Getafix sat silent and alone in the laboratory deep within the recesses of the druidic fortress beneath the Forest of Carnutes. He didn't move, other than the slow rhythm of his breathing. He didn't want to move; he couldn't move. He felt frozen. An icy grip of horror still gripped his heart, scenes of the dreadful ceremony still running ceaselessly through his mind. He wanted it to stop. For it all to have been some odd and terrible dream, and that he would wake up at any moment. But it wasn't a dream. It was a living nightmare, from which there was no escape.
Prolix was dead. That was still hard to accept, but it was true. The comical little old fellow had probably died before he had even hit the ground. And even though druids are powerful folk, there is no spell for reviving the deceased. Once the soul leaves the body, there was nothing to be done. They had done all they could.
Memories of Prolix filled Getafix's heart with sadness. He tried to remember some of the old timer's teachings, but his mind refused to do so; too shocked to fully comprehend anything other than a feeling of utter hopelessness. This was not what he had pictured his first night as a full-fledged druid to be like. He had envisioned joyous celebration; laughing; feasting. For more years than Getafix could count, he had waited for this day. And now that it had come, he found himself wishing that it had never taken place at all. Again the event played in his mind.
When the Venerable Druid had proclaimed that Prolix was dead, there had been a long, terrible silence. Mastix stood, eyes wide in disbelief, hands held out in front of him as if they were stained with blood. It was the first time Getafix had ever seen his rival look honestly and truly frightened. And he knew right then that he had been correct; Mastix hadn't been aware of what his spell would do to Prolix. He was as shocked as they were. But that didn't make him innocent.
The elders had taken Mastix to the Council room, where they stayed for two hours. When they emerged, they announced their decision regarding the younger student. Mastix still had that look of shock on his face, as if he still couldn't believe it was all happening. They had brought him to the Great Hall, where everyone had gathered, to proclaim his fate and punishment.
The Venerable Druid had stepped forward, turning to face the assembly. His stance had been calm and controlled, but his voice shook with unexpressed emotion, and it was more than obvious. His words still echoed in Getafix's head.
"Mastix, son of Kylix, what you have done here tonight is inexcusable. You have murdered not only a fellow human being, but a fellow druid. Since that has never happened, it took us long to decide what to do with you." As he had spoken, the Venerable Druid had kept his eyes locked with Mastix's own. "And so, it is the belief of this society, that you be banished from Carnutes as an outsider. You may never become a druid; for where an evil is done, evil is sure to grow." He had dropped his gaze the second he had finished, as if he couldn't look Mastix in the eyes any longer.
Mastix's face had remained aghast for several moment. Not a person had moved in the Great Hall. All had reigned in silence.
Suddenly, Mastix's expression had begun to change. Pure anger replaced his shock, and his hands clenched at his side. All at once he looked very frightening, and the druids had backed away from him instinctively. Mastix had shot out a hand, finger pointed directly toward his ex-mentor. "This is not over!" He had screeched, causing everyone to back away further. "I am more powerful then any of you fools! There will be a time when you will remember this day, and you will regret what you have done! YOU WILL REGRET IT!" In a twirl of his cape, Mastix had suddenly disappeared. An invisibility spell. The elders had begun searching immediately, determined to find the rebellious student and escort him out of Carnutes.
Getafix had felt, all at once, very overwhelmed. He had made his way down to the laboratory, where he could be alone with his jumbled thoughts. And so he sat, silent and in solitude, deep within the recesses of the druidic fortress beneath the Forest of Carnutes. He didn't move, other than the slow rhythm of his breathing. And he still felt overwhelmed.
"Getafix?"
The voice startled him, causing him to flinch back instinctively when a hand was lain gently on his shoulder. He glanced up, finding his mentor's worn, troubled face gazing down at him. "Oh, O Venerable Druid, it is only you. I was afraid it might be...might be..."
"Mastix? There's no fear of that. He is long gone."
Getafix nodded sadly, and the two men lapsed into silence. After several moments had passed, Getafix got up the courage to speak. "Venerable Druid? I-I don't understand why Mastix did what he did...I feel like there are pieces missing; that there's more to this than I'm seeing. How did he gain so much power? How could he lose control like that and...and kill Prolix?"
The Venerable Druid gave his only remaining student a fond look. "You were always very perceptive, Getafix." The smile faded, and his face took on a deep, serious expression.
Mastix had been one of the druid's students. To lose Mastix was like losing a son. Getafix couldn't imagine the pain such a terrible turn of events must be causing him.
"You are right," the teacher continued. "There is far more to this then you know. Something that goes far back. Back to the days when I was nothing more than a child, apprenticing in these very halls."
Getafix blinked, trying to imagine how long ago that might have been, but couldn't. "Something happened? Something that has to do with what happened tonight?"
The Venerable Druid nodded slowly. His eyes took on a faraway look, as though he were reviewing that 'something' in his mind. He was quiet for a long while, before turning to Getafix once more. "Have you ever heard of the Book of Olc?"
