Mandala's Catalyst (Gardone Trilogy)

by Warren R. Henke

Jasper was amazed at how much better she looked. When Crazybeard removed the bandages he had expected the worst, but she almost looked normal. What kind of magic was this? Based on what she had been through he couldn’t believe she wasn’t writhing in pain. “But you need to sleep,” he said.

  She sat up. “I hope you know we had nothing to do with your banishment. It happened fast and we didn’t know what to do.”

  “I know,” apparently she wasn’t going to be sleeping. “I read the letter, don’t worry.”

  “I was so worried about you.” She tugged on his hand; he slid next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

  While they embraced, she whispered to him. “Your father is part of a secret group who don’t agree with what the Guide is doing. He will do something to—”

  “—The Resistance?” Jasper pulled away, to see her face. “He is in the Resistance?” He looked over at Jewell, upset she hadn’t told him. But she was cuddled and sleeping peacefully with Migun.

  “I don’t know anything about the Resistance but I know he’s part of a group that doesn’t like what the Guide is doing.”

  “That’s the Resistance. That’s who these people are, we are with the Resistance.”

  “What is it?”

  He told what had happened to him, starting with how he’d seen the dragon’s talons snap Kalina off her pedestal. He explained about his confusion in the cave and then meeting with the Guide. He told her about Jewell and the others who had been banished to this land. His words gushed like the river. Her wide eyes and apparent fascination at every word thrilled him. She was interested, not angry. When he finished, he felt wonderful; he had told her everything.

  She was far from sleep now. The corners of her mouth were slightly upturned in an expression that flattered him; she looked proud.

  “I’ve never see you so full of passion,” she said.

  He grinned, embarrassed. He suddenly realized he’d been loud and excited.

  “I think it’s wonderful. You are a smart young man and growing up way too fast!”

  He laughed and looked away, trying to erase the sheepish grin he felt stuck to his face. Then a grim thought wiped it away, he turned back.

  “But why are you here?”

  Her smile, too, vanished. She told him of her stress when Endell had come down from the cave, how they tried to figure out how to save him. When she explained how hard it was to hear Father talk of doubts and concerns, Jasper fidgeted uncomfortably. She’d never shared feelings like this before. Although he liked it, he wasn’t sure how to respond. Should he tell her Father was right? What did she want from him? But he just listened, soon realizing that’s all she wanted and needed. But when she told about being captured and taken to the dungeons, his blood boiled and he was ready to kill someone. Then he remembered, to his horror, that he had.

  When she finished, a somber mood kept them silent.

  She finally continued, “I guess at some level I always knew something wasn’t right but I just couldn’t allow myself to think about it. Life was good and I didn’t want to jeopardize anything.” She sighed. “Now look at us, in an instant it’s all gone.”

  So true. In one sense, laughing and talking with Kalina in the royal gardens seemed like a lifetime ago. But it had only been days. An instant had changed his life forever. “Things will never be the same again,” he said.

  “It’s hard to believe the Guide could be like you say,” she said, looking at her hands while she fumbled with her wedding ring. “Why would he have us banished? It’s not like we did anything against Gardone.”

  “I didn’t think he was evil either, he was nice to me. But Jewell says the Resistance has evidence that he’s killed many times. And she says he wasn’t at all kind to her when she was banished.”

  Mother frowned, thinking.

  “They would have killed you,” he said. “The Guide wanted both of us to be executed.”

  “Yes, I know. It’s just hard to believe. He’s a gentle person, why would he do this?”

  “We don’t know exactly,” Jewell’s voice startled them, and they both turned to face her. “We know he’s hiding something, we just don’t know what.”

  “So what are we going to do?” Mother asked.

  “We’ll wait for word from the Resistance. Other than survive, there really isn’t much we can do…survive and keep searching for answers, one way or another.”

  There was a light wrapping at the front of the hut. “Jewell?”

  Jasper recognized the voice of Crazybeard.

