Darkwalker on Moonshae - Douglas Niles [69]
Giants raced in all directions, as anxious to escape the presence of their wrathful lord as they were to locate the wayward unicorn. Soon Groth stood alone in the entry hall, contemplating the situation.
Groth was not particularly worried about the unicorn running loose through the temple. The structure only had two exits, and both were heavily guarded, so the creature did not seem likely to escape. Nevertheless, Groth gathered a few more of his warriors to him, and took them around the outside of the building to the exit from the coal bin. He would wait here, with a reinforced guard, in case the unicorn proved tricky.
Any enemy loose in the temple of the Firbolgs was a potential threat, reflected Groth with a grimace. He thought of the treasure room and its valuable stores.
There would be no telling what kind of trouble could result if the Sword of Cymrych Hugh should fall into the wrong hands.
*****
Robyn ran down another of the long stone corridors, her companions following quickly. They passed several branching corridors but continued straight ahead, hoping to find some clue to the whereabouts of Keren’s prison.
“Shh!” called Daryth, and the whole party lurched to a stop. “I hear something up ahead. Sounds like quite a commotion.” The others, straining their ears, also heard the sounds of shouting and bellowing.
“Something has the Firbolgs riled up,” offered Pawldo. “Maybe they found that one we left in the gutter.”
“I don’t think so,” countered Tristan. “We left that one behind us, and all of the noise is coming from up ahead.”
They approached a four-way intersection of corridors, and Tristan advanced to peer down the right and left paths. They were both empty.
Suddenly a loud clattering emerged from the corridor before them, and they saw a huge white creature galloping toward them. Freezing momentarily, they stared at the magnificent beast in surprise. Apparently sharing their shock, the fabulous creature stopped suddenly before them and tossed his head in frustration. A milky white mane billowed from his neck, but their attention collectively focused on the animal’s forehead.
“A unicorn!” gasped Tristan, saying what the others were thinking.
The beautiful animal reared high and then stomped his forehooves upon the stone floor. For several seconds he stared at them, as if thinking. Then, he tossed his head to the left before turning and galloping down the corridor to the right.
Tristan started after the unicorn, but paused as he felt Robyn’s restraining hand on his arm. At the same time, he noticed the sounds of pursuing Firbolgs far down the corridor. Obviously they were chasing the unicorn.
“He wants us to go this way,” declared Robyn firmly, tugging the prince into the left-hand corridor.
Too surprised by her assertion to argue, Tristan mutely followed Robyn.
Daryth and Pawldo did likewise, and they all ran down the passage as fast as they could. Finally they ducked around a corner and paused, gasping for breath and listening for sounds of pursuit.
The bellows and cries of the pursuing Firbolgs built to a crescendo and then faded again, so they knew that the creatures were chasing the unicorn down the opposite corridor. More slowly, but understandably vigilant, they continued to advance.
Suddenly Robyn stopped by a door and held up her hand. Immediately, the others halted behind her. She concentrated – not as if she were listening for something, thought Tristan. It was more as if she sought a faint scent in the air.
“Keren!” she called, in a loud, clear voice.
Tristan gasped at the sound, looking nervously behind as if he expected hundreds of Firbolgs to leap upon them from ambush. Before he could urge Robyn to silence, however, an answering voice was heard from beyond the door.
“Robyn!” The voice, though muffled, could belong to none other than the bard.
Quickly Daryth knelt beside the door and examined the lock. He removed an odd tool from his pouch and began to pick carefully at the mechanism, as Tristan and Robyn pressed to