Conor raised both his hands to put a stop to the bickering. “Listen, we’re all tired and there doesn’t seem to be anything here. Maybe if we go to sleep and look at it again in the morning light, we’ll figure something out.”
Rollan thought back to Tembo’s note. There was something written about a light. “Where’s the journal?” Rollan lifted up the scroll and placed the book on top. He went to where the final note was written. He read over it again.
In light of what is written, the orb carries on to no one, and the key to finding Stormspeaker is nowhere to be found.
“Could it be?” Rollan muttered, picking up the scroll and carrying it over to where the lantern hung on the wall.
“What are you doing?” Meilin asked, following him.
“I have an idea.” Rollan raised the parchment paper up to the light. “Tembo said ‘in light of what is written.’ Maybe he meant you needed light in order to see the key to finding Stormspeaker and the orb.” He slowly moved the scroll across the glass of the lantern, letting the light shine through.
“There!” Anka exclaimed, showing herself to be standing next to Meilin. “There’s something written on the edge!”
Rollan moved the corner of the parchment paper in front of the lantern’s glass. The light from the flame revealed a previously invisible message written in the same calligraphy style as Tembo’s journal. It said:
To unify all, a valiant soul must seek the face in the mountain by passing through the valley of death where skulls fill the fields in the shadow of winter, then drain the demon’s blood and walk through the clouds to arrive at the edge of the land. For when this is done the queen’s glory shall be revealed.
“Valley of death? Demon’s blood? Edge of the land?” Rollan grimaced. He didn’t like any of it. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“But the face in the mountain … ” Takoda smiled. “I think I can help you with that part.” He looked at Xanthe. “Remember how Sodu kept talking about seeing a face in the mountain when he came back from the spiritual journey Naveb sent him on? He thought that it was a sign of his manhood.”
“He saw a mountain spirit?” Meilin asked.
Xanthe chuckled. “No, not a spirit … just a rock formation in one of the mountains that’s a few days east of here.”
“But no one’s mentioned a place called the valley of death,” Takoda said. “Or a field full of skulls. Then again, this was written a long time ago. Things could have changed.”
“We can go to that mountain and maybe find the valley along the way.” Abeke yawned again, causing a ripple effect with everyone in the room. “We’ll head out in the morning. Let our brains work on it while we sleep.”
Takoda nodded as a faint tapping sound reverberated in the distance. “I’ll find you some soft beds for the night.”
“That’s perfect.” Meilin stretched her arms. “We haven’t had a comfortable night’s sleep in a while.”
The tap-tap-tap noise was getting closer. Through his sluggishness, Rollan recognized what it was. “I think Master Naveb is about to pay us another visit.” He rolled up the scroll and handed it back to Takoda. “Think it’s better if you’re holding this when he gets here. I don’t need to be scolded again.”
Conor walked to the door and opened it for the old monk. The now rapid beat of the cane hitting the stone floor echoed through the hallway. “We can ask him about the—”
Conor was cut off by the old monk storming into the library. Master Naveb’s brows were furrowed and his cheeks were flushed from walking so quickly.
“You must all leave at once!” Master Naveb announced. “The Oathbound are on their way!”
ALL TRACE OF THE EXHAUSTION THAT HAD BEEN tugging at Conor’s limbs evaporated with the announcement that the Oathbound had found them once again. It seemed that no matter what they did or where they went, the Oathbound somehow anticipated their every move. The Greencloaks were placing everyone they encountered in jeopardy.
“Are you sure they’re coming here?” Rollan asked. “No one knew where we were going. We didn’t even know that we’d end up here!”
Master Naveb nodded. “They may not have known before, but Sodu is making sure they know now.”
“He betrayed us?” Conor couldn’t believe it. There were traitors around every corner.
“Sodu?” Takoda repeated, his face still registering the shock of it. “It can’t be.” He shook his head in denial. “No, he might not have agreed with having the Greencloaks here, but I can’t believe he would betray this place. He truly believes in it.”
