The control panel had numerous buttons and levers. Hilary explained their functions.
There were many trapdoors in the floor of the chariot.
“These doors lead to many different rooms, which are built into the structure of the chariot,” Hilary explained.
“This is highly impressive,” Pyros said. “I must say you have done a great job.”
Archer interrupted, “Great? I think it is outstanding!”
Pyros nodded, smiling.
Ms Hilary just waved a hand towards the Scavenger. “Oh, our efforts were not much. The blueprint he gave was detailed. My team and I only brought that design to reality.”
The Scavenger bowed to Ms Hilary. “You are modest but a genius. My respects.”
As they all walked out of the scientists’ headquarters, the Scavenger’s eyes were beaming with confidence.
Thomas asked the Scavenger, “Do you think all of this is enough?”
The Scavenger grinned. “The enemy won’t know what hit them.”
14
Thirty days passed in a flash.
A team of scientists developed sophisticated traps, which the Scavenger laid out at strategic points on the Island. The blacksmiths made loads of armour and weapons. The Scavenger had successfully trained hundreds of humans in the art of shooting arrows. Everyone was ready to take on the enemy.
But, there were no signs of the enemy in the vicinity of the Island. Was it an empty threat by the Kingdom, or was it a lull before the storm?
The Scavenger, Pyros and the children were sitting with Thomas in his office. Everyone was tense.
Thomas said, “The deadline for our surrender passed yesterday. We were supposed to face the Kingdom’s hostility today. But, it is almost evening now, and nothing seems to be happening. We are all anxious.”
Pyros said, “I expect the Kingdom, or I may say Osay, to attack us. Any egoistic evil-doer would never let his influence and authority decline. If we are not being attacked, there is more than what meets the eyes.”
“I too feel the same way,” the Scavenger said
Thomas said, “I am also surprised why there have been no signs of the enemy all these four weeks. The enemy didn’t even try to gather any information. No enemy patrols, no spies at the sea borders, nothing. Isn’t it weird?”
Pyros said, “Osay knows that we have the Pages of Destiny and that the Pages can be combined with the Book only at the Master Library at Cotton Village. Osay knows we will go there. Isn’t it better for him if he waits for us rather than risking coming all the way here? What if he comes, and we subdue him? We can then combine the Pages of Destiny at the Master Library, open up the portal, get Matt out, banish the Skull Warrior and what not. No, no, no, Osay cannot take that chance. He will not leave the Cotton Village, come what may.”
The Scavenger shook his head. “I think Pyros has a valid point. But even then, being a warrior myself, I can vouch that Osay must have been gathering information about what’s going on here at the Island. Knowing about our preparations, he would have decided not to risk attacking the Island and instead wait for us at Cotton Village.”
There was a momentary silence.
James spoke as he walked across the room, “The assumption that Osay is aware of our war preparations makes absolute sense. How else will he plan his moves?”
“But how would Osay know?” Daniel questioned. “Cayden and Flor were under sharp watch. These are the only two moles whom we suspect. Everyone else is above board.”
“I suspect Skazen too,” Archer remarked.
“I second you, Archer,” James said in an excited tone. “I have this hunch too.”
“We are all becoming paranoid,” the Scavenger remarked. “You need warriors with you, and we can’t go about mistrusting everyone. If Skazen is a mole, why would he take out the bracelet from Cayden’s pants?”
“Maybe he took it as an opportunity to gain trust. He must have thought that it was a matter of time before we find the bracelet, so why not jump on the opportunity,” Archer argued.
The Scavenger said, “It’s good we never completely trusted him. We omitted Skazen in important discussions, despite his eagerness to contribute. He was so eager to move along with us to space to get the Second Page of Destiny, but we were careful not to include him.”
James said, “Let me summarize. Earlier we were confused about whether Cayden was a traitor or not, but he proved to be so. We are still confused whether Flor is a traitor or not. Now another variable in this complex equation has been added in the form of Skazen.”
Pyros said, “We have handled Cayden and Flor well so far. We need to treat Skazen in the same way. Let’s not waste time in zeroing in on a mole. Let us assume all three are moles unless proven otherwise.”
“I agree with Pyros,” Thomas said. “Let’s plan our next step. I do not see an attack happening here soon.”
The discussions started to happen in a focused manner.
“I was thinking about the Chariot of Destruction,” Thomas said, looking at the Scavenger. “What were your plans when you gave the blueprints to Ms Hilary?”
“It was a simple plan. I was expecting a war with Osay here at the Islands. I thought we would keep Osay engaged here and use a special chariot to go to the Master Library at Cotton Village, combine the pages and bingo...”
Suddenly James jumped.
“Something struck my mind. But I could appear weird. Let me speak it out, and then we will analyze.”
“Go ahead,” said the Scavenger, excited. James’s ideas were to be taken seriously.
James spoke, “We will plan better if we keep Skazen and Flor in the same category as Cayden. So, let’s say, we are here with three traitors who are feeding information to Osay.”
James paused and continued, “What if leave all the three – Skazen, Cayden and Flor – here, take the Chariot of Destruction
