Read Online The Eye of the Falcon by Michelle Paver - Free Book Online Page B

bearskin.”
    Akastos’ face didn’t move, but Hylas sensed the swift current of his thoughts. “A bearskin,” repeated the wanderer.
    Hylas nodded. “I’m certain she meant to come back for us, but something stopped her. I think she’s still alive—I mean, I feel it. Someday, she’ll find us.”
    â€œBut she hasn’t.”
    â€œNo.”
    Again, Akastos scratched his beard.
    As Hylas studied his weather-beaten features, a startling idea came to him. It was so astonishing—so wonderful—that his head swam. “You’ve been to Lykonia, haven’t you?” he began carefully. “I mean, where I grew up?”
    Akastos flicked him a glance. “What makes you say that?”
    â€œOne of the first things you ever said to me was that I was a long way from Mount Lykas.”
    Akastos’ lip curled. “You remember that?”
    â€œI remember everything you’ve said to me.” Hylas took a deep breath. “Are you my father?”
    Outside, the wind dropped, as if it was listening. The fire hissed, sending smoke and sparks sweeping through the smoke-hole and into the dark.
    Raising his head, Akastos met Hylas’ eyes. “No,” he said quietly. “I’m not your father.”
    Hylas clenched his fists. He was desperate for it to be true. “But—you might be,” he said, “only you don’t know it. You said you had a son my age.”
    â€œI said he would have been your age if he’d lived.”
    â€œWell—maybe you met my mother on your travels, and—”
    â€œHylas, I’m dark and you’re fair—”
    â€œThat doesn’t mean anything! When she was carrying me she could’ve stared at the Sun; they say that gives a baby fair hair! And you once told me that we’re alike, you and me, both survivors, both good liars—”
    â€œHylas, I remember the women I’ve been with, and I’m certain. I am not your father.”
    Hylas stared at his empty cup. There was a sick feeling in the pit of his belly. “I wish you were,” he mumbled.
    â€œWhy would you wish that?” said Akastos with unaccustomed gentleness.
    Hylas wanted to say, because he admired Akastos and longed for him to take the place of the shadowy void that was all he felt when he thought of his father. Instead he muttered, “I don’t know, I just do.”
    He became aware that Akastos was moving about, gathering his gear. “What are you doing?” Hylas said uneasily.
    â€œStorm’s blown over. It’ll be light soon, I’m heading off.”
    â€œCan I come with you? Just for a bit.”
    Akastos looked down at him, and for a moment his hard features softened. “Hylas. I know our fates are entangled in some way neither of us understands, but I also know that when you’re with me, things go wrong. It’s better we go our separate ways.”
    â€œNo!” cried Hylas. He lurched to his feet—and swayed. His head whirling sickeningly, he couldn’t keep his balance.
    â€œLie down,” said Akastos. “You’ll feel better soon.”
    â€œYou drugged me,” muttered Hylas.
    â€œJust a little poppy juice in your wine, to stop you following me. Here.” He tucked a small pouch in Hylas’ belt. “Some buckthorn, to keep away ghosts.”
    â€œYou drugged me.” Hylas subsided onto the floor. His eyelids were so heavy, they wouldn’t stay open.
    â€œAbout Taka Zimi,” said Akastos, his voice coming and going in waves. “Follow this ridge we’re on west, till you reach a lightning-struck pine. Behind it you’ll see a crag split in two, and a waterfall. Make for that. Taka Zimi is just below it on the shoulder of the mountain. Stay as high as you can for as long as you can, and avoid the gorge. And Hylas—watch yourself. Taka Zimi is a sanctuary of the Goddess. It’s not a place you