Page 100 (1/1)
Fire They had decided to start a fire next to Capricorn’s house, so that it would not spread to the hills so fast but would threaten the only thing Capricorn cared about: his treasure chae was not quiet and e like a wasps’ nest Four ar the car park, and cars were parked all round the wire-netting fence that surrounded the forlaring light, as if a bright cloth had been spread out in the dark
‘So that’s where the show’s to take place,’ whispered Silvertongue as they approached the houses ‘Poor Meggie’
A kind of rostrue opposite it, perhaps for the hter was to read out of the book, perhaps for the prisoners On the left-hand side of the field, facing away fro wooden benches A few of the Black Jackets were already sitting on theht, war into the village froers around, perhaps no one would notice theer, darker route Farid went ahead again, using every tree as cover, always keeping uphill from the houses until they were above the uninhabited part of the village that looked as if a giant had trodden on it Even there,They had to keep retreating into the shadows of a gateway, ducking down behind a wall, or cliuard to pass by Luckily there were uards strolled through the alleys with an air of boredoer
Farid had Dustfinger’s rucksack with hi all they would need to kindle a quick, hot fire Silvertongue carried the wood they had collected, in case the fla the stones And there were Capricorn’s stocks of petrol too Farid still had the sht when they had shut hiht not need theht; the flaer’s warning: ‘Never light a fire when it’s windy The ill catch hold of it and it will forget you, it will fan the flames until they leap up and bite you and lick the skin froht, and still air filled the alleyways, like ater in a bucket
They had hoped to find the square outside Capricorn’s house empty, but as they were about to enter it fro outside the church
‘Why are they still here?’ whispered Farid, as Silvertongue drew him into the shadow of a doorway ‘The festivities are about to begin’
Two maids came out of Capricorn’s house, each with a pile of plates They were taking them to the church Obviously the successful execution was to be celebrated there later When the uards the men whistled at them One of the women almost dropped the crockery when one of theun It was the ue when they slipped into the village the night before Farid touched his forehead, which was still bloodstained, and cursed him with the worst curses he knew Why did he have to be the one there? But even if they got past hi to start a fire while the others were still standing around?
‘Take it easy!’ Silvertongue whispered to hi we have to do is ie really has left the house’
Farid nodded, looking at the big house There were still lights on in two of the s, but that didn’t necessarily‘I’ll sneak down to the football field and see if she’s there,’ he whispered to Silvertongue Perhaps they had already fetched Dustfinger froe they had set up, and he could whisper to hiht his best friend, fire, to save hi the houses, despite the brightness of the street lights Farid was about to set off, using their shelter, when the door of Capricorn’s house opened The old wo Silvertongue’s daughter along behind her Farid hardly recognised Meggie in the long white dress she wore After theun in hand, caue He looked round, took a bunch of keys from his pocket, locked the door, and beckoned to one of thehiuard when the others went off to see the show
Farid felt Silvertongue tensing every hter, who looked almost as pale as her dress The boy clutched his arotten hiirl One reckless step and he would be out of the shelter of the shadows
‘Don’t!’ Farid pulled him back in alarm – as best he could, for he scarcely caue’s shoulder Luckily, Capricorn’sthe old woirl stumbled over the hem of her dress a couple of tiue ‘Heavens, do you see how frightened she is? Perhaps she’ll look this way, perhaps we can give her a signal--’
‘No!’ Farid was still hanging on to him with both hands ‘We must start the fire That’s the only e can help her Please, Silvertongue – they’ll see you!’
‘Don’t keep calling ets onthe houses with Meggie Flatnose was following the like a bear in a black suit, and at last the otherforward to what the night promised them: death spiced with fear, and the appearance of a new terror in this accursed village
Only the guard outside Capricorn’s house was left He watched the others go, his face glooarette packet and struck the ith his fist He was the only one as going to uard at the top of the church tower could at least watch the show frouard to be posted outside the house Farid had explained the best way to get rid of hireed to the plan When the footsteps of Capricorn’sbut the noise from the direction of the car park, theyas if they had only just euard side by side He looked at theainst which he had been leaning, and took the gun from his shoulder Alarmed, Farid involuntarily put his hand to his forehead, but at least the guard was not one of the nised them, not the man with the limp, or Basta, or any of Capricorn’s other personal hench the gun ‘Those fools forgot Capricorn’s ar his gun in front of his chest ‘Oh, for heaven’s sake! That thing’s so heavy it’d break your back Where are you fro to remember whether he had seen it before He took no notice of Farid at all ‘You from the north, then? I heard you have a lot of fun up there’