“Tell me what’s wrong!”
“It's Jasper,” he said.
Her face fell and she began throwing words at him, “What… is he hurt…what happened?”
“He's alright.” He grasped her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “He's not injured but he’s going to be sent to the Guide.”
“Jasper? Are you joking?”
He shook his head.
“What happened?”
He told her about his encounter with Endell and Thamus. She shook her head.
“He doesn't need to see the Guide, that’s ridiculous. We just need to talk to him. He's confused.” She put her hand on his waist and squeezed it gently. “We are the leaders now, the king and queen. We can't go through this.”
He realized that although they were both deeply concerned, they were concerned in different ways. He closed his eyes and massaged his temples. “I tried to tell him I just needed to talk with Jasper, but he wouldn't listen. I don't know why he’s doing this. Based on what Endell said, we have no choice.” He opened his eyes. “The law is clear. I don't know what to do.”
“Talk to the Guide, maybe he’ll understand,” she said.
He shook his head. “Remember last year?”
Her eyes became vacant as fear washed across her face. The princess had screamed in the final moments, begging to be released from her duty. The Guide had taken control and calmed the princess but then, after, her family was expelled from the castle in shame and humiliation with no honor or gratitude for their sacrifice.
“What do we do?” she asked.
“We send him to the Guide, it isn't the worst that can happen.”
Her eyes swelled with tears and she leaned on his shoulder.
* * * Later, Len stood with Tari and a handful of servants as four guards followed Endell to get Jasper. Soft fingers wrapped around his hand and squeezed. He glanced down at Tari. She looked calm and relaxed, effectively masking all anxiety. They were used to people looking to them; they had always been pillars of the community. And pillars had to stand tall and strong, not waver in fear and dread.
She looked up at him and when their eyes connected, he couldn’t hold back. In a fleeting moment, he saw her fear and knew she’d seen his too. But this wasn’t the time or place. With a blink the emotion was buried and she dropped his hand and turned to the servants.
“It’s nearly morning and cleanup is not finished,” she said, clapping her hands.
He caught her eye and she motioned to the back staircase. He nodded and she left with the servants. When the hallway was empty, he ducked into the small, dark archway and descended halfway down the narrow, winding stairs.
Faking a calm appearance had its benefits; he actually felt calm. But somewhere deep inside he knew a storm was raging. At least right now his mind felt clear and he knew what to do next. There were people that could help.
He heard the sharp rapping echoes of a pair of shoes tapping across the marble floor. They grew louder, stopped, and then somebody began descending the staircase. If it wasn’t Tari, he would climb back up complaining about a lack of wine in the cellar. But it was Tari and she embraced him.
She raised her lips to his ear, and whispered, “We can’t let this happen.”
With his mouth buried in her curly, ochre hair he inhaled deeply. The scent of magnolia relaxed him and he spoke without thinking. “I didn’t get a chance to talk to Jasper after the Offering. I saw him watching Nix.”
She pulled away, and in the dim light he saw her tightened eyebrows and fierce eyes. “What were you doing with your eyes open?”
“I can’t explain that now, but the point is I knew Jasper was upset and I wanted to talk to him but he ran off so fast I couldn’t.”
Worried his whispers were too loud, he moved again to her ear. “I wanted to tell him not to discuss his thoughts with anyone except us. As long as he doesn’t let the Guide know what he’s thinking, everything will be fine.”
“But it’s going to be horrible for him…and for us.”
“Tari!” He took her head in his hands. Now it was his turn for a stern look. “We can’t avoid it. We are trying to prevent banishment.”
Tari rolled her eyes. “Banishment? Jasper?”
But Len kept his gaze and her eyes filled with dread. She leaned back against the wall and sat on the stairs. Len sat next to her. “We have to talk to him. He needs to know that he can talk to us about his feelings, but nobody else. We have to tell him not to trust anyone, especially the Guide.”
“We can’t,” Tari said. “Nobody is allowed to see him. You know that.”
“I’m going to try.”
“No. You could end up in trouble.” She thought for a moment. “I’ll write him a note and get Migun to give it to him. I think she has feelings for him.”
Last month Tari had asked Migun, Delorah’s best friend, to be her personal maiden. Although her curly red hair and spunky personality made her stand out, what Len noticed most was how she could out work most of the boys in the village.
“But what if they find the note and she gets caught?”
Tari flashed a coy smile and he felt silly for asking. She had an uncanny ability to read and manipulate people; it was her greatest talent. Somehow she could tap into their minds and know exactly what to say and do to soothe, encourage, and influence. If anyone could pull this off, it was her.
“You better hurry. I’m sure he’ll be taken before the Guide tomorrow morning.”
She nodded. “Go back to our room and get some sleep before the sun comes up. I’ll be right there after I check on the servants.”
They embraced. Len took a deep breath and sighed before climbing the stairs. He reached the top grumbling about the wine in the cellar.
Chapter 2
Banished
A deep voice jolted Jasper out of his sleep and he sat up. Squinting, he held his arm to shield the morning sunshine. A large figure stood in the cave opening.
“Prince Jasper, by order of the King you are to report to the Guide—.”
