Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Author Quest by J. M. Lee Read Free Book Online

Woodland matriarch!”
    â€œAgain, I don’t trust these Woodland Gelfling more than a calm day on the Silver Sea, and I don’t see why you should either,” Kiff said. Kairn could feel that his father was trying to convince himself through his emphatic certainty.
    â€œHow can we trust you when it comes to the Skeksis? You spend more time at the Castle of the Crystal than you do in Hallis,” Dallys said.
    â€œPerhaps you should retire for a bit, Kiff,” Soven said.
    â€œNo one tells me when to go. I am the Imperial Guardian!”
    â€œAnd maybe your loyalty lies more with your job than with your clan. Here in Hallis, we are Gelfling first, not servants of the Skeksis. We care about protecting the lives of our fellow Gelfling, not the reputations of the Skeksis,” Argens said.
    Kiff grabbed the handle of his sword without unsheathing it. “Who do you think you are, you pudgy coward?”
    Soven walked toward Kiff. “Kiff, it’s time to go.”
    Kiff was careful not to show aggression to Soven, but he had no intention of moving. He leaned close to Argens, who feigned confidence. “I’m not going anywhere!” Kiff shouted. His armor rattled as he shook in his hazy anger.
    A Gelfling named Meht stepped forward. He kept his hand on the pommel of his sword without drawing it. Besides Kiff, he was Hallis’s best warrior, better even than Soven. “You’re leaving if I have anything to say about it. This village only needs Gelfling who look out for Gelfling. If you want to defend the Skeksis, I suggest you do so at the castle,” Meht said.
    His brother Marn stepped forward, his hand balled tightly around his sword’s grip. “I stand with Meht. Kiff, you must leave the village if you will not oppose the Skeksis. Your loyalty lies either with them or with your own people.”
    Meht and Marn faced Kiff defiantly. Argens, who had been half-hiding behind Marn, now stepped forward and said, “I agree with these men. You are a Gelfling or you are a mercenary.”
    â€œMercenary?” Kiff said. “Do not use the terms of war when you know nothing of it.”
    â€œKiff, you can’t fight a whole village. For the love of Arax, please, come with me to discuss this,” Soven said.
    â€œI have nothing to discuss. I will not take up arms against any of you, but as you lack the wisdom to hear me, I will go.” Kiff instantly regretted his decision, but knew he had little choice. He took his hand off his sword and steeled his expression. The crowd parted for him. His leather boots were silent on the grass as he strode between the villagers.
    There ended the dreamfast.
    Kairn and his father could not break eye contact and did not speak until Kairn was overcome by his anger. “How dare they? You are the pride of Hallis. I will return to the village and strike down each one, beginning with Soven—even if it means forsaking my love for Soli.”
    Kiff shook his head. “No, that won’t do. You cannot bear arms against another Gelfling from our clan. Even striking down a Woodland Gelfling requires the greatest deliberation.”
    â€œBut they shamed our line and dishonored the castle. I have no need to deliberate. But first, I must escort you back to the castle—you cannot waste away in this cavern.”
    â€œNo, I can’t go back. The Skeksis expelled the Woodland Gelfling—I’d be the only Gelfling there.”
    â€œYes, but unless the stories are—” Kairn stopped himself. With all his father had suffered for loyalty to the Skeksis and the castle, he could not raise the possibility that Rian had spoken honestly.
    â€œI will not fight against the Skeksis, but they cannot ask me to be the one Gelfling fighting against my entire race,” Kiff said. Kairn noticed that his father spoke slower than he used to.
    â€œSo, the Gelfling have decided on war against the Skeksis?” Kairn