Chapter-4 To Castle Grayskull
It was mid-morning and the Attak-Trak was proving to be a smoother ride than the Wind Raider, at least Adam did not have to contend with turbulence. A few other vehicles could be seen going to and from Gratten Ridge, they were probably patrols and merchants. The cost of these machines was beyond the ordinary Eternian's means.
The gadgetry in both the Wind Raider and Attak-Trak were a wonder. There were all kinds of flashing panels, buttons and screens that performed a variety of tasks. One such device was called a 'radar', it apparently showed any other nearby vehicles; all Adam could make out were green blips, though they did correlate with where the other 'Traks were so he guessed it worked fine. Another screen, called a 'thermo-optic display', also called the TOD, read the 'heat' off machines and creatures alike. Not only could he see the other Attak-Traks, he could see pedestrians as well. There were also communicators, but Duncan explained that they had limited range, though that range could potentially be expanded with the construction of receivers dotted throughout the land.
Though Adam had known of these vehicles prior to their unveiling, it was only recently he had been able to pilot them and his wonder never ceased. His mother had unwittingly brought with her the technology upon which these creations had been based. The flight-craft in which she had landed provided Eternia's scientists with the blueprints to manufacture their own designs. He could only ponder the kind of world that could demonstrate such ingenuity, such technological marvel.
His mother was not so impressed with her own society though, she feared that such technology could only bring ruin to Eternia, not prosperity. 'Where I come from,' she had told Adam, 'we have a saying: "The world is a small place." Now you will find that it is even smaller. When humankind feels it does not have enough space, it strives to make more for itself.' He knew that she meant that this technology would lead to more war. All Adam could do was hope that she was wrong.
Dusk appeared on the horizon and soon became twilight and not long after that night fell. He was at the point he needed to be. But something had been bothering him. On the TOD four 'things' had been following him all day. He applied the brakes and waited to see what the trailers would do. Sure enough they stopped with him, moving off a little to the left apparently to hide behind some boulders. Adam too looked about for a hiding spot; he would give these pursuers a nasty surprise. Cursing, as the foothills provided no cover he wondered what he should do.
To his immediate left stood the illusionary rock wall that hid the pass leading to Castle Grayskull, Adam thought about it a moment. If one couldn't see beyond the false wall it would stand to reason they couldn't see his actions behind it either. Opening the Attak-Trak's canopy Adam leapt out of the cockpit, his sword in hand and sprinted for the opening, time was everything. As soon as he thought he was safely past the mirage he raised his sword and spoke the incantation, "By the power of Grayskull!"
Brilliant white light exploded all around him, blinding him. He could feel a surge of power strike his sword like a bolt of lightning, shooting down the elegant blade, coursing through his body. His muscles grew and became taut; the ground seemed to shrink away as he grew taller. He clutched the Power Sword in both hands, "I have the Power!" For the first time in many months, Prince Adam had become He-Man, Defender and Champion of Eternia, Knight of Castle Grayskull. He stood panting as the adrenaline continued its rush through his veins. 'Now' he thought, 'for a little fun.'
"What's he doing? Can you see him?" Evil-Lyn pushed Tri-Klops.
"Just be quiet woman, you're breaking my concentration" growled the tri- optical swordsman.
"Well, what's happening?" Lyn persisted.
"I don't know," responded Tri-Klops, "he seems to have vanished."
Evil-Lyn snorted, "How could he have vanished. Your vaunted eyesight must be fading."
"It's still good enough to see the wrinkles in your aging skin. How old are you anyway?"
"What does that have to do with the task at hand?" Lyn asked, averting the question and ignoring Trap-Jaw's and Beastman's s******ing.
"Well for your information he hopped out of that tin can, took a few steps and disappeared. And no I am not losing my sight."
"No, not your sight, just your mind."
"Hmm mind, brain, yummy brain, little sparrow brain, nice and squishy," mused Beastman, who only spoke in food related non-sequiturs when he was hungry. Trap Jaw, who was sitting closest to the shaggy brute moved away with a disgusted look on his face. His stomach was nowhere near as strong as his iron maw.
Lyn sighed, "Soon Beastman, we will eat soon."
"I still can't see him," said Tri-Klops.
"No matter, the canary is out of his cage we'll just pounce on him," Lyn said
"Mmm, canary."
"Shut up Beastman!"
