The Fire Horse (Chapter Six)

The purple pedals atop Lucidia's tower were laid bare for the prince just as he lay inside them under the guidance of Gomot his Padwa. A shower rained on them soothing water while a pool formed around them representative of an entrance into the unknown. Gomot hummed a vibrational note deep as he searched Traces head with his webbed fingers probing the young prince's skull in order to find entry.

The prince began to thrash about in the pool! Think calm thoughts, think calm thoughts was what the Padwa thought into the prince's mind as he hummed in a lower vibration. The boys thrashing did finally subside. The cool water kept the prince at ease as his Padwa searched for the imagery inside the boy's mind.

Gomot's brow eased as if he was seeing something to his satisfaction not with his closed mind but his own minds eye.

For a long time Gomot watched in his mind as the young prince occasionally thrashed about then was calmed down again. Finally, the Padwa opened his eyes to tell Plodok," Turn off the water."

Once Plodok turned the lever back on the plug inside of the pool the water began to drain away slowly inside of the pool. Gomot rested the still sleeping Trace on his lap as he breathed in deeply before laying his head downward to face the sleeping prince.

Plodok abruptly asked Gomot,"What did you see inside the princes mind?"

"Patterns...repeated patterns of the boy giving chase to a wild horse...I tried to lead Traces mind towards a fixed object ...it all took place in the desert...there was more which I must retain...to ruminate over...go prepare the bathing room as the boy will need to dry off.", Gomot replied.

"I will leave the boy back in your care. After the prince is dried off in the bathing room we will all discuss what I believe to be a premonition back in my chambers.", Gomot told Styx who asked," Very well, though may I ask can Malcome take part in the discussion later on?"

Gomot affirmed with a nod that he could saying," Of course, I will tell Plodok to invite him."

Inside a large room a quarter of the room was filled with Padwas' meditating atop small Lilly pads inside water filled basins spread apart from one another in rows. The Padwas' that were in the room currently faced in the direction of a large stone statue of an ancestor Padwa frozen in time.

In the back of the golden tiled room was a stratum like the one in front of the palace which led up to a larger pool of water as well as a Lilly pad afloat inside it. In between a golden alter was the large gray statue of what may have been the head Padwa at one time, The statue showcased the Padwa sitting with its legs crossed atop an opened flower bed while holding out two round balls in each hand underneath an arched rainbow.

Malcome stood in admiration of the statue before a voice called to him from behind!

Malcome who recognized the voice as Plodoks turned to greet him asking "What is it friend?"

"I was supposed to invite you to Gomot's chambers where we could discuss the princes fever dream with him.", Plodok said

"The problem is that there will be no discussion today I'm afraid Gomot has been worn out from his session with the young prince. I have never seen him so drained before.", Plodok admitted.

"What do you suppose happened to Gomot?", Malcome asked

"It would seem that the princes fever dream had overwhelmed him. There is a lot of concentration as well as stimuli during the dream observation which can lead to mental as well as physical fatigue. The only thing that Gomot needs now is rest.", Plodok explained

Suddenly another voice called from behind Plodok referring to him simply as inspector!

The frogman calling Plodok was dressed like him meaning that he was another law enforcement agent urgently trying to get his attention.

The other officer talked low into Plodoks ear so no one else including Malcome could hear.

Plodok then told Malcome to meet him outside the palace after his fellow officer talked to him in private.

In order to give Plodok some time in his information gathering, Malcome decided to find Styx along with her little prince.

Malcome was directed to an open courtyard in the back of the palace where Styx was sitting with the prince near of all things a pond.

After introducing himself to them both he mentioned the bad news about Gomot being unable to see them though he did not say why, he just said that he needed more time to prepare for their meeting.

"What now?", asked Styx who was dissatisfied by the news as they had come so far.

Malcome sighed, "Let's talk to Plodok, he's outside the palace's main entrance."

In agreement all three Eternians left the palace to find Plodok who could not be seen from the entranceway. So, Malcome led his party down past two columns at the base of the strata where instead of finding Plodok it was the inspector who called them out, saying, " "I have been waiting for you to come out!"

"We have an emergency.", Plodok told Malcome and company as he blew bubbles from his curved pipe.

"What's happened, is it serious?", Malcome hastily asked

Plodok came over to tell Malcolme in a low voice, "It all depends on if what Gomot told me upon awaking from his connection with Trace during his dream observation with him."