“Perhaps I was too rough with him. Backed him into a corner.” Master Naveb sighed. “Regardless of the reason, he tried to enlist a few in the monastery to go with him into town. He thinks he can strike a deal with the Oathbound. The five of you in exchange for an assurance that the monastery will be left intact.”
“The Oathbound will never honor any agreement.” Rollan began pacing around the room. “We need to leave right away.”
“How much time do we have?” Meilin asked.
“Five, maybe six hours.” Master Naveb motioned for two young monks to come into the library. They each held several bags and placed them on the floor by the window. “One of the sentries said they left about two hours ago.” Master Naveb pointed to the bags. “I brought you some supplies, along with a map to help you on your journey. Don’t tell any of us where you are headed. Just go … and be careful.”
“We’ll help guide them.” Xanthe knelt down and opened one of the bags. “Thank you, Master Naveb … for everything.”
Takoda grabbed Xanthe by the arm. “We can’t go,” he whispered. “I can’t leave Kovo here in his condition, and he won’t go into passive state.”
“Then you stay,” she answered. “I’m helping our friends. I’m a Sadrean warrior, not a librarian. I’ll be more helpful outside. I know this area, and you said it yourself: No one sees better at night than me.”
“Xanthe, please … ” Takoda’s eyes pleaded with her. He was caught choosing between his spirit animal and someone who was obviously special to him.
“We can go on our own,” Abeke said, already slinging one of the bags over her shoulder. “We’ve done it before. Nilo is home for me. We don’t need the extra help.”
Xanthe ignored both Abeke and Takoda. “Master Naveb, did you bring my special cloak, the one I use during daylight?”
The old monk nodded. “It’s over there.” He pointed to a bag closest to the window. “I suspected you might want to go with them.”
Xanthe hustled over to the bag, her pale skin reflecting the moonlight that streamed through the window. She slipped on a sand-colored cloak and looked at the Greencloaks. “Ready?”
“Xanthe, you don’t have to do this.” Conor knew how much she’d given up during the battle with the Wyrm. She was once again abandoning her home and the people she cared about. “Abeke is an amazing tracker and guide.”
“No disrespect is meant by this.” Xanthe’s eyes met Abeke’s. “But I’m your best bet to get out of here. You don’t know this area like I do.” She picked up one of the bags and tossed it to Meilin. “We can each contribute something to the mission.”
“She has a point.” Meilin flipped the bag over her shoulder. “We could definitely use her help. She’s a strong fighter, too.”
Xanthe looked back at Takoda. “I understand why you need to stay, but you can still help them by finding more information on the Dragon’s Eye. There has to be another clue in the message.” Xanthe leaned closer to Takoda and, in front of everyone, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll come back. Promise.”
Takoda didn’t say anything else. Conor wasn’t sure if his silence was from the kiss or from knowing that there wasn’t any point in discussing it further. The matter had been settled. Xanthe was going with them.
The group left the monastery the same way they’d arrived: down the rope ladders and through the fissure, until they came to the Taabara Chasm.
Once there, they called out Briggan and Uraza to help guard against any Oathbound attack.
For the next few hours, Xanthe led them over several rocky hills until the ground evened out and became flat. By the light of the small lanterns they carried, Conor could tell that they had entered a large savannah. According to Naveb’s map, they were now just west of the mountains where Sodu had his spiritual journey and where he had described seeing the face in the mountain. If they continued at their current pace, they’d probably be there in two or three days’ time.
As the group approached a small acacia tree, Anka stopped walking and leaned against its trunk. “I don’t know about all of you, but I’m exhausted. I think we should make camp for a few hours. Try to get some rest.”
Conor reached down and stroked Briggan, who was leaning against his leg. “I agree. It’ll be daybreak in a few hours, and the sun will drain us even more. We need to be alert.”
Xanthe looked around, her pink eyes searching the surroundings. “I don’t see any other trees in the distance, so this is probably as good a place as any.”
