The Wizard's Promise by Cliff McNish

Author:Cliff McNish [MCNISH, CLIFF]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cliff McNish
Published: 2010-08-04T23:00:00+00:00

14

Parting

The homage of the Griddas was so deafening that Rachel and Eric had to cover their ears until it subsided. Each time that happened, Gultrathaca renewed it. Finally the pack-leaders raised their claws and there was silence.

Gultrathaca turned her attention back to Rachel. ‘Now we will honour you in another way,’ she said. ‘Every Gridda wishes to be the first to fight you. Choose a suitable contestant.’

‘Fight … me?’

‘Of course. What did you expect?’

‘I don’t understand. We don’t need to fight. We came here for … for peace.’

Gultrathaca regarded her contemptuously. ‘Did you really believe I wanted peace?’

‘But I don’t … want to fight,’ Rachel said.

A look of disgust passed across the faces of the pack-leaders. Gultrathaca, with difficulty, calmed them. ‘Don’t dishonour yourself, Rachel,’ she said menacingly.

‘I won’t fight!’

‘You have no choice. There is no going back now.’

Rachel glanced in dismay at Eric, preparing to shift evasively.

Gultrathaca’s eyes shone. ‘Yes, why not try? By now, however, you must realize that you can never shift fast enough to escape from me if you’re carrying Eric. Discard him. Give yourself a chance …’

‘We should have killed you on Earth!’ Eric thundered.

‘That was a mistake,’ Gultrathaca agreed. ‘I realized you were weak, then. But how to convince my Griddas? They know you faced down Heebra, Rachel. You make them anxious. I must cut you down to size. When they see how readily you can be dispatched, the invasion of your world will be more easily accomplished.’

‘Please,’ Rachel began, then stopped. She knew, seeing Gultrathaca’s expression, that no argument would change her mind. ‘What about Eric?’ she said. ‘If I co-operate, agree to fight, will you –’

‘Spare him? No. I plan to give him to the infants as entertainment.’

‘You mustn’t … I –’

‘Don’t plead,’ Gultrathaca said. She gestured for Eric to be removed. Eric freed his hands, prepared to use his spell-killing. The prapsies sprang onto his shoulders.

‘Wait,’ Rachel said to Gultrathaca. ‘Leave Eric. I’ll … I’ll do it. I’ll entertain the infants for you instead of him.’

‘Very well,’ Gultrathaca said indifferently. ‘I promised the youngsters something, after all. In that case, the first contest for you will start tomorrow.’ While Rachel tried to take in what this might mean, Gultrathaca added, ‘Make your parting. This is the last time you will see Eric.’

‘No!’ Rachel reached out for him, but her arm was knocked away.

‘Quick! Should I use my anti-spells?’ Eric asked. ‘Should I use them now?’

Rachel agonized. ‘Yes. No – not yet, Eric.’

Gultrathaca separated them. Before Rachel had time to say anything else two young Griddas flew across the sky. Knocking the prapsies off, they clasped Eric’s shoulders in their foot-claws and headed out over the city. The prapsies followed, shrieking insults at them.

‘Please –’ Rachel begged, as she was dragged away. ‘Let me –’

‘You are a warrior,’ Gultrathaca said. ‘There is no need for goodbyes.’

‘No. I –’ Rachel craned her head, trying to see what was happening to Eric.

‘Pathetic!’ Gultrathaca hissed. ‘Hold your head erect!’

‘Let me talk to Eric!’

‘No.’

Eric was carried

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