Jasper's heart sunk. Endell must have gone straight to the guards.
“—Please follow me.”
Jasper stood and stumbled forward into the bright light. As he emerged from the cave he saw three more guards and Endell, who quickly looked away.
“That way,” one of the guards pointed.
Except for the sound of boots crunching along the trail, it was a quiet hike. With each step, Jasper’s mind raced further down a dark tunnel of thought. My own father is sending me to the Guide…because he saw me open my eyes. And even Endell. I can't trust anyone, nobody understands. If they don't care, neither do I. They can go ahead and banish me.
By the time they reached town Jasper felt callous. The staring faces didn’t bother him. He marched through the city with a scowl, imagining a ripple of gossip behind him. He followed the guard to the rear entrance of the castle and then they weaved through various corridors until they stopped at a door.
“In there,” the guard said.
He walked into a dark room and sat on a narrow cot just as the door slammed shut. As his eyes adjusted, he saw a faint light creeping underneath the door while a pacing shadow marked the presence of the guard outside. Jasper fell back onto the cot and cried silently until he fell asleep.
* * * Early the next morning, Tari waited through several gentle tugs as Migun brushed her long hair. “Migun, what do you think about Jasper?”
Migun stopped brushing and in the mirror, Tari saw her blush and look down.
“I don’t know,” she said with a sheepish grin. “He’s really smart.”
Migun resumed brushing. “And he’s really funny,” she giggled. “Oh, and he is strong, too. If he had a sword he could kill an entire army of dark ones.”
Tari looked seriously at her. “What if I told you Jasper needed your help?”
Migun’s smile vanished. “What happened?”
Tari twisted her body around to face Migun. “
It’s a long story and I don’t have time to explain, but Jasper is caught in the middle of a huge misunderstanding.” She paused while Migun processed the words. “Sometime today, Jasper will be escorted to the Guide.”
Migun’s jaw dropped. So did the brush in her hand, which clanked against the floor.
“Like I said, it’s a huge misunderstanding and it’s not Jasper’s fault. But I need to get him a message and nobody is allowed to see him so I thought maybe you could try to slip him a note as he passed through the halls.”
“I can do that,” she nodded.
“You could get in trouble for this.” She took Migun’s hand. “We both could.”
“Oh, I won’t tell anyone.”
“I’m not worried about that. But if you get caught you’ll need to say that you secretly love Jasper and wanted him to know before it was too late.”
Migun’s eyes popped open. “Alright,” she said.
Tari turned around, opened a drawer in the vanity, and retrieved a folded piece of parchment. “This is what I’d like you to give him. Read it so you know what it says.”
Migun carefully unfolded the message and blushed and grinned while she read. When she finished, her smile was beyond polite.
“But will he know this is from you and not me?” Migun asked.
“He’ll recognize the handwriting and the phrases I have used. Don’t worry, he’ll know.”
Migun looked disappointed but nodded.
“You go wait for him in the great hall. I have no idea when he’ll be coming through but watch the north entrance. I’ll finish getting ready and meet you out there.”
Tari stood and gave her a quick hug. “Thank you.”
Migun flashed another smile but said nothing.
* * * The great hall was more than just a gathering place for celebrations; it also housed the daily market. And because it connected all major sections of the castle, Jasper would at some point be escorted through the center of the bartering villagers. Although scattered banners and decorations from the Festival still hung from the ceiling, it was a normal day and packed with hundreds of buyers and sellers whose individual conversations joined with others into a single melodic hum. It helped Migun feel inconspicuous.
Clutching her secret message, she weaved through the crowd and leaned against a pillar where she could watch the north entrance. Throngs of people were coming, going, and standing around. She climbed onto the base of the pillar to see over the crowd. It helped, but the marketplace was too busy. What if she missed him? She jumped from the pillar and jostled through the crowd desperate to find him, but there were too many people. If she didn’t find him, they might not ever see him again. Her eyes filled with tears and she became more aggressive, shoving and pushing people out of her way.
A hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. She turned to face a woman in ragged clothing and a scarf wrapped around her head. She pushed her, “Leave me alone.”
“Migun, it’s me. I’m in disguise.”
It was the queen. Relieved, Migun tried not to cry as she explained. “Everyone is moving too fast and I can’t keep track of them, I’m going to miss him.”
“You’re doing fine. I’ll walk to the other side and watch from there. You focus on this half.”
Migun was comforted to have help and resumed her search as the queen crossed to the other side. During one of her hops, she caught sight of two guards marching through the opening. She ducked and moved closer but didn’t see Jasper with them. But then as she turned away she caught sight of a shorter figure between them and ran and jumped onto the pillar to see over everyone. It was Jasper.
Surprised and excited, she yelled to Tari, “There he is!” She quickly covered her mouth, worried she had called attention to herself.
Tari was on the other side and Jasper passed right through the middle of both of them. Migun tried to run to him but it was like swimming up river. The crowd parted for the guards but closed in on her, and meanwhile Jasper was getting further and further away. In the middle of the room she met Tari coming in the other direction.
“Jasper!” Tari whispered loudly.
He didn’t respond.
“He’s getting away,” Tari said, her voice panicked.
