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The Land Called Trisun By Katie Zoeller Wilton CT “Aren’t you asleep yet, Tira?” my mother asked, coming into my bedroom to say goodnight. “No, Momma. I can’t stop thinking about the legend of Trisun. Please tell me about it again!” I answered. My mother looked tired but she sat on the edge of my bed and began the story. “Years ago, about five thousand to be exact, there lived a small village called Trisun. The people who lived there weren’t rich at all. See, most of them were farmers, and being in the desert, there wasn’t much to grow. To the north there lived another village. It was ruled by a very greedy Sultan, King Gotham. Now, King Gotham didn’t care for Trisun because it was so small and poor. One day, a messenger came and told the King that the people of Trisun weren’t really poor but had a glorious treasure. Immediately, King Gotham gathered his army together and marched south to Trisun. But when they got there, nothing was left of the small village. Not one house was where it had been standing. The only piece left was a small temple with the symbol of the Trisun on the front. This symbol is a triangle with rays of a sun coming from it. There were no doors or windows to be seen, and, no matter how much King Gotham’s men pushed, the temple wouldn’t budge. King Gotham returned to his city never came back, and the temple was buried in sand storms. No one knows what happened to the people of Trisun but historians say that one day a descendant of the Trisun people will reveal the secret,” my mother finished. “Now, go to sleep, Tira,” she said. “Yes, Mommy,” I replied. I was six years old then, when my mom told me the story, and now I’m fourteen. I’m just beginning high school, and, unfortunately the closest high school is a fifteen-minute bus ride away. Also since my mom works really late, she can’t pick me up if I miss the bus. I’d have to walk across part of the desert between my house and the school. By the way we, my mom and I, live in Egypt. Back to the topic of high school. The first day was just simply horrible. No one would talk to me and my teacher pronounced my name wrong. ---------------------------------------- That night my mom came home late so I made dinner ahead of time. “How was school?” she asked. “It sucked,” I replied. “No one wants to be my friend.” “Maybe you should meet Torn. He lives on the outskirts of the desert between here and you school. He’s a very nice boy. His father was a friend of your father,” my mom said. “Maybe I’ll go by tomorrow after school then,” I hoped that my mom was right about this guy. That night I didn’t sleep well. When I woke up, I was sweating and I heard a roar outside. I glanced out my window and saw the bus pulling away. I had missed it! Now I would have to walk to school since my mom had left for work already. As I was walking in the desert, I saw something. As I drew near, I realized it was the temple! It had a triangle with the rays of the sun around it. It was the symbol of the Trisun. I ran my fingers over it and wondered, “Is this the temple King Gotham found five thousand years ago?” “What are you doing here?” A boy came out from behind the temple. “I was walking to school and I saw this,” I pointed to the temple. ------------------------------------------- “My name is Toni and I guard this temple,” he said. He looked at me suspiciously. “You're Toni? Great! My name is Tira. My mom said she knew you. She said maybe we could be friends,” I said. “Oh, then I apologize for being so rude,” he bowed to me, “I live in this temple with my family so I’m really protective of it.” “You live in the temple of the Trisun? Is that allowed?” I asked. “Come with me and all your questions will be answered," he said and faced the temple. He put his hand to the symbol and winced as the very same symbol appeared on the back of his hand. The door opened and he went through. I wanted to go but I felt scared. He turned to me and held out his hand. “Come on, you don’t have to be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Just trust me,” he said. I took his hand and walked through. The door slid slowly down behind me and closed. It had also shut out all light. Toni lit a torch and we walked down some stairs that had appeared. We came up to another door but this had an eye on it. Plus it was twice the size of the first one. “Before we go through, you have to know,” Toni turned and faced me. “You know the legend of Trisun, right?” he asked. “Yeah,” I shrugged. “Well, you know the part about the decedent of the people? The one who would reveal the secret of their escape?” he