Wednesday, 7. July. 1888 (cont.)
Under the hospitable tent of the desert folk (and setting normal watches), Our Heroes spent an uneventful night in the spooky silence of the desert.
Thursday, 8.July. 1888
As the desert people packed up their camp, Our Heroes spent the morning becoming rather better acquainted with the, um, resistant personality of the desert camel, much to the innocent amusement of the camps' children. As it happened, only the women of the Expedition had had prior experience riding, and Camelus is, um, different from Equus. By the time the caravan set off from the oasis, the European men had been thrown, spit on, and bit at by their pungent mounts, so most decided to walk part way leading their steeds. Steele, of course, had planned on doing so; his camel being strong enough to bear packs but not his extraordinary weight. By mid-day and the first rest stop, all had finally reached accommodation with their 'ships of the desert' and were on board. Po, perched behind Umbopa, had nonetheless come to the conclusion that a camel houses no reincarnated soul; no god would be so cruel to his worshippers.
The hottest part of the day forced the entire caravan to halt. Travel with such an extensive caravan was perforce slow. That part of the night given to rest was spent camped in the middle of the scrub desert. The lady doctor (and possibly others) found it somewhat distressing that no water could be spared with which to wash.
Friday, 9.July. 1888
The caravan continued north.
A sharp-eyed scout spotted a small cloud of dust rapidly over-taking the caravan. We halted to await the rider. The messenger reported that, as he had rested at an oasis, Something came through large enough to knock over trees. He'd fled immediately and his horse was very fleet. The members of the Expedition glanced at each other with understanding. The karkalanza was only a day and a half to two days behind.
[This probably means that my date is off and it should now be Sat., 10 July???]
Eventually Nbutoma's native village, that of the Bamana tribe, was visible in the distance. Again, camel-riders came out to investigate the caravan. Nbutoma arranged for a guest tent so that Our Expedition could wash and make tidy before being taken to meet his father, the village nama /"druid". Nbutoma observed that the entire village seemed to be mobilizing for a move.
Ablutions made, the Expedition was thereafter led into a large and relatively opulent tent where they were greeted by an older desert man decorated with a gold neck chain, feathers and gold rings. He was almost as pale-skinned as Umbopa. Nbutoma introduced his father, Nama Tirashari of the Bamana. To the group's surprise, the old man prostrated himself, "Please forgive my people. They did not expect your coming, O Queen." Miss Courtney translated and everyone but Po and Umbopa looked at Dr. Davis.
The doctor wrung her hands in distress, imploring, "Please get up, please." Then she turned to Umbopa. "Please tell him that I am not a Queen. I am not the person they think I am."
Umbopa looked puzzled, "I will tell him so, but I do not understand. Why does he think this of you?"
Mr. Blake stepped forward and briefly explained, "In the party we are trying to catch, there is a woman who is Dr. Davis' identical twin. She is one who seeks the turtle's death. She is -- although I have never met her -- evil! She must have been harsh and ill-mannered when she passed through here, to have these people fear her so."
Po spoke up. "But should we tell the desert people this? If they are, as we have reason to believe, worshippers of the snake, it might not be best to call their queen evil. Might it not be best for us to let them think they travel with their queen?"
His face the mask of a proper Anglishman, Mr. Blake stated, "I will have no part of such a discussion," and stepped back.
"No!" Dr. Davis said. She again turned to Umbopa. "This is not what I want. I am a healer, not someone who would ever hurt these people. I am not their queen. I want them to know that."
"At least don't tell them you are twins," someone remonstrated.
"I shall have to tell them about twins," said Umbopa. "They will not understand the likeness otherwise. But I will follow your wishes, Inshoka Davis." The doctor nodded.
Umbopa began the explanation to Nama Tirashari who, for the first time really seemed to notice the young black man.
