by Adam Blade
Epos’s cries were fading now, but the feather in Tom’s shield vibrated more strongly than ever. If they didn’t find the Beast soon, perhaps they never would. Tom couldn’t let that happen. I won’t let Aduro down, he promised himself.
Then his eyes fell on a low branch. It was splintered in the center, the end hanging loose. He walked nearer. The ground was trampled, too, with a huge hoofprint.
“Skor must have come this way,” he whispered. “Let’s follow his tracks — they must lead to Epos.”
They edged forward, keeping close together. Skor’s tracks cut through the forest. Small trees had been torn from the earth, and plants trampled.
Soon they reached a clearing. Tom peered between the trees.
“Careful,” he said, holding up a hand in front of Elenna. “It might be a trap.”
But there she was! Epos the Winged Flame. The good Beast sat in a makeshift nest made of giant leaves. But her feathers weren’t the same burnished gold that Tom remembered. They were a dirty brown. And her eyes no longer burned like molten iron. As she shifted in her nest, Tom could see that one wing wasn’t folding properly. It stuck out from her body at an awkward angle. From the twisted and missing feathers, Tom could see that the bones must be broken.
“She can’t fly,” said Tom. “She’s completely helpless.”
Tears welled in Elenna’s eyes. “She must be in terrible pain,” she said. “Who would do something like that to such a beautiful Beast?”
Tom knew there was only one person wicked enough.
“It’s Malvel’s work,” he said, feeling his anger rise. “And his evil helper Seth.”
They broke cover and walked toward the stricken Beast. When Epos spotted them approaching, she lifted her beak and gave a soft caw.
“There, there,” soothed Tom.
“Do you think the magical feather will be powerful enough to heal her injuries?” asked Elenna.
“I don’t know,” said Tom. “I’ve never had to heal anything this bad.”
They had almost reached the nest, when a rustling came from the far side of the clearing. Tom and Elenna froze.
The leaves began to shake wildly, and tremors stirred the ground beneath their feet.
Golden hooves crashed through the foliage.
It was Skor!
CHAPTER EIGHT
FACING THE WINGED STALLION
THE BEAST BURST THROUGH THE TREES, cracking small trees like twigs. Epos lifted her head and let out a terrified squawk.
Seth ran from behind Skor, his sword held out in front of him. Tom didn’t have time to draw his weapon.
Luckily, Elenna was quicker. She shoved a foot in Seth’s path and sent him stumbling to the ground. He was climbing back to his feet when she swung a branch, which smashed into Seth’s temple. He crumpled to the forest floor beside Epos’s nest.
Tom cut down a vine and threw it to her. “Tie him up with this, Elenna!” he called.
Elenna was on Seth in a flash, and bound his wrists with the vine.
“Quickly, Tom,” she shouted. “There isn’t much time. The vines won’t hold him for long.”
A roar filled the clearing, and Tom turned to face Skor. The Beast drew back his lips. Huge teeth snapped the air.
Tom dashed away from the Winged Flame’s nest. He wanted to put as much distance as possible between Skor and Epos.
He was halfway across the clearing when the winged stallion lunged at him. Tom ducked, and the Beast’s stinking breath washed over him. “Over here!” shouted Seth furiously. Tom spun around to see that Skor’s attention had turned to Elenna, who was kneeling on top of Seth. The Beast charged toward her, eyes flashing silver sparks onto the forest floor.
“Hey!” Tom shouted. “Leave her alone!” Epos bravely tried to lift herself out of her nest but sank back, defeated. Tom picked up a rock from the ground and took careful aim. Skor was almost on top of Elenna now, and she scrambled back from Seth, who writhed on the ground. Tom threw the rock and it hit Skor in the temple.
The Beast reared up, snorting in pain and anger. His forelegs crashed back to the ground and he charged toward Tom once more. There was no time to think, and nowhere to run. All Tom could do was roll out of the way. He found himself hidden behind a thick tree trunk.
Elenna, meanwhile, had returned to Seth’s side. “Leave him, Elenna!” Tom shouted. “You have to hide.”
She looked up, and then back at Seth, uncertainty written on her face. Then she seized Tom’s enemy under the armpits and began dragging him toward the edge of the clearing, away from Epos’s nest.