Getafix shook his head.
"It was a volume, old and very worn, that once belonged to a Druid within Carnutes. His name has long since been forgotten. He kept in this volume an account of spells." The Venerable Druid waved a hand toward the dusty shelves around them. "But not like these. The spells that he kept were dark and dangerous. Evil. They contained monstrous powers. When the other druids found out that this man held in his possession a book of spells containing such terrible tricks and spells, they took the book from him and burned it, or so it was reported. It was believed to be destroyed...But, apparently, it was not."
"What do you mean?" Getafix asked, his eyes wide and all his attention focused on the tale. He felt there was a connection between this nameless druid's old book, and the incident with Mastix.
"Within that book there had been one spell, so unthinkably terrible, that that one spell alone was cause enough to destroy the volume. It was a spell for extracting a magnificent power called the Solas Anam."
Getafix raised an eyebrow, trying the words out himself. "Solas Anam?"
"The Soul Light." The Venerable Druid took a deep breath. "Every so often, Getafix, a person is born with a special gift. They exhibit a wonderful strength, but not as we think of such. They are kind and full of immeasurable courage. They seem to affect all around them, like a bright light in the midst of darkness. Just as some are gifted with a fine voice, or a steady hand, or even in spells, as you do; some are born with this gift. The Solas Anam. These people are called Teaghais, or Dwellers. They are very rare. Only a few have ever been known to exist." The Venerable Druid's face became dark once again. "The Book of Olc contained a spell for extracting that power from a Teaghais. It is a terrible spell that grants the one who casts it to gain the Dweller's gift. In the hands of a Dweller, the gift is special; magnificent...But in the hands of an unworthy heart, it becomes dangerous and deadly. The process of extraction is fatal to a the Dweller."
Getafix was starting to make the connection. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt confused and uncertain. He even felt a little angry. Angry that all this had been kept from him all these years; that no one had ever told him. But he tried to remember that the elders had thought the book had been destroyed and forgotten. There had been no need to carry on such stories of evil. All the same, Getafix felt frustration turning toward the elders for keeping it a secret. "So you're saying Mastix somehow found this...this Book of Olc and used the spell on Prolix?" Something else clicked in the new druid's brain. "That means that Prolix was a..."
"A Dweller. Yes. One of the very few that have ever lived." The Venerable Druid ran a tired hand down his wrinkled face. "I should have known better. There were signs, but I ignored them. Mastix wanted nothing more than to impress the council and become one of the most powerful Druids of all time. And I believe he had the potential to do it. He must have come across the Book somehow. There are many passages and rooms long forgotten deep beneath us. Perhaps the book was conserved, or rewritten, and hidden far within the catacombs of our fortress. I do not know...But Mastix must have found that spell, and then found out that Prolix was a Seaghais. Wanting to impress, he must have learned the spell for the ceremony."
The two druids remained silent for a moment. Then Getafix spoke softly. "Do you think Mastix knew it would kill Prolix?"
The Venerable Druid shook his head sadly. "No. His face showed no malice or indication that he knew. But that changes nothing. Once one's heart has been exposed to such an evil spell, his want for power will grow. That was why we had to banish him. He was a danger to our Order. To our very lives."
Getafix nodded. "Then he can't hurt anyone else." It was a statement, not a question. But then Getafix noted the look of sorrow and fear that flitted across his mentor's face. "What is it? What's wrong?" He had a terrible feeling welling up inside him that suddenly surged to the surface. "Oh, by Toutatis...He's got the Book...Hasn't he?"
The Venerable Druid nodded sagely. "He must. We were unable to find it. Nor him. He has fled with the Book of Olc clutched in his hands. And it contains many other dark spells beside the spell of Extraction."
"But what does that m-" Suddenly a rumbling cut of Getafix's sentence. A deep, earthly rumbling; one that started low and far off, but slowly made its way toward them. It gained strength as it neared. The vibrations began to grow in magnitude, and the many cups and powders in the laboratory began to rattle and spill. All at once there was a sound like thunder, just like there had been earlier that night in the clearing. The force of it knocked the two druids to the floor. The room was shaking; rocking like a boat on high, churning seas.
"What's happening?!" Getafix yelled, trying to avoid the heavy, falling shelves of books that were tumbling to the ground where he lay on the floor. "Is it an earthquake?!" He had heard of such things, but never had he experienced one. It felt as though the earth would pull itself apart.
The Venerable Druid stumbled to his feet, lurching forward to help Getafix up off the ground. "Yes, but it is no ordinary one!" The druid was yelling, but with all the noise, Getafix could hardly hear him. "This is Mastix's doing!"
Getafix's heart was gripped with an icy fear. Mastix had been unpleasant as a rival. As an enemy, he was down right insane! If the earthquake was indeed sent by his ex-fellow student, then they were all in serious trouble!
Dust and chunks of earth began to fall from the ceiling, causing the druids to cough and choke. Taking a hold of his mentor's arm, Getafix began to steer him toward the door. "We have to get out of here!" They made it out of the laboratory just as there was a great rush of grit and air. In a cascading avalanche of rock and dirt, the laboratory roof collapsed, burying the room beneath a pile of immovable soil.
