by J. R. Wagner
James could see light at the other end of the fissure, which must have extended across the entire mountaintop. Kilani jumped up and grabbed hold of one of several ropes that hung just above their heads and began pulling herself up. James followed, using only his arms. He was again amazed at his new strength. By the time they reached the stone shelf around which the ropes had been secured, James felt energized rather than tired.
Directly across from the shelf hung a rope ladder. Kilani jumped, effortlessly caught the rungs, and began her climb. James followed, hoping the rickety-looking rope ladder had the strength to hold them both.
At the top of the ladder was a tunnel. Several bundles of fabric and ropes were stashed neatly on either side of the area against the cave walls. Kilani stepped forward and disappeared around a turn. James followed. She paused, standing in an opening. James could tell from the orange glow that the sun was setting. He stood next to Kilani.
“Give me your hand,” she said.
James took her hand, which was warm and surprisingly smooth. Their eyes met for just a moment. She took a deep breath and appeared frightened as she led James out onto the shelf. The instant the orange rays of the setting sun struck them, James felt as if he'd caught fire. They both immediately dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Terrible screams could be heard across the island as the sun fell below the horizon.
— 9 —
THE MEETING OF AKIL KARANIS
November 1892, Wales
James, age nine
James sat bolt upright in bed as a scream escaped his lungs: “Manukto!”
A tall, thin, and quite old man stood at the foot of his bed looking down at him. His pleasant expression turned to one of curiosity at the sound of the boy's scream. James pressed himself against the headboard at the sight of the stranger. The man smiled and stepped toward him.
“Hello, James. I'm terribly sorry to startle you,” the man said with a smile.
The man had an aura about him that immediately put James at ease. The room was dark except for the glow of the fire. James found it strange that he had no fear of this man.
“What was it you were dreaming?” the man asked pleasantly.
“A tunnel,” said James. “I was being chased by … something terrible.”
The stranger appeared introspective for a moment, then looked deep into James's eyes.
“Do you know who I am?” the man asked.
“No, sir. I don't believe we've ever met.”
“Oh, but we have, on several occasions. Although I would hardly expect you to remember them as you were so young. There was one time, as I recall, in the not-too-distant past when I called upon your parents. You were supposed to be sleeping; however, you decided to play in the gardens behind the house. I believe we met somewhere between the primrose and the catmint.”
James thought for a moment and vaguely recalled that moonlit night in the garden. Ever since he and his parents had arrived earlier that day, James had been drawn to the gardens, which contained numerous stone paths, fountains, and even a hedge maze. The next evening, while his parents thought he was in bed asleep, James lowered himself from the window using an incantation his father had taught him just one week prior and made his way to the gardens. He had just finished completing the hedge maze for the seventh time when the man appeared. Like this night, the man's appearance did not instill fear. Rather than hide in the shadows, which he could have easily done, James stepped out to greet the man. The man responded pleasantly and told James to run along back to his room before he was found out. His parents never knew he was out.
The man smiled along with James as if he, too, were enjoying the fond memory.
“So you do recall our previous meeting,” he said.
“Yes,” James said.
“Excellent. Then you know I pose you no harm.”
“Yes,” James replied again.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Akil Karanis. I've been a friend of your father's since you were but a toddler.”
James smiled but made no attempt to shake his hand. He simply nodded and drew the sheets higher under his chin. He was mesmerized by the appearance of the old man: short, white hair; a neatly trimmed goatee; and a long, brown duster over what looked to be a maroon suit.
Akil made his way around the foot of the bed and to the chair beside James. “May I sit?” he asked.
James nodded. Akil pulled the chair from under the table, turned it so it was facing James, and sat quietly. He leaned forward, rubbing his hands together.
“Now, boy, tell me. What do you know about magic?”
“I know everything I've been taught,” James replied. “And some things I've taught myself.”
“I hear you're quite a prodigy. Will you show me something you've taught yourself?”
Completely forgetting his modesty for his want to impress this man his parents so often talked about, James quickly stood on the opposite side of the bed. He looked around and picked up his pillow. He looked at Akil, who nodded. James tossed the pillow into the air and said “Ego-apur-menderatu.”
The pillow silently exploded in midair. James held up his hands and the feathers and scraps of fabric hung suspended. He then began moving his hands as if rolling a large ball of dough. The remnants of the pillow began to swirl until they themselves had taken a round shape. James directed the mass over the bed toward Akil, who watched with impressed fascination. Once it was above Akil's head, James said “Berrizegoratu,” and the pillow immediately reformed, and dropped on Akil's head, who couldn't help but laugh as it slid down his back and onto the floor. James smiled, slightly embarrassed.
“Very good, James. Most impressive,” Akil said, reaching behind him for the pillow. “And you say you taught yourself that incantation?”
“Yes,” James said proudly.
“Tell me, how did you come up with that particular combination of words?”
