Rise of Keitus (9 page)

Jacob spent the next week working with the Makalos, helping plant new gardens since the bugs had destroyed the last ones. He didn’t have a lot of homework from Mr. Coolidge, and hadn’t been able to practice Time-Traveling since Azuriah had told him not to return. Besides, even if Jacob had wanted to visit Azuriah, he wouldn’t have been able to—the Shiengol was still out on diplomatic missions, trying to get other Shiengols to join the fight against the Lorkon.

Meanwhile, the Lorkon stayed in Maivoryl City and didn’t go anywhere. It didn’t even look like they were making plans. Jacob got bored of watching them but did it anyway, realizing that if another attack happened, it would be his fault if he and the others weren’t aware of it.

Kevin and Aloren had made a great deal of progress with their English classes. The people could count to ten, recite the alphabet, say their names, and tell someone when they were hungry. Aloren was ecstatic about this progress, but Jacob could only shake his head. There was so much more for those people to learn before they’d be ready to decide whether to help with the fight or not.

The best news of all was when Aldo and the Fat Lady announced they’d found a partial solution for the bugs.

“We use the bud from my Silver Trees,” the Fat Lady said. “It’s the main ingredient. Then we add some other stuff—boring things you don’t want to hear about—to make a potion.”

Jacob was about to ask what the other things were. He actually wanted to know. But Sweet Pea was less patient.

“Okay, so what do we do with the potion?” he asked.

The Fat Lady’s eyes lit up. “We apply it to the unaffected trees to keep the bugs from spreading to them.”

Ebony shook her head, her eyebrows knitted. “There aren’t many of those left. You’re sure it won’t work on the diseased trees?”

“Yes, and you have to realize, this isn’t a complete cure. It’ll wear off in about two months, and since the bud only comes every three months, we won’t be able to make a new potion until a month after the bugs have started spreading again.”

Ebony didn’t look convinced. “Well, if it’s all we’ve got, we’ll try it.” Then she smiled. “It’s definitely better than nothing.”

“Here’s how the potion works,” Aldo said. “It focuses on the good trees, but enters the air and affects the bugs on the bad trees. It then slows the bugs down significantly. Doesn’t kill them or stop them completely, but it prevents them from having the energy to transfer to treated trees.”

“But there’s one month when the bugs can do what they want,” Brojan said. The expression on his face said he wasn’t happy about that.

The Fat Lady shrugged. “Give or take. And it’s the best we can do.”

Dad leaned forward in his chair. “How much potion will the recipe make?”

“About a quart’s worth,” Aldo said. “We’ll have to dilute it greatly with water and apply by spraying it.”

Dad nodded. “We can go to a hardware store to buy something that’ll get the job done.”

The meeting over, Jacob returned everyone to their homes. He was used to Keying Aldo to the Fat Lady’s cabin every day now, but this time, Aldo made him wait while he got something.

The old man returned quickly, holding another pair of glasses. “I talked to your dad and he gave me many ideas. These should be much better.”

Jacob took them, already sensing a much higher quality. They were lightweight and sleek, completely of plastic. “Whoa. How’d you do this?”

“I stole away into your world and found a place that makes things with plastic. They made them for me, actually.”

“You were on Earth?” Jacob’s eyebrows were so high under his hair, he wondered if Aldo could even see them.

“Yeah. I go there all the time—you should know that.”

“But . . . but that’s a really long walk!”

Aldo shrugged, then he grinned. “You gonna try them now? Please?”

Jacob nodded. “Sure!” He put on the glasses, then Traveled to Maivoryl City in the past again.

This time, instead of going to the castle in Maivoryl City, he decided to wander the busy streets, wanting to take a look at how the city was pre-Lorkon. But problems sprang up right away. He hadn’t gone more than twenty feet before several people were staring and pointing. Pretty soon, a crowd had gathered around him. They wouldn’t let him go forward, asking him what he had on his face, what they did, and where he got them.

The familiar pain in his chest returned, restricting the wind in his lungs. He nearly collapsed in the street, but pushed his way through the people and ran into what he hoped was an empty building. He returned to the present time and sank to his knees, grateful to have made it back to the Fat Lady’s cabin.

“What’s wrong?” Aldo said, bending over to look at Jacob. “You look terrible!”