Tom heard the crunch of Skor’s hooves in the undergrowth, and flattened himself against the trunk. There was no way Tom could face this Beast on the forest floor. He wouldn’t even be able to get close to Skor’s head. Maybe if he could get higher … Tom looked up the trunk. Skor appeared at the side of the tree, sniffing the air. The purple feathers of his wings ruffled, and his flanks rose and fell.
Tom edged around the trunk, keeping out of the Beast’s sight, then he began to climb. The bark of the tree was coarse and cracked, with plenty of handholds. Tom was as high as Skor’s back when the Beast finally spotted him. The Beast’s eyes opened wide, and sparks flashed against the trunk, burning the wood, then he opened his mouth and roared. Tom saw deep into the winged stallion’s red throat. The huge teeth snapped at him, but Tom managed to pull his legs out of the way. He drew his sword and swung it at the Beast. It glanced off Skor’s head, doing no damage at all.
“Climb higher,” shouted Elenna from below. “You have to get above him.”
Tom scrambled up the trunk. He reached a hollow in the trunk and climbed into it. Skor tried to unfurl his wings, but the trees were too dense here. The Beast retreated to the bottom of the tree, out of sight. For a moment, Tom felt safe.
Then the branches began to tremble, as though a strong wind were blowing through them.
“Get out, Tom!” Elenna screamed from below. Tom caught sight of her terrified face through the leaves. She was sheltering by another tree, her foot resting on Seth’s back.
Then Tom realized what was happening. The Beast was tearing down the tree!
“You have to climb down!” shouted Elenna.
The Beast attacked the trunk again, and the branches where Tom was crouched shook wildly, scattering leaves below. The whole tree creaked.
Tom sheathed his sword and started to scramble down. But it was too late. The tree leaned over, swinging wildly one way and then the other. Tom felt his stomach lurch.
A loud splintering sound echoed in the clearing, and the trunk began to topple, scything through the foliage. Green leaves blurred past Tom’s face. He had only one chance. He pushed off with his feet and jumped. The ground came toward him fast.
Tom landed on the mossy carpet, bending his knees to cushion the blow, and rolled away. Behind him, the tree slammed into the forest floor. Birds shrieked and a cloud of dirt filled his eyes.
Skor was already galloping toward him through the debris. Tom drew his sword. He lifted his shield and threw himself at the golden hooves. They thudded against the wood of his shield as he swung his sword, slashing Skor’s leg. The Beast took a few steps backward. Tom watched as the cut disappeared before his eyes. The skin was unblemished again.
“A Beast that doesn’t bleed?” shouted Tom in confusion. “How am I supposed to defeat it?”
“You didn’t think Malvel would make it easy, did you?” Seth cackled. “Face it, you and Epos are going to die!”
“Go for the head!” shouted Elenna. “It’s the only way to stop him.”
As the Beast kicked out, Tom dodged sideways to avoid the blow. If reaching Skor’s head was the only way to stop him and save Epos, that’s what he’d have to do. But how can I get close? he thought desperately.
As Skor reared again, Tom saw his chance. He darted under the wheeling hooves and threw himself at Skor’s rear leg, wrapping his arms around it. Skor snorted and bucked, kicking out with b
oth his back legs. Tom felt the teeth rattle in his head, and his sword fell from his grasp.
“Tom!” cried Elenna.
His hands came loose and he was thrown through the air. He smashed into the ground among the leaves of the fallen tree, and a sharp pain stung his forehead. Blood trickled into his eye.
Skor thrashed at the ground with his hooves, then charged toward Tom, spreading his dazzling wings and lifting from the ground. As he hovered in the air, strings of saliva drooled from his jaws.
“Kill Tom!” bellowed Seth.
“Get up!” shouted Elenna.
Tom struggled to his feet and faced Skor. The Beast’s wing tips scattered golden rays of light across the clearing. Tom looked around for his sword, or something else to fight back with. There was nothing. But Tom wouldn’t give up. Not now — not after all they had been through.
As the Beast’s hooves sliced toward his face, Tom pushed out his shield. “While there’s blood in my veins,” he yelled, “Malvel will never triumph!”
