The Silver Sphere (32 page)

"Anything?" asked Zach.

"Not a soul. The trail?"

Throg sheathed his blade. "Luck is on our side. We cut a
pretty nice path right to the cave."

"Well, you fellas done a great job," said Brodeur.

They examined each other. Soot and shrubs covered them, and sweat
dripped down their temples. A twig poked from Zach's hair and he tugged it out,
then took a long draft from his canteen. The cold water slaked his thirst.

Brodeur strode forward and inspected their handiwork. "Good,
good. Let's throw some fluffy shrubs and the sort on the scene."

Throg squinted down the path. "They may be sending sentries
ahead of the wagon soon. We need to finish before they arrive."

"Well, let's get to the final tasks," said Brodeur,
and turned down the makeshift trail.

After Blunderbuss and his men finished burying their valuables,
he disappeared to the other side of the camp. The Kin remained where they were,
ready and waiting, until he returned as quickly as a spider scurrying down a web,
carrying a bundle of dark clothing.

"This here is the Nightlander garb I was telling you about.
We got enough for thirty of us. We painted a thin brown line on the right shoulder
of every one of them. This'll look like dirt to them, but should things go awry,
these lines will be a sign to the rest of us. I got a basic and simple plan. You
Kin are the best suited for the main part of the job, and this could be a pivotal
point in history. Blast it if I'm going to screw things up so bards sing songs belittling
me for eternity, understand?" Blunderbuss's lanky arms extended, and he dropped
the garb down before them.

"We wouldn't expect anything less," said Shelby as
she stared into his eyes.

He stood rooted for a moment as she gazed at him.

"Go on," she said.

Blunderbuss shook his head, as if to empty water from his ears.
"Okay now, should the whole thing blow up, my crew won't be able to stick around
too
long. We're probably outnumbered a hundred to one. If that happens, you
are better off with us out here trying to figure out how to spring you. We are as
good as gone if Malefic takes over, so you can trust us on that." He sifted
through the clothes.

"What is your plan?" Max asked.

"Easy. This tunnel I was telling you about is roughly forty
yards long and in the middle of the path. We dug a chamber underneath it last year
to ambush a snobby carriage or two, and we scooped out some hiding spots on the
walls inside. Even got a trapdoor at the entrance. We were waiting for a real score,
since we could probably only use it once before word spread. This here is our best
shot. What we need is a distraction that will slow the stagecoach long enough to
take it over."

He swigged his canteen. "Now a member of my group, Briscane,
is knowledgeable regarding Manticores. He seems to think he can lure the one we
been hearing over to the path at the proper time, and then irritate the beast enough
where it will cause a big to-do. I'm checking on him now, seeing if I think it's
an honest shot. I know a lot of things have to go right here, but if we pull it
off, we will be running the coach in disguise and can figure a good time to make
a move." Blunderbuss cracked his knuckles, looking at them for a response.

"Which part are we involved in?" Max asked.

"I'm thinking you Kin go in the chamber underneath. My boys
will be in the hidden slots on the sides. The Manticore's distraction comes, and
they'll ambush the soldiers behind, freeing you up to hijack the stagecoach. Anything
happens, things are probably best you be with them, with your links and whatnot."

They peered back at him as he rubbed his nose with a handkerchief.
"All right, then. Pick out your size, and I'm going to check on how Briscane
figures he can lure in the Manticore to our favor." He trudged off.

The Kin began probing the pile of Nightlander uniforms. Shelby
found one close to her size. The suit looked like it would fit easily over her garb.

Emily paced over to Shelby and Riley, carrying a bundle of the
dark clothing. "Let's go change in the tent. The fellow standing in front said
no one was using that one, and he would keep a lookout for us." She motioned
to one of Blunderbuss's men, a husky man with a toothy grin.

"Actually, gals, we'll stand watch," said Max as he
walked toward them.

"No reason to have one of these goons leering instead of
us protecting you," said Stuart.

"Great. We'll do the same for you," Shelby said as
she sorted a stack from the pile.

"Ah, we will be done by the time you get out," blurted
Stuart with a grin.

The girls entered the tent, leaving the boys to change into the
Nightlander uniforms directly in front. Shelby assisted Emily with the back of her
shirt, fastening a stubborn button while Emily looked at the ground.

"I know how important this all is," Emily said softly.
"But when I think of the odds, I have this paralyzing sense of helplessness.
I'm scared I may die in this place and never see my family again." She wiped
a tear from under her eye.

Riley pulled a boot on. "We all get that feeling, Emily."

"I don't," said Shelby.

"What do you mean?" Riley gazed up from her boot.

"We're needed here. This is why we were born, to defend
Azimuth. Did you read the parchments on Wintress's wall? We were
born
on
Azimuth, and moved to Earth to protect our identities. I would rather be doing everything
I can to fight this evil, save lives from death and slavery, than sitting at home,
watching television with my drunk father." She snapped a button through and
strode to the entrance.

Riley and Emily stood motionless, gaping at her.

"We are responsible. Now is our time to grow up and understand
we could be all that's left to defend
our
people, the children of Azimuth.
We need to put our selfish fears aside and forget the past. We must learn our lives
are worth fighting for. So much is at stake." She nodded once and turned out
the opening.

The maturity in her voice surprised even Shelby. She was still
adjusting to her growth since passing through the mobile portal with Mr. Dempsey.
She thought of him and winced, wishing he were with them.

"Hey," Max said as he and Stuart joined her. "Everything
okay?"

"Sure." She adjusted one of the gauntlets around her
wrist. "Why? What's up?" She tried not to stare at him. Max and Stuart
looked really good in their armor. The dark suits fit them well.

