Chapter 28
“‘I don’t believe you Michael,’ stated JT. His head was fuzzy at seeing the carnage of the battle and then watching Michael revel in the victory. He knew it was a good thing that they won the battle, but the scene rocked his senses. He believed Michael’s leadership had grown when he saw him in the Chamber giving his glorious speech about freedom and how he would die for it. Now, Michael couldn’t makeup his mind on whether he was happy, sad, focused, or confused.
It reminded JT too much of the day he met Michael on the Shorts’ farm, and his trust waned. Could JT trust Michael in finishing the task at hand – retrieving the Golden Diamond, considering he had wavered right before the battle ensued?
‘What do you mean?’ Michael asked as they jumped on their horses and galloped toward Triton.
‘What do you mean?’ retorted JT, ‘Are you ready to fight and finish this or what?’ JT dug his heels into Joshua.
‘We won the battle, didn’t we?’ Michael stated with a perplexed tone.
‘Well, this war isn’t over with yet. There’s still one thing left to do.’ JT focused his eyes forward and tore through the sand.
Kali straggled behind a little as the three raced to Triton. She was exhausted and wanted to get the adventure over with and go home. She had done what was asked of her and she was happy to still be alive, but she had had enough of Bruinduer.
‘We just need to get the diamond and then this thing is over,’ Michael explained. ‘Piece of cake.’ Michael had hoped that defeating Charlie’s army with Billy’s help would have been enough to open the Mahogany Door, but the disdain the Triton monarch had amassed and his unwillingness to relinquish any power was enormous.
This time through the Mahogany Door, Billy’s rules would not be denied; Charlie would have to leave with them one way or the other and they would have to possess the Golden Diamond.
The gallop toward the Triton Pyramid was long, and as the three soldiers got closer to the bottom crest of the pyramid’s mount, the mood turned. The smell of mildew and rot pierced the air like an arrow and Kali covered her nose. Great, black clouds began to form over the land of Triton, and Bruinduer became dark once again. The ground beneath them shook.
‘We need to hurry!’ JT screamed. ‘I hope it’s not too late!’
The three raced up the streets of Triton which were bare. Subjects of both Godwin and Triton seemed to have vanished. As the ground trembled, the small, unstable houses and shops along the streets crumbled with each vibration. JT could only conclude that Bruinduer was about to collapse. He had to get to Charlie and the diamond before The Vryheid world crumpled.
Up and up they rushed through the stone and gravel streets throwing rocks behind them until they arrived at the great Pyramid. The ground shook violently again and large stones from the pyramid palace fell, pelting the earth.
JT, Kali, and Michael leapt from their horses and raced up the stairs, through the doors, and into the pyramid. They swung the mighty oak doors open and entered the great hall.
Painters on large scaffolding swayed back and forth as the ground wobbled beneath them. JT glanced up and noticed the painters had already started a mural of the battle that had just transpired, showing Charlie raise a red Triton flag in one hand and the Golden Diamond in the other in victory.
The three rushed up the stage and ripped the black curtain down, but Charlie was nowhere to be found. They ran off the stage to the right side and through the maze of twisting halls and corridors of the great pyramid palace.
Round and round they went, turn after turn only to find themselves in futile circles right back in the great hall. The ground shifted, and parts of the ceiling above them crumbled in large flakes to the floor. The painters continued their work.
‘Where is Charlie’s room, I can’t remember?’ JT grabbed his heart and knees in exhaustion trying to catch his breath. ‘And what in the world is that smell?’
Michael started to point and to tap his finger in the air and mouth something. ‘Wait a minute, I know this,’ he said and started to walk down the hall. He began counting lamps on the walls of the corridors with each step and then turned left or right. He had remembered the last time he was here that the corridors all looked the same so he had counted his way to Charlie’s room.
The ground quaked and seemed to get more violent as time continued its relentless march.
‘Can we hurry this up?’ Kali stated, fear engulfing her voice. ‘This isn’t good.’
