Never had Sarah been so confused or disturbed than she was after the meeting with Josh.
Or was it Josh?
She went over the scene in her mind, trying to remember word for word what had been said. “It has to be Josh,” she whispered as she walked up and down her room, wringing her hands. He had that scar on his face, and in every detail he was the same.
But what about the way he talks? The way he thinks?
Sarah threw herself down on a soft orchid-colored couch that comfortably adjusted itself to her body. Even something about that disturbed her. She did not like this Land of the Magicians. All of her needs were cared for; she was not hungry, or thirsty, tired, hot, or cold—still, something about the place troubled her.
“I’d feel better if we were out in a jungle with tigers or under the ocean trying to get away from sharks!” she exclaimed bitterly, leaping up from the couch. “Oh, Goél—Goél! Why don’t you come to me? Tell me if what Josh says is right or not!” She waited, as if expecting Goél’s voice to sound within her chamber, but nothing broke the silence.
In despair, Sarah left her room, walked down the hall, and made her way out of the palace. She walked the streets of Celethorn for a long time. As she moved among the citizens, she imagined she drew sharp glances. Was there something alien about her to these wizards? She stopped once and stooped to pet a hammerheaded yellow tomcat that wandered up to her and said, “Meow.”
“Hello, Tom.” She smiled. “I wish I had some fish to feed you. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” When the cat meowed again, she made up her mind. Picking up the huge tom in her arms, she started for a shop across the street.
“I’d like some fish, please.”
“What kind of fish?”
“Any fish that cats like.”
The clerk, a tall, thin man, stared at her uncomprehendingly. “You’re going to feed my fish to that stray cat?”
“Yes, and put it on the bill of Deormi, high priestess of Celethorn. I am Sarah, one of her guests.”
The clerk still stared at her, then forced a smile. “Certainly. I’ll have it ready for you right away.”
Five minutes later Sarah was outside, had opened the wrapping, and was feeding small chunks of fish to the cat. “You can have all you want,” she whispered. “You’re getting just what you asked for. I wish I could!”
When she had satisfied the cat and petted him once more, she returned to the palace. “No sense walking the streets,” she muttered. When she entered the hallway on the floor where the Sleepers’ rooms were located, she was accosted by Beorn, who suddenly appeared from around a corner.
“This way, Sarah,” he said huskily.
“What is it, Beorn?”
“We’ve got to talk.” The dwarf led her to a room half filled with supplies. “I don’t want anybody to hear us,” he said. His dark face was severe with strain. “I don’t like what’s going on, Sarah.”
“I don’t like it, either,” she replied. “What do you think of Josh?”
“You know him better than anyone else, but he doesn’t seem the same to me as when we started this journey.”
“He looks the same,” Sarah said.
“Looks can be deceiving. The false Josh that we turned to cinders looked like your friend. But this one talks different.”
“I think he is different.” Sarah had been thinking of little but Josh since their encounter, and now she said slowly, “Beorn, I believe these people are treacherous—I should say, some of them are.”
“You suspect Deormi?”
“No, I suspect Yanto.”
“So do I. What do you think he’s done?”
“I think somehow he got Josh away from the ones who captured him, but then I think they’ve brainwashed him.”
Beorn stared at her. “Brainwashed? You mean took his brain out and—”
“Oh, no, no, not literally,” Sarah said quickly. “I mean . . . somehow they’ve put him under a spell.” She was satisfied that Beorn would understand that. When his eyes at once narrowed, she said, “I see you’ve thought of that too.”
“Yes, I have, but what are we going to do about it? It would be wrong to give up on these people.” The stubborn dwarf clenched his knotty fists, looking as if he would like to strike someone. “You remember what Goél said—one sword could make a difference. These magicians are powerful. Some of them are evil, but that’s the way it is with power.”
“What do you mean, Beorn?”
“I mean that power can be used for either good or for evil. The Dark Lord has power. He’s used it for his own selfish desires—and used it cruelly. I think the council and the citizens here could be of great help in the battle that is to come if they would decide to use their powers for good.”
“You’re right, Beorn,” Sarah said slowly. “But what are we to do?”
“That is beyond me. I am merely a guide. You are one of the Sleepers—and since Josh, your leader, is obviously unable to function, I think the rest of you will have to take action.”
Immediately Sarah made up her mind. “Come along. We’ve got to have a meeting.”
Sarah and Beorn summoned the other Sleepers at once, and soon the small group was gathered outside the palace gates. Sarah said, “I don’t trust that place. They might have hidden microphones or something.”
“Meeting outside is a smart idea,” Jake said. “It’s time we started showing some sense.”
