The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [125]
Not yet.
He slowed his pace when he saw Rashnan standing by a fissure in the wall.
‘She ducked in here,’ the other Lupin said.
Hotha shifted into his bipedal form, running his hand along the contours of the rock.
‘Ducked?’ Hotha said. ‘It’s the size of a rabbit hole. She’d have to do a lot more than duck.’
‘Scent for yourself. She went that way.’
‘It’s too tight to follow,’ Hotha said, reaching his arm into the crevice. ‘As wolf or man.’
‘And that’s not the worst of it. You know where it leads?’
‘I’ve a pretty good idea.’
‘It’s an old crack. It leads straight to the fallen bridge cavern. There’s no light there. She could topple into the ravine.’
Hotha groaned.
‘It’s all right. I sent my lot around the long way.’
‘But the bridge is down. They can’t get to her from the other side.’
‘There are archers among them. They’ll light up the cavern and we can get a rope ladder across.’
Hotha leaned his back against the rock wall, running his hand through his hair. ‘She’s a wily pup, that Rosette. The Mistress has taken on more than she knows, I’ll wager.’
‘You’re right there, she…’
Both Lupins froze as Kreshkali’s message boomed into their thoughts: Let her go! Come back to me before somebody gets hurt!
Hotha shifted into his wolf form and loped down the steps, Rashnan right behind.
The sound of tramping feet infiltrated her dreams, jolting her awake. Rosette rubbed her eyes. Across the canyon, on the other side of the bridge, she could see a light. It glowed faintly at first before brightening into dozens of flaming torches.
Lupins!
They poured out of a far tunnel on the other side of the crumbled bridge, and filled the wide landing opposite her.
You’ll not get to me from there, you mangy dogs.
They lit arrows and drew back their bows. They all took aim in her direction.
Crap!
Rosette pulled the vial from around her neck and shoved it under layers of clothing. She pressed her back into the door, hoping to get out of the line of fire, though the arrows were landing quite wide of the mark.
Lousy shots. She pressed further back into the alcove. Trapped again. This is ridiculous! I’m a temple-trained witch. She could suddenly see the comedy in her situation and the fear lightened. I can get out of this! Of course I can.
She exhaled long and slow as arrows whizzed, lighting the cavern like a harvest party. The Lupins were shouting from across the ravine, but she didn’t listen, focusing only on a way out. She leaned against the door, feeling its smooth edges. I’m going to open this passage without bringing the mountain down.
Power welled, revitalising her limbs. She focused a small boost of magic on the door and gave it a push. It didn’t budge. She tried a little harder. It shuddered but still didn’t move. Finally, she blasted it with everything she had. ‘Yield to me! Yield to me now!’ she shouted.
The rock door responded, bursting into a million grains of sand.
‘Hey, Drayco. Psst…’ Jarrod hissed as he heard the thump and stomp of marching in the distance. ‘Can you see them?’
Use your mind-voice, Jarrod, if you want us to remain hidden.
They’d been playing cat and mouse with the Lupins for what seemed like hours.
Jarrod formed the question in his mind. Can you see them over the ledge?
Don’t shout. I’m right here.
Jarrod scratched his head. This kind of communication was harder than he’d imagined. He reformed the thought and sent it as lightly as he could manage. Can you see the Lupins?
Yep. They’re headed this way. We have to turn back.
Again?
Would you like to test your swordsmanship against thirty or so bipeds and more wolves than I care to count?
Not really.
Then, yes. We have to turn back.
Jarrod took his hand from his sword hilt, tightened his belt and dashed up the corridor. Drayco followed at his side. They turned a few sharp bends before the temple cat skidded to a stop. It took Jarrod a moment before he realised he was running alone.
Have you found something?
She’s this way. Work the lock, quick.
Jarrod bashed the lock with his sword hilt and pulled. Darkness and stale air met