. When a vine was cut through, a pink liquid oozed out of it. A sizzle escaped from the blossom before it turned black and shriveled away.
The doken dove repeatedly, using its sharp beak to damage the climbing vines. Satrah was bitten in the leg just before she was able to sever the stem. They all struggled to cut the vines away; and as they did, the vapor slightly dissipated, giving them a chance to breathe fresher air.
They sluggishly mounted the camions while Findy lumbered onto his dog. Once on the back of their camions, they held on tight. With just a few minutes to escape before the vines began another attack, they galloped into the air and away from the carnivorous field.
No Turning Back
Miranda and her friends sailed through the sky for some time, observing the horizon of rocky cliffs in front of them and the vast ocean on either side. Sarona had an array of jagged mountains and smooth flowing rivers; flocks of birds flew past, in dark blurs; herds of animals grazed in large groups below.
Then with a blaze of light it came into view – the summit. The coveted field, the treasure of crimson jewels, was perched atop a steep, cylindrical tower of rock, a tall mountain devoid of any gentle inclines or paths to its peak. Crowned with thousands of blooming Red Larimar plants, it emanated blinding red streaks that shot out in every direction.
Astriella was awestruck. “Ohhhh,” she said.
The plants were covered by a dome shaped, transparent, forcefield. The sunlight could get in and the rays could shoot out, but it seemed impossible to penetrate. Only a narrow strip of land circled the parameter of the force field before dropping off to a ninety degree angle.
Miranda spotted an area of the strip that was larger than the rest. “Look!” she cried.
“Can we land there?” asked Satrah.
Miranda nodded. “I think so. Let’s set up camp and find a way in.”
Miranda pointed Cavalo toward the summit and they carefully made their descent. Landing safely, they unpacked, set up their gear, and prepared an evening meal.
Satrah walked closer to the forcefield. There was a low wall just in front of it covered with strange white buds.
Her attention was drawn to a rhythmic sound that came from the buds, resembling loud breathing. And upon closer inspection, she was amazed to see that the buds were opening, revealing tiny faces, with their eyes closed tight; the sound she heard had been snoring!
Satrah gently touched the forcefield with the tip of her sword. It undulated like water, waves ripplin
g outward. This movement disturbed the buds. All the little eyes opened as the faces woke up and yawned, all ten million on the entire circumference of the hedge moving in perfect unison.
“Come quick,” Satrah called out to the others.
Miranda, Findy and Astriella gathered around.
The faces spoke all at once in a whispering, high pitched hiss. “Who aaare yoooooou?” The sound of their collective whispering was so loud, it echoed down to the valley.
Miranda spoke up. “I am Miranda from the Island of Zarada. And these are my friends.”
“She’s going to be the next Sultana,” added Astriella.
“Ooooooohhhh. The next Sultanaaaaaa,” cooed the buds.
“How do we get into the Red Larimar field?” Satrah asked them.
Their tiny mouths opened in terror. “The Larimar fiiiiieeeeld. Nooooooooo. You must not go in. The Deamons will kiiiillll yoooooouuu.”
“There must be a way in,” Miranda insisted.
“But no way oooooouuuut,” the seeds countered.
“We have to get in,” said Miranda. “The future of Zarada depends on it.”
“The fuuuuture of Zaaaaaraada. You must fiiiiiiind the tuuuuuunel.”
“Where is this tunnel?” asked Findy. “It would take days to travel the perimeter of the summit searching for it.”
Miranda studied the length of the wall. “We don’t have days.”
The flowers grew sleepy.
“Taaaakes tooooo looooong,” they purred.
“Hey, wake up!” said Satrah, nudging them with the sword. “Tell us how to get in!”
“We will sleeeppp noooow,” said the flowers. When weee waaake, you will be deeeeaaad.
“But what about the tunnel?!” asked Miranda.
“Go north. When the full moooooooons shiiiiiiine high in the skyyyyy, you will enterrrr.” answered the flowers as they fell back into slumber. Millions of little eyes on the shrub closed tight and the eerie breathing commenced again.
“That’s tonight,” said Findy, gazing up at the sky, which was already darkening and freckled by two rising pink full moons.
Miranda and her friends finished setting up camp for the night while the rosy discs continued their ascent. She drove the last stake into a corner of her tent. “Let’s all get some rest. In a couple of hours, I’ll go see if I can find the tunnel.”
“Let me go now,” Satrah volunteered. “I’m not tired. I’ll find the opening and come back and wake you before midnight.”
Miranda hesitated, not wanting something to happen to her best friend, but the look on Satrah’s face was so full of eagerness and sincerity, she couldn’t deny her.
“Alright,” agreed Miranda. “But be careful.”
Satrah and Otho headed north, making their way around the hedge. The side of the cliff crumbled just beyond their footsteps as Satrah led her animal carefully along the narrow edge of the summit. She walked for a long time with no sign of an opening.
Fatigued, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. As she took a swig from her flask, she noticed a dark object up ahead. She approached it and saw it was a giant version of Miranda’s pendant, a statue of the Rain Goddess, elegant and magnificent.
Although the moons were obscured by a cloud, making the light dim, she could see it well enough. She stood at the base a long time to admire its grandeur and marvel at its beauty. As she gazed upon its angelic face, the wind pushed the clouds away, allowing the moons to shine on the statue.
The moon glow sank into the Red Larimar stone embedded in the heart of the figure, and the statue began to vibrate, making a whirring noise as light radiated outward from its heart center.
