by D P Rowell
“But he might know where they are,” Ace said.
“I think it’s too dangerous,” Cameron said.
“Look.” Father jumped in. He nudged his two sons toward the ripped couch covered with duct tape and oozing foam. “Let’s just compromise for tonight. I’m sure you have many questions for me.”
Ace and Cameron sat on the couch. Father pulled a stool from behind him and sat down in front of them. Half of Colton Halder’s face reflected the flickering orange of the fire beside him. His smile was pure and warmed Ace’s heart. It seemed as if all the strife between him and his father was a thing of the past. Maybe it was the elyr working in him? But Father also seemed different. Happier.
“We do,” Cameron said. “Where have you been? And . . . how long have you known how to hunt?”
“Well, I’ve been here, in Naraka,” Father said. “Waiting on you two to show up.”
Ace and Cameron eyed each other strangely, then looked back to Father. “You knew we’d be here?” Ace said.
Father nodded. “And to your second question, I’ve known how to hunt since I was just about Ace’s age.”
“But, but . . . we thought Grandpa kept it a secret from the family,” Cameron said.
Father sighed. He rested his arms on his knees and leaned forward. “Okay, better idea. How about I just go from the beginning and see if all your questions get answered. Sound good?”
Ace and Cameron nodded.
Father half smiled and began his story. “When I turned twelve, Dad—your grandfather—brought me to Gathara and showed me what was happening with the witches. He told me it was important I speak of hunting to no one. He even kept it hidden from Kaitlyn. He told me about witches, the Council of Warlocks, all of it.”
“Wait,” Ace said, “The elite had no idea Grandpa even had family. How did they not remember you?”
Father tilted his head. “Elite?”
Ace sat up straight. He remembered his conversation with Sebastian on their way to Naraka.
“Oh,” Ace said, “there was no elite when you were there.”
“What is this elite?” Father said.
“The elite,” Ace said, “are a group of the most powerful hunters in Gathara. Grandpa put them together to help run things when he was gone.”
Cameron interjected. “One of the members of our group is one, actually. You'll meet him when they arrive.”
Father chuckled. “Guess the pirates weren’t capable enough?”
“What do you mean pirates?” Ace said, feeling curious wrinkles form at his eyebrows.
Father held his hands wide as if to display himself. “You’re looking at ‘em.”
Cameron and Ace looked at each other, then back to Father.
Colton Halder continued. “The pirates are like the elite, based on what you have described. Only they operate in secret. They’re unknown to the rest of Gathara. Well—and Yutara for that matter.”
“And Grandpa had you lead them?” Cameron asked.
Father scratched his head. “Well, no. Not exactly. Look, let’s just go back to me telling the story.
“Like I said, when I was twelve, your grandfather taught me about hunting. He told me he was impressed with my abilities and wanted to put together a team when I grew old enough. Only, things got pretty bad as I got older.” Father sighed and combed his fingers through his hair. “Kaitlyn, your aunt, grew increasingly more obnoxious. She became an evil little thing. Sorry, I shouldn’t talk bad about your aunt. But, it was just how I felt at the time. I couldn’t get over it. And every time we’d be around each other, she’d have to prove how much better she was than me. She grew increasingly more jealous because Dad and I were spending more time together (due to the hunting, of course). But the thing that got me the most was how Dad never did anything about it. He never chose sides. He just wanted peace between us. But I grew resentful. Eventually, it got so bad, your grandfather told me I could no longer hunt until I learned how to deal with my strife toward your Aunt Kaitlyn. That didn’t make things any better. I just grew more resentful and more hateful towards her and I . . .”
Father paused. He looked at Cameron and Ace and his eyes moistened.
“I . . .” he said again. “I took it out on you two. And for that, I’m sorry beyond words. I’m just so hurt it took nearly losing you two to wake me up from this poisonous grudge with your aunt.”
Cameron and Ace smiled at Father. “It’s okay, Dad,” Cameron said. “We’re just happy you’re here with us now.”
