Legend of the Book Keeper (25 page)

“Cody, do you do anything other than sl
eep? Hurry up, you’re coming with me for a walk through the city.” Cody felt another throb from his aching legs. He opened his mouth to protest but his brain felt like scrambled eggs. Jade smiled. “Great, let’s go.”
This girl will be the death of me
thought Cody bitterly as he followed Jade out the room.

As they exited the palace they crossed paths with Princess Eva. She gave a quick smile before looking back down to her toes as they passed her. Cody and Jade exited down the palace stairs. “That Eva is not a girl of many words, is she?” Jade observed.

“Who can blame her? I’m sure she’s not the only one to feel a little intimidated around the new Book Keeper,” said Cody, puffing up his chest. Jade rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything; some things weren’t worth wasting words on.

Cody couldn’t help but notice the parallels of their situation. After all the craziness, it energized Cody to be back alone once again with Jade exploring unknown alleyways and streets. Although now instead of the slow-moving, small town of Havenwood, they were exploring the fabled lost city of Atlantis.

A loud gong rang over the city. Cody fell to his knee robotically and recited the Orb’s Hymn seven times. He could make out the shadows of the Enforcers and knew he was being inspected. Finishing the chant, Cody jumped back up and ran after Jade who had already resumed their hike.

“Where exactly are we going, Jade?” Cody asked, breathing heavy as he jogged to keep up with her. By way of answer, they reached the gate dividing the Inner-City from the Mid-City. Being only late afternoon, the gate was open. Once inside the Mid-City Jade resumed her brisk pace.

Cody was wheezing. “Hey, what’s the hurry? I mean, it’s not like . . .” Jade’s hand flung up to his mouth, and Cody was dragged to the ground behind a stack of crates. She held a finger to her lips, and slowly pointed over the boxes. As silently as he could manage, Cody peered over the top. Across the street and down an alleyway a group of men were assembling. Cody squinted; the men looked familiar somehow. Then it hit him. They were the men who had protested for war during their initial journey into the city. The big man who had held the sign came into view and it was obvious by the way the men interacted that he was the ring leader.

Cody felt a hard tug on his tunic; Jade motioned toward the other end of the street. A man with a hood was walking briskly in their direction with his head downcast; Cody couldn’t make out the face. The man reached the alley and turned down it. At the sight of the hooded man, all the protestors froze. The large ring leader gave a slight bow, rose and walked toward the man. A smiled formed on his face and he threw his arms around the hooded man, embracing him in a hug. They exchanged several words and the protestors began filing through a door into one of the buildings. The ring leader held the door open for the hooded man, who gave one quick glance down the alley before disappearing through the entrance.

That one glance had been enough. For a split second the man’s face had been exposed. There was no mistaking that face. The man in the hood was Prince Kantan.

Reunion

N
either Cody nor Jade stopped running until they reached the gate to the Outer-City. When they arrived they collapsed against the wall breathing heavily. “What reason could the heir to the throne possibly have for attending secret meetings with the city’s biggest war mongers?” Cody asked, trying to wrap his brain around the scene they had just seen.

“Perhaps he was just trying to make peace with them?” Jade offered weakly.

“Well, then he’s doing a darn good job. He seems awfully cozy with their ring leader.” Jade knew it was true. The situation had a suspicious aura to it.

Jade pushed herself off the wall, “Well, perhaps it’s nothing. We can ask Dace what he thinks. He’s who I’ve been leading us toward; I have a few questions for him.” The Outer-City was like a ghost town. They were completely alone on the barren streets. “I don’t doubt this is the nocturnal part of the city. Let’s get in and out before it gets crowded.” They began walking in search of Dace. Turning around one corner they collided with a man coming the other way. It was Gelph, the beggar. He flashed his crooked teeth, “Well, well, well! Didn’t scare you off last time I take it. Your pockets any more full with beautiful golden coins this time, eh?”

Cody laughed. “Only American currency and that
won’t get you much down here. We are looking for Dace, have you seen him?”

The beggar thought for a moment. “As a matter of fact I have. Passed by bout an hour ago. Said he was on the way to Yanci’s pub. Just go down this street and take your second left; you can’t miss it. If you get lost, just follow your ear in the direction of the most ruckus.” They thanked the beggar and followed his directions down the street. As they got closer they heard the sound of music, laughter, and yelling.

“Must be getting close,” Cody said with a grin. They took the second left and at the end of the street, situated all on its own, was Yanci’s pub. Despite it only being late afternoon, the tavern already was full. As they walked timidly to the front door they heard raised voices and the sound of crashing.

“Perhaps we should catch Dace at a better time,” suggested Jade as she took two nervous steps backwards. It was good that she did. Moments later the pub door crashed open and a body came hurtling out, crashing face first in the spot where Jade had been only seconds before. With a groan, the man pulled himself off the ground.

“Wolfrick?” The surprised, bulky guard looked down at Cody. A large bruise encircled his left eye and blood streamed from his nose.

“Hey’o! If it ain’t Under-Earth’s latest unwanted intruder! How’s life as a fugitive, son?” The smell of ale reeked on his breath. An angry yell came from within the bar, “Get back in here Wolfrick, you lousy, no-good, two-timing, cheat! These are loaded dice! I want my money back!” Wolfrick opened his mouth to respond, but instead of words a loud belch came out. He staggered to his feet. “Well, it was good seeing you again Jody and Cade!” He stumbled back up the steps and through the door. The sound of crashing and yelling promptly resumed once again.

Cody let out a huge sigh of relief when Dace came strolling through the front door and approached them. He was smiling.

