Stormspeaker

by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

  Rollan was about to say something when Conor interrupted with a loud “PSSSST!”

  “Come on.” Rollan gave Meilin a tug. “We’ll talk more later.”

  They hurried over and caught up to the others.

  “Xanthe says the ledge is up ahead,” Anka whispered, relaying the message. “And there are two Oathbound on it.”

  “Let’s do this,” Rollan said.

  “We’re ready,” Meilin confirmed.

  Abeke put on the crown and sat down. It had been decide that Anka would stay with her, in case she needed to be camouflaged while the others fought the guards.

  Everyone held their breaths as Abeke concentrated on bringing about a storm. The idea was to have it rain hard enough to put out the fire in the monastery. Then, with the first crack of lightning, the others would launch an attack on the guards, with the thunder masking the sounds of the fight. Timing would be critical.

  The air stirred as a cool breeze filtered into the crevasse.

  A few raindrops hit Meilin on the head. She pulled up her hood and unsheathed her sword. The downpour was about to begin.

  A sudden storm deluged the area. The rain fell hard as the clouds rumbled above them.

  Lightning flashed suddenly between the clouds overhead, illuminating the sky into shades of black, blue, and dark purple. This was it.

  Xanthe, Conor, Meilin, and Rollan ran out from the crevasse, barreling into the guards as thunder boomed around them.

  A swift kick to the knee. An elbow to the jaw. The pommel of Meilin’s sword sideswiping a guard’s head.

  And silence.

  It was over as quickly as it had begun.

  In less than a moment, two Oathbound guards were knocked out and Conor was tying them up.

  “Go, quickly,” Xanthe whispered, grabbing one of the rope ladders that led up to monastery. “We don’t have much time.”

  The group climbed up to the higher level, swiftly and silently. Once they’d scaled the overhang, they hid behind a row of thorny bushes that lined the edge of the cliff. Peering out between the leaves, they could assess what was going on in the monastery. There were Oathbound soldiers moving past the upper windows, but only one guard patrolled the raised iron gate at the front.

  “Over there,” Conor whispered, pointing to a smoldering part of the building. “Looks like that’s what they were burning.”

  “It’s part of the library,” Xanthe explained. “Takoda would never allow that to be destroyed without putting up a fight.” Her voice faltered. “I—I should never have left. My place was with him.… ”

  Meilin put a hand on Xanthe’s shoulder. She knew Xanthe had seen her people overrun by the Many during their battle with Wyrm, and had fought hard for them. “I’m sure he’s all right. Takoda is smart and brave. We’ll find him and beat the Oathbound.”

  “Is the main door the only way in?” Abeke asked, slipping on the gold headdress. “Because I can create a diversion—distract the guard with a windstorm or something.”

  Xanthe nodded. “Other than those upper windows, it’s the—”

  “Shh.” Meilin pointed to the monastery’s entrance. A broad-shouldered, bald man dressed all in black was talking to the guard.

  “I know who that is,” Anka whispered. “He was at the Citadel when the emperor was killed. They called him Sid the Generous, so I’m guessing that means he’d steal the crumbs from a street urchin’s plate. No offense, Rollan.”

  Rollan snorted. “As if we had anything as fancy as plates.”

  “You are all idiots!” Sid yelled to a group of warriors who had joined him by the iron gate. “Something is going on. Or am I the only one who can sense it?”

  Meilin and the others froze.

  “Everyone, hold hands,” Anka whispered. “I’ll hide us.” She interlocked her fingers with Conor, causing his arms to blend into the variegated colors of the bushes.

  “All of us?” Meilin asked, knowing that Anka’s abilities had their limit.

  “I can do it … trust me,” she replied as everyone joined hands.

  But the progression was worryingly sluggish. First Conor slowly disappeared, and then Xanthe’s skin blistered into leafy green rashes. Meilin could no longer see Anka, but she heard the elder Greencloak whimper with effort.

  Suddenly, Sid turned on his heel and scowled. He marched toward the edge of the cliff, right to where the Greencloaks were hiding. His eyes widened with fury.

  Meilin sucked in a breath. It’s too late! He’s seen us!

  But then she turned to Rollan and found that he’d already vanished. Meilin glanced down to where their fingers were interlaced and saw … nothing. Thorns and roots and shrubby leaves.

