by Otto Schafer
Thursday, April 21 – God Stones Day 15
West Alton, Missouri
Garrett blinked and swallowed. Tiny silver shards smudged his vision, broken only by a fuzzy pattern of black shadows. He blinked again, pulling a breath, and god almighty did it hurt. Pain sharp as a jagged rib bone snapped everything into focus. He was lying on his back, staring up at the stars. It was still dark, and he realized now the shadows against the night sky were diamond patterned, and beyond the strange pattern were tree branches going this way and that. The darkness revealed that it must still be early morning and well before sunup, yet he felt like he had been knocked out for days.
Only a moment ago he had been dreaming about Bre. It wasn’t a clear dream and there was no discernible message in it. He couldn’t even remember where they were or what they were doing. There was just her face smiling at him, but the smile wasn’t joyful – it was a sad smile. Like she felt sorry for him. He took another breath, and it hurt a little less. Carefully, he rolled over, spit coppery gunk to the floor, and pushed himself up to a sitting position.
“Glad to see you’re awake,” Lenny whispered.
Garrett searched for Lenny’s silhouette in the shadows, realizing only now they were moving. Were they on the river again? It didn’t feel like they were floating. “What’s going on?” he asked, noticing David lying asleep next to him. He also noticed the pain he had felt when he woke had almost completely subsided. He lifted his smashed hand and flexed it. To his surprise, all his fingers worked with only some soreness.
“David just healed you and passed back out. He would have done it sooner, but he slept the whole day away after healing Ed. Guess it took a lot out of him.”
Ed. Oh god! His sword… Governess! Then he remembered what he’d said to Ed right before he passed out. We’ll be better off without you. “Where’s Ed?” Garrett asked, afraid of the answer. “Was David able to heal him again? Is that what you mean by it took a lot out of him?” Garrett asked, sitting up fully and realizing he was on a platform of some kind.
“He isn’t here, Garrett,” Paul said from across the dark space. He was sitting with his knees bent, his feet pulled up, and his forearms resting on his knees.
Garrett swallowed. “Where is he?”
“Didn’t you see what she did to him, Garrett?” Paul asked. “That bitch killed him!”
Garrett’s heart sank. “But didn’t David—”
“No! David was unconscious, Garrett. And she didn’t wait around for David to wake up before she took us prisoner.”
“We don’t know he’s dead, Paul,” Pete said. “He heals fast, right? Maybe he’s okay.”
“Just stop, Pete! You saw the sword go through him! You don’t walk away from that!”
Lenny piped up. “But the God Stones make anything pos—”
“Stop!” Paul shouted.
Garrett could see the silhouette of the man shaking his head back and forth.
“He’s gone. If he hadn’t been so damn bullheaded… always running out front… always trying to do it all himself! Ahhhhh!” Paul shouted. “He’d still be here! But that wasn’t the way he ticked. It wasn’t how he was made! And just look what happened!” A silence passed between Paul and the boys – a moment that was as uncomfortable as it was necessary. Finally Paul lifted his head. “He made his choice,” he said, his voice breaking in the darkness.
Garrett’s throat constricted. This was his fault. Maybe if he hadn’t said those things… maybe if he hadn’t told him to go… God, what he had said was awful. Garrett stared across at Paul, glad it was dark – glad he didn’t have to look Paul in the eyes. Finding his voice, he asked, “Where are we?” He rubbed the palm of his hand against the ground. The floor had a strange pattern to it, like he was sitting on a wicker chair. “We’re moving?”
“Yeah, finally,” Pete said. “We’d been sitting here in the dark for hours, but we’re moving now. Right after you passed out and Ed went down, she took us prisoner and marched us up here. We’ve been here ever since.”
Lenny moved over closer to Garrett. “Listen, I tried to fight, Garrett, but after Ed went down and Paul emptied his clip into her chest, she still kept coming—”
“Magazine,” Pete corrected.
“What?” Lenny asked.
“You said clip. It’s a magazine.”
“How about kiss my ass, Pete! Does it really matter?” Lenny asked.
