SWNOVELS Chapter 30: The Way to the Caverias Family Crypt
Leila nodded solemnly, stifling her sniffling and wiping her eyes. “Yes, Hannibal,” she whimpered, “I think I can remember, but it’s been so very long and my memories of this place are still very hazy. I’m only remembering a few individual points clearly, but most of it is still lost in that damnable fog obscuring my memories.”
“I understand,” Hannibal said gently as he walked up and held Leila’s hand. “But I know you can do it.” Sudden inspiration hit Hannibal and a wide smile crept across his lips. “I think I might have an idea of how to jog your memory, Leila,” he beamed, “That is if you’re up to it.”
“What do you have in mind,” Enoch asked with a raised eyebrow.
Hannibal glanced at the empty throne next to Thoth with a smirk. “If Leila feels up to it, I suggest we sit her on Ariel’s empty throne,” he explained. “I suspect just sitting where her sister once sat might jumpstart her memories of not just Ariel, but of this place, including the way to the Caverias family crypt. How about it Leila; are you game? Would you like to sit on your sister’s throne to honor her memory? I’m sure Ariel would not object.”
A look of shock and hope filled Leila’s face. “If you think it’s safe and will help me remember,” she replied cautiously. “In spite of it being forbidden by royal protocol, I’ve always wanted to sit there, even if it were for just a moment just to know what it was like to see the throne room from there.”
“I don’t think we need to worry about royal protocol at this point,” Hannibal stated soberly, “...not after what befell this place. Besides, you are of royal blood and Ariel’s twin sister. You have a right to the seat since both Thoth and Ariel passed away long ago. It’s no desecration to do what I suggest, so would you like to sit where your sister once sat?”
“Yes,” Leila answered softly. “I believe I would.”
“Sit her on her sister’s throne, Jo,” Hannibal ordered. “It’s the least we can do for her.”
Josephine nodded with a solemn smile. Walking the few paces to the throne, she sat Leila carefully on the throne carved from a single perfect ice-blue sapphire crystal and then stood beside her, resting her hand on Leila’s shoulder in emotional support. “I hope this helps you find some closure,” she said compassionately to Leila. “You need it after all we’ve seen here.”
Icy chills raced down Leila’s spine the moment Josephine deposited her on the magnificent chair. A feeling of approval suddenly swept Leila so strongly it caused her to gasp in utter surprise, her face alight with fearful amazement. The sensation of Ariel being right there with her filled her. Leila gripped the armrests of the throne tightly as tears once again flowed. Soft sobs bubbled from her in a soulful release as she felt Ariel’s spirit comforting her as if she were physically there.
Hannibal stepped up and once again raised his palm to hers without saying a word with a look of utter compassion on his face. Leila pressed her palm to his, interlocking her fingers with his in the Lynxian grief-sharing ritual. He smiled at her knowingly and nodded, saying softly after he felt her emotions stabilizing, “Yes, Leila; I feel it too. Even in death, Ariel’s still with you and will never forsake you. She comforts you even now and is so glad you have finally come home. Can’t you feel it?”
“Yes,” Leila sobbed softly, “Somehow, I can feel her spirit comforting me as I sit on her throne. She’s telling me not to grieve, that she’s at peace now.”
“I know,” Hannibal replied solemnly with a caring smile, “She’s finally at peace knowing you survived. I can feel it. That’s all she needed to be free of this place and the evil that overtook her. You should feel blessed the Lord allowed her spirit to return to comfort you in this manner.”
“I am,” Leila replied in a choked, but relieved tone. “Just knowing she’s all right is all I needed. It’s given me a peace that’s eluded me since I awoke in this dark time. I know she will always be watching out over me.”
“That she will, Leila,” Hannibal agreed as Leila released Hannibal’s hand, ending the grief-sharing ritual, “That she will. Now tell me, how do you feel now? You look as if the crushing weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders now.”
