The Four Gifts of the King Read online

  She watched her brother. Was he going to state the obvious? That this part of the story was aimed at her. Well, fine. She’d beat him to it. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, Reed, if Petitzaros was for you, then Dad clearly meant Ascendia for me.” She forced a smile. “I’ll sit here and endure this for Dad’s sake, but Alex and Anna, be prepared, your time’s coming.”

  That was the ticket. Make light of it, and perhaps they’d just move on.

  Alex didn’t. “Mer, I gotta tell you, I’m really struggling. At first I was going along with this to honor Dad. But, man, don’t you hear him? Dad’s voice, his heart…and Mom’s? He may be gone, but his spirit is here. I mean, I feel Dad in this story.”

  Reed jumped in. “I have to admit it’s getting under my skin too. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it, but—”

  “C’mon, you guys.” Enough was enough. Merideth punched the pillow she’d been leaning on. “It’s a great story, but really, let’s not kid ourselves. We came here entrenched in our lives, and we will leave here the same way. Oh, maybe we’ll try to be a little more generous or love stuff a little less, but nothing’s really going to change. I’m sorry that sounds harsh…”

  “Sounds harsh?” Anna exploded. “It’s way beyond harsh. If that’s how you feel, why don’t you grab a book or play on your iPhone while we finish reading the story. You certainly don’t intend to listen to it anyway. Cripes, Mer, can you build your walls any higher?”

  Steady, stay calm. Breathe. Don’t give way.

  She tightened her hold on the pillow. “Okay, I apologize for the way that came across. But I, for one, will listen to a great story without letting it drag me into some self-psychoanalysis. I’ll give Dad his due, but if there’s an altar call at the end, don’t expect me to come down the aisle singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ That’s all I’m saying.”

  Merideth turned and her eye caught Walter’s. She looked away.

  He already thinks I’m a lost cause…there’s his validation.

  Anna shook her head, got up, and took Alex’s place. “If it’s okay, I’d like to read from here for a bit.”

  She didn’t wait for approval.

  chapter

  Eleven

  “Keep up, Steward, we have a long walk.” Cassandra trudged up the long, sweeping walkway of her Ascender. Wind blew dust everywhere, and Steward was almost running to keep pace. The Ascender had started just a few blocks from the House of Bendor. There were two guards at its entrance, and from what Steward saw, only those known by the sentries were allowed to pass by. Once on the Ascender, the slope steepened. On each side were four-foot-high walls running the length of the pathway.

  Steward caught up with Cassandra. Ahead he could see only open sky and other Ascenders under construction, each heading toward the same mountainside.

  “It’s getting narrower.” Maybe she’d slow down to respond.

  The walkway was broad at first, at least fifty feet from wall to wall, Steward guessed. But now it was half that. And, several hundred yards up at the place where the construction was still underway, it looked no more than twenty feet wide.

  Cassandra slowed her pace as they were nearing its end. “The farther out we build, the less width we need. By the time we connect to the mountain, it will only be six feet wide. Just enough for a horse and cart.”

  Steward froze, looking out over the edge. It was a long way down! “Um, Cassandra, I’m a little nervous about heights. Do you mind if I stay back a bit?”

  She walked to the very edge of the pathway hanging several hundred feet up in midair, with nothing but sky and open space ahead. “Blast those workers! There should be a barricade here. Someone might get distracted and fall.”

  The thought made Steward dizzier. “Does that ever happen?”

  “Not often, but it only takes once.”

  Cassandra walked back to Steward and pointed down the ramp. “Here come my workers. Now you will see the importance of hard work and using the Quash in the right way.”

  Steward looked back. A small army of workers of different ages and sizes plodded their way up the Ascender. When they arrived, they started hauling loads of rocks to the edge, where masons were preparing to lay a new line of wall. The whole process seemed well organized, and yet the workers were sullen, with an underlying anger that was not hard to sense. Suddenly, one worker dumped out his rocks and swung his Quash at a coworker who, apparently anticipating the attack, threw up his Quash and caught the blow before it could injure him. The sound of the clang rang out across the work area, but no one even looked up.

