The Sphere of Septimus

by Simon Rose

  “I warn you,” Galderon snarled, carefully removing his sturdy metal gauntlets, “my patience wears exceedingly thin. Show me how to maximize the sphere’s power.”

  He reached into a pocket in his cloak and pulled out a blood-red sphere. He caressed the sphere. It glowed, and Septimus’ face contorted in pain.

  “Figure it out for yourself,” Septimus spat, struggling to breathe.

  “Don’t bother resisting,” said Galderon, a cruel grin exposing his vampire-like teeth. He touched his sphere again, and Septimus screamed.

  “Even if I knew how to help you, I wouldn’t,” Septimus said.

  “Fool!” Galderon roared, slapping Septimus hard across the face with the back of his hand. “The other sphere has powers this one lacks—you built them both, you know how to fix mine. Make it work like it used to.”

  Galderon’s sphere pulsated, the blood-red light growing ever brighter.

  “Wait,” he said. “It’s the telepath. She’s helping the children use their sphere again.”

  Kilaya snatched the sphere. She was breathing heavily and looked very scared. “That was too close,” she said, regaining her composure. “He could have found out where we are.”

  “So Septimus is alive,” said Eric. “My dream was right.”

  “We’d better tell Alcamarus.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Survivors

  Dawn was breaking when Eric, Jessica and Kilaya stepped out of the cave. The ocean was nowhere in sight.

  “Find Zaliya. She’ll get you something to eat. I need to talk to Alcamarus.” Kilaya wandered off.

  Zaliya was waiting for Eric and Jessica beside the dying ashes of a campfire.

  “Here, have some breakfast.” She handed Eric and Jessica pieces of bread and strips of dried meat. “You’ll need to be strong for the journey ahead.”

  One of her wings was badly torn.

  “Are you hurt?” asked Eric, gesturing to her wing.

  “I’ll be fine. A scaran attacked me, and I was lucky to get away. It’ll get better soon. Alcamarus is a very skilled healer. But I won’t be able to fly for a while.”

  “How many of us got away?” Jessica asked.

  “Not many. We lost a lot of warriors.” Zaliya sighed.

  “We saw Karonvar fight the terexians,” Eric said.

  “Yes,” said Zaliya sadly. “He knew he didn’t have a chance against two of them. He gave his life to save you and the others.”

  “Did Tobias get away?” Jessica asked.

  “I’m not sure. He may not have survived.”

  Eric and Jessica fell silent.

  “Are we safe here?” Jessica asked.

  “I hope so,” replied Zaliya. “My people are from the plains of Tilatt, close to these mountains. They lived down there in the valley, until the scarans came. There were thousands of unicorns and griffins around here back then. Soon there’ll be nothing left but the monsters that Galderon unleashed.”

  Alcamarus and Kilaya came over to join them. Alcamarus had a thick bandage on his left arm. His face was badly bruised.

  “Kilaya told me what you saw,” he began. “We need to rescue Septimus before Galderon forces him to tell everything he knows. It’s vital that we get to the Citadel quickly. Let’s get moving.”

  Alcamarus and Soldor had selected twenty of the best remaining warriors for the mission, along with Zaliya and Kilaya. They followed the bank of a river at the base of the Ligordian Mountains. Trees that looked like pine and spruce dominated the landscape. Late in the afternoon, ones resembling oak, maple, beech and elm became more common. Some cat-like creatures, with long, black bushy tails, rattled the branches above.

  “What are those things called?” asked Eric.

  “We call them leepers,” said Zaliya.

  “They look like cats, but they act like monkeys,” said Eric, chuckling. He watched them jump from tree to tree.

  “Look at that pig!” said Jessica, pointing to a furry creature in the water. It looked like a pig-headed beaver.

  “That’s a morvin. You don’t see those very often. They hide in the underbrush.”

  Fascinated by the strange creatures around him, Eric almost forgot about the grim task that lay ahead.

  The group stopped to make camp in a small clearing. Alcamarus took Eric aside, and Jessica went with Soldor.

