BEASTQUESTBOOKFIVE

TARTOKTHEICEBEAST

ADAMBLADEILLUSTRATEDBYEZRATUCKER

WithspecialthankstoStephenCole

ToKaren,forallshe’sdoneontheQuest

Contents

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

DearReader

PROLOGUE:BLOODONICE

CHAPTERONE:QUESTTOTHENORTH

CHAPTERTWO:ASIGHTINGONTHEICE

CHAPTERTHREE:ENCOUNTERONTHEPLAINS

CHAPTERFOUR:TERRORBYNIGHT

CHAPTERFIVE:THEEXPEDITION

CHAPTERSIX:THERESCUE

CHAPTERSEVEN:TORNAPART

CHAPTEREIGHT:FURYONTHEICE

CHAPTERNINE:THEPRICEOFVICTORY

CHAPTERTEN:THEHEALING

Copyright

Reader,

WelcometoAvantia.IamAduro—agoodwizardresidinginthepalaceofKingHugo.Youjoinusatadifficulttime.Letmeexplain….

It is laid down in the Ancient Scripts that the peaceful kingdom ofAvantiawouldonedaybeplungedintodangerbytheevilwizard,Malvel.

Thattimehascome.

Under Malvel’s evil spell, six Beasts — fire dragon, sea serpent,mountaingiant,nighthorse,icebeast,andwingedflame—runwildanddestroythelandtheyonceprotected.

Thekingdomisingreatdanger.

The Scripts also predict an unlikely hero. They say that a young boyshalltakeuptheQuesttofreethebeastsandsavethekingdom.

Wepraythisyoungboywill takeuptheQuest.Willyoujoinusaswewaitandwatch?

Avantiasalutesyou,

Aduro

PROLOGUE

BLOODONICE

ALBIN TOOK THE LEATHER SATCHEL FROM HIS back and kneeled downbesideasmallpatchofdirtandrockpeekingthroughtheice.Gently,hebegantoworktherockfree,carefulnottodamagewhatmightbebeneath.

As a young boy,Albin had learned theways of the ice.He knewthat the sun would heat the exposed rocks. And that around andunderneath thewarmed rocks,moss, lichen, andotherplantswouldgrow.His fatherandotherscouldtakethesemossesandmakethemintomedicine. He had seenwoundedmen, sick children, and frost-weary travelers restored to health by these plants. And he had felttheir healing powers for himself— a few years ago, a deadly feverhadthreatenedhislife.Themossmedicinesavedhim.

ItwasAlbin’s first time collectingwithout the elders, andhewasdetermined not to come home empty-handed. He started in rightaway,pullingupstonesashewentandsurveyingthegroundbelow.Albin’s cousin, Oskie, walked nearby, kicking roughly at theoccasionalrockandcheckinghastilyunderneathit.ButAlbinwastoofocusedonhisowntasktonotice.

Underneath one of the larger stones, Albin found something. Thebrightgreenlichenontheundersideoftherockwasamongtherarest.Themedicineitmadewasstrong—oneplantwouldbeabletosavemanylives.

“Overhere!”Albincalledtohiscousin.

“Whatis it?”Oskieaskedlazily.Hewaslyingonhisbacknearby,watchingthelong,wispycloudsinthesky.

“Look at this!” Albin pointed to what he had found. “A healingherb.”

Oskie got up slowly and came over. Together, the boys carefullypulled the lichen from the rock. It cameoff in long strips that theyrolledintotightcoils.Whentheyfinishedwiththatstone,theyturnedoveranother,largerone.

Under thenextrockwasevenmoreof thehealingherb.Theboysworkedquickly.Itwasalreadylateintheafternoon,andtheywouldhavetoreturntotheirvillagebeforeitgottoodark.

As he adjusted to the rhythm of the work — overturning rocks,pullingup themoss, and storing it in the satchel—Albin forgot tostayawareofhis surroundings.The first ruleof the ice is toalwaysknowwhereyouareandwhatisaroundyou.

Suddenlyalarmed,Albinlookedupfromtherock.Hesurveyedthehard,icylandscapestretchingoutintothedistance,glimmeringundertheburntorangeofthesettingsun.Satisfiedthatthingsweresafe,hewentbacktowork.

Finishingwiththatrock,hemovedtothenext.

“Oskie, helpme turn this stone,” he said to his cousin. But therewasnoreply.“Oskie?”

AlbinturnedaroundtoseewhatOskiewasdoing.Expectingtoseehiscousindaydreamingagain,hewassurprisedtofindhimstandingwitharigid,terrifiedlookonhisface.

“Whatisit,Oskie?”Albinasked.

“There!Inthedistance—”Oskiestammered,fearinhisvoice.

Onthehorizon,drawingnear,wasatoweringcreature.Itsshaggyfur was thick and dark, and stood out against the white of the icyplains.Blood-redeyesglaredattheboys,anditshuge,curvingclawsslicedthroughtheair.Droolingjawssnappedopentorevealstained,yellowfangs.

Albin was too scared even to scream. He slowly backed away,pulling his cousin with him. Dragging his eyes away from themonster’s jaws,Albin saw itwore a glowing collar around its neck.

Thefurtherehadbeenclawedawaytorevealrawpinkflesh.

The monster stamped one massive paw down on the ice. Sparksseemed todancearound it, and the shockwave jarredeverybone inAlbin’s body. The cousins tried to scramble away, but the ice wascrackingallaroundthem.HugegapsbegantoopenastheboystrieddesperatelytogetawayfromtheroaringBeast.

Albinwas too slow. Themonster’s claws swiped against his side,tearingthroughhisthickclothes.Hegrippedhissideinpainandfellto theground.But theBeastwasn’t finishedwithhimyet.ThenextblowsentAlbinslidingtowardahugecrackintheice.

Oskie flung himself toward Albin. But the ice was slippery, andOskiecouldn’tholdonforlong.Together,thecousinswenttumblingintothedarkabyssundertheice.

CHAPTERONE

QUESTTOTHENORTH

“OF ALL THE PLACES OUR BEASTQUEST HAS taken us,” Tom said, “thismust be themost incredible!”He stared out at the icy plains. Theystretchedintothedistanceunderaskyofvividblue.

“It’ssoopen,”Elennaagreed,pullinghershawltightlyaroundher.“Itlooksasiftheicegoesonforever.”Inonedirection,theiceplainsseemedtodisappearintothehorizon.Ontheotherside,snow-cappedmountainsroselikesharpteethbitingintothesky.

Tom smiled at his friend. Something about the landscape feltmagical.Elennasmiledback.Herpetwolf,Silver,presseduptoher,his shiny gray fur speckled with snow. She looked grateful for thewarmthofhisbodyagainstherlegs.

“I’llcheckthemapandseehowmuchfartherwehavetogo,”Tomsaid.Hepulledthewell-wornscrollfromthesaddlebagofhisstallion,Storm.Thehorsestood likeadarkshadowagainst thewhitenessallaround,andgaveasoftnickerasTompattedhisneck.

“We’re close to the northern edge of Avantia. We’ll need to goeastwardsoon.”Tompointedtotheredpathonthemapthatshowedtheirroute.Itglowedandpulsedontheparchmentpaper.

Thiswasnoordinarymap.ItwasamagicalmapgiventothembythewizardAduro.ItguidedTomandElennaontheirquesttoridthekingdomofadeadlythreat.

TheBeasts.

