City of Gold

by Daniel Blackaby

  “However, it will take some time to assure their discharge. In the meantime, there’s something I’ve wanted to show you.” As he spoke his eyes were fixed firmly on Jade. Cody shifted uncomfortably. The Prince motioned toward him. “You are welcome to come as well, of course.”

  Cody returned his stare with defiance.

  “I would love to.”

  The trio traversed the city toward the eastern quarter. Although they had not yet explored this particular area of the city, it quickly became apparent that they hadn’t missed much. The landscape was identical to all other parts of the city, down to the last detail. The painstaking symmetry was mindboggling.

  Hansi led the way with Jade by his side, while Cody took up the rear several paces behind. Cody’s eyes cast darts into the back of the Prince’s head. He smirked and put an arm over his mouth, pretending to cough. “Cough—Dastanda—cough.” A small patch of ground in front of Hansi became soft like sinking sand. The Prince’s foot sank into the dip causing him to lose his balance and tumble to the ground.

  Cody snickered softly. “Must be something to do with that air-density….” Jade’s fiery green eyes shot toward him. He shrugged defensively. “What?”

  Jade shook her head. “You can be such a child sometimes.” She helped Hansi to his feet. Grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers, she led him forward without looking back.

  Cody kicked himself; his short moment of satisfaction extinguished. Jade was right. He was acting like a total jerk. What am I doing? Why can’t I just be happy for her? He took a deep breath; it’s time to man up. Happy with his new resolve, he jogged to catch up to Jade and Hansi. As he did, his foot slipped into the hole of sinking sand sending him face-first to the ground.

  In front of the trio was a towering cluster of giant, lush-green trees; their trunks were thicker than even the majestic pillars of the Great Hall. The dense forest seemed to be surrounded by a cobblestoned wall, although foliage engrossed most of the wall’s surface.

  Standing in front of a thick bolted gate, Hansi turned to them. “You are about to enter into the most sacred place in El Dorado. Few have had the privilege to cast their eyes on what you are about to see.”

  He motioned to the guards, flashing his royal seal. The gate slowly pulled open. As they entered into the jungle the gate closed behind them.

  The dense shrubbery suddenly opened up into a peaceful glen. In the center of the clearing was a large stone table. Vines and shrubbery had slithered up and swallowed its surface. Surrounding the circular table were a dozen stone chairs. Cody counted them. “The Twelve?”

  Hansi nodded. “The Twelve renowned founders of Under-Earth once sat around this very table. It was here they debated the division of the land between Atlantis and El Dorado following the separation of the two Kings. It would be the final time the Twelve would gather in one place.”

  Cody began circling the table. The back of each throne had intricate engravings, worn by the ravages of time. He traced his finger along the markings of the first chair. The crude carving was of a rushing river. Crested above the picture was the letter ‘I.’ Cody felt a chill tickle his skin: Ishmael.

  Cody continued to circle the table to examine the chairs. To the left of the King’s throne was one marked with an ‘N.’ The King’s wife? It occurred to Cody that the Queen had never once been mentioned by the royal family. However, before his thoughts could stray down that un-trekked path, he was caught off guard by the chair on the other side of the King’s. The throne had the image of a budding plant and was crested with an ‘R.’ Randilin sat at the right hand of the King?

  Coming to the next set of chairs, he felt his stomach clench. The engraving was of a mountain. The letter was ‘W’—Wesley. His wife Sadria’s chair was beside it. The face of the elderly Book Keeper appeared in Cody’s mind. Without a word the face slowly began to shift, as though moving backwards through time. The face continued to grow younger until it was no longer Wesley at all. It was Xerx. Cody stepped away from the chair, withdrawing his hand. How many in that line will die because of me?

  Cody moved on. There was a chair marked with two crisscrossed swords and an ‘L,’ another with the engraving of an opened book and a ‘T.’ He came to the final seat. The image was a simple circle. He was not sure how he knew, but immediately he realized it once belonged to the Golden King. He rubbed his hand along the rough surface above the etching but, to Cody’s disappointment, the letter had been roughly chipped away.

