The Dark Kingdom (Sage Trilogy, Book 2)

by St. Clair, Julius

  “I’m doing this for us,” James said, gathering his breath. He climbed to his feet slowly. “For you. I’m making sure I’m in this for the long haul. Don’t worry about me. I can take it.”

  “You’re scaring me, James. I hope you know that.”

  “Then you know the lengths I’m willing to go for us,” he said. “But…I can’t talk about this anymore. I promised to focus only on my training. We can’t hang out tonight.”

  “I don’t understand what you’re doing at all,” she said, rubbing her arms. “This makes no sense.”

  “It will, I promise,” James said, facing her with his strength back. “I’m purging who I was to become the man you need. And the only way I can do that is to train right now. Prepare for the future and ensure that you are a part of it. If that means a little less laughs and jokes right now, that’s fine. But I’ve got to do this. The boy you know has to grow up.”

  “But I loved that –“ Catherine stopped, looked at James for a second, and then turned around to walk back inside. It took everything within him to not chase after her, to beg her to finish what she had to say. But he promised.

  He promised…

  * * * * *

  James managed to get a few hours of sleep, which compared to the last few days, felt like forever. Arimus had to come and get him up like old times, shaking his head as he watched him roll out of bed and trip over the blankets. James didn’t care though. He knew he was different, even if everyone on the outside didn’t know it yet. He was becoming a man…

  “You’re going to miss breakfast,” Achan yawned as James stepped outside his room. His friend secured his cloak around his shoulders as they walked together down the hall, leading to the lobby where a Prattlian continental breakfast awaited: Sausage and bark. Surprisingly, the bark offset the sweetness of the links. Or maybe they were all just that desperate for food.

  James examined the small lobby, complete with a Terr rug in the center, a few chairs and a desk for Ma and Pa Conun to do their transactions from. Ma Conun came into the room with another tray of bark just as Kyran stuffed the last of it into his pockets.

  “You come back now,” Ma said and everyone nodded and agreed as they munched away. Across the room, James saw Chloe and Catherine talking to each other in the corner. Catherine must have sensed someone looking at her as she suddenly glanced his way and smiled. James nodded as Arimus was known to do, and then turned to his elders for business.

  Arimus, Kyran and Scarlet were discussing the mountain when James broke into their circle and stood there like he was one of the founding members of the Academy, chewing on his bark as he nodded and listened. They gave him strange glances. Especially Kyran. But they kept talking.

  “The Mountain is void of creatures,” Arimus continued to say, “which is why people used to travel through it so often. But we should still be careful. During our time in Languor, Kyran, while invisible of course, would whisper the names of some of our destinations into the citizens’ ears. Occasionally they would start discussing the subject so it was an ingenious way of getting intel on his part. However, with that being said, what he heard about the Mountain is a little disturbing. Kyran, if you please.”

  “There are traps,” Kyran said. “Put there by an unknown party. The first death happened three years ago when someone was trying to get back to Prattle.”

  “Needless to say, we don’t know what to expect,” Arimus said. “And what the status of Prattle is either. It could be empty for all we know. Someone could have placed the traps to keep the people imprisoned within the Kingdom.”

  “The Prattlians are resourceful though,” James spoke up in a serious tone. “So we must also entertain the idea that they know how to navigate the traps. That would mean they’re trying to keep people like us out. To what end, remains to be seen.”

  Kyran made a noise that sounded like a strange hiccup.

  “Did you just laugh?” Arimus asked him as Kyran shook his head violently. Scarlet gave James a skeptical look.

  “Well, well,” she said. “Look at High Hopes.”

  “Excuse me,” James mumbled, swallowing the last of his bark and leaving the conversation. He navigated over to Achan who was having an intense conversation with Dominic.

  “Why put ourselves in harm?” Dominic asked, throwing up his hands.

  “It’s for the good of the mission, “Achan said. “Besides we get some bonding time.”

  “We could die tomorrow. I don’t need to…bond.”

  “What’s he so moody about?” James asked as he butted into the conversation. Achan shook his head and pointed to Dominic.

