Kilenya Series Books One, Two, and Three (60 page)

Eachan strode to another table, then, grunting, dragged it in front of the door. He barked orders as he ran into the kitchen, verifying that the entryway there was closed. “Check every window and door—make sure there isn’t an accessible opening.” He pushed a heavy shelf in front of the kitchen door, then turned to survey the room. Thank goodness they’d stocked up on enough food to last them at least two years. He didn’t know where the Lorkon got it, but it didn’t matter.

He met Duana and Aloren in the front room again.

“How will we feed them?” Duana asked.

Eachan shook his head. “I don’t know. But they’re dangerous now.”

Fear crossed Duana’s face. “Why? They’ve never acted like this before!”

Eachan glanced at Aloren, frowning in concentration. “Things will be all right. We just have to take extra precautions.”

Which would be more cruel? Allowing the villagers to tear Aloren’s soul and body apart, forcing her to live as they did? Or giving her to the Lorkon?

He didn’t listen to Duana’s response to his comment. He needed privacy—time to himself to think and figure out what to do. He strode from the front room and upstairs into his quarters, where he sat at his desk. He stared at the wall in front of him, then put his head in his hands, groaning in misery and indecision.

He had to do something about Aloren, and fast. Before the villagers got in, which they most certainly would.

Eachan rubbed his eyes. What to do?

His wife’s beautiful face flashed through his mind, followed by the unspeakable things she’d experienced at the hands of the townspeople. Duana hadn’t turned away in time. She’d seen it all.

Tears leaked from his eyes at the sudden memory. It was nearly more than he could handle. He wept for his wife, for the pain she’d endured. He wept for Duana and her loneliness. And he even wept for Aloren.

Then he sat up as realization hit. The Lorkon wouldn’t kill Aloren. They wouldn’t—he was sure of it. And if he told them how Aloren felt about Jacob, they wouldn’t torture her either. They’d keep her in their castle and wait for Jacob to come rescue her.

Why hadn’t he thought of this earlier? He shook his head, frustrated with himself. He’d allowed Duana’s friendship with Aloren to cloud his judgment. But no more.

Eachan dried the tears from his face and grabbed a container he hadn’t touched in a long time. Resolve removed any regret or remorse he’d felt.

The time to take charge of his situation had arrived.

Chapter 16. Kaede Leaves

The village was in upheaval when Jacob and Matt got there. Makalos ran everywhere, toting things to and from the tree.

“Finally!” Kenji said when he saw the brothers. “Here’s the Key. Run, get Gallus, then come back here so we can regroup before heading to the Fat Lady’s.”

Jacob took it from Kenji, then Keyed to Gallus’s shop. The store was dark, and Gallus waited by the window. He wore intricately designed metal armor and looked ready for battle.

“Ready to go?” Jacob asked.

Gallus looked at him. The expression on his face was unreadable. “Kenji . . . just told me you are the son of Dmitri.”

Jacob nodded. His mouth went dry. “I only found out last night.”

Gallus turned away. “If . . . if Dmitri doesn’t return, then you are the rightful ruler of this kingdom.”

Jacob cleared his throat. “He’ll return—he’s . . . he misses this place. Almost as much as my mom does.”

Gallus glanced at Jacob and smiled. It was the first time Jacob had seen him do so in a very long time. “Good. Then we’ll have our leader again.” He picked up a bag, swung it over his shoulders, then gestured to the door. “Let’s go.”

Jacob Keyed them back to the village, where the usual group waited near the tree.

Ebony and Sweet Pea wore armor of a sort. Ebony’s was made of leaves, moss, bark, and hardened leather.

“She didn’t realize she’d be able to go until today, when I decided to stay behind to watch the kids,” Kenji said. “She spent all morning fixing her armor, and will be invaluable to you.”

“Who else is coming?” Jacob asked.

“I am,” Sweet Pea said. “They can’t keep me here this time.”

He stood next to Gallus, and Jacob almost laughed at the difference between the two. Gallus was tall and a little overweight, but he’d been preparing himself during the past few months and his muscles popped under the metal he wore. His black skin shone in the sun, and he looked happier and more excited than Jacob had ever seen him. Sweet Pea was short, hairy, and dressed in a fancy suit of armor made from leaves. Jacob nearly choked, looking at him.

“What’s wrong?” Sweet Pea asked.

“You look like a pansy,” Matt said, voicing Jacob’s thoughts. “That’s girl armor.”

