Rise of Keitus (Kilenya Series, 4) Page 5

No one said anything—they all looked as solemn as Jacob felt. How would things be for Makalos without their magic? Even though the Makalos weren’t very strong anymore, they still greatly relied on their powers to keep Taga Village hidden from Earth, to help grow the gardens, and to provide water and electricity for the village.

  Jacob glanced at Brojan, then at Akeno. Would it affect Akeno, too, even though he was supposedly more powerful than the others?

  “Not only that,” Ebony continued, “but our supply of Kaede sap is in serious jeopardy. We used quite a bit of it in the past few months—gallons and gallons more than we have in previous years.”

  Kenji finally lifted his head. “We’ll be rationing what remains. We must.”

  Brojan twirled a curl in his beard around his finger. “Kenji, Ebony, and I have decided what constitutes a need for sap. We’d like to present it to you for a vote, since it affects everyone.”

  He lifted a sheet of paper from the table in front of him and proceeded to read out loud from it, stopping occasionally to make sure everyone understood.

  Basically, the seriousness of the injury would determine how much sap was used, if any. If a person would heal in three months or less, no sap would be used. This covered nearly every kind of broken bone, except for compound fractures and thigh breaks. If someone was mortally wounded and giving them Kaede sap wouldn’t stop them from dying, no sap would be used to ease their suffering.

  Jacob felt sick, thinking about all this. He prayed no one in their group would be injured until the issues with the trees and bugs were resolved. The chances of that happening, though? Not very good. Everyone who’d gone out to fight so far had been injured at some point or another.

  Brojan finished by saying, “The stores of sap must last until we find out what’s going on with the Kaede trees—it’s possible that the sap we’ve got will help us heal the trees.”

  Dad took over the meeting by asking everyone to vote on what Brojan had just presented. It was unanimous, but the shades of blue coloring the air around the table showed serious discouragement and depression.

  Dad rubbed his balding head, then looked at the Fat Lady and Aldo. “How would you two feel about teaming up with Kenji, Ebony, and Brojan to try to figure out how to stop or slow the bugs?”

  Both nodded. “That won’t be a problem,” the Fat Lady said. “We’ll get to the bottom of it.”

  Aldo steepled his fingers, his eyebrows knitted. “I’m sure most of you, if not all, have figured out that the Lorkon started this.”

  Several people nodded, Jacob included. “And that’s probably why Lirone didn’t attack us while we were in Macaria,” he said. “I saw him looking at us, but he deliberately threw his bombs in other directions. I’ll bet the Lorkon wanted to make sure one of us brought the bug back with us.”

  Aldo pursed his lips. “This means they’re not overlooking the importance of the Makalos anymore. They’ve finally wised up to the benefits of Rezend and how much of an edge it has given us.”

  Jacob rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about that. He figured he, above and beyond the others, understood how little the Lorkon had thought of Makalos. If it hadn’t been for their arrogance concerning the small creatures the first time Jacob had come in contact with Lorkon, they would have taken control of him.

  “Would it help if I moved to Taga Village?” the Fat Lady asked. “That way I’d be closer.”

  Aldo immediately shook his head. “No, you can’t, or all the protections and spells on your cabin will be lost. And don’t feel like we’re using you, but that location is too convenient.”

  She nodded. “Well, dang. Let’s get this figured out! The sooner, the better.” She looked at Jacob. “I s’pose you’ll be Keying us back and forth a lot so we can work together.”

  Jacob shrugged. “Fine with me.”

  “While we’re all here,” Dad said, “there’s another thing we need to discuss.” He motioned to Ebony. “Tell everyone what you said to me about the humans.”

  She frowned. “We’re going to need a lot of help. About half of the humans pulled from the scented air are figuring out who they are. Some want to stay, but others want to go find their families. With several hundred of them, it’s been very confusing trying to sort things out. If anyone has extra time to help, it would be greatly appreciated.”

  She leaned forward. “There’s a problem. At least half of them don’t speak English, and we haven’t been able to find translators. We have no idea what they’re trying to say, and they’re getting impatient. We don’t know what they remember about themselves, since they can’t communicate.”

