City of Gold (4 page)

An immense, oval-shaped structure towered before him. The Sanctuary of the Orb—the source of unending power; a power that two legendary cities would spill a sea of blood to claim as their own. The image of the bruised lady skulked into his mind. He wondered just how far the two cities would go to achieve their prize.

Cody’s knees buckled as he stumbled off the flimsy lift onto the balcony. A knot wrenched his stomach; it was his first return to the Monastery since the Hunter had pitilessly preyed upon the monks. The repulsive stench of dried blood caused Cody to gag. Only the derisory, timid scent of mint vainly sought to mask death’s awful stain.

The instant Cody entered he knew something was wrong. The room was eerily silent. The ten balconies corkscrewing up the expansive chamber toward the domed ceiling were empty.
Where are the remaining monks?

A coughing sound made Cody jump and fling his hands into a defensive position. “Chill out, you coward,” Xerx snarled, retreating a step. Cody maintained his fighting stance.

Whether by jealousy or simple unpleasantness, Xerx had been a regal pain. But their shared near-death experience at the jaws of the Hunter stirred unfamiliar emotions in Cody. He scrunched his face; was he actually feeling a sense of loyalty or even
friendship
toward him? The jarring collision of the young monk’s shoulder reoriented Cody’s thoughts. “What? The colossal weight of your inflated ego makes you flat-footed? Master Stalkton is expecting you; don’t keep him waiting…as always.” Xerx spat on Cody’s feet as he passed. Cody shrugged.
It’s comforting that some things never change.

As he stepped into the pitch-dark spherical chamber a vile stench assaulted him. Cody covered his nose. The odor wasn’t blood; it was something worse—
much
worse.

“Hello?” questioned a creaky voice. “Is that you, Tiana? I’ve been waiting all day for that hot dirt smoothie….”

“Um, no, Master Stalkton. It’s me—Cody,” he responded uneasily. The mention of Tiana caused his heart to skip. The two had rarely spoken since the ambush; and even then, it had been stiffly formal.
What was Tiana doing inside the Monastery?

“Cody, you say?” the wheezy voice replied suspiciously. “Hmmm…never heard of her.”

“Excuse me? I’m the Book Keeper and your
apprentice
! And I’m not a
she
!”

There was an agonizingly long pause. “Well,
Cody
, who-is-not-a-she…did
you
bring me my hot dirt smoothie?”

Cody grabbed his forehead. “
Illumchanta
” Bright light ascended to the ceiling like a midnight star. “Master, I’ve come to…oh, my gosh!”

The light exposed the High Priest for the first time. Three flakey black scabs stretched diagonally from his left ear to the bottom of his gawky chin. The wounds stood out like neon signs against the backdrop of the albino’s pastel skin. His regular skeletal figure was even further emaciated, the flesh hanging from his frail bones like wet tissue paper. Looking to the cushion where the elder master sat, Cody yelped in surprise—Stalkton had no legs.

Only two, smooth, rounded stubs remained where his arthritic kneecaps used to be. The Master chuckled. “Wasn’t anything they could do, not without the expertise of that Prince…oh, what’s his name…the plump one….” The priest retreated into his mind, preparing to conduct a laborious investigation for the elusive name. Cody cleared his throat, thankfully causing the priest to forget his quest.

“Legs are overrated!” Stalkton declared. “Legs can never take one everywhere that a mind can, but one’s imagination can effortlessly transport you anywhere your legs could, and beyond…besides, pretty maidens love a man with battle scars! Although it
has
made it rather problematic to wash myself….” The mystery of the room’s vile smell was, unfortunately, a mystery no longer.

“Master, I’m afraid I can’t continue my training. I am going to El Dorado.” Cody braced himself for rebuttal, but Stalkon simply nodded pleasantly.

“Oh, how splendid. Be sure to pack several pairs of underpants. I never seem to remember; gets
so
breezy, especially when I customarily forget to pack pants as well and…”

“Master, did you hear me? I’m going to
El Dorado
, to rescue Jade from the Golden King.”

At the mention of the Golden King, the revelation finally registered. “If you face the King…he will kill you.” The absolute certainty of the statement was unsettling. “You’ve only just begun your training. The Book is all that separates you from being an average, or even below average student. Indeed, it’s actually rather embarrassing to call you my pupil…perhaps in public you could only refer to me in code….”

“
Thanks
, Master, but I have no choice. Jade needs me. If I can just hold the King off long enough…” Stalkton began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Cody demanded, offended by the outburst.

“You!” Stalkton laughed, aiming his boney index finger at Cody. “You
still
don’t understand. For a millennium the Golden King has obsessed over the Orb. It’s his addiction. He has exceeded all boundaries of possibility. He has no code, no ethics, no morality—only unquenchable desire. Even I, in all my shameless brilliance, would be nothing but an inconvenience to him. He cannot be beaten.”

Cody felt sweat rise through his pores. “If he’s invincible, why doesn’t he just march to Atlantis himself?” asked Cody.

