The Marenon Chronicles Collection

Chapter Six

Daewyn arrived at Julian’s room the moment the light had completely faded from the sky. Of course, Julian didn’t completely trust Daewyn, but the Erellen had nothing to gain by being devious. The plan was simple. Lorcan Zamire would be traded for the green medallion.

Julian had no idea whether Lorcan would even be at Jekyll Rock, but Daewyn didn’t seem concerned about this. Daewyn assumed Lorcan would be in the fortress, or at least near it.

The guards had tried to follow them through the city, but Daewyn made them back off – it was something Julian didn’t have the power to do here. After a few moments of walking silently, they were out of the city and into the grassy plains outside of Jarul. Julian’s sarian flew high above them as they walked. Daewyn assured Julian that the trip to the cave wouldn’t take long.

At first, Julian expressed his worry that getting to the medallion might be dangerous. It would be guarded, wouldn’t it?

Daewyn had simply laughed at this and said that anyone who wasn’t part of the royal family didn’t stand a chance getting to the green medallion.

As they walked silently, Julian’s thoughts drifted to what Daewyn had said about Nalani. She had taken off to go after Alric and help him in some sort of uprising or battle. For all he knew, she could be dead. No. He couldn’t let himself think that way. She had to be alive. They had been successful in getting the orange medallion. Surely none of them would have been foolish enough to stay and fight when they had a chance to escape.

“Why were you in Voelif?” Julian asked the Erellen.

“Scouting group,” Daewyn said. “We were trying to get information about the weapon. We had heard something about it through an informant. We were in the desert when we were spotted. I ordered the others to scatter to make it more difficult to be caught.”

“And you were caught,” Julian finished for him.

“Yeah.”

“Have you heard from your other men?”

Daewyn shook his head. “I’m assuming they were killed. I saw no trace of them in Voelif.” After a few more moments of silence, he continued. “Your friends are the ones that got me out. If it weren’t for them, I’d be dead.”

Nothing more was said, and in twenty minutes they came to a small hill in the plains. Daewyn led him over the hill, and on the other side there was an opening in the ground. A cave. Shrouded with vines and bushes, Julian would have never noticed the opening if he wasn’t looking for it. Julian hoped that Daewyn wasn’t going to try something here. Thoughts swam through his brain, making him wonder if this was part of an elaborate scheme to get rid of the nuisance that was King Julian Hobbes. Julian doubted it, though. Daewyn seemed determined. Julian didn’t take him for a liar.

At first, the cave was cold and dark, but as soon as they stepped through the barrier, it filled with light as fiery torches burst to life.

“If you had come here alone, the flames would have been much bigger, and would have incinerated you,” Daewyn said with a smile.

Julian believed him.

The cave was astonishing. The path was broad and slanted downward into the earth, eventually leveling off into a flat walkway. The ceiling above them was tall, unlike most caves Julian had seen. He took note of the immaculate carvings and drawings that danced along the wall.

“We Erellens have always been proud of our culture and way of life,” Daewyn said, noticing Julian’s gaze. “These drawings are thousands of years old. You won’t even see traces of Humans until much farther down the path.”

They walked for another ten minutes before Daewyn finally let him know that they were nearly there. When they came to the end of the path there was an opening to a much larger cavern that could possibly hold thousands of people. The lighting in this room seemed to come from an opening in the top, though Julian knew it was still night. The light must have been from some magical source. Julian couldn’t help but stare in wonder at the plant life that thrived in the cavern. The grass under his boots was soft and welcoming, and the trees grew to an enormous height, offering low, strong branches for anyone to sit on or lie down comfortably. It was what Julian imagined an afterlife was supposed to be. The Erellens had made this cavern as welcoming as possible, knowing that if their people were forced from their land, they would need a place that calmed their nerves before stepping through the gate that had never been opened.

Every plant and tree, everything, seemed to have been placed in such a way to draw the focus on one point at the center of the back wall. The wall was bare. It was the only spot in the cavern that had no carvings or plant life on it – it was only a gray stone wall.

“Welcome to the Green Gate,” Daewyn said.

Julian turned to him questioningly. “It’s just a wall,” he said.

Daewyn smiled and motioned for Julian to follow him. “The wall is the gate.”

They walked up the stairs leading to the blank wall and Julian placed his hand against the cold rock. “How does it work?”

Daewyn walked to a tree some twenty feet away from Julian and placed a hand on the trunk. Julian was astonished to see the tree fold back on itself. Its branches spread backward and its trunk began to split from the bottom to its center, opening to reveal a small medallion held by a chain. Daewyn reached in and grabbed the medallion, and as he walked back to the wall near Julian, the tree unfolded itself back to its natural form.