  Jacob cocked his head. “They don’t speak English? Weird.” Everyone he’d met so far from Eklaron spoke his language, and it had never occurred to him that there were people who didn’t.

  “It’s not uncommon,” Aldo said. “English became the main language spoken in the bigger cities—August Township, Maivoryl, Macaria, Troosinal—around a hundred years ago. The smaller villages—some of which have disappeared since the Lorkon took over—maintained their native tongues.”

  Dad put his elbows on the table, clasping his hands. “Once they’ve learned English, we’ll help them figure out who they are and where they come from. When we get to that point, we may need to assign a group of us to help them find their families. After that, those who wish to remain here and assist in the upcoming war will need to be taught to fight. Ebony, Sweet Pea, and probably Gallus will do the training. I’ll help with the sword.”

  Everyone agreed, and Dad started to dismiss the group, but Aloren stopped him.

  “Your Majesty,” she said, “I have a question. And, well, it’s a sensitive subject, so I understand if you have to tell me no.”

  Dad wrinkled his forehead. “What’s that?”

  She jumped from her chair and opened the door, motioning to someone outside.

  Kevin walked in.

  Jacob’s jaw dropped. He looked at Mom and Dad, wanting to see what their reaction would be. Neither seemed fazed, however, and none of the other adults seemed to care. Mom even smiled at Aloren who had a silly grin on her face. Why was no one else taking this seriously?

  Aloren pulled Kevin forward. “We’re wondering . . . well, we’d like to know if it would be all right for Kevin to come help out in the village. Ebony did say they need volunteers . . . and I was thinking they’d appreciate all the help they can get.”

  Kevin nodded. “Yeah. And their stress makes Aloren . . .” He shot a glance at her. “Also stressed, and uh . . . a little grouchy.” He stepped away from her before she could smack him, and her hand hit the air instead. They laughed and hugged.

  Jacob rolled his eyes. He was glad he didn’t have to be around them all day at school anymore—things had been easier since he’d started doing school at home.

  Kevin continued. “Her happiness is important to me. And this place is really cool. And I want to help as much as possible.”

  Mom and Dad’s eyes met. “We need to talk this over,” Dad said. “Would the two of you please wait outside?”

  Gallus, the Fat Lady, and Aldo said no. Ebony and Kenji were quick to give their approval. Mom surprised Jacob by saying she thought it was a great idea, and Dad didn’t really care either way. He turned to Jacob.

  “Can you tell how sincere Kevin actually is where this is concerned?”

  Jacob nodded. “His emotions show that he’s serious—he really does want to help out. And . . . he likes Aloren. A lot. I don’t think he’ll do anything to hurt her, including giving away any secrets.” He paused. “He already knows everything that’s going on. And it’s obvious we need the extra help.”

  Everyone stared at him for several seconds before saying anything. Jacob blushed and looked away, avoiding eye contact. Why were they staring? Was it that weird for him to voice his opinion? No—he did it all the time. Whatever. Adults were hard to figure out sometimes.

  Gallus sighed. “Well, I suppose it would be fine.”

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nbsp; The Fat Lady and Aldo nodded, though the Fat Lady grunted. “We’re spoiling that girl, you realize. She gets everything she wants.”

  Jacob bit his lip. Unfortunately for him, she wanted Kevin.

  “Then it’s settled,” Dad said. “Ebony and Kenji, we’ll leave you in charge—keep the boy busy.”

  Ebony grinned. “We will. We’ll have him start teaching English.”

  Just then, the alarm bells in the village sounded. Everyone at the table froze, then jumped up, knocking chairs to the floor as they all rushed out of Kenji’s house.

  As they ran along the trail, weaving around the houses, Jacob could hear screaming and shouting from the meadow. They reached the ledge and Jacob’s jaw dropped. An Ember God was there, flames flying, swords flashing, swinging at the Makalos and Wurbies who were unsuccessfully trying to stop him by throwing things and using their hands as ropes. The long grass around him was smoldering and the tree was on fire.

  Ebony and Sweet Pea exchanged glances and rushed off—probably to get their weapons. Gallus flung himself over the side of the canyon wall, and Jacob and Matt both leaned forward to watch as he landed unharmed and dashed forward, pulling out his three-bladed sword.

