City of Gold (8 page)

“Is it true?” Cody asked quietly. “What Chazic said today; about your real mission to find your wife?”

A small smirk came across Tat’s face. “I suppose it is.” He pulled an arrow from his quiver and began twirling it through his fingers. “You of all people should understand—when that piercing sting of love exposes everything else as dull and colorless….”

“What was she like? I mean…”

Tat laughed. “What
is
she like?” he corrected. “She’s the most beautiful woman alive, Upper-Earth or Under-Earth alike. Her eyes are glittering gems and her laughter could light the darkness to Atlantis and back…my precious Rali. I don’t deserve her. I never have,” he chuckled. “When I asked her to marry me, I felt so unworthy. I saved my earning for
three
years to buy her a bracelet with a heart-shaped pendant. To the Inner-City folk it would be a cheap trinket, but for me it represented everything I had to offer.”

“Did she like it?” Cody asked.

Tat shook his head. “She couldn’t stand the thing! Oh, she never said it, but I could tell by the look in her eyes. She wasn’t one for expensive clothing or excess. But she’s worn it every day since then, even to sleep. To her it represents something more priceless than anything money could buy—true love.” His voice trailed off, but his face continued to glow.

Cody shifted uncomfortably, keeping his eyes downcast. “How did you…
know
?” He felt his face flush and was thankful for the shadows.

Tat grinned. “How did I know I loved her?” Tat began drawing a heart in the sand with the arrowhead. “I knew it the day I realized I couldn’t live without her; that life apart from her
wasn’t
living….”

“Oh.” Cody responded for lack of anything better.

Tat began to chuckle. “Kid, I earn my living by reading the signs and connecting the pieces. You’re conflicted. You care about Jade like no one else. She understands you in ways that no one else ever has. But whenever Tiana looks at you or touches you, you get this feeling…”

Even the night couldn’t hide Cody’s scarlet face. “How did you…” he stumbled, but Tat laughed. “You wear your affections like a banner flown high.” Tat snapped the arrowhead from the shaft and tossed it to Cody. “We don’t know each other well, and it’s certainly not my place to decide for you. But there will come a time when
you
will need to decide between the wild lightning storm you desire and the steady mountain you need. The question is, when that time comes, which one will you choose?”

16

Carvings and Ink

SAND TRICKLED THROUGH HIS FINGERS into the dish. Cody shook the bowl gently, spreading the sand evenly.
The Speaking Sands
. His thoughts were racing too fast for sleep. He needed comforting, and Eva had the special knack of doing just that.

This is so strange
, he thought, staring at the dish. He began tracing—
First day. The Hunter. Two Dead. I Am Safe.
He leaned back. Now what? Suddenly the sand began shaking, washing out the words like an Etch-a-Sketch. He watched in amazement as letters were drawn into the sand by an invisible hand.
Hail!

Cody blushed, recalling their embarrassing encounter in the storage room. The sand in the bowl shuffled as Eva drew the words: Was worried. Who was lost? Cody quickly recapped the journey’s first day. In turn, Eva updated the affairs of Atlantis. With Cody now out of the picture, Kantan had made a heavy push for the crown and the people of Atlantis were divided.

Thinking for a moment, Cody began writing earnestly:
Do you know anything about the creation-which-should-be-one’s-own?
He had spent much of the day’s travel pondering Stalkton’s cryptic revelation.

Never heard of it.
Cody sighed.
It was worth a shot
. A yawn forced his jaw open.
Goodnight
he wrote, then headed to bed.

The moment his head touched his pillow he was blinded by the sting of light—it was morning. He groaned.

Five Days Remaining…

“No-no-no! Feel the rhythm,” Dace lectured as Cody bounced like a rag-doll in his saddle. “
You
control the motion; don’t just go limp…well, at least you’re not the
most
miserable rider…” Dace winked at Poe who was clinging to the side of his reins for dear life, flopping repeatedly against the horse’s ribs.

Several hours later Cody actually was starting to find good rhythm; or at least rhythm that wouldn’t leave his butt black and blue. Despite his outward jesting, Cody knew Dace was deeply disturbed by the previous day’s events. Lacen and Kingsty had been handpicked for the operation. Their swift death was a sobering reminder of their mission’s unfavorable odds.

“Seems like just yesterday I was a’ riding alongside ya’ in a convoy just like this. Only back then you were a dangerous fugitive.” Cody turned to acknowledge the husky guard Wolfrick as he came alongside.

“A lot has changed since then,” Cody responded gloomily. Wolfrick cackled, “Aye, suppose so…although I’m still a lousy drunkard and Sheets still smells worse than dried horse dung. Ain’t that right, Sheets?”

The red-haired Sheets appeared on Cody’s other side. “We’re nothing if not commendably consistent!” he responded proudly. Wolfrick gurgled as he took a long sip from his flask. Cody didn’t ask what was inside; it was safe to assume it wasn’t water.

“Dace is taking the deaths really hard,” Cody observed, more as a statement than a question.

