by Rudi James
Looking down at Alex, Boris became serious again. ‘You very brave,’ he said, ‘but you realise now, I harmless. I manage avoid influence from evil Kigaali call Droch. With his bad magic he make my people, Koogaali, do bad things, like take your people hostage. He want some big power, I not know what. He hold Kigaali ransom until he get power. Something with crystals. Some bad Koogaali join with him; but most my people under spell of powders he stealing from hostages. I think he make powders bad.’
Alex, Drum and Hogarth listened to Boris’s story in dismay.
‘How did Droch take control of your people?’ Drum asked.
‘Me think,’ said Boris, ‘when Droch sent away by your chiefs, Droch have no powders and is not dangerous. But Droch and renegade small people make friends with bad Koogaali.’ He paused and shook his head. ‘Droch promise they all have place in new empire when he take power. He ask them help take Kigaali hostage. They help Droch and he steal powders from first Kigaali prisoners. Droch then make powders different. He make them bad now and use them to make good Koogaali do bad things.’
‘How does he do that exactly?’ Asked Drum.
‘When powders made bad, they make light rings evil,’ replied Boris. ‘Droch use mind power to control light rings, light rings control good Koogaali and they control small people. When I see what happen I hide in forest. I only one to escape light circle.’
Boris fell silent for a moment, looking very sad. Then he said, ‘I want to help you. I not like what happen and want my people free from Droch mind power.’
‘What of our people?’ Drum asked anxiously.
‘They no come to real harm yet, but me afraiding they will, if Droch not get way. He not control your people with mind power, I think he cannot. But he make them prisoner in tubes of light which he make from bad powder. He make them work and he make good Koogaali work. They force to dig tunnel and make big nets. Nets used to catch more Kigaali.’ Boris paused. ‘I must be warning you; Droch loosing patience. He planning hard strike against you. His powder running low and he need more.’
Drum looked thoughtful.
‘The powders replenish themselves automatically, under normal conditions, not forever, but for a very long time. They can be replaced from another source that never runs out. One of Droch’s aims is to lay his hands on that source. Fortunately he doesn’t know where that source is and that’s why he takes hostages to try and force us to tell him.’
Alex guessed that Drum was referring to the Shanglo Crystals when he mentioned ‘‘another source.’’
‘It’s my guess,’ continued Drum, ‘that his tampering with the powders has caused them to lose their replicating ability.’ Drum looked at Boris. ‘Thank you very much for a piece of valuable information. You wouldn’t happen to know if he keeps any of the powder for normal use?’
Boris shook his head. ‘He need every small grain to hold your people and my people. He have trouble in control them’.
‘Great!’ Drum’s exclamation was one of delight. ‘That explains why he hasn’t used flying, invisibility or any of the other powder uses. I suggest we go back to Shanglo's Haven quickly and pass this information on to Shirrac. I think it might be time for a rescue attempt. I would ask you to come with us Boris, but I’m afraid Shirrac wouldn’t take too kindly to us walking into the village with a Sand Dweller.’
‘Not be worrying about that,’ Boris said. ‘I know Droch where he is. I go and keep lookout for developments. I also know where your banquet area. I watch as my fellow Koogaali wreck place. I not being able to stop them. I am so sorry. I go now and come back in maybe two hours. I meet you at edge of forest, at village end of eating place. I help you rescue your people; yes? Go now and I see you in two hours.’
With that, Boris quickly moved off across the clearing and disappeared into the forest.
‘Go carefully,’ shouted Drum. He turned to his companions. ‘Well that’s a turn of events I didn’t expect,’ he said, as they once more picked up the path to the village.
‘Do you trust him?’ asked Hogarth. ‘All that could’ve been an act to gain our confidence.’
Drum shook his head. ‘I don’t think it was an act. He seemed very genuine. Remember, the Sand Dwellers by and large are peace-loving, just as we are. They’ve never ever caused us problems before. I think Boris is telling the truth.’ He turned to Alex. ‘What do you think?’
