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  PRAISE FOR THE DOOR WITHIN TRILOGY

  “In the tradition of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Series, The Door Within Trilogy beckons the reader to come along on an epic fantasy adventure to faraway lands and the more near places of the heart. Readers of all ages will find that The Door Within delivers heart-pounding thrills as well as themes and principles that will linger with you long after you put the book down. The Door Within reminds us that there is much more to life than what we see before our eyes.”

  Josh D. McDowell

  Best-selling Author and Public Speaker

  “Batson leads young readers to a fantasy realm where faith and sacrifice serve as essential tools in an epic battle between good and evil.”

  Publisher’s Weekly

  “Those who enjoy fantasy, from young teens through adults, should feel right at home with this.”

  Liz Duckworth

  Aspiring Retail

  “The Door Within has all the trappings of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.”

  Joe Burris

  The Baltimore Sun

  THE

  DOOR

  WITHIN

  BY

  WAYNE THOMAS BATSON

  © 2005 Wayne Thomas Batson

  First in a series of three novels.

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a trademark of

  Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson, Inc. books may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Batson, Wayne Thomas.

  The door within / by Wayne Thomas Batson.

  p. cm.

  Summary: Three ancient scrolls beckon high school student Aidan Thomas to enter a realm of knights, kings, and unusual creatures, but he must rely on instinct and his latent athletic ability to deal with the terror, tempest, and treason offered by this new world.

  ISBN: 978-1-4003-9243-8 (premium)

  ISBN: 978-1-4003-1011-1 (tradepaper)

  ISBN: 978-1-4003-0659-6 (hardcover)

  [1. Space and time—Fiction. 2. Christian life—Fiction. 3. Fantasy.]

  I. Title.

  PZ7.B3238Doo 2005

  [Fic]—dc22

  2005009216

  Printed in the United States of America

  07 08 09 10 11 RRD 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  To the one true King,

  through whom all good things come:

  I bend my knee and await your command.

  CONTENTS

  PRINCIPAL CAST

  PRINCIPAL SETTINGS

  MAP

  CHAPTER 1 FROM NIGHTMARE TO NIGHTMARE

  CHAPTER 2 THE UNEXPECTED

  CHAPTER 3 TREASURES IN EARTHEN VESSELS

  CHAPTER 4 THE BETRAYAL

  CHAPTER 5 REALMS THAT LIE UNSEEN

  CHAPTER 6 FAIRY TALES

  CHAPTER 7 A NEW ALLY

  CHAPTER 8 THE DOOR WITHIN

  CHAPTER 9 STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND

  CHAPTER 10 THE GATE OF DESPAIR

  CHAPTER 11 PECULIAR COMPANY

  CHAPTER 12 THE TWELFTH KNIGHT

  CHAPTER 13 ARMED AND TERRIFIED

  CHAPTER 14 BASIC TRAINING

  CHAPTER 15 SON OF FURY

  CHAPTER 16 TRAITOR’S LEGACY

  CHAPTER 17 FATEFUL PLANS

  CHAPTER 18 INTO THE WILD

  CHAPTER 19 THE GRIMWALK

  CHAPTER 20 SHORTCUT

  CHAPTER 21 MITHEGARD

  CHAPTER 22 REVELATIONS

  CHAPTER 23 THE CURTAIN OF RED

  CHAPTER 24 THE SIEGE

  CHAPTER 25 THE BATTLE BEFORE THE SEVEN TOWERS

  CHAPTER 26 KNIGHTFALL

  CHAPTER 27 AIDAN’S CHOICE

  CHAPTER 28 FALON’S STAIR

  CHAPTER 29 NO SMALL FAVOR

  CHAPTER 30 THE PHANTOM ARMY

  CHAPTER 31 THE COST OF FREEDOM

  CHAPTER 32 THE KNIGHT OF THE DAWN

  CHAPTER 33 EARLY DEPARTURE

  CHAPTER 34 EYES THAT SEE

  EPILOGUE

  NEW THE LOST CHAPTERS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PRINCIPAL CAST

  AIDAN (AY-DEN) THOMAS

  When Aidan’s parents move the family to Colorado to take care of his wheelchair-bound grandfather (Grampin), the teenager discovers the Scrolls, which start him on an adventure of a lifetime.

