The Map Maker's Choice

By Matthew J. Krengel

Duluth, Minnesota, is finally at peace and things are getting better on both sides of the Divide. However, dark forces are lurking. When Tasker the dwarf is kidnapped, Jane, Jacob, and the others realize something horrible is about to happen. Soon it becomes obvious that they need help and with Coronia, a lonely mermaid, they set off on a quest to find the machine that generates the Divide. They go in search of the legendary Lady of Woods Lake, a mysterious woman who holds great knowledge. From the Lost Forty, to the waters of Lake of the Woods, and to the depths of the Soudan Mine, their journey takes them across the lands of northern Minnesota. Little do they know that when they reach their journey’s end, a terrible sacrifice will be demanded of them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud
• Release date: Mar 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781682010419

Matthew J. Krengel

Matthew J. Krengel grew up in rural central Minnesota. He attended college in Pensacola, Florida, and returned to the St. Cloud area after graduation. With a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and minors in history and English, he is an avid reader of science fiction, history, and fantasy books. He was published with North Star Press in 2012, with The Map Maker. In 2013, the sequel, The Map Maker’s Sisterwas released, and in 2014, The Map Maker’s Quest finished his first trilogy. This stand-alone sequel for The Map Maker trilogy brings a close to the series.

Book preview

The Map Maker’s Choice

Matthew J. Krengel

North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Copyright © 2016 Matthew J. Krengel

Cover art © Tim Bowden

All rights reserved.

Print ISBN: 978-1-68201-025-9

eBook ISBN: 978-1-68201-041-9

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is ­entirely coincidental.

First edition: March 2016

Published by

North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc.

P.O. Box 451

St. Cloud, MN 56302

www.northstarpress.com

Contents

Prologue

1: The Hardest Question

2: Kidnapped

3: Planning an Attack

4: Back to Isle Royale

5: Power Overload

6: The Divide Falters

7: Trouble in the Underpaths

8: Ancient Cities

9: Underground Cathedrals

10: Duluth Abandoned

11: Black Robes Everywhere

12: The Outpost

13: Underwater Passage

14: Alchemy for a Mermaid

15: Lost Forty

16: The Black Wolf

17: Lake of the Woods

18: The Lady of Woods Lake

19: The Soudan Mine

20: Fall of a Guardian

21: Bella’s Courage

22: The Sacrifice

23: Dark Storm

Thousands of years ago, the myths and legends of our world walked side by side with the human race, and there was peace for a time. Minotaurs strolled the streets of ancient cities in Greece carrying large burdens and laughing in their great booming voices. Centaurs roamed the hills of Italy hunting deer, herding sheep, and branding cattle. In Britannia, humans visited the hidden cities of Tir Nnan Og and Tir inna Beo, basking in the splendor of those emerald lands. In the massive Himalayas, mortals walked for miles to hear the wisdom of the Lamas who lived high atop the snowcapped mountains.

As the centuries passed, humanity began to multiply faster than the other races, and evil rulers arose on both sides. Conflicts broke out between the races. As a last resort, a group of six men and six women came together and built a wondrous machine. The cost was enormous, for it was made of precious metals and six of the grandest gemstones ever found. It was built to draw on powerful forces contained in the earth, and its purpose was to separate our world into two worlds. One remained steeped in myth and legend. It became a world of minotaurs, fairies, dragons, elves, dwarves, and a thousand races too numerous to count. On the other side, the majority of the human race arrived and lived with no knowledge of the other side. In their minds, the creatures they sometimes remembered were merely stories to be passed down to children as fables. A wall was put in place to keep the worlds apart. This great curtain of darkness kept the worlds from mixing.

However, the Divide didn’t deter all. Always a few were able to cross between worlds. Map makers were able to create maps and place anchors to control the movement of those few with anchors. Runners wearing special rings were able to draw on their energy to cross over when needed, until exhaustion made them drop. The last and rarest of the gifted able to breach the Divide were the engineers, who could create permanent structures on the ground. They were able to draw on the raw materials in the world around them to build and create. They wielded great power and commanded the fates of entire nations. However, an engineer had not been born in a thousand years. That is, not until Jackie Timbrill.

