Eyes of the Sun (Kilenya Series, 5)

by Andrea Pearson

  While they continued exploring, Hayla, who’d stayed in August Township with the humans, approached Dad. By the colors swirling in the air around her, Jacob could tell she was worried.

  “Did any of you see Myler in Taga Village last night or this morning?” she asked.

  Dad shook his head. “No. Is he missing?”

  “I’m afraid so. The last I saw him was right after you left yesterday, so I thought perhaps he’d followed you through the link.” She glanced at Jacob.

  “No one followed me,” Jacob said, suddenly feeling defensive. “I’m very careful to make sure of that.”

  Hayla nodded once. “Then I’m afraid he ventured out into the Argots.”

  Dad scowled. “He wouldn’t have survived that.”

  “I know,” she said. “Maybe it’s just as well.”

  Jacob turned and walked away. The way she talked about Myler’s possible death was so cold and heartless. The man might have been aggressive and angry all the time, but he was still a human being. And he wasn’t evil.

  Just then, Azuriah called that it was time to head out. Jacob’s frustration melted away, replaced by excitement. He was about to go on his most epic quest yet! Surrounded by so many Shiengols, the amount of protection they all had was extraordinary. Nothing would stop them or get in the way.

  Sweet Pea, Akeno, and Ebony were the only Makalos who’d been invited to go—Akeno would be shrinking and enlarging doors as needed, and the other two were trained in fighting. Dad, Gallus, and Aloren were the only humans. Azuriah had figured they’d be enough, and Jacob assumed he was right.

  These two groups, along with Jacob, gravitated toward each other as they followed the river of Shiengols, making their way through August Township. It felt weird, walking in the city—the last time Jacob had been there, he couldn’t see or feel or even tell he was standing upright.

  He spent a lot of time staring at the buildings. They’d been constructed to last forever, that much he could tell. Most of them looked brand-new, even though they couldn’t possibly have been. The stones were thick, solid, and so well put together, barely any cracks were visible. A decoration similar to the one the Shiengols wore around their eyes and on their robes had been etched into the stones. It was very awe-inspiring, especially when Jacob remembered this was part of his heritage.

  About fifteen minutes after leaving the fortress, the group reached the arch. At that point, Jacob was walking near the front, not far from Azuriah, who was leading. Jacob couldn’t help but wonder again how they’d cross the Argots, and he felt a cold sweat shiver over him when he thought about the possible problems they could encounter—including getting eaten alive. But Azuriah hadn’t been worried about it, so Jacob figured there was a solution that would be fairly simple.

  He was right. As soon as the Shiengols reached the Argots, they glanced at the sun, then down at the odd-colored ground that marked where the creatures began. The moment their eye-light hit the ground, the Argots started glowing. The lines dividing them brightened. The Argots must have sensed that something was different because many of them started growing, long teeth appearing around gaping holes.

  Jacob froze, refusing to follow the Shiengols as they stepped onto the Argots. But the strangest thing happened. The Argots began shriveling—their teeth quivered. It looked like they were trying to reach the people who were crossing them but were afraid to do so, or were being stopped. Jacob was sure that if he could see their emotions—if they had emotions—the strongest one would have been frustration.

  After watching for a moment, he figured he was safe. He joined the throng and stepped onto the squishy ground that made up the Argots. The creatures stopped quivering and shriveling. They stopped growing and decreasing—it looked like they’d been frozen in place. Jacob ran ahead, catching up with Dad and Azuriah, and followed the white line that marked the division between Argots.

  He could still sense that the Argots knew something was going on. He felt them pushing and reaching, trying to break through the invisible barrier that kept them from completing their growing stage. They were so hungry.

  Looking at the humans and Makalos, Jacob knew they sensed what he did. Even though they were probably safe, he was positive no one would fully relax until they’d crossed this Lorkon trap.

  He was right—most of them, including Jacob, exhaled loudly when they left the Argots behind.

  Azuriah led them through the forest and then up and over the hill. He completely bypassed the road that would have taken them through the infected forest, instead following a worn-out path that went much farther east from the manor where the female Lorkon ruled. Jacob was glad of this.

