The Golden Symbol (26 page)

Dad began by letting everyone know where the Lorkon were, then turned to Kenji. “Tell them about your decision with the Makalos.”

Kenji stepped forward. “We’ve decided, as many of you probably know, to allow Makalos the opportunity to introduce Kaede Sap into their blood again. About three-fourths of our population has elected to do so. This shall become a new tradition for Makalos—when they reach the age of six, they’ll decide for themselves if they want the sap in their blood or not. Any who chooses not to do it will always have the option later in life.”

He stepped back, then looked at Dad. “It is a new feeling, this strength we’ve been given. Many of us are shaky and nervous with the small amount of power we’ve been granted. Akeno is helping us, and we’ll do our best in the war, but I don’t foresee us being able to do anything more than protect the link and ourselves.”

Dad nodded. “That’s fine—previously, you would’ve needed protection as well, so this will free up quite a number of our forces.” He looked at Akeno. “Jacob told me you’ve been working in the forest the past couple of days. Why don’t you explain what you’ve been doing so we can all be on the same page?”

Akeno cleared his throat, a slight flush crossing his face.

Sweet Pea chuckled. “Stop thinking about girls—it’s making you blush.”

Jacob smiled, but didn’t think this was the time for jokes like that.

Finally, the Makalo found his voice. “I’ve been getting to know the forest here. I’m encouraging the plants to grow stronger and more quickly. I’ll be able to fight in the war, so long as Jacob, or someone else who knows me well, is helping.”

“What will you be doing?” Dad asked.

“Using the plants to attack the Lorkon army. I don’t want to tell everything right now, since some of my plans haven’t been working, but if I can have the next two days to be completely alone in the forest so I can practice, I should be able to pull off quite a few tricks.”

“You want us to evacuate the forest?” Gallus leaned forward. “I don’t think I like this idea.”

Akeno shrugged. “It’s not absolutely necessary, but it will give me more time to get to know the trees with fewer distractions. They’ll respond more readily if they know my mental voice.”

“We’ll give you all of today,” Dad said, looking at the clock. It was almost seven in the morning. “But we need the others to finish getting their traps in place, along with archer hideouts and guard ambushes.”

Akeno looked at his feet. “Today will be fine—I’ll do my best.” He glanced at Jacob. “When the battle happens, I’ll need you by me to Key me from door to door.”

Gallus again looked displeased—it seemed he wanted to be the voice of reason in this meeting. “Jacob is the only one here who can administer the antidote. Are you sure you really need him?”

Akeno met Gallus’s eye without wavering. “He won’t need to do anything for the first part of the war. The Lorkon will probably send a full wave of soldiers before getting involved themselves. Especially if they know we’ve got the antidote, which is likely, since they were guarding the link to the Fire Pulser world.”

Gallus stared at Akeno, then glanced away. He didn’t disagree, however, and Jacob’s chest swelled with pride in Akeno. He was standing his ground, not letting intimidation control him!

Akeno continued. “I won’t require Jacob’s assistance for very long—more likely than not, I’ll run out of energy fairly quickly. During the first part of the war, I plan to take out as many enemies as I can. Hundreds, if not thousands.”

Everyone gasped at that, and Jacob couldn’t stop smiling. Akeno was going to rock! He was so awesome.

“How will that be possible, son?” Kenji asked.

Poor Akeno—even his parents doubted his abilities. Of course, they didn’t know what he’d been studying. Jacob was the only one who’d gotten close, and even
he
didn’t know everything Akeno and Onyev had practiced.

“It will be—Onyev has taught me many tricks.”

“Very well,” Dad said. “Jacob, you and Akeno will be partnered for the first part of the war. After that, we—”

Akeno raised his hand. “We’ll need someone else with us—someone who can protect Jacob and me while we’re focusing on other areas.” He rushed on when Gallus opened his mouth. “I’ll spend most of my time with my hand on the tree, seeing what the trees are seeing. I won’t be able to watch my surroundings. And neither will Jacob, since he’ll be Time-Seeing a lot. We’ll need someone who can protect us, and I’ll need someone who can give me Kaede Sap to drink to help replenish my strength. What I’m going to do is very difficult and dangerous.”

Dad didn’t respond for a moment—he tapped his cheek, thinking. “If you’re positive you’ll be able to take out that many people, Gallus and I will guard you. Matt will keep track of your Kaede Sap supplies.”

