Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy)

by Warren R. Henke

Delorah scowled. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “I’m sorry it’s late, but I have to tell her about the—”

  “—Let her in,” Tari said, almost yelling, from inside the room.

  Delorah rolled her eyes and stepped aside.

  Migun stepped in. Candles and lamps flickered and she searched the room twice before seeing Tari sitting on the bed. She ran to her.

  “I went to see Endell, he’s sorry and wanted to see Jasper before he was taken away so we decided to go hide out on the road and wait for his carriage and follow him but when we went to say goodbye to his father, he wasn’t at the flock so we followed him to the old south windmill and—”

  “—Slow down. Take a breath,” Tari said.

  “We followed Thamus to the windmill and there were people in black robes.”

  “What?” Delorah said.

  Migun turned around. “Something is happening at the windmill. I saw a bunch of people—”

  “—Migun, stop!” Tari words were sharp.

  The reprimand stung and she faced Tari with her mouth shut. Tari glared with clenched lips then nodded at Delorah. Migun bit her lip and cringed, suddenly understanding that Delorah wasn’t supposed to know. And now she’d come in rattling on about all of it.

  “What?” Delorah said, now standing next to them.

  “Nothing,” Tari said.

  “Mother!” Delorah’s hands snapped to her hips. “You are hiding something.” She pointed at Migun. “She said something happened at the windmill, people in black robes?” Now Delorah glared at Migun. “What happened?”

  “A party,” Migun said. “There was a party and…” she tried to sound sad, “Jasper didn’t show up.”

  “You think I’m stupid?” Delorah frowned and stormed toward the door.

  Tari pushed Migun aside and sprinted across the room, “Wait!” She didn’t make it. Delorah slammed the door and the room was silent. Tari ran back to Migun.

  “Was Len at the windmill?”

  “I don’t know. They had masks on. I only saw Endell and Thamus.”

  “Thamus?” Tari said, sounding surprised.

  Migun was still looking at the door across the room. “What’s wrong with Delorah?”

  Tari didn’t answer right away, and when she did, her voice was distant. “Oh, she’s….I don’t know. I think she just wants to do the right thing and follow the rules.” Her words came slow and hung in the air.

  “Follow the rules?”

  Tari didn’t make eye contact as she continued her blather, “she just…wants to do…what—” Tari bit off the last word and spun around. “Migun, you have to go back to the windmill.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?” Migun asked.

  “I’m sure Delorah is going straight to the Guide. If you don’t warn them, they will all be arrested.”

  “Why?”

  “Because they are trying to save Jasper.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s in more danger than you realize.”

  Migun’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened.

  Tari pointed to the back entrance. “Run, tell them to get out!”

  Migun ran.

  * * * Endell looked at the other hooded figures huddled around the fire. Was Jasper in the Resistance too? If only he had known all this yesterday. But why had Len banished him? Why had his own father encouraged him to turn Jasper in? It didn’t make sense.

  “8 and 9, welcome to the C-sector,” 1 said. “We are one of several groups organized by the most inspiring leader I have ever known. He understands people so well that sometimes I think he can read minds, maybe he can. I’m just glad he’s on our side. His name is Char, and now you know everything I can tell you about him. Don’t expect to ever meet him; he only communicates with the leaders.”

  He’s wrong, I’ll meet Char, Endell thought.

  “To protect the Resistance, we hide our identity and there is very little contact between sects. Never remove your mask or divulge your identity to anyone, even another Resistance member. And don’t try to learn the identities of others. One day you might be tortured or forced by magic to talk, so the less you know, the better.”

  No wonder Len was so upset when he saw his cape.

  “As your leader, I know each of you and I share this information with Char. If you ever need to find out if somebody is one of us, we have a special handshake. It’s not a guarantee, but it has helped some of us from giving information to the wrong person.”

  1 stood and walked around the fire. He stopped at 8, Endell’s father, and reached out to shake hands.

