The sound of footsteps in the hallways was replaced by cries and resentful tears for the death of queen Arapia. The villagers, saw the mourning in the castle, followed by the melancholy tolling of bells, bitterly repeated the sound of requiem.
On Queen Arapia’s room, her maids cried against the wall, Mongho occupied the seat next to Princess Driadh and the door, while Heian was crying beside his mother. King Alphonsus was inconsolable, sitting in the chair on the other side of the bed. Everyone heard the priest finished uttering his last words when Prince Sulco entered the room, without looking sideways. He walked to his mother and stopped. Carefully, he watched the the queen, which was quiet, she seems to be only sleeping, and he almost saw a smile. What did she talked to Mongho?, he wondered. Seconds later, he turned and walked out of the room without saying a word or looking at anyone. Past the guards at the door and quietly smiled. Now there are only two!, he thought.
CHAPTER V
A month passed. The kingdom was still mourning by the death of queen Arapia, but they needed to continue with their lives.
Heian and Princess Driadh marriage was scheduled for early next spring. As there were only three months, it didn’t leave much time for preparations. The wedding date was brought forward due to the health of the king, who was committed since the death of his beloved wife. The king Alphonsus walked away from their duties and therefore Heian occupied the throne sooner than expected, with only seventeen years old. It was an exception because the Heilland tradition prayed that the successor would take over when turned eighteen years old.
Mongho watched Heian all the time, not only to fulfill the promise he made to the Queen, but also because he liked the routine of the castle. He had been aware of all the habits, from the kitchen to the guard housing. He had the idea to make a map of the hall, so he wouldn’t get lost, what used to happen with some frequency. Up until that point, he hadn’t been in the east wing. His presence became constant among the servants. Mongho solve small problems with the consent of Heian, and became known as faras ĉiu [32]. He did the shopping, gave ideas for banquets, hired and resigned employees, without, however, leave his eyes from Heain, for even one minute. Nothing went unnoticed.
Mongho breathed calmer when Prince Sulco went with some soldiers on a hunting trip; he should only return to his brother wedding eve. Sulco’s presence caused Mongho great discomfort.
With so much to do, the crystal ball was forgotten in a chest, in some corner of his room, lost in other trinkets. At the moment, the wizard had given up trying to use divination. His father's notes didn’t explain how the crystal worked, if it worked.
Time passed quickly and soon spring came, reviving the castle grounds before white and punished by the winter cold. The spring colors back to shine in the ground filled with dense groups of blooming flowers. Rich aromas attracted hordes of beetles along with birds, orchestrated a simple melody. Once again, the sky above and the sun was setting in a scarlet glow served as a beacon to weary travelers. When light rays painted the clouds with blazing colors, prince Sulco’s entourage entered the gates, being received enthusiastically by employees.
Cartloads laden with heavy drinking, as well as deer and other animals, stopped near the pantry and they were discharged. Suddenly, everyone's attention turned to an unknown man who led one of the carts. Everyone looked at each other, wondering who he would be. When the man got out, they noticed that he was taller than he looked. He wore a similar dress with a peasant, battered and wide, but a bit short, not properly covered his muscular body like a soldier. His skin was the color of oiled ebony, he smelled clean and had a trimmed beard. The hood covered most of his face, but not enough to hide the right side disfigured by the scar of a cut that should have been profound. It began just above the eyebrow and stretched to near the mouth.
People whispered to each other when he withdrew himself a deer from the cartload and threw it back. He passed them head down without saying a word. Then put the animal next to each other on the pantry table, and he went out with the same speed with which he came to hear someone shouting his name in the courtyard.
Makarovc, the head of prince Sulco’s entourage, called the man. He touched the man’s shoulder, almost ten centimeters taller than him, and introduced him to the guards, saying that he had free access to the castle and its dependencies. From now on, if they had to deal with something with Prince Sulco, Cerbus would be responsible for transmitting the message.
