Blood and Fire_Book 3 by Marcus Alexander

Author:Marcus Alexander [Alexander, Marcus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141971384
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2014-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

38

The Winged Realm

‘Can we stop a minute?’ asked Nibbler.

‘What troubles you, little brother?’ enquired Hotstepper.

‘Where are you taking Charlie?’

Charlie, also wanting to know the answer, looked to Hotstepper.

‘To see the Hunger.’

‘Yes, we got that bit …’ said Nibbler, ‘but what is “the Hunger”?’

Hotstepper grinned. ‘Not a what but a who. The Hunger is the eldest of the eldest, the oldest and wisest of us all. It would seem that Torn Moon and Last Laugh think that Charlie of the Keepers could benefit from his –’ Hotstepper made a show of coughing – ‘words of wisdom.’

‘Why did you cough like that?’ asked Charlie. She was alarmed enough by the thought that the Winged Ones believed there was something lacking in her (and the idea that her soul might have a ‘hole’ in it was not the sort of thing she ever wanted to hear). For Hotstepper to cough, no matter how wryly, did not bode well for her current state of mind.

Sensing her alarm, Hotstepper smiled. ‘I do not exaggerate when I say that the Hunger is the oldest of us all. And although his mind is sharp he has a fondness for playing with the definition of “wisdom”.’

Nibbler looked back towards the gathering of Winged Ones. ‘So this is going to be one of those wise master teaches student valuable life lesson moments, right?’

Hotstepper looked from Nibbler to Charlie and back again with a bemused look. ‘Little brother, you have been away from the fold for too long. Either that or Charlie of the Keepers has spoiled you with her ways, for I know of no other Winged One that talks like you.’

‘But is it?’ insisted Nibbler. ‘It’s just a talk, right? I mean, Charlie’s not going to be under any pressure, is she?’

‘She will be fine, little brother.’

Nibbler looked back again at the gathering of dragons, longing in his eyes. ‘Charlie … if it’s all right with you, I’d like to stay here a bit. I want to get to know … well, y’know.’

It dawned on Charlie that although she thought of Nibbler as family he was finally in the midst of his own kind. And while an irrational part of her feared to lose him, and as much as she didn’t want to travel through this strange realm without a friendly face, she hurriedly pushed her selfish thoughts down and summoned a weak smile. She would, for now, go on alone.

‘There’s no way I could ever say no to you, Nibbler.’

The smile on his face caused her heart to lurch.

‘You’re the best, Charlie!’

With one last grin he bounded off.

Hotstepper picked her up and placed her back between his shoulders. ‘He will be fine, Charlie of the Keepers, and so will you.’

Bunching his legs beneath him, Hotstepper sprinted towards the edge of the island and leaped into space. Wings spread wide, he carried the two of them towards distant islands.

‘So,’ began Charlie, ‘now can you tell me what it was that you did to me?’

‘Did to you?’ queried Hotstepper.

‘You’ve done something to me, I’m sure of it.

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