The Dagger-Key and The Lost Treasures of Kebadon

by Daniel Ferguson

  * * *

  All seemed quiet the next day while they repaired Werdna and Nevets’s fishing boat and waited for Washburrn’s return. Nevets was healing well, lying in the bed next to Captain Joenf in the medic cabin. But Werdna was not pleased about the cracked windshield and busted door aboard the Mothcuh. “With the price of glass being so high, and all of these other damages, I’m going to make sure La’mamm pays us extra,” he groaned. But deep down his true anger were the loss of Hielmon and his brother almost getting killed.

  Before the morning had passed, Dylc heard about the magic crystals and seized them from Earron and Coita. According to Dylc, it was for their safety. They didn’t like it, but they didn’t have a choice.

  Afterward Kyhawn, Earron, and Coita sat in Washburrn’s sleeping space. “Tell me.” Kyhawn looked at Earron. “Earlier you were saying you visited Emaya, but then we were interrupted. What else did she say about my dreams?” He took a sip of juice and sat on Washburrn’s bed.

  “She didn’t have a chance to say much,” Earron said. “Her nurse was there. The nurse didn’t want Emaya getting all worked up about your dreams.”

  “Yes, but tell me whatever she said.”

  “That all of you were in grave danger. That’s why she gave us the crystals. She said we’d need them. She also said that we were a part of your dreams. But her nurse made us leave before she had a chance to say anything else.”

  Kyhawn rubbed his chin. “You are a part of my dreams. You’re here.” He crossed his legs and leaned forward. “Those crystals will come in handy when we get off this island.” He gave Earron a compassionate look. “Don’t be so upset that Dylc took them. He means well.”

  “They already saved our lives once,” Earron noted. “We were afraid those monsters were going to sink us if we didn’t fight them off.” He paused. “That’s when Coita slammed the violet crystal on the deck and saved us.” he clapped Coita’s shoulder.

  Kyhawn smiled at Coita and nodded, “Fast thinking.”

  Coita was honored, considering he felt left out during most of their conversation.

  Kyhawn switched subjects. “Anyway, about that dagger-key I told you guys about last night.”

  “What about it?” Earron asked glancing at Coita.

  “I haven’t told you the entire story.” Kyhawn rubbed his chin as though in thought. “I want us to camp out at that beach, near the shallow cliffs, and make a sandcastle. We’ll wait for the tide to come in and flood it. Then the following morning, if my theory proves true … there should be a dagger-key on top the washed out sandcastle,” he explained, adding. “There’s a cave not but two miles or so from here,” he pointed.

  “You told us last night all about the cave and those Zacs who found that wired key, and that they went missing,” Coita said, glancing at Earron.

  “You did,” Earron refreshed his memory. “You also told us about Mekon and what happened to those other two with him. And those ruins on the mountaintop.”

  “Yeah, and you also told us about the shipwreck … and you having some more of those wired dreams, and .…”

  “Okay, fine … I remember. It was a long night.”

  They looked at Kyhawn oddly. “What about camping out on the beach?” Earron asked.

  “Anyway, that dagger-key was found lying on a washed-out sandcastle some kids had constructed the night before it was discovered.” Kyhawn’s eyes glowed. “I thought we should make them and see if that dagger-key appears the following morning. What do you think—is it a barmy idea or what?”

  Earron leaned over and wrapped his arm around Kyhawn. “You’ve had crazier ones. But if the key’s with those others, then why should we expect it to show up on the beach in the morning?”

  “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” Coita shrugged. “This all sounds a bit too weird.”

  “Don’t ask me to explain it any more than I already have. I just know that dagger-key is a part of my dreams. It must be,” he explained. “And that cave, and sandcastles. They’re all connected somehow.” He wanted to tell them more details about his dreams, but instead he stared at Earron. “You’ve seen the drawing in my room back home. There’s something strange going on here. I just have to know what it is. Are you guys with me?” He possessed a look of adventure. “It’s possible a treasure’s hidden behind that door.”

  Earron glanced at Coita with a nod. “Not that I understood the drawings too well, but I’ve seen them.” His expression changed to one of adventure. “I think we should do it.” His round face and dark orange eyes shone in the candlelight. He looked at Coita and smiled.

  Kyhawn motioned with his hands as he spoke, a creative and inspired look dominating his expression. He leaned close to Coita. “What do you think?”

