The Mapkeeper and the Rise of the Wardens (20 page)

Odessa and Auriel rejoined the table, their faces red and tear-streaked.

“You’re as much a member of the alliance as any of us, Glump,” Zadok assured the goblin leader. “But we can’t jump to conclusions about Rhys. We need to speak to him ourselves. As a group.”

“Agreed,” Cadmus chimed in. “We must summon him to the centaur cavern to explain what happened for himself.”

“I believe I can help with that,” Lucy replied, pulling the map out of her pocket. She had a sudden idea, and she hoped it would work. The eyes of most of the clan leaders settled on her as she spread the map on the table before her. Some appeared skeptical, others hopeful, while some hung their heads in dejection.

She examined the map. “He’s active on the map right now. If I can manipulate the map, I should be able to manipulate him, too.”

“Like the water from the moat!” Mack exclaimed, grinning.

“Exactly,” Lucy’s eyes twinkled.

She exhaled and focused on the crude sketch of the little satyr slurping soup in his kitchen. Drumming her fingers against his little hut, she willed the structure to tremble. She was pleased when pots and pans dangling from wall-mounted hooks in the hut began to sway and clang against one another. The animated satyr leapt up in alarm as the whole structure began to shake, his soup splashing out of the bowl onto the table. Lucy watched as Rhys struggled to keep his balance, bracing himself against the counter top as objects came crashing down around him. Drawing focus from her grief, she maintained her concentration. She drummed harder and harder, until he shuffled across the hut and burst through the front door, stumbling out onto the grass.

Lucy stopped drumming and pressed a firm finger against the front door of the hut, causing it to slam shut. The animation of Rhys scratched between his horns and looked around, confused. His world had stopped shaking. He tested the doorknob, and finding it sealed shut, began to stomp and kick the door in a fit of anger. Unflustered, Lucy held the door shut.

The clan leaders leaned closer, fascinated to watch the scene unfold. Stamping in a circle and shaking his fists, Rhys shouted his rage at being locked out of his own hut. This elicited a snicker of delight from Glump. As Rhys stomped around to the back side of the hut, no doubt intending to test some alternate method of entry, Lucy released the front door and began to draw large, sweeping waves in the grass outside the hut with her finger. The land under Rhys’ hooves began to undulate like waves on the Dark Sea. Losing his balance, Rhys slammed sideways into one of the singled sidings of his hut.

“Whoa…” Luke murmured.

Lucy continued the steady undulating movements, but moved her finger away from Rhys so that the land was unsteady just south of him, while the land to the north remained stable. She slowly pushed the waves toward him. The satyr threw his little arms up in disbelief, spotting the force moving toward him in the form of waves through the earth. He stepped back toward the path that led into the valley, away from the waves. Lucy continued to move the unstable land waves toward him, herding him onto the path and down into the valley.

She stole a glance at her companions. In her concentration she hadn’t noticed them gather so near. The clan leaders stood in a tight circle around the map watching her work, mixtures of amusement and utter wonder on their faces. Even Enzo, who had remained silent throughout the meeting thus far, couldn’t hide the fact that he was impressed.

Lucy refocused on using the map to make waves in the earth, corralling the unwilling satyr into the valley and toward Doldrums Forest. She suspected that at this point, he might have figured out who was causing this to happen. After all, he’d witnessed her make the whole castle shake at the first clan leader meeting, and later, her incredible feat with the moat. Seeming to give up, Rhys cooperated at last, trudging down the path leading across the valley, past Glacial Lake, and into the forest.

She stopped making the land waves when he proved he would continue to walk without prodding. Even on the map, his detailed facial expression divulged his resentment, much to Glump’s delight.

“Hee hee hee!” the goblin leader cackled, clutching his green pot belly with his claw-like hands.

When Rhys entered Doldrums Forest, the map lost all life and color. It reverted to its most basic form, with no creatures, labels, or animations. Lucy was at a loss, unsure of what caused the sudden and inconvenient change. She slammed a fist on the map in frustration, but it remained dull and unresponsive.

“I lost it,” she said, her eyes darting across the map. “The map just fizzled out on me.”

“Well, we know he entered the forest,” Zadok replied in his calm, matter-of-fact manner. “I can send a search party to find him.”

“No. It’s not safe out there,” Adalia insisted.

“We can’t leave him on his own,” Zadok countered. “I will send a group of armed centaurs. They will proceed along the main path to the spot where we saw Rhys enter the forest. If he is not found, they will return to the cavern straight away.”

Lucy nodded, seeing no other choice. Zadok trotted off to pass his orders to Axel and Lance. Lucy was glad to see those two weren’t among the centaurs killed in the Wardens’ attack. They were gruff around the edges, but she liked Axel and Lance.

The clan leaders left the dining hall and went to their separate chambers to rest during this lull in the planning process. Zadok promised to send for them the moment his search party returned.

Back in the chamber where she’d slept, Lucy sighed, collapsing into one of the ceiling-suspended hammock chairs she remembered from their first visit to the centaur cavern.
That felt like ages ago
, she reflected. Mack, Luke, and Cadmus sunk into hammock chairs on either side of her. Zadok joined them, reclining on a cushion opposite Lucy.

“I’m glad it’s just us for a moment,” she admitted, “because I discovered something about the map that I want to share with you.” She picked up a pitcher from the low table beside her and filled a tin cup with water. Pulling out the map, she sprinkled a few drops onto the lower right corner, smearing them with her thumb. She stood, holding the map up against the backdrop of one of the candelabras.

Luke gasped. “It’s the Commune seal!” he announced.

“I know,” Lucy replied. “I found it by accident when I… when my…” she hesitated, looking away. “…when a few tears spilled on the map back in Algid.” She was ashamed, though she knew her brothers and her friends would not judge her.
I’m supposed to be strong
, she chided herself.

Mack put a hand on her back. “It’s okay, Lucy,” he reassured her. “This is all so much to take in, and you have been doing a great job. Better than I would be doing,” he added, meeting her gaze with sincerity. She didn’t think that was true, but her love for her brother welled up like a fountain in her chest, bringing tears to her eyes. She could only nod her thanks, looking down and dabbing the corners of her eyes.

“What does it mean?” Cadmus asked.

“Where we come from, everyone is governed by the Commune,” Mack explained. “They regulate every aspect of our lives. But we were raised to be mistrustful of the Commune. Many people, including our father, have been treated badly by the Commune, but are unable to speak about it for fear of the Commune retaliating.” Mack glanced at his sister, pain behind his eyes. She knew they were both thinking of their mother. It hurt just to think about her, let alone
talk
about her.

Lucy couldn’t bring herself to tell her brothers what had happened to their father back in Algid. It was far too painful to bear, so she forced the memory from her mind in a concentrated effort to control her emotion.

“The Representative of the People, as he calls himself, was the one who had custody of the map before I took it,” she spoke up, her voice wavering. “He is the leader of the Commune. And with the way the watermark Commune seal is blinking…” She held the map up to the light again so they could see the faint, blinking imprint.

“It looks just like the tracking devices they use in their ankle straps!” Luke finished her sentence.

“That’s what I thought too,” she agreed, “which is why I think the Commune has been tracking me since I took possession of the map.” The thought sent a harsh shiver down her spine.

Mack’s eyes were wide with fear.

“It has always been a power struggle for the map,” Zadok sighed, scratching his chin in thought. “The position of Mapkeeper comes with much power and responsibility. But throughout history, there have always been those who envy the Mapkeeper… who want that power for themselves. This seems to me another example of someone trying to take control of the map.”

“Yeah, but this time, that someone is pretty dangerous,” Luke added. “The Commune is ruthless! They punish people for crimes they can’t even prove were committed. Not only are they brutal, but their authority can’t be questioned. As citizens, we are at the utter mercy of the Commune.”

“If the Representative of the People can track you, I wonder if he’s taken any other steps toward controlling the map.” Cadmus asked. “Based on my research, the Mapkeepers of the past have been the only ones able to control the map. Lucy, you and I agreed that it’s your ability to harness and focus your emotion that allows you to control the map. Can you think of a time when you tried to use the map but it didn’t work?”

“Yes. When the map transported me back to Algid. That was unexpected and not at all what I wanted at the time. Do you think it’s possible that Mr. Quincy has some sort of control over the map?” Her stomach tightened with dread.

“Anything is possible,” Zadok replied. “But know that you are never alone, Lucy. We will fight by your side for what is right.”

Cadmus nodded his agreement. “You are the Mapkeeper, and because of the original spell cast on the map, you are the only one with the ability to control it,” he added. “You are Praxis’ defender, chosen for your courage and purity of heart. I will fight to the death if need be to preserve you.” He held her gaze as he spoke. Lucy’s heart swelled with affection for him.

“I know you mean it, Cadmus,” she held his gaze in the flickering light of the torches. “You are the truest allies I could hope for,” she told her four companions, her courage renewed by their support.

҉

The search party returned with Rhys in tow a half hour later. Zadok gathered the clan leaders back in the dining hall, which was now empty of guests. Everyone had gone back to their respective chambers to wait. An air of restlessness hung over the shadowy cavern as the clan leaders waited for Rhys to be brought in.

“Where’s Luke?” Lucy whispered to Mack, who was seated beside her.

“I don’t know. He was right behind me when we were coming into the dining hall. Then I sat down, and he was gone. Maybe he had to use the restroom.”

Five minutes later, Axel came into the dining hall and addressed Zadok: “The satyr was brought inside the cavern and the main gate has been confirmed locked and bolted shut. But the little beast has run off. We can’t find him. I have ten centaurs hunting him down now, sir.”

The clan leaders erupted in tense chatter. Lucy could see it hurt Axel’s pride to have to report Rhys missing to his boss.

“All right, Axel, keep up the search. There’s only one way in and out, so he’s here somewhere.” Zadok remained calm.

“Yes, sir.” Axel trotted out of the dining hall, barking orders to the other centaurs.

“Would he run off if he were innocent?” Glump shouted over the others. “This proves he’s guilty of conspiring with the Wardens!”

Lucy was incredulous. Even gruff little Rhys wasn’t evil enough to collaborate with those creatures… right? Her nerves were on edge.
Where is Luke?

Pairs of centaurs trotted the cavern pathways, calling out to one another as they cleared caves and chambers on the hunt for Rhys. Their shouts and the heavy clopping of hooves echoed off the cavern walls, fading in and out of audible range as they traversed the network of interconnected caves.

In the midst of a tense silence among the clan leaders, Rhys and Luke walked calmly into the dining chamber.

“Luke!” Lucy jumped to her feet in shock.

“There he is!” Adalia shouted, pointing at Rhys.

Zadok stood from his position at the head of the table and addressed Rhys in his typical calm, collected tone. “Rhys. We’ve been awaiting the pleasure of your company. Please, take a seat.” He gestured to the end of the table opposite himself.

The agitated satyr tugged on the high-backed wooden chair at the head of the table opposite Zadok and hopped up into the seat. Luke slid into an empty seat beside Lucy. She gave him an exaggerated look of consternation. He shrugged and mouthed the words, “I’ll tell you later.”

The flames of the tabletop candelabras flickered, casting light across the solemn faces seated around the table. The clan leaders stared at the satyr in shock. Axel peered into the dining hall as he trotted by. Seeing the back of Rhys’ head, he stopped and entered.

“He’s in here!” Axel called to a companion. “Spread the word and call off the search. The little bugger is here. We won’t let him out of our sight again sir,” he promised Zadok.

“If you wanted to talk to me, you could have just sent a messenger,” Rhys barked at Lucy, his hairy arms crossed over his chest. “You know, the old fashioned way.”

“Not all of us are on such good terms with the Wardens that we can just venture out without fear of being attacked!” Glump shouted, jumping out of his chair.

Rhys was on his feet in an instant. “That’s a weighty accusation you’re making, Glump!” he snarled, pointing at the goblin across the length of the table. Lucy was glad they weren’t seated side by side. She was sure a fight would break out if they were within reach of one another.

Cadmus stood, seated halfway between the two. He held an arm out to each of them. “Take it easy, both of you. Glump, we aren’t here to fire off accusations. Rhys, we just have some questions for you based on things that were seen during the Wardens’ attack, that’s all.”

The fuming satyr sat back down, cheeks bright red beneath his furrowed brow. “Fine. Ask whatever you want. But hurry up about it. I don’t appreciate being interrupted during my supper, locked out of my own home, and herded like an animal!”