Makarovc told them the story of how Cerbus had joined the hunting entourage, after the Prince have saved his life by chance. Everyone laughed, except Cerbus, which kept the inscrutable expression. The head of the entourage continued his story, saying that they followed the trail of a gang of deer by Eiwood forest at the time the Cerbus’ entourage suffered an ambush, being the only one who escaped with his life, thanks to Sulco’s intervention. Since then, Cerbus began to follow him and be his sworn leterskatolo[33], by having a debt to him.
“Enough talk!” Makarovc said. “It's already getting dark and we still have so much to do.”
They scattered, trying to spread the word. Makarovc, following their prince’s orders, led Cerbus to prince Sulco’s room, where they remained for some time until the room was ready.
In the following days, Cerbus was seen walking around the castle. While riding always head down, giving the impression of being in hiding, his presence caused fear and discomfort in people. He didn’t talk much, responding more with gestures and actions than with words. Some servants were distrust him, thinking that he just wanted to take advantage of the good life offered by Prince Sulco, and when given the opportunity, steal and flee. But time, defendant and executioner of all, undertook to show how wrong they were...
◆◆◆
Another day was gone. The sun set, and a pale, cool evening died within the night unfolded on the horizon. The days have become shorter due to work for the preparations for the ceremony.
The princess’ family didn’t skimp on anything. The wedding took place in Heilland Castle, as the king’s request. It was a luxury ceremony, but with a few guests. Attended only the relatives of the bride and groom and some influential members of society of both kingdoms. King Alphonsus was very happy with the union between the two kingdoms, and even more to think that could soon have a grandchild inheriting the throne. The celebration lasted all night, with a lot of drink, food and music, but the king withdrew shortly after the official wedding. He wasn’t feeling well and had no more disposition to discuss politics with guests. His health was compromised, but the healers didn’t understand that strange illness. They put awat the idea of being a new plague, because only queen Arapia, and now the king Alphonsus showed the symptoms.
In the days that followed Heian’s marriage, Mongho was finally able to take a few days off and thus he was willing to perform the hardest work of his life: clean up his room. He didn’t even know where to start, there were so many piles of curious items that littered the floor. He just entered the room to sleep late at night, always leaving early.
As the castle functions took a lot of time, Mongho no longer practiced magic as before. When cast a spell maid and caused a real disaster, he realized he was rusta[34] even the simplest tricks. His spell raised a whirlwind that spread all, increasing disorder. The wizard scratched his head thoughtfully. A depressing silence hung over him, as he saw his wizard clothing, a gift from his father, lying in the middle of all this mess. His expressive eyes were somber when Mongho realized he didn’t wear it in a long time. With a heavy heart, he understood that he was abandoning gradually his identity. He took the clothes carefully and shook, taking out the dusting. He folded it and placed it on the bed, and start to organize and box the books.
A lone light beam passed through the bedroom window and lit the golden dust fragments floating in the air. The swirl somehow helped therefore to spread the objects across the room, found it a very interesting and precious artifact: an ancient book of magic.
The wizard blew t
he dust accumulated on it and a strong musty smell permeated his nostrils, making hi sneeze a lot. He leafed through it gently, finding cover in the name of his great-grandfather. Below, it was an epigraph written in the magicians language, but Mongho didn’t understand its meaning. With the unexpected death of his father, he had no time to learn it properly. He knew only a few words he heard his father say, as well as some notes written in the book.
He went through the thick and yellowish pages, punished by time, until he saw a picture of the crystal ball. Excited for something in a long time, Mongho pulled some objects away on the bed and settled. Repeatedly he tried to read the passage below the drawing of a crystal ball. When he finally spoke the words correctly, the ball emitted a light so strong that exceeded the cracks of the wooden box, where it was asleep for so long.
Excited, the magician went to the box and pulled out the object carefully. Inside, a tiny spotlight waiting patiently, as if waiting for the next command. He placed it carefully on the bed, picked up the book and this time the words were spoken with such certainty that he was impressed by himself.
