Free Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Author Quest by J. M. Lee Page B

said nothing. Then she sighed. “My father told me that long ago, before the Second Great Conjunction, there were stories of the Great Crystal coming alive whenever the harmony of Thra was threatened.”
    Rian’s forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean, ‘coming alive’?”
    â€œI don’t know, exactly. But according to the stories, the Crystal had the power to create change—to start a fire, or open a door, or save a life—in ways that would shape the destiny of Thra. And I thought maybe the light that came out of the vial had something to do with the Crystal. Maybe the Crystal
wanted
you to discover skekTek’s laboratory, to see what you saw, to bring the Gelfling clans together.”
    â€œIt’s as good a theory as any,” said Rian. “And maybe, if the Crystal meant for all this to happen, it will turn out all right in the end. Maybe we’ll save the Gelfling clans and restore balance to Thra.”
    Alethi turned to him with tears brimming in her eyes. “I wish you were right. But it’s not possible.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    A single tear slid down her cheek. “Because if the Crystal had the power to shape Thra’s destiny, it never would have let the Skeksis crack it and turn the world dark.”
    Rian said nothing.
    I set skekTek’s parchments on my anvil with a sigh. “I don’t understand any of it—not the Crystal, not even these parchments. I’ve never seen script like this before.”
    â€œMy father may know how to read it,” said Alethi, running her slender fingers across the pages. “And if not, perhaps he’ll know someone who can.”
    Rian pulled his cloak around him and moved toward the door. “We’ll go to your father’s house, then. But we can’t stay long—we need to warn the matriarch and the clan elders. And then I need to get out of Skarith, out of the Skeksis’s reach.”
    â€œCan’t it wait at least till morning?” Alethi followed him and caught his hand in hers. She didn’t seem able to stop touching him. “It’s dangerous to travel outside Skarith so late after nightfall.”
    â€œThe Skeksis may not wait that long,” said Rian without looking up. “Besides, I’m beginning to believe that every danger we’ve feared for so long is really just another one of the Skeksis’s disguises.”
    â€œEven the Hunter?” asked Alethi.
    â€œEspecially the Hunter.” Rian’s eyes darkened in anger. “Come on, let’s go.”
    I reached for my crutches. Rian turned to me with a strained expression on his face.
    â€œKaelan,” he said slowly, “perhaps it’s best if you stay here. If we stay together and we’re caught, the truth dies with us.”
    â€œYou’re worried I’ll slow you down,” I blurted out.
    â€œIt’s not that!” Rian reddened. “The danger is too great. If Skeksis come looking for me here and find the smithy empty, they’ll know you’re involved somehow.”
    â€œI don’t care what they know.” I slammed my fist on the heavy oak table. “I’m every bit as willing to fight as you are.”
    Rian smiled sadly. “You’ve always been a fighter, Kaelan. But not every battle is won with a sword. I need someone who can stay with the Harath clan and keep an eye on the Skeksis; someone they won’t think of as a threat.”
    â€œWho’s threatened by a cripple?” I said bitterly.
    â€œPlease, Kaelan,” Rian implored. “I don’t have time to argue with you right now. The Skeksis could come looking for me any minute.”
    Alethi, who had been standing at the window, turned to us, her face a mask of horror. “Too late.”
    There was a heavy knock at the door.

Chapter Three
    Into the Fire
    Rian cursed under his breath and reached for a sword hanging on the wall. “They won’t