Desert Spice, Part 14

     Without further explanation, Imri turned sideways and Brandon landed gently on the ground. Imri left Brandon dazed, facing a huge opening to a cave surrounded by nothing but sand. The unicorn flew away. Brandon walked into the cave and stepped onto a narrow walkway made of sharp, pointed rocks and small stones. The going was slow as he stepped gingerly to avoid piercing his feet on the jagged path.

     He passed the first and second pools of poison water and then spotted Alexi. She appeared to be floating face upward in water that seemed as buoyant as salt water. As he came closer, he called her name.

     “Alexi.” He watched her drift closer to the shore, clearly in a stupor. “Give me your hand.”

     She reached up, and keeping his balance with his other hand on the wall as Imri had instructed, he stretched beyond what he thought possible. He had a hold of her for a moment but then Sambalat, the albino, appeared from nowhere and ordered Alexi to go back into the water. She slid from Brandon’s grasp and drifted into the pool of poison.

     Brandon turned to see the strange, ugly creature, swung his left fist at him and knocked him into the pool next to Alexi. Sambalat growled and started to crawl out of the water, but Brandon kicked him in the chin and shoved him back down. Then he picked up a large rock and threw it between the albino’s eyes, blinding him long enough to call Alexi again.

     She heard his voice and slowly drifted near him once more. He stretched out his arm until she grabbed his hand and quickly pulled her out of the water. Sambalat started toward them with one eye closed and bleeding, but Brandon, dragging Alexi, got out of the albino’s reach. Before realizing it, he and Alexi had passed all the pools of water and were standing in front of the cave opening. As Imri had told him, with Alexi leaning on him, Brandon picked up a small, smooth stone and touched it to her lips.

            “Stop,” King Bravai ordered. “I will have this woman to wed and you shall be a husband for my sister.

             “Oh my God, what do I do now?” Brandon moaned.

            Silver Wing appeared out of nowhere.“You called my Lord, how can He help.”

            “The flying unicorn, can he come and get us?” Brandon said.

            “And where do you want him to take you?’

            “To a place where we can have a hot bath and rest.”

            “I know of such a place. Follow me,”  Silver Wing said.

            Before he could ask where, Brandon and Alexi found themselves surrounded by the heavy aroma of cinnamon. As it invaded their soul, the Angel of Kezia met them. “Come rest,” the angel beckoned, motioning Brandon to one room and Alexi to another.

Desert Spice, Part 13

     Brandon woke up groggy, momentarily forgetting where he was, but then he remembered, as he felt the hot sun beating down on his face. He rolled over and saw that Alexi still slept with her board cradled close to her. She really is quite lovely, he said to himself.

     She woke up suddenly and smiled at him. “What happened last night? All I remember is drinking from the coconut that had a taste of cinnamon in it.”

     “I can’t say what happened, except that as soon as you fell asleep, I followed and just woke up moments ago. Perhaps we should get moving. The sun is beginning to blaze.”

     “Can we at least have a bite of bread and a drink of water, first?

     Brandon reached for the canteen that the night before was empty and found that it was filled to  the top. “I see that we have fresh water again. I’m grateful.”

      They ate briefly and then wrapped their heads to keep the sun off. “North is that direction,” Brandon said, mounting his board, while looking at his compass-watch.

     After riding for about an hour, Brandon looked up when he heard a loud buzzing noise. “Oh no, it’s that ugly bat from yesterday, and the same beast is riding on its back again. Let’s step on it.”

They sped on their way but halted when they came to a stark, white, marble-like oasis. “The ground is slippery and I can’t control my board,” Alexi shouted.

Brandon turned to see where she was when he saw Colhozeh, the bat, overhead with Ordo on its back. Ordo reached and grabbed Alexi from her board, which shattered the moment she left it. 

“I’ve got you now, and you won’t get away this time,” Ordo, Odious Gresham’s servant, roared.

