Amos Daragon_ The Mask Wearer - Bryan Perro [48]
“Only later did I realize how much I missed him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I’ve gone back to the cavern every day since then, to see his frozen body. Now I know what friendship is … maybe even love. This kind of feeling does not usually exist among gorgons. So this has been a great revelation for me. I am truly sorry, and I came here to make amends for what I did. I’m willing to betray Karmakas and to tell you secrets that you’ll be able to use against his powers.”
Amos was touched by Medusa’s account. He sighed and kept silent a moment. “This won’t bring back my friend,” he said finally.
“You know, he talked a lot about you,” the young gorgon answered. “I know that you don’t get discouraged easily, and I know how to bring Beorf back to life. Win this battle, take back the city, and I’ll give you your friend just as he was before.”
“How can I trust you after what you just told me?” Amos asked. “Who says that this isn’t a trick to help Karmakas?”
“Let me finish, then you’ll decide if I’m loyal to you. I know the sorcerer’s plans. He’ll attack you as soon as you take the road to Bratel-la-Grande. He’ll sense your presence and send hordes of venomous vipers against you. I know these animals well and it takes only one bite from them to send their victims into a deep coma. Their venom moves slowly to the heart and blocks all the arteries. Death is certain for whoever is bitten. I know also that Karmakas has a basilisk. I can’t tell you what a basilisk is. I only heard him mention it a few days ago.”
Amos frowned. “I was right, then. The pendant contained a rooster’s egg. I know the power of this animal—the basilisk.”
“Good, because Karmakas will not hesitate to use it against you. And that’s not all. Inside the city walls, an army of gorgons is eager to wage battle. Karmakas’s two hundred warriors are bored and squabble all the time to amuse themselves. They’ve pilfered the knights’ weapons storehouse and have all kinds of swords, bows, spears, and clubs at their disposal. You and your men seem to know the secret to killing gorgons. I realized that as soon as I heard one of your men give the order to raise the mirrors. But I must tell you that this is also the only way to bring the city inhabitants back to life. The stone statues will be immediately freed of the curse when the gorgons who petrified them die as they see their own reflections. You know, I’m sorry that—”
Amos interrupted her. “If I understand properly, the only way to free Beorf from the curse is for you to look at your reflection in a mirror?”
Gravely, Medusa nodded. “I know how to free Beorf,” she said. “Trust me. Let me help you by redeeming myself. I promise I’ll give you your friend back. Consider me an ally. My help will be invaluable. I have a few good ideas to ensnare Karmakas. With my knowledge and your cleverness, we can defeat him.”
—17—
THE BATTLE
Led by their lord Junos, the Knights of Equilibrium reached Bratel-la-Grande just before sunrise. The night had been long and sleepless for the men of Berrion. Heavy clouds hung in the sky. The pale light of dawn tarnished the landscape around the capital. The sinister atmosphere filled the knights with anxiety. Even Junos looked gloomy and he had lost any trace of his good humor.
From the top of the highest tower in the castle, Karmakas rejoiced when he saw the Berrion army take position in the fields. The sorcerer stroked the head of his basilisk tenderly. The creature had hatched the day before. Now, Karmakas put it down in a gold cage at his feet.
“Be patient, little one, ssss, my little treasure,” he said with affection. “It will soon, ssss, be your turn to act.”
The sorcerer raised his arm. He concentrated and repeated a magic formula in an ancient dialect. In the fields, the knights saw a black cloud rise above the city.
“Stay on your horses and get ready to flee quickly,” Junos shouted to his men. “If Amos is right, we’ll easily