Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers by Philip Caveney

get a very bad feeling about all this.
     
'A . . . wife?' he said feebly. 'Oh, crikey!'
     

C HAPTER 9
DAY OF RECKONING
Sebastian woke suddenly from a deep sleep. A hand was shaking him roughly by the shoulder. He opened his eyes and blinked up into the grinning baby face of Cornelius.
     
'It's time,' said the little warrior.
     
'Time?' Sebastian sat up and yawned. He was quite healed from his injuries, but he had got used to sleeping late. 'Time for what?'
     
Two moons had passed since he had visited Joseph's hut, and during this time Cornelius had finalized his preparations for the battle with the Gograth. Only the previous night, he had told Sebastian that everything was ready: they would go into action just as soon as an opportunity presented itself. Judging by the jubilant expression on his face, that opportunity had arrived.
     
'Time to do some smiting,' he said.
     
Sebastian glanced apprehensively through the open doorway of the guesthouse. He saw that it was still dark outside. 'The . . . the sun's not even up,' he protested.
     
'It's just before dawn. Cal is here. He and his hunting party have chanced upon a group of Gograth sneaking around close to the village. Obviously they mean to launch an attack, but we shall turn the tables on them.'
     
'Uh . . . yes, but . . . does it have to be right this instant? Couldn't we attack them at a more reasonable hour? After breakfast or something?'
     
'Time waits for no man,' Cornelius informed him. 'And this is a perfect opportunity.' He slapped Sebastian on the shoulder. 'Come on, dress yourself and prepare for battle. If you get a move on, you'll have time for a cup of chai.'
     
Sebastian groaned, but nodded. Cornelius went outside and Sebastian dragged himself out from under the fur covers and pulled on his clothes and boots. He strapped on his sword and stumbled out into the chill air of early morning. Cornelius was crouched beside the campfire with Cal and his hunting party. The rest of the villagers were waiting expectantly in a large circle around them.
     
Cal studied Sebastian with insolence in his eyes. His fellow warrior, Galt, was with him – a big shambling fellow with muscular arms and a shock of red hair. Unlike most of the Jilith, he wore his beard long and scruffy, and though of a cheerful disposition, he didn't seem all that bright. The two men looked like they ate, drank and slept for the pursuit of wild beasts.
     
'This one's getting too used to lying around.' Cal grinned and handed Sebastian a cup of chai with perhaps rather less reverence than the elfling had become accustomed to. Cal made no secret of the fact that he took the Chosen One legend with a large pinch of salt. He had even said, in Sebastian's presence, that as far as he was concerned a man made his own luck and that legend had very little to do with it.
     
'I need my rest,' Sebastian told him. 'Because I, er . . . have to preserve my powers. Particularly when there's a battle coming up.'
     
'Hardly a battle,' Cal assured him. 'A small hunting party – nothing special. We could take them all like that .' He snapped a dirty thumb and forefinger together.
     
'Yes, but we don't want to,' Cornelius reminded him. 'We only want to kill some of them. The rest must be allowed to escape so that they can summon help. And remember, when they arrive in greater numbers, we have to retreat. They must believe that we are scared.'
     
Cal scowled. 'It is against my nature to run from any enemy,' he said.
     
'I understand that. But the shame will be worth it once we have them within range of our spears and arrows.' Cornelius turned to address the other villagers. He climbed up onto a log so everyone would have a clear view of him. 'The moment is at hand,' he roared. 'You all have your appointed tasks. See to it that you carry them out to the best of your ability. And remember, when we come back, there won't be much time. Every one of you must be ready to fight to the death.'
     
'Excuse me . .