Soltra the Stone Charmer

by Adam Blade

  On the back were engraved the words: “For My Son.”

  Tom bit his lip, fighting back tears of joy, as well as regret that he had never known his father. He felt Elenna’s calming hand on his shoulder.

  “Taladon left this in my keeping when he departed Errinel on his own Quest,” said Uncle Henry. “He asked that I give it to you on your first birthday as a hero. That day has come.”

  Tom looked at his uncle. He could feel his eyes brimming. “Did he leave any message for me?” he asked.

  “No,” his uncle replied. “But the compass needs no explanation. The needle will show you when to step forward to meet your destiny, and when to flee impossible danger. Your father believed that it would save your life one day.”

  “Perhaps today,” Tom murmured, gazing at the compass. “Thank you.” He held the compass tightly; he had never felt so close to his lost father.

  Then he gazed out of the doorway of the forge. It was time to go in search of Soltra the Stone Charmer.

  Tom, Elenna, Silver, and Storm stood at the edge of the marsh, gazing out over the barren wasteland. Even in the full light of the sun, coils and wreaths of fog drifted and crept low, like evil phantoms seeking their prey.

  “Have you ever been in there before?” Elenna asked.

  Tom shook his head. “It’s too treacherous,” he said. “Aunt Maria always told me that only a fool would risk it.”

  “Or someone very brave,” Elenna said.

  Tom drew his sword and checked that his shield was securely fastened to his back. He could feel the weight of the compass in his pocket, tucked away under his chain mail. He felt strong in heart, ready for the battle ahead. He had placed the golden helmet safely in Storm’s saddlebag.

  “How are we going to avoid Soltra’s eye?” Elenna asked. Tom could tell from her voice that she was afraid.

  “I’ll find a way,” Tom said.

  “We’ll find a way, you mean.”

  “No,” Tom said firmly. “It’s my village. This time I have to do it alone.”

  Elenna’s eyes were determined. “Never!” she said.

  Tom shook his head with a rueful smile. Elenna was as strong-willed as he was. “Come on, then,” he said. “But watch your footing. The farther we go, the more dangerous the ground will become.”

  They moved slowly into the tall, whispering reeds, Tom leading Storm, Silver keeping close to Elenna. The fog rose to cover them like a damp blanket. Soon, they came to stretches of black water and had to pick their way along narrow paths of solid ground.

  Storm became jittery, his hooves sinking into the soft earth. At last, he neighed and pulled back, bringing Tom to a halt. Tom patted his neck and spoke softly to him, but it was clear the brave stallion would go no farther. Silver crouched low, his ears back and his eyes narrow slits.

  “Will you stay back with Storm and Silver?” Tom asked Elenna. “We can’t ask them to go any farther, and I don’t want to leave them here unprotected.”

  Elenna nodded, and slotted an arrow to her bow in readiness. Tom stepped into the fog. “Remember,” he heard her call, “if you’re in danger, summon one of the good Beasts of Avantia.”

  He turned to wave, but already his companions had been swallowed by the fog. He was alone. His hand strayed to the compass tucked under his chain mail and the feel of it gave him comfort.

  He squelched onward, his feet sinking into the boggy ground as the pools of stagnant and stinking water began to widen. The fog was so thick now that he could not see the sun above his head. The reeds hissed and quivered.

  He paused, breathing in the foul air, staring around. How would he find the Beast in this? She could be close enough to reach out an arm and touch him, and he would hardly know it. Not even the golden helmet could help him see in fog like this. Perhaps the compass could help, but before he had the chance to take it out, a gentle voice spoke out of the fog.

  “Welcome to my home.”

  Tom gripped his sword tightly. “Where are you?” he shouted.

  “I am close,” said the voice. “Why do you not come and see me?”

  Tom had never heard such a beautiful voice before.

  He stepped forward, sheathing his sword. “Please?” he whispered, his senses drifting away from him. “Let me see you.”

  “Come,” said the voice. “It is not far.”

