City of Gold

by Daniel Blackaby

  Jade’s thin eyebrows pulled down toward her nose. “You may be able to fool Ms. Starky with your lies, but I know you better than anyone on earth, above or below. Something’s wrong.”

  Cody dropped his eyes. “It’s just…”

  “Behind you!” Jade screamed. Cody spun around. Four hooded Wielders appeared through his window. Cody jumped to his feet and pulled Jade behind him. “You can’t take her from me!”

  “Easy, buddy!” cried the lead Wielder. He stepped forward and removed his hood—Xerx. The young monk cast a glance at Jade before turning back to Cody. “G.T. summons you. We must make haste. We don’t have much time.”

  Cody and Jade heard footsteps and exchanged nervous glances. Xerx held up his finger and mouthed, “Wait.”

  The next instant a convoy of four Dark-Wielders appeared with a silver crate floating between them. They moved with ghostlike silence.

  Xerx kept his finger raised, as Cody, Jade and the three Resistance members held their breath. When the Wielder procession had fully passed, Xerx swung his hand down. “Now!”

  The Resistance members dismantled the Wielders with chilling precision before the crystal beings even realized they were under attack.

  Shattered crystal limbs and fragmented chunks littered the ground as the silver crate fell to the ground. The sound of a thud echoed in the air. Xerx stepped forward. “We have to be quick. More Wielders will be here any second to investigate the sound.”

  Xerx knelt and rubbed his hand across the ground. “Dastanda.” The dirt began caving in on itself, forming a pit of sinking sand. The other Resistance members quickly set to dropping the remains of the Wielders into the pit, which instantly swallowed them, leaving no trace.

  Xerx motioned to Cody and Jade. “Quick! Into the crate; another sentry of Wielders will pass by here soon.”

  Jade’s face dropped. “Are you joking? There’s no way we can both fit inside that tiny crate.” Xerx held up his hand to silence her. The sound of approaching Wielders could be heard around the next bend.

  “Hurry!” Xerx motioned them forward frantically. Cody jumped into the silver crate and fell to his back. Jade crawled inside on top of him. They both inhaled a deep breath before being thrust into total darkness as the lid was closed.

  They heard muffled voices but couldn’t decipher the words. Jade buried her face into Cody’s shoulder as they waited in silence. Did they fall for it?

  After what seemed an eternity the crate was lifted. We’re moving—it worked. Cody relaxed. Although it was too dark to see her, he felt the warmth of Jade’s body curled up on him.

  There was a loud cranking sound and the temperature began to rise. Cody felt Jade’s hand slip into his, her fingers interlocking. He grinned: Take this, Hansi.

  Jade’s eyes were wide in disbelief as she stood and stared at the crumbling hovels and tattered shelters. The underworld exiles staggered in lines marshaled by several Wielders.

  “I can’t believe it,” she stammered. “This is horrible.”

  “We need to move. We can’t draw attention to ourselves,” urged Xerx. They headed away from the slums toward the outskirts of the pit, but Jade stood transfixed. Gazing at the scene, Cody grabbed her hand and gently guided her away. “We will help them, but now is not the time.”

  Xerx led them to the outskirts of the cave. They stopped at a dead-end crevasse in the rocks.

  Jade shouted in surprise as Gorgo Tallsin materialized from the rocks.

  “I’m glad you could make it. A privilege to finally meet you, Jade. However, pleasantries will have to wait. We are short on time, so let’s get straight to business. Things are worse than we feared. As such, there has been a change in the plans.”

  The grizzly Resistance leader rubbed his calloused knuckles. “We’re going to steal The Key.”

  81

  A Fool’s Plan

  “STEAL THE BOOK!?” CODY EXCLAIMED. “It’s impossible. Besides, no one but the Golden King can read from it without calling the Hunter upon them. This is crazy!”

  Tallsin nodded. “You are entirely correct. However, we have gleaned some information from within the Golden King’s inner-circle that has complicated the situation. Are you aware of The Prophecy?”