  “Theodorus! Anthresis! Get back to work!” Cassandra demanded.

  They exchanged two somewhat lesser blows and then picked up their rocks and continued their work.

  “What’s that about?”

  “Just short tempers. We’re all under a lot of stress.” She looked across to another Ascender and scowled. “And there’s why. Curse them! They’re beating us. They’ll get to the mountain before we do. We have to work harder and faster.”

  Steward looked out at the impressive face of the distant mountain that jutted up from the valley floor. “What’s on the mountain that’s so important?”

  “What’s on the mountain?” She sighed and spoke as if she were lost in a dream. “My dear Steward, everything you could ever want is on the mountain. There’s security, peace, contentment, and power. You have control of life up on the mountain. No one can tell you how to live. You are completely your own person up there. No more toiling every day in the hot sun. The rewards for hard labor are there. It is all up there, Steward, and I will be up there to get it. All the way at the top. That’s where the rewards are the greatest.”

  Steward scratched his head. This valley was beautiful. There were streams, orchards, stands of aspens. What more could anyone want? And could all this work and anger be worth it?

  Steward was still intimidated by Cassandra, so he chose his words with care. “Respectfully, Cassandra, it seems that most everything you describe is available here in the valley. Do you really need to go to the mountain to find it?”

  Cassandra scowled and faced Steward. “Of course you do! Are you out of your mind? None of these things are available down here. Do you think I would be investing my whole life in attaining something I could get just as easily here in the valley? How dare you even imply such a thing!”

  He stepped back, surprised by the look of anger that filled her face. “I…I’m sorry, Cassandra.”

  She gave no pause to hear his apology. Turning to one of her lieutenants, she shouted, “Markus, we need more workers! And where is the paving mixture?”

  As the man turned to run down the path, Cassandra continued yelling at her workers and demanding that they work faster.

  And they did.

  Are they all working this hard to get to the mountain? Or are they just afraid of Cassandra?

  Markus returned with another small army of workers, most of them carrying Quashes full of a dull, reddish-brown liquid that had the texture of smooth cement. One by one they poured the contents onto the ground that had been prepared for the paving mixture, and other workers smoothed it out with large trowels. The mixture dried in moments in the warm morning sun.

  They were there for most of the morning hours, and the Ascender grew by several meters under Cassandra’s watchful eye. By midday, Steward had had his fill of the building process. The sun was hot on his neck.

  How do Elopia and Astrid occupy their days? Not out here in the hot sun, I’ll bet.

  He waited until Cassandra paused between shouting orders and cursing the slow progress of competing building teams. “I am very grateful for your hospitality. However, I would like to return to the house and rest. My journey has been long, and I am afraid my stamina isn’t what it should be.”

  Cassandra flipped her hands in the air as if to dismiss him. “Of course. Perhaps tomorrow you may join us in the construction work. All who work will be rewarded when we reach the mountain.
But before you go, I have something for you.”

  Cassandra walked over, picked up a used Quash and a clean tan sash, and handed them to Steward. “There. Now you are a real citizen of Ascendia.”

  What a nice gesture, especially after the way I offended her with my questioning. “Thank you, Cassandra. This is most generous. I will wear it with pride. And tomorrow I will come and help you build.”

  She smiled at him. Steward suspected she was just relishing the thought of one more worker on her Ascender.

  Steward placed the sash over his shoulder and settled the bowl into place, wincing a bit from the weight hanging from his shoulders. When combined with the chains from Petitzaros that were still wrapped around his forearms, it made his legs ache as he walked down the steep slope of the Ascender.

  Once at the bottom, Steward searched for Elopia and Astrid. It didn’t take long to hear Elopia’s voice raised in an angry shout, the bellow competing with the clang of Quashes colliding with each other.

