Time Jumpers by Brandon Mull
The woman emerging from the wallow approached them, eyeing Cole, Jace, and Violet uncertainly. “Access to this wallow is by invitation only.”
“Twitch is our friend,” Cole said quietly. “I mean Ruben. Can we surprise him?”
“The first knight needs time to meditate and relax,” the woman insisted. “There is a protocol to—”
“Hey, Twitch!” Jace called, stripping off his shirt.
Rolling over, Twitch wiped the petals off his face and looked up. His eyes brightened. “Jace! Cole! What are you doing here?”
“We didn’t want you to be the only one lazing around in the mud,” Jace said, unlacing his shoes.
“I’m sorry, Lord Ruben,” the woman apologized.
“No need,” Twitch said. “These are my friends! Come on in!”
“Looks like you can take it from here,” Chuli told Cole.
“Thanks,” Cole replied. He turned to Violet. “Want to go in?”
She stared at the dark mud in horror. “Why?”
“Warm and squishy,” Jace said, yanking off his pants. Clad only in his undershorts, he jumped from the edge, plunging into the mud almost to his thighs. Scrambling forward, Jace plopped down by Twitch, spattering him.
Cole started taking off his shoes. “Looks kind of fun.”
“Yep!” Jace confirmed. “Warm and squishy!”
“I’ll just . . . stay dressed,” Violet said. “And, you know, relatively clean.”
Cole felt a little embarrassed stripping down to his underwear, but Jace had set the example, and he didn’t love the idea of ruining his clothes. He waded down into the warm mud, feeling it slurp between his toes, first sinking to his shins, then to his knees. Toward the bottom of the pit the mud got soupier, and he sank almost to his waist.
“Hey, Cole,” Twitch said. “Don’t go in farther or you might get stuck. Plus, it gets a little too hot out toward the center. Come relax at the edge of the deep part.”
Cole settled in on the opposite side of Twitch from Jace, resting his shoulders on an incline of firm mud. The goopier mud covered him halfway up his chest, warm but not hot. “You’re missing out,” Cole called up to Violet.
“I’m going to let you have all the fun this time,” Violet said.
“She’s a Wayminder?” Twitch asked.
“Only way to travel,” Jace said.
Twitch started blinking and gave a weak smile. “She can’t travel from here, though.”
“Actually she can,” Cole said. “When I energize her with my power, she can open ways anywhere.”
Twitch blinked faster, and his lips quivered a bit. “No kidding? So, you guys aren’t dead, huh?”
“Lots of near misses,” Jace said. “Zeropolis was bad. Necronum even worse. And we just barely survived a sky castle. Made me think of you.”
“Sky castle?” Twitch asked. “Why would you return to the Brink?”
“I needed a new Jumping Sword,” Cole said. “Then we got talked into checking out a castle. We ended up with some good info.”
“And now you’re here,” Twitch said, still blinking a lot.
“We wanted to check up on you,” Jace said. “Make sure you were getting plenty of toasty mud baths while we were off risking our necks.”
“I saw some fighting too,” Twitch said.
“I heard Minimus defeated Renford, and you guys drove out the swamp folk,” Cole said.
Twitch shivered. “It was quite a battle. At least we won.”
“Zig told me you helped rally the grinaldi,” Cole said. “You dropped Renford’s brother.”
Twitch jerked in surprise. “Wait, Zig? How did you talk to Zig? He died not long after the battle.”
“I was in the echolands,” Cole said. “I met his echo and got news about you.”
Twitch gave an impressed whistle. “Really? The echolands? You have been traveling. How was Zig?”
“Well, you know, dead,” Cole said. “But otherwise he seemed well. He was in a place reserved for heroes.”
“Was it a mud pit?” Jace asked.
“A little cleaner,” Cole said. “Where’s Minimus?”
