City of Gold by Daniel Blackaby

through his shoulder. As he did, the hushed voices around him ceased. Dace and Tat turned in unison toward him. “The Book Keeper wakes. Now , we must move on,” Tat urged.
    Dace examined Cody curiously. “It appears that the miraculous has befriended you. You’re lucky to be alive.”
    Memories of the nightmare crowded Cody’s mind. “Ti! She’s hurt! And…”
    Tiana stepped into view. The gash on her temple had vanished although dried blood stained her fair hair. Her expression was one of relief—but not for her own life. She clearly was as relieved to see him alive as he was to see her.
    “Fortunately for both of you, Chazic is trained in the art of healing,” Dace noted. The Enforcer stood silently beside the Captain, his torn cloak damp with blood. “Although the sacred Book worked its own wonders on you.”
    Cody squinted and rubbed his eyes, fighting to make sense of what had occurred. “In the haze, I heard screams.”
    Dace’s eyes hardened. “Lacen and Kingsty.”
    “A sacrifice in vain if we don’t move quickly,” pleaded Tat.
    Dace agreed. “Mount up!”
    The remaining Company members scurried to prepare their horses. Poe pushed himself in front of Cody with a clumsy bow. Attempting to ready Cody’s saddle, the servant fumbled with the straps causing it to slip off the other side.
    Tat scoffed. “ Mistaken as a warrior , indeed. Two seasoned soldiers fall yet the bumbling slave remains.”
    Poe puffed his chest but Cody’s hand on his shoulder quieted him. “It’s not worth it, Poe.” The servant gazed silently downward as the scout trotted away.
    Cody noticed that Dace was standing several feet behind. “We both know that it was more than dumb luck that has you alive. The Hunter doesn’t abandon helpless prey. It must have had a reason. Cody, did you see anything? Anything… unusual ?” The haunting image of the eyelid-less man replayed in Cody’s mind. Had he been real ?
    Cody shook his head slowly. “No…nothing at all.” He lied, unsure why he felt the need for secrecy. His head was still spinning. What could scare off a monster that, by its very nature, was fear itself? He wasn’t sure he wanted to discover the answer to that question.

    Six Days Remaining…
    The sky exploded, flinging streaming light shards across its vast canvas. Like an invited guest arriving early to a banquet, the sudden transformation from night to day startled the ten riders as they galloped across the rocky wasteland.
    Cody peered over his shoulder; the immense stronghold of Atlantis was now a pebble on the crest of the skyline. They had put ample distance between themselves and the city before daybreak…although at a steep cost: the lives of two honorable men.
    Like hail shelling against a tin roof, the drumming of the horses’ hooves filled the air. A cramp clenched the left side of Cody’s butt. He shifted his weight with a groan but the ache soon migrated to the right side. After what seemed like several eternities, Cody was relieved when Dace raised his fist and reeled his reins. They had arrived at a water station.
    With a sigh of relief, Cody flopped off his horse onto the cold ground. The others dismounted with exponentially more grace, and scanned the surroundings. No one needed to acknowledge the watchful action; they all shared the same fear—the Hunter. It was still out there somewhere. Its savage hunger would only be contained for so long. It would find them. For all they knew, it was stalking them at that moment.
    “Stretch your legs and water the horses. We depart in ten minutes,” Dace barked as he dunked his face into the refreshing water of the well.
    The imposing figure of Chazic gave a fluid bow. “Captain, let us offer up the Hymn of the Orb in thanksgiving....” His steady voice was deep and richly toned.
    Cody instinctively bent to his knee, but Tat tugged him back up. “ Thanksgiving ? For the slaughter of two good men? We don’t have time for your nonsense if we’re