Trillion, the Three-Headed Lion Read online

Storm whinnied uneasily, turning about as the packs swarmed closer. They began to screech again, and this time there was a new hunger in their eyes.

  Tom raised his sword as the hyenas pounced.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  THE FEATHER OF EPOS

  A ROAR SOUNDED IN THE GATHERING twilight, a roar so loud it shook the air. The high-pitched baying of the hyenas was silenced.

  Tom twisted in the saddle.

  Tagus was approaching! The centaur had come to save him!

  The good Beast was bloodied and his hide was crisscrossed with cuts, but he was standing tall and majestic again, his head held high, his great hooves stamping and his sword in his fist.

  A few hyenas threw themselves at the Beast, but each of his massive hooves sliced through the air like a scythe as he thundered into the pack and scattered the animals.

  “Tagus!” Tom shouted in joy, brandishing his sword.

  The hyenas turned tail, racing into the gathering gloom.

  Tom rode up to Tagus. “You made it just in time,” he said, hoping the Beast would understand what he was trying to say.

  Tagus nodded his huge head and there was a proud light in his eyes. But he was panting and his efforts had opened his wounds again, so that the blood splashed onto the ground.

  As Elenna and Silver came running, Tagus staggered, his legs giving way beneath him. Tom let out a cry of concern as the good Beast collapsed to the ground.

  “It was too much for him,” said Elenna, resting her hand gently on Tagus’s neck.

  “He used all his strength to save us,” Tom said anxiously, swinging down from the saddle and running to Tagus’s side. “Elenna — give me the shield, please. Maybe Epos’s feather will work again now.”

  Tagus lay quite still, breathing heavily, his eyes half closed as Tom placed the feather against the worst of the wounds. The tingle ran up his arm and the red light glowed. “It’s working!” Tom cried in relief.

  While Tom concentrated on the next wound, Elenna gathered moss to clean Tagus’s injuries and to soak up the blood. Storm whinnied softly, touching his velvet muzzle comfortingly to the side of the Night Horse’s face. Even Silver came and curled up at the Beast’s side to keep Tagus warm as the last light of day dwindled.

  “How long will Epos’s feather work?” asked Elenna.

  Tom looked up at her. “Long enough to save him from dying, I hope,” he said. A few wounds had been healed, but there were so many more.

  “It only has the power to heal a few wounds at a time,” Elenna pointed out. “It could take all night.”

  “Then we will take all night,” Tom said firmly. “I’m not leaving him like this, not after what he did for us. Besides, I think we should rest after our fight with the hyenas. We’ll need all our wits and strength before we try to tackle Trillion.”

  A roar sounded in the distance. Tom looked up. The three-headed lion stood on a hilltop, silhouetted against the rising moon.

  “Why doesn’t he attack?” Elenna asked.

  “He’s hoping to lure us into chasing him in the darkness,” Tom said, his eyes narrowing. “He probably has a trap planned for us.”

  At that moment, Trillion leaped down from the hilltop and vanished into the night.

  Elenna stared after him. “By morning, he could be a long way from here!” she exclaimed. “We could lose him.”

  “He won’t get away,” Tom declared. “Aduro’s enchanted map will guide us to him.” He drew out the rolled-up parchment map from Storm’s saddlebag and flung it open.

  Tom had been given the magical map of Avantia at the very beginning of his Quest. Rolled up, it seemed to be an ordinary map, but when it was laid flat, something extraordinary happened — it turned into a tiny living version of the kingdom, with rivers that ran and treetops that swayed gently in the breeze. The map had always shown Tom the path to the next Beast.

  Tom and Elenna stared at the map and waited. But there was no sign of Trillion on the miniature parchment plains.

  “How can we fight a Beast we can’t find?” Elenna said.

  “I don’t know,” Tom said. “But there has to be a way!”

  Just then Silver got up and began to bark. He trotted away from them, his nose to the ground. Then he turned and came back to Tom and Elenna, barking again and nudging his gray head against Tom’s arm. The moonlight reflected brightly in his eager eyes.

  “What is it, boy?” Tom asked.

  Silver sniffed again and pawed the ground, looking at Tom and Elenna, then stared off into the distance.