  He hurried over and found Elopia and two other women hurling insults at each other.

  “You’re crazy. Anyone who thinks like that should be locked up!” a lady screeched.

  Elopia shot back. “Perhaps it’s narrow-minded fools like you who need to be put away.”

  Is that really Elopia? It’s one thing to do this in private, but out here?

  Elopia picked up her heavy Quash and swung it at the woman, who raised her own Quash just in time to block the attack. A deafening clang rang out as the two metal objects collided.

  And as suddenly as it started, it was over. Not only did the two women sit down and continue normal conversations, but no one else at the table took any notice of the confrontation. A few people on the street had stopped for a moment to watch, but they turned and went on their way, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

  Elopia caught sight of Steward and squealed. “Steward, how nice to see you! I am glad you got away from Cassandra and her mutant army so you could see how life is really lived here in Ascendia.”

  She ran to him and took him by the arm, leading him to a table where several of her friends were seated—including the women she had just attacked. They were enjoying delightful-looking sandwiches, tarts and fruits, and several kinds of drinks made from things Steward had never seen before. Everyone at the table was laughing and talking.

  Elopia waved her hand. “Attention, everyone. This is my new friend, Steward. He is visiting Ascendia for just a few short days. Please greet him.”

  How could everyone be so nice after what just happened?

  The people at the table gave courteous replies, and Steward sat and ate and drank with them well into the afternoon. The conversation was delightful, ranging across a whole spectrum of fascinating topics, punctuated with jokes and uproarious laughter.

  Steward studied the Quashes hanging from most everyone’s sashes. They were different from Steward’s—they all seemed to have sharp edges and more than a few dents. None of these had ever carried a rock or paving mixture up Cassandra’s Ascender.

  From time to time harsh words broke out, followed by a collision of Quashes swung to injure or maybe even kill. These learned, mature people responded as if summoned up by some deep internal demon. Only a few moments later, it happened again. One of the diners rose up and thrust his or her Quash at someone else at the table.

  When an attack was not averted in time, the blow landed on the side of someone’s head or across his or her arm. Steward winced at how painful the blow must be, and yet any howl of protest was kept inside, and a counterattack was launched. These skirmishes lasted only a few seconds, but they were so sudden and vicious that Steward remained on edge.

  He leaned toward Elopia. “Elopia, why is everyone fighting? Someone will be killed! I don’t understand.”

  Her eyes opened wide. “Steward, whatever are you talking about? If you mean the teasing and occasional sarcastic jab, then we’re guilty as charged. But fighting? Killing? You have quite an imagination.”

  He was not imagining this. Something was wrong with these people, and he would rather leave than stay and try to dodge the blows.

  “Thank you ever so much for your hospitality. I have enjoyed the afternoon; however, my journey has been long, and I would like to return to the house and rest for a while.”

  Elopia looked surprised but nodded in agreement. “Of course, certainly. We will see you there later this evening then?”

  Steward thanked her then rose to say his farewells and left the strange company to continue their eating, drinking, and attacking one another. As he walked back to the house, he grew anxious. He did not like Ascendia at all.

  Why is this place part of my journey? What could possibly be here that will help me see the king?

  Back at the House of Bendor, he held his Quash in his hands and examined it. What are these things? Tools? Weapons? Ornaments?

  As he thought back to the events of the day, there it was again.

  That noise! The machines seemed louder now, as if they were creeping closer.

  What did Elopia mean by “other things” added to the mortar?

  He’d love to see them, but that would have to wait. He stretched his sore shoulders. Enough time to ask about all that later. For now, he needed rest.

  For the next two weeks, Steward worked for Cassandra on the Ascender. He didn’t mind the hard work in the warm sun, and he liked hearing about the great reward that awaited them all as he worked.

  He carried rocks to the workers, glancing at Cassandra as he did so. “Tell us again what awaits us once we get to the top.”

