He stepped into the water and an icy shiver shot up his leg. The cold made him rush the next step and he almost slipped on a mossy rock. From that point, he concentrated on his footwork and when Jewell stopped, was surprised to see how close they were to the mountain.
“Here we are,” she said looking up.
He arched back and cocked his head to see. The green trees and bushes rose straight up before him. She ducked into the undergrowth and vanished. He bent down and saw a steep passage up through the foliage; Jewell was already far above him. He followed and used exposed roots, tree branches, and rocks to pull himself up the mountain. He was nearly exhausted when Jewell finally stopped.
“We made it,” she said, looking down at him.
He pulled himself up to her level and walked onto a small plateau.
“This is one of the only places you can see the entire valley,” she said.
He stood and looked out. The sun had dropped below the mountains but not far enough to take all the light. They were high above the tree cover; lush forest rolled below them. Behind him, a sheer granite cliff shot into the sky.
“There is the door,” Jewell pointed down.
Jasper looked. Far below he saw the clearing where he remembered trying to escape the guards the night before.
“Where is Shad?” he asked.
She pointed again. “You can’t see him, but we have a blind at the edge of the clearing where we can get in and out quickly and quietly.” She pointed straight out. “You can see the river and the cliffs over there.”
He looked and saw the cliffs in the distance, just before the river. They didn’t look nearly as large from here.
“When the guards are going down the trail, you can see them every once in a while from here. It’s really easy at night and they have torches.”
“Where is our camp?”
She pointed right. “You can’t see it, but it’s near the top of that furthest hill, close to the base of the mountain.”
He nodded.
“There is another place like this over there, where we can see out over the valley. But this is my favorite place.”
He could understand why, the view was breathtaking. He could see across the river to where the dark ones lived.
She sat down against the mountain and he did the same. “Have you ever seen them? The dark ones?”
She nodded. “They swim across the river sometimes, I think when they smell blood.”
“But, there is blood all over.”
She nodded and raised her eyebrows.
“They will come out tonight?”
Again she nodded. “And it’s a full moon. We’ll be able to see them.”
Prickles shot across the back of his arms. “Are we safe?” But he’d said it too fast and felt stupid. Of course they were safe.
“Yes, even Yakoh down there on the cliff. They only cross the river and stay in the valley, they almost seem afraid. They come and go quickly.”
Jasper froze for a moment, imagining the dark ones creeping into the valley while he hid in the brush above the cliffs.
“I don’t know how Yakoh can do it, I’d be scared to death.”
“It’s interesting, after watching them so much they aren’t that frightening. They almost seem…human.”
“Human?”
“They walk and move around like us. They move slow, looking around like they are afraid. Sometimes they talk back and forth in a barking language, I’ve even heard what I thought was a laugh. They aren’t like I’d always imagined.”
Jasper stared at the river. “I’ve always been so afraid of them.”
“Me too, and I still am...just not as much. I wish I knew more about them.” She smiled and laughed. “Once there was a little one, I don’t know how young, but he was tiny. He played on the other side, exploring and throwing rocks into the water. Then its mother came out. I assume it was his mother. She growled at him then picked him up by his arms and smacked his butt.”
The both laughed.
“Then they both went back into the trees and it was all quiet again. I think they are as afraid of that river as we are. I can imagine my kids doing the same thing.”
She fell quiet and Jasper looked to see tears rolling down her cheeks.
“I thought I’d never see my family again. Now, thanks to you, I have.”
“Me?”
“If it wasn’t for you asking questions and getting banished, none of this would have happened. You wouldn’t be here and neither would Migun and I wouldn’t have spoken with Trask. My whole life has changed today.”
“But eventually you would have spoken with Trask.”
“Maybe…maybe not, but it doesn’t matter. Because of what you did, I have Migun and a chance at seeing my husband and the other girls. So I’m thankful that you did what you did.”
His chest surged. He even felt a little taller.
“Tell me about Migun. Tell me about the two of you,” she said.
Suddenly he felt short again. He looked away and scratched his neck, trying to decide how to answer.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You don’t have to. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, I don’t mind,” he said, but knew it didn’t sound convincing. “We’ve always been friends, I mean, she’s always been part of my life. She’s been best friends with Delorah for as long as I can remember.”
“You four used to play for hours out in the forest.”
He nodded. “We have a fort out there,” he said. “One time Endell bet that I wouldn’t dare spend the night in the forest. I was scared to death out there. It was dark and I could hear the wolves, it was the longest night of my life.”
He swallowed, surprised at the lump in his throat. “Migun came out to check on me. She was worried about me being alone and snuck out to make sure I was doing alright.”
Jewel covered her mouth; her eyes were moist.
“We talked all night, this was before you died, or I mean came, well, was brought here. Whatever you call it.” They both chuckled. “She brought some pie that you made,” he remembered. “It was the best.”
“I’ll make it again for you,” Jewell said, grinning.