Allhislife,TomhadheardstoriesoftheBeaststhatdwelledinthedeepest cornersof thekingdomofAvantia—dragons, sea serpents,horse-men,andgiants,justtonameafew.Growingupwithhisauntanduncle,heusedtothinktheywerefairytales.He’dcertainlyneverseen a Beast. But then he’d never laid eyes on his father Taladon,either,andTombelievedhe’dmeethimoneday.

NowheknewthattheBeastswerereal.AndadarkwizardnamedMalvel had enslaved them.Hewasusing them to spread terror anddestruction across the land for his own evil ends. King Hugo ofAvantia and hiswizard, Aduro, had chosen Tom to go on a specialquesttosettheBeastsfreeandsavethekingdom.

Tom had set off with only Storm, his sword, and his shield forprotection.But soonhehadmetElenna and Silver,whohad joinedhim on his Quest. Without them, Tom knew he would never havemadeitthisfar.

“We’d better get going,” said Elenna, studying themap. Tall andthin,shehadmessyblackhair, largebrowneyes,andasmilefullofwarmth— even in the freezing cold of the northern plains. “Lookslikethere’sasmallshelterfortravelersanhour’strekfromhere.Wecan stay the night there before continuing on. I’m so tired I couldsleepstandingup!”

“Me,too,”saidTom.LeadingStormalongbyhishalter,Tombegantrudgingacrosstheiceoncemore.Henoticedalargebundleofgreenleavessproutingupfromthe icyground.“Hey, lookat thatplant. Itmustbehardytosurviveouthere.”

“A lotofplantsused inmedicineare found in themountainsandgulliesaroundhere,”Elennatoldhim.“Thenomadscollectthemandsupplythekingdom.”

Tomfingeredthekeyhekeptaroundhisneck, thekeythatcouldset the Beasts free.There are somany dangers here, he thought.Thenomadswon’t survive longwithout Tartok’s protection. A sharp gust ofwind blew up suddenly,making him shiver.He quickened his step.“Comeon,thesoonerwe’resomewheredryandwarmthebetter.”

Silveryappedsuddenly.“Heagreeswithus,”Elennajokeduneasily.Thenshecrouchedbesidehim.“Silver?What’swrong?”

Tomsawthewolf’seyesnarrow.AgrowlwasbuildinginthebackofSilver’sthroat.“Perhapshecansmellsomething,”hesaid.

“Orsensesomething,”saidElenna,concerninhervoice.Shelookedaround,tryingtoseewhatwasbotheringthewolf.Theskyhadnowgrown dark and the air was much colder. It felt like a storm wasmovingin.

A strong gust of wind whipped at their clothes. Instead of dyingdownthough,itonlygrewstronger.TinyshardsofsnowandicestungTom’s skin. Elenna’s shawl was almost ripped away by the suddengale.

“Ican’tbelievehowquicklytheweatherhaschanged,”Elennasaid.“Amomentagotheskieswereclear.”

“Notanymore,”Tomshoutedoverthewind.Nowtheskyoverheadwasdarkgrayandwildwithsnow.Stormplungedforward,andTomstrokedhishead.“Wemustkeepgoingandreachthatshelter.”

“Howcanwe?”Elennaclungtohershawl.“Themap’suselessifwecan’tseeanylandmarks!”

Tomknew shewas right.Worse still,with the sunblottedoutbythe snow and clouds, they had noway of getting their bearings. “Ithinkeastwasthisway,”saidTom,turningintothegrayhaze,tryingnottopanic.Thestingingsnowwasblowingsohardhecouldbarelykeephiseyesopen.“Orwasittheotherway?”

“I’mnotsure,”saidElennaasthestormgrewfierceraroundthem.“Wehavetofindshelterquicklyorwewon’tstandachance!”

CHAPTERTWO

ASIGHTINGONTHEICE

“WEMUSTKEEPMOVING,”SAIDTOM.“IFWEstandstillwewillfreezetodeath.” Tom had faced somany dangers on hisQuest— hewasn’tabouttobedefeatedbyasnowstorm.HetookholdofStorm’sbridleandledhimthroughthedrivingsnow.ElennawalkedatStorm’sside,onearmthrownoverhisback,hugginghimforwarmthandsupport.Silverranaroundbetweenthem,barking.

“Ican’tseeathing!”Elennashouted.

“Just keep holding on to Storm!” Tom yelled back, but thewindseemedtowhipthewordsfromhismouthbeforetheycouldbeheard.Already his body was turning numb. Desperately, he broke into astumblingrun—thengaspedashehitsomethingsolid.

“Whatisit?”Elennascreamedoverthewind.

“I’ve led us into a snowdrift!” he exclaimed.Nowwhat? But thenSilverpushedpasthimandstartedburrowingat thehugemoundofsnow.Tomfeltasurgeofhopegothroughhim.“Ofcourse!Wecoulddig—”

“—asnowcave!”criedElenna.Shestarted toclawat thepackedsnow.

“Wait,” said Tom, swinging his shield from his back. It was acharmed shield—every timehe released aBeast, he gained a newmagical power. It could protect him from fire, save him fromdrowning or falling from great heights, and it could even give him

extraspeed.Butnow,hecoulduseitasashovel!

Hebegantodigintothesnowdriftwiththeedgeoftheshield.Asthesnowtumbledaway,Silverhelpedbyworkingatthedriftwithhisheavy paws. Elenna pulled Tom’s sword from his belt and startedchoppingatthepartsthatweretoosolidtodiginto.“It’llneedtobeabigcaveforallfourofus!”sheshouted.

“Theworkwillhelpuskeepwarm,”Tomyelledback.“Makesuretopilethesnowbehindus.Itwillactasawindbreak.”

They continued todig into the snowdrift, packingdown the sidesandroofastheywent.Thesnowtheypiledoutsidecutdownonthewindandkeptmoresnowfromblowingin.

At last,TomandElennahadcarvedenoughspacetoformasmallshelterthatwouldprotectthemfromtheworstoftheweather.Theycrawled inside and sat down, hugging their knees to their chests. Itwasdarkandcold,andtheyhuddledtogetherforwarmthwithSilverbetweenthem.

“Comeon,Storm,”Tomsaidtohishorse.Thestallioncouldfitonlyhis front quarters inside, so Tom covered Storm’s back end withblankets. When the horse lay down, he blocked the entrance andhelped keep out the blizzard. Storm rested his muzzle on Tom’sshoulderandsnortedsoftly.TomandElennalookedateachother.

“It’sthebestwecando,”Tommuttered.

Theysatuneasilyinsilence,listeningtothewindhowlingoutside.

Eventually, the roar of the storm dimmed to background noise.Onceinawhile,astronggustwouldblowsomesnowin,butforthemostpart,theywerewarmandsafe.

“Iwonderhow long itwill last,”Elenna said,hervoice tremblingwithworry.

“Idon’t know.”Tomdidn’twant to scarehis friend,butheknewthatstormsintheNorthcouldlastfordays,sometimesweeks.Hefeltaflashofpanic—theywouldstarvetodeathifthestormlastedthatlong.WasthishowTom’sfather,Taladon,haddisappeared?Avictimoftheelements?Tomshudderedatthethought.Hehadnevermethisfather,whohad vanishednot long afterTomwasborn.Tomhopedthe Beast Quest wouldmake his father proud. But what if Taladon

wasn’t evenaround tohearaboutTom’s triumphs?Tompushed thethoughtfromhismind.

