The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Five





Jekyll Rock was an astonishing city named after its mountain fortress, an impenetrable castle carved into the mountainside. The lively city sat at the base of the mountain and a wall surrounded it, protecting the people and the fortress within. The side of the mountain stood as part of its guarded wall while the rest of it was manmade. Sentries marched along the top of the wall and kept watch from various towers around the fortress to keep guard over the city. Any oncoming attack could be seen from miles away, even at night, leaving a surprise assault nearly impossible. More sentries took shelter at an outpost five miles to the east and to the north to light a fire as a warning that enemies were approaching. But this was hardly needed; at least it hadn't been needed for the past seventeen years. But the sentries diligently waited, on guard, as if a legion of soldiers might be marching their way at any moment. Whatever the enemy, they would be ready.

In mid-flight, soaring near the first lookouts in the east, Julian Hobbes flashed the green gem from his wristband a mile before finally flying past. This let them know a friendly was flying in. After another five miles, and in his approach to Jekyll Rock, he was greeted with a salute from soldiers at the wall. Past the wall was a city of people, a people separate from the rest of Marenon. Set only a few miles away from the bustling city of Canor, the Dunarians were Humans that did not live under the rule of the Human king of Marenon. They lived by the principles set by the Dunarian Council, thus making their existence technically against the Human law of the land. However, their insubordination was graciously overlooked due to the Dunarian’s relationship with the king’s father who had died some five years before.

The mountain, half-jagged rock, half-crafted fortress, housed the Dunarian Council. It looked primitive, yet was as advanced as the king’s castle in Farlaweer. Jekyll Rock was more prepared for an assault than any city in Marenon. Julian hoped this would never be tested. Above the fortress stood four tall towers overlooking every direction and Julian flew to the eastern tower where the council's sarians were kept. He glided into the opening and landed safely into her designated stall. He unsaddled Eden and rubbed her neck affectionately.

“We'll be traveling again soon, girl,” Julian said. Eden bent down low for Julian to scratch the side of her neck. He grabbed his pack and threw it over his shoulder and walked past the sarians. Including Eden, all eight were there and accounted for, so he knew that the whole council was present at Jekyll rock. He paused as a thought struck him and turned back when he reached the door, counting the sarians once again. Nine? Why were there nine sarians?

Julian swung open the large wooden door to take the stone stairs. He was met by an old white bearded man barely half his height. He was called Dublin, although what his given name was nobody knew; he was called Dublin because of his birthplace.

“How are yeh, master Julian?” he asked. “Been waitin' on yeh for some time.”

“Why's that Dublin?” He began his descent.

“Was the mission successful?”

“I suppose we'll see when they bring us the medallion. They said they need another member for the infiltration, but it will get done.”

“Tha's good ta hear.”

They made their way through the corridors of the castle hallways dug from tunnels in the mountain. Torches lit the path and occasionally there would be a window carved in the wall, overseeing most of Jekyll Rock. Julian had always marveled at Jekyll Rock’s architecture. The fact that it was built into the mountain might make one think that it would be rugged, but it was quite the opposite. To Julian, Jekyll Rock seemed more elegant than the extravagant halls of the king’s palace in Farlaweer.

Dublin was talking to him about some nonsense, almost as if to try and distract Julian. “-and don’t yeh know yeh can’t quite get rashes off the skin without rubbin’ quite a bit of cha-.”

“Dublin, I need you to gather the council and have them meet me in the chamber,” Julian interrupted.

Dublin’s eyebrows furrowed and held up a finger. “About tha’,” he said.

Julian waited for the old man to continue.

“The council is already in the chamber in a special meetin’, sir.”

Julian quickened his pace.

“It was an emergency, Master Hobbes!”

“Why wasn't I informed of this? I'm part of the council, Dublin!”

“I was told not to contact yeh.”

Julian stopped and glared at him angrily. “Who told you not to contact me? And whose sarian is up in the tower?”