When the group reached a small grove of trees in a park some distance from the palace, Sarah said, “Beorn and I have been talking. I guess we’re all wondering what to do.”
Jake said, “What can we do, Sarah? Josh is the leader.”
“But I don’t think he’s the same Josh,” Sarah said.
“He didn’t have the Dark Lord’s mark on his chest,” Abbey reminded her.
“I know that. It’s Josh all right, but I think his mind is a prisoner somehow.”
Dave was with them this time, not yet as strong as he had once been but glad to be out from under the pain of his wound. Taking a deep breath, he said, “From what I understand, he’s not thinking or talking or acting like the old Josh. Josh would never be one to give up on a mission.”
“But he says he’s seen Goél,” Reb said. “What about that?”
Silence fell over the group, and Sarah knew this was the crux of the whole problem. None of them would go against the orders of Goél.
With a burst of energy she said, “I once heard someone say that the eyes are the window to the soul. You know what that means. You can look into people’s eyes sometimes and tell what’s inside of them.” She saw their nods. “Have any of you looked close into Josh’s eyes?” When no one spoke, she said grimly, “Well, I have, and it’s like—it’s like looking into an empty room! Josh’s eyes were always so warm, and he was so honest you could tell what he was thinking. Somehow there’s a . . . well, a coldness in him now. And I think what we’re seeing is not a false Josh but a Josh who’s somehow been imprisoned in his mind.”
“By george, I think you’re right!” Jake exclaimed. “He’s just not himself. He’s bossy, he’s throwing orders around, and that’s just not like Josh.”
“We’ve got to have a confrontation,” Sarah said. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot. These magicians are powerful, and if Josh is in the power of the Dark Lord—if somehow Yanto’s done that to him—there’s no point in our trying to overpower them with physical force.”
“Then what can we do?” Abbey asked helplessly.
“There’s something we have that they don’t,” Sarah said slowly. “We have Goél, and we have love, and they don’t. Somehow I think that love is stronger than hate,” she said quietly. “And here’s what we’re going to do . . .”
At the next council meeting, satisfaction was glowing in the eyes of Yanto. He looked toward the Sleepers, who stood together in a group. He glanced past them to where the dwarf stood, arms folded, his face dark with displeasure. He glanced at Glori, who stood as far away from the dwarf as she could.
“We must make the final decision,” Yanto said smoothly. “Josh, have you brought your friends around to understanding the real situation?”
Josh was clothed today in clinging blue silk. He looked out of place to Sarah, who was used to his old khakis and his careless dress. “Yes, I think we are all in agreement.” Turning to the Sleepers, he said, “We agree to—”
“Just a minute!”
Sarah took a step forward. She looked at Josh and said, “Josh, come back from wherever you are.” Her voice was loud and rang with authority.
Josh’s mouth dropped open, and he stared at her blankly. Then his face grew taut. “Sarah, be quiet! I’m the leader and—”
“Josh—” She went to him and put a hand on his arm. He flinched, but she said softly, “We all love you, but you’re not here. Wherever you are, Josh, come back to those who love you!”
Josh began to tremble. “Get away from me,” he said harshly.
Sarah knew that all the Sleepers now had their eyes fixed on Josh, longing to see him brought back from wherever he was imprisoned.
“Think of all of our times together,” she pleaded. “How we’ve suffered, yet we’ve rejoiced, Josh. We’ve come so far together. It’s not just your body—it’s your mind that we want. Come back, Josh—”
Josh drew himself up straight, his face pale. His teeth were clenched, and his eyes were wide and frightened. “No—no,” he cried. “I am Josh!”
But Sarah softly continued to plead. “We know you’re Josh. But we want your mind free . . .” She did not show anger, nor did any of the other Sleepers.
She knew that the battle was, indeed, spiritual. She glanced over Josh’s shoulder to see Yanto and three of his fellows hurling all their powers against them. Their eyes were burning, and the room had become a battleground where unseen adversaries threw themselves against the minds of the Sleepers. Sarah felt as battered in mind as she had ever felt in body throughout their entire adventures. Inwardly she cried out, Goél—Goél, help me!
She was aware that the other Sleepers were struggling as well. Dave, who was still weak from his wounding, slumped so that he almost fell. Reb and Jake stepped to his side and held him up, Reb murmuring, “Hang in there, Dave! We’ll ride this hoss!”
Then Josh jerked his arm away from Sarah and said, “I don’t need your love!”
Sarah looked into his wild eyes and remembered the gentle boy that she had known for so long. “Yes, you do need our love, Josh. Everyone needs love. The worst thing in the world is to be cut off from love.”
Josh screamed and fell to his knees.