“Agreed.” Abeke dropped her bag and sat on the savannah’s grass. Uraza circled her twice before deciding on a spot next to Abeke. The leopard let her long tail curl around Abeke’s ankle, but the tension in her muscles showed she was not there to relax. Her ears twitched and her eyes scanned the tall grass that surrounded them. Uraza was in full hunting mode, ready to protect the group.
Conor plopped exhaustedly to the ground. His eyes were heavy and he had a hard time keeping them open. He rested his head against Briggan, knowing that the wolf would stay vigilant with Uraza.
“Maybe Xanthe should keep watch while we sleep,” Anka suggested, her voice penetrating the darkness even if her form didn’t. “She can see better than the rest of us.”
“Of course.” Xanthe nodded, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the group. “I’ll make sure to wake you if I notice anything.”
Meilin held out her hand and, in a brief flash, Jhi appeared. The large panda promptly curled up on the ground, squashing the tall grass around her. Meilin settled in next to her. “I won’t need much time to get reenergized,” she said, stifling a yawn. “Jhi helps me relax more than I could ever imagine. I’ll be ready for a full day with just a couple of hours. I can switch with Xanthe at that point.”
Rollan took out a piece of fruit that Naveb had packed and sat down, leaning against the tree trunk. A bird called out from somewhere in the tree.
“That sounded like a macaw,” Rollan said, lifting his head to search the limbs for the bright blue feathers and yellow beak.
“Caw!” The bird repeated its call.
Rollan put the piece of fruit on top of his bag and stood up, peering into the moonlight.
A flutter of wings beat past him and snagged the piece of fruit before flying back to its perch in the tree. The thief was a fork-tailed, glossy black bird.
“Hey!” Rollan shook the tree. “That was mine!”
The bird responded by pooping right on Rollan’s bag.
Everyone—except Rollan—burst into laughter.
“You just got fooled by a drongo,” Abeke said, still laughing. “They’re notorious for mimicking other birds in order to steal food. But it’s a good thing it’s here. They’re also great at warning when a predator approaches.”
“Yeah, well … ” Rollan moved his bag from beneath the drongo’s reach and cleaned off the top with a small rock. “Helpful or not, I’m going to have drongo stew if it drops any other presents on my stuff during the night.”
“Why don’t you curl up over there with Jhi?” Conor suggested. “I don’t think Essix is much of a cuddler, and we all need some rest.”
Rollan glanced over at Jhi’s black-and-white form next to Meilin. “Think Jhi would be okay if I used her as a big pillow?” Rollan asked Meilin.
“Hrrgmmfani,” Meilin muttered, already half-asleep.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Rollan curled up against the panda and she gave him a big lick on the head. “Panda slobber isn’t necessary, Jhi. I’m tired, not hurt.”
Through half-closed eyes, Conor watched as Jhi gave Rollan another lick … just for good measure.
It was dawn when a shrill, metallic shriek sounded from the tree.
Briggan growled, low and guttural, and Conor immediately sat up, his sleepiness falling away like a heavy cloak.
A few feet away, Abeke was already kneeling and pulling out her bow. Uraza crouched, somewhat hidden in the tall grass, looking ready to pounce.
“Something’s out there,” Xanthe whispered, staring at the savannah. “But it’s hidden in the grass.”
Meilin was squatting, her sword in one hand, as she called Jhi back into passive state. The disappearance of the panda caused Rollan to fall back with a start.
“Hey! What’s the big … ” He glanced at everyone and quickly pulled out his dagger, taking a defensive posture. “Is it the Oathbound? Are they out there?”
“Not sure,” Abeke answered. The group stayed low, putting their backs together in a tight circle formation, with an eye out in every direction. Uraza and Briggan both had their hackles raised.
Conor slowly pulled out his ax. He glanced over at Briggan, who stood stiff-legged, eyes focused on something in the distance.
Someone was definitely out there.
The drongo gave another shrill cry and flew away.
“Anka, are you up for this?” Meilin slowly moved her sword around in the air as Abeke nocked an arrow onto her bowstring.
