The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson

depths. Jacob realized it was a Rog
when he saw the human hands.
    The Minyas dashed in front of them, both
giggling, zooming for the Rog. A sudden bang, and the Rog soared
over the water, landing with a splash. It surfaced, sputtering.
    “Oh, no,” Akeno said. “Uh . . . Jacob, we
might want to run. Fast.”
    “Why?”
    Then Jacob saw what Akeno saw—the Minyas had
already thrust another Rog in the water, and it was pulling itself
out, roaring with anger.
    It was only fifteen feet away.
    Jacob stumbled around, running as fast as he
could. The Minyas zoomed alongside him, giggling so hard they were
almost bent in half.
    Akeno grabbed Jacob and pulled him to the
left, through the trees. They stumbled over underbrush, barely
staying ahead. After several minutes, they squeezed through enough
places where the Rog couldn't go, and soon put distance between
themselves and the creature. After a moment, Jacob couldn't see or
hear it. He and Akeno ran up the slope, exited the trees, and
turned left to follow the trail again.
    “We don't have to run, but we'd better keep
going, and quickly,” Akeno said. “Before the Rog figures out where
we went. They're not very smart, but they are dangerous.”
    Jacob agreed, and settled into a quick walk
beside Akeno.
     
     
     
    Back to Top

Chapter 8. Mud Bubbles
    T he Fat Lady sent us on our way, but not before
showing us a tunnel that leads from the foothills behind her house
directly to a passageway in the castle, bypassing the waterfall.
Arien showed the tunnel to me once, and I used it a few times, but
hadn’t needed it for several years. What’s more, our Minya is able
to use it as a way to travel to and from the castle.
    She also gave me information concerning the
next element. It’s in the form of a person—a Fire Pulser named
Lasia. I’ve heard horrible stories about Fire Pulsers and have no
confidence in my ability to defeat one. However, the Fat Lady did
give me instructions that should help. It seems that Minyas have a
natural sensitivity to change of temperature. I am to keep one
constantly on the lookout, using it as a way to know what Lasia is
doing at all times. Then I am to creep around Lasia, placing
diamonds, which the Fat Lady has given me, in five spots around
her, forming a pentagon. Once the final diamond is in place, a
shield will be formed around her, thus allowing us to pass by
unharmed. I truly hope the Fat Lady is correct in this.
     

     
    J acob and Akeno walked in silence for a while
as Jacob pondered the events of the last two days. He finally gave
in to his curiosity. “Akeno, can I ask you a couple of
questions?���
    “Sure.”
    “What happens when you touch the trees? I
mean, I know it has something to do with Rezend or whatever, but
how does it tell you when there’s danger around?”
    “When a Makalo comes in contact with
something that’s alive, we’re given a sense of what’s around us.
Basically, we see what they see, but not in a visual way.”
    What would that be like? Jacob looked back at
the poplars behind them—trees that tall had to have a great view.
“Why do you read trees? Why not me, or one of the Minyas? We’re
living things.”
    “Theoretically, you’re similar, but not
enough.” Akeno paused, a slight frown on his face. “There's a lot
of history behind it—I'll give you all of it someday; but for now,
all you really need to know is that hundreds of years ago, Makalos
were completely tied to trees. We lived in them and through
them—they fed our Rezend. A good Makalo leader took us from them,
but then our magic started to wane with each generation. Of course,
by doing that, the leader saved us. And we still maintain a
connection with trees.”
    Akeno sighed. “The Makalo people were the
most powerful people in this world, and their magic was not outdone
by any, including the humans and Shiengols. There were millions
upon millions of us.” He gazed toward the mountain towering above
them. “Their greatest