Jack Staples and the City of Shadows (11 page)

Chapter 14

THE GUARDIANS' RIDDLE

 

Jack stood at the edge of the jungle, hidden behind a gigantic tree. “What do you mean, you're leaving?”

“I cannot enter the Forbidden Garden, Jack. That is your quest. There are other things I must attend to now.” Elion turned and looked toward the south. “I will go to the City of Shadows. I fear our friends may need my help if they are to survive.”

“So you're just going to leave me here? I'm the Child of Prophecy. You're supposed to take care of me, to keep me safe!”

“Have I not done so?” Elion's voice was more warm than chiding. “No Sephari can enter the Forbidden Garden. To do so would be death.”

Just beyond the trees a small expanse of sand spilled into the ocean. A short distance beyond was an island barely large enough to house a tiny log cabin. A thin plume of smoke rose from the cabin.

“And I am afraid it is worse than you think. You should know that almost all who have tried to enter the Forbidden Garden have died gruesome deaths,” Elion said. “The Author has placed two guardians to keep watch over the garden. Only those who are deemed worthy shall pass. The guardians will present you with a test; it may be a riddle or a task of some sort. Should you pass, you will be allowed to swim to the cabin. Should you fail, they will kill you.”

Jack's jaw dropped in disbelief. The world started spinning as he waited for Elion to say more, but nothing came. “I don't understand,” he said finally. “You brought me here so the guardians could kill me? What kind of test? And why do I have to meet with Time?”

“I do not believe you will die. The Author has great plans for you so I have to believe you will pass the test. And you must meet with Time because there are things you must see that only she can show you. I do not know what comes next. But I believe you are ready for this test. I believe in you, Jack Staples.” Elion looked toward the south again. “But I must leave now. Do you have any last questions for me?”

Jack could think of a thousand questions, but he shook his head. Elion's eyes blazed with a silvery light. “You will do well.” She cupped his chin. “You were born for this. To be right here, right now, is your destiny. But you must not delay; step out from behind this tree as soon as I leave.” Elion stepped away and bowed her head. “Until we meet again.” Without another word she turned and walked into the jungle.

Jack stood in stunned silence, watching the spot where he'd lost sight of Elion. When he turned to look back at the tiny cabin, he was surprised to see it was getting late. The sun hung low on the horizon, painting the world the color of blood.

He wanted to run back and scream for Elion. But he knew she was gone. So he studied the ocean. Everything looked completely normal.
Maybe she's wrong. Maybe I can swim to the cabin and just walk in.

Deciding it would be far worse to make the swim in the dark, Jack took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and stepped out of the jungle. Nothing happened. He took a cautious step forward, then another as he walked to the water's edge and stepped in. Hope rose in his chest as he continued forward
. Maybe the guardians aren't here, after all!

But the ocean began to bubble and churn as something enormous rose from its depths. The ground rolled and knocked Jack to his knees. He screamed and tried to stand. The sand was also churning as something colossal ascended from the ground. Water and sand showered down. Jack gasped for breath as murky saltwater spilled down his throat, threatening to drown him. Then the boiling stopped as suddenly as it had started.

Jack wiped sand from his eyes. He was paralyzed by fear. He stood sandwiched between two gigantic … somethings. The guardians were identical except for the colors of their scaled skin. They stood taller than the jungle trees and had the look of both lizard and eagle.

“Who dares disturb our rest?” the water guardian bellowed. Its scales were silvery green and its voice so thunderous Jack almost covered his ears. The guardian shook its birdlike head, and more water cascaded down.

From his knees, Jack yelled, “My name is …” He coughed, spitting mud. “My name is Jack Staples and I am here to meet with Time!”

“Jack Staples?” the guardian behind him boomed. Its scales were red and gold, and as it spoke, its long, sinuous neck glided down so it could get a better look.

Jack was petrified. The guardian's eye was as big as he was. “What kind of creature is a Jack Staples?” the guardian rumbled. One of its two sets of eyelids flicked closed and then opened again, its gigantic pupil focused on Jack.