“Yanci’s isn’t exactly kid friendly. I saw you two from the window. What brings you to these parts?” Cody quickly recapped the mysterious episode they had just witnessed with Prince Kantan. Dace listened carefully. When Cody finished, Dace shook his head. “I won’t pretend like that doesn’t sound fishy. But let me assure you, Kantan may be cold as morning ice, but one thing is for sure. He is not a traitor. He is cut from the same cloth as his father, the good King Ishmael.”

“Well, if you ask me, that’s some pretty cheap cloth,” Cody proclaimed. “We’ve been here all day and your noble King has yet to show his face. I’m the
Book Keeper
for heaven’s sake, think he might want to meet me of all people.”

Dace gave him a serious glance. “That is not a fact that you would be wise to spout off in public, boy. It is not something that should become common knowledge; at least not yet. Fortunately for you, I am already aware of your position and its implications. Secondly, don’t undervalue the King. He is a remarkably great man. If he has decided not to show his face, then he has good reason for it. As for Kantan, I trust him, and so should you.”

“Ahhh!” Jade screamed, “What happened to your back?! There’s blood soaking through your shirt!” Dace gave a cocky smirk and turned around, lifting up his shirt to reveal five deep whip wounds. The scars were black and clumpy as mashed potatoes where the blood had clotted.

“Yeah, General Levenworth wasn’t too pleased with my extra rest day on the way here. Was actually only supposed to be three lashes. Word of advice, if you ever find yourself on the whipping pole, don’t insult the torturer’s grandma.” He gave a wink and Cody and Jade laughed. “Was there anything else you two trouble makers needed?” Jade leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Dace frowned, but whispered something back.

“What was that all about?” asked Cody as he followed Jade away from the pub having said farewell to Dace.

“Just wait. I’ll show you.” Cody opened his mouth to protest but Jade stopped him. “And don’t you dare pull the ‘
but I’m the Book Keeper’
card on me.” Cody closed his mouth; point taken.

Crossing through the Mid-City they paused by the alleyway where they had seen Kantan with the rioters. There was no light coming from the building. With Jade leading the way, they returned to the Inner-City. They came upon the palace, but instead of entering the front doors, Jade led Cody around to the back. “Where are we going?” asked a surprised Cody.

“Shush, just keep up,” spouted Jade as they circled the palace. Slipping through a back door they found themselves in the royal kitchen. They made their way through the crowded room swiftly and without being noticed by the focused cooks. Exiting the kitchen, they reached a staircase and began to descend. Down six stories they ran into a barricade blocking their access to the next level. A sign there stated:
RESTRICTED. MILITARY PERSONNEL ONLY.
Jade hopped over it without hesitation and continued down the stairs. Cody sighed. They seemed to be making a habit of breaking into restricted sections. He jumped over the barrier and followed after her.

They reached the basement. It was a small room with only one solid steel door that was bolted three times and braced with a horizontal iron bar. Two armed guards stood blocking the door. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing down here? This is a restricted area. Leave at once!” ordered one of the soldiers as he sprang forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Jade took a step back. “Dace sent us, and we just want a quick visit. Please.” The guard grunted, “Dace has no authority here. Get out.”

Suddenly there was a knock from the other side of the door. The second guard grunted, unfastened the bolts and removed the latch. The door swung open and Prince Foz stepped out. Seeing Cody and Jade he stumbled over his feet, bumping into the guard.

“Oh my! What are you two doing down here?” he asked, regaining his balance and adjusting his mop-like hair.

“We just want a quick visit, Foz. Please.” Jade pleaded. Foz looked hesitantly at the door, and then back at Jade. “Make it quick.”

The guard, clearly displeased, held open the door. As Cody passed he couldn’t contain himself, out the side of his mouth he whispered, “How’s
that
for authority.” Once inside the room the door closed with a crash behind them and Cody heard the locks being fastened. “Jade, what are we doing. Where are we?”

“We are doing what we
should
be doing if your head wasn’t so ballooned about being the all-mighty and powerful Book Keeper.”

Jade’s words stung. “Jealousy doesn’t work for you, Jade. Just because the Book chose me and not you doesn’t mean you have to take out your envy on me.”

“Envy!?” cried Jade, “Is that what you think this is about? You heard Kantan, the Book didn’t
choose
you at all. By stupid luck your useless hand touched the Book first after you got Wesley killed. So cut the chosen-one talk.”

As Cody prepared to retaliate another voice spoke instead, “Must be the bloody dim-witted, village idiot of the whole blasted book-world to have even thought of choosing either of you mindless-goats. Now stop your incessant yakking before I rip my own stinking ears off to silence you.”

Cody smiled and looked to the direction of the voice. “Well, glad to see imprisonment hasn’t dulled your charming personality.” On the other end of the room, behind two sets of bars, and latched to the wall with chains by both hands and feet was Randilin.

The Perpetual No-Show

R
andilin’s face looked thin and colorless with thick black bags hanging under his heavy eyes. His forehead was swollen, puffing down over his left eye. He had changed a lot since Cody had last seen him. He was almost unrecognizable. There was a squeak in the corner of the cell where two small rodent-looking creatures fought over a bone. Randilin’s head hung limply on his neck, “So, you kiddies miss me or something?”

Jade’s hand was over her mouth, a salty tear rolled over her upper lip. “This is awful. Barbaric even! What are these people doing to you?”

Randilin let out a deep, coarse cough, “Nothing more than I deserve. Could have been worse. The ever-cheerful Prince Kantan argued to have me executed immediately. It was Prince Foz who arranged a fair trial and this five-star luxury suite.” He tried to laugh but entered another deep coughing fit.

“Well, surely the jury will spare you. I mean, if it wasn’t for you we’d both be dead. If it wasn’t for you the Book would have been stolen. Surely that is enough to erase . . . whatever it is you’ve done,” said Cody exasperatedly. Silence hung in the air. It was a question that had been burning in his mind since Dunstan first broached the topic.