“Wenachi,” Twitch said. “He travels between the villages. Makes sure things run smoothly. Trains fighters. He takes his job as champion seriously. Minimus told me the grinaldi feel like the family he never had. I didn’t know if he would want to stay on after the trouble was over, but for now he seems really content.”
“Not as content as you lounging in the mud all day,” Jace said.
Twitch gave a guilty smile. “I don’t just do this. I sometimes help Minimus train our fighters. I lead gathering expeditions. Everyone has been really good to me since we kicked out the swamp folk, but sometimes the attention becomes a little much.” He lowered his voice. “The Wallows are warm and cozy, but I mostly come here to hide.”
“Attention from who?” Jace asked, splashing some mud at Twitch. “The ladies?”
Twitch’s antennae quivered, and he hunkered lower in the mud. “A little, yeah, even though I’m too young for all that. Just everyone. I have aldermen asking for my advice. Farmers wanting my opinion. I brought a knight who kicked out the swamp folk. That doesn’t make me an expert in harvests or planting or managing a village.”
“So you fake it,” Jace said. “Leaders all fake it. Why not boss everyone around? Maybe you’ll end up king!”
Twitch rolled his eyes. “I don’t want any of that. I just want . . . I don’t know . . .”
“To nap in the mud?” Jace suggested.
“To live a normal life,” Twitch said.
“Weak,” Jace mocked. “Boring. Want to come with us to Creon to stop a torivor?”
Twitch cringed and looked to Cole.
“We are kind of here to recruit you,” Cole said.
“Did he say a torivor?” Twitch asked. “Like Trillian?”
Cole quietly explained about Ramarro. Twitch listened solemnly.
“You’re talking about the end of the world,” Twitch said when Cole had finished.
“Pretty much,” Cole said. “Unless we do something about it.”
Twitch shook his head. “Why us? What are we supposed to do? Isn’t there somebody else?”
“Nobody has a power like mine,” Cole said. “When I use my ability on a Wayminder, we can go anywhere. We’ve defeated some tough stuff, Twitch. Dandalus encouraged me to try. The High King sponsored me for the mission as well. Gave me authority to speak in his name and everything.”
“The High King helped you?” Twitch marveled.
“He’s worried about the end of the world,” Cole said.
Twitch rubbed his chin. “What could I do?”
“You’re part of the team,” Cole said. “You’ve saved us more than once. We never forgot you. We just didn’t know how to find you.”
Twitch closed his eyes. His eyelids fluttered. “We could disappoint the whole world.”
“We could save the world,” Cole said. “We can’t count on anybody else to do it. And if we fail, it isn’t any worse than doing nothing. We’d fail that way for sure.”
Twitch blinked a lot and nodded. “You’re right. Not much sense in doing nothing if we have a chance to keep the torivor locked up. Even a tiny chance.”
“We’ll be trying to find Wayminders who can help,” Cole said. “Grand Shapers. We have some clues on where to look.”
Twitch sighed. “I was really worried I would never see you guys again. And I was really worried I would see you guys again.”
“This is worse, right?” Jace said. “Don’t you wish we were dead?”
“No,” Twitch said. His eyes grew still. “But it’s scary.”
“Would you prefer a torivor showing up and destroying your people?” Cole asked. “Or enslaving them? Is that less scary?”
Twitch clenched his jaw and shook his head. “No. Scary or not, I’m willing to protect my village. My family. My people.”
“Then what are we sitting here for?” J
“Squishy and warm,” Twitch said.
Jace nodded. “True.”
Twitch stood up. “But I know another pool where we can wash off.”
CHAPTER
11
JENNA
Cole had done his best to wring out his underwear but still felt a little damp beneath his pants when he returned to the parlor in the First Castle. Evening had fallen by the time Twitch finished his good-byes. The fancy room in Harmony’s tower was dim and empty.
“I can’t believe I’m inside the First Castle,” Twitch said. He looked like a human again. Cole had almost forgotten that outside of Elloweer, Twitch lost his grinaldi features and became human unless he used his enchanted pendant. “You guys really know Queen Harmony?”
