Frog and the Sandspiders of Aridian (5 page)

5

Let the Light …

Ameer was quickly on his feet and the first to reach the huddled shape that was Cassaria. Frog and Billy saw him catch his breath as he turned her body over and pulled back her robe.

‘Is she …?' Frog could not bring himself to say the word.

‘She still breathes,' answered Ameer as he gently lifted her body and carried her over the rubble and back into her apartments. Frog and Billy followed in concerned silence as Ameer laid her down on the cushions and it was then that the boys saw what had caused him to gasp. Her hair was now entirely a blue-white colour, even her eyebrows and her eyelashes. Her skin was colourless.

‘What's happened to her?' asked Billy.

‘I'm not sure,' said Ameer. ‘But I think that the Rune Stone has drained her life force. She seems all but dead to us.'

He bowed his head and Frog could see that his face was creased with pain and sadness.

‘I vowed to protect her from all harm and I have failed her,' he said.

Frog knelt beside Ameer and reached out to take Cassaria's hand in his. He noticed that there was a ring bearing a familiar emblem on one of her fingers. It had the intricate pattern of a crown etched in the centre of a burning sun. As he looked deep into the fiery design, a warm orange glow began to fill the room.

Ameer looked up and stared at Frog, whose face was bathed in a soft radiance.

‘I don't want to freak you out,' said Billy. ‘But your forehead is on fire!'

The familiar light of Castellion's Chosen radiated from Frog's brow and seemed to channel itself into Cassaria's body; the ring glowed and mirrored the image on Frog's forehead. Slowly, Cassaria opened her eyes and on seeing Frog, a smile formed on her lips.

‘Let the Light free us from evil,' she said softly.

‘Let the Light free us from evil,' whispered Frog.

For a while, they all sat in silence, bathed in the golden light, which passed between Frog and Cassaria. Slowly, it began to fade and they could see that Cassaria had regained a healthy pallor. Her hair, however, remained a striking bluish white with darker veins of blue running through the strands. Her eyes were also tinted with the same colours. She sat up and Ameer poured a goblet of water for her, which she took gratefully and sipped slowly.

‘How do you feel?' he asked, still with concern on his face.

‘I feel cleansed and refreshed, which I'm sure I have our friend Frog to thank for,' she said. ‘For a moment I thought that I had lost the battle. That witch was in my mind; she was devouring my spirit and taking
strength from the Rune Stone itself. There was also another darker, deeper presence helping her, adding strength to her powers. I fear that Lord Maelstrom is using her as an instrument to bring him back from the Void. They challenge the ancient Magic of the Guardians and plan a terrible destiny for Aridian and the Dimensions.'

‘Who is this witch?' asked Billy.

‘Belzeera, sister of the most evil Lord Maelstrom,' she answered.

‘I didn't know that she was his sister,' said Frog.

‘She has the same wicked streak in her and shares her brother's desires to conquer and dominate all,' said Ameer.

‘It would seem that her brooding vengeance has been the catalyst to free her from what has kept her ensnared for so long in the Void,' said Cassaria.

‘Is the Rune Stone safe now?' asked Frog.

‘Balance has been restored and it is protected once more by the high Magic. However, I must consult the other Guardians for guidance as I sense that the Rune Stone has made some connection with me that I am yet to understand,' said Cassaria.

‘I think that you need to see how the Rune Stone has affected your appearance,' said Ameer and he rose and rushed to the side room.

‘Can you remember what happened?' asked Frog.

Cassaria furrowed her brow. ‘I recall the orb drawing me in and my hands embracing the Rune Stone. Belzeera was trying to pull it from my grasp. I heard her vile Magic in my mind, telling me to release the Rune Stone, to give in. She filled my thoughts with sorrow and
misery; hopelessness was suffocating me. It was as though I was drowning in despair. Then there came a sound, like a high-pitched note vibrating though the air. A soft breeze ran through me, scattering her wicked spell and I heard her scream with surprise and rage as streaks of blue light exploded through my senses. The next thing I remember is a soft golden glow filtering through my eyelids and opening them to see you.'

