Gabriel Stone and the Divinity of Valta (12 page)

“Quietly,” Gabriel cautioned. “He’s looking to his right, so let’s approach from the left and catch him off guard.”

They crept along in a crouch, and jumped out when they reached the tree. “Give us back our map,” Gabriel demanded with narrowed eyes.

The man stumbled back, but quickly composed himself. “I need this map, too.” He smirked and twisted his huge handlebar moustache. “What will you exchange for it?”

“Why should we
exchange
anything for it? It’s ours,” Brent replied.

“Well, now, it may have been yours at one time, but certainly it belongs to
me
now since it is in
my
hand.”

Gabriel’s temper rose. “What do you want, loser?”

“My name is Saleth, not loser, you imbecile. How about that rock necklace you have? If you give that to me, I will hand over the map.”

“Why do you want my crystal?”
This guy’s gotta be with Malgor
,
he thought.

“That is no matter to you, fool. I just want it, and you want the map. Give it to me, and we will both be on our way.” Saleth reached out and shook Gabriel by his shoulders. “Give it to me now!” The crystal dangled out on top of Gabriel shirt, its sparkling colors gleaming. Saleth’s eyes bulged, and his jaw dropped.

“Get your hands off me! You can’t have it. It’s mine, and that map is, too.” Gabriel jerked away from Saleth’s grasp.

Brent stood in front of Gabriel and spread his arms wide. His hands lit up, bright red.

Saleth shook and groaned until his body seemed to evaporate, and he transformed into an eagle. He soared into the air, then swooped low, charging Brent. It scratched his face, its claws knocking him to the ground. As it turned its attention to Gabriel, it shrieked, leapt into the air, and, with its sharp beak, grabbed at the string holding the crystal. Its claws pushed against Gabriel’s chest and its wings flapped wildly as it pulled at the string.

Gabriel struggled to push the eagle off as it clawed at his shirt and pulled on the necklace. With one last great yank, the eagle snatched the crystal. With the crystal in one claw and the map in its other, the bird flew high into the air.

“Give back my crystal!” Gabriel screamed. “Somebody catch him!” The thrashing of the eagle’s wings pulsated against Gabriel’s ear drums as panic set it. Gabriel couldn’t let the eagle get away with the crystal. He raced forward as the eagle flew toward the river.

Gabriel’s gaze locked with Piper a moment as he ran. The eagle flew toward her and Cedric.

“Let’s get it!” she yelled to Cedric. “That crazy eagle man stole the crystal!”

Brent rubbed his hands briskly, conjuring up his fire power. As the eagle flew back around, Brent shot a fireball into the air. The eagle glanced back just before the ball of flames struck. The bird dodged to the left, narrowly missing the blaze. But some sparks hit the end of its tail, which began to smolder. The eagle shrieked, dropping the map, but gripped the crystal tighter in its talons. It spun around, plummeting toward the river, where Piper and Cedric waited. As it dropped low to the water, Piper jumped up and managed to grab one of its claws.

She screamed as the eagle thrashed in her hands, shrieking and twisting. She pulled it to the left, then back to the right. Gabriel and Brent jumped back into the river.

“I can’t hold him,” Piper yelled through ragged breaths.

Gabriel splashed through the water, trying to get to her. Piper inhaled a sharp breath, wrapped her arms around the eagle, and pulled it underwater with her. She dove with the squirming shape-shifter, wrestling it deeper and deeper underwater.

Gabriel remembered Empress Malina’s words to Piper:
I give the gift of the merfish.
She would have no trouble breathing underwater. She could hold him down as long as it took.

The crystal fell from the eagle’s beak and sank to the bottom of the river. Gabriel watched Piper release the eagle and swim after the crystal. The eagle surfaced, barely able to fly with its wet wings. Disoriented and sluggish, it flapped toward the boys.

It focused its beady eyes on Gabriel, and clumsily flew in to attack. Every nerve ending in Gabriel’s body pulsated as the shape-shifter got closer.

At the last possible moment, Brent shot a massive fireball through the air. The eagle ignited for a second, but it was so wet, the flames fizzled out. The eagle shrieked and fell back, smoke puffing from its feathers.

Brent threw more fireballs, huffing and puffing with every thrust. Some missed, but his aim improved with practice. He struck the eagle with two massive fireballs, one from each side. The bird finally ignited, lighting up the sky in a ball of flames.

“Bulls-eye!” yelled Brent.

Only a few feathers floated to the ground among a swirl of black smoke. The boys hooted.

Gabriel pumped his fist into the air. Piper burst to the surface of the river like a beautiful mermaid. She pursed her lips, looking proud of herself. She handed the shimmering crystal to Gabriel. “Here you go.”

“Hey, that was close. We almost lost it,” said Brent. He leaned in, lowering his voice to a whisper while eyeing Cedric, who still splashed in the water. “You can’t bring the Divinity to the castle. What if Malgor sees it?”

Gabriel shrugged. “Well, that eagle’s toast. He won’t be telling Malgor anything about us having the crystal now.
We’ll just have to make sure nobody else sees it. I’ll bring it to the Tandem Wood, but we’ll hide it before we go to Malgor’s castle. It hums louder and stuff when it’s away from me. Maybe we can bury it somewhere. When we get the other one, we’ll come back for it and take them both to the empress.” Gabriel gave the crystal a tight squeeze, thankful it was safe with him again. He returned it to his neck and secured the knot.

As they walked on, they told Piper what had happened to the shape-shifter.

“You’ve got those scratches on your face, Brent. I hope they don’t leave scars,” Piper said, leaning in to take a closer look.

Brent batted her away. “Battle scars, dude. I wear them proudly.”

“I’m sure he’ll live, Piper,” Cedric said, rolling his eyes.

“Shut it, Cedric,” Piper said. “And we’d better get to shelter soon. The gruocks will be coming.”

Gabriel gazed up at the twilight sky. Just the thought of gruocks lifted goose bumps across his skin.

They moved on, trying to focus on their quest. The ground had mostly dried, making the walk easier, but many of the once-colorful trees had turned gray. The gold dust covering the earth had turned a copper color in many spots.
It must have to do with the missing Divinities,
Gabriel thought, but decided not to mention it
.
It was just too freaking depressing.

Chapter Fifteen

“Parma.” Gabriel eyed the map. “We’re almost there.”

Cedric kicked a stick in the path and sunk his hands in his pockets. “So, what’s in Parma?”

“Dunno, but we’ll soon find out.”

The foursome turned onto a trail paved with irregular stones that led through a thick wood.

“That’s odd,” said Piper. “A road in the middle of the forest.”

“Hopefully in Parma there’ll be good food,” Brent said.

Cedric laughed. “Yeah,
stomach
, that’s just what you need—more food.” Cedric dodged Brent’s foot as Brent thrust it at his butt.

“Watch it, big mouth,” Brent snapped.

They walked down the bumpy path awhile, and when they all started to think they couldn’t walk any longer, Gabriel heard singing up ahead. After a while, they all could hear it. “Hey, do you hear the harmonica?” Piper asked.

“Sounds like that campfire song,
Kum Ba Yah
.” Cedric rolled his eyes. “How lame.”

“You’d know all about lame, wouldn’t you?” Piper shot him a look and ran ahead.

As they reached the end of the stone path, the forest opened up to reveal a village. In the village center stood a crowd of people. Some towered tall like giants, and some were small like little people. Still others looked more like animals than people, with hooves for feet. Yet they all gathered together, singing in unison.

“This is strange,” Piper said. “Are you sure this is the right place, Gabe?”

Gabriel retrieved the map and pointed. “Yup—this is the exact spot.”

As they neared the singers, all the creatures turned to look at them, but didn’t stop singing. Instead, one of them quietly stepped out of the group and approached them. This creature had the head, arms, and upper torso of a man, but the lower body of a moose.

He fixed dark brown eyes on them and said in a scruffy voice, “You must be Gabriel and friends.” He bowed slightly, emphasizing the size of his large antlers. “Word has come of your arrival. My name is Jasra, and I welcome you to Parma.” He bowed again. His arm muscles flexed clearly through his dark skin. “Come with me. I will bring you to my home, where you can rest and eat.” He turned back toward the crowd. His thick, curly black hair was pulled into a ponytail which swayed across his muscular back.

As they followed Jasra, Brent looked around. “What
is
this place?”

“Parma is a haven for the lost and rejected,” Jasra explained. “Even in Valta, there are those who are not welcome anywhere else. The wounded and outcast need a place to call home, too.”

They entered a very tall house. Still, Jasra had to duck his head to fit through the doorway. Inside, the delicious smells from a table covered with cookies and fresh bread wafted in Gabriel’s nose. His stomach growled with hunger at the sight, and they all dug in.

