Emerald Child (Kalika Magic Book 1)

by Karen Hughes

  ‘But how–’

  ‘Each island is like a doorway, leading from Gort to a new land. Between the lands there is a barrier, a wall of pure energy. The Kalika call it the silver veil. It is so fine in places you can pass right through.’

  ‘So the staircase in the chest–’

  ‘Passed through the silver veil, yes.’

  ‘But … I don’t get it. Am I still inside the chest, then?’

  ‘Well, yes and no.’ The old man smiled. ‘There was a crystal ball on the stairs. Do you remember?’

  Indie nodded.

  ‘That ball was like a key. Kai used it to open the silver veil, so that you could pass through. It takes a powerful magic, ancient and dark. I’m still not sure how he did it.’

  ‘Kai did that?’ Indie stared at the boy, her eyes wide. ‘Kai did the magic? No way.’

  Kai shrugged and looked at the floor.

  ‘No way,’ Indie said again. She looked around the cave, at the paintings of the queen in her blue silk dress and the king with his flaming red beard. ‘So I am inside the chest, but … I’m in another world as well. This is too strange.’

  After that she asked hundreds of questions. She read every book she could lay her hands on, climbing the rickety stepladder to reach the highest shelves. She pored over the pages, musty and yellow, with Kai looking over her shoulder.

  *

  Kai grew quiet as the days continued. The old stories of Ballyndor were filled with courage and glory. There were pitched battles fought for noble causes, strong kings and valiant queens. Then the stories changed. The king’s son lay dying; the lands around the city fell to ruin. The old man told Kai it wasn’t his fault. The king was weak and Tala – dear beautiful Tala – was weak also.

  Indie could stand it no longer. ‘Weak?’ she demanded, after Uncle Paco told them about the water-lily lake Eamon built for Tala on her birthday. ‘But they loved each other so much, and they loved Kai …’

  ‘Not enough,’ Kai muttered. ‘Or they wouldn’t have gone away.’

  Indie was quiet. You’re not the only one, she thought. My mother went away, too. But she loved me. She must have loved me.

  Kai put down the picture he’d been studying – a miniature, in oils, showing Tala holding a baby girl.

  ‘Maybe the king was weak, and maybe it was because of me,’ he said, gathering his courage. ‘But I’m not weak. I’m not like them!’

  There was an uncomfortable silence. The clock on the wall chimed the hour in a series of tings and tangs, like a clockwork toy winding down.

  ‘Uncle Paco, I’m ready. I’m ready now.’

  The old man said nothing.

  ‘Aren’t we here to learn how to defeat the sorcerer?’ Kai demanded. ‘Isn’t that the whole point?’

  The old man’s face was hollow and grey.

  ‘You are only a child, Kai,’ he said. ‘You are safe here.’

  ‘But that’s not – ’

  ‘Knowledge is your greatest weapon. You must stay and learn all you can until you are old enough to face Tenzel. Try to be patient.’

  ‘But I know enough now! If we wait it will be too late.’

  ‘And if you do not wait, you will die.’

  Chapter 7

  The Locking Away Spell

  kai and indie sat on the floor with a wooden board between them. It was painted with bright green squares and they took turns throwing the dice and moving their silver horses from square to square.

  ‘I want to know about the baby girl,’ said Indie. ‘The one the queen was holding in that painting. Do you have a sister, Kai?’

  Kai looked at his uncle. The old man frowned and held up his hand. ‘All in good time, Indie,’ he said. ‘Yes, yes … all in good time.’

  ‘Did something happen to her?’ whispered Indie, suddenly afraid of what she might hear. She moved her horse in front of Kai’s and collected a gold token.

  ‘Yes,’ said the old man. ‘She asked too many questions and the goblins ate her.’

  Indie dropped her tokens with a clatter. ‘Are there goblins in Ballyndor?’

  ‘No,’ said Kai, giving his uncle an angry look. ‘He’s just trying to scare you.’

  ‘It would do you good to be afraid,’ said the old man. ‘There are worse things than goblins. Now hush. I must finish telling you about the castle.’ He cleared his throat and continued.