Ameer returned and handed Cassaria a small oval mirror and she spent a few moments studying herself.

‘It's a shame that you broke your glass whistle,' said Billy.

‘It's a good job that you pointed it out to me,' said Frog.

‘Glass whistle?' asked Cassaria.

Frog then told her of what had happened to the rest of them while she was fighting to keep the Rune Stone safe from Belzeera.

‘It never ceases to amaze me how the powers of the Dimensions link together in times of adversity,' she said. ‘Who would have thought that an instrument from the Bird Men of Castellion would come into play after all these years to fight against the dark forces here on Aridian?'

‘How did Lady Dawnstar know that we were in trouble?' asked Billy.

‘She and Frog are joined through the powers of the Chosen: a sort of telepathy,' explained Cassaria.

‘Why can't I sense her now?' asked Frog.

‘The mystery of the Slipstream decides when connections between the Dimensions are made,' said Cassaria.

‘Just let me try,' said Frog, closing his eyes.

They all watched in silence at the immense concentration on his face until, after a few minutes, he opened his eyes again.

‘Nothing! I've tried to link with them all – Lady Dawnstar, Gizmo, Ginger, Fixer and Logan, even Sir Peacealot – but it's like an empty space,' he said with disappointment.

‘If the need arrives I'm sure that a way will be found,' said Cassaria. ‘Meanwhile, there is work to be done. We must find out what Belzeera is up to. I fear that there is more mischief on the surface than we have seen for many an age.'

‘I am sure that it will soon be dawn-rise,' said Ameer. ‘I will alert my commanders and send out reinforcements to the crystal farms. I think that it would also be wise to dispatch some scouting parties to see what the Dreden are up to. I for one do not like surprises. The time of rest will soon be upon us and we must replenish our strength. I will find quarters for Frog and Billy so that they can take their sleep. When we rise, I will introduce them to our lifestyle and customs so that they can become familiar with their new surroundings.'

‘Sleep?' exclaimed Billy. ‘How can I sleep with all this excitement?'

‘Have you any idea what the time is?' asked Frog.

‘Not a clue.'

‘Look,' said Frog holding up his wrist and showing Billy his watch. It still read 17.45. ‘That's the time back home.'

‘Yeah. Neat, isn't it? And your point is?'

‘How long do you think that we've been here?' asked Frog.

‘How do I know, you're the one with the watch,' said Billy.

‘By my reckoning, about ten hours. This means that we're going to get a really bad case of jet lag if we don't get some sleep and believe me, once you put your head on a pillow you'll be out for the count.'

‘You sound just like my Mum.'

‘Frog is right, Billy,' said Cassaria. ‘The effect of the Slipstream will cloud your mind and if you do not get some rest you will not be at your best.'

‘Besides,' added Ameer, ‘if you are going to ride with us tomorrow night, I want you wide awake and alert.'

‘Ride on those spiders again?' asked Billy.

‘As I said, you will need to know as much as you can about Aridian and this time you will not be wearing a blindfold,' said Ameer.

‘Now I really won't be able to sleep!' said Billy.

They walked back to the main chamber and stepped over the broken rocks that lay in the doorway.

‘What a mess,' remarked Frog.

‘The Rune Stone will repair the damage,' said Cassaria. ‘Look, it has already begun.'

Billy and Frog watched in wonder as large chunks of rock lifted themselves up and floated back into the cracks and holes of the damaged walls and ceiling. Fragments of the statue and its column reassembled and righted themselves. The damage was being repaired around them in slow motion. As Cassaria guided them across the cavern, fragments of stone rose
up, and then sought out their original place to fit seamlessly back into position.

‘We will meet again before your next journey, but now I must consult my fellow Guardians,' said Cassaria, turning to the Rune Stone and the altar.

As they stood facing the entrance wall, Ameer put his hands on Frog and Billy's shoulders.

‘Just walk forwards with me,' he said. ‘Close your eyes if you don't want to look.'

