The Divine Path (The Divine Series) (23 page)

             
“There appears to be some kind language carved in the structure,” Rakna said as she peered closely at the arch.   The darkness seemed to come alive as though it were mist.  It was pure blackness that swirled just inches from Rakna’s face.  The spider queen leapt back just as a wisp of blackness drifted out only to evaporate and drift away when the queen retreated.

             
Rakna glanced at Kade and Darcienna.  They were both watching her with concern.  Darcienna had her hand on her chest after inhaling sharply.  Kade looked to be as tense as a rock.  He gasped loudly.  He did not even want to think what would have happened if the queen had been in that spot just a moment longer.  Kade and Darcienna looked at each other and then at the arch.

             
“It’s obvious we need to learn more before we go through there,” Kade said.

             
Darcienna’s head whipped around to stare at Kade.  He showed no signs of noticing her reaction, but she was certain he knew she was going to protest.  After a moment longer, she glanced at the queen and then back to the drawing on the wall.  She cleaned off more of the image and then stood back.  She turned to study Kade, waiting to see if the uncovered image made sense.

             
“This has got to be as old as the ancients,” Kade said, peering closely at the faded drawing.

             
“Then you can read it?” Darcienna asked.

             
“I did not say I could…,” Kade was saying when he paused, his eyes opening wide.  “Give me a moment,” he said excitedly as he licked his finger and then ran it over the drawing.  “It says death.”

             
“Death?” Darcienna asked, echoing Kade’s confusion.

             
“Perhaps this is the gateway to the land of the dead that Valdry spoke of,” Rakna said evenly.  Kade and Darcienna turned to see that she had approached the arch, again.

             
Kade moved to stand next to the queen.  He held up his hand to the darkness and peered as closely as he dared.  The image of the black wisp coming out at the queen was emblazoned in his mind.  He was careful not to get too close, but he could swear, the longer he stared into the blackness, the more he thought he could see something taking shape.  He was straining his eyes when he flinched hard.  The faint image of a face faded in and out, and at the same time, the pressure exploded in his head.  The world spun and Kade felt himself falling forward.  He fought with every bit of his will to keep the presence from invading his mind.  It was overwhelming.  He lost all sense of what was up and down.  Something enveloped him and pulled.  He hit the ground hard, but he was too far gone to feel the pain.  Kade felt a pair of small hands grip his head tightly.  The presence faded.  His vision cleared enough for him to see a pair of concerned, green eyes peering down at him.

             
“Chosen, you had us scared with that one,” Rakna said, fear and concern thick in her voice.

             
“Kade,” Darcienna said as she did her best to control her emotions.  “We almost lost you.  I don’t know what got ahold of you, but something in the darkness latched onto you, and it took everything I had to free you from it,” she said as she breathed a sigh of relief.  “It drained me instantly.  And, if not for the queen, you surely would have been lost,” she said as she spared a glance for Rakna.

             
“Thank you,” Kade said as he struggled to recover.  “I think it would be best if we all stayed away from that,” he said as he nodded his head in the direction of the arch.

             
“Wise words if ever I did hear,” Rakna added.

             
Kade was looking at Darcienna when something on the wall behind her drew his attention.  He stopped for a moment, understanding making him alert.  He struggled to his feet and worked his way to the wall.  He ran his hand over the image as another piece of the puzzle fell into place.

             
“Zayle, what have you been preparing me for?” Kade asked out loud.

             
“What is it?” Darcienna asked, eager to learn what he had discovered.

             
“Perhaps you recognize this?” Rakna asked.

             
“Yes.  The word written in the ancient language next to the image is just one word. Drift,” Kade said in awe as he recalled Zayle’s rage when he failed to perform this simple calling just a little over a month ago.  Now it made sense.  Zayle needed him to be able to drift, and the reason it was so important was unfolding right before his eyes.

             
“I don’t understand,” Darcienna said.

             
“It is a calling that allows your awareness to leave your body,” Kade said as he ran his hand over the image.  “I believe it may be a way into the world of the dead,” he said as he looked from the queen to Darcienna.  “Or, a way to talk to the dead, but either way, the Drift Calling is meant to be used here.”

             
“Then, that means this was meant for one versed in the use of the Divine,” Rakna said.

             
“I believe so,” Kade replied as he studied the drawings again.

             
“So, you are meant to go through?” Darcienna asked, desperately afraid of the answer she was sure he was going to give.  If ever she wanted to hear a no, it was now.

             
“I think so,” Kade said.  Darcienna felt as if she wanted to cry.  “But, it wouldn’t be a good idea right now.  I don’t know what is in there.  If I did…,” Kade started to say when the pressure began to build in his head again.   He fought it as he had the previous times but something about it felt too familiar.  This was not the same as the last.  He was readying himself to fight it, but then at the last second, he allowed it in.  Kade could not stop the gasp that escaped from him as the feel of Zayle embraced him.  He could smell the scent of old, leather books and hear his teacher’s voice in his head.  The way his master would look at him filled his very being, and he knew who it was that was trying to reach out to him.  It was then that he recognized the face that had floated before him in the darkness.  His heart ached furiously.  Kade’s reaction was so strong that Rayden roared in concern.  It was overwhelming, but now was not the time to allow himself to fall apart.  There was something his grandfather was trying to tell him, and he knew he needed to hear it.

