• The Dark Fires Of Cyphyrus
  • Chapter 31

    Morning light shone like a shining beacon to the lost over the mountainous horizon where just seconds before, it was pitch black. Soon after, thousands of small flying creatures and birds...like they've done so many times before, flew and flittered around the forests, savannahs, and mountains, hoping to be the first to catch food before the larger predators come out.

    But all of this was missed by the occupants still asleep in a large bedroom in an expensive-looking house owned by the master sorcerer known as Yelsnid. Troubled dreams still clouded their minds as they slept, and even the long night's rest wasn't enough to erase the memories of the hardships they've been through so far. A few minutes later, the large door to the bedroom opened, and a lone figure, carrying an old-fashioned oil lamp, cautiously walked in. When he saw the girls sleeping, a small smile tugged on his lips. He hoped they would be able to rest after the grueling battle they had with the evil Lord Kumraa. Even though he was known as a bitter old man to many of the people in the city of Calithra, he still had a tender spot for young people...that is, young people who weren't troublemakers. Although he had only known these strange girls a short time, he had grown proud and attached to them in his heart, and knew he would protect them to the best of his abilities. They were almost like....daughters to him.

    The tender smile left his lips. It was almost a shame to wake them, but if they were to get started on finding the last Sacred Medallion, then there was no time to waste. He had already seen to it that the saddlebags for their horses were filled with food and clothing that will last at least two weeks. He hated to see them go so soon, but he also knew the safety of the world was at stake. Secretly to himself, he hoped that he would see them again when their journey was over. Then before he could think of anymore sentimental thoughts, the old man shook his head and grunted. "Bah! I really must be getting old, thinking such thoughts at a time like this!" he said to himself.

    He walked closer to the beds, but before he could say anything to wake them, one of the girls stirred and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. She yawned and stretched, and when she turned to Yelsnid holding the lamp, her eyes widened in surprise, then smiled when she recognized him. "Oh! Good morning!" Jeneta greeted. "For a second there I thought you were Djoser. I thought he was here..."

    The young girl's voice trailed off a moment as she remembered the events of last night. After Djoser wasn't seen for most of the day yesterday, he had finally come back a little after sunset, his face still saddened. After some gentle prompting from Jeneta, the young man finally spoke more openly about his past, including his parents and his then missing brother, whom they all realized was General Zain. Each girl listened in rapt attention as Djoser spoke of how close they were growing up, despite the large age difference. Growing up as princes, neither Djoser nor Menes had the time or opportunity to make many friends, so instead they relied on and enjoyed each other's company. He explained the devastation he felt when word got back that the entire army his brother took with him to fight Kumraa was massacred, and Menes himself missing. With tears in his eyes, Djoser told of how his mother screamed in despair, thinking her son was dead. At that, Jeneta had put her hand on his shoulder for comfort. "At least now you know the truth. And now your brother's soul is free." she told him softly.

    The rest of the night was a blur to her then, but she did remember somehow falling asleep in his arms, and enjoying the warmth and feel of him around her. She blushed then, hoping the sorcerer did not notice what she was thinking.

    "And a good morning to you," the old man replied. "I thought I was going to have to create the sound of an exploding canon or something to get you girls up. Glad to see that I don't."

    Jeneta chuckled as she heard the rest of the girls moan sleepily and stir in their beds. "No, you don't have to worry about that, we're pretty much use to early mornings by now."

    "Hey, hey! What's all the racket?" grumbled Ling as she poked her head from under her covers. When she saw Yelsnid standing by Jeneta, she blew an exasperated breath and groaned. "Oh, right, the wake up call."

    "Oh don't be so grumpy, Ling!" Angeni hopped off her bed and walked over to Ling. "I have a great feeling about today, cheer up!" She put her arm around the sulking Chinese girl's shoulder. "Can you all believe it? We only have ONE more Sacred Medallion to find, and we all know it's going to be mine! As soon as we find it, we can beat Kumraa and go home!"

    "Yes, that's right!" nodded Heather after she rubbed her eyes and placed her glasses back on. "It is only logical to think that since the rest of us got our Medallions, Angeni's is next. It's only a matter of time now..."

    "Yes, time, which you don't have much of if we keep wasting it here" snapped the old man. "Come, there is much to prepare for."

    "Yeah, but does it have to be so early. I've never been a morning person." sighed Ling. She fell back down in the bed with a plop and drew the covers back over her face, hoping the others would forget about her as they rushed off to get freshened up and dressed. For a second, she thought they actually all did leave, and she sighed with relief. Then suddenly, the covers were drawn back in a snap and Angeni dragged her out of bed as she yelled in protest. The others could only laugh at the funny scene as the taller Native American girl actually carried Ling over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, yelling and kicking all the way to the bathroom.