"What does that mean? What did Gomot tell you that has anything to do with what you were just informed by your security? Please be straight with me Plodok.," Malcome insisted

"I was a Padwa, in fact your Padwa at one time, interpreting dreams is just like gathering evidence at the scene of a crime. Well, what Gomot had witnessed inside Traces dream led him to believe that the dream was possibly a premonition. As a Padwa you develop a deep insight into dreams the way they are expressed by the dreamer their hidden meanings in all manifestations in all different ways. Gomot is the chief Padwa in Lucida I would abide his council over anyone here. Gomot at one time expected me to be his successor I did not share his expectations. I sought to use my mystical training as a Padwa in a different way a more direct way as a security officer. I became a security officer so I could turn my understanding of dreams into the understanding of real-world problem solving in order to protect rather than interpret. What I learned as a Padwa was life altering as well as what helped me gain the title of Inspetor as head security.", Plodok revealed proudly

"That is all well and good though I still need to understand what Gomot told you about prince Trace in order to connect it with your security breach which you have not told me about yet.", Malcome plainly states

"I cannot tell you about the security issue out in the open, yet. You must trust me on it. My gut says that it has everything to do with the prince though I can explain in more detail along the way.", Plodok insists

Styx who has been waiting patiently while Malcome and Plodok discuss details of her own affair suddenly invites herself into their conversation, " What are you two going on about? When are we going to be able to meet with Padwa Gomot again?"

Plodok turned to Styx to address her, "Your princes twin flame may be on the march north of frog Town in the Saurian Kingdom. I may as well tell you that Gomot interpreted Traces fever dream as a premonition. You as a witch should be more than familiar with such things. There is another urgency which calls me to Saurian a security breach of dire proportions. I will tell you when we are away from this place not before. It is up to all of you now as you can either come along with me or stay here in Pacwad. Though you must choose right here, right now."

Styx did not doubt the validity of what Plodok had just told her as a witch because of what she had witnessed in the dram observatory. Styx also knew that reconnecting the prince with his twin flame was not going to an easy task. The journey ahead was going to be fraught with mystery as well as danger. Though where there was danger there was transformation of spirit or in Traces case the recapturing his twin flame.

Though it was time to listen from another, Styx thought as she asked her young prince," I ask you my prince as this is your fate that hangs in the balance, what do you desire? Do you want to travel to Sauron where danger most surely is, or do you want to stay here and wait in safety? You are a young man now so considering the stakes involved it is time for you to decide your own fate."

Prince Trace was unsettled as no more candid words were ever spoken to him. Though for Trace he rather the weight of the words come from Styx rather another as she was like a mother to him. The prince replied as best he could," I will go with you Plodok to Saurian to reunite with my other half, I have to in order to end my nightmares, to be whole again!"

Styx turned to Malcome saying, "I must obey my prince kind Malcome what do you say?"

"I am with Prince Trace!", Malcome said with broad smile.

So, with the decision being settled for better or worse the Eternians follow Plodok he leads them out of North of Pacwad towards the Saurian Kingdom.

Fortunately, there was no major delays as Plodoks authority granted him many privileges in Frog Town. For one another Lilly pad shaped vessel was acquired to a port off the lake leading Northward. In addition, after Plodok gave his okay a band of Ribits met up with the Eternian group at the port. There were numerous Ribits with a rider inside the cockpit on the shore of the sandy lake ready to hop towards Saurian. Many more Ribits emerged out of the lake to join in once Plodok arrived.

Plodok had to commune with the head Ribit rider before leaving. As it was explained by Plodok the band of Ribit riders had to be scaled down to four in order not to appear as an army coming to invade.

It was agreed with little alternative that Prince Trace would ride inside of Plodoks Ribit along with him for safety as Malcome and Styx had to follow on horseback. Plodok assured Malcome that the journey to Saurians capital city of Soros would be difficult for him though bearable.

Malcome had to ask Plodok before leaving if his Lion Carrier could meet up with them in Soros. It was a special favor that only Inspector Plodok could grant for which he did. So, just before leaving for Soros Plodok put in a special request to have a band of Ribits go back to the cove near the marshland in order to find Rotar inside the Lion carrier. Malcome also used his communicator to call Rotar in order to tell him directly to pull the carrier out of hiding so the Ribit riders would find him more easily.

After that it was said and done, they were all off and in the case of Malcome as well as Styx riding North towards Soros!

The journey towards Soros was done in daylight however fleeting it was. Malcome made sure to stay by Styx' side atop her horse Clapper who struggled along in the hot sand. There was a dry heat that offered little comfort though it was best to keep moving for if you did not the sun would beat down mercilessly.

There was little talking as that just spent up energy as well. At one point along the way Plodok waited for both Eternian riders to catch up before opening the wide mouth of his Ribit to reveal inside it a trough of water not only for the horses but as it happened everyone to drink from. As it turned out each Ribit had a water storage tank in addition it could open its mouth to take in as well as store more water.