As the hours passed, Tom felt himself getting tired. The blowingwind began to lull him to sleep. Seeing that Elenna was alreadysnoringsoftlyandknowingthattherewasnothinghecoulddoaboutthestorm,Tomclosedhiseyes.

He awoke with a start. How long had he been asleep? He lookedaroundthesnowcave.Everyonewasgone!

Tomrushedtothecave’sentranceandpoppedhisheadout.Hewasblindedbyabrightsunhighinthesky.

“Well,goodafternoon,sleepyhead!”Elennasaidcheerfully.Shewaskneeling beside Silver, petting her companion. “We didn’t want towakeyoubecauseweknowyouneedyoursleep!”

“I don’t believe it,” said Tom, patting Storm on the neck. “I wasworriedthestormmightneverend.”

“Wegotlucky,”Elennasaidwithawearysmile.Tombrushedsomesnow away from Storm’s legs. “Come on. The soonerwe reach thatshelter—”

“Actually, I think there might be something closer,” said Elenna,pointingtowardatallspikeoficeinthedistance.

Shielding his eyes from the blinding glare of the snow, Tom sawwhatshewaslookingat—aramshacklecollectionoftentsclusteredinthehollowoftheicypeak.Sometentswereshortandsquat,otherstaperingandtall—butallwereprotectedfromthestrongwinds. Itwas a good place for aminiature city built from sticks and animal

skins.

“What’sthat?”Tomwondered.

“Nomads,” said Elenna. “The people Tartok is meant to protect,remember?Thismustbeoneoftheircamps.”

“Then let’s get going,” said Tom. “Maybe they’ve seen Tartok.Maybetheyknowwherewecanfindher—”

“Andmaybetheywillhavehotdrinks,dryblankets,andabedforthe night!” Elenna turned and strode off toward the camp, Silverboundingafterher.But,suddenly,bothstoppeddeadintheirtracks.

“Whatisit?”calledTom,runningover.Stormtrottedalongbesidehim.

Elenna turned to him. “We may not be the first ones to comevisitingthatcamp.Something’sbeenherebeforeus.”

She pointed to a giant footprint in the ice, one filledwithwater!Thedeepindentationsinthesnowclearlyoutlinedpadsandclaws.Itwas the footprint of an enormous creature — the first of a trail,leadingtowardthedistantcamp.

Elennakneeledtotraceafingeraroundtheedgeof theprint.Sheshiveredandstoodbackup.Tomgazedoutatthehorizon.Empty—orthat’sthewayitlooked.

“TheIceBeast,”Tomwhispered,grippingthehiltofhissword.

CHAPTERTHREE

ENCOUNTERONTHEPLAINS

TOM,ELENNA,ANDTHEANIMALSFOLLOWED the footprintsuntil thesnowbecamesolidiceandtheydisappeared.

“WhichwaydidTartokgo?”wonderedElenna.“Doyou thinkshereachedthecamp?”

“Sinceit’sstillstanding,probablynot,”saidTom.

With no trail left to follow, they pressed on toward the camp,skidding and sliding along the treacherous ice. Shallow pools ofmeltedwaterflaredasbrightasflamesastheycaughttheraysoftheeveningsun.Stormwasn’thappytobeonsuchaslipperysurface.Hishoovesseemedunabletofindagrip.

“I know it’s bad,”Tom said toStorm, “but just keepgoing.”Tomlookedup to seehowmuch farther theyhad to go.He shieldedhiseyesandsquinted—nottoofar.Butsomething—orsomeone—washeadedtheirway.“Lookthere!”TomcalledtoElenna.Itwasahorse-drawn sleigh speeding toward them over the ice, drawn by ahandsomeblondhorse.

Itwasdrivenbyamanwrappedwarmlyinanimalskinsandafurhat.Hesteeredthehorsewithalongsetofreins.“Whoa,”hecalledout.Thehorseobedientlycametoahalt,hishoovesskiddingslightlyontheice.Asthemanroseupfromthesleigh,thehorsewhinniedtoStorm.

“Greetings,”themansaid.“IamBrendan,theChiefofmyclan.”

Tomheldouthishand.“I’mTomandthisisElenna.”

“OurfriendshereareSilverandStorm,”Elennaadded.“Silverisatamewolf.Hewon’tharmyou.”

Brendan’s dark eyes flicked between them. “It is unusual to findanyonetravelingthenorthernplains.It’sverydangerousouthere.”

Tomhesitatedtoexplainhimself.Thekinghadmadehimsweartokeep his Quest secret. But he didn’t like lying. Instead, he saidnothing.

Brendanlookedhimoveroncemore,butaskednoquestions.Itwasacustomofthenorthernpeopletorespectaperson’ssilence.

“Areyouinneedofshelter?”Brendanasked.

BothTomandElennanodded.

“Wehavetraveledalongwayandweareverytired,”Tomsaid.

Brendannodded.“Youcanstaywithusuntilyouarerestedenoughtocontinueyourjourney—whateverthatmaybe.”

With Tom riding Storm, Elenna riding with Brendan, and Silverkeepingpacebesidethem,thegroupbegantomaketheirwaytowardthe camp. After a short distance, Brendan halted his sleigh and gotout.Hecroucheddownbesideasmallpatchofgreen,fleshyleaves.

“Thiswillhelpyou.”Hepaused,carefullypullinguptheplant.TomclimbeddownfromStorm’ssaddletogetacloserlook.Itsrootswerewhiteandstraggly.“Thisisakindofseaweedabletogrowinice.Ithelps to reduce fever in thosewhoare sick,and restoreswarmth tothosewho’vestayedtoolongontheopenice.Wehavebuiltacamponthecoastsowecanharvest it.Wekeepwhatweneedandtradetherestforsupplies.Thatishowwelive.”

“Seaweed?Sowe’vebeenwalkingoverafrozenbay,”Tomrealized.

“Yes. And you are lucky to have made it here safely.” Brendantucked the plant into a pouch tied around his waist. “My son wasattackedbyawildanimal.Itseemsthereissomethinglooseontheseplains. It’s not safe for anyone out here,” said Brendan. “These areharshlands.Andharshtimes,too.”Heglancedoverattheorangesun.“Natureisrestless.”

TomandElennaexchangedlooks.It’snotjustnaturethat isrestless,

thoughtTom.WithMalvel’sevilspell,Tartokwasnowathreattotheverypeopleshewasmeanttoprotect.

Tomforcedasmileandpattedhishorse’sside forcomfort,beforeclimbingontohisbacktocontinuetheirtrek.

Overhead,theskywasdarkening.

CHAPTERFOUR

TERRORBYNIGHT

ASTOMGUIDEDSTORMTHROUGHTHECAMP,he sawpeoplewrapped infursandskinsgoingabouttheirbusiness:sortingherbs,rinsingthem,anddryingthemoverfires.

Once they were settled, Elenna changed into borrowed clothesmadefromtoughleather.

“Ican’trememberthelasttimeIfeltthiswarmanddry!”shesaid,pressing a bundle of clothes into his arms. “Here are some for you,too.Oh,Tom,everyonehereseemssokind.BrendanisevenmakingroomforStorminthestables.”

“WhenIsaidI’dmakeyoucomfortable,Imeantallofyou!”cameBrendan’svoice.

“We’re really grateful,” Tom said, as Brendan turned the corner,approachingthemwithayoungboyofabouteightornine.

“This ismyson,Albin,”Brendansaid,“theonewhowasattackedontheice.”

“It’snicetomeetyou,Albin,”Elennasaidtotheboy.“We’regladthatyou’reokay.”