The question caught Leila off guard. “I’m not sure,” she admitted, “My mind is still reeling from everything that’s happened thus far, but the turmoil and chaos of my mind and soul are melting away. I feel much calmer now with a semblance of peace about what’s happening. What’s even more astounding is that my memories of this place are really starting to click into place now. How’s this even possible? I’ve never been able to break through the fog like this before.”
Hannibal leaned in and placed his hand on her shoulder, smiling warmly. “It seems Ariel’s spirit may have jogged your memories a bit when she touched you,” he suggested. “I figured just touching the throne may help to break loose those memories, but I was mistaken. Ariel’s spirit actually came to you just when you needed those memories the most. I’m very pleased she did that for you, for your lack of memories have been such a terrible burden for you. It’s a missing piece of your soul that’s held you back. Now that burden is lifted and you can truly begin to heal and find your place in our world.”
Leila reached out and rested her hand on Hannibal’s shoulder, saying with great conviction, “I know where my place is in this world, brother. It’s at your side as you battle the evil that nearly destroyed our family and me. However, you’re right in that suggestion that now as my memories are truly starting to coalesce and become clear, I can start to process everything and heal my shattered mind and soul. Thank you for insisting that I come home.”
Hannibal’s smile broadened, saying, “You are most welcome. As I said, this is something that was long overdue for you. Now, shall we find the crypt so we can lay Thoth with Ariel as is proper?”
“Yes,” Leila replied soberly, “Thoth needs to be with Ariel in death as he was in life. It was his lifelong wish. This I do remember clearly.”
“Then lead the way, milady,” Hannibal said warmly. “Show us how to get to the sacred crypt of your family.”
Leila instantly looked around, suddenly turning left and looking towards the throne room wall where the dais platform connected to it. “The entrance is there,” she announced, pointing to the spot. “Beyond that guardian is the way to the crypt.”
All eyes went to the area Leila indicated. In moments, they saw a bizarre fourteen-foot tall bas-relief of a draken/Roc fusion of extraordinary detail carved into the wall. “Whoa,” Thomas breathed, “That’s one extra creeping carving in spite of all the gold, silver, and gems I see on it. It’s both beautiful and very disturbing at the same time.”
“That it is,” Ned agreed, “I don’t like it at all. It’s too much like that thing we saw guarding the way into the archive in Kaal Bek.”
Hannibal focused closely on it and an icy chill chased down his spine. At the same time, his innate ability to sense danger pegged up several notches. “You’re correct, Ned,” Hannibal declared ominously, “It’s definitely a guardian golem with the same job as the one in Kaal Bek. However, this golem is special and far more dangerous. I can sense it. It’s making my danger meter twitch rather significantly even at this distance. Leila; that is a guardian golem protecting the entrance to the crypt, isn’t it.”
“Yes,” Leila stated grimly, “It’s all coming back to me now. In fact, that’s one particularly nasty guardian if I remember correctly. As long as no one tries to physically blast through the wall there or try to pick the lock, the guardian will remain inert. It will even allow you to touch it while in its inert state. However, should you try to physically break through to the corridor behind it the guardian will burn you to ash without hesitation. The same will happen if you try to force its locking mechanism. I seem to remember the mechanism gives you three chances to get the combination right. If you fail to enter the right combination by the third try, it will kill you the moment you attempt the combination on the fourth try and put the crypt in lockdown. Only the Caverias signet together with the blood and voiceprint of the king can lift that lockdown short of waiting a full month. It takes that long for the mechanism to reset itself.”
“Isn’t that a bit of overkill on the security for a tomb?” Samantha asked bluntly.
“Not really,” Hannibal replied. “I’ve seen far worse security traps in Tiamat and other places, but I admit this one is very impressive. I take it the Crypt holds more than just the honored dead of the Caverias line, doesn’t it Leila.”
“It does,” Leila admitted, “Some of the greatest secrets of the Caverias line are stored there, but I can’t remember much about them right now.”
“That’s all right,” Hannibal replied. “I’m not interested in those secrets right now. All I want is to place Thoth where he belongs. Now, shall we go?”
“Yes,” Leila answered, “Take me to the guardian and I will show you the combination to open the way.”