Tent World

Chapter Fourteen--Finding Help

Courago leaped in the direction of the disturbance.

"No!" Johnny yelled as he jumped into his path. "We can't help back there."

Courago swept Johnny aside and drew his sword. "There's a battle, and my people need me."

"Think about it, Courago," Johnny said. "You know the prophecy. Do you believe?"

"Yes," he said.

"Then you know the battle isn't back there. That one is already lost. Help us. We can make a difference. Isn't that right, Cheryl?"

"Maybe," Cheryl said. The tumult several chambers away alarmed her. She wanted nothing more than to hide. "I . . .I think they're coming."

"How can WE make a difference?" Courago asked.

"Join us to stop Messema," Johnny said.

"Are you crazy?" Cheryl asked, almost shouting.

"If there's anything for you to do," Courago said, "you must do it alone. Who would protect my people? I'm their warrior."

"Show him, Cheryl," Johnny said.

Cries and barking filled the air.

"We better go," Cheryl said. She saw the flicker of an approaching light on the cavern wall. "They're coming this way."

"The amulet, Cheryl," Johnny said impatiently.

Cheryl plunged her hand into her pocket and pulled out the amulet.

Courago looked into her open hand.

The light cast by torches in the cavern now danced on the wall as someone drew steadily nearer. A krak howled.

"I don't mean we should hide in a cave until we're tracked down," Johnny said. "I'm talking about going to Land. Even going to the castle of Mored. Let those who hide protect themselves. Come, be our warrior."

Courago hesitated. "You have the amulet of Land," he said. "And . . . and I am the protector of the bearer." He slammed his fist against his chest in a sort of salute and nodded his head.

"Please," Cheryl pled, feeling panic swell in her throat. Grotesque shadows moved toward them, and the flicker of a lighted torch was clearly in view. "We must go."

"Tenelet help us," Courago said, and he charged down a corridor that led away from his people. His torch held high, sparks flew from the flame, and its light bounced along on the cavern walls. Cheryl followed, with Johnny close behind. Duffer trotted alongside, pausing occasionally to sniff the air.

"Do you think we can trust him?" Cheryl asked after a time as she paused to rest.

"Once he gets us out of these caverns, it doesn't matter," Johnny whispered. "Everyone is afraid to do anything but hide,"

"Maybe they know something you don't," Cheryl said.

"What does that mean?"

"Forget it," she said and resumed following Courago.

As they made their way through the cave, Cheryl had the feeling someone was following them. There was nothing firm she could put her finger on. The light they had seen earlier had fallen away. Sometimes Duffer would growl, or she would hear a stone fall, or she would hear footsteps. But when she stopped to listen, all would be silent except for the noise her companions were making.