Frog and the Sandspiders of Aridian (16 page)

24

Billy goes Bad

High on a balcony of the fortress, three figures stood looking out across the plain.

‘They are here, my sister,' announced Lord Maelstrom. ‘They think that they can defeat us with Guardian Magic. Well, we have a surprise for them don't we, my little friend?' He placed a hand on Billy's shoulder.

‘Let me fly, brother,' said Belzeera eagerly. ‘I can snatch the Stone and soak it in the boy's blood before they know what has happened. Let me be the one. Let me.'

‘Patience! Speed is not of our concern. The weakness of the human heart will be their downfall. Now is the time for you to send out the diversion. Give orders to the Dreden that they are to send a small envoy across the plain. Tell them to deliver a message of choice – surrender or die!'

Belzeera stepped up onto the ledge and produced her wand. She flicked it in the air and floated out, her figure magically suspended high above the ground. With a nod of her head, she slowly spiralled down towards the waiting minions below.

Lord Maelstrom turned to Billy, whose face was white and ghostly, his dark eyes empty and soulless.

‘You know what to do. It is your purpose. This is born of my Magic and when you strike, the power of your actions shall come to me,' he said as he concealed a small, black dagger in the folds of Billy's robes. Using the darkest of Magic, he touched Billy's head and the boy disintegrated into a small cloud of sand, which settled on Lord Maelstrom's open palm. Then, with glistening black lips, he blew it in the direction of Frog and the others, at the far end of the plain.

‘Go, Earth Child. Bring me my prize. Bring me my destiny.'

He stretched his arms skyward and two bolts of lightning streaked down. His hands grasped the white-hot jagged plasma and he stood there laughing, his robes billowing around him. The air crackled with electricity and below, even the vile creatures of his making cowered and shivered with fear.

Frog, The One, Cassaria and Nadiah looked out at the lightning in the distance.

‘Something dangerous and dark comes this way,' said Cassaria.

As she spoke, they could see a group of figures moving forwards on the plain. Jagged shards of blue electricity shot out over the Dreden, lighting up the creatures upon which they rode – giant, black scorpions.

‘So it begins,' she added.

But, at that moment, Frog had something else troubling him. As much as he had tried to take his mind off it, he had been bursting to relieve himself for quite some time. He touched The One's arm.

‘I've gotta go,' he said with a whisper. ‘Be back in a minute.'

He hurried for the ruins and quickly found a place out of sight where, after struggling with his robes and with a sigh of relief, he managed eventually to empty his bladder. As he turned around, readjusting his clothes, a figure emerged from the shadows.

‘Hiya Chris,' it whispered.

Apart from the colour of his robes, which were now black, the boy that stood in front of him was Frog's mirror image.

‘Billy? Is it really you?' asked Frog.

‘Of course it's me. Remember? I'm your best friend.'

His voice was flat, almost monotone and as he took a few steps forward, the moonlight glinted in his eyes and Frog saw the dark empty pupils.

‘Billy, what's happened to you?'

‘Help me, Chris. Help me,' he pleaded.

He reached out his hand and Frog moved towards him to take it. In the back of his mind, however, he wondered why Billy had called him Chris after everything he had been told. As Billy's hand clasped around his, a warning flashed through his mind, but it was too late. Billy's grip tightened and before Frog could counter-react, Billy had pulled him forward, sidestepped a leg behind him and pushed him back, all in one swift movement.

Frog lost his balance and fell backward to land heavily on the sand with Billy straddling his chest.

‘What are you doing?' he asked with a gasp.

‘My master's bidding,' rasped Billy as he brought out the dagger and pressed it to Frog's throat.

On the ridge, Cassaria turned to Nadiah and The One.

‘Where's Frog?'

‘He's had to go to the toilet. He's only over there behind a wall,' said The One.

‘He was not to be separated, not to be alone,' she said, looking worriedly at the ruins. ‘Go and get him, time is –' But before she could finish, they saw Frog step out, Billy behind him, one hand pressing the knife at Frog's throat, the other holding him in an arm lock.

Nadiah brought her arms forwards, hands glowing blue.

‘No!' said Cassaria. ‘Don't move. Let him tell us what he wants.'

‘Don't hurt him,' pleaded Frog. ‘Something's taken him over, but he's still my best friend. He's still Billy.'