They both fell silent. Jasper didn’t want to talk any more about it, but at the same time he didn’t want to appear rude. He focused on the river sparkling in the moonlight; the sun no longer offered anything. Something near the water moved and his mouth fell open and his skin shivered in excitement. “Is that….”
“Yes, they are starting to cross,” she said.
Several dark shapes emerged from the river onto the rocks near where he had been hiding a few hours ago. Eight or nine figures explored the flat surface at the base of the cliff. Had he not known they were dark ones, he would have assumed they were human. They walked on two legs and moved like people would, searching and examining the area. Then, with a quick retreat, they returned to the water and crossed to their side of the river.
“Amazing,” he said.
“Now that you’ve seen the dark ones, they aren’t so scary now, are they?”
He shook his head.
“I wish there was a way we could make contact. Maybe if they knew us better they wouldn’t eat us,” she said and laughed.
Jasper laughed too.
They talked, watched the stars, and listened to the night sounds. The time passed quickly.
“Should we head back? We should get some sleep and see how Migun and your mother are doing.”
He nodded.
They climbed back down to the stream. With the trees blocking the moonlight, it was dark. They walked slowly through the stream until it opened enough to walk along the bank. They were halfway down the wash when a whistle zipped across the sky.
Jewell looked at him, surprised.
“That was fast. Why would they be back already?”
She looked back up the creek. “Let’s find out what’s going on. Don’t make any noise because we’ll be close to the door.”
H
e nodded again.
She ran up the wash again but climbed out earlier than before. He followed her up a hill and through the trees. She walked out into a clearing. He could see Shad a short distance away facing the door.
“Shad!” Jewell yelled.
“Something’s wrong!” Shad yelled back. He was standing out in the open, in front of the door with a spear in hand.
She ran across the clearing towards him and Jasper followed. They both stopped short when a shrill cry sounded from inside the mountain. Then a deep roar rumbled the ground and a woman screamed.
Then a voice yelled, “Len!”
His blood ran cold.
“Open it!” Jewell yelled. “Use the key, open the door!”
Jasper screamed. “Father!”
Shad began fumbling with the door and Jewell ran over and picked up a bow, notched an arrow, and let it fly. It whistled over his head, towards the river. Then she sent another, which screamed away towards the camp. She notched a third, drew back the string, and faced the door.
As Shad started to unlock the door the mountainside erupted. The door exploded from the cliff, throwing rock and dust in every direction.
* * * Len charged deeper into the cave, this was foolish and Thamus was out of control. Even if the guards didn’t hear them, something worse might. The cave opened into a larger cavern and he could see Thamus already on the other side.
“Thamus! Stop!” he yelled.
China, several paces ahead, tried to help. “Thamus!”
Len sprinted and when he reached the other side, saw Thamus scaling the steep rock wall with his torch clenched between his teeth.
“Thamus, we are safe, come down,” Len said around his panting.
But Thamus continued to climb.
“We could get lost in here. We can’t run around like this,” Len looked to China for help.
“He’s right,” she said. “Thamus, come down and think about this. I’m sure we can find our way back, but if we continue—”
“—ahos air,” Thamus answered with the torch still in his mouth. He was high above them, recklessly ascending the crag.
“Thamus!” China screamed as Thamus slipped and hung from one arm and a shower of rocks fell. Len, Rudolfo, and China jumped away as rocks pelted the ground around them.
“Horry!” Thamus mumbled and regained his footing.
“He’s lost it,” Len said.
“Thamus, please, come down, for Endell. He is expecting to meet you in Mandala,” China yelled up.
Thamus crawled over the ledge and vanished. Then his head appeared over the edge, looking down at them. “I am doing this for Endell,” he yelled, then vanished again.
“Now what?” Rudolfo said, throwing up his hands.
China shrugged. “Give him a few minutes, maybe he’ll come back.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Rudolfo asked.
“I’m going up,” Len said. “I’ll take the rope and go look around. I’m not going to just walk away and leave him here.”
Len lit another torch, stuck it in his mouth, and began climbing.
He reached the top and saw Thamus a short distance away. He called down at Rudolfo and China. “He’s right here, I’ll be right back.”
Thamus had his shirt off and was dripping with sweat as he moved boulders away from the rock wall.
“Thamus, what are you doing?”
Without slowing, Thamus looked at Len. “Give me a hand! It’s right through here!”
Thamus grabbed a large boulder with both hands, lugged it several paces, dropped it, and returned for another.
“Come and help!” Thamus said, impatient.
“I’ll get the others.” Len walked back to the ledge.
“Stand back, I’m throwing down the rope,” he yelled. He uncoiled the rope, tied it off on a large boulder, and tossed it over the edge.
“You want us to come up?” China yelled.
“Yes.”
Moments later, China appeared at the edge of the cliff. Len helped her over the edge and pointed to Thamus.
“Go work your magic on him.”
She shrugged her shoulders and stuck out her arms. “I can’t do anything.” But she turned and walked towards Thamus.
Len helped Rudolfo up and turned around to see China lugging boulders. “China! What are you doing?” he said.