Again, they had no choice. As Ameer stepped forwards, he gently put his weight behind them so that they were pushed through the stone.

‘I just don't think that I could ever get used to that,' said Billy as he stood outside in the corridor looking back at the wall.

‘Believe me, Billy, you will have to encounter stranger things,' said Ameer. ‘Now follow me. We must get you some comfortable quarters so that you may rest.'

They followed Ameer along the corridors until they smelt a familiar odour and, turning a corner, they found themselves back to where the giant spiders were housed in their stables.

‘For now, you can bed down in my quarters. There is plenty of room,' said Ameer leading them along the rows of open-fronted pens. As they passed by, Billy and Frog could see the dark, bulky bodies of sleeping spiders and they noticed that a strange emblem hung over every pen. Each one was different in design and colour.

They reminded Frog of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

‘What do the signs mean?' he asked.

Ameer stopped them by a particularly large shape, its body rising and falling rhythmically with the breath of sleep, and pointed to the centre of the design.

‘This is the spider's name. The other symbols around it signify its place and date of birth and the name of its rider and companion.'

‘Yes, but what does it mean in plain language?' asked Billy.

‘This spider was born on the second full moon, one hundred and twenty years ago in the main hatcheries at Pelmore, a city only a few miles from here. Its present rider and companion is Sanwar and the spider's name is Arac-Hun,' explained Ameer.

‘Wow,' said Billy. ‘A hundred and twenty? That's really old.'

‘Not for an Aridian Sandspider,' said Ameer. ‘They can grow to be over two hundred years of age.'

‘Who gives them their names and who chooses their riders?' asked Frog.

‘There is much for you to learn, but now is not the time,' replied Ameer leading them to a hallway that branched off from the stables. ‘Hopefully I will be able to take you to Arachnae soon, which is the training ground for the spiders and their riders, but for now we must rest.'

He pulled back a curtain to reveal a canopied room.

‘My house is your house,' he said bowing.

The boys stepped inside what felt like a large tent. The décor and furnishings were Arabic in style and design. A soft light filled the area and Frog noticed several small crystals seated in a wooden chandelier
suspended from the centre of the room. Ameer led them to a curtained area, which contained cushions and bedding.

‘If you are thirsty, there is water in the jug over there,' he said. ‘Now you must sleep and refresh your senses. Should you need me I will not be far away. I will come and wake you at evening rise.' He let the curtain fall back into place and they saw his shadow recede into the room.

Frog unbuckled his belt and sword and pulled off his tunic, placing them all in a pile beside him, then he lay down among the soft pillows.

‘Come on, Billy, let's get some sleep,' he said.

‘I'm not really tired, but if there's nothing else to do I may as well keep you company,' said Billy as he sat down beside Frog. ‘I can't wait to ride those spiders tomorrow, can you?'

‘Billy, go to sleep,' said Frog.

‘I told you; I'm not tired,' said Billy, propping himself up on a couple of pillows.

‘You can't stay awake while everyone else sleeps,' said Frog. ‘Now shut up and close your eyes.'

‘I told you; I'm not sleepy,' yawned Billy as he sunk back into the pillows with his eyelids fluttering.

Frog watched as Billy's eyes closed and within a few seconds, the soft buzz of a snore escaped from the slumbering boy.

‘Sweet dreams, Billy. Sweet dreams,' said Frog as he turned onto his side and allowed his own mind to drift into the gentle arms of sleep.

6

Arac – Khan

The sound of voices pulled Billy from a dreamless slumber and, for a moment, he wasn't sure where he was. The events of the previous night slowly came back to him as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and took in his surroundings. There was no sign of Frog, but he could hear his friend's voice coming from somewhere behind the curtained screen.

‘Well, this feels different already,' said Frog. ‘It's surprisingly cool. I thought that I would be hot and uncomfortable.'

‘It's designed to keep you cool in the heat of the sun and warm at night when the temperature drops,' said Ameer. ‘If you need any help fitting it I will assist you when you're ready.'

