Read Online Dark Magic by B. V. Larson - Free Book Online Page B

would do it, or if they would beg off, citing their lack of manpower for such duties.
    Deciding to take care of matters himself, he took out the axe and slashed at the thickest growth and chopped away overhanging branches. The lush greenery curled away from the axe and bled sap. Soon he was grinning and had broken into chanting, repetitive song. Telyn walked the horse behind him, not arguing. He did not care what she thought. He did not give one whit for her concerns. He was having fun.
    By the time night had fallen, they had made good progress. They would be out of the Deepwood before night fell again, Tomkin assured them. Only Telyn seemed unhappy. They had seen no sign of the boy, nor of anyone else for that matter. Brand reluctantly put away the axe, breathing hard, and felt a great tiredness fall over him the moment he did so. They set up camp in the middle of the trail itself, fearful that by morning they may not be able to identify it otherwise.
    They ate a rough meal of beans, chicken, blister-root and broth. They dared not add any of the massive mushrooms that grew everywhere underfoot. None of them knew one from the other and none wanted to spend the night retching. Brand was left wishing Corbin had come along. Somehow, that man could always make a fine meal. He suspected he would find a way to eat well in a desert. Tomkin ran in with something live and wriggling he’d caught from the forest and tossed it into their stewpot before they could object. Wrinkling their noses, they waited until the splashing about had long since ceased, and then tasted their broth again. Brand had to admit, there was a certain flavorful tang to it now. He tried not to think about it as he had a second serving.
    Tired from a long day’s travel and sore of arm from chopping away half the forest, Brand fell asleep beside the fire as soon as he laid down. Tomkin was in charge of the first watch, Telyn the second. Brand expected to be up before dawn for his shift.
     
    * * *
     
    When he awoke with a start some hours later, it was the middle of the night. Their fire had died down to embers crowned by a single tongue of yellow flame. He sat up, and felt for his axe first. It was there, shivering under his hand. What had awakened it?
    He looked around, blinking back sleep and yawning. The roan slept standing nearby. Tomkin lay flat upon the horse’s back, gently snoring through his tiny nostrils. But of Telyn, there was no sign.
    Brand roused himself and stood up, remembering the night of the Will O’ the Wisp, when he and Telyn had been led astray by old Hob’s lantern. Could someone or something have led her off again?
    “Telyn?” he asked in a whisper.
    No reply came. He thought about taking out his axe, but didn’t want to sound an alarm just yet. Possibly, she had just gone into the trees to relieve herself.
    “Telyn?” he called again, louder this time.
    The horse nickered softly. Tomkin snorted and rolled over in his sleep, and the horse’s back was wide enough for him to do so without falling off.
    Brand threw more wood on the fire, becoming concerned. He thought about waking up Tomkin, but before he moved to do so, he thought he heard something. It sounded like crying. Could it be the child? That was his first thought.
    He walked into the Deepwood proper, leaving the trail behind, several steps in the direction of the sound. He thought he saw a dark shape ahead. He knew the shape, even though it was nearly pitch black.
    “Telyn?” he asked.
    She gave a sudden, startled intake of breath. “Brand?”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I’ve found him.”
    “The boy?”
    “Yes, come,” she said.
    Brand went back to awaken Tomkin, but she reached an arm toward him. “Perhaps you should let him sleep.”
    “Why?”
    “So you do not slay him when you see what I’ve found.”
    Brand was quiet for a few seconds, thinking about her words. A dark feeling crept over him. It was a cold feeling of dread. Also, growing beneath that, was