by Pedro Urvi
“Take it easy,” Ingrid told him. She could read on his face the anxiety he was feeling.
Arrain, Shaman of Life and Sea, stood up, took an enormous conch and put it to his lips. He sounded it loudly three times, with a sound that was deep and long-drawn-out, a sound from the bottom of the sea. The great waterfall flashed sea-blue from the top down to its foot. A moment later, the waters of the huge waterfall divided in two.
“These people’s magic …” Viggo muttered.
Magic of Sea powerful, Camu transmitted to Lasgol.
Can you feel Astrid? Lasgol asked him, more out of desperation than because he thought his friend would be able to feel her.
I try.
A couple of dolphins came out of the open passage in the waterfall to greet them.
“These always brighten your day,” Ingrid said.
Viggo smiled and greeted them. “Yeah, they’re really cute.”
Can’t. Astrid no magic, Camu said sorrowfully.
Oh well… don’t worry.
She be well. Sure, Camu said encouragingly.
Thank you, friend.
Ona chirped once, also wanting to assure Lasgol that Astrid would be fine. Unfortunately he had the opposite feeling himself.
They followed the dolphins and the canoes of the turquoise people through the waterfall. Once they had crossed it, the torrent of water closed, falling once again and blocking the entrance to the tunnel. Once they were inside they could get a good view of the crater of the old volcano, with a second inner beach in the form of a ring. The island was truly an unexpected, unbelievable place.
Behind the white sand beach, on the inner side of the crater, was jungle in every direction. Near the beach were the inhabited areas, with innumerable huts.
Viggo pointed to a group of huts. “I think they kept us prisoners over there.”
“From the inside,” Ingrid commented as she looked around, “this place always gives me the feeling that it’s a great lake of calm water
“And what surrounds it,” Viggo added, “if you think about it, is really a kingdom of huts built amid the wild vegetation, behind the ring of sand which is the circular beach.”
“A unique place,” Lasgol agreed. But his anxiety at not knowing what was happening with Astrid prevented him from enjoying it.
Following Arrain, they landed on the sand at the point opposite the one where they had entered, and a host of turquoise savages came to look at them. The warriors formed a corridor so that they could pass through. Viggo immediately began to greet the native girls, smiling at them and ignoring the warriors who were watching them sternly.
“What on earth are you doing?” Ingrid whispered.
“What d’you think? I’m being friendly to the savages.”
“You mean to the savage girls,” she corrected him, with an emphasis on “girls.”
“That sounded like a growl.” He turned to smile at a group of girls who were waving back at him. “Could it be that you’re jealous they’re returning my greetings?”
“Me jealous? No way. They’re savages, we’re civilized Norghanians.”
“Yeah … savages of exotic beauty with turquoise skin and intense green and blue eyes,” Viggo said, blinking. His expression suggested that he was utterly captivated.
“They have seaweed instead of hair!” she said, looking disgusted.
“Personally I like it, with those really striking coral tiaras on their heads.”
“Oh, sure! What you like is the fact that they’re half-naked.”
“Half-naked? Actually, they’re wearing vividly-colored skirts …”
“Yeah, skirts …”
“Ah, you mean that instead of wearing tunics their breasts and belly-buttons are covered by seashells? I’d hardly noticed.”
“Stop flirting and focus, dumbass, or I’ll focus you with a blow on the head.”
Viggo smiled charmingly from ear to ear. He knew that Ingrid was jealous and that she was unable to hide the fact, and it made him immensely happy.
They went deeper into the huts of the central area. There were thousands of others along the whole ring, but this was the most densely-built area, with more and more people hurrying to see them go by.
Lasgol recognized the great cave where the Turquoise Queen had her dwelling. “We’re here,” he said.
Arrain gestured to the warriors at the entrance, who moved back. “Enter,” he said. “The Queen is waiting.”
They followed him into the great cave. It was as they remembered it: walls covered in moss, and the floor with its openings which allowed them to see the sea beneath with its corals and schools of fish.
In the center of the cave, the Turquoise Queen was seated on her strange throne in the shape of a giant shell, with sea-water for a seat. She waited with half her body in the water, surrounded by her shamans and her personal guard.
Arrain bowed and went to stand on her right, and the three of them greeted her with a bow as the shaman had done.
“Welcome,” Uragh said. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
Chapter 40
The Queen was as incredibly beautiful and exotic as Lasgol remembered her. She raised her hand to her long blonde hair, which also seemed to be made of seaweed, and stared at them without saying a word. Her face might have been that of a sea goddess. In her dark eyes there appeared a blue gleam of power, as though this were the first time she had seen them. Lasgol saw that she still wore no clothes, only covering her private parts and breasts with large sea stars on her turquoise-blue skin.
Viggo was staring at her captivated, and Ingrid with a tense expression. She knew she was in the presence of a very powerful woman. An aura of power seemed to emanate from her body without her even trying, a magic of sea and life which drenched the group as though a wave had broken over them.
“Queen of Life and Water,” Lasgol said respectfully.
“I am glad to see you again Lasgol, Ingrid and Viggo,” she said, with a welcoming smile which put Lasgol at ease. She did not seem to feel any hostility toward them.
