The Divine Apprentice (The Divine Series) (36 page)

             
“What?” Kade hissed.

             
“I sense something very close.”

             
Kade studied the town, but nothing moved.  He strained his ears but again…nothing.  He was getting ready to signal the dragon to proceed when he changed his mind, getting a feeling that something was out of place.  Something was not quite right.  Kade scanned the shadows and found himself staring at one spot by a building.  When he would start to look away, his attention would be drawn right back to it.  It just did not feel right, but nothing appeared to be out of the ordinary.  Darcienna squeezed his arm again.  Kade made a mental note to purchase leather arm bands for their next trip. 

             
Okay Rayden, move forward slowly.  Very slowly,
Kade thought. 

As they slinked forward, Kade kept returning his eyes to the shadow alongside the building.  The dragon smelled something just ahead and Darcienna squeezed his arm again.  Kade was sure he was going to have bruises for weeks but, he continued to focus on the shadow.  And then, he saw it.  A slight movement caused the outline of a man to come into focus.  Kade stopped the dragon in mid step.

              “It’s a man,” Kade whispered so quietly that he was not sure she heard.

             
Darcienna released her grip.  Kade was sure she was freeing her hands, preparing to use her Gift of Nature if needed.  He could feel his heart pound a little harder
. 

Now things get very dangerous,
he thought.

             
Kade watched as the man slowly leaned around the corner, looking up the street.  After several long seconds, the man returned back to the cover of the shadow.  It was obvious he was waiting for something and that something was most definitely Kade.  Just as the Apprentice Chosen was formulating what he wanted to do for his next move, the boy started to wake and fuss.  Kade held his breath, hoping Darcienna could get the child under control.  She didn’t.  The child burst out into a loud cry.  Kade felt panic seize him and he held his breath, watching the man closely as he prepared to use the Fire Calling.  The seconds ticked by and the man did nothing more than look around the corner again.  Kade let out his breath, cutting off the Divine Power.

             
“Well, I am pretty sure they can’t hear us,” Kade whispered.  He still could not bring himself to talk normally.

             
“Good. I don’t think I could have shut Marcole up if I wanted.”

             
“I could have,” Kade said under his breath.

             
“What?” Darcienna asked as she jabbed him in the ribs and none too gently.

             
“I didn’t say a thing,” Kade said.

             
Darcienna didn’t answer.  If Kade could have seen the glare in her eyes, he would have cringed.  She did not say another word.  Kade was relieved that she let it go.

             
He was about ready to signal the dragon to move when the man in the shadow stood up and stared in their direction.  After a moment, he started moving toward them, silent as a ghost.  Kade felt the dragon tense, ready to strike.  The man stopped just short of Rayden and studied the ground.  Kade felt his heart start to pound, and forced himself to stay calm.  And then, Kade realized with panic, that the man was seeing the claw prints left by the dragon.

             
“Blood and ash!”  Kade hissed.  “Darcienna, prepare to use your shield on my word,” Kade said, doing his best to sound in control. 
Rayden, when I say, eat him,
Kade thought. 

             
Kade held his breath, waiting for the man to move back to his hiding spot.  The longer he could avoid killing, the longer he would go undetected.  Sooner or later the man would be missed, if he was not at his post.  Kade got an idea and quickly drew on the Divine Power and casted his calling.  Now, time would only tell if it worked…or was even needed.

             
The man bent down to look closely at the ground in the dim light of the moon.  He turned and looked over his shoulder at the street he was assigned to watch and then returned his attention back to the ground.  Kade watched in horror as the man stood up slowly and raised his eyes to look directly at them.  Kade could see him squint, as though trying to focus.  Rayden swung his head around and stopped not more than two feet from the man’s head.

             
“No,” Kade started to say, but it was too late.  He watched the man flinch as the dragon breathed directly into his face. 

*CH9*

The man’s eyes flew open wide.  He knew they were there.  In an instant, he leapt back faster than Kade would have expected just as the apprentice gave the dragon the order to attack.  The man opened his mouth and screamed as he grabbed a spear leaning against the wall and then spun to face them.   Kade felt every muscle in his body turn hard as stone.  Had the man realized his cry for help had gone unheard, he might have retreated, but believing reinforcement were just moments away, he attacked.

