The Golden Door Read Online Free PDF Page B

and wiped his knife blade on his apron.
    “Sholto and I think that whatever creatures the skimmers fed on before they discovered us were slower and more defenseless than we are, so rarely had to be paralyzed before being consumed,” he went onenthusiastically. “Sholto goes so far as to suggest that the previous prey might have been a species of turtle because of the powerful grinding back teeth we observed in all the early skimmer specimens. Such teeth would be ideal for reducing hard shell to powder, you know.”
    Rye nodded again, feeling sicker than ever.
    “Well, we shall soon know the truth of it,” Tallus said confidently. “Sholto will certainly have settled the question by the time he returns.”
    Rye’s heart gave a great thud.
    “Healer Tallus!” he gasped. “You believe that Sholto is still alive?”
    “Why, of course !” exclaimed the old man, gazing at him in astonishment. “Do you not think so?”
    “Yes, I do,” Rye said breathlessly. “But the Warden —”
    “Oh, the Warden !” Tallus flapped his hands contemptuously, the knifepoint missing Rye’s arm by a hairbreadth.
    “I — I am sure that Dirk — my other brother — is still alive, too,” Rye stammered. “I do not know why I am so certain, but …”
    “I daresay you can feel it, if you were fond of him,” the healer said vaguely, his eyes straying back to the skimmer on the table. “You and I are two of a kind. I knew it the first moment I saw you years ago. Sholto jeers at the idea, of course. Poor Sholto believes in nothing he cannot see.”
    He tore his eyes away from the skimmer and looked back at Rye. “So — both your brothers are out there, beyond the Wall. And you plan to go and find them. Is that it?”
    Rye’s breath caught in his throat. He gaped at the healer, unable to speak.
    “If you have come to ask my opinion, I believe it is an excellent idea,” Tallus said, nodding vigorously. “I had not realized how you had grown, or I would have come to you to suggest it. I thought of going after Sholto myself, of course, but I hesitated to leave Southwall without a healer. Not to mention that it is unlikely a limping old man could do a pinch of good out there in the wilds.”
    He clapped Rye on the shoulder. “But you, my boy, are a different matter. Go, with all speed! My thoughts will be with you.”
    Rye swallowed and found his voice. “No! Healer Tallus, that is not why I came. I cannot go beyond the Wall! I am too young. And even if I were of age, I could not leave Mother alone.”
    Tallus’s eyebrows shot up, and his mouth turned down at the corners.
    “Indeed!” he growled. “Then why are you here?”
    “I — I need to make more skimmer repellent,” Rye stammered. “So we have supplies for next season. I have Sholto’s recipe, but the ingredients —”
    “Nonsense!” Tallus snapped, shaking his headirritably. “You could have come on the day of rest to ask me about that! Why hurry here today?”
    Rye wet his lips. “I — I felt I could not wait,” he said feebly.
    “Exactly!” Tallus cried. “You were drawn here because something in you knew I would understand you. Face it, boy! Stop deceiving yourself!”
    “Healer Tallus, I cannot go beyond the Wall!” Rye almost shouted. “They would not let me!”
    Tallus grinned at him, put down his knife, and drew on heavy gloves.
    “Go and find your brothers, young Rye,” he said, picking up the knife again and bending over the skimmer. “You are young and strong, and your hair is as red as ever. You are just the man for the task. And it is what you want, even if you do not know it.”
    “But —”
    “I think you should go quite soon,” the old man went on without looking up. “Dirk and Sholto are alive for now, but plainly they are in danger. The very fact that you have come to me today is proof of that. Now be off with you!”
    His mind in turmoil, Rye escaped from the evil-smelling room and ran from the house.

F ate is strange, and