Prologue

Averill marched down the dim hallway of the guild house, ignoring the slight twinges of pain that still slipped through his shoulder. The accursed elf had nearly done him in at their last meeting, and his rage against her consumed him. It had taken months for his shoulder to heal and even more time for him to regain some of the fluid motions that had marked his fighting for years. The door to the great meeting hall was standing slightly ajar when he arrived, and he pushed through without waiting for the Keeper of the Door to motion him on. The assassin guarding the door frowned at the breach in protocol but decided to let the matter pass. He had an idea of the task Averill was going to be given, and he actually envied the man. A grand scheme was about to be unleashed on the world and he wanted desperately to be one of the players in the game.

Averill walked to the center of the room. He looked around at the circle of elders and waited for them to speak. White beards and silver locks graced each head in that place, for here was gathered the wisdom of hundreds of years. Those same minds held secrets that could topple kingdoms and make empires come crashing down, if there was a profit to be had in that. Oddly, in a world becoming more and more divided against itself, the assassin’s council was headed by two humans, three elves, one dwarf, and a goblin. The assassins were a picture of cooperation and unity that the rest of the world still strived to find on both sides of the Divide.

Your orders are waiting for you.

Averill looked down at the parchment envelope at his feet and a thin smile broke from his lips. He had his sources in the circle of elders, and he knew what was waiting for him—maybe not all the details, but enough that he knew he was going to be allowed his revenge.

He reached down and picked up the envelope. The stretching motion caused the ache in his shoulder to blossom into a stab of pain, but he ignored it and kept his face blank. He didn’t need the elders thinking he was too weak to accomplish what needed to be done. Then he noticed another person in the room, hidden well in the shadows behind the elders. Averill marked the black robe of an Adherent. His eyes were sharp enough to spot the gold-trimmed collar and the line of gold that ran down the front of his robe. This was not just any Adherent master, but the head master of the entire Temple. The Adherent master wielded power in almost every nation in the world.

So it is true? Averill asked suddenly. There was a gasp from the elders—no one was allowed to question a guest of the guild. Averill knew he was supposed to act like the shadowy figure was not present, but he was beyond caring.

Rumors were that, after the fall of Cain in the new world and the sacking of Manitoulin, his great city, the Temple had gone to the Seeli Council. The Temple demanded their support in dealing with the rebels. When this was refused, they demanded all races and governments under Seeli control arrest Tasker immediately. Again they were refused. Too many secrets had come to light about the Temple and they knew their power was beginning to wane. Instead, they turned to the Guild. Where bluster and anger had failed, gold would succeed. Gold and treasure was something the Temple had plenty of, and they used it to their advantage.

You have your orders!

Averill smiled at the look the Adherent gave him and knew it was true. The look of irritation was all he needed. He turned on his heel and exited the room, his orders in his hand. He passed the Keeper and again ignored the man. He had a mission, and he had finally been given leave to extract his revenge.

He had plans to devise and preparations to make, and he realized the pain in his shoulder had vanished the moment he picked up the orders. The driving passion of his life banished it forever, he hoped.

1: The Hardest Question

Three Months Earlier

May

Jackie and Carvin stood staring through the window into the bridal shop, Jackie looking wistfully at floor-length white gowns. She pushed her dark hair back from her face and pulled her light jacket a little closer to her body. They were standing on Superior Street in downtown Duluth. The gown before them was covered with white pearls and trimmed with things that sparkled and shined in the afternoon sun. The weatherman had said it might drizzle later, but Jackie hoped he was wrong. She knew Carvin had plans. The weather in Duluth was fickle and many times made liars out of the forecasters.

Nice, aren’t they? Carvin asked blandly. He reached up and pushed his hand through his blond hair. He marveled at the stores and the amount of goods and supplies available on this side of the Divide. His mother told him at one time his side had been prosperous and the people lived happily, before Cain and his version of the Temple of Adherence had taken over. Carvin assumed places existed in his world that had not fallen to the Temple’s control, but he had never been away from Lake Superior. He wanted to travel and see the places of this side, but that was dangerous with the fanatics of the Temple and their spies watching for the rebels.