Billy pulled back the drape and walked to the centre of the tented room. Ameer was sitting cross-legged at a low table, drinking from a small bowl.

‘Awake at last, young Billy. So much sleep for one who was not tired,' he said smiling.

‘What's the time?' asked Billy.

‘It will soon be moonrise and time to go,' Ameer replied. ‘You had best have some food before we leave
as we will not eat again until we reach Arachnae.' He indicated the table, which was laid out with various fruits and what looked like pancakes.

‘Where's Frog?' enquired Billy as he sat down and picked up a small, brown, wrinkled fruit.

‘Getting dressed,' answered Ameer.

‘What's this?' asked Billy, inspecting the fruit closely. ‘A fresh fig. You only eat the inside as the skin is quite tough.'

‘We have these back home. My mum buys them from the health food shop, but I don't think that they're as fresh as this.'

‘Here, let me show you,' said Ameer. He took another fig from the bowl and demonstrated how to open it and eat the pink contents. Billy followed suit and was pleasantly surprised with the taste. He then cast his eyes over the rest of the food.

‘Is there anything else here that's not snake meat or poisonous?' he asked.

‘Of course,' said Ameer with a chuckle. ‘This is flat bread, these are dates and this is Atemoya mixed with sweet juice and don't worry, the seeds have been taken out.'

Billy ate hungrily, as Ameer rose and disappeared behind a screen. As he ate, he could hear the muffled voices of Frog and Ameer in conversation. After a short while, he was just about to pick up some more dates when Ameer came out from behind the screen followed by Frog. He was dressed in the sand-coloured robes of an Aridian.

‘I'm getting worried about you,' said Billy. ‘You're turning into a bit of a costume freak.'

‘What's wrong with this?' asked Frog.

‘It's a bit girly if you ask me.'

‘I should get used to it if I was you.'

‘No skin off my nose,' replied Billy.

‘Good,' said Frog, smiling. ‘Because there's one back there for you.'

‘No way!' said Billy. ‘You're not going to catch me wearing one of those.'

‘If you want to survive while you are here on Aridian then you will need to wear our clothing,' said Ameer.

‘I'll take my chances,' said Billy stubbornly. ‘I can survive without making a bad fashion statement.'

Ameer got to his feet, took Billy gently by the arm and led him to the screen. Fifteen minutes later, Billy stood in front of Frog and Ameer. He was now wearing the traditional robes and headdress of the Aridian people.

‘Excellent,' said Ameer. ‘You look resplendent.'

‘I feel like a wazuck!' replied Billy.

Ameer looked at Frog.

‘He feels like a fool and an idiot,' Frog translated.

‘You are wearing the attire of a proud Aridian tribesman. Please give it respect. It may well save your life,' said Ameer sternly. ‘Now let us go; we must meet with the scouting parties.'

Ameer turned and strode out of the room with Frog and Billy quickly at his heels.

‘This feels too weird,' said Billy. ‘It's like wearing a dress.'

‘How would you know? You haven't been trying on your sister's clothes have you?' teased Frog, laughing.

Billy turned a shade of red. ‘Don't ever tell her about this,' he pleaded. ‘She'll never let me live it down.'

‘Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Now try not to trip over. Just walk normally and you'll soon get used to it,' he encouraged.

By the time they had reached the far end of the stables, Frog was pleased to see that Billy was no longer waddling like a pregnant duck. It was just as well because there was quite a gathering of people waiting for them. Ameer guided Billy and Frog into the centre of the group, who were all wearing sandcoloured robes except one man who stood apart and was dressed in black and orange.

‘On behalf of the Guardian Cassaria, I present to you Frog of the Chosen and his companion Billy,' Ameer announced.

As one, the group touched their foreheads and bowed.

‘Step forward and return the gesture,' whispered Ameer.

Frog and Billy quickly did as they were told.

‘They are to join our scouting parties this night and ride with us,' he continued.

