Stealth the Ghost Panther (6 page)

T
OM SCRAMBLED DOWN
S
TEALTH'S LEG TO
ground level. Stealth growled and began tugging at the rope to free himself. The reddish-purple cloud thickened, and evil Wizard Malvel stepped out of it. His sunken eyes burned with rage. As his dark cloak flapped like the wings of a hawk, he swooped to grab the collar and the last piece of the amulet.

But Tom was too quick for him. He stepped forward, kicking the collar out of the wizard's reach, and held his sword at Malvel's throat. The evil wizard staggered back, rage and fear in his eyes.

As Tom tried to follow him, Stealth slipped between them. His body was starting to turn ghostly again, though Tom could still see his faint outline.

Tom tried to dart between Stealth's ghostly legs to reach Malvel, but the panther moved to block him. Tom's outstretched arm passed through the Beast's smoky body. The icy touch made his arm numb, and he stumbled back, barely able to keep hold of his sword.

Recovering quickly, Tom made another dash for Malvel, but once again Stealth got in his way.
This Beast is too clever!
Tom thought angrily.

Malvel raised his hands, ready to cast a spell. As he began to chant in a thunderous voice, Tom shivered and thought,
I've no protection against magic!

Tom braced himself for a desperate leap at the evil wizard. But then he heard Elenna's voice. “Tom! Here — catch!”

His friend had grabbed Stealth's collar from the ground. She tossed it to Tom, who caught it in his free hand. Triumph flooded through him.
Now I've got all the pieces of the Amulet of Avantia!

As soon as Tom's fingers closed around the collar, dazzling light poured out of the scrap of silver, forming a protective orb around him. Purple fire streamed from Malvel's fingers, but when it hit the orb, it ricocheted off harmlessly and disappeared.

Malvel let out a shriek of rage as his spell failed. Tom lunged forward. “Avantia!” he cried, slicing his sword through the air. Malvel leaped away, but the tip of Tom's sword scored through his flesh, opening a gash in his cheek.

The evil wizard screamed again with pain and fury. “You'll regret that, boy!”

Before Tom could strike him again, he stepped back into the cloud, which exploded in a burst of
purple light. Tom had to shield his eyes against it. The silver orb that had protected him died away, too.

Stealth's ghostly form whipped around to attack. Gripping his sword, Tom braced himself for the strike. But the smoky shape with its faint outline of crimson fire began to fade. Tom heard the last echo of a snarl as the Beast vanished completely.

Tom stood panting, gazing at the spot where the Ghost Beast had disappeared. “He's gone,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Stealth is gone for good.”

Elenna hurried to his side, with Storm and Silver close behind her. “Tom, that was great!”

“I wouldn't have survived if you hadn't thrown me the piece of amulet,” Tom replied. “And I only managed to wound Malvel. That slash on his cheek won't kill him.”

“You're right, boy.” Malvel's voice spoke from the emptiness. He spat a curse at Tom. “Our fight is far from over. I'll be back!”

“Good!” Tom called out in reply. “I look forward to it.” Remembering the look of fury and frustration on the dark wizard's face as blood poured from his cheek, Tom felt courage surge through him. If Malvel could be wounded, he could be killed! If he ever had to face the evil wizard again, Tom had some extra knowledge about him now. But he could think about that another day. Turning to Elenna, he added, “We've finished our Quest! And now I can meet my father properly.”

S
HOUTING BROKE OUT BEHIND
T
OM
. H
E SPUN
around, his sword at the ready, braced for another attack.

The citizens of Avantia were flinging open the doors and windows of the houses around the square. They streamed out into the streets, laughing and shouting joyfully as they surrounded Tom and Elenna.

“We're free!”

“Well done! You killed the Beast!”

Tom sheathed his sword, almost overwhelmed by all the people who wanted to shake his hand or clap him on the shoulder. He pushed the collar,
with the last precious piece of the amulet, into his pocket in case he might drop it in the crowd.

“I did what I had to do,” he said. “And I couldn't have done it without Elenna.”

Elenna grinned at his praise.

Then the people grew quiet, and moved back. Tom saw that the palace door had opened, and King Hugo was striding across the square toward him. Tom began to kneel as his King approached, but King Hugo grasped him by the shoulders and drew him into an embrace.

“You've saved Avantia!” he exclaimed. Releasing Tom, he added, “I'm sorry for locking you out of the palace. The risk was just too great.”

“I understand,” Tom replied. “You were only trying to protect Avantia.”

With an arm around his shoulders, King Hugo led Tom back toward the palace. Elenna followed, leading Storm, with Silver bounding alongside.

A golden light was growing beyond the palace roof, showing where the sun would rise. Malvel's evil had vanished along with the night.

