Читать книгу The Speaking Stone of Caradoc - Evadeen Brickwood - Страница 12

Kheton had asked them to stay below deck, because the ship was virtually flying across the Atlantean Sea. Lucky that neither Chryséis nor Trevor felt as seasick as before. Katherine’s uncle Harold lived on the Isle of Man and sometimes invited the family to come and take a sailing trip on his yacht. After her first sailing trip, Katherine had never been seasick again.

Kheton had asked them to stay below deck for their own safety. Lucky that neither Chryséis nor Trevor felt seasick like before. Katherine’s uncle Harold lived on the Isle of Man and sometimes invited the family to take a sailing trip on his yacht. After her first sailing trip, Katherine had never been seasick again.

“This ‘Speaking Stone’ must be real special for them to race after it like that.”

“What’s the big deal? Stones don’t have brains - or lips.”

“Why is everybody so keen to get their hands on this thing then?”

“Maybe it can actually speak.”

“I read in a history book about whispering stones and even moving stones,” Katherine said.

“Moving stones? That must be some kind of trick.”

“What kind of trick transports a huge boulder tied down with metal straps from one island to another during the night?”

“I don’t know. But it sounds impressive.”

“So you actually believe in this stuff?” Trevor mocked.

“Why not?”

“Cause it doesn’t make sense.”

“And an island where elves live. That makes sense?”

“Are you kidding? Of course it does.”

“Oh, you’re infuriating! What are we doing then chasing after some giants, who have nothing better to do than to steal an egg-shaped stone that can apparently speak?”

“I think they should just use the raygun to destroy Shuruk and be done with it.”

“Yes Trevor, that’s very civilised.”

“What is it with boys and guns?” Chryséis rolled her eyes.

“That reminds me we should tell Alun about the raygun and the stone and all.”

“Why don’t you try some telepathy yourself for a change, Trev?” Chryséis was not in the mood to make contact with their friend in Cydonia. ”Then you can tell him all the nasty bits and you would save the world.”

Trevor shrugged his shoulders and let it be. They sat on a narrow couch in the main cabin. One had an almost panoramic view of the sea through three large têrakhon windows. Another ship came from an easterly direction and quickly passed them on their right.

“Why didn’t they protect this stone better if it’s so important? I mean they have electromagnetic shields and all that,” Trevor said.

“Maybe the Lady of Kamûk was waiting for the stone to speak. And it can’t do that with electromagnetic shields around.”

“Maybe that’s why they managed to steal it in the first place.” The sun dipped lower in the western sky.

“It’s afternoon already. Seamen don’t like to be out at sea after dark. I wonder if we’ll reach this magical island in time.”

“We’d better.”

Trevor was looking sideways at Chryséis , who dreamily observed dolphins jumping in the distance. The ‘Navis Arion’ was going too fast for them.

“Let’s see.” Chryséis looked at her watch. It was almost 4 o’clock. “We have at least 3 - 4 hours before sunset. That gives us still some time.”

“What are the Edfunians doing on this Ruta Ynis Island anyway?”

“Good question. They could’ve sailed straight across to Edfun.”

Chryséis grappled with the logic of Edfunian thinking.

“Maybe the elf queen is involved in the theft,” Trevor said and nibbled on a large white nut from a têrakhon bowl. Tasty travel food with the Lady of Kamûk’s compliments.

“I don’t think so, Sherlock. It’s probably too dangerous to sail after dark.”

“Yes, right. The monsters of the sea,” Trevor mocked and hummed the theme music of the film ‘Jaws’.

“Funny.”

“Must be a good reason. Nobody seems exactly keen to go to Ruta Ynis.”

“Everything happens so fast. Yesterday we were still in Alesia and now we are chasing Edfunians to an elf kingdom because of some stone. Somebody keep up with that!” Katherine changed the subject.

“Yeah, somebody keep up with that.” Chryséis mumbled then carried on admiring the golden sunlight on the ocean. “Think about that. Elves! Who knew?”

Katherine put headphones over her ears and hummed to the tunes of her favorite CD. Five minutes later a repeated call announced land.

“Terreis! Terreis!”

The thin green shoreline moved closer and closer and became a dense forest. They slowed down and before long the ‘Navis Arion’ anchored in a secluded bay in full sight of the gravel-covered shore. The Edfunian ship was moored on the western side of the bay. A rowing boat with armed men was sent over to investigate.

