Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy)

by Warren R. Henke

  “We are a secret organization and will do whatever it takes to remain secret. Most who are invited to attend an initial meeting end up joining, but there are some who do not. If you choose not to join us, we require that you never speak of us again…to anyone. Not under any circumstance. To make sure you don’t, you must swear a soul-bound oath to this end.”

  1 stood, walked around the fire, and knelt in front of Endell. He lifted his arm. In his hand was a pale green orb. “Do you know what this is?”

  Endell couldn’t believe his eyes, a moving cloud of vapor floated around the sphere. Through the haze, he could see what looked like a living, breathing entity. A soul orb? Was it possible? He’d believed there was still magic in the world but never expected Father and Len would be involved with it. People were banished for even talking about magic, let alone experimenting with it.

  “Do you know how it works?”

  He looked up at 1, grinning under his mask, and shook his head. He had no idea.

  “When you place your hand upon the orb, I will ask you a yes or no question. If you answer untruthfully or there is reason you should not be trusted, it will glow red. But if you are trustworthy, it will glow green. I will ask you to promise secrecy and if you ever break this oath, it will turn red and die. We’ve all sworn on it and if it ever turns red, we’ll know we have been betrayed.”

  Endell reached out to place his hand on the orb, but 1 pulled it away.

  “This will be painful…for both of us. The orb draws blood through the pores of our skin to feed the magic. It will glow for a moment when the process is done. If you remove your hand before that, we’ll have to start over.”

  Endell’s grin vanished. 1 held it out and Endell slowly reached forward. His fingers trembled while he hesitated and his hand hovered. With a deep breath, he touched it.

  The pain was sharp and Endell jerked to pull away but his hand stuck to the hot surface. It felt like his hand and the orb were fused together. He expected to smell burning flesh. His arm began to shake, then his body quivered. It hurt. With clenched teeth, he looked into the eyes of 1.

  1 was also shaking. In short, quick breaths he said “Do you swear…you will never….speak of any part…of your experiences with us…outside an official gathering of our organization?”

  Teeth clenched, body shaking, and red faced, Endell yelled, “Yes.”

  Instantly the orb pulsed with a green glow and the pain stopped. 1 dropped his arm to his side and stumbled back to his seat. Endell panted and tried to catch his breath as he looked at his hand expecting to see charred skin. It looked normal. He touched it gingerly, the pain was gone. Then he noticed all eyes were on him.

  “I hate that part,” 1 said and put the orb in a pouch. “Thank you 9.”

  After a short silence, 1 stood. “We exist to examine and question. We don’t limit ourselves to rules, ideas, and theology. We try to live the laws, but even having this meeting breaks them. If we have doubts we investigate them. We know our leaders have made selfish choices and there is corruption in the highest ranks of the kingdom. Our goal is to gather evidence and recruit others who will stand with us. One day we will restore justice. 9, are you comfortable associating with us, knowing that what we do is outlawed?”

  Endell glanced around at the others in the room. Was this some strange test arranged by the Guide to check his devotion? But the Guide would never have allowed magic. But then why would Father and Len have sent Jasper to the Guide if they encouraged questions? And why had they allowed him to be banished? It didn’t make sense. If this was some sort of test and he failed, he would be banished too. He suddenly realized that was exactly what he wanted. And this way, he’d get to say goodbye to Father. He could tell them Migun wanted the same thing and perhaps the three of them could all be taken away together.

  “You seem unsure, which is understandable,” 1 said. “You can leave us tonight and think about it. When you see a light burning at dusk in the top of this windmill, return if you wish to join us. Whether you return or not, the soul orb will ensure that you keep your vow of silence.”

  Endell didn’t want to leave, Jasper was being banished. He may not have another chance and perhaps this group could help. He needed to join now. He needed to tell them.

  “No, I wish to stay,” he said.

