The Winter War, epub

by Priscilla Shirer

  “Why would Ruwach send us here just to go back?” Kristian stuck his foot into the water. Ivy gasped, shocked. But instead of sinking, Kristian’s boot just stayed right on the top. He took another step onto the pool and stood there, on the water. “Look. We can walk on it,” he said with a big grin. “The boots are like flotation devices. This is cool!”

  Kalle went next, taking a couple of steps on the water. “Yes, it’s true,” he said. “Awesome.”

  “Guys, I really think we should turn around,” Ivy said. “The breastplates—”

  “Come on. Don’t be a chicken!” said Kalle.

  Ivy threw back her shoulders. “I’m not a chicken,” she said, her face turning red.

  Finn put a hand on her shoulder. “You go on ahead,” he called out to the twins. “We’ll wait here—”

  He never finished the sentence. For something exploded from the water, something massive and green, covered in scales, and with sharp, snapping teeth.

  CHAPTER 14

  Leviathan

  Ivy yelled, grabbing her Krÿs. “Look out!”

  Kalle and Kristian had no time to react before the monster was upon them. It curled its long, spiked neck and lunged at Kristian. Kalle managed to raise his sword and smash the thing’s massive snout, knocking it sideways. It flailed and splashed, creating a near tidal wave.

  “Come back!” Ivy stood in frozen terror as the twins tried to make a run for it back to the ledge. But the water was no longer still; it rocked with waves churned up by the monster, making it hard for the twins to keep their footing. If they fell, they might be burned by the boiling water or locked in the creature’s jaws before they were able to recover.

  The creature rounded for another attack, its serpentine body just visible under the turbulent water. Ivy saw that it had a head like some prehistoric alligator. It breached again and snatched one of Kalle’s boots in its jaws. Kalle let out a scream as his foot was pulled down into the water.

  “It’s trying to take my boot!” Kalle cried.

  Kristian spun around and grabbed his brother’s arm, smashing his sword against the creature’s head. It let go once more, but Kalle’s boot was so mangled he could no longer keep his balance.

  “Help!” Kristian yelled. “I can’t hold him!”

  “We need to help them!” Ivy said. She turned to Finn. “I’ll try to distract that thing so you can rescue the boys. Okay?”

  Finn nodded.

  Ivy stepped onto the rolling water, struggling to keep her balance. She took several steps away from the twins, then pulled out her seed and deployed her shield. She waved her other arm in the air, making loud, whistling noises.

  The creature swerved to look at her. She called to it.

  “Hey! Toothy! Come and get me!”

  The creature dove under the water and rocketed toward her. It broke the surface but collided with the shield and fell backward with a high-pitched scream. Ivy took a few steps backward, drawing it farther away from Finn, who had gone out to help Kristian bring Kalle back to the ledge.

  Ivy braced herself for another attack, but it never came. She stared down into the depths of the pool as the water calmed. There was no movement. The creature had suddenly disappeared. She wondered where it could have gone.

  Ivy lowered her shield and looked up to see Finn helping the brothers to safety. She walked over the water to join them, though her legs were shaking so badly that she was afraid they might go out from under her.

  “You okay?” Finn asked her as he let go of Kalle. Kristian helped his brother to sit down on the ledge to rest.

  “I . . . think . . . so,” she said between gasps for breath. “Just give me a minute.” She crouched down next to Kalle, who was holding on to his crushed boot. “How are you?”

  “The leviathan almost got my boot. It’s pretty mangled,” Kalle answered in a pained voice. “Not sure about my foot. It really hurts.”

  “A leviathan? You mean, you’ve seen one before?” Ivy asked.

  “Not really. Just read about them. Giant sea creatures. Part snake, part alligator. But how did it get in here? In an underground pool? The leviathans are supposed to be in the open sea.”

  “This pool must go pretty deep,” said Finn. “If that creature came from Skot’os, then this water must come from Skot’os too. Maybe there’s an underground river or something.”

  “So the leviathans are guarding the mountain too,” said Ivy with a sigh. “From underneath. Awesome.”