  “Take my hand, good. Now curl your little finger up. Now lock little fingers like… yes, perfect. Now rotate your hand to the right three times like this, look into my eyes, squeeze, and release.”

  They practiced again, and then 1 ran through the process twice with Endell.

  “Normally we’d spend more time explaining a few things to you, but we don’t have time tonight. We’ll tell you more and officially swear you in during the next meeting.” 1 walked back and sat in his place. “We have two urgent matters of business. 3 completed an assignment that I need to report to Char.” He motioned to 3. “What did you learn?”

  3 looked at Endell. “Welcome, 8 and 9.”

  Endell was surprised to hear a woman’s voice.

  “Some of us here are comfortable speaking,” she continued. “I’m one who has chosen not to maintain silence, although before long I’m sure you’ll both wish I had.”

  Light laughter filled the room, and then she addressed Endell and his father.

  “We are mapping the lands to the south. The dark ones aren’t everywhere and we hope to eventually find another human village. I traveled along the base of the Draken> Mountains to a large lake recently discovered by another sect.”

  Now she addressed 1. “I mapped out the lake and the waterways that feed it.”

  She reached under her robe, removed a leather scroll and handed it to 1. He rolled it open and peered at it while she continued.

  “I also found large amounts of Mandrake and Nightshade.”

  1 lost interest in the map, dropped his hands, and looked up at her. She tossed a small pouch. “Give that to Char.”

  1 caught the pouch and looked at it but didn’t open it.

  “Wonderful news!” 1 caught Endell’s eye. “We have been looking for a reliable source of Mandrake and Nightshade for years.” He turned back to 3. “There are large quantities?”

  “Yes, and maybe other plants too. I wish I had more experience with magical herbs. I think magic is strong in that area. I felt…different in certain places. Like when I found the Nightshade. I marked them on the map.”

  “Char will be thrilled. Good work”

  She nodded.

  “Now the critical issue of the evening. It has been brought to my attention that Prince Jasper has been banished,” 1 said.

  A low moan erupted from the group.

  “We expect that he will be taken away sometime tomorrow or today.” He looked at Endell. “We are trying to figure out how to save those who are banished…and find out if any survived.”

  If any survived? That didn’t make sense, Endell raised his hand.

  “You have a question, 9?”

  Endell didn’t speak. Should he answer?

  “You can write or speak, it’s your choice,” 1 said.

  He didn’t care to write. “But there hasn’t been a banishment in years. Not since I was young.”

  “Unfortunately, that is not the case. There have been many. They are done in secret and not like in the past. They aren’t taken out of the city and set free. They are led through a cave in the mountain and beaten, chained, and left for the dark ones.”

  Endell was shocked, and for a moment, couldn’t answer. “How can they do that?” he said with mounting anger.

  “It’s just one of the terrible things the Guide has been doing. I don’t know why, but we all want it to stop. Especially since so many of the ba
nished are members of our group.”

  “But how can they get away with it?” Endell said.

  “Easily, I’m afraid. We have somebody on the inside who does what he can to set them free, but he isn’t always on the escort. And even when he is, we have no idea if the ones he leaves behind survive. The land is surrounded by the dark ones.”

  “So why hasn’t somebody gone to check?” Endell said, frustrated. Were these people stupid?

  “It’s heavily guarded and the door is magically sealed. We are working on a way to get somebody to the tunnel to explore and try to make contact, but it’s nearly impossible. And it’s most likely a one way trip. If we get somebody through, they probably won’t be able to come back.

  “Just get banished,” Endell said. “That’ll get you over.”

  “Yes, but if our contact isn’t on the escort, you’ll end up mauled by the dark ones. And even if he is, there are no guarantees. He might not be able to unlock the chains. But either way you’ll be tortured. It’s not a chance Char has been willing to take…yet.”

  “What about Jasper?” Endell asked.

  “That’s why we are here tonight,” 1 responded. “2 and I will be going to… “

  BANG! BANG!

  Loud thumping on the door bellow echoed throughout the windmill. Everyone, except Endell and Father, jumped to their feet and cloaked figures crept around the room as the fire and candles were extinguished. Cabinets opened and closed and items were thrown into bags.

