Danger in Arazira

A SHOCKING VISION

Mrs. Varla, my teacher in school, made up a rhyme.

The Crustix comes by dark of night on wings of fear, with claws of fright.

It screeches like an angry owl. It pounces with a piercing howl.

It carries off a pig or lamb.

It gobbles veal. It munches ham.

O hungry Crustix, fierce and wild,

Would you prefer a naughty child?

Every day, Mrs. Varla told us that rhyme. I know it was just to make us be good, but some children had nightmares. Two girls, Sorah and Chorah, could hardly sleep at all. Even Grah, the class bully, didn’t like to talk about the Crustix. Another boy, Fing, boasted he had dared to peek in the creature’s cave one day, while it was sleeping. I don’t think anyone believed him.

But now, my father was in his seeing room. At last he came out, dressed in his yellow High Priest robes. His face was even more troubled. I must consult with the King, he said. Another image just appeared. It is necessary to make preparations.

What preparations? my mother said. What did you see?

My father sighed and rubbed his eyes. I had a clear vision of the Crustix, he said. Coming to the royal games tomorrow at the arena. I saw the monster swoop down and carry away Queen Rilfa in its claws. The people shouted and screamed.

But Father, I said. The Crustix only comes out at night.

I know that, Viu. But in my vision, it was at the games, in the bright, noonday sun.

Can’t the monster be stopped? I asked.

I hope so, Viu. The future is like a road-a road with many forks. Sometimes, if we are warned, we can even change the course of the road itself.

My father left for the palace. I pictured the Crustix seizing Queen Rilfa in its claws-and shuddered. Then I tried to picture it not happening. I wished I had the power to change the future, to change the course of the road.

At last my father came home.

What happened? my mother asked. Your supper is cold. Viu and I ate by ourselves.

I told King Mundar of my vision, he said. The King was very upset. We made a plan to capture the Crustix in the arena.

What is it? I asked.

A secret, Viu. The King gave orders that it not be told.

But Father, I said. Isn’t it better if the Queen doesn’t go to the arena at all? Wouldn’t that change the course of the road?

He smiled. I don’t think so, Viu. Not in this case. I had a strong feeling that the Crustix will begin to seize other people. This time, at least, we will be expecting it. King Mundar and I decided to make preparations for the creature’s attack. My father’s face was grim and determined. We have planned a trap.

THE TRAP

When I woke up the next morning, I smelled burning incense. My father was already in his seeing room. Right away I pictured the Crustix swooping down to seize Queen Rilfa-even though I tried not to.

My father, wearing his yellow robes, came to breakfast late.

What did you see? my mother asked.

Nothing clear, he replied. I have an uneasy feeling about the trap. No one has ever tried to capture the Crustix before. Soon it was time to leave.

The sky was clear. The sun was hot. When we reached the arena, red and green banners flapped above the round stone wall. Inside, the people were buzzing excitedly. The royal games are very popular in Arazira.

We had good seats, of course, because my father was the High Priest. Looking around, I could see some of the other children-Fing, Sorah, Grah-sitting with their parents.

Before long, King Mundar and Queen Rilfa arrived, followed by their courtiers and servants.

The King and Queen wore flowing purple robes. Their golden crowns sparkled in the sun. They sat on special throne-seats, near the inner wall. Behind them sat their courtiers, leaving a row of seats empty. I wondered why.

My question was soon answered. A file of soldiers marched in, carrying a long, blue cloth. They sat in the empty seats. The cloth looked like a blanket they could raise to protect the King and Queen from the hot sun.

The King stood up.

The people cheered loudly.

He made a high wave with his hand.

Instantly, a hush fell over the crowd.

Citizens of Arazira! His voice echoed inside the great arena. As you know, it is our ancient, honored custom to hold these games once a year. Let the royal games begin!

Three trumpets blared.

The Chief Steward Kelgar stood up. The first event, he shouted, will be The Jump Run!

Seven men ran proudly down the stone steps into the arena. They were all champion athletes. The people strained their necks to watch. Kelgar tied each man’s ankles together with a piece of yellow rope.

Suddenly I remembered the Crustix. Where was it? I looked all around, but the sky was empty and blue. Only the bright summer sun.

The seven men jumped to the starting line. People cheered for their favorites. I knew there had been a lot of betting on who would win.

The race was tricky. The dirt floor of the arena was covered with rocks and stones. Even boulders. So the men had a choice. They could race in a straight line, trying to jump over the larger stones-or they could go around them. The finish line was three hundred paces away.

