[Flying Dutchman 02] - The Angel's Command by Brian Jacques

Author:Brian Jacques [Jacques, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-09T05:00:00+00:00

corner of his eye, staring into the fire. A barefoot girl clad in a long, tattered red dress with an

old black shawl thrown about her shoulders. Ben knew that someday he and Ned would have

to walk away and leave, never again to see her. Or to let her see him, an eternal boy, never

growing old.

He was about to concoct an answer that would not hurt her feelings when Ned's voice entered

his mind. "Stay still, Ben, don't look around or bat an eyelid. We're being watched!"

Ben did as the dog bid him, though his mind was racing. "Who is it, Ned? Is there more than

one of them? I've still got this branch in my hand to poke the fire. Are they armed? Can you

see them?"

Ned's mental reply came back. "I think there's only one. He's just peeping round the corner of

the rocks behind you both. I've shuffled back into the bushes, so he doesn't know I'm here.

Now, I'm going to circle behind him. The moment he makes a move I'll jump on his back and

knock him down. Be ready with that branch, Ben, and lay him out if he gets rough. Here

goes!"

Unaware of what was going on, Karay sat back against the rock. Pulling her shawl close, she

began drifting into a doze. Ben's grip tightened on the branch as he tried not to look alert.

Slight crackling from the fire was the only sound in the still night as seconds passed like

hours. Ben tried letting his eyelids droop, acting as a decoy, though his whole body was

tensed like a steel spring.

Suddenly a slender-built young fellow, carrying a battered leather satchel over one shoulder,

stepped from behind the rocks. He started to speak.

"I saw your fire— oof!"

Springing pantherlike from the top of a rock, Ned landed on the intruder, knocking him

facedown. Ben leapt up but was pushed aside as Karay bounded past him. The girl jumped

with both feet on the newcomer's back, forcing the breath from him in a whoosh as Ned

nipped to one side, avoiding her feet.

She knelt on her victim's shoulderblades, grabbed a knife from the back of his belt and seized

him by the hair. Tugging his head back savagely, the girl pressed the knife blade against his

throat, growling like a tigress.

"Be still or I'll cut your throat!"

Ben guessed the intruder was about his own age. His eyes were wide with fear, staring straight

at Ben, who hurried over and grabbed Karay's wrist. "Stop, don't hurt him!"

The girl frowned at him. "Why not? He was carrying a knife—maybe he was goin' to rob or

murder us!"

Ben forced her hand to the ground and placed his foot on the knife blade. "He doesn't look in

a position to rob or murder anyone at the moment, thanks to you. Now then, you robbing

murderer, what's your name?"

"Dominic," the captive managed to gasp as he tried to regain his breath. "I mean you no harm,

honest— uurrgh!"

Karay dragged his head further back, hissing viciously into his ear. "Then why were you

sneaking around, spyin' on us an' carryin' a knife, eh?"

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