The beasts' foul breath stung his nose and its breathing echoed in his ears even though he was a good fifty yards away. He then made the call again, this time with two calls. In unison the whipping sound of six arrows hummed through the air. With a jolt the Nukpana shot out from the trees and shrieked by with lightning speed. The hunters all sprang with ease from their hiding places. The hunters found the Nukpana near a large cove of pine trees and shrubs on the other side of a small clearing that was surrounded by red raspberry bushes. The magic in Shaz’s chest became stronger as they came upon the clearing.
"There," said Riddick.
Shaz wondered why the trees where swaying back and forth, as they crossed the clearing. The air thickened and a strange light filled the space around it. Several shades of purples and grays swirled about in confusing patterns as it rose and fell in irregular intervals. The nearby sounds of the other men faded away and an intense humming vibrated the air. Shaz's chest constricted and his head weaved and swayed even more.
The overwhelming need and desires that filled his chest seemed to pound every breath from his body. Pain, anguish, fear and joy surged through his limbs, leaving them numb and tingling at the same time. He was filled with exhausted frustration. A strong but faint voice gnawed at the back of his mind but he couldn't understand it. A soft cool breeze blew in with diligence clearing the endless insanity from his mind. Relief settled his limbs and chest palpitations and he became calm.
"I am Drafang," a strong but gentle voice said slowly from the distance.
The flowing purple streams of silken mist molded together in a bright light and grew with intensity. He peered through half-open eyelids. His arm over his face shielded the light. A glimmering white form floated toward him. The tall liquid form of the two headed Nukpana emerged from the light.
"I am Drafang, the Ambassador to all magical creatures. I have come to aid you in your journey," said each one taking a turn.
The Nukpana bent one knee and knelt. The purple hues of color changed to oranges, reds, yellows and topaz. Cool misting strands of silky tendrils wrapped in and around Shaz’s legs then swirled around his chest and ruffled his hair. Strange sensations coursed through his body. Cold and hot exhilarated his sense and he struggled to make words.
"I don't understand. What are you? What is happening?" Shaz asked.
"I have been sent to be a guide. You have defeated me and shown your abilities to the great ones. The ancients are pleased with you and have sent me to you. I am to aid you in your journey. I wish to submit my soul to you for the purpose of bringing balance back to the world."
The Nukpana again bowed.
"Please," Shaz said gaining the mobility of his arms. He motioned for the beast to stand. "Please, you do not need to bow to me, I am of no consequence," Shaz said.
"Yes, honored one, you are. It is you, the sign, the omen. We have been waiting many long years for this day. Will you accept me as your companion?"
"I would be honored, Drafang, but what does that mean?”
"The answers you seek are in your dreams. Thank you, honored one, I will leave with you my fang, this will bind us together."
The Nukpana reared up on its hind legs. The massive hooves of the beast, brought up spiraling drifts of silky mists, from the cloudy bottom surface. They flowed through the sky, then lowered again to the earth and took Drafang with them. The faded light whirled, leaving Shaz unsteady and shaking in the cool, rapture of the evening forest. He fell to the earth panting. He once again heard the other hunters and forest life around him. His chest tingled with electric energy. He felt the cold fang that hung, at the center of his chest through his tunic. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out the fang already tethered. He felt hot and cold on his fingertips then slipped it back into his shirt.
"Are you alright?" Riddick asked.
"I'm fine, just give me a few moments," Shaz said covering his face. His eyes burned while hot tears filled the bloodshot surface.
"Ok mate, but you are officially twigging me out,"
Riddick towered over him, casting a shadow on his friend.
"Did you see it?" asked Shaz.
"See what?"
Riddick hated it when others found things he didn't. He paid special attention to scrutinizing detail, even to the degree of compulsion.
"No, no, nothing. I thought I saw something. I guess it's just these blasted headaches."
Riddick relaxed a little, but kept his alert level on high. Shaz and Riddick stayed out of the way for a few more minutes, until Shaz's eyes cleared and the color in his face returned, then joined the others. They were dutifully setting up camp and making tools, to transport the animal back to the village. Shaz’s thoughts swirled around the Nukpana and Ceros. He felt wrong for killing the beast, now that he knew what it was. Now that he knew
who
it was.
In a way he was glad to have the companionship of Drafang.
But what does that mean? How does that help me with what I am to do? When will I see him again or will I, and if I do will it leave me incapacitated again? Would I have the strength to endure this again?
After returning to the village and spending much of the day making preparations, Shaz was about to leave the village. His grandfather stood near the largest tree fortress. He was handsome with long silver hair and eyebrows. His sky blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight. He had fair skin even in the humidity of the island. Shaz knew he was different because, out of all the travelers that had ever come to the island, no one resembled him. Grandfather stood with his back straight, holding onto his staff majestically. Shaz sensed urgency and made his way through a crowded corner of the village and over to the fragile man.
Many people walked by and bowed to grandfather, who returned the gesture with a slight nod. After one of the most severe storms handicapped the island, Grandfather was instrumental in rebuilding the village. Most of the village respected him, some however, were afraid of him. As one of the village healers, he often used strange words and potions to cure difficult ailments. Many people thought he used some kind of powers which frightens them. Shaz bent at the waist slightly, while putting his forefinger to his lips, in an arch, they ended on the tip of his forehead and then he waited for Grandfather to speak.
"Apong lalaki," Grandfather said in Denasian, "Why have you taken so long?"
"I am sorry Grandfather. I didn't know you were expecting me. I just returned. I haven’t even been home yet."
Shaz shifted his weight from one foot to the other and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"I have a matter of business to attend to in town. Will you accompany me please?”