“Sir, I've said too much. They weren't expectin’ yeh to come this soon.”

Julian said nothing and once again stormed toward the chamber.

Once there, he pushed on the door but the solid wood didn't budge. “Dublin! Unlock the door!”

Again he shoved. He stood back and kicked the heavy, wooden door causing pain to shoot through his leg. He should have known the oak wouldn’t split under his kick. How could the council be meeting without contacting me? Who's sarian was in the east tower? There had better be some good answers.

After a few quick moments, the door to the chamber cracked open slightly and Julian shoved it wide. All of the council members were sitting in their chairs at the long rectangular table. Nalani Geldwin sat in her seat next to Julian’s at the foot of the table and Ward Holden was standing. Kaden’s seat at the head was occupied by a man, probably in his seventies, who looked weathered and tired. All eyes were on Julian. Ward Holden raised a hand in order to calm Julian.

Before anyone could speak, Julian began with his accusations.

“What is this, Ward?”

“Julian, calm down,” Ward Holden said.

“I will calm down when you tell me what is going on!”

Holden walked from the table toward Julian and placed a hand on his shoulder. Before getting a disapproving look from Nalani, Julian followed Ward out of the room.

When they were out of earshot, Ward spoke first.

“First of all, you should know better than to try and interrupt a council meeting in such a manner,” he said. “Second, I told Dublin not to contact you because I didn't want to compromise your mission.”

Julian rolled his eyes. “Compromise the mission?” He pulled up his sleeve to reveal a silver chained wristband with a green emerald at its center. “It glows when I am being contacted, Ward. I don't think it would have raised too many questions.”

“Could you have come sooner if we had called you?”

“It doesn't matter! As a member of the council I have a right to know when it is meeting. I've earned that right!”

“I'm sorry Julian.”

“What's the real reason, Ward?”

“What?”

“I said, what's the real reason you didn't contact me?”

“I don't know what you're talking abo-”

“Who's in Kaden’s seat?” he said pointing to the chamber.

Ward smirked. “The man you just embarrassed yourself in front of is none other than Barton Teague.”

“What?” That couldn't be possible.

“He's back,” Ward said. “And you have shown your true colors today, my friend.”

Julian ignored him and walked back into the chamber, all eyes falling back on him as he entered. Holden stood alone in the doorway.

Julian approached the table slowly. “Sir Barton Teague?”

The man nodded. “A name I am having to grow accustomed to again, I see,” Teague said. “Who are you?”

“How do we know you are who you say you are? No one on this council has ever seen Barton Teague, but Kaden and …” He stopped for a moment scanning the council members. “Where is Kaden?”

“You forget, dear boy,” said Ward Holden, “that I too knew Barton Teague for a very long time. This is surely he.”

Teague spoke next. “I sent Kaden on a mission yesterday.”

“What gives you the power to do that?” Julian could feel the warning stares of the council members.

“He is Barton Teague,” Ward said from the door. “He is the author and finisher of The Reckoning.”

“I don't claim to have any power over anyone,” Teague said. “It was an emergency and the best needed to be sent.”

“What's the emergency?”

Teague sighed, but he was patient. “The barrier between Marenon and Earth has been lifted and the Meshulan is in danger. If I could have gone myself, I would have, but it was forbidden by the Gatekeeper.”

“You mean Garland Ainsley is dead? That’s the only reason the barrier could be broken, right?” Julian asked.

Teague nodded solemnly. “That and the passing of time,” he answered. “The longer the magic went on, the weaker it became. The Gatekeeper’s power is failing him, I’m afraid.”

Julian was beginning to feel a bit foolish for the way he had acted, but he was not going to back down. He should have been informed of the meeting.

“That's just what I was trying to explain to the council when you started kicking the door,” Teague said.

Julian nodded, staring down at the table then back to Teague. “We need to send someone to Canor to find Garland Ainsley,” he said. “I can't do it because I have to be off to Farlaweer for the next part of my mission.”

