01_-_The_Alchemyst

spices. Wood snapped and cracked, sap boiled and popped and the deep bass
thrumming was now strong enough to set the entire tree vibrating.
“I’ll clear the way,” Scatty said as she darted through the vines. Almost
immediately a trio of the birdmen came winging toward her, followed by two
of the cat-people, running on all fours.
“We’ve got to help her!” Josh said desperately, though he’d no idea
what he could do.
“She is Scathach; she doesn’t need our help,” Flamel said. “She’ll lead
them away from us first….”
Scathach raced into the undergrowth, running lightly, her heavy boots
making no sound on the soft earth. The birds and cats followed.
“She’ll back herself up against something, so that they can only come at
her from one side, then she’ll turn to face them.”
Josh watched as Scatty spun and faced her attackers, with her back to a
gnarled oak tree. The cat creatures reached her quickly, claws flashing, but
her short swords were quicker, and struck sparks from their claws. A birdcreature
swung in low, huge wings flapping, talons extended. Driving the
sword in her left hand into the ground, she caught the creature’s extended
wrist and yanked it out of the air, then tossed it into the middle of the snarling
cats. The bird instinctively lashed out at the cats, and suddenly, the animals
were fighting among themselves. Two more bird-people immediately
dropped onto the cats with a hideous squalling. Scatty yanked her sword out
of the ground and used it to beckon to Flamel and Josh.
Flamel tapped Josh’s shoulder. “Go. Get to Scathach.”
Josh turned to look at the Alchemyst. “What about you?”
“I’ll wait a moment, then follow and protect you.”
And even though Josh knew Flamel had placed them in terrible danger,
he had no doubts that the Alchemyst would watch his back. He nodded, then
turned and burst through the curtain of vines and ran, clutching his sister
tightly to his chest. Away from the shelter of the tree, the noise of battle was
incredible, but he concentrated on the ground directly ahead of him, watching