“I hear people put together two words all the time. I thought, why not three?”
“And what made you decide upon those three words?”
“‘Break': apurtu, ‘Stay': egon, and menderatu. I just guessed which part of the word to use.”
“Do you know what the third word in your incantation means?”
“No.”
“How did you come across it then?” Akil asked.
“I heard it used once and always liked the way it sounded. What does it mean, Master Karanis?”
“Akil. Please, my friends call me Akil, and I'd like to count you among them.” James nodded and smiled. “The word, menderatu, means to dominate,” said Akil. “Do you know what dominate means, James?”
“I think it means to beat someone,” he replied.
“Domination means supremacy or superiority over another. Tell me, James, do you recall who spoke this word that so captured your imagination?”
James knew exactly where he had heard the word. Roughly a year ago his father had taken him across the sea to Italy on a large ship. One day during their voyage, James was making his way back to their cabin when he heard a man speaking with a distinctly deep and frog-like voice. He followed the voice to an open cabin, slowly crept up and peeked inside. He saw a man with his back to the door running his hands across what looked like a large mirror, though James could see no reflection. The man repeated “menderatu” over and over as his fingers ran across the glass. James repeated the word until his father overheard him.
“What is that you just said?” Stuart asked, concerned.
“Menderatu,” James said, sheepishly.
“We do not speak such words in the magic tongue. It is a dark word. Where did you hear it?”
When James told him, his father quickly rushed him to the nearest empty cabin, and they transported off the boat.
“I was on a voyage with my father. I heard a man saying it,” James told Akil.
“Interesting,” Akil said, taking out his pipe and lighting it. “And does your father know this?”
/> “Yes, he told me never to say it. He told me it is a dark word. Is that true?”
“Words are words. Nothing more, nothing less. It is the user's intent of the word that is good or evil. If you do not intend to use it for a dark purpose, I do not believe you should be restricted from using a word. Why limit our potential for fear of a word? As you have so aptly demonstrated, their use can yield powerful results.”
James nodded.
“Tell me, James. Are your parents aware that you can perform magic beyond that which they or your instructors have taught you?” Akil asked.
“No,” James said.
“Why not?”
James knew the answer, but for a nine-year-old it is never easy to express apprehensions. The pressure of being what his parents believed he would be often led James into bouts of deep insecurity and doubt. At times it would become so bad that he would refuse to do magic completely. There were other times, more often than not, when he would excel at a task so quickly that he would shock his instructors and parents alike. Rather than express happiness at his success, his parents would always exchange concerned glances. This had happened with such frequency over the past several years that James actually began pretending he was struggling with his new lessons to avoid upsetting his parents. He believed they would be nothing but disappointed with the skills he had taught himself.
Akil had come because he wanted to find out firsthand why James was struggling with his lessons. It was clear that he was a gifted sorcerer, perhaps the most talented student Akil had ever seen. What he wouldn't give to instruct him, but the time was not right. Akil smiled at James as he struggled for an answer.
“I want them to be happy with me,” James said.
“And you don't believe they are happy with you when you are doing well?”
It was immediately clear to Akil that Stuart and Margaret were so concerned with keeping James from becoming overly confident that their reactions to his progress were having a detrimental effect. Had James shown a bit of arrogance as he demonstrated the exploding pillow incantation, or had it been confidence? Arrogance in a sorcerer is a dangerous thing. A poor sorcerer is far less dangerous than an arrogant one. Akil would have a word with James's parents about how they were addressing this issue and the affect it was having.
“Sometimes I think they're happier when I'm struggling,” James said.
“I see,” replied Akil. “Your swift understanding of your lessons is very important, James. It will most likely save your life.”
— 10 —
FALLING FROM THE SKY
Sound and vision synchronously returned as James opened his eyes. He was alive. In his waning moments of consciousness, he'd thought, not for the first time since his arrival, that he was dying. He'd felt as if he were burning from the inside out. There was a blurred face above him. Kilani reached behind his neck and sat him up. He breathed deeply as energy flowed back into his body and the strength he'd felt as they climbed the mountain returned. Everything came into focus, and he stood. Kilani turned, expecting him to follow.
“Wait,” he said.
She looked over her shoulder at him.
“I have so many questions.”
“Soon,” she replied.
She smiled faintly, turned, and headed back toward the top of the rope ladder behind them.
It was light enough to see, yet the sun had long since set. The sky was dark blue rather than the black of night, and James could see the shadow of the mountain on the land below.
Kilani returned with the bundle of cloth and rope that had been lying by the top of the rope ladder. She unraveled the bundle and handed James two rope ends.
“What is your name, boy?”
“James.”
Kilani hesitated a moment, giving James the impression she knew something.
“Very well, James. Trust in your newfound strength, for I've never seen its equal in one so new to this place. Follow me.”
Holding two ends of rope in her hand, she stepped to the edge. He moved beside her dragging the canvas in a U-shape between them.
