Ross Lawhead by The Realms Thereunder Read Free Book Online Page A

them to the mouthpiece, and gave a strong blow.
    The horn let out a thin, drawn-out parp and had no other immediate effect other than to turn Daniel’s face red. The reedy buzz knocked around the chamber, echoing, reluctant to die. Daniel and Freya froze—waiting expectantly. But for what, they didn’t know. Maybe for some caretaker to come and tell them off.
    â€œSatisfied?” Freya asked. “Can we go now?”
    â€œYes, fine,” Daniel said, sighing. He placed the horn back on the hook.
    â€œStrange . . . ,” he said, “sounds like it’s still going. No, hold up—”
    There was another sound in the chamber—one that was growing. A deep, rumbling groan.
    â€œWhat is it?” asked Freya nervously.
    Daniel crossed back over to one of the knights. It must have been a trick of his eyes, or the light, or something, but it looked like it was breathing. He raised his arm and was just about to brush his fingertips against its cheek—which looked more than just “lifelike”—when the knight’s eyelids snapped open.
    Daniel was so startled that he let out a shout and jumped backwards, colliding into Freya, who also screamed. With a creaking of leather, a rattling of metal, and a groan, the knight sat up and turned his head stiffly towards them. Dust cascaded from his chest, billowing into a cloud.
    Daniel felt something snake around his wrist and then tighten. He looked down and saw that the hand of the knight behind him was gripping his arm. He leapt away, trying to jerk out of its grasp, but it felt like it was made of iron. “Freya! Help me!” he cried.
    Terrified, Freya backed into the corner by the archway. She opened her mouth to call for help, but no sound came out. Then the first knight rose from his plinth.
    The knight holding Daniel’s arm shook his head and turned to the other knight. “Cól þe, cnihtas. Liss , ” he said. “Cól þe.”
    The other knight said something in more strange words, and Daniel felt his wrist come free. But before he could make a move or even draw a breath, the knight lurched forward and hefted himself to his feet. Daniel, startled, lost his balance and fell backwards. “Don’t hurt me!” he blurted, and began scooting his way closer to Freya.
    The knight took a gigantic step forward and now stood directly above them.
    The towering knight stretched out his hand. “Calm yourselves, children,” he said in a clear, commanding voice. “Peace!”
    3
    Daniel and Freya, frozen in terror, could only stare at the knight.
    He, in turn, gazed down at them cautiously and curiously, as if they were cornered birds that might fly away at the slightest movement.
    The knight with the axe, still sitting on his bier, lay down his weapon, removed his helmet, and put it to one side, bending his neck first one way and then the other. “Faith, it’s enough to wake the dead, their screaming,” he said, rubbing his head, his voice a soft rumble. “Oh, Meotodes Meahte , my blessed bones,” he muttered. His joints popped and cracked as he let out a bellowing roar.
    â€œ Ngya-aa-argh! Has one ever been so stiff?” He patted himself down and coughed a few deep coughs as clouds of dust billowed around him.
    â€œHweat, broðor!” The knight with the spear spoke, reading Daniel’s and Freya’s terrified expressions. “Would you kill them with fright?”
    â€œBeg pardon, brother,” said the axe-knight, stretching his arms back to expand his chest, which caused a loud popping sound. “I am thoughtless on waking.”
    The spear-knight took a very small step backwards and also removed his helmet. “Ah, there now, children,” he said, relaxing slightly. He leaned towards Daniel on the shaft of his lance. “Now, lad, there’s a good lad. Tell me, what might your name be?”
    Daniel struggled to find his voice.