The Barrier: The Teorran of Time: Teen Fantasy Action Adventure Novel Read Online Free Page B

the sky, shaking the tavern. Jagwynn scurried from under the table. Shaz and his father leapt to their feet and drew their swords in one fluid motion. They stood with their backs to the other and surveyed the tavern.
    “What in the world was that?” Merrick asked shooting a glare at Ceros.
    Some patrons covered their heads while several others hid under tables. The constant tingle on the back of Shaz’s neck was gone. Where is the bird man, it was here a moment ago, did he disappear? Shaz thought as he studied the figures in the tavern.
    "Ah," said Ceros. "Now he knows."
    "Who?" Shaz asked.
    "Gavin Rhill," Ceros said.
    "What does he know?" Merrick asked.
    "Better yet, how?" Shaz asked. The bird man? he thought.
    "Never mind that, sit." Ceros said. They returned to their seats hesitantly.  "Does Mathieu still have the box and satchel entrusted him?”
    Shaz wondered why Ceros didn’t seem bothered by the noise, and why the tickle on his neck was now gone.
    "Yes, I will proceed with the instructions given me."
    "Good," Ceros said, "Let's eat." He waved to a tavern wench.
    "I'm sorry but we have put off our crew for too long." Merrick said.
    He rose from the bench. Shaz scooted out after him and they left the tavern.
     
    ***************************************
     
    In the secret depths of the forest, enormous intertwined trees sat at the foot of a rocky mountain. Outlines of the forest were so rich and fleecy that an opening could hardly be detected. Hidden by shadows over a melodic hush of forest noise, six hunters blended into the shrubs and underbrush. Shaz stood in the thickest part, breathing in the aroma of the raspberry bushes which shot up in clumps. They climbed around the trees, springing bright blood red luscious berries that dangled from long spindly vines.
    Small rodents scurried about, bristling leaves and twigs which disguised the sounds of their feet. The richly saturated sun hung high in the sky shooting soothing sprigs of amber light through the interwoven hues of greens. Gloomy vaults high in the trees secured a scattering of immense ferns. Ever since he had returned from the island, Shaz felt different.
    Colors were more vivid, sounds more intense, feelings stronger and scents more defined. He found the Nukpana, a two headed stag with short fawn colored hair and dark spots on its back, under a large shag tree. Shaz held up a clenched fist. He pursed his lips and made a combination of bird calls and clicks. Five calls returned giving him their locations. Shaz slowly took the bow off his back and latched the string.
    Understanding wind speed, warmth or coolness, the distance rise and fall of the aimed arrow all determined the accuracy of its placement. The Nukpana are incredibly fast, with two heads they can hear and sense twice that of a regular stag. Riddick, Shaz’s best mate, was covered with dusty chalk covering his bright red hair and freckles. He was lying on a large boulder at the far end of the clearing.
    His bow and arrow were all that stuck out. Another hunter was positioned lying on his belly with his legs encircling the high tree limb. The other two men positioned themselves to the rear and sides of the beast, standing against tree trunks or under large bushes. The wind brought coolness as it picked up specks of mist from the rushing falls nearby and carried it toward the hunters.
    Slow your heart beat, Shaz said to himself. Taking in a deep breath, he focused on his heart and listened to the blood beating in his ear, until it was the speed he wanted. He licked his lips and puckered. He blew through his curled tongue and whistled. Each hunter took aim. Shaz slipped an arrow into the grove. He settled his bow into his arm. His fingers gripped the taunt corded band and he pulled the arrow against the string. It's now or never, he said to himself. Sweat ran down his temples and onto his brow. He narrowed his vision on the beast. The forest blurred away leaving a narrow tunnel of white. He