“Remember Goél, Josh!” Sarah cried. And then, lifting her voice, she cried out, “Oh, Goél, bring Josh back to us!”
“Obviously the leader has become ill,” Yanto said quickly. “We will have him taken away so that we can treat him.”
“Leave him alone!” Sarah’s eyes flashed as she stepped between Josh and Yanto. Then she turned and knelt beside the boy. “Josh,” she whispered, “we love you. We’ll always love you no matter what happens. Come back to us, Josh!”
Suddenly Josh’s body collapsed.
Sarah first thought in terror, He’s dead!
But then his lips moved, and his eyes opened.
And instantly Sarah saw the change. “Josh, you’re back!” she cried. She turned to the other Sleepers. “His mind is back! I can tell by his eyes. He’s back.”
All the Sleepers gave glad cries and rushed to him. Reb and Jake pulled him to his feet and looked into his face.
“You’re right—it’s the old Josh! Are you all right, boy?” Reb demanded.
Josh passed a hand over his face. He blinked and then shook his head as one who had been awakened from a terrible dream. And then a smile came to his lips. He said hoarsely, “It’s good . . . to be back.”
“Obviously the leader needs help,” Yanto cried. “Take him to my chambers.”
Two guards started for Josh, but one found himself almost impaled on the short knife that Beorn had drawn and aimed directly at his stomach. The other found his arm twisted behind his back by Reb Jackson.
“We can do without help from you, thanks,” Sarah said. “Josh, do you know what’s happened?”
Josh straightened up. “Yes. . .” His voice was still hoarse as if from disuse. He looked at Deormi and said, “I was put under a spell by some of your people, Deormi.”
The priestess frowned. “It was not of my doing. What has happened?”
Josh suddenly pointed at Glori, “She delivered me into the hands of our enemies—and she told them to bring me to this place. Then she and that one—” he pointed to Yanto “—tried to turn me away from Goél.”
“It’s a lie,” Glori called out, but her face had turned pale, and her voice was not steady. She looked at the chief magician. “We must do something, Yanto!”
“Shut your mouth, fool!”
But it was too late. Josh said, “She’s a servant of the Dark Lord!”
“It’s a lie!” Glori screamed again, but guilt was written on her face.
Sarah started toward the blonde woman. Before Glori could move, Sarah grabbed the fabric of Glori’s garment and pulled. There was the sound of ripping cloth, and then a gasp went over the room. High on Glori’s chest was the same mark that had been on the chest of the false Josh!
“She’s in the service of the Dark Lord, all right!” Josh said.
Glori whipped a dagger from her belt. Quick as a striking snake she leaped toward him.
But the dagger never reached its target. The knife of Beorn, the dwarf, flashed, and the woman gave a wild cry and fell to the floor.
The high priest gave a signal.
“Watch out for Yanto!” Dave yelled.
“Take them prisoner!” Yanto cried.
Three council members stepped forward, then three more. They did not attack the Sleepers with knives or spears or swords but threw such terrible mental force against them that Sarah felt herself nearly paralyzed.
Josh seemed to be slipping away. He murmured, “After all this . . .”
“Don’t give up, Josh,” Sarah said, panting and struggling with the force of the magicians’ power. “Goél will not let us perish.”
Then a voice said, “In the name of Goél, stop!”
It was the priestess, Deormi. She spoke then in a language Sarah did not understand, and immediately her followers on the council surrounded Yanto and his henchmen.
Sarah watched the tremendous struggle between the powerful council members, but she soon saw that Deormi and her people were stronger. She could almost feel the force of Yanto and his men slipping away.
Suddenly Josh stood to his feet, seeming to have complete freedom once more. He reached out and hugged Sarah as Deormi gave commands and servants seized Yanto’s arms.
“He cannot be bound with cords, but I will bind him,” Deormi said firmly. She fixed her eyes on the chief magician, and after a brief struggle Yanto quieted. He made no objection as the guards led him and his three fellows out of the room.
Deormi turned to the Sleepers. “This has been a hard thing for us. It is never pleasant to find traitors in your midst.”
“No, it is not pleasant.” Beorn, the dwarf, looked down at the body of Glori. “This one was in a high place. She could have been great in the service of Goél, but after he assigned her to this mission she was somehow drawn away, and she chose the way of the Dark Lord.”
Abbey looked at Glori and whispered, “I feel sorry for her. She would’ve destroyed us, but now she is destroyed.”
Silence fell over the room, and then Josh said, “What will you and your people do, Deormi?”
The priestess drew herself up. She was not tall or strong physically, but there was power in her voice as she said, “We will lend our strength to the House of Goél!”