by Emlyn Hall
The pair of them paused their conversation for a moment as the sound of hundreds of hoofs drummed on the surface overhead. Jack looked at Bafflebod, whose mouth had dropped open.
"What was that?" he asked.
"I am not sure, sounds like the Brachanids have charged us. It didn't half sound like a lot of them!" said Bafflebod, looking quite alarmed.
"Are you worried? Are you sure we are safe here?" asked Jack, also starting to look a little concerned.
"I'm not worried, Dev is a great leader and he has the stone. But I am worried that they now know where we are. I think we will probably have to leave here and find somewhere else to live," said Bafflebod sadly. "Even if we do win this battle, they will be back in huge numbers."
Bafflebod's room shook as Dev's energy wave tore across the land above. A soft patter of hoofs in the opposite direction, followed by a triumphant cheer signalled the abrupt end to the battle above.
"I think we have won!" said Bafflebod with a huge smile spreading across his pale thin face. A loud siren rang out through the tunnel system and Bafflebod nodded. "Yep, we have won!"
The celebrations following the battle lasted late into the night. Jack had never eaten or danced so much in his life and when the celebrating had finished, he returned with Bafflebod to his room completely exhausted. The makeshift bed which Bafflebod's dad had quickly made for Jack earlier in the day was hard and very uncomfortable, but Jack didn't mind. Jack and his new friend laughed, joked and told stories wearily for a few minutes until sleep eventually caught up with both of them. Despite the hard bed, unfamiliar surroundings and strange smells, Jack had the best night's sleep of his life.
Siinjid's Battle Plan
Crake Zee returned to Vassash, the Brachanid's capital wounded and defeated. With just twenty-two of the 500-strong company he had left with, it was crystal clear that the mission had been a complete failure. Crake's company had been on a scouting mission searching for Zephods when a bolt of light from the sky alerted them to the arrival of Penny and Jack.
Crake walked up the many stairs of the Dark Tower with a very heavy heart, failure was not accepted in the Midnight Army and he was expecting to be punished, maybe even executed.
Crake reached the top of the stairs and paused at a great black door. His forked tongue flickered as he took a deep breath and knocked.
"Enter!" came the very loud and angry reply. Crake opened the door and walked in.
"Ah, Crake. I wondered if you would have the nerve to return after your failings on the battlefield. You have cast shame across my people, do you have anything to say before I cast you back into the pits?" said Siinjid, his eyes burning red with rage.
Crake bowed humbly and placed one knee on the floor. "My master, words cannot explain the shame I feel. The pits are a lenient punishment for my failings as a leader, but some good has come from our sacrifice, master."
"Some good?! Some good?!" boomed Siinjid. "What possible good could come from losing 500 of our troops to the filthy Zephod scum?" Siinjid's needle-sharp teeth were fully revealed as his thin black lips rode upwards with fury. Crake paused before replying, half expecting Siinjid to attack him.
"We found a tunnel complex, master, there were hundreds of warriors and I would bet that nearby there would be families too. If we act fast and attack with many, we would crush them and take their resources. The ground the cowards hide beneath is fertile and lush, there must be a good supply of water. It would prove a most valuable gain for our civilisation," said Crake.
"Interesting," said Siinjid and a slight smile grew across his face. "Vengeance and reward for my people. I will personally lead the attack."
"There is one problem though, sire," said Crake.
"Which is?" enquired Siinjid.
"Dev Pron was among their number and he carries a great stone. He used it to throw us from our beasts. How could we possibly combat against that?" asked Crake.
"You leave Dev Pron to me, master Crake, we have a new weapon for just such an occasion. You will be given the chance to redeem yourself after all, assemble a party of twenty to ride tonight, your task will be to turn out the sun. When the Zephods wake, there will be no morning."
As Siinjid spoke, a confused expression grew across Crake's face. 'What weapon? Turn out the sun? Has he gone mad?' Thought Crake.
"Go and assemble your men, master Crake, I will brief you at the foot of the tower in one hour.
