The Golden Enemy by Alexander Key

Frankly I—I’m afraid. Why that awful monster hasn’t already killed someone …”
    Boy Jaim said, “I don’t think he will. Not directly, anyway.”
    â€œBut didn’t he attack you and Emmon?” asked L’Mara. “And—and I’m sure he would have tried to kill us if we’d got any closer.”
    â€œThe only way I can figure that,” he told her, “is that he just wants to kill me.”
    L’Mara gasped. “Kill you! But why?”
    â€œI don’t know why. Unless it’s because I’m the only person who can talk to him. Maybe he doesn’t want me to learn something.” He shrugged. “Anyway, that’s how it looks. If he’d wanted to, I’m sure he could have killed lots of us very easily. What was there to stop him? But he knows what’s coming, so he just decided to destroy our food and let nature finish us off.”
    â€œYou really don’t think the rain—”
    â€œIt’s not the rain, L’Mara. I tell you, the rain’s just part of something else.”
    Tira’s eyes were tragic. Almost in a whisper she said, “I can’t understand it. It’s like a nightmare. A beast like that, coming out of nowhere, hating us …” She looked up suddenly and asked, “If it isn’t the rain, then what is it we have to worry about? Haven’t you any idea at all?”
    He shook his head wearily. “I—I can’t even guess. But the Golden One knows. As soon as I’ve had some sleep, I’m going to try him again—”
    â€œNo!” Tira exclaimed. “I can’t allow you—”
    â€œI’ve got to,” he said determinedly. “Can’t you see? I don’t want to kill him, and I wouldn’t have much excuse for not killing him if I didn’t try to find out what he knows. If I keep after him, I’m bound to learn something. Even if I learn it only a few hours ahead of time, it’ll give us all a chance to get ready and save ourselves.”
    L’Mara said quickly, “A’right, but if you go, then I’m going with you!”
    â€œNot this time. I may have to follow that bear around, and pester him for days. I know more about him now, and with Doubtful to help I’ll be safe enough. Anyway,” he added, “I’d rather have someone home I can keep in contact with all the time. It may be very important.”
    â€œ A’right, ” she told him silently. “ But you be careful, ‘cause if anything happened to you I’d, well, I’d just die. ”
    â€œThat works both ways,” he replied, as he got down on the floor and began helping them spread the grain.
    â€œ Aw, I’m just a little girl to you. I just remind you of a squirrel … ”
    â€œ What’s wrong with that? You also look like Tira— ”
    â€œ I don’t! She’s beautiful! ”
    â€œ Sure, but that doesn’t make you ugly. ”
    Her jaw dropped, and she stared at him in such wide-eyed astonishment that he might have laughed if he hadn’t been so exhausted. Didn’t she realize that in a year or two she’d be the most stunning—Then his hands clenched as he stared out at the rain. In a year or two, if the Golden One had his way, none of this would matter, because there wouldn’t be a soul left in the Five Communities.
    Tira said, “Why don’t you go and get some sleep? You look ready to drop.”
    â€œI’m all right. You need to rest more than I. You couldn’t have had much sleep with that bunch of archers around all night.”
    She gave a little shrug. “It doesn’t matter. The main thing is this grain. We’ve got to get it dried out before it spoils. Oh, this awful rain! If it doesn’t stop soon—”
    â€œIt’s getting worse. If you and L’Mara are going back to West Com this evening, maybe you’d