Spell of the Crystal Chair Read Online Free PDF Page A

disappointed. She murmured, “As you say, sire. I have obeyed my father.”
    “You are not convinced, my daughter, but I know that in the days to come you will learn many truths.” He put his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up, startled. He said nothing.
    The Sleepers watched, holding their breath.
    In the silence, Goél seemed to be telling Fairmina something, not with words but with some communication directly to her heart. Finally, he dropped his hands and turned again to the Sleepers. “It is good to see you again, my young friends. I have missed you. Now, we will sit and talk and you will tell me what is in your hearts.”
    “Goél is gone!”
    Josh burst into the hut. He had gone looking for Goél while the others were finishing breakfast. He’d returned almost immediately. “He’s not here at all! I thought he’d say good-bye, at least!”
    “That’s the way he is.” Sarah sighed. “He comes and goes without warning.” She looked over at Fairmina, who was sitting on a bench staring out the window. “Did you talk to him before he left?”
    “Yes. You were all asleep.” This seemed to imply some criticism.
    “You sound like it’s a crime to go to sleep!” Jake cried. “Well, I’m here to tell you we’re just humans, Princess. We have to sleep once in a while. Perhaps you royal folks don’t, but we common people do.”
    Fairmina gaped at the redheaded boy and then smiled. “You have spirit, Jake. I like that. You are small, but Goél said some fine things about you. You seem to be one of his favorites.”
    Jake flushed to the roots of his hair. “Aw … well … I’m not much,” he said. “I’m not as strong as Dave here, and I can’t lasso with a rope like Reb.”
    “Goél talked about all of you after you went to sleep. Now I understand a little more about his confidence in you.”
    Sarah looked pleased. “He always knows how to make a person feel better.”
    Fairmina’s face suddenly grew sad. “While he was speaking, I was encouraged. But now, in the cold light of day, I truly do not see how a small number such as this can help. I expected to lead a troop of a thousand back to Whiteland to fight our enemies. Hundreds, at least.”
    Mat had been watching the girl’s face. “That’s just what I say. How can a little bunch like us do anything?”
    “Will you be quiet, Mat!” Tam told him. “Goél’s never sent us in the wrong direction yet!”
    Josh was studying Fairmina. “I know you’re not convinced yet, but I hope that you’ll think better of us after a while.”
    “What orders did Goél leave, Fairmina?” Sarah asked.
    “He orders that you follow me.”
    “Then you’ll be our leader,” Josh said, feeling some relief.
    “Yes, I’ll lead you to Whiteland. But once we are there, Goél said you would have to do what seems right to you.” Heavily, she added, “I do not think we will succeed, but I must go back and give my life for my people.”
    “Just tell us what to do,” Dave said.
    Reb nodded. “We’ll do our best.”
    “First of all, how do we get to Whiteland?” Josh asked. “It’s a long way, isn’t it?”
    “Many, many long miles. But we will not walk all the way.” Fairmina reached into an inner pocket andpulled out a soft leather bag. When she slapped it into her other hand, it made a pleasant clinking sound. “Goél has given me gold to buy horses and pack animals. We will ride as far as we can.”
    “That’s a relief!” Jake said. “I’m not much of a horseman, but I’d rather ride than walk. My legs aren’t as long as Reb’s here.”
    Two days later the party started out at dawn, all mounted on sturdy horses. They had purchased food, and that, along with equipment such as their swords, shields, and armor, was carried by three sturdy pack animals. The horses were small, like mountain ponies, but Reb knew horseflesh and had helped with the purchase.
    He said, “These are tough animals. I wish they were Texas mustangs, but