Crake could not believe that he had escaped without punishment, he was certain that something foul awaited him, possibly even death. He stood, bowed, and left the room heading back towards the stairs with a rising feeling of guilt. Crake was a proud warrior and felt a deep shame for his failings on the battlefield, he felt as if he needed to be punished.
Crake assembled his troops and ensured that his party was ready and waiting ten minutes early.
Siinjid walked out of the tower precisely on time and the party gathered around in complete silence, joined by hordes of curious Brachanid passers-by.
"Fellow Brachanids, tonight you ride under the cover of darkness to deliver a fatal blow for the glorious Brachanid civilisation. Our scientists have developed a weapon to allow us to combat the Great Stones. Your role will be to deliver the weapon. The weapon will need to be planted under a great land mass and once activated it will send the very Earth above it high into the air, blocking out the sun. Once darkness has fallen we shall attack the Zephod filth and wipe their cowardly presence from the planet. I will send Halknin with you, an honourable scientist who will carry the weapon and set it to activate. Ride now my brave Brachanids, to the glory of our people and for victory!"
Crake blew his battle horn, his Cara cara reared up and he led the party away from the tower and into the darkness.
Dawn was rising as Crake and his party approached the cliffs.
"Look for a cave, we will plant the weapon within and I will activate it," said Halknin to Crake as they rode. "Once it has been triggered, you will need to be far away from here. You will need to be very far away from here."
After a short search of the cliff face a small opening was found. Crake and Halknin both dismounted and entered. The cave was perfect, it drilled its way inwards for just over 100 metres and then it opened up into a large chamber.
"This is perfect," said Halknin. "I will activate the weapon and we can then be on our way."
"You will be on your way, I will remain," said Crake.
"But you will be destroyed, my master," said Halknin.
"This is my chance to redeem myself. This is how I would like to be remembered, I have shamed myself on the field of combat and without punishment I don't know how I will be able to carry on. I will ensure that the weapon is unhindered and maybe one day, someone may decide to sing a song about me rather than laugh. My being here will ensure that everything goes according to my master's plans, nothing can interfere with that," replied Crake with sorrow heavy in his burning red eyes.
"If you are sure," said Halknin.
"More than anything I have ever done," replied Crake. "Now be gone."
Halknin bowed with respect, activated the weapon, turned and left Crake alone to guard the weapon in the dark of the cave.
Crake smiled sadly to himself, sat on the damp cave floor and bowed his head, closed his tired eyes and waited.
Training and Jumping
Jack was woken up by Brinmad and although there were no windows, Jack could tell that is was very early. Even after a very good night's sleep, he was still exhausted and a day of training was the last thing he wanted, all he really wanted to do was to go home and see his dad. The air in Bafflebod's room was stuffy and damp, Jack's chest felt heavy and he wondered how the Zephods could live like this, cooped up hiding underground their whole lives. 'This surely isn't right,' Jack thought to himself. 'I understand why I need to help, but what can I do?'
Jack dressed and joined everyone else for breakfast. The breakfast was at best disgusting, a bowl of sour tasting mashed
roots and a small glass of dirty brown water with lots of bits floating in it. Jack did his best to eat out of politeness even though every mouthful made him retch.
He was reassured to see Penny doing the same as him across the table. Bafflebod and his father however did not seem to have a problem with the food and their bowls and glasses were soon empty.
"So Jack," began Brinmad. "This is your first day of training, how do you feel about that?"
"I am sure it will be OK, sir, I am just very tired though and if I'm honest a little nervous," said Jack fighting back a yawn.
"You will be fine, they will take it very easy with you at the start I am sure, but it does get harder," said Brinmad. "Believe me, I remember it well."
"Do you know what will we be doing?" asked Jack.
"I don't, I'm afraid, a lot has changed since I was a young lad beginning my training. But I do know however, that you will not be training with Bafflebod today, you will be training one-on-one with Dev Pron himself. Now that is a great honour," said Brinmad. Jack looked across the table to Bafflebod who could not hide his disappointment that his new friend would not be training with him after all.
