DoTP Part 2, Verek's Diary

+

+JMJ+

Diary of a Thief Prince

Part Two

Day Five of my Future Plans, Being the Fourteenth Day of the Blossom Time

Finally shore. Two tall towers marked the dock. Sandstorm Lodge was the gateway to the Grimwarian Provence. My sister-in-law Giselle came from there. I had never been there myself, but I had visited other parts of Kildimere. I never found it as glorious as people did say. While the shore officials were examining the ship and speaking with the captain, Won, Blanche and I slipped overboard and waded ashore, by passing all officials. Now I can really be considered a criminal. As far as I know officials do not like to be avoided, especially when they are trying to count or make us pay.

Wet up to my chest, I scurried over the rocks and found myself in the burning hot sand. I am from a hot dry place, but the burning wind and blowing sand drove even me insane. I did not spare any pity for my two companions who had stupidly worn black, served them right. Once we came out of the rocks we saw the desert spread out below us. The sparkling crystal towers of the Sultan Palace shone out like gems on the horizon. At the edge of the desert among the very dunes was a large village of tumbledown houses and shouting people.

“Wait here!” Won said, “Blanche and I have to get the necessary provisions. And of course the map to the location of the treasure.” the two of them trudged off. I laughed at them. Did they really think I was going to stay put? Of course they did, they had worn black garments of heavy make into the hottest desert in all of the Third World. Served them right.

I did a running leap and slid down the sandy hill towards the village. The sand scorched my sunburnt bare feet, but I paid little heed to the pain. I was looking for food and a joyous time. The streets of Bim, the village, were filthy and crowded. Ragged children ran in and out of the alleyways screaming and stealing right and left. Colorful stalls were set up along the streets and everything from rugs to rotting food was being sold.

“By my slippers. Made by Dijns themselves!” someone hollered.

“Rugs from the mystic world.”

“Gems from the courts of the kings.”

“Animals from the Dark Jungles!”

“Slaves from all Seven Worlds!”

I took a deep breath. This was the kind of place I could enjoy. The rancid smell of old food, unwashed bodies and animals hit me. I gagged, grinned and trudged through the streets taking everything in. Suddenly, a small white furry creature landed on my head.

“Ouch!” I yelled, and fell on my face right into an oozing pile of rubbish. I sat up wiping the goop out of my eyes and found a furry white, blue faced monkey staring back at me. I waved him away. He scurried out of reach, then came back. I looked around. No one appeared to be looking for a lost monkey. I stood up and held out my hand. “Want to come with me?” I invited kindly. The monkey chattered excitedly and leaped onto my shoulder. “Hey calm down!” I cried.

“I see you have taken up with Pluto.” a strange voice hissed. I whirled. An old man wrapped in rags and wearing a turban was seated in the shadows under a crumbling roof. A basket full of snakes rested in front of his crossed legs. In his hands he held a long flute like tube.

“Is he your monkey?” I asked.

“No.” the old man said, “Pluto belongs to no one. He is the beast of the immortals, they say. Comes from outside the world.”

“You don't say?” I gasped as I leaned closer.

Our conversation was interrupted by loud yells and the tramp of heavy feet. I whirled. A girl in a ragged brown dress and a hood was standing beside bread stall. In one hand she held a measly little loaf of bread. The stall tender had her by the hood and was shouting at her.

“Guards!” he yelled, “Thief!”

“No, no!” the girl sobbed, “It's all a mistake!”

“No mistake! You touched my bread when you have no money!” the tender snarled. I darted forward, Pluto still on my shoulders. We reached the stall at the same time as the guards. A dozen of heavily armed huge bald men in leather.

“Arrest this girl!” the tender snarled, “I caught her trying to steal my wares.” one of the guards grabbed the girl roughly by the wrist. She cried out. I decided to interfere.

“Oh thank you, thank you.” I cried as I pushed my way through the guards, “Where did you find her?” I flung my arms awkwardly around the startled girl.

“You know this scum?” the tender demanded angrily.

“She is my sister.” I lied, “She is not, you know-” I twirled my fingers around my ear.

“Ah.” the guards said.

“Well, put her under lock and key or I shall summon the officials to restrain her.” the tender said crossly.

“Of course.” I murmured with false humility and began to pull the girl away.

Suddenly Pluto tugged at my hair then leaped off my shoulder into a dark alleyway. I darted after him pulling the girl. The monkey led us to a dead end, then leaped up on a pile of rubbish chattering. The girl pulled away from me and I let go of her.

“I thank thee.” she said in a soft voice, “For aiding me in my great distress.” I frowned. She spoke like a noblewoman.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Do you not know?” she laughed agreeably, but when I shook my head she quickly added, “You may call me Melowon.”

“And you may call me Aladdin.” I said. Melowon gasped.

