The Seventh Crystal (4 page)

“I, that is we, are in sort of a weird situation here and we were wondering if you might be able to help us.”

“Yes?”

“We’re looking for information about the Seventh Crystal.”

The girl gasped, rushed inside the small cottage, and slammed the door.

“Real smooth, Chris,” Shawn laughed.
“You definitely know how to get through to these people.”

Thundering hoofbeats suddenly echoed in the distance. Soon several riders on large black horses emerged, charging through the village, scattering people as they went. A woman screamed, and people started running. Mothers scooped up their small children and hurried indoors.

“Quickly,” a voice behind them whispered. “Come inside before it’s too late.” The golden-haired girl who had been carrying the basket had opened the thick wooden door of her cottage and was standing in the shadows, urging them to come in.

The three boys ducked inside the dark cottage, and she shut the door behind them. From the window they could see the village square. Five massive horses were pawing the ground, steam bursting from their nostrils.

The riders of the beasts were at least twice the size of normal men. They wore shiny black armor with headpieces resembling dragons and other hideous monsters.

Two of the knights quickly climbed down from their mounts and dragged the old man who had been selling fruit into the middle of the street. They threw him to the ground in front of the horse of the largest knight.

The one who appeared to be the leader stepped off his horse and bellowed, “Tell us if you’ve seen the warrior!”

The old man was shaking so hard that he couldn’t speak. He kissed the boots of the leader as if begging for mercy. In a flash the giant knight drew a strange, glowing green sword and lopped off the fruit seller’s head.

The severed head flew up in the air, spewing blood as it went. When it finally landed, the leader kicked it down the dusty street like a child kicking a ball.

Then he turned, held his sword out, and roared. “Let this be a lesson to all of you. Mogg demands loyalty. If the warrior comes to this town, turn him away—or die.”

“It is well that you have seen the vile acts of the knights of Mogg.”

Chris jumped at the sound of the raspy voice. An old man with a long, flowing white beard was sitting in the shadows at a carved wooden table. He wore a blue robe over his tunic and held a tall staff in his right hand.

The man rose and hobbled across the sparsely furnished room to a rug near the hearth. He flicked it aside with his staff, revealing a trapdoor. He fixed his ancient eyes on Chris. “Come, warrior.”

Chris looked at the girl. “Does he mean me?”

She nodded. “My grandfather, Wizard of Gothan and Keeper of the Stars, believes you are the chosen one. I told him you inquired about the Seventh Crystal.”

The old man stroked his long beard and thoughtfully studied Jimmy and Shawn. “Are your servants trustworthy, warrior?”

“Servants?” Shawn made a face and started to explain.

Chris cut him off. “My servants can be trusted. Will you show us the way to the Seventh Crystal?”

“Granddaughter,” the wizard ordered, “the warrior’s servants will stay with you for a time. Give them food, and be careful to let no one see them. The eyes of Mogg are in this town.”

He lifted the trapdoor and disappeared down the stone steps.

Jimmy looked worried. “How do you know you can trust this guy, Chris?”

“I don’t. But the way I see it, we’re a little short of choices right now.” Chris stepped
down into the opening. The girl shut the trapdoor and covered it with the rug.

At first Chris couldn’t see a thing. He had to feel his way down the steps. At the bottom, the narrow opening became larger, and along the rock walls in front of him hung several lit torches.

Chris saw the hem of the blue robe turn right a few yards ahead of him. He moved faster, trying to catch up. The rock walls gave way to dirt, and the passage smelled musty and damp. He made another right turn and stopped.

The old man was waiting for him in a small candlelit room. There were tables on which containers stood, filled with colored liquids that dripped through coils into smaller containers. It reminded Chris of Mr. Higgins’s science lab back at school.

A strange book lay open on a pedestal in the center of the room. Chris went to it but couldn’t read any of the words. It was written in a language he had never seen.

“So you’ve come looking for the Seventh Crystal?” The old wizard sat on a stool near a
battered chest. “What abilities do you possess? Do you fight well? Are you a magician?”

Chris scratched his head. “I’m not sure I have any abilities.”

“Ahhh, humility. This is good.” The wizard opened the lid of the tattered chest and lifted something out.

“This is for you, warrior.” He handed Chris a long glowing green sword like the one the black knight had used to behead the fruit seller. “It is ten times greater than that of the knights of Mogg. It is the only weapon that will defeat the dragon.”

“Dragon?” Chris took the sword. “I didn’t know there was a dragon in this game.” He swung it over his head, fighting a make-believe enemy. “Thanks.”

“Do not thank me. It is yours by destiny.” The old man turned to a smaller chest, took a brass key from the folds of his robe, and unlocked the chest. “My next gift is very special. You will require it to complete your appointed task.”

