Disclaimer: I don't own the Deltora Quest I'm just a really big fan!!
Author's note: Hope you enjoyed my last chapter!
The Underground of Hope
- Black Fury
3 – Images
The black bird cawed as Jasmine ran, with glee, towards the library, the Belt of Deltora swinging in her hand. The cold steel of the belt's frame felt refreshing on her hand.
Lief and Barda had left only hours ago, leaving her with the belt and with the free time in the library. It wasn't that she wasn't allowed into the library, it was because Lief was always there and she had no wish to start another argument. Marilen, whom Jasmine did not like as much as she had thought she would, was also always in the library with Ranesh but she was sure that at this hour of the morning either would be there to get in her way.
She quickly moved up the stairs and passed the guards. She didn't want anyone to be around to see what she was doing. It wasn't that it was a secret; it was that they would ask questions and become annoying. She swiftly entered the library and moved over to the table Lief had been working at.
Her eyes skimmed over, briefly, what Lief had written than she grabbed the Deltora Annals and the small blue book, Lief had always consoled on matters of the belt. She walked over to another table and began to look through the blue book's pages.
Kree fluttered down beside her squawking and Filli hid behind Jasmine's collar.
'What is it you two?' She hissed, warning them to be quiet, but then the feeling came-the feeling which both Kree and Filli had sensed before her; they were being watched.
She quickly spun her head around and saw a dark figure standing watching her from behind a shelf.
'I wasn't expecting company.'
'There they are! I knew I could find them again!' Lief smiled, as Barda lumber over to him.
Barda watched the fat, golden coloured moths flutter around the hole in the ground, more months rising to join them with every second.
'Looks like you are right, that does appear to be the hole,' growled Barda, 'Thankfully we were not caught by any Granous this time, if they still exist.'
Lief walked over to the hole and began to lower himself into it.
'See you in a minute.' He smiled then disappeared down the hole.
Barda waited, then followed suite, landing beside Lief at the bottom.
'This brings back memories.' Barda exclaimed.
'Yes, and over there is Jasmine's rope!' Lief got to his feet and walked over to it, 'I would have thought that it had rotted by now!'
'It may have.' Barda walked over to the rope and pulled it, testing its strength. The rope crumbled in his hands. Barda raised an eyebrow to Lief.
'All right you've made your point.' Lief sighed pulling out a spare rope he had brought with him.
It only took half the time it had first taken them to climb down and cross the forest, for they now knew the path to take. There pace slowed, however, as they approached the dragon's lair.
Was it still there? Was it still bewitched? Had the defeat of the Shadow Lord broken the charm that kept it motionless?
These thoughts spun through Lief's head, each more frightening than the last. He felt Barda's grip upon his shoulder.
'Don't look at it this time.' He growled.
Lief wet his lips and nodded. Together they moved towards the cave of the dragon and lit a torch. The flames danced and flickered, teasing to blow out as they plunged into the caves darkness.
Jasmine stood up quickly, dagger in hand.
'Come out of the shadows!' She demanded.
'Gladly! I pose no threat to you.' The voice came again as Jasmine watched Drahen walk towards her, 'You can put your dagger down, I work here as you know.'
Jasmine felt her whole body relax and she tucked her dagger away. She stood stiffly for a few moments then turned to continue reading. Drahen appeared interested.
'What brings you here at this hour of the morning?' He began, 'It must be of great importance or you couldn't have gone out of your way.'
Knowing little would deceive him she answered.
'Not of great importance, but of great interest.'
'Ah!' Drahen's eyes flashed triumphantly, 'Can I be of service? Is there a book you need?'
'I think I have all the books I need…unless, do you know anything of the gems on this belt.' Jasmine looked up hopefully.
Drahen frowned, thinking.
'That depends on what you need to know about them,' He sighed, 'I am sure you will find most information in that book.' He pointed his finger at the blue book in front of her.
Jasmine shook her head.
'It tells of Adin and the tribes and the gems meanings, but not of want I want to know.' Stated Jasmine.
'Indeed,' He raised an eyebrow, 'and what might that be?'
'I want to know how the gems came to be and where the tribes managed to get them.' She answered.
