Bumblestook: Book 1, The Accidental Wizard (42 page)

“Fall back!” Kondor shouted over the mind-numbing howls.

The two men pushed away, as the dark creatures in the pit neared the top, threatening to boil over like a strange witch’s brew!

Psychic shrieks of pain emanated from the pit, as the creatures trapped within reached the glowing wall. Flattened against the cavern wall, the shadow creature shook with sympathy. It, too, knew the pain caused by any attempt to breach the silver barrier. Quickly, it retreated into the tunnel, as the two men backed away from the pit. It watched from the shadows, as the men sank down, backs against the tunnel wall, breathing heavily. Tall Man had allowed the light on the tip of his staff to expire. After a few moments, the shadow being gained the courage to creep closer.

“Tell me, what did you sense from the creatures in the pit,” Tall Man asked.

“I sensed no evil, if that is what you mean,” the Other replied. “Not evil, but a desperation so intense, it has the power to overwhelm both mind and spirit.”

“I sensed the same. It’s as if someone has found a way to bottle deep despair. It could be a powerful weapon.”

“I concur. Thankfully, the wall of white gold seems to have held them back.”

“Yes. There is something odd about that wall,” Tall Man said, causing the shadow creature to slide back quickly, as he picked up his staff and it sputtered to life. He stretched it out as far as he could, concentrating a powerful beam of light on the glowing barrier. “See, there, inside the wall? It looks like an inscription.”

“There is something, but it is too far away to read,” said the Other, his dark bushy brows drawing close together as he attempted to make out the writing. “It is quite the conundrum. If we venture close enough to read it, our minds will be too feeble to decipher the writing. If we stay here, our minds remain clear but the distance is too great to see.” The man frowned, stroking his mustache as he thought.

Suddenly he snapped his fingers loudly. “I may have something that will help!” He began rummaging in his robe, muttering under his breath. “Now where did I put it? So many pockets—do I really need this many pockets?”

The shadow being crept closer, taking care to stay well beyond the reach of the light, streaming from the staff.

Finally, the Other gave a grunt of satisfaction as he pulled forth a small, round, golden case. With a flip of his thumb, the hinged lid opened.

Tall Man leaned forward to peer inside. “It looks like water.”

The other chuckled and dipped a forefinger into the case. When he withdrew it, something sparkled on the tip, too small to see. The shadow being watched in puzzlement as the man used his other hand to open his right eye wide, then inserted the unseen object.

Tall Man winced. “How can you do that?”

“What?” The Other asked, blinking.

“Touch your eyeball like that.”

“It is nothing. You get used to it.”

“Is that what I think it is?”

“If you are thinking it is Eagle’s Eye, then yes, you are correct,” replied the Other, still blinking. “Give me a moment for my eyes to adjust, then I should be able to read the inscription.”

A moment passed while they waited, the shadow being as anxious to know as the other two; although why, it could not fathom. The lives of such beings were usually of no interest; living, as they did, in a world that was uncompromisingly solid and horribly bright. Formerly, it had taken notice of such only when the desires of its terrible Master willed it to do so. Now, its wispy form quivered as the man with the “Eagle’s Eye” closed his left lid and focused on the silver barrier around the frightful pit.

“I can just make it out—it is in the Ancient language.
Fahrasee-eth lissa na morin —”

“Lissa–ta nest infiniis ba-ethst sirrah.”
Tall Man interrupted, his voice suddenly raw with emotion.

Upon hearing this, the shadow being felt as if it had been struck by a bolt of ice-cold lightning, pinning its ethereal form to the tunnel wall. It knew, with no uncertainty, that even should the tall one turn his bright spear of light upon it, it would be unable to move; not even to save the last vestige of its pitiful life. It watched helplessly, as the Other turned slowly to Tall Man and translated.

“Far from me, you will never be, for you dwell forever in my heart.”

“Yes,” Tall Man’s voice was now but a hoarse croak. “I do not know how this came to be, but the wall around that awful pit, is my wife’s betrothal ring.”

