SURREAL ADVENTURES FROM THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS

Sunday, March 28, 2010

The sorcerer (II)

I don’t know how long I had slept when the sorcerer woke me up rubbing one of his dragon amulets against my cheeks. He recited a litany of incomprehensible words as I felt pleasantly drowsy. He dug in his pocket and offered me a tiny black bottle in the shape of a heart.

- I think we’re not late yet. Drink from here. You will recover your memories in a few hours. –he whispered-
- What is this? In plain English, please –I asked-
- An elixir to make you remember. –he said, shaking the bottle before my eyes-
- What’s in this concoction? –I asked-
- The magic that will bring your memories back. Drink it up.
- Hehehe, let me see if it’s marked ‘poison’ first.
- It’s not poison, gel! Drink it up in one gulp.
–said the sorcerer, impatiently-
- What if it makes me shrink or grow larger?- It wouldn’t hurt you to grow a bit, but you’re not Alice in Wonderland. Drink. It. Up. Now.

Whe sorcerer realised I didn’t trust him and was reluctant to drink from the bottle. He turned to Ed and said:

- The gel must be willing to drink the potion or it won’t work.
- I’ll take care of this.
–said Ed-

Ed took the small bottle in his hand and kneeled down beside me.

- Sweety, please drink it up. I promise it won’t do you any harm. I’ll stay beside you watching your sleep. It’s your last chance.–he said, stroking my cheeks-
- Yeah, ok, but what if he’s another paranormal creature from Hell? This could be poison and I could be dead in a few minutes. –I said, very nervous-.
- It’s not poison. This guy is reliable. He was very famous in my days and I’ve known him in Burdishland.
- My mother always told me not to accept candy from strangers. Least of all would I accept a black bottle of … who knows what this thing is.


He kept silent.

- I’m gonna tell you a funny story: A 500-year old weirdo that I have never seen in my whole life wants me to drink a black concoction that he calls “a magic potion”, to bring back to my mind supposedly deleted memories, that I’m not even sure I have lost. Don’t misunderstand me, dude. What would you do if you were in my shoes? He gives me the shivers! –I said-
- I understand your uncertainty and have no rational explanation for that. But sometimes in our lives, we have to believe and not ask. All I want you to do is trust me. Have faith. –said Ed-

I sighed deep.

- Ok, dude. Don’t ask me why I do it, but I’ll do it.
- Good girl.
- And then, sleep long and deep. As the poet said… what thou seest when thou dost wake, do it for thy true-love take… -said the sorcerer-

I didn’t feel any better after hearing him pronounce that Shakesperian quote from “Midsummer night’s dream” that pictured Titania, the magical beautiful Queen of the fairies, waking up and madly falling in love with a donkey under the effects of an enchantment. That was not very encouraging. And yet I drank the brew. It tasted deliciously sweet and I soon started noticing the effects: I felt terribly drowsy.

- Adieu, my good lady. –whispered the sorcerer-

I was too tired to say anything, so I just waved weakly, fighting off the urge to sleep.

- Mylord, the gel now needs to sleep for at least two days in a warm and cosy bed. Make sure she does. Then, she will regain normalcy.
- From your lips to God’s ears. You will be largely rewarded after she comes back to her normal self.
- Grammarcy, Mylord. May I ask ye something?
- Belike, if I can answer your question …

- Have ye noticed that this woman hath the scent of life about her? Her aura is spectacular and she is allured by irresistible magnetism.
- Yes, Master. I know her very well.

- She’s a lovely kid, but she can be a bit of a handful; nevertheless, I recommend you let her make light in your dark. Ye know what I mean.
- I absolutely know what you mean.- Then, good luck and be well, Mylord. I remain at thy disposal. It’s time for me to go back to my dominions.
- Safe paths, Master.

When the sorcerer left the room, I could hardly keep my eyes open, but I could hear their conversation.

I had fallen in such a state of sluggishness that I could no longer move. Ed carried me in his arms and took me to one of the rooms in his suite. He carefully removed my clothes, put me to bed, covered me with a warm blanket and sat on the edge of the bed.

The rain was drumming on the porthole pane. I felt how the ship moved and remembered a lullaby that my mother used to sing to me at bedtime:

Under the pale reflection of the moon,
In the pirate ship where I was born,
The waves rocked my cradle.
I leaned listening to my mother
Long live the sea, long live the sea.


