The Veil Weavers Read Online Free PDF Page B

“I must know more about them.” I’d been expecting arguments, but when I said must , magic came with it, insisting.
    “I don’t know any more about them,” said Aleena.
    “Nor do I,” said Keeper. “There are few who would know such old stories.”
    “None of us know,” said Greyfur.
    Corvus cawed, and Keeper interpreted. “Giants are not old enough. The spirits are too old – their time sense is too large. They cannot focus on little details like this.”
    “So who is older than the giants, but not as old as the spirits?” I asked.
    Everyone looked uncomfortable as the Will of the Gathering pressed upon them.
    “Gronvald is not old enough,” said Aleena, uneasy at even mentioning his name. “But he has a long memory, especially for anyone who harms him. He hates the veil – it slows him down. So he hates the Ancient Ones.”
    Keeper nodded. “Trolls know many stories. They pass on knowledge of caves and metal and jewels. They remember every detail.”
    “So, what do we do?” I asked. “Just go visit him?” I shuddered.
    Maddy said, “Let’s go for tea. I’m sure he’ll be overjoyed to see us.” She laughed, but it sounded a little hysterical.
    “He will not want to see us. But he will, if it is the Will of the Gathering.”
    “I need to talk to him,” I said.
    Keeper and Corvus conferred – it looked like they were arguing. Finally Keeper repeated, “It is the Will of the Gathering.”
    Corvus squawked in response. He cawed to two crows and they flew to Keeper’s cave. Then Corvus chose two others, and left with them.
    I was getting frustrated with not being able to understand crow. I could feel his disagreement, but not catch the words. Maddy and l looked at Keeper, waiting for an explanation.
    “Corvus and his friends have gone to inform Gronvald that it is the Will of the Gathering that he speak with us.”
    But I really don’t want to talk to him , I thought. Maddy slipped her hand into mine. I glanced down – had she become a mind reader?
    “Will they be safe?” asked Maddy. “What if Gronvald hurts them?”
    “They fly at the Will of the Gathering,” said Keeper. “He will not harm them.” Then he smiled. “Although he will do everything he can to scare them!”
    “And the others?” Maddy asked, pointing towards Keeper’s cave.
    Keeper watched for a few moments, and nodded as the birds flew out of his cave, carrying something between them.
    “They bring gold for Gronvald,” said Keeper. “His fee. He will not want to speak to us, even with the Will of the Gathering requiring that he help us. The gold will make it easier for him.”
    The crows dropped the bag at Keeper’s feet. The small canvas sack clanked as it fell. Keeper untied it so we could see in – it was filled with shining gold coins.
    “So he’ll help us?” Maddy asked.
    “No. He will not want to tell us anything,” said Keeper, smiling.
    “Then why are we going?” I asked, still hoping to avoid Gronvald.
    “He will not want us to repair the veil. The tears make it easier for him to travel to the human world to steal gold. But he will talk to us. We may be able to learn something useful from him.”
    Keeper stood and dropped the bag of coins into a huge jacket pocket. When Greyfur and Eneirda moved to join us, Keeper shook his head. “No, you must rest. You have done enough. Aleena will come with us.”
    Greyfur, Eneirda and Aleena all looked horrified. Each one of them wanted to argue, clearly hating Keeper’s decision, but they didn’t say a thing. They looked to me, hoping I would offer a different Will of the Gathering, but I shook my head. I had to trust Keeper.
    Keeper led Maddy, Aleena and me up beyond the head of the lake. “We will walk to Gronvald’s nearest cave,” said Keeper.
    “His nearest cave?” Maddy asked, skipping to keep up with Keeper. He slowed and held out a hand. She grabbed one finger and they walked together.
    I followed, the crows circling me, Aleena trailing