Topple, Hilda, Bobby and the two apprentices traveled several days without encountering the trogs. The group found it necessary to set a fast pace to keep up with the advancing army. Topple had the haunting feeling they would soon be plagued by trogs. Yet, the wizard’s perpetual smile and positive attitude did not betray any sense of concern.
After several days travel, Topple felt guided to leave the road and hike along the east slopes of the mountains. The members of the group were happy to leave behind the foul remains and odor of the trogs. On the evening after leaving the road, they set up camp in a thick grove of trees. After the others had gone to sleep, Topple and Hilda sat next to the campfire in a state of readiness. Both of them received a premonition that something unusual was going to happen during the night. They looked into the fire waiting for a mysterious revelation to unfold.
While sitting in quiet anticipation, they listened to the sounds of the night.
In a soft voice Topple reflected, “It is interesting how the power of life provided the energy to feed the perpetual restlessness of nature. Life is constantly striving to fulfill the imprinted need to survive.”
Hilda followed, “I often feel this throb of nature. It seems I have spent most of my life waiting to find answers to unknown questions. I guess tonight is no different. Each moment provides the next piece in the giant puzzle of my life. I believe we can only enjoy the beauty of life right now. Yesterday’s beauty is too late; Tomorrow’s is too early.”
As Topple and Hilda sat in front of the fire, they allowed the sights, sounds and smells of life to caress their spirits into a peaceful harmony with their surroundings. In the distance a sound interrupted the events of the night. This noise caused the shy forest animals to pause in quiet respect for the approaching being. The soft steps of a two legged creature approached the campsite in steady, unhurried strides. Topple realized this sudden silence meant the new arrival had gained the sympathy of the forest creatures.
A shadow glided from the underbrush and stood directly in front of them. The flickering light of the fire exposed a withered old man with a long gray beard who was dressed in an old tattered black robe. The hood of the robe mysteriously hid the face of their visitor. From under his hood, two sad haunting eyes probed the very souls of Topple and Hilda. Without moving the old man stood like a statue watching them. The presence of many centuries resonated through him. The piercing eyes of the old man finally came to rest on Topple. The eyes did not reveal anger but rather an unfulfilled plea for help. The wizard had the impression the stranger’s body only covered his emptiness. This person was the hollow remains of a once powerful individual.
In a gentle tone, Topple said, “Greetings, my friend. Please join us at our campsite. We offer you a meal and the warmth of our fire.”
Like a thought searching for a way to speak, the old man only stood gazing at Topple. As the man watched, Topple cooked a small pot of trail food and dried fruit into an aromatic meal. He handed a bowl of the hot meal to their guest. The old man took the dish and rapidly consumed the meal without hesitation or waste. He held the bowl in his hand without knowing what to do with it. Hilda reached out, took it from him and touched the person with a gentle, caring caress. Hilda’s touch created a ripple through the man as if a powerful need had been satisfied.
The more Topple watched the man the more his curiosity became aroused. As he considered this strange event, the wizard became aware of an unusual pulsation coming from his travel pouch. He had forgotten about Coaldon’s Gem of Watching. He tossed it into his travel pouch upon leaving Neverly. He pulled the Gem out of the pouch and held it up to the firelight. The Gem had an uncharacteristic red tint and vibrated in rapid motion. Not knowing what to do with the Gem, Topple was about to put it away when Hilda grabbed his arm.
She suggested, “Why don’t we invite Cando to join us. He has been stowed away for a long time. He might enjoy an escape from the Gem.”
Topple held the Gem in the air, requesting, “Cando, please join us!”
Cando erupted from the Gem in an explosion of multi-colored sparks. He circled the camp in wide loops and erupted into a loud burst of laughter. Looking at the old man in disbelief, Cando floated over the fire creating a luminous image of shimmering radiance through his ghostly shape. An energy source inside of Cando’s spirit grew into an expanding throb. The glow from the campfire was amplified through Cando’s vaporous spirit into a dazzling, bright light. As this power expanded in Cando, the old man’s eyes turned bright red. The light from his eyes were so intense Topple and Hilda could see the features of his bearded face under the cover of his hood. With increasing intensity, flashes of electrical energy shot back and forth between Cando and the old man. The surge of power was climaxed when a brilliant burst of lightning shot into the night sky. A loud clap of thunder echoed in the rocky valley when Cando and the old man were united into one being. The evil magic separating Cando’s body from his spirit collapsed releasing a powerful blast of energy. Cando the Wizard was once again whole and fully present in the world.
The three sleeping companions were awakened by the commotion. They joined Topple and Hilda to watch Cando’s reunion. They observed this blessed event with astonishment. They were delighted when the new Cando began to dance around the campsite in uncoordinated leaps of joyful celebration. As he stumbled around the camp he threw his arms into the air and shouted meaningless phrases at the top of his voice. When he finally saw Topple, he tackled him with a hug of joy. As Cando’s energy drained away, the excitement of the moment shifted into serenity. At the conclusion of his last explosion of celebration, the old wizard fell to the ground in exhaustion.
Cando never raised his head but drifted into deep sleep. At this point Topple said, “We are again in trouble. The energy released by Cando’s reunion has attracted the attention of many creatures in the area, including the geks. It will only be a short time before representatives from the trog army will pay us an official visit.”
Hilda responded, “I suggest we ask Cando for assistance. His body has lived in this area for a long time. Maybe he can guide us to safety.”
They allowed Cando to sleep for an hour before Hilda awoke him with a gentle nudge. He opened his eyes, looked around and sat up with a surprised reaction. It would take time for the two entities of Cando to learn to work together.
Topple said, “Cando, my old friend, we need your help. The trogs will be searching for the source of the energy surge. Do you know of a way we can escape?”
