Sebastian Darke: Prince of Explorers by Philip Caveney Page A

.' interrupted a mournful voice.
     
Sebastian looked up in surprise. A strange apparition was lumbering towards them. It resembled one of the huge lizards he had fought on the treasure island of Callinestra, but there was no mistaking the voice. Max was encased in a curious assortment of armour. A huge padded saddle of rusa hide covered his flanks, a metal-studded breastplate hung around his neck, and some enterprising villager had even fashioned him a kind of helmet, which fitted ingeniously around his curving horns and protected his nose and cheeks. His brown eyes stared dolefully through two tiny slits. 'I feel ruddy stupid,' he complained. 'When you mentioned armour, I imagined something majestic-looking. But I just caught sight of my reflection in a pool of water and I look like a yarkle.'
     
'Not at all,' Cornelius told him. 'You look . . . noble. Doesn't he, Sebastian?'
     
'Er . . . yes,' said Sebastian, trying very hard not to laugh.
     
'You look . . . like a . . . force to be reckoned with. I certainly wouldn't want to face you in battle.'
     
'You're just saying that,' grumbled Max. 'I can see you're trying not to laugh.'
     
'No I'm not! Anyway, I'd rather look a bit of a twit than wind up with twenty arrows sticking out of my backside. Remember the fuss you made on the plains of Neruvia, when those Brigands shot just one arrow into you. You claimed you were dying.'
     
'I thought I was,' said Max gloomily. 'How was I to know it was just a flesh wound? Oh well then, if that's all the sympathy I'm going to get, I'll return to my chariot.' He turned and trudged away, revealing that the armour was ingeniously styled to allow his tail to poke through. Again Sebastian felt an irrational urge to laugh out loud, but managed to restrain himself. This was no time for humour.
     
'Come on,' said Cornelius. 'Cal, you lead the way.'
     
Cal and Galt set off into the jungle, carrying their throwing spears. Sebastian and Cornelius fell in behind them.
     
'Are these the only warriors we're taking?' asked Sebastian nervously.
     
'Of course. We want the Gograth to come after us, don't we? They won't do that if we have half the village in tow.' Cornelius grinned delightedly. 'We must be heavily outnumbered. That will embolden them, make them want to crush us. Hopefully they'll throw caution to the wind.'
     
Sebastian shook his head. 'You're loving this, aren't you?' he observed.
     
'Of course!' Cornelius chuckled. 'These are the days I live for, when the blood runs hot and the foe is at hand.' He gazed up at Sebastian. 'It's not for you, though, is it? Oh, you'll give of your best when push comes to shove, but I expect there are many things you'd rather be doing.'
     
'I have to admit, fighting's not my favourite pastime,' said Sebastian.
     
'Hmm.' Cornelius lowered his voice so that Cal and Galt would not overhear. 'You know, somebody was telling me a bit more about that prophecy last night. It seems that the Chosen One is expected to take a wife from amongst the women of the village.'
     
Sebastian shrugged. 'It's just an old folk tale,' he said. 'I wouldn't put any faith in it. Besides, what would Jenna say if I returned to Ramalat with a wife on my arm?'
     
'Something fairly salty, I should imagine. So . . . Jenna's still uppermost in your mind, is she?'
     
'Of course. Just because we're apart doesn't mean I've forgotten her.'
     
Cornelius smiled. 'Good for you,' he said. 'She's a special lady, that one.'
     
They followed the narrow trail as it led deeper and deeper into the jungle. Sebastian wondered how Cal and the others managed to find their way through the thick undergrowth. To him, every trail looked the same. He started to ask Cornelius something but Cal turned and lifted a finger to his lips.
     
'Quiet now,' he whispered. 'We are close.'
     
Sebastian did as he was told. He watched Cal and Galt creeping along the trail without making a sound and tried hard to emulate them, horribly aware of twigs cracking