“Let me go, you ugly beast,” Alexi screamed as she kicked and scratched at Ordo’s face.

“You’ll not go free. I have taken you for Odious Gresham, my master. Nevertheless, as I look upon you, I realize that I want you for myself. Colhozeh, I order you to take me to Bavai, ruler of the Zabbai Caves. He will perform the wedding ceremony.”

“Yes, Ordo.”

“This bat will do as he is told, as he is loyal to none. So you see, I have saved you from Odious Gresham, and you can be thankful because I may be uglier than he, but I am much kinder. Therefore stop kicking and scratching me, and shut up.”

     Alexi stopped her fighting and shocked Ordo. “Colhozeh, I order you to take me to the man on the white stallion.”

     Colhozeh screeched and whirled in circles but then finally answered, “Yes, my lady.” The bat turned around in search of the white stallion.

     Ordo quickly ripped off the torn shirt covering Alexi’s head and stuffed part in her mouth and tied her hands with the rest. Then he ordered Ordo to head for the Zabbai Caves. Alexi continued to kick and holler, until she had no energy left. The next thing she knew she laid on hard ground with no vegetation in sight.

     “Take her to my cave,” Bavai the handsome king, ruler of the Zabbai desert caves, said to Sambalat, his albino servant. “Take the woman and prepare her for the wedding as Ordo has asked.” As soon as Sambalat marshaled Alexi to the cave, Bavai turned to Ordo and said, “You are right, she is the most beautiful one I have seen in many years, but since you will die soon, she shall be mine.” At that Bavai stuck a knife in Ordo’s heart and he withered into dust.

     Colhozeh watched the killing and then quickly flew away to find Odious Gresham and tell him what happened.

     Alexi froze when she looked up at the albino monster, Sambalat. “Fear not,” he said in a raspy voice, your new master, Bavai, is much kinder that Ordo. Now we will prepare you for the poison waters. It will take two hours to purify you for my master. He wants to have you this very evening.” Sambalat laughed hideously.

 

      “Oh my God, where could she be?” cried Brandon—for the first time since their arrival he began to fear for her life.

     “You called for my Lord. How can He help you?” Silver Wing,  appearing from out of nowhere, said.

     “Where has that bat taken the girl?” Brandon said.

     “She is in great danger and will need your help.” Silver Wing raised his arm and motioned toward the sky. “I am bringing you Imri. He will take you where you need to go.” With that, the man left and in his place came a magnificent, luminescent-blue unicorn with silver wings.”

     “I am Imri. Jump on my back quickly, there is little time.”

     Before Brandon could think how to climb up, he was instantly holding onto the silver bridle that surrounded Imri’s neck and they flew off. A strong wind and the smell of cinnamon surrounded Brandon, and fear welled up in him as the spicy air blew in his face.

    “Where are we going?”

     “I am taking you to Alexi,” Imri said.  “You must listen carefully to my instructions if you are to rescue her.”

     “I’m listening.”

     “I will drop you down in the Zabbai Desert directly in front of the caves that are filled with pools of poison water. When you go in, stay to the right side of the cave and keep your right hand on the wall at all times, if you manage this no one will detect your presence. At the third pool you will see Alexi. She will be half conscious from the poison water. Reach out your left hand and call her name. She will hear you and come close enough for you to grab her hand as long as you keep your right hand on the wall.

     “When she touches you she will slowly move up out of the water, but she’ll be in a daze and may not know you. She will just obey your command to come. Once you have her hand in yours, you will immediately find yourself at the far end of the caves, and you will hear Bavai, the king coming toward you. He will order you to stop. Alexi will want to obey, but you must pull her along until you get into the open. As soon as you are outside, pick up a smooth stone and rub it on her lips to reduce the effects of the poison water.”

     “Who is King Bavai?” Brandon asked. “What does he want with Alexi?”

