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The Quest for Mount Mario (Ruthin Walk) January 2010 |
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was the first day of the new decade; Sirod, the magic spaniel, wrapped in
her cloak and with her fur riven with icicles, leapt like a porpoise through
the drifts as the company of five climbed the narrow lane with its high
hedges. Emerging onto the plain they fanned out with relief from the snow
choked path, Lacie and Ave were dropped from the skies by eagles to join
the group, and they used their heightened vision to search for old tracks,
to see if others had been this way before. Satisfied that none had been,
the two young magicians walked in great circles over the smooth snow crust
to create patterns that would be visible from the sky, as a sign for the
great eagles to follow, as the company penetrated far into the frozen wilderness
in their quest for Mount Mario. Like hunters in the snow the company strung out in a line across the plateau, and just as they did so the snow began to fall hard. The deep clouds were blasted by the high winds, and snow filled their eyes making it hard to see. The normally nimble and light Lacie and Ave couldn’t help but struggle in the thick deep snow and the freezing leaden winds, until strong Use caught up and encouraged them with wise, warm words. The forest was in sight now, filling the horizon above the hill and offering shelter and respite from the storm. Fej and Dirchar arrived first, striding with renewed vigour, and leapt the submerged boundary wall. The others soon followed, tumbling over the stones with flurries of snow, each surprised at the calm and stillness of the woodland after the roaring winds that still rang in their ears; overhead great boughs, heavily laden, drooped almost to the frozen woodland floor. Dirchar opened the provisions bag, and everyone’s thoughts turned to home and kindly ruler Ashlie and emperor Nojh, who had provided so well for them; they remembered their good wishes – and also their warnings – as they had been counselled in the days before their long and arduous expedition to Mount Mario. The aroma of Christmas, sweet and fruity, filled the still air as Dirchar passed around the welcome but meagre banquet. Cakes, crisps and chocolate provisions were shared with good cheer between freezing fingertips and steaming breath, under the great white tree canopy as the winds howled high above. After refreshing pine tea from Dirchar’s thermos they threaded their way through the trees, avoiding the snow falls precipitated by mischievous Snilbogs that lurked high in the forest canopy, hidden from view but following their progress with curiosity. The company followed tracker Evets, who used the prints of woodland animals to lead them to the highest edge of the forest. Once out in the open they were greeted by the last of the sunset burning through ragged clouds. The snow and wind had abated, and they knew they had a chance of making the summit of Mario. Lacie, however, was suffering badly by now from the spell that the irascible Odnetnin had cast at the last full moon when Lacie had been bewitched by her glittering but deadly Lcd. Their mission to Mario had become an urgent necessity, since legend had it that Mario, apart from being the seat of ancient wisdom, had inscribed upon its frosty rocks the secret of the only counter-spell for the Lcd illness. Eus and brave but ailing Lacie turned back for the forest to await the return of their comrades. The company, led by Dewny, struck out upwards and westwards in a desperate bid for the summit, while the last light remained in the sky, determined to find the vital remedy before it was too late… Back to Home Page |
