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

party had stopped on the beach, and they were standing around Tasker staring at him. Suddenly she felt Bella shift on her shoulder, and a voice whispered in her ear.
    â€œIt gets worse,” Bella said so lightly that no one else heard her.
    â€œI am responsible,” Tasker said. Tears were streaming down his face. “Cain is my son.”
    There were gasps from the trio of humans, but Tasker continued.
    â€œYou think I don’t know about the pain and the loss Cain has brought onto the world, brought to both sides?” Tasker straightened as he spoke. His back stiffened and his face grew grim. “Cain ordered the death of my wife, his own mother. All of his brothers and sisters are passed on to the creator by his hand. I’m all that remains of his family and he’s done his best to kill me also.” Tasker stopped and looked at each one of them directly in the face. “So, yes, I am responsible for what’s happened. Indirectly, perhaps, but I’m to blame.” He wiped the tears from his eyes, and then his face hardened, “But don’t ever say I don’t know about the loss and pain I’ve brought onto the world. I buried each and every one of my children and my wife. Their faces will haunt me forever.”

 
    Chapter Seven
    Puck Returns
    W ait a minute!” Jacob burst out. He jumped as his voice broke the silence and made everyone present jump. He looked around, hoping no Adherents were close enough to hear his outburst.
    â€œWhat!” Jane hissed. She turned to look at him.
    â€œThat still doesn’t explain how the Adherents seem to know where we’re going every time we turn around,” Jacob said. He held his voice in check but he folded his arms across his chest and stared at Tasker.
    â€œThere is a link shared among dwarf clans,” Tasker said. “I thought I had broken it and my movements would be hidden from him. It seems I was wrong.”
    â€œSo he can track us because you’re with us,” Jacob growled. “The answer then is pretty simple. You have to go.”
    â€œJacob, we can’t just send him away,” Jane piped up. What a quandary they were in, if Cain was keeping tabs on them through Tasker.
    â€œI have a better idea,” Tasker said after a moment of silence. “It appears I’m a danger to you and to the forces we’ve gathered. No matter what I do, Cain will be able to track us through me. I’ll part ways with you here and lay a false trail back towards Madeline Isle. Maybe I can get him to send his spies after me and leave you alone as you search for the book.”
    â€œWhat do we do when we find it?” Jane asked.
    â€œWe trade it for our parents,” Jacob stated categorically. Once again his voice grew in volume, and this time he ignored the startled looks from Jackie and Jane. This was something he would not back down on. He had to see his mom was safe again.
    â€œDo you really think he’ll honor his end of the bargain?” Jane asked harshly. She liked Jacob, but he was being really naive.
    â€œWhat else can we do?” Jacob muttered.
    â€œI know what to do,” Jane muttered. The idea struck her only a moment before and she clamped her mouth shut. This thought she was going to keep to herself until the last possible moment.
    â€œWhat?” Jacob asked.
    â€œYou’re going to have to trust me on this one,” Jane replied. She refused to give an inch and her face showed it.
    â€œI trust you,” Tasker replied.
    â€œWait a minute,” Jacob cried out. “This affects all of us. We should be making this decision together.”
    â€œNo, I think this one is better left to Jane,” Tasker replied. “I’ll take my leave then.” He turned and started walking up the beach to the north. “Jane,” Tasker said. He turned back and looked at her sadly. “Be careful who you trust. Cain is a master at turning people to