[Firebringer 03] - The Son of Summer Stars Read Online Free PDF

of the gryphons,” he asked, “are we agreed?”
    The mighty formel straightened, nodded. “We are agreed, Jan, prince of unicorns. Henceforth, our folk shall be at peace, and next spring your kind will depart Ishi’s Vale, returning to your own ancestral Hills.”
    The slimmest of morning breezes lifted, died. The formel’s feathers riffled, then smoothed.
    “We take with us in gratitude your songs,” she continued, “and leave you ours. We will not soon forget this night’s singing, nor the tales that you have taught us. We trust you will remember ours.”
    She gave a guttural snort, the meaning of which Tek could not readily discern—supposed it might be a laugh, the first the pied mare had heard the gryphon queen utter.
    “I would never have guessed that so hoarse-voiced and whinnying a sort as unicorns could honor the sky with such fetching airs—and from but a single throat. What brave and lonely songs you sing! I salute you.”
    Tek rose, the muscles of her long legs twinging, and stepped to stand beside her mate. She bowed low to the gryphon queen while Jan replied.
    “And I salute you, wingleader of all the clans. Song, to my mind, rings far sweeter than war.”
    The great blue formel nodded curtly, then half-turned, fanning her massy wings again. Behind her, the other formels did the same.
    “We must fly,” she said. “Our chicks have nestled their fathers long enough. But know this.” Malar turned to face Jan over one shoulder. “In emblem of my goodwill, next spring when you march for the Hallow Hills, I will send my kinsmeet Illishar to accompany you.”
    Beside Jan, Tek felt his start of pleasure, surprise.
    “My thanks to you, Queen Malar,” he answered warmly. “Your cousin is a mighty warrior. The ranks of the unicorns will be glad of his strength.”
    Illishar inclined his head. “I shall be as glad to lend it.” His mouth edged into a bare hint of a smile. “My wingleader is most anxious that your war against the wyverns succeed, that hereafter Ishi’s Vale harbor his flocks in peace, untroubled by wandering unicorns.”
    Tek saw the expression of the gryphon queen almost imperceptibly sour. Jan gave a whickering laugh.
    “I, too, share the great Malar’s urgency for the success of our endeavor. Your airborne eyes will be of great value to us, Illishar. We welcome you.”
    The green-winged tercel bowed his head. At a sign from Malar, her formels rose, some rearing to stand on hind legs as if to stretch, others stroking their wings. Jan’s forelock lifted. Tek felt her own mane whipped about her neck. The buffeting grew fiercer. Malar moved a few paces from Jan, seeking room to spring into the air. The other gryphons fell back from her. The mighty wingleader sank into a crouch, half opening her wings, when suddenly a voice from among the unicorns broke the stillness.
    “Hold!”
    Jan reared and wheeled. Cavaling, Tek turned to see Lell spring to her feet. Before her startled dam could move to stay her, the darkamber filly sprinted for the rise. In three strides and a bound, she had gained the summit. Astonished, the pied mare fell back as the prince’s sister hastened to his side.
    “Brother, a moment,” Lell panted. “I would speak! May I speak?”
    Tek watched her mate’s baffled eyes scanning his sister. Lell’s urgency made her prance and sidle beside him. He spoke quietly.
    “Sister, you already speak. What would you say?”
    Lell seemed to take his response for leave. She spun eagerly to face the green-winged tercel.
    “Illishar Brokenwing, do you know me?” she asked.
    The tercel nodded gravely. “Could I forget?” he replied. “You are the prince’s sister, with whom I set this parley three moons past.”
    “Lell,” the chestnut filly answered. “My name is Lell. I wanted you to have my name.”
    The tercel’s smile was unmistakable now. “Indeed, Lell Darkamber, I already know it. You called it out to me last spring as I departed. I hope that in