“Like the cave of Aladdin?” she asked, “They say who can find it will have great power.”

“Like what?” I asked eagerly. The girl tossed back her long dark hair, then pulled up her hood.

“Who can say.” she whispered, “But I must be gone lest I be found.”

“Huh?” I gaped. The girl turned and vanished back up the alleyway.

“What do you make of that?” I asked Pluto. The only answer was a series of chattering. I sighed, “Well anyway, she is hardly the girl that will marry me in only twenty-five days.” Pluto shook his head. I laughed, “You can not really understand me silly. But anyway, lets get back to the others or we will miss our chance. Care to join me?” Pluto cocked his head, then leaped onto my shoulder. “Right, so stupid of me to ask.” I grunted, and made my way back through the dimly lit streets.

Day Six of My Future Plans, Being the Fifteenth Day of the Blossom Time

Won had provided us with a withered dumb man for a guide and four camels. One for each of us and one for our equipment. The guide rode a donkey. We followed him into the burning hot desert. The sun scorched our faces. I wound a white cloth around my face and hands to keep them cooler. Both Won and Blanche turned red before they realized the sense in what I was doing. But once the sun vanished beyond the point of the horizon a cold chill spread over the land. The sand went from burning hot to freezing cold.

The guide finally halted his donkey. He then leaped nimbly off the beast and started unpacking some fagots from his sack. I slid off my camel ungracefully. I had ridden the wretched beasts before, but I hated the very ground they walked on. Not only did they stink, but they were spiteful and unpleasant beasts. Mine tried to bite me. I quickly evaded it.

While Blanche moaned and rubbed creams on her face, Won pulled me aside into the shade of the tent. Then he reached into his bag and pulled out a small glittering object.

“Tomorrow we shall reach the treasure cave.” he said, “Neither Blanche nor I can enter, but hopefully you will be able too. But you will require this small object.” He grasped my wrist with his left hand and dropped the object into the palm of my hand with his right. A thin silver band with a blue uneven gem lay in my hand. It was ice cold to the touch. I leaned down for a better look. The only light came from the moon above and made it hard to see. I fancied that I saw shapes swirling deep in the gem.

“A ring?” I asked.

“The charmer claimed that this is a ring of help.” Won said dramatically.

“Alright.” I said and slid it onto the middle finger of my right hand. It slid on loosely. I decided to put it on my thumb. But when I tried to pull it back off the band shrank before my eyes and grew to tight to budge. I glanced quickly at Won. But he was already walking away. I would have to be careful with this new toy. It was magic alright.

Day Seven of my Future Plans, Being the Sixteenth Day of the Blossom Time

We were up at sunrise for another long day in the hump. By nightfall all I could smell or taste was camel hair. Not a pleasant experience either. We did not stop, except for a few short pauses for refreshments, until the moon was well overhead.

“Guide, we should break camp!” I shouted, as I pulled my camel skin cloak closer around my shivering shoulders. The guide pointed ahead. I squinted into the moon washed darkness and stared. I could have sworn that we were approaching a gigantic bird's head.

By the time we reached the bird's head it turned out to be a rock carved in the shape of a bird skull. It leered up out moon washed sand like an evil phantom.

“What in the name of all the Holy Ones is that?” I gasped. The Guide turned his donkey around and whipped it fiercely. They were already gone from sight by the time I could think of anything to say.

“We are well rid of him.” Won said coldly. Pluto stuck his head out from my saddle back and chattered softly.

“If you have nothing to say Verek, do not say it.” Won snapped.

“Are you sure he is a prince?” Blanche asked as she cast me a withering look, “He is so uncouth.” I frowned then winked at Pluto. I had not told them about him.

“Out of the saddle everyone!” Won barked, “The moon will only be full for tonight so we must work quickly. I slid off his camel and hurried forward to the closed beak of the skull. He then stretched out his hands above his head.

“What is he doing?” I asked Blanche.

“Revenge!” she said coldly and slid off forced her camel to sit so she could dismount. I followed her example and we approached Won rather cautiously from behind.

“Open Sesame!” Won shouted and clapped his hands together over his head. I raised my eyebrows, then let out a yell. There was a loud screeching sound and the stone beak began to open. In my defense it is not everyday that ones sees the gigantic skull of a monster bird open in the desert under a full moon. A rush of warm air and smoke came out of the beak. Red vapors came out of the nostrils and the eye sockets began to glow. It was the most disgusting thrilling sight I had ever seen.

“And enter Verek!” Won cried, as he turned suddenly to me, “Time is running short and the moon is already waning.”

“Haha. NO!” I said, “Not now, nor ever!” Won's face darkened and he grabbed my arm and clenched it in his.

“No is it?” he hissed.

“Um- yes.” I said hesitantly.

