“What is going to happen?” Yu-ning said, her mind swirling with so many questions that she couldn’t quite grab hold of any one in particular, so she asked the one question that was a piece of all the others.
“We are going to fight with the strongest weapon we have, Yu-ning. The strongest weapon we have ever had.”
“And what is that weapon, Master? The bow?”
“No, Yu-ning. We will fight with love.” Balthazar’s eyes burned brightly, and it was a look that Yu-ning never forgot. Balthazar slowly closed the door, leaving Yu-ning alone with her meal and her thoughts.
That night she slept soundly and deeply. The next morning Yu-ning awakened late—well past ten—but feeling fully refreshed. She pulled back the curtains and was greeted by brilliant sunshine. The city below was washed clean by the rain and the light that now filled it. It was as if the grey and black buildings had been painted in light, transforming and renewing them.
From this height, Yu-ning could see a shining silver ribbon leading out of the city into the nearby hills. This was the old millrace, the sun reflecting off the water now running through it. It flowed from the natural spring down to the plain and into the city, where it surfaced at the water wheel at the base of the tower. It disappeared under the tower on the far side of the conveyer platform, exiting the city at the other end.
Yu-ning dressed in a clean white robe, similar to the one worn by Melodia, and placed Magic in the front pocket. “No mischief out of you today, Magic,” she said to the frog, pointing her finger at his head, which was poking out of the pocket. She walked down the corridor toward Balthazar’s chambers and entered the massive room, with the desk sitting empty at the center.
No one was in sight. She crossed the room and, noticing that the huge sliding glass partitions were open, stepped onto the balcony. Balthazar was sitting at a round table at the far end, sipping a steaming bowl of tea. “Good morning, Yu-ning. I trust you had a good rest,” said Balthazar, as she joined him. Yu-ning assured him that she had and told him she was ready to learn.
“Good,” he said, “because time is precious.”
All that day they sat on the balcony, as Melodia brought manuscript upon manuscript to Balthazar. He taught Yu-ning all there was to know about the history of the obsidigons, the warlocks who created them, and the Great Obsidigon War of a century before. Midday supper came and went, and the sun began to sink lower on the horizon as the afternoon wore on.
A warm breeze blew softly across the balcony, rustling the thick brown pages of the leather-bound manuscripts that lay on the table before them. With the beautiful view, the rainwashed city below, and the safety of the tower, it was hard for Yu-ning to believe there was such a serious threat roaming the land. She felt as if she were perched atop the world, and that no sorrow, destruction, or death could reach her here. She longed for home—for the comfort of Metatron’s embrace, the friendship of Romeo, and the glow of the sacred rainbow.
But all that had been shaken—though Rainbow Island had been an oasis for her throughout her entire childhood, the attack of the obsidigon, and the horror it brought, had shaken her more than she realized. The things she took for granted—the peace and tranquility of the Island, the joy of her school and her teachers, the pleasure of an afternoon swim in the beautiful bay—she missed terribly now. She shared all these thoughts and sensations with Balthazar as they gathered up the manuscripts, getting ready to retire as night drew close.
“Ah, yes. What you are experiencing, Yu-ning, is a very adult thing. It’s called regret. As we grow older, and leave behind more and more years of living, we have more things we wish we had done differently. And that makes us sad, and causes us to long for the opportunities we missed,” explained the wise teacher. “Does that make sense?”
“I think so,” said Yu-ning, as she picked up leather books from the marble floor and stacked them on the round wood table. “I regret not appreciating Rainbow Island more, and I regret not being able to do more to protect Romeo.”
“Yes, I understand, my child,” said Balthazar, sensing the young girl’s remorse. “But don’t forget that life is a book. Each day is a page. Each year is a chapter. And all those chapters form separate parts—seasons in our life. And of course, all the chapters and parts make up the entire book that is our life. The ink on the early chapters of your life, Yu-ning, has barely dried! But still, what has been written in those pages cannot be changed. What you can control, however, is what is written on the page of your life today. That is all you have.”
Yu-ning smiled thoughtfully. “That is what Metatron always says: Each day is its own page in life’s mysterious book. If we try to read ahead, we lose the story.”