asked. “Yeah,” I said again. Toni took a deep breath and said, “You are the decedent, Tira. You are the one destined to rule.” I gaped at him. “And this is how the people of Trisun escaped. Into this hidden city,” he pressed his hand to the eye and, like before, the eye appeared on the back of his hand. The door opened and we went through. I gasped, “It’s beautiful.” I was looking at a huge city. A palace stood at the far end near a fountain and a temple stood behind the palace. “I’m the ruler of this place? But how and why?” I thought. “No it’s impossible!” “I’ve never seen something so wonderful but I think you’ve made a mistake. I can’t be the decedent. I’m not fit to rule. I mean compared to this place I’m a peasant,” I said. “Look. You are the one. Tonight, ask your mom about your dad. Then you’ll believe me,” Toni said. “For now I’ve got to send you to school,” he waved his hand around me. “Nach ital carmore tesensum,” he said. “But wait!” I cried but it was too late. I was spinning and then I landed in a stall in the girl’s bathroom at school! “Wow. He must be quite powerful," I thought. I checked my watch and yelped! “Oh my god, I’m late!” I ran out of the bathroom and to class. I tried my best to concentrate on school but one thought still plagued my mind. “Was Toru right? Mom never told me how Dad died. Could I really rule Trisun?” I wondered. That night my mom came in to say good night. “Mom? Who was my father? I mean what happened to him?” I asked her. ------------------------------------------------ “Your father’s name was Tolomy Damon. Years ago he became ruler Trisun. I meet him one day when I got lost in this very desert. We became friends and soon we fell in love. Before he asked me to marry him, he told me the truth. But I didn’t care, I loved him. He had a royal high priest who worked in the temple. His name was Mastrow. After you were born, your father proclaimed that you would succeed him; even though you are a girl. Tradition in Trisun is that the ruler would be a male but your father changed that. Mastrow believed that a girl could not rule, that she wouldn’t be strong enough and she would bring destruction to the city. The day before King Gotham rode to our city, Mastrow tried to kill you and take the throne. Your father tried to stop Mastrow but they both died in the process. Then word of King Gotham’s army’s approach came and we had no time to even give your father a proper burial. As a result, the priests tell us that both their spirits still wander this ground looking for an answer to the way out. That is why, after King Gotham’s army had left, you and I moved up here. We could not risk Mastrow coming after you again,” she finished. “And now it’s time for me to rule,” I said, quietly. “You’ve met Torn, then? (I nodded) Good. Listen to him, he will help you,” my mom responded. “Now go to sleep. We will have to go to the temple tomorrow and start your ceremony,” she kissed me on the forehead and left the room. The next morning I woke and saw a beautiful dress. It was red and gold. “This was my dress when your father was crowned king,” my mom came into the room. “I hope you will wear it.” “I’d love to, mom. It’s so beautiful,” I picked it up and admired it. “Oh, thank-you, sweetie!” she hugged me. “Put it on and then this over it,” she held up a black cloak. “I know it’s hot out but we can’t take any chances. The priests gave this and another one to me. They have an invisibility charm on it that only others can see.” I put on the clothes and went downstairs. My mom made some breakfast and then put her own cloak on. “Tap, Tap,” someone knocked on the door. I opened it and saw Toru. He led us to the temple and inside. We went through the passage ways and into the city for the first time. There was a marketplace with people bustling around. They saw Torn but not my mother nor me. We climbed many steps until we reached the temple behind the palace. A priest came up to Torn and motioned us to take our cloaks off We did and placed them on a bench. “My name is HiPri Calaster. I am the high priest of the temple. Please follow me,” the priest said and walked up some more steps to the doors of the temple. “Oh,” I said and started to walk up, expecting Torn to follow but he didn’t. I turned and looked at him, “Aren’t you coming?” “No, I can’t. Only your mother and you are allowed,” he said. I guess he could see the worry written on my face because he said, “Go ahead. You’ll be fine. I’ll be right here and if anything goes wrong, just shout. I’ll come right in. So I walked into the temple and the doors closed, silently, behind me. ------------------------------------------- The ceremony began and already I felt out of place. Many chants were said, in a language I didn’t know. Dust was thrown at me in many different colors. A huge cauldron was pulled in front of me and a potion was made. Finally it seemed to come to an end. “There is one more test,” HiPri Calaster said. “You must press your hand to the symbol (he pointed to a cabinet) and if you are really King Tolomy’s daughter, and his chosen heir, the symbol will appear on your hand. Then the cabinet will open and you can take the royal scepter,” he explained. So I pressed my palm to the symbol, fearing the worst. “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhlhhhhhhh! ! ! !