  “We should get out of here, I think. The leviathan will probably be back with more like it.” Kristian turned to his brother. “Can you walk?”

  “I think so,” said Kalle. “I might be a little slow.”

  “Looks like this tunnel isn’t going to help us much, after all,” said Ivy, disappointed. Their scouting mission seemed like a total failure.

  The four of them made their way slowly to the opening of the spring, Kalle leaning on his brother’s shoulder. But instead of the outside world with a storm raging, there was only a plain wooden door. Ivy went forward, puzzled, and pushed it open. Something flashed before her eyes. She shut them against the blinding light. When she opened them again, she realized she was back in the Cave with Finn, Kalle, and Kristian by her side. Sparks danced all around them. Kalle collapsed to the floor, grunting a little. The Sparks instantly went into action, gathering on his mangled boot. Soon there were so many Sparks on the boot that the boot itself appeared to be made of tiny lights. The Warriors watched in fascination as the boot began to unravel, the crushed parts filling out, the punctures disappearing. Kalle’s breathing came easier, as if the pain had been instantly relieved.

  When the Sparks departed, the boot looked as if it had never been damaged.

  “How’s it feel?” Kristian asked.

  “Good.” Kalle got to his feet and gingerly tested out his foot. He then put his full weight down and smiled, glancing up at the Sparks buzzing around his head. “Thanks, guys.”

  “You’re welcome.” The Warriors whirled to see Ruwach standing before them, as if he had been there the whole time. Ivy laughed.

  “Ru! Thanks for the shortcut.” She threw her arms around him in a hug. “We’re really glad to see you.”

  “As I am you. So. Tell me what you have discovered.”

  “We found a spring that led us inside the mountain,” said Ivy. “We were hoping it might be a way to the fortress, but it only led to a green pool with this weird, alligator-snake creature that almost killed us.”

  “A leviathan,” said Kalle.

  “Ah. Leviathans.” Ruwach mused on this. “Creatures without fear. The coiling serpents of the sea. The most powerful ever created by the Source.”

  “The Source made the leviathans?” said Finn, tilting his head to one side. “Why?”

  “For the same reason he created you. The Source gave the leviathans a wide sea in which to play. They will not hurt you if you leave them alone.”

  “We weren’t bothering it at all—it bothered us!” said Kalle. “We were minding our own business.”

  “In the mind of the leviathan, you were trespassing,” said Ruwach. “The water is its domain.”

  “Great,” said Ivy. She heaved a big sigh. “Well, it doesn’t look as though we are going to get to the fortress through the underground tunnel. Not with those creatures patrolling it.”

  “Perhaps not,” said Ruwach. “But there may be a way after all.”

  “Oh? How?”

  “You will know when the time comes.”

  Ivy let out a sigh. “I should have known you would say that.”

  “Hold out your hands, all of you,” said Ruwach.

  The four Warriors obeyed, holding their hands out flat. Instantly they felt them tingle with warmth. And then a soft glow appeared from the center of their palms, radiating outward in a star
pattern.

  “This is my gift to you,” said Ruwach.

  “I don’t see anything,” said Kalle, staring at his hand. The glow was already gone.

  “You will in time.”

  CHAPTER 15

  The Comeback

  Day 15

  Xavier was having a hard time concentrating on schoolwork. All he could think about was the basketball game that night. The Cedar Creek Lions were playing the Riverview Sharks, and Xavier was suiting up as one of only two sophomores on the varsity team. He couldn’t wait to get back on the court, especially after the disaster in Ahoratos. He needed a win. Coach Cavanaugh had been impressed with his playing and promised he would put Xavier in this game.

  He just wished Mr. J. Ar would be there to give him some pointers and cheer him on. His strong, steady presence encouraged Xavier. Made him want to play harder and better than he had before. But Mr. J. Ar wasn’t even home from the hospital. The news was not very good. He didn’t just have his appendix out. He was still pretty sick. It would be weeks until he would be able to come to a game.