  ‘The castle of Ballyndor is thousands of years old. For centuries it has stood above the city, protecting the people of Gort. To the north is the water-lily lake, to the east the stables and the yards. Now let me think. The gardens are on the southern side. Yes, yes … where there’s more sun. And the servants quarters are to the west, close to the great stone wall.’

  Kai rolled his eyes. ‘You’ve already told us about the castle and the fine stables and the glorious gardens. We know everything about Ballyndor.’

  ‘Rubbish,’ said the old man. ‘You think you know everything, but there is much to learn. Yes, yes … much to learn. Now, have I spoken of the Kalika people?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Indie. ‘They live in tree houses in the Kalika Forest and the sorcerer hates them.’

  ‘We know all that!’ said Kai. ‘We know the Kalika are in danger. We know Ballyndor is in danger. We need to go and face the sorcerer. I’m sick of talking and doing nothing. It is time to fight!’

  The old man sighed and shook his head. ‘After the king and queen disappeared, Tenzel posted guards all around the walls of the castle; heavily armed guards. You know that, Kai. You know it is impossible to get inside.’

  ‘But Grandma Helki said there was a tunnel –’

  Uncle Paco snorted. ‘Much use that will do you,’ he said. ‘Only the king knows where it is, and the king is most likely dead.’

  ‘He is not dead!’ cried Kai. He stood up, knocking the horses from the board. ‘Why did you say that? Where’s the proof?’

  ‘I don’t know; there is no proof.’ The old man turned away. ‘Alive, dead … it matters not.’ He stood slowly and shuffled from the room, muttering to himself. ‘Lost. Ballyndor is lost. Yes, yes … my beautiful city … lost.’

  *

  Indie woke with a sense of dread. ‘I feel like a prisoner here,’ she whispered.

  ‘So do I.’ Kai’s voice was soft in the darkness. ‘I don’t even know what day it is.’

  ‘Thursday, I think. No, maybe Friday.’ Indie was quiet. Then she said, ‘Why is he doing this, Kai? It’s like he wants to keep us locked up with his treasures. You’re the prince of Gort, maybe you need to be kept safe –’

  ‘I do not!’

  ‘… but why me? Why can’t I go home to Aunty Mai?’

  There was a rustle in the passage. ‘Who's that?’ asked Indie. ‘Who’s there?’

  ‘Shhh,’ said a voice. ‘It’s only me.’

  There was a flicker of candlelight and Millie stood in the doorway, her face as old and faded as her dressing gown.

  ‘You must leave,’ she said. ‘You can’t stay here.’

  ‘What’s happening?’ asked Kai, his feet on the floor in an instant.

  Millie came into the cave, her candle casting shadows on the wall. ‘Your uncle is so afraid. The poor dear, he’s not himself at all.’

  ‘What do you mean? What’s he doing?’

  ‘He says he should have done more to protect Tala, to save her from the sorcerer. He has been pacing the floor every night. He says he won’t let the same thing happen to you.’

  Indie stared at the old woman. ‘He’s not going to let us go, is he?’

  ‘He can’t keep us locked down here!’ Kai was pulling on his boots. ‘He’s crazy!’

  ‘No,’ said Millie, her eyes filling with tears. ‘He’s just frightened. He means well, but he’s so afraid of losing you.’ She blinked and then straightened her shoulders. ‘Right’ she said, in a voice stronger than she looked. ‘Let’s get you packed.’

  ‘Packed?’ said Indie. ‘But where are we going?’

 
‘You must leave; you can’t stay here any longer. Your uncle is preparing one of Chief Wicasa’s spells. I tried to stop him.’

  Indie remembered a book filled with spidery writing and beautiful drawings – the spells of a great Kalika chief. The book was hundreds of years old. Uncle Paco had shown it to her, but he wouldn’t let her touch it.

  ‘Which one, Millie?’ Kai was asking. ‘Which spell is he going to use?’

  ‘It’s a spell of protection: a locking away spell. It will seal off the caves until the date he sets for them to be opened. Your uncle has been muttering many things to himself these last few days. He says boys do not become men overnight. He says you must stay here and learn all you need to learn before he’ll let you face the sorcerer.’

  ‘Learn everything he thinks we need to learn? That could take years!’ Indie was standing next to her bed, rooted to the spot.

  ‘He is crazy. He can't keep us locked down here, just because he’s scared.’ Kai was pulling clothes from a chest in the corner and passing them to Indie. ‘Hurry. Put these on.’