“Vefgátt astral óendanlega styrk opna!”[35]
Once again, the crystal ball showed an intense and warm light flooded the room. Mongho squinched his eyes and, although frightened, he didn’t know what awaited him, he took the book as his eyes accustomed to the light. He analyzed the picture with a drawing hand on the side of the crystal ball, on which it was some different words. In addition to the light, the object now also radiated heat. After a tiny moment of indecision, the wizard went on, but without touching the crystal ball. He uttered the words.
“Brest vegir, opinn tími vefsíðunni!”[36]
The ghostly light seemed to have a hypnotic effect. Mongho felt increasingly strong desire to reach out and touch the crystal. He was fascinated! However, along with the cozy warmth, came the feeling of imminent danger, such as touching the object unleashed a lightning storm that would pass through his body. The few inches that separated his hands from the crystal ball gave him the feeling of a terrifying void. Helplessly, he watched his hands move forward, as if it were part of his body. Finally, he put them firmly on the ball.
◆◆◆
The intense heat immediately wrapped his body and left him covered by a thick layer of sweat, making his eyes sting. He wanted to dry the views, but he couldn’t move his hands. But how?, he thought, before surrendering to power. And right now, the world around him became cold. There was nothing beyond him and that... thing.
As if in a kaleidoscope, misshapen lines and thousands of dancing colored dots flashed across the ball in all directions, making it impossible to discern anything clearly.
“Come to me.”
Mongho, haunted, felt the touch of another consciousness in his mind, so broad and powerful that it could overcome his mind, if so it desired. The more this new consciousness penetrated into his mental universe, appeared more voices talking in intense chords that sounded like a compelling melody. The wizard was scared! Half of him wanted to fend off the hands, while the other half made him weak in the face of overwhelming power. This power sucked his strength and thoughts, incapacitating him to fight the growing desire to own it. On the other hand, received millions of information and images.
His eyes were glassy and trembling. His whole body was shaking and uncontrolled Mongho struggled not to lose consciousness. He felt inside a dark tunnel full of different landscapes that turned into a mad frenzy around him. He was totally lost in that rolling mass. When a particular image caught his attention, Mongho tried to focus his thoughts on it, which made the image is projected on a larger perspective, occupying all around.
To his surprise, he was in Heilland Castle throne room and before him, prince Sulco, using the clothing and the king’s crown. He didn’t seem as the wizard knew, he was older. The prince stared blankly way toward him; Mongho imagined that he couldn’t be seen, but still, the weight of Sulco’s gaze caused a painful knot in his stomach. That image turned away and another took over his mind.
A pile of bodies rose before him in fright, he tried to retreat. Saw more and more bodies, entire villages full of them, all with the lives taken after a word that ruthless king who was the center of the massacre. There was no escape from the carnage made by his army. Mongho wavered like the flame of a candle that is hit by the wind, unable to resist the tide of evil. When he finally managed to retreat, the image changed again.
He was now a place consumed by the flames, which seemed to have been a village. The heat was so intense that Mongho was able to feel it. He stepped from fear, then another. He looked around to see if there were survivors. The ground was transformed into a river of blood that dripped from mutilated bodies; a pyre gave off an eerie glow, and from there came the wailing of women who lost their loved ones. The foul smell caused him retching. The magician clenched his fist and jaw to resist mixture of anger and pity. He stood in the same place for a few seconds. That place was his village, and it represented his entire life. It was his past... and his future?
The image suddenly changed to a guard who approached Sulco and handed him a few months old baby. The tyrant took the child and smiled. It was a cold smile, evil, victory, for having achieved something very desirable. He lifted the baby to heaven and said something Mongho couldn’t understand. Then he left, taking the child.
Mongho legs weakened, and his body slowly tilted to the side. We saw a baby in the middle of the flames, still alive. The baby was laughing. Mongho set the vision and noticed there was something different in one of the child’s eyes...
