CHAPTER TWELVE
When Nikko opened his eyes he could not see a thing. The pink aura had gone as had the embers and he could not tell if any of his friends were beside him. He was in total darkness and he thought his past recollections had been nothing but a dream. The pink fused with flowers in the garden of another musing and the embers filled the fireplace in a familiar sitting room. He shook his head and the images separated into distinct differences but quickly vanished altogether.
What replaced them was his awareness of a low but persistent humming or buzzing sound that came from no particular direction but seemed to be everywhere at once. Remembering the restraints that had held him down before Nikko cautiously tried to sit up. Nothing prevented him. There was no strap across his chest and his arms and legs were free to push him into a sitting position. He fingered his ankles and wrists and ran a palm across his jacket to make sure there was nothing there. He detected no ridges and no soreness and again he wondered if it had all been a dream.
Slowly the soft buzzing noise intensified so that he had to take notice of it. He looked about him but could see nothing. The black emptiness had faded to a dark grey and he strained to peer into an indeterminate distance trying to make out any shape or form that would bring him back into the real world. For at present he was beginning to ask himself if he was in a real world. He could not accurately recall what had happened to him or even when it might have been. With the others he had been feeling his way along a dark passageway when he had been overwhelmed by some unknown thing or perhaps it was only a sensation and then all realism disappeared into darkness which was followed by pleasant but strange dreams.
Again he looked to his side to see if his friends were stretched out on the ground as his memory pictured them. He reached his arm sideways and drew his hand across a hard dirt floor. Flat but empty. If it wasn’t for that confounded noise he might be able to think more clearly. It was getting louder and now seemed to come from very close. For the first time he started to worry that it could be a warning of harm or injury. Out of the corner if his eye he senses a quick movement like a shadow flitting across an already darkened background. Then another, almost in the same place.
“Who’s that?” he exclaimed. “Who’s there?”
On the other side more shadows skipped across a gap. Two, three, four in quick succession.
The buzzing suddenly ceased. All was deathly still and Nikko held his breath and jerked his head left and right but caught sight of no further movement. His eyes were wide but blind and his ears tingled with excitement and the strain to detect even the slightest sound. It was an eerie feeling and one which Nikko was fast wishing he could shake off. It a pin was to drop on the earth floor it would shatter his eardrums so keen was his attention. But there was not a sound to be heard.
All of a sudden without warning he was knocked back to the ground, his head thumping painfully on the packed earth. There was a high pitched cream that sent the adrenalin racing through his taught body at such a feverish rate Nikko thought his veins would burst and the liquid spurt in geysers to the unseen ceiling. His legs were pinned and his arms were stretched in a crucifix so that he was utterly immobilised with a weight pressing his whole body.
The incessant creaming continued and it was only seconds before brilliant white light exploded over his head and he had to instinctively shut his eyes tightly. When he opened them his amazement was complete.
The light was the same as that he had seen in the forest some days before. The Drong leader had then tossed a silver ball into the air blinding the Leaf Children while Gabrysia was snatched and carried off to unknown captivity. However it was not the Drongs this time who had stunned with the incredible light. Nikko could not believe his eyes. He was literally covered with creatures he had never imagined in his wildest dreams and dozens of them filled the cavern he was in.
They were about ninety centimetres tall and covered from head to foot with long, sleek black fur, though there were patches which were bare. The crown of each was bald so that they appeared to be wearing skull caps. So too were their elbows and knees. The fur was grey where the eyebrows would have been and their eyes themselves shone bright yellow. The creatures, while small in stature, had enormous splayed feet but their hands, also naked of fur, were tiny and incredibly delicate.
Nikko looked about startled. The creatures were everywhere, standing in clusters on the floor of the cavern, perched on craggy rock juttings and ledges along the walls and peering from behind boulders and crevices in corners.
The high pitched screaming stopped and the creatures peered at Nikko as he was held firmly but without force flat on his back. In the silence that followed Nikko’s fear gradually dissipated and was replaced by curiosity.
Eventually he spoke. “What are….” He choked. Then again, more clearly, he asked: “Who are you?”
The screaming started again but a sharp glare from one of the creatures standing near his head brought instant silence.
