Frog and the Sandspiders of Aridian (11 page)

16

The Council of Aridian

‘All we seem to do is run,' said Frog as the group hurried themselves through the passageways. ‘Isn't it time that we fought back?'

‘There will be the right time for confrontation soon enough. The surface of Aridian is where our fate will be decided, but we must secure the underground communities and people of Aridian against any further assaults,' said Pasha. ‘Cassaria has concerns that Lord Maelstrom's powers have increased and that we face the added threat of Belzeera's influence and presence.'

As they steadily made their way along, Frog became aware of a growing sound. At first, he thought that it was the noise of air rushing through the tunnels until, as they progressed, the noise became more urgent, more fluid. Then it was everywhere, the unmistakable sound of flowing, fast moving water.

They turned a corner and for a moment, as they all spread out along a stone platform, Frog just stood and stared. A large gully ran along in front of them, water rushing out of a tunnel on their right and disappearing into another on their left. Rattling against the platform as the water foamed and churned beneath
them were four flumes made of a dark leathery material.

Frog looked up at his father. ‘Somehow I don't think that this is going to be like the flume ride at Alton Towers.'

‘Get in,' said Pasha joining Fray in one of the flumes. ‘We must make haste. Black scorpions have been seen on these levels.'

‘You and Nadiah ride together,' said Jenna. ‘I'll sit with The One.' And before Frog could object, Jenna had bundled The One into a flume and sat behind him.

‘Where are we going?' Frog asked.

‘Arachnae, an underground city of Aridian. Now hurry.'

Frog let Nadiah climb into the second flume and then he sat behind her just in time as Fray pushed a lever to one side and the flumes jerked forwards into the tunnel, which was lit by rock crystals set into the dark, stone walls. The sound of water echoed around the tunnel as the flumes picked up speed and a gap of about 3 metres opened up between them.

‘I hope that we're not going to get separated,' said Frog. ‘I've only just got my dad back and I don't want to lose him again.'

‘Don't worry,' replied Nadiah. ‘There are regular basins that allow us to stop the flumes and get out to access various areas of our underworld or to carry on to another destination.'

After a while, they came to such a basin; it was a widened pool, alongside which ran a stone platform with an exit arch leading off from it. The three flumes regrouped in a line before Fray reached out and
pushed back another wooden lever set in the platform and a small barrier swung away to let them continue their journey into the next tunnel.

‘I wonder why Jenna wouldn't let me ride with my Dad,' said Frog.

‘She has good reasons,' replied Nadiah. ‘All Firefox have good reasons for everything that they do.' She turned her head to look at Frog. ‘Am I to understand that you do not enjoy my company?'

Frog blushed. ‘No… No… I mean, yes I do like your company. I think that you're great.'

She touched his hand and smiled. ‘I'm glad. I like you also.'

Frog felt himself turn even redder. He was saved from further embarrassment by the tunnel suddenly ending and a wide-open cavern greeted them. They were about 50 metres up and travelling along a trough, which was suspended from the roof of the cavern by a network of thick, iridescent cables. Below them, he could see what resembled a collection of market stalls with robed figures, grown-ups and children going about their business. The whole scene was illuminated by some of the largest crystals that he had seen so far.

The flume unexpectedly shuddered as it bumped against the side of the gully and he instinctively grabbed hold of Nadiah to steady himself.

‘Are you afraid of heights?' she asked.

‘Not usually. I'm just not sure how safe this is, that's all. We have similar transport in my world but we use it for amusement and it is usually constructed of stronger materials.'

‘We have never had any of our waterways collapse
and they have been transporting our people and goods for many, many years. You're quite safe, but I don't mind you holding on to me.'

‘I will, thanks, but it's just to steady myself while we get across.'

Frog could not see the broad smile on Nadiah's face.

As they progressed, their speed increased from a leisurely pace to a more rapid one. They travelled in a more downward direction, the channels following twists and turns, until they came to larger caverns with a system of channels criss-crossing above and below them, all suspended by a myriad of supports and cables.

