Ethan Wright and the Curse of Silence (19 page)

He again reached in his pack, pulling out Wegnel’s miracle torch and giving it a tap against the nightstand. A small flame burst out of the top. Attemping to burn the map, he held the flame underneath. It would not catch fire. He gave the torch a tap to turn it off and stuck the end in his armpit. He turned the dial on top of the torch and gave it another tap. Flames shot out, almost a foot high. He held the map in the flames for a few moments. Again, the map appeared to be unaffected. He continued examining the map, subjecting it to any other damage he could think of with no apparent success.

Dim light seeped into the infirmary through the doorway that led to the hall and no light shone through the window. Even after a day of mostly resting, Ethan was getting groggy. With the map still in his hand and Wegnel’s miracle torch by his side, his eyes drifted shut and he was soon fast asleep.

Ethan was abruptly awakened by voices coming from the hallway. They got louder, until a shrill scream that carried the very definition of fear filled Ethan’s ears. He quickly sat up and peered toward the door.

“Nurse Helga!” yelled Ethan. “Was that you? Is everything ok?” Ethan’s voice echoed in the room but went unanswered.

A small rumble could be heard, and like a symphony of thunder from a distant storm, the sound filled Ethan’s ears. He checked the window at his bedside to see if a storm was coming, but the night was clear. He heard another rumble, and another. The sound grew louder and Ethan realized that giant footsteps were approaching the infirmary. The booming echo came closer and closer until it suddenly stopped right outside the door.

Ethan fumbled for his map, grabbed his miracle torch and jumped out of bed. He tried to remove his injured hand from the jar of green goop, but the jar was stuck at his wrist.

Suddenly, the door flew open and crashed into the wall. The top hinge ripped off completely, leaving the door hanging crooked against the wall. The light from the hallway blinded Ethan for a moment. He realized that he was now staring at the shadowy figure of the giant Stonewolf, just a stone’s throw away.

The beast’s chest heaved in and out as drool flung out from every exhaled breath. The Stonewolf stepped into the infirmary, ducking its enormous head under the doorway as it entered. It appeared to be wearing a new pinch-shackle — this time attached to the creature’s neck. It looked directly at Ethan with its one giant yellow eye. The other, still injured from Loki’s attack, was swollen shut and looked agonizing. It clenched its jaw, grinding its teeth from side to side as if preparing to feast.

Ethan froze for only a moment. The wolf charged through the infirmary, shoving empty beds from its path. Ethan quickly slammed his miracle torch against the nightstand, igniting a colossal flame. The Stonewolf was surprised and halted momentarily. Ethan smashed the jar of green goop against the nightstand, flinging glass and jelly-like paste everywhere. Fending off the Stonewolf with the miracle torch, he leaned toward his pack. With his jelly-covered hand, he wrapped the map around the handle of his sword and pulled it from its scabbard.

“STAY BACK!” yelled Ethan, swinging the torch at the creature.

The wolf snapped and growled as it tried to find a way around the flame coming from the torch. The sword made a
CRACK
, and streaks of blue glided down the blade. Heat was radiating through the creases of the map. Ethan swung the sword tip toward the wolf, holding it as far away from his body as he could. More heat poured from the handle, becoming almost unbearable on Ethan’s eyes and face. The wolf sensed this heat as well and backed up several steps.

Ethan had to act now, or risk dropping the sword altogether. He quickly swung the sword over his head and with all his might, lashed it toward the Stonewolf. A thin line of molten fire extended from the blade like a whip, hitting the beast across the face. It recoiled; quickly covering the resulting wound, the beast howled and bolted out of the infirmary on all fours.

Ethan gave a sigh of relief, and the sword gradually began to cool. His jagged breathing started to slow. He released his grasp on the sword and it clanked against the stone floor of the infirmary. He shoved the map in his pocket as the goop on his hand gave off whirls of smoke, smoldering from the heat of the sword. Slowly dripping from his fingertips, the green paste cooled instantly as it made contact with the stone floor. Still in shock, Ethan refused to release his gaze from the spot where the Stonewolf had stood. Hearing a hiss, he realized the flame was still shooting out of his miracle torch. Without breaking eye contact with the doorway, he leaned over to the nightstand and gave it a small tap, extinguishing the flame.