“Who are you?” Nikko repeated. “Please. I don’t mean you any harm. Where are my friends? What has happened to them?”
The creature near his head pre-empted more high-pitched screaming by peering around the groups, his yellow eyes gleaming. If it had been possible to discern an expression Nikko would have guessed it to be stern. As it was however the shiny black fur and the absence of any noticeable mouth or even nose made that impossible.
Slowly the creature turned and looked down at Nikko. The yellow eyes seemed to soften slightly. “You have absolutely no cause for alarm Leaf Child.” The words were beautifully formed and if the pitch was very high it was melodic and pleasant to listen to.
Nikko was stunned and his surprise must have been obvious because the creature went on: “And nor should you be anxious for your friends. They are unharmed, in the best of health and receiving the utmost care.”
Nikko was by this time flabbergasted. The sight of the creatures and the articulate vocabulary of this one left him almost speechless himself. Not entirely though and once more he asked; “Who are you?”
“Ahhh,” said the creature, and gently rubbed his eye with a forefinger on which gleamed a ring of gold. “You are of course surprised that I should be able to speak your language so well. I who look so different. Well as you can hear I do indeed speak your tongue, and many others too. As to who I am, I shall introduce myself to you shortly. But first, please excuse our poor manners. You must be uncomfortable in your present position.”
At a glance from the creature the others leapt from Nikko’s body in a single movement and joined a group standing nearby. Nikko sat up and the creature slowly walked around the stand in front of him his motion graceful and noiseless.
“That must feel better for you,” he said. “I apologise for the roughness of our greeting. There are occasions when one has to be cautious even if indications point to there being no need.” He then stated: “I am Fusan, Elder of the Deep. I am a Keeper, as are we all.”
Nikko felt like pinching himself to see if he really was conscious and sitting in a cave surrounded by odd hairy creatures who either screeched loudly or spoke impeccable English. And all of this far below ground, under a sweltering desert in a warren of tunnels thought to be defended by a bunch of ruffian Drong children. It was all too much.
As he sat silent the creature spoke again: “As I said before young man do not be troubled. You are perfectly safe with us. It is those outside who search for you that you should be fearful of. It is they who mean you harm.”
Nikko knew the Drongs meant him no good but they were after all of his own kind. On the other hand these creatures, Keepers as they called themselves, were alien to him and might just as well have been from outer space.
“You are indeed troubled,” said the Keeper Fusan. “It shows in your eyes. They are the most expressive part of the body. They can never conceal the feelings of the heart. The hand can be steadied. The voice too can be controlled. But the eyes always speak the truth, the inner truth. To judge a person look into his eyes and you will see good or evil, strength or weakness.”
He gazed unblinking at Nikko and went on: “Your eyes are pale but clear. They tell me you good and honesty in your heart. They also clearly show doubt and fear. What can we do to allay that fear?”
Nikko spoke more quickly than he thought he would be able to. “What have you done with my friends? Why aren’t they here?”
“As I assured you before they are well and unharmed,” replied Fusan. “Shortly you will rejoin them. Do not worry. For now you should be trying to decide how you are going to help your other friends who are being held captive down here.”
“I thought Gabrysia and Fallon would be here,” exclaimed Nikko. “There was nowhere else they could have been taken. Once we came up against those Drong soldiers I knew I was right.”
“There are three Leaf Children. Not two. One is certainly female. The others are male.”
“Three?” said Nikko surprised. “Who is the other one?”
Fusan blinked for the first time. “His name I cannot tell you. But he is dark and has been held for a considerable time, much of it in serious discomfort. You must help him to escape also or it will not go well for him.”
“Why haven’t you done something?” Nikko asked. “From what I can see there are a lot of you. You could probably easily win a fight.”
“That is not possible,” Fusan answered.
“Why not?”
“It is not possible,” the creature again said. There was a finality in his tone which suggested nothing would be gained by repeating the question.
Nikko ran his eyes around the chamber. He could see now there were scores of hairy creatures everywhere, high and low. They stared unblinking at him, silent and betraying no expressions in their bright yellow eyes. But they gave no sign of threat and Nikko soon shifted his concentration to the cavern they shared. It was large and there was nothing to distinguish it. There were no special markings on the walls, no visible tunnel entrances. Just an ordinary cave.