In turn, the nama said that he had been to King Twala's camp. Twala's Queen had only been so for the last year; before that, she had been a student of Gagool, the ancient woman who was advisor to the last several generations of kings. A recent legend claimed that twins would be the downfall of the kingdom. It had started with the birth of royal twins. As was the custom, the younger babe had been exposed to the elements to die. However, Gagool had rescued the younger twin and raised him in secrecy. The elder twin grew up and was, in due time, crowned king. When a drought struck the land, Gagool used it as an excuse to depose the king and place his younger twin, the current King Twala, on the throne. However, the slain king had had a wife and child who escaped into the desert. This had happened 23 years ago. Tirashari stared at Umbopa and all the Expedition followed that gaze. Umbopa was a young man in his mid-20's.
Tirashari said, "There is a royal birthmark." Aware that the only portion of the black man's physique not now visible was that covered by his loincloth, the ladies of the Expedition quickly turned their backs upon the scene. "It is so," announced the nama as the birthmark of Snake and Turtle was displayed for the men.
Noting that the karkalanza was fast upon their trail, the Expedition urged haste. Tirashari said that the village had been summoned -- as had all the Tribes -- to an assembly by King Twala. His Queen had brought white lords and something that the Tribes were required to see. The old desert man looked at Mr. Blake and back to Umbopa. "Having called the Queen evil, I can say that this rule has been bad for the lands. King Twala has allowed Witch-hunters loose and, in the name of thwarting witches, dissidents and men of power have been put to death." He led the group out to where packing was ongoing. "We have gifts for the Queen and her white lords, which we will give to you." The gifts included very fine spears and shields and 5 suits of mail [6 pts covering 9-14] and 5 conquistador helmets of equal quality. The warriors -- Penrington, Miss Courtney, Miss Costorari -- in the Expedition were pleased. Mr. Blake demurred and gave his suit to Umbopa. Likewise, Dr. Davis offered her suit to Nbutoma who thanked her for the "princely gift".
Saturday, 10. July. 1888
It was a much larger caravan that continued north. Over the subsequent three days, more and more caravans joined the trail and the news of Nama Tirashari's "white lords" spread like wildfire. Umbopa, now calling himself Ignosi, spent much time consulting with tribal leaders and elders, presumably drumming up support for his claim to the throne. Dark clouds could be seen gathering on the northern horizon.
Tuesday, 13. July. 1888
The trek ended near the 200 yards of cobblestone that Our Heroes had heard about. In truth, it was not cobblestone but the smooth round stones marking the bottom of a dried riverbed that ended in a massive sand dune. Nearby were the spreading encampments of the Tribes. Overhead the sky was dark and occasional lightning flashed from cloud to cloud. Rumours too had spread from the King's camp down the trail, saying that the Queen's white men were setting up some sort of stone with their big machines. It was not possible for the Expedition to hide so all were taken as lords to be presented to the King. King Twala was clearly an older version of Umbopa, equally pale of skin. Next to him stood -- apparently -- Dr. Davis, clad in clingy black garments and much gold jewelry. (Nearby, also, was a wizened old crone of a woman who couldn't possibly be dangerous.) Few people were more surprised than that queen when, as the presentation required, the real Dr. Davis unveiled and stared at her sister. A wave of murmurs -- "Woe to us, the Queen has a twin" -- passed through the crowds and ended in dead silence. An advisor to the king spoke unthinking, "This is a bad thing!" As the king rose, the crowd opened to let a racing tribesman to the throne. "The Snake is open!" the messenger announced.
An advisor proclaimed, "It's a sign! They should take the test of the Snake!" There was a murmur through the Expedition and he added hastily, "Just the twins."
The assembly converged on the top of the sand dune where the Expedition could see a square plaza of flat stone about 20 hexes to the side. At the north side stood a huge (4 meters tall) stone snake's head whose mouth opened to a yawning blackness. At the south side was a rounded tiled area on which stood an obelisk, the mutilated surface of which showed one lone piece of stele. Beyond the east side were two white tents of European make. Lightning crackled ominously overhead.
Reminiscent of the legend of the origin of food that the Expedition had once heard, a loaf of bread was tossed into the blackness of the Snake's mouth and Dr. Davis and her twin were ordered to follow. First, however, they had to leave "everything" behind. The black draped woman looked imploringly at her mentoress as her jewelry and dagger were stripped from her, then she stepped into the darkened doorway. Dr. Davis handed her rifle and medical bag to Miss Costorari, glanced at her friends, and then followed her sister.
