Divided (Bloodlines, The Immortal, and The Dagger of Bone) (A Fated Fantasy Quest Adventure Book 5)

by Humphrey Quinn

  “What can we do?” someone shouted.

  “In the case of Amos Durmuddy, we must find him and bring him home,” Amelia said.

  “I volunteer,” a young man shouted, followed by another and another. The first young man raced forward. “Let us organize a hunting party to find him. Once home, maybe he will change his mind?”

  Amelia nodded. “I do hope so. I do hope so,” she repeated genuinely. “We will speak on this,” she told him and he took his seat once again. “As much as we all agree on having hope, I fear that we must be prepared for this not to be the case,” her tone lowered darkly. “For now, I must share the second part of this sad news.” Her eyes swept through her audience again.

  Kay grasped Milo’s hand, fingernails nearly cutting into his skin she was holding so tightly. However, Amelia’s eyes swept over them and continued past.

  Kay’s grip loosened.

  Amelia took a deep swallow before continuing.

  “We have a second member who has also chosen to relinquish his oath. This man, however, still lives here, amongst us.”

  Kay’s grip tightened again. There was no way Amelia could be speaking of her son since he was not currently residing here. Unless they’d tracked and captured him.

  “Curtis Bevins,” Amelia let slip out with a disappointed tone.

  Again, cries of surprise erupted. Everyone looked to their neighbors like they expected to see Curtis sitting nearby.

  “Curtis is currently being detained,” Amelia explained. “And this, my dear brothers and sisters, is what I need you to vote on. It cannot be helped that some will lose their way. This happens, whether their own fault or perhaps someone filling their heads with doubt. Regardless of the how and why, it is. And we must now decide what we shall do.”

  She let these words sit for a moment before moving forward with her speech.

  “What do we do with those who relinquish their oaths? For we cannot allow them, in their vast knowledge of our plans, to just simply leave us. Where will they go? Whom will they go to?” she asked, her words of warning like arrows pointing directly to their enemies.

  “I’ve pondered the subject, and have come up with what I believe is a livable solution. For like you, I love these two, like brothers. Like family. I do not want them to suffer because they have lost their way, but at the same time, they can no longer live amongst us. They no longer wish to work toward the goal.”

  “What is it you have thought of?” asked a woman.

  “As we were once banished for our beliefs and our thinking, I fear we must do the same. However, a more localized banishment. I do not wish to call it a prison, for they will not be treated poorly and will have access to anything they need. I suggest we set aside the most northern corner of our village, which is currently uninhabited, and turn this into a separate living space for those who wish to relinquish their oaths.”

  A mix of stern and stoic faces threw questioning looks. Many whispered with their friends or spouses.

  “I must be clear,” Amelia expressed. “If we do this, and allow them this separate living space, it will be the same as being banished. They will not walk amongst us. You will have no contact with them.”

  Hushed tones, clearing throats, and heavy breaths replaced murmurs as people contemplated the situation.

  Barrett Nuskey, a thin, nearing middle-aged man stood nodding toward Amelia asking permission to speak. She returned a nod that said yes.

  “I agree with our leader,” he spoke with a tinge of nervousness. “We have come too far, gotten too close to take any chances. I, as well, do not wish to see these people as our enemies, but I think what Amelia offers is a fair plan. It ensures our movement forward.”

  More and more on the crowd began to shout their agreement.

  “Let us vote,” said Amelia, putting up her hands to ask for silence. “Who agrees with this decision?”

  Hands began shooting into their air. The more hands that raised, more followed. A few stragglers looked to their sides and back and forth, seeming at first to struggle, but then conformed to the popular opinion and raised their own hands too.

  Amelia sighed. “Very well. It is done. Curtis Bevins will be taken to this new, separate living space. If we are able to track down Amos Durmuddy, he will be placed there as well. Now, if there are any others doubting what is to come, I beg of you, please come see me. Let us speak freely. I want you to be so sure of what you’re doing because even the slightest of doubt can lead us astray.”