Inside the palace courtyard, a servant led Storm away to be groomed and fed, while King Hugo took Tom and Elenna inside. Silver padded quietly along behind.

The King led Tom and Elenna down the stairs and along a stone passage to a heavy door studded with brass nails.

“This is the armor room,” Tom said.

“That's right,” said King Hugo. “And the very end of your Quest will happen here.”

Tom followed him into the room. It was familiar to him from the start of his second Beast Quest, when he recovered the golden armor. He remembered the rough stone walls and the torches in metal holders, and the wooden stand for the armor that stood in the middle of the room.

King Hugo's master of arms stood beside the wooden stand. He smiled as he saw Tom and Elenna. “Welcome back,” he said. His pet ferret poked its head out of his pocket and added a friendly squeak.

Silver let out a questioning whine as he spotted the little creature, and Elenna rested a hand on his neck. “It's all right, boy,” she murmured. “He's a friend.”

Wizard Aduro stepped forward. “Well done, Tom,” he said. “Your courage has saved Avantia once again.”

Embarrassed, Tom exchanged a glance with Elenna. “We did it together.”

“And now you must finish your Quest,” Aduro went on. “Come.”

He gestured for Tom to approach a small table that stood beside the wall. A crimson velvet cushion lay upon it. “This is the rightful resting place of the Amulet of Avantia,” he said.

Tom took the leather thong from around his neck and laid the amulet carefully on the velvet cushion. Then he pulled Stealth's collar out of his pocket and unfastened the final scrap of silver. He fitted it carefully into the gap that waited for it.

Silver light flared up, filling the room and dazzling Tom's eyes. He heard Elenna gasp in surprise.

When the light faded, Tom saw that the Amulet of Avantia was complete once again. He drew a long breath of satisfaction.
That's what King Hugo meant. Now my Beast Quest is really over.

“Tom, look!” Elenna exclaimed.

Tom turned to see that the suit of golden armor had reappeared on the wooden stand. The master of arms had already taken out a handkerchief and was polishing the gleaming breastplate.

Then a man stepped out from behind the golden armor. Tom caught his breath as he recognized his father. But he had never seen Taladon looking like this. He seemed taller and broader than ever. His
eyes shone and the pink of good health glowed in his cheeks.

He put his arms around Tom in a tight embrace. This time Tom could feel his warmth and strength. It was how he had always dreamed of meeting his father.

“Congratulations, Tom,” Taladon said, stepping back. “And you, too, Elenna. I'm proud of you both. I knew you wouldn't fail.”

“The whole of Avantia owes them thanks,” Wizard Aduro said.

King Hugo led the way out of the armor room and back up the stairs into his throne room. The balcony windows stood open, and Tom could hear the sound of the crowd outside in the square.

“Come, Taladon,” King Hugo said. “I must announce your return.”

The noise outside swelled to a welcoming roar as King Hugo and Taladon stepped out onto the
balcony. Tom and Elenna followed them out with Silver close beside Elenna.

Morning sunlight lit up the square and the crowds of people, who were still streaming in from all directions. King Hugo raised his hands for silence, but it was a while before he could make himself heard.

“Good citizens of Avantia,” he began, “I bring you wonderful news. Taladon the Swift has returned to the kingdom!”

Taladon stepped forward to take a bow and the crowd went wild, waving and cheering and tossing their hats into the air.

“Now that Taladon is here, what are you going to do?” Elenna asked Tom, as his father waved to the crowd.

Tom heard a footstep behind him and looked around to see that Wizard Aduro was watching them closely, a gentle smile on his face. “Are you
glad your journey is over?” he asked. “Do you want to go home to Errinel?”

Tom opened his mouth to reply, and stopped. He had often felt homesick for his village and longed to see his aunt and uncle again, but he found it hard to imagine settling back into life at the forge.

Something in Aduro's voice, or the gleam in his eyes, sent a prickle of knowledge creeping up Tom's spine. “I'm not going back to Errinel, am I?”

Aduro shook his head. As the cheers of the crowd echoed in their ears, he drew Tom and Elenna back into the shadows of the throne room.

“You will have some time to spend with your father,” the good wizard promised. “But after that, you may be needed elsewhere.” His finger curled, beckoning. “Follow me. I have something to show you…. The most difficult Quests are yet ahead.”

Tom exchanged a glance with Elenna. He didn't know what Wizard Aduro meant, but he realized
that his path was leading him to new dangers. His breath came faster, and he shivered with a mixture of fear and excitement.

Am I ready?
he asked himself.

Beside him, Elenna's eyes were shining, and Silver had cocked his head alertly, as if he wanted to set out right away.

Yes!
Tom straightened his shoulders as triumph flooded through him.
While there's blood in my veins, I'll serve Avantia!