Father smiled and wiped a tear before it could escape his eye. He sniffed and continued his story. “Anyway, from then on, Gathara and the council became myth to me again. I slipped back into the world of Yutara and stopped believing the truth. My life had become consumed with being better than your aunt. Especially after she married that horrid uncle of yours. But, that’s beside the point. The point is, one day, the day before your vacation began actually, your grandfather brought me to his ship and spoke to me alone. He refreshed my memory on Gathara and the witches, but I wouldn’t believe any of it. He then told me that our entire family was in danger, and that I needed to take refuge in Naraka, where the pirates would protect me. He said to wait patiently for you two. That one day you’d show up in Naraka and we’d be united again. Once I saw you two on television at the tournament, fighting Marcus, the pirates and I came to rescue you.”
The Halder brothers looked at each other, their faces unable to decide between joyful and confused.
“What?” Cameron said.
“How could Grandpa have possibly known we’d end up here?” Ace said.
Father shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine, son. All he told me was that the world was about to face war and our family was in danger. He said that’s all he was allowed to say.”
Cameron and Ace nearly sprung from their couch. “Allowed?” they said in unison with a certain distaste.
“Nobody ‘allowed’ Grandpa to do anything,” Cameron said.
“Yeah,” Ace jumped in, “He was the founder and leader of the Indies. Who could have been telling him what—” Ace paused. He slapped his hands on his head as a realization struck him. “The stone! The stone must’ve been communicating to him somehow about what was to take place.”
“Stone?” Father said, “What stone?”
Ace’s eyes grew wide. “You mean, Grandpa never told you about the Emerson Stone?”
Father chuckled. “Ah, good one.”
“We’re serious,” Cameron said.
Father’s face went still. “You can’t be. the Emerson Stone is a fairy tale.”
Ace shook his head and inched closer on the sofa, tearing it more and causing a piece of foam to spill on the ground. “Did Grandpa tell you he was immune from witchcraft? And so were you?”
Father’s face shriveled, questions clearly brewing behind his eyes.
Ace looked to his Father intensely. “The Emerson Stone is a powerful, very real entity. It protected our family from witchcraft. Once Grandpa gave it to me, it stopped protecting the rest of the family, because I’m the youngest Halder alive. It only protected the owner of the stone and the owner’s descendants.”
Father scratched his head. “So, I’m no longer immune?”
Ace dropped his head. “Actually, none of us are.”
“Why?”
“I lost the stone. It was taken from me by a parcel,” Ace said.
Father stood to his feet. “Then, we have to get it back.”
Cameron nodded. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do, but we don’t know how.”
“Wait!” Ace said. He stood and walked close to his father. “Dad, did Grandpa tell you anything else?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the stone told Grandpa we’d be here in Naraka, he must’ve known he would get taken by Rio. He probably knows how we can get the stone back, or what we need to do next!”
Father scratched his head and squinted his eyes. “I don’t think he�
�Oh. He did mention one thing.”
Cameron stood as well and both he and Ace’s eyes lit with curiosity.
“Pirates,” Father said.
“Huh?” Ace said.
“Grandpa Marty sent me to Naraka, so the pirates could protect me. But he also said they would guide you, Ace,” he pointed a finger at his youngest son, “back to where your journey began, and there you will find the answer to your inner strife.”
They all stood silently a moment.
“Can’t believe I forgot about that,” Father said.
“Well, what does that even mean?” Ace said.
“I don’t know,” Father said. “I asked the pirates about it, they said they didn’t know about it either.”
“So. . .” Cameron said, leaning his neck and raising his eyebrows, “what do we do now?”
Father shrugged. “Beats me.”
They brainstormed in silence. Each of them considered what all the signs meant. Why did Grandpa have to be so secretive? Why not just tell Dad exactly what to do? Ace shrugged when he thought of it. Grandpa was always mysterious, even after he’d passed away he still found a way to leave his grandchildren looking for clues in his stories. But this wasn’t a game. Maybe the stone told Grandpa to do it this way. But why? Wouldn’t the Light want to be found and fulfill its own prophecies?
