Read Online The Paper Sword by Robert Priest - Free Book Online Page B

ground and ran toward a small opening he’d seen in the hedge. Xemion quickly passed Chiricoru back into Saheli’s arms, lifted Smedenage’s sword over his head, and ran after him.
    Unfortunately for Smedenage, he’d charged into an old, overgrown part of a tunnel through the surrounding rose hedge. It narrowed as it proceeded and soon he was far too big for it. Thorns pierced and scraped at him as he forced his panicky way onward. Hardly aware of the numerous rips and tears in his portly torso, he barrelled at last out the other side, a ragged, bloody mess. But where was his boar? Desperately he whistled for it. It didn’t come. Fearful for his life, still whistling, he ran on into the darkness under the trees, Xemion in pursuit.
    â€œStop!” Xemion yelled. But Rotan Smedenage didn’t stop.
    â€œHey!” Smedenage kept calling for his boar in a hoarse whisper. “Here. Here.” But there was still no earth pig and he could hear Xemion’s sure stride coming closer through the undergrowth.
    â€œI’ll set the Pathan dogs on you!” Smedenage shrieked as he tore forward. And then his foot alighted on something that was not ground. It was, in fact, thin air. Rotan Smedenage had just stepped over the edge of a deep ravine.

8

    An Unfortunate Fall
    I n the front room of the tower tree, Chiricoru lay slumped beside the spindle, a wing extended to touch the floor where Anya Kuzelnika’s foot had once rested. Only a month ago she had sat here weaving a new cloak for Saheli. Its colourful threads, like those of an unravelled rainbow, still radiated out from the loom and over the carpet in all directions just as she had left them. Unable to comfort the bird, Saheli set about lighting the seasonal jack-o’-lanterns that hung overhead, but their strange orange grins seemed suddenly hideous and improper, so she removed the candles and arranged them in a solemn semi-circle on the table beside the sofa. At last Xemion returned, Rotan Smedenage’s sword still hanging limply from his hand.
    â€œHe’s gone,” he announced, his voice still trembling with rage. “He fell over the cliff.”
    Saheli’s mouth hung open in shock. “That’s awful. Are you sure?”
    â€œNot entirely. I definitely heard him scream. I think I heard an impact. Then I found his boar just standing there in the forest, so I smacked his behind and sent him running away down the path. So, whether he’s dead or alive, he won’t be bothering us too soon. And even if he does, I still have his weapon.” With some distaste he leaned Rotan Smedenage’s bronze blade in the corner, forgetting the painted sword in the scabbard at his side.
    â€œThis is terrible,” Saheli said.
    â€œHow is Chiricoru?” Xemion bent down to look closer at the injured swan. Saheli shook her head and opened her hands in a gesture of helplessness.
    â€œIt is lucky her neck isn’t broken,” she answered finally. “In the morning I will have to pick some comfrey and make her a poultice.”
    â€œIn the morning,” Xemion said as gently as possible, “we will have to take Chiricoru and leave this place.”
    Saheli closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “Oh no.”
    â€œEven if that man is dead, someone will come to find him. And when they do, it won’t be just one man with one sword. It’ll be many men with many swords — and Pathan dogs.”
    She shook her head and wrung her hands. But she knew he was right. “This is not a good time for Chiricoru to travel,” Saheli said, dread and desperation in her voice. “Her neck is all swollen. If it gets much worse I’m afraid she might not be able to breathe.”
    â€œI know,” Xemion said bitterly. “We’ll have to carry her.”
    â€œWell, where will we go?” Saheli asked. But she already knew the answer.
    Xemion shrugged. “There’s only