The Serpent's Ring (Relics of Mysticus) (15 page)

Evan moved away from her and traveled closer to the sharks. Funny thing was they looked like bull sharks, but instead of having vibrant colors on their skin, they had brown rings like a tree.

“Wait a minute. Look at that tail; it’s broken off,” said Evan. “And both sharks seem to be made from wood.”

“Sharks made from a tree? That is impossible.”

Just then, the top fin of one of the sharks lifted and out climbed Sigurd.

Chapter Seventeen

ETCHED IN STONE

“BLAPA!” SHOUTED CLAIRE, AFTER LIFTING the top of the other shark. “Bla-blen-blee!”

“What did she say?” Evan said to Lazonia, who shrugged and rushed over to Claire. With the help of Lazonia, Claire’s face was encapsulated within a bubble.

“Whoa, who is she? She has a tail,” said Claire. “And I can breathe.”

“I know. I’m not sure what this bubble thingy is, but we can breathe in it,” Evan yelled while swimming toward his sister, a smile stretching his face. “How were you able to find me?”

After helping Barfel out of his shark-pod, Sigurd rushed to Claire. And although Claire pretended to need his assistance, Evan knew better. His sister had been winning trophies in gymnastics for more than eight years. He watched as Claire accidently (on purpose) fell into the arms of her hero.

Dunkle rushed to Evan’s side. “Evan, you are safe! Claire’s locket was not sufficiently clear about that part,” declared Dunkle, his face also encompassed by a bubble.

“So, you must have figured out how to use the locket correctly,” said Evan, trying to gain his sister’s attention away from Sigurd.

“I was unaware Sigurd the Dragon Slayer had joined your quest. Evan, you are lucky indeed,” Lazonia said, still studying the hero.

“My days of slaying dragons have been over for quite some time now,” informed Sigurd, flashing his annoyingly bright smile her way. His face bubble seemed to magnify his large white teeth. Evan hurried to her side, wedging himself between Sigurd and the mermaid.

“This is Lazonia. She rescued me from Ran’s net,” explained Evan.

“Is Ragnar still head of the council?” Sigurd asked.

“Yes, he is,” answered Lazonia. “I am certain he would like to see you again.”

Sigurd looked at Claire and said, “I met Ragnar a few years ago. We had a very interesting adventure together.”

“That sounds fascinating! I’d love to hear more,” said Claire, wearing a silly grin.

“Listen, that’s great, but I have some important things to tell you,” Evan cut in. “But first, what exactly did the divining locket show you?”

“Basically, the same thing you saw. The golden net pulled you under, and the flash of violet hair,” Claire said and looked at Lazonia. “I’m guessing that was you.”

“Lazonia freed me from the net and brought me here. Isn’t this place great! I mean, just look at the city. It’s made from some kind of glass,” said Evan excitedly. “And I met the council. Something strange happened when I was in the center of the room. An image appeared on the glass below me.”

Sigurd added, “I have heard there is a symbol permanently etched into the floor, one for each member of council. Supposedly, the symbols magically alter along with that merperson’s actions. But, I have never heard of a human having the ability to develop a symbol.”

“No human has ever been to our city,” explained Lavonia. “Not only is the dome a shield, it camouflages our city, as well.”

“Claire, how were you able to see the dome?” Evan asked.

“We couldn’t,” she answered. “The locket guided us. It was like staring at a map.”

“Well, I’m impressed,” said Evan, “and nice job on the shark-pod.”

“The submarine was my idea, but disguising us as sharks was Sigurd’s,” she said and looked at her “hero” adoringly.

“Sigurd, your enchanted ship is ruined,” realized Evan.

Sigurd shrugged his shoulders. “It served its purpose. Perhaps, one day, I will come by another vessel of its equal.”

“Didn’t you say the gods gave that one to you as a gift,” Evan asked. “I doubt you’ll find another ship like it, ever again.”

“Life has a funny way of working itself out, often times for the better,” Sigurd said optimistically.

“Over here! Over here!” shouted Barfel. He and Dunkle were standing by the ancient castle.

“The imps must have found the prophecy,” said Lazonia, and then her tail swooshed, giving her speed greater than the others.

A few moments later, Evan, Claire, and Sigurd reached the wall.

“You were going to tell me something about this picture, just before they showed up,” Evan said to Lazonia.

“Is that Evan?” Claire asked, placing her finger on the carved image of a boy.

“That can’t be me! You said this castle was from a long time ago. I’m guessing that was before I was even born. How could that possibly be me?”

“My ancestors had great knowledge of the future. Most of their predictions have come true. Many of them were good, a few were not,” said Lazonia, resting her long webbed fingers on Evan’s arm.

And there was Jormundgand, taking up most of the space. As usual, the image showed him biting his tail. Except in this portrayal, he was wrapped around a carving of the world. This wall must have been enchanted because the planet spun around on its axis. A man with a shaggy beard was carved on the left side. Stretching his hand toward Jormundgand, he offered a tiny ring. Evan moved closer to study the small object. Just then, the tiny ring floated above the man’s upward facing palm.

It was the Serpent’s Ring, Evan was certain of it. Now the picture came together. This must have been Aegir, and he was unlocking the giant sea serpent. Evan scanned over to the other side of the image. There, standing on a cliff, was a small boy facing a massive wave. Sharks were swimming in the wave—just like in Evan’s dream.

“What am I going to do?” Evan said and sank to the ocean’s floor, hanging his head.

“Evan, the wall does not show what happens after you face Aegir,” Lazonia said calmly. “You must fulfill your destiny. You must and will stop Aegir. I believe in you.”

