Pip and the Wood Witch Curse Read Online Free PDF

wheels. It climbed down, grabbing the torch as it came, crawling awkwardly, bent double. On two legs and one hand it passed across the clearing with the flame held over its head.
    A wood witch followed. She wore a skull cap and was wrapped in so much rag and old cloth that only her sunken eyes could be seen. She dragged a small two-wheeled cart whose tracks gave away her winding path from the densest part of the forest.
    She pulled a pile of kindling wood from the cart and placed it neatly in the middle of the circle, using the torch to light the fire. For a while there was no sound except the crack and spit of blistering twigs and branches.
    Roach came last to the circle. He was long and loose-limbed like Jarvis, but their similarities ended there. He had a second pair of arms positioned under the first so that he appeared not unlike an upright insect. The hands of the second pair swung below his knees and almost reached the forest floor. His long forehead and sharp chin made him frightening for sure, but he was somehow awkward. He used a stick to walk, yet he was swift and skillful in his movement, lightning fast.

    He was accompanied by Fenris, leader of the wolf pack. Fenris ambled up to his side and Roach stroked the nape of his neck gently. The wolf’s eyes glowed like fireflies, catching the reflection from the yellow moon. Roach took his stone out from his top pocket, passing it from an upper arm to a lower arm so that he could place it without bending his knees.

    Hogwick leaned forward, resting on her stick with both hands.
    “Creatures of the forest, I bring news. In these last few days my companion Silas has discovered signs of children. Fresh signs. Trails in the snow. We came close to catching a youngster,” she claimed, dressing up her tale, “but harsh weather impeded the hunt. Once again Silas brings hope to the Spindlewood. It is too long since we captured one, but the young still move through the city. Persistence will bring triumph. Use your companions well, they are your eyes and ears.”
    All of them looked at Silas. Many of the birds stirred with jealousy, and the wolves were determined to succeed in the search for young life.
    “There is at least one child that we know of. The Duprie house has been turned over, but one young girl escaped into the city when the authorities failed to find her. Silas brought this news also,” she announced proudly.
    Jarvis raised one eyebrow at Esther, perched on his shoulder. She ruffled her feathers and ignored his glare.
    “The hunt is on. Go now,” called Hogwick, “and return with good news. We are all waiting.”

A hooded figure appeared at the tavern doorway, shaking his cloak and kicking snow from his boots. He ordered ale with his head held low and was careful to conceal one hand. He asked for food and sat quietly in a fireside corner where a candle had been melted into the grain of the tabletop. A ripple of hush and whisper ran around the tavern and sly looks fell his way.
    Pip and Toad watched in secrecy from the cellar stairs. Toad whispered to Pip, “He’s here, the one I told you about. That’s him. Let’s go.” They shrank back into the shadow and crept down the stone steps.
    Sam knew it was old Jarvis but there was little he could say or do. He knew he’d be listening for information, hoping the locals might forget themselves and spill a secret here and there when the drinks had gotten the better of them.
    In some ways Sam saw it as an opportunity. He was keen to show that everything was as it should be at the tavern. It was plain to see there were no children here!
    Jarvis kept an eye on Sam and in return, Sam did the same. In truth, no one trusted Jarvis. He was a traitor. The authorities employed him to seek out children for imprisonment but, disgruntled at his meager wages and fueled by his hatred of the young, he was determined to pass them on to the forest folk. And how did the forest folk pay him? They went in search of what they knew