A few steps away, the branches moved, revealing the entrance of the cave. He gave a smile of satisfaction. Before departing completely, the wizard entered. For a few seconds, the branches stopped; They resumed when moving, is in the opposite direction, covering the passage.
◆◆◆
The blackened cave when the inlet was closed by the plant. Mongho raised his palm and turned his wrist, creating a little orange ball of light above his fingers. He led ahead, lighting the way, projecting its shadow twisted shape on the wall. As we progressed, with increasingly rapid steps, he felt the smell of wood burning and leaves, making his heart race. He was almost close to see the woman he loves. First, he saw the light of a fire and, after a few more steps, a figure beside it.
“Good to see you!” Mongho said, his face alight with happiness. He walked quickly to Nadjra and threw his arms around her waist; she responded, passing hers around his neck. The flame in the wizard’s hand went out before he touched her, and even then, Nadjra felt his hot skin. They stayed embraced for a long time, each with the heart beating faster than the other. All one could hear was the crackling of the wood burning, while Mongho visiting the sky, sipping the delicious smell that red hair. Then, as sudden way when hugged her, he pulled back and settled on a rock.
“I’m also happy to see you!” she said, her voice full of emotion, though she tried not to show it.
“What happened to your house? Why you come here?”
“I heard Prince Sulco’s guards approach. To avoid confrontation, I just took the necessary and hid.
“Why didn’t you tell me? I would come help you.”
“I didn’t want to bother you. Moreover, I believe that you have more important things to worry about right now.” Mongho smiled slightly, understanding the message.
“Do you need something?”
“Not for now.”
“I see your belly grew. You’re very beautiful! I mean, motherhood didn’t put on weight.” He cleared his throat, embarrassed. “Sorry... I mean, you look good pregnant.”
“I get it, Mongho.” Nadjra smiled shyly. “Thank you!”
“I guess I’m not very good with words.” They both laughed.
“I have something important to tell you.”
“I hope it’s nothing unpleasant.”
“Well... I think it’s a good thing... I’m pregnant with twins!”
“Twins?” His eyes widened. “Are you sure?” he asked scared and excited at the same time.
“I do.”
Mongho lowered his head, frowning. He remembered the first view, where there were two children. Everything was now starting to make sense, and he didn’t like the direction the destination was taking. Nadjra, realizing her unease, tried to change the subject.
“What are you doing here? You risked much, with so many guards around.” He looked up.
“I wanted to thank you for making me aroused.”
“You know you didn’t have to come here to do this.”
“Aren’t you happy with my visit?”
“I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry. Of course, I am.” A mischievous smile appeared on Mongho’s face to see her uncomfortable. He thought that pregnancy should be messing with her mood.
“I know” he said, hiding his real feelings. “I came because I need your help.”
“What do you want this time?” She grimaced in disbelief, raising an eyebrow in an expression of surprise and mockery.
“How did you manage to transfer the power of the crystal ball to the talisman? I need to do this...”
“Urgently.” Nadjra finished the sentence for him. “You can transfer its power to any inanimate object. You see how I was right? The only person who could control the crystal ball was Merlin. He was a very powerful wizard.”
“If he was that powerful, what happened to him? Nobody talks about him since Malecs.”
“This is anyone’s guess.”
“Weird... Well, you were right, I admit it. And I ask humbly apologize if I came to doubt you.” The wizard made a short bow, without getting up.
“And you doubt?” She added with a sad smile.
“No, I didn’t…” He laughed at last. “At least, not at the time I was almost overwhelmed, so I accepted gladly the suggestion to share power. I never intended to have it all to myself. Just I thought it was a way to defeat Prince Sulco and end everything bad that he could do. But what if I lose this battle? Things will get worse than they already are, with the crystal ball with Sulco. I sincerely apologize for having to wrap it again in our problems, but I see no other way.” Mongho was serious and remained silent for a while, so that his last words had more value in the trial she would. And, realizing that she was ready to give the answer, he continued. “Please, can I count again with your help?”