"You are very lucky indeed," said Penny. "Dev is a very wise man and a formidable warrior. You will need this though." Penny pulled out the great stone and passed it to Jack. "This now belongs to you, Jack. You are its new carrier, guard it and its secrets with your life. If this stone were to fall into the wrong hands it could spell an end to all life on not only this planet, but ours too. What I pass to you is not only a great power, but also a great responsibility. I am certain that you will serve it and the people of these lands very well. You have a pure heart."
"Thank you, Penny," said Jack. He stared down at the very ordinary looking stone in his hands and felt the butterflies rise in his stomach, now he was scared.
A loud knocking on the door brought Jack back to reality with jump. Brinmad opened the door and was greeted by two very tall, very serious looking Zephod warriors in full battle dress.
"We are here to collect the carrier," said one of the warriors very abruptly.
"Of course, I will just get him," replied Brinmad. He turned back into the room and gestured to Jack to hurry along. Jack popped the stone safely into his front pocket, bid farewell to everyone and walked over to the door.
"Come with us," said the warrior, again very abruptly.
Jack nervously did as he was told and followed the two warriors down the tunnel. The warriors walked very quickly and Jack found it a struggle to keep up. They led Jack through the tunnels and back to the door through which Brinmad had welcomed him and Penny the day before. The door swung open and the bright light poured in hurting Jack's eyes. Jack followed the warriors outside and was met by the sight of Dev Pron sat on top what looked like a gigantic horse. Dev was holding the reigns of another which Jack guessed was for him to ride.
"Good morning, Jack. This is your Seffinpor, climb aboard, we don't have very much time."
"Good morning," replied Jack. The two warriors helped Jack climb aboard the Seffinpor and they were off. Dev kept a slow pace to begin with, for which Jack was very grateful, as he was a long way up and was finding it tricky to maintain his balance.
"I understand that Miss Penny has given you the stone. Your first lesson today will be on how to use it. The stones are very complicated to use, so we will only be covering some basics. Unfortunately, we will not have very long together, young Jack, as I must return to my people, we are going to have to move everybody from these lands as the enemy knows where we are and it will not be long before they coordinate an attack with huge numbers," said Dev.
"Is it our fault that they know where you are, I mean they followed us didn't they?" said Jack.
"Do not blame yourself, Jack, they would have found us soon enough, they always do. We have lived in this particular tunnel system for over a year and have been preparing for a move, it is our way of life. The enemy has been searching the area with ever increasing frequency over the last few weeks, so it was just a matter of time. We have finished the construction of a new tunnel and I will move my people to their new home tonight," said Dev.
"Why don't you stay and fight?" asked Jack.
"One day we will. But it will not be today, they are great in number, we are very few. Just a little further now, Jack, and we will begin," said Dev.
Dev and Jack stopped and dismounted by the entrance to a large cave opening. The wind had picked up while they were riding and talking and it was now making an eerie whistling sound around the entrance to the cave. The cave scared Jack and he wished that he did not have to go in, Dev ushered him on, he took a deep breath and followed.
The pair descended into the dark and stopped when they reached a large open chamber. Dev lit the torches that lined the walls revealing a huge room which was covered from floor to ceiling in similar paintings to those within Dev's chamber.
"This is a training cave, my people have been training here for years, we have many of them scattered around the land. Take out your stone, Jack," said Dev.
Jack pulled the stone from his pocket and held it nervously in front of him.
"As I'm sure Miss Penny has already told you, the power of the stone relies on the sun's rays striking its surface, the more time the stone is hidden from the sun's light, the weaker it will become. To access the stone's abilities, we use the ancient symbols of the Ungan Dazaf. Each stone has its own unique set of abilities and relies on the symbol being drawn on the surface of the stone. Let me show you the symbols we know," said Dev.
Dev walked to one of the walls of the cave and gestured to Jack to take a look. On the wall, which was well illuminated by torches either side, was a large list of mysterious symbols.
