Read Online Forest Kingdom Trilogy 1 - Blue Moon Rising by Simon R. Green - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Simon R. Green
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and true, and leaf-strewn branches framed a hole in the overhead canopy through which moonlight streamed, forming a pool of light around the Prince. And there before him on the ground lay a sword. Rupert stooped down and picked it up. It was an ordinary, everyday sword with sharp edges and a good balance. Rupert smiled bitterly as the darkness gathered around him. The treasures of Rainbow's End — just another legend. From far off the sounds of fighting came to him, and Rupert turned to find the shimmering trail waiting to lead him back to his beleaguered friends. He hefted the sword once and then ran back through the Darkwood.
He burst back into the clearing, and for a moment all he could see was a mass of leaping, clawing demonkind. The dragon surged back and forth, firelight glowing ruddy on his flailing wings and tail. Blood streamed from his terrible teeth. Julia crouched behind the dragon, sword in hand, moving always to keep the fire between her and the demons. Her robe was soaked in blood. There was no sign of the unicorn.
As Rupert hesitated at the clearing's edge a demon ducked under the dragon's guard, knocked the Princess to the ground and stooped over her. Rupert screamed and ran forward. A demon leaped towards him. He cut it in two and ran on without pausing. More demons came to block his way. His sword seemed weightless in his hand, and demon blood fell to the ground like a ghastly dew.
He reached the demon's side to find the Princess busily gutting the demon that had attacked her. She looked up as he joined her, and wiped her face with a bloodied hand.
'Took your time, didn't you?'
Rupert grinned, and they stood back to back, swords at the ready, as the demons came at them again.
Julia wielded her sword with surprising skill, her face determined. Rupert spun and danced, his sword licking out to kill and kill again, but he knew it was hopeless. The darting, leaping creatures swarmed out of the dark in seemingly endless numbers, and he was already exhausted. Eventually, they were bound to pull him down. The company's only chance for survival had been the Rainbow Run, and he'd failed.
Rupert gasped as demon claws raked across his rib cage. He cut the demon down, but he could feel blood running down his side in a thick stream. His head swam dizzily, but the pain kept him from fainting.
More demons pressed forward, and Rupert knew he was no longer fast enough to stop them all. He silently cursed the missing unicorn to hell for his cowardice in deserting the party to their fate, and took a firm grip on his sword. He hoped it would be a quick death.
And then the dragon raised himself in all his ancient glory, and fire blazed on the night. Demons curled up and fell away like scorched leaves as the dragon's flaming breath washed over them. Others fell to roll on the ground in silent agony before lying still. The dragon's awesome head swayed back and forth, his fire scouring the clearing of demonkind, and then the flame flickered and went out.
In the last of the light, Rupert watched the survivors fall back to join others of their kind, waiting in the darkness beyond the clearing. More demons. There were always more demons. Rupert slowly lowered his sword and leaned on it. He daren't sit down for fear he'd never get to his feet again. Hi s strength is as the strength of ten, because his heart is pure . Minstrels. Rupert sighed softly. Julia suddenly sat down beside him as her legs gave way. Her eyes were glazed with fatigue, but somehow she still found enough strength to hang on to her sword. Anger stirred in Rupert afresh as he realised not all the blood on Julia's dress came from demons. He stared horrified as he took in the terrible extent of her injuries, and swore silently. If he hadn't taken her from the dragon's cave; if he hadn't brought her into the Darkwood; if he hadn't left her to go chasing after a legend... If. You're a brave lass, Julia , Rupert thought wearily. You deserved better than me. He
He burst back into the clearing, and for a moment all he could see was a mass of leaping, clawing demonkind. The dragon surged back and forth, firelight glowing ruddy on his flailing wings and tail. Blood streamed from his terrible teeth. Julia crouched behind the dragon, sword in hand, moving always to keep the fire between her and the demons. Her robe was soaked in blood. There was no sign of the unicorn.
As Rupert hesitated at the clearing's edge a demon ducked under the dragon's guard, knocked the Princess to the ground and stooped over her. Rupert screamed and ran forward. A demon leaped towards him. He cut it in two and ran on without pausing. More demons came to block his way. His sword seemed weightless in his hand, and demon blood fell to the ground like a ghastly dew.
He reached the demon's side to find the Princess busily gutting the demon that had attacked her. She looked up as he joined her, and wiped her face with a bloodied hand.
'Took your time, didn't you?'
Rupert grinned, and they stood back to back, swords at the ready, as the demons came at them again.
Julia wielded her sword with surprising skill, her face determined. Rupert spun and danced, his sword licking out to kill and kill again, but he knew it was hopeless. The darting, leaping creatures swarmed out of the dark in seemingly endless numbers, and he was already exhausted. Eventually, they were bound to pull him down. The company's only chance for survival had been the Rainbow Run, and he'd failed.
Rupert gasped as demon claws raked across his rib cage. He cut the demon down, but he could feel blood running down his side in a thick stream. His head swam dizzily, but the pain kept him from fainting.
More demons pressed forward, and Rupert knew he was no longer fast enough to stop them all. He silently cursed the missing unicorn to hell for his cowardice in deserting the party to their fate, and took a firm grip on his sword. He hoped it would be a quick death.
And then the dragon raised himself in all his ancient glory, and fire blazed on the night. Demons curled up and fell away like scorched leaves as the dragon's flaming breath washed over them. Others fell to roll on the ground in silent agony before lying still. The dragon's awesome head swayed back and forth, his fire scouring the clearing of demonkind, and then the flame flickered and went out.
In the last of the light, Rupert watched the survivors fall back to join others of their kind, waiting in the darkness beyond the clearing. More demons. There were always more demons. Rupert slowly lowered his sword and leaned on it. He daren't sit down for fear he'd never get to his feet again. Hi s strength is as the strength of ten, because his heart is pure . Minstrels. Rupert sighed softly. Julia suddenly sat down beside him as her legs gave way. Her eyes were glazed with fatigue, but somehow she still found enough strength to hang on to her sword. Anger stirred in Rupert afresh as he realised not all the blood on Julia's dress came from demons. He stared horrified as he took in the terrible extent of her injuries, and swore silently. If he hadn't taken her from the dragon's cave; if he hadn't brought her into the Darkwood; if he hadn't left her to go chasing after a legend... If. You're a brave lass, Julia , Rupert thought wearily. You deserved better than me. He
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