The Kings of the Seven Bells Read online

  The Kings of the Seven Bells

  By

  Marti Talbott

  © 2019

  There was a time when the Carbollo and the Mobbox children played together in the grasslands, tossing stones, foot racing, and solving riddles – all designed to prepare them for the days of the seven bells. Yet, when the Carbollo grew suspicious of the Mobbox, the adults no longer allowed it. Had it not been so, Raxton Carbollo and Nerratel Mobbox might have become fast friends. Instead, they were destined to be resolute rivals.

  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  The Viking

  CHAPTER 1

  More Marti Talbott Books

  CHAPTER 1

  AN ANCIENT STORY TOLD of a man who got lost in the castle and was never seen again. No one believe it – but why would anyone make up such a story if it were not true?

  THE LAND OF EXTANE was often spoken of but rarely visited, for it was situated on a massive mesa, an island of sorts, surrounded by sheer cliffs impossible to scale. As well, it was normally shrouded in a mist and could only be seen from below on the clearest of days. It was true - the inhabitants of Extane had all they needed and although they could see the village of the Lowlanders from their perch high above, they saw no advantage in venturing out, and therefore did not care to seek a way down the cliffs.

  There lived on Extane, two nations – Civic Carbollo and Civic Mobbox, each flourishing, marrying, and raising children. From the beginning of time, or at least as far back as various stories went, instead of the crown and the kingdom going to the eldest son, it was ruled by the man who was clever enough to find the seven hidden bells. Because there were many contenders, all the young, strong men who desired to be king, first competed in a challenge. Designed to eliminate the unworthy, the challenge ended when there was but one Carbollo and one Mobbox man left. Those two were then sent on the quest to find the bells. Therefore, both civics had an equal chance of seeing one of their own crowned as the next king.

  According to the ancient stories, for generations the two sides lived in peace no matter who was king, but for a reason not quite understood, the people became unhappy with their lives. There came into being, envy, false accusations, boastful pride, and subtle differences between the two civics that became more pronounced with each passing day. Their difference soon turned into complaints and their complaints turned into open animosity.

  Therefore, not every young man desired to be king over two nations that constantly bickered, and threatened to go to battle over that which their king considered nonsense. Just the same, be he a Mobbox or a Carbollo king, keeping the peace was a king’s utmost priority.

  Many stories were told about previous kings, some true and some not easily believed. For example, after being required to dissolve yet another marriage too easily set aside, and in what could only be described as a temper tantrum, King Millac Mobbox forbade all future marriages. The very next day, he found himself cast out by both nations. A short four generations later, King Seil Carbollo threw up his hands, took off his crown, and walked out of the castle never to return. The next man clever enough to win the Days of the Seven Bells, King Yart Carbollo, oddly began mumbling to himself as though he were quite alone even when he was not. Another two generations passed before King Demote Mobbox was crowned. He fell asleep, or rather pretended to fall asleep, when the arguing became too unbearable. King Gina Mobbox became so annoyed, he went to his bed chamber, bolted the door, and refused to come out.

  Nevertheless, the kingdom needed a king – that was the one thing upon which both sides agreed.

  There were good kings, fair, careful in their decisions, and even jovial. Yet it was widely known that even the good Mobbox kings favored the Mobbox people, and the equally kind Carbollo kings most often ruled in favor of the Carbollos. The consequences, no matter the nationality of the king, were never disastrous, but each year of resentment lay heavy upon the last. With the passing of time the two nations began to lead very separate lives, drawing an unmarked but well respected and rarely crossed line between the two lands. That was not to say the two sides lacked communication, just not as openly as before, and more often instigated by women rather than the stubborn and rigid men.

  Before he declared himself completely insane, King Gina came up with a brilliant idea. He appointed one man from the Mobbox and one from the Carbollo to act as Boons, and charged them with settling the minor complaints, each for his own side. When the dispute was between the two nations and could lead to a battle, the Boons were to present each side of the situation to the king. Naturally, both sides were required to abide by the king’s decision.

  For a time, that arrangement suited nearly everyone. The complaints of the people were heard and settled quickly, and the king had more time to tend to his own desires. No one was more pleased with his success than King Ginapew. In honor of their cooperation and to distinguish the Boons among the people, he presented each with a long silk robe and a golden clasp. Soft blue was for Boon Carbollo, and soft red suited Boon Mobbox. At last, there came a semi-peace to the land of Extane. Unfortunately, King Gina died shortly thereafter, which again brought about the Days of the Seven Bells.

  For the most part, it was an adequate life for both Civics. The vast meadowlands provided good hunting, fruit trees, and ample land for vegetable gardens. Although it looked flat to those who lived in the Lowlands, the mesa had its share of hills and valleys as well as one snowcapped mountain, with steep cliffs reminiscent of those surrounding the outside of the mesa. Animal hides were turned into leather, and used to make soft comfortable clothing for the men. The vegetation included tall fern green cypress trees, sage bushes, streams, and moss green Wibble trees.