Cando was quiet as he considered the question. After what seemed a long time, he responded, “I never imagined I would ever be made whole again. Thank you for your help in completing this most special event.”
Topple nodded, saying, “It is our pleasure to assist you. This event has been written in the Books of Time. We did our part in fulfilling your destiny.”
Cando replied, “My body has roamed these mountains for centuries. All these years the wood elves and animals of the forest have protected and fed me. This area is my home. I know its many secrets. I find the invasion of the trogs a violation of nature’s beauty and sacredness.”
After a pause he continued, “Yes, I will help you. We can use a long forgotten tunnel both to escape and to take you to the dwarves. I watched the trogs chase them into a canyon. I can take you to the dwarf community if you desire.”
Topple nodded in agreement as he responded, “We accept your generous offer. We must hurry if we are to escape from the trogs.”
Cando moved and thought in disjointed confusion as he learned to function again as a whole being. It took several minutes of walking before he regained his coordination. At first the group had to travel slowly because of darkness. They were happy when the moon crested in the east, offering a soft, pale light to guide their steps. Cando led the group up a wide valley and then into the rocky gorge on the northern slope of the mountain. The sound of Trog voices in the distance helped motivate the group to walk faster. The light of a new day revealed a ravine blocke
d by a massive landslide. Cando did not hesitate as he guided the group through a maze of twists and turns into the tower of jumbled rocks. The opening to a tunnel appeared before them after they passed between two tall pillars of jagged stones. The shouts of trog voices could now be heard clearly. It would only be moments before they would be attacked.
As the last of the group entered the tunnel, a large gek followed by many trogs ran toward the tunnel entrance. Topple turned to see the trogs only a few steps behind him. With a twinkle in his eye, Topple raised his hand and released a surge of magic. The leading gek suddenly ran head long into an invisible barrier. The trogs following the gek piled on top of their leader creating havoc.
Topple quietly said, “Go away. Please do not bother us. We are on a walk in the woods looking for mushrooms. You are causing us much distress.”
Throwing trogs in all directions the gek erupted from the ground. The beast spoke in a voice of supplication, “Lord Crossmore, I have your enemies trapped in a tunnel. I need your help to capture them.”
In an instant, a black cloud fell from the sky forming into the image of Crossmore. As Crossmore raised his hand to release a blast of magic, Cando pulled a large rock from the tunnel entrance. A rumbling avalanche sealed the tunnel entrance. Many years ago, Cando discovered that the original inhabitants had built this defense. By pulling out the rock, an avalanche would seal the tunnel.
The group could feel the searing heat of Crossmore’s magic trying to penetrate the rock barrier. Topple laughed in glee knowing Crossmore had once again failed to destroy them. The wizard could feel the fury of Crossmore’s frustration and rage.
The group sat in the tunnel to catch their breaths before starting their underworld journey. Prior to beginning the trek, Cando handed each person several torches to be used during the hike. The rest of the day they walked through a seemingly unending series of well constructed tunnels. Cando did not slow his pace for the next twelve hours. As the members of the group passed countless junctions and corners, they became disoriented. Topple was the only member of the group who enjoyed the journey. He viewed each new passageway as if it were a new and exciting adventure.
Hours passed into hours, with mind boggling boredom. It was impossible to measure the passage of time in the blackness of the tunnel. When the end seemed unattainable, a faint light appeared in the tunnel ahead of them. The light grew in brightness as they approached the opening. The group greeted the smell of fresh air with happiness and relief. The entrance to the tunnel was well hidden within a dense grove of trees. As the travelers stepped out of the cave, they heard the distant screams of death, the rapid beat of a war drum and yells of fighting men. Hilda, Bobby and the two apprentices ran down the narrow canyon to discover the source of the noise.
Looking at the unusual characteristics of the landscape, Topple and Cando leisurely walked down the canyon. As the two wizards approached the battle scene, they stopped to observe the events unfolding before them. They saw tired, bloodied dwarves and humans pushing an endless stream of trogs off the wall. As Coaldon fought the unrelenting waves of the adversary, he felt the presence of Topple behind him. He turned to see Topple nonchalantly waving at him. Coaldon did not have time to wave back because several trogs were ready to scramble over the top of the wall.
Topple cocked his head to one side and said to Cando, “Let’s have some fun. We need to teach the trogs some manners. It is not polite to interrupt people when they are greeting each other.”
Topple and Cando casually strolled up the stairs and peered over the edge of the wall into the frantic faces of the trogs. Around the two wizards the dwarves grunted and groaned as they fought off the never ending rush of trogs.
Topple said to Cando, “I think it is time for the dwarves to take a rest. They look tired. These trogs are not playing fair.”
Both wizards raised their hands in the air, pointed at the black tent in the middle of the enemy’s encampment and released bolts of lightning. As the searing heat of the lightning hit the tent, it vanished into a cloud of smoke. When the tent dissolved, the trog army stopped advancing. Topple and Cando had destroyed the Royal Gek who controlled the collective minds of the trogs. The battle stopped as the trogs stood staring at the dwarves on the wall. They moved in a random order waiting for a command to tell them what to do. The geks realized it was worthless to try to motivate the trogs until a new commander had gained power. Topple knew a new royal gek would assume control after a short period of infighting among the geks.
The dwarves stood in awe at the blast of energy from Topple and Cando. The appearance of the wizards offered the dwarves a new mystery to comprehend. It was not enough to be dislocated; but now they also had seen the power of magic for the first time. The dwarves did not know if they should be afraid or celebrate. The answer to this riddle would need to wait because survival was on the top of their agenda. They needed time to regroup before the next assault.
~ ~
Resolution