CHAPTER NINE
FIGHT TO THE END
SKOR’S HOOVES CRUNCHED ONTO TOM’S shield, but Tom kept his arm firm and the wood held. Then Skor whinnied in pain. Tom peered around from behind his shield and saw an arrow sticking out of Skor’s flank. “Elenna!” he cried.
His friend had left Seth’s side and was walking forward toward them, stringing another arrow.
“Run, Tom!” she shouted. “I can’t hold him back for long.”
Tom looked around. There must be something he could do.
Elenna unleashed a second arrow, which embedded itself under Skor’s mane. The Beast backed off again, but already the first arrow had dropped out, and the skin had healed.
Tom’s eyes fell on a reed-filled swamp at the edge of the clearing, and an idea formed in his head. He remembered a story his uncle had once told him about horse whisperers, people who could calm whole herds of stampeding animals by blowing through pampas grasses. Perhaps the same would work with these reeds.
Tom scrambled toward the swamp.
“Stop him!” shouted Seth.
Tom looked back and saw that Elenna was pulling another arrow from her quiver. She had only three left.
The water of the swamp was green and as thick as tar. Tom strode into the center of the reeking pond. The warm sludge swallowed his legs up to the knees. Tom tugged at the nearest reed, and stifled his cry as the sharp edge cut into his hand. He pulled again, and the reed came free.
“I’ve got no arrows left!” shouted Elenna.
Skor was careening toward her.
He placed the reed between his hands and blew into his palms.
A note like a shrill scream rang out across the forest clearing. Elenna dropped her bow and crouched on the floor, clutching her hands to her ears. Epos gave a cry and sank her head into the side of the nest.
Skor stopped a few paces from Elenna, then lowered his hooves. His eyes sparkled, but they no longer sent their lightning bolts into the foliage.
It’s working, thought Tom. He took in a lungful of air and blew again.
Skor shook his white mane as though getting rid of a nuisance fly. Then his eyelids drooped and his green tail hung limp.
“No!” shouted Seth. “Curse you both!”
Tom gave a final blow on the reed, and Skor’s head sank to his chest. He stood completely still.
“Tom,” whispered Elenna. She pointed. “Your sword!”
There it was, resting at the base of a tree. Tom dropped the reed and ran to it. Holding the weapon in his hand, he approached the Beast. The mighty body towered above him. Could Skor really be asleep? The feathers in his wings didn’t so much as stir.
“Be careful!” whispered Elenna.
“I’ll have to climb onto his back,” said Tom. “I can’t reach his head from here.”
“No!” shouted Seth. “Wake up, Skor!”
The Beast’s eyes shot open, but Tom was quick. He threw his sword through the air with all his strength. It spiraled toward Skor, the hilt smashing into his head. The winged stallion reared on his hind legs, his mighty wings unfurled and filling the sky with their purple gleam as he cried out in pain.
But Skor’s hooves did not fall back down to the ground. He remained frozen, legs raised and mouth gaping, like a statue.
“What’s happening?” gasped Elenna.
A green glow began to creep up Skor’s back legs. It was as though the forest were reaching out and claiming the Beast. Tom knew what was happening. He’d seen it already with Torgor the Minotaur. As green crystals began to form over the winged stallion’s body, Tom leaped out of the way.
A giant emerald prison closed over the Beast. Elenna gave a low whistle of awe. Then Epos gave a warning squawk.
“Quick!” shouted Elenna. “Seth’s escaping.”
Tom saw Seth running away, his hands still tied behind his back. Another vine, broken in the center, trailed from his ankle. Elenna chased after him, and had almost caught their enemy when she tripped in the dirt. Seth took his chance. He dove into the shadows between the trees and was gone.
“He must have cut himself free while I was helping you,” said Elenna. “I’m sorry….”
“It’s fine,” said Tom, placing a hand on Elenna’s shoulder. He stared into the forest. “Though I’m sure that’s not the last we’ve seen of Seth.”
Together they walked back to Skor.
“What’s that?” said Elenna, bending down to pick up something among the long grasses. It was the large emerald from the winged stallion’s hoof. “Another token for your belt, Tom.”