  Tom stumbled on. But suddenly he tripped, lost his balance, and staggered sideways, falling into the tall reeds. His foot plunged into deep slime, and he couldn’t pull it out.

  With a cry of fear, he found himself knee-deep in thick, oozing mud. He struggled to free himself, but with every movement he sank deeper.

  He was trapped!

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  THE MARSH

  THE OOZING MUD SUCKED AT TOM’S LEGS, dragging him slowly deeper, and suddenly he felt as if he had awoken from a dream. Thrashing about would only make it worse, he realized.

  “I must not panic,” Tom gasped. “I have to keep calm and find a way to pull myself out.” He leaned forward and grasped at a tussock of long reeds, but the reeds were slimy and he couldn’t get a good grip.

  He sank to his waist. How could he have been stupid enough to listen to that voice? Harsh, grating laughter filled his ears. Malvel! The evil wizard was mocking him, enjoying his triumph.

  He heard Elenna in the distance. “Tom? Are you all right?”

  Then there was another voice. “Come to me,” sang Soltra’s beautiful voice from across the marsh. “Come and stay with me forever.”

  Tom tried to block out the voice, focusing all his concentration on pulling himself free. But it was hopeless. He gave a howl of anger and despair as the mud rose to his armpits. After all his battles against the Beasts of Avantia, was he going to die in a stinking mud pit?

  Then he saw something long and slender come hissing toward him through the fog. It curved downward and hit the mud a few feet away from him. It was an arrow — and tied to the shaft was a rope.

  “Elenna!” he gasped. He fought with all his strength to get to the arrow, leaning far over, his fingers stretching out.

  Elenna’s faint voice called to him. “Tom? Did you get it?”

  “Almost!” he shouted. Finally, his fingers closed around the rope. “Yes!”

  “Storm will pull you out!” yelled Elenna. Tom wrapped a loop of rope around his wrist as it tightened. For a few dreadful moments, the mud clung to him. But then, slowly, Tom felt himself being dragged out of the slime. Soon, there was firm earth under his fingers. He scrabbled and kicked with his legs and suddenly he was lying gasping on solid ground. He’d never been so close to death before.

  He got to his feet, his legs shaking. “How did you know what to do?” he shouted to Elenna.

  “I heard you cry out,” she called back. “I fired the arrow toward the sound of your voice. I’m coming!”

  “No!” Tom shouted. “Stay back — it’s too dangerous.” But he knew he needed help. Then he remembered all the good Beasts of Avantia and one in particular: Cypher the Mountain Giant! With his sure footing and ability to destroy mountain mists, he could help Tom through the marsh. Quickly he took his shield from his back and rubbed the center — where a single tear from Cypher had fallen — desperately hoping that it would work.

  Almost instantly, he saw a shape coming toward him through the fog. Was it Soltra? Tom raised his mud-smeared shield and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, ready to draw it once more.

  The approaching shape was huge. Soon, it was close enough for Tom to be able to make out its features — the shaggy hair, the shambling gait, and the familiar face peering down at him with its one friendly brown eye.

  “Cypher!” Tom gasped with relief.

  The giant swung his huge arms, magically whisking away the fog around them. Only then did Tom see a second form standing dark and still in a long robe among the reeds.

  “Welcome, Tom,” sang the beautiful voice. “Come to me.”

  Long arms reached ou
t, the robe rippling like black water. Tom stared at her, struggling to keep hold of his senses. But the voice was so lovely, and he could see that Soltra was tall and slender, the oval where her face should have been as smooth as glass and as white as milk, her auburn hair piled in shining rings on her head.

  Tom took a step toward her. Cypher let out a roar of warning.

  “No, Cypher,” Tom whispered, his mind suddenly as white and blank as the fog. “It’s all right.” He only wanted to be near her.

  He stumbled toward Soltra, the fog closing behind him once again. Her great green eye opened. Tom stopped. Then he took another step forward, gazing into the beautiful eye.

  CHAPTER NINE

  THE GREEN EYE

  A TERRIFIED VOICE SHOUTED FROM DEEP within Tom’s mind. Look at the compass!

