BEASTQUESTBOOKELEVEN

ARACHNID

THESPIDERKING

BYADAMBLADEILLUSTRATEDBYEZRATUCKER

WithspecialthankstoLucyCourtenay

ForSheilaNoble

Contents

Cover

TitlePage

Dedication

DearReader

PROLOGUE

CHAPTERONE:DESTINY!

CHAPTERTWO:APARTY

CHAPTERTHREE:SPIDERINTHENIGHT

CHAPTERFOUR:ALONGWAYDOWN

CHAPTERFIVE:ARACHNID’SLAIR

CHAPTERSIX:THEGOLDENGAUNTLETS

CHAPTERSEVEN:THEBATTLEBEGINS

CHAPTEREIGHT:TARTOKTOTHERESCUE

CHAPTERNINE:STAYSTRONG!

Copyright

Didyouthinkitwasover?

DidyouthinkIwouldacceptdefeatanddisappear?

No!Thatcanneverbe.IamMalvel,theDarkWizard,whostrikesfearintotheheartsofthepeopleofAvantia.Istillhavemuchmoretoshowthiswretchedkingdom,andoneboyinparticular—Tom.

TheyoungheroliberatedthesixBeastsofAvantiafrommycurse.Buthis fight is farfromover.LetusseehowhefareswithanewQuest,onethatwillsurelycrushhimandhiscompanion,Elenna.

Avantia’s Beasts had good hearts that I corrupted formy ownwickedpurpose.Now, thanks toTom, theyare free toprotect thekingdomoncemore.ButIhavecreatednewsupremeBeastswhoseheartsareevilandsocannotbe set free.Eachoneguardsapieceof themostprecious relicofAvantia,arelicIhavestolen:thesuitofgoldenarmorthatgivesmagicalstrength to its rightfulowner. Iwill stopatnothing topreventTom fromcollectingthecompletesuitanddefeatingmeagain.This timehewillnotwin!

Malvel

PROLOGUE

THETWOWOMENSTOODONTHEMOUNTAIN,gazingdownintothecave.Itgapedbelowthem,darkanduninviting.

“Areyoureallygoingin,Etta?”saidDorina,thefirstwoman.

Herfriendnodded.“Myfathertoldmeaboutthisplace,”shesaid.“It’swhereyoufindthebestcrystals.”

Dorinashivered.“Idon’t likeithere,”shesaid,glancingupatthedarkforestabovethem.

“Don’t worry,” said Etta, tying a rope around herwaist. “We areperfectlysafe.”

Dorina hugged herself. “Myneighbor toldme therewerewebs inher house this morning,” she said. “Sticky ropes all over her bed.Don’tpretendyouaren’tscared.”

“Ifthespiderisreal,thesecrystalswillprotectus,”saidEttafirmly.

Shelashedtheotherendofherropetoanearbytree.Thensheputacandle intoa specialholderandattached it to the leathercapshewaswearing.Withshakinghands,herfriendlitthewick.Slowly,Ettaloweredherselfintothedarkness.

“Becareful!”Dorinacalledafterher.

The air inside the cave was musty and damp. Etta felt as if themountainwerepressing inonher, but shemadeherself goon.Thecandleinhercapflickeredinthegloom.Shecouldhearthenervousthump of her heart as she squeezed through the narrow channel ofrock.Theairgrewcolderasthecaveopenedup,andEttagaspedattheincrediblesightbeforeher.

Thecavewaslikeacathedral.Hugestalactiteshungfromtheroof,

dripping icywater. Even larger stalagmites rose from the floor likechurchspires.Glisteningbluecrystalscoveredthewalls.

“Dorina!”Ettacalledoverhershoulder.“I’vefoundthem!”

Reachingforherpick,shebegantochipatthecrystals.Abeautifulshard came away in her hand. Etta held it up to admire theway itsparkledinthecandlelight.

Suddenly, the crystal’s gleam seemed to cloud. Etta peered moreclosely at the shard and rubbed it onher sleeve.As she frowned inconfusion,shefeltsomethingwetonhershoulder.Shelookedup.

Alongstringofsalivawasdrippingfromasetofdeadlyfangsthatloomedhighaboveher.

Paralyzedwithterror,Ettalookedupintothesixglitteringeyesofanenormousblackspider.Hisswayingshadowfilledthecave.

TheshardofcrystalfellfromEtta’shand.Sheopenedhermouthtoscream,butitwastoolate.

Thick ropes of silk fell on her like a net, pinning her to the rockface. Struggling violently, Etta tried to free herself. It was no use.Faintly,sheheardDorinacallingbeforethespiderswipedattherocksaboveandbroughtthemtumblingdown,blockingthecave’sentrance.

Arachnid’s hideous, hairy legs moved fast, spinning and whirlingthesilkaroundhisvictim.Thenhescuttledbacktothecenterofhismightyweb.

Watching.

Waiting.

CHAPTERONE

DESTINY!

TOMANDELENNAWATCHEDEPOS,THEGREAT flamebirdofAvantia,soarintotheglowofthesettingsun.

“Ican’tbelievewe just rodeonEpos,”Elennasaid,hereyeswidewithexcitement.

“Storm and Silver can’t believe it, either.” Tom grinned. “It’s noteverydaythatastallionandawolfrideaphoenix.”

Storm shook his coal-blackmane and nuzzled the silvery wolf atElenna’sside.

Tomremovedhismagicalgoldenhelmetandgazedatitwithpride.HenowhadfourpiecesofAvantia’senchantedarmortohelphiminhisquesttosavehisfriendAduro,KingHugo’swizard,whohadbeenkidnappedbytheevilwizardMalvel.ThehelmetgrantedTomextra-keensight,thechainmailgavehimextrastrengthofheartinbattle,the breastplate made him physically strong, and the leg armorallowedhimtorunfastoverlongdistances.Buttherewerestill twopieces of armor to find, and theywere protected by twomore evilBeasts. Only when he and Elenna had defeated those Beasts couldtheyvanquishMalvelandrescueAduro.

Elennahandedhimaflagonofwater,andTomdrankdeeply.ThebattletheyhadfoughtagainstViperotheSnakeManinthedesertwasstillonhismind. Ithadbeen the toughest testTomhadever faced.But he had done it, with the help of his friends, and Tom hadretrievedthegoldenlegarmor.Itwastimeforthenextchallenge.

“Wehavetogoon,”Tomsaid,returningtheflagontoElenna.

StormwhickeredgentlyandpushedatTomwithhisnose.

“No,Tom,”saidElenna,herhandrestingonSilver’sback.“Firstwemustrest.”

“ButAduroneedsourhelpmorethanever!”Tominsisted.“We’vegottofindthenextBeast!”

“You’re tired,” Elenna pointed out. “You need all your strength.You’renousetoAdurolikethis.”

Tomknewhis friendwasright.Reluctantly,hesetupcampwhileElennabuiltafire.

Almost as soon as the sun had vanished over the horizon, a chillcreepedintotheair.TomandElennaatebreadandcheeseanddrankwater from a nearby stream. Storm cropped the grass, and Silverpaddedsilentlyintothedarkness,bringingbacktworabbits.

