The Key of Ban
Standing in the cold night air brought the group back to reality. Pacer said to Topple, “We have been looking for you. It looks like you have made some disagreeable friends. I am glad we found you before you were sent to Neverly. It is our responsibility to invite you to join us on an urgent mission. Emperor Brad needs your help.”
Topple sat on the wooden bench in front of the old building. The wizard had a passive expression on his face. He finally said, “I am going to write a song about three scrawny birds who sat in a tree. These birds decided to search for a big beautiful worm. They flew and flew until they saw a small ugly worm playing in a meadow. The three birds had to make a decision. Should they keep looking for a big fat worm or accept an old, tired creature? Guess what? I am the old ugly worm!”
He glanced at Pacer, then Earthkin and lastly at Coaldon. He stood up and walked over to Coaldon with slow easy steps. As he looked at Coaldon, his eyes burned with intense curiosity. With a burst of energy, he shook Coaldon’s hand with great enthusiasm.
Topple said to Coaldon, “You have the distinct odor of destiny. Your elfin sword sags awkwardly at your side, your pretty knife awaits a mature voice and the gemstone in your pocket reaches beyond the strands of understanding. I see a strong young man wearing a big hat.”
Topple then giggled as he gazed into the night. His face radiated confidence and understanding. His eyes revealed the calm wisdom of the ancestors.
Topple said, “My friends, the trogs are going to be very unhappy with you in the morning. Yes, yes, yes! Should we wait to tell them goodbye, or look for a nice, safe place to take a nap?”
He then looked at the building saying, “Goodbye, it has been such great fun, but I must go now.”
After listening to Topple’s rambling conversation Pacer said, “Topple, we will need to travel hard and fast. The trogs will be after us in several hours. Can you walk all night?”
With a big smile Topple responded, “I would rather be carried like a baby.” Coaldon thought it was humorous response, but Earthkin did not. He grabbed Topple by the arm and threw him over his shoulder. (It should be noted that Earthkin had no tolerance for Topple’s easygoing and childlike behavior.) Topple gave a loud screech of protest as his arms and legs flopped in the air. Earthkin jogged down the road with Topple bouncing along like a sack of grain. Earthkin stopped after they entered the forest on the east end of the meadow. He then laid Topple on the ground.
Earthkin said, “We have a long way to go tonight. What is your choice?” Topple giggled as he sat up, “May I please ride piggy back?”
Earthkin was in agreement with Topple’s request. He knew that Topple would not be able to keep up the pace needed to stay ahead of the trogs. Earthkin gave his pack to Coaldon. Topple climbed on Earthkin’s back with the satisfied look of a knight mounting his trusted horse. The old road was surprisingly easy to follow. It was amazingly well preserved despite many years of abandonment. The trogs cleared the road of fallen trees and rocks.
They walked many hours without encountering any trogs. During this time, Topple talked in a steady stream of rambling words. Earthkin was getting tired of the constant hum of Topple’s voice in his right ear. Pacer finally decided it was time for a rest. A cold breeze blew in their faces as the travelers listened to peaceful sounds of the night. They were aware that this calm was only the lull before the storm.
Coaldon suddenly sensed a surge of rage pass through him. He felt as if many needles had been pushed into his body. Coaldon’s sword vibrated with rapid pulses.
Topple said, “Oh my, it is mad. You should never make it angry! This is not good!”
Pacer and Earthkin did not feel anything. Pacer said, “What are you talking about?”
Coaldon responded, “I believe we have stirred up an evil power.”
Pacer suggested, “Let’s keep walking until we find the river flowing from the North Ridge Pass.”
As they walked along, Topple began to sing in a loud, cheerful voice.
“We dance; we dance so late at night,
just like mice running in fright.
We dance; we dance to make things ready,
to find our hands not so steady.
We dance; we dance weak and frail,
not the wind for us to sail.
We dance; we dance against tide,
but only for us to run and hide.
We dance; we dance with a slide and glide,
but hopefully never to be fried.”
Topple smiled with delight. He radiated a glow of satisfaction at the completion of such a masterpiece. He, in a teasing manner, asked, “Earthkin, isn’t it ironic that you look like a mouse running in fright? May I ask, ‘Where do you plan to hide’?” After these irreverent words, Earthkin struggled to control his temper. His serious nature was running out of tolerance for Topple. He was a no-nonsense man. No jokes. No humor. People were to work hard, no goofing off. He wanted everything to be neat and orderly. Yet, down deep he knew Topple was telling the truth. Earthkin was uncomfortable with Topple’s free and uninhibited behavior.