Just then Heinrich rushed through the doorway. Seeing the door hanging from its hinges; a thin line of molten fire smoldering on the floor, wall, and one of the infirmary beds; glass smashed all over the floor; and green goop everywhere, Heinrich exploded.

“WHAT THE HELL? I don’t even know where to begin! You destroyed yet another floor? I will have you for this, boy!” he roared.

Just then the bed that had been smoldering collapsed in two. Heinrich charged forward, grabbing Ethan’s arm. “You’re coming with me.”

Ethan was pulled down the hallway and shoved into a room on the left, where several people were gathering. Heinrich quickly attempted to make his presence known.

“General Lodbrok!” yelled Heinrich through the havoc. “General Vacheal Lodbrok! I seem to have found the source of all the commotion. It seems that Mr. Wright took it upon himself to destroy yet
another
piece of historically significant property,” announced Heinrich. His voice was barely louder than the bickering of Nurse Helga, the rambling of Edison Rupert, and Madam Kheller who was babbling frantically to the General.

“I’m sorry, what’s this?” asked the silver-bearded General, motioning with his hands for everyone to be silent.

“I discovered that Ethan Wright has destroyed half the infirmary! It appears his alchemy training has gone awry. As I protested earlier, the boy should be banned from Tirguard.”

General Lodbrok looked over at Ethan.

“Explain yourself,” commanded the General.

“Ethan didn’t cause this!” interrupted Nurse Helga. “A horrible-looking wolf came down the corridor when I was doing my rounds. I locked myself in this office — barely able to escape the creature,” sobbed Helga. “It was headed toward … the infirmary … toward Ethan!”

“And what did you see, Ethan?” asked Edison calmly.

“Um, I was resting and I heard a commotion. Then, the Stonewolf came into the infirmary. I used the sword to try and scare it off. I ended up hitting it in its …”

“Face?” pressed Edison anxiously.

Ethan looked surprised. Heinrich looked even more surprised.

“Don’t worry, Heinrich, the City Watch has been notified. And it was reported back that the Stonewolf has managed to scale the city walls and escape. It appeared to be injured across the face — thanks to Ethan … and thanks to alchemy, the beast fled,” added Edison sternly.

This was the first time Ethan had ever seen Heinrich look embarrassed.

“That school is an abomination to the name
alchemy!
It was closed for good reason, and should remain closed,” snarled Heinrich, but his protest went unregarded.

“You are one of my most trusted men, Heinrich, but I take orders from only two people — King and Castellan. I give orders to all else ruled in Tirguard. There is nothing you can do about the alchemy school reopening — it’s here to stay by order of the King, so come to terms with it. If you wish a student under the school of alchemy to be punished, Edison is Captain — talk to him … not me,” stated General Lodbrok.

“Captain?” argued Heinrich, stomping his foot.

“Of course,” said the General. “You’re Captain of the Guard, and Edison is Captain of any student of alchemy in Tirguard — which makes you equally ranked. So if you could discuss your quarrels with him instead of me … that would be appreciated.”

“He has four students under him — that hardly makes him a Captain!” exclaimed Heinrich.

“Do you desire him to be Captain of all students, Guard included?”

Heinrich appeared to choke on his own spit momentarily. He snorted and huffed. “No, General, that will not be necessary,” surrendered Heinrich reluctantly.

Chapter 21
The Stadion Distraction

The crowd
booed
as a spear stuck into the ground just shy of its mark. But as Magnus entered the arena, the crowd in the great Stadion cheered so loud that Ethan thought the giant stone walls would shake apart.

Ethan and Auren made their way up the stone staircase just inside the Stadion walls — they looked around for where Stanley and Availia might be sitting. Not finding their classmates, they followed another set of stairs that went halfway to the top of the wall, ending at a small doorway. A short, red-bearded fat man standing by the doorway noticed the boys and ran down the stairs to approach them.

“Aye, you there!” He was vertically regressed due to age, wearing a silly hat and small, stylish spectacles.

“Us?” asked Auren.

“Yeah, you, I need a really big favor from you — can you follow me up here please?”

Ethan looked at Auren; the man did not seem threatening at all. He looked, in fact, sort of silly.

