The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) (45 page)

“Would you like to go in?” Garig asked, seeing the impressed look on his son’s face.

Kade marveled at the intricate woodwork as he studied the front of the cabin.  This was no simple cabin but much more like a small mansion that could house two families.  Massive amber-colored logs spanned the front of the house, breaking for the windows and door.  The windows were of the finest glass but also thick enough to withstand the elements.  The door was made from exotic woods.  It was intricately carved by a master woodworker.  Kade admired the craftsmanship as his eyes traced the patterns in the wood.  It swung heavily on ornate hinges with a solid brass handle as Judeen opened it and stood, waiting for Garig to follow.

Before Kade could enter, Judeen put up a hand to his chest and pointed toward a shallow hot spring just inside the edge of the woods.  Kade looked at her, not understanding.  She scrutinized him up and down and then smiled.  Kade had completely forgotten that he was coated with mud.  It was dry, but nonetheless, he could understand why his mother did not want him in the house just yet.  He and Darcienna took their turns washing up.  After changing into fresh, clean clothes provided by his mother, they both returned to find Judeen waiting on the porch.

“This place is amazing,” Kade said as he smiled.  A part of him recalled the meager cabin he had lived in with Zayle and he quickly dismissed the thought.

“Let’s go in,” Judeen said, prompting them to follow.

Kade started to head for the door when he heard a roar off in the distance.  He swung around and could have sworn it sounded just like a dragon.  He quickly looked at Rayden but the dragon did not appear to be concerned.  Its head was raised high as it tilted it from side to side as if to get a better fix on what it was hearing.  The roar came again and Rayden perked up considerably.  Garig and Judeen both looked at their son with concern.  Kade watched the dragon, and seeing nothing that indicated danger, reassured his parents it was safe.

The roar came again and Rayden swung his head around to stare at Kade only to turn and stare off into the distance again.  Rayden was obviously excited about something.  The roar came again and with that, Kade understood.  There was another of his kind out there.

“Go, have fun,” Kade said.  It took no more than that for the dragon race off.  With a mental reminder not to fly, Kade turned back to the home.

He walked in the front door and looked at the marble that was used to make the floor.  He walked from room to room with Darcienna close behind, impressed with how beautifully crafted everything was.  As soon as he walked into the bedroom, he felt himself drawn to the large bed with the thick, fluffy blankets.  It looked inviting and made him feel like he wanted to sleep for a week.  He shook it off, deciding it was best to stay awake and chat with his parents before considering any rest.

“Go ahead,” Garig said, noticing the longing look in Kade’s eyes.  “That is where you are sleeping tonight,” he said with a smile.

“I will wait until later tonight or I won’t get up for days,” Kade said as he looked at the bed longingly.  “Where is Darcienna going to sleep?”

“Her room is down the hall to the right.  She will have a bed just like this,” Garig said as he ran his hand over the plush blanket.  “Follow me,” he said as he led them out into the hall.

Kade continued through the cabin until he had seen everything.  Garig led him out back to a river that ran just behind the property.  Kade found himself wishing he could forget the world and live here with his parents.  He desperately wanted to forget the name Morg ever existed.

Garig led Kade down to the river where they sat on a makeshift dock.  Kade enjoyed the peace and quiet.  He knew that his life was not going to afford many chances like this.  For the first time in days, Kade felt his mind actually start to relax.  It was as though everything had been blazing along and now things slowed to a crawl.  The silence was deafening.  He closed his eyes and soaked up every bit of the nothingness.

Kade felt his father looking at him, waiting for him to talk.  He had a lot to talk about, as it had been ten long years since being taken away from his family.  He started the story from when he met the dragon and explained everything up to the present.  It took several hours to tell it all.  Garig hung on every word, not asking even one question.  As Kade told of the events, he felt the anger and hurt well up in him all over again.  Frustration filled him.

“Father, is there anything that you can tell me that will help me fight Morg?” Kade asked with deadly seriousness.

“I can’t think of…wait.  Wait a minute,” Garig said, perking up.  “He mentioned something about a doorway to the land of the dead.  He needs to find it for some reason.  I think you are involved with the doorway, somehow,” he said as he gave his son a questioning look.

“He didn’t say where it was, did he?” Kade asked, listening intently.

“No.  I don’t think he knows where it is,” Garig replied as he studied Kade’s expression.

“That may be to our advantage,” Kade said thoughtfully.

The two men sat in silence for several long moments, each one in his own mind.  Garig was trying his best to recall anything else from the last few days that might be helpful, and Kade was trying to recall ever hearing Zayle talk about a doorway of any kind.  Neither was able to find any memory that was useful.

“You know you can stay here if you want,” Garig said as he looked out over the river.  He did not need to see his son, or even hear his response, to know what it would be.

“I can’t,” Kade said, not looking at his father.  “Right now, I may be the only Chosen alive.  I have heard stories of others, but that is the best I have…for now.  I have to try and stop Morg.  Anyway, I don’t believe Morg will stop searching for anyone who can use the Divine Power, or any special abilities, so that means I’ll never be safe until I stop him,” Kade said as he shrugged lightly.

              “I knew you would say that,” Garig said with a sigh.

             
“I would like to come back and stay with you when this is all over,” Kade said, leaving out “If I survive.”

             
“You are welcome to stay with us as long as you want, whenever you want,” Garig said as he put his hand on Kade’s shoulder.

             
“Thanks, Father.”  Kade paused before continuing.

