Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth Page B

shelter of the trees, and had a conference. ‘It’ll be best if they do no’ ken we have gone,’ Meghan said. ‘When they canna break in they will try fire, and eventually the tree shall burn. It’ll be best if they think we burn with her.’
    â€˜They may find one o’ the openings to the secret passage.’
    â€˜They may. It will still be best if they do no’ ken how or when we left. I think I ken a way …’ Meghan lead them to a cave even Isabeau did not know, a hole under an overhang of brambles. They were badly scratched getting in, but felt safe they were unobserved. ‘Jorge, we will need light, unless ye can lead us?’
    â€˜I can see many things, but no’ my way through this riddle,’ the seer answered, crouching by Isabeau’s side in the darkness. ‘Meghan, dare we risk a sighting?’
    Meghan shook her head. ‘I too would give much to use your Talent, my friend,’ she said. ‘But it is too dangerous. When we are free of the caves, happen we can risk it, though I’d rather no’ use magic if we can help it. It’s far too dangerous.’
    â€˜Danger comes. We must get out o’ here fast, Meghan!’
    â€˜Give us a trickle o’ light, then, and I will have us away safely. Only a trickle. We must no’ draw attention to ourselves.’
    Jorge complied, and by the faint flicker Meghan examined the tiny cave. She laid her hands on the stone and Isabeau could feel her concentrating. ‘Very well,’ she murmured and began to lead them upwards, through a narrow chimney that at times had to be climbed with the help of knees and elbows. It was exhausting work, but soon they were in a larger cave and able to move more quickly. At intervals Meghan laid her hands upon one wall or another. Isabeau followed suit, trying to see what her guardian was doing.
    Meghan smiled at her. ‘Listen,’ she said, and Isabeau concentrated. Soon she discerned a faint difference in the quality of the stone—one seemed colder, darker. ‘No’ that way,’ Meghan said.
    They wandered the stone maze for over an hour, until Isabeau was stumbling with tiredness and beginning to wonder whether Meghan knew where she was going. Once or twice they heard voices, and once they passed through the cave that looked out onto the other side of the mountain. Its rough floor was littered with the small, black bodies of the elven cats who normally guarded the entrance. A Red Guard stood uneasily in the entrance, peering out into the darkness. They flitted silently through and into an antechamber without him suspecting a thing. A few minutes later they were free of the mountain, Meghan leading them out through a crack in its flank. Outside the ground was thick with snow. Isabeau pulled her tam-o’-shanter down over her stinging ears, and huddled her mittened hands under her plaid. ‘Havers, it’s cold!’ she cried.
    â€˜Quietly, now. Try no’ to leave a trail. Remember the Mesmerd,’ and Meghan lead them through the night, Jesyah the raven flying ahead on midnight wings.
    By the time they finally stopped to rest, Isabeau was virtually sleepwalking. She huddled into her plaid and was asleep in a moment, but she slept badly, becoming more and more restless. She woke with a jerk and the conviction that something had happened. It was pitch-black, though overhead the comet slowly passed, huge and red, a long trail blooming behind it. Both Jorge and Meghan were on their feet, staring at the comet. Birds screeched everywhere in the forest, and somewhere a snow lion was roaring.
    Dark shapes flew around the jagged peak of Dragonclaw, and the resonating bugle of their call made Isabeau’s blood run cold. Dragons!
    â€˜What’s happened?’ she asked.
    â€˜I do no’ ken,’ Meghan replied.
    â€˜A great act o’ magic,’ Jorge said. ‘Something strange and magnificent. Someone