Herzog Ernst Page #3

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The princess told the Roc

the entire story.

It aroused the Roc's curiosity.

He was also intrigued by the Carbuncle

Stone, which Ernest had told him about.

"All I know", said the Roc,

"is that you need a password

to enter the land of the Caliph.

I did hear the password once..."

"Then please help us," said the friends.

"Very well!" growled the Roc,

"Off we go!"

For the first time, Ernest touched

something with his bare hands.

He was astonished

at how soft and warm Atessa felt.

He wondered what it would be like

without any armour at all.

Ernest and his friends eventually

arrived in the land of the Shiopod,

a dangerous dragon.

"Do you see yonder dome?"

Asked the Roc.

Beyond it lies hidden

the land of the Caliph.

"But only

he who knows the password may enter."

"What are these strange stones, Roc?

Are they carbuncles?"

"They're poor creatures who were

turned into obelisks by the Shiopod

while they were trying to enter

the land of the Caliph."

"The Shiopod has been

trying to get in there for years.

But no one

will reveal the password to him."

"I wonder who this used to be?"

Thought the princess.

"Look! What's that?!" cried Ernest.

"The Shiopod!" cried the Roc, "Hide!"

The little Pannoch stepped forward and

shielded his friends from the dragon.

The friends sadly left behind the little

Pannoch who had saved their lives.

The Roc now tried the password.

"OI sonuf Virsig Gihu lod Graa?"

"Try it again!" cried the friends,

"Try it again, Roc!"

"OI sonuf Voorsig Guhu lad Naps??"

"OI sonuf Vaorsag Goho lad Nalpsz???"

"OI sonuf Vaorsag Goho lad Naplan????"

"OI sonuf Vaorsag Goho naplan lad naporum

sol monstrum lapis... exilis?????"

Errr..."LAPIS EXILIS!"

"So that's the famous password!"

Thought the Black Knight.

Ernest and his friends received

a friendly reception from an Ariasper.

"Please take us to the Caliph.

We seek the Carbuncle Stone."

"You're expected," said the Ariasper,

"Please follow us."

The knights had dismounted

and now tried the password themselves.

"OI sonuf Vaorsag Goho

naplan lad naporum...

"La... lap... iiieees... exillliiieees.

Lapiiieees exilliiieees... arrrhhgg...

"Mercy!" begged the Black Knight,

"Please spare me!"

"I will tell you how to get into

the Land of the Cali... arrrhhgg..."

The Land of the Caliph was very strange.

It was inhabited by strange creatures

who were wise and scholarly.

At last, the friends

arrived at the Caliph's palace.

Ernest explained

the purpose of his visit.

"Noble Caliph,

we seek the mysterious Carbuncle Stone,

which I, Duke Ernest,

must find in order to return home.

Please help me."

"What, you seek a carbuncle?"

Laughed the Caliph.

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