Why, yes, I think they are, Jackie replied. She wrapped her arms around Carvin’s arm and rested her head against his shoulder. She didn’t want to seem too interested and make Carvin think she was wise to his little game.

What are you guys doing?

They both knew the voice. Carvin looked up guiltily as Jane rounded the corner and smiled at them. He didn’t know why, but for some reason, each time Jane teased him, his face burned with embarrassment. Teasing and fun were things he was still learning about, things that had been absent from his youth. His father had been an abusive, angry man until the day he died.

Just looking at the dresses, Jackie explained. She looked up at Carvin, but his eyes were looking elsewhere, so she turned away and looked at the bags Jane held. What do you have?

A few things Tasker asked for, Jane explained. Couple of medicines he thought would be of use on the other side. She shook the bags and they clattered as plastic bottles bounced off each other.

When are you going back? Jackie asked. She hugged Jane warmly and then wrapped her arms back around Carvin’s arm.

I’m not, Jane replied. I’m sending it over with Jacob so I don’t use up the charge on my anchor.

Well, we’re going back this afternoon, Jackie said. We’re helping replant the forest across from the city. Some of the tree spirits are coming back to help the saplings take a firm root. Carvin had told her that with the help of the tree spirits, the acorns and seedlings would grow to saplings in a day. In a week, they would be twenty feet tall.

Sounds fun, Jane commented. Well, I’m going to go meet Jacob over at Fitger’s for a late lunch. She looked down at her watch and chuckled. Or an early supper. Do you guys want to come with us? Her stomach was growling already, and she realized she had missed her lunch.

No! Carvin said desperately, but then he stammered to a halt. I . . . we . . . I mean, we have plans to go up to the lighthouse on our side. I have a picnic planned and I . . . we want to watch the sunset. Two wide smiles looked at him, and he finally smiled back. You’re teasing me, aren’t you? This was one thing he still could not get used to on this side; people seemed so carefree and willing to have fun. They all laughed and stood talking for several more minutes before parting ways.

When they were done talking, Jane hugged her sister one last time and then headed back down to the bus station. She knew what Carvin was planning, and she also knew what her response would be.

* * * * *

Carvin walked up the stone steps slowly, a picnic basket in one hand and Jackie’s hand tightly in the other. The sun was still high enough in the sky for him to see the ground, but it was on its way down, and he wanted to get to the perfect place. They had crossed back over after Jane got on the bus and spent the rest of the day on his side of the Divide. Half a dozen teams planted trees on the hills opposite the city, and Puck had managed to convince four tree spirits to help with the task. Already, many of the small trees were several feet tall. The tree spirits stood only a few feet tall themselves, their skin ranging from deep green to light brown in color. They had big eyes and smelled of bark and fresh grass that had a thick layer of dew in the morning.

Over here, Carvin said to Jackie. The lighthouse on this side was built of thick stone and tended by a gnome who had lived there for almost two hundred years. Carvin had spoken to him earlier and bribed him to make sure no one would interrupt them. The short gnome waved to him and headed to the main house to hang a closed sign across the path that led through the forest to the lighthouse. Then he motioned to a few hidden figures who had parts to play in the night’s festivities.

This will work. Jackie pointed to a smooth spot on the ground. It was stone, but with the blanket on Carvin’s shoulders, she figured it would be comfortable enough.

Perfect, Carvin replied. He tried to lay the blanket out on the ground, but his hands were shaking so badly it kept getting full of wrinkles. Nervously he tried again, but a slight breeze grabbed the edge and flipped it over.

Let me help, Jackie said gently. She brushed his hand and noticed the shaking but ignored it. She knew what was coming, but had decided to make him work for it. At least work for it a little, she thought.

They finally got the blanket just right, and Carvin started laying out the items he’d brought, including a spiced chicken purchased from a vendor in Duluth well known for being the best cook in the Free North.

Free North, Carvin muttered. He shook his head, trying to decide why that had popped into his head. It was a good name, but it would surely draw attention. Who knew what powers would try to remove that thorn?