It did not take more than a second before Rayden had the man in his jaws and was tearing limbs off as though they were made of paper.  Kade felt nauseous as he watched the carnage.  He clenched his jaw tightly and ignored his stomach.  He felt a sickly, wet splash on his arm and his stomach heaved once.  The man vanished as the dragon finished him off.

“Kade,” Darcienna said in a panicked voice, turning as if to watch for attack from every direction at once. 

“It’s okay,” he said firmly as he raised his voice slightly.  He turned as far as he could and grabbed Darcienna by the shoulders, ignoring the screaming child.  It was chaos and he knew he had to get things back under control.  He squeezed as he hissed into her face, “Settle down!  We are undetected.  I cast the Silence Calling on the man before he could raise the alarm.  Now, please, quiet Marcole so I can think.”

Darcienna didn’t move, nor did she speak for several long moments.  Kade was starting to wonder if she was okay when she responded by putting her hands on his arms again.  He was relieved by this simple gesture.

“I am sorry.  I thought…there is so much danger here, Kade.  I am more scared than I have ever been in my entire life,” she said as her voice waivered.   “If they find us, we won’t have a chance.”

Kade wished he could hold her in his arms to let her know that everything was okay.  Half turned in his seat, he did the best to hold Darcienna in an attempt to calm her.  She responded by wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly.  It seemed to help, but the boy’s crying was starting to grate to him.

“It’s okay.  I would have told you what I was planning, but I didn’t have time.  Now, please settle him down,” Kade said through tight lips.

“I shouldn’t have panicked.  I should have trusted you,” Darcienna said in as calm a voice as she could muster.

“The boy,” Kade said firmly.

“Yes,” she said as she pulled the child to her front and tried to sooth him.  No matter what she did, he continued to wail.

“Cover his eyes,” Kade said, hitting on what he thought was the problem.

“Kade…”

“Just do it.”

“Okay,” Darcienna said.  She whispered in Marcole’s ear as she held him tightly.  To her surprise, the boy calmed almost instantly.  “Very clever,” she said, realizing why this was working.

“Just do what it takes to keep him calm, please,” Kade said, attempting to control his agitation.

The dragon was completely still as if it were stalking prey…which it was.  Kade turned his attention back to the town.  He urged Rayden forward at a slow pace as he took a deep breath and let it out to settle his nerves.

There had to be eyes all over the place,
Kade thought as he looked deep into the shadows.  Every alley had the potential to be a call-to-arms against him.  The dragon moved to the edge of the building just before stepping into the street and stopped at Kade’s command.  He scanned the road and saw a wooden tower that had been constructed in the middle of the town.  There was not much light, but it was enough to see the tower and what sat at the top.  His chest constricted as his eyes fell on the figure that was strapped to a beam.

In an instant, Kade felt rage build in him to a dangerous level.  His lips pulled back as his anger soared.  Hate filled him quickly.  Kade realized he was clenching and unclenching his fists as the Divine Power coursed through him.  He was not even aware he had been drawing on it, but it was there, waiting.  It was begging to be molded and used.  For the first time ever, Kade understood the warnings from his master.  Be aware of the seductive power of the Divine.  He fought to release the power but his rage and anger kept the power building in him, whispering for him to use it.  He could not tear his eyes from the suffering form.  The more he looked, the more his fury built.  The Divine was a promise of raw power that could not be stopped.  He squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled.  It was like a slow rain that had built in to a hurricane.  Kade felt himself giving way to his rage.  He wanted a target with which to aim his fury.  He desperately needed to vent his anger as he shook and then…something…touched his very soul.  A sweet sound whispered gently through the hurricane.   He felt the soft touch and the power hesitated.  Then, ever so slowly, it started to withdraw.  The hurricane lessened until it was a gentle rain and then…nothing.  Kade felt the power fade until it was gone.  There was an emptiness that left him longing.  He had to fight to keep from calling it back. 

“Kade?  Kade, are you ok?” Darcienna asked for the third time as she squeezed his shoulder.

He found he was breathing heavily.  His throat was raw and his chest burned.  He closed his eyes as he forced himself to calm, doing his best to return his breathing to normal.  He unclenched his hands and relaxed the muscles in his jaw.

“Darcienna, I am not positive, but I believe that is my father on top of that tower,” Kade rasped as he pointed with his unseen arm.