‘Just hold on, I can’t lose my... there!’ Michael yelled out. He pointed at a door in the hallway, attached to it was a golden leaf. ‘I knew I would find it. I knew I was –’ Michael tried and wanted to give himself a spirited pat on the back for leading them to Charlie’s room, but before he could say another word, JT had pushed him away and began opening the door.
The door wouldn’t budge at first, but JT stepped back, raised his foot, and kicked the door in, removing it from its hinges. The three rushed in and JT immediately ran to the open pit in the middle of the room. He scurried down the steps of the bowl shape and then rushed up the path of the mound of earth that was in the middle where the stone case was seated.
When he arrived at the small safe, he reached around the case as Charlie had done before. His hand shook and he felt the sweat bead in his pores. He frantically searched for the lever or switch. After a few panicked moments, he found what he was looking for and pressed on it. The cover of the case grinded off the side slower than JT had hoped, and the stone slab bottom of the case rose only to reveal dust as it halted. It was gone – the Golden Diamond was gone. JT’s heart dropped.
‘Crap, it’s not here!’ JT slammed his hands on either side of the stone case and pain shot through his arms.
Kali stood on top of the steps that led down into the pit, but she was still level with JT. Her face went flush. She was devastated. All she wanted was for this to end.
The ground shifted again, and Michael’s attention was brought to the small room that was carved out of the bigger one, where Charlie’s bed was situated. He ran over and the stone wall was already open to its glass window, revealing the great waterfall and garden below.
‘Hey guys?’ Michael stated with hesitation and concern, but no one noticed him.
JT and Kali still eyed the empty platform of the stone case.
‘Hey guys?!’ Michael yelled out more forcefully.
‘What?!’ JT aggravatingly answered back.
‘I think you want to look at this.’ Michael gestured with his hand for JT to join him in looking out the window.
JT shuffled down from the mound of earth back up the steps of the pit toward Michael, but hesitantly and cautiously peeked around the room on the floor to make sure that the diamond had not been jolted out of the stone case somehow.
Michael continued to stare out the window. He pointed out as JT settled beside him. JT could only shake his head at what he saw beyond the Triton Pyramid.
‘You have got to be kidding me,’ mumbled JT.
Outside, Michael and JT saw Charlie standing by the great waterfall and the ravine its water poured into tossing the Golden Diamond in the air like an everyday toy. Tickler, with his greasy hair and smile stood beside his master rubbing his fat little hands together obviously coughing, laughing, and spitting at the same time.
The Triton monarch stared up at the window glaring at JT and Michael. He turned to the great ravine and then back to JT and Michael still staring down at him and pointed to a spot in front of him. He acted like a parent commanding their child to come to them immediately.
JT shook his head and then he heard the distinct crisp swishing sound of swords being drawn from their sheaths behind him. He and Michael wheeled around. There, three Triton guards waved their sharp, curved swords in the air toward JT and Michael, as they clasped Kali’s arms behind her back.
Outnumbered and weaponless, their only option was to follow the guards out of the great Pyramid and face Charlie. As JT stepped from Charlie’s sleep
ing quarters, he peered down at the wall to his left. He had remembered seeing the tick marks grouped in fives all over the wall and the last grouping of four. As he marched out of the small nook, he saw that the last group had a tick mark striking through the other four. It was red. JT knew that Charlie may have come to the realization that this day would be the last Bruinduer day of this adventure. And whether the Triton monarch knew it or not, it would be Michael that determined its outcome.
Michael, JT, and Kali lumbered out into the opening by the great ravine flanked by three Triton guards, their arms firmly held behind them. Beyond them by the ravine, Charlie stood tossing the Golden Diamond in the air with a large smile upon his pasty face; his boyish complexion appeared as though it had aged a few years since the battle and his stubby little servant nodded and bowed at every move he made. As Michael, Kali, and JT came closer, he threw the stone behind his back and over his head, but suddenly returned bobbing the rock in a steady, up and down motion staring straight long toward Michael.
