Outcast (The Darkeningstone Series Book 2) by Mikey Campling Read Free Book Online

fetch a rope.”
    Hafoc studied their faces. If they were just teasing him, it didn’t show. I’ve got to stand up for myself now , or they’ll leave me behind as soon as they can . But if he argued with Sceldon, he’d just get himself into trouble. There had to be a way to make himself useful, to prove he was good enough to go with the scouting party. His mind raced. The older men were better hunters than him, but they were set in their ways. He was better than them at using his wits. But he had to come up with something quickly.
    Hafoc looked around the camp, and once more, Nelda’s restless pacing drew his attention. But this time, it gave him an idea. Yes. It would work. But he’d have to be careful how he explained it to the others. “Tostig,” he said, “do you think it would be a good idea to bring Nelda?”
    Tostig looked doubtful. “Why would I need a dog? This isn’t a deer hunt.”
    “I know that,” Hafoc said. “But she always seems to know where Brond is—maybe she could help us to find him.”
    Tostig shook his head. “A dog is just a dog,” he said. “She might know his voice but she doesn’t understand. She hasn’t the wit of a man.” He looked down at Nelda for a moment, then back at Hafoc. “Bring her anyway. She’ll warn us of danger.” He turned away. “Let’s get ready,” he said. “Gather everything you need but don’t bring too much. We’ll travel fast.”
    Hafoc smiled to himself. At least he listened to me . It was a start. But now he mustn’t make the others wait. He checked and adjusted his quiver, running his fingers over the shafts of his arrows and making sure the leather held them tight so they wouldn’t rattle against each other as he walked. Good. He had plenty of arrows. And his knife was secure in its sheath. He ran his hand over the soft deerskin pouch he wore at his waist, making sure he could feel the precious spare bowstring curled up within. He lifted his flask on the strap that ran diagonally across his body. It was half-empty, but it would have to do. I could do with a drink now , he thought. And then he realised something: I haven’t eaten since dawn . He turned to look for the rest of the scouting party. Tostig was talking to his wife and Flyta stood waiting nearby. But at least Sceort was nowhere to be seen yet. This is my only chance . Hafoc darted to the fireside and pulled a handful of meat from the carcass. He crammed the lukewarm meat into his mouth and chewed as fast as he could, while helping himself to another couple of handfuls. One was for him to eat as they set off, the other handful could be traded for a little loyalty.
    “Nelda,” he called. “Come here.”
    The dog padded toward him, eyeing the carcass by the fire warily. Going too close to tribe’s meat was a quick way to get a good beating. But Hafoc was leading her away from the fire and he was holding something out to her.
    “Come on, Nelda,” he coaxed. “Come to me.” Again he held the meat out. Nelda sidled up to him, sniffing the air. She licked her lips and nose. She was confused. This man was not her master, but the meat smelled very good. She watched him carefully, studied his face. And then, to her surprise, the boy threw the meat onto the ground in front of her. She snatched it up and swallowed it before any of the other dogs could see it.
    “Good girl, Nelda,” Hafoc said. “Come on. You might get some more.” He waved a second handful of meat and walked away. Nelda followed.
    As Hafoc walked toward Tostig, he put the second handful of meat into his mouth and chewed.
    “Are you ready?” Tostig said.
    Hafoc’s mouth was too full of meat to speak properly. He nodded and hoped he didn’t look too foolish.
    Tostig glared at him. “Do you want to stay here and eat with the other children?”
    Hafoc held Tostig’s hostile gaze. He was ready, wasn’t he? What did he have to do to get Tostig to take him seriously? He chewed furiously, and forced himself to