The four villains inched their way along the path. Tri-Klops held the lead, he could see best of the four and would alert them with plenty forewarning if the Prince were to reappear. Evil-Lyn constantly felt at ill-ease in these mountains, Grayskull was here she was certain. She was wary of the mythical fortress, she was certain it had tried to prevent her from a task once before, at that time she could not think what. That is until she had learned that He-Man had not been killed and was hiding in the woods the Castle tried to turn her away from. Right before he left her stranded in the Frimswood.
"Beastman," Lyn whispered, "are there any creatures around you can make contact with?"
"Beastman's thick brow lowered in painstaking concentration; with Beastman concentration was always a painstaking process. "I don't know." he growled, "Like something blocking; won't let me talk to animals."
That confirmed Lyn's fears. Grayskull had to be weaving its spell and for some reason it was protecting the Eternian Prince. "Tread carefully, something else is at play," she cautioned the others. They nodded, next to Skeletor she was the most knowledgeable being they knew on the eldritch arts.
They came up to Adam's Attak-Trak but still saw no sign of its pilot. "Look there's tracks leading to the rock wall," Trap Jaw noticed.
"I thought you said he didn't go up the hillside," Lyn chided Tri-Klops.
"He didn't, there's no way he could've started up the mountains without my spotting him," He said defensively.
"I can smell him," Beastman declared. "Follow me."
As he started for the illusionary wall a man-sized boulder hurtled from beyond the barrier and caught Beastman full in the chest. The impact sent the man-beast flying into the Attak Trak where he slimply slid to the ground. Tri-Klops sprang forward but was caught with a kick from a boot that appeared out of the rock. He too flew helplessly through air. Lyn leveled a blast from her staff at the mirage but was sent diving to the side when her shot was deflected back at her. Trap Jaw had fitted his crossbow attachment to his prosthetic arm and was about to fire when a sword spun through the air, slicing the artificial limb in two. Lyn looked up and standing in front of her was He-Man.
"Long time, no see witch." He-Man casually wrested the staff from her feeble grip and crushed it within his own.
"That's two I owe you now He-Man," she spat
"I think not Evil-Lyn, you and your kind have caused me enough grief to cover any you may have against me." He knelt to where she lay in the dirt. "It is fortunate for you that my attention is needed elsewhere this day, I give you and your cronies a chance to flee and leave the Prince and I in peace. If you think to cause more trouble for me after my business has concluded then I will feel no regret in leading you straight to the dungeons of Eternos."
Evil-Lyn scrambled to her feet and started to run, the others staggered to theirs and seeing Lyn's example. Set out after her. He-Man waited by the Attak-Trak until no longer could he see their forms on the TOD. He climbed back into the cockpit and began the last leg of the journey to Castle Grayskull.
It took yet a few more hours to reach the blasted Lost Valley in which Grayskull stood, making it mid-evening and almost a full day since last he rested. He stopped the Attak Trak and got out to walk, he noticed the falcon form of the Sorceress sitting on the valley floor. It was a strange curse that plagued the Fortress' keeper, she could only assume human form whenever she stood within the Castle's walls. Outside of it and she could exist only as a bird of prey. He-Man/Adam always felt pity for her, as far as he could tell no other lived within the Castle; how lonely she must have felt. Yet she never displayed any outward emotion. It was a pity because her serious demeanor marred an otherwise earthly beauty.
It was strange in a way, the fables always spoke of beautiful sorceresses and queens and how their beauty transcended any normal lady's beauty. But that was not so with this fabled woman, except for her preternaturally sad eyed expression and world weary tone she could have been any woman in Eternian society. She had oak-brown eyes, similar, come to think of it, to Teela's. He-Man laughed, he could not think of any more diametrically opposed personalities as the Sorceress of Grayskull and Teela. One was a gentle soul who sought to prevent war; the other was a fierce soldier, brash and independent.
The more He-Man thought about it there seemed other similarities between the two. Both had the same slender face, one could almost say heart-shaped and full lips that seemed to promise a gentle kiss; though He-Man could not imagine Teela doing anything gently, nor could he fathom suggesting such a thing to the Sorceress. He shook his head, why was he running with this line of thought anyway?
As he stood before the Sorceress he noticed a sword lain at her feet (her talons?). "I'm sorry I'm late but I ran into some trouble," He-Man apologized.
"I saw," the Sorceress responded.
