City of Gold

by Daniel Blackaby

  “These are dire days,” began Cia solemnly, “the faith of our people is in an epidemically fragile state. So again, I must advise that the information revealed in this council not be shared. Our citizens must continue to assume that there is hope, even if that hope is bleak. General Levenworth...”

  The stone-faced General stood. “Word has come from Flore Gub through the tunnel-phone network: Captain Eagleton’s forces arrived just in time to repel the initial assault on the borderlands…however, rumor spreads that a new legion of enemy soldiers has emerged on the battlefield. Warriors referred to in hushed whispers as The Rephaim: hollow wraiths impervious to fear and pain; men who are not men at all—but unholy demons. Where they trek, the ground ripples with the blood of our men.”

  Cody saw Tat’s face drain of color. It had been he who had first seen the warriors up close. Levenworth continued, “I fear El Dorado is using these assaults merely to gauge a lesser foe’s strength. The Golden King now knows the extent of our weakened state. His strike will be swift and furious. As such, I will not risk wasting our soldiers in unnecessary open conflict or in an indefensible outpost such as Lilley. I have ordered all fighting men to fall back to the fortress of Flore Gub immediately….”

  “And what of Lilley?!” Tat cried. “It’s just a peaceful outpost. You remove the troops and you assure its doom!” The suddenly animated Tat Shunbickle thrust a finger at the General. “You heartless fiend, it will be a bloody massacre!” his voice cracked and his eyes moistened. “My wife…”

  General Levenworth stood silently against the outcry like a rocky shore withstanding the violent crash of the ocean’s waves. Rage drained into fatigue and Tat collapsed back into his chair. When Levenworth spoke again his voice was calm and steady.

  “The fate of Lilley is a tragedy without equal since Sir Randilin’s dark deeds in the First Great War. Captain Talgu evacuated as many people as possible but, regrettably, many still remained when the dark shroud of El Dorado fell over it. I’m sorry, Private. Unfortunately, the price of victory is often the willingness to sacrifice some for the greater good….”

  “Repeat that tonight while you rest in your luxurious palace chambers,” spat Tat venomously.

  At this Kantan broke his silence, “Enough, Private! Step out of line one more time and you’ll earn a date with the gallows. The decision is made. Lilley is now lost behind enemy lines and thus out of our control. We will not let Lilley’s sacrifice be in vain. As much as it pains my soul, our greatest hope now rests in our Book Keeper.” His beady eyes fixated on Cody. “Regardless of how utterly incompetent he may be,” he added spitefully.

  “Indeed, brother. Cody is the key,” declared Cia. “He alone is the symbol that unites Atlantis against El Dorado.”

  Sli Silkian cleared his throat, producing a high-pitched wheeze. “Symbol or not, Kantan is correct. Valuable as he may be, Cody remains an amateur Creator at best. Potential alone does not win victories. He doesn’t stand a chance against the immense power of the Golden King. Let him return to the Brotherhood of Light and complete his training under High Priest Lamgorious Stalkton…”

  “There is no time!” Kantan interjected. “Every moment we delay means more soldiers slaughtered on the borderlands. Flore Gub is strong but not impenetrable. It will fall, and when it does, the wrath of El Dorado will pour into our land like a plague. Cody’s connection to The Code is all that can tilt the ever-slimming odds in our favor. Peace is a time of knowledge—war is a time for action. Cody should be…”

  “STOP!” The room faded into silence. All eyes turned to Cody, who was now standing, the veins in his neck bulging as they pumped blood to his reddened face. “ Everybody just stop! You talk about me like I’m invisible. It’s been thirteen days since El Dorado’s ambush. Two weeks of councils. Two weeks of bickering. Two weeks of arguing over how to best deploy me like a game piece. Enough! Every second we delay, Jade is dragged closer to El Dorado. I want to help, I really do; but I’m not abandoning Jade to that fate. I’m going after her, with or without this committee’s approval.” Cody slammed The Code onto the table. “And don’t even think about trying to stop me.”

