Flight of the Eagles

by Gilbert L. Morris

  “Nothing but a miracle will do any good now,” Jake said.

  “And miracles have been out of fashion for a few hundred years in Nuworld,” Mat said grumpily.

  “Ho, maybe we start them again.” Tam grinned. “Come, we go clear the way.”

  One of the Gemini followed Josh. The other stuck close to Mat.

  There was a great deal of activity the next two days—sharpening swords and arrows, storing food, moving stones. At dusk, no one was shocked when the Hunters announced that troops were coming up the passes.

  “They’re doing it smart too,” Mat translated. “Using all the paths so we can’t block them. Guess it was the best thing to move in here, Captain Josh.”

  Mat grinned at Josh almost cheerily.

  Josh was amazed. “Well, Mat, if you start saying nice things, I guess a miracle can’t be too far off.”

  Mat’s face darkened. “Better not be. We’re in trouble. I figure we can hold out maybe three or four days at most.”

  Late that night they got their first taste of the Sanhedrin. There was no warning—just a ball of fire that suddenly smashed against the side of the building and set the world aglow with blazing light.

  “It’s burning oil,” Josh said. “Nothing we can do to put it out.”

  He dodged back as a small ball whizzed through one of the narrow ports. It fell on the floor and blazed up at once.

  “They’re fire bombs,” Jake yelled. “Throw some of this dirt over the blaze.”

  They managed to put that one out with only a few singed fingers. Fortunately, the other bombs missed the ports and shattered on the outer walls.

  “Can’t see to shoot,” Mat yelled. “That fire makes us blind as bats, and they can see us if we raise our heads.”

  “Everybody keep low,” Reb warned. “We’ll get ’em if they come through the winders—” He turned to Josh, and his eyes were alight with the joy of the battle. “Just like the Battle of Shiloh, ain’t it, Josh?”

  As Reb spoke, Josh saw a steel-helmeted guard dart through one of the side doors and launch a wicked spear straight at the young Southerner’s back.

  Wash with a yell threw his small body straight at Reb. The blow knocked Reb to the floor, and the spear passed harmlessly through the exact spot where he had been standing. Only Wash’s quick action had saved his life.

  Reb looked up to see Volka throw the soldier out. Then Volka rolled a large stone in front of the door.

  Reb slowly got to his feet. He checked himself for injuries. Then he caught a glimpse of the spear embedded in the wall—the spear that would have killed him had it not been for Wash.

  Reb looked at Wash who was now lying on the floor. He looked at the still black face steadily, then smiled. He put out his hand and said slowly, “Thankee, Wash.”

  Wash rose to his feet unaided and stared quizzically at Reb’s outstretched hand.

  But Reb didn’t withdraw it. He continued to look at his friend for a long time and then said again, “Thankee, Wash.”

  Wash nodded and took Reb’s hand. “Well, Reb, maybe in Goél’s House everybody will be equal,” he said.

  And they turned to fight side by side.

  It was a long night, for the troops of Elmas spared no trick to enter the besieged fortress. Their dead lay stacked like cordwood in the narrow openings.

  Both sides had suffered heavy casualties. Sarah, nursing a spear cut in her left hand, was binding up Josh’s thigh where he had suffered a sword wound. And the others were either getting medical attention or standing guard against the next attack.

  Josh gazed at the wreckage of the room—bodies piled high at the entrances, blood over most of the floor, the defenders creeping painfully back to their posts.

  Perhaps it was the utter hopelessness of their plight that made Josh suddenly grin and say to Sarah, “Wait till you hear my plan!”

  She looked up at his smile, then said, “Well, let’s hear it.”

  “When things get really bad we go to Phase Two.”

  “What’s Phase Two?”

  “When in danger or in doubt run in circles, scream, and shout!” he declaimed.

  Then they both laughed as if they were back in Old-world.

  “Josh, it’s pretty futile, isn’t it? I mean there’s really no way out of this place, is there?”

  Josh pulled the battered old black book out of his pocket and riffled the pages, then looked across at Sarah.

