104
" Janner looked at his grandfather in a new light; it seemed the old man had no end of secrets. But as much as Podo hated his past, and as much as Janner hated to imagine his dear grandfather running with such a wretched band, there was a chance it might save all their lives. He knew his grandfather had a story in mind, but he had serious doubts that Claxton and his hissing, knife-wielding people would turn them loose no matter how rousing the tale. Podo closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before he began. “Stranders! I stand before you with but one leg, me hair white with age, and me belly full of yer good meat. This fire here burnin’ low sends me thinkin’ about Growlfist the Strander King on the night I first met ‘im.” The Stranders murmured and nodded their heads. “Aye, I met ‘im, all right. Fierce he was, and a full head taller even than Claxton here. It was said his eyes were so mean he could cook a fish just starin’ at it, and I’m here to tell ye it’s true. Saw ‘im do it any number of times. "
― Andrew Peterson , North! or Be Eaten (The Wingfeather Saga, #2)
119
" Something bad is going to happen,” Leeli said. Podo sensed it too and dumped the grease from the skillet and thrust it into his pack without wiping it down. “Janner, Tink, get ready. Hurry!” Oskar passed the old book to Janner and gathered his ink bottle and parchment, careful not to smudge the fresh ink. Janner’s and Tink’s packs needed only to be strapped shut and swung over their shoulders. As soon as Nia finished gathering the bowls and cups from breakfast, Podo took a last look around the fire and nodded. “Keep up, lads and lasses. You too, Oskar. We’re gonna be off at a trot for a while, and it won’t be fun.” “Wait!” Tink said. “I need to say good-bye to Maraly.” “No time for that, lad,” Podo said. “But—” “No time!” Podo struck off in the direction of the river, and the others did their best to follow. “Maraly!” Tink cried over his shoulder. “Good-bye, Maraly!” But neither Maraly nor any of the Strander children were anywhere to be seen—just filthy men and women who poured out of the camp with daggers drawn and nefarious smiles stretched across every face. As they descended the slope to the river and the camp of the East Bend disappeared, Janner heard a final, chilling cry ring out from Nurgabog Weaver: “READY THE CAGES! "
― Andrew Peterson , North! or Be Eaten (The Wingfeather Saga, #2)
120
" If Tink felt the same fear, Janner couldn’t see it. After his call to Maraly went unanswered, Tink’s face had darkened. He ran beside Janner without taking his eyes from the muddy road. The rise and fall of the land gradually settled into a flat, grassy bottomland, a wild green in contrast to the muddy road and the gray-brown course of the river. After hours of running, helping Leeli to her feet, running again, slipping in the mud, and so on, Podo stopped so suddenly that Nia thudded into him. "
― Andrew Peterson , North! or Be Eaten (The Wingfeather Saga, #2)