Matt cocked his head. “Didn’t you all run out of that stuff?” he asked Akeno.

Akeno nodded. “What I’ve got is only meant to keep me going—give me energy and strength. The trees aren’t old enough to withstand a large harvest. None of them will produce the amounts of Kaede Sap needed to heal wounds for several years.” He looked at Dad. “And that’s all I needed to talk about.”

“We’ll do our best to make sure you’re safe.” Dad took a deep breath, then turned to the group. “Some of the things Fubble the Wurby found in Gratitude City will be beneficial. I’ve assigned Coren to go through it as soon as the meeting is over and hand it out to people who would be able to use the equipment, weapons, and armor.”

“Speaking of the Wurbies,” Jacob said, “what are they going to be doing?”

“A large section—those who’ve been trained for battle—will be focusing on the Dusts,” Dad said. “Unfortunately, the rest won’t be able to defend themselves in open battle. Fubble informed me earlier that they’ll be sneaking away soon and heading to the forests near Sonda Lake. They plan to keep an eye on the Molg caves that didn’t get sealed and do what they can to keep more Molgs from joining Keitus’s cause. Those who survive the battle will join them, and they plan to live there from now on.”

Dad then turned to Azuriah. “I apologize for the delay. What did you want to discuss?”

Azuriah’s face twitched. It was obvious he was trying to control his frustration. “None of these people need to know it.”

Pambri put her hand on his arm. “They all have the right to know what we’ve decided.”

Azuriah didn’t look at her. His face twitched once more, then he visibly relaxed and turned to Dad. “We’ve decided not to fight in the war.”

The room fell silent. Jacob didn’t have to look to know that everyone was as shocked as he was. What was Azuriah talking about? Why would he desert at the last minute, when he’d been so supportive? How did he expect them to win without his help? Didn’t he realize the Lorkon were terrified of Shiengols for a reason, that they’d be what turned the war this time?

“I see,” Dad said after a long silence. He swallowed, and Jacob was grateful no one could see Dad’s emotions. He was devastated by this news. “Will any of the other Shiengols come to assist?”

Azuriah shook his head. “Don’t count on them—they believe you are waging a pointless and losing war. And you didn’t need to ask, as you know. In fact, you—”

Pambri squeezed his arm, scowling up at him. She turned to Dad. “We have a specific reason for not fighting. It’s not because we want to withdraw our support, but because we want to give
more
of it. This decision will help your son immensely.”

Dad didn’t meet Pambri’s eyes, but stared at the wall, one hand fisted by his side. He clenched his jaw.

Pambri put her hand on Jacob’s arm, looking him in the eye. It only took him a moment to see her eyes through their brilliant shine, but when he did, he saw that they brimmed with tears. She was really struggling. Had their decision been a difficult one?

“You remember how I told you a Shiengol can take power from other living things . . . including Shiengols?”

Jacob glanced away and licked his lips. He could see where she was going with this. It wasn’t okay with him. “Yes, but—”

She gripped his arm tighter, forcing him to look back. “You remember it’s done by drawing their face symbols yourself?”

“Yes, but I won’t let you guys do this. We need you more.”

She half smiled. “It isn’t your decision to make, Jacob.” She straightened, turning to Dad. “We’ve decided to allow Jacob to borrow our powers.” She stared at Dad and Mom. “He is far more important than we are. If he dies, no one will defeat the Lorkon. Only he can administer the antidote, since they’ll most likely try to touch whoever is giving it.” She looked back at Jacob. “With my power, Azuriah’s, and our daughter’s, all of your Shiengol abilities will be strengthened. You’ll be tapping into ours, thereby tripling yours.”

Jacob shook his head. “But it’ll make you guys weak and . . . and can’t it kill you?”

“No, Jacob, it can’t,” Azuriah said. “We’ll be crippled, since we’ve come to rely on our abilities so much, but we won’t die.”

Jacob stared at his feet. “I don’t like it.” Not only was he uncomfortable with stealing—borrowing—their powers, but he hated the pressure it put on him. Why did it have to be him? Why couldn’t it have been Matt or . . . or someone else who’d inherited all these things?

“Nevertheless, it is what shall be done.” Azuriah took a deep breath. “We’ll have Jacob come to the fortress when the Lorkon are a couple of hours away. It will only take him a few minutes.”

