by Karen Hughes
‘But we released all the prisoners,’ said Indie. ‘She might still be alive.’
‘No,’ said Jabar. ‘If she was alive she would have come back for me.’
There were rapid footsteps on the stairs. Dargan burst into the room.
‘I rode for Ballyndor last night and met a messenger at the edge of the forest. King Eamon has already ridden out with twenty soldiers,’ he said. ‘He is riding to the mountains. Mugadi has promised him safe passage to the Dasa village.’
‘Sweet Mother Earth,’ whispered Aunty Mai. ‘Then it is true.’
Jabar raised himself on his cushions. ‘It is a trap,’ he said. ‘The king will have to pass through the ice caves to get to the village. He will not make it.’
Dargan looked down at the boy. His eyes narrowed and his voice grew hard. ‘The king is no fool,’ he said. ‘His soldiers are the finest in Gort. The ice caves will not stop them.’
‘You are wrong,’ said Jabar. ‘The caves are cursed. Shaman Yanti put a spell on them a long time ago. You have to believe in yourself completely or you can’t get through.’
Kai walked to the window and looked out at the forest below. Brek stood beside him. Neither said a word.
Aunty Mai fussed around the table, collecting bowls and spoons. ‘I don’t like any of this,’ she muttered. ‘King Eamon should not be going to meet this man.’
Dargan frowned. He beckoned to Indie. She followed him through the doorway and out to the stairs. ‘As soon as the festival is over, I will ride for the mountains.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Mugadi is ready to talk. He claims that your father deserted the Dasa, that they blocked the road to get your father’s attention. Now they are alone, and the Emperor of Moto is threatening to attack their village.’
‘Jabar says it’s a trap,’ said Indie.
‘Perhaps it is.’ Dargan shook his head. ‘I don’t know whether to trust this boy, but I must find your father and warn him.’
Indie glanced back at Jabar. He was watching her from his cushions, like a cat watching a mouse. He met her eyes, but he did not smile.
Dargan saw the boy’s look. He stiffened. His fingers brushed the silver knife at his belt.
Indie put her hand on his arm. ‘It’s okay,’ she whispered. ‘He’s on our side. He hates the Dasa. They left his mother to die.’
Dargan didn’t look convinced. ‘I will be back soon,’ he said, then he frowned again and gripped Indie’s hand. ‘Do not leave the forest. Okowa is a dangerous time – anything can happen.’
Aunty Mai came through the doorway, and stood on the small deck, gazing out at the forest. When she turned, her eyes were filled with tears. ‘You must not go, Dargan,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Your place is here with your people. Brek will take Kai and Indie to the mountains –’
Dargan swung to face her. ‘Are you mad? Brek is a medicine man. Kai and Indie are children. They would be riding to their death.’
A low drumming filled the air. Aunty Mai picked up a wreath of flowers. ‘It is time for the festival,’ she said, trying to smile. ‘We will talk about this later.’
‘There is nothing to talk about,’ said Dargan. ‘I will ride to the mountains alone.’
chapter 5
Okowa
In the centre of the village, the drums were beating. Boom dada, boom dada. The wise women sat in a circle, shaking long sticks with small pouches of seeds tied at the top. The dancers, who had been whirling and shouting since the sun came up, dropped to the ground. The children took off their autumn garlands and laid them in a pile.
‘This is the ceremony of the silver veil,’ whispered Aunty Mai. ‘We welcome the spirits of the dead, and invite them to join us at the festival.’ For a moment she looked wistful. ‘I wonder if Grandma Helki will come. I do miss her.'
Indie stood next to her, looking serious despite the leaves in her hair. Kai touched the garland around his neck; he brushed his buttons with his fingers, checking for the spell book tucked beneath his shirt.
The lamps in the trees grew brighter, the yellow flames standing straight and tall in the morning air. The drumming stopped. There was a whisper in the trees.
‘Watch,’ Aunty Mai said softly. ‘And don’t make a sound.’
Dargan sat on a high platform at the northern tip of the circle. He held a long white staff, topped with the feathers of a golden eagle. He held up his hands for silence.
Brek entered the circle. He wore a purple Kalika robe with a bright yellow sun embroidered on the back. Walking slowly to the centre of the crowd, he raised both hands and began to move his fingers, chanting quietly at first, and then louder and louder until it was almost a scream. His feet were firmly planted on the forest floor, and he swayed back and forth like a tree buffeted by the wind.
The sun burst from the clouds and shone through the forest canopy, the bright light reflecting on Brek’s hair and on the gold symbols at the hem of his robe. The drums began again. There was a frenzied clapping of hands and a shaking of branches, and the people closed their eyes and let the wild rhythm of the forest fill their hearts.
‘Kai,’ Indie hissed. ‘What does it –’
‘Shh,’ said Kai. There was a whispering in the leaves around him, as though the forest was waking up. A wave of light seemed to rise from the earth. He watched as it lapped at his toes and spiralled up to a point between his eyebrows.
The forest disappeared. The drums were still. A white-hot blast of light shook his body. The light was all around him, blazing inside him, curling from the ends of his hair, creeping from his nose and mouth. He was made of light – shimmering, perfect light.
‘Kai!’ Indie’s voice was like an arrow, piercing the silence, shooting him back to earth.
He opened his eyes. He was lying on his back with the wind knocked out of him, breathing heavily. The trees seemed to move, gathering together and looking down at him. The sky swirled. The drums grew louder. Voices hummed in the air.
You must go to the mountain. You will never know real magic unless you learn what the mountain has to teach you.
I’m afraid, he thought. I can’t do it.
You have forgotten the rules. Once you set foot on the path, there is no turning back.
But I can’t use Kalika magic on the mountain.
Do not believe everything you hear. Go to the mountain. Find out for yourself.
Indie was on her knees, shaking him. Aunty Mai sat next to him, stroking his hair. Dargan leapt down from his platform and ran through the circle. He stood before them, his face grey. ‘What’s wrong with him?’ he said. ‘Why is he twitching like that?’
There was a swirl of purple and Brek stood beside them. ‘Stand back,’ he said, ignoring Dargan’s frown. ‘There is nothing you can do.’
Leaning down, he whispered in Kai’s ear. ‘Breathe it out. Don’t try to stop it. Let it flow through you.’
Kai didn’t hear him. He was lying flat on his back, clenching and unclenching his fists.
Brek put his hand under Kai’s chin and tilted his head so he could look into the boy’s eyes.
‘I must go to the mountain,’ whispered Kai. ‘I must find the shaman.’
Brek nodded. ‘I am coming with you,’ he said.
Brek helped Kai to his feet. He took Indie’s hand.
Dargan stood in front of them.
Brek pulled his robe around his shoulders and tapped his stick impatiently on the ground.
Dargan drew himself up to his full height so that he was looking down on the smaller man. ‘You cannot take the children to the mountain. The shaman will kill them.’
Brek sighed. He took a step back.
Dargan grabbed his arm. ‘Sweet Mother Earth! They are only children. If they must go, then I will go with them.’
Brek shook his head. ‘You are the leader of our people, it is more dangerous for you. The Seeing Tree says the shaman will not harm a child.’
Dargan’s face was bleak. ‘It was the shaman who taught Sofia her evil
magic. He gave her berries to poison Kai when he was a baby. He has no love for children.’
‘He made a terrible mistake,’ said Brek. ‘But I have a feeling that he has paid for it.’
Dargan glared at him. 'And what if you are wrong?’
A small frown creased Brek’s brow. He gave Dargan a quick nod, grasped his stick and turned away.
Brek led them out of the circle, past the dancers and beyond the drums. The trees seemed to part for them; the branches rustled as they passed.
When Kai looked back, Dargan was standing at the edge of the village, his hand on his knife. His face was pale, his eyes wild. ‘What have you done to me?’ he cried. ‘I can’t move. My feet are stuck to the ground.’ Kai glanced at Brek, alarmed.
‘One of Chief Wicasa’s spells,’ whispered Brek. ‘It won’t last long.’
Dargan threw his arms in the air. His whole body shook with the effort, but he remained rooted to the spot. ‘I will find you,’ he called, as Brek led them deeper into the forest. ‘I will not let you do this.’
Kai stumbled into the forest. Even when the trees closed behind him and he could see nothing but the weave of branches, he knew that Dargan was watching them.
When they reached the Seeing Tree, Indie could see shadows swirling around the roots and winding their way through the dense green leaves. She could make out figures with misty fingers and flowing hair, dancing in the sunlight.
Brek patted the rough trunk. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Beautiful morning.’
The old tree swayed; its voice came booming from the depths of the hollow. ‘You have exactly eight minutes left. Cutting it a bit fine, friend.’
Brek smiled. ‘Plenty of time.’ He motioned to Kai. ‘Now, open Chief Wicasa’s book,’ he said. ‘Indie, you stand next to him.’
‘Good. Now Kai, read what it says and concentrate on the words. Indie, take this stick in your left hand. Yes, I know you’re right-handed, just do as I say.’
Brek held out his hands and mumbled in a language Indie could not understand. He nodded solemnly at Kai and the boy began to read.
Spirits of the autumn night,
With curtain, silver, in your sight,
Let shadow hands and eyes of dust
Reveal the way to those who trust.
The wind stirred. The branches of the Seeing Tree trembled. The fallen leaves at their feet danced a slow, timeless dance.
‘Now take the stick,’ whispered Brek, ‘and tap the trunk three times.’
Indie took the stick and did as she was told.
Kai grabbed her right hand. ‘Crawl inside, Indie. Hurry.’
She followed him into the hollow and stood up slowly, blinking her eyes in the darkness. Instead of the wooden cavern she remembered, she was in a stone tunnel. Beside her, held fast to the wall, was a flaming torch. She pulled it from its slot and held it high.
Ahead she could see a fork in the tunnel. To the left it dipped smoothly down; to the right it climbed steeply up.
She turned to look at her brother. He was tucking the old book back into his shirt and pushing his hair out of his eyes. Behind them the opening had vanished.
‘Brek?’ Kai called, his voice echoing in the darkness.
‘I don’t think he’s here.’ Indie took a few steps.
‘But he was right behind us.’
‘I guess he didn’t make it through.’
Kai was quiet for a moment. Then he straightened his shoulders and tried to smile. ‘It’s better this way,’ he said slowly. ‘The Seeing Tree said we had to go alone.’
‘Did it tell you what we were supposed to do?’
‘It said something about a red owl, and stepping from darkness into light, but I didn’t know what it meant.’
‘And they say I never listen!’
‘Shhh.’ Kai put his hand to his ear. ‘Can you hear that?’
Indie listened. She could just make out the sound of a bird singing. It was faint and ghostly, floating down from some faraway place.
‘Ha!’ said Kai. ‘Didn’t I tell you?’
‘That’s not an owl.’
Kai ignored her. ‘It’s coming from up there.’ He began to walk along the right-hand passage. ‘It's getting louder.’
‘But it’s so steep. Are you sure?’ Indie looked doubtful. ‘The other way looks easier. Why don’t you use the book? Maybe it can help us.’
Kai shook his head. ‘Not in here.’
‘You already did magic to get us here,’ said Indie. ‘Why can’t you use it now?’
‘It doesn’t feel right,’ muttered Kai. But he sat down on the cold stone floor and put the book on the ground in front of him. It fell open to a well-worn page.
He stared at the page, and then he began to laugh.
‘What is it?’ asked Indie. ‘What’s so funny?’
‘Look at this,’ said Kai. ‘Spell for Indecision. I guess that’s what we’re looking for.’
Indie smiled. But she wondered whether magic would really help them decide whether to go up or down. Maybe they should toss a coin instead.
Kai closed his eyes and repeated the words he’d just read. There was silence. The birdsong faded. Indie thought she could feel the floor trembling under her feet. The walls around them began to shake.
Kai picked up the book. He jumped to his feet.
'Run!' he cried, grabbing Indie’s hand.
The tunnel on the left was filling with rocks. There were tiny cracks in the roof. The ground shifted. A great valley of dirt pushed its way through the cracks and poured inside, sending clouds of dust and gravel flying all around them.
‘I knew it didn’t feel right,’ he panted, tugging her along behind him.
‘Wait!’ said Indie. ‘I’ve dropped the torch.’