  MR. THOMAS

  Aidan’s father.

  MRS. THOMAS

  Aidan’s mother.

  GRAMPIN

  Aidan’s grandfather on his father’s side.

  He is confined to a wheelchair.

  ROBBY PIERSON (PEER-SON)

  Aidan’s best friend in Maryland.

  ACSRIOT (AX-REE-AHT)

  Glimpse warrior, who often questions the judgment of others.

  BOLT & NOCK

  Twin Glimpse warriors, who are both very highly skilled archers.

  CAPTAIN VALITHOR (VAL-EH-THOR)

  The new Sentinel of Alleble, and the Captain of the Elder Guard.

  ELEAZAR (EL-EE-AY-ZAR)

  Glimpse warrior. He is an emissary for Alleble and

  is well versed in the Kingdom’s lore.

  FALON

  The elder of all mortiwraiths, who are enormous,

  venomous underground serpentine creatures.

  FARIX (FAIR-IX)

  Glimpse warrior, who does not wear armor.

  GWENNE

  Glimpse swordmaiden, who is Aidan’s guide.

  KALIAM (KAL-EE-UM)

  Glimpse warrior, who is also known as Pathfinder.

  KINDLE

  Glimpse armory keeper.

  KING ELIAM (EE-LEE-UM)

  The noble and wise monarch of Alleble, who invited Aidan to his kingdom.

  KING RAVELLE

  Ruler of Mithegard.

  LORD RUCIFEL (ROO-SI-FELL)

  Paragor’s Lieutenant, who wields two swords.

  MALLIK (MAL-ICK)

  Glimpse warrior, who wields a massive war hammer.

  MATTHIAS (MA-THI-AS)

  Glimpse warrior, who is very competitive.

  NOCK

  Glimpse warrior. See Bolt.

  PARAGAL (PAIR-A-GALL) / PARAGOR (PAIR-AH-GORE)

  The first Sentinel of Alleble, who now rules over Paragory.

  TAL

  Glimpse warrior, who likes to compete.

  PRINCIPAL SETTINGS

  THE REALM

  The world of Glimpses, once united with our world,

  was separated by The Schism.

  ALLEBLE (AL-EH-BULL)

  The first Kingdom of The Realm. After The Schism,

  Alleble remained the center of The Realm.

  PARAGORY (PAIR-AH-GOR-EE)

  A kingdom built by Paragor and his army.

  MITHEGARD (MYTH-GUARD)

  A kingdom in the northwestern part of The Realm.

  Adventures are

  funny things.

  They may creep out of holes,

  appear down a seldom

  trodden path,

  fall out of a tree, or even

  arrive in an envelope,

  but they always start

  the same way.

  Adventures always

  begin with

  the unexpected . . .

  1

  FROM NIGHTMARE

  TO NIGHTMARE

>   The first sword missed Aidan’s head by an inch. It slammed into the massive catapult’s wheel, stuck for a moment, and jerked free. In that breath of time, Aidan batted away the second sword and threw himself down the hill.

  This foe was beyond Aidan’s skill. His only chance was to get away, to escape with . . . Aidan looked down at the torn parchment in his hand. It was something important, this parchment, something of infinite value, the key to it all—only Aidan could not remember why it was so precious. He only knew that it was and that he must not let the enemy get it.

  As he ran, Aidan glanced over his shoulder. The knight in dark armor crashed down the hill, gaining rapidly. His cloak trailed behind him like a gray wing, and he swung his two swords in wide arcs, carving the wind. The blades came closer . . . and closer.

  Before Aidan could run another yard, the knight in dark armor fell upon him. Aidan turned, fended off a blow, then ran a few steps; turned again, sidestepped one blade, and barely blocked the other.

  “Where will you go?” rasped a voice that seemed to reach for Aidan. “Your kingdom is in ruin. Even your King has fled. All is lost!”

  The enemy’s taunts threatened to strangle the small hope that lingered in Aidan’s heart. But Aidan would not give in.