“She’s Mira’s mom,” Jace said.
“I know,” Twitch said. “That’s different from actually meeting her.”
“Cole is now an agent for the High King,” Jace said. “Stick with us—you’ll go places.”
“Want to do one more trip tonight?” Cole asked Violet. “Just you and me?”
“Do you ever rest?” she asked.
“I don’t know how much time we have,” Cole said. “We’re racing the end of the world.”
“Why just the two of you?” Jace asked. “Looking for some romance?”
“No!” Cole said, glancing uncomfortably at Violet. “I thought you and Twitch would rather get settled.”
“What are you up to?” Twitch asked.
“I want to find Dalton and Hunter,” Cole said.
“Hunter?” Twitch asked.
Cole explained that he had found his older brother, who had been working as a feared Enforcer called the Hunter before changing sides.
“Do you know where to look?” Jace asked.
“They were going to try to check on Jenna,” Cole said. “I thought I could try the Temple of the Still Water.”
“Mystery solved,” Jace said. “You want time with Jenna!”
“Who’s Jenna?” Violet asked.
“The girl Cole likes,” Jace said.
“No,” Cole said, shuffling his feet. “I used to like her. I had a crush on her. It’s different now. I’m mostly just worried about her. She was taken from our home by slavers with other kids from my neighborhood.”
“She’s at some temple?” Twitch asked.
“I saw her at the Temple of the Still Water when I was an echo,” Cole said.
“Back to Necronum?” Violet asked. “We did a shrine. I’ve always wanted to see one of their temples.”
“You go romance Jenna,” Jace said. “We’ll find the queen.” He led Twitch out of the room.
“It’s not a romance,” Cole said.
“Can’t be much of one,” Violet said. “You don’t even have your first whiskers.”
“I had strong feelings for Jenna without really knowing her,” Cole said. “The crush was in my mind. She was pretty and we were friends. The friend part is the most important now.”
“Think the temple will still be standing?” Violet asked, taking Cole’s hand and receiving an energy boost.
“I hope so,” Cole said. “Owandell wants the princesses. I’m not sure he even knows about Jenna. And I’m not sure how much he cares about Dalton or Hunter.”
The wayport opened, a glimmering oval in the dim light. “Ladies first?” Cole offered.
“I’d rather know you’re through so I’ll be sure I can get back,” Violet said. “No offense.”
Cole stepped through and emerged outside the temple. The fading sunset had already allowed the brightest stars to appear. The temple was not particularly tall but extremely broad, built with wavy shapes and rounded edges. Violet arrived beside him. The large gate was shut.
“Is that the front?” Cole asked.
“Looks closed,” Violet said.
“Let’s go see,” Cole replied, walking forward.
A guard emerged from a gatehouse as they approached. He wore a breastplate and rested one hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. The guard tipped his hat. “Good evening, esteemed Wayminder. The temple gates closed at sundown.”
“We’re here on business from the High King,” Cole said, producing the seal.
The guard took a close look, and his face reacted with shock. “That’s the royal seal!”
“I’m his agent,” Cole said.
The guard saluted. “Can I arrange a meeting for you, sir?”
“How about the prelate?” Cole asked.
“As you wish,” the guard said. He thumped the gate. “Open in the name of the king!”
“It’s past sundown,” a voice replied from above.
“An agent of the High King seeks admittance,” the guard called.
“Here?” the voice answered. “Now? Unannounced? Are you sure, Walter?”
“He showed up with a Wayminder,” Walter said. “It’s the royal seal, jewels and all.”
The gate opened.
Walter had another guard take his place in the gatehouse and then escorted Cole and Violet to a waiting room inside the temple. He excused himself, promising to return shortly.
“That seal works wonders,” Violet said.
“I was a little worried he might think it was fake,” Cole said. “I’m just a kid.”