“It’s all we had,” Ebony said.

Sweet Pea snorted. “At least I’ll be protected.” He pulled a mace from behind his back. “Plus, I’ve got this bad boy to help me.”

Ebony tightened a strap on her armor. She nodded to the brothers. “You two will outfit at the Fat Lady’s. She has some leftover things from the last war.”

Jacob turned to Akeno. “Are they going to let you come?”

“Not this time, but the Fat Lady says I’ll be ready soon.”

Jacob nodded, realizing it probably hadn’t been long enough since the operation.

“All right, let’s go,” Ebony said.

Jacob opened the door, letting everyone go through ahead of him. Gallus, Sweet Pea, Matt, and Ebony. Not a big group. Would they be enough? He hoped so.

“Jacob, get over here,” the Fat Lady said when he stepped into her cabin. She held out clothing and armor to him. “You get to wear Dmitri’s old stuff.”

“You mean, my father’s armor?”

The Fat Lady laughed, a loud, booming laugh. “I always knew it was you! I always did.”

Ebony smiled and said to Jacob, “So, you finished reading the journal.”

“Yes. We have a lot to talk about.”

She nodded.

“Enough chit-chat,” the Fat Lady said. “We’ve got a damsel to rescue.” She handed Matt his things, then pushed the brothers down the hall. “Through that door. Aldo’s in there, but he won’t mind.”

Jacob shut the door behind him and his brother. Aldo was sitting at a desk and looked up in surprise.

“Tomorrow you come with hair!”

Matt only smiled briefly at the old man before turning to Jacob. “It’s kinda creepy with him here.”

“Oh, well,” Jacob said. “Just hurry.”

They quickly changed. Jacob had a hard time not stopping to admire the armor his father had worn. It was surreal—an accountant who used to fight in battles and lead armies. How crazy was that?

The things fit him almost perfectly—his father must have had more muscle back then, and Jacob, having just gone through a growth spurt, wasn’t far behind in mass and height. He smiled, looking down at what he’d just put on.

“Dude, these are freakin’ awesome!” Matt said, looking at his own clothing.

They were dressed nearly the same—black clothes covered them from neck to ankle and wrist. The armor they’d put on wasn’t bulky—it was designed to fit snugly, and was black with subtle accents and designs. Matt’s accents were dark blue, and Jacob’s were blood red. Black leather gloves and hardened leather boots completed the getup.

“We look like
ninjas
!” Matt said, and Jacob had to agree.

They strode into the front room to a silent group. Jacob felt his cheeks redden when he realized all eyes were on him.

“Wow,” Ebony said. “Wow. You really look like your father. He always was a very handsome man.”

Matt snorted. “Have you seen him lately? He’s going bald and thick around the waist.”

“Doesn’t matter—I’m sure he’s just as commanding now as he was fourteen years ago.” She held out some black cloth to Jacob. “Would you like to wear the cape?”

Jacob flushed and shook his head. Wearing the armor was enough to make him feel like he stood out—a cape would just add to that discomfort.

“Catch,” the Fat Lady said, tossing something long to Jacob. He caught it, and nearly fell under the weight of one of the coolest swords he’d ever seen.

He held it up to the light, admiring the gems and jewels embedded in it. Then disappointment flowed over him. “I won’t even be able to use it,” he said. “Haven’t learned.”

“That’s right,” Ebony said. “Only Dmitri can instruct him sufficiently on the sword.” She paused. “Another reason we hoped you would have finished reading the journal sooner.” She smiled to show she wasn’t upset.

“How good are you with a knife?” the Fat Lady said.

“Pretty good, though I’ve never seriously fought with one.”

She strode forward, knocking over a large stack of papers in the process. “Put this there.” She handed him a six-inch blade and pointed to a slot inside Jacob’s boot. She then handed him a twelve-inch knife. “And this here.” There was a spot where he could strap a knife on his thigh. “At least you’ll be prepared, in case this group can’t protect you.”

“Ha,” Sweet Pea said. “With me and Ebony there, no one’ll get to him.” Gallus cleared his throat, and Sweet Pea cast him a glance. “Oh, and him too.”

“I’ve got the extra protections here,” the Fat Lady said. “Put them on.” She motioned for Matt and Jacob to come to her, then handed them huge, thick leaves. “They’re from the four trees that produced the flower bud. They’re chock-full of Kaede Sap, and will help protect you. Hopefully.”