  An animal that looked like a small bear or very large weasel trailed right behind Sid. Meilin recognized it as a wolverine—one of the most ferocious predators in the animal kingdom. Shane had once pretended his uncle’s wolverine was his own spirit animal. Meilin had seen how vicious and territorial it was. It figured that would be Sid the Generous’s animal partner.

  Meilin’s free hand reached for the pommel of her sword. She glanced back at the sheer cliff behind them. They were in the worst possible spot for a fight, but it didn’t make a difference.

  Any moment the battlefield could be declared, and they’d have to be ready to attack. She gripped the sword’s handle.

  It was now or never.

  THE WOLVERINE REARED UP ON ITS HIND LEGS, ITS NOSTRILS flaring as it moved its head from side to side. Even though they were hidden from view, it wasn’t going to be enough. Conor could see that the animal was picking up their scent.

  “Change the direction of the wind,” Conor whispered to Abeke. “If we’re downwind, it’ll only be able to smell the ashes from the fire.” A few seconds later the air stirred above them. Although Conor couldn’t see Abeke, he assumed she was using the crown. A strong smell of smoke floated over them and down the mountain.

  The wolverine fell back on its four legs and turned to face the building, where a few fires were still smoldering. The smoke was confusing it.

  “Nothing?” Sid asked his spirit animal, who had apparently lost the scent.

  Conor and the others stayed still, barely breathing.

  Sid the Generous was not convinced. He took a few more steps toward the bushes and stared out into the night. Waiting for a sound or a movement.

  Conor considered jumping him, but they’d be giving up their most valuable weapon … the element of surprise. His prudence proved to be right; just a moment later, another small group of Oathbound emerged from the monastery.

  “Sir … ” A young-looking Oathbound warrior, probably not much older than fifteen, cautiously approached Sid from behind. “Um … one of the guards sent me to tell you that we haven’t found any gold. Do you want us to keep—?”

  Sid spun around and struck the boy squarely across the face with an open hand. The force from the slap knocked the young warrior to his knees. “KEEP LOOKING!” Sid bellowed. “I want results, not excuses! Now, stand up!”

  The boy got up, clutching the side of his face.

  Sid grabbed the young Oathbound’s shirt, twisting it in one hand and hoisting him up so they were face-to-face. “Tell the guards to scour the libraries … every single crevice. I want some gold in my bag before the captain arrives, is that understood?”

  “Y-y-yes, sir,” the boy stammered.

  “Good!” Sid dropped the boy, who quickly turned and ran back inside the monastery. He scanned the area one more time, then motioned for the wolverine to follow him in.

  Once Sid disappeared into the building, Xanthe snuck around the bush, pulling Anka along. “Stay close,” she whispered.

  There was no discussion. They were all going in together. But as long as they held hands and moved slowly along the stone walls, they were virtually invisible.

  As they passed several rooms and corridors, Conor noticed that there were virtually no guards inside. It seemed that they were all searching f
or Sid’s gold, and few were searching for the Greencloaks. If only they could find Takoda and the other monks, then maybe they could outnumber these Oathbound and regain control of the monastery.

  “I’m done being patient!” Sid’s voice roared from the Great Hall.

  Staying flush against the wall and using any shadows available, the group moved as one unit until they entered the hall. In the center of the chamber, beneath the wooden trusses that crisscrossed the ceiling, stood Sid the Generous. In front of him were the monks, lined up in a row with their hands and feet tied. Sid was staring down at Master Naveb.

  Conor and the others slowly inched into the room, making sure they weren’t seen as they moved along the gray stone wall.

  “Foolish old man,” Sid sneered. “Tell me what you know.”

  “Untie me and see how old and foolish I am,” Master Naveb said defiantly.

  “Ha! Don’t make me laugh!” Sid leaned closer to Master Naveb, placing both hands on the old monk’s shoulders. “Don’t you care that your precious Niloan history is being lost?” he asked. “Tell me where the gold is and we’ll stop destroying your libraries.”

  “Even if I had some, I wouldn’t tell a degenerate like you,” Naveb said, his voice flat. He face betrayed not a hint of emotion.