  Milo Jendaya squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. He had to grasp his hand and force Kay’s, once again tightening grip, to loosen. She took a quick, nervous glance at him and turned her attention back to the front; someone was being escorted up to Amelia.

  “There is just one last thing that must be done,” she spoke evenly. Amelia cut to the woman now standing uneasily at her side.

  “That is Curtis’ wife,” Kay mumbled to Milo. Somehow, she had just assumed that she was with Curtis.

  “As you now know, Curtis Bevins has defected, but his wife still stands here, undecided. I felt it necessary to give her time to make her choice; whether to remain with us as a sister in the cause, or to voluntarily relinquish her oath and join her husband.”

  Kay swallowed a hard lump of air, eyes wide with horror. “This is terrible,” she mumbled. Milo gripped her hand and she clamped her mouth shut.

  However, she was not alone. Clearly, others thought the same. They looked petrified at the woman anxiously peered back at them. Her face was sickly looking and she clasped her hands, as Amelia had done previously, to keep them from shaking uncontrollably.

  “What have you decided?” asked Amelia, her voice unwavering.

  The woman went to speak but nothing came out. She closed her eyes, now swimming in tears that threatened to fall down her face.

  “I…” she finally stammered, but stopped. “I do not agree…” the crowd gasped, “with my husband,” she announced, adding more firmly, “My love for him will never die and I only hope one day he will forgive me. But I stand with the cause.”

  A woman from the audience rushed the stage, embracing the woman.

  “What bravery,” she blathered admiringly. “You are not alone here.”

  Encouraging cheers rushed the stage. The woman smiled weakly.

  Amelia shook her head in eager agreement.

  “A difficult decision,” she spoke. “But one you will not regret.” She allowed the woman, now overwrought with emotion, to be pulled away.

  Kay and Milo clapped alongside their neighbors in this moment of bravery, but each clap felt hollow. She thought of Milo, picturing herself on that stage and wondering what choice she might be forced to make. Could she choose her husband over her son?

  CHAPTER 9

  Bedgewood Harbor was a buzz as Svoda gathered to welcome the next group, which was due to arrive within the hour. Precautions were being checked, and checked again.

  Meghan, along with all students, had been let out of school early to attend and they were making their way through the village to a beach not far away.

  A couple of young girls strode by, pointing and snickering as they did. Meghan just sighed and told herself to ignore them, but a moment later another group of students sauntered by, reacting much the same. She overheard a young man muttering, “That’s her, the sister of the boy that fled with the Projector… that girl, over there,” he was pointing at Meghan like she wasn’t standing there, watching him.

  Meghan decided to just let them pass and faked pulling off the side of the road to tie her boots, which had laces from ankle to knee. When it seemed like most of the students had passed by she started up again, being sure to lag behind the others. She could not help but eavesdrop on a conversation between two teachers just in front of her. One was teacher Lindy, the other was a man she did not know.

  “I hope this goes well,” Lindy was saying.

  The man replied by worriedly shaking his head.

  “I’m sure
the Banon has taken every precaution possible,” Lindy added in a muted voice.

  “To that, I am sure you are correct,” the man returned.

  “When the doorway opens, we are vulnerable to intruders,” she reminded.

  The man shot a quick glance to the sky, which was currently overcast with spots of sun sneaking their way through. “Never mind they have not tracked that Scratcher still lingering somewhere on the island.”

  As Meghan heard this, she nearly came to a stop. She had not known this fact. She wondered if Juliska had not told her on purpose so as not to frighten her, or if she’d just forgotten to tell her. It did make sense. When a doorway opened on the island, magical protections around that door had to be removed. This had to be the reason for all of the preparations and why Juliska had mentioned both the Scratchers and the Grosvenor. She should have paid more attention.

  Meghan wondered if more Scratchers were lying in wait, knowing this would inevitably happen. Then, she wondered, if something could get in, could something also get out. Her thoughts strayed to Bird.