  Aidan blocked another savage blow from the enemy and slashed away his second blade. Again, Aidan lunged away from his foe.

  Suddenly, he saw his chance. Beyond the next hill a horse struggled, its reins tangled around its dead rider’s arm. Drawing from his final reserve of strength, Aidan charged up the hill and dove for the horse. It shrieked and staggered under the sudden weight but did not fall. Aidan swept his sword up and cut the tangled reins. He thrust the parchment under his breastplate and slapped the horse hard on its hindquarters.

  “Go!” Aidan screamed.

  The beast reared briefly but then surged ahead with such force that Aidan nearly fell. He could not reach what was left of the reins with his free hand, so he clutched the horse’s neck with all his might.

  Aidan looked back. The knight in dark armor was now far behind and had given up pursuit. Just as Aidan allowed himself a grim smile, something hit him—hard—in the back, knocking him off the horse. He heard a sharp snap and felt the air forced out of his lungs.

  He lay in a heap, his face to the ground. A dull pain throbbed in his right wrist. Dizzy, he spit dust and debris from his mouth, and looked up weakly from the ground. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an enormous black wing in the gray sky.

  Suddenly, Aidan was kneeling on a high stone platform. His sword was gone, and his hands were bound behind him. A pale warrior stood tall before him. His long gray hair was drawn back, and a thin black circlet—like a thin crown—rested above his strong brow and penetrating hazel eyes.

  When he spoke, a shrill ringing came to Aidan’s ears. The sound faded and he heard the warrior’s words. He was saying, “. . . make you the same offer I made your companions.” His voice sounded rich and kingly—above all else to be trusted. “In spite of my generosity, they chose the weaker path.”

  Aidan turned and saw two knights facedown beside him. They somehow seemed familiar, but they lay unnaturally still. And looming proudly over the bodies was the dark knight brandishing his twin blades.

  Aidan looked questioningly back to the warrior before him.

  “They have lost,” he said, clasping his hands before his chest. “But their loss is your gain. You will have all that was to be theirs and so much more.”

  The warrior seemed to grow. His presence intensified. And when he spread apart his hands, Aidan saw visions of grand towers, high thrones, and vaults of gold. It was all there for the asking, Aidan knew.

  “Look about you,” the warrior continued. “All that you have defended is lost. There is nothing left.”

  Aidan turned and saw desolation. Everywhere were fallen towers, rent walls, charred debris, and broken bodies. The sky was black, roiling with dark clouds and smoke from a thousand fires.

  “All you must do,” said the warrior, “is deny the one who abandoned you.”

  A profound wave of peace washed over Aidan, and he looked steadily into the eyes of the warrior. He spoke calmly. “I will never deny my King!”

  The dark knight came forward with his two swords, but his master held up a hand. “I’ll do it myself,” the warrior said. The warrior’s hazel eyes flickered red as he drew a long, dark sword and drove the blade through Aidan’s breastplate.

  “Uhnnn! Ah, ahhhhh!” Aidan screamed. He writhed on his bed and knocked his lamp off the table. It crashed to the ground and shattered, awakening Aidan. He shook violently, and his stomach churned. Something heaved inside him. Barely avoiding broken glass, he bolted to the hall bathroom and threw up. He collapsed and rested his head on the toilet seat.

  “Aidan?” came Grampin’s voice from the study downstairs. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes!” Aidan lifted his head and managed a hoarse yell. “I’m fine!”

  Aidan shook his head despondently and let it thud down on the seat. The dream had been horrible, but waking up to find that his family had actually moved across the country—to Aidan, that was the real nightmare.

  2

  THE UNEXPECTED

  Grampin told me you had another one of those dreams,” Aidan’s dad said. He tentatively put his hand on his son’s shoulder and gave a firm, reassuring squeeze. Aidan shrugged it off as if it were a wasp.

  Mr. Thomas grimaced, exhaled, and ran a hand through his gray-streaked hair. Silence hung like a cloud between father and son.

  Nearby, Aidan’s mom stood with her head at a slight tilt and her hands on her hips as if to say, I told you so.

