The Buried Symbol (The Ruins of Issalia Book 1) (39 page)

Parker looked down at the dirt floor.
“
When I first joined your team, he was upset, thinking I had betrayed him. Later, he decided on his own that I had made some clever move and was in position to make sure you fail.
”
Parker paused briefly.
“
He wanted me to sabotage your catapult.
”

“
Parker, what did you do?
”

Parker
’
s head snapped up, his eyes locking with Brock
’
s.
“
Nothing. I told him I didn
’
t know anything about Engineering, which is the truth. I also told him that I was never alone with the catapult, which is also true. I told him I
’
d do my best, but couldn
’
t promise anything, which was a lie.
”

Brock stared into Parker
’
s eyes, searching for the truth.
“
How can I be sure? I want to believe you, Parker, but I need to be sure.
”

Parker nodded.
“
I grew up with Corbin. I
’
ve known him for most of my life. However, I never felt like I could call him a friend. He
’
s not a good person. If he weren
’
t being groomed to be the next Archon, I
’
d gladly be done with him forever.
”
He paused, looking pained.
“
My father, who is Archon Ringholdt
’
s chief advisor, has made clear what I must do. You see, since I
’
m also bound for the Hierarchy, I have to bow to the whims of Corbin Ringholdt and follow him around like he is a god. I need him to see me as an asset, not as a threat.
”

Brock
’
s eyes narrowed.
“
So, you can
’
t stand the pompous jerk either. You pretend to abide by his rules, hanging out in his little clique, so you can ensure your career?
”

Parker nodded.

“
Okay.
”
Brock nodded back.
“
I can buy that. But how does it prove you
’
re not out to destroy our chances in this competition?
”

“
That
’
s simple. It
’
s because I think you can win.
”
Parker smiled.
“
Your winning this competition would infuriate Corbin. I
’
d love to see you put him in his place, knocking him down a notch. As long as I
’
m not culpable or seen as working against him, it
’
s perfect.
”

Brock smiled.
“
Well, winning is what we plan to do. If you want, I can spread rumors that you weren
’
t any help at all. I
’
ll get Cam and Benny to do the same. Those rumors should get to Corbin and keep him from thinking you were part of our success.
”

Parker smiled again.
“
Thanks, Brock. That would help a ton.
”

Brock grabbed the glowlamp off the hook and flipped the latch on the stall door. The big door creaked as it swung open. They stepped outside and Brock closed the door, using the key to secure the lock. As they crossed the dark grounds behind the Academy, Brock noticed his breath steaming in the evening air.

Parker spoke again.
“
Brock, I know you
’
re doing your best to beat Corbin in those mock trials. However, he
’
s been groomed for that stuff his whole life. He knows every Empire law and how to manipulate the system when it suits his needs.
”
Parker paused before continuing.
“
What I
’
m trying to say is that you shouldn
’
t get down on yourself for losing to Corbin when it comes to Hierarchy. That
’
s his domain. I suggest you focus your efforts elsewhere. I just wish I knew why you keep getting matched against Corbin in that class. It
’
s as if Pretencia has it out for you, too.
”

He looked at Parker, raising an eyebrow.

“
Oh, he does, doesn
’
t he?
”
Parker shook his head.
“
For such a nice guy, you sure know how to get under people
’
s skin.
”

“
Thanks,
”
Brock said sarcastically. He reached out and pulled the Foundry utility door open.
“
It
’
s a talent I was born with, I guess.
”

CHAPTER 62

A knock on the door woke Brock, his eyes fluttering open. He glanced over at Cameron, who was still sleeping. A slice of morning light was streaming through the curtain onto the pillow that Cam
’
s head was beneath.

He slid out of bed, padded across the room, and opened the door a crack.

“
G
’
morning Brock.
”
Benny whispered.
“
I stopped by to see if you were awake.
”

“
I am now.
”
Brock whispered back.
“
It
’
s Seventh Day, Benny. Why are you awake so early?
”

“
I couldn
’
t sleep. I
’
m too anxious about the catapult. I also wanted to give you the book back.
”
Benny held
The Wailing War
up so Brock could read the binding.

Opening the door wider, he waved Benny inside.

“
How far did you get?
”
Brock whispered as he dressed.