  A smile broke over Elenna’s face. “He’s telling us we don’t need the map,” she said. “He’ll use his nose to track Trillion down.” She grinned at Tom. “A wolf can do more than just fight!”

  “Well done, Silver!” said Tom. “We’ll stay here with Tagus overnight, and first thing in the morning you can lead us to Trillion.” He patted the wolf’s thick fur. “I will defeat him, and then the golden armor will be complete!”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  HUNTER AND PREY

  THE SUN HAD JUST STARTED TO RISE OVER THE hills the next morning when Silver leaped onto a rock and sniffed the air. He let out a growl and bounded away. Tom and Elenna bid farewell to Tagus, who was now well enough to stand. Then Tom jumped into Storm’s saddle, reaching down to help Elenna climb up behind him.

  Storm took off after the racing wolf, Tom and Elenna clinging to his back.

  “From the way Silver is behaving, I don’t think Trillion can be very far away,” Elenna said as they galloped over the plains.

  “He isn’t!” Tom said. “Can’t you smell him?” The foul smell of the three-headed Beast filled the air. Then the wind changed direction and Tom lost the scent. But Silver’s sensitive wolf nose did not let them down. His muzzle to the ground, his tail waving high in the air, he led them toward a distant ridge.

  Sometime later they approached the top of the ridge. Silver paused.

  “I think he wants us to hold back,” Elenna said.

  They waited while the wolf crept to the crest. Keeping low, he peered over, then came loping back, his tongue lolling and his eyes filled with triumph.

  “I think Trillion is just beyond the ridge,” Elenna whispered. “Well done, Silver!”

  Tom and Elenna dismounted and crawled up to the crest. They found themselves looking down into a wide forested valley, which sloped down to a lake of still water that glimmered in the sunlight.

  Tall fir trees grew right up to the water’s edge, but in one place there was a clearing. Trillion was pacing slowly along the shore. A thrill of excitement ran through Tom. There could only be one reason why Trillion was here — the golden boots! The Quest was almost over, though he knew it would take all his courage and cunning to defeat the Beast.

  “He’s so big,” Elenna murmured. “Tom, how will we ever beat him?”

  Tom frowned. “He must have a weak spot,” he said, and lowered his visor, so that he could study every detail of the giant lion. As Tom watched, a bird came swooping low over the water and Trillion lunged toward it, teeth bared and one paw swiping. The bird gave a cry of alarm and rocketed up into the sky. But Tom noticed that Trillion’s other paw came close to the water’s edge and that the evil Beast quickly drew back with a snarl.

  “I’ve heard stories that lions are afraid of water,” Tom said. “They aren’t good swimmers, because their manes get waterlogged and drag them down.”

  “And Trillion has three manes,” Elenna said. “If we can lure him into the lake, we might be able to defeat him!”

  Tom watched the lion, a plan forming in his mind.

  “Storm isn’t afraid of water,” he said. “He’s swum rivers with me on his back. If we could get him to go down to the lakeside to drink, I’m sure he would lure the lion.”

  Elenna stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. “You can’t mean it!” she gasped. “Trillion could kill Storm with one bite!”

  “I know,” Tom admitted. “It’s dangerous, but I can’
t think of any other way to take Trillion by surprise.” He looked back to where the stallion stood waiting. “Storm is clever,” he said. “When he sees the lion coming for him, he will leap into the water and swim to safety. We’ll wait in hiding nearby. As soon as the lion gets to the water’s edge, you can fire arrows at him, I’ll attack with my sword, and with luck we’ll force him into the lake.”

  “And if we don’t have any luck?” Elenna murmured.

  “Then I will do everything in my power to see that Storm does not come to harm!” Tom vowed.

  “You’re right,” Elenna said. “What other choice is there?”

  They found a low place in the ridge and made their way down through the trees, moving silently. Tom led Storm, keeping close to him, rubbing his face against the animal’s neck.

  “I wish I could spare you this danger,” he said to the black stallion.

  Storm whinnied softly, almost as if he knew what Tom was going to ask him to do. Tom wondered if his lost father, Taladon the Swift, had ever had to face such a heart-wrenching decision.