“Ah!” said Balthazar. “Your Metatron is a wise man . . . just like me!” He said this last part with a smile, and he and Yu-ning began to laugh.
Over the course of the next several days, Balthazar taught Yu-ning about the old lore: the rise of the obsidigon army a century earlier, and the defeat of that army by the Darq Renders—the bringers of light. Though she had learned bits and pieces of the story from Metatron and Suparna, Balthazar explained it in full. “Darq Renders are not killers—or destroyers. Just the opposite: they are bringers of light into dark places. For darkness and light cannot exist simultaneously. The light will always expel the darkness.”
“Where did the Darq Renders come from, Balthazar? And why am I one?”
“Your kind is an ancient race, Yu-ning. The Renders once had a thriving kingdom on the island of Darqendia. They came from all over the northern islands, and over the years, they developed the birthmark you carry on your left arm. In those days—hundreds of years ago, in the days of our great-grandfathers’ grandfathers—the obsidigons were more common, and made frequent attacks on your villages. Over time, your kin learned how to fight them. The bows were made of the best wood, as well as the arrow shafts. And the arrowheads were made of a gem mined only on Darqendia—a secret gem possessed only by the Renders. Even I don’t know the secret of the arrowhead, Yu-ning. There is magic in those arrows—or so the legends say.”
Yu-ning looked at Balthazar thoughtfully, and in a new light. For the first time in her life, she was talking with someone who understood her history and lineage.
“Yu-ning, I have lived in this tower for many years. I came here to bring the light back to this city. I have tried to reach so many, but today, when I called down to you—you were the first person to actually hear me calling! I have yearned to descend the tower and enter the streets of the city to bring the light. But that is not my role, Yu-ning. I needed just one person—just one—to have the necessary faith to release the light. You had the faith to do it.”
“I still don’t understand why it has to be me, Balthazar. The Empress has an army of warriors at her disposal. And I’m . . .” Yu-ning’s voice trailed off as she gazed out over the city far below.
“Destiny. Do you understand this word, Yu-ning?”
“It means path, right?”
“Yes, it means one’s path. But don’t confuse destiny with destination. What I am talking about is the purpose behind the destination. This is your purpose, Yu-ning—to embrace the role of a Darq Render, and fulfill your destiny as a bringer of light into darkness. That mark on your arm is not about violence, it is about love. That arc is like a bow—or a rainbow With both, the arc points up and outward—shooting its light to the world. That is the role of a Darq Render: to extend love and to only use one’s bow to fight darkness, when all other means fail. That mark means at least one of your parents was a Darq Render also, for the birthmark is only passed down through bloodline. In that history is your future—and your destiny.”
Balthazar carried the wisdom not only of years but also of trials and tribulations. When he spoke, he did so with purpose. His ideas were well formed, as if he had already thought of the answers before being asked. But it was more than that: it was as if he had already lived through the questions, so that his answers came not by opinion, but by expl
oit. Yu-ning respected him, even though she also feared him a little.
With the day’s lesson at an end, Melodia informed Balthazar and the girl that dinner was ready. Another day had come and gone, yet Yu-ning was surprised to see the sun setting in the west. It felt as if the two had been talking for just an hour, when in fact the entire day had raced by.
The following morning they had a hurried and early breakfast, as Balthazar felt a growing urgency to teach Yu-ning as much as he could, in the limited amount of time he had left. He knew Suparna would be returning soon from his trip to Rainbow Island, after safely transporting Julian and the adults to their new home. And over the past two days, a plan had crystallized in Balthazar’s mind about where Suparna and Yu-ning would need to go next. And now that Balthazar had the plan, he was anxious to set it in motion.
“Yu-ning, do you know about the Darq creatures—what they are?” asked Balthazar, as Melodia cleared away the breakfast dishes from the balcony table.
“You mean the obisidigon?”
“The obsidigon is of a Darq nature—the former is born of the latter.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” said Yu-ning.
“Darq magic is not natural—it is not part of the natural order of things,” explained Balthazar. “This is not natural darkness we are talking about—such as the daily phenomena of the setting sun and the coming of night. This is an unnatural darkness—one made of malevolent magic. It is a conjured and controlled darkness, manipulated for evil, to cast the world into gloom. That is Hobaling’s plan. Therefore, the obsidigon is his creation, born of a Darq nature.”