     “He wants to wed her and make her part of his harem. Once he is through with her, his servant, Sambalat, will have his way with her as he does with all the women in his king’s harem. There is more, King Bavai wants you for his sister’s husband

Desert Spice, Part 12 of 17

     “These things will never hold. What a stupid plan. Can’t you come up with anything better?” 

     “Why don’t you shut up and hold on!” Without another word, angry about his ugly attitude, she pulled on both straps of her board.

     At first it was slow, but then all of a sudden he shot out of the sand hole and landed face down on his board. “Good work, Alexi. Sorry I was so unbelieving. Thank you.” He stood up and shook off the sand. “Now let’s get going again and pray we don’t find another abyss.”

 

     Alexi felt a moment of peace when she saw a fresh loaf of bread and a jug of water waiting for them at the place the man on the white horse told them about. “You know, Brandon, I hate to complain---.”

     “No you don’t, you like to. Had you been in the Navy as I was, you would know what a fruitless pursuit it is to whine and grumble about circumstances you cannot change.”

     “That may be, nevertheless I wish I could take a bath and have some fresh fruit or something, and a bed. Oh, my God, wouldn’t that be wonderful!”

     “Oh stop it, you’re making me sick. I was just getting used to this place and was even happy to see fresh bread and water. Now just be quiet and make ----.”

     “All you need do is ask,” said the stranger sitting tall on his magnificent mount.

     “Really,” smiled Alexi, “then I’ll ask. Is there any chance I can have a bath, and some fruit and a soft place to lay my head? Please.”

     “I will see to it,” the man replied and then disappeared.

     Alexi and Brandon stared out into the sterile desert amazed at what began to happen. Suddenly they were surrounded by palm trees. In the background they heard water splashing.

     “It’s beautiful,” she said then turned and looked behind her, “Look Brandon, there’s a water fall. It’s as if God answered my prayer.”

     “Indeed!” Brandon said, “And these wonderful trees bear dates and coconuts. Why don’t you refresh yourself in the water fall, while I do something about getting a coconut and some dates?”

     After Alexi bathed, Brandon took his turn and joined her by the loaf of bread sitting next to an open coconut and a leaf filled with dates. “This is glorious, Brandon, thank you for getting the food. I I waited before taking a drink of the coconut milk until you finished bathing. Since you did all the work getting it, I offer you the first drink.” She held out the coconut in her hands for him to drink from.

     “Thank you, I do feel better and appreciate you waiting for me.” He smiled at her and drank deeply from the coconut. “This milk has a hint of cinnamon, it is delicious.

     They ate without conversation and sleep soon came over them—induced by the coconut milk.

Desert Spice Part 10 & 11 of 17

     Alexi felt a hand on her head and screamed as Ordo pulled her by the hair off her board. She scratched and kicked trying to free herself, but Ordo grinned hideously at her as he hung onto the giant wing of the ugly bat.

     “Brandon, Brandon, help me, please!” she shrieked.

       Brandon turned his board and raced toward the bat. When he caught up with it, he grabbed hold of the its hind legs and began stabbing them with his pocket knife. Grisly screams rippled loudly through the barren desert as one of the bat’s toes was cut off as the bat tried to get away.

     “Oh God, someone please help us!” Alexi cried out.

     Instantly, Ordo dropped Alexi onto her board, and he and Colhozeh flew away with a noise that Brandon thought would wake the dead. There before them was Silver Wing sitting on his majestic white horse.

     “You called my Lord and Master,” he said serenely, as if under a cool moonlit sky. Looking down on them, he waited for them to speak.

     Brandon and Alexi stared at each other, and then Brandon boldly spoke, “You said we would find another bush out here. Can you point us in the right direction, and will we find it before nightfall?”

     “Keep heading north for two hours then go north-west for three hours more,” he commanded with a brisk tone of voice, and then he disappeared into the east.

     “Why didn’t you ask him who he was and if he could help us?” Alexi asked, hinting at anger.

     “Why didn’t you?” he retorted. “You’re so smart!”

