Free The Map Maker's Quest by Matthew J. Krengel

it. The temples were supposed to be places of learning, of sharing ideas, and helping better those around us. For almost a century things went well despite the misgivings of the Seely Court.”
    Tasker started down the steps again, the lights were coming back on up near the lighthouse and there were startled shouts echoing through the night sky. The men and women who worked at the lighthouse knew something had happened, and they were raising the alarm.
    â€œI had a young apprentice, not really talented with the making of maps but well liked,” Tasker explained. Step after step he felt like each wooden plank was taking further and further into his past. “I gave him what knowledge I could, but I knew he would never be as talented a map maker as most of the others. Still he rose quickly in the Temple, and soon his opinion was valued as much as my own . . .” Tasker paused as if thinking hard. “Now that I look back on the circumstances around his rise to power I suppose I should have seen it coming. He tried to take over by force and failed. We were saddened with the events but no harm was done. Cain was placed in a cell, and that was it. Several years passed, and he emerged from isolation with a book he had written. He said it was a recording of the struggles he went through. He even called it My Struggles for You . He emerged even more charismatic, and he began once again to gain followers. Five more years went by, and he was elected to the board of regents who watched over the Temple. This time he was elected head regent. I was cast aside,for Cain’s first act was to banish me from the Temple buildings. I went away angry and tried to avoid all my old contacts. Even so I heard rumors of what was happening. Those he brought to power were like him, others of my friends began to vanish without any trace.”
    They reached the bottom of the steps and walked out on the great rocks that marked the edge of the lake water and began walking south. Jane and Jackie flanked Tasker on each side as they listened to him tell the story.
    â€œWe met with the Seely Council and they refused to do anything about what was happening. Only some of them went a step further, they signed treaties with Cain and the others ruling the temple. The Temple agreed to halt its outward expansion to the places where they already held power in exchange for sovereign rule in the areas where Temple members made up the majority of the people.” Tasker shook his head sadly. “Six months after the treaty was signed, the Temple started the purges . . .” Tasker stopped talking as they walked along the beach. The surf was building again, and the waves were starting to throw heavy sprays of water across the stones, making them slippery. “So many were killed. Even more were driven from their homes. Many have taken to calling it the Night of the Bloody Knives.”
    â€œSo all this happened because of you?” Jane asked slowly. “All the deaths and the missing people.”
    Tasker just nodded.
    â€œIs that why you’re so desperate for this rebellion to succeed?” Jackie asked. She looked down at the dwarf with suspicion in her eyes. Literally Tasker was responsible for the missing year of her life, responsible for the kidnappings. “No, I’m sorry,” Jackie said. She stopped her train of thought immediately. “You’re not responsible. Cain is. He’s the one who took control of the Temple. He’s the one who ordered the kidnappings. I can’t blame you for what’s happened.”
    â€œYou should,” Jacob muttered. He stared at Tasker with open hostility. “Without him this never would have happened.”
    â€œJacob,” Jackie replied. “That’s like telling Hitler’s mom that she’s completely responsible for everything he did. Where does the line of personal responsibility get drawn?”
    Jane was silent during this exchange. Their entire