The Golden Symbol (Kilenya Series Book 6) Page 6

  Dad waved him off. “It won’t be a problem. We’ve got plenty of American cash, and you know that Gevkan is a very wealthy country.”

  Jacob didn’t know that, but it was a good thing to remember for when he turned sixteen and wanted his first car.

  Mom decided they’d take Myler to the hospital in Denver. Jacob would Key her, and when he couldn’t, she would fly back and forth between the hospital and home, making sure Myler was treated well and that the doctors found out what was wrong with him. Depending on how serious it was, she and Dad might need to find a way to get medications back to the people in Tadrys—assuming they all had what Myler had.

  After making sure Myler was checked in and as comfortable as possible at the hospital in Denver, Jacob took Mom back home. She’d fly to Denver in the morning, after getting a good night’s rest in her own bed.

  It had been a long night, and Jacob didn’t get to sleep until almost four in the morning. He finally drifted off, making plans to go visit Onyev—the real Onyev—the next day.

  Chapter Four: Explanations

  Jacob took his time getting ready the next day. He woke up after noon and then spent a long time in the shower.

  By the time he’d eaten, dressed, and Keyed to Akeno’s new hut in the forest, it was three in the afternoon.

  Akeno was eager to see Onyev and report on how his Kaede trees were doing, and Jacob was especially excited to discuss his experience with getting the antidote from the tree.

  Assuming his magic would allow him to have that sort of conversation, of course.

  “It’s good to see you both,” Onyev said when they entered his palace and “throne” room. He’d already watered his plants for the day, and soon after they arrived, he led Jacob and Akeno into another garden area. This one was much smaller than the first and had no benches. Onyev surprised Jacob by sitting on the grass and motioning the others to join him.

  “So, tell me the happenings of your time.”

  Jacob bit his lip, hesitating. He hated the pain that always came when he tried to do something that his magic wouldn’t allow. “Well . . . we—we found the antidote.” There! He’d said it. And nothing stopped him. Good. He went on, slowly and cautiously, telling Onyev what happened, first at the location in Taga Village, then second, the location in Maivoryl City. Then he started telling about his experience in Gratitude City.

  “Why couldn’t Akeno see the dead people? And why were the tests targeted to me specifically?”

  Onyev leaned back, hands behind him, legs outstretched. “There are people who study Kaith trees and how to break through their magic. I needed to make sure the individual who approached was supposed to be there.”

  That made sense. Jacob then told what happened with the next test—fighting a representation of Onyev. “And why did it have to be such a gross version of you? And cutting off your finger?”

  “I’m sorry about that, but it was necessary.” Onyev pulled out some grass and fiddled with the blades before tossing them aside. “I didn’t think you’d find it easy to fight me the way I am now. And there had to be an element of fear involved—it frightens the dishonest away. Only a truly desperate person would continue.”

  Jacob frowned, thinking about that. “But why you?”

  Onyev didn’t respond at first. “I had hoped that seeing me would cause a person to leave immediately.”

  Jacob nodded, but still felt skeptical. “What if the person came after your death and didn’t know who you were?”

  “That’s why there were three stop points.” Onyev grinned, a teasing glint in his eyes.

  Jacob tilted his head. “There were only two. Though, I did like the light there at the end—it was almost too bright, but nice to see it finally.”

  “That was the third and final test,” Onyev said. “If it had been anyone else, they would have been in excruciating pain, which would have gradually built until they died from it or left. The right person wouldn’t have felt anything.”

  That made sense—being the “right person,” Jacob hadn’t even known he was being tested. “And still people try to break into Kaith trees? Even with these sorts of tests?”

  “No,” Onyev said, shaking his head. “Everyone places different tests, and the strength of those tests depends on the magical strength of the person setting them. I’m the most powerful Makalo alive right now, so therefore, my tests will be much more difficult to break.”

  “Then why not have the light be the first test? Make things easier for me?”

  “I had to be sure. I’m not comfortable with the arrogance behind the belief that no one would ever break my magic.”