  As always, Cassandra was happy to oblige, looking up to the top of the great peak as she spoke. “They say the mountainside is the most peaceful place on earth. There are fewer cares there. You have control of your time and the power to do as you please. The closer you get to the top, the less anyone can tell you what to do. You can create your own destiny and have the power to do whatever your heart desires. There, people respect you and fear you. On the top of the mountain, every need is met, every desire fulfilled, every dream achieved. There are only a few who make it—but for those who do, the spoils are endless.”

  Her vision was wondrous indeed. “Do you know anyone who has lived there?” Steward asked.

  That brought her gaze back to the work at hand. “No, not directly, but the stories of those who have made it to the top are legendary. Seldom if ever does anyone return to the valley once they have made it to the mountainside, so we only have secondhand reports to go by. But last year my uncle met a man who returned. The stories he told…” She shook her head and closed her eyes as her voice trailed off.

  She opened her eyes and looked at Steward. There was a wildness to them now. “I listened through a keyhole night after night as they talked about the riches and power and happiness at the top.”

  “Why did he return?”

  Cassandra was lost in the memory, and it took a long time before Steward’s question registered.

  “What? Oh, well, I’m not sure I ever knew why. Not that it matters. The mountainside is not for everyone. Only those who are gifted and work hard enough will ever achieve it.”

  She looked down toward the valley and saw her sisters walking along the promenade. “I am afraid neither Elopia nor Astrid will ever experience the happiness of the mountain.”

  Steward saw them as well.

  Surely you will all go together. “Won’t you take them with you when the Ascender is complete?”

  “Why should I? I did the work, sacrificing my life and career to build this thing. I organized the workers, took the risk, gave up the leisure life, and dedicated myself to this task. If I did all that, why should they enjoy the benefits of the reward when they have done nothing?”

  “But they’re your sisters. They’re family. Doesn’t that matter?”

  A sneer curled Cassandra’s lips. “To the weak, maybe. But not to me.”

  Steward looked up to the mountain and a
cross at the dozens of Ascenders covered with workers. Their frenzy to reach the mountain was amazing, but…

  What if it wasn’t as wonderful as Cassandra hoped and believed?

  Steward whispered under his breath, “What a shame it would be if the mountain turned out to be less joyful and peaceful than it is here in the valley.”

  Not quiet enough. Cassandra heard it and turned to Steward, her nostrils flaring. “Steward, I have tried to be hospitable to you, but if you are not committed to the construction, then I must ask you to leave. There are many who desire to work alongside me. Our schools prepare our young people to invest their lives in this work. If you do not have the passion to do this, then it is time for you to leave and give your place to someone who does.”

  Steward studied her. Every action and angry word demonstrated the stress that drove her—just like the people of Petitzaros. They just exchanged chains for Quashes.

  He stood. “I’m sorry, Cassandra, but you’re right. I don’t share your passion. I hope the mountaintop fulfills all your dreams. But for me, I have a journey to make, and it is time for me to prepare to continue. Thank you for the chance to work with you and for the Quash. I will go back to the house and prepare to leave tomorrow.”

  With that, Steward walked back down the Ascender. Why did I need to stop in this place on my way to see the king? What’s here for me? He shook his head. Zedekai, I don’t understand.

  In the distance, the rock-grinding machines rumbled.

  I guess I’ll leave without ever seeing them.

  Suddenly, there was a tug on his shirtsleeve, and he turned around to see Elopia signaling him to follow her as she scurried out of the sunlight and into a shaded archway.

  Steward followed.

  Elopia was breathless. She looked around as she spoke, her eyes wild with excitement. “Steward, you must come and see Ascendia for what it really is. Cassandra hasn’t told you the entire story. There’s more here you must know. That’s why Zedekai sent you. You must not be deceived. Please, stay close to me and stay low. I will show you the real secret of Ascendia.”