Inexperienced Heart

Chapter 18: Balostinges and Agogsims

Galadriel led Landa, Logan, and Goldtin out of the zoo and into the woods that they were so familiar with. But the wizard went deeper into the woods than the two adolescents had ever been in. Soon, they spotted a tiny hut in the distance, well camouflaged by the trees. Landa and Logan were sure they would not have seen it if Galadriel hadn't said anything.

Galadriel found the door to the hut, hidden by leafy branches. A mummy, attached to the door, asked for the password.

Galadriel whispered, "Balostinges." The door opened noiselessly, carrying the mummy with it. Once all four were inside and the door closed automatically on its own, Galadriel sat down in a sofa chair. The other three sat down on a sofa, facing the wizard.

"Balostingen?" Landa said. "What is that?"

"It's Balostinges. The singular is Balostingen," explained Galadriel. "What do you know about Palson?"

Landa and Logan summarized all that had happened to them.

"You know more than I thought. Well, I have to tell you the whole thing. Are you guys ready to hear another story?" Galadriel said.

"Yes, but is this your hut?" Landa quickly said. She was feeling very jumpy and annoyed for no reason she could explain. She also felt uncomfortable and insecure, as if someone had their eye on her, watching every move she made.

"No, this is the Palson hideout. One of them. I've been spying on them for a while. Now can I start my story?" Everyone nodded.

Galadriel started. "Just like I'm a wizard, so are the Palson's, but of a different kind. I'm a good wizard. They're evil. Good wizards use their powers to protect themselves, but evil wizards use dark magic to kill anyone they have a grudge against.

"The Palson's family line dates back to the same time as my family tree. You remember the little man who accused Yanis and Paloma of stealing the golden box?"

They nodded and Landa burst out, "But did they actually steal it? And what was in it? Where is the box now?"

Galadriel looked at Landa curiously and worriedly asked her, "Are you okay, Landa?"

"Of course, but what about my questions?"

Galadriel decided to keep a close eye on her. She was acting rather strangely. Logan and Goldtin noticed her bizarre behavior as well. Her voice did not sound normal.

"We don't know if Yanis and his wife stole it. I don't think so. I think the little man stole it. As to answer your other two questions, no one knows, not even the owner of the box." Then, Galadriel continued his original story.

"It turns out that that little man was the start of wizardry and witchcraft on the evil side. His name was Oceanus Walcott. His wife was a beautiful maiden I could not see how she loved him. Her name was Emerald Fabia. I don't know if she was always evil or if her husband persuaded her to turn to the dark side. But they were both wicked and scandalous, especially one night.

"That particular night, they went out and killed Yanis's whole family and Paloma's entire family, by saying just one word. 'Berada' was the word. It is a killing word. If you say it like you mean it, it will kill the person or people you are directing it at."

Galadriel noticed Landa staring intently on him, smiling wickedly. She had a murderous look on her face. The wizard, a bit frightened, decided to ignore it for the present and continued his story.

"That is how the evil wizards began, all from the wee little man, as I like to call him.

"Now the Palson's are a family of three. But back then, he loved a girl named Isabel. But-" As Galadriel continued the story, Landa suddenly recalled it. It was the story behind Lost Surfer's Hollow and how it came to be invisible.

"Now the man who loved Isabel, but had his heart broken by her parents, had planned revenge ever since they refused. That is why he planned to kill the whole household and curse it, even the girl he dearly loved, and why he carried out his plan."

"This man is Mr. Palson or Aldrich Palson," announced the wizard.

"Logan!" Landa almost screamed.

"What?" Logan answered innocently.

"What did you say was the name of the man who loved Isabel?"

"Thirm Maydon. Why?"

"Did you know his actual name was Palson?"

"Well, no, but I had my suspicions that he was."

"Why didn't you tell us then?" Landa demanded.

Logan couldn't seem to answer, so Galadriel stepped in, making Logan breathe a sigh of relief.

"Well, to continue my story," Galadriel began, speaking as if nothing had happened, "Aldrich never got over Isabel. He thought about her all the time. But soon, he married anyway, not out of love, but out of continuing his family line. His wife is a beauty, but nothing compared to Isabel. There never has been a more gorgeous soul and girl than Isabel.

"Aldrich is still trying to get revenge on anyone he can get hands on, even if they're innocent. Aldrich and his wife, Capriana, are both evil and their son, Roco, is following in their footsteps.

"Aldrich did go by Thirm Maydon for a while. The reason to that is he killed a poor homeless man just for fun. But the authorities have given up on ever catching him, so he changed his name to Aldrich Palson, which is his original name.

"One more thing, you guys said you used Lost Surfer's Hollow as a signal and something strange occurred? Red balls of light, you said?"

Landa and Logan nodded.

"Well, those red balls of light are called Balostinges, the password to get in here."

"But what are they?" asked Landa impatiently.

"They're not really illusions, but sort of. I don't know how, but Aldrich came up with them. What Balostinges really are, are his servants. They're people in red bubbles, but the people have been deformed to make them small enough to fit into the bubble. The bubbles give off a bright red light. If you touch the red ball of light, it really hurts! I've never personally experienced the pain, but I overheard Aldrich saying that if you touch it, it feels like the end of your life, like you're being murdered," Galadriel stopped.

"Is there a cure?" Logan asked.

"Well, when you touch it, it swells and becomes red. It also feels numb and lifeless. Aldrich said it will at first seem to be killing you slowly, but after a month, it will speed up and kill you soon afterwards," Galadriel explained.

"Freaking Frenchmen!" Logan exclaimed. "That means I only have a week before the month is up!" When Galadriel continued looking perplexed, Logan clarified, "I touched one of those Balostinges!" Slowly, he moved his hand from behind his back and showed the wizard.

The wizard immediately inspected it, saying, "There is a cure, but it's hard to get. First, let me tell you what stung you. Attached to the bubble is a jaw, but you can't see it. The jaw is one of the Agogsim species. The Agogsim is a rare animal. It is blood red in color. It has three legs and two heads with horns that zigzag. It has no arms. The Agogsim's mouth is dangerous. Their teeth are sharper than daggers and very poisonous. If one bites you, you are dead instantly. But also in the mouth is a stinger. That is what stung you, Logan. It will weaken you gradually and then kill you before you know what struck you.

"The problem is the cure is guarded by the Agogsims. These animals are lightning fast in killing and identifying movement and sound. They also get very excited to kill. But that is where we must go!"

Right as the wizard stood up, the door opened. None of them could hide.

"We are doomed!" cried Logan as the four of them stood next to each other side by side, getting ready to fight and expecting the worst.