City of Gold (19 page)

Final Day…

Bright light exploded across the sky. Cody shielded his face with his hand. He cautiously pulled himself to his feet. In the distance, steering around the bend of the cliffs, he could see the rear cabin of the final ship. They had made it.

But by the look on Dace’s face, you’d think they had not. “There must have been a thousand ships at least. Even if each were only half-loaded with fighting men, which is a child’s prayer of an
if
, then El Dorado has a force the magnitude of which I’ve never imagined even in my nightmares.”

“Not to mention the mass assaulting Flore Gub,” observed Tat, speaking for the first time since Lilley. His face was hard and his eyes were empty. “The attack on Flore Gub is a decoy.”

“A decoy with more men than Atlantis could muster if we gave broadswords to infants. How is it possible to have assembled such a force?” Dace wondered in bewilderment.

“We don’t stand a chance,” declared Tat sullenly.

Chazic stepped forward. “We have hope as long as we have breath. I was appointed to protect the Book Keeper to El Dorado. I don’t intend to fail my mission.” The Enforcer’s rich voice seemed to pump courage back into the deflated Company.

“Neither do I,” declared Dace determinedly. “Igg, how much farther until El Dorado?”

The skipper was already at the helm. “Half a day’s smooth sailing until shore. From there it’s any man’s guess how far to the Golden City. It’s uncharted territory from the sea.”

Cody’s face dropped. “That’s not fast enough!”

“I think I can help with that,” said Xerx. He raised his hands, “
Byrae
!” A billowing gust of wind came careening against the barge, knocking everyone to the deck. The boat soared across the lava sea, bits of the patched-together ship breaking off as it picked up speed.
We just need to hold on a little longer
.

The instant the vessel’s bow scraped against the shore Cody leapt over the edge. The moment his feet touched down against the mud shore, he started running.

“Cody, wait! It’s too dangerous! Wait!” Dace called after him, but he didn’t slow. He didn’t look behind to see if anyone else was following. With every last ounce of stamina he could muster, he sprinted. He held up the ruby pocket-watch. The long gold hand was pointing directly north, directing his path.

He disregarded his ragged breath and burning joints, as his stumbling legs fought to keep pace with his desire. He had come too far to give up so close to the end.

As he ran, the rough dirt terrain disappeared, gradually replaced by pure, smooth sand.
I’m getting close
. He urged his body on even harder. Sporadically he passed a sprouted tree. Lush green vegetation became more frequent the farther he ran. He came to the base of a giant sand dune.

He collapsed.

Every muscle in his body seared.
Must keep moving. Jade needs me!
Pulling himself onto all fours, he crawled up the massive dune. With a final heave, he hurled himself up to the top and rolled onto his back, utterly spent. His blurry eyes gazed down.

At the bottom of the valley—was a Golden City.

The city was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Like Atlantis, it was surrounded by a large wall. However, from his elevated view he could see straight into the city that swirled up like a cyclone. Atop the pyramid was a dome-roofed palace. Every inch of the city was awash in light like the purest of diamonds. It was spectacular.

Cody rose to his feet. Against all odds he had succeeded.
Jade, I’m here!
Childish glee spread through his body and a smile pushed to the corners of his face. Digging into his pocket he retrieved the arrowhead Tat had given him.
I’ve made my choice
. He tossed his hands into the air and released a bellowing, wild cry of triumph, just as the sky went dark.

It was nightfall. He was too late.

44

Out of Time

TIME WAS UP. The darkness engulfed Cody as he collapsed to his knees. He had failed. Darkfall had come on the seventh day—he had been too slow.
I’ve killed Jade
.

Cody felt his cheeks begin to burn.
I could have been faster…I SHOULD have been faster!
He yelled a pained cry, his voice crackling as tears filled his eyes. “I’m sorry! Jade, I’m sorry!” His strength gave out and he collapsed.

Just before he hit the ground, he was caught by two soft hands. Tiana pulled Cody against her chest. “I’m sorry, Cody.”

Her face was pale and the vessels in her eyes were red from fatigue. A tear from her eye dropped onto Cody’s burning forehead. “I’m so sorry, Cody,” she whispered again, her voice quivering.

Cody clenched his fist. “I’m going to kill him,” he declared flatly. Tiana dried her eyes, “Cody…what are you talking about? Cody…?”

He ignored her, forcefully breaking from her embrace. His eyes peered at the palace. Tiana stood, realizing what was going on. “Cody, no. It’s too far and you’re too exhausted. This isn’t the only way…Cody?”

Anger filled Cody like pulsing adrenaline. He lifted his hands and took a deep breath. Tiana stepped toward him. “Cody, don’t. We must wait for the others. It’s too dangerous…Cody!” Tiana lunged for him but she was too late.

“
Spakious
!” At Cody’s command the air before them blurred as though the fabric of the atmosphere was rippling. Without hesitation Cody lunged through the portal.

The world slowly blurred into focus. Cody was lying on his stomach completely drained of strength. He was in a courtyard. Something tickled his cheek,
grass
?

Suddenly a woman dashed into the clearing. Her elegant purple robe flowed behind her, fastened by a glittering, diamond-encrusted sash. Cody could hear her panting breath from within the deep hood. She glanced over her shoulder.