"These are all of the symbols we currently know, although we are certain that there are others. When the Ungan Dazaf left they took everything with them, apart from the stones and what little knowledge was left behind with the slaves. It is this information that has been passed down through the generations and which you now gaze upon, young Jack. Not all symbols will work upon the surface of your stone and there are many that we do not know which will. Over time, you will learn to mater the stone," said Dev.
"To travel from your planet to this, you need to draw this symbol." Dev pointed to a symbol on the wall. "To return home it is this one." Again Dev pointed.
Jack spent the rest of his morning learning symbol after symbol. Dev made Jack write the symbols again and again on the dusty floor using a small stick. When Dev announced that they had finished with symbols for the day Jack's head was a confused jumble of new symbols.
"Before we do something a little different, Jack, let me see you fly," said Dev.
Jack scratched his head and stared down at the very ordinary looking stone he held in his hand. His mind raced through the symbols he had been learning, he settled on one and hovered a shaking thumb over the stone. He drew the symbol on the surface.
The stone lit up brightly in his hand and trembled. A large boom announced the production of a large energy wave which blasted out of the stone, throwing Dev violently against the wall and showering them both in clouds of dust from the ceiling. Dev stood up, dusted himself off and walked back over to Jack with a smile on his face.
"OK, try again," said Dev tapping at the correct symbol on the wall.
The very red faced and embarrassed Jack tried again. This time he got it right, a little too right. Jack was launched into the air at a blistering pace and hit the ceiling with a terrific thump.
"The size of the symbol determines how high you go!" called out Dev, with an even bigger grin on his face. "Now do the same symbol but backwards to come down."
Jack nodded with difficulty as his cheek was pressed firmly against the ceiling, did as he was instructed and returned to the ground with a little more control.
"You will soon get the hang of it Jack," laughed Dev. The pair of them rested for a short while before spending the rest of the day focussin
g on swordplay and archery. Jack had never held a real sword before and was amazed at just how heavy it was, let alone wield it in combat. He found that archery came a lot more naturally to him, but after nearly three hours of it, he had had enough of both and could barely lift his aching right arm.
"Let us return, there is much to be done," said Dev finally.
The pair of them remounted their Seffinpors and headed off back to the Zephod tunnels. Once they returned Jack rushed back to Brinmad's home and told Penny about all he had learned that morning. Dev followed him in and embraced Penny, bidding her farewell and thanking her for all of her help over the years. Dev nodded to Jack, turned and left.
"Well done, Jack, you have taken the first steps along a very exciting path, but now we must return home. Your father will be starting to get a little worried," said Penny.
The pair of them walked back to the cliffs along with two Zephod warriors, down the cliff pass and back to Waking Veil, where they had arrived just the day before.
"This is the only place the stone will work to get you home, Jack," said Penny. "OK, take us back."
Jack nodded, held Penny by the hand and drew the symbol he had cast to memory that morning on the surface of the stone.
"Three, two, one! Jump!" he cried.
The pair of them jumped into the air and disappeared.
A split second later they arrived with a bump in Penny's garden. The sun was low in the sky and Jack guessed that it must have been have been approaching 9pm. At the front of the house the school bus and Mr Grimson had both gone.
"Pop inside for a moment, Jack, you will soon be home with your father, I will ask my neighbour if he wouldn't mind dropping you home," said Penny.
Dark Skies at Sunrise
Penny fixed Jack something to eat and drink and popped next door to arrange a lift home for him. Her neighbour, Mr Stevens was shocked to hear Penny speak but agreed to help Jack out. In the thirty-five years that Steven Stevens had lived next door to Penny he had never once heard her utter a single word, nobody had.
In the back of Mr Stevens' car, Penny whispered in Jack's ear. "You must keep the stone safe and in the light of the sun as much as you can. You cannot talk to a soul about the stone or what you have done, not even to your father. People will not understand and it could be disastrous, that is why I took a vow of silence. For me, I could see no other way."
