Crustel

Chapter 27

    As the Drama King went to continue sleeping, the three of us tried to arrange the books in a perfect frame. Ah-ha! Then we figure it out. When the books were connected, they showed Ardian's map. Suddenly, the carriage was shaking as there was an earthquake. "Kanyal, what's going on?" three of us shouted in chorus. He immediately ran towards us, "The carriage is broken. The wheel was loose, the horseman told. Well, we have to wait till they repair the carriage." He was talking in a firm tone. That gave me slight relief. (I meant that he was talking in a firm tone. I was not relief with the broken carriage news, obviously) "What are we going to do now?" Erica asked quite unhappily. "Kanyal, when's the Coral Festival in Aquanya?" Ethan asked him without looking into Kanyal's eyes. To my surprise, Kanyal replied without looking into Ethan's eyes, "Tomorrow!" 

   I interrupted them, "Well, can we stay at your palace and go to Ardian after the festival?" I asked calmly. Ethan guessed my reason for going to the festival. He sent me a smile. Erica was totally confused. "Cora, in the middle of saving your uncle's life, you want to attend Coral Festival?" Erica asked nervously as Kanyal agreed with her. "Well, I have a plan!" with suspense in my tone. "What's it," both of them asked at the same time. "You will know when the time arrives!" I snickered. So, we went to the Aquanya Castle. (Yes, the underwater castle) We didn't need Aquan horn because Kanyal was accompanying us. He was actually elated to be able to participate in the Coral Festival. It was the most joyful festival in the entire Aquanya. Erica, Ethan and I were given our own rooms. We were too honoured and thanked Kanyal. Again we had to withstand Kanyal's theatrical emotional shows. "Well, you guys should wake up early tomorrow. I will be leaving the Castle to check the preparations for the festival meanwhile you guys go and buy your favourite mermaid or merman tails. It's quite cheap in Aquanya." Kanyal told excitedly. I tittered as I showed my wand. I waved it as my wand produced an illusion of an entire Aquanya just as small as my palm. "Well, I forgot about the vital fact that you guys can turn into mermaid and merman form without our help yet you guys have to wake up early!" Kanyal left his room.

   Our rooms were beside each and other. Mine was between Erica's and Ethan's.  Ethan's room was beside Kanyal's. We went to our rooms. It was quite hard to guess the time as we couldn't see the sun. Luckily, there was a wall clock. It was almost midnight. I went to have a fresh bath. The bathroom was as huge as my bedroom. It reminded my castle. After finishing my bath, I got dressed as the Queen of Aquanya offered us some clothes. All of sudden, my amulet glowed. I knew it was a message from the sorcerer. I had a glance just to make sure that no one was in the room. I opened the amulet. To my dismay, the book didn't enlarge and float as usual. My amulet was still glowing. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice. (Who else would it be?) It was none else, the Great Lama. I forgot the fact that his spirit could make my amulet glow too. "Lama?" I whispered. He chuckled. "Cora, I wanted to remind you that your aunt is gone for a while. You have to find her too but there's something much more crucial! Do you know that I have taught Prince Melyon too? Well, I taught him a master spell. The moment you find him, ask him who's The Panther of Crustel. If his answer is my name then that's not Prince Melyon...That's Elvira! I wanted to warn you!" Lama warned me and disappeared. The amulet wasn't glowing anymore.

    "KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!" Someone was knocking on the door so hard as the person wanted to break through. "Coming!" I answered the door. It was Erica and Ethan. They hurried in. "Cora, the scroll!" They were pointing at something on the scroll. I heard the same haunting humming voice but even nearer. "What does this means?" I asked as I was shocked. "Elvira's in Aquanya!" Ethan screeched. Our bad luck, Kanyal eavesdropped on our conversation. He accidentally opened the door and fell on the floor. I ran to lend him a hand but he tilted his head and asked, "Elvira's here?" worriedly. I couldn't deny it. He got up as he refused my help. "Guys, there's another bad news! Elvira has found the secret Ardian Gate in Aquanya! We need to hurry," Ethan screamed. All these screeches and screaming just made me dizzy. "Ardian's Secret Gate is in Aquanya? How did I never know it?" Kanyal asked in a dramatic tone. Well, Ethan explained, "During the Coral Festival, the corals in Aquanya get special power on the day. The power of a coral can build or activate any gate. Even Ardian's Secret Gate. It is believed that only the God of Water uses this secret gate but I heard that it was a myth. The corals gain power during the Coral Festival and they vibrate their power to open the gate. The gate will open in few hours as it's midnight now. I don't know what's Elvira's intention but this is the only way to get into Ardian easily." He finished his explanation. The facts were fascinating. Kanyal's jaw almost hit the ground. 

   "Close it before a seahorse swims into your mouth," Erica teased Kanyal. He immediately closed his mouth but ended up asking a question again, "How did you know these facts? As a future king of Aquanya, I myself don't know about this!" I actually wanted to give a tight slap to him but I controlled myself. "El mágico! I learnt from that book but I saw a better book. Oh crap!" I knew why he groaned. We left the puzzle books in the carriage. It was not too far but we were left with few hours to stop Elvira. "Let's get that book!" Erica and Kanyal told at the same time with a weird spirit. Well, at that moment, getting that book wasn't a bad idea. We didn't know much about Ardian. The only way to survive in Ardian was with the help of those books. So, we ran towards our carriage.