Secrets of the Crown by Adam Jay Epstein

Author:Adam Jay Epstein
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 11

Time Stream

After escaping the rocky crags where the echo beast had trapped them, Baxley’s paw print path led Aldwyn and his fellow familiars deeper and deeper into the jungles north of Vastia. Gilbert and Skylar had spent a good amount of time debating the intentions of whatever creature had fended off the echo beast’s attack.

“It looked like it was coming to our rescue,” Gilbert argued. “Maybe it was one of those angel beasts, bursting forth from the Tomorrowlife at our time of need.”

“More likely some predator of the Beyond,” Skylar countered with a shake of her head. “I’m sure if we stuck around long enough, it would have eaten us, too.”

Aldwyn, though, had been less interested in his companions’ theories than in what dangled around his neck: his father’s cloth pouch. He had yet to look inside.

“Aldwyn, just open it,” said Skylar, and it wasn’t the first time she had implored him to do so since he had picked it up.

“We’re going to keep following the path regardless of what I find,” he replied. Still, a part of him knew that she was right, and that he should set aside his personal feelings for the good of the quest. But he wasn’t quite ready yet.

“If it would be easier, I’ll look,” said Skylar.

“Give him a little more time, Skylar,” said Gilbert. “You can be so pushy.”

Skylar muttered something about Gilbert having no idea what pushy meant but eased off, keeping her beak shut as the familiars continued. They fought their way through thickets and vines for what seemed like hours, precious time with only three days left until Paksahara’s promise of a new Dead Army would come to fruition.

The trail eventually rejoined the Ebs, and Skylar remarked that she hadn’t realized just how far the great river stretched into the lands of the Beyond. They walked in silence along the footpath hugging the water’s edge, but the jungle hardly shared their quietude. Their ears were greeted by a cacophony of birds chirping, snakes rustling through grass, and drops of water falling from leaves.

Although the air was thick with moisture, Aldwyn was incredibly thirsty. He spied a large corkwood tree with mouthwateringly clear sap dripping from a hole in its bark. Aldwyn stepped off the glowing paw prints and approached, thinking nothing could look more refreshing.

“I wouldn’t drink that if I were you,” warned Skylar.

Aldwyn retracted his tongue a split second before ingesting the liquid.

“Kalstaff had a saying about jungle fauna,” she continued. “The ones that look the most inviting are the ones you should steer furthest from.”

Aldwyn looked again at the inviting sap dripping from the tree. It appeared more delectable than the cool waters of the Ebs that flowed nearby, but Skylar was right: now wasn’t the time to take any chances. He watched a giant beetle scuttle over to the bark and take a taste of the sticky liquid. When it turned to creep away, the bug exploded, splattering beetle guts all over the ground. Quickly, worm-sized

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