Confrontation with the Enemy
PART XI
Echoes carried throughout the library, among the stone walls. Books fell to ground, and littered the floor. He was alone, with only the echoes to comfort him.
Books piled on the surface of the table, almost ready to capsize. A single light illuminated the room, casting shadows in varies places.
His head bent over a book, and eyes skimming the contents.
Cammi closed the book abruptly, and placed it upon the pile of books, stacked on the table. Going in search for another. Walking between the bookcases, his finger then traced the books.
They felt silky, and looked old, but were still in good condition, apparently handed with care. Stopping, his hand pulled out a royal green book, decorated with golden strips, quite fancy in his opinion. Throwing open the book, his eyes skimmed the contents of the book, searching for any possible information on Spirits.
Finding nothing, he slammed the book in frustration. They had to be something on them, surely. Everybody had a weakness somewhere no matter how strong they were. He had practically read every book in the library, leaving none standing in the bookcases, all been stacked in piles on his desk.
Throwing the book onto the floor, Cammi began to take punching the wall, releasing his anger and frustration he felt. Not one of these books contained any information, to help him.
Cracks appeared, and spread across the wall, of where Cammi punched. Turning but still not satisfied he began taking his anger out on the bookcases, tables and chairs, anything in sight he could grab hold of.
The noise which Cammi made in the library, carried out into the grounds, yet no attention was drawn to him.
Finally feeling the last of his frustration die, he kicked what he presumed an empty hollow bookcase. Watching the bookcase leant against the wall, tilt, then plummeted down to the ground, smash into two, upon the impact and force, echoes carried out further in the grounds, gaining one gummi's attention.
Satisfied with what he had done, he turned his back on it, and proceeded to cast a spell which would tidy up the library up in seconds. Walking back to the table, through dark, and shadows, he abruptly stopped in mid tracks.
Glowing, yellow light glowed behind him, illuminating the room, then disappeared.
Immediately intrigued, he turned to find the source of the light, his eyes falling on the destroyed bookcase.
There it was again. Something glowing beneath the cover of the bookcase.
Chancing a step forward, excitement flooded him, to what this might be.
Bending forth slightly, he outstretched his hand, drawer closer and nearer to the bookcase until his fingertips grazed and touched the surface. Cold and smooth was the wood to his touch, his fingers wrapping round the edge of the board.
Pausing for a moment, his heart racing, and sweat beading on his brow, he threw the cover aside.
A cloud of dust engulfed him and made him cough and his eye's water, wiping his eyes he looked into the bookcase, revealing the light to him.
Closing his eyes at it's brightness, until it dimmed, he opened them again, and his jaw fell open, his eyes widened in wonder, with shock registered on his face.
Laying in the centre of the bookcase was the most striking, wondrous but forbidden books of them all.
Even a fool could tell that this book contained forbidden spells, the beauty of it, far more tempting for one to open and peep.
He stared anxious at the book, eager to know what it contained, know the knowledge, and all it's secrets. His hand drew closer wanting to touch the royal green silk, which flowed like honey, it's golden symbols of ancient language glowing with all there glory, and the strong, heavy golden clasp which held the book closed shimmered in the candlelight of the library begging to be opened.
He leaned forward eager to touch it, his fingertips grazed the cover and he smiled then, clip, tap, clip, damn someone was coming.
Glancing round the library he noticed the mess and froze momentarily fear strucken it was his mother coming to the library she'd kill him if she saw the library in this state.
"Insto cleupo"
The books whizzed back into their rightful places including the huge piles that had collected on his own strained desk from all the weight.
"Repairo" he shouted at the bookcase and it instantly repaired itself.
"Shrinko" he yelled at the strange book.
It shrunk instantly where it lay then he rushed over thrust it into his pocket and whizzed round with a cheesy grin on his face as his mother entered.
"Cammi Derrum Gummi" she shouted and he winced, he was in big trouble.
"Just what do you think you are doing?"
"I don't know what you mean mother"
"Don't give me that Cammi Gummi you have been studying for days on end without eating or sleeping"
"But-"
"No excuses it won't save you. I know you've been over working yourself I just have to look at how strained your desk is from all those heavy books being piled up on it" she continued.
Cammi hung his head in shame as she continued to lecture him he truly felt like he was a little cub again and had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"Cammi I know this research has been frustrating you as you have found very little of use, but that is NO reason to take it out on the books" she emphasized pointing her finger at the bookcase.
Still with his head bent low he glanced at his mother then slowly at the bookcase then back again then mumbled something about it being fine now to which his mother exploded.
"IT SHOULD HAVE STAYED FINE ALL ALONG!" to which Cammi winced.
He felt like he'd shrunk many times smaller than his mother and hung his head so low his chin as resting on his chest and he looked thoroughly ashamed.
His mother seemed to calm down a little looking at his sad face, she knew how he must be feeling so placing one hand on his shoulder and the other under his chin making him meet her gaze she said softly, "I expect to see you at dinner today" smiled warmly then left.
As she rounded the corner of the stone walls of the entrance to the library and Cammi let out a deep sigh.
"PHEW!" he said then collapsed in a chair behind him.
He wiped the sweat that had been forming on his brow and took a few deep breaths to calm himself, that was to close. If his mother found that book on him he'd have been a dead bear.
He closed his eyes a moment listening to the silence of the library and taking in the smell of old, dusty books before a whistle interrupted his thoughts. Opening his eyes he saw Isabella perched on a bookcase near the entrance with a smug look on her face.
"What do you want, squirt?" he asked playfully.
"Oh, nothing I was just near here when I heard mom shouting at you. I guess she must of been pretty mad to use your middle name and even dad seemed a little scared"
This statement made Cammi look at his sister uncertain then suddenly turned into a glare as Isabella smirked.
