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Having been told that Beorhtán was waiting for Adam to join him, breakfast turned out to be a solitary affair with no explanation forthcoming for the magician’s absence. Despite his probing, the elven manservant, Quilvar, appeared reluctant to comment beyond the minimum required to serve the meal. Although the food was hot, tasty and presumably nourishing, the first few mouthfuls were taken uneasily as with the loss of the Manifex he had no means of testing it to ensure it would not harm him. However, his hunger and his realisation that the likelihood of either the giant or his servant would resort to poisoning him the former having had ample opportunity to dispose of him earlier, soon overcame his reservations, and casting caution aside, he set to with relish.
Setting before him a steaming bowl of what looked like porridge, Quilvar hurried away leaving him to eat alone. Whatever the bowl contained, it proved to be most palatable, its nutty flavour enriched by a hint of sweetness. In spite of his trepidation over the anticipated meeting with Beorhtán, his appetite showed little sign, as he scraped every morsel from the glazed surface of the bowl. No sooner had he finished before the servant returned bearing a plate of poached eggs and toast made from coarse wholemeal bread. Whether the eggs were from a hen or not, he had no way of knowing, but they tasted delicious just the same. Despite it being considerably more than he would have normally eaten, it was a very good breakfast; the only thing he missed was his regular cup of coffee.
When the elf returned to clear away the remains of his meal, he asked him if there was something he could have to drink. With few words of explanation, the little man offered him the choice between wine and a cup of something he called matan. Reluctant to give up all hope of a familiar beverage; Adam decided to make one further effort. Trying to describe the making of coffee or tea to someone who has never seen either, proved quite impossible, but it did spark some recognition with Quilvar who excitedly pronounced that it was matan that Adam wanted.
Disappearing, literally before his eyes, the little servant returned moments later clutching a steaming mug. An infusion made from some local herb, although it resembled tea in appearance, despite the addition of milk and honey, the only sweetener available, still tasted like nothing on earth. It was because of this last thought, that Beorhtán found him smiling when he finally put in an appearance.
“I'm pleased that you find something of amusement this morning, I hope that this means you are well rested.”
Still grouchy from the previous meeting with the giant and missing his early morning caffeine intake, his reply was somewhat ungracious, particularly after having eaten his fill at the man's table. “Yes, I am, although no thanks to you.”
“Oh!” said Beorhtán, mildly surprised, “and just how do you suppose you found that room last night. If I hadn't intervened and sent you down that passage, you would probably still be looking now,” he chuckled.
Never able to keep his feelings from showing in his expression, Adam glowered angrily, but bit back on the retort that sprang to his lips. Realizing that further argument would be futile, he decided to change the subject, although the manner in which he delivered his next words made him sound almost petulant.
“You have made it quite obvious that you think I'm working against you. I suppose what with the appearance of the beast and my breaking the Manifex, I have done little to alter that impression, but I would like to get a couple of things straight. First, I really didn't summon Shegrimoth; I wouldn't even know how to begin to do such a thing. And second, it was only because I was so damned scared after he appeared that I threw the crystal across the table. Whether you choose to accept this explanation is up to you, but it's the truth.
I suppose that I also owe you some sort of an apology, having accepted your hospitality, even somewhat reluctantly. But even you must be able to see that the events of the last few days have come as a great shock to me. Maybe we should try and put that behind us and make a new start.” Getting no response he ploughed on, the knowledge that his fate almost certainly lay with the giant forcing him to contrition. “What I am trying to say is I'm sorry, and if you are willing to teach me, I'll stay and try and learn, although I can't promise anything more than to try.”
Beorhtán continued to study him for a time, his brow furrowed in concentration as he deliberated over what Adam had said, then his expression lightened, as he apparently reached a decision.
“Perhaps we have both been a little hasty, it's true that it can't have been easy for you finding yourself moved from one world to another, and I should make allowance for that. Apart from everything else that has gone on, you have managed your situation well in the circumstances. I agree that we should make a new beginning. I will do all I can to teach you the old ways; in the hope you may be prepared to challenge the new. However,” Beorhtán went on, his voice taking on a hard edge, “I still have to be convinced that you are not an agent of the dark path, for some reason I cannot see in you that which would tell me and until I am satisfied I shall watch you closely.”
“I shall just have to accept that, although you have my word that I'm not,” said Adam earnestly.
Regardless of it being more compromise than agreement that they had reached, it still felt to Adam like a weight being lifted from him. Despite the niggling feeling that the whole situation had been engineered against him, he had to concede a degree of anticipation, and in a rather juvenile way, an expectation of possible adventure. He was also honest enough to admit to himself to being frightened by what the future might hold for him.
Eager to discuss the thoughts that had been running through his mind over breakfast, he realized that he still lacked any real information. Here he was, being expected to act in the defence of a place he knew absolutely nothing about, people he had never seen let alone met, and he needed to redress the balance somewhat.
