The Lord of Obsidian [Quest for Earthlight Trilogy Book 2] Page 20

  As soon as he surfaced he saw Jamie and John. They had reached the bank and were doing on-the-spot exercises to try to get warm. Quickly Peter struck out for the shore. I'd better get Jamie and John warm and dry quickly, he thought, reaching out in his memory for the spell. Then he heard the voice of one of the stars telling him the words. He stopped swimming and trod water, gasping out the spell and stretching out the tips of his fingers towards his friends.

  Back on shore, Jamie and John could hardly believe it when their clothes—even their pullovers—suddenly became dry and they started glowing with the warmth generated by their exercising. Impatiently they waited for Peter.

  Peter flung himself on the bank, gasping and panting. Jamie and John rushed to help him and were astonished to see that he was already dry.

  "What happened?” Jamie demanded. “Was it you who banished the monster in that great spout of water?"

  "Let me get my breath back!” Peter pleaded as Jamie impatiently helped him on with the clothes he had discarded. By the time Peter had donned the short padded jacket that he usually referred to as a coat the three of them looked as though they had never been in the water.

  As Peter sat down on the bank to pull on his shoes and socks, he gave his friends a brief outline of what had happened.

  "I'm sorry the boat overturned. It couldn't be helped.” He stood up. “Do I look all right?” And he examined the twins critically.

  Jamie looked him over briefly. “You'll do."

  "I don't look pale or anything?"

  Jamie laughed. “No one who doesn't know will guess what you've been through."

  This gave Peter pause for thought. His face turned grim. “I've nearly been killed twice this morning. Some people say disasters happen in threes. Is Sujad the Great planning some other way to kill me?” At the look of horror on the twins’ faces, Peter bit his tongue. He shrugged with studied casualness. “Oh, come off it. That's all superstition. You don't really believe it do you?"

  "No,” said Jamie seriously. “But I do believe Sujad intends to kill you. And if he doesn't succeed he'll just keep trying."

  "You've forgotten: in putting the statue in the lake Sujad unwittingly did what the Earthlight wanted. The Lady's power will be equal to the struggle this time—and so will Merlin's—and the Earthlight will win.” Then abruptly he changed the subject. “Are we going riding this afternoon?"

  "Well, why not?” quiet John said with a small shrug. “We can't stay in the house under Susan's feet. She's too sharp by half. You and Jamie are having enough trouble lulling her into believing you're just ordinary boys, but I'm the worst liar in the world."

  "Hey! Are you calling me a liar?” Jamie demanded with assumed indignation, feigning a punch at John's jaw.

  John grinned and ducked, throwing a punch into the air in return. “You've always been better at thinking up stories to get us out of trouble."

  "Well, I have to admit I've saved you a few times from mum's wrath,” Jamie said with a slight air of smugness. He assumed a hurt attitude. “Fat lot of thanks I get, though—calling me a liar."

  By this time they had reached the back of the house. Peter was about to suggest rechecking their appearances when he saw Susan looking through the kitchen windows. She might think it odd if she saw them suddenly switch from larking around to examining the state of their clothing. Well, I suppose it's best if she sees us fooling around like ordinary kids. She won't have the foggiest idea what we've been up to.

  "Lunch is almost ready,” Susan greeted them as they trudged inside, all feeling self-conscious. “I expect you're hungry again. It'll be on the table by the time you've washed your hands. Bart will be in for his later—it's a bit early for him yet.” She paused a moment for breath. “Did you have a nice walk?"

  "Yes, thanks,” Jamie and John replied in breathless chorus. Peter just smiled at her, all too aware of her critical gaze.

  He was disappointed to learn Bart wouldn't be joining them. As he led the way upstairs to the bathroom, he reached out with his mind over the fields and forest to find Bart, using the Earthlight's form of telepathy. “I wish you'd come in early for lunch, Bart. I've got so much to tell you."

  "I'm coming as fast as I can,” Bart's voice spoke into his mind after a few moments. “I've been just as busy as you, you know, but without all the excitement you've had."

