Part 39 (1/2)

Kyot followed the stream and turned down an avenue of tall yew trees; he came to the ford and heard a roar and thunder of two waterfalls that guarded the dark entrance to the lawns.

Covering his ears against the noise he- crossed, nimbly jumping from stone to stone, and stepped up on to the close-mown gra.s.s. The peac.o.c.ks shrieked in warning and,

shaking out their feathers into brilliant glowing patterns, they watched his every step as they flanked him in escort to the doors of Clatterford.

Kyot reached out a hand and touched the wall beside the doors, running his fingertips across the smooth transparent crystal. He bent down and stared in wonder at the gla.s.s, forgetting the impatient peac.o.c.ks on either side and Fairday, the Master of Clatterford, waiting a few paces further on.

A hand on his shoulder made him jump and turn in confusion to face his journey's end. 'Lord,' he cried, falling on to his knees. 'My father bid me bring you grave news. I was to tell you that the Nightmare, Krulshards, is once more loose in Elundium and that I need new arrow-heads to pierce the darkness.'

Fairday smiled down at Kyot and reaching out, he took hold of his hands and turned them over. 'You have the hands of an Archer and, I am sure, the heart to match them. But why do you seek these arrow blades?'

Kyot looked up, his eyes clouding with anger. 'The Nightmare tortured my father to death and took his hands. I seek the Nightbeast, Krulshards, in revenge.'

Fairday laughed with a sound of silver touching crystal and pulled Kyot to his feet. 'There are no gla.s.s arrows for revenge. Steel is a better blade for that. Steel is hard, cold and

unfeeling.'

'Steel will not enter the malice the Nightmare wears, only light trapped in the gla.s.s can harm him. Nevian taught me that on the night my father died.'

Fairday turned and took Kyot's hand and led him into the gardens. 'I would load your quiver to overflowing to fight against the Nightmare but not one spine or blade will I give you to use in revenge.' Stopping, he turned sharply and

looked deeply into Kyot's eyes. 'Archer does not want your revenge. He would curse you for it. He chose to stand against the Nightmare and keep pure his pledge. He sent you to carry his burden, not to add to it.'

Kyot frowned. 'What was his burden?'

'To guard the daylight, thatwas his burden, just as itwas every Wayhouse Keeper's task. But the Tower on Stumble Hill stands at the great crossroads and is the first Wayhouse against the darkness, chat is why Nevian gave your father the Bow of Orm and one quiver of gla.s.s-bladed arrows from my forge. Now all the arrows are spent, chat is why your father sent you, full grown, to stand in his place, clear-eyed against the darkness. He would not have wanted this revenge chat you carry.'

Fairday laughed. 'Come, my young warrior. Eat, drink and rest away your troubles. We will talk more on this at supper time and clear your heart for the task ahead.'

He clapped his hands and summoned the white-robed servers out on to the lawn. 'Tend to your guest,' he commanded. '

Give him everything he desires for he is Kyotorm, the new Keeper of the Tower at Stumble Hill.'

Kyot turned and stared at the Crystal Maker. 'How do you know my name and where I come from?'

Fairday smiled, 'It was foretold long ago chat the Bow of Orm would one daylight come to Clatterford and long have I waited. The Nightmare thought he took the hands of the greatest Archer in all Elundium, but malice and hatred blinded his purpose. Kyot, you are the best Archer in all Elundium, full grown beyond your father's power, and I knew you long before you crossed into Clatterford. With the first rumour of Nightbeasts abroad the watchers have brought me much news.'

'So you knew of my journey and still you let me wander helplessly in the gra.s.slands?' whispered Kyot.

Fairday smiled, looking past Kyot to a slender figure that stood, cloak-wrapped, between the flowered walkways. Raising his arm the Crystal Maker gendy turned Kyot round.

'Eventine, my daughter. She has watched over your long journey and brought me news of your coming. You wandered no further than to lay a crooked path should the Nightbeasts follow you.'

180.

'Eventine!' Kyot whispered, dazzled by her beauty. Crossing the lawn to her he said, 'Twice you saved my life from the Nightbeasts and I thank you for it.' Taking her hands into his he kissed them, feeling her cool slender fingers against his lips.

Frowning, she pulled away from him and stood a moment, her eyelashes fluttering against her tanned cheeks. 'There is darkness in your heart, Kyot, a hatred chat feeds on revenge.

It is a shadow chat comes between us.'

'But Eventine,' he cried, looking into her gentle eyes, 'I owe you my life, surely I can thank you for chat?'