Rise of Keitus (Kilenya Series, 4)

by Andrea Pearson

  “That’s fine. You’ve gone through much more than the others have.”

  Akeno smiled. “Plus, you’ve got to be close to figuring it out now.”

  “I am. The last Wurby didn’t really get burned, and I felt like I was about to be transported to the past with him.”

  Akeno grabbed Jacob’s hand. “Let’s try this.”

  As Jacob concentrated, he warmed up Akeno’s palm in fractions, slowly reaching the spot where he’d sensed the tug on his magic earlier. He imagined himself politely asking the heating to stop there and his magic to transport him. And they obeyed him. It felt like something clicked into place. His surroundings disappeared, quickly replaced with the white buildings and dirt of the now-familiar alley in Macaria.

  And Akeno was with him.

  “Wow!” Akeno said. “We Traveled without using the Key!”

  Jacob grinned, releasing the Makalo. “And into the past! It worked! It worked!”

  They laughed and cheered, albeit weakly on Jacob’s part. His throat was completely dry. All he wanted was a big glass of water, so he headed to Gallus’s shop.

  They were about to enter when Akeno jerked to a stop. “I can’t go in—I’m not wearing contacts. Doesn’t it nearly kill you when people you know start to recognize you?”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “What will happen if someone I know sees me?”

  Jacob shook his head. “Let’s not find out.”

  He frowned, checking his pulse. His heart had started beating roughly. “Besides, I think it’s much harder on my body to take another person back with me. I’m going to need to build up to longer periods of time.” His stomach dropped as he thought of several more weeks ahead of him of strengthening his heart.

  Luckily, it didn’t take several weeks. Jacob’s heart was stronger than he thought, and by the end of the month, he’d built up to taking Akeno with him for over five hours. Then Azuriah made him start Traveling with two people, which would always be his maximum since he only had two hands. Jacob spent another couple of weeks building up to that. Sweet Pea and Akeno were the ones Jacob usually worked with, since Matt and Aloren were in school and had homework, and Jacob wasn’t about to hold hands with strangers again.

  His lessons with Mr. Coolidge hadn’t changed much. They still studied twice a week. Aside from practicing Time-Travel, Azuriah continued to make Jacob memorize the history of Eklaron, along with the written languages. Jacob was now at the point where he could tell the difference between the dialects of all the main races. But he still didn’t understand them, including the Shiengol language.

  He wasn’t shocked when Kenji was chosen to be the new patriarch, but was disappointed that no one but Makalos were invited to the meeting when Kenji was put into his new position. Akeno and Sweet Pea did their best later to fill Jacob in on the details. To his relief, he hadn’t missed anything. The meeting sounded long and boring.

  The potion wore off on the trees, and everyone waited nervously for the next bud to grow. Jacob continued to Key Aldo to the Fat Lady’s house, where they concentrated on finding a better solution to the problem.

  Kevin and Aloren were having a lot of success teaching English. They’d just gotten to the point where those who wanted to help with the upcoming war could say so, and others could ask to go home. Jacob Keyed them to Gallus’s shop, where Gallus and his wife helped them figure out what had happened to their families.

  Jacob felt constant pressure every time he went to Taga Village. He was there every day, so he was used to being treated like royalty, but the expectations everyone placed upon him were overwhelming. Word had trickled out that he was able to Travel to the past, and for two whole days, Jacob spent hours researching human families for people who had no clue where theirs had gone.

  This made his studies with Azuriah impossible. He wasn’t comfortable saying no to anyone—not when he had an ability that could help so many. So Dad and Kenji made a new rule: only they or Azuriah could ask Jacob to go back in time.

  That made things much easier.

  Jacob straightened in his seat, his jaw dropping. He put down his pencil, got up, and started pacing the room. How had he forgotten?

  He’d been studying American history for Mr. Coolidge and had been totally involved in the Civil War stuff when a random thought entered his mind.

  Brojan’s secret.