  Xavier opened his locker and quickly took out the books he needed for his geometry class. He glanced at his phone. Ten text notifications, and more kept coming in. Most of them about the game. He swiped the screen and started to read them as he slammed his locker door shut and headed to class. But he wasn’t looking where he was going and rammed into someone walking past him. His phone went flying, along with the other person’s books.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, glancing at the student he’d run into. She was bending down to pick up her books.

  “No problem,” she said. She grabbed his phone and handed it back to him. “My fault.” She smiled. She had long brown hair and pretty brown eyes.

  “No, I wasn’t looking. . . .” Xavier just stared at her.

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I hope your phone’s not broken.”

  “Uh, it’s fine.” Xavier stuck it in his pocket without looking at it.

  “You’re Xavier, right? You play basketball?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Cool. I’m Cassie.”

  “Oh.”

  Cassie waited for him to say something more, and when he didn’t, she shrugged. “Good luck at the game.”

  “Thanks.”

  She smiled again and turned to walk down the hall. Xavier watched her go.

  * * *

  The gymnasium was filled to capacity. Fans for both the Sharks and the Lions were already cheering as their teams filed in from the locker rooms and sat on their respective benches on either side of the scoring table. The Sharks’ mascot ran across the court, waving his fins and pretending to scare the onlookers. The Lions’ mascot roared crazily and chased the Shark around.

  On the bench, Xavier had to keep his hand on his leg to stop it from shaking. He looked up at the bleachers, searching for his family and friends. He saw his parents sitting three rows up from the floor along with Evan, who waved at him. Xavier smiled but didn’t wave. He hoped he’d get a little playing time so his family wouldn’t have come to the game for nothing. Brianna was there with her grandfather, holding up a sign that said “Go Xavier!” They both waved.

  Xavier didn’t see Levi anywhere, though he wasn’t surprised. They hadn’t spoken since Levi’s blowup in the Garden of Red. He wasn’t mad at Levi, but he did think Levi was still mad at him.

  At the very top of the bleachers, Xavier saw Cassie, the girl he’d run into in the hall, sitting with a bunch of other girls. She caught his eye and waved; he smiled and turned around quickly.

  “Ooh, Cassie Cavanaugh . . . I think she likes you.” Daryn, the other sophomore, gave him a shoulder shove. “Nice work, Romeo.”

  “Nah,” said Xavier, shaking his head. He looked away so Daryn couldn’t see his face redden. “Wait, did you say Cavanaugh?”

  “Yep. Coach’s daughter.”

  Xavier felt the heat creep up the back of his neck. Coach’s daughter. Why didn’t I know that?

  Just then Coach Cav walked into the gym and gathered his team around him for a huddle.

  “Listen up, boys,” he said. “Remember what we talked about in the locker room. I know you’re nervous. We missed a week of practice with the snowstorm. Turn those nerves into energy. Have fun out there. This team likes to drive to the basket, so be on guard. Keep it steady and work together. Be respectful—be a good sport. Got it?”

  The boys nodded and agreed. The coach put up his hands for high fives all around.

  “Hey, Coach,” Xavier said once the huddle broke up. “Are you going to put me in?”

  “Yeah, in a bit. Just be patient, Blake.”

  Xavier sat down on the bench with the other guys as the starters took the court and got into position. The ref tossed the ball into the air; it was tipped off by the Lions’ point guard, Eric, and the game was on.

  Xavier spent the whole first half of the game on the bench, cheering on his team. Every time coach signaled for substitutes, Xavier sat up, hoping it would be his turn. It never was. But the Lions led 24–16 at the half.

  The team went into the locker room for halftime, while the cheerleaders and the mascots entertained the crowd.

  “Doing great out there,” Coach Cav said. “But we need to keep up the pressure. Some of you boys are getting tired, so I’m going to mix up the subs in the second half.” He turned and looked right at Xavier. “Blake, you’re on point.”

  Xavier nodded, but his insides started to churn. He was going to play point guard in his first varsity game.

