Brandon Mull's Beyonders Trilogy by Brandon Mull

Author:Brandon Mull
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aladdin

CHAPTER 17

WEST GATE

The night was dark and breezy when Drake called for a halt. Holding a finger to his lips, his stance showed concern. Listening in silence, Rachel heard distant hoofbeats. Everyone scattered, reaching for their weapons while searching for some degree of cover.

“All clear,” Nedwin called from an unseen vantage. “They’re ours.”

Rachel spoke softly in Edomic, calling to the animals. Within a minute or two, three horses came trotting up to her, bathed in soft moonlight. She recognized her mare, the huge stallion Aram had ridden, and Mandibar.

“You made it!” Rachel exclaimed, hugging and stroking each of the mounts.

“Do they know where the other horses are?” Jason asked.

“I’m not Dr. Doolittle,” Rachel replied. “I can send out instructions, but we don’t have conversations.”

Hopping down off a tall boulder, Nedwin rejoined the group. “There’s no sign of the other mounts.”

“This is very impressive,” Galloran said. “Rachel obviously issued effective instructions. I did not expect to encounter any of these horses again. I’m afraid they brought some trouble with them.”

“Trouble?” Jason asked.

“I sensed a lurker trailing them,” Galloran said. “Its presence only touched my awareness for a moment. The torivor came near enough to identify us, then immediately fled. Already it has moved beyond the reach of my perceptions.”

“If it ran, there must be soldiers within range,” Drake said.

“Then it’s a race,” Aram said heavily.

“Oh no,” Rachel said. “If I had known—”

“Not your fault,” Galloran interrupted. “If torivors were hunting us, it was only a matter of time before they made contact. Only three of our minds are shielded by charms. The horses will help us increase our pace. This may have worked out for the best.”

“Galloran should ride,” Drake said. “Aram’s horse can carry double. I’ll use Mandibar to scout.”

“If it comes to it,” Aram said, “we can send Galloran, Jason, Corinne, and Rachel ahead on the three horses.”

“I’d prefer we all survived,” Galloran said, mounting Rachel’s mare.

“Rachel, Corinne,” Drake said, swinging astride Mandibar. “You should conserve energy by mounting up as well. You’ll be no burden to Aram’s horse.”

Rachel climbed the strapping steed. The back felt ridiculously broad. Corinne mounted behind her. “It has been a long time,” she murmured to Rachel.

“You rode as a child?” Rachel asked.

“I have fond memories of the activity,” Corinne said. “On this big stallion, I almost feel like a child again.”

“You and me both,” Rachel said.

As they got moving, the pace increased dramatically. Aram kept hold of his horse, and Dorsio led the mare. Rachel felt sorry for Jason and all the men as they jogged along. While Drake scouted on Mandibar, Nedwin led the group, and Ferrin roved nearby.

The moon often vanished behind clouds, making it hard to keep track of the surrounding terrain. Sometimes they progressed across level ground. Other times they weaved among boulders and crags. Occasionally they advanced along the floor of a ravine or followed winding paths up rocky slopes.

As the night wore on, Tark began to cough. What started as an occasional clearing of his throat grew into deep hacking.

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