Abhorsen Read Online Free Page A

other people have said or written or thought. . . .”
    “Why would she be down there?” asked Sameth. “Why under Abhorsen’s House?”
    “She’s not exactly anywhere,” replied the Dog, who was now scratching at her nose with one paw and totally failing to meet anybody’s eyes. “Part of her power is invested here, so if she were to be anywhere, it’s likely to be here, and that’s where if she were anywhere she’d be.”
    “Mogget?” asked Lirael. “Can you translate anything the Dog has said?”
    Mogget didn’t answer. His eyes were shut. Somewhere in the space of the Dog’s answer he had curled up and gone to sleep.
    “Mogget!” repeated Lirael.
    “He sleeps,” said the Dog. “Ranna has called him into slumber.”
    “I think he only listens to Ranna when he feels like it,” said Sam. “I hope Kerrigor sleeps more soundly.”
    “We can look, if you like,” said the Dog. “But I am sure we would know if he had woken. Ranna has a lighter hand than Saraneth, but she holds tightly when she must. Besides, Kerrigor’s power lay in his followers. His art was to draw upon them, and his downfall was to depend upon it.”
    “What do you mean?” asked Lirael. “I thought he was a Free Magic sorcerer who became one of the Greater Dead?”
    “He was more than that,” said the Dog. “For he had the royal blood. Mastery of others ran deep in him. Somewhere in Death, Kerrigor found the means to use the strength of those who swore allegiance to him, through the brand he burned upon their flesh. If Sabriel had not accidentally used a most ancient charm that severed him from this power, I think Kerrigor would have triumphed. For a time, at least.”
    “Why only for a time?” asked Sam. He wished he had never mentioned Kerrigor in the first place.
    “I think he would eventually have done what your friend Nicholas is doing now,” said the Dog. “And dug up something best left alone.”
    No one said anything to that.
    “We’re wasting time,” Lirael said finally.
    She looked out at the fog on the western bank again. She could feel many Dead Hands there, more than could be seen, though there were plenty enough of those. Rotting sentries, wreathed in fog. Waiting for their enemy to come out.
    Lirael took a deep breath and made her decision.
    “If you think we should climb down the well, Dog, then that is the way we will go. Hopefully we will not encounter whatever remnant of power lurks below. Or perhaps she will be friendly, and we can talk— “
    “No!” barked the Dog, surprising everyone. Even Mogget opened an eye but, seeing Sam looking at him, hastily shut it again.
    “What?” asked Lirael.
    “If she is there, which is very unlikely, you musn’t speak to her,” said the Dog. “You must not listen to her or touch her in any way.”
    “Has anyone ever heard or touched her?” asked Sam.
    “No mortal,” said Mogget, raising his head. “Nor passed through her halls, I would guess. It is madness to try. I always wondered what happened to Kalliel.”
    “I thought you were asleep,” said Lirael. “Besides, she might ignore us as we ignore her.”
    “It is not her ill will I am afraid of,” said Mogget. “I fear her paying us any attention at all.”
    “Perhaps we should—” said Sam.
    “What?” asked Mogget nastily. “Stay here all nice and safe?”
    “No,” replied Sam quietly. “If this woman’s voice is so dangerous, then perhaps we should make earplugs before we go. Out of wax, or something.”
    “It wouldn’t help,” said Mogget. “If she speaks, you will hear her through your very bones. If she sings . . . We had best hope she will not sing.”
    “We will avoid her,” said the Dog. “Trust to my nose. We will find our path.”
    “Can you tell us who Kalliel was?” asked Sam.
    “Kalliel was the twelfth Abhorsen,” replied Mogget. “A most untrusting individual. He kept me locked up for years. The well must have been dug then. His grandson released me