CHAPTER 21
The boys passed through the back gate leading from the main city into the mines. The mining area was contained within its own rock walls; but the walls here did not have flower boxes running along the top.
On the other side of the mines was a village, named by its people simply "The Village by the Sea." It was laid out within another large rectangle of rock walls. Despite the close location, the two properties did not mingle very much other than to trade products. Keegan's city produced artwork, books, plays, and jewelry. It also had a large fishing industry and produced marble. The village next-door was more agricultural, raising wheat, oats, fruit, cows, goats, and sheep.
Both places shared a gold mine, with the back gate of each city opening into the mining area. The front gate of each property faced toward the ocean on opposite sides of the island. The front gate to Wiley's city saw sunrise. The front gate to the farming village saw sunset.
The relationship between the two properties was fragile. The citizens in Keegan's city enjoyed great freedom. People were encouraged to participate in the arts and to think for themselves. Most of the servants were treated well and allowed free time.
On the other side of the mines, life was harder. People began their days at sunrise and did not quit until after sunset. With all of the hard work that needed to be done on the farms, people did not have time for the arts or entertainment. Servants were treated like slaves, as they were expected to work harder than their masters.
Due to their differences, wars between the two locations were common until gold was discovered beneath the ground on the land that ran between the two back gates. Most likely, the people would have fought over the mines as well, except that both properties were now in danger of being attacked for their gold by outside countries. Therefore, they needed to stick together in order to protect the island itself.
Both the city and the village traded with another island for silver, pearls, horses, and lightweight wood. Unfortunately, people on that other island were known for their aggression and for their tendency to conquer civilizations they deemed important to their growth. Now that Keegan's island had discovered gold, there was nervousness about possible invasion.
Arthur grabbed Wiley by the arm, held on with his right hand, and pointed straight ahead with his left. Almost under his breath, he said, "Look."
The boys looked straight ahead at the mine. Keegan squinted in order to block out the sun. "What's happening?"
"You don't get it?"
Wiley gasped. "What's going on? Official orders were given for no one to work the mines today because of the Festival of the Sun. The village on the other side agreed not to work the mines today!"
"Look closer. That's our men."
"Oh ..." For a moment, Wiley was speechless. "What do they think they're doing? That's too dangerous - mining after asking the village not to touch the gold!"
Arthur waved his hand in order to direct his friends to an area behind a cluster of trees. The boys walked into the sheltered area. They continued to peer out from behind the thick brush.
Keegan saw it first. He pointed toward the harbor for the neighboring village. In an unmistakably agitated voice, he asked, "What's that?"
Calder was the first to answer, "A ship! Whose sails are those?"
The boys studied the ship. It was huge. Made from dark wood with ornate carvings along the railings, and a huge carved wooden dragon on the front. The dragon had been painted green with red, orange and yellow fire billowing from its mouth. On either side of the ship, toward the front, a blue eye had been painted, ever watchful, the warriors' hope for protection. A massive sail curved outward as the wind gave it life and blew the ship swiftly toward shore. The white sail swelled, revealing a large black X with a red star in its center.
"That ship is from the island we trade with!"
Kingston interrupted him, "But it's a war ship!"
Arthur noticed the teams of men rowing the vessel. "Why are they coming here?"
Wiley looked behind him at the feasting and celebrating city. The noise of celebration drowned out all noise from the approaching boat. "Should we tell the men in the mines?"
Kingston was the first to answer, "No! They'll start yelling at us and call attention to themselves from the men sailing in on that ship."
Calder spoke next, "If the men coming in on that ship have bad intentions, the men in the mine will know about it soon."
Suddenly, Wiley ran from behind a tree and hid behind another one closer to the edge of the thicket. He pointed. "Look! Look over there! What is that?"
Calder answered him, "It's a light! It's blindingly bright! But where is it coming from? What is it?"
The boys searched the landscape for a clue. Nevin saw it first. "Look over there! Look! Look! What is that?"
On a mountain slope rising above the village was a huge object, a mirror shaped like a bowl on a moving stand. The bowl was standing on its side, with the bottom center of the bowl facing toward the approaching ship. The sun's rays poured into the mirror bowl like streams of glowing hot liquid. Focused, the sun reflected outward toward the ship. As the boys watched, the sail ignited. The red star lit up brilliantly; then turned to ash floating on the wind. Shortly after that, the entire ship exploded into flames.
The men in the mine kept working, hearing only the noise from the Festival.