“Yes,”Tomsaid.“Diditgetyouprettybad?”

Albinliftedhiswoolentunictorevealthreedeepgashesinhisside.

“Hewaslucky,”Brendansaid.“Theselandsaren’tsafeanylonger.”He looked at Tom and Elenna, and his face softened. “You are

welcometocampwithusaslongasyoulike.Butifyoustay,weaskthatyoudoyoursharearoundthecamp.”

“Youcanhelpmepeel thevegetables,” saidAlbinbrightly.“Thenthestewwillbereadysooner!”

“Sounds good tome.” Tom smiled. “I’ll get Storm settled for thenight,thenI’lljoinyou.”

Tomcrossedtothestablesandquicklychangedintohisdryclothes.Thenhepickedupanarmfulof sweet-smellinghayandplaced it inStorm’sstall.

“See you in the morning,” he said. Storm whinnied softly andwatchedasTom left the stall to findElenna.SheandAlbinwere inthe cooking tent, scraping the skins from a pile of vegetables withsharpstones.Arich,saltysmellwasrisingfromabubblingcauldrontendedbyanoldwomanandagaggleofsmallchildren.

“Shame thatmonster didn’t leave one of its claws behind,” Albinwassaying.“Wouldhavepeeledthesemuchfaster.”

“You’re very brave. Itmust have been scary,” Tom said casually,joininginthework.

“Alittlebit,”theboysaid,tryinghisbesttoappearbraveandcalm.“Itwashuge.Itseyeswereredderthanblood.”

“Itsoundsterrifying,”saidElenna.

“And it made a horrible noise — a roar louder than the wind.”Albinshudderedatthememory.

“Wheredidyouseeit?”askedTom.

“In the snow dunes out toward the Rolaz Crossing,” the boyanswered.

“Couldyoushowussometime?”Tomprodded.

Albin lookedrightathim,andnowTomcouldsee the fear in theboy’seyes.“Igotawayonce.I’mnotgoingbackthereagain.”

Night had fallen and the temperature with it. The clan gatheredaround the campfire to eat their meal. Tom was grateful for thewarmth of the flames and the hot stew in his belly. But themoodaroundthefirewasdark.Everyoneseemedjittery.

ElennahadsharedherfoodwithSilver,andnowhelaybesideher,asleep.Tomwishedhecouldfindrestsoeasily.Albin’sdescriptionofthegiantmonsterhaddonenothingtoeasehisworriesaboutmeetingthis Beast… but he knew that it was his destiny to face up to hisfears.Hewouldnevergiveup.

Justthen,anunearthlyhowlsoundedcloseby.

Silver awoke instantly, hackles rising and teeth bared. Peoplescrambled to their feet in a panic. Tom drew his sword, his heartpounding.

“Snowleopard!”someonecried.

“It’ssomewherecloseby!”yelledanother.

“Nobody move,” Brendan bellowed. The people froze, and evenSilver stoppedhowling. “A leopardwon’tattack ifwe stay together.Butifweseparate,itwillgoforwhoeverseemsaneasytarget.”

Thehowlcameagain,evencloserthistime.

“That’snot thehowlofa snowleopard,”whisperedAlbin.“That’sthemonsterthatattackedme!”

“Ssshh…”Brendanurged.

Andtheneverythingwentsilent.Eerilysilent.

CHAPTERFIVE

THEEXPEDITION

TOM SATDEATHLY STILL, LISTENING TO THE flickeringof the fire and thecreaking of the tent poles in the wind. The night was quiet— tooquiet.Asthesecondstickedby,TomwonderedwhatTartokcouldbeplanning.

Fingering the handle of his sword, Tom exchanged looks withBrendanandElenna.IftheBeastattacked,itwouldbeuptothemtodefendthecamp.

Thentherewasaloud,sharpcrack.Tomboltedupright,hissworddrawn.Thegroundbegantoshakeviolently.Tomwasthrowntothegroundasa thunderous crash rang out— the ice over the baywassplittingapart!

Thehowlcameagain,thistimemuchcloser.

Tom scrambled to his feet and saw the icy mountain shakingviolently,itstopbeginningtosplinter.

“Takeshelter!”heyelled.

“Quick, over here!” Elenna called out from the entrance toBrendan’stent.Tomdoveundertheheavycanvastarpwiththeothersas shardsof ice fell from the sky.Theywere surroundedby terriblesounds—shattering,smashing,snapping—andtheroarofcrackingice.Andaboveitallwasthebloodcurdlinghowlofthemonster.

Then, as suddenly as it began, everything stopped, and therewassilenceovertheiceonceagain.

Butnobodydaredmove,or sleep.As thenightworeon,everyoneclusteredclosearoundthedyingfire.Astheskybegantolightenwiththerisingsun,theflamesflickeredout.Theyhadmadeitthroughthenight.

Slowly,peoplebegantoemergefromtheirshelters,groggyfromthesleepless night. All around, tents had been ripped apart by hugeblocksofjaggedice.Itwasamazingthatnoonehadbeenkilled!Andrightthroughthecenterofcampranawide,deepcrack.

Surveyingthedamage,thenomadsseemedangryandscared.Theymurmured about being cursed. But Brendan’s face was determined,andhecalledeveryonetogatheraround.

“Wemust seek help,” he announced. “I know of a clan living onbettergroundovertheborderinRolaz. It is ledbyawomannamedJennal. I shall go toher campandask if she’ll letusband togetherwithherpeople.”

Anoldmannodded.“Therewillbesafetyinnumbers.Itisagoodplan.”

“Iwillgotoday,”Brendanwenton.“Itisaday’sridebysleigh,soIshallnotbebackuntiltomorrow.Iwouldlikeyoutocomewithme,Tom.”

“I’llcomewithyou,too,”saidAlbin.

“No,”saidBrendanfirmly.

“ButFather,ifanythinghappenstoyouwewillallbelost!”

Brendan placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I think you haveusedupyourluck,Albin.Youmuststayhere,andthatisfinal.”

AsAlbinskulkedawaymiserably,TomlookedatBrendan.“I’llgowithyou,”Tomagreed.

“Gatherwhatyouwillneedforthe journey,”Brendansaid.“We’llmeetinanhourbythestables.”

AsBrendanleftthetent,TomsmiledatElenna.

“ThisismychancetofreeTartok,”hewhispered.

BrendanwashappythatTomhadagreedtojoinhim.

“IwanttotakegiftsforJennal’sclanonaseparatesleigh,”hetoldTom.“ButIwouldpreferalltheadultstostayheretohelpdefendthecamp.Haveyoueverdrivenasleigh?”

“No,” Tom admitted. “But Storm and I make a good team.We’llsoonlearn.”

Brendansmiled.“I’msureyouwill.”

Tomwasledtoasleighmadeofbarkandskins,whichranonheftywoodenrunners.Hesatonthedriver’sseat,apileofblankets,food,andothergiftsforJennal’sclanbundledupbehindhim.Stormneededspecial ridgedhorseshoes tohelphimgrip the ice, andheldhimselfpatientlywhiletheclan’sblacksmithnailedthemtohishooves.Tomwasgivenlessonsonhowtosteerasleigh,pullingonthereinswithshort,measuredmovements.

“Weshould leave,”Brendanannounced.“But first, Imust tellyouabout the ice. It’s important thatwe travel spaced apart. The ice isthininplaces,andtoomuchweightwillcauseittocrack.Sometimesit’s just dry land underneath, but other times, it’s water.” Tomnodded.

