TALE OF AN AMETHYST

The man was nude and he was being dragged by ropes round his body by a group of men and women who were totally nude. He was led to a tree where he was bound to its trunk. That done some in the group started painting the man from head to foot with honey. Then came a naked female leading a bear. She was a woman of status as could be seen by the coif of her pubic hair. She let the bear near the bound man and he gave a sharp cry as it drew blood. In moments the man was dead. There was applause by the group. The bear chewed on the man until he was a pack of bones. Then it was led away and the crowd dispersed. It happened on Monkey Isle which is on planet tellus, earth’s twin only 800 years younger. Fliq a young man in the nude had been watching.

 The natives of Monkey Isle were aboriginals, and they didn’t normally allow strangers to visit their land unless they were cast off their boats. Fliq was one whose boat had foundered and he was on Monkey Isle. On the lonely beach he had found a single hut and sought shelter. It was already occupied. Fliq found the occupant was Qato the man who had been killed by the bear.

Qato had said “Take all your clothes off or it will anger the natives who are aboriginals. They are very cruel but give me food and water to survive.”

“Why did you come to Monkey Isle?”

“I came to get the amethyst from the snake pit. I don’t know their language.” He whispered “It is said that to get into the snake pit one has to totally smear oneself with oil which snakes detest. A woman Nagma who brings me food has promised to get me the oil.”

I had said “Why did you come seeking the amethyst?”

“It has an occult significance and will bring luck and success to whoever possesses it. The king of Rubi Isle which is my provenance will give a big sum for it.”

At that time a woman had come and Qato had said “This is Nagma”.

The two had communicated in signs. He had said “Food is ready. She wants us to follow her.”

 Fliq had also been allowed to partake of the food. The next day Fliq met the headman who spoke through a man poor at translation but Fliq managed. Fliq, to curry favor with the headman, told him about Nagma promising anti-snake oil. Qato’s end was as seen. It was punishment for trying to steal the amethyst without the headman’s consent.

The headman was friendly and Fliq picked up his friendship fast. He offered the headman some knick-knacks which Qato had stored in a pot. This pleased the chief. Fliq spoke to him about the amethyst. The chief said “Amethysts are of many shapes. The one which is consecrated in the snake pit is special. It has steps on the surface. They can’t be carved on the rock. It has to be naturally occurring. We normally replace the amethyst once in a decade.”

“Can I go in and get the consecrated amethyst? I was told it can be done with anti-snake oil covering me.”

“You can if you have the courage to walk into the cave.” He paused and added “Snakes can smell with their tongue and the smell of anti-snake oil repels. But it is dangerous. Once it was attempted by somebody who wanted to steal the amethyst. He had got the oil and had applied it. But the snake bit his eye.”

“Can I have the anti-snake oil?”

The chief gave Fliq a pot of oil which Fliq took to his beach hut. He opened the pot and smelt it. It had a strange odor. He wondered if he could bear it if he applied it all over himself. But the possibility of a big reward worked on his mind and he decided to make the attempt.

That day he consulted the chief who sent a masseuse to apply the oil. The woman applied the oil. He said “No part of me except my eyes must be covered.”

She said “I’ll coat you thrice so that no part is missed. For the eyes I suggest you cover them with leaves with holes to see.”

The oil dried and Fliq went to the snake pit. There were no snakes to be seen. He entered and was shocked to see any number of the snakes slithering around on the ground. His oiled foot-steps made the snakes move away and he reached near the amethyst on an open shelf. Now there was the biggest snake he had ever seen watching over the amethyst with its tongue lashing out. A wave of his hand made the snake retreat and he pulled the amethyst out with some force. It felt as if it had been covered by some liquid. Fliq quickly climbed out of the cave.

The chief was standing nearby examined the amethyst and said “The original amethyst is black but due to exposure to crawling snakes it turns blue.”

Fliq profusely thanked the chief and said “Now I’ve to think of a way to get back to my provenance which is Rubi Isle.”

The chief said “Ships avoid docking here. You will have to go in a boat and look for passage to your land.”

The chief provided a boat with a boatman and Fliq was able to get another to Zygos. From there RI was not far away and he knew he could find his way. In Zygos he found all the inns full and someone suggested “Caruso has a big house and he helps when the inns are full.”

Fliq met Caruso and sought accommodation till he could catch a boat to RI. Caruso was very genial and said “Camp here. I don’t need money.”

Next morning there was a crowd outside Caruso’s house. He explained “I feed for free about 25 of the poor every day.”

Fliq was very impressed with the man’s benevolence. Talking to Caruso Fliq said “I’m on my way to see the king of RI. I’ve to give him a consecrated amethyst.”

Caruso said “No problem. I will escort you myself in my boat. It is not far. Shall we go this evening?”

Fliq nodded and the boat was arranged. Caruso hoisted the sails and they set off. When they were in sight of the coast and the lighthouse Caruso said “Fliq we’ve nearly reached.” As Fliq was watching the lighthouse, Caruso hit Fliq on the head with an iron rod and Fliq fell dead. Caruso steered back and threw the body into the sea.  In Fliq’s baggage Caruso found the amethyst. He knew its value and kissed it saying “I’ll get a big reward from the king.”

END