Evadeen Brickwood - The Speaking Stone of Caradoc

“Young friends, this is no ordinary stone. The ‘Speaking Stone of Caradoc’ is one of three of its kind still remaining in the Known World. It is made from polished moonstone. The others are made from emerald and ruby. They are the last of twelve such stones the gods left behind in the care of the ‘Great Ones’ before they departed and the Dark Age began. They are very old and very precious. Every Speaking Stone contains the secrets of wisdom to help maintain civilised ways on our mother planet. The Edfunians and their evil Gabari brethren are greedy to possess these powers for their own benefit. To learn secrets.“

“The ‘Speaking Stone of Caradoc’ was a loan by the Lady of Caradoc in Lyonesse to assist the Alesians with its counsel in our time of need. The stone’s wisdom helped avoid an all-out war with the Edfunians. Then it was stolen.”

“That’s incredible. Can the stone really speak?”

“Yes, it can, but it does so of its own will.”

“Huh?”

“If one of the speaking stones ended up in the wrong hands, it would have disastrous consequences. That’s why they must be safeguarded at all cost and cannot be forced to share their counsel.”

“So we were caught in the middle. We would have been punished if found guilty?” Chryséis trembled at the thought.

“Yes, severely.”

“But you could read our minds. You knew that we were innocent.”

“I did indeed read your minds, but the procedures must be followed. Some try and conceal their real intentions…and thoughts.”

“We don’t know how to do that.”

“The Edfunians know.”

Soon the time travellers found themselves back in the long passageways of the citadel again. They were happy to be off the hook and on their way to their quarters and not to some gruesome dungeon.

“That could have easily gone pear-shaped,” Trevor said when he had recovered from their scary experience.

“Easily.”

“I’m just glad the stone was found before the Edfunians could get to it.”

“It would probably not even speak to them.”

“But they must have followed us to get the egg back. Maybe they’re already here in the citadel.”

“Hmm, I’m sure they’re going to catch them. I mean with all those guards around, where are they supposed to hide?”

“I’m exhausted. A speaking stone with all the secrets of wisdom stored in it. You have a question and the stone tells you what to do. I mean, what’s next?”

“Maybe they’ll turn you into a frog. A speaking frog.”

“Ha, ha, ha — a frog!”

“‘Oh hi, Dr. Naidoo, I’m a speaking frog. I hope you don’t mind.’ Dr. Naidoo would have a heart attack in Natural Science class.”

“Not just Dr. Naidoo.”

“’Be not afraid, it’s just me Trevor. I’m a speaking frog today. You know, like a speaking stone…’”

They laughed and talked complete nonsense for a while, wild with relief. Their pact that if anything truly bad happened, they would immediately go back to the future, had not come into effect. This wasn’t the end of their adventure. Not by far!

*

A group of giants in dark attire bowed in greeting, as their stooped leader joined them in the dank room in a deserted part of the harbour. He dusted himself off and briefly studied two citadel guards, who lay stunned on the warehouse floor. They had walked in on the Edfunians just moments ago.

“I thought I told you to shield this building,” the leader’s voice rasped in rebuke. ”Why is this area suddenly searched by guards?”

He glared at the Edfunian warriors before him. Their leader’s eyes were compelling… compelling them to obey.

“Sire —” One of the men began and stepped forward, but was cut short with a hiss and an abrupt hand movement. The giant slunk back in a row with the others.

“Hush, I know none of you would dare to betray our cause. We don’t have much time.” He lifted his arms and a scintillating dome rose up, rendering the warehouse impassable. The guards moaned and moved a little.

“Today we have to act. It will be done as in Cydonia. Turn invisible and stun the citadel guards. Quick and unseen…no confrontation! We don’t want any attention.”

The Edfunians bowed their heads, asking no questions. There was menace in the Highpriest’s voice and his bright eyes glared at the underlings.

“I will be awaiting you on the ship in the bay outside the harbour wall. The captain will take us back home…do not fail!”

The Gabari skipper and his crew had been ‘persuaded’ by the sorcerer, unable to resist the compelling eyes for long.

“The ‘Speaking Stone’ reached Kamûk on an Alesian cargo ship,” the Highpriest continued. “Unfortunately the citadel guards discovered the moonstone before it could be recovered. Our Gabari spies report that the troublesome foreign children from Cydonia were among the travellers. Only a defenseless young woman keeps them company. Xipe Xolotle might be agreeable to fresh sacrifice… Ah, but they might kick up a fuss.”

He remembered how difficult they had been at the Cydonian market. “That’s the last thing we need right now. The stone is what we want.”

The warriors murmured consent. If all went according to plan, they would be on their way to Shuruk in no time – with the powerful stone.

“I must have this stone!” the Highpriest barked. “This is our chance. Power will be restored to Edfun and Alesia will be ours. And then Atland and then the Known World!”

The warriors couldn’t wait to carry out the deed those bright eyes and the sign of the spider had ordered them to do! It would be easy enough to enter the citadel unseen. No confrontation, the Highpriest had said. They had to be careful when getting close to the ‘Speaking Stone’, lest it cried out and gave them away before it was dropped into the black velvet sack. They weren’t sure what a speaking stone was capable of doing, but one couldn’t take chances.

“Triumph will be Edfun’s at last. Triumph over Alesia and the Known World! We will take back our rightful place among humankind. Go forth and claim your birthright. The Red One be with you! Ari-sūdana!”

“Ari-sūdana!” the warriors joined in the battle cry in a muffled tone.

One never knew if busybodies were still around. But nobody heard the Edfunians chanting. The unconscious citadel guards were left behind as the giant warriors made their way - invisibly - to the citadel hill at dusk.

The Highpriest of Shuruk could not have chosen a better time..

“Miami, come in. Do you read me? Do you read me?”

Again, there was no answer from the airport tower, only static. Ever since his Cessna had unexpectedly hit a storm front over the Caribbean captain Greg Pearson, an experienced pilot with the Transaviac Charter airline, had tried to contact Miami airport.

He hated not being in control of his aircraft. Dark clouds were swirling around and not even the frequent lightening had made a difference. The sight had been absolutely zero. Captain Pearson ran his hand nervously through his short grey hair. He had never experienced anything like this before.

“This is your captain speaking. Please remain seated with your seatbelts on. I don’t want to see anything else fly, except this plane.”

Captain Pearson had made a few encouraging and even funny remarks over the intercom at first. By now he felt more like screaming at whatever it was that had taken over his plane. Six passengers had embarked on the chartered flight in Bermuda thinking it a stroke of luck.

The regular plane due to leave Hamilton for Miami at 7:25 am had been downed with a mechanical problem. The ocean had been calm and sparkling as the tiny, whining plane carried them across the blue sky morning. The passengers regretted their impatience sorely when a storm had hit them out of nowhere.