A bright, white orb hovered just in front of Nyara and CUI as they made
their way through the cave. Before long, the cave broadened into a large
chamber. In the middle of the room was a rock, standing almost a
meter from the floor like a stubby pillar. Beyond this, a giant circle
was carved into the far wall.
Nyara and CUI entered the chamber and were startled by a gentle voice
echoing off the walls.
Welcome Nyara.
Who are you? asked Nyara
Cui knows who I am.
Cui?
The weasel scratched his chin and smiled, You are the Red Sorceress, princess
of stones.
Yes, I am! Your quest is long. Be careful! There is danger in the forest. The evil wizard wants to take over the world! I will give you a magic item to help you, but you have to pass a test.
Crystals began to grow around the little pillar. The crystals shimmered a bit, then each glowed with a separate color.
Come to the pillar!
CUI, will you help me?
Yes, kitten. I will help you.
Nyara tiptoed to the pillar and looked down at the crystals. Each not
only had its own color, but also had a different shape.
Ready,she whispered.
Touch the red square, the spirit voice said.
Nyara thought for a moment and touched the one she thought was correct.
Immediately, a portion of the edge of the circle along the far wall
glowed red. A bright light started its way around the circle, and the
crystals on the pillar slid into the stone. They reappeared, but with
different colors and shapes.
Touch the blue circle.
Nyara complied. A blue light appeared on the far wall, right next to the
red one, while the bright light continued around the circle. The
crystals reset themselves.
Touch the white square.
The process repeated.
Touch the yellow triangle.
Nyara paused. Her hand hovered over one crystal, then another. Along the
wall, the bright light finished its first circuit and the red light
disappeared.
No fair!
Touch the yellow triangle.
In a panic, Nyara touched the wrong crystal and the bright light jumped
halfway around the circle.
CUI flew to her side, don't worry, try it again.
Nyara took a deep breath and reached out to one of the crystals. A
yellow light added itself to the circle.
You did it! Nyara completed the circle of lights. When the last was added, the lights started spinning around the circle till they became a shimmering blur. A long crease appeared up the middle of the circle, and the two halves slid into the rock wall, revealing another chamber.
Come Nyara. I have a magic item for you.
Fiction by Frank Blisset |