Kilenya Series Books One, Two, and Three (19 page)

We are nearing the next element: fire. The land around us is burned, and I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that says danger is ahead. Hopefully the Fat Lady’s instructions will prove useful, and Lasia will be held at bay.

Jacob, Akeno, and Aloren finally made it to the original trail Akeno and Jacob had been following for so long.

“Aloren?” Akeno asked.

“Hmmm?”

“Can you explain what happened in the basement of the castle? Why we couldn’t touch the water?”

Jacob perked up, glad Akeno had asked his question. He wasn’t about to start a conversation with Aloren.

“Of course,” she said. “The castle is built over Sonda Lake, one of the most dangerous parts of Redland. The water is really deep, but no one knows for sure how far down it goes because of the Eetu fish. They live only where the water is darkest—they can’t stand the sun, and so only come to the surface after it’s gone down. Eetu fish are really dangerous. Their fins can act like feet, giving them the ability to move quickly regardless of whether they’re on land or in water. They get to be huge—sometimes up to ten feet long. They have three rows of razor-sharp teeth and can make a full-grown man disappear in a matter of seconds.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows. These fish sounded like piranhas on steroids.

Aloren looked at Akeno. “This isn’t the only reason why they’re so dangerous, though. If a drop of the water from their territory hits you, they will hunt you down until they’ve eaten or destroyed you. They’re able to sense where that water went, regardless of whether it has evaporated or not. They know when someone has come in contact with it—even just one drop.

“Your only defense when you get wet is to hope you’re able to outrun them. They only last above water for an hour or so, but most people make the mistake of thinking they’ll die or retreat after that. This isn’t true. An Eetu fish can replenish itself with any water source big enough to cover its gills. Once it’s replenished, it continues the hunt. On average, it takes the Eetu fish around twenty-four hours to lose the scent of that bit of water.”

Jacob glanced at Aloren—this topic was seriously fascinating to him, and he wanted to ask questions. That would require talking to her, though, and he wasn’t sure he was ready yet. He shook his head at himself for being so petty, then swallowed his pride. “What about the water the Eetu uses to replenish itself while on the chase?” he asked. “Does it become the fishes’ territory?”

“No. Eetus have to live in the water for at least a full day to claim it as their own. Also, Sonda Lake is the only place where it’s deep enough or dark enough for them. They don’t survive very long in shallow water.”

“So if I go down to the lake and touch the water right now, we’d be in big trouble?”

“Again, no. The only water the Eetus claim as their own is what’s immediately around them.” Aloren pushed her hair out of her face. “There’s a crack somewhere in that room, letting them inside, and hundreds of Eetus live there.”

“Yeah, I saw,” Jacob said. “When the wolves went in, it looked like the whole thing was moving. But how do they live so closely? Wouldn’t they constantly be killing one another for invading their water?”

“Actually, no. Eetu fish live in relative peace with their own species.”

“Is it possible to kill one?” Akeno asked.

“Yes, but it’s difficult. No average man or woman has been able to defeat them, mostly because Eetus are fast and intelligent. The only safe bet is to outrun them, if that’ll even work.”

“I bet a gun would take care of an Eetu fish in short order,” Jacob said, laughing. “Hey, what happens if someone takes some of the water without touching it? Like if they dipped a container into the water and then sealed it? Would they be able to use it as a weapon? You know, throw it on someone and have the fish chase that person down?”

“It’s possible, I guess, but has never happened.”

“Why not?”

“Because no one has been down that far into the lake without getting killed in the process,” Aloren said. “And no one knows about the water in the tunnel, except for myself and the Dusts who live there, and Dusts aren’t intelligent enough to use it to their advantage.”

“How do you know the castle so well?” Jacob asked.

“I live there.”

“With the Dusts?”

Aloren glanced at Jacob. “Yeah. It’s really not that hard to stand up to them. You just have to be smarter and present them with new obstacles. If the challenge is out of the norm, it’ll take them months to figure it out. I just have to change my barriers—what I use to keep them out of my tower—every six months or so, and I’m completely fine.”

The group fell into silence. Jacob couldn’t help but wonder if it was possible for him to get some of the Eetu water as a way to protect his companions and himself against the Lorkon.

Akeno broke the silence by asking Jacob questions about his family. He was curious about how they interacted with each other, and it was easy for Jacob to forget Aloren’s presence while talking about home.

After several minutes of discussion, Jacob realized that Aloren was paying close attention to what he was saying. He looked at her, surprised that for once she didn’t have a smile on her face. He felt uncomfortable when he noticed there were tears in her eyes. She glanced at him, then away, but not before Jacob saw the tears spill over.

Jacob fidgeted with his hands, wracking his brain, trying to figure out what his mom would do if she were here. Probably make Aloren a cup of hot chocolate. That wasn’t possible . . . but there was food in his knapsack. He swung it off his shoulder and pulled out some apples. He tossed one to Akeno, kept one for himself, and gave another to Aloren. She accepted and took a big bite, not meeting his eyes.

Jacob shrugged, deciding not to worry about it. He pulled the journal out of his bag, looking around at the countryside, surprised to see how far they had walked since leaving the city. The sun was very hot still, although it was late in the afternoon. Clouds were building in the sky to the south.

“It looks like a storm’s coming,” Akeno said.

“Storm?” Aloren looked up with a dismayed expression on her face.

“Yeah, see it?”

“Yes,” she said. “Storms aren’t good here.”

“Why not?” Jacob asked.

“They’re dangerous.” Aloren sped up, walking several paces in front of the boys instead of alongside them.