After a while of fruitless ideas, they'd get distracted and reminisce with one another, then refocus on trying to figure out their next move. Eventually, they decided to call it a night and discuss it further when Sebastian and Trilo showed up. Father brought some blankets and pulled a bed from the torn sofa. He wished them a goodnight with a warm smile and walked into the other room.
Ace couldn’t fall asleep. Hours into the night, he turned to find Cameron out like the flip of a switch. He found himself envious of his brother’s peaceful slumber. Too many things rushed through his own mind to allow him any sleep. He needed answers. He jerked his head to the other room from where he heard the previous laughter. There they held Marcus captive. Marcus had some secrets. Secrets Ace needed to know. Ace looked to his brother once more, then gently removed himself from the sheets.
He tiptoed along the concrete floor, careful not to step on any of the broken glass or trash. He peered in the room to find the pirate hunters sprawled out over the floor. They snored timidly, confirming Ace’s hopes they’d be asleep. Ace turned his head to the left to find Uncle Marcus. The orange from the anti-magic glowed like a nightlight. They had the parcel strapped to a wooden board and leaning against the wall so he faced straight up. The uncle eyed Ace with a menacing stare, and Ace stepped inside.
Can’t sleep? Uncle Marcus’ voice crept into Ace’s head.
Neither can you, Ace replied.
Uncle Marcus smiled wide and black smoke oozed from his teeth, Come on in. I’m sure you have a lot of questions.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Dreaded Memories
Ace stepped quietly over a few of the pirate hunters to reach Uncle Marcus. He arrived at Uncle Marcus and they exchanged glares.
You can’t deceive me, you know, Ace thought to Uncle Marcus.
Uncle Marcus’ face remained still. I wouldn’t dream of it.
You know where the Peppercorns are or not?
If you wanted to know that, you should’ve brought me the stone.
I told you. I don’t have it.
I don’t believe you.
It was taken from me.
Uncle Marcus’ eyes squinted and he leaned his neck forward. The orange light from the anti-magic wrapping his body glowed on his face and cast shadows upward. Ace inched back, a little spooked by it.
You didn’t come here to discuss where the Peppercorns are, did you?
Ace slowly wagged his head no.
The night my mother died, Ace thought, where was your wife? Where was Aunt Kaitlyn?
Uncle Marcus’ smile stretched to his eyes. Having memory problems, are we?
I’ve never remembered that night very well. I’ve spent years trying to forget those dreaded memories. But you were there. I know you were. Where was Aunt Kaitlyn?
Uncle Marcus shrugged. Don’t remember.
Yes you do. Tell me.
Or what?
Ace thought nothing and stared at him blankly.
Uncle Marcus laughed again. You need me to find your cousins. Then, you’re just going to kill me anyway. Why should I tell you anything? What are you going to do? Burn me with the elyr?
Ace leaned close to his uncle and grabbed the wooden slab. His knuckles went white at his grip on the wood.
I will find my elyr again, Ace said, and when I do, you’re going to be the first parcel I kill. Ask the last two witches I’ve encountered and they’ll vouch for me. I follow through with those promises.
Uncle Marcus smiled. Then, I will tell you nothing. Honestly, what do you have to offer me that I would give up valuable information for?
Ace gritted his teeth and grunted. Uncle Marcus was right. What could he do?
The parcel laughed once again. You’ve lost your light. You’re no longer the Elyrian. You’re no longer the Chosen.
I will get my light back!
You’ve lost, nephew.
Ace slammed his fist against the wood. Uncle Marcus laughed and laughed in his head. Ace’s rage coursed through his veins. He covered his ears with his hands, but Uncle Marcus’ laughter still echoed in his brain. But a strange thing occurred then. Ace tilted his head. For while Uncle Marcus’ laughter continued on in Ace’s head, the parcel’s face bore a new expression. His face grew calmer and still. Then, his lips curled down into a light frown. His eyes glistened. The parcel’s mouth moved, unaligned with the laughter in Ace’s head. What were his lips saying? Ace stepped closer. Marcus moved his mouth again.