'Hmm…I might have a book on gems somewhere, would you like me to find it?' Jasmine nodded and Drahen walked for to one of the shelves.
She turned her eyes on the belt. The belts gleamed in the candle light and she thought dimly of where Barda and Lief where right now. She moved the belt closer and stared at the gems, remembering the guardians for each of the gem in turn. Her hand lingered over the opal. Would it hurt to see a bit of the future? Maybe if she just put her hand on it for a second…curiosity getting the better of her she placed her hand on the opal and immediately images flooded her mind.
A large, creature's head loomed into focus, its scales gleamed the dull green colours of the rainbow. Its long white teeth flashed before her, raising a huge talon to strike her down, but as it lowered a voice entered her head. Like a mixture of a growl and a hiss:
Three of us bewitched, four of us forgotten, soon we will have revenge...
Jasmine jerked back in fear as the claw lowered, her hand moved quickly to the amethyst, hoping to be calmed, but calm never came-a new image filled her thoughts.
A large hooked beak, of purple and gleaming eyes stared at her. The beak slowly opened to reveal small sharp teeth, the voice filled her head again:
Forgotten…but alive! Oh very much alive! Soon…very soon…
Jasmine almost fell from her chair, what was happening? Her hand brushed the diamond as she staggered to not fall over.
This time a silvery white lizard stared upon her. Its face was scared and ancient. More voices…
Fight? Yes we will fight by you side…you have want we want…
Her hand, without any direction from her moved to the lapis lazuli and all was quiet…or it appeared to be. Was she back in the library? It seemed to dark to tell. Suddenly there was a swooping noise and two torches lit. There between the torches, upon a broken pillar, was a great, slender blue lizard-no! Not lizard at all! A dragon! She could she the wings upon its back flare out as it began to stand. It was going to lunge! She tried to move but could not. The dragon leapt and as it sailed towards her, the words began once more, but this time they were different, more feminine and regal:
True One! Take the amulet and run! Yes run! Run for your life!! I follow…
Jasmine screamed as the sharp teeth drew closer to her…suddenly she sank into darkness…
The dragon was there before them, but still thankfully bewitched.
'Let's as move on now. Quickly, quickly!' Barda pushed Lief forward, the urge to look at the golden scales over coming him again. They were so beautiful…he just wanted to touch one.
They passed through the gap between the dragon's head and rocky cave wall and as they did Lief noticed a glimmer of gold. Not gold of the dragon's scales but gold of coins. The dragon was guarding some treasure!
Before he could tell Barda he was pulled away and outside to the cliff, but this time they were ready for it.
'On the count three we jump together go it?' Barda growled.
Lief nodded, he'd forgotten this part. The only reason they had survived this bit before was because the Plumes had picked them up before they had drowned. Would they be fishing out today?
Lief suddenly became aware of Barda counting and prepared to jump, he wasn't about to enjoy this.
With an almighty splash they hit the golden water. Coughing and spluttering Lief swam quickly to the surface and gasped for air. The water was moving! It had a currant now! How was that so? There was not a currant flowing before!
Lief struggled to stay in place, waiting helplessly for Barda to show. He turned his head left and right, bobbling in the water.
'Barda!' He called but water entered his mouth.
'I'm here! The currant is too strong for me to swim against, we will have to let it take us and hope we head in the right direction.' Lief heard him quite well but could not see him anywhere. Don't leave me here! He thought wildly.
A suddenly splash a cured nearby him and Barda's head popped up along side him.
'Did you hear me Lief? Move with the currant!' He growled.
'Even if I swim with the currant I would not be strong enough to stay close to the surface!' Lief's head was spinning and his legs were beginning to tier.
'Duck under and curl yourself into a ball, you will move faster than way and stay close to the top, but only break the ball if you have to, understand?' Barda looked at Lief sternly. Lief nodded and in seconds Barda had disappeared.
Stomach lurching, Lief took a large gasp of air and plunged under. He tucked his knees close to his chest and lowered his head. Immediately he was met with a strong gust of currant. Lungs bursting, the currant speed his off towards, hopefully, Plume…
Black Fury: Thank you for the reviews guys, chapter four won't be up for a bit. Thanks again. Plz review. Toodles!!!!!!!