(english version)
The plain that lies at the base of the stalagmites and has been home to thousands of Tosgon, for the last few days was deserted. They had already left the city in their caravans, once again, for in a few weeks, when the races start, they will return and gather again with all the other nomads to camp and with their colors, masks and songs give life to the rocks stone of Inamac. The scattered tracks of numerous groups of Tosgon who mobilized in their retreat did not confuse our heroes. They had already decided their path. Ahead, the dark, sound-laden moisture awaited them. Gone was Inamac, one of the great cities of Sisalikudra. They walked for a few hours in silence accepting again the harshness of their next days. One of them thought about the difficulties of the terrain, another thought about how to overcome this darkness, another about the difficulties in falling asleep, another about the dangers, another about the lack of variety of food and finally someone else thought about the entertainment of the great Chukan-Neki. Determined to look for the Chimal-Hotzitl, they decided, as explained by Netzawal, to head south in search of Kapotsaui, the leader of the Black Horns, and they would also go in that direction in search of another Radakar lighthouse, whose position they could determine thanks to the map found opportunely, and then, as they did with the previous one, turn it on and with it further illuminate the path towards the pacification of Sorbetrach.
Thanks to Ralmin's spells they were able to see in that night and get ahead without any inconvenience. The ground was smooth and hard, as if packed. In their walk they distinguished that the direction they had chosen took them directly to Ueyoctaltepec. The famous Inamac test track. Where trained dinosaurs perform long-distance tests, whether they are resistance or speed, each one with different protagonists. In the former the triceratops or stegosaurus and in the latter the velociraptors.
- Ralmin - Dernwick spoke - we must pick up the pace.
- It's true - Glodin added - the white magician is looking for us.
The elf nodded, took out 3 Allosaurus scales from his waist bag, with the recitation of a few short words they shone. He threw them to the ground and 3 Allosaurs with their respective mounts emerged from them. - Ready, let's mount, now we will move with greater speed-he finished.
- Guide us Dernwick - said Nippur who was ready to accompany them with a light jog.
- I will do so. Orion, jump up - he finished. At the same time he took the form of an Allosaurus and crouched down so that the cleric could sit down.
With the new transport they accelerated their pace, the humidity of the cavern hit their faces along with different aromas that contrasted with the sounds that trembled from somewhere and surrounded them. Along the track they advanced at a steady pace until they surpassed the mark of the races, the Hunhao stalactite. An artificial stalactite that was once used as a cemetery, but is now on its way to oblivion. At least it is no longer given the funeral use of its first time. Crossing that mark meant meeting, outside of Inamac. A city that remained present in his mind until the moment the Ueyoctaltepec reached a ravine where the topography of the cavern, once again, presented itself as a challenge.
Dernwick threw a magically illuminated stone to see the depth of the fall. The small light allowed them to glimpse that it was not a precipice but a steep slope of the land, however impossible to descend with the Allosaurs.
- Let's try to get around it - suggested Nippur.
- Lets´s move - resolved Siegfried.
They turned left and moved close to the edge of the ravine for a few hours. As no irregularity appeared in the terrain that would allow to descende, Ralmin proposed to do it magically. They cast another stone with magical light into the void. Calculating the distance, the elf extended his arms, knelt down and put his hands on the ground and as he raised them he intoned a few words and a clear bluish opening was formed that emitted a slight glow. Joining their hands at the top edge and as on other occasions, he told them: Come in.
In a single step, everyone went through the portal and appeared at the base of the ravine, except for Dernwick who jumped into the void and as he fell he took the form of a large bat. Again Ralmin took out the 3 scales and summoned the Allosaurs. They resumed the march in a southerly direction towards the supposed lighthouse. The dinosaurs advanced on a soft land, the sandy and also irregular terrain affected their movement. The shaking of their mounts required the riders to grip their reins tightly to avoid falling to the ground. The turns and pitches intensified until Glodin, unable to react properly in time, lost his balance and stopped walking, falling from his chair to the floor.
- It's hard? - Siegfried asked with a friendly smile, holding out her hand from his saddle.
- Can you help Dernwick? - Orion asked.
- I´ll do something - reply Dernwick. The allosaurus nodded, and a faint glow reflected off the dinosaurs' legs.