  At last they came down to where the trees met the lake’s edge. Trillion’s clearing was to their left. Tom peered through the trees. The lion had left the clearing, but Tom thought he saw a glimpse of tawny fur at the far edge of the open space.

  Tom stroked Storm’s neck. “Go, boy,” he said. “Have a drink.” He knew Storm couldn’t understand his words, but he added, “The moment you see the lion, jump into the water and swim away as fast as you can. We’ll do the rest.” He just had to hope Storm would know what to do.

  Storm pressed his muzzle into Tom’s neck.

  As the brave horse walked out of the cover of the trees and trotted down to the edge of the lake, Tom drew his sword and Elenna fitted an arrow to her bow.

  “We may be too far away,” Tom said. “Follow me.” He led Elenna and Silver to a place close to the middle of the clearing. Now they were in a much better position to attack the lion.

  Tom stared into the trees, carefully keeping watch on the last place he thought he had seen Trillion. He could see no sign of the Beast now — but was sure he must be lurking nearby. The foul smell still filled the air.

  Storm lowered his head and began to drink. Tom’s heart was thumping. He mustn’t let anything happen to his horse.

  Still the lion did not come. Where was Trillion?

  “Oh no!” Elenna gasped. “Look!”

  Tom turned at the sound of her voice, and his heart leaped into his mouth.

  Trillion was on the other side of the clearing! He must have gone right around the lake under cover of the trees, and was coming at Storm from behind! The evil Beast slunk silently out of the trees, his body low to the ground, his eyes fixed on Tom’s black stallion.

  A terrible panic gripped Tom. Storm was too far away for them to reach him in time! And he couldn’t call out to warn the horse because that would let Trillion know where they were.

  The plan had gone horribly wrong.

  CHAPTER SIX

  DESPERATE DANGER!

  TOM SCRAMBLED TO HIS FEET, BUT ELENNA snatched at his arm and pulled him down again.

  “It’s too late. Trillion will see you!” she hissed. “Keep under the cover of the trees, make your way behind him — then attack. As soon as you make your move, I’ll start shooting arrows.”

  Tom nodded. “Good thinking,” he said. But there was so little time. He could see that Trillion was getting terribly close to Storm, and still the horse had not heard him.

  Tom slid quietly along the edge of the forest until he was behind the great three-headed lion. He could see the monster’s huge paw prints in the soft earth — each as large as Tom’s shield. Trillion was the most dangerous Beast he had ever faced. The courage bestowed by the golden chain mail was barely enough, but Tom knew what he had to do. He took a step out into the open and raised his arm to give Elenna the signal to begin firing her arrows.

  As the first arrow bit into the Beast’s shoulder, Trillion let out a fearsome roar from all three of his massive jaws, an earsplitting noise that sent birds wheeling into the sky. Storm’s head jerked up and he rolled his eyes in fear, rearing back from the huge Beast. But instead of leaping forward into the safety of the lake, Storm bolted for the trees.

  “No, Storm!” Tom shouted. “Not that way!”

  Trillion was too quick for the horse. Ignoring the arrow that jutted from his thick hide, the lion pounced, blocking Storm’s escape route. Tom saw his friend rear up in panic, froth gathering at the corners of his mouth.

  Storm turned on his hind legs and raced for the lake, but in three great bounds, Trillion was between the horse and the water, wicked eyes glinting and jaws gaping as he snarled and pawed the ground. It seemed to Tom that the Beast was enjoying tormenting Storm — as if killing Tom’s horse would be a special pleasure.

  Trillion raised a paw, claws extended, ready to deliver the killing blow. But a second arrow flew from the forest. It struck Trillion in the hindquarters and hung there, quivering. Tom saw Elenna step out of the trees, already fitting an arrow to her bow. The lion roared. Elenna fired again. The arrow hissed through the air, catching in one of Trillion’s manes. Another struck him, and then another — but they didn’t seem to be injuring Trillion at all. Tom realized that the lion’s hide must be too thick for the arrows to penetrate.

  Storm was standing his ground even though he was terrified. Tom knew that once the horse ran, Trillion would bring him down.

  He had to act fast. It was time to break his cover — to rescue Storm and defeat Trillion.

  Another arrow came arcing out of the trees. But this time flames were crackling around its point! Elenna must have tied dry grasses around the arrowhead, then used flint and tinder to ignite it. Fire arrows were her specialty.

