City of Gold

by Daniel Blackaby

  6

  Fallen Sanctuary

  ATLANTIS. CODY FELT LIKE A CHILD after the Christmas fervor subsides and the excess of new toys no longer captivates. Weaving down the dusty alleyways of the Inner-City, he sensed a thousand scrutinizing glares directed toward him. The looks teemed with disappointment, despair, and blame. His inability to prevent the fatal ambush and preserve their fallen King’s honor had not gone unnoticed.

  A droning gong propelled sound waves across the city. Like an obedient pet, Cody knelt and began chanting the Hymn of the Orb: “Hail the Orb of holy light, humbled we by its eternal might, hail the Orb, let it shine forever bright…”

  As he mechanically uttered the refrain for the seventh time he looked around. Most people were kneeling as expected, although many mouths were unmoving. Several other citizens hadn’t even slowed their pace and ignored the gong’s call entirely. One woman passed with exaggerated strides and a brazen face. As Cody uttered the closing amen, two bodies pushed past. The scarlet sashes around the men’s torsos left no doubt to their identity—Enforcers: grunt men of the AREA.

  In an instant they were on the insubordinate lady, tackling her to the ground. When the dirt settled, the woman’s head hung feebly on her shoulders and her hands were bound. As the Enforcers dragged her away her swollen eyes met Cody’s. Without strength to speak, she mouthed, “Is this worth fighting for?”

  Cody broke the stare, resuming his path, anxious to leave the troubling scene—Atlantis was crumbling into chaos.

  An immense, oval-shaped structure towered before him. The Sanctuary of the Orb—the source of unending power; a power that two legendary cities would spill a sea of blood to claim as their own. The image of the bruised lady skulked into his mind. He wondered just how far the two cities would go to achieve their prize.

  Cody’s knees buckled as he stumbled off the flimsy lift onto the balcony. A knot wrenched his stomach; it was his first return to the Monastery since the Hunter had pitilessly preyed upon the monks. The repulsive stench of dried blood caused Cody to gag. Only the derisory, timid scent of mint vainly sought to mask death’s awful stain.

  The instant Cody entered he knew something was wrong. The room was eerily silent. The ten balconies corkscrewing up the expansive chamber toward the domed ceiling were empty. Where are the remaining monks?

  A coughing sound made Cody jump and fling his hands into a defensive position. “Chill out, you coward,” Xerx snarled, retreating a step. Cody maintained his fighting stance.

  Whether by jealousy or simple unpleasantness, Xerx had been a regal pain. But their shared near-death experience at the jaws of the Hunter stirred unfamiliar emotions in Cody. He scrunched his face; was he actually feeling a sense of loyalty or even friendship toward him? The jarring collision of the young monk’s shoulder reoriented Cody’s thoughts. “What? The colossal weight of your inflated ego makes you flat-footed? Master Stalkton is expecting you; don’t keep him waiting…as always.” Xerx spat on Cody’s feet as he passed. Cody shrugged. It’s comforting that some things never change.

  As he stepped into the pitch-dark spherical chamber a vile stench assaulted him. Cody covered his nose. The odor wasn’t blood; it was something worse—much worse.

  “Hello?” questioned a creaky voice. “Is that you, Tiana? I’ve been waiting all day for that hot dirt smoothie….”

  “Um, no, Master Stalkton. It’s me—Cody,” he responded uneasily. The mention of Tiana caused his heart to skip. The two had rarely spoken since the ambush; and even then, it had been stiffly formal. What was Tiana doing inside the Monastery?

  “Cody, you say?” the wheezy voice replied suspiciously. “Hmmm…never heard of her.”

  “Excuse me? I’m the Book Keeper and your apprentice! And I’m not a she!”

  There was an agonizingly long pause. “Well, Cody, who-is-not-a-she…did you bring me my hot dirt smoothie?”

  Cody grabbed his forehead. “Illumchanta” Bright light ascended to the ceiling like a midnight star. “Master, I’ve come to…oh, my gosh!”