"Dawn is almost upon us," said Stuart, eyeing the lightening
sky. He had sketched a copy of the three triangles on his outfit again in charcoal.
It was nearly invisible. "We don't have much time to get this plan in gear.
The link said tonight, right?"

"Prior to sundown," said Shelby. "And we have
a lot of ground to cover."

Blunderbuss strode over, his gangly figure moving with purpose.
"Good news. Briscane's father and grandfather worked at the animal grounds.
They gave him a bukkehorn that hunters used to lure the Manticore. He's been looking
for the dang thing the last half-hour and finally found the horn. The Manti we been
hearing isn't far, and my best trackers are out with Briscane to lead it into the
tunnel. This'll be dangerous, but will cause mayhem." He chewed on a toothpick.

Shelby nodded.

"Okay now. Our valuables are buried, and we are ready to
trek to the Gida Path."

Riley and Emily emerged from the tent. "We look pretty scary,
huh?" Riley asked as they studied each other in their new gear. "Reminds
me of being on a Goth cheerleading squad!"

A short, stout man approached them with well-groomed steeds.
"Sappy is my name. I tend to the horses here. You will be riding these to the
tunnel." He handed one of the reins to Shelby.

They mounted the chargers. Shelby was glad to be back in a saddle.
Reaching the Gida Path on horseback would take far less time than on foot.

Blunderbuss trotted up with a detachment of his centurions, complete
with Nightlander garb. "My fifteen best swordsmen will station in the walls
inside the tunnel. Garrick is my second in command here. He will lead you in. The
rest of us will ride ahead of the shaft. A turn is a mile or so past it. When all
goes well, we will meet you there. Simon will stay behind. Let's move out."

Simon sprinted up to the Kin. "I want to come, but Blunderbuss
won't allow me," he said sheepishly.

"A child's blood will not be on my hands," said Blunderbuss,
and his steed ambled forward.

"Good luck to you," the boy said.

"Stay safe, Simon. We'll see you soon," Shelby said.

Max's horse cantered over and the Kin muffed Simon's hair. "Take
care, little man. We'll be back."

When they left the camp, the sun was well above the horizon.
They galloped to the Gida Path in time to catch the bukkehorn's echo, which sounded
much like the Manticore's cries. Soon, the louder sound of the Manticore itself
resonated. It was close.

Shelby's horse twisted its ears in the direction of the Manticore
and nickered, but Shelby pressed the mare onward.

The ground flashed by as they rode. Trees whizzed past. When
they arrived at the entrance of the tunnel, the sun stood above the treetops. Ten
of Blunderbuss's scouts were waiting, sweaty and breathing heavily.

One of them said, "We took care of a Nightlander patrol
that was sent ahead of the stagecoach. All is clear."

The Kin and fifteen soldiers dismounted.

Blunderbuss nodded. "Okay now, Garrick will take you into
the shaft. Godspeed to you." He took their horses and raced through the passage
with his men.

"Let's head in and station ourselves," Garrick said.
He lit up a torch as they filed in.

Garrick was a stout man with a moustache and beady black eyes.
He wore a pointed hat, but a friendly smile. They walked for a few minutes before
he stopped and inspected the walls.

"Here." He motioned toward the wooden panels.

The Centurions began pulling out planks from the wall. Garrick
knelt down in the middle of the shaft, brandished a blade, and wedged it into an
area of the ground. He lifted a board and popped up two more.

"Okay now, judging from the sounds of the bukkehorn, we
estimate less than a half-hour before the stagecoach arrives. I suggest we relieve
ourselves before getting in, in case it takes a little longer."

The men did so against the sides of the corridor as the girls
exited the tunnel. After a few minutes, they returned.

"If all goes to plan," Garrick said, "Briscane
will lead the Manticore in first. He is doing his best to keep ahead of the coach
so he can lure it in at the right time. When the carriage enters the tunnel, the
men above will drop the trapdoor. That'll block out the rest of the troop from the
shaft. We have archers posted in the trees to keep them busy, but they'll race up
the sides to get to the exit. We will also set some traps outside to slow them down.
You've got only a few minutes to take over the stagecoach and race down the path
to meet Blunderbuss."

Garrick wiped his brow and continued. "The Manti should
be inside, blocking the coach's way. The troop in front of the coach will be preoccupied
by the Manti. We'll exit the walls and engage the ones in back. That's your cue
to come out and capture the coach. Briscane will forge ahead and lure the Manticore
out, which will clear your way. Hopefully, the Manti will attack the Nightlanders
that arrive from the sides as well, but it may just take off into the woods."

"Good luck," said Max.

"We'll need every ounce of luck, laddie."

The Kin descended into the ground, and Garrick placed the planks
over them as they nestled in.

Shelby rested with bundles of hay beneath her. She admired Blunderbuss's
preparation.

"They are loose and will pop right up," Garrick said
to them from over the covering.

The Kin lay in two groups. Max settled next to Shelby, their
swords positioned at their sides. His hand found hers and gave her fingers a light
tug.

She gripped his in return, her heart hammering against her chest.
Despite her earlier cool, nerves kept her tingly now.

"Everything will be okay," he whispered.

"You are present once again to save me, right?"

"Always. We've got this. It's just like a game back home.
We were down, ten-nothing, and rallied to win in the fourth quarter. This is our
comeback."

They lay in silence for some time, their controlled breathing
the only sounds. Soon, the eerie cries of the Manticore hurt their ears. A few minutes
passed, and the bukkehorn and Briscane's voice from above added more noise.

"Come on now, Manti. This way," Briscane shouted from
atop, followed by a bukkehorn blast.

The frantic sound of pounding footsteps echoed overhead, accompanied
by the blare of the bukkehorn again. Then it came. The tunnel reverberated with
a cacophony of fanfare, succeeded by a deafening roar.