Ibryen by Roger Taylor

Author:Roger Taylor [Taylor, Roger]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Fantasy, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 1843192810
Google: g3zfv1xSLZEC
Amazon: B004I1KO58
Publisher: Mushroom eBooks
Published: 2003-01-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

‘That way.’

There was urgency in Ibryen’s voice and, without reference to his companions, he set off up the hill. Rachyl and the Traveller watched him for a moment, then, when it seemed he had no intention of slowing down, they hurried after him.

‘What’s the matter? Where are you going?’ Rachyl asked when she finally caught up with him.

‘This way,’ Ibryen said, pointing, but not stopping.

Rachyl frowned. ‘We can’t go much further,’ she protested. ‘This ground’s treacherous enough. There’s no saying what it’ll be like up there. And the light’ll be gone soon. We should camp here. Tackle this fresh in the morning.’

Ibryen did not reply. Rachyl looked at the Traveller. He in his turn looked at Ibryen.

‘What have you heard, Count?’ he asked.

‘I don’t know,’ Ibryen replied edgily, still ploughing forward. ‘But something’s changing. Something’s . . .’ He shook his head. ‘. . . either beginning or ending, I don’t know. But we mustn’t delay. We must . . .’

‘Must what?’ Rachyl burst out, seizing his arm and forcing him to a halt. ‘Break our necks going headlong up this slope in the dark?’ She started to shout. ‘Not that we need anyone to break a neck – an ankle will do out here. And it’ll be me who has to carry you back to camp. What in pity’s name are you doing?’

For a moment, Ibryen seemed set to tear free from her grip and start off again, then he looked from Rachyl’s angry face to the Traveller. ‘Can’t you hear it?’ he asked, almost plaintively.

The Traveller shook his head. ‘It’s getting fainter and fainter. Whatever it is. It is this way, but I doubt I’d have found it so easily if you hadn’t pointed it out.’ He gave Rachyl an apologetic glance. ‘Something is happening. I don’t think we have time on our side.’

‘We don’t have light on our side either,’ Rachyl announced, through clenched teeth. ‘Nor terrain.’ She took Ibryen’s other arm and only just stopped herself from shaking him violently. Without releasing him, she paused to calm herself. ‘Listen, Cousin,’ she said eventually, and speaking with great deliberation. ‘I don’t know what’s driving you, but I trust you and I’ll back you up, you know that. But unless you’re absolutely sure a dangerous night scramble up this mountainside is going to give us a definite strategic advantage against the Gevethen, then we should camp here, now.’

She spoke not as to her Liege Lord and Commander, but as to an obdurate child. Her manner reached Ibryen. He cast an anxious look up towards the darkening mountain then closed his eyes resignedly.

‘Yes,’ he said fretfully. ‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘Suppose doesn’t come into it,’ Rachyl retorted, her anger slipping through.

The Traveller intervened. ‘That’s settled then. Let’s find somewhere to camp before it’s completely dark.’ He did not wait for any discussion but motioned his companions away from the broken edge of the forest. Ibryen moved after him and Rachyl followed, watching Ibryen warily.

Within minutes the Traveller had found a small clearing and was busy lighting a fire.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.