Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins Page B

added under his breath.
    He looked around at the mix of cultures here, his worry growing. A new worry took root. If these people—after so many centuries—hadn’t figured out a way to open a portal back home, how could he hope to do so on his own? He kept this fear to himself and reached over to take Kady’s hand.
    She squeezed back.
    Until then, at least they had each other.
    By now, their parade had begun to draw more and more eyes. People pointed, and children ran up and tugged at Jake’s backpack and plucked curiously at Kady’s clothes. Heronidus or one of the mounted guards continually waved them off.
    An Egyptian girl, no older than five, with a shaved head and painted eyes, ignored Heronidus and rushed forward to Kady. She held up a flower with crimson petals. “You’re pretty.”
    Kady accepted both the gift and the compliment. “Thank you.”
    Jake noted a ring of relief in his sister’s voice at the simple act of welcome. Kady let go of Jake’s palm and clutched the flower with both hands. A ghost of a smileplayed over her lips. With this small gesture, maybe Kady now had something to grasp onto, something from which she could gain her bearings.
    Was this how Calypsos’s community had first been founded?
    By a simple welcome from one to another.
    Jake watched at they rounded the next curve in the road. Directly ahead rose the castle of Kalakryss. He noted guards walking the walls. He wondered what sort of welcome they could expect.
    He glanced to Marika.
    Her face was pinched with worry.
    Not a good sign.

8
STRANGERS IN A STRANGE LAND
    With a spear at his back, Jake marched into the castle’s open courtyard. In the center, under a tree the size of a giant redwood, more soldiers lounged and laughed. To the left, backed against the castle wall, rose a set of stone stables and wooden corrals.
    A soft chuffing noise came from their escorts’ mounts, sensing home and food nearby. The Othneilia threw their heads a bit, but the soldiers in the saddles tapped the beasts’ flanks with small sticks like batons, guiding them and calling out in soothing voices. Elephant riders in India controlled their mounts in the same manner.
    As they passed through the gate, a group of soldiers approached. They came from exercise fields on the opposite side of the courtyard, where practice skirmishes with swords and spears were under way. Two-story barracks lined the fields. A tall man wearing a helmet that sprouteda crimson plume led the soldiers.
    “The Saddleback Guard,” Marika whispered at Jake’s side. “Heronidus is in training to join their ranks.”
    Heronidus stepped forward and saluted the soldier in the plumed helmet by raising his right fist to his chest. “Centurion Gaius, we have strangers to our lands to present to the Council of Elders.”
    The centurion glanced to Jake and Kady. His only reaction was a slight widening of his eyes.
    “We believe they may be spies sent by Kalverum Rex,” Heronidus added, and stiffened his back to the point Jake thought something might snap.
    The centurion studied Jake and Kady. The hardness in his face softened with amusement. Crinkles around the corners of his eyes deepened, indicating the man laughed often. Jake found himself liking Gaius though he hadn’t spoken a word.
    “If these are spies,” the centurion said, “then the Skull King certainly starts with them young.”
    Heronidus shifted his stance. His face was beet red at the doubt in the centurion’s voice. He glanced quickly over to Pindor, as if blaming his younger brother. To save face, Heronidus turned back to the centurion and sputtered, “But shouldn’t the Council of Elders decide such matters and rule—”
    Centurion Gaius clapped Heronidus on the shoulder, silencing him. “You are correct, young Heronidus. Thesetwo should be brought before the Council. Strange tidings mark their arrival here. Especially with rumors of late from our scouts sent into the deep jungle—at least those few who