  “Crazybeard?” Jewell said.

  The bushy faced man appeared in the doorway. “Crazywhat?” he said.

  “Crazybeard,” she said. “That’s what I’m calling you from now on.”

  He grunted and in a grumble said, “Whatever makes you happy…”

  Jewell laughed, a sweet cheerful sound and Jasper couldn’t help but smile.

  “We’ve cleaned up our tracks, they won’t know we are around. I took a look inside the door; it’s full of passages, some natural and others manmade.”

  “Do you think we could find our way through?”

  “I think so. The main path looks well marked and I’ll bet it leads right to the other side. Some of the natural passages look like they haven’t ever been explored.

  “If we were inside could we hide from the guards if they came through?”

  “Yes, there are rocks and tunnels everywhere.”

  Jewell thought for a moment.

  “I’d like to go look around,” he said.

  “Let’s see what everyone thinks,” Jewell said.

  “I think we should do it now. If the Guide suspects anything he might have the door sealed.”

  “Is everyone here?”

  “All except Shad, he’s on watch at the door.”

  She stood. “Gather everyone together and let’s talk it over.”

  Jasper stood too, excited to hear the discussion. As Mother threw off her blankets to stand, he wanted to stop her. She looked better, but she should rest after what she’d be through. Then he remembered his own trauma the night before and how Jewell wanted him to stay although he’d felt fine. So instead, he offered a hand and helped her to her feet and the two of them walked out into the sunlight.

  Crazybeard called for everyone and people converged to the fire pit in the center of camp. He recognized several faces from earlier that morning, but other than Crazybeard, he had not been introduced. Mother and Jewell walked ahead and he paused to look around, it was the first time he’d had a chance.

  The clearing was surrounded by a tangled mass of leaves and branches that created a thick wall of plants around them. The trails he’d run earlier were like dark tunnels carved through thick brush and ferns. Looking up, sunlight cut through the tall trees and bathed his face. He couldn’t see the mountains but they had to be close to where the granite peaks rose from the forest. The journey to the cliffs this morning had been a furious downhill run and the hike back carrying stretchers was an arduous climb.

  This clearing was large enough to feel comfortable yet small enough to feel safe. A dozen or so huts were scattered about: a couple built up in the trees, a few set right into the thick forest like caves, but most out in the open and appeared to be made of mud, rock, and lumber. Jewell’s, one of the largest, could accommodate seven or eight while the rest could probably only fit two.

  He headed for the fire pit. It was surrounded by log chairs and a few twine hammocks hanging from the trees. Nearby was a stack of firewood and an assortment of cooking tools: grinding stones, pottery, and wooden devices.

  He walked to a log, sat, and glanced around at the strangers, careful to avoid direct eye contact. He liked these people but he had not been introduced or accepted. At the moment he felt more like a burden than a part of their group.

  The chattering stopped and Jasper noticed everyone looking in the same direction. He turned and was surprised to see Sharel approaching. He happened to be sitting close enough
to hear Crazybeard telling Jewell not to let her join them.

  “It’s awkward,” Jewell answered him quietly, “but she has done nothing wrong and we will not exclude her because her opinions are different from ours.”

  Raising her voice, Jewell addressed the group. “Before we get started, I think introductions are appropriate.” She winked at him and then faced his mother. “I was the first to survive over two years ago and we’ve been growing steadily since. It isn’t easy and we don’t always agree, but we are family now, we have to be. We work out our problems through discussion and compromise. Everyone has responsibilities and we depend on one each another. We’ve learned that is the only way we can survive.”

  By the expressions of the others, Jasper knew she spoke the truth. They cared deeply for each other. The things they must have gone through: difficult winters, stories around the campfire, shared meals, sickness and death.

  “Everyone has a say in all that we do, but in the end, majority rules and we stand together, working for common goals. I’ve been elected leader, but all that means is that I keep us organized and focused on what the group has voted on.”