She looked at him with a sheepish grin. “Just help him. Give it a few minutes and he’ll calm down. He’s obsessed about something and will just get mad if we don’t.”
“You have got to be kidding me!” Rudolfo said. “There is no way I am going to—”
“—There!” Thamus said. “We are getting through.”
Len looked at the pile of rocks and could see a dark recess behind. He looked at China, dumbfounded, and walked to Thamus, who pulled away a large boulder, clearly exposing a tunnel.
“What is it?” Len asked.
“I don’t know.”
Now they all helped Thamus clear the remaining rocks. When the opening was wide enough, Thamus plucked his torch from the ground and walked inside. China, Rudolfo, and Len followed.
The ground climbed for a short distance and opened into a large room. As Len reached the top, he saw China and Rudolfo standing motionless and open-mouthed; their faces were bathed in bright light. Len reached them and his jaw dropped.
Ahead was a huge, lavish room decorated with golden statues and giant tapestries. The vaulted ceiling rose high above them and he searched for an opening to account for the brightness, but there was none. Except for this entrance, the room appeared to be completely enclosed. And although he saw no torches or source of light, the room was bright as day. Steps dropped into the room. It was filled with armor, scrolls, clay pots, large chests, and all manner of weapons.
“Thamus? What’s going on?” Len said.
Thamus, from somewhere below, said “I just need to find something…”
Len continued to scan the room — shelves stacked with gold, racks containing weapons and armor that sparkled like jewels, pedestals with ornate carvings…Thamus stepped from behind a pillar, both arms wrapped around a large book.
“We can go now,” Thamus said looking up at them. “I found it.”
“You found what? Thamus, what is this place. You can’t just lead us to a place like this without an explanation,” Len said.
“I don’t know. I just know I have to bring this book to Mandala.”
Len dropped his torch and walked down the steps to a jewel encrusted sword displayed on a pedestal. His own astonished face stared back from the bright silver blade which rested above a sheath decorated with images of the sun. He reached forward with both hands, hesitated, and then lifted the sword from its stand. A wave of disappointment washed over him; it was too light to be a weapon. He carefully touched the blade and a trickle of red seeped down the polished metal. He turned over his finger, a fine red gash stretched across it. He sucked his finger then pinched it with his thumb and looked back at the others.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
China walked to his side and pointed at the hilt. It was engraved with strange symbols. “Thamus, we aren’t leaving until you tell us everything you know. Who does all this belong to?” She said.
“Like I said, I don’t know but I think it’s ours now. Endell showed me this place, he sent me here to get this book. Whoever wrote it wants us to have it…I think all this is meant for us.”
“But why?” Len said.
“All I know is that I need this book. Take what you want, leave it all, I don’t care, but I’m taking this book.”
Len waved the sword through the air. It was light, balanced. It felt like a part of him, like he’d lived his entire life without an arm and just found it. Thousands of small metal rings rattling together caused him to turn around. Rudolfo, a stone’s throw away, was putting a chain coif over his head. The metal hood covered his head and shoulders.
“It’s so light…a
nd comfortable, this isn’t normal armor,” Rudolfo said, and then picked up a matching vest.
“China, do you think we can take this stuff?” Len asked, although he didn’t intend to put the sword down, ever. “Won’t somebody be upset we are raiding their vault?”
“Something led Thamus here, there is no question about that.” She looked at Thamus, still holding the heavy book. “Maybe he’s right, maybe it’s meant for us.”
“Yes, take what you want, it’s alright. Just hurry!” Thamus said.
“How do you know that?” He didn’t want to talk them out of it, but he didn’t want to steal from anyone, or anything.
“I don’t know but I think this book will tell us. But, Len, you are the king and this couldn’t be one man’s treasure so it must belong to Gardone. That puts you in charge of it.”
Len noticed Rudolfo had added bracers to his outfit. He took the sheath in his free hand and slid the sword into it. It glided effortlessly. He pulled it back out and it hummed a deep tone. It almost made him want to fight again.
He looked back. Rudolfo was pulling on a pair of thick black boots.
“I think I need some time in this room,” Len said, looking at China. “I’d like to look around.”
She nodded, her shining eyes focused on something across the room and walked away without even replying to him. Perhaps this room was meant for them. Why would Thamus have been led here? Anyone with this much treasure had the power to keep them out, if that’s what they wanted to do.
He kept the sword and walked further into the room, feasting his eyes on more fortune than he’d ever imagined. It made the armor and weapons of Gardone look like toys. It could make a small group of soldiers nearly indestructible. Perfect for the Resistance, but whose was it? He looked around the room and up at the ceiling. Was somebody watching them?
Maybe he was dreaming. He rounded a corner and saw what he was sure to be a vision, yes…this had to be a dream. Ahead of him a golden suit of armor appeared to be floating in the air. Like the sword, it was decorated in bright gems and strange symbols. Across the chest was an image of a large winged lion. He realized his mouth was hanging open and closed it. He walked forward.
Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy) Page 22