The Gorgon's Gaze by Julia Golding

Author:Julia Golding [Golding, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780761453772
Publisher: Two Lions
Published: 2006-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Colin Clamworthy was woken early by his mother. He floated up from his dreams of darkness like a diver rising from the depths, but he did not break the surface, staying submerged just below the point of true consciousness.

“Colin, it’s time for your combat training,” Cassandra said gently, helping him to his feet. Colin automatically reached for his new padded flying jacket and helmet—both were black and were worn with matching leather arm protectors and shin pads.

“How are you feeling today? Better now?” Cassandra asked as he tied on his gear. He nodded and admired his reflection in the cracked mirror on the wall of his cell-like bedroom.

“I know it’s hard for you, Colin,” she said, biting her lip, “but he’s promised he won’t hurt you. He says that as the plan failed—as you and I didn’t bring the universal to him—that he needs you now to make it right.” She frowned slightly. “Are you listening, Colin?”

“Yes, Mother,” he replied in an expressionless voice.

This was to be expected, Cassandra told herself. The distant mood would pass once the shock of meeting Kullervo had settled down. The shape-shifter had also said that he had taken her son under his wing—told her to think of it as an honor. She’d get Colin back soon. She had to be brave for them both. He would thank her one day.

“Come,” she said, watching him anxiously. Though she told herself he would be all right, her instinct was saying something different. She was torn between her loyalty to Kullervo, who had promised to save the gorgon, and her feelings for her son. “Your teacher is waiting.”

They stepped out of the cottage into the chill air of the dawn to where a pegasus was standing, snorting plumes of steaming breath, shaking his magnificent black mane so that it sparkled in the gathering light. He trotted over to the boy.

Boy, the horse greeted him.

Kay, Colin replied mechanically.

Mount.

Obeying the order instantly, Colin vaulted nimbly onto the bare back of the pegasus and laced his cold hands in the mane. The pegasus cantered to take off, rising until they were up in the clouds. The water vapor stung Colin’s eyes. He reached for his visor, but halted his hand with a moment’s indecision. He had remembered something—a girl clinging to his waist, another pegasus, not this one.

Colin, you are not paying attention. I shall have to punish you, whinnied Kullervo angrily. A throb of pain swept through Colin, and the memory was extinguished like a candle snuffed out. Kullervo snorted, relishing the vindictive pleasure of bending a human to his will—a human, moreover, who was dear to the universal. That added spice to the victory.

Colin did not heed, or even remember, the pain for long. He was now looking down at the mountain slopes below him, admiring the ranks of creatures practicing their combat exercises. Kullervo’s supporters were growing in number, believing him to be the only hope now for their own survival. Every day, fresh outrages by humanity—the

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