Slathbog's Gold

“With Slathbog dead and reduced to ashes, his hold over the land will begin to fade,” answered Arco

“I would like to see that,” said Alex, looking across the bleak and empty lands.

“You may have the chance,” said Arco

“Has anyone found the crystal of the White Tower yet?” Alex asked, a strange thought forming in his mind.

“Not yet. Though it has only been four days.”

“I will come and look for it,” said Alex, his thoughts taking a definite shape.

“A noble task, though dangerous. Perhaps more for you than any of the others.”

“What’s an adventure without a little danger?” said Alex, laughing grimly.

That afternoon, after checking on Tayo, Alex went with the others to search Slathbog’s hoard. While the others were happy that he was doing something besides watching Tayo, Arco

“I believe I know what you are thinking,” said Arco

“I have already seen things I have not wanted to see,” Alex replied. “I will risk seeing more, if it will help me find the answers I need.”

“Then I will do all I can to help you,” said Arco

The two of them searched through the hoard, seeking the treasure Iownan had asked them to return. Alex quickly realized the search could take weeks—weeks he did not have if he wanted to save Tayo. The great chamber was larger than he remembered and every corner was covered with treasure of some kind.

They searched for three more days, and Alex grew more worried and troubled as each day passed. Tayo had started coughing in the night; his time was ru

As the rest of the company moved around the great hall, sorting different treasures into different piles or carrying it up to the first hall to be sorted, Alex sat down on a pile of gold coins. He was begi

Rubbing his knuckles into his eyes, Alex wondered if Slathbog had known what the crystal was. Would he have put it someplace special? Or would the crystal have been just one more treasure to keep hidden in his dark home?

Alex looked up at the pile of treasure in front of him. He shook his head; it was more like a small mountain of treasure. It would take him weeks to sort through it all, even with everyone’s help. It was hopeless to think he could find the crystal in time.

Dropping his head into his hands, Alex felt despair wash over him. He was lost in a sea of treasure, and trying to find the one single item he needed more than anything else appeared to be an impossible task.

“I need to find it,” Alex whispered in frustration. “I need to find it before time runs out for Tayo.”

Looking back at the mountain of gold in front of him, Alex wondered if there was some magic spell that would help him find the Oracle’s crystal. He didn’t remember anything from his studies, and he shook his head in frustration. He started to turn away from the pile of treasure when something caught his eye.

At the very top of the massive pile of wealth a strange ball of light glittered brightly. Alex knew the ball was only reflecting the torches around the hall, but it was amazing to look at just the same. The ball of light had not been there a moment ago—he was sure of that—but now it was as clear as the sun on a cloudless day.

Alex climbed the mound in front of him, slipping and sliding as the loose treasure moved under him. He kept his eyes fixed on the crystal as he climbed, afraid it might vanish as suddenly as it had appeared.

Stretching up and forward, Alex grasped the globe of light with both hands. It was feather-light in his hands despite its large size. Carefully lowering himself into a sitting position, he looked into the depths of the crystal. There was no time to worry about what might happen to him or what he might see.

What had been a glowing, fiery surface turned milky white. Alex stared into the crystal, willing it to show him what he desperately needed to know. The orb seemed to come alive with a thousand tiny sparks, and then the face of Iownan appeared, smiling at him from far away, giving him hope.

Alex concentrated on the crystal as Iownan’s face faded away, replaced by others he did not know. The faces started changing faster and faster. Alex’s eyes began to water, but he did not blink, afraid of breaking the spell. Somehow he knew if he could hold on long enough, the crystal would show him the answers he was looking for.

Alex didn’t know how much time had passed before he felt Arco

“Alex? Alex, are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” said Alex, drawing a deep breath and blinking several times to clear his vision.

“I see you’ve found what you were looking for,” commented Arco

“And it has shown me what I need to know,” replied Alex, standing up and carefully climbing down the pile of treasure with Arco

“Then you must use what you have learned,” said Arco

“Quickly then,” said Alex, hurrying across the chamber floor.

As they were leaving the great hall, Alex handed the crystal of Iownan to Bregnest and hurried past without explanation, ignoring the surprised looks from his friends.

“I’m going to call him back,” said Alex, as he and Arco

“It will be dangerous,” Arco

“I will be fine,” replied Alex, smiling at Arco

When they reached Tayo, Alex knelt at his friend’s side. He picked up Tayo’s right hand with both of his. He paused for a moment, preparing his thoughts for what he was about to do. He knew it was dangerous and possibly even foolish, but he also knew he had to try. Somehow, he already knew he would be safe.

“If it looks like you are fading, I will break your hold,” said Arco

“There will be no need, my friend,” Alex replied confidently. “I will be safe.”

Arco

“Tayo,” he called softly. “Tayo.”

It happened faster than Alex expected. Suddenly he felt himself leaving the torchlit chamber, even though he knew he was still sitting next to Arco

“Why do you wait here, my friend?” Alex asked, walking up beside Tayo.

“The Oracle told me to wait for a sign,” Tayo replied, not looking at Alex.

“What sign?”

“I do not know,” said Tayo in a dreamy voice. “I had hoped she would give me a sign, but she has not.”

“Who?” Alex questioned, watching Tayo’s face as he spoke.

“She who waits beyond the wall,” answered Tayo, raising his hand and pointing down the hill to the stone wall below them.