◆◆◆
Hours had passed when Mongho awakened. His first conscious thought was to Nadjra. Blinked two or three times to clear his eyes and saw the same position, without, however, the glow. He tried to rise and severe pain were there to remind him of each body part. He lifted his shoulders in search of support on the wall. Groping, he followed by slow degrees until reaching Nadjra. With the tense jaw, he leaned back against the wall, sliding to reach the ground. Gently, he put his hand over her stomach and felt the babies respond to touch. He didn’t notice injuries or blood in visible parts. Apparently, they were good, looked like she was fast asleep. He sighed in relief. A few minutes later, concentrating his forces, he carried her to the bed. There were a few pieces of wood on the fire, not many, but that would serve for now. Using a simple command of magic, he made the wood burned. Then he looked toward the pentagram and smiled at what had worked. The crystal ball didn’t exist anymore. Instead, five skulls gleamed with a soft glow. Satisfied, he pulled the sheet and covered Nadjra by lying down next to her to get some rest.
Nadjra slept for three days. During this time, Mongho remained in the cave, waiting for her to wake up. On the fourth day, when the wind cleared the clouds of heaven, the wizard returned to the castle carrying the five skulls, making sure that Nadjra went well.
CHAPTER XVI
Mongho was apprehensive because the journey would be long and arduous. He sighed as he finished wrapping the blanket, thinking of the many months it would take to get to destinations facing varied climates and keeping always careful not to fall into an ambush of highwaymen. He looked with regret for his soft bed and then to the warm indoor folded in the corner, knowing that in a few hours he would have to say good bye to them, and sleep, perhaps, in the woods. But the worst for Mongho was having to leave Heilland in such a critical moment, even being aware that he had made the right decision. He was willing to do anything to shorten his absence, and so he decided not to prolong his departure any longer. He would come out at dawn in the next morning.
He used the little time he had left with precision, packing some clothes, essential equipment and sufficient provisions to reach the nearest town. He couldn’t take much, because while he was in the grounds of Heilland, he would have to go on foot, and that it would take many days. He was willing to leave behind objects that could provide some comfort in exchange for less weight to load, as the woolen blanket. So, he win one or two days. After leaving Heilland, count on luck to get a good stallion.
At dusk, all was tidy. Mongho looked at desk where there was a water clock, seeing that it was dinner time. He passed quickly through the kitchen, preferring to make the meal in the room. It was better not dine with Heian and Driadh, as it was the custom. Employees could tell he was nervous and agitated, and suspect that something planned. Few people knew that he would be out of the wall on a journey through the neighboring kingdoms. Preparing for bed when he heard two short, timely knock on the door.
“I’m coming” said almost to himself, as he pulled the blanket. “Ah... It’s you... Please, Your Majesty!” Mongho has raised a wry smile.
“Who do you expected it to be?” Heian said, raising an eyebrow. He came in and closed the door behind him.
“A beautiful young courtesan come to say goodbye, who knows? There is a bearded like a wild pig.” A smile spread in Heian’s face.
“Yes. I have to agree that it would be most appreciated visit. Heavens! That the Queen didn’t listen to what I say.” Heian smile widened, and Mongho pulled the chair to accommodate him, then sitting on the edge of the bed. “Do you need something more for the trip?” he asked, looking at the small luggage leaning against the foot of the bed.
“No. I have everything I need, thank you.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“It’s all right, I already checked.” Not supported smiles before, the nervousness was evident in both.
“Are you sure you do not want me to go on this journey?”
“I do. You’ll be safer here, along with the crystal skull. While it’s in your power, all will be safe. This trip is something I have to do alone.”
Heian nodded, though with twisted expression of concern, since he had no idea of how he could use the skull.
◆◆◆
It was a cloudy day. Although, it would take less than an hour to sunrise, the sun was already showing signs that wouldn’t appear so soon. Shades of gray covered the sky and clouds were so low that it seemed possible to touch them. A dense fog had descended overnight, covering almost the entire castle. Mongho looked pleased unexpected ally, as the fog would help cover his getaway. Heian and Driadh got up early and in disguise, accompanied the wizard to the garden entrance, where they waved for the last time before Mongho disappear in the mist.
A deep pain filled Mongho’s soul when the bad feeling that he might not see them again, overwhelmed him. He stopped for a moment and took one last look, but it was too late. The fog already overshadow the silhouette of them. Then, with a sigh, followed by underground path beneath camped guards. Nadjra voice unexpectedly reached, soothing for a brief moment his heart.
“Go and come back safely. I will always be with you in my thoughts.”
And I with you! He thought.
After passing the wall, he had to sneak through the sea of tents. Relying too much on the fog to cover his movements and attention on Nadjra, Mongho was inattentive. A soldier saw his shadow and stood in wait, watching him from a distance to see where he was going. When he saw Mongho enter the forest and follow bordering the road leading out of town, he returned to the camp to inform the other soldiers.