‘I don’t know how you did it,’ stated Charlie. His voice was scratchy and tired but loud enough to overcome the steady stream of the waterfall. ‘You were beat.’
‘Yesss, you were beat,’ Tickler hissed.
The diamond launched higher in Charlie’s hand. ‘But now look at all of this.’ He gestured with his free hand at the crumbling pyramid.
‘I told you to be afraid,’ JT chimed. ‘It looks as though you underestimated the power of faith.’ JT pulled his arms away from the guards’ grip and marched closer to Charlie. Two of the guards raised their swords and followed after JT, but Charlie motioned for the guards to stop with his stoneless hand.
‘It’s all right men. He won’t come any closer.’ Charlie’s smile grew wider and the soldiers halted. He then nodded his head over his shoulder. ‘Especially if he knows that the ravine there is not but a few paces behind me. I’m sure JT and this band of faithful souls would hate to see this little diamond fly into it.’
‘Yes, faithful souls should fly into the ravine.’ Tickler stated still rubbing his thick paws together.
‘Just stop this Charlie. It’s over!’ JT demanded. He stopped a few paces from the Triton monarch. ‘Just give the diamond to Michael so we can get out of here.’ JT reached his hand delicately out to Charlie, but Charlie tossed the diamond high and behind his head. Michael, JT, and Kali gasped as they watched the diamond gain altitude and head for the great ravine. JT wanted to run for it, but his legs would not move; he was petrified. Something in the pit of his brain told him to remain still.
As the diamond climbed higher and then began its descent toward the ravine, Charlie reached out his pasty, dewy hand and snatched the stone out of its dive just as it was going to disappear beyond the cliff’s edge. He thrust his torso straight and returned the rhythmic toss of the diamond up and down, this time he chuckled.
‘Make no doubt my friends, I am still in control,’ Charlie said pointing at Michael, Kali, and JT.
‘No doubt,’ Tickler spit.
Charlie then pointed his crooked finger into the air toward the great pyramid. JT, Michael, and Kali followed the appendage, and from around the perimeter of the garden they stood in, hundreds of young Triton guards appeared waving swords and red flags in the musky air. They all cheered for Charlie.
Charlie nodded profusely taking in the adoration still tossing the Golden Diamond. After the roars subsided, he spoke, ‘You see, I still have the power to control armies. This is my world! This is not your world! You had it all Michael! I gave you a kingdom and now look what you have done to it! You trusted some stupid fool who can’t remember his past and some stupid girl?!’ Charlie’s seemingly joyful expression turned menacing. ‘Not to mention you still trusted that played-out, washed-up Essence who left me in here to die! It’s been 150 years; you think I have not fought these battles before? You saw the wars I fought in the great hall! I told you, I’m in control here! Look at this! My kingdom will last forever. Look at my soldiers! I can conjure them at will now; I am more powerful than anything this world has ever seen! This diamond is mine and will always be mine! Now, you’ll have nothing. You’ll have nothing because you will all be destroyed!’
‘Nothing! You’ll have nothing and be destroyed!’ Tickler yelled at the top of his voice punching his raw hands in the air.
‘Shut up!’ Charlie screamed down at Tickler.
Tickler slumped his head. ‘Sorry master, Tickler only wants to serve.’
The Triton guards grasping Michael and Kali forced them to the middle of the opening in front of the ravine now surrounded by Triton soldiers. Feelings of doom washed over them. The three Godwin leaders huddled together. Kali grabbed JT’s hand.
The sense of helplessness rumbled through JT’s brain. He knew that Billy said that he had guided them and paved the way for their task to be filled, and through all of their meetings in Bruinduer over the past days, he understood why it was up to them to finish it. Nevertheless, he panned around nervously hoping that his salvation would rush through the great pyramid and save them as he had in the war. After a few moments of anticipation, the hope that burned within JT dimmed.
JT pulled Kali and Michael close to him. ‘Kali?’ He stated firmly wanting her undivided attention. ‘I want to make sure,’ he gripped her hand tight, ‘that you are the steward of the key, OK?’
