The two reached the ground and Silas rubbed at the small scrapes he obtained from the jagged rock. He followed Kaden who crouched behind a brush pile. The demolished truck sat crumbled about thirty paces away from them.
“What's the plan?” Silas asked.
Kaden watched in all directions, feeling for the sword and bow strapped to his back.
“This feels like a trap,” Kaden said. “Almost as if they are waiting for us.”
“We haven't seen or heard any sign of Stühocs down here,” Silas said annoyed. “I don't think they're here.”
“Which is exactly what they would want you to think if they were about to ambush you,” Kaden shot back. “They are brutal creatures, and as smart as you or me. They don't always attack their enemies blindly. They wait for the opportune moment so they can be thorough in their destruction.”
It was an argument that Silas couldn't win, so he decided not to fight it.
“Well, if you think there's an ambush, then what's your plan?”
Kaden raised an eyebrow as if to say, why are you so annoying, but he had more tact than that. As much as he wanted to say it, instead he said, “There's nothing we can do but to go to the truck and get the medallion. It's likely they didn't see us on our descent because of the trees. But they'll know we're going to the truck.”
“Why would they know that?”
“They can sense the medallion,” Kaden said, not taking his eyes from the truck. It was as if he were lost in thought, a memory from his past. “They can almost smell it.”
“Then why haven't they already gone after it?”
“Silas,” Kaden said with a sigh, “I didn't come here to protect you from Theron and Marcus.”
A red flag went up in Silas' mind. Then what are you doing here at all? Silas thought.
“You living or dying isn't what is important,” Kaden continued. “You cannot, at all costs, be captured by the Stühocs. It would be better if you just jumped off the side of the cliff.” Kaden said this with such calm and lack of emotion; Silas wasn't sure whether Kaden would care if this happened.
“You're saying they want me alive?”
Kaden nodded.
“But why?”
“That's a conversation you need to save for your grandfather.”
“My grandfather is dead, in case you haven’t noticed.”
Kaden looked at Silas and for a moment their gazes locked. The silence was heavy.
“What are you saying, Kaden?”
“I'm saying that you need to stay here behind the bushes. I'm going to the truck. Where is the medallion?”
Silas was silent.
“Silas,” he said to bring him out of his trance. “Where is it?”
“There’s a hidden compartment behind the passenger seat,” Silas said. “Kaden, wait!”
Kaden turned.
“What are you saying about talking to my grandfather?”
“The Stühocs want you, Silas. They want to make you one of their own, and they can do it. All they need is to capture you, and it's done.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“I'm going to get the medallion,” Kaden said. “Stay put.”
Kaden drew his sword from his back as he lightly stepped toward the truck. He looked from side to side seeing nothing suspicious. He knew the Stühocs were near and he knew in this position and location, it would be difficult to stop an attack. But the medallion was a vital part of his mission. Silas was not so important yet.
When he finally reached the truck, he again looked in every direction to detect any approach. Luckily, the passenger side door had sprung open during the truck’s impact with the ground. Kaden pushed the passenger’s seat forward and ran his fingers along the floorboard, feeling for the compartment. It took a few seconds, but he found it quickly enough. He wrapped his fingers around the chain and pulled. The medallion came out easily and its sapphire jewel glinted in the full moonlight. He placed the medallion in his pocket and once again scanned in every direction for the enemy.
Silas watched Kaden during his silent operation. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, yet he felt Kaden was taking way too long to grab the stupid thing. He watched as Kaden turned his head in every direction, and then gripped his sword tighter when Kaden did a double take and focused in on one place in the distance. He lifted a hand and held a finger to his mouth telling Silas to remain quiet. Kaden crouched low at the front of the truck.
What happened next took Silas by surprise for several reasons. Seemingly out of nowhere, a creature at least a foot taller than Silas jumped on top of the truck thrashing its claws at Kaden. It had a long scaly snout with sharp teeth; its eyes were wide with anger. It was like a giant, gray lizard that stood upright, but had hind legs like a dog. Its claws were weapons that tore through the metal roof of the truck.
It let out a deafening scream; a warning sound to Kaden letting him know his life was about to end. Kaden didn't flinch, standing firm with his sword in front of him. The creature shrieked again and in seconds, two more Leapers jumped from out of the shadows to its side.
Kaden was in trouble, but he wasn't showing it. He didn't fear the Stühocs, but it had been a long time since he had fought one. Two of the gray-skinned Stühocs tried to flank Kaden while the one on top of the truck charged him. He ducked below a swipe that would have taken his head off and countered with a sword thrust to the Stühoc’s side. Kaden was now on top of the truck, a high position. He swung his sword down on a Stühoc, but was blocked by its steel-like claws.
Silas knew he had to do something. If Kaden were killed, there would be no one to help him. He also knew that the Stühocs could not be allowed to get that medallion. His training had not prepared him to take on creatures such as this, he thought. Or had it? Silas stood and crept in behind one of the Stühocs. The sword felt heavy in Silas’ tired hands.
Kaden was a master. Every move was a block against six flailing arms aiming to rip him to shreds.