For Malcome revealing the wonders of the Ribit made him mournful that Duncan could not see it for himself. As Malcome cupped his hands to drink from the Ribits mouth cool refreshing water he hoped that Randor along with Lt. Glenn would find Duncan sooner rather than later.

It was here that Plodok pulled Malcome aside to tell him, "My security team informed me the theft of an ancient artifact in Soros. The implications are dire if true as it would adversely affect not only the Saurian Kingdom but Frog Town as well. We will soon see my friend."

It was also brought to Malcom's attention that a region of rock would come before the city of Soros itself. Traversing the region of rock led Malcome to feel a welcoming party would soon introduce themselves. Malcom's suspicions proved correct as many heads popped up atop the rock gates on either side. Up ahead the rocky breach narrowed itself before the travelers acting as a foreboding archway.

The heads then stood up to reveal two rows of deadly archers.

Malcome had only heard the legend of the Saurian Sun Archers he hadn't intended on being a target of them.

The Ribits surrounded both horseback riders in a circle to protect them. In reaction to this the leader of the Sun archers with his bow around his backside scaled like a streak of lightning down the rockface to greet Plodok who leapt from his Ribit to meet him! The two embraced as old friends for which Malcome found out later they were.

The Eternians were introduced to Zoomer a yellow so-called sun-tongued lizard archer who was very fidgety. It was Zoomer who lead everyone from Frog Town past the rock breach into a large portion of desert which showed on the horizon a small mountain with a castle imbedded inside it.

Zoomer led everyone atop his long-necked lizard steed called a Sandback to literally the end of the line. Though what in actuality was a large chasm created by the desert terrain. The chasm acted as a moat because it was filled with actual water.

A horn had to be blown by Zoomer in order to be let into the castle side fortress. Once Zoomer blew his horn that looked as if it belonged to a mountain goat another horn was blown from the castle. Then a gigantic iron drawbridge began to slowly be lowered across the chasm in order for everyone to get across. The bronzed drawbridge had giant linked chains lowering it as well as jutting out spiked that locked into place on a metal columned platform built on the opposite side.

Once across the drawbridge all forms of transit had to be declared as well as any forms of weapons. Malcome only had a short sword to declare before being promised repeatedly by Zoomer he would get it back.

Zoomer quickly led everyone through a rather large city that was unseen from the outside as it was hidden by the drawbridge. In much the same way as Pacwad it had a lot of natural looking trees, garden beds, rocks with pools of water built around buildings carved from stone.

Zoomer led everyone which now just included Malcome, Styx, Plodok and prince Trace as everyone else was told to remain in the city until invited inside the castle. After many twists and turns through long winding corridors everyone was led to a secret entrance behind a rockface which revealed a staircase leading a long way down a spiraled staircase. At the bottom of the long-spiraled staircase was a darkly lit room with only a vaulted at the opposite end. There was a seal of bronze on the vault that shown what looked like a salamander wrapped around in a circle.

Immediately, Zoomer broke in asking, "These strangers can be trusted right?"

Interestingly enough as Zoomers tongue flicked out of his mouth as he spoke, Malcome noted that it wasn't yellow like the sun in anyway, it was simply black.

Plodok began in earnest as to explain the situation to the Eternians," You ask this question now?", a dumbfound Plodok asks Zoomer who shrugs his shoulders unknowingly.

"That seal on the vault door...it is the burning salamander a fire symbol.", Styx pointed out with much familiarity.

"You were saying Plody.", Zoomer sarcastically told his friend.

"May I tell them then before you explain further?", Plodok politely asked as he referred back to Zoomer who indicated his approval by silently applauding before opening his hands to him in a gesture saying it's all you.

"You are correct, Styx this seal is a fire symbol for which there is also a fire key to open it.", Plodok began before Styx added, "That key would have a matching symbol on it which could be worn as a necklace."

"Of course, the prince is from Ignitan the home of one of the Five Good Wizards who created the fire key.", Plodok imparted.

"Which would be the wizard Brahm.", Styx said

"Short story as to why Soros alerted Pacwad security is that the Key holder never returned after entering through this vault.", Zoomer cut in quickly before adding, "Sorry Ploddy you're taking too long as usual."

A coldness then enters into the room as the vault door slowly opens itself unabated as no one is shown on the other side.

"That chill! It's like deaths blanket!", Styx cries out

" The pathway forward has been opened for us! Do we enter?", Zoomer asks Plodok.

Plodok informs Zoomer, "You are familiar with the way to the eye's encasing are you not?", Plodok asks.

"I've only been down there one time. It's just a straight shot after turning the first corner.", Zoomer says

"You are the quickest of us by far as well as the most familiar. Why don't you check to see if anything is amiss for us then quickly come back.", Plodok explains

Instantly, Zoomer takes an arrow from the quiver strapped behind his back before aligning it inside the string of his bow before tip towing through the open vault door.