“We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” said Tom, studying hisenchantedmapinthefirelight.“Themapisshowingaroadthatwilltake us toward the mountains, where the next piece of armor iswaitingforus.”

“Perfect.”Elennayawned,settlingdown.“Trytosleepnow.”

Tomgazedatthefourpiecesofgoldenarmor,glowinginthelightofthecampfirenexttotheswordandshieldgiventohimbyAduro.Shuddering,Tomremembered thevisionMalvelhad shown themofthegoodwizard.

Aduro, his friend and protector, had been bound to a chair thatdangleddangerously above a pit of gurgling, spluttering tar.MalvelhadtoldTomthateverytimehelostheart,thegoodwizardwouldbeloweredclosertotheboilingtar.

He swallowed. He couldn’t let his friend down. But doubts stillswarmedthroughhismind.MalvelhadtoldthemthatthenextBeastwas a monstrous spider. It sounded terrifying. How could he andElennafightacreaturelikethat?

Tomtossedandturnedonthehardground,exhaustedbutunabletosleep.Thenhe sensedStormabovehim.Thestallion snorted,gentlyblowing Tom’s hair away from his face. Feeling comforted, Tomclosed his eyes and felt his heart lighten. He had succeeded in somanyQuestsalready.Hecouldsurelycompleteanotherone.

Tom slept deeply. When he awoke the next morning, the sun waspeepingoverthehorizon.Hedrewonhisnewlegarmor, feelinganinstantpulseofenergy.

“YoutakeStorm,”hesuggestedtoElennaas theypackeduptheirbelongingsafterbreakfast.“MylegarmormakesmefeelasifIcouldrunforever.”

“Soundslikeagoodideatome,”Elennalaughed.

SheclimbedontoStorm’sbackandsettledintothesaddle.Thensheclicked her tongue and kicked her heels. The stallionwhinnied andbrokeintoagallop.

Wearingthelegarmor,Tomfoundthathecouldeasilykeepup.Hislegs felt like giant springs. He sprinted beside Elenna and Storm,

whooping with pleasure as the wind buffeted his face. Silver racedbesidehim,leapingandbarkingwithdelight.

“Look,Tom!”saidElenna.“Anorchard!”

Gnarled apple trees groaning with fruit stood at the side of theroad, near a lively stream.Tom sprang for thenearest tree, landingeasily on a branch near the bottom.He reached for the apples anddropped them down to Elenna, before hopping back to the ground.The apples were crisp and cool, and juice ran down Tom’s andElenna’schinsastheybitintothem.Stormhungrilytoreapplesfromthe branches,while Silver bounded between the trees and rolled inthelonggrass.

“I never knew an apple could taste so delicious,” Tom said,grinning.

Elennalaughed.“NordidStorm!”shesaid.“Ithinkhe’seatenabouttwenty.”

Tomfeltasurgeofgratitudeforhisthreefriends.Theyhadcomesofartogetheralready.WithElenna,Storm,andSilverbyhisside,TomfelthecouldfighttwentyBeasts.

Asherestedagainstthetree,Tomsuddenlysaw,outofthecornerof his eye, the initialT carved into the ancient bark.He traced theletterwithhisfingers,hisheartthumping.CoulditmeanTaladon?Hefelt amixtureof sadnessandexcitement, ashealwaysdidwhenhethoughtofthefatherhehadnevermet.

“Look,Elenna,”hesaid.”TforTaladon!Perhapshepassedthisway.Perhaps…”Hisvoicetrailedintonothing.

“You’llseehimoneday,”saidElenna,guessinginstantlywhatwasonTom’smind.

Tomsmiledathisfriend.Hehopedwithallhisheartthatshewasright.

Hepulled his enchantedmap and thenhismagical compass fromStorm’ssaddlebagandstudiedthemcarefully.Hehadbeengiventhecompass by his uncle, who had told him that the compass oncebelonged to Tom’s father. The needle showed him when to stepforwardtomeethisdestiny,andwhentofleeimpossibledanger.Tomheldthecompasstightly,thenplaceditonthemap,whichonceagain

cametolife.Mountainsroseupinminiature,riversgleamed,andtinytreesswayedinthewind.Aglowingredlineappeared,showingTomtheway to a town that nestled at the edge of themountains.Rightnext to the town, near a rocky outcrop, a pair ofminuscule goldengauntlets glittered. The next piece of armor! Tom swiveled thecompassuntiltheneedlepointedtowardthetown.

Destiny,itread.

Tomrolledupthemapandgatheredhiscourage.

“It’stimetofightagiantspider!”hesaid.

CHAPTERTWO

APARTY

TIRED AND HUNGRY AFTER A LONG JOURNEY, Tom, Elenna, Storm, andSilvercameatlasttothetown.Itwassurroundedbygray,forbiddingwalls,thesamecolorasthemountainsthatstoodbehindit.

To Tom and Elenna’s surprise, throngs of people were movingthroughthemaingates.

“I wonder what’s happening here today?” Tom said, lookingaround.

“Marketday,perhaps,”Elennasaid.

The smell of freshly baked bread wafted toward them. Tom’sstomachrumbled.Theyhadn’thadagoodmealforseveraldays,andthethoughtoffoodandasoftbedwasveryappealing.

Theyfollowedthecrowdsandenteredthetown.Coloredstreamershung merrily from the windows of houses. Flags lined the streets,ripplinginthecoolmountainbreeze.Markettradersweresellingtoysand trinkets, and jugglers performed on street corners. EverywhereTomandElennalooked,therewasmusicandlaughter.Peoplepushedand jostled, callingout tooneanother incheerfulvoices.The streetsoon opened into a brightly decorated town square.Wooden tablesandbenches lined themarketplace, and the smell of hot stew filledtheair.

“Come, friends!” laugheda trader,offeringTomandElenna shinycandiedapples.“Twopennieseach.LonglivetheKing!”

“Of course!” said Elenna. “It’s the King’s birthday. Everyone inAvantiawillbecelebrating.”

TomquicklyfoundatetheringpostforStorm.“Hungry,areyou?”He laughedatSilver,whohadpouncedonachickendrumstick thathadbeenthrowntotheground.“Iknowhowyoufeel!”

“Joinus,travelers!”calledoutajolly-facedmanatanearbytable.“There’splentyforallwhocallthemselvesfriendsofKingHugo!”

TomandElennasettleddownonabenchandhelpedthemselvestostew and bread. Silver sat at Elenna’s feet, patiently gnawing hischickenbone.

TheQuestwas stillonTom’smind,butheatehungrily,watchingandlisteningtothepeoplearoundhim.Althoughthemerrimentthatfilled the town was infectious, he noticed several uneasy faces andwondered if the townspeoplewereaware thatanevilBeast lived soclosetothem.

“Do you think they know about the spider?” he asked Elenna,leaningclose.

Sheshookherhead.“Whyshouldthey?TomostpeopleinAvantia,theBeastsarejustmyths.”

Afterthemeal,thetableswereclearedawayandgamesbegan.Anarcherytargetwassetupononesideofthesquare,andachildren’scoconut shy on the other. The street entertainers were now in themiddle of themarketplace, and the townspeople danced while red-facedtownmusiciansplayedtheirinstruments.

