Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta (8 page)

When they finished eating, Empress Malina asked them to join her outside in the gardens again.

Andimian stood to follow the empress. He reached his enormous paws in front of him, flexing them one at a time. As he stretched, he extended a large set of wings. He flapped them once in a final stretch, and padded away to the gardens.

Piper gasped. “Look at that! He has wings!” she said as they all followed him outside.

“Can he fly?” Brent asked.

Princess Evangeline grinned. “He sure can.” Andimian folded his wings against his back and let out a proud roar.

Brent laughed. “I think he knows he’s amazing.”

“He is a special tiger. Not only is he my protector, he is also the leader of my army—an army of tigers just like him. They are an extraordinary species from the mountains in southwestern Valta.”

As they sat on the benches in the garden, Empress Malina turned to Gabriel and spoke again. “Gabriel, you have offered to help me. I know you are a good boy. I sense that you and your friends are innocents. I could use your assistance, but only if you have a willing spirit. If you do not want to do what I ask, I understand. I realize I ask much of you, and it may be too much for you to bear.”

“We’d love to help, but what can we do?” he asked.

“Malgor stole the Divinities, and Valta is dying because of it.”

“Divinities?” Brent asked, a puzzled look on his face.

“They are two small, glowing, crystalline objects. They connect to each other, making one unique Divinity. They energize our world and give life to every creature. They must be placed together as one to be successful. They belong to the ruler of Valta—who is me now.”

Glowing crystals …
Gabriel’s stomach dropped as though he’d dropped down a giant roller coaster. “What does a Divinity look like, exactly?”

“They are the most beautiful things you will ever see.” Empress Malina sighed. “They are triangular and—”

“A triangular crystal? But Empress, I—I found one!” Gabriel jumped to his feet and untied the crystal from his neck.

“You
what
?” The empress and the princess stood. Andimian growled. Gabriel handed the empress the crystal. She held it in her hands, as though it were as fragile as an egg. “Where did you find it?”

“In Willow Creek, where we live. At the falls, the same place that brought us here.”

“You only found one?” Empress Malina’s eyes darted from the Divinity to Gabriel’s confused face. She took a few steps back, still cradling the crystal. It began to hum and shake.

Brent nodded at the empress. “Yeah, we tried to find more, but we got sidetracked.”

Empress Malina returned to Gabriel. As she did, the crystal Divinity became quiet and still once again. “It seems my enchantment worked. I cast a spell on the Divinities, ensuring that if they were ever lost or stolen, only an innocent could connect them. Duke Malgor stole the Divinities. He surely attempted to transfer their power over to him so that he could steal the throne forever. But then he lost one—or maybe he lost them both.” She frowned. “But I do feel within me that he still holds the twin to this one.”

She shook her head. “Malgor wants to rule all of Valta and he would no doubt enslave us all. But without the Divinities united as one, Valta is doomed. Something must have gone wrong in Malgor’s plans. If he had his way, he would use their power for his own gain. Even
he
would not want Valta to die, as it would mean his own demise, as well. Malgor
must
still possess the other one, and could not connect them due to the enchantment. Fate has brought a Divinity to you, dear Gabriel. It belongs with you until its partner is found.”

Gabriel’s eyes widened. “It belongs with me?”

“Yes, it does. It can sense your innocence, though it is mixed with guilt and sorrow.”

His face flushed hot. She must have seen the guilt he felt over his mom’s disappearance. Not to mention the extra pile of guilt he felt for getting his friends into the Valtan mess. Empress Malina handed him back the crystal and cupped his face in her hands. Warmth engulfed him as he grasped the crystal.

“The Divinity does belong with you,” she whispered, “until its match is found and order is restored. Do you see how it quiets down with you? You are truly special, Gabriel.”

He didn’t feel special.
How can the crystal belong with me?
He looked at Brent and Piper in stunned silence. The empress gently tied the crystal around his neck and patted his shoulder. Her face was etched in worry. “I fear it is too big a burden that I ask of you children. But I believe in fate. There is a prophecy that speaks of a child saving Valta. A human child. That angers Malgor to no end. He believes humans are not worthy of such honor. He feels being human is a condition, like a contagious disease.”

Princess Evangeline scowled and shook her head. “Uncle Malgor doesn’t know anything.”