  Forcing his body to obey, he drew the compass out of his pocket, holding it up in front of his eyes. The needle on the compass pointed to Danger.

  “Oh!” he gasped, as the power of Soltra’s gaze was broken. His mind clear again, he continued to walk slowly forward, his eyes fixed on the compass. He had to get closer to the Beast if he was to defeat her.

  “Come to me,” crooned the voice.

  Tom was no longer hypnotized by the voice, and the Beast was now only a few strides away. The urge to look into her eye was growing again. His feet faltered and he stood still.

  Soltra glided toward him. In one practiced movement, she drew a whip from her cloak and lashed out. Tom heard a hiss as the whip came snaking forward.

  He raised his shield, blocking the attack. But before he could strike, Soltra disappeared, swallowed by the fog once again.

  How can I fight the Beast when I can’t even look at her? Tom wondered.

  Tom concentrated, listening closely. Suddenly, he heard soft, cackling laughter from behind. Tom spun around, raising his shield.

  He was just in time. The whip thudded against the shield’s surface. Soltra’s laughter was cut short. This time, Soltra did not disappear into the fog. The whip snapped forward once more, catching Tom around the legs.

  He was caught!

  Then a roar sounded. It was Cypher! He loomed over Tom, blowing the fog away with the power of his hands and his breath, allowing him to see.

  Now Tom could make out the blurry white disk of the sun. Hope rose in him. He stood up and turned to face the Stone Charmer. But as he did so, he foolishly allowed his gaze to rest upon the huge green eye.

  A feeling of peace and joy flooded him once again. He smiled, forgetting everything as an icy numbness seeped through his limbs.

  “The cold is no danger,” crooned Soltra’s voice. “Stone is your destiny.”

  Cypher roared angrily and Malvel’s scornful laughter filled Tom’s head.

  This time it was Malvel’s laughter that broke the spell. It filled Tom with determination, and the golden chain mail gave him renewed strength of heart. He tore his eyes from Soltra’s face and the ice left his limbs.

  “While there is blood in my veins,” he shouted, “I will defeat you!”

  Cypher gave another roar, once more waving away the fog above Tom’s head. Somehow the giant understood that Tom needed the sunlight to defeat Soltra. Golden light filtered down and Soltra was revealed again, but the afternoon sun was behind her now.

  “Too late,” Soltra sang as she moved forward. “The sun is low, the day is done.”

  Tom gritted his teeth. If only she could be made to stare into the sun!

  Then he had an idea. Hastily Tom put the compass into his pocket and drew his sword. Lifting it above his head, he angled the blade to catch the sunlight on the steel edge. He had to be quick. Soon, he would be within reach of her coiling whip.

  Just when he was beginning to lose hope, his blade caught the sun and a burst of golden light was reflected straight into Soltra’s eye. She screamed in agony, lunging forward, her long arms reaching for him.

  With the last of her strength, Soltra let out a howl and closed her long fingers around Tom’s throat, choking him in her frozen grip.

  CHAPTER TEN

  THE TOUCH OF DEATH

  TOM COULD FEEL THE STRENGTH FADING FROM his muscles as he fought for breath. He could do nothing to stop the Beast now.

  He was about to lose consciousness when he heard another roar. Cypher! The Mountain Giant appeared above him and swung his great arm, striking Soltra so that her grip loosened on Tom’s throat.

  Tom didn’t waste a moment. With a final effort, he raised his sword. He managed to catch the sunlight on his blade once more, and the great green eye was flooded with the brilliant reflection of the sun.

  Soltra let out a terrible scream and crumbled into dust, the golden breastplate clanging as it hit the ground.

  Panting, Tom stooped to pick it up. The breastplate was decorated with etched muscles, and leather strips with metal buckles secured the sides. He clasped it around himself, threading the strips through the buckles. It fit him perfectly! He flexed his arms, feeling the muscles swell, and understood immediately that the breastplate gave him great physical strength.

  He looked up at Cypher. “Thank you!” he called. “I would have failed without your help!”