“Comeand try the coconut shy,”Elenna said, draggingTom fromhisseat.“Lookattheprizes!”

Lined up on the wooden table beside the coconut shy were anumberofsmallcreaturesmadeofclay.

“It’s Tartok!” Tomgasped, recognizing the famous Beast. The lasttimehehadseenthesnowmonsterhadbeenontheicyplainsintheNorth,wherehehadfreedherfromMalvel’sevilcurse.

“Seewhat Imean,”saidElenna.“ThesepeoplethinktheBeastsofAvantiaarejustfairytales,fitforchildren’stoys.”

Sheseizedthreeballs.WinkingatTom,sheletthemflytowardthecoconuts,oneaftertheother.

Thump,thump,thump.Threecoconutsfelltotheground.

Thecrowdcheered.

“That was brilliant, miss,” said a small boy, watching as ElennacollectedthreelittleTartoksfromthestallholder.

“Thanks,”saidElenna.“Here!”Shetossedtheboyoneofthetoys.

“Thanks!”theboyshoutedhappily.

Tomwatchedashescamperedoff,clutchinghisprize.Ithadbeensuchalongtimesincehehadbeenabletoplaywithtoysorhavefunatastreetfestival.TheQuesthadtakenoverhislife.

“Yougetanextraprizeforknockingoffthreecoconuts,miss,”thestallholdersaidtoElenna.

“Do I?” Elenna said, laughing, as she gave away her last twoTartokstoanexcitedlittlegirlandherbrother.“Whatisit?”

“Awish,” said the stallholderwith a smile. “Anything you fancy.Withinreason,ofcourse.”

“Well, that’s easy,” said Elenna, patting Silver as he frolickedaround her feet. “What I wish for is a long sleep on a comfortablemattress.”

“We’ve been traveling for a long time,” Tom explained. Hewonderedwhathewouldsayifthestallholderaskedthemwheretheyweregoing.TheirQuestwasasecret,afterall.

Butthemansimplynodded.Thenavoicecamefrombehindthem.

“Ihaveaspareroominmyhouse.”

Tom turned to see a tall, thin womanwith dark hair. She didn’treturnhissmile.

“Thatwouldbewonderful,”saidElenna.“Thankyou.”

“IamDorina,”thewomansaid.“Pleasecomewithme.”

Sheturnedandwalkedaway,herheaddown.Shedidn’tlookattheentertainersormusiciansastheypassed.TomandElennaglancedateachother.ItwasclearthatDorinawasinnomoodforcelebrations.Tomfelta lurchinhisstomach.Perhapsthiswaswhathehadbeenlookingfor—someonewhoknewthatdangerlurked.

“Your town is very welcoming,” Tom said, hurrying to catch up

withher.“Haveyouenjoyedthefestivities?”

Dorinastopped.“Ihavelostmyfriend,”shesaid.“Thereisnothingfor me to celebrate.” Tears filled her eyes. “Etta went into themountain caves,” she said. “I was there. I watched as she…” Hervoicechoked.

“Whathappened?”Elennasaid.

“She didn’t come back,”Dorinawhispered,wiping the tears fromhereyes.“Shewentinsearchofthecrystalsthatprotectus.Buttherewassomekindofearthquake.Rocksfellandblockedtheentrancetothecaves.”

Tom’sskintingled.WasthistheBeast’swork?

“Whydoyouneedprotection?”heasked.

“There isagiant spider living in thehigh forests,”Dorina sniffed.“I’ve heard he is called Arachnid.” Tom and Elenna shivered. “Thebluecrystalsinthecavesaresaidtoprotectus.Butstrangethingsarehappeninginourtown.Hugewebsarespunaroundthewalls inthenight,andfoodisdisappearing.Don’tletthesefestivitiesfoolyou.Weareall scared.Weknow thatwhen the food isgone, the spiderwillcomeforus—andthereisnothingwecando!”

Daylight was fading. A pale moon peeped out from behind theclouds, then vanished again. Themountains above the town lookedvastanddark.Tomstaredupat them.Hecouldseethe fringesofagreat forest on the upper slopes, black and forbidding in the dusk.Somewhereamongthosedistanttrees,theBeastwaswaitingforTom,guardingthefifthpieceofpreciousgoldenarmor.Tomknewthattoprotectitsprize,Malvel’sevilBeastwouldgiveitslife.

Would Tom have to risk his own life to retrieve the goldengauntlets?

CHAPTERTHREE

SPIDERINTHENIGHT

COMEON,”ELENNASAID,GENTLYPLACINGAhandonTom’sshoulder.“Weneedagoodnight’ssleepifwe’regoingtofaceArachnid.”

TomfetchedStormfromhistetheringpost.TheyfollowedDorinatoherhouse,inasidestreetnearthemarketplace.TomsettledStorminDorina’sstable,thenfollowedElennaandSilverintothehouse.

The air inside smelled of beeswax and lavender. The furniturelookedwellpolishedandthewindowsgleamed.

“Ihopeyouwillbecomfortable,” saidDorina, showing them intoherspareroomatthebackofthehouse.

Two fat, hay-filled mattresses lay on wooden beds, scenting theroomwith a clean, grassy smell. Theview from thewindow lookedontothesmallyardandstablesbeyond.Everythingwasshroudedindarkness.

“Icouldsleepforaweek,”Elennagroaned,floppingontooneofthemattresses.Silvercurledupunderneaththebedandsettledhissilveryheadonhispaws.

“Therewillbesupperonthetablelater,”saidDorina.“Ifyouwishit.” She bowedher head and left the room, softly shutting the doorbehindher.

Something about Dorina’s story worried Tom. After fighting tenBeasts, his instincts were starting to tell him when things weren’tright.

“DoyouthinkArachnidhasgotDorina’sfriend?”heasked,kickingoffhisbootsandsittingonhisownmattress.

Elenna looked surprised. “The spider is supposed to live in theforesthighuponthemountainside,”shesaid.“Notinthecavesnearthetown.”

“IhaveafeelingthatArachnidiscloserthaneveryonethinks,”saidTom grimly. “Remember what Dorina said about the webs in thetown?Andthewaythefooddisappearseverynight?Andyetnooneever sees this spider. It’s a long way down to the town from themountaintops.Isn’titmorelikelythatthespiderhasmovedclosertohissourceoffood,andsetuphomeinthenearbycaves?”

Elennalookeduneasy.“Youmayberight,”shesaid.

Tom thumped his hand on the mattress. “We have to findArachnid,” he said. “We have to defeat him and rescue Dorina’sfriend.Beforeit’stoolate!”

“Hmm,” mumbled Elenna sleepily. Her eyes were fluttering andclosing.

Tomwanted to go straight to the caves. Butwatching Elenna, herememberedhow little theyhadslept in thepast fewdays.Shewasalready breathing peacefully, curled up on her soft haymattress. Itwasn’tfairtodragheroutintothenight—notnow.