Brendanbarkedacommandandhishorseplungedforward,jerkingthe sleigh into motion. “Go, Storm!” shouted Tom. The stallionneighed,andamomentlater,Tom’sownsleighwasmovingacrosstheice.Elennajumpedintheair,wavinggood-bye,andSilverbarkedandyapped.Theywereoff!Tomslappedhisreinsagainstthefrontofthesleighandgaveawhoopofexhilaration.ThisiswhatTomhadbeenwaitingfor—togetclosertothesnowmonster.

Stormpickedupspeed,respondingswiftlytoTom’scommands.Thesun turned the ice field blindingly bright, and the cold bite of thewindchilledTom’scheeks.Asthesleighbumpedandscrapedovertheice and snow, faster and faster, Tom felt adrenaline surge throughhim.

Theypassedsoftwhitebumpsofsnowdriftsandjaggedicygullies.ThereweredozensofplacesTartokcouldbehiding,butTomcouldn’tseeanytelltalefootprints.

Thetwosleighspassedthroughabroadvalleythatroseandfellingreatwhite sweeps. Itwas a struggle to keepupwithBrendan, butStorm was powerful and determined. Ears flattened against the icy

wind, he set such a pace that they never lost sight of the sleigh infront.

“Are you all right, Tom?” boomed Brendan, his voice echoingaroundthevalley.

“I’mgreat!”Tomyelled,thewindwhippingwaterfromhiseyes,hisbonesjoltingasthesleighcareenedovertheunevenground.

Allaround themwas flat,whitewilderness that seemed to stretchonforever,interruptedonlybyclustersofspindlytreeswithwide,flatleaves. The sleighmade a smooth scraping noise as they reached afrozeninlet.Tomnoticedpoolsofwaterandcracksintheice.CouldtheyhavebeenmadebytheBeast?

Tom scanned the horizon for any sign of Tartok.With a gasp ofsurprise,hesawanothersleighfollowingthem,somedistanceaway.Itsdriverwasasmall,huddledfigurethatTomrecognizedatonce.ItwasAlbin.

“Brendan!” Tom yelled ahead, but the wind snatched the wordsfromhismouthandAlbin’s fatherwas too far in front tohear.Tomheardathickcrackingsound.Stormgaveanalarmedwhinnyastheice cracked beneath his hooves. Tom looked down and caught aglimpseofglitteringturquoisewaterbelow.Theicehadsplitopentorevealtheseaunderneath!Wasthesleighgoingtoplungeintotheicysea?

“Whoa,Storm!”Tomshouted,andthestallionslowedtoahalt.Thesleigh lurched to one side, then stopped. Brendan hadn’t noticedanything wrong and was drawing farther away. But Albin was stillfollowingintheirwake,andiftheicewasunsafe…

“Albin,stop!”Tomshouted, jumpingoutof thesleighandwavinghisarms.“Theiceissplitting!”

But Albin couldn’t hear. Tom watched as the horse dragged thesleightowardtheweakenedice.Itwastoolate.Inaninstant,theicebroke up around Albin like shattering glass. The horse snorted interror,rearingup.Thesleighskiddedoutofcontrol.

“No!” Tom cried out.Hewatched helplessly asAlbinwas thrownoverthesideofthesleighintothefreezingwater.

CHAPTERSIX

THERESCUE

“ALBIN!”YELLEDTOM,RUNNINGTOWHEREtheboyhadfallen.Albinhadvanishedfromview.Tomrealizedhemustbeundertheice,tryingtofighthiswaybackuptothesurface.

Tomhuntedaround for the tiniest flashofmovement.WithAlbintrapped under thewater, Tom knew that every second counted.Hethrewhimselfdownonhisknees,tryingtospotsomedarkshadowontheothersideoftheice.Afterwhatfeltlikeforever,ashadowyblueoutlineappeared.

“Albin!” Tom shouted again.He leaped to his feet and pulled hissword fromhis side.Takingahugebreathofcoldair,hestruck thehiltagainsttheicewithallhismight.Theicejustchipped.ButTomkept striking at it. He could see Albin underneath, strugglingdesperately.Withafinalblow,theiceshatteredandAlbinrearedoutof the water, gasping for breath and blue with cold. “Help!” hespluttered. “Tom, please —” “Grab hold of me!” Tom yelled. Hereached for the boy’s hands but Albin was flailing, splashing watereverywhereashetriedtokeephimselfafloat.

Albindippedunderthebluewater.Tomthrusthisarmintotheholeandcriedout. Itwascolder thananythinghehadeverexperienced.Withinsecondshehadlostallfeelinginhishand,andwassweepingitnumblythroughthewater.

Thentherewasatug.ItwasAlbingrippingontohim.Tompulledhisarmoutofthewater,draggingAlbinupwithit.“Helpme,Tom!”

hegasped.Buthewasstrugglingonlyfeeblynow.Tomknewthatifthe boy let go andwent down another time, he would not rise upagain.HegrabbedAlbinwithhisotherhand.

Thenhefelttheicesplitbeneathhim.

Tom held his breath. He looked down and saw the angry crackrunningthroughtheicebelowhim.Anysuddenmovementcouldsplititwideopen.“Hookyourarmaroundmine. I’vegotyou,”heurgedtheboy.

Shiveringviolentlyinthewater,Albindidashewastold.Tomwasstartingtoshiver,too.Heknewhehadtogettheboyout—butalsoknew that the ice could give way at anymoment, and they wouldbothbelostintheicywaters.

Suddenly,Tomgaspedashefeltapressureonthebacksofhislegs.“Holdstill,Tom.”

“Brendan!”Tomcried,relieffloodingthroughhim.“I—Ithinktheiceisgoingtocrackunderme!”

“I’vegotyou.Justdon’tletgoofAlbin,andI’llpullyoubothclear.”

“Dad?”Albingaspedthroughchatteringteeth.“Isthatyou?”

“I’mhere,”calledBrendan.Tomfelthimpullonhislegs.Togetherthey were towing Albin toward the edge of the hole in the ice.Tensinghismuscles,Tommanagedtodragtheboy’supperbodyuponto the fragile ice. ThenBrendan crawledover andhauledhis sonfreeoftheicywater.

“Sorry,Father,”Albinbreathed.

“Oh,myson,myson,”Brendanmurmured.

“I’ll fetch some blankets from the sleigh,” Tom panted, his heartthumpinglikeasledgehammerinhischest.Hegrabbedabundleandflewbackacrosstheice.“I’mgladyoucameback.”

“Irealizedyouwerenolongerbehindme,soIcamelooking,”saidBrendan, wrapping Albin in the blankets and rubbing the shiveringboy’swrists togethis circulationmoving. “Whydidyoucomeafterme?”

“Wanted…tobringyou…luck,Father,”Albinstammered.

Brendan cradled his son’s head and smiled warmly at Tom. “Ibelievethisstrangerhasbroughtusbothluck.”

Tomsmiledbackthroughhisexhaustionandstaggeredtothesleightogetablanketforhimself.Theywouldbuildafiretowarmup,andthentheywouldgetontheirway.

Backatthesleigh,Stormnickeredwithconcern,pressinghisheadagainst Tom’s chest. Tom rubbed his numb fingers against thestallion’s chestnutmane. Therewas a pounding in his head, and atfirst,Tomthoughtitwashisracingpulse.