They raced through the passages, ducking around falling stones and coughing on the dusty air. At each tremble the ground felt as though it were being snatched from beneath their feet, and they'd either fall to the ground or against the wall, still struggling forward in a race to make it out alive. As they made it into the main tunnels they were joined by other panicked persons, many of which were students helping their mentors. Their eyes were wide in terror as they raced, their once pure, white robes and beards soiled a dark, dirty brown.
Just when Getafix thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, there was suddenly a great explosion. Luckily it was from behind them and not from in front of them. It was a tremendous blast, deafening within the small confines of the passages. A moment later, there was another, closer this time. Then another, further away; and another; and another. It took Getafix several explosions to finally figure out what was happening. The various laboratories that that dotted the underground fortress had always been filled with potions and chemicals of various kinds; all quite powerful. The explosions must be caused by the potions mixing with each other as room after room collapsed. The force of each blast was equal to, if not more powerful than, the earth rending shakes beneath them.
After what seemed like an eternity, Getafix and the Venerable Druid broke out of the passage's entrance, stepping out into the world above ground. Getafix had hoped that somehow, everything would be better there, safe from the choking dust and smoke. But he had been wrong.
The Forest was in the midst of the worst storm any of the druids had ever witnessed. Lightening streaked across the sky, lighting up the trees whipping to the side in a force of wind Getafix had never experienced. It was if the great trunks would be uprooted and thrown aside, plucked from the soil like a child might pick a daisy. The sky was dark, the stars blocked from sight for the second time that evening.
The druids who had made it above ground gathered around the Venerable Druid, panicked and dirty, trembling with fear and horror. They were unsure of what to do. Their world was being ripped to shreds; collapsing beneath the soil below them. They looked to their leader; hoping he would know what to do. Getafix began taking a mental count of those present, and was glad to see Valuaddetax among them.
The Venerable Druid was counting those under his care as well; surprised but relieved to find that no one was missing. He looked into their wild eyes, trying to come to a decision. They couldn't stay here. Mastix's wrath was upon this place, and to stay would be madness. They would be killed.
"We must flee Carnutes!" he shouted above the storm. "We have no choice! Go, find someplace to live until it is safe! Scatter, so you will be harder for Mastix to find! Go!"
The druids didn't need to be told twice. They scattered in all directions; some heading for the Eastern side of the forest, where they could escape to their neighbor, Senones*. While others fled for the forest's Southern and Northern borders. Getafix could only hope that they would all make it out alive. He saw Valuaddetax pause, looking back toward him. Getafix waved for him to go, wanting his pudgy friend to have a chance.
The Venerable Druid turned to Getafix, who was still supporting his mentor's side. "You too, Getafix!"
"I'm staying!"
"Don't be ridiculous! You'll be killed! Now go!" When Getafix still refused to move, the Venerable Druid's stern glare became a sad plea. "Please, Getafix...I can't stand to lose another friend tonight."
Getafix stared into his eyes for a moment, still resolute, before he let his gaze drop to the ground. He gave a slight nod as he released his teacher's arm reluctantly. "But what about you?"
The elder druid gave a weak smile. "I will head South."
"Then so shall I-"
"No!" The Venerable Druid gripped his only remaining student's shoulders tightly. "We must be separate. I am the one who banished Mastix. It is me he will be after. If you come with me, he will attack you as well. That mustn't happen, Getafix! Do you understand?!"
Getafix wanted to argue, but they were wasting precious time. He knew the Venerable Druid was right. Mastix's wrath would be focused on the elder. But Getafix didn't care whether he was caught with his mentor. Mastix disliked him anyway, so no big loss there. Besides, he was a druid now. He didn't have to obey his teacher. There wasn't anything the fellow could possibly say that could change his m-
"Please, Getafix. See it as my last instruction as your mentor."
Well, that did it. How could he refuse to obey his superior, and rob him of his last request. Last. The word filled Getafix with dread. With a sigh, Getafix relented. "I'll head Northwest," he said. "Toward Redones*."
The Venerable Druid gave a nod. "May Toutatis give you speed."
Getafix thanked his mentor, returning the phrase before reluctantly turning and heading, what he believed, was Northwest. It was hard to tell in the chaos-ridden storm that raged all around him.
Behind Getafix, the Venerable Druid watched until his pupil was out of sight. "Be safe, Getafix," he whispered, "You still have a mighty part to play in this; I am sure." With that, the elder turned South and staggered off into the darkness.
...
*Senones and Redones are among several names I got from an old map of Carnutes; which, awesomely enough, is the exact same area as the map found in Asterix comics. :)
As much as I enjoyed writing about the druids in Carnutes, I'm happy to be moving on. It's hard to come up with words to replace "mentor", "teacher", and "druid" without feeling like I'm repeating each word every two sentences!
PLEASE REVIEW! THANKS!