Kali eyed JT unnervingly. She knew that he was going to try something stupid. ‘Don’t do anything rash.’ She attempted, but knew her gesture would be futile. ‘Charlie just likes to give these –’
‘No,’ interrupted JT, ‘This is different. He won’t give up the diamond. I thought he might change after Billy defeated him in the battle, but look at what he’s doing. He can conjure armies for goodness sake. He’s drunk with power. The only way to end this is to destroy him.’
‘Remember though,’ Kali stated. ‘Whoever enters Bruinduer must leave Bruinduer.’
‘I know, I know!’ exclaimed JT. ‘But Billy never said they had to be alive.’
Michael shook his head. He knew they were in this bind because of him. ‘I think it should be me. I should be the one to sacrifice for this. It’s my fault we’re here in the first place.’ He hung his head and buried his chin into his chest.
‘Although I can’t disagree with that,’ JT answered, ‘you have to fulfill your destiny, remember. You can’t recover the diamond if you’re dead.’ JT took a deep breath. ‘I’ll get it from Charlie and toss it to you; hopefully that will end this nightmare, for all of us. Just make sure if Charlie and I are dead, you get us out of here somehow.’
JT turned to Kali. ‘You’re the steward of the key now, right?’
‘Yes, I’m the steward of that stupid key,’ Kali stated. Her lips trembled as she kissed JT on the lips.
A shot of adrenaline shot through JT’s body as he let go of Kali’s hand and turned toward Charlie who was still tossing the Golden Diamond in the air. He and Tickler were laughing hysterically at the scene.
Then, without warning, JT dug his feet into the ground and grabbed traction. In an instant he darted toward Charlie. No fear ran through any vein, muscle, or nerve in his body, just the desire to rip the diamond from the King of Triton and wipe the obnoxious smirk from his face.
He gritted his teeth and howled a charging roar. Before Charlie, Tickler, or any of the other Triton guards knew what happened; JT was almost on top of the boy monarch. Charlie suddenly and surprisingly caught sight of JT and his weasely laugh turned into a screech of horror.
The Golden Diamond, glowing in the dank mist, flew into the air just as JT plowed into Charlie. JT shoved the boy monarch clear of the airborne diamond and Charlie desperately tried to save his balance on the edge of the great ravine waving his hands and digging his toes into its ledge. JT watched Charlie without thinking to save himself. He then turned his concentration to the small rock that was careening over Charlie’s head. He shuffled closer to Charlie and the stone as both began to fall into the chasm,
but just as he reached out with his left hand to steady Charlie and his right hand to snatch the diamond from the fall, Tickler boldly tackled him to the cliff’s edge.
JT’s head bounced off the hard dirt and then he proceeded to struggle with the surprisingly strong and aggressive servant. After a few moves, the stump of a man pinned JT flat on his back. JT trapped, looked over to Charlie and watched what transpired. It was very quick, almost a flash, but Michael came into his line of sight. Michael reached for the Golden Diamond. As Charlie still tried to get his balance, and as Michael stretched his arm out, the ground shifted under their feet with a hard jolt. Charlie was forced forward and grabbed hold of Michael’s body armor. Both young monarchs began to sway toward the opening of the ravine. As Michael also crashed into Charlie, he caught a glimpse down into the vast ravine as mist and water sprayed through the air dispersing any hope of seeing the bottom of it.
Witness to the tragic dance, JT had to act fast. Tickler raised a sword from behind his back and started to slash at JT’s head. JT raised his hands, and as the long, curved blade came down, he clapped his hands together stopping it. In one, swift, agile move, he flipped Tickler over and swiped the weapon. He scurried to his feet and dashed toward the weakened balance of Charlie and Michael.
JT’s mind went blank. This was it. This was the last moment of the adventure and from what he saw the outcome could go either way. What he and Michael did in the next few seconds would determine all of their fates.
