The Cavalry is Dead

Chapter 20: Asa Loses His Shoe (and His Secrets) on the Scorched Plains

"I'm putting this out there," Romes said. "The boat is wooden. The lava is hot. Does anyone else see a problem?"

They were scrambling down the slope, sliding over loose shale and stone. Heat radiated from the ground, searing the bottom of Jax's feet. Everything smelled of rotten eggs. He breathed through his mouth, trying to ignore the screaming of his shoulder. His ankle felt like it was gritting its teeth.

"Maybe it's enspelled," Xander suggested.

Romes gave him a look. "By who?"

"I don't know." Xander shrugged. "A god?"

"There aren't any oars," Romes observed, her eyes on the wooden boat.

Asa adjusted his rucksack. "Maybe it propels itself."

"I'm hearing a lot of maybes," Romes muttered.

"It's the only way across." Asa raised his shirt to mop sweat from his face. "Unless you have another suggestion?"

Romes surveyed the bubbling lake. It reminded Jax of a massive cauldron. "We could hike around it."

"We have to do the trial," Jax said.

His voice was tired. Gods, he felt tired. How long had they been hiking for? Days? Weeks? He'd lost track. Every part of him ached. He'd fought carnivorous birds and vicious plants that tried to bash him to death against trees. And now, Jax thought, he'd have to cross a bloody boiling lake of death.

No, thanks.

"Again," Romes said. "Says who? Don't say a god. Or a prophet. I'm getting sick of that answer." She looked at all of them. Nobody spoke, and Romes blew out a breath. "Screw it. I'm turning back."

Romes turned.

There was a grinding sound. Iron spikes burst from the earth, spiralling towards the itchy grey sky. Jax stumbled back as the iron knitted together, forming a towering gate. No, he realized, turning in a circle; not a gate. A fence.

They were trapped.

Asa whistled. "Well done, Romes. You've made it angry."

She glowered. "This is so stupid. I'm not going in that boat. It'll burn."

"We'll be fine," Asa said.

"Oh, yeah?" Romes raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you test it out and let me know how it goes?"

Asa started down the slope. "We have to get it unchained first."

Romes didn't move. "You can't be serious."

Asa circled the boat. He pushed at the boulder it was tied to; the rock didn't budge. He picked up the metal chain and then dropped it with a curse; his hand came away red and shiny. "There must be a task of some sort."

"I'm not going in that boat," Romes said.

"What's that?" Jax asked.

He pointed to an indentation on the rock; it was half-obscured with soot, and Jax brushed the black dust away impatiently, his heart hammering in his throat. He read the words aloud:

Tell a secret nobody knows;

Tell a secret that rarely shows;

Tell a secret you're loathe to part;

Tell a secret wrenched from the heart.

Silence fell. Jax scanned the lines again, his mind working. This was the test of the heart, he realized; not a test of courage, but a secret. A truth wrenched from the heart. Something that you didn't want to share.