She had them loosen their armor and showed them pockets they hadn’t noticed while dressing—big, flat ones on the front and backs of the shirts, and lining the pants. Jacob and Matt pushed the leaves into the openings.

Nearly everyone gasped when Jacob’s were in place. The leaves began to glow wherever they touched him, shining through the edges of the pockets. He felt his body energize—as if he’d been zapped with a powerful current. It tickled, but made him feel much stronger.

“Why are they doing that?” he asked. “Matt’s aren’t glowing.”

“It’s a good sign,” the Fat Lady said. “It means the Kaede Sap Kenji put in your blood when you were a baby still courses through your veins. You are one lucky boy, and practically invincible now.” She stepped toward him, forcing him to back against a wall. Leaning over, close enough for him to see the pores on her face, she wagged a finger at him. The swirling colors around her face changed to an orange-red. “Don’t let it go to your head. You aren’t immortal, and if you do something stupid, or don’t pay attention, you’ll still die.”

Jacob shook his head. “Okay,” he squeaked.

The Fat Lady stood over him a moment longer, making sure he knew she was serious, then moved away, her intense colors changing to light blue.

Jacob motioned to Matt. “What about him, though?”

The Fat Lady raised an eyebrow as she scrutinized Matt. “Oh, there’s enough Kaede Sap in his leaves to protect him. Just make sure he doesn’t do anything to put himself in danger. Same as you.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder at the others. “Let
them
do the fighting.”

“Wait a second, wait a second,” Matt said. “My younger brother has to protect
me
?” He laughed. “I’m captain of the football team—it’ll be the other way around!”

The Fat Lady also laughed, slapping her leg. “Oh, what a fun boy you are,” she said. Matt glared. “Yes, Jacob has abilities that you don’t have—and vice versa—but he’s naturally more protected than you. Remember, however, it’s not you the Lorkon want, but him. So, this is a good thing. You’ll probably end up having to save his skin, more likely than not.”

She gave some of the leaves to Gallus, who put them between his armor and skin. Ebony and Sweet Pea already had theirs.

“All right, you’re ready to go,” the Fat Lady said. “Oh, but wait. Some of you still need to take the potion, don’t you?”

Ebony nodded, and she, Gallus, and Sweet Pea stepped forward. Matt looked disappointed when none of them had as strong a reaction as he’d had to the stuff.

The Fat Lady and Ebony embraced. It was a weird thing to see, a woman well over six feet tall hugging a lady who was just over four feet. He was surprised to see tears in the Fat Lady’s eyes.

Jacob left Hazel with the Fat Lady—he didn’t want to risk leaving her in Maivoryl City. He pulled the Key out and reached to put it into the lock, but Gallus stopped him.

“That’s not part of the plan.” He looked at Ebony.

Ebony shook her head. “Jacob, we can’t enter the city with the Key. It’s too much of a risk. We have no idea what’s going on in the village—in the buildings themselves—and it was decided we’d go through the wall instead. With you leading us, of course.”

“But that’s ten times as long!”

“But safer, and gives us more of a chance to make sure nothing is waiting for us when we get to Maivoryl City. With the Key, we’d go in blind.”

Jacob growled. “All right.” He pocketed the Key.

The Fat Lady gave them dried fruit and beef jerky—bags of it—instructing Matt and Jacob to eat on the way.

Then they set out. It didn’t take them long to get to the scented air—Jacob wanted to run the whole way, but Ebony was insistent they conserve their energy. He could see the wisdom in this, but it drove him nuts just the same.

Nearly an hour after leaving the Fat Lady’s place, they reached the wall. The hill near which Jacob, Akeno, and Aloren had eaten last time had a fresh pile of dirt next to it. He ran to inspect it, the others following.

“It
is
a tunnel!” he said, motioning to the dark hole. “Great! We can go into the city this way.”

“No, we can’t,” Gallus said.

Ebony agreed. “We have no idea where it leads, or why it’s here.”

Jacob sighed in frustration. He didn’t look forward to going through the wall again.

Gallus motioned to everyone to come closer. He turned to Ebony. “What now?” he asked.

“Oh, I know this,” Sweet Pea said. “Jacob will lead us through the tunnel and to Maivoryl City. We keep a lookout for the Lorkon. Then we sneak to the town hall, grab the girl, and Key back to the Fat Lady’s place.”

Would that actually work? It seemed too simple.

Gallus frowned. “That’s it?” Apparently he, too, was expecting something a little more complex.