  The light exposed the High Priest for the first time. Three flakey black scabs stretched diagonally from his left ear to the bottom of his gawky chin. The wounds stood out like neon signs against the backdrop of the albino’s pastel skin. His regular skeletal figure was even further emaciated, the flesh hanging from his frail bones like wet tissue paper. Looking to the cushion where the elder master sat, Cody yelped in surprise—Stalkton had no legs.

  Only two, smooth, rounded stubs remained where his arthritic kneecaps used to be. The Master chuckled. “Wasn’t anything they could do, not without the expertise of that Prince…oh, what’s his name…the plump one….” The priest retreated into his mind, preparing to conduct a laborious investigation for the elusive name. Cody cleared his throat, thankfully causing the priest to forget his quest.

  “Legs are overrated!” Stalkton declared. “Legs can never take one everywhere that a mind can, but one’s imagination can effortlessly transport you anywhere your legs could, and beyond…besides, pretty maidens love a man with battle scars! Although it has made it rather problematic to wash myself….” The mystery of the room’s vile smell was, unfortunately, a mystery no longer.

  “Master, I’m afraid I can’t continue my training. I am going to El Dorado.” Cody braced himself for rebuttal, but Stalkon simply nodded pleasantly.

  “Oh, how splendid. Be sure to pack several pairs of underpants. I never seem to remember; gets so breezy, especially when I customarily forget to pack pants as well and…”

  “Master, did you hear me? I’m going to El Dorado, to rescue Jade from the Golden King.”

  At the mention of the Golden King, the revelation finally registered. “If you face the King…he will kill you.” The absolute certainty of the statement was unsettling. “You’ve only just begun your training. The Book is all that separates you from being an average, or even below average student. Indeed, it’s actually rather embarrassing to call you my pupil…perhaps in public you could only refer to me in code….”

  “Thanks, Master, but I have no choice. Jade needs me. If I can just hold the King off long enough…” Stalkton began to chuckle.

  “What’s so funny?” Cody demanded, offended by the outburst.

  “You!” Stalkton laughed, aiming his boney index finger at Cody. “You still don’t understand. For a millennium the Golden King has obsessed over the Orb. It’s his addiction. He has exceeded all boundaries of possibility. He has no code, no ethics, no morality—only unquenchable desire. Even I, in all my shameless brilliance, would be nothing but an inconvenience to him. He cannot be beaten.”

  Cody felt sweat rise through his pores. “If he’s invincible, why doesn’t he just march to Atlantis himself?” asked Cody.

  “Simple. Despite unequaled power, he remains bound by the Covenant of the Books. King Ishmael was a gentle man—but not a guileless man. Whatever power he wielded in forming the Covenant remains elusive to his brother.” Stalkton’s voice died to a murmur. “Although I fear for not much longer. The Golden King has sought to produce The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own. When he succeeds, the Covenant will fall and he will let loose his full, unrelenting power on Under-Earth.”

  “The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own?” Cody probed with a raised eyebrow.

  Stalkton shook his head. “I would not tell you more if threatened with certain death. I refuse to speak plainly of it even to myself. It’s the first step on the road to destruction. It would be nothing but a temptation; a burden I won’t willingly bestow upon you. We will never speak of it again.”

  Cody nodded in reluctant agreement, although the temptation already had seized his curiosity. He committed to discover more, one way or another. “Master, I must begin my preparation. I just wanted to visit you before I left.” Cody turned to leave but stopped, again noticing the silence. “Master…where are the other priests?”

  Stalkton sighed. “You already know the answer to your question…the
y are dead. You and Xerx are all that remain of the Brotherhood, our last hope…a reality so dismally depressing it makes me tingle…oh…or perhaps that’s because I just urinated my pants.”

  7

  Murky Motives

  THE GROUND BENEATH HIS FEET SWAYED. As the balcony shrunk smaller and smaller, Cody’s stomach tightened and his limbs became jittery. He wasn’t sure whether it was due to his life-long phobia of heights—or because of what awaited him at the top.

  The platform jerked to a stop, sending Cody tumbling against the rails. He stepped off onto the Sanctuary’s domed roof. Peering across the smooth, metallic surface, he saw her.