    It was near mid-morning by time all was ready and the girls were standing by their horses. A good and large breakfast energized them greatly, and each was now eager to be on their way. Outside in front of the house, a small crowd stood nearby to watch the strange travelers ride off with the blessings of Yelsnid. Each person hoped within their hearts that the rumors were true, and that these were indeed the ones to help free their home from the evils of Lord Kumraa and locate The Ones Who Are Blessed. But unknown to everyone else, the shy and quiet Prya was secretly watching for someone she hoped to see before they left...someone she had grown to care for.

    Suddenly the whole area got quiet as the double doors to the mansion opened, and Yelsnid regally stepped out into the bright sunlight. Following right behind him was Tao and Djoser, each looking determined to get started as the girls. A hush that seemed to envelope the whole city settled, and with strong determined steps, the old sorcerer stood before the girls, his staff shining in the light.

    "Come forth..." he commanded. Nervously, Ling, Prya, Heather, and Jeneta stepped forward as they took out their medallions from inside their shirts. When the medallions shown bright and strong in the sun's light, the bald man raised his arms high in the air, and with his eyes closed, recited a short, ancient sounding prayer.

    Not even a second later, a strange sensation flowed through the girls as their medallions gave off a soft, white glow. Powers and memories they did not understand flooded their minds, and each sighed with the pure energy it gave off.

    The medallions flashed once, and a beam of energy shot out from the four of them and came together in midair in the center of the circle they had formed. As before, a holographic 3D image of the planet Cyphyrus appeared...transparent yet more real looking than anything the girls had ever seen.

    The holographic image swirled around as everyone looked on in awe, and zoomed in to where the four medallions were found. Then suddenly, there was another flash of light, and the swirling globe zoomed in on an open area of grassland not too far from where they girls were right now. The pinpoint appeared, but it didn't specify where in the area the medallion was yet. Just as it was about to settle on the exact spot the medallion was, the image became distorted and began to fade.

    "No, wait! Come back!" Jeneta yelled out, her hand outstretched to it as though to bring the hologram back. But it was in vain, and the image disappeared in a white flash.

    "What happened?" Ling asked in surprise. "It never did that before."

    "Yelsnid!" Heather rushed over to where the old man was on his knees, panting and sweating hard. The English girl gently helped him to his feet. "Are you okay?"

    "Yes, I'm..fine," The sorcerer breathed out gravelly as he shook his head. "Kumraa...is getting desperate...powers getting stronger. You must go up north and find the last medallion...there."

    "That's it, just up north? That means it could be anywhere. We'll never find it." Jeneta sighed and folded her arms across her chest, already feeling discouraged.

    "No, don't think like that," Djoser said as he stepped forward to the girls. "There's still a chance it can be found. All we have to do is keep our eyes open. We've come too far to quit now." He looked to Jeneta and nodded his head. "Besides I won't let you quit now."

    "He's right," Tao stood next to Djoser, his hand clenched in determination. "We have to keep trying...for those dear to us that lost their lives to keep us going."

    "Tao," Ling whispered. Was he really going to go with them...even though his sister died protecting them? When the almond-eyed Tao looked back at her and nodded, a sense of rightness entered her then. Yes, he will come, and although she wouldn't admit it right away, she was actually glad he was.

    "As long as we stick together, we can do anything." Angeni said. She reached out a hand in front of her palm down and nodded. When she looked at Prya, the Indian girl smiled and placed her hand on top of hers. Then Ling walked over and placed her hand on top of theirs. Jeneta nodded and gently placed her hand on top, followed by Heather. With their five hands on top of one another, the girls raised them up and shouted "YEAH!", much to the delight of the crowd and Djoser and Tao as they looked on in pride.

    Still short of breath, Yelsnid couldn't help but smile at the touching display. "Good...then it is time to go and-"

    "Wait!"

    The sorcerer was interrupted as a tall figure, his purple robes fluttering around him, rushed towards them from a short distance beyond the crowd. He stumbled his way through the mass of people, tripping a few times, then finally made it to stand before his master, a backpack already strapped to his shoulders.

    "Kondolar!" Prya said in delight. But she never got to say anything more as the young caramel-skinned man fell to one knee before the older man.

    "Master, please, I implore you to please allow me to go on this journey with them! There is much I can learn, much I can practice in the outside world with them, and...and..." The sorcerer apprentice tried hard to come up with more reasons to go, but he was so nervous, they eluded him at that moment.

    "You..Kondolar?" his master asked in wonder. "But you've barely been outside the city your whole life...you've got at least another year of apprenticeship before you can be considered a competent sorcerer, you..."

    "Please Master, I can learn so much more out there! I can be of help to them, I know I can! I beg you, let me do this! There is also another important reason I have to go.." Before he could stop himself, Kondolar shyly looked back at Prya as she blushed, then quickly looked away. But even that was not unnoticed to the wise sorcerer. He looked at Prya, then back at Kondolar, and a knowing look came upon his face. He looked to Djoser, and the taller man nodded, giving his blessing.

    "I see," Yelsnid said with a small smile. "Then go, my young apprentice. Perhaps when you come back, there are things you can teach me. By the Gods, please be careful and come back safely. According to reports, that area is supposed to be populated by bandits and robbers. Don't leave your guard down!"