John Smith quickly collected the pieces of stele from the group; Miss Costorari handed him hers and the medical bag containing 4 pieces. Then he started through the crowd towards the obelisk where, with careful haste, he started placing the Expedition's pieces in their matrix.
Penrington moved to a position near the Snake head, rifle at the ready. Po watched the king and the crone for signs of treachery.
Miss Costorari and Miss Courtney headed towards the white-men's tents, followed by Mr. Blake. The door of one tent opened and a Black Shaman stepped out. For a moment fitz-Cardiff's head peered out, but he ducked back in again. The light off the steel and brass object in fitz-Cardiff's hand triggered for Steele the last of the memories of how he'd died. Then an unknown white man cradling a rifle stepped out and took up a watchful position. He was followed by a great clanking iron man, vaguely reminiscent of Mr. Steele, who marched into the crowd. The Black Shaman strode forward and caught sight of the gypsy. "The witch!" he gasped. Quickly Miss Courtney translated. For a moment, Miss Costorari stood transfixed. The gypsy girl could see her grandfather and a crowd of other spirits. Her grandfather spoke, "These people know something about him," gesturing at the Black Shaman and giving Voronika a grin. The first spirit began to speak to her. She mimicked the words and Miss Courtney translated: "This man did not cure me. Instead he killed me and took my camel!" Realizing that she was a vehicle for denunciations, Voronika continued more and more loudly. As she mimicked each spirit's voice, Mr. Blake and Miss Courtney noticed that the live natives surrounding them gave confused starts of recognition, as though they knew the voices, and then started to glare menacingly at the Black Shaman.
In the background encampment, measured voices started chanting, "Ignosi" as more tribesmen came up the dune to the terrace.
Quickly Dr. Davis realized that the entry into the snake was truly a gullet, a slide down which she whizzed through the darkness in a great banking spiral, her desert robes billowing at her passage. Abruptly she sprawled in a small empty room. To her left an arch led down a corridor toward a lit room. In that light, she could see the loaf of bread at the far end of the corridor where it had rolled. She got to her feet. In the darkness, a voice very like her own said, "So, Dark Moon, you are why it was so easy. I didn't know we were twins." Dr. Davis answered, "Hello Cynthia!" "Not Cynthia," the other hissed, "Desiré!" Dr. Davis continued, "They didn't tell me either. My name is Madeline." "Of course," the other purred, "Dear, sweet Maddy." As the gorge rose in Madeline's throat in protest, her sister's voice went on to say something about becoming the Queen of Anglia. All her heroic instincts aroused, the doctor said, "Over my dead body!" as she prepared to leap towards the voice. "Exactly!" her sister gloated and Madeline suddenly felt a piercing sting through the robes over her thigh, followed by the intense burn of poison flooding into her system. "I've decided to call him Francis because of you," the taunting voice continued as the doctor slid into darkness and the viper slithered away. "Very romantic, don't you think?"
As the native spears pointed at the Black Shaman, he gestured and a blast of sand scoured the natives, Mr. Blake and Miss Costorari. Miraculously, Miss Courtney escaped, but both her friends were stunned. The gun-woman aimed and shot the Black Shaman in the chest; he fell. Surviving natives pounced upon him and proceeded to take vengeance for his crimes. The Iron Robot moved to the side of that little group and lifted his arm; a shotgun blast tore through Miss Courtney and Miss Costorari. Stunned, the former could not know that her gypsy friend lay dying.
The Unknown Rifleman shot Steele in the chest, stunning him. Penrington shot the Unknown Rifleman who went down. The Hag cast a mind spell over Penrington which Po's attuned mind noticed. Suddenly the Expedition's Hunter saw his downed Rifleman teleport to stand in front of the Snake Mouth (where Po had been standing). Po swung his staff at the crone but one of the King's advisors interposed a shield. That advisor then tried to spear Po but missed.
As Umbopa's followers moved onto the plaza, King Twala shouted to his people, "Kill the usurper!" One of Twala's guards moved to intercept Umbopa/Ignosi but was quickly cut down by the challenger. A battle commenced between the two pale-skinned natives and their forces; turning into a ring around the two kings as they fought.