  Tiana rested on her nest-like bed. Her back was turned and her thick blonde hair, which was accented by a scarlet rose tucked behind her ear, was draped over her left shoulder. She wore a white nightgown that flowed out around her like a marvelous snowflake. Cody had never seen her so peaceful.

  She held up a smooth stone tablet that she was painting. The art depicted a large, blooming, silver flower. Each of the four petals formed the shape of a heart.

  Cody couldn’t bear to disturb her privacy. He inched back toward the elevator. But the moment his foot pressed against the frail wooden planks, a brash creak exploded.

  Tiana’s head perked up like a deer at the sound of danger. A hint of surprise instantly gave way to anger. Hastily pushing her artwork out of sight, she flung aside the drapes hanging over her outdoor chamber. Cody’s mouth went dry. It was the first time he had seen her without her heavy makeup or wild clothing; she looked more radiant than ever.

  Tiana pulled a robe over her shoulders to cover her nightgown. “I told you not to come,” she issued with chilling steadiness.

  “I just need to know what went wrong,” Cody said. “Ever since the courtyard you’ve been avoiding me. I don’t understand.” He paused, unsure whether to commit to his thought. “And, I miss you,” he added tentatively. The minute the words left his mouth he wanted to reel them back. They sounded ridiculous when spoken out loud. Whatever emotions Tiana had about the comment made no impact on her blank expression.

  “I avoid you because it’s how things must be. We have nothing more to talk about. Go away.” Without waiting for a response, she spun back toward her tent.

  Cody grabbed her shoulder. “Please,” he pleaded. Tiana remained still for several seconds. Then, without a word, she shrugged him off and continued walking.

  “Is it because I discovered your talent as a Creator? Or skill with a sword?” Cody pleaded, without realizing he was following after her. “If you think I’m angry because you didn’t tell me, I’m not. If you ever want to talk about your past I’m here…”

  Cody’s words finally struck a nerve. Tiana whirled around and shoved him backwards. “You honestly think I’m avoiding you because I think you’re upset with me? Why should I care? You stay the blazes out of my past, hear me? I don’t want to talk to you about anything. Anything. Now leave me alone before I force you to leave.” The boiling anger in her eyes validated the threat.

  As Cody returned to the elevator he glanced over his shoulder. “You know, Ti…I really care about you. I’m leaving Atlantis; I wanted you to know that.” He waited for a response that never came.

  The stench of sweaty body odor made Cody retch. The potent aroma gripped his skin. He grinned; he never thought he would be so grateful to smell such an awful stink.

  “Illumchanta.” Light filled the room.

  Cody’s eyes followed his nose toward the frumpy little man who wore an ugly smirk on his leathery face. “About bloody time,” the man barked in a scratchy voice.

  “I hate to admit it—but I actually think I’ve missed you, Randilin. No one else decimates my self-esteem with such precision.”

  The dwarf’s plump, chapped lips changed into a smile as he soaked in what he evidently took to be the highest of compliments. “It ain’t ruddy hard when ya’ provide such excellent source material. So, what news from the land of freedom and cozy beds?” Following the ambush, all access to Randilin’s cell had been restricted. Prince Kantan personally enforced the decree, claiming Randilin’s checkered past made it unwise to allow visitors during wartime. Thankfully, Cody’s creation ability made it remarkably easy to bribe the prison guards.

  Cody recapped all that had transpired since the raid. He briefly shared of Tiana’s sudden attitude shift, but Randilin shrugged. “Can’t blame her. My stubby left, big toe has more charm with the ladies than you.”

  Ignoring the slight, Cody explained El Dorado’s capture of Lilley and the retreat to Flore Gub. Finally, he stated his decision to rescue Jade and the Queen’s surprisingly easy accommodation.

  Randilin’s head tilted like a curious mutt. “Odd,” he muttered, half to himself, “it’s not consistent with her character. She holds the ruddy glory of Atlantis in higher regard than her own privileged life. For her to just send the city’s only hope on a suicide mission and risk surrendering The Code to the Golden King…it doesn’t feel right.”

  “Maybe she has faith in my ability…” Cody began but stopped, realizing the absurdity of that claim.

  Randilin shook his head. “You don’t even have faith in your ability. Nor ruddy well should you. Hmm. It doesn’t make any sense, unless…”

  Cody pressed his head between the prison bars. “Unless what, Randilin?”

