The Crystal Clipper by B. Roman Read Free Book Online Page A

haven't the faintest idea where I'm going. The only reason I found my way here was because of the Gypsy hologram - or Dorinda. Whoever it is, she's the only one who knows where Sally is. What if she doesn't appear again?”
    “She will appear again. There is some very mysterious connection between you. Allow it to reveal itself. Now, if for some reason you become lost, or encounter trouble, come back as quickly as you can. Here.” He hands David a small pouch. “Sprinkle these along the path behind you as you walk.”
    David looks at the granules inside the pouch. “What are they?”
    “Seed crystals. Once they touch the earth, they will glow. If you fall into danger or darkness, the seed crystals will lead you back to my camp, but will be extinguished under your feet.”
    “What if I don't find Sally? What if she isn't out there after all?”
    “Then you must keep trying until you do find her,” Ishtar encourages him. “Now, go. May God be with you.”
    Cautiously, David maneuvers his way along the path, holding the lantern in one hand and sprinkling the seed crystals every few yards with the other. Now and then he softly calls his sister's name, and tries to invoke the image of the Gypsy once again.
    “Sally. Sally, are you here? Sally?”
I feel like an idiot. How can she hear me anyway if she's in some crystal ball?
“Gypsy? Or whatever you are. Where are you? I need some assistance here. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
    David continues to walk along the path for what seems like miles. He feels tired and sore and decides to rest a moment, but a faint glow in the distance causes him to hasten his step. David calls out apprehensively. “Is that you, Gypsy? Dorinda? Sally?”
    Continuing on warily toward the light, David notices the glow intensify. He comes to a clearing and moves decisively toward the radiance, then comes to an abrupt halt, both puzzled and fascinated by what he sees.
    Across the valley, on the summit of a hill, lies the Prism Palace, a shimmering vision amidst an otherwise dark and dense terrain. At first glance, it appears to be a crystal of monolithic proportions. It is deceptively transparent, with near-blinding refractions of light that obscure its interior from view.
    Angular and defined, the structure reminds David of a geometric puzzle with smooth and seamless interlocking pieces: a tetragon on the left, a trigonal on the right, a hexagonal center that towers over all. He is compelled to run to its threshold, to let the Celestial rainbows of color wash over him, embrace him, consume him. But his ethereal impulse is jerked back to hard reality when he looks more clearly at the sight before him.
    On the perimeter of the Palace grounds is a dormant volcano. A ritual is taking place at its mouth, with hundreds of subjects totally entranced by throbbing chants and the staccato pounding of ceremonial drums. David conceals himself behind a tree and watches, mesmerized.
    Attending the ceremony is the High Priestess Jaycina, strikingly costumed in a vibrant ceremonial gown and jeweled headdress. All of the subjects wear their customary simple white robes, except for one of them whose robe is embellished with a breastplate of ornamental metals and gemstones. The subject is led, resistant and writhing, to a pedestal at the edge of the volcano. Immediately, sparks begin to generate from the volcano, as though it is hungry and about to be fed.
    At Jaycina's imperial gesture, two guards move a huge lodestone into position at the far side of the volcano, then step aside. Swiftly, an enormous flash of electrical energy surges between the lodestone and the victim's breastplate. He is literally magnetized and lifted high into the air, floating on the electrical current like a puppet on a string. While he hovers over the center of the volcano's mouth, the drumming and chanting built to a mad frenzy. The lodestone is then pushed aside, cutting off the free-floating electrical current.
    The victim