“You have more questions Leaf Child,” said Fusan. “You are free of course to enquire of is anything and I will do my utmost to answer as best I can. But first you will forgive me. I would like to know your name.”
Nikko looked back to the Keeper. “I am called Nikko.” Hen he added quickly: “Nicholas really, but my mother and father call me Nikko. And my friends.”
“Then I too shall call you Nikko is you will allow me,” said Fusan. “It is a happy name and we do want to be your friends. Now what would you ask of me Nikko?”
“Who are you?” he said. Then he added: “I mean, who are you? Where do you come from?”
“Why, we are Keepers and we are from where we are,” answered Fusan.
“No, I mean where do you originally come from? Before here?”
“This is our home. We have been here for all the time we have known. There is no before.”
“But you must have come from somewhere else,” said Nikko. “You’re not like us.” It was out before he could catch his tongue. Trying to recover and make amends for the slip so as not to cause further offence Nikko rushed on: “What I mean is you’re so different. Not weird nut strange. I mean @I’ve never seen anything like you before. Not so unusual. I mean….”
“Pause young Nikko. Let me finish your thoughts for you.” Nikko was reddening around the neck and his cheeks were hot with embarrassment. “We are not like Leaf Children and nor are we like those who call themselves Drongs. At least for that we are thankful. Where you are soft and bare we are cloaked in fur and our voices are foreign. Is that what you are trying to say?”
Nikko dropped his eyes to the floor of the cave.
“Do not be embarrassed my friend,” soothed Fusan. “It is true is it not? We are indeed different. And remember you are different to us as well. My family here are equally fascinated with your appearance. Change places with any of them and you will understand we have every reason to ponder on your strangeness. As you do ours.”
Nikko looked at the creature and realised the truth in what he had said. He supposed he would look like an alien to someone he himself considered an alien.
“You see,” said Fusan, “the eyes are also the lights which lead to understanding and compassion. They are beacons that illuminate the dark passages of fear and ignorance. But when closed they shut out the light and cause blindness which can, and too often does, lead to misunderstanding and hurt. Wisdom comes with age. Time will demonstrate that to you.”
There followed a long silence as Nikko once more gazed about him at the creatures huddled in groups. They looked different to him from when he had first seen the, somehow they now seemed quaint and even mischievous though friendly. There was no antagonism in their bearing before to be sure but not they actually looked like inquisitive yet shy children. He returned his gaze to Fusan.
“How old are you?” he asked suddenly.
“Older than you by far I fear,” Fusan laughed lightly. “I am not sure you would comprehend Nikko. Let me say that when the land above us ran with streams and lofty trees reached for the sky I was past that inner sensation of wonder at such sights. In your language I would be deemed ancient. But as a Keeper I trust I have more time yet to experience the tang of life.”
“When the land had streams and a forest?” remarked Nikko. “It still does. Except for the Dead Place. Surely you don’t mean when that was ….” He stared at the Keeper trying to see past the fur and deep into the sparkling eyes. “You can’t be. That would make you hundreds of years old. It’s impossible.”
“My young friend,” said Fusan. “Remember. By your own words we are different. You should not be so surprised that difference extends to areas other than more outward appearance. We are Keepers of the Deep and the Deep has existed for a long, long time.”
Nikko could not image the consequence of what he had just heard. Old age was his mother and father. A long time was measured in hours or days. To think in terms of centuries was to reach for the unimaginable.
“Why are you called Keepers?” Nikko was trying to regain some semblance of reality to grasp something he could take hold of and accept.
There was another rare blink and Fusan answered: “We keep the maze. That is our charge and our ambition.”
“Do you keep the cave with the cages and animals? And the Leaf Children too?”
A faint whistle rose in the cavern and Nikko noticed the creatures were slightly agitated.
“Yes.” The whistling continued and Fusan did not attempt to quieten it. Instead he looked squarely at Nikko and went on in a sombre tone: “We keep the cave and those inside it. They should be looked after. Unfortunately we do it not well enough. The occasions we do it are becoming less and less frequent. The Drongs use it often. Therefore we are limited in our care. And it concerns us.”