  Wibble trees had long branches that grew straight up and then straight out. As if weeping, the parts of the branches that grew straight out bloomed pastel strands of silk, which the people gathered each year to be spun into clothing for the women and children. Pastel pink, white and blue flowers with spiral stems, sparsely dotted the land and grew on Extane year around. Water flowed over the tops of high cliffs and cascaded down, splashing into each of four pleasant, peaceful powder blue lakes where swans, ducks, and geese swam at their leisure. The Carbollo had two on their side of the mesa as did the Mobbox. Large gray boulders, some with sharp pointed tops and edges, dotted the landscape. Even the mountain was situated half on one side and half on the other.

  The people awoke to pleasant sunrises and went to bed when equally pleasant sunsets turned the day into night.

  In many ways, the people in Civic Mobbox and Civic Carbollo were exactly the same. They grew tall and strong, their manner of dress was similar, they ate the same foods, and for entertainment, they all gambled. With no bartering to be done with other civilizations, and as they refused to barter with each other, the civics sold food and goods to their own people in exchange for silver coins with which to gamble. All kings agreed gambling was a curse, for the losers got angry and the winners gloated. Still, they had little else to look forward to.

  While the two civics were similar, there was one very evident and outward difference. The
Carbollo had a diamond-shaped mark over their left eye, while the Mobbox were born with an identical mark over their right. It was because, they said, both sides were issue of the first king, who had two wives. King Thigit intentionally had the babies and their descendants marked so he could tell which wife gave him which children. Not everyone believed it, but what other explanation could there be?

  At the base of the mountain was a sheer cliff into which the King’s magnificent blue crystal Castle had been built. Presently, King Grafton Carbollo resided alone in the castle. It was an immense six-story structure made of blue stones and blue crystal glass, the outside of which shimmered in the early morning sunlight. Shaped in a semi-circle, it had wide balconies from which to view the land, tall pointed towers, shuttered windows, and more rooms than was necessary, particularly now that he alone lived there.

  In the center of the King’s cobblestone courtyard stood a large gazebo with seven archways that supported a canopy dome. Inside and out, one of seven unique symbols was etched on the center top of each archway. The gazebo was made of polished blue stones, had a white marble floor, and benches between the archways where many a young man sat and pondered what the symbols might mean. Hanging from the middle of the dome was a pendulum with a ball on the end. It was said that when the seven bells were found and rung in the correct order, the pendulum would swing and ring the dome bell – to announce who the new king was to be.

  Indeed, it was said the bell would ring, but no one had actually heard it, for their king presently was very old and no one alive was older than he. Over the years, many a question arose concerning exactly how the quest was to be conducted. How many days did it actually take, where was it to take place, and could the people help their side find the bells?

  The kings gave no answer, for they claimed they could not remember. It was a riddle with no apparent answer.

  The Carbollo built their city using the abundant light gray stones, that were easily gathered on the side of the mesa upon which the sun shed its first light. Meticulously, each stone was cut in the shape of an octagon, polished, and perfectly arranged. The city itself was situated in the shape of an octagon, with three iron gates leading to the outside, and an area in the middle that served as a marketplace. The part of the octagon that faced Mobbox City was three stories in height, while the back also faced the Mobbox and was four stories, allowing those living on the top floor to keep an eye on both the castle and their rivals.

  The Carbollo thought themselves honorable, their women beautiful, their children obedient and their men handsome. They drew very fine pictures, hunted, fished, maintained the vegetable gardens, and pounded iron into tools and weapons. Fastidious people, they insisted work came before play, and that everything was put precisely where it belonged. Even the stories they told to the children at night were carefully constructed, and told word for word exactly as created. Of their way of life, they were very proud.

  The Mobbox constructed a comfortable city using polished rose colored stones, that were found on the side of the mesa where the sun set. Unlike the Carbollo, there appeared to be little rhyme or reason to the way their city was built or how it was situated. It may have been well put together when it was finished, but it was doubtfully planned that way. The Mobbox watched the Carbollo from high watchtowers at each end of their spread-out, two story city. While the Mobbox saw no need for a formal place to gather, their marketplace was in front of the city just outside the huge double gates. It was also where they gathered when Boon Mobbox had news to tell.

  The Mobbox thought their women were exceedingly more beautiful than the Carbollo, their men quite more handsome, and their children – well their children were not considered disobedient exactly. Instead, they were thought of as creative and pleasingly inventive. When it came to enjoying life, the Mobbox believed the work could wait, and each evening happily went about singing, dancing, and telling outrageous stories – the more outrageous, the better. Even so, they often suffered an unreasonable envy of the Carbollo.

  Four times a year the two sides met in front of the castle, in the spacious cobblestone courtyard. Each side entered their strongest men in challenges of brain and brawn. It was a very competitive time that everyone looked forward to and enjoyed. The challenges were arranged according to age, with the children going first. For the older boys, the challenges included horse and foot races, stone tosses, and the solving of riddles. The winners were awarded simple, unadorned silver crowns, which they proudly wore until the next round of challenges.

