Ancient: Book Two: Deception

By K. T. Kimbrough

Watcher Lord Ertael plots to destroy his arch enemy, Darius, when Drakon finally delivers the elusive Eden Scroll the enigmatic scroll of Enoch the Seer that discloses the secret location of the Tree of Life. Lord Cain and the Watcher Lords want eternal life and, now united, with an army of Offspring at their disposal, they will stop at nothing to achieve it.

As a group of diverse characters band together with one common goal, only time will tell the fate of Darius, and the meaning behind the cryptic mural on his cave wall the mural that mirrors Noahs curious dream which seems to be the key to their survival.

In this fantasy tale filled with unexpected twists and turns, the birth of the dark legend continues as the future of mankind hangs precariously in the balance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462034611

K. T. Kimbrough

K. T. Kimbrough is an accomplished woodworker, artist and freelance photographer. He enjoys motorcycles, traveling the world and spelunking. He lives in Austin, Texas.

Book preview

Part 4

It happened after the sons of men had multiplied in those days that daughters were born to them, elegant and beautiful. And when the angels, the sons of heaven, beheld them, they became enamored of them, saying to each other, Come, let us select for ourselves wives from the progeny of men, and let us beget children.

Enoch 7:1-3, Apocrypha

1

The mural on the cave wall was the key.

Find me…

A powerful waterfall veiled the mouth of the cave as it cascaded down into the deep pool below. Mist rolled skyward away from the violently churning water as the Watcher’s stiff broken body lay pinned against jagged rocks on the bottom of the deep pool. Engulfed by a crimson cloud, he tried to move but could not. Every muscle was locked, completely paralyzed. He was trapped in his own body, pinned by the crushing force.

His own sword skewered through his wrist, pinning it like a piece of meat against his shoulder. His left wing was folded awkwardly behind his back as the right wrapped stiffly around a large tooth-shaped rock. His entire body throbbed, the pain accentuated by the cold of the water.

He felt the powerful suction of the rip-tide yank one of his eye patches off his face. His vision was filled with the swirling blue light of the tumultuous bloodied water. It was the life-glow that could only be seen through spirit eyes.

Darius tried to move once more, but to no avail. He had been expertly paralyzed by one of his own kind.

Drakon  … that demon.

Darius knew that without precise care, his condition would be permanent.

Noah  … find me.

Darius felt the last bit of air leave his lungs. His mind flashed colorful visions of the mural painted in the cave above—the small island—the rotting branch lying on the water’s edge and the purple flower that grew from it.

Find me …

Find her … the flower … the hyacinth…

The mural was the key.

Starved of oxygen, his sight—the life-glow, began to wane black.

Help me … Elohim …

As reality began to fade into the swirling chaos, his last thought melted away into the blackness.

Hyacinth …

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Soon. So very soon.

Nothing will be impossible with the acquisition of immortality.

The mirrored irises of Ertael reflected the sprawling City of Cain as he sat introspectively in the east window of the highest sanctum of his tower. He sat on the sill sideways, legs crossed, back ridged. The long stately wings of the Watcher Lord were out stretched, one tucked inside the tower, one dangling outside.

A long wound in Ertael’s left wing that had been a debilitating gaping slice, was now a lengthy stretch of countless black stitches of boar hair. Ertael knew that in two days’ time, the wound would be nothing more than a scar, serving as a reminder to return the favor tenfold. Torture is far too shallow of a word to describe what he will do to Darius when Drakon finally delivers.

He will destroy Darius.

Soon.

Seething ire raged in Ertael’s black soul as he glared out over the city.

If Drakon finds Darius … when he finds him, the Eden Scroll will be at his fingertips. He was beginning to wonder if the satisfaction of killing Darius would merit the sacrifice of the secret location of the Tree of Life dying with him.

Eternal life … what power! Ridding his enemies—those Elohim-fearing nuisances who make it arduous to build an empire, would be only the beginning. The knowledge he would gain from years of uninterrupted advancement would make him the greatest lord of all time.

The greatest. The god.

But what of Cain - that decrepit cursed human man? He was the embodiment of the curse that imprisoned his soul, his very presence plaguing the earth … like an annoying thorn infecting Ertael’s dominant hand.

Drakon … Ertael quietly growled, interrupting his own contemplations as he continued to stare out the window.

Behind him, Drakon’s dark form stood motionless in a shadow on the opposite side of the room.