  Sid’s eyes blazed with fury as he lashed out at Naveb, kneeing him in the stomach and knocking the old man to the floor. “This is what happens when you don’t respect me.” He pulled back his leg and kicked the old man with all his might.

  “STOP!” several of the monks shouted.

  “Leave him alone!” Takoda fought against the ropes that bound him.

  “This wasn’t part of the deal!” Sodu shouted from the end of the line. The young monk was also tied up, his face screwed into a scowl. “You gave me your word!”

  “Deal? The deal was for the Greencloaks,” Sid sneered. “No Greencloaks, no deal.” Sid looked around the room. “And a place this vast must have its share of gold and valuable secrets.”

  “Secrets? I know about a secret. What if we strike a new deal?” Sodu asked, his eyes darting over to Takoda. “How about something that’s valuable to the Greencloaks? Something called the Dragon’s Eye.”

  Anka’s grip tightened around Conor’s hand. He felt his stomach turn, and a lump formed in his throat. How does Sodu know about the final bond token? Did he stumble on the clue himself in the monastery?

  “Sodu … ” Master Naveb moaned while still on the floor. “Don’t.”

  “Go on,” Sid replied.

  “Takoda knows where it is,” Sodu continued, staring at the young monk. “I overheard him tell Master Naveb that he had to find a way to get word to the Greencloaks.”

  “I see.” Sid raised a single eyebrow and strolled to stand in front of Takoda. “This is an interesting turn of events.” He stared in silence for several seconds, apparently weighing his options. “Seems like we might be able to help each other. I’d make it worth your while … possibly share some of the gold with you. They don’t call me Sid the Generous for nothing. ”

  Takoda spat in his face.

  Sid’s eyes burned. He responded with an uppercut punch to the chin that caught Takoda by surprise, dropping him to his knees.

  Conor felt Xanthe flinch, but she stayed put. Any movement away from Anka would reveal her. They had to stay together and wait for the right moment.

  Kovo, on the other hand, had awoken from his trance and was making his presence known. The Great Ape roared, fighting against the heavy chains that pinned him to the wall, baring his teeth at the Oathbound who had been guarding him.

  “Idiot!” Sid wiped his face with his sleeve. “I’ll simply continue destroying the treasures of Nilo until you tell us where to find the Dragon’s Eye and your gold.” He walked around Takoda, standing behind the line of monks. “I don’t understand this silence. I’ve shown you proof that the Sadrean girl and one of the Greencloaks have already met their deaths. Why insist on protecting their secrets?”

  “Takoda, just tell him!” Sodu urged. “This will be over if you say what you know!”

  Kovo suddenly stopped struggling against his chains and sniffed the air. The large gorilla’s red eyes darted around the room. He quickly signed something to Takoda, who sat up and glanced curiously around.

  Kovo’s actions weren’t lost on Sid. The Oathbound grabbed Takoda by the arm and dragged him to the center of the room. “Guards!” Sid yelled, calling out his spirit animal at the same time. “The Greencloaks are here!”

  Before the Greencloaks or Xanthe could react, Sid pulled out a knife and held it to Takoda’s neck. “We’ve been waiting for your return, Greencloaks. Reveal yourselves … or he dies!” His eyes nervously searched the room. Standing beside Sid, the wolverine looked at the wall where Conor and the others were hidden and growled. “I give you to the count of three. One … two … ”

  Kovo roared and resumed his struggle against his chains. It was a momentary distraction, but it was all Xanthe needed. She broke away from the group, leaping out of the shadows toward Sid.

  In the same instant Sid pulled another knife out from his belt and hurled it at Xanthe. The Sadrean warrior ducked but was tackled by another guard several feet before reaching Sid or Takoda.

  But the knife Sid threw didn’t fall to the floor.

  It hung in midair for a long moment, and then the whole team’s camouflage vanished, revealing their position near the back wall.

  Conor turned and saw Anka, her short dark hair and cloak coming through in vibrant colors. She was completely visible, and she was clutching the knife’s handle in front of her chest. A few drops of bright red blood were speckled across her shirt. Toey ran around her in a panic.

  No one moved.

  Not a Greencloak nor an Oathbound.

  Even Sid seemed to be shocked by the apparition of the young Zhongese woman he’d just impaled.