With the decision taken, he knew that he had to face the prospect of staying in this world for a time, the thought of returning to his own with the threat of being accessible by the beast playing no small part in arriving at this conclusion. Being naturally inquisitive, and presented with a unique opportunity, he determined to explore it to the full. He hadn't so much as seen any part of the land, having been restricted to his present surroundings on this second visit and to the even smaller confines of the one room on his earlier trip.
He wanted to find out about the people, the way they lived, what level their technology had reached, and much, much more. When he'd been with Ichabod, his first impression had been of a culture taken straight from the pages of a history book. Yet, some of what he had seen did not equate with the lives of the people of his own world during the middle ages. Although he was satisfied, that he had seen ample evidence of advanced science, his mind balked at accepting its juxtaposition with magic on a grand scale. Such a paradox fired his curiosity, making him determined to find out more.
Their social structure, or what little he knew of it, he believed, indicated that there was a similarity between this world and medieval times in his own. He had jumped to this conclusion on the flimsiest of evidence when Ichabod had introduced himself as the Grand Master to the Court of King Randufil. He had also managed to equate the form of clothing worn by those he had seen, to the time in his own world's history, when knights wore armour. He might have conceded, if only to himself, that the discussion with Ichabod over King Arthur and Merlin may have had more than a little influence on his judgement in these matters.
Having extended the olive branch and received the giant's albeit reluctant acceptance of his apology, he considered the time right to pursue his quest for knowledge. “Since I was first brought here, I have only seen three people, four if you count the beast; I want to see more of this world, and its people. I also want to see Ichabod again, and learn more of Castle Randufil and Meriandor.”
Beorhtán nodded as if in agreement, but his words soon dashed Adam's hopes, “You may do all of those things in time, but first there are lessons to be learned. In view of recent events it might prove dangerous, so I think it would be safer for you to be here.”
“How do you mean dangerous, and where is here?” questioned Adam, his annoyance at having so little information surfacing again.
Ignoring both Adam and the questions, Beorhtán turned to look over his shoulder, shouting “Quilvar...Quilvar! Where is that fellow?”
Looking towards the door, expecting the elf to arrive following his master's call, Adam got a surprise, when he suddenly appeared standing beside the giant.
“So there you are Quilvar, I want the map of the Northern Lands, the one with Caregoron and Jelvoa on it.”
“Yes my Lord,” and he disappeared only to return a few seconds later clutching a rolled parchment that he handed to the giant.
Dismissing the elf, Beorhtán cleared space on the table before him and spread out the map.
Ignoring the map, Adam continued to stare at the spot where the elf had vanished. “How does he do that?” he gasped.
“Do what?” asked Beorhtán distractedly, his attention focussed on the map.
“Disappear and reappear, what sort of a...a person is he anyway?”
Looking at Adam for a moment, his expression rather quizzical he said, “You don't recognize what he is? No, I suppose you wouldn't, not coming from your world. He's an elf, which is how he is able to move like that, it's part of elven magic. Perhaps he can teach you, although it's difficult for those who are not elves.” Then dismissing the matter, he returned to the map; not catching the smug look on Adam's face at hearing that his guess about the servant had been right. “Now here, this is where you are,” and he tapped a point on the left side of the parchment, his huge finger hiding anything Adam might have seen were he able.
Peering round Beorhtán's vast bulk proved to be difficult, so Adam climbed onto a chair, and perched himself on the edge of the table so that he could see where he was indicating. The map, obviously hand drawn, showed an area divided into what could have been five or six countries. Apart from the names Meriandor and Caregoron, Adam had never heard of any of the others, yet as he gazed at the parchment, a familiarity with the symbol in its upper right corner, suddenly struck him. There was no mistaking it, despite its crude form, the compass rose was identical to that, which he had seen on old maps back home, the four cardinal points bearing the familiar letters of his own world. Coincidence? Maybe, but certainly just one of the many surprises this world held in store.
The name Mount Kaldshard marked the place the giant referred to, and seeing which way the map faced, he could tell that it lay somewhere to the north and west of Caregoron, on the edge of the Ruhlish Plains. Unfortunately or otherwise, he had no idea how near or distant the various points on the map were, because it lacked any form of scale. Not wanting to get into a discussion about distances, as he didn’t know what measure if any the inhabitants of this world used, he simply asked, “Are we inside the mountain?”
“Yes, the mountain has many hundreds of caves and passages, some natural, others carved from the rock by those that live here.”
Pointing at the plains, Adam said, “Is that where I saw all of those bodies, you know the ones in my dreams?”
The giant nodded, “Sadly yes. Unless matters can be changed, that is where many thousands will meet their fate.”