  Jade looked at him from across the table. “Can you imagine what it must have been like to see them all gathered together?” Cody scanned the table. He would have given anything to see that moment.

  It was then he first noticed an unusually large gap between two chairs, breaking the perfect symmetry of the circle. The space was overrun with foliage. Reaching the spot, Cody pushed at the overrun bushes with his feet revealing the dirt below. In it were four deep gouges—the size of four chair legs. There was another chair here…a Thirteenth founder.

  Cody stared at the spot in wonder. He thought of the ancient man they had discovered in the Caves of Revelation. Randilin had called him The Thirteenth. Had he been here, too? Had he been a Founder of Under-Earth? Who was he? More importantly: Why has someone gone to such lengths to have him removed?

  60

  The Price of a Good Story

  TIANA DIDN’T KNOW WHERE she was heading. She didn’t care; as long as it was as far away from where she was as possible. I deserve this. Since she was a young girl she had casually played with fire and now she had to deal with the scorching burn. This understanding did nothing to lessen the pain.

  She had watched Cody leave with Jade and the Prince. He had not asked her to accompany them, nor did she expect him to. She was not fooled by his silly, impulsive actions at the banquet. The user had become the used. Cody was using her to spark jealousy in Jade. Their time spent together on route to El Dorado seemed a lifetime ago.

  She turned a blind corner and continued aimlessly down the lengthy alley. She yearned to be back in Atlantis in the comforting solitude of her rooftop dwelling, back where she could do as she pleased and be left alone. Before anyone cared about her; more importantly, before she cared about anyone.

  She reached the end of the dreary passage and stepped out into a part of the city she had never seen before. Where am I? She glanced around. There was something unusual about it. A cluster of strange buildings with triangle rooftops had replaced the open-walled houses. The structures had four walls, but no apparent windows or doors. The night air was quiet, as though it hadn’t been disturbed in a long time.

  But the silence didn’t last long. She detected whispered voices approaching, almost inaudible despite the placid air. She stepped back into the alley and crouched low. An instant later a silent procession passed noiselessly by the backstreet several feet from her hiding place.

  The men were all concealed in dark robes, although the golden platelets fused into their hands exposed them to be soldiers. Several carried flickering lanterns dangling from large poles. The lantern light revealed two familiar men straggling in the middle of the parade: Hoin and Koin, the two Story-Weavers from the banquet.

  The procession disappeared from Tiana’s view. Peeking around the corner, she watched as they marched straight toward the city’s stone wall. Then, in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

  Tiana jumped out from her hiding. What on earth? Looking both ways, she jogged toward the wall. There was no exit anywhere in sight. Where did they go? She reached out and pressed against the wall. It was solid stone. It doesn’t make any sense. She traced her hand across the wall. Then, without warning, her support was gone and she collapsed.

  She was outside. The damp Under-Earth air filled her nose. She glanced behind her at the seemingly solid stone wall. From her position on the ground she could just make out the outline of a door. The opening was built on a slant and reflective mirrors were positioned on either side. As she stood the outli
ne once again seemed to fade and disappear into the wall. Clever.

  Off in the distance the faint lights of the procession ventured farther away from the city. Tiana pulled her hood over her head and scurried after them.

  Reaching the top of the mound, Tiana looked into the yawning mouth of a dark cave. Torchlight bounced off the tunnel walls. As the lights faded around the corner, Tiana scampered into the cave in pursuit. She pressed her back against the wall and peered cautiously around the corner to where the group had congregated.

  The Story-Weavers were shoved to the cold floor. Their mouths had been melded shut with a gold platelet fused into their skin over their lips.

  The hooded men with the torches encircled the two prisoners. The leader of the parade stepped forward and removed his hood—Prince Foz.

  Tiana inched back into the shadows and held her breath. The Prince knelt beside the twins. “That was an impressive story at the banquet,” he said coldly. “Admirably brave…but reckless.” Foz grabbed Koin’s cheek and pulled his face toward him. “The first one to give me names is free to go.”