“Majesty, I bring news.” The soldier bowed. Gasping, his voice failed. “The wizard left the cast...” Sulco got up abruptly, causing the heavy chair swayed for a moment, swaying, to finally return property to its position. Standing, he casts an angry look at the soldier, who felt his stomach freeze. The poor man had to make a great effort so that his voice didn’t vanish before those menacing eyes. “The wizard left the castle and went to the side of the road, in the woods. He was moving out of the kingdom. What are your orders, Majesty?”
Sulco stepped to one side and then the other, in silence, without taking the hand of the sword pommel, leaving the soldier apprehensive, sweat smearing his face.
“Was anyone else with the wizard?” he asked suddenly, turning to him.
“No sir! He was alone.”
“Did you see where he came from?”
“From the east, sir. But I didn’t saw the exact spot.”
Sulco sat down again, drumming his fingers on the chair and letting the wheels of his brain work, as he cast caring snorts. The minutes dragged and calmer, finally answered:
“Just follow him. Once you return, let me know.”
“Yes sir!” The soldier turned to leave and had barely finished relieved sigh, Sulco’s voice interrupted his footsteps.
“Soldier!”
“Yes, my Lord!”
“What’s your name?”
“Manuchurch-Nino, sir. But everyone calls me Nino.”
“What that hell is this name?” Sulco frowned, with a slight air of debauchery. It was the first time his guards saw him move the facial muscles in a smiling expression, however small. The sound of laughter came down to the bottom, making the soldier scratching his head awkwardly to see his teammates have fun at his expense.
“It was the name of my great-grandfather, sir. When I was a kid, my mother used to say...”
“Enough!” shouted Sulco, taking serious face ever, and the room was once again silent.
“Excuse me, sir, why bore you with my story unimportant.”
“Nino, let the sentry on duty eastern sector that want to see him immediately.” The last three words were said with emphasis. The soldier swallowed before answering.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Nino went through the door and rubbed his neck intact, thinking it should also call someone to clean
the floor, as a head would roll soon.
◆◆◆
Mongho’s journey would lead first to the south, to Menfhis. He had no map, which didn’t matter because Menfhis was a kingdom without a castle. Then traveled from village to village looking for information, which were few, since the villagers were very suspicious of travelers. Finally, information led the wizard into Eiwood, green and mysterious forest. Even knowing some folk tales sung by bards, saying that people of judgment remained away from there, Mongho decided to risk it.
Early in the forest, the trees were spaced out and her could see in the distance. But at every turn, the path narrowed, surrounded by bushes, branches and vines intertwined. In some places, the passage widened and created small gaps, in which, Mongho was faced with strange symbols. As he had a lot of knowledge in books, he knew they had no meaning, were just there to ward off unwanted visitors. Skulls and animal bones were present among the symbols, sometimes hanging, or suspended in stakes. The wizard followed almost unperturbed by them, but admitted that the sudden sight of those things ruffled his marrow. The most scarier to Mongho was that the forest be in complete silence. There was no sound of animals passing through dry leaves and twigs breaking; at the close of the afternoon, there was nothing. However, the wizard knew that silence meant lack of life. The sense of presence around him was great. When the last rays of sunlight penetrated the forest, Mongho saw strange shadows moving in the trees, but alien to them, he moved on. Even now, in the darkness rapidly growing, he knew he was being watched. At this time, thoughts claims began to round it, and the forest began to personify his fears. He knew it was time to light the fire and rest for the next day.
After two days of walking through that dark forest, with the feeling of walking in circles, one of the shadows finally decided to reveal. Mongho recognized the uniform of the tall man with strong arms and face few friends: it was a royal guard. The wizard cursed mentally against him; if he had been presented earlier, he would have saved their time and nerves. Rudely, the guard wanted to know for what reason the stranger had ignored warnings to withdraw from his master forest. Mongho apologized for the visit without warning and made a preview of reason, without revealing too much detail, but enough for the soldier realize his urgency. Agile and stealthy way, the soldier took him into the forest, to the presence of the king Eddas. This made Sulco’s soldier, who followed the wizard from Heilland, lost the trail. Nino returned to find the trail almost a week later, when Mongho returned to Heilland. Laughed to himself, thinking the curious way that the wizard had chosen, it wasn’t the road that led back to the castle, but the way open to the west, toward the Vulcans.
Nino sighed with regret to find that it had reached an impasse. Despite being just a day of walk far from Heilland, it didn’t make sense to go back and report that the wizard had gone to Menfhis and now headed for Vulcans. As a soldier, he knew that an half information was the same as nothing. For a moment, he was concerned; he hadn’t taken much food as he hoped to return soon. Then started walking faster, deciding to reduce the intervals of rest and space meals to reduce the distance that separated him from the wizard. Hopefully, he would find an inn in the way and would make a stock of provisions.
The road to Heilland disappeared on Nino’s back, when a sly smile came over his face. He felt that the persecution was just beginning, and he was about to discover something very interesting for his king.
◆◆◆
Facing tiredness, Mongho proceeded slowly, with the wind whipping his face. He prayed that his journey end soon, although barely had begun. There were three more kingdoms to visit.
