Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends Read online

  Once again, the Miller Brothers have created a plot-twisting, mind-bending tale. As Hunter Brown meets up with old friends and new on his mission to find his father and rid himself of a trailing Watcher, the reader is pulled in and completely hooked in Hunter’s latest adventure. If you are an avid, deep reader, or a dabbler in fantasy, you should like this book.

  Hannah Davis (Age, 13)

  The Miller Brothers’ world of Solandria comes to life again, capturing your imagination and immersing you in a world we are all awaiting to be part of. The conclusion left me in awe.

  Brock Eastman, author of The Quest for Truth series.

  This is the best book of the series. I could not put it down.

  Aidan Ray

  Wow! Hunter Brown 3—this is the one I’ve been waiting for! The first two were very good but this one definitely tops them! One, because the whole book is the climax; and two, it answered all the questions I had. Did I add that the “Eye of Ends” is a very cool title!”

  Jonathan Carter

  Reading this book with my son was a pleasure—a masterful mix of adventure and teachable moments. It was great to find so many of our favorite characters from previous Hunter Brown books are back, and there are plenty of intriguing new characters as well for readers to enjoy. My only complaint is that this story is so skillfully woven together we had a summer full of late mealtimes, simply because we couldn’t put it down!”

  Debbie Collins, teacher and mother of two

  I literally would have devoured this book if it were possible.

  Michael Collins (age 10)

  Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends had me enthralled from beginning to end. The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing in every chapter, along with characters who made me alternately glare at the book in frustration, or grin with joy. I loved reading all three of these books.

  Mary Cooley, Age 14

  I knew an epic conclusion was coming, but this surpassed all expectations. This tear-jerking, heart-moving, spine-tingling tale was so worth the wait. Trying to put it down was like trying to remove the Bloodstone without help from Aviad: IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

  Marie (Bladebearer), Age 19

  Ever since I received the first Hunter Brown book as a Christmas present, these books have stayed on my favorites list and Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends is no exception. With an original plot filled with excitement, Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends is dripping with Christian analogies that reveal deep meanings and lessons that are important to know and remember. With a good pace and mysteries to be solved around every corner, Hunter Brown will hold you to the end and leave you wanting to begin again.

  Rachel Harris, age 20

  Eye of Ends is the kind of book I wish existed when I was young. Colorful writing, engaging characters, and an intriguing plot make this a stellar conclusion to Hunter Brown’s riveting adventures.

  James L. Rubart bestselling author of Rooms and Book of Days

  As a director, I dig through countless stories before finding anything that will hold my attention. The Eye of Ends grabbed my imagination and wouldn’t let go. With the book’s twists and turns, the Miller Bros have woven together an image-rich story that any director would long to create. The Eye of Ends brings the Codebearers series to its rightful epic conclusion. I love this story.

  Darren Thomas, Producer/Director

  Working Element, LLC

  This is the third book in The Codebearers Series™. The characters and events in this book are fictional, and any similarity to actual persons or events is coincidental.

  The Codebearers Series™ 3: Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends

  Published by Warner Press, Inc, Anderson, IN 46012

  Warner Press and “WP” logo is a trademark of Warner Press, Inc.

  Copyright © 2011 by Christopher and Allan Miller

  Cover Art and Illustrations © 2011 by Christopher and Allan Miller

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or any other method of storage—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  ISBN-13:978-1-59317-400-2

  Editors: Karen Rhodes, Robin Fogle, Arthur Kelly

  Creative Director: Curtis D. Corzine

  75665017704

  Printed in Canada

  2011 – First Edition

  www.warnerpress.org

  The Codebearers Series™

  Lumination Studios

  www.codebearers.com

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  There are books you write and then there are books that write you. So much life has happened during our penning of the third Hunter Brown adventure, so many people have given of themselves to see us through to the end. For this we are forever grateful. To our friends and family who hung in there with us when life seemed to be getting the better of us...we simply say thank you.

  For our dear friends at Warner Press. Eric, Regina, Karen, Robin, Curt, Mike and Gwynne­—Phew, we made it...again!

  To our fans who have waited forever-and-a-day to hold this book. Well, what are you waiting for? The adventure awaits! May this story bless you as much as it has blessed us.

  To that “penguin” guy Lance (aka RocketSnail). Your words of encouragement and your interest in our work has been an inspiration.

  Jared—We rejoice that God has put you in our lives. Our friendship runs much deeper than ink and paper, but it is great to finally be working together. Thank you for blessing us with the brilliant brushstrokes of a masterful artist. Your talent is inspiring.