It was not the sound Drakon made coming through the window; he was perfectly silent. Nor was it a rush of wind from his wings; the air was deathly still. Not even was it the smell of fresh blood that ran down Drakon’s leg onto the marble floor; the room was overwhelmed with the strong fragrance of incense, but it was the sudden spiritual gloom that saturated the room’s already dark atmosphere that alerted Ertael of Drakon’s presence.

Ertael turned his head to see the silhouette of the one whose presence he felt.

Drakon stepped out of the shadow, his wings folded, standing silhouetted against the colorful western sky through the window behind him. I am ready for you to cede our agreement. Drakon’s voice was low and raspy as if his very own darkness had clawed for years at his vocal cords.

Did you fulfill your part? Ertael hissed. I do not see Darius or Noah.

Drakon pulled a scroll from the inside of his black leather robe.

Ertael eyed the scroll’s every movement as Drakon lifted his hand and stretched it out toward him, his long dark nails curving outward from his hand.

Our agreement was not for another one of Enoch’s scrolls, Ertael said scathingly, snatching the parchment from Drakon’s veiny hands. It was for Noah or Darius.

"What about The Scroll? Would that suffice?"

Ertael did not believe him. He sneered, "The Scroll?"

"It is what you ultimately desire, is it not?"

Ertael unrolled the scroll, laid it flat on a table, and in the light of a large orange candle began to read it.

Flip it over, Drakon said.

He did, and what he saw captivated his attention. The characters were inverted. Instead of black ink on light tan parchment, the scroll was dyed black and the characters were inkless. With every ink-surrounded word, his eyes grew wider with intrigue.

Drakon stepped forward, looking over Ertael’s shoulder.

Ertael slid his hand on the handle of his sword without taking his eyes from the ever-elusive scroll that finally lay before him.

Still do not trust me? Drakon hissed.

I trust you as far as my blade will reach, Ertael said, then continued to scan it. "It does appear to be the Eden scroll."

Good, Drakon growled. Now, your agreement … at least the part you can give me until you find the Tree.

Ertael opened a small alabaster box that sat on the table. Pulling something out of it, he held it tightly in his fist. Where—is—Darius? His eyes locked onto Drakon.

He securely awaits his demise.

Define securely.

He is in a paralytic state at the bottom of a deep pool.

Ertael smiled at the irony of Darius helplessly imprisoned under water. If anyone could undertake a feat like that, it would be Drakon. Tomorrow, you will take me to him. My wing should heal enough tonight to fly by morning.

Only then did Ertael held out his fist to give Drakon the contents.

He stepped forward, palm outstretched.

The two locked eyes with the intensity of a duel, their gaze of steel mirroring the other. "Meet me here at first light or else you will never receive the other half of our agreement. In fact, if you do not deliver him to me, I will see to it that you are given the exact opposite of eternal life."

Drakon gave an evil grin, full of sharp jagged teeth. "What makes you think I need to receive anything from you?"

Ertael ignored the hostile comment and opened his fist. A large ring dropped into his palm.

This ring that once belonged to Armers, confirms you as the new Lord of the Isle of Verus. If steward Zeror gives you trouble, just show him the ring and this scroll, Ertael said as he picked up a small scroll from the table and handed it to him. And Drakon … don’t kill him. Utilize him. He is skilled in sorcery. You will have plenty of others to do with as you wish.

Drakon slid the gold ring past his long black fingernail, onto his bony middle finger and gazed into the entrancing red facets of its huge dazzling ruby.

And do not be stunned if the palace lies in shambles. No Watcher has lived there since Armers … since the Rebellion, He explained. Do with it as you please.

And the prisoners?

I fear you must conjure up a bit of patience in that depraved soul of yours. As I told you, I will send to you every prisoner that is in the Dark Hall, and from now on, all prisoners will be sent to Verus. But first things first … Ertael gazed at the Eden scroll sitting on the table.

The evil grin never left Drakon’s face. Whether the grin formed from the prospect of everlasting Lordship, or the anticipation of ruling an island full of iniquitous human flesh to do with as he pleased, did not matter. Both were equally gratifying.

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Noah and Ariadne wished this brief spell of calm was permanent. But they could not ignore the reality that there was simply no way it would.