“Kade,” Darcienna said, her voice full of concern.  She pulled him back to lean against her as she hugged him.  He was not sure if it was her or her Nature’s Gift, but something reached right to the core of his being to calm him.  “We will free him.  I swear on the most sacred Nature’s Gift that we will do everything in our power to save your parents.”  Letting out a long breath, Kade relaxed and leaned forward.

“Do you see?” he asked, regaining control.

“Kade, I see your father, but what about your mother?”

He squinted in the dim light, and sure enough, he could only see one person.  He took a deep breath as he felt his anger start to boil in him again.  It was almost too difficult for him to think clearly while he looked on as his parent suffered.

“Maybe she is on the other tower,” Darcienna said as she looked down the street.

“What?” Kade asked in shock as he looked from one end of the town to the other.  Then, he saw the tower fifty yards beyond the first.  “They have split them up so I won’t be able to get them without being seen.  As soon as I free either of them, they will have me before I can get to the other one,” Kade said as he clenched his fist again.  For just a moment, he could taste the Divine Power, and he quickly shut it off before it was able to overwhelm him.

Kade briefly recalled the beginning of his training.  It had taken him years to sense the power, much less channel it, and now he was so attuned to it that it flowed to him with barely a thought.  He took a deep breath, and once again, cleared his head.  He reached back for his teacher’s lessons on staying calm.  It never made sense to him why Zayle had preached over and over that it was imperative that emotions not be allowed to control the power.  That never made sense until this very moment.

Kade felt sweat break out on his forehead.  He closed his eyes and visualized his breathing.  The more he pondered his teacher’s words, the more it was starting to make sense.  He could command the full force of the Divine Power…and not just the normal amount like other Chosen.  To be called a Chosen was to command awe and deep respect, but each Chosen had only so much of the Divine Power they could channel.   But, he was different and he knew it.  It was at that very moment that Kade finally understood what Zayle meant when he said, “You are one of the most powerful users of the Divine.”  Kade put aside his thinking and returned to the present.

“They will have many eyes on those towers.  If the Divine is being used here, there will be traps all over the place.” 

Rayden, take us forward, and stay close to the right side of the road so we can keep to the shadows.  We don’t need anyone seeing us disturb the ground as we pass,
Kade thought to the dragon. 
Be alert for danger.

Rayden started forward at a pace that was slower than a man’s walk.  Kade tried his best to calm his impatience and almost failed.  He was not able to relax completely, but it was enough for him to clear his head so he could think. 

Kade felt his heart pounding the closer he got to the other tower.  As he closed the distance, he became more certain that it was his father on top.  He forced his breathing to stay calm in an attempt to keep from lunging for the Divine and killing anything that would present a challenge.  The only thing that kept him from doing just that was his certainty that it would cause his parents death.

The south end of town was smoking with several small buildings on fire.  A smoky haze drifted through the streets as the breeze carried the occasional soot toward the towers.  The north end still appeared to be virtually untouched.  There were three oil lamps along the road, giving just enough light for anyone walking to be seen.  Kade was sure it was no accident that the towers were right next to two of them. 

They were within fifty feet of the closest structure when Darcienna grabbed Kade’s arm again.  He jumped, chastising himself for not being used to her doing this by now.  He exhaled as he turned slightly, waiting for her to explain.

“There is danger all around us.  I also believe you are correct about there being traps set up around the towers.  The closer we get, the stronger the danger is.”

“Do you see anything that looks like a trap?” Kade asked.

“No.”

Rayden, do you sense anything between us and the tower?
  Kade thought to the dragon.  Rayden took several deep breaths, tasting the air.  He could sense a lot of different smells in all directions but nothing directly in their path that would indicate danger.   Kade signaled the dragon to stop, forcing himself to be methodical and logical in his approach.  As he sat there, he saw several shadows duck out of alleys to survey the street only to move back out of sight again.  Something about being right under their noses gave him a euphoric feeling.

“Kade,” Darcienna said firmly, “the closer we get to the tower, the more the danger threatens to overwhelm me.  I am sensing it so strongly that it feels like we are standing right on top of it.”

Kade closed his eyes and performed the Reveal Calling, feeling like a fool for not thinking of this sooner.  He gasped when he saw all the pulsing patterns just ahead and to their left.  There were many callings just waiting for him to blunder into.  There was barely enough room for the dragon to get by the traps, if they stayed close to the buildings.