“Why do you collect those things?” queried Nikko. “Especially the children. How could you? It’s awful.”
Fusan’s voiced changed again. Now it was level; and his words were measured. “Do not falter Nikko. We are responsible for their care only. We are not responsible for their being there. They were given to us.”
“Who brought them to you?” asked Nikko. “I don’t understand. Do you mean the Drongs? Surely it wasn’t the Leaf Children.”
“No it was not the Leaf Children or the Drongs. I think you may have come to the wrong conclusion. Our displeasure with the Drongs in this case is not for having been responsible for bringing the items to the maze, but for obstructing us in our duty to care for them.” Fusan continued his unswerving stare. “Nikko, those animals are wonderful creatures. Especially the children. They are cared for as best we can do it. Please do not say it is awful. You will offend us.”
“But it is awful,” repeated Nikko. “It is a dreadful museum. And the two children are the worst of all. Who could do such a thing? Who?”
The noise in the cave had increased and was now an unnerving whine that caused Nikko to look about him once more and to realise that he had indeed upset the Keepers. He was about to offer an apology of sorts when Fusan cut him short with a hastily raised hand which at the same time silenced the onlooking groups. “Let there be an end to this talk. Clearly the time is not right to discuss it further, at a later juncture we can speak of it again perhaps. But for now I think it is right you should see your friends. They too will be anxious for you.”
“Yes,” said Nikko. “I think I should. Where are they?”
“Be patient young friend,” cautioned the old Keeper, “and do not be alarmed.”
Without another word he turned and held his arms out from his sides in a wide embracing gesture. A sudden and piercing screech rose up and Nikko had to quickly clasp his hands tightly over his ears in an attempt to block out the sound. But he could not and just as he was certain his eardrums would burst the screech rose to an even higher pitch and he began to feel dizzy. He tried to open his eyes which had also instinctively closed but found it was impossible. He struggled to rise to his feet but his legs would not obey. The dizziness intensified and in a few seconds white specks of light danced across his vision and then all was black and empty.
The murmuring of a brook touched his senses and Nikko relaxed releasing the tension in his muscles to listen to the sweet calming music as the water trickled over the stones and gurgled in tiny eddies before continuing its journey to other stones and more whirlpools. The stream ran behind a school next to the big playing field where the boys and girls competed in their individual games or sat in huddles snickering and glancing at one another.
While the girls jostled and giggled during their netball the boys mostly squatted with squinting eyes and dirty knuckles concentrating on the position of their bright marbles. Hierarchical importance was won and lost almost daily in rings scratched in the earth of a thousand school yards. Pockets that clinked and bulged in the mornings could be emptied by early afternoons with the losers earning jeers that rang in their ears long after the bell had been sounded and the school bus had left the station. Moonies were popular. Starries were common. Agates were prized. Blood agates were like badges of honour. Owners were somebody. The one with the most, especially with the filed groove to prove it was genuine, was king of the hill. The smaller the agate the more sought after it was. Anyone who lost an agate was consoled even by those who belonged to an opposing gang. It was as if a close member of the family had died or a champion athlete beaten on the line. Sympathy was deserved. The taws were fired with impressive accuracy though occasionally one would ricochet off course and be lost in the grass, or worse, the stream.
Nikko was experiencing such a personal loss. His agate had dribbled down the bank and into the murky water by the edge. There was a gasp and as Nikko approached the stream he knew immediately the precious marble was lost forever. Still he searched and others joined him calling advice and pointing in a dozen directions at once. Their shouted instructions became louder and more urgent.
“Here! Here! Come on! Hey Nikko!”
The voices jolted Nikko abruptly into the sudden realisation that what was happening was not reality but a dream. He had never been to a school and agates were unknown to him. The dream faded but the voices persisted and Nikko opened his eyes to see Porky bending over him peering down and calling his name.
“Nikko! Come on now! Come on Nikko! Wake up!”
Nikko’s lids fluttered and he looked up at his friend and smiled.
“He’s ok,” called Porky. “Jason! Nikko is alright. He’s awake.”