  Jade shook her head. “We’ve never heard of…”

  Cody cut her off, reaching into his backpack and pulling out the stone tablet:

  The Power of Full Divinity,

  Rests EnCoded Within Earthly Trinity.

  Where Sacrifice of the Pure Angel Who Fell,

  Is the Way to Retrieve the Pearl Within the Shell.

  With Humble Heart and Golden Key,

  The Universe’s Most Powerful Force Is Revealed to Thee.

  Jade looked at Cody in surprise and Tallsin’s face hardened. “I do not know how you have this sacred text in your possession. Just gleaning knowledge of its existence was paid for by the lives of several Resistance members.”

  Cody felt the sting of their waiting eyes. He pushed the tablet back into his pack. “I…found it.”

  Tallsin’s heavy stare relaxed. “Regardless. The origin or truth of this prophecy is, as yet, unknown. But our sources inside the palace report that, although the Golden King also has yet to decipher the foretelling’s full meaning, he firmly believes the words EnCoded and Golden Key refer to none other than the two Books of the Covenant. If there is any truth in conviction it would be devastating. It is vital that we prevent the Golden King from gaining this new, ultimate power.”

  The ancient tailor rubbed his chin forcefully. “Everything needs to happen simultaneously. The crux to everything will be timing.”

  Cody took a deep breath. “Okay, so what do we do?”

  Tallsin cleared his throat before beginning, “Two Resistance devotees have volunteered to sacrifice themselves for the cause. They will earn themselves the solemn punishment. With any luck, their sacrifice will draw out several of El Dorado’s dignitaries. More importantly, it will keep that purple-cloaked demon occupied.”

  Tallsin motioned to Xerx. “When the escort has left the city, Xerx will guide a silver crate down here into the underworld where The Resistance will be waiting. We will storm the city. Our uprising will cause a diversion and draw the golden golems and Wielders to the city’s outskirts. Once the riot has begun, Xerx will make haste to the prison and free Dace, Chazic, and Tat. Hagar, a stable boy with allegiance to The Resistance, will have steeds waiting outside the city walls. You will rendezvous through the secret passage that your friend Tiana discovered.”

  He pointed at Cody. “And, that is where you come in. While the city is distracted, you, Jade, and Tiana will sneak out of the palace. Word of the uprising may have already reached the palace, so you will have to be on your guard. Get out quickly. Do not linger for even a moment.”

  The Resistance leader took a deep breath. “The last, but most imperative move, will be to steal The Key itself. The King is a perpetual paranoiac. We must operate under the assumption that he won’t sleep farther than an arm’s length from his precious Book.”

  Cody shook his head. “That’s certain death. Are we supposed to just walk into the Golden King’s personal chamber and snatch the Book? How do we know the King even does sleep? It’s impossible. ”

  Tallsin grinned. “Perhaps, unless we didn’t have to break into the palace…unless the man was already positioned within the inner-council…the task will fall to Randilin.”The suggestion produced a symphony of startled cries. “Randilin?! Can we trust Randilin with such an important task? We are all well aware of his checkered history,” Xerx declared.

  Tallsin nodded. “Having remorsefully made similar mistakes, I know the pain of living forever in regret. I also know the deep, soulful longing for redemption. I’ve learned never to bet against a man on a quest for redemption. Besides, several creators within The Resistance believe there’s a chance to create a temporary decoy of the Book.”

  Cody shook his head. “It would never work. I can’t explain
it, but the connection between Book Keeper and Book is special. He would never fall for it.”

  “I understand your concern,” replied Tallsin. “It is a long shot—but it is a shot. Our creators are convinced they can infuse the decoy book with enough of the Orb’s energy to temporarily mimic the real Book. It’s an immensely draining process, and will take them five days to complete. When ready, Randilin will make the exchange in the Great Hall. The Golden King is cocky. In his arrogance he has become blind to his reliance on the Book. He desires to be great because he is great—not because he has an uncommon advantage. Throughout the day the Book is left in the Great Hall on display. At darkfall it is brought to his personal chamber. Our hoax needs only to fool him long enough to break out. We must pull off a lie on the great liar. It is risky—but it’s the only chance we have.”

