by Adam Blade
The animals gathered at the edge of the water. Tom knelt down by the pool and scooped the cool liquid into his hands. He brought it to his lips and took long, grateful gulps. The water was cold and fresh and sweet. Storm and Silver plunged in, throwing up a spray of crystal droplets, and lapped until their thirst was quenched. Elenna waded in and splashed water over the rest of them.
“It’s so cold!” she cried.
“Just what we need!” said Tom. He washed off the remnants of the mud and feathers they’d coated themselves with to disguise their scent when they battled Rashouk. It felt good to be clean again.
“I’m hungry,” said Elenna, shaking the water out of her hair.
Tom nodded. “We should eat, then rest. But there’s not much — just a few biscuits —”
“Leave it to me!” said Elenna. She climbed out of the spring and took the bow from her quiver. Then she fitted an arrow to it. “You get a fire going, and I’ll find something to cook on it.”
She strode off over the plain with Silver at her heels. Tom went to collect some dried grass, twigs, and larger sticks. He laid the grass and twigs on a flat rock. Then he rubbed two of the dry sticks together. He rubbed until his hands ached — but at last his efforts were rewarded. A thin spiral of smoke rose up from the sticks. A spark jumped and the dry grass caught at once.
Tom carefully fed the flames with the smaller sticks, then the larger ones. The blue-gray smoke rose into the sky. The fire was crackling nicely by the time Elenna returned carrying two large birds. Tom and Elenna cooked the birds over the flames, turning them on long sticks. The aroma of roasting meat made Tom’s mouth water. He’d never smelled anything so good!
The birds tasted as good as they smelled. Elenna threw chunks of meat to Silver, who snapped them up greedily. Storm chewed the grass that grew around the spring.
“That feels better,” said Tom. It was beginning to get dark now, and their fire glowed more brightly. Tom yawned. “Let’s get some rest. We’ll need all our strength tomorrow to face Luna.”
“You’re right,” said Elenna, stretching her arms above her head. “Good night!” She drew her cloak around her and lay down on the ground. Silver settled beside her, curling his body close to hers. Storm stood a little distance away, his head bowed.
Tom lay down and closed his eyes. But sleep wouldn’t come. He couldn’t help thinking about the powers that had deserted him over the past three Quests. He had lost his ability to leap great heights, his magic sword skills, and the power to run extra fast. Piece by piece, his skills were deserting him as Taladon was returned to his true self. Tom knew that next he would lose the magic given to him by the golden breastplate — the power to lift huge weights.
I’m being stripped of my special skills, he thought, turning over on the hard ground. Will I be able to carry on defeating these Beasts?
He sat up, watching the flickering flames of the fire. He heard the breeze whispering through the grasses, then other noises — rustling, as though small animals were scurrying about nearby. Snuffling. The tread of paws.
He peered into the darkness, but could see nothing beyond the circle of light cast by the fire. Then a sudden sound pierced through him like a knife.
The high, drawn-out howl of a wolf.
It was nearby. Tom smelled a musky, hairy animal smell, like Silver’s scent but far stronger. He stood up, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His heart was thudding in his chest. Then he saw, glowing in the darkness, two fiery red dots. Close together, like eyes. They were coming closer.
Something was out there — and it was heading straight for Tom!
MOVING QUICKLY, AWARE OF THE GLOWING red eyes watching him, Tom ran over to where Elenna lay sleeping. As he did so, he caught a glimpse of what lay just beyond the firelight. There, in the semidarkness, a host of wild animals lurked. There were foxes, badgers, rats, and wild dogs. Tom saw their bared teeth glimmer in the darkness. And behind them, those two red eyes, like burning embers. They were getting closer.
“Elenna!” Tom hissed. Silver sprang to his feet. His legs were straight and stiff, his hair bristling on end. He planted himself in front of Tom. His black lips were wrinkled in a snarl, his long fangs exposed. A deadly glint of threat lurked in his eyes. Tom had never seen Silver like this.
The growl in the wolf’s throat deepened, becoming more threatening.