Shaz wondered if this was one of Grandfathers’ games. Grandfather always had fun games to play that always made him have to think. The older he became, the harder the riddles became and the longer he would have to spend figuring them out. Grandfather took care to instruct Shaz, in as many different customs as he could. He told tales of other creatures and beings. Shaz never thought it for important, until last month after arriving back from the islands.
"Yes, of course, Grandfather.”
The baker and his wife carried out large bundles of hot bread. Shaz’s favorite was the long skinny kind that had a crunchy outside and a soft fluffy inside. Women in brightly colored dresses, their hair clipped up with fancy clips, went from one shop to the next, carrying baskets full of market items. Off in the distance Shaz could hear goats, sheep and other live stalk. Short and squat buildings, with round tops, made of the mineral like clay tiles, speckled the ground floor in and between large Waslick and pine trees. The officers’ buildings, however, were in the extra-large trees, on the edge of the village. The outsides of the trunks were rough bark, intertwined with ivy and raspberry vines, already ripe from the summer heat. The trees held ancient rooms and structures that had been carved out and stood several stories high.
"Apong lalaki," Grandfather said sternly, "don't your ears work? I said lets go."
"Oh sorry grandfather, I was just-"
Grandfather started into one of the large trees.
"Yes, yes, now let's go."
He climbed the large spiral staircase in the center of the hallow tree. Even though he had been in the structures many times before, accompanying his father on official warden business, Shaz always found it remarkable. With all the carvings, engravings, rooms and out coves on the inside walls of a tree. Small holes strategically placed around the circumference, allowed for daylight to enter.
Small chandeliers with candles hung from various places for light during the dark hours. Along the outside edges of the structure, doors hung from spindly remains of the inner tree. Soft thatching made from tall grasses and soft cloth created ceilings over the rooms.
Each room rotated around the tree in an upward spiral, creating the need for planks from the staircase. Tall banisters made of wood and shiny metals edged the planks. It took time for grandfather to maneuver the stairs and Shaz patiently waited behind him. Shiny black and grayish green carvings, stood on wooden pillars and hung from corded ropes. They gave the room a sense of history and bounty. Much of the stories had been long forgotten and the symbols too. A short pudgy lady, wearing a bright rust colored dress and a hat with feathers wrapped around the brim, barreled out of the room on the upper level. Shaz stepped aside and let her pass.
“Wait here. I'll only be a minute,” Grandfather said.
Shaz slumped against the center post that held the stair case. He knew that when adults said they would be just a few minutes, it could be much longer. Several minutes later, Grandfather returned carrying a long satchel, strapped over his shoulder and a box wrapped in cloth.
As they began down the stair case grandfather said, "Meet me at the family prayer hut after supper tonight."
"Yes, Grandfather," Shaz said.
Shaz returned home, maneuvering slowly through the forest as daylight broke
into twilight. Jagwynn caressed the floor as he entered the small room. He plopped himself onto his bed and Jagwynn laid her massive head on his lap as the evening sounds filled the air.
"It's going to be ok Jagwynn. Things will be different, but we will always be together," Shaz said with a gentle voice while rubbing her between her eyes. "Come on lets go meet grandfather."
The prayer hut was a small round structure, which surrounded a narrower tree, about twenty feet from the main house. A long rope bridge hung suspended in the air. Shaz left the house and made his way over the swaying bridge. Jagwynn followed behind, her tail swishing back and forth to steady herself. A large wooden door sat ajar slightly. Shaz and Jagwynn approached respectfully. He opened the door, and found Grandfather sitting with his legs folded and his hands resting on his knees. The pitch from burning candles tickled his nose and gave a gentle hint of light. Shaz came up next to grandfather and sat with his legs crossed. Jagwynn lay down on the floor and rested on her side. Grandfather opened his eyes.
"The time has come for you to receive the items Ceros told you about. But first you must tell me about your dream," Grandfather said.
He peered into Shaz's eyes, his jaw tight and his brows firm on his wrinkled face. Shaz shifted on the floor.
"How did you know?"
"It doesn't matter.”
"Alright, I can't seem to make sense of a dream I keep having."
"What’s it about?"
"All I see is a large city. I've never seen such a place. It's all white and sits on the ocean shore. There are many people there."
Grandfather rubbed his long finger on his chin.
"Ebassia," Grandfather said.
"The city from your stories?" Shaz asked.
"Yes."
"But I thought that was only a story," Shaz said.
"After the moon alignment, when the tide is high, you must travel through the barrier. You must be ready. It is imperative you understand these things as best you can." Grandfather touched Shaz's hand then gripped it tightly.
"The barrier is real too?"
"Close your eyes and clear your mind," Grandfather said.
Shaz closed his eyes and focused on the sounds of the night coming from outside the hut. Soft chirps and clicks, from beetles and crickets, and the rustling sounds of the leaf people filled his mind. He took in a deep breath, filling his senses with the fresh night dew which settled on lush greenery.
"Now open your eyes,"
Grandfather stood and removed the satchel, revealing a beautifully carved sword, sitting in a dark leather scabbard.
"Kneel."
Shaz knelt in front of grandfather and took the sword. The ebony hilt was encircled with a silver coiled band that went around the cross guard and handle. A small oval shaped crevice sat below in the shoulder of the blade. Shaz knew that this is where he was to put the sapphire he had received from the Dodjen. He took out the stone and placed it in the opening. He repeated the magic words he’d learned from Ceros.
Strange etchings glimmered blue in the triple moonlight. Magic surged from the sword, melding the stone into the steel of the blade. The colors glowed brightly for a few moments, and settled on a dim under tone of blue.