Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers Read Online Free PDF Page A

weak and a little confused. If the two of us could talk alone for a few moments . . .'
     
'Of course.' Keera rolled up the parchment and replaced it carefully in her pouch. Then, retrieving the bowl, she got up, bowing respectfully first to Sebastian and then to Cornelius as she went past.
     
The little warrior waited until she was out of hearing, then strolled into the hut, beaming. 'I'm rather enjoying being the friend of the Chosen One,' he said. 'I've never been so indulged. I simply snap my fingers and I get whatever I want!'
     
'Cornelius!' Sebastian glared at his friend. 'What's all this "Chosen One" nonsense? And why are you allowing Keera to believe such a ridiculous notion?'
     
'For very good reasons,' Cornelius assured him. 'While you've been sleeping the days away, I've been using my time to good purpose . . . But more of that later. For now, I have a surprise for you.' He glanced back towards the open doorway. 'Come on, shaggy. He's clearly well enough to entertain visitors.'
     
A great mournful head ducked in through the doorway and there stood Max, regarding Sebastian with evident relief. 'My prayers are answered!' he exclaimed. 'The young master is healed!'
     
'I wouldn't go quite that far,' Sebastian told him. 'But I'm certainly on the mend – and though I never thought I'd say it, it's good to see your face, Max.' He thought for a moment. 'Who exactly did you pray to?'
     
'Why, the great buffalope-god Colin, of course.' Max looked quite indignant at the question. 'Who else?'
     
'But I didn't think you believed in him,' persisted Sebastian.
     
'I don't really. But in a situation this grave, I wasn't taking any chances.'
     
Sebastian laughed at this and instantly regretted it as another stab of pain went through him. Cornelius came and sat down cross-legged beside the straw bed. Max ambled closer too.
     
'Oh, young master,' he said. 'I can't tell you how happy I am. Even in this terrible place, where everybody seems to want a portion of me!'
     
Cornelius laughed heartily. 'It's lucky for you you're the magical assistant of the Chosen One,' he said. 'Otherwise you'd be nothing but a handful of spare ribs. I swear there's one fellow in the tribe who can't look at you without drooling!'
     
'There you go again!' hissed Sebastian. 'You must put Keera straight about this. It's not fair to let her go on thinking . . . well, that there's something special about me.'
     
'But who's to say there isn't?' argued Cornelius. 'You've seen the scroll. And I've spent some time listening to the old stories. There are some startling similarities: for instance, the Chosen One – that's what the Jilith call this Elf Lord – he's supposed to come from a desert region, just like your homeland Jerabim. He's supposed to have brought down kings and witches, just as you have. And—'
     
'Yes, but these are just coincidences! There's nothing special about me.'
     
'I can vouch for that,' said Max. 'I've seen his jester's routine.'
     
'You are special. We all are, and you'd better get that into your thick skull,' said Cornelius.
     
'But can't you see? It's wrong to allow Keera to deceive herself after she saved our lives and everything. If you won't say something to her, then I will.'
     
Cornelius shook his head. He reached into his singlet and took out his tobacco pipe and pouch. 'You'll do nothing of the kind,' he said calmly. 'For one thing, tell her that and poor old Max here will be on a roasting spit before he has time to blink.'
     
'Do you really think so?' asked Max warily. 'I'm nervous enough as it is without that kind of talk!'
     
'And secondly,' continued Cornelius, 'if we can convince the Jilith that you are who they think you are, they'll give us the location of the lost city of Mendip.'
     
'What are you talking about?' asked Sebastian. 'Nobody knows if there is a lost city . . . do they?'
     
'Well, hear me out a moment and see what you think.'
     
Sebastian was beginning to tire but he listened to