“So do I,” chimed Claire. “Now, let’s go kick some sea-god booty!”

Although Evan was terrified, he laughed at his sister’s comment. “I don’t see you guys carved on the wall. I thought all of us were going to stick together. I never imagined I would have to face Aegir alone,” Evan said and then looked at Lazonia. “Where is everyone else?”

Wearing a frown on her face, the mermaid shook her head. “For whatever reason, you are meant to battle Aegir alone.”

Evan sighed and looked at each one of his friends’ faces in turn. Dunkle looked most concerned, and he was the one to approach Evan.

“We will travel with you as far as we are permitted. You can do this,” said the imp. And although it was impossible to smell anything underwater, Evan believed the area around him was saturated by the odor of pine.

“Perhaps, it is time to see my father,” said Lazonia. “I will not be able to swim all of you there. So, I promise to move slowly.”

On the journey back, Lazonia stayed true to her word and moved along with the group. Occasionally, she would swim away long enough to speak with a sea turtle or fish, but she always returned.

Half an hour passed before they reached some outer buildings, all of which were made of colorful glass. Etchings and molded sculptures depicted sea life: shells, fish, merpeople, and other ornate designs.

“We need to swim to the top of this building,” said Lazonia, coming to a stop. “It is pretty high. Would any of you like for me to help you swim?”

Evan was just about to say yes when Claire snipped, “We’ll be fine.” And Evan had to scale the building on his own.

Chapter Eighteen

TRAVEL BY TURTLE

BY THE TIME EVAN REACHED the top, Lazonia was already inside the building. Evan drifted into the room, and saw she was already speaking with her father. Evan paused in the center of the circle and was all too aware of the thirteen sets of eyes fixed on him.

“Ah, Sigurd, it is good to see you, old friend,” announced Ragnar. “Please, all of you come in.”

Sigurd led the group right across and over the circle’s center, coming to rest on Ragnar’s right side. The two discussed something so quietly that Evan was unable to make out what they were saying. Sigurd then nodded and returned to Claire, Dunkle, and Barfel.

Ragnar began formally, “My fellow council members, we are joined by Evan’s sister Claire, Dunkle, Barfel, and—I am certain you all have heard of the great hero—Sigurd.”

A flurry of comments were made, but all in undertones. Evan looked around, trying to figure out what was being said. It was no use. Most of the council members were speaking in that funny clicking-fishy language.

And then, for some strange reason, Dunkle gasped. Evan turned to see what had startled the imp but saw nothing unusual other than that a fish arrived and had positioned itself between Lazonia and Ragnar.

“That’s him! That’s him!” cried out Barfel, pointing his gangly arm at the fish.

Evan had absolutely no clue why the imps were so worked up. It was just a fish. Wait a minute; that fish looked awfully familiar. It was at that moment something occurred to Evan. “Hey, it’s the fish from the boat! He’s one of Aegir’s spies. We caught him with a fishing pole.” There were gasps of horror, and Evan flinched. “Okay, not good. Look, we put him in a tub of water and kept him on board. He admitted to being a spy!”

Ragnar leaned over and listened to something the fish had to say. The merman smiled and nodded his head.

“What did the fish say? And how did it get here? We left it on that boat,” said Evan, causing even more hostility amongst the mercouncil. “Look, we didn’t mistreat it. Obviously its fine,” he added, trying to calm the angry merfolk.

“Council members, this boy did not cause the fish, Egbert, any harm,” announced Ragnar. “Evan speaks the truth; Egbert is one of Aegir’s spies. He has confided in me some of Aegir’s plans. We must listen to what he has to say.”

“Why should we trust it?” Evan asked, giving the fish a dirty look. “I mean, isn’t it one of the bad guys?”

“My dear boy,” said Ragnar, “Aegir is neither a ‘bad guy’ nor is he our enemy. Aegir’s outlook of the world has been skewed, warped. He believes that by wiping out mankind, he will be washing away all of his evils.”

“Doesn’t Aegir realize he’ll be washing away all the good stuff too?” said Evan.

“I think that over the centuries, Aegir has forgotten,” said Ragnar. “Egbert told me that many sea creatures have forgotten men still have a few virtuous qualities. In fact, ironically enough, it was not the act of a man that changed the mind of this fish. It was the act of an imp that caused Egbert to reconsider his loyalty. For although Egbert cares little for mankind, he is rather fond of imps and does not wish to see them drowned.” Ragnar grinned at Barfel, and Barfel beamed in return.

Barfel leapt into the center of the room and danced around Evan. “Barfel set him free! Barfel set him free!”

Dunkle approached the dancing imp, rested his hand on Barfel’s shoulder, and said, “I did not see you release the fish. How were you able to manage it without my knowledge?”

“More importantly,
why
did you?” mumbled Evan, receiving many furious glares. He shrunk back, and grunted, “Sorry.”

“Last one off the ship! Dumped him back in the sea!” sang Barfel.

“Good job,” said Dunkle, escorting Barfel back to Sigurd and Claire.

“In that one single act, the imp was able to change Egbert’s mind about flooding the planet,” explained Ragnar, and more discussion ensued. “Now, it’s time to tell you everything I know.”

Words poured out from the merman’s mouth, filling every space. Ragnar wove a tale, sounding more like fiction than fact. Unfortunately for Evan, he happened to play a huge role in the story. “Evan and his comrades must continue traveling to Hlesey. That is where they will find Aegir and the Serpent’s Ring. This boy is mankind’s only hope for salvation. Although he keeps company with four other heroes, in the end, it will be Evan Jones who must face Aegir—alone,” announced Ragnar. “We merpeople will help in any way we can.”