Tom felt too tense to sleep. Instead, he settled down beside thewindow.Hewouldkeepwatch.Ifthespidercameinthenight,Tomwouldbethefirsttoknow.

Tomwokesuddenly.Hisneckwasstiff,hisarmswrappedaroundhisknees.Withdismay,herealizedthathehadfallenasleeponthefloorbythewindow.

Theweakmoon shone into the room, filling itwith a soft,mistyglow.Everythingwasstillandsilent.ButSilverwasgrowlingsoftly,his eyes bright in the moonlight. Tom glanced at Elenna, still fastasleep.Thenhesawapulsinglightcomingfromthesaddlebagonthefloor.

Tom stood up stiffly and reached for his bag. He pulled out themagicalmap.Theredpathshowing themtheway to themountainsseemedtobeglowingwithextraurgency.Theywererunningoutof

time.

Silverwasstillgrowling.Hisbodywastense,readytospring.

“Shush,boy,”Tomwhispered.Thenhenoticed something strangeabout themoonlight. Itwas as if themoonwere shining through aveilofsomekind.Withashiverofdisgust,hesawathickspiderwebhadbeenwovenacrossthewindow.

With a mounting sense of horror, Tom gazed around the room,swiveling slowly to take it all in. Every surface was covered withgauzywebs.Hebackedawayfromthewindow—andfoundhimselfentangledinaprisonofclammy,silkenthreads.

“Arghh!”Tomyelledinshock,lashingout.

Elennasatupinbed,startledbyTom’syell.“Yuck!”sheexclaimed,tearing at the thick, sticky ropes that twisted over her sheets andblankets.

“Arachnidhas beenhere,” Tom said urgently, pulling on the fourpiecesofgoldenarmor.“Inthisroomwithus,Elenna!There’snotimetowaste.Wehavetoleaveforthemountainsatonce!”

He showedElenna themap.Wideawakenow,Elennapushedherwaythroughthewebssurroundingherbed.

“This is awful,” she whispered, her face pale. “We have to dosomething.”

The floor was tacky underfoot. Tom grimaced in disgust as hereached for the lamp beside his bed and lit thewick. Quietly, theytiptoed out of the bedroom, with Silver padding silently besideElenna.

TherewasnosignofalightbeneathDorina’sdoorastheycreepedpast. Webs hung from the polished banisters and formed thickcurtainsoverthewalls.Therewassomethingbeautifulaboutthewaytheytwistedandspiraled,glisteningsoftlyinthelamplight—andyetsomething deadly, too. They brushed at Tom’s cheeks as he andElennahurrieddownthestairs.

“I’ll leave somemoney in thanks,” said Elenna in a low voice. “Idon’twantDorinatothinkthatweleftinthenightlikethieves.”

Shetooktwocandlesfromthepantry,andleftasmallpileofcoins.

“Atleastthetownspeoplearestillasleep,”TomwhisperedtoElennaastheyledStormoutofhisstable.“NooneneedstoknowaboutourQuest.Wecanleavethetownandclimbthemountainsbydaybreak.”

Justthenahandgraspedhisshoulder.Tomcriedout.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Dorinaasked,hereyeswildandfrightenedasshepulledathickwoolenblanketaroundhershoulderstowardoffthenightchill.“Whereareyougoing?”

“Wehaveurgentbusiness,”Elennasaid.

“The spider came in the night,” Dorina whispered. “You saw itswebs.Wearealllostunlessyoufinditandkillit.”

Tomgasped.HowdidsheknowabouttheirQuest?

“Youaregoingtofindit,aren’tyou?”DorinasaidtoTom.Hereyeswerehugeinthemoonlight.“Iwatchedyouinthetownsquaretoday.Youwerelookingforsomething.Youarenotordinarytravelers.Icanseethatbyyourarmor.Please—tellme.Imustknow!”

Tomhadtotellherthetruth.“Weare,”hesaid.“Wethinkit’s inthecaves.Butswearthatyouwilltellnoone!”

“I swear,” Dorina said fiercely. “The tunnel Etta used is blockednow, but there is another entrance to the caves farther up themountain. The path is dangerous, but keep your back to themountainsideandyouwillmakeit.Andtakethis;itwillhelpyou.”

She pushed something cold and hard into Tom’s hand. It was ashardofglitteringbluecrystal.

“Go,” she said,backingaway. “Andmay theBeastsofAvantiabewithyou!”

CHAPTERFOUR

ALONGWAYDOWN

TOMEXAMINED THE CRYSTALASSTORMBLEW softly over his shoulder. Itwascertainlypretty,remindinghimofasapphire.

“That’s not protection,” Elenna snorted, slinging the saddlebagsoverStorm’sback.“That’sjewelry.”

Asheput thecrystal inhispocketandgaveElennaa legupontoStorm,Tomhadtoagreewithher.Hehadmorefaithinhisshieldandarmorthaninashinypieceofblueglass.

Thecandlesandtheredglowfromthemaplittheirwayoutofthetown.Thicksilverwebsweredrapedeverywhere.Severalunwaryratsand mice struggled, caught in the silken tangles. Tom tried not tothinkaboutthesizeofthespiderthathadspunthem.

The roadout of townwas straight andwell surfaced.But as theyapproached the bottom of themountain, it began to change. Soon,evenTomwasstrugglinginhismagicallegarmor,andStormlosthisfootingseveraltimesonlooseshingle.Tomshiftedhisshieldontohisback and used his hands to steady himself, skirting puddles thatgleamedinthemoonlight.Theskywasgettinglighter.Sunrisewasn’tfaraway.

The roaddwindled toa track,growingsteeperwitheverypassingminute.Tomwasgladofhisgoldenhelmet.Hecouldseethedangersunderfoot,aswellasthemountaintrackthattwistedaheadofthem.

Theyreachedtherockyoutcropmarkedonthemapjustasthesunbrokeoverthehorizon.

“ThismustbewhereEttaenteredthecaves,”saidElenna,stoopingdownandpeeringintothedarkholeinthemountainside.“Icanseethe rocks blocking the way.” She shuddered. “How terrible to betrappeddownthere.”

“The map is showing us the other entrance,” said Tom, showingElenna the glowing red line. They looked up the mountainside towherethepathsnakedoutofsight.

“Isthattheonlyway?”Elennasaidindismay.

Dorina had warned them the path was dangerous. But it lookedimpossiblynarrow,andtotherightwasasheerdrop.

“We’llbefine,”Tomsaid.

Storm tossed his head nervously. Undeterred, Tom took thestallion’sreinsandledhimforward.

Elennahungback. “Tom,” she said in a chokedvoice. “I can’t dothis.”

SilvernuzzledElenna’shandcomfortingly.

“YouandIhavefought tenBeasts,”saidTom.“Youcanwalkthispath,Elenna.Trustme.”

Hesitantly,Elennabegantofollowhim.

They reached thepointwhere thepathwrapped itself around theedgeofthemountain.Therewasnoturningbacknow.

“It’salongwaydown,”Elennasaid,lookingovertheedge.

Therewas barely room for one person to pass, and in places, thepathhadcrumbledaway.

“You go first. Keep your back to themountain,” Tom instructed.“Youcanleanintoitanduseitasasupport.”

