Deltora Quest #7: The Valley of the Lost Read Online Free PDF Page B

tunnel had meant. He understood why Tora remained perfect and untouched after over sixteen years of emptiness.
    “Lief!” growled Barda. “Quickly!”
    Lief drew his sword and hurried to join his friends. They were standing shoulder to shoulder, making a barrier between Dain and two tall figures approaching from the hills. The figures seemed to shimmer in the dazzling sunlight.
    Were they bandits? Ols?
    “Tora is protected by magic,” Lief said rapidly. “Magic that works on hearts and minds. The tunnel drains away all evil. If we return there, nothing can harm us.”
    Barda glanced at him quickly, then back at the city’s shining walls. Lief could see that he was measuring the distance in his mind, trying to decide if they should risk turning and making a dash for safety. But it was too late. The strangers had seen them, and quickened their pace.
    Dain began crawling unsteadily to his feet.
    “Dain — go back to Tora,” Barda ordered. But Dain shook his head stubbornly, feeling for his dagger.
    “Dain!” Jasmine exclaimed. “Go!”
    “If they are Ols, I can help,” Dain said, through gritted teeth. “I will stand with you, or die. I have had enough of weakness.”
    He moved into place beside her and frowned at the approaching strangers. Then suddenly his eyes narrowed. His mouth firmed to a hard line.
    “Doom!” he muttered, and turned away.
    Startled, Lief, Barda, and Jasmine realized that he was right. Now they could see that the taller of theapproaching strangers was the man who called himself Doom of the Hills. Doom, who they had last seen in the Resistance stronghold. Who had held them prisoner for three long days.
    To their amazement they saw that Neridah the Swift was with him. Why had he chosen her as a companion? As they drew closer, Lief could see that Neridah’s lips were curved into a smile. But Doom’s face was stern.
    “Do not relax!” muttered Barda. “They could be Ols, trying to deceive us.”
    Plainly, Dain thought not, and Lief did not, either. But still his hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. Doom had shown himself to be as dangerous as any Ol, in his way. He was not to be trusted.
    When he reached them, Doom wasted no words on greetings. “So, Dain,” he growled. “You are where you wanted to be. Are you satisfied?”
    “You knew!” Dain burst out. “You knew all along what Tora was, Doom. You lied to me!”
    “Of course,” said Doom coolly. “For what else was keeping you strong but hope? Has seeing that your hope was in vain made you feel better, or worse?”
    Dain’s face clearly showed the answer. Doom nodded bitterly. “Ever since you came to the stronghold I have been seeking your parents, Dain. I had hoped to be successful before you could find out that they were not in Tora. But you could not wait.”
    “No, I could not!” cried Dain defiantly. “But that is not my fault. I did not know the truth of things. I am not a child, to be protected and fed with fairy tales! You drove me to what I did by deceiving me!”
    Doom stared at him for a long moment. Then, surprisingly, his grim face relaxed into what could have been a smile. “Once you would not have spoken to your elders that way,” he said. “Such a polite, obedient child you were, when first I met you.”
    “I am not a child!” Dain shouted furiously.
    “No, it seems you are not. Perhaps …” Doom seemed to ponder. “Perhaps I was wrong.” His lips twitched. “It does not happen often. But it is possible. If I beg your pardon, will you come back to the stronghold with us? You are sorely missed.”
    Dain hesitated, swaying uncertainly.
    Barda, Lief, and Jasmine glanced at one another. In all their minds was the thought that many problems would be solved if Dain agreed to go with Doom. But they had to be sure he would be safe.
    Lief stepped forward. “We have learned, since seeing you last, that it is not wise to trust appearances, Doom,” he said in a level voice. “Before Dain decides