Their journey had brought them across the rugged terrain of the North Mountain Range, through open glades and narrow valleys, and now, after a day of descending the south face of the range, they made their way through a dense forest of exceptionally tall eucalyptus trees. As far as they could see, the impressively straight trunks swayed gently, complaining to each other with eerie groans and creaks. Rays of muted light streaked through the vast canopy of leaves, drifting like sullen ghosts over the lush forest floor.

The combination of sounds and light created an unsettling atmosphere that weighed subtly on the two as they continued riding south. Even Unknown, Noah’s borrowed horse from Uriah, seemed to slow his pace from the thick gloom. Though Unknown’s master was too distracted to notice his horse’s behavior, Ariadne noticed everything, including Noah’s silence. Up to this point their conversation had been intermittent but pleasant as they both enjoyed the feeling of freedom after their narrow escape from Ertael near Rimrock into the splendor of the wilds. However, Ariadne had begun to notice that Noah had more on his mind in the moments of peaceful silence than he was letting on. There were troubling thoughts brewing in his head and she was keen to help in whatever way she could.

Her position behind Noah on the horse was not exactly ideal for serious conversation but Ariadne would just have to make due with talking to the back of his head.

Is there something wrong? She gently asked, and though her sapphire eyes were only staring at the back of his head, they were still full of curiosity and compassion.

Um … I don’t exactly know, He said with a contemplative pause, But, I feel something off in my spirit.

Like what kind of something? Ariadne was careful to keep her words light so as not to worry her distracted companion. And what kind of off?

It’s hard to say, he continued even more slowly as if his thoughts were away in a far off land. I think it may have something to do with Darius.

Darius? The Watcher. He seems like the type who can take care of himself, She reassured playfully. Don’t you think?

I know, I know, he replied, straining to look back at the beautiful, young, raven-haired woman behind him, and feeling a bit embarrassed at his disappointment to find that he could not quite turn far enough to see her. Thankfully, he had also been pulling Unknown’s reins to the left and he hid his failed attempt under the guise of looking for a way around the thorny, white flowered thicket that sprawled in front of them.

Unknown resisted Noah’s attempts to turn and stubbornly threw his head back with a snort of defiance.

Come on boy … settle down, he said calmly, firmly patting the reddish-brown hair of the horse’s neck in reassurance. We need to get back to Darius as soon as possible.

Ariadne was not sure if he said that to her or the horse.

Unknown was nervous, throwing glances from side to side and slowing his pace to a hesitant plod.

Looks like he’s feeling the same thing you are.

Yeah, except I want to go forward… Noah let out a frustrated chuckle as they rounded the edge of the thicket. His laugh was still hanging in the air when Unknown stopped dead in his tracts, gaze fixed to his left. Almost in that same instant Noah and Ariadne also froze. They felt their breath catch in their throats and fear pound in their hearts as they caught sight of what the horse had sensed.

What they saw was something that Noah had spent a lifetime hoping never to encounter. But there it stood.

The huge form of a Baryonyx Dragon was unmistakable.

His heart sank and skin tingled. He could almost feel the sickening thud as it seemed to hit the bottom of his stomach. Noah knew well the renowned cunning and malice of the extremely rare creature. This creature was a predator of predators—an assassin. Noah shuddered when he momentarily met the menacing glare of its onyx eyes. Light softly glistened off the dragon’s brilliant yellow-green scales. The long serpentine tail hovered close to the ground, flicking from side to side in calculated agitation.

The agile but muscular dragon sauri stood over a large ground nest in which laid four spotted tan eggs that were slightly smaller than the Baryonyx’s head. A long string of slimy yolk stringed down from between the dragon’s long and sharp black teeth as it held half of a broken egg shell in his front claws.

Hunched on muscular back legs, the dragon stood about the height of four men, little more than the dragon’s-tail-length away. He slightly cocked his head toward the horse and riders with a savage, predatory glare in his blackish eyes.

They had interrupted a Baryonyx dragon from his meal, offering the beast a tastier one. Noah knew that without some sort of divine intervention, they would not survive this rare encounter. Silently, he let Elohim know just that.

The Baryonyx dropped the shell from his dagger-like claws and it bounced off another egg in the massive nest.

Hold tight, Noah whispered to Ariadne.

She did … almost too tight.

Noah eased the reins to the right.

At that slight command, Unknown’s nostrils flared as he snapped backwards and reared, kicking his front legs.

In response, the dragon crouched as if readying itself to pounce and let out an angry hiss followed by a bone shattering roar, bearing his wicked black teeth which lusted for his next course: human and horse flesh.