“Your Majesty,” Ingrid and Viggo said at the same time, with a nod of respect.
Camu, show yourself, please, Lasgol said, and the creature appeared beside Ona.
“There he is. Camu and Ona, if I remember correctly. A really special creature. His magic and power are impressive, and they intrigue me.”
“He is a very special creature,” Lasgol agreed.
I special, Camu transmitted proudly.
“You’ve returned. I deduce that you’ve used the Star to defeat the Ice Specter.”
“Yes, your Majesty. We defeated the Specter and the Hosts of the Frozen Continent.”
“Tell me how it happened, because it interests me. The struggle between the Magic of Life and Death in all its manifestations has always fascinated me. The more I am able to understand about the subject, the better for my people.”
“Of course, your Majesty.” Lasgol went on to tell her everything that had happened at the siege of Norghania, how by using the Star of Sea and Life they had managed to destroy the Ice Specter, and how with it they had broken the siege and defeated the Hosts of the Frozen Continent.
“What I can’t explain to you, your Majesty, is how Eicewald and the Ice Magi did it. The great spell they created using the power of the Star is beyond my knowledge.”
“I understand that. Eicewald would be able to explain it to me. I see my old friend is not with you on this occasion. Has anything happened to him? It would sadden me if this were so.”
Lasgol was surprised by her interest in the Ice Mage’s wellbeing. After all, she herself had almost killed him during their previous encounter.
“You see, your Majesty, we suffered a misfortune with the Star of Sea and Life, and because of that, Eicewald wasn’t able to come with us. The last news we had from him was that he was well. He sends you his love.”
“What misfortune? Tell me, I want to know.”
Lasgol told her everythin
g they had been through since the theft of the Star, its recovery and their flight. Uragh listened attentively.
“The kingdoms of Tremia are decadent, and their endless search for power and riches is all that matters to those unscrupulous monarchs. I’m not surprised that Eicewald was betrayed, because it’s common practice among the nobility and royalty. Remember the lesson, since you too will be betrayed. Pitiless, greedy men will always be around you and will seek to take advantage of you, and if you come between them and their wishes, it will be the worse for you. That is one of the main reasons why I protect my kingdom from the greed of the Kings of Tremia. I hide and protect my people so that they never suffer a destiny of slavery and exploitation.”
“That does you credit, your Majesty,” Lasgol said. He knew that there was some truth in what she had said.
“I’m glad to know that Eicewald came out unscathed from the betrayal, and was able to plan the theft of the Star and your voyage here. He is a very intelligent man, quite apart from being a great Mage and a scholar of the arcane.”
“He certainly is. He’s helped us a lot,” Lasgol agreed. As he spoke, he was looking around for any clue to Astrid’s whereabouts.
Can you sense or see any trace of Astrid? he asked Ona and Camu.
No, no trace of Astrid.
Ona sniffed in every direction and chirped twice.
“From what you say, I understand that you are in possession of the Star of Sea and Life and that you have brought it to me, as we agreed.”
“That’s correct, your Majesty,” said Lasgol. From his travel bag he took out the Object of Power, carefully wrapped in a silver scarf.
Arrain stepped forward and reached out to take the Object, and Lasgol hesitated. If he handed it over, he would have nothing to use to negotiate Astrid’s freedom.
“And what about Astrid?” he asked the Queen. “The deal was the Star for her freedom.”
“True, I asked you what it was that you loved the most … and to answer me truthfully …”
“And so I did. Astrid is what I most love.”
“I remember it well. The deal was that Astrid would stay with me until you returned the Star.”
“Your Majesty promised that nothing would happen to her under your care … nothing has happened to her, has it?” he reminded her, afraid of asking the question because of what the answer might be.
“I have kept my word, and I see you have kept yours by coming back with the Object of Power.”
“Then Astrid is well, and we can leave with her.”
“Astrid is well … for the moment. If you give me the Star, I will keep my side of the deal. I am a just Queen, and I honor my word.”
Lasgol handed the Star to Arrain, who took it to the Queen. Uragh took it and examined it as if it were a great treasure. She put her left hand on the jewel, and it lit up with an intense golden radiance.
“I see you have used almost all of its power, and it is regenerating it,” she said with her eyes closed and her hand on the magic object. “It has not been harmed, which gladdens me. You have fulfilled your part of the deal, and I will fulfill mine. You are free to leave, including Astrid.”
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Lasgol said, trying not to show the joy he felt. “And Astrid?”
“Your beloved is finishing something which at the time you did not finish.”
Lasgol was frozen to the spot. He looked aside at Ingrid and Viggo, and their expressions of surprise told him they too had no idea what she was referring to.
“I don’t understand, your Majesty …”
“Do you remember that we made a first deal? A simple exchange … the head of Olagar for the Star of Sea and Life.”
“I remember …”
“We honored it,” Viggo said. “We brought you the octopus’ head.”
“Correct. All the same, you did not finish the job completely. One of his Sorcerers survived and has once again used the Magic of Death and Transformations to follow his master’s path and create an army against me.”
“We did what we agreed to,” said Ingrid.