  A very special thanks goes out to the Collins family, without whom we can only say this book would not have been completed. God has used you in mighty ways in our lives. Your love for us in action was worth more than any words could say. Be blessed by this the fruit of your labor. 1 John 3:18

  Lastly, may our Lord Jesus Christ, the Sovereign God, find favor in the work of our hands. May this book be a sacrifice that is pleasing in your sight. Thank you for giving us a reason to write and our hope for a future.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  One False Move

  Chapter 2

  A Spark of Hope

  Chapter 3

  Forgotten Things

  Chapter 4

  The New Plan

  Chapter 5

  Vogler Is Watching

  Chapter 6

  What Mom Said

  Chapter 7

  Girl Trouble

  Chapter 8

  Library Games

  Chapter 9

  Ghost Riding

  Chapter 10

  The Eye of Ends

  Chapter 11

  Lights On, Nobody’s Home

  Chapter 12

  Iron Sharpens Iron

  Chapter 13

  Back to the Bookshop

  Chapter 14

  A Bad Seed

  Chapter 15

  Middle of Nowhere

  Chapter 16

  Night Life

  Chapter 17

  From the Ashes

  Chapter 18

  Visions and Vanishings

  Chapter 19

  Chasing Shadows

  Chapter 20

  My Father’s World

  Chapter 21

  Chaos in the Castle

  Chapter 22

  Th
e Other Man

  Chapter 23

  A Change of Plans

  Chapter 24

  Into the Black Curtain

  Chapter 25

  The Lost Shard

  Chapter 26

  The Maze of Rings

  Chapter 27

  The Eyes Have It

  Chapter 28

  The Inmost Circle

  Chapter 29

  The Scent of a Spider

  Chapter 30

  Like a Moth to the Flame

  Chapter 31

  The Void

  Chapter 32

  Another New Beginning

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  One False Move

  “It’s too quiet, Nowaii,” the hooded figure spoke gently to the saddled creature beneath him, stroking its neck. Moonlight glimmered against the iridescent tones of the large bird’s magnificent feathers. Bird and rider sat perched at the cliff’s edge, waiting.

  The man’s breath hung in the cold night air. “No wind tonight.”

  Nowaii cocked his head toward his rider and blinked a massive yellow eye in silent acknowledgement. His master did not note the conditions just for a pleasant flight. His concern was with his fellow Codebearer fighters on the ground, attempting to quietly take up their positions even now, somewhere amidst the tangled woods far below. If they were to have any success executing their daring attack on the enemy this night, they would need more than just the cover of darkness and forest trees—­they would need the element of surprise. As it stood, just one false move—a snapped twig or carelessly drawn breath—could bring their whole mission crashing down on top of them…with deadly consequences.

  “What was Aviad thinking? If it were left to me, I would have called it off. He risks too much.”

  The rider stared off into the distance where the flickering of torchlight could be seen in the fallen city of Direse. Three days ago, it was a city at peace. Two days ago the Shadow forces had invaded and seized their latest stronghold. Tonight, the Resistance would set it free…or die trying.

  To Aviad’s credit, his plan was a bold move. Never before had the Resistance countered so quickly and decisively. The Shadow would have no reason to suspect them, a fact the Resistance leader’s daring plan depended on.

  And what if it fails? the rider wondered to himself.

  Perhaps he should have thought of this more, but he had been eager for the chance to prove himself, looking for an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. This mission offered that opportunity. How well he performed his role tonight would make all the difference for his future advancement.

  Turning his thoughts back to the task at hand, the rider shook his head to clear his mind. Regardless of what doubts he might form now, the fact remained that other men out there tonight were depending on him to do his part.

  And I must count on the Author to do his, the rider reminded himself, lifting his eyes skyward.

  He watched as a bank of heavy clouds finally settled in front of the moon, smudging out the shadows it cast below. It was time.

  “Via, Veritas, Vita,” whispered the rider.

  With a mighty flap, the mystical Thunderbird launched itself and rider out over the forested expanse below.

  “Eh? What’s this?” grunted a lone Shadow sentry, tilting his pig-shaped head skyward. From his high tower post he typically paid attention to things below him, but a small speck of movement from above had caught his eye, though more out of curiosity than actual concern. He squinted, trying to make out the odd shape drifting down toward him. Was it a bat…a bird? Couldn’t be. There were no wings. Yet it was gliding, no, racing down at him now…and with alarming speed!

  Suddenly, a pair of flashing talons sprang out from the empty sky, locked around the guard’s head and with a powerful twist, finished off the sentry before a struggle could occur.

  A hooded figure dropped seemingly from out of nowhere to land crouched next to the now motionless body.

  “Good work, Nowaii,” the man whispered his praise to the nearly invisible bird. In a rippling effect, the bird reversed the natural cloaking effect of its feathers to reveal its massive frame once again.

  “Keep low and wait here until my signal.” He made a motion with his hands to indicate the same.

  Taking hold of the Veritas Sword on his belt, the rider cautiously peered over the edge of the tower they had landed on. It was the highest point of the city. If his intelligence was right, the presiding Shadow lord would be quartered somewhere below. From the calm activity of the other sentries scattered across the four towers and outer walls, no one had witnessed their intrusion. Everything was going as planned.

