Frog and the Sandspiders of Aridian (17 page)

‘Ha! The old Magic fails you.'

The One's voice spoke clear and strong.

‘Fallah. Rania. Hevas. Erith.'

The spear pierced her robe; the blade disappeared into her body followed by the long shaft. However, it did not exit through her. It was absorbed into her.

Her image stretched and warped. She thrashed and clawed at the air around her and a network of fine, dark cracks spread out across the skin of her face. Her eyes bulged as she felt the final fear and recognition that her end was upon her. Her mouth opened into a silent scream before she imploded into nothingness.

Her wand hovered above the Rune Stone, still set into the top of the Hourglass and Cassaria reached forward with one hand and pushed it downwards. As it touched the Rune Stone, it fragmented into thousands of pieces, which changed from black, to blue and the slivers melted into the Rune Stone itself.

At that moment, a thunderous roar shook the ground with the force of an earthquake, knocking them off their feet. In the distance, blood-red flames shot out of the fortress and a firestorm of lightning erupted in the sky. Black and crimson clouds formed overhead, blotting out the stars and twin moons. The pure light that came from Frog's brow reached out and pushed back the darkness. They all watched as the fortress shook and its pinnacles and balconies crumbled, falling into a mushroom-shaped cloud of dust. Then, from the billowing debris, the deafening voice of Lord Maelstrom boomed.

‘By killing my sister you have doomed this Dimension. I shall destroy you all. There will be no mercy. Empty desolation is all that shall remain of this wretched world. Behold, I am come and all shall suffer my wrath.'

The figure, which emerged from the dust cloud, was a monstrous demon, over 10 metres in height. There was no doubt that it was Lord Maelstrom, but his
whole being was on fire, even his ragged trailing robes. Flames danced across the material, rippled over his skin; his face burned and moved like the surface of the sun.

He stepped forwards, crushing his own wicked creations beneath his feet. Molten fire dripped from his fingers and fell around him, burning like brimstone, incinerating anything that came into contact.

Every living thing on that plain – men, women, Sandspiders, even the things of his own and Belzeera's making – turned and ran, scattering out in all directions with one purpose – survival.

26

Blood on the Stone

Frog opened his mind, to let the evil of Lord Maelstrom enter, forcing back the dreadful, despicable and vile thoughts and images that tried to push through and corrupt him.

‘You want me? Come and get me,'
he shouted mentally.

In the distance, Lord Maelstrom's head snapped up. ‘Let us finish this now,' he bellowed back.

He strode across the plain, his sheer size helping him to cover the ground in a matter of moments. He stretched out a fiery arm and pointed towards the little group on the dune.

‘This will be the greatest pleasure of all. Prepare to die, Guardian. You will not live to see me turn these meddling fools into empty, soulless servants.'

Cassaria picked up the Hourglass. The last few grains of sand were falling into the bottom.

‘You forgot your greatest enemy,' she said.

She turned the Hourglass on its side and time instantly stood still around them. All movement ceased and the battlefield was frozen. Even the demonic Lord Maelstrom remained immobile.

The Rune Stone suddenly released itself and dropped from the cradle. With a reflex action, The One reached out and caught it before it dropped to the ground.

Even when everything was over, he could not explain what prompted him to do what he did next.

He took out the parchments and wrapped them around the Rune Stone then he threw the package with all his might at the towering Lord Maelstrom, shouting out the words again.

‘Fallah. Rania. Hevas. Erith.'

It flew forwards through the air, struck the evil sorcerer on the chest, and then attached itself to him. The glow of the Rune Stone shone through the parchment and spread out across his body, turning crimson red to bright blue. As they watched, the figure of Lord Maelstrom began to shrink, slowly at first and then the momentum accelerated until he returned to his normal size.

The Hourglass twisted in Cassaria's hands. It turned upright, the sand now in the top chamber. Grains started to drop through the narrow gap and time started again. Black and crimson clouds continued to billow out and fill the sky. Lord Maelstrom reached to his chest and took hold of the Rune Stone, still wrapped in the ancient parchment. Now, there was no glow, no radiance. He extended his other hand and a black wand appeared in it.

‘Did you think that you could stop me? Your end has finally come, Guardian.'

He flicked the wand at her, but nothing happened. He tried again to no effect then looked at the wand with a puzzled expression.

‘Your powers are gone,' said Cassaria. ‘You are mortal.'

Rage filled his face. He shook the Rune Stone in anger, raising it in the air and meaning to dash it on the ground when, suddenly, he stared at the parchment.

‘There is blood,' he smiled. He tore the material open. ‘There is blood on the Stone!'

The One looked at his hand; a smear of blood trailed across his palm. Protruding from his skin, he saw a small wooden splinter, which had broken off from the spear's shaft as he had thrown it at Belzeera.