  * * * Thamus stood. He had felt uneasy from the moment 9 was introduced but hadn’t known why. Now he did. He had heard Endell’s voice. What was his son doing here, in this meeting? This was dangerous; he wouldn’t allow him to join. But he also couldn’t let Endell know he had joined, so he didn’t speak. He just stood.

  “8?” 1 said, sounding surprised. “You have something to say?”

  Thamus stepped forward and whispered in 1’s ear. “This is a child. He is too young.”

  1 whispered back, “and how do you know this?”

  “He is my son.”

  “How old?”

  “15.”

  1 shook his head. “He’s not too young. Do you doubt his heart is with us?”

  “I don’t doubt him, but he’s all I have. I don’t want him in danger.”

  “You’ve already endangered him, by coming twice now.”

  1 pulled Thamus to the side of the room, away from the others.

  “It’s safer for all of us if the two of you either join or leave together.”

  He didn’t want to leave. He was excited to be a part of this group. Yet, he could not let Endell join.

  “Your allegiance was questioned today.”

  “What!” Thamus replied in a loud whisper. “By who?”

  “Why did you report Prince Jasper for asking the types of questions we encourage?”

  Thamus felt trapped. They wouldn’t understand…he would be rejected for sure. “My wife heard Endell telling me about Jasper and demanded we report it, I had no choice. If I refused, she would have reported me too. And I didn’t want to let my son down, he wanted to do the right thing and reporting Jasper was the lawful thing to do. Besides, King Len is the one who sent him to the Guide. I tried to tell him not to.”

  Thamus looked at his son. From behind the masks, their eyes connected. Endell knew it was him, he could feel it. Somehow, each of them had ended up in the same place and it suddenly felt right. They were meant for the Resistence, together. He turned back to 1. “We must have been too afraid to be honest with each other. And my wife made anything else impossible.”

  “I believe you and the soul orb supports your story. However, I will allow the boy to join. It is his choice. Does he know you are here?”

  “I think he does now.”

  “If you withdraw, I will send him with you. Otherwise, he can stay.” 1 put his hand on Thamus’ shoulder. “It’s your call.”

  “I will stay.”

  1 patted his back. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Thamus returned to his seat near the fire. 2 stood and walked over to 1. Thamus heard them whispering. Then they both returned.

  “8 and 9,” 1 said. “You are both free to join us if you desire.”

  “I wish to join,” Thamus said, winking at Endell.

  “So do I,” Endell said.

  * * * Voices faded in and out. Jasper opened his eyes and his temples exploded in pain, making the world spin. He closed them and held his head. Where was he? What happened?

  “Get up!”

  Cold water stung his face and he opened his eyes and gasped for air.

  “We don’t have all night and I’m not carrying you,” a mean voice yelled.

  The world was blurry and his head throbbed. He reached back and through wet, sticky hair, felt a large bulge. He looked at his hand. He didn’t need to focus to see red. What was happening?

  “Help,” he said.

  A rough hand squeezed his arm and yanked him to his feet. He tried to stand but his legs buckled. He couldn’t get his balance.

  “I said get up!”

  “Gorath! Back off!” said a different voice.

 
The hand released and Jasper fell back to the ground, sending another wave of pain through his body. Now he remembered the door in the mountain, the caverns, and the banishment. And he knew there wouldn’t be help.

  “Leave him here. The dark ones will find him just fine.”

  “He’s practically dead. I can finish him off right now and save us the trouble.”

  Jasper felt a powerful grip on his leg and arm and he flew into the air and over a shoulder. The movement and pressure made him sick and he vomited down the man’s back. The other guards laughed.

  “I’ll take him myself and you all better still be here when I get back,” said the guard carrying him.

  The jeers of the other guards faded as Jasper bounced and dangled over the guard’s shoulder who held him in place with one hand and carried a torch with the other.

  “Just kill me and get it over with,” Jasper said in barely a whisper.

  “Hang on, Jasper,” the guard said quietly. “I’ll help you.”