It was then that the orange and black-robed man stepped forward. The whites of his eyes stood out from his deep brown face, and he wore a jet-black beard, which gave him a most fearsome appearance.

He spoke with suspicion. ‘So, the rumours are true; you have accepted two young strangers into our midst and endangered our security because you believe them to be allies of the Guardians. We have been told what
the witch is capable of. They could be creatures of her making.'

‘They have satisfied Cassaria and also proved themselves in my eyes,' said Ameer.

‘That may be, Lord Prince, but you know that they must endure the Sensing to be truly accepted and they cannot ride until they have been accepted.'

‘Frog, Billy, this is Sand Master Katar. He is the stable master and custodian of the Sandspiders,' said Ameer. ‘It is written in the ancient laws that he must be obeyed on any matters regarding the Sandspiders.' Ameer turned to Katar. ‘They have already ridden and been scented,' he said. ‘They were brought in from the desert by Alban and myself. The Sandspiders accepted them without hesitation.'

Katar leaned over Frog and Billy and vigorously sniffed at them.

‘They have the scent, but they have not been accepted by Arac-Khan and as you know,' repeated Katar, ‘they should not be allowed to ride until that initiation has been fulfilled.'

‘Which is why now seems as good a time as any,' responded Ameer. ‘We will ready the scouting parties while you conduct the Sensing.'

‘You seem confident that they will pass the test,' said Katar.

‘I have every confidence in these boys. Besides, as I have said, they have Cassaria's blessing,' said Ameer.

‘No doubt,' said Katar. ‘But let us see if they really deserve to wear these robes.'

He guided Frog and Billy away from the group and towards a narrow corridor between two of the pens.

‘Where are we going?' asked Frog.

‘To meet Arac-Khan,' replied Katar.

‘Who's Arac-Khan when he's at home?' asked Billy.

‘Have patience,' said Katar. ‘Now, no more questions.'

Frog couldn't help noticing that Katar had a knowing grin on his face and a gleam was in his eyes.

As they continued down the corridor, the spider scent became stronger and as they breathed it in, Frog and Billy started to feel lightheaded, almost drugged. By the time that they stepped into a large, shadowy cave, their thoughts had taken on a dream-like quality and everything seemed to be happening in slow motion.

Katar guided them to the centre of the cave. It seemed empty except for sand and some straw-like material scattered around on the floor. Its recesses were lost in darkness. Katar stood in front of them, leaning forwards and looking into their eyes so that his face became distorted in their vision.

‘Even a Guardian can be tricked,' he said, staring into Frog's eyes. ‘Perhaps you are not the true Frog after all. I do declare that Arac-Khan will make short work of you both and expose you for what abominations you really are.'

He moved silently into the shadows leaving Frog and Billy standing alone, confused and dazed.

‘Are you okay, Billy?' asked Frog.

‘Something's not right. I feel strange,' said Billy. ‘My head feels all fuzzy.'

‘Me too,' said Frog. ‘Be on your guard and stay close to me.' Before he could say anything else, a large,
previously unnoticed figure in the corner of the room moved slowly towards them. Its shape and bulk emerged from the shadow to reveal the largest spider that they had seen so far. This one was enormous, towering over them by at least 4 metres. It stopped a short arm's length away and its fetid breath washed over them. Its giant mandibles slowly twitched and its six black eyes studied them intensely.

‘I'd run, but for some reason I can't move,' said Billy.

‘Neither can I,' replied Frog.

‘I suppose we'd better be nice to it then,' added Billy.

Silence!
said a harsh rasping voice in Billy's head.
Do you not know who I am?

‘I guess that you're Arac- Khan,' said Billy.

Which one of you claims to be the Chosen one called Frog?
the spider's voice thundered in Frog's head.

‘That would be me,' he answered.

Your human voices scratch my senses. Do not use your tongues; use your thoughts,
commanded the spider.

‘I don't particularly like you inside my head,' said Billy. ‘But if you're trying to frighten us, you're not doing a very good job,' he added bravely.

‘Billy, be quiet,' said Frog, but it was too late.