The song lines repeated over and over in my brain. I curled up in fetal position and fell into deep, restful sleep.

That night I had dreams about dark oceans of blood; people dying and falling in the blood; being pulled into the blood by evil children pretending they were drowning, but in reality trying to make me drown.

Then I saw a big animal jumping on my bed. It had a horrible human face and human arms that grabbed me. I ran outside with this creature on my back.

In my escape, I was hit by a car. The ambulance came, and a medic tried to stick a thin wire into my fingertips and force it through my veins to my heart. I managed to escape but there was nothing but dense fog before me…

But in the morning of the second day, the nightmares ceased as though chased off by the comforting presence in the room of my protector.

I woke up. I opened my eyes and Ed was there, sleeping on an armchair, right in front of me.



"Ripples" (Genesis)

18 comments:

Gorilla Bananas said...

Well it seems you were right to trust Ed, but he still looks like a shady character to me, calling up sorcerers from goodness knows where. Any man called "mylord" by a sorcerer needs to have a thorough security check.

Barlinnie said...

I feel as though I have just had a glimpse behind the scenes of a fillum by Tim Burton. Surreal, yet charming, strange in its characters, but soothing in its entirety. It all works so very well indeed.

Grass said...

So many things about Leni are surreal so I agree Jimmy, this series would indeed be of particular interest to someone like Tim Burton. Why not consider talking to Mr. Burton sis? He might make a movie out of your stories.. hehe And while you're at it, please introduce me as one of your ideal casts.. hahahaha

It made me smile when Ed tried to talk to you into taking the potion, calling you sweety and all that. It was like a father talking to a kid. :D But I guess I wouldn't trust anyone neither especially if he offers me something to drink. What if it was a love potion instead? Falling madly in love with one of these mythical entities who speak old English would be a nightmare! :))


xxxx

sage said...

As I was reading this, I thought you'd end with a music video of that old song, "Love Potion #9"

Nice new twist, like everyone else, I wonder if you're now heading for a new relationship--talking about the possibility of falling for an older man!

max said...

Leni, please listen to what Jimmy and Grass say and start writing this: "Dear Mr. Burton, I'm a great fan of your films..."

The rest is up to you, LOL.

Btw, I'd like to be in the cast too!

Leni Qinan said...

Mr Bananas,

He has a very dark side but he’s a good man, Mr GB. You’ll soon get to know him.

If you’d ask me, I’d say the sorcerer is a bit of a dork. Supernaturals are most peculiar, as you can see (I’m the only humble mortal in this story, I’m afraid. Whether I’m normal or not, it’s for you –readerships- to decide). :)))

Leni Qinan said...

Aaah Jimmy... I am most honoured by the analogy you draw with the great Tim Burton. I am certainly a great admirer of his films –I think I’ve seen them all- and I like the funny side of surrealism and fear. And yet, I am just a humble apprentice…

Leni Qinan said...

Ok ok Grassy, I may give it a thought. Especially now that he seems to be short of original scripts for his films –how many version of “Alice” have been already shot?-. Of course you would be in the cast, sis: I think you would be a perfect Hellgirl –bring your unicorn, please-.

You’re right, I wouldn’t trust the sorcerer –look at that face, who whould trust this guy?-. And a love potion to fall in love with him… EEEK!. But Ed… I absolutely, completely, blindly trust him and would drink anything he’d ask me to.

But I disagree with you when you say he sounds like a father talking to a kid (BIG LOL). I think it’s something very different (BIG LOL again). Just wait and see where his loving approaches take him to, hahah. ;))

Leni Qinan said...

Oh my Sage, I think I’m gonna hire you as a music advisor. Your musical knowledge is impressive –not only here, but on previous posts- and I am amazed at how accurate and according to the post theme the recommended tracks are!

