[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.The girl reappeared almost immediately and ran full speed in the otherdirection.Connor moved up the hall to the King s study.As he passed the Queen s sittingroom, he peered inside and saw his half-sister Leila seated at the table with her headcradled in her arms.Next to her was a golden cup.He was going to ask if she d seenanything, when he realized she was deeply asleep.He knew what it felt like to be that tired.Backing up, he went on down toward theKing s study.He opened the door and cast a quick look around, not sure what toexpect.His eyes lit on a paper lying on the clean, smooth desk.Connor picked it upand ran his eyes down it in growing surprise.I have the Honor of Informing You that the Princess Teressa lies inDurance Vile at a Location Unknown to You.If you Wish to See herAgain, you Shall comply with the following Demands&And a list of enormous sums, plus land, was named.And at the bottom, signed with a flourish, was the name Garian Rhismordith.Connor crammed the note into his pocket and ran down the stairs as fast as hecould.His first thought was to get to the ambassador s house as soon as he could.The idea of retribution lent him speed. Oh, you idiot, Garian, he muttered as heraced down the marble stairs, skidded around a corner, and started down the halltoward the stable. Now they ll see See what?Connor slowed, stopped.Running his eyes down the paper again, he shook hishead.Something was wrong.Magic? He remembered the paper in his own handwriting that the MasterMagician had found.But Garian doesn t know magic.So his friend the sorcererdoes& His friend? Garian remembered Master Hallig and the Blues.They hadn tknown anything about the other group searching for Connor and Wren.Was itpossible Garian had not known, either?Connor shook his head again.Something was definitely wrong.Garian was apain, and obnoxious, but Connor was fairly sure he was no traitor.A game, maybe?But that didn t make sense either; no one who knew about Teressa s disappearancelast year would take this as a joke.Especially a joke played on the King.Connor looked out the door, unsure what to do, then he thought of Wren.Turning around, he raced back upstairs and burst into Teressa s room.Wren was seated near a window, her scry-stone in her hand.She looked up, hereyes confused for a moment. Wren? Look at this, Wren said, pointing to the stone. It really is an evil spell. Connor came forward, still holding the paper, and looked into her stone.He sawa brown dog with a green ribbon tied round its neck.It lay in the sunny stableyardwith several other dogs, gently panting. That s what comes when you do the magical summons spell.But when I try tocall him here she smacked her forehead I get this dark, horrible feeling.I can tfigure it out. Connor sighed. First, look at this.You can tell me: Is this paper magicked? Youknow, a fake? You can t tell? Wren asked as she thrust her scry-stone into the pouch at herside.Connor shrugged. It feels like nothing but paper to me. Wren took it, and shut her eyes, rubbing her fingers along the edge. It s real, she said, then scanned it.Her eyes widened suddenly, and she gaped at Connor. Isthis true? That s what I m trying to figure out.It just doesn t seem right somehow. Hetold her about the servant dropping it in the King s study. Did you show it to Mistress Leila? She s asleep, Connor said. But this is important.We ll have to wake her up. They rushed out together, crossing the hall to the Queen s room. Leila, Connor said.She didn t move. Mistress Leila, we need& Wren began.The magician did not even stir.Wren grabbed her shoulder and shook her, and Leila s head rolled loosely, herdeep breathing undisturbed. This is bad, Wren said, straightening up. Either she s enchanted or elsesomeone put something nasty into that cup.What now? We have to find help, Connor said. But without being seen.In case thatservant is spying around. But what about Tyron? Wren said. That darkness scares me Connor s eyes went to the big scry-stone resting near Leila s fingers.As Wrensaid Tyron s name, Connor had seen a flicker deep in the stone, and he d felt asharp jab right behind his eyes.Fear, pain, urgency flooded his mind, and with thema whispering of thought, just out of reach.Shoving the paper into his pocket, he sat down. How do you work this thing? He grabbed Leila s scry-stone. Wren muttered a spell, touching the stone.At once the flicker resolved into theillusion showing the dog in the stable-yard.Connor blinked, putting his hands overthe stone. Not that way, he said. It doesn t work for me. He shut his eyes, reaching withhis mind, calling to his friend: Tyron.Again he felt that jab and the swift rush of emotions and whispered thoughts.Opening his eyes, he said to Wren, I m not strong enough.Maybe if I were in themountains& but I m not.You try with me.Do your spell, but don t look at thatstone.Look here. He tapped his forehead.Wren whispered the words of her scry-spell, and for a moment there was silence.Then Connor felt the jab once again, and Wren exclaimed, He heard me That way, Connor said, feeling an inner tug pulling him northward.He pointedat the north wall.Wren pressed her lips together into a line, her light blue eyes intent. Let s go.We ll find Tyron first, and then take care of that paper. Moving silently, they checked around the corners before they entered the hallway.Pausing only for occasional servants to pass, they ran down through the palace untilthey came out onto a terrace.Once more they both worked together to call Tyron,and the inner tug pulled Connor again,He started walking slowly, stopped, then started in another direction, this time at afaster pace.Wren stayed beside him, silent and watchful.No one disturbed them as they moved toward the older buildings behind thestable, then past them to the edge of the park and beyond.Connor led them aroundthe edge of an old quarry, then stopped to stare at a broad, empty field. It s here, he said at last. Can t be, Wren exclaimed, waving her hand. There s nothing here but grass. He s got to be here somewhere, Connor said, feeling a pull so hard he wasdizzy. Oh! Wren s breath hissed between her teeth, and she made a sudden, violentgesture. Illusion hiding it. Connor saw the air flicker a short distance away, and a low, crumbling stonehouse appeared among the scrubby bushes
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]