Ходячий замок
Chapter 21
Hewasalwaysmyweakestflank.”
“IthoughtWaleswas!”Sophiescreamed.
“No!Ileftthatdeliberately!”Howlbellowed.“IknewI’dbeangryenoughtostopherifshetriedanythingthere.Ihadtoleaveheranopening,see?TheonlychanceIhadofcomingatPrinceJustinwastousethatcurseshe’dputonmetogetnearher.”
“SoyouweregoingtorescuethePrince!”Sophieshouted.“Whydidyoupretendtorunaway?TodeceivetheWitch?”
“Notlikely!”Howlyelled.“I’macoward.OnlywayIcandosomethingthisfrighteningistotellmyselfI’mnotdoingit!”
Oh,dear!Sophiethought,lookingroundattheswirlinggrit.He’sbeinghonest!Andthisisawind.Thelastbitofthecursehascometrue!
ThehotgrithitherthunderouslyandHowl’sgriphurt.“Keeprunning!”Howlbawled.“You’llgethurtatthisspeed!”Sophiegaspedandmadeherlegsworkagain.Shecouldseethemountainsclearlynowandalineofgreenbelowthatwasthefloweringbushes.Eventhoughyellowsandkeptswirlingintheway,themountainsseemedtogrowandthegreenlinerushedtowardthemuntilitwashedgehigh.“Allmyflankswereweak!”Howlshouted.“IwasrelyingonSulimanbeingalive.ThenwhenallthatseemedtobeleftofhimwasPercival,IwassoscaredIhadtogooutandgetdrunk.AndthenyougoandplayintotheWitch’shands!”
“I’mtheeldest!”Sophieshrieked.“I’mafailure!”
“Garbage!”Howlshouted.“Youjustneverstoptothink!”Howlwasslowingdown.Dustkickeduproundthemindenseclouds.