“Ship’s deserted, captain. Nobody aboard and no ‘Speaking Stone’ either,” the four armed men reported back after a short while.

“They are on land then, we have no time to lose.” The captain ordered another boat to be readied. “We must tread with care. Elves can be an unpredictable and long-fingered lot. It’s best if they see us long before we see them.”

“Don’t take the camera with,” Chryséis warned Trevor, who sorted a few items into his moonbag.

“Why not? Don’t you think it would be great to have pictures of elves?”

“We only have this one camera and captain Thëlamôn said the elves like to steal things.”

“It’s small enough to fit into my shirt pocket. I can cut a hole into the pocket. They won’t see it.”

Chryséis shrugged her shoulders. “Fine, take it with. Just look after it.”

Minutes later the three of them sat in a boat with Kheton, the captain, Lelani and two of the crewmen, heading for the beach. Lelani was wearing a periwinkle-blue dress for the occasion of meeting with the elf queen. The two sailors rowed, while captain Thëlamôn gave them the lowdown on Ruta Ynis.

“Stick with the group and do as I say. We need to be careful.”

“Because of the Edfunians?” Trevor wanted to know.

“Why no, because of the tricks of moody elves and fauns of the forest like to play. The satyrs in the western plains aren’t much better. Wild men with tails, a tribe more monkey than human, however sharp of mind and swift of foot. No love lost between them. We’ll stay in the forest and don’t have to worry about the satyrs.”

Trevor thought he knew everything there was to know about the people of the Known World. ”They have tails?”

“Some say they are not human at all with their long tails,” one of the sailors added, before he dug again into the water.

“The forest dwellers can appear and disappear at will and scare unwelcome visitors.” The captain inhaled the smoke from a meerschaum pipe hanging from his mouth. Like the other sailors, he had tied his hair to the back.

“They don’t sound very friendly.” Trevor scanned the treed shoreline as the rowing boat dashed towards the beach in long pulls.

“Friendly? Moody’s the word. Elves and sprites live in streams, trees and waterfalls. Beautiful Queen Elfinûr rules in the palace Arbộlimar, said to be wrought with spells. They say that her true love, the valiant sailor Talariêl sailed the seven seas and never returned. She is waiting for him still, to make him her rightful elf king. Although he is not an elf at all. She’s a bit mad because of it.”

“Oh, that’s so sad,” Lelani sighed. ”Love lost.”

“Great. Not only an elf queen, but a mad one,” Trevor said.

“One must take care not to touch the crystalline wine served at her palace. Many a good sailor was lost to the world after drinking it. By the time he woke up, he found his ship long gone,” the other sailor said and strained at his oar.

They soon reached the shore. The boat crunched onto the pebbles and the children jumped out, water splashing against their legs.

“Ah, there is the path just as I remember it,” the captain said and pointed to a gleaming white opening between the trees close to the beach. “Daimon and Fenrik. You two stay with the boat. The elves rarely venture out of the forest, but the Edfunians may still be around. We’ll take these with us.”

He picked up what looked like short hockey sticks and gave one to Kheton, hooking another into his broad belt. Lelani carried a small harp made of yellow wood, the special present for the elf queen.

“Let’s go then,” Chryséis said with determination and marched over the pebbles closely behind captain Thëlamôn.

They picked their way around smooth boulders until their feet touched the soft leaf-covered forest floor. The sound of trickling water led them to a mossy stone pool in the shade by the white stony path. Kheton sat down on the broad rim to dip his hand playfully into the sparkling water, but the captain held him back.

“I wouldn’t touch the water if I was you. It might just put a spell on you.”

Kheton pulled his hand back. Big red flowers grew between lush ferns and caught Katherine’s eye.

“Look how beautiful these red flowers are,” Lelani marveled.

They hung back a little to pick flowers for their hair.

“The palace is not far from here,” captain Thëlamôn said, surveying the way ahead. “We will walk in pairs, never losing sight of the others. Be watchful of elf guards. Remember they will try and…”

“Captain, captain!” Kheton cried and everybody turned to look at him. ”Lelani is gone!”

“And where is Katherine?” Chryséis looked around. “They are both gone!”

“The elves must have lured them away,” Kheton cried and shook his head. The thought of any harm to his beloved Lelani was frightening.

