part 3: together, we seek greatness

I did not realize how tall the room was. Its domed height seemed limitless, as I flew upwards with the stranger seated on my back. He was heavy, but did not struggle or tip. He was relaxed, and I held him carefully in place as I flew, so he did not have to grasp my woolen edges. From the changed vantage of my sight, I could see myself and him, resting confident on my blue and white medallion. He was not much older than I, and his bearded face wore the beginnings of a smile.

Below us, the wizened old man held the mouthpiece to the antique shisha in his hand. He drew in the perfumed tobacco smoke slowly and completely, filling his old lungs. The flame within the glass lantern flickered angrily. The old man leaned back on the colorful pillow and tilted his head towards us and exhaled. A massive cloud escaped his lungs as if a great fog had appeared, swirling around us like a cyclone. It completely enveloped us and the pale blue room disappeared beneath us.

We had been lost within the cloud and then it was gone. The white vapor fell off us like a rain dripping off brown leaves after an autumn storm. We had appeared outside, flying in the purple night, high above the sleeping city of Chefchaouen. The clouds that had earlier soaked me were absent, and the stars twinkled brightly while we flew.

I could see that the stranger’s smile had widened and glee overtook his entire body. He laughed the same dark laugh that had jolted me from the depths of my metamorphosis. But this time, the laugh gave me no unease. I was overtaken by the wondrous joy of flying among the blinking stars and the sharp mountain peaks that cradled the dormant town.

The stranger put his palms flat on my woolen pile and spoke softly to me. I have waited all my life for this, and now that we are here, my heart is full. Now you and I are bonded, and together, we seek greatness.

Where to fly was not really my decision, it was his. He knew where to go, and I both followed him and led us there. There was no need for the stranger to speak directions. High into the cool mountain air we flew, and the scattered lanterns of Chefchaouen dimmed behind us. Soon the only illumination was given from the stars among us as we flew deeper into the barren mountain range.

Tonight we fly deep within the mountains, to the Great Caves of Toubkal! He spoke surely, and I knew what waited there. I too, lusted after the same hidden power and enchanted treasures, for I felt the stranger’s will stir inside me.

He continued speaking. Before my time, the source of our magic was a rare talisman. It had been in our family’s keep since the beginning. But, under the cover of night, a thief had stolen the talisman from my sleeping parents. Alas, I have no memory of my mother wearing the cerulean amulet. Our house since faded and the Soaring Rugs of Chefchaouen are no more. Until you knocked upon the plainer door on the left. You are a sacred gift, and together we will find the shrouded jeweler in the caves under the mountains. He will restore our power.

Through the purple night we flew, the stars shining their milky light upon us. The air was brisk but the stranger sat upon my medallion and did not shiver. I felt his excitement as we passed through the high Atlas Mountains. Soon I knew we were approaching Toubkal, the mighty peak in the south. I had heard of its splendor, but nothing could prepare me for it’s midnight majesty. In the starry night, it glowed white with snow, but in the distance I saw both the dark endless blue of the sea, as well as the moonlit sands of the Great Desert.

Through the thin mountain air, we flew along the jagged peak Toubkal. The stone refuge at the base was quiet and lightless. We flew, searching for the hidden entrance to the storied caves. The stranger did not know the way, he only knew the myth. I slowed our flight and in the blackness a goat screamed. The starry night illuminated a frantic herd scattering from a vicious predator. It was large but I could not make out its exact form. The beast rested on the screeching goat, and then the air was quiet.

The stranger knew to watch the predator, for it was not of this world. It dragged the horned mountain goat with its large maw, through the pale rocks of the mountain pass. I felt for the curved scimitar resting upon my patterned back, offering its sharp protection. We watched from above as the beast made its way, and arrived at a tall stone obelisk. The stone stood mighty, like a gargoyle on a castle wall. With ease, the foreign monster threw the lifeless goat at the base of the carved monument. Soon the obelisk grew in brightness as if it were made of the hot molten river that ran underneath the mountains. It turned a brilliant white, as bright as the noonday sun, accepting the blood of the dead goat.

I flew towards it, feeling the stranger’s instinct within me, his will guiding me. The deceased goat had disappeared from sight, as had the formidable monster. With great speed, we flew towards the searing, bright stone pillar. My vision was overcome with brilliant light. There was a great collision, like the crash of an ancient tree upon a once-quiet forest floor. We smashed against the molten rock, and we too faded from the existence of this world.