Before falling, Mongho held out his arms to catch the child, but he couldn’t touch it. On that moment, the crystal ball went out, giving him the feeling that the ground disappeared beneath his feet. A tremendous force repelled his hands and threw him back, sending him flying through the air. The impact was cushioned by the wall and then the floor where the wizard remained unconscious.
Hours passed and Mongho remained where he was. Employees realized he was missing and the news of his disappearance came to the ears of king Heian. Worried, Heian left the halls asking every one for the wizard, until he reach Mongho’s room. He knocked several times on the door and, as there was no answer, he opened it. He was surprised to see him lying in the middle of all that mess. He could hardly get near Mongho without stepping on anything.
“Mongho! Mongho!” Heian shook him.
Slowly, the wizard opened his eyes. With his friend’s help, he sat down with some difficult, and barely had time to turn to the side before vomiting. Heian, still crouching, drew back immediately, with wide eyes.
“The party here was very good and you didn’t invite me!” Heian smiled. “Look around you, if you don’t agree with me!” Mongho wasn’t paying attention. “Are you alright, my friend?”
Mongho shook his head slightly, consenting.
“Vi scias kial ni falas? Por povi ricevi pli forta!”[37] Heian said, standing up, reaching out and helping Mongho to get up.
“Wow...” Mongho looked his room, surprised. “I was just organizing everything! It seems that a hurricane has passed here!” He smiled as if nothing had happened.
“Even upon you” completed Heian also laughing.
“I'm aching all over!” Mongho put his hands behind his back, adjusting posture. The impression he had was that all his bones were out of place.
“And speaking of head...” Heian paused, with astonished eyes. “What happened to your hair?” And he started laughing.
“What about my hair? I'm not bald, am I?” Mongho passed his hand quickly over his head.
“Not bald... Just a little different!” Heian put his hand over his mouth, trying to hide his laughter. Desperate, Mongho rummaged around, looking for some object that reflects image. He was shocked when the tray showed the reason why Heian was laughing, and his high yell wasn’t enough to verbalize the scare.
“Noooo! How do I do to get this off?!” Mongho started walking from one side to the o
ther, rubbing his hair. In the corner of the room, he saw the bucket he used to wash his hands and face; he went to it and threw enough water in his hair. He rubbed and rubbed the white lock that had appeared on the front, left side, but it couldn’t be washed away. Heian, in turn, sat in bed with eyes dripping tears, caused by laughing to much of the hilarious scene Mongho provided.
“Stop laughing and come help me get this off!” Mongho complained, while throwing more water.
“Me? And miss all the fun? What do you want me to do? I didn’t take part of it and I'm afraid to know what you did to this thing showed up.” Laughing, he approached Mongho and held the white lock. “It’s not that ugly! Only different. I think from now on it will be your brand, like a coat.”
Mongho pulled the fuse of Heian’s hands and throw more water, rubbing it hard.
“I see you are better, so I’ll leave you alone to get back having fun.” Heian patted on Mongho’s back and turned away. He walked toward the door when he stopped and warned. “But be careful! I don’t want to come back here and have to collect your pieces around the room. I’m sure Sulco would love to keep your head and add to his collection.” He laughed and continued toward the door, shaking his head.
After Heian left, Mongho got dry. He looked at his hair again in the hopes that had returned to normal, but the lock of hair stood untouched. He sat on the bed, his head down and thoughtful. What happened here? What were those views? Fragments of a future? But how? Heian is the king, not Sulco... Maybe a notice...? The wizard was still lock shaken to clear his ideas completely, but he was lucid enough to evaluate the experience. Suddenly a cluster of his own memories erupted between the cloud of doubt that haunted him. All events happened since he met the brothers at his home, came under the cold light of revelations. From that day, he lost people who were dear to him, but the fate reserved for him rare and great gifts.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 6