  1 whispered to Endell, “stay quiet.”

  “It’s a girl.” a voice from near the window whispered.

  “Migun!” Endell said.

  “Who?” 1 said. “Somebody followed you?”

  “No, I forgot about Migun! She was in the field, I—”

  “—Migun?” said another voice. A shadow walked across the room and then stairs creaked.

  BANG! BANG!

  “I know who it is,” the same voice said. “I trust her.”

  “Who is it?” 1 said.

  The answer wasn’t immediate. “My daughter.”

  Endell could hardly believe it, Migun’s father?

  BANG! BANG!

  “Find out what she wants! Get rid of her,” 1 said.

  The door creaked open and Endell heard muffled chatter from below.

  “Skunk!” Migun’s father yelled from below. “Skunk!”

  1 barked orders. “Everyone out! 2 come with me. 5, cover for 4.” Then, over the stairs, “Take her and leave, now!”

  Sounds of quiet movement filled the darkness around Endell. He didn’t know what to do.

  “You two get out of here!” 1 said. “Go west through the fields, stay low, and go home. I’ll be in touch.”

  “But Jasper! What about—” Endall said.

  “—Go! I’ll worry about Jasper, but you must leave, now!”

  1 grabbed his arm and pulled him to the stairs and they flew down them. Outside, he waited for Father and then two of them ran into fields. From the distant hillside, near where he and Migun had watched the windmill earlier, they saw a group of riders gallop in and surround the empty windmill. They didn’t wait to see what happened.

  Chapter 7

  Malicious Intentions

  Delorah loved her parents, and that made doing the right thing hard. They wouldn’t understand how she was doing this for them. They would feel betrayed. She was suffering for them and they would never know it. But that’s why she was the chosen one. It was up to her to make the hard decisions.

  Greatness comes at a high price, the Guide had told her. If you choose to accept this calling, you will lose some of your friends and family. They will never attain the greatness of your position, so be prepared for their envy and hostility. They may even try to persuade you to abandon your purpose.

  She’d discarded his words as irrelevant. Her family was dedicated and strong, they always had been. And when they were not only supportive but exuberant at her selection, she thought she’d proven the Guide wrong. She scowled. How could they have failed Gardone?

  She rounded the final corner and approached the Guide’s chambers, a journey she had made hundreds of times in the past two months during her private studies with him. Under his guidance she had become strong and wise; dedicated to the service of Nix.

  “Delorah. What brings you here at such a late hour?” Sir Knudson, one of three guards standing watch over the Guide’s chambers, asked.

  “I need to speak with him, it’s urgent.”

  He studied her for a moment. “Are you sure there isn’t something I can help you with? I believe he is sleeping.”

  She shook her head. “No, he’d want to hear this.”

  “Very well.” He opened the door and motioned for her to enter.

  “Take a seat and I will let him know.”

  The room was dark except for soft candlelight reflecting off paintings, golden objects, and ornate furniture. Delorah sat in her favorite chair, a large, plush one in the corner. She was comfortable in this room. This is where she and the Guide had most of their deep conversations.

  She waited, but quickly grew anxious and drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair. She’d told Knudsen it was urgent but apparently he had not listened. When she finally heard his footsteps, she sat tall.

  “Delorah, my dear, please forgive me for being so slow,” the Guide said as he entered the room. She stood and bowed her head slightly.

  “Your Holiness, I am so sorry to disturb you, but you were right.”

  He laughed, deep and easy. “Well, yes, there are occasions when I am right.”

  She didn’t even crack a smile. His grin vanished and he sat in the chair next to her with a solemn face. She loved how he respected her thoughts and ideas.

  “What was I right about?”

  “I know Jasper has failed Gardone, but now I am worried about my parents and Migun. It’s just like you said.”

  “In what way?”