  As the team headed back out to the court, Coach grabbed Xavier’s shoulder.

  “You think you can handle this, Blake?”

  “Yes, sir. I can.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  Xavier’s heart hammered, the blood pulsing in the center of his throat. He dared not look up at the stands.

  When the second half was about to begin, Xavier took to the court with the other players and readied for the tip off. The lights seemed very bright, the sound of the crowd magnified in his ears. Xavier kept his eyes on his teammates. He knew their strengths. Bryce was their best long shooter. Jonathan, the tallest, could get under the basket and layup without even leaving the floor. Daryn and Scott were quick, precise dribblers. Xavier had confidence in them, and in himself. He was so excited he could barely wait for the tip-off.

  The ref tossed the ball into the air. Jonathan jumped for it, tipping it to Xavier, who spun around and passed it to Daryn. Xavier called to Daryn and Scott, telling them where he wanted them to go. He focused on his strategy rather than the cheering crowd and the piercing stare of the coach.

  Daryn took the ball down court and, under pressure, passed it to Scott who dribbled around two defenders and passed to Jonathan. Jonathan did a layup and sank the ball in the basket for two points. The crowd cheered.

  They made two more baskets, and Xavier started to relax. He took the ball on a rebound and dribbled down court, faked a pass and then ran around to the outside. He spun and passed to Bryce, who hit the rim. Jonathan recovered for the basket, and cheers exploded again.

  The Sharks got control and sank a basket. The score was 30–18. Still a comfortable lead, but Xavier didn’t want to take any chances. Sweat poured down his face in rivers; his hair was plastered to his head, but he was in the zone. This is what he needed to get beyond the disastrous battle in Ahoratos.

  He got the ball and dribbled down court, focused on which teammate he would pass to. He saw Daryn was open and bounce-passed the ball, then spun around and ran smack into one of the Sharks. He fell, his knee slamming into the floor. Pain shot through his leg. The ref blew the whistle to stop the play.

  The coach ran out to the court, but Xavier was already on his feet, testing his knee.

  “It’s cool,” he said to the coach. “I can play.” />
  Coach shook his head. “Why don’t you sit out for a bit. Make sure. Great job, Blake.”

  The coach walked him to the bleachers. Xavier tried not to limp. It’s fine. Doesn’t even hurt. He stole a glance at the crowd in the bleachers cheering for him. Evan was screaming his name and fist pumping the air. Mom had a worried look on her face. Cassie, up near the top, was standing, watching intently. She smiled at him.

  “Nice footwork,” said Eric, giving Xavier a high five on his way out to play.

  “Thanks,” said Xavier. He sat down on the bench, fighting the urge to rub his knee.

  The game resumed. The Lions continued to gain ground, widening the lead to fifteen points. Xavier jumped up and went over to the coach.

  “Hey, Coach, can I play some more?” he asked. He did a few jumps to prove his knee was fine. “I’m good.”

  Coach looked him over and sighed. “If we get to twenty points up, I’ll put you in.” Xavier sat back down but continued to cheer as the Lions gained an eighteen-point lead. He felt his heart skip when the scoreboard read 54–34.

  “Okay, Blake, check in,” Coach said.

  Xavier jumped to his feet and went to the scorer’s table to check in. He bent and unbent his knee a few times. It still hurt a little, but it worked fine. The buzzer sounded, and Xavier ran onto the court. Wild cheers erupted. His heart soared.

  Xavier played harder than he ever had—running, dribbling, passing, shooting. His knee hurt, but he’d played through pain before; it was no big deal. His team made two more baskets in a row. Xavier knew they were going to win, but he continued to pour it on. He got the ball on a rebound and dribbled down the court. He saw Jonathan open but ignored him, preferring to do a snake run around two of the Sharks and go in for a layup himself. This last basket would be all his. He jumped for the basket and felt something pop, a jarring shock radiating through his entire leg. By the time he landed his leg wouldn’t hold him, and he collapsed on the floor.

  The buzzer sounded just as the ball swished through the net.