From Chapter 10, Pursued

Peter studied LeeLees face, then Angelas, which was expressionless. Indeed the fairies had, in their talk, neglected their third companion; and now she sat straight and pale and stiff upon Canterbury, gazing far ahead like a corpse. The unicorn had long since climbed down from the hills; his road was now wide and went forever in both directions.

Doesnt it feel a bit strange to you? Angela said without moving her mouth. The question was bland; no emotion was in her voice.

The fairies glanced confusedly at one another, then back at the girl. LeeLee looked worried.

No, Peter replied slowly, everything feels fine.

He may have thought it fine, for the moment at least, but LeeLee cried out and pointed a shaking finger towards the trees across the road. A figure was moving along with them in the brush; his grungy eyes were fixed on Angela. For a moment Peter was intrigued, unable to do anything but stare. More figures came in and out of view, and the girl grew paler from the grasp of their devilry.

Pain. Harassment. Suffocation. All these things began to throb at the fairies. Slow and light at first, then faster and heavier.

Suddenly Peter broke himself away from the power of the watchers by day. He grabbed LeeLee by the arm and jerked her ahead just as Canterbury broke into a fulgurating run. The two stayed side by side, each burdened with the weight of someone else; each fleeing from the danger that was now running after them down the middle of the road.

There was close to a dozen of these watchers by day, yet none could keep up with the unicorn or the fairies. The dust being kicked up by Canterburys hooves blinded their concentration, and thus their spell was weakened.

Before long, as the phantoms grew further and further behind, LeeLee began to recover from her petrified state. It was not as strong on her as it was on Angela, for the fairy recovered to complete normality before the girl had yet even stirred, or made any other signs of wakefulness. Peter released LeeLees arm.

Canterbury ran in such a way that the Fairy Deliverer could not possibly fall off his back and get swept away in their evil spell any more than she already was. But as these watchers became altogether remote, till they fell almost out of sight, Peter and LeeLee could not help but wonder if their wickedness had indeed by now consumed Angela, had killed her so close to the end. For she remained like a corpse.

With a string of hope urging them onward, they kept going, telling themselves that everything would be all right. Wind blew across their faces, antagonizing their hair and kindling endurance in their limbs. Color came back to Angelas face, and slowly she opened her eyes. At first the fairies took no notice, for their hearts were busy being throttled by anxiety and grief. But then she hollered at them: Where are we and why are we going so fast?

Youre alive! exclaimed LeeLee. Peter and I had thought that they had killed you!

Peter looked at Angela and smiled. So we thought quite wrong and Im glad! he yelled.

The girl sat quiet for a moment. Yes! she called finally, the wind tugging at her bun. I remember now! You two were talking when something in the forest caught my eye! It was them, no doubt, and I turned away! Instantly I felt their power corrupt my senses! She paused, scratching her arm. And thats all I can remember!

Well! shouted Peter, its a lucky thingslow down Canterbury! Theyre gone, old beast The unicorn returned to a walk, and Peter lowered his voice. Its a lucky thing that you remember anything at all, considering the amount of time you were in their hands. For I have heard that they can take away your memory, if they desire to.

Do you think that Mr. Bruce saved me again this time, since the watchers did no harm but only put me to sleep?

Oh, they did more than put you to sleep, LeeLee chimed in. But I highly suspect that Nathan Bruce had nothing to do with this encounter. Time is creeping closer to the hour of your task. You know it, and the dark side knows it too.

Angela stared at her.

Youll understand soon enough, said Peter.