  “Hello,” a voice said, startling her.

  “Ivan!” she gasped.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately.”

  She shook her head in an annoyed fashion. Ivan nudged her arm and pointed upward. Meghan smiled. She could not help it. Bird flittered through the tree line, following them.

  “Ivan,” she said quite seriously. “I just heard two teachers talking. Is it true that when a doorway opens, we’re vulnerable to intruders?”

  The teachers were now far away, having caught up with the rest of the crowd now nearing the beach.

  Ivan nodded, and followed it with, “It’s a risk I guess everyone is willing to take, seeing as the entire island’s population appears to be in attendance.”

  “I guess I should have realized this,” said Meghan. “Juliska has been busy all week making plans for this arrival. I guess I should know by now that nothing around here can just be simple.”

  “Simple does not exist here,” he agreed dryly. They followed a narrow path to the beach, which opened up to an equally sandy and rock covered beachfront. Not too far away, and just at the edge of the waterline, was an ancient looking, dilapidated ship, which had run ashore many years prior. It sat, wedged, between jagged rocks and over the years, the tide had buried the hull into the sand underneath.

  “Billie told me that kids used to use this ship as a playground,” said Ivan.

  “Pretty awesome playground,” said Meghan. “My brother would have loved…” she cut herself off forcing the subject of Colin back into the depths of her mind.

  “Well, today it’s serving as a doorway back to the island,” Ivan explained, moving the conversation forward. “They’ll probably make it a historical landmark. So no kids will be playing in it anymore.”

  Meghan leaned into Ivan. “Hey, I had a thought. If things can get in when the protection is lifted, can things get out?”

  Ivan nodded yes. “Not easily though. Definitely not without being tracked. Or potentially seen. Bird has decided it’s not worth trying. Not today anyway.”

  Meghan, at first, was disappointed that her idea would not work, but after a moment shamefully admitted she was glad. She liked having Bird around. There was something reassuring about it.

  They could only get so close, the area around the ship had been roped off in order for there to be room for those arriving. Greetings would have to wait until all had safely made it through the doorway.

  Meghan saw Juliska standing close to the ship and waved hello. Juliska smiled back and made her way over.

  “Meghan, so glad you made it. And Ivan, splendid to see you as well. I was hoping to run into you actually. I would like to have a meeting with you tomorrow.”

  “Of course. I’ll be over first thing.”

  She nodded, pleased. “It’s nearly time,” she advised. “The ship has been reinforced so the arrivals can safely come through the doorway and straight down the ramp to solid ground,” she noted, pointing to some of the reinforcements.

  Just then, a Balaton shouted for the Banon. She nodded at Meghan and Ivan and whisked away.

  Kalila and Kalida, operators of the Jackal Lantern, were busy snapping pictures and gathering commentary for what was sure to be an extra large edition of the Lantern the next day. They saw Ivan and hopped over.

  “May I?” asked Kalila, not waiting for an answer. She snapped a photograph of Meghan and Ivan. She winked playfully at Ivan before darting back to her sister, Kalida, who was busy scratching down notes from an interview she was doing with Garner Sadorus.

  “I think those sisters have a thing for you,” teased Meghan, displeased at having her photo taken alongside him. Ivan ignored her.

  Kalila snapped another photo, but this time, she waited for permission and allowed Garner to pose. He looked particularly menacing today; his tattoo covered neck and face looked sallow against the overcast sky, his jaw set in a serious manner as he spoke.

  Meghan was surprised, given the chill, that he did not don his usual oversized, boisterous coat, the one she had seen him wear on numerous occasions; including the very first time she had seen him. Instead, he wore a black suit, with an elongated jacket that draped over his waist and down to his hips, fitting his muscular form perfectly.

  Juliska’s voice boomed over the crowd, silencing them at once. Meghan and Ivan, as well as Bird from a nearby tree, turned to face her, listening.