  Mr. Thomas looked away and sighed. He started to leave the dining room, but spun around and quickly pulled up a chair next to his teenage son, who was sitting stiffly at the table.

  “How long are you going to keep this up?” he asked.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Aidan replied. He looked away.

  “Look, it’s been two weeks, son, and—”

  “Yeah, two weeks and I still hate it here.”

  “I know it was kind of sudden—”

  “Kind of?” Aidan interrupted. “One week into summer vacation and you say, ‘Oh, uh . . . , by the way, Aidan, we’re moving halfway across the country in two weeks.’ That’s more than a little sudden. You didn’t even ask if I cared.”

  “We’ve been through this before,” Aidan’s dad said, his face reddening. “You know we didn’t have a choice. Grampin needs our help. This is where he spent his whole life, and we can’t just force him into an assisted living facility.”

  Aidan shrugged. He’d heard this song before.

  “Besides,” his father continued, “Riddick and Dunn has an office out here, and it was easy for Mom to get a teaching position, with her credentials.”

  “So it was convenient for everyone but me.”

  Mr. Thomas turned his head and frowned. “Listen, we left friends behind in Maryland too, you know.”

  That was it. Aidan sprang up and rushed from the dining room. He banged up the stairs in an angry fog, slammed the door to his room, and dove onto his bed.

  Aidan faced his bedside table. The twelve medieval figurines— the pewter knights, dragons, and unicorns—were, as always, still, quiet, and ready to listen.

  “Y’know what?” he said to them. “They don’t have a clue what it’s like leaving a friend behind. I bet they won’t have any trouble at all finding people to play Bridge with.”

  None of the small medieval beings replied. They were good that way. They didn’t offer advice. They didn’t lecture. They simply listened.

  “I mean, how am I supposed to survive high school when my only real friend is a thousand miles from here?” Aidan glowered at the fantasy figures and shook his head. There was no way he’d ever find a friend like Robby again.

  Robby Pierson and his family had moved from Florida to a house in Maryland a block away from
Aidan. The two boys had met in school, had homeroom together and lockers side by side, and everything changed for Aidan. Until that time, Aidan had been known to the kids in the neighborhood and at school as the overweight weirdo who sat around all day drawing castles and spacecraft. Then Robby showed up. He was tall and muscular and had huge green eyes, long blond hair, and an earring. And given his good looks and ability to play every sport better than everyone else, he was instantly crowned “so cool” by everyone—even the juniors and seniors!

  For reasons Aidan still didn’t understand, Robby had decided to become his best friend. They hung out between classes, after school, and sometimes had PlayStation sleepovers on the weekends.

  It was as if coolness were a magical golden powder that could rub off on Aidan just by standing in Robby’s shadow. Because of Robby, the most popular kids in the school paid attention to Aidan. They all seemed to think, If Robby Pierson thinks he’s cool, then he must be cool. It was, after all, a large shadow, and Aidan liked it there. He didn’t have to worry about being picked on, and better still, he never had to think about what to do in certain situations—Robby always knew what to do.

  “Looks like it’s back to being the oddball again!” Aidan’s anger surged to the point that he was tempted to smack the little medieval figurines right off the table, but he’d already destroyed a lamp. So he hit his pillow as hard as he could and then threw it at his bedroom door.

  Aidan suddenly sat very still on the edge of his bed. He had the most intense feeling that someone was outside his bedroom window watching him. He felt frozen in time, unable at first to summon the courage to turn around.

  This is stupid, he thought. I mean, who could be at my window?I’m on the second floor, and there’s nothing out there to stand on . . .except, maybe one of the pines.

  Aidan spun around and looked out the window. The front yard was full of tall evergreens, but the biggest one was rocking severely back and forth.

  . . . like something was in there! The thought leaped into Aidan’s mind, and he pressed his face up against the glass.

  Aidan looked left, right, up, down. At first he didn’t see anything. But then, up the road that ran in front of his house, there was a shadow. It was wide, spanning the road at times, and it was moving fast. That’s what caught Aidan’s eye. And even through the glass, Aidan heard a peculiar swooshing sound. Aidan looked up in the sky. Nothing there.