Lloyd Alexander Chronicles of Prydain 04 Taran Wanderer

[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

might take it amiss."
Indeed, as Dorath spoke, an ugly grumble rose from the band, and
Taran saw some of the warriors finger their swords. He stood uncertain, though
well aware of the bard's discomfort. Dorath watched him closely. Two of the
men had drifted quietly to the horse lines, and Taran could imagine that in
the shadows they were easing their weapons from their sheaths.
"So be it," Taran said, looking Dorath squarely between the eyes.
"We welcome your hospitality for the night, and tomorrow we take leave of you.
Dorath grinned. "There will be time to speak of that again. Sleep
well."
"Sleep well?" muttered Fflewddur as they wrapped themselves in their
cloaks and uneasily stretched out on the ground. "Great Belin, I'll not sleep
a wink. I never liked the Hill Cantrevs and this is one reason more for liking
them less." He. glanced around him. Dorath had flung himself down near the
fire; undoubtedly following his leader's order, the man named Gloff lay close
by the companions. "I know of such roaming war bands," Fflewddur went on in a
hushed voice. "Ruffians and looters, all of them. The cantrev lord who hires
their swords to fight his neighbor soon finds them at his own throat. Dorath
protect us from dangers? The worst danger is Dorath himself!"
"He's sure we're after treasure," Taran whispered. "It's in his mind
and he'll not believe otherwise. Lucky it is, in a way," he added ruefully.
"As long as he thinks we can lead, him to gold or jewels he won't kill us out
of hand."
"Perhaps so, perhaps not," answered Fflewddur. "He may not cut our
throats, but he might just as well decide to--- ah--- shall we say persuade us
to tell him where the treasure is, and I fear he'd do considerably more than
tweak our toes."
"I'm not sure," Taran replied: "If he meant to torture us, I think
he'd have tried before this. He's put us in a tight corner and we dare not let
him travel with us. Still, I don't believe Dorath is all that sure of himself.
We're only three against a dozen, but don't forget Llyan. If it comes to a
fight, Dorath has an excellent chance of killing us all. Yet I think he's
shrewd enough to see it would cost him too dearly, perhaps most of his band
and himself as well. I doubt he'll risk it unless he has to."
Page 87
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"I hope you're right," sighed the bard. "I'd rather not stay to find
out. I'd sooner spend the night in a nest of serpents. We must get free of
these villains! But how?"
Taran frowned and bit his lip. "Eilonwy's horn," he began.
"Yes, yes!" whispered Gurgi. "Oh, yes, magic horn of tootings and
hootings! Help comes with rescuings! Sound it, wise master!"
"Eilonwy's horn," Taran said slowly. "Yes, that was first in my
thoughts. Must I use it now? It's a precious gift, too precious to waste. If
all else fails..." He shook his head. "Before I sound it let us try with our
own strength. Sleep now," he urged. "Rest as much as you can. Before first
light Gurgi can go silently to the horse lines and cut the tethers of all
Dorath's steeds while Fflewddur and I try to stun the guards. Frighten the
mounts, scatter them in all directions. Then..."
"We ride for dear life!" put in Fflewddur. He nodded. "Good. It's
our best chance. Without blowing that horn of yours, I daresay it's our only
chance. Dorath!" he added, cradling his harp fondly in his arms. "My tunes
jangle indeed! My harp a crooked pot! That ruffian has neither ears nor eyes!
A Fflam is forebearing, but when he insults my harp Dorath goes too far.
Though, alas," Fflewddur admitted, "I've heard the same opinion from a few
others."
While Gurgi and Fflewddur drowsed fitfully, Taran stayed wakeful and
uneasy. The campfire burned to embers. He heard the heavy breathing of
Dorath's men. Gloff sprawled motionless, snoring atrociously. For a little
time Taran closed his eyes. Had he chosen wrongly by not sounding the battle
horn? He knew, painfully, that three lives hung in the balance. Doli had
warned him not to squander the gift. But was the gamble too great? Should the
gift be spent now, when its need was clearest? These thoughts pressed upon him
heavier than the moonless night.
As the black sky began to show the first pale traces of gray, Taran
silently roused Gurgi and the bard. Cautiously they made their way to the
tethered steeds. Taran's heart leaped with hope. The two guards were sleeping
soundly, their swords across their knees. He turned, meaning to help Gurgi cut
the lines. The dark bole of an oak tree loomed, and he clung to the safety of
its shadow.
A booted leg thrust out to bar Taran's way. Dorath was leaning
against the tree, a dagger in his hand.
Page 88
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Chapter 12
The Wager
"WHAT, ARE YOU SO IMPATIENT to be gone, Lord Swineherd?" said
Dorath, an edge of mockery in his tone. The dagger twirled in his hands and he
clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Without a farewell? Without a word of
thanks?" He shook his head. "This is grave discourtesy to me and to my men.
Their feelings are tender. I fear you've deeply wounded them."
The men of Dorath's Company had begun to stir. In a moment of panic
Taran glanced at Fflewddur and Gurgi. Gloff had climbed to his feet and held
his sword lightly, almost carelessly. Taran knew the man could bring up the
blade in a flash before his own weapon left its sheath. Taran's eyes darted to
the horse lines. Another of Dorath's band had drifted close by the steeds,
where he stood idly paring his nails with the point of a hunting knife. Taran
gestured for the companions to make no move.
Dorath straightened. His eyes were cold. "Truly, do you mean to part
with us? Even warned of the dangers in the hills?" He shrugged. "Never say
Dorath forces hospitality on unwilling guests. Go, if that's in your head.
Seek your treasure and a speedy journey to you."
"We meant you no discourtesy," Taran answered. "Bear us no ill will,
for we bear you none. Farewell to you and your Company."
Much relieved, he beckoned Gurgi and the bard and turned away.
Page 89
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Dorath's hand gripped his shoulder. "How then!" Dorath cried, "will
you go your way without settling the small matter between us?"
Taran halted, surprised, as Dorath went on.
"Why, there is payment to be reckoned, Lord Swineherd. Will you
cheat me of my fee? We are poor men, Lord; too poor to give where we do not
receive."
The warriors laughed harshly. Dorath's heavy face had twisted into a
leering humility, which Taran found all the more fearsome by its falsity, and
the man cried out in an accusing, begging tone, "You have eaten our meat and
drunk our wine. All night you slept safely under our protection. Is this worth
nothing to you?"
Taran stared at him in astonishment and sudden alarm. Dorath's men
had come to gather near their leader. Gurgi edged closer to Taran.
"Protection!" Fflewddur muttered under his breath. "Who'll protect us from
Dorath? Protection? Great Belin, I'd call it robbery!"
"And there is more, Lord Swineherd," Dorath quickly continued. "The
matter of payment for guiding you to the Lake of Llunet. It is no light
journey for my Company; the paths are long and harsh..."
Taran faced the man squarely. "You have given us food, drink, and
shelter," he said, his thoughts racing to seek escape from Dorath's trap. "We
will pay their worth. As for your protection on our journey, we neither ask it
nor want it." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Linki