Unknown spun tightly, treading up soil as he launched into a full gallop through the trees away from the beast.

With a powerful push of his rear legs, the dragon sprang into the air. It was silent for a fear-inducing second as the dragon sailed effortlessly through the trees, only to land dangerously close behind them. The earth trembled at the weight of the dragon’s landing and leaves were shaken loose from the trees above and drifted slowly downward as the dragon snapped his fierce jaws at his fleeing meal.

Unknown darted to the left to avoid a tree as the dragon’s jaws clamped shut barely missing Ariadne’s head to her right but pinching the fabric of her flowing right sleeve. Her heart leaped with panic when the powerful concussion of air from the dragon’s nostrils knocked her off balance. She screamed when the dragon forcefully jerked back and twisted, ripping the sleeve from her arm, causing her to nearly lose her grip on Noah.

Wide-eyed with terror, Ariadne glanced at her arm as they galloped between a dense cluster of trunks, thankful it was still attached and unharmed. She tightly gripped Noah’s torso again.

Duck! Noah yelled right before he ducked a low-hanging branch.

Ariadne barely got her head down in time.

With a loud snapping crash, the dragon burst through the same branches, splintering them to pieces that exploded through the air.

Noah and Ariadne could feel every pounding thump of the dragon’s footsteps close behind them. Adrenalin coursed through Noah’s veins as he desperately steered Unknown between tree trunks, barely avoiding the dragon’s powerful bites.

Noah glanced back. The constantly shifting yellow-green skin of the dragon filled his sight. It was entirely too close. He kicked Unknown to run faster.

The dragon lunged and snapped again. The crushing bite barely missed them as it sank into a eucalyptus trunk instead, snapping it like a twig

The dragon’s momentum made him slide, colliding sideways into the fractured tree.

Ariadne looked back. Watch out!

Noah glanced back to see the tall tree falling towards them, crashing through the branches above.

Turn left! Turn left! Ariadne yelled.

He did. Just as Unknown turned, the tree crashed down with a reverberating thud right beside them.

The collision with the tree allowed them to gain some distance, but the Baryonyx was quickly on their trail once again.

Noah looked back just in time to see the dragon bound into the air again. Time seemed to slow as the dragon soared through the trees, snapping every branch in its path, knocking leaves from the treetops.

Noah was not entirely sure, but in that instant when the dragon was airborne, he thought he heard the distinct sound and felt the vibration of another set of sauri footsteps. Could there be two of them?

Elohim help us.

With a mighty thud, the ground vibrated with the force of the massive dragon landing right in front of them in a small glade of tall shade grass.

Unknown came to a dead stop and reared up at the edge of the clearing.

The dragon roared, baring his vicious black teeth.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Noah heard it for sure now. It was the unmistakable thumping sound of running sauri feet.

There were two sauri. One directly in front of them, ready to strike and the daunting sound of one unseen was rapidly approaching from the forest behind.

Noah instinctively drew his sword though he knew it would be useless.

Ariadne locked her arms around Noah in a death grip as the pounding heavy footsteps behind them grew louder and the vibration stronger.

The Baryonyx snapped again as Unknown backed away in a desperate shuffle. Noah slashed the dragon’s snout, blocking the teeth from ripping them apart. But the force of the blow sent Noah and Ariadne tumbling off the horse’s back. Crashing to the ground, they rolled to a stop in the tall grass of the small clearing.

As the dragon roared in anger, Unknown galloped away, disappearing into the forest.

Noah shot up, snatched his sword from the ground, and ran over to help Ariadne to her feet.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Noah looked toward the rapidly approaching sound that came from the forest and just as the Baryonyx sprang off his back legs into the air to pounce on his prey, the trees parted. With the sound of snapping branches and an escalating hiss of malice, another dragon burst from the forest’s edge and butted its head sideways, smashing into the side of the leaping Baryonyx, sending him crashing to the ground.

I don’t believe it … Noah whispered, frozen in awe-filled stare.

Ariadne was also staring at the colossal new creature. Is … is that …

Almost twice the size of the other, this dragon stood over the Baryonyx ready to strike. The dragon’s dark green and brown plates of skin were like battle armor. Her long, thick tail thrashed about like a whip ready to strike.

A King Dragon. Noah finished Ariadne’s uncompleted question. "That must have been her nest."

He slowly started backing toward the edge of the forest, through the tall grass, Ariadne close beside him.

