Journey to Rainbow Island (12 page)

“Metatron mentioned Hobaling to me—the day before the obsidigon attacked Rainbow Island. He said that he is some sort of warlock. But why does he want to bring gloom into the world?”

Balthazar explained that Hobaling was a conjurer and warlock and a disgraced prince of the royal household. Several years back, he had seduced one of the imperial princesses, married her, and ingratiated himself into the royal court. For three years he bided his time—but his loyalty was a deception. Some months ago he had disappeared from the palace, taking something very valuable and dangerous from the catacombs beneath the royal residence: the last known obsidigon skull.

The skull was a trophy taken secretly from the battlefield of Darqendia by the Empress's grandfather, Emperor Ming, and hidden deep in the bowels of the Imperial Palace. Hobaling's grandfather, Hobanor, who lay injured and presumed dead on the battlefield, had seen the former Emperor retrieve the skull and hide it in his saddlebag. Hobanor ruled Baggul Island at the time, and raised the army of obsidigons using twisted magic. Though defeated along with the dark dragons, he knew the Emperor had taken the skull from the battlefield
and told his grandson about it before he died several years later from lingering wounds that never truly healed.

“Hobaling now carries his grandfather's thirst for power and control,” explained Balthazar, “and seeks to avenge Hobanor's death and restore darkness again. His blood runs deep with hatred, which was nursed by his own father, Hobacol, who disappeared years ago while hunting for obsidigon skulls on the Steppes of Darqendia. Rather than search for his lost father across the desolate plains of Darqendia, Hobaling devised a plan to infiltrate the royal family and find the skull taken secretly by Emperor Ming so many years ago. I believe, Yu-ning, that Hobaling has discovered how to use the arcane magic to conjure an obsidigon from that one skull—the same creature that attacked you and Rainbow Island.”

The following day Yu-ning learned about the physical strengths and weaknesses of obsidigons, as well as the best ways to confront them. Balthazar taught her the limited knowledge that he had: Darq Render warriors use the light to penetrate their prey.

“Darq Render warriors never reveal the type of stone they use on the tips of their arrows. It is a well-guarded secret—all we know is that this special stone is found only on Darqendia. And I never got close enough to the front lines to know just how the arrows worked. The battles I saw were from far off, but they were still an amazing sight. The warriors' arrows were ablaze with what looked like white fire, Yu-ning—thousands of shafts of light streaming from a line of 1,000 archers. I do know
this
for certain: the arrows only work at the back of the neck. A Darq Render did tell me that much.”

“But what is sharp enough to do that, Balthazar?” asked Yu-ning. “I know how to use a bow, but when I shot the
obsidigon the night of the attack on Rainbow Island, the arrow simply bounced off its forehead.”

“You will need both a Darq Render bow and the special arrows I speak of, crafted by their fletchers. But Darq Render bows and arrow shafts can no longer be crafted, I am afraid, because they are made of the wood of
Taxus baccata.”

“Taxus
ba-what?”
asked Yu-ning.

“Commonly known as the yew tree,” added Balthazar. “It's a conifer—like a pine tree. But it is believed that the last of the yew trees were destroyed during the Great Obsidigon War. They once grew in the old forest on the western side of Darqendia Island; in that forest were several large stands of yew trees. But the obsidigons, knowing the danger of the yew wood, burnt the ancient forest, and from what I have been told, no yew trees still grow there.”

As Balthazar spoke, Yu-ning felt sadder than she had in a very long time. She knew what the fire of an obsidigon could do—she had seen it with her own eyes, and felt it in her own body. Indeed, she need only look at the wounds on her arm and shoulder, and the scars that would permanently mark her, for such a dark reminder. But the thought of an entire army of those terrible creatures burning and destroying an entire forest full of life—it made Yu-ning very sad indeed.

Balthazar saw the sadness hanging on Yu-ning. “But Yu-ning, I have heard that at least
one
obisidigon bow yet exists, as well as a single quiver of yew arrows with the magic arrowheads.”

“Where? Where can we find them?” Yu-ning implored.

“I have blue dolphin friends who live around Palova Island, to the north of us. This blue pod speaks of a reclusive hunter who lives near the center of Palova, who is rumored
to be a descendant of a Darq Render bowman from the Great Obsidigon War. If the story is true, this hunter could be in possession of the last known obsidigon yew bow—called Lightcaster. When Suparna returns, you must go straightaway, and seek out this mysterious hunter.”

“There is still something I don't understand, Balthazar,” said Yu-ning. “Why is Hobaling doing this?”

“From what I know, Yu-ning, this hatred for the light has been a part of his family for more than 100 years. At one time, his grandfather, Hobanor, was in line to become the next ruler of the Darq Renders. But he was passed over—his royal blood was disputed by other powerful families, and in outrage he left Darqendia, bringing his entire family with him.”

“Wait—are you saying that Hobaling is a Darq Render like his grandfather—like me?”

“Was, Yu-ning. Hobaling
was
a Darq Render. But his grandfather twisted his mind, filling it with hatred and murderous rage toward all other Darq Renders. While your ancestors were fighting the dragons and their masters, Hobaling's family was secretly aligning itself with them, promising them gold and treasures if they would help Hobanor seek revenge on the Darq Renders for withholding the throne from him. Do you see now, Yu-ning, why you are a part of this? It takes a Darq Render to understand a Darq Render. It is in your blood, Yu-ning. You are fighting one of your own—but one who has passed out of goodness and honor, and into desolation and shadow.”