“It’ll be a nice break from the heat, though,” Jacob called to her, wiping a drop of sweat off his forehead. He waited, but she didn’t answer. He looked around again. “Where are the Minyas?” It’d been a few minutes since he’d last felt them in his hair.

“I don’t know,” Akeno said. “I didn’t see them leave.”

“We’re going to need to find a way to keep them nearby. I’m tired of them flying off.”

“Maybe they could sit in your knapsack for a while.”

Jacob cupped his hand around his mouth. “September! Early! Where are you?”

With a flash of light, the Minyas were next to him.

“We’re here!” Early said.

“Yeah. We weren’t very far,” September added.

“All right, you two—you’ve wandered off way too many times. We want you to ride in my bag for a while.” He held his knapsack open. “In you go.”

Early giggled and patted Jacob on the hand. “We’ll be good now.” She turned to September. “Another ride in his bag! Fun!” They disappeared into the knapsack.

Jacob sighed. “We’ll see how long that lasts.” He left the bag open a couple of inches and carefully swung it back over his shoulders. Then he opened the book, deciding to make use of the light while he could.

My name is Dmitri. I am twenty-three years old, and I live in the kingdom of Troosinal. Following the counsel of my mother, I have started this journal. She said there may come a time when our people will need to understand my history and that of our land.

My father, the king, is named Ramantus. He is evil and always has been, following in the footsteps of the many kings and queens who have gone before him. His subjects fear and hate him. I will not speak of his acts of evil against them—however, let it be known the people hate him for good reason.

Jacob stopped for a minute when he had to turn a page. He watched the words flow, then stop—the book must have realized he wasn’t internalizing the information. He laughed, trying to see if he could figure out a way to trick the book into giving more than he was actually reading. It didn’t work. He started to read again.

Ramantus showed uncharacteristic wisdom in his choice of a wife.

My mother was his exact opposite. Gentle, kind-hearted, loving—she did more for me than anyone else ever has. She died a couple of years ago—a death which could easily have been prevented if my father had cared to do so.

Though it pains me to say, I followed closely in my father’s steps for several years, and he has chosen me as heir to the throne. I’m not even his eldest son. I wonder if he will still want me to take over when he finds out how different I am now.

At my mother’s request, I will write of the things that caused the change in me—the first being a marriage she arranged for me—a marriage which still hasn’t taken place, and the terms of which were decided long before I realized what was going on, long before I started changing my life. The neighboring king and queen, Roylance and Ara Liese, agreed to allow me to marry their daughter, Arien, but only if I stopped the cruel and evil things I’d been doing. My mother, with her never-ending faith in me, agreed to the terms and took it upon herself to ensure I understood the gravity of my ways.

The second event was a conversation between my mother and me, which I’m sad to say wasn’t very successful on either part. She did her best, in her ever-gentle manner, to show me where my father was wrong and where I was becoming like him. I didn’t listen, and responded with anger. This conversation, however, started things rolling in my heart and mind. I began recognizing how my father’s choices—and more importantly, my response to those choices—were influencing me.

The last event was a culmination of many things. My father had become upset over something trivial, and he was angrier than I’d seen him in months. He entered the hall where the rest of the family played games together, yelling and cursing and throwing things. My dear sister, not paying attention to his mood, teased him. He turned on her, shoving her against the wall, and her head struck the stones. He was drunk and barely recognized he’d hurt her. My sister began to convulse, my brothers rushed to her aid, and my parents started yelling at each other. Ramantus threatened to physically punish my mother, then threw her in the dungeons.

With close medical care, my sister survived—but Ezra feared permanent damage had been done, and he was right. Over the last few years, I’ve watched her become reticent and even unresponsive. Mother was already very ill and became much worse in the cold, damp air of the dungeon. We tried to release her, but my father kept the only key and didn’t listen to our pleas to let her go. She only lasted a week.

Jacob stopped reading when Akeno and Aloren halted, letting the words of the book sink in. He’d never come across such corruption in his life, except through the media and studies of history. What would it be like to have a dad who acted that way, attacking the people he was supposed to love the most? It was hard to fathom—especially when Jacob’s parents treated each other with such respect.

Aloren and Akeno were now setting up camp, carrying on an animated conversation. He had no desire to join them, deciding instead to take advantage of the last bit of sunlight.

I was with her when she died. By then I’d experienced a complete change of heart—I no longer desired to do evil. I regretted the years of destruction I’d caused in others’ lives—regrets I still carry.

My mother told me it was vital that no one know of the transitions I’d been experiencing—especially my father. Not even the servants. She said there would come a time when the people of Troosinal would be so badly abused by my father, so poorly treated by the noblemen that they would turn to wickedness for help and comfort. They would stop listening to anyone who brought messages of peace and hope. I’d need to leave the kingdom when this occurred—she said I would know when that time arrived.

Akeno touched Jacob’s arm, making him jerk in surprise. “You should take a break now.”

“Good idea.” Jacob put the book in his bag, then settled against a large boulder. He noticed that Akeno was acting preoccupied. Jacob looked around the campsite—Aloren wasn’t around—then back to Akeno. “You’ve got something on your mind. What is it?”

“I’ve been thinking about the lady in the infected forest. She was really pretty.”

Jacob laughed. “Got a crush on her?”

Akeno blushed. “No, definitely not. But I did just remember something my parents mentioned a long time ago. They said the Lorkon are almost always male, that it’s very rare to come across a female. And that there are huge differences between the two genders.”

He dumped a bunch of wood on the ground before sitting and starting to make a fire. “As you already know, the males are disfigured and hideous. But what we never really talk about—because they’re so rare—are the females. They’re beautiful. They have talents and abilities that come with that beauty. They are captivating.”