The Key of Kilenya

Author's Note:

Check out the video for today - on the side of the chapter. I talk about why writers' conferences are important, and how to use them in a way that'll help you with social networking.

Thanks for reading! :-)

- Andrea

4. Maple Syrup

               Our journey has finally begun, after a week of preparation. It was with much trepidation that I bade farewell to King Roylance and Queen Ara Liese. Neither of them are in good health, and with the stress of their daughter’s kidnapping, is it any wonder?

                I’ve been trying to get in contact with the Makalo Patriarch. It would be wise to have his opinion concerning this dilemma. I hope he’ll be merciful.

***

Jacob had made it nearly to the tree when Akeno caught up with him, holding his top hat down tight to keep it from falling off.

“You didn't come back. They were worried—sent me to check on you.”

“Yeah, I'm heading home. Let them know I'm not going, and tell them I said 'good luck.'”

Akeno stopped walking, then Jacob heard him hurry to catch up. He met Jacob's pace, glancing sidelong at him. Jacob ignored him. He wasn't about to let the Makalo convince him to stay.

“Well . . . I'll come with you.”

Jacob looked at him in surprise, but continued forward. If that's what Akeno wanted, then that was okay. The Makalo would have to explain to Jacob’s family why he was there—some random alien in their town. That would definitely make the news.

They entered the forest, walking in silence for a while. It wasn't nearly as awkward as Jacob would've expected it to be—Akeno didn't act disappointed or disapproving.

After some time, Jacob sighed in frustration. “I don't understand why I'm the one they chose to go. I mean, Matt's older, stronger, and he always knows how to get out of tough situations. So, why me?” He paused, but Akeno didn't say anything. “I mean, this isn't even my planet. And it's not my problem. I'm not the one who lost the Key, and I'm not the one who thinks it should be protected. And I don't have magical abilities!”

Jacob paused to think. “Besides, I've got my own things to deal with. I was supposed to try out today for Varsity. And I know I would've made it. I'm actually really good at basketball. If it weren't for those . . . those stupid wolves . . .” He took a deep breath. “Oh, forget it. It doesn't even matter.”

Another silence. Jacob guessed they were about halfway through the forest. Akeno stopped, and Jacob paused to see why.

“Hold on a second,” Akeno said. He plucked a couple of leaves and sat on the ground. Rummaging through a bag strapped across his chest, he pulled out a tape dispenser and started taping the leaves to his shoes.

               Jacob’s eyebrows went up as high as they could. “Tape?”

               “It keeps the leaves on my shoes, and the leaves keep the dust off me. I use my Rezend—which is our form of magic—and as long as the leaves are fresh, they do what I ask them to do.”

               “But . . . where did you get tape?”

               Akeno shrugged. “From the humans. They gave me a lot of it last time they were here.”

“Humans? What humans?” For some reason, Jacob had assumed he was the first human to step foot on this world. The fact that there had been others caught him off guard. Were they like him? Did they have special abilities?
“Oh, they didn't tell you? Humans used to live in the tree. It's why it's human-sized.”
“What? Where'd they go?”

“They moved. They used to visit, but it's been a long time—several years, in fact. We still keep in contact with them through the Minyas.”

“Oh, yeah, Minyas. You guys sent them to tell Matt where I was, right?”

Akeno taped the last leaf to his shoe, put the tape dispenser back in his bag, and got to his feet. “Yeah. It took them a while to convince Matt they were real, living things. And then a while longer that you were safe.”