  The storytellers didn’t budge an inch, staring defiantly at the Prince. Foz’s face hardened. He grabbed Hoin by the hair and shoved his face against the dirt. “I asked you a simple question.”

  “That’s enough, Foz.” Another of the hooded men stepped forward. “They’ve made their choice.” Tiana leaned in; the voice was familiar. Foz stood to face the speaker.

  “I will not be bullied by you, Hansi.” El Dorado’s Prince removed his hood, revealing his powerful eyes. For a moment the two Princes stared steadily at each other.

  There was a rumble from deeper within the cave. All heads turned toward the sound. The faces of Hoin and Koin went ghostly pale. “So be it.” Foz said at last.

  Tiana sunk low into the shadows as the convoy retreated past her and out of the cave, leaving the two Story-Weavers behind. As the men turned around the cave went pitch dark.

  Tiana stood to follow but froze. From deep within the cave, she saw two glowing lights. The beams approached slowly. Tiana felt a chill come over her. The glow came from scarlet slit-like eyes.

  She took off running, blinded by the dark. Her foot caught a stone and she tumbled to the ground. Pressing herself up, she ran with all her strength.

  From behind she heard a low purr and then a wet crunching noise.

  61

  Disagreements

  CODY TRIED TO SLEEP but tossed and turned restlessly thinking of the Golden King. I don’t know what to believe anymore. He felt so alone. The satisfaction of Jade’s jealousy had lasted only a fleeting moment before being replaced by the deep longing for her friendship; for things to be like they were in Havenwood.

  Cody’s thoughts turned to Xerx. Cody recalled the young monk’s boyish enthusiasm in embracing his role as instructor. Cody had seen a whole new side to his former Brotherhood rival—and now he was gone. Cody pushed the fact out of his mind. The more he thought about it the more he was forced to accept the truth.

  He turned his eyes to the window and was shocked to see a silhouette filling the frame. Tiana’s face appeared hovering over him.

  “We’ve got to get out of here, now.” Her face was pale.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked. Or at least that’s what he attempted to ask; what actually came out of his mouth was sleepy groaning and mumbling. Tiana grabbed his shoulders and slammed him back onto the bed. “Wake up! It’s here. The Hunter. You’ve got to believe me!” she pleaded.

  Cody sat straight up. “You saw the Hunter?”

  “Yes! Well, not exactly. It was dark…” she stumbled over her words.

  Cody yawned. “I think you’re jumping at shadows. Are you sure you’re not just seeing what you want to see? Maybe these people really aren’t as evil as we were led to believe.”

  Tiana’s jaw dropped, “Are you really that dense?! You of all people should know best; even in the pitch dark you can feel the Beast. You can feel its hatred; feel its hunger.”

  Cody shuddered. It was true.

  There was a soft knock on the door and it began to open slowly. Tiana dove onto the bed and grabbed the hilt of her dagger. The door opened.

  Jade stuck her head in. “Cody? I heard you awake. I couldn’t sleep and wanted to apologize for the way I’ve been acting. It’s just been…” her voice fell flat as she saw Tiana crouched on top of the bed. “Oh, gosh…sorry to interrupt,” she said venomously.

  Cody suddenly realized the misunderstanding, “Oh, no-no-no. This isn’t how it looks at all!” he explained.

  Tiana stood from the bed. “I only came to warn Cody that he’s in danger. That all of us are in serious danger.”

  Jade raised an eyebrow. “Really? Well, by all means then, do tell…” she said with sarcastic politeness. Tiana ignored the slight and quickly recapped what she had seen at the caves.

  Cody ran his fingers through his thick hair. “It is strange; all these people disappearing. But what on earth would lead to the Story-Weavers being treated that way?”

  Jade shook her head. “It doesn’t make sense because it’s not true. The story is a fat lie. Isn’t it obvious? She’s miserable here and wants to go home.” She stepped toward Tiana.

  Tiana smirked. “Oh, I almost forgot. There was another man leading the execution with Foz…your beloved Prince Hansi.” The statement effectively broke Jade’s barrier of composure.

  “How dare you…you miserable, meddling, sabotaging hag!”

  Tiana’s face boiled red. “Wake up, cupcake! Dunk your oversized head in the pool of reality! Do you really think this fairytale life you’ve been sleepwalking through could be real? You, living like a princess? Loved by a handsome prince? Who are you trying to fool?”

  Jade’s entire body shook like a wet dog and she ground her teeth. “Who’s trying to fool who? Tiana, loner of Atlantis, abandoned and left alone by the big, bad world. Do you really think you’re a golden girl now? You will always be the same selfish, miserable, lonesome girl you were the day I met you. All you’ve ever had was a pretty face…and now you’re not the only one.”

  “I’ve always thought you were pretty, Jade” Cody blurted. His words silenced the room. His cheeks flushed as he felt the probing eyes of both girls. Suddenly reminded that Cody was in the room, both looked completely caught off guard by his intrusion into their argument. That reminder was an unwelcome one.

  Without a word Jade and Tiana pivoted and left the room, marching in opposite directions. Cody, once again, was left alone. He collapsed back onto the bed. Well, that certainly could have gone better.

  Tiana stomped down the hall toward her chamber and slammed the door behind her. I’m going to kill that girl. She smashed her fist against the wall. I’m going to kill that boy, too! She wound up to deliver another devastating slug to the wall but stopped mid-swing.

  She sensed a foreign odor and immediately knew she wasn’t alone. Reaching for her dagger she hurled herself to the side. Twirling in the air, she sent her blade flying at the attacker who was rushing at her from behind. The knife ricocheted off his head with a shrilling cling.

  The Dark-Wielder collided against her, pinning her to the ground. Its firm crystal hands clutched her neck. She gasped as the Wielder squeezed tighter. “Byrae!” She managed to force out. A gust of wind billowed through the window sending her bed careening across the room. The Wielder looked up just in time for the footboard to collide with his face. Crystal fragments exploded like confetti all over the room.

  Tiana rolled out from under the bed. Two more Dark-Wielders stood in her window frame. She jumped to her feet and dashed to the door. The Wielders pressed in toward her. She flung the door open and crashed right into Prince Hansi.

  Everything became still. The Prince looked at her, at the two Dark-Wielders, and then back at Tiana. Then, without a word, he brought the hilt of his sword down hard against Tiana’s temple. She crumbled toward the ground unconscious. The Prince caught her as she col
lapsed, and quietly lowered her to the floor.

  Hansi leaned his face to her ear. “Didn’t your parents ever tell you not to stick your nose in other people’s business?” He motioned to the Dark-Wielders. “Dispose of her of quickly.”

  62

  Two of a Kind

  CODY WAS UP EARLY. His eyes were bloodshot and weary, the residual of another sleepless, troubled night. His brain throbbed from being in overdrive. He needed some space to process the radical 180-degree turn of recent events. He grabbed his backpack and left his room. He needed time to think.

  There was freshness in the air as the city awakened. The streets were empty other than the merchants who peacefully set about preparing their booths. He found a soft patch of grass and sat down.

  He closed his eyes to soak in the tranquil atmosphere but an explosion of giggling decimated his peace. He forced his eyes open in frustration and scanned the area for the guilty culprit.

  Down the middle of the marketplace two people were walking blissfully toward him, their limbs interlocked, oblivious to the world apart from each other. Cody recognized them instantly—and groaned.

  Prince Hansi tossed his head back and released a deep laugh at the unheard joke offered by Jade. Cody packed up his stuff. Excuse me while I go vomit. He scurried away, unseen by the two irritating lovebirds.

  He gazed out across the landscape. The faded walls of the Labyrinth Mountains teased the outskirts of his vision. He knew that, despite the peaceful appearance, there was a violent battle for the Borderlands somewhere at the foot of the cliffs and men were being slain by the scores below the walls of Flore Gub.

  The vast landscape was a welcome sight after looking at only the stone walls of the city for the last week. It had taken him nearly two hours and an infinite number of steps, but he had finally found his way to the top of the city’s mammoth walls. Even his profound terror of heights was numbed by the exhaustion caused by the climb.