“We go together.”
He nodded. James crouched, mimicking Kilani. She let out a yell and jumped from the edge. Before his brain could react to the madness, his legs flung his body forward off the edge of the mountain. For several seconds, James was certain they would fall to their deaths. Then his rope, which he had a white-knuckled grip on, grew taut. He looked up and saw that the fabric had billowed over their heads. Their descent slowed, but only for several seconds as he and Kilani drifted together.
She looked him calmly in the eyes and whispered into his ear, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“Let go.”
James let go without hesitation. He had put his life in her hands more times in the past day than he cared to remember. The ropes shot from his grip and together they fell in an embrace. Her long body pulled him in tightly as they approached the ground. Beneath them James could see the lake.
He tried to ready himself for what could only be a violent impact. He felt neither water nor land nor even a jolt as they came to a stop. Kilani relaxed her grip and James stood on the soggy ground. They were surrounded by darkness.
“Swim as fast as you can to the surface and make your way to the shore. Don't wait for me. Once you reach the shore make for the large boulders.”
Before he could question her instructions, a deluge of water collapsed on his head, knocking him to the ground and tumbling him head over heels. Disoriented and blind, he fought to right himself. Oddly, James felt no desire to breathe.
When the swell of the water subsided James began to swim. The swimming came as easily to him as running through the forest.
A giant pale moon illuminated the land in white light as he broke the surface. He quickly scanned his surroundings to see where the closest shore lay. James noticed several waves rolling toward him. A foreboding feeling overtook him as he watched the waves draw near. They moved closer at an alarming rate. He turned and swam with all his strength to the opposite shore, fighting his desire to look back. James felt his legs touch the ground, and after several more strokes he was able to stand.
Only then did he look back over his shoulder. Out of the three waves broke the heads of three reptilian creatures. Together they lunged. James felt their hot breath as he jumped clear of their snapping jaws.
James landed softly on the shore and desperately searched for the boulders Kilani had spoken of, but he could only see jungle lining the pebbled lakeside. Again the beasts attacked with three powerful, coordinated lunges. They resembled crocodiles except their snouts were shorter and their legs much longer, making them more maneuverable. James leapt high, clearing one of the creatures entirely. As he sailed over the attacker, he also noticed odd-shaped folds of layered skin along its back.
Not hesitating, he ran along the shore away from the monsters. Expecting to have left them far behind, when James turned moments later he was terrified to see they were gaining ground. They moved like cats in full stride, and James knew it would only be a matter of seconds before they were on him. He darted into the jungle and scrambled up the first large tree he came upon. Once he reached the canopy, James found a branch and sat waiting for his pursuers. He could see one still on the beach. It was pacing at the spot where he had entered the jungle.
The other two slowly moved into view beneath him. Their long tongues licked the ground. As they reached the foot of the tree, the larger of the two let out a guttural cough. The second began to climb. Its massive claws easily penetrated the tree bark. Without thinking, he ran across the branch and leapt, reaching for a branch on a neighboring tree. He caught it easily and pulled himself up onto it.
The creature jumped to the tree beside James, which swayed slightly under its weight as it continued to ascend. When close enough, it lunged, biting at the branch beneath James's feet. Its crushing jaws snapped through the branch as James jumped to another tree. The creatur
e followed, this time hurtling its entire body at James. It crashed through the smaller branches and hit the trunk headfirst. James let himself fall to a lower branch to avoid the collision. The creature fell, yet was able to orient itself and dig its claws into the trunk of another tree before hitting the ground.
James leapt again and quickly made his way to the opposite side of the tree before the fallen creature could track him. He looked down and saw the second creature looking up at him. Again it let out a guttural cough. Almost instantly he felt the other creature's weight hit his tree. He ran again, jumping from tree to tree searching for anything he could use to escape or gain the upper hand.
James worked his way up higher into the canopy of the larger trees. He climbed up the trunk of a massive tree that stretched double the height of the surrounding jungle. He could see the lake in the distance. The pale moonlight penetrated even the dense canopy and lit the landscape as far as James could see. A clearing littered with boulders sat off to his left. Looking down, James saw the beast making its way toward him. James moved to the opposite side of the trunk and relaxed his grip, allowing himself to fall. As he reached the lower canopy he grasped for a branch. It broke under his weight, sending him spinning toward the ground. Unable to get oriented, he flailed, grasping for anything within arm's length. After breaking through several more branches, he was able to seize a handhold.
James looked to the ground for the second creature. For the first time since the pursuit began he couldn't see it. James jumped quickly to a neighboring tree and made his way toward the clearing he'd spotted, moving from tree to tree. Behind him he heard the crashing of his less agile pursuer. As he continued, he realized where the second monster had gone. It was waiting for him at the base of the tree by the clearing. It coughed. James heard a reply cough and then a second. The third creature from the beach had come inland.