‘I agree with you,’ replied Alex. ‘Those tears were real because, let’s face it, he was crying before we appeared on the scene.’
The three of them walked as fast as the narrow path would allow. The now dank and familiar odour of decaying vegetation, together with a faint musty scent, pervaded Alex’s nostrils.
‘You were going to tell me more about the archives,’ said Alex after a while, more for the sake of conversation than anything else, though he did have a real desire to learn more. ‘You mentioned something about problems caused by objects from another time realm.’
Drum nodded. ‘I’ll tell you all in good time my friend. All in good time, I promise. At the moment I’m more concerned at Droch’s ability to mutate the powders and use them for evil purposes. That was something Shanglo never intended. In fact the powders have a built-in safety element that renders them useless if anyone attempts to use them to cause harm, so how Droch has got round that I don’t know. He’s obviously cleverer than we suspected.’
The three of them hurried on in silence.
Chapter Six
Rescue Attempt
It seemed like an age before they finally got back to the clearing. Shirrac and some of the others, including Bremmish, Leena and Jissi, were putting some final finishing touches to the restored banquet area. It was Bremmish who first caught sight of the three friends.
‘My goodness,’ he remarked, ‘they look as if they've seen a ghost.’
‘You're closer to the mark than you think,’ said Drum.
‘We actually came face to face with a Sand Dweller,’ said Alex.
‘What!’ Shirrac’s face contorted into a grimace.
‘It's all right he's on our side,’ said Drum reassuringly.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered round as Drum, Alex and Hogarth related their encounter with the Sand Dweller.
‘So he's going to meet you here in a couple of hours,’ said Shirrac, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. ‘It does sound as though he genuinely wants to help us, so we had better be ready when he arrives. We ought to be prepared for any trouble though,’ he added. ‘Jorash, you and three others can make up two pairs of lookouts. Make yourselves invisible and if there’s trouble you can be our surprise reinforcements.’
Shirrac sighed. ‘Unfortunately I fail to see what we could actually do in the event of any problems; we have no weapons to ward off an attack.’
‘I have an idea,’ said Alex. ‘Wouldn't it be possible to use the powders in some way? After all, Droch uses his against the Sand Dwellers.’
A look of bemused realisation appeared on Shirrac's face. ‘What a wonderful idea; why didn't I think of that before? I suspect that anyone not versed in the use of the powders would experience rather random effects, if caught in the circle of light from a powder cast by an experienced user; brilliant. Well done Alex, I think it might just work.’
Shirrac looked around and noted that Jorash had already formed the watch parties, who were busy making themselves invisible.
Alex looked on. No matter how many times he saw the circles of light form, they never ceased to fascinate him.
‘Right,’ said Shirrac, ‘Alex, Drum, myself and Hogarth will await the arrival of our Sand Dweller friend. The rest of you will return to your homes away from any danger.’ He turned to Alex. ‘By the way, it was very brave of you to confront Boris the way you did.’
‘Not really,’ replied Alex. ‘I could see he was very upset and I didn’t feel threatened in any way. I don't think he’ll give us any trouble. Just the opposite, I believe he’ll do his level best to help pu
t things back to normal.’
‘You’re too modest,’ replied Shirrac. ‘Your actions could be a turning point in our crisis. We will await Boris’s arrival and then perhaps he can escort you, Drum and Hogarth to where the rest of our people are held, so we can attempt a rescue. You don't have to go Alex, it’s not your fight,’ he added.
‘I am going,’ insisted Alex.
For the next hour or so the group finished off in the banquet area, Shirrac having arranged with Bremmish and three more to act as invisible escorts. Alex suggested that they all become invisible, but Shirrac explained that it wouldn’t really work because each invisible group would be invisible to every other invisible group.
‘I would prefer it that your escorts can see you at all times. The escorts don’t need to be seen. They too can become surprise reinforcements if required.’
Decisions having been made, they assembled at the edge of the forest to await the arrival of Boris.