  Brojan had told him something important and had given him permission to talk to Akeno about it after the patriarch passed away. Akeno had full Makalo abilities, and Jacob was now the only one who knew. It was up to him to help Akeno realize his potential.

  He ran his hand through his hair, still pacing. How was he supposed to bring up the subject? Come right out and tell Akeno that his patriarch had broken the law, or hint around until Akeno figured things out?

  Then he had an idea—it was really random, and he had no clue where it came from, but it might work. He would take Akeno back in the past with him to the times of Onyev, the famous Makalo patriarch. Maybe by doing so, Akeno would recognize that he was similar to the Makalos back then and would figure it out on his own. He’d grow stronger and wouldn’t feel like he needed to be weak like the Makalos in Taga Village.

  Jacob put his homework away, eager to try out his idea. While he was attaching the Key to his belt loop, though, it occurred to him that Akeno was still young and Jacob should ask Ebony and Kenji for permission. After he put his shoes on, he Keyed straight to Kenji’s place.

  Kenji looked up from the table where he had several books open in front of him.

  “Is Ebony here?” Jacob asked.

  Kenji got up and went into the back of the house, looking for his wife. Jacob knitted his eyebrows, thinking of the changes that had come over Kenji since he’d been chosen to be patriarch. He looked much older and spent a lot of time studying. Jacob didn’t understand why—Kenji had always known more than Brojan, and the Makalos were hardly a huge civilization anymore. There wasn’t that much to keep up on.

  “Where’s Akeno?” Jacob asked when Kenji returned with his wife.

  “It’s his turn to check the trees,” Ebony said. She and Kenji sat at the table, and Jacob followed suit.

  “Okay, well, I’ve got a question for you.” Jacob seriously considered telling them what had happened when Akeno was born, but decided against it. Akeno still didn’t know, and it wouldn’t be fair to him for his parents to learn first. “I wanted to see if you would be all right with me taking him back to meet the Makalos at the time of Onyev.”

  Kenji immediately nodded. “That’s a great idea.”

  “And an excellent learning opportunity,” Ebony said, her cheeks flushed with excitement and bright green flooding the air around her. “And from Patriarch Onyev himself!”

  Jacob frowned. “I’m not sure if we’d be able to meet Onyev, actually. For now, we could just go back and let Akeno observe the people.”

  “What would be the point of that?” Ebony asked. “Onyev would have no problem meeting Akeno.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Of course. It’s our nature. We’re curious about other Makalos. And our customs would grant an opportunity for them to meet anyway, so let’s take advantage of that.” She sprang from her chair and grabbed a bunch of books from a small shelf in the corner of the room. She spread them across the table. “We just need to figure out the customs of the city so you won’t be lost when you go.”

  Kenji leaned back in his chair. “Would you take him to the Silver City itself, or to the place they built after deciding to leave the trees?”

  “Either. Which would you prefer?”

  “After they left,” Ebony said. “I want him to see the people and the results of that choice. It would be great to have him come back and tell us all about it.” She flipped through a book, opening to a map that spread across both pages.

  For the next hour, Kenji and Ebony pored over the books, helping Jacob memorize the city and learn Makalo customs. His Traveling ability
usually put him in an empty area, and he’d need to know how to find his way out of wherever he and Akeno were placed. They also needed to know how and when it was appropriate to approach a patriarch during that time. Things had naturally changed a great deal in the Makalo culture since they’d been reduced to a very small civilization living in Taga Village.

  Akeno returned from checking the trees soon after Jacob’s eyes had started blurring from studying. Kenji told his son what was going on, and Akeno nearly bounced off the floor with excitement.

  Ebony turned to Jacob. “When will you leave?”

  “As soon as Azuriah gives permission. Possibly today.”

  “Let’s go now!” Akeno dashed to the door, opening it. “Come on! We can convince him together.”

  Jacob chuckled. “Okay. I’m ready to take a break anyway. Besides, I think I’ve got enough information for us to figure things out.”

  “And Akeno can help you fill in the blanks—he learned all of this years ago.”

  Jacob nearly asked why they’d bothered to study anything if Akeno already knew it, but then realized that if he were separated from Akeno, he’d need to be able to function as well.

