The Scions of Shannara by Terry Brooks Page A

questioning. He had that look on his face again, that expression that suggested he knew something they didn’t and it amused him no end. “Well?” he said finally.
    The brothers were silent. Par was thinking about his uncle, remembering the whispered stories about Walker Boh. His uncle was a self-professed student of life who claimed he had visions; he insisted he could see and feel things others could not. There were rumors that he practiced magic of a sort different from any known. Eventually, he had gone away from them, leaving the Vale for the Eastland. That had been almost ten years ago. Par and Coll had been very young, but Par still remembered.
    Coll cleared his throat suddenly, eased himself forward and shook his head. Par was certain his brother was going to tell Morgan how ridiculous his idea was, but instead he asked, “How do we go about finding Walker?”
    Par looked at Morgan and Morgan looked at Par, and there was an instant of shared astonishment. Both had anticipated that Coll would prove intractable, that he would set himself squarely in the path of such an outrageous plan, and that he would dismiss it as foolhardy. Neither had expected this.
    Coll caught the look that passed between them and said, “I wouldn’t say what I was thinking, if I were you. Neither of you knows me as well as he thinks. Now how about an answer to my question?”
    Morgan quickly masked the flicker of guilt that passed across his eyes. “We’ll go first to Culhaven. I have a friend there who will know where Walker is.”
    â€œCulhaven?” Coll frowned. “Culhaven is Federation-occupied.”
    â€œBut safe enough for us,” Morgan insisted. “The Federation won’t be looking for you there, and we need only stay a day or two. Anyway, we won’t be out in the open much.”
    â€œAnd our families? Won’t they wonder what’s happened to us?”
    â€œNot mine. My father is used to not seeing me for weeks at a time. He’s already made up his mind that I’m undependable. And Jaralan and Mirianna are better off not knowing what you’re about. They’re undoubtedly worried enough as it is.”
    â€œWhat about Wren?” Par asked.
    Morgan shook his head. “I don’t know how to find Wren. If she is still with the Rovers, she could be anywhere.” He paused. “Besides, I don’t know how much help Wren would be to us. She was only a girl when she left the Vale, Par. We don’t have time to find both. Walker Boh seems a better bet.”
    Par nodded slowly. He looked uncertainly at Coll and Coll looked back. “What do you think?” he asked.
    Coll sighed. “I think we should have stayed in Shady Vale in the first place. I think we should have stayed in bed.”
    â€œOh, come now, Coll Ohmsford!” Morgan exclaimed cheerfully. “Think of the adventure! I’ll look out for you, I promise!”
    Coll glanced at Par. “Should I feel comforted by that?”
    Par took a deep breath. “I say we go.”
    Coll studied him intently, then nodded. “I say what have we got to lose?”
    So the issue was decided. Thinking it over later, Par guessed he was not surprised. After all, it was indeed a matter of choices, and any way you looked at it the other choices available had little to recommend them.
    They slept that night at the lodge and spent the following morning outfitting themselves with foodstuffs stored in the cold lockers and provisions from the closets. There were weapons, blankets, travel cloaks, and extra clothing (some of it not a bad fit) for the brothers. There were cured meats, vegetables and fruits, and cheese and nuts. There were cooking implements, water pouches and medications. They took what they needed, since the lodge was well-stocked, and by noon they were ready to set out.
    The day was gray and clouded when they stepped through the front door and secured it behind them;