Unicorns' Opal by Richard S. Tuttle Read Free Book Online Page B

to distract anybody watching the approach to the pass so the other two groups could climb the mountains unseen.
    The trail along the river was clearly marked and the flow of the clear, cold water emitted a peaceful babble as the group rode eastward. The red sky gave way to a fiery ball as the sun rose above the approaching mountains. The magicians rode on for several hours in silence until Fredrik called to Jenneva.
    “Three riders approaching,” Fredrik announced. “They are heading towards us and they sport dark clothing, maybe black.”
    Jenneva moved up alongside Fredrik and peered into the distance. “Let me do the talking when we meet them,” ordered Jenneva. “Your voice does not fit well with your disguise.”
    Jenneva took the lead as the group continued on towards their meeting with the strangers. As they got closer, a chill ran up Jenneva’s spine. The strangers were easily identifiable and she didn’t like what she saw, two Black Devils and a Dark Rider. Jenneva waved her two companions off the trail as Sarac’s minions approached. Xerog waved his hand to halt the two Black Devils as he stopped facing the three old hags.
    “Where are you heading, old woman?” demanded Xerog.
    “We...are...crossing the mountains,” Jenneva answered in halting speech. “We seek no trouble...and we have...left the trail to allow you to have passage.”
    “How long have you been travelling today?” sneered Xerog. “Who else have you seen?”
    “We...we’ve been travelling since dawn,” Jenneva replied with quivering fright. “Black Riders are on the move, they are. Saw two groups a few hours back, one heading north and the other south.”
    Xerog stared at the three old hags, but Zorn and Calastano appeared indifferent to the unwashed travelers. “How large were the groups of Dark Riders?” pressed Xerog.
    “Just two each,” frowned Jenneva. “They appears to be looking for something. There aren’t no troubles ahead, are there?”
    “Not for the likes of you,” scoffed Xerog. “You may camp at the foot of the pass, but you will not be allowed through until I authorize it. And don’t go near my men. I’ll not have you spreading your diseases among them.”
    Jenneva hid her smile as she coughed harshly in Xerog’s direction. “How’d you know about our illnesses?” queried Jenneva.
    Zorn and Calastano backed away from the old hags and Xerog placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Shaking his head with disgust, Xerog spat in the direction of the old hags and motioned for the Black Devils to follow him along the trail. Jenneva watched as the three servants of the Dark One moved westward away from the old hags. After a few moments, she led the group eastward and continued their journey.
    “What if they run across the dead bodies back there?” asked Niki. “They will come after us and kill us for Alex’s doing last night.”
    “Our doing,” corrected Fredrik. “We are all in this together, Niki. Besides, the Black Devils don’t need an excuse to kill us. They kill anyone they want to.”
    “You make all the Black Devils out to be terrible killers,” retorted Niki. “I’m sure there are some who are quite nice.”
    Jenneva halted and turned to glare at Niki with an expression that could freeze the ocean waves. “The only good Black Devil is a dead one,” Jenneva growled. “Do not ever think otherwise or you will surely end up dead before your time.”
    Niki tried to argue, but Jenneva’s glare halted the words in her throat. Jenneva turned back to the trail and the group continued in silence. Niki wondered if the group they had just passed would find the note she had left this morning.
    ***
    Arik followed Tanya up the side of the mountain, placing his hands and feet where she had placed hers. The experience was both exhilarating and terrifying as he sometimes forgot her instructions and gazed down at the rocks below them. Tanya appeared to move with the confidence of experience and Arik