  They all knew he was right. But that didn’t make it any more encouraging. The plan was foolish. There were invitations for failure at every point.

  “We will only get one shot at this so everything must be absolutely perfect. We will wait five nights to prepare—and then we strike!”

  82

  A Secret Language

  NEVER BEFORE IN HIS LIFE had time been so conflicted—both so short and so long at the same time. There were just five nights to prepare a large-scale breakout. The waiting was unbearable. There was a different feeling floating in the air as Cody and Jade hustled through the city. Tension—as though the city itself sensed something huge was about to happen.

  Cody and Jade came to a stop in front of the prison. The four golden golems glared at them before stepping aside to let them through. Cody leaned his mouth toward Jade’s ear. “Did you count the guards?”

  Jade nodded. “They’ve doubled the security since our last visit.” It couldn’t be mere coincidence. Cody frowned. The Golden King senses that something is up. Cody swallowed, the more pressing question was: How much did he know?

  They entered into the elegant room and the doors closed behind them. As before, Dace, Chazic and Tat sat restlessly against the walls behind the thick iron bars of the jail.

  “We’re still waiting for that handsome boyfriend of yours to stroll in here with the keys,” Dace remarked.

  Jade shook her head. “He said he would talk to his father immediately.”

  “The El Doridians apparently have a different definition of the word immediately,” Dace cracked.

  Cody opened his mouth to speak but held his tongue. He saw the figure in his peripheral vision. A Dark-Wielder stood like a statue in the corner of the room, watching. Dace’s eyes casually floated toward the unwanted observer as well.

  Cody cleared his throat. “I was just thinking back to the time you clotheslined me. Do you remember that?” Jade’s face went blank with confusion.

  But before she could talk Dace narrowed his eyes toward Cody. “I do, indeed. You, scoundrel, kept trying to flee the city…” he let his words hang. Cody grinned.

  Dace was no simpleton.

  “Well, you kept coming to get me. All four attempts; all four days you prevented me from breaking out.” Cody risked a side-glance to the Dark-Wielder in the room’s corner. As before, the crystal-skinned zealot was motionlessly watching them with its intense eyes.

  Cody fought to relax his muscles and exude calm. “We’ve sure been through a lot together. I remember when we met. I had stumbled down a tunnel below ground and was so shocked to find people living there. Remember, at first I thought you underlings were my enemies, only to later discover that you would be my greatest allies in my time of need….”

  Dace’s face remained a stone wall. He nodded. “I am your blood-protector. You will always be able to count on me when in need.” Remaining emotionless, Dace ran his hand through his long hair. For a moment his hand shielded his face—with a slight grin, he winked.

  Chazic and Tat had joined Dace’s side by the cell bars. The eager look on their faces confirmed that they were not oblivious to what was being said.

  Tat pressed himself against the bars, slipping his face between two. “From what I hear, when you first went underground you were fairly shocked not to find any children. It was almost as though they had just vanished, plucked from the ground like a rose or a lily? Did you ever find them?” Tat’s knuckles were white as he gripped the bars.

  Cody shook his head dejectedly. “I found children at the Ageing City. But there are still several to be found.” Tat pushed himself away from the bars. “I see, what a shame.” His voice was coarse. The Wielder stepped forward, moving for the first time. There was no misunderstanding the simple motion: their visitation time was over.

  As Cody and Jade headed toward the exit Dace called after them, “I look forward to your next visit….”

  The moment they were out of view Jade tugged on Cody’s sleeve. “What was all that random chatter of old tales about? I thought the whole point of our visit was to inform Dace and the others about the escape plan!?”

  “And I did. They will be ready and waiting to break out in four days.”

  Jade stared at Cody as though they were speaking different languages. Cody chuckled.

  “Oh, Jade, how I love you and your literal mind.”