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

The Mirror had gone blank, refusing to reveal even the slightest hint of the children’s whereabouts. Lance paced, clenched hands plunged deep into his pockets, while Olivia seemed carved of stone, staring relentlessly into the smooth, silver surface.

“Well, that’s it then. I’ve tried every spell I know and a few I had forgotten,” Imperious said, dusting multi-colored Magic sprinklings from his hands. “The Mirror has shown us what it could of the children. Time to switch tactics and look in on Bartholeumous and Company. I suspect we shall have a much easier time of it.”

Olivia bit her lip, but held her tongue, as the others gathered close. The High Mage gave the Mirror a fresh spin, once again calling upon the spirit of All-Seeing Aurelius.

The Mirror slowed gradually, then came to a complete stop. Reflected within were the figures of Kondor Dal and Bartholeumous, sitting with their backs against a wall of rock. Something flashed golden in Bartholeumous’ palm, before disappearing into a pocket, in the folds of his robe.

“Eagle’s Eye,” Rowena observed, her own keen eyes quick to identify the object. Then she moved in closer. “What was that?” She asked sharply.

“What was what?” Lance asked.

“What did you see?” Olivia chimed in.

“A movement in the shadows, just beyond the light.”

They all watched closely now, Olivia’s heart thumping as she entertained the wild idea that, somehow, it might be Fiona.

“There it is again!” Rowena called out.

They had all seen it this time, a dark movement against the darkness.

“I can’t make it out,” the Hero said. “It doesn’t seem quite solid—more like a ghost.”

“A Shadow Being, then,” said Imperious, his bright blue eyes troubled beneath their snow white brows. “I must contact Bartholeumous at once.” So saying he pulled forth a palm-sized slice of smoky quartz and brought it to his lips. “Bartholeumous,” he called softly. The Wizard in the Mirror raised his head abruptly, in response. “Don’t look now, but you’re being followed. To the right of you, in the darkness, lurks one of Malador’s Shadow Beings. Beware, my friend.”

Bartholeumous gave an almost imperceptible nod and leaned over to whisper in his companion’s ear. The watchers saw Kondor Dal stiffen and the shadow creature creep forward, no doubt in an attempt to make out what the Wizard had said.

“It listens,” Imperious communicated across the many miles.

Bartholeumous and Kondor Dal exchanged hurried whispers, as the Shadow Being crept even closer. Suddenly, the two Wizards stood, swiftly turning to face the creature, which shrank back, as if to flee.

“
Stay
!” Bartholeumous boomed, with the full force of his Compelling Voice, while Kondor raised his staff, tip ablaze. The walls of the tunnel sprang into light and the shadows fled, save for one.

The Shadow Being, pinned to the rock wall by the Wizard’s use of the Voice, hissed in distress. Its unsubstantial form writhed and twisted, as it attempted to minimize the effect of the light. Patchy holes appeared in its smoky pelt, and the edges began to dissipate into the air.

Bartholeumous cried out, “Look out! The light is killing it!”

Kondor immediately turned the staff’s tip aside, leaving just enough light to allow them to see that the creature was still there, a shadow within the shadows. It huddled down low, pulling the outer edges of itself into a dense shape; hunching over to protect what was left of its form. It shivered and emitted whispery-soft, piteous cries.

Within Heart of the Mountain, the others watched as the two Wizards advanced within a yard of the Shadow Being, Kondor careful to keep the light aimed away. In the darkness, it was hard to fully make out what was transpiring, although the Mirror itself helped by bestowing a silvery glow to the scene. They saw Bartholeumous and Kondor kneel down to examine the creature more closely.

“We did not intend you harm,” Bartholeumous said gently, using the Voice in Soothing mode, but the creature remained hunched and unresponsive. “Will you speak with us?” He tried again, with no result.

“Have you a name?” Kondor asked.

The creature seemed to raise its “head” at the sound his voice.

Kondor tapped his chest. “I am called Kondor Dal. How are you called?”

Again, the creature reacted, by raising its head a little higher.

“Can you speak? Will you talk to me?” Kondor asked.