Theytookturnstomovedownthepath.Elennaslidalongwithherback to themountain andher eyes straight ahead. Silverpickedhisway behind her, as sure-footed as ever. Seizing Storm’s reins, Tomclickedhistongue.“Comeon,boy,”hesaid.“Wecandothis!”

Tom inched along the path, leading Stormand trying not to lookdown.Buthe felt thepathdisintegrating.Stonesbouncedawayanddisappearedovertheedgeofthemountain.Hemovedalittlefaster.

Morestonesfell.

“Thepathiscollapsing!Run,Tom!”Elennashoutedinfrontofhim.

Tom ran. Storm whinnied in terror, racing close behind him.Stumbling and slipping, Tom could feel the path crumbling behindthem.Couldtheymakeitbeforethepathfellawaycompletely?

Tom’s feet suddenlymet air.His heart crashed in his chest as hegrabbed at themountainside. But the stones came away in his fist.Therewasnothinghecoulddo.Hewasgoingtofall!

Instinctively, he let go of Storm’s reins. He could hear Elennascream as he plunged over the edge. Then her voice was snatchedaway in thewind.Themountainsidewasracingpast inablur.Tomwrestledwith the shield strapped tohis back andpulled it over hishead. The gift fromCypher— a single tear from the giant’s eye—thatwassetintohisshieldprotectedhimfromfalling.Atonce,hefelthimself slowing. He angled the shield so that he could float closeenoughtothemountainsidetofindsomethingtoholdontoandstophisfall.

Atlasthishandclosedaroundaspurofrock.Tomclosedhiseyes.Thankgoodness!hethought.Openinghiseyesagain,helookedupatthepathoverhead. Itwasastiffclimbbackto theothers.Steadyinghimselfwithhis feet,heslunghisshieldbackoverhisshoulderandbegan to make his way up. The golden breastplate pulsed strengthintohischestandhislegs,helpinghim.

Elennawaswaitingforhim,tenseandwhite-faced.ShehelpedTomtopullhimselfover theedgeandbackonto solidground,wherehecollapsedinapatchofscrubbygrass.

“Ithoughtyou’dgoneforever!”ElennaburstoutwhenTomhadgothisbreathback.

“Youcan’tlosemethateasily,”Tomsaid.

Elennalaughedinrelief.Thenshelookedmoreserious.“There’snowayback,”shesaid.“IpulledStormacrossjustintime.Thepathhascompletelydisappeared.”

Itwastrue.Wherethepathhadbeenwasnowayawningchasm.

“We’llworryaboutthatafterwe’vedefeatedArachnid,”Tomsaid.

He thought about the golden gauntlets. Would the spider beguarding them in his web? Tom shivered, but he knew that hecouldn’tloseheart.OnlybywinningallsixpiecesofthearmorcouldhesaveAdurofromMalvel’sevilclutches.

Itwasnowornever.

TheBeastwaswaiting.

CHAPTERFIVE

ARACHNID’SLAIR

TOMSTOODATTHEMOUTHOFTHECAVE.THEYhadn’thadtowalkmuchfarther to find it. It looked narrow and gloomy. Storm shiftedrestlessly,sniffingthestaleairwithin.

“Areyouready?”TomaskedElennaoverhisshoulder.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” said Elenna, stroking the top of Silver’shead.Shetookthecandlesfromherpackandaflintfromherpocket.Witha steadyhand, she struck the flint and lit thewicks.Then shepassedacandletoTom.

Tom held it above his head and led the way. Storm and Silverfollowed, with Elenna bringing up the rear, holding the secondcandle.Itwasn’tlongbeforethey’dleftthedaylightbehind.

The cave floor sloped sharply. Skidding on the loose stones, Tomputhishandout.Thewallswere slipperyandsparkleddimlyunderhisfingers.Tomrealizedthattheywerestuddedwithbluecrystals.

HecouldhearStormsnortingnervouslyandSilverwhiningastheydescended.

Acoldgustofwindsuddenlyblewoutthecandles.Eventhoughhewaswearinghismagicalhelmet,Tomcouldseenothing.Wouldtheyhavetocontinuetheirjourneyindarkness?

AsTom’seyesgrewusedtothegloom,hestaredatthewallsofthetunnelinsurprise.Theywereglowing!

“The crystals, Tom!” Elennawhispered, reaching up to touch the

blue gems. “They’ve taken the light from our candles and arereflectingitbackatus!”

Theyareprotectingusafterall,Tomthought.

The path took them around a narrow corner and into a vast,echoing cave. Tom stared in amazement at the space around them.Vaststalactiteshungfromtheroof,andstalagmitesgrewupfromthefloor. The air was damp and cool, and filled with the sound ofdrippingwater.

Tomfeltachillinhisbones.HewassuretheBeastwasclose.

He stepped farther into the cave. There was a rasping hiss fromsomewhere in the gloom. Then something whisked through the airtowardhim and graspedhiswaist. Looking down, Tom sawa thickropeofspidersilkhadwrappedaroundhim.Hetriedtopullagainstit,butthethreadgrewtighter,constrictinghisbreathing.

Hewasright.Arachnidwasinthecave!

Therewasanotherhiss.AsecondjetofsilklandedonElennawithdeadlyaccuracy.

“Help!”Elennascreamed,strugglingtofreeherself.

Silvergrowledandseizedthewebwithhisteeth,butitonlymadethingsworse.

“Strugglingwillmakeittighter,”saidTom,tryingtoremaincalm.“Staystill.”

Elenna stopped struggling and steadied her breathing. She triedinsteadtosootheherfrightenedwolf.Silvergrowledsoftly.

Stormtriedtobackoutofthecave.

“It’sallright,boy,”saidTom,holdingthereinstightly.

Thestallioncalmedalittle,butpawedthegroundwithhishooves.

Elennacarefullyfreedherselffromthestickyweb.Itwasdifficulttountangleandclungtoherhairandclothes.

Therewasanotherhiss,darkanddeadly-sounding.Tomwasreadythis time, leapingoutof thewayasanother jethurtled towardhim.Helookedaround.WherewasArachnid?

Inthedarkestpartofthecave,aghastlysightmethiseyes.Sitting

inthemiddleofanenormouswebthatstretchedrightacrossacavernwasagiganticspider.

Arachnidwasthesizeofabarn.Eighthairylegsprotrudedfromhisbody, waving lazily in the air. Thick saliva dripped from his long,sharp fangs, and he watched Tom carefully with six evil eyes. TheBeastopenedhisjawandmoaned.Theputridsmellofdeathfilledtheair.

Silver barked ferociously as Tom tried to see what lay beneathArachnid’sweb.Thecavernlookeddarkandbottomless.

“Lookbesidethespider,”saidElennainalowvoice.

The golden gauntlets were sitting in the heart of the web. TheywerethesameburnishedgoldastherestofTom’senchantedarmor,andweremoldedintheshapeoftwopawswithlongtalonsarchingovereachfinger.

