Geezer's Property #10

“Well, yeah,” admitted Saya, before bobbing underwater again. “That’s been in human legends for generations, but the Lullaby books haven’t even begun to mention them. Or at least, as far as I know.”

“If the naga were sealed in Atlantis, why were we just talking to them?” asked Rowan.

“Do you think that the naga were so stupid as to put all of their forces into one scouting mission?” Saya rolled her eyes. “The naga have always been drawn to the sea, and those that were left on land rushed to help their allies…and Lockebeth put another spell on them to keep them closer to it. Now I think the spell has worn off a bit, and you can find naga in just about any ocean, if you look hard enough.” she shivered. “As if anyone wanted to find them...”

Sherman looked meaningfully at Rowan, who returned the stare doggedly.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“You know very well what…”

“You sound like your mom.” That stopped Sherman, who glared at him momentarily before dolloping more oatmeal into his bowl.

“Thick-headed idiot…” muttered Sherman, pulling the sugar bowl towards him. He rolled his eyes at Leah, who stared stonily back. “Are you sure this is the kid who used to say, ‘that is so ghastly!’ when anyone talked about wraiths?”

“Nope. Are you the same kid who used to dig worms out for baby birds and hand-feed them personally? ‘Cuz that’s quite a leap from nice-Sherman to let’s-go-sneak-onto-forbidden-property-and-drag-along-your-friend-who-doesn’t-want-to-go-Sherman.” snapped Leah.

In the silence that followed her small outburst, she flushed crimson and hastily drowned a glass of milk. “Sorry,” she whispered, sinking down in her chair until the table was eye-level.

“That’s quite alright.” said Sherman calmly.

The Geezer entered, carrying several thick, dusty books in his arms.

“You’re still eating?” he looked questioningly at Sherman. “Overeating is bad for you.”

“Pass the barbeque sauce- I already knew that.” replied Sherman through a mouthful.

The Geezer rolled his eyes and shuddered, walking across the kitchen to dump the books on the table.

“Well, leave that be for now and follow me. Whatever-your-name is.” he pointed randomly at Leah. “Grab Saya’s bucket and follow me.”

“Leah, Rowan, and Sherman.” said Saya, pointing to each as Leah stuck the pail in the aquarium.

“Yes, yes, that’s nice. We have to go downstairs.” The Geezer opened a door next to the pantry and switched on a light. Rowan helped Leah lug the container over to the stairs as Sherman clattered down after the Geezer.

“I hate stairs,” mumbled Saya, putting her hands over her eyes before vanishing from the surface. “They’re worse than rip tides.”

**

The room was high, with only a forlorn mouse to observe the mysterious goings-on. The floor was paved with square stones, each carved with different runes. Arrows of light danced throughout the cavern, cast by a pool of water lit with a gentle but firm glow of no identifiable source. It emitted a soothing hum, and the rodent stopped to stroke its whiskers reflectively and stare at the pool.

The mouse did not dare to drink the water, nor break the circle of stones that surrounded the pool.

The water within its shallow prison danced, waves washing against the edges, surrounding the glow and making the spectral patterns on the wall shift and undulate as the water itself.

In the bottom of the shallow pond was a four-pronged star, surrounded by four symbols: a circle with an oblique line, giving more then half, a line sprouting three more, and a character that resembled a T.

Suddenly, as if bidden by an unseen master, the water fell back into the pool, resting tranquil amongst its cold jail. The light, in contrast, grew in magnitude and began to distort itself, the humming increasing rapidly in volume, the light rising until the mouse scampered behind a raised brick to escape the glow.

Strong as the pillar of illumination was, it did nothing to breach the darkness that cloaked the high ceiling.

The light gave out a shudder, and exploded. Something large and thin was rising out of the pool, with bright silver eyes.

Two other silhouettes emerged from the darkness, one tall and willowy, the other catlike, large. The willowy figure held a stave with a shimmering object, and the animal wore a necklace with a radiant gem, both items sparkling in the dim light.

“Mekare,” said the two figures in unison, bowing graciously, the cat lowering its head.

“Lockerel, Lockezan,” replied Mekare, nodding. “I’m glad you could reply in time.”

“You mentioned the Lockemet having an uprising?” asked the slender shadow in a calm voice.

“Indeed, Lockerel. I have given the Lockegeo three days to train three human children in the skills needed.”

The Lockerel made a surprised sound.

“At his human age? What possessed you, Mekare?”

“And the children? No child of any race can learn as much as needed in only three days.” added the other figure, voice a bare growl.

“A better question, O Keepers, is what possessed the Lockemet to bring the naga forces ashore to threaten the Lockegeo.”

“Maris!” exploded the cat, beginning to pace agitatedly. “That brainless half-snake! At the next conference, just wait until I get my teeth on his slimy neck…”

“Calm yourself, Arim,” said the form with the stave sharply. “The time for bloodshed is long gone.”

The tiger-like shape turned to Mekare, yellow eyes flashing dangerously.

“You have avoided the question, Ancient, why did you tell the Lockegeo to train three children? You know how much study is needed to complete the duties to the naga’s liking, and even then that is all but impossible to do!”

“The Lockegeo has the Sibelnu, might I remind you, and more then many petals to complete it, last time I checked with him.”

Silence echoed within the cavern for a few seconds.

“Lockezan,” said Mekare finally. “Please do your best to guide these children once Frank has gone.”

The Lockezan bowed again.

“Farewell, until next time, Keepers.” Mekare dived back into the pool, leaving no trace of his appearance. The glow came back and the light was shed upon the Lockezan, who was closest.

“Oh, tremendous,” muttered the Lockezan. “I will see to the fact that Maris an idiot… well, until next time, Mathea.”

“Until the conference, then, Arim. Don’t hurt Maris…” the Lockezan rolled his eyes. “…until I get to lecture him.”

A pointy-fanged grin.

"Of course."

They both vanished into the shadows.

____________________________

10th anniversary! YAYAYAYA!

And there was me thinking it would be FOUR parts....

Oh, yeah, I wrote this up to help you people with the "symbol at the bottom of the pool".

Yes, that is my handwriting.

Yes, it sucks.

Yes, that is my general drawing skill.

Yes, it sucks.

Enjoy!!!

~Sumi