  “My mother wants me to leave with her and to run away. And when I started asking questions she changed the subject. She wouldn’t even tell me where my father went. She said he’d probably gone out to watch the stars but I don’t believe her. Later, Migun came in upset about something at the old south windmill.”

  “…the windmill?”

  “Yes. When I asked Migun about it, my mother stopped her from answering. I know they are hiding something.”

  “What exactly did she say?”

  “Something about Endell, his father, and a bunch of people in black robes.”

  The Guide quickly sat up and leaned close to her. “Who is Endell?”

  “Endell is my friend. He lives in the farmlands. His father is Thamus, the shepherd.”

  “What were they doing at the windmill?”

  “I don’t know, she just said something was happening out there.”

  “Right now?” he asked.

  “Yes!” she nodded her head vigorously.

  “You’ve done the right thing, Delorah. If we want to help these people, we must act fast. Why don’t you stay in my guest room tonight and we will talk again in the morning.” He patted her shoulder.

  “Thank you.” She was fortunate to be close to the Guide like this. Father was king, but that really didn’t mean much. The Guide was the real leader of Gardone and he had taken her under his wing.

  He walked to the shadows and Sir Knudson stepped into the dim light.

  “You heard Delorah?” the Guide said.

  “Yes.”

  “Take your ten best and secure the windmill and everyone present. Have Marchello talk to the king, queen, and Migun. Delorah has worked too hard and given too much to be burdened with such hardships.”

  They exchanged a few hushed whispers and Sir Knudson left, pulling the door shut behind him. The Guide walked back toward her.

  “Now, Delorah,” said the Guide. “Let’s get you safely tucked in for the night.”

  He took her hand and led her through the marble hallways. “Y
ou must be exhausted.”

  “Actually, I feel wide awake.”

  “Ah, yes, the excitement I suppose. I’ll make you a nice cup of tea. You need a good night’s sleep tonight. As you can imagine, tomorrow will be a very busy day with this difficult situation. I’ll need your help.”

  “Yes,” she smiled, thinking of his tea. It always soothed her.

  They walked to the room and the Guide opened the door and ushered her inside.

  “We should just put your name on the door since you are here so often,” he flashed his warm, blue eyes at her and she giggled. “I’ll be right back with tea,” he said.

  * * * After delivering the tea, the Guide left the room and closed the door. He turned a small lever that silently locked into place. His smile turned down. Why couldn’t these people be content with peace and prosperity? Had they already forgotten the misery of the wars? Was it time for another reminder?

  He walked deeper into his chambers and faced a tall, golden door. It lacked a handle or hinges. He closed his eyes and held out his hands. He took several deep breaths and opened his eyes, which now glowed red. Again he filled his lungs and exhaled slowly, this time with a soft growl from his throat. The red glow intensified. He took a final breath and held it until his eyes burned bright enough to illuminate the door. The golden hue of the doorway faded and it too began to glow red. He walked forward, reaching out with his hands. Instead of pressing against hard metal, his fingers vanished inside. He moved forward and his arms absorbed into the glowing portal. He pushed forward and the rest of his body began to vanish…

  * * * Far to the north of Gardone and deep inside Mount Rhino>, another door began to glow. Then fingers appeared, pushing forward, and the man known in Gardone as the Guide slowly emerged. Here, he was Dorgonus Draak, or as he preferred, Dorg. He blinked several times as the portal and his eyes lost their radiance and the room faded to darkness. He recited a series of poetic words combined with clicks of his tongue and several crystal spheres burst with light.

  Jars full of colored liquids, plants, animal organs (some of which were moving), and insects filled the shelves to his right. To his left were rows of books, scrolls, and several stone tablets. Dorg walked forward to his workbench where glass tubes containing bubbling and steaming liquids held his latest experiments. A rabbit in a small cage turned away from him. He looked at his greatest discovery, the sealed jar of Vitane. He touched it and the living ooze inside crawled up the glass toward his hand. It wanted him. From inside the glass it tugged at his soul, sucking like a puppy at the teat of its mother. The gentle tugs amused him. His soul was in no danger.