Concentrating on the possible tracks and footprints, trying to see the remains of large camps typical of the columns that follow the Chimal-Hotzitl, Dernwick watched and listened carefully, advancing at a brisk pace with Oreon on his back, behind the rest of his companions I followed him, this time, with no news. In the distance they saw a small mound that showed its true face as they got closer. It was a stalagmite. Actually from a set of stalagmites, seven in total arranged in a line in front of them crossing their path. Siegfried dismounted from his mount and cautiously made his way to the first stalagmite, the one that first caught his eye. Stains of blue and white paint still visible surrounded it, other red stains were visible on a set of leathers that covered the walls of the base of the formation. Checking it with Glodin and Dernwick, they observed that they were skins that covered the rock all around from the stone base upwards. Moving the hides, some already discolored, they found supports to climb on the right side. Nippur tried to climb with all his skill, but the weather-beaten ledges were too small to hold on to. Dernwick raised his hands and intoning a few words, he said, friends walk up as if there were steps. They began to ascend through the air as if they were flying until they reached the top.
To everyone's surprise, the top was different from those known in other stalagmites, this one was flat. The pinnacle and a good chunk below it had been sheared off, leaving a small plateau. Without understanding the phenomenon, the company began to investigate, removing hides and earth. Dernwick found a religious symbol near the edge. It was Radakar's footprint. Without a doubt it is the lighthouse-he pointed out. Meanwhile Nippur, Siegfried and Oreon began to discover under the dirt and dust that on the edge of the plateau were several pairs of footprints which circled in one direction.
- We have to try to activate it - said Siegfried.
- Ralmin - Oreon said - What do you know about Radakar?
- Siegfried - limited to Oreon's words - do you know any ritual of this religion?
- We had already come across a lighthouse - Glodin replied to Oreon - Radakar is the god of roads.
Nippur and Oreon pressed them trying to trigger some kind of mechanism. The elf looked at the footprints. He took the staff of Tz'Akab and moved it while he thought about the Kahol-Tik. While confirming with his hand that the footprints were carved in the rock, Siegfried approached and insisted with his question: Can it be a ritual? The magician listened to him looking into his eyes and nodded without neglecting his thoughts. He delved into himself for his beliefs, for Radakar's he saw the footprints from an intellectual, aesthetic and spiritual perspective. He concentrated on the religious meaning of them. He thought of the paths, of the mission of the green robes, of his path as his best school because, as the walker's clerics repeat, the path never ends, the path is his destiny. His destiny is the way-he told everyone. We are facing a representation of the initiation ritual, the ritual of eternal pilgrimage, imprinted on this stone by Radakar himself. These footprints are the guide for the initiate to prepare for the initiation ritual.
Ralminiarrak took off his boots and invited his friends to do the same. He began to walk trying to emulate the ritual of the eternal pilgrimage. After a while he began to stop feeling tired. A while later he began to have a peaceful dream that led him to Calistenia, on a bright and sunny morning. He kept walking. The perfumes of the orchids embraced him. He felt fine. With energy, as if he were taking a bath in the silver lake. He dreamed that a figure emerged from that lake full of flowers and foam. His gazes are confused and his feet are mixed. As did the feet of the bold company as they followed in Radakar's footsteps. Drowsily they all walked in circles with visions of their own, with visions of paths, with restful visions. With the vision of the rod of seven tongues they began to recite psalms to Radakar. As if coming out of a dream, they were animated again by a dazzling light that began to pour out from the lighthouse, illuminating a wide area.
- By Radar! - Ralminiarrak said happily.
- Look north! It is Inamac. What a beautiful sight - said Glodin
- In the south there are some small lights. We'll be 2 days' march away - said Siegfried. What do you think Nippur?
- That every day the hope for peace grows a little more - said the monk twisting his lips in satisfaction.
Gracias a unos hechizos de Ralmin pudieron ver en esa noche y adelantarse sin inconvenientes. El suelo estaba liso y duro, como apisonado. En su andar distinguieron que la dirección por la que optaron los llevó directamente al Ueyoctaltepec. La famosa pista de pruebas de Inamac. Donde los dinosaurios entrenados realizan pruebas de fondo, sean de resistencia o de velocidad, cada una con diferentes protagonistas. En las primeras los triceratops o stegosaurios y en las últimas los velociraptores.