Gabriel’s friends looked at him with eagerness, but he noticed a glimmer of fear in their eyes. His stomach twisted, scared by the thought of going on such an important quest. He tried to shake off the feeling of uneasiness.
Maybe this is my chance to be somebody. To do something great. We can fix this. We have to try.
Gabriel closed his eyes. His mother’s last words came ringing back.
Be brave, Gabriel.

“I’ll find the other one, Empress Malina,” he said as bravely as he could. “My friends and I like quests. It’ll be sort of like a scavenger hunt.”

Piper pulled her lip between her teeth. “Yeah, just with a lot more at stake.”

“You really are wonderful children,” Empress Malina said. “But you cannot start on your quest until the morning. It’s bedtime now. No arguments.”

During the night, Gabriel drifted in and out of sleep, awakened by distant howls. They reminded him that there was nowhere in Valta where he could be completely safe. When he was sure the others were asleep, he crept out of bed, and headed to a table in the corner. On the table sat a lantern. With trembling hands, he snatched up the package of matches beside the lantern and lit it. Where was the stupid Spiderman night-light when he needed it? With a groan, he crept back to bed, and finally fell asleep.

The friends woke to a hot breakfast. After they ate, they walked out the front doors of the grand castle and onto a cobblestone walkway. Empress Malina gave Gabriel a map of Valta.

“The Tandem Wood is where Malgor’s castle stands,” Empress Malina told them. “It is a frightful place, and you will need to be very vigilant there. We are in the royal city of Shataundra. I have circled the places you will stop for rest. There, you will find kindred spirits who will offer you food, shelter, and advice. Stay on the path I have marked, and it will take you two nights to reach Malgor’s castle. You must go there in daylight.” She waved a pointer finger in the air. “Avoid dusk at all costs. The gruocks come then, and they will show you no mercy.”

“Eek! Gruock!” Finley squealed. “Me no like gruock!” He snuggled against Piper. “Finley want go home. Rakur tell Finley come back home. Me be in big trouble if don’t come home … ”

“Gruocks are filthy creatures, aren’t they, Fin-Fin,” Empress Malina said. “No, my dear Finley, you have fulfilled your duty and more by aiding these children and bringing them to me. I will send you home with a seeker. He has just enough power left to transport you in safety.” The empress closed her eyes, and within moments, a seeker arrived. Its floating eyes circled its head in mesmerizing waves.

“Say goodbye to Finley, children. It is time for him to return to his Fegan family.”

Gabriel sighed. He didn’t want Finley to leave them, but he understood. All the friends ran to hug the monkey, thanking him for all he’d done.

“Me want be with you again,” Finley said with a frown.

“Me too, Finley,” Gabriel said. “I’ll miss you.”

Just before he disappeared with the seeker, he warned them: “Be on watch!” Then he vanished.

“You need to be getting on your way, as well,” the empress said. “We’ve packed you food and water for your journey.”

Each one of the friends thanked her and took a bag of supplies. Princess Evangeline hugged them tightly. Then the empress went to each of them, the sound of her shoes clicking against the cobblestone. She grinned at Brent.

“Brent, I give you the gift of fire.” She took his hands and rubbed them briskly between hers. A wind stirred, and the tree branches swayed wildly. She rubbed his hands until the wind almost picked them up off their feet, then she let go. The wind died down as quickly as it had come.

“Whoa.” Brent stared at his palms, which now glowed in a brilliant red.

“Are you okay?” Gabriel asked. “Does it hurt?”

“Not a bit.” Brent stared at his hands, turning them back and forth. “They just feel warm and tingly.”

“That is a powerful gift, Brent,” the empress warned. “Use it wisely.” She turned to Piper. “Piper, to you I give the gift of the merfish.” She bent over and gently touched Piper’s cheeks. “Open your mouth.” Piper did as instructed. Empress Malina blew into her mouth a steady stream of air she’d somehow conjured within her. It lifted Piper several feet off the ground. Piper’s eyes widened as her feet dangled. After a few moments, she landed back on the ground.

“There,” Empress Malina said. “Now you have the gift of air. You can swim among the fish with ease, and create a great wind with your breath.” She smiled at Piper and patted her head, looking satisfied. Piper looked stunned, but she managed to smile back, tucking stray ribbons of dark hair behind her ears.