  Wow. Jacob’s respect for Onyev went up several notches. The guy was incredibly smart, nice, powerful, and humble, even though he had plenty of reasons not to be. That was cool.

  Onyev turned to Akeno. “You’re ready for the next step in your lessons. It’s time to teach you how to battle.”

  Akeno’s mouth popped open. “Battle? Makalos can do that?”

  Onyev smiled. “Not very well—physically, at least—but magically? We’re a fierce lot! I daresay you’ll be one of the most powerful tools Jacob’s army will have.”

  “Great! Let’s begin!” A huge smile spread across Akeno’s face.

  Onyev chuckled, and Jacob dismissed himself. Though he was very curious about the things Akeno would learn this time, he knew the two were used to being alone for their training sessions. He didn’t want to slow the learning process, especially if Onyev was right and Akeno ended up being a huge asset.

  Chapter Five: A Special Task

  Eachan had to take a break from Sanso. The Ember God was driving him nuts. So needy and whiny and arrogant . . .

  He grabbed the bottle Aloren had given him and shook three pills into his hand. He had no idea where they came from or how they worked, but work they did. In fact, he was amazed at just how much they helped.

  Of course, the fact that he wasn’t gaining new wounds really helped. He hoped someday not to have to take these medications Aloren had brought him.

  The first time he tried the pills, he’d chewed them. That had been a horrendous, horrible experience. So bitter. He wished the girl had warned him that swallowing them whole was the best way.

  Eachan sighed, putting the bottle back into the cupboard. He started washing the dirty dishes from the midday meal he and Sanso had just shared. Not having the villagers around really freed up a lot of his time, and he knew his frustration with Sanso stemmed more from his boredom than anything the Ember God said.

  If only Eachan could do more to help Jacob and King Dmitri. What part of their plans to get rid of the Lorkon were they in? He didn’t know, and at this point, he couldn’t find out. He hadn’t heard from Jacob’s group since their last visit. Come to think of it, he hadn’t heard from the Lorkon, either. They were probably too busy trying to stop King Dmitri to bother with Eachan.

  And that was just fine with him. He figured they’d kill him on sight instead of having Sanso inflict him with burns.

  For that matter, they’d have to kill Sanso too. They’d tried it once already.

  Eachan stared out the window in the kitchen, ignoring the sudsy water dripping from his hands to the floor. If he could make things easier for King Dmitri, how would he go about doing that? He couldn’t pick up a sword to fight, or rally the villagers, especially now that the villagers had all escaped into the forest. They were probably dead.

  He smiled as a thought—no, an idea—crossed his mind. He wouldn’t be able to do it on his own. Sanso would have to help. Would the Ember God assist? Of course he would. He was just as bored as Eachan and wanted revenge as much as Eachan wanted freedom.

  Eachan thought through every aspect of the plan he was formulating. He must talk it over with Sanso, and they’d need to find a way to approach the Lorkon without being suspected or caught.

  Eachan smiled as he finished the dishes and hung the towel to dry. He walked eagerly back to the Ember God’s ro
om. The plan wouldn’t work unless Sanso agreed to do most of the physical activity.

  “I have a task for you.”

  Sanso looked up from where he lay across his bed, reading a book. “What sort of task?”

  “You want to rid yourself of the Lorkon? Permanently?”

  An evil glint entered Sanso’s eyes. “Yes. What do you need me to do?”

  Chapter Six: A Cursed City

  The hospital in Denver called Mom on her cell right after she and Dad returned from the airport a couple days later. Myler was ready to be discharged.

  “So soon?” she said. “It’s only been two days. I would have thought with his broken ribs and other symptoms, he’d be there much longer.”

  “What disease did they say he had?” Jacob asked.

  She shook her head. “Some type of lung disease. But obviously, it wasn’t something terribly serious.”

  Dad shut the fridge, holding a gallon of milk. “Not necessarily. Just because he’s over it so quickly doesn’t mean he wasn’t truly sick.”

  Mom set her purse down. “But what about his broken ribs?”