“I'm not a creature. I am a human!” Jack tried his best to sound brave.

“A human, you say?” the guardian boomed. “You are small for a human.”

The other guardian, with silvery scales, lowered its head, eyeing Jack closer. “He is a puny thing!” it bellowed. “Aren't most humans bigger than you?”

“I'm just a boy,” Jack said defensively, standing as tall as he could.

The golden guardian made a noise as loud as thunder. Jack covered his ears as the silvery guardian joined in. It was so loud that the earth began to tremble.

They're laughing at me!
“I may be a child,” he screamed, “but I am the Child of Prophecy and I demand you let me in to meet with Time!”

The guardians stopped laughing and lowered their heads to examine Jack once again. “The Child of Prophecy, you say?” the silvery guardian boomed. “We shall see. Maybe you are and maybe you are not. Thousands have tried to enter the Forbidden Garden, but few have ever done so. Do you think you will pass our test, Jack Staples?”

Jack swallowed hard. “What happened to the rest of them?”

The silvery guardian growled. “We get hungry, waiting here so long.”

“In the olden days a warrior came every month. But we have not eaten in over a hundred years. We are famished, Jack Staples.”

“And though you are small,” the silvery guardian said, “we will savor your taste.”

Jack turned warily as both guardians leaned forward in anticipation.

“We have a riddle for you,” the golden guardian thundered.

“Answer correctly and you may enter the Forbidden Garden. Answer incorrectly and we will dine on you before the sun sets,” the silvery guardian roared.

“No!” Jack screamed. “That's not enough time! The sun will be down in just a few minutes!”

“These have always been the rules. Surely you were told not to delay?” the golden guardian bellowed.

“Yes, I was told to come right away, but I wasn't ready. I wanted to think about it first!”

“The rules do not change because you are not ready. You must answer by sundown or die,” the silvery guardian said.

Jack wanted to scream as he turned to look at the sinking sun. The bottom of the golden sphere was already touching the horizon.

“Answer this riddle,” the golden guardian said, “and you may pass without delay.”

The silvery guardian continued. “What is used every day but totally invisible? With it you can see the impossible, but without it, you would be utterly alone. It grows bigger with time but can be destroyed in a moment.”

Jack's heart sank. Arthur was brilliant with riddles. Back in Ballylesson Arthur used to ask Jack a new riddle every day. He had a whole book of them. But Jack had never once gotten the answer right.

The silvery guardian looked at the sun. “You have four minutes before the sun sets, Jack Staples.”

“No! You have to give me more time. That's not nearly enough. I don't even know where to begin!” But the guardians merely looked at him with hungry eyes.

Jack sank to his knees. “If it's not visible, then it can't be something physical.” His mind raced. “With it I can see the impossible, and without it I would be alone.” Jack had no idea what this meant.

“Three minutes left.” The golden guardian smacked its gums hungrily.

Jack trembled. “If it helps me see the impossible, then it must be a good thing. But if I don't have it, I am alone. So whatever it is, it helps me get friends or something …” Jack searched the guardians' eyes for any sign that he was right, but they merely stared at him, unblinking.

I'm utterly alone right now!
His thoughts were becoming frenzied.
Where are my friends now? How could Elion just leave me here?

Jack quickly skipped to the next part of the riddle. “It grows bigger with time,” he said aloud. “This must mean it's like a muscle. The more I use it, the bigger and stronger it becomes.” He was pacing now, his mind turning somersaults.

“Two minutes before the sun sets,” the silvery guardian rumbled.

Jack pushed them out of his mind.
Did Elion plan this all along? Did she want me to die?

No.
Jack took a breath, trying not to think about the fading light. “It can be destroyed in a moment …” He repeated the last part of the riddle, but he couldn't think straight. He thought despairingly of his mother. “If Mother were here, she would help me, but she left!” he screamed. “Now I am alone!”

