medallions. Much of the story of the medallions and their beginning was now lost in history, but their uses were well known. In front of Marenon’s Map stood a stone pedestal with six round slots in which the six medallions of each territory in Marenon could be placed. With each medallion the map revealed the activity of anything currently happening in that specific territory. It was like a live-action map. If one had the medallion of Mudavé, the territory of the Stühocs, one could see anything happening in Mudavé with a bird’s eye view.
Each territory had been given their own medallion to guard and keep safe those thousands of years before. Many thought of the medallions as a representation of who they were, a symbol of individuality. But with all of the medallions and Marenon’s Map, the Dunarians would be able to see anything that happened in the land. But the fact remained that few Humans had actually seen Marenon’s Map, and then only under the supervision of Garland Ainsley. How Garland knew so much about the medallions’ power remained a mystery. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Ainsleys, Julian thought.
The Erellens had left Marenon’s Map with Garland and the Dunarians during the war. They presumed the Dunarians would only be concerned with keeping watch over their own territory. But now the Dunarians needed them all. It was the only way to complete The Reckoning. Julian felt sure the Erellens would not approve of the Dunarian’s plans.
He had also felt it was a little presumptuous to think that obtaining all of the medallions would really help them win the unavoidable campaign against the Stühocs. Anything for the cause, he would always tell himself.
“It’s not the end of the world if we do not get each medallion, you know.”
“There are a lot more to the medallions than I told you before,” Holden continued.
Julian stopped what he was doing and raised an eyebrow, waiting for more.
Holden sighed, wondering if he should go further. “It's more than a map of the happenings in Marenon. Although it may help a great deal, it wouldn't do much in winning a war. But the weapon it creates might.”
A weapon? What sort of magic had been put into the medallions? Julian waited.
“We aren't sure of the magnitude of the weapon’s power once the medallions are brought together, but we’re convinced that it will be enough to finally destroy the Stühocs for good. If we can get these medallions, it will truly be a reckoning, Julian. We will be an unstoppable force against evil. We will become the new law of the land! We will no longer be subject to your brother's idiotic laws and we will have a free and peaceful Marenon.”
Julian stood, letting the words sink in. Holden’s plans felt perilous. Anyone with that kind of power could be dangerous. To be the ultimate power? Unchecked? But if it were meant for good, wouldn't it be for the best? Julian thought of the Stühocs and how they had killed his father, a man that wanted peace. Surely, he would have wanted this, anything to destroy the Stühocs and provide a way for Humans to live in peace.
Julian resumed packing the saddlebag. “I'll get you the medallion,” he said.
“For the cause,” Holden said.
“For the cause,” Julian repeated.
He then mounted Eden as she spread her wings and prepared to fly. Getting all of the medallions was essential to peace. Perhaps having all the power was the only way.
Chapter Nine
Silas woke up flat on his face and freezing. When his eyes opened he realized the cold was produced by snow blanketing the ground. It was deep, still falling and people stood all around him, but they weren’t paying him any attention. They seemed as lost and confused as he, just as they all had been in the corridor. These were the ones that had gone through the fiery gate before him. He noticed a crowd to his left sifting through something, he was not sure what. His feet felt numb and he knew he would freeze to death if he didn't get warmer somehow. But wasn't he already dead? If so, why was he shivering so badly?
He felt someone grab his shoulder and he rolled on his back. It was Dink. In his right hand he held a wad of brown cloth.
“Here, I got this for you.”
Silas accepted it graciously and began wrapping his exposed skin. With some extra cloth he was able to form crude shoes