Nikko looked around and saw coming towards him Jason, Danielle, Josh and Simon. Josh and Danielle were smiling broadly while Simon had a startled look on his face and Jason showed all the signs of thoughtfully arranging his expression into one of almost casual non-concern.
“Thank goodness,” said Danielle. “Nikko, we were all so worried about you. We didn’t know what had happened. What did happen? Where have you been? Are you sure you are alright?”
“Hold on Danielle,” broke in Josh and he clapped Nikko on the back in an exaggerated fashion with a grin that widened so that it risked splitting his face into two parts. “The poor chap. Let him get his bearings first. How are you Nikko? Alright? We were worried you know.”
Nikko was better for seeing his friends again. “I’m fine thanks Josh. Just fine. A bit dizzy still but otherwise ok.”
“That’s typical of you Josh.” Simon was standing next to Porky and he retained his startled look though it had slackened a little. “You tell Danielle to give Nikko a breathing space and then you launch your own battery of questions.”
Nikko smiled and assured them all he did not mind their concern. In fact he was quite pleased of it and while he did not say it in so many words he was touched by their interest and concern for his health.
Jason had joined the group crowding around him and with little expression either in his face or his voice he asked: “Why the dizziness?”
Nikko slowly got to his feet and brushed the dirt off his arms and shoulders, helped by Porky who patted the dust from his breeches at the back. While they held their comments and any further queries Nikko faced Jason and said: “I’m not sure. The last thing I remember is the Keepers and a terrible screaming. I guess I fainted. How did I get here? Didn’t they bring me here?”
“The creatures brought you,” replied Jason. “But they just carried you in and lay you on the ground. Who are, what did you call them, the Keepers?”
“Keepers. The creatures are called Keepers.”
“Keepers. How do you know they’re called that?”
“They told me. Or at least one of them did. Fusan . He’s the leader I think and he said they are in charge down here. Keepers of the Deep as he put it.”
None of them said anything until finally it was Danielle who broke the silence as very calmly she said: “You say those creatures spoke to you Nikko ? Actually talked?”
“Sure,” Nikko answered and looked around at the group. Josh and Porky were no longer smiling and Simon’s concerned expression had returned. “He did. He told me his name was Fusan and that they looked after the maze. He said they didn’t like the Drongs and that they also cared for the specimens in that museum cave.”
Jason glanced at Danielle and Nikko could see the disbelief in his eyes. Fusan was right he thought. The eyes are the most expressive part of the body.
“He also told me the Keepers are very old,” he said. “At least he is. From his description I would say he is at least a hundred years old his English is perfect.”
“Nikko,” said Simon. “They’re creatures. Animals of some sort. I’ve never seen anything like them before, or heard of anything similar, but they’re animals. They can’t speak. Something must have happened. You must have got a pretty bad knock on the head. And had a dream. A pretty fantastic one I must say.”
“Listen,” said Nikko. “Listen carefully. They can talk. They are Keepers and they know about you Leaf Children. They think I am one too. And they know about the Drongs. And I guess you could say Fusan is very wise. What he says is very interesting.”
“Did any of the others talk to you?” It was Jason who asked the question.
“No. Just Fusan. The rest of the Keepers seemed shy and afraid. He was obviously in charge and did all the talking. They just watched and I think it was them who screamed just before I passed out I suppose. Fusan said you were all being cared for and then said they would bring me to you.”
“We have been finding things to eat,” Josh said. Porky added: “Not normal food. It’s all different colours and seems to appear mysteriously in corners where there was nothing before. Too much actually.”
“Don’t be stupid,” said Jason curtly. “We don’t know if it’s proper food. Porky will eat anything.”
“You ate it too Jason and even said it made you feel better. That’s what you said.”
“Look.” Nikko was still facing Jason. “Fusan said I should not worry about you when I asked after you all. he said you were being cared for. Maybe he meant the food Porky mentioned. Nothing has happened to you has it? You feel better after eating it don’t you? Just ask yourself: How did you get here? If it wasn’t the Keepers who brought you here? Who did? And where are they now?”