JT rushed to the ledge of the ravine. Michael and Charlie began to tumble head long into the ravine and the Golden Diamond was not far behind. JT thrust the hook of the curved sword toward Michael and latched onto the leather straps that held his armored breastplate secure to his body. He pulled him upward with all of his might. Michael lie flat over the ravine, his feet planted against two rocks buried in the ledge. Charlie now hung from Michael’s breastplate, his life in the balance. His feet dangled and kicked in the vast empty space below them.
The Golden Diamond, the stone that began this adventure nine years ago, flew over their heads. Michael reached out and dragged JT closer and closer to the edge and he began to lose his grip on the Triton sword.
JT made his choice. It happened fast. JT wrenched and turned the sword with every drop of energy left in his being. All of his strength was quickly fading, but as he turned the sword, the sharp edge of the blade made contact with the straps of Michael’s breastplate and cut it loose. Charlie fell and so did Michael. JT threw the sword down and reached for Michael, and just as Michael was tumbling head first with Charlie, JT grabbed his legs. Michael dangled over the waterfall’s cliff with his hands outstretched. Charlie was gone. He fell into the great ravine still clasping to Michael’s breastplate with a blood curdling scream and disappeared, never to be seen again.
JT pulled Michael’s legs with a second wave of energy that spiked his veins. He reached deep into his soul trying to find the strength to hoist Michael back to safety, but he felt it slipping away from him. He closed his eyes and saw Bruinduer collapse. He then pictured Gregory and Louise bending over his tombstone crying.
He thought he might be dreaming, but he felt a tug on his leg armor, and then a healthy grip on his calves. Miraculously, he began to inch back onto the ledge, Michael following behind him, their grip still true. As Michael made his way to the top of the ledge, JT fell on his back. JT opened his eyes and saw Kali, Tickler, and an enormous Triton guard staring down at him.
Kali helped JT to his feet and Michael struggled to his. JT glanced at Michael who was scrunched over brushing the dirt from his shirt with a free hand. The young Godwin monarch then looked up very quietly and serenely at JT. A small triumphant smile cracked his face. With his other hand, he raised high in the air the Golden Diamond. He had caught it as it was falling into the ravine.
A brilliant glow and resonant shine beamed from the diamond above Michael’s head. It was magical. The battle was won. His destiny was fulfilled with sure will.
A second later, another iridescent, pure jolt of light split the air and a doorway opened in front of JT, Kali, and Michael.
As Michael looked toward JT, Kali, and the opening, the Triton guards and soldiers that surrounded the great pyramid’s garden instantaneously fell to their knees and bowed toward Michael, their arms pointed forward, heads up praising and chanting his name.
Tickler rushed to Michael’s side, rubbing his hands together and bowing. ‘Yesss, I will serve my new master.’
Michael felt power and adrenaline rush through his body like he had never felt before. It penetrated his very core as the Triton army bore its allegiance to him. For the first time in his life, he felt like he was in complete control of everything around him. It wasn’t like being the King of Godwin where he knew Charlie was always there, this was different. It was his world now. Bruinduer was his.
‘This is wonderful, JT!’ He yelled not wanting to lower the Golden Diamond. ‘This world is mine!’
‘Yesss, it is Master’s,’ Tickler hissed and smiled.
‘Are you crazy?!’ JT screamed. ‘Let’s get out of here!’ He motioned for Michael to follow as he stepped toward the illuminated breach.
‘But we can rule Bruinduer together!’ his voice turned to pleading. ‘This is amazing. There’s nothing out there for us! All of this is ours now!’ Michael’s mind faded.
‘Nothing for you - Master is great,’ Tickler responded.
‘No!’ bellowed JT. ‘You sound like Charlie. It’s over. We have to go home now.’
‘But there’s nothing out there for us don’t you see! We can control everything here. We can be gods! Bruinduer will never collapse with us here!’ Michael held the diamond out to his fingertips. The Triton guards continued bowing up and down toward their newly anointed leader.
‘Master is a god!’ Tickler barked at JT.
‘Michael!’ JT yelled out. ‘I thought you were my friend. Please, let’s just go. Don’t be stupid!’
