Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

The Amulet

As the chief of the Eagle Guard, Amerik had a duty of arranging everything for the journey to the Kingdom of Darkness. The King had allotted him an apartment in the Eagle Guard's tower within the palace premises; so, Amerik had shifted there on the very next day of his last trials. First time in his life, he got an opportunity to see a Martian Palace from inside. He had received a grand apartment comprising of many chambers and antechambers. Amerik amazed to see expensive furnitures of wood, fine fabric curtains and gold items in his room. He also got two servants, first one was a young man and another one was was an aged man with grey and black hairs. The young one was his housekeeper and the old one was his chief cook. He did not try to know their ages.

The hanging balcony was a unique thing; it was adjacent to his drawing room. Amerik was appreciating small flower plants in clay pots hanging from the wall; he liked the canopied swing chair and a small fountain placed beside the swing chair.

"Superior," Amerik turned back and saw his housekeeper Olmus; he bowed to Amerik and said, "Alavaira, the Seer Aspirant; wants to meet you."

Amerik nodded and said, "Bring him here; he'll have lunch with me today."

Within a few minutes, Alavaira entered his official chamber; he smiled at him cordially and Amerik asked him, "How are you, my friend?"

"I'm fine, but you are not. That is why I have been sent, my friend." Alavaira bit his lip in tension.

"Please sit down; who has sent you here?" Amerik asked.

"Pardon me, I cannot sit on a cushion; better to remain on my two feet." Alavaira politely refused and again said, "His Divinity has sent me here."

Amerik politely said, "He is too kind to remember me. What can I do for Him?"

"You have got a great responsibility. King Ergonn's security and the mission's success depend on you. Take this amulet and always keep it in your side. Children of Tophette are afraid of it." Alavaira brought out a pendant attached with a thick gold chain. Amerik saw, the pendant had a rainbow crystal in its middle. The crystal was surrounded by a circular gold frame engraved with colourful gems.

"Beautiful pendant, thanks." Amerik took it from Alavaira.

"No, it is not an ornament, it is an amulet which will protect you from the Dark Forces." Alavaira said.

"Well, I'll offer it to the King."

"No, it is for you, the King's Chief Protector. Now my work is over and I'll not stay here any longer. I wish your success in the mission and hope that you'll find your men beyond the Fire Mountain." Alavaira did not wait for his reply, he wanted to leave. Amerik politely asked him to have lunch, but Alavaira shook his head.

"No, I am a follower of the Order of the Scarlet Sea and an aspiring seer; I cannot dine in a palace full of luxury and extravagance." He smiled and turned towards the door.

Amerik kept the amulet in his side pocket; he was a scientist in his early life and hardly believe in amulets and their magical power. However, he saw the power of rainbow crystal in his own eyes. He called his servant and asked him to bring his cloak and Eagle Guard's uniform.

'As the chief of the Eagle Guard, it was his duty to save the King'; Amerik thought Alavaira's words in his mind. He decided to meet Grand Healer Pailus Acquillum; he would ask him for emergency medicines; but his actual objective of the meeting was something different.

A Chestnut brown stallion was waiting for him in the outer courtyard. Amerik rode the horse and headed towards the Dei Maneret. For the first time in his life, he saw soldiers and guards bowed to him; plebeians or Martian Commoners respectfully gave him a way to his horse. Amerik refused to take attendants and guards with him; because he had some other objective in his mind. Just after crossing the territory of the Scarlet Ville, Amerik saw the white building of Dei Maneret; he rode his stallion towards the magnificent white building and stopped before its main gate.

The Grand Healer Pailus Acquillum was not ready to receive him; he had instructed a healer to give him the wooden box full of all necessary medicines.

"I want to meet the Grand Healer;" Amerik sternly said.

"He is busy." The old healer replied in fragile voice.

"No, I need him." Amerik replied back.

"You cannot order; alien."

"Yes, I can, I am the chief of the Eagle Guard."

"Bring him to my chamber." Pailus Acquillum finally said in a cold voice. Amerik saw the old Grand Healer in sky blue robe. The other healer gave him way to follow the Grand Healer. Amerik silently followed him and entered his Healing Room, which was full of different types of crystals, herbs and colourful orbs. The wall was full of various charts revealing human bodies and organs; a skeleton was placed at the corner of the room. The Grand Healer asked him to sit on a wooden stool and he sat on another stool.

"My room is a bit untidy," He said.

"Well, I don't mind. Life Giver, may I ask you a few questions?"

"I am not bound to reply, though you're the Chief Eagle Guard." Pailus Acquillum said.

"You made the last riddle right?"

"Yes, to end your fight."

"Well, but you misled all of us, why?"

Pailus Acquillum remained silent for some time; he looked serious, sly smile vanished from his face. "I did not mislead anyone."

"Yes, you did. We truly guessed about the solar eclipse and the gate's shadow; but you slightly changed the chest's position. Reverse Sundial cannot indicate 'sun set before sun rise'. You did not...."

The old man looked dizzy, Amerik tried to take his arms; but the Grand Healer shook violently; "Thought readers read minds/ don't trust them like a blind/ neither human nor shadow/ Tophette and her sons hallow/ fall on the Sacrlet Soil/ Beware of upcoming turmoil/ Seers can see tomorrow/ cannot end the sorrow/ you've to act wisely/ keep the stone tightly/ When Eagle cannot fly/ when fire will not die/ ask the rainbow to lead you high." As the Grand Healer finished his riddle, he lost his sense.