But the pounding was coming from somewhere else. A distantthumping sound. Not only that, but the ice was trembling faintlybeneath his feet. Tom listened hard. Therewas another sound. Thehowlofsomethingfierce.

“Tartok,”hewhispered.

CHAPTERSEVEN

TORNAPART

HIS HEARTBEAT QUICKENING, TOM LOOKED all around him. The horizonwasfullofdistantdunes,buttherewasnoBeastinsight.TomturnedtoseeifBrendanhadheardthesound.Butrightnow,Albinwastheman’sonly focus.Tomlookeddownathis feetandsawan intricatelacework of cracks spreading over the ice with every thump. Hecaughthisbreathasthehairlinecrackssurroundedhim.

Tom knew the old stories about Tartok. The Beast was able toshattericewithjustastampofherfoot!Ifshecameanycloser,theywouldn’tstandachanceoutontheopenice.Asheknelttoexaminethe cracks, he couldn’t help but remember the chill of the waterbelow….

Tomwasjoltedfromhisdarkthoughtsbyaglimpseofmovementin thedistance—threedark figuresonhorseback,coming fromthedirection of the camp.And one of them appeared to be Elenna.Hewaved to the riders urgently. “Brendan and Albin need help!” hecalled.Hesawthefiguresleanforwardintheirsaddles,drivingtheirhorsesstillfaster.

Elenna was first to arrive beside the upturned sleigh, two olderwomen just behind her— Tom recognized them as Brendan’s wifeand her sister. They leaped from their horses and gathered aroundBrendanandAlbinwithblanketsanddryclothestokeepthemwarm.

“I realized Albin must have gone after you,” Elenna said,dismounting.“Icamewithhismotherandaunttobringhimback.”

Tom jerked his head toward his sleigh and beckoned Elenna tofollow him. He looked over his shoulder to make sure no one wasnear.“Canyoufeelthatvibration?”hewhispered.

Elennastoodstillandlookeddownatthemazeofhairlinecracksintheice.Tomcouldfeelthegroundshiftbeneathhisfeet—andclearlysocouldElenna.Shegavehimafearfulnod.“It’sTartok,isn’tit?”

“Wehavetofindher,”saidTom,noddingslowly.

Suddenly, a huge tremor tore through the silence and a large,jaggedcrackappearedinthe ice.Stormsnorted,andTomgaspedashewasknockedtohisknees.

“The ice field’s breaking up!” shouted Brendan. “Quickly, Tom,Elenna—getoverhere!”

Tomrealizedthatthesplitintheicewasthreateningtodividethem—Tom,Elenna,Storm,andthesleighononeside,andeveryoneelseontheother.HescrambledupandstartedpullingatStorm’sharness.“Wemustreleasehimfromthesleigh,”Tomsaidurgently.“Ifitfallsthroughagapintheice,hewon’tstandachance!”

Elenna joined him, wrestling with the buckles. Brendan tried tocomeovertohelp—butthesplitopenedwider.Theicecreakedandgroanedasitwastornapart.Itsoundedlikethemoanofananimalinpain—asthoughtheicewerealive!

Brendanteeteredontheedgeofthedivide,butjustmanagedtofallbackwardtosafety.Oneofthehorsesboltedandnearlytrampledhimas it leaped across the split, skidding onto the other side. Elennacaughtholdofitsbridleandhushedit,slowlybringingitbackundercontrol.

“It’snogood!”Brendan shoutedover toTomandElenna. “I can’treachyounow.”

TomundidStorm’s lastbuckleand turned tosee that thebrilliantturquoise split was now as wide as a river, stretching in eitherdirection as far as the eye could see. The bluewater almost lookedbeautiful—eventhoughitwasdeadly.“Don’tworryaboutus,”saidTom. “Albin needs to get back to the camp before the ice gets anyweaker.”

“Headdueeast,tothefoothillsofthegreaticemountain,”Brendan

shoutedover.“YouwillreachJennal’sclanbeforenightfall.Theywillgiveyoushelter.WillyouexplaintothemwhatIwanttodo?”

“We’lltryourbest,”Tomyelledback.“Now,don’twasteanymoretimeonus—go!”

“Thehorse’snameisShah,”Brendan’swifecalledout.

Shah, a stout bay pony, had calmed down now. He pressed hismuzzleagainstElenna’sneckandsnortedsoftly.She turnedtoTom.“Arewegoingtotheotherclannow?”

“Wewill,”saidTomquietly.“ButfirstwemustfindTartok.”

“I wish we had Silver with us,” Elenna said, swinging herself upintoShah’ssaddle.

“He’ll be able to protect the camp from any invaders,” Tomreassuredher.“Comeon.”He turnedStormtoward thesnowdunes.“It’stimewemetface-to-face,Tartok,”hesaid.“AslongasI’malive,I’llfighttheevilofMalvel.”

Then,withahugecreakandboom,afreshcrackopenedupintheicerightbesideShah.Theponysnortedinfearandrearedup,strikingoutwithhisfrontlegs.Elennagaspedandthrewherselfforward,herhandsclutchinghismane,her feetslipping fromthestirrups.BeforeElennacouldsitupinthesaddletherewasanotherloudcrack.

Whinnyinginalarm,Shahshotforward.Elennagrabbedthereins.“Whoa!Steady,boy!”

But the terrified pony plunged onward, his hooves throwing upcloudsofsnowashegallopedtowardthedistantdunes.

CHAPTEREIGHT

FURYONTHEICE

TOM RAN OVER TO STORM, AND SWUNG HIMSELF onto the horse’s back.“Go,boy!”Tomshouted,pressinghisheelsagainstStorm’ssides.

They raced across the frozen inlet after Elenna. They came toanother crack in the ice, but Storm didn’t hesitate — he gatheredhimselfandleapedforward.Tomfelttheairwhistlepasthim.Itwasasiftheywereflying!Storm’sfrontlegsreachedoutandlandedsafelyonsolidiceattheotherside.

“Faster, boy,” Tom urged — they were gaining, but not quicklyenough. Elenna disappeared out of sight behind one of the snowdunes.

Herscreamcutthroughthecrisparcticairlikeaknife.

“Elenna!” Tom yelled. “Hold on, I’m coming!” Storm’s hoovesthunderedacross thetundra.WhathadhappenedtoElennatomakehercryoutlikethat?

Aterrifyingroarsoundedfromcloseby,togetherwiththesoundofshatteringice.

Tartok,thoughtTom,fearandpanicrisingupfromhisstomach.

AsStormgallopedaroundthesideofthesnowdune,TomsawtheBeast standing ahead of him in a narrow valley. The huge, shaggymonster was facing away from him — and standing over Elenna.Tartok’slegswerethickwithbulkymuscles.

Stormskiddedtoahaltjustafewstridesfromthemonster.Elennalayonherback,atrickleofbloodseepingfromherforehead.Wasshe…couldshebe…dead?“No,”hebreathed.“No,shecan’tbe—”

Tartokswungaroundtofacehim.

EvensittinghighonStorm’sback,TomfeltlikeanantintheBeast’shulkingpresence.Withonestep,shecouldsquashthelifeoutofhim.Herfurwasdark.Hereyeswereredderthanablacksmith’s fireandher claws looked sharper than daggers. Her hideous face wasscrunchedupwithangerandhate,andaroundherraw,weltedneckwasMalvel’sgoldencollar.Itglowedwithanevilenergy.

Tomremainedstill,assessingthesituation.

Tartok growled and stamped a paw down on the ground. Sparks

seemedtojumpupfromthethickice,leavinghairlinecracksetchedinitssurface.Clearly,shewasgoingnowhere.

