The Scrolls of Skava

Return to the Emerald Oracle - Part 2

     A moment later they saw the shrine of the Oracle ahead of them, a triangular building that looked as though it had been carved out of a single giant emerald. A circular moat surrounded it, glittering with shoals of silvery fish, and a single bridge arched gracefully over it, guarded by a massive, five headed monster that they'd had to kill during their last visit before they could pass. The creature seemed none the worse for its experience, though, and roared a furious challenge at them as they passed over.

     The carpet came in for a soft landing on the building’s roof, close to the centre, and the teamsters got to their feet and stepped carefully onto the smooth, slippery surface. The roof was a single, unbroken surface and they stared at each other in puzzlement as they wondered what they were supposed to do next, but then an area of the roof shimmered and dissolved, revealing a flight of steps carved out of the solid emerald, leading down.

     “Looks like we get to miss the maze as well,” said Shaun as he rolled up the carpet and tucked it under his arm. “And good riddance. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

     Thomas and Diana glanced at each other in amusement, and the three of them set off down the stairs.

☆☆☆

     “Are you sure you can still see them?” asked Arroc doubtfully, leaning forward and squinting at the bright sky ahead of them.

     “Trust me,” replied Teasel impatiently. “I can see them just fine.”

     “Well you’re the only one who can,” said the trog, looking at her suspiciously. “Maybe you’re just taking us on a mystery tour. You didn’t want us ter follow them, did you?”

     “If we get close enough for you to see them, they’ll be able to see us,” retorted the nome angrily. “If that’s what you want, then speed us up. Otherwise shut up and trust me.”

     The trog grumbled to himself and sat back again with a narrow eyed glance at Naomi, who decided to try to smooth Teasel’s ruffled feathers. “Where do you think they’re heading?” she asked.

     “They seem to be heading for Greenwing Island,” replied the nome, “but there are plenty of smaller islands between here and there. Any one of them might be their destination.”

     “Funny place for a wise old sage to live,” said Dennis doubtfully. “A craggy, storm lashed lump of rock in the middle of the ocean.”

     “A perfect place to live if he just wants to be left alone,” replied Teasel, however. “How do you think he’ll react when we suddenly turn up?”

     “Just keep an eye on the other carpet,” said Naomi impatiently. “If we lose them out here, we’ll never find them again.”

     Silence fell, each of them thinking their own sullen thoughts until the huge mountainous bulk of Greenwing Island loomed ahead of them. “They’re turning!” cried Teasel in confusion. “They’re going south.”

     “Have they seen us?” demanded Naomi.

     “I don’t think so,” said the nome, however. “I think they’re just using Greenwing as a landmark, to find their way. They must be heading for Arn. There’s nothing else out that way but rocks and open sea.”

     “Stay on their tail,” ordered the black girl eagerly. “Don’t lose them now.”

     The first carpet went straight past Arn, however, and kept on going. “What’s going on?” demanded Arroc, his suspicions aroused once more. “Where are ya taking us, ye deceitful midget?”