Hot tears ran down his cheeks, and as the last rays of the sun sank low on the horizon, the guardians rose higher, staring down at Jack as if he were an ant about to be stepped on.

“One minute until darkness comes,” the golden guardian rumbled. “One minute until the feasting begins!”

“Mother left me and now all I have is Elion!” Jack cried. “I thought she cared. I thought—”

In that moment, Jack remembered something. On the morning his mother died, just before he discovered her body, he'd fainted and gone back in time. He found his mother in the kitchen, and she immediately rushed him outside so he wouldn't be seen. It had been snowing and the wind blew wildly.

Jack had tried to warn her that she was going to die, but she wouldn't listen. She'd knelt beside him and told him she loved him. She hugged him fiercely and kissed him on the cheek. And then she had told him to find Elion. “You can trust her above all,” she'd whispered.

In the fading light the guardians became beasts of pure terror. Row upon row of fangs lined their eagle-like beaks, each fang two times bigger than Jack. And as the last rays of light faded, the guardians growled in anticipation.

“Trust!” Jack screamed at the top of his lungs. “The answer is trust!” Turning quickly so he could keep both guardians in view, Jack screamed for the third time. “Trust is used every day, in every relationship. But it is not visible!” Jack talked as fast as an avalanche. The last rays of the sun had disappeared and he desperately hoped he wasn't too late.

“If we trust with all our hearts, it gives us the confidence to try the impossible! And if we don't allow ourselves to trust, we will be alone. The more we trust someone, the more the trust grows. But no matter how big it gets, if someone betrays you, trust is destroyed!” Jack struggled to breathe as he waited to hear if he'd gotten the answer right.

Both guardians began sinking downward, as sand and water churned once again. Jack fell to his knees, unable to keep his body from shaking.

As the silvery guardian sank lower, it looked at Jack. “I am glad we did not have to eat you,” it boomed. “We have awaited your arrival since time before time. Be strong, Jack Staples. Be strong and have courage. The end is near; the choice will be made; the Last Battle comes,” it thundered as it disappeared beneath the waves.

Chapter 15

THE GANG OF ROGUES

 

“Where have you been, my lady?” Belial offered a waxy smile. “I have been worried about you.”

“I was walking in the city and I lost track of time,” Alexia said. “I am sorry, Belial. It won't happen again.”

Alexia was still breathless from her climb. She'd climbed into a higher window and raced to the throne room. Her mind spun as she thought about the tapestry in her father's chamber.
Why would Father hold a sword to Mother's neck? And who was the man on the ground?

Belial waved a hand. “I am not angry, my Alexia. I merely wanted to be sure you were all right. I look forward to our times together.”

Alexia sat down on a padded chair opposite Belial. They were sitting on the balcony of the throne room, gazing at the city. She schooled her face and tried to steady her breathing.

“What is it?” Belial patted the sweat on his brow. “I can see you have something on your mind. What troubles you?”

Alexia thought a moment and was surprised to find she was actually starting to like Belial. He had only been kind to her since she'd arrived in the city. Even the sickly smell emanating from him didn't seem quite so bad today.

“I did explore the city, and it is wonderful; truly it is.” Alexia took a deep breath. “But when I was out, I saw something I didn't understand.”

“What is it, my lady? What did you see?”

“It looked like an arena, and—” Alexia halted at the cold look in Belial's eyes.

“The coliseum is off limits.” He dabbed at the bead of sweat dangling from his chin. “You were not meant to see it yet.”

“I didn't know it was off limits or I never would have gone,” Alexia lied. “But I did go, and when I was there, I saw something …” She hesitated.

“It is all right; I am not angry with you. I just didn't want you to see the coliseum for a few more days yet. I had planned to take you there myself. It was meant to be a surprise.” Belial smiled. “Tell me what you saw and I will see if I can explain it to you.”