Spoken in such a matter of fact way, as though Beorhtán were able to foresee the future and know of the possibility of all those deaths, Adam wondered why he wasn’t able to tell whether his intervention would prevent it. He couldn’t decide if the giant was deliberately keeping something from him but decided that to pursue it would be unlikely to provide any answers, instead resolving to try and find out more about it in the future. Reaching a conclusion albeit a somewhat unsatisfactory one, his thoughts turned to the more pressing matter of something the giant had said when they met that morning, “You mentioned earlier about my being in danger, what did you mean?”
For a time he didn't reply, but sat as if he was looking at Adam without really seeing him, his thoughts far removed from his surroundings. When he did answer, his reply like so many others only confused Adam further. “He's making it happen too fast, already many have died, but it's only the beginning. Too powerful, much too powerful.”
Not understanding what Beorhtán referred to, he had to try and make more sense of it. “Who is too powerful? Do you mean Shegrimoth, is that it, and who has died?”
Realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud; Beorhtán decided he had little alternative but to tell Adam the truth.
“Last night he struck again. He sent a demon horde to attack the people of Meriandor; I don't know how many they managed to kill.”
“What do you mean a demon horde?” he demanded before the full import of Beorhtán’s words sank in. “Wait! You said he struck again, are you saying this wasn't the first time?”
“He conjured up imps and sent them to the city; they like to drink the blood of men. His previous attempt was when he sent the Ghyyrox.”
In answering one question, the giant only succeeded in raising another, “What in hell's name is a Ghyyrox?”
“A shape-changer, you saw it in the desert of your dreams.”
“Dear God!” exclaimed Adam, a look of horror on his face, “are you saying that monster was in the city?”
“In another form, yes,” replied Beorhtán, his expression full of sorrow.
The full impact of the giant’s words was only just beginning to make themselves felt on Adam. It was as though everything had moved up a gear, gone into overdrive, as once again he felt his grip on reality beginning to slip. Forcing himself to remain calm, he tried to understand what all this meant. He'd had enough reservations about his role in the scheme of things before these latest developments; now he felt he just had to get out. He wanted to go back home, back to the way things were before any of this had happened but knew that was no longer an option. He would be no safer there than where he was now, possibly less so since he would not have whatever powers that both the giant and Ichabod referred to even if they were as yet untried.
Before he had chance to voice his fears, the giant continued having moved on from the events in Meriandor but returning to Adam’s question regarding his being in danger despite to Adam’s way of thinking, it being now perfectly obvious. However, Beorhtán’s explanation cast a different slant on the dangers in question. “If your power is as strong as I suspect, you will have to learn to control it. Until that time, it is quite possible that there will be times when things become hazardous. Here, deep in the caverns below Kaldshard, it will be safer for both you and everyone else. There is only Quilvar and myself here, and I am sure he can take care of himself.”
How much worse could things get, wondered Adam, not only was he in danger but potentially a danger to himself and anyone else close by. Before he could attempt to elicit anything more on exactly what Beorhtán had meant by that, the giant stood up and said, “Now if you have eaten your fill, I suggest we make a start. Shegrimoth grows stronger more quickly than I had hoped, and I cannot tell when I will lose dominance over my other half.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away giving Adam no chance to question him further. Despite his reluctance simply to accede to Beorhtán’s instructions, he had left Adam with little choice but to follow hoping that further explanation would follow later. Catching up with the giant who waited outside the room, he followed as Beorhtán lead him along several long passageways, each sloping steeply downwards, struggling to keep up with his long strides. They finally came to a huge natural cavern, where the light was so dim, it was barely sufficient for him to be able to see the far side, whilst the roof remained hidden in darkness.
Walking towards the cave's centre, Beorhtán stopped and lifting both hands high above his head, uttered three words, quite unintelligible to Adam, and instantly he was grasping a long, gnarled wooden staff. Turning the staff in his right hand until it was vertical; he struck the floor with one end, instantly bathing the space in a bright light that glowed fiercely from the other.
“Now that we have light, we can begin,” he remarked casually as he walked back to where Adam waited staring open-mouthed as if what he had just done was the most natural thing in the world. The staff remained where he had set it, upright, but with no visible means of support whilst its top continued to glow like a powerful electric light bulb.
For Adam the next few minutes passed in a kind of blur. He felt oddly removed from reality, watching the giant perform his magic, yet apprehensive, as he waited for what was to happen next. It felt a bit like being back at school, when the class waited for his old physics master to demonstrate some experiment. Impressed by what the giant had done, he was suddenly gripped by an urge to do something equally clever. Perhaps cause the staff to move in some way, to rise or turn over, yet he knew it was only wishful thinking.
Without realizing that it was his tutor who created the thoughts going through his mind, he found his concentration fixed on the staff. Imperceptibly at first, but becoming undeniably apparent, his vision was narrowing, until there was nothing else for him to see, but the stick of wood. Once he had focused his entire being on the staff, he willed it to turn. For perhaps half a minute or so it remained motionless then gradually it began to waver before righting itself, finally leaning a few degrees to the right. Sweating profusely from the effort, yet completely unaware, Adam raised his right arm until he held it straight out at shoulder height. Turning the hand from palm down to palm up in a clockwise direction, the staff followed, until it hung suspended several inches off the floor, glowing end downward.