Jacob wished he didn’t have to say anything—Aldo had been so excited about these glasses. He shook his head. “They won’t work—caused way too much of a distraction, and my magic forced me to come back.” He handed the glasses to Aldo, hating to disappoint the old man. He’d spent so much time on the things. “I’m really, really sorry.”

Aldo squared his shoulders. “It’s all right—not your fault. Let’s go talk to your dad—see if we can get this figured out.”

Jacob Keyed them both to his house. “Dad should be back from work any minute.” He sat on one of the couches and Aldo on the other. “Again, I’m really sorry. These glasses are much better than the last. I wish I could use them.”

“No matter. Spectacles are very rare in Eklaron—pretty much nonexistent. I should’ve realized they’d draw a lot of attention.”

They talked about the potion while waiting. Everything was ready—Dad just had to find a big-enough pressure-pump thing to spray it with. Jacob wasn’t sure what it was called, but it was exciting to know things were progressing.

A few minutes later, the garage door opened and Dad entered the kitchen. He greeted Mom, and then they both came into the living room where Dad hung up his coat.

Aldo handed the glasses to Dad. “They’re not going to work. The design is much, much better, but when Jacob wore them, everyone noticed, and it was a problem.”

Dad frowned. “That’s too bad.” He looked at Aldo. “I’m guessing you’ll have to try contacts instead.”

“Contacts? What are contacts?”

A smile spread across Dad’s face. “You’re going to love them!” He proceeded to give a detailed description to Aldo. “They'll take a lot of practice to get just right, though.”

Aldo nodded. “They sound very complicated—do I need machinery?”

“Yes, most likely. I'll help you get what you need.” Dad sat on the couch, motioning for Aldo to join him. “How do you make it so people don't recognize Jacob's eyes?”

Aldo leaned forward, using his hands to talk. “I inject a potion into the glass while it’s hot. The potion is made from the dung of mushroom beetles and . . .”

Jacob's stomach turned. No wonder the glasses were slightly brown. Disgusting. The doorbell rang just then and he jumped to get it, grateful for the distraction.

Tani was on the other side.

Jacob stepped back. Whoa. Her face didn’t show it, but the colors swirling in the air around her were evidence enough. She was livid.

“Jacob.” She folded her arms. “Can we talk?”

He shrugged. “‘Course.” He led her into the kitchen.

“How’ve you been?” she asked.

“Good—really good. You?”

She flipped her hair—something was different about it. It took Jacob a moment to recognize that she'd highlighted it with blonde-and-red streaks. “Oh, you know. School’s a pain. Basketball is boring without you there, and
all
of the girls are seriously in mourning—for the longest time, they acted like you’d died.” She glared at him. “
Just
like you died.”

“Uh . . . Is something wrong?”

Her response came fast and strong. Jacob leaned back while she yelled. “Do you really have to ask?
Huh
? Jacob, you’ve seriously changed, and I don’t know why, but it’s not in a good way! You’re slacking off on school—I mean, you dropped out! And you never talk to your friends anymore, and basketball, Jacob! Basketball!”

“Hey, wait! I didn’t just drop out—Mr. Coolidge is tutoring me, and . . . I guess you could say I’m homeschooled now. But listen, Tani, it’s for a reason, and I’ll be back in school again!”

“Really? How soon?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

“And why on
Earth
didn’t you call and tell me you were quitting school? I had to learn it from
Shirley
, way after you stopped coming. And I hadn’t heard from you since before Thanksgiving. It’s like I don’t even exist anymore. Dude—you’ve never been such a jerk in your entire life.”

“Wait a second. I’ve been waiting for
you
to call
me
.”

“Man, you’ve really got things backward.
You
dropped out—
you
do the calling. Seriously. It’s like you don’t even care about anything anymore. And what’s so important that it takes you away from home all the stinkin’ time?
Huh
? Don’t tell me it’s nothing, because something’s been going on for a long time—since before school even started!”

“I wish I could tell you, really, I do. But I’d get in trouble if I did.”

“Whatever. That’s the stupidest excuse I’ve ever heard.”

“But it’s true!” Jacob bit his lip, so tempted to fill her in on what was going on he could barely contain himself. Why was this all such a huge secret? But his parents would probably flip out if he said something, and would Tani even believe him?