  “What a glorious day this is,” she spoke. “Our family is beginning to return to us.”

  The crowd cheered, some already crying, overcome with emotion. Juliska kept her speech brief, adding only, “Any moment now, the door will open. Please remain behind the rope so that everyone can safely and quickly get through the doorway. As eager as I know you all are to greet your friends and family, I ask you to wait just a few minutes longer.” She smiled and spun forward as the deck of the ship began to brighten. Juliska, herself, along with four Balaton, stood guarding the ramp.

  Soon, travelers stepped through, and once assisted down the ramp by the Balaton, found themselves whisked safely to the sides, allowing room for others to follow.

  Onlookers did stay where they had been instructed to do so, but as expected, shouts and cries spread across the beach as people saw their friends and families emerging from the bright light now radiating the entire deck of the ship.

  Just as the last of the travelers stepped through and the light began to fade, a sudden swirl of blackness darkened the already overcast sky. It loomed over them like a thick, ominous fog.

  The crowd went silent, unable to speak, scream, or even close their eyes and look away from this ominous force.

  The blackness swirled into ribbon-like streams, becoming more centralized over their heads. The overcast sky reappeared as the streams lowered toward the sandy beach, now forming into the figure of what looked to be a man; an imposingly fierce looking man, with an aged face, but shockingly keen blue eyes.

  The eyes reminded Meghan of the boy, Colby.

  The crowd sucked in a simultaneous breath. Their stupor ended abruptly, but most were too frightened to speak, move, or take any action at all.

  Eyes shouted silent fear. Faces turned pale and sickly. People clung to their loved ones afraid to let go.

  Ivan stepped closer to Meghan's side, looking oddly worried about something. He glided in front of her purposely hiding her from view of this dark menace. She did not understand what was happening, except for one thing: this being was malevolent. Of this, there was no doubt.

  Its very presence resonated fear, and she could feel it pouring out of everyone like water raging down an overflowing river.

  Juliska, now in the midst of her people, called out a name that even Meghan recognized. “Jurekai Fazendiin.”

  “Grosvenor,” Meghan breathed out, now understanding.

  Ivan raised his arm without turning, grasping her side, motioning for her to be silent and s
till behind him. He stepped backward, pushing her gently to do the same. She nervously took cautious steps but halted when Ivan pulled on her arm, stopping her.

  The Grosvenor’s piercing gaze bore into and across the crowd, his evil gaze spreading over them. Holding them hostage to his potential actions. Aware of his silent warning: I know you're back...

  And that was it. A warning. His body began to morph into the streaming swirls of blackness, his figure dissolving into a smoky fog. As everyone on land sucked in and released a simultaneous breath of relief, Fazendiin swooped back to the beach. Solid. Focused. Gaze blazing in some furious discovery. And strangely, he sniffed the air.

  Ivan twisted his head enough to take a side glance at Meghan, and she in return watched as Ivan took his gaze from her to Jurekai Fazendiin trying to force some unspoken message into her head.

  But she had no idea what he was trying to tell her. Other than, we’re all in trouble!

  He tucked her in behind him, inching back until they were standing at the edge of the tree line and could go no further. Meghan looked up, hearing Bird chirping above her. Even in his non-human form, she sensed his chirping was a warning, one that Ivan seemed to understand. He also shot a glance at Bird, his eyes shouting, we are royally screed here!

  Fazendiin faced Juliska, and like if he had willed it, transported himself to her in half a blink’s time. His dark gaze bore into hers, some silent question posed there.

  Juliska did not flinch, although confusion plotted her features.

  He stated evenly, “I see no deception…” and departed her side, standing once again in the center of the crowd, searching every person, seeking something. He sniffed the air again and stepped forward, causing a conjunctive gasp from the crowd who refused to take their eyes away, wary of every move he made. He might not be powerful enough to take them all on, but he’d take out quite a large number in the effort.