  He had chosen a shirt and shorts similar to his own, as well as a sturdy pair of boots. Indie wriggled her toes in them, stomping up and down a few times to get used to the unaccustomed feeling of confinement.

  Millie pressed a bundle into her hands, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

  ‘Food,’ she whispered. ‘For the long road ahead.’

  She turned to Kai, ‘Take the tunnels leading south and don't stop until you reach the sea. Go quickly. He’ll be starting any minute – if he can find the nettles I put on top of the bookcase and the mugwort I hid in the root cellar.’ She chuckled, but there were tears in her eyes. ‘Be safe,’ she whispered.

  Kai kissed the old woman's cheek. ‘We’ll see you again, Millie,’ he said. ‘I promise.’

  ‘Oh my boy, my poor boy,’ she said, clasping his hand.

  Indie followed Kai through a maze of tunnels, until they reached a wide passageway.

  ‘Listen.’ Kai slowed to a jog. ‘He must have found the herbs.’

  Indie could hear the hum of the old man's voice. She couldn’t make out the words, but the sound was low and solemn and she shuddered to think what it meant. The darkness closed in on her and she clutched the bundle to her chest.

  They ran along the passage. It became so narrow that Indie was forced to fall in behind Kai, her elbows scraping against the walls.

  Kai ran faster. Indie found herself having to sprint to keep up.

  ‘What’s happening?’ she shouted. ‘Why are you going so fast? Has he finished the spell?’

  ‘Can't you hear it?’ Kai was running as fast as he could now.

  ‘Hear what?’

  The passage was filled with a howling scream.

  ‘What is it?’ Indie cried. Kai’s answer came in gasps as they ran.

  ‘The spell … it's the spell. It’ll … block the … opening … of the tunnel.’

  Indie could see a small patch of blue, a light in the darkness.

  ‘Run! Run faster!’ Kai cried.

  They hurtled toward the light. Indie felt a blast of heat on the back of her neck, as if her hair were on fire. Sparks filled the air.

  ‘We're not going to make it!’ Kai was reaching his arms out in front, trying to bring the blue closer.

  ‘Yes we are,’ Indie was right on his heels, pushing him onwards through the tunnel.

  She felt a surge of power. Her fear fell away. She knew one thing and one thing only – they had to reach the light.

  And then they were free. Bursting through the opening, the hot breath of the spell almost on top of them.

  Kai stumbled and fell in a heap on the ground. Indie landed next to him, flat on her face, fighting to catch her breath. Behind them, a haze of gold snapped and sizzled across the entrance to the tunnel.

  Indie propped herself on one elbow and stretched her other hand toward the tunnel entrance out of curiosity. ‘Ouch!’ she cried, snatching her fingers away. ‘I guess we won't be going back that way.’

  Chapter 8

  Trapped

  indie looked around. They were sitting on a wide ledge. Above them, pinnacles of grey rock pointed to the sky, like the fingers of a giant. Below, the waves crashed against the cliff face and the cries of seagulls echoed across the sea.

  The heat of the day and the salt breeze lifted Indie's spirits, but Kai sat hunched beside her, shivering.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Indie asked, patting him on the shoulder.

  Kai shook her off. ‘We can't go back,’ he said. ‘We can't go up or down. We have no food, no water.’ He put his head in his hands. ‘And no one can rescue us because no one knows we’re here.’

  Indie smiled. ‘Is that all?’ She had escaped a magic spell powerful enough to incinerate her. Surely now, she could do anything. ‘Feel the sun, Kai,’ she said, stretching her arms wide. ‘Feel the wind. We're free! We'll think of something.’

  ‘Like what?’ Kai muttered.

  ‘I dunno … something. Don’t be such a grouch.’ She untied the string around the bundle Millie had given her. Inside there was a loaf of bread, a hunk of cheese, some smoked ham and six red apples.

  Kai brightened when he saw the food spilling out of the package. He remembered the water bottle hanging from the strap on his back and offered Indie a drink.

  ‘Ta da!’ said Indie, with a flourish of her arm. ‘Food, water and fresh air. That’s real magic.’ She took the bottle. The water was cool and sweet as she gulped it down.