By now, the effort was taking a toll, and he found his concentration wavering, instantly his control over the staff slipped, and it fell to the floor with a clatter, plunging the cavern back into semi-darkness.
The giant's voice came out of the gloom, “A brave effort Master Adam, get your breath back, and we'll try again.” As Beorhtán finished speaking, so the light suddenly returned, as he righted and relit the staff without moving from where he stood.
Feeling as though he had just completed a ten-mile run, Adam mopped at his brow with the back of his hand. The sweat was pouring off him, his legs felt shaky, and his pulse was racing; yet, above all he felt a thrill run through his body. He'd done it, without any help he'd used magic to perform a task, still unaware that the thought that had prompted the action had not been his own. He knew that what he had achieved would by Beorhtán’s standard have been a simple task, yet he remained jubilant until he considered what it had cost him... if such a simple thing as moving a stick took so much effort, how would he ever be of any use to anyone let alone be able to stand against Shegrimoth? he thought, his excitement quickly tempered.
As if he had spoken his thoughts aloud, Beorhtán encouraged him, “It will take a little time, that was your first attempt and the result was quite remarkable. Be patient, as your control improves so will your powers, trust me. You have to understand what the power is, once you have achieved that the rest will begin to fall into place.”
A fat lot of use telling me that, thought Adam, why can't he tell me what this power is, it's like learning to swim without knowing what water is.
Facing the giant he voiced his thoughts, “Why can't you tell me what this power is that you keep on about. Perhaps then I would understand it better.”
Beorhtán distractedly tugged at his left earlobe whilst his right hand rested at his waist, it's thumb tucked into his belt as if for support. He looked as though he was considering how to answer the question, which he was because he didn't want to confuse his young pupil. Finally making up his mind, he tried to explain.
“The power is really the hidden life-force that dwells in all living things, it comes from the land, from every creature, from the trees, but mostly it comes from yourself. Knowing yourself is halfway to controlling the power. It is the greatest legacy that the Creator left for all of his creatures, but it can be used for either good or evil, which is why there is so much danger coming. The more that blight the power by following the dark path the weaker it becomes for those using it for good.”
Adam realized that as explanations went it was probably the best he could hope for, but it still left him wondering. Mostly about why it was that he was being used when no such power existed back on his own world. Despite brave words about his having been chosen, he failed to understand since there had to be people here on Falgorin whose magical talents far outweighed anything he would ever achieve. Perhaps the only way to understand was to experience this power for himself, he thought. At least having rested a while, he felt ready to have another attempt, but as he started to concentrate on the staff, Beorhtán stopped him.
“Don't waste your efforts on tricks, there is too little time to spare for such things, you have to begin to control the power that you have. I want you to place your hands together, close your eyes and imagine that you are holding the Manifex. When you can see the crystal with your mind, expand it until it forces your hands apart, and rests on the upturned palms.”
“I can't do that,” protested Adam, “I don't have the crystal anymore, you said yourself, it's been destroyed.”
“True,” answered Beorhtán enigmatically, “but try.”
It sounded a simple if somewhat meaningless task, but Adam did as he was instructed, closing his eyes and concentrating. He could feel the palms of his hands touching each other, still slick with perspiration, but that was all, there was nothing between them. Determined to make as much effort as he could, he tried relaxing, breathing slowly as he had when he first used the crystal back home.
Still nothing happened. Not wanting to admit defeat, and wondering how Beorhtán would react to his failure, his thoughts became distracted from his hands. On the point of telling the giant that he couldn't do anything, he began to feel a pressure forcing his hands apart, something smooth and round, growing, his fingers curving to encompass its form. Opening his eyes, he found that he was holding the Manifex, the crystal glowing and shining with swirling colours.
Faint from the effort he had expended, he could feel himself begin to fall, slowly toppling forward, but before he had barely moved, Beorhtán had him in his arms, still clutching the crystal, a satisfied expression on his face.
“Now we know, Master Adam, there can no longer be any doubt.”
However, Adam didn't hear him, having passed into unconsciousness as the giant carried him from the chamber.
It was several hours before Adam awoke to find himself lying on the settee he had previously occupied, but when he did, it was to find both Beorhtán and Quilvar waiting beside him.
Looking around in confusion, he asked, “What happened, why am I lying hear?”
It was the giant who spoke, but instead of answering Adam's question, he had one of his own to ask, “Don't you remember what happened?”
“Only thing I remember is trying to imagine the Manifex as you described, but when I couldn't get it to work, I was going to tell you I had failed. Then I woke up here, what's going on?”