The group was happy to find a river flowing out of the south. They assumed it flowed off North Ridge Pass. Pacer stopped as lights appeared on the road ahead of them. He ordered, “Topple, please be quiet! I see lights ahead of us.”
Pacer had his companions hide in the brush while he scouted ahead. After he returned, he stated, “It is a camp of about 20 trogs. It is now time for us to go our separate ways. You must go to the south and find North Ridge Pass. I will become the fox. I am asking each of you to give me a piece of your clothing. I will drag it on the ground to act as your scent. I suggest we meet at the Monastery of Toms in several weeks. Travel with courage and faith. May the One Presence be with you.” After collecting the clothing, Pacer disappeared into the underbrush.
Earthkin led the way to the river and found a path going upstream. He reached into his pack and pulled out a tube of grease. He told Coaldon and Topple to spread the grease on the bottom of their shoes.
“This grease” he stated, “will cover your scent as you walk. Do not touch anything with your hands. If you do, your scent will remain. Coaldon, I want you to take the lead. Topple, you must start walking. Please do not wander off. We do not have the time to spend looking for you.”
The trail wandered through the trees in a southerly direction. The noise of the river covered the sounds of their steps. They entered a ravine with steep walls on both sides. Several times Earthkin had to grab Topple before he roamed off into the trees. Topple muttered to himself most of the way up the mountain. Several times he found humor with some unknown event. His laughter irritated Earthkin and delighted Coaldon. Topple’s trust in life was a refreshing experience for young Coaldon. As the three fugitives struggled up the steep trail, Topple’s rambling voice was swallowed up by the vast space of the wilderness.
The night prevented them from being seen by unwanted eyes. Yet, the moon provided enough light to see the trail. After three hours of steady hiking they were high on the mountainside overlooking the valley. Torches could be seen moving out of the west. The trog alarm had been sounded.
The trail rejoined the cascading river at the base of a steep slope. The light of a new day was bringing life to the surrounding world. Like watchful parents, the mountains towered over them. The dense forest of the valley thinned to scattered clumps of trees on the high mountainsides. Nectar Valley was hidden under a blanket of fog. A snowstorm moved in from the north during the night leaving only a skiff of snow. Daylight meant the travelers needed to find a place to hide from searching eyes. It would be too dangerous to travel in broad daylight. Earthkin was surprised to find an old stone building. It was located near the river at the junction of two trails.
Coaldon questioned himself, “Why would somebody construct a building at this elevation? I wonder what these people did during their lives? Where did they live? Were they my ancestors?”
The building provided adequate shelter. The roof, made of hardwood beams an
d shingles, was supported by thick stone walls. Several small windows opened with a view of the trail and valley floor. This was enough protection to keep out the snow and the bite of a cold wind. They built a small fire and cooked the morning meal. Coaldon went to sleep without any hesitation. Earthkin took the first watch. Coaldon assumed guard duties in the afternoon.
Late in the day he felt a chill go through his body. An evil presence started to cloud his mind and will. A stabbing pain shot through his body as he struggled to maintain self-control. He saw, in his mind, a circle of fire burning without source. Out of the circle a hand reached toward him. He saw the circle and cross on the palm of the hand. Fear raged through Coaldon’s mind. He could only move in slow motion.
A soft melodious voice spoke to Coaldon. “I am Crossmore the Great. I offer you power and wealth. Come to me. Let me touch you. You will be safe with me.” Coaldon reached deep inside himself to find the strength to resist the smothering invitation. He was slowly losing the will to fight. Coaldon pushed away the alluring command but to have it return with increased power. The intensity of the struggle increased with each new attack. Coaldon was concerned that he could not endure much longer.
In a weary voice Coaldon spoke, “Please help me.” Without thought, his left hand reached into his shirt pocket grabbing the Gem of Watching. Holding the Gem he shouted, “Crossmore, I command you, be gone!” A brilliant flash erupted from the gem sending out a streak of burning light. Within his mind he saw the Hand of Crossmore wither in pain as the light struck it. The light erupted into a torch of flame around Crossmore’s hand. The charred remains of the hand quickly withdrew into the circle of fire.
The soft inviting voice of Crossmore was transformed into an eruption of anger. In agony he screamed, “I will find you, my foul enemy! You will pay for this crime against me! Your soul will burn in the fire of my wrath! I will send my special friend to destroy you.”