  “I don’t suppose you’ve ever fought with a sword before?” Alcamarus asked, as they reached an open space at the edge of the camp. Both moons were full.

  “I took fencing lessons after school,” Eric said. “Mom said it would be good exercise.”

  “So you know the basics,” said Alcamarus. He handed Eric a long sword with a black hilt. “Feel the heft of the weapon.”

  Eric grabbed the cold handle and raised the sword, moving it from side to side.

  “Good. Now I want you to watch me.”

  He demonstrated some simple moves, blocks and sword thrusts.

  He makes it look so easy.

  Then he handed Eric a shield and helped him strap it to his arm. “All right. Let’s see how you do against an opponent. I’m going to come at you, and you have to stop me and drive me back.”

  He took a few steps backward and drew his sword. “Let’s go.”

  Alcamarus advanced and swung his sword. Eric blocked it with his shield. Alcamarus swung his sword again, from the other side. This time Eric blocked it with his own sword. The clang echoed through the valley. When Alcamarus thrust at Eric’s midriff, Eric dodged and countered with a high blow of his own.

  “Good,” said Alcamarus, parrying with a sweep of his sword. “You’ve done well, but Galderon’s warriors won’t be quite so easy to fight. Let’s go again.”

  After just over an hour, Alcamarus extended his hand to Eric. “Not bad for a beginner. Keep the sword. We’ll start again in the morning.”

  Soldor came over with Jessica, who was carrying a short bow. She had a leather strap across her chest and a quiver filled with arrows on her back.

  “She knows what she’s doing,” Soldor said. “But there’s still work to do.”

  “Until tomorrow,” said Alcamarus. “We’ll do more weapons training then, and Kilaya will help you master the sphere.”

  “We need to clean up a little,” said Jessica. “Let’s go down to the river.”

  When they reached the water, Eric and Jessica laid down their weapons beside a tree, and washed their hands and faces in the cool water. It was peaceful in the forest glade. The bright light of the moons shone through the canopy.

  Something rustled in the bushes. Startled, Eric reached for his sword.

  A small furry creature poked its head out of the shrubs. It looked like a cross between a rabbit and a raccoon, with long upright ears, grey fur and striped tail. Eric and Jessica watched as the fluffy little animal wandered to the edge of the water and drank. Then its ears perked up and it dashed into a hole by the base of a tree.

  A branch cracked nearby. Suddenly a ten-foot terrorbird burst out of the bushes. It let out an ear-splitting screech, its crested head feathers spread wide in an attack posture.

  “Grab the bow!” Eric yelled.

  The terrorbird turned its attention to Eric, and charged. Eric dodged and slashed the monster’s upper leg, infuriating it. With a screech, it swiped Eric with its forearm, knocking him to the ground. Eric thrust his sword up into the beast’s belly, but it had no effect. Eric tried to scramble away, but the terrorbird grabbed his leg. Then suddenly it collapsed into the water, an arrow embedded in its neck.

  “Thanks,” Eric said as Jessica helped him up. “It looks pretty dead.”

  “I guess being the school archery champion paid off.”

  Eric was about to reply when Soldor and Alcamarus came hurrying down the path through the trees.

  “I
heard a terrorbird screech,” said Alcamarus. “Are you all right?”

  Soldor walked up to the bird. “It’s not breathing,” he said, pulling a long-bladed knife out from his sheath. “Now we have something for dinner.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Power of the Sphere

  Eric was surprised how good fire-roasted terrorbird tasted.

  “We’ll smoke the rest of it,” Kilaya said, “and take it with us. Smoked terrorbird can last for months.”

  The Brotherhood kept to the riverbank for a week, until they came to a thick tropical rainforest. Using Alcamarus’ map, they avoided villages and other small settlements as they headed west. They kept a lookout for scarans, walking on paths hidden by trees to avoid being seen. They weren’t attacked by any more terrorbirds, but one afternoon they had to take a long detour to avoid a roaming band of hungry terexians.