  “I don’t want help, unless it’s to help me die”

  The guard didn’t answer. Jasper wanted to sleep but the awkward position on the guard’s shoulder and the constant bouncing motion kept him too sick and miserable. Twice, the pain and dizziness again overtook him and he was again sick down the guard’s back.

  At length, the guard stopped and lowered Jasper to the ground.

  “You are safe here. The dark ones don’t cross the river, so stay on this side.”

  Jasper felt a canteen pressed to his mouth and he drank.

  “I hope you aren’t alone out here but I don’t know for sure,” the guard said. “Further down this path is a—”

  “—Don’t move.” It was a woman’s voice.

  The guard held out his hands as he slowly turned. “My name is Trask and I’m trying to help him.”

  “Why have you been setting us free?”

  A woman stepped into the moonlight. She shook hands with Trask, making several strange gestures in the process.

  “How many of you survived?” he asked.

  “Ten.”

  Trask sighed, “I hoped for more.”

  “Most don’t even make it through the first night,” she said, “We don’t even know where we are.”

  “You are west of the Draken> Mountains. The cave passes right through them.”

  Jasper closed his eyes; it felt good to be lying down. He would have slept but this conversation kept his attention, although not by much.

  “We’ve tried to get into the cave but can’t get through the door,” the woman said.

  “It’s magic, you won’t. But I need your help. Jasper is hurt.”

  “Jasper? Len’s son?”

  “Yes, King Len.”

  “King Len? But Delorah—”

  “—Delorah has another year, we’ll find a way to save her. But he’s in bad shape. Gorath hit him with a club and at first I thought he was dead.”

  Jasper heard movement. Then he felt hands caress his forehead. She cradled his head and whistled into the forest.

  In his daze, Jasper opened his eyes and gasped. “I’m dead.”

  “Almost, but not quite,” she said. “We’ll fix you.”

  “But you are…” He looked at Trask then back to her. “You are dead,” he said.

  She smiled, “I’ve wished it plenty of times over the past two years, but no, I am not dead.”

  “Does Migun know?”

  Jewell became sullen. “No, until now, nobody in Gardone has.” She turned to Trask. “Please, get a message to my husband. I want him to know.”

  “I’ll let Char know. He’ll get him the message.”

  “Tell him I think about him and the girls every day...” Her voice cracked and she stopped.

  Trask nodded. “I have to go so the others don’t come looking for me, but I’ll return. Char might even want to come out if it’s possible. Do you need supplies?”

  “Steel tools, weapons if you can get them.” Jasper felt her wipe his brow again. “Herbs we can’t grow in this climate would be good.”

  “I’ll see what I can do. Just keep watch on the door because if I’m able to return I won’t have much time.”

  “We always watch the door,” she said.

  “Take care of him,” Trask said.

  “We will. I’m glad we were finally able to talk to you. You are usually with the other guards, but we see how you try and help us.”

  “I’m just glad some of you are alive,” he said. “I never knew if I was saving any of you or not. If I could have done more, I would. Char insists that I don’t do anything that would give me away.”

  “You’ve risked enough already. We owe you our lives.”

  “Take care of Jasper. I’ll see you soon.” He took a step back.

  “Be well, Trask,” She said.

  Trask turned and sprinted away. Jewell whistled again into the forest and turned back to Jasper.

  “Help is coming.”

  He closed his eyes and the pain faded. He was floating, moving. Something was carrying him like a feather on a gentle breeze. He felt peaceful.

  “Jasper!”

  Jewell’s scream brought back the pain. He opened his eyes.

  “Stay with me.” She was crying. “Talk to me, tell me about your banishment.”

  He didn’t answer. Although he was happy to see her alive, a part of him was disappointed. Since he’d awakened sick and bloody in the sand he’d been wishing death would end his nightmare, but people kept waking him up.

  “Jasper?” Tears fell from her cheek onto his. “We are losing him!” she yelled.