  The two friends left Kenji’s house and practically jogged to Azuriah’s fortress. It was a warm day, and Jacob had to take off his jacket. By the time they arrived, they were both out of breath, and Jacob felt sticky from sweat.

  Azuriah opened his door, letting them in.

  Jacob didn’t even wait for the door to close behind them. “We want to go back in time to visit Patriarch Onyev—the Makalo leader.”

  Azuriah nodded. “Yes, Kenji sent a Minya.” He waved his hand for them to follow him to the kitchen, where he proceeded to sit at the table. “I’ll be finishing my food. Enjoy your trip.”

  Jacob stopped in the doorway, surprised at how readily Azuriah accepted this new plan, but decided not to press his luck by saying anything. He and Akeno quickly cleared their minds and got ready to Travel. They’d found that it was easier for Jacob if his companions also concentrated on the location where they were Traveling.

  Rather than ending up in the city itself, Jacob’s ability took them to the outskirts.

  Akeno pointed to a sign that welcomed visitors. “You knew that’s the name of this city, right? Gratitude?”

  Jacob shook his head. “I wasn’t even sure what language they’d speak here until earlier today.” He’d been glad to hear that it was English. How they’d come to speak Jacob’s native language, he didn’t know, but was grateful they did.

  He and Akeno started down the massive brick road that led to Gratitude, which appeared to be both a forest and a city. Jacob couldn’t stop staring at everything. Other humans joined them on the road and Makalos were everywhere, smiling or waving. They walked with confidence. None had their heads covered and all were cleanly dressed. The Makalos glowed blue—Jacob had a hard time looking away from them at first. He couldn’t help but wonder why Akeno didn’t glow as brightly.

  Their clothing was elaborate, but not pompous—bright colors, vivid decorations. The Makalos wore robes or pants and shirts with patterns that led the eye to their left arms and hands.

  Jacob stole a glance at Akeno. He, too, appeared to be enthralled with the people around them.

  They joined a steady trickle entering the un-walled city, and Jacob looked up in awe when they stepped inside. It was absolutely beautiful. Broad-branched trees grew so tall he could barely see their tops. They gleamed in the daylight, shining with multiple colors just like a prism. The greens and blues were the most noticeable.

  Stone and elaborate wood, adorned with gold and silver decorations, had been used to construct the buildings. Stairs were affixed and circled around the outsides of the trunks. The city was almost completely integrated with the forest, which grew sparsely, branches touching each other and forming a canopy overhead.

  Jacob tapped Akeno’s shoulder. “I thought they decided not to live in trees anymore.”

  “They used to live separately from each other, every person in his or her own tree. Now they live as families. The forest, along with stone, is incorporated into their designs.”

  The street wound around huge trunks and through a market-type area, intersecting several times with other brick roads. Jacob led the way. He knew the patriarch’s residence was at the end of this main street.

  One thing that fascinated Jacob: the buildings weren’t cramped together, and there wasn’t a whole lot of undergrowth. Huge roots, several feet wide, poked up through the earth, glowing just like the ones that grew behind the Fat Lady’s cabin.

  The street led them to a massive house which was built to circle upward around an equally massive tree. By this time, Jacob and Akeno were alone, approaching a set of Makalos standing outside the large wood-and-gold doors.

  “How can we help?” the Makalo on the right asked.

  Jacob realized they were guards. They were relaxed, they didn’t have weapons—he figured their magic was much more powerful than a bow or gun—and the aura around them was blue. It was hard to read their emotions because of the overwhelming color.

  Jacob cleared his throat. “We . . . we’re visitors here and would like . . .”

  Akeno stepped forward and took charge, completely surprising Jacob. He watched, mouth open, as Akeno explained to the guards that he’d never met Onyev and it was his life-long dream to do so. Akeno had always been shy—was that only around people outside his species?

  Akeno finished by asking, “May we please enter?”

