Jake almost got bowled over by a large scarred fleetback that bounded up the street and through the gates behind him. It took a second glance to recognize the blind eye of the mount—and the scarecrow riding it.
It was Pindor atop the fearsome-looking fleetback named Scar-Eye.
“Jake! Mari! Bach’uuk!” He guided his mount to a stuttering stop and slid from the saddle as if climbing off a lounging chair. Whatever fear he’d had before was lost in his excitement. Pindor rushed over to them and hugged and pounded them and shook hands—sometimes all at once.
“You chased them off!” Pindor announced. “You got the shield raised!”
His shout drew many eyes to them.
Heronidus limped forward. “Pin, is that you?” He eyed his brother up and down. He smiled, trying on an expression of pride, but it came out awkward. It was rare for Pindor to outshine his older brother.
But the shouted words drew two others’ attention.
Centurion Gaius pushed through the growing throng around them. Jake felt a surge of relief. The centurion had survived the attack by the grakyls in the park. But he was bloody and carried one arm in a sling. Still, he cleared the way for the man behind him.
Elder Tiberius leaned on a staff. His leg was bandaged from ankle to midthigh. Each step clearly pained him. But his voice was as hard and firm as always. “What’s this about the shield?” he asked.
Pindor made a move to run and hug his father, but then caught himself. He wasn’t a boy any longer. He struck his fist to his chest in a Roman salute. “Father, sir, it was Jake Ransom who was able to raise the fallen shield around the valley.”
Tiberius turned that stern countenance upon Jake. “Is this true?”
Jake nodded, but added. “I didn’t do it alone.” He waved to include Pindor, Marika, and Bach’uuk. “It took all of us.”
Tiberius stared at them with an appraising eye. Then he turned and headed toward the castle. Without a word or a gesture, it was clear they were to follow him.
“I will hear more of this in private,” he said. “The Magisters will also want to learn what was done.”
Marika tripped a step next to Jake.
“Clear the way!” Gaius shouted, fighting a path through for them.
In the confusion, Marika wiggled up next to Pindor’s father and tugged at his sleeve. “Elder Tiberius, what do you mean by Magisters?” Fear trembled in her voice. “It was Magister Oswin who betrayed us.”
Jake moved closer, growing concerned. After all that had happened, had the traitor survived?
Tiberius nodded at Marika’s words. “We are well aware. Your father and Magister Zahur have already informed the Council of his treachery.”
“My father…” Marika clutched Jake’s arm to keep from falling. “He’s alive?”
Noting her relief, Tiberius slowed and reassured her. “Of course he’s alive. Oswin cast some shadowy spell upon the two other Magisters, knocked their wits to senselessness, and bound them in one of the empty cellars down below. Once awake, they were able to escape.”
By now they had reached the timber doors of the main keep. Inside the main hall, Marika had proof of the Elder’s story.
“Mari! Thank all the stars…”
Balam had been standing off to the side with Zahur. Turning at the commotion by the door, he had immediately spotted his daughter and rushed to her. The relief that rang in his voice was the same as his daughter’s a moment before. He had also changed. His usual easy aplomb had gone stony. Dark circles haunted his eyes. But his face brightened and cracked, like a sun through dark clouds. He hugged Marika tightly.
“I thought you were dead,” she mumbled into his chest.
Jake watched their reunion with mixed feelings. Most of him rejoiced, but he could not ignore a bitter sliver of jealousy. He would do anything to have his own father back from the dead.
“I don’t think Oswin would have killed us,” Balam consoled her. “While he had the chance, he didn’t. I think perhaps a part of him was still loyal in its own crooked way.”
Zahur had joined them. The Egyptian had a different take on the matter. “Or maybe he just kept us alive so he could gloat.”
Balam frowned at this assessment, clearly preferring his own. Still, it was plain to see Marika’s father had been deeply wounded and shaken by the betrayal of a close friend.
Jake stepped away and allowed father and daughter to have their moment alone. Even the taciturn Tiberius lifted a welcoming arm and hugged his youngest son.
Jake turned away. Though he was happy for his friends, it was also too painful to watch. Jake’s hand reached to his pocket and squeezed the gold watch.
For now, this would have to be enough of a reward.
But only for now….
30
TIME AND TIME AGAIN
The new Council of Elders filled the two rows of the high bench. Once again, Jake and Kady were the center of attention of six pairs of eyes. Across the top sat the same three Elders as before—Tiberius, Ulfsdottir, and Wu—all bruised, bloodied, and older.
It had been three days since Jake had raised the valley’s shield. It had been three days of questions and more questions. The townspeople had to face a hard truth. Though their valley was safe for now, such security was not permanent. They would have to be more vigilant from this time forward.
Balam stood up from his center seat on the lower level of the bench. He was flanked by Magister Zahur on his right and a new Magister on his left.
Balam began solemnly, “Our new Magister has requested a small private ceremony to honor the five who protected both our valley and the great temple.”
Balam motioned to his left.
The newest member of the Council of Elders pulled himself to his feet using his staff. The bronze bangles hanging on the wooden shaft danced in the lamplight and tinkled like wind chimes. The Ur Elder nodded to the five who gathered at the foot of the bench.
Behind Jake and Kady stood Marika, Pindor, and Bach’uuk. They were all wearing their finest clothes and stood stiffly. Jake and Kady had donned their safari outfits, freshly laundered and pressed. It was as formal as they could manage. None of them was sure what to expect.
The Ur Elder—named Mer’uuk—clumped out from behind the bench and crossed slowly toward the five of them. The old tribesman was the first of the Ur to be appointed a Magister on the Council of Elders. The lofty position was a reward for the Ur’s part in saving Calypsos and a long-overdue recognition. The Ur and the townspeople could no longer afford to ignore one another. Not if they wished to survive. The Skull King would attack again, and when that happened, the entire valley needed to be united.