‘The blood of the father is enough!' screeched Lord Maelstrom in crazed triumph.

He brought his wand hand up to his mouth and bit into his own flesh, tearing open the skin and letting his blood drip onto the stone and mix with The One's.

‘This will be enough, Guardian. The parchment; it is organic. This will take me to the Third Dimension. I will find a way to rise up again.' He looked menacingly at Frog. ‘I will find your world, boy, and I will bring the endless night and deliver eternal torment. I will take the souls of your father and mother as trophies and you shall be my slave for all eternity.'

‘Stop him,' shouted Frog.

‘Nothing can stop him,' said Cassaria. ‘He has the Rune Stone in his power. We must let him go.'

As they watched, the Rune Stone regained its radiance, which then spread into Lord Maelstrom. The air in front of him rippled and a tear appeared, a rip in the very fabric of time and space. Through this, a glimpse of darkness and scattered stars was seen
before he was drawn in and the entrance to the Slipstream sealed behind him.

‘Use your Magic,' pleaded Frog. ‘Let's follow him and end it once and for all.'

Cassaria turned to Frog. ‘There are older, more ancient forces at work here that arranged his escape. We have done as much as we can in this Dimension. Whatever destiny has designed for you, it will be revealed in some other place, in some other time. You are not meant to follow. Not yet.'

‘Look,' shouted Nadiah and she pointed at the yellow-tinted skyline. ‘Sunrise will soon be upon us.'

Down on the plain, with Lord Maelstrom gone, the Aridian army regrouped and confronted what was left of his followers. The mutated creatures fought with renewed frenzy, but they were no match for Ameer's men and the Sandspiders. Some of the Dreden continued to fight while many of them surrendered to Baron's supporters, laying down their weapons and kneeling in submission.

The scene was now illuminated by a new dawn, which shone out in rays from under the great black clouds that covered the expanse of the plain. The clouds thundered yet again and blue-white electricity rippled through the dark undulating mass.

‘What now?' asked Nadiah. ‘Have we not seen enough horrors?'

‘It is the aftermath of Lord Maelstrom's sorcery,' replied Cassaria. ‘But perhaps some good can come of its presence. Who has a water bottle?'

The One produced a small leather canteen. Cassaria stretched out her arms and brought the bangles together.

‘Pour the water over them, quickly,' she instructed.

The One pulled out the stopper and did as he was told. As the liquid flowed over them, the bangles turned blue and a thin shaft of light shot out into the threatening storm above them. The clouds began to boil and churn, spreading out in all directions until the sky was overcast for as far as the eye could see. The two suns broke over the horizon, their light and heat flooding out and into the new dark canopy. Then it happened. One small drop of water landed on Frog's upturned face. He wiped it away with his fingers before several others landed around them, large, fat droplets making dark splash marks in the sand.

Out on the plain in the now strange light, the fighting had stopped; all faces looked skyward as the heavens opened.

‘Rain!' shouted Nadiah, holding her arms out, her clothes soaking up the downpour.

Frog watched her face light up with a smile, with sheer happiness.

‘Will this last?' asked The One.

Cassaria looked out onto the Plain of Sighs. ‘

For once his sorcery has been used for the good,' she said. ‘From Lord Maelstrom's dark creation comes a change to Aridian. It will return life to the surface. It will give its people choice. Sadly, it has been bought at such a cost.' The rain drenched her face, concealing the tears that fell from her eyes.

It rained non-stop for ten days. The heat of the twin suns and the mix of black and white Magic had created a new, stronger atmosphere for Aridian and a healthy weather system developed. Lakes started to form and
in the rocky outcrops, plant life appeared, rising out of the once-parched land.

Over the coming days and weeks, old wounds were healed, comrades and kinsmen were mourned, meetings were held and councils formed until finally, early one warm evening, there was another great gathering on the Plain of Sighs. This time its nature was peaceful.

They assembled in circles, thousands of them, amidst the white, cottony clouds decorating a powder blue sky. The heat from the suns was a bearable temperature as their light now shone through a protective haze.

Dreden stood side by side with Aridian and Sisterhood. The colours of their robes were orange, blue, brown, white and black. Each one now bore the Sandspider insignia. At the centre of the inner circle was the Hourglass on a stone plinth. Gathered around it were Cassaria, Frog, The One, Nadiah, Ameer and Baron. Frog was dressed once again in his green medieval clothes.

Cassaria's voice rang out clear for all to hear.

‘A new chapter begins for Aridian. We have defended and reclaimed our Dimension and repelled the evil that threatened us. Our history shall be our future as once again we are a united people. Let us now remember our fallen.'

Every single figure knelt on one knee, bowed their heads and remained hushed for a minute before Cassaria broke the silence.