“If the answer is no your bones will be added to those that have already been bleached in the sun in this foul desert.” Won spat, “I need that lamp you need a treasure, well none of these things will be accomplished unless you enter the cave of Aladdin.” I glanced sharply at him. So this was the cave Malowana had asked about. Perhaps I should have chosen a different name.

Suddenly Pluto exploded out of my saddlebag and darted over our heads and into the cave. I twisted free of Won's grip and darted after the nimble creature.

“Come back!” I shouted, “We cannot go in there!”

“No do not come back.” Won said, “Keep going.” As soon as I passed under the curved beak I stopped. A gentle warm wind was blowing out of the throat and into my face, chasing the chill of the desert away. A red glow was coming from deep in the pit of the bird. A narrow flight of steps led downwards.

“Verek!” Won shouted from behind me, “Touch nothing except the lamp! Not until we have the lamp out of the cave can we take anything else.” I started slowly down the steps, one hand on the wall. I did not look back. There was exactly one hundred steps. They were about an inch tall and two feet wide. Whoever had carved the staircase was really annoying. Pluto was waiting for me on the last step. He was chattering excitedly and pointing. My jaw dropped and I stared through bulging eyes. A vast cavern was spread out in front of us. Huge rubies were set atop torches in the wall. The red light was coming from them. In the center of the room was a rearing blue dragon carved out of sapphire. The heat was coming from it's open jaws. A lit furnace was in the belly of the dragon. The floor was made up of treasure of all shapes and sizes. There was a literal carpet of gold.

I took a few steps into the chamber. The coins clanked with each step. I whistled shrilly. This was quite an interesting turn of events. I could bring the sapphire dragon furnace back to Waylan and Deborah. It was to amazing to turn down. But what of the lamp. I scanned the room then realized it was right in front of me. A small unadorned silver lamp with golden legs rested in the dragon's front paws.

“I will be having that.” I said and darted forward over the slippery treasure. Pluto leaped onto my shoulders. I stumbled and fell to my knees. The lamp was right in front of my face. I reached up and grasped it. It was old and slightly dented. There was nothing remarkable about it. “What is your secret?” I whispered. My hand reached for the unpolished lid.

“Verek?” Won's muffled voice shouted from faraway, “Have you got it yet? Are you well? Did you get killed?” I stood up and thrust the lamp into my shirt.

“Come on Pluto.” I said, “Let-” All the rubies suddenly went black. There was a poof and fire exploded from the dragon's mouth. “Eek!” I shrieked in a very undignified voice. I snatched Pluto up in my arms and ran blindly towards the stairs. My back was singed. Once I glanced over my shoulders. Melted gold and fire was running river like out of the dragon's mouth and flowing towards me. If I did not escape quickly I would meet a terrible end.

As I ran up the stairs the ground rumbled. Two of the steps in front of me cracked and fell down reveling huge cracks. I leaped over the chasms and continued up. I was almost to the top when I rock fell from the ceiling and smashed off about twenty steps. I was trapped. I could see the dim light of the moon shining from the opening, but we were trapped. Pluto clutched at my neck and howled like a wolf.

“Won!” I shouted, “Come quick. I am stuck!” My uncle and Aunt appeared at the top of the steps and stared down.

“Toss the lamp up and I will throw you a rope.” Won said. I frowned suspiciously.

“I will give you the map after you get me out of here!” I said.

“Give me the lamp now!” Won screamed.

“Do as you are told, you impertinent monkey!” Blanche sniffed, “You have no right to-”

“Hang everything and get me out!” I shouted as a more steps cracked off behind me.

“No lamp, no rope!” Won said.

“Get me out!” I yelled.

“Come!” Won told Blanche and escorted his wife out.

“Come back!” I screamed as I clutched at the shuddering wall, “I will die in here!”

“Close Sesame!” Won said. There was horrible screeching sound and the stone beak clacked shut leaving me alone in the darkness with a hysterical monkey.

“You traitor!” I yelled even as the steps gave away under me and I dropped into the darkness.

Day Eight of my future Plans, Being the Seventeenth Day of the Blossom Time

I awoke to find someone poking me in the face. Or rather a monkey. Pluto was moaning at my side. I felt like I had just fallen from a great height. Probably because I had. When I sat up I was not very pleased to find myself back in the treasure chamber but on an island in the middle of a pool of steaming lava. The lava cast an eerie glow over the treasure and Pluto. I coughed and rubbed my sweaty hands together. I had forgotten about the ring and the stone sliced through the palm of my left hand like butter. The scream of pain died on my lips almost immediately. A blue smoke shot out of the ring and up into the air.