Pete didn’t say anything.
“Anyway, I tried to crack her head open with my staff, but my feet went out from under me, and the next thing I know she’s got her foot on my throat.”
“She swept your feet, Len?” Garrett asked in surprise. It wasn’t like Lenny to fall for that.
“Nah, roots, man. Roots, I don’t know, tore the ground out from under me. I wasn’t expecting it – fell back, and she was on me so quick.”
“I guess the trees lifted you and David up here, but… well, they didn’t bother with Ed.”
“Up here?” Garrett asked, trying to look around. What he sat on was solid, but as he reached out to feel the wall, he could tell it wasn’t like the floor. The wall rose in a diamond pattern, each hole large enough to put his hand through but not much bigger than that. As he looked up at the stars again, he understood now that the pattern crossed overhead too. “We’re in a cell?”
“Yep, and not only that, but we’re pretty high up too,” Pete said.
“How?”
Paul pointed left then right. “There are four trees holding up this cage we’re in, and they’re moving together as one unit.”
“Yeah, they have to be moving in perfect sync or they would rip this basket apart,” Pete marveled.
Basket, Garrett thought. That’s exactly what this is, a big-ass basket. “Hey! What about our bikes?” he asked.
“In a basket on another tree,” Lenny said.
“Really?”
“No! Do you think she cared about our bikes, bro? They’re gone. For all I know, she threw away my staff and your sword too!”
Garrett could see the stress was getting to his friend. Don’t crack on me, Lenny. “I don’t think so, Len. She called them magical weapons. She won’t toss them.” Garrett shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts.
“Yeah, well, we’re lucky we got our packs,” Lenny said, sourly.
“My pack!” Garrett gasped, groping for the shoulder straps and not finding them.
“Behind you,” Pete said, flatly. “When she showed up, I had just pulled them from the snack truck. David and I never took ours off.”
“Me either,” Paul said, tugging on his strap to show he still hadn’t taken it off.
Garrett grabbed the pack and pulled it close. He could have gotten over losing his spare clothes, but Coach’s journal was in his pack. With this small consolation, he turned his attention back to his surroundings. Even if they escaped, how would they get the rest of the way to Mexico? And where in the hell were they being taken? “Any idea which direction we’re heading?”
“West for now,” Paul said.
“West,” Garrett repeated. Mexico was southwest. So, glass half full – at least they weren’t traveling north or east.
In the distance an explosion sounded, lighting up the sky. “What the hell was that?” Garrett asked.
Paul nodded in the direction of the light. “Military. That’s been happening off and on. We think that’s why we were just sitting here most of the day. I figure there must have been a lot of military crossing the path Governess planned on taking. I think she ordered an attack on St. Louis, maybe to draw the military back that way or keep them in place.”
“A diversion?” Garrett asked.
“Yep. Or maybe they were always going to attack, but either way, shortly after the explosions started, we began moving.”
“And you’re sure it was military?” Garrett asked.
“The artillery is military,” Paul said, standing up. “No way civilians have that kind of firepower or would kn
ow how to use it if they did. And before you ask, no, this couldn’t be dragons either. We are talking some major ordnance – explosions, not fire breathing.”
The military was out there fighting. Trying to keep people safe. That should have given Garrett comfort, but knowing they were there didn’t change anything. Garrett and the others were still captured, and Ed was still dead. They had no idea where they were being taken, and Bre still needed him. Besides, if every city was like St. Louis, the military already had their hands full.
The fires, detonations, and gunfire faded as Garrett and the others were carried away into the night. His friends were tired and emotionally wrecked. Garrett left them to their own thoughts as each was no doubt trying to figure a way out of this. Eventually, Lenny, Pete, and Paul fell asleep, but Garrett was wide awake, his mind unable to think of anything other than Ed.
