Page 45 of Monster Lover
“How?”
Malkieth produced a crystal ball the size of an ostrich’s egg from beneath his ragged robes and it lit up like the full moon. Shadows twisted and swirled until scenes of Miniver and Esmerelda came into focus. They were on the skiff, still waiting for their friends’ return. Miniver was cooking eggs for breakfast.
“At least they’re all right. I wish we could talk to them,” said Ivy.
“You can. Just tap the globe and direct your thoughts,” said Malkieth.
Daemona took hold of the globe, tapped and spoke, “Miniver, Esmerelda, can you hear me?”
Both of them, who had been eating their breakfast, suddenly looked up and around themselves trying to see where the voice had come from.
“I don’t think you can see me, but I see you and wanted to let you know that we are all right and are on our way to Ghul Tark Manor. Please go back to Tall Town.”
“No, you’re supposed to come back to us,” cried Esmerelda.
Miniver interrupted, “Sorry, cap’n, there’s only so much I can do. I expect I’ll be sailing on down the Dragon Breath and see ye near the Manor then?”
“No, Miniver. Go home.”
“Afraid I can’t be doing that; the little lady won’t let me. We’ll see ye there soon enough.”
With that the globe’s light faded away.
Daemona snarled, “Why did it end?”
“Because they ended the communication. It is a two-way street you know,” said Malkieth.
“Why didn’t you let us know you had that before?”
“You didn’t ask. How am I to know all the little things you don’t know? Enough to fill a book I’m sure.”
They tramped on for some time until they stopped for a break. “We’re almost out of water,” said Ivy.
Daemona asked Malkieth. “How much of a short cut is this way you’re taking us?”
“I don’t know that,” said Malkieth. “I just know that this goes straight to the Manor.
“So it could be hundreds of miles of tunnel?”
“No,” said Malkieth, shaking his head. “Not much farther. Just around this next bend I think.”
Daemona furrowed her brow at him in disgust and walked around the short bend in the tunnel. Right there was a massive oaken door banded with iron. “We’re right here, and you stop for a break not fifty feet from the end?”
“You didn’t ask,” he retorted. “Besides I already told you I can’t open the door!”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I made it a long time ago!” he shouted. “By the goddess, I just remembered. I am Malkieth. I am.” He started feeling his own body with his hands. “How did I get so old?”
“You remember now?”
“Remember what?”
Daemona raged.
Ghul Lykos came forward. “Let’s see about getting this open. I’ve had enough of the dark to last a lifetime.” He pushed at the door, but it did not budge. Daemona and Ivy helped push, but still the door did not move.
Daemona stopped. “I know how this works. I just have to ask the right stupid question. Malkieth, how do I open this door?”