  “So long as everything else is functioning correctly, there isn’t really anything they can do about those. They have to heal on their own.” Dad poured a glass of milk, then put the gallon away. “Myler’s obviously a fighter.”

  Mom nodded and sat at the table next to Jacob. She looked at her son. “I’ll have you Key me back to the hospital to pick him up. I’m not about to go to the airport for the third time today.”

  Jacob agreed, and they left a couple of minutes later. When they walked into Myler’s hospital room, he was sitting on the bed, dressed in American clothes. He looked up and smiled at Jacob.

  “I owe you a lot,” he said.

  Jacob shrugged. “Onaly, Aloren, and Gallus helped too.”

  “Yes. But I think it was your idea.”

  Jacob looked at his feet. He was kind of glad Myler knew, but he didn’t want to take all the credit.

  A male nurse entered the room, taking away Jacob’s need to respond. He talked to Mom about Myler’s post-hospital care. After making sure Mom knew which medicines Myler would need and when, he reached out to shake Myler’s hand.

  Myler stared at the hand for a full second before shaking in return. Jacob hid a smile. He’d forgotten that on Eklaron, a handshake wasn’t as common as in America.

  “Normally they would wheel him out to the car,” Mom said, glancing through the blinds out into the hall, “but they’ve been really, really understaffed this week.” She smiled at Jacob, ignoring the wheelchair the staff had provided. “Better for us, since there isn’t a car, huh?”

  Jacob grinned, then opened a link to Trunt’s house in Taga Village. Trunt had volunteered a room for Myler to use until he was well enough to be on his own again, and Jacob was sure Trunt would take good care of him.

  Jacob and Mom helped Myler into bed, Mom tucking the blankets all around the man. After making sure Trunt would let Mom know if anything happened or if Myler needed her for any reason, she and Jacob Keyed home.

  They’d only been home a couple of minutes when a Minya approached Jacob.

  “Azuriah says to be ready to leave for Renforth’s world in an hour.”

  The Minya floated away, and Mom put her hand on Jacob’s arm. “Your father wants you to talk to Eachan about Lasia. See if you can find out where she ended up. Would you do that before you go with Azuriah? The conversation shouldn’t take too much time.”

  Jacob agreed. He also needed to check up on Akeno before leaving and decided to do that first, since Akeno had already been with Onyev for several hours that day. Actually, Akeno had been with Onyev a lot lately.

  It took him a while to find the two. In fact, Jacob wandered Onyev’s palace for at least twenty minutes before remembering he could Time-See.

  Even Time-Seeing, it still took him ten minutes to figure out that they weren’t even in Gratitude City. No wonder they didn’t light up! He found them way out in a village of sorts—somewhere that had recently been almost demolished. Probably by the Lorkon of Onyev’s time, though maybe even by Akeno during his practice. Jacob half-smiled, thinking about that. What sorts of things would Akeno be learning?

  He Keyed himself to the village, taking care not to use a door within sight. He didn’t want to startle the Makalos, just in case. He approached cautiously.

  “Yes, caution is wise right now,” Onyev said, noticing him. “The next few lessons will be held here. I don’t want to risk the safety of the Makalos in Gratitude City by having Akeno learn his battle powers there.”

  “Makes sense,” Jacob said. “Do you want to keep going, or is Akeno ready for a break?”

  Onyev looked at Akeno. “It’s up to you.”

  Akeno frowned, folding one arm across his chest and tapping his cheek. “I think I’d—”

  “Whoa! Akeno!”

  Akeno dropped his arms. “W—what?”

  “You’re blue! And I mean really blue. Like Onyev. It’s so cool! And weird!”

  Akeno’s cheeks darkened and Onyev smiled. “It’s been happening gradually over the past few months. Of course, battle magic requires more concentration, and this causes the blue to become much more noticeable in a shorter amount of time.”

  Jacob couldn’t stop staring at his Makalo friend. It was a good thing Matt wasn’t around. The guy would probably tease Jacob about having a new crush. But seriously—this was awesome!