Silas crouched low and got within inches of the first Stühoc and stabbed it through the back of the heart. The Stühoc let out a loud scream and crumpled to the ground.
Kaden took the distraction as an opportunity to drive his sword through the skull of another. It instantly dropped to the ground, taking his sword with it. Thinking fast, he unstrapped his bow and placed an arrow ready. As the last Stühoc turned its tooth-filled head back at Kaden, but the arrow was already through its throat and it too was sent to the ground, dead.
With the three of them defeated, Kaden jumped from the top of the truck and pulled his sword out of one and his arrow out of the other. A thick, gray fluid pooled around the bodies of the Stühocs. Their blood smelled like ash and smoke.
“What were you thinking?” Kaden said, scowling.
“They were going to kill you!”
“We've got to get out of here,” he said. “They'll be here any minute.”
“I thought you said they already knew where we were.”
Kaden shook his head. “I suppose I was wrong. More would have attacked me if they were here. Regardless, they are on their way now. We made plenty of noise for them to know exactly where we are.”
Kaden charged back up the path to where they had climbed down and Silas followed.
Through short heaving breaths he pried Kaden for more information. “What were those things?”
“Stühocs, specifically Leapers,” Kaden said. “Some of the more dangerous kind of Stühocs. Not only are they intelligent fighters, they can jump more than twenty feet in the air consistently. It makes them extremely fast.”
“Do you still have the medallion?”
Kaden stopped and turned to Silas. “Yes,” he said. “Silas, there's something you should know.”
He almost didn't want to hear it. The thought of this situation getting worse was unthinkable.
“I didn't think this would be happening the way it is,” Kaden said. “Leapers coming here adds a new problem.”
Silas was silent, waiting for him to continue.
Kaden hesitated searching for the right thing to say.
“Just say it,” Silas said, frustrated.
“The Leapers are led by a powerful Stühoc named Maroke. They are his personal soldiers, and although there are very few of them, they follow him religiously. On top of that, he is the second in command of the entire Stühoc army.”
Again, Silas said nothing, waiting for Kaden to finish.
“If he's here, then we're running out of time to get to the gate.”
“Wait, what?” Silas said. “What gate?”
“That’s why your grandfather was going to the cave in the first place, Silas. This medallion is a key to a gate that leads to another place where you can be safe. That gate is in the cave. We must hurry!”
They were immediately stopped by a shriek somewhere below them. It was the Stühocs. Silas followed Kaden as he ran to the cliff side and crawled on his stomach to peer over the edge. Kaden pulled out a scope from a pouch underneath his cloak.
“Yeah,” he said. “It's Maroke. I don’t see him yet, but he isn’t far. I see a few Leapers, though.”
Silas wasn't sure what he was supposed to be feeling at the moment. “How many?” he said.
“Too many to take alone. Run.”
Silas looked down at the figures moving in the dark. They were far away, but at their speed, he knew it wouldn't be long until they reached him and his protector.
Chapter Five
Jekyll Rock was an astonishing city named after its mountain fortress, an impenetrable castle carved into the mountainside. The lively city sat at the base of the mountain and a wall surrounded it, protecting the people and the fortress within. The side of the mountain stood as part of its guarded wall while the rest of it was manmade. Sentries marched along the top of the wall and kept watch from various towers around the fortress to keep guard over the city. Any oncoming attack could be seen from miles away, even at night, leaving a surprise assault nearly impossible. More sentries took shelter at an outpost five miles to the east and to the north to light a fire as a warning that enemies were approaching. But this was hardly needed; at least it hadn't been needed for the past seventeen years. But the sentries diligently waited, on guard, as if a legion of soldiers might be marching their way at any moment. Whatever the enemy, they would be ready.
In mid-flight, soaring near the first lookouts in the east, Julian Hobbes flashed the green gem from his wristband a mile before finally flying past. This let them know a friendly was flying in. After another five miles, and in his approach to Jekyll Rock, he was greeted with a salute from soldiers at the wall. Past the wall was a city of people, a people separate from the rest of Marenon. Set only a few miles away from the bustling city of Canor, the Dunarians were Humans that did not live under the rule of the Human king of Marenon. They lived by the principles set by the Dunarian Council, thus making their existence technically against the Human law of the land. However, their insubordination was graciously overlooked due to the Dunarian’s relationship with the king’s father who had died some five years before.
The mountain, half-jagged rock, half-crafted fortress, housed the Dunarian Council. It looked primitive, yet was as advanced as the king’s castle in Farlaweer. Jekyll Rock was more prepared for an assault than any city in Marenon. Julian hoped this would never be tested. Above the fortress stood four tall towers overlooking every direction and Julian flew to the eastern tower where the council's sarians were kept. He glided into the opening and landed safely into her designated stall. He unsaddled Eden and rubbed her neck affectionately.
“We'll be traveling again soon, girl,” Julian said. Eden bent down low for Julian to scratch the side of her neck. He grabbed his pack and threw it over his shoulder and walked past the sarians. Including Eden, all eight were there and accounted for, so he knew that the whole council was present at Jekyll rock. He paused as a thought struck him and turned back when he reached the door, counting the sarians once again. Nine? Why were there nine sarians?
