City of Gold (7 page)

14

Discord

“
SIR, WE CAN’T LINGER—it could return any moment.”

Cody pushed himself up and winced as a stinging sensation raced through his shoulder. As he did, the hushed voices around him ceased. Dace and Tat turned in unison toward him. “The Book Keeper wakes.
Now
, we must move on,” Tat urged.

Dace examined Cody curiously. “It appears that the miraculous has befriended you. You’re lucky to be alive.”

Memories of the nightmare crowded Cody’s mind. “Ti! She’s hurt! And…”

Tiana stepped into view. The gash on her temple had vanished although dried blood stained her fair hair. Her expression was one of relief—but not for her own life. She clearly was as relieved to see him alive as he was to see her.

“Fortunately for both of you, Chazic is trained in the art of healing,” Dace noted. The Enforcer stood silently beside the Captain, his torn cloak damp with blood. “Although the sacred Book worked its own wonders on you.”

Cody squinted and rubbed his eyes, fighting to make sense of what had occurred. “In the haze, I heard screams.”

Dace’s eyes hardened. “Lacen and Kingsty.”

“A sacrifice in vain if we don’t move quickly,” pleaded Tat.

Dace agreed. “Mount up!”

The remaining Company members scurried to prepare their horses. Poe pushed himself in front of Cody with a clumsy bow. Attempting to ready Cody’s saddle, the servant fumbled with the straps causing it to slip off the other side.

Tat scoffed. “
Mistaken as a warrior
, indeed. Two seasoned soldiers fall yet the bumbling slave remains.”

Poe puffed his chest but Cody’s hand on his shoulder quieted him. “It’s not worth it, Poe.” The servant gazed silently downward as the scout trotted away.

Cody noticed that Dace was standing several feet behind. “We
both
know that it was more than dumb luck that has you alive. The Hunter doesn’t abandon helpless prey. It must have had a reason. Cody, did you see anything? Anything…
unusual
?” The haunting image of the eyelid-less man replayed in Cody’s mind.
Had he been real
?

Cody shook his head slowly. “No…nothing at all.” He lied, unsure why he felt the need for secrecy. His head was still spinning.
What could scare off a monster that, by its very nature, was fear itself?
He wasn’t sure he wanted to discover the answer to that question.

Six Days Remaining…

The sky exploded, flinging streaming light shards across its vast canvas. Like an invited guest arriving early to a banquet, the sudden transformation from night to day startled the ten riders as they galloped across the rocky wasteland.

Cody peered over his shoulder; the immense stronghold of Atlantis was now a pebble on the crest of the skyline. They had put ample distance between themselves and the city before daybreak…although at a steep cost: the lives of two honorable men.

Like hail shelling against a tin roof, the drumming of the horses’ hooves filled the air. A cramp clenched the left side of Cody’s butt. He shifted his weight with a groan but the ache soon migrated to the right side. After what seemed like several eternities, Cody was relieved when Dace raised his fist and reeled his reins. They had arrived at a water station.

With a sigh of relief, Cody flopped off his horse onto the cold ground. The others dismounted with exponentially more grace, and scanned the surroundings. No one needed to acknowledge the watchful action; they all shared the same fear—the Hunter. It was still out there somewhere. Its savage hunger would only be contained for so long. It would find them. For all they knew, it was stalking them at that moment.

“Stretch your legs and water the horses. We depart in ten minutes,” Dace barked as he dunked his face into the refreshing water of the well.

The imposing figure of Chazic gave a fluid bow. “Captain, let us offer up the Hymn of the Orb in thanksgiving....” His steady voice was deep and richly toned.

Cody instinctively bent to his knee, but Tat tugged him back up. “
Thanksgiving
? For the slaughter of two good men? We don’t have time for your nonsense if we’re going to make it halfway to Redtown by darkfall. Let’s go.” He turned his back, muttering, “Hail to a powerless orb…”

In a soundless instant one of Chazic’s scimitars was leveled against Tat’s neck.

“
Whoa!
Everybody relax!” Dace commanded, jumping forward. “Chazic, lower your weapon…that’s an order. We can ill-afford disunity. Our enemies are numerous enough as is…we will chant the Hymn.”

After a few tense seconds Chazic lowered the blade. He pressed his face an inch from Tat’s. “Your eyes are a glassy lake...” The Enforcer turned to leave but Tat grasped his shoulder and swung him around. “You have something to say? Then speak!”

Chazic’s eyes narrowed. “You care nothing for our mission, Jade, or this war. You blaspheme the Orb in a personal crusade to rescue your wife….”

In a blink an arrow was fitted into Tat’s bow. Wolfrick dove forward and tackled him as the arrow discharged, ripping a chunk of flesh from Chazic’s cheek. Voices raised as the others rushed to break up the commotion.

Cody leapt back to avoid the conflict. In the periphery he caught sight of Tiana alone by the water well. She made no motion to acknowledge his presence as he approached. She stroked her fingers though the downy mane of her white stallion and wet its brow with the cool water.