“Kade, what is it?” Darcienna asked, hearing his gasp.

“There are several callings placed around the tower.  If we had taken two more steps, we would have been caught, or most likely, killed.”

“What are you going to do?” Darcienna asked much calmer than he expected.  By the tone in her voice, Kade could see that she put a lot of trust in him to keep them safe.  This was not lost on him.  He only hoped he did not disappoint her…for their sake and his parents.

He was about to tell her that he was unsure when he thought better of it.  Once again, he decided it was important for her to have faith in him so she would not panic. 
Well…at least, keep the panicking down as much as possible,
he thought as he recalled her recent reaction in the alley.

“I think we should work our way to the next tower,” Kade said as he looked up at the slumped form of his father.  He took a deep breath and let it out, controlling the anger before it started. 
So close, and yet, so far,
Kade thought as he tore his eyes away from the broken body of this parent.  Even from this distance and this poor light, Kade could see that his father was in dire shape.

Darcienna sat silently, seeming to accept this.  Kade looked at the tortured man, wishing there was some way of telling him that he was there.  It broke his heart. 
Just a little longer, Father,
he thought and then instructed the dragon to start moving forward again.  Kade closed his eyes and performed the Reveal Calling once more, opening his mind up to the dragon in hopes that it could see or sense the traps.  Rayden moved a little bit more to the side.  They slid past the tower, clear of the traps.  Kade looked back at his father, watching very closely, desperately wanting to see him move just a little.  He never did.  Kade turned and focused on the next tower.

The dragon moved forward, keeping to the shadows as much as possible.  Kade closed his eyes again and used the calling once more to check for traps.   He was not surprised by what he found.  Kade brought the dragon to a stop just outside the furthest trap.  Looking up, he was certain beyond any doubt that he was seeing his mother.  He cringed.  She was bound to a beam by her wrists, as she dangled just inches off the platform.  Kade was also certain that he was meant to see her.  The limp form stirred as it raised its head momentarily only to collapse a second later. 

At least she is alive,
Kade thought, feeling a sense of relief.

He felt the strong urge to jump down from the dragon and climb the tower as fast as he could.  He paused as he looked at her, sure he was seeing a slight hint of a smile while she looked down.  He got the strange feeling that she was looking right at him.  He quickly glanced at the dragon to make sure he had not released the Transparency Calling, even though he knew he had not.  It was, indeed, still intact.  When he looked up again, her head had fallen back to her chest.

“Kade?” Darcienna asked, pained for him.

“Yes, that is my mother,” Kade said through clenched teeth.  Darcienna sat completely still, feeling pity she was sure Kade would not want.  She looked up at the battered woman, desperately wanted to rescue her and end her suffering.  Even though it was difficult to see in the dark, it was obvious that the woman had been tortured.

Darcienna felt her heart break for the man that was trying so hard to be brave and save his parents in the face of so much danger.  She did not know where he got all his strength from, but her level of respect for him grew.  She marveled at his ability to think under such duress.

“Darcienna, we have to leave the town so you and the boy will be safe.”

“Kade, what are you planning?” she asked with suspicion, knowing she was not going to like the answer.

“All you need to know is that I need to get you and the boy out of here,” Kade said.

Darcienna started to worry, fearing Kade was going to do something rash.  She firmed her resolve and waited for him to try to dismiss her.  She was not about to let him send her away that easily.  If he wanted her gone, he was going to have to be a lot more convincing than that, or at least assure her he had a plan that sounded like it would work.

“You are planning to use the Divine to free your parents without being discovered?” Darcienna asked hesitantly, prodding him for any hint of what he was planning.  “You are not going to try to take them by force, are you?  There are too many of them.  It will only end in disaster.”

“You are right,” Kade said, sidestepping her question completely. 

“Good,” Darcienna said, not realizing that he had not really answered any of her questions.

“Did you want to make a suggestion?” he asked, hoping she would not see that he had no plan of his own.

“No,” Darcienna said hesitantly.  “You do what you think is best.  I trust you.”

Kade felt frustration and helplessness descend upon him as he looked up at his mother, just out of reach.  As he continued to consider the callings he knew, he hit on a simple one.  It was so basic and yet...