“That was incredible,” said Julian.

“Erellen magic,” Daewyn shrugged. “But the real magic is when you use the medallion as the key.”

“You’ve opened this gate?” Julian asked.

“Of course not,” he answered. “But it connects to another world.” Julian couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Daewyn’s manner. The Erellen talked without looking at Julian, staring at the wall as though he wanted to leave Marenon and step through into the next great adventure.

“Can you imagine it, Julian? Can you imagine stepping through to another world, having no idea what lies ahead of you?”

Julian couldn’t help but snort at this. “Of course I can,” he said. “I did it. All the Humans you’ve ever seen have done it.”

“But you had to die,” Daewyn said, still looking at the stone.

“A much more exciting and terrible way to step into another world I’d say.”

“Maybe. But what if you had the choice? As a Human, you didn’t choose to come to Marenon. You were forced here.”

“But you have no idea what is beyond that gate,” Julian said. “For all you know, you’d step right into a world that was worse than Mudavé.”

“It would be a gamble, wouldn’t it? You know, we could forget about all this mess in Marenon, and never come back.” He looked down at the medallion then up to Julian. “No one would ever know what happened to us. We would just vanish from this world.”

Julian took a deep breath and held out his hand. “Give me the medallion,” he said.

“What if I don’t want to?” Daewyn asked. He looked back at the rock wall and placed his hand on the stone again. “What if I want to go away?”

He hadn’t been ready for Julian’s punch to the jaw. Before he could drop to the ground, Julian grabbed Daewyn by the tunic and shoved him hard against the wall.

“Now you listen to me,” Julian said. “We made a deal. Shut up about going on to another world and give me the medallion.”

“How do I know you’ll help me find Lorcan?” Daewyn said, sobered.

“You don’t,” Julian answered. “But you’ve put yourself in this position. I could take the medallion from you and leave your dead body here in front of the Green Gate if I wanted to. But I’m not going to do that because you’re not the enemy. You want Lorcan Zamire? Fine. He murdered your friend, so I’ll help get you to him. But I’m taking the medallion to Jekyll Rock.”

“Actually, I’ll be taking it to Jekyll Rock.” The voice from behind them made them both jump.

Inga.

“What are you doing here?” Julian yelled as he whirled around.

“I followed you,” she said, arms out ready to attack them both. “The Dunarians have worked long and hard to get these medallions, but not because they wanted power. The medallions are for Silas.”

“Silas is as good as dead,” Julian said.

“Words from a faithless murderer,” Inga spat. “I know you have five medallions with you now. I’m taking them to Jekyll Rock.”

“Inga, if you wanted to come with us, why not just ask?” Julian said.

“Not on your terms,” she said. “Not anymore. All you want is to get to Marenon’s Map. But the problem is that you’ve lost everyone’s trust. You couldn’t get into Jekyll Rock now if you wanted to.”

The girl had no idea what she was talking about. Julian could get into Jekyll Rock. The place was secure, but Julian had been part of the council. He knew the various ways of getting into the fortress without passing the guards. He knew the way to Marenon’s Map. He knew he could save Marenon by himself.

“What do you want?” Julian asked.

“I want the medallions,” she answered.

“Think of a different answer, because you’re not getting them.”

Inga hesitated, looking between Julian and Daewyn who were ready for the fight to come. Without warning a fire blast exploded next to her, and Julian could see Daewyn’s arm stuck out, producing another fireball.

Inga jumped to the side, and with the force of a hurricane, she threw both Julian and Daewyn hard against the wall. Julian lost his vision for a moment as he fell to the floor. Before pulling himself up, he grabbed his sword. Inga tried to shoot another blast at them, but Julian was able to dodge it. Daewyn hadn’t been so quick.

“Inga, stop!” Julian yelled.

“Give me the medallions!”

She stepped forward with a tiny ball of fire floating inches above her palm, pointed at Julian’ head. He had used such magic before and knew that the velocity of the fireball could easily end his life.

He dropped the sword to the ground.

“Give me the medallions,” she commanded again.

Before Julian could answer, they were interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps coming from the path leading to the cavern. Inga extinguished the flame and the three of them ducked low.

Julian watched Inga as the magic of invisibility concealed her as though she had never been there.

“Make me invisible!” Julian said.

“Give me the medallions first,” the voice came back.

He wasn’t giving them up that easy. He reached down and picked up his sword. Whoever was in the cave was coming fast. Daewyn crouched beside Julian, rubbing the side of his head.

“Where did the girl go?”

“She’s here,” Julian answered.