Curious as I am, I had to Google and Youtube “Love Potion No. 9” –to my shame, I must confess I didn’t know the song- and this is what I wiki-found:

•The Clovers (1959) - Original

Covers:
•The Searchers (1963), a U.S. No. 3 hit in 1965
•Ronnie Dio and the Prophets (1964)
•Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (1965)
•The Ventures (February 1965)
•Paolo Bracci (in Italian, as "Non Ho Dormito Mai") (1965)
•Nancy Sit (1967)
•The Coasters (1959)
•Elkie Brooks (1976)
•Hurriganes (1978)
•The Nylons (1982)
•Tygers of Pan Tang (1982)
•Southern All Stars (1990)
•Neil Diamond (1993)
•Rockapella
•The Alley Cats
•The White Stripes
•Flotsam and Jetsam
•MDC
•Gary Lewis & The Playboys
•Art Murphy and Hard Road (1976)(Canada)
•The Dead Billies (1996)(Brazil)
•Robert Plant (2008)
•Giuliano Palma & the Bluebeaters (2009)(Italy)

About the possibility of falling for an older man… why not? Older men know how to treat women, they are experienced and experience is the best teacher. There is an element of protection and shelter in older men that all women like –an advantage over younger men-.

I’m absolutely drawn by that, even more if he’s an intelligent guy. I would find him irresistible. ;)

Leni Qinan said...

Maxi,

You may be right: perhaps I could have a better future as a script writer than as a proper writer. I’m beginning to consider a mailing to my admired Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro and who knows, maybe James Cameron too. Do you think there is a chance that they would shot a film or a TV series with this script? I have a storyline for at least ten seasons, of course!

So, I’ll be working on this draft this Easter (third BIG LOL in these comment forms).

You’re in the cast, Maxi: read back the posts where I was dating Bob Gausmann the Great and you stole his girlfriend the Southerner girl. Don’t forget the good old days with Hellgirl and Percy, the tiny devil. There’s still more fun to come and many new characters in my pen waiting to surprise all of you. The fight between good and evil never ends.

Grass said...

Fantastic. My unicorn Lola has been idle these days, she's getting obnoxious with boredom already. LOL Hellgirl has a secret lover, right? I'd like Gael Garcia Bernal to play my partner. LOL

I know something romantic and sexy is coming up sis, that's why this post made me smile. I can't wait to see the next installment. :D

Max, I didn't know you had a secret dream of becoming an actor as well.. hahahaha


xxx

P.S. I'm at work now sis and it's lunch time. I'm new in this company and here I am, checking your blog comments out. :D

Leni Qinan said...

That's great, Grassy: Lola is hired too!

Hellgirl has a lover and i expect her to be back here with her secret lover -Gael is hired too for the cast!-.

Of course there's something romantic and sexy coming up. I just hope the supernaturals don't spoil it too much, LOL (even they can fall in love).

PS.- How is it going with your new job? Take care, don't let them see the naughty pics! (I feel flattered that you take the risk, but be careful, Grassy!)

XXX 4 U & Gugu

rebecca said...

Hm...I wonder if there's more to this story? Methinks so!

((abrazos!))

Grass said...

Thank you for your concern sis, but I'm careful.:) I love my job here! I get to do what real geologists do and plus, I get paid in US dollars!! LOL It's project-based as well so it's temporary which suits just fine :)



xxxx from me and Gugu

Leni Qinan said...

Hi again, my dear Rebecca!

You're right, there is a storyline –this is one of my best kept secrets-. I really feel flattered when my good blogger fellows suggest it ‘smells’ like Tim Burton, or that I should send him a copy of this serialised story. Mr. Burton is one of my favourite movie directors, and I consider him a real genius.

And my blogger fellas are just cute, but they’ve given me the idea of looking at my works from a different perspective: scripts instead of novels. Hm, maybe they have a future, who knows.

All I know is that I wake up every day with new ideas to write. This keeps me alive.

Good luck with your book, dear. I hope you’re successful and you soon become a published author.

((zillion abrazos))

Leni Qinan said...

Grassy,

I’m glad to hear that you love your new job, especially knowing that you were not happy at all at the old one –something weird happened with the people there, as far as I remember-.

I hope you enjoy it, and it pays well (in USD!!!).

XXX

Nihal said...

Leni carissima, wishing you a happy Easter and joyful egg hunt, have a fab weekend. Lotsa love & hugs~

Leni Qinan said...

Sweet Nihal!

Happy Easter to you too! I'm just back from a couple of days out!

Osterhase is a tradition from anglosaxon countries -not so much over here-, so no egg hunt day tomorrow (we rather eat the chocolate bunnies and eggs directly from the patisserie!)

Love and hugs to you too my dear!