Coaldon awoke with a yell of anguish. His body trembled in a cold sweat. He tried to stand, but his legs would not hold him. He fell to the cold ground in pain. Earthkin rushed to his assistance. As Coaldon’s mind cleared, he saw the faces of his two companions. Topple said with a laugh, “My, oh my! Not bad my friend; not bad at all! You have placed a burning fear into his mind. His charred hand will be a painful reminder of you. He did not expect his power to be challenged. What a surprise!”
Coaldon tried to raise his left arm, but with no success. The gem was held tightly in his clenched left hand. His left arm burned with a deep throbbing pain. Topple looked into his eyes with a radiant compassion. With gentleness he placed his hand on Coaldon’s arm. After repeating several words, Topple released a surge of energy. A flow of warmth moved up Coaldon’s arm. The healing rapidly spread throughout his body. The pain disappeared, but his whole body and mind were consumed by exhaustion. Coaldon collapsed into a restless and haunting sleep. His dreams were filled with the reaching-hand, the magnetism of Crossmore’s voice and the fight to resist the attack.
When Coaldon awoke, the shades of darkness were spreading across the mountains. Coaldon was happy to discover the stiffness and pain in his left arm had decreased to a dull throb. After a hot meal he felt much better. He told Earthkin and Topple the story of the Crossmore’s reaching-hand.
Earthkin shook his head in doubt and suspicion. He commented, “If I had not seen your wild eyes and crippled left arm, I would not believe your story.”
Topple’s big smile danced with the joy of a child. “I have waited many years to share this moment with you. This is like a birthday gift.”
Coaldon said, “Who is Crossmore’s special friend?”
Topple joked, “Do not dance too closely to him. He might put the squeeze on you. By the way, he is big, ugly and has bad breath.”
Earthkin could not tolerate any more of Topple’s good times. In a grouchy voice he ordered, “What do we do now?”
Coaldon responded, “Early this afternoon I studied the two trails. The one on the left does not feel good to me. So, I choose the one on the right. Topple, what is your opinion?”
Topple’s twinkling eyes watched Coaldon with delight. He said, “One to the left, one to the right. Of course I choose the right one.” He quietly laughed at the wittiness of his joke. Topple found great pleasure in the simple and common events of life.
With disgust, Earthkin walked from the building.
Climbing in darkness was not an easy task for anybody. The steep, narrow and rocky trail showed the decay of many winters. The depth of the snow increased as they gained elevation. Walking in the snow added a measure of uncertainty. Each step became a guessing game. Earthkin warned his companions about any unusual obstacles. Progress was slow but steady. At midnight they stood on top of a long ridge.
Coaldon said, “We have assumed this trail would lead us to North Ridge Pass. I am not certain of our location. I do not want to go any further until the moon arises. I do not want to waste time going in the wrong direction.”
Coaldon sat in the cold night air admiring the stars. He was happy when the full moon appeared in the eastern sky. The moonlight revealed the surrounding area. Within minutes he recognized several familiar landmarks.
He said, “It should take us about six hours to arrive at the pass. There is a cave near the pass where we can rest.”
Earthkin was eager to reach the pass before daybreak.
He said, “Topple, get on my back, we are going to cover ground. Coaldon, you lead the way.”
The night passed in peace. By morning light they could see the pass on the horizon. Coaldon commented, “It will take us another hour to reach the top of the pass. I think it would be best to continue walking until we arrive.”
It was a relief for everybody to walk in daylight. The steep trail leading to the pass ended on a wide flat plateau. The area was covered with a deep blanket of snow. Several high drifts rolled across the summit. A panoramic view of Lost Valley opened before them in majestic splendor. The bright sunlight and blue skies added to the beauty of the surroundings. This was an adequate reward for all of Coaldon’s hard work.
Topple hurried around the area talking to himself in an excited voice. He mumbled about the time an old friend accompanied him over the pass. In sadness Topple stated, “My friend’s body and spirit were separated by Doomage the Wizard. He now wanders lost to himself.” This statement did not make sense to either Earthkin or Coaldon.
Coaldon located the cave in a secluded area next to a rock ledge. Brush and rocks hid it from common view. A fire quickly warmed the cave and heated the morning meal. Coaldon took the first watch. From this location he knew it would take six hours to reach the valley floor. He was anxious to be back home.
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Pacer