Oath Breaker by Michelle Paver; Geoff Taylor

Author:Michelle Paver; Geoff Taylor
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Good and evil, Death, Animals, Wolves & Coyotes, Juvenile Fiction, Philosophy, Prehistoric peoples, Battles, Fiction, Voyages and travels, Good & Evil, Prehistory, Adventure fiction, Historical, Fantasy & Magic, Demoniac possession, Friendship, Murder, Enemies
ISBN: 9780060728397
Publisher: Orion Childrens' Books
Published: 2010-01-25T22:00:00+00:00

EIGHTEEN

Torak faced Thiazzi across ten paces of drifting smoke. "You won't get away from me this time," he said, nocking another arrow to his bow. The Oak Mage threw back his head and laughed. "I, get away fromyou?You're here because I want you here!" Flicking his mantle behind his shoulders, he brandished a whip in one hand, an axe in the other. The lash was coiled like a viper. The axe was the largest Torak had ever seen.

"I wondered who dared follow me from the islands," said Thiazzi, slicing the air with deft twists of his wrist, "so I sent my minion to find out. Since you entered my 153

Forest, I've known every step you've taken, every breath you've drawn. Now it ends."

"You won't find it that easy," said Torak, edging sideways around the fire. "I could have killed you in the Far North. Remember?"

The whip cracked, wrenching Torak's bow from his hand. "My power is greater than yours!" spat Thiazzi, tossing the bow into the flames. "See, even the fire obeys me!" Smoke wafted across Torak's sight. When it cleared, Thiazzi stood no more than two paces from him.

"But since the World Spirit has delivered you into my hands," the Oak Mage went on, "I shall add your power to my own."

Wrenching his axe from his belt, Torak put the fire between them once more. "How can the World Spirit be on your side? Killing hunters? How can that please the Spirit?"

"To offer a hunter to the fire is to give it the noblest death of all. It is the Way."

Again the whip cracked, Torak dodged, and the rawhide struck stone. "It's not the clans' way," he panted, "and it's not your Forest."

"I am the Master!" boomed Thiazzi. "I have taken the Deep Forest for my own!" Foam flew from his lips, and his green eyes glittered.

As Torak stared at him, everything fell into place.

154

"The war between the clans. You started it. You set them against each other."

Yellow teeth flashed in the russet beard.

"You planted the curse sticks," said Torak, moving backward, nearly losing his footing. "You murdered the Forest Horse Mage and blamed it on the Aurochs. You made them fight."

"They wanted to fight. Theyneededto fight!"

The whip bit Torak's wrist, and with a cry he dropped his axe. He lunged for it, but Thiazzi was faster, snatching it and throwing it on the fire. "The clans are weak"he snarled. "They've forgotten the True Way, butIwill unite them. That's why the World Spirit gave this land to me: to root out differences, to return the clans to the Way! No more clan guardians, no more clan Mages. One way. One Forest. One Leader!"

Dashing the sweat from his eyes, Torak pulled his knife from its sheath.

Again, Thiazzi's yellow grin flashed. "Icannotbe hurt!" He pointed to the mistletoe at his breast. "The deathless heart of the oak shields me from harm! I am invincible!" Torak's knife trembled in his hand.

"But come," taunted the Oak Mage, "try your luck. Let's see if you can break me.

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