  Every morning, before breakfast, Alcamarus and Soldor gave Eric and Jessica training on how to use their swords and how to bow properly.

  “You’re both making good progress,” Alcamarus said after a particularly robust workout.

  “You’re turning into genuine warriors,” Soldor added.

  “Still not much use against a malkonor,” Jessica said.

  Eric shivered, thinking back to that terrible day in Garoda.

  Each evening, Kilaya helped Eric and Jessica with the sphere. They only trained for short periods, so that Galderon didn’t have the chance to find them again.

  “Why don’t you use the sphere to enhance your telepathy?” Jessica asked Kilaya before one of their sessions. “Doesn’t it like you?”

  “Maybe because this sphere was created on Earth,” Kilaya said, “only someone born there can push it to its full potential. That’s probably why Septimus couldn’t go through the portal on his own. Septimus made Galderon’s sphere here in Koronada, so it should have given him ultimate power. I’m not sure why it hasn’t.”

  “What do you mean by ultimate power?” asked Eric.

  “It’s just that. Power over everything—everything in our world, everything in your world, everything in any world that has ever been or could ever be.”

  “Even alternate realities or parallel universes?” asked Jessica.

  “Yes. With this sphere, Galderon thinks he’ll be able to shape reality any way he wishes. That’s why he wants our sphere. He knows this one is more powerful.”

  “So, he could become a god,” said Jessica.

  “Yes, but he’s not one yet,” said Kilaya. “Galderon might not be able to handle being connected to everything in and out of existence. He’s still only mortal.”

  “And the spheres only work with people that they like,” said Eric. “Surely ours won’t work with him.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” Kilaya said, “but there’s no guarantee. Galderon probably thinks he can use his sphere to control ours, and force it to work for him. One thing I do know is that this rescue mission will be very dangerous—and we think you’re the key to success, Eric.”

  “Me? Why?”

  “You’re from Earth, but have Koronada blood—this sphere was made on Earth with Koronada magic. That’s why you’re connected. Galderon was able to use his sphere to become powerful. You’ll become powerful with this one.”

  “But I’m just a kid,” said Eric. “I don’t have any powers.”

  Kilaya handed Eric the sphere. “It enhances the powers you have, even if you don’t know what they are. Now concentrate, Eric. Let your senses become one with the sphere. It might be overwhelming at first, but I’m sure you’ll be able to master it.”

  Eric held it in his palm. He didn’t hear the friendly voice this time, but the instant the sphere began glowing, he felt peaceful. Then his mind was flooded with hundreds of images and voices, all speaking at once. There was a little girl on a tire swing, and an older girl polishing an antique car. Only when he recognized Middle Wogglehole did Eric realize they were Jessica’s memories.

  “Eric,” said Jessica, “I just saw you with your father, as a little boy.”

  “The sphere wants you to help me,” Eric said. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew it. “Here, put your hand on it.”

  “Focus,” said Kilaya. “You’re working together now. Your minds are one.”

  Eric concentrated, and Jessica did too. The sphere glowed even brighter.

  Kilaya pointed to the campfire. “Now Eric, concentrate on the fire. Make the flames float.”

  The flames rose in the air until they were suspended above the glowing coals. Then they suddenly shot out across the clearing, singeing a low-hanging tree branch.

  “Not bad,” said Kilaya. “You just need to be able to direct it. We’ll keep practising.”

  Jessica was able to raise the flames herself, but, in the beginning, couldn’t direct them. Over the following days, however, she and Eric improved steadily. It was clear that the sphere liked the two of them.

  Kilaya taught them both how to use the sphere to harness the power of the elements. Jessica and Eric were able to summon small whirlwinds and freeze water. They learned how to conjure up small force fields that could serve as temporary shields. They had to be careful each time not to keep the sphere active for too long, in case Galderon detected it.

  Soon they were ready to learn how to harness the power of lightning. Eric felt a tingling sensation in his fingertips, as static electricity crackled between his fingers.

