The Trees And The Night (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

him. Granu looked to the heights and saw the heaving form of Cefiz crawling toward the rim of the ledge. Vieri was nowhere to be seen. His mind raced. Three of the pack had made it past his position. One lay at his feet and two vanished. Immediately he knew. The Windrider was gone. The giant ran toward Cefiz.
     
    Cefiz clawed his way toward the spot from which Vieri disappeared. He fought delirium. Black blood from Nostr’s first victim spattered the stones in front of him. She could not be gone. He peered over the edge to the swirling, icy mists draping the mountain below. Granu dropped beside him. Together they searched.
     “Carry him,” barked a voice behind the giant.
    Granu spun to see the rigid form of the stone prophet standing behind him. The giant peered down the slope past the scribe to see the Ulrog massing at the junction of the spine three hundred paces below. From the fissure of Mount Grabor crawled a huge black figure. Granu’s eyes widened and he searched Nostr’s face.
    “A Malveel,” stated Nostr without turning to inspect the boulder causeway. “I hold sway over my brethren. They fear me. However, the great worms of Amird are another story. They must be convinced.“
    Cefiz broke eye contact with the prelate and peered over the ledge again.
    “She is gone,” stated Nostr flatly. “You must flee. Your quest to save the Elven girl is at an end. It is not your task. That lies elsewhere. “
     “We have made a pledge....” began Granu.
    “Your pledge must be broken. Others will look to fulfill it,” said Nostr turning to the crossroads below. “The Malveel will assess the situation and drive his Hackles forward. You have but one choice. Follow this ledge to the heights. After a time the Hackles and even Woil the Lamentation will refuse to follow.”
    “Why?” demanded Granu, suspiciously eyeing the scribe.
    Nostr ignored the question.
    “The Malveel will post his Hackles below at the junction, blocking your exit from the slopes of Tar Hdjmir. He will be satisfied with letting you starve to death on the barren rock above.”
    Granu scowled at the scribe as he lifted Cefiz to his feet.
    “I prefer to die in battle than freeze to death above,” growled Granu as he edged down the slope.
    The Ulrog scribe stepped into his path and stared hard eyed at the giant.
    “Trust Keltaran,” snarled Nostr. “It is time for you to trust. Time for you to understand that I see what others do not.”
    Granu was taken aback by the fire within the scribe’s eyes.
    “Move to the heights,” snapped Nostr spinning toward the junction and pointing to the roaring Malveel below, “or you drag your comrade to a certain and needless death.”
    Granu hesitated, looked to the slope as it wound into the icy mists of Tar Hdjmir above, then turned and dragged a weary Cefiz upward. Nostr watched the pair depart. Turning, he eyed the group at the junction. The Ulrog scribe sighed, then confidently charged down the stone pathway.
     
    Cefiz coughed and hacked as Granu supported him in their journey upward. The Guardsman again colored a pale gray and Granu worried for his friend. Soon the stone causeway and the Ulrog were out of sight.
    “I fear this action is folly, my friend,” whispered Cefiz weakly.
    “We have adequate provisions to last several days if we can find a recess to shelter from the wind and ice,” huffed Granu then smiled. “Have faith Zodrian. Avra provides for his children.”
    “If the scribe is mistaken and the Hackles follow, he has wasted our energy and put any escape to the Frizgard out of reach,” wheezed Cefiz.
    A roar echoed up the massive cliff wall from the mists below. The pair halted and stared at one another.
    “Then let us pray he is correct,” returned Granu.

CHAPTER 3: A FIRE STRUCK
     
    They traveled nearly two days on the road from the great city. At first the riding was easy. The roads arrayed about the capital like spokes on a wheel. Their surfaces were strong and