Siege of Night by Jeff Gunzel Page A

doubt didn’t understand a word of, but they all wore smiles on their faces and seemed to be listening intently anyway. “Now, what could he possibly be telling them?” wondered Jade as she watched the spectacle while shaking her head.
    Eric glanced over at her and replied, “I am the most wonderful thing that ever existed. Following me to the bitter end will be the greatest decision you will ever make!”
    Jade laughed as she patted his chest while snuggling harder against him. After a moment or two she leaned up a bit, wearing a more serious expression. “You know we have to leave soon. We have to report back to the Queen and figure out what to do next.”
    Eric just nodded. Everything was just so peaceful right now. He had been putting off thoughts of leaving the village, but he knew they couldn’t stay here much longer. “Come on, let’s find Shantis. Maybe they can supply us with some horses.” Jade lowered her eyebrows and flashed him a puzzled look. He answered her unspoken question as if he could read her mind. “I can’t even feel the energy of a gate right now. It just happens; I can’t do it on purpose. For all I know, I’ll never be able to do it again.”
    “Well, let’s hope that’s not the case,” Jade said as she reluctantly hopped off his lap. “I see her over there,” she pointed toward the fire. The two marched over to the cryton leader and explained their situation: that they would be leaving soon and would need horses, if they could indeed be provided.
    “Follow me,” she said as her bright, yellow eyes seemed to shine and flash while reflecting the flickering light from the fire. They considered getting Jacob, but seeing him laying on the ground all turtled up while the children continued to whack him with sticks was just too entertaining to break up; plus, they were fairly sure he would survive the ordeal. The three of them walked past the small temple toward the back of the village.
    They approached an unpainted stable assembled solidly from wooden planks. The roof seemed to be the only part made from the bamboo they used so often, each shoot bound tightly to the next using that odd, yellow, fibrous twine.
    Two large black horses stood there, shin-deep in the yellow hay that blanketed the dry dirt floor. They continued to chew on nothing as their tails swished back and forth. However, these horses did not look normal at all. They seemed very large and muscular, for one thing—far bigger than any other breed of horse the companions had ever seen before. Their eyes were odd also, blue in color, and seemed extremely large for the horses’ heads, almost giving the horses the unbalanced proportion of insects’ eyes.
    “Our horses are sssome of the fastest you will ever find,” said Shantis as she smiled with pride. “They will make the journey to Taron in only a few days’ time.”
    “Thank you for everything,” said Eric as he curiously eyed the two in the stable. “Can we bother you for another one?” he asked.
    “Of course,” she said as she motioned to one of the young-looking horse handlers pitching hay in the back. “I will need four horses saddled and ready to ride by morning,” she called out in the cryton tongue.
    Understanding, Jade looked over to Shantis and said, “Oh, we just need one for Jacob to ride. We don’t need a packhorse as well. We don’t really even have all that many bags.”
    “Of course you don’t,” she replied as her smile became wide enough to show all her teeth, like a tiger. “I’m coming with you.”
     

Chapter 4
    Dragot leaned back in the undersized yet sturdy wooden chair provided by the briggit, who had now scampered back inside the dark, crystal tower. It would be suitable for now, seeing as he just wanted to enjoy his lush, private paradise for a while.
    Colorful birds fluttered about as the constant crackling of the foamy waterfall spraying fine mist into the air proved to be ever so soothing. A gentle breeze lightly rattled