“Hey, Silver, it’s me,” said Tom. “What’s the matter?”
“What is it?” said Elenna, awaking with a start. Silver flattened his belly to the ground.
He’s going to spring! thought Tom. Then Silver flew through the air toward him.
Tom tried to leap to the side. Too late, he remembered that he no longer had the power of the golden boots, which had allowed him to leap enormous distances. Silver smashed into Tom’s chest and the weight of the wolf knocked him to the ground. They rolled over and over together in the dust. The animal scent of Silver’s fur filled Tom’s nostrils.
“Silver!” Tom heard Elenna cry. “Stop!”
Tom found himself lying on his back. He could feel the powerful muscles rippling beneath Silver’s coat. The wolf’s slavering jaws were a hairbreadth from his face. Desperately, he managed to get his arms up to ward the wolf off. Silver’s teeth sank into the soft leather of his jerkin.
Storm neighed in alarm.
“Silver! No!” shouted Elenna. She grabbed Silver by the scruff of the neck and tried to drag him away. Silver snarled and turned to snap at her. His fangs only just missed her hand.
“Stay back!” panted Tom. “He’s gone wild!” Beyond Elenna, he could see the eyes of the forest animals, glittering in the light from the campfire as they watched and waited. How long did Tom have before they attacked, too?
Thinking fast, Tom pulled his sword out of its scabbard and pushed the flat of the blade into Silver’s face, holding him at bay. The wolf snarled furiously. Tom looked into his eyes, and saw nothing but rage. What had happened to their friend? He gripped the sword more tightly, forcing Silver’s muzzle away from him.
“Silver!” shouted Elenna. She grabbed him by the fur on his back and tried again to drag him away. The enraged animal shook her off.
Tom saw that the creatures encircling them were growing bolder. Rats, foxes, badgers, and wild dogs advanced, snorting and growling.
“Elenna — keep those animals away!” gasped Tom.
His friend snatched up a flaming branch from the fire and thrust it at the creatures. They backed away, snarling.
The pair of red eyes was moving in the dark, circling the campfire. As they came closer, Tom realized that the eyes were the only part of this animal that was visible. The campfire didn’t light up any fur or muscles, and Tom couldn’t see claws or teeth. This must be the Beast! Tom knew from Aduro and Taladon that all the Beasts on this Quest had the ability to change into ghostly form.
Luna gave another wolfish howl. From the other side of the fire, more dogs and foxes came forward, snarling. Silver launched himself at Tom again, even more ferociously.
The Beast is controlling the animals, Tom realized. They’re doing her bidding; she’s making them attack. Silver, too.
Storm ran at the wild animals, stamping his hooves. They shrank back, then regrouped. Luna howled again. More wild animals darted forward. They were coming from all sides now, and the flaming branch was knocked from Elenna’s hands as she tried to fight back a large dog. She cried out as she was thrown to the ground.
As she twisted around to look at Tom, he could see the fear in her eyes.
He reached out his free hand toward her, but Silver launched a new, frenzied attack. He ripped the sword from Tom’s hands with his teeth and threw it to one side. Tom heard it clatter to the ground, beyond the light of the fire. Then Silver threw his full weight onto Tom, covering him with his body and smothering his face with his thick fur. Tom struggled beneath the wolf, but felt the fight draining out of him. Silver’s teeth flashed in the moonlight as he lunged closer. Tom turned
his head away and felt the wolf’s hot breath as the animal writhed on top of him, his claws tearing into Tom’s flesh.
“No, Silver!” he cried. But when he turned his head back around, he saw a light in Silver’s eyes that didn’t belong there. It was the glow of evil.
There was nothing he could do now. If Silver wanted him dead, Tom didn’t stand a chance.
“HOLD ON!” CRIED ELENNA, SCRAMBLING TO her feet.
A rat threw itself at Tom’s legs and he was just able to kick it away before its teeth sank into his thigh. Tom was still pinned to the ground by Silver. He glanced over to see his friend dragging the rope from her quiver. Her hands moved rapidly, looping and knotting the rope.
