Pan's Realm by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online Page A

since that happened. Go back to Watch, to Cindy, and care for them. Return to your own world. I will take care of Klandor.”
    â€œMuch as I would like to go home right now,” Sally said, “I think Adam is right. You might need our help. You have to wait for us.”
    â€œYou don’t want to go out on the open road anyway,” Adam said. “There might be elves there.”
    But Pan would not be talked into patience. He drew out his pipes and sucked in a deep breath. As he placed his lips to the pipes, earth-shaking notes pierced the woods. They went on for over a minute and both Adam and Sally had to cover their ears to keep from going deaf. But it was a song of some kind, primitive and haunting, and it stirred deep feelings inside each of them. When he was finished, Pan put aside the pipes and smiled proudly.
    â€œNow all who hide in these woods will know that Pan has returned to reclaim his kingdom,” he said. “No more will I crawl to my castle through the sheltering trees. I will go openly, and if you insist on accompanying me, then you must do the same. You must ride on my back.”
    Adam swallowed, stunned by the transformation in Pan. No longer was he the defeated creature hiding in the woods with his head bent low. Now he was like a fabled creature of old, filled with power and determination.
    â€œCan you support both of us?” Adam asked.
    In response Pan reached down and lifted them onto his back with one strong sweep of his arm. “I could carry you to the top of the highest peak,” he said. “Now hold on tight. From here to the castle we fly with the wind. Nothing will stop us.”
    â€œExcept for maybe a couple of arrows in the heart,” Sally muttered as they leapt onto the road and thundered toward the castle, which stood less than a half mile in front of them. Sally added, “Now the wizard definitely knows we’re coming.”

9
    W hen Pan had operated on Watch, he had not only removed the arrow but covered the wound with a large green leaf coated with soothing herbs. Pan said the herbs would not only help with the pain, but would also keep infections from forming. The leaf was tied to Watch’s leg with a strip torn from Cindy’s shirt sleeve. Cindy had offered them her shirt while Pan was working on Watch. It disturbed her to look at it now, stained with her friend’s blood. Watch noted her concern and patted her on the arm.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he said, leaning back against a tree. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”
    Cindy shook her head. “You’re trying to act brave. I know it must hurt awful.”
    â€œIt does hurt,” Watch admitted. “But the herbs Pan put over the cut are working. They have made the torn flesh slightly numb.”
    â€œPan must know a lot about plants,” Cindy said.
    â€œHe’s so ancient—he must know a lot about everything. I’m surprised he was so easily fooled by the wizard.”
    â€œI’m not surprised,” she said. “Gambling brings out the worst in people. It makes them lose all sense. It’s a twisted emotion—the desire to get something for nothing.”
    â€œI won’t invite you to our next card game,” Watch said.
    Cindy smiled. “I didn’t mean to sound so serious. Your card games are always fun.” She paused. “But you know what always amazes me. You always win.”
    â€œThat’s because I cheat,” he said. “The cards are marked. I marked them.”
    Cindy was astounded. “You’re lying, you would never cheat anyone. I know you.”
    Watch explained. “I originally marked them because my eyes were so lousy that I couldn’t even see what cards the rest of you discarded. In other words, I did it to make the game even. But since the witch improved my eyesight, I don’t really need the marking to help mygame. But I use them out of habit—so I never