  “It’s not worth it,” he whispered. “Kalina is dead, my father banished me, Endell turned me in; my whole life has been a lie. My family is disappointed… nobody cares.”

  “I care. You aren’t alone. Please, stay with me.”

  He shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he closed his eyes. It was time. He’d earned the right to walk away from it. Instantly, he was again floating. Peace returned. He saw a light, far away, drawing him closer. But then an image appeared—a folded up piece of parchment. Before he left, he would solve one last mystery.

  He opened his eyes and reached into his pocket. Jewell was still crying, telling him to hold on. He pulled it out.

  “Read this to me.”

  Jewell took and held it to the moonlight. “Dearest Jazzy,” she read.

  Jasper nearly choked on the lump that quickly filled his throat. He recognized Mother’s words; only she called him Jazzy.

  “There isn’t much time. I hope I am able to get you this message before you are taken before the Guide. I admire your courage to stand up for what you feel. You are strong, Jazz, you always have been. We have not forsaken you. We love, support, and believe in you. Your parents are scared to lose you. This whole thing happened too fast and couldn’t be stopped. We don’t want you to feel alone…we can make it through this. I know you have some deep feelings you only recently expressed. Perhaps under the circumstances it is best to keep these close to your heart. Don’t let others guide you into talking about them. Sometimes we must keep our deep feelings hidden because others are not willing or ready to hear. I love you Jazzy, we all love you. We will support you. You are not alone. We want you to come back to us. Please be careful. All my love, Migum”

  Jewell’s mouth fell open and fresh tears fell down her cheeks. “My Migun?”

  Jasper knew Migun hadn’t written that letter. Jewell squeezed him. Although he was happy to see her so touched, he couldn’t understand. Why was it signed from Migun? It didn’t make sense.

  “Oh Jasper, you have no idea how much I needed this,” she said.

  He liked Migun and she liked him, but not like that. She hadn’t written that letter; Mother had. But he couldn’t tell Jewell that, could he? Was it right to deceive her like this?

  Chapter 6

  Crossing the Line

  Migun frowned as Endell snuck towards the windmill. Sometimes he was just pl
ain stupid. He quickly vanished into the shadows and she waited, playing with long strands of grass as her mind jumped around.

  Did Jasper feel alone? Had he found the note? What did he think of her and why did he choose banishment? What if Endell got caught and ruined their plans?

  She yanked a handful of grass and threw it. First he hadn’t kept Jaspers secret and now this. How could he be so dumb, prancing around in the darkness when they were in a hurry?

  Movement near the windmill caught her attention and she noticed a white spec, Endell’s hair, weaving up the hill. When he reached the top and stepped into the moonlight, her mouth fell open. Somebody was with him.

  Then when Endell followed the dark shadow into the windmill, she knew she wouldn’t wait for him. Why had she trusted him in the first place? There was only one thing she could do now.

  She ran down the hill and then up the wash until the windmill was far behind. She climbed to the road and paused to catch her breath. The valley ahead was filled with scattered lights from the farm houses. Beyond them were the stronger lights of the city and the castle.

  She leaped onto the path and sped down the dark, empty street. Except for chirping crickets, occasional barking, and one loud burst of laughter, the night was quiet. Her side ached when she finally veered off the main road and followed the path to the back of the castle. She ran up to the back entrance and banged the old metal knocker. CLANK. CLANK.

  At first, nothing happened. She leaned against the door to catch her breath and heard a grunt and footsteps. Before she could stand upright, the small window in the door squeaked open.

  “Migun for the queen,” she said, jumping up.

  The door opened and the guard yawned. “Working late tonight?”

  She nodded.

  He yawned again and stepped aside.

  She slipped past and hurried through the servant passages. When she reached the back entrance to Tari’s room, she tapped lightly. Nothing happened. Maybe it was too late to bother her. No, this was important, she tapped harder. Still nothing. She raised her arm to pound the door and it clicked and swung open. Delorah stood in the opening.

  “I need to talk to your mother.”