The snap of the King dragon’s powerful jaws echoed through the forest but the Baryonyx swiftly dodged the strike, scrambling back up to his feet.

The King let out a vicious roar which, no doubt, could be heard for miles around. Noah’s and Ariadne’s ears rang.

With the agility of a panther, the Baryonyx sprang straight up and latched onto the back of the King’s neck with every claw in its arsenal. Then he bit down hard, teeth arduously cracking through the armor skin. Blood oozed from the King’s neck, she tried to shake the Baryonyx loose. But when that did not work, she spun around and backed up forcefully, slamming the Baryonyx into a large tree trunk. The heavy blow knocked the tree over, root system exploding from the soil, and the Baryonyx lost its grip.

As soon as he hit the ground, the King used her spinning momentum to whip her tail, catching the Baryonyx under his jaw, which sent him flipping through the air.

Hiding behind a tree, Noah and Ariadne could not take their eyes off the fierce battle until the Baryonyx came plummeting their direction, giving them the incentive to tear their eyes away.

Run, was all Noah said.

They did.

The ground thundered as the Baryonyx crashed to its back, landing no more than a horse length away from their fleeing feet. The dragon rolled and thrashed about as Noah and Ariadne disappeared back into the forest.

The last thing Noah saw when he looked back through the trees was the twisted mass of the two dragons. The Baryonyx’s jaw firmly clamped the King’s throat even while the massive jaws of the ferocious King dragon were locked bloodily around the smaller dragon’s entire lower body.

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2

It is rumored that the west gates of Cain were so big that there exists no beast, sauri or other, which cannot enter.

Mounted on their travel-weary horses, Tidas and Uriah gazed up at those very gates and could now testify that the rumors were indeed true. The carved dark iron wood towered high above their heads, nearing the top of the even taller solid stone wall. Weathered dragon teeth menacingly protruded straight out from the gate in an ornamental pattern as if warning people of the evil concealed inside.

Uriah and Tidas stared in awe.

A great saurus could fit through these gates, Tidas commented.

And probably did.

As they approached the giant gate in the shade of the towering wall, four armed guards eyed them. Then a smaller door in the base of the gate, the size a horse could comfortably fit through, opened up. Another guard stepped through the door and greeted them, Welcome to Cain. What is your business here?

Tidas answered, We’re travelers just seeking refuge for a couple of days.

The guard eyed them. You seek an inn?

Yes.

I think I can point you in the right direction.

The guard stepped aside and let Uriah and Tidas pass through the gate.

After taking no more than ten steps into the city, their pace slowed from the sheer awe the grand city inspired.

Look at those towers… Tidas said in amazement as he stood in the street gazing upon a single palace with seven extravagant towers that seemed to pierce the sky. That palace has to belong to a Watcher.

Or Cain. Uriah could tell as Tidas was gazing at the palace, that he wondered if his sister was in there right now. "We will find her, Tidas, but remember to stay covert."

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Irenus stroked one side of his graying beard, standing at the front of a long caravan that started from the wooded edge of Kerr and stretched westward along the main road, until it disappeared around the bend into the cypress forest. The caravan consisted of multiple small sauri and oxen pulling large wagons full of giant stones.

You got here quicker than I expected, Irenus said to the man leading the caravan as he walked over next to one of the giant wagons. I trust you have received all the payment you require?

It’s been taken care of, the leader said with a nod.

Irenus reached up and put his hand on one of the massive stones, admiring the size and the unique veins and patches of crystalline stone that streaked through the dark gray. These are good. Irenus stroked the crystal with his fingers. Really good.

More are on the way.

Good. Start construction right away. The path for the wall has already been marked, Irenus said.

It will be done.

A little ways off, Jebudia watched the scene unfold as he tightened his horse’s cinch.

He glared at Irenus’ back, watching him stroke the massive gray stone. Jebudia knew that he should have gone back home to Cypress days ago. But with the death of his son, and the troubles that his old friend Irenus was facing, he had been compelled to stay longer.

Irenus had taken the abduction of Lydia hard … too hard. The experience troubled his spirit so terribly that in a seemingly uncontrollable emotional torrent, he had given Tidas, his firstborn son, the Hand of Rejection.

Irenus seemed confused. He vehemently talked of destroying the Offspring one day, fleeing to start over in an unknown land the next, only to ultimately decide to build a wall around Kerr.