  “Yes!” Tom whispered to himself. “Good for you, Elenna.”

  The arrow embedded itself in Trillion’s foreleg, the flames searing the Beast’s hair and burning his skin. Trillion let out a roar of pain, twisting and turning as he tried to quench the flames.

  Tom knew this was his chance. He ran forward, quickly covering the open ground between himself and Storm, his golden leg armor giving him the extra speed that he needed. He was nearly there! Trillion pulled the arrow from his flesh with his teeth, ignoring the flames. But the Beast froze when he saw Tom grab Storm’s leather reins.

  Another deafening roar blared from Trillion’s three gaping mouths. Storm bolted, heading toward the water, with Tom clinging to the reins. The golden armor clattered as he was dragged along and his sword fell from his fingers.

  Tom lost his grip on the reins when Storm plunged into the lake. The water closed over his head and flooded his mouth. The golden armor was dragging him down. Tom kicked hard with his feet and hauled himself up to the surface, coughing and spluttering. If it hadn’t been for the protection of Sepron the Sea Serpent’s tooth on his shield, he would certainly have drowned!

  Trillion was now at the lake’s edge. The Beast didn’t dare come into the water but reached out a giant paw toward Storm. The fearsome claws caught Storm’s saddle. With one swift movement, the stallion was plucked from the lake and sent rolling onto the ground, his long legs kicking in the air.

  More arrows flew from the forest. But they were no help. Tom had to get back to shore! He swam as fast as he could, kicking fiercely to stay afloat. He grabbed hold of some reeds and hauled himself onto dry land. Struggling to his feet, he ran toward Storm. But he was too late. Trillion leaped at the horse, his claws glinting in the sun.

  Then, with a sudden shock, Tom saw the sunlight reflecting off something else — the golden boots! They were lying half hidden in the long grass, close to the fallen stallion.

  As Trillion came plunging down, Tom realized that the Beast was going to crush both Storm and the magical boots.

  “No!” Tom cried out. “Storm!”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  THE LION’S BREATH

  AT THE LAST POSSIBLE MOMENT
, STORM managed to roll clear of Trillion. His kicking legs struck the golden boots with a clang and sent them spinning to safety. The huge lion crashed to the ground, tumbling over and over. Storm managed to scramble up and race toward Tom, whinnying loudly.

  “Well done, boy!” Tom shouted.

  The water gushing from his golden armor, Tom stooped to pick up his fallen sword. Storm was close now, still moving at great speed. Using the power of his leg armor, Tom ran alongside his horse, easily keeping pace with him. He snatched at Storm’s reins and swung himself up into the saddle, using the strength given to him by the golden breastplate to mount the stallion at a gallop.

  “To Elenna!” he shouted.

  Storm turned and reared, neighing loudly. Moments later he was galloping toward the protection of the trees where Elenna and Silver were waiting.

  But Trillion was on his feet again, letting out roar after enraged roar. Tom looked back over his shoulder and saw a deadly light in the lion’s fierce green eyes. The evil Beast was getting ready for the kill.

  Tom leaned into the wind as Storm raced frantically for the trees.

  “Come on!” he called. “Faster, Storm!”

  The lion was suddenly horribly close, and Tom could feel that hot, foul breath on his neck. The Beast’s jaws snapped, and Storm sidestepped, giving them a few desperate moments while the lion changed direction to keep after them — but it also meant they were now heading away from the trees again.

  Storm made another sudden change of direction, but Trillion was ready for it this time and his claws slashed through the air, nearly tearing Tom from the saddle. One of the huge heads came terrifyingly close, the open mouth red, the teeth slavering.

  Tom kicked out, shouting, “Keep going, Storm! Don’t give up!” But he misjudged the kick, and Trillion’s fangs closed around his ankle.

  Tom let out a cry of pain as the teeth clamped down and Trillion tried to wrench him from Storm. Tom swung his sword at the Beast, but he was using so much of his strength to stay in the saddle that his blow went wild. Before he could gather himself to strike again, Trillion bit down on Tom’s leg and shook him violently. Tom’s fingers were ripped from the reins and he fell with a shout.