Nadjra watched him, doing everything not to reveal what she had in mind. She was savoring the moment, which was the center of attention of Mongho, he looked at her so intensely that her heart quickened. But she knew she couldn’t continue for much longer either her answer or his presence there. And beginning to feel the blush face to keep her eyes on him, she raised an eyebrow wryly.
“What do you have to offer me in return?” Mongho was surprised by the question, but happy to see he had a chance. He struggled as he tried to cover up a smile. He looked around, trying to think of something that she was in need, but nothing occurred to him. He opened his mouth with the intention of asking for a suggestion, but Nadjra’s words were faster and made him let out a sigh of relief. “I’m kidding.” She smiled meekly. “I will help you, but a warning: I have never done something so big. I always used small objects like Talisman, ring, coins. I can’t guarantee it will work.”
“We can only try... And I have a plan... It’s more like an idea” Mongho said, but he didn’t seem convinced. “I don’t want to break it in two, but in several parts. Can you do it?” She shrugged. “What I need to do?”
“Mmm... More than two? I was already finding it difficult to divide the crystal ball in two... Well, bring me the objects for which you want me to transfer the power.”
“Only that?”
“At first yes. The rest is me. After the split, what will you do with them?”
“I have something in mind. As soon as I mature the idea, I’ll share with you.” She nodded. “About the objects, I don’t know what to use, but I’ll think of something soon and bring them to you.”
“I’ll be waiting. I’m not going anywhere either.”
“Thank you again! Well...” Mongho said, clapping his hands on his knees and getting up. “I need to go now. I didn’t warn Heian to come here and he might be looking for me. Will you be fine?”
‘I will. Don’t worry. Very few people know the existence of this cave, and most of them are already dead. Moreover, the entrance is camouflaged, not even you might find it. I also have my tricks.” And she smiled.
“That’s true. Let all prepared, I will return soon. If you need anything, let me know.” Mongho fired up grudgingly. It was hard to leave her, but there was a lot at stake. He couldn’t waste time.
◆◆◆
The mountain descent was easier than the climb, because there were so many guards in the late afternoon. Next to the castle, he hid in the treetops waiting to dark. He took the time to analyze the troops camped like vultures, coming to the conclusion that Prince Sulco really didn’t think about attacking them for now. Even keeping constant vigilance, the soldiers were somewhat relaxed. Sulco should be even expecting everyone inside the wall weaken or die of hunger and thirst.
Already safely inside the castle walls, Mongho went to Heian to acquaint him the news. He found Heian alone in the throne room, his gaze traveling beyond the sky.
“Thinking about life, my dear friend?” he approached, smiling.
“I’m trying to understand the reasons for all that is happening to us.”
“Kiam la vojo iĝas malhela, ĝi ricevas malfacile vidi.”[70]
“Wise words! It
seems like my father talking.”
“I’m honored with your compliment.” Mongho made a short bow. Heian rose to greet him. Both went to the conference table, where they settled. “I brought you news!”
“I hope they’re good. I can’t stand to receive bad news.”
“Cheer up, they are good!” The wizard tried to smile, imagining the reaction that his friend would have. “I was on the outside of the wall.”
“You’re really crazy!” Heian nodded. “And how is the situation there? I hope my insane brother isn’t preparing to attack us. Our soldiers are weak, they can’t fight back the attacks. We can only rely on your powers.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t see any attacking intents. In fact, I didn’t go out to watch them, but to make a visit to Nadjra.” Heian looked with great anticipation. “She is pregnant! We did it! We are one step ahead of Prince Sulco, or rather two.”
“How nice! And how is she? Does she need something?” Heian sighed with relief. After all, the kingdom would have an heir. But then he thought for a moment about the last words of Mongho, looking suspiciously at him. “What do you mean by two steps ahead?”
