The early morning rays of the rising sun filtered in through the high, narrow windows of Getafix's sleeping chamber. They danced along the flooring, and the bed sheets, finally coming to rest on the sleeping figure's face. Getafix scrunched his eyes shut tighter, trying to move his head away from the unwelcome glare. When that failed to do the trick, he disentangled his right hand from blankets and lifted it to shield his eyes. Now a little less assaulted by the bright light, Getafix groggily opened his eyes. He was immediately reminded of the reason why it is unwise to stay awake until the late hours of the night when one is planning to rise early the next morning. His head pounded in protest as he threw back the sheets and placed his bare feet on the cold, wooden floorboards. His eyes kept trying to close on their own accord; feeling heavy and puffed with the need for a few more hours of rest. But Getafix knew he couldn't do that. Not today.
Rising to his feet, Getafix quickly got dressed; pulling on a clean, pure white robe. He tied the cord about his waist and slipped his blue, sack-like shoes on his feet. He ran a hand through his frizzled beard, smoothing it out before quickly leaving his chamber. He wanted to meet up with his fellow students, and talk about the coming ceremony. He knew, from experience, that doing so would ease not only his anxiety, but also that of his friends. At least, to some extent.
People-non-druid people- tended to think of the druids as invincible folk; unaffected by emotions common in normal human beings. That they somehow were above that kind of thing. That they were stoic; completely immune to the troubles and dangers of this world. That, of course, was the most ridiculous thing Getafix had ever heard. He was just a man. Sure, a man being trained in the arts of potions, powders, healings, and spells; but he was still a man. He felt the same emotions that any other fellow would feel. He had doubts, worries, concerns, passions, angers, and hopes just as anyone does. The druids were taught to understand emotions and feelings, helping them better control them, but that didn't mean they suppressed them. Many of the eldest druids were very versed in this control, appearing grim and serious. But others, such as Getafix and a good number of the other students, had yet to master the trick.
Getafix moved swiftly through the torch-lit halls of the underground fortress. He knew the way faultlessly by now. He had spent nearly all his life in Carnutes. Ever since he was nothing but a small boy he had roamed these corridors. Of course, many years had passed since then. It took years and years and years to become a druid. Getafix wasn't even sure how old he was anymore. He had lost count.
The Druid Fortress of Carnutes was much like a subterranean monastery or abbey. It was a maze of passages, chambers, laboratories, and store houses. It was a safe haven; a sanctuary. But a bother to navigate. Many of the halls looked very similar, and any newcomer would find himself lost within a very short time. There were many forgotten and abandoned rooms, many of which Getafix had enjoyed exploring as a child with the other youngsters. It had been against the elder druids' liking, but, at the time, Getafix had found the adventure worth his mentor's disapproval.
That had been a long time ago. Many, many years. Since then, Getafix had gone from a rather rebellious child to a very studious and intelligent student. He had worked hard under the Venerable Druid's teaching, and had learned much. And now, today, at long last, he was to pass over from student to master. He would finally be a full-fledged druid. Though, as he raced down the halls and passageways, nearly bursting with excitement, he felt very much like a little boy once again.
Finally, after much twists and turns, Getafix made it to the end of the passage, where two large, oaken doors marked the Great Hall*. With a tug of the iron ring that served as a door handle, Getafix jerked the portal open, slipping through as it shut with a resounding boom behind him.
The Great Hall was an enormous, rectangular room, with a tall ceiling and intricately designed pillars that supported the earth far overhead. It was an echo-filled place, where the sounds of a whisper could be heard like a shout. It had no windows, due to it being far deeper in the ground than Getafix's bedchamber, but it was by no means dark. Candles of all sizes where placed all over the room, even hung from the ceiling suspended by wooden circlets high above the floor. The Hall was a busy place, where most meals were served to the several dozen druids who resided in Carnutes. This morning was no exception. The room was packed with elders and students alike, all happily digging into a hearty breakfast.
Getafix quickly located his group of friends seated around the single, enormous table that was used for all. They sat together in a clump, chattering away like everyone else, discussing the excitement that the day would bring. They, like Getafix, were a good deal younger than the elder druids, but were still quite old. They all sported long, white beards of various lengths and were dressed in the common, white robes.