“Simple. Despite unequaled power, he remains bound by the Covenant of the Books. King Ishmael was a gentle man—but not a guileless man. Whatever power he wielded in forming the Covenant remains elusive to his brother.” Stalkton’s voice died to a murmur. “Although I fear for not much longer. The Golden King has sought to produce
The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own
. When he succeeds, the Covenant will fall and he will let loose his full, unrelenting power on Under-Earth.”

“
The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own
?” Cody probed with a raised eyebrow.

Stalkton shook his head. “I would not tell you more if threatened with certain death. I refuse to speak plainly of it even to myself. It’s the first step on the road to destruction. It would be nothing but a temptation; a burden I won’t willingly bestow upon you. We will never speak of it again.”

Cody nodded in reluctant agreement, although the temptation already had seized his curiosity. He committed to discover more, one way or another. “Master, I must begin my preparation. I just wanted to visit you before I left.” Cody turned to leave but stopped, again noticing the silence. “Master…where are the other priests?”

Stalkton sighed. “You already know the answer to your question…they are dead. You and Xerx are all that remain of the Brotherhood, our last hope…a reality so dismally depressing it makes me tingle…
oh
…or perhaps that’s because I just urinated my pants.”

7

Murky Motives

THE GROUND BENEATH HIS FEET SWAYED. As the balcony shrunk smaller and smaller, Cody’s stomach tightened and his limbs became jittery. He wasn’t sure whether it was due to his life-long phobia of heights—or because of what awaited him at the top.

The platform jerked to a stop, sending Cody tumbling against the rails. He stepped off onto the Sanctuary’s domed roof. Peering across the smooth, metallic surface, he saw her.

Tiana rested on her nest-like bed. Her back was turned and her thick blonde hair, which was accented by a scarlet rose tucked behind her ear, was draped over her left shoulder. She wore a white nightgown that flowed out around her like a marvelous snowflake. Cody had never seen her so peaceful.

She held up a smooth stone tablet that she was painting. The art depicted a large, blooming, silver flower. Each of the four petals formed the shape of a heart.

Cody couldn’t bear to disturb her privacy. He inched back toward the elevator. But the moment his foot pressed against the frail wooden planks, a brash creak exploded.

Tiana’s head perked up like a deer at the sound of danger. A hint of surprise instantly gave way to anger. Hastily pushing her artwork out of sight, she flung aside the drapes hanging over her outdoor chamber. Cody’s mouth went dry. It was the first time he had seen her without her heavy makeup or wild clothing; she looked more radiant than ever.

Tiana pulled a robe over her shoulders to cover her nightgown. “I told you not to come,” she issued with chilling steadiness.

“I just need to know what went wrong,” Cody said. “Ever since the courtyard you’ve been avoiding me. I don’t understand.” He paused, unsure whether to commit to his thought. “And, I miss you,” he added tentatively. The minute the words left his mouth he wanted to reel them back. They sounded ridiculous when spoken out loud. Whatever emotions Tiana had about the comment made no impact on her blank expression.

“I avoid you because it’s how things must be. We have nothing more to talk about. Go away.” Without waiting for a response, she spun back toward her tent.

Cody grabbed her shoulder. “Please,” he pleaded. Tiana remained still for several seconds. Then, without a word, she shrugged him off and continued walking.

“Is it because I discovered your talent as a Creator? Or skill with a sword?” Cody pleaded, without realizing he was following after her. “If you think I’m angry because you didn’t tell me, I’m not. If you ever want to talk about your past I’m here…”

Cody’s words finally struck a nerve. Tiana whirled around and shoved him backwards. “You honestly think I’m avoiding you because I think you’re
upset
with me? Why should I care? You stay the blazes out of my past, hear me? I don’t want to talk to you about anything.
Any
thing. Now leave me alone before I
force
you to leave.” The boiling anger in her eyes validated the threat.

As Cody returned to the elevator he glanced over his shoulder. “You know, Ti…I really care about you. I’m leaving Atlantis; I wanted you to know that.” He waited for a response that never came.

The stench of sweaty body odor made Cody retch. The potent aroma gripped his skin. He grinned; he never thought he would be so grateful to smell such an awful stink.

“
Illumchanta
.” Light filled the room.

Cody’s eyes followed his nose toward the frumpy little man who wore an ugly smirk on his leathery face. “About bloody time,” the man barked in a scratchy voice.

“I hate to admit it—but I actually think I’ve
missed
you, Randilin. No one else decimates my self-esteem with such precision.”

The dwarf’s plump, chapped lips changed into a smile as he soaked in what he evidently took to be the highest of compliments. “It ain’t ruddy hard when ya’ provide such excellent source material. So, what news from the land of freedom and cozy beds?” Following the ambush, all access to Randilin’s cell had been restricted. Prince Kantan personally enforced the decree, claiming Randilin’s checkered past made it unwise to allow visitors during wartime. Thankfully, Cody’s creation ability made it remarkably easy to bribe the prison guards.