Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle Read Online Free PDF Page A

what?”
    Bertolt looked around, then whispered the word:
    â€œValravens. Three of them. Sent from below. They’re on the move, Endora. One of them attacked Argus when he couldn’t answer a riddle.”
    â€œWhat was the riddle?”
    â€œA very unpleasant one,” said Bertolt, shaking his neck feathers. “What do owls taste like?”
    â€œWhat a disgusting question!” replied Endora. “As if any raven would want to know what owls taste like.”
    â€œThe valraven went for Argus’s eyes. That’s what they do, you know. They blind their victims when they don’t get whatthey want. This one was looking specifically for a young raven with a boy amicus.”
    â€œI thought they were looking for the torc!” said Paladin.
    Bertolt looked down at Paladin with a stern frown. “Oh, you know about the torc, do you?”
    Paladin trembled under the bird’s wise stare.
    â€œUm, yes.”
    â€œAre you ready to fly?”
    â€œHe needs a month or two,” said Endora, putting her wing protectively over Paladin.
    Bertolt looked at Endora. “Does he know any riddles?”
    â€œOh, yes, he’s already learned a few.”
    Bertolt cast a thoughtful glance at Paladin. “Guard him well, Endora. A lot may depend on this young raven.”
    Then, raising his wings and uttering a cheery farewell
throk!
Bertolt flew off into the sky.
    â€œWhat did he mean by a lot may depend on me, Mother?”
    Endora gently nuzzled her sleepy chick. “That is a story for another day, my dear,” she whispered.

The Raven’s Amicus
    G abriel couldn’t wait to get back to the diary. The next entry described how Gabriel’s grandfather brought a portrait of Adam’s missing brother, Corax, down from the attic to show him. Adam was very upset by his resemblance to his brother.
    We have the same shape face, the same small mouth, but I don’t think my eyes are as cold or ruthless—at least, I hope not!
    But the most interesting entries were about Adam’s conversations with his raven, Baldasarre.
    April 29: Today I asked Baldasarre why, if ravens can talk, they don’t talk to most people. This is what he told me: “Ravens used to talk to humans, long ago, but they grew afraid. If a raven spoke, he might be put in a cage to be shown around as a kind of performing animal. Every raven cherishes his freedom.”
    â€œThen why did you speak to my father and me?” I asked.
    â€œYou are different, Adam,” said Baldasarre. “I knew I could trust you. You see, you were already able to understand my thoughts. At age twelve, a few children—like you—acquire this special power. It is very rare. You are what is called a raven’s amicus.”
    I was flabbergasted. And I still am.
    May 6: Baldasarre told me he is almost ready to fly again. I’m very sad about this. When I told my father that I wished I could keep him, he said that a raven is not a pet. “Healing his leg doesn’t give you the right to own him,” he said. “You owe him his freedom.”
    I don’t want him to go. For the next few days, I will give Baldasarre all his favorite foods, hoping he’ll decide to stay.
    May 10: Baldasarre asked me to let him out. I was upset, but I remembered my father’s words and pulled up the window and let the breeze blow the curtains aside. It was a gorgeous evening, clear and cloudless. Baldasarre hopped to the ledge, flexing his healed leg.
    â€œGoodbye, friend,” I choked out.
    Baldasarre tipped his head at me, surprised, and spoke in my head.
    This is not a farewell, Adam.
    â€œIt’s not?” I replied out loud, forgetting that I could answer him without speaking.
    We’re going to fly together, Adam. First, imagine jumping toward me, but do not move your legs.
Think
about flying, and when you do, you will leave yourself behind and become part of me.
    How can I leave myself