“Then you won't remember this?” asked Beorhtán pulling the crystal out from where he had been hiding it behind his back.
“That's a Manifex,” Adam gasped in astonishment, “but it can't be, you said I had destroyed the first one that I had, and I couldn't forget breaking the other last night.”
“True indeed, but if you recall, there were three, this,” he said, hefting the crystal in his hand, “is the third.”
For a moment Adam said nothing, his befuddled mind not quite able to grasp what was being said, then he exploded, “That's impossible! You said that it had fallen into the hands of Shegrimoth's followers.”
“So it had, but you got it back. I mustn't tease you longer. When I asked you to visualize the Manifex, I wanted to see if your control over them was as strong as I suspected. It seems that I was right, because you called and it came. Although I will admit that after the fifth hour I was beginning to wonder if you could do it.”
“Five hours,” Adam exclaimed, “are you telling me that I was standing there for five hours?”
Beorhtán was grinning hugely now, “No, in all honesty it was nearer six.”
“No wonder I crashed out. Well what are we going to do with the Manifex now that we have it?”
“I have been deliberating over that whilst you were sleeping. I have decided to give to you for safe keeping,” and he handed it to Adam.
Adam shuddered as he quickly passed it straight back, saying as he did so, “You must be mad, don't give it to me I don't want it, remember it was me that destroyed the other two.”
Unconcerned by Adam's outburst, the giant simply returned the crystal. “Which is precisely why I want you to have it. I am in no doubt now that you cannot be serving Shegrimoth, and if it is willed that all three Manifex be destroyed, then so be it.”
Taking the sphere, Adam regarded it with misgiving, and then with barely a thought, shrank it back to its smallest size, accepting the action as naturally as he would blink an eye. Finally, he placed it in the pouch at his waist.
With the matter of the Manifex dispensed with to his satisfaction, the giant made no further reference to it. “If you have rested enough, I think it time for food. Quilvar, a meal for our fine friend, he has I believe earned his keep today.”
Adam smiled, Yes, I think so too, in fact, it's been a most rewarding day, he thought, and magic makes me damned hungry.
Unlike the previous occasion, the meal proved to be a time of good humour and enjoyment. Joined by Quilvar, who turned out to be as much a companion to Beorhtán as his servant, the three relaxed in an atmosphere of newfound friendship. Adam sat listening in wonder as the others regaled him with stories of times past, and the many adventures they had embarked on together. Quilvar, it transpired, was a natural raconteur, a common trait with elves, and he revelled in the exploits of the great magician.
For his own part, there seemed little that Adam could bring to the table by way of his own deeds, but his compatriots delighted in his account of life in his other world. Many of life's mysteries found new meaning when examined in the light of this new reality. Here magic went far beyond the stage antics performed by magicians in his world, to become a highly developed skill used by a select band of practitioners. He also saw that there had been evidence of it in many things not understood by his fellow man. That being so he was aware that even here similarities existed between the two worlds, drawing a parallel between what was happening here and the black magic sometimes practised back home.
Whatever barriers may have existed before the events of the day all had seemingly vanished as a result of his restoring the Manifex.
The meal over, and with Adam feeling more than a little light headed from a surfeit of fine wine, the giant suggested they retire the better to make an early start the next morning. He had apparently got a surprise in store for Adam, which no amount of pestering would draw him on.
Taking his leave, Quilvar guided Adam's somewhat erratic path from the room, leading him not to his previous place of rest, but to a much grander bedchamber. The elf waited patiently as Adam disrobed, and when he fell into a sound sleep on top of the bed, carefully covered him and left him snoring quietly.
The next morning found Adam feeling bright and alert after bathing and permitting Quilvar to shave him. The hangover that he had woken with had gone within moments of his stepping into his bath, saving him the difficulty of asking for something to relieve the pain. Were all such minor ailments so readily cured he wondered as he dressed in a fresh robe, not unlike that worn by Beorhtán, although it didn't seem to reflect quite the same intense whiteness as that of the giant.
Breakfast was a rather hurried affair, not through any reason of Beorhtán's but of Adam's impatience to see what it was that he had as a surprise for him. Recognizing that his delaying tactics were having little or no effect on Adam, the giant finally relented.
“I hope that you are ready for a journey Master Adam, since we have quite a long way to travel before I can show you what it is?”
“You mean we are leaving here, where are we going, are we going to Meriandor?” his eagerness causing the questions to tumble forth in rapid succession.
“Patience, we are leaving here if you mean my home, but not the mountain. In fact, we are going to see more of Mount Kaldshard than many would believe exists. I am going to take you to its innermost core, in a way to the birthplace of the Manifex. No other has seen the sights you will see, not even Quilvar. Now if you are ready it’s time to be off.”