  Once again Coita felt honored. Finally they wanted his opinion. “The part about making sandcastles sounds fun,” he said, clearing his throat. “But I think watching a tide come in to see if a key appears after it goes back out sounds dumb. Boring too.” He glanced at Earron. “And not to mention weird, to say the least.”

  “Come on Coita—it’d be wild if one did appear. Who knows what we’d find behind that cave wall? Besides, could be a magic key, or maybe there’s more than one key. And one has already been found on the beach.” Earron leaned close. “Who cares if it sounds a bit … weird?”

  Coita looked at Kyhawn, then at Earron. “Okay. If you’re going to do this, Earron, so am I.”

  Kyhawn looked at Earron, “If you guys are going back with Professor La’mamm, we’ll need to go down there tonight.”

  “We’re not going back with them. Coita and I’ve decided we’ve had enough of those sea monsters for one week. Besides, if there’s any treasure behind that cave wall, we want in on it. Another ship is sure to come by this way sometime soon. By then, we’ll have those murderers in ropes, and who knows? Maybe even some loot of our own.”

  Coita’s face lit up with the thought of a dream come true. “It’d be awfully nice to afford our own fishing boat.”

  Earron smiled. “Coita and I are staying. Those elderly Zacs already have their wealth to go home to and enjoy. What do we have besides some old shack?”

  “Okay with me.” Kyhawn leaned against the wall. “Then we stay up tonight and make sandcastles.”

  That night, well armed and prepared to camp out, Kyhawn, Earron, and Coita along with Tobben and Zeal, who were on guard duty at the bonfire that night, ventured together out to the white sand beach.

  “Good luck with your … theory,” Zeal said as Tobben and he let out a slight chuckle while ascending the hillside to keep watch.

  No sooner then Kyhawn, Earron and Coita had constructed a masterpiece of a sandcastle near the shallow cliffs than it started to rain. Disappointed, they grabbed their gear and headed back for camp.

  As they walked in silence, Kyhawn took one last look at their sandcastle before they disappeared into the foliage. Mystified by this island, he struggled to thread together his dreams so they might all make it home safely.

  The only source of light in the camp came from the three cabins. While they walked around the edge under the trees to avoid the rain, a dark figure stood under a tree near Washburrn’s sleeping space. Kyhawn felt uneasy until the figure lowered his crossed arms giving them a warm smile and a welcoming gesture with his hands.

  Earron leaned close to Kyhawn. “It’s La’mamm.”

  “Kyhawn, might I speak to you in private?” La’mamm asked. “You can join your friends afterward. I’m sure they’d like to go ahead and get inside where it’s more comfortable.”

  Another Zac approached from behind La’mamm. The large silverish-purple skinned, Lord Mytoolwan, a wealthy landowner, introduced himself, “Why … Young Master Kyhawn, it’s a pleasure to speak with you.”

  “I know who you are, Lord Mytoolwan, sir. I take it you guys are old friends?”

  Lord Mytoolwan dropped his hood exposing his black hair and yellow eyes. “Yes, we a
re,” he said as he slung his fancy cloak over his shoulders.

  “What is it you want to talk about?”

  La’mamm glanced meaningfully at Earron and Coita.

  Kyhawn turned to his two friends. “I’ll be with you guys in a few minutes.” He noticed the worried expression on Earron’s face. “I’ll be fine.”

  Earron shook his head, then motioned for him to approach. He jerked on his coat and whispered, “You sure you don’t want us to join you.”

  “I’ll only be a few minutes. If it stops raining, the three of us can make another attempt at those sandcastle, and continue our campout. By the way, could you get the coffee and tea to take back with us? I forgot them the first time we went down there.” Kyhawn slipped off his cabac. “Could you please take this inside with you, and my blanket too, so they don’t get so wet.”

  Earron and Coita looked at each other. Coita shrugged. “Whatever.”

  “We’ll be inside waiting. Here, take this lamp with you.” Earron didn’t feel right about the situation. He didn’t know why, but at the time he didn’t see any real harm. He tapped Coita’s shoulder. “Come on.”

  No sooner had Earron and Coita gone passed Washburrn’s sleeping space, and around the corner into the sleeping cabin, La’mamm suggested, “Let’s walk over there where no one will hear us.” He puckered his lips as though he needed a drink. “Right over here.”

  “There isn’t anyone right here.” Kyhawn hesitated.

  “With these low-life Grongels, I mean pirates about, you can’t be sure when one might be listening. Over here,” he motioned.

