Legend of the Book Keeper (41 page)

Cody timidly watched the scene play out. Just when things had been looking up again, they had, just as quickly, come crashing down. Cody was no politician, but even he could feel the tension building in the room. The two most influential positions in the entire empire had just been vacated. At a time when unity was needed, Cody hoped ambition could be set aside.

“Why don’t we do both?” he said before he could stop himself.

Every eye in the room turned to him. “What do you propose, Book Keeper?” asked Eagleton attentively.

Silkian’s black, marble eyes finally rose from the table. “Yes, indeed. Continue.”

Cody’s mind searched for an appropriate answer as the room waited for his response. “Well, perhaps either Dace or Eagleton could take the majority of the troops to aid Flore Gub and Lilley, while the other stays here to oversee the funeral processions.”

Cia stroked her long hair as she sat unblinking. “The Book Keeper has spoken wisely.”

The bald-headed Eagleton stood upright and saluted Cia. “I pledge my services to the Queen. If you deem me worthy, I offer my services to lead my troops, as well as Levenworth’s legions, to the borderlands to aid their defense. Captain Dace will remain here with his Outer-City troop to oversee the funeral events.”

Cia turned toward Dace with a raised eyebrow. “No disrespect intended, and I by no means wish to call into question the competency of your troops, but there will be thousands arriving here from the four corners of UnderEarth. It would be understandable if the sheer mass of people proved too large to . . .”

“I trust my men with my life. They will be more than able to fulfill this task,” Dace cut in assertively. “In my military opinion, we cannot leave any more troops in the city than absolutely necessary. What is your final verdict, Lady . . . pardon me,
Queen
Cia?”

Although Cia’s face showed no signs of stress or worry, Cody couldn’t help but pity the beautiful Queen. She had begun her reign by being cast straight into the furnace.

“It shall be as you suggest. Captain Eagleton, in the absence of General Levenworth, I entrust you with full command over the defensive effort. You are to depart tonight. Ready the legions. Captain Dace, you will gather your troops and begin security preparations for the funeral. Dismissed.”

Although no words were spoken, Cody felt the weight of Jade’s presence as they stood together on the wall, overlooking the city. Not that long had passed since their unassuming, routine trip to
Wesley’s Rare and Amazing Book Store
, but it seemed to Cody that everything had changed. For the first time in their long friendship, Cody felt awkward around Jade. He searched the depths of his brain for a conversation starter but found nothing. Jade seemed unaffected as she gazed at the city. Or was she feeling as uncomfortable as he was?

Jade had always had a competitive side to her. Was it jealousy over his new position and power as the Book Keeper that caused the tension in their friendship? Cody risked a glance at his friend who continued to look out at the city, obliviously. Cody wasn’t sure how it had happened, but a vast crevasse had formed between them. He hated it. He missed having his best friend. Jade was one of the few people who truly understood him, weaknesses and all. When he was with Tiana he felt exhilarated, but he found himself unable to talk about anything important. It suddenly struck Cody just how much he needed Jade. He had been trying to hold down the mounting pressure. With the war to break any day, Atlantis was going to look to him as the Book Keeper to lead the way. Could he do it? Was he ready? Or was it all just another glorified amplification of Starky’s classroom where he needed Jade to bail him out, over and over? Only time would tell—but, unfortunately, that the time was approaching swiftly as a summer breeze.

The transformation of the city in a single night was shocking. The front courtyard of the palace billowed with extravagant flowers of every color. Green vines crawled up the side of the building and radiating balls of light hung suspended in the air like little stars. Focused on the floating lights, Cody’s foot caught a leafy vine. He tumbled forward and collided with something. That something was Xerx.

“I guess the great Book Keeper has far more important matters to attend to rather than acting as a lowly gardener. Or perhaps you’re too busy running after more flighty blondes? Glad to know you’re staying so focused on your responsibilities as Book Keeper.” Xerx spit on the ground in front of Cody. “Now get out of my sight before I have these vines carry you up the wall with them.”

Cody saw that several of the other Brotherhood Monks were moving around the courtyard creating greenery and decorations out of nothing.

