Pan's Realm by Christopher Pike

Author:Christopher Pike
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

9

When Pan had operated on Watch, he had not only removed the arrow but covered the wound with a large green leaf coated with soothing herbs. Pan said the herbs would not only help with the pain, but would also keep infections from forming. The leaf was tied to Watch’s leg with a strip torn from Cindy’s shirt sleeve. Cindy had offered them her shirt while Pan was working on Watch. It disturbed her to look at it now, stained with her friend’s blood. Watch noted her concern and patted her on the arm.

“Don’t worry,” he said, leaning back against a tree. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

Cindy shook her head. “You’re trying to act brave. I know it must hurt awful.”

“It does hurt,” Watch admitted. “But the herbs Pan put over the cut are working. They have made the torn flesh slightly numb.”

“Pan must know a lot about plants,” Cindy said.

“He’s so ancient—he must know a lot about everything. I’m surprised he was so easily fooled by the wizard.”

“I’m not surprised,” she said. “Gambling brings out the worst in people. It makes them lose all sense. It’s a twisted emotion—the desire to get something for nothing.”

“I won’t invite you to our next card game,” Watch said.

Cindy smiled. “I didn’t mean to sound so serious. Your card games are always fun.” She paused. “But you know what always amazes me. You always win.”

“That’s because I cheat,” he said. “The cards are marked. I marked them.”

Cindy was astounded. “You’re lying, you would never cheat anyone. I know you.”

Watch explained. “I originally marked them because my eyes were so lousy that I couldn’t even see what cards the rest of you discarded. In other words, I did it to make the game even. But since the witch improved my eyesight, I don’t really need the marking to help my game. But I use them out of habit—so I never lose.” He paused. “When we get back to Spooksville I promise I’ll buy a fresh deck of cards.”

Cindy laughed softly. “We don’t play for money, so it’s not really gambling.” She stopped and looked around. “I wonder how the others are getting along.”

“I bet they’re at the castle already.”

“Do you think they’ll defeat the evil wizard?”

Watch shook his head. “Pan is not going to be able to storm into the castle and demand his kingdom back. The wizard will have guards, plenty of elementals that will have gone over to his side.”

Cindy was worried. “Do you think they’ll all be killed?”

“I think they need a good plan. I just hope Adam comes up with one before they come face to face with Klandor.”

A small voice spoke nearby.

“Hello,” it said.

Cindy leapt to her feet. “Who’s there?”

“Who are you?” the voice asked softly.

Cindy and Watch looked all around. “Come out and show yourself,” Cindy ordered.

“No,” the voice said. “You have to tell me who you are first.”

Cindy glanced anxiously at Watch, who simply shrugged. Cindy continued to scan the surrounding foliage, looking for a sign of their visitor.

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