  Jewell turned back to the group. “I’d like to introduce Tari, the queen of Gardone. She is a close friend of mine and it is a bittersweet feeling to have her with us — bitter because of the circumstances, sweet because I love her like a sister.”

  Jewell motioned for Tari to step forward and Jasper saw Sharel’s mouth crinkle into a disguised scowl.

  “Hello,” his mother said with a graceful smile. “I have been here for…” she looked at Jewell. “How long have I been here?”

  This drew smiles and soft laughter from the group and a deeper scowl from Sharel.

  “I want to thank each of you for the help today. Thank you for risking your own lives to rescue us and thank you for taking care of my son,” she looked at Jasper; it was clear she was struggling to contain her emotions. “The past two days have been a nightmare, but it feels good to be with you all. I look forward to getting to know everyone.” She sat back down.

  “Crazybeard?” Jewell said loudly and winked at Jasper.

  He stood and glared at her while the others jeered and laughed playfully. He cleared his throat, “I am Gareth.” He spoke his name loud and slowly. “I’ve been here almost two years. My job is researching magic.”

  As the introductions continued, Jasper put names to faces. Leon, the short, round bald man managed food and water. Rheno, tall and muscular, insured there was always plenty of dry firewood. Zack oversaw housing and his wife, Kris, was responsible for security. Hunting was coordinated by Trina, an older woman who looked like she could take a bear with her bare hands. Walther made it clear that although he managed sanitation, it was the responsibility of all to help out with dishes.

  Jasper was pleased to learn Yakoh, the tall, skinny, dark-skinned man with a ponytail down his back, was responsible for weapons. Maybe he could finally learn how to properly fight with a sword, the thought made him smile. Shad wasn’t present but Jewell explained that he managed surveillance at the door, although they all took turns.

  Sharel refused an introduction, Jasper gave a shy hello and thank you, and Jewell then introduced her sleeping daughter, Migun.

  “We will have plenty of time to become better acquainted. Right now there is another…” Jewell stopped talking.

  Everyone sat motionless, silent and listening. Jasper heard nothing, at first. Then a faint whistle grew louder and passed overhead, buzzing off into the distance. The relaxed atmosphere changed.

  “Rheno, Trina, Yakoh, and Kris,” Jewell said, then paused and added, “and Jasper, let’s go. Gareth, hold down the fort!”

  Rheno and Kris were running for the passage out of the camp before Jewell even finished. When Jewell ran after them, Jasper followed. They stopped at a small hut near the trailhead and Jewell handed Jasper a spear. The others also had spears, bows, and arrows.

  “What’s happening?” he asked.

  “That was a signal from Shad. Someone is coming through the door. You must do exactly as I say, do you understand?”

  He nodded.

  “Stay with me and keep completely quiet.”

  He turned to follow them down the trail and could hear Sharel whining and Crazybeard telling her to shut up.

  Chapter 15

  Pulled off Track

  Trask waited at the servant’s door, just as he had earlier. This time there wasn’t a sleeping guard; there wasn’t a guard at all. All were on patrol in the city — all except him. Knudson had told him to go check on Marchello, which was ideal. He would be able to lead them through the caverns himself. And with the castle empty, it would be easy to get them through the dungeons.

  But what was taking them so long? Marchello would not go easy on Tari and Migun and every minute was critical. The explosion delayed them too long; they should have left early this morning. He pressed his face against the small opening in the door and peered outside. He hoped to see Len and the others approaching, but saw only saw grass, trees, and the garden.

  He sat. After what seemed like an eternity, a coded knock sounded and he lifted the cross bar and pulled the door open. Four figures hustled inside and he locked it behind them.

  “Did anyone see you?” he whispered.

  “No, but we had to wait for guards several times, sorry it took so long,” Len said.

  Trask looked at Thamus. “You feeling alright? You looked pretty bad.”

  Thamus motioned to China. “She did something to me. I don’t know what, but I’m as good as new.”

  “Do you still have the sword?”