As Getafix approached the group, one rather overweight student looked up from the conversation, his plump face breaking into a friendly smile. He beckoned Getafix with a wave of one hand while vigorously tapping the bench beside him with the other. Getafix carefully picked his way through the noisy, crowded room, finally making it over and seating himself beside, perhaps, his closest companion in the world.
"Good morning, Getafix!" the fellow greeted. His very distinct British accent breaking through all the other voices in the Hall. He was helping himself to a very large potion of food, which he kept piled on a plate in front of him. He picked out an apple, knowing that that was all his friend required for breakfast, and handed it to Getafix, who accepted it gratefully.
"Good morning, Valuaddetax*," Getafix replied. He polished the apple against his robe, shining it up before taking a crunching bite. It was very sweet, almost too much so. "And how are you on this fine day?"
"Oh, I say! I'm just about ready to burst with excitement!" He wiggled around on the bench as if to show the possibility of that fact. "After all these years, Getafix, we're finally going to make it! We're finally going to be druids!"
"That is, of course, if we pass the final ceremony," a student to Getafix's right interjected. He was a thin fellow, who resembled Getafix in many ways, though he didn't have as much hair. He was known for being one of the less intelligent students, but he was still respected among them, though he could be unbelievably irritating. As he spoke his long, prominent nose leaned in their direction, determined to enter the conversation whether he was invited or not.
Getafix rolled his eyes skyward. "Good morning, Suffix."
"We're going to pass, just you wait," Valuaddetax said confidently. He leaned forward to grab another fruit from a nearby basket perched on the table. His arms, however, were too short, and he couldn't reach, so he gave up. "After all, chaps, we've been at this for a good many years now."
"But you very well know that not all of us will pass," Suffix insisted.
Getafix didn't know why the fellow always had to be so negative. "Well," he added in while he could, "There's no use worrying about who will pass and who will not. We should be concerned with our own performance, and let the others worry about theirs. Besides, if anyone doesn't pass, it only means they aren't ready to move up and need another year of mentoring. Nothing too drastic. I wouldn't be too concerned."
"I don't need to be concerned at all."
The voice came from behind them. It was a deep, belittling voice, that, even after all these years, still rose the hairs on the back of Getafix's neck. Getafix didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. "Good morning, Mastix." Getafix's tone was low; controlled, but it still managed to ring with an obvious dislike of the new arrival.
Mastix was an arrogant student, and deeply disliked by nearly all the others. He was older than most of them, by a good two years or so, and used every opportunity to rub in that fact. When Getafix and Valuaddetax were children, the constant teasing and bullying had deeply bothered them; especially Valuaddetax. As they had grown older, the attacks had hurt less, as the students started to learn the ways of the druids. But, even to this day, it was unpleasant.
To the teachers and elders, Mastix was an excellent student. He worked hard, and was exceptionally brilliant; a prodigy, you might say, in the arts of magic and healing. He was more powerful than any of the other students. Not by much, you understand, but enough to lord it over the others. His strong and encouraging record gained him the honor of being one of two students to be mentored personally by the Venerable Chief Druid; the other being Getafix.
Getafix had hated every moment of it. Being taught alongside Mastix was just begging to be a target. And a target Getafix had been. Every botched up potion, every mixed up spell, and every mismatched recipe Getafix tried was always related somehow to one of Mastix's cruel pranks. Getafix had spent a number of times in his bed chamber, confined there as punishment for one of Mastix's tricks for which he'd been framed. It got so bad that even the normally mild-mannered Getafix had finally broke down and told his mentor all about it. The Venerable Druid, thankfully, believed him, punishing Mastix and putting an end to the pranks. However, it was well known among the students that, because of his telling the Venerable Druid, Mastix still carried a strong resentment toward Getafix.