“Please, I’m kind of in a jam here, I just need you for … seventeen seconds … please?” pleaded the man again. He seemed very desperate, so the boys gave in and followed him up the stairs and through the door. They realized they had walked into an announcer’s booth.

“What is
this?
” asked Ethan, but was barely heard for the roaring of the crowd.

The fat man leaned into an elaborate mouthpiece that led to an enormous funnel. In a very deep, loud voice he bellowed out to the masses, “Ladies and gentlemen!” The rumble of the crowd grew much louder. The portly man paused to let them cheer for a while.

“Ladies and gentlemen, do I have a treat for you on this most glorious day. I don’t want to be without a proper introduction so let me say, I had an epiphany — a grand idea that tops
all
grand ideas. To introduce the first event, better late than never, I have none other than the grand marquis of wisdom, the warrior for those who find themselves shrouded in peril — the very brother of Isaac the Virtuous. Show your love today for none other than …
Ethan Wriiiiight!
” The announcer looked over to Ethan with a grin and motioned for him to come to the funnel device. Ethan did not want to go at all, but with a shove and a grin from Auren, he stepped up to the fat man.

“A favor, huh?” Ethan whispered to the man. “What do I say?”

But the red-bearded announcer ignored him and stood back. Admiring the adulation from the crowd, he took a bow.

Ethan crept forward, stuck his face near the device and mumbled, “Uh, let the event begin.” The first part squeaked out, but the audience did not seem to care; they roared with anticipation and Ethan took a few steps back.

As the plump man was clapping he said from the side of his mouth, “Brilliant, kid, they love you.”

“What was that about?” asked Ethan.

Auren leaned into Ethan. “So much for keeping to ourselves,” he laughed.

The announcer ignored them and the first event got underway. Ethan and Auren watched intently as armored men took turns throwing spears. Ethan noticed that Auren’s eyes were riveted on the action below.

“Makes the youth sword competition look pretty small, huh?” asked Auren.

“Yeah, this place is huge!” exclaimed Ethan.

The bespectacled announcer glanced at Auren. “Hey, you look familiar too, do I know you?”

“I don’t know,” replied Auren, not breaking his concentration.

“Well what is your name, lad?”

“Auren … Faryndon,” replied Auren.

The fat man’s eyes grew in size. “In many many years, I never would have thought …”

The event came to an end and the man rushed to the speaking device.

“Now that was fantastic!” The Stadion resounded with the cheering of the crowd. “Give some applause to our exhibition champion from our own Tirguard, Tranhom Welton!” The crowd grew even louder and he paused for them to finish. “Now then, you did not expect to come here today and see Ethan Wright, but Ethan you saw, and he amazed you with his ground-rattling announcement; but what would you folks do if I could warm your hearts?” He paused and the crowd thundered. “What would you do if I could rattle your bones?” He paused again, and again the crowd cheered. “And what would you do if I told you that here today, in this very Stadion, we have the son of the mightiest Stadion Champion in existence? Pound your hands for Auren Faryndon, son of
GHIIIIISLAAIIIIIN!
”

Ethan had never heard anything this loud before. The audience was pounding on the wooden rails and stomping their feet, all the while shouting at the very top of their lungs.

Auren had jumped upright and seemed to be in mortal shock. He stood there looking at the crowd with a blank expression.

The red-bearded man leaned over to him. “You got anything to say, boy?” Auren stood there motionless with his jaw hanging open. The tubby man waited for a reply but none came. “Well, just wave then,” he added kindly. Auren lifted a hand and waved to the crowd. The cheers and applause came quickly, followed by chants for Auren and Ghislain. The noise was so loud that Auren couldn’t hear Ethan, who was standing right next to him.

When the crowd finally settled down Ethan leaned in to talk to the fat man. “Who
are
you, anyway?” he asked.

“Oh my, I do apologize, boys. I am Red, the announcer for the great Stadion.”

“How do you know my brother?”

“Firstly, kid, who
doesn’t
know him? And secondly, you look just like him … I mean it’s uncanny.”

“Actually,” started Auren in his smarty-pants voice, “he looks
exactly
like him.”

Ethan waited for a moment, expecting to get a better answer from Red, but soon realized that none was coming.