‘Master needs no friends. Master can rule everything,’ Tickler answered to JT.
‘Shut up!’ Michael yelled down to Tickler. The small, stumpy servant backed away sheepishly from Michael and bowed his head and said no more.
A hush fell over the scene as Michael lowered the Golden Diamond in front of his chest. Michael stared at the diamond and then panned toward Bruinduer. The wind began to blow. He looked to Kali and JT and his hands began to burn and the diamond somehow started to get heavier. ‘The weight of history,’ Michael thought. He then eyed JT.
‘What did you call me?’ Michael yelled back. His feelings fell to a depth indescribable only to say he felt human again. He was ashamed.
‘I called you stupid. Now let’s go,’ answered JT. He walked closer toward the opening of light. ‘It’s over.’
‘No, what did you call me before that?’ Michael asked, his wits totally returning to a sane level, whatever that was for the young man, and a tear fell down his cheek.
‘I called you my friend,’ JT said shaking his head and waving at Michael in disgust.
That was the first time Michael had heard that word come from JT’s lips directed at him since he found him on the Shorts’ farm.
He remembered all of the times and adventures he and JT had shared at Warhead Dale before the ‘incident’ and before JT lost his memory. He wanted so much to recapture the contentment he felt so many years ago with his lost companion; a feeling that he belonged. The years without JT; the failed jobs; the failed loves; the failed everything had taken its toll on him, and he thought for such a long time that he could only find that belonging in Bruinduer – a place he believed he could make all of his wishes come true. The world beyond the Mahogany Door, as it had Charlie, changed him into something he didn’t like; someone determined to force a false since of security and happiness even if it meant going to war to do it. But as JT reached his hand to him in friendship, another feeling washed over him. It was not the power that came with ruling a kingdom, or the powe
r of even ruling a world. It was care, simple care without any expectation of its return. He had not found his destiny in ruling Bruinduer, or in a golden diamond; he had found it in a friend.
Michael glared at the Golden Diamond with disdain and humiliation. It would be for the last time. With the Triton guards still on their knees, the young man from Athens Eden turned, and without hesitation, threw the stone over Tickler’s head and into the mist of the ravine.
Michael Peterson, JT Davis, and Kali Logan walked through the opened, blasting light of the Mahogany Door and out of Bruinduer.
As the door engulfed them and their minds swam in the light and wind, JT heard and felt the same deep, haunting laugh that enveloped him when he had entered Bruinduer. This time in addition, he felt the presence of a ghostly spirit, a lost soul that had come to terms with the situation it had found itself in; locked in a world where it did not belong. The shackles of hate, anger, and pride that bound it during this predicament, exploded, freeing it to return to its rightful home, wherever that may be. JT concluded, and justly so, the soul was Charlie’s, and the dark laugh of Billy turned into a voice, ‘Everyone who entered Bruinduer has left Bruinduer.’”
The children on their rug gazed at me in amazement. The last streak of lightning and the last thunder boom sounded from the massive tempest that dogged us through most of my story. The storm clouds dispersed and the yellow earthly moon in all of its shining wonder broke the deep blue sky illuminating Warhead Dale.
In all of my previous telling of this story I had stopped at Michael, JT, and Kali returning through the opening of light, but since my band of listeners had been dedicated, I continued the story alluding to what happened next.
“The Mahogany Door slammed behind JT, Michael, and Kali and silence echoed.” The children were deeply engaged again. “JT glanced around the inner room that the Mahogany Door possessed wanting to be certain they had returned to Warhead Dale. Billy was nowhere to be found and Michael and Kali stood, staring at JT with shock, awe, relief, and a hint of disappointment. Could the adventure really be over? JT reached for the large, wooden door that stood before him, and he shuddered in pain as the slash above his elbow he received during the battle was still open, his armor had vanished. He brushed the door’s front with his hand, and the pyramid and the flags that carved themselves into the structure had disappeared. The smooth circle of dark, redwood only remained.