             
“Morg is only a pawn,” the voice said and then paused as if it were trying to gain strength to continue.  “He uses the Staff of the Ancients.”

             
“Master,” Kade cried out.  “What must I do?”

             
“Doren.”  It was as if the voice used its last remaining strength,             

“Kade, are you okay
?” Darcienna asked as she helped him to a sitting position.

             
“Did you hear it?” Kade asked.

             
“Hear what?” Darcienna asked.

             
“A…voice,” Kade said as if coming out of a trance.  “It said the name Doren.”  He paused as he considered what he had just heard.  He searched his memory for anytime Zayle may have mentioned the name Doren and recalled the thief that had been turned to stone.  The thief had been sent by Doren to steal Zayle’s book.  “Darcienna, it was Zayle,” Kade said as the presence disappeared completely from his mind.  “It’s gone,” he said with a heavy heart.  The queen and Darcienna glanced at each other and then back to him.  “We need to leave right away,” he said regretfully, noticing that Darcienna was watching him closely.  He firmed his resolve, forcing back any tears that threatened to come.  He slowly stood and shook his head as if to clear the remaining fog that still hung in his mind.

             
“Any idea who Doren is?” Darcienna asked, pretending not to see the hurt in his eyes.

             
“Valdry used to refer to another Chosen by that name,” Rakna said.  Kade and Darcienna both turned to stare at her, stunned that she had an answer for the question.  “Valdry said that if anything happened to him, we were to get to Doren at all cost and inform him of what has come to pass.”

             
“Did you send word?” Kade asked.  “And, do you know where this Doren is?”

             
“Unfortunately, I must answer no to both questions.  As you saw, we had issues of our own that we needed to deal with.”

             
“Of course,” Kade said.  “I think I may be able to find him,” he responded as he thought on the small black book back at his parents place.

             
“Then you have no time to waste.  When we return, I will inform the king of what has transpired,” Rakna said.

             
“Thank you,” Kade said as he started up the tunnel.  They emerged from the cave, but the dragon was nowhere to be found.

             
Rayden, come.  We need you.  We must leave quickly
, Kade sent.  He heard a roar far off in the distance.  He watched as the dragon charged over a hilltop and raced directly at them, tearing at the ground so furiously that it left a dust trail.  It was not long before Rayden skidded to a stop, spraying them with dirt.  Rakna wiped the soil from her flowing, white fur while still appearing every bit the regal queen she was.  Kade mentally chastised the dragon, certain there was a bit of playfulness in its actions.

             
The group quickly mounted, and the dragon raced back to the spider’s home.  They came to a stop in front of the tree, and the king met them out front.  They dismounted, and Rakna quickly approached the king while buzzing excitedly.

             
“Kade, my heart goes out to you,” Crayken said as he came to stand in front of him.

             
“My king, there is more,” Rakna said as she hissed her words for Kade to hear.  “Kade has received some insight as to the purpose of the cave.  They have to go see Doren,” Rakna explained.

             
“Doren?” Crayken asked in surprise.  “The same Doren that Valdry informed us to seek out?”

             
“The same,” the white spider said.

             
“Then, by all means, we shall not stand in your way, but first, is there anything we can get for you to help with your journey?” Crayken asked.

             
“No,” Kade said as he prepared to depart.  “I will just need my books, and I will be on my way.

             
“May I ask one small boon?” Rakna asked as she rose up as much as possible to look him in the eyes.

             
“You may ask anything of me,” Kade responded.

             
“May we join you in your fight when the time comes?” Crayken asked, finishing his queen’s thoughts.

             
“I would be honored to have a fighting force such as yours at my side.  Thank you for your willingness to help me with my battle,” Kade said as he placed a hand on each of the royal couple’s shoulder.  The king and queen both looked at the hand on their shoulder, then to each other and finally to Kade.

             
“This has meaning to your kind?” the king asked.

             
“It is something we do with those that matter to us,” Kade said as he smiled.

             
“Then it is appropriate,” Rakna responded.  “I hope you will always honor us with this gesture.”

             
“And I, also, hope you will honor me as you have done.  I know I could not have found a more worthy ally for my cause,” Kade said as he felt the press of time.  “I have one more request.  It is very important, but unfortunately, it will also be dangerous.  Please do not feel you must do this.”

             
“Ask,” Crayken said.

             
“The caves are extremely important.  If you are willing, I would ask you to keep them safe, but it may be very dangerous.  The queen can explain why, but for now, I am unable to guard them.  My path leads elsewhere,” Kade said.

             
“We shall keep them safe until your return,” the king said.  The queen nodded, also.

             
“Give me a moment,” Kade said as he ducked into the opening.  He was back out quickly, strapping the books to the dragon.  He looked longingly at the tree and regretted missing the celebration.  Darcienna put her hand on his arm, and he could see she mirrored his thoughts.  With a sigh, he turned toward the king and queen and gave them both his most regal bow. The spiders started their buzz-chant.  Kade looked up to see the trees filled with the clutch.  He looked at the queen and then back up at the spiders.

             
“They are disheartened that you are not staying for your own celebration,” Crayken said evenly.

             
Darcienna gave Kade a look, and he took a deep breath then let it out slowly.  He looked up at the spiders and then came to a decision.  He was not sure he was making the right decision, but it was the one he was going to make.