The One stood captivated by Billy's transformation. ‘It's like looking at twins.'

Billy's face showed no emotion as he and Frog shuffled forwards to within a couple of metres of Cassaria.

‘So much for my Taekwondo training,' said Frog. ‘Tricked by one of the easiest moves in the book. I can't believe that I was so stupid.'

‘Shut up!' shouted Billy.

Cassaria took a step forward and Billy increased the pressure on Frog's arm.

‘I don't think that he wants you to do that,' grimaced Frog.

‘What do you want?' she asked.

‘The Stone. Give me the Stone,' Billy demanded his voice now deep and guttural.

‘Of course,' she said. ‘Here, take it.'

She held the Hourglass out with the Rune Stone set into its top.

‘No! You can't,' shouted The One. ‘He'll kill him.'

‘Take it,' encouraged Cassaria, holding it out closer to him.

Billy released the grip on Frog's arm and stretched his hand forwards whilst keeping the knife close to Frog's throat with his other hand. The Rune Stone was only a fingertip away from his grasp. Then, several things happened in quick succession; Frog took the opportunity to grab Billy's knife hand, bringing it up above his head, whilst sidestepping and twisting Billy's arm behind his back. His grip on the dagger loosened and it fell to the floor.

Billy screamed with rage. A deep demonic groan, rising into a thunderous roar, escaped from his wide-open mouth.

‘Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!'

Nadiah let loose a shock wave from one of her hands, which hit Billy squarely in the chest. The force knocked him backwards into Frog so that they both fell to the floor. As Billy scrabbled to free himself, Cassaria moved forward. She thrust the Hourglass at Billy so that the Rune Stone was pressing against his chest. His body went rigid as blue light enveloped it.

‘Leave this boy, vile monster,' she shouted. ‘You want to feel the power of the Rune Stone? Then you shall feel it through him.'

Frog rolled away to one side and The One helped him up and pulled him to safety.

‘Don't kill him. Don't kill him,' pleaded Frog desperately.

Billy's mouth opened and a green mist poured out. It formed the shape of a face in the air above them, the features becoming quickly recognisable as Lord Maelstrom.

‘I shall have his blood!' the spectre boomed, then the image distorted and the green vapour streaked out and across the plain towards the dark tower.

Cassaria knelt beside Billy's prostrate body and Frog pulled himself from The One's arms and threw himself down next to them.

‘You've killed him,' he sobbed, taking hold of Billy's cold and lifeless hand.

‘I have saved his soul, but you must save his life,' said Cassaria. She took a small flask from her robe and, gently opening Billy's mouth, poured in an amber liquid. The transformation was almost immediate. Frog's features faded and melted away to reveal Billy's true appearance and identity. Colour returned to his face and hands, but he remained in a lifeless coma.

‘You must take him home,' said Cassaria. ‘Not until he is back in your Dimension can you restore his mind.'

‘Why can't I do it here?' asked Frog.

‘He cannot take the memories of what he has been subjected to here back into your Dimension. They would drive him insane in an instant. You must take him back to the point of his entry into the Slipstream, to the place that you left. Then and only then can you save him.'

‘And how do I do that?'

‘Through the power of The Chosen. Use it on Billy as you used it on me. Let the light deliver him from evil.'
She stood up and held out the Hourglass. ‘Draw your sword and hold his hand.'

Frog did as he was told.

‘You must be swift. When you have administered the healing to Billy, you must leave him. He will awaken when you have gone and remember nothing.'

‘But what about his clothes?' asked The One.

‘Trust me,' said Cassaria. ‘All will be as it should be. Now, place your sword onto the Rune Stone.'

Frog hesitated. ‘How do I get back?'

‘The same way that you came here – free sand. Be quick as time will continue to move faster here.'

Frog rested the flat of the sword's blade onto the Rune Stone. He looked at The One and Nadiah.

‘See you soon,' he said and the blue light ran down the length of the sword and into his arm, engulfing both him and Billy until, with bright flash, they were gone.

The whirling space and shooting lights of the Slipstream carried them along and spun them into its dark cloak. When Frog opened his eyes, he was back behind the shed in the murky shadows of his own garden. As he sat up, he looked at Billy who lay quietly beside him.

‘Sorry mate. Sorry that I got you into such a mess and sorry that you won't be able to remember how brave and loyal you were. At least I know how much of a true and courageous friend you are.'

