Bronze Magic (Book 1) by Jenny Ealey

Author:Jenny Ealey [Ealey, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

ny plans for an early departure were thwarted by a howling gale that lashed the trees, bringing down branches and thrashing leaves off slender stems. Driving rain found its way through any chinks in the

shelters, and sodden woodfolk could be seen from time to time streaking across the clearing seeking cover in more fortunate, drier shelters. Tarkyn sat cross-legged in one corner of his shelter listening to the rain drumming on the roof. Sparrow was sitting beside him, constructing a complicated series of forest paths in the hard dirt of the floor.

He leant over her creation, frowning, “So where is the big road we crossed?”

“Down there,” explained Sparrow patiently.

“Why is it there? We should be on that side of it, shouldn’t we?”

The little girl rolled her eyes. “Tarkyn, you are hopeless with directions.”

The prince shook his head and smiled. “I know, Sparrow. I wasn’t brought up in a forest like you were. So why is the road down there?”

Sparrow frowned at him. “Because when you left us, you went straight back over the road we had all carefully crossed the day before.”

“Did I? I didn’t even see the road.”

“Oh well done!” replied Sparrow with the awful sarcasm of the preadolescent. “And luckily you went in completely the wrong direction.”

Tarkyn burst into laughter. “And now I have no idea where we were, where we are now or where we’re going. So, start again. Where are we on your map?”

The little girl pointed to a spot about ten miles north west of their previous campsite.

“Right. So where were we and where are we going?” Tarkyn studied it with a frown of concentration. “Well, it could be worse. At least we’ve come a bit to the west.”

Sparrow’s eyes twinkled with laughter. “Yes, about six miles west. Marvellous! And only eight miles too far north. Daddy told me.”

“Well,” said Tarkyn in a thoughtful tone of voice. “When it all comes down to it, I think you should blame the owl. He’s the one who chose to bring me to these particular woodfolk when I was looking for people who hadn’t sworn the oath.”

Sparrow frowned at him severely. “I think you’re being naughty again. I think Dad would say you’re trying to get out of it.”

Tarkyn smiles sunnily at her. “He’d be right.” Confronted by Sparrow’s admonitory stare, he threw up his hands, “All right, all right. I’m sorry I’ve made everyone walk all that extra distance. Satisfied?”

Sparrow gave a sharp nod, her mouth tightly compressed to stop herself from laughing.

The sound of running footsteps outside was followed by someone scrambling their way through the brush screen that served as a door. A sodden woodman plunged inside, to land sprawled on the floor.

“Hello,” said Sparrow. “You’re sopping.” She turned to the prince. “Have you got a towel anywhere?”

Tarkyn reached into a pile in the corner, extracted a towel and threw it to their visitor.

“Thanks,” said the woodman as he set about drying himself off and pushing the wet hair out of his eyes.

“Stars above. Your shelter must have leaked a lot,” said Sparrow sympathetically.

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