  “I was suggesting that we volunteer for the trek through the Mountain. Scout ahead. You heard about the traps there?”

  “Yeah.”

  “We should be the ones to trigger them. Ensure the adults come out unscathed. If we die, it’s not as detrimental to the mission as one of them will be.”

  “Oh, that makes sense,” James replied.

  “It does?” Dominic scoffed. “What about having Chloe going in and disarming them all? What if we let the experienced Sages take a crack at it?”

  “Because it won’t help us grow,” James said, slapping Dominic on the back. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

  “Slap me on the back again and we’ll be fighting like we did in Languor.”

  James leaned in to his ear.

  “And the result will be the same.”

  Dominic threw up his fist to punch James in the mouth, the commotion causing the whole room look their way. Dominic raised both hands in the air as Achan pointed to him.

  “Dominic is just volunteering to scout out the Mountain for those traps,” Achan called out. “All the new Sages are!”

  Dominic glared at him as Arimus gave a big smile.

  “Sounds like a wonderful idea!” he shouted.

  * * * * *

  “I think I hate you more than James now,” Dominic grunted as they walked the snowy trail. He clutched his cloak tight and bowed his head, letting the snow fly past him. Achan and James chuckled as they followed closely behind, the mountain getting steeper by the second. Arimus and the others had not been sad to remain behind. Even now they were probably getting their rest, sleeping soundly while the boys scouted ahead.

  “At least the Princess will be rested,” Dominic mumbled as he stopped in his tracks. “But besides that, there’s no reason for us to have volunteered. We could be killed unnecessarily.”

  “Not confident in your abilities, Sage?” James mused as they took the lead. Dominic glared at him as Achan chuckled.

  “Let’s try our best not to push each other over the edge, gentlemen.”

  “I wasn’t thinking it,” Dominic replied. “But I am now.”

  “Come take a look at this!” James exclaimed. Achan and Dominic looked up to see James take a sudden left off the trail. Being that the mountain had showed no signs of alternate routes, even with their eidolons mapping the way, this was quite alarming.

  “Wait up!” Achan cried as they too reached James around the corner. They all stood in amazement. A cavern had been carved out of the mountain wall, a large arch housing a steel door with an inscription in the middle, carved in gold.

  “Do you think this is the first trap?” James asked.

  “Not sure,” Dominic said, pointing his eidolon out. “I’m not reading anything on the other side.”

  “Is this the original route to Prattle?”

  “No. Arimus said we have to climb over the mountain to get there. We’re barely half-way.”

  “Then what is this?”

  “Let’s look at the inscription.”

  The three boys walked forward cautiously, watching for signs of trouble as they approached. Sensing no danger, they all inspected the inscription carefully:

  TO ALL BEHOLD, TO ALL THAT DESIRE

  TRAPPED IN THE ELEMENTS ARE THOSE THAT CONSPIRE

  TO REACH THEIR PLIGHT, HAVE THE POWER OF ALL

&
nbsp; OR PERISH UNDER THIS MOUNTAIN TALL

  “Sounds fun,” Achan said. “Should we try to break in?”

  “I’ll give it a shot,” Dominic said as he stepped forward with eidolon in hand. He stretched it out in front of him and swung it down on to the door. The eidolon simply bounced back as the door didn’t even show a nick in the exterior.

  “Interesting,” Achan said as Dominic prepared to try again.

  “How is this time going to be any different?” James asked. “Nothing happened.”

  “I’m going to use my lock ability to make my eidolon stronger,” Dominic said. “Stand back. I’m going to put all I’ve got into it.”

  Dominic cocked his arm back and prepared to take a swing. James and Achan stood back as the upperclassman chuckled to himself.

  “Timber!” he shouted as the eidolon connected to the door. In an overpowering flash of light, Dominic was knocked backwards into the air, heading straight over the side of the mountain. James reacted immediately, calling his eidolon forth, but not in the form of a weapon. It turned into a net, catching Dominic in mid-air and knocking him back onto the mountain side.

