Seeds of Rebellion Read Online Free PDF

away in the night, escaping into the western wilderness, eventually making his way to the port city of Weych. He later confirmed that as he had suspected, Maldor had discovered his involvement in Jason’s escape. Ferrin had remained in hiding ever since.
    Throughout their conversations, Jason never hid his wish to return to Lyrian, and Ferrin had pledged his aid should Jason ever succeed. But Jason had deep misgivings about relying on Ferrin. Everything the displacer had asserted could have been fabricated to gain his trust. For the present, confiding in Ferrin would be irresponsible.
    Invigorated by the snack, Jason stuffed the plastic sack withthe hand into his backpack and trotted along the trail. He estimated that back home it was the middle of the night. His summer had been lazy so far, with plenty of sleep, so he didn’t expect an all-nighter to give him too much trouble. Besides, with the sun up, it felt earlier.
    After some time, Jason reduced his pace to a walk. The day was too hot. Despite the humidity, his jeans were almost dry.
    The little path he followed bent westward, then southwest. Jason continued, hoping the path would turn back to the north. The vegetation seemed closer and pricklier than ever.
    Just when Jason was preparing to double back, the path intersected a larger trail that cut straight to the north. He followed the northward track, surprised at how wide it was for a path out in the wild. He noticed several places where foliage appeared to have been roughly chopped away to keep it from crowding the trail.
    At one particularly mangled bush, Jason paused. Who was tending the trail? The maintenance was deliberate and relatively recent. Could it be giants? Or perhaps some industrious hermit?
    Jason studied his surroundings. Given the dense undergrowth, if he left the path, his progress would be slowed to a frustrating crawl. Examining the trail, he found no huge footprints, but spotted traces of animal tracks—deer, perhaps. He decided to hurry along the pathway but to remain attentive. If he heard anything suspicious, he could always duck into the undergrowth.
    With the heightened caution of a trespasser, Jason proceeded along the trail. The sun descended toward the treetops. Several times he paused at strange noises, and once he dove from the trail to roll under a scratchy shrub.
    Every disconcerting sound turned out to be a false alarm, so it came as quite a shock when the trail curved around a tall bushand he found himself confronted by a twelve-foot giant, clutching a spiked club.
    The huge man stood on the edge of the path, face twisted into a fierce grimace. Jason froze, deeply startled, then relaxed. The giant was a rough-hewn statue.
    As Jason was calming himself, a shrill voice cried, “State your business!”
    The order had come from somewhere before him, but Jason could not see the speaker.
    “Keep your hands visible. State your business immediately!”
    Jason held his empty hands forward. He still could not identify the speaker. The voice seemed to originate from the looming statue. “I’m just passing through these woods on my way up the coast.”
    “Dispose of your weapons.”
    “I have no weapons.” Jason held out his arms and slowly turned.
    A little man emerged from concealment within the bushes between the legs of the giant statue. He had curly auburn hair and was only slightly higher than Jason’s waist.
    Approaching with a bowlegged waddle, the small man held his hands palms outward. His tone became less demanding. “I am unarmed as well. If you intend to harm me, please end the suspense and do it now.”
    “I’m not going to do anything to you. All I want are directions, so I can get clear of these woods.”
    The little man approached cautiously. His simple clothing was a faded green that blended with the forest vegetation. “Pardon my candor, but if you plan to waylay me, I would prefer to have it done with.” He turned around. “There. My back is turned and my eyes