City of Gold

by Daniel Blackaby

  The instant the vessel’s bow scraped against the shore Cody leapt over the edge. The moment his feet touched down against the mud shore, he started running.

  “Cody, wait! It’s too dangerous! Wait!” Dace called after him, but he didn’t slow. He didn’t look behind to see if anyone else was following. With every last ounce of stamina he could muster, he sprinted. He held up the ruby pocket-watch. The long gold hand was pointing directly north, directing his path.

  He disregarded his ragged breath and burning joints, as his stumbling legs fought to keep pace with his desire. He had come too far to give up so close to the end.

  As he ran, the rough dirt terrain disappeared, gradually replaced by pure, smooth sand. I’m getting close. He urged his body on even harder. Sporadically he passed a sprouted tree. Lush green vegetation became more frequent the farther he ran. He came to the base of a giant sand dune.

  He collapsed.

  Every muscle in his body seared. Must keep moving. Jade needs me! Pulling himself onto all fours, he crawled up the massive dune. With a final heave, he hurled himself up to the top and rolled onto his back, utterly spent. His blurry eyes gazed down.

  At the bottom of the valley—was a Golden City.

  The city was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Like Atlantis, it was surrounded by a large wall. However, from his elevated view he could see straight into the city that swirled up like a cyclone. Atop the pyramid was a dome-roofed palace. Every inch of the city was awash in light like the purest of diamonds. It was spectacular.

  Cody rose to his feet. Against all odds he had succeeded. Jade, I’m here! Childish glee spread through his body and a smile pushed to the corners of his face. Digging into his pocket he retrieved the arrowhead Tat had given him. I’ve made my choice. He tossed his hands into the air and released a bellowing, wild cry of triumph, just as the sky went dark.

  It was nightfall. He was too late.

  44

  Out of Time

  TIME WAS UP. The darkness engulfed Cody as he collapsed to his knees. He had failed. Darkfall had come on the seventh day—he had been too slow. I’ve killed Jade.

  Cody felt his cheeks begin to burn. I could have been faster…I SHOULD have been faster! He yelled a pained cry, his voice crackling as tears filled his eyes. “I’m sorry! Jade, I’m sorry!” His strength gave out and he collapsed.

  Just before he hit the ground, he was caught by two soft hands. Tiana pulled Cody against her chest. “I’m sorry, Cody.”

  Her face was pale and the vessels in her eyes were red from fatigue. A tear from her eye dropped onto Cody’s burning forehead. “I’m so sorry, Cody,” she whispered again, her voice quivering.

  Cody clenched his fist. “I’m going to kill him,” he declared flatly. Tiana dried her eyes, “Cody…what are you talking about? Cody…?”

  He ignored her, forcefully breaking from her embrace. His eyes peered at the palace. Tiana stood, realizing what was going on. “Cody, no. It’s too far and you’re too exhausted. This isn’t the only way…Cody?”

  Anger filled Cody like pulsing adrenaline. He lifted his hands and took a deep breath. Tiana stepped toward him. “Cody, don’t. We must wait for the others. It’s too dangerous…Cody!” Tiana lunged for him but she was too late.

  “Spakious!” At Cody’s command the air before them blurred as though the fabric of the atmosphere was rippling. Without hesitation Cody lunged through the portal.

  The world slowly blurred into focus. Cody was lying on his stomach completely drained of strength. He was in a courtyard. Something tickled his cheek, grass?

  Suddenly a woman dashed into the clearing. Her elegant purple robe flowed behind her, fastened by a glittering, diamond-encrusted sash. Cody could hear her panting breath from within the deep hood. She glanced over her shoulder.

  A man came bursting around the corner in pursuit of her. He was broad shouldered and handsome. His eyes were fixed on the woman and burned like fire. Cody watched helplessly, unable to move, as the man overtook the woman. Grabbing her shoulders, he spun her around and pinned her against the wall. “Did you think you were going to get away that easily?” the man probed, his muscular arms imprisoning the woman.