After all, he entered the lands of Vulcans and saw in the distance the desert - or, as the people of this kingdom called it, the great river of sand. But before reaching it, the wizard found himself surrounded by killers and mercenaries, all armed from head to toe. He was attacked and if he was an ordinary man, he would have his belongings and his life stolen by the gang. However, to the surprise of Nino and robbers, Mongho used magic and pulled away easily from the attack. Nino had thought would be the end for the wizard, coming to rejoice at the idea that he might return to Heilland. With the victory of the wizard, just left him hit the sand clothing and continue to walk with curiosity increasingly. What will he do in the Vulcans’ castle? He must be carrying a very important message, or he wouldn’t risk that.
After days in the hot sun, walking on burning sands, Mongho found a desert nomad trail and began to walk the same path. As night fell, he came to their camp, in the oasis Peco de la Ĉielo. Through a bargain, he got food and a great camel to continue the journey in the next day. He thanked heaven when some men, embellished with loose clothing that protected them from the sun, invited him to accompany them, as they would pass near the castle. Mongho knew that he would be delay for two days, maybe three, as the caravan didn’t walk fast. However, after the guide tell stories of his adventures in the firelight, he had no doubt that had made the right decision. The stories were about terrible sandstorms, fearful attacks of creeping things, and other things like that. It was true that Mongho had to pay for this extra help, but he didn’t care. Four gold coins less from Heilland safes wouldn’t matter, and a dead man doesn’t need gold, he thought, depositing the coins in Jamil’s hand, the group guide, who smile from ear to ear.
Mongho, Jamil and about eighty people maintained a steady march through the desert. The wizard followed in the rear. They raised four hours before dawn and walked for five hours after first light, and then rest in the heat of the day. In the late afternoon, a few hours before sunset, they retook the way to rest only hours after dark. It was a difficult but sensible journey.
After days on the sandy river, Mongho had the feeling that the time was still slower. Only noticed when the sun hid behind some solitary cloud to resurface moments after coloring the dunes with spectacular lights. When the wind blew dark mild, gracing them with its freshness momentary, Mongho sigh satisfied, feeling energized. At times, the wizard wondered if he was crazy to see things impossible to be there. Then he remembered that the nomads called this a mirage phenomenon.
Mongho had asked Jamil to check the map he carried. He untied the parchment attached to the waist and spread on the floor. Jamil looked, said strangers grumbling, he looked at Mongho and again at the map, scratched his beard and, with a gesture that encompassed all the scroll, gave his opinion.
“It’s all wrong!”
Mongho frowned, surprised. Although he knew that his map was old, he didn’t think was so outdated. He felt a chill down his spine to imagine where he would stop following the map, if he could get somewhere. Again, he was grateful to have found Jamil.
The nomads never used maps. Their navigation was based on tribal traditions and knowledge handed down over hundreds of years. But Jamil knew Mongho need a map to get his bearings when they separated, what would happen in a few days. The time spent together has increased the affinity between them, and the nomad now felt responsible for Mongho. With the current map, the young wizard wouldn’t last a day in the desert. Jamil shook his head grumbling because drawing wasn’t his forte, and turned the parchment over. Roughly scribbled important places leading self-explanatory names like Snake Valley, which didn’t exist in the previous map. Perhaps no one has survived the snakes to describe this place, Jamil thought, smiling to his own macabre thought.
As expected, one week after Mongho separated from the group, which continued journey towards the east. Now alone, he kept pace he had learned, protecting from the strong sun and light a campfire at night, to get rid of wild animal attack and biting cold.
In the late afternoon the next day, he saw a perfect oasis for the night. There he would have plenty of water, which, in the desert, was worth more than gold. It was full of shady coconut trees and smooth rocks, whose brightness could be seen from afar in the sunlight. After diverting a few meters from the track, his instinct warned. Unrolled the map attached to the waist to check that place was that, since he didn’t remember
Jamil have mentioned it. As he was a day from the castle, the closest scrawl was Snake Valley. Mongho shivered as he remembered the words of Jamil, pointing to the location on the map:
“Even if your mouth is completely dry and swollen tongue, never go near this place, unless you want to spend your last night sharing a bed with sand snakes. When a snake of these stands, you have less than two seconds to escape before being bitten.”
“What should I do if I get bitten?”
Jamil nodded and said simply:
“You die.”
Mongho returned to previous track with a wry smile, camping a few kilometers ahead.
“I’m sorry, sand snakes! You will sleep without my pleasant company!”
◆◆◆
The next day, after almost a month in the desert, Mongho finally saw the distance the outline of the great wall that protected the main town and Vulcans’ castle. He was about to confirm rumors that it was an imposing stone building in the middle of nowhere, it was so fortified that Heilland seemed to be in open fields. It was said that the stone blocks were assembled with such skill that the surface had been completely smooth, impossible to be climbed by the most skilled man.
Although he was eager to go the last kilometers, the sun was directly overhead, so close to his head when crossing another mountain of sand that seemed possible to touch it. The wizard knew it wasn’t worth being reckless in the final kilometers, unnecessarily forcing the horse that had obtained in exchange for the camel. He had changed the camel for a horse on the second day, because he wasn’t used to the new type of mount. After getting rid of the camel, he concentrated on find some part of his body that wasn’t a source of pain. He failed miserably.
The Secret Of The Crystal Skull Page 18