He-Man looked at the sword. It was simple in design; the hilt was rounded and gilded in gold, on either side of the hilt a jewel had been inlaid, a diamond. From there a double-sided blade emerged. The grip was bound in leather. "What's this?" he asked, "A present for me?"
The falcon shook its' head, "Not for you, but you will need it for a while."
"I thought the Power Sword provided me with everything I need?"
"Not for what you are about to do my young champion. In your scabbard is one half of a key, its twin sits now at my feet."
Adam looked skeptical, "What does it unlock?"
"It is the key to the castle you now stand before," she noted his expression. "Fear not, your questions will be answered soon enough. What you must do now is take both swords and stand before the Jawbridge. Raise them both and chant 'The two that were promised, riven at birth. United once more, seeking shelter from the storm.'
Curious, Adam did as he was instructed and accordingly the massive stone drawbridge of Castle Grayskull lowered, creaking and rumbling as it did so. The Sorceress flew ahead and as she crossed the threshold assumed her human form. "You have done that which none before you have, you are the first person in history to open the portal to Castle Grayskull."
He looked around as he entered, finding what he pretty much envisioned the interior to be; cold, grey stone, unadorned and foreboding. The Sorceress walked ahead in silence, Adam had little choice but to follow. "I don't understand," he said frustrated by the silence and mystery, "You told me that no one could enter Grayskull, that its' secrets are not for any one person's ears?"
The Sorceress did not even look back. "Whoever controls Castle Grayskull has near unlimited power at their disposal. The ability to subvert entire races, manipulate the seasons and even the orbits of other worlds. That is but a small example of what one could do from the throne of Grayskull. Can you imagine being charged with the responsibility of managing such unchecked power?"
She continued, "No one person is immune from the corrupting influence of absolute power. That is why you were only given one half of the key. That is why I cannot use my magic away from the Castle and that is why 'he' is bound here, unable to manipulate even the smallest item, doomed to watch over Eternia as a spectre." The Sorceress intercepted Adam's next question, "He will speak to you on the morrow, when all your questions will be answered."
"So what am I supposed to do now?" the confused young Prince asked.
"For now you will sleep Prince Adam. For tomorrow you will walk even further into unknown territory.
It was mid-morning and the Attak-Trak was proving to be a smoother ride than the Wind Raider, at least Adam did not have to contend with turbulence. A few other vehicles could be seen going to and from Gratten Ridge, they were probably patrols and merchants. The cost of these machines was beyond the ordinary Eternian's means.
The gadgetry in both the Wind Raider and Attak-Trak were a wonder. There were all kinds of flashing panels, buttons and screens that performed a variety of tasks. One such device was called a 'radar', it apparently showed any other nearby vehicles; all Adam could make out were green blips, though they did correlate with where the other 'Traks were so he guessed it worked fine. Another screen, called a 'thermo-optic display', also called the TOD, read the 'heat' off machines and creatures alike. Not only could he see the other Attak-Traks, he could see pedestrians as well. There were also communicators, but Duncan explained that they had limited range, though that range could potentially be expanded with the construction of receivers dotted throughout the land.
Though Adam had known of these vehicles prior to their unveiling, it was only recently he had been able to pilot them and his wonder never ceased. His mother had unwittingly brought with her the technology upon which these creations had been based. The flight-craft in which she had landed provided Eternia's scientists with the blueprints to manufacture their own designs. He could only ponder the kind of world that could demonstrate such ingenuity, such technological marvel.
His mother was not so impressed with her own society though, she feared that such technology could only bring ruin to Eternia, not prosperity. 'Where I come from,' she had told Adam, 'we have a saying: "The world is a small place." Now you will find that it is even smaller. When humankind feels it does not have enough space, it strives to make more for itself.' He knew that she meant that this technology would lead to more war. All Adam could do was hope that she was wrong.
Dusk appeared on the horizon and soon became twilight and not long after that night fell. He was at the point he needed to be. But something had been bothering him. On the TOD four 'things' had been following him all day. He applied the brakes and waited to see what the trailers would do. Sure enough they stopped with him, moving off a little to the left apparently to hide behind some boulders. Adam too looked about for a hiding spot; he would give these pursuers a nasty surprise. Cursing, as the foothills provided no cover he wondered what he should do.
