The Wonderful Travels of Drake by Peter T. Cavallaro

Author:Peter T. Cavallaro [Cavallaro, Peter T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Xlibris Inc.
Published: 2004-11-11T12:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

The Fate of Drake and Santino

Drake opened his eyes and found to his dismay that he was lying flat on his face in a pile of mud. He slowly rose to his feet and discovered that he had washed up on the river bank. Thoughts raced wildly through his mind. “Where am I? What happened? Why am I here?” Then he remembered about being swept down the river with Santino. “Uncle Santino!” He shouted, remembering his uncle.

He whirled around to find Santino lying face down beside him. Drake tried to shake him awake but his uncle remained motionless. Because his uncle was breathing, Drake eventually decided that Santino had only been knocked unconscious.

“Father will probably find us soon.” Drake thought to himself. In reality, he and Santino had been washed over thirty miles downriver from the group, and it had been more than a day since the river incident.

Drake began gathering as many logs from the jungle as could be found, and by lashing them together with vines he ripped from the trees, he was able to build a small shelter. Then he carefully laid his uncle inside it and began to have a look around.

Suddenly Drake realized that he did not have Odin with him. He rushed over to the shore of the river and caught sight of his trusty blade lying about ten yards away. After cleaning the scabbard, which had been covered in mud, Drake stood and walked back toward the shelter.

As Drake watched over his still-unconscious uncle, he heard horses approaching then from a distance. Soon, he could make out three riders. When they came nearer, Drake realized that they were guardsmen of Yareth. At their front rode their proud captain, the same man who had convinced the king to jail the group in the first place.

The guards dismounted, and the captain stepped forward. “Thought you had escaped, eh?” he sneered as he motioned for his two companions to come forth. “Well you didn’t! The guardsmen of Yareth never cease to hunt their enemies until their job is done.”

“How did you find us?” asked Drake.

“We guardsmen of Yareth are skilled trackers and know these lands well! Now, I’ll give you a chance to hand yourself in without a struggle.”

Drake pulled out his sword and stood firm.

“If you were wise, you would keep away.” he retorted.

The captain’s two companions immediately began howling with laughter.

“It is three to one!” barked the captain. “Well, you’re really half a warrior, so I guess it’s three to one-half! And I don’t see any of your friends here either. They must have already met their deaths. Look! There’s one of them now!” and here the captain pointed to Santino, who was lying in the shelter.

Drake’s grip on Odin hardened, and by now, rage had filled his body. The captain advanced toward Drake, pulling out a curved dagger, but before he could take another step the angry Drake rushed at him with his sword.

Almost instantly, the captain’s body fell to the ground, dead.

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