    A wide grin broke across Kondolar's handsome face then, and before he knew it, he was surrounded by Jeneta, Heather, Ling, and Angeni, who each gave him a hug and encouraging words. He and Prya were just about to hug each other when shyness overtook them, and they stood there blushing for a moment...then turned away before anyone would notice the shy and tender scene.

    The young man cleared his throat, then climbed onto the horse that was brought for him.

    "Don't worry, I've been practicing! If anyone dares try to rob us, they'll have me to deal with!" he said confidently. To put meaning into his words, He raised his right arm and yelled out "Incontantus Flarium!"

    Nothing came out of his hand, and when he brought his hand back down to look at it curiously to find out why it didn't work, a bright white flash erupted right in his face, nearly blinding him.

    "AAH!" he shouted, and unceremoniously fell off his horse and lay sprawling on the ground. Yelsnid groaned and covered his eyes as the girls erupted into laughter, sitting on their horses. Prya most of all was filled with joy, glad for a chance to have someone along that'll make her laugh through this tough journey.

    "I think I feel safer with the robbers!" Ling couldn't help laughing out.

    ******************************************

    Many hours later, the city was far behind and miles and miles of land stretched out before them. The sun was just about to set on the grasslands when dark thunderclouds rolled across the immense red and gold sky. A chill foretelling a storm blew across the land then, making the travelers shiver despite it being a warm part of the planet.

    "Come on, we have to pick up the speed! A storm is coming!" shouted out Djoser over the increasing winds. Each then encouraged their horses to ride faster near where Ylesnid indicated the medallion might be, and soon, a forest could be seen ahead, at least another mile or so. But even the increased speed of the horses was not enough to outrun the blackened clouds that threatened to cover everything.

    At first the rain came in soft, infrequent drops as the clouds reached them....then a few minutes later, a torrential downpour had them all soaked within seconds. Miserable, the girls could only keep riding towards the forest, their hair plastered to their heads and teeth chattering. Lightning flashed harshly across the skies, followed by the deafening boom of thunder. For what seemed like eternity they rode on, until Djoser suddenly stopped his horse and raised his arm to signal for the others to stop. "What is it?" asked Jeneta as she rode up next to him.

    "We're being watched...." The dark-skinned man scanned the area with narrowed eyes, not even noticing the water from the rain streaming down his face.

    Not even a second later, an arrow whizzed by him and Jeneta, and shot right into the ground behind them. Each looked around to see who it was that shot the arrow, apprehension in their hearts. Was Sabanti back? No, that was impossible, they saw her die! Was it Kumraa? Before they could think of any more reasons, about half a dozen figures emerged from the shadows, partially hidden by the darkness, only visible with the short life span of the lightning. Each of them wore ragged clothing, and their heads covered with black head ties. Around the bottom of their faces covering their mouths and nose were black bandanas, signifying they were part of a band.

    One of them, obviously the leader, stepped forward, his bow and arrow drawn. "Give us all your valuables, and you might not get hurt," said a young sounding voice.

    "NO way!" yelled out Ling. "You bozos just made a very big mistake trying to rob US!" With movements as quick as lightning that flashed above, the Chinese girl swung off the horse she was sitting on. Then jumping up high as she could, she spin kicked the robber nearest her in the face with a loud "HI YAA!", knocking him to the ground. She landed in a crouch on the soft, wet ground. She concentrated, and with a bright flash the sword she fought hard for appeared in her hands, followed by Prya, Heather, and Jeneta calling forth their own swords.

    "What trickery is this?" yelled out one of the robbers, truly frightened.

    "Retreat!" yelled another. All of the robbers dispersed, but at that moment, a particularly loud thunder crashed across the whole land then, and Angeni's horse, the most nervous of the bunch, whinnied in fright and reared back on his two hind legs, throwing her off to the muddy ground.

    Angeni lay stunned for a moment before struggling to get up, but just before she could stand, the leader of the band of thieves suddenly landed in a crouch in front of her, eyes twinkling in mischief.

    "Well, if I can't get any valuables from you, at least I can take something to remind me of a pretty girl like yourself..." With a laugh, he reached forward and yanked free the soaking yellow feather that was tied near the end of Angeni's braid, making her cry out in pain. The man dashed off into the darkness, running faster than Angeni thought possible.

    "HEY! My feather! Come back here you creep!" The Sioux girl quickly got to her feet and rushed off the direction the man went, intent on getting back her namesake. Not even the downpour could discourage her. She didn't even think to get back on her horse to chase him down.

    No one was going to take that feather from her! Memories of her grandfather handing it to her with old, shaky hands entered her mind, and she knew there was no way she would give it up so easily.

    "Angeni, NO!! Wait, come back!" shouted out Jeneta, but it was too late. No one could hear her anyway as the winds howled across the land. Angeni was already gone, and the lightning continued to flash dangerously across the now black sky.

    *******************

    To Be Continued....

    *******************

    Previous Chapter

    Next Chapter

    Back To The Chapters Page