“UGH!” I yelled and tried to take the horrid thing off, but it was stuck. The smoke took shape and formed the upper half of a dark smokey blue man, who appeared to be emerging from more blue smoke. He wore an embroidered red sleeveless jacket and a white turban was wound about his head. A long blue goatee hung from his chin. He crossed two massive blue arms and glared down at the quivering me. I thought I had either died, or I was about too.

“Master you have summoned me!” the monster boomed, “I the genie of the ring am here to grant your first three wishes!” Wishes were always good.

“Get us out of here!” I screamed.

“Uh-uh.” the genie said with a shake of his goatee, “You must say that you wish to escape here, but do try and come up with a destination. There is so much gray area in just getting you out of here. For example would you like me to drop you into the camp of my last master. The one they call Won?”

“No way!” I said and glanced at Pluto.

“EEEEK!” Pluto shrieked.

“I figure that means duh.” the genie said. I figured the same thing.

“I have my wish ready.” I said carefully as I turned back to the genie. He cocked his head.

“Is that so little master?” he asked. I nodded uncomfortably.

“Genie!” I shouted, “I wish that Pluto and I were both back in the little village by the Divide. The one where I found Pluto!” I crossed my arms and grinned. The genie snapped his fingers then vanished. I blinked. We had not moved at all. Then a faded purple, white, red and black carpet with gold tassels, dropped out of nowhere and hovered inches above the lava. “HA! I knew you were a fake!” I yelled ignoring the carpet. Pluto leaped onto the carpet, which immediately shot off into the air. I grabbed at one of the tassels just in time. “HELP!” I screamed as we shot upwards towards the ceiling. We were certainly going to die now.

The carpet spiraled up among the rocks then shot through the nostril of the skull and into the sky. It was midday, which meant I had been unconscious for many hours. But I did not have time to think of details like that. I was swinging between heaven and earth by a carpet.

“Pluto.” I gasped, “Get me up there!” The monkey peered over the side.

“Eek, eek!” he shrieked and grasped at my wrists. Kicking and flailing, while being aided by a monkey I managed to get aboard the magic carpet. It bounced frightfully and almost dumped me. I then proceeded to bury my face in my hands and condemn all those who thought adventures were wonderful. All I wanted to do was die.

Day Nine of my Future Plans, Being the Eighteenth Day of the Blossom Time

Last night, the carpet dumped me into a trash pile in the village. I spent the night there in the most wretched conditions to sore and unhappy to escape. Pluto had more life left in him and climbed up a broken pillar. Early this morning I awoke to Somoza dumping sewage on me. Spluttering and coughing I rolled out of my glorious accommodations and stood up smelling like a pig. Pluto, looking almost as filthy as me, leaped onto my shoulders.

“Morning monkey.” I said dryly. Both our stomachs growled in unison. I groaned. Pluto leaped from my shoulders onto the head of a man carrying a basket of freshly baked bread. The basket happened to be balanced on his head.

“What is this?” the man yelled. Pluto leaped onto a rooftop taking two loaves with him. I grinned.

“Stop thief!” the man yelled dropping the rest of his bread. I was delighted to see that it was the man who tried to have Malwona arrested. I darted forward, kicked him in the back snatched up a pile of bread and ran. I could hear the baker yelling from the ground but did not bother looking back. I darted down a side alley and leaped up onto the roof of a shack, then jumped to the roof of a house. I could see Pluto making for the tallest tower in the village. Probably a watch tower. I took off after the monkey. Breakfast would be delicious since it was free.

We breakfasted on the soft loaves of freshly made warm bread on the pinnacle of the watch tower. I swung my bare feet over the edge and grinned. Life could hardly get any better then when one is on an adventure with everyone chasing you. I sighed and ran my fingers through my black curly hair. It was a delightful day. I still had the lamp too. I would study it later. Surely there must be some wonderful secret about it if Won wanted it badly enough to kill me.

Suddenly a horn blast all but shattered my eardrums. I clutched at the point of the tower and nearly fell off. A man in a long flowing red sleeveless cloak was standing on a box on the steps of the grandest house in the village. Two masked guards in turbans baring huge scimitars were on either side of him. A small boy in pantaloons and a short sleeveless coat was holding a ram's horn.

“Attention lowly scum!” the man in red bellowed. A crowd began to gather about him. “The Sultan of the Grimwarian Provence, may his reign never grow short, has an announcement for all the people!”

“This should be good.” I told Pluto.

“Eek, eek.” Pluto chattered excitedly.

“Princess Jasmine is of age to marry. Any suitable prince may gain her hand in marriage if he can but win her love. This includes lesser princes and pauper princes. You simply need a title.”

“Did you hear that?” I cried as I clutched at Pluto's dirty fur, “My chance to get a wife after all.” Pluto grasped at my ragged shirt, cocked his head and chattered. “You are right.” I grumbled, “I can hardly expect to compete looking like a buffoon.”

To Be Continued