  Ever since the attack on Macaria, he’d been wearing his hardened leather armor and carrying his sword everywhere he went. Jacob had wondered if it was a bit much, but now put aside any thoughts of the black man being over-prepared. There was no way to be too ready for something like this.

  As soon as Gallus joined the fight, the Makalos and Wurbies backed off and began putting out fires with buckets of water, starting with the tree first. Jacob and Matt watched as Gallus and the Ember God parried. Neither seemed to gain the upper hand, and Jacob had a feeling that the Ember God was holding back. But why?

  “Who is he?” Matt asked.

  Jacob shook his head. “Not Sanso. I’ve never seen this guy before.”

  The adults joined Jacob and Matt at the wall and watched. Ebony and Sweet Pea returned, decked in armor and weapons. They scurried down the side of the canyon and jumped into the fight.

  Jacob smiled eagerly, sure things would become even now that it was three to one. But the Ember God merely adjusted his technique. He had no problem keeping up with his opponents. He seemed to be more skilled than the Ember Gods Jacob and his friends had found in Maivoryl City. Flames dripped and spit at Sweet Pea and Ebony, forcing them to jump away. This obviously was what the Ember God wanted, because he grinned and fought only Gallus while the others were preoccupied with not getting burned.

  A large man came running from the garden, carrying weapons. Jacob recognized him as one of the people he and the others had pulled from the scented air a few months back.

  “Coren!” Dad called to the man. “Give me a sword!”

  Coren tossed one to Dad and both of them joined the attack on the Ember God. Jacob’s jaw dropped as he watched the fighting intensify. This Ember God was seriously good. He didn’t seem to be bothered at all that he was up against five people, but used his flames to keep four of them away while focusing on one person at a time. He alternated between Gallus, Dad, and Coren.

  Jacob and Matt met eyes.

  “Why’d the Lorkon send just one?” Matt asked.

  Aldo blew out a breath. “What I’d like to know is how he got here.”

  Mom’s hands were shaking and she hugged herself, looking at the others. “It doesn’t make sense. There must be more, hiding somewhere.”

  Jacob agreed. “I’ll Time-See and find out.”

  He and Matt ran to Kenji’s house. Jacob figured that would be the best place, since it was away from the action and he wouldn’t get injured while gone.

  It only took a couple of seconds to see that the village was empty of any other threat. But as he was pulling back, Jacob noticed something outside of Taga Village, near the entrance. A small creature, built like a hairless, cat-sized squirrel, was cautiously exiting the forest.

  Jacob’s lip curled when he saw an extra arm with a four-fingered hand on the creature’s back. Ugly. It pointed to the village entrance and the creature dashed in that direction, entering the short tunnel.

  Jacob followed it with his Time-Seeing eyes and watched as the thing started picking at the wood Jacob had sealed into place last year. A moment later, several more of the creatures joined the first. He watched them with fascination, then realized they had to be Yoons—the Eklaron animal that broke through magical barriers.

  The creatures were only at it for a couple of seconds before a Lorkon joined them, followed by the huge wolves. He pulled out a bag with various instruments and tools spilling out of it.

  Then it dawned on Jacob. The Ember God was a distraction. The Lorkon wanted to break into the village without being noticed.

  Jacob pulled back to Kenji’s place and found Matt still there, waiting. “What did you see?”

  “There’s a Lorkon trying to get into the village!”

  “Are you serious?” Matt followed as Jacob ran from the house. “What do we do?”

  “Get Dad. I don’t know if we can stop the Lorkon, but we have to try.”

  They reached the canyon ledge just as Gallus stepped away from the Ember God, who was on the ground near the tree. Matt and Jacob scaled down the canyon wall as quickly as they could. The Ember God was dead—Jacob barely noticed this before grabbing his dad’s arm.

  “He was a distraction! There’s a Lorkon trying to get into the village right now!”

  Dad spun, motioning to those who fought with him. “Let’s go.”

  He and the rest dashed up the trail toward the entrance. Jacob and Matt followed—Jacob knew they wouldn’t be a lot of help in an actual fight, but at least he could use his abilities to reinforce the entrance or slow things down.

