Protecting Palanthas (Champions) by Douglas W. Clark

Author:Douglas W. Clark [Clark, Douglas W.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780786964819
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast Publishing
Published: 2013-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

10

Gerard, who happened to be in the lead, rounded a grove of trees about midafternoon and halted, signaling the others to draw up.

“What now?” Galdar growled. “Why are we stopping? Don’t tell me your horse needs another rest.” He loped up alongside Gerard, sounding no more winded after having run at a clip for several hours than he had on starting out that morning. Gerard couldn’t help but admire the fellow’s stamina.

Upon reaching Gerard, Galdar stopped and frowned. “Oh,” he said. He looked at the road ahead then at the separate roads branching off to both left and right. “We’ll have to figure out which direction he took.”

Gerard consulted the map. “It could have been any one of these, you never know with a kender map. To save time, we should split up and check out each route at once. We can regroup here in a couple of hours.” He looked at the minotaur. “What do you think?”

Galdar’s eyes widened in surprise as he took in the fact of Gerard’s having asked his opinion. After a moment, he nodded. “I agree.”

By that time, the other two, deep in conversation, had reined in behind them. Or perhaps, Gerard thought as he noted how oblivious the pair seemed to the fact that they had stopped, their horses had merely halted of their own accord, having caught up to the two in front. At last, Marcus broke off in the midst of whatever he was busy saying. He peered around like a person emerging from a deep sleep. “Huh? Where are we?” he asked. “What’s happening?”

Gerard waved at the crossroads. “According to this map, they could have taken any one of these routes. In the interests of time, we need to canvass each direction and scout ahead. Galdar, how about if you take the road to the right?”

The minotaur nodded.

“I’ll take the one straight ahead,” Gerard went on, “and you two”—he looked at Marcus and Allyn—“will check out the road to the left.” Squinting at the sun, he estimated its distance above the horizon. “We’ll meet back here in a couple of hours, all right? Let’s hope that gives us enough time.” He urged his horse forward but immediately drew up. “By the way, Allyn?”

The boy appeared not to have heard until Marcus’s elbow caught him in the ribs. “Uh, yes?” the boy said, turning abruptly.

Gerard grinned. “Try not to ask anyone who might have encountered Poko whether they also fell in love with him, all right?”

Allyn turned bright red and began spluttering in response, while Gerard, chortling at the boy’s discomfiture, started forward again. Marcus snickered as well and even Galdar chuckled. Gerard felt a little guilty at having gotten a laugh at the boy’s expense, but it was just a bit of harmless ribbing. He’d apologize to Allyn later if the boy’s feathers were still ruffled.

He rode for some ways before coming across any sign of a settlement where he could inquire about Poko. The sun shone warmly, bringing out the resinous smell of pine sap.

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