‘How did they manage to build all of these waterways? I mean, it's a long way up for anyone to climb, let alone haul up these thick ropes,' said Frog.

‘With the help of Sandspiders; the ropes are actually spider web,' explained Nadiah. ‘Many, many years ago with the guidance of brave Aridians harnessed to their backs, the spiders helped to build most of the high constructions that you will see in our underground world.'

‘And where do all of these waterways go?' asked Frog.

‘Different communities, our plantations and store rooms,' replied Nadiah. ‘Some of the channels feed the water wheels that take the water back up to storage tanks, which in turn keep the system flowing.'

‘So how deep are we?' he asked.

‘Deeper than you can imagine. It has taken us half a day to get this far since we left Sanctuary.'

‘And how much further to go?'

‘We reach Arachnae after the next cavern.'

Sure enough, as soon as they had crossed the following cavern and passed through a short tunnel, a large basin opened up in front of them. Frog could see that most of the water that carried them filtered away through drains set in either side of the channel, but not before it pushed them forwards onto the relatively calm surface of the basin. As they drifted towards the landing area, the others were being helped out of their flumes and Fray was already in conversation with a familiar orange and black-robed figure. It was Katar. He glanced a nod at Frog then turned his attention directly to Jenna and The One, to whom he was being introduced. Katar touched his forehead and bowed in acknowledgement.

Frog made straight for his father's side, not wanting to be separated a moment longer.

‘Enjoy the ride, Dad?'

The last word echoed unnaturally. All of the others stopped talking and exchanged anxious looks. The pitch of the echo increased, as did the repetition of the word until it sounded as if someone inhaling helium had spoken it.

Dadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadadad!

They all covered their ears, the volume threatening to burst their eardrums, until it finally exploded around them with one last deep, guttural,
DAD!

His father crouched down, placed his hands on Frog's shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes.

‘Listen very carefully. Jenna has told me more about what has been happening here and how this Lord Maelstrom character wants to get his hands on you.
She has also explained that, even though it means twice the danger, you and I must now remain together. However – and this is going to be hard – from this moment on, we cannot, we must not, acknowledge each other as father and son. If the wrong people discover the bond between us, it will be our weakness and our downfall. It will bring catastrophe to this Dimension, which in turn will threaten the existence of our own world.'

Frog reached up and gently ran a finger along the scar on his father's forehead.

‘I will call you whatever name is needed, but I will never cease to love you and I will never fear to deny who you really are.'

‘You speak for both of us,' said The One.

Katar broke the silence. ‘We need to leave this place. Let us now hurry to our destination and discover what future we play in the defence of Aridian.'

As they journeyed along the tunnels and galleries, Frog and The One marvelled at the underground city. They passed brightly illuminated caverns filled with varieties of green crops and a constant moisture hung in the air and glistened on the many, shaped leaves and stems. In other corralled recesses stood groups of the strange-looking Saurs. These creatures were about the size of very large dogs, but that is where the resemblance stopped. Their faces were similar to wild boars with curved tusks protruding from the corners of their mouths. Their deep-set eyes stared angrily from their brown, leathery and wrinkled faces. There were no ears, just small holes set in the sides of lumpy heads, which were too small for the rest of their bodies.
In the place of tails, there were stumps and their short, stubby legs ended in long clawed feet. Their whole bodies were covered in dark, tough looking skin.

‘I wouldn't want to meet one of those in a dark alley,' commented Frog, which only seemed to provoke one of the animals into lunging forward at the barrier while emitting a half-bark, half-snort. ‘I hope that they taste better than they look, 'cause if there was ever a good case for becoming a vegetarian, that's it,' he added.

The One gave him a sideways smile. ‘I'm glad that you haven't lost your sense of humour.'

‘I've learnt that life's too short to be without it, but there's also the right time to be serious,' said Frog.