“Metatron mentioned Hobaling to me—the day before the obsidigon attacked Rainbow Island. He said that he is some sort of warlock. But why does he want to bring gloom into the world?”
Balthazar explained that Hobaling was a conjurer and warlock and a disgraced prince of the royal household. Several years back, he had seduced one of the imperial princesses, married her, and ingratiated himself into the royal court. For three years he bided his time—but his loyalty was a deception. Some months ago he had disappeared from the palace, taking something very valuable and dangerous from the catacombs beneath the royal residence: the last known obsidigon skull.
The skull was a trophy taken secretly from the battlefield of Darqendia by the Empress’s grandfather, Emperor Ming, and hidden deep in the bowels of the Imperial Palace. Hobaling’s grandfather, Hobanor, who lay injured and presumed dead on the battlefield, had seen the former Emperor retrieve the skull and hide it in his saddlebag. Hobanor ruled Baggul Island at the time, and raised the army of obsidigons using twisted magic. Though defeated along with the dark dragons, he knew the Emperor had taken the skull from the battlefield and told his grandson about it before he died several years later from lingering wounds that never truly healed.
“Hobaling now carries his grandfather’s thirst for power and control,” explained Balthazar, “and seeks to avenge Hobanor’s death and restore darkness again. His blood runs deep with hatred, which was nursed by his own father, Hobacol, who disappeared years ago while hunting for obsidigon skulls on the Steppes of Darqendia. Rather than search for his lost father across the desolate plains of Darqendia, Hobaling devised a plan to infiltrate the royal family and find the skull taken secretly by Emperor Ming so many years ago. I believe, Yu-ning, that Hobaling has discovered how to use the arcane magic to conjure an obsidigon from that one skull—the same creature that attacked you and Rainbow Island.”
The following day Yu-ning learned about the physical strengths and weaknesses of obsidigons, as well as the best ways to confront them. Balthazar taught her the limited knowledge that he had: Darq Render warriors use the light to penetrate their prey.
“Darq Render warriors never reveal the type of stone they use on the tips of their arrows. It is a well-guarded secret—all we know is that this special stone is found only on Darqendia. And I never got close enough to the front lines to know just how the arrows worked. The battles I saw were from far off, but they were still an amazing sight. The warriors’ arrows were ablaze with what looked like white fire, Yu-ning—thousands of shafts of light streaming from a line of 1,000 archers. I do know this for certain: the arrows only work at the back of the neck. A Darq Render did tell me that much.”
“But what is sharp enough to do that, Balthazar?” asked Yu-ning. “I know how to use a bow, but when I shot the obsidigon the night of the attack on Rainbow Island, the arrow simply bounced off its forehead.”
“You will need both a Darq Render bow and the special arrows I speak of, crafted by their fletchers. But Darq Render bows and arrow shafts can no longer be crafted, I am afraid, because they are made of the wood of Taxus baccata.”
“Taxus ba-what?” asked Yu-ning.
“Commonly known as the yew tree,” added Balthazar. “It’s a conifer—like a pine tree. But it is believed that the last of the yew trees were destroyed during the Great Obsidigon War. They once grew in the old forest on the western side of Darqendia Island; in that forest were several large stands of yew trees. But the obsidigons, knowing the danger of the yew wood, burnt the ancient forest, and from what I have been told, no yew trees still grow there.”
As Balthazar spoke, Yu-ning felt sadder than she had in a very long time. She knew what the fire of an obsidigon could do—she had seen it with her own eyes, and felt it in her own body. Indeed, she need only look at the wounds on her arm and shoulder, and the scars that would permanently mark her, for such a dark reminder. But the thought of an entire army of those terrible creatures burning and destroying an entire forest full of life—it made Yu-ning very sad indeed.
Balthazar saw the sadness hanging on Yu-ning. “But Yu-ning, I have heard that at least one obisidigon bow yet exists, as well as a single quiver of yew arrows with the magic arrowheads.”
“Where? Where can we find them?” Yu-ning implored.
