by Adam Blade
Tom called on his magic powers to leap forward, eager to see Storm and Silver again. But somehow he lost his balance as he took off, and stumbled to his knees against the tunnel wall.
“Are you hurt?” Elenna asked anxiously. “Tom? What’s wrong?”
Tom shook his head. For a moment the breath was driven out of his body. “I’m fine,” he gasped. “I just took off badly. That’s all.”
But I still feel weak, he thought to himself. Something’s wrong. …
He tried to push his suspicions out of his mind, but he couldn’t stop wondering why he had failed to summon enough power for his leap.
He led the way out of the tunnel. This wasn’t the time to start worrying. They had to step out again into the Forbidden Land, and track down Equinus the Spirit Horse, wherever he might be.
Whatever happens, Tom told himself, I’ll bring my father back to his human form! Another Quest was waiting for them.
Teaser
TOM’S QUEST CONTINUES WITH …
AMULET OF AVANTIA
BOOK TWENTY
EQUINUS
THE SPIRIT HORSE
READ A SNEAK PEEK HERE!
A NEW DANGER
TOM MADE HIS WAY THROUGH THE MINE tunnels with Elenna close by his side. He could see daylight ahead. Only moments before they had defeated Nixa the Death Bringer, one of Malvel’s evil Ghost Beasts, and he was glad to be leaving the dark and the memories of the shape-shifter behind.
“We’ll soon be out of here,” declared Elenna, tightening the coil of rope around her waist. “And the sooner, the better.”
“It was a hard Quest,” said Tom. “But we won in the end.”
“And we’ve got back the first piece of the amulet for your father,” said Elenna with a grin. “I know we’ve got five more to go but it’s a good start.”
“My father looked stronger already when he appeared to us just now, didn’t he?” Tom asked eagerly.
Elenna nodded.
Tom felt a surge of happiness. He had grown up not knowing whether his father, Taladon, was alive or dead, but two days ago Tom had come face-to-face with him. He’d discovered that his father was a ghost stranded between the real world and the spirit realm. Malvel’s evil magic had done this, and the only way to make Taladon flesh and blood again was to locate the six pieces of the Amulet of Avantia and fit them all together. This was Tom’s Quest, but it would not be easy to recover the amulet fragments because each one was guarded by one of Malvel’s Ghost Beasts.
Tom touched the first piece of the amulet that hung from the leather cord around his neck. Taladon had told them that the second piece was guarded by Equinus the Spirit Horse.
“Father said Equinus would be a dangerous foe,” Tom commented. “But we won’t let that stop us.”
“No, we won’t,” Elenna said determinedly. “Look, we’re leaving the mines at last!” They ran out of the tunnel.
As they blinked in the sunlight, they heard a friendly whinny and a happy bark. Storm, Tom’s stallion, and Silver, Elenna’s wolf, came charging over to them.
“Thank you for waiting so patiently,” Tom said to Storm as he stroked the horse’s glossy black neck.
“I think they’re glad to see us!” Elenna laughed. Silver was jumping around her in circles, barking excitedly.
“Now that the team’s all together, we can start our next Quest.” Tom held out his hand. “Map,” he called.
The air in front of them shimmered and the map that Aduro had given to Tom materialized. They would have to fight Ghost Beasts — so the map itself was ghostly. It hung in the air before them, showing the whole dusty, gray Forbidden Land.
“We’re here.” Elenna pointed to the rocky mouth of the mine on the map.
“And that’s the way we must go!” exclaimed Tom, as a glowing path appeared that led in a straight line across the map and into a tangled knot of trees. “To that forest in the east.” Tom stared at the trees on the map. They looked dark and forbidding. He knew that somewhere among those trunks lurked Equinus.
Tom flicked open the brass lid of the compass that his father had given him. He did not need to look to remember the words inscribed on the bottom: For My Son. They always filled him with a warm glow. He located east on the navigational instrument and pointed in that direction. “We have a long journey ahead of us,” he said. “It’ll be quicker if we ride.” He swung up onto Storm’s back and held out a hand to Elenna.
“The beginning of another adventure!” cried Elenna as she climbed up behind him. She sounded excited but Tom could sense that she had the same fears as he did. The two friends had already met many fearsome and terrifying Beasts on their Quests.
What new terrors awaited them now?
BEAST QUEST
AMULET OF AVANTIA
#19: NIXA THE DEATH BRINGER
#20: EQUINUS THE SPIRIT HORSE
#21: RASHOUK THE CAVE TROLL
#22: LUNA THE MOON WOLF
#23: BLAZE THE ICE DRAGON
#24: STEALTH THE GHOST PANTHER
Character Guide
HEROES AND VILLAINS
TOM
PREFERRED WEAPON: Sword and Magic Shield ALSO CARRIES: Destiny Compass, Jewel Belt SPECIAL SKILLS: Over the course of his Quest, Tom has gained many special items for his shield giving him protection from fire, water, and cold, extra speed in battle, protection from falling from heights, and magic healing ability. He also has the powers he gained from the Golden Armor, giving him incredible sight, courage, strength, endurance, sword skills, and energy.
ELENNA
PREFERRED WEAPON: Bow & Arrow ALSO CARRIES: Nothing. Between her bow and her wolf, Silver, Elenna doesn’t need anything else! SPECIAL SKILLS: Not only is Elenna an expert hunter, she is also knowledgeable about boats and water. But most important, she can think quickly in tight spots, which has helped Tom more than once!
STORM
Tom’s horse, a gift from King Hugo. Storm’s good instincts and speed have helped Tom and Elenna from the very beginning.
SILVER
Elenna’s tame wolf and constant companion. Not only is Silver good to have on their side in a fight, but the wolf can also help Tom and Elenna find food when they’re hungry.
ADURO
The good wizard of Avantia and one of Tom’s closest allies. Aduro has helped Tom many times, but when Aduro was captured by Malvel, Tom was able to help the good wizard by rescuing him.
MALVEL
Tom’s enemy, determined to enslave the Beasts of Avantia and defeat Tom. This evil wizard rules over Gorgonia, the Dark Realm. If he is near, danger is sure to follow.
Copyright
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Cover illustration © 2009 by Steve Sims
Cover design by Tim Hall
Text © 2009 by Beast Quest Ltd. All rights reserved
Interior illustrations © 2011 by Scholastic Inc.
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eISBN: 978-0-545-41485-2
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Beast Quest series created by Beast Q
uest Ltd., London.
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First printing, April 2011