TBC: Chapter Thirty-Five

Gyan and Jarek walked down the descending ramp of the Xita-8 once Malik lowered the ship next to the Black Crystal River later that evening. The two stared in astonishment at the stream before them. A whirlpool of black, green, and violet swirled violently within the space where the three rivers collided.

"The Three Songs," Malik stated as he gestured to the whirlpool.

"How is that happening?" Jarek asked.

"It's caused by the heightened vibrations surrounding the land here," Malik said. "The minerals within the rivers have a magnetic property so they attract each other, causing the rivers to collide. The clash of color is due to the river minerals. The river drops below ground, rises about a mile downstream, and splits again."

"The colors separate again with each river," Gyan stated in speculative fascination. "How so?"

"The force of the current," Malik answered. "The attraction between similar minerals is strongest and when manipulated by additional force they naturally readjust to follow the same stream."

Jarek and Gyan remained silent as they stared at the whirlpool, transfixed by the colors that sprayed into the air around the vortex. A peaceful feeling settled through Gyan.

Malik smiled. "You can see why it is rejuvenating. The vibrations that flow through here are soothing. However, what I need is not above ground, but below."

"Below?" Jarek asked as he blinked several times to regain focus.

"Follow me," Malik responded. He led the two away from the vortex of the river and down a slope of rocky terrain. They came upon several boulders away from the riverbank.

Malik jumped down onto a ledge beneath a short cliff that extended out past the other rock and turned to face a large boulder resting against the cliff. His silver eyes shone brightly as he traced his finger in the shape of a eight-point star on the surface of the rock. A bright white light appeared beneath the touch of his finger. He lowered his hand and stepped back as the star emitted a blue light. The boulder disappeared as the blue light transformed and spread into a large ring that outlined an opening to a cave.

"Welcome to the Cave of Three Songs," Malik told the warriors. He stepped through the ring of light and into the cave.

Jarek and Gyan followed, both smiling as they studied the circle of light. Unlike many caves the warriors had explored as children along the cliffs of the Green Sea, the cave felt warm inside. It extended deep beneath the ground and was lit with a soft blue and green glow from the minerals and emerald stones clinging to its ceiling and walls. The roar of the water that poured underground beneath the whirlpool was heard in the distance.

Malik's skin brightened as the two warriors made their way behind him toward the sound of the running water.

Gyan gasped as the three turned a corner near where the Black Crystal River became visible. The river dropped steeply, creating a black, green, and violet waterfall that descended into the middle of an enormous cavern, which housed the largest crystals Gyan had ever seen. The waters of the river spread wide across the canyon, splitting off into smaller streams at different points. The streams created smooth and unique curvaceous designs across the cave as the running water carved the rocks with its flow. Small spheres of green and blue light floated in the air throughout the cavern. Along with the emeralds, other jewels within the walls reflected the light seeping in from the top of the waterfall.

Jarek gave a surprised laugh. "How far does this extend, Sir Malik?"

"We suspect the cave reaches the middle of the Mystic Woodlands," Malik said. "You cannot travel the length underground, though. The cave descends deeper and the temperature becomes too hot to withstand as you go further in. We are judging the length of the canyon by another similar entrance found near the edge of the Realm of Illuse."

"What's the Realm of Illuse?" Jarek questioned.

"Another time, Master Jarek," Malik said. "We should not delay much longer." He turned and walked toward the waterfall. "At the edge of the falls, there is a pool of water that combines the minerals of all three rivers. You may drink from the pool if you wish. It is the reason I am here."

Jarek and Gyan followed Malik to a small violet and green glowing pool of water beneath a stone spout on one side of the waterfall. Malik knelt beside the pool and drank water from his hands. His skin began to illuminate more light than normal. Silver-white rays of light protruded and stretched out far from his body, extending to the walls of the cave.

Jarek and Gyan put a hand up to shield their eyes.

"Wow, Sir Malik," said Jarek. "You're blinding us!"

Malik smiled and continued to drink. After he had his fill, he sat back on his heels and sighed. "Much better."

Jarek and Gyan hurriedly knelt beside the pool and mimicked Malik's actions. As Gyan swallowed the water, both a cold and hot sensation spread through his entire body as if the liquid was cleansing and refreshing every part at the same time. When he couldn't drink anymore, he jumped up, feeling light. It was all he could do to keep from running.