“Such mischief! Courage athenai, courage.” Captain Thëlamôn quickly considered their new situation. “Send a thought to Lelani and ask where they have been taken. We will have to negotiate with the sly elf guards for their release it seems.”

“Will they still help us?” Kheton asked anxiously.

“The elves dislike uncivilised Gabari and surely know why we are here. Speak to your wife now.”

Kheton concentrated on a single silent question in his mind and the answer came promptly.

“They are in a clearing in the forest, at the end of this path,” he announced.

“I’m scared. What did they do to Katie, those stupid elves? We must find her quickly. “Chryséis quivered as they hurried after Kheton and captain Thëlamôn.

“Yes we must. Come on keep up.”

“I wish I had some music with me then I wouldn’t feel so scared.”

“Chris, we’ll find Katie and get this stone back and be on our way.”

“Yes we will.”

She looked up and saw a large yellow snake curled into a tight coil, lying comfortably on an intertwined branch just above them.

The snake was curious and stuck its head out to get a better look. Chryséis gave a muffled cry and jumped back in surprise, but she couldn’t just stay behind. She had no choice but to pull herself together and gingerly passed under the branch to catch up with Trevor.

When she looked over her shoulder, the snake was still hanging there, head stretched out, staring after them. Chryséis walked faster.

“Come on, the others are far ahead of us. Katherine says we are getting closer.” Trevor was proud that he could communicate by thought.

“That’s great, Trevor. Didn’t you say you’re not good at telepathy?”

“Oh I don’t know. It just popped into my head.”

The tree trunks around them were deeply furrowed and many of them as big as sequoias. Trevor brushed against a tree in the passing. It seemed to shrink away from his touch.

A small forest stream gurgled softly to their right, fringed by glistening ferns. They rushed on, climbing over buttress roots and jumping over puddles. A large root even formed an arch over the path. Thin mist wafted up between the spindly ferns fringing the stream and large spider webs became visible with tiny droplets.

“Uh, look at that.” Chryséis felt a cold shudder move up her spine.

“Must be big spiders,” Trevor said as they walked through the tree-root arch.

“Gives me the creeps.”

“Such a strange forest. Do you think dinosaurs lurk around somewhere?”

“Don’t be silly, Trevor Huxley. There are no dinosaurs around here.”

“But what about the farm animals and all…” Trevor began.

“Haven’t you heard a word the Lady of Cydonia has said? They’ve banished the wild dinosaurs to remote areas. The farm animals are domesticated.”

Trevor mumbled something like “How much more remote do you get?”

“There are no dinosaurs here, so drop it already.”

And Trevor did. No need to make Chryséis nervous. She might just demand to go back to the future as she had before. Little sunlight filtered through the vast canopy of trees. Chryséis checked her watch again. Only about an hour since they had landed on the beach.

‘Hurry up, guys, I can’t move!’ Katherine moaned. Trevor and Katherine stared at each other.

“Did you hear that?” Chryséis asked.

“Yes. She’s in danger. Why can’t she move? Let’s hurry up!” Trevor urged.

‘We are coming, hang in there!’ He transmitted to Katherine.

Ear-splitting screeches echoed off the trees. A horde of small monkeys flew from branch to branch. Scurrying down a nearby tree trunk, they plunged through the undergrowth and were soon gone. The monkeys looked fluffy and white like ghosts. Alarmed tree frogs sailed down from lofty heights with outstretched webbed fingers and toes. A green frog with white rings on its back landed next to Chryséis . She screamed in terror and flailed her arms nearly knocking Trevor off his feet.

“Be careful Chris, it’s only a frog!”

“Only a frog? It nearly jumped on me.” Her eyes were wide with fear.

“Don’t touch it or you might get warts,” Trevor laughed.

“Thanks just make fun of me.”

The two men in front of them turned around to see what the commotion was all about. “Move along athenai,” the captain called out. “No time to lose.”

Just when it seemed that the forest couldn’t get any darker, the path widened onto a forest glade. Dappled sunlight wove shady patterns onto the grass and the damp smell of the forest made way for the scent of wildflowers. Dragonflies stood still in the air above the little forest stream that now rippled gaily over rocks.

“There are Katherine and Lelani!” Chryséis cried and walked faster.