Ralmin - Dernwick habló - debemos acelerar el paso.
Es cierto - se sumó Glodin - el mago blanco está buscándonos.
El elfo asintió, sacó de su bolsa de cintura 3 escamas de Allosauro, con el recitado de unas breves palabras estas brillaron. Las arrojó al suelo y de ellas surgieron 3 Allosauros con sus respectivas monturas.
Listo, montemos, ahora nos moveremos con mayor velocidad - finalizó.
Guíanos Dernwick - dijo Nippur quién estaba listo para acompañarlos con un trote ligero.
Así lo haré. Orion, sube - terminó. Al tiempo que adoptó la forma de un Allosauro y se agachó para que el clérigo pueda sentarse.
Con el nuevo transporte aceleraron el paso, la humedad de la caverna golpeaba sus rostros junto a diferentes aromas que contrastaba con los sonidos que desde alguna parte trepidaban y los rodeaban. Por la pista avanzaron a paso firme hasta sobrepasar la marca de las carreras, la estalactita de Hunhao. Una estalactita artificial que en otros tiempos fue utilizada como cementerio, pero ahora se encuentra en camino al olvido. Al menos ya no se le da el usó fúnebre de su primer tiempo. Cruzar esa marca significó encontrarse, fuera de Inamac. Ciudad que permaneció presente en su mente hasta el momento en que el Ueyoctaltepec llegó a un barranco donde la topografía de la caverna, una vez más, se presentó como un desafío.
Dernwick arrojó una piedra iluminada mágicamente para ver la profundidad de la caída. La pequeña luz permitió entrever que no era un precipicio sino una abrupta inclinación del terreno, no obstante imposible de descender con los Allosauros.
Tratemos de rodearlo - sugirió Nippur.
Andando - resolvió Siegfried.
Giraron a su izquierda y avanzaron cerca del borde del barranco por unas horas. Al no aparecer alguna irregularidad en el terreno que permitiera descender el barranco, Ralmin propuso descender mágicamente. Arrojaron otra piedra con luz mágica al vacío. Calculando la distancia, el elfo extendió sus brazos, se arrodilló y puso sus manos en el piso y al tiempo que las elevaba entonó unas palabras y se fue formando una abertura clara azulada que emitía un leve resplandor. Al juntar sus manos en el borde superior y como en otras ocasiones, les dijo: Pasen.
De un simple paso todos atravesaron el portal y aparecieron en la base del barranco, salvo Dernwick que dió un salto al vacío y a medida que caía adoptó la forma de un gran murciélago. Nuevamente Ralmin saco las 3 escamas e invocó a los Allosauros. Retomaron la marcha en dirección sur hacía el supuesto faro. Los dinosaurios avanzaron sobre una tierra blanda, el terreno arenoso y además irregular afectó su desplazamiento. Los zarandeos de sus monturas exigían a los jinetes tomar sus riendas con fuerza para no caer al piso. Los giros y cabeceos se intensificaron hasta que Glodin sin poder reaccionar a tiempo correctamente perdió el equilibrio y detuvo la marcha cayendo de su silla al piso.
¿Es difícil? - preguntó Siegfried con una sonrisa amistosa extendiendole la mano desde su montura.
¿Puedes ayudar Dernwick? - preguntó Oreon. El allosaurus asintió, y un leve brillo se reflejó en las patas de los dinosaurios.
Concentrado en los posibles rastros y huellas, procurando ver restos de grandes campamentos propios de las columnas que siguen a los Chimal-Hotzitl, Dernwick miraba y oía con atención, avanzaba a paso vivo con Oreon en su grupa, por detrás el resto de sus compañeros lo seguía, esta vez, sin novedades. A lo lejos divisaron un montículo pequeño que a medida que se acercaron fue mostrando su verdadera cara. Se trataba de una estalagmita. En realidad de un conjunto de estalagmitas, siete en total dispuestas en línea frente a ellos atravesando su camino. Siegfried se apeó de su montura y se dirigió con cautela a la primera estalagmita, aquella que llamó su atención en un primer momento. Manchas de pintura azul y blanca todavía visibles la rodeaban, otras manchas rojas se dejaban ver sobre un conjunto de cueros que recubrían las paredes de la base de la formación. Revisándola junto a Glodin y Dernwick, observaron que se trataban de cueros que revestían la roca todo alrededor de la base de piedra hacia arriba. Moviendo los cueros, algunos ya descoloridos, encontraron soportes para ascender sobre el costado derecho. Nippur intentó subir con toda su destreza, pero las salientes deterioradas por el tiempo eran muy pequeñas para poder sostenerse bien. Dernwick elevó sus manos y entonando unas palabras, dijo, amigos caminen hacía arriba como si hubiese escalones. Comenzaron a ascender por el aire como si estuviesen volando hasta llegar a la cima.
