Kiteman of Karanga by Alfred Reynolds Read Free Book Online Page A

and her grandfather were waiting.
    "Come on now," her grandfather shouted impatiently. "We don't want to waste any more time. We've got to deliver this sheep thief to Athgar for lizard fodder and get back to work."
    Lizard fodder! Karl's slight hopes sank. He had survived the desert only to end up being thrown alive to dread lizards! He strained against his bonds, but Rika had tied them well. There was no escape. The only thing he could do was follow his captors and discover what fate the village leader would mete out to him. As they started off, Karl fought to control his mounting dread and the trembling in his limbs. If he had to die, he at least didn't want to be judged a coward again.

6. A Test
    The path led steeply downhill, winding between the stone cottages and barns. Growing here and there on the walls of these stone buildings were patches of gray-green lichen exactly the color of the dread lizard. As they continued, a number of curious shepherds began to follow them.
    The leader of Eftah was standing on the wide stone stoop in front of his house, the largest in the village. He was a big man with intense green eyes and a short, grizzled beard. And though he was not young, Karl could see that he was as lean and hard as any of Karanga's hunters. In contrast to his shabby, barefoot kinsmen, he wore a pair of soft leather boots, a gray tunic, and a magnificent wool cape hung over his shoulders. Karl looked at him with apprehension.
    "Athgar, this is the thief that Rika caught," the grandfather said, speaking loudly in order to be heard by the shepherds who were gathered around them.
    "Well done, Rika," said Athgar as he stepped down from his front stoop. "The Hrithdon reduce our tax by fifty sheep for each thief we turn over to them. Your catch here will help the village considerably."
    Rika paled, but the village leader seemed not to notice. He walked over to Karl and looked him up and down while Rika's grandfather told him Karl's story.
    "To the Hrithdon with him," hooted one of the shepherds.
    "Patience," commanded Athgar. He looked at Karl. "How were you able to cross the desert?"
    "I hiked across on foot," Karl said.
    "That's impossible," said the village leader. "You're just another sheep thief from this side of the desert after all. The Hrithdon will know how to deal with you."
    "No, I am from Karanga," Karl insisted.
    "Then tell me how you crossed the desert," Athgar demanded.
    "I flew my kitewing," Karl admitted. Briefly he explained what a kitewing was and how the Karangans used them to hunt and travel.
    A chorus of disbelieving shouts came from the onlookers.
    "Then what was your purpose in coming here?" Athgar continued, ignoring the unruly shepherds. "Certainly it was not to steal our sheep?"
    "I came here by accident," Karl answered, wishing to hide the fact that he had been banished. "I was hunting near the edge of Karanga when a windstorm came up, and I was blown miles into the desert. When I finally landed, I could see mountains in the west, so I headed toward them on foot. After many days I arrived here."
    "And where is your kitewing now? Did you leave it on the desert?" Athgar asked.
    Karl shook his head. "No Karangan would leave his wing behind. I have it. Its up there." Karl pointed to the ridge high above the village.
    The jaw muscles in Athgars cheeks tightened as he stared at the spot Karl had pointed out. He looked back at Karl with a frown, and Karl felt he was being examined under Athgars stern eye. "You've told us a tale beyond belief, but thieves will say anything to avoid punishment. To prove your story, you will go under guard and retrieve this kitewing. If you've told us the truth, I will not deliver you to the Hrithdon. But if you've lied to us, you will probably fill a lizards belly before sundown."
    A short while later, Karl was climbing up the mountain with a half dozen sturdy shepherds, who guarded him as if they were protecting a lamb from the wolves. To Karl's relief, his wing was