The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [108]
‘No, Drayco, you’ll freeze. We’ll all freeze if we don’t get to shelter. You have to show us the way.’
Drayco stopped in his tracks, scenting. The clouds thinned, drifting apart like a curtain pulled back. The sky was glowing with stars on the horizon. He turned, retracing his steps, heading towards the track that led down the near side of the mountain. Nell stood looking down at An’ Lawrence.
‘Can you rouse him?’ she asked.
‘He’s out.’
‘Then we’d better use Wren. It won’t be easy getting her down that track with these two strapped to her back.’
‘I’ve got an idea.’
Jarrod pulled his axe from his saddlebag and hacked down four solid pine branches. Binding them with leather strapping, he made a sled, securing it to Wren’s saddle. He and Nell hefted both the Sword Master and his familiar onto it and covered them with furs. Drayco sat on the edge of the summit, waiting.
‘There must be shelter nearby. Can you talk with the temple cat?’ Jarrod asked, leading his horse towards the trail.
‘He understands us, but he only communicates with Rosette. I think there must be a cave nearby, or he wouldn’t bother.’
‘Wouldn’t bother?’
‘He’d spend his last breath searching for her if he wasn’t certain he could save us first.’
Jarrod grimaced. ‘Then the cat and I have something in common.’
Drayco looked towards Jarrod, briefly opening his mouth but making no sound.
‘Is he all right?’ Jarrod asked, as they followed Drayco down the frozen trail.
Nell smiled, placing her hand on his shoulder. ‘He’ll have a shocker of a headache, but other than that, I think he’s okay.’
Jarrod concentrated on the rough track, grateful for the moonlight, brilliant on the white snow. He put his trust in the sure-footedness of Wren and the lead of the temple cat. Several times the sled caught on rocks before jerking forward, smacking the mare’s hocks. She’d tuck her tail and bunch her hindquarters but always settled quickly when Jarrod stroked her neck and gave her encouragement. They dragged more rope from the pack and tied it to the end of the sled, Nell acting as an anchor for the descent.
After winding their way down the mountainside, the moon now a white disc above the western mountain peaks, they found the cave. A horse nickered from inside, then another, and the copper-red mare answered softly. Drayco walked straight in, disappearing into the blackness.
‘There’ll be a torch,’ Nell said, letting go of the anchor rope and rummaging around the entrance of the cave.
Striking a match and lighting the pitch-soaked brand, she guided Jarrod into the high-domed cave in time to see Drayco collapse beside the cold fire ring.
‘They left supplies behind,’ Nell said as she searched the area.
Jarrod walked his mare well into the cave before untying the sled. The other horses looked gaunt, their eyes sunken.
‘Water,’ Nell said. ‘We’ve got to melt some ice, quickly.’
‘Is there fuel for a fire?’
‘Fuel or no, a fire we’ll have.’
Flames flickered up from the hearth as she answered his question. In moments he and Nell had An’ Lawrence by a fire that burned hot and smokeless. The rocks warmed quickly and the searing cold of the cave gave way to a sultry humidity. Jarrod carried An’ Lawrence’s familiar to the hearth and laid her next to him on warm furs.
Nell stood over them, shaking her head. ‘You’ve got some explaining to do, Sword Master, if you ever wake up again.’
‘An’ Lawrence?’ Jarrod slapped one side of the man’s face and then the other. ‘You need to drink this.’
An’ Lawrence opened his eyes and squinted up at Jarrod. Then his hand went to his sword-belt.
‘Relax. It’s by the fire.’
The Sword Master nodded and winced. He looked for Scylla, stretching until his hand touched her fur.
‘She’s wounded, but she’ll recover. Drink this. It’ll help the pain.’
An’ Lawrence took a few sips of the poppy tea before draining the cup. ‘You’re a healer?’ he whispered.
‘Among other things,’ Jarrod replied.
‘Where’s Rosette?’
‘I thought maybe you could