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tall tales?
 And I m not missing, either! she added firmly.  I m right here with you!
 You re not the High Lord s daughter! he exclaimed vehemently.  You can t be!
 How would you know? she mimicked. Then she put her hands to her face and feigned shock.  Oh,
excuse me, I forgot! You re the King s personal treasure hunter and know the whole family!
Poggwydd scowled. He hunched forward, his round body rocking on its stubby, gnarled legs as if in
danger of tipping over completely.
 Look here, he said carefully.  Enough foolishness. It s one thing to play at being someone where the
playing is harmless but another altogether to make light of misfortune. I know you are just a little girl, but
you re a smart little girl and old enough to appreciate the difference.
 What are you talking about! she snapped, furious at being lectured like this.
 The High Lord s daughter! he snapped back.  That s what I m talking about! Don t tell me you don t
know. He stopped short.  Well, now, maybe you don t little girl all alone out here in the woods,
bumping up against a fellow like me. Who are you, anyway? You never did say. Are you one of those
fairies, come out from the mists for a visit? Are you a sprite or some such from the lake country? We
don t see many up this way. Not us G home Gnomes, anyway.
He paused, collecting his thoughts.  Well, here s what s happened, if you don t already know. The High
Lord s daughter is missing, and everyone is looking for her. She s been missing for days, weeks perhaps,
but gone for sure, and there were search parties hunting for her from one end of Landover to the other.
He bent close, lowering his voice as if he might be heard.  Word is, King Rydall has her. He s from
someplace called Marnhull. He has her. Won t give her back, either. He s making the King s champion
do battle with some monsters. I don t know that for a fact, but that s what I ve heard. In any case, she s
missing, and you shouldn t make fun of her.
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Mistaya was dumbfounded.  But I am her! she insisted, hands on hips.  I really am!
There was movement in the trees to one side. She caught just a glimpse of it and whirled about, poised
to flee, her heart in her throat, her stomach turned to ice. The movement turned to color, a rush of
wicked greenish light that filled the shadowed spaces between the trunks and limbs. The color tightened
and took shape, coalescing into human form, lean and dark and certain.
Nightshade had returned.
The witch stepped out of the shadows, silent as a ghost. Her bloodied eyes fixed on Mistaya.  You
were told not to leave the Deep Fell, she said softly.
Mistaya froze. For a moment her thoughts were so scattered that she couldn t think. Then she managed
a small nod in response.  I m sorry, she whispered.  I wanted to see the sun again.
 Come stand over here, the witch ordered.  By me.
 It was just for the day, Mistaya tried to explain, frightened now of what might happen to her, terrified
by the look on the other s face.  I was all alone, and I didn t think 
 Come here, Mistaya! Nightshade snapped, cutting her short.
Mistaya crossed the clearing slowly, head lowered. She managed a quick glance back at Poggwydd. He
was standing in front of his fire, eyes wide and staring. Mistaya felt sorry for him. This was her fault.
 I am waiting, Mistaya, Nightshade warned.
Mistaya s gaze swung back again toward the witch. She realized suddenly that Haltwhistle was missing.
He had been right beside her while she had been talking with Poggwydd. Where had he gone?
She reached Nightshade and stopped, dreading what might happen next. Nightshade forced a smile, but
there was no warmth in it.  I am very disappointed in you, she whispered.
Mistaya nodded, ashamed without being quite sure why.  I won t do it again, she promised. She
remembered Poggwydd.  It wasn t his fault, she said quickly, looking back over her shoulder at the
unfortunate G home Gnome.  It was mine. He didn t even want to talk to me. She hesitated.  You
won t hurt him, will you?
Nightshade reached out and placed her hands on the girl s shoulders. Gently but firmly she moved her
aside.  Of course not. He is nothing but a silly Gnome. I ll just speed him on his way.
 Excuse me? Poggwydd ventured, his voice small and thin.  I don t need to be here anymore, do I?
Any longer, I mean? I ... I can just pick up my things, and I can 
Nightshade s hands came up, and green fire blazed sharply to life at her fingertips. Poggwydd squeaked
and cringed back in terror. Nightshade let the fire build, then gathered it in her palms and caressed it
lovingly as she watched the Gnome. Mistaya tried to speak and found she couldn t. She turned to
Nightshade, pleading with her eyes, suddenly certain that the witch meant to harm Poggwydd, after all.
Then she saw Haltwhistle. The mud puppy was crouched at the edge of the trees just out of
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Nightshade s field of vision. His hackles were standing on end, and his head drooped forward as if he
were concentrating. Something white and frosty-looking was rising off his back.
What was he doing?
Abruptly Nightshade sent the green fire hurtling into Poggwydd. But Haltwhistle s moon/frost reached
him first. Mistaya screamed at the sound of the impact. The fire and the frost exploded together, and
Poggwydd disappeared. All that remained was the Gnome s discarded pack and the smell of ashes and
smoke.
 What was that? Nightshade exclaimed instantly, eyes raking the clearing from end to end. She wheeled
on Mistaya.  Did you see it? Did you?
Mistaya blinked. Her breath came in little gasps. The moon/frost. Shehad seen it, of course. But she
would never admit it to the witch. Not after what had happened to Poggwydd. At least Haltwhistle had
escaped. There wasn t a trace of him to be seen.
She faced Nightshade down, her voice shaking.  What did you do to Poggwydd? I asked you not to
hurt him!
The witch was nonplussed by the girl s vehemence.  Calm yourself, she soothed. Her eyes were still
skittering about uneasily.  Nothing has happened to him. I sent him home, back to his people, away from
where he doesn t belong.
Mistaya would not be placated.  I don t believe you! I don t believe anything you say anymore! I want
to go home right now!
Nightshade gave her a cool and dispassionate look.  Very well, Mistaya, she said quietly.  But first
listen to what I have to say. You can do that for me, can t you?
Mistaya nodded, tight-lipped.
 Your friendwasn t harmed, the witch emphasized.  But he couldn t be allowed to remain here. What
he told you was true, so far as he knew. Everyone thinks that Rydall has you. Your father arranged for
them to think that. He started the rumor when Rydall first tried to kidnap you. He even organized a
search for you to make the claim seem true. He did this to confuse Rydall and whoever might be trying to
find you on his behalf. This way it seemed that no one knew where you were.
She gave Mistaya a sympathetic smile.  But now the little Gnome knows the truth. Suppose he tells
someone what you said? Suppose he tells them where he saw you? What if word of this gets back to [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]