“She is pregnant with twins.”
“Twins?! Oh God!” Heian lowered his head and put his hands on it. “No, not again!”
“Calm down, don’t be so upset!”
“Why not?” Heian clapped his hands on the table. By not calculated forces immediately he felt burning, but didn’t care. “Because of me and Sulco are twins that things are like that now.”
“Don’t say that, Heian. Every living creature has a destiny, be sure of that, and Sulco chose his. Have faith. There is a purpose behind all things.” Mongho reached to shake his shoulder, but Heian dodged, pushing the chair and standing. The wizard decided to change the focus of the conversation because Heian need time to get used to the idea. “The other news is that I finally read the sheets Nadjra gave me. I had, I can say the misfortune to test the power of the crystal ball. It’s too big, Heian. Neither I nor anyone I know can control it.”
“So we have to hide it well. Sulco can’t in any way get his hands on it.”
“I know. For now, it’s well hidden. Nadjra had warned me about this power, and to be honest, I didn’t take much into account. But after this disastrous experiment, I began to take seriously her advice. So, I decided that the best way of trying to control it is by dividing it.”
“Divide the crystal ball?” Heian sat up, interested.
“Not the ball, but the power contained therein. So I went looking for Nadjra to help me.”
“I’m not an expert in magic, but I assume this to be dangerous.”
“Everything that involves magic is dangerous, even more fiddling with the source of power. We are in the dark. We don’t know what may happen to do it.”
“I have a question. After sharing the power, what would you do?” Mongho smiled. Nadjra had done him the same question, though he didn’t answer.
“Well... I thought I’d get one of the sources of magic and divide the other the elements that compose it: fire, earth, water and wind. Then I planned to deliver a source of magic to every nation leader. Thus, each realm will control only one element and can use it to benefit his kingdom or defend against an attack.”
“Your idea seems good. It might work.”
“I hope so...” Mongho shifted in his chair. After all, he wasn’t sure that what he had just proposed, would work. “I need five objects where the power will be stored. I didn’t think about what will be, but I imagine something not too big and not too small. Also, it need to be resistant to support the transfer without breaking. Any suggestion?”
“Hmm... Five objects...” Heian said, rubbing his chin as an idea formed in his head. “Why don’t you use the symbol of the Royal Coat of Arms, the skull? I can send artisans to confection them in five different materials: stone, bronze, silver, gold and crystal.”
“Excellent idea!” Mongho said, images of objects forming in his mind.
“So, let’s not waste time!” Heian rose, a little more excited than before.
“Five skulls...” Mongho muttered, almost to himself.
◆◆◆
The five craftsmen began working as soon as the king gave them the order. Each forged skull in the indicated material, unaware of the existence of others. A few days later, Mongho was with the skulls in hand, satisfied both the fine work as the convenience when loading them. They were like he thought: not large or small, nor heavy, fitting perfectly in his hand. All passed through its rigorous testing, as well he called: the high pitch of the forty feet tower. They din’t suffered even a scratch. The wizard assessed that, as they had resisted the fall, they would be able to sustain the magic. As soon as he finished the tests, he communicated telepathically with Nadjra, saying that the objects were ready.
◆◆◆
On the morning of the appointed day, Mongho woke up before the sun. With orange light already on the horizon, the magician gave his backpack for the hundredth time, making sure that he wasn’t leaving anything behind. During the night, he had wrapped the crystal ball; beside it, put the skulls. He paid a visit to the cook, who managed some fruit, fresh bread and two pieces of dried meat. It wasn’t much, but it would complement Nadjra power for a few days.
After observing for three consecutive days the routine of Sulco’s soldiers, Mongho decided to go into the woods in the early morning, for he ran less risk of encountering the guards. At this time, or they were feeding, or doing exercises. Sulco had included hours of training to his soldiers as they spent most of the time idle or in tents around campfires, goofing off, as they hadn’t much to do.