  The guards summoned a Minya to deliver a message to Onyev, and the Minya returned with a positive response. Akeno shot a confident grin at Jacob as the guards opened the doors to reveal a huge room that ended in a staircase.

  “Follow the stairs,” one of the Makalos said.

  Jacob and Akeno did so. After a couple of rotations, the stairs led them outdoors. Jacob gasped—they were already several stories up, with a magnificent view of Gratitude City. From that high, he could see the patterns of the roots under the dirt. Makalo children were running around, playing with their dads, while women were gathered together, laughing, cooking, and caring for infants.

  Jacob couldn’t help but admire the obvious happiness these people shared. There wasn’t even a speck of dissatisfaction in the air around them.

  The stairs continued to wind around the tree, leading Jacob and Akeno indoors again. Then a room opened before them. At the end was a set of large doors with two more guards, who opened the doors as Jacob and Akeno approached.

  Jacob fully expected a throne room, but instead, they entered a large garden with benches and flowers. The ground underneath changed from stone to squishy, uneven wood, and Jacob suspected they were now walking on top of one of the branches. A Makalo was roaming the garden with a watering can, pulling weeds. His hair and beard were silver, and he wore a beautiful, ornate robe made of cream, gold, and green. It was obviously Onyev.

  Jacob nearly stopped walking. He couldn’t believe he was in the presence of the Makalo patriarch who’d created the Key of Kilenya. Whoa. Should he say something? He put his hand in his pocket, fingering the Key. He gripped it, almost pulling it out, but the pain in his chest let him know that wouldn’t be allowed.

  Onyev turned and greeted them with a smile.

  Just then, Akeno fainted, falling to the ground.

  Jacob dropped to his knees by his friend. “Akeno?”

  The Makalo’s eyes fluttered, then opened, and he sat up, his face redder than Jacob had ever seen it. “Oh, my goodness. Did I really faint?” He stared at his shoes, refusing to look at Onyev, who was approaching.

  Onyev laughed, pulling Akeno up. “I haven’t had that sort of response in a while.” He stepped away, tapping his cheek. “You’re right—we’ve never seen each other. I thought I’d met every Makalo on Eklaron.”

  Jacob found himself immediately fascinated by how the patriarch spoke. His accent was different, almost musical, and sounded like it origina
ted in Africa.

  Onyev looked at Jacob and then back at Akeno. “You aren’t ordinary people. There’s something very different about you.” He turned his attention to Jacob. “You’re part Shiengol—that much is easy to see.” He cocked his head, then took a step back and fell onto a bench. “And . . . wow.” He hesitated, then cleared his throat, probably deciding not to talk about what had been on his mind. “What are your names?”

  Jacob waited for Akeno to take the lead, but apparently, he still hadn’t fully recovered from his shock. “I’m Jacob. This is my friend Akeno.”

  He waited for Onyev to acknowledge them in some way, but he didn’t. He stared at Jacob, making him want to shuffle his feet and put his hands in his pockets. He refrained, though, remembering lessons with Azuriah about confidence and holding himself with pride. He was a prince, after all. But what was Onyev thinking? The colors surrounding him were confusing—Jacob couldn’t read them. They blended too much with the blue aura.

  Jacob found himself wondering if he’d broken some rule or failed to follow a certain ritual in his introduction. His hands started sweating and he broke eye contact with the patriarch, looking at Akeno as an excuse. Akeno only stared at Onyev. It seemed he wouldn’t recover for a while.

  Onyev finally motioned for them to follow him as he continued puttering around the garden.

  He watered several plants before speaking. “As I was saying . . .” He hesitated again, then finally turned to face Jacob. “It’s none of my business, but since I know you’re here to seek counsel and advice from me, I’m going to say it anyway. Jacob, you’ve been toying with dangerous things you should have left alone.”

  Jacob’s eyebrows raised and his jaw dropped. “What do you mean?” He thought back through all his past activities, and nothing bad or sinister came to mind. He’d only been focusing on his Shiengol abilities lately. “I mean, I’ve just learned to Time-See and Time-Travel. We’re not from here—we’re from the future.”