  *******

  “Are the troops in position?” a commanding, scarlet-caped form asked with a snarl. He did not bother to turn or look up when asking the question. Rather, he remained hunched over a desk, preoccupied with examining a collection of peculiar documents.

  “Yes, Lord Bledynn. They await your command,” the reporting Shadow first officer, Geptun, replied. Looking decidedly like a pig-faced troll, Geptun stood a good two feet taller (two and a half if you didn’t count the added height of the goblin’s spiked helmet) than his accompanying second officer, a short, rotund goblin.

  “Good,” Bledynn replied coolly, leaving it at that.

  Sensing his desired dismissal, the first officer turned to leave and then hesitated for just a moment.

  “What is it?” Bledynn asked in an irritated tone.

  “Well, my lord, there have not been any reported sightings of enemy movement. I was beginning to wonder if perhaps you were mistaken…if we should consider….”

  Before he could finish, Lord Bledynn roared, overturning the desk and scattering his papers as he swung violently around to clamp a clawed hand around his surprised officer’s throat.

  “Never…question…my powers!”

  Tightening his grip, Bledynn dragged the gasping Geptun closer toward his snarling teeth. The officer winced painfully, though less from his onsetting suffocation than from the absolute terror of being forced to look upon the fearsome sight.

  Coarse grey hair covered the Shadow lord’s muscular body, bristling angrily about his thick neck. His fiery red eyes burned with intensity. He was no man, but a Vulvynn, a ferocious wolf-like beast in a man’s form, and likely would have been the last thing Geptun ever saw were it not for the old man who suddenly stepped forward from a shadowed corner.

  Slowly the robed elder knelt, his long grey beard touching the floor as he gathered up the displaced papers. “Might I propose to you, O excellent lord,” his voice was as deep and calm as a wide river, “that not all have been given the gift of such great insight as yours.” Rising to his feet, with bowed head he presented the stack of drawings back to Bledynn.

  The approach of the wisened advisor seemed to calm the enraged leader enough to finally release the near-unconscious Geptun, letting him fall to the stone floor, a gasping, coughing heap.

  Snatching the drawing from the top of the offered stack, Bledynn allowed his own crazed breathing to slow as he traced the odd string of lines scrawled across the parchment with one of his long, crooked claws.

  Eyes still fixed on the cryptic art, Bledynn addressed his wheezing officer once again. “Tonomis is right. You doubt because you have not seen as I have. Allow me to ease your anxiety.” Bledynn held the paper out for Geptun and the second officer to see.

  “This,” Bledynn said, waving broadly with his free hand, “is the future. With my own hand, I have drawn that which Fate itself revealed to me.”

  From the bewildered expressions on the Shadow officers’ faces, they both thought the ugly, twisted mess of ink looked just like an ugly, twisted mess of ink. Wisely they chose to keep their observations to themselves.

  The V
ulvynn lord continued, “Armed with this intelligence, I have been able to anticipate each and every move the Codebearers have made, leading up to tonight. In fact, the only reason I even bothered to take over this pathetic stink-hole of a city was because I knew the Resistance would follow us here, an opportune time for them to corner and contain my forces within these walls, no doubt.” Bledynn traced his claw over a particular line that when looked at just right, could be construed to resemble the distinct five-towered silhouette of the city of Direse.

  Bledynn’s face twisted into a cruel smile. “It is almost sad, isn’t it? The Resistance foolishly believe they’ll actually surprise me with their clever attack. Too bad for them I will always be one move ahead.” Bledynn laughed aloud just thinking of the brilliance of the plan he had put into motion. He had discovered the existence of two underground escape tunnels, a closely guarded secret that only a few living Dieresiens even had knowledge of. And by simply assigning a few Shadow to “greet” those privileged few at the tunnel exits during their siege, Bledynn had made quite certain that the secret had died with them.

  “When the Resistance attacks tonight, and they will,” Bledynn continued, pausing to glare at his first officer, “you will do exactly as I planned. Those inside the walls will stage an adequate, but weaker defense. When the Codebearers advance, you will remind them why it is so important to always watch one’s back. On my command, our forces will swarm out from the tunnels to overwhelm and crush their futile attack from behind!”

  He snatched another drawing from his advisor, Tonomis, and displayed this next mess of wild, almost jubilant, lines proudly. “See? Look upon our sweeping victory! This is the glorious triumph that awaits my army tonight!” Looking down at Geptun, Bledynn’s face suddenly darkened once more. His voice was no longer exuberant, but cold. “That is, assuming faithless, weak-minded leaders such as you, my worrisome Geptun, do not foul it up.”

  At this suggestion, Geptun promptly knelt, his bruised throat croaking out a feeble apology. “You are right, my lord…. Forgive me for doubting you and your…” he forced himself to say it, “art. It will never happen again!”