  Anka slowly pulled the knife away, revealing a growing red stain on her shirt. Her eyes dropped down to look at what the others were seeing. Stumbling, she tried to reach a table in the corner, but then her eyes locked with Meilin’s.

  “I’m sorry,” she muttered before collapsing to the floor.

  “ANKA!” Meilin cried out, but before she could run to her, Oathbound soldiers blocked her path.

  “NO!” Sid yelled, pushing away the tied-up Takoda and grabbing Xanthe from the Oathbound guard. “No one move!” he yelled. “Or she also dies!”

  Conor gripped the handle of his ax. One quick throw and he could lodge it into an Oathbound guard … but then what? Sid held the ultimate card. He was holding Xanthe in a headlock, positioning her in front of him like a shield. He had the tip of his knife pressed against the pale skin of her neck, where a tiny bit of blood was already trickling out.

  “Let her go!” Takoda pleaded, struggling against his ropes. “PLEASE! I’ll tell you everything! Just let her go.”

  Kovo’s chains clanged against the floor as he continued trying to get loose.

  Sid took a step back, dragging Xanthe with him. “So you wouldn’t do it for yourself or your fellow monks, but you’ll do it for her?” He glared at Takoda as he pressed down on the knife. “Speak quickly, because I have already lost my patience.”

  “Don’t … ” Xanthe’s voice came out a hoarse whisper. She couldn’t flinch or else her throat would be cut.

  “The Dragon’s Eye is in the catacombs underneath Xin Kao Dai.” Takoda’s words tumbled out. “Beneath the Summer Palace. That’s all Tembo wrote. I don’t know anything else.”

  “See?” Sid smiled and pulled the knife away from Xanthe’s throat, but tightened his grip on her. “Wasn’t that easy?”

  Takoda’s shoulders slumped in defeat.

  “Now, where’s the gold?” Sid asked.

  “There isn’t any,” Takoda muttered. “I told you before. The monks never had use for it.”

  “I don’t believe you.… ” Sid’s eyes narrowed, trying to gauge Takoda’s reaction.
“But if that’s true … ” He paused for a moment, smiling. “Then sadly, we have no use for her either.”

  With that Sid the Generous plunged the knife into Xanthe’s stomach and pushed her to the ground.

  “NOOOOOO!” Takoda’s painful scream echoed throughout the Great Hall.

  Xanthe gasped, trying to catch her breath. Her eyes were fixed on Takoda as she struggled to breathe.

  Takoda wiggled his way across the floor to get closer to her, but there was nothing he could do as her eyes lost focus, closed. She stopped moving.

  Takoda moaned, the noise echoing hopelessly in the expansive chamber. Hearing Takoda’s raw grief, Conor felt his throat close.

  “Xanthe!” Abeke cried out.

  A chill ran down Conor’s back.

  They all feared the same thing.

  Was Xanthe gone, too?

  ROLLAN WAS IN SHOCK. HE COULDN’T BELIEVE HIS EYES. Takoda, his feet bound and his hands still tied behind his back, was kneeling next to Xanthe, whispering something to her as she lay motionless. Sid had killed Anka and possibly Xanthe with barely a second thought. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it.

  This was not the way things were supposed to go.

  “Surrender or face the consequences,” Sid snarled. “Because there’s no way out.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Rollan replied. He’d learned on the streets of Concorba that there was usually at least one means of escape. He noticed Kovo still jerking against his chains, the ape’s red eyes shining with anger. If Rollan could make it over to him, he could release the lock and unleash five hundred pounds of gorilla fury upon the Oathbound.

  Sid threw back his head and laughed. “The monastery is surrounded,” he said. “The four of you are completely outnumbered. And you still think there’s a way out?” He laughed again.

  “Greencloaks, get ready!” Meilin called out, taking a defensive stance. Her sword gleamed in her hand.

  “Uraza!” Abeke yelled, calling out to the Great Leopard.

  “Briggan!” Conor held out his arm as the silver-gray wolf joined him.

  The Greencloaks stood together in a semicircle, facing a dozen Oathbound, many with spirit animals of their own. Sid’s wolverine was already snarling, ready to face off against Briggan. A white tiger growled at Uraza.