Enjoy! :)
By the glow of a large yellow moon, Abeke crept along the rooftop behind Uraza, breathing softly. From her high vantage, she could see the lagoon where their ship had docked. The warm, humid air carried the rich smell of jungle foliage, mingled with the salty tang of the sea.
"You're running away finally!" Rollan said "I'm not escaping," Abeke said "I'm simply exploring"
According to Shane, they were on an island in the Gulf of Amaya, on the far side of the ocean from Nilo. She had secretly explored part of it on two previous outings, confirming that it was at least a peninsula. Since she had been asleep when the ship made port, tonight she would see for herself that she was truly on an island. Not that she doubted Shane — it just gave her something to do. She had never been on an island before Uraza leaped down from the roof to the top of a wall. It was not a serious drop, but the landing was barely three handspans wide. As Abeke paused, Uraza looked back at her, eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Abeke felt a steadying surge of ability. The tension departed from her muscles, leaving her relaxed and limber. Her balance steadied, and she concentrated on the night sounds of the island — creatures scurrying, the call of a bird, and a hushed conversation below, perhaps on a balcony, perhaps on the ground. Her vision sharpened in the low light, and she breathed the layered scents in the airAbeke landed lightly on the wall, then hurried to where it joined the outer wall of the complex. After climbing a little, she dangled from the wall and dropped to the sandy ground. Nobody had seen her escape
"Liar" Rollan shouted "You are escaping! It says it right here!"
— not that it mattered. If she got caught, the only penalty would be the sting of failure. She was hungry for practice. Her training with Shane was useful but artificial. These nighttime excursions with Uraza felt much more authentic. Abeke followed Uraza into a ferny shadow world of tall trees with enormous leaves. She was not used to such lush vegetation, to vines and creepers, or to so many trees crowded together, but supposed the wetness in the air explained why plants thrived here. Since her arrival, it had already rained twice — short, hard downfalls that came on with little warning and ended just as swiftly. Abeke wished that she could send some of the abundant water to her village.
"Why did you guys dock at an island?" Conor asked. Abeke shrugged
The stronghold where they were staying disappeared behind them. Situated just inland from the sheltered inlet where the whale-towed ships were anchored, the walled outpost contained the only buildings she had found on the island. "Uraza, this way," Abeke said, pointing. The leopard had been veering toward the highlands they had already explored. "I want to see the far side of the island." The big cat moved off in the desired direction. The rustling of shrubs and the cries of birds did little to disturb Abeke. She would never have ventured into this jungle alone at night, but with Uraza at her side, She felt invincible. They prowled unhurriedly, whispering through the foliage like ghosts. Falling into an almost trancelike state, Abeke mimicked Uraza, pausing when she paused, advancing when she advanced. Through their bond, Abeke studied the leopard's techniques while borrowing her sharper senses and innate stealth. After some time, they emerged from the trees to climb a long slope that grew steeper as they followed it. The bushes were smaller here, affording Abeke a long view of the dark forest behind her, the lights of the little outpost reduced to orange sparks near the lagoon.
From the bare ridgetop, Abeke got her first view of the farthest side of the island. The opposite slope descended sharply to the sea. By the moonlight, she could discern the coastline, partly shielded from the open water by long sandbars. There was no other land in sight. Her eyes were drawn to a pale beach in a certain cove, due to the presence of two bonfires. To blaze so brightly at this distance, the fires had to be an impressive size. Figures moved on the beach, dark specks occasionally illuminated by the firelight. "Look down there," Abeke said. "Who could that be?" Crouching low, Uraza watched warily beside her. Abeke squinted, straining her sight. "Hard to tell from up here. They're a long way from the outpost. Could it be pirates? Shane said all ships have to watch out for pirates lately." Uraza remained still beside her.
"Conquerors" Rollan growled
Abeke wondered if Shane's people knew they were sharing the island. Could the figures on the beach pose a threat? It seemed unlikely. There were dozens of people at the sturdy outpost, many of them armed soldiers and most with spirit animals. Three big ships waited in the lagoon. Shane had mentioned others coming soon, distinguished visitors. Could it be them on the beach? Wouldn't visitors come directly to the outpost? "I don't like this," Abeke murmured. "I don't want to risk anybody sneaking up on Shane and his people. Think we could get close without being spotted?" In reply, Uraza flicked her tail and started down the slope toward the cove. Abeke followed. Soon they passed beneath trees again. Abeke took extra care to move silently. This was no longer a game. The people on the beach could be dangerous.
"Dangerous?" Rollan said "What could be more dangerous than hanging around with Conquerors let alone the Devourer?!"
A balmy breeze ruffled the surrounding leaves, bringing the faint smell of smoke. Abeke welcomed the breeze — it would further disguise any sounds they made. After a considerable hike, the smoke grew stronger and Abeke could hear distant conversations. Then, from up ahead, a shriek pierced the night. A second shriek came, less strident, followed by a third. Abeke held her breath, kneeling down beside Uraza. The cries stopped. The shrieks had not sounded human, nor did they match any animal she could think of, but they had sounded desperate. Uraza started forward again. They advanced more cautiously than ever, a little at a time, finally coming within sight of the beach. Together, Abeke and Uraza crept as close as they dared, gazing out from the last of the dense foliage beneath the shadows of the trees. The twin bonfires burned wide and tall, like small huts accidentally set ablaze. By the rippling light, Abeke saw six large cages, and perhaps ten men. Four of the cages contained monstrous beasts: one was feathery, some gargantuan bird of prey; another had quills like a porcupine but was nearly the size of a buffalo; a third held a huge coiled snake, probably some kind of constrictor; and the fourth housed what appeared to be a muscular rat big enough to bring down an antelope.
"The Bile." Rollan said "You watched them use the Bile?" "Not on those animals, just listen." Abeke said
An ordinary dog paced inside one of the other cages, looking small and scared compared to the neighboring monstrosities. The sixth cage stood empty. A man in a hooded cloak approached the empty cage with a rat in his hand. The rodent was big, but nothing like the unnatural rat nearby. "Let's double the amount on this one and check for differences," he said. "Large or small, a dose is a dose," a bald man protested. "We have plenty," the hooded man countered. "We lost the parrot, so we have an extra cage. Let's find out firsthand." Abeke had to strain, but she felt sure that she heard the words correctly. The hooded man produced a waterskin and upended it over the mouth of the rat. in his other hand. The rat squirmed, tail whipping from side to side. "That's enough," one of the other men growled. "Cage it," another man demanded. "Not yet," the hooded man said, capping the waterskin. "If I'm too hasty, it will run out between the bars." He held out the rat for the other men to see. It wriggled in his grasp, seeming to swell. It began squirming harder, screeching in pain.
"That's horrible!" Conor said "This was the first time you saw the Bile used on an animal right?" Abeke nodded
The hooded man turned and stuffed the rat between the bars of the empty cage. The rodent writhed on the cage floor, new flesh bursting out beneath its fur. It let out a tortured shriek that Abeke recognized. It squealed one more time, then lunged against the bars, its enlarged body bloated with muscle. The rat tested the bars several times, rocking the cage and kicking up sand before settling down. Abeke could hardly trust her eyes. What would Shane think when she told him about this? Would he believe her?
"You know what he wouldn't believe?" Meilin said "What?" Abeke asked. "He wouldn't believe that you snuck out and found out his biggest secret." And he would have to lie to you again." Conor said
She glanced over at Uraza. "You're my only witness," she whispered. "You see this, don't you? It isn't natural. What did they give it?"
"The Bile" Conor shouted "Made from Gerathon's talisman, the Jade Serpent!"
Uraza only looked her way for an instant, then returned her attention to the beach. "What did I tell you?" the bald man said. "A dose is a dose. The amount don't matter." "This one is a little larger," the hooded man said. "And if you ask me, the transformation took less time." "Waste of effort. Let's finish this." "This last one should be simplest," the hooded man said. "Admiral is well-trained. He may even remain so after the Bile." I'll believe it when I see it," the bald man said. The hooded man held up his waterskin. "Get ready to eat your words." He walked over to the cage with the dog inside. "Sit, Admiral." The dog sat. "Speak." The dog barked and wagged its tail.
"This was the monstrous dog you told us about right?" Conor said "The one who-" Abeke covered his mouth. "Lenori and Olvan don't know, so no spoilers," Abeke said. "Yeah" Olvan said.
The hooded man uncapped the waterskin and held it between the bars. "Come." The dog came forward and the man poured fluid into its mouth. Abeke could see some splashing free. Then he backed away. Several other men stepped closer to the cage, warily clutching long spears. One held a bow with an arrow Set to the string. Abeke didn't want to watch, but couldn't tear her eyes away from the sight of the dog convulsing and enlarging. It didn't cry out like the rat, but it whined softly. As the dog changed, its muscles pulled taut, bulging grotesquely. Its eyes grew fierce and wide, and foam began frothing from the corners of its mouth. The dog let out a low growl before launching itself against the side of the cage, very nearly toppling it over onto its side. "Sit, Admiral," the hooded man called from a distance. The monstrous dog shifted into a sitting position. "Speak." The beefy dog let out a powerful bark that resonated through the jungle, sending birds flying from the trees.
"Well what do you know?" Rollan said "It listened"
"Good boy, Admiral," the hooded man called. "Good boy." "All right, I'm impressed," the bald man admitted. "But I wouldn't let it out without a leash." Some of the other men chuckled. Most still held their weapons cautiously. A swirling breeze stirred the air. Suddenly the dog whipped its head toward the jungle, staring directly at Abeke. It let out a rumbling growl.
"Uh oh" Abeke said "The wind just had to give away our scent"
Some of the men glanced in the direction the dog was staring. Abeke resisted the urge to immediately retreat. If she moved while their eyes were on her, she would give herself away for sure. She had to rely on the leaves and the shadows. The dog's growl built into a series of vicious barks. "What is it, Admiral?" the hooded man called, following the animal's gaze. The huge dog barked more fiercely. "No, no, no," Abeke whispered. The dog began to savagely ram the sides of the cage. The men were shouting to each other, but Abeke couldn't make out their words under the noise. Barking and thrashing, the dog went into a frenzy. The cage shuddered violently. The dog began bashing the roof, and the wood began to crack and splinter. Abeke felt sharp teeth on her arm.
"Let me guess" Rollan said "One of the other animals escaped"
Uraza was gently biting her. Once Abeke noticed her, the leopard slunk back deeper into the trees. Abeke joined her retreat. The wild clamor continued behind her, and then there was a violent crack. Glancing over her shoulder, Abeke saw the enormous hound crash through the roof of the cage, the bars falling away in all directions. Ignoring the men, some of whom made halfhearted jabs with their spears, the monstrous dog raced straight toward Abeke, spewing sand with each massive stride.
"That was the most scariest day of my entire life" Abeke said
Uraza broke into a run with Abeke sprinting beside her. All pretense at stealth abandoned, Abeke tore through the jungle, wishing she had brought more weaponry than a knife. Then again, what good would any weapon do against the savage dog?
"A knife can do damage" Olvan stated "Just not as much as other weapons" "It can't do much damage against a savage biled dog though" Abeke said
The animal stampeded behind them. Ferocious barks and growls impelled Abeke forward. There was no time to strategize — she ran with everything she had, driven by pure terror. The same terrain that had permitted her to creep alongside Uraza now tripped her up. Branches lashed her body, roots grabbed her ankles, and the uneven ground was treacherous. She stumbled to her knees several times and fell flat once, but always rose as quickly as she could, clawing at the vegetation, half running, half swimming through the leaves.
