“First you won’t say anything; now you chatter like a bird. At least you’re not so moody.”
*
As the hikers admired the tree, two snakes zigzagged across the dark waters behind them. Out of the corner of his eye, Saxthor caught movement written in the duckweed. He sighted a third trail and followed it to the bank beyond Bodrin’s feet. A thick gray-brown coil tensed. At the center, a puffy triangular head sporting cold yellow eyes focused on those approaching. Bodrin’s descending foot broke the spell.
“Watch out!” Saxthor’s knife blade flashed by Bodrin when Saxthor lunged.
Bodrin jumped aside and paled as a blood-spurting, headless serpent body sprang from the spiral. The snakehead flew through the air and plopped down, bounced once, and landed open, white and menacing beside Bodrin’s damp foot. He leaped back from the water’s edge staring at the gaping skull, eyes fixed in rigid threat.
“Cripes! Where’d the snake come from?”
The squirming headless body sank into the muck still oozing blood. Saxthor wiped his machete blade. “Dunno, but the moccasin was coiled to strike.”
“Scary, those two slithering away were with this one like they were a pack. We must’ve almost stepped on one earlier to rile them so.”
“Water moccasins will attack when mad. Remember the one on the fishing pier we surprised?”
“Yeah.”
“Gives me the creeps,” Saxthor said. “The duckweed trail shows they were coming straight for us. Careful, the snake head by your foot is still biting.”
“Let’s go on to the tree,” Bodrin flicked the skull with his knife. The chomping menace splashed and sank into the dark water. The musky serpent odor lingered.
“Memlatec said this is a magical place where the earth’s energy bands come together,” Saxthor said in the Sentinel Pine’s shade. “The taproot must’ve grown into some energy or something. I can sense a sorta strength come on me like a warm summer breeze.”
“Yeah, funny how the air seems softer the closer to the Sentinel Pine you get. I love the fresh pine scent replacing the moldy swamp smell.”
Amazed by the shield-size bark plates, Bodrin caught sight of Fedra who settled in the branches high overhead. “You notice anything unusual?”
“My hair is prickling like right before a storm.”
Saxthor turned around as Memlatec materialized nearby. Motionless, both boys stared.
“I never, ever saw somebody pop out of the air before,” Bodrin whispered in Saxthor’s ear. “People say old wizards could do strange things, but I’ve believed Memlatec was just an adviser to the queen, not magical for real.”
“I perceive a new found respect on your awed faces,” Memlatec said. His smile relieved Saxthor.
“What’s going to happen next?” Bodrin asked.
Saxthor brushed his hand backward silencing his friend. “How’d you do that, sir?”
“Wizards can move about beyond physical means over short distances. We don’t utilize the mechanism often. Such travel requires extraordinary energy, and I’m getting too old for the strain.”
The sorcerer scanned the area. “This is an enchanted place. The planet’s creative energies converge here revitalizing those few who find their way to it. You feel refreshed, don’t you?”
“Revitalizing? Refreshed… I gotcha.”
Bodrin’s chest puffed up. “I found this place a long time ago. It’s been our favorite camping spot.”
“Well, this finger of high ground has a greater significance, boys. For two weeks in the spring, the Sentinel drops its veil. Man can discover the extreme display as the power point renews itself. This once I’ll show you what you may never have seen.”
Memlatec raised his staff and chanted a soft incantation.
“Saxthor,” Bodrin said and pointed to Memlatec. “His wand is leading something wavy around the area. Fresh green leaves are coming out everywhere.”
The light within the circle rose like dawn marbled in brilliant yellow, pink and blue.
*
As the hikers admired the tree, two snakes zigzagged across the dark waters behind them. Out of the corner of his eye, Saxthor caught movement written in the duckweed. He sighted a third trail and followed it to the bank beyond Bodrin’s feet. A thick gray-brown coil tensed. At the center, a puffy triangular head sporting cold yellow eyes focused on those approaching. Bodrin’s descending foot broke the spell.
“Watch out!” Saxthor’s knife blade flashed by Bodrin when Saxthor lunged.
Bodrin jumped aside and paled as a blood-spurting, headless serpent body sprang from the spiral. The snakehead flew through the air and plopped down, bounced once, and landed open, white and menacing beside Bodrin’s damp foot. He leaped back from the water’s edge staring at the gaping skull, eyes fixed in rigid threat.
“Cripes! Where’d the snake come from?”
The squirming headless body sank into the muck still oozing blood. Saxthor wiped his machete blade. “Dunno, but the moccasin was coiled to strike.”
“Scary, those two slithering away were with this one like they were a pack. We must’ve almost stepped on one earlier to rile them so.”
“Water moccasins will attack when mad. Remember the one on the fishing pier we surprised?”
“Yeah.”
“Gives me the creeps,” Saxthor said. “The duckweed trail shows they were coming straight for us. Careful, the snake head by your foot is still biting.”
“Let’s go on to the tree,” Bodrin flicked the skull with his knife. The chomping menace splashed and sank into the dark water. The musky serpent odor lingered.
“Memlatec said this is a magical place where the earth’s energy bands come together,” Saxthor said in the Sentinel Pine’s shade. “The taproot must’ve grown into some energy or something. I can sense a sorta strength come on me like a warm summer breeze.”
“Yeah, funny how the air seems softer the closer to the Sentinel Pine you get. I love the fresh pine scent replacing the moldy swamp smell.”
Amazed by the shield-size bark plates, Bodrin caught sight of Fedra who settled in the branches high overhead. “You notice anything unusual?”
“My hair is prickling like right before a storm.”
Saxthor turned around as Memlatec materialized nearby. Motionless, both boys stared.
“I never, ever saw somebody pop out of the air before,” Bodrin whispered in Saxthor’s ear. “People say old wizards could do strange things, but I’ve believed Memlatec was just an adviser to the queen, not magical for real.”
“I perceive a new found respect on your awed faces,” Memlatec said. His smile relieved Saxthor.
“What’s going to happen next?” Bodrin asked.
Saxthor brushed his hand backward silencing his friend. “How’d you do that, sir?”
“Wizards can move about beyond physical means over short distances. We don’t utilize the mechanism often. Such travel requires extraordinary energy, and I’m getting too old for the strain.”
The sorcerer scanned the area. “This is an enchanted place. The planet’s creative energies converge here revitalizing those few who find their way to it. You feel refreshed, don’t you?”
“Revitalizing? Refreshed… I gotcha.”
Bodrin’s chest puffed up. “I found this place a long time ago. It’s been our favorite camping spot.”
“Well, this finger of high ground has a greater significance, boys. For two weeks in the spring, the Sentinel drops its veil. Man can discover the extreme display as the power point renews itself. This once I’ll show you what you may never have seen.”
Memlatec raised his staff and chanted a soft incantation.
“Saxthor,” Bodrin said and pointed to Memlatec. “His wand is leading something wavy around the area. Fresh green leaves are coming out everywhere.”
The light within the circle rose like dawn marbled in brilliant yellow, pink and blue.
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