Out of force of habit, the mention of time caused Adam to glance at his wristwatch. He’d never felt the need for the split second accuracy of a digital watch, preferring the approximation he got from the placement of a pair of hands on a dial. Consequently, he favoured a mechanical timepiece, a rather bulky stainless steel Rolex, which fortunately was self-winding. Although he knew it to be a first class watch, he thought it amazing that it was still going. What surprised him more was that it had seemingly continued to function on the time of his own world as the date hadn’t altered and the hands showed a time approaching 8:00 in the evening meaning that he had been away from home for little more than three hours, far less time than had passed here.
Pointing out the phenomenon to Beorhtán, although the giant found the device fascinating, he simply said that time passed at a different pace on the two worlds. Apparently, time keeping played no real part in the everyday workings here; people simply relied on the rising and setting of Pallos, their local sun. When they required more accurate timing, they used a device not dissimilar to a sundial.
Adam found the whole idea too wonderful to be true, no telephones, no automobiles to pollute the air, and now it seemed nobody clock watched. This world was becoming more attractive by the minute, and he laughed aloud at the thought.
“What do you find so funny?” asked Beorhtán, puzzled by the outburst.
“If I tried to explain, it would take too long,” which only caused him to laugh even more.
Mystified by his companion's mirth, Beorhtán said, “Well whatever it is, time's passing and we should be leaving.” The giant's innocent remark sent Adam into peals of laughter, as his face reddened and tears sprang to his eyes. For a while, a mild hysteria gripped him, from which he found he could not shake himself, as his laughter echoed around the room.
Despairing of him, Beorhtán simply got up and left, with Adam trailing behind him, still trying to get his breath.
Once he had calmed down, Adam realized that it wasn't that he'd found the situation particularly amusing, but that it had in some way triggered a reaction that released a tension of which he'd been unaware. He explained to the giant what it was all about, and he began to understand what the problem was.
“I see now what's troubling you, you're afraid of what might be happening back on your own world,” he remarked sympathetically.
Not that he was homesick, but Adam had begun subconsciously to worry that someone would start to miss him back home. He knew that if he had left after the start of his holiday, he would have three weeks of his own world time, during which he would not be missed. As it was he'd left too early, and certainly, his mother would expect a call on the morning of his departure for America. He didn't want to cause his parents to worry about his absence.
“Yes and no. It's just that I left without having the chance to prepare, and there are people back there who will be worrying about where I am.”
“I see, but as you have explained it to me, you have been gone for but a short time, surely you will not be missed so soon? On the other hand, perhaps it would be better if you went back and put things in order before you continue here.”
It had sounded a half-hearted offer, but with Beorhtán making the suggestion, it made Adam realize just how unwilling he had become about returning.
“No, I think I should stay, at least for now, but I might want to go back at some time soon to speak to my parents.”
“As you wish, there's no real hurry, since you could go back to any time in your own world.”
Which, Adam realized had to be true, after all Ichabod had been talking to Merlin.
With his mind more at ease although sorely confused by the consequences of travelling in time, he began to take note of his surroundings and the route that the two of them were taking. Having left Beorhtán's home by way of a long passage cut into the living rock of the mountain, they were now traversing a small wooden bridge over what looked like a bottomless chasm. Heights had never bothered him before, but most of the rough-hewn planks gave a little as he stood on them, and the spaces between them were quite wide. This made him uneasy until he remembered that the giant must weigh considerably more than he did, and he wasn't showing any signs of concern.
As in the small cave where he had arrived, the rock walls gave off the same glow, providing light enough for them to see where they were going. He also noticed that Beorhtán's clothing was shining brightly. When he commented on it, it amused the giant that he should think the source of the light should be the same for both.
“The glow that you see from the walls comes from tiny creatures, each small enough that you would have trouble seeing them individually, but in their thousands they give off quite a light. As for my robe, well that's a different matter; it's just another effect of the power of which I spoke. It's not really my clothing, but the aura created by the power; it also acts as a shield against certain spells. I believe once you have gained in knowledge, you too will succumb to its presence.”
Beorhtán's mention of an aura caused Adam a moment’s nostalgia as he recalled Pauline’s words back in the shop and the brief time they had spent talking of crystal scrying. It all seemed so distant, another world, another time, yet for him, in his reality it had been such a short time ago. Would he ever return to his old life, could he simply forget what had happened to him here on Falgorin or would he forever carry reminders never to be forgotten? He didn’t know and for the moment had little interest in worrying about it, being too preoccupied with the here and now as he followed his giant companion.
They walked for hours, with only the occasional comment from Adam, who finally lapsed into silence after the giant rebuked him for being such a chatterbox. Passing from cave to passage to cave, there had been little to stir the imagination. Only the occasional wooden bridge spanning a rift in the pathway, or the need to hop from one conveniently placed boulder to another to ford small streams without getting your feet wet broke the monotony.
