“Are you ready for this?” he asked her.
She began to shackle his legs. “What is your plan?”
“Release his essence and help me put it into this body, make sure you keep it alive until I get back. If you let my body die while I’m away, it will ruin everything.”
“How will you terminate?” she asked and locked his empty hand to the chair.
“I’m taking that chest with me. When I unleash it, Endell’s body will die and my essence will return here. You’ll have to help me draw him out and then we’ll send him to the light.
“How long will I have to hold him down?” ZieZee asked.
“Not long,” he said, studying her. Could she do it? Yes, of course, she would be fine. “Ready?” he asked.
She nodded.
He drank, leaning back his head to spare his lips and let the liquid drizzle into his mouth. He didn’t flinch as the hot tar-like goo cooked the lining of his tongue and throat while it slowly sizzled its way down through his body. He stayed focused, waiting for the rush and relief, while he endured the pain. It came quick enough to remove the torture from his last few swallows. He closed his eyes and focused. His chest exploded in warm energy as the life essence in the Vitane released and flowed from him into the great light. He stretched out his arm, to entice and hold the power running through him. Most of it escaped, but not all. It infused him with the god-like powers he once had and he let go of his body.
Immediately he felt the presence of the great light, the power that hungered for all souls. All except himself, ZieZee, and what was left of Vitane. Although it pulled every other creature immediately into its abyss, it shunned them. It had for millions of years. But even if it wanted him, he wouldn’t go. He hated the light, even more than it hated him.
His body slumped lifeless in the chair beneath him. Everything became a part of him; the lair, the mountain, the empty goblet on the floor and several precious drops of vitane burning into the floor. He couldn’t see, hear, or smell; but he sensed everything. He perceived ZieZee shackling his limp arm to the chair. Then she drank her goblet, her body collapsed to the floor, and she was with him.
Free again from all restraints. There were times he longed to return, to dwell in this state forever. But it had taken too long and too much work to become mortal and he wasn’t ready to lose that yet. They moved to Endell. He reached out, expecting the boy to come to him like a baby reaching for its mother, but the boy resisted. He sensed ZieZee’s surprise and then her hesitation.
Both of us, together…now!
He reached out again, into Endell, and ZieZee joined him and they ripped him free. His body, left behind in the chair, slumped and they shielded his essence from the great light and guided him to Dorg’s lifeless body. They felt him attach but it felt fragile. He sensed ZieZee panic. She wanted to abandon this plan and let him go to the light.
No! We must finish.
He went to Endell’s body; it still wanted to live and accepted his spirit. Endell’s eyes opened, Dorg looked out and saw ZieZee lifeless on the floor. He closed his eyes and concentrated.
Go back to your body!
Her body quivered. She rolled over, struggled to her feet, and eyed Endell inside Dorg’s body. She reached out towards him and closed her eyes in concentration.
“I don’t know if I can hold him. How did he get this power?” she said.
“He has no power, come and release me,” Dorg said in Endell’s voice.
ZieZee dropped her hand and walked to him.
“It’s me, untie me,” he said.
She released the shackles and he stood, but she didn’t move. She stood in front of him, blocking him. “The boy is strong, if he escapes, your body will die. You’d better hurry.”
He stepped around her, “He’s a boy, a human. You can hold him.”
She didn’t answer and he looked back to see her already in a trance; arms outstretched, eyes vacant, and facing Endell. He turned to Endell and the eyes of the Guide glared back at him. That was strange. No human had ever been powerful enough to take control of a body after a transfer. They were usually barely strong enough to keep its heart beating and body breathing. But there was Endell, staring back at him as the Guide.
“Don’t get too comfortable in there,” he said, and waited. But Endell did not respond; he wasn’t that strong.
He walked to the desk and picked up the small chest. He opened a drawer and pulled out a black robe with the letters B-23. Then he walked to the portal, took three deep breaths, and passed through the red glow to Gardone.
