Victims of Nimbo Read Free Page A

over Abbey’s cot and shaking her shoulder.
    “What—what is it? What time is it?”
    “Abbey, we’ve got to help Teanor.”
    “Well, of course we will. We’ve already agreed on that. Did you wake me up to tell me that?”
    “Get up. We’ve got to talk.”
    Abbey arose reluctantly, and the two girls dressed. Dawn was beginning to break as they went into the kitchen and began to prepare a quick breakfast. When it was ready, Sarah went to Dave’s room and knocked on the door. “Teanor, are you awake?”
    “Yes.” The door opened. The young man was fully dressed and seemed ready to leave. He even had his knapsack on his back.
    “Come and have breakfast before you go.”
    “I am in a great hurry.”
    “You have time to eat, and, besides, I have something to tell you.”
    Teanor hesitated but then nodded. “Very well,” he said.
    Sarah led the young man to the table, where they set a good breakfast before him, and the three sat down to eat.
    When Teanor was finished, he said, “I thank you for the meal, but I must hurry.”
    “But you came to get help, and you haven’t yet received it.”
    “I know,” he said sadly. “But I cannot even sleep for thinking about our poor people.”
    “Teanor, I have news for you. Abbey and I have decided to accompany you on your return home.”
    For a moment there was total silence, and then Teanor exclaimed, “What good would that do?”
    “But didn’t you come to get help?”
    “I came to get
warriors!
I cannot put my trust in females!”
    Ordinarily such words as these would have caused an argument, but Sarah understood Teanor’s position.
    “You don’t understand,” she said. “Josh and the others will join us as soon as they return.”
    “They would never be able to find my home.”
    “Yes, they would. I’ve thought it all out carefully. We’ll leave them a note and a map. The three of us can go on together, and as soon as they get back, they can follow.”
    But Teanor shook his head firmly. “That is not why I came. I do not need females. I need men.”
    This caused Sarah’s pride to rise up. “You may be surprised to find out what we can do.” She did not want to boast about her own accomplishments, but she felt that she was being challenged.
    Teanor studied the two girls, then got up. “I thank you for the food, but I must return.”
    “Give us half an hour, and we’ll be ready,” Sarah said quickly.
    Teanor hesitated. “All right,” he said. “But I will not have time to wait longer for you. And if you cannot keep up, you must return.”
    The two girls immediately got their backpacks and began to throw their gear together. They put on their best traveling boots and wore their swords at their sides. Sarah, of course, carried her bow and a quiver of excellent arrows. Then she wrote a note for the boys.
    Finally, at her urging, Teanor drew a map leading to the home of the Cloud People.
    “It is a difficult journey and full of danger. I still am not certain they can find their way.”
    “They can find us.” Sarah nodded confidently. “Now we’re ready.”
    He gave a shrug. “Follow me if you wish,” he said. “But I will never put my life in the hands of females.”
    Sarah smiled. “We’ll see if we can’t change your mind.”

3
Danger in the Forest
    S arah wiped her face, for perspiration was running down her cheeks. Her legs were trembling with weakness, but she tried to let nothing of this show in her expression. Glancing over at Abbey, Sarah saw that she was in even worse condition. The younger girl’s face was pale, and she was obviously gasping for breath.
    “It’s all right, Abbey. We’ll have to stop pretty soon. We can’t walk all night.” The sun was almost hidden now, and darkness was falling.
    “I think he could!” Abbey shot a resentful glance at Teanor, who tramped along far ahead of them. He seemed to be absolutely tireless.
    Both girls had determined that they would not lag behind, but both groaned with relief