Chapter 3: The Tower of Angus

Maqueda and I arrived at the main entrance of the Tower of Angus. I was about to reach out to push the huge gate when it sprang opened; itself. As we stepped inside, sooty oil lamps hanging on the brick wall ignited, so with the chandelier hanging at the centre. Glowing golden letters were formed on the floor and they read: Welcome, Master and Apprentice. Awesome. That was an acknowledgement.

The majestic tower was one of the oldest buildings in Gorwath. It was named after the first Head Wizard: Angus Qusmo, the sorcerer who could control the rage of tornado and lightning, made ice out of fire and fire out of ice. His name was written in the Scriptures of Time, the magic book of records as the most powerful wizard ever lived, known all across the Realm of The Light and the Realm of the Dark.

The Tower of Angus was the centre of wizardry in this kingdom since its establishment about seven thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven years ago. Nevertheless, nothing neither inside nor outside looked old. The wooden furniture looked new as they were just made. There was not a single scratch on the glittering marble floor. This tower must be enchanted with some kind of non-aging spell.

Maqueda uttered “The Chamber of the Phoenix” as we put our feet on the wooden staircase. To my amazement, the staircases started to move and spiralled upwards. We passed by countless of busy rooms as we went up in circular motion. There were wizards who were busying themselves creating new potions and writing spells on empty scrolls. They were wearing green robes which were meant for Ordinary Wizards.

 I spotted a group of young wizards who were having a hard time trying to tame a bunch of yelks, spider-like creatures with eyes all over their bodies. They produced deadly, yet very precious venom, one of the vital substances needed to heal someone affected by Dark Magic. Some of the wizards noticed the Supreme Wizard and bowed in respect. They also noticed the turquoise robe I was wearing and that made them stared at me with a total disbelief. My presence must be something extraordinary to them.

The Chamber of the Phoenix was a heavily guarded room located at the highest level of the tower. A group of wizards were guarding the path to the room when we arrived there. They were floating in two rows across the marble floor in cross-legged position, being deep in chanting with their eyes shut. They were wearing maroon robes which signified their rank as the Defensive Wizards. Sensing the presence of the Supreme Wizard, they lowered themselves to the floor, now standing and bowed upon Maqueda. They gave me the same look of disbelief as the wizards before them. They gave a second bow and this time it was meant for me.

I noticed something unusual about the wooden gate leading to the Chamber of the Phoenix. Living plant vines grew out of it as though the gate was a living wood planted on fertile soil. They twined against one another and delicate small flowers emerged between the tangled vines. There was something strange about the petals of the flowers. They were in fire. No. They were fire.

“Antherum Uros, Master. How should we serve you?” said the wizard with a purple shawl wrapped around his neck. It meant “May the Light be upon you.”

“Grantioso Umales, wizards. I wish to enter the Chamber of the Phoenix,” replied Maqueda which meant “The Light shall be upon us.” It was a courtesy of the wizards to greet each other with the Ancient Tounge, a language spoken and understood only by wizards. It was a gift.

“As you wish, Master,” said the wizard as the rest of the Defensive Wizards stepped aside to make way for us.

I watched in stupefied disbelief upon seeing the vines uncurled and the wooden gate opened itself to reveal a small steaming room. Magic seemed to work in every part of this tower spontaneously.

I trailed behind Maqueda as he entered the room. Curiosity drew me into the chamber with great enthusiasm. As we stepped inside, the gate to the chamber slammed shut behind us. The room was brightly lit by mysteriously shimmering precious stones radiating vibrant colours embedded on the wall . There were rubies, emeralds, amethysts and diamonds in different sizes scattered all across the rocky wall. I stood frozen for a while admiring the crystals in their brilliant shapes and colours.

A small fountain with running water stood at the centre of the chamber. There was a rainbow in the sprouting water and at the centre was an oval-shaped object about the size of my fist: a red, glowing egg. As I came nearer, the egg glowed brighter and by the time I was only a few inches from the fountain, the water was boiling with a hissing sound.

“Behold the sacred egg of the Phoenix,” said Maqueda, “it will hatch as soon as its rightful master touches the egg. Even now it is sensing your presence.”

“But the water is extremely hot! I’ll hurt my hand if I were to dip it in!” I said, taking a closer look at the egg which was gleaming in red. That made a stream of water  sprouted high towards the rocky ceiling.

“Worry not, Apprentice. It will do no harm to its owner,” told Maqueda with a smile on his face which turned out to be annoying rather than reassuring.

The old wizard must’ve gone senile. Slowly and carefully, I dipped my hand into the boiling fountain.  Well, Maqueda was right. It didn’t feel hot at all. I touched the egg with my forefinger and...

            “Boom!”

The egg burst into pieces. 

To be continued...