“Why are you lost and rejected, Jasra, if you don’t mind me asking?” mumbled Brent around a mouthful of cookie.

“Breeent,” scolded Piper.

Brent jolted and reached down to rub his shin, scowling at Piper. “Ouch! Why’d you kick me? Chill.”

“It is not a bad question, little one,” Jasra replied in his scruffy voice. “I’m not lost and rejected anymore. I wasn’t welcome in my land. I was abandoned when my mother died, with no one to take care of me. I wandered the forest alone until I found my way here. Zeverons took me in and raised me like their own. When I grew up, I vowed no creature should be abandoned or rejected, and so I turned Parma into a safe place.”

“That’s so sad,” Piper said, “and so kind of the Zeverons to take you in.”

“It was frowned upon by many, other Zeverons included. I’m different, and many people would not like to accept me. There are good and bad in all species.” Jasra sighed.

“What happened to your father?” Gabriel asked.

Jasra shrugged. “When my mother died, he left to start a new family.”

Gabriel felt sorry for Jasra.
At least I have a dad who loves me … even after my mom left.

Jasra changed the topic. “I received word of your arrival and of your quest. You’re very brave to embark on this adventure. Is it correct, then, that you are on a quest for the empress?”

“Yes. She asked for our help.”

Cedric leaned over and whispered in Gabriel’s ear. “Help, huh? From the empress?”

Gabriel poked Cedric with his elbow. “Zip it.”

Jasra cleared his throat. “So you already have the key, then?”

Gabriel jerked his head back. “Key? Nobody said anything about a key?”

“Yes, the key to the Tandem Wood, of course,” said Jasra.

They all looked at each other.

Brent slathered his bread with a thick layer of butter. “Why would we need a key to enter woods?”

“It’s not just any woods, young man. It is the Tandem Wood, ruled by the evil duke himself. Only those with the key may enter … if you dare. I see some details of your journey were left out. The evil in the Tandem Wood can bring even the strongest to their knees. That is why the empress created a fail-safe. You must have a key to enter the forest. If you’re brave enough—or stupid enough—to travel there, there’s no one to blame but yourself for what may happen to you because you can’t just stumble upon it”

They all stopped eating. Even Brent. Cedric sank deeper into his chair. Brent sighed, and Piper turned pale.

“I don’t think we have much choice,” Gabriel mumbled, his enthusiasm fading. His near-impossible quest had just taken a turn for the super-impossible. “Where do we find this key?”

“The man who makes the key resides in the Valley of Shadows. He doesn’t like to be disturbed, and he is generally granted that wish. Not many request a key to the Tandem Wood, as you can well imagine.”

“Um, hello? Does this sound strange to anyone but me?” Piper asked, tugging her hair behind her ears. “I mean, if it brings even the strongest to their knees, how can we hope to survive it? Seriously, we’re only twelve.”

“I can’t answer that, Piper,” Jasra interrupted. “The empress, in her wisdom, must have a plan. Only you can decide if you will follow through with it.” Jasra paused and leaned forward. He looked straight at Gabriel. “Anyone would understand if you decided not to go.”

“We
do
want to—to try to save your land,” Piper said, speaking for Brent and a speechless Gabriel. “I’m just a little worried about the logistics.”

“You’re such a wimp, Piper,” taunted Cedric. “You’re gonna let some myth spook you?”

Brent glared at him. “Knock it off, Cedric, or I swear I’ll burn you to a crisp right now.”

“Piper’s got a point. We can’t let the empress down. We gave our word,” Gabriel said. Piper and Brent nodded in agreement. That seemed to settle it.

After dinner, they prepared to sleep on piles of blankets in front of a low fire.

“Sorry I don’t have beds for you,” Jasra said on his way out. “I don’t have much use for one.”

Gabriel lifted his head and waved. “That’s okay. Thanks for everything, Jasra.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Piper said, smiling.

Brent tapped Cedric on the back of the head. “Say thanks.”

“Thanks,” Cedric mumbled, his back turned away from the moose man.

“Jerk,” Piper spat through gritted teeth.

“You’re welcome. Now get some sleep.” Jasra went out into the chilly air.

During the night, Empress Malina again came to Gabriel in his dreams. Her face glowed within the flames of the fire.

“Beware of the shadows. Do not look upon them. Stay strong. Do not lose hope. For in your heart there is love and all things good. Draw upon it in times of despair, and always know I am there.”