Read Online Gates of Neptune by Gilbert L. Morris - Free Book Online

corridor, had seen the last of this episode. Neither did she see the anger on his face as he turned and walked away in the other direction.
    * * *
    Later that night Sarah encountered Josh. She was still thrilled about what had happened and very happy.
    But suddenly he turned and said, “Sarah, you've been so busy with Valar you haven't seen what's going on.”
    She stared at him angrily. “What do you mean, ‘what's going on?”
    â€œI mean the whole country's falling to pieces. They're ready to give up. The people that are left here are hopeless, and the Council doesn't know how to hold them together. And you're so busy romancing that Valar fellow, you can't see it.”
    Without another word, Josh stormed off.
    That hurt Sarah, for she was fond of Josh, more than any of the other Sleepers. She thought back to the time in the old world when they had become friends, and all the adventures that they had had, and how he'd stood beside her. “I'll have to make it up to him,” she said, “but I don't know how.”
    Later, after supper, Sarah walked along the parapet. She loved to roam the corridors and look out at the sea-green water and the strange animals that cruised by, including whales from time to time. Once she even saw a giant squid. She was still troubled by the encounter with Josh and tried to rationalize it to herself.
    She rounded a corner but stopped abruptly when she saw a man standing halfway down the hall. He did notseem to be an Atlantian, and then shock ran through her as she recognized who it really was.
    â€œGoel!” Sarah ran forward and took his hand. He wore his familiar gray cloak. His kind, gray eyes looked down on her, and yet there was a sternness in them.
    â€œOh, Goel, I'm so glad to see you,” she said. “You don't know what's been happening.” Then she laughed in confusion. “I don't mean that—of course, you know what's going on.”
    â€œCome and walk with me,” Goel said. “I have things to say to you.”
    Afterward, Sarah would never tell anyone all that Goel said on that walk, but the part she remembered best was the last few minutes. He had walked slowly and had told her many things, and her heart felt encouragement and warmth. She wanted to ask him many questions, but finally she settled for one. “Goel, will Atlantis be saved?”
    Goel stopped unexpectedly and put his hand on her shoulder. “Yes—if you will help.”
    Sarah shook her head. “I'm only a girl, not a warrior.”
    Goel said with a smile, “Don't you know, Sarah, my child? I choose the feeble to overthrow the powerful.”
    But at that moment Sarah thought of her infatuation with Valar. She whispered, “And Goel, I've been very foolish too.”
    The smile of Goel was gentle. “All men and all women are foolish at times. The question is, my child, can you receive wisdom?”
    â€œI will try,” she whispered.
    And then she stood silent while he told her his plan. Finally, he turned and walked away, and she was alone. One cry came from her lips—”But Goel, I can't do it!”
    Still, she knew she had no choice but to obey.

7
The Quest
    S arah knew that if she hesitated, thought over what it was that Goel had asked of her, she would never be able to do it. Gritting her teeth, she walked down the hall and knocked on the door where the boys were, then alerted Abbey. When they all came outside, she said, “I've got to talk to you.”
    Jake asked at once, “What's wrong, Sarah? You're scared, aren't you?”
    Sarah could do no more than nod. She said, “Let's go into our room where we won't be interrupted.”
    As she led them down the hall, she tried to think how to start, but when they were all crowded into the room that she and Abbey shared, staring at her, she knew that there would be no easy way.
    She said, “Do you remember once before when you were all asleep and Goel came