  ‘Hey, go easy,’ said Kai, between mouthfuls of bread and cheese. ‘We don't know when we'll find more water. Or food.’ His face looked gloomy again; leaning back against a rock, he closed his eyes.

  Indie was rummaging under the ham to make sure there was nothing else. No, she’d pulled out all the food. There was nothing hiding underneath, but a second look at the wrapping paper made her stop in the act of scrunching it up. Yes. The paper wrapped around the bread was covered in writing.

  ‘Hey, look at this,’ she said, handing it to Kai. ‘What does it say?’

  The characters were tiny and intricate. Each letter curled and twisted around the next.

  Kai looked at it for a long time. ‘It’s a very old language, from the earliest days of Gort,’ he said.

  ‘Can you read it?’

  He squinted at the paper. ‘It's a spell,’ he said. ‘One of Chief Wicasa's, I think.’

  ‘Millie would have known we’d come out on this ledge, wouldn’t she?’ Indie tied up the bundle of food. ‘Go on, say it, Kai. Maybe it's a way out of here.’

  ‘I don't know if it’s a good idea to say a spell when you don't know what it does. It might turn us into birds or something.’

  ‘Well at least we could fly off this ledge.’

  ‘But then what?’ Kai turned the paper over in his hands. ‘We’d have to build a nest and eat worms and – ’

  ‘You’re such a wimp. Just say the words, Kai, and see what happens.’

  Kai sighed. It had been different on the journey to the caves. He’d known exactly where to go and what to do. But now … Uncle Paco was right. Out here in the real world – in the sorcerer’s world – he was just a boy again. A stupid, scared, unready boy.

  ‘Come on, Kai,’ Indie was trying to read over his shoulder. ‘Just say it.’

  Kai took a deep breath. He couldn’t let Indie down. He’d promised Grandma Helki he would bring her home.

  He closed his eyes and whispered:

  Spirits of the earth and sky,

  Of thunder, lightening, wind and snow,

  Of night-time black and forest green,

  Of cloud on high and field below,

  Protect us now.

  ‘Is that the spell?’ Indie asked. ‘Is that it? Nothing’s happening.’

  ‘No,’ Kai snapped, cross with himself for being so scared. ‘I'm just saying a few words of protection, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Indie. ‘Sorry.’


  Kai stared at the paper, committing the words to memory; then he closed his eyes and began to chant.

  Hasama kokomi

  Ki ki yama, ki ki yo

  Hasama kokomi

  Mottaka, mottaka.

  The language sounded like trickling water on his tongue; cool and clear and full of hope. When he’d finished reciting the spell, Kai held his breath and looked around. Indie did the same.

  Nothing happened.

  ‘Oh well,’ Indie said at last. ‘At least we haven't grown feathers.’

  She grinned, but it took a lot of effort. ‘Maybe if we stand here near the edge and flap our arms like this …’

  ‘You're not funny, you know.’ Kai turned his back on her and stomped across to the entrance of the tunnel. ‘There must be some way we can get back inside,’ he muttered, staring at the snarling spell.

  ‘Kai! Kai! Look at me!’

  He ignored her. Brat.

  ‘Look! Kai! You have to look!’

  Kai turned, and almost fell off the ledge. Indie was still flapping her arms, but she wasn’t standing on the ground. She was hovering in the air, about level with Kai's head.

  ‘Look at me!’ she cried. ‘I'm flying! I'm really flying!’

  Kai’s jaw dropped and he took a step towards her; then he stopped and looked at the paper in his hand. ‘It must be Chief Wicasa's famous flying spell,’ he said. ‘I can’t believe it. No one’s used that spell for hundreds of years.’

  ‘Flap your arms,’ Indie said, rising into the air. ‘Let's get out of here.’

  Kai began to flap his arms, feeling a bit silly at first. He was surprised to feel his weight drop away and a lightness fill his body. He gave a shriek of utter joy, a high ‘eeeek!’, about which he was teased for a long time afterward. Soon he was flapping as wildly as Indie.

  Higher and higher they rose, until they were almost level with the top of the cliff. ‘Don't go any further,’ Kai called. ‘We'd better stay below the clouds.’

  Indie looked down. The cliff formed the edge of an island. As she watched, it seemed to shudder and sink into the sea.