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stretch herself too far beyond her body s reserves, she could tap into the Gray Ones for strength. Hishn, sensing the thought, shoved up against her, and Dion tousled the gray beast s ears. The shoulder that arched in response almost tumbled her over. If you push me back down, she admonished sourly, I won t be able to get up for a ninan. Your den was warm enough, the wolf returned, her head cocked and her eyes gleaming. Yoshi and I were comfortable against you. Why leave? file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Tara%20K.%20Harper%20-%...er%20-%20Wolfwalker%203%20-%20Storm%20Runner.html (200 of 421)22-12-2006 1:37:04 Storm Runner-Wolfwalker 03-Harper, Tara K Dion glanced down at the broadleaves already springing back into their chest-high platform. She sighed. Gray Yoshi s yellow eyes were a bright spot beneath one of the plants. She shrugged. I must. For the forest was crowded with people. Aranur had let her sleep while the other Ariyens arrived. Now, only Hishn and Yoshi remained of the Gray Ones who had come to help, the others having slipped away through the meadow, the ripples of their passing indistinguishable from the green waves of wind. It was easy to spot the refugees among the Ariyens they were bundled in an odd assortment of clothes, their borrowed tunics not removed but simply layered over. Half of them were already seated on six-legged riding dnu, while the other half waited patiently to be hoisted up. Clutching each other for balance in the saddles, or gripping food which they stuffed greedily into their mouths, they did not speak except when spoken to. Even the children were inordinately quiet. They no longer had on the ill-fitting boots they had put on in the cavern. The boots were still wet and cold and had been replaced with dry socks the only thing Gamon, Aranur s uncle, had been able to get his hands on quickly. The dnu stamped impatiently. Their spindly legs did not look as if they could hold up their thick bodies, but their flexible hooves made them more surefooted than goats on strange terrain. Dion, watching Gamon direct the refugees and mounts, waved when he looked around and saw her. She tried to hide her wince at the motion. Aranur was already making his way over to Gamon, so Dion followed, limping across as swiftly as she could without groaning outright. Gamon looked as solid as ever, his shoulders nearly as broad as Aranur s and his aged muscles still hard as steel. His nose had suffered throughout file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Tara%20K.%20Harper%20-%...er%20-%20Wolfwalker%203%20-%20Storm%20Runner.html (201 of 421)22-12-2006 1:37:04 Storm Runner-Wolfwalker 03-Harper, Tara K his life and now bent noticeably to the left, while his left cheek was lined with a series of pale, straight scars that ran crossways across to his battered nose. With his silver hair close-cropped in the front and long in the back, his warcap fitted snugly, framing his seamed face and making it even more similar to Aranur s. Dion thought him immeasurably handsome. Dion! Gamon grabbed her in a bear hug. He held her away from him, turning her from side to side as he examined her closely. And looking worse for the wear, too. Between you and Aranur, I always do, she retorted wryly, surviving the hug and waiting patiently for him to let her feet touch ground again. Behind her, Hishn lunged playfully at the gray-haired man. Come here, you mutt, he laughed. Get your belly scratched. He looked up at Dion critically. You did the healing again, Aranur said. She nodded noncommittally. On a wolf? She nodded again. He grunted. If she had done the healing, she needed food and sleep and lots of the latter. The shadows under her eyes spoke of an exhaustion that no single hour of rest could kill. Brought a dnu for you, too. Figured you would be wanting the lazy way back. Dion grinned in spite of herself. Trust Gamon to know what was needed. She touched his arm gently. He glanced at her, his pleasure at her simple thanks coloring his seamed face. I know, woman, he said gruffly. Get on up so we can get going. She glanced over at Moira and sobered. Gamon, the body of a little girl is file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Tara%20K.%20Harper%20-%...er%20-%20Wolfwalker%203%20-%20Storm%20Runner.html (202 of 421)22-12-2006 1:37:04 Storm Runner-Wolfwalker 03-Harper, Tara K back along the river a few kilometers, in a stand of silverheart. His large hands took one of hers. Aranur told us, he said quietly. I sent a rider back to get her. She nodded, and Gamon tactfully said nothing. He tapped the dnu on its forelegs. It bent obediently, so that Dion could mount more easily. From beside Gamon, Hishn growled lightly, and Dion glanced at the wolf. The gray beast s ears were pointed at the meadow, and the image of the male wolf in the thread of their bond was unmistakable. She smiled faintly. Go on, she encouraged. Gray Yoshi won t wait forever. The yellow eyes gleamed. In an instant, the gray wolf had threaded through the people and, fading into the broadleaves, was gone. Dion looked after her. Saw the mark on her flank, Gamon said obliquely, swinging into his own saddle beside her. That from the worlags? She nodded. He noticed her involuntary shudder. She would be having nightmares again, then. He glanced back at his nephew, noting the tall, broad frame of his shoulders and the set of his face. At least this time, he told himself, Aranur would be there to comfort her. In Bilocctar, in the late winter months& With a tightened jaw, Conin stared at what was left of the village. Behind him, Longear laughed. Longear. His thoughts crystallized with frustration. A woman who held him in her cruel hands like a lepa plays with a rat. Just that morning, she had put bugs in Namina s hair, laughing as his mate file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Tara%20K.%20Harper%20-%...er%20-%20Wolfwalker%203%20-%20Storm%20Runner.html (203 of 421)22-12-2006 1:37:04 Storm Runner-Wolfwalker 03-Harper, Tara K screamed and shook her head and tore at her braid to get them off. There was a rage building in him a determination to strike that laugh from Longear s lips and treat her as she treated his mate. As she treated these people. This he looked around this was her doing. He had not authorized any such squalor, and only Longear could tell the troops or raiders what to do. To bring such a rich land to such poverty& It was not confined to the towns, either the fields themselves lay fallow, drowning in [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |