by Carl Cupper
“Why did you stop?” asked Hayex, who was walking behind the dragon, holding his tail as a child who takes his mother’s hand to cross the street.
“After meditating long and hard,” he said finally, in a distant tone, “I am afraid that I have come to the sad conclusion that we are lost and it may be impossible for us to get out of here, my friend.” Califax intoned.
“Impossible? Why do you say so?” asked the gargoyle incredulously.
“Look!” He exclaimed, as he lifted the torch to reveal a pair of skeletons lying in their path.
“What are we going to do, my friend?” Hayex whined, grasping at the dragon’s tail.
“First, we must stay calm.” Califax said with certainty. “My teacher always told me that in all difficult situations, a clear mind, provided by the character, is the best of weapons.”
“But, but, those men...” Hayex stammered as he pointed his trembling claw toward the skeletons. “They had to have been in this place for weeks. Their torches probably went out and it became impossible for them to find a way out in the dark. They must have died of thirst and hunger.” he imagined while biting his claws before that horrible spectacle.
“Perhaps you would rather sit down next to these bones and await death?” Califax said vexed as he continued along his way.
“No! It would be best to continue looking for the exit.” suggested Hayex, looking around fearfully at that dreadful thought.
After several hours of walking around that intricate place, they returned to the junction in the form of a Y, and they found the passage where they had entered.
Hayex suggested that they leave immediately. Califax, however, had a mission to complete and he was determined not to give up so easily.
“I cannot and will not to force you to continue, my friend,” he said with indulgence, “but I have an important mission to fulfill for my country.
Hayex remembered that he himself had insisted in accompanying Califax on this mission and it was already too late to turn back. Mustering all his strength, the gargoyle continued following the dragon.
“I would not think of abandoning you now, partner. Let’s go on!” He encouraged the dragon with certain fear in his voice.
This time, they took the corridor on the left, trying to get to the center of the circle. Within a few minutes they entered into circular great chamber located in the heart of the labyrinth, where an immense dome rose above them that looked like the inside of a huge Celtic soldier’s helmet. It was covered with engravings of carriages, suns, horses, and soldiers in battle. In the walls of that vault there were great towers of rock with niches adorned by a large numbers of horrifying and deathly pale trophies, proudly played upon their return from many bloody battles.
“What a gruesome place!” Califax exclaimed.
“These skulls must be some type of war trophies.” said Hayex, inspecting one of them. “The Celts cut off the heads of their enemies when captured in battle.” Califax, horrified, heard the gargoyle.
In the middle of that chamber, they found a great circular rock, and on one side, a passage that to lead to a ramp which appeared indicates an exit. Grabbing the torch, Hayex ran wildly up to the ramp, but he found a great stone door which blocked the exit.
“¡No, it is not possible…!” he sobbed in panic and frustration as he pounded his fists repeatedly against the door.
Meanwhile, Califax, keeping his characteristic calm, approached the rock in the center of the chamber. Its surface was covered with numerous Celtic symbols. He noted that there was a diamond-shaped hollow in the center which appeared to form the top part of a lily flower engraved in the stone.
Hayex continued to weep for his misfortune as he lay with his forehead pressed against the enormous stone door. When he lifted his head, he saw a hollow with an emblem carved above it. He quickly returned to the center of the chamber to find Califax.
“What do you think is this?” asked the dragon, referring to the inscription in the rock located in the center of the chamber.
“I do not know. There is another inscription on the door blocking the exit.” informed Hayex.
“I wonder what would this hollow be for, Hayex?”
“Wait! Let me see your sword.” he requested. In the body of the hilt of the weapon, he noticed a beautiful engraving, similar to the one on the rock. As soon as Hayex pointed it out, Califax knew what he had to do. He put the tip of the sword into the hollow of the stone and noticed that the blade of the sword fit perfectly. Then, he slowly slid it in all the way to the grip, and the sword began to shine intensely, lighting up the entire place. Right before their dazzled eyes, the stone slid to one side, revealing to the astonished adventurers a cavity which contained a small golden chest, while sword continued to shine with great brilliance. Califax carefully removed the chest, opened it, and found a beautifully engraved oval plate made of solid gold.
“This must be the Key!” exclaimed Califax, captivated by the beauty of jewel that illuminated his face.
“This is the same engraving as is on the stone door.” observed Hayex, examining the jewel.
“Remember what Dee the magician said: When Caliburn returns to the rock, Lugh will divulge its secret.”
“Is Caliburn[35] the sword’s name?” asked Hayex.
“It must be, for it does have magical powers, just as Filox said!” affirmed Califax.
Califax removed the sword and the stone returned to its original position, leaving the chamber lit only by the torch that Hayex carried.
They walked towards the exit and placed the golden plate into the hollow beneath the inscription on the door. They watched in surprise as the enormous stone swung open, revealing the light of the moon and let in the fresh evening air. Once it opened all the way, Califax removed the plate and put it in his bag. They then left quickly, before the stone returned to its resting place to seal the enclosure perfectly.
Once outside, they noticed that they were on the slope of a hill. Hayex flew to the top. He was amazed to find that the hill that they were standing on was in fact the Tohlmenhir mound.[36] The winding underground passageway connected the sanctuary and the mound. Miraculously the gargoyle and the dragon had found the way out from the frightful kingdom of Lugh.
After that adventure, the exhausted friends flew to their refuge in the forest to sleep for the rest of the night; the sleep of the innocent.
Very early the next morning, while Hayex was still asleep, Califax went about the task of studying The Key. It was an oval object made of pure gold, similar to a medallion and covered with a number of engraved symbols. At the top of one side, there was a star similar to the Helenex coat of arms, but with twelve points. Below the star, an inverted triangle pointed at what seemed to be a base in the form of a crescent moon. The triangle and the crescent moon altogether formed the image of a cup from which the star arose. Down both sides of the cup were symbols which the dragon cloud not read.
Hayex woke up from his deep sleep and, as Califax, captive, scrutinized the front of the jewel, he noticed a strange inscription on the other side of the medallion. This inscription said in big letters:
[37]
“What do you think it means, Califax?” asked Hayex, intrigued.
“I do not know, my friend, but we are not becoming expert interpreters. We will have to ask for help, again.”
As if reading each other’s minds, the gargoyle and the dragon got ready to travel to ask Dee the magician for help, once more. As they were preparing to leave, they did not know that they were being watched by the sinister figures of two dragons who conspired against them.
“Let’s take the Key now, while it is within our reach.” said one of the conspirators.
“No! Our orders are to relieve them of the Chalice once they find it.” reprimanded the other.
“Perhaps they will never find it.”
“If they fail on their attempt, then we will get the Key, but only then.” he declared.
Califax and Hayex fl
ew to the place where they had found Dee the magician, and they went into that dismal place in the forest. Jus t as before, the thick fog covered them with its mysterious mantle and seconds later, the magician appeared.
“What is it that you desire?” The magician asked, kindly.
“We have found the Key of the Sacred Chalice, sir, but we do not know where we should take it.” explained Califax, bowing before him.
“The fish is the fisherman and his dwelling the EastSea, from where the cross came to join with the sun.”
Dee said nothing more, and just as the fog appeared it thus dissipated. Yet again, the adventurers were left with more questions than answers. However, Califax was confident, though, this time he could decipher the magician’s cryptic message. He knew the answers were in his words.
“I think that Dee has gone crazy. How is it possible for the fish to be the fisherman?” wondered Hayex.
“…From where the cross came to join with the sun.” Califax remembered. “Which cross is he referring to?” he asked.
“The Celts who converted to the Roman god; hold services using a cross inside of a circle.[38] Perhaps it is the cross that the magician is referring to.” suggested the gargoyle.
“It is possible that the circle represents the sun, but, where did the cross come from and what does it represent?”
“I do not know. The Romans brought it whit them a long time ago. The magician mentioned an eastern ocean. Perhaps the symbol of the cross comes from there.” pointed out Hayex.
“When we were flying over Bangor,” Califax remembered, “I asked you about a construction that the humans were building. It seems to me that I remember seeing a cross there.”
“That is true! It is a temple erected for the Roman God.” he agreed.
“Perhaps we can find out more about this cross in Bangor, don’t you think?” reflected Califax.
After flying a few hours on a northwesterly course, they arrived at the town of Bangor. The church of Saint Deiniol was being built on a large piece of land, and it was surrounded by a great stone-wall.
A few meters from the temple a great bell tower rose. It resembled a great silo with large windows at the top of its slender body, and finished with a reddish conical roof, as a rocket that indicated the place of its destiny. The houses of the clergymen were made of snow-white blocks that resembled igloos. The white blockhouses completed this complex dedicated to Christian faith. As usual, Califax and Hayex would have to wait for the cover of the night to sneak into the church.
Protected by the blackness of night, the daring adventurers entered the church by means of an open window. Once inside, the vaulted ceiling amplified any sound they made, so they made their way carefully, trying to avoid attracting attention. The dragon lit a fire with his snout, and when they got to the pulpit, they found a great cross leaning against the main wall.
“Who is that man on the cross?” asked Califax.
“INRI.” said Hayex, after seeing the plaque placed atop the cross.
“It is a very strange name, don’t you think, my friend?” pondered Califax.
“Why did they crucify him?” asked the curious gargoyle.
“I thought you would know.” said Califax, turning to look at the gargoyle.
“Wait a moment. There are several words below the name.” he said as he flew closer to the cross. “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum.” read Hayex, with difficulty.
“Then, INRI is not his real name, my friend. It is Jesus.” corrected Califax.
“How do you know? Do you know this language, Califax?”
“Of course I do! Latinux classes are obligatory in Dragonia.”
“What does the inscription mean?”
“It says: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
“Why would the humans have crucified a king?” Hayex asked, surprised.
“I have no idea! How strange men are!” Califax said, astonished.“Perhaps, Nazareth is the place where the symbol of the cross come from.” observed the gargoyle.
“Maybe, but where is located Nazareth and who are the Jews?” inquired Califax.
“Why do you think I should know everything?” Hayex responded annoyed.
“I was just asking.” clarified the dragon.
“Perhaps we can find a map here that shows where Nazareth is located.” suggested Hayex.
“Silence!” Califax hissed, alarmed. “Someone is coming.” They quickly flew up to a wooden beam that supported the roof of the church.
Slowly, the door opened and a warmly dressed man entered the church, lighting his way with an oil lamp. He looked around and then made his way through a side door, which the dragon and the gargoyle had not noticed.
The great weight of the reckless intruders put stress on the crossbeam, causing it to squeak and sag slightly. However, they remained motionless as they silently prayed that the wood would hold until the watchman left.
After making sure that everything was in order, the watchman left the church, leisurely. Califax and Hayex dropped down from the beam and went directly to the hidden door. They hoped it would provide information to help them find their way. They reached the door only to find it locked.
They spent a long time trying to figure out a way to open the door, but repeatedly they heard the categorical refusal of the lock to let them in. Then, Califax took his sword out and touched the tip of it to that obstinate door lock. The sword began to shine intensely, as it had in the labyrinth of Lugh. Slowly, he turned the sword and the door opened magically.
They entered a room that appeared to be the sacristy of the church, and Califax stuck his head in to light the room with a flame from his snout. The place was filled with papyri. They hoped that one of them would contain the information they were looking for.
“Where did all this papyri come from?” asked Hayex.
“Since they are written in Latinux, perhaps the Romans brought them.” observed Califax, while he looked at the large number of documents.
“It must be, because the Celts do not have a written language.[39] The bards[40] sing their history.” he informed.
“Look! I found a map of the Roman Empire.” Califax exclaimed as he unfolded the map on the table.
“The Romans are great conquerors. Look at the size of their empire!” Hayex indicated, astonished.
“Here, to the east on the map, there is a province called Iuda,”[41] observed the dragon. “The plaque on the cross says that the man was the King of the Jews, which in Latinux is iudaeorum. This must be the place the cross comes from.” he reasoned.
“Are you sure?” asked Hayex
“Remember that Dee the magician mentioned an ocean to the east, and this map also shows an ocean called Galilee.”
Suddenly, Califax heard the door to the church open. The adventurers were trapped inside the room; they would have to devise a way to get out, unseen. There was only one exit: the door. The light of the lamp became more and more intense, while the man condemningly walked directly toward the room where they were standing. They would never be able to escape through that door.
“Who is there?” asked the man from the threshold with a trembling voice.
The watchman did not get an answer. He saw the door halfway open. Cautiously, he opened it wide, and with a trembling hand, held the lamp over his head. He stopped at the jamb of the entrance, and moving the lamp from one side of the room to the other, he examined the entire location, but he did not find anything.
Up on the ceiling, Califax and Hayex clung to one of the beams in the library, precariously holding the large number of documents that they had borrowed from the shelves. The documents were in danger of slipping from their claws at any moment.
The time that the man remained in the room seemed eternal for the explorers, who began to fall victim to nervousness. The wooden beam seemed to accuse the invaders with its constant spiteful squeaking, but the distrustful monk did not notice. To make things worse, Hayex also held a map in his snout, and as he wat
ched with anguish, a drop of sweat rolled down his nose, causing a slight tickle that threatened to turn into a sneeze and expose their intrusion. Califax saw that his friend was on the edge of violently expelling the document and he quickly placed his tail under the nostrils of Hayex, thus avoiding reveal their location with the sneeze.
“Odd! I am sure that I locked this door with the key.” he said, looking around. “Perhaps the light that I saw from my room was the reflection of a falling star.” the man explained to himself.
Sure he had forgotten to close the door the last time; the watchman locked the door with the key, and returned to bed.
After that tremendous scare, the adventurers hurried down from their improvised hiding place. Califax refolded the map of the Roman Empire and packed into his bag before leaving the temple of Saint Deiniol.
Despite being locked up, they repeated the formula that they had used to enter the sacristy: Califax got out his brilliant sword, thrust it into the lock, and magically the door opened once more.
Once back in the church, they hurried to reach the window from which they had entered. As they were just a few feet from freedom, they could see the figure of the watchman who returned hastily to the church.
Upon seeing the dragon and his repulsive companion, the watchman screamed, “Lucifer! Lucifer!”in a very loud voice to alert the rest of the acolytes.
As quickly as possible, the adventurers hurriedly took flight. Below them, they could hear the continued shouting of the irritated clergymen, who cursed the presence of those ‘diabolic’ intruders who had dared to profane the sacred ground of the church of Saint Deiniol.
This moment would mark the beginning of great and exciting adventures, where they would face the mysterious and distant lands of the Middle East.