The gemstone slipped easily into one of the remaining five notches of his belt.
“I wonder what it does?” said Tom.
A pitiful wailing interrupted them.
“Epos!” said Elenna.
The great phoenix was resting her head on the side of the nest. Short, rasping breaths made her feathers shudder. She stared at Tom pleadingly through half-closed, glassy eyes.
“Quick,” said Tom urgently. “We have to help her. She’s dying!”
CHAPTER TEN
A RACE AGAINST TIME
CLOSE UP, EPOS’S WOUND LOOKED AWFUL. Forest insects were hovering over the bleeding and broken wing.
Elenna stroked the good Beast’s head. “Can you help her?”
“I can try,” said Tom, taking the enchanted feather from his shield. He ran it over Epos’s injuries, but nothing happened. He tried again.
“Curse Malvel!” said Tom. “It’s not working. Perhaps it’s just not strong enough.”
“Tom!” said Elenna. “Your belt!”
Tom looked down. Skor’s emerald was glowing dimly.
Elenna raised her eyebrows. “Do you think …”
Tom pulled the crystal from his belt. “There’s only one way to find out!”
He held the crystal close to Epos’s wounded wing. It shone brighter the closer it came, until Tom had to shield his eyes. Soon the clearing was completely bathed in green light. Epos’s wing moved a little. Tom watched in amazement. Slowly, the bones straightened out as though they were being reset by an invisible hand. Finally, new feathers appeared over the bald patch where feathers had been torn out of her skin.
“The crystal has the power to heal broken bones!” said Tom. “Even those of a Beast!”
Epos lifted her head from the nest. The life flooded back to her eyes. She opened her beak and gave a squawk of gratitude. She spread her mighty wings. A smokeless fire broke out over the feathers. Epos the Winged Flame was alive and well.
“She’s more beautiful than ever,” said Elenna.
With a flap of her wings, Epos sprang out of the nest and flew toward the treetops.
Tom looked up at the canopy of branches. “She won’t be able to escape the forest,” he said. “The trees are too dense.”
But something strange happened. As Epos rose up, a slit opened up in the air in front of her. It spread until it was a circle as big as Epos herself.
“A gateway!” said Elenna, turning to Tom with wide eyes.
Tom could see blue sky. There were huge towers of stone, too, and flags fluttering on the breeze. He heard the call of distant trumpets. The smell of fresh air filled his nostrils — the smell of home.
“It’s King Hugo’s castle!” he said, his heart lurching. It seemed so long since he had been home. Epos was hovering by the gateway, ready to leave. At least she could escape the terrible kingdom of Gorgonia. Tom and Elenna waved.
“Good-bye, Epos,” Tom said. “It’s time for you to see Avantia again.”
The red jewel in Tom’s belt glimmered, allowing him to sense the flame bird’s thoughts, and he felt the warmth of Epos’s farewell. He knew she was saying thank you. She called a final time, and then she flew through the hole in the sky. It closed up behind her, leaving a scattering of fiery ashes that drifted down into the clearing.
“We’ve done it, Tom!” said Elenna. “Another good Beast is free.”
Tom nodded in the direction of Skor. “And another of Malvel’s is captured,” he said.
“Where do you think Seth has gone?” asked Elenna.
“I don’t know,” said Tom. “But we need to get back to Silver and Storm. They’ll be worried.”
Tom and Elenna retraced their steps. The rain forest didn’t seem nearly as frightening now that Skor had been defeated.
When they reached the edge of the forest, they could see Silver and Storm waiting on the far side. Then Elenna pointed at the gorge.
“How are we going to get across? The bridge is gone!”
Tom hesitated. “What about the gift my golden boots gave me? I can leap huge distances.”
Elenna frowned. “But I can’t.”
“I’ll carry you,” said Tom.
He’d never tried to use his golden boots with a passenger. If he failed, it wasn’t only his own life he would be giving up. But what choice did he have?
“Climb onto my back,” said Tom. Elenna put her arms over his shoulders and jumped up. Tom could feel her heart pounding. “Ready?” he asked. “Ready,” she replied, her voice firm. Tom ran toward the edge of the cliff, picking up speed until his legs burned. Then he leaped out over the gorge.