“I just got back from Canor,” Teague said. “Have a seat, Julian,” he motioned to Julian’s open chair next to Nalani. His cheeks flushed red and he did what he was told, avoiding eye contact with anyone, especially Nalani. Ward Holden remained standing, stroking his gray, short beard, probably discerning how he looked in front of their new leadership. Julian boiled at the thought of Holden gaining prestige with anyone of importance. It made him sick.

“The truth, per my instruction, has been kept from you all,” Teague said. “Only Kaden Osric knew exactly what happened. At the time, he was the only person I could trust.”

Julian noticed Holden look down at the floor, almost in shame. He wondered what might have happened between the two.

“I was once a knight under the king of Marenon. With that honor comes a new name. My new name was Sir Barton Teague. What you should know is that my birth name is Garland Ainsley.”

Teague waited a moment to allow the words to sink in. Several council members exchanged looks with one another, but remained silent. Ward kept his eyes on the floor.

“When the Dunarians were gaining power and renown in Marenon, when our voice was becoming stronger, I decided to keep the name Barton Teague. It was a name of power and recognition in Marenon and it helped us gain a lot of support in a time of need. The disappearance of Barton Teague, while Garland Ainsley took care of young Silas on Earth was no coincidence. The boy is not my son; he is my grandson and I was the only family he had at that time. I felt I was the only one that should take him to keep him from the destructive influence of the Stühocs.

“Now, that protection has diminished. Two of the possessed killed me two days ago and now I am here, back to Marenon and in the Dunarian’s service. I sent Kaden to protect the boy, and bring back the medallion as we had planned when Silas was a baby. The fate of the boy is in Kaden’s hands now. Silas is a big part of Operation Reckoning.”

“A very big part,” councilman Darius Umar said.

Teague nodded. “Without Silas, The Reckoning cannot exist. It is an operation that he will eventually have to finish himself.”

Julian sat with his eyes fixed on the table in front of him. He didn't like that Teague had just taken over like this. He understood the circumstances were dire, but Holden shouldn't have let him walk all over the council. He drummed his fingers on the side of his chair repeatedly as he listened to Holden and the others talk. Nalani placed a calming hand on his, but it did not have the desired effect that he suspected she wanted. Unable to contain himself any longer, he stood and all eyes once again fell on Julian.

“I'm sorry Sir Teague, but what is it that we are supposed to do now? Do you want us to abandon what we've been doing now that you are here?”

“What you've been doing has been part of the plan for many years. I left the plans for The Reckoning with Kaden seventeen years ago for him to begin implementation when the time was right. That time has come and that’s why you have been sent to retrieve the medallions. I expect you to move forward with what you have been working toward and get the rest of them.”

“And what about Silas?” Julian asked.

“Silas Ainsley is not your concern, Julian,” Ward Holden said. “Your next mission is to travel to Farlaweer and try to obtain possession of another medallion.”

Julian nodded. “You don’t have to remind me of my duties.”

“Silas is being taken care of by Kaden,” Holden continued, “and that should be good enough for you.”

“How many of the medallions do we have?” Garland asked, sensing the tension.

Holden looked down, and hesitated briefly. “As you just said, we only recently began operations in obtaining them.”

Garland waited.

“Julian has just met with a group to help us acquire the medallion from Timugo,” Holden said, “and as I mentioned he will soon be on his way to Farlaweer to meet with the king. How he plans to get the medallion is a mystery to me still, but he says he is confident.”

Julian nodded. “I am.”

“The king has no love for you or the Dunarians,” Holden said. “He will not simply hand it over.”

“I am aware of the king’s feelings,” Julian bristled. “I don’t need you to convey them to me.”

Holden then motioned to Nalani. “Councilwoman Nalani Geldwin has been planning and extensive operation to get into Voelif and attempt to take the medallion from that territory.”

Garland looked confused for a moment. “You mean, you're trying to steal the medallions?” he asked.

Silence.