As began hesitantly for Zoomer soon begins hastily as the sun archer quickens his pace until he is gone around a corner.

Plodok tries to assure everyone that Zoomer will be back soon after informing them that much like the vaulted door in Pacwad where the other eye is kept that the passageway is a short distance.

"The key-holders to the Eyes of the Salamander!", Styx yells out before continuing," So, it's not just a legend!"

Suddenly a blast is heard from within the corridor that Zoomer had entered! Then a bright light bathes the inside of the corridor with its incandescent glow!

The vault doors then begin to slowly close on their own accord just as they opened.

"Zoomer will be trapped inside!", Trace shouts in panic as the vault doors slowly conceal themselves again.

"Not if I can help it!", Malcome says as he grabs one of the iron doors with both of his hands. As Malcome who is very broad shouldered as well as strong fails to keep his door from closing, Styx and Plodok have little chance of holding open the other door!

"I wish that I had my blaster!", Plodok screamed as he strained his taut muscles on the door to keep it from ever so slowly closing back up again!

"As I wished that I had my sword!", Malcome said as he gritted his teeth as well struggled to hold his end of the door open before he was forced to let go or lose his fingers in it!

The heavy vaulted door slammed itself shut with a loud clang!

Though just before it did Styx as well as Plodok let go saying they saw Zoomer racing towards the door.

"No!", Trace shouted as tears ran down his cheeks!

Styx came over to comfort her child...her prince...before telling him, "You have got to get a hold of yourself now! We don't know if Zoomer is in any grave danger, he's just trapped is all."

Plodok came over to ask, "What of that horse in your dreams?"

"I have been thinking that the horse made you afraid for some reason, did it not?", Plodok asked again

"I don't know...", Trace said in confusion

"You don't know about your own dream? That's funny.", Plodok then gave a kind of laugh that seemed fake but to the prince seemed to mock him.

As Plodok continued to laugh he pointed to Styx with his own hand then he pointed at the seal on the vault door.

Malcome picking up on Plodoks line of reasoning started to laugh at Trace as well to make the prince even angrier.

"No, the nightmares are real, they have to be!", Trace yelled out as tears rolled down his face

Styx felt Traces right hand it was burning hot she then felt his forehead it was as if he had a fever she tried to get him over to the seal!

"It's now or never!", Styx yelled as she pulled Trace towards the seal with the salamander symbol on it!

Plodok yelped, "Hurry!"

That's when Malcome stepped in to yank Traces right arm along with the lad to then force his right-hand palm first onto the seal of the vault!

Miraculously, the vault doors began to open once more as Trace was pulled away!

Zoomer darted back into the room as his thin body let him pass through the narrow line of the vault door as it opened.

Though once free, Zoomer hastily took another arrow from his quiver as he trained it in his bow aiming at the space ever widening as the vault opened itself.

To everyone's surprise save Zoomer who had dealt what appeared to be a giant toad a permanent sleep as a stone statue. The shot was never heard behind the closed vault door nor the result of shooting such a creature with it ever seen. Though now everyone in the room saw more giant toads leaping from around the corner beyond the opening vault door.

Styx recognizing the fiery Toads as they were before an alchemical arrow transformed one of its brethren back into its original state yelling," You must seal the vault it still has the power of my prince's aura to draw from, yet the aura will fade! Though before it does you must close the vault again!"

Fortunately, the Fire Toad frozen in stone acted as an obstacle for its brethren behind it to get past.

"Stay behind this door!", Malcome yells before grabbing both sides of the iron vault in order to push them closed!

Clang!

The vault doors are promptly shut once again by Malcome!

Trace lies in Styx caring arms almost passed out from the exertion he has endured.

Trace lies in Styx caring arms almost passed out from the exertion he has endured.

Plodok imparts his wisdom onto his weary allies saying," I had a hunch that either through his fear fueled nightmare or in a life and death crisis as we just experienced young Trace might be able to open the vault door. I deduced that he was an Ignitan prince which meant he had the lineage of Brahm in his blood, if true. I ventured to guess that Trace is a full-blooded heir to the throne of Igniton which leads me to also believe..."

"I get your reasoning Ploddy but we need to get out of here!", Zoomer says

"So, we should find that horse in his nightmares!", Malcome reasons

"Well, I was getting to that point before I was interrupted.", Plodok mentions snidely

"Unless you want to become a lifeless husk like the key holder, I say let's leave this place now!", Zoomer implores everyone in the room.

Zoomer takes another arrow from his quiver to take up the rear with his bow as they all head upstairs away from what lurks inside the vault.