  For a moment the unexpected tirade lingered in the air. The unusually tender voice of Cia was the first to venture into the silence. “We have not forgotten Jade. I swear upon this royal crown that we will do everything in our power to rescue her. But you must understand, you are very special. You have been given a marvelous gift—but it is always the greatest men who pay the highest price in troubled times.”

  “I never asked for this,” Cody said bitterly, still standing defiantly.

  “But you received it, nonetheless. The moment you placed your hand on that Book, your life became destined for a higher purpose. The only question is—how will you respond? The fate of our world hangs on how you, and you alone, answer that question.”

  3

  A Beautiful Voice

  SHARP PAIN JOLTED THROUGH CODY’S FOREARM as his fist slammed against the wall. Ouch! He had stormed out of the council, paying no heed when Dace called after him. He was in no mood to talk—with anyone. Why can’t anyone understand? Suddenly Jade’s image filled his mind as clear as if she were there in the flesh.

  Cody forced open his eyes; the vision brought unbearable pain—and guilt.

  Somebody shouted his name from across the hall. Cody sprinted down the corridor and rounded the corner. He needed privacy. He didn’t care that he was being childish. He skidded to a halt. Several voices sounded from around the bend; Cody recognized one as the grating voice of the irritating, nosey editor of the Under-Earth Rumblings: Fincher Tople. From the other direction, the shadow of the original pursuer approached.

  Cody glanced around desperately. There was only a lone, windowless door staking claim to the lengthy hallway. He jerked the doorknob—it was locked.

  Both the shadow and the voices continued their steady collision course toward him. Cody dropped to his knees. “Sellunga.” A gooey, silver substance bubbled out of the keyhole. Cody cupped his hand, allowing the molten material to spill out onto his palm. He scrunched his eyebrows together. As he did, the silver matter thickened like dripping water into an icicle. “Gai di gasme.” He grinned—being the Book Keeper definitely had its perks. He twisted the newly formed key and hustled through the door, latching the lock behind him. He was safe. And alone.

  The room overloaded his senses. Like a long forsaken attic, it was a congested stockpile of trinkets and neglected objects. Dust blanketed the room like morning snow after a wild blizzard. The ceiling curved in a majestic arc and was adorned with a collage of detailed artwork that time had faded beyond recognition.

  Cody strolled deeper into the chamber, examining the vast assortment of treasures. He paused before an elegant royal coat on a hanger. The purple tone gave the robe a kingly appearance. Cody pulled it over his shoulders. He couldn’t help but walk with an exaggerated strut—he needed to find a mirror.

  “All, hail, Lord Cody Clemenson! Noble Book Keeper and powerful creator! All foes quake before him!” he exclaimed in a booming voice.

  “Hail!” said a gentle voice in response. The unexpected sound sent Cody leaping into the air. Blushing beet red, he yanked off the coat. He lost his balance and stumbled into the coat hanger behind him, sending it clattering to the floor.

  Standing before him, wearing her gentle smile, was Princess Eva.

  “Eva! I didn’t see you…you scared me! What are you doing here?” Cody asked exasperated while using his foot to nonchalantly flick the purple robe out of sight.

  “The same reason as you—to hide away,” Eva replied softly. “I come here often.”

  “How do you know I’m hiding? I didn’t…never mind. What is this place anyways?” Cody questioned as his breath settled back into its regular rhythm.

  Eva was an enigma. He had only shared an extended conversation with the modest Princess one other time—the night she had appeared unannounced at his chamber to warn him tha
t her siblings were dangerous. The counsel she had offered had been wise. Cody felt surprisingly comfortable in her presence and the tension in his muscles ebbed away.

  “What it once was is no longer,” Eva replied as she motioned to a stone structure in the room’s center. The rustic construction, surrounded by a mosaic platform, resembled the periscope of a submarine, with the shaft opening at face level—one of Atlantis’ famed tunnel-phones.

  “In ancient days this was the royal communication chamber. But this channel has long since been decommissioned. Now it’s no more than a storage closet for things that belong nowhere else…like us,” she finished with a tender smile.

  Cody stroked his fingers along the polished surface of the appliance. “Where did the channel lead?”

  Eva hesitated before answering. “It’s the prototype; the first ever constructed. It leads, or rather, it led, directly…” she paused again as Cody leaned forward in anticipation, “to the throne room of El Dorado.”

