Gorath immediately became worried. 'Just one feat? Only once?' he asked nervously. 'Have… have you performed it… y…yet?'
'I am a simple woman. I never had reason before.'
Relieved, Gorath batted his eyes again. 'Will you perform it now… dear?' he asked, trying not to sound too anxious.
'First you must promise me something.'
'Anything, dear, I promise.'
'If I heal you, I want you to promise that you will stay with me forever and that you will forget that other woman and your quest for revenge.'
'Of course, dear,' Gorath said sincerely. 'I long only to hold you in my strong arms.'
Zorna nearly swooned. She was so happy. 'Very well, darling. I'll do as you ask.'
The old woman stood in front of Gorath. He expected her to call on the Queen of Darkness, recite a lengthy chant, and go into contortions. But she merely pointed a lone finger at him and wiggled her sharp nose a couple of times.
Gorath immediately felt a wave of heat deep in his back. He felt bones shift and fuse together. Then his chair started spinning, faster and faster. The strap broke, and Gorath was propelled to his feet. He stretched his arms and legs. He smiled broadly. He was no longer paralyzed.
Zorna moved toward him with arms spread, expecting Gorath to draw her to his powerful chest. Instead Gorath shoved her aside, knocking the feeble woman to the ground. 'Out of my way, foolish woman,' he said, taking broad steps toward the door. 'Too bad you wasted your only feat of magic on me,' he said mockingly.
'So you lied to me,' said Zoma, showing no emotion. 'You betrayed me.'
Gorath laughed. 'Be thankful that I don't throw you in the kettle with your wretched stew. But I have no time.'
'Your sword is next to the door,' said Zoma quietly, her eyes closed.
Gorath retrieved his weapon and needlessly kicked open the door on his way out. As he raced into the forest, he shouted: 'Revenge! I want revenge!'
It didn't take long for Gorath to find his way back to the large clearing. Once again, he found Meadow and Starglow by the fallen vallenwood, about twenty feet from the deep ravine. Again they were locked in an embrace.
He was surprised that they hadn't traveled further. But then he figured they thought they were out of danger after he'd fallen into the ravine and become paralyzed.
However, he couldn't figure out why Starglow showed no sign of injury. He remembered distinctly striking Starglow's wrist with his sword and seeing blood spurt. What was going on?
Drawing his sword, Gorath charged from the bushes toward the lovers. 'Gorath!' Meadow screamed in terror. 'He's found us!'
Starglow eyed his sword, which was resting on the ground near the far end of the fallen tree. He made a dash for it but wasn't quick enough. As the fingers of his right hand touched the handle, Gorath's sword slashed his wrist, causing blood to spurt and the young warrior to grimace in pain. Meadow screamed and ran toward her stricken lover. 'Meadow!' Starglow shouted. 'Stay back!'
Although in obvious agony, Starglow again reached for the sword. Just as he lifted it, Gorath's heavy boot smashed into his hand. The sword flew out of Starglow's weak grip and landed by Meadow's feet. Without hesitating, she picked up the weapon and ran to Starglow's side. Surprised, Gorath backed up a few feet to contemplate the situation.
He was bewildered. Why was this experience so similar to the earlier one, when he first found Meadow and Starglow at this clearing?
Starglow reached for the sword Meadow held, just like before. 'No!' she said firmly. 'You're hurt.' When he started to protest, she calmly said: 'I am a woman and your lover. But don't forget that I am also a warrior like you.' Just like before.
As before, Starglow nodded and smiled slightly. And again, he kissed her trembling lips and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Together they bravely waited for Gorath to approach them. Just like before.
'We're ready,' said Meadow boldly. As she looked at Gorath, revulsion showed clearly in her beautiful green eyes.
Just like before.
'Revenge! I want revenge!' Gorath demanded, but he seemed only mildly interested in either Starglow or Meadow. He didn't approach them but instead looked around the clearing. 'I'll deal with you two later,' he said at last, searching for the one creature he hated more than Starglow and Meadow, the creature that had been the last to hurt him and had hurt him worst of all. 'First, Starglow,' he announced, 'I must kill your dog! Revenge! I want revenge!'
'But I have no dog,' said Starglow, puzzled.
'Wh… what dog?' asked Meadow, also bewildered.
'You know very well what dog!' Gorath bellowed. 'The dreadful beast that tried to kill me! The one that caused me to be prisoner of an ugly crone and eat her awful slug stew. The one that pushed me into that ravine…'
Meadow and Starglow seemed to be completely baffled.
'When did you fall into that ravine?' asked Starglow incredulously.
'You know very well it happened when I last confronted you at this clearing.'
Meadow and Starglow looked at each other as if they were dealing with a madman.
'But, Gorath,' said Meadow slowly, 'this is the first time we've seen you since we fled your tent… The Forest of Wayreth must be playing tricks with your mind.'
Gorath snarled. He didn't know what to think. Was this indeed the first and only time he'd found Meadow and Starglow in this clearing? While standing here facing them, had he blanked out and imagined that horrible red dog? And falling into the deep, deep ravine? And being paralyzed? And returning to Zoma's shack? Had the Forest of Wayreth indeed played tricks with his mind?
Suddenly Gorath heard growling. He turned toward the ravine. The red dog sat by the ledge, wagging its shaggy tail and whipping the snow-white tip into the ground as if it were issuing a challenge. 'Ah, ha! There's the dog!' howled Gorath, thrilled to have proof that his story was true.
Meadow and Starglow looked at each other, then at Gorath. 'What dog?' they both wondered aloud.
But Gorath wasn't listening. He was slowly stepping toward the ravine, hoping to exact the most satisfying revenge of his entire life. He did not even notice that Meadow and Starglow had seized the opportunity to escape in the opposite direction. They would not halt their anxious flight until they were out of the Forest of Wayreth and safely back in their Que-shu village.
Hiding his unsheathed sword behind him, Gorath approached the shaggy dog. He attempted a friendly, toothy grin. The shaggy dog responded by growling and baring its teeth. This time it was not in a playful mood.
Gorath stopped smiling. He lifted his sword high in the air. He charged and took a mighty swing at the dog. Amazingly, the dog slipped out of the way. Gorath turned around, the heels of his boots touching the edge of the cliff. 'Oh, no!' cried Gorath as the dog jumped at him, striking him a mighty blow in the chest with its entire body.
Again Gorath found himself somersaulting backward through the air and helplessly falling into the ravine. This time it seemed even deeper.
When Gorath regained consciousness, he was not surprised to find himself paralyzed from the neck down and strapped to the chair in Zorna's shack. And there was Zorna, busily preparing slug stew. He yelled: 'Revenge! I want revenge!'
Zorna turned toward him, her eyes blazing with anger. 'I've heard enough about YOUR revenge! After you deceived and deserted me, it's ME who wants revenge!'
Gorath's eyes showed fear. 'But I… I… I love you, dear,' he stammered.
Zoma pointed a finger at Gorath and wiggled her nose. Instantly, he lost his ability to talk. 'That will teach you never to betray a black-robed sorceress!' she sneered, causing sweat to pour down Gorath's unhappy face. 'I hope a few years without speech will help you learn your lesson.'
She pointed toward her terrified guest, and his chair slid toward her. She waved her hand slightly, and the