Help me, Ace read his uncle’s lips.
“Ace,” said a whisper. Ace jolted back in a fright and fell to the ground. “Woah, hey, take it easy,” the voice whispered.
Ace looked up from the flat of his back to find his dad leaning over him. Father helped him to his feet. Ace glanced behind to find Uncle Marcus asleep against the wood. The night was still about the room.
“What were you doing?” Father whispered.
“Nothing,” Ace whispered back, he turned his head back to his dad “I was just . . . thinking.”
Father glanced behind his son at Uncle Marcus, then back to Ace. “With the parcel?”
Ace shook his head. “I just . . . I thought if he were awake, he might have some answers.”
Father stared at Ace eerily a moment, then dismissed the matter with a rolling of his eyes. “Well, I have some news for you. Your friends have arrived.”
Ace looked behind Father to find Sebastian and Trilo through the doorway looking about the entire warehouse in the other room. Easely lagged behind them . . . and, someone else? The little jag girl stopped in the other room as she caught eyes with Ace. It was Juneg! She’d escaped the Colosseum. She smiled wide at Ace and Ace smiled back.
The sun’s yellow, morning light crept through the shattered windows and woke those in the safe-house. Dawn had arrived. Ace, Cameron, and Colton Halder met in the room housing the fire with Sebastian and Trilo. Easley and Juneg joined the pirate hunters in the other room. After they quietly settled into the room and circled around one another, Sebastian broke the silence.
“What were you thinking, Ace? Attacking your uncle on live television? Rio must be well-informed of your escape from Gathara now. He’s bound to have witches after you this very minute.”
“Careful how you talk to my son, Mr. . .” Colton said.
“Son?” Sebastian eyed Colton Halder curiously.
Colton nodded. “What’s your name?”
“Seb—.” He coughed. “Sebastian, sir. It’s an honor to meet you. And you’re a hunter as well?”
Ace chimed in. “Yes. Which was news to Cameron and I.”
Trilo said, “Well, look, Sebastian is right. Ace and Cameron�
�s charade at the tournament is going to have every witch in Yutara headed this way. We need to get outta here.”
“We can’t just yet,” Cameron said.
“Why not?” Sebastian asked.
Ace stepped forward. “We’ve just learned, through our dad, that Grandpa Marty knew we’d be here. But we don’t know why.”
Trilo's face looked like a puppy hoping for a snack. “What? How could he've known this?”
“The stone,” Ace said. “We think it’s the Emerson Stone.”
“Grandpa knew we’d reunite with Dad here,” Cameron said. “We have to figure out where this is going to lead us.”
“Do you think it has anything to do with growing the Light?” Trilo said.
“Huh?,” Colton said. “What light?”
Ace coughed out a couple chuckles. “Dad. We have a lot to discuss.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Truth About Uncle Marcus
Ace spent the next hours explaining everything to Father. From the day Grandpa vanished in New Eathelyn to the horrid moment when Ace gave the Emerson Stone to Rio. Most of the story was spent with Ace rambling while Father’s face took on multiple expressions of shock and awe. Silence filled the air once Ace had finished. Everyone traded glances, questioning what might be spoken next.
Father took the initiative. “So what can Rio do with the Emerson Stone?”
Ace shook his head. “We have no idea yet.”
“We don’t know where he is,” Cameron said, “or what he’s planning.”
“We have to stop him somehow!” Father said, throwing a fist down by his side.
“That’s what we’re trying to do by recruiting people to The Israh,” Sebastian said. “Going after him is dangerous. Who knows how powerful
he is. Especially with the Emerson Stone. We’re prepared to play defense, rather than offense. By recruiting others, and growing the Light, we lessen the impact of his influence on Yutara. Only now that Ace has made his escape from Gathara known to all of Yutara, we don’t know what we’re going to be facing. The council must know what we’re doing and is seeking some way to stop us.”