Irenus was different than he used to be—distant, hiding. Jebudia felt that he no longer knew the man that he had grown up with.

Stretching one foot into the stirrup, he mounted his horse.

Maybe he just needed time to heal—time to grieve.

Building a wall around Kerr is not entirely a bad idea. Logically, it made sense. But to live behind a giant wall of stone, afraid of what stalks outside  … doesn’t that defy the very meaning of Freeland?

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

Jebudia had his own life to live. He had his own ideas of how to deal with the tyranny that threatens to plague the Freelands. Someday, hopefully sooner than later, Irenus will snap back to reality and recognize who his friends are again.

He nudged the horse’s flank and rode south into the forest, avoiding the main path in and out of town—avoiding Irenus.

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Are you alright? Noah asked Ariadne quietly as they paused, ducking behind a massive tree trunk.

Yeah … you?

I’m fine … Interrupting himself, Noah laughed.

Ariadne looked at him, a little shocked by his reaction. She did not know exactly what he thought was so funny, but his laugh was about to be contagious. She smiled. What’s funny?

He looked around to make sure no more dragons were near, and then laughed again. I’ve always wanted to see that.

Your life flash before your eyes? Ariadne’s smile grew, knowing what he meant. That was amazing.

They caught a look in each other’s eyes: a look that transformed laughter, a look that would silence any fear … that would melt any mistrust. But the look was only for an instant … a quick, very desirable instant.

Um … we need to find Unknown, Noah said as he tore his eyes from hers to look around the forest for a lone horse.

How will we do that? Ariadne looked around as well. He’s probably halfway to Ono by now.

Noah chuckled then put his fingers up to his mouth and whistled. He’s a smart horse. He’ll find us. And if not … well, horses are easier to track anyway.

The comment reminded them both that they were still being hunted by Ertael’s soldiers and needed to keep moving.

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After Tidas and Uriah had found a room in the inn, they stood on the balcony looking at the most spectacular city they had ever seen. Unique and absolutely exquisite architecture flooded their vision. Rimrock was but a smudge compared to this masterpiece.

The sun lowering on the western horizon cast long shadows from the grand towers that speared the sky.

Tidas and Uriah had not said very much to each other since they entered the city of Cain. Their senses were busy taking in unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells.

Let’s go find Lydia, Uriah said as he turned from the balcony railing toward the door to their elaborately decorated room.

This place makes me uncomfortable, Tidas offered.

Too many comforts make you uncomfortable? Uriah asked, facing the door. You’re used to living in the wild.

Maybe, Tidas said, his hands stroking the carved wood rail. But I think it’s more than that. He looked to his right and pointed. "That place makes me uncomfortable."

Uriah turned to see at what he was pointing. The palace with seven towers?

Tidas eyed it suspiciously. Yeah.

That is probably where your sister is.

I hope not. He turned toward the door. Let’s go interrogate … I mean; meet some people.

Uriah opened the door and motioned Tidas to go through.

We should split up.

Uriah just gave a little nod as if he already was planning on it.

We will meet back here tonight, Tidas said as they started down the stairway. If one of us isn’t here by morning … assume we are in the dungeon or dead.

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The low sun cast long, skinny shadows from the eucalyptus trees, striping the forest undergrowth.

Noah and Ariadne headed south, treading through the thick ferns, around the giant mushrooms, and trying to avoid the thorny vines. Noah knew that if they kept heading south, they would eventually get to the Central Mountain Trail; and it would take them southeast, toward the creek that would lead them to the falls.

As for Unknown, his location was unknown, but Noah was confident that he would head south, toward home, as they were.

Noah whistled again, hoping their horse would hear it.

So were the dragons the bad thing that your spirit was feeling? Ariadne asked.

I don’t think so, Noah said as he pushed a vine out of the way. The feeling is still there … only worse.

Snap.

Simultaneously, Noah and Ariadne ducked down into the ferns when they heard the stick crack. Their nerves were still on edge from their last near-death encounter.

Crack. Another stick broke under something heavy.

Noah drew his sword. There were no earth pounding vibrations from a dragon, but even a small stick snapping in the woods, could mean imminent danger.

They could hear the sound of foliage brushing up against a body getting closer.

Noah used the tip of his blade to push some ferns out of the way to see if he could spot the beast that was coming their way.

He did.

Noah looked at Ariadne and rolled his eyes.

That is when they heard the soft neigh of a horse.