  "Excitement I can well do without!"

  Bart chuckled “You sound just like Merlin when he's completed an arduous and dangerous task."

  "That's probably because I have. I'll tell you about it when you come."

  "No need. I already know.” There was pause, during which Peter, Jamie and John finished washing their hands and trooped back downstairs. As they took their places at the table, Bart spoke to Peter again. “You probably think now and then that the Earthlight has been rather callous in allowing you to face the type of danger you've been in."

  "No,” Peter said, genuinely surprised. “I've always expected to do my share of the dangerous work."

  "You're actually getting more than we bargained for. The Earthlight and all the older Chosen Ones are very concerned at the amount of danger you three—and especially you, Peter—have been exposed to—and the fact that we've not been able to afford you the protection intended."

  Peter shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He took another spoonful of soup and said the first thing that came into his head, to close the conversation. “This is delicious. It's different from the one we had yesterday."

  It was only when Susan beamed at him from across the table that he realised he had spoken aloud. “I'm glad you like it. There's plenty of yesterday's left but we'll have that another day. Bart's very fond of soup, but he doesn't like the same one every day."

  "He'll be here in a minute,” Peter said without thinking and added hastily to cover his slip, “We saw him on our way back. He said he'd be about ten minutes."

  Within the minute they heard footsteps approaching the door and Bart grunting as he pulled off his boots before coming inside, bringing a brief gust of cool air with him.

  "Something smells good,” he said by way of greeting before washing his hands at the sink and taking his seat. “I have to admit, much as I love the smell of a pine forest, there's still nothing like the smell from a farmhouse kitchen—especially Susan's."

  "It makes a change having others to cook for in winter,” Susan said. She looked at the three boys, all busy drinking their soup and munching on fresh crusty bread. “Most of our guests come in the summertime so I get a bit bored in the winter with only myself and Bart to cook for."

  "Any room for a guest right now?” a voice said with a chuckle.

  Five heads jerked in the direction of the door that had admitted Bart barely a minute ago. No one had heard either the crunch of approaching footsteps or the opening of the door, and no one had felt the draught as they had with Bart's entry.

  "Merlin!” Peter cried—fortunately in mind-speech. “Boy! Am I glad to see you!"

  Merlin's face was all smiles as Susan hastened to prepare a place for him at the table. While Susan clearly noticed only her visitor's genuine pleasure in being with her and her young guests, Peter saw behind the smile to the lines of fatigue stamped on his uncle's face, making him appear older than he was. And the voice that answered Peter made his spirits plummet. It was grim and exhausted.

  "I wish I could return the compliment, Peter. I would rather be with the Lady. gathering as much power as we can for the next onslaught. Now that we've tricked Sujad into throwing the statue into the lake so that we could put it in a place of power and use its power to help us, we stand a chance of winning. But Sujad the Great is gathering all his forces and will strike at any time now, but when and where I don't know."

  "Is there anything I can do?"

  "We haven't been able to find out what he's planning,” Merlin said tersely as he took his place at the table, briefly smiling his thanks to Susan. “Unless we can find out quickly..."

 
; He left the sentence unfinished and tackled his meal with gusto.

  My goodness—he's famished! He probably hasn't eaten since the last time he was here, Peter thought as he watched the sorcerer tearing into a generously buttered hunk of crusty bread.

  "Is it all right to go riding this afternoon or should we stay around in case we're needed?” he asked after Merlin seemed to have satisfied the worst of his hunger pangs.

  "I think you should act normally. I don't see what good it can do for you to hang around the house—especially on such a nice afternoon."

  Merlin's ravenous appetite hadn't escaped Susan's notice. “Would you like some more soup?"

  Merlin gave her a fleeting smile. “Please. But I'll serve myself if that's all right—I've disturbed your lunch enough as it is.” He picked up his bowl and rose before Susan could protest. “I haven't enjoyed a meal so much for a long time. I had a rather scrappy dinner yesterday and no breakfast at all this morning."