A group of soldiers charged into the cavern with ready swords and anger on their faces. Leading the charge, however, was not a simple angry soldier, but an angry father and King.

“Jiaros.”

Daewyn swore under his breath.

“I knew I wouldn’t be able to trust you Julian,” Jiaros said as he stepped forward. “But to think that my own son would be so willing to help you is surprising indeed.”

“Father I…”

“Save it,” Jiaros held up a hand and looked at Julian. “I expected more from a king. You have dishonored yourself today.”

Julian smirked. “I have done nothing but try to help the people of Marenon. Something the Erellens have failed to do.”

Jiaros ignored him. “Which one of you has the medallion? I want it now.”

This was it. This was Julian’s last chance to have all of the medallions and possibly save Marenon. He knew he couldn’t fight for it. The guards would be on top of him before he could do anything. He had finally lost, and there was nothing to be done. Unless…

Daewyn pulled the medallion from his shirt to hand it to his father, but Julian stayed his hand.

“I have something to say first,” he said. Daewyn held on to the medallion and Jiaros rolled his eyes.

“Julian, I’m tired. I’m tired of you, and I’m tired of hearing you speak.” He looked at Daewyn. “Give me the medallion, son.”

“Wait a second!” Julian yelled, causing Daewyn to keep his hold on the medallion. Julian looked in every direction, speaking loudly so everyone in the cavern could hear his voice. “We are at a point where we all just need to work together. I will hold on to the medallion. Daewyn and you can come with me.”

“What are you talking about?” Jiaros demanded.

Julian disregarded him, still speaking to the air. He hoped Inga was still listening. “The three of us must become invisible, or none of us get the medallion. It’s something we can work out later.”

“Quiet!” Jiaros yelled. “Daewyn, hand me the medallion now, or you’ll spend a month in the prison.”

There was nothing left to be said. Either Inga was going to help them out of this situation or she would run away and lose the chance to obtain the green medallion. Daewyn reached out to hand his father the medallion, but before he could, he vanished.

Julian looked down at his feet, and could see that he, too, was invisible to the soldiers and the Erellen king. Inga was now willing to compromise.

The look on the Jiaros’ face was one of shock. He commanded the soldiers to search the entire cavern for the two of them, but there would be no point.

Julian jumped with a start when he felt a hand grab his arm and walk him through the cavern and toward the tunnel. He tried to get a glimpse of Inga, but there was only air.

They walked with her guiding hand until they finally reached the mouth of the cave and stepped out onto the grassy plain.

She then released the magic.

Daewyn stared at her wildly, but Julian smiled.

“I’m glad you finally saw it my way,” he said.

“Let’s get something straight,” Inga fumed. “I’ll agree to go with you if you promise to give the medallions to Kaden when we get to Jekyll Rock.”

“You want an agreement?” Daewyn asked. “You’ve got no leverage.”

Inga held out her hands and conjured flames that danced above her palms. With a thought, she could easily set the Erellen on fire.

“My leverage is your life,” she said. “You let me go with you, I’ll let you live.”

Julian wasn’t going to test her power. “She’s coming.” He looked at Daewyn. “We could use her magic to get into Jekyll Rock more quietly. I know a few ways in, but Inga’s power will be an advantage.”

“I’m not interested in going in quietly,” she said. “We’re going to give them to Kaden.”

“Fine,” Julian said. “I just want to know that you’ve got my back. I’m not exactly welcome there.”

Inga stood for a moment in thought and then nodded. “Ok. I’ll make sure they don’t kill you, but you have to promise me you’ll give the medallions to Kaden. If you’re true to your word, then you know you don’t need to be at Marenon’s Map yourself to help fight the Stühocs. It can be done by the Dunarians.”

Julian nodded. “I understand.”

“I don’t want you to forget about my part in all this,” Daewyn said. “You owe me Lorcan Zamire.”

“You’ll die before you touch Lorcan,” Inga said.

Julian held up a hand. “Wait. I did tell Daewyn I would take him to Jekyll Rock to get Lorcan.”

“I know,” Inga said. “I was listening.”

“I’ll take you to Jekyll Rock,” Julian told Daewyn. “But I am not certain that Lorcan is even there. I can get you into the castle, but that’s it. I’m not helping you trap him or fight him. You’ll have to deal with that on your own.” He gave a sideways glance toward Inga. “I have no control over who tries to stop you.”

Daewyn sighed loudly but nodded.

When he started this mission, Julian hadn’t planned on having two others on his team. Maybe they would be beneficial to him, maybe not. Either way, Julian planned to be in front of Marenon’s Map by the next day. He just hoped Nalani had been able to acquire the orange medallion.