Freeglader by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell Page A

raising his telescope and focusing in on the second squadron of sky-craft approaching the Ironwood Stands. He frowned a moment later. ‘No it isn't,’ he said. ‘It's my daughter.’
    Three hundred more skycraft swooped down into thebranches to be greeted with a rising swell of cheers and cries and whoops of delight. As Varis came closer, heading straight for the tallest tree in the Ironwood Stands, where Cowlquape, Fenbrus and Tallus Penitax were all assembled, Xanth swung his belongings onto his back and started down to the forest floor. Perhaps Rook had woken up feeling better this new day…
    ‘Good news,’ Varis Lodd announced excitedly, as she jumped down from the Windhawk . ‘Greetings, Most High Academe.’ She bowed her head. ‘Greetings, High Librarian.’
    ‘Yes, yes, daughter,’ Fenbrus frowned. ‘Forget the formalities. What is the news?’
    ‘Help is at hand,’ she said. ‘Even as we speak, the Freeglade Lancers are on their way!’
    ‘But this is tremendous news,’ said Cowlquape, excitedly.
    ‘Excellent, Varis,’ added Fenbrus. ‘You have done well. Very well, indeed. The Freeglade Lancers – finest fighters in the Deepwoods!’
    ‘Finest, until now, father,’ came a voice, and Fenbrus and the others turned to see the muglumpskin-clad figure of Felix on a branch of the next tree. He was standing with his hands on his hips, surrounded by the Ghosts of Screetown.
    ‘Oh, Felix,’ said Varis. ‘This isn't a competition.’
    Felix glanced at his sister, and then at his father. Fenbrus coughed awkwardly and looked away. Felix smiled ruefully. ‘Isn't it?’ he said. He turned to his companions. ‘Ghosts!’ he called out. ‘Help theUndertowners down from the trees and spread the good news.’ He glanced back at his father. ‘The Freeglade Lancers are coming! We're saved!’ he added sarcastically, and then was gone.
    Down on the forest floor, Xanth was searching for the banderbear nest. It was so cleverly camouflaged that, even now in the daylight, he was having trouble spotting it. Suddenly, from behind him, a few strides away, there came a yodel and Xanth spun round to see Wumeru emerging from a thicket with Rook in her arms. Barely able to contain himself, Xanth rushed up to them.
    ‘Rook! Rook!’ he began.
    Rook opened his eyes and stared at Xanth. The startling blue intensity of his gaze chilled Xanth to the bone.
    ‘Xanth Filatine,’ Rook mumbled. ‘I remember now. You betrayed librarian knights on their way to the Free Glades, then ran away to the Tower of Night before you were unmasked…’
    Xanth hung his head, tears stinging his eyes.
    ‘Oh, Xanth, you were my friend. How could you have done it? How could you…’
    Rook's eyes closed again. Xanth stretched out a hand, but Wumeru shook her great head, and he stepped back to let her pass. What now? Xanth thought.
    Just then, high above, fresh cheers broke out. Xanth's heart gave a leap. The third squadron of librarian knights – those who had set off under the leadership of the Professor of Light, Ulbus Vespius – must be returning from their foray to the Eastern Roost. Xanth craned his neck back and searched the skies.
    Of course, Magda should be amongst them. Magda would speak up for him, even if Rook couldn't!

    Soon, the air around the crowded Ironwood Stands was buzzing as the last three hundred skycraft hovered round, searching for landing spaces. High up near the top of the trees, the Professor of Light dismounted and strode towards the waiting welcoming-committee, all eager for his news. Bowing in turn to Fenbrus, Tallus and Varis Lodd – and Deadbolt Vulpoon and Felix Lodd, who had joined them – he addressed himself directly to Cowlquape.
    ‘I bring bad news,’ he said grimly.
    ‘From the Eastern Roost?’ said Cowlquape.
    ‘Yes, sir,’ said the professor. ‘There has been a great Hatching – the biggest battle-flock I've ever seen!Thousands of them, flooding out of the hatching-huts, and heading this