“I have blue dolphin friends who live around Palova Island, to the north of us. This blue pod speaks of a reclusive hunter who lives near the center of Palova, who is rumored to be a descendant of a Darq Render bowman from the Great Obsidigon War. If the story is true, this hunter could be in possession of the last known obsidigon yew bow—called Lightcaster. When Suparna returns, you must go straightaway, and seek out this mysterious hunter.”
“There is still something I don’t understand, Balthazar,” said Yu-ning. “Why is Hobaling doing this?”
“From what I know, Yu-ning, this hatred for the light has been a part of his family for more than 100 years. At one time, his grandfather, Hobanor, was in line to become the next ruler of the Darq Renders. But he was passed over—his royal blood was disputed by other powerful families, and in outrage he left Darqendia, bringing his entire family with him.”
“Wait—are you saying that Hobaling is a Darq Render like his grandfather—like me?”
“Was, Yu-ning. Hobaling was a Darq Render. But his grandfather twisted his mind, filling it with hatred and murderous rage toward all other Darq Renders. While your ancestors were fighting the dragons and their masters, Hobaling’s family was secretly aligning itself with them, promising them gold and treasures if they would help Hobanor seek revenge on the Darq Renders for withholding the throne from him. Do you see now, Yu-ning, why you are a part of this? It takes a Darq Render to understand a Darq Render. It is in your blood, Yu-ning. You are fighting one of your own—but one who has passed out of goodness and honor, and into desolation and shadow.”
Yu-ning nodded, the pieces beginning to fall into place: she had been chosen by destiny to battle Hobaling, a foe born of the same race, baring the same bow-shaped birthmark. She had been chosen because she was born with the instincts and gifts of a Darq Render to battle dragons that had once come against her ancestors. It was her time of reckoning, and even though it scared her more than she liked to admit, she knew there was only one path forward.
For better or worse, she needed to surrender to that destiny, and pursue it with as much
courage as she could muster.
Ten
Hunter
YU-NING WOKE EARLY, an hour or two before dawn, and couldn’t fall back to sleep. She rose, slipped on her robe, and quietly made her way through the main hall to the open windows leading to the balcony off the great tower. There before her was Suparna, sleeping with his head tucked under one massive rainbow-colored wing. “Suparna,” she said excitedly in a hushed voice, just as he stirred and raised his head to see her. She embraced him and asked him about his journey back to Rainbow Island.
“All is well, Yu-ning. As well as can be expected, I should say,” Suparna said. “The village is nearly rebuilt, and only two children remain hospitalized. They, like you, will carry scars the rest of their days, but they will otherwise make full recoveries.”
“And how is Metatron?”
“Slow and steady progress. His staff now doubles as a cane, but his strength is returning. He will be glad to see you, Yu-ning.”
“Oh, Suparna, I so miss him and my friends on the Island. When can we leave?”
Balthazar joined them on the balcony, the city below still covered in darkness, lights like diamonds twinkling from the buildings. “Hello, Suparna, and welcome back. I trust your journey was safe and uneventful,” said Balthazar.
“Thankfully, yes, my friend. The journey was quiet, and the welcome was indeed warm for Julian and the other travelers upon reaching the shores of Rainbow Island. It was wonderful for the Island to think about something other than recent sad events. A huge welcome banquet was thrown in honor of the new arrivals, and it was good to see the Rainbow Children smiling again.”
Balthazar welcomed Suparna into the main hall, as there was a chill in the air on the balcony, and though the bird was well insulated, Yu-ning was shivering from the damp early-morning air. Even Magic, snuggled in the soft pocket of her robe, was shivering.
Melodia moved the small table from the balcony inside, and then excused herself to fix a hot breakfast. Balthazar briefed Suparna on the events of the past few days and the progress Yu-ning had made regarding her knowledge of the Darq Renders, the obsidigon, and the history of Hobaling and his family. Suparna could see that Balthazar had grown fond of the child and had discovered how smart and wise she was beyond her years. As a Rainbow Child, Yu-ning often surprised the adults in her life, especially those who truly took the time to listen to her—as Balthazar had.
Journey to Rainbow Island Page 8
