Victims of Nimbo Read Free

she said brightly. “You came just in time to eat.”
    Goél smiled, and this made him look much younger. He was deeply tanned, and his teeth were very white against the darkness of his skin. “I always manage to come at suppertime. But first, let me introduce my companion.” He turned to the young man who stood beside him. “This is Teanor. Teanor, you have heard of the Seven Sleepers. This is Sarah. And this is Abigail.”
    Teanor was a slight young man, not a great deal taller than Sarah. He was very trim and fit, though, and his tan was even darker than that of Goél. He had light brown hair, cut short, and his eyes were deep-set and inquisitive. “I have heard of the Seven Sleepers,” he murmured.
    “Come inside, sire,” Sarah said. “It won’t take long to grill steaks for you.”
    The two men entered the little house, and as Sarah scurried about preparing food for their guests, she listened to Goél talk with Abbey, mostly about their last adventure. From time to time she turned to glance at the young man. He said nothing. He appeared worried, and she wondered about his relationship with Goél.
    The steaks were cooked very quickly, and the two men ate hungrily. When they had finished, Sarah set out the remains of the chocolate pie, and Abbey served large cups of steaming tea.
    Finally Goél leaned back and nodded. “That was as fine a meal as I can remember. You girls are both marvelous cooks.”
    “It was good indeed,” Teanor said. “I thank you.”
    Goél turned his eyes on Teanor and studied him a moment or two. Then he turned back to Sarah and Abbey. “Where are the boys?”
    “Oh, they went out on a hunting trip,” Sarah said. “They may not be back for a time.”
    “I wish they were here,” Goél said quietly. Then he said, “Teanor’s people are called the Cloud People.”
    “What a wonderful name! Why are they called that, Teanor?” Sarah asked.
    The young man smiled. “We live in high places.”
    “The Cloud People,” Goél said, “were on good terms with their neighbors the Earth Dwellers until recent years. Some time ago, however, things began to change. Since I must go now, perhaps you could tell them about it, Teanor. The Dark Lord is at work, and I am needed in another place. I thank you again.”
    When the farewells had been said and their leader was gone, the young man Teanor sat up straight in hischair. “What Goél told you is true. As my father has told me, at one time our people and the Earth Dwellers were friendly. But a few years ago their chief, whose name is Maroni, fell under the influence of a high priest called Nomus. He is an evil man and demands human sacrifices for their god, Nimbo.”
    “Human sacrifices!” Sarah exclaimed. “How terrible!”
    “It is evil indeed!” Teanor said. “They trap our young men and make slaves out of them. They trap women and children and sacrifice them to their god.”
    Sarah liked the young man. He seemed earnest and sincere. “So you came to Goél for help?”
    “Yes. Our king, Celevorn, has sent me for help. We need fierce warriors to overcome the Earth Dwellers. And we had heard of Goél’s servants the Seven Sleepers.”
    “It will be an honor to help your people.”
    Teanor said, “My own brother is a captive of the Earth Dwellers. I must save him. How long before the warriors return?”
    “I’m not sure. Perhaps two or three days, but I hope not that long.”
    “Then, alas, I cannot wait for them. I must return in the morning and do what I can.”
    Sarah did not argue but showed Teanor a place to sleep in Dave’s room.
    All night long she tossed and turned. She was concerned with Teanor’s plight and also for some reason was still angry with the boys for having left. Still, she knew that this was not their fault. They had no way of knowing this emergency would come.
    Finally she drifted off to sleep, but she awoke early, still thinking of what to do.
    She woke up Abbey. “Wake up, Abbey!” she said, standing