Withoutmeaningto,Tomtookastepforward.Hisfeetcrunchedonsomethingandhe lookeddown.Scatteredon the floorwerepilesofleatheryoldspiderskinsthatArachnidhadshed.Thenherealizedinhorrorthatthegiantspiderwasdrawinghimin,tuggingwithdeadlypurposeonthestickysilkaroundhiswaist.

Arachnid reared back furiously. For the first time, Tom saw thespider’smostdeadlyweapons.On thespider’sunderbellywere rowsand rowsof sharp teeth.The spider’smonstrous legswerewhirling,gatheringinhisweb—andhisvictims.

Theyweregoingtobeeatenalive!

CHAPTERSIX

THEGOLDENGAUNTLETS

THEGIANTSPIDERLETOUTANOTHERHIGH-pitchedmoanthatechoedoffthewallsof thecave.The soundchilledTom to thebone.Then theBeastbroughthislonglegsbackdowntohisweb.Tomfeltbehindforhisshieldandpulleditacrosshisbodytoprotecthimselffromfurtherjets.Thenhedrewhisswordandslashedthroughthewebaroundhiswaist.

Thanks to his magical helmet, Tom could see every hair onArachnid’s ugly body. He also could see himself reflected in thespider’ssixeyes.TheBeastwaswatchingTom’severymove.

Tom readied himself for the spider’s attack. But Arachnid didn’tshift.Hewasguardingthetreasurethatlayintheheartofhisweb.

AnotherspurtofsilkwhistledtowardTom.Justintime,Tomliftedhisshield.

Stillcrouchedbeside thegauntlets, thespider lungedatTomwithone long black leg. Tom thrust hard with his sword. The bladebouncedoffthespider’sskin.Elennaloosedanarrow,butitclatteredagainstArachnidandfelluselesslyintotheweb.

“Hishideistootough,”Tompanted.

HowweretheygoingtodefeatthisevilBeast?

“Lookup,Tom!”Elennacalled.“Thestalactites!”

The rows of jagged stalactites clung to the cave roof, their sharppointsdeadlyandstilldrippingwiththewaterthathadformedthem

overmillionsofyears.Ifastalactitefell,Tomknewthatanyofthemcouldbekilledinstantly.

“That’sit!”Tomgasped.“IfIcanbreakastalactitefromtheroof,Icanuseitasaspear!”

Hesheathedhisswordandreachedforahandholdonthesmoothwall. Arachnid hissed with rage as Tom began to pull himself uptowardtheneareststalactite,hisfeetscrabblingforafoothold.Itwasimpossible.Thewallsweretooslippery.Hefellbacktothefloor.

Thegiantspiderbegantomovereluctantlyawayfromthecenterofhis web. The gauntlets gleamed in the dim light. Tom thought ofAdurobeingloweredtowardMalvel’sdeadlypitoftar.Hehadtogetthegauntletsordieintheattempt!

TomfeltStormpushhimgentlywithhisnose.Itgavehimanidea.Couldheusethestalliontoreachastalactite?

“Here,boy,”saidTom,coaxingStormclosertothecavewall.

SeeingwhatTomwastryingtodo,Elennarantohelp,withSilverbyherside.TomputhisfootinStorm’sstirrup,andElennagavehima leguponto the stallion’s back.ThenTom stoodon thewell-wornleathersaddleandreachedup.Hisfingersbrushedtherough,pointedtipofastalactite.Ifhecouldjustgraspit—

Arachnidhissedandrearedagain.

Stormwhinniedinterrorandjumpedforward,despiteElenna’sbesteffortstoholdhimstill.

Tom grasped desperately at the stalactite, thrown off balance byStorm’ssuddenmovement.Itwastoolate!Therockslippedfromhisfingers,andTombegantofall.

Therewasn’ttimetolifthisshieldabovehisheadtoprotecthimselffrom the fall. Whistling through the cold air, Tom landed onsomethingsoft.Helookedbeneathhim,andhisheartthuddedinhischest.

HehadlandedinArachnid’sweb.

Tomcouldfeelthedeadlystrengthofthestickyfibers.Heneededall the strength of his magical breastplate to pull himself loose.ArachnidbegantomoveinTom’sdirection,hissixeyesnarrowinginthepleasureofthehunt.Tomstruggleddesperatelytostayuprightas

theweb rockedbeneathhim.He stretchedouthishand tokeephisbalance,thenpulleditbackastheglueyropessuckedathisfingers.

Another jetof silken threadhurtled towardTom justashe rippedhimself free from theweb and threw himself past the spider at thegoldengauntlets.

Arachnid shrieked with rage. Tom had only seconds before thespider would attack again. He grabbed the gauntlets and thrust hishandsinsidethem.Atonce,hisfingerstingledwithnewstrengthandtwitched toward his scabbard. Tom instantly realized that thegauntletswouldgivehimspecialskillswithhissword!

Hepulledtheswordfromitssheath.Itfeltlikealivingthinginhishands,readytodohiseverybidding.Thechainmailtingledaroundhischest,fillinghimwithcourage.Withfivepiecesofarmorandthefivemagicalgiftstheybestoweduponhim,Tomknewhecoulddefeatthespider.Hewhirledtheswordabovehisheadandbroughtitdownonthesilkenropesthatclungtohisfeet.

Atonce,agapopenedbetweenTomandthespider.Butwithouttheweb,therewasnothingtostopTomfromfallingintothebottomlesscavernbeneath!

Thegiant spider scuttled to safetyat theedgeof thewebasTomfell through the hole. For the second time that day, he pulled hisshield over his head. Immediately, he felt his fall slowing, and hethankedCyphertheMountainGiantforthetokenthatgavetheshieldthatparticularpower.Itgavehimjustenoughtimetoreachoutandgrabholdofthecavernwall.Quickly,hebegantoclimbbackuptoElenna, Storm, and Silver. He had to protect them! Arachnid couldattackatanymoment.

Hisheartwas thundering inhisearsashehauledhimselfup.Hislegsweregrowingweakfromtheclimb,andheknewthathisarmor

was helping him tomake the ascent this time.His breastplate gavehimthestrengthheneededtopullhimselfupward.Hislegs,encasedintheirspecial legarmor,pushedhimsteadilyon.Hecould feelhisstrengthandpurpose returningas themagicofAvantiawrapped itsprotectionaroundhim.Hisfriendswerewaitingforhim.Hewouldn’tletthemdown!

ElennalookedovertheedgeofthecavernasTompulledhimselftothetop.

BehindElenna,TomsawSilver.AndbehindSilver, the shadowofthespiderwaslooming,hisfangsdripping.

CHAPTERSEVEN

THEBATTLEBEGINS

SILVER!”TOMCRIED.Elennawhirledaround.Butitwastoolate.Arachnidhadpulledthewolfintohisweb.Silverstruggled,buthewastrapped.

“No!”Elennashouted.

Arachnid’slegsreachedforthewolf.Silversnarledupatthegiantspider. He bared his sharp teeth and swiped at the Beast with hisclaws. ButArachnid ignored him.He began to spin ropes of silverythread,wrapping thewolf up like a parcel.Growling and snapping,Silver fought back. But his strugglesmade thingsworse as thewebwound more tightly around him. It was no use. He couldn’t freehimself.