Bruinduer had not collapsed. They had saved it. JT looked down to the right corner of the door, and there was his cane, its red eyes burning bright inside the skull and crossbones handle.
A suffocating silence filled the inner room in the basement of Warhead Dale and it covered them like the humid heat of a long summer day. They suddenly eyed each other as a rhythmic sound filled the room. It was a faint ‘Tick, tick, tick.’
‘The watch!’ hollered Michael. He pulled the rusted, blood stained object from his blue jean pocket. ‘I almost forgot about it.’ He shook his head and took a deep breath. ‘I wonder if it is correct. I have no idea what day it is or the time. It didn’t stop this time. It still works!’ In fact no one could honestly say how long they had been gone.
JT thought just a moment about his grandfather and a smile grew on his face. Their existence was secure, though he thought earlier that he was going to fail. He reached for the cane still lodged in its slot and pulled the bottom of the shaft outward. The eyes went dim and as he turned it hard to the left a loud ‘CRACK!’ rang out and the door locked. JT turned to Kali and Michael. The room cloaked in black and he fell to the floor.”
“He did not know how long he lay on the floor, but after the unknown amount of time, JT squirmed about in pain. His arm throbbed and for the first time since before he went through the Mahogany Door, his left knee ached. To his surprise, he grabbed hold of his injured arm and it had been bandaged.
As he grimaced and held his eyes tightly shut, he felt a finger poke his shoulder.
‘JT.’ He heard but didn’t recognize the voice. It was high, yet deep, ‘Get up.’
JT rolled about the floor and came to rest on his back. He felt the poking on his shoulder once again and smelled a rotten breath. ‘JT, get up. It’s Kali!’
JT heard those words and leapt to his feet. He buckled in pain as his left knee gave way, and just as quickly as he got to his feet, he was back to his knees on the floor. He grabbed his knee, wiped his face, and felt strange. Under his hand was the distinct prickle of unshaven, thick hair.
‘What in the world?’ JT mumbled and his vision became clearer.
Before him coming into focus, was Michael, but no longer was he the fourteen‑year‑old monarch of Godwin dressed in silk or armor. He had turned back into his, short grown form of twenty-three.
JT gingerly climbed back to his feet, and Michael handed him his cane. He steadied himself and walked to the cracked mirror that hung on the wall of the inner room. He peered up, and glaring back down at him was his older self – dirty, broken, and unshaven.
‘You have got to be kidding me,’ he stated as he hobbled to the big, orange chair that Billy had sat in before their adventure. He plopped himself down and looked up at Michael.
‘Where’s Kali?’ His head hurt, but his knee was absolutely throbbing. He had a hard time focusing on what Michael was telling him as his mind swam.
‘That’s what I was trying to explain,’ the older Michael said; his voice very different since he did not talk with a lisp anymore. ‘She’s gone.’ He then looked toward the open wall of the inner room. Kali was nowhere to be seen.
‘What do you mean she’s gone?’ retorted JT gaping at Michael as though he had lost his best friend. His eyes popped open and his focus returned with a shot of adrenaline.
‘I don’t know. She’s just gone,’ Michael stared out of the open wall and gulped, ’— out of our lives forever.’
JT hung his head. ‘She can’t be.’ He thought quickly back to when they spoke before they went to war. ‘I thought she would have at least said goodbye.’
Michael placed his hand on JT’s shoulder. ‘I know Kali’s gone, and I’m sorry, but I just wanted to tell you thanks.’
‘For what?’ JT asked as he placed the weight of his throbbing knee on the cane. He had almost forgotten how to use the cane since he was in Bruinduer, but the realization that that freedom from the pain had been temporary.
JT and Michael walked out of the inner room and with no assistance from them, as they crossed the opening, the wall of the room sealed behind them.