‘To continue the unity and hope that binds us, Prince Ameer and Baron will lead you on your journey to
fully reclaim Aridian's surface and Nadiah of the Sisterhood will take the fallen Katar's place as Sand Master of the Sandspiders. I will continue to act as guide, counsel and Guardian. The Hourglass will remain here and shall be housed in a structure of peace and remembrance. Whosoever has the duty to turn it in a thousand years will know the sacrifices that gave us our freedom.'

As the suns touched the horizon and the gathering disbanded, Ameer and Baron gave their heartfelt thanks to Frog and The One.

‘We shall never forget the bond between our worlds,' said Ameer to Frog. ‘You answered the call in our hour of need and I am joyful that we were able to reunite you with your father. We are indebted to you both.'

Baron took Frog's hand.

‘I am saddened for your friend, that he will not have the memories of his courage or have anyone speak to him of his bravery and loyalty. I can only tell you that when I have a son he shall be given the name of Billy.'

Frog smiled. ‘He'd like that, I'm sure.'

Ameer and Baron touched their foreheads and chests in salute before turning and making their way to their waiting Sandspiders.

Nadiah turned to Frog and he could see that she was holding back tears.

‘To some, we are children. However, many, many adults have not endured what we have had to face and are never likely too. I am old enough to understand what I feel in my heart and I am saddened to be losing you. Remember, we are only a Slipstream apart.' She reached inside the folds of her orange and black robes.

‘This is from Arac-Khan.' She took his arm and clipped a black bracelet, fashioned in the shape of a Sandspider, around his wrist. ‘It will give you a kinship with spiders everywhere.' She took Frog's hands in hers. ‘This is from me,' she said and leaned forwards to kiss him tenderly on each cheek. She then threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back, enjoying their embrace.

After a few moments, she pulled herself away and Frog could see the tracks of two tears running down her cheeks.

‘Goodbye,' she whispered.

Frog stood there, his heart in his mouth, as she walked away towards a waiting Sandspider. She climbed up into the seat and rode off without looking back.

He felt a hand rest gently on his shoulder.

‘Time to go home.' It was his father's voice.

‘Take out your sword, young Frog,' said Cassaria. ‘Place it on the Hourglass to open the Slipstream.'

‘I still think that we should go after Lord Maelstrom,' he said.

‘When you are needed, you will be called,' said Cassaria. ‘As your father said, it is time to go home. Once again, the Guardians are in debt to you. You have become everything that has been expected of the legend that is Frog, but you have another life, for now. Go and enjoy the reunion of your family.'

The One smiled at Cassaria then clasped his hand around Frog's as the sword touched the Hourglass. The Slipstream opened up and pulled them in.

27

Home

Chris opened his eyes. He was on his back, staring up into to a starry night sky. He eased himself slowly up, taking in his surroundings; he was back home in the garden. The pile of sand lay next to him. He looked at his watch – 17.48.

His father was nowhere to be seen.

‘Dad?' he called. ‘Dad?'

There was no answer.

Now what?
he thought.

Resisting the urge to panic, he hurried to the shed and stepped inside, closing the door behind him as he switched on the dim light. He opened the dresser drawer and hid the garments and items from his travels. When he tried to remove the spider bracelet, however, he was astounded to find that it had melted into his skin and become a black tattoo.

‘Oh. Great,' he said as he ran his fingers across the pattern, ‘I hope that this is like my finger and can't be seen by anyone else.'

He quickly changed into his normal clothes and then hurried around the corner of the house to the kitchen door. As he pushed it open, he could hear his
mother's tears. She sat crying at the table, her face in her hands.

‘Mum. What's wrong?' He ran to her and put his arms around her.

She lifted her head, smiling through her tears. ‘It's your dad. They've found him. He's coming home, Chris. He's coming home.'

His mother went on to tell him that she had just received a telephone call from the British Embassy in Morocco. His father had been found wandering around on a desert road near the city of El Ayun. He was safe and well but, as a precaution, he was being checked over by doctors at the local hospital. As soon as they had more news, they would ring her.

Chris could not contain his excitement. The boy in him had returned.

‘Let's go to the airport now,' he shouted. ‘Let's get a plane out and bring him home.'

‘It doesn't work like that,' said his mum. ‘We have to be patient. Let's wait for the phone call.' She got up and wiped her face with a tissue. ‘I need a strong cup of tea,' she said and filled the kettle.

Chris wanted to tell her everything, but he knew deep down inside that he couldn't. It would do no good and just complicate things. He just needed to focus on his father's return.

Will he remember what happened on Aridian?
he wondered.
How will he react when he sees me?
Then, he thought of Billy. How could he have forgotten about Billy?