So you want to be frightened, do you?
said the spider.
Well, let me oblige you.

Suddenly, it lunged its front two legs forwards and grabbed Billy by the ankles, raising him high into the air so that he hung upside down. Then it began to swing him from side to side.

‘Put me down,' yelled Billy. ‘I hate heights. Put me down.'

‘Put my friend down,' said Frog. ‘If you harm him, so help me, when I get free I'll make you pay dearly.'

Brave words from one who is so helpless
, hissed the spider in Frog's head.
How would you like to join your friend?

‘If it's a choice of him or me up there then let him down and take me,' said Frog.

Not only brave but loyal too,
said the spider.
These are fine qualities. What say you, Arac-Khan?

A gentle, female voice entered Frog and Billy's heads.
They are not the qualities of a witch's creation. Bring them to me so that I may complete the Sensing.

The spider slowly lowered Billy, who had gone quite pale. It lifted him to his feet and guided him along with Frog to the rear of the cave. Slowly, a soft light began to illuminate their surroundings and they could see a small, orange-robed figure who was uncovering several of the light-giving crystals. As their eyes adjusted to the new level of light, they could also see another spider nestled among a straw bed. It was pure white in colour and no bigger than a metre in size.

Behold, the real Arac-Khan,
said the giant spider.
If you make any aggressive moves towards her, I will squash you where you stand.

‘I don't feel very well,' moaned Billy, who now looked a rather green colour.

‘You need to drink this,' said a girl's soft voice. Then the figure in the orange robe stepped forwards with a cup and offered it to Billy's lips. ‘Drink it slowly. It will work quickly and clear your head then you will gradually be free to move.'

Frog studied the girl's features and guessed that she
was older than him by a couple of years. She had a fresh, freckled face; her dark eyes reflected the light from the crystals and her fair hair was tied in a short braid. She had the fine black image of a spider tattooed on her cheek.

Billy took a couple of mouthfuls of the thick, sweet liquid and felt it run down his throat. Its cool flow quickly spread through his body and cleared his mind.

‘Thank you,' he said.

‘My name is Nadiah,' she replied then took the cup to Frog and helped him to drink.

Arac-Khan spoke gently to Billy.
Come and sit by me
.

Billy did as he was asked and sat in the straw next to the white spider.

Starting to feel better?
asked Arac-Khan.

‘Yes thanks,' said Billy.

Good, but do try to talk with your thoughts. You will find it much easier,
said Arac-Khan.
Now, I'm going to ask you some questions. Is that all right?

‘Sure,' replied Billy. ‘Sorry,' he corrected himself and thought the words.
Ask away.

Arac-Khan reached forward with her two front legs and placed them on either side of Billy's head. Billy grinned.

What is it?
asked Arac-Khan.

It tickles,
replied Billy.

Just relax, close your eyes and try to think of something nice.

Billy did as he was told and then there was a soft flash; it was as if the inside of his eyelids had lit up like a cinema screen. He could see himself sitting around a table with his parents and his sister. It was last
Christmas day and they were having their Christmas dinner. Everyone was smiling and laughing and Billy remembered the warm feeling that he had. His dad was in the army, serving abroad and had not been expected to be home until after the New Year, but three days before Christmas they received a phone call from him. He had been unexpectedly awarded leave and was going to be one of the lucky ones to be sent home in time for Christmas day.

When he walked through the door on Christmas Eve, nothing else mattered. It had been a perfect Christmas.

Billy smiled again at the memory then there was another flash and the image was gone. He opened his eyes to stare into the multi-eyed face of Arac-Khan.

You are a very human being,
said Arac-Khan.
No evil could conjure up such good thoughts. I also sensed that you have many good values and qualities. It is nice to meet you, Billy Smart, son of James Smart the warrior. Two things I would ask of you. Firstly, be kinder to my smaller kinfolk who live in your world; you have nothing to fear from them. Secondly, have more patience with your little sister; she is learning and growing just like you and she loves you dearly.