‘Thanks for helping me realize what was important. I just don’t know what it was that came over me,’ Michael answered. ‘I really thought that I wanted all of that power that the Golden Diamond would have given me. I mean all of those Triton soldiers bowed before me. But then, right there at the last moment, right after you called me your friend…’ Michael paused. ‘I don’t know. I just thought all of that wasn’t worth it. I just remembered when we were kids. You and your family were really special to me.’ Michael stopped for a moment. His thoughts jumbled. ‘But, I would be lying though if I told you I wasn’t tempted in keeping the diamond and taking control over Bruinduer.
Something just popped in my brain, and I suddenly pictured myself like Charlie, all alone with supposed control over a world I don’t think can be controlled, yelling down at Tickler. I’d seen him yell at his pathetic servant so many times.’ Michael shook his head.
‘No matter how much power Charlie had or tried to take, he couldn’t satisfy his lust for it. I just came to the conclusion that our friendship and Kali’s friendship is more important.’ Michael’s eyes watered.
JT remained silent; his knee and arm were still very painful. He listened to what Michael had to say and appreciated that his new friend had come to his senses, but at the moment he was really more concerned about where Kali may have gone.
They climbed into the rust bucket of an elevator and as it labored to the main floor JT remained distant from Michael. They shuffled
into the great hall. The dripping of the outside rain had ceased.
As JT limped across the great hall, he glared up at the ripped picture of his grandfather that hung so delicately over the fireplace. The picture appeared different. It seemed to have more of a glow to it now rather than a dark, gloomy shadow cast across it when they first arrived in the sailor’s big old house in the rain. JT almost swore he saw Ol’ Captain Luke smile at him.
‘Well, you know Michael, I never really had a best friend before,’ JT stated but then thought back that he and Michael had been best friends before his mother’s accident. ‘You know, you were a real pain in Bruinduer. I mean you did want me and Kali dead I recall.’ JT’s mouth remained flat. He remembered his and Billy’s discussion when the Essence revealed during the Battle of the End that he was Atal Leer. JT knew that Michael had asked the Bruinduer guide to save him and Kali, but even if Michael had lied to Charlie in order to protect himself, JT still felt betrayed.
‘I’m so sorry about that. I was out of my mind. I don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t really want to hurt you,’ Michael responded. He still felt very ashamed at his actions.
‘I want to think deep down that you’d make the right decision in the end, but I still don’t know if I can trust you completely. You really acted like most people do when they get power. I think they believe in some warped way they’re better than everybody else. Somehow, their opinions and rules are the only ones that matter or apply. I mean you sound like you still don’t know a whole lot about what you were doing even after you took a nation to war.
Don’t get me wrong, you changed, and I will give you credit that you were willing to change for the good or at least you imagine that you have changed for the good. I wish out here you could be that same strong leader I saw in the Chamber of Common. Somehow though, I just think it was all an act. I’m still very new to all of this, and I am very tired.’ JT jerked his hand around in the air. ‘I just wish I knew where Kali went.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ Michael answered, his feelings of shame deepened. ‘I hope we can still at least remain friends, if not best friends. I really thought I was doing the right thing at the time.’
The duo trudged through Warhead Dale and made their way out of the ragged double doors that opened to the back deck. Revealed before them was a beautiful view of the gleaming, peaceful ocean.
As the sun was about to explode over the glassy sea, JT asked Michael, ‘What time is it?’ The morning air was crisp. ‘I really want to know where Kali went. I don’t believe she left us here.’
Michael took Charlie’s watch and strapped it to his arm. ‘It’s just about 6:30 in the morning - I suppose. That’s what Charlie’s watch says anyway.’ Michael did wish that Charlie would have walked out of Bruinduer with them alive.
The first morning rays of the sun burst over the horizon and a new day dawned.”
Just as soon as I had finished my tale, the children all smiled at me and piled into the center of the great hall of Warhead Dale on top of the large, mahogany colored rug and fell asleep. The night was halcyon and serene after the tremendous storm had raged through the early afternoon and evening. The white moon cast its restful beams on the shore of the ebbing tide, and the last log of the once roaring fire in the great hall fireplace snuffed out.
I took a deep breath and was happy I told my story. I shut my eyes and sank deep into a dream on my big black leather chair.