Satrah backed away and watched in amazement as the statue evaporated, leaving a gaping hole in the ground. She stood over the hole to see where it led, but it was a trap! An invisible force pulled her down into it.
She tried holding onto Otho, but even his weight could not resist the vacuum. She and her camion were sucked into a long, winding underground tunnel that shot them out on the other side of the wall, in the midst of the Red Larimar field.
Facing the Deamons
Satrah brushed the dirt off and squinted at the brilliant Red Larimar field. It was unnaturally quiet and still, the air damp and cool. Otho shook out her fur and blinked.
Satrah shivered as she surveyed the huge expanse of silvery plants, each topped with a crown of luminous red gems that shimmered in the moonlight. The stones varied from the size of a thumb to the circumference of a melon.
She wondered if she were being watched. When she was sure she was alone, she crept toward one of the plants, wielding her dagger. She found one that was the perfect size to fit in her pocket. Glancing behind her one more time, she reached out with her free hand and touched the stone with her fingertips.
Her hand took on a red hue. She closed her palm around it, gripping it tightly and pulled, but it wouldn’t budge. She yanked harder and still it stayed tightly lodged. She raised her dagger as she pulled the stalk taut and down came the blade, severing the stalk, causing an unexpected sound … a shrill cry emanated from the plant, that echoed across the summit.
The Deamons, hiding in their lair, were alerted by the sound they knew well; the alarm announcing the presence of an intruder, tampering with their precious stones. In an instant, several of them drew their translucent forms up through the opening at the top of their roof to catch and kill the thief.
Satrah slid her dagger back into its sheath, continuing to hold the stalk with one hand while gently pulling the stone free with the fingers of the other. Now that it was no longer attached to the plant, the stone easily dislodged from its stem. After throwing the severed stalk to the ground, she slipped the stone into her pocket and led Otho back to the hole, eager to show the others what she had found.
As she was nearing the wall, she heard a strange sound fading in from overhead, like the soft flapping of wings. She looked up to see a flock of wispy white figures sailing down toward her. She pulled her sword out and ran backwards, hoping she could defend herself against the ethereal beings.
As she neared the opening, she turned around in an attempt to jump into the hole. But the force of the air pushed her back into the field. She started to panic. How do I get out? she wondered. There was no escape except to try to fly up and through the force field on Otho. Is that possible? And is there time? She mounted her camion and broke into a hard gallop.
The ghostly Deamons, made of pale white shreds that formed a vague shape of a head, torso and limbs, moved with great speed through the air, eager to take back their heisted gem. They had the ability to change direction in a split second, and just as Otho was about to lift off, they caught up with Satrah.
She turned her sword to the “kill” setting and managed to pierce a few of them, causing brief explosions that turned to smoke which was carried away by the breeze. But one of the Deamons managed to grab her from behind. She was caught.
She screamed as she was pulled up into the night sky by one Deamon while another plucked the stone out of her pocket. Otho, loyal as she was, followed as far as she could, landing outside the entrance of the lair as the door was closed and locked.
Into the Lair They Go
Miranda sat up suddenly, startled from her sleep. “What was that sound?”
Findy had heard it too. “It’s the stones. They alert the deamons when they are cut.”
Miranda cried, “Satrah! I shouldn’t have let her go!”
Astriella shrieked, “Oh, no!”
Miranda jumped out of her sleeping sack and mounted Cavalo. “I’ll be back.”
“Miranda, you have to take us with you,” urged Astriella.
“You shouldn’t go alone,” added Findy.
“It’s too dangerous for the both of you,” Miranda insisted. She thought about how foolish she’d been on the ship. Now, Satrah was in trouble. “I don’t want anyone else risking their lives for me.”
“But you are risking yours for u
s,” Astriella astutely pointed out.
“Very clever, my friend. But I still say no. This is my quest and my risk to take.” Her voice tapered off as she galloped away. “I’ll be back by moon down … with the stones.…” Her voice trailed off.
Findy and Astriella held the same thought in their minds because fairies and elves shared the same deep loyalty; they couldn’t be expected to just sit around and wait while a friend needed them. They only had to look at each other a brief moment, and a spark of understanding passed between them. Findy tilted his head toward the direction Miranda had gone, twinkled his eyes at Astriella and said, “Let’s go!”
Astriella’s face lit up. “Alright!”
In a wink, Astriella was settled into Findy’s satchel, from which she had a clear view of the moonlit path. They mounted Beast and trotted as fast as his little legs could take them.
After they had gone on for some time, Astriella began to worry. “Ohhhh,” she cried. “I don’t see her anywhere.”
Findy was moving as fast as he could and would not let the fear get to him. “She’s up ahead. We’ll find her.”
Astriella tried her best not to succumb to fear, but it was no use fighting it; she was petrified. Spooked by the tiniest insect chirp and rustle of leaves, ducking at every shadow and gasping at every misstep, she was a bundle of nerves.
“Oh!” she remarked, when Beast tripped slightly, giving them a sobering view of the drop.
“You can’t let the fear getcha!” Findy said, as he pulled the reigns tightly to the left with his right hand while grabbing hold of a thick vine with the other. They had almost plummeted to their deaths.
Astriella heard the shakiness in his voice. “Just be careful. If we fall, I can fly, but you and Beast … well, he needs a running start, and….” She didn’t want to finish the sentence.
“Yes, I’ll be like a squashed bug. I know, I know,” chuckled Findy.
“How can you joke?”
The Larimar Quest (Island Of Zarada Book 1) Page 11