For a couple hours, he replayed what he had said to Ed over and over in his mind, the guilt of it making his stomach sour. Paul was sure his brother was dead, but Pete was right. Anything was possible now, wasn’t it? Somehow, Garrett wanted to believe Ed was alive. If he could believe that, it would make the guilt easier to swallow. But even if that were true, would their paths ever cross again? He wondered if he would ever get to tell Ed he was sorry for what he’d said. What Garrett had said was shitty, but what Paul said had really hurt his brother. He could only imagine how the guilt was eating him up inside. This only made Garrett feel worse. Not only had he said some things he regretted, but it was Garrett who’d forced Paul to choose. His stomach turned.
After a while, Garrett forced his thoughts to Coach’s journal. The other night, just before it had become too dark to see, he had learned Coach’s son lived in Petersburg. What were the odds of that? If only he had some way to make light. He wanted to finish the journal, and maybe there would be something in there that would help them out of this. He slapped a hand to his face. God, he was so stupid! Of course, he had a way to make light. He’d had it this whole time! He felt around on his lower cargo pocket and, sure enough, tucked safely inside was James’s Zippo lighter. Then his heart sank. Was it wise to light a flame here? No, probably not. At a minimum, the trees would think he was trying to burn his way out. Governess would take the lighter and maybe even the journal. He couldn’t risk losing the journal, not before he finished reading it. He would have to wait until first light.
He sat in the dark for what he thought was another hour at least. He thought about his mom, Petersburg, and Jack. And how did Pete do that to Jack? He’d thought of asking him earlier, but he didn’t want to remind Pete of what Jack had done to his mom. He’d wait and see if Pete brought it up himself. And how in the hell did Jack end up aligned with the dragons anyway? Maybe Pete had killed him, and Garrett wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore. Christ, didn’t they have enough to worry about without having to think about Jack?
Finally, his thoughts went to where they always went – Bre. I’m sorry, Bre. I’m trying to figure this out. I’m trying to get to you – god knows, I’m trying! If he could say anything to her right now, he’d say, Stay put and stay safe. I will find my way to you. Somehow, I will find my way.
28
Let Them See
Thursday, April 21 – God Stones Day 15
The Band of Holes, Peru
“What have we here?” Apep asked, stepping into the circle next to the queen.
Jack felt huge sitting atop the giant dragon. Except for the big blue dragon, Goch was the biggest, and even surrounded by so many, Jack felt like the king of the world high atop his throne. But as he looked down on the queen and Apep, he knew he’d better be on his game if he wanted to make it out of this alive.
Goch dipped low in a gesture that must have been a bow, but the queen only seemed to be looking at Jack.
“Why does a human boy ride you as if you are a slave?” the queen dragon asked.
Her voice was strange, like two people speaking the same words at the same time, but in two different voices.
“Allow me to explain, my queen,” Goch said, lowering himself and listing to one side. He turned and muttered to Jack, “Get down.”
“No, I’m good here,” Jack said.
Goch twisted and bucked to the side, shrugging Jack off like a dog might shrug off a flea.
Jack fell to the loose, rocky soil and quickly picked himself up. He couldn’t help but stare at the exotic creature in the long duster walking toward him. This wasn’t what the man had looked like that night back in the alley. He’d had a hood on, but he was human, that much Jack was sure of. At least he was sure he’d looked human.
“I believe you are Jack?” Apep asked, peering down his sharp nose.
The thing might have looked different, but Jack was sure that was the same voice he had heard that night. Sure, because it had that same uppity-ass properness to its voice. It was unmistakable. “Yeah, that’s me,” Jack said, brushing himself off.
“And how did you come to be here, Jack?” Apep asked.
The queen interrupted. “I don’t want to hear from a human child. I want to hear from my general, dökkálfar.”
Apep held up his hands. “Of course, Queen Azazel. Yes, I too would also like to hear how a human boy finds himself atop an elder dragon.”
Jack looked up at Goch, who in turn was looking down at Apep. If a dragon could sneer, Goch was doing it.
“I found this human on the banks of a river leading from the town, Petersburg. He was yelling the name of Garrett Turek. We landed on the riverbank to find this human about to be attacked by trees… trees that were also looking for the boy. I lost two juveniles to a surprise attack.”
