Path of Beasts: The Keepers 3 by Lian Tanner

Author:Lian Tanner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: JUV037000, JUV000000
ISBN: 9781743431245
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2012-09-24T00:00:00+00:00

There was a time, not long ago, when Blessed Guardian Hope had thought she would never see her home again. A time when she had been hunted through the streets of Spoke like a wild animal.

She still remembered that awful moment on the Piglet when she had been caught in a Big Lie for the second time in as many days. As the hounds snapped at her heels, she had thought she was lost. But somehow she had managed to keep running, right up until dawn when the Lie ended.

Ever since then, she had been longing to return to Jewel. But instead, she had remained in Spoke, carrying out her orders, sustained by the knowledge that Golden Roth and Toadspit Hahn were dead at last and that, one day soon, her reward would come.

Now that day was here, and she was determined that the Fugleman should know how brilliantly she had dealt with the brats.

She began her report in general terms. ‘I have good news, Your Honour! Everything you required has been done – the bribes, the blackmail, the threats. Spoke is ripe for invasion!’

The Fugleman nodded, as if he had expected nothing less. Hope cleared her throat. ‘Ah— I suppose Cord has told you about the children? It is old news, I know, but—’

‘Cord has not yet returned to Jewel,’ said the Fugleman.

A tremor of joy passed through Hope. ‘Oh dear, such a pity!’ she said, clasping her hands in front of her. ‘I wonder where he could have got to? I told him to come straight here, but he has always been a little unreliable—’

‘The children?’ prompted the Fugleman.

‘Ah yes, the children! Our coded messages did not permit me to tell you the identity of the two brats we stole. But now I can reveal it! One of them was a girl named Bonnie Hahn. The other was her brother Cautionary, who calls himself Toadspit.’ Guardian Hope allowed herself the shadow of a smile. ‘That name rings a bell, Your Honour, does it not? Imagine my delight when I discovered that the boy who had caused us so much trouble was in my power at last!’

The Fugleman raised an eyebrow, as if he wasn’t particularly interested in her delight. Hope pressed on, knowing that the best was yet to come.

‘Unfortunately, we – ahem – had a little trouble with them, as you know, Your Honour. Another child turned up and helped them escape. But I am here to report that we recaptured them. And now they are dead. Toadspit Hahn, Bonnie Hahn and—’ she paused, savouring the moment ‘—and Golden Roth! All dead, thrown to the sharks on my orders!’

The Fugleman inspected her for a long moment. He did not seem nearly as surprised at the identity of the children – or as pleased to hear of their gruesome fate – as Hope had expected. ‘Are you sure of this?’ he said.

‘Of course, Your Honour! Have I ever failed you?’

‘Hmm,’ said the Fugleman, pursing his lips.

That’s when Hope noticed the boy.

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