"I don't have to worry, like you lot do," Mastix continued, ignoring Getafix's greeting completely. He leaned over the others, snatching an apple from the basket on the table. "I will pass the ceramony like a full-fledged druid." He roughly ejected Valuaddetax from his seat, taking the spot for himself. The motion caused Valuaddetax to stumble backwards, almost falling to the floor. Mastix gave the shocked Getafix a belittling smile.
"Why did you do that?!" Getafix cried, pushing himself to his feet.
"Because I'm better than you." Mastix's voice sounded as though he were still addressing all the students, but his gaze was locked with Getafix. Mastix was talking to him.
When he was younger Getafix might have punched the arrogant creep in the face; but, again, years of training had replaced his aggressive nature with almost impenetrable patience. Getafix held his gaze for a moment, fixing his rival with a hard look. He didn't rise to the bait. He knew Mastix was just trying to get under his skin. Finally, with a hurried movement, he excused himself from the table and turned to leave. "Come, Valuaddetax. Let's go see how we can help above ground." And with that, he and his friend left the Great Hall.
Mastix grinned as he turned back to the table, the food now his to enjoy alone. He knew that, despite Getafix's calm and controlled mask, the old goody-goody was burning up inside. That satisfied Mastix's revengeful spirit for the time being, and so he dug into the hearty breakfast.
Beside him, on the table, in front of where Getafix had been sitting, sat an apple with only one bite out of it. Getafix had left it there; his hunger forgotten.
...
The passageway leading to the surface was narrow and steep; usually quite a bit of exercise for any of the druid folk to climb. All of the them were old, if not ancient, and, though they were all in excellent health, it was still a formidable obstacle. But as Getafix stormed upward, Valuaddetax scurrying behind him, neither noticed the exertion it required.
Valuaddetax followed Getafix, footsteps echoing in a light patter in the hall, mixing with the deeper, longer stride of his friend. He could sense the taller one's mood; and it was dark. It was a brooding viper coiled in Getafix's mind, fed by anger and frustration. Valuaddetax knew now wasn't a good time to speak up, but the silence was deafening. "Ah...Getafix?"
"Why does he do that?!" Getafix practically exploded. He didn't turn to face his friend, but continued his way up the passage. "There was no need for it! He's an adult! We're all adults! His behavior isn't fitting of a two year old brat!" He suddenly stopped and turned, almost causing Valuaddetax to crash into him. "And the way he pulled you from the table! I ask you, is that the image of a grown, soon-to-be druid?!" His anger softened when he noticed his friend's worried, almost frightened face and he sighed. "I'm sorry, Valuaddetax. I didn't mean to lose control. It's just...just so upsetting."
His shorter, pudgier friend nodded in agreement. "He does it to annoy you."
"I know. And he seems to be doing a pretty good job."
"Oh, I don't know, Old Bean...I thought you handled it quite well."
Getafix snorted. "On the outside, maybe."
"Either way, it's over now. We might as well forget it since we can't do a thing about it." He grinned up and his friend and Getafix felt his anger slowly melt away.
Getafix gave a fond chuckle. "Alright. Let's go find Prolix."
Going above ground was always a rather blinding experience. Though the chambers below were by no means dark, they were still considerably more so than the world above. As the two friends emerged from the passage entrance, they spent a good few moments blinking rapidly; trying to adjust their eyes to the sudden, normal sunlight. Once they achieved full use of their vision again, they headed off into the forest in search of their old friend; an ancient druid who had taken a liking to all the students through the years, and was well liked in return.
Prolix was old and bent. In his hand he always gripped a knotted branch; his own version of a cane. He was known as a fantastic storyteller; having spent many a cold winter night telling tales to the students by firelight in the Great Hall. He was kindhearted and had a certain brightness; a cheerfulness about him that made you like him the second you met him. His big, bushy, white eyebrows hung over his clear blue eyes. The orbs twinkled in merriment, and the old fellow was often heard bursting out in laughter at the slightest thing. Prolix was everybody's friend. Though, he could be a bit odd.
Getafix and Valuaddetax found the ancient druid nearby, picking a series of berries for the ceremony later that evening. He glanced up when he heard them coming, his large eyebrows rising up on his bald head. He waved them over excitedly, already his cheerful nature washing away the anger and despair Getafix had felt only just a moment before. "Come! Come, my brothers, and look!" He continued to beckon until the two younger men were standing beside him.