‘Keep running!’ Kai found her hand again and dragged her through the darkness. The tunnel on the left collapsed beside them. They could hear the base of the right-hand tunnel, the fork they had just taken, filling with rocks and debris.
It became too steep to run. They climbed with grazed hands, clawing with the tips of their fingers. Up and up, on and on. Indie closed her eyes against the terrible blackness. She thought of all the things that might be lurking in the shadows. Dark things. Evil things. Maybe there was something beneath her right now, waiting to grab her ankle and pull her down.
Finally the climb became a crawl and they pulled themselves along on their hands and knees.
‘I don’t think that was supposed to happen,’ Kai said, collapsing against the wall, his shoulders slumped.
Indie sat beside him in silence, getting her breath back. The fear gradually receded and in its place she felt a strange sense of calm. ‘Maybe we’re not supposed to use magic in here,’ she said slowly. ‘It feels like a sacred place, like the old temple in Ballyndor. Like it’s been here forever and you have to watch your manners.’
‘Maybe.’ Kai straightened up. ‘Or maybe Aunty Mai was right. Maybe Kalika magic doesn’t work –’
‘Shhh,’ Indie put her finger to her lips. ‘I can hear the bird,’ she said.
chapter 6
The Shaman’s Mountain
Up and up they climbed, on and on, until they came to a patch of light. Indie pulled herself up with bleeding hands and beating heart, following Kai so closely that when he stopped she ran into him. He teetered for a moment, and then toppled forward.
‘Kai,’ she shrieked. She poked her head out behind him, blinded by the glare, and felt the bottom of the tunnel give way beneath her.
The fall wasn’t far, but the ground was hard. They lay together, stunned, looking up at the branches of an enormous tree. Perched in the tree was a small white bird. It trilled the same three notes over and over again, then spread its blue-tipped wings and flew into the sky.
‘We fell from that branch,’ said Kai, pointing upwards. ‘See, the one with the rings around the wood? There’s a hole in the trunk just above it. I think that’s where we came out.’
‘But we w
ere in a tunnel,’ protested Indie. ‘There was dirt and rocks. It was under the ground.’
Kai frowned. ‘The more I think about it … we started in the Seeing Tree –’
‘And we’ve come out in some other tree. This is weird.’
‘We must have moved through some kind of portal.’
‘A portal?’
‘It’s like a doorway between one place and another. And it only opens at Okowa, when the spirits dance.’
‘Like when you came to find me on the island, and we had to pass through the silver veil to get to Gort?’
‘Sort of. The silver veil is a doorway between the worlds. That’s why it’s so hard to get through.’ He looked at Indie and grinned. ‘Portals are part of the silver veil, but they only take you to places in Gort. Brek says they’re hidden all over the land. You just have to know how to find them.’
Indie’s eyes grew wide. She looked back up at the tree. ‘So where are we? This is a massive tree. It’s different from the trees in the forest, but it reminds me of The Seeing Tree. Do you think it’s his brother or something?’
There was a rustling of branches and a shower of nuts rained down on them.
‘Ouch.’ Indie jumped to her feet and put her hands over her head. ‘What’s happening? Why did it do that?’
A thin reedy voice came whispering through the leaves. ‘The Seeing Tree’s brother?’ it demanded indignantly. ‘Why, I’ve never been so insulted in all my life.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Indie, slightly dazed. ‘I wasn’t looking at you properly.’
‘The Seeing Tree’s brother,’ the tree shuddered. ‘His brother!’
Indie put her hand against the trunk. ‘I am sorry.’
The tree gave a breathy sigh. ‘I suppose I shall recover,’ it said. ‘It’s just that I’ve never been mistaken for a boy before. They say I’m one of the prettiest trees on the mountain.’
‘On the mountain?’ Kai clambered to his feet and looked around. ‘Indie!’ he cried. ‘Indie! You have to see this.’
Indie gave the tree a final pat and turned to Kai. He was gazing at the wall of stone that towered above them. Huge boulders rose from the rocky ground and a rugged crag lifted its grey head to the sky. At the base there was a sprinkling of wiry bushes with small white flowers, but otherwise the ground was bare.