  Cypher gave a roar of delight before turning and loping away, his huge body quickly lost in the fog. Tom knew that the deep bond between him and all the good Beasts of Avantia would never be broken.

  Tom turned and ran back through the fog toward where he hoped Elenna, Silver, and Storm would be waiting for him. He longed to be with his friends again.

  “Tom?” It was Elenna’s voice! “I heard roaring and screaming. Are you all right?”

  The shape of his friend, together with Storm and Silver, appeared through the fog.

  “Soltra is no more,” Tom told them. “And look what she left behind!”

  “The next piece of the armor!” Elenna cried in delight. “That’s the best birthday present ever! But what was the roaring we heard? It reminded me of Cypher.”

  “I’ll tell you everything on our way back to Errinel,” Tom said with a smile.

  The villagers greeted Tom and his companions with cheers of joy.

  “We were hopeful that you had beaten the Beast when our stone friends and Farmer Gretlin’s oxen were returned to life,” Uncle Henry said.

  The three villagers who had been turned to stone waved at Tom, smiling cheerily.

  “It was a close thing,” Tom admitted. “My father’s compass helped.”

  “Will you all stay for a while?” asked Aunt Maria. “We have a lot to celebrate!”

  “I’m sorry, but we can’t,” Tom said, giving her a quick hug. “A friend of mine is missing, and I still have work to do for the king.”

  Uncle Henry stepped forward. “Then go with our blessing,” he said. “But return to us as soon as you can.”

  It was hard to leave Errinel so quickly, but Tom, Elenna, Storm, and Silver were soon on the road away from the village. They would be able to travel a long way before making camp for the night.

  “Have you looked at the map?” Elenna asked. “Do we know where we’re heading?”

  “Not yet,” Tom admitted. “I just needed to get out of the village quickly, or I never would have been able to leave.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Sometimes battling Beasts is not the hardest part of a quest,” he said.

  “I understand,” Elenna said.

  Suddenly, there was a clap of thunder, and forked lightning struck the path ahead of them. Silver whined and Storm neighed in fear.

  Malvel! He stood in their way, his arms stretched out so that his cloak was spread wide.

  “We’re not afraid of you!” Tom shouted, drawing his sword and brandishing it in the air, although he knew he was looking at a vision.

  The Dark Wizard smiled and drew one side of his cloak back. “Are you sure?” he asked as a shivering figure was revealed, kneeling on the path.

  “Aduro!” Elenna gasped.

  It was the good wizard. His red cloa
k was missing and he looked pale.

  “See how I have humbled the great Aduro,” Malvel crowed. “How long do you think a boy like you can stand against me?”

  “Long enough!” Tom shouted. “I’ll rescue Aduro!”

  “Listen well,” snarled Malvel. “You may have won your golden breastplate, but the battle is not over!” The Dark Wizard’s eyes flashed. “If you continue your Quest, there will be a heavy price to pay.”

  Tom glared at him. “What will the price be?” he asked.

  “You shall see!” said Malvel. There was another crack of thunder and a flash of lighting, then both wizards were gone.

  “What do you think he meant?” Elenna asked, her voice subdued.

  Tom looked at her. “I don’t know,” he said. “But it doesn’t matter.” He flicked the reins and Storm broke into a trot. “Nothing is going to stop us from fulfilling the Quest. Aduro sent us, and we must complete it in order to rescue him.”

  Storm raced along the road, Silver loping alongside them as they all headed into a new adventure.

  Whatever lay ahead, Tom would defeat it. He had to. This was his destiny.

  Copyright

  No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Working Partners Ltd., Stanley House, St. Chad’s Place, London WC1X 9HH, United Kingdom.

  Text copyright © 2008 by Beast Quest Ltd.

  Illustrations copyright © 2008 by Scholastic Inc.

  Cover art by David Wyatt

  Cover design by Tim Hall

  All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, by arrangement with Working Partners Ltd.

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  First printing, December 2008

  Beast Quest series created by Beast Quest Ltd., London. BEAST QUEST is a trademark of Beast Quest Ltd.