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declared. “Legs can never take one everywhere that a mind can, but one’s imagination can effortlessly transport you anywhere your legs could, and beyond…besides, pretty maidens love a man with battle scars! Although it has made it rather problematic to wash myself….” The mystery of the room’s vile smell was, unfortunately, a mystery no longer.
    “Master, I’m afraid I can’t continue my training. I am going to El Dorado.” Cody braced himself for rebuttal, but Stalkon simply nodded pleasantly.
    “Oh, how splendid. Be sure to pack several pairs of underpants. I never seem to remember; gets so breezy, especially when I customarily forget to pack pants as well and…”
    “Master, did you hear me? I’m going to El Dorado , to rescue Jade from the Golden King.”
    At the mention of the Golden King, the revelation finally registered. “If you face the King…he will kill you.” The absolute certainty of the statement was unsettling. “You’ve only just begun your training. The Book is all that separates you from being an average, or even below average student. Indeed, it’s actually rather embarrassing to call you my pupil…perhaps in public you could only refer to me in code….”
    “ Thanks , Master, but I have no choice. Jade needs me. If I can just hold the King off long enough…” Stalkton began to chuckle.
    “What’s so funny?” Cody demanded, offended by the outburst.
    “You!” Stalkton laughed, aiming his boney index finger at Cody. “You still don’t understand. For a millennium the Golden King has obsessed over the Orb. It’s his addiction. He has exceeded all boundaries of possibility. He has no code, no ethics, no morality—only unquenchable desire. Even I, in all my shameless brilliance, would be nothing but an inconvenience to him. He cannot be beaten.”
    Cody felt sweat rise through his pores. “If he’s invincible, why doesn’t he just march to Atlantis himself?” asked Cody.
    “Simple. Despite unequaled power, he remains bound by the Covenant of the Books. King Ishmael was a gentle man—but not a guileless man. Whatever power he wielded in forming the Covenant remains elusive to his brother.” Stalkton’s voice died to a murmur. “Although I fear for not much longer. The Golden King has sought to produce The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own . When he succeeds, the Covenant will fall and he will let loose his full, unrelenting power on Under-Earth.”
    “ The-Creation-Which-Should-Be-One’s-Own ?” Cody probed with a raised eyebrow.
    Stalkton shook his head. “I would not tell you more if threatened with certain death. I refuse to speak plainly of it even to myself. It’s the first step on the road to destruction. It would be nothing but a temptation; a burden I won’t willingly bestow upon you. We will never speak of it again.”
    Cody nodded in reluctant agreement, although the temptation already had seized his curiosity. He committed to discover more, one way or another. “Master, I must begin my preparation. I just wanted to visit you before I left.” Cody turned to leave but stopped, again noticing the silence. “Master…where are the other priests?”
    Stalkton sighed. “You already know the answer to your question…they are dead. You and Xerx are all that remain of the Brotherhood, our last hope…a reality so dismally depressing it makes me tingle… oh …or perhaps that’s because I just urinated my pants.”

7
    Murky Motives
    THE GROUND BENEATH HIS FEET SWAYED. As the balcony shrunk smaller and smaller, Cody’s stomach tightened and his limbs became jittery. He wasn’t sure whether it was due to his life-long phobia of heights—or because of what awaited him at the top.
    The platform jerked to a stop, sending Cody tumbling against the rails. He stepped off onto the Sanctuary’s domed roof. Peering across the smooth, metallic surface, he saw her.
    Tiana rested on her nest-like bed. Her back was turned and her thick blonde hair, which was