Destiny's Path Read Online Free PDF Page B

strange, but the pain will soon fade. I shall try not to bind it too tightly. You must tell me if it feels uncomfortable. Hold your arm out now.”
    Looking straight into his face, Blodwedd stretched out her arm. He leaned close to her. Scooping up the green paste in his fingers, he began very gently to press it against the wound. Spirals of green water ran down under her arm.
    â€œIt is cold,” she murmured.
    â€œI told you it would be. Now I’ll tie the cloth around it. If it’s too tight, say so.”
    A hot anger erupted in Branwen.
    â€œAre you finished?” she snarled. “I’m leaving now—the day is wasting away while we linger here.”
    â€œAlmost done,” Rhodri answered patiently.
    Blodwedd turned her uncanny eyes to Branwen. “You must continue west. Your home is safe, Warrior-Child.”
    â€œHow do you know that?” Branwen spat.
    â€œLord Govannon has seen it,” Blodwedd replied. “The Saxons will not ride upon the hill of fierce warriors—their wrath will fall elsewhere.”
    â€œI do not believe you,” Branwen said. “You would say anything to make me do what you wish.”
    â€œI have no wishes,” said Blodwedd. “And I cannot speak falsehoods. Lord Govannon sent me to tell only truths.”
    â€œAnd I am to trust these ‘truths’ you tell?” askedBranwen angrily. “No! Say nothing more to me—I will not listen. Rhodri, I’m going to ready the horses.” She looked hard at Blodwedd. “Can you run as fast as you once flew?” she asked. “Because if not, you will have a hard time keeping up with us.”
    She turned and walked up the rocky hill, heading back toward the horses. “Do as you please—follow or not. I do not care. I am done with you!”
    There was a soft sound behind her—or rather, two sounds: a thud followed closely by a dull groan.
    Branwen spun around. Blodwedd was running fast up the hill toward her, a rock clasped in one hand, her face ferocious, her eyes ablaze. Behind her, Rhodri was slumped on his side by the stream.
    Branwen’s fingers went instinctively to her slingshot, but Blodwedd was too swift for her. The owl-girl pounced on Branwen, the rock raised in her fist and ready to beat down on Branwen’s head. Stumbling backward over the uneven terrain, Branwen grabbed at Blodwedd’s raised arm, gripping her wrist.
    She was so strong! It was all Branwen could do to hold her off.
    They fell with Blodwedd on top, her lips drawn back in a fierce snarl, her teeth sharp and white.
    Using all her strength, Branwen forced Blodwedd’s arm sideways, jerking it down so that the back of her hand cracked against a rock.
    Blodwedd hissed with pain as the stone was knocked from her fingers. Branwen lurched, tryingto throw the owl-girl off. But Blodwedd wrested her arm free, forcing her legs up so that she was sitting astride Branwen’s chest, her knees pinning Branwen’s arms with a strength that seemed almost impossible in so slight a frame.
    Blodwedd’s claw-thin hands gripped either side of Branwen’s head, holding her in an unbreakable grip. The owl-girl reared up over her, bringing her head down, their faces so close that their noses almost touched.
    â€œStubborn and willful, indeed!” Blodwedd hissed. “But you will listen! You will look!”
    Branwen fought desperately to get free, wrenching her head from side to side in the viselike grip of the owl-girl’s hands. But she could not loose herself.
    â€œLook into my eyes!” shouted Blodwedd, her breath hot on Branwen’s face. “See! See what is to come!”
    Against her will, Branwen found herself staring into those two radiant eyes, and as she looked, the unearthly eyes grew and deepened until the whole world was drawn into them and Branwen lost herself in a blazing golden light.

5
    B RANWEN WAS FLYING . Above her, the wide sky went on