‘We are fast approaching one of those times,' said Katar standing to one side to let them pass through an archway onto a semi-circular platform. ‘Behold the Elder Council of Aridian.'

The others spread out either side of Frog and The One. Frog noticed that Fray, Jenna and Pasha had all pulled their hoods over their heads and remained in the tunnel.

Before them, Ameer, Cassaria and two women from the Sisterhood stood in front of a group of twenty or so men and women dressed in various coloured robes. They did not look particularly old, but they all had silver-white hair.

Katar moved down and stood next to Ameer as Cassaria stepped forwards to address the gathering.

‘Elder Council of Aridian. The circle of prophecy revolves another quarter turn and change has come to our Dimension. With it comes the spectre that is Lord Maelstrom, who is reborn from the Void with all his
vileness. His sister, the witch Belzeera, aides him and has prepared the way for his ambitions to enslave us and to destroy all those who dare oppose him.' She moved towards the little group. ‘Before you is the legend that is Frog and along with him, living proof that The One exists. They shall stand side by side with us in our defence.'

She turned towards Nadiah. ‘The Sisterhood have already paid a heavy cost fighting back the evil menace. Even so, they pledge their young princess to the cause.'

Frog could not stop himself from gazing at Nadiah and would have continued to do so had she not stared back. Her eyes met his and for some reason, he felt guilty; he felt as though she had caught him doing something wrong and he quickly looked away, then he felt guilty again for doing so. He took a deep breath and looked back, but the moment had passed; Nadiah was now focussed on Cassaria.

‘Now is a time for healing,' continued Cassaria. ‘You must look to your past and those that you turned your backs on. As a Guardian, I protect all who stand for good and righteousness and so you must now embrace those that you deserted, for they have been in isolation for far too long and yet have continued to watch over you.' She raised an arm in indication. ‘Welcome, Firefox.'

Fray, Jenna and Pasha stepped out of the tunnel, pulling their hoods back and exposing their faces. There were some gasps and murmurings from the assembly until Katar stepped forwards.

‘These are among the last of the noble Firefox,' he
announced. ‘Our shame is all the more that they forgive us for their exile. Know this, those of you that doubt them, they would still lay their lives down for Aridian and its people.'

Cassaria moved to one side, addressing all. ‘There are others who fight for our survival. A young boy who is a stranger to our world and loyal to Frog has already put himself in grave danger. Many Dreden think that the time for reconciliation is long overdue; they too are secretly preparing to stand beside us and fight. You have only heard of news or rumours about the threat that grows above us. Let me show you why we must now act quickly and unite as one people again.'

She turned to face the wall behind her, raising her arms, and bringing her wrists together. The bangles gave off golden sparks as she pulled them apart, out and down until she had formed the shape of a circle in front of her. She stepped back for all to see the images that filled the circle.

Belzeera's stronghold dominated the desert skyline. Its tall, dark structure was speckled with green and red flares that momentarily lit up the balconies and stairways of its forbidding presence. All around, the desert floor was swarming with activity. Giant scorpions crouched in their hundreds, still and silent, waiting for the command that would ignite them into action. Groups of Dreden worked over fiery braziers and anvils, hammering metal into wicked-shaped weapons, but it was the tall, wheeled towers and the corkscrew-like shapes that they contained within their structures that gave a sense of foreboding and destruction.

Amidst all of this activity, a figure appeared, flanked by large lizard-like creatures. He strode forward with a purpose, looking around him and nodding in approval. Abruptly, he stopped as if suddenly aware that he was being watched; his face turned and all those watching saw the piercing, black soulless eyes of Lord Maelstrom staring directly at them.

Cassaria immediately brought her bangles together and with a burst of sparks, the image imploded and disappeared.

‘Prince Ameer has always taken council with the Elders, but the time has come for him to lead his people without question, without debate. You have seen the threat to Aridian; you have seen the evil that is Lord Maelstrom and he has sensed your presence.'

One of the Elders stepped forwards. ‘How do we know that we can trust the Dreden that say they will join us?'