Jacob bit his lips, still shaking his head. “Azuriah—”

“There will be
no
further discussion!” Azuriah shouted. “You
will
do this, Jacob.” His voice caught. “And you
will
win.”

The Shiengol shrugged off his wife’s arm and stormed from the room. Pambri sent an apologetic smile to the others, then followed him.

Jacob stumbled to the couch, putting his head in his hands. He didn’t need to look to know that everyone was watching him, waiting to see how he’d react. His eyes stung. Must not cry. Must not embarrass himself. He took a deep breath, then looked at Dad. “I’m sorry—if I’d known . . . I would’ve talked to him and convinced him not to do it.”

Dad grimaced. “I know, son.” He took a shaky breath. “Azuriah is right on one count. You could definitely use more help.”

Matt laughed, startling everyone. “See, Jacob? Even Dad knows you’re a weakling.”

Dad held up his hands, protesting. “That’s not what I meant.” But no one listened—the depressing mood had been broken and everyone was laughing.

Jacob jumped from the couch and acted like he was about to tackle Matt. “Whatever. You’d totally go down in a real fight.”

It felt good to mess around, and Jacob was grateful the attention wasn’t on him anymore. But he couldn’t erase the sick feeling in his heart when he thought of what Azuriah, Pambri, and Britt had decided to do—the amount of trust they were placing in him. The pressure to perform well.

He and Matt punched each other’s shoulders, chuckling, but Jacob didn’t feel the laughter reach his heart.

Chapter Seventeen: Het and the Fish

Eachan and Sanso crept toward the castle, doing their best to stay out of sight. The Lorkon had returned—they’d been back for about a day now—and Eachan knew they’d be suspicious if they saw him and Sanso hanging around the castle.

He couldn’t stop touching the pocket where he’d hidden the squirt gun. Would it leak? Had it already? He looked behind them, but nothing was crashing toward them. Nothing
would
, so long as he continued to be careful.

“Where shall we hide?” Sanso asked, his dark eyes sparkling. His eyes had sparkled a lot lately. It was different, but a nice change.

“I’m not sure,” Eachan said.

He’d returned from the Fire Pulser world elated, calm. Eachan had never seen him this way before, and all attempts to find out what had happened were brushed aside. Sanso only said that things would be better for him after the Lorkon were destroyed.

Eachan stroked his mustache. “Perhaps in the throne room?”

Sanso scoffed. “Not unless you plan to walk in while the Lorkon watch. No, we should hide near the entrance so we can make sure they’re really leaving.”

Eachan glanced back at the little creature following them. “What of your Dust?” It hadn’t left Sanso since he came back.

“I’ll have him wait in the forest.” Sanso turned and beckoned the creature forward. He got on one knee and spoke to the Dust, pointing at the trees.

The Dust nodded, though Eachan could tell the thing didn’t want to do it. As soon as it had scurried away, Eachan and Sanso entered the castle and stuffed themselves into a wardrobe near the entrance, keeping the door open a crack.

“What if the Lorkon don’t leave soon?” Eachan asked.

Sanso shrugged. “Then we wait for a long time. Possibly forever. We could make this our new home.”

Eachan rolled his eyes. The Ember God was probably grinning. He had such a dumb sense of humor.

“They
will
leave today,” Sanso said. “That’s what the Molg said.”

“Well, hopefully it won’t take much longer.” Despite the medication from Aloren, Eachan’s joints were already complaining from the long walk. And standing there cramped, shoved against a bunch of smelly coats, wasn’t comfortable.

They hadn’t waited long before Eachan started nodding off. He couldn’t help it—he was an old man. Old enough, anyway.

“Stop that,” Sanso said, bumping Eachan’s shoulder. “Or I’ll make things really warm in here.”

That woke Eachan up—he knew Sanso wouldn’t joke, not about that.

Several minutes later, voices echoed down the hall. Footsteps pounded on the stone and after a moment, Keitus strode past, followed by a few Molgs, some Dusts, and the other three Lorkon.

Eachan stopped Sanso from jumping out of the wardrobe right away. “We can’t let them see us,” he whispered. “Not yet.”

Sanso growled, but waited until the Lorkon had gone completely out of view.

Eachan opened the door, pulled out the squirt gun, and handed it to Sanso. “Hide this and yourself, then spray him when he turns away again.”

“He who?”