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.Though they were descending, they were still moving at quite a speed between the peaks, hurried on by the air currents.A sheer rock face loomed immediately in front of them.There was nothing they could do that would prevent the balloon smashing into it.All they could do was cling to the basket, frozen with fear, as the slate-grey face came closer and closer.Then, quite suddenly, an air current caught them and lifted the balloon up and over the mountain.It was as if a giant hand had appeared from out of the mist and carried them over the threatening rock face.They all breathed a sigh of relief, and the sight that met their eyes on the other side of the mountain was the most welcome one of their journey.Before them, the mountains gave way to a wide and empty plain, over which brooded the face of the Maggot-Cloud on the horizon.Out of the thermal, the balloon began to descend again, more rapidly than ever."Hold on," said Colin."We're going to land with quite a wallop."The sandy plain rushed up to the meet them, as the balloon plummeted like a dying bird.The wind whistled in their ears.They closed their eyes as they hit the ground, bounced and hit it again.The children were flung out of the basket on to the sandy ground, taking in great gulps of air, and feeling for broken limbs.But they were unharmed.They had landed, safely, on the other side of the mountains.In the Hall of the Black WolfIn the Great Hall of his castle on the edge of the Wastelands, the Black Wolf, Lord of the Northern Marches, sat back in his huge throne, stroked his black beard, and studied his three prisoners carefully."You," he said, pointing at Darach."I know you."Darach said nothing."You are Darach the Wise, aren't you?" he turned to the leader of the soldiers who had captured them."You say there were children with him?""Yes, my Lord.""How many?""Three.""The Light-Wielders, no doubt," he mused."Well, well – we may not have the children yet – but we've got you, Darach, and your two acquaintances.""We've never seen him in our lives before, have we, Marius?" said Montgomery."No, Montgomery.Never clapped eyes on him.And, sir, he stole our balloon.""Curse your balloon!" said the Black Wolf."The children escaped in it.""It wasn't our fault," whimpered Marius, his chin receding even further into his neck."Shut up," said the Black Wolf."You can be set to work usefully for the realm.But you, Darach, you will make a fine hostage.Somehow I think her most regal majesty the Queen will pay handsomely for your life.""No," said a voice.The Black Wolf looked up, eyes blazing with anger."Who dares -" he began.It was a horseman.He had entered the chamber without a sound and stood at the great, oak-hewn doors in a pool of shadow that he seemed to weave around him.The guards and members of the court withdrew as he soundlessly approached the Black Wolf's throne down the hall."No," he said again."You will not have him as a hostage.""Will I not?" said the Black Wolf with a humourless smile."My soldiers captured him – therefore he is my prisoner to dispose of.""Not this one," said the horseman."He is ours.""Finders Keepers," said the Black Wolf, with a mocking smile."Losers –" replied the horseman, with his hand on his sword-hilt, "–Weepers.Do not argue with me, or you may lose your life.""Threats?" said the Black Wolf with the same smile."Yes.""Why's he so important to you?""He is responsible for the destruction of several riders.""You ought to be more careful," replied the Black Wolf, and looked a little bored."And he holds the secret of the candle.We must wrest it from him.Once we have the secret of its power, we can take steps to destroy it.""Very well," said the Black Wolf."What will you give me for him?""You dare to play games with a servant of the Cloud?" said the horseman, a dangerous tone creeping into his voice."I dare anything," replied the Black Wolf."You can have the old man - if you guarantee me the thrones of all the lands from here to the Northern seas when the Cloud has conquered the earth.""There won't be anything left to rule, Black Wolf," said Darach, breaking in."What are you mumbling, old man?" said the Wolf, impatiently."There won't be anything left," repeated Darach."The Cloud destroys everything in its path.And that will include you.""No," said the Wolf."Not me.I'm safe.I've served the Cloud well.""That means nothing," said Darach."You will be wiped out the same as the lowest servinglad in your kitchens.""You seek to frighten me with fancies, old man," said the Black Wolf with a smile, but his dark eyes betrayed a glimmer of fear."But you won't succeed.If the Cloud tries to double-cross me I shall raise up my army and destroy it.""How?" said Darach."You can't fight with shadows.""What do you mean?""This creature beside me is not a man.He is only darkness.""How can that be?""By magic.""I don't believe you," said the Black Wolf, but his smile vanished."Then prove it.You said you'd dare anything.Well command him to take off his helm.""What for?""To see if I tell the truth.To prove if he be man or shadow.""I will not," said the Black Wolf.The courtiers and guards murmured to each other."Frightened, my lord?" said Darach."Or do you fear that he will not obey you?""He will obey me," said the Black Wolf."Then command him!" said Darach
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