“ I screamed. The symbol appeared on the back of my hand in a red piercing cut. Some blood dripped from my palm but I dared not let go. My mother took a step toward me but HiPri Calaster cast out a hand. “Wait,” he said. The symbol on the back of my hand turned white and I drew my hand away. The cabinet opened and I took the royal scepter out, in my good hand. It was a staff and at the top was a triangle. It had an eye in the center of it. There were rays coming off it and each ray had a ring hanging off of it. Everyone around me cried out and rejoiced. The priest left the room and I heard him say a few words in that strange language again. “Maha eta sonora.” Then his voice was amplified so loud I had to cover my ears for a moment. “People of Trisun. Please listen for a moment. Today is a day of celebration, for today we have found her. The successor of King Tolomy! The one person who can end the curse! Queen Tira!” he shouted and held out his hand toward me. I walked out and saw millions of people gathered all over the city. From this height they looked like little dancing ants. Just then a horrible laughter filled my ears. A silvery ghost flew at me with blazing crimson eyes! “You are mine!” he screamed. “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" I screamed, as he flew through me. I felt dizzy and... and then I couldn’t feel at all. The last thing I remember was Tom running up to me and catching me as I fell, before I fainted. ---------------------------------------------- I woke up in a huge bed. The covers were red and gold. They felt soft and silky. My mother sat on a chair on one side of the bed, holding my hand. Her head lay on the covers, asleep. “What had happened?” I wondered. Then it all rushed back to me in a second. My head hurt from all the pictures coming in. My hand throbbed. I looked at it and realized it was bandaged where the symbol had cut into my hand. The ghost! It was dark and for a second I was scared. Then I heard a step outside the bedroom! Was it the ghost?! No! It couldn’t be. “Ghosts don‘t walk, “I told myself firmly. The door opened and Tom entered. When he realized I was awaked, he motioned me to follow him. I sat up and tried to stand but I wobbled and fell. “Crash!” The noise didn’t wake my mother but it was clear I couldn’t walk by myself. Toni rushed over and helped me stand. Then he and I walked outside. “Thanks,” I said as he helped me sit on a bench. “Do you remember what happened?” he asked. “Yes,” I said. “You want me to explain it?” he asked. I nodded. He sighed, “Remember the royal high priest? The one who worked for you father?” “Mastrow?” I nodded, “My mom said he didn’t pass on to the afterlife. Is that true?” “It seems that way. It was his ghost that attacked you. I’m sorry,” he turned to me. He looked so upset and worried. “It’s ok. But why did he attack me? Wasn’t he after my father?” I asked. “No, he wanted to take the throne. I didn’t want this much danger coming to you and neither did your mom,” he sat down next to me. Then I had a thought, “But only the chosen one can rule, right. So even if he does hurt me, he can’t rule.” “I wish it were that simple but... God, you’ve been through so much already, maybe I shouldn’t tell you,” he looked at the floor. “What?” I asked. “How bad could it be?” I thought. “Only one of your father’s family can rule. You mom can’t because she isn’t a true Trisun. You can because of your father and Mastrow can because.., because he’s your uncle,” Torn finally said. “What?!” I shouted. “I’m sorry! I know... actually I don’t know,” Toni looked so lost. “So my father’s own brother killed him!” I felt angry. I wanted revenge. “Yes, I’m sorry. You must feel terrible. I shouldn’t have told you,” Toni put his head in his hands. I felt so bad. It wasn’t Toni’s fault that Mastrow was my uncle nor that Mastrow had killed my father. I took his hands and he looked up. I looked straight into his eyes, “It’s