“
I
’
m caught up to you. There
’
s still a lot to read though. It
’
s a big book.
”

He took the heavy book from Benny.
“
You
’
ve got that right.
”

Brock opened his desk drawer, spotting the other book he had taken from the archives. As he placed
The Wailing War
in the drawer, he grabbed the second book. He held it in his hands, examining the rune on the cover.

“
What is it?
”
Benny whispered.

Brock
’
s hand slid over the embossed rune.
“
I don
’
t know for sure. It
’
s
…
.something I took from the library.
”

Curious, Benny sat beside him, inspecting the book.
“
Open it and see what it says.
”

Brock opened the book, looking up at Benny.

Benny squinted at the inside in confusion.

“
What language is that?
”

Brock smiled.
“
I have no idea.
”

Benny was still confused.
“
If you have no idea, why take the book at all?
”

Brock closed it to look at the cover.
“
I don
’
t know. There
’
s something about it. Something about this symbol.
”

Benny leaned in, staring hard at the rune.
“
I don
’
t know that one. I have a super good memory. I know I
’
ve never seen that rune before.
”

“
I agree,
”
Brock said.
“
But, it
’
s still somehow special to me. I can
’
t explain it.
”

“
Are you two going to blabber all day, or can I get some sleep?
”
Cam peeked from under his pillow.

Benny stood.
“
Sorry Cam. We were just about to leave.
”

Brock stuffed the book in the drawer and followed Benny out the door.

Once outside, Benny squirmed in anticipation.
“
Let
’
s get some food, and then we can go finish the catapult.
”

Brock smiled. Benny was thriving on this catapult project. He realized why his friend wanted to be an engineer so badly. It was certainly his passion.

They grabbed a quick breakfast of porridge and fruit before making the trek out to the catapult. The prior evening left a layer of frost on the ground, their footsteps crunching as they crossed the yard behind the Foundry. As they neared the outbuilding, Brock noticed footprints in the frost leading to their stall. He thought of his conversation with Parker and anxiety began to twist his stomach. He pulled on the door and it opened. The stall was empty other than the catapult and a few tools.

Benny noticed that Brock hadn
’
t used the key.
“
Didn
’
t you guys lock the door last night?
”

Brock pulled the other door wide open, allowing more light into the stall.

“
Oh, I locked it alright. But locks are beatable, Benny.
”
He held the key up for Benny to see, the only key that existed for this lock.
“
This is an easy lock to pick, a single tumbler.
”

Benny stared at his precious catapult, concern in his eyes.
“
Why would somebody break in here? Do you think they want to steal my ideas? The competition is tomorrow; that doesn
’
t leave much time.
”

Parker
’
s confiding in Brock was likely intended to be a private. However, Benny needed to know. He told Benny of how Corbin wanted Parker to sabotage their catapult. He left out other details, but he got the point across.

Benny put his palm on the catapult as if to feel for a pulse.
“
I was awake when Parker came into our room last night. I put out the light, and we both went to sleep. When I woke today, he was still in bed. I don
’
t think he left the room.
”

Brock nodded. That
’
s what he wanted to hear, not wanting to believe Parker would betray them.

“
Okay. For now, let
’
s not worry about who was in here. Let
’
s figure out what they did.
”

They spent the next few hours tightening nuts and bolts. Some were completely missing, two so critical that the launch arm would have torn off when tension was applied.

It was past noon when they finally finished. However, they weren
’
t about to leave their precious catapult now that it was finished. Instead, they decided to take turns sitting with their creation to keep it safe from further tampering. Brock told Benny to go eat and then to find Cam. When Cam came to relieve Brock, he would go get food.

Benny left with Brock pacing outside the stall, lost in thought. He soon spotted a group crossing the yard as they headed toward the far end of the outbuilding. At the front of the group was Corbin Ringholdt. As he waited for Karl to unlock the stall, Corbin stared at Brock. A smile crossed Corbin
’
s face as their gazes locked. While Brock remained stoic, he felt the heat of anger bubbling within.

The door swung open, and the five boys disappeared inside. Brock stared in their direction for another minute, his emotions storming. He walked back into his own stall, resting his hand on the catapult. A spark of inspiration struck him. He picked up a chisel and began carving the wood frame. He dug and scraped at the wood, shaping it to meet the image in his mind.

He stared at the symbol he had carved, running his fingers over the grooves. It was a perfect replica of the symbol from the book cover. He still didn
’
t know what it was, but it spoke to him. It was something special. He could feel it.