Tomfeltasurgeofanger.Hecouldn’tletSilverlosehislife!Thenherememberedthestalactites.Herantotheedgeofthecave,hislegarmor throbbing with magical energy. He leaped up and onto thewall.Thistimethegauntletsgavehimextragripashehauledhimselfuptowardthestalactites.Hemovedacrossthecavewall,footholdbyfoothold. Then he stretched himself as far as he could. A deadly-lookingstalactitewasalmostwithinreach!

Bynow,Arachnidhadalmostfinishedhisvilework.ThickthreadswerewoundaroundSilver’swholebody.Thewolf’sgrowlsandsnarlsweregrowingfainter.

“Quickly,Tom!”Elennacried,hervoicecracking.Shewaskneelingattheedgeoftheweb,reachinghelplesslytowardherwolf.“Idon’t

think Silver can lastmuch longer!” In despair, she pulled an arrowfromherquiverandlooseditatthespider.Itclattereduselesslyaway.

Tom moved farther up the wall until his head touched the caveroof.Hewasholdingonbyhisfingertips.Howcouldhegoon?Thearmorwasgivinghimmagicalskills,butitwasalsoheavy,dragginghisbodydown.

Then Tom felt the breastplate fill himwith fresh energy and thechain mail give him strength of heart. He could not fail! Gruntingwiththeeffort,hegrippedthewallwithonehandandreachedforhissword.Itslidswiftlyfromitsscabbard.Heswipedfiercelyattherootofthestalactite.Thejaggedrockshuddered,butdidn’tcomeaway.

Evenwiththemagicalskillsofthegauntlets,Tomfounditdifficulttoaimhisswordattherightanglefromhispositionneartheroof.Hetwistedhisbody,reachinghisarmasfarashecould.Againandagain,hehackedatthestalactite,hismusclesscreaminginagony.Sweatranintohiseyes,makingitdifficulttosee.

Downbelow,hecouldseeArachnidtoyingwithSilver,battinghimback and forth across theweb. Itwouldn’t be longbefore theBeastgrewtiredofhisgame….

ThenElennascreamed.

“Look,Tom!”shesaid,pointing.

Tom peered into the far corner of the cave. Something else wastrussedupintheweb.Somethingthatwasmoaningandwriggling.

ItcametoTominaflash.Etta,Dorina’sfriend!

“We’re coming, Etta!” Tom shouted. He hacked again at thestalactite.“Don’tgiveuphope!”

Thewolfhadstoppedfightingnow.HelaystillatArachnid’sfeet.

“Silver!”Elennacalled,asStormsnortedandtossedhislongblackmane.“Oh,Silver,holdon!”

Arachnidmoaned.Thevenomonhisfangsgleamed.Tomhesitated.BothSilverandEttaneededhishelp!Buttherewassolittletime.

Even with his five pieces of magical armor, Tom knew that hecouldn’tdothisonhisown.ItwastimetocallupononeofthegoodBeastsofAvantia.Whomightbeabletohelphim?

Then,thinkingbacktothetoysatthefair,theanswercametohim:Tartok.

The last time Tom had seen the great Ice Beast had been on theedge of the northern icy plains. He could only hope that the Beastwouldcometohisaidnow.

Sheathinghissword,TomcontinuedtogripontothecavewallandreachedaroundhisbacktotouchTartok’sclaw,whichwassetdeepintohisshield.

Almostinstantly,heheardamightyroar.

TheBeasthadcome!

CHAPTEREIGHT

TARTOKTOTHERESCUE

PART OF THE CAVE WALL CAME CRASHING down, revealing dazzlingdaylightasthesnowmonsterthunderedinside.Thegroundtrembled.

“Tartok!”Tomcriedinrelief.

SeizingStorm’sreins,Elennaranbeneatharockyoverhangasrocksbounced around the cave floor. Tom clung to his position near theroofasTartokleapedacrossthewebtowardthegreatspider.

Arachnid screamedand reared.The razor-sharp teethonhis bellyglinted in the bright sunshine. He shot ropes of silk straight at theBeast,whoshookthemoffasiftheywereflies.TherewasaflashofTartok’sclaws,andanunearthlyscreechfromthespider.Tomgasped.TartokhadslashedintoArachnid’ssixeyes,blindingthespider!

“Now,Elenna!”Tomroared.“SaveSilver!I’llcutEttafree!”

Thegiant spider shriekedand thumpedat thecavewallswithhislegs.Tartokgrowledandbeatherchest.Inthechaos,Elennadashedfromherrockyhidingplaceandleapedacrosstheweb,bouncingandstaggeringonitsstickythreads.Withherknife,sheslashedatthesilkthatboundthewolf,thendraggedSilverawayfromtheweb’sdeadlyembracetothesafetyofthecavefloor.

“Silver,” Elenna sobbed, throwing her arms around the wolf’sshaggyneckashegentlylickedherarm.“I’msogladyou’resafe.”

TomwhistledforStorm,whocanteredfrombeneaththeoverhang.Then Tom dropped onto the stallion’s back. Storm whinnied in

triumph.

Whirling his sword, Tom turned Storm toward Etta and dug hisheelsintothestallion’ssides.

Stormcanteredacross theunevenrocks,boundingover thecracksandcrevasses.Thecavewasshakingas the twogreatBeasts fought.Arachnidwas lunging and snapping, fightingwith all eight legs, asTartokswipedtheairwithherfearsomeclaws.

Tom threwhimself from the saddle and scrambled across to Etta.The cavewalls groaned.Cracks appeared, snaking from the floor tothe roof as pebbles rained down from the ceiling. They didn’t havemuchtime.ThewomanwasboundsotightlythatallTomcouldseewasapairofterrifiedeyesstaringoutathim.Howwouldhefreeherwithoutcuttingherwithhissword?

Trustingtotheskillofhisgauntletstohelphim,Tomlethisswordfly.Hisaimfelttruerthanithadeverbeen.Slash!Slash!

“Thankyou,ohthankyou,”Ettasobbedasthewebfellawayfromher.“HowcanIrepayyou?How—”

“Tom!”Elennascreamed.“Theroofisfallingin!”

“Take the animals to safety, Elenna!” he shouted. “Go with myfriend,”hesaidtoEtta.“Shewillkeepyousafe.”

“Butwh-wh-whatareyougoingtodo?”stammeredEtta.

“FighttheBeast,”Tomsaidgrimly.

ElennagrabbedEttabythehandandranforthefreshholeinthecavewallcreatedbyTartok’sentrance.Silver racedather side.Theground shuddered as the Beasts swayed and struck at one another.Evenwithoutsight,ArachnidwasmatchingTartokblowforblow.The

spider’s razor-like teeth tore intoTartok’s flesh, scattering redbloodon the rocks.What if Tartok was unable to defeat this monster? Tomwondered.IfitwastoomuchforagreatBeastofAvantia,thenwhatchancedidhehave?