He leant over and gently touched Billy's forehead. The familiar glow of Castellion's Chosen reached out from Frog's forehead and into Billy's brow until, after a while, it faded away and Frog could see that Billy was
breathing gently and rhythmically. He took comfort to see the peaceful expression on Billy's face, which was almost a smile. He then patted Billy's arm and stood up.

‘I'll see you again my friend. I'm going to fix that evil creep for good. I'll teach him to mess around and hurt my best mate.' He checked his watch – 17.48. He then turned to the sand that he had spilled onto the ground earlier and plunged his sword into it. The Slipstream opened up and swallowed him, drawing him in until the moment that its darkness clouded his senses.

25

The Battle for Aridian

When Frog awoke, he opened his eyes to find Nadiah kneeling beside him.

‘Welcome back. Are you all right? Is Billy all right?'

‘I'm okay thanks, but I'm not sure about Billy,' he replied getting to his feet. ‘Where's The One and Cassaria?'

‘Over on the ridge. They asked me to wait here for your return.'

‘How long have I been gone?'

‘Long enough. Come and see.'

He got up, brushed the sand from his robes and followed her. He ducked his head in surprise, as there was a sudden flash of lightning and two silhouettes were lit up in front of him. The sky trembled with thunder and as he reached the ridge, he stood shocked at the view laid out on the plain below.

‘Nice to have you back. How's Billy?' asked The One.

‘Breathing and looking a lot better when I left him. Where did this lot come from?'

About a mile from them was an army of human and inhuman shapes, covering the plain right back as far as the fortress.

‘There must be thousands of them,' said Frog.

‘And many more yet to be seen,' said Cassaria.

‘How did they manage to cover the ground so quickly,' he asked.

‘Many hours have passed while you travelled the Slipstream,' she replied.

Frog looked at his watch. 17.48.

‘Three minutes; that's all it was. Three minutes. It's like having an out of control time machine,' he said, exasperated.

‘Focus on the now,' she instructed. ‘Take your positions at arm's length to each other. Frog to my left. The One to my right and Nadiah next to Frog.'

‘We're not taking this lot on alone, are we?' asked The One.

Cassaria did not answer, but placed the Hourglass on the sand at her feet. She brought her wrists together and the bangles glowed white-hot until a beam, like a searchlight, shot up from them into the sky.

As they looked out, figures began to rise up along the sand dunes on either side of the plain. The great Sandspiders of Aridian and their riders filled each horizon, their metal harnesses glinting in the moonlight. The riders sat high on the spider's backs. Each one held a small crossbow in their hands at the ready and Frog could make out racks of long spears and arrows fixed to the harnesses.

Close to their left, they could see Ameer, his white robe rippling in a sudden breeze. Opposite him on the other ridge was the dark figure of Katar sitting astride a two-tone, black and white Sandspider. Amongst this
welcome army were hundreds of white pennants and flags, each one emblazoned with the black spider insignia of Aridian.

Frog caught a movement from the corner of his eye and looked towards the gap in the dunes to their right. Rows and rows of orange-robed figures began to emerge and move forward, spreading out across the desert floor.

‘The Sisterhood,' acknowledged Nadiah. ‘I should be with them,' she added wistfully.

They watched as the Sisterhood filled the plain in front of them until nearly two thousand orange figures stood, facing the direction of Lord Maelstrom's army.

‘Some of them look so young,' said The One.

‘Do not let their youth deceive you,' said Cassaria. ‘They have courage beyond their years.'

The light from Cassaria's bangles turned yellow, a roar went up from the lines of Sandspiders and they started their descent, down the steep dunes and into conflict.

Jagged shards of lightning traced across the sky, turning everything monochrome with its strobe effect and momentarily blinding anyone who looked at it. Groups of Dreden broke away from the main army and rushed to meet the oncoming Sandspiders, while the legions of ugly, twisted creatures pushed forwards to attack the Sisterhood. The clamour and confusion of battle ensued as the Dreden and the Sandspiders clashed.

The sudden speed at which Lord Maelstrom's vile creations advanced on the Sisterhood was unexpected, propelling them forward onto a collision course.

‘What are they?' asked Frog.

‘More likely, what
were
they?' corrected Nadiah. ‘There is some resemblance amongst them of desert animals and insects, but goodness knows what awful things have been done to transform them into these abominable beings.'