"Well, don't worry big brother I'm sure only half of the city residents heard your lecture" she said before running out of the library.
Cammi started in his chair not sure whether to chase her or not. Thinking it through a moment he decided not to after all she was just whinding him up.
Sinking back into the chair his head bent back he reclined his arms supporting his head. He tilted the chair back and closed his eyes and began rocking back and forth. Minutes slid by and he slipped away into a far away place as he murmured a long forgotten language.
He opened his heavy eyes that threatened to droop shut again and was vaguely aware that he was dreaming. Everything was cold and dark but he could hear voices, forcing himself to stay awake he listened to what the voices had to say.
"Master, we are nearly ready, master" a weak voice said.
"Good" came a voice only to well known, Altanion.
Cammi shivered slightly that voice was dripping with evil and bitterness and as cold as ice. Cammi vaguely wondered if Altanion knew he was here.
"Master, we are ready to storm the castle" came another small, weak voice.
"How long will it take to reach the castle?" Altanion demanded.
"A week" the small, weak voice squeaked in fear.
"A WEEK" raged Altanion.
"Ye..ye...yes sire!" the voice squeaked again.
"Very well, leave" ordered Altanion.
Cammi was still drifting in a dark void absorbing all the information he could, from what he could understand Altanion was going to storm a castle and he'd wager his life it was Gummadoon, but what for Altanion wouldn't gain anything or would he?
Altanion seemed to be alone musing as all conversation had ceased so all Cammi could do was wait. Cammi thought to himself that he wished he knew what Altanion was thinking as he drifted about getting boreder by the second when WHOOSH!
Cammi felt himself being pulled at a high speed through the void until eventually the colours started to change from black to blue from blue to purple and from purple to green. Eventually once it turned green he stopped feeling very dizzy and extremely sick. He noted the colour change and thought it suited how he was feeling. He didn't have long to ponder on this as Altanion's voice penetrated the void.
"Attacking the castle with black magic from the Forgotten and Unforgiven Book I will storm the castle in minutes" Altanion thought.
"And with it being in the dead of night little Cammi will be fast asleep allowing me to steal nearly all his power before he even realises" Altanion laughed menacingly.
"NOOOO!!!" screamed Cammi then shoved his fist into his mouth trying to silence himself.
Altanion head snapped up "CAMMI!" he thundered suddenly appearing in the void before him.
Cammi pulled his fist out of his mouth slowly then smiled nervously at Altanion.
"He, long time no see, huh Altanion"
"Indeed" Altanion voice stern and hard and he took a step towards the young gummi.
This would be a good time to get out of hereCammi thought.
It would be but you can't you don't know howAltanion's cold vice echoed in his mind.
"Huh!"Was all Cammi was able to say.
You see CammiAltanion went on smiling all too knowingly, then his expression and features hardened and he became unreadable.
You have used a very ancient dark spell to bring yourself here and you didn't even realise it. Therefore you cannot get out" Altanion smiled gleefully "You are a prisoner in your own mind" he barked out with laughter sending shivers down Cammi's spine while he took this information in.
Clenching his fists and gritting his teeth Cammi stared at Altanion with determined eyes.
"There's no way I'm staying here I will get free"
This caused Altanion to laugh again and made Cammi was even more enraged, Altanion was finding this funny.
"DON'T LAUGH!" Cammi yelled.
Anger blazed in Cammi's eyes and heart, he would get free of this spell no matter what it took. He closed his eyes and noted that Altanion had abruptly stopped laughing, but that didn't matter now he only wanted to get free.
Breathing in and out deep and heavily he felt the void begin to shake. This seemed to anger Altanion as he stood yelling at Cammi trying to distract him, but Cammi knew better, for Altanion to act like this it meant he was doing something right. Focusing hard on his thoughts he felt his power growing and smiled weakly, the more he thought of home and his family the lighter the road become and the closer they got.
Altanion's ranting had now drowned out and was replaced by a ringing sound, that's when he noticed his eyes were still shut. Slowly he opened them then closed them; the light was really intense and nearly blinded him. Lifting his paw he covered his eyes and attempted opening his eyes again. They flickered open and his jaw slackened there she was again, just as beautiful and graceful and wrapped in her celestial light, smiling devilishly she winked at him and was gone in a cloud of smoke.
Cammi couldn't think anymore his mind became hazy as natural light flooded his vision, he was waking up.
"Cammi" was the first thing Cammi heard as he opened his eyes and saw his father bent over him.
Cammi tried to speak as a tear slid down his cheek only to realize he had his fist in his mouth and was curled up on the stone floor in a fetal position and quietly whimpering. No wonder his father looked so worried?
"Father" Cammi replied weakly.
Cammi felt himself being pulled up then pushed backwards into his seat that he had fallen off during the dream/spell.
"What happened Cammi?"
"I don't really remember much" Cammi replied honestly.
"Well, what do you know?"
"I was in a dark place almost like a void" Cammi paused and took a few calming breaths.
"I heard Altanion talking to someone" Cammi stopped to look at his father who now seemed both intrigued and concerned.
"I heard him talk about an attack on the castle" Cammi continued. "Then I appeared in another void and I heard Altanion's thoughts".
"And?"
"And Altanion wants to drain my power for himself" Cammi finished.
"I see" his father mused.
"What will we do?" Cammi asked.
"We must inform the Council" his father replied sternly.
Cammi nodded in acknowledgement, and the two rose from their seats and left the library, in search for the Councillors, unknown to them a small pair of eyes watching them go, intrigued as what had taken place.
TBC…