  Her face turned red. ”What are you talking about?” she asked defensively.

  Cody continued to laugh. “Just trust me.”

  So far, so good.

  A thousand flickering candle lights illuminated the room as Foz entered through the large doors. Despite the candle flames, the temperature plummeted the instant he stepped through, as though passing from summer to winter.

  Foz glanced around as he entered deeper into the chamber. Each of the tiny candles had been arranged meticulously with identical spacing and placement.

  “Welcome, my nephew,” the Golden King’s voice sounded from the gloom, his words rushing out and swirling around Foz like a forceful breeze. Foz’s eyes scanned the room but found no sign of the speaker.

  Foz gave a cautious bow. “Your Majesty, we have received word from the Borderlands. The fortress is ready to fall.”

  The Prince continued to search uneasily for the King.

  “Burn it to the ground.”

  Foz shivered. “And, what of the survivors?”

  Turning around again, Foz came face to face with the King. The candle light illuminated his polished golden skin as he smiled.

  “Leave none alive.”

  83

  The Fortress Falls

  NOCSIC WATCHED AS THE WOODEN DOORS bent under the pressure of another ram. The door would soon be breeched. His arm trembled under the weight of his blood-stained sword. The strain was not for fear, but from exhaustion.

  The enemy had pounded against Flore Gub with the fury of an endless ocean. Weeks of unrelenting battle, yet the enemy had continued its onslaught.

  He glanced to the floor to his father Captain Talgu. The shaft of the fatal spear was still lodged into his ribs. The killing blow had added his father to the crowded rank of men who had died to defend Flore Gub—men who had died in vain.

  With a bang the doors exploded off their hinges. A wave of enemy soldiers flooded in. Nocsic smiled, recalling Dace’s words, “If you die—die valiantly.”

  “This one’s for you, my old friend.” Mustering the last of his strength he brought his sword crashing down on the lead warrior, sending him limply to the ground. Twirling in place, he sliced his sword across two more soldiers’ necks. Enemies continued to drop under the force of Nocsic’s blade. Every time a soldier fell another would take his comrade’s place.

  All at once the commotion died. Nocsic was once again alone in the room. He felt cold. He looked to his body. He was covered in bloody wounds and scars but didn’t feel pain.

  A shadow fell over him. In the archway was a behemoth of a man. Six spikes jutted out from his spider-shaped helmet. Nocsic’s heart fell. The man in the doorway was The Impaler—El Dorado’s High General.

  Nocsic tried to lift his sword but didn’t have t
he strength. Instead he collapsed to his knees, using his blade as a cane to hold himself up. The spider-faced man stood over him. Without hesitation, he swung his blade down upon the kneeling Captain.

  Cody slowly funneled the granules from The Speaking Sands back into the vial. It had been refreshing to speak with Eva again. The calm she always exuded made him regret having ignored contact with the Princess the last few weeks. He had quickly informed her of the pending breakout in four days’ time.

  He returned the pewter bowl to his nightstand and collapsed onto his bed. He needed to recoup his strength for the escape.

  He jerked his head up as he heard a knock on the door. The residue in the corners of his eyes suggested that he had drifted off into a deep sleep, although it had seemed like only a blink. He rolled out of his bed and opened the door.

  There was a middle-aged lady with short, curly hair like that of sheep-wool. She presented Cody with a bundle of clothing. “Here is the new tunic you requested.”

  Cody looked at the cloth bundle and scratched his head. “I don’t remember asking for…” he began, but the lady cut him off. “The one you requested two nights ago. Please check carefully to confirm it is precisely as you wished.” Before Cody could question further, the woman curtseyed and disappeared down the corridor.

  Cody closed the door and spread the new garments out on his bed. He grinned. Like his current outfit, there was gold embroidered lettering. However, instead of a B.K. the letters read: G.T.

  Grabbing them, Cody peeled the letters off. On the back of the “G”was a scribbled note:

  Flore Gub has fallen. Golden King is on the move.

  We can no longer wait. We must Act.

  Tonight.