Chapter 44 - The Trumpet's Call

Cable’s eyes remained fixed on the second captive that was sitting on the log below him. And just as he couldn’t seem to move his eyes, he also couldn’t seem to move any other part of his body. He knew that he should grab his trumpet, leap to the ground below, and blare into the fearsome door that provided entry into the smoking, flaming mound. But Cable dared not move an inch. After all, he’d just barely been able to drag his trumpet up to the top of the mound. The last time he’d touched the instrument, it felt like he was carrying a boulder the size of Jimbo himself. How could he hope to even pick it up, much less jump with it, put it to his lips and blow, all the while fending off two hooded creatures who would like nothing more than to take a sword and remove his head?

So Cable stayed where he was and watched. He saw the first hooded creature walk over to the captive and grab the captive’s shoulder. The captive, whose vision was still obscured by the hood that remained over his head, seemed to jump at the creature’s touch. The creature laughed eerily into the night. “Ah-ha!” he cried out. “You are as fearful as the coward that went before you!” The second creature then joined him for another round of ghastly laughter that persuaded Cable even more that he should stay right where he was and not move an inch.

The captive leaped to his feet. “I am no coward!” he yelled.

Two things about the captive’s statement captured Cable’s imagination. First of all, the statement was very unconvincing. The man seemed to be sobbing even as he said it. But second, Cable was sure that he’d heard this voice before. Of course, the voice was muffled somewhat by the hood. But all the same, it sure did seem familiar...

Cable felt something grab his arm, and he immediately recoiled. He turned to his left and saw that Jimbo had slid up next to him. “Easy there, Herc,” he whispered. “That voice...I’m almost sure that I know who that is.”

“You’re kidding!” Cable replied softly. “I thought it sounded familiar, too. Who is it?”

“I don’t know, mate,” replied Jimbo. “I said I’m almost sure who it is, not that I knew who it is. There’s a big difference, chap.” And with that, both of the onlookers resumed watching the scene that was unfolding below them.

The first creature guided the captive over to the entrance to the flaming mound. The smell of smoke again rose and enveloped Cable. The rippling orange glow of the flames almost seemed to grow in brightness and intensity as the helpless captive neared the doorway. The second hooded creature assumed his position behind the captive, the tip of his sword pointed into the man’s back. Cable felt pity for the man, but not enough pity to do anything. Once again, the twin emotions of shame and fear washed over the sixteen-year-old boy.

The first creature now spoke. “I am about to remove your hood,” he declared. “When I do so, regard your fate with courage! Don’t back away in fear, but run to your destiny! Leap through the door and live forever! Don’t back down and join the ranks of the useless slaves, as your pathetic comrade did. Shed your cowardice and embrace immortality and power and service to Lord Dor-ko and Lord Slumbutter!”

With that verbal flourish, the creature pulled off the hood. And Cable couldn’t believe the face of the man that stood below him.

It was Mitch.

Cable started to turn to Jimbo, but before he could say a word, Jimbo stood to his feet. “I never thought I’d see him again!” Jimbo declared, no longer whispering. He then looked down at Cable and said, “Look, Herc, I’m done playing the part of the coward. I’m going down. If I don’t make it back, it’s been good knowing you. But it’s better to live in power than to die in fear.”

As Cable stared at Jimbo, by the light of the flickering flames below, he saw a look on Jimbo’s face that he’d never seen before. Gone was the goofiness and the good humor. Those expressions had been replaced by a look of sheer rage. Jimbo grabbed his knife and ran over to the edge of the hill. Leaping off, he cried out, “Brother! I’m coming!”

At that point, the world seemed to move in slow motion for Cable. He saw Jimbo hit the ground and roll. He saw Jimbo run toward Mitch. He saw Jimbo grab Mitch by the waist and wrestle him away from the hooded creature’s grasp. He saw a look of utter surprise come over Mitch’s face when he saw Jimbo set him temporarily free. It must have all unfolded in a matter of a couple of seconds, yet to Cable it seemed like hours.

And still, Cable couldn’t move. He just watched the great drama unfolding below him.

Jimbo cried out, “Brother! Take this!” as he handed Mitch his own weapon. Mitch grabbed the knife. But instead of facing the creatures and fighting, Mitch turned and started to ran.

Jimbo now stood powerless against the creatures. The first creature reached into a hidden pocket and pulled out a knife of his own. He then drew back and let the knife fly toward Mitch. Jimbo instinctively reached up into the air. The knife that was meant for Mitch’s head pierced Jimbo’s hand instead. Jimbo rolled to the ground, writhing in pain.

Cable saw the second creature approach Jimbo with his sword upraised. Jimbo cried out, “Cable! Help!” And at the sound of his cry, the two hooded creatures turned and looked up toward him.

Cable now realized that he could hide no longer. He had two choices--remain where he was and be killed, or move and be killed. As he stared below, he saw the first creature take a step toward him, while the second creature turned back toward Jimbo. While Jimbo cried out in pain, Cable finally resolved to act. He reached down and grabbed his trumpet. Amazingly, it felt as light as an onion in his hands. It was as though, having resolved to act, he was filled with power to fulfill the task that he had once felt impossible. Cable then held the trumpet tight to his chest and hurtled to the ground below, aiming toward the second creature who was preparing to slay Jimbo. Cable hit the ground and rolled. He struck the second creature’s legs, causing him to fall. Cable then rolled to his back and looked up. The first creature was now moving toward him, a knife in his hand. The creature again prepared to throw. Cable tried to roll away, and as he did so, he happened to catch a glance of Jimbo. Moving with unimaginable speed, Cable saw his friend draw the knife out of his hand and hurl it toward the first creature. It struck the creature in the face and caused him to collapse.

Cable got to his feet, just in time to see the second creature rise to his feet, his sword raised high in the air. Cable heard Jimbo’s voice one last time, bellowing out, “The trumpet! Blow the trumpet!” Cable then ran away from the second creature and approached the entry to the fearsome mound. And while his mind was full of doubts, and while he braced for the blow of the sword that would surely come at any moment, he put the trumpet to his lips and blew.

And, somehow, the majestic sound of that horn filled the air. The ground trembled and flames burst forth from the mound. Then Cable was struck on the side of the head. The boy fell to the ground. Yet in his last moment of consciousness, Cable was strangely reassured.

His mission was accomplished.