[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Then she left the village and thecastle, and all she had known since birth, setting aside worldly peace for astill conscience.She sought her fate in the inhuman forest -- such was her love -- and as sheslipped through the gates into the darkness, an owl s cry pierced through thegloom and through her heart.She was alone, it cried, but she did not turn herears to listen.Instead, she set off to the forest, not afraid of that whichwould ruin the courage of any man.For she was no man, and her heart was astrong fortress: when the gates were open all could enter; yet when they wereclosed neither man nor nature could break through, neither love nor fear.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlCHAPTER FOURTEENAfter parting from the others, Alfonzo, Vahan Lee, and Casper crossed thestream and headed south through the great forest.Their destination was asmall hideout in which the rangers stored secret documents.It was thesedocuments for which Alfonzo searched.The trees in all parts of the forest were massive and tall, standing at leasttwenty feet apart, and it was no different in the southern area where theywere headed.There were few bushes on the ground, and still fewer saplings.The trees of the forest seemed to live forever, invigorated by the climate ofAtilta, which was so much purer than its neighbors: Hibernia to the north andFrance to the east.It was a place of refuge amidst the turmoils of the times.The legends of the people made it the brother of Atlantis andPage 44ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlEden, with their paradisaic island climates.Some, however, were greatlydisturbed by this analogy.Through the first hour of the walk the three travelers were silent.Alfonzowas thinking of many things, among them the suspicions he had about Vahan Lee.That worthy gentleman, Lee, was wholly occupied by thoughts of his failure toconceal his mission. By folly s face, he said to himself,  I should guard my tongue better, butno! When I want to keep something secret I seem to shout it from therooftops.Casper was no less lost in thought than his companions.He knew why he wassingled out to go withAlfonzo, and he had an idea as to what was to happen.But he could not make uphis mind, so he did nothing.When they had walked a good distance, Alfonzo called out to him,  Casper, goforward and watch for an ambush, we will follow behind. Yes, master, and with that Casper went forward, out of hearing of Vahan andAlfonzo. We are alone now, Vahan Lee.You can tell me of the secrets which you seem toenjoy spewing forth.The gentleman apparently thought better than that, and decided not to revealhimself just yet. I do not understand your drift.I am a loyal Atiltian, and I have nosecrets, he said You have changed your mind once more, have you? questioned Alfonzo,  I donot understand why you keep pulling back, unless you serve the Frenchmonarch. How can you think that, Alfonzo, after what has befallen us? What has befallen us, Vahan? You escaped from my prison and defended yourselffrom another group of bandits.Perhaps I should recapture you? I did nothing in the beginning and I am doing nothing now. Nothing, and that is the problem.You have no answers to the questions that Iask.I am the master here, Vahan Lee, and if you wish to be free then let meknow your identity.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html What questions would you ask then? I am a simple-hearted man, and loyal to mycountry.It is for my accusers to prove otherwise, said Vahan. I do not accuse you of being disloyal to your country, I merely ask if yourcountry is Atilta or France? France! cried Vahan, forgetting himself.Then he recovered by adding in ahalf-hearted attempt at deception,  Is not my country. He smiled weakly atAlfonzo. Tell me all, Vahan Lee.If I desired you dead would you now be alive? Yoursecrets are safer with me than yourself, and I dare say, if I guess themright, so are your plans. My plans, the loyal Atiltian that I am, are for the benefit of this land, andI will reveal them to whom Ichoose.You cannot coerce me. Yes, of course.I know you are right in this.I must apologize, for I growboisterous whenever I think of my native land in the trouble that it is.Ifonly we had allies with a monarch on the continent, then we would be securefrom that side and our troubles half over.Have you heard rumors of any kingsthinking about supporting us against Gylain?This subtle tactic of Alfonzo s was more than Vahan Lee could bear, and hestood almost bursting out of his seams during Alfonzo s little dialog.Thegentleman s face turned red and his eyeballs half popped out:so great was his excitement, and the anticipation he had about revealing hislong -- and badly kept --secrets.Page 45ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html You have earned my trust, Alfonzo of Melborough, so I will confide in you --strictly confidentially, of course. Of course, was the answer. You know me as Vahan Lee, but that name is merely a fake, to allow me to goincognito.I am rightly known as Thomas Vahanlee.You may have noticed that Ihave a slight French accent. Yes, a slight accent, though he had a very heavy one. And that my attire is partly French. Is it? I did not notice, though he stunk of French nobility. That is because I am indeed French, though obviously very loyal to the peopleof Atilta.One need not be native to be patriotic. Oftentimes foreigners are the most vocal in praise of a country. True, but to continue: I am a noble gentleman in my country France, theking s chief, the hands behind the government, so to say.It was he that sentme on this secret mission to ascertain the character of the rebels in theforests [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]