Ariadne covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed at their cautious reaction to the sound of a horse in the woods.

Unknown stood in the tall ferns, and greeted Noah with a bored look and low neigh.

Don’t scare us like that, Ariadne said to Unknown as she patted his neck.

Noah chuckled at his own caution as he mounted Unknown and offered Ariadne his hand.

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I’m sorry … Tidas was it? A beautiful young woman said as she stood up from a bench. I really must be going. Will I see you at the banquet tomorrow?

Tidas sat on a large ebony bench at the edge of the gardens near the center of the city. Light from a tall torch pole lit the area around the bench. Tidas looked up at the flickering light from the windows of the palace of seven towers that stretched into the night sky not far from where he was.

Possibly, Tidas answered the beautiful woman. He did the best he could to hide the dismay that flooded his soul.

Goodnight then.

Goodnight.

Then she disappeared down a dark path leading into the gardens.

Tidas covered his face with his hands.

How could this be? What kind of cruel joke is this?

Grief mingled with anger, multiplied by infinity with the pain that came from the woman’s piercing words, paralyzed his soul.

For hours he had been trying to subtly divulge any information he could from people he met. But they all seemed to be in a hurry to go nowhere, leaving him with little or nothing to go on … until this maid of Lord Kuril’s.

At the mention of Lydia’s name, Tidas could tell immediately that she knew her. But what the woman said after that, disturbed Tidas’ spirit like nothing had before.

Married! My sister … a wife of a Watcher Lord!

There had to be a mistake. Lydia … it is a common name, is it not? Perhaps another Lydia is marrying Kuril, because his sister would never do that. Tidas’ sister feared Elohim and is the daughter of Irenus of Kerr, who would sacrifice his own life to remain free from the clutches of the empire of Cain.

A different Lydia—it has to be.

Tidas stood up from the bench. Tomorrow he would find out. He would attend the marriage celebration and prove that he did not know the bride.

He could not shake the sickening feeling that gripped the depths of his soul and spirit.

If by some atrocious phenomenon Lydia was marrying Kuril, surely the only explanation would be that she was being forced or tricked into it. And if that was the case, then Tidas would do all in his power to rescue her from the heinous monster that is the empire of Cain … even if it means losing his own life.

Tidas headed out through the garden, back toward the inn. He knew that he needed to retreat from the public eye before his outburst of melancholy drew unwanted attention.

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3

Noah … Noah …

Leave now. The purple flower was still speaking. Find me, it whispered desperately. You must leave now.

Noah, are you ok?

Noah resisted awakening from his reoccurring dream. He needed to hear what the purple flower on the island was saying.

You must find me …

Are you dreaming? Noah?

He awoke, instantly sitting up.

Ariadne’s face was right in front of Noah’s. She drew back, not expecting him to sit up so suddenly.

Are you alright? She said. I think you were having a night terror. You were mumbling in your sleep.

Oh… He closed his eyes tight and rubbed his face with his hands. No, I mean … yes … I’m alright.

Were you dreaming?

Yes, and we have to leave now, Noah answered with a hint of desperation.

What? Now? She was confused. Is that what your dream was saying?

Sort of … I’ll tell you about it on the way. Noah stood up from the grassy patch on which they were lying. Darius is in danger.

But it’s night still. It will be dangerous to travel.

I know, Noah said confidently. But if we can survive a Baryonyx attack, we can survive anything. Elohim is our protection. Plus, it will be easier traveling since we are on the road now.

I’ll saddle Unknown, Ariadne said as she picked up the saddle blanket. But tell me about the dream.

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Tidas had waited hours for Uriah’s return. In fact, he had basically given up and decided to go to sleep, in hopes that he would return later in the night. He turned from the balcony railing and stepped through the doorway into the bedroom to find Uriah. He stood in the dark, just inside the opening.

Oh … hi. Tidas was a little surprised to see him there even though he had been waiting for him. I didn’tt hear you come in.

The people of this town are all in a hurry to go nowhere, Uriah said.

Yep. Tidas lit an oil lamp that sat on a table.

When the light illuminated Tidas’ face, Uriah could plainly see that he was deeply troubled. What did you find out?

Tidas sat down on one of the two beds and told Uriah everything he had learned.

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How is your wing?

Ertael glanced around his room for a voice he knew was Drakon’s, but could not see him right away. After a moment, Ertael found him hovering outside one of the windows.