“I thought I made it clear that we were to obtain them by gaining allies, and using them to unite against the Stühocs!” Garland was now on his feet, his jaws clenched. “That is what this has been about from the beginning! We Dunarians cannot, nor have we ever been able to fight the Stühocs on our own. We are too small. And to think that we can be successful by stealing from our potential allies is completely ridiculous!”

“With all due respect,” Holden began, “We have attempted to-”

“I don't want to hear it! What have you turned this council into?”

Holden hesitated, and then spoke. “Kaden is the council leader, my lord,” he said, eyes still fixed on the floor.

“This council works as one,” Garland said. “At least it did when I was in command. You're using hirelings; you're doing covert operations. How are you expecting to gain any allies?” He stopped only to catch his breath. His red face was blazing. “It's difficult enough to maintain stability in Marenon when your existence is illegal, but when you deliberately try to make everyone your enemy, you set yourself up for defeat!”

“I disagree,” Julian said. “Our purpose is to eradicate the Stühocs. If everyone else is willing to stand idly by while the Stühocs build an army bent on Marenon's destruction, then they are already our enemies.” He took a deep breath. No one was surprised at his boldness except for Garland who was now thunderstruck.

“The only allies we need are the Erellens, but we've failed to gain their support as well,” Julian said. “Right now our only hope is to get all the medallions by any means necessary. You know this is true, Teague. This has been discussed and voted on by the Dunarian Council. It is now policy, and we have the obligation to follow that policy. I'm sorry if I sound rude, but you have no right making demands of us anymore. You are not a voting member, therefore you have no input in what we do from here on out.”

Eyes were wide and breaths were shallow. “Julian! Know your place,” Holden said. “You are addressing the founding father of the Dunarian people. If it were not for him, you wouldn't be in this room.”

Garland lightly rapped his fist on the table, as a look of defeat spread across his face.

“No, he's right. I have overstepped my boundaries.” He looked at Julian. “I am sorry for having come in here acting the way I have. I wrote the laws, which the council abides by. I should know them better than any of you.”

The room felt heavy with awkwardness and no person knew where to go from there until Garland spoke again.

“I would ask the council that I be allowed to have some input into the carrying out of council operations, however. I have experience and would be an asset to you.”

Holden cleared his throat. “Someone get Dublin in here.” Councilwoman Katherine Fallera was closest to the door and rose to get the old man. After a moment or two, he walked in with a giant book and quill in his hand, ready to take notes of any action taken by the council.

“Is anyone willing to make a motion for Barton Teague to sit in on council meetings and to give opinion regarding missions involving Operation Reckoning, while acknowledging the member and leader, Kaden Osric, is not present?” Holden asked.

“I make the motion,” Nalani said, giving Julian a look from the side as if to say, I dare you to vote against me.

“I second it,” Quincy Todd said.

“Ward Holden,” Dublin called out from behind his giant book.

“Aye.”

“Katherine Fallera.”

“Aye.”

“Darius Umar.”

“Aye.”

“Myron Lloyd.”

“Aye.”

“Julian Hobbes.”

He stared into Garland's eyes. He felt no remorse for having put the man in his place. He shouldn't have been there. He shouldn't have been sitting at the table. Who cared if he founded the council? He left it behind too long ago to know how things worked now. Julian didn’t want another old man telling him how to run his missions. Ward Holden did enough of that as second in command. The vote was already passed, but protocol forced Julian to vote. It was a question of are you with me, or are you against me? Julian had a feeling that either way, Teague was going to be stepping on too many toes before The Reckoning was ever finished.

He looked down to his right. Nalani stared at him with disappointment in her eyes. He hated this, because he loved her. He knew how much she admired the short history of the Dunarians and how much she must have admired Barton Teague. He wished she could someday admire him as much. She never would if he kept going his own way, but he felt justified. He felt wronged by the council that day. Too many times he had been treated as the least important, the scrub sent to do the dirty work. He stared down into the table.

“I oppose,” he said. He then turned and walked out of the chamber.