  Azuriah only allowed breaks every three hours. They slept the first night by the lake on the other side from Aldo’s old cabin, and the second night near Macaria. It took them two full days, but finally they arrived at their destination near the caves of Dunsany Mountain, by Sonda Lake.

  Jacob hadn’t believed how deserted Macaria was when they’d walked through. If it had felt like a ghost town the first time he’d been there, it did even more so now. The white buildings were still charred in some places from Lirone’s attack a few months earlier, and there wasn’t a single person in sight. Without doors, the city felt even weirder.

  Some places had blankets hanging in the doorframes, and Jacob couldn’t help but wonder what happened to the people who’d refused to go with Gallus to Taga Village. Had they moved to Ridgewood? Unlikely, given Ridgewood’s temperament where strangers were concerned.

  Perhaps they were still in Macaria. Jacob had a hard time believing this, however. The city couldn’t possibly feel more vacant.

  Then another idea occurred to him—the Lorkon had recruited them for their own army. That had to be the solution. The people who wouldn’t fight with Dmitri were determined to fight against him, and the Lorkon had figured this out quickly.

  Jacob pushed his hair back from his forehead. It was only early June, but the heat of the day had been awful, and Azuriah had kept them at a brisk pace. He slumped down next to the fire Sweet Pea had lit and watched as the Makalo prepared dinner.

  “Want help?” Jacob asked.

  Sweet Pea shook his head. “Nah. Didn’t you know? Makalos enjoy cooking.”

  “No, but it makes sense.”

  Neither said anything for a moment, but Jacob could tell by the colors swirling around Sweet Pea that he was happy and excited.

  After several minutes, they were joined by Dad and Akeno. Aloren, Ebony, and Gallus kept to themselves, discussing who knows what—probably something along the lines of defense. True to her word, Aloren had totally and completely avoided Jacob. He tried not to take it personally.

  “Are you guys ready for tomorrow?” Dad asked.

  “What do we need to be ready for?” Sweet Pea said. “I still have no idea what’s going to happen.”

  “Azuriah says we’ll wait for the sun to be at its most powerful position, which means we’ll start a little before noon. At that point, those of us who are acting as protectors will surround the group of Shiengols.”

  “Am I a protector or a Shiengol?” Jacob asked.

  “From what I understand, you’re a Shiengol. I don’t know that Azuriah feels you’re ready to act as a protector.”

  Jacob nodded. He didn’t feel he was ready for that. The being a Shiengol part was really awesome, though.

  “So, uh, how are we going to get rid of Lirone?” he asked.

  Dad shrugged. “I’m not sure. I know it has something to do with the eyes of the Shiengols.”

  “But everything does,” Sweet Pea said. “That’s where their power originates.”

  “Yes,” Dad said. “So, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”

  Jacob threw a stick into the fire. “I wish Azuriah had filled me in. It’s not as if I instinctively know these things like he expects me to.”

  Dad patted Jacob’s shoulder. “I know. But Azuriah did mention that no one really needs to know what
to do—it would make sense to everyone once things got going, you included. So I guess we’ll learn together.”

  They were to eat dinner in their groups, so Azuriah’s family came and joined them. Jacob was fascinated, learning about family he hadn’t ever met. It was really weird. Especially since they weren’t even human.

  Pambri had soft brown hair—lighter than most Shiengols—and fair skin. She kept her eyes down and rarely looked at anyone directly. Jacob didn’t take this as a lack of confidence, but more a thing of respect. Azuriah didn’t care who he blinded with his eyes, but Pambri seemed to want to make everyone around her as comfortable as possible.

  Sweet Pea nicknamed their youngest daughter Britt. Jacob wasn’t there when the nicknaming had taken place, and at first thought her name was very American. Then he found out it was actually short for Brittaindelia. Yeah. Britt was easier, even if it did sound like it came from Earth.

  Britt had three older brothers and three older sisters—all grown and living with their own families. Seven total. This surprised Jacob. Azuriah in no way acted like a family man. He treated his kids the same way he treated Jacob—with frustration and impatience—but it was obvious he cared for them. He especially cherished Pambri and treated her with extreme respect.