  “I think I’d like to go home and practice for a while. Without anyone watching. Um . . . including you, Onyev.” Akeno turned to the patriarch. “I mean . . . is that all right?”

  “It’s completely fine. But don’t get too comfortable that way. There are many distractions in war.”

  Akeno nodded and motioned to Jacob. “Let’s go, then.”

  Jacob took them back to the present, where they ended up near Trunt’s cabin. He turned toward the door so he could Key to Eachan’s place, but Akeno stopped him.

  “I’m not going to need a lot of time. Would you mind taking me back to Onyev before you leave for Renforth’s world? That’s happening today, right?”

  “Yeah, but we’re leaving in thirty minutes. Will that be enough time?”

  “It will—he only taught me one step. And I’d rather spend as much time learning with him right now as possible.”

  Jacob wished he could watch Akeno practice, but he looked at his watch. He only had twenty minutes before needing to meet with Azuriah. Besides, the Makalo obviously didn’t want an audience, and Jacob would respect that.

  ***

  Eachan wasn’t in the town hall when Jacob got there. And he made sure to search the entire place—upstairs, front porch, kitchen, backyard area, and cellar. He Time-Saw through the city and every part of the Lorkon castle he could still see. Eachan wasn’t anywhere.

  Jacob figured the man was probably in a place that had the anti-Shiengol potion smeared on its walls. He had no choice but to return home. He and Azuriah were leaving in five minutes, and he had to get his things together still.

  He Keyed home, grabbed the bag he’d laid out the night before, and ran to the kitchen, throwing dried fruits, beef jerky, and cheese inside. Azuriah said there was no need for pretty much everything else Jacob had planned to take. He even told Jacob to leave Early’s container home—she wouldn’t be able to go to Renforth’s world without permission, and Renforth had only approved Azuriah, Jacob, and Gallus.

  Jacob didn’t like the idea of not having his Minya with him. He was bringing seeds so he could call her anytime he needed while still on Eklaron, but once they got to Renforth’s world, he’d be completely cut off from her and his family.

  He really didn’t like that.

  After stuffing his backpack, Jacob Time-Saw and found Akeno. The Makalo was waiting near Azuriah’s door. Good.

  Jacob Keyed himself to Aldo’s cabin—who wasn’t there—and quickly took Akeno back to Onyev’s time. He didn’t wait to see where his
friend went, but returned to the present as soon as possible.

  While waiting for Gallus, Azuriah checked with Renforth once more to see if he would consider lifting the ban on magical entry to his world. Of course he wouldn’t, so Azuriah would have Jacob Key them to an old city that used to be inhabited by Shiengols. The gateway to Renforth’s world was in that city.

  “It doesn’t have a name anymore,” Azuriah said when Jacob asked what it was called.

  “Why not?”

  “No one can remember it.”

  Jacob thought that was silly. Why hadn’t someone given it a new name? Judging by the expression on Gallus’s face—who’d just arrived—he felt that way too.

  But Azuriah continued, answering Jacob’s unspoken question. “Usually, when that happens, it’s because there’s a curse on the city. Nothing sticks, and trying to force the place to have a name would curse whoever was doing it.”

  Oh, great. Just great. Going to a cursed city? Totally not what Jacob wanted to do.

  “Key us to—”

  Gallus put his hand up. “Why was the city cursed?”

  Azuriah glared at Gallus and motioned for Jacob to continue with the Key. “The Shiengol leading it must have broken a law. That’s the usual reason.”

  Gallus grunted. “You should have warned us ahead of time. Is the curse going to affect us?”

  Azuriah didn’t respond. The colors in the air around him showed he was annoyed. Jacob was on Gallus’s side, though. A warning would have been excellent.

  Without further interruption, Jacob Keyed them to the city. It was weird, not knowing the name of the place. He ended up saying, “The cursed Shiengol city where Renforth’s link is located,” then crossed his fingers, hoping that would work.

  It did. He pushed the door open cautiously. The first thing he noticed was that the sun wasn’t nearly as bright there as back in Mendon. He didn’t say anything about that, though, figuring it had to do with the curse.