Cassaria's bangles now sent out a deep orange light and with the change in colour, the Sisterhood formed two ranks, the first about 2 metres in front of the other, their arms outstretched and their fists glowing blue-white.

Closer and closer the swarm came and not one of the Sisterhood flinched until, with only a few metres remaining, the first line opened their palms and the shock waves rippled out. The result was devastating. The creatures exploded and disintegrated into dust, row upon row of them nine or ten deep. The next line of Sisterhood stepped forwards and repeated the exercise to the same effect and so they advanced, cutting into the mass, turning the enemy into fine particles, which dropped to the ground to be trampled underfoot and mixed into the sand.

On the sand dunes either side, the Sandspiders were advancing steadily down, their riders firing their crossbows with deadly accuracy. Dreden fell dead before they could reach the Sandspider's legs with their swords and spears.

Cassaria lowered her arms and the bangles returned to normal, but lightning continued to streak out from the tower to illuminate the whole plain.

‘We seem to be defeating them on all sides of our attack,' said The One.

‘Look.' said Nadiah. ‘The Sisterhood are forcing the creatures back into the paths of the Sandspiders.'

The creatures were now in a confused panic, turning on each other in an effort to run from the power of the Sisterhood. Behind them, Dreden were caught in the chaotic retreat and found themselves being attacked by the dreadful creations. Very soon, the Sandspiders were upon them all, the riders now using the long-handled spears to keep at bay and dispatch their enemies, the Sandspiders using their forelegs to pick up any adversary that got within reach, piercing them with sharp fangs before throwing the bodies back into the fighting, scrabbling mass.

‘This is too easy,' said Cassaria. ‘Something's wr –' But before she could finish, a deafening roll of thunder, which shook the ground, drowned out her voice and great holes appeared along the surrounding dunes. Many of the Sandspiders disappeared into the deep fissures, their legs scrabbling for purchase as the quicksand dragged them down with their riders. The fast-running sand spread out claiming many more victims before finally closing in on top of them and sealing their fate in suffocating tombs. Large gaps in the ranks of Aridian's army now made them vulnerable to counterattack.

The Sisterhood had pushed their way into the centre of the battle and were fighting in all directions. Many casualties were indeed amongst the younger, less-experienced students, who had depleted their power and had lost the energy to recharge and defend themselves.

Elsewhere, Ameer found himself surrounded.
Blackened creatures clawed and bit into his Sandspider's legs and it hissed with pain and rage. One large, long-legged half-insect, half-lizard leapt onto the Sandspider's back. Its mantis-like mandibles snapped open and lunged forward, narrowly missing Ameer's neck. With a spear in each hand, he focussed on fighting off two ugly lizards, intent on tearing at his Sandspider's eyes and was unaware of the dreadful thing behind him as it drew its head back for a second strike. It had moved closer and this time was certain of success. Once again, the jaws opened ready to sever Ameer's head from his body but, instead, an arrow flew into its neck. Green blood splashed out and the creature crumpled sideways. Ameer looked to see it fall into the scrabbling figures below. A second arrow also found its mark and one of the lizards fell lifeless at the spider's feet. Ameer turned to see where it had come from and saw a smiling Katar, loading up another arrow.

Ameer touched his forehead in thanks and turned back to look around him. It seemed to him that the Sandspiders and the Sisterhood were holding their ground against their adversaries, but not without many casualties. He wondered how much longer they could stave off the onslaught when the deep boom of war-drums echoed out.

From the base of the towers, they came. The giant, black, glistening scorpions swarmed out and around the sides of the plain. Their intention was clear: to encircle the battle and trap the Aridian army who would then have no means of escape and nowhere to turn. The snapping, riderless creatures quickly
completed their task. They froze, their tails arced and their hooked stings dripping green poison as they waited for a command.

‘They'll cut our people to ribbons,' said Nadiah.

‘Have faith,' replied Cassaria. Again, she brought the bangles together and an emerald green beam reached upwards.

This time, a blue glow began to radiate along the high ridges of the dunes. To their left, a lone figure appeared riding a Sandspider. He was dressed in the white robes of Aridian. One hand gripped a tall standard bearing the flag of Aridian; a sudden breeze unfurled the image for all to see. In his other hand, he held a long bladed scimitar, which he raised above his head. Slowly, white turbaned heads began to appear, rising up, their numbers spilling out over the sand and passing all expectations.

