The Seeker - Isobelle Carmody [142]
“He didn’t see us,” Kella whispered incredulously. “How could he not?”
“Quickly,” I snapped.
Outside, I bade Kadarf take them to the stables and prevent their harassment by any other dogs. I did not stay to see them go. Time was running out for Jik. Nearly hobbling now, I sent my mind ahead to let the boy know I was coming.
To my dismay, he was not alone. There were two priests in the room with him. I was too late!
Agitation made me careless and Jik perceived me. “Elspeth?” His mind groped for mine. I was filled with remorse at the terrible duty that lay before me. I dared not let them take him without erasing all of his knowledge about Obernewtyn. No matter how brave he was, in the end they would make him talk, just as Brydda’s friend had been made to talk. But I knew I had neither the heart nor the strength for such an operation.
I had another idea.
Hobbling back into the garden, I called to Kadarf. He followed me back to the fence and watched me struggle to climb it. “I’m sorry you are going,” he sent.
I waved a brief salute, then dropped to the path on the other side of the wall. Kella and Pavo were nowhere in sight. I hurried around to the ornate double gate Kadarf said was used for most coming and going among the priests, praying they would bring Jik out that way.
I waited, sitting cross legged in the shadows beneath a bush to give my feet a rest. It was some minutes before I saw any sign of life. One of the guards brought a large cart out and harnessed up a white horse. Then a group of priests came out, carrying boxes and parcels. Peering from my hiding place, I saw Jik between them, looking small and frightened. My heart ached for him, but I turned my mind resolutely to the horse. My only hope was to create some sort of diversion to give Jik the chance to run.
Suddenly a hand touched my arm. Whirling, I stifled a scream of fright as I looked into Brydda Llewellyn’s face.
“How …,” I began, only to be interrupted by the sound of horses and a carriage.
Frantically, I tried to collect my thoughts, but I was too slow. With a cry of despair, I saw the carriage draw away and knew I had failed. I had a brief glimpse of Jik sitting upright among the grim-faced priest masters.
Then he was gone.
17
I STARED DOWN the empty street, knowing I had failed Jik—and all of Obernewtyn.
“Quickly,” Brydda said. “We will have to move fast if we are to catch them.”
He half dragged me across the street and around a corner where a grinning Reuvan sat behind the reins of a carriage embossed boldly with the gleaming Herder seal.
“Courtesy of the Herder Faction,” he said with a mock bow.
Dazed, I let myself be lifted in. The cart lurched as Brydda climbed in behind me. Reuvan shook the reins, urging the horse on to a wild pace.
“You are hurt?” Brydda shouted over the clatter of hooves on the cobbles. He nodded at my feet.
“Old wounds,” I shouted back. “You followed me?”
Brydda shook his head. “You were gone before I realized, before we could talk of ways and means to rescue your friends. But I knew where you had gone.”
“You said helping them was impossible,” I protested.
Brydda shook his head. “I said only a madman would attempt such a rescue. I forgot you did not know me well enough to realize that I am just such a man.”
I was struck dumb at his words.
“Besides,” Brydda said, “you had not meant to come to Aborium, except to deliver my parents’ message. Therefore, I am the direct cause of your troubles and honor-bound to help you. And if the Herders are so keen to have your friend, I am just as eager to stop them.” He grinned. “We were waiting to see you arrive, never dreaming you had already magicked yourself inside.…” He hesitated, obviously curious, but I said nothing. “A lad and