“Hurry!” gasped Tom. Storm had cantered over and reared up on his back legs to keep the rest of the wild dogs, foxes, and other vicious creatures at bay.
“There!” said Elenna. In one quick movement, she threw something over Silver’s back. She’d knotted the rope into a loose net! Silver snarled and bucked, trying to shake the net off. But the more he struggled, the more entangled his paws became.
With Silver distracted, Tom had the chance he needed. With a mighty effort, he rolled out from under the wolf. His knee struck something. It was his sword! He snatched it up and with all his force thrust the blade through one of the loops of the net, deep into the ground. Now the net was pegged down, but only in one corner. Silver was still struggling and might free himself at any moment.
Elenna fitted an arrow to her bow and aimed it at the opposite side of the net.
Thunk!
Silver howled in anger.
Thunk!
Thunk!
In rapid succession, Elenna sent two more arrows into the earth, pegging the net down securely. Silver was trapped. He jerked and kicked, trying to thrust his muzzle through the loops. But there was no way out.
His struggles gradually subsided and he lay still, panting. He was defeated.
Storm whinnied. Tom turned to look at the wild animals that surrounded them. With the defeat of Silver, their excitement had died down. They retreated a little, back into the darkness. Luna’s burning red eyes still shone, slowly encircling the camp as the Beast moved about.
Tom let out a shaky breath. “That was … close!”
Elenna stared at Tom in bewilderment. “I don’t understand,” she said. “I’ve never seen Silver like this!”
“It’s not his fault,” Tom reassured her. “It’s the Beast’s magic — she turned Silver mad.”
“The Beast?” Elenna asked with a start, looking around.
“Can’t you see the eyes?” Tom said, pointing. The twin red coals still burned in the darkness. But as Tom and Elenna watched, the eyes receded. Then they turned away and vanished.
“Should we chase after Luna?” said Elenna.
Tom looked at Silver. He shook his head. “We have more important things to deal with.”
They sat down next to Silver. Elenna put her hand on his back, stroking his fur through the net. He twitched and growled.
“Do you think he’ll be all right again?” she asked anxiously.
“I hope so,” Tom said. “All we can do is wait.”
Above their heads, a white moon sailed through tatters of cloud. It wasn’t quite full. Storm snorted and stamped. The wild animals surrounding them finally melted away into the darkness.
Tom and Elenna watched the fire die down.
“I wonder,” said Elenna after a while, “why Luna only turned Silver mad. Why not Storm as well?”
Tom scratched his head. “Silver — and those animals that came out of the forest — they’re all wild predators. Storm is a bred and trained animal. And … well, Silver’s a wolf.” Tom remembered the eerie wolf howls that had rung out from the invisible Beast.
“So is Luna!” said Elenna. “That would explain why Luna had the power to control him!”
“That’s what we’re up against,” said Tom somberly. “A wolf like no other. Capable of turning wild animals even wilder.”
“Why didn’t she attack us herself?” Elenna wondered out loud.
“I’m not sure. Maybe this was just a warning. To scare us off.”
“But we won’t be scared off!” Elenna said, driving a fist into her open palm.
“No,” said Tom quietly.
Worn-out by the fight, they both dropped off to sleep.
Tom awoke early. The sky was lightening in the east. The sun showed over the horizon.
Silver whimpered. Elenna reached out to stroke him through the net. This time Silver didn’t growl, but whined softly.
Elenna turned to Tom. “What do you think? Is it safe to let him free?”
“Let’s try,” said Tom. Together, they pulled the arrows from the ground. Tom uprooted his sword and sheathed it at his belt. He and Elenna looked at each other. Then they each grabbed a corner of the net and eased it away.
Silver didn’t move at first. He appeared utterly exhausted — as weak as a newborn puppy. But after a moment he turned his head and looked at Tom. All the fury had gone out of his eyes. He looked subdued and even slightly ashamed. He inched forward and put his head in Elenna’s lap. Elenna stroked him.
“There, there,” she whispered comfortingly. Silver licked her gently on the arm.