Wolfrick lobbed the flask over Cody’s head to Sheets. “That he is, indeed. Good men, both of them. When you live as a soldier death always finds you in the same way. We’ve seen many comrades fall, but ol’ Dace has never grown numb to it. It’s what separates men like him from men like Levenworth.”

“Aye, two more ticks for the sword handle,” seconded Sheets.

“Two more ticks?” Cody asked.

“Every warrior slain under his command gets his initials carved into the hilt of Dace’s sword. He remembers every one by name.”

“Symbolic in a way; every enemy life he takes avenges one of his fallen soldiers,” finished Wolfrick.

Cody gazed at Dace who rode alone at the front of the convoy. He felt honored to have the Captain leading the mission.

Cody wiped his glistening forehead. The temperature increased with each step The Company took. He felt like they were plunging deeper and deeper into a blazing furnace.

Chazic had removed his shirt, fully revealing his impressive physique. Sweat shined off his back, highlighting each muscle and revealing an expansive tattoo. The faded ink depicted three equal rectangles, positioned together to form an upside-down arrow. The arrow was surrounded by a runic sun.

Sensing Cody’s stare, Chazic flung his shirt over his shoulders, concealing the image.

“What’s it mean?” Cody asked. When Chazic didn’t respond Cody probed further. “It looks significant….”

“It only has as much significance as it is given,” Chazic responded in his rich voice.

“When did you get it?” Cody persisted.

The Enforcer turned to face him. “I don’t know.”

“How can you
not know
? It probably hurt like crazy!”

Chazic shrugged. “I was dedicated to the AREA as an infant. Silkian says it was already present then. That’s sufficient for me.”

“You sure don’t talk much,” Cody observed.

“I speak when something is worth saying,” A sudden snicker drew their attention. Tat had reared to face them. “He prefers speaking with magical orbs.”

Chazic grinned. “If you talked to the holy Orb half as much as you shot your mouth, you might almost be a pious man.”

“Children, stop your bickering,” interrupted Dace. “We’ve arrived at Redtown.”

17

Redtown

THE FIERY PLAINS. A hazy cloud of scorching heat hovered overhead and served as a warning to all unfortunate trespassers to stay away. The barren grounds stretched as far as the eye could see. Resting on the edge of wasteland was a small cluster of buildings.

Who would ever live in such a miserable place?
Coming to a stop in the town square, Cody received his answer—
absolutely nobody
. The doors and windows of the rundown buildings were bolted up; and by the look of it, they had been that way for a long time.

“War doesn’t just stain human life,” Tat explained. “An epic battle during the Great War scorched the land with fire and blood. This crumbled parish was once teeming with vibrant life.”

Dace’s long hair clung to his neck like a wet mop and his face was inflamed. “But now, no one passes through Redtown, which is to our advantage. Night soon will be upon us. Find shelter from the heat. We depart at first light.” The Company dispatched, fervent to escape the unbearable temperature.

Cody found the building farthest from the square. He was eager for a little privacy; not to mention ample distance from Wolfrick’s resounding snoring. The two-story building had once dually functioned as a store below and a living quarter on top.

Finding the bedroom, Cody flopped onto the tattered bed. As always, he removed the Book from his backpack and slid it under his shirt for safekeeping. The flowing energy felt refreshing after the day’s ride.

“
Byrae
,” he whispered. A cool draft came streaming through the window. The breeze was frigid as it rolled over his sweaty skin. He gazed out the window.
Jade, where are you?
He had only been gone two days, but already the journey felt an eternity.
I miss you
….

Cody’s eyes shot open and he sat up. His heart was racing and he was drenched in sweat. It was dark outside but he was fully alert. He turned to the doorway. Standing in its frame was a man; two lid-less eyes peering directly at him. “
Ahhhh
!”

“Cody, it’s okay!” Cody’s eyes opened. He was lying down again, although still soaked in sweat. Tiana stared down in concern. “It was just a nightmare.” Cody sat back up and glanced to the empty doorway.

“There was a man…in the doorway.” Cody tried pointing but Tiana pushed his arm down and pulled him toward her. “It was just a nightmare.”

“It felt so…
real
. What are you doing here anyways?”

Tiana stood from the bed. “I was sleeping downstairs when I heard screaming. I thought I was alone in this house so I came to investigate....” Cody grinned; he was seasoned in the art of excuses. As a master, he saw right through Tiana’s amateur lie.

“Why would you sleep downstairs if…
He’s back
!” Cody pointed to the door. Tiana seized her dagger. A large silhouette filled the open door.

“Show yourself!” Tiana demanded. The figure stepped forward—followed by another man, and then another. Dozens of men poured into the room; each one with skin armored with gold platelets.

Tiana swung her knife up just in time to block a savage blow.

“We’re under attack!”

18

Ominous Feelings

ATLANTIS HAD ALREADY DRIFTED into its nocturnal slumber; the creaking of ancient buildings rattling like deep, rhythmic snoring. Eva gazed down on them from her chamber window. Like the city, the citizens had succumbed to the need for rest, every worry and care set aside to be picked up and worn the following morning. For the time being, however, pleasant dreams blinded them to despairing realities. For Eva, it usually was her favorite time of day—but not tonight.