Free Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers by Philip Caveney Page B

Thaddeus Peel. No, we have to try and find the city for ourselves and obtain something more conclusive.' Cornelius looked at Joseph. 'If you are right about your journey starting from this village, then it would simply be a case of finding the river and following its course.'
     
Joseph nodded. 'It would seem so,' he agreed. 'But listen – when you undertake this trip, I would be obliged if you would take Salah with you.' He waved a bony hand at his niece. 'She has always been fascinated by my story and would like to see the city for herself. I have warned her that it may be a cursed place, but the young care nothing for such thoughts. She will be able to guide you as far as the river and she's a fine hunter – as good as any boy in the tribe.'
     
'But who will look after you while she is away?' asked Keera.
     
Joseph waved a hand. 'I have any number of friends in the village who will be happy to fill in for her. What do you say? She has pestered me about this ever since she learned of your plans.'
     
'Pestered you?' Max snorted. 'She hasn't uttered a sound since we arrived.'
     
'Yes, but she does the most energetic sign language you've ever witnessed. Will you take her?'
     
'Why not?' agreed Cornelius. He studied the girl for a moment. 'You would work hard and do as you are told?' he asked.
     
Salah smiled and nodded eagerly. She pointed to the cooking pot and gestured wildly with her hands.
     
'She is telling you that she will do the cooking,' explained Joseph.
     
'Well, thank goodness for that,' said Max from the doorway. 'Neither of these two have the first idea about how to make decent food!'
     
Joseph laughed again and slapped a bony hand against a skinny leg. 'I'll bet that one is hard to please!' he observed.
     
'You have no idea,' said Sebastian.
     
'So . . .' Joseph studied them thoughtfully. 'It's settled then.
     
You will take Salah with you.'
     
Sebastian smiled at the girl. 'Happily,' he said. 'She is a bit of a chatterbox, but I suppose we'll manage.'
     
She grinned back delightedly.
     
'When will you be ready to leave on your quest?' asked Joseph.
     
'Soon,' said Cornelius. 'There's a small matter to deal with first. Speaking of which . . .' He got to his feet and bowed politely to the old man. 'If you will excuse me, I have some more preparations to attend to.'
     
'Of course,' said Joseph, waving a hand in dismissal. 'It has been a pleasure to meet you.'
     
'Shall I come too?' asked Sebastian.
     
'No, you stay and rest,' said Cornelius. 'You'll need to be fully recovered if we are to lead the battle against the Gograth army.' He turned. 'Come on, Max, you can help. Or would you rather stand around drinking chai all day?'
     
'Do I get a choice?' asked Max, but he backed his huge frame out of the doorway. Cornelius followed him, leaving Sebastian and Keera sitting side by side. Sebastian glanced at her and saw that she was still staring into the globe, as though imagining herself in that tiny city.
     
'She is pretty, is she not?' said Joseph unexpectedly; and Sebastian glanced up in surprise. Keera lifted her head too, her face reddening.
     
'Umm . . . yes. Yes, she is,' agreed Sebastian, 'now that you mention it.'
     
Joseph grinned and glanced knowingly at Salah. 'Makes you wonder about the prophecy, doesn't it?' he said.
     
The girl nodded gleefully.
     
'The . . . prophecy?' echoed Sebastian.
     
'You are not familiar with the story?' Joseph asked incredulously.
     
'Umm . . . well, some of it. The bits that Keera has mentioned to me. All that stuff about smiting the Gograth. I mean, I'm not a professional smiter or anything, but I'll give it my best shot.'
     
'She didn't tell you about the last part?'
     
'Umm . . . which part is that?' asked Sebastian nervously.
     
'Where the Chosen One takes a woman of the Jilith tribe as his wife?'
     
Sebastian stared open-mouthed at the old man. Then he looked at Keera, but she lowered her gaze demurely and said nothing. He was beginning to