What’s that? Jackie asked. She sat down on the blanket and took a piece of chicken from the plate. It was cooked perfectly, and the meat just about melted in her mouth. She curled her legs up under her and daintily shifted into a more comfortable position. Carvin had set out a couple of wooden platters, and she pulled one over to set the chicken on. Carvin had also purchased a fresh loaf of bread and a small bag of fruit, and he had a bottle of fresh apple juice in the basket along with a pair of glasses. Jackie poured one glass full of juice and took a sip. The juice was still sweet and cool from being stored in the merchant’s cellar, and she relished the taste.

Nothing, Carvin replied. Just thinking about all that’s happened in the last few months. He sat down and used his fingers to pull a piece of meat from the chicken. He chewed it a moment, then plucked a grape from a small wicker basket. With a smile, he popped it into Jackie’s mouth for her. They sat eating quietly for a while, and Carvin held Jackie’s hand while the sun dipped lower in the west. As the glowing ball of fire touched the horizon, he spotted four fairies fluttering at the edge of the forest. Now was the time.

Slowly he stood and nodded to the fairies. Then he reached down to Jackie. She smiled up to him and stood. The waters of Lake Superior splashed against the rocks below them, adding a bit of sound to the evening. For the first time, she thought the world was at peace, or so it seemed from there.

Jackie, Carvin started. As he spoke, the fairy magic gathered around the lighthouse. A circle of twinkling lights took hold around them. Within moments, a spinning and twirling band around them reflected the light off Jackie’s face and reminded him just how beautiful she was. The fairy light was the perfect touch, and he could see her barriers falling.

Yes, Carvin, Jackie said. She knew what Carvin was working up to and had been planning on making this difficult. However, the sheer amount of effort he had gone through to set all this up made her heart melt. She knew she loved him, and this was a decision she was ready to make. Jackie had no doubts in her mind.

I know we’ve only known each other about six months, but I feel you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Carvin said softly. He slowly slipped to one knee and took her hand in both of his. Will you consent to be my wife? I promise you I’ll love you until the sun no longer shines and the moon and stars go out.

Jackie broke down at this point, and tears streamed from her eyes as she nodded. In a broken voice, she said something that sounded like a yes. The fairies laughed and giggled, and the magic they were spinning rolled out and around the couple until it finally floated up and away from them and out across the lake.

Later that evening they returned to Duluth, and that was when the party really started. The changes that had taken place across the city over the previous four months bordered on amazing. With the freeing of the slaves from Madeline Island, word had spread across the surrounding lands, and friends and families of those freed flooded into the area. The influx of people in effect doubled the population of the city in a few short weeks. Under Tasker’s direction, most of the factory buildings were shut down except those that could be run in a reasonable fashion. Trees were planted across the city and the water supplies running through the hills were cleaned. Once again, the streams coming out of the ground were pure and channeled into pools across the hillside, providing clean water for anyone.

Tasker! Jackie cried out. They had been looking for the short dwarf for almost a half hour and finally found him supervising the loading of a small cargo vessel making the run to the fortress at Madeline Island. She ran over to him and wrapped him in a big hug.

Well now, Jackie, Tasker stammered. What is this about? His face turned red and a dozen smiles lit the faces of those around him. When he thought the hug had gone on long enough, he untangled himself and held her at arm’s length. The girl had a smile on her face that could give the sun a run for its money.

Jackie laughed and waved her hand at him, allowing the light of a nearby torch to touch the ring on her hand. At that point, all pretenses of work stopped and soon the entire city was out in the street. The Temple building still dominated the center of the town, and it had been built with a massive square of paved street in front of it. A great ring of torches was arranged about the Temple courtyard, a half-dozen tables set up along the edges. Food and drink covered the wooden tables until they groaned under the weight, and people walked around talking, laughing, and eating.

Jane, Jacob, and Mrs. Timbrill arrived as the party was starting, and everyone greeted them like old friends. The trio found Jackie and Carvin near the Temple. After everyone had hugged, they joined the dancing and singing.

Many of the former rebels stopped by to congratulate the happy couple, and the party lasted until nearly four in the morning. One of the elves grabbed a batch of brightly colored fruits and started juggling them high into the air while a minotaur of impressive stature amazed the crowd by lifting two or three people at a time high above his head. The entire area took on a carnival feel, and children laughed while their parents and