  “Unless…she’s not actually sending you to rescue Jade. The Queen’s dogmatic, but she’s no simpleton. If she’s sending you on this reckless quest, then she must have her reasons for doing so. And the longer I think about it, the more I conclude that none of those reasons have your best interest in mind.”

  8

  A Veiled Romance

  CIA PEERED OUT HER WINDOW. Atlantis rested in its nightly hibernation, with only the flickering of torchlight to illuminate the thatched rooftops. The lighting glimmered off her ice blue gown. The Queen left the window and retreated into her chambers where a table was positioned and polished silverware precisely placed. A vase of brilliantly colored blooms served as an elegant centerpiece. The wait was excruciating. Why does he always make me wait?

  She slowed her breathing, allowing her thoughts to drift elsewhere. Would my father have made the same decision? Only time would tell; she had no other choice but to wait patiently. All I ever do is wait, she thought, glancing again to the door. On cue, the doorknob twisted and her heart jumped—he’s here.

  She smoothed her dress against her slender body, double-checking one more time that the table was properly arranged. The visitor’s familiar scent infiltrated the room.

  Cia turned to face the man. “I’ve been anticipating your arrival,” she greeted softly.

  “As have I,” the man replied. “Your presence is always a prize worth waiting for.” He removed his hat and gave a slight bow. “As always, you look lovely.” Cia’s face flushed; she fought to block the sensation.

  “And, as always, you are the perfect gentleman. Please, come in.”

  Complying with the invitation, the man entered. Reaching the Queen, he placed his hands gently on her curved hips. Leaning forward, he pressed a soft kiss against her forehead. “I look forward to our dinner together, my beautiful Queen.”

  Cia could no longer control the blush that overtook her powdered cheeks. She gazed into the man’s eyes.

  “As do I, my noble Dunstan.”

  9

  Forming The Company

  SIXTEEN EYES PEERED IMPATIENTLY as Cody emerged into the immense room. He scurried across the Great Hall toward the assembly, the rows of majestic pillars flanking his path like a forest of redwoods.

  Queen Cia perched on the simple wooden throne, her powdered face taut with a frown. Joining her were Kantan, Levenworth, Dace, Tat, and Sli Silkian, who looked slimy and smug as ever. Cody’s eyes bulged; rounding out the group were the last two people he expected to see—Lamgorious Stalkton, who sat merrily in a wooden wheelbarrow swinging his stubbed legs like a child on a swing set and Xerx,
who held the wheelbarrow with a spiteful glare as though daring Cody to make jest of the situation.

  “Let us begin,” Cia said calmly as Cody arrived. The beautiful Queen stood. “This quest balances on the furthermost edge of lunacy, with a myriad of dangers and opportunities to fail. Do you maintain your unwavering decision to proceed?”

  Cody nodded without hesitation. “I do.”

  Cia stroked her thin bottom lip. “Very well.” She motioned to Levenworth. The husky General plopped a tattered scroll onto a circular table, allowing it to unroll and dangle over the edges.

  “A map of Under-Earth.” Levenworth dropped his heavy index finger onto a red star marking Atlantis. “In better days, the logical route would be to go south and follow the river to Azelc’s Parish, the Ruins of Sal-Gazta, and then Flore Gub.” He traced the path as he spoke. “However, time is short and necessity demands a more direct route.” His finger returned to the Atlantis emblem. “A straight course to Redtown, circling the northern perimeter of the Fiery Plains to Du-Morgar, Flore Gub and through the Labyrinth Mountains to El Dorado. The journey will be perilous, but it’s the fate we’ve been given.”

  Cia touched Cody’s chin and tilted his face toward her own. “I will not risk the Champion of Atlantis undergoing this journey alone.”

  “I pledge my sword to the Book Keeper!” proclaimed Dace, kneeling and presenting his sword in outstretched hands. “For three generations this blade has protected Atlantis and has never been bested in combat. I will protect the Book Keeper to my death.”

  Cody felt an immense sense of relief; the unfolding scene was like a fragile dream that he had dared not voice for fear it might be snatched away.