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. What are those? Barghest, the Lady said. Be careful, they can be nasty if given the chance.They ll certainly rob you of anything they can get their hands on.The creatures hooted and barked as they drank.Peter cupped his hands to his mouth and mimicked their hooting.The barghest fell silent, all of them staring at Peter.Peter jumped up andlet loose several more hoots.The creatures erupted into a volley of irritatedbarking, the lot of them leaping away into the trees and disappearing into thewoods.The Lady laughed heartily and the sound was music to Peter s ears. That s good, Peter.How d you learn to do that?Peter shrugged, then began to mimic the whistles, hoots, chirps, and calls ofthe other animals.Soon all the creatures around the pond were cocking theirheads quizzically at him.The Lady laughed long and deep, and even the elves couldn t help but smile.A strange cry caught their attention.Peter saw a large bird with fiery redplumage glide across the pond and alight in a nearby tree.It surveyed thepond, its brilliant orange eyes standing out in stark contrast to a crown ofblack feathers.The Lady let out a soft gasp and leaped to her feet. Peter, she whispered. The Sunbird.It lifted its head and began to sing, and all the creatures in the forest fellsilent.This wasn t just a call, but a song made up of whistles and chirps,like nothing Peter had ever heard before. Isn t it wonderful? she whispered.Peter nodded and glanced at the Lady.She held her fingertips to her lips, hereyes captivated.As suddenly as it had appeared, the bird took flight and left them. Oh, don t go, she said, and sighed. I ve not seen it since I was a girl.That sweet song takes me back to happier times. She was quiet then, her eyesdistant.Peter caught a flash in the sun and something landed on the sandy bank.Heleaped up, raced over, and picked it up.It was a brilliant red feather.Hebrought it back and held it up for the Lady to see.The sunlight shimmered offthe fine filaments, and when he twirled it, it sparkled and glowed as thoughaflame.The sparkles glittered across the Lady s face. Oh, Peter.It s beautiful!He handed it to her. It s for you. For me? Peter, no, you can t.It is too wonderful a treasure. Yes I can.She took the feather and began to twirl it.A smile of unabashed joy lit upher whole face, and in that moment she looked like a little girl.Peter cupped his hands over his mouth, and began to whistle and chirp, tryingto mimic the Sunbird s song.He didn t get it right, but after a few moretries, he had it and whistled the song all the way through.The Lady stared at him in utter amazement, then grabbed his hand and claspedPage 69ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlit in both of hers. That s wonderful! You must be part bird. Yes, I am, Peter said proudly. Why, I m a Peterbird. Well Peterbird, you must come visit my court and sing for me.Is it agreed?Peter gave a big nod. Good. She looked at him, looked at him intently for a long time.Peterwasn t sure what to make of it. One more thing. She reached behind her neck and undid the gold chain.Sheheld it out so Peter could see the eight-point star.He noticed it wasactually fine threads of tarnished gold spun around a dark stone. Thisbelonged to another little boy, a very special little boy.He is lost to me.Iwould like for you to wear it for now.Would you do that for me?Again, Peter nodded.She slipped it around Peter s neck and kissed him atop his head. My littleMabon, she whispered, so quietly he almost missed itAs Peter held the star, it began to glow slightly.The Lady saw it too and her eyes began to tear.She reached for Peter andpulled him tight, hugged him for a long time.She smelled of pollen and thesweetness of cool water.Peter heard her again in his head, or heart maybe, like in the pond.You aremine.Mine forever.Yes, he answered.Forever. HEY, NATHAN CALLED. Wait up.The child thief realized he d let his mind drift, let the kid fall behind.Heknew better, knew that the Mist, given the chance, would get in his head andplay games.Stupid, he thought.Careless and stupid.And now the boy wasactually shouting in the Mist.Peter waited, searching the shimmering wall of silvery light, listening.Hadthe Sluagh heard? Were they on their way? I don t like this, Nathan said. Just where are we?Peter put his fingers to his lips. Shhh! Peter whispered. You have to keepquiet or they ll hear.Now let s go. What re you talking about?Peter didn t answer; now wasn t the time for talk.He turned, searching forthe Path.It was there, just ahead, the thin golden thread sliding andshifting, drifting away as though blown by a hidden wind.You had to stay withthe Path or it would leave you behind.Peter headed for the Path, then realized Nathan wasn t following; the boy wasstaring at the ground. Look! Nathan said, pointing.Peter didn t need to look.He knew what it was. Those are bones! That s somebody s goddamn head! Nathan squinted warily atPeter. What the hell kinda place is this?Peter jabbed his finger to his lips.The kid had to be quiet.Had to! Don t tell me to shhh, Nathan said, raising his voice. I asked you aquestion.What the fuck kinda place is this?Peter gritted his teeth, tried to control his temper, but this kid was goingto get them both killed.He glanced at the Path, it was drifting away.Hedidn t dare lose sight of it, but they needed the kid.Peter stepped towardhim.Nathan stumbled back, jerked a gun out, and pointed it at Peter.Peter halted. STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! the kid yelled.Peter heard the distant sound of children s laughter.His blood went cold.Thelaughter grew louder, joined by wails and moans, the cackling cries of oldwomen.The Mist began to stir.The kid snapped his head about. What s that? Huh? What the fuck is that?The Path drifted farther away, another moment and it would be lost. Listen,Nathan, Peter said as calmly as he could. You have one chance.Follow me,right now.Move, or you ll never leave the Mist.But Nathan wasn t paying Peter any attention.He spun around, left then right,Page 70ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlholding the gun out in front of him, his eyes wide and terrified. STAY AWAYFROM ME! he screamed [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]