Longfang by Mark Robson

Author:Mark Robson [Robson, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471116599
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Chapter Fourteen

‘Not Again!’

‘Pell! Don’t!’ Elian yelled instinctively, his panic rising as he thought of what might happen if the orb were smashed. He took a step towards the older boy, his hands palm forwards in an unmistakeable signal for Pell to stop. ‘We’ve come too far. Do you want all that pain to count for nothing? Don’t be a fool. You’ve made your point. Now give the orb to the Oracle and let’s get out of here.’

‘No, Elian,’ Pell replied, his voice laced with ice. ‘The Oracle hasn’t been honest with us from the start. It’s time that changed.’ He faced the towering smoke creature and met its burning gaze. ‘Tell us the location of the dusk orb,’ he ordered. ‘In plain language.’

‘That is not permitted.’ The Oracle’s denial echoed around the chamber, the rumbling repetitions emphasising the statement. Elian’s heart raced as the creature’s eyes burned with anger. Was Pell crazy? How could he stand to look into those burning eyes without feeling fear? As far as Elian could see, the only emotion in Pell’s eyes was defiance.

‘Not permitted by whom?’ Pell asked. ‘It seems to me that you make the rules for this game. Change the rules. Tell us where the dusk orb is.’

The Oracle fell silent. Its gaze never left the orb in Pell’s raised hands. The silence brewed, seeming to thicken with intensity as Elian tried to count his rapid heartbeats.

‘I do not make the rules, Pell,’ it said suddenly. ‘And even if I were to reveal the location, thou wouldst gain nothing from the knowledge. It is not thy place to retrieve the third orb. Only Kira and Longfang may complete this phase of the quest.’

‘If we do not benefit from your telling us, then you have no reason not to do it,’ Pell reasoned, raising the orb of death still higher.

The Oracle considered again for a moment. ‘This is true,’ it conceded. ‘Thou hast been separated from those whose task it is to find the third orb. They cannot gain from the knowledge unless thou canst find them. Very well. It is not the normal way, but I will do it this once. Throw the orb into my well and I will reveal the location of the next.’

Elian was astonished. Pell had done it. He had backed the Oracle into a corner and won. Why then was he hesitating? Elian could see him wavering, indecision clear on his face. ‘Do it!’ he urged through gritted teeth.

‘I’m no longer sure we can trust the Oracle,’ Pell said, shifting his focus briefly to glance at Elian. ‘None of our dealings with it so far have been straightforward. Why should I trust it to keep its word? Once it has the orb we have nothing left to bargain with. I don’t know which I dislike more – this twisted creature with its riddles, its ulterior motives and its deceptions, or Segun. At least Segun is open with his intentions, even if his heart is as black as the devil’s armpit.

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