  “We seem to be lost, Sarah, but the leaves of this old book are rustling with some wind. And I hear the wind say, ‘It just isn’t so.’”

  “That sounds like something your dad might say.”

  “Probably is. You know, the odd thing is I’m not scared.”

  “Well, I’m not either. I think all the scare has been scared out of me.”

  “Maybe that’s good. Maybe Goél has to get us to the brink of disaster before we listen to him.”

  “I think that’s right, Josh, but—”

  Sarah’s words were cut short by a warning cry from Tam, who was watching one of the openings.

  “Wake up! Somebody’s coming!”

  Now it was so quiet that Josh could hear what he thought was the sound of someone approaching the entrance. But this sound was different from footsteps. This was more like a slow scraping. Closer and closer it came.

  Finally Tam whispered, “Get ready! They’re here!”

  Everyone stood poised with bows drawn and swords in hand.

  The scraping noise grew louder. Then someone came slowly through the narrow opening, someone who was painfully crawling on bloody hands.

  Josh watched with sword raised to strike. But as the figure crept into the dim light, he dropped his sword with a clatter and ran to the one who had collapsed on the floor.

  “Dave!” Josh called.

  The battered face of the missing Sleeper was touched with the silver moonlight.

  “Is it really Dave?” Sarah cried. She fell down beside Josh, and they began to carry the still figure inside to a safer place.

  Josh and Sarah placed Dave on a stone ledge, and Sarah held his head carefully. Dave was so still that Josh thought he was dead.

  Suddenly, however, he opened his eyes and looked round at the battered little band. Then he smiled. “Well— I’m—I’m back,” he whispered weakly.

  “My land!” Reb breathed. “He looks like he’s been sackin’ wildcats and ran outta sacks!”

  “Dave!” Josh cried out again. “How’d you get here?”

  “They wanted me to—tell everything—about the Sleepers—and they made me—they made me—” His thin voice trailed off, and he turned his face to the wall.

  Quickly, Josh reached out and took his hand. “Doesn’t matter, Dave. You’re back with us. That’s all that counts.”

  “I’m so glad you’re back, Dave!” Sarah said.

  And then the other travelers began to gather close and spread warm little expressions of welcome and friendship.

  As Dave turned his head to see them, his eyes glistened. “I’ve come,” he whispered painfully, “I’ve come— to the House of Goél.”

  He pulled Josh down to whisper in his ear, but they all could hear his words. “Do you think that Goél—I mean, I know that I—I betrayed all of you, but do you think—he’ll let me—in his House?”

  “Sure! Sure he will, Dave!”

  Immediately everyone chimed in with words of support.

  Then Dave sat up and looked at them all. A smile lit up his broken features. It was as though a torch suddenly glowed brightly, then quickly faded, as his eyes closed. Now he had left them for good.

  “He’s gone, Josh,” Sarah whispered.

  “Not really,” Josh answered as they laid him gently down. “Not really gone, Sarah.”

  In the middle of the silence, Mat said all of a sudden, “Well, there is our miracle—if we need it.”

  “Yes.” Sarah shivered. “It’s going to be easier to believe in Goél after this.”

 
“If we could just get out of here!” Josh said. “I think we could really change this Nuworld some.”

  “But you can leave here—anytime you wish!”

  The voice that suddenly rang out was familiar, but even Josh was suddenly struck dumb when a tall figure in a simple cloak stepped out of the shadows. There in the wan light of a port opening he saw Goél!

  18

  The River Road

  He was the same as before, dressed in a gray cloak with nothing to announce his rank but his strong face. Those who were seeing Goél for the first time viewed him with awe. It was as though he embodied the assurance that people wait to experience all their lives. Goél spoke softly, but his words seemed to give safety. Everyone leaned forward a little as he spoke.

  “I am Goél. That is one of my names. Later, you will learn others as we grow to know each other better.”

  He looked at them, and each would later swear that Goél looked at him alone. His gaze struck so deep that he seemed to see inside the most secret place of the heart.