  “Yes,” Thamus said.

  “We might need it. I don’t know how we are going to deal with Marchello and the other guards if we meet up with them.”

  “I have a spell or two that might help,” China said.

  “Good. Let’s get going,” Trask said. “Len, take them to the dungeon entrance. Make sure you use the back passages. You know the way?”

  Len pointed, “straight, right, third left, and then all the way to the end. I think it hooks with the great hall near the dungeon entrance.”

  “Yes, and everyone is out patrolling the city so you shouldn’t run into trouble, but stay in the shadows to be safe. I can’t risk being seen with you so I’ll go ahead and make sure the way is clear. Once we get to the caverns we can travel together. Just give me a short head start before you follow.”

  He didn’t wait for them to answer; he spun and ran deeper into the castle. Most of the journey was in darkness, lamps placed at intersections provided the only light. He ran with his arm out and fingers against the wall, bouncing over the gaps between each stone. It kept him from colliding into the hard stone but not from stumbling several times on raised stones in the floor. At every corner he slowed and listened. After confirming the silence he bolted forward to the next glowing beacon. When he finally reached the point where it joined the main hallway, he stopped completely; several guards normally patrolled this area.

  Most of the castle had been carved into the granite mountain and this was the deepest section, protecting the vault and dungeons. To his right the hallway arched and stretched, eventually to the front of the castle. Many torches lined the walls and curved into the distance. To his left, not at twenty paces away and on the other side of the hallway, was an archway that opened into a small alcove which housed the entrance to the dungeons. He listened before stepping into the hallway and then walked towards the archway.

  Voices. A distant hum of low voices filled the hallway behind him. His mind raced for an explanation and possible course of action while his body walked forward, steady and calm. All guards had been summoned topside yet the stone walls echoed a dull murmur of conversation. He prayed the door ahead was unguarded. It was, and he sighed in relief at the sight of the empty chairs and torches burning on the wall. He opened the door and listened into the staircase that wound down into the darkness. All was quiet. He returned to th
e main hallway and concentrated on the distant voices. Men were talking but he couldn’t understand what they were saying or know for sure how close they were, but there was no question they were headed in his direction.

  He scurried back up the hallway to the dark passage where Len and the others should be approaching. He focused on the faint lamp in the distance, hoping to see shadows obscuring the flickering light, but didn’t. The voices in the outer hall grew louder; he wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. Did the lamp at the far end of the dark passage just flicker? He focused on the weak light and was relieved to see shadows moving through the darkness. But it was short-lived, in the other direction lights began to dance against the far wall of the curved hallway. They were rounding the bend.

  He cupped his hands around his mouth, and in the loudest voice he dared use, said, “Run!”

  Rapid footsteps beat against the stones. In the other direction, Trask saw three men rounding the hallway in the distance. They appeared to be guards.

  When Len, Thamus, Rudolfo, and China reached him, he wasted no time.

  “Guards are coming, you have to hurry. I’ll go talk to them and you all stay in the shadows against the wall. You’ll see the archway to the dungeons just ahead.” He pointed in the direction. “Take a torch from the wall and go down, they should be empty. If not, try to sneak past or fight your way through. Marchello and the others could be on their way back, so listen and watch carefully. Go all the way to the back, there is a large black door that leads into the caverns. On the right is a loose stone, feel around for it and get the key from behind it. Unlock the door and replace the key. There are a few supplies inside, take torches and whatever else you need. I’ll meet you there…now go!”

  “Wait,” Len said, then hesitated.

  “What is it?” Trask said.

  Len yanked the jasper necklace from his neck and handed it to Trask.

  “Please, keep Delorah safe. Give this to her. Tell her I love her. Tell her…” Tears welled up in his eyes. “She thinks I’m dead, she thinks we all are.”

  Trask put his hand on Len’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of her. I promise. Now go!” He pushed Len towards the dungeons and immediately turned and walked the other way. As he neared, he was able to tell they were talking about the explosion.