[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.The sky darkened, the air felt charged.Nick turned and foundhimself looking up into the single emerald eye of the witch. You look lost, child, she said, her smile revealing long, green teeth.Chapter SeventeenHavenTanngnost was waiting for Peter at Red Rock.The old troll pushed himself upto his feet and strode quickly forward, his face anxious. Well? he asked. Well, tell me.Quickly, boy.Tell me.How did it go? Peter brushed past him, searching the small plateau. They re not here? Who? Tanngnost asked. They should ve been here by now.They should ve beaten us back. Peter, tell me what happened? Peter stopped.He clutched the troll by the arm, his golden eyes full of fire.Page 143 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html We won the day, Tanngnost! Such glory.If only you could ve seen it.We cutthem down.Dumped their oil and burned them alive! A devilish grin litPeter s face. Their screams& such a sweet sound.This day goes to the Lady. Peter s smile fell away. But there are still Devils unaccounted for. Heturned away from Tanngnost. Spread out, he shouted. Keep your eyes and earssharp. Devils and elves spread about the rocks while Peter paced restlessly from oneledge to the next, scanning the tree lines for any sign of Sekeu and her smallband.What s taking them so long? he wondered and watched the black smokebillowing upward into the gray clouds.Such a victory, he thought, still notbelieving they d driven the Flesh-eaters back.Peter looked at his old friendDrael.And the elves, they d come.Had fought under my lead.We ll not stop.We ll strike again this very night.Raid their fort.Keep at them until everyone of them is dead. We got trouble! Huck called, pulling his sword out.Peter dashed over to where Huck leaned out over a steep ledge, the Devils andelves quickly joining them.There, coming around the bend, a host of barghestmarched out of the trees, heading right toward them.Barghest, here? Peterwondered.That makes no sense.Then he saw the three girls. Witches, Peterhissed and drew his own sword. If they want trouble, then trouble they willget! Wait, Tanngnost said. There, Redbone, and Peter looked again.Between the trees he saw Nick, then Leroy and Redbone.They were carrying Sekeu and there was no missing the blood-soaked clothwrapped around her leg, nor the way her head lolled listlessly from side toside.No, he thought.Not Sekeu.Not after all we ve been through.Peter putaway his sword, leaped down the rocks, and raced toward them.He ran rightpast the barghest without so much as a glance.He reached Sekeu and stopped.Leroy and Redbone laid her limp form gently to the ground.She s so pale.Peter glanced at Redbone. How bad? Redbone looked at pains to answer, but only shook his head. She s dying, one of the sisters said. Yes, we can smell her death.Won t be long now, the second added. Poor little dear, the third put in dryly while twirling a strand of her longwhite hair about her finger.Peter dropped down to Sekeu, clasping her hand in his.He looked at the wound.So much blood.He touched her cheek with his fingers and her eyes flutteredopen. Sekeu, Peter said. Hey, hang on. Abraham, she said in a weak whisper.Peter realized Abraham wasn t with them. He fought bravely& saved me, she said. Nick too& he stood with me. Peter could see it took great effort for Sekeu to talk. Shhh, he said andtouched her lips.Sekeu closed her eyes.Hot tears blurred Peter s vision.Tanngnost came up and knelt next to Peter.He looked Sekeu over. Help her, Peter pleaded. Do something.You have ways.Your potions.Yourmedicines.Do something. The old troll shook his head. She s lost too much blood, Peter.There snothing to be done. Everyone fell quiet. Yes there is, Peter said, his voice resolute. There s something to be done.Most certainly. He took Sekeu in his arms and stood. The Lady.The Lady cansave her. WE VE BEEN SEEN, Drael said, pointing to the green faeries zipping away intothe Lady s Wood. Peter, Tanngnost said as they crossed Cusith Creek and entered the forest. This is folly.You know it is. Folly, echoed one of the girls.Page 144 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Death and dismemberment for all, added the next. A jolly good time, said the third.Peter ignored them, hugging Sekeu tightly to his chest and marching steadilyonward.Tanngnost looked behind at the line of Devils, elves, witches, and barghest.Quite the parade, he thought.Not since the Horned One had such a host marchedtogether.He couldn t help but admire Peter s ability to bring these longtimebitter enemies together.But nothing good could come out of entering theLady s Wood with such a host.Tanngnost pushed up to Peter, spoke low, so as not to be overheard. Peter,Ulfger will try and kill you this time.You know this.Please, Peter, for thesake of Avalon, reconsider. But one look at Peter s hard, stubborn face toldTanngnost he was wasting his breath.When Peter sets his mind to a thing,Tanngnost thought, far be it from reason to stop him. Even if you could seethe Lady, Tanngnost went on, she s too weak to help.It has been too manyyears since Peter halted.They all did.Ulfger stood blocking the path, flanked by fifteenheavily armed elves.Ulfger wore his full battle gear: fine leather mail hungin jagged rows beneath a chest plate of dark steel, armored gloves ran up hisforearms, thigh-length boots, and a cape of bear fur draped across oneshoulder.Ulfger hefted a battle ax and glared at Drael and the rogue elves. Yourtreachery has cost you your place.You re to leave at once and never step footin these woods again. Then Ulfger set his dark, brooding eyes on Peter. Child thief, I ve no such mercy for you.My patience for your games is at anend.I gave you clear warning.Your sentence is death. Peter gently lowered Sekeu to the ground, stood, and took a step forward.Hedidn t look at Ulfger; instead he addressed the elf guards flanking the giantman. Today, Peter said, speaking loudly, this group of kids you snub your nosesat came together with your kin, and with the witch s brood.Together theystood against the Flesh-eaters.Together they cut them down, burned themalive, reminded them that Avalon still has teeth! Their bravery, their blood,their lives have won Avalon this day and maybe many more. Peter set hisunrelenting glare on each elf
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