Mongho climbed the mountain smoothly as imagined. In front of the cave, the branches moved, without the need to resort to Nadjra. He was both surprised and happy to see her waiting at the entrance with a broad smile. Once Mongho passed through the branches, he took one of the skulls and showed her proud. As they walked to the bottom of the cave, where Nadjra had made preparations, used to explain the meaning of the object, emphasizing, once again, the way he wanted separate the elements. The wizard thought that if the witch had any questions, now would be the time to elucidate, though she had said she had already understood.
Nadjra twisted her mouth, sighed and cursed softly as he started talking, questioning whether or not to hit his head with the crystal skull she was holding. She had no patience to listen to this conversation again, and it was not for less. They talked about this subject telepathically four or five times, for her, everything was resolved. She acknowledged she was nervous, but chose only sigh, keeping silence.
In the corner of the cave, the fire was burning in a small brazier. On the floor, a circle had been painted with a pentagram inside. Aided by witch, Mongho placed a skull at each end of the pentagram and in the center, the crystal ball.
“Ready” he said, moving away from the circle and keeping a reasonable distance. Nadjra approached the design and looked at Mongho, hesitating for a moment. The witch took a deep breath and Mongho saw her hand on her belly. For a moment he thought about stopping everything, give up the idea. He even took step forward, but he was intercepted by her look, which, this time, was firm.
“So let’s start” she said. She raised her hands and began to mutter a spell, using unfamiliar words to the wizard. Her voice was resolute, but even so, Mongho looked apprehensive. “These are the words spoken by our ancestors, who rest in our hearts.”
The witch went to walk around the circle, sometimes swirling, sometimes playing a stored powder in a small leather bag hanging on her shoulder. Sometimes touching the pentagram, the powder evaporated and created a sweet smell of colored smoke that soon dissipated. Other times, generated little too colorful explosions and even odor. Nadjra stopped walking, so that her purse was empty, heading to the center, near the crystal ball, pretending to be hypnotized. After saying what would be her last words, she began to spin suspended a few centimeters from the ground, faster an
d faster, as if she was struck by a whirlwind. Suddenly she stopped and slowly her feet touched the ground. Her eyes were glazed and her body began to shake in a strange way, Mongho got even more worried. He figured Nadjra should be very dizzy and nauseated by all this, since he felt strangely dizzy and hadn’t even turned. At this time, her eyes were diverted to the fire, whose flames were more intense. In the midst of the fire, there were endless bluish sparks that floated and mingled the sudden emerged shining crystal ball that hovered over the pentagram. At the same time, strange almost imperceptible rays of diaphanous light, similar to the way smoke intertwined, left her and floated to the skulls, which now sparkled. They appeared endless bluish sparks that floated and mingled the sudden emerged shining crystal ball that hovered over the pentagram. At the same time, strange almost imperceptible rays of diaphanous light, similar to the way smoke intertwined, left it and floated to the skulls, which now sparkled.
Fine lines, thinner than the thinnest pen stroke, ran along the pentagram, the inside and outside. Mongho forced his eyes, noting that they were magma lines. When it finally stopped, the light that hovered over the design spread in an explosion leaving the buzzing ears, catching Mongho by surprise. The wizard was unable to hold Nadjra’s wrist before being thrown away the pentagram.
Thrown against the wall, Mongho was against the ground. He rubbed his forehead, feeling the cut burning. He wiped the blood that trickled over the left eye. Ignoring the pain of the blow, he tried to get up, concerned about Nadjra and the children, but his body didn’t respond, leaving him desperate. He shouted her name successive times, without response. Turning his head blindly, as it was with the views overshadowed, could still glimpse a white reflective a few meters of each other. With great difficulty, he crawled toward her and, to his surprise, he saw it was the body of Nadjra shining. However, his strength faltered before reaching it. His head lolled and Mongho was consumed by darkness.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 17