  Cody stumbled back a step, rubbing his dazed eyes. His surprise morphed into anger. “You mean…we have direct communication with El Dorado…and nobody informed me?! Don’t you understand what this means?” Cody didn’t wait for a reply; his face was already at the chute. “Whoever hears this, I demand to speak to your prisoner, Jade. Let me hear her voice! Answer me…ANSWER ME!” Cody bellowed.

  Silence.

  Eva placed her hand upon Cody’s clamped fist. “I was trying to tell you; this channel hasn’t been used in a thousand years. It’s either caved in naturally or El Dorado filled it in centuries ago. I’m sorry.” Cody suddenly felt embarrassed by his impulsive theatrics.

  “Don’t be ashamed. Jade would have done the same for you,” Eva comforted, as though reading his thoughts.

  Jade would be stronger. She’s always been stronger, Cody thought bitterly. He scanned the room, anxious to change the subject. “What’s this for?” he asked, grabbing the first object within his reach.

  Eva smiled, offering no resistance to the shift. “One of my favorites; another of Lamgorious Stalkton’s long-forgotten experiments. It’s called The Speaking Sands.”

  Cody examined two pewter bowls and a small, transparent vial containing white sand. Eva chuckled. “I’ll show you.” She set the dishes on the floor. Removing the vial’s lid, she poured sand into each basin and began tracing her finger through the sand in one of them.

  “I still don’t und…” Cody reeled in his tongue and rubbed his eyes to assure they hadn’t been deceived. Within the second bowl lines were carving through the sand on their own accord. Eva stood and joined Cody in looking at the two dishes that now perfectly mirrored each other in displaying a jagged mountain range sketch.

  “Hello?”

  Cody glanced to Eva in surprise. “Excuse me?” The Princess stared back blankly. “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You must have; I heard a…”

  “Hello?”

  This time Eva’s eyebrows elevated as well. The voice was being projected from the tunnel-phone.

  “I thought you said…” Cody began but Eva cut him off. “It’s not supposed to work.”

  Cody stepped to the chute and cleared his throat.

  “It is I, Cody Clemenson, Book Keeper and protector of Atlantis. I demand to speak to Jade.” He grimaced, having sounded painfully more timid than intended.

  A rumbling echo sounded in the distance. Then a puff of dust blasted from the shaft like a deep cough, as though foretelling the coming reply. “This is certainly an…unexpected surprise. What an honor to meet the Book Keeper at last.” A chill ran down Cody’s spine. The voice was beautiful. It had the purity of a child and the melodic chime of a songbird. Cody felt drawn to the voice like the seducing call of a siren.

  “Where’s Jade? Who are you?” Cody probed, fighting to break the spellbinding trance. Neither Cody nor Eva released a single breath as they awaited the reply. The distant rumbling came bouncing down the tunnel. Cody clenched his sticky fists. “One who has eagerly awaited meeting you,” replied the angelic voice. “It is I—the Golden King.”

  4

  A Mole

  THE MAN’S EYES FELL to the gleam of the smooth dagger. The cloaked figure reclined in the chair across from him and continued to pet the circular blade as though it were a lazy house cat. He gave no heed to his counterpart’s discomfort.

  “Is that really necessary? I won’t conduct business with a weapon pointed in my face, Mr….” the agitated man questioned. His words dangled in the air like a fishing lure.

  “Agent Two. That is my name,” the other responded flatly as he continued to stroke his blade.

  “Well…Agent Two, perhaps your master is accustomed to lording his power over the meek; but I trust he is prudent enough not to underestimate me. If I deem our arrangement has lost its luster, then I will walk, regardless of who or what your master presumes to be.”

  The figure in the chair raised his head for the first time. “Indeed,” he replied, offering no further response. The indifference in the bladed man’s voice infuriated his listener, although he concealed his rage behind an equally stoic expression. He took a seat across from the agent.

  “Our bargain stands? I have your master’s word that it shall be as promised?”