“I do not know,” Jason retorted. “But you can’t tell me stupid hairy creatures can talk and be hundreds of years old and magically make food appear out of thin air. I thought the brat was the only one who believed fantasies.”
“Wait.” Nikko remembered something else Fusan had told him. “He also said the Drongs had three prisoners. A girl and two boys. One of the boys had been held captive for a long time. He said we should try to save them as soon as we can.”
“Three?” said Danielle. “Maybe he meant Gabrysia and Fallon. But who could the third one be?”
“I don’t know,” said Nikko, “but I believe him.”
“This is all rubbish,” said Jason and started to walk away. He stopped and turned back to look at Danielle. “If you ant to believe this fairy take go ahead. As far as I’m concerned that’s all it is. No offence Nikko but I think you got a whack on the head and imagined the whole thing. It’s just not possible. Any of it.”
Nikko could understand Jason’s difficulty in believing what he said. It was a fantastic story. He would find it hard to credit himself if he changed places with Jason. But he knew it was true.
He watched Jason walk to the other side of the cavern and slump down with his back against the rock wall. Very slowly Nikko walked to the centre of the chamber and swivelled around, carefully examining every face. Then he craned his neck back and studied the ceiling. Finally he looked at the others standing some paces away. Drawing in a deep breath he called out loudly: “Fusan!” Then again: “Fusan!”
Nothing happened and Nikko could see the others look to the roof of the cave and then back at him with doubtful expressions.
“Fusan!” he called again louder. “Please! Fusan !”
Still there was no reply. Nothing changed. If anything the cavern seemed even quieter. More isolated. Remote.
“Where’s your ancient hairy creature Nikko?” called Jason. “He’s not answering you. That’s because he can’t. You imagined everything Nikko. We should be trying to work out how we are going to get out of here. Not how to contact some imaginary creature.”
“Oh I am real young man.” Fusan suddenly appeared against the wall of the cave behind Danielle, Porky, Josh and Simon. No-one saw him come. He was just there.
Jason sprang to his feet and the others wheeled around to stare at the little Keeper.
“As you can for yourself I do exist,” Fusan added. “And if you ears are in order you will hear that I can also speak. I am pleased Nikko to know that you consider my speech of a reasonable standard. I have studied it for some considerable time. One always likes to learn one’s endeavours are rewarded.”
The Leaf Children stood speechless, staring at the creature who spoke in the high tone and stared unblinking at Nikko in the middle of the cavern.
“Your English is perfect,” said Nikko and walked over to his side. “Not reasonable. Perfect.”
“I thank you,” Fusan said and nodded slightly.
“Fusan,” Nikko said, “thank you for coming. I would like to introduce my friends to you. This is Danielle. And Porky, Josh and Simon. And that is Jason over there.”
“How do you do. Young Nikko was very concerned about you. But I assured him you were well and being looked after. I am pleased to say you do appear to be in good health.”
It was almost as though there were only two people in the room. while Fusan and Nikko had been talking the Leaf Children stood staring at the strange little creature with eyes as round as saucers and jaws slack.
“Come now Leaf Children,” Fusan said. “Surely it is not so amazing that I speak your language. Do you truly believe you are the only beings that have that ability? Why should not others be capable of speech also?”
Still there was no response.
“Perhaps your friends have been struck dumb Nikko.” Fusan’s grey eyebrows lifted themselves laboriously and Nikko observed the first expression he had seen on a Keeper.
He said: “I think they are still trying to get over the fact that you even exist Fusan . Remember I had many doubts and questions too. For us you are pretty amazing you know.”
“There is nothing amazing. You are. You speak. You reason. You feel. I too speak, reason and feel. I too am.”
“Yes, I know. But you are so…..so different. Remember?”
“Yes. I am so different. Perhaps you all think I am some sort of magician. One that doesn’t really have flesh and blood. I might be just some mystical mirage. An image without substance. I have skills that you may well regard as magic but creating talking visions is not one of them.”
“Where the heck did you come from?” Jason, like the rest, had been bewildered by the sight of the small creature, more so since it had spoken directly to him as if merely continuing a normal conversation. But the stunning realisation had passed and Jason was again his arrogant self. “How did you get here? We have found no passages.”