Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle by George Hagen

Author:George Hagen [Hagen, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-385-37105-6
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2014-08-25T16:00:00+00:00

“I shine like a dagger

Or a diamond tooth in a dragon’s maw.

I grow larger as the cold night comes,

And shorter in the thaw.

What am I?”

A grave intensity settled in the eagle’s eyes, his black pupils flicking back and forth as he pondered.

“A beak is like a dagger,” he declared. “But a beak doesn’t look like a diamond. Perhaps a claw? Hmm. Larger as the cold night comes and shorter in the thaw. What kind of dagger grows or shrinks? That doesn’t make sense.” He fell silent for another few seconds, then flexed his talons. “I’ve got it.”

Gabriel’s heart sank. Tiberius looked so sure of himself.

“The answer is nothing.”

“Wrong,” said Gabriel, relieved. He reached up and took the druid stone.

Surprised at Gabriel’s nerve, Tiberius rose from his nest, flexing his enormous wings. “You don’t understand,” he murmured gravely. “If I say the answer is nothing, then that is what it is. Nothing! Put the stone back!”

“That’s not fair,” said Gabriel, keeping the stone behind his back.

“Didn’t I tell you already that nothing is fair!” snapped the eagle.

“Look, I’ll tell you the right answer,” Gabriel persisted, as he edged away. “An icicle is shaped like a dagger or a dragon’s tooth, it can be clear as a diamond, and it grows longer when it’s cold but shorter when it gets warm, because it melts, see? Icicle. That’s the answer!”

The eagle blinked unforgivingly at Gabriel. “I am never wrong.”

He leaped nearer the boy.

Paladin, quick, it’s time to switch places! cried Gabriel anxiously.

Before Paladin could reply, the eagle swiped one claw at Gabriel.

Three bloody slashes appeared across his frozen wrist. Gabriel couldn’t feel the wound, but the blood flew against his shirt in bright red streaks.

Hopping toward the boy, Tiberius uttered a menacing shriek. Gabriel sprang backward, but there was nothing beneath his feet. Now air was rushing past him. He was falling swiftly. Below, he saw the granite steps waiting like a death-bed. And above? Tiberius swooped, no kindness in his eyes, just the murderous stare of a raptor preparing to rip out the heart of his victim.

Jump! cried a voice.

But how do you jump when you’re falling?

Jump, Gabriel! repeated Paladin.

The eagle’s savage scream was an inch away.

Suddenly, a bright amber light flashed from the palm of his hand.

Gabriel blacked out.

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