The Sword Bearer by John White Read Free Book Online Page B

them to capture you, shut you in the cave just above us. They are to cover the mouth of the cave with branches to conceal it. Lord Lunacy wants to talk to you."
    He rolled his eyes once more. "We're all kings, you know. I am King Folly, king of all donkeys. My stupidities entitle me to the high dignity. Bildreth and Gutreth are not of royal descent But they are—how shall I say it—entitled to their opinions. Don't you agree?"
    John said nothing. After a moment Folly said quietly, "I will tell Vixenia and King Bjorn of your whereabouts. Have no fear. You will be rescued."
    There was no time for further conversation for the Matmon returned. This time Gutreth lifted John and within two minutes he had been bundled into a rocky opening in the hillside. Both Matmon remained silent Gutreth released his bonds and the two withdrew, taking their lantern with them. A heavy boulder was rolled against the opening, and for a few minutes John could see chinks of light around it and hear the muffled sounds of the Matmon as they sought to disguise the cave mouth. Then came darkness and silence.
    John scrambled to his feet, rubbing his wrists and ankles gently. He groped his way to the cave mouth, felt the coldness of the rock in the entrance and traced the outline of the huge boulder that was rolled against it. For a while he strained his ears for sounds of the Matmon and Folly. But he could hear nothing. Then straining his muscles to the utmost he pushed against the boulder. It rocked a little. Again he pushed and yet again. He began to perspire and breathe hard. Then grunting desperately he strained until his head and heart were pound-ing. But he could move it no farther. The task was beyond him.
    Slowly he groped his way farther into the cave. In a few minutes he would explore it by feel. For the moment he would rest. He squatted on the dry sandy floor and leaned against a smooth wall. Curiously, he was not disheartened. His rage had subsided. Somehow Bildreth's injury at the mysterious door, coupled with Folly's remarks, had heartened him. He was not glad that Bildreth had been hurt, but encouraged to know the Changer's power was near. Warm memories of the Changer flooded his mind.
    His old shoulder injury, the injury inflicted by Old Nick's crowbar, began to trouble him again. A throbbing ache grew in his shoulder until he winced with pain. Suddenly light danced faintly before his eyes. As he stared, it took shape, forming a tall column, then resolving itself into the giant robed figure of a hideously beautiful man. His deathly pallor iliuminated the floor and walls of the cave. He was exceedingly tall so that his feet rested below the floor, and his head and shoulders could be seen through the rock above the ceiling of the cave. "I am the Lord Lunacy, disturber of moonlight" The voice was cool and musical.
    John said nothing. He could feel the slow thumping of his heart, another trickle of cold sweat down his back and the awful stabbing of pain in his left shoulder. He stared at the strange figure before him, wondering why it seemed as though life was being slowly pressed out of him. His mind began to freeze. A power greater than his own was taking control of his thoughts and feelings.
    "I am indeed sorry about all that has happened to you," the cool voice continued. "You have had a difficult time—a very difficult time."
    Suddenly as the words left the lips of the Lord Lunacy, John began to feel sorry for himself. Yes, he had indeed had a difficult time.
    "It's such a pity about the Changer," Lord Lunacy went on.
    "A pity? What do you mean?"
    "Well, he doesn't exist, you know. There is no Changer."
    "But I've met him! I heard his voice," John said, struggling against the power.
    "Yes, yes, of course. You've met him and you've heard his voice. It must have seemed very real to you." The voice of the Lord Lunacy seemed compassionate and concerned.
    "Oh, it did! It felt wonderful!"
    There was a pause. Then, "It was only a dream, you