‘Just going upstairs a minute,' he announced.

When he got to his bedroom, he closed the door. With trembling hands, he picked up his mobile phone,
brought up Billy's name on the screen and hit the call button. All he got was a message saying that the connection was unobtainable. He pressed the cancel button and keyed in Billy's home number.

After three rings, Billy's mum answered.

‘Hello, Mrs Smart,' said Chris with a slightly nervous voice. ‘Is Billy there?'

‘Hi Chris. I think that he's up in his room,' she replied. ‘I'll just get him.'

Chris heard her call for Billy, followed by muffled voices and after a few moments, she returned.

‘He's tucked himself up in bed, Chris. He doesn't feel very well. It sounds like he's coming down with something. It's probably just a cold. I'll get him to ring you tomorrow if he's better.'

‘Thanks, Mrs Smart.' Chris switched off his phone. He would just have to wait to talk to Billy, but at least he knew that his best friend was alive.

Later that evening, his mum received another call. This time it was from his dad. Chris stood beside her as she cried and told her husband how much she loved him and how she missed him. After a while, she passed the phone to Chris.

‘Hi Dad. How are you?'

‘Fine. Fine apart from a nice scar on my head.'

‘Can you remember anything?'

‘Not much apart from falling into a hole, lots of dust and then standing on a road looking at some lights in the distance. Apparently, I've been gone for quite a while. They seem to think that some tribe of nomads have been looking after me because when I was found, I was dressed in Bedouin clothes.'

‘And that's it?'

‘Yes. Why do you ask?'

Chris held his breath.

‘Chris? What's wrong?'

‘Nothing. Nothing. When are you coming home?'

‘They're putting me on a flight home tomorrow. I should be back by late evening your time.'

‘I love you, Dad.'

‘I love you too, son. Look, I'm sorry that I don't have much time so we'll speak tomorrow. Can you put your mum back on?'

‘Sure.'

He passed the phone back to his mother and got himself a coke from the fridge. His head was spinning. How could his dad forget Aridian and was Billy really going to be all right?

After a restless night, Chris woke up late, but before he even had his breakfast or brushed his teeth, he phoned Billy's home again.

After half a dozen rings, the phone was answered.

‘Hello?' said a hoarse voice.

‘Billy?' said Chris.

‘Hi Chris. How you doing?' Billy croaked.

‘Never mind me. How are you?'

‘I'm okay. I've just got a really sore throat.'

‘Is that all?' said Chris.

‘Why, were you expecting more?'

‘No. No. I'm just glad that you're okay. I expected to see you yesterday, that's all.'

‘Well, here's a weird thing,' said Billy. ‘All I remember is getting ready to come around then, all of a sudden, I was lying in bed with a thumping headache.
Mum gave me some medicine and I went out like a light. I had some really crazy dreams though. Giant spiders and things. Ugh!'

‘As long as you're okay.'

‘Yeah. But I reckon that I can get a week off school with this,' he said laughing hoarsely. ‘Anyhow, I hear they found your dad. That's gotta be brilliant.'

‘How do you know that?' asked Chris.

‘It's all over the news. I saw it on the telly about half an hour ago.'

‘Gotta go, Billy. Speak to you later,' Chris apologised.

He rushed downstairs and passed the news to his mother before turning on the television. Sure enough, there were regular reports about his father's miraculous return and they spent the rest of the day flashing through the news channels watching in fascination as the story attracted comments and speculation.

By the time Chris's father reached home, every national newspaper was after his story and an interview. In fact, when he reached the front door, he had to fight his way past the photographers to get in, politely asking them to respect his own and his family's privacy. Among a flurry of camera flashes, his wife opened the door and let him in, quickly shutting it safely behind her.

The three of them stood there in the hall, hugging each other for a long time. Eventually they released their embrace, but chose to sit at the foot of the stairs in conversation. Chris's mum tenderly inspected the scar on her husband's head and examined his suntanned and careworn face, her tears and kisses a testament of her deep love for him. Chris held his
father's hand, not wanting to let go. They stayed like this for a long time, a silence and warmth of emotion shielding them from any other thoughts, bringing them together again as a family.

Later, after his dad had showered and was sitting on the bed in his bathrobe, towelling his thick dark hair, Chris came in and sat next to him. He brought him up to date with his progress at school and told him how he had gained another two belts at Taekwondo.

‘You know how very proud I am of you,' said his dad as he playfully threw the damp towel at him. As he did so, however, the top of his bathrobe opened to reveal a pendant hanging around his neck.

Chris stared open-mouthed as he took in the detail of a small, black spider suspended on a silver chain.

‘Where … Where did you get that?'

‘This?' he asked holding it between his fingers. ‘That's a whole different story,' he said with a wink and left the room.