  “What was that?” Dominic demanded as they heard the sound of footsteps running down from the top of the mountain. James quickly reverted the net back into his sword as Achan took out his eidolon as well. James smirked at his rival.

  “I just saved your life. That’s what happened.”

  “Guys, pay attention,” Achan said as the footsteps grew louder. Within seconds, the culprits turned the corner. About ten men appeared, dressed in cloaks a lot wider and more padded than the Sages. The leader of the pack, wearing a black vest that resembled a bib in design, put up his hands toward them.

  “Put down your weapons! We are not here to fight!”

  “The way you ran toward us, you could have fooled me,” Dominic shouted. The men tensed up from within their cloaks. James could tell that underneath they were placing their hands on swords, just in case.”

  “What’s your business with us?” Achan asked, stepping forward. The leader looked at the steel door with the inscription.

  “Have you managed to break through?”

  “We’ve tried,” James said. “But no.”

  “Good,” the leader sighed in relief. “There is a horrible man inside. If he were to be freed, it would be terrible for all of us.”

  “Who is it?”

  “I only know him by a title. He is a jester.”

  “A jester?” Achan scoffed. “Whose jester?”

  “He could be lying…we weren’t able to confirm anything he claims. But he says Zen-echelon.”

  “Would it be alright to speak with him? We have business with Zen-echelon.”

  “Then you are our enemies,” the leader said, drawing his sword. “We’re not going to entertain any more of your words.”

  “Wait, wait,” Achan said, sheathing his eidolon and holding up his hands in surrender. “We are from Allay, a group of weary travelers simply looking for an audience with the King of Prattle.”

  “Prattle is off-limits to outsiders, especially the King. You have no idea what we’ve had to deal with in the past six months.”

  “We’re willing to listen. There is a lodge down below where the rest of our troop is waiting for a report. Ma and Pa Conun are housing us there. We would love to have a conversation with you.”

  “Our duty is to turn people away from climbing to the summit. That may be difficult.”

  “I know you must be weary, and since the lodge is right at the foot of the mountain, you can easily see if anyone tries to head for Prattle. Please. It could be beneficial for all of us.”

  “Well,” the leader smiled, sheathing his sword. “If the Conuns like you, you can’t be so bad, and she does make a mean apple cider.”

  “The best,” Achan smiled. “Men, sheath your swords.”

  Dominic and James obeyed as once again, James stood in awe over the words of his friend. How he was able to persuade a man to not only leave his post, but follow him down below. How could he be so certain that they weren’t a threat? Yet Achan had been so trusting, so persuasive. He truly was the better man for Catherine…but no, he couldn’t think that any longer. It was clear he had lost his shot. Instead of dwelling on his inadequacies, he had to continue his training. Continue growing…

  “Lead the way,” the leader said as Achan began walking down the mountain. James glanced back only for a second, at the steel doors that held Prattle’s prisoner.

  A Jester? What would Zen-echelon, the Kingdom that was going to wipe them all off the map have to do with a jester? Why would he visit Prattle, and what horrible things did he do there?

  James looked up at the top of the mountain and thought of the nervous and scared faces of the Prattlian guards. If they were terrified of one man, what was the rest of Zen-echelon like?

  * * * * *

  “Hello, everyone,” the leader said as he entered the lodge to everyone’s surprise. Ma and Pa Coun recognized him immediately and rushed off to retrieve a fresh mug of their apple cider. The leader motioned for the rest of his guard to remain outside as Chloe got up from one of the few seats, and motioned for him to sit down.

  “No, thank you,” he said. “A lady must never stand if a seat is available.”

  Chloe smiled and sat back down as the leader spoke to them all.

  “My name is Gyruin, son of Giarin, son of Tgharian. I have been the leader of the guards of this mountain pass for twenty years now.” He paused to accept his mug of cider and adjusted the clasp on his cloak, letting it drop off his shoulders. Underneath his baby face and intense brown eyes, there was massive armor, sticking out well past his collarbone. Silver in color and boasting the symbol of a panther on his chest, James realized that this man was not your average guard.