Yu-ning nodded, the pieces beginning to fall into place: she had been chosen by destiny to battle Hobaling, a foe born of the same race, baring the same bow-shaped birthmark. She had been chosen because she was born with the instincts and
gifts of a Darq Render to battle dragons that had once come against her ancestors. It was her time of reckoning, and even though it scared her more than she liked to admit, she knew there was only one path forward.

For better or worse, she needed to surrender to that destiny, and pursue it with as much courage as she could muster.

Y
U-NING WOKE EARLY
, an hour or two before dawn, and couldn't fall back to sleep. She rose, slipped on her robe, and quietly made her way through the main hall to the open windows leading to the balcony off the great tower. There before her was Suparna, sleeping with his head tucked under one massive rainbow-colored wing. “Suparna,” she said excitedly in a hushed voice, just as he stirred and raised his head to see her. She embraced him and asked him about his journey back to Rainbow Island.

“All is well, Yu-ning. As well as can be expected, I should say,” Suparna said. “The village is nearly rebuilt, and only two children remain hospitalized. They, like you, will carry scars the rest of their days, but they will otherwise make full recoveries.”

“And how is Metatron?”

“Slow and steady progress. His staff now doubles as a cane, but his strength is returning. He will be glad to see you, Yu-ning.”

“Oh, Suparna, I so miss him and my friends on the Island. When can we leave?”

Balthazar joined them on the balcony, the city below still covered in darkness, lights like diamonds twinkling from the buildings. “Hello, Suparna, and welcome back. I trust your journey was safe and uneventful,” said Balthazar.

“Thankfully, yes, my friend. The journey was quiet, and the welcome was indeed warm for Julian and the other travelers upon reaching the shores of Rainbow Island. It was wonderful for the Island to think about something other than recent sad events. A huge welcome banquet was thrown in honor of the new arrivals, and it was good to see the Rainbow Children smiling again.”

Balthazar welcomed Suparna into the main hall, as there was a chill in the air on the balcony, and though the bird was well insulated, Yu-ning was shivering from the damp early-morning air. Even Magic, snuggled in the soft pocket of her robe, was shivering.

Melodia moved the small table from the balcony inside, and then excused herself to fix a hot breakfast. Balthazar briefed Suparna on the events of the past few days and the progress Yu-ning had made regarding her knowledge of the Darq Renders, the obsidigon, and the history of Hobaling and his family. Suparna could see that Balthazar had grown fond of the child and had discovered how smart and wise she was beyond her years. As a Rainbow Child, Yu-ning often surprised the adults in her life, especially those who truly took the time to listen to her—as Balthazar had.

“Balthazar, now that we have completed my studies, may I return to Rainbow Island?” Yu-ning said hopefully.

“I wish it were so, Yu-ning. But you cannot return to the Island just yet. I have a very important task for you and Suparna—involving Lightcaster.” As Balthazar said this, he looked at Suparna, who gave Balthazar a look of surprise.

“Lightcaster! I haven't heard that word spoken in nearly a century. What news have you of Lightcaster, Balthazar?” said Suparna, his voice animated.

“It is rumored that Lightcaster survived the Great Obsidigon War, Suparna. You need to travel straightaway to Palova Island. As I told Yu-ning, I have heard from credible sources that a hunter who lives on the island may have knowledge of Lightcaster.”

An hour later Yu-ning was ready to go, with Magic in his favorite spot in the pocket of her backpack, his head poking out the top. They said their farewells to Balthazar and Melodia, and Suparna lifted off the balcony, the Grey City far below. The height took Yu-ning's breath away as they circled the top of the tower twice, waving farewell to Balthazar and Melodia, who were waving in return.

They followed the straight line of the millrace out of the city—a shining line of water below—flew across the plain, and into the hills beyond. Yu-ning could see the water spring, flowing free and clear out of the canyon, as well as several mine shafts further up the ravine—she guessed this was where the city mined brillantium, the wondrous gem that powered the whirlicons that had nearly run her over.

Soon they left the hills behind and reached the ocean, which stretched out before them as far as the eye could see, with no other land in sight. They flew all that day and into the night, headed northwest, back in the direction of Rainbow Island. “If only we were headed home, Magic,” she said to her little friend, whose head was peeking over Yu-ning's shoulder from his position in her backpack.

When night fell Yu-ning scooted down in the saddle, resting her head against the soft leather, and drew a blanket from her backpack, which she wrapped tightly around her. Soon, she was asleep, dreaming of whirlicons, mill wheels, and deep, dark forests full of terrible monsters.

As dawn broke, Suparna could see a dark green line on the horizon. “Yu-ning, are you awake?” he inquired, peering over his shoulder at the sleeping girl, whose head was barely visible from the folds of the blanket enveloping her.

“Yes, Suparna, I am awake. What is it? What do you see?”

“There, Yu-ning, far on the horizon,” added Suparna. “That green line—I believe that is the forest island of Palova. We will be there within two hours, I would guess.” As they continued to fly northwestward, and the green band grew larger, individual trees could now be seen. Yu-ning ate a quick breakfast of dried fruit and prepared to land.

Suparna flew high over the forest, thick trees covering every inch of the island from the interior mountains to the shore, right down to the water line. He was being cautious, not wanting to fly too close to the tops of the trees, not knowing what creatures lurked within the dark canopy. They flew on with nothing but thick pine forest below, a sea of green carpet in every direction. As they flew toward the center of the island, the terrain began to rise in a gentle slope, till at the center a mountain jutted out of the sea of green pines, rising well above the forest. The mountain's peak was barren of trees, capped by a white rim of snow.