Gossamyr Read Online Free PDF

close loomed a skein of buzzing gnats.
    Turning, Gossamyr scanned the dark emerald lacework of the forest
canopy and the blackened trunks of oak trees she recognized, but had
known in a more spectacular image. No exposed roots twisting and
trailing down the length of the Spiral forest. 'Twas her favorite
activity to swing and climb amongst the network of roots, chasing
night moths. And where be the canorous frog song that so twinkled
from amidst the shadowed roots?
    Shrugging her hands up her arms, she scanned the forest. A rabbity
moan brewed in her throat. Gossamyr pressed a hand to her chest. Calm
yourself.
    How to return when her mission was complete? She wasn't sure how
she had entered the Otherside. Born without twinclian —the
ability to twinkle in and out from a place—she could only
imagine the task had been accomplished via Shinn's glamour.
    Perhaps she should have gotten the return method clear with her
father before setting off on adventure. Always, Shinn had tried to
crush her penchant for rushing blindly into situations. A warrior
must assess and plan. But Gossamyr liked the danger, and the thrill
of dashing into the fray—as much as the peaceable kingdom of
Glamoursiege had allowed. There were the occasional vagrants from the
Netherdred that crept into the Spiral; excellent opportunity for
Gossamyr to put her training to use. Always, though, Shinn had been
there to aid.
    Mayhap she had leaped a bit too far this time? Who would catch her
should she stumble?
    The buzz of a large insect spun Gossamyr about to spy a harnessed
dragon fly. Pale blue wings spanned the width of her forearm. Zip,
zip here; zip, zip there. The bejeweled harness glinted in the
sunlight. It hovered before her— see me, I am near —then
jettied up into the forest canopy.
    "So he did send a fetch." A bit of Faery close by to
reassure.
    A breath of confidence filled Gossamyr's lungs. "Shinn would
have never sent me did he not trust I would be successful. I will
find the Red Lady and put an end to her vicious reign. If more of
those revenants return to Faery, my father will have a full-scale
battle on his hands. I must make haste."
    Which way lay Paris? Perched high atop the Spiral in her father's
castle down was the only direction she had ever learned. To
navigate horizontally instead of vertically would
prove...interesting.
    Gossamyr searched her memory and envisioned a finely detailed page
from Veridienne's bestiary, a map of the mortal city with the various
tribes of Faery inscribed over all. Glamoursiege sat down-south of
Paris.
    Lifting her foot, she remembered the Passage. A precarious
position for one just arrived. Stabbing her staff outside the circle,
she swung her legs up and out and landed the ground.
    She stared wistfully at the empty ring of toadstools. 'Twas how
the Dancers arrived in Faery. A Passage should, by rights, work both
ways.
    Should she? Just a test?
    Gripping her staff, Gossamyr lifted her foot and pointed a toe
toward the circle, then...she stepped inside. One foot firmly planted
on the ground. Shallow breaths quietly exhaled. The chirring finale
of the cicada's song rattled to silence.
    Nothing.
    "Hmm..."
    Removing her foot from the circle, she then tried the other foot,
and waited, breath held.
    Again, naught but the pulse beat of her heart inside her ears.
    Looking about she did not spy the fetch. It saw all, she knew.
Dare she jump inside with both feet? What if it did work? She would
return to Faery. To Mince's sheltering arms. And Shinn's disapproving
eyes.
    Her father had granted her this opportunity. She must to it!
    "I can do this," Gossamyr said. A shrug of her shoulders
and a loosening shake of her limbs summoned bravery. "I will do this. I know how to protect myself. I know how to track and
defend. Oh yes—" a smile crooked her mouth "—I
want some adventure."
    A few strides put her to a narrow wheel path gouged along the
horizontal purlieu of the forest. The packed red dirt felt warm
beneath her