It wasn't long before a grim-faced Boris appeared at the edge of the banquet area. When he saw Shirrac and the four escorts he hadn't met before, yet to become invisible, he hesitated, apprehensive.
Bremmish and the other escorts were also a little fearful.
‘I knowing Alex, Drum and Hogarth,’ said Boris, slowly, ‘but who others?’
‘They will be coming along with us to help,’ replied Drum. ‘There’s no need for alarm. This is our leader,’ he added, indicating Shirrac.
Boris seemed to relax a little when he heard this reassurance. ‘That be good’ he said, ‘but you think eight enough?’
Drum spoke once more. ‘We have decided that a larger party might attract unwanted attention. In any case we have a couple of invisible reserve forces.’
Boris thought for a moment. ‘Hmm,’ he said, reflectively, ‘you right; I see your people, Kigaali, in cave at end of tunnel. It quiet now. People prisoner inside big round light. Ten maybe twelve my people, guard. I worried. Rest of Koogali not there. Droch not there. I fear he doing no good. Also there is problem.’
‘What's that?’ Alex asked.
‘To destroy big round light and free prisoners you need Droch bad powder,’ replied Boris.
‘Oh great,’ sighed Drum.
‘Not worry I, Boris, have plan. I tell guards some Kigaali still have powders they hiding. Droch desperate; want more powders. I tell guards use bad powder, destroy big round light and steal powders from prisoners. When light gone, people escape.’
‘Excellent!’ Alex exclaimed.
‘Brilliant!’ agreed Drum.
‘If plan work,’ continued Boris, ‘you get prisoners out. I help as much I can.’
Everyone was now completely at ease with Boris’s presence and Drum vowed he would be forever grateful to him.
‘I never thought a Sand Dweller would help us in this way and I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
‘No problem,’ replied Boris, ‘I too wish everything normal; especially my people.’ He turned to look towards the forest. ‘You all follow me. I think best we start journey at holes made by my fellow Koogaali when they attack you last night. Holes lead to tunnels. Tunnels lead to cave where Kigaali prisoner kept.’
With that, Boris turned and strode toward the spot from which the Sand Dwellers had made their entry. The rest followed.
Alex peered down into the first hole they came to as Boris clambered in and dropped to the bottom of it. It was dark, but fortunately they had come prepared with oil lamps which Drum and Hogarth were busy lighting. Bremmish and the other escorts were already invisible.
‘Only light two,’ suggested Drum. ‘That should be enough for now.’
Once they were all inside the tunnel, Boris began to lead the way.
Alex detected a faint smell of burning mixed with the dank odour of earth and damp vegetation. The burning smell was, no doubt, the result of the Sand Dwellers’ use of their "drills" when they made their entry into the banquet clearing.
After a while, the tunnel suddenly split off into other tunnels and they in turn into yet more. They had reached Droch’s labyrinth.
On and on they went, twisting, turning, up slopes, down slopes, following Boris who seemed to know exactly which tunnel to follow, which turn to take.
Then Boris raised his hand and signalled them to slow down. He put one huge finger to his lips, asking for total silence.
It was then that Alex saw a faint glow of orange light ahead. His mouth was dry, his temples pounded as his pulse rate rose.
The light seemed to be coming from around a bend in the tunnel. Boris, with hand gestures, told them to stop. He himself moved forward very slowly until he reached the bend, whereupon he dropped into a crouching position. He peered as far around the curve in the tunnel as he dared and after a few moments signalled for them all to join him.
Alex could feel an atmosphere of extreme tension around him as they moved forward.
When they reached Boris he asked them, using more hand signals, to get into a crouching position. Gingerly, they peered round the bend.
Alex held his breath at the sight that greeted him. There, in a large chamber, parading up and down in front of a huge cylinder of translucent orange light were a dozen or so Sand Dwellers. He could also just make out the faint shapes of much smaller people within the cylinder.