  Cody’s eyelids dropped from fatigue. He fought to keep them open. The woman reached out and wrapped her arms around the man’s head. Pulling him close, she kissed him. As she did, the man gently pushed her hood off.

  Jade.

  PART THREE

  A PERFECT CITY

  45

  Changed

  WHERE AM I?

  Bright lights showered him from all directions. He squinted, urging his eyes to adjust to the fierce gleam. He was lying on a small, sleek white cot like a hospital bed. He sat up and examined the unfamiliar surroundings.

  How did I get here?

  Cody’s eyebrows leaped in surprise. His filthy brown robe was gone, replaced with the most striking garment he had ever seen. The elegant white coat sparkled like a fresh morning snowfall and its silky texture soothed his skin. He traced his finger over the surplus of tiny diamonds that weaved around the tunic like an extravagant spider web.

  As his dilated pupils returned to normal he realized he wasn’t surrounded by bright lights—but instead by mirrors. Massive slates of pure crystal claimed each of the four walls from floor to ceiling. The tranquil mood immediately evaporated.

  I’m in El Dorado.

  Paralyzed with fear, his pale expression was mimicked hundreds of times; his stretched and distorted face reflecting off the crystal walls. Then, apart from the others, one of the faces moved.

  I’m not alone!

  Before Cody could react, the assailant lunged, wrapping firm arms around him, stealing his wind. Cody squirmed, fighting for enough breath to use the High Language, but the attacker’s grip was unbreakable.

  Cody gasped for air as the suffocating hold loosened. His head spun dizzily as he sucked in oxygen and stumbled backwards. Throwing up his fists, he braced for another attack—and gazed straight into two beautiful green eyes. “Jade?”

  Her face was beaming. Cody’s strength escaped as he tried to release all of his ten, pre-rehearsed speeches simultaneously. The result was incoherent bumbling.

  Jade drew him into another tight hug, resting her head against his shoulder. “Oh, Cody, how I’ve missed you,” she whispered into his ear.

  “I’ve missed you too, Jade…You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.” The next few moments were a dream. The warmth of the embrace communicated more than any well-rehearsed words. All of Cody’s fears and worries dissipated. After three miserable weeks, his chaotic world had been instantly put back in order.

  He didn’t want to let go. He wanted to let the world pass around them like a gentle river around an immovable boulder. After several more still moments he reluctantly released her.

  Cody scanned the room and located a door that had been camouflaged by the crystal wall. “We need to get out of here before we’re discovered.” He rushed to the bed and scooped up the pile of his belongings. “I can use the High Language to transport us beyond the walls and then …” He turned back but found Jade standing still with a troubled expression. “Jade? We need to move. I came to rescue you….”

  Jade took a step backwards. “I’m very touched. You have been unbelievably brave…but what if I don’t want to be rescued?”

  Cody’s heart plunged in his chest. “What do you mean? I need to get you out of here! Don’t you want to go home?”

  Jade inched back farther. “Home? Where is home Cody? Is Atlantis home? Have you forgotten your mother? Have you forgotten Havenwood?”

  Cody shook his head defensively, “Of course not! But…”

  Suddenly the door burst open and four golden golems funneled in. Cody looked to Jade in confusion. “I don’t understand….”

  The soldiers encircled him, the points of their spears pricking his back.

  Jade grasped his hands. “I’ve found my home, Cody. For the fir
st time in my whole life,” she paused. “Don’t struggle, Cody. They won’t harm you. He’s not like they say he is. You really must meet him.”

  As the warriors forced Cody from the room, he grabbed the doorway and looked back to Jade. “Must meet who?” The last thing Cody saw before he was forced out of the room was Jade’s thin, moving lips.

  “The Golden King.”

  46

  The King’s Court

  THE IMMENSE DOUBLE DOORS SLAMMED behind him with a rattling boom. Cody hurled himself against them but they didn’t budge—locked.

  Turning back around, he examined the chamber he had been forced into. It was massive. Even the Great Hall of Atlantis would seem nothing more than a miniature snow-globe compared to the magnificent scale and grandeur of the Hall.

  Cody carefully made his way across the vibrant, mosaic path that split the Great Hall straight down the center. Each of the lavish pillars that flanked the track were coated with polished gold and adorned with wealth as gemstones of every color spiraled toward the arched ceiling.

  The Hall was mute as an art gallery, amplifying Cody’s rapid breath. As he reached the end of the amethyst trail, he paused. Before him was a large throne made entirely of gold. The two armrests morphed into the shape of flaming suns.

  To the left of the throne was a familiar periscope device—the tunnel-phone. Cody felt a chill. It had been through that very device that Cody had communicated with him. Stalkton’s solemn warnings about the Golden King came racing back. I need to get out of here!

  Cody turned to flee but something else caught his eye. On the other side of the throne was a shadowy nook. From the gloom shone the glimmer of jewels and riches. However, it was the centerpiece that had captured his gaze. The sight was eerily familiar. In the center of the nook was a podium; and upon the podium—was a Book.

  The Book was made of solid gold. An elegant border was embroidered around the perimeter. In the center, formed by tiny crystals, was a large ‘E.’

  The Key—the second of the two Books made by King Ishmael. Cody approached the Book as though drawn to it magnetically.

  The only way to defeat the Golden King is the combined power of the two Books.

  The gilded Book was glowing like a firefly at midnight. Cody reached toward it in wonder. The moment his fingers brushed the golden surface, two red slits appeared from behind the podium.

  “Ahh!” Cody stumbled backwards, falling to the floor. The Hunter skulked around the podium like a panther; its nostrils flaring.

  Terrified, Cody shuffled back, pushing himself onto his feet as the Beast strode toward him. The Hunter purred, its five-inch tongue stroking the black lips of its snout.

  Cody took another step—and collided into something solid behind him. An icy hand curled onto his shoulder, the large fingers coiling around him. The hand was made of gold.

  “Welcome to my court.”

  47

  The Two Are One

  HE WAS BEAUTIFUL. Accompanying his long, fine, white hair was skin that glittered gold. His eyes shone like pure rubies only to be outdone by the gemstones that fused into his forehead forming a royal crown. His body was half human and half gold, as though caught midway through metamorphosis between caterpillar and butterfly. In every way he was perfect—the very embodiment of beauty.

  “What an honor.” The Golden King’s voice was melodic and smooth; the words swirling around Cody and luring him into a calm trance like a siren’s irresistible call toward treacherous cliffs.

  From behind, the Hunter’s talons scraped against the ground. The King’s ruby eyes stared steadily into the Beast’s flaming scarlet slits. The Hunter released a piercing shriek, snapped its fangs at the King, and then vanished.

  “Lovely, isn’t it?” the King purred. Cody didn’t answer. Instead he stood transfixed, unable to move. The King glided toward the podium. With his fleshy hand he stroked the spine of the Book. “It senses its sister is near. A thousand years have passed since the two halves were united as one.”

  As the King wove his pleasant symphony of words, Cody grabbed his backpack and unzipped it. He cautiously pulled out his leather-bound Book. The scarlet ‘A’ burned more fiercely than ever.

  “You didn’t take it…why?” The energy from The Code flowed through him with an intensity he’d never before experienced.

  The King smiled. “For precisely the same reason I allowed you to come to El Dorado on your own accord: because deep down you and I both desire the same thing—truth.”

  Cody shook his head. “You’re wrong. I came only to rescue Jade.” Cody fought to maintain a defiant stare, but quickly dropped his eyes. “You lied to me. Darkfall came on the seventh day but you still let Jade live. Why?”

  The King floated back to Cody. “Death has so many faces. I assure you, the Jade you knew before is very much dead.” The King slid his silver tongue across his lips as though lapping up the savory words.

  Cody felt deep dread wash over him. “What have you done to her?”

  “Only what you could not — I’ve allowed the swan inside to break free. You will soon realize that in El Dorado you can be exactly the person you’ve always dreamt of becoming.”