When the chest was opened, Chris saw a long gold chain with three gold stars hanging
from it. The wizard took it from the chest and slipped it over Chris’s head. “These are the magic stars of the Princess Darvina. They have great power, so be careful that they do not fall into the wrong hands.”

Chris slid the sword into his rope belt. “Would you mind answering a few questions for me?”

The old wizard’s eyes sparkled. “You are not like the others. They would not ask questions. They were foolish.”

“Others?”

“There were six before you, all brave knights of the highest caliber. They too went on the quest to save Darvina. But, alas, they failed and were turned into statues for eternity. They accomplished nothing except to use up six of the seven crystals that might have saved our beloved princess. It is now left to you alone. There is only one crystal remaining in the dragon’s lair. The Princess Darvina has sent for you, warrior. You are her last hope.”

“How do I get this crystal?”

“The crystal is in the dragon’s lair, past the
River of Storms and the Death Swamp. The way is difficult, but remember that a wise man’s heart is at his right hand and a fool’s heart is at his left.”

“What do I do with the crystal after I get it?”

“
If
you are able to obtain the crystal, travel to the palace in Zon where the princess is held captive. Mogg has placed a powerful spell on the palace which only a crystal can unlock.”

The old man put his wrinkled hand on Chris’s shoulder. “Guard the crystal well, my son. If Mogg or his evil knights get their hands on it, our world will be lost.”

“Did the wizard tell you what the stars are for?” Jimmy asked.

“Right before we left his house, he said that when the time was right I would know.” Chris threw a rock in the river. “He also said they belonged to the princess and if we find her we’re supposed to give them back.”

“Who cares about a dumb old princess? I thought you were gonna find out how to get us out of this stupid game.” Shawn scratched his cheek and looked down at the water. “I’m sick of this whole thing.”

“Nobody asked you to come,” Chris
snapped. “In fact, none of us would be here if you and Cliff hadn’t been chasing us.” He turned to Jimmy. “The wizard said we have to cross the River of Storms and go on to the Death Swamp. The crystal is on an island guarded by a man-eating dragon.”

“That figures.” Jimmy stared at the river in front of them. “Any ideas how we’re going to get across this?”

Shawn stepped off the bank and waded out into the clear blue water. “It doesn’t look that far. We can swim across.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Chris folded his arms.

“Give it a rest, Mr. Know-it-all. I’m getting out of here!” With that, Shawn plunged farther into the river.

Chris glanced up. “They don’t call it the River of Storms for nothing.” A dark cloud had formed over Shawn’s head. The wind started to blow, and giant drops of rain began to fall. Lightning flashed, and the rain turned to hail.

Shawn fought his way back to shore through the pelting ice. He stood on the bank
shivering, watching the clouds disappear. “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

Jimmy shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

Chris took out the compass. The arrow spun three times before settling on a direction upstream. “Let’s see where this thing leads us.”

They left the path and traveled up the bank about thirty yards, where they came to an old boat dock. The compass changed directions and pointed across the river.

“This must be the spot.” Chris tucked the compass inside his shirt and scanned the area for some kind of raft.

“You’re on a roll, Chris.” Shawn inspected the area under the dock. “How are you gonna get across with no boat?”

“In most of the games I’ve played before like this, one just appears for you—if you hit the right spot on the game field.” Chris stepped to the edge of the dock. “I guess this one’s different.” He put one foot out above the water. The dark cloud immediately formed above them.

“Wait, Chris. What are you doing?” Jimmy moved up beside his friend.

“Trust me. I’ve seen it work this way before.” Chris closed his eyes and stepped off the dock.

He didn’t fall into the water. Instead he found himself standing on an invisible bridge. He pulled out the compass. It pointed straight ahead. A violent storm raged on both sides, but the path in front of him was clear all the way across.

Jimmy stepped down behind him. “You did it.” He looked back at Shawn. “I told you he was a genius.”

“I can hardly see my hand in front of my face,” Shawn complained. “Are you sure you’re going the right way?”

A thick fog had surrounded them when they started through the swamp. Mud sucked at their shoes and made walking difficult. Chris had to hold the compass close to see the arrow. “We should keep going this way.”

At a fork in the trail, the fog lifted slightly. One path was dry and clear; the other looked as if it was deep swampy mud all the way. Chris held up the compass, turning it one way
and then another. “It’s pointing at the right fork.”

“Well, you’re crazy if you think I’m going that way.” Shawn started down the left trail. “See you at the island.”

Jimmy made a face and stepped into the knee-deep mud behind Chris. “Are you sure we have to go this way? Maybe there’s more than one trail that leads to the island.”

“Most games have something like this in them to throw you off the track. It’ll get better, don’t worry.”

“Do you think we should have let Shawn go off on his own like that?”