  Dinner was quiet. Jacob wasn’t the only one fascinated by the Shiengols who ate with them. Only Dad didn’t seem to care much, but then, he’d also known this family for a long time.

  After dinner was over, Azuriah had Jacob put out the fire, and they all retired to their respective sleeping areas.

  Akeno fashioned as many huts as he could, but due to Lirone’s attacks, the undergrowth was scarce. Dad, Gallus, and Jacob volunteered to sleep under the stars. Jacob didn’t know where the others slept, but he supposed it didn’t really matter, since there were so many Shiengols present to protect everyone, if something bad happened. He stretched out, hands under his head, and gazed into the sky, watching the occasional shooting star. Shiengols murmured quietly around them, and Jacob found it oddly comforting.

  He drifted off to sleep long after the voices had quieted.

  Chapter Thirteen: Messes and Disasters

  Jacob awoke to a bustle of activity as things were gathered up around him and people prepared for the busy day ahead. Judging by the placement of the sun, it was at least ten in the morning. He couldn’t believe Azuriah had let him sleep in. Or maybe everyone had slept long.

  He spotted Aloren crouched by the fire and joined her, tempted to pull the twigs out of her hair. He knew she’d probably hit him if he did, though, so he just sat on the other side of the fire and grabbed a few biscuits.

  They ate in silence for five minutes before Akeno, Sweet Pea, and Ebony joined them. Jacob couldn’t believe Aloren’s stubbornness and determination. It drove him nuts that she wouldn’t even meet his eye. But judging by the colors around her, she was still pretty upset about breaking up with Kevin. Which didn’t make sense, since she was the one who did it. Shouldn’t she be happy to be free? Or did he just not understand?

  The next hour and a half were spent with Azuriah organizing everyone and giving last-minute instructions such as, “Don’t get in the way” and “Leave us alone” to the humans. Jacob was sure the humans were tired of hearing that.

  Half an hour before noon, their entire group left the protection of the trees and marched toward the lake, with Azuriah in front.

  Jacob watched with interest as Azuriah stood at the water’s edge and started making sweeping motions with his arms. The water in front of him swirled and rose, then shot up into the sky as directed. It misted out until a gray cloud formed, which Azuriah pushed toward the southern mountains, where Lirone lived.

  He turned and spotted Jacob standing near him. “That should bring the sky dweller to us.” Azuriah glared at Jacob, folding his arms. “Why are you not in formation?”

  “You never told me where to stand or what to do.”

  Azuriah grabbed Jacob’s arm. “We don’t have time for this. Go stand by your father. Watch the other Shiengols and look at the sun when they do.”

  Dad wasn’t far off—only about twenty feet—and Jacob was glad he could still see Azuriah from there. He watched his uncle closely, hoping for any hint of what was to come. But the clouds gathering in the southern skies took his attention away immediately. Lirone was forming, and he was angry! Jacob could tell by the jerky movements and boiling greens and browns shifting through the dark gray clouds. Lightning flashed brilliantly.

  Then the new cloud moved toward Jacob’s group so fast it looked like someone had dropped a bomb over the southern mountains.

  “Now!” Azuriah shouted.

  Jacob ripped his eyes from the sky to see what the other Shiengols were doing. They stared at the sun, their gazes brightening and brightening until they nearly blinded him. He quickly turned to do as they did. But as soon as he had the sun in his vision, Lirone arrived, and Jacob lost his concentration. He heard someone scream as a bomb was dropped. He looked away to a crater in the middle of where the Shiengols stood. Was that supposed to happen?

  Several Shiengols made motions with their hands that Jacob recognized—they were molding the air, creating a shield. Then those Shiengols raised their arms and Jacob caught a flicker of the shields as they moved into position, protecting themselves and others around them. Azuriah was right—there weren’t many Shiengols who could do that and focus on Lirone.

  Someone else screamed, and Jacob realized he wasn’t doing anything to help. He saw Azuriah glaring up at the clouds—all the Shiengols were doing the same—so Jacob directed his gaze to Lirone as well. But still, nothing happened. Was something supposed to happen? Obviously, yes, but what? He didn’t know.

  It quickly became apparent that what was going on wasn’t what Azuriah had planned. The Shiengol leader dropped his eyes, a panicked expression on his face, and whipped around, shouting. Jacob couldn’t hear the shout, however. He looked back at Lirone. An expression of glee crossed the sky monster’s face, and Jacob’s heart nearly stopped beating.

  Then the bombs really began falling. The Shiengols’ formation broke and everyone scattered. Azuriah was at the front of everyone, shouting and yelling and motioning with his hands, but no one could hear him. Jacob was frozen in place, watching the complete pandemonium. He’d never seen such panic in his life.

  The wave from an explosion rippled through him, making him focus. Azuriah was pointing to the caves—Jacob could see that now—and ran up the hill. Dad was running alongside him, with Gallus following. Gallus limped, blood dripping down his thigh. Jacob winced when he saw a piece of wood protruding from the black man’s leg. Gallus held it in place, and Jacob had to wonder where the man got his stamina—he was amazing. But then, Gallus stumbled.

  Jacob whirled and dashed toward the man. He dodged a small bomb and fell to the side as it exploded nearby. Dad appeared on Jacob’s left, helped him up, and together they crossed the grass to Gallus. With Jacob and Dad bearing his weight, Gallus staggered the rest of the way up the hill.

  Bombs fell all around them. Shiengols dropped to the ground, trees fell, blazing, and Jacob was surprised anyone was still alive.

  The three stumbled into a cave, following Azuriah, Pambri, and Akeno. As soon as he was out of reach of a bomb, Jacob spun, watching for Aloren, Sweet Pea, and Ebony. But he didn’t see them anywhere. Soon, the only thing visible across the countryside, apart from the falling bombs, were fires and downed trees. No one else was running.

  Dad pulled Jacob back, out of sight of Lirone, and they followed as everyone moved toward the back of the cave.

  Azuriah stopped before they reached a bend, and Jacob figured it was because the cave led to the Molg headquarters deep in the mountain. No sense engaging in war on both sides of the tunnel.

  Dad and Jacob helped Gallus lie down on the floor of the cave, and together they pulled out the wood chunk, then tied a tourniquet around the man’s leg. They needed to get him to a hospital as soon as Li
rone stopped throwing bombs.

  Not long after, Jacob’s hearing returned. Apparently everyone else’s did at the same time because the cave erupted in chaos—everyone talking at the same time, crying, shouting.

  Azuriah hit the side of the cave, causing the walls to shake and dirt and debris to fall on the people. The noise in the cave died. Jacob needed to figure out how to do that.

  “That’s better,” Azuriah said.

  Gallus moaned, motioning to his bag. “Herbs . . . I’ve got herbs. For my leg.”

  Jacob rummaged through Gallus’s knapsack and grabbed a pouch full of green plants that had been squashed up.

  “Add water,” Gallus gasped.

  Jacob did so, then together, he and Dad applied the poultice to Gallus’s wound while Akeno watched. Gallus moaned with relief and fell back against the ground.

  “Are you . . . are you going to be okay, Gallus?” Jacob asked. Would the man bleed to death? Would he get lots of infections?

  “Will be soon—herbs remove pain.”

  “But don’t heal,” Akeno said.

  Gallus shook his head.

  Jacob looked up—Azuriah was approaching. “Do you have your Minya?” he asked Jacob.

  Jacob nodded, opening his backpack and pulling out Early’s container.

  “Tell her to go to the other caves and figure out where everyone is and who’s missing. Have her report back as soon as possible.”

  Jacob’s whispered instructions to Early echoed through the long tunnel.

  Azuriah returned to his family and sat by his wife, head in hands. He pounded the floor with his fist, yelling something that Jacob was sure wasn’t nice. Jacob looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t want to see Azuriah like this.

  It took Early several minutes to return. But soon, they all started getting an idea of where the others had hidden.

  Ebony was with a large group of Shiengols in another cave, along with Renforth and the rest of Azuriah’s children. Aloren was in a third cave. Several Shiengols weren’t accounted for. And Sweet Pea was missing.