The Core by Peter V. Brett

Author:Peter V. Brett [Brett, Peter V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9780345531506
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2017-10-02T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

FIRST STEPS

334 AR

As soon as they put some distance from the lake, Briar guided Ashia to a marsh where a thick patch of alagai’viran grew around an ancient, sagging tree. The weed had even taken root in the moss on the tree’s bark, growing right up the trunk.

“In here,” Briar said.

Ashia shook her head. “This will not do. It is too damp…”

Briar smiled. “Trust.”

The ground was soft, sucking at Rasa’s hooves, though Briar walked atop it like an insect on water, leaving only faint markings in his path.

The soil at the base of the tree, held together by an old network of roots, was firmer and drier, but it was a cramped space. Barely big enough for the horse.

Briar tied her bridle to a branch. “Follow.”

He sprang easily into the tree, climbing into the boughs and quickly out of sight. Ashia stared after him a moment, then shrugged and followed.

Briar hadn’t gone far. Just above, the great trunk split, then split again, and again. The trunks were like the four fingers of a hand, their crux the palm. Briar had used them as supports for a ring of woven branches, looking like a great bird’s nest. The space was large enough for the three of them to relax comfortably, sheltered by the branches, hidden by the leaves, and protected by the demon root, safe as any warded camp.

Briar smiled, setting down his pack. “An’ we got bread!”

The smile was infectious, and Ashia laughed, setting Kaji down and freeing the poor child from his pack. The water sickness had abated once they were back on land, but Kaji was weak, hungry, and dehydrated.

Briar watched silently as Ashia changed Kaji’s soiled bido. She covered herself with a scarf as she opened her armored robe to set the child at her breast. Briar started, realizing what was happening, and quickly turned his back. Ashia closed her eyes, and began to sing.

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

Teeth like knives, claws like spears

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

But Briar didn’t fear

The thorns were long

Bramble and burr

They tore its flesh

And caught its fur

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

Teeth like knives, claws like spears

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

But Briar didn’t fear

The wolf twisted,

Flesh caught and stuck,

Briar took stone,

Drew back and struck

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

Teeth like knives, claws like spears

The nightwolf came to the briarpatch

But Briar didn’t fear

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