  “I have been building a House for many years, but today—with you—the House of Goél has its beginning in Nuworld.”

  “But—but …” Josh stammered. “We’re nothing, Goél—just half grown!”

  The strong face of Goél suddenly melted into a fine smile.

  “I have chosen you, and I will strengthen you. All I ask is that you believe in me—all of you. Sleepers, Gemini, dwarfs, all people of Nuworld are invited, for you are my sheep from a strange fold. Now, who will follow Goél—to any danger?”

  Without a single exception they all knelt at Goél’s feet, and their lips and eyes expressed their love and willingness.

  “Good! You will walk in dark places—but I will be there to be a light for you. You will never be alone. Now before I go, one word of counsel I will give.” He smiled again and added, “It is written in the prophets that ’it is the honor of kings to search out a matter.’ So, here is a thing for you to search out:

  “Follow, follow the hidden way

  That flows down to the sea.

  Pass on through the truth, my word obey,

  And come at last to me.

  “Now I will leave you for a while.”

  “But, Goél,” Josh said, scrambling to his feet. “What about—I mean all the old songs talk about seven Sleepers. We’re only six now.”

  Goél looked at the boy searchingly and said, “Be of good cheer, Joshua, and never be afraid to ask too much of me. What do you want?”

  A startling thought shot into Josh’s mind. But no, not even Goél can do that. On the other hand, it’s worth a try. Now, with Goél looking right into his eyes, almost as a dare, he blurted out what he was thinking.

  “I—I want Dave to be one of us!”

  Goél looked at Josh, and a broad and delighted smile lit up his strong face. He placed one hand on the boy’s shoulder and said softly, “I have chosen well, my Joshua. You have great faith.”

  He turned and walked to Dave’s body and touched the pale face lightly with his hand. He spoke softly at first. “David, you must return, for you are the servant of Goél.”

  Then Goél raised his voice to a shout that seemed to crack the rocks of the ancient structure. “Return! Return! David! I command you!”

  Stunned by the sudden call, they all looked wildly at each other. Josh saw Dave’s legs move, then his hands. Next his eyes opened, and he looked directly into Goél’s face.

  “You are now in the House of Goél, David!”

  “Yes,” Dave said strongly and sat up. “Yes, Goél.”

  Goél nodded. Then he turned and walked to Sarah. Gently he put his hands on her shoulders, and Josh saw her sway under their light pressure.

  Very softly, but loudly enough for all to hear, Goél said, “Daughter, your road will be lonely. Those you trust most will betray you. That which you love best will be taken from you.

  “But even when all is gone, if you will embrace the fate that waits for you, and if you will not rebel against it, a door will open before you. Behind that door you will find everything you have ever longed for.”

  He wheeled and looked deep into Reb’s eyes. He was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke. “Your strength is your weakness, son. You will either learn to walk through deadly paths without a single weapon except your trust in Goél—or you will fail.” Goél smiled and touched Reb’s arm. “Throw your sword down, and let me be your strength.”

  Jake’s lips were trembling as Goél stepped in front of him. The little redhead had never seemed afraid of anything, yet now he appeared deeply shaken past even fear.

  “Son of Isaac,” Goél said to Jake, “the seed of faith is in you. There will come a dark hour when every friend and every companion will abandon hope. In that hour of total and complete darkness, the fate of Nuworld will be in your hands. If you do not believe at that hour, there will be none who will believe, and all will be lost.

  “And you, Wash, what will you do for Goél?”

  The tall figure towered over the small youth. Yet in one way or another, when Wash looked up, he must have seen in Goél’s strong face something that made him feel wanted. Tears in his eyes, Wash could only shake his head.

  “You will be the key, my son, to unlock the hidden mystery. In the days ahead, when others are used and you seem to have no purpose in the House of Goél, remember what I say to you. The hour will come when you will offer the key that will unlock the mystery of all destiny.”

