Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

on the edge of the meadow, begging Kai to move forward. “Alright, I’m coming.” He dashed into the trees, and they were off and running once more.

It wasn’t long before Smoke stopped. He sniffed the ground, then the air. Then he doubled back and zipped through the forest. Again, Kai did what he could to keep up with all the detours. “Looks like Ryker is playing a trick on us. Or at least on me. He knew I would use you to search for him.” He scratched his chin.

“So, what do we know about Ryker? One, he lives somewhere up here in the high country.” Kai ducked under a low branch. “His scent must be everywhere. Not to mention, I am sure he did some fresh passes to confuse you.”

Kai tapped his chin. “Second, he is extremely competitive. Loves to win. So, we are playing a game. Time for a new approach.”

Focused on the surrounding hillside, he opened his mind. The trees, animals, and landscape bloomed to life. Energy illuminated the countryside. In his mind, he panned outward, sweeping each tree, rock, and river. Nestled in a pile of rocks, a black satchel of supplies sat hidden under dried branches.

They had to be Ryker’s. Now, where is the man, Kai wondered. Two miles up the hillside, there was a quiet little village nestled into the cliffs. Their gardens bustled with people, but no Ryker. Concerned he’d overlooked the animals, Kai quickly scanned for any shuk in the area. No luck there either. Where was he? Frustrated, Kai ventured through the woods to the black satchel hidden in the rocks. “He was here.”

They crossed a nearby stream, and Smoke stopped. Kai looked upstream. “There is a waterfall up ahead. Could he be hiding there? You’ve lost the scent because of the water. Good boy, Smoke.”

The waterfall was short compared to the ones he’d climbed on his journey into Katori. Behind the falls, he found a round stone door with the remnants of a carving, nearly worn away—the triquetra. Curious, he pushed the stone. It did not budge. He put his shoulder into it and shoved harder. The stone shifted.

The door rolled slowly. Sunlight and water poured across the ground in the wake of the open entry. Smoke darted inside, and Kai ran after him. Once he let go of the stone, it started to roll back into place.

“Shoot.” Kai darted to the entrance, but it was too late. The door was shut. He studied the stone. There was no way to get hold of the stone, no way to open it from this side. “Great, now I am trapped.”

“I’m not trapped,” Ryker’s voice called out from the dim.

A quick pivot revealed Ryker leaning against a stone archway. “Took you long enough.”

Confused, Kai squinted at the man in black. “I gleaned the countryside. I did not see this cave. How?”

“Alenga doesn’t wish it. Her magic hides this place. Most have forgotten it even exists. Part of this collapsed centuries ago, but this section is intact. These hills emanate with power, but then much of Katori swells with the power of Alenga. I thought you should see it.” Ryker motioned and walked deeper into the cavern. “Even my tribe, that lives on the ridge above, has forgotten its existence. We built a new Agora deeper in our city. I found it because Alenga revealed the entrance. The stone rolled open on its own.”

To Kai’s wonderment, millions of crystals illuminated the cavern. Decorative white stone columns towered up to the ceiling. Etched black and gray stone adorned the cave floor. At the center, a bright blue light lit up a tiny pool. A round stone covered the hole where the skylight should be.

“We will camp here for the night. This place is very powerful. I have been told you share your mother’s gift for visions.”

“I do. Though that is not always a good thing. And I most certainly cannot control the gift. The visions of the future happen on their own.”

“I stay here often. It is peaceful. Empty. This place gave me a vision. It told me to help you find your way here. I have fulfilled her request.”

Ryker motioned to the statue of Alenga carved into the stone wall. Her body half emerged from the rock face, and tiny blue stones bedazzled the thin band around her head. Her outstretched hand looked ready to greet him. Kai could tell this was once a beautiful place.

“It is still early, but I want to travel the maze at night. Less movement by the Stonekings makes travel faster. Plus, if we can get to the backside and go north, we are a day’s run from your friends. I thought you should know, most of them stayed behind after you left. They wait for you near Shane’s cabin.”

“I am not surprised. They are a loyal yet stubborn bunch.” Kai touched the stone that blocked the entrance. “If we’re not trapped, how do we leave?”

“Since you did not bring my pack, I must retrieve it myself. I left it for you to find. Did you not see it?”

“Oh, I saw it. Didn’t even think to pick it up. Thought you were playing a trick on me.”

“Fair enough. This way.” Ryker moved around the back wall, behind Alenga.

The exit area was darker. Another stone circle pressed against the wall. This time Kai noticed the angle of the design. This stone was also meant to reseal itself. Ryker put his shoulder into the side, and the sound of stone rolling over stone echoed in the space. Kai slipped through the opening behind Smoke. Ryker released the stone and joined them.

Outside, there was a narrow path between giant boulders. Pine trees blocked the opening, and vines covered the ground. Ryker led the way out and found his pack. “We should check my fish traps. We can conserve any dried food you brought for the hike.”

Through the trees, Ryker retraced their original path. They checked two traps and found three river bass.