Tom climbed to his feet and looked out to where the Dark Wood lay, still shrouded in shadow. That was where he was destined to encounter Luna again — it was where she was headed, Tom was sure. He and Elenna would go after her. And next time, he knew, the encounter would be more testing still.
“You won’t beat me,” he said into the dawn air. Luna would not get the better of him a second time.
THEY HAD WATER FROM THE SPRING AND APPLES for breakfast. Silver didn’t eat anything, not even the biscuit Elenna tried to tempt him with. He lapped a little water, then lay with his head on his front paws.
“He’s still not himself,” said Elenna.
The fight had taken it out of Tom, too. He felt shaky.
“Well, we need to get moving anyway,” he said. “Luna arrived last night when the moon was high in the sky. We have to face her before the moon comes up again, Elenna. It’s the only chance we have of defeating her.”
Storm neighed, as if in agreement.
There was no time to waste. Tom and his friends headed toward the Dark Wood. Elenna rode in Storm’s saddle, and Tom and Silver walked alongside them. Soon, the huge woods reared up, dark and ominous. The trees seemed to have a reddish tinge.
It was still light when they reached the edge of the Dark Wood, but only just. The sun was getting low in the sky. When Tom glanced back to see the distance they had traveled, he noticed their shadows streaming out behind them. Ahead, the sun’s rays made the trees look even redder — a bright, glistening crimson.
“Ugh!” said Elenna, dismounting Storm. “It looks like blood!”
“It’s just an illusion,” said Tom. “A trick of the light. Come on, let’s go. Luna’s in there — and we must find her before it gets dark!”
Tom shifted his shield on his back and gripped the hilt of his sword. Then they stepped into the woods. Twigs and dry leaves crackled underfoot. The trees grew close together, and as Elenna passed between two of them, she put out a hand to steady herself. She cried out in disgust.
“What? What is it?” said Tom, pushing through the undergrowth.
“My hand! Look!” Elenna gasped.
Tom stared. Her hand was covered in sticky, glistening red blood! And all the other trees were covered in the same liquid.
They had stepped into a forest of gore.
Tom shuddered. Storm was whinnying uneasily, and Silver whimpered.
“We need a plan,” Tom said, looking around him. “You can feel the evil magic in this place. And we’ve got to face a giant ghost-wolf with supernatural powers in here! We need something to fall back on. A place to run to, a way out, something to protect ourselves with —”
“Or a weapon,” interrupted Elenna.
“Yes!” said Tom. She was right. He had his sword and Elenna had her bow, but he knew that would not be enough. Against such a formidable enemy they would need something extra. Something unexpected.
He stepped back out from the woods and scanned the arid plain of the Forbidden Land. Was there anything there they could use?
But there was nothing. Just dusty earth, a few rocks, and dry grass that was barely alive.
Twilight was descending. Time was running out.
From among the bloodstained trees of the Dark Wood, Tom thought he could hear noises. Faint, intermittent sounds, but gradually growing stronger. Scuffling, snuffling, rustling. And there! His heart thumping, Tom was sure he had heard the lonely howl of a wolf in the distance, echoing through the trees.
The sun was setting, and the Dark Wood was coming alive.
TOM LISTENED TO THE RUSTLING NOISES coming from the Dark Wood, and a memory surfaced. Back in his home village of Errinel, there was sometimes trouble from wild animals — foxes and the occasional wolf. In winter, when food was scarce, they would creep into the village by night and take hens, lambs, and goats. The village elders’ solution was to dig a deep, wide trench around the village and fill it with brambles. Tom recalled helping out the digging parties.
“How about if we dug a pit?” he said. “If we could lure Luna toward it …”
“… we might trap her!” finished Elenna. “Yes, it could work. But what can we dig with?”
“How about this?” said Tom. He dug the pointed end of his shield into the ground and shoveled up a chunk of earth. The ground was dry and hard, but once the surface was broken, the earth beneath was easy to dig.
With the strength given to him by the golden breastplate, Tom quickly shifted the earth. He had soon hollowed out a fair-size crater.