  Kyhawn thought, should I trust him? We are right next to camp. Alil thinks he’s square. This guy with him seems respectable enough. He glanced over his shoulder at Washburrn’s sleeping space but saw nothing but darkness. He wished Washburrn were nearby. “Come on,” La’mamm urged him.

  Finally Kyhawn held the lantern out in their direction. “Okay, but only for a few minutes.” They walked about fifteen feet off to one side of camp.

  Kyhawn held the lantern to their faces. “This will do.” He stood his ground straight, one hand over the sword hanging from his hip.

  “You don’t have any reason not to trust us.” La’mamm had on a welcoming expression, his arms out.

  Lord Mytoolwan also gave him a reassuring look. “Come lad—over here.”

  “This will do.” Kyhawn’s polite manner began to loosen like worn-out threads. “You want to talk about the chest?”

  La’mamm smiled. “I do.” He drew nearer and Kyhawn stepped back. “We don’t have time to wait for your friend Washburrn. For all we know, he might be dead.”

  “He’s not dead. And what do you mean—my friend Washburrn?” Kyhawn stepped back ever further. “I thought Washburrn was your friend as well.” He felt nervous. Words from Emaya came to mind: The world is changing, and the end of these times is near. He drew his short-bladed sword. “Come any closer and I’ll … I’ll …” His hand trembled.

  A Zac came up from behind him, pressed a dagger against his throat, and grabbed his arm twisting his wrist. Kyhawn’s sword hit the ground.

  La’mamm grabbed the lantern.

  Kyhawn tilted his head back and muttered angrily, “I felt there was something fishy about you. You guys are religious fanatics.” He spit in La’mamm’s face. “You and your kind give spiritual practice an unpleasant smell.”

  La’mamm slapped Kyhawn across the face. “God punishes the wicked.”

  He moved as if to strike him again, but Lord Mytoolwan grabbed his arm. “We need him in one piece.” He then whispered something in La’mamm’s ear.

  La’mamm’s pipe hung from his lips, grinding it between his teeth. “We’ll let go of your arm, but don’t try anything stupid.” He paused. “Since you’re not going to voluntarily take us to that chest, I’ve decided to give you a little incentive.” La’mamm chuckled as he glanced at his comrades, his gray eyes gleaming with success.

  Kyhawn looked at them oddly. “What do you mean—a little incentive?”

  “Keep your voice down or we’ll kill you where you stand,” whispered Lairron, who had been a passenger on the Sealander. As he let out an awful cough, sweat ran down his round face. Kyhawn could feel his breath.

  As they continued on another passenger followed close by Lairron talking in a foreign language. Lairron nudged Kyhawn forward. “Keep your eyes straight ahead.”

  While a dark blanket of foliage hung over them, rain dripped from the leaves. But Kyhawn suddenly stopped again. “I’d rather be torn apart by those sea monsters than take you to the chest.”

  “I think you will change your mind,” La’mamm told him with a chuckle. “Bring her out here.”

  Shellean and another familiar face appeared from behind the overlapping shadows.

  Kyhawn was more confused now then ever. While she stared at him with tears in her eyes, he glared at the Zac holding her captive. He couldn’t believe it: “O’Rost, what are you doing siding with these pathetic fanatics?”

  O’Rost stood silently behind her.

  “You’re a fool,” Kyhawn told him. “All of you are fools!”

  As a dagger pressed against his throat, he thought, No, I’m the fool. I am most definitely the fool. I don’t have any choice but to hand over the chest. But what if she’s one of them? But then, what if she’s not, and I get her killed? Washburrn did say it was me she was after and not the chest. He looked at Shellean. “I’m sorry you had to get in the middle of this.”

  She lowered her head. A puddle of rain held captive by a leaf above them collapsed and splattered the ground in front of her. Her eyes filled with fear that something similar would happen to her.

  Kyhawn looked away. He was confronting the most difficult decision he had ever made in his life.

  O’Rost glared at Kyhawn. “Are you going to take us there, or are we going to teach this pretty female some of our discipline techniques?” Obviously greed had brought out the worst in him. “No books here to find the answer in.” He laughed. “And no wizard here named Emaya to save you.”

  Lord Mytoolwan stepped between them. “That’s enough.”

  Kyhawn gave Shellean another look. “All right—I’ll take you.” His cheeks flushed with anger as he began to lead the way. He glared at La’mamm who held the lantern in front of them as their shadows moved in rhythm on their dreaded journey.