Tom climbed down from Storm’s back. He wanted to make sureElennawasokay,butfirsthehadtofreeTartok.Therewasnotimetowaste.

As if sensing the danger, Elenna regained consciousness. “Whathappened?” she asked groggily, opening her eyes. “Shah threw meand then —” Elenna gasped as she saw Tartok. The Beast roared,thumping her chest. The collar around her neck glowed brighter.Tartokpulledatitasifsheweretryingtogetridofit.

“Elenna,quick,” saidTom,while theBeastwas turnedaway fromhim. He pulled thewooden shield from his back, took careful aim,andsliditacrossthesmoothicetowardher.TheshieldwhizzedpastTartok’slegs,andElennastruggledtocatchit.

Tartokroaredagainandbroughtheryellowclawsswipingdown—justasElennapulledtheshieldupoverherheadforprotection.Theclaws wedged deep into the wood and wrenched the shield away.TomwatchedinhorrorasElennastaredupwide-eyedattheBeast.

BeforeTomcoulddoanything,Tartokturnedandthrewtheshieldback at him.He ducked and itwhistled past, slicing into the snow.Runningovertheicetoreachit,hetriedtopullitfree,tuggingonthewoodwithallhismight.Atlastitcameloose,butTomcouldn’tstophimselffromtumblingbackwardwithitontothesnow.

Anear-splitting roarmadehim turn in terror.The shaggybulkofTartoklungedtowardhim,clawsreachingforhisthroat.

CHAPTERNINE

THEPRICEOFVICTORY

TOMGASPEDASTARTOK CLOSED IN.HE DOVE aside as the Beast’s clawsrippedthroughtheair.Slidingontheiceacrossthenarrowvalley,hecrashedintothesteepsnowbankonthefarside.

“Tom,lookout!”Elennayelled.TomturnedtofindTartoklungingtoward him for a second time. He swung his shield up to protecthimself. Tartok’s huge paw smashed into it with enough force toknockTomhalfwaythroughthesnowdune.HeheardStormwhinnywithfear.Hisshieldarmachedwithpain.Withapangofterror,TomknewTartokwasonlyjustgettingstarted.

“Elenna,takeStormandgetoutofhere!”Tomshoutedquickly.TheBeaststampedahugepawdownontheiceandsnappedherjaws.

Thenwithadeep,splinteringcrack,theicegaveway!Inaninstant,she had vanished through a narrow, jagged hole into the freezingdepths.Tomleapedback,almostfallinginhimself.

Dazed,hewatchedthewaterchurnandbubbleinfrontofhim.

“Tom,” cried Elenna. Storm had come to her side and she wasleaning on the horse for support. “Draw your sword. Now’s ourchancetoendthis.”

Butasshespoke,thewaterexplodedupwardinafreezingfountain.Witharoar,Tartok’sheadbrokethesurface.

Elennaranover,tryingtogettheBeast’sattention.

Thesnowmonsterwasbobbingwithherheadandshouldersabovethesurfaceofthewater.

TartokturnedoninstincttosnapatElenna—givingTomaclearviewofthelockedcollararoundthecreature’sneck.

“Doit,Tom!”criedElenna,jumpingbackoutoftheBeast’sreach.

TompulledthekeygiventohimbytheKingfromaroundhisneck,andslippeditintothelock.Tomtriedtoturnthekey,butitwouldn’tbudge. As Tartok swam away from him, roaring with anger, Tomgrippedthekeywithallhisstrength.

He threwallhisweightbackward,bracinghis feeton the iceandsnow.His shoulderburnedwithpainasTartokdraggedhim towardtheedgeof the ice.Tomknewhewas losinghisgrip.Heneeded toactquickly,beforeheplungedintothefreezingwater.Hesummonedallhisstrength,andtwistedthekeyonelasttime.

Thelockunclaspedandthecollarbrokeapart inahazeofgoldenlight!

“Yes!” he shouted, tumbling backward. He placed the key backaroundhis neck—andTartok sank into thewaterwithout anothersound.

Tom waited tensely for her to resurface, but the water that hadswallowedherremainedstill.Thewarmsundisappearedbehindgrayclouds,andthetemperaturestartedtoplummetonceagain.

Then Storm reared up in fright as the ice was smashed openbeneathElenna’sfeet—andasTartokpulledherselfout,Elennafellintotheshimmeringdeep.

“No!”criedTominhorror.

ButTartokdove straightback into thewater, anda fewmomentslatershereturned—holdingasplutteringandshiveringElennainherarms.

“Putherdown!”Tomshouted.

TartokplacedElennagentlyontheiceatStorm’shooves.Thensheswung around to face Tom. Her eyes were no longer red, but aglittering,icyblue.Foralongmoment,TomandtheBeastlookedateach other. Tomdrew in his breath. Even thoughhe knew shewasfreeofMalvel’sspell,hersheersizeandpowerterrifiedhim.

Tartok stared at the boy who had freed her, and then abruptlyturned on her heel. With a powerful and yet graceful stride, shedisappearedintothedistance.

TomgazedafterTartokandfeltflushwithpride.AnotherBeasthadbeen freed fromMalvel’sevil spell.Tomknewhow luckyhewas tosurvive this Quest. He’d come face-to-facewith the kingdom’smostpowerfulcreaturesandlivedtotellaboutit—sofar,atleast.

Tom shook himself free of his thoughts. Elenna was shiveringviolentlyonthebank,teethchatteringsohardshecouldn’tspeak,herskinbluewithcold.Thecutonherforeheadlookedblack,surroundedby a purple bruise. Tom pulled off his coat of furs andwrapped itaroundher.

“C-c-cold,”shesaidfaintly.“Iknow,”hesaid.“Weneedtogetyouwarmedup.”

Elenna clutchedhis arm. “You set Tartok free?” “Yes.Now try torest.”

“IhopeShahfindsherwaybackhome,”Elennawhispered.“I—IpromisedI’dtakeherback.”

“Youwill,”hesaid.“We’llfindherandeverythingwillbeallright,you’llsee.”

Tom tried to smile, but inside he was starting to panic. He hadgiventheblanketsonhissleightoAlbin,andtherewasnothingelsethere of use. Soon night would fall — and without shelter orprotection, soakedwet like this in thedeathly cold—couldElennasurvivethenight?

CHAPTERTEN

THEHEALING

ALOUDWHINNYMADETOMLOOKUP.STORMwasstandingatthetopofthesnowyrise,staringouttowardtheeast.

“Storm!”Tomexclaimed.

Storm whinnied again, tossed his mane, and stamped one of hisfronthooveson theground.Tomhada feeling that thestallionwastryingtodrawhisattentiontosomething.

“I’ll be back in a moment,” Tom told the shivering Elenna, andquicklyclimbedupthedune.

From there, Tom could see down onto an ice field. There werefigures on horseback towing sleighs, moving over the plains. Theymusthaveblanketsandshelter.“Welldone,Storm,”Tomsaid.ThesepeoplewerehisonlyhopeofsavingElenna.

“Hey!” he yelled. “We need help! Please, can you help us?” Buteven as he shouted, he knew that hewas too far away. The peoplewouldneverhearhim.TomlookeddowntheslopeandknewitwastoosteepforStorm.“StaywithElenna,boy.I’mgoingtogethelp!”

Whenhe’dsetTagustheNightHorsefree,TomhadplacedasliveroftheBeast’shorseshoeinhisshield.Thathadgivenhimthepowerofspeedandswiftness—andheneededitnow.

