Lost Empire by Jeff Gunzel

instantly, lining up in two tight rows with their backs facing each other, forming a sort of living hallway shielding the group from the growing mob. The four friends quickly followed the hall of armor, ducking down low to try and hide behind them. The shouting mob pushed against the armed men, trying to get a look at what they were hiding, but when the sleek hissing of half-drawn swords filled the air, they backed off immediately. However, the angry shouting never ceased.
    Jade instinctively pulled her hood down low, trying to hide her face as they hurried toward the open door just ahead. The thirty-foot sprint felt more like two hundred. Even Jacob was a bit rattled by all the attention. When they finally got through the door, a soldier slammed it shut behind them and threw down the thick wooden bolt. Although now muffled, the angry shouts from outside could still be easily heard.
    “ I don’t think they saw any of you. They just saw something or someone run in here. The inevitable rumors as to your identities will contain mismatched information, then die out in a week. For the most part, I think we’ve contained this,” he said a bit breathlessly, then pointed back over their shoulders, “I hope this will provide a bit more comfort for the remainder of your journey.” They all turned and laid eyes on one of the most awesome sights any of them had ever seen. The secret project of Candrin was secret no more. The soldier suddenly looked a bit worried again. “Now, trying to hide that …well, that’s going to be a bigger problem.
    There in all its glory stood the largest ship they had ever seen. It was clearly over a hundred feet long. The mainmast itself easily cleared sixty feet and came dangerously close to touching the high ceiling, while the other two masts stood around forty feet each. Multiple white sails remained coiled into tight bundles high up on each mast. The poop deck was raised high and painted black, but the rest of the ship maintained a natural wooden color, although the waterproof stain added a bit of darkness to it.
    The rolling shapes of the hand-carved wooden rails surrounding the main deck mimicked that of waves in the sea, as they seemed to flow from the quarterdeck toward the front. Even the bowsprit was ornate and decorative—a thick, black post around ten feet long that ended in the head of a green snake. Everything about this ship screamed durability and quality. And why not? This marvelous vessel was about to be used to do something no other ship ever had.
    “ I hope she was worth all the effort,” came a low, gravelly voice from off to the side. A short, stout man with long blond hair tied back leaned against one of the many wooden barrels lined along the wall. He wore green britches and a matching vest with a thin white ruffle down the front. Although using the barrel for support, he also held a black hand-carved cane in his other hand. A sweeping silver design swirled up the cane and ended in the head of an eagle. His commanding green eyes took them all in.
    Eric stepped forward, having a pretty good idea who this must be. “Good evening, sir. My name is—”
    “ Bah! I know who all of you are,” he said as he pushed away from the barrel. He ambled up to them with an obvious limp as he angrily cracked the cane against the wooden floor with every step. “You’re the reason my men had to work night and day to build that ship. You’re the reason our fishing industry nearly came to a halt due to lack of manpower. And finally, you all are the reason that some of my finest crewmen are going to die on some fool’s mission!” The angry tirade finished with a fit of coughing as he leaned heavily on his cane.
    “ And you must be Lord Andry, I presume,” said Eric calmly. “I’m sorry our need for your assistance has caused you so much grief. And please, don’t think we aren’t grateful for your efforts. But I must ask you, if it was such an inconvenience for you to agree to the