The Seeker - Isobelle Carmody [127]
“Matthew and Louis are on their way back to Obernewtyn, and no one at the compound pursued them. Did anyone follow you?” Domick shouted over the noise.
I shook my head. “No one will come after us until this storm is over. And even if they do, we’ll be long gone on the raft.”
Something in Domick’s expression struck me.
“You did make the raft?”
Wordlessly, he pulled me to my feet and pointed through the trees to the water.
My heart sank.
Swollen by the phenomenal rains, the Suggredoon was a roaring torrent overflowing its banks, carrying whole trees and chunks of rock. Domick’s raft was fastened to the bank by a thick, twisted rope and bobbed like a creature mad to be set free. Only a lunatic would set off on such a river.
Domick hauled the raft in and looked at me, panting. “What do we do?”
I took a deep breath. “We’ll wait until daylight. Maybe the river will have calmed down by then?”
Before he could respond, I heard a bark and turned to see Darga pelting into the clearing. “Many funaga coming.”
I translated. Domick’s face hardened. “Then we’ve no choice. We’ll have to go now.” He pointed to the raft. “There are ropes. Tie yourselves down.”
“Quickly,” I shouted when no one moved.
I helped Kella tie herself, and Jik tied Darga and himself down. Avra stepped into the large space in the middle obviously reserved for the two horses, and Domick bound her gently. I sat next to Pavo, trying not to look frightened.
My mind was reeling. How could anyone have followed so quickly?
Domick’s cry broke into my thoughts. He was standing on the bank with Gahltha.
“What is it?” I shouted.
Domick waved his hand helplessly at the black horse. “He won’t move.”
I tried to reach Gahltha’s mind, but it was as smooth and unassailable as a mountain of glass. I looked at Avra and sent an urgent query. Through the noise of the rain, I could hear men’s voices and shouts.
“They come,” Darga sent.
Domick threw his hands up and began to push the raft off the bank.
“Gahltha,” I sent, forcing through his shield. He whinnied, a high quavering note, the whites of his eyes showing. But he made no move toward the raft.
“He’s afraid!” Jik cried.
Domick jumped into the raft just as the water dragged it from the bank. There was a hard jerk as it reached the end of the tether rope. Still Gahltha stood on the bank unmoving, staring out at us.
“Gahltha!” I sent. “Go back to Obernewtyn.”
He made no response. I saw figures running. “They’re coming. Cut the rope!” I cried.
Domick lifted his small ax.
“Gahltha. Go now, or the funaga will trap you!” I sent forcefully.
He reared violently and plunged into the night. At the same time, Domick let the ax fall. It landed badly, and the rope was not severed. Several armsmen had reached the bank and were attempting to reel the raft in. Domick raised the ax again, and this time it fell true.
At once, the roaring water carried us swiftly away from the bank. Lightning flashed, and in that moment, I saw Gilbert among those who stood watching us. I knew he had been out hunting and realized our poor luck—we had not been followed from the encampment but had been found out all the same.
His eyes falling on me, Gilbert cried out something in evident dismay, but the sound of rain and rushing water made his words impossible to hear.
Then the raft carried us from his sight, and within seconds, we were speeding toward the dark bulk of the mountains. For a moment, it seemed we would be smashed to pieces against the side of the mountain. Then the black gape of a cave opened up before us.
I looked back and caught sight of Gahltha pawing at the raging water as if it were tongues of fire.
“Here we go,” Domick said grimly, and we plunged into the heart of the mountain.
13
THE SUGGREDOON BORE US along its ancient course at the speed of a bolting horse.
Domick stood up on the raft, slipping his feet into rope loops, and took hold of the paddle, which gave him rudimentary steering. I was surprised to find a dim light