Firestar by Anne Forbes Read Free Book Online Page B

ugly rumbling roar of the giants, “
I
now have a friend in Morven. A friend that is more powerful than Firestar and hidden from it. Its name is Malfior and one day it will be all powerful. It has already given the giants their freedom and the strength to rise from the mountains. And as
it
grows stronger, so will
I
.”
    â€œReally?” Kalman spoke politely but allowed a distinct trace of disbelief to colour his voice. “And how did this happen?”
    â€œIt came from the sky and attacked Firestar. It has hidden itself inside it and is gradually eating its heart out. Quietly, bit by bit, so that Firestar will never suspect that it is there until it is too late. Firestar is already weak, for it was Malfior that released the giants from its spell. Believe me, Prince Kalman … Malfior will triumph.”
    Kalman turned white. He knew perfectly well that if Firestar were replaced by this evil entity, Malfior, the world of magic would suffer horribly.“You’re talking nonsense,” he said abruptly, “this is a faery story you’re telling me, Cri’achan Mòr!”
    Cri’achan Mòr shook his head. “My words are true,” Jezail said so forcefully that Kalman believed him. “Malfior talks to me and tells me everything that’s going on. Believe me when I say that Firestar’s days in Morven are numbered.”
    Cri’achan Mòr’s face changed to one of fury. Deprived of speech, he realized that Jezail must have merged with him when his back was turned and there was a distinct pause as he struggled desperately to control the conversation. With a huge effort, he pushed Jezail out of his mind, his stony face grimacing horribly as he did so — after all, this was supposed to be
his
moment of triumph,
his
show of power … and Jezail had totally ruined it.
    â€œMalfior,” he grated furiously, “wishes us to live with him in Morven. The Court of the Lords of the North will be ours and we will rule Scotland and walk its mountains as we did in ancient times. The Cri’achan are rising, Prince Kalman, and we will take Morven!”
    The prince frowned but, although he noticed the difference in speech and tone of voice, it was the sense of the words that registered.
    â€œWhy are you telling me all this?” he asked sharply.
    The ensuing silence told him all that he wanted to know and seeing a piercing yellow light suddenly shine from the stone face, he felt the power of Jezail’s magic even as the spell he had cast, hexed him out of the mountain and back into thebody of the great stag that he had left only minutes previously.
    Malfior, thought Kalman, was every bit as powerful as Cri’achan Mòr had said for, as the stag leapt away over the slopes of the mountain, his heart sank to the pit of his stomach as he realized that in the few seconds that the yellow beam had focused on him, most of his magic power had drained away.
    His mind reeled from the shock of it all as he realized that he was now weak, helpless and totally dependent on the stag.

7. The Ghosts of Morven Castle
    Tall, turreted and elegant, Morven Castle had, in times past, stood up bravely to the onslaught inflicted by warring clans. Over the years, however , the weather had also taken its toll and, like many of the other old houses and cottages of the glen, the castle was now showing signs of wear and tear. Nevertheless, thought Chuck appreciatively as he walked towards it in the gathering dusk, it retained an elegance rarely found in modern buildings . He drew his jacket more closely round him for although it was April, the wind was bitterly cold. He turned as he reached the cavernous front door that gave onto the main reception hall and, pausing with his hand on the huge handle, looked again at the towering peak that was Morven.
    Although he had been pleasantly surprised at the gentle, comforting sweep of Glenmorven, a feeling of acute depression swept over him