  “David,” Goél said and simply looked at Dave, who had risen to his feet. “I will not force anyone to a task that he does not choose for himself. And the task I choose for you is the most difficult of any that I will give to the Seven Sleepers.

  “I do not tell you what it is, but you must agree now—blindly—to accept what comes to you. It will be more difficult than you can ever imagine. Will you accept this quest?”

  “Yes!” Dave said at once. “I will accept my part—whatever it is!”

  “Do not forget,” Goél bade him.

  And then Goél turned once more to Josh. He put his hands on Josh’s head, and Josh suddenly knelt. Goél leaned so close and spoke so softly that surely none but Josh himself could hear the words.

  Suddenly his eyes opened, and he gasped, “But, Goél—” Then he looked up into the face of Goél and whispered, “Yes, I will do it.”

  Goél looked at all the Sleepers and finally turned to Abbey. He did not put his hands on her as he had with the others—not at first.

  Abbey looked at him searchingly. Then she looked toward Josh and the others to find the support she suddenly needed. Finally she glanced up and said in a bare whisper, “Yes, Goél?”

  He nodded with a slight smile in his warm eyes. “Daughter, you have been given much, perhaps too much. It is more difficult for those who have much. Tell me, daughter, would you give up the thing you prize most if I ask it of you?”

  “Oh, yes, Goél!”

  “What if I ask you for all your beauty?”

  Abbey caught her breath. She had traded on her beauty for years. To lose it all—to be ugly! She probably could not conceive of such a fate, and her whole soul cried out against it. She could not speak.

  “Well, what is your answer?” Goél pressed. He did not take his eyes from Abbey’s face, and slowly she blushed a deep red of shame. Then her eyes fell.

  “You cannot do that for me?” Goél asked quietly.

  Abbey shook her head and began to sob. “Oh, I want to, but I just—can’t!”

  Goél looked down at the sobbing girl. Then he slipped his arm around her and lifted her up. He said gently, “I will take you where you are, Abbey, and not where I would like for you to be. But someday, I will ask you this again. When that day comes, I will have to have your final answer.”

  Suddenly he raised his hands over his head and cried, “All of you are now in my House. You are the servants of Goél! Even when you look for me and see me not, even then, believe. For I will be not only in th
e bright sunlight, but I will be in the darkness of the storm cloud. I welcome you, my friends, into the House of Goél!”

  The ringing words were almost drowned out by a sudden rushing wind that swept through the ancient structure and seemed to rock the world. The columns swayed, and a flickering light touched every face.

  Then the wind calmed, and the light faded to the old silver of the moon. In the stillness came one last whisper that Josh could never locate, except that later each would think it came from his own heart. “The House of Goél must be filled. Go into all the world.”

  A deep and total silence followed, washing through the old temple while they knelt in the moonlight.

  “He’s gone,” Sarah whispered.

  “Yes, but, you know, I can still feel him,” Josh murmured. He looked at the others, trying to see if the difference he felt inside was visible to the eye. The room was the same. He could even hear faintly the activity of the Sanhedrin outside. But there was Dave, sitting quietly beside them as he had always been.

  “Dave,” Sarah whispered. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. For the first time in my life I’m all right.” He touched Sarah’s arm as if to reassure himself. Then he added, “It’s good to be with you.”

  “Well,” Mat said suddenly, “I have my reputation as a prophet of gloom to maintain, so I may as well point out that despite all that’s happened, we’re still in trouble.” He waved his sword toward the door. “Won’t be too long before we’ll have company.”

  “Shoot, I reckon that’s right.” Reb nodded. “We can’t go on forever! Even Stonewall knew when to back off and wait for another day!”

  Dave shrugged and added, “I just can’t believe that Goél would leave us here without something to go on.”

  Kybus suddenly quoted the last promise of Goél.

  “Follow, follow the hidden way,

  That flows down to the sea.

  Pass on through the truth, my word obey,

  And come, at last, to me.”

  Then he stopped, and they were all silent.

  Josh wondered what the words meant.

  Finally Jake said, “I wish he’d said just what he meant. I hate riddles!”