Sepron the Sea Serpent by Adam Blade Read Free Book Online Page B

even though he knew that Ferno was free now and would neveragain blast the land with his fire. He urged Storm to a faster trot, eager to keep moving. Silver bounded a few paces ahead, his tongue lolling out.
    Then, without warning, Storm reared. His forelegs pawed the air. Elenna let out a cry of alarm and gripped Tom harder to stop herself from sliding off.
    “Storm — steady!” Tom yelled.
    When the horse’s forelegs returned to the ground, he began skittering to one side. Tom tugged on the reins but couldn’t get the horse under control. Then he noticed that Silver was standing still, his legs stiff and the bushy gray fur on his shoulders bristling. He began whining uneasily.
    “Something’s wrong,” said Elenna. Tom glanced back at her and saw alarm in her eyes. “They can sense it.”
    Tom looked all around. He couldn’t see anything but empty land. There was no sign of danger. ButSilver kept on whining. Storm was tossing his head, his eyes darting back and forth in panic. Beads of sweat rolled down his black coat.
    “What is it, boy?” Tom was still struggling to keep the terrified horse on the path. “What’s the matter?”
    Silver let out a deep growl. He was staring straight ahead. Following his gaze, Tom thought he could make something out on the horizon. It looked as if the farmland was moving. Taking a closer look, Tom saw that it was a muddy torrent of water. He watched as it churned and frothed, swallowing up the land as it rushed closer to where they stood.
    “Tom,” Elenna said, her voice choking with fear. “It’s a tidal wave!”

C HAPTER T WO

    R ACE A GAINST THE S EA
    F OR AN INSTANT, TOM FROZE.
    “Tom!” Elenna tugged hard at his elbow.
    Wrenching on the reins, Tom brought Storm’s head around and dug his heels into the horse’s flank. “Run!” he yelled.
    Storm leaped forward like an arrow from a bow. Growling fiercely, Silver raced along not far behind.
    “Faster!” Elenna cried. “The water is catching up.”
    Tom risked a glance over his shoulder. The dark water was surging closer. He couldn’t believe how fast it was coming.
    He bent low over the stallion’s neck. “Come on, Storm,” he urged. “You can do it!”
    They raced along the path toward higher ground. Glancing back, he saw that Elenna’s face was white with terror. Beyond her, the flood nipped at their heels. They could feel the water’s cold spray. The hills where they would be safe were too far away. They weren’t going to make it.
    Just then, Elenna tugged at Tom’s shoulder. “Over there!” she yelled, pointing to one side.
    Tom saw an outcropping of rocks to their left. A smooth slab of stone covered in moss stood high above the flat valley. It just might be high enough for them to get safely out of the way. Tom pulled on Storm’s reins and the horse plunged away from the path. His hooves thundered across the blackened fields.
    The murky water was gaining on them. Storm’s pace slowed as he began to climb, struggling over the rough ground. Tom had to cling to the front of the saddle to keep his seat. Elenna’s arms were sotight around his waist that he could hardly breathe. He couldn’t see Silver, though he heard the wolf howling.
    As the slope grew steeper, Tom glanced back. The wave was still close on their heels. Up ahead was a ledge where they’d be safe, if only they could get there before the frothing water swallowed them. “Faster, Storm!” he gasped. The stallion gave a final burst of speed, his hooves clattering on bare rock. Tom let out a yell of panic. If Storm slipped, they would all drown in the dark, churning water.
    Just as Storm leaped onto the ledge, the water surged forward, smashing against the wall. A wave of thick, muddy water crashed over them. Below, the flood swirled and lapped at their feet.
    Tom and Elenna slid to the ground, dripping with dark, dirty water.
    Storm was sweating and trembling. Tom pattedhis neck. “Well done, boy. You saved us. You’re the bravest