One lilac and one periwinkle-blue shape stood stock still in postures of flight in the middle of the path. The little songwood harp lay at Lelani’s feet.

“Who goes there?!” a whiny voice demanded.

The next moment an elf in tattered brownish garb appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He was about Trevor’s height. Shifty dark-green eyes observed them closely. Chryséis wondered if he had pixie ears under his green cap.

“Shelanti, good sir elf, you startled us,” captain Thëlamôn said in a friendly tone.

“You belong to these two, heh? Trying to steal my beautiful ruby-red flowers?” he asked in a challenging tone and pointed to Katherine and Lelani.

Before the surprised visitors could answer, they were unable to move a muscle. Only the elf’s spell kept them from falling over. Luckily they could still speak.

“Katie, are you okay?” Chryséis called out to her friend.

Katherine answered with a faint “Yes”. The elf danced around the immobilised humans and gave Chryséis a grim look.

“Welcome, visitors to Ruta Ynis,” he said smoothly. “It seems we have many visitors today. Too many visitors! Did you come for free flowers?” he ended on a mischievous note.

“Oh, I’m forgetting my manners. May I introduce myself, Gump of Ruta Ynis. Gump the elf. Some people call me a faun, but actually on my mother's side —” The forest guard rambled on until a much smaller elf next to him tucked on his sleeve. “…ehem, Her Majesty Queen Elfinûr’s humble servant and guard in the royal forest. State your names and business.”

“Sir Gump, greetings. My name is Thëlamôn of Kamûk. We are sorry about the…flowers. We are here on behalf of the Lady of Kamûk to retrieve an item that Edfunian thieves stole from her.”

Trevor was distracted. His eyes followed a troublesome fly that attempted to land on his nose.

“This good fellow’s name is Kheton of Cydonia, the husband of the young woman over here by the name of Lelani. Then we have Trevór of Chicago and Chryséis of Ethigevee…and Kathín of Oxfol,” the captain introduced them politely. “Kindly release us from your spell, sir elf. We wish to convey the Lady’s wishes to Queen Elfinûr of Arbộlimar and ask for her help.”

“Not so fast, not so fast human. The Lady of Kamûk sent you, heh?”

The elfin guard’s eyes narrowed and he scratched his upturned nose. Kheton wished he could do the same. The fly was still interested in him.

“Yes, that’s true.”

“You do not belong to the brazen Gabari, who trampled through my precious forest today?” Gump asked quite unnecessarily. He danced some way down the forest path and cackled. “They are now lending their shade to our wonderful green home!”

“No, they don’t belong to us, sir elf.”

Thëlamôn followed him with his eyes and understood. Gump pointed his chin at a group of young, sturdy trees, branches bent in all directions. The leaves seemed to flutter nervously.

“Is it possible that these trees are the giant Edfunians?”

“And the ship’s crew. One can never have enough trees in a forest, heh?” the elf guffawed. “Heh, heh, not so forward now, are we?”

He hobbled towards the young trees with challenging gestures. A shudder went through the branches and a prickle of fear went down the visitors’ spines.

“Sir Gump, you surely have no reason to turn us into trees…” Captain Thëlamôn argued, suddenly afraid for their safety. “We are here to see the honourable queen…”

“Don’t I have a reason? Some regret to ever having set foot on Ruta Ynis. Some get away and take with them birds in cages too small for them and worth a fortune in the ‘Land of the Shaking Earth’. How do I know that you are not here to steal birds and plants — or our children?”

The time travellers already knew that the ‘Land of the Shaking Earth’ was Prydhain. The captain ignored the unreasonable outburst.

“We came to speak with your good queen and have brought a rare songwood harp as proof of our good will.”

The elf guard danced over to the harp at Lelani’s feet and gave it the once-over. With a wave of his hand, Gump made the young trees quiver. When he had had enough of his game, he cocked his head and listened. It was quiet. Even the fly had given up on Trevor’s nose.

“Our revered queen will be ready to receive you in a little while. While we wait, let’s play a little more. You won’t mind answering a few harmless questions as is customary on our beautiful isle?”

Trevor tried to avoid his gaze.

“I see you want to go first young man…” Gump shook his gnarled finger at him.

“Emm, no, not really, I…”

Gump went right ahead and asked. “Perhaps you can tell us what flies in the air and has two legs?”

