Lightnings Daughter, Mary Herbert [year 7 reading list .TXT] 📗

and pul ed Tam off the colt into a huge hug of relief and pride. Tam wrapped her arms around his neck.

The King Stallion snorted angrily. Tam has told us a gorthling has been released in the world.

Gabria gestured to the island where the gorthling was pacing back and forth within his defense shield, studying the new arrivals. "Do you know of any way to send him back?"

Sadly, no. That knowledge was never passed on to us. The King Stallion swung his massive head toward his herd. His magic cannot affect us, however. We wil try to keep him confined to the island so he does not harm any more of your people. The rest you must do yourself.

Gabria was disappointed that even the King Stal ion did not know how to dispel a gorthling, but she appreciated his help enormously. She would not have to worry about the clans with the Hunnuli herd to protect them.

I see that you have one sorcerer unhorsed. That wil not do. The King Stallion neighed and another stallion left the ring of Hunnuli. The new horse came to stand in front of Sayyed. He stretched out his muzzle to gravely sniff the Turic.

This is Afer. He wil be your mount for this confrontation, the King Stallion told Sayyed.

For once the young Turic was nonplussed. He was torn between delight and awe as he ran his hand down the big Hunnuli's nose. Gingerly he mounted the stal ion and settled down on the broad back.

Gabria nodded her thanks to the King Stal ion before she turned to the two men. "Remember, Eurus and Afer are immune to magic," she said rapidly. "Stay on them at all times. If you need protection, form a shield between you and the gorthling." After a pause, she added, "Please try to use spells as little as possible. I will attack the gorthling, but I'll need you two, distract him. We will try to wear him down until he is too weak to use his power."

"What about the prisoners?" Sayyed asked.

"If we can cut the gorthling off from them and keep him occupied, maybe they'll escape on their own. Perhaps the Hunnuli wil help them."

"Have you tried the mask yet?" Athlone wanted to know.

Gabria shook her head. "I still don't know what to do with it."

"Sorceress!" the gorthling suddenly yel ed. "I see you brought some help," He laughed maliciously,

"These useless beasts will avail you not. Come. I grow tired of waiting. You or these mortals must die!"

Gabria curled her lip in a feral grimace. "We will find a way to destroy him.' She turned and cal ed,

"Lord Sha Umar, the Hunnuli wil try to protect the people from any destructive magic, but please keep the warriors and priests away from the island. Will you also watch over Tam?"

"With pleasure, Lady Gabria,” the Jehanan answered, coming forward to stand beside the little girl.

"The gods go with you."

Gabria turned away so quickly she did not see the stricken look pass over Tam's face. The sorceress signaled to Athlone and Sayyed, and the three magic-wielders rode down into the river. The gorthling laughed with glee as they came.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

While the King Stallion rejoined his herd, Gabria, Athlone, and Sayyed separated and spread out so they could approach the island from different angles. Their mounts passed through the ting of Hunnuli horses and carefully waded toward the island. The five Hunnuli on shore held their positions and waited.

The gorthling, wary but confident, watched the riders come. There were three humans now. That was an interesting development. There was only supposed to be one magic-wielder in the clans. Curious, he formed an opening in his defense field and fired a blue bolt at the nearest man. He was amazed when the clansman formed a shield and deflected the energy harmlessly into the air. For just a second, the gorthling felt a twinge of fear. Then it passed, and he snarled. What was another magic-wielder or two?

He would simply have to strike fast and kill them before they could wear down his strength with their greater numbers.

He glanced at the Hunnuli, too. They were another problem. He knew the five on the island were only waiting to break through his shield and chase him out into the open. No magic would stop them.

What he needed was a spel to frighten the humans and a weapon untouched by magic to drive off the horses.

His eye lit on the tal , upright monoliths of the temple, and a cunning grin curled his mouth. He spoke the words of his spel , and once again his body glowed red and began to grow. Soon he towered over the temple and could straddle his hostages. His defense shield dissipated. With a great laugh, he tore a stone from the sacred ring and swung it like a club at the nearest horse. The animal barely dodged in time.

The King Stallion neighed to call his horses back. Magic was a weapon they could avoid, but the horses had no riders to defend them against stone clubs. The five Hunnuli reluctantly withdrew, leaving the magic-wielders and their mounts to their duty.

Before the three sorcerers reached the island shore, the battle was joined. The gorthling fired at Gabria and the two men with a rapid-fire assault of the Trymian Force and other destructive bolts of power. Fortunately for all three, the gorthling was using so much strength to maintain his tremendous size, his bolts of magic were not as powerful as before. The greatest danger lay in the gorthling's stone club, which he swung at the riders whenever they got too close.

The riders quickly discovered another danger. The land around the temple was uneven and rough underfoot. Rocks, boulders, tough shrubs, vines, and small saplings covered the island and made movement on horseback difficult. The gorthling