The Ogre's Pact by Troy Denning Page B

replied. “So go to the castle and do as the princess says. She cares for you as much as I do.”
    “But I don’t care for her,” Avner objected. “I like you.”
    “Then you’ll do as Tavis says.” said Livia. At fourteen, she was the second oldest of the orphans, and would soon blossom into a beautiful young woman. Already, she had riveting brown eyes and an alluring smile. Livia looked at the other children, then said, “Life’s going to be hard enough on Tavis without us to watch over. If we really care for him, we’ll go to Castle Hartwick.”
    Tavis nodded at Livia. “That’s right. Knowing you’re all safe will make my life much easier.” He kneeled on the ground and opened his arms wide. “Now let’s say good-bye.”
    As the children stepped forward to embrace Tavis, a loud whinny sounded in the street outside. The cadence of galloping hooves echoed through the gate, then Blizzard’s speckled form streaked into the courtyard. A mantle of white lather covered the mare from her muzzle down to her breast, and her eyes were mad with fatigue. She rushed to within a few paces of Tavis and reared, neighing madly.
    Tavis pushed the orphans away, then grabbed Basil’s shoulder and positioned the verbeeg in front of the children. He moved toward the mare slowly, his palms turned toward the horse to show her he was carrying nothing dangerous.
    “Where’s Brianna?” he asked in a soft voice. “Let me come close to look at your saddle.”
    The mare lashed out with her front hooves, then dropped to her feet and ran to the gate. She stopped there and fixed a black eye on Tavis, snorting impatiently as she caught her breath.
    “That horse seems quite mad,” observed Basil.
    “She’s certainly upset,” Tavis replied. He took his sword belt off his rucksack and strapped it around his waist, then picked up Bear Driller and slung a quiver of arrows over his shoulder. “Something must have happened to Brianna.”
    Tavis started toward the gate, but Avner caught him by the arm. “Think this through,” the boy said. “Brianna’s the one who’s sending you away. It’d be unfortunate if something has befallen her, but do you really-“
    “Avner, don’t even say it,” Tavis interrupted. He glared down at the youth. “How could you wish misfortune on someone who’s done as much for you as Princess Brianna?”
    Avner’s cheeks flushed. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He took a slim dagger out of his bundle. “I’ll come along to help.”
    Tavis shook his head. “Stay here and look after the others,” he said. “If Brianna didn’t reach Castle Hartwick, there won’t be anyone coming to look after you and the other children.”
    Avner scowled. “I’m no child.”
    “And we don’t need anyone to watch after us,” Livia added. “We were doing that long before you took us in.”
    Blizzard neighed again, then stamped her feet on the ground and trotted through the gate.
    “I don’t have lime to argue about this,” Tavis snapped. Livia and the other children recoiled at his sharp tone, but Avner did not flinch. “Just do as I say one last time. You’ll be rid of me soon enough.”
    The children dropped their gazes, and several of the younger ones wiped their eyes.
    “Don’t cry,” Tavis pleaded. “There will be plenty of time for that after I find Brianna.”
    “Then you’ll come back?” Avner asked, his spirits rising.
    “At least to say good-bye.”
    With that, Tavis ran out the gate. When he turned toward Castle Hartwick, he saw Blizzard waiting at this edge of town. She whinnied, then set off down the road. Tavis followed at a trot, realizing the run ahead could be a long one.
    Before he had gone very far, the firbolg heard a clumsy, flat-footed gait coming up from behind. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Basil lumbering up the road. The runecaster had left his sack of stolen books behind and carried only a small satchel over his shoulder. Tavis neither slowed his pace nor