As Cody exited the garden he muttered under his breath, “
Gadour
.
Gai di gasme
.” Seconds later there was a scream followed by a curse, “Ouch! My toe!” yelled Xerx. Cody snickered as he walked away.

When the AREA gong rang, everyone routinely fell to their knees and began reciting the Orb’s Hymn. Perhaps Cody just felt paranoid, but it seemed to him that the people were reciting the hymn with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.
Were people losing faith in the Orb?

Saying “Amen,” Cody stood and continued on his way. It didn’t take long for him to notice that already people were filing in from the outskirts of Under-Earth. Th
e streets were packed. All in hooded black robes, the mourners had begun their grieving even though the funeral wasn’t until the next day.

Up on the walls, Cody saw several soldiers watching over the crowd. Cody recognized Sheets and Hex as well as a few others from Yanci’s pub. Cody was sure Dace was around somewhere watching over as well. Lowering his head, Cody weaved through the crowd toward the Monastery.

“Master Stalkton, I’m not ready!” Cody paced back and forth before his teacher, Lamgorious Stalkton, who was seated calmly on the ground. “These people are trusting in me to protect them in war. I don’t even know if I can protect myself!” Cody rested his forehead against the stone wall, the coolness of the stone felt good against his sweatsoaked skin. “The training we have done. It is wonderful to be able to control elements and such, but what am I going to do against a trained army? I don’t want to do this anymore.”

Stalkton chuckled. “Oh, son, don’t feel so singled out . . . I’m sure there are a great
many
people who don’t want you to do this anymore. It’s not illogical, you’ve been nothing but trouble since the moment you touched the Book. A bit of a disaster,” the old teacher said conversationally.

“Thanks for the pick-me-up,” Cody muttered.

Stalkton suddenly pulled his bony foot onto his lap and began picking his toenails.

Cody cringed.

“Unfortunately, unless you plan on dying, the responsibility for the Book is yours. We don’t always choose our circumstances, but we always cho
ose our actions. Therefore, let us move past what you don’t
want
to do and focus on what you
need
to do.”

Cody felt something flick onto his face and stick to his lip. He frantically brushed it off, exceedingly thankful to be in a dark room and unable to confirm his suspicion that he had been struck by a leaping toenail shard.

“So, what
am
I going to do? Learn more words?” Cody asked, still rubbing his now raw lip with his sleeve.

“Oh, words, words, words. Learning the words is not the issue. You want more words; the creation word for earth, or more specifically for dust, is
dastanda
. Another useful word is
sellunga
, which is the creation word for metal. The kind of metal depends on what specific elements you conjure up in your mind. Go ahead and memorize these words, but keep in mind that the paint is only as good as the painter using it.”

“And, what do you mean by that? I thought the whole point of our training was to learn the High Language?” Cody asked confused.

Stalkton smiled. “That is because you are not particularly bright. Pity Wesley didn’t pass the Book down to your green-eyed lady friend instead. No matter; to answer your question, my job is not to teach you to
know
the words; it’s to teach you how to
use
the words. You are not special because you know some of the High Language. This Monastery has several knowledgeable in the language. Indeed, Xerx’s depth of the language makes your sparse lexicon look like baby-talk.”

“I know already. So why am I special then?” Cody asked, his irritation level ready to flood.

“Because the Book gives you the ability to use the words in a way that the rest of us can hardly dream. After hundreds of years, Xerx can create a boulder—after several weeks
you
could create a mountain! The problem is that you are still thinking too small. You still don’t believe in yourself.
That
is how you will protect Atlantis; not by an excessive knowledge
of
the words, but by opening your mind and being able to
use
the words. When you reach that point, Cody, you will be virtually invincible.”

The Swan and the Duck

T
he coast was clear. She would have to be swift if she was going to make it in and out without being seen. With a quick glance behind, she tucked her chin to her chest and scurried across the clearing. Reaching the other side, she pressed herself against the wall.
So far, so good
. From across the way she could see her destination, the building seemed empty—she knew she was close. She took a deep breath and pushed herself off the wall—directly into Fincher Tople.