"What is it, Prolix?" Valuaddetax asked, peering around to see what all the excitement was about.
"Ah!" Prolix cried, spreading his arms wide as if to show them the whole world. "You do not see! You think with what you see and taste and smell. But you do not use your senses! You must take in the world in a new way, or an old way, but some way that is besides the senses. For you see, the senses can be deceiving."
Getafix and Valuaddetax blinked at him, not having understood a single word. Prolix was known for his way of rambling on. Many attributed it to the fact that he was so old. Of course, that opinion was given by a group of druids well over their eighties, who were, by no means, young. Often what Prolix said was confusing, unrelated gibberish; sentences strung together as a series of unfinished thoughts, unless he was telling a story. But, over time, Getafix had found that, though the words might be mixed and mismatched, they usually had some hidden meaning. A lessen cryptically woven through the sentences, just begging to be decoded.
Getafix raised an eyebrow at the druid. "How can we use our senses, as you say, and yet not use them?" He gave Prolix a smirk, knowing that there was a reason behind the words. He could see it in the elder's eyes. A sort of twinkle that smiles out at him.
Prolix let loose one of his hearty laughs. "Ah, Getafix! You are a funny lad; and I like that." He smiled. "You trust the senses that everyone trusts. The eyes, the ears, the nose...But there are other senses."
"Other senses?" Valuaddetax piped up. Prolix was always willing to teach to anyone, student or no, that would listen. Or even if they weren't listening. Luckily, he was an interesting fellow to converse with, and the students often found his company fascinating.
Prolix looked at him as though he had forgotten the pudgy student had been there. "Yes. There are two. One is your knowledge; what you know to be true. You know it is dangerous to go outside in the forest after dark. Therefore, you sense that you should not go outside after dark, lest something bad should happen. To go against this knowledge, by going outside after dark anyway, would make that sense stronger. Like running your hand the wrong way over a plank of splintered woood, you would be more aware of your error than if you stroked it the right way." He paused to take a breath, looking at the two students curiously; like he was wondering why they were there.
After a moment of silence, Getafix urged, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"What's the second 'other' sense?"
Prolix looked confused for a second, but then his face lit up in remembrance. "Ah, yes! The second; it is the most unique of all!" He fairly danced with pleasure. "It is the sense of feeling."
Valuaddetax tilted his head. "You mean, the sense of touch?"
"No, no, nononono!" Prolix shook his head vigorously. "That is not it at all! The sense of feeling isn't something that can be touched. It is a feeling; an emotion. Often one that cannot be explained. Like when you feel like you're being watched, or you feel like something is going to happen, good or bad. I believe many would call it...intuition. It is not a conscious sense, but rather one that comes to you suddenly, and without warning; with no apparent reason."
"Hmm." Getafix let the words sink into his memory, figuring they would make sense to him eventually. "Very interesting, Prolix, but why are you telling us this?"
The ancient druid gave a chuckle and shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know...but, it's safe to say, I had a feeling I should tell you." His grin widened at their confused stares before he suddenly turned, shuffling off through the underbrush at a frighteningly fast pace. "Now, come on you two!" he called back as he disappeared from sight. "We've got a lot to do before that ceremony this evening! And I'm going to need some assistance!"
Valuaddetax and Getafix exchanged glances before giving a chuckle of their own, dashing off through the forest to find and 'aid' the supposedly 'frail' little druid.
...
* Great Halls where actually very common during the Middle Ages. It was often the main room of a palace, castle, or abbey, during that time. It doesn't really fit, period-wise, in the Asterix timeline, but it was what I was looking for, so I used it. :)
*Valuaddetax is a druid from the album Asterix and the Goths, where Getafix introduced him as "an old friend and colleague, the British Druid, Valaddetax." Suffix is also from the same album.
So there it is, the second chapter. Might be a little slow at first; I've got a lot of things in this story that need explaining, including introducing new characters. I hope it was alright. Please review and let me know what you think. :)
THANK YOU!