Julian swung open the large wooden door to take the stone stairs. He was met by an old white bearded man barely half his height. He was called Dublin, although what his given name was nobody knew; he was called Dublin because of his birthplace.
“How are yeh, master Julian?” he asked. “Been waitin' on yeh for some time.”
“Why's that Dublin?” He began his descent.
“Was the mission successful?”
“I suppose we'll see when they bring us the medallion. They said they need another member for the infiltration, but it will get done.”
“Tha's good ta hear.”
They made their way through the corridors of the castle hallways dug from tunnels in the mountain. Torches lit the path and occasionally there would be a window carved in the wall, overseeing most of Jekyll Rock. Julian had always marveled at Jekyll Rock’s architecture. The fact that it was built into the mountain might make one think that it would be rugged, but it was quite the opposite. To Julian, Jekyll Rock seemed more elegant than the extravagant halls of the king’s palace in Farlaweer.
Dublin was talking to him about some nonsense, almost as if to try and distract Julian. “-and don’t yeh know yeh can’t quite get rashes off the skin without rubbin’ quite a bit of cha-.”
“Dublin, I need you to gather the council and have them meet me in the chamber,” Julian interrupted.
Dublin’s eyebrows furrowed and held up a finger. “About tha’,” he said.
Julian waited for the old man to continue.
“The council is already in the chamber in a special meetin’, sir.”
Julian quickened his pace.
“It was an emergency, Master Hobbes!”
“Why wasn't I informed of this? I'm part of the council, Dublin!”
“I was told not to contact yeh.”
Julian stopped and glared at him angrily. “Who told you not to contact me? And whose sarian is up in the tower?”
“Sir, I've said too much. They weren't expectin’ yeh to come this soon.”
Julian said nothing and once again stormed toward the chamber.
Once there, he pushed on the door but the solid wood didn't budge. “Dublin! Unlock the door!”
Again he shoved. He stood back and kicked the heavy, wooden door causing pain to shoot through his leg. He should have known the oak wouldn’t split under his kick. How could the council be meeting without contacting me? Who's sarian was in the east tower? There had better be some good answers.
After a few quick moments, the door to the chamber cracked open slightly and Julian shoved it wide. All of the council members were sitting in their chairs at the long rectangular table. Nalani Geldwin sat in her seat next to Julian’s at the foot of the table and Ward Holden was standing. Kaden’s seat at the head was occupied by a man, probably in his seventies, who looked weathered and tired. All eyes were on Julian. Ward Holden raised a hand in order to calm Julian.
Before anyone could speak, Julian began with his accusations.
“What is this, Ward?”
“Julian, calm down,” Ward Holden said.
“I will calm down when you tell me what is going on!”
Holden walked from the table toward Julian and placed a hand on his shoulder. Before getting a disapproving look from Nalani, Julian followed Ward out of the room.
When they were out of earshot, Ward spoke first.
“First of all, you should know better than to try and interrupt a council meeting in such a manner,” he said. “Second, I told Dublin not to contact you because I didn't want to compromise your mission.”
Julian rolled his eyes. “Compromise the mission?” He pulled up his sleeve to reveal a silver chained wristband with a green emerald at its center. “It glows when I am being contacted, Ward. I don't think it would have raised too many questions.”
“Could you have come sooner if we had called you?”
“It doesn't matter! As a mem
ber of the council I have a right to know when it is meeting. I've earned that right!”
“I'm sorry Julian.”
“What's the real reason, Ward?”
“What?”
“I said, what's the real reason you didn't contact me?”
“I don't know what you're talking abo-”
“Who's in Kaden’s seat?” he said pointing to the chamber.
Ward smirked. “The man you just embarrassed yourself in front of is none other than Barton Teague.”
“What?” That couldn't be possible.
“He's back,” Ward said. “And you have shown your true colors today, my friend.”
Julian ignored him and walked back into the chamber, all eyes falling back on him as he entered. Holden stood alone in the doorway.
Julian approached the table slowly. “Sir Barton Teague?”
The man nodded. “A name I am having to grow accustomed to again, I see,” Teague said. “Who are you?”
“How do we know you are who you say you are? No one on this council has ever seen Barton Teague, but Kaden and …” He stopped for a moment scanning the council members. “Where is Kaden?”
“You forget, dear boy,” said Ward Holden, “that I too knew Barton Teague for a very long time. This is surely he.”
Teague spoke next. “I sent Kaden on a mission yesterday.”
“What gives you the power to do that?” Julian could feel the warning stares of the council members.
“He is Barton Teague,” Ward said from the door. “He is the author and finisher of The Reckoning.”
“I don't claim to have any power over anyone,” Teague said. “It was an emergency and the best needed to be sent.”
“What's the emergency?”
Teague sighed, but he was patient. “The barrier between Marenon and Earth has been lifted and the Meshulan is in danger. If I could have gone myself, I would have, but it was forbidden by the Gatekeeper.”
“You mean Garland Ainsley is dead? That’s the only reason the barrier could be broken, right?” Julian asked.
The Marenon Chronicles Collection Page 5