Rogue: The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

Author:Mark Frost [Frost, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Boys & Men, Juvenile Fiction, Action & Adventure, Fantasy & Magic, General
ISBN: 9780375980039
Google: WGzWBQAAQBAJ
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2015-09-08T21:01:35+00:00

WILL’S RULES FOR LIVING #11:

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW YOU DO IT. IT ONLY MATTERS THAT YOU DO IT.

“Well, I’m pretty sure that’ll leave a scar on my brain,” said Nick, staring at the still-settling pile of rubble.

“You asked the vines to do that?” asked Ajay in amazement from on top of the bear.

“Not in so many words,” said Will.

“You think that got them all?” asked Elise, looking around the swamp. “Maybe we shouldn’t press our luck and get out of here.”

“I don’t think we have anything else to fear from them,” said Ajay as the bear set him back down on the ground. “Might I suggest we restore ourselves with a bite to eat first and try to get properly hydrated?”

“Yeah, perfect, why not?” said Nick. “There’s obviously nothing to worry about here. Let’s have a picnic in a frickin’ swamp.”

“Is it safe, Will?” asked Elise, moving closer to him.

Will blinked on his Grid and surveyed the vast, smoking heap of destruction in front of them. Nothing moved; no heat signatures appeared anywhere in the ruins.

“Right now I’d say this is about the safest place we could find,” he said.

“A picnic it is, then,” said Ajay, reaching into his pack. “Although we can do without the ants, please, thank you very much,” he said, without trying to imagine what kind of jumbo-sized nightmares those might be.

“WAIT HERE FOR ME,” said the bear as he stalked off toward a large cluster of mangrove trees.

“Are you going to change back now, Coach?” asked Ajay, taking a few steps after him.

“YES,” said the bear without glancing back.

“May I watch?” said Ajay.

The bear turned back, annoyed. “NO, YOU CAN’T WATCH.”

“Why not?”

“BECAUSE IT’S SECRET. AND IT’S PRIVATE. AND DID I MENTION THAT IT’S SECRET?”

“You also failed to elaborate on whether there’s a time limit for how long you can stay in your different forms.”

“AND DID I MENTION THAT IT’S SECRET?”

Ajay stood his ground, undeterred. “Does changing back hurt as much as changing the other way?”

“WORSE. WHY ARE YOU SO DAMN INTERESTED?”

“With all due respect, Coach, how else do you expect me to react? Do you honestly believe I would voluntarily pass up an opportunity to watch a genuine, authentic shaman exercise his ability to shape-shift? Or do you think I’ve gone quite mad?”

“GO EAT A SANDWICH,” growled the bear. “AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.”

The bear stalked off the path, splashed through the water, and disappeared behind the mangrove trees. Ajay watched him go and then reluctantly walked back to join the others, who were laying out their lunch with their backs toward the trees and sitting on the edge of the wall. He sat down to join them, but Will saw Ajay turn and peek back toward the trees a couple of times.

“Ajay,” said Will. “Eyes this way.”

“Dude, got a rock-solid piece of advice for you,” said Nick, chewing a huge bite of his turkey sandwich. “Respect the Bear.”

“I do, I assure you. I respect him enormously,” said Ajay, taking a sealed plastic container from his pack.

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.