Chapter 10
No Mercy
The pain was gone; or at least forgotten. Jasper ducked, avoiding a low hanging branch, as he zipped down the steep twisty trail after Jewell. Why had guards brought Mother? Had she been banished? He jumped a log, rounded a corner, and was suddenly blinded by brightness. He tried to stop but his feet stuck into soft ground and he stumbled forward. Just before he planted his face down, arms wrapped around him and pulled him to a stop.
“Woah there fella, you’ll end up in the stream if ya aren’t careful,” Crazybeard said.
His eyes adjusted and he realized he had left the forest and was standing in a sandy wash. A small stream wound down the middle of it. He noticed Jewell close by and she held a finger to her lips.
“Over this hill is the cliff where they sacrifice people to the dark ones,” she whispered.
“It’s where they were bringing you last night. If they have your mother, they’ll bring her here and we’ll be ready. You can watch from the top but don’t make any noise or let yourself be seen. You need to stay hidden, we know this area and have practiced with these weapons, so let us deal with them. Understand?”
“Yes.”
She pointed at two of the others, motioned, and they took off running. Then she sent the next two in the other direction. She gestured for Jasper to follow and then started up the hill with the crazy bearded man. He followed. Near the top, he heard the roar of a large river. Crazybeard dropped to his chest and crawled to the hill crest; he and Jewell followed.
After a quick look, she told him to stay and she and Crazybeard climbed down through the trees and boulders on the left. Jasper crawled to the edge of the rocky cliff and looked into the canyon below. It was a steep drop, far enough to kill anyone that fell over it. Below was a large clearing. To the left, trees and ferns covered the ground all the way to the Mountains, where he figured the cave to Gardone was located.
Straight down he saw chains bolted to the rock. But what were the dark shadows on the rock around them? Then he noticed scattered bones and knew; he felt sick. How could this be possible? How could the Guide send good people to be beaten, chained to the wall, and murdered? The Guide was evil and as an image of the old man’s smiling face flashed through his mind, a bitter scowl crawled across Jasper’s face. How could a person appear so kind yet so deceitful? If Trask hadn’t set him free he would either be chained against the cliff right now or already mangled by the dark ones.
He heard a yell from the forest and slid back from the edge. He searched the green canopy of trees below for movement. Flashes of color appeared, then the sounds of grunting and heavy breathing. A guard emerged first and took several steps out onto the rock and looked around. He stared for a long time at the chains below Jasper, and then turned and motioned for the others to follow.
Mother stepped into view covered in blood, cuts, and bruises; clothes shredded. She was barefoot and each step left red footprints on the stone. She walked to the guard and dropped a large sack, which had been slung over her shoulder.
“Did I say you could put that down? Pick it up!” said the guard as he smacked the back of her head.
Jasper moved, intending to stand but stopped himself. She bent down and grunted while hoisting the sack back over her shoulder. Where was Jewell? Why weren’t they doing anything?
“I don’t see him,” yelled the guard.
Another guard emerged and walk
ed into the opening. It was Marchello; one of the guards he hated most. Even at his nicest, Marchello dripped cruelty like a rabid dog. He stared at the rocks below Jasper.
“Where is he? They couldn’t have taken him already. Go check for fresh blood and chain her up,” Marchello said, then turned back to the forest. “Move it!” he yelled into the trees.
The first Guard grabbed Mother’s hair and began pulling her towards the base of the cliff. She stumbled and dropped the bag she was carrying and screamed in pain.
“Shut up you spoiled hag,” the guard said as he dragged her toward the chains.
She walked awkwardly with her head bent low. Jasper lost sight of her as they reached the base of the cliff, but he could hear her crying.
Another guard and a woman walked into the clearing: Endell’s mother. She was gagged with a strip of cloth bound tightly across her mouth. She, too, looked ragged, but not beaten like Mother. Behind her, a girl appeared. It was Migun, her face bloody and bruised.
“Stop it!” yelled the guard below him.
“Where is Jasper, you said we would see Jasper!” Mother screamed.