“Then
tell
me.”

“You wouldn’t believe it.”

“Again, Jacob. You’re using the worst excuses in the book. Look, if it has something to do with rehab,” she grabbed his shoulders, shaking him, “
I’m your best friend and can help!
”

“Re . . . rehab?” Jacob spluttered. “Drugs—no, Tani! No! That’s not it! No way am I doing drugs. I can’t believe you even thought of that.” He raked both hands through his hair, then dragged them down his face. “Just . . . just give me a minute. I’ll talk to my mom.”

Jacob ran into the living room, remembering at the last minute that Aldo was still there. Oh, embarrassing. The old man was sitting on the couch, his mouth open, and Mom and Dad were on the couch opposite him, both looking shocked.

“Girl trouble?” Aldo asked, trying to laugh.

Jacob rubbed his face again. “Did you all hear that? She thinks I’m a druggie or an alcoholic or something!”

Aldo looked confused. “I know what an alcoholic is, but what’s a druggie?”

“Someone who does recreational drugs.”

“Recreational—I don’t understand.”

Jacob waved his hand through the air. “Never mind. It’s not good—they’re really dangerous.”

“Not to mention, illegal,” Dad said.

“We should go upstairs to discuss this.” Mom motioned for Jacob, Dad, and Aldo to follow her, and they went into Jacob’s room.

Jacob blushed—he hadn’t made his bed, and yesterday’s clothes were still on the floor. He kicked them to the side. “Sorry for the mess.”

Mom shut the door behind them. “Okay. You want to know if you can just tell her what’s going on.”

“She’s my best friend—she deserves to know.”

Mom wrinkled her brow and didn’t respond for a moment. Then, “I agree.” She turned to Dad. “What do you think?

Dad also hesitated before saying anything. “Tani has always been very loyal to you. She’s trusted you for many years and has proven trustworthy herself.” He sighed, sitting on Jacob’s bed. “I’d tell her. But Jacob, you must promise she won’t spread this information. She needs to understand the importance of our position. It would greatly compromise everything we’re working for if word leaked out—we’d never have a moment’s peace, and would eventually have to move. Then we couldn’t protect the link from this side.”

Dad looked to Aldo. “How do you feel about this?”

Aldo shrugged. “I’m okay with it.”

Jacob nodded, grateful the three adults understood. He followed them downstairs, trying to figure out how to tell his best friend the biggest secret he’d ever kept.

Chapter Six: Dreget the Molg

Jacob didn’t return to the kitchen right away, trying to decide how to tell Tani his secret.

Her personality was blunt, and under normal circumstances, she would be fine with an equally blunt explanation, but she wouldn’t believe him if he took that route—it would sound way too sci-fi.

Jacob finally stepped into the kitchen. “Okay, so my parents say I can tell you. Let’s go for a walk. Maybe in the forest. I’ll talk on the way.”

He led her out the back door and across the grass, into the trees. Things between them were awkward. Jacob could tell, not only by the colors in the air around her, but by her jerky movements, that Tani was nervous. He half smiled—he didn’t blame her. She had no idea what was coming.

He bit his lip, trying to decide what to tell her first. Tani waited patiently, not asking questions, not talking. Finally, he decided to start with the most “human” things.

“Okay, so, over the summer, I found out some stuff about myself and my family that were really hard to believe.”

“Go on.”

He pushed a branch out of the way and stepped past it, letting it fall when she’d followed. “We’re not from around here—not originally, at least. When I was a baby, my parents moved here to protect us. And lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with the people where I’m from.”

Tani sighed in exasperation. “Okay—there’s nothing wrong with that. Why couldn’t you have told me it in the first place?”

Jacob frowned, hesitating. Maybe he wouldn’t have to fill her in on everything after all. But then he realized how much easier it would be to have his best friend know the truth—the
whole
truth.

“That’s not everything, though. I found out my family is royalty back there. My dad is king of the country, and I’m a prince. They moved because of an uprising against them, which we’re trying to deal with now.”

Tani raised her eyebrows, and from her expression, Jacob could tell she was impressed. “Wow. That’s pretty insane. And you found this out over the summer?”