             
Kade glanced at the cabin and wondered what she might be talking about with his mother.  Or, more to the point, what embarrassing things his mother may be saying about him.  Regardless, he wanted to see her.

             
“Let’s go back and see what the girls are doing,” Garig said, seeing the look on his son’s face.  There was a knowing look in the older man’s eye.

             
Kade looked at his father, and for just an instant, was sure the man could read his mind.  He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and Garig laughed.  Kade reddened slightly and grinned, despite himself.  After a moment of feeling sheepish, he let out a sigh.

             
“Is it that obvious?” Kade asked, exasperated.

             
“Very,” Garig said with a laugh.

             
“Does Mother know?”

             
“She knew before I did.  It’s your mother.  What did you expect?” Garig asked as he let out another sincere laugh.  He was definitely enjoying seeing his son squirm.

             
Without another word, they got to their feet and returned to the cabin.  They met up with the girls in Darcienna’s bedroom as they prepared a place for Marcole to sleep.  Darcienna stopped for a moment and gave him a smile.  Kade felt his heart light up and then glanced at his father, who was grinning widely at him.

             
“Father,” Kade hissed and walked out of the room.  The only response he heard was a good hearted laugh as he walked down the hall.  He could not help but to smile to himself.

             
“Kade,” Judeen called as he was walking away.  He stopped, hearing something in her voice that slowly melted the smile from his face.  He slowly turned to see his mother reach into a pocket and pull out an envelope that had been folded in two.  Garig exited the room and froze when his eyes saw what his wife was holding.  The happiness that had been there just moments before was nowhere to be seen.

             
“Mother?” Kade asked, recognizing his grandfather’s writing.

             
“He said you were to have this,” she said as she extended the envelope to him.  Her hand was shaking as she tried to keep her emotions from showing.  Kade stared at the envelope without moving.  He closed his eyes as he fought to keep the pain from returning.  “He said it was important for you to have this.”

             
Kade felt a tear slide down his cheek and opened his eyes to see his mother sharing his pain.  His feet felt heavy as he forced them to move forward.  Darcienna watched, wishing she could be at his side.  Kade looked his mother in the eyes and she swallowed hard while urging him to take the letter.  He took a deep breath to help calm his nerves and reached for the envelope.  Garig turned to stone.  He was tempted to lunge for the letter and tear it to pieces.

             
Kade gently held the letter and slowly tore the end open.  His heart started to pound as it did anytime he dealt with anything his grandfather was involved with.  Before sliding the sheet of neatly folded paper out, he performed the Reveal Calling.  There was nothing but a sheet of paper.  He focused on keeping his hand steady as he slid the note clear of the envelope.  No one said a word as they waited.

             
Steeling his will, he unfolded the note.  It read:

             
If everything has gone as expected, you should know what hunts our kind.  The calling on this page will allow you to communicate that knowledge to any Chosen still alive.  Learn it quickly.

             
Kade closed his eyes and images of his grandfather danced through his mind’s eye.  He wished with all his heart that he could have known Zayle as other than a Master Chosen.  He opened his eyes and studied the steps for the calling.  His eyes drifted to the bottom of the page where he continued to read.

             
Tell my daughter that I wish I could have been a better father.  Tell her family means everything to me and it is for this reason I have lived as I have.  Tell her I love her.

I love you, Grandson.  You must still be careful of the path you walk in life.  Your future is far from decided.  You must be very careful with the decisions you make.

Zayle

Darcienna slowly approached Kade and put a gentle hand on his arm.  She glanced at the note and then gave Kade a gentle squeeze for support.  He held the note out for his mother, who took it as reluctantly as he had.  She could not help the tears that came.  Kade could not miss his father’s anger.  She handed the note back and Kade turned without saying a word, walking alone back to the dock to memorize the calling.

Several hours later, the sun was starting to set.  It was time.  Kade called on the Divine and activated the calling.  His eyes lost focus.  He felt several minds connect with his.

It is Morg who hunts all Chosen,
Kade thought.  Shock assailed him through the link.

So you know.  It changes nothing,
came Morg’s scathing thoughts.

You have done well, Apprentice,
came another voice in his head. 
We will deal with it from here.

Kade stopped the flow of the Divine Power and the calling ended.  The presences’ in his mind faded.  He should have been relieved that this mystery was now unraveled, but for reasons he could not explain, he was not.

              For the rest of the day, Kade, Darcienna and his parents sat around talking about anything other than Morg.  It was obvious that the evil Chosen was always in the backs of their minds, but it was understood that no one was to even speak his name.  It was the best they could do to pretend he did not exist, and they were grateful for that much. 

Unfortunately, the night was not to be without tears.  Judeen asked about her father and Kade would tell all he knew.  She broke down and cried many times.  She continued to ask questions, laughing occasionally, agreeing that she could easily see her father doing what Kade accused him of doing.  After several hours, Judeen seemed to recover a fair amount from her grief, but Kade knew it was only temporary.

              After dinner, they moved outside to a deck built on the back of the house and chatted about the little things in life.  Garig was more than content to sit quietly, allowing Judeen and Darcienna to talk excitedly amongst themselves.  Kade was fine with just listening as he watched the sun set.  The lower the bright, glowing orb sank, the more he could feel the exhaustion crashing down on him.  After nodding off several times, Judeen tapped him on the arm and pointed down the hall to his room.  Kade eagerly excused himself, walked to his bedroom and fell onto the bed, enjoying the way it fluffed out under him.  He wanted to lie there, soaking up the relaxation for just a moment before undressing and climbing under the blanket.  At least, that was the plan before he was fast asleep.