Wily demon. For fancying himself cunning and vigilant above all, Drakon sneaks up on Ertael a lot. And he did not like it. He did not give Drakon the pleasure of a response. Instead, he walked over to the large bed and placed his hand on his wife, Ammi’s head. My love…

Are you leaving? She asked, lying in the cushy silk bed.

I am. And I need you to send out the messages like we talked about.

I know what to do, my Lord.

Good. Ertael kissed her on her forehead. Send them right away.

Go finish this.

He then unfolded his powerful wings as he turned, launching out the window.

With Drakon leading the way, their wings caught an early morning draft as they soared southward. The gentle north breeze was an ally that would make the flight a bit quicker.

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The early morning mountain air chilled Noah’s arms as they briskly rode, but Ariadne’s slumbering body leaned against him, warming his back. He was amazed that she could actually sleep in that position without falling over.

Although it was the longest night of Noah’s life, the ride along Central Mountain Trail proved uneventful much to his relief. He knew that all kinds of flesh- hounding sauri and beasts roam the mountain forests at night, as they had experienced first hand earlier that evening.

Noah was also thankful for the bright moon and cloudless night that gave them the needed light to travel along the trail. Now, the moon had set and morning was approaching as Unknown quickly carried them through the forest of dismal shadows.

Noah knew that the next landmark should be coming up very soon—the hunting cabin along the trail, which was no more than four or five miles from Darius’ cave.

Elohim, keep Darius safe.

The dream Noah had during his short sleep was confusing and disturbing. He had been on that same island again with that same talking purple flower but … something was different. The whole atmosphere of the dream … the whole feeling in general was one of desperation as if Noah was trapped but had to find a way to leave the island immediately.

And the water surrounding the island … what was it doing?

He struggled to remember the details.

Red. Large ribbons of red flowed toward the island. As if they were streams of blood mingled in the waves.

Was it blood?

Darius suffers. Go now. Noah remembered the flower’s words. Then the female flower voice said, Find me…

Who’s me?

Is the flower a person that needs to be found? At one time Noah entertained the idea that it was another dream about Ariadne, but it obviously was not since Ariadne had already been found; yet the flower still says, find me.

He remembered the words of his grandfather, ‘Elohim speaks to you through your dreams … heed the,’ He said.

Well … I’m listening.

All Noah knew for sure when he awoke from the dream, was that he and Ariadne were to leave right away and ride through the rest of the night to find Darius.

Noah smelled the faint scent of smoke on the air.

The cabin must be close.

He gave Unknown a nudge in the flank. Instantly, he sped to a fast trot.

Ariadne wearily started to fall to the side. Noah quickly reached back to steady her.

Oh … thanks… She was awake but groggy. She rested the side of her head back on Noah’s back. Are we close?

He could feel her jaw moving on his back when she asked it.

A few more miles.

Ariadne yawned.

We should be coming up on a hunting cabin soon.

I smell smoke, She said in her groggy voice. Maybe they have food for us.

Maybe. Noah smiled at the different associations that the simple smell of smoke brings to individuals. To Ariadne, it was food, to Noah, it was potential danger. It meant someone was at the cabin. But were they friend or foe?

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Ellam picked up a piece of wood and placed it into the flames that lapped at the stones of the fireplace.

With his left arm still in a sling, he sat in a chair next to the fire and unwrapped the white bandages that were around his shoulder.

The wound was healing. The herbs that the mystery visitor had left were working great. The blood had clotted and scar tissue was beginning to form.

Maybe he will be able to leave today.

After rewrapping his shoulder with clean bandages, Ellam stood up to hung a small clay pot full of tea from a hook above the flames in the fireplace and with a sigh, sat back down.

He still could not believe what had happened to him. It was all like a bad dream. That cursed demon had killed his entire hunting party and now he was stuck, wounded in a cabin in the wilds trying to recuperate.

He would take the morning to relax, while trying not to think about it all. Later, he would decide whether he should leave today or wait another.

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When Unknown galloped around the bend of a steep hill, Noah and Ariadne saw the first colorful light of the morning looming through the tall trees to the east. And just to the right, in-between the road and the rippling river, was the small hunting cabin.

Smoke billowed from the chimney and a dim light flickered from cracks in the window shutters.

Unknown neighed a greeting at the four horses that lazily stood in the pin just outside the cabin.

One greeted him back.

Noah faced a decision. Should