ButTomknewthateverytimehefaltered,Adurowouldbeloweredevencloser toMalvel’spitof tar.Hehad tostaystrong, forAduro’ssake!Ifhecouldjustreturntothatstalactiteandtearitfree…

TomleapedbackontoStorm.Bendinglowoverthestallion’sneck,hegallopedbacktothestalactitehehadtriedtobreakawayfromthecaveroof.StormskiddedtoahaltasTomscrambledtohisfeetonthestallion’s broad back.He tensed hismuscles and oncemore felt thegoldenlegarmorfillhislegswithstrength.Thenhejumped.

SoaringovertheheadsofthefightingBeasts,Tomlandedhardonthestalactite,thegoldengauntletshelpinghimtogrip.Thestalactiteshuddered, jarred by the impact. Tom could see a crack formingwherethecalcitespearjoinedtheroof.Hedrewhisswordandhackedatthecrack.

“One more blow,” Tom panted, striking madly again and again.“Justonemore…”

Therewasagroanasthestalactitetoreawayfromtheroofandfell—withTomstillclingingtoit.

With a resounding crunch, the stalactite plunged into Arachnid’sback.TheBeastletoutaroarofpain.Tomthrewhimselffreeasthespiderarchedhisvileblackbodyinagony,hurlinghimselfaroundthecave,tryingtogetthestalactiteout.ButeverytimetheBeaststruckawall,theimpactdrovethestalactitedeeperintohisflesh.

Atlast,thehugespidergaveonefinalroaranddisappeared.

In his place, thousands of tiny spiders skitteredmadly across therocks.Arachnidhadbeendefeated!

But Tom had no time to celebrate. A huge boom sounded abovehim, andgreat chunksof rockbegan to fall from thewalls.ChasmsopenedatTom’sfeet.Everythingwascollapsing.

“Tartok!”Tomyelled,pullinghimselftohisfeet.“Wemustgetoutofherebeforeit’stoolate!”

ThegreatIceBeastroared.

Tomranfordaylightasthemountaincavedin.

CHAPTERNINE

STAYSTRONG!

TOMHURLEDHIMSELFOUTSIDE,ROCKScascadingaroundhim.Thewholemountainside seemed to be falling apart. The noise was deafening.Shockedandbruised,TomrealizedthathewasstandingontherockyoutcropwhereEttahadentered thecaves.Nowanewcaveyawnedwhere Tartok had smashed her way inside the mountain, but itsmouthwassteadilyfillingwithfallingrocks.

“Thisway!”ElennagrabbedTom’sarm.

ButhepulledhisarmfromElenna’sgrasp.“Wehavetogoback,”hesaid.“Tartokisstillinthere!”

Tom threwhimself back toward the cave, lifting his shield abovehisheadforprotection.Fallingrocksbouncedandshudderedagainstthe sturdy wood. The rocks were already piled as high as Tom’sshoulder,blockingTartok’sescape.

“It’s impossible,” Elenna shouted through the noise. “We have toleave,Tom!Ettahasgoneahead.Ipromisedwewouldfollow—”

“No!”Tomyelled.“Iwon’tleaveTartok.Shehelpedme!”

He scrabbled at the rocks, throwing himself again and again atthem.Butitwasahopelesstask.Tomcouldfeelhiscouragefailing.

Hefeltahandonhisshoulder.“I’msorry,Tom,”Elennasaid.Silverstoodatherside.“You’reright.WehavetosaveTartok.”

Stormwhinnied and trotted over to nudge Tom on the shoulder.Strokingthestallion’sneck,Tomstaredattheblockedcavemouth.

“Withallofus,wecandoit,”Tomsaidfirmly.

Tom andElenna threw themselves at the rocks. They heaved andpulled, pushed and tugged. Silver nosed among the boulders, andStormpoundedattherockswithhishooves.Butnothingmoved.

Helpme,Aduro!Tomthoughtdesperately.Hehadneverneededthegoodwizardsomuch.ButAdurowas inMalvel’sgrasp.Hecouldn’thelpthemnow.

Suddenly, there was a shimmer in the air behind Elenna. Tomstared,hardlydaring tobelievehis eyes, asAduro steppedonto themountainside.

“Thereisnotimeforquestions,”Adurosaid,holdinguphishand.He looked gaunt, with dark circles beneath his eyes. Tom’s heartachedforhisfriend.

“Ihaveonlya fewmomentsbeforeMalvel realizes Iammissing,”Adurosaid.“Youaredoingwell,Tom.BetterthanIcouldhavehoped.Staystrong!”

The wizard raised his right hand and pointed at the rocks. Hemutteredsomepowerfulmagicwordsandtherewasablastofwhitelight. The rocks exploded. Storm whinnied in terror and Silverhowled.TomandElennafelltothegroundandcoveredtheireyes.

When they dared to open them, they saw that the rocks blockingthecavemouthhadbeenblastedtopowder.Theentrancewasopen!

Tom whirled around to thank Aduro. To his horror, he saw thefuriousfigureofMalvelgrabbingthegoodwizardanddragginghimaway!

“Youthinkyoucandefyme,Aduro?”Malvelroared.“Ihavebeentoopatientwithyou.Thepitoftarawaits!”

“No!”TomshoutedasMalvel’smockinglaughterfadedandAdurovanishedfromsight.Whathadtheydone?Wasthistheendfortheirfriend?

“Oh,Tom,”Elennachoked.“PoorAduro!”

They heard heavy footsteps. Tartok stepped out of the cave,blinking in the daylight. She was covered in dust, but otherwiselookedaspowerfulasever.

“Tartok!”Tomcried,overwhelmedwithrelief.“You’resafe!”

ThegreatBeastgrowled softly.She stretchedoutamassivewhitepawandlaiditgentlyonTom’shead.Awestruck,Tomgazedintoherfierceblueeyes.

The Beast threw out her chest and roared at the sky. Then sheturned and walked away from Tom and his friends, climbing themountainsidewitheaseandgrace—backtothesnowylandsoftheNorth.

Tom closed his eyes. Then he opened them again and stared atElenna.Shewassmiling.

“Welldone,” she said. “You’veconqueredanotherBeast.Arachnidwastrulyevil.”

Tom stroked his gleaming golden armor. Helmet, chain mail,breastplate, leg armor, and now the gauntlets. There was just onepieceleft—andonemoreBeasttofight.Hehadtostaystrong.Thatglimpse of Malvel made Tom even more determined to rescue hisfriend before something awful could happen. With his friends, hewouldcompletehisQuest.AndMalvel’spoweroverAdurowouldbebroken.

Thencameafamiliarsound,whichfeltlikeashardoficeinTom’sheart.

Malvel’s laughter echoed around the broken mountainside. Itbouncedofftherocksandcrevasses.TomfeltitwraparoundhimlikeArachnid’sweb.

“So!”boomedtheevilmagician’svoice.“Youthinkyouwilldefeatme? Your stupidity today nearly cost the life of one of Avantia’sprotectors.IsthisQuestworthit?”Hisvoiceloweredtoawhisper.“Isittrulyworthit?”

Tomliftedhishead.“Whilethere’sbloodinmyveins,Iwilldefeatyou,Malvel!”heshouted.Hepulledhisswordfromitsscabbardandpointedittothesky.“WegotomeetthefinalBeast!”

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