  Cody’s mind flashed back to the stern image of his father. Cody could hear his mother’s sobs in the background. His father kissed his forehead. “One day you’ll understand, boy. You’ll understand why I have to go away.” It had been the last time he had ever seen him.

  Cody forced the memory from his mind. “Only I can read from The Code. You can’t force me to use it for you.”

  “I don’t believe that will be necessary. But what about using it for you? The unrestricted knowledge of the universe at your grasp; the answers to questions you didn’t even know to ask. Aren’t you curious?”

  Suddenly a thousand questions raced through Cody’s mind. He shut his eyes to block them out. The Golden King placed his hand gently on Cody’s cheek, the cool gold causing him to shiver. “When the Two become One, there is no limit to the wonders they can do. The unlimited power to change the world; to make it better, to make it perfect. Is it not our responsibility to do so?”

  Unwanted thoughts once again forced their way into the corners of his mind. He thought of his hard-working, single mother. He thought of the beggar, Gelph, and the rest of the impoverished citizens in Atlantis’ Outer-City. I could change things for the better.

  “Are you going to lock me up now? Torture me until I relent?” Cody challenged weakly. The King lifted his hand. As he did, the doors across the Hall swung open. The King pointed to the opened doors.

  “You are free to leave anytime you wish. If you so choose, I will commission an escort of my finest soldiers to guide you safely to the Borderlands. You have but to ask. You are no more a prisoner than Jade. On the contrary, you are my most honored guest. Which is why tomorrow evening I shall host a grand banquet in your honor. The honor of a Book Keeper.”

  Cody stared at the King curiously.

  “The moment the banquet is over I’m leaving for Atlantis.”

  The Golden King smiled. “I recall those very words coming from the mouth of a young woman but a month ago. You may discover that your friend may not be as keen on leaving as you think…given a week, you may realize you’re not interested in leaving either.”

  48

  Stirrings

  “SHHH!” THE ROOM FELL SILENT except for the rhythmic pattern of heavy footsteps as two men marched passed the entry way of the shadowy hut. Once the sound had faded the hush was soiled by loud exhales.

  “I told you it’s too dangerous. If we’re seen…”

  “I know, I know! We’re all aware of the risk. So let’s not waste our precious time,” a deep voice whispered. “It’s happened. The Book Keeper has arrived. And…” The voice dropped as the noise of footsteps returned.

  “This is folly!” a second man snapped as the strides quieted again. “We’re risking everything tonight.”

  “Shhh! Keep your voice
down, brother!” urged a third. “G. T. is correct. If the Book Keeper is here in El Dorado then it may be the only opportunity we’ll get. This is the moment we’ve been awaiting for a very long time.”

  “We will need to corner him when he’s alone. That may not be an easy task,” observed a woman, the final member of the quartet.

  The deep-voiced man cleared his throat. “I agree. But it’s the only way. We must seize the moment while he’s sleeping or secluded. We won’t get a second chance,” he concluded. “We must strike fast.”

  A sharp creaking noise outside the building extinguished the voices.

  Two men burst into the hovel only to find it empty.

  49

  Confessions

  HER GREEN EYES LOCKED with his. Instead of their usual fiery state they had a soft tenderness to them.

  When she opened her mouth, her lips quaked. “Cody…I…I…I lo…” The sound of clashing steel echoed in Cody’s ears. A limp body fell against him. Cody shoved the body off and turned back to Jade and Tiana. They were gone.

  The scene cycled through Cody’s mind for the thousandth time. As always, it was as vivid and real as the day it happened. He sat restlessly on the edge of his bed staring at the closed bedroom door.

  Following his audience with the Golden King he had been guided to a specially-arranged bed chamber—a room larger than the whole of his house back in Havenwood. Several doors and halls led off toward unexplored sections of the massive room. But none of that mattered at the moment. Instead, he stared at the simple note that had been left on his pillow.

  I’m sorry about earlier, I should have prepared you. We have SO much to get caught up on. Come to my room first thing in the morning. I’ll show you around the city—just like old times!

  Your best friend always,