Oh no, not a quiz. Trevor was terrible at quizzes. What had two legs…?

“A bird?” Trevor tried cautiously.

“Yes, yes, yes, a bird, of course a bird. Unless you ever saw a flying Nepeshai, which I didn’t mean in the first place…”

The elf babbled on about the Nepeshai people and how much they resembled giant butterflies, until the little elf pulled on his shirt sleeve again.

“Oh gosh,” Chryséis sighed and rolled her eyes.

Not exactly blessed with patience, she wanted this annoying elf to get on with it. Her ear was itching and it was getting late.

“Oh gosh, oh gosh, what does that mean, oh gosh…heh?” The elf leapt in front of her, glaring at Chryséis through narrow eyes.

“Oh gosh means…means very clever, good sir elf. You are very clever!” Chryséis could smell his stale berry breath as he came closer.

Good save! Katherine praised her telepathically.

“Very clever, heh? Let’s see how clever you are then?”

Chryséis tried to look not too frightened.

“What flies in the air and has four feet, heh?”

Chryséis thought for a second then took a deep breath. “Two birds?”

“You are also clever youngsters, aren’t you, heh? Gosh.” He tried the word on his tongue. “Go s h, g o s h… I like it!”

Gump gazed from one child to the other. Kheton and the captain looked alarmed, but kept wisely quiet.

“Now you …, yes you. Pretty enough to be an elf yourself, heh?” He studied Katherine’s face. “Round ears though, small and round. Ugly,” he concluded with a snarl.

“If you say so, sir elf.” Katherine tried to sound polite, despite her absurd situation.

What do I care, if the forest guard likes my ears or not. Bring it on, she thought, we need to get out of here.

I agree. Good luck, she heard Trevor think. Then Chryséis smiled. It’s so easy to communicate by thought here. Must be something in the air.

“Sir elf, sir elf...” Gump mocked her, repeating the words like a parrot.

With a quick surprise move he took Katherine’s bright blue hairclip in the shape of a butterfly and stuck it on his green cap. Then Gump continued as if it was nothing out of the ordinary. Katherine knew better than to protest.

“Let’s see if you know the answer to this, young almost-elfin girl with ugly round ears… What flies in the air and has six legs?”

This guy is obsessed with legs, Chryséis thought.

Yes, some jerk! This time it was Katherine, who answered telepathically.

“Six legs? A fly?” she said aloud.

The faun was surprised, but composed himself quickly. “No, not a fly!” he jeered. “A butterfly, a butterfly of course. You see over there...heh?”

He pointed to a couple of white butterflies dancing around purple bell-shaped flowers then touched the blue hairclip which promptly fell to the ground. The little elf next to him scurried to pick it up and helped Gump fasten the clip to his cap.

“Of course a butterfly, sir Gump. Forgive my ignorance.” Katherine’s voice sounded apologetic enough for the elf to take a softer line.

“You are forgiven, then. You are still young, little girl.”

He tittered and danced in circles around the hapless visitors. The men still watched without speaking. Too many words could bring out the bad elfin temper. All they wanted was to find the ‘Speaking Stone’ and leave this forsaken island.

Patience, captain Thëlamôn thought and Kheton nodded. With the Edfunians turned into trees, things should be easier, he thought back.

The sun was sinking fast and time was passing. Then suddenly the forest guard screwed his face up in a funny grimace and flicked his fingers, releasing the visitors from the spell.

“Ah, the good queen is ready for you now. I’m tired of playing anyway. The giants were more fun, didn’t know a single answer.”

Kheton stretched his stiff limbs and nearly lost his balance before Lelani sank into his arms. Katherine stomped her feet to get rid of unpleasant needles and pins.

“How could they know the answer? I made this up only yesterday,” Gump mumbled, scratching his stubbly chin.

In a flash the forest glade came alive. An assortment of fairies slipped out of trees and ferns and even the gurgling stream. Some of them were as tiny as butterflies, see-through wings and all. They had all witnessed the quiz and laughed their sunny laughter at Gump’s failure to trick the children.

“I can’t believe it. The captain was right,” Chryséis said.

The forest guard motioned grumpily for them to follow him down the path. The fairies flew right above their heads twittering and singing and nudging them playfully.

At last they were headed for Arbộlimar, Queen Efinûr’s palace.