Steele fired his grappling hook into the Iron Robot, denting him over the power pack. The Robot turned, leveled his shotgun arm at the steel man; and felled Steele. Mr. Blake fired a blast of radiation at the Robot, damaging it.
Madeline came to alone. She could still see the light at the end of the corridor, but the loaf was gone. Knowing that each movement forced more snake poison through her system, she moved towards the light.
Penrington, seeing the Unknown Rifleman's back to him, shot Po down. Again the Rifleman seemed to teleport. Penrington found himself being shaken by the teleporter who was shouting gibberish, as, in truth, Nbutoma tried to bring the Expedition's Hunter to a realization of what damage he was doing. Penrington tried to club his assailant who failed to block and was knocked back.
Recovering, Miss Courtney shot the Iron Robot point blank in the back but her bullet shattered. The metal monster turned on her, pulling out a great hammer and crushing the young huntress into unconsciousness.
As Smith placed the last stele piece, he looked up and became aware of the battle behind him. Moreover, off to the SW he could see Something Invisible plowing through the sand and encampments. The karkalanza had arrived.
Madeline entered into the light inside an immense pyramidal tower, streaked vertically with great strips of contained brightness. Across the polished floor she could see a great crystal turtle. As she watched, one after another of the hexagonal pieces of his shell seemed to grow in definition. She dragged herself towards it. A surge of poison rushed through her senses and she knew she was dying. Unconsciousness claimed her almost at the statue's base.
Meanwhile Penrington pulled out his sword and slashed at his assailant. The desert man was stunned. Penrington swung again and his opponent fell. Three natives attacked the hunter with spears, one managing to impair Penrington's leg.
Blake hit the Iron Robot with another radiation blast.
Steele got up and rushed towards the tents. Behind him, he was aware that the Iron Robot did not move when it might have. From the tent he could hear the sound of a struggle, then the hissing sound of a steam gun he suddenly knew he'd heard before in London. There was a boom and no more sound of struggle within the tent. Smith started running towards Steele and the tents. Steele roared into the tent to find fitz-Cardiff rising from having shot a bound man. Beyond them were a control box and mirror showing the exterior view. Quickly, fitz-Cardiff leveled the gun and blew the steel man to the ground.
Old Lok pulled Po to safety, but the Chinese boy pleaded, "Please put me down, Father."
At this point, Mr. Blake could see the effects of the huge invisible karkalanza as it entered the plaza. Seeing Miss Costorari's body in the middle of the plaza, the radiologist aimed his next blast to attract the creature's attention away from her. As the karkalanza reared up in pain, its massive jaws, innumerable teeth, and huge front flippers were outlined in the eerie fire of radiation. For a moment the creature was distracted, its nostrils flaring. Blake was sure that he could see a vapour rising from the bodies around the karkalanza into those nostrils. The karkalanza shook off the effects of the blast and the radiologist realized that he could never do it enough damage.
Down in the underground temple, dream-like, Madeline realized that a great crystalline reptile face was staring at her. "You have carried me," it said. "Will you live?" she asked, all concern. "It hangs by a knife's edge," the great creature answered sorrowfully, "Do you want me to live?" "Yes!" Madeline gasped with all her heart. "Then pat my head." In wonderment, the doctor found herself scritching a gigantic glowing glassy tortoise.
Penrington saw the Unknown Rifleman attacking the spear-wielding natives (as Po swung his staff). The intrinsic strangeness of this seeped into the hunter's brain and, suddenly, he recognized Po. Po and Penrington together fought the spearmen, the Chinese boy doing successful disarms. Unfortunately, those disarmed pulled out knives and Po fell under a blade.
Miss Courtney scrambled to her feet and picked up Miss Costorari. The young huntress started racing towards the tents. The Iron Robot gave chase. The karkalanza, angered by Blake, suddenly picked up the gypsy's scent and changed direction. Mr. Blake yelled, "Run!" and tossed another blast at the invisible monster, again revealing its horrific stream-lined shape in eldrich radiation. [It seems to be a Lipluridon.]