A surprise for me?
Alexia kept waiting for Belial to act like the Assassin she'd heard so much about. She expected horns to grow out of his head and fire to explode from his eyes, but he was always kind, and she rarely saw fire in his eyes anymore.

Alexia swallowed hard before continuing. “I saw a boy dressed in rags running from a Shadule and four Oriax. His name is Josiah and he was my friend when I lived in Belfast.” For a moment Belial's eyes did become caverns of fire, but they shifted back to an icy blue so quickly Alexia wondered if she'd imagined it.

“The Shadule took him prisoner and took him back into the coliseum,” Alexia said hastily. “I don't know what they want with him, but I know he's not bad. He does steal sometimes, but that's only because he doesn't have anything and his parents are gone. But he is good, I promise you!”

Belial stood, grimacing as he turned away from Alexia, and spoke in a careful tone. “And what would you have me do with this boy?”

“The thing is, you said I could ask anything I wanted and you would give it to me,” Alexia said. “I want you to release him! I ask that you set Josiah free and let him come stay with me.” Her voice quavered.

Belial turned, and Alexia was shocked to see tears in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and took her hands. It was the first time she didn't feel the need to shiver when he touched her. It was the first time she didn't notice his frigid, sweaty fingers or the putrid smell.

“My darling Alexia, my sweet, sweet lady, you could ask me anything, up to half my kingdom, and it would be yours—riches beyond your imagination, fame and power that would make kings quake in fear. Ask any of these things and I will gladly give them to you! But I cannot do this.”

Alexia opened her mouth, ready to protest, but before she could speak, Belial continued. “My darling, it is not that I don't want to do this thing. It is that I cannot. Your friend Josiah now calls himself one of the Awakened. If he truly wants to be free, all he needs do is embrace me as king and you as the High Princess of Thaltorose. If he would bend his knee and bow before us, I would release him immediately. But the boy refuses!”

Belial stood, and this time he didn't try to hide the cavernous fire in his eyes. “Do you remember when I told you why they named me Assassin?”

Alexia nodded fearfully.

“I killed a poet because he tried to overthrow my kingdom. These creatures who call themselves Awakened have the same goal. All I have built here, all I am, they wish to destroy. My dear lady, how can I be expected to free someone who would destroy me if he had the chance? How could you ask me to do such a thing?”

Alexia shook her head, wiping tears from her eyes. Nothing made sense anymore. “I know he wouldn't try to hurt you if you let him go,” she said. “I'm sure of it!”

“Your father follows me,” Belial said. “Is that not enough? It was the Awakened who killed your mother; it was the Awakened who stole your father from you for all those years. I am the one who returned him to you. My dear lady, I will give you more power than you could possibly imagine. Together, we will rule this world! How could you ask me to free those who would stand in the way of what you want?”

“It's not that, Belial. I promise, I didn't mean that,” Alexia said. “But let me talk to Josiah! I know I could change his mind if you give me the chance.”

Belial sighed gratefully. “Of course you may see him! My darling, you are the High Princess of Thaltorose. You can do anything your heart desires! And if you can convince this boy to kneel before us and reject our enemies, I will embrace him with open arms. But if you cannot change his mind, then you must allow me to do with him as I wish. You must trust me wholly in this. Will you give me your word?”

“Of course!” Alexia threw her arms around Belial and hugged him fiercely. He tensed and patted her back stiffly as if she were a dog. “Enough of this for now,” he said awkwardly. “I will have a servant take you to him. But first I must show you something. It will only take a few minutes.” This time the smile did reach his eyes.

Six years earlier

Alexia allowed herself a small smile. She'd picked the roof at Fibber McGees because it gave her the best view of Belfast's market district. It was midday and the market was full to bursting.

The market didn't have a roof, only a wooden framework of beams dividing the merchant stalls. Thick vines and crawling plants wound up wooden posts and sprawled across the beams, offering shade to the shoppers below.

You could buy absolutely anything in the market, from horses to honey, from pastry to pots and pans. The market covered two acres and was never empty.