  “Your comrade and I talked on the mountain’s pass,” he said, blowing on his cider. “And he’s made it clear that you intend to walk into Prattle. Now, I don’t know what business a Sage has in Prattle, but considering recent events, I cannot allow it.”

  “Excuse me, Gyruin,” Arimus said, stepping forward. “But what events do you speak of?”

  “Six months ago, Prattle was as it should be. A mess. But it was our mess. The arguing had not changed but at least the lack of action amongst our people had maintained order within the Kingdom. This is how we like it. Our majesty is able to rule as he pleases without discord. But that’s when he arrived. He gave no name. Only a title. He claimed to be a jester from the Kingdom of Zen-echelon. To this day I’m not even sure if that’s true.”

  “For anyone to claim they’re from Zen-echelon is no small matter,” Arimus said. “What happened?”

  “We didn’t believe him, of course. Our philosophers and orators berated him with questions but he remained mysterious. He claimed that he had all their answers, if they only left Prattle and came with him to Zen-echelon. For a month he did this, taking only a few at first, but then tens and even hundreds of our people from Prattle, left to an unknown location. Once we realized he was targeting our most intelligent, we gave chase. He met us at the Kingdom gates, surrendering himself to us. He still won’t reveal what happened to the people he had taken.”

  “And he is still imprisoned?”

  “For now. In Prattle we set up a monitoring system to see his actions. He just sits in his prison all day and night, sitting with his legs crossed, staring up at us with a crazy smile on his face and eyes widened to the point I feared they would come out his sockets. After two days, the inscription on the prison appeared, scribed in gold. No one knows where it came from, and the Jester won’t talk.”

  “Any theories on what it means? Or what the Jester plans to do?”

  “Oh, there’s plenty of theories. But as you know, in Prattle, there are never any concrete answers.”

  “We would like to visit your Kingdom and see if we can offer an outsider’s perspective.”

  “That’s impossible,” Gyruin shook his hea
d. “Our Kingdom is under lockdown. King’s orders.”

  “Perhaps he would offer an audience.”

  “Why do you need to speak with him so urgently?” Gyruin said with eyebrows raised. “It doesn’t have anything to do with what happened in Languor, does it?”

  “Word travels fast.”

  “Then you understand why we can’t allow you to see the King.”

  “We’re on a mission, to retrieve the five stones of power. The ether above us thickens and expands every day.”

  “So you’re here on a crusade,” Gyruin chuckled. “Trying to bring salvation to all, are you? How noble, friend. But not everyone believes as you do. The ether is much debated in our Kingdom.”

  “I’m sure,” Arimus said. “Then you’ve heard the possibilities. On both sides of the coin. We’re ensuring the worst outcome doesn’t happen.”

  “By taking away all of our power? Leaving us defenseless to foreign enemies?”

  “The only people we ever fight are ourselves. I think we can handle any invisible devils hiding in the shadows.”

  “Well said, but what’s to stop Allay from taking all five stones for yourselves once they’re gathered?”

  “We’re not.”

  “But we don’t know that. See, you’re asking us to trust you and believe that your intentions are pure, yet you leave a Kingdom like Languor in ruins. A place that keeps to themselves and are as neutral as we are. The only time we find trouble is when you superpowers join together and oppress your doctrine and beliefs on us. We’re fine until you show up.”

  “We’re trying to change the way things are handled,” Arimus said. “But now is not the time for discussion. We have reason to believe that Zen-echelon is behind the ether, and they intend to kill us all once its completed its sweep over the world.”

  “So now you bring in fear to persuade me? Really, you Sages are good.”

  “We’re not trying to persuade,” Catherine said, stepping forward. Kyran tried to hold her back but she violently shoved his hand away. “We mean what we say. If we don’t retrieve the five stones and destroy them, I’m confident that Zen-echelon will eventually get them for themselves. Even this Jester that took away your best strategists. That sounds like a pre-emptive strike to me.”