Merlin's Shadow Read Online Free Page A

since I have seen Gorlas, but I fear his anger has not abated. He will take the news hard that Igerna has died.”
    â€œThen we tell him the truth, that Vortigern, her own brother, had her killed.”
    Colvarth shrugged his shoulders, pulled his hood up, and let his horse fall back into line.
    Garth trotted up, his mount breathing heavily under the extra strain of carrying Caygek.
    Despite Merlin’s anger that the druid had joined them, he was relieved they had an extra blade in case of trouble. But what went oninside Caygek’s head? Why would he put himself in danger? He’d lost his own mount, but wouldn’t he be safer to slip off alone?
    Garth yawned. “Don’t mind me sayin’, but where’re we goin’?”
    â€œTo Dintaga. We’re going to ask Gorlas for refuge from Vortigern.”
    Garth woke up suddenly and his eyes widened. “Dintaga?”
    â€œShaa … lower your voice.”
    Garth gulped. “Sorry. But I didn’t know we were headed to the Kembry Sea. It’s been so long — this just fills my sail right up.”
    Merlin leaned over and mussed Garth’s hair. “Well, then, keep your sail tied down —”
    â€œKnotted. You knot down a sail.”
    â€œFine, but we’re only going to the fortress.” He wished he could have a private talk about Caygek, but with the steely eyed druid sitting right there, it would have to wait.
    Or so Merlin thought, until Caygek spoke up.
    â€œGarth’s explained to me what’s happening, and I wanted you to know that despite the danger I plan on sticking with him … and so with you.”
    So this druid thought he could decide by himself? Merlin’s tunic suddenly felt hot, even in the drizzle. As much as Caygek didn’t seem a bad sort like most of the other druidow, Merlin didn’t want him spending time with Garth. The boy had just escaped the clutches of the druidow, and Merlin didn’t want him becoming involved again. “Why?” Merlin asked. “Haven’t had enough punishment yet for using your Druid Stone to enchant everyone?”
    Caygek blinked twice, but his expression didn’t change. “So I’m responsible for what Mórganthu does — is that it? You and your kind are all alike.”
    â€œLook, I didn’t invite you to join us. I appreciate your help in saving my father and the monks back in Bosventor, but you’re welcome to leave.”
    â€œAnd why should I? These woods aren’t yours, and as I understand it, neither is the horse I’m sitting on.”
    Merlin whipped out his blade and held it at Caygek’s shoulder — only to have it flipped out of his hand by Caygek’s own sword.
    The sword fell into a bush, and Merlin was forced to dismount to retrieve it.
    â€œThose that are fastest make the decisions,” Caygek said. “And for your knowledge, I did more to oppose Mórganthu than simply help you out on the night of Beltayne.”
    Garth, who’d ducked when the swords came out, found his voice. “It’s true, Merlin. Caygek actually led the group that tried to stop Mórganthu. I saw it when I was … stayin’ with the druidow.”
    â€œA lot of good you did, then, Caygek.” Merlin retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and climbed back onto his mount. “My father’s dead.”
    Caygek held his sword ready. “I saw Vortigern knock you out, so you probably don’t even know that I personally untied your father at the Stone. And my filidow freed the monks as well. If it hadn’t been for us, you would have all died and never escaped to destroy the Stone.”
    Merlin shut his mouth. Was this true? Having been blind at the time
and
incapacitated by Vortigern, he truly hadn’t seen any of this. And things had happened so fast that he’d never had time to ask his father what had occurred. Their time together was gone — like a raindrop