By the time they had reached a narrow passageway, with sheer sides rising as far as the eye could see, or at least as far as the light permitted, Adam was feeling tired, dispirited and above all, ravenously hungry. It was only when the grumbling in his stomach had started that he recalled that they had set out without bringing any food with them. He hadn't given it much thought when they had left, mainly because he hadn't envisaged travelling so far or for so long.
After they had been walking this passage for what Adam judged to be about an hour, it abruptly widened into a large chamber. Although the light wasn't sufficient to see the far side, he thought he could hear running water off in the distance.
Holding up a warning hand, Beorhtán whispered that they should proceed with caution, as he didn't want to surprise Vorcan.
Who the heck is Vorcan? wondered Adam, but as if sensing the unasked question, his guide hushed him to silence, preventing him from making the inquiry.
On tiptoe he followed, amazed at how such a huge person could move so quietly. They continued in this fashion for what seemed like an age but was probably nearer five minutes, when Beorhtán halted holding up his hand again to signal Adam. They were now far enough into the chamber that he couldn't see its limits in any direction, but he felt rather than saw something ahead, nothing yet definable, just a slight deepening of the shadows at one point.
“It's Vorcan, do you see him, there just off to the right,” hissed Beorhtán.
About to reply that he had glimpsed something; the giant prevented him from saying anything as he had started forward again. Struggling to regain the paces he had fallen behind due to the giant's sudden departure; he didn't see the rock that jutted an inch or so higher than the surrounding floor. Catching the toe of his left foot, he fell flat on his face; his breath forced from his lungs in a noisy whoosh.
Instantly the place lit up with a roar, as flames leaped from some point ahead of them, lancing in a solid jet in their direction. Clinging like a limpet to the floor, he felt the heat wash over him and smelt the stench of sulphur. As quickly as it came so it was extinguished, but it was moments before Adam had regained sufficient of his vision from the blinding glare, to be able to see if the giant was all right.
He needn't have worried, whatever had caused the flame had left Beorhtán unscathed, and presumably, the shielding glow had something to do with it. He on the other hand had fared slightly less well, the back of his hair now had a decidedly crisp feel, and when he touched it and brought his hand to his face, the smell was unmistakable. Apart from singed hair and a stubbed big toe, he was unhurt.
Thinking the time for whispering to be past, he almost shouted, “What in hell's name was that?”
“Quiet, you fool,” came the reply in a snarled whisper, “we don't need to provoke Vorcan further. Keep close to me and we'll circle to its left, the path we need to follow lies in that direction and for the Creator's sake watch where you put your feet.”
Considering himself suitably rebuked, Adam could only follow instructions, and he set off keeping as close as he could to the giant in the hope that if the flames came again, he might benefit from some of his protective shield.
As they continued to edge forward, his senses straining for any sign that would indicate further threat, Adam's mind struggled to imagine what or who Vorcan might be. He didn't have long to speculate, although this time it was Beorhtán who caused the response. He had been trying desperately hard to stifle a sneeze brought on by the sulphurous smell that now hung heavy in the air, and finally nature had its way. The result was quite explosive both from the sneeze and from the answering fireball.
Having gained considerable ground from the previous attack, they were now close enough for Adam to see the source of the flames; recognition was instant and terrifying. Peeping round the giant's left side, who stood unmoved and seemingly unharmed by the onslaught, he caught sight of a gigantic form. Gradually it rose from where it had been lying to stand on its four huge legs, its long tail unwinding only to fall to the ground with a mighty thud that sent tremors through the whole cavern.
Helpless to deny the evidence of his own eyes, Adam stared open mouthed at the biggest dragon he could possibly have imagined. Unable to tell from his position how long it was; he knew it had to be at least forty feet from its snout to the tip of its tail. Covered in grey green scales, they varied in size from three or four inches across on its neck, to those on its flanks that were as big as dustbin lids.
As he watched, its head rose until it was fully thirty feet from the ground, and he could then see its wings as they too began to move outward. It was the head that held his attention, not the glowing golden eyes, but the mouth that spewed flames in violent torrents. With the roar of a jet engine, they spurted forth in an unending stream of pure white heat, and yet Beorhtán still held his ground.
Suddenly both the sound and flames shut off plunging everything into darkness as his eyes needed to adjust to the gloom. Frightened out of his wits, he clung to Beorhtán's robe like a child to its mother. He felt rather than saw a hand grip his shoulder, and heard the giant telling him to stay calm.
It's all right for him to say stay calm, he thought; he's got his shield to protect him.
Once his ears had adjusted to the quietness, he could hear the sound of running water again, although now it had a somewhat different sound. It took him a couple of minutes before he realized that it wasn't water that he could hear, but the dragon breathing.
“So you chose to ignore my warning Bright One, why have you dared to challenge me?” The voice was deep and gravelly and came from the direction of the dragon.
“Mighty Vorcan I seek no challenge, nor do I ignore your warning lightly but I seek the Glomers. I come with a companion and in peace, and would ask your permission to pass.”