  Jacob wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting to see when they got there, but the entrance looked just as it had last time he’d seen it—strong, secure. He closed his eyes and Time-Saw to the other side, but the Lorkon, wolves, and Yoons had left. He spotted them running away, already halfway through the infected forest.

  Jacob returned to this side of the entrance. “They’re gone. Looks like they’re heading back home.” He put his hand against the wood he’d sealed in place, sensing his own magical touch, and turned to Dad. “It’s just as strong—they didn’t do anything to it.”

  “Probably testing our defenses.” Dad shook his head. “I don’t like this.”

  Gallus popped his neck, then stretched his arms and put his sword away. “We need to have a guard here round the clock, as well as posting a constant watch up in the tree.”

  “Yes, good idea.” Dad looked at Jacob. “And you’re going to have to keep your eyes on the Lorkon all the time from now on. We can’t be surprised like this again.”

  Ebony frowned. “What I don’t understand is how the Ember God managed to get into the village in the first place.”

  “I bet it was through me.” Jacob felt his face redden. “I’ve gotten relaxed about shutting links immediately after using them.”

  Dad raised an eyebrow. “Time-See into the past and make sure you’re correct.”

  Jacob nodded, then did as his dad asked. He followed the Ember God, watching as the man slipped through the door of Gallus’s house while Jacob and Gallus were in the kitchen gathering Canush a couple days before. Jacob took a deep breath, then returned to the present.

  “He went through the link earlier this week while Gallus and I were getting Canush.”

  “Why did he wait to attack?” Ebony asked.

  Dad rubbed his arms, which were probably sore from the fight. “I’d guess he wanted all of the ‘important people’ in one spot. Easier to keep track of that way.” He shook his head. “We can’t afford this sort of carelessness.”

  Gallus stared at the ground, and even though he looked angry, Jacob could tell by the colors around him that he was more embarrassed than anything. “It’s just as much my fault as Jacob’s.”

  Ebony sighe
d. “The fact is, we’ve all relaxed. The Lorkon haven’t put forth any efforts lately to get to us. We all need to be more diligent, to remember the danger we’re in.”

  Jacob looked at his feet. “And I won’t allow it to happen again.”

  Dad clapped him on the shoulder. “They’re right—it’s up to all of us to be more careful, not just you. But ultimately, you’re the one in charge of the Key.”

  He didn’t go on, but Jacob got the drift anyway. The responsibility was on his shoulders to make sure what happened that day wasn’t ever repeated.

  They returned to the tree and the dead Ember God. Dad didn’t want anyone to have to bury the guy, so he had Akeno shrink the man and enlarge him on the porch of the town hall of Maivoryl City after Jacob created a link there. Jacob closed the door and Keyed Gallus, the Fat Lady, and Aldo home.

  “Can I go somewhere fun this time?” Jacob asked Azuriah.

  The Shiengol glanced over, an expression of skepticism on his face. “Like where?”

  “I don’t know . . . maybe a really cool castle, or when my dad fought someone and won by a lot.”

  Azuriah retied a sash around his long robes. “Go to your parents’ wedding.”

  “Are you serious? A wedding?”

  “Personally, I don’t see the point in going anywhere ‘fun.’ And their wedding would be educational for you—you need to learn about the social customs of Gevkan. While you’re there, try talking to someone. It would be good for you to adjust to that aspect of Traveling.”

  Jacob sighed and got in his usual Time-Travel position: standing straight, hands at his side, staring ahead. He felt himself leaving the present time and he ended up in a quiet hallway in the castle the Lorkon now inhabited. Following the sounds of laughter and music, he walked around a corner, down some steps, into another corridor, and stepped inside a huge room that was full of people. A couple stood at the front. Jacob recognized them immediately as his parents. The woman, Mom, wore a light blue dress. She was so young! And Dad wore a matching light blue suit with all sorts of fancy decorations all over it.

  Jacob stayed in the rear and leaned against a wall as someone who looked like Aldo asked Mom and Dad to repeat things while holding hands. They gazed into each other’s eyes, listening to the man. This was something Aloren or even Amberly would like, but Jacob quickly got bored. He spent the next several minutes looking at other people. Many were dressed in robes and very rich-looking clothing. Others were in drab browns and creams.