“Seriously?” Anka said, clearly annoyed at the insinuation. “I’m a pretty decent fighter, Meilin.… You should know that.” Anka’s cloak and dark hair flickered into view as she revealed her position next to Xanthe. She was holding her quarterstaff as Toey, her spirit animal, scampered into her boot. Then just as quickly, she blended back into her surroundings. “You’ve been training me, and by now I may even know all your tricks.”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s not get too cocky.” Meilin continued staring out into the savannah, her expression focused.
Laughter rang out across the savannah. It was coming from somewhere to the east of them.
Then more laughter.
A chorus from all sides.
Whoever was out there seemed to find the entire situation very funny.
“Seriously? The Oathbound think this is a joke?” Rollan rolled back his shoulders, getting ready for the fight. “I’ll show them something that’s not too funny.”
“No.” Abeke’s fingers twitched as she steadied her bow. “I recognize that sound. It’s not the Oathbound.”
“Who is it, then?” Conor asked, tightening his grip on his ax. “Are they dangerous?”
“Hyenas.” Abeke’s eyes narrowed as Uraza snarled at something in the tall grass in front of her. “And when they’re in a pack, they’re more than dangerous … they’re absolutely deadly.”
ABEKE COULD SENSE THE HYENAS CREEPING CLOSER through the savannah. She opened her stance, raised her right elbow, and pulled the bow’s string as far back as possible to get maximum power. In that instant, Abeke became one with her surroundings. Her friends’ restlessness fell away as she focused on her own breathing and heartbeat. Uraza was augmenting her hunting instincts. Abeke could smell the predators’ scent in the air, feel the wind glide by her cheek, and see the slight shifts in the blades of tall grass. Her fingertips relaxed, putting enough pressure on the arrow to keep it in place until the moment demanded its release.
She waited patiently. She was no longer the hunted, but the hunter.
Thwack!
Abeke released the arrow as she caught sight of a hyena lunging toward them. “Here they come!” she yelled to her friends, knowing she’d just hit her first mark.
Uraza leaped forward, claws out and teeth bared. She grabbed one of the hyenas by the neck and flipped it over, just as two more jumped on top of her. Abeke aimed at one of the hyenas, but couldn’t shoot for fear of hitting Uraza
.
The leopard rolled on the ground, shaking off the doglike creatures, but not before one of them sank its teeth into her hide. Uraza roared, infuriated at being bitten, and gave chase to her attacker through the grassland.
Abeke turned her attention to Rollan and Xanthe, who had teamed up to battle against a group of smaller but persistent hyenas. They were pushing that group back toward the east. On the other side, Briggan was already in pursuit of a pack that had charged all at once. He chased them through the tall grass, losing sight of one for a moment before catching a glimpse of another and taking off in its direction.
Meanwhile, several hundred yards away, Meilin and Conor were fighting at close range against two of the larger animals. They had been forced away from the campsite, but Meilin had the upper hand, using her sword to jab and slash at the persistent hyena. Conor had taken a defensive stance behind her, wielding his ax in one hand and a knife in the other.
“Keep it up!” Meilin shouted. “We’ve got them on the run.”
The hyenas were spreading out and seemed to be disbanding, but Abeke sensed that something was wrong. Why would these highly intelligent hunters attack a group of humans and large predators? And though the hyenas had worked together, the Greencloaks had pushed most of them back relatively easily. Abeke spun around.
That’s when she saw it … the real plan.
These animals were doing what they always did. A coordinated attack to get what they truly wanted … an easy target. Separate what they viewed as the weakest member of the herd. The large-scale attack had been a distraction to split the group into different corners, leaving the campsite with only Anka protecting their bags and food.
Anka.
Even though she was older than all of them, she would be seen as the slightest in the group. If the hyenas had spotted her at some point while the Greencloaks were sleeping, she could have become the hyenas’ target.
“It’s Anka!” Abeke yelled. “They’re after her!” Abeke rushed back toward the tree with the other Greencloaks.
Stormspeaker Page 5