Tomjumpedontotheshieldandrodeitdownthesteepsideofthesnow dune. But once he’d reached the bottom, he found he wasn’tslowingdown.Infact,hewaspickingupspeed!Theshield’spowers

wereworking! Soon hewas racing across the frozen ground on hisshieldtowardthepeoplecrossingtheice.Thewindwasbitinglycold,especiallyinjusthiswoolentunic,buthewastoointentonreachingthestrangerstoreallynotice.

“Please, somebody help!” he yelled when he was finally closeenoughforthemtohear.

Thepeople stopped.They lookedatTom in surprise as the shieldsloweddownandhejumpedoffit.

“Myfriendfellintoasplitintheiceoverinthedunes.ShewilldieofexposureunlessIcan…”Thenhegaspedinsurprise—oneoftheirhorses looked very familiar. “Hey, that’s Shah. You found Shah, hebelongstoBrendan’swife!”

“He was running wild,” a man explained. “We thought he musthaveescapedfromBrendan’scamp.Weareonourwaytherenow.”

“But, first, a small detour.” Awomanwith aweathered face andlongblackhair gestured forTom to sit besideheronher sleigh. “Itsoundslikeyourfriendneedshelpquickly.”

Tomjumpedaboard.“Areyoufromtheclancampingintheeast,inRolaz?”

Thewomanbarkedacommandatherhorseandtheyspedoff.“Wewere.Butthelandisnotsafeanymore.MynameisJennal,clanchief.IwishtoaskBrendan’sclanifwemayjoinwiththeminAvantia.”

Tomwouldhavelaughedathisgoodluckifheweren’tsoworriedaboutElenna.

They soon reached the valleywhere Elenna lay trembling. Jennalmadeherwarmandcomfortablewithdryclothesandthick,woolenblankets, andherherbal treatmentsbroughtahealthy colorback toElenna’scheeksinminutes.

“I toldyou itwouldbeall right,”saidTom,squeezinghis friend’scoldhand.

Shesqueezedhisfingersbackandsmiled.

Elenna was soon warm and comfortable on a sleigh, and TomwasridingStormalongsideJennal.

The ice fieldswere cracked all over from the damageTartok haddonewhileunderMalvel’sevilspell.

“It’snothingtoworryabout,”Jennalsaid,noticingTom’sconcern.“Intime,theicewillmenditselfandallwillberightinthenorthernplains.Untilthen,wecantakeanolderroutethatisstillpassable.”

Itwas true.Thesplit thathadcut themoff fromBrendanandtheotherswould soon refreeze.With Tartok no longer breaking up theice,thechannelfromAvantiatoRolazcouldbetraveledonceagain.

Night gathered over the desolate plains as the clan sped onward.Then,atlast,theyapproachedthewoodenfencethatmarkedtheedgeofBrendan’scamp.Silvercameracingout,yappingandbarkingwithdelight.Jennal’speoplelookedalarmedforamoment.

Tomquicklyexplained:“It’sonlySilver,Elenna’spet.”

SilverranstraightuptowhereElennalayonthesleighandstartedlicking her face and nuzzling her ear, his plumy tail wagging hardenough to fall off. Elenna laughedweakly. “It’s all right, Silver, I’mfeelingmuchbetteralready.”

“Andso iseveryoneelse,by the soundof it,” saidTom.Hecouldhearexcitedvoices.

“Tom, Elenna!” cried Brendan, leaping the fence with a flamingtorchinhishand.“Ithoughtthesplitintheicecouldnotbepassed!?”

Tom jumped down from Storm to greet him. “We took an olderroute.”

“IsAlbinfeelingbetter?”Elennaasked.

“I’mfine!”calledAlbin,duckingunder the fence.“I’mgladyou’reallright.”Hegrinnedatthesoundofafamiliarwhinny.“AndShah’sbacksafe,too!”Albinrushedtogivethebayponyahug.

“Butwhohasbroughtyoubacktoussafely?”Brendanpeeredintothegloom.“IsthatJennal?”

“Greetings,Brendan,” said the clanswoman, crossing tomeethim.“Itseemstimeshavebeenashardforyouasforus.”

“I thinkperhapsour luckhas turned,”he said.Brendan smiledatJennal. “Whatever wild animals roam these lands,” hewent on, “ifyoujoinus,togetherwewillbestrongenoughtofendthemoff.”

“Togetherwewillprosper,”Jennalagreed.

Brendan’seyesshoneintheflickeringlightofthetorch.“Butfirst,youmustbeexhaustedfromyourlongjourney.Letmypeoplestableyour horses and unload your things. Tonight we shall feast andcelebratethejoiningofourclans.”

Everyone started to walk toward the camp, but Tom and ElennalingeredwithStormandSilver.

“Afeastsoundswonderful,”shesaid.“Canwestay?”

“Ithinkwecouldbothuseanight’srestaftertoday,”Tomagreed.

SilverjumpedupatTom’slegs,tryingtogethisattention.Turning,hesawafamiliarmistyglowthathadappearedinmidair.Theglow

slowlyformedintotheimageofawhite-hairedmaninaredcloak.

“Aduro!” Tom said.He knew thewizardwas able to follow theirprogressfromKingHugo’spalace.“Iwonderedifyouwouldcome.”

“You have acted bravely and foughtwell,” thewizard told them.“Tartok is free to protect the northern people once again, and thekingdom’smedicalsupplieswillgetthroughsafely.”

“I’m glad I could serve the kingdom,” Tom said humbly. Hewondered whether Tartok would provide another shield charm.BeforeTomcouldask,thewizardresponded.

“AndIbelieveTartokleftyousomething,”Adurotoldhim,noddinginthedirectionofTom’sshield.Tomflippeditoverinhishandsandsureenough,thereitwas—oneofTartok’sclaws.Itmusthavecomeloosewhenshestrucktheshield.

“AsthescaleoftheDragonprotectsyoufromfire,sotheclawwillprotectyoufromextremecold.”Adurolookedat themgravely.“Butbewarned.MagicaloneisnotstrongenoughtoprotectyoufromthefiercestBeastofall.”

AshiverwentthroughTom.TheQuestwasnotover.

Aduro nodded gravely. “Youmust journey to the Far East,whereEpostheWingedFlameawaitsyou.Thiswillbeyourgreatesttrialofall.”Aduro glancedback at the camp. “But first, youmust rest. Eatanddrinktoyourfill.Buildyourstrengthforthelongtrekahead—andforyourbattlewithEpos.”Thewizardbegantofadefromsight.“Goodluck…”

Thenhewasgone.

Stormwhinniedquietly,andSilverlookedupathismistress.

“ThefiercestBeastofall,”Elennaechoednervously.

“Let’snot thinkabout it tonight,” saidTom. “Let’s enjoy the feastandfacethefuturetomorrow.”

“Together,”shesmiled.

Henodded.“Always.”

Happy sounds of talk and laughter, and the delicious smell ofcooking were coming from the camp. Everyone was ready tocelebrate.

Elennawentto jointhem.Tomstartedtofollow,thenpausedandlooked back over his shoulder at the kingdom of Avantia. Newadventureswaited for him out there.Was he strong enough to facethem?Tomthoughtabouthismissingfather—thefatherhewantedtobeproudofhim. “While there’s blood inmyveins,”he swore tohimself.Thenheturnedandwalkedintocamp.

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Firstprinting,December2007

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