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.
“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
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