Brandon Mull - Time Jumpers

F OR MY DEAR FRIEND A MY, FOREVER ADMIRED AND BELOVED

1

C ole could not see anything.

He lay stretched across the rough wooden planks of a wagon bed, the hood over his head somewhat dampening the impact as the boards rapped against his skull. Judging from the sound of the hoofbeats and the rattling of the vehicle, they were moving briskly along a dirt road. His hands were bound together behind his back with strong, slender cords. Iron manacles encircled his ankles, biting into his skin when he tried to pull free. The coarse material against his face threatened to induce a claustrophobic panic, though he could breathe reasonably well.

Unpleasant sensations assailed himhunger, thirst, soreness, exhaustion.

Having just returned from the echolands, he found ownership of a physical body startlingly unfamiliar. He had not felt hungry in a long while. Or sore.

Cole had been warned before returning to his body. He knew he had been captured, along with Destiny, Honor, and Desmond. Their bodies had been left behind at the Temple of the Robust Sky when they had departed for the echolands, and their defenseless physical forms had fallen into the power of Enforcers.

The prelate Elana had placed their bodies in a secret room for safekeeping. Clearly something had gone wrong. Wherever Elana was now, Cole hoped she was all right.

Hello? Cole called, not at full volume but hopefully loud enough for any other prisoners sharing the wagon to hear.

Cole? a voice answered, slightly muffled.

It was Destiny. Tessa. Miras youngest sister, who he had just rescued in the echolands.

Im here too, Honor said, her voice clearer and louder, though somewhat dampened as well. Strong and independent, Honor was Miras second-oldest sister and had helped in the search for Tessa. Desmond?

There came no reply.

Anybody else? Honor tried.

It may just be the three of us, Cole said. Are you tied up too?

Manacles on my hands and feet, Honor replied over the creak and rattle of the wagon. Hood over my head.

Cole wondered if he should be insulted that only his feet had actual manacles.

I cant see either, Destiny said. My hands are tied. My legs are chained.

Me too, Cole said, deciding that he was considered a lesser threat than Honor.

Can you spring us, Cole? Honor asked.

It was a fair question. In the echolands, Cole had finally unlocked his power. His shaping ability had become inaccessible after being mangled when he fought Morgassa in Elloweer. Once his power had become active, Cole found he could awaken the shaping power in others, and he had learned to transform objects in the echolands with his will, as if he were a gifted shaper in Sambria.

Cole could still feel his power smoldering inside. It had been absent for so long, the presence was unmistakable.

In the echolands, he had recently used his power to throw down castle walls. The manacles should not stand a chance. Let alone the fabric of the hood covering his face.

Mustering his focus, Cole willed the unseen manacles cuffing his ankles to dissolve.

Nothing happened.

Cole tugged with his legs against the restraints. The unforgiving iron dug into his skin just as before.

Cole willed the fabric of the hood to split apart. He drew on his power with all of his effort.

Not a single thread popped.

I dont know, Cole replied. I can feel my power. But it doesnt seem to be working. I cant make it connect.

I worried it might be different back in a physical body, Honor said.

Why should it be different? Cole asked.

The echolands are made of a whole different kind of matter, Honor said. You didnt have a physical body there, and you werent affecting physical material. Ive never heard of anyone developing their power as quickly as you did in the echolands. You have the same abilities here, but using those skills in the physical world may take more time to develop.

Cole relaxed his mind. Without straining, he tried to push his power at the iron cuffs gripping his ankles. Again he got no result. He refocused on the hood, to no avail.

Im sorry, Cole said. I cant even tear the hood. But my power is with me.

Theyre probably taking us to Owandell, Honor said. Once we reach Junction, I should be able to access my power. Ill set us free.

No, Destiny said, her voice calm and certain. Going before Owandell will lead us to the paths we must walk.

For a long moment Cole listened to hoofs clopping and scuffing against the dirt. The wagon jerked, swayed, and creaked.

That settles it, Honor said, resignation in her tone. No escape attempt. We wait.

What paths? Cole asked. Where are we going?

I dont know, Destiny said, sounding like herself once more.

No hints? Cole asked.

Im sorry, Destiny said. It just comes. I never know more than what comes.

No apology needed, Honor said. Any guidance helps.

In the echolands, Cole had seen Destinys power in action. Separate from her, in the form of a horse, her power had played a key role in helping him find Destiny, save his friends, and prevent the return of Nazeem, who was really a torivor named Ramarro. Before leaving the afterlife, Destinys power had been restored to her. And now it was speaking through her.

We let the Enforcers take us to Owandell? Cole checked.

Yes, if we have any sense, Honor said. No good comes from trying to avoid Tessas prophecies.

We dont resist at all? Cole asked.

We can try whatever we want after we meet with Owandell, Honor said. Until then we use patience.

Its hard to be patient with a bag over your head, Cole observed.

The wagon slowed to a stop.

Are we there? Cole asked.

I dont think so, Honor said in a tone so hushed, Cole could barely hear her. Id have some access to my power if we were in Junction. Theyre probably changing horses.

Cole heard the clink and jangle of chains at the rear of the wagon.

Play possum, Honor suggested quietly.

Cole went limp as he heard doors open. The unsteady glow of torchlight flickered up through the bottom of his hood. Somebody was checking on the prisoners. Breathing softly, Cole stayed limp.

Still there, a gruff voice affirmed.

The door closed.

Harnesses jingled and hoofs clopped. A horse whickered. Shortly the wagon lurched forward.

Theyre in a hurry, Honor said.

I dont want to see Owandell, Tessa said in a voice nearly too small to hear.

Cole almost replied that her own power was to blame for their decision to go submissively before the head of the High Kings secret police. But since Owandell had used shapecraftthe ability to tamper with the shaping power itselfto take Destinys power when she was only nine and give it to her father, Cole decided sensitivity was required.

You must hate him, he said.

Owandell scares me, Tessa replied.

Hell hurt you again over my dead body, Honor promised.

That doesnt comfort me, Tessa said. I dont want to lose you.

Trust your power, Cole said. It helped save us in the echolands.

Knowing we should talk to Owandell doesnt necessarily spare us from harm, Honor said. Terrible consequences could follow. Destinys prophecy could simply mean that any efforts to escape would fail. Or it could mean the encounter with Owandell will produce outcomes that need to happen for some higher purpose. But serving a higher purpose is no guarantee of safety.