In that moment, an idea consumed Cody’s mind—a
horrible
idea. The instant it materialized Cody knew he should reject it. But before reason could deter his rashness he took a deep breath. Turning, he placed his hands on Tiana’s cheeks and planted a wet kiss.

15

A Torn Heart

TIANA MADE NO EFFORT to pull away. Time slowed to a stagnant halt. When Cody finally broke the embrace his breath was ragged and his forehead burned. He braced himself for the inevitable explosion of rage—but it never came. Instead, Tiana’s face was tender for the first time in weeks. Drying her lips with her sleeve, she grinned. “You should probably water your horse.”

As she turned to leave, Cody touched her shoulder gently. “That…felt really good,” he blurted.
What are you doing!? Pull yourself together!
“I’m sorry, that sounded stupid. I mean…thank you…for earlier. I wish… ” he stuttered. Tiana placed a finger on his lips. “Tonight.” Without another word she leapt onto her horse and trotted away.

Cody was hypnotized as he watched her leave. His stare was broken as Poe led his horse by the reins. With the servant’s help, Cody mounted.

His face was beaming.
Wasn’t such a bad idea after all!
The kiss had felt really good. He searched for Tiana again, but instead looked straight into the burning eyes of Xerx. The young monk’s usual spiteful expression was replaced by a glare of pure hatred.

“You can teach
yourself
the High Language, you filthy pig.” Xerx reared his horse, but only moved several feet before turning back around. “Two men have
died
—for
you
! The men in this Company risk their lives on this suicide mission—for
you
! How do you respond? By frolicking around like a love-sick child.” Xerx was quaking. “You make me sick.” He spat a mouthful of saliva and departed.

They rode hard, occasionally pausing at water stations but never lingering long. Each time, at Chazic’s request, everyone would recite the Orb’s Hymn; everyone except Tat who used those moments to disappear on unexplained scouting duties.

Throughout the day, Cody’s attempted eye contact with Tiana was unsuccessful. The same could not be said for Xerx, whose continual glare burned a hole into his back.

Dace decided it was too risky to ride through the night again, as the necessary light to guide their path would too easily expose their position to the Hunter. So when the daylight finally vanished Cody released a sigh of relief.

The tents were quickly erected. Tat was assigned first-shift watch duty. The rest of The Company retired to their dwellings. Cody felt savage butterflies raging in his stomach recalling Tiana’s earlier promise—
Tonight
. He stared unblinkingly at the entrance of his tent—and waited.

But Xerx’s outburst continued to resonate. Why
had
he kissed Tiana? It was as though he temporarily had lost control of his body. Was it because their first kiss, the night of his first Atlantis
sunset
, had been the greatest moment of his life?

He heard the deep rumbling of Wolfrick’s snoring from the adjacent tent.
Why isn’t she coming? Did she lie to me?
Cody sighed in disappointment and rolled over. I should have known. Maybe Xerx was right.

A cool chill washed over him, tickling the hair on his arms. He sat up. “Illumchanta.” The faint light filled the tent, steaming around Tiana like an eclipse. She looked angelic. “I thought you weren’t…”

“
Shhhh
…” Tiana cooed, crawling toward him. “We have more important things to…
think about
.” Without warning she pressed her lips against his. She inched closer, backing him against the edge of the tent.

Breaking the kiss, Tiana smiled. “Did that one feel…
really good
?” she purred.

Cody’s heart beat in a wild frenzy. “Ti…I thought we were going to talk about…” His words were muffled by another passionate assault. Cody felt the warmth of Tiana’s body next to his.

“Stop!” Cody shouted, shoving her away. “What are you doing?!”

Tiana’s face hardened. “What’s
wrong
with you?! I thought this is what you wanted.”

Cody bundled his blanket around himself as a barrier. “I wanted to
talk
. This isn’t talking. It’s wrong…”

Tiana pursed her ruby lips and ran her fingers through her thick hair. “Are you telling me…you didn’t
like
that?” She crawled toward him again, but Cody forced her back with his legs.

“
Stop!
Yes, it felt
amazing
. I think you’re absolutely beautiful. When we kiss I can’t even think straight…” Cody stammered, speaking faster than his ability to pronounce the words, “but that’s not the point. Obviously, I care about you; but I want to go back to how it was before the ambush; before everything became so complicated. What you’re doing tonight isn’t right.”

“What
I’m
doing isn’t right?” Tiana spat. “Don’t you dare blame
me
. It wasn’t
me
who started smooching you at the water well!” Her cheeks were scarlet. “Why can’t you understand? Things
can’t
go back. Never…”

Cody found himself smiling. “If you really believe that then why are you here?”

Tiana turned and left without answering.

“Go to bed,” Tat issued flatly. Cody froze his silent approach toward Tat who was keeping watch outside the tents. When it was clear Cody wasn’t leaving, Tat finally shrugged. “Oh,
very well
. Have a seat if you must.” Cody found a rock beside Tat and joined him in staring into the darkness. For the next several minutes neither spoke. The silence was soothing.