Baron and his followers spread out, their ranks joined by many more Sandspiders. Glowing rock crystals hung like medallions from their harnesses.

Frog saw Baron stand on his spider's saddle. He brought his curved sword forward; the blade glinted from the moonlight and a roar went up. The Sand-spiders moved slowly down the dunes, crisscrossing each other's paths as they released long strands of spider silk, which created a meshed web behind them. Then scores of the Dreden allies rushed forwards with long bows. They produced arrows with thin threads of silk already attached, which they tied to the web, then they finally set their arrows into position and stood, ready to fire.

The scorpions sensed a threat and turned to face the
oncoming Sandspiders, but they were too late. The arrows were released, lifting the web over the heads of the Sandspiders to drop onto the giant, black, venomous scorpions. The sticky substance of the fresh web stuck to the bodies and as they snapped and twisted to escape, they became more entangled with each move. Then Baron's Dreden army were upon them. The Sandspiders reared up, pushing with their forelegs to lift the scorpions and expose the soft, vulnerable underbellies, which they immediately attacked with spears, swords and arrows.

One of the creatures managed to cut through enough of the web to free itself and Katar, who was nearby, turned his Sandspider and joined the efforts to stop the beast. He leapt down and sliced into one of the skeletal legs and then another. A pincer arm swung down, snapping at the air in search of Katar, who sidestepped and brought the great blade of his scimitar swinging around in an arc to sever the claw from its owner. The creature emitted an ear-splitting scream as it lost its balance and toppled sideways giving Baron's men the chance to drive their spears home and put an end to it.

Even as it died, it carried out one last wicked deed. The tail flipped forwards and the poisonous sting struck Katar in his back. His death was mercifully instantaneous, but went unnoticed in the clamour of battle.

Lord Maelstrom's army was in disarray. With the arrival of Baron's reinforcements, there had been a new vigour in the Aridian army as they sensed that victory was within their reach. But the battle was far from over.

Another sudden roll of thunder shook the skies, followed by a further streak of lightning, and on a blade of electric current, Belzeera rode out, her arms outstretched, her long black clothes shimmering with static. She swooped above the throng, flicking her wand down and releasing blue thunderbolts of raw energy into the Sisterhood. Several of them directed their power at the witch, but she seemed protected against the force as if surrounded by a hidden shield.

Nadiah turned away, tears in her eyes. ‘Do something,' she pleaded to Cassaria. ‘She will destroy them all.'

‘The witch's greed for power will be her downfall,' said Cassaria. ‘Keep the spear close to your side and be ready to throw straight and true,' she instructed The One.

‘Touch your brow, young Frog. Let the light of The Chosen flow forth.'

Without question, he did as he was told and the shining sun of The Chosen appeared on his forehead. The golden rays stretched out, changing the colour of the very air around them. As the illumination spread towards her, Belzeera looked up and an expression of greed filled her face. She turned away from her evil business and sped towards the little group.

‘Join hands with me now,' commanded Cassaria as Belzeera came to a halt a few metres above them, floating on her electric blue platform.

She pointed her black, twisted wand at Frog.

‘Pick up the Hourglass and step forwards,' she ordered.

He felt Cassaria's hand tighten around his and he stood his ground.

‘You dare defy me?' spat the witch with rage.

‘We all defy you,' replied Cassaria. ‘Fire, water, air and earth.' As she spoke each word, the colours of their robes radiated intensely: Nadiah – red; Frog – deep blue; Cassaria – ice blue; The One – green and brown.

The lightning shard supporting Belzeera blackened and cracked. Her brow furrowed and doubt crossed her face.

‘Now,' said Cassaria in almost a whisper, but The One heard her clearly.

He moved his hand away from his side and revealed the spear. The symbols on the shaft and blade shone white-hot.

Fear crossed Belzeera's face, an emotion that she had never felt before as The One threw the spear. Belzeera pointed her wand, but it was immediately torn from her grasp. It flew towards the hourglass, passing the spear on its way. Thunder boomed overhead and as it echoed along the plain, the spear reached the witch and stopped, poised, just centimetres from her breast.

She looked down at the pointed blade, its symbols glowing molten. A trembling smile crossed her lips and she exhaled a nervous laugh.