Chapter 3: The Trials
837 Words
The higher they went, the worse the ground became. The trees grew taller and closer together, their fronds deepening together to form a roof that reduced the light, the temperature grew colder, and the forest fell silent.
Thistle led Elara to a clearing where she found a huge rock in the centre, covered in ancient runes. ‘To locate the Lost Kingdom, you need to complete three trials,’ said Thistle. ‘You will pass them if you possess the courage, wisdom and heart for it.’
Elara was excited and nervous. She knew it would be difficult, but she was up for the challenge. She pressed her palm against the stone and the runes lit up. The stone spoke. ‘Are you ready?’ the stone demanded.
Welcome, traveller along the Road less travelled, desperate and in dire need of the treasure of the Lost Kingdom. To seek out the elusive treasure, you must prove yourself worthy. You must run the gauntlet of the Three Challenges of Courage, of Wisdom, and of Truly Having a Heart. Please state your name.
Elara took a deep breath and nodded. “I am ready.”
And there you have it, the first trial. The stone had now split to reveal a kind of portal; and Elara was standing in a dark cave. There had been rain recently, and the Persian lady could feel the moisture in the air. The sound of dripping water surrounded her. She was having a hard time seeing. She felt the gaze of something lively bore into her own.
Then came the growl, the flashing eyes in the shadows, the sound of massive paws as a monster loomed in the cave’s entrance. The beast barked and bared its teeth, churning the air with its enormous wings. It was probably going to kill her now. Elara’s pulse raced but refused to budge. The trial was meant to make you fearful of death.
She brought out her dagger and faced the monster. She stared straight at him. ‘I am not afraid of you,’ she said, ‘I will not be moved.’
The creature growled and pounced at her. This time she moved aside, and pounced back, slashing viciously. The two fought and scrambled, but Elara only attacked more fiercely, landing strike after strike upon the beasty fiend, before finally delivering a finishing blow and sending the monster into the joy of ether.
The glow of the cave returned, and Elara found herself back in the clearing. Thistle smiled. ‘The trial of courage is done. Now comes the trial of wisdom.’
The stone changed again and she was facing a huge library filled with the scrolls and books and an elderly wise man before her.
‘To prove your wisdom, you must answer a riddle.’’ Look,’ the old man said: ‘I speak without mouth;’ ‘I hear without ears.’ ‘I have no body,’ ‘yet I’m alive.’ ‘The wind comes alive;’ ‘and my presence sings.’ ‘What am I?’
Elara thought on her feet. She gave careful consideration to the words, dissecting each clue. A smile tugged at her lips, and started picking the locks.
“You are an echo,” she said confidently.
The elder nodded and smiled. ‘Chede, you are right. You have passed the test of wisdom.’
Elara was moved back to the glade once more. ‘One trial remains: the trial of heart.’ And so, on to the fourth clearing. Thistle smiled triumphantly. ‘One trial remains: the trial of heart.’
The stone changed one more time, and now Elara stood in a field of flowers. Far away, a figure emerged – familiar by sight if not by scent. It was her mother, who had died of illness when Elara was just a child.
With tears in her eyes, Elara ran to the woman and clung to her. ‘Mother, “You!” Is it really you?
Her mother smiled. ‘No daughter of mine needs to prove she is strong. Or smart.’ She smiled. ‘This trial is for your heart. Each dinner, decide what holds meaning for you. And then follow your heart.’
Elara’s organ swelled with grief and she squirmed: ‘This is the trial, I know.’ ‘Tell her how you miss her. Tell her about every moment of your day. She lives on just to listen to you. Speak up.’ Her heart hammered anew as she spoke into her mother’s eyes. ‘I miss you all the time, Mum. But when I remember you, you are with me. I have to go, Mum – don’t be sad, I’m here with you now, and I won’t let you go.’ From The Tea Chest, by Laura C Martin. Copyright © 2018 by Laura C Martin.
Her mother’s face faded, but her smile endured. ‘You have a brave and loving heart, Elara. You are ready.’
She was back in the clearing again. The stone glowed, and a path appeared at its base, leading deeper into the woods.
- Writer