“The guardsmen and legionnaires are well trained in matters of rank,” Violet said. “And a Wayminder adds authenticity. We’re known for our honesty. Though it undermines us a bit that I’m so young too.”
Walter returned and led them to a simple, elegant room, where a slender man in a soft, dark robe awaited them. He greeted them sedately. “Welcome to the Temple of the Still Water. I am the prelate, Harward Aza. I understand you are servants of the High King?”
Cole showed the seal. “I’m his agent, yes—call me Cole—and this is my colleague Violet.”
“Greetings, worthy Wayminder,” the prelate said. “May I inquire what business brings you to our temple this fine evening?”
“The king has interest in a slave called Jenna,” Cole said. “She arrived here from Junction several weeks ago.”
“I know the girl,” Harward said. “A competent weaver.”
“I need an interview with her,” Cole said.
“Easily granted,” the prelate said. “May I ask what this concerns? Is she a threat?”
“No,” Cole said, recalling that some weavers were good at detecting falsehoods. He needed to keep his words true but vague. “She has important connections. If she is willing to work with me, the High King wants her freedom granted.”
The prelate’s demeanor grew a little colder. “She came at a price.”
“You will get twice what you paid,” Cole said.
Harward nodded. “A reasonable offer. I foresee no problem with this arrangement. May I ask . . . You seem young to hold so much responsibility. I am surprised I have not heard of your ascension to this office.”
“It happened recently,” Cole said. “I’m sure you’ll hear about me before long.” Cole felt tempted to offer his shaping powers as a reason for the instatement but decided people with real power didn’t tend to offer big explanations.
“Would you mind if I take a closer look at the seal?” Harward asked.
“No problem,” Cole said. He could tell the prelate was suspicious.
Harward leaned forward and shut one eye, fingering the medallion. He nodded, then backed up and gave a slight bow. “You will need accommodations for tonight?”
“No, thanks,” Cole said. “We’ll leave after we meet with Jenna.”
“As you will,” the prelate said. “Follow me.”
Cole could tell the prelate remained a little skeptical. It also seemed that Harward had been shown enough evidence not to ask more questions for now. Cole hoped the High King would get word around the five kingdoms about his appointment. The seal would hold more power if people actually believed him.
Harward excused himself after introducing Cole and Violet
“This late in the evening the silver sanctum is all yours,” Gilda said. “You can hold your interview here without being disturbed. While I fetch Jenna, please, make yourselves comfortable.” She indicated a bowl of grapes beside a carafe of water and left.
“I don’t think Harward trusts us,” Violet said, plucking a grape from the basket and popping it into her mouth.
“I’m young,” Cole said. “He’s never heard of me. It must look shady.”
“I’m still suspicious,” Violet said with a grin. “Can I see that seal again?”
“Very funny.”
“Shouldn’t be as big of a problem in Creon,” Violet said. “Wayminders get full respect there.”
“Even teenage ones?” Cole asked.
“Especially teenage ones,” Violet said. “It means I’m gifted.”
“People never gave you a hard time because of your age?” Cole asked.
Violet scrunched her brow. “I’m not sure.”
“You didn’t notice?” Cole asked.
“I can’t remember very well,” Violet said.
“How young were you?”
“I came to Junction a little more than a year ago.”
“That’s too long to remember?”
Violet slapped her forehead. “You’re from Outside and you’ve never been to Creon.”
“Right.”
“You don’t know about the mindscreen.”
“What’s that?”
“When you leave Creon, you forget a lot of what happened there,” Violet said. “Especially specifics.”
“Really?” Cole asked. “Do you remember your family?”
“You remember people,” Violet said. “You remember how you feel about them more than specific things you did or said. You remember vocabulary and how to swim, but you forget stories and accomplishments.”
“What about all your geography?” Cole asked.
“I had to relearn it,” Violet said. “I was good at geography in Creon, so I relearned quickly.”
“Still . . . that must be frustrating,” Cole said.