“I see the other skulking in your shadows; send him forth that I might better judge him.”
Thinking that some other had spoken, the use of the dragon's name caused Adam a further shock when he realized it was the dragon that addressed Beorhtán. Panic rose in him as the giant dragged him from his hiding place and propelled him forward with a shove that almost sent him sprawling. Standing staring into the dimness ahead, he could clearly make out the dragon's massive shape, but the light was too poor for him to see much.
Without thinking, he fumbled for the pouch at his waist, and brought forth the Manifex, willing it to its greater size as he did so. Holding the orb in front of him, it began to change and as it did so, it gave off light. The effect on the dragon was stunning. It reared up and swept its great wings forward to shield its eyes.
“What trickery is this?” its booming voice muted by the enveloping wings. “How does this puny creature come to wield the crystal? Tell me quickly and your explanation had better be good or not even your power will protect you Bright One.”
“There is no trickery Vorcan, this puny creature as you call him is Master Adam, he has been chosen by the Creator for purposes beyond any you or I might imagine. He has been summoned to Falgorin to help fight the evil that even now spreads across its lands and if he is able, to prevent the return of Shegrimoth. As you witness, he holds power over the crystal. I offer you no challenge but a warning, hinder Master Adam in his endeavours and you risk the wrath of the Creator. I simply ask you to stand aside and let us pass.”
“And if I chose not to heed your warning, what then?” demanded the dragon.
“Then I will not answer for the consequences.”
Whilst this interchange had been taking place between the dragon Vorcan and Beorhtán, Adam had continued to hold the fiercely glowing Manifex at arm's length, as a form of defence. Now the dragon, angered by the blinding glare had seemingly had enough, and without warning flicked his mighty tail in a sweeping curve intent on knocking it from his grasp.
Too late to avoid, the blow stunned Adam as the huge green-scaled appendage came to a halt with an ear-splitting crack a good two feet from him. Instantly Vorcan tried for a second attempt yet the result was the same, only this time the force had been so great that he appeared to have injured himself. Scales each like an athlete’s discus flew off in all directions yet none touched Adam or Beorhtán before the tail fell to the floor with a crash, to lie unmoving, the tip almost at Adam's feet.
Putting as much force as he could muster into his voice, Adam answered the dragon's challenge, “Neither your anger nor your strength will prevail over me; only you will suffer if you continue this battle. Let us pass, and we will bother you no more, hinder us, and I will destroy you with this,” and he threw the Manifex into the air where it remained, glowing even brighter than before.
A hideous cry came from the dragon, as the light burned at its eyes, making it draw its wings tighter to itself as it cried, “Cease this agony and you may pass, but be warned I will not allow you such freedom if ever again you enter my domain.” And turning its huge body it shambled deeper into the gloom of the farther reaches of the cavern, dragging its tail limply behind.
As soon as it was out of sight, Adam held up a hand, and the Manifex drifted gently down until it lay in his palm.
Beorhtán could only look on speechless. To have so openly threatened Vorcan had been to take a huge risk, and yet Adam had appeared totally confident in his ability to best the creature.
“It would seem Master Adam that it is I who should be taking lead from you not the other way around. What made you use the Manifex in that way, and how in the name of the Creator did you learn that trick?”
“I wish I knew my friend, I just felt that it was the right thing to do, as for the trick as you call it, that was pure bravado. I had no idea that it would stay up there, I just threw first and thought after, and luckily, it worked out. I guess that it knew what I wanted and obeyed my thoughts or something like that.”
“Well next time I suggest that you think before you act or you may end up destroying the last crystal. However, I'm grateful that you did what you did. Now I think it would be prudent for us to leave here before old Vorcan changes his mind and decides to come back for another attempt.”
Suitably chastened by Beorhtán’s words, although Adam could see that his act must have looked like one of reckless bravado for which even now he felt he could offer no rational justification, it had been the effort of some inner force compelling him that had prompted his actions. Although what he had done hadn’t been involuntary, it had been as though his hands had been guided by another. The explanation he had offered being all that he could think of that his companion would accept as he had no words to describe what had gone through his mind at the time. As before when back in his own home he had felt the same presence of another intelligence only this time whoever or whatever it was had conveyed without words what he should do.
Whilst somewhat shaken by his experience he didn’t feel he should tell the giant of this other being afraid that he might consider him in its thrall. He reasoned that since Beorhtán was oblivious to it then neither he nor hopefully his alter ego could be its source and that some other force was at work, something beyond their awareness. What troubled him more was whether or not it was benign, yet it had made no move to control him simply guiding him through thought.
Wishing that he had a better understanding of what had happened and that his unseen mentor would offer further explanation, he could only acknowledge the giant’s advice, “I will and since I have no desire for further argument with a dragon agree we should be making a move.”