To his immediate left stood the illusionary rock wall that hid the pass leading to Castle Grayskull, Adam thought about it a moment. If one couldn't see beyond the false wall it would stand to reason they couldn't see his actions behind it either. Opening the Attak-Trak's canopy Adam leapt out of the cockpit, his sword in hand and sprinted for the opening, time was everything. As soon as he thought he was safely past the mirage he raised his sword and spoke the incantation, "By the power of Grayskull!"
Brilliant white light exploded all around him, blinding him. He could feel a surge of power strike his sword like a bolt of lightning, shooting down the elegant blade, coursing through his body. His muscles grew and became taut; the ground seemed to shrink away as he grew taller. He clutched the Power Sword in both hands, "I have the Power!" For the first time in many months, Prince Adam had become He-Man, Defender and Champion of Eternia, Knight of Castle Grayskull. He stood panting as the adrenaline continued its rush through his veins. 'Now' he thought, 'for a little fun.'
"What's he doing? Can you see him?" Evil-Lyn pushed Tri-Klops.
"Just be quiet woman, you're breaking my concentration" growled the tri- optical swordsman.
"Well, what's happening?" Lyn persisted.
"I don't know," responded Tri-Klops, "he seems to have vanished."
Evil-Lyn snorted, "How could he have vanished. Your vaunted eyesight must be fading."
"It's still good enough to see the wrinkles in your aging skin. How old are you anyway?"
"What does that have to do with the task at hand?" Lyn asked, averting the question and ignoring Trap-Jaw's and Beastman's s******ing.
"Well for your information he hopped out of that tin can, took a few steps and disappeared. And no I am not losing my sight."
"No, not your sight, just your mind."
"Hmm mind, brain, yummy brain, little sparrow brain, nice and squishy," mused Beastman, who only spoke in food related non-sequiturs when he was hungry. Trap Jaw, who was sitting closest to the shaggy brute moved away with a disgusted look on his face. His stomach was nowhere near as strong as his iron maw.
Lyn sighed, "Soon Beastman, we will eat soon."
"I still can't see him," said Tri-Klops.
"No matter, the canary is out of his cage we'll just pounce on him," Lyn said
"Mmm, canary."
"Shut up Beastman!"
The four villains inched their way along the path. Tri-Klops held the lead, he could see best of the four and would alert them with plenty forewarning if the Prince were to reappear. Evil-Lyn constantly felt at ill-ease in these mountains, Grayskull was here she was certain. She was wary of the mythical fortress, she was certain it had tried to prevent her from a task once before, at that time she could not think what. That is until she had learned that He-Man had not been killed and was hiding in the woods the Castle tried to turn her away from. Right before he left her stranded in the Frimswood.
"Beastman," Lyn whispered, "are there any creatures around you can make contact with?"
"Beastman's thick brow lowered in painstaking concentration; with Beastman concentration was always a painstaking process. "I don't know." he growled, "Like something blocking; won't let me talk to animals."
That confirmed Lyn's fears. Grayskull had to be weaving its spell and for some reason it was protecting the Eternian Prince. "Tread carefully, something else is at play," she cautioned the others. They nodded, next to Skeletor she was the most knowledgeable being they knew on the eldritch arts.
They came up to Adam's Attak-Trak but still saw no sign of its pilot. "Look there's tracks leading to the rock wall," Trap Jaw noticed.
"I thought you said he didn't go up the hillside," Lyn chided Tri-Klops.
"He didn't, there's no way he could've started up the mountains without my spotting him," He said defensively.
"I can smell him," Beastman declared. "Follow me."
As he started for the illusionary wall a man-sized boulder hurtled from beyond the barrier and caught Beastman full in the chest. The impact sent the man-beast flying into the Attak Trak where he slimply slid to the ground. Tri-Klops sprang forward but was caught with a kick from a boot that appeared out of the rock. He too flew helplessly through air. Lyn leveled a blast from her staff at the mirage but was sent diving to the side when her shot was deflected back at her. Trap Jaw had fitted his crossbow attachment to his prosthetic arm and was about to fire when a sword spun through the air, slicing the artificial limb in two. Lyn looked up and standing in front of her was He-Man.
"Long time, no see witch." He-Man casually wrested the staff from her feeble grip and crushed it within his own.