  The hooded one nodded. When it became apparent that no further words would follow, the man leaned forward toward the agent and spoke in a whisper though they were alone in the dim room. “Levenworth has conceded Lilley. Our forces blockade themselves within the fortress at Flore Gub. As for the Book Keeper, he remains set on El Dorado to rescue his lady friend. His creation powers remain relatively unspectacular. Queen Cia remains in control; however, her grasp is weak and opposition from her twin brother awaits but a push. As they are equal heirs to the vacant throne, uprising is inevitable.”

  Agent Two raised his blade to inspect the polished surface. As he did, light beams reflected off its surface. Extending his finger, he pressed it lightly against the dagger’s edge. Instantly a bead of blood bubbled out and rolled down the weapon.

  “CROSS appreciates your cooperation. You say nothing that has not already been seen by our Master’s omnipotent web—but your loyalty has been noted, as has your willingness to sell out your own people. Be assured, when the time comes, you shall be rewarded handsomely: The Forbidden High Language words will be yours. As for the royal family, it is being…handled. Agent One is seeing to it personally.” The hooded agent raised his gaze from his blade. “Above all else, keep your eyes on the boy. He is the key to everything.”

  5

  The Point of No Return

  FEAR GRIPPED CODY like a merciless leech, sucking every ounce of courage. The haunting words hung suspended in the musky air—the words of the Golden King. Cody’s tongue sagged under the weight of the sticky saliva foaming in his mouth.

  “What have you done with Jade?” he murmured.

  After a moment, the tunnel-phone rumbled to life. “Ah, yes. Jade…such a pretty girl. A shame I must torture her—keeps shrieking your name, day and night.”

  “You’re lying!” Cody yelled without conviction. The image of Jade confined to a cramped, desolate prison cell filled him with wild rage.

  “Am I?” the Golden King replied steadily, his voice trailing off. Cody tried to swallow, but could not.

  “Cody?” came a weak voice. “Cody? Is that…really you?” Cody’s eyes welled. “Yes, Jade! It’s me! It’s me! Tell me you’re okay!”

  “Cody?” replied Jade faintly. “Cody, please help me. Please…” her voice drifted away.

  “That was…touching,” returned the calm voice of the Golden King.

  “What have you done to her? If you touch one hair on her head I swear I’ll…” Cody stopped, his mind swirling too fast to pull his words together.

  “If you want that question answered—you will have to come see for yourself. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you to my throne room. In fact, you have one week to do so. If you are
not standing in my court by dusk on the seventh day—your Jade will suffer a most agonizing death. You will come to El Dorado.” Cody clenched his hands into tight fists. He knew, as the King did, that it was true. There would be no more delays, no more excuses—Cody was going to El Dorado.

  “You did what?!” Cia cried. Her perpetually calm face contorted into a fusion of anger and fear. “You spoke with the Golden King!?”

  Cody stood defiantly before the Queen’s throne.

  The shadow that drifted over him was accompanied by a familiar, exotic scent. “Indeed. Your actions were ludicrously foolish,” Prince Kantan uttered, circling into view. “You’ve done nothing but affirm his wishful suspicions. What was once his elated hope is now his assurance; he now knows without a doubt the extent of your affection for Jade; that you would do anything, or go anywhere, to rescue her.”

  After the Golden King’s ultimatum, Cody had shouted into the tunnel-phone several more times to no avail. The Golden King did not respond, not that Cody expected he would; the terms had already been set—the next time they spoke would be face to face. It was a challenge Cody was ready to oblige.

  “He’s right. I won’t stay here and let Jade die. Seven days—the clock is already ticking. You may be Queen of Atlantis, but I’m not your subject. I’m a Surface-Dweller—not an underling. There’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

  Cia’s heavy glare remained solid; her pencil thin lips pressed firmly together and her jaw clamped. All the while, Prince Kantan remained motionless, eyeing Cody with raw contempt.

  The Queen stood. She took a purposeful stride toward Cody. “My subjects trust me both for their safety and for the protection of our glorious city. Sending you to the Golden King as our only feeble hope for victory accomplishes neither.”

  Cody readied his rehearsed protest, but Cia continued. “However…” her eyes shifted boldly to her brother before returning to Cody, “I suspect this mission will take place—commissioned or not. Therefore, I relent. But you will not be going alone.”