“I know. I am not accusing you of this new problem. These are things that happen. You behead one leader, and another takes his place.”
“We killed all the sorcerers who were with Olagar,” Lasgol said, remembering.
“It seems that one was left alive. Astrid has gone to finish the work.”
“No! Alone?” Lasgol could not believe what he was hearing.
“Yes, alone. She preferred it that way. I offered her my warriors, even Arrain and his Sorcerers, but she refused them. She said it was a mission for an Assassin like her and that she would carry it out on her own.”
“I can’t believe it!” Lasgol cried desperately. They had come all this way, and now that Astrid was within his reach she had slipped away from him.
“I would like to make it clear that I did not force her to go,” Uragh said. “She volunteered to finish the job when I explained what was happening. In fact I was not even thinking of sending her, but she insisted. I can assure you that she can be very persuasive, that young Ranger.”
“Yes, she’s like that,” Lasgol admitted.
“When did she leave?” Ingrid asked.
“Five days ago. Her plan was to study the target secretly, then eliminate him.”
“That’s the way we work,” Viggo said.
“How do we know she’s alive?” Lasgol asked.
“Because of this.” Uragh showed Lasgol a pearl which shone with a whitish light. “It is a pearl of life. I gave her one for this mission, and it will protect her. I can sense that she is wearing it. As long as she continues to do so, I will be able to feel her.”
The Turquoise Queen rested her hands on two enormous pearls which seemed to be floating on the crystalline water of the seabed where she was sitting. She closed her eyes and conjured silently. The pearls lit up with turquoise flashes, and for a moment she stayed there motionless, with her eyes closed.
“I can feel that she is alive at this moment,” she announced at last.
“We’ll go and help her!” cried Lasgol, and Ingrid and Viggo nodded.
“Once again, it is of your own free will. I am not forcing you to do this.”
“We understand, your Majesty. We can’t let anything happen to her.”
“That is very honorable. Whether she herself would agree I cannot say. She seemed convinced that she could do the job by herself.”
“No, she won’t agree,” Lasgol said. He knew Astrid would be angry at their interference. “Still, we’re going to go and help her.”
“As you wish. As I did with her, I offer you my warriors and my Sorcerers.”
“Thank you, your Majesty, but a small group has a better chance of going unnoticed.”
“In that case, I will make you the same offering as I did to Astrid.”
The Queen dipped her hand in the water. When she took it out there appeared five pearls which shone with an intense light.
“Here are five pearls of life, one for each of you. They will protect you. They bear within them my Magic of Life.”
“Thank you once again, your Majesty,” said Lasgol.
Arrain took the pearls from the Queen’s hands and brought them to them.
“Place them on your chest,” Uragh told them, and pointed to her own.
When the three of them did so, the pearls flashed and remained stuck to the center of their chests. Lasgol put them on Camu and Ona.
Magic of Water and Life in the pearl, Camu said to Lasgol.
Is it dangerous?
Think not. Magic of Life good.
Okay. Stay alert just in case. We don’t know what kind of spells or power there is in them.
I very alert. Always.
Thanks.
“Your Majesty,” he said aloud, “with your permission, we’ll leave now.”
“One last thing. I would like you to let me examine the ingredients you carry in your Rangers’ belts.”
&nbs
p; The request took them aback.
“Yes … of course, your Majesty.”
“You see, Astrid let me examine hers, and I found them really interesting. Many of the ingredients and substances you use cannot be found in my realm, and I am interested in studying them, above all those you use to create healing ointments and potions. And also those you use to create poisons. Astrid told me you all used different substances, depending on your particular Specialty.”
“That’s right, your Majesty. We’ll leave you a sample of each one.” Lasgol looked aside at Viggo and Ingrid, who both nodded.
“Good. Go on your way, and good luck. I hope you all come back alive.”
Chapter 41
Egil had got the information he needed at the Library of Bintantium in Erenalia, and was able to ride contentedly. They now had a chance to save Dolbarar, which was the important thing. Now they had to get to the Camp as soon as possible, even though the situation was far from resolved. Egil was aware that once they arrived at the Camp they would have to confront the established order, which was not going to be easy. They anticipated tough resistance from Angus, the Master Rangers and Edwina.
They had no difficulty leaving Erenal, because it took the Grand Master, the Master Archivists and the royal guard over a week to determine what had happened. In fact, they did not manage to do this completely, since they never really found out what had happened. At first they had supposed it had been a very well-planned robbery, but after spending several days establishing what exactly the robbers had taken, they came to the disconcerting conclusion that in fact nothing was missing. All their treasures, all their valuable tomes and files of knowledge and wisdom, were still in place, and the audit, which was carried out with care and precision, found nothing amiss.
By the time the order went out to look for a beautiful blonde, probably of Norghanian origin, the group was a very long way from the capital. Egil had deliberately not taken the tome with him, in order to create that confusion. Although it looked like a robbery, nothing had been taken, which left the Librarians and Erenalian authorities utterly puzzled. All the same, something had actually been taken: the knowledge they had been in search of. Egil memorized it and then copied it so that he would have it in writing. But this was something the Librarians never found out.