  Many a friendship might have been forged between the two sides during the challenges, for those who won were greatly respected, and in turn, respected those who challenged them. Yet, when the challenges ended, the people of Civic Mobbox returned to their separate lives and Civic Carbollo did the same.

  CHAPTER 2

  AT BIRTH, THE INHABITANTS of Extane had pale yellow hair. When they reached their tenth year, their hair began to turn reddish brown, and at twenty, it became as black as night. In their later years, black turned to a bluish gray, just as the king’s hair had in recent years. While the Mobbox cared little for how they wore their hair, save to keep it off their faces, all the Carbollo, both men and women, preferred a single braid, worn down their backs with silver bands wrapped around the end.

  Although they were not encouraged to associate, Raxton Carbollo and Nerratel Mobbox, often saw each other, albeit from afar over the years, and occasionally close enough to speak. It was after their hair turned dark and their strength increased, that competing in the challenges gave them the opportunity to became better acquainted, and even distant friends. Nerratel Mobbox currently wore the silver crown for foot racing. Raxton Carbollo wore it the last time, and fully intended to wear it again when the next set of challenges came around. Both wore belted knee-length tunics, with off-white silk shirts and leather shoes laced to just below their knees. From their belts hung an assortment of articles including sheathed knives and swords, a water flask, and a cloth with which to wash themselves in the creeks.

  It was a rare occasion indeed that the two should happen upon each other, since even the lands beyond the cities and above the castle were respected as being just as divided as it was between the two cities. A hunter, Raxton loved riding his horse, loved the mountain, the valleys, the lakes, and the streams. He especially loved watching a herd of wild horses. He didn’t often see them, but when he did, he always paused to watch. On this day, the horses were splashing their way across a shallow but wide stream with their manes and tails flaring. They were white, of course. All the horses on Extane were pure white, with white manes and tails.

  It was after the horses ran out of sight that Raxton heard a man cry for help. Concerned, he guided his horse through the trees and bushes, and then paused again to listen. “Where are you?”

  “I have fallen in a pit,” the man replied.

  Raxton continued to follow the sound and wrinkled his brow. “What pit? I know of no pit on Carbollo land.”

  “Nevertheless, I have fallen into it.”

  At last, Raxton came to a clearing, spotted a place where the land was not complete, dismounted and cautiously walked to the edge. When he was near enough, he leaned forward and looked down.

  Standing on the bottom, an annoyed Nerratel Mobbox looked up at him. The sight of Nerratel’s silver crown laying in the dirt made Raxton chuckle. “The winner of the foot race has lost his footing?”

  Already annoyed because of his helpless situation, Nerratel scowled. “You shall not laugh long, once you feel the head of the bull that pushed me off.”

  Raxton quickly turned around and surveyed his environment. He saw no bull, guessed that he had just been handed a joke, and once more grinned at the Mobbox. “You shall be happy to know the bull is long gone.” Raxton’s neatly trimmed sideburns, beard, and loosely tied back hair perfectly framed the square shape of his face.

  “Good.” Young, strong, and seemingly fearless, Nerratel didn’t always bother trimmi
ng his facial hair, and just now it was a bit longer than it needed to be. But then, he was a Mobbox, and trimmed facial hair signaled a man’s intent to gain the attention of a prospective bride. Nerratel was not yet inclined to take a wife. “Come now, help me up and I shall tell you all the secrets of the Mobbox.”

  “Is it true the Mobbox see ghosts in the night?”

  Nerratel rolled his eyes, “Only a few and when we do, we beseech them to haunt the Carbollo instead.”

  “How very kind of you. Is it not you who wishes to know the mysteries of the Carbollo?”

  “Perhaps I do have one question for which I have found no answer.”

  “Which is?”

  “Help me out of this pit and I shall tell you.” As soon as Raxton nodded, Nerratel picked up his crown and tossed it up to him.

  Raxton caught the crown, set it on the ground and then pulled a looped rope off the horn of his saddle. He tied one end to the horse, and then lowered the other end into the pit. Next, he waited until Nerratel got a good grip on the end. “Ready?”

  “Ready!” As soon as Raxton began to back his horse up, Nerratel dug the toes of his shoes into the side of the cliff and climbed out. At last, he made it to the top, and with Raxton’s help, was finally able to stand on firm ground and catch his breath. “I am in your debt. I feared no one would hear me.”

  Raxton re-looped the rope, put it back on the horn of his saddle, and patted the side of his horse’s neck. “Afraid to miss a meal or two?”

  Nerratel grinned. “There is nothing I like more than a meal or two.”

  “About that I can happily agree. I know this land well, and I’ve never seen this pit before.”

  “Nor have I. Perhaps the heavy rain washed the loose dirt away.”

  “That must be it.” When he was finished, Raxton gave his full attention to the man he just pulled out of the pit. “I cannot give an answer until I have heard the question.”