A man came bursting around the corner in pursuit of her. He was broad shouldered and handsome. His eyes were fixed on the woman and burned like fire. Cody watched helplessly, unable to move, as the man overtook the woman. Grabbing her shoulders, he spun her around and pinned her against the wall. “Did you think you were going to get away that easily?” the man probed, his muscular arms imprisoning the woman.

Cody’s eyelids dropped from fatigue. He fought to keep them open. The woman reached out and wrapped her arms around the man’s head. Pulling him close, she kissed him. As she did, the man gently pushed her hood off.

Jade.

PART THREE

A PERFECT CITY

45

Changed

WHERE AM I?

Bright lights showered him from all directions. He squinted, urging his eyes to adjust to the fierce gleam. He was lying on a small, sleek white cot like a hospital bed. He sat up and examined the unfamiliar surroundings.

How did I get here?

Cody’s eyebrows leaped in surprise. His filthy brown robe was gone, replaced with the most striking garment he had ever seen. The elegant white coat sparkled like a fresh morning snowfall and its silky texture soothed his skin. He traced his finger over the surplus of tiny diamonds that weaved around the tunic like an extravagant spider web.

As his dilated pupils returned to normal he realized he wasn’t surrounded by bright lights—but instead by
mirrors
. Massive slates of pure crystal claimed each of the four walls from floor to ceiling. The tranquil mood immediately evaporated.

I’m in El Dorado.

Paralyzed with fear, his pale expression was mimicked hundreds of times; his stretched and distorted face reflecting off the crystal walls. Then, apart from the others, one of the faces moved.

I’m not alone!

Before Cody could react, the assailant lunged, wrapping firm arms around him, stealing his wind. Cody squirmed, fighting for enough breath to use the High Language, but the attacker’s grip was unbreakable.

Cody gasped for air as the suffocating hold loosened. His head spun dizzily as he sucked in oxygen and stumbled backwards. Throwing up his fists, he braced for another attack—and gazed straight into two beautiful green eyes. “
Jade
?”

Her face was beaming. Cody’s strength escaped as he tried to release all of his ten, pre-rehearsed speeches simultaneously. The result was incoherent bumbling.

Jade drew him into another tight hug, resting her head against his shoulder. “Oh, Cody, how I’ve missed you,” she whispered into his ear.

“I’ve missed you too, Jade…You have
no idea
how much I’ve missed you.” The next few moments were a dream. The warmth of the embrace communicated more than any well-rehearsed words. All of Cody’s fears and worries dissipated. After three miserable weeks, his chaotic world had been instantly put back in order.

He didn’t want to let go. He wanted to let the world pass around them like a gentle river around an immovable boulder. After several more still moments he reluctantly released her.

Cody scanned the room and located a door that had been camouflaged by the crystal wall. “We need to get out of here before we’re discovered.” He rushed to the bed and scooped up the pile of his belongings. “I can use the High Language to transport us beyond the walls and then …” He turned back but found Jade standing still with a troubled expression. “Jade? We need to
move
. I came to rescue you….”

Jade took a step backwards. “I’m very touched. You have been
unbelievably
brave…but what if I don’t want to be rescued?”

Cody’s heart plunged in his chest. “What do you mean? I need to get you out of here! Don’t you want to go home?”

Jade inched back farther. “Home? Where
is
home Cody? Is Atlantis home? Have you forgotten your mother? Have you forgotten Havenwood?”

Cody shook his head defensively, “Of course not! But…”

Suddenly the door burst open and four golden golems funneled in. Cody looked to Jade in confusion. “I don’t understand….”

The soldiers encircled him, the points of their spears pricking his back.

Jade grasped his hands. “I’ve
found
my home, Cody. For the first time in my whole life,” she paused. “Don’t struggle, Cody. They won’t harm you. He’s not like they say he is. You really must meet him.”

As the warriors forced Cody from the room, he grabbed the doorway and looked back to Jade. “Must meet who?” The last thing Cody saw before he was forced out of the room was Jade’s thin, moving lips.

“The Golden King.”

46

The King’s Court

THE IMMENSE DOUBLE DOORS SLAMMED behind him with a rattling boom. Cody hurled himself against them but they didn’t budge—
locked
.

Turning back around, he examined the chamber he had been forced into. It was massive. Even the Great Hall of Atlantis would seem nothing more than a miniature snow-globe compared to the magnificent scale and grandeur of the Hall.

Cody carefully made his way across the vibrant, mosaic path that split the Great Hall straight down the center. Each of the lavish pillars that flanked the track were coated with polished gold and adorned with wealth as gemstones of every color spiraled toward the arched ceiling.

The Hall was mute as an art gallery, amplifying Cody’s rapid breath. As he reached the end of the amethyst trail, he paused. Before him was a large throne made entirely of gold. The two armrests morphed into the shape of flaming suns.

To the left of the throne was a familiar periscope device—the tunnel-phone. Cody felt a chill. It had been through that very device that Cody had communicated with him. Stalkton’s solemn warnings about the Golden King came racing back.
I need to get out of here
!

Cody turned to flee but something else caught his eye. On the other side of the throne was a shadowy nook. From the gloom shone the glimmer of jewels and riches. However, it was the centerpiece that had captured his gaze. The sight was eerily familiar. In the center of the nook was a podium; and upon the podium—was a Book.