Perfect
, Alexia thought as she hopped from the roof onto the beams that crisscrossed the market. Her crimson cloak spread out behind her as she ran, making her feel like she was flying. Alexia moved quickly, easily keeping her balance. At the very center of the market, the wooden framework fell away. A thick post stood impressively tall, and the sprawling vines rose upward, forming a canopy, like a large tent.

Alexia carefully stepped from her beam and tested the vines. They felt solid enough, so she put her full weight on them and climbed upward. As she reached the top of the canopy, she pushed the vines aside and wriggled her body through so she was hanging upside down.

Hundreds of men, women, and children shopped just a few spans below without ever noticing the girl hanging above them. She giggled, then scanned the crowd and spotted Josiah near one of the bakers' stalls. He was perfectly positioned.

A short distance away, Juno stood close to an older woman who was buying a pendant at one of the jewelers' shops. Juno wore a fancy dress she'd stolen the day before so she wouldn't look like an urchin. She'd even combed her hair and taken a bath for the occasion. The shopkeeper would probably think her the daughter of one of his customers.

Benaiah was a master at concealing himself. It took Alexia a minute before she spotted him hunched in the shadows of the butcher's shop. Summer was stationed near the fruit stall, and Adeline lurked next to the blanket seller. All of Alexia's Gang of Rogues stood ready, awaiting her signal.

Alexia smiled. Even if Korah and his Gang of Terror were trying to capture her, she hadn't been this happy in years. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a friend.

It's time!
She dropped her arms to let them dangle. “Help!” Alexia shrieked. “Please help me!” she cried.

Men and women looked up and began pointing and shouting. Alexia unhooked one of her legs and dropped a bit more, catching the vines above with her ankle and twisting her foot so she wouldn't fall. “Please help me!” she screamed.

Men ran beneath, cradling arms as if to catch her. Women shrieked, “Someone help that poor girl!” As she hung upside down, Alexia turned slowly, scanning the market. Every member of her gang was working. Juno was stuffing necklaces into her satchel, and Josiah was already retreating with a bag filled to bursting with bread. Benaiah was leading three goats through the crowd, and Summer's and Addie's arms were filled to overflowing. All of the shopkeepers were focused on the girl hanging above them.

Alexia yanked a vine free and straightened her leg. She dropped like a stone, savoring every gasp from the crowd below. As the vine went taut and swung her into the pole, the crowd gasped again. Alexia quickly shimmied back to the top and began to laugh. The gasps turned to confused cries as the watchers realized something was amiss.

“It's the girl from the posters!” a woman shouted.

“It's the one they're offering the reward for!” a young man yelled.

“Get her!” another man screamed.

Just that quickly, the crowd of concerned bystanders transformed into an angry mob. Alexia wriggled through the vines and ran down the canopy.

“I've been robbed!” the jeweler shouted.

“Me too!” screamed the baker.

Alexia was so frantic that she placed a foot wrong and fell through the vines, catching herself at the waist. Her legs dangled within reach of her pursuers, but she quickly pulled herself up and leaped for the wooden beams.

She sprinted toward the rooftop of Fibber McGees. But the people below had seen where she was headed, and a few of the men were climbing the wooden structure to try to block her.

Alexia ran even faster, leaping over the head of a man who appeared beneath. She landed on the roof of the large pub and darted up its steep peak, not slowing for a second. And as she raced back to her hideout to meet her friends, Alexia's heart tried to beat out of her chest.
That was too close!

When Alexia arrived, the others were already there. Her jaw dropped as she reviewed their impressive pile of loot. The heist was a success! Juno had fifteen pendants, four bracelets, and a number of earrings. Josiah upended a bag of bread, while Benaiah grinned as he showed Alexia the three goats and two chickens he'd managed to steal. Adeline unfurled six thick blankets as Summer offered Alexia an apple from her basket of fruit.

Alexia laughed as the children whooped and hollered, dancing about like wild banshees.