  Peter found himself thinking involuntarily, And it was probably the same yesterday.

  "It'll need heating up,” Susan warned him.

  "I think I can just about manage that,” Merlin said with his brief dry chuckle. “Anyone else want more?” One by one they all decided to join him, so he switched on the element and watched the cauldron come to the boil, stirring it occasionally to stop the thick soup burning.

  While Merlin filled all their bowls from the big cauldron, Susan turned back to the others. Her gaze went from her husband to the three boys. They're all trying to look as though they've got nothing more on their minds than enjoying a good lunch, but there's a tension in the air. They're like people waiting for a particularly nasty thunderstorm; only it's worse—as though something dreadful is going to happen and they're all part of it.

  Bart, in the meantime, was very much aware of what Susan was thinking. He chuckled inwardly. Well, I can't have it both ways. I married her partly because she's sensitive, sharp-eyed and quick-witted so I must put up with it even when it's not convenient. He watched Merlin filling his soup bowl as though it was the only thing that interested him at the moment, aware that the sorcerer's mind was firmly fixed on his.

  "Shall I put her out of her misery?” The dry chuckle was evident even in Merlin's mind-voice.

  Bart looked at him quickly. “Can you? How?"

  Merlin placed the bowl in front of Bart with exaggerated care. Then he turned abruptly to Susan, extending his hand towards her with forefinger pointing. He looked down the length of his arm at her astonished face and said, “You will forget any uneasiness you have detected in this room and will cease to be conscious of any underlying tensions on this property."

  "Will you boys be riding this afternoon?” Susan asked brightly as Merlin dropped his arm and returned to the stove, where he filled his own bowl.

  Merlin spoke before the boys could answer. “It's a nice afternoon and I think the horses would appreciate it. Leave Dreyfus with me. I fancy a long walk in the sort of company that doesn't want me to talk."

  "I'm sorry there's not a lot to do in the winter,” Susan said apologetically. “In the summer our guests are able to go swimming, rowing, sailing—and even fishing—on the lake. With the exception of the birds, they have the lake to themselves."

  "I wouldn't mind doing some fishing some time,” Peter said eagerly, “but I haven't seen any boats."

  "They get put away for the winter,” Bart said. “But when I've got a bit of time I'll teach you trout fishing."

  "Where are the boats?” Peter asked curiously.

  "In the barn with the hay for the horses.” Bart chuckled. “Don't get ideas. They're all very modest. There's a sort of sailing dinghy, a dinghy with oars, a canoe and a few sailboards. We prefer not to have any motorboats. We'd like to build a proper boathouse but somehow we never seem to get the time. If we expand the stables, however, we'll have to build one because we won't have enough room for all the hay we'll need."

  * * * *

  "I DON'T know about you, but I feel guilty spending the afternoon enjoying myself, leaving Merlin and Bart to hold the fort by themselves as it were. Merlin talked of going for a walk, but whatever he's up to it isn't for pleasure.” As he spoke Peter crested the top of the hill and brought Argent to a halt. Then he forgot everything in the delights of the scene spread out below. “Oh, look! There's the lake. It's really quite big considering the size of the property. And that must be the barn Bart mentioned—right next to the stables.” He pointed to a large building not far from the lake but well hidden from it by evergreen trees.

  "It's probably crammed so full with hay we couldn't get the boats out even if we wanted to,” Jamie said.

  Peter hardly heard him. He was staring into space and his next words indicated how removed from boats his mind had suddenly become. “I wonder how far away from the lake the limestone cave is.” He spoke softly, as though thinking aloud. “It must be somewhere under Bart's land to have the power it possesses."

  Jamie looked around uneasily, peering suspiciously at any place likely to afford cover to an eavesdropper. “Should we be talking about it?"

  "Probably not. It must remain a secret from everybody. Such a find so close to Auckland is bound to cause a big stir. The last thing the Earthlight wants is tourists tramping through what's obviously a sacred place.” Peter sighed. “I have an uneasy feeling we shouldn't have come out riding—that it would have been best if we'd stayed at the house."

  "But Merlin was right. It would have looked awfully suspicious,” Jamie said.

  An idea came to John out of the blue. “It's going to look just as suspicious if we don't behave like normal boys. Why don't we pretend to be jockeys? I'm sure we could find a suitable field or paddock to race on."

  Peter and Jamie looked at him in surprise.

  "What a good idea!” Jamie exclaimed. “There's gray matter in that head after all!"

  "Is it fair to pit a pony against two horses?” Peter objected mildly.

  "They're mares, not strapping great stallions,” Jamie scoffed. “And they're both quite small. I think we're fairly evenly matched. We're more experienced riders than you, but you've got a better mount."

  "That's true. Okay, then, let's find somewhere to race.” Peter turned in the saddle and pointed. “There are some empty fields over there. Let's go and have a look."

  They turned their horses in the direction Peter had been pointing and cantered down the hill. One of the fields—fortunately the longest—was perfect for their purpose for it had recently been grazed. The boys mapped out the course as best they could and remounted their horses.

  "One—two—three—go!” Peter cried.

  Peter easily won the initial race. It was the first time he had voluntarily ridden faster than an easy canter.

  "Told you, you had a better mount,” Jamie said triumphantly. Neither he nor John was in the least put out by Peter's win.

  Jamie called “go” for the second race and the horses shot away. The mares were now getting into their stride. Manes flying, they ran as fast as they could. Three sets of hooves thudded rhythmically on the turf. This is great, Peter thought. We should do it more often.

  "Come on, old girl!” He felt Argent's muscles straining to obey.

  The horses were running neck and neck now. All three boys urged them on to greater speed.

  That was when the Lord of Obsidian struck, and Peter realised Sujad had somehow distracted them by implanting in John's mind the idea of having a race.

  With perfect timing, Sujad threw up a hedge in front of the horses. Both horses and riders saw the hedge too late. All three animals crashed into it. The neighing of terrified horses rent the air. In a flailing of hooves they all went down. The boys were flung onto the grass. Fortunately unhurt, the horses struggled to their feet and bolted.

  When Peter recovered sufficiently he sat up. There was no sign of any hedge. But he was surrounded by blue flames. He could see neither Jamie nor John. His heart leapt into his mouth as
he recognized the fire of the Evil One. He struggled to his feet. Over the top of the flames he caught sight of two more circles of fire. Then the black cloud of Sujad the Great blotted out everything as the Lord of Obsidian descended on his enemies.

  Chapter 18

  The Dagger is Thrown

  PETER WATCHED the approach of Sujad's black cloud in silence, his jaw set in deliberate obstinacy. He noted with some satisfaction the brief flash of anger that lit the Lord of Obsidian's dark eyes.

  "Well, Pukling, that's the last you'll see of your wretched pony and those two broken-winded mares—they're on their way back to their stables, where a very pleasant surprise awaits them."

  Peter stared at Sujad, the metallic taste of fear filling his mouth. There's no point in arguing with him. That's just what he wants. But if he harms Argent ... The thought made his heart leap into his throat.

  "You might as well say goodbye to your pony, Pukling,” Sujad said continued after a pause. “And that miserable dog of yours. Even now Cerberus is ready to attack and reinstate himself as leader of the wolves."

  Peter fixed his eyes unwaveringly on Sujad's. The thumping of his heart quickened in spite of himself. “You lie! Dreyfus is with Merlin. You can't harm Dreyfus with Merlin around.” Even as he spoke he remembered the last meeting between Cerberus and Dreyfus. Then it had been the other way around, with Merlin perched in a tree helplessly clinging to the trunk. Was Merlin now strong enough to save Dreyfus from another attack by Cerberus?

  Sujad's eyes narrowed as he examined Peter's face. Peter had no doubt that his momentary doubt had been noticed as Sujad's sneer widened. “Watch, Pukling."