As soon as the Sleepers and Jalor landed, Josh said, “We've got to tell the chief what happened.”
Dave shook his head in despair. “He's not going to like it,” he muttered. “Looking back on it, I see how we jumped into this thing too quickly.”
“But it's too late to argue about that,” Wash said. “Quick! We've got to do something to help Sarah.”
“That's right,” Josh said. “Let's go find the chief.”
He led the group, and they discovered that White Storm was having a meeting with Sure Flight. Darkwind was there too, and there was an evil light in his eyes. “Well,” he sneered, “have you come to join the council?”
Josh ignored his comment and said quickly, “Chief White Storm, I have bad news.”
White Storm looked up at once. He saw the disturbed look in the face of the young man, and his gaze swept the others. “What is it?” he demanded.
Josh swallowed hard and began to tell the story. He noticed that Jalor was lurking over to one side rather than standing with the Sleepers. Josh sketched the story out and said, “And everything went well until we got in the cave. Your son got the crown, and then we were jumped by the enemy.”
At once White Storm's face grew angry. “Where is my son?”
Josh's voice wavered as he said, “Well, to tell the truth, we think he was captured—along with Sarah.”
“Captured?”
White Storm stood to his feet, his dark eyes filled with anger. His hand went to the sword in his belt, but Sure Flight said, “Wait, let us hear it all.” His gaze went over to Jalor, and he said, “What part have you played in this, Jalor?”
Jalor stepped forward and nodded. “I have evil tidings. Your son is taken prisoner, Chief,” but he turned and waved his hand at the Sleepers, “and these are the ones who have done it.”
Josh stared at Jalor in amazement. “What are you talking about? You're the one who led us there.”
“I'm afraid he has concocted this tale, Chief,” Jalor said smoothly, “to cover his own guilt. Your son came to me and told me the seven prisoners had convinced him to go on a raid to capture the crown. Of course,” he added, “as soon as I heard it, I was against it. But Swiftwind is a stubborn young man.”
“What happened?” White Storm demanded.
“Well, I did all I could to keep them from going. Even when we got there, I offered to go down and get the crown myself—but these are clever people, these servants of God. They talked Swiftwind into going himself. I could do nothing to prevent him.”
“Well, what happened then?” Sure Flight asked. He was watching the Sleepers' faces carefully, probably looking for signs of guilt.
“It was a trap,” Jalor said, his voice turning hard. He pointed at Josh. “They deliberately planned this. They are in league with the Shadow Wings.”
“He's lying,” Josh said, his face turning pale. “Why, he led us right to that place and gave us a map!”
“Yeah, he's the one that's in with the Shadow Wings!” Reb shouted.
Jalor spread his hands before the chief. “That's always the way with the guilty. They try to put the blame on someone else, but the truth is that they betrayed your son. I heard that one—” he pointed to Josh “—give the orders to take your son. I also found this note.”
He extended a paper and handed it to the chief. The chief looked at it and then glared at Josh. “This proves that you've been dealing with the Shadow Wings,” he said.
“Why it's a lie, a forgery! I never had anything to do with writing a note!” Josh cried out.
But the chief was utterly convinced. “Guards! Guards!”
The guards suddenly swarmed around, and Chief White Storm said, “Put these six in prison. See that they're well guarded.” He ignored the protests of the Sleepers, and, as soon as they had been carried away by the guards, he turned to Sure Flight. “We must get my son back.”
“It means war, Sire!”
“I know, but I must have my son.”
Darkwind and Jalor were standing close by. Jalor said, “I hope you will count me among your warriors, Chief White Storm. From what I saw, it would be a good time to raid the Shadow Wings. I think they can be beaten.”
Darkwind nodded. “Yes, let me alert the warriors, Chief. Let us go at once!” He halted, then nodded toward the Seven Sleepers who were disappearing into a cave that was used for a prison. “As for them, they are worthy of death.”
In his anger, White Storm agreed, but Sure Flight said, “Let us not be too hasty, Chief. It is easy to take a life, but who could give it back?” An argument ensued in which Sure Flight stood against both Jalor and Darkwind, but in the end he lost.
“They will die,” White Storm said, “in the morning. Go and tell them so.”
Sure Flight made his way to the prison. He looked around at the young people and said sorrowfully, “I am the bearer of ill tidings. Chief White Storm has given you all the sentence of death.”
A silence fell across the cell, and Jake said, “I felt bad about this all the time. Now it looks like I was right. I wish I weren't though.” He glanced about at the Sleepers and went over and sat down, staring morosely on the floor.
Josh had been so worried about Sarah that he had not had a chance to think about their own plight. But now he did. “Do what you can for us, Sure Flight,” he said.
“Alas, that will not be much,” Sure Flight protested. “Our chief is a man of strong, iron will. There will be war now, and I'm afraid you will be the casualties of it. I'm sorry it has come to this. I'll do my best, but I offer no hope.”
* * *
The silence seemed to be pressing in on Jake. He had moved to one end of the cell, not wanting to talk to any of the others. They indeed had drawn their cloaks about them and were all asleep. It was very late. They had all been exhausted by the raid, and now Jake alone sat with his head in his hands. The Sleepers had faced death before, and now it had come again. They had been in more than one prison, and yet this time somehow it all seemed so useless.
“If we'd only waited for Goél to send us,” Jake whispered.
He felt a heaviness such as he'd never known, and, despite himself, tears began to gather in his eyes. To leave life was hard. He thought about never seeing the birds, the sunshine, the trees, never seeing the good things of Nuworld again.
“Are you in despair, my son?”
The question was whispered, but Jake jerked as if he had touched a live wire. His head came up, and he saw—Goél! He called out his name and rose at once. “Goél!” he whispered. “Why have you left us all alone?”
“I've never really been away from you, Jake. Haven't you learned that yet?”
Goél's large, direct eyes caught the torch flame and seemed to burn into Jake's soul. “I wanted to test you, my son,” he said. “I've tested you often by giving direct orders. Now I wanted to see if you were willing to walk in darkness without me.”
Jake did not understand. “It would be so much better,” he said, “if you would just tell us what to do.”
“All of my people must learn to walk in the darkness when I seem not present.”
The voice of Goél seemed to echo deep in Jake's soul, and he spoke for a long time about faith and trust and belief. Finally he put His hand on Jake's shoulder. “You have been filled with doubt, but now, Jake, you must have much faith. Long ago I told you that you would have to walk in darkness when there was no light. That time has come.”
Jake looked up into Goél's face. Suddenly he was filled with a greater love for his leader than he had ever known. He swallowed and nodded. “I'll do the best I can. I can't say I'm happy, but I'll do it.”
“I would rather see you obedient than happy.” Goél smiled. “I will leave you now.” He looked toward the others, who were still sleeping, and said, “I will not speak to them at this time. You must be the voice of Goél to them. Encourage them; tell them there is hope.”
Goél spoke briefly, then Jake seemed to grow very sleepy. He sat down again on the floor, his eyes closed, listening as Goél spoke gently. He seemed to drop off to sleep—then he came awake with a sudden jerk.
“Goél,” he whispered. But when he looked around the cell he saw only his five companions. He knew then that, as it had happened to others of the Sleepers, he had had a visit from Goél and knew that he must be strong for the rest, who had not had a visit.
“I don't know what's going to happen,” he whispered. “But I'll do the best I can, Goél.”