  “That’s it, Eric,” said Kilaya. “Now direct it at that tree. Focus. Concentrate.”

  Eric pointed at the tree, but the lightning almost hit Jessica. Luckily she conjured up a shield in time.

  Kilaya clapped. “Well done, Jessica. Now you try.”

  Sparks jumped between her fingers, and she fired a blast of lightning.

  Eric barely had time to create a shield and was sent reeling along the forest floor.

  He quickly got to his feet. “Are you trying to kill me?”

  “I’m so sorry! I couldn’t control it.”

  “You’ll need to be quicker than that with a shield, Eric,” Kilaya said with a frown. “That’s all for now. You’ll become experts at this soon enough. Let’s get dinner.”

  Munching on a slice of smoked terrorbird, Jessica said, “I wonder if we’ll ever really be good enough to defeat Galderon?”

  “I know,” said Kilaya. “I can sense your fears. But you have the inner strength to succeed.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “I’m a telepath. I’m always connected to the thoughts of others. There used to be many of us living in Kadosch before the war. I used to be able to connect with my fellow telepaths, but haven’t sensed any of them for a long time. I may be the only one left alive.”

  The Brotherhood finally arrived at the coast just south of the abandoned city of Villas, where the Talonn River flowed down a waterfall into the sea. In the distance, across the straits, was the province of Tekara. Galderon’s Citadel was on the far side of the province, on the western shore.

  It was pouring rain as they arrived. Everyone was forced to take shelter in a large cave. When the rain finally stopped, Eric helped set up the camp, then wandered off to explore. A light mist filled the air. The forest was quiet and peaceful. Eric sat on a rock beside a small pond and watched the mist rise from the water. He gasped when he saw a hideous sabre-toothed creature hanging from a tree right above his head, snoring.

  Scarans. There were lots of them, hanging upside down from their two thick leathery tails. They were dark-grey, scaly creatures, almost as large as terrorbirds. Their leathery wings were folded over their bodies, and their hands had deadly claws.

  Eric was about to shout a warning to the others, but someone clasped a hand across his mouth from behind. It was Soldor. “Stay quiet. You don’t want to wake them.”

  Chapter Fourteen

/>   The Perilous Path

  “Scarans,” Soldor told the others. “Hanging upside down from the trees.”

  “They’re most likely the scarans that patrol the straits,” said Zaliya. “They must be in hibernation. That’s how they regenerate.”

  “So they’re not dangerous right now?” said Eric.

  “No,” Zaliya replied, “but they will be if they’re allowed to wake up. They never fly at night and are at their most vulnerable at dusk.”

  “How many are there?” Zaliya asked.

  “About twenty, thirty,” Soldor replied. “We should be able to handle them. But we can’t risk any of them getting back to Galderon. We need a very strong barrier around where they’re sleeping. As soon as one is killed, the others will know.”

  “We’ll need a force field,” Alcamarus said. “Eric and Jessica, you can do that.”

  “I’ll help,” Kilaya said. “We’ll need maximum power to maintain a force field for that long.”

  “Let’s get started,” said Alcamarus, unsheathing his sword.

  When they reached the pond, Alcamarus, Soldor and the other warriors got into position, and Kilaya, Jessica and Eric stayed a few paces behind.

  Soldor signalled that the warriors were ready, and Kilaya took out the sphere.

  “Take my hands,” said Kilaya. “Concentrate on erecting the force field. Don’t lose it. Try to link our minds.”

  The sphere floated into the air, glowing. At first, Eric was flooded with memories from Jessica and Kilaya, but soon his mind was free to concentrate on the force field. The air began to shimmer and hum as the force field took shape.

  “Close your eyes, Eric,” Kilaya whispered. “You too, Jessica. You won’t want to watch this.”

  Eric went into a dream-like state. Snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and emerald meadows filled his mind, and he felt at peace. He was scarcely even aware of the passage of time. Then without warning, the visions were shattered by a high-pitched shriek. He opened his eyes to a scene of utter chaos.