BEYOND THE LOOKING-GLASS: Book One in the BEYOND Series by Gordon Rothwell Read Free Book Online Page B

You and your Delaware curs have caused me enough grief. These strangers are French spies. I will deal with them my way.”
    Hawkeye looked at one of his Indian companion. “What do you think, Chingachgook?”
    “He liar,” the Delaware said flatly.
    “Agreed. Magua, you wily fox, you have some gall accusing anyone of spying for the French, you treacherous Huron scum.”
    “You hurt Magua, Long Rifle,” the Indian spat back. “Someday I have all three of your scalps hanging on lodge pole outside my hut.”
    “There’ll be no chopping up people in Sherwood, today or any day.” Robin and several Lincoln-green clad men had joined the discussion. Robin glowered at Magua who was still holding his injured wrist.
    “You’ve no business here, Huron,” Robin continued. “No one’s permitted access to these grounds without the express permission of our noble monarch. He’s agreed Sherwood can be open to all men good and true who shall abide by his sovereign rules. And you, sir, have violated a sacred trust. We shall not abide the butchering of any visitors to this forest, spies or no spies. Begone, wretch, before I place an arrow between your eyes.”
    Magua began stalking away. He looked back at Hawkeye. “Deerslayer, I’ll cut your heart out someday.”
    Hawkeye leaned on his long rifle. “You heard Robin, Huron. Git. And if we ever meet again, I shall shoot your eyes out and leave you to wander blind forever in the afterlife.”
    Robin turned to Kellen who was hugging Aleeta to his side. Her anger had dissolved and she appeared shaken from her close call. “I’m truly sorry, milady. I think we’ve delayed the quest for your lost children far too long. I’ll provide you with a few supplies for your journey. And one of my men can escort you back to The Yellow Brick Road.”
    Aleeta stepped forward, curtseyed, and kissed Robin Hood’s outstretched hand. “Thank you, milord. We truly appreciate all your help.”
    As Aleeta and Kellen left the clearing, they could hear Magua off in the distance howling and cursing at the top of his lungs.
     
    ~*~

ELEVEN
     
    They hadn’t gone far on the Yellow Brick Road when it split in two directions. They stood at the crossroads, unable to decide which way to go.
    “What’ll we do?” Aleeta said. “Which way should we go now? Look at all these awful trees by the road. Their branches are so thick they almost blot out the sun.”
    Kellen put his arm around Aleeta and she didn’t pull away. “Come on, buck up,” he said, trying to sound cheerful under the circumstances. “Let’s not panic, yet. Maybe the worst is behind us. There can’t be too many ways the kids could’ve gone.”
    “That’s safe to assume,” purred a strange voice from a tree limb just above their heads. Kellen looked up. A big, fluffy feline grinned down at him mockingly.
    “Oh, Kel,” Aleeta whispered. “It’s Alice’s Cheshire Cat.”
    “What do you want of us?” Kellen demanded.
    “What do you two want of me?” the big striped cat teased.
    “We’re lost,” Aleeta answered. “Can you please tell us where we can find our children?”
    “Somewhere,” the Cat answered in a smug voice.
    “But where?” Aleeta pleaded.
    “I said somewhere,” the Cat taunted. “You can get there from here if you keep walking long enough, you know.”
    “It’s no use, Allie,” Kellen said. “That stupid cat isn’t going to help us. We’re unwanted invaders of this blasted chamber you created. We’ll simply have to find the way on our own. Let’s go!”
    “WAIT!” the Cat yowled.
    “Oh please, Kel,” Aleeta begged. “Listen to it.” She stepped closer to the limb. And Kellen reluctantly joined her.
    The Cheshire Cat waited until it was sure it had the full attention of its audience. “Well,” it began, “in that direction lives a Hatter.” It indicated the way with a wave of its furry paw. “And in the other direction lives a March Hare. If you visit them you’ll find them both