“Trees?” Apep asked.
“Yes. They are moving en masse, and some are even capable of shape-shifting. They too are trying to capture this human Turek.”
“They’re moving and shape-shifting?” Apep asked.
“Are you really that surprised? You have assembled the Sound Eye, Apep. You have made the impossible possible,” the queen said.
Apep frowned. “And what of Garrett? Did you confirm his death?”
Jack could see the Apep thing’s patience was slipping.
Goch glanced down at Jack. “This human admitted he knew Turek. I promptly took him prisoner. We searched the lake, tortured some of Turek’s followers, and burnt the town. It wasn’t until days later that we caught up to Turek and his companions. We battled, and they killed the four other juveniles.”
“What!? Humans killing dragons? How could you let this happen?” the queen asked.
“Turek is blood marked, he is impervious to dragon fire, and he attacked me with Sentheye, my queen.”
The queen shifted uneasily, her long talons digging into the stony ground. “A human, blood marked? How can this be? Did he become blood marked during the battle?” the queen asked.
“No, my queen. He was already marked,” Goch said, shifting his gaze to Apep.
“I told you, Azazel, he killed Sylanth in the temple,” Apep said.
Another dragon spoke in a soft singsong voice Jack couldn’t believe was coming from such a menacing face. “But Sylanth was only one. It would take two dragons to blood mark. One to spill its own blood over the one to be marked while another breathes fire over the blood.”
“No. Sylanth was a special dual dragon, two dragons in one body,” Azazel said, concern in her voice.
Apep stepped forward and pointed an accusing finger at Goch. “That doesn’t matter! What matters is that Turek lives, and you failed to do what your queen asked!”
Goch’s eyes narrowed as he lowered his head toward Apep. “Careful, elf! You were not there to see. There were many, and they were using the Sentheye. Only a mighty dragon such as myself was able to survive!”
“A mighty dragon such as yourself?” Apep said, then turned his attention to Jack. “Yet this boy survived when all the dragons your queen gave you to lead did not? You failed to follow your queen’s instructions,” he said, pointing at Que
en Azazel. “You failed to bring me the descendant of Turek!”
Jack figured he had heard all he needed and raised his hand.
“What is this human doing?” Queen Azazel asked.
“Excuse me. Um… Azazel?” Jack said sheepishly.
“Queen Azazel!” Goch corrected.
“Um, sorry. Queen Azazel. I was there,” Jack said, taking a tentative step forward. “I saw the whole thing.”
“Silence!” Azazel shouted.
“My queen, the human tells the truth. He witnessed everything. He will tell you of the blood marked.”
Jack smiled inwardly. Thanks for vouching for me, Goch.
“Yes, speak, Jack,” Apep said sounding amused. “Tell us how you find yourself riding an elder dragon to speak before the queen of queens and a god.”
“A god?” Azazel scoffed.
So, the queen didn’t think this Apep thing was a god, and Goch had just called him an elf. Jack wasn’t sure what Apep was, but he knew his own life depended on not screwing this up. “Well, Garrett killed my brother that night after I met you.”
“You know this human?” Azazel asked Apep.
“We met the night I assembled the stones, the night Sylanth died. Continue, Jack,” Apep said, motioning with his hand.
“Well” – Jack swallowed dryly – “when Goch and the others showed up at the river, I warned them about the trees, or they probably would have all been killed right then and there. Then Goch here was going to kill me, but I did like you said and spoke your name.” He nodded toward Apep. “After that, I offered to help them find Garrett.” Jack started to pace, making sure he moved closer to Apep and farther from Goch. “Hell, if I hadn’t, they would still be looking for him, but I doubt they would ever’ve found him. I showed them—”
“No. We brought him along because he spoke your name and because he said he knew what Turek looked like and could find him,” Goch argued.
“Right, and that’s what I did. I found Garrett’s underground lair and tortured two humans, forcing one of them to tell me all about the Keepers of the Light and the prophecy. He even told me when Garrett left and where he was going.”