The group had reached their destination, and now they had to try and get the prisoners out.
Boris stood up suddenly and strode boldly into the cavern. The others watched with bated breath.
The guards looked round at Boris as he approached them but didn’t seem to be unduly perturbed at his sudden appearance. In fact the one who seemed to be their leader stepped forward and looked as if he were about to greet Boris. Boris spoke first.
‘Greetings friend. I have message from leader. Some Kigaali still hiding powder Droch want. He say you destroy big round light and take powder from them; then make Kigaali prisoner again with big round light. Droch make powder from prisoners different.’
For a moment the other Sand Dweller hesitated and then produced, from a small bag tied around his waist, a quantity of black powder. He turned and tossed it directly at the brilliant orange cylinder of light. The light flickered and then died and vanished.
All this time the other guards watched in silent bemusement,not really knowing what that was. The shadowy figures that had been partially hidden by the semi-transparent field of light were now clearly visible. Alex could see about thirty or so of the captive Realm People standing completely motionless, not knowing what was going to happen next and not realising that this was a rescue attempt on their behalf. perhaps suspecting that something was not quite right but
It was then that one of the guards suddenly shouted, ‘STOP! He impostor, he renegade Droch look for.’
Alex's heart sank. The game was up.
But not for Boris. He whirled round and yelled, ‘NOW!’
He then turned back and signalled frantically to the prisoners. ‘Run! Run fast!’
Just as at the banquet, pandemonium broke loose.
The guards galvanised themselves into action. So too did Alex and his friends. Drum lunged forward swiftly followed by the rest of them.
What happened next was a mixture of total chaos and almost panic. Time totally froze for Alex as every second seemed to stretch into eternity. It seemed as though the events in the chamber were unfolding in slow motion as he leapt forward with the rest of them, having no real idea of what he was going to do.
Although everything was happening at once he seemed to be able to take it all in, and to his relief it soon became apparent what he needed to do.
One of the guards was running towards Boris with what looked like a lance. The lance fired a brilliant red ball of light, about the size of a football. The ball missed Boris and struck the chamber wall at the opposite side. There was a tremendous bang and a huge hole appeared in the wall as fragments of rock splintered off and flew in all directions. It was obvious that the att
acker was about to fire at Boris again so Alex threw himself as hard as he could, rugby-tackle style, at the assailant’s feet. Alex’s adversary, his legs rammed from beneath him, did a fantastic leap in the air, ending up in a forced swallow dive, to crunch sickeningly into the cavern floor.
At the same time Alex saw Boris lay out one of his opponents with an explosive hammer-fisted blow to the head. Drum and Hogarth were throwing powders at the other Sand Dwellers. Powders also appeared out of thin air as the invisible Bremmish and other escorts joined the battle.
At least half a dozen of the captive Realm People made their escape into the tunnels from which the rescue party had emerged.
The invisible lookout team, led by Jorash, had evidently followed the rescuers into the tunnels for even more powders appeared in mid-air to rain down on the hapless Sand Dwellers. The whole chamber lit up as a dozen shimmering circles of light descended.
The effect on the Sand Dwellers was unbelievable, although highly desirable. They were tossed in the air, whisked rapidly back and forth in all directions and forced to run hard and fast into the chamber walls, and into each other, to be knocked out cold.
Unfortunately, with all the screaming and shouting going on, mostly from the Sand Dwellers, and all the distractions, no one was able to prevent one of the enemy from tossing more of the black powder at the remaining captives. The tube of light that had imprisoned them earlier sprang back into life and once more bathed the entire chamber in its translucent orange glow.
They had been too slow to take advantage of their escape route.
Boris leapt at the Sand Dweller who had thrown the powder and demanded that the tube of light be de-energised again with more of the black powder, but it became apparent that he had none left.
Boris frantically searched the fallen and unconscious Sand Dwellers but found nothing. He turned to the rest of the team. ‘We finish here,’ he said. ‘We can no more help, but is good some Kigaali escape.’
