Winter Wood by Steve Augarde Read Free Book Online Page A

witchi talk of Elysse and our “other lives”. ’Tis this life I’ve to think of, and how we may act today.’ Maglin leaned forward and jabbed his forefinger against Ardel’s knee. ‘You’d do well to keep beneath the wings of the strongest – and that’s we, the Ickri. My own thinking is to quit this place whilst we may.’
    â€˜Then you think like a fool.’ The reedy voice of Damsk was raised for the first time.
    â€˜What’s this, you old wosbird? You name me Steward and then dare call me fool?’
    â€˜Aye. You be Steward by right, Maglin, but not by our choice. What good would it do to leave our homes? Where should we go, and how should we travel? There be those here that can scarce cross Royal Clearing, let alone cross Gorji lands to who knows where.’
    â€˜Then all should perish here for the sake of the few that be too idle to move?’ cried Maglin. ‘I’ve more skins than yours to save! What do your old bag o’ bones matter when there be young ’uns that go starving? If I say the Ickri leave, then leave we shall! Aye, and along with any that will join us—’
    â€˜Maglin, Maglin . . .’ Crozer intervened, raising his withered arms for peace. ‘’Tis no good to shout. If the tribes are to be divided in this, then so be it. But let us try to think—’
    â€˜Traitors!’ Maglin was not yet calm.
    â€˜. . . to think of what may come, and act each for the best. Of what
may
come, I say – for we cannot know for sure. Do the Gorji childer keep our secret still? We have seen naught of them. Is it certain that they will bring us harm? And if the giants come, shall we not have warning? The Ickri archers are in the treetops by day, and the Wisp are abroad by night. ’Twould not be so easy to take us unawares – and the briars would keep the Gorji at bay for a half-day at the least. We might escape by whatever tunnel was furthest from ’em, if ever we truly needed to.’
    â€˜Aye, we might
escape
.’ Maglin struggled to his feet, the wicker pod swaying a little as he pushed himself upright. ‘But how far should we get? The giants’d be close enough on our heels to have us all skewered by first nightfall. Fools! ’Tis better we go from here
before
they come than wait till we’re driven out. Now there’s my say on it, and you’ll either take heed or you won’t. Crozer, you may stay with your fellows to argue some sense into their mazy heads if you wish, but I’ve hadenough o’ them – as they have o’ me, it seems. Well, then, let them choose their own path. I’m away.’
    Maglin swept aside the entrance cloth of Counsel Pod, spread his wings, and jumped down to the ground. He landed heavily, and was forced to make use of his spear for some temporary support. As he hopped and hobbled his way across Royal Clearing, Maglin spotted the humpty-backed little figure of Maven-the-Green scurrying away through the trees. She glanced over her shoulder at him, before melting into the deepening shadows. By Elysse, but that one could move quickly when she wanted to. The old hag quite put him to shame. Maglin winced as he continued with his own far slower progress home.
    Ribbons of grey mist hung about the entrance of the dark cave as Massie hobbled from lamp to lamp, the lighted taper unsteady in her shivering hand. The old Troggle-dame muttered to herself as she coaxed the oily wicks, one by one, into catching the flame.
    â€˜Come on with ’ee then . . . old Massie don’t have all night. Brr! I be all of a shake. Eh? What’s that?’ She paused, and looked about her in confusion. ‘What did ’ee say? Who’s there?’
    Again she caught it – a soft voice that echoed in her head – yet the words came not in sound but in colours . . . bursts of blue and green and grey.
    Dame, do you not