As Empress Malina turned her attention to Gabriel, his stomach lurched with anticipation. She tugged gently at his cheek. “To you, my sweet, I give the gift of sensory enhancement. Close your eyes.” He did as he was told, and she placed her hands over his closed eyes. Her palms felt warm—almost hot—against his eyelids.

When she pulled her hands away, Gabriel stared at her in amazement. “You mean I’ll be able to see at night, just like I do in the daytime?” He blinked his wide eyes.

“Yes, Gabriel. It is a gift for a leader. It is only the first half of your gift. Quiet now.” She placed her hands on his ears, and pressed gently.

Then she let go.

“Well, that was easy enough,” Gabriel said.

“Do you feel any different?” Brent asked.

“A little dizzy, and my ears are humming—oh—it’s cool now.” He gave his head a shake. He held his hand above his eyes, shielding them from the bright sun, and stared across the courtyard “Awesome, I think I can hear the butterflies’ wings over there.”

“Wicked cool,” said Piper, following his gaze.

“Epic,” he answered with a laugh.

“If you are lost, your enhanced senses will be your guide. You will come to learn more about your gift with time and experience. I cannot tell you everything you will face. Some things are unknown, even to me. What is fated will be. Know that I believe in all of you. Above all, keep the Divinity safe. Speak of it to no one. Be brave, follow your heart, and I will come to you when you least expect it.”

Chapter Ten

As they journeyed across Valta, Gabriel’s gaze lingered on the dying fruit trees. All of their fruit had fallen to the ground and rotted. Above, the threatening orange streaks in the sky seemed to widen every day, casting dark shadows across the land. A cool breeze rushed by them, making Gabriel shiver.

“The sun doesn’t shine through the orange parts of the sky,” Gabriel said. “It’s so creepy.”

“Where does the map say we stop tonight?” Brent asked, wiping his wet cheeks. “I hope it’s not too far, ‘cause it looks like we’re in for a cold shower.”

Gabriel checked his watch.
Twelve fifteen
. He gazed up at the graying sky and blew out an aggravated sigh. He eyed his map. “Ericville. Hmmm … that’s weird. Most towns are named after a person’s last name, not their first.”

Piper laughed. “Everything’s backward in Valta, or haven’t you noticed?”

As they walked, cold raindrops fell. Gabriel tucked the map away and thought of his task.
How can I save Valta?
His stomach churned whenever he thought about the Tandem Wood, and retrieving the Divinities, and of possibly never getting home again.
What’s my father thinking? The entire town of Willow Creek must be searching for us.

A thunderous roar shook Gabriel from his thoughts. Hail fell from the sky like an angry meteor shower.

“Snap!” exclaimed Piper. “Does it have to hail, too? I mean,
really
?”

“Watch out, Gabe!” Brent pulled Gabriel out from under a piece of hail as big as a softball and they took off running. The earth shook, while screams and howls of animals echoed from every direction.

They dashed, searching for cover as a nearby mountain sent chunks of rock hurtling around them.

“Come in here!” A familiar voice called.

Something tugged on Gabriel’s sleeve. Whipping around, he thought he was looking at a ghost. “Cedric?” Gabriel screeched as Cedric pulled him into a small cavern. “What are
you
doing here?”

“I’m lost—you know, sorta like you in school, Stone. But never mind that. Get under here and take cover.” Cedric pulled Gabriel’s arm, just in time to miss another big chunk of falling rock.

Gabriel stumbled, then said, “Whoa. Thanks, Cedric.”

Brent and Piper followed Cedric and Gabriel under the cliff and into a tiny cave. After several minutes, the ground finally stopped shaking.

Brent narrowed his eyes at Cedric. “What happened, Morley? Where’d you disappear to?”

Cedric shrugged. “I don’t want to be here anymore than you do, believe me.”

Piper sat against the cave wall, pushing debris away with her hand. “But where have you been all this time?”

“I’ve been hiding out. I found this cave for shelter, and I’ve been here ever since,” Cedric said, screwing up his face.

“But we looked for you.” Gabriel took a step closer to Cedric, holding his gaze. “What’re you up to?”

“Huh? I ended up on the other side of the river and I thought I heard you guys come up behind me. But after I pulled myself up onto land, I must’ve passed out for a while, because when I woke up, you guys were gone.” He paused, his gaze shifting to his feet, then slowly back up. “D’you know where we are?”