Para sorpresa de todos la cima era diferente a las conocidas en otras estalagmitas, esta era llana. El pináculo y un buen pedazo debajo de él habían sido cortados, dejando una pequeña meseta. Sin comprender el fenómeno la compañía comenzó a investigar, removiendo cueros y tierra. Dernwick encontró un símbolo religioso cerca del borde. Era la huella de Radakar. Sin dudas es el faro - señaló. Mientras tanto Nippur, Siegfried y Oreon comenzaron a descubrir debajo de la tierra y el polvo que en el borde de la meseta se encontraban varios pares de huellas las cuales daban la vuelta en círculos en una sola dirección.
Tenemos que tratar de activarlo - dijo Siegfried.
Ralmin - dijo Oreon - ¿Que sabes sobre Radakar?
Siegfried - acotó a las palabras de Oreon - ¿conoces algún ritual de esta religión?
Ya nos habíamos cruzado con un faro - respondió Glodin a Oreon - Radakar es el dios de los caminos.
Nippur y Oreon las presionaron tratando de accionar algún tipo de mecanismo. El elfo miró las pisadas. Tomó el báculo de Tz´Akab y lo movía mientras pensaba en el Kahol-Tik. Mientras con su mano corroboraba que las huellas estaban talladas en la roca, Siegfried se acercó e insistió con su preguntó ¿Puede ser un ritual?. El mago lo escuchó mirándolo a los ojos y asintió sin descuidar sus pensamientos. Indagó en su interior por sus creencias, por las de Radakar vió las pisadas desde una perspectiva intelectual, estética y espiritual. Se concentró en el sentido religioso de las mismas. Pensó en los caminos, en la misión de los túnicas verdes, en su camino como su mejor escuela porque como repiten los clérigos del caminante, el camino nunca termina, el camino es su destino. Su destino es el camino - les dijo a todos. Estamos frente a una representación del ritual de iniciación, el ritual del eterno peregrinaje, impreso en esta piedra por el mismo Radakar. Estas huellas son la guía para que el iniciado se prepare para el ritual de iniciación.
Ralminiarrak se sacó sus botas e invitó a sus amigos a hacer lo propio. Comenzó a caminar tratando de emular el ritual del eterno peregrinaje. Al cabo de un tiempo comenzó a dejar de sentir cansancio. Un rato más tarde comenzó a tener un sueño tranquilo que lo llevó a Calistenia, en una mañana soleada y luminosa. Siguió caminando. Los perfumes de las orquídeas lo abrazaron. Se sentía bien. Con energía, como si estuviese tomando un baño en el lago de plata. Soñó que emergió una figura de ese lago llena de flores y espuma. Sus miradas se confunden y sus pies se mezclan. Como lo hacían los pies de la compañía audaz mientras seguían las huellas de Radakar. Somnolientos todos caminaron en círculos con visiones propias, con visiones de caminos, con visiones descansadas. Con la visión de la vara de siete lenguas comenzaron a recitar salmos a Radakar. Como saliendo de un sueño se animaron nuevamente con una luz fulgurosa que comenzó a brotar desde el faro, iluminando una amplia zona.
¡Por Radakar! - dijo Ralminiarrak con alegría.
¡Miren hacía el norte!. Es Inamac. Qué hermosa vista - dijo Glodin
En el sur hay unas luces pequeñas. Estaremos a 2 días de marcha - dijo Siegfried. ¿Qué opinás Nippur?
Que cada día la esperanza de paz crece un poco más - dijo el monje torciendo su labios en señal de satisfacción.
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