ok. Really. It’s not your fault and I’m happy that you told me. Don’t worry. Ok?” Toni smiled, “Thanks. I don’t want you to worry either. I will find a way to get rid of Mastrow. I will always be here to protect you.” “Yes, “I thought; “But I can’t let you take such a risk” Suddenly, I realized that I loved Torn. “I can ‘t let him take that risk because I love him,” I thought. “Thanks, Toni,” I hugged him. “But this is my battle. I have to fight it alone.” ----------------------------------- I left Toni in the courtyard and walked to the temple. I opened the doors and walked in. “Your highness,” HiPri Calaster came out from a side room. “HiPri Calaster,” I bowed and he returned it, “How can I defeat Mastrow?” “A potion will do. Please follow me, your highness,” he led me into the very side room he had come from. I saw a huge cauldron. HiPri Calaster threw some ingredients into the cauldron that he read off to me from the book. He continued this until the mixture turned light purple and was steaming aqua smoke. HiPri Calaster handed me a bag with some gold dust in it. “You must throw little pinches in, and empty the bag,” he instructed me. I put in the dust, the potion turned crimson and black smoke spat out of it every few seconds. “Now, when you meet Mastrow you must throw this at him and chant these words: Mastrow spirata. Im banic thi ti vero thi camo frame. Im banic thi ti vero thi camo frame! Mastrow spirata,” he said as he poured some into a vial and handed to me. “This is called a vanquishing potion. If you miss him or something goes wrong, I can give you more...” Just as I put the potion in my pocket and HiPri Calaster went to put the rest in a huge jar, I heard that horrible laughter. Mastrow flew in through a window, cackling. I started to run, shouting at the top of my lungs to HiPri Calaster but he couldn’t hear me. Then he dumped the cauldron over and clapped his hands as potion flowed everywhere! I jumped up on a chair. I turned and saw HiPri Calaster caught in the potion and melting. He shrieked and screamed until. Then he was gone. “Hello, deary,” said Mastrow’s spirit. He started toward me and I felt the horrible twinge of fear. Then I noticed a banner hanging above me that lead to safety. I untied one end quickly and swung across. As I dropped down from the banner, my shoes touched part of the potion and started to melt. I pulled them off and threw them at Mastrow. “That won’t work, sweetie!” his horrible voice echoed through the temple. I plunged through the doors of the temple and hid in some bushes in the courtyard. “Did Mastrow know about the vial?” I asked myself. “Here kitty, kitty!” I peered through the leaves and saw him. “You can hide but you’ll never escape me. And you can’t destroy me, there’s no more potion,” he cackled. He searched around the bushes across from me. “You’re going to die just like your pitiful father and there is nothing you can do to stop it.” --------------------------------------- “Oh no?!” a voice shouted. I found myself standing up and throwing the vial. “Mastrow spirata. Im banic thi ti vero thi camo frame. Im banic thi ti vero thi camo frame! Mastrow spirata!” He howled and put his hands to his face, “Aaaiiiiiiiiieeeee!!! What have you done?” Rays of light streamed from his body! He screamed and writhed and then.., he exploded in a huge burst of white light. Finally he was gone. I let out the breath I had been holding. “You did it!” it was Torn. “You defeated Mastrow!” he shouted. He hugged me till I thought I would suffocate. When he let go he looked at me proudly. “Tim? Sweetheart?” I turned around at the soft voice that had sounded. There I saw him. Suddenly, somehow I knew, “Daddy?” “Yes,” said the spirit. “I’ve come to do one last thing for you, dear, and then I must be going,” he walked over to Torn and me.” I can see how much love there is between you two, even if you haven’t admitted it to each other yet. Let you two be married,” he said. He floated away from us. “Must you go, Daddy? After I just found you again?” I said. “I’m afraid so, baby. Just remember, I’ll always be with you,” he started to float upward. “Goodbye, my darling.” “Good… goodbye, D… Daddy,” I tried to hold back the tears. Then he was gone. I stared at the floor. Then I felt Toni’s hand under my chin. “Don’t cry. Everything is going to be all right,” he said. “Do you really love me?” he asked. I smiled and nodded. “Yes, Torn. I love you.” “I love you too,” a tear fell down his cheek. Then he leaned in and kissed me. Not much is left to be said except that two days later we were married. And I finally found a home in this land called Trisun. |