Part 59 (2/2)

'He is a Lord of Horses,' laughed Nevian, 'and is not yet ready to come quietly to the bridle.'

Star snorted and pushed her foal deeper among the Warhorses, scolding him for being so savage. Turning she trotted quickly back to Willow and stood quietly while he mounted her.

Nevian picked up the heavy metal stone searcher that Willow had dropped on to the Greenway when he first; greeted Star and placed it in his hands. 'Far sight tells me that you must carry the stone searcher to the City of Night.

Beyond that I can see nothing but darkness.'

'Lord, what of my people now that the Granite City is rebuilt?'

268.

iAn,

Nevian smiled, casting back the rainbow cloak. 'The city is theirs until a new King comes to claim it, but you must turn your mind to the road to World's End or there will be no more Kings. Ride hard and fast to reach the City of Night before Thane enters the darkness.'

'Where shall we meet? Mantern's Mountain is a rambling wilderness that almost touches the stars,' cried Willow. Star pawed at the Greenway, neighed fiercely and sprang forward.

'I know not,' Nevian shouted against the thunder of her hooves. 'But Evening Star was once a great relay horse and knows all the secret ways to World's End. Give her her head, she will find the way!'

Willow waved his hand in salute to Nevian and then wound it tightly into Star's mane and clung on for all he was worth as they left the Greenway and cantered into a long avenue of young sapling trees. The sun flashed and flickered behind the trees and he laughed, remembering a dream from long ago when he lay, a prisoner in the City of Night, and he had watched the sunlight behind a forest of shafts. And he galloped forward to this dream.

269.

Gla.s.s Arrow Blades

Thane awoke to the b.u.mping clatter of the rough-made stretcher and looked out at the grey gra.s.ses bent beneath the.

pouring rain. He s.h.i.+vered, trying to remember what had; happened as he twisted his head to see who was pulling him along. 'Kyot!' he shouted, looking past Sprint's rain-soaked flank up at his friend's shoulder where a quiver of featherflighted arrows swung from side to side.

Kyot heard Thane's weak cry and eased Sprint to a halt.

He dismounted and knelt beside the stretcher, a frown o worry creased his forehead as he tucked his cloak more firmly i around Thane's s.h.i.+vering body.

'Where is Stumble?' Thane asked in a broken whisper, trying to shake the raindrops from his eyes, 'Where are you taking me trussed up like a prisoner?'

Kyot laughed softly, 'I'd let you walk if you could stand bu you are fevered, bird thin and near to starvation. Lie easy on the stretcher until we get to Clatterford. Eventine has gon before us to warn theme and then you will be hot-fed and a

warm fire will dry out your rain-soaked bones.' ,

'But Stumble . . .' Thane worried. ~

Kyot pointed back into the trampled gra.s.ses along the two broad lines the stretcher had left. 'He is following our treacle at his own pace. He is as weak as you after the ordeal in the marsh gully but the Border Runners are guarding him an they will keep him safe.'

Thane struggled against the bindings that held him to the

stretcher. 'Krulshards has Elionbel. I must follow him, I must.'

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