Smith, having noticed the angle at which Steele lay, plowed into the tent trying to do as much damage as possible to the rest of the tent's contents sight unseen. In a tangle of tarps and ropes and tables and delicate equipment, he and the tent went down.
Suddenly the ground rumbled and opened and a great shaft of light swelled up from below, destroying the karkalanza that had invaded the plaza in its chase. Blinded by the light, Blake could feel the stones continue to shake under his feet as the plaza divided along a line between the Snake and Turtle statues, and the two halves started to move apart. Shutting his eyes against the painful brightness, he started to run.
King Twala fell to Umbopa as the other battles in the plaza disintegrated, combatants fleeing the emergent light.
By the toppled tent, Smith continued to slam his fists into anything beneath the canvas. Suddenly another hiss and boom gave evidence of the use of the steam gun. Shaking off the canvas, Steele and Smith discovered that fitz-Cardiff had taken his own life. Steele grabbed the damaged control box; Smith saved the quiescent and burning Iron Robot from falling into the widening pit.
Blake tripped over the edge of the rock and fell into the sand as the temple roof finished opening and the beacon light blazed, visible for hundreds of miles. The Snake Head and the Obelisk tilted and fell into the opening, plummeting 15 stories to the base below. In dazed amazement Our Heroes regrouped. Still blind, Blake started his amazing regenerative radiation. Lok brought Po into its circle, Miss Courtney brought Miss Costorari, Steele brought the bound man who Miss Courtney, with a small cry, recognized as her father. His chest was open with a horrid wound. A wind started up and rain began to fall. Miss Courtney looked around and said, "Has Dr. Davis come up? Has anyone seen her?" She got to her feet and started prowling the edge of the beam of light. "Madeline! Maddy!!" Her worried shout seemed to be swallowed by the vastness. Steele, responding to the young woman's appeal, used his grapple to lower himself into the ruins. Deep amidst rock and rubble, under a rudely crafted ugly granite tortoise, he found the doctor's unconscious form. Her rough refuge had apparently shielded her from the pulverizing devastation.
Sick with poison, Dr. Davis regained consciousness as the steel man lifted her over the rim of the crater. Seeing the bodies lying about Mr. Blake, she immediately moved to cast her mesmeric heal. The radiologist, having recovered his sight, commanded, "Stop! Is there anything you want to tell me?" In sick confusion, the doctor paused, then said, "There's a pot of ivy near my bed where Voronika slept. May I heal her now?" [See Desert Confidences ] The radiologist nodded and the doctor bent over the dying woman. A magnificent effort managed to bring the young gypsy around so that Mr. Blake's energies could have their revitalizing effect on her. As each who could be was put on the road to recovery, Dr. Davis realized that Mr. Blake's radiation had worked its magic on the poison in her system as well. [Or... was it Another's magic?] She would survive. Sadly, nothing could be done for Mr. Courtney. His daughter turned away to hide her emotion
Voronika could see a great many spirits, new spirits. She told the others, "Fitz-Cardiff is not dead -- but he is not here." Someone responded, "The necromancer. He had a way out!" Smith went to check the Iron Man although Steele assured him that the Bad Guys did not have the means to animate in the manner he himself had been. Voronika found her grandfather's spirit who winked at her and said, "Well done! I'd dodge a little more next time...." With a tip of his cap and a jaunty whistle he wandered off into the crowd. Then she addressed Mr. Courtney's spirit. "Sir, you can tell your daughter anything you like. I will give your message to her." The spirit burbled, "When I saw her ... when I knew she wasn't in the bottle." Anxiously he continued, "You must get the other little girl out of the bottle, in the iron box in the other tent!" 'Polly!' Voronika thought to herself and nodded as the hunter's spirit continued, "And tell my daughter that I'm very proud of her."
No sign could be found of "Desiré", Gagool, or fitz-Cardiff's escape route(s). The obelisk and stele pieces, too, seemed to have been destroyed.
[Note I: The game next week will be a wrap up. Items mentioned:
[Note II: The following week wherein we will start a new novella (with new characters, if desired) -- the game will be on Wednesday, October 15, rather than Thursday; please mark your calendars accordingly.]
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