The Pendragon's Challenge (The Last Pendragon Saga Book 7) Read Online Free PDF Page A

desires. He had believed that he could see right through them, and yet, they had surprised him.
     “You do realize that we’re going to walk?” Taliesin said.
     Goronwy let out a snort of disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
    “Walking is slow, but it connects me to the earth. My mistake before was in thinking that I needed to hurry, and I allowed myself to become distracted. If I am to find the Treasures, I must feel them the only way I know how.”
    Catrin and Goronwy shared a brief glance, and then Goronwy shrugged. “So be it. He stuck out one foot. “I’ve had these boots for a while. They’re worn and perfect for walking. Though,” he added, “if you had a mind to ride, I wouldn’t object.”
    “I don’t want to be responsible for horses,” Taliesin said. “The Treasures straddle the human world and that of the sidhe, and it is in the world of the sidhe that I have not yet looked.”
     Goronwy’s chin firmed. “If you cross into the Otherworld, it is of no matter. I will follow you anywhere you lead.”
    Taliesin looked at Catrin. “And you?”
    “I know I can be of some use to you,” she said. “I have gifts that might aid you, even if they are weaker than your own.”
    “Different,” Taliesin said, though he wasn’t sure what made him clarify. “Just different from my own.”
    Catrin bowed her head in acknowledgement and then reached for the latch on the wicket gate that allowed travelers to pass in and out of Dinas Bran without opening the big double doors underneath the gatehouse.
    “Just as long as you don’t disturb my thoughts,” Taliesin said.
    “When have I ever?” Catrin said.
    Without actually giving his assent, Taliesin passed through the wicket gate and stepped onto the path that wound down from Dinas Bran. The village of Llangollen lay at its base. Goronwy was right, of course, that riding would be faster. It would take them an hour to reach the valley floor, rather than a quarter of that time by horseback. But Taliesin knew that he was right too. He needed the hum of the earth beneath his feet as he walked.
    As a child he’d gone without shoes as part of his training. His adult form was heavier, however, and though Taliesin was loath to admit it, the soles of his feet had softened since last summer. He promised himself that when he completed this task, if he ever completed it, he would find a cottage in the mountains and run barefoot every day.
    Taliesin eyed Catrin. She might be a barefoot person too. In fact, at that very moment, a vision came to him of her dancing in a meadow, arms wide, with mountain flowers beneath her feet and her dress spinning out around her. He allowed the vision to draw him in for just a moment before suppressing it. He knew without question that it was a true seeing and one of the moments of joy that pulled him forward. Then he looked past Catrin to Goronwy, who was bringing up the rear, trying to imagine him barefoot. It was impossible, and Taliesin had a moment of amusement to think that if anyone could transform Goronwy it was Catrin.
    The trio stumped along down the road. At first they encountered a dozen common folk returning to the castle after working in the fields or pastures for the day, but by the time they were halfway down the mountain, it was nearing full dark, and they passed no other soul. Taliesin muttered the incantation that lit the end of his staff, putting enough into it so all three of them could clearly see the path ahead.
    Mostly they walked in silence, except for occasional mutters from Goronwy—complaints of one kind or another, jokes for Catrin’s amusement, or comments on the day. Such was his way. Throughout every journey Taliesin had experienced with Goronwy, he and Bedwyr, who more often than not was Goronwy’s foil, had maintained a near constant stream of humor and goodwill, belying their outward gruffness.
    It didn’t take long, however, for Goronwy to need a response from someone other than himself.