     “Well, maybe next time I will. Obviously you don’t have the good sense to. You’re just like a man, too proud to ask for help, but I am surprised you asked for directions!”

     “Didn’t I just save you? Where would you be now if it weren’t for me?”

     She frowned. “Thank you, now let’s just get going. We have the rest of this miserable day ahead of us.” 

     Alexi and Brandon continued on for another hour when Alexi motioned for them to halt. Dejected and wanting to cry. “I’m tired and hungry,” she said. “I want some more bread and water.”

     “We sound like we’re on a prison diet. But I’m hungry too.” He handed her the bread and water. She took a little of both and gave them back. “You know, I was thinking about what you said after that man on the horse appeared. I had every intention of asking him who he was, but for some reason I was unable to form the words. It was as if my tongue was tied, and then before I knew it he was gone, just like the last time.”

     “There is something quite magnificent about him,” Alexi sighed. “He’s awesome to look at and has a mysterious power that makes him impenetrable. Maybe he doesn’t want us to know who he is.” Suddenly she gasped choking on a piece of bread and pointed. “It looks like an army of black bugs!”

     “And they’re moving very fast. Let’s go. Straight ahead is north.” Brandon shouted, as the noise of the encroaching hoard drew nearer.

     With her heart in her throat, Alexi screamed as a hideous black bug jumped up onto her leg. Before she could swat it off, masses of beetle-like bugs attacked her legs. “Brandon, help me,” she cried.

     Looking back at her, he screamed, “Keep going Alexi. It’s no good to stop yet. I see the end of them.”

     Unsure of what he said, she continued to beat the bugs off with one hand and hold on to the strap of the board with the other. Finally she jumped off her board and smashed as many roaches as she could, but they kept coming. Now it was too late for her to get back on the board because they were climbing all over her. She ran, terrorized from the bug bites, screaming and bleeding with blistered feet, and then she fainted.

     She did not see that Brandon had come back for her. He had arrived just in time to catch her and the board. They were almost to the end of the hard surface and the moment they reached the sand, the bugs disappeared.

     Brandon looked down at Alexi. She was becoming more trouble than he wanted. He almost wished he was alone, and then he wouldn’t have to bother. Well, he thought, there’s nothing to be done about it. It’s my fault we’re here anyway, even if she is a pain, she is pretty.

     “Oh, was I dreaming?” she looked up at him. “What happened?” she brushed a strand of hair from her face and stared at Brandon. “You came back for me, thank you.”

     “Don’t mention it. Now let’s have a look at your legs.”

     She stared down at her nylons and they were perfect; it was as if the army of roaches had never touched her. “I can’t believe it. They were all over me and I don’t even have a run in my stockings. Thank you for saving me Brandon.” She began to cry. “I want to go home now.”

     “Enough of this,” he said harshly. “I suppose we’ll get home sooner or later. But there’s no sense in crying about it. You’re really beginning to irritate me. I’m always saving you and it’s quite tiresome. So, since you appear to be fine, get back on your board and let’s ride. We have another five hours the man said.”

      He waited for her to get up, amused watching her jump off him and onto her board without touching the scorching sand. He refrained from laughing however, and the minute he saw she was set he grabbed his straps and took off like a shot. She followed. They hadn’t gone five hundred yards when without warning Brandon disappeared just as she crested the top of a dune. She heard him scream for help and saw his board sticking straight up in the sand. His head was barely visible from the crevice he had fallen into. 

     “Help me!” Brandon cried out. “Help me, Alexi. Grab hold of my board and pull. Stand on you board if it’s too hot. Hurry, I’m burning up.”

     She rushed to his aid and pulled as hard as she could, but only kept him from sinking farther. Then she had an idea. She sat on her board and took off her nylons, tied one leg around her waist and flung the other to Brandon.

     “Here take hold of that with one hand and hold onto your board with the other. I’m going to pull on my straps and see if I can get you out.”

     “These things will never hold. What a stupid plan. Can’t you come up with anything better?”