Chapter 14
“Wait!” Neeve called after me, but I paid no heed.
I dashed through the underbrush at the fringe of the forest, to see one of the bearded little men running straight toward me. He zigged and zagged through the meadow ahead, trying to outrun a huge, dark-winged eagle.
The raptor kept pace easily, extending its sharp claws. I watched in horror as the eagle caught the hobnie by his long beard and hoisted him into the air.
“Help me!” the little man screeched, his red eyes bright with panic.
As the bird flew past, I leaped and caught a handful of the hobnie’s tattered brown tunic. I held fast, but I was not strong enough to pull him out of the eagle’s clutches.
A pair of pale hands joined mine. Together, Neeve and I tugged with all our might. I let go of the hobnie’s tunic and