"We should drink this every day," Jarek said as he hopped to his feet next to Gyan.

"The water would not have the same effect as it does now if taken in large quantities," Malik said as he stood. "Too much would overwhelm your senses and scatter your focus."

"Is that why the wizards have hidden the entrance to this—?" Jarek suddenly stopped talking, his expression changing from excited interest to alarm.

"Malik—" Gyan stated, sensing the same disturbance as Jarek.

"I feel it too. Meet me at the ship." He disappeared.

Gyan and Jarek quickly made their way back through the cave entrance and the ring of light closed to a solid boulder behind them. The two sprinted to the Xita-8. Their pace slowed in caution as they neared the ship.

From the riverbank, Malik's deep voice projected loudly. "State your business!" he said gruffly. "I know it isn't anything good. Do not think you can fool me?"

"My apologies, Master Wizard!" A man squeaked in fear. "I didn't know the ship was yours! I—I was just scouting it for parts."

Gyan and Jarek reached the other side of the ship to find Malik looming over a young man.

Malik smirked as he tightened his vice-like grip on the man's shirt collar. "That's interesting considering the warrior Lumsigne is marked on the side of the ship," he said in a low voice.

"Parts sell for a high price no matter where they come from," the man said quickly.

"What is your name?" Malik stated, glowering still.

"I am Bralton, Sir Wizard. I live in Sinial…" he sniffed hard, "…just northwest of here."

Gyan eyed Bralton suspiciously as he invoked Relasu. Beyond the white and gold light of Bralton's energy were specks of dark green, which made Gyan feel uneasy. His skepticism about the man increased.

"What are you doing out here?" Malik asked Bralton as he released his grip. "The Inala have strict rules for those who venture near the Mystic Woodlands."

Bralton glanced from the warriors to Malik and back again. "Please, I would never enter the Woodlands…The Inala won't allow it. I—I like the whirlpool in the river."

"You are lying," Jarek and Gyan said at the same time.

"Don't you know Bralton, you cannot lie to a wizard or a master warrior," Malik said calmly.

Bralton cast the warriors a fearful glance and ran a nervous hand through his short hair. "Please…I was scouting the area and saw the ship land. I became curious, that's all."

"That is true, but you are still hiding something," Gyan responded.

Bralton shrugged. "Please, I do not wish for trouble."

"I think you do," Malik said with a raised eyebrow, "for it certainly seems to find you…Be gone before you attract more!" he barked.

Bralton winced and took off running west across a nearby bridge and disappeared into the forest trees.

"Use Relasu and check around the ship to see if you find anything unusual," Malik said to the warriors. He watched Bralton until he faded from view.

Bralton's expression of mock fear faded into a glint of malice as he crossed the bridge hurriedly and entered the shadow of the forest. He nodded to the two tall, burly men waiting for him, who were both wearing cloaks embossed with the Crest of Kraundor.

"It is done," Bralton said as he held out his hand for his promised payment.

"I want to see if it's successful before I pay you," one of the men said.

"It will only detonate after they have reached a specific speed, so there is no guarantee we will see it occur," Bralton argued. "That's assuming that the Mysteis doesn't find the devices I planted within the wires. I used to work for Fane before I returned to Sinial, so I know I embedded the device properly. It shouldn't look like there is anything wrong when they scan the ship."

"How do we know we can trust you?" the tallest man asked menacingly as he leaned over Bralton.

Bralton shrugged and stepped back as he rolled his eyes. "Here is the detonator." He pulled a small square device out of his cloak. "Once the light at the top turns orange, it means the ship has reached the appropriate speed and the explosives have activated. If it changes color, you will know that the explosives are still intact. Then, you need to just push the white button. If they aren't out of range, you'll hear the explosions yourself."

The shorter of the men reached for the detonator. Bralton pulled it back out of reach and held up an open palm. "My compensation."

The two men looked at each other and the taller one nodded. His partner dropped a bag of coins and jewels into Bralton's outstretched hand as Bralton handed over the detonator.

"Right. I'll be off then," Bralton said as he pocketed the bag. He took off quickly into the trees as the two men glanced back and forth from the detonator to the sky.

***