Hero's Song by Edith Pattou Read Free Book Online Page B

the bow. It was the likeness of a large bear.
    "We are in your debt, Breo-Saight," Collun said, extending his hand.
    The youth shrugged, shaking the offered hand. "Like Job Wall, I do not like Scathians. Or morgs, though this is the first I've seen," he added.
    ***
    When they were back in the inn, Collun tended to Job Wall's wound with his herbs. The landlord had protested that it was only a slight injury, but his face was pale from loss of blood.
    As soon as Collun had finished with him, Job Wall sent off two of his men to discover, if they could, where Urlacan and his men had gone.
    Rince served breakfast to the three boys. Talisen and Breo-Saight set to with a hearty appetite, but Collun barely touched his food. He stood, crossed to the window, and peered out anxiously.
    "Come back here and eat," said Talisen. "The grannach is excellent."
    Collun shook his head.
    Talisen and Breo-Saight were on their second helping when Collun let out a sound. "Someone is coming." Job Wall joined him at the window.
    "Ah, that is Ned. Let's see if he has anything to report." The large man left the kitchen.
    He returned soon after. "Ned says that Farmer Olmveg saw some men on horseback out on the edge of his west field. There's an old shed out there. Could be the morg is sheltering there until nightfall. If you leave now, you may be able to get a jump on them." Job Wall paused, looking speculatively at Collun. "Where are you headed?"
    "North," said Collun, "but not by the road."
    "Have you a route in mind?" asked Breo-Saight.
    Collun shook his head.
    "Hardly," said Talisen, his mouth full.
    "I know a way," said Breo-Saight, "and would offer myself to you as guide. I, too, am heading north, and like you, I have no wish to cross paths with the morg Urlacan."
    Collun hesitated. Aside from Breo-Saight's skill with bow and arrow, they knew nothing of him.
    "Better take him up on it," Job Wall put in matter-of-factly. "There's no one knows these lands better. Besides, that bow arm of his may come in handy."
    "I don't suppose you sing, Breo-Saight?" Talisen asked, giving his bowl to Rince for a third helping of grannach. "We could use another voice by the fire at night. My friend Collun here has a tin ear."
    "I sing a little," the youth replied, his eyes on Collun.
    Collun suddenly came to a decision. "We would welcome your company."
    Breo-Saight smiled. "In that case, please call me Brie. It is the name I go by among companions."
    Job Wall provided them with a generous supply of food, water, and ale. Rince readied the mare as well as a pony the landlord had added at the last minute.
    "There are three of you now," he said, refusing any additional payment. "Whatever your business is, if a morg is out to stop you, it must be something worth doing."
    Collun thanked the large man and soon they were on their way, Brie and Collun on the mare, with Talisen following behind on the pony.
    Brie guided the horse with a sure hand, moving across the moorland at a brisk pace. They traveled hard, then stopped at midday for food and rest since none had slept the night before. In the late afternoon, as the sky cleared and the sun shone, Talisen softly sang all twenty-four verses of the "Cuckoo Song" to keep their spirits up. There was no sign of Scathians or the morg.
    Brie led them on an easterly route, veering at a wide angle from the high road.
    "The land we will travel over is much like this," Brie said, gesturing at the undulating moors around them. "Until we come to the Forest of Eld."
    Collun had heard of the Forest of Eld back in Inkberrow. There were tales of men who had lost their way for half a lifetime in the ancient and massive wood, as well as those who never returned at all.
    "I know of only two ways through the Forest of Eld," said Brie. "One is the high road, which cuts through the
western end. The other is a path that winds through Eld's very center. Not many know of it. The safest course would be the high road, at least in terms of the forest