There was a dull thud and she cried.
“If you don’t want another one, shut up and put this on!”
“No! You can just kill me now! That’s what you are going to do so just do it! I’m done following orders!”
Several hard slaps were more than Jasper could take. He crawled forward and looked down just as the guard’s arm swung and sank into her stomach. She grunted and fell back against the stone. From across the clearing he heard laughter, Marchello.
Jasper jumped to his feet and with both hands, heaved a large rock from the ground. Straddling the boulder, he shuffled to the edge of the cliff, aimed, and lobbed it over the side.
Marchello was still laughing when the stone crushed through the skull and body of the guard and smashed into the ground in a spray of red. Jasper watched Marchello’s head rise and lock onto his position above the cliff and the two locked eyes briefly. Marchello ripped a knife from his belt and to Jasper’s horror, sprinted for Mother. Jasper searched frantically for another stone, too small, too big…there was nothing. He looked again, Marchello was too close, Jasper prepared to jump. Three arrows from three different directions cut through the air and buried into Marchello’s body: two in his chest, and one in his neck. Marchello slowed and struggled for balance as blood trickled from his mouth. He looked up at Jasper, grinned through his red stained teeth, and raised his dagger for his final lunge. Again, Jasper prepared to jump but instead of moving forward, Marchello’s body twisted and fell to the ground. More whizzing arrows and the third guard near Migun dropped to the ground.
The fourth guard walked into the open, saw Marchello, and spun in retreat. As he sprinted for the forest another whiz and he fell with an arrow in his side. He screamed and rolled on the ground.
Jasper ran along the cliff until he reached the path Jewell had followed down into the canyon. He jumped bushes, dodged trees, and kicked up dirt and sand while flying through the air out of control in his mad dash for the bottom. He reached it rolling head over heels in a heap of dust but quickly jumped to his feet and stumbled onto the smooth rocks. Everyone converged from all directions. Mother lay motionless against the cliff. He ran to her, fell to his knees, and rolled her into his arms.
“Mother?”
Somebody ran up from behind and a deep voice yelled, “Gareth, hurry!”
Jasper stared into her face, horrified at her motionless body. “Stay with me.”
Her eyelids flickered and lifted slightly. “Jazzy?”
He smiled. “Yes! It’s me!”
She smiled back, weakly. “I was so scared I’d lost you.”
“You didn’t, just hold on. Help is coming. We’ll take care of you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “Everything will be alright.” She spoke from behind a black eye, gouged forehead, and blood soaked-hair.
Two more arrived and knelt next to him. One of them dripped water into her mouth and another began to bind her bleeding wounds.
“Jasper, let us take care of her, step back,” someone said.
They took her from him and he stood. The mangled, bloodied body of the guard was in pieces around him…he felt sick. Yelling and urgent orders filled the air but he couldn’t think. Nothing made sense. He panned the mess…people running, yelling, crying. Across the rocky flat Jewell and Migun sat huddled in a tearful embrace, heads resting on the other’s shoulder.
His gaze fell back onto the lifeless body of the guard and the pool of red. His flesh was ripped, skull crushed, and bone exposed. He had killed this man. He felt dizzy and stumbled away, falling. This was too much. The world spun faster and the screams and yells faded as he slumped to his side and the world turned black.
* * * Thamus rocked with the galloping horse, letting his legs bounce and absorb the motion. Other than the rhythmic beat of hooves drumming the earth, the dark meadow and farmlands were quiet while most villagers enjoyed their last moments of sleep. A light blue crescent had formed on the eastern horizon and it wouldn’t be long until it consumed the black sky above him.
He raced past the well from where he’d drawn water the night before and, without slowing, zipped past the barn as the rooster crowed. He pulled back on the reigns and slowed the horse as they approached his house. The back door was wide open and he grabbed the sword and jumped from the horse without thinking…hitting the ground in a full sprint. He bolted through the open door and turned for the bedroom. Faint light from the window shown on the empty bed and he frowned angrily and raced back outside. Without slowing, he jumped and landed gently in the saddle and kicked. The horse shot forward.
He galloped ahead to the one person he could trust. Migun had come to the windmill and one of the Resistance members claimed to be her father. Was he sure it had been Rudolfo? Probably. It was risky but he was desperate; his wife and son were at risk.
He pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted. He tried to appear casual, just in case anyone might be watching and with a shock realized the sword was still in his hand. He tucked it in his pants, covered the hilt with his shirt and then knocked lightly on the front door. A man with a pointy red beard answered and it took Thamus a moment to recognize his old friend. How long had it been since he’d seen Rudolfo?
“Thamus?” Rudolfo looked surprised and glanced quickly behind him into the dark room.
“Sorry to bother you so early,” he fished for words. “I saw Endell and Migun together last night and Endell is gone. Is Migun here?”
“No, she isn’t.”
Thamus wanted to make it quick but what could he say? He couldn’t admit to being at the meeting or even ask if Rudolfo had been there. So he didn’t say anything. He just stood there, confused.
Rudolfo extended his hand. “It’s good to see you Thamus.”
Thamus, feeling awkward, reached forward and took Rudolfo’s hand. He felt Rudolfo’s little finger curl up and suddenly understood. They locked little fingers and completed the handshake of the Resistance.
“Now, what is it?” Rudolfo asked.
“Last night in the fields guards came and took Endell. I think they would have killed me but I fought back; I took one of their swords.” Thamus turned to show the sword hanging from his side.
“What are they doing with weapons?” Rudolfo asked.
Thamus shrugged. “I don’t know. The young kid who tried to attack me had no idea how to use it, not like us back in the day.” He flashed a quick smile at the memory. “But now they have Endell and Sharel and I don’t know what to do. They are all I have…”
Rudolfo stuck his head outside and looked up and down the road. He pointed at the horse. “Send him away. We don’t want a guard’s horse attracting attention.”
Thamus nodded and quickly led the horse onto the road, smacked his rump, and it galloped off.
“Hurry inside,” Rudolfo said.
&nb
sp; Thamus walked inside the cottage and froze. An elite guard in full uniform was standing in Rudolfo’s house, arms folded. Thamus took a step back, ready to run, but just then the tall burly guard extended his hand.
“Hello Thamus, it’s alright, I’m Trask.”
Thamus apprehensively reached out and took his hand. He felt Trask’s little finger reach up into his palm. Shocked, Thamus responded appropriately.
“And you already know this stranger,” Rudolfo said.
Thamus turned and a body emerged from the shadows.
“Len?” he said with wide eyes.
Len reached forward and the two men exchanged the secret greeting of the Resistance.
“I don’t believe this,” Thamus said. “How did we all end up, like this?”
“There is a good reason we have always been good friends, we think the same way. I just wish I had known when you brought Jasper in. We could have avoided a big mess,” Len said.
“I know Len, I’m so sorry. The problem was that—”
“—Don’t worry,” Len interrupted. “1 explained it to me and I understand. Right now we have other things to worry about. Your wife, my wife, and Migun have all been banished and taken through the mountain.”
“What!”
“Yes, but Trask has learned that there are survivors over there. He was able to free Jasper last night and left him with Jewell.”
“Jewell?” Thamus gasped and looked at Rudolfo, who nodded fervently.
“She’s alive!” Rudolfo said, choking on his words. “She’s alive! Trask was with her last night.”
“He’s going to take us to the tunnel so we can go to them,” Len said. “They were all taken through a few hours ago and will be tortured if we don’t hurry.”
“But what about Endell?” Thamus asked.
“He’s with the Guide,” Trask said.
“What?”
“The Guide wanted to see him personally, I don’t know why,” Trask said. “Let me worry about that…I’ll find him but you really need to get moving. There is only one key to the door and the guards out there have it so we need to get through the door before they come back. It’s our only chance to save the others.”
Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy) Page 12
