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Authors: Daniel Blackaby
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always, he removed the Book from his backpack and slid it under his shirt for safekeeping. The flowing energy felt refreshing after the day’s ride.
“ Byrae ,” he whispered. A cool draft came streaming through the window. The breeze was frigid as it rolled over his sweaty skin. He gazed out the window. Jade, where are you? He had only been gone two days, but already the journey felt an eternity. I miss you ….
Cody’s eyes shot open and he sat up. His heart was racing and he was drenched in sweat. It was dark outside but he was fully alert. He turned to the doorway. Standing in its frame was a man; two lid-less eyes peering directly at him. “ Ahhhh !”
“Cody, it’s okay!” Cody’s eyes opened. He was lying down again, although still soaked in sweat. Tiana stared down in concern. “It was just a nightmare.” Cody sat back up and glanced to the empty doorway.
“There was a man…in the doorway.” Cody tried pointing but Tiana pushed his arm down and pulled him toward her. “It was just a nightmare.”
“It felt so… real . What are you doing here anyways?”
Tiana stood from the bed. “I was sleeping downstairs when I heard screaming. I thought I was alone in this house so I came to investigate....” Cody grinned; he was seasoned in the art of excuses. As a master, he saw right through Tiana’s amateur lie.
“Why would you sleep downstairs if… He’s back !” Cody pointed to the door. Tiana seized her dagger. A large silhouette filled the open door.
“Show yourself!” Tiana demanded. The figure stepped forward—followed by another man, and then another. Dozens of men poured into the room; each one with skin armored with gold platelets.
Tiana swung her knife up just in time to block a savage blow.
“We’re under attack!”
18
Ominous Feelings
ATLANTIS HAD ALREADY DRIFTED into its nocturnal slumber; the creaking of ancient buildings rattling like deep, rhythmic snoring. Eva gazed down on them from her chamber window. Like the city, the citizens had succumbed to the need for rest, every worry and care set aside to be picked up and worn the following morning. For the time being, however, pleasant dreams blinded them to despairing realities. For Eva, it usually was her favorite time of day—but not tonight.
She paced back to The Speaking Sands . As it had been all night, the sand was tranquil and undisturbed. The silence affirmed what she already knew to be true—something had gone wrong. She could tell; she could always tell. It was her curse.
Prince Kantan stroked his chin as he gazed absently toward the flames dancing in the fireplace. The quiet night was soothing. He reached into his desk and unlocked the bottom drawer, retrieving the only object inside: a framed picture, with the simple caption— Kantan and Arianna .
The woman’s playful smile caused his stone face to soften. He brought the picture to his lips and kissed her forehead gently.
“Brother….” The startling voice caused him to jolt. He flung the picture back into the cabinet and slammed the drawer.
“Sister, you are not to enter unannounced!” His face was flushed, but he felt his anger slowly ebbing out. “What is it, Eva?”
“Something’s wrong with the quest.”
Kantan’s eyebrows pulled toward his nose. “One of your feelings?”
Eva nodded.
Kantan stood. “Then we must consult our sister.”
Suddenly a large shadow engulfed Eva. General Levenworth appeared from behind, blocking the entire door frame. “I apologize for the untimely intrusion—but there’s been an incident.”
Kantan exchanged glances with Eva. “With the mission?” Levenworth’s face was hard as rock. “No, sir, with the prison…Randilin has escaped.”
19
Clash of Steel
SPARKS ERUPTED WITH THE SOUND of clashing steel. Tiana’s dagger danced in smooth arcs through the air. The three bodies littering the floor were instantly replaced as warriors continued funneling into the room. Despite Tiana’s furious
“ Byrae ,” he whispered. A cool draft came streaming through the window. The breeze was frigid as it rolled over his sweaty skin. He gazed out the window. Jade, where are you? He had only been gone two days, but already the journey felt an eternity. I miss you ….
Cody’s eyes shot open and he sat up. His heart was racing and he was drenched in sweat. It was dark outside but he was fully alert. He turned to the doorway. Standing in its frame was a man; two lid-less eyes peering directly at him. “ Ahhhh !”
“Cody, it’s okay!” Cody’s eyes opened. He was lying down again, although still soaked in sweat. Tiana stared down in concern. “It was just a nightmare.” Cody sat back up and glanced to the empty doorway.
“There was a man…in the doorway.” Cody tried pointing but Tiana pushed his arm down and pulled him toward her. “It was just a nightmare.”
“It felt so… real . What are you doing here anyways?”
Tiana stood from the bed. “I was sleeping downstairs when I heard screaming. I thought I was alone in this house so I came to investigate....” Cody grinned; he was seasoned in the art of excuses. As a master, he saw right through Tiana’s amateur lie.
“Why would you sleep downstairs if… He’s back !” Cody pointed to the door. Tiana seized her dagger. A large silhouette filled the open door.
“Show yourself!” Tiana demanded. The figure stepped forward—followed by another man, and then another. Dozens of men poured into the room; each one with skin armored with gold platelets.
Tiana swung her knife up just in time to block a savage blow.
“We’re under attack!”
18
Ominous Feelings
ATLANTIS HAD ALREADY DRIFTED into its nocturnal slumber; the creaking of ancient buildings rattling like deep, rhythmic snoring. Eva gazed down on them from her chamber window. Like the city, the citizens had succumbed to the need for rest, every worry and care set aside to be picked up and worn the following morning. For the time being, however, pleasant dreams blinded them to despairing realities. For Eva, it usually was her favorite time of day—but not tonight.
She paced back to The Speaking Sands . As it had been all night, the sand was tranquil and undisturbed. The silence affirmed what she already knew to be true—something had gone wrong. She could tell; she could always tell. It was her curse.
Prince Kantan stroked his chin as he gazed absently toward the flames dancing in the fireplace. The quiet night was soothing. He reached into his desk and unlocked the bottom drawer, retrieving the only object inside: a framed picture, with the simple caption— Kantan and Arianna .
The woman’s playful smile caused his stone face to soften. He brought the picture to his lips and kissed her forehead gently.
“Brother….” The startling voice caused him to jolt. He flung the picture back into the cabinet and slammed the drawer.
“Sister, you are not to enter unannounced!” His face was flushed, but he felt his anger slowly ebbing out. “What is it, Eva?”
“Something’s wrong with the quest.”
Kantan’s eyebrows pulled toward his nose. “One of your feelings?”
Eva nodded.
Kantan stood. “Then we must consult our sister.”
Suddenly a large shadow engulfed Eva. General Levenworth appeared from behind, blocking the entire door frame. “I apologize for the untimely intrusion—but there’s been an incident.”
Kantan exchanged glances with Eva. “With the mission?” Levenworth’s face was hard as rock. “No, sir, with the prison…Randilin has escaped.”
19
Clash of Steel
SPARKS ERUPTED WITH THE SOUND of clashing steel. Tiana’s dagger danced in smooth arcs through the air. The three bodies littering the floor were instantly replaced as warriors continued funneling into the room. Despite Tiana’s furious
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