The creature seemed to sit up, its shape resembling that of a person’s shadow, although much less defined. Its outer edges rippled as if unsure what form to take. Then, from its base, a dark appendage extended outward, tentatively inching across the tunnel floor toward the Wizard.

“Beware, it is reaching out to touch you,” Bartholeumous cautioned.

“I am aware of this,” Kondor replied. “I will allow it.”

“Are you sure that is wise?”

“Not at all, but if we are to gain its trust, we must ourselves display it.”

In the mountain stronghold, the onlookers held their breath, as the outermost edge of the creature’s outstretched limb reached the hem of Kondor’s robe. It traveled upwards, a lengthening shadow that climbed his chest. He held perfectly still, not even flinching as it approached his head. Then, in one sudden movement, it grew multiple, thin, branch-like fingers! Swiftly, they spread up to his face, where they lay across his cheek, like the shadow-branches of a tree. His eyes opened a fraction wider, then slowly closed. His broad chest heaved and his nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, but did not cry out.

“What is it? Does it cause you pain? Say the word and I will blast it to oblivion!” Bartholeumous said in alarm, raising his own staff.

Kondor’s eyes snapped open, as he raised a hand to stop him. “No! It would not willingly cause me harm.”

“It is one of Malador’s slaves. It may not have a choice.”

“Perhaps that is true of others of its kind, but not of this particular shadow.”

Bartholeumous lowered his staff. “I see. Then this must be…”

Kondor’s chin lifted and he swallowed with difficulty, as tears sprang up in his eyes. His voice, when he found it, was a tortured croak.

“Yes, it is the Spirit of my beloved wife, Mira.”

Deep within Heart of the Mountain, the watchers closed their eyes and bowed their heads.

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

The laser-like beam of Ranger Gary’s wand had cut a thin, rectangular outline, into the plastic wall of the giant snowglobe. All they had to do was apply a bit of pressure and it would give. They knew, once the wall was breached, events would move very quickly as water rushed in to fill the globe. Everyone held tightly to the rope, wound about their waists to keep them all together.

“Are you ready for this?” Ranger Gary asked, eying each one. Everyone nodded tensely. “Alright then, let’s do it!”

They surged forward as one, pushing hard against the newly created “door”. After a moment of sticking, it gave way suddenly; falling inwards toward the snowglobe floor, carrying all of them with it. With a
whoooosh
the water surged in from behind; sweeping them off their impromptu surfboard, flinging them about like just so much flotsam and jetsam! They clung tightly to the rope as they tumbled about, crying out to one another.

“Hold on!” Tom yelled as he and Yap collided.

“Don’t anyone let go!” Heloise called out, wrapping the rope’s end around one well-muscled hand as she tumbled.

“Head for the Bumblestooks!” Ranger Gary shouted as he fought to regain his footing.

Reaching the Bumblestooks proved to be easy, as they were swept up against the dining room table, with a collective “Oof”! Using the table to anchor themselves, they stood with difficulty; struggling to stay upright against the rising tide. Fortunately, the Field of Force was strong enough to withstand the force of the water, which had already risen to lap the seats of the dining room chairs.

Tom and Yap could do naught but hang onto the table’s legs, but Ranger Gary and Heloise managed to move about. Letting their bit of rope play out, each grabbed a Bumblestook under the armpits, then lifted them onto the tabletop.

Waving his wand in front of the oblivious Humans, Ranger Gary bellowed, “Extend! Extend! Count these two amongst our friends!”

Slowly, the Field of Force stretched itself out to encompass the unconscious couple. Ranger Gary blew into his mustache with a huge sigh of relief; sagging against the table as Mr. Bumblestook slumped onto his shoulder, snoring loudly.

“Good job, mates! Now all we have to do is wait for this place to fill up. Once the water stops pouring in, we can just walk out of here,” the Wizard said.

“These two aren’t in any shape to go for a walk,” Heloise sniffed disdainfully. She shrugged herself out from under Mrs. Bumblestook’s plump arm, propping the woman up against her husband. “And I don’t fancy trying to carry this one all the way back.”