"How do you swim in the forest?" Rollan said "There's no water" "It's a metaphor" Meilin said
The gigantic dog was gaining rapidly. Any moment, those teeth would seize her. She had lost sight of Uraza. The dog was nearly upon her. Determined not to be an easy victim, Abeke drew her knife and whirled. Her senses abruptly sharpened. She saw the overgrown canine coming and shrank into a comfortable crouch. As it lunged, she sprang sideways, swinging her knife. The tip of the blade scratched the brute's flank as the beast blurred past her. Abeke put a tree between herself and the dog. It struck the tree with enough force to shake the jungle, but the trunk held. Abeke raced away, but the frothing dog pursued her relentlessly. She tripped, rolled onto her back, and held up her knife in desperation. The dog surged forward, mouth gaping, teeth huge in the darkness.
"And that was the end of Abeke" Rollan said. They ignored him. Olvan continued
With a screaming roar unlike any cry Abeke had ever heard, Uraza hurtled out of the night, her jaws closing on the side of the dog's neck. The impact broke the dog's rushing attack. Leopard and dog tumbled together in the darkness, narrowly missing Abeke, snarling and spitting, teeth flashing, claws slashing. Abeke's first instinct was to run.
Don't abandon Uraza!" Conor said
Her second thought was to help Uraza. But then she got the distinct impression that she should climb.
"How does climbing a tree help Uraza?" Rollan asked "You don't have your bow."
The notion came so strongly that she leaped to the nearest tree, embracing the trunk with arms and knees. There were no branches to grip, but she pulled with her arms and clamped with her knees, somehow heaving herself higher and higher. At last she found short limbs where she could rest. Behind her, she saw Uraza had taken to a tree as well, a red wound marring her magnificent pelt.
"The dog didn't hurt Uraza?" Conor asked
Below, the frustrated dog barked and bayed and finally howled. Abeke's tree shook as the dog rammed it with manic tenacity. She held tight. She had lost her knife. Her only hope was to outlast her attacker. Something caught the dog's attention and it ran over to another tree. Dimly, in the leaf-filtered moonlight, Abeke saw a figure high in the branches.
"Shane" Conor said "It's Shane. Always having to be the hero! So he can gain your trust and then betray us"
It held a bow, and was launching arrow after arrow down at the dog. The huge dog leaped and barked and growled. It clawed futilely at the trunk. No matter how many arrows found their mark, it didn't seek cover. Finally, with a slow inevitability, the arrows did their job. The creature sank back, took two wobbly steps, then collapsed on the forest floor with a plaintive whine.
"That poor dog didn't really deserve it" Abeke said sadly
The figure climbed down from the tree. He paused beside the rapidly shrinking dog, then came to the base of Abeke's tree. "Come down, Abeke," a hushed voice called. She knew the voice. "It's dead. Come down — we need to go." Hugging the trunk, Abeke shinnied down the tree and dropped to the ground. "Shane! How did you find me?" "Did you think I'd let you roam the jungle alone at night?" he replied. "You followed me?" "Not so loud," Shane warned, looking away through the trees. "I'd rather the men on the beach not find us." "The men," Abeke said, lowering her voice. "They made the dog into a monster! They fed it something." "I know about them," Shane said. "I didn't know they were here tonight until it was too late.
"Oh." Conor mimicked I didn't know there were here. You probably sent them!"
Otherwise I would have steered you away." "How far back were you?" "Too far. I try not to make my presence known, although I'm sure I never fooled your leopard." "What were those men doing?" "They're trying to find a replacement for the Nectar. They try out their concoctions in secret." "The Nectar doesn't create monsters!" "These men are testing different substances," Shane said. "I don't know all their goals. It would not end well if they caught us. We should go." Uraza prowled into view, her side bleeding. Crouching beside her leopard, Abeke flung her arms around her neck. "Thank you," Abeke murmured. "You saved my life."
"The dog did hurt Uraza" Abeke said
"That was a scary chapter. I almost peed my pants just imagining the dog." Rollan said
"Who's next?" Olvan asked. No one said a word. "Ok fine," Olvan said. He shoved the book in Conor's face "Here you read." Conor groaned "Fine"
Chapter Nine. Vision.
He started skimming without reading out loud. "Wait, this one is from my POV. I can't read this." He handed the book to Meilin "You read" "Fine" she said "We should probably check to see whose POV is who's before they read."
Everyone nodded
Chapter Nine. Vision.