Fable by Christie Golden

Author:Christie Golden [Golden, Christie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-345-53941-0
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2012-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The days passed, long, hot, and astonishingly free from incident. The army had caught up with the main road again, and while everyone was on the alert as they traveled it, nothing untoward occurred. There were no attacks by sand furies, or hollow men, or shadows, but neither were there any convenient oases or friendly, wandering nomads. And thus that most boring of emergencies, dwindling rations, became the most serious threat.

“Well,” Ben said as they roasted a sheep on a spit one night, “we’d best enjoy this. It’s the last of the mutton.”

“We still have plenty of basic rations,” the king said, though privately he, too, would miss the fresh-roasted meat. And the sheep’s milk. “How are the water levels holding up?”

“On the low side,” Ben replied, taking another bite. “We’re also out of the fresh fruits that provide additional moisture.”

“Shan, Shalia, where’s our next best place to find food and water?”

The two native Samarkandians spread the map out in front of them, and Shan repositioned a lantern so they could all see it more clearly. “I have not ventured beyond the sand-fury block in three years,” Shalia warned them.

“And I have not been in this part of my country since I was very young,” Shan put in.

“Terrific guides,” Ben said, but a smile softened any edge the gibe might have had.

“We are fortunate to have any,” the king reminded them all, “let alone two such courageous ones. Please—your best guess is going to be better than mine.”

“I spoke earlier of the Cave of a Thousand Guardians, Your Majesty,” Shan began. “It is a few days’ east. This road here will veer off the Great Trade Road for several miles, and the cave is nestled at the base of the mountains.”

“And there will be food and water in the cave?” Kalin asked.

“Water, yes,” said Shan. “There is an underground spring that never goes dry. But more than that—it is believed to be a sacred place. It is called the Cave of a Thousand Guardians because of the beautiful statuary that was erected there long ago. It is said that each guardian statue represents a Hero from our country, and that their spirits still guide and protect those who enter the cave with respect in their hearts.”

“And where were the Guardians when the darkness came into our land, Shan?” The king was surprised at the depth of bitterness in Shalia’s voice. Then again, considering she had been forced to trick unwary travelers, rob them, and hand them over to sand furies if she was to survive, he supposed he shouldn’t be so surprised after all.

“What did you expect, that they would come to life and rush to our aid?” Shan said. “It is a chamber of peace, yes, but evil can even enter such places. But there is water there, and it offers us a cool and well-defensible campsite before we press on to Zahadar.”

“Your Majesty, I offer another suggestion. If we stay on the Great Trade Road past the

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