Kelgar raised his arm, and the trumpets sounded.

The seven men jumped forward like crazy. They stumbled on the rocks and stones. They raised clouds of dust.

The crowd cheered wildly.

Three men toppled over and fell behind.

The others kept on jumping.

At last the trumpets blared again.

The winner, shouted Kelgar, is Halvon!

Shouts and cheers rang out. Also a few curses. Some people had lost a lot of money.

Halvon, a short man with bulging muscles, untied his feet at the finish line. Then he ran smoothly back to receive his prize-a jeweled silver cup.

I was watching so hard, I forgot all about the Crustix. So guess what happened.

Before Kelgar could announce the next event, a dark-green shape loomed above the arena. A huge, menacing shape. For a moment, it blotted out the sun.

The people screamed. They stared in horror.

Two giant wings flapped loudly above us. The Crustix swooped down towards the King and Queen! Its clawed feet raked the air. I was close enough to see the round, silver eyes.

Everyone sat frozen in their seats. The arena was filled with shouts and screams. I think I screamed too.

The Crustix hovered just above Queen Rilfa.

All of a sudden, the soldiers sprang up. The ones who were holding a blue blanket behind the King and Queen. Only it wasn’t just a blanket. They uncovered something shiny and bright.

It was a big metal net, made of chain mail! The soldiers hurled it over the Crustix. The monster struggled frantically upwards. There was a great jangling in the air. The net rose high, shining in the sun, but the soldiers held on tight!

From the shaking, straining net came a sharp, angry cry. Then we heard a ringing, ripping sound. The creature’s legs broke out!

The Crustix clawed its way out of the chain mail! Its wings flapped wildly above the King and Queen. Its silver eyes flashed. Its powerful jaws opened wide. The monster made another screeching howl.

King Mundar drew his sword. He leaped onto the royal seat, swishing the blade above his head.

The Crustix made a low, angry snarl. Its green wings slowly flapped. I wondered what it was thinking.

A mighty leg kicked out to claw the King! He dodged, swinging his sword. The blade sliced into the monster’s leg.

A terrible cry of pain pierced the air. The Crustix pulled its head down into its body, exactly like a turtle. Then, spreading its huge, webbed wings, it rose straight up, flew out over the arena wall, and was gone.

ANOTHER TRAP

The next morning in school, I looked over at Sorah. I like her pretty much. So, when Mrs. Varla told the class that the prophecy of my father, the High Priest, had saved Queen Rilfa from the Crustix, I felt proud.

On the playground, Sorah asked me how it happened. I said I talked with my father about his future feelings. I said I helped him decide how to advise the King.

That wasn’t exactly true, of course. But I liked it when Sorah’s eyes grew wide. She said she was glad I was her friend. She gave me a bright, special smile.

A moment later I saw Grah, the class bully, whispering with Fing. Were they jealous? Were they plotting something against me? Fing can be very sly, and Grah has a mean streak. Last spring, he twisted Forg’s arm. Twisted it real bad.

When I got home, my mother was so happy. She was fixing my father’s favorite supper. Even chocolate cream pie for dessert.

But when my father came in, he told me to prepare the incense burner.

Why do you need it? my mother asked.

I talked with King Mundar, he said. The King is not satisfied with wounding the Crustix. He fears the creature will return. He wants the monster killed. He wants me to determine how-and if-this can be done.

My father came out of his seeing room very late, and we ate supper.

I saw a way, he said, biting into a sugar muffin. But it will be dangerous. I saw that only King Mundar can kill the Crustix.

Why? I asked.

His sword, Viu. It is made of a special metal. It was forged by an old blacksmith named Raskin, who died before telling anyone the secret. He said the blade will cut through anything. There are rumors that the sword has magic powers.

My father’s face was deadly serious. Even sharp spears bounce off the creature’s scales, but the King’s sword penetrated its tough leg.

Won’t the Crustix stay away from the King now? my mother asked.

For that, I have a plan. My father smiled grimly. I saw that the Crustix can be lured from its cave, even by day.

How, Father? I asked.

By its own voice, Viu. I saw that a hunting call can be made. From reeds and birch bark. When the King blows through this call, it will imitate the creature’s cry. It will make the same piercing screech.

My mother looked worried. But did you see … King Mundar kill the Crustix with his sword?

No, my father said. "I