Migun darted forward, knocking everyone to the side as she forced her way through. As she zipped past the first guard and approached Jasper, fingers locked around her neck and knocked her off balance. She stumbled and would have fallen but was yanked harshly to her feet. The guard took a handful of her shirt and lifted her into the air until his ugly face was all she could see. His putrid breath and droplets of spittle on her face were worse than the vile words that roared from his mouth. But none of it bothered Migun. When he dropped her she bounced up and searched for Tari.
She saw Tari’s pale face, frozen between hope and dread, and ran to her. When she reached her, Tari was wiping tears from her cheeks.
“I did it! I put it in his pocket!”
* * * For the second time that day, Jasper awakened to a blinding light.
“The Guide is ready for you,” said a guard from the open door.
He stood and felt his way along the wall to the door. He followed the guard and another walked behind him as they weaved through the passages. He watched the ground change from rock to dust, stairs, carpet, and finally, to the smooth marble of the great hall. He kept his head down to avoid those gawking at him.
He heard a distinct ‘there he is’ from a young girl. A woman whispered his name. And when somebody brushed against him from behind the guard trailing him issued a stern reprimand and he was glad. At least he wasn’t the only one in trouble. He continued forward, eyes down, until they reached the staircase leading to the Guide's section of the castle.
He never imagined himself climbing this particular set of stairs. It meant one thing: a personal audience with the Guide. And that wasn't good. Fortunately, his body knew how to climb stairs without conscious help from his numb mind. Each foot lifted and moved forward as Jasper involuntarily moved closer to an encounter he'd rather avoid.
At the top of the stairs, another guard opened a large, ornate door. “The Guide is waiting,” he said.
Jasper walked into the room. Flickering candles along the walls offered the only light, which could either feel eerie or cozy. He did not feel cozy.
“Jasper, please, come in and sit down.”
Jasper turned to the voice. The Guide looked tired, leaning against the gnarled staff that rose above his head. He motioned to several comfortable looking chairs and a sofa near the middle of the room and Jasper sat on a chair.
“Jasper, first let me say that this is not a bad thing. You don’t need to worry or be afraid and you aren’t in trouble. This is simply an opportunity for us to talk and clear any confusion…to help us understand one another. Many great men and women have been through this same process.”
Jasper kept his face turned down and heard the Guide moving closer.
“Jasper, look at me,” he said kindly.
The kindness surprised Jasper. Where was the lecture? He looked up at the Guide. His face was carved by deep lines and scars. Several strands of stringy, white hair hung over his face, partially hiding his deep-set eyes.
“You are right, you know,” the Guide said.
Jasper tried to keep a steady face. He wouldn’t be doing this if he really thought I was right.
“It isn't fair. And it isn't right,” said the Guide, sitting on a plush chair opposite Jasper. “We live in a peaceful time, but that doesn't mean that everything is ideal. Things are good, but they are not perfect.”
Was the Guide serious? Maybe he did understand. Jasper took a chance. “Why did Nix have to kill Kalina?”
“What makes you think Nix killed her?”
An image of Nix’s claws and Kalina’s body flashed through his mind. The Guide was toying with him; he shouldn’t have said anything.
“Jasper, it is not my place to question Nix, she is all powerful an
d wise. She keeps us safe. Nix came and ended the attacks by the dark ones and now we live in peace. Life is much better now.”
Jasper felt himself breathing hard and heavy, but he kept his mouth shut.
“Do you disagree?”
That part was true and he couldn't disagree. As a boy, Mother had told him horror stories about the wars she’d experienced as a child. Her own father, a grandfather he had never known, along with thousands of others perished defending the kingdom. The invasion of the dark ones nearly destroyed Gardone. Hunger, disease, pain, and death touched every household. When all looked hopeless, fire rained from the sky and massive talons ripped apart their foes like helpless puppets. Nix’s tail sent waves of monsters flying through the air and in her frenzied fury the dragon single-handedly saved Gardone. Since that time, Nix was the center of everyone's life.
Perhaps he was being unrealistic and selfish. Life was better now. But still, if Nix was so good, why did she take so much from them? And what type of caring creature would snatch a helpless, young woman in its razor sharp claws? It didn't make sense.
The Guide interrupted his thoughts. “It is sad that every year we must allow our princess to be taken into the service of Nix, but it is an honor. You know that. Nix keeps us safe and she has her own needs. We serve her and she protects us and teaches us how to live. You cannot deny that it is better this way…better than the wars with the dark ones.”
“I know,” Jasper said and wanted to stop at that. But he couldn’t. “But it doesn’t make it right.”
“What is right, Jasper?” the Guide said, his voice louder. “Is it right to refuse the kindness of the dragon and allow our people to be slaughtered by the thousands? Is that what you want?”
Jasper bit his lip.
“We serve a good and honorable leader. She takes care of us and watches over us.”
“Then why does she take our cattle? Why did she take Kalina? Why does she want Delorah? If she’s so good, why does she do that?” The words poured from his mouth. “Kalina was scared. She wasn’t happy, she didn’t want to do it. And we all know what happened last year. I saw Nix grab Kalina. I know she’s dead.”
Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy) Page 3
