Read Online 02 The Invaders by John Flanagan - Free Book Online

ability. What we must do is make the most of what we’ve got.”
    “I suppose so,” Edvin said. But his voice lacked conviction.
    Thorn eyed him carefully for a few seconds, then said, “I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that if you practice long andhard enough, you’ll show me that I’m wrong—that you can be as fast as Stig. Correct?”
    Edvin’s chin went up and he colored slightly. Then he answered, defiantly, “Yes. That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
    “Then good for you!” Thorn said, and slapped him heartily on the back. The impact was such that Edvin nearly went tumbling over in the net. He staggered, and as he did so, he took several high steps to recover.
    “Nice save,” Thorn said. “Now take a break. You can practice again later.”
    He watched as the boy walked a few paces away from the net, let the heavy shield slip from his arm and slumped to the grass. Edvin would take up the challenge, he knew. The boy had something to prove—to himself as much as to anyone else. If that gave him the incentive he needed to improve his performance, all the better. As Thorn had pointed out, it might save his life one day.
    Finally, he turned toward Ingvar and nodded.
    “Okay,” he said. “Let’s have you.”
    There was a murmur of expectation from the rest of the group. So far, Ingvar hadn’t attempted the net. Nobody had expected Thorn to order him to.
    Ingvar rose, peered in Thorn’s direction and hesitated.
    “Are you sure, Thorn?”
    “Yes, I’m sure,” Thorn said testily. “I don’t say things unless I’m sure. Step forward into the net.”
    Ingvar moved awkwardly forward to the edge of the net. As he went to step into it, his left toe caught on one of the strands andhe lurched uncertainly, waving his arms for balance and dropping his massive club in the process.
    Someone sniggered. Thorn turned quickly and caught sight of Stefan hiding a smile behind his hand. Thorn’s eyes narrowed.
    “Laughing at a shipmate, Stefan?” he said, his tone deceptively mild. Stefan hurriedly assumed a more serious expression.
    “It’s all right, Thorn,” Ingvar said. “I’m sort of used to it.”
    “Well, I’m not.” Thorn addressed his words to the watching group. “In my book, we never laugh or make fun of a shipmate who’s trying his best.”
    “Yeah. Don’t be an ass, Stefan,” Ulf said, and to everyone’s surprise, Wulf reiterated his brother’s thought.
    “That’s right. Shut up.”
    Thorn’s eyebrows went up in surprise. May the Great Blue Whale fly up to the sun, he thought.
    “Sorry,” said Stefan. It wasn’t so much the warning note in Thorn’s voice that did it. It was the fact that Ulf and Wulf, for the first time in living memory, agreed on something. And that something was the fact that he, Stefan, was an ass. It was a sobering thought.
    “Thanks, fellows,” Ingvar said.
    “Think nothing of it,” Wulf said.
    And Ulf chorused, “Nothing at all.”
    Then Wulf turned to Thorn. “Carry on, Thorn,” he said magnanimously, gesturing with his right hand.
    Thorn shook his head. “Oh, thank you very much,” he said, and the other boys all smothered their laughter while Wulf grinned at them.
    “That was well said,” Ulf leaned over and told him.
    Wulf nodded smugly. “I know.”
    “In fact, it was so well said, I’m surprised
I
didn’t say it,” Ulf continued.
    Wulf, who had been leaning back on one elbow on the grass, now straightened abruptly and glared at his brother.
    “Are you now?” he said. “Well, I’d—”
    “Drop it!” Hal’s voice cut like a whip and Wulf turned toward him.
    “Drop what?” he asked.
    Hal shook his head in annoyance. “Whatever you planned to say. Just drop it. You’ve got a laugh out of everyone, so quit while you’re ahead.”
    “Quit while you’re behind, more like,” Ulf sniggered, and Hal turned his glare on him.
    “You drop it too,” he snapped and was surprised when Ulf looked considerably