"That's two I owe you now He-Man," she spat
"I think not Evil-Lyn, you and your kind have caused me enough grief to cover any you may have against me." He knelt to where she lay in the dirt. "It is fortunate for you that my attention is needed elsewhere this day, I give you and your cronies a chance to flee and leave the Prince and I in peace. If you think to cause more trouble for me after my business has concluded then I will feel no regret in leading you straight to the dungeons of Eternos."
Evil-Lyn scrambled to her feet and started to run, the others staggered to theirs and seeing Lyn's example. Set out after her. He-Man waited by the Attak-Trak until no longer could he see their forms on the TOD. He climbed back into the cockpit and began the last leg of the journey to Castle Grayskull.
It took yet a few more hours to reach the blasted Lost Valley in which Grayskull stood, making it mid-evening and almost a full day since last he rested. He stopped the Attak Trak and got out to walk, he noticed the falcon form of the Sorceress sitting on the valley floor. It was a strange curse that plagued the Fortress' keeper, she could only assume human form whenever she stood within the Castle's walls. Outside of it and she could exist only as a bird of prey. He-Man/Adam always felt pity for her, as far as he could tell no other lived within the Castle; how lonely she must have felt. Yet she never displayed any outward emotion. It was a pity because her serious demeanor marred an otherwise earthly beauty.
It was strange in a way, the fables always spoke of beautiful sorceresses and queens and how their beauty transcended any normal lady's beauty. But that was not so with this fabled woman, except for her preternaturally sad eyed expression and world weary tone she could have been any woman in Eternian society. She had oak-brown eyes, similar, come to think of it, to Teela's. He-Man laughed, he could not think of any more diametrically opposed personalities as the Sorceress of Grayskull and Teela. One was a gentle soul who sought to prevent war; the other was a fierce soldier, brash and independent.
The more He-Man thought about it there seemed other similarities between the two. Both had the same slender face, one could almost say heart-shaped and full lips that seemed to promise a gentle kiss; though He-Man could not imagine Teela doing anything gently, nor could he fathom suggesting such a thing to the Sorceress. He shook his head, why was he running with this line of thought anyway?
As he stood before the Sorceress he noticed a sword lain at her feet (her talons?). "I'm sorry I'm late but I ran into some trouble," He-Man apologized.
"I saw," the Sorceress responded.
He-Man looked at the sword. It was simple in design; the hilt was rounded and gilded in gold, on either side of the hilt a jewel had been inlaid, a diamond. From there a double-sided blade emerged. The grip was bound in leather. "What's this?" he asked, "A present for me?"
The falcon shook its' head, "Not for you, but you will need it for a while."
"I thought the Power Sword provided me with everything I need?"
"Not for what you are about to do my young champion. In your scabbard is one half of a key, its twin sits now at my feet."
Adam looked skeptical, "What does it unlock?"
"It is the key to the castle you now stand before," she noted his expression. "Fear not, your questions will be answered soon enough. What you must do now is take both swords and stand before the Jawbridge. Raise them both and chant 'The two that were promised, riven at birth. United once more, seeking shelter from the storm.'
Curious, Adam did as he was instructed and accordingly the massive stone drawbridge of Castle Grayskull lowered, creaking and rumbling as it did so. The Sorceress flew ahead and as she crossed the threshold assumed her human form. "You have done that which none before you have, you are the first person in history to open the portal to Castle Grayskull."
He looked around as he entered, finding what he pretty much envisioned the interior to be; cold, grey stone, unadorned and foreboding. The Sorceress walked ahead in silence, Adam had little choice but to follow. "I don't understand," he said frustrated by the silence and mystery, "You told me that no one could enter Grayskull, that its' secrets are not for any one person's ears?"
The Sorceress did not even look back. "Whoever controls Castle Grayskull has near unlimited power at their disposal. The ability to subvert entire races, manipulate the seasons and even the orbits of other worlds. That is but a small example of what one could do from the throne of Grayskull. Can you imagine being charged with the responsibility of managing such unchecked power?"
She continued, "No one person is immune from the corrupting influence of absolute power. That is why you were only given one half of the key. That is why I cannot use my magic away from the Castle and that is why 'he' is bound here, unable to manipulate even the smallest item, doomed to watch over Eternia as a spectre." The Sorceress intercepted Adam's next question, "He will speak to you on the morrow, when all your questions will be answered."
"So what am I supposed to do now?" the confused young Prince asked.
"For now you will sleep Prince Adam. For tomorrow you will walk even further into unknown territory.