Legend of the Book Keeper (43 page)

Jade rolled her eyes. “How thoughtful,” she spat back venomously.

“Hey now, what’s gotten into you lately? Too much sitting around unneeded by everybody? Bet it sucks to not be the one in charge anymore doesn’t it?” Cody shot back. He watched helplessly as his words stung into Jade. The injured look on her weary face made Cody instantly regret speaking so haughtily.
What’s happening to me? She’s my best friend!
He didn’t get a chance to apologize.

“Hey! I didn’t die on the gallows last night, remember? Quit talking like I’m not here, you cowpies!” called out Randilin from his cell. He stuck his face against the bars; his neck was scabbed from where the noose had stripped away the skin.

“Sorry, how are you doing?” asked Cody slightly embarrassed.

Randilin grabbed the iron bars of the cell. “Oh, just peachy. Nothing gets me more emotionally juiced than being hanged! Although, I guess I owe you a thank you.” He finished with a softened voice. Looking to Cody, Randilin caught sight of Tiana for the first time. He stumbled back a step. His head tilted to the side as his eyes strained toward her. For a moment the wrinkles on his rough face seemed to soften. He looked back to Cody as though in a trance, but Cody quickly shook his head.

“Don’t mention it. It’s all good now. The funeral is tomorrow, Kantan and Levenworth are in prison, and Cia has become queen. I’m sure we can persuade her to release you of the charges.”

Randilin held up his finger. “Hold on, did you say that General Levenworth was imprisoned as well?” he asked tentatively.

“Yeah. Turns out he was working with Kantan the whole time. The two were scheming to keep Atlantis’ troops away from the borderlands. You were there, surely you heard all this?”

Randilin rubbed his swollen neck. “I passed out. The next thing I knew I was back in this cell. I thought it was the afterlife until Jade started filling me in. But I hadn’t heard the general was involved. Hmmmm . . .”

“Why is that troubling? We have the letter that Kantan wrote him, it’s physical proof,” insisted Cody.

Randilin retreated back into the shadows of his cell. “It’s just that I never would have believed Kantan or Levenworth capable of such a horrible deed. They’re flea-picking, royal elitists, but murderers?” pondered Randilin. “I agree the proof is substantive. I just don’t know what they hoped to accomplish.”

“Well, from what I’ve heard, the Prince seemed to be the most ready to accept the reality of another Great War. Perhaps he felt the only way to get Atlantis to defend itself was to eliminate a passive King?” suggested Tiana, speaking for the first time.

“If he wanted to defend the City, then why did he refuse to send the troops to the borderlands?” challenged Cody. “I think he knew a war was coming and he wanted to make sure he was on the winning side.”

“Maybe . . . but that doesn’t explain Levenworth’s role. I’m telling you; I’ve known Gongore a long, long time.

Since before the discovery of Under-Earth. He was as loyal to the King as anybody in Atlantis. He was like a son to him,” said Randilin.

“Well, after Kantan’s actions, I don’t know that that’s such a compliment,” added Jade pessimistically.

“I have a bad feeling about this. There must be more to the story,” asked Randilin. “I’m obviously not going anywhere for a while,” he said raising his arms and clinking together the chains bound to his wrists, “so you three need to keep your eyes open. And be careful.”

“What do you think about what Randilin said? About there being something else?” asked Jade as they left the prison. They found themselves engulfed in a crowd of hooded mourners slowly walking the streets. Cody looked up at the man beside him; a tall man wearing all black. A glimmer reflected into Cody’s eyes, blinding him. He rubbed his eyes but the man was gone. There was something unusual about the man, but Cody couldn’t place it. Another wave of mourners surrounded him. Cody headed away from the crowd and toward Jade and Tiana who were waiting for him against the wall.

Jade raised her hands. “Well? What do you think?” she asked impatiently.

Cody shook his head. “I don’t know. I have to admit; I don’t feel good about the situation either. But I don’t know what else there could be?” he responded as they turned down another road toward the palace.

Tiana took a few quick steps ahead and turned, blocking their path. “Has it occurred to either of you that perhaps it’s your friend who’s playing a role in all this himself, and just trying to lead you down the wrong road?”

“Randilin? Impossible. He’s our friend. He’s the one who brought us here safely,” countered Jade firmly.

Tiana pulled Cody and Jade against the wall. “He also conveniently brought the Book back underground for the first time in a thousand years. He just happens to reappear from his banishment at the same time as the King’s murder? And brings the Book within the Golden King’s grasp on the dawn of war? Do you guys even know why this
close
ally of yours was banished in the first place?” Cody bit his lip. Jade stared at the ground not making a sound.

Tiana sighed. “I didn’t think so. Would it help open your mind to my possibility if I told you that Randilin was banished because he switched sides during the Great War? That he leaked Levenworth’s strategies to the Golden King. It was because of him that the Golden King managed to out-maneuver Levenworth and enter Atlantis.”

“I don’t believe you,” stammered Jade.

Tiana rubbed her lips together. “The Golden King marched right through an open gate; a gate opened by Randilin himself. You see, your friend has a long history of switching sides. And that was only the beginning. That same night he committed his
dark deed
, an act so terrible they refuse to even tell us the details in school. Only that it resulted in the death of many. What makes you so sure he isn’t willing to sacrifice innocent lives again for his cause?”

Cody leaned against the wall and slid down to the ground. Was it possible? Could Randilin really have been tricking them the whole time? It seemed there was still a lot they didn’t know about Randilin Stormberger.

A Fateful Mourning

C
ody inhaled guilt as he took a deep breath of city air. Is there a more humbling and unworthy action than breathing in a waft of clear morning air on the very same day you should be mourning the undeserved death of a good man? Cody had never met King Ishmael, but somehow he felt like he knew him well; as though they were somehow similar frayed threads to the same rope. Every time Cody touched the Book and felt its power surge through his fingers, he understood more than anybody the fear that led Ishmael to forsake his privilege and entrust it to Wesley. Although thousands of miles of dirt had separated Cody from the King, he still understood the King’s greatness. Perhaps that is the very thing that made the King so noble.

Cody pulled on the black mourner’s robe that Poe had dropped off the night before. There was a knock on his door, startling Cody. He opened it and immediately raised his hands into a defensive position.

“Relax man,” said Xerx, dressed in a matching black robe. “I’ve been sent here by Master Stalkton. Lady Cia has requested that
The Code
be kept in the Monastery during today’s events for safe keeping. I am here to retrieve the Book.”

Cody instinctively stepped to his bed and pulled the Book out from under his pillow. “I’m sure you’d just love to get your hands on this,” said Cody, holding it up, “but you can tell Stalkton that I will be dropping it off myself.”

“Sure, whatever.” Xerx turned to le
ave but paused. “Tiana. . . . She’s not the girl you think she is,” he added unexpectedly
before disappearing from sight. Cody craned his neck.
What did he mean? What could he know about Tiana?
Cody grinned.
Oh, well, what was Xerx’s opinion worth anyways?

Cody had slept in later then he had wanted to. By the time he was out of bed, Jade’s room was empty; she was already out preparing for the service. Cody headed toward the Monastery. Mourners were packed into the courtyard while thousands filled the streets. There was a solemn feeling in the air; today would be a big day.

“I don’t know why I have to part with it. I don’t like leaving it out of my sight,” complained Cody, his fingers clutched tightly around the Book.

“I agree. But Cia feels that it is best left in the Monastery and, as she is now the Queen, we don’t have much of a choice. When Prince Foz stopped by to relay her orders he seemed to share our concern for the Book’s defense. But I assured him, as I assure you now, that The Brotherhood is more than adequate to ensure its safety,” replied Lamgorious Stalkton. “It will be kept hidden on the upper floor. Only you, me, and the royal family will know of its location.”

Cody stood still for several seconds before reluctantly handing the Book over to the elderly master. “Fine. But the moment the ceremony is over, I’m coming back here to get it.” Cody turned to leave, but stopped, remembering something. “Master Stalkton,” he said, turning back to his teacher, “You knew Randilin well. Do you think it’s possible that
he has something to do with the murder? Do you think he could have been working with Kantan and Levenworth?”

“Randilin is a flawed man,” replied Stalkton simply, “as are we all. In each of us is the desire to commit evil. We all hear her seducing call lure us to action. Only for some, the call is too strong. Randilin is just as able as you or I to have done such a deed.”
Glad I asked.

“One second,” Stalkton held out a book which looked identical to
The Code
, its large scarlet ‘A’ shining bright. “A decoy. It will be important for the people to see their new Book Keeper with the Book. Oh, and Cody . . .”

“Yes, Master?” asked Cody attentively.

“Make sure not to lock your knees when you’re on stage. I’ve made a terrible habit of fainting at ceremonies